Origin: The Body Snatchers, London

In the heart of London’s inner cities, a street hustler by the name of Taylor finds themself kicked out of their home, their job and their life shortly after developing their Mark. Depressed and moody, they move like a shadow though the London underworld trying to escape the voices that follow them in the darkness. At an old cemetery they get into a confrontation with Cole, a plant infused Marked who has gone into hiding at the cemetery to avoid the attention of organised criminals. Taking pity on Cole, Taylor stays with them at the Old Chapel to help keep them safe. Word soon spreads that the Old Chapel grounds are haunted and the local press run stories about Body Snatchers in the cemetery grounds.

Tired of being exploited by the London gangland scene, King, a con artist from Soho and Rodenbeck, a shoplifter, hear about the Body Snatchers and decide to join them. Soon the Old Chapel is home to a small cadre of Marked, using it as a base of operations and to lay low. Cole and Taylor use their gifts to keep the Old Chapel hidden but Taylor realises it is only a matter of time before they are caught. They encourage Cole, Rodenbeck and King to look out for each other while Taylor attempts to deal with those who are hunting them.

Not used to being thwarted, the criminal bosses send Jordan to burn the whole cemetery to the ground. Dr Mistry gets to Jordan first and gives them the opportunity to seize control of their own destiny. When Jordan meets Taylor at the cemetery gates it becomes clear that Jordan has had a change of heart. This is an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives and they intend to take it. Taylor and Jordan take Rodenbeck to the Mistry Academy to see if Dr Mistry’s offer is genuine before taking King and Cole. Convinced that the school can help them, the remaining members of the Body Snatcher’s collect their belongings and leave behind the ruins of the cemetery, determined to make a new life for themselves in the splendour of the Mistry Academy.

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02: M. Taylor // Underworld

Age: Senior Student, Origin: The Body Snatchers, London, Training Team: Sunburst /

Power: Darkness

After giving up a life as a street hustler to put in work building up their home community, Taylor devoted everything to the development of the community center. The same charm and skill that was used to play cards on the streets was put to good use encouraging young people to better their lives and Taylor was left heartbroken when the center was closed down. Taylor spent weeks alone in their flat allowing the darkness to consume them, but when their landlord came to evict them, they were already gone. Walking the streets of London by night they watched the lost souls from the cover of darkness, taking small actions to help people’s lives. When Taylor found the vagrant Cole living in the ruins of the Old Cemetery they decided to turn it into a temporary refuge from the horrors of street life. But nothing lasts forever, and when Mistry Academy provided an opportunity for Taylor’s new friends to rebuild their lives and maybe finally give Taylor the opportunity to settle down that they have been seeking their whole lives, they took it.

02: M. Taylor // Underworld Read More »

12: E. Jordan // Inferno

Age: Senior Student, Origin: The Body Snatchers, London, Training Team: Tempest /

Power: Heat Control

Forced to leave Jamaica to avoid persecution, Jordan found themself just as vulnerable as a migrant in the UK. When Jordan’s papers were stolen, they had no evidence that they had any right to remain in the UK and fled onto the streets. With a vague promise of papers and threats of deportation, Jordan found themselves manipulated into working for a crime boss. Jordan tried to find a way out of the criminal life, but the threat of arrest was around every corner. When Jordan was sent to kill former street hustler, Taylor, they saw their opportunity to escape. Instead of burning the Old Chapel to the ground, Jordan agreed to help Taylor bring together the North London Marked and find a way to the Mistry Academy. Up until now fighting has been the only thing Jordan knows, but with a new start comes new possibilities and maybe fighting isn’t the only way.

Content warning: Persecution

12: E. Jordan // Inferno Read More »

22: J. Cole

Age: Junior Student, Origin: The Body Snatchers, London, Training Team: Blizzard /

Power: Plant Growth

Abandoned when they were very young, Cole found that the city always looked after them in ways it didn’t look after others. Food was never a problem and neither was shelter as they lived deep in the thorny bushes of public parks. As long as Cole could spend time in the sun, grow their plants and chill all day they were happy just getting by. During the winter months Cole would go dormant and hide in cemeteries pretending to be dead, only to come back to life again in spring. Cole saw themselves as part of the cycle of life and death, a creature of the streets, until some criminal elements started using the young vagrant to grow drugs. Where they used to help grow the flowers people left in the cemetery, the criminals started planting narcotics, and with Cole around the plants thrived. Cole watched powerlessly as criminals took and sold the plants they had meant as a gift for this place and the people who visited it peacefully. The criminals wanted Cole to stay awake throughout the winter to keep the drugs growing, and that’s when they knew they needed to leave. Hunted by the criminals, Cole found sanctuary in an Old Chapel, and now maybe true safety in Mistry Academy.

Content warning: Drug use

22: J. Cole Read More »

32: A. Rodenbeck // Echo

Age: Senior Student, Origin: The Body Snatchers, London, Training Team: Drizzle /

Power: Air Manipulation

Rodenbeck was a small-time shoplifter, living on the streets and snatching food to survive. Over time Rodenbeck had become adept at sneaking into places without being seen and had developed a genuine talent for trespassing. To pass the time Rodenbeck would walk along the railway tracks and add their tag to the walls and bridges. Sometimes, they stayed with the homeless runaways and Marked at the Old Chapel, bringing food in return for a safe place to stay. When Rodenbeck’s Mark came, it was devastatingly painful. For weeks, they stayed at the Old Chapel, the others protecting them as they gradually developed their powers. Sound would rebound back at them from every available surface, leaving them in a perpetual cacophony. The other Marked at the cemetery would cover them in blankets and insulating materials to help them get some sleep. This was enough for Taylor and the others to realise Rodenbeck needed help. Under the cover of darkness Rodenbeck, Taylor and Jordan travelled to the Mistry academy to find someone who could calm their powers.

32: A. Rodenbeck // Echo Read More »

42: A. King

Age: Junior Student, Origin: The Body Snatchers, London, Training Team: Heatwave /

Power: Taking Harm For Others

King has an addictive personality – the things they love, they love fiercely, whether that’s gambling, alcohol, parties, or even other people. Just about any activity that can be engaged in results in King wanting more and more of it until it makes them sick. Abandoned by their parents when they were young King has been told their whole life that they are spoiled, greedy and immature. When King ran away from home they decided to own this criticism and took this self indulgent lifestyle to an extreme. An endless procession of drinks, parties, addictions and problems all paid for with the kindness and gullibility of strangers. A new start at the Mistry Academy could change all that. This could be the opportunity to put the past behind them and start again afresh. King thinks this could be the time to find a way to give something back or maybe appreciate just how much they already really give.

Content warning: Addiction

42: A. King Read More »