Alternates

Alternates are the main antagonistic faction in the Mandela Catalogue series. They are a mysterious, hivemind species that plan to eradicate humans by mainly driving their victims to suicide. 
==Members==
*Archangel Gabriel (Leader)
*Faceless Female Alternate
*N
*Cesar's Alternate
*The Preacher
*The Murray Residence Alternate
*The Original Alternate
*The Lamb
*Think Principle Alternates
*Interlude Alternates
*Adam Murray 
*The Antichrist 
*Faceless Male Alternate
*"Woman"
*Doorway Alternates
*Many other unseen alternates.
== Overview==
The Alternates are sinister and enigmatic beings. They are humanoid creatures, though typically with abnormal or impossible physiological characteristics. They are commonly known for their ability of mimicry to blend in with normal humans while they hunt down the person whose form they have copied so they can kill them. Once they have found and cornered their victim, Alternates will use psychological warfare (infecting the victim with Metaphysical Awareness Disorder) to convince that person to commit suicide- their methods of doing so are unclear thus far, but it’s implied that by speaking to their victims in a certain tone or about certain topics, They have also been shown to use brute force to kill as well. 
Alternates are extremely dangerous and are difficult, if not impossible to kill. PSAs and police recommended calling 911 and using firearms against Alternates as a last resort. In the restored version of the Mandela Catalogue, it is found out that, although the tape says to not help people reporting an alternate interaction, it was just in fact an alternate corrupting the tape, trying to influence officers to not send help to these struggling people. Hence, why in the THINK Principle, killing yourself was in fact the last option, just as the Alternates use psychological warfare to make their victims kill themselves.
== History ==
Alternates have existed for at least thousands of years, dating as far back as the beginning of the Biblical Era. The earliest known Alternate was the one posing as Archangel Gabriel, who foretold the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. 
In Vol. 4, it was implied that Adam, the first man, was replaced or turned into the 'original alternate' shortly after the world was created. 
In Exhibition, it was implied that in the ancient times, when the Elohim decided to flood the world for unknown reasons, a false angel who pretended to be Archangel Gabriel tried to stop Noah from building an ark. However, Noah refused to obey his command and built the ark. Out of its rage, the false angel would then secretly leave a creature on the ark, resulting in Noah's death. This creature was implied to the first Alternate.
For thousands of years, the Alternates had been hiding in the shadows. When the true Gabriel was sent to Bethlehem, Israel to announce that the Messiah would soon be born, the Alternate "Gabriel" replaced him and sabotaged the Annunciation. It was heavily implied that a Alternate took the true Messiah's role in history.
During the Analog Era, the Alternates became more active than usual. Their actions resulted in deaths of many humans. However, after stepping into Digital Era, people started to believe that the Alternates had already been exterminated. However, evidence shows that, in fact, many Alternates still lived on Earth, presumably waiting for the best chance to strike. Their next step is still unknown.
It has been implied that the United States Department of Temporal Phenomena possesses several Alternates in "custody"/captivity for research and studying as MCPD actively search for them and put out flyers for them.
==Types ==
===Type One: Doppelgänger===
Perfect or near identical copies of someone. They are almost, if not completely impossible to differentiate from the original. An example of this type are the Doppelgängers seen in Vol. 1, the first Alternate example shown in the remake of said volume, and the "Completed Assimilation" shown in Interlude. 
===Type Two: Unspeakable===
Previously known as "Detectable", Unspeakables are the second category of alternate in which Alternate Gabriel belongs to, so far being the only one in this category. Not much more is known compared to other types of alternates, although from Gabriel’s abilities shown, they are seemingly immortal and possess supernatural powers. Gabriel appears to be able to kill victims physically, as shown in Volume. 4 when Dave is killed.
=== Type Three: Flawed Impersonators/Overdriven Assimilations===
Extremely flawed copies of their original counterpart, possessing missing or exaggerated features such as extremely long limbs, faceless heads, or even having entirely upside-down anatomy. Examples of this type are N, Faceless Girl, The Preacher, & Alternate Cesar.
===Type Four: Tulpa===
Alternates willed into existence by the imagination of an individual, mainly children. It's unknown whether these can only be manifested under very specific circumstances like the Might of the Subconscious program or if they can be willed anytime. It's thought that they might manifest through TVs and Mirrors. An example of this type is the Murray's Alternate.
== Powers & Abilities ==
=== General ===
* Shapeshifting: Alternates can shapeshift into other lifeforms, usually humans but also animals as shown in Vol. 2. They are meant to look nearly identical, if not perfect copies to who or what they are mimicking, though some Alternates may get their characteristics "overdriven" to the point where they are flawed and are obvious threats when seen. Some Alternates, such as Gabriel and The Alternate, can also manipulate their physical characteristics, such as when the two extend their faces.
* Voice/Audio Mimicry: Alternates can mimic the voices, music, and radio audio of others to trick people.
* Immortality: Alternates seem to be impossible or just extremely difficult to kill, and likely aren't affected by age or anything else typical for lifeforms on Earth that are needed for survival.
* Insanity & Suicide Inducement: Alternates are known for inducing M.A.D. (Metaphysical Awareness Disorder) onto their victims.
* Flight: Some Alternates seem to have the ability to fly/float, shown with The Alternate in Vol. 333 and Alternate Gabriel considering he was masquerading as an angel. It is unknown if this is exclusively for those Alternates or them all.
* Teleportation/Spectrum Travelling: Alternates can seemingly teleport to stalk their next victims.
* Demon Physiology: It is heavily implied that Alternates are actually demons.
=== Tulpa's ===
* Imagination Manipulation: Tulpa Alternates can manifest through the imagination of others.
** Image Teleportation: From this, they can travel through reflective surfaces and TV.
=== Unspeakable's ===
The abilities of Alternate Gabriel, an Unspeakable Alternate, are unknown, though he is likely and heavily implied to be the one responsible for bringing the Alternates to Earth to terrorize humans, which may be an ability for this type. 
==Trivia == 
*The term, "Doppelgänger" (German for "double-walker") stands for two completely unrelated people who coincidentally look very similar to each other, or to any type of supernatural being that mimics the appearance of another person, such as the Egyptian ka or the Norse Vardøger.
*A "Tulpa", or "thoughtform", is a being created within someone's mind that has its own thoughts and feelings separate from its creator, typically through meditation and/or lucid dreaming techniques. Tulpas were originally used for magic rituals such as astral projection, though in modern usage they are more akin to a more advanced form of imaginary friend. Whether this implies that Tulpa Alternates are created by human thoughts is debatable.
*Alternates can be lured out from hiding by audios that mimic human terror and screaming.
*Alternates are immune to bullets. They have been shown laughing at their victims' attempts at even trying to kill them by gunfire. 
*Oddly enough, contrary to the point mentioned above, The THINK Principle first suggested people to use firearms in an attempt to exterminate Alternates. Due to a lack of information on Alternates, it was finally realized that bullets and most execution attempts would not work against them. This would be when the Mandela Police to begin ignoring Alternate reports, as not only did they know it would be a futile attempt the save the original lodger, but also brought a great risk upon their lives if they did so.
*In a now deleted and retconned community post dating back to early 2022, a fifth type of Alternate, the Mimic was revealed. Unlike the other Alternate Types, the Mimic wasn't prominently featured in any of the canonical installments of the series (though some speculate that My Movie.mp4 was a teaser for them). This was eventually revealed to be because the Mimics had been silently been removed from the series canon, as they no longer take part of Alex's vision for the series.
*Alternates have been shown to have glowing eyes as seen in the remake of Vol.1, Where Cesar's Alternate appears in Mark's Bedroom doorway. This trait is mostly seen in darkness. It is unknown if Alternates possess the ability their eyes to glow at will or not.
*Alex has said in a stream that an Alternate’s “disguise” degrades over time. This can be seen with Cesar’s alternate as it has no visible ears. Adam’s appearance is also likely degrading; given how different his appearance is now, he now looks more like a Type 3, even though he is originally a Type 1.
==References==
== Gallery ==
File:Alternate background.webp|An image of a Flawed Impersonator.
File:Gabriel.png|"The Archangel Gabriel", the leader and possible creator of the Alternates.
File:MOpossiblealternate.png|A bald humanoid being from Mystifying Oracle, possibly an Alternate though could just be a spirit.
File:Alternate333.png|A reoccuring Alternate, currently known on the wiki as "The Alternate"
File:Preacher darkness.png|Patients report multiple sleepless nights after their symptoms initially become apparent. It is not difficult to avoid, however. The patient must try to actively seek it out.
File:Alternate roles.png|nicknames for several well known Alternates. The Preacher is the only name used as its main name such as used by the fandom and official merchandise. 
File:Alternate Report.jpg|An example of an alternate report flyer.
File:Alternate icon by Alex Kister.png|"Alternate"
File:Mewhenistubmytoe.png|N's redesign from Vol.5
== Art ==
Category:Alternates
Category:Antagonists
vi:Alternate
es:Alternos
Category:ORIGINAL COPIES
Category:Act 1
Category:Act 2
Category:Species