Mateo Ruiz possesses the ability to warp spacetime, allowing him to connect points in space to one another and enclose people and locations in areas of folded time. Mateo received this ability after losing his original portal-creation power and later finding himself trapped within an extradimensional space outside of time, created by the Entity.
Talents
| Talents |
Effort |
Description |
Learned From |
| Sense Distortions |
None |
Mateo is subconsciously aware of distortions in spacetime made within 100 feet of himself. When anyone utilizes an ability that affects time or space (including teleportation, time travel, pocket dimensions, or the like) within that range, Mateo feels a chill run down his spine and knows the general direction and distance of the effect. This ability includes being able to sense technological distortions in spacetime, such as those caused by the Looking Glass. |
Manifestation |
| Point-to-Point |
Low |
By concentrating, Mateo can fold space in on itself, connecting two points in space that he can see within line of sight. Using this ability causes Mateo and anything he is carrying to instantly move from one point in space to another and causes a visible “funhouse mirror” distortion of space around him out to 5 feet at both the departure and arrival point. No one else is affected by this ability except Mateo. |
Manifestation |
| Folded Space |
Moderate |
With considerable concentration, Mateo can fold space around itself to create a sealed-off separate dimension. This space is equal in size to a 5-foot radius sphere (large enough to comfortably hold 4 people without risk of rupturing the sphere.) On the outside Mateo or anyone contained within the sphere ceases to exist. No ability or device (unless it is capable of detecting things across parallel timelines) can sense the inside of the pocket dimension. The sphere is invisible on the outside and things pass through it harmlessly and without any indication of its presence. Inside this folded space, Mateo and anyone else inside can see out, however the interior curvature of the folded space causes a spherical distortion of anything viewed outside, making fine details challenging to spot. Sound, light, and gravity waves pass into the folded space, but not out, and no particles or matter can enter or exit the sphere. Any object or person that penetrates the boundaries of the sphere of folded space immediately causes it to rupture and the effect to end. A sphere of folded space cannot be moved once created. Mateo can willingly dismiss a pocket of folded space by ceasing to concentrate on it or unwillingly by losing his concentration by some external source. All living things contained within the space are ejected into the place they were occupying. If this overlaps with other living things or objects, they are all shoved aside by a strong enough force to make room for the displaced contents. If Mateo attempts to use his Point-to-Point talent from within an area of folded space it is successful (for Mateo only) and instantly dismisses the folded space. Mateo does not need to be inside of an area of folded space to create it and can always sense where it is regardless of distance. |
2020 Timeskip (First Upgrade) |
Previously his ability looked more like this…
Ruiz has the ability to create holes in space, or umbrales, as he likes to call them (spanish for thresholds). His range is limited to line of sight, as he generally must see his portals to create them. Creating them blind is very difficult, uncontrolled and dangerous.
When this first manifested, it was restricted to a single point. This is the only one he can create blind, or with his eyes closed. It can happen in response to outside stimulus or emotional turmoil, without his control. When it is uncontrolled, it can only be created within the same immediate area, usually a few feet away (and always within what is conceivable visual range — aka, must be in the same room).
One point that seemed to try to draw in all things around it, like a gravity well, or a vortex. These can be as small as an inch wide, and as big as seven feet wide under normal circumstances. The size of the hole changes the range of effect for the vacuum like pull, and this range of effect can vary even if the size of the portals are the same.
The larger the effect radius, the less time it can stay open (which also means the less time it can draw in matter). The effect takes time, depending on proximity and weight, allowing chances to avoid fate by grabbing onto something heavy, or potentially pulling away. Lighter objects will be pulled in first. Once the area of effect line is passed, there is no noticeable effect on the area. Under extreme situations (read: plot), it is possible that a manifestation of his ability could have a similar effect as his first manifestation (where he destroyed half a block). His control of his ability has actually lessened its destructive capacity.
If the hole is too small for the object going through it, the object will be broken down into small enough pieces (like if he created the hole in the middle of a tree, it would break down the wood and limbs, pulling it through in pieces). It can have this effect on people as well (but only with full consent) and he tries his best to avoid that. Nothing that goes into this gravity well has ever returned, whole or otherwise. The matter just seems to disappear, though it probably ends up somewhere.
Strangely, this does not seem to affect him the same way it does other things (Rule of Ted?). It still pulls on him, he can still feel it, but it has never actually taken him, even when created close by. It might be that it can't take him, unless he lets it.
The second version is, what he would call, the stable version. He often uses to stabilize the gravity well if one happens to open against his will. This version is a more traditional Point A to Point B portal. It connects two points of space together, allowing matter to pass freely from one side to the other. As this is a controlled version, he must be able to see both points he creates the portals in, limiting the distance that matter can travel. He can designate which side of the portal that matter will go in and out, and he can actually change it at will as long as no matter is currently passing through.
These can vary in size, just like the gravity well, allowing for small portals that could take small objects from one point to another, and portals big enough for people to step through. The amount of matter that passes through them safely is limited, unless he concentrates on holding it open. Without constant concentration, about two people could pass through (or one person twice) before they close on their own.
He is capable of using this for some interesting effects, such as creating a small portal in front of him if someone is shooting at him, and a second one that makes the bullets travel back at the shooter. He can't do it fast enough to stop a single bullet, but if someone uses a machine gun or keeps firing, he could set up his portals like that. Potentially, someone could also shoot through one and hit a target from behind, as well. The portals go both ways. Aiming would be difficult as well because his portals do not have visibility through them, having a black oily surface in appearance. One can not see thru to the other side.
He is limited to only two holes in space, even stabalized. Trying to open a third (and possibly fourth if trying to do a stable one) would collapse the others.
His ability has an inward effect on him, like a constant, unyielding sound in the back of his head. Almost akin to constant ringing in the ears, only its sound is more elusive, in his mind, not in his ears. He can drown it out at times, but unless negated, it will always be there, even if it is just the softest whisper. In some ways, he believes his ability is alive, like some creature begging to be unleashed. It's not, but it is enough to drive him mad at times, without the right coping mechanisms.
This has an outward effect on the world even before the holes open, requiring electricity to manifest, making it happen in a place without electricity more difficult. It can draw a static and ambient charge from the air, but it works best in places with power supplies. The usual effect is a power drain, which makes lights flicker, but it can also drain batteries (like a phone battery, or a car battery).
He does not channel the electricity— the portals do. So they draw it from whatever is near, creating a ring of lightning along the edges. It will draw electricity from both locations when the portals are created. Because of the electrical effect of his portals, any and all electronics that attempt to go through them will be fried, even shielded ones. This includes cellphones, pacemakers and most any personal electronic device. It also includes robots, FRONTLINE suits and other high tech. Anything and everything with power supplies or electronic components will be broken, any data carried through corrupted beyond repair.
His portals can be manipulated slightly by those with power over gravity (gravity well version) and electrokinetics (either version). Those who can control gravity can slow down the pull, decrease the radius of effect. Electrokinetics can charge his portals, making them bigger than normal, or they can drain the charge from his portals, forcing them to close.
Any outside manipulation of his ability, hijacking as he calls it, will cause his nose to bleed and make that roar in the back of his head louder for a time.
