If I Was affected by the Storm Part 1

I've now watched all the episodes of the first three seasons on the British television series “Misfits” including the “mini episode” “Vegas Baby”. The series is interesting as the characters and their not necessarily orthodox “powers” are based on the characters personalities or deepest desires or what they were thinking at the time of the storm. So I've decided to do a three part version of how I would have been affected by the storm.

Background

The Storm was an event that occurred in the Misfits series in Wertham a section of an unnamed British city. The Storm bestowed “super powers” on individuals who were near the storms lightning strikes. Nothing else is ever stated about the Storm after it occurs.

Description

The Storm consisted of sinister dark clouds, giant hail instead of rain and simultaneous lightning strikes.

Powers

As stated above the Storm gives a subject who is either struck by it's lightning or are near the lightning when it strikes some kind of “super power” based on the based on the characters' personalities, deepest desires or what they were thinking at the time of the Storm.

If I was affected by the Storm

For this first part I'm going to write about what would happen if I suffered the fate of the “proper adults” affected by the storm. These adults usually suffer some form of negative change based on their emotional preoccupation at the time of the storm. The “Misfits” first case worker developed a psychotic rage that led him to kill one of his “charges” and to attempt to kill the others. The father of the girl Simon lost his virginity to would undergo murderous rages if he thought someone was “wronging” his daughter. Nathan's Mother's boyfriend would act like his childhood pet at night. He was thinking of him while the Storm was going on. Every night he would strip naked and explore the city like a dog does.

For me I like to help people and see them achieve their full potential. I usually do that by using what I know about the person to get them to learn and grow. However the darker side of it is that I can be “too amused” by using what I know about a person to manipulate them to see just how much power I can have over them. This usually takes the form of trading insults and other forms of “wit to wit combat” but not always. So if I was affected by the Storm as a “proper” adult (which I am a far cry from being) the likelihood would be that I would become a compulsive mind game player to the point of criminal actions. Getting people to commit crimes or ruin their own lives via my “well meaning advice” that they don't know I would also be giving to others that would counter the advice I gave them. You know sort of like in every tale of the “Devil”. He “doesn't do”. He gets you to do it. That would be me. When I saw someone worth manipulating my eyes would momentarily glow red and I would go about my work.

My most common “hustle” would be to get people to get me money. When I feel I've gotten all I can get I would turn the people against each other. Because information gathering is a big part of how I operate, I would be using the money I've been getting people to acquire for me to buy more information gathering powers. Then I would set myself up as an “oracle” expanding my hustle to a higher level. Possibly becoming a corporate “seer” or even using my influence on politicians. I'd be an actual “Bondsian” super villain.

The end game of my manipulations would be similar to the Marvel Comics' villain Apocalypse. I would engage in my manipulations until I believed the species had proved itself strong enough to survive without them. After (just in case I do better than I expect) that I would just manipulate people for my own benefit until I died or was killed. Given that it's Misfits I would probably end up getting killed because I tried to get them to kill one of their own in case they got too close to figuring out that I was using them.

Thanks for reading

If I was Elliot

Background

In the Misfits television series Elliot was a disgruntled preacher who uses what money he has to buy super powers from the “power dealer” Seth. He uses these new powers to make people believe he is Jesus Christ “reborn”. He soon becomes corrupt with power and uses his followers especially a “repentant hood” to acquire more money and his purchased powers to rape women. Eventually he gets his comeuppance when he accidentally kills himself using his telekinetic power to get his money filled locker back from the “Misfits”. It slams into him, knocking him against a wall, cracking his skull open. A wreath falls on his head resembling a crown of thorns.

Description

Elliot is a relatively tall and thin man with sharp features. He has brown hair and eyes.

Powers

Elliot has several powers he purchased from Seth: telekinesis, water walking, instant sexual arousal and teleportation.

His telekinesis is strong enough to pull a locker full of money at great speed towards himself after ripping it from the hands of five (possibly six) people who were actively resisting his efforts. It should be noted that it took him some effort to do that.

Not much is shown about his ability to walk on water other than to show he could actually walk on water.

His instant sexual arousal power permits him to cause a person he has skin to skin contact with to be consumed with a powerful lust for him. The victim of the power doesn't remember what they did when under the influence of the power but they do know that they did do something. The power does have a few limits. Once the victim is “sexually spent” the power no longer affects them at least until they are “arousable” again. The power cannot be turned on and off. Consequently, unintended skin to skin contact can lead to rape.

His teleportation power permits him to teleport to a place or person (even without knowing where they are) he wants to go to. This version of teleportation seems to be a sideways “shunt”. When Nikki had the power she once found herself knocked sideways against a wall after teleporting. On the other hand she has teleported “blindly” without ever appearing in a solid object. So their would seem to be a sort of intuitive “teleportation navigation” ability that prevents that from happening similar to the Vanisher in Marvel Comics.

If I was Elliot

Well, if I've learned nothing else from watching the episode he appears in. I've learned it is a good idea to practise using these powers rigorously. After all it was his lack of practise that got him killed by the locker.
Since the telekinesis power isn't as strong as the others I've covered in other entries I would handle it differently. Yes it would be an extension of my martial arts skills but I wouldn't practise using it for water walking or flying. However I would practise using it to break my fall as well as slow it. I would also follow the example of the ninja skills from the Naruto anime and use it to permit me to climb objects by anchoring my hands and feet to the surface I'm climbing or at least use it to fortify my grip when climbing. I would also make sure I could use it to throw people off of me who are accidentally under the influence of the sexual arousal power. No point in having that power come back and haunt me when it doesn't have to. Along that line I would use it as replacement for my hands when it comes to situations when I would otherwise have to have physical contact with someone without being properly prepared. Like when someone needs first aid. No point in having tragedies when I could fix things telekinetically.

Water walking would be for my personal enjoyment. There is a lot of water and a lot of swampland where I live so water walking is very useful. It is also useful for snow walking. Snow is as hard to walk on as water sometimes and water can sometimes be hiding under snow. So falling into freezing water unexpectedly is a very real danger. I'd probably use it to help people stranded in the water or to help them put their docks in the water during spring and take them out in the fall. The teleportation power of course becomes my primary mode of transportation. Think of where I want to be or who I want to see and poof I'm there. That is very handy when someone calls you for help. Given that you are shunted sideways when you use it you can prepare to deliver an attack for when you appear. Unfortunately this particular teleportation power doesn't permit you to carry more than what you're wearing with you as you teleport. Or at least it seems that way. Nikki could have just used it to save the Misfits from Tim when he had them tied up but she didn't but then she was new to her power at the time. However even when she got used to her power she never brought any one with her so I will assume she couldn't.

Instant sexual arousal. Now I know you're probably thinking, “What can you do with the power other than rape people?” Well my “inner ninja” says that is short sighted of you. Think a kinky version of “ninja vanish”. I touch the target, they get all lusty and I teleport. Since the power causes memory loss during the time of arousal, the target never knew I could teleport. Remember that although I never mentioned it under the power description, this power affects both sexes even if they are not attracted to your sex. Alisha used it to arouse a group of dancers both male and female. Also quick “taps” in succession would serve to disorient a target without getting them to try and have sex with you. This power could also be used to cure someone with sexual inhibition issues. Regular stimulation over time could be used to break down the barriers. It could also be used to build up contacts and people willing to help you. Make people feel good and they will like having you around.

My primary use of this power set would be to use the power to find missing people. As long as I have pictures or videos to see the people I could teleport to them and then bring them home. Of course I couldn't teleport them home but I could call and get the missing person picked up. Also I could use the other three powers to help subdue any possible captors or at least escape and report the situation to the authorities.
As for not being able to touch people without causing them sexual arousal well there are ways around it. Just be dressed up from head to toe and make sure not to touch skin. So you could still give warm hugs to people. In fact, where I come from, half the year you wouldn't even notice I was doing anything unusual. You would be dressed from head to toe just to deal with the weather. Of course in terms of sexual relationships you just wear a PVC suit. It's a kink for some people and of course wearing a condom is just a good practice. There are other forms of protection for performing cunnilingus which could also be used for kissing. So it's not impossible.

Thanks for reading

If I had the Makluan Rings

Background
The Makluan rings were create by the Makluans, a race of dragon-like extra-terrestrials. A Makluan ship crashed on Earth thousands of years ago and gave rise to the legends of asian dragons. Most notable of those who crashed is Fin Fang Foom. These Makluan were rebels among their species who renounced their peoples peaceful ways. The Mandarin later found the rings while searching the “Valley of Spirits” where their ship crashed and used them to embark on a career of super villainy that ranked him right up there with the likes of Doctor Doom and MODOK.

The rings are some of the most powerful devices on the planet. The way the rings were described in an earlier depictions one might make the assumption that the rings powered the ship the Makulans came to Earth in.


Description
The ten Makluan rings are gold bands with their own unique facets on them. Various artists have depicted them in various ways so I won't go into a full description of each various design they have chosen to draw them with.


Powers
All the rings are a source of very powerful energy and with some kind of mental interface with their wearers (they are controlled by their wearers thoughts). It would seem the rings are designed in such a way as not to harm their wearers when they are in use. Also the rings can emit their power from any point on the ring. Generally that's the front of the ring, meaning projected outward perpendicular to the facet but that has not always been the case. The rings have been depicted projecting their energies parallel with the finger it is on while the Mandarin was pointing with it.

The full range and power of the rings are never actually stated (except where stated below) but by guessing based on at least one confrontation the Mandarin had with Iron Man and the Makluan at the same time, the range of the rings seem to be in hundreds of feet.


Ring 1
The “ice blast” ring emits waves of cold at intensities determined by the wearer's will. It can drop temperatures down to as low as near absolute zero. The air ices up as the wave passes through it.


Ring 2
The “mento-intensifier” ring amplifies the wearers “psionic energy”. This allows its wearer to mentally dominate a subject essentially given them mind control/super hypnotism powers including the ability to send their thoughts to the targets mind. This ring effects one person at a time and only within a range of 10 feet.


Ring 3
The “elctro-blast” ring permit its wearer to project “electric blasts” at intensities determined by the wearer's will.


Ring 4
The “flame blast” ring emits infrared rays at intensities determined by the wearer's will. The air in the path of the beam will often ignite depending on the intensity of the heat.


Ring 5
The “white light” ring emits energy from the electromagnetic spectrum at intensities determined by the wearer's will. Aside from just emitting visible light the ring can also create blinding flashes and “holograms”.


Ring 6
The “black light” ring creates areas of darkness that absorb light.


Ring 7
The “disintegration beam” ring emits a beam of energy that dissolves the connections between atoms and molecules of objects causing them to disintegrate. It takes 20 minutes to recharge between uses. It doesn't cause nuclear explosions when it dissolves atomic bonds.


Ring 8
The “vortex beam” ring causes the air to form into high speed vortexes (essentially tornadoes and other conical air phenomena like dust devils) that can be controlled by the wearer's will. The vortexes can be used as weapons, as a means of levitating objects or even to achieve flight. The ring seems to have the ability to prevent its wearer from spinning while in an air vortex and also keeps it's wearer from being buffeted by debris. I would suspect that flight by air vortex may actually be an intended use of the ring.


Ring 9
The “impact beam” ring emits concussive, sonic/vibratory and magnetic forces at intensities determined by the wearer's will. The magnetic force can be used to attract or repel objects.


Ring 10
The “matter rearranger” ring can be used to alter matter for feats such as transmutation (has turned air into poisonous gas) as well as to alter it's state (made gasses solid and turned water into vapor) and to force chemical reactions or even arrest them. If for nothing else the Mandarin used it to change his clothes into his costume.


If I had the Makluan Rings

I think that with these rings I would become a vagabond. I would travel the world earning my keep using the rings to repair things or essentially solve any problem I can help with. I would be “The man who dropped out of the tornado”. Here one day, gone tomorrow. Moving on to new adventures. Never looking back. Yep life on the road.

The mento-intensifier ring would be my hypno therapy tool. I would provide people with help with their mental states. Phobias, bad habits, memory recovery and so forth. If nothing else I would “implant” aversions in the minds of people who are victimizing others. Maybe use it to keep them still long enough to see the world from their victims perspective.

The vortex ring would be my primary defence ring. A small tornado sweeping people up and throwing them aside works or even creating a wind barrier type “force field”. Other than that I would use it for moving large amounts of debris and cleaning up things like mud slides, avalanches and floods.

The white light ring would be my multifunction utility ring. If nothing else it's a flashlight. I could even use it to generate ultraviolet light to see things that are only illuminated by such light. Filtering lenses like the kind used by forensics labs could be used to make even more use of the properties of ultraviolet light to detect and find things. Even if the ring doesn't generate lasers it is equipped with any number of potentially dangerous wavelengths of light to use: radio waves (microwave ovens use radio waves to cook), gamma rays, microwaves and so on.

I would suspect that the ring can function as a one way communication device. If it can generate holograms based on its wearer's will then it can at least theoretically also be able to broadcast audio radio wave messages maybe even a full audio/visual broadcasts. These broadcasts would be analog signals I would expect. Digital receivers wouldn't be able to display them unless I used something to convert them into digital signals. Once I had my conversion method I would have my own inexpensive way to create broadcast that I can put on the net, maybe for money, maybe even create full length movies.

I would try to find a way to use this as a two-way communication device. Possibly have a device that can read the rings emissions permitting me to use it as scanner or even radar. I would also cook with it.

The matter rearranger ring is another very functional ring. It could mend clothes, dry clean them and alter them as needed. It could also do the same for your home and vehicles. Some times super villains just waste their powers. I would use it to transform scrap materials into an awesome and creative houses for people who were homeless. In disaster areas I would use it to purify water especially after floods where water becomes polluted from sewage and other contaminants.

The impact beam ring would be my personal “side arm”. It would also be my “work horse” ring. In terms of personal protection force beams are of course awesome defaults attacks especially against inanimate objects. Sonic and vibratory waves are useful for shaking objects apart and causing them to explode from shaking. Their also good for negating those vibrations when they are caused by someone else. Sonic waves are also a good way of subduing a subject by hitting them with painful noise. The magnetic attraction/repulsion capacity would be my “vehicle stopper”. I would either stop a vehicle by holding it is place by using the attraction effect or crushing it on impact with the repulsion effect. I would also use it as a “rail gun” projecting metal projectiles at targets.

In terms of non-combat use, the impact ring could be used to move objects around or holding things in place when needed. Vibrations, sonic or otherwise could be used therapeutically. Heck they can be used to removes the knots from necklace chains.

The black light ring is my hiding ring. Surround an area in darkness and let people pass you by. Remember it absorbs light and energy so active night-vision devices and radar won't be able to find you. Nor will passive night-vision. Sonar should still work as well as other vibration based detection methods. I would mostly use it forgiving me a good and dark place to meditate or to just think of things.

The disintegration beam ring would be my ring of last resort. If something is so difficult to deal with or so dangerous that it needs to be completely destroyed then I would deploy it. I'm not sure what would fall under that category.

The ice blast ring is very useful for flash freezing food and freezing patients to make surgery easier to survive. In fact it would be good for keeping harvested organs cool while being transported. I's also use to make ice rinks and solidify bodies of water so they can be crossed without sinking. This is especially important for transporting goods in trucks on “ice roads”.

The fire blast ring would be used primarily for heat. I'd make my own sauna for relaxation or to break up ice flows that would otherwise cause floods.

I would use the electro-blast ring as a source of electricity. Charge up some batteries, power the shelters I would create for myself or vehicles I might also make. I mean it generates electricity. It just makes sense. Of course it's also the world's greatest joy buzzer. I'm not sure how I would use it as a power source but I did take a year of electrical engineering (I say “year” loosely) and of course my dad and my brother are electricians so I'm sure we could come up with something.

Thanks for reading