"There was no long-term, and trying to cling to one would only spoil it all."
This article contains spoilers regarding the ending of Worm and plot of the sequel.
Kathlee Rosenthal, now known as Monokeros, formerly Unicorn IV. She lost the name after she was revealed as a serial killer.[1][2]
Personality[]
Monokeros was a serial killer, and is believed to have been both a psychopath and under delusions of some unknown nature. She had disturbed others before,[3] but only a criminal investigation threw her actions into the light. She was remorseless; regardless of the accusation to the point that she can evade some thinkers.[4] She is invariably calm and showcases an admirable vocabulary.
Her delusion was centered around her somehow collecting her victims beauty, talent and eventual success.[5] Further she claims that she is somehow holding that persons memories within them and thus they are not really dead.
Reputation[]
While originally a hero who was on her way to stardom, the reveal of her proclivities destroyed her reputation. Her fellow prisoners shun her.[6]
Appearance[]
Monokeros is a conventionally attractive blonde, slender, with curled hair. She preferred to wear "high fashion". She had the perfect build to take advantage of it.[7]
In Ward, after years in prison, she appears with dark hair and numerous tattoos, including a triangle in the forehead.[8] She is aging and her vanity is hurt by it.[9]
Abilities[]
Monokeros can apply her power to a nearby individual she is aware of, with a brief period between each selection. While under the effect of her power, the individual is attacked with an overwhelming wave of emotion, typically admiration for Monokeros.[10] This feeling is comparable to the awe from Victoria's aura at max power,[11] but purer and stronger.[12][13] Similar to Victoria, this wave of emotion does not have long-lasting effects.[14][15] It is also possible to resist for a time.[10] For example, Lookout had prior experience dealing with obsessive and overwhelming feelings;[16] not only did Monokeros fail to get Lookout to kill herself, but Lookout was still able to attack her.[17]
While an individual is under the effect of her power, Monokeros also gains protections against that target,[11] becoming immune to anything and everything that individual does.[17] She also has clairvoyance through their eyes and can psychometrically observe their history/memories.[10] Note that this psychometry is inaccurate,[10] though it can ramp up with time.[18]
She can only affect one person at a time.[19] Monokeros must point at or lock eyes with a nearby individual to apply her power on them.[20][21] Thus, she is unable to use her power on Blindside.[22] Monokeros can fire her power while blinded, but she still has to face potential targets and point in their direction.[19]
History[]
Background[]
Unicorn IV received permission to use the name from Unicorn III.[1][2]
She was a successful member of sponsored hero team Goldenrod, receiving multiple sponsorships. She was #23 in the American cape popularity rankings, #6 in an early 2010 Parahumans Online vote for non-PRT capes, leading to her suggestion that she might start her own sponsored team of capes.
In late 2011, Unicorn IV was investigated in relation to a string of disappearances. The investigation prompted others to speak out, raising issues and questions about her behavior, including apparent threats directed at Unicorn III (and Rosenthal’s summary loss of the Unicorn name). Within days of renaming herself Monokeros, she was accused of involvement in the kidnapping, torture and murder of nine celebrities aged 8-15 as well as an unknown number of heroines seeking to join her new team, which never existed as more than theory or bait. She killed three capes who attempted her capture, but was successfully caught.
Following her arrest, it was discovered that she had been keeping video diaries on her phone, describing her belief that she was "claiming" the beauty or success of her victims.[5] She showed no remorse during her trial, and was sentenced to the Baumann Parahuman Containment Center.[3]
Gold Morning[]
Was not distinguished in the initial prisoner release; she was probably released later when the goddess collected the damned for her war.
Post-Gold Morning[]
Monokeros either was excluded from the general cape-amnesty or was reincarcerated afterwards, it is unspecified so far.
Post-Fallen fall[]
She was confined in a parahuman prison camp.[23] She targeted Lookout during her visit[24] and in the ensuing spat with Swansong she boasted about her connection to Goddess and the greatness that she will grant her.[25]
This paid off when Goddess came to claim the prison. She was given Lookout to oversee during the prison break, and aided breakout with trying to stop the prisoners bombs from going off. Monokeros tried to take advantage of Lookout to control the team. This backfired badly however.
She was imprisoned again albeit temporarily in a hole in the ground. While there her patron was killed and most of the prison population went to Earth Shin without her.
Post-Goddess' Takeover[]
Was left in the prison afterward by Breakthrough, they later lied to Citrine implying that they had killed her.[26] Given the inadequate leftover supplies in the region they might as well have.[27]
The Wardens were later notified about her, presumably.
The Ice Breaks[]
Monokeros was forcibly administered with Victoria's plague by the Wardens.[28]
Trivia[]
- Monokeros used to be a Greek term for all one horned animals like Rhinos and Narwhals, meaning "one horn". The name itself is translated into latin, transmuted into french, and transmitted from Norman English into the modern word Unicorn. Along the way it became the name for a mythical goat-like creature.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wildbow's Weaver Dice: Helena document
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Heroes are far more likely to simply ask for permission to use a name. Unicorn III passed her name on to Unicorn IV, for example. - Wildbow on Reddit
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 History:
Unicorn is the fourth individual to take the name, receiving permission from the retired Unicorn III. She maintained a successful career on sponsored hero team Goldenrod, receiving multiple sponsorships and catapulting to #23 in the American cape popularity rankings, #6 in an early 2010 Parahumans Online vote for non-PRT capes, leading to her suggestion that she might start her own sponsored team of capes.
In late 2011, Unicorn IV was investigated in relation to a string of disappearances. The investigation prompted others to speak out, raising issues and questions about her behavior, including apparent threats directed at Unicorn III (and Rosenthal’s summary loss of the Unicorn moniker). Within days of renaming herself Monokeros, she was accused of involvement in the kidnapping, torture and murder of nine celebrities aged 8-15 as well as an unknown number of heroines seeking to join her new team, which never existed as more than theory or bait. She killed three capes who attempted her capture, was caught, and was sentenced to the Birdcage. - WD Helena - ↑ Gleaming 9.12
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Personality:
Monokeros, even after incarceration, showed zero remorse. She shared no details but did not react or show emotion when descriptions of the tortures or photos of the victims were shown. Video diaries on her phone proved most damning, as she described an interest in claiming something abstract from those she was interacting with, including having the last of [victim’s] true beauty or success for herself, and guaranteeing nobody else could ‘take it back from her’. Despite the obvious mental illness or delusion, she remained articulate and calm. She is widely accepted to be a psychopath. Her trigger event remains unknown. - WD Helena - ↑ “If you try anything, you’ll hurt more than I do,” Monokeros said.
“If I try anything, your existence will end. You’re a child killer, Monokeros. You have no clout.” - Excerpt from Beacon 8.7 - ↑ ◈ UNICORN IV / MONOKEROS; Kathlee Rosenthal
Classification: Master/Trump
Power connects to single target, applies immunity, psychometry, clairvoyance and domination.
Disposition: Villain (Independent)
Location: Previously Jacksonville, Florida
Age: 24 Status: Fugitive (Escapee)
Height: 5’9 Weight: Est. 105 lbs.
Appearance: Conventionally attractive blonde, hair curled, slender, favors high fashion. - WD Helena - ↑ Kenzie had found the footage of Monokeros. As she moved through different areas of the apartment and Ashley’s activities therin, there were glimpses. Black haired, pretty, with numerous tattoos, with the most prominent being a bold triangle at her forehead. - Excerpt from Beacon 8.7
- ↑ “The lines are showing in your own face, Monokeros,” Ashley said.
“Unkind,” Monokeros said, but there was a note of emotion in it. - Excerpt from Beacon 8.7 - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Powers:
Monokeros can, at whim, with only a brief period between each selection, apply her power to a nearby individual she is aware of. While under the effect of her power, the individual is attacked with an overwhelming wave of emotion, typically admiration for Monokeros. Though this can be resisted for a time, Monokeros also remains immune to anything and everything that individual does, has clairvoyance through their eyes, and can psychometrically observe their history/memories, though apparently not to an overwhelming degree of accuracy. - WD Helena - ↑ 11.0 11.1 I tensed. Monokeros awed people, like my awe power turned up to maximum. She gained protections against that target, as well as insights into their personality and mind. It was that last thing she had used against Tristan.
“I wanted to see if he was being genuine,” she said. “He’s loyal but not genuine. I’m not stupid, Capricorn. You know deep down inside that everyone is going with Goddess.” - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ “Fuck,” Capricorn said. “You okay, Lookout?”
“It was like getting hit with Victoria’s aura, but without the jittery oh-shit-ness of it,” Lookout said. “Purer, stronger.”
I folded my arms, thumb hooked into sling.
“I pretty much only ever get the jittery oh-shit part from Victoria,” Capricorn said.
“Same,” Cryptid said. - Beacon 8.4 - ↑ My aura was like a push, fear or awe. Lately it seemed to be only fear, with a few rare, weird exceptions. Monokeros could pick one person and sway them wholly and completely. The Woman in Blue was the best of both, or even stronger. - Beacon 8.4
- ↑ Lookout fired again, and the feeling went away as quickly as it had come, just an instant before I could lash out at anyone nearby.
In the wake of it, I felt like a small part of me died, burned away. Not because of any lingering aspect of the power, but because I hadn’t ever wanted to be influenced like this again. - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ I put my hand around her throat. She hit me with her power, that white-phosphor, all-consuming feeling of being overwhelmed in a good way.
Again, the feeling of death as it passed. Swansong was there. Saying something.
“…if Antares lets go of you, I will take your head clean off.”
“Then do it,” Monokeros said.
“No,” I said. “No, we aren’t killers.” - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ “Antares,” Swansong said. “She stood up to Monokeros. She’s strong.”
“I know. I’m not disputing that.”
“She stood up to Monokeros because she’s worked really hard with dealing with obsessive and overwhelming feelings,” Swansong said, her voice quiet. “And because she really wants to stay with the group. She wants the group together.” - Gleaming 9.15 - ↑ 17.0 17.1 “I want you to believe. If they step forward or give you any reason, and you do as I’ve told, then this will be the time that matters. Believe that.”
“I believe you.”
“Yeah,” Monokeros said, barely audible. “This one last time. Unless they let you and me walk away.”
The shiv fell from Lookout’s fingers.
Monokeros twisted around, but Lookout was backing off too. She drew her flash gun, pointing it at Monokeros.
“That-”
Lookout fired the gun. A bright flash that seemed to illuminate the entire side of the prison complex the pistol was pointing at.
“Won’t work, I’m immune to my targets,” Monokeros said. But she backed away a step, then lunged forward another step. Bending down for the shiv. - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ “I could do it to you now, if the monitor wouldn’t blow up,” Monokeros said. She backed away and shook one foot. “You’d adore me. I’d see glimpses of you as a person, more as time passed, until I understood you fundamentally . And even if you managed to push away the feeling of adoration for long enough to do something… you can’t touch me.” - Excerpt from Beacon 8.7
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Blinded, Monokeros kept a hand out toward us. I saw others react as she hit them in turn, firing blind.
But she could only affect one person at a time. - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ “If you’re talking about going against Goddess, we might have a bit of a problem,” Monokeros said, and her voice was low.
“He isn’t,” Tristan said. “The situation’s a mess. The prison is totaled, and some complete scumbags are now going to be free. We need to talk to the key people so they can rein those guys in. The guys who aren’t going with Goddess.”
He sounded so natural saying it. Not one hint of a lie or falsehood.
All the same, there was a pause as Monokeros locked eyes with Tristan.
“Woah!” Crystalclear barked the word, loud enough to startle us. He threw himself between Tristan and Monokeros. “What was that? You used your power on him?” - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ Tristan was quickest to close the distance. Monokeros stumbled a little as she turned around, putting a hand out to her side, indicating Lookout.
“She’s using her power,” Crystalclear said.
Tristan stopped in his tracks.
“I’m using my power,” Monokeros said. She lowered her gaze again, so the glower of her eyes was barely visible beneath finely plucked eyebrows, the ‘horn’ of the triangle tattooed on her forehead pointed at Tristan. She moved her hand, revealing a shiv that she had been keeping in the sleeve. “Lookout.” - Gleaming 9.14 - ↑ “Yeah,” Blindside said. “Here’s the reality. I’ve had my power for a while. I know a lot of the tricks. I’m armed and all of you can’t hide behind one shield. You could win. But you might not. Turn around, leave, I won’t stop you. When we get what we want and we leave, we’ll bring your guys with. Happiest outcome.”
“I can’t lock on,” Monokeros said, from the very back of the group. “You guys are on your own.” - Gleaming 9.13 - ↑ The last is a child killer.”
“What?” Sveta asked. “That’s a thing?”
“She went by Unicorn, but it was an inherited name. So she’s Unicorn the fifth or something.”
“Unicorn four,” I said.
“Shit, yeah,” Capricorn said. “I heard about that one. It was on the news a decade ago. She was on the sponsored team ‘Goldenrod’.”
“She’s Monokeros now,” I said. “Yeah. Stay away.” - Excerpt from Beacon 8.3 - ↑ Beacon 8.4
- ↑ “Someone else disagrees, you know. I’ve had brief exchanges with her. Promises were made. She would make me something better, housemate. Higher class, wealthy, and she promised me an infinite supply of my drug of choice.”
“I don’t believe you. Communications don’t come and go that freely.”
Monokeros made an amused sound.
“Keep your fictional Goddess close then, and scramble to stay out of my way.”
“She’ll save you too. She’ll save all of us. Those who served her before she had that control will live lives of luxury.”
“You’d be her slaves. That’s her power.”
“I’d be her slave and I’d be beautiful beyond compare. She has a lieutenant who creates pods. Sensory deprivation and plastic surgery in one. She ran a whole world, and she’ll run it again. I could go anywhere, any country or city, and enjoy the sights, party, be waited on hand and foot.” - Excerpt from Beacon 8.7 - ↑ “On the topic of things little girls dream of, not a pony, but a unicorn.”
“Monokeros,” Victoria said.
[...]
“And we’re sorry,” Tristan said. He shrugged, and then he lied, “We had to put a permanent end to her.” - Excerpt from Interlude 9.z II - ↑ “We left Monokeros in that alternate Earth. We put her in a hole she could get out of, and… she’s in a prison without people or exits. She’ll finish off the food there and then she’ll have to hunt or forage. It’s a stopgap, until we have another alternative. Except Tristan lied and said she was dead. He lied and said she was dead, knowing full well that if he was called out on the lie or discovered for it, we’d lose the funding, files, and other things Mortari had promised us for our cooperation.” - Excerpt from Polarize 10.2
- ↑ Last 20.10