[Fanfiction] [Trese] Manila 2060

Manila 2060

by Seductive Venus

a Trese fanfic

Alexandra Trese looked down on the glittering lights of Metro Manila from a cozy spot with a view in Antipolo.

It was a beautiful late-summer night, perfect for a short drive up to the mountains to get some fresh air before investigating the nasty, gruesome, and unusual incidents that had been happening in the area lately. Bodies had been found drained of blood and discarded along the roadside.

An evening breeze blew gently and ruffled her hair.

She wrapped her iconic black Takipsilim coat tighter around her slim frame and cursed the cold that seeped into her bones. But she didn't take her eyes off the city that shimmered and glittered in the distance.

Metro Manila in 2060 was still beautiful, but in a romantic, tragic kind of way.

The pandemic of 2020 had wreaked havoc, bringing disaster and utter chaos to her city.

She should have known that it would bring economic depression, poverty, unemployment, and death, but she hadn't paid too much attention to the consequences. She had been too busy dealing with the problems of the here and now.

When it first arrived and lingered throughout the years, she'd witnessed the rise in crime rates among the supernatural citizens of her beloved city. Some wanted to partake in the chaos, others basked in the atmosphere of fear and despair, and many sought to profit from the situation, whether they were human monsters or actual monsters.

Over the years, she'd watched Metro Manila go from a city on the verge of greatness to one slowly sliding toward the very bottom of the scale, with little hope of ever recovering.

The economy remained stagnant, and poverty in the city grew worse every year. 

The population slowly but surely dwindled as residents returned to their home provinces and countries. Some simply disappeared.

But she suspected that they'd been victims of human trafficking, preyed upon by the aswangs, or had simply died without anyone knowing who they were or where they had gone.

Whenever she walked the streets, she smelled blood, fear, death, sickness, and pestilence. 

She was grateful to the Kambal, who provided her with protection when she went on her rounds, but her heart ached for those who couldn't protect themselves from either human or supernatural threats.

Alex felt an ache in her chest whenever she saw the dirty streets, the bloodied corners, the begging street children, and the gangs that ran rampant throughout the entire city.

It was a city from hell, and she couldn't save it.

Alex felt tears prick her eyes. She'd dedicated almost forty years of her life to protecting her city, but it hadn't been enough. It would never be enough.

It had taken her entire life to understand and eventually accept that she wasn't all-powerful or superhuman, nor was she blessed with anything special that could prevent what had happened. She was only one woman, a Trese, and she'd been fighting so many enemies for so many years. Knowing that she couldn't win left a bitter aftertaste.

"Here you go."

She wiped her eyes hastily and gratefully accepted the cup of kapeng barako from her companion. It was hot, steaming, and aromatic. She knew it would immediately warm her from her hands to the tips of her toes.

"What are you thinking about?"

Alex looked sideways at Maliksi, who was standing next to her, holding his own cup of coffee.

It was ridiculous to see that he was still as young and boyishly handsome as a man in his prime. Being a Tikbalang meant that he had a longer lifespan, so he was still considered a colt by his elders and peers.

When they were together, people often mistook him for her grandson. Mal found it enormously amusing, and she often tried not to smile.

They went to sit on the hood of Maliksi's favorite red convertible car and deposited their cups on the flat surface.

"I wish I had fifty more years so I could do something to save my city," Alex quipped. "I don't think I'm ready to retire yet."

Her companion of the past forty years laughed heartily at her statement. She allowed herself a little smile. He smiled back and shrugged.

"You're such a workaholic. You didn't even let yourself take any vacations, so I don't think you're ready for retirement. Maybe after another thirty years of service."

She didn't move away when he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Her head rested against his chest automatically, and she enjoyed the warmth of his body. He rubbed her shoulder and then kissed the top of her head lovingly.

Maliksi tried to sound cheerful.

"I heard that Palawan is wonderful at this time of year. Or maybe Amanpulo. You know what? I've always wanted to go to Batanes! Wouldn't it be nice to watch me run along the cliffs like it's a Marlboro commercial?"

Alex pinched his side. He erupted into pained giggles. She appreciated his attempts to cheer her up. She really did.

He claimed that she was often too serious, and she retorted that he never took anything seriously.

Maybe that's why their partnership worked so well.

"You've done everything you could. It's probably time to let our daughter take up the helm and begin her reign," Maliksi told her. He grinned easily, and she scowled darkly.

It pained Alexandra to accept that her daughter would inherit a divided and chaotic kingdom from her. This wasn't what she wanted for her family. This wasn't what she wanted to report to her clan on the other side when she eventually met them.

But she had done her best, dedicating her entire life to protecting Metro Manila from natural and supernatural threats. It was definitely past time to pass the helm of power to her one and only heiress.

"Maybe after this one," Alex murmured to herself as she finished her coffee. "After all, this is our last case."

"Whatever you say, dear." Maliksi kissed her forehead again. "Whatever you say."

-End-