The Lone Wolf
On a dark and stormy night, a black car stopped just outside of a nearby barn. The driver went out of the car, opened the door, and out came a woman who left a basket in front of the barn. Hearing strange noises, Tatang, the owner of the barn, went to investigate. Carrying a loaded shotgun, he went out of his home and started to check if there are intruders or stray dogs trying to eat his chickens again. Tatang saw the basket with a note on top saying: “can’t afford distractions to my plan”. He removed the blanket and was shocked to find a baby inside. He decided to take the baby in his home, knowing that it would be safe from the storm. During sunrise, Tatang tried to find the parent of the baby but he couldn’t. At that point, he was thinking of adopting the baby. He was thinking that God gave him a blessing, a blessing that is very beautiful. Tatang named him “Vince”.
Vince grew up to be the perfect little boy. Tatang taught him many things, from the household chores like feeding the chickens to the values that Tatang believed that he needs to have. Vince liked playing, going out of their house everyday to play tag and hide-and-seek with Michael and Bon, his bestfriends and the other kids in their barangay. One late afternoon, Tatang went outside looking for Vince and he found him with his bestfriends resting their backs on their favorite spot, under the tree at the center of the grassy plains. He waited and listened to their conversation as Michael and Bon were arguing. “E hindi naman kaya ni Superman si Saitama kasi talo siya sa suntukan HAHAHAHA”, Michael boasted. Sunog yang kalbong superhero mo pag nilaser yan ni Superman gamit ang mata.”, Bon argued. Both kept on bickering while Vince was deep in his thoughts. The two finally stopped and asked Vince what was wrong. “Wala naman mga tol. Tanong ko lang: Ano ba pangarap niyo?”, Vince said. Michael and Bon both looked at each other smiling, yelling at the same time, “GUSTO NAMING MAGING SUPERHERO!!!!”. “Hindi naman ako KJ mga tol pero hindi naman yan totoo mga superhero na yan”. “Ano ba gusto ko mo paglaki mo?”, Michael asked. Vince continued, “Gusto ko maging pulis mga tol. Sila ang mga tunay na bayani, kagaya ng mga sundalo.” Tatang finally called Vince, “Vince iho halika na’t umuwi na tayo, pinagluto kita ng paborito mong fried chicken”. Tatang saw the sparkle in Vince’s eyes. Little did Vince know that they were already so much in debt and it made Tatang shed a tear.
Due to poverty, Vince and Tatang are struggling to find food and money, they want to move to another place to find more opportunities. One night, Vince and Tatang were watching the television while eating in a carinderia, an advertisement appeared on the screen. It featured beautiful tourist destinations, towering skyscrapers, city lights during night with a saying “a place full of endless possibilities”. “Come now to Xavier city, the city of the future.”, then it came back to the news. The news anchor reported a new building being built at Xavier city. “In other news, D3 group is still at large. President Dithree addressed this issue saying, “We are doing everything we can to stop this group. You can count on me.”.Tatang felt it was best for them to move to Xavier city. Tatang sold his property and they moved to Xavier city. There he was able to find a steady job and bought a house. One day when Tatang got back from his job, a car pulled over and a man entered his house. Tatang found the man who then drew a gun and pointed it at him. It was Vince’s dismissal time at his new school when that happened and was on his way home. When Vince arrived the man just have left. Vince ran as fast as he could, he saw Tatang lying in his own blood. Vince ran towards Tatang and he was crying. Vince shouted, “Tatang! Who did this to you?!”. Tatang replied, “I don’t know who he is, but I saw a tattoo on his right arm that says “D3”.” Vince was very angry and he is trying to talk calmly to Tatang. Tatang is telling him something, “Vince, there is something you must know. You have a power hidden inside you. It is a power that is difficult to control, but to unleash this power you should first be physically in pain. Once that pain is unbearable the power inside you will unleash. But be be careful, you must use this power to do good and to solve the problem in this city...the judgmental society. You must promise me that you will use your power to do this.” Vince replied, “I promise Tatang.” Tatang’s eyes closed and had his last breath. Vince grabbed the gun that was used by the criminal. After he picked the gun up, the police arrived and arrested him. He tried to tell them it wasn’t him, “Hindi po ako ang pumatay kay Tatang! Mahal na mahal ko po ang Tatang ko!”. He tried to plead to his “heroes” but they never believed him. No one saw how Tatang died, there are no CCTV cameras around their new house. The police thought Vince was the one who killed Tatang. He was accused of murder and was put in jail. He was put in a cell that was full of murderers, thieves, and drug addicts. One time in his cell, he was being bullied by his cellmates and they put a tattoo of a lone wolf on his arm. They felt that it would be appropriate for him because he “murdered” Tatang himself, with no group or “pack” to help him. Vince felt an excruciating pain. After finishing the tattoo, Vince became very angry. The tattoo on his arm was glowing. He was rampaging to the guys that put a tattoo on him and Vince beat the shit out of them. Vince was very strong, his power was triggered by the pain he felt during the tattooing process. The guys who placed a tattoo on him nearly died. Vince couldn’t control his power. He bended the bones of his call and escaped the prison. After having some alone time, he calmed down and his tattoo stopped glowing.
Vince started a new life and tried to suppress his powers. He tried looking for a job but had hard time finding one, particularly because of his tattoo. He got a job as a cleaner in a restaurant but got immediately fired because of the complaints of the customers, saying that they fear the man. When all was lost, he sought to train. He was able to master his powers. Already knowing his capabilities, he tried to seek vengeance. He tried to look for the man who killed Tatang. He was able to track the man and they fought with their fists. Vince was stronger than the man, landing solid blows to the face then finally slamming him on the ground. He strangled the man, asking him why he murdered Tatang. The man confessed that he is the one and only son of Tatang. He showed Vince his tattoo which says “D3”, revealing his connection to the group. Vince fought Tatang’s only son and Vince succeeded to kill Tatang’s son. Vince tried to locate the headquarters of the D3 group. He arrived at an old-looking warehouse, where the D3 group are currently residing. He fought all the thugs, using his powers effortlessly. After defeating the thugs, the head of the “D3” group appears and fought Vince. The head of the “D3” group was wearing a mask to conceal his/her identity. They fought each other and Vince prevailed. He removed the mask, revealing the president.
They talked after some time and then the president confessed that she is his mother. She was the one who left him at the barn. Vince was heartbroken. He can’t imagine his own mother leaving his own child at a barnyard. He was so angry again but this time he could control his powers. He was thinking to kill his mother because she was the one who told the man (Tatang’s son) to kill Tatang. “Vince, give me another chance. Babawi ako sa mga pagkukulang ko.” He was ready to kill his mother but he remembered Tatang’s teachings: forgive those who have hurt you and everyone deserves a second chance. Vince made his mother promise to put an end to the D3 group and use their powers to protect the citizens of Xavier City. She agreed and the Lone Wolf was not alone anymore. They fought enemies side by side, and spend time with each other.