oh look
a succubat was left
watch out!

They could still stay together

so does this mean that the little succubat on the ground is smart enough or has the capacity to care enough to realize it isnt really the time or place to latch on to the non-transformed dude while the two are having their moment?? cause thats actually kinda sweet

It could also simply still be stunned from earlier, or it might not be particularly compatible with him!
Though yeah, it having a sense of dramatic timing is totally sweet, too. :D

Awwww :c

My heart is full now.

Dang. This sequence of images made me feel just a little too hard.

You did a really good job of conveying the emotions.

Dang it why your cute batbutt demons gotta be givin me the FEELS, Ficus.

Nah. Succubat or not. I wouldn't abandon my friends.

most sad story ever, 5/5.

Would she still have the self control to not infect him? My only worry would be if the parasite can make her do it whether she wanted to or not.

She literally brushed a bat off of him in the last picture. She's not trying to infect him.

Parasites don't push hosts to infect others, they just push hosts towards helping the hive, by making hosts feel empathy for the hive. So like she'd feel bad if parasites are hurt now, when she was just batting them away moments ago. The succubat parasite has no direct control over the host's actions, aside from the tail and butt wings.

Ex: She could still be wrecking bats, it just like, feels wrong to now.

That's not as bad as I initially thought. Makes me feel a little better too

Sounds to me like She could still have friends without losing her friends outside the hive.
This may not be as bad for these two.

that other succubat creeping up tho

This legit gave me feels, what the heeeeck

Question, are Succubats instinctively inclined to want to transform there friends, if there friends want it or not?

She literally brushed a bat off of him in the last picture. She's not trying to infect him.

Parasites don't push hosts to infect others, they just push hosts towards helping the hive, by making hosts feel empathy for the hive. So like she'd feel bad if parasites are hurt now, when she was just batting them away moments ago. The succubat parasite has no direct control over the host's actions, aside from the tail and butt wings.

Succubats generally think being a succubat is good, and would like their loved ones to join them in the hive, where they can be with people they love without feeling ostracized. Whether a host believes they should force infection or not depends on the host. It wouldn't be the first time someone did something against a loved one's wishes for their own good, people don't need an external influence to do that sort of thing

Ah, did not notice that she was removing a alive bat in the last picture, I thought it was one of the dead ones from before, thank you for the clarification, and I was just wondering what 'instincts' are put into the succubats

Dead bats? What? That's terrible! I didn't draw any bats drying or being killed!!

Apologies again if i misunderstood the previous pictures, was a bit confused what status the bats in the bag were in on page two, and wasn't quite sure if the bat on this page was still mobile.

How could you make me feel my own feels like this.

This was a great sequence! Thank you for sharing it!

This series is something I've wanted to see in a long while, and its supplied a lot of answers to questions I've had. Thank you and the commissioner

Yeah I was really happy and surprised when Vyruem brought this to me

I am sad now

Aww... how sad. qwq

This hit one too many buttons for me. qwq

This is some of the best art I've ever seen. Keep up the amazing stories

This sequence adds extra depth and 'teh feels.'

<3

Awww...

................so I 'm not entirely sure how you're trying to frame this whole phenomenon.

Is being infected a good thing? Bad Thing?

It's a thing. Succubats are mostly beneficial to hosts, but come with social stigmas against Succubats. (Plus any brain change, no matter how minor, is too much for some people.)

While I know the commissioned pictures are people who in the end wanted to be turned, the lore you've painted for the bats says that feral ones will attach to anything compatible, correct? And depending on the host, hosts themselves have no issues forcing this on others. So wouldn't some of the stigma come not just from mental changes, but bodily changes that can very literally be forced on others, wanted or not, and that these changes are basically permanent with no real chance of reversing them?

I mean, maybe, but I also don't think every reason, or even the main or root cause for a stigma needs to be legitimate.

Looking back on this, especially after reading through the varied opinions of those involved, I feel this is a rather interesting series of questions to pose. One can't say these parasites are "only good" if scenarios like this are likely.

On a scroll through of comments on here and other posts, I'm so so SO sorry people aren't getting what's going on.
There's some serious feels here, and I dunno if it's just my personal experience coloring it but succubat parasites = being trans/gay/queer/etc is a really heavy analogy. Especially with how people are reacting to your depiction of this.

So hey, good work. As always, I never really comment much, but I love just about everything you post and you're a rather strong inspiration on my work lately ^^;

This. Kind of why it clicked so much for me

I'm a queer trans woman, I'm glad this series resonates so well with people (tbh I'm kinda glad there are some who don't get it at all, the contrast between the two is amusing :v)

I thought I went too heavy on the allegory in these descriptions, I'm starting to think that its impossible to be too explicit

oh nono, it felt really heavy but I hate to assume things are an analogy when they're not. "my own experience is clearly everyone elses" isn't my style XD

i agree with this

So, do succubats have any natural predators? Do they integrate with other parasites well or do they naturally have some kind of hostility with possible competition? Would love some kind of ecology thing on them. ^-^

Natural predators include: Cats, dogs, large birds, most predators tbh.

I don't understand the second question

The second part would be stuff like other parasites that latch onto folks. Thought that they might mark them as competition sinse that would be something else in the way of them expanding the hive and using up the potential host supply in the area. I guess it might all vary from hive to hive though. Might have a few symbiotic relations with some and hive wars with others. On another note, what do succubats do when there are no hosts in an area? Does the death of a host harm the bat or vice versa? Can succubats feed off of anything while searching for a host for an extended period of time? And finally, what do they do to protect themselves from predators? /questionspam sry x3

I haven't made other parasites comparable to succubats so it's hard for me to answer with specific examples, or talk about how compatible or not they are

Succubats can hunt bugs and small animals. They'd have and be caring for a queen, but the queen wouldn't be growing like if she had a host.

The succubat will pass away with the host, the host doesn't pass away with the bat (though, they do lose use of their tail, at minimum)

Yes, succubats can eat.

Succubats protect themselves from predators through numbers, protecting the queen, but mostly, they attach to bigger, more capable things, like people.

This makes me sad I hope it has a happy ending someday

There is a little more planned. Shh...

I would have ran.

The hive commands are above friends or family. I guess that why hes so struck by grief.

I don't understand what you mean by the first part.

You said who gets transformed will care for it's hive. I assumed that would be more important for them than friends.

It's not some sort of mind control. The host has strong empathy for other hive members and the queen, and feels crummy if they don't help, or if things go bad for the hive, same as one might when ignoring familial responsibilities

There are a wide variety of external reasons hosts grow distant from non hosts, and the parasite'a influence is not one of them. It's not relaying them orders, our linking them up to some fantasy collective intelligence. It just pushes them towards helping the hive, and leaves all the thinking and choices to the host.

This little sequence got me really sad… Both comic and story in description are really touching. Amazing job. Keep it up

Lurker comment here. And sorry bit of a long one. Hope I don't get jumped on too much over this. Nervous to put my thoughts down, I don't know why, but this one I've been legitimately thinking about all day. It's just gotten me so fixated on it, but it's been tugging at my darker thoughts. It's a really sad series and I think with how I've been thinking lately it's just gotten my head in a spin. And it really has me wondering on where (and if) it will have a further story considering that this is already a sequel. Will he crack and then join them out of pure sadness losing his friend to an unknown? Or do they find a way to remove the succubat and restore her back to normal or semi-normalcy somehow?

Now I don't know all too much about the Succubats parasites, and I know from prior drawings they're mostly critters that TF a character into having satyr/demon-ish characteristics. And I mostly wrote them off as that it was small cannon for doing a change to a character, all things considering since I love alot of your transformation art Ficus. It's one of the biggest reasons I follow you. But after reading this one I guess it's a lot more depressing knowing that it sounds like there is no way of changing back for the affected to have any prior normalcy, especially considering that it doesn't seem warranted by the characters. This drawing especially just made me empathize with the Red guy here.

I'm confused on how the whole turning works, and I will completely admit because of lack of research I'm sure I'm wrong somewhere. But this change that's now unwillingly occurred it's like the host is now a different person altogether. And the way it seem to be depicted the new host just seemed to lose a bit of what she once was. Taking context from the prior page's descriptions of "It's the same host, same person as always" is what confuses me, as considering throughout these panels the woman hasn't ever seem upset or afraid at what she's now become, and can't seem to understand why the male is in such agony over it, "grieving as if they we're dead." Especially with the panel of receiving the card from your OC. She seems confused more than anything like nothing has happened and why would I need to seek help?

If all is assuming that it's the same person, same thoughts, same everything besides the change, and the strange desire to help the succubats now slowly diffusing into her thoughts. I would have thought to seen her breaking down just as much. So is why I'm now feeling more like it's something of the scenario of a clone, with implanted memories. For the guy, she'll never be the original (perhaps ever again) loved one he's cared about, instead an imposter that looks like the old person he's deeply cared about. There's also a contradiction I feel somewhere after reading some of the other comments. The again the parasites don't directly control their host's thoughts besides pushing the desire to help the queen and other succubats. And reason for why she swatted one away earlier. But at the same time it makes me then question how that desire doesn't interfere and not sway her to try and get him to join? How strong is the desire to help the queen/parasites, and when does it make a person snap to the point they're then lost to these creatures? And if it's not very strong, then what actually incentivizes hosts to comply with their parasites at all?

I'm going to close with that I wish I could just give Red a big hug as well. He seems so distraught, and just tugged on my heart strings. It's really riding my mood here in that I wish he could be happy since he seems like he's in such a dark place. I hope the best for both of them if the story continues.

You should look at the most recent images.

Well I wasn't expecting to get a reply. It's been awhile since posting. I actually met with Vyruem the commissioner to this. And I know of the newer drawings. I got a lot of depth on his own reasons for having these done. I still don't enjoy these TF's for their forced nature/against will. It does bother me, however I'm glad for the characters sake that they are still together and happy with each other.

What did he say?

It's a lot of symbolism actually in this drawing. Metaphors of things that had been going on in his life. Besides the content already depicted. There's just a lot that he's also personally been dealing with. But yeah, We've actually became pretty good friends since then. We both kind of really bonded over the mutual empathy.

Mutual empathy?

Ahh? Embarrassing >//<, but just we both were emotional over it. And from that, we became friends is all.

Ah, I see. Idk, part of me didn't really like how it turned out in the end. I mean it was predictable but I was hoping for something more... nuanced?

I guess I don't quite know what you mean. But honestly it's okay. The point of this commission was to get people thinking, and feeling about it more. It's supposed to cause a reaction. I know for me it definitely hit an accord. And it seems for others too, it likewise did. Rather than keep cluttering the comments. If you want to go and ask further. I'd say best bet would be to actually talk to Vy then who commissioned it. Or continue this in notes?

Holy moly. Someone here actually has the same thoughts as me about this whole thing. :D I was actually planning on writing long paragraphs about this series like you did, but then I tried searching for comments everywhere, hoping that they would start asking the same things. And then I found you. XD I'm really glad someone has the exact same thoughts as me.

I hope I'm not being weird or anything. ^^; I know your comment is kind of old, but It's just nice to see someone has the same exact thoughts about this series as me. I've also been thinking about this whole thing all day, it confuses me how it's "same person, thoughts, but suddenly wants to help the succubats", basically everything you said. I mean, no offense to the artist of this series, but this series.....really is sad. I read the other comments as well, so I know this series is supposed to be based off of real stuff that's happening, but I can't help but wonder IF stuff like these succubats or parasites were real, I'd be like that red guy who is clearly distraught right now. (Yes, I saw the part where he gets infected and joins, but to me, I feel that wouldn't work on me.) It would just destroy me if someone I loved was fighting against these things, got infected, and then all of a sudden turned FOR them. I'm sorry, but being forced the thought of all of a sudden just help them AND never having the option to change back really gets me.

I know it ain't real, but I do wonder if something like this were to happen, how would everyone feel about it? Would we retaliate or would we fight back? (Personally, I'd fight back. I explained why in the last paragraph.) Anyways, thanks for actually commenting the same thoughts I had. XD I'm usually a pussy when it comes to expressing my thoughts, but when I saw yours, it made me happy someone did it for me. XD I do hope you reply or preferably PM me about this whole thing soon. It's always nice to discuss things like this with other people. ^^ Up to you, of course. XD Just thanks for commenting. <3

Heh. It's alright no your fine. After commenting this, and also seeing others comment on it too, I've realized I will probably have more people also view my comment and give their thoughts on the matter. It's okay. Honestly it's been awhile now since this comic series has been drawn. And I have seen the conclusion. I don't know really quite how to feel about it anymore? After many long talks actually with Vyruem, it still kind of brings me anxiety even though it is a fictional tale. I dunno exactly what to think anymore. It's just troubling with no real answer yet as to what can be done with the succubats. There still isn't enough answers to the many questions we have over them.

I will say this, while it still is upsetting to see those who are unwillingly changed in these series, I'm happy for those who do volunteer and welcome it and are prepared for it. It still make me want to help those who unwillingly we're changed. Finding them help, or eventually a way so that they might be able to change back if they were never able to find happiness with the swarm. I wish I had more answers, but until Ficus continues adding to the story, I dunno if we'll quite get them. I'll send you a note for sure if you want to discuss further. I would say though if this really has affected you, perhaps talking to Vy might help? He's pretty understanding, and has helped me kind of calm down and vent over his series a couple times. We've been great friends ever since we talked about this whole deal.

I love this.
This is what i like to call 'pointless drama' and i LOVE it!!!
XD

This open the wonderful opinion for a story where love win over all hard ships and where looking at the set up.

This is just so powerful and thoughtful, I love it to bits!

Literally a case of "everything about this is so good," I'm not even joking. Usually TF content happens in a bit of a vacuum, so showing the fallout of an outwardly drastic change is really, really fascinating to me.

oh my god, this feels so sad ;A; why is my mind making connections between this and being transgender?? TAT

This is actually really dark, because the way the parasites control their hosts is basically an emotional shock collar. Want to tell your anti-succubat friends where the hive is? You can't even try, you feel like a horrible monster for even considering it. Can't do anything more than gently discourage bats from infecting your friends, because doing anything harmful or permanent to them - no, even thinking about doing it - would fill you with such shame, guilt, and self-loathing as to send you to your knees.

I do see the parallel with transgender people trying to convince their friends that nothing has changed and that they're still the same person, but honestly it gets kinda lost in just how nasty the succubat parasites are.

Art's amazing tho.

I still struggle to see how it compares to transgender people at all. Being transgender is an internal thing, not something forced through external factors. This however is definitely the latter. It'd like be comparing being transgender to a plague that people can literally catch... that's not really it *at all*, people don't catch being transgender, they just are.

This is such a neat insight into the changes, wow.

And then this happened: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/25546783/

go be cis at someone else.