Epon

“	You know this better than anyone. And it's that I've made alotta mistakes, Blaze. So fucking many that redemption's just a fairy tale for someone like me. But Meri...she's the one truly good thing I ever did. And I'll be damned if I'm lettin' anyone take that away from me.	„
	~ Al Simmons talking about Meri

Epon, also known as Meri Simmons, is the child of Al Simmons and Gaia. She is purported to serve a role in the Anung Un Rama prophecy.

Appearance[]

Epon resembles a human girl in her later teens with long dark brown hair which can turn blonde upon activating her powers, fair skin, and seems to be of European descent. However, what makes her truly stand out are her ungulate physical features; possessing antlers, hooved feet, and a short tail reminiscent of a Common reindeer.

History[]

Background[]

Epon is revealed to be the child of Al Simmons, the Hellspawn, and Gaia. She was conceived shortly after Simmons sacrificed himself to destroy Urizen and met his ex-wife Wanda Blake (possessed by Gaia) in the gardens of Heaven, having one last intimate moment with her before they get separated forever. When confronting Gaia over this revelation she informed Simmons that her time is coming to an end and that Epon must take her place as her successor after the world is "cleansed with fire". Al was against this as he did not want the girl to be involved in any "apocalyptic bullshit" thus opted to have her live a normal life instead of being caged up like a lab rat by the Federal Bureau of Control or be caught in a world ending war.

Spawn took the child and left her in the care of a small convent of Nuns in County Galway, Ireland called Our Lady of Mercy, leaving a note that said her name was 'Meri' and returned to Hell. Despite her strange appearance, she was well taken care of and raised by the Nuns, kept in secrecy from the eyes of the public. However, her existence was discovered by a tourist who was visiting the convent and upon being alerted to the authorities also drew the attention not just the Global Occult Coalition but also the Bohemian Club.

Cornwall Incident[]

The GOC claims that Meri's powers would force society to regress to prehistoric times, ridding the world of modern technology and man-made creations. The Bohemian Club wanted to use Meri's power for that exact purpose where mankind would be so dependant on technology that upon being regressing to the Stone Age they would have absolute control over civilization as a whole. Moloch, who is worshipped by the Bohemian Club, saw this as a means to have humanity worship him as their new god.

Alto Clef, a former agent of the Global Occult Coalition, took pity on the girl and ran away with Meri. Clef and Meri would go into hiding for a couple of days eventually settling in Los Angeles, California. However, Meri's powers drew the attention of Robbie Reyes Los Angeles' resident Ghost Rider which was soon followed by Bebop. Clef explained the situation to Robbie and Bebop and the whole situation escalated into a disastrous fight between Robbie and his crew, the GOC, and the Bohemian Club with Meri caught in the middle.

Things took a turn for the worse when Jim Corrigan entered the scene, sent by the United States government to quell the ongoing crisis between the parties and apprehend Meri Simmons. After the long and arduous ordeal that eventually forced the Bohemian Club to retreat, the GOC demanded to hand over Meri but were stopped by the Swamp Thing who forced a ceasefire as he declared that Meri is a child of the Green and soon to be its new bearer. Swamp Thing let Robbie used his Penance Stare on Meri and upon seeing that the girl was innocent, made the GOC back off. Satisfied, Swamp Thing left, but not before warning the GOC of the consequences should harm befall her.

FBC Custody[]

Robbie, who grew close to Meri, reluctantly gave her over to the Federal Bureau of Control after being convinced to do so by Jesse Faden, promising him that they will keep her safe; in addition he didn't really trust the Global Occult Coalition considering the violent history between them and Spawn during the Illuminati's attack on human society.

Meri would remain in FBC custody, designated as PE-166, all while being unaware of the fact that Spawn was her biological father. She was not bothered by her confinement as she developed a close friendship with some of the OoPs. She also developed a father-daughter relationship with Alto Clef who was offered to join the FBC to keep an eye on Meri while acting as her legal guardian.