Powers

I awoke to hot, rancid air being blown straight into my face, followed by a few drops of warm liquid splattering onto my skin. Groggy and confused, I opened my eyes to find Weasel looming over me, his face inches from mine, maw hanging open.

I jumped in fright, scrambling off the couch and crashing onto the floor. My heart raced as I tried to catch my breath. "What on earth are you doing!?"

Weasel didn't move. He just stood there, staring at me with those wild, unblinking yellow eyes. His head tilted slightly, and then, in that scratchy, warbled voice, he said, "It's two in the afternoon. I want food. You're going to get me food."

And just then, a new quest window popped up in front of me.

**You have one new quest!**

[Acquire meat for Weasel]

I groaned internally, staring at the glowing prompt before dragging myself to my feet. "Fine, but I need money."

Without a word, Weasel dashed through the apartment, disappearing out the front door. Before I could even process his sudden departure, he rushed back in less than a minute later, clutching a handful of crumpled bills and coins.

He shoved the crumpled bills and coins into my hand, his eyes still locked onto me. "Now go get the meat."

But that brief touch was all my new power needed, apparently, because a new notification popped up in my vision.

**Mimic activated!**

**Would you like to mimic this power?**

Without hesitation, I thought, *Yes,* and immediately received another notification.

**Mimicking Weasel Physiology (altered)**

Before I could even process what that meant, a wave of excruciating pain ripped through my body. I collapsed into a heap, curling into myself as the sensation tore me apart from the inside. It felt as though every cell was being pulled apart, twisted, and reassembled into something… different.

I let out cries of pain, barely able to focus as my body contorted unnaturally. Through the haze of agony, I could faintly hear Weasel freaking out, his panicked footsteps pounding as he darted around the room, his voice a garbled mess of frantic noises.

My bones shifted and cracked, stretching unnervingly, while my skin tightened painfully, patches of fur erupting across it. The teeth in my mouth loosened, then began to bleed as they fell out, replaced by sharper, jagged ones forcing their way through.

My spine twisted and bent at impossible angles as it moved into place, while a long skinny tail grew with it.

I was in so much pain, I didn't even notice the other changes happening to my body. New ears sprouted on top of my head, while my feet had transformed into paws. My hands—once human—were now clawed, sharp and alien to me. 

Each shift brought a new wave of agony, but my mind was too overwhelmed to keep track of every detail. All I could do was ride out the pain, hoping it would end soon.

And thankfully, it did. A new notification popped up in front of my curled-up form.

**Weasel Physiology Mimicked** 

- **Duration:** 3 hours, 47 seconds remaining 

Still dazed by the brutal transformation and the flashing notification, I barely noticed Weasel crawling up to me on all fours. His yellow eyes were wide, scanning me with a mixture of confusion and something like curiosity.

He started tugging at my arms, yanking at my clawed hands, and even pulling on my new ears, causing me to yelp in pain. But Weasel didn't stop, shifting me around like I was some sort of puzzle. "What did you do? You haven't done this before. I know I'm not contagious, so it wasn't my fault."

I pushed him back, trying to steady myself as I stumbled onto my newly-formed paws. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

That only made Weasel angry. He bared his jagged teeth, snarling as he stomped closer. "Don't worry about it? I've put my ass on the line for you! SAVED you! I've helped you every damn time you've lost your memories! This isn't even our original Earth! All I ever do is look after you!"

Weasel's words hit me like a slap to the face. His snarling voice, the bitterness in his tone—it all clashed against the whirlwind of confusion I was still trying to sort through. I didn't know how to respond. Part of me wanted to snap back, to defend myself, but I had to be careful with what I said.

I took a shaky breath, still adjusting to standing on these new legs, and looked him in the eye. "I know… I know you've done a lot. I don't remember everything, but I'm trying to figure this out. This… new ability. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Weasel backed off a little, still growling under his breath, pacing like a restless animal. "Yeah, well, whatever this is, you better figure it out fast. I'm not dragging your ass through another mess while you play catch-up."

I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. The tension in the room was thick, and the weight of the situation bore down on me. As much as Weasel frustrated—and honestly scared me—he had been kind in his own twisted way.

If what he says is true, then he cares about who this body used to be. I just can't tell him that I've replaced his old friend. Or about the system.

I just need to find Superman and shake his hand.

Weasel scowled at me one last time before storming out of the apartment, leaving me alone. Finally, a chance to figure out how to change back.

A new notification flashed in front of me.

**Mimicked Abilities!**

- **Weasel Physiology (altered)** — 2 hours, 58 minutes remaining

**Cancel Mimicked Ability?**

I thought *yes*, bracing myself for the pain to return. Instead, I just felt an uncomfortable itch spreading through my body as it quickly morphed back into my original shape.

A new message popped up:

**Mimicked Abilities!**

- **Weasel Physiology (altered permanent)** 

- Enhanced hearing, smell, and minor physical enhancements.

I could feel the difference immediately. My body felt looser and more agile. I could smell the open fridge in the other room, the spoiled food now unmistakable. The sound of water dripping from the tap in the kitchen echoed clearly in my ears.

This was better than before. Now I could actually walk outside… after I got dressed out of my pyjamas.

I picked up the money from the floor, tossed it onto the couch, and headed over to the small closet in the room to search for something to wear.

What I found made me sigh—dresses, and a single pair of brown shorts, Crocs, and a red Hawaiian T-shirt.

Resigned, I pulled on the shorts and the T-shirt, slipping my feet into the Crocs. At least they were my size. Same with the dresses, surprisingly.

I grabbed the money from the couch and left the apartment for the first time since arriving in this world.

Closing the door behind me, I made my way to the stairwell and descended to the bottom floor. Stepping out through the front entrance, I was greeted by a sunny sky and the bustling streets of Metropolis.

If I shouted Superman's name, do you think he'd come running? One way to find out.