David Chiem Ultimate Rebel: Talentswap AU
Casually going to drop my headcanons for an Ultimate Rebel David talentswap. I've surprisingly never seen this one done yet (tho I could be wrong) and I think it has neat potential!
His parents, and elder sister Diana, were all killed when he was 14: Instead of a water poisoning accident as has been (I think?) implied with Xander's folks, it was a murder.
Since I headcanon David's father as a respected political speaker (who's also debatably shady- cough-) I'll say that it was a very targeted assassination on the Chiem family.
Just like Xander, David was the only survivor. It happened at one of his very own speeches. He watched it happen.
David's home-life was never… exemplary, not all the mansions or adoring public eyes in the world could make it so. Yet, things were actually beginning to look up for him and his family for once in this AU. Beginning to change. And then it all was ripped away.
Rumors circulate that Duke Spurling, a political rival of David's father, may have been involved. No one can confirm or deny this, but the man was too powerful to be convicted.
David. Is. Livid. Hope dangled in his face, and then shredded apart in front of his eyes. He really has nothing to lose anymore. While I think giving up may be his first impulse... soon, he'd grow spiteful. Depression is an ever-present stage of his grief. So is anger.
Using the tens of thousands of followers that he's already accumulated in his early speaking career (which would soon reach millions and then worldwide) David devises an organization. He is the leader of this organization, and gains much of the intel himself: But just to make things more efficient, gain easier assistance for himself in matters he can't pull off alone, and stir up some more insanity, he takes quite full advantage of his local lunatic fringe.
This organization is basically an undercover activism group, carefully comprised of fans of his insane enough to do his bidding, yet competent enough to not get caught spying, wealthy enough to bail him out of jail if he so needs in emergency, so on. This fame of his is a resource that Xander didn't have at the same age. He manipulates it skillfully. (If you're familiar with DRV3, think DICE.)
It is called Stardust. Nobody knows of it… until they're intended to.
David publicly snaps live on stage one day, and provides damning evidence to condemn Duke Spurling for the targeted assassination of his family. From then on, his speeches and public brand morpth from sunshiny and inspiring, into gritty, snapping wake-up calls.
David's manager? Locked up too. You can find a laundry list of reasons to legally get someone thrown in the hole, if you're crafty enough. Man was a controlling piece of dirt anyway. Ah; Who knew being liberated and in charge of his life for once felt this good!
(...He will never forget Diana taking that bullet in his place.)
Society is split 50/50 on what to think of David after this. Many are turned off by his sudden switch-around from the gentle-spoken boy he once was, while many others sympathize with his motives or are stirred into action or even mobs and protests by his sharp, brazen words. This controversy sparks massive public debate.
By age 18, the frigging government itself is mildly intimidated by this unhinged blue man.
…And that's how I'd theorize David would become the Ultimate Rebel in a Talentswap AU. Thank you for coming to my ted talk. I'm happy how it turned out and had fun making it up!! ;D Thoughts?
