Chapter Text
Summary: In which a photographer/tortured artist/parahuman OC snarks his way through Earth Bet.
This is not a self insert, metaknowledge, parody, crossover, or crack fic.
This story takes place pre-canon, from November and December of 2010. I've written this fic to be canon-compliant, within the bounds of artistic license, and it will elaborate on some of the events mentioned but not described in Worm. The character interactions and background details of Tabloid lead directly to the events in Worm canon, and characters will stick to their canon personalities. No intentional OOC or crack in this story.
—ARC SUMMARY—
ONE: CAPE ON CAPE COMBAT
Introduces Tabloid, the parahuman paparazzi, and explores what he actually does for a living.
Tabloid works a day job at the PRT, and becomes a Stranger in the night to photo stalk capes for money.
TWO: NOT SO HEROIC HEROES
Introduces Paul, the civilian persona of Tabloid, and explores how he balances his two lives and identities.
Paul works as an image consultant, and helps the Protectorate capes maintain their PR approval ratings.
THREE: THE SHORTENING OF THE WAY
What it means to be a parahuman on Earth Bet, and how powers come at a cost, to both individuals and society.
Two lives turns out not to be as easy or as convenient to manage as Tabloid makes it look.
This work can also be found on SpaceBattles.
The Author's Notes following each chapter are posted on that site, and will answer questions and explain the canon details explored in the chapter, along with extra content and research. I recommend reading them if you want to know more about the world-building. There is also bonus art content for my SpaceBattles readers.
LIST OF SPACEBATTLES EXCLUSIVE OMAKE CHAPTERS:
OMAKE 1, June 2013. Added 01/04/2017. 3.5k words.
OMAKE 2, January 2011. Added 26/05/2017. 5.5k words.
OMAKE 3, June 2011. Added 22/06/2017. 7k words.
OMAKE 4, July 2013. Added 04/07/2017. 2k works.
Feel free to read comments, join discussion, or ask questions either there, or here.