OOC: History/Personality/Other (read: app info+)
To be updated whenever I think of things to add! XD;
Character: Megavolt (aka Elmo Sputterspark)
Fandom: Darkwing Duck
Warning, tl;dr like whoa. :> Also there's some headcanon in here, ohnoes!
History: Elmo Sputterspark was a brilliant science student with a mind for electricity - a senior in high school, he created a way to harness the power of static electricity to power a light bulb, using a carpeted treadmill. However, football player/bully Ham String taped his hands to the treadmill and turned the speed up, leaving Elmo there to run, until the energy buildup was too great and he was blown off. Grabbing a doorknob on his way out of the room, he received a giant static shock...turning him into the electrically charged rodent to be known as Megavolt.
Upon realizing that he was able to shoot raw electricity from his fingertips, his first thoughts turned to seeking vengeance against those who had made him the way he was. Elmo Sputterspark disappeared after the incident, and Megavolt first made his appearance at the senior prom, determined to destroy the school and everyone who had tormented him along with it. This was also the first appearance of Darkwing Duck - whom we find out went to school with Elmo.
Thus began Megavolt and Darkwing's rivalry, making Megavolt Darkwing's longest-running adversary. Darkwing, at one point toward the end of the series, refers to Megavolt as his arch-enemy (which delights Megavolt to no end...however, it's difficult to take this bit at face value, considering that Darkwing seems to think that every major villain in the series is his arch-enemy, as well as being the most dangerous).
His relationship with Darkwing is...a bit complicated. Most of the time, he is annoyed or angry at the hero, due to the fact that Darkwing is always getting in the way of whatever scheme he's trying to pull. He also sometimes seems afraid when Darkwing shows up - but this usually turns to anger rather quickly. However, there have been times when they've had to team up (although Megavolt has been known to backstab Darkwing as soon as the hero's done his part), as well as occurrences where things have gotten out of control and Megavolt counts on Darkwing to save them. In my opinion, due to his fragmented brain and the fact that he doesn't seem to remember much aside from wanting vengeance and his current criminal activity, Darkwing is a bit of a comforting figure, in that he's constant. As aggravated as Megavolt will get when the duck gets in his way, he expects it. Not only that, but we are given insight that he's not a completely horrible guy - during the class reunion, when Megavolt pulls Darkwing's mask off and his classmates discover that he is actually "Drake the Dweeb," Darkwing loses all confidence, and Megavolt remarks, "Gee, I suppose I oughta barbeque you now, but I just haven't got the heart." Of course, he then turns around to continue his pursuit of Ham and Preena. Later, when Darkwing returns to save Gosalyn, Launchpad, Ham, and Preena, telling Megavolt that he refuses to lose his friends, Megavolt's reaction is to sniffle, hug Darkwing, and say "That's so sweet, it's great to have you back." Things really wouldn't be the same for him without Darkwing around.
In the first episode Megavolt appeared in, Darkwing mentions that he's sent Megavolt to the electric chair twice. No other details about this are ever given, nor is this piece of information ever mentioned again period, so it's unclear exactly what transpired. The electric chair should be the death penalty, meaning that Megavolt may have committed some pretty serious crimes. But if that was the case, why would Darkwing send a villain to whom blood and electricity are essentially the same to the electric chair? They'd been rivals since high school, and it would have had to have been after that...meaning that Darkwing would have already known the nature of Megavolt's powers. Not only this, but in all the episodes that he appears, Megavolt doesn't seem to have much of an interest in killing people (perhaps, with the exclusion of Ham and Preena, and possibly Darkwing himself). He's joined forces with Darkwing to stop the destruction of the city because then there would be nothing left to rob, which is his general MO (whether it be light bulbs or money). And although we've seen him zap people, no one has ever been shown to have died from it. Then again, that could always go back to the fact that this is a kid's show we're talking about. :|a Also, it could have just been sort of...retconned. Maybe Darkwing was just making a reference to Megavolt’s electricity, I don’t know. It was a character introduction, after all.
Megavolt is also a member of the Fearsome Five. Like the others, he is terrified of Negaduck (despite the fact that if push came to shove, he could probably take Negaduck out with relative ease...provided Negaduck didn't come after him with water). Out of all the members of the Fearsome Five, it is presumed that he is closest to Quackerjack, as the two of them have teamed up on more than one occasion. They may get along better due to their respective insanities, although Quackerjack's constant playing around can get on Megavolt's nerves...not that it's difficult to do so. Regardless, I see them as being fairly good friends. :>
In addition, Megavolt is the third most wanted criminal in St. Canard, after Dr. Slug and Negaduck.
Personality: Megavolt is...well, insane, and he's aware of it (there are at least two occurrences of him talking about how people called him mad, insane...and then noting that they were correct). Due to the electricity running rampant through him, his brain has been more or less fried, and his memory and sanity suffer for it - while trying to achieve his vengeance against Ham String and his girlfriend Preena, he couldn't remember his profession, until Launchpad reminded him of his supervillain status. He also found out Darkwing's secret identity - and much to his dismay, cannot remember it. His inhibitions are also nearly nonexistant.
It’s unclear exactly what he does and doesn't remember - during the class reunion episode, he seems to have a very clear image of what transpired in high school, both before and after he gained his powers (with the exception of the exact date, and names), yet later forgot he was a supervillain. He also might not remember his first battle against Darkwing - during the reunion, while attacking the school once again, he mentions that he has a "creepy déjà vu feeling." It may just be that high school was an extremely important time in making him who he was - vengeance is one thing he remembers quite clearly. At least, when he has an invitation to a class reunion...he never says anything about revenge prior to that (granted, the class reunion episode was one of the last episodes of the series, as well as the last one that Megavolt appeared in). In addition, the whole memory thing really wasn't even brought up until like, halfway through the series or so. His bad memory probably won't show as much when he's talking over journals, especially since if he forgets something mid-conversation, he can just. Scroll up and look at it. :|
He is highly intelligent, despite not being able to remember things, and still has a mind for science - the gadgets he builds more than prove this. However, he can also be somewhat dense. He's...kind of a dumb smart guy. :|a He's also pretty timid...but this often gets overshadowed by the fact that he is quick to anger, and once he's angry, he's pretty much running on emotion...maybe. He really doesn't do much to hide how he's feeling, either...you'll know if he's angry, sad, etc. Also, leftover science nerd stuff, but he still loves to learn. And teach, kind of...more technically, he loves explaining and boasting about stuff he's built.
Many of his crimes revolve around trying to free light bulbs and appliances from being enslaved - he talks about letting bulbs run free in the wilderness with untamed ones, being able to shine whenever they want. He talks to light bulbs as if they can understand him, and can "hear" their answers. Light bulbs are this guy's best friends, seriously...he considers them his brethren. He does talk to appliances as well...although sometimes the appliances are shown to be responding to him by moving around! Other crimes tend to revolve around either stealing money, or just some sort experiment to try out his newest invention...or both at once. >D According to Darkwing, he also "gets a charge out of short-circuiting cities," in reference to the blackout they were currently experiencing. These blackouts usually come with some sort of electrical experiment, or before he attempts to liberate light bulbs.
His insanity is most often demonstrated by his interactions with his light bulbs. In one instance, he is seen voicing the light bulb (although we only ever see him do this once). Every other time, he is just talking to the light bulbs, and hearing their "answers" (which, to the rest of us, is silence!). He also sincerely believes that light bulbs and appliances have been enslaved by mankind and that he needs to save them (see the whole thing about releasing them into the wilderness to be free). Also, Megavolt apparently sees Mr. Banana Brain as a living entity just like Quackerjack does...in "Time and Punishment," Megavolt doesn't question it when, during a vote to decide where they are heading, Mr. Banana Brain was the deciding factor, and instead whined that the doll always sided with Quackerjack.
Other than that, he seems to get frazzled easily. He's generally quick to anger...especially if you call him "Sparky." Or doubt him. Or ask him too many questions, even though he might not remember that this is your first time asking! Really, it’s pretty easy to set him off. He's also prone to making electricity puns. Or stupid puns in general...remember what show we're watching, kids. :D; "Is this the lost and found? I guess so, because I found you, and you lose!"
He's likely claustrophobic - he remarks once that he has a phobia about small places.
I guess it's worth talking about the motives he has for being a criminal, too. Megavolt...I don't think you can really call him "evil." He's not that bad a guy, really! Yeah, I'm playing the misunderstood card here. Part of his criminal tendencies can probably be blamed on the whole fried brain thing - lack of inhibitions and sanity and all of that...not to mention the fact that he can be pretty emotional. But even then, all he really wants to do is save light bulbs. A little crazy, sure, but cut him some slack. He's helped save the city before! And he never turns down a chance to work with Darkwing! :> Going past the insanity though, I really think he feels like he doesn't have any other option. He's a wanted criminal, and everyone just sees him as a criminal, a villain, a freak. Given that all of this is fairly prevalent in his everyday life, it's likely that the thought of using his powers to help the city doesn't really cross his mind (in one episode, when St. Canard is on fire, Gosalyn asks why no one's been trying to put it out, and Quackerjack and Megavolt, who had apparently lost all hope because Darkwing wasn't doing anything about it after they begged him to, stopped and looked at one another, asking "put out the fire? Why didn't you think of that?!"). Honestly, I think with the right influences and given enough time, Megavolt could change. However, certain other influences would need to be massively toned down...such as the Fearsome Five. As long as his only "friends" are other villains, he's going to be staying that way.
Speaking of "friends"...he really is a lonely guy. Given that pretty much everyone in his universe sees him as a deranged criminal, he doesn't have a lot of options. Unfortunately, he's also pretty easily manipulated - the lack of sanity and timidness would probably lead to him not really questioning things.
Other: His powers revolve mostly around electricity. Aside from shooting bolts of electricity from his fingertips/hat (which he uses not only to inflict pain, but also move things around - he'll blast people or things with electricity and hold them up in the air, or carry them away!), he has also been known to control appliances (you'd think I only mean electronics, but he uh. Kind of zapped a kitchen sink and was able to ride around in it. Mostly his control of appliances involves him zapping them, and then having them attack Darkwing in some form), bring appliances to life (as in, they can talk and have personalities!), travel through cords and TV channels (actually, he and Darkwing canonically broke the fourth wall in this manner, traveling to our world where Darkwing Duck was a cartoon show...although it involved a "transmutonic atom splitter" overloading while they were in the TV. They had to use a helmet that tuned into their word in order for Megavolt to find the right frequency to return. It’s not likely an experience he’s eager to repeat), cause blackouts...just about anything that can be done with electricity, he can do it or make something that does. He can even do some things that don't really involve electricity...he created something that was able a steal a person's "nervous energy," leaving them as a statue; he also created a tron splitter that was able to split positrons from negatrons, or remerge them. So really, he's apparently pretty up on his physics and whatnot.
He can only hold a certain amount of power at once (regulated by the battery he wears on his back), and does end up needing to recharge. Due to his electrical nature, he shorts out whenever he gets wet, usually leaving him powered down, sizzling, and out of it.
Megavolt's usually spending downtime in his lighthouse, or in a house elsewhere within the city - after all, a villain should have more than one hideout, right? He also hangs out at the "Old Haunt," a bar in the bad part of town.
Character: Megavolt (aka Elmo Sputterspark)
Fandom: Darkwing Duck
Warning, tl;dr like whoa. :> Also there's some headcanon in here, ohnoes!
History: Elmo Sputterspark was a brilliant science student with a mind for electricity - a senior in high school, he created a way to harness the power of static electricity to power a light bulb, using a carpeted treadmill. However, football player/bully Ham String taped his hands to the treadmill and turned the speed up, leaving Elmo there to run, until the energy buildup was too great and he was blown off. Grabbing a doorknob on his way out of the room, he received a giant static shock...turning him into the electrically charged rodent to be known as Megavolt.
Upon realizing that he was able to shoot raw electricity from his fingertips, his first thoughts turned to seeking vengeance against those who had made him the way he was. Elmo Sputterspark disappeared after the incident, and Megavolt first made his appearance at the senior prom, determined to destroy the school and everyone who had tormented him along with it. This was also the first appearance of Darkwing Duck - whom we find out went to school with Elmo.
Thus began Megavolt and Darkwing's rivalry, making Megavolt Darkwing's longest-running adversary. Darkwing, at one point toward the end of the series, refers to Megavolt as his arch-enemy (which delights Megavolt to no end...however, it's difficult to take this bit at face value, considering that Darkwing seems to think that every major villain in the series is his arch-enemy, as well as being the most dangerous).
His relationship with Darkwing is...a bit complicated. Most of the time, he is annoyed or angry at the hero, due to the fact that Darkwing is always getting in the way of whatever scheme he's trying to pull. He also sometimes seems afraid when Darkwing shows up - but this usually turns to anger rather quickly. However, there have been times when they've had to team up (although Megavolt has been known to backstab Darkwing as soon as the hero's done his part), as well as occurrences where things have gotten out of control and Megavolt counts on Darkwing to save them. In my opinion, due to his fragmented brain and the fact that he doesn't seem to remember much aside from wanting vengeance and his current criminal activity, Darkwing is a bit of a comforting figure, in that he's constant. As aggravated as Megavolt will get when the duck gets in his way, he expects it. Not only that, but we are given insight that he's not a completely horrible guy - during the class reunion, when Megavolt pulls Darkwing's mask off and his classmates discover that he is actually "Drake the Dweeb," Darkwing loses all confidence, and Megavolt remarks, "Gee, I suppose I oughta barbeque you now, but I just haven't got the heart." Of course, he then turns around to continue his pursuit of Ham and Preena. Later, when Darkwing returns to save Gosalyn, Launchpad, Ham, and Preena, telling Megavolt that he refuses to lose his friends, Megavolt's reaction is to sniffle, hug Darkwing, and say "That's so sweet, it's great to have you back." Things really wouldn't be the same for him without Darkwing around.
In the first episode Megavolt appeared in, Darkwing mentions that he's sent Megavolt to the electric chair twice. No other details about this are ever given, nor is this piece of information ever mentioned again period, so it's unclear exactly what transpired. The electric chair should be the death penalty, meaning that Megavolt may have committed some pretty serious crimes. But if that was the case, why would Darkwing send a villain to whom blood and electricity are essentially the same to the electric chair? They'd been rivals since high school, and it would have had to have been after that...meaning that Darkwing would have already known the nature of Megavolt's powers. Not only this, but in all the episodes that he appears, Megavolt doesn't seem to have much of an interest in killing people (perhaps, with the exclusion of Ham and Preena, and possibly Darkwing himself). He's joined forces with Darkwing to stop the destruction of the city because then there would be nothing left to rob, which is his general MO (whether it be light bulbs or money). And although we've seen him zap people, no one has ever been shown to have died from it. Then again, that could always go back to the fact that this is a kid's show we're talking about. :|a Also, it could have just been sort of...retconned. Maybe Darkwing was just making a reference to Megavolt’s electricity, I don’t know. It was a character introduction, after all.
Megavolt is also a member of the Fearsome Five. Like the others, he is terrified of Negaduck (despite the fact that if push came to shove, he could probably take Negaduck out with relative ease...provided Negaduck didn't come after him with water). Out of all the members of the Fearsome Five, it is presumed that he is closest to Quackerjack, as the two of them have teamed up on more than one occasion. They may get along better due to their respective insanities, although Quackerjack's constant playing around can get on Megavolt's nerves...not that it's difficult to do so. Regardless, I see them as being fairly good friends. :>
In addition, Megavolt is the third most wanted criminal in St. Canard, after Dr. Slug and Negaduck.
Personality: Megavolt is...well, insane, and he's aware of it (there are at least two occurrences of him talking about how people called him mad, insane...and then noting that they were correct). Due to the electricity running rampant through him, his brain has been more or less fried, and his memory and sanity suffer for it - while trying to achieve his vengeance against Ham String and his girlfriend Preena, he couldn't remember his profession, until Launchpad reminded him of his supervillain status. He also found out Darkwing's secret identity - and much to his dismay, cannot remember it. His inhibitions are also nearly nonexistant.
It’s unclear exactly what he does and doesn't remember - during the class reunion episode, he seems to have a very clear image of what transpired in high school, both before and after he gained his powers (with the exception of the exact date, and names), yet later forgot he was a supervillain. He also might not remember his first battle against Darkwing - during the reunion, while attacking the school once again, he mentions that he has a "creepy déjà vu feeling." It may just be that high school was an extremely important time in making him who he was - vengeance is one thing he remembers quite clearly. At least, when he has an invitation to a class reunion...he never says anything about revenge prior to that (granted, the class reunion episode was one of the last episodes of the series, as well as the last one that Megavolt appeared in). In addition, the whole memory thing really wasn't even brought up until like, halfway through the series or so. His bad memory probably won't show as much when he's talking over journals, especially since if he forgets something mid-conversation, he can just. Scroll up and look at it. :|
He is highly intelligent, despite not being able to remember things, and still has a mind for science - the gadgets he builds more than prove this. However, he can also be somewhat dense. He's...kind of a dumb smart guy. :|a He's also pretty timid...but this often gets overshadowed by the fact that he is quick to anger, and once he's angry, he's pretty much running on emotion...maybe. He really doesn't do much to hide how he's feeling, either...you'll know if he's angry, sad, etc. Also, leftover science nerd stuff, but he still loves to learn. And teach, kind of...more technically, he loves explaining and boasting about stuff he's built.
Many of his crimes revolve around trying to free light bulbs and appliances from being enslaved - he talks about letting bulbs run free in the wilderness with untamed ones, being able to shine whenever they want. He talks to light bulbs as if they can understand him, and can "hear" their answers. Light bulbs are this guy's best friends, seriously...he considers them his brethren. He does talk to appliances as well...although sometimes the appliances are shown to be responding to him by moving around! Other crimes tend to revolve around either stealing money, or just some sort experiment to try out his newest invention...or both at once. >D According to Darkwing, he also "gets a charge out of short-circuiting cities," in reference to the blackout they were currently experiencing. These blackouts usually come with some sort of electrical experiment, or before he attempts to liberate light bulbs.
His insanity is most often demonstrated by his interactions with his light bulbs. In one instance, he is seen voicing the light bulb (although we only ever see him do this once). Every other time, he is just talking to the light bulbs, and hearing their "answers" (which, to the rest of us, is silence!). He also sincerely believes that light bulbs and appliances have been enslaved by mankind and that he needs to save them (see the whole thing about releasing them into the wilderness to be free). Also, Megavolt apparently sees Mr. Banana Brain as a living entity just like Quackerjack does...in "Time and Punishment," Megavolt doesn't question it when, during a vote to decide where they are heading, Mr. Banana Brain was the deciding factor, and instead whined that the doll always sided with Quackerjack.
Other than that, he seems to get frazzled easily. He's generally quick to anger...especially if you call him "Sparky." Or doubt him. Or ask him too many questions, even though he might not remember that this is your first time asking! Really, it’s pretty easy to set him off. He's also prone to making electricity puns. Or stupid puns in general...remember what show we're watching, kids. :D; "Is this the lost and found? I guess so, because I found you, and you lose!"
He's likely claustrophobic - he remarks once that he has a phobia about small places.
I guess it's worth talking about the motives he has for being a criminal, too. Megavolt...I don't think you can really call him "evil." He's not that bad a guy, really! Yeah, I'm playing the misunderstood card here. Part of his criminal tendencies can probably be blamed on the whole fried brain thing - lack of inhibitions and sanity and all of that...not to mention the fact that he can be pretty emotional. But even then, all he really wants to do is save light bulbs. A little crazy, sure, but cut him some slack. He's helped save the city before! And he never turns down a chance to work with Darkwing! :> Going past the insanity though, I really think he feels like he doesn't have any other option. He's a wanted criminal, and everyone just sees him as a criminal, a villain, a freak. Given that all of this is fairly prevalent in his everyday life, it's likely that the thought of using his powers to help the city doesn't really cross his mind (in one episode, when St. Canard is on fire, Gosalyn asks why no one's been trying to put it out, and Quackerjack and Megavolt, who had apparently lost all hope because Darkwing wasn't doing anything about it after they begged him to, stopped and looked at one another, asking "put out the fire? Why didn't you think of that?!"). Honestly, I think with the right influences and given enough time, Megavolt could change. However, certain other influences would need to be massively toned down...such as the Fearsome Five. As long as his only "friends" are other villains, he's going to be staying that way.
Speaking of "friends"...he really is a lonely guy. Given that pretty much everyone in his universe sees him as a deranged criminal, he doesn't have a lot of options. Unfortunately, he's also pretty easily manipulated - the lack of sanity and timidness would probably lead to him not really questioning things.
Other: His powers revolve mostly around electricity. Aside from shooting bolts of electricity from his fingertips/hat (which he uses not only to inflict pain, but also move things around - he'll blast people or things with electricity and hold them up in the air, or carry them away!), he has also been known to control appliances (you'd think I only mean electronics, but he uh. Kind of zapped a kitchen sink and was able to ride around in it. Mostly his control of appliances involves him zapping them, and then having them attack Darkwing in some form), bring appliances to life (as in, they can talk and have personalities!), travel through cords and TV channels (actually, he and Darkwing canonically broke the fourth wall in this manner, traveling to our world where Darkwing Duck was a cartoon show...although it involved a "transmutonic atom splitter" overloading while they were in the TV. They had to use a helmet that tuned into their word in order for Megavolt to find the right frequency to return. It’s not likely an experience he’s eager to repeat), cause blackouts...just about anything that can be done with electricity, he can do it or make something that does. He can even do some things that don't really involve electricity...he created something that was able a steal a person's "nervous energy," leaving them as a statue; he also created a tron splitter that was able to split positrons from negatrons, or remerge them. So really, he's apparently pretty up on his physics and whatnot.
He can only hold a certain amount of power at once (regulated by the battery he wears on his back), and does end up needing to recharge. Due to his electrical nature, he shorts out whenever he gets wet, usually leaving him powered down, sizzling, and out of it.
Megavolt's usually spending downtime in his lighthouse, or in a house elsewhere within the city - after all, a villain should have more than one hideout, right? He also hangs out at the "Old Haunt," a bar in the bad part of town.