THE MOMENT
"Stop," Ark said. He was laughing to himself in the park when Outbreak stepped out of a black portal. As soon as he spoke the word, the screams stopped. Outbreak glanced around at the park curiously.
A tree was on fire; it continued to release black smoke into the sky while a half dozen people stood in place with blank expressions on their faces. A few of them were obviously joggers; but, Outbreak also spotted some well-dressed professionals as well.
"Everything okay?" Outbreak asked. Ark nodded with a grin.
"Yeah, just bored. I was entertaining myself until you showed up," Ark replied.
"Okay, so why am I here?" she asked him. Ark glanced around the park, then he looked at Outbreak and sighed. His ego hated asking for help but he was out of options. He hoped Outbreak wouldn't make him regret asking. She was the only lead he had.
"I want to meet Monday; but, I can't find her," he said. "Will you tell her I want to talk?"
"About what?" Outbreak asked. Ark narrowed his eyes at her.
"Family business," he said. "What's it to you?"
"She's my friend and...," Outbreak gestured at the people around them. "...you think it's fun to manipulate people," she said. Ark rolled his eyes.
"They're NPCs, they don't count," he said. "I wouldn't do it to a Unique." Outbreak shook her head.
"You tried it on me when we met," she said. Ark nodded.
"Obviously, I didn't know you were Unique," he said. "I can make everyone on an Earth believe anything I want," he shrugged. "Forgive me for having a little fun."
"How is it fun if everyone does anything you want?" Outbreak asked. She wasn't familiar with what a Corona could do. All she knew is that they could control people. Ark shook his head.
"It's fun if you're creative," he chuckled. "It's not about making them do what I want. It's about making them believe anything."
"So.. what? You make them believe you're the best, most amazing person ever?"
"You're still missing it," Ark replied. "Come here," he spoke up and a rainbow crown of light glowed above his head. One of the joggers turned and approached Ark and Outbreak.
"That was a direct command and he obeyed me," Ark said. Then, he focused on the jogger again. "Stick your arms out," he said. The stranger with glazed eyes stuck his arms forward.
"Now, watch what happens when I make them believe something," Ark said. The crown glowed brighter above his head. Outbreak turned away from the brilliant light. Even in broad daylight, it was blinding. She noticed everyone else had their arms forward too.
"Hey...," Ark said suddenly. It drew Outbreak's attention; but, Ark was focused on the jogger. "...where'd your hands go?" Ark asked. The jogger looked down at his hands and his eyes went wide; he began to scream. He wasn't the only one.
"I LOST MY HANDS!!!!" the jogger yelled as he flailed his hands. People were screaming across the park. Strangers ran around staring at their hands and wondering where they went. Ark couldn't help but chuckle.
"People find it easy to ignore the truth when they really believe something," he said.
"Wow...," Outbreak felt herself in awe. She could destroy an entire Earth with little effort and considered herself to be very powerful because of it. In her own mind, she often thought less of other Uniques because they couldn't shatter an Earth the way she could. But, she never considered what Coronas could do more in-depth than 'controlling people'. His ability was far more terrifying than anything she could do with her strength.
"I'll...," Outbreak pulled a Traverse card out of her pocket. "...uh, I'll make sure Monday gets the message," she said. "See you," she did not hesitate to jump into the portal as soon as it appeared.
Ark waved as the portal vanished. Then, he sat back with a smile and watched the commotion unfolding before him. A businessman ran by waving his briefcase around frantically. "I CAN'T FIND MY HANDS!!!!!"