Episode 06 - Smoke & Mirrors

**Smoke & Mirrors** is the sixth episode of The Scratched Universe, split into two parts. Part 1 of Episode 6 was released September 2022, and Part 2 of Episode 6 was released over a year later in September.

## Smoke & Mirrors - Part 1

### Air date

September 23 2022

**Smoke & Mirrors - Part 1** is the 1st part of the sixth episode of The Scratched Universe. It was released September 23rd, 2022.

Work in progress…

## Trivia

* *Smoke & Mirrors* marks the debut of the series’ first female character through Smoke;
	+ Additionally, Smoke is the first character in the series to be ambiguous with their gender.
* This episode marks the first time the server backbone had been seen since *I for an Eye* despite being different locations;
	+ Additionally, this episode marks the first known time KIA had been inside a server’s backbone since Lazytropia #32.
* This episode debuts another deceased member of KIA’s former team since *Crossroads;*
* *Smoke & Mirrors* marks the first time since *The Distortion* in which an episode is split into two parts;
	+ Coincidentally, Episode 6 Part 1 was released just over a year after Episode 3 Part 1 was first released.
* Smoke marks the second character within the series to be personally voiced by Blackimus, the first being Foster in Episode 3;
	+ Additionally, this is the first episode within the series to utilize an AI TTS program beyond 15.ai.

## Smoke & Mirrors - Part 2

### Air date

September 30 2023

**Smoke & Mirrors - Part 2** is the second part of the sixth episode of The Scratched Universe. It was released September 30th, 2023.

Work in progress…

## Trivia

* This episode marks Veerus’ first appearance in over two years since *Crossroads,* surpassing KIA’s one year absence in the series;
* Cinder is the second female character introduced in the series;
	+ Additionally, it is implied that Cinder is (at the very least) bisexual as referenced in Smoke’s comment of her “switching sides faster than autobalance”.
* This is the first episode in the series to utilize multiple voice actors beyond Blackimus;
	+ Kirby (voice of Cinder) and YoungEphraim (voice of Terge and Heavy Guy) being the first two voice actors;
	+ In previous episodes, Blackimus primarily voiced characters that were not voiced by AI (primarily credited for the voices of Foster & Smoke).
	+ Additionally, this is the first episode within the series to utilize two other AI programs beyond 15.ai and Uberduck: Elevenlabs and kits.ai - totaling 4 AI programs.
* *Smoke & Mirrors - Part 2* marks the first episode Bonkbot had been absent since his debut in Episode 3;
* According to a community post Blackimus made prior to the episode’s release, the segment including Fixer was considered to be cut from the episode. The consideration, however, was reversed due to YoungEphraim voice acting Terge, which allowed Fixer's part to not be cut;
* It is revealed in this episode that the deceased Scout on KIA’s former team goes by the name Ace;
	+ Additionally, it is revealed (or implied) that, prior to being resurrected by the Acoleyet’s anomalous abilities, KIA went by the name Houston.
* This episode marks the official debut of Bravo since his cameo in *Crossroads;*

## Appearances (Parts 1 & 2)

* Heavy Guy - A Heavy class mercenary and stand user who teams up with KIA and Smoke to take back the server’s backbone. He specialises in brawling more than weaponry in regards to fighting
* Crush - Heavy Guy’s stand that specialises in short-range combat and abilities
* KIA - A Soldier class mercenary and stand user who teams up with Heavy Guy and Smoke to take back the server’s backbone. He is shown to have extensive knowledge on the Distorted, and is familiar with the Alien Walkers
* American Myth - KIA’s stand that specialises in ranged combat and abilities
* Smoke - A Pyro class mercenary who was once a Fragger prior to becoming a stand user. After mysterious events that saw Smoke become a stand user, they had been banned from multiple Fragging servers on accounts of ‘cheating’. They turned to the life of a Scrapper after learning how to control their stand, but has since teamed up with KIA and Heavy Guy
* Switcheroo - Smoke’s stand that specialises in ranged attacks, and appeared to Smoke under mysterious circumstances
* The Omen - A mysterious demonic stand that resides in Heavy Guy and acts as either a good or bad force. Currently its abilities are unknown, though it has been seen being able to reveal the future through riddles or direct/indirect speech. It is also implied it can foreshadow events that have yet to happen.
* The Distorted - Former mercenaries successfully transformed into puppets for the Alien race, killing anyone that gets in their way. The longer they remain alive, the more evolved they become. Distorted have shown to be resourceful and strategic, being able to blend in as ‘normal’ mercenaries. A notable Distorted in *Smoke & Mirrors* is a RED Engineer who had been actively running a derelict server for two weeks.
* Bruiser and Bulwark - Distorted variants with varying degrees of superhuman strength and healing factors
* Alien Walker - An arachnid-type robot of alien origin responsible for the Distorted and the invasion of the server networks. They are shown to be strategic and intelligent, with a ranking system differentiating lieutenants from the rest.
* The Commander (brief) - The implied leader in charge of the Alien invasion, shown to be cunning, intelligent and curious.
* Fixer - A Scout class mercenary currently working Server Janitorial Duty as a Server Cleaner. Currently suffering from PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt, and has vivid imagery of a deceased Hotrod seemingly tormenting him.
* Jumpsuit - A scout class mercenary and reformed serial killer currently working Server Janitorial Duty as a Server Cleaner. It has been implied that Jumpsuit may be familiar with the location of The Badlands, though the extent of this familiarity is unknown.
* Bonkbot (Part 1 only) - A custom built BLU Robot Scout intent on ensuring Fixer and Jumpsuit’s safety. It is implied he is starting to entertain the idea of being a superhero of sorts, though the extent of this is currently unknown.
* Terge and Skimmer (Part 2 only)- A Demoman and Sniper class mercenary respectively working Server Janitorial Duty as Server Cleaners. Terge used to work in construction/architecture, while Skimmer’s main job is illegal fishing.
* Molly (brief) - A custom built drone designed for janitorial duties, with advanced technology allowing her to spawn in items and organic matter such as tables and sandviches respectively.
* Cinder (Part 2 only) - A Pyro class mercenary working as a Scrapper, competent enough to carry tours on her own if need be. She is in a romantic relationship with Smoke.
* Foster, Dispatch & Bravo (Part 2 only) - Scout, Sniper and Spy class mercenaries (respectively) working as high ranking personnel for the V.A.C. Foster works as Commander, while Dispatch and Bravo work as Assassins within the Military sector.
* Veerus, CBS & The Gentleman (cameos)