| abstract | - Shapeshifters are showoffs. Even the insidious infiltrators like to use their abilities to inspire awe and fear. It's no surprise then that dying is no exception. When a shapeshifter bites the dust they have a veritable swan song of shape shifting as they slide through every single shape they've stolen throughout the episode or movie. Much like the life flashing before your eyes thing, may be considered a realistic survival reflex. It'll also happen if their powers are short circuited, they're critically injured or KO'd. After their swan song they'll settle into their original form and body, often to the surprise of everyone else, especially if said form isn't human. Someone will usually go "This Was His True Form", and look suitably mournful if it was a friend they lost to The Virus. If the purpose of the swan song is to inform the audience who the shapeshifter posed as (and that they were, in fact, a shapeshifter) this becomes a case of Viewers are Morons. In shows aimed towards kids or ones where especially Genre Savvy, expect the shapeshifter to possibly survive, thus rendering this trope a bit confusing as the viewer wonders why there's the equivalent of death convulsions going on for a character who will later turn out to be fine. A special case of Superpower Meltdown. May happen to a Clipped-Wing Angel. See also Shapeshifter Mashup. No Immortal Inertia is similar but for immortals. Examples of Shapeshifter Swan Song include:
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