Ascension: The One Who Takes

Survival came first.

With nothing but the clothes on my back and the abilities at my disposal, I needed a plan. Food, shelter, money—basic necessities that would let me last long enough to figure out my next steps. The city wasn't far, but walking in blindly without a plan was a surefire way to get into trouble.

I moved cautiously through the forest, my Enhanced Senses picking up the rustling of small animals and the distant hum of traffic. Civilization was close, but the question remained—where exactly was I? The MCU had countless versions of New York, and I had no way of knowing if this was the one I remembered.

My first priority was clothing. The thin, worn-out fabric I had on wasn't suited for blending in. I needed something practical, something that wouldn't make me stand out. Scanning the area, I spotted a narrow dirt road winding through the trees. A path meant people, and people meant opportunity.

A few minutes later, my patience paid off. The low rumble of an approaching vehicle reached my ears long before it came into view. I stepped back into the shadows, watching as an old pickup truck rumbled down the path. An older man sat behind the wheel, his window cracked open as he hummed along to a country song playing on the radio.

I considered my options. Stealing wasn't ideal, but survival came first.

I waited until the truck passed, then sprinted after it, my Superhuman Strength propelling me forward with ease. With a small leap, I landed softly in the truck bed, keeping myself low. The ride was bumpy, but I stayed quiet, listening. The man was muttering to himself about reaching town soon—exactly what I needed.

About ten minutes later, the truck slowed. Peeking over the edge, I saw dim streetlights flickering over a small roadside gas station. Not exactly New York, but close enough to civilization.

The moment the truck came to a full stop, I hopped out and slipped into the shadows before the driver could notice. Now came the tricky part—getting what I needed without drawing attention.

My Quirk Sense flared as I scanned my surroundings. No strong signals nearby. Good. That meant no mutants or enhanced individuals in immediate proximity.

Ducking behind the station, I spotted a clothesline behind an old trailer. A few flannel shirts, some jeans, and a jacket. Not exactly high fashion, but better than looking like a lost experiment. With practiced ease, I grabbed a set and swapped out my clothes, stuffing the old ones under a dumpster.

Step one: blend in—complete.

Next was food. Through the glass of the gas station, I saw a bored-looking cashier scrolling through his phone. The place wasn't busy, just a couple of shelves stocked with snacks and canned goods. I could try to steal, but getting caught this early would be stupid. Instead, I needed cash.

I turned my attention to the parking lot, where a man was just stepping out of a car, his wallet barely tucked into his back pocket.

It wasn't glamorous, but a quick bump and a little sleight of hand were enough. By the time I slipped away, I had just enough cash to grab a couple of protein bars, a bottle of water, and some loose change for later.

Step two: food—handled.

The city skyline wasn't far—New York was just beyond the hills. If I made it there, I'd have more options. More people, more places to disappear, more ways to gather resources.

With my next steps clear, I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of my situation settle in. This world was dangerous. I was weak compared to the threats that lurked in the shadows. But that wouldn't last forever.

I adjusted the stolen jacket, tucked the cash into my pocket, and started walking toward the city.

Step three: get stronger.

Ascension continues.