Devius Ex Machina

Page 17. Tristan rushes up to Bambi, grabbing him into a hug. Bambi: "hrK". Tristan starts to cry happy tears while Bambi puts his hands around his back. Behind Tristan's head is a nearby glowing, illuminating the back side of his hair. There is a heart that glows between both of them as a silhouette of Dave holding onto his own chest is shown in the background. The glow is bright. Familiar.

Page 18. Tristan: "How far can you teleport?? How does your teleport work?? Do you know anyone selse with powers?? Ohmygosh you (snff) have to tell me EVERYTHING!!! Can you control it??> Where did your powers show up?? Can you do other stuff too?? Where did you get your powers??" Bambi: "I answer one question. Then you sleep." He puts his his finger up in front of Tristan. Tristan: "Just one- okay, okay- ummmm mmmmmmmmmmm" he's shaking his hand back and forth, then says, "Wait. WAIT. Wait a minute- WAIT. A. MINUTE." Bambi is smiling. Tristan: "You don't have a car so you get here on foot, but walking by foot takes too long because Fort Geraldson is our closest town and you don't live there, and you're coming here every day so it's impractical to be walking here every day with enough time to sleep, and you can seemingly VANISH without me ever seeing how you leave, THEREFORE- The only logical conclusion, based on the evidence I have is-"

Page 19. A mind image shows Bambi teleporting from his theoretical house (how Tristan imagines it) to their house. Tristan: "YOU TELEPORT TO GET HERE!!!!" He's all excited. Bambi: "That's not a question" Tristan: "DO YOU TELEPORT TO GET HERE?" Bambi: "Yes." Tristan stomps down, placing his hands on his knees before exclaiming, "YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!" Tristan, thinking: "I DID IT!!! I FIGURED IT OUT ON MY OWN!!!!!" He lifted his hands up in the air in fists while grinning. Bambi: "Go sleep now" Tristan: "Will- will you come back tomorrow to tell me more??" Bambi: "Yes" Dave: "And the sooner you go to bed, the sooner tomorrow will come!"

Page 20. Tristan is lying down in his bed next to Rammy in his room in the dark. There are lots of posters and figurines on his walls and desk, including Fortnite Llama, a space poster, Garnet's gemstones, HeartGold, and a pickaxe. Rammy: "Are you still awake?" Tristan: "I'M SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY SLEEP!!!"

(5/5)

Page 13. Panel 1 shows a shocked Tristan as he's staring straight up. He's thinking, "BAMBI-- DID HE JUST-?! HE... HE'S..." Panel 2 shows him looking down as a bright light glows behind him, "LIKE... US?" Tristan: "BAMBI'S LIKE US?????" He lifts himself up and bumps his head against a chair above him. "YEOW!!" Dave turns around: "Wh--"

Page 14. Tristan is rubbing the part where he slammed his head against, "Owwww". Dave: "Tristan, what are you doing out of bed?" Tristan, thinking: "CRAP!!!!!!" Dave: "How did you even-- Oh. Ohhh. Bambi woke you up, huh." Rubbing his head his forehead with his hand. Tristan: "...Yeah! He woke me up!!" Tristan, thinking: "Phew, I'm saved!!" Dave: "Wha-- what did you just say? Bambi's-" Tristan: "Like us!!! Bambi teleports like us!!!" Gets up as stars appear behind him to express his excitement. Dave: "Oh." Tristan: "And he just-- he did it because he wanted to!! To go get something, Dad!! He can-- he can-- he can just--" Dave, inhales: "Ohhhhhh. Okay." Tristan: "He doesn't have to do it when he's scared!! How does he do that??? Do you think he can- can he go anywhere he wants?? Dave: "Tristan. Honey. We can talk about this when it's not way past your bedtime-" Bambi, re-apprears in front of them, 'poof': "Had to move around songs to make room."

Page 15. Tristan: "(gaaaasp)" Dave is holding his hand against his face. Bambi: "...What? You awake. It's late. What happened?" Tristan: "BAMBI YOU CAN-" he freezes. He looks at Dave's who's, 'Not reacting?" and who's looking to the side away from the other two. Bambi: "What??" He also looks at Dave. Tristan: "...Waaaiiiit a minute. YOU ALREADY KNEW AND DIDN'T TELL ME????????" Visibly upset. Dave: "Okay, buddy, please calm down-" Puts arms up in front of Tristan. Bambi: "Not tell you what??" Tristan: "THAT YOU CAN TELEPORT!!!" Bambi: "...He didn't tell you??" There are three question marks around his head. Tristan: "THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYIN'!!!!!" Dave: "Okay, everyone, PLEASE, just- a second-" Placing his hands on his head and grimacing.

Page 16. Dave puts his hands over his mouth as they are clasped together before lowering them in the next panel. Dave: "Look. It's. Very late. And I know this is. VERY interesting but this would be... better discussed when we've all had a good night's sleep." Tristan: "B-But Dad, this is IMPORTANT!!! We gotta talk about it NOW!! Does Bambi known we have powers too??" Bambi: "We?" Tristan: "Dad and me can teleport, too!!!" Tristan: "We've-- we've never met ANYONE who has powers before!! We thought we were the only ones!! But you do! That's- that's- that's so cool!!!!! That means w-we're not alone anymore!!!" Tristan's eyes light up. He looks at Bambi. Tristan, talking quietly: "We're... not alone anymore."

(4/5)

Page 9. Tristan, thinking: "This is harder than I thought. Maybe I can try tomorrow..." He hears knocking at the door, -Knock knock- Dave: "Heyy. You brushed and flossed?" Tristan: "Yeaah.." Dave: "Hm, someone sounds down in the dumps." Tristan: "I just wish I didn't have to go to bed so early..." Dave: "Yeah, I know, it's dumb and lame, but trust me, it's vastly preferable to staying up late. It hurts your brain development to be sleep deprived at your age." Tristan: "But you and Bambi stay up later than me all the time..." Dave: "That's because our brains are done growing." Tristan: "...But aren't you still tired when you do that?" Dave: "Adults can make informed decisions to do stupid things. Tristan: "ghehehe-" Dave: I get it, you love hanging out with Bambi. But he'll always come back here another day." Tristan: "How come he's coming over so often now, anyways?" Dave smiles: "I think... he just really likes us." Tristan beams with joy. Dave: "Okay, goodnight. Don't let the bed bugs bite." Tristan: "Rammy is an expert at defeating bed bugs!!!" Dave: "That he is." He gives Tristan a peck on his head.

Page 10. Tristan is playing away on his DS with Rammy sitting next to him. Then all of a sudden, music starts blarring. "STUCK IN THIS HOLE WITH THE SHIT AND THE PSS AND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT COULD Comp----" Tristan lifts his head up as Rammy does the same thing. They both look at each other. Tristan, whispering: "Was that... what song was that??" Rammy, whispering: "That song had a swear word in it." Tristam whispering: "We're not allowed to listen to songs with level 2 swears!" Both of them look at each other, Rammy nervous. Rammy, whispering: "This is risky, Tristy..." Tristan, whispering: "He wouldn't be mad if I said it woke me up, though... right?" Tristan is seen opening the door to the hallway.

Page 11. Tristan is going down the elevator, he's thinking, "Are they playing the song again?" Elevator: "VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....... ding" Bambi, in the background: "Play that part again." Song: "THE HOPES AND PRAAAAYS THE BETTER DAAAAAYS "THE FAR AWAAAAYS "FORGET IT, FORGET IT "IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY YOU WANTED IT TO "IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY YOU WANTED IT, DID IT? "IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY YOU WANT IT TO "IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY YOU WANTED IT, DID IT? "NOOOWW YOU KNOWW "THIS IS WHAT IT FEEEELS LIIIIKE "NOOOOWWW YOU KNOWWW" Tristan, thinking: "...What's all that noise??? is that a- guitar?? Who's playing that???" Song: "THIS IS WHAT IT FEEELS LIKE-" Dave: "Dude. Why did you never tell me you could play the guitar????? You're really good!" Bambi: "People say cool, play something for me! And then hate me when they hear what I play!" Bambi: "Everyone say they like music until it's angry and loud and about things they not understand- but that kind of music is the only one that understands ME! You never play it, so I assumed you like everyone else." Dave: "I mean. Yeah. I don't play it because Tristan doesn't need to be hearing Trent Reznor screaming about mental illness." Tristan, thinking: "Trent Reznor? Is that the song guy?" Dave: "But I asked you... days ago what kinds of things you like. You're not shy about anything. Why not tell me you at least like music?" Bambi: "Bah! I don't just LIKE music, Dave. It's part of my SOUL!! I have tens of thousands" The rest of what Bambi says is partially cut off. While they talk, Tristan crawls on all fours closer to them.

Page 12. Bambi: "But I never hear anything like this before !! Play me the whole thing so I can save it too!!" Tristan is hiding behind a table with chairs. Dave: "...Yeah, sure! Let's just, uh, do that outside this time." Bambi: "I be right back. Need to get recorder." Tristan, thinking: "...Wait, where did Bambi get a-" Tristan witnessed how Bambi disappeared in front of him. "POOF"ed away.

(3/5)

Page 5. Panel of him standing between the gates. He starts walking. Tristan, thinking: "Hmm... He must be getting around the front gate... because normally NO ONE can get in without Dad letting them in. And if Dad isn't going to the front game to let him in..." Tristan, thinking: "...then maybe I can catch him right when he gets here!!!" There is an even bigger gate in front of him. He sits down, thinking, "Now where does he come in from... hmmmm..." He waits around, taps on his face, checks on a leave then hears a -snap-, gasping. Tristan: "Bambi???" He smiles before his face drops. He thinks, "Rats."

Page 6. Tristan is thinking, "...It's been more than a few minutes by now... right? And Bambi's never late..." Tristan, thinking: "...so he has to already be here, right? ...But where is he??? Did he get in through climbing a different wall?? Did he-" Someone tapped on Tristan's shoulder. Bambi: "Whatchu doing out here?" Tristan freezes, before saying, "Wh- WNWWBBOBFGMPFBWWWHFHC-" while flailing his arms around. Tristan: "HOW DID YOU GET HERE?????" Bambi: "I sh-" Tristan: "WAIT DONT TELL ME"

Page 7. A caption above says, "LATER". Tristan is petting Chello while laying chest on the ground. Dave and Bambi are talking in the background. Dave: "Oh, come on. You won't even try my popcorn? That's corn." Bambi: "NO." Dave: "Tch- alright, alright." Tristan looks over at them. Bambi, in a whispering tone: "You look bad. You sleep?" Dave: "Uh-- I'm fine." Bambi: "Mm." Dave: "It's fine." Tristan looks down at Chello again. She stretches, says, "Mrrp" and walks over to Dave. Dave: "Oh- hey, girlie. C'mere." Tristan looks down onto the ground and places two hands under his head to hold it. Tristan: "Man, being a cat must be awesome." Some time later, Tristan is explaining some of his Pokemon to Bambi. Tristan: "And I got THIS one on my 6th birthday from a HUUUUUGE pack that Dad bought me and it came with a bunch of other rare stuff too. But this one is my favorite because Ho-Oh was the first legendary Pokemon I ever caught and I caught him just a few weeks before I got this card so its REALLY special. And the whole card is made up of TWO cards I still just have the top half but the whole thing together looks really cool and I'm saving up my money to get more booster packs and get the bottom half!!!!" Tristan: "Here, you can have these two cards! They remind me of you!!!" Bambi looks at the cards. Bambi: "G...gyah...geeya..?" Tristan: "Gyarados!! It's a super cool Pokemon!! Most people think it's just scary and angry but I think its really cool, because making friends with one means they really trust you!!"

Page 8. Bambi looks at the card. Tristan: "Do... you like it?" A smile creeps up on Bambi's face as he says, "I like Gyarados. I keep this safe." which makes Tristan light up. Dave: "Hey bud, it's past 9." Bambi puts the card in his pocket as Tristan looks at Dave, bewildered. Tristan: "Nooooooo!!" Tristan, thinking: "NOW I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW HE GETS HOME EITHER!!!!" Dave: "Sorry kiddo, it's your bedtime. You can see him another day!" Tristan: "B-but-- can't I stay up late just ooooonce? Please? Dave, crossing his arms: "Only on New Years. You got half a year left." Tristan makes a, 'Boowomp' face. He's going up the elevator, as the word, "phooey" is below his panel. The elevator goes, "VRRRRRRRRRRRRRr"

(2/5)

Alt text kindly written by Thomas. A 20 page sketch comic for Devius Ex Machina called Revelation. The first panel displays Tristan looking at a piece of paper while holding a pencil; he's thinking. His off-colored Rampardos plush, Rammy, looks over to him, asking, "Whatcha thinkin' about, bud?" Tristan: "Mmmm... this doesn't add up..." Rammy: "Run it by me?" Tristan: "Okay. Here's the deets." A couple of mind images flash by the screen as Tristan explains what's up. Tristan: "So, Bambi. You know him." Rammy: "But of course." Tristan: "And how he's been here all the time now. Which is awesome!!! ...But that's the problem, actually." Rammy: "Oh? How?" Tristan: "Exactly! HOW!" A panel shows Tristan tapping his pencil on the sheet of paper he was writing his notes on the matter on. Tristan: "Like. He doesn't have a car. So he gets here by foot- but he doesn't live here OR in Fort Geraldson. Ford Geraldson is our nearest town, and that takes 30 minutes just to DRIVE there!"

Page 2. Tristan points at the bottom of his page. Tristan: "The next closest place is even FURTHER, like an HOUR away! To DRIVE! It's even longer if you walked! So if he was walking every time, then he'd be, like, walking a really long time here and back. How does he sleep enough? But even IF he really is doing that, then how come I never see when he leaves??" Mind image of Tristan standing and then a silhouette of Bambi with a caption pointing at him saying, "WHERE'D HE GO???" Tristan: "It's... WEIRD. And doesn't make ANY sense! But nobody else seems to think it's weird? ...Which is ALSO weird?? Rammy: "Strange. Is it possible he stays under cover to not draw attention to himself?" Tristan: "Maybe, but why around us, too? This place is made for people like him to feel safe! And it still doesn't explain why nobody... walks about it????" Rammy looks to the side then says, "Why not ask Bambi? Tristan: "I mean... I COULD... But just getting the answer isn't fun. And I don't learn anything! Figuring out things that are hard or confusing is good for my brain!" Tristan: "I just... have to figure it out... somehow..." Tristan is looking to the side, thinking.

Page 3. Dave knocks on the door, "Hey bud, Bambi's coming over in half an hour." Tristan thinks, "GASP!! THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY!!!!" as his iris turn into stars. Tristan, thinking: "Hmm... but sometimes he stays over past my bedtime and Dad doesn't let me stay up even to hang out with him... And the elevator is loud so he'd hear me if I tried to go back dosnstairs and then I'd get in trouble... So how do I get down to see how Bambi gets home?" In the next panel, he's thinking, "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" Tristan, thinking: "Wait! I could try to see how he gets here! I can go outside and-- yes!!! Perfect!!" Tristan, out-loud: "YAY!!!!!" 25 minutes pass as a, "25 minutes later..." caption is stated. Tristan is looking at a clock, awaiting for Bambi's arrival. Dave gets over to Tristan.

Page 4. Dave is smirking, "You sure are eager today." Tristan: "I'm just- Heyyyy!!!!" Dave ruffles his hair. Tristan: "Hehe- I'm just excited to see him!!!" Tristan, thinking: "...and get down to the TRUTH!!!" he's doing the post where he's holding his chin between his thumb and index finger. Dave: "...Are you scheming something?" Tristan's face froze: "eh------" Tristan: "NOOOOO" Tristan, thinking: "CRAP!!!! I'M SO BAD AT LYING!!!" Dave: "Okay buddy what are you scheming" Tristan rushes out of the house: "Immmm scheming to go outside right now!!!!" Dave: "Pff- okay?" The next panel shows a shot of him opening the door but he's too short so the frame cuts to his eyes. Shot of the whole house from the top view as well as the front and back yard. Tristan: "Bambiii!!!"

#DeviusExMachina - REVELATION. Tristan investigates a strange mystery about Bambi.

Jointly illustrated by @vesselvindicate.bsky.social . (1/5)

A screenshot from the official Devius Ex Machina website showing an upcoming/placeholder card for an installment titled "Revelation". It is a comic with an unknown page length and description.

SomeThing new bRews In the diSTANce.

New Recent Comments tab on the home page to show the 30 most recent comments uploaded to the site.

Three doodles of Dave from Devius Ex Machina in different styles and sketching brushes

style range #doodle #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

A render of the new Devius Ex Machina logo for 2026.

New year, new me. #DeviusExMachina

Added viewtracking for news posts, improved the display of new items, and altered the links on the Home page to direct to the home tabs instead of opening separate pages.

If cookies are enabled, the website will now save your last visit time and use this to show what content is new that you haven't seen yet.

If cookies are enabled, the website will now save your last visit time and use this to show what content is new that you haven't seen yet.

A screenshot from the Devius Ex Machina website showing the available keybinds for different navigation actions

Keyboard controls are now available for navigating installments more easily. They can be viewed in Settings.

A screenshot from the Devius Ex Machina website showing the available keybinds for different navigation actions

Keyboard controls are now available for navigating installments more easily. They can be viewed in Settings.

New page available (Tasklist) + tabs on home page to switch between useful things more quickly without needing to separately open them in new windows.

Updated the FAQ page.

A screenshot from the Devius Ex Machina website showing a field where the user can enter a name

New setting allows you to set a name that will autofill the Name field in the comment submission window, in case you don't want to manually re-enter it every time.

Finally fixed the broken terminal notification bug that alerts you even after you've already seen an event for the first time. Changed Site Update template to show timestamp.

A screenshot of the Devius Ex Machina website showing the location of new artist credits on the "Sticks" installment

- 1/3/26: Artworks now show installment-level artist credits via their signatures in the title plates, which link to their pages. Page-level credits will come in the future.

A screenshot of the Devius Ex Machina website showing the settings page with the Display tab selected

- 1/2/26: New settings available to change the page color and zoom level of installment contents.

Devius Ex Machina Official website for the Dave and Bambi AU by Max Dimo

Read the full quality version on the website. devius-ex-machina.tiddlyhost.com

A close-up shot of Bambi's golden eye tearing up. Bambi (thoughts): Wh- what am I feeling? Why does he feel so...?! Dave: Yo Bambs, what do these punks look like? Cus we'll kick their asses mischief-style. Muko: and then make them go to hell Dave: And make them go to hell Dave and Muko are both looking at him smiling, holding hands. Bambi looks back at them, then smiles confidently. Bambi: Ok. First one bald like me. Second one... The scene cuts back to the present, showing Dave and Bambi sitting across from each other at the table. Dave: Man. It would've been so much funnier if someone had actually stolen your corn. Bambi: I HAD EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THEY DID!!!!!!! Dave: Well, sure, but I mean A flashback shows two strangers breathing fire from the spicy food they just ate and Bambi, Dave and Muko laughing at them. In the next, they're pissed off and chewing them out. Dave (present-time): Finding out those guys didn't actually do anything made me feel... Bambi (crossed arms, angry) Tch. *Anyone* who screams at a kid deserves theirtongue burned off with worse than pepper flakes. They got off real lucky in my book. Dave (huff, smile, small text): it *was* nice having a random adult stand up for me for a change. Back to flashback, Bambi is counting money out back behind the stand with an angry expression. Bambi: fuckin BITCH fuckin mother*fuckers* eat SHIT get the FUCK outta my store you bully them dont EVER come back again Bambi: You ok, Dave? Dave (surprised, looks away, small text): Uh... yeah. ...Thanks. Bambi (reaching for barrel: I leave now. Dave: O-oh! Um, it was relaly nice to meet you! Do you live around here? We should hang out sometime! Bambi: I don't live here. I just sell corn here every year. Dave: Oh Bambi: I go all over state for festivals. No one gonna know where I live. Dave (dejected): oh... Dave: ...well, you'll be here next year, right? Bambi: ya. I'll come back here to you, always. Dave: Then I'll see you in 2020!

Dave (cupping hands around mouth): HEY GUYS, BAMBI'S LEAVING!!!! COME SAY GOOD- Dave (turning around): -bye? Dave looks behind himself at the tent and ferris wheel behind him. Bambi is nowhere to be seen. Dave: Wh-? Muko walks out from behind the stand. Dave: Wow... that dude sure can run fast. Back to present, Dave is drumming his hands on the table looking at Bambi casually. Dave: Man, I was so mad whe nthey cancelled the next festival 'cus of COVID. I thought I wouldn't be able to see you... Bambi: YOu guys the only people who wanted to even see me. Dave: Really?? I thought some people liked you across the state? Bambi: Hmph. Their parents don't. "Bad influence" they always say. Dave: Hah, as if. Dave (rubbing side of head): Well, I'm just glad I was able to get your number. Would've been painful only getting to talk once a year. He pauses, looking at Bambi with nervous confusion, who's glaring at him. Dave: What's THAT look for? Bambi (yelling): YOU FUCKING SUCK AT TEXTING!!!!!!!! Dave flinches at his yell, reminded of something. Dave: I responded *in minutes* the last time we talked- Bambi: That was ONCE. You *still* take hours and days!!!! Dave (incredulous, reaching for his phone): Okay. You think I'M slow? Try days and weeks from my coworkers, because people have lives outside of their phones and e-mails, and nobody owes anyone an immediate response, because it's NORMAL to- Dave is interrupted by a song blaring as soon as he unlocks his phone, which violently startles him. It plays lyrics from the Nine Inch Nails song "the wretched". He yells and makes sounds over it to cover it until he can turn his phone off again, looking mortified in the next panel while Bambi just looks at him with mild surprise. Bambi: What was that? Dave (head down on table): nothingggg Bambi: No. Why you yell over it? Dave: because its stupid edgy modern music and you'd *hate* it Bambi: Do *you* like it? Dave: ......yes Bambi: Play it.

Dave's phone continues to play the song out. Dave looks at Bambi nervously. He then shazooms to his barn and back with a gold and red guitar. Bambi: Play that part again. Dave, confused, plays it back. Bambi figures out the chords to the song's leadup in real time and begins playing it on his guitar. A large painterly panel shows him playing it with vigor. Dave looks in awe and surprise. He pauses the song briefly. Dave: Dude. Why did you never tell me you could play the guitar????? You're really good! Bambi: People say cool, play something for me!And then hate me when they hear what I play! Everyone say they like music until it's angry and loud and about things they not understand- but that kind of music is the only one that understands ME! You never play it, so I assumed you like everyone else. Dave (rubbing neck) I mean. Yeah. I don't play it because Tristan doesn't need to be hearing Trent Reznor screaming about mental illness. But I asked you... days ago what kinds of things you like. You're not shy about anything. Why not tell me you at least like music? Bambi: Bah! I don't just LIKE music, Dave. It's part of my SOUL!! I have tens of thousands of songs recorded from everywhere I find them, but I never hear anything like this before!! PLay me the whole thing so I can save it too!! Dave (looking down, smiling) ...Yeah, sure! Let's just, uh, do that outside this time.

(3/3)

Dave: Your hands! They're-- they're floating like- Bambi looks agitated, then turns around pointing at his face with rage, his fangs exposed and Dave looking in shock/surprise: Bambi: LIKE WHAT? ALIENS?! Bambi soon calms down after finally seeing Dave's face. Bambi: Oh Bambi: You a kid. Sorry, kid. Dave (rubbing shoulder, looking aside, squint) Iiiiimean not technically i just turned 18 like two months ago Dave: so im uh an. im an adult not a kid Dave: and stuff Another visual bit proceeds of "Bambi Vision", showing Bambi looking at Dave's leg noticing the prosthetic rod underneath with the thoughts: "Ripped jeans? No legs? Wheelchair?? What happened to this kid-", proceeded by a thought bubble imagination of a generic cartoon person stealing Dave's lower legs as he exclaims "OWWWW". Bambi looks horrified/angry in the next panel surrounded by red action lines and aggressive exclamation marks. Bambi (pointing at his legs): WHO DID THAT TO YOU Dave: Huh?? Did wh- Bambi: I'LL FUCKIN KILL WHOEVER TOOK YOUR LEGS OK JUST TELL ME WHO. Dave (nervous grin): OHHHHHH oh nonono haha nobody did anything to me it was. it was um Dave: a. skiing accident Dave (thoughts): SERIOUSLY? THAT'S THE BEST YOU CAN COME UP WITH? Bambi (neutral expression) OH. OKAY Dave (thoughts): Wait, that worked?

A wide-angle shot from above shows Dave following Bambi holding a bunch of corn in his lap while Bambi continues ripping off ears of corn. There's a sign on the other side of the maze that says "OOPS... DEAD END". Dave: My name's Dave, by the way. Bambi: Mm. Dave: What's yours? Bambi (putting more corn in his lap): Bambi. Dave: ...Like the deer? Bambi: What Dave: Uhh nevermind Dave looks to the side, then away from him with a slightly nervous smile. Dave: Sorry about the uh, the hand thing. I've--I've just.. never gotten to meet a uh. an alien before and um, I just. think you're cool and stuff but I didn't mean any offense Bambi: Hmph. 'S fine. But I not a alien. ok. Not alien or human. I'm Bambi. Dave: Oh! ...Okay! I getcha, Bambi. Another wide shot shows them continuing along the maze; in the background the ferris wheel can be seen as well as several carnival tents. Dave: So, uh, how much corn did those shitheads steal from you? Are we doin' a like, uhh, y'know, eye for an eye thing, or are we going Scorched Earth here? I'm down for either. Bambi: THIRTY SEVEN. GONE. So I take that back. We at twenty. Dave: Ahh, a man-- person, uh... person of honor, I see! ...Sorry, what gender do y- what pronouns do you use? Bambi: Huh? Pronouns? Dave: You know, like, he/him, they/them? Bambi: What are you asking me?? Dave: What should I use to refer to you? Bambi: ...My name??? Dave (thoughts): ...Oookay, I guess I'll just use he for now...

A large background shot/time skip shows the two have arrived at Bambi's corn stall, a short tent propped up by large tree trunks with a striped yellow-green pyramidal ceiling and a rectangular barrel for a front countertop. Its surrounded by goldenrod flowers and several other tents of carnival games; to the left is a target with bottles in front, and to the right a long row of plushies including Karkat Vantas, Sans, Mob, Four and X, Gir, Kirby, Moomintroll, Sonic, Twilight Sparkle, and a Tamagotchi. Dave (rummaging in his pocket again): What the hell did I put in this pocket again? It feels like a- Dave grabs the top of the spice jar, blanks out, and then makes a mischievous grin. Dave: You Bambs. I know a way you could *really* get back at those assholes. Stealin' their corn back and sellin' it... that's *pretty* good for a comeback... Dave: ...but I can make it even better. Let's say they come by here, buy some corn, yeah? Well, what if- Dave is interrupted to look over across from him outside the tent, where a very distant Muko and Maldo are waving at him. He smiles back at them, then turns to face Bambi with somewhat ominous lighting and dark-red background colors. Dave: What *if*... ...I make those motherfuckers cry for what they did to you? He shows the ghost pepper spice by holding it out on the countertop, then shakes it in his hand grinning at Bambi saying, "Know what I'm sayin'?" Bambi: Ohhhh you really smart huh kid! Scare them shitless with ghosts!!! Dave (slight squint, smile): Uhh... yeah!

Muko, Maldo, and a very young Tristan (held in Maldo's arms asleep) approach the front of the stand. Muko is the person shown in the first page of the comic with the alien sweater; her face revealed shows she has square red-rimmed glasses, thick eyebrows, and spiky dyed-blond hair kept in a long ponytail. The roots of her normal hair color show through as a mid-brown. Maldo looks the same as his present self outside of wearing different clothes (pink tye-dye t-shirt and yellow skirt). Muko (Comic Sans MS): hey gayass Dave: hey fucker Muko: where've ya been? we were looking for yyyyyy Muko is interrupted by his own realization. Muko: Oh My Muko: God The third instance of this bit shows red arrows and circles pointing at the lack of Bambi's wrists with the image macro format saying "WHAT" "HOW". Dave (nervous, waving his hands around) HAHA Uhh I know what you're thinking but dont say any of those words right now be chill ok this is Bambi everyone say hi Bambi Maldo (Green Screen): I'M MALDO! AND THIS IS OUR SON, TRISTAN! IT'S WONDERFUL TO MEET YOU, MR. BAMBI! Muko: uh, sup bambi. i'mthe supreme overlord of furbies, but cool people call me muko Dave (leaning forward to talk to Muko): Hey hey listen, you'll get a kick out of this. You know what time it is? Mischief time, baby. We're gonna spite some good for nothin' corn thieves. you in? Muko: うん. やるぞ. Maldo: OH! HOW'S MY SEASONING, DAVE? HAVE YOU TRIED IT YET ON THE FRIED ONIONS? Dave: Wellllll I kinda forgot about the onions cus I went in the corn maze buuuut that's definitely next on my list!!! Maldo: AH! WELL, JUST BE CAREFUL. IT'S SUPPOSEDLY VERY SPICY, FRIEND! Tristan is waking up. Maldo: OH! GOOD EVENING, SWEETHEART! Dave: Hey, look! The rockstar's wakin' up! Muko: hey tiny human how was dreamland Dave: Can you say "Hi B-" HEY! Bambi and Tristan make eye contact. Tristan smiles widely at Bambi, a golden glow and stars around him. Bambi looks at him with surprise, his own eyes glowing golden.

(2/3)

An 11-page comic for Devius Ex Machina, an AU of Dave and Bambi. The logo for the AU and the Rekindled are at the top of the page surrounded by space imagery. The credits are listed as follows: CREATED BY MAX DIMO ARTISTS: MAX DIMO, MAPLEBISCUIT, STATICTIGERS, VESSELVINDICATE The first panel is a painterly illustration of Dave in his bedroom. It is dark, and he has his phone flashlight turned on. He's in front of his closet. Dave (Fixedsys): Ugh, where is it... I could've swore it was somewhere around here... Imago (text only, thought bubble): Hm! It's almost like if you organized your things better, this wouldn't be a problem! Dave (annoyed): wow, yeah. gee. why didn't i think of that? Dave: just leave me alone. i don't need your thousandth lecture about... Dave puts his hand to his forehead, looking defeated. Dave: ...im too tired for this shit. Dave rummages around the random crap in his closet. He picks up a small cardboard tube. Dave: wh- why is there a Dave: ..whatever He continues rummaging until he picks up an ambiguous oblong canister. Dave (disgruntled/brow raised): seriouly? this has to be expired by now. ugh. Dave looks shocked in the next panel and leans backward. Below him is a flashback panel to an unknown period of time from his POV holding a spice jar reading "GIZMO'S GHOST PEPPER DELUXE SEASONING" with his present-day hand in normal saturation. Around him the color is desaturated, showing what looks like a wooden barrel surface in front of him and grass/dirt beyond it. A person wearing an alien-themed pink sweater is reaching for his hand, their face cut off by the panelling.

Back to the present, Dave is shown in halfbody looking down at the jar with deeply faded colors and a grayish-purple background. He stares at it with a blank/dead expression. Dave: oh. In the panel below, he is rendered as a zoomed out black silhouette with only his lightly squinted eyes visible. The space around him is swirling darkness, making distinct objects fuzzy and hard to discern. The proceeding panels are equally fuzzy/desaturated. It cuts to Bambi downstairs sitting in the kitchen speaking in faded, blurry dialogue: Bambi (Ashcan BB): THERE YOU ARE! What took so damn long? Did you find the game?? Dave wheels past, not looking at him. Bambi squints at him. Bambi: What is that? Another large halfbody panel shows Dave looking very tired/troubled staring directly ahead of himself, holding the can. There are faint snowflake patterns in the dark background behind him. Bambi: ...Wait. That's the ghost pepper flakes!!!!!! Bambi laughs loudly pounding on the table. The colors snap back to normal saturation and Dave is rendered in gray with his brows furrowed. In the next, he glares at Bambi, yelling "WHAT." Bambi: Don't you remember?? That's how we met!! Wow, you were so funny. Dave (covering face, sweating): oh *god*. Bambi: What??? Dave: don't remind me. he was so fucking embarrassing... Bambi: 'He?' Who?? Dave (small text): ...me... Bambi: What! You were the best kid I ever met, helping me like you did. Dave (head down on countertop, hand on head) seriously? Bambi: Why you surprised?? You think I hated you back then, too??? Dave: No! It's just... ...geez, it's been so long, I'm trying to remember... The dialogue bubbles fade out into a starry night sky.

A flashback commences showing Dave in a corn maze a long time ago as a teenager. He looks quite different from his present self, though still using a wheelchair. He has much longer brown hair reaching around chin-length with short spiky down-facing tips and a slight curl on the ends. He has bangs that cover part of the right side of his face. It's not too dissimilar to an emo haircut. He has black fingerless leather gloves, a grayish-tan watch on his left arm, a brownish-orange Linkin Park t-shirt, and blue jeans with rips around the knees showing he has simple prosthetic rods underneath. His pants cover these prosthetics and give the appearance of him having no feet. He's fidgeting with a shark tooth necklace in his left hand, and behind him a ferris wheel can be seen. Dave (04b_19): So much quieter here. ...Geez, it's really getting dark now. Dave rummages around in his pocket and pulls out his phone, turning on its flashlight. It has a different case than his present phone; it's bulky and angular with a gray-black coloration and bright orange highlights. He shines the light on the maze in front of him. Dave: Hellooo everybody my name is Markiplier and today we're playing HAUNTED CORN MAZE.... of DEATH and MISERY. Few enter this forsaken place and live to tell the tale. Dave (wheeling forward, mischievous grin): You see, this game. Is one of the games of all time. Uh huh, you heard me right. And my viewers have been BEGGING me to play this top-notch horror experience since before I was even born. Dave: And in the wise words of my- Dave is interrupted by the sound of footsteps. He freezes and the background around him turns gloomy. Dave (thinking): if someone heard that im killing myself

A silhouette rushes past Dave and startles him. The person reaches for a corn stalk. Dave: Hey!- Woah, hey, uh, whatcha doin there, bud? The person rips off an ear of corn. It is revealed to be Bambi in the next panel, who grips it fiercely with an enraged expression: Bambi: PAYBACK. THEY STEAL MY CORN, SO I STEAL IT BACK. Bambi looks largely the same as his present self, albeit with two faded scars on his face and a collared long-sleeve shirt with a checkerboard pattern of green and lime-yellow. The sleeves previously hid the fact he doesn't have arms, but he pulls one hand out of its place to stuff the ear of corn inside the sleeve. Dave looks bewildered at first, then yells: Dave: HELL YEAH, dude! FUCK those guys!!! Can I help?? Bambi: SURE. Dave: Man, it's been a while since I've gotten into any good mischief- Dave then notices that Bambi has floating hands. A comical display of imagined orange-and-gold computer UIs covers his hand with the title "dAVE VISION V. 1.0.51", "analyzing" the properties of his hand. The text on it reads: WARNING: ANOMALY DETECTED (repeated in the background) ERROR: SUBJECT'S HAND DEFIES THE LAWS OF GRAVITY...? ERROR: SUBJECT IS LACKING ARMS AND WRISTS ...WAIT SEARCHING DATABASE... WARNING: DEVIATION DETECTED (A graphic shows wireframe models of a strange humanoid being with floating hands and antennae compared to Bambi.) ABNORMAL HEIGHT HUMANESQUE SKIN HUMANESQUE FACE NO ANTENNAE? VERDICT: UNKNOWN CLIONE SUBSPECIES? (End graphic.) Dave looks shocked with his jaw hanging open, then ecstatically stimming with his hands and literal stars in his eyes.

#DeviusExMachina - THE REKINDLED. Dave and Bambi reminisce on the day they first met.

Jointly illustrated by vesselvindicate.bsky.social, statictigers.bsky.social, and mapledrawsarts.bsky.social. #daveandbambi (1/3)

A full-color one-page comic. Dave is lying in bed and sits up abruptly, waking up from a nightmare looking stressed. He looks around, realizes it was a dream, and sighs. He pulls out his phone and starts listening to "The Wretched" by Nine Inch Nails through a pair of earbuds.

(15/15) "Always" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

A full-color one-page comic. Dave is lying in bed and sits up abruptly, waking up from a nightmare looking stressed. He looks around, realizes it was a dream, and sighs. He pulls out his phone and starts listening to "The Wretched" by Nine Inch Nails through a pair of earbuds.

(15/15) "Always" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

Bambi and Tristan are in a field. Tristan: C'mere Mr. Bambi, look what I found! Tristan (holding several plucked flowers): It's buttercups!!! Bambi: Yes Tristan: Dad says they mean friendship! Bambi: Why Tristan: I dunno! Tristan stuffs them in Bambi's overalls. Tristan: Now you have some, for being my friend! Bambi smiles, in his own way.

Bambi pulls one of the buttercups out of his overalls and hands it back to Tristan, who looks excited. Bambi: For being mine.

(14/15) "Buttercups" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

Bambi and Tristan are in a field. Tristan: C'mere Mr. Bambi, look what I found! Tristan (holding several plucked flowers): It's buttercups!!! Bambi: Yes Tristan: Dad says they mean friendship! Bambi: Why Tristan: I dunno! Tristan stuffs them in Bambi's overalls. Tristan: Now you have some, for being my friend! Bambi smiles, in his own way.

Bambi pulls one of the buttercups out of his overalls and hands it back to Tristan, who looks excited. Bambi: For being mine.

(14/15) "Buttercups" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

A one-page semi-colored comic. Tristan is playing Minecraft on his computer and has headphones on. Unknown (Comic Sans MS): dont worry bud i got this you'll be pulling sick tricks like the youtubers in no time Unknown: ok so what you wanna do is time it exactly right when you fall Tristan: Uh huh!! Unknown: watch this im gonna hit it so epic style A sequence of three drawn Minecraft screens shows a player jump off a cliff and die. "furbyArsonist hit the ground too hard" is the death message. Tristan busts out giggling. Muko: ok, so see what happened there is i got sabotaged by my haters,

(13/?) "Water Bucket" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina

A one-page semi-colored comic. Tristan is playing Minecraft on his computer and has headphones on. Unknown (Comic Sans MS): dont worry bud i got this you'll be pulling sick tricks like the youtubers in no time Unknown: ok so what you wanna do is time it exactly right when you fall Tristan: Uh huh!! Unknown: watch this im gonna hit it so epic style A sequence of three drawn Minecraft screens shows a player jump off a cliff and die. "furbyArsonist hit the ground too hard" is the death message. Tristan busts out giggling. Muko: ok, so see what happened there is i got sabotaged by my haters,

(13/?) "Water Bucket" #daveandbambi #DeviusExMachina