Not So Slick: Diary of a Shapeshifter

Who am I? It's hard to say, especially after gaining these powers. My legal name is Slick Mageeve, although I am anything but slick. I paid the rent for my crappy apartment by working in data entry at the office of a seasonal candy company. The phone customer service representatives make more money, but I wasn't confident enough to talk to people on the phones. I couldn't be John Harshal, the top service rep who not only reminded everyone how great he was daily, but constantly spilled his coffee on me in passing, or bumped my chair to send me falling. He always claimed it was an accident to keep himself out of trouble, and would then give me a fake apology before smirking at me. I wished I was confident and strong back then, so I could have stuck up for myself before things got out of hand like they did recently....

I was walking home one night after a miserable work day of being picked on by John, traveling down the quiet street I always use, when a group of five men began approaching me. The figures wore long sleeved shirts and jeans with wallet chains coming out of their pockets. These long haired dudes were probably popular at parties before, but at this point someone as unattractive and pathetic as me could even compete with them as far as looks. Their decaying bodies confirmed that they were a group of zombies, and they eyed me hungrily. As my life of being picked on flashed before my eyes, a voice in my head told me that the only way I would survive would be by changing my appearance by thought. I had no idea whose voice this was, and found the concept ridiculous, but decided to go along with it since I had nothing to lose. I thought about what I would want to transform into, and I chose to become a superhero like figure complete with a ludicrous costume and cape, because capes are awesome. Now sporting bulging muscles and giant fists and feet, I pounded each of the zombies until there was nothing left. I pictured John's face on each zombie as I pummeled them into dust. The danger over, I looked around and was surprised to see no witnesses. The voice in my head returned, congratulating me on a job well done. The voice told me it would seek me out later, but to feel free to use my powers however I wished until then....

Feeling restless, I went to the 24 hour gym looking nothing like my real self, but now resembling a muscular, attractive man thanks to my new shape shifting skills. I had always paid the $10 monthly fee with the intention of working out and trying to feel better about myself, but always decided against coming in frequently. I saw two young men named Dirk and Doug that I had seen the last time I was at the gym. Dirk had previously been dragged out by Doug for being rude to the women working out, but now he gave off a more respectable, kinder aura. I considered walking over and saying hi, when I spotted none other than John Harshal at the free weights. I thought about how tormenting him would be the perfect workout, and all common sense exited my mind as rage took over. I made my hands grow five sizes bigger, and I approached John and picked him up by his neck. I grabbed one of his arms with my other hand and broke it with a quick squeeze. I laughed with glee over his cries of pain, then threw him into the weight shelf, breaking the shelf and causing the weights to fall onto John. Before I could check to see if he had survived being crushed by weights, a grenade fell in front of him that surrounded him in blue smoke. He walked out of the smoke looking like nothing had been done to him, and then two figures wearing dark helmets and full body armor ran besides him. They introduced themselves as Doug and Dirk, and told the fully healed, but still wimpering John to leave, along with the rest of the gym's inhabitants. The gym cleared out quickly, leaving me alone with Dirk and Doug, who I now realized were members of Hugh's hero network. My vengeance against John being reversed, I decided to take out my frustrations on these two heroes that protected the wrong guy. I transformed my arm into a weight bar, then began swinging it at the duo. They fended off my strikes with their swords easily. I then transformed into a giant sneaker and lunged at Dirk and Doug, but they easily dodged my flying kicks. Desperation hit as I realized these two outclassed me in combat. I then remembered the last time I saw Dirk at this gym, and how he wouldn't take no for an answer from various girls he was hitting on before Doug made him leave. Sure, he seemed heroic now, but perhaps I could bring back his old self. I transformed into an attractive woman, and I only wore a skimpy bikini. I told Dirk in a sultry voice that this was the real me, and that he was a true man that deserved me. I planned to get him once he took the bait, but unfortunately I misjudged him. Without hesitation Dirk made a laser gun appear in his hand, and he blasted me before I could say another word. I fell to the ground in shock, and reverted back to my true form, the weakling known as Slick Mageeve. I felt like I was dying, but Dirk gently told me I wasn't. He told me I was being transported to a place called the Reflection Dimension, where I would be healed and cared for. Before everything went black, Dirk told me I could return without any kind of punishment should I decide to change my ways.

So now I reside in the Reflection Dimension, which is essentially an endless field under a dark, starry sky. An A.I. figure named Guide brings me anything I need, including food, drink, digital entertainment, and of course, this journal I am writing in. This alternate dimension was created by Hugh, the leader of the network that Dirk and Doug belong to. It is designed as an alternative to prisons, a safe place to hold criminals like me. I am free to return to the real world without legal consequences should I vow to do the right thing, just like Dirk promised before blasting me here. I may take the offer someday, but right now I need to process what I have done, and what I would do with my shapeshifting powers should I return. I lamented my life of being bullied, but used the abilities I was given to become a bully myself. I will consider returning and using my powers to help others as atonement, but until then I will enjoy this peaceful place, and spend my days writing and processing my thoughts on all I have been through, and what to do with that information from here on out....