In chapter 15: The final boss fight.

---

---

The following is a cached version of a blog post by a blogger known as “SoundofLight”. The original has been deleted.

The Script Theory: Part 3

Hi again! This is the third (maybe final?) post I’m making about “The Script Theory”. In part one I talked about what The Script Theory is, and why people find it a plausible theory regarding organizations devoted to the superpowered. In part two, I tried to answer the question of why the existence of The Script Theory matters, and the potential ethical ramifications if it were to be true. Both of those posts sparked a lot of interesting input and discussion, so please go check them out!

This time I want to talk about a facet of The Script Theory that’s considered a bit fringe even for people who are hardcore believers in the rest of it.

Now, I’ll disclaim at the start that this is a bit more far-fetched, and a lot of people who discuss this aspect don’t genuinely believe that it’s currently happening, just that it could. Or that even if it isn’t within the realm of possibility, the fact that it would be desirable to those organizations is in and of itself concerning.

Basically, what could be a logical extreme of a superhero organization focused solely on marketability as the primary, or potentially even only, goal?

We already know that in reality, the Defenders of the Light do a fair amount of image control. And if we believe in The Script Theory, then that control goes beyond public image into their plotlines, alliances, friendships, rivalries, romances… potentially everything.

But wouldn’t the ideal, from the perspective of the Defenders of the Light or a similar organization, be having complete control from the start? There are potential problems with a script written after you have your “cast” assembled. What happens when someone stops following it? Not to mention the ethical issues of, say, forcing a pair of Heroes into a relationship based on popularity among fans, or forcing them into an action they disapprove of. We aren’t talking about on-screen roles, we’re talking about the actual lives of these Heroes, even after the masks are off and the costumes are hung up for the day.

So wouldn’t it be desirable for these issues to be circumvented entirely? To, instead of crafting a script for a team, craft a team to suit a script?

Obviously, this isn’t actually possible at this point, considering the rarity of Superpowered individuals. The Defenders of the Light and other groups don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing, when only a fraction of a percent of individuals display any powers, and not all of them are suitable for Hero (or villain) work. But what if?

This would be completely antithetical to free will, an extreme of treating Heroes like puppets, not people. It’s the same method used for casting a movie or television show, but applied to real life, for a role they can’t step out of. And what would happen to those who were deemed unsuited to the desired script?

As the Defenders of the Light put ever more resources and time into answering the question of how powers appear, maybe we should hope they never discover how to control their manifestation. Because as bad as the thought of them controlling their Heroes based on marketability and public reception already is, creating them solely to suit some test-audience-approved ideal would be far worse. But would we even know the difference?

---

( Chapter 15 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 13: Kairi seeks out some new allies.

---

---

An excerpt from a news article, published a few years ago:

Much has been said about the revitalization of the Defenders of the Light within the last few years. And indeed, the Hero organization has been going strong for over a decade now, with no signs of slowing. Regionally, they’ve become all but synonymous with the idea of Superheroes.

But for some people, the name “Defenders of the Light” still calls to mind an older organization, one started back when superpowers were considered science fiction, and vastly predating the current glossy, professional image. It started more than a quarter century ago, as a team of men and women who banded together to do what they felt necessary to protect the people of their city.

Attitudes from those who recall this older version are sharply polarized.

Some fondly recall a time when heroism seemed like the kind of thing anyone could do, when the drive to make things better was enough, regardless of what authorities said. They see the original Defenders of the Light as inspirational figures, mundane heroes who did what they believed in.

Others say they struggle to trust the current incarnation of the organization, because they associate the name so strongly with vigilantism. And indeed, that was the way authorities viewed the organization when it started. And despite their popularity with average citizens at the time, in the past several years the “vigilante” label has grown more and more common.

The Defenders of the Light have largely tried to distance themselves from that history, emphasizing their superheroism, and pushing the remaining original members to retire quietly. And indeed, most of those original heroes have faded from public consciousness entirely, remembered much like the long-retired sports icons and movie stars of our childhoods.

Whether the “new” incarnation of the Defenders of the Light will fully escape the shadow of what it was before remains to be seen, but at the very least, it has begun a new legacy of what it is to be a Hero.

---

( Chapter 13 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 11: Things have changed.

---

---

Excerpt from the cached version of a now-deleted blog post from blogger “dustinastorm”.

So, there was an interesting thread on a discussion board the other day about why anyone would choose to be a supervillain. Really, it started with the question “why would anyone decide to commit a crime when you know there’s a Superhero on patrol?” Some discussion later brought it around to Supervillains at least have an excuse because they could potentially win a fight against a Superhero. And then the discussion turned to why anyone would choose to be a Supervillain.

Okay, but why would they?

There are a few theories. One is just that people with superpowers can decide to be criminals the same way people without powers do. Honestly, that’s the one that rings the most true for me. Some people are just going to take the shitty way out, y’know? If you can phase through walls, or hypnotize people into doing what you want, maybe robbing a bank seems like a really easy way to make a living.

Another theory is that it was inevitable as soon as we started having Superheroes. Most people who like this theory refer to it as filling a vacuum, and reaching equilibrium. That merely by having Superheroes, there have to be Supervillains, because… honestly I don’t know. This one doesn’t make much sense to me. If it was inevitable just because some bad people got powers just like some good people did, then I’d get it, but that’s just rehashing theory one.

Theory three is maybe even more out there, and yet it makes more sense to me than theory two. And that comes around to the age-old stoner-faux-philosophy debate of “like, who decides who’s a villain, man?” But really… how much of our definition of Hero vs. Villain is in the branding? At least a few people have pointed out that we don’t really have many “freelance” Heroes anymore. Honestly, the old Defenders of the Light, before it was the kind of corporate entity it is now, were almost the closest thing we had.

There’s sort of a sliding scale from good to bad that goes: Hero - Antihero - Vigilante - Villain.

Heroes, and even the sort-of antiheroes like Corridor, are almost always part of one of the big organizations. The biggest one regionally is the Defenders of the Light, of course, but then there’s the more widespread “League of Princesses” that encompasses a large number of heroines over the entire country.

Vigilantes, like the former and founding members of the Defenders of the Light, are independent, but are regarded as being barely above outright villainy… despite the fact they are pretty much completely retired, and were genuinely heroes for years.

So why is it that when Heroes leave an organization they seem automatically to be shuffled out of the Hero box, regardless of whether their actual actions have changed?

And back to that question for everyone who took a class on moral relativism: Who defines villainy?

---

( Chapter 11 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 9: A fight against the Organization takes an unpleasant turn.

---

---

Confidential memo sent internally to members of the Defenders of the Light:

Confidential, not for distribution

To our devoted Heroes:

This report is to give you the information we currently know about the Organization, from research conducted internally and based on reports from our Heroes. We will continue updating as we learn more. Please keep in mind this is for your knowledge and protection only, and this information is not to be shared externally.

Here is a list of known Organization members and their abilities. Any members whose abilities are unknown are a top priority to gather information on:
Axel - elemental fire
Demyx - elemental water
Larxene - elemental lightning
Lexaeus - enhanced strength
Luxord - unknown
Marluxia - elemental plant control
Naminé - unknown
Roxas - artifact “keyblade”
Saix - unknown
Vexen - elemental ice - PRESUMED DECEASED
Xaldin - elemental air
Xigbar - appears to have a special firearm; artifact?
Zexion - illusionist - PRESUMED DECEASED

As always, if any further information, additional or contradictory to the above, becomes clear, please report it immediately to the Defenders of the Light.

Thank you for helping us to Defend the Light.

---

( Chapter 9 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 7: The trio finally encounter their new enemies.

---

---

Excerpt from An Introduction to the History of the Super-Powered by Victoria McGuire:

As power manifestation events increased, soon it was not enough to classify all manifestations solely under the “superpower” heading. There were simply too many different types of power. Many researchers, reporters, and theorists all created different classification systems, ranging from two categories up to lists so sprawling and complex that each individual power was given a unique heading.

The version that has persisted the longest as the most functional is technically called the Vale-Martinez classification, coming from a blend of those two proposed groupings, however the official name is rarely used outside of theory texts. It broadly classes all manifested powers into five categories: Enhanced Ability, Elemental, Mental, Dimensional, or Artifact.

Enhanced Ability:

The most common type of manifested power is the enhanced ability. These are superhumans who show abilities that are not in and of themselves abnormal, but are present to an extent that is beyond normal human ranges. There are plenty of strong people, but super strength goes beyond that. Running quickly isn’t abnormal, but super speed is.

Elemental:

The second most frequently seen subtype is elemental control. This category has been criticized for being too broad, but it still functionally groups like powers together. This refers to manifested abilities that grant a person control over something specific, but external to them. Most common are the classical elements: fire, water, air, electricity, etc. Sometimes these are more abstract, like spatial manipulation, or relatively nebulous concepts like light and dark.

Mental:

Mental powers are those that originate within the mind of the individual and exert power over something external, if the ability does not fall into one of the previous categories. (For example, while elemental fire control may originate in the mind, its effect is limited to a specific element.) This category includes things like telepathy, telekinesis, animal control, and newer powers such as technomancy. It is also the controversial designation for things like flight, which are somewhat more similar to enhanced ability (as they are a physical capability) but don’t meet the requirement that it be possible to a lesser extent in a non-superhuman.

Dimensional:

Dimensional superhumans are rare, and can be difficult to classify. Any superhuman, regardless of other powers, is considered “dimensional” if they are from a world or dimension other than this one. While this makes the category less based on description than origin, it’s valuable from a scientific standpoint, as the existence of dimensional individuals is of great interest for study. These individuals may be given a secondary classification as a better descriptor of their abilities.

Artifact:

The final category is artifact-granted. This is the rarest and in some ways least understood subtype. These individuals have, as suggested, an “artifact” of some type—often a weapon—that grants them abilities. They usually report having been “chosen” by these items, though sometimes it’s merely that they were the one to find said object. In many cases, they cannot be separated from their artifact, and attempts to do so fail. But in theory, were they to be separated, the individual would revert to being an ordinary person.

Undetected abilities?

There has been a valid criticism made of the general classification at all of superhuman abilities, beyond disagreement over the classifications used. How is it determined what is human and what is superhuman? Particularly with “enhanced ability” powers, where is the dividing line between “extremely strong person” and “super strength?” Where is the dividing line between “record-setting world-champion runner” and “that athlete is actually superpowered, so they aren’t eligible to compete?”

Beyond that, it’s widely considered that superpowers began to appear just over 30 years ago, with potential consideration that some legends or historical figures may have been early examples. But what of superpowers that are sub-measurable? Is someone who never has a vending machine steal their money just fortunate, or are they a low-level technopath? If someone has a lucky charm that helps them ace their tests, could they actually have been chosen by an artifact that has a very specific effect? And taking those considerations into account, could that mean that superhuman abilities are far more common than is widely believed?

---

( Chapter 7 )

Note: The name "Victoria McGuire" and the "Vale-Martinez classification" from the beginning "excerpt" are silly little easter eggs referring to a couple of my favorite novels that deal with superpowers. The "Villains" series by V.E. Schwab (the V stands for Victoria) features a character named Victor Vale. The "Velveteen vs." series by Seanan McGuire features a character named Velma Martinez.

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 5: Radiance, Keyblade, and Corridor get a little more information (and some new costumes) prior to the event.

---

---

The following is from the cached version of a blog post by a blogger known as “SoundofLight”. The original has been deleted.

The Script Theory: Part 1

Continuing on my seemingly neverending posts trying to explain the fandom and history that surrounds our favorite Defenders of the Light team, I want to talk about one of the more controversial theories that is sometimes discussed. There are some subcategories to it, and some people say it verges way too far into true “conspiracy theory” rather than fact. But it comes up over and over, and if you spend enough time on forums and chat groups, you’ll probably encounter it.

This is broadly referred to as “The Script Theory.”

DISCLAIMER: I’m not saying whether I believe in this or not. I’m just trying to explain what it is, all right?

“The Script Theory” states that the Defenders of the Light (and other such organizations nationally and even globally) have much greater control over good vs. evil conflict than any of us know.

It’s relatively well known that the Defenders of the Light do control certain aspects of their Heroes’ public personae, and that they do so in part to increase revenue.

And the Defenders of the Light don’t pretend there’s no interest in profit: There are the obvious PSAs the company produces, of course, and themed shows, and exhibition fights. There are the official compilation videos (featuring exclusive Defenders of the Light proprietary footage, naturally!) chronicling highlights for certain Heroes, locations, and time periods. Costume variants almost always come with waves of officially licensed merchandise.

Marketability guides many of the decisions made about the Heroes and what they do. It’s not a guarded secret that Heroes sign codes of conduct to keep themselves “family-friendly” and portray the organization as a whole in a positive light. After all, the Defenders of the Light invest time and training into the Heroes they employ, and they need to make sure those Heroes live up to the “brand” that they’ve established.

“The Script Theory” goes far beyond. It states that everything is under the Defenders of the Light’s/other organization’s control. That the minutiae of rivalries and alliances and hinted romances are all orchestrated with a calculating eye toward fan reactions. In more extreme versions, it states that the Heroes and the Villains are often working from the same script (hence the name of the theory), and the wins and losses are all according to a grand plan.

It sounds completely far-fetched! But there is a seed of plausibility. After all, the advent of superhuman abilities, and then the formation of teams of Heroes (replacing the earlier groups that were more often maligned as “Vigilantes”) created a type of semi-public figure never before seen. Superheroes and their larger-than-life abilities paired with often-humble origins became a blend of extreme celebrity, reality television subject, and social media star. At the same time, their devotion to protecting the world, and battles against equally outrageous supervillains made them essentially a real-live action franchise, with new installments coming out in real time.

And what company could look at that potential and not decide to capitalize on it to the most thorough degree possible?

---

( Chapter 5 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

In chapter 3: Radiance and Corridor head out on an assignment. And the trio receives a threat from Headquarters.

---

---

Confidential: For Defenders of the Light internal circulation only

Corridor

Age: 24

Age of power manifestation: 14

Civilian identity: Riku Miyano

Hero type: Elemental/spatial

Power set: Corridor opens what have been termed “dark corridors,” which serve as doorways from one point in space to another. The corridors must be traversed: it does not open an immediate portal or doorway from one place to another, but the distance between entrance and exit points is greatly reduced. The way the distance scales is not perfectly consistent, but one test found that crossing the length of the city took approximately 50 seconds. Corridor must have been to the place he is attempting to travel to, suggesting that his conception of a place is part of what allows the passage to be opened. He can bring other people with him through these passageways.

Profile: Corridor’s powers manifested at 14 and his family immediately brought him to the Defenders of the Light for training. He may have known Keyblade prior to this, as they came together to the Defenders of the Light. He served as a member of the team for a few years without incident, though at age 16 became a villain during the Heartless Crisis. He was brought back to the Defenders of the Light, and it is believed that his past mistakes are genuinely behind him. Has close friendships and most frequently partners with Keyblade and Radiance.

---

( Chapter 3 )

[previous chapter] [next chapter]

Summary: Kairi, Sora, and Riku are Heroes working under the auspices of The Defenders of the Light. The organization is ostensibly dedicated to fighting threats both mundane and extraordinary, while also researching the superhero phenomenon. In practice, it’s also devoted to marketing, with the Heroes it employs becoming some of the world’s biggest celebrities, and their battles a form of entertainment.
As the organization teases a new conflict that could be especially dangerous for Riku, and corporate control tightens, Kairi begins to realize that her employers do not have her best interests - or those of the world - at heart.

In chapter 1: Corridor and Keyblade encounter something new on patrol.

---

---

Confidential: For Defenders of the Light internal circulation only

Radiance

Previous alias: Starchild

Age: presumed 23

Age of power manifestation: 6 or earlier

Civilian identity: Kairi Uchida

Hero type: Dimensional

Power set: Generates light, which she then has minor control over. The generation seems to be unconscious at its base level, though she can choose to manifest more or less. The light she generates is visual only (no heat or other physical substance,) though she can control its brightness, movement, and sometimes color. With training her control has increased. She does not seem to have any control over light that she does not generate.

Profile: Appeared as a child on the night of a meteor shower. Speculated to have come from another world or dimension, she had already manifested powers, despite appearing approximately 6 years old. Has no memories of her life before her appearance in this dimension, though efforts are being made to help her recover them. Was raised for a time within the Defenders of the Light organization, but was ultimately placed for adoption with the Uchida family. Was given the Hero name “Starchild”, as one of the few child-Heroes in the world. Changed this to “Radiance” at the age of 16 to cultivate a more mature image. She teams up most frequently with Keyblade and Corridor, and seems to have a close friendship with both.

---

( Chapter 1 )

[next chapter]