Dogmites

## Dogmite

Dogmites are a sentient Byproduct created by Users of the Dogma Transformation. They consist of clusters of sentient matter turned into an organic colony, similar to the Siphonophores, that feed of raw energy to survive. When attached to an organic being, it will begin a borderline Parasitic relationship with the host in a fashion similar to the original Dogma: stealing energy and releasing a neurological stimulant that clouds the holder's memory- or in later stages, inflicting the host with personality-altering side effects- in exchange for increased protection and boosting power. What is different, however, is that at the end of the life cycle of a Dogmite, is that they typically won't kill the host- instead, splitting off and reverting to a lower stage.

Dogmite have the remarkable ability to retain genetic memories form their host and use the information gained from the memories to predict reactions the host would have had, potentially even causing a pseudo-resurrection; Although, this is not really the original host, but a collection of Dogmite organisms predicting and acting as the original would, with a frightening accuracy.

## Life Cycle[1]

The Dogmite has a series of stages composing of it's life cycle:

**Stage 0: Formation**

Dogmites are formed from overloading the Dogma Transformation with massive amounts of energy, such as a lethal blast attack that destroys the host. The self-preservation instincts of the transformation causes it to rip off as much of the user as possible before fleeing at a rapid pace. From there, it has between 24-48 hours to find a new host before losing all it's energy and dying off.

*Threat level: Low. Termination achievable through standard means or by avoidance.*

**Stage 1: Concealment**

Dogmites that find a host remain within their system as a background entity, pumping itself through the blood stream bit by bit, until small pieces of the Dogmite are within every major organ. There is no guarantee if it will succeed or not, as bodies with an exceptional immune system could end up killing off the Dogmite before it takes root. If it takes root, it will begin releasing small traces of chemicals necessary for them to function. (EX: Naringenin for the Liver, or Serotonin for the brain.) There it will simply linger, absorbing energy, until it has infected the body's Immune System is infected entirely, evolving it to stage 2.

When patrolling in a Dogmite-Infested timeline, be on the look out for the following symptoms, as it might be a sign of Dogmite Infection:

*Shortness of breathe, chest pain, feelings of invincibility, excessive sweating, high fever, blurry vision, headaches, heightened senses, random feelings of euphoria, feeling of being drained. Weaker patrollers might lose their ability to use Ki or fly entirely.*

*Threat level: Moderately Low. Termination achievable through Extreme Heat Therapy, or antibiotic treatment.*

**Stage 2: Dogma Replication**

Dogmites reaching stage 3 spread further into the body, becoming a thing organic shell around the organs. The energy consumption increases dramatically, with far more noticeable results. It is during this stage that the Dogmites can perform the Automatic Dogma Transformation if the infected is hit with an extreme amount of energy, such as an Kamehameha Wave. During this stage, hosts may notice an escalation of Stage 1 symptoms, as the Dogmite tried to make it impossible for the Host to live without it. Once it absorbs enough energy, either through stealing it from the host, or using Dogma on energy attacks, it will evolve to Stage 3.

*Threat Lever: Moderately High. Termination achievable through Extreme Heat Exposure Therapy, or termination of host.*

**Stage 3: Reproduction**

Fully integrated into the system, Dogmite Infected may begin experience personality changes, depending on their mental health. It is during this time that the Dogmites begin a sort of feeding frenzy, eating as much energy as possible without killing the host. If allowed, the Dogmite will reproduce Asexually, forcing the host to vomit out between 1-4 Stage 0 Dogmite Variants, and reverting to Stage 2. Additionally, after reverting to Stage 2, Dogma the host's body integrate the Dogmite into its system, allowing Dogma to be activated at will.

*Threat Level: High. Termination achievable through Repeated Extreme Heat Therapy or Termination of Host.*

**Stage 4: Completion**

On rare occasions, after repeated Stage 3 expulsion, a genetic change will occur within the host, as Dogma releases the Genetic Memory of the previous host into the current host's body. This may result in personality shifts, or even a complete memory wipe of the current Host, allowing the Dogmite to take complete control. There is no recovery from this stage, and it's only goal is to create more Dogmite.

*Threat Level: Extremely High. Terminate host immediately.*

## Variants

**Variant A: Stage 0.1**

Produces from stage 3 infections, these function identically to Stage 0 Dogmites, with two main exceptions:

1: They are completely stable and filled with energy, able to survive weeks, even months, without a host.

2: They are capable of shifting their body to manipulate the energy within them, and form parts of their previous host.

They should be dealt with the same way as Stage 0 Dogmites.

**Variant B: Unified**

Unified Dogmites form from colonies of Stage 0 and Stage 0.1 forming into a singular entity. This can be an amorphous pile of sludge, or it could be in the form of a Host they might share, able to act like them through heir Genetic Memories. This is an incomplete transformation, however, as 9 times out fo 10, there are extremely telling signs of the combination failing. These include:

* Black lines on the body which show the different Dogmites forms.
* Constantly dripping sludge.
* Incorrect vocal tones and pitches.
* Creating their image after dead people

They all still share the same goal, however: Breed and Consume Energy. Oddly, though, they no longer have the need to constantly gather energy- Instead, they seem to act as the host would, stealing only when necessary. It's unknown why, but the running theory is that the Genetic Memory is overpowering their base instincts to self-sustain, which is only surpassed in times of need. Because of this, though, they lose access to the Dogma Transformation.

*Threat Level: Moderate. Termination possible through cellular collapse or destructive beams.*