Theory

Fiction Fragment Friday

I woke up in the middle of the night and was hit with inspiration. As always when this happens I grabbed my phone and sent myself a message with a couple paragraphs that would form the basis for a story. This time I had a concept, but I didn’t know how it would play out. I needed to figure out who the main character was talking to because I didn’t want it to be the reader. This may be a shorter one, but I’m pretty happy with it.

The prevailing theory among the scientific community is that superpowers are mutations.  They are the outward expression of evolution adapting to radioactivity, pollution, or the excess of radio waves that we have put into the air over the past hundred years.  This theory does not address how powers like light or sound control would address pollution, but evolution is all about trying new things until something works.     

As far as I’m concerned, the prevailing theory is garbage.  Too many things about superpowers seem overly convenient to be an expression of evolution.  For example, some degree of enhanced healing and improved metabolism seems to come with powers for everyone that wants to put on a mask and parade around in spandex.  It doesn’t matter what primary power set someone gets; they are always in peak physical shape and recover from injuries that retire professional athletes. 

Evolution also could not account for differences between heroes and villains.  Every hero no matter what power or upbringing matches what is seen as traditionally attractive.  Villains, on the other hand can be attractive or ugly.  Villains can have visible scars, but no matter how hurt they get, heroes never do.  If someone has powers and chooses not to put on a costume, all rules are off.   How could evolution explain choices having these kinds of impacts?          

I have my own theory that I do not put forward because I value my reputation and standing in the scientific community. I don’t believe they are a natural phenomenon at all, but an artificial one.  It seems like they work not in a way that makes sense biologically, but in methods to support a narrative.  This, to me, is clear evidence that someone or something outside of our world is shaping it to fit their desires for big superhero action. 

The real question is, if some cosmic beings are toying with us for their own entertainment, how can we prove it and what can we do about it?  For me, the obvious ways our world line up to serialized storytelling is evidence enough.  Others require more solid evidence that does not require critical thinking.  I suspect that most people don’t want to even ask the questions.  For them, it doesn’t matter that our world is being manipulated if there is nothing we can do about it.

If the world is being shaped by story logic, then it should be possible to predict things that might happen.  Not only have I been able to do just that, but I have made a fortune on underground websites betting on hero vs villain fights.  That is how I launched my company and funded my work.  I could do so much more, but if I become too much of a household name, then I will catch the attention of whatever is influencing our world and be forced into a role myself. 

Perhaps it is ego or hubris, but I couldn’t be content with just predicting events.  The ultimate test of my theory is to use the rules as I understand them to make events happen.  That is where you come in.  No, don’t struggle against your bonds. You will not break them.  I can’t act directly without bringing attention to myself.  You, however, with my modifications and programing, will utilize my theories to force the narrative in ways that will benefit me.  My greatest triumph — but no one can ever know.    

You, a minor background character, are going to be the next big hero and take them down from within.  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

…. Wait.

Was that villainous laughter? 

Did I just give a monologue to a comatose victim about my plans? 

I’ve caught their attention.