1st POV: Axel
''Hands up where I can see them,'' was shouted over the megaphone by some cop.
I was bloody, my arm was broken, my ribs bruised, my leg was broken and the other splinted and there was a bullet in my shoulder. That is what happens when one tries to run from the police and jumps out of the third floor.
Just my luck I landed on a car instead of dying on impact.
And then a chase ensued.
Obviously.
I didn't make it too far with my injuries.
Obviously.
''End of the line, 'Prophet','' the police captain, evident by his more elaborate clothes, stepped forward and declared mockingly.
I gave him a flat look.
''Didn't see that coming, eh?,'' the captain continued to mock.
''Not this time,'' I couldn't help but reply back, with an unconcerned tone.
''Of course,'' the captain mirthfully nodded. Clearly he was entertaining me, thinking I was trying to save face in my last moments. He began reading me my Miranda Rights (how so very nice of him) and I couldn't help but suppress a scoff.
Those people really never learn. Do they?
Years of chasing me, attempting to catch me. YEARS. And at the first sign of victory, they let their guard down and become arrogant. Thinking they have won completely.
Oh, but perhaps I'm too harsh on them.
How could they ever know?
''Any last words? I can allow you that much since capturing you will make me look good. Maybe even give me an increase in wage,'' the captain playfully asked me.
''Just out of curiosity, how did you find out where I was? And how far away is the National Guard?,'' I asked him. For someone of my... infamy mere policemen would not be deployed. This reeked of hasty actions and small desperation.
''You are good at keeping your disguise and you were not seen by any cameras. It was just your bad luck someone looked too closely at you and recognized you. As for the National Guard? Haven't even called them yet. I can spin a story to placate them I'm sure,'' the captain shrugged and made his way over, bringing out the cuffs.
The captain may act leisurely around me, but the others clearly feared me and kept their distance. Meant probably that the captain made captain out of nepotism. He should have called for someone to back him up in cuffing me, even in my state.
So mere happenstance did me in? Hmm. Yes, luck factor is indeed a thing. No matter how much one prepares, sometimes it is not enough. One can do everything right and still lose.
How sad... and annoying in this case.
When the captain was close enough I made some hasty movement shoving my shoulder into him and reached for his gun. My shoulder flared up with pain again. It was the one I was shot in.
''No don't shoot him!!!,'' the captain yelled. Clearly he wanted to bring me in alive, as I would be FAR more valuable this way.
Alas, with a gun in my hand, this being America and them being the police they promptly opened fire.
I landed on the ground.
Dead, I think, before I even hit it.
---
I bolted upwards in my bed and made to sit immediately.
My trembling hand I balled into a fist to suppress the phantom pain.
Once that was done, the first thing I did was look at the date on the wall. Having a phone would be nice, but be it my own or stolen it could be tracked down.
The date showed toady to be 5 days before the incident.
Hmm. I leaned forward on my knees and put my chin on my interlocked hands.
...
...
The first time always stick with you, no matter what it was.
The first kiss.
The first murder.
The first time you rode a bike... and fell flat on your face.
The first murder.
The first death.
At least that is what I would like to believe is the case with everyone.
It is a novel experience. The uncertainty and lack of confidence, maybe even fear of the unknown. Only then to realize one worried for nothing and that the activity was not so out of ones reach and competence as one expected.
At least I would like to think that.
The first time I died, I was trying to climb a building. I was very young.
It was... very confusing. Realizing what happened. And coming to terms with it. Considering where I awoke, I did not have much time for that either.
The second time I succeeded. I gave the ball back to the other children and asked to play with them. As thanks they shooed me away.
I died for them and that was they thanks I got?
A childish thought I know now.
But for me then, that was devastating. What with me always being the outcast.
And yet, now, in a way I'm thankful. That event taught me that the world is cruel. And children crueler still. The world owed me nothing except what I do not take for myself.
I know that is the primary reason I never talked to anyone about my ability.
The point is, 'My first time's' were never about innocent activities. Not as I suspect with others to be the case.
The second time I died I was much older. Really it was my own fault. I crossed the street in a hurry without looking. A truck hit me and I was imprisoned between one of its tires. Several of my bones were broken, but the worst were the rashes on my face and my arm being degloved. When I awoke again, I vomited.
It was... very painful. Especially since I didn't immediately die. I died on my way to the hospital. A kindness, since I would have been paralyzed for life, surely. But with my death, I was suddenly whole and hearthy again. Only subjected to phantom pain.
Or was that my third death?
God, it has been so long that I don't remember.
Bottom line is I fear my first kind of death more then anything else.
I never ate a cyanide pill. I have one. But I never got around to eating it. Finding a regular dentist to operate on my teeth was ... hard and a danger. They could call the authorities.
Going to spy agencies was out of the question. I was young and dumb and started my vendetta early on. Now there is no going back. It was a matter of sunk cost fallacy.
And walking around with a cyanide pill in my mouth was out of the question. I could accidentally swallow it or pop it. No, I would rather avoid a wasted death.
Such a decision brought uncertainty with it. I could never be quite sure, if I succeed in killing myself successfully.
Oh well.
I stood up and paced.
I was, bodily speaking, 22 years old Mentally? I stopped counting. Hell, I never even started counting, but frankly I do no want to know.
It started with BlackRock, because of course it did. Housing Prices shot up. Then my mother got sick. My father died when I was young. Cancer. We were in debt, because of a medical bill. Money was tight, even with BlackRock pumping up house prices.
We were living on the edge. Paycheck to paycheck. But we made do.
Then my mother got cancer too. It was like the world was playing some sort of cosmic joke on me, I felt like. Alas, the world cared not a jot for me. And I was not the protagonist of some story.
I quit school. To look for a job. Here was where the second cosmic joke came, I felt like. I was old enough to work and be taxed, 17 at that time, but too young to represent myself. But I'm being too harsh on the world. It was just the perversity and corruption of those damn elitists.
Wasn't there something about a tea party in history. 'No taxation without representation' that kind of thing.
Agh, who knows.
When I was 18 I came home. The medical bill kept piling up, the house, which was paid for already, was being taxed for... reasons.
And my mother in her infinite wisdom and compassion decided to free me from her burden.
I came home upon her, swinging gently left and right from the ceiling.
How nice of her to traumatize me with such an act of compassion. I read the note to divine her motives.
immediately afterward was the first time I willingly killed myself. It was not easy, but I did it anyway.
Yet again, another cosmic joke was played on me. At that time, I did not yet know, not completely. But I can not set the 'checkpoint'. Much later only I learned that it is updated from week to week, every seven days and 168 hours.
The last checkpoint was 2 hours before I came home. She killed herself before that.
Hmm. On that day I began my vendetta. I was so angry. I went to the nearest gas station and bought gasoline.
BlackRock would get the property. Unfortunately there was nothing I could do about that. Not at that time. I was about to hit the limit on my debt before I defaulted, even with my mothers nice act of compassion.
They would get the property. Certainly. But not the house or anything else.
I lit the match, the dry wall burned with nothing remaining, no matter how quickly the firefighters arrived and I never looked back.
I have done much in the years since then. Learned a few things. Killed a few things. Bombed the entire board of directors in BlackRock. An entire floor gone.
Not that it did much. So I can't even claim to be proud of that.
It was clear that the system spiraled completely out of control that is. Capitalism I mean. They were replaced by the end of the week. Like cogs in a well oiled machine.
'Indeed. We should have gone for a nuke. Piss on the 'innocents', they are complicit anyway. We should have razed that building completely from the ground.'
I breathed softly and rubbed my wrist while balling my hand in to a fist.
I learned much. Had time to settle my mind. Think things through.
I was not the only one who suffered. Just the only one who had the guts to grasp for a better tomorrow.
But for the past few wee... hmm. No. For some time I have been thinking. I was merely treating the symptoms not the sickness itself.
The sickness was the system, capitalism, and it needed to be reduced to atoms, put down into the ground.
I could do much. Especially with my abilities. But I was reluctant to talk to anyone.
'They would only drag us down. Let us conquer the world for ourselves. Let them kneel and kiss our boots in obeisance and worship. Not like they would fight us anyway. They are not fighting now. They lack the guts. We owe them NOTHING.'
I rubbed my wrist more forcefully.
Yes. It was a good idea. Besides, I was sure I could gather together a team, while also keeping them at arms length, in the dark about my abilities.
Hmm..
'Tch. Pathetic. Caring about those lambs. But do as you will, you are in the drivers seat. But remember 'hero'. You will NEVER be rid of me. Go save those ungrateful cretins, play the 'hero'. See how thankful they will be to you, for removing the boot from their neck. And when you see the truth for yourself, I will be there to tell you 'I told you so'. Ignore me all you want. We both know why I exist. I will ALWAYS lurk in your shadows. In the darkest corner of your minds. I am your truth, just as you are mine.'
I closed my eyes and continued rubbing my wrist. Yes, I liked that sound of that. If I wanted to tear the system down, I would need a team.
But then what? What system should come after capitalism? Going a week to the past was... a HUGE boon, but in terms of setting up a government it was a non-factor. Really.
And say what anyone else wanted, but people needed an institution to govern them, but also allowed them their freedoms.
Hmm...
Well, I slowly thought, my muscles would revert whenever I traveled back in time. Oh I still trained in case i advanced a week, but still...
Muscle memory was a thing...
I... could subject myself to ...the pain, in order to learn and plan things more throughoutly...
...
...
...
I was not the smartest even before I dropped out of school, but I could learn...
Thought what with me being hunted, getting access to learning stuff would be difficult...
I sighed.
'Go ahead, 'hero'. Aren't heroes meant to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of the world. What are you hesitating for?'
With resolve I made my decision.
'Pathetic.'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
''What should we do with the enemy commanders, Sir?,'' my second in command came to ask me. Me being the General of course.
It was in my interest to be the General. For one, as a dictator owning the military's loyalty was paramount. And with my ability there was virtually no danger to myself. Crushing victory after victory with me by their side 'in danger' builds solidarity between my men and I. And it also breeds a, sort of, perception of myself as a divine figure. It is no more different then what Chinese and many other emperors throughout history did.
A mandate from heaven to legitimized their rule.
Pffh.
Yeah, right.
I haven't pushed for this narrative, not even secretly. The people are to educated for that nowadays.
But there always the fools, of course.
And as it turns out there are enough fools that the narrative spread around and far anyway.
What else could be the case when I am so victorious.
Witchcraft?
I had to to use every advantage I had. Gathering the army was not easy.
''Is the enemy General among them?,'' I asked.
''No. We already asked them. He sits nice and cozy wherever their HQ is, though we haven't yet gotten that location from them,'' my second in command, Hank, scoffed. He was not afraid to share his thoughts about that.
''Our enemies fought nobly. Our enemies fought honorably. Our enemies fought loyally for their cause. They can die for it too. Line the Commanders up on the wall and execute them. I will find the enemies HQ myself. As for the rest? Put them in our vanguard. If they refuse, execute them as well. Take no prisoners,'' I ordered him.
Hank saluted me and left.
This was a civil war.
Naturally the war is being fought with restrictions.
I did push the elitists hard enough, thrice, to the point that they shot ICBM on our army. The third time I wanted to use their desperation against them. Push the narrative that our enemies did not care for American lives as our side did.
ICBMs are very indiscriminate in destroying everything in an area. The only other way they could have garnered more hate was by detonating a nuke on their own soil.
It was a delicate balance I needed to keep. Earn victories after victory, but not THAT crushing that I spook the elitists. I promptly killed myself, after they dropped the ICBMs and witnessed the destruction.
'How compassionate and heroic.'
I stroke the ring on my finger. I found a solution to my woes. The ring had a small space for a cyanide pill in it. It was ... a peculiar death. I was making good use of it.
---
Eight years.
Eight fucking years.
Like physically speaking. The Civil War started 2027 and today was 2035. Of course for me it was far longer.
'The war only took so long because you had to be a 'hero' that wanted to have his cake and eat it too.'
And the elitists did what they always did best. Being a slippery eel and escape justice's clutches.
''I'm sorry, I can not, in good conscience, allow you to conduct military operations on my soil for the purposes of finding your enemies. They paid for their bunkers and we signed a contract with them,'' the president of Norway explained to me.
''And you are aware that after we won the war, we seized everything they owned? Their entire fortune I mean?,'' I asked him. Well, not everything. Everything that was nailed down, their businesses mostly. They still got away with a lot of their money.
The president of Norway knew that of course.
''I'm sorry. You must understand. How would it look to the world if we won't keep our words. We would present ourselves as unreliable business partners. I hope (*he wipes some sweat with a nap from his forehead and clears his throat* I hope the EU and the USA we still be allies and conduct business with each other. But in that... You must realize, you are putting me in a difficult position,'' he began stammering.
One of the benefit of keeping the Civil War tame was that our overall military was still strong when compared to the world. Particularly our Navy.
''Of course, I understand. But you must realize that you are also putting me in a difficult position for these are my enemies and by sheltering them you allow them to plot against me in the dark. We will continue to be allies, but forgive me if Norway is low on the priority list of the EU countries I wish to do business with.
Hank, escort the good man out of my White House,'' I explained smoothly. I gestured towards the exit and ignored whatever else the president was saying.
A while after Hank came back.
''Say, Hank, how good are our satellites?,'' I asked him, an idea in my mind.
''Very good I would say. But contacting NASA would give you a better answer, I would think,'' Hank replied respectfully.
''Good enough for a accurate 3D mapping of an area?,'' I asked him anyway, even if I was already punching in the number of my contacts in NASA.
''I would think so, yes,'' Hank replied.
As it turned out, Hank was right. He waited while I conducted my conversation with NASA.
''As you heard, you were right. NASA already moved our satellites to observe Norway,'' I conversed.
''Will we be waiting for our enemies to show their heads? That may take... a long while, Sir,'' Hank pointed.
''Nothing of the sort. Release our ICBMs and nukes.
Destination Norway,'' I instructed him calmly.
War is terrible and men must become terrible to wage it.
''S-sir?,'' Hank asked me completely shocked.
''Did I stutter? I know you heard me the first time,'' I told him.
''But, Sir! Surely, you don't need to do that. Can't you just do your ... divination thing and conduct a less devastating operation. A Black Ops or the sort?,'' Hank desperately asked me, while wildly gesticulating.
''What do you think I'm doing here? It is our most optimal course of action. Trust me, Hank. I wouldn't dare suggest this unless I absolutely had to. The loss of Norway is worth the sacrifice to get rid of THEM,'' I put on a conflicted face and explained to him gravely.
''They really are that much of a threat to our future....? I understand, Sir. How many of them shall we send?,'' Hank saluted, clearly still a little conflicted.
But he was loyal and my infamy/celebrity proceeded me.
''All of them.''
''... I understand, Sir.''
...
...
...
After 35 hours the dust settled enough that the satellites could see the ground. The bunkers were very deep, but the bombs did a good job in digging down.
'Do you feel like a 'hero' yet?'
I ignored the mocking voice in my head as I made sure to memorize the coordinates down to a T.
'Look at those hapless sheep, demonstrating their dissatisfaction. Does it hurt? to be an unsung 'hero'? Will you admit now, that these blind worms will never appreciate what you will do for them?'
Despite knowing better I replied back to my 'better' half in my head.
'I do not understand your obsession with calling me a hero. I never desired to or deluded myself that I wanted to be a hero. All this is for the sake of my vendetta. It is purely personal. Nothing more and if a few million 'innocent' people must die for my revenge, then so be it.'
'Of course. Of course (*The second sentence was purred darkly*) I am your better half. Who else can you be honest with, if not with me? Who else but me would keep your wretched soul company.
By the way, we never found out if we truly travel back in time or to an alternate time line, while leaving the old one behind. Did we?'
...I should have known better then to engage with the voice in a conversation.
I promptly returned to ignoring it and its mirthful chuckle.
I drank a sip from my glass of water after being confident to have memorized the coordinates.
I coughed.
...
'Oh no! Who could have seen this coming. And after all you did for them. How quickly a hero can turn into a villain. How so very sad.'
Not surprising. I fully expected such a consequence, even without my abilities.
Still, it is a little amusing, that someone would attempt to poison me, despite the image people have of me.
Guess Hank was more shocked up by what I did then he showed or I thought. At least I think it was Hank.
Oh well, the most important part was that the ICBMs and nukes were deployed in the first place and my plan bore merit.
I quickly recognized the signs.
Cyanide.
The same way I planned on doing myself in after memorizing the coordinates.
Oh well.
Betrayal truly does come from friends more then enemies.
What a fool I was to have forgotten this.
---
''Of course, I understand your situation, my friend. I assure you that i am more then capable of differentiating between personal issues and business and even more capable of conducting both independently from each other. If you ever change your mind, I'm one call phone away. Until then I await to eagerly work with you and the EU for a better tomorrow,'' I amicably responded to the president of Norway.
I hosted him for a few hours more, while broaching various topics. He left far more relaxed this time around. Thinking me as a friend.
''So what now, Sir? If he won't cooperate, then how will we catch those scums?,'' Hank asked me after he came back from escorting the president of Norway.
I looked at him for a while in contemplation.
''Sir?,'' Hank asked curiously and shifted on his feet.
'I told you so (*The voice sang*). How did that song go? 'This is America, Don't catch you slipping now.' You will only be their 'hero' till it is no longer convenient and then they will dispose of you. Like a leper. We have NO friends.'
I began writing numbers on a sheet of paper and handed them to Hank.
''Are those...?,'' Hank asked, not being able to hide his giddiness.
''Call our Special Ops. I will go with them and we will conduct a Black Ops on Norway's soil,'' I instructed him.
''Will I come as well?,'' Hank asked.
''No. Someone needs to keep our hard won peace here and the order as well. I trust no one else, but you with that,'' I told him.
''Understood, Sir. I will go prepare everything at once,'' he beamed proudly.
I watched him go away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
''NO! Let me, Let me go. Please, I'm begging you!,'' the trophy wife began pleading while being dragged from under the bed. She was dragged by the hair, the woman struggling to walk after my soldier, as he brought her over to her husband and her son.
''That should be the last of them, Sir,'' someone came over to say to me.
Honestly, I'm just, ever so slightly, disappointed. It seems that the moment someone gets rich, all sense leaves their brain through their ears.
They made all that ruckus about their precious bunkers being able to house them for decades and we literally smoked them out in a week. All of them. Every single one.
How?
Sure, they had the food and water as well as the entertainment.
But after we blocked the air filtration system, blocked the water pipes as well as the sewage system, they were forced out. Or they would have died from asphyxiation or lung diseases. I looked at the mold on the wall.
God, they air stank here and it felt like my throat was clogging up and I was here only for like 40 minutes.
''And the information about their accounts and the all the rest of their wealth?,'' I asked him.
''That we found too. We added them to all the others, ready for you to do with it as you please, Sir,'' the same soldier replied.
''Then bind them and load them up. The children as well. We are done here,'' I told him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reporters shifted with unease. Behind me swung the corpses of every rich american, the 1% of the world.
Do these people really think, those rich fucks settled in America because it was the greatest country in the world? No, they settled here because it was the country that allowed them the greatest tax write off or benefits.
'They are idiots, they will eat anything up so long as at the end of they will get food, a roof over their head and warmth. They don't believe in anything and would willingly burn a babe at the stake if it would give them what they want. Or have all those examples in history where famine reigned taught us nothing? Truly a bunch worth protecting. No, 'hero'?'
''You may ask your questions now,'' I told the reporters.
They all raised their hands and I picked one.
''Now that the Civil War is over, will you take the role of the president interim or will we hold snap elections?''
''Presidency? Why is there any talk of presidency?,'' I asked them confused.
There is NO WAY these people are that dumb and don't recognize the writing on the wall. Either that or this is some sort of attempt to sow dissent as a form of quite rebellion, spin the narrative so to speak.
Which... bold. Really. Bold and stupid from them.
Perhaps I should have taken the offer from Hank for him to veto and select the... 'right' media to come into the conference room.
''The USA is a democracy. Your legitimacy and right to govern comes from the vote of the people.''
I shook my head, trying to suppress my amusement.
''Democracy? You mean Demagoguery. I understand, that the government is supposed to be 'Of the People, by the people, for the people.' But what if the people are retarded?
Sokrates once said. The country is like a ship. Who do you want to steer the ship? The one who is the most charismatic or the one who is the most competent?,'' I began.
''The most competent being you of course.''
I replied to the interruption with an... uncomfortable long silence. Even made sure to keep my face and body completely still.
''Of course, I paraphrased Sokrates words a bit, but that is what he meant. He literally died to make his point, if he could have really fled yet chose to stay and be executed, that is.
How often, did someone stand here and made wildly fantastical claims to deliver ... everything to you all on a silver platter. How often did they deliver? A few times, I admit. But even a broken clock is right twice a day. That doesn't make up for all the other times it let you down.
The last decades, and especially the last years, have shown us that... mhmm things needed to change.
Oh do not worry. Democracy is dead and you killed it, and yet what will follow will not quite be a dictatorship either. I will leave the style of government and what to name it to the experts.
You get to keep your rights and liberties and all that other trite. You can protest and stuff, I'm sure it will prove as effective as your protests against the previous administration. I'm sorry, I meant to say government.
Your voice will be heard and taken into consideration.
And when you will see that what I'm doing improves your lives, I'm sure you will protest even more against me, because you clearly care so much about democracy and its ideals. Truly I will be burdened and afraid till the end of my days, that none will accept my rulership or government.
Oh poor me. But of course, if you overstep I will simply ... disappear you. No Riots, no insurrections, no assassination attempts. The previous government demanded the same, only I will raised the stakes and simply send the military to mow you all down if you engage in those illicit affairs.
In other words. Yes, I DO believe I am the most competent to lead the country.
And when you go back to your news station, make sure to spin the story in a way that makes it at least minimally interesting. I would be boring if you make things too... predictable for me.
Next.'' I moved on from the original question and picked another one that was raising his hand.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eventually Hank had to go. He was a trusted advisor and his input was appreciated, but with me being a... monarch now, there was no longer a General. He received a promotion and needed to manage our army.
Now that things calmed down and Martial Law was lifted, he could no longer do it from the White House. Not in the way I did it at least.
On the upside, I had a personal secretary now. To keep track of everything, except the obvious. Those things I memorized.
She was entertaining. A skittish, easily startled little woman. She reminded me of a squirrel.
She was terrified of me.
Of course.
I also had new security forces around me.
Guards, in other words.
Necessary, yet so amusingly archaic.
I truly live up to the title of a monarch now.
''S-sir?,'' my secretary, Priscilla, asked.
''Hmm?,'' I continued to write the words on the paper. A new law I was making up, naturally later on I would have to let lawmakers go over it and improve it.
She jumped up anyways, despite me being absentminded.
''Th-there...Protests erupted i-in front of the White House, Sir,'' Priscilla, stuttered out. She was as far away from as she dared to go. Which was nearly on the other side of the room.
''What about?,'' I asked her.
''Democracy, Sir,'' she replied.
Democracy, I nearly mockingly parroted.
''Ignore them. If they start riots, let the guards open fire and kill them all indiscriminately. Blast this message from all megaphones, so that they know the consequences of breaking the law. Otherwise they are allowed to protest,'' I informed her and waved her off.
She bolted immediately out to relay my orders.
I came in a lot of power after the war. The money, the fortune the businesses.
Hmm. I know that if money is kept flowing and constantly being spent the economy will be relatively stable.
I invested the money a few months ago into the businesses as well as to buy apartment complexes from landowners. Making both state owned. Right now they won't yield any immediate results, but people can afford at least a roof over their head and eventually those things will pay for themselves and more.
And that was just one thing I invested the money in.
Point is, I undertook projects that would generate jobs and ensure that the money flows constantly.
Also put it into law that the government will no longer bail out corporation if they make dumb mistakes or gambles.
Which... was rather pointless, considering how FEW corporations were left that were not under the states thumb.
I wanted to take hold of prices too, but I was told under no uncertain terms by many financial advisors that it was better to do the same as the EU. Still have a free market, where business could regulate the price, but with some regulations.
Hmm... If I wanted to keep the money flowing then another thing I could do was shut down the stock market. Though I'm sure I could only effectively do that in my own country, the rest of the world would still have a stock market. Maybe I could prohibit people from accessing that through the internet? Through I'm reluctant to do that, since I considered that a slippery slope.
Ugh. I need to think more on that.
So much to do and so little time.
---
''Are people still protesting in front of the White House about democracy needing to return or what not?,'' I asked curiously.
''Ugh, Sir?,'' Priscilla asked unsure?
''Well?,'' I asked her a little annoyed making her jump a little.
''Sir, they are no longer protesting. The protests stopped 5 months ago and upon being informed of that development you said and I quote 'Oh, wow. Clearly they cared about their ideals so much. Perhaps I should boost the economy even more and maybe they will come back to protest, because 'they are tired of winning.'' End quote,'' Priscilla informed me diligently.
I blinked.
5... months?
Despite circumstances I faced exactly ZERO assassination attempts, minus Hanks.
Still... 5 months? Didn't the protest start, like, 2 years ago?
I rubbed my finger. The ring itching me.
''I see,'' I commented.
''By the way, Sir. Tomorrow the World Economic Forum will take place. I already had everything prepared for you, Sir,'' she smiled at me.
I nodded.
''My thanks. And the speech I prepared? My notes, I mean,'' I asked her.
''Packed into the envelope and laid atop your clothes as the first object in your coffer. Just as instructed,'' she replied.
''Good. I doubt I will do more work tonight. I will finish up in a moment. You may go and rest for tomorrow,'' I dismissed her.
''Should I bring you some tea or of the sort, Sir?,'' she asked, standing rooted on the spot.
Hmm. I wonder when she stopped standing across the room from me? For the life of me I can't remember. Nowadays she stood almost across the table.
''There is no need. I will be satisfied with some water and then take a rest myself. You may go,'' I dismissed her again.
''Understood. Good night, Sir,'' she nodded and waved as she walked away.
''Rest well, Priscilla,'' I replied.
---
I put on the condom.
A man has needs. And I think I deserve that, a reward, after ruling those idiots for so long. And giving them everything they could ever want too.
Alas a man has no wife, partner or girlfriend. So an escort would have to do.
It was... marginally... No. It was very embarrassing.
My first plan was to just walk out and go to a brothel.
My security guards put a stop to that quickly.
They would not have it.
I threatened to fire them. Who were they to dictate anything to me?
It did not deter them.
And so I reluctantly told them what I wanted and they set up this whole system off who to select.
I can hardly fire them for doing their job so earnestly.
'Earnestly. Yeah, right. You are their walking paycheck and in case you have forgotten, the matter of succession still needs to be resolved. They can't have you dead yet.'
''My King, can I just say how much of an honor it is to be selected to please you,'' the escort sycophantly conversed.
''You are honored to be a whore?,'' I asked her, feeling agitated.
She flushed with shame.
''Remain silent. You are only here to please me for a reward. Nothing more. I'm not paying you to hear your voice,'' I instructed her and positioned myself around her entrance.
Still I did not thrust forward.
''If ... if you are a virgin I can guide you,'' the woman offered kindly.
I'm not a virgin. I lost my V-card during High School,,, before everything.
No, that was not it...
'Look at her. So young. Do you think she wants to lay on her back and spread her legs to any random stranger. 'A reward'. Yeah, right. Truly, you must be King Arthur himself that her profession still exists. So much, for doing a better job then the others.
Come now. Thrust forward. Prove yourself no different then Bergstein and aaaaall those other pedophiles. Look at her supple youthful flesh. 'Bring out her full potential.'
How old are we again? Certainly not 33 as our body suggests. But I'm sure that doesn't matter. Right. After all WE are not the same as THEM at all, no?
How did they operate again? Rules for thee, but not for me?'
I stepped away from the woman and removed my condom, putting it in my pocket, just to make extra sure my seed doesn't sprout any trees I don't want. I hastily closed my pants, despite still having an erection.
''Here, sorry for wasting your time,'' I gave her half the promised reward and left the room.
''Sir? That was quick... Was she not to your satisfaction? Did we do something wrong?,'' the security hastily followed after me.
''I reconsidered. I paid her half the reward for her time any way,'' I explained myself.
...Did he think me a quick shot? Not gonna lie, my pride was a little hurt.
The security guard sighed in relief.
''Say how old was she anyway?,'' I asked him.
''You asked me for someone close in age with you, older or younger. No more then 5 years and especially no diseases. No other criteria. Her we picked and she was 29 years old. Should we black list her?,'' my security guard asked.
''I don't think I will do this again for a while. Don't bother, for she did nothing wrong. Let her go in peace,'' I instructed him. He nodded and mentioned for his partner to escort her out of the White House.
...
''Sir? That was quick,'' Priscilla quickly stood up from the chair.
''I reconsidered. I did not want to risk catching any diseases. You look disheveled. Go rest. I'm not going to do anything today anyway, since I need to think about some things,'' I instructed her, while walking through my office and finally taking a seat at my table.
She starred at me for a bit. And then smiled.
''Should I bring you some tea, Sir?,'' she asked me, while adjusting herself a little in appearance.
''No. As I said I need to think on some things. I would prefer to do this in solitude. Go and rest,'' I repeated, just a little forceful now.
Priscilla nodded amicably and slowly made her way out.
...
Hmm...
Matters if succession, huh?
There is a lot of power centralized around me...
But I doubt I am immortal.
If I have a child... and they grow spoiled, which they will, even if I won't spoil them they will be by sheer virtue of being born in the position they are in. And then we are back to square one.
And they WILL do a lot of damage.
If I raise any child I have away, on say a farm or under middle class circumstances then it may lack love and thus empathy. And I certainly don't want my kid to be raised by strangers...
So, what then?
...
Maybe I will pick a candidate from a pool, prepared by my people and then look for the right one... Teach them administration and statesmanship...
A monarchy not inherited through lineage... but virtue?
I don't know.
But even then, the power could go to their head...
...
Institutions.
The idea of Checks and Balances was a good one, even if it proved lackluster during the previous government.
Distribute the right individual power to the right institutions...
Bring a measure of democracy back in a very limited amount and only on certain topics. Make a disposition of 80 to 20 percent votes necessary, both in the public as well as the government EACH if they want to change any laws.
Ban GerryMandering under any circumstances, if I do decide to introduce some sort of limited democracy.
Technically speaking, despite the changes the U.S Constitution is still (mostly) active.
What if... I make something akin to a second Constitution, obviously under a different name, and make it very, very hard to change. It will lay the foundation and principle by which the government operates continuing onwards.
That... may be a solution to my problem.
But I still need to think a lot on it and ask my advisors. Still, with how important it is, I do not want to risk anyone making moves against my changes, since they are THAT big. I will need to kill myself afterwards.
Hmmm...
So much to do and then even more to do.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
''Ladies and Gentleman, I will keep myself brief. Today marks the final day of the year 2040. In a few hours, we will all be in 2041. Usually, I say, 'Cool, another year passed. Big Deal.' And yet as I get older and I suppose wiser, though at times it doesn't feel that way (*a lot of people chuckled in the massive audience*), I can see the joy that spreads among the people when they gather together. Be it family, romantic partner, friend and I suppose even strangers. Having a time specifically dedicated to gathering around together like this... It is beautiful.
Grasp it, cherish it, do not take it for granted.
Much has happened this year and I'm sure that statement is true for each and everyone of you. But just for tonight, for one brief moment, let us enjoy each others presence, free from stigma and stereotypes and dogmatic beliefs and simply relax, destress, perhaps even be joyful for but a brief moment.
I hope I will continue to be able to provide you with such bounty, for many years yet to come.
Ladies and Gentleman, I really did want to address you all briefly. I will not take any more of your time and will simply instruct you to make merry and enjoy the fireworks we provided.
Happy New Years Eve to you all and may the coming year be more bountiful then the last.'' I held my short annual speech for the american population.
They probably wanted to hear my voice as little as possible.
''Awww, look at them, bringing out their flashlight and singing the new hymn. How sickeningly... supportive.'
Honestly. Things could have been made minimally interesting for me, if someone would have attempted to assassinate me.
Because these speeches bored me to tears.
And my security worried about... well, security matters.
So much for that.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup. I will call it 'The Magna Charter'. Took two years more, but I finally wrote the legislative for the new government. Naturally, I would have to subject myself to them too to set an example for all yet to come.
With me having many more years left under my belt that should be a non-issue.
The government will be kept flexible and yet certain things or aspects will be a bitch to change. It should ensure that the people have a stable life for many generations to come.
And if not...
Well, I will not be among the living anymore so who honestly cares?
---
''What is your name?,'' I asked the boy. He was 17 years old.
''Florentine,'' he introduced himself.
Ah, definitely immigrant parents then.
Still, he was born here so he was an American citizen and fulfilled all the other criterias besides.
Welp.
Time to put him under a serious of tests to see if he would do.
All the others failed. And if Florentine failed, my people would need to bring me a new batch of candidates.
At least it is only a week.
...
He will do.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
''How is my successor doing?,'' I asked Priscilla.
''Diligently, studying what he needs to,'' she replied, lounging in the seat and looking at her phone. Cat videos probably, I don't know.
''Doesn't surprise me. He would be dumb to pass up on the chance to rise so high,'' I told her.
Indeed.
There were a bajillion criteria, among them the candidate needed to be an orphan.
Obviously naturally orphaned, can't have the candidate fester resentment against the state.
Intelligent too.
And of course, possessing of empathy, that tempered any little ambition the candidate has.
Here my ability came very nicely in handy.
I always said, a bit of ambition was a healthy amount.
Priscilla was looking at me across the top of her phone, I noticed after a while.
''Yes?,' I asked her.
''You know I never asked. Do you mind me lounging like this in your couch?,'' she asked me.
''No. So long as you carry out your task, I do not mind you relaxing like this. Stress is not good for the body. Of course so long as you make no noise,'' I replied honestly.
''Do you mind making conversation then?,'' she asked, putting her phone away.
''Not really. I'm just catching up on reports. This is done quickly and distractions are not too disruptive,'' I informed her.
''And what do the rewards say?,'' she asked.
''Briefly? The economy is doing good,'' I told her.
'' 'The economy is doing good' he says,'' Priscilla parroted.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
''Sorry,'' she flushed,''It's just ... You are being too modest.''
''What would you do then?,'' I asked her a little curious.
She looked stumped for a bit then shrugged,
''Brag?''
''For what purpose? Is there anyone you have to prove something to or the like?,'' I asked her.
''i guess when you put it like that it makes me sound vain,'' she fully laid on her back, but continued to stare at me while I worked in silence.
''You know, I'm surprised. Everyone expected you to make some sort of new royal bloodline. This... you made an unconventional choice,'' she opened up the subject.
''You disapprove?,'' I asked her.
''No. Not at all. I'm guessing you will never have children?,'' Priscilla asked.
''That would make everything messy. Best I set an example. I did say my position was one of lifelong duty,'' I reminded her.
''Maybe I should set an example too? For anyone that will succeed me,'' she joked.
I snorted.
''You are not obligated to make such sacrifices. I'm surprised you haven't settled down as a matter of fact. Anyone ever catch your eye?,'' I asked her.
When she didn't answer for a while I looked past my papers at her and caught her starring at the ceiling in melancholy.
''Priscilla?,'' I called her attention.
She closed her eyes.
''I realized ... that I am a fool loving an even bigger fool with too large a heart for me too match,'' she pushed out.
...
Oh.
Well, now I feel very silly.
''If you want, I can find you another position equally as high ranking in the government,'' I offered her.
''No, thank you,'' she turned her back to me.
''...If you ever change your mind, know that the offer will always be there,'' I promised her.
''When is the last time you talked to Hank?,'' was that petulance or frustration I heard in her voice.
Hank, huh?
After he walked out, I haven't talked to him since.
...
She never did take me up on that offer.
...She was too good for me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I rose myself from my chair.
''Alright, here. You deal with this shit show now,'' I told him and gestured to the chair.
Florentine looked shocked. Priscilla too.
''Wait. Don't we need a ceremony? You can't just... just. It is too sudden, for me, for her, for everyone,'' Florentine gesticulated.
I sighed.
...
One invented boring ass ceremony later, preparations were taken for it to be held in a few weeks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priscilla continued to work for Florentine. And I was kept as an advisor to advise and pass on my knowledge.
In terms of dynamics, nothing too much changed.
I got older.
Then I died.
Thank fucking god, my ability died not trigger, locking the world in an eternal loop.
The End, as the stories go.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welp, that was my story.
Fulfilled my own personal vendetta, gave the elitist a giant middle by both tearing their precious kingdom down and making the people prosper and love me more then they ever did them.
All in all he lived a good life.
...
...
...
I kicked the empty black space.
...
...
...
Well, this was getting mildly awkward.
Am I not supposed to be judged?
''Sorry, sorry. I was preoccupied with someone else,'' a throne appeared in front of me. The figure in it was black.
Actually black was an understatement. I doubt I have the words or vocabulary to describe how dark the person was. For eyes he had two glowing orbs.
Alright. A little menacing, despite the friendly tone.
As a matter of fact how could I make out his black silhouette in a black room.
Anyway.
I stood ready to be judged. Probably hell. Oh well.
''Calm down. You are getting ahead of yourself. I'm ROB. Random Omnipotent Being. Sorry, buddy. My name will literally kill you. So, fascinating life you lead,'' ROB began.
I shrugged.
''Yeah, I couldn't care less either. Unfortunately some of us have a job to do,'' ROB shrugged back.
''Yeah, I guess. It was a fascinating life, but I really can't say. Sure, I did some good, did some bad. Nothing different then any other human, I guess. The only really innocent ones are children and even then only up to a certain age. Never could decide what age that was,'' I summarized.
''True, true. But I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about your ability to time loop,'' ROB clarified.
''I can't say why I had that ability, but I guess I was born with it. There were not many people with powers. At all really. And if there were I never found them. Should I not have made use of it?,'' I asked him. I guess it was a 'he'.
''Many people would have let the power get to their heads. Especially if they were the only one around with powers,'' ROB pointed out.
''Still died to old age. Guess I wasn't the only one with power around. Valar Morghulis or something, I don't know. Sure I wasn't a saint, but I wasn't the devil either. I was complicated like all humans were,'' I replied.
''Perhaps. There is a saying 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character give him power.','' ROB trailed off.
''Are you seriously quoting Lincoln at me? Besides I always found that quote ridiculous. Instead of giving unlimited powers to a person over the masses just give that person someone weaker then them and see how they treat them. A homeless person always works. It is what I did. Florentine looked horrified and disgusted with what I did to that dwarf person. Hell, he snapped and killed me, in fact.
Damn I'm proud of him still,'' I praised.
Yeah, I totally lost too many screws over the years.
''What if I were to tell you that you traveled to an alternate dimension every time you died,'' ROB asked me.
''You can't make an omelette without cracking an egg. Do I regret what I did to that dwarf person? Not my proudest moment, definitely. But look at the alternative. I give power to someone of no reknown over the masses and next thing I know entire countries disappear.
I would know. I bombed Norway of the map,'' I argued.
''So the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,'' ROB continued to ask.
I rubbed my face.
''Look, far be it for me to preach wisdoms to someone who is god knows how old and powerful. Life is too complicated and complex too be summarized in just a few sentences. I WISH life were so simple as everyone would like to believe or hope.
Nothing is true, everything is permitted. I can attack anything as much as you can defend it, philosophically of course.
I suppose, at the end of the day the only thing that matters is what we chose for ourselves. A course of action, an ideal etc. and then it is just a matter of having the strength to defend it or defeat those who would like to keep you from such a path,'' I tried explaining my thoughts.
''Sounds terrifying,'' ROB commented.
''C'est la vie. No one asked to be born yet we are all forced to participate anyway.
Why are you asking me this anyway? If you are omnipotent, can't you just rip the answer from my brain?,'' I asked curious.
''Eh, when you get as old as me, you develop your peculiarities. Get eccentric, it is all the fad nowadays.
But you are right. The conversation is pointless. I just need to inform you of some things.
For one. You were lucky. You did travel back in time and NOT to an alternate dimension. Lucky you. All the things you done, genuinely undone. Not like the alternative, where you go to another world and you are none the wise, thinking you are time traveling,'' ROB began.
''Lucky me,'' I parroted, tension I didn't know I had leaving my body.
'Yes, lucky you. I'm sure that makes EVERYTHING better.'
''But that brings me to the other topic. You had powers, yet no one else did around you did. Sometimes these things happen. Think of them as glitches. I'm sure you are familiar with the term. They never really require intervention. And the alternative is not really our concern right now. We know what causes them, but if the system works and the boss is not complaining then meh, the glitches may stay.
Under normal circumstances, you would have just been shipped off, memories cleansed and your soul stuffed in a new body. And that would have been the end of that,'' ROB further explained.
''Souls are recycled?,'' I asked.
''Yes, of course they are. It never stops to amuse me that mortals think we will waste time by rewarding them for good behavior or punish them for bad. Wow, you saved world hunger, here have a cookie for a job well done I guess,'' ROB scoffed.
''The world owes you nothing,'' I replied.
''THANK YOU! At least one mortal gets it every now and then. Once every sexdecillion years.
Anyway. As I said under normal circumstances you would have been wiped, stamped, packaged and shipped out. But your power put you in many interesting situations. And suddenly you are on MY radar.
I wish to offer you reincarnation,'' ROB offered finally and threw his arms out like a showman/ merchant.
''Can I refuse?,'' I asked him. I don't know man. Resting in oblivion does sound pretty inviting.
''No. I will have you one way or the other, no one managed to refuse me yet, even if they tried. But cooperating or negotiating with others is always more preferably,'' ROB explained.
I suppressed a scoff. Yes, let us negotiate said the person holding a nuke centimeters away from my face. LET US NEGOTIATE. Maybe some spit flying in my face to as he screams like that.
That had the same energy as 'You are being rescued. Please do not resist.'
I call it 'aggressive dot dot dot'. Like 'Aggressive Kindness' or ' Aggressive Diplomacy' or 'Aggressive Meditating.'
''You have ... an active mind,'' ROB chuckled.
I stilled...
Eh. I shrugged. Omnipotent. Shouldn't really be too surprised.
''Well, your acceptance makes things easier. So many get so defensive about me peeking in their mind. Ah well. Anyway. Naturally, since you are being reincarnated. You get powers. Huzzah. Ignore all the other contract clauses (*I gave him a thumbs up and nodded seriously. Hey, if he won't allow me to refuse, might as well play along. And I liked that he was THIS direct.*)
You get the standard package. One power suited for the world and another. Now. Usually I would tell you what the powers are, BUT you already have powers. And in case you have not noticed, It is VERY POWERFUL.
So here is what I will do. I will ... 'upgrade' your own personal power. You can now set checkpoints at will. In return I will leave you COMPLETELY in the dark about those two powers. You have time loop. USE IT. Any questions?,'' ROB asked me.
''Do I know the world and once there what exactly am I supposed to do?,'' I asked.
''Defeat the Big Bad Evil Guy. Duh. What never played D&D before. Don't answer that. And you know off it. I wonder how long it will take you to know in which world you are if ever.
Oh and Axel? Do try to make things somewhat entertaining for me. But considering what I have seen that shouldn't be to troublesome for you,'' ROB instructed.
''What if I fail anyway in entertaining you?,'' I asked.
''Then you fail, big sad. The most important part is that you do not get yourself stuck in an infinite loop somehow. I would despise to intervene.
Any other question? No? Then skeddadle. I have other duties to attend to,'' ROb snipped his fingers and I was gone after getting hit by, what I presume to be, my standard package.
(A.N.: 9712 words. Before you ask.
NO!!!
If you come from my other story and are wondering if I abandoned it, then the answer is no.
BUT.
Marvel is a big big world. FF7 not so much. And over December up till recently I was playing the original and the two remakes. And I was hit by sooo much writers lust. Marvel I planned to finish around 150ish chapters. This will be shorter and probably finished sooner. Around 70ish chapters or so.
One day I will pick up marvel again, especially since I still have all my notes. But not for a while so consider that Fanfic on temporary hiatus right now.
Also spoilers about Axel here, because I know I was confusing at times. You have been warned.
That said. I hope you liked reading it and have a nice time of day. Cheers.)