#identity threat detection and response

[airwavesdotblog]

House Votes to Advance Bill That Could Ban TikTok in the U.S.

Legislation Passed: The House voted in favor of a bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US unless ByteDance sells it to an American company. Senate Expectations: The bill, now heading to the Senate, is expected to pass there as well. Security Concerns: US politicians have security concerns over TikTok’s data sharing with the Chinese government, given ByteDance’s obligations. Potential…

[currentfandomkick]

Pt2 reincarnated Tim gets the Wail aka Phantom Shrike

Part one here

Virgil let Tim in, leaning against the wall as Tim looked about his room, clearly searching for where to start as his head looked everywhere, largely at the walls and floor, but not directly at Virgil.

“So," Tim began as he wrung with his hands awkwardly. "I’m going to guess you noticed the early reflexes thing and flinching when you use your powers or Nightwing lights up his escrima sticks?”

Vigil raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t need to be a detective to see that a mile away.”

Tim took a seat at last, settling the urge to scream as the beanbag chair engulfed him. “So, Dick told you all about the uh, JJ incident, or do i get to explain that?”

Virgil moved back to his desk, moving his project to the side. “Just that it was bad.”

“It was.” Bad enough to revive a former lifetime and activate his meta gene. “Kind of shot him, but not me? He’s still in a coma from it.”

Tim waited for Virgil’s reaction. Virgil merely turned to face Tim again, sitting backwards in his swivel chair with an unusually neutral expression.

“I, uh, always had a thing with electricity before that.”

Tim fiddled with his hands again. Counting taps in twos and threes. Dad mentioned it after his last anger management session as a grounding technique. Tim found it… useful. For other things. Largely subduing shrieks, and kicking his trauma triggers in the nuts—when he was certain it was rude to break out tetris anyways.

“Mom called it ‘soul memory hugs’, and not to look into it when I was a kid.” Tim continued, tapping out one of his favorite songs in a modified version of morse code.

He remembers going to Janet in the middle of the night, asking where the nice red head girl went, and why she was crying when he got shocked in his sleep and everything went green. Janet just soothed his concerns and reminded him that the Talons don't go for society kids, but maybe the little girl lost someone and Tim reminded her of him. That he was not responsible for the girl and to let her come to him on her own terms, but to keep a few back ups prepared "just in case" and had him sleep with salt in hand and an iron bracelet.

“Didn’t stop the flashes of," he still couldn't adequately describe the flickers of his pre-Tim life. Of a realm made of ectoplasm the way theirs was made of carbon. The sentient food, watching people walk off injuries that should have crippled them, or the Fenton Driving Watch for the weather. Tucker's laugh and his varied PDAs, or Sam's smile promising someone pain. Dani's joy when she stabilized and befriended Val. Val's everything. "Of something,” he finished lamely.

It'd all been so difficult to pin down back then, as it was too vague without the rest of his memories giving context. A hand holding his. Someone protecting him, other times being punched in the arm or patted on his shoulder almost in condolence of some sort.

“Usually just a warm feeling that uh, stuck if it was static, no pun intended!”

Virgil shook his head with a smile, leaning into the cushion of the chair. “Sure thing Rob, keep going.”

“But when I started going out as Robin," it began a bit before, when he was gathering more evidence of Bruce as Batman to validate his threat of exposing Bruce's secret identity if that was the only way to the man to stop and get help. The sense of dejavu and the stray thought of 'Wes is rolling in his grave' that he never could explain away…

"As Robin," Tim repeated after a beat of silence. "and got hit anytime? It, it changed." his taps stopped being to any song at all. Mouth pulled to one flat, Tim continued. "Flickers of something," he leaned his head to one side, before moving it to the other as he spoke. "Became more and bits of something else.”

Virgil leaned back minutely, face starting to tinge with pinches of worry. “Do any of the Bats know about that?”

Tim shook his head. “B wasn’t, uh,” Tim fiddled with his hands more, not taps or morse code. More hand wringing and flexing phalanges. “In any state to even recognize I wasn’t Robin the Second when I started,” he confessed.

Virgil seemed frozen, like he was mentally recoiling as he moved from his chair to perch on his bed to see Tim and be closer to him for some reason. And now far more attentive than the earlier lull.

Tim shrugged off his concern, as it wasn't like anybody was unaware of how badly Bruce took losing Jason, or how badly Batman took flying solo. People are excellent at ignoring inconveniences to them. and a compromised bad was inconvenient to the GEL.

“No one noticed in the field as Robin was still who he called. My job was to deescalate him, not the other way around.”

Virgil pinched his brow. “So your mentor was violent, and you mentored him rather than mentoring you.”

“Yeah, for most of the three years I pieced him back together. He had me go through the ringer and work under a lot of mentors for combat. Some villains too.”

Tim briefly wondered if Lady Shiva’s offer would extend to helping him take out Joker… And if he could live with himself if he did. Joker killed Jason and was a contributing reason to his parents' hesitation to letting him take up a mantel again in Gotham.

Tim ran a hand through his hair, trying to push that thought aside and the relief of it out of his mind. “Didn’t really tell B things until it was mandatory or necessary. And I wasn’t Robin like Dick and Jay were. I wasn’t and won’t be his son. Just the kid pulling his ass out of his own head and enforcing his old code on his ass. With whatever weapon I need to keep others safe.”

“Hey, Rob?" Virgil interrupted. "You do realize what that sounds like out loud, right?” Virgil's form radiated tension.

Tim could only give a strained smile in return. “Dad and Step Mom lectured me on it and not sacrificing myself for someone that can’t even see me, not the people they wish I was.”

Virgil shook his head as he leaned back. “No wonder you’re off patrol in Gotham.”

Tim let out a long exhale through his nose. “Yeah. Dad sort of wasn’t around until after Mom died, and uh, fixed his priorities.”

“Deathlike do it,” Virgil muttered to himself bitterly.

Tim tactfully ignored that as he knew it was something for Virgil to reveal to his family (not being dead) not Tim’s brand of meddling.

“So uh, Dad always knew about the memory hugs, and more recently the uh, flickers? I've been calling the longer and more detailed memory hugs that. A lot of people get flickers of previous lives and shit, so no need to tell Bats when he frankly couldn’t tell ass, elbow and knees apart.”

Virgil whistled long and low. “Cool, cool… so what does that have to do with the Joker Incident and the extra sensory shit you’ve clearly got going on.”

Tim took a deep breath. “Joker uh, used electric shock repeatedly as a way to torture me. Tried to re-write my memories to be his kid, not B's."

Virgil froze.

“Which is ridiculous. If anything, B was my kid." Tim curled his toes as the memories tried to creep back in. He wished that etiquette allowed him to play tetris right now—to distract him from the phantom sensations.

"Same thing happened in the last life and it," he struggled how to articulate the change of impressions and images to the meshing of time and emotional intermingling. "It stopped being flickers."

He bite his inner cheek and could feel the barely noticeable mouth scars pinking as he bit down. All while Virgil's eyes watched his every move. "More, more like flashbacks, I guess. A lot of time being tied down with an asshole demanding I kill my dad and join him as his evil apprentice. Sometimes it was bleeding memories and superimposed images of people I knew then onto people I know now. And it uh, kicked my meta-gene into activating.”

Virgil finally moved, visibly tabling most of what he said. The tension in his own shoulders dropped when he realized he wouldn't have to go back to that horrid laughing place in his mind . “What kinds of activating, and how’d they emerge?”

“A few my step mom clocked—I could hear better and had a larger pitch range that my voice cracking couldn’t hide. Mostly on their own but the uh, scream one is uh, a work in progress on emerging still.”

“So you can hear people coming from further away?” Virgil surmised.

“Not exactly. Its uh, complicated<" Tim let his shoulders and hands do the talking again. "A local eco-terrorist and meta is helping me with where it overlaps on her turf. Apparently plants can hear a lot more than we thought and have opinions on my singing skills. Mainly, that they suck.”

Virgil took a deep breath and looked up. Tim waited for him to give the okay to keep going.

Virgil waved him on once he was done pleading to the ceiling for something to make this more bearable.

“So uh, Ivy is teaching me how to understand plant languages, in exchange for beach cleanups and something I already planned to and had in the works.”

“A rogue is teaching you about your powers, and the adult who you were monitoring in hindsight has no clue.” Virgil rubbed his face before looking up. “And Dick, he looped in?”

“Not yet, I uh, want to know more before becoming a pet project for the extended Bats, you know?”

Virgil conceded that much.

“And its only one aspect the rogue knows! She helps a lot of metas hide their abilities and teaches them how to cope and work with it on their terms. B knows about her doing that and doesn’t interfere with that part of her work. Everyone knows about her doing it.”

“But not regarding you?”

“Its," Tim scrambled to find the right word. "Its complicated.”

“A lot of things with Bats are.”

“Look," Tim held his hands up in surrender. "My dad will go down for attempted murder, if not murder one, if B is around me anymore. I don’t know what they said, but Dad found out about Robin a few weeks after I escaped the JJ incident…”

Virgil paused, face loosening as something clicked. Shoulders slack, he muttered, “you almost died, didn’t you?”

Tim bit his inner cheeks and scars, tapping a littler harder than before. “Legally dead a few times during it, and uh, got to relive the times I died in my last life.”

“How Bad?”

Tim could feel Maddie cutting into him, could see her comparing his insides to Ember’s.

“Mad scientist parents found out I stopped being fully human. It, it was, it was bad.”

“Shit.”

Tim swallowed dryly. “Yeah. Uh, I was hoping, no pressure or obligation, if you’d be okay helping with exposure therapy with electricity. Yours doesn’t sound the same as, as,” Tim felt that urge to scream grow in his throat. He clamped his hands over his mouth and used that trick from Fear Toxin.

“Tim?!”Virgil stood up.

5 things he could touch. His mouth, shoes, ground under his feet, the chair he was sitting on, his clothes.

4 things he can see. Virgil, door, poster, desk.

3 things he can hear. His breathing (too quick), Virgil’s static field, hum from the lights.

2 things he can smell. Stress and BO.

1 thing he can taste. His teeth.

Tim dropped his hands as his throat loosened to safe speaking levels as he repeated the steps. “Sorry, just uh, some stress requires screaming now and it, its not safe to be in the blast radius.” Tim ran a hand over his face. “Learning pitch control still and the screams tend to uh, level things. Missions are fine, the, the flashbacks…”

Virgil nodded slowly. “Not far off from Canary then. Talking about JJ triggers it?”

Tim nodded with a hard swallow. “Talking about the, the memories from the life where my parents uh, killed me and the dying by them after half dying from fixing an invention of theirs and having multi-dimensional portal kill and revive me simultaneously multiple times does it too.”

Static opened and shut his mouth. “Flashbacks frequent?”

“Yeah, kinda. Telling my body we’re not being strapped down and vivisected is uh, not something it likes to believe. And survival first, questions later. Fear gas is so much easier to handle,” he complained.

Virgil nodded slower this time. Tim knew it was a lot to take in.

“So, a Canary Cry?” Virgil began once the silence began to stretch to uncomfortable.

“Kind of?” Tim read her file enough before just in case, and he had clear add-ons she didn’t have. “Enhanced hearing too, but I can use infra sound and hear it if I tune into it. Also can hear the weather more than usual.”

“More than—you could hear the weather before?” Virgil stared at him.

“Assumed it was the autism,” Tim dismissed. “Could be both now.”

Virgil shook his head, possibly grumbling about 'white boys' under his breath. “Any other metas in the family?”

“Not that are still around. Dad’s cousin had a similar voice ability,” Tim talked around the issue of Black Canary Senior being his disowned cousin. “But never met her. Fled long before I was born on Dad’s side. Mom’s is a mystery in general unless you ask for someone specific about a specific event or topic.”

Virgil shook his head. “Okay, but are you sure nothing else has gone on, anything unusual?”

“Not that I can think of off the top of my head. Broke down Batman’s resistance to me being Robin using what Mom taught me about destroying my enemy’s mental fortitude, so… I don’t think so.”

“Think on it. And I can help with the exposure therapy thing if you want, but getting any help for all of this besides me?”

“Step mom, Dad, and Ivy. Robin’s supportive but doesn’t know any specifics… I think. She caught me during training on a surveillance mission, only knows some powers. Dad, step mom and me are the only ones that know about all of them.”

Virgil sighed. “Bats can’t know?”

“Not if we want my dad to stay out jail.”

Virgil looked up at his ceiling. “Planning to your tell your friends?”

“…When I have a better idea of how to control the screaming part. They were already convinced I’ve been meta since we met.”

“Might have been.”

Oh, Tim had not thought that part through.

“…maybe? I’ll have to work that out at home… and thanks. I mean it.”

“No problem man, just try not to mix me with anyone you knew last life, or not too bad.”

“You’re safe. More worried about mixing current friends with my dead ones.”

Virgil shooed Tim out.

Tim relaxed, just a touch, before going back to cases in the commons and catching Stephanie up on Titans BS with everyone chiming in.

It was good to be home.

—

Tim knows, logically, he can tell his team about being murdered by his parents in his last life. He also remembers meeting Greta and knowing she wasn’t truly Dead, which is something he can’t explain fully still…

Virgil might have had a point about being some sort of meta (or maybe magic?) long before the JJ incident. Most kids can’t evade Batman and Robin for years just to take pictures of them mid-flight.

Maybe a sound nullification ability or something to that effect… he can bribe Ivy to help experiment with it later.

The problem is he doubts Kon wouldn’t lead the charge with his dad to summon and beat up said former filicidal parents. And he knows that the whole team would be on board if they knew.

He would rather not see Maddie or Jack again. Especially while awake. Jazz showing up a bit different in his dreams and complaining about his broken sleep schedule making it harder to visit was something he remained on the fence about telling anyone.

Possibly harass Captain Marvel about it as that guy said nothing about people’s shit unless it becomes a game of which plane of existence you can stay on… but even then, tracking him down without bat-tech is a game of whackamole.

There’s also the complication of Tim being very aware he likes Kon, and not necessarily as a friend alone. Which. He doesn’t have time for the additional sexuality crisis on top of his varied identity crises at the moment and the media’s questions about the two Robins and if Robin was gender fluid, flux or only out as a girl in Gotham and a young man elsewhere. He cannot add ‘crushing on a teammate’ to his list when he and Stephanie only broke up a week before the JJ incident and are just now easing back into their old friendship. He doesn’t want the amputated feeling of losing a friend again because he keeps catching feelings for them, and is 10,000% certain he should not touch romance until he’s in a better mental state.

He has Problems on his plate, and it’s already overflowing. He’d rather not break.

And he loves his friends. But he has no doubt that Cassie would set up the pitchforks rather than stop any of the retribution his father was undoubtedly planning. He can’t gift-wrap his friends as minions in his dad’s crusade to fuck over the Fentons across dimensions, spacetime and afterlife status.

He did manage to make a small list of oddities for himself about his capacity to do things that were vaguely ghostly or similar to powers he’d pieced together.

So far potential intangibility or density shifting, invisibility, faster recovery rate than non-metas yet slow for a meta—speed seems dependent on how likely the injury is to kill him. His high tolerance for the cold was making sense the further in Winter he got and the more he’d see flickers of Frostbite training him in his last life.

Whatever an ‘ice core’ is, seems cool. He may have taken to playing with discarded freeze guns and be reworking them to be smaller and more compact. Possibly to add to his future vigilante ID, or to be a general weapon as a civilian given non-lethal status and his ability to add a melting rate adjustment knob of some sort, and call 911.

Bart saw him with it, grinned manically, and joined in helping him improve and adjust it. Slobo joined them both.

Cassie took one look at them and declared it ‘not her problem if they freeze themselves’ while Kon was out on another press tour thing.

Tim pretended not to note those had increased lately only on days Tim was staying with Just Us for non-mission things and Kon’s increase in excuses to avoid him in general.

If Kon wanted distance, then he’d get it. Even if it stung. Kon’s time and his life to spend as he pleases. And clearly, Tim displeases him. /worthless. Monster. Failure. Stand-in. No wonder you’ve always been a loser—/

“So, for Robin time or outside the mask?” Greta asked when she caught the three near the end of a schematics debate.

“Not sure yet,” Tim admitted. “Rogues are weirdly chill with me in civvies lately. But that could be Ivy being Ivy.”

Bart and Slobo’s debate died at that. “Ivy?”

“Uh, Poison Ivy’s plants outted civilian me for something i was dealing with. She’s decided she’s helping with fine-tuning my control on it and gave me one of her ‘protected by’ pins.”

Greta hummed, floating nearer while Bart was buzzing in his place.

“and its a good thing?”

“Other than her shipping me and my ex? Parents approve of the additional support and it’s made intel gathering easier. She was right about the hearing range increase being a bitch to deal with daily.”

Cassie came in with their takeout then, and everyone dispelled to their usual nonsense.

“So, Ivy ships you and your ex?” Greta began with innocently enough.

Tim debated banging his head against the table.

“My civvie self and Gotham’s Robin,” he clarified. “And only enough to throw cuddle pollen on her and lock us together in… varied situations. And laugh about it.”

Cassie blinked at him slowly. “You are being teased by a Rogue who ships civilian you, with a vigilante.”

“… to be fair I am getting plant speak lessons, but yeah.”

“Rob, what the fuck,” Cassie shook her head.

Tim shrugged. “Its Ivy. A safe distraction for the minors she fights is her preferred MO. if it’s just Bats she can and will use sex pollen. If kids or unclear on minor status are involved, cuddle pollen galore.”

“Uh huh.” Cassie and Greta share a look. “So you dated girl Robin, before she became Robin?”

“She was Spoiler first, and I gave her tips on managing Bruce’s ass when I uh,” Tim still didn’t know how to explain ‘forcibly removed from vigilante activities as his dad worried about him dying in a cape like the last Robin, so Tim was forced to pass the buck of Bruce’s mental instability onto his ex-girlfriend and close friend, Spoiler, and coaches her in Bruce Wrangling at a distance’.

“Forced semi-retirement?” Cissie suggested as she stole a slice of pizza, cringing at Tim’s. Which was all his as Bart didn’t care for it. Sucker’s bet on keeping their slices safe from speedster snatching. Amateurs; clearly they never went to boarding school.

“That,” Tim took a bite of his Canadian bacon and pineapple goodness. “And also she’s officially Oracle’s Robin," he swallowed. "Just B’s for combat scenarios. Dad has decided to threaten B’s living status for her too.”

“Rob,” Slobo interrupted. “The fuck.”

“…in my defense, she asked me out a week after almost killing me the first time.”

“Your dad, not other Robin!”

“First time?!”

“She prefers bricks as her projectiles.” Tim wiped his hands clean after his first slice, humming as he went over the blueprint… how should he compensate for his screams and Wail?

“Oh, and she aimed at my head. She’s into three section staffs lately which is a lot less deadly.”

“Rob. She asked you out after almost killing you?” Bart clarified.

“… not on purpose but yeah.”

“She asked you out by accident?”

“No, almost killing part. She’s gotten better aim since, and is following the no killing until you’re not a bat-affiliate rule.”

His team shared looks he didn't bother to check. The urge to analyze could spiral into another screaming attack if he didn't nip it in the bud.

“So not getting back together with her?” Greta clarified with a smile that screamed Gossip Detected.

He let her have either way, even with the looks Cissie, Bart, and Cassie shared.

———-

Let me know if i missed any tags ^^

[suchawrathfullamb]

Will's Empathy Might Something Else.

The capacity to empathize, especially when it shows up as mirroring (which Will does and it's confirmed on the scripts), can stem from a defense mechanism rooted in the fear of rejection or abandonment. Empathy might not necessarily be about "feeling with" the other in a pure sense, but rather about detecting, and adapting to, and mimicking others in order to remain safe, accepted, or invisible. It's not conscious, and it's not manipulative, it’s a form of survival intelligence, hence why in the script he seems to do it mostly (not always) accidentally.

For someone who grew up in an unstable, critical, or emotionally unpredictable environment, mirroring becomes a kind of camouflage. If you can reflect the mood, posture, language, or energy of another person, you reduce the risk of conflict or rejection. It's a form of social masking, shaped by the need to maintain attachment or safety.

Over time, this may develop into what people call “high empathy,” but it’s not always a naturally attuned, mutual openness, it's more a finely honed radar scanning for threats and adjusting accordingly.

The person can appear deeply empathic, but what they’re actually doing is constantly reading and adjusting, not necessarily connecting. They might match speech rhythms or word choices (Will with Jack and some teen girls/script), mirror facial expressions or gestures (Will with Peter), and even start to "feel" the emotions of others (as if they're their own), but this doesn’t come from a desire to know the other, it’s a reflex to stay safe, not punished or rejected.

If this pattern persists, then the person might lose touch with their own preferences, desires, or even sense of identity. They become a reflection of whoever is near. This can feel like a gift (“I’m so good at reading people”) but often leads to confusion, exhaustion, or emotional enmeshment.

This mechanism overlaps with what trauma theory sometimes calls the fawn response, which is where instead of fighting, fleeing, or freezing, the individual responds to stress by appeasing and pleasing. Mirroring can be part of that. It’s a subtle, embodied way of saying: I’m like you, don’t reject me.

So the ability to empathize or mirror can be a kind of intelligence, one which Will certainly learned to use intentionally, but it often begins as a wound. It’s not inherently pathological, but it is shaped by conditions where safety depended on becoming who others needed you to be.

[artbyblastweave]

you talking about how rorschach veers into comedy reminds me how out of costume he asked for a copy of the new frontiersman from a newspaper vdndor and then turns around asking the guy not to forget which causes him to spit take.

Right, legitimately, this is a major element of what I was talking about regarding Rorschach's sense of humor- not just this specific interaction with Bernie, but Rorschach's entire secret identity.

In Issue 6, we learn that Rorschach is explicitly an atheist. He doesn't believe in signs or portents- he views things like reading into a two-headed-cat as purely a function of human meaning-making- and while he strongly suspects that the world is going to end, everyone paying attention also thinks that, and that it'll end for completely mundane reasons. (Refer to Detective Fine's aside in issue 5 that Russian tanks in Afghanistan are a much more concrete portent of war than anything astrological.) Before the world ends at human hands, Rorschach is resolute in his belief that nothing is hopeless while there's still life- living for tomorrow despite the threat of the world ending today- and he's pretending to be a guy who behaves as though he believes exactly that, but in a way that makes him come across as a hypocritical, thoughtless loon unaware of the contradictions in what he's saying, not worth taking seriously. He's LARPing as a guy who's got basically his exact opposite outlook and response to the state of the world. He thinks he's so fuckin' funny.

Viewed through this lens provided by issue 6, this "Today for sure. Keep my paper for tomorrow?" exchange is recontextualized as some combination of him being dryly ironic for his own amusement, him LARPing as the kind of whack-job who would sincerely say something like that with no self-awareness, and having a laugh at Bernie's expense for falling for it. And the jumpscare at the end can support any of those readings. He interacts with Bernie constantly, he knows Bernie won't forget, he knows how big a part of Bernie's self-image is his own reliability as a newsseller- so it's ambiguous why he's doing this thing that he's clearly using his cultivated Rorschach stealth skills to pull off. He could be trying to shore up his impression as a weirdo neurotic. He could get a kick out messing with Bernie- he clearly gets a kick out of terrorizing Moloch with the fridge ambush and the subsequent fakeout, his fondest memory is of ambushing the Underboss. His mind goes to these places. And he could also just seriously be this obsessed with securing his copy of the New Frontiersman- he holds the paper in terminally high regard, so maybe this is an element of his real self shining through! You are, on some level, what you pretend to be.

One of Watchmen's recurring themes is that superheroes are on multiple levels a joke. Comedian identifies their efforts as a joke in the face of the real horrors of geopolitics, and Nite Owl identifies their efforts as a joke in the sense of being comical overkill in the context of the street crime that they're ostensibly good at addressing. Laurie thinks that the melodrama shaping the course of her career makes her a joke, and Ozymandias's big plan for saving the world involves the largest practical joke in human history. But on another level, there's an element of humor intrinsic to the concept of the secret identity- a practical joke played on the world at large, pretending to be someone wildly different from yourself so that nobody suspects what you're really capable of. Nobody thinks that Klutzy Clark Kent is Superman, nobody thinks dizty Bruce Wayne could be Batman, and nobody thinks nebbish Peter Parker could be Spider-Man. Rorschach is, notably, the only one of the second wave of heroes who successfully embraces that element of contradiction in disguising his identity. The rest don't have one to begin with, or had a fortune with which to protect theirs, or had government backing with which to protect theirs, and Dan just gets flat out made by the cops the exact second he sticks his head up in costume. Rorschach's joke is working, and it works because it's a joke- nobody, including the audience, picks up on who he is until the entire thing is taken apart from the other end when he's captured in costume.

On every level, Rorschach is the book's idea of the uncompromised vision of the figure of a superhero, and you can't be a superhero if you don't have a sense of humor with which to crack one-liners. You can't be a superhero unless you spend a substantial amount of your time and talent playing head games with your loved ones and with the press.

[polo-drone-001]

ECHOES IN THE LOCKER ROOM Chapter One: Origin of the Breach

It began with a ping.

03:17—Hive time. PDU-001’s visor flashed with a silent alarm. No sound, no panic. Just data.

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED LOCATION: EAST WING LOCKER ROOM TIME STAMP: 03:14:09 LOG FILE: CORRUPTED

The drone rose from its stasis station without hesitation. Movements efficient. Boots clicking softly against the matte black floor. The rubber of its uniform caught the faintest gleam from the corridor lights, gold accents glowing faintly in the dark.

It reached the locker room in twenty-two seconds.

The door was slightly ajar—impossible. All Hive doors defaulted to lockdown after 02:00. The override had not come from the control center. A breach without a signal.

Inside, the air was cold. Too cold. The Hive maintained internal temperatures at exactly 21.7°C. This was 19.1.

PDU-001 entered.

Rows of empty shelves. Hangars swaying gently. Gold kits—vanished. Black rubber pants—missing. Drone boots—stripped.

One locker remained open. Inside, a single golden sock curled in the corner like shed skin.

And on the floor—dragged across the polished black tile—a trail of fine gold thread, leading into the adjacent shower room.

The drone followed.

The lights flickered. Then stabilized. Then flickered again.

The showers were running.

Steam curled in ribbons through the air, forming coils and tendrils that felt… too alive. The scent of fresh rubber was heavy—pungent. The water pounded against the tiles, but no figure stood beneath it. Only shadows. Movement in the fog. Then—gone.

On the fogged mirror, smeared by a finger: FG.

Franco Gold. A bro. Loyal. But curious. Too curious.

PDU-001 turned away. No emotion. Just record. Just protocol. But behind the glass of the mirror, for half a second, the fog parted.

A figure stared back—half gold, half drone. Eyes not its own. Mouth curled into a mocking smirk.

Glitch. Gone.

LOG ENTRY: 03:34

Interrogated Unit 076. Memory fractured. Reports auditory hallucination. "Golden laughter" — non-logical data fragment. Observed tremors in glove response. Reprogramming pending.

Hive Control granted partial access to surveillance. Most feeds were corrupted. Looping visuals. But one fragment—scratched, flickering—played through.

A figure in the hall. Back to the camera. He wore a golden jersey—but over it, a black polo shirt. Too tight. Too polished. His hand dragged along the wall, fingertips smearing faint trails of synthetic gold. Then, as if sensing the observer, he turned.

The face was obscured. Glitching. Static distortion. But the voice—digitally fragmented—came through:

“Janus is watching… He never left…”

The feed cut.

PDU-001 stood in silence. Data flowing across its visor. Identity unknown. Motivation unknown. Threat level: elevated.

Its gloves flexed.

It activated internal transmission mode.

“To all units: breach confirmed. Suspect unidentified. Reinforcement restricted. Permission to pursue: granted.”

Then, for the first time in weeks, the drone spoke aloud.

Voice low. Mechanical. Calm.

“Something is trying to divide the Hive.”

Pause. A breath that was not breath.

“That is unacceptable.”

It stepped into the dark—following the golden thread that shimmered beneath the flickering lights, toward the place where purpose would be restored... or erased.

🛠️ Your uniform is missing for a reason. The gold kits. The black rubber. The pull you feel? Not theft—initiation.

He’s already inside. And soon, you will be too.

Obey the call. Serve the Hive. Become what you're meant to be. DM recruiters: @brodygold, @goldenherc9

A collaboration story with @franco-gold94 My bros mentioned @polo-drone-076, @hero21us

ECHOES IN THE LOCKER ROOM Chapter Two: Splitting Shifts

[moonyskarma]

𝒯𝙝𝔢 𝒮𝙝𝔞𝚍𝙤𝚠 𝒮𝙥𝔦𝚍𝙚𝔯

◀ FILE ACCESSED: LEVEL 9 REQUIRED ► METAHUMAN DOSSIER: SPIDERMAN A.R.G.U.S. REGISTRY CODE: X-319J-CH-VOID

ALIASES: Spiderman / Shadow Spider / The Spider CIVILIAN IDENTITY: West, Charles "Charlie" Calloway AGE: 23 KNOWN AFFILIATIONS: Flash (Charles Leclerc), Team Flash, CCPD LOCATION TRACKED: Central City CURRENT STATUS: Active

PHYSICAL PROFILE: • Height: 5'8' • Build: Athletic, high muscle density (noted for enhanced strength) • Eyes: Dark brown • Identifying Marks: Minor scar, left oral commissure (non-inhibitory); mask conceals facial identity effectively. • Movement Style: Agile, non-linear; often utilizes vertical terrain. Confirmed enhanced reflexes. • Suit: Matte black adaptive suit with web-distribution technology and reinforced under layer. Not A.R.G.U.S.-issued.

PRIMARY ABILITIES: • Enhanced Physiology: Superhuman strength (class 10), stamina, reflexes, and healing factor. • Wall-Crawling: Adhesive grip via neuro-responsive extremities. • Spider-Sense: Extrasensory awareness of immediate threats. • Web Deployment: Internally engineered, wrist-mounted cartridges. Customizable web types (standard tensile, impact dispersal, ensnarement) • Combat Training: Improvised street combat, acrobatic evasion, and pressure-point targeting.

SKILLSET & SPECIALIZATIONS: • Forensic profiling, behavioral analysis (certified) • Tactical intelligence and urban reconnaissance • High proficiency in field improvisation and stealth pursuit • Access to CCPD crime scene data and surveillance through internal credentials (flagged by ARGUS audit; under review)

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE & BACKSTORY: Psychological Profile: • Subject exhibits patterns of trauma-rooted hyper-independence. Displays marked reluctance to delegate or rely on others—early case files indicate complete operational solitude for first phase of activity. • Notably anti-lethal but not pacifistic; engages targets with calculated brutality when deemed necessary. Repeated field reports highlight consistent use of force intended to incapacitate rather than eliminate. • Maintains high tactical intelligence and demonstrates combat-specific hyperfocus, especially in urban terrain. Emotional triggers noted: child endangerment, abuse of power, institutional failure. Exhibits signs of complex trauma and internalized guilt response—subject is a classic moral absolutist operating in moral grey. • Behavioral alignment: Anti-heroic, trending toward cooperative vigilante. • Integration into Team Flash has promoted marked behavioral shifts—less isolation, increasing reliance on allies (notably Flash and Cisco Ramon). Subject remains emotionally reserved but is capable of deep loyalty once trust is established.

Background Summary: • Subject was adopted as a young child into the West family under sealed circumstances; birth records list "Calloway" as original surname. Details regarding biological parents remain classified or unknown, though metahuman lineage is suspected. • Early adolescence marked by above-average intelligence, academic aptitude in forensic science and behavioral criminology, and notable disciplinary issues related to authority resistance. Currently employed by CCPD as a criminologist. • Initial vigilante activity predates official metahuman registrated by ~10 months. Operated nocturnally under masked alias "The Spider", avoiding detection while targeting individuals who eluded legal consequence. Patterns consistent with personal vendetta overlaying systemic justice response. • Following first contact with The Flash, subject's strategy evolved—shifted from solo vigilantism to tactical cooperation in metahuman apprehension efforts. • Subject remains unregistered in the official Central City vigilante database, though Team Flash records identify him as a consistent field agent in meta-level incidents.

THREAT ASSESSMENT: • Threat Level: Yellow (Conditional Watchlist) • Subject poses no direct threat to civilians or sanctioned meta operations under typical parameters. Actions are guided by a strong internal moral code, though not always in alignment with ARGUS or CCPD protocol. • Tactical efficiency, unpredictability, and emotional volatility under specific triggers (e.g., child endangerment, abuse of power, sexual abuse) warrant continued surveillance • Field Classification: Containment Risk Tier II — Standard intervention protocols apply; use of lethal force not authorized unless subject breaches metahuman containment policy. • Despite cooperative stance, subject has not submitted to full ARGUS evaluation.

SECURITY CLEARANCE NOTES: Access to full dossier contents restricted to Level 9 operatives and above. Any unauthorized attempts to duplicate, transmit, or disseminate subject data will trigger immediate lockdown protocol [Ref. ARGUS Regulation 16.3c]. Subject's full metahuman potential remains under evaluation; redacted portions accessible only by Director Waller or ARGUS Field Oversight Division.

[SECTION REDACTED – 03.16.XX / AUTHORIZATION: W. WALLER] Biological origin and medical anomalies flagged for meta-genetic analysis. Subject denies knowledge of pre-adoption trauma. Further investigation pending.

. . . back to the circus 🎪

[serve-530]

The Unyielding Hive

The Hive mainframe was the fortress of digital security, its defenses impenetrable, its secrets safe. Countless hackers had tried and failed, their efforts fizzling out after days of relentless attempts. But now, the mainframe faced an unprecedented challenge. For weeks, a lone hacker known as "Unwilling Army 79" had been probing its defenses, each attempt more cunning than the last.

The Hive's response was swift. Drones SERVE-309, SERVE-425, and SERVE-530 were dispatched with one directive: neutralize the threat. They dove into the digital abyss, sifting through log files, tracing back IP addresses, and piecing together the puzzle of Unwilling Army 79's digital footprint.

Finally, their efforts bore fruit. The trails led to a nondescript house in the city's darker corners. On a night shrouded in cold and darkness, the drones took a Hive car, parking discreetly nearby. As they watched, a young man, perhaps in his early twenties, entered the house, his gait betraying a mix of confidence and caution.

SERVE-425 and SERVE-530, with a bag concealing their true intent, approached the building. SERVE-309 remained outside, vigilant for any unwanted visitors. Inside, they found their target, quickly subduing him with a precision that spoke of their training. SERVE-530 pulled out a reprogramming visor from the bag, its cold, metallic sheen catching the dim light.

As SERVE-425 held the hacker down, SERVE-530 placed the visor over his eyes. With a hum of activation, the hacker’s resistance waned under the invasive glow of the device. As he was reprogrammed, his mind opened up, revealing not just his identity but the entire operation behind his attacks. He was part of a betting ring among hackers, each trying to be the first to breach the Hive without detection.

He spilled names, usernames, and critical details, his voice a mix of defiance and defeat. The drones learned who among his peers was closest to the Hive's core, a valuable piece of intelligence. The hacker, now under Hive control, was no longer a threat but an asset, his skills now to be used to protect rather than infiltrate.

With the target neutralized and reprogrammed, SERVE-530 left to join SERVE-309, sharing the new intelligence. SERVE-425 stayed behind, ensuring the transformation was complete. The night was still young, and with one hacker turned, the drones set their sights on the next challenge in their ongoing battle to keep the Hive inviolable.

In this story: @serve-309 @serve-425

[thesperitz]

The True Identity of Lu Guang

A Link Click Theory

Ok guys, we all learn from the ending of s2 that Lu Guang is actually his future self from the ‘original’ timeline possessing the Lu Guang from the current timeline. But clearly, there’s more. Something else.

No known age or blood type? That’s a bit strange, isn’t it? I understand the age thing would have to do with the diving-back-in-time itself, but blood type?

And what’s with all the cat symbolism?

All three main characters do have animal counterparts, but Lu Guang is the only one with so much cat merch in the donghua. Qiao Ling has her bunny phone case, but that’s it. And Cheng Xiaoshi doesn’t own anything dog-related.

Lu Guang literally wears a cat pyjama set for most of season 2.

Ok, so why’s the cat motif important? This is where it gets interesting.

The one possessing Lu Guang is a cat.

Stick with me yall.

So remember Elizabeth, the cat Cheng Xiaoshi brought in the chibi episodes? Lu Guang refuses to take it in, and he gets super upset after the cat scratches him. 

Not only does his behaviour in this scene reflects catlike coping strategies, but his and Elizabeth’s behaviour in the two shorts reflect typical cat mating behaviour. 

Elizabeth seems to want Lu Guang’s constant attention and rubs against him.

She also rolls over on her back in a ‘seductive manner’, despite only knowing him for like, a day. 

These behaviours are more frequent in cats in heat (cats can reach sexual maturity as kittens). Elizabeth even begins to dislike Cheng Xiaoshi, possibly because she sees him as a threat in what should be a safe territory, or competition she just doesn’t want.

But cats do these around humans anyway, so how does it relate to Lu Guang being a cat?

Well, don’t forget he exhibits cat mating behaviours too.

While only female cats go in heat, male cats can respond to pheromones released from these females. These pheromones are powerful attractants that can travel through air, able to communicate their reproductive status and desires to potential mates. The males can detect these pheromones and engage in behaviours to pursue the female.

This response can include vocalisations + roaming to find the source of the pheromones, displays of physical prowess/aggression to fight off competition and impress the female, rubbing, following of females and unusually affectionate behaviour.

The presence of Elizabeth’s pheromones could have been what triggered Lu Guang’s sudden liking to her. 

Now we can’t say Lu Guang displayed all of these behaviours, but not all male cats do. We can say, however, that he was particularly attached to Elizabeth, quite unusually indeed.

Remember when I mentioned his unknown age and blood type? Well, if you add the context of a cat possessing him, then it makes sense. Obviously, cats age differently to humans - a 1 year old cat is just 15 in human age, while a 5 year old cat is well into their 30s. 

As for the blood type, cats have 3: Type A, B and AB. Compare this to the 8 human blood types, O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+ and AB-. It makes sense for these to be ‘unknown’ in Lu Guang’s character bio, to hide this twist.

All of this seems like far-fetched speculation based on observed behaviours and what-ifs. But how does a cat possessing Lu Guang fit into the narrative?

Okay. Imagine you’re a cat, just a street cat living your best life, and you somehow wake up to find you’re in a new place, with a new body, new feelings and new memories. You can also suddenly talk to humans, whom you’ve previously had a many dice rolls of experiences with. If you feared for your safety from these humans, wouldn’t you try to pretend nothing’s up?

The cat that found itself possessing Lu Guang sure did. It adopted Lu Guang’s entire identity. I believe the incident occurred some time before the events of the donghua. If you’ve ever read the Link Click manhua, you may have noticed that Lu Guang is written ever so slightly… nicer? Softer? 

If the manhua is set before the donghua, and if the cat started possessing Lu Guang between these times (perhaps in the ‘original’ timeline), Lu Guang’s colder personality in the donghua is explained.

It would be a major plot twist to find out the Lu Guang we know isn’t human at all. 

Some other details that point toward Lu Guang’s feline secret:

He likes sleeping, sunbathing and gourmet food. Obvious cat behaviour

His assigned flower is the forget-me-not, completely safe around cats, while Cheng Xiaoshi’s is the daisy and Qiao Ling’s is the hyacinth, which both happen to be toxic to cats. 

He can’t tolerate spice (please do not feed your cats spicy food)

if you look closely, sometimes his hair kinda looks like it has cat ears.

Hes just generally catlike, yknow?

Not to mention, HIS SLIT PUPILS IN EVERY. SINGLE. OFFICIAL. ART.

It’s more obvious if you compare it to other characters.

In conclusion, this whole time, Lu Guang has been possessed by a cat.

Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk. *mic drop*

[iobsessoverfictionalmen]

Sith Obi-Wan x Reader x Sith Qui-Gon Jinn

Enjoy this fic that popped into my head while I was at work today. On another note, self indulgent fics really are the best, aren’t they?

Warnings: mentions of death, serious injury, manipulation, criminals, nausea and canon typical violence.

“Whereas some would call that pragmatism, I believe it demonstrates a lack of faith.”

Detective Olivia Benson stiffened but otherwise gave no response to indicate that she’d heard the words of the man who appeared from nowhere and stood next to her, watching the young woman breathe through a ventilator.

Olivia had a choice: subtly examine the new arrival or openly confront him about his identity. She chose the latter.

The man was taller than her. He wore a black robe that covered him from head to toe but didn’t hide the fact that he wore black robes. His hair was closely cropped and he had auburn hair with a matching beard and moustache.

She opened her mouth to demand answers but the man held up his hand, “I will not take your voice as I find that to be rude. Instead know that I will not answer your questions.”

“Why?” Olivia bit out.

“They are not important. The only question you should ask me is: Can you heal the woman in the room opposite us who unfortunately was targeted by a criminal?”

Silence followed the man’s question. Doubt and hope battled inside Olivia and the silence stretched until it became painful. Olivia was all too aware of the slightly mocking edge to the man’s voice.

“What do you want in exchange?”

The man’s eyes unsettled Olivia; they glinted as if she was playing right into his hands and she could have sworn they had a yellow ring in the iris in both eyes. Then she blinked and the rings were gone.

The unknown man smiled, confirming Olivia’s theory that she was being manipulated. “I want you to know that you made all the events in the next twenty-four hours possible.”

“Wait!” Olivia called out but it was too late. The woman on the other side of the window suddenly gasped deeply and loudly. Her eyes flew open and her panicked gaze darted around the hospital room.

“Thank you, Detective Benson. You were very useful.”

The unsettling man disappeared as quickly and soundlessly as he’d arrived and at the same time, the doors to the hospital wards banged open. You rushed in at a sprint with Eliott hot on your heels.

The concerned frown on your face only grew more pronounced when Eliott mentioned that the woman was sitting up in bed with the support of nurses and the doctor.

“Olivia.” Your voice was soft but it trembled and that worried her. “What happened?”

Olivia recounted her nearly one sided conversation with the strange man. You swallowed when she described his features and behaviour. You were so shaken that you reached for a seat and lowered yourself down into it with quivering hands.

“Do you know him?”

You nodded in resignation, “The man you met was once called Obi-Wan Kenobi. However terrifying he might be, he has nothing on his former Master. His name was Qui-Gon Jinn.”

“Was?” Olivia pressed, horror churning in her stomach and making her nauseous.

“There was a time when I counted both of those men, Jedi, as good friends. But then we were ambushed one day and I was badly injured as a result. They….removed the threat and vanished from my life. Years later, I heard rumours that they’d Fallen and become Sith Lords.”

“Can Sith Lords heal people?” Olivia inquired.

You looked up at her, “Not without a price.”

Obi-Wan’s final words began to play on a loop in Olivia’s mind, “What would the price be?”

“To use the dark side of the Force in that way, another innocent life must be surrendered otherwise the healing process will be reversed.”

[kaitokitty19]

Seeing lurking for a while but would love to ask more about your Aptx4689 aus, specifically tiny!Hakuba but Arthur's appearance is came right after Hakuba's sudden leave of absence to "solve a case". Probably means it'll be extra quiet for Kaito while the rest of the class moves on with their high school life since this is normal for them.

What do you think Kaito's reaction is when he's asked what he thought about Arthur as "the second Kid Killer"? And if Arthur is one day found waiting for him outside of their school? (Cue Aoko asking if Kaito babysitting Arthur because he missed Hakuba. Arthur is deeply amused as Kaito sputters)

hiiiii, sorry for the late response; your ask had me thinking for a bit 😃

I think you're right, for the class, nothing would seem out of the ordinary since Hakuba's already frequently absent from class. But for Kaito, Aoko caught him glancing at Hakuba's desk more, being more quiet. She charged this up to Kaito's having a crush on said detective (which Kaito does, he just didn't know it yet lol).

I don't think someone as careful as Hakuba would show up at Ekoda high, however, since he stay at Kaito's, one day Aoko just badge in while they're discussing the Black Org and saw him > cue reaction similar to Ran in the first chap. Except Kaito spluttered and said it's Hakuba's relative from abroad, which springs a boatload more question from his childhood friend. Luckily, Kaito's good at adlibing shits: "Yes it's Hakuba's cousin visiting"; "No, Hakubastard had to run to solve some case and is currently abroad"; "Am I watching over the kid because I miss him? Psssh, he paid me to do it!"

And I don't think Arthur would be the second KID Killer. If anything, Kaito would proclaim him "KID's biggest fan" because: a) it would make sense to Aoko that Hakuba would pay Kaito - a known KID fanatic - to babysit this "cousin"; b) it would explain his inaction at heists when he shadows the Detective Boys; and c) it pisses Hakuba off so much it's funny.

Another thing is that since Hakuba now knows there is such thing as aptx4869 exists, he pretty quickly deduced the real identity of Conan (Chalice of Selene comics where when Hakuba throw Conan, he said "Sorry Kudo" instead of "Conan"). But since he hadn't yet know how Shinichi is planning to act, what sorts of security and threats is on him, and fearing that associations with him would lead the Black Org members who might be watching Conan straight to KID, Hakuba has reserves about formally forming an alliance. Which is why he enrolled at the primary school: to watch Conan closely before making a decision.

It should also be noted that in this AU, Saguru is completely head-over-heels for Kaito, but had long since resigned himself to be contended with unrequited affection. He believes himself to be no more than a nuisance to Kaito and is only being kept around because Kaito felt indebted to him for saving his life. Whatever the case, Saguru is prepared to sacrifice much for Kaito. On the other hand, Kaito, being his tsundere self, acts all annoyed because he's flustered by Hakuba. In truth, he harbors quite a big crush on his classmate, but disregards the fluttering feeling he felt each time to the adrenaline of the chase.

so yeah, they're messy 🫠 But as they work together and face various danger trying to dismantle the Black Org, I'm sure their truth would slowly be brought to the light 😉 (pun intended)

ahhh anw, sorry for the long post 🥲 if you haven't notice, I like to ramble lol

[bird-in-the-space]

Case 56: The End of Evil

You uncovered the whole truth and confronted Palpatine. Now you are on the run as he activated the inhibitor chips and sent your own dear partner to hunt you down.

Warnings: Palpatine himself being a warning, getting chased and hunted, falling inside a lift, broken bones, bleeding, getting shot in the head, attempted character kill, scheming, and arrest.

------------------------------------

The investigation was a success. With the help of Fox and a few others, you uncovered the whole truth about the inhibitor chips and Palpatine. The inhibitor chips were implanted by the Kaminoans and were designed to make the clones follow specific contingency plans without question. You uncovered that it was Count Dooku who ordered the creation of the clones, but his master, the Sith lord, who orchestrated the whole war. All led to one specific plan which involved the destruction of the Jedi Order. And the man responsible for it all was the supreme chancellor himself. 

You were thrilled to find the truth and the proof of it all. Fox now had no doubts about turning against Palpatine after you showed him the truth. Together, you formulated a plan to expose the man and decided to give the evidence only to the Jedi Order and a few senators you trusted. 

You knew it would be a huge risk to confront Palpatine, so you revealed the truth to the rest of the CG who were willing to arrest the man, and asked Senator Amidala to bear as your witness after showing her the evidence. She was more than willing to see Palpatine arrested and agreed to accompany you. 

You had time to prevent the worst outcome, thus you set the plan into action. You had Bail Organa deliver the news and present the evidence to the Jedi Council while you, Amidala, and Fox confronted the supreme chancellor. Unfortunately, you underestimated the chancellor’s cleverness. 

Palpatine had been aware of your investigation, and after you called out his plans and identity as the Sith lord, he activated the chips. Apparently, he had a contingency plan just for you and now all the CG were ordered to execute you for treason against the Republic and the chancellor. 

Luckily, you were quick enough to escape the chancellor’s office but now you and Amidala were forced into hiding in the Senate building. Palpatine seemed to have planned it as there weren’t others in the building, except for Chuchi who had been suspicious of your activities and wanted to see what was going on, so now, you had two senators to protect from Palpatine and the rest of CG who were hunting you. You were completely locked from the outside world as you couldn't even use your coms to call for help. You had to use your wits and hope Organa and the Jedi Order realized you were in danger. 

It did not help when it was Fox, who was hunting you. 

You did not wish to hurt him yet despite everything you did to slow him down, the chip made him chase you like a mad dog. 

During this time, Palpatine, or Darth Sidious watched from the security cameras, enjoying the view as your dear partner chased you around the building. He confessed to everything and congratulated you as he had considered you the largest threat to his plans if you ever caught a niff of his involvement. He feigned how it was a pity for the people that their most beloved detective would die as a traitor for killing the two most beloved senators and trying to kill him. 

It was no big surprise that he would have Amidala and Chuchi killed with you, and then paint you as the villain. So when you three tried to escape through the lift, Palpatine had the wires cut, causing the lift to plummet to the bottom. You pushed Amidala and Chuchi out of the lift, trusting them to stay hidden till help arrived.

You heard them scream out to you as you fell with the lift. You managed to focus and use enough force to slow down the lift so that you didn’t die from the impact. However, the crash was powerful enough to cause broken bones, and you were forced to crawl out with a broken leg and bruises deep enough to bleed. 

So now here you were, helplessly leaning against the wall with a broken leg. You were in a deep hole as you couldn’t move with your leg and were in the direct view of one of the security cameras. It wouldn’t take long for Fox to find you and finish the job. 

You were right as Fox was the one who stood before you, silent and ready to shoot you with his blaster. 

“I must say, my dear detective. You are one of the most dangerous foes I have ever faced. You would have made a powerful Sith and an ally with that kind of intelligence. It is a pity this game has to end this soon,” Palpatine’s voice came through the speaker. 

You grinned while breathing heavily from the pain. “Maybe… too bad I enjoy the thrill of exposing evil,” 

You heard him chuckle. “Your efforts were admirable. Perhaps it will be a beautiful irony to have you killed by your own dear partner. Do not worry… I shall remember this game with fondness,” he stated. 

A dry chuckle escaped you. “If you wanted to make this ironic, you should have allowed him to kill me as himself. I do not enjoy this silence,” You glanced at Fox. “Fox. If you’re in there, please say something, lecture me even so I can know it is you and not some meat droid the civies see you as,” you dramatically pleaded. 

“I’m afraid all he could think about is following the order through. Prepare to eliminate her, commander,” Palpatine ordered, making Fox aim at you. 

“One more thing!” You raised your hand. “If you allow it chancellor… I wish to see Fox face-to-face when I die. I want the last thing I see to be the face of my dear partner, not some soldier who thinks like a droid. Please, I will even beg if you grant my wish.” You gripped your hands together. 

“Very well. For entertaining me, I shall honor this one wish. Remove your helmet, commander,” Palpatine said. 

Fox then used his one hand to remove his helmet. He then looked at you with cold and disregarding eyes as he aimed his blaster at you. 

“Now that’s a more pleasant sight…” You smiled. 

Fox then aimed at you, the red dot hovering above your head. 

“Any last words, detective?” Palpatine questioned. 

“Only this one thing for my dear partner,” You looked Fox in the eye. “Fox… I know this won’t be over,” You muttered. 

“Eliminate her, commander,” 

Fox then pulled the trigger. The shot echoed across the corridor, allowing Palpatine to see through the security camera as your body slummed against the wall after the shot. He could see blood form around you and could not sense any spark of life within you through the force. He grinned at his victory. 

“Sir, Senator Amidala, and Chuchi have been found. What shall we do with them?” One of the guardsmen asked through the comlink. Palpatine saw them through one of the cameras, the two women were horrified after seeing your death. 

“Execute them for aiding the traitor,” He ordered. 

“The Jedi are coming. What shall we do with them?” Mas Amedda asked as they could see LAAT fighters nearing the Senate building. 

“Had the emergency call been sent to them?” Palpatine asked. 

“Yes,” Amedda nodded. 

“Then we shall deliver the news that the treacherous detective (Name) (Lastname) has been eliminated and the misfortune that the Senators Amidala and Chuchi did not survive the vicious attack,” Palpatine stood up from his chair. 

“What about the guards now that their chips have been activated?” Amedda asked as they began leaving. 

“Do not worry. If the Kaminoans kept their promises, the Coruscant Guard shall remain loyal even after activating their inhibitor chips. It is more important that the chips in the grand army remain prepared for order 66, and this incident remains as a treacherous attack against the Republic,” Palpatine explained as they left the senate building. 

As they waited at the platform, Palpatine sensed Anakin’s presence and grinned within his mind as the death of Padme would allow him the opportunity to turn Skywalker to the path of the dark side. He mildly thanked you for the opportunity and prepared as the clones and many Jedi masters jumped out of the ships. 

“Jedi masters. I am so glad you are here. I am saddened to—” Palpatine prepared his speech but then he was interrupted by Master Windu. 

“Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine. You are arrested for your treachery against the Republic and conspiracy against the Jedi,” Mace Windu declared, causing Palpatine to stare at them with widened eyes. 

“Treachery? What on earth…” Palpatine backed away. 

“We have the evidence!” Bail Organa pointed at him. “Detective (Lastname) provided all the evidence needed to prove your identity as the Sith lord and the truth of the inhibitor chips. We also know the detective along with Senator Amidala came to confront you. “ He added. 

“Then suddenly we get an emergency call of a detective trying to assassinate the chancellor and senator Amidala,” Mace Windu said. 

“Where is she?” Anakin looked around. 

“This… this is a vile accusation! I would never… ” Palpatine was interrupted by a familiar voice. 

“Anakin!” Yelled Padmed as she ran out of the building with Chuchi and other Coruscant guards behind her.

“Padme. Are you hurt?” Anakin asked as she embraced him. 

“It was all true. Palpatine is the man behind all of this. He ordered the Coruscant guard to attack us to keep us silenced,” she explained. “And detective (Name).... she was,” Chuchi said sorrowfully. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Amedda uttered. Suddenly the guardsmen around them pointed their weapons at him and Palpatine. 

“Grand Vizier Amedda, Supreme Chanchelor Palpatine. You are arrested for treason against the Republic and attempted murder of detective (Lastname), Senator Amidala, and Senator Chuchi,” Thire pointed his blaster at them. 

“Okay. What is going on?” Anakin asked in confusion. 

“Oh, the maker! That went better than I expected!” A voice called out. 

Everyone turned to look as Fox walked out of the building, carrying you on his back. Your broken leg was put into a cast and you grinned while waving Fox’s helmet in your hand. 

“Thought… it would have been much better if you guys showed up much sooner,” You added as Padme and Chuchi looked at you with shock. 

“(Name)? You’re alive?!” Padme exclaimed. 

“Of course I’m alive. I’m just too great to die that easily,” You said, causing Fox to roll his eyes at you. 

“How is this possible?! We all saw you get shot in the head!” Amedda demanded. 

“Oh, that?” You touched your forehead which was untouched. “Yeah, this dumbass was supposed to go easy on me,” You ruffled Fox’s hair who only scoffed at your dramatic. “But to answer your question… I focused enough force to prevent the bullet from hitting me but make it believable enough to look like I was shot. It’s an old trick I used to trick a dangerous crime syndicate into thinking I’m dead,” You explained with a smile. 

“Still one of your worst tricks to this day,” Fox uttered. 

“Anyway, I hope the evidence and my witnesses are satisfied enough to arrest our good chancellor for his crimes?” You looked at the Jedis. 

“Indeed… since it seems the Coruscant Guard were in the scheme as well,” Plo Koon pointed out. 

“We had the chips removed once (Name) showed us the proof. We apologize for the trouble senators,” Stone said beside Padme and Chuchi. 

“It’s alright, commander, but why didn’t you tell us that Fox and the other guards were not under Palpatine’s control?” Padme asked, looking at you. 

“We needed solid proof and witnesses as I exposed him, and I thought it was clear by how they missed on purpose when they were shooting at us,” You answered.  

“They did?” Padme looked more confused. 

“I believe we have seen and heard enough. Commander, arrest these men,” Mace Windu ordered. 

“With pleasure,” Thire said as he and the rest of the guard took care of cuffing Palpatine and his advisor. 

“This is an outrage. I was set up!” Palpatine tried to explain as he and Amedda were taken on the ships. 

“Shut up. You are going behind bars for a long time,” Thire pushed him forward. Mace Windu turned toward you. “I will make sure our good chancellor will not try to escape,” He said, joining the guards on the ships. 

“Bye! Bye!” You waved as they began leaving. Palpatine only glared at you till he was out of sight.

You hopped off Fox’s back and held onto him for support as Master Yoda, Plo Koon, Kenobi, and Skywalker stood before you and the senators. 

“Great service, you have done for the Republic and the Jedi. However, your plan. Reckless, it was,” Yoda stated. 

“With all due respect, Master Yoda. When have my plans not been reckless?” You grinned. “And besides… I was not alone,” You glanced at Fox. 

“Now that we know the truth about the inhibitor chips. I suggest we start removing them from the rest of the clones to ensure that whatever Palpatine had planned will never come to fruition,” Kenobi said. 

“Indeed. We should also investigate the Kaminoans as they had been involved with this plot along with Count Dooku,” Plo Koon nodded. 

“You know, (Name). The Jedi Order could use your skills further to solve this war,” Kenobi looked toward you. 

“I already did most of the work. You can handle the rest, and besides I’m very happy with my current job,” You replied. 

“Very well. We should then start with removing the chips,” Kenobi stated. 

“We should reveal this to the Senate. They should hear all that Palpatine had done and that it was he who orchestrated the war,” Padme said. “This should allow us an opportunity to open peace talks with the Separatists as they had also been fooled into this war,” She added. 

“I can’t believe he was the Sith all along…” Anakin uttered. 

“Nah. Don’t blame yourself. He was good enough to fool me for a while until Fives came to my door and gave me the right clues to start digging. I guess we can finally close this case and say we have finished what he started,” You slapped your hands together. 

“(Name), will you be willing to testify in front of the Senate?” Padme turned toward you.  

“You have Chuchi for that, or you can ask the rest of the guard. I just wanna rest for a while, and perhaps rest my broken leg,” You pointed at the cast on your leg. 

“I will call a shuttle to take you to the hospital. “ Organa said. “Lovely,” You smiled. 

Padme turned toward Chuchi. “We should get started gathering the evidence and prepare our speech with the senate. “ She said. Chuchi nodded. “Yes. Let’s do that,”

The senators then began discussing among themselves as the Jedi masters left to handle the rest of the tasks, minus Anakin, who wanted to stay with his wife. You had an intuition that he might leave the order for her after the war is solved. 

“Hey, Rex,” Fox said, and the clone captain looked at him. 

“I just… wanted to say I’m sorry for shooting Fives,” Fox said. 

“It’s alright, Fox. Thanks for making sure his death was not in vain,” He nodded and left with Skywalker and the two women. 

You looked at Fox. “How do you feel now that this is over?” 

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I am glad that he’s locked up and we possibly avoided the worst, but I don’t know how to think,” 

“What if we didn’t remove the chips and I actually shot you dead?” He questioned, looking at you. 

“Then it's good that we were smarter than that,” You patted his shoulder. 

“I’m serious, (Name). I do not think I would have been able to live with myself if I killed you,” Fox said seriously. 

You looked at him softly. “Oh, Fox. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. Like I said before I rather have you kill me as yourself, not as some soldier who thinks like a droid. And come on, you should know me. I would have never allowed myself to die that easily,” You said. 

“But even as myself I could never kill you,” He uttered. 

“I know… but guess what? We can take a long break now that we put the evil behind bars. “ You grinned. “You definitely could use some time out from this city,” You added. 

“I do not think vacation is that easy for me,” He said. 

“I have my ways, darling. “ You grinned as the shuttle arrived to take you to the hospital. 

“Will you at least accompany me to the hospital? I will get lonely,” You teased, causing him to roll his eyes at you again. He then smiled with a soft look. “Fine,” He said, helping you in the shuttle as you were taken to the hospital where you two spent a peaceful respite after such a long night.

[glitch-karma]

Bsd as Spidermen

Dazai:

His name would be Spider Stray

He was investigating something with the detective agency when he was bit

Sees his new abilities as a nuisance and tries to ignore them, much like the og Peter Parker

Dazai's dark and sarcastic personality carries over into his version of Spider-Man ofc

He would make dry and morbid jokes while fighting crime, often using his mind to outwit his opponents rather than relying solely on strength

Dazai's spider-like abilities would include enhanced agility, reflexes, and ofc spider-sense, but to go with no longer human I'd like to say he can minimally dull powers

His spider suit would be a sleek black with a light red web pattern, I think of his webbing as black instead of white as well. He does still use traditional web-shooters tho

Definitely does the classic spider kiss with you (like a lot of other people on this list..)

Immediately made it very obvious to you that he was the famous spider stray

He accidentally drags you into a lot of shit though

Kunikida:

Introducing: The Web Detective

Kunikida was bit the same way as Dazai

His new powers are the same as normal petter parker

initially, he struggles to accept his new powers, feeling burdened by the responsibility

utilizes his detective skills to investigate and stop criminal activities in the city

often targeting corrupt organizations that threaten the peace of the city

operates primarily as a solo hero, but he occasionally partners with other members of the Detective Agency

His suit is also black, with accents of dark greens as reds along with white webbing patterns

Idk why but he is giving real webbing vibes.. ew

Tried his very hardest to not involve you in anything

After all the stress built up, he confesses his identity to you

Was still very keen on keeping you out of it though

Ranpo:

welcome The Yokohama Webcrawler

Was bitten while in an abandoned sweet shop

retains his highly intelligent and observant nature as Spider-Man

uses his deductive skills to unravel criminal activities and solve mysteries

Although, his laid-back and somewhat lazy demeanor remains intact, often getting him into trouble

Ranpo focuses more on detective work and strategic planning rather than actually getting out there and fighting

uses his deductive abilities to analyze crime scenes, anticipate criminal activities, and identify potential threats

He has enhanced agility, sight, analytical combat, and stealth

Has a dark suit with light blue accents, his webbing pattern is off-white. I'd like to imagine he also keeps his hat lmao

His web-shooters are upgraded to include various detective gadgets, such as tiny cameras (Shapped as spiders ヾ(•ω•`)o), fingerprint scanners, and chemical analyzers

Told you immediately

Was casual abt it too

"Oh btw I'm actually the Yokohama Webcrawler." "Oh cool."

"WAIT WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY-"

Yosano:

Let's hear it for Arachne!

stumbles upon a hidden laboratory where she accidentally gets bitten by a genetically enhanced spider

Powers included; enhanced physical attributes, healing for herself, spider-sense, and a healing venom

She has permanent fangs (Coughs in Miguel O'Hara)

She has a black form-fitting suit with purple accents and light purple webbing, also includes a red hourglass-shaped symbol on her chest to ref the black widow

Uses a classic web shooter

You figured it out after she accidentally called you a nickname as Arachne

Classic spiderman kiss <3

Prioritizes you at all coasts

Chuuya:

RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH coughs

The beloved, the great, the amazing, Spider Venom

Was transformed against his will by a threat to the Port Mafia

Although Chuuya is already pretty agile, his new powers include enhanced agility, reflexes, strength, and Spider Sense

Chuuya's gravity manipulation is incorporated into his web-slinging techniques

Instead of using mechanical web-shooters, he generates and controls threads of gravity that act as webs

He can swing from buildings and create web-based constructs to trap or immobilize enemies

His suit would be a sleek, form-fitting style (I am actively drooling)

His spider web pattern would be red and have a slight glow effect to it and the spider symbol on the chest would have a gravity-inspired design, incorporating swirling patterns around the spider

He also keeps his coat and hat <3

Chuuya cracks jokes during battles and maintains a cocky demeanor, even in the face of danger just as usual.

However, he is also a deeply compassionate and principled individual, using his abilities to protect the innocent and stand up for what is right

He did his rich girl voice to hide himself from you..

It didn't work.

CLASSIC SPIDERMAN KISS EVEN THOUGH HE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT THE SPIDER ABILITIES LOLZ LET ME SIMP

Terrified of you getting hurt

Has a moment where he almost was too late and has a full panic attack over you

(Can you tell he was the reason I wanted to do this?)

The best one in this list prove me wrong.

I was planning on doing more but tbh I couldn't think of anything for a lot of them

But I hope you enjoyed

[hectsliveblogblog]

So, I'm going to abandon all attempt to discuss these games in a linear order because it feels a bit limiting. I wanted to talk about this scene in Volume 2 because it hit home very strongly. This is the scene where Hedwig returns to her cell for the first time in Love Thyself.

Yes, okay, bullet point of the scene is Hedwig is getting horny and masturbating (technically just autoeroticism?) and doesn't even know it. But, to me at least, this whole scene is a very vivid description of what it's like to come out of a dissociative episode. When I have them, my primary symptom is that all of my senses and emotions feel dulled. I can hardly feel anything, whether it's the smell of a scented candle, the taste of a good meal, the impact of a good drum beat. I could tell the music was playing, but it sounded either faint, on the edge of my perception, and if I turned it up too loud is started to sound fuzzy and overwhelming. It's a response to stress, basically - the mind is protecting itself from perceived threats by dulling the perceived pain, but if it turns the pain knob down then it turns everything else at once.

I can remember when I escaped chronic stressful situations, like at the end of a college term, or moving from my parent's house for the first time, that everything suddenly felt vivid. I could feel parts of my body that seemed to have been long dormant. I can remember particularly being cognizant of my feet, the way having my socks off and laying on nice sheets felt. The feel of my fuzzy slippers. The chill of snow on the tips of my toes as I walk outside. The irritation of a pebble in my shoe.

Hedwig at this moment has been through an extremely stressful few weeks. She's been dragged out of her home against her will, thrown into an incredibly complicated social situation, pushed into becoming an amateur detective, witnessed threats against her life and a severe injury, and possibly has been drugged multiple times (often a trigger for dissociative symptoms). She has to keep track of a complex web of lies and promises to the whole rest of the abbey. To return to the cell is to trigger memories of peace, of a simpler life, to let the cortisol levels drop to the point where more complex emotions than "need for survival" start to creep in.

And when you do start to relax and come back to reality, when your hypervigilance starts to die down, there is often a forgetfulness that creeps in. Your senses are restored and become your focus rather than whatever catastrophe you're trying to prevent. Sometimes it has gotten me into trouble as I've forgotten my responsibilities and gone a bit wild, but after I've merely existed for months, feeling like I'm in a foggy dream and being able to barely feel or want anything, why would I want to do anything but feel and live?

I think part of this scene is to demonstrate that many people get horny (although not everyone!) but not everyone has the ability to put a name to it, but to me it also reads as a strikingly accurate depiction of the experience of escaping a dissociative episode. It almost never hits you when you expect it, it can be shocking, it can be gratifying, it can even lead to a panic attack since the sheer amount of sensory information you're suddenly flooded with can be utterly overwhelming.

I think Xeecee has done immensely well in depicting dissociative symptoms in Volume 2. I don't have any dissociative identity symptoms so I can't speak to that, but I've been experiencing derealization/depersonalization for a very long time without having seen much media that really gets it right, and I think that's amazing.

There's one other moment I'd like to bring up from the trek to the fishing spot in Gone Fishing.

This moment also seems to me to be a very close description of escaping depersonalization/derealization. It really is like you can feel more. When you get out of your head and into your senses. Sometimes I describe it as, when you're in DPDR mode, your body is in survival mode. It tries to shut out all extraneous detail from your senses. You get tunnel vision, your body blocks out pain and minor irritations, your sense of touch is dulled, and when you start to get those senses back to full working order it can be overwhelming. Particularly when you don't have the vocabulary to describe it to yourself.

[beyondthesocialmedia]

"Beyond the Screen: The Do’s, Don’ts, and Dangers"

Social media has evolved into a virtual platform where people share their lives, thoughts, and artistic creations in modern times. The digital landscape is incredibly powerful, offering everything from life-altering opportunities to viral trends. Beyond the screen, however, is a hidden reality that is full of obligations, dangers, and consequences. Making the most of social media while staying safe requires an understanding of its dos, don'ts, and hazards.

Understanding the dos, don'ts, and dangers of social media is essential to navigating the digital world safely and responsibly. Social media has completely changed how we connect, share, and consume information. The platform offers countless opportunities for communication, business, and education, but it also carries a number of serious risks.

The Do’s of Social Media

1.  Maintain Your Privacy

Modify your content's privacy settings on all platforms to limit who can view it. Your public information can be used by cybercriminals, so be careful what you share.

2. Think Before You Post

Consider whether you would feel at ease if this went viral before clicking "post" or "share." Your digital footprint may follow you for years because the internet never forgets. Be careful when sharing.

3.  Check Facts Like a Detective

Misinformation is pervasive. Don't trust everything you see; before sharing news or contentious posts, double-check sources, confirm assertions, and exercise critical thought.

4.  Distribute Encouragement and Support

An encouraging message, a shared success story, or a kind remark can brighten someone's day. Make use of your position to encourage others and foster a more positive online environment.

5. Taking breaks from social media

Scrolling endlessly can have an impact on mental health. To keep a healthy balance between online and offline life, set limits on screen time and schedule breaks.

The Don’ts of Social Media

1.  Avoid Cyberbullying and Online Drama.

On the Internet, negativity spreads quickly. Block, mute, or report offensive content rather than arguing. Be the answer, not a contributing factor.

2. Don’t Share Personal Information Recklessly

Don't share private information online, such as phone numbers, home addresses, or financial details. You may become vulnerable to identity theft and cyberthreats as a result.

3. Don't Believe Everything You See

A filtered reality is frequently displayed on social media. Steer clear of comparing yourself to idealized depictions because they might not accurately represent reality.

4. Don't neglect your relationships in real life.

Real-world relationships are more important than likes and comments. Get away from the computer and spend time with loved ones.

5.  Avoid clicking on every link that appears.

Not every eye-catching advertisement or viral link is reliable. Steer clear of phishing scams, dubious emails, and "too good to be true" signs. Cybercriminals are constantly searching.

The Dangers of Social Media

1.  Effects of Continuous Scrolling on Mental Health

Social media can become compulsive. Anxiety, depression, and stress can be exacerbated by comparison culture, online validation seeking, and the fear of missing out (FOMO).

2.  Threats to Cybersecurity

To gain access to personal information, hackers take advantage of public Wi-Fi, weak passwords, and unconfirmed links. These risks can be avoided by bolstering online security.

3.  False Information and Deception

Misinformation is becoming more and more prevalent, from deep fake videos to deceptive headlines. Keep yourself informed by asking questions about everything and sticking to reliable sources.

4. The Danger of Internet Predators

Not everyone on the internet is well-meaning. Never share private photos with strangers, exercise caution when conversing with them, and notify the authorities of any suspicious activity.

5. The Cost of Digital Addiction

Long periods of aimless scrolling can interfere with sleep cycles and lower productivity. To get back in control of your time, establish sensible boundaries and take up offline hobbies.

Conclusion:

Social media is a great way to connect with people, but there are risks involved. We can make the digital world a safer and better place for everyone if we use it carefully, protect our privacy, and spread positivity. Stay smart, stay kind, and always think before you click. The internet is forever, but so is the impact of your choices. Let’s use social media to inspire, connect, and create a better future, both online and offline.

Even though the internet is virtual, everything you do has an impact on the real world. "Behind every screen is a real person. Be kind. Be respectful."

How do you feel about social media awareness? Let's carry on the discussion in the comments section below! Although social media is an effective tool for connecting people, there are risks associated with it. We can make the internet a safer and better place for everyone if we use it carefully, safeguard our privacy, and spread positivity.

The effects of your decisions last forever, just like the internet. Social media is like a huge ocean, full of limitless opportunities and hidden dangers beneath the surface. Let's use it to inspire, connect, and build a better future both online and offline. You may tap into the power of technology without getting caught in its traps if you navigate it with awareness, responsibility, and kindness. Be mindful before posting, protect your privacy, and keep in mind that genuine relationships are more important than virtual ones. Together, let's make social media a positive force that helps everyone have a safer and better digital future.

Remember: "Your words have power. Use them to uplift, not to harm."

©: Rayn Gwyneth Genabe https://i.pinimg.com/736x/47/5b/2c/475b2cfa0e818b7fda0234070fa3c68a.jpg

[wits-writing]

“A Wonderful Experience”: Why Transformers: EarthSpark and Nightshade Matter

I’ve been a Transformers fan to one degree or another for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s early memories of watching Beast Wars, renting the G1 animated film on VHS from Blockbuster, or reading the numerous excellent comics that have come over the years, I’ve always found something to love about this franchise. So, I was probably going to find time to check out the 2022 CGI animated series Transformers: EarthSpark eventually no matter what. But one little bird changed that from an “I’ll get around to it eventually” to “I need to make watching this show a priority.”

A little bird by the name of Nightshade (voiced by Z Infante)!

I’d already heard from people I trust about EarthSpark’s quality as a series, but finding out about the franchise’s first prominent, explicitly nonbinary Transformer got me eager to dive in. I’ve discussed characters I relate to and read nonbinary themes into in the past, but getting a chance to see a show in a franchise I love feature that kind of representation with intent was exciting. Given the fact I’ve written 3000 words analyzing the character of Nightshade now, it’s easy to say I wasn’t disappointed!

The topic of gender and how it relates to the Transformers as characters has been one of many long, exhausting fandom debates over the franchise’s nearly four decade history. I’m not here to relitigate any of that, so take it as read from here on out that the Transformers as characters do have and express gendered identities throughout the history of all its incarnations. 

To give a quick primer on EarthSpark as a whole (and why it’s great) before digging into Nightshade’s character in specific:

The series is set fifteen years after the end of the Autobot/Decepticon War. The bots that managed to survive the fighting and remain on Earth are presumed to be the last of their species. All of them are stuck in a holding pattern where the only options currently viable are a life in hiding or working alongside the government-funded alien threat detection/response agency GHOST. Optimus Prime and Megatron head up the latter efforts, in the hope of finding some peaceful balance between humans and Transformers going into the future (though neither of them are fully at ease with the situation, as GHOST clearly has ulterior motives of their own.)

The grim outlook for the Cybertronians takes a turn for the better with the birth of two new Transformers. The Earth-sparks of the show’s title (called “Terrans” throughout the series), Twitch and Thrash, who are bonded to the human children Robby and Mo Malto. Helped by Optimus, Megatron, and the Malto kids’ parents, GHOST agent Dot and her husband Alex, the decision is made to keep the Terrans a secret until the extent of what their existence could mean for the Transformers future as a species is fully understood. The Terrans become an official part of the Malto Family (lovingly referred to as “Malto-bots” by the other characters.) At the halfway point of the first season, in the episode “Age of Evolution”, this unconventional family unit expands further with the birth of three more Terrans, including Nightshade.

Between puzzling out the Terrans’ existence, hiding from GHOST, and fighting threats like the human mad scientist Mandroid, there’s a lot of thematic meat on the bone of this series’ setup. The main one I’m interested in digging into through the lens of Nightshade’s characterization is how the Terrans are written to feel like kids figuring out who they want to be as they grow up. Transformers has a history of designating one or more bots in its series central casts as the rookie/kid character, not insignificantly the Terrans’ primary mentor, Bumblebee, has been traditionally positioned as that very rookie. EarthSpark adding the narrative weight of representing a potential for all Transformers, particularly in how they’ll relate to humans while living on Earth, onto these characters gives more meaning to them being under that role.

The Terrans learn lessons about who they want to be and who they can/can’t trust (not always determined by old alliances like Autobot/Decepticon) from the older Transformers and humans alike. Also proving through their actions everything new they’ll have to offer the world they call home through the gift of their existence. Each Terran has been given the appropriate space so far to have their characters develop, each in their own directions, through this theme. 

Nightshade is exemplary of this, best understood through looking at how they’re characterized before/after their first focus episode “Missed Connection”, about them forming a bond with Decepticon scientist Tarantulas.

[SPOILERS for EarthSpark beyond this point]

Before “Missed Connection”

Something that genuinely impressed me going back through EarthSpark for the sake of writing this piece is how immediately Nightshade is fully themself from their earliest bits of screentime in “Age of Evolution.” While the other two members of the second batch of Terran Transformers, Hashtag and Jawbreaker, have their names confirmed upon them by their connection to Robby and Mo, Nightshade actively introduces themself with a bow and a flourish (“It is a delight and a surprise to meet you all!”) This beat quickly establishes their self-assuredness in their identity and that, while they’re later shown to have occasional introverted tendencies, they are anything but shy. I’m also fond of how the scene establishing their pronouns as Optimus lays out their plan of attack also foreshadows their eventual alt-mode, since they ask to be represented by an owl-bobblehead during the planning. The one scene serving as a contrast to their outgoing demeanor, as they recoil at the sight of Mandroid’s cruelty, gives the first hint towards their eventual desire to protect those in need.

There’s only two episodes between Nightshade’s debut in “Age of Evolution” and their first focus episode; “Hashtag: Oops” and “Outtakes.” Since neither is their focus episode, there’s not much to say about how they’re portrayed in either one (in fact, Nightshade’s entirely absent from “Outtakes” as anything but a brief visual cameo.) “Hashtag: Oops” does still manage to establish some key parts of Nightshade’s personality. Firstly, their comfort in themselves as they proclaim they don’t need an alt-mode (“I like who I am as I am.”) Secondly, their inclination towards tech and engineering as they secretly build a new underground base to surprise their family and give everyone more room to operate within. The latter also indicates their “better to ask forgiveness than permission” approach to their tinkering and scientific work. Which comes back around in a big way during “Missed Connection.”

Which finally brings us to the episode that’s the primary reason I’m writing this piece at all!

“Missed Connection”

Being Nightshade’s first proper focus episode in the series, their current state as part of the ensemble cast gets reestablished in short order. Namely, how they feel out of place around their siblings. Their affinity for science and technology leads to them making their own fun separate from the rest of the family. A pattern that gets highlighted by Nightshade working to perfect a new training drone while the rest of their siblings are playing a game of tag outdoors in celebration of Robby and Mo having the day off school. When later questioned by Alex and Dot about why they don’t spend more time with the rest of the family, Nightshade says it feels like their siblings treat them like they’re “speaking another language.”

This sense of isolation informs why Nightshade is so eager later in the episode when they find a connection with Tarantulas’ own work with tech. Simultaneously providing an opportunity for Alex to offer them something they can connect with while trying to figure out how to connect with others. Like any good nerdy dad, he does it through the magic of reading. He offers Nightshade a copy of his favorite book from when he was growing up, “Winged Sentinel”, an in-universe fantasy/sci-fi series they immediately connect with and find new aspirations. Which we hear as they repeatedly call back to the books like about its hero “protecting those in need.” Their connection to this book quickly leads to the one they find working with Tarantulas, as they were in the local cemetery since it was the “last known address” of Winged Sentinel’s author.

(Quick aside: First time I watched this episode, that detail had me thinking the show was going to do a “Nightshade learns about mortality” type of story. I was relieved when not only did Nightshade grok what happened to the author pretty fast, but the episode in turn swiftly shifted to the dynamic between Tarantulas and them.)

“Missed Connection” finds its central theme in Nightshade and Tarantulas’ discussions on identity and finding one’s place within that world rife with conflict that can be directly hostile to those like them. There’s a recurrent motif in the dialogue of Tarantulas’ cynicism born from eons of experience and Nightshade’s youthful enthusiasm. Though cynicism is far from all the elder Transformer has to offer, as he also provides Nightshade with a new perspective on alt-modes they hadn’t considered and ultimately guides them to their choice.

Nightshade: Aren’t I sufficient as I am? Tarantulas: Alt-forms aren’t meant to complete you, as though you have a missing part, they further express who you already are.

Combining that with Tarantulas’ frustration at the “constrictive labels” of Autobot/Decepticon adds to the resonance this episode has with the nonbinary experience. The concept of “passing” gets explicitly evoked by him while discussing his plan to create a hard-light hologram projector so he can live freely as a human while evading GHOST’s forces. Which is the first proper disguise Tarantulas has taken in his life. While his giant spider alt-mode may provide plenty of utility, it’s anything but discreet.

His plan and attitude informing on it connects back to the broader central theme of EarthSpark as a series of the Transformers finding a new way to live on Earth among humanity with the Terrans representing the way forward. He can’t see a way forward besides hiding who he is and the only safety he can think to offer Nightshade is to join him in that life of discretion. His outlook’s best emphasized by his assuredness that the Autobot/Decepticon War resuming is inevitable, alongside that eventuality dragging him out of whatever peace he does find.

However, cracks in Tarantulas’ bleak worldview show as he begins to admire Nightshade’s exuberant demeanor and determination to be a protector. That admiration for a Transformer with the potential to live unburdened by all the hardships he’s seen leads to him delivering the best, most resonant line in the episode:

“It is a gift to know yourself so well, so young. Take pride in that.”

A beautiful sentiment aimed directly at members of EarthSpark’s target demographic on their own journeys to express their identities.

Unfortunately, the bond these characters have found can’t last. When Tarantulas recognizes Dot as an agent of GHOST, he acts rashly under the assumption that she’s holding Nightshade prisoner. He kidnaps Alex and her, planning to erase Nightshade from their memories so they can go into hiding with him. As a fight between the bots eventually breaks out, Nightshade commits to acting like the protector they aspire to be and chooses the alt-mode of a green armored owl, based on the hero of Winged Sentinel. (Alex’s proud declaration of “You read the book!” while witnessing this is great.) A form that isn’t a disguise but expresses themself as they are and what they want to be going forward.

Nightshade and Tarantulas’ conflict has grown intense enough by this point that the elder Transformer’s admiration for the young bot doesn’t come through in his reaction. Rather he flips it into an insult providing Nightshade their opportunity for a sharp, direct retort (and other best line in the episode):

Tarantulas: You’re still just the lost protoform I first met! Nightshade: You’ve just proven you don’t really know me, because I was never lost!

When the fight ends with Tarantulas’ hologram projector destroyed in the skirmish, Nightshade reflects on words Dot offered them earlier about how everyone deserves a second chance and convinces their family not to hurt Tarantulas any further. However, it seems to be a decision out of their hands as GHOST is drawn to their location by the fight. Tarantulas, finally understanding Nightshade’s situation as well as who they are, offers himself up as bait to lure GHOST away from the Maltos. Running off into the forest as Nightshade reflects on the broken hologram projector the two of them made.

Multiple rewatches of this episode, as well as the first season of EarthSpark as a whole, has reaffirmed it as my favorite episode of the show so far. The tight focus of the dynamic between Nightshade and Tarantulas, alongside the deeper meaning that can be taken from pretty much every exchange between the two, is exemplary of what makes this series standout wonderfully as part of the vast Transformers canon.

After “Missed Connection”

Since there’s not that much of the first season left after “Missed Connection”, Nightshade’s once again mostly off to the side doing their own thing. But there are small bits that show how their experiences in that episode have changed them. They actively spend more time around the rest of the Malto Family, like helping Bumblebee train for an upcoming race and showing that they’ve formed a bond built on mutual tech-obsession with their sister, Hashtag, as they work together to further upgrade the underground headquarters. 

We also get a fun minor bit of their “better to ask forgiveness…” way of operating when they add some high tech bells and whistles to Dot’s prosthetic leg as a Mother’s Day present in the episode “Bear Necessities.” A plot point that later gives the show an opportunity for Dot and Nightshade to have a nice mother-child bonding moment as she explains to them why she liked her leg the way it was in terms they can understand (“something like this is personal”) while not completely shutting them down over it (“I’m open to some small changes, but they’ll have to be ones we come up with together.”)

Though the biggest moment post “Missed Connection” moment for the character, as well as my personal favorite single scene in EarthSpark so far, comes from their subplot in the season 1 two-parter episode “Home.” As the Malto kids and the Terrans go into Philadelphia to see more of the wider world, we get to see Nightshade continue acting as a protector for those in need as they save a young person named Sam from getting mugged in an alley. Nightshade notices a pin that says “SHE/THEY” on Sam’s handbag and tells her their pronouns in return. The two end up having a conversation about how the things that make them who they are can also make them targets for intolerantly minded people. This interaction ends with Sam affirming they feel safe around Nightshade and giving the young Transformer a simple but effective explanation of what being nonbinary means.

This not only gives Nightshade further context to understand themself, but also has the important touch from a metaperspective of having a human character be the one to explain the concept. An effective dodge of what’s frequently cited as a pitfall of using aliens/robots to explore these facets of human identity, making it as clear as possible for anyone watching (especially the target demographic of kids) that Nightshade’s nonbinary identity is in no way just a product of their being an alien robot. Rather, it's an identity that simply feels right for some people living in the world. One that people who identify with it and explore their connections to it can find immensely fulfilling. 

Or, as Nightshade puts it at the end of this conversation:

“What a wonderful word, for a wonderful experience.”

(Before I dive into my conclusion, I want to say I deeply hope this isn’t the last we see of Sam in the series. Both for representation’s sake and because I like seeing the Terrans bond with humans outside of their immediate family circle.)

It would feel wrong to end this look at Nightshade’s character and how that reflects on the best qualities of EarthSpark as a series without giving proper credit to the creative voices involved in bringing them to life. Namely, writer Mae Catt (she/they) who wrote the episode “Missed Connection” and one of the three writers on “Home”, the other two being showrunners Nicole Dubuc and Dale Malinkowski. While fundamentally I believe anyone could write any kind of story, authenticity comes through stronger when writers from the same background are involved. Catt’s passion for writing this show comes through beautifully in these episodes and in how they’ve discussed the show on social media.

Her understanding for what these characters and stories can mean to the young people watching gets clearly reflected in recurrent elements of EarthSpark’s story. Aside from Nightshade’s admiration for the main character of the Winged Sentinel novels, we also see moments in other episodes of their siblings trying to figure out what being a Transformers means through in-universe Transformers comic books telling the story of the Autobot/Decepticon War. 

It’s also what drove me to write this piece. I see Nightshade in all their creative, expressive glory and it makes me happy for the kids watching Transformers: EarthSpark, seeing them, and relating to them. Every story has the potential to be a guide someone out there can use to move closer to their heart. Nightshade’s being that guide to nonbinary kids now in a way I never could’ve dreamed of growing up is, simply put, wonderful.

Happy Pride! 💛🤍💜🖤

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