Power-Up

The **power-up** is a frequent self-usage ability in the VGHW franchise. It made its debut in *VGHW: The Original Saga - Episode VI (The Mini Movie)*, and is a significant resource in any entity's arsenal. The power-up allows users to tap into substantial amounts of energy to regenerate their strength and amplify the potency of their existing abilities, specifically the laser cannons, spirit missiles, and shockwaves. This dramatic increase in power enables them to launch more devastating attacks or withstand greater levels of damage, essentially providing a significant advantage in high-stakes battles.

This formidable power is derived from both Wexler's power machine and Owl's completed keyboard, two pivotal elements that play a major role in the acquisition of powers in the VGHW universe. These sources not only grant the entities their abilities but also allow them to harness the power-up's remarkable restorative and enhancing properties.

Despite its obvious advantages, the power-up has been observed to be used somewhat sparingly by the entities, likely due to its considerable energy requirements. The decision to use power-up involves a tactical balance, as it necessitates a massive energy expenditure, which could potentially leave the user vulnerable or weakened post-use. Therefore, its deployment often comes at pivotal moments during battles, when the risk of its high energy consumption is outweighed by the potential benefits of increased strength and power.

In the realm of VGHW, where power plays and strategic choices determine the outcome of battles, the power-up is a tool of immense significance. Though its high energy demands make it a hesitant choice for many, the utility it provides in the heat of combat often makes it a game-changer, bolstering the user's abilities at crucial junctures and turning the tide of battles.

## Profile

When a power-up is activated, it manifests in one of two forms, both of which are visually distinctive and signify a significant surge in the user's abilities. The first, more frequently observed form is the Yellow Ring. As the power-up is deployed, a vibrant ring of yellow light radiates around the user, serving as a striking visual indicator of the power surge. This yellow light is not only visually stunning but also signifies the entity's significantly boosted strength and energy.

The second form of manifestation is the Purple Ring, which functions similarly to the Yellow Ring but with a distinctive purple hue. While the underlying mechanisms that determine whether a power-up generates a Yellow or Purple Ring remain unknown, both result in comparable boosts to the user's powers.

Both rings last for a duration of about 3 to 4 seconds, during which a major energy ripple emanates from the user, signifying the completion of the power-up process. Once the power-up is fully activated, users experience a substantial amplification in the damage dealt by their solar-powered projectile abilities, notably the laser cannon and spirit missiles. This boost also significantly enhances the user's strength, leading to more potent shockwaves.

The power-up, therefore, serves as a strategic tool for entities, allowing them to turn the tide of battle through a temporary but substantial increase in their combat capabilities. The visual spectacle of the Yellow or Purple Ring serves not only as a dramatic visual marker, but also as a warning sign to opponents, signaling the imminent unleashing of more potent attacks.

## Origin

The power-up ability was born out of the technological innovations made by Owl in his modified keyboard, and Wexler in his power machine. This power enhancement ability works by leveraging solar energy, thereby significantly increasing the potency of solar-dependent projectile powers such as the laser cannon and spirit missiles.

The functionality of the power-up is based on an amplification principle, where it intensifies the solar radiation projected by the user's solar-based projectile abilities. This process naturally requires a greater amount of energy, resulting in heightened output in terms of the strength of the laser cannon and spirit missile beams. However, this increased power output comes at a cost.

The use of the power-up places a substantial demand on the energy reserves of the user. While the boosted damage output can give a user the upper hand in battle, this is balanced by a marked increase in fatigue post-usage. Following the activation of a power-up, users might find themselves in a state of heightened exhaustion, necessitating a prolonged recovery period.

This is particularly the case when the power-up is utilized in conjunction with the Spirit Missiles, an ability that in itself is incredibly energy-intensive. When used in conjunction, the power-up and Spirit Missiles can deliver an overwhelming amount of damage but will also significantly deplete the user's energy reserves, leaving them highly fatigued and necessitating an extended recovery period.

Therefore, while the power-up provides a formidable advantage in battles, it requires strategic usage to balance the immense increase in power with the resultant energy expenditure and recovery time.

## Important Uses

The power-up ability played a pivotal role in many of the intense battles that unfolded between Wexler and the Brother in the VGHW franchise. This tactical move was often deployed by the two adversaries prior to unleashing a shockwave, aiming to maximize the resultant damage and gain an edge in combat.

Further, it was common practice for Wexler and the Brother to power-up prior to deploying the laser cannon. This strategy would drastically increase the effectiveness of the laser cannon, making it an even more formidable weapon. Such a choice, however, was not without its repercussions. The power-up, despite its clear advantages, was often used sparingly due to its high energy cost.

Engaging the power-up drained significant amounts of energy, leaving the user in a state of heightened fatigue. This high energy consumption made the power-up a risky choice, one that had to be used strategically to ensure the user was not left too depleted to continue the fight.

The power-up, if used in combination with the spirit missiles, had the potential to create the most potent special ability known in the VGHW franchise. Although there were no known instances of this combination being employed in the storyline, the theoretical damage caused by this pairing would be colossal - reaching nearly 600,000 volts.

This hypothetical scenario represents the maximum potential of the power-up ability and demonstrates the incredible stakes at play within the VGHW franchise. The decision to use the power-up was a significant strategic decision, requiring a careful balance between immediate gain and the potentially exhausting after-effects.

## Possessors and Sources:

In order of which they **originally** got them:

* Owl: Keyboard (2015)
* The Brother: Keyboard (2015)
* Chris Seelig: Keyboard (2015)
* Jason Wexler: Power machine (2015)
* Remy Erdman: Power machine (2015)
* The Ghost: Wexler/The Brother (2016)