⚠️FORLORN AU SD-N CONCEPT ART (UNCENSORED)⚠️
I'm not working on the AU anyway, so I'll reveal:
⋆ N's "mutation," as I called it, was a maggot infestation. The parasites were burrowing through his insides, mostly around his core and digestive system. This was precisely why his regeneration was so atrocious. He was literally being eaten from the inside out, every bit of food was wasted, leaving nothing for regeneration!
Another important plot detail: the parasites were also destroying the core. The plan was for N to gradually turn into a zombie as the story progressed, due to the breakdown of the most important part of any drone. Progressive amnesia, emotionality became less and less, and by the end he could hardly even remember his friends.
Where did the maggots come from? Well... I like to think that during the disaster, humans tried to save the dogs, but they didn't make it. The animals, instead of instantly dying from the explosion, slowly rotted in "bunkers" or similar places. N found them there, deciding to cuddle them and make some friends at the same time... PFFT OKAY. I didn't think that through, honestly. He just looks cute holding a dead little doggy ^^
