| Manuel Gomez | |
 |
|
| Portrayed By | Daniel Louis Rivas |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1990 |
| Age | 18 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Aliases | Manny, Death, Black Sheep, Diablo |
| Place of Birth | New York City, NY, USA |
| Current Location | New York City, NY, USA |
| Occupation | Vigilante |
| Known Relatives | Ramon Gomez (Father), Catalina Gomez (mother, deceased), Elena Gomez (sister), Luis Gomez (brother, deceased), Juanita Gomez (sister, deceased), Desiree Russo (step-mother, missing), Portia Maddox (step-sister), Parker Maddox (step-brother, missing) |
| Significant Other | None |
| Known Abilities | Degeneration |
| First Appearance | Duck |
The two years since the war began have been difficult on everyone. For Manuel Gomez, they've provided him with the fire he needed to refine his abilities, to perfect his power and deal what he considers the only just reward to the people responsible for tearing his family apart. A silent advocate of the evolved side of the war, Manuel blames the radical Human faction for the deaths of Luis and Juanita Gomez, but he keeps it to himself for the most part. Outwardly, Manuel relies on himself and a select other group of people spread amongst the various factions, though he's not yet declared allegience to anyone.
History
They say that when you escape darkness, the light is always brighter. They say that it’s a kind of euphoria, when you’ve become enlightened to something, when you realize the truths in the world. They say the greatest feeling in the world is to stand tall, stand above adversity, and be able to declare yourself powerful. They say the truth…will set you free.
I wouldn’t know. I’ve been lied to my whole life. I was taught as a kid that you should look out for those close to you. That you should learn to keep people close, even if it’s only a couple. My sister…my father…my two slain siblings…you wonder why I act the way I do? You wonder why I’m as bad as I am, why I’m no longer afraid of prison?
I’ll tell you. Two years ago…two years ago, hell broke out. The war began; it ravaged my home, my family…those few things I was taught to hold close. Those few things that made this shit I call life worth living…as if I hadn’t done enough to them.
My father…Ramon…God, I barely call him Papa anymore. That used to practically be his name…Elena and I would always call him Papa. Now…there’s no title. There’s no word for it. Not from me, at least…it’s just Ramon…or Sarge. I wish I could go back to the day that happened; find out why, exactly, he became less my father and more my ally…
My sister…Elena…probably the one thing in this hellhole that keeps my sane. Where I waver, she stands. Where I would falter, she rises. I can’t describe the pride I feel in her…it’s amazing. Not two years ago, Elena wasn’t the one rallying…she was the one who rallied…now, I feel like I’m not honoring her if I don’t bow or salute anymore…
My family, extended as it was…Desiree…I’d finally come to terms with her relationship with Ramon. I’d finally come to terms with it—I’d finally accepted that she wasn’t out to replace Mama…it was something totally new. And as soon as I come to terms with it, she’s gone…Portia…god, if anyone needs someone right now, it’s that poor girl…I think back a couple years, I think back to how I overreacted to Elena having a boyfriend, to the suspicion even…I no longer apply it. But that protectiveness…that, I suppose, need to be needed…it comes from Portia now.
Me? Fuck…let’s be frank. I’m nothing but a low-down, dirty criminal. I’ve accepted it. But it’s not random like it used to be; I used to race cars for the fun of it. I used to unless the fury of Death on those I felt deserved it, just because I felt like it was a suitable punishment. Now? It’s not random…it’s no longer petty grudges, no longer about money or drugs…now, it’s personal. These people destroyed my family…these people ruined my life and the lives of those I love. These people unleashed hell upon us…
And before god and my mother as witness, vengeance…fury…Death will be their reward.
This…this is why I am as bad as I am. The Black Sheep Gomez…it couldn't fit better.
Timeline
- July 30th, 2009 - Duck - Portia meets up with Ramon who requests she come back to the penthouse where it's safer. They talk of Peter as well as Desireé. She then chats with Manuel, whom she convinces to let her come use her abilities to help him out.
- July 31st, 2009 - Safer Than Alternatives - Two people discuss the involvement of someone in things they'd rather she not be into, and how best to deal.
- August 6th, 2009 - Old Faces Worn Places - Getting word that Portia wanted to talk to her and that it was an emergency, Elena schedules to meet with her stepsister in ravaged, Times Square. During the meeting, Elena discusses a certain business proposition with her brother.
Quotes
- From Duck: Manuel: "First lesson in Battlefield 101." // Portia: "Alright, and what lesson would that be? I'm more than willing to learn." // Manuel: "Duck."
- From Safer Than Alternatives: Manuel: "This country is in ruins…this is just a casualty."
- From Old Facecs Worn Places: Elena: "We're connected right down to the bone, Manuel, I can find you driving around. You don't need to give me anything, it's safer that way. Take care of yourself. And take care of Portia. I'll keep in touch." // Manuel: "Si, hermana."
Trivia
- Dark Manny is Dark.
- Manuel takes a secret pride in witnessing the war. He will never speak that fact aloud, but every time there's a casualty in the war, he feels like he's somehow closer to avenging his fallen siblings. If you believe the talk, the youngest of the remaining Gomez clan is a gun for hire. Of course, if you believe the talk, he's also dead.
- The rumors of Manuel's mercenary status might not be as exaggerated as originally presumed. Rumors circulate amongst those who care to speculate that the younger Gomez child has recently received a mission that…hit a little close to home.
- To those who use code names and the like, Manuel has taken to the name "Diablo." It stems from his first encounter with Armando, in which Armando labelled him "Demonio." Rather than take it, Manny ran with it and became Diablo.