#Cortical Cocoon AU

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU:

Actually, on the subject of food, how do you see various Imago going about getting it?

I mentioned the Infestigator setting up a dead drop or clandestine rendezvous with a delivery guy, or just going ahead and casually buying food like they don't probably have a warrant for all the hostage taking during their emergence.

But how do you see other Imago going about food acquisition?

Good question and hilarious mental images regarding the Infestigator.

"Well technically it was my human host who took the hostage not me." "That means you killed the man yourself after driving him crazy!" "We can't help how we're born." "So wait, are you that guy or a new guy?" "Excellent question! One you should perhaps also direct towards Miss Rossi . Normally I'd not interfere but Chameleons tend to eat insects you see."

As for other Imago, I think it'd depend a lot on their type, personality & obsessions, as well as how much destruction they are prone to cause on their own.

Like, Startrain probably has to grudgingly come back to earth and raids a space station to steal all the "space food" & takes off again.

Style Queen just orders the nearest server to bring her food and then maybe doesn't kill them if she thinks they did a tolerable job.

Princess Fragrance sends her loyal lovelies out to collect her food, or has her adoring attendants make her home cooked meals.

You get the idea.

Some of the more rational one's may even be willing to pay people!. Ya know, in theory, an autograph from Anti-Bug counts as money!

XD

[mindriz]

Very random Cortical Cocoon thought, but Mylene's dad could easily become an Imago in response to his beloved daughter being transformed into a monster and seemingly forver lost to him.

Likely either a grittier version of his mime form or more likely something more centered on his role as a father, or someone who explicitly wants to hunt down Hawk Moth and mutilate him. Maybe both. Maybe a combination there-of, but he'd definitely have the negativity to become a pupae and potential the rage and the drive to become an Imago is my main point.

Yeah that seems like something that would likely come to pass. Not to mention a good example of how an Infestation can cause others in an indirect manner.

Sorry for the delay in response. These past few days have been rather liminal and recently I've gotten these fatigue I can't seem to shake.

[mindriz]

"Cortical Cocoon" - "The bad guy tried to create a more permanent minions but now people are turning into monsters who he has no control over?" "Life Eater AU" - "I ate someone's heart in revenge but they were secretly my assassin friend and now they're haunting me whilst I have to deal with avoiding arrest and my newly found hunger for hearts?"

And you know what, might as well cover this idea I had for a themed modded minecraft playthrough which I never got around to doing.

"Building Anew" - "How I nuked the world to force villagers into a bunker for science but ended up learning the joys of creativity, cooking, and cannibalism."

I might actually try figuring that one out once Oppenminer comes out. Can't really get the right sort of vibe without it.

@tumblingxelian

@princess-of-the-corner

new tag game: rewrite your fic/AU title in the form of one of those really long manga/light novel titles (the longer and sillier the better)

here are mine:

"New 'Do, Same You" -> "Working at My Aunt's Hair Salon with my Three Weird (Hot?) Robot Coworkers"

"Rain or Shine" -> "I'm a Single Parent to Two Robot Kids and I Have No Idea What I'm Doing!"

"Have You Eaten?" -> "I Just Wanted a Nice Meal at My Favourite Restaurant But My Waiter is too Charming?"

no pressure tagging:

@starriegalaxy @craykaycee @vacantfields @spadillelicious @scarredlove and whoever else wants to play!

[princess-of-the-corner]

On Chrysalis' name... It's overdone. Female insect-themed villain, so she gets named after the pupal stage of the butterflies.

I'll leave aside for once the idea of using the much cooler tumbler because this one is butterfly themed and a tumbler is the pupa of a mosquito... But why not use the proper name for an adult insect, imago? It would work especially better here, as "imago" is also Latin for "ghost", and THIS Butterfly Miraculous user is just that slippery and mysterious.

See on one hand I do love "Imago". Like love the name, also *gestures to the Cortical Cocoon AU which I should really get back to answering that one ask about so sorry*

On the other hand. My love of MLP is laughing at the bug-themed villain who used shapeshiftign powers being named 'Chrysalis'

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU: Heyo, I found another song for Cortical Cocoon, specifically Strays from Ivycomb's Raised By Aliens album.

This song feels quite fitting for a particularly pervasive grouper Imago.

Oooh snap yeah low key this whole album fits really well for a Grouper built around this contrasting message of revelry and terror who brings people into their cult, kudos!

[tumblingxelian]

Hey did I ever get around to asking you about your thoughts regarding Marrinette's mindset of separating the Akuma from the host in the context of Cortical Cocoon?

I don't believe so, but it is an interesting question, I think Marinette would really struggle with Imago on a conceptual level for many reasons.

Off the cuff, Marinette is a problem solver who feels responsible for everything. As a result if she can't fix something or a problem seems insurmountable she starts to catastrophize things.

So she's already gonna be super anxious about them.

Add in that she sees Akuma as basically people possessed and otherwise rendered unto as tools and thus not remotely responsible for their Akuma's actions be they good or bad. IE to her the Akuma does not reflect anything about the person so Chloe not killing Chat Noir doesn't say anything more about Chloe than Nathanial trying to murder Chloe & Marinette says about him.

When in reality that are people transformed and exaggerated by external stimuli, IE magic drunk/steroids that births an alternate persona but one they are still part of...

Its entirely possible she views becoming Imago as death.

The Imago is not a person its a monster that festered inside someone and ate them from the inside out and now they are dead and any resemblance between the two is happenstance.

Which to be fair is not 00% inaccurate depending on the type of manifestation, but is also not the case 100% of the time and more to the point, even unhinged and dangerous, Imago aren't inherently evil, in fact some are less-so than Akuma, though this is rare to be fair.

So, yeah I think she'd both feel immense guilt about anyone who becomes an Imago but also low key view it as a death sentence and would not see the Imago as an evolution, successor or continuation of the person in question.

At least not at first, no one's thinking is so rigid that they can't find exceptions or grey area even if they won't acknowledge it.

So like, if Chloe went through the Chrysididae transformation, Marinette would try to give this new being the grace of a fresh start but would also REALLY STRUGGLE not to just see Chloe pretending to be someone else.

In contrast if Alya transformed into Lady Wifi she'd want a complete 100% discontent from this thing puppeting around her friends corpse and want to destroy it, but probably while crying the whole time. & 50/50 on whether she could actually go through with it.

Basically, she'd be super fucked about them and struggle a lot.

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU: Interesting idea I had due to thinking about Poker Night at the Inventory.

Every so often, some of the Imago in the catacombs will get together and play some Poker or other card games

There must be some really interesting conversations there.

Oh, and the Infestigator ends up being the dealer after winning too often due to his skill at calling bluffs.

Honestly that sounds very fun and also reminds me I think I wanted to share this video with you:

But yeah love the idea that some Imago can form a degree of community, or at least hold truces with one another.

Its like imagining Scylla and Charybdis casually chatting in Greek Mythos XD

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU: So I happened to be looking at the Missing Floor tvtropes page and I learned about Ghost Stations.

Of which the Parisian Metro has at least a few.

And it seems to me that such a location could serve as a decent spot for an Imago who wants to avoid the catacombs to set up their Nest or Hive.

The most prominent ones are the Ghost Station that had never opened in the first place, namely Porte Molitor and Haxo. Both of which don't tend to have trains passing through due to their locations and lack any surface connection.

Another station an Imago might want to use as a Nest/Hive is Saint-Martin, which closed in 1939 due to WWII, opened again after Liberation, then closed again due to being redundant.

It's apparently been used as a homeless shelter, with the eastern section currently being used a day shelter.

An unscrupulous grouper Imago would likely take that as a benefit.

Sorry for the wait, been wrapped up in a map making project.

Anyway dang this is super cool, Paris has so many places for villains and monsters and cults to set up, how wonderful! & yeah I can definitely see those places becoming habitats for Imago.

Vampire: Well its not the Catacombs but this Ghost Station will do nicely as a lair. Pixelator: Hey get out of here, I called dibs! Vampire: Oh gods more of them!

Also oof, yeah I imagine a lot of people in unstable or insecure positions will find themselves victims of an untoward Imago, be it as a meal (Horrificator, ETC) or subjects (Darkblade, ETC) & such people would be among the least likely to be noticed missing or heard if they avoided capture too.

Gods ANdre would probably consider that a boon cos he can claim credit for "Ending homelessness in Paris" or something.

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU: This song feels fitting for someone suffering from various physical effects prior to Emergence.

Perhaps the same Patient the Investigator was treating?

Medical Anomaly- RIProducer

Ooh yeah that fits extremely well, especially the strong contrast in the like, expectation of recovery of undiagnosed state of things VS what they 'know' what they can 'feel' is happening.

[tumblingxelian]

Heyo, sorry for not talking for while. Things went a tad askew and it took me a while to reskew it.

Anyway.

Cortical Cocoon AU: This song from Psychopomp Gold (using a cover), seems quite fitting in regards to the general nervous energy of someone very close to becoming an Imago.

No worries, nothing on tumblr is an obligation after all! Great phraseology though!

Oooh, I like it I wasn't sure at first but the second half really sells it, abstraction, paranoia, frantic fear and self isolating, great rec!

[tumblingxelian]

Okay, so I was listening to 'The Experiment' from Steampianist, (I'm pretty sure I've shared it with you before) and I stumbled upon this cover of it, which includes extra additional lyrics.

Which I feel are really appropriate for the Cortical Cocoon AU.

Thoughts?

Oh it was not a good idea to watch this before bed XD

But also yeah I totally see it deteriorated minds, "We are you" over and over again, "We are the madness that lurks within you", "We are the animal instincts of greed", Also damn "You've been chosen eyes wide open", That whole intense frantic section about not sleeping feels like the person realizing and fearing their situation too.

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon AU: here is a song again

I’d talk more but I’m experiencing unusual levels of fatigue.

Animal - The Living Tombstone

Gosh I love Living Tombstone:

My first unclenches I’m losing all of my senses I freeze I’m tense defenseless suspense presents with intense mystery I move my body but it feels like someone taking over me My thoughts are gone like they’re locked up and someone threw away the key It’s like a creature from a nightmare

Damn this one comes right out the gate swinging as far as terror and losing one's self goes.

I do not feel like myself, I think I might be something else, And I don’t think I can tell if I am dreaming My mind is packed and leaving, I’m feeling like an animal

Mhm, overwhelming emotions, thoughts, more intense drives, its still you but is it really you? Are you even human>

Don’t know what has occurred but I see in third person view I try to talk to myself but the voice I hear sounds just like you The words I’ve spoken make me . think that my mind has broke in two Not in control or without a soul there’s no telling what I’ll do I’m like a creature from a nightmare

This persons gone down the slippery slope so fast!

Did I always have the potential I’m revealing I have become something new, or am I turning into you And will I even make it through this delusion Or is this evolution, I’m feeling like an animal

I feel like this one may work best for "Has been an Akuma long enough for it to start becoming permanent, the degree of disassociation but still present, losing ones self to instincts of the Imago with the animal lines, ETC.

Losin sight of what I once was, it might get gruesome I feel like I’m ten feet tall, and nothing frightens me at all Ready to fight and tonight I’m out of control I’m finally done concealing I’m feeling like an animal

They full embrace their new nature as two become one.

[tumblingxelian]

Cortical Cocoon Vibes: https://youtu.be/gduNlGgX1c8?si=oaUI7vG5XJSywYXV

Damn that was a cool video, also horrifying! I think I see what you're getting at there too.

[tumblingxelian]

Found another song that reminds me of the Cortical Cocoon AU.

ALREADY DEAD - KittenSneeze

Oh snap yeah this fits extremely well, though I think in this context HK would fit for the golden rabbit, while I imagine a third voice emerging from inside Vanny's and overwhelming hers as the Akuma becomes an Imago and thus its own entity.

[tumblingxelian]

Found a similar song like the last song I sent you that reminded me of the Cortical Cocoon AU.

ALWAYS WANTED

Wasn't sure on this one at first, but one it got to the counting up section I was all in, that def works well.

[tumblingxelian]

Dammit I thought I responded tot hits, so sorry!!

Anyway, thanks I am glad you think the sequence of events work, I wanted to avoid frontloading things too much while building up a substantial threat and personal wound for the heroes to deal with but not "Too" personal, ya know? All while keeping it line with previous discussions.

Infestigator: This is the best of both worlds, I was proven right and there will be more Imago!

So the events would go as such:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Yeah this all makes sense, I might have a "Moment 0" which is Heroes' Day, or like, post Heroes' Day, but that's mostly just what inspired Gabriel.

Also I love the name Alisa Maurelle and how her experience with the doctor allowed her to realize what was going on and "No U" the Akuma in that way. As well as her instantly moving on to crime time and gang growing. I imagine she wants the doctor grabbed or killed because he's the only one who knows the source of her powers?

6, 7, 8,

Solid stuff though gosh the tonal whip lash from "Spiraling madness" to "Slap-stick chase scene is wild, but also helps off-set the sense of threat regarding the Imago issue in universe.

9, 10,

Yup, this all scans well, I wonder if seeing the broadcast is maybe what finally triggers her transformation? I may be tying things together too neatly there though.

11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Oooh interesting, I hadn't imagined his response to being uncovered would be an attempted invasion so much as "Converge and execute these interlopers!" But that would help with the big reveal. I imagine a decent amount of property damage happens regardless. Also I love the reveal near the end that an Imago has emerged outside of Paris, great ominous cliff note to end on showing its already too late.

NOTE:

I remember some early ideas I tinkered with on this subject involved the Heroes' not grasping the scale of the Dungeons at first and ending up separated and needing to regroup at the surface but Chloe got left behind. Not maliciously, but mostly cos she doesn't have a "partner" and everyone kind of just assumed someone else would grab her.

This led to a duel with her & Darkblade and her partial transformation into an Akuma, before she suppressed it or ripped it out of herself. Which would feed into her being left with a Miraculous as that kind of willpower is rare, useful and also not something you want ending up as an Imago or on Hawk Moth's side.

Still that is likely my Chloe centric brain talking hahaha XD

Though I do think them being forced to retreat would be a good set up for Darkblade being confident enough to try and invade perhaps? Sort of a: The false heroes of the rabble have been forced to flee my mastery of blade and war. Pursue them, run them down, with them out of the way no one can stand between the throne of Paris and its king. Let the invasion commence!

Very rambly half formed thoughts regarding Imago order and public perception but like:

Patient Zero & Infestagator happening first/second, within a short period.

Public: This is bad, but also manageable, they were criminals/'crazy', we're fine.

Darkblade (Unknown) and Mylene (Info contained to avoid panic)

Public (Unaware anything's changed) Heroes' & Mylene's peers (VERY AWARE)

Probably some minor Imago & regular Akuma, things seem stable but growing 'worse' but not yet out in public.

Then the Dungeons of Daarkblade happen & while he' stopped, tons of people have been made into Drones and other ranks and need to be quarantined and Mylene escaped into the catacombs and this cannot be covered up at all.

Now people can start panicking & oops, Imago have started to show up elsewhere in the world, so sealing off Paris won't stop them.

Sorry for the response delay.

Anyway, that does seem like a pretty good order of initial Imago.

Infestigator is probably going to be pretty upset that his warnings were ignored.

He is then going to be smug once people actually realize it's a problem.

So the events would go as such:

Initial wave of Infestation

After several weeks, Alisa Maurelle (a name I came up with for the Magician's civilian identity) is checked into a hospital due to worsening symptoms from Infestation.

A bit into her stay, a Doctor in possession of a magic seeing glasses notices the strange energies surrounding her. However, he does not recognize it as being akuma energies due to being new to Paris. As such he attempts to confiscate the akumatized item, but Maurelle resists, eventually resulting in the Akuma in her forcing large amounts of Akuma energy into the doctor, infesting him.

Maurelle, now having a greater understanding of what's going on, imposes her will upon the Akuma, triggering her emergence as The Magician whilst leaving her in control.

The Infested Doctor notices these events and begins to put the pieces together. He is later attacked by a underling of the Magician and flees to an abandoned warehouse. He attempts to warn the Ladyblog about the infestations but fails to properly communicate.

The Infested Doctor, increasingly influenced by the Akuma, decides to resort to drastic measures. He lures and kills a member of the Magician's gang before taking their gun.

Afterwards, he makes his way to the TV station and rushes a live broadcast, taking multiple hostages. Following this, the Infested Doctor attempts to give his warnings about the threat of the Imago. This warning is mostly ignored and perceived as the ramblings of a mad man.

Shortly after Ladybug and Chat Noir arrive on scene, the Infested Doctor gives in to his infestation and emerges as the Infestigator. Realizing that he is unlikely to win this fight, the Infestigator attempts to flee, resulting in a comical chase sequence.

Shortly after the situation resolves itself, D'Argencourt becomes Darkblade and heads underground, using his abilities to slowly gather an army.

While all this was happening, Mylene has been suffering from severe nightmares and night terrors caused by infestation. She succumbs to the mental assault and becomes Horrificator, an event that her classmates discover. However, Mayor Bourgeois suppresses information about this in an attempt to prevent panic, believing that the situation can be brought under control.

Meanwhile, Horrificator ends up encountering Darkblade, who decides to bring her under his control for use as a 'guard dog'.

Infestigator has, by this point, noticed the situation regarding Darkblade and decides to pass a warning onto the heroes via Rose, who passes it on to Alya, Lila & Chloe, who pass it on to Ladybug and Chat Noir (who also overheard the information earlier in class). This warning is taken seriously due to correlating with various disappearances in the catacombs.

Shortly afterwards, the heroes gather a team together to investigate, finding the Dungeons of Darkblade. This, however, results in Darkblade attempting an invasion of Paris, causing mass panic.

Eventually, Darkblade is defeated, with Horrificator being freed from his control and fleeing back underground. However, a large number of Drones still remain, some being captured and put in quarantine, others going to ground and escaping.

There is some debate on sealing off Paris to prevent further spread, but then a report comes in from elsewhere in France. Another Imago has emerged. The situation has changed drastically.

Yeah that's a good way to set things up.