14.8

Worm, Arc 14.8 Summary

Skitter reports that the bomb took out Crawler and Mannequin, while the remaining Nine are on the run. Legend has asked Skitter to leave the area in case Bonesaw deploys her ultimate threat. Tattletale speculates that Bonesaw’s next move will target capes specifically, aiming to terrorize the powerful figures others look up to. They discuss the possibility of Bonesaw disabling powers on a larger scale, but Tattletale dismisses it, arguing it doesn’t fit Bonesaw’s artistic approach.

A distant skyscraper collapses, signaling a new development. They discuss Bonesaw’s potential plan, with Tattletale warning against drinking anything but bottled water. She emphasizes the strategic and terror-inducing nature of Bonesaw’s plan. Grue cautions Tattletale against getting lost in her own deductions, and she admits she might be speculating. Skitter suggests finding Panacea as a countermeasure, but Tattletale notes Panacea’s likely location near the docks after recent incidents.

Suddenly, the water around them turns crimson, accompanied by a red mist. Skitter realizes Bonesaw set this up in advance, needing only a catalyst. They flee on the dogs, but the spreading crimson water and mist threaten to engulf them. Sundancer creates a miniature sun to slow the water, but it’s not enough. Skitter instructs them to reach high ground.

Bentley struggles to climb a building with his passengers, and the mist approaches. Skitter creates a bug barrier, buying time but not solving the problem. They reach a rooftop, but the mist continues to rise. Trickster teleports Tattletale and Sundancer to a nearby building, leaving himself, Skitter, and Bentley behind. Skitter flies on Atlas to a taller building, but Trickster doesn’t teleport Tattletale, staying with her as the mist envelops them.

Sundancer reveals Tattletale’s message: “It doesn’t look like her plan will work out. Tell her I’m sorry.” Trickster’s power limitations might be preventing a timely rescue, or he’s deliberately staying. Sundancer, now alone, laments her isolation, contrasting her busy past with her current solitude. Skitter, watching Tattletale and Trickster in the mist, consoles herself with the thought that Bonesaw will likely draw out their suffering, giving Skitter hope she’ll see her friends again.

Skitter notices the bay water hasn’t changed, suggesting saltwater might neutralize Bonesaw’s agent. She spots Legend fighting, not the Nine, but his own allies. Everyone is hiding, and even Legend is pulling his punches, using nonlethal attacks. Skitter realizes the miasma is causing paranoia and aggression.

Skitter approaches Vista, who’s affected by the miasma, and tries to help, but Vista attacks her. Legend intervenes, shooting Skitter down onto a rooftop, cracking her armor and spilling her supplies. Vista traps Skitter under a folded piece of the roof, and Legend threatens Vista. Skitter, struggling to free herself, realizes she can’t remember her parents or the other Undersiders, understanding the miasma’s true effect: memory loss and paranoia.

Legend continues attacking others, and Skitter, after a long struggle, frees herself. She retrieves her scattered supplies and takes off on Atlas. Amidst the chaos, she tries to help the wounded but feels lost, unsure if she’s helping allies or enemies. A large, mutated creature appears, possibly one of Bitch’s dogs or Crawler. Skitter flees, fearing Crawler and unable to help if it’s Bitch’s dog.

Tattletale calls out to Skitter, explaining the miasma’s effects: agnosia (inability to process sensory information) and hallucinations, possibly caused by prions. Tattletale says the condition is terminal but potentially curable by Panacea. Grue appears, and Tattletale suggests contacting Cherish to find Panacea. Skitter, still suspicious, struggles to trust Tattletale, who kneels before Skitter with her forehead against Skitter’s gun, expressing her trust.

Skitter remains unconvinced, and Grue suggests she find a safe place. He argues they need to act from the heart to overcome the miasma’s effects and save everyone. Grue hugs Skitter, a gesture of trust, and pulls her along to find Cherish. Tattletale instructs Skitter to call their boss, Coil, once cell service is restored, to fill in the gaps in their memories. Skitter, still holding her gun, agrees, eager to be cured of the miasma’s effects. Tattletale jokingly tells Skitter not to swear, lightening the mood slightly.