Malik Tenerife

Malik Tenerife is one of the main protagonists of the Monster, Villain, Hero arc in the Gone Series.

Description
Malik is a tall, lithe, fit black boy with hair in loose ringlets that he lets fall into his eyes. He is described as benign, skeptical and intelligent, and has an "idiot" laugh that is said to sound like a seal. He comes from a wealthy background, but isn't spoiled or vain. He is described by Shade and Cruz as very good-looking. Malik is smarter than Cruz but not as smart as Shade. He is in his first year of college because he chose not to take a gap year, and enjoys Marvel and DC.

Power and Abilities
Malik’s morph turns him into a version of himself that is how he remembers his body. This means that the details are not completely accurate, with a scar missing from his lip, broader shoulders, and unnaturally smooth features. His hair becomes a lot straighter in this form, losing its curly texture. The back of him is blurry and inaccurate, as it is a part of him he never sees. It is also mentioned that his clothes look extremely clean and without wrinkles.

In this form, Malik is able to siphon off his pain onto any people in the surrounding area, but he has control over this, so is able to stop doing it whenever. Each person feels the same amount of pain that he does; it is not spread around. As he is severely injured, the amount of pain is very intense. He states that the pain feels distant when he is in morph, but he knows if he demorphs it will still be there.

Appearances
Malik first appears with Shade, his ex-girlfriend, telling her not to try and steal the meteor containing the virus that created the Gaiaphage. When she succeeds, he finds out and tells her what danger she is in. He joins Shade and Cruz on the run, explaining that they can be monsters, villains, or heroes. During the final battle, he is fatally injured, and consumes some of the meteor to survive.
 * Monster

Malik uses his power for the first time, accidentally, causing immense pain to everyone in the vicinity of the hospital. He goes with Cruz and Shade for most of the book, although he is only semi-aware of what is going on, due to the Dark Watchers in his head, partially making him insane. He begins to endlessly play solitaire, and thinking about the principles of random chance. He talks to Francis about her power, and he realizes that the fact that she cannot hear the Dark Watchers in her head must be a mistake on their part, as they cannot influence her.
 * Villain

In the battle of Las Vegas, Malik goes with Francis, passing through the casino walls to reach Dillon. Malik convinces Dillon that he is on the side of the Dark Watchers, and wants to help him. He tells him to demorph, as it will heal the injury. As soon as he demorphs, Malik blasts him with a wave of pain. After enduring this for a while, Dillon is unable to think straight. When Malik presents him with the choice of having his tongue cut out or committing suicide, he chooses the latter. Malik and Francis go back to the Las Vegas strip to be welcomed by the public.

Hero

At the casino, Francis and Malik go into the 4D Realm once more. When Malik notices a hole, an amoeba-like defense comes out of it. Malik is interested, and goes toward it, accidentally letting go of Francis’ hand, trapping him in the 4D universe temporarily.

When they are at the brownstone, Malik tells Shade to morph. He then goes into the 4D realm with Francis and notices that black cable-like things attach to Shade’s brain, and Malik assumes these are the Dark Watchers.

When the Rockborn Gang decide they need to attack Vector again, Malik sends a blast of pain to all the humans in Vector’s hall, leaving them out of the battle.

Shade realizes that Vector is on a train to Washington D.C., and Malik gets on a helicopter to catch up with the train. The Rockborn Gang get on the train to try to save hostages, but it fails, and the helicopter pilots die. Shade pushes Malik into the pilot seat, but the helicopter crashes into a backyard. Malik is trapped in the cockpit, but is saved by Francis. He is treated by a medic in an ambulance.

Malik is transported to Site L, where he finds out the world is a simulation created by himself. Malik votes on whether to end the universe or not, but his answer has not been confirmed by any canon sources.

Relationships
Shade

Malik and Shade were in a romantic relationship previous to the Monster Trilogy, although they stopped as Shade's obsession complicated things. However, they remained friends, and it is implied that they both still harbor feelings for one another. Malik is constantly concerned for Shade's safety, and becomes a part of her mission to be a hero, despite thinking it a bad idea. He becomes increasingly frustrated with her recklessness, particularly in Villain as it is due to her that he has to live with the Dark Watchers in his head.

Cruz

Malik seems to feel frustration towards Cruz for her willingness to go along with Shade. However, he seems to feel sorry for her at the same time. He and Cruz are able to empathize with each other as they have both been negatively affected by Shade's actions.