#Powered Knight Zenon

[reversemoon255]

SSSS.GRIDMAN THE GATTAI Full Powered Girdknight

Missed the preorder window on this one, but managed to snag the second one that popped up on Mandarake. And I'm glad I did, because this thing is great. This should be the same mold as the upcoming THE GATTAI FP Gridman, and it is a startling improvement. This isn't just some simple retool; it's an entirely new mold. Not even Gridknight is the same, overhauling him to better fit his role as the center of this robot, something the original Gridman failed to do.

The Good: Gone is the flimsy DX Full Powered Gridman. To start, Gridknight has been fitted almost entirely with ratcheted joints, meaning he can now much more easily hold the weight of all his machines. Not only that, but they took a page out of the Moderoid's book and made a stronger, more posable replacement torso, but also fixed the issue I had with it by giving it its own head, so you can display both Gridknight and FP Gridknight at the same time. But even if you choose to forgo it, Gridknight is perfectly capable of holding everything up.

Onto everyone else, this set actually comes with two Calibers of different sizes, and a handle so you can use the larger one's chest piece as a shield. Max, Borr, and Sky are functionally the same as vehicles, but Max's cannons now stop at the appropriate height so you don't have to fiddle with that during transformation.

Powered Knight Zenon may not look much different from the original, but has quite a few new tricks going on under the hood. For starters, it requires no adapters; everything is designed into the vehicles themselves, including the very impressive neck joint they added (which just blows my mind how they pulled that off). They also gave it a much better A-stance, actual ankles to accommodate it, and you can use Sky's transformation joints to give it some inward arm motion.

And Full Powered Gridknight is an impressive feat, being both taller than the original and around its scale to Dynazenon seen in the film. The transformation is also so much cleaner. Everything feels better, connects better, is much more solid, even more so than Dynazenon. They even made the cuts in Sky's wings the actual transformation joint, which several of the releases haven't done. And he is ridiculously posable. It has every joint; I don't know what else to tell you. It also comes with open and posable alternative hand. They even added dedicated engineering into Borr that allows for a brand new combination with Goldburn.

The Bad: Not everything is exactly perfect, though. While you can get the new Gridknight to work as Rouge Kaiser, the elbows are too long, meaning you have to twist the arms in a weird way to get them to fit, and Dynasoldier is less stable.

And both Zenon and FP have mediocre ankles. Like, they work, but Zenon's require a bit of fidgeting and you often have to display them on their toes. FP on the other hand just doesn't have enough rock, making more wide-legged, dynamic poses an issue. I recommend using the included stand to help with those (...which I did not take pictures of).

Overall, the difference is quality between this and the original DX are dirt and stratosphere. If you were disappointed by the original, or if you liked the Moderoid, then I highly recommend this one, or just waiting a few months for the V2 to come out.

#SSSS.Gridman #SSSS.Dynazenon #Gridman #Dynazenon #Denkou Choujin Gridman #Gridman the Hyper Agent #Good Smile #Reivew #Gridknight #Powered Knight Zenon #Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad #Gridman Universe #Full Powered Gridknight

[loosesodamarble]

As Time Moves On Part 4: The Mystery in Spade

Summary: The reconstruction effort in Spade Kingdom brings about a disturbing revelation. Genre: general Word count: ~1800

..........

The bitter cold was nothing new to the Spade Kingdom. Winters were long and harsh. Summers were fleeting like a breeze. But the people of Spade became resilient over the generations, especially so after the reign of terror that was the Zogratis family.

Thanks to the efforts of Spade’s Resistance Force and Clover Kingdom’s Magic Knights, freedom and peace were restored.

The long night known as the Devil Banishment War was passed. And the people of Spade, with renewed hope and strength, worked to usher in a new era of peace.

…..

“Thanks to the citizens, as well as the aid sent from Heart and Clover, we’re keeping a decent pace for the reconstruction plans we initially put forth.”

“Diamond Kingdom is in a state of political unrest. Not only from the Zogratis annexing some of their territory but also due to internal conflicts. We can’t expect any word from them any time soon.”

“We’ve sent messengers to Lumi Kingdom regarding assistance. There’s no telling how long it will take for them to respond though.”

“Every resident of the capital city has confirmed that they have new lodging. Either within another town or in the nearby tent cities.”

Ciel nodded along as her team of advisors filled her in on the state of affairs. It fell to her to lead her people after the Zogratis family was removed from power. She wished she didn’t have to do it alone, that Loyce was still there sharing the burden.

But Loyce was no longer of this world. He was in a better place. So Ciel made it her duty to restore Spade to the joyous land they’d once led together.

While listening to her advisors, Ciel also concentrated her mana on a spell: Full Moon Haven.

With the spell, she imbued an area with the gentle light of the moon, healing wounds and restoring stamina. She’d learned it years ago, before ever being queen, and in the present, she used it to tend to the many volunteers who toiled to clear debris and find those who were injured or killed during the Devil Banishment War. It was a blessing to have in her grimoire, as it meant she was able to serve her people as kindly as they served her.

“How soon do you think the capital will be rebuilt?” Ciel asked while slowly diminishing her mana output.

“Due to…” Albert, the leader of the resistance and one of Ciel’s advisors, paused and cleared his throat. It was more to break the tension that came with what he was about to say. “Due to the King of Devils leveling most of the capital city, there hasn’t been much large debris so clearing the land has been quick work. However, we can’t proceed quite yet as the task of recovering the bodies of the deceased has come to a standstill. It’s concerning the… high priority ones.”

Ciel’s eyes went wide and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep her face composed.

“I see.”

Ciel finished casting Full Moon Haven and sent off the patients, either to their lodgings or to a more skilled healer for severe wounds. Then, she and the advisors slipped away, towards the shadows of the castle ruins.

There were some questions she would need answered in privacy.

Dante Zogratis, Vanica Zogratis, and Zenon Zogratis of the Dark Triad. Moris Libardirt, former Magic Scholar of the Diamond Kingdom.

While reports from Clover’s Magic Knights attested to their downfalls, Ciel and her advisors had made it a priority to find their bodies again to confirm their deaths. The people of Spade had put their all into the task alongside preparing for the rebuilding of homes. And yet after four months…

“Has nothing from any of them been recovered?”

Ciel’s advisors frowned grimly.

“Are we certain that we’ve checked every possible nook and cranny of the castle? We’ve left no piece of rubble unturned? We haven’t ignored any rooms by accident, have we?” Ciel inquired between deep breaths.

“Your Majesty, we’re sure,” Albert answered and bowed his head slightly. “This was our fifth full area search. We cannot find a trace of them.”

Ciel wrung her hands together. Closed her eyes, squeezed them shut tight. She took deep breaths. Deep, slow, trying-to-prevent-panic breaths. With a final exhale, Ciel opened her eyes and looked her advisors in the eyes.

“Thank you for informing me,” she stated with the grace she’d practiced as queen. “If I may, I ask that I have a moment to myself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the advisors spoke in unison as they bowed their heads. Then, they turned and left her be.

When Ciel felt sure she was on her own, she let out a heavy sigh. She placed her hands over her heart, feeling its anxious rhythm. After the coup and so many years living in hiding and praying for a miracle, Ciel believed she’d gotten used to being worried. But no, she’d only been used to worrying about the Dark Triad finding her to finish what they’d started.

Now, she feared that they could return and ruin the peace that was still new to the kingdom.

Ciel paced the area.

Yuno’s personal witness testimony detailed how Zenon turned into a devil and how his body crumbled upon defeat. The search for his body had been futile from the start. But that didn’t explain why nothing of Vanica, Dante, or Moris was found. Could it be that their bodies were completely crushed in the rubble? And that only unidentifiable, rotting bits of flesh and bloodstains remained?

Or…

Ciel shuddered.

There were individuals, the Dark Disciples, who earnestly followed the Zogratises. Is it possible that some of them survived and salvaged their leaders’ bodies? And since the Dark Disciples had no qualms about using Forbidden Magic, if the bodies were found… Then…

Her breath caught in her throat.

Vanica’s piercing, maniacal laugh while demanding a fight echoed in her ears.

Zenon’s listless gaze flashed across her mind’s eye, as if burned into her memory.

Dante’s hands and how they so carelessly dropped Loyce’s body to the floor, prepared to take her life next, made her body tremble.

Not again… She didn’t want the terror to return… To lose everything all over again…

Ciel clenched her hands into fists and shook her head.

“Don’t worry. Spade is safe now,” Yuno had said with a hushed confidence. “And I won’t let it come to harm again. As the next Wizard King, it’d be my duty to.”

A half-hearted laugh slipped past Ciel’s lips. Yuno’s statement didn’t make much sense but his heart was in the right place. It was in a place full of hope.

“That’s right…” Ciel told herself. “I can’t give into fear. Not now.”

There wasn’t a chance that Ciel would let herself give up so easily after everything that she and her people had endured. Not after hope in the form of mages from Clover and Heart arrived and chased away the darkness. Not after she got to see the man her son had become and still strove to be.

The Queen of Spade looked to the sky. The clouds were gray as per usual. However, their shade appeared lighter than usual.

…..

“Dear people of Spade Kingdom. I thank you all for gathering today so that I may address you regarding our current reconstruction efforts.”

Ciel’s voice carried across the crowd of people. Their faces showed tiredness and concern but mostly curiosity.

“As of now, we’re making good progress in rebuilding our kingdom.”

Smiles began to appear on people’s faces.

Ciel went on to summarize how clean up has concluded, how foreign aid would continue to be provided, and how resources were being allocated for the various reconstruction projects. The good news that she shared made the people’s moods brighter. And it lightened Ciel’s own heart to know that Spade was already rising up.

All that good news, though, would be soured by the troubling announcement she had to make next.

“There are many good things in store for Spade as we continue to rebuild our kingdom. However, it is with a heavy heart that I also deliver bad news to you all. It is a matter of transparency that I tell you all. While parties worked to recover the bodies of the deceased for proper burials, a select group was tasked with finding the bodies of specific individuals: the Dark Triad and their conspirator Moris Liberdirt. I and my advisors desired to confirm without a reasonable doubt that those four were indeed dead. Unfortunately, nothing of them has been recovered during these last four months.”

The grinning faces fell away and color drained from many complexions.

“As your queen, I apologize for being unable to fully confirm their deaths. I apologize for having to deliver such a frightening message. But I felt that you needed to know, so that you may understand my dedication to putting everyone at ease and giving them reason to have even greater hope, even if I could not follow through this time.

“The Zogratises and Moris haven’t turned up thus far and we might have to consider that their bodies may never turn up. However! We cannot let the memory of the Zogratis family and their actions hold us captive. My dear and brave citizens, I implore you! Let us remember how we have endured and overcome a dark period of our kingdom’s history. Let us bolster our spirits with resolve. We shall rebuild the Spade Kingdom to what it once was and make new memories for the next generation of our people!”

After Ciel’s voice dissipated into the sky, silence permeated the crowd.

Ciel looked upon her people.

Let my prayer resonate with them…

Then,

“For Spade Kingdom!” a voice from the crowd yelled.

“Towards a brighter future!” cried another as they raised their fist.

“Aye!”

“This is our kingdom again!”

“Here here!”

Shouts of determination arose, a testament to how the people had been weakened but not broken.

It was later decided that the corpses of Dante, Vanica, Zenon, and Moris didn’t need to be found. In all likelihood, the Zogratis family and Moris were dead. Their bodies lost to the land and their souls damned for their cruelty. As cold as it sounded, Ciel was glad to think that to be the case.

Uncertainty nestled within Ciel’s heart. However, the memory of her son’s affirmation and the optimistic calls of her citizens drowned out the whisper of fear.

#black clover #black clover fanfic #ciel grinberryall #yuno grinberryall #as time moves on series #okay i know yuno is only mentioned but darn it maybe i am trying to get this seen #this isn't really a mystery mystery #but more like a loose thread that i noticed and played with like i'm a bored cat #just a brief mention of lumi which is a creation of my moot lyra #wow this series dead i just update it super irregularly and without warning #this hasn't been beta read at all so soooorrryyyyyy!

[ecoamerica]

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[kachikirby]

SD Gundam Gaiden Seikihei Monogatari - Chapter 5: Anger

Previous Chapter

Nina hopes to the G Griff statue for victory. However, Cecily then points out that the G Griff is pissed because Baraba field will become a battleground, therefore they won't win.

Meanwhile, GP01 meets up with Minstrel Knight Red Warrior R, a knight from Dabat's ally, Regashim. They discuss the G Griff, an old god which R believes will grant them victory if they protect these two stones. GP01 wonders this.

The fight begins and the army is easily slaughtered thanks to Tactician Quattro's tactics.

GP01 and Gunrex fight back, but are clearly outnumbered. R assists them in his machine, R-Jannon. But he is taken out by hidden Shinobi Qubeley in their mechs.

One of the Shinobi Qubeley attacks hit the stone G Griff statues, and R despairs that they will lose this battle. A new machine, piloted by Zenon Mansa appears and takes out R-Jannon, sending GP01 into a rage.

Gunrex powers up with rage, as Gunrex is a machine that grows with its pilot. With this new strength, he is easily able to take out the mechs piloted by the Shinobi Qubeley.

However, he wrecks the other statue and leaves himself open to Zenon Mansa's attack.

End of Chapter 5

-

Table of Contents

Next Chapter

#sd gundam #sd gundam gaiden #sd gundam manga #seikihei monogatari #manga translation #Red Warrior R the GOAT #I'd also like to note that Tactician Quattro is more important in the actual carddas series where he's kinda nothing here #and that's just funny to me

[chidoroki]

Black Clover ch355

Can’t say too much happened this chapter so thankfully this is gonna be a whole lot shorter than last review. As expected, we got William jumping in with his magic to heal up Jack, but I really have no clue if Jack’s already dead or not. When Zenon & company attacked the Golden Dawn base way back, we know William’s magic is capable of saving people on the verge of death, but if they’re already gone, then no dice.

Full of determination, William proceeds to strike against Lucius, but that doesn’t go quite as well as I hoped. I thought he would’ve learned how to deal with time magic a little bit from when Patry fought Julius (since he was sorta kinda there for the fight, or at least watching from Patry’s eyes) but now we got pain. His arm looks like it’s straight up disintegrating.

As if we didn’t already have enough to worry about, we see all those angels from last time start to launch several beams of light (which I’m very sure will do way more harm than good) towards the entire kingdom.

Surprisingly, each and every one gets reflected (at least, that’s what it looked like happened?) by a particular magic that we haven’t seen much of yet but certainly happy to see more of. Ah Yuno, we’re so lucky to have you and your second grimoire.

It’s pretty amazing to think that Yuno was able to pull off such a huge spell, one that is on par with Julius when he protected the kingdom from Patry, with a kind of magic he’s only had access to for a little over a year. Imagine how powerful his star magic could’ve been if he had received his spade grimoire sooner.

Now having William call out to him and declare Yuno the new captain of the squad is kinda quick..? Granted we learned Yuno had reached grand knight level back in ch332, but just coming out and saying something like “okay you’re the leader now” seems like such a sudden change of command. I do appreciate that William acknowledges how strong our prince has become. And if Asta thought it was frustrating having Yuno outrank him before, then now the poor lad is gonna be even more upset at his new title.

I also love how the chapter shows us how easily Yuno could’ve given in to revenge against Lucius, with how frustrated he was about Lily becoming a paladin and Asta getting seriously injured and sent away, but tells us instead that his main goal for winning this fight is to prove he’s strong enough to become wizard king. He certainly has a one track mind.

Seems those bandages are finally coming off as well. Kinda reminds me of that secret Igneel power up Natsu had for a brief moment against Zeref. If the arm does contain a new magic, I wonder if it’ll be star or wind magic.

#black clover #bc manga #chidoroki used chatter

[spadesreign]

PROLOGUE

The night grows darker, even the sky above refusing to reveal its light. In a dimly lit room, a man with a black mark running along his forehead sits with a stern demeanor. A smile appears on his face as he gazes upon a burning candle. Nearby, a woman with an eye patch covering her right eye sits, propping her head with a hint of boredom in her gaze directed at the man. Beside her, another man with a black, cross-shaped mark on his forehead and over his left eye stands coldly, gazing towards the eldest figure.

They are the Zogratis Siblings, better known as the Dark Triad, powerful mages who rebelled against the Spade Kingdom. They brutally attacked the royal family, causing the death of the king and his entire clan. They seized control and brought chaos, forcing the Mage Defense Force to turn against its citizens and harm them.

“It’s about time we make our move,” said the eldest, Dante Zogratis, the host of Lucifero. With his powerful magic, he plans to take down Yami Sukehiro, the captain of the Black Bulls.

“Ah, that delicious treat I’ve been saving, I’ll finally eat them,” responded Vanica Zogratis, the host of Megicula and user of Blood Magic. Her voice rose, full of excitement. She seems eager to attack the Heart Kingdom, where Queen Lolopechika and her followers reside.

“I will catch that arcane-stage mage,” Zenon Zogratis, the youngest of the four and the host of Beelzebub, spoke coldly. He refers to William Vangance, whom he plans to attack.

Their plan is to create the Tree of Qliphoth, which will summon legions of devils into the world and bring about massive human casualties and catastrophic destruction.

“But first, we must capture those knights and make them our tools to strengthen us,” Zenon continues, his expression remains unreadable. But one thing is for sure: he is highly determined when it comes to gaining more power.

Can you, knights of the Clover Kingdom, stop the Dark Triad? Or will you fall into their trap?

[silvyavan]

If Asta is Astaroth's human reincarnation, I would want it to be used purely for comedic purposes, ESPECIALLY if Asta looked exactly like his past life but just with grey hair and no wrinkles.

Like, the comedic value of, if Asta had black hair would be top dollar

Chapter 1:

Liebe: damn, its noisy as fuck outside the grimoire today, who's-

Asta: *yelling and struggling, punching Revchi*

Liebe: IS THAT THE FUCKING TIME DEVIL-

----------

Witch forest arc:

Vanessa: I'll come back to work under you but only if you heal Asta's arms

Witch queen: sure, bring in the little shit

Asta, black hair and bandaged arms, mad as hell: DONT YOU DARE TRY TO ENSLAVE VANESSA-

Witch queen, who made a deal with the time devil centuries ago to help him develop a way to become human in exchange for unlimited power, found a lady that volunteered and hasn't heard from him since the completion: ( ⊙   ⊙ )

Vanessa: ngl, I don't like the look on your face.

Witch Queen: Vanessa, blessed child of mine, can we talk mom to daughter in private because there seems to be a fucking problem here.

--------

Elf reincarnation:

Zagred: lmao, who goes- WHAT THE FUCK-

Asta: HUH?

Zagred:... do NOT HARASS ME,,, I have PERMISSION to be here,,, from the KING,,, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT-

Asta: ??? QUIT ATTACKING THE CAPITAL THEN??? I HAVE THE RIGHT OF SELF DEFENCE???? TO BEAT YOUR ASS???

Liebe in the grimoire, knowing that it's gonna be the same shit with Asta looking like the time devil misunderstanding but with more violence:

-----------

Spade arc:

Lucifero: the fuck, why is Astaroth here???

Dante: Astaroth??? Big Brother's Contracted devil??? Isn't he supposed be in the Underworld??? After the successful devil deal???

Lucifero: HE SHOULD BE. BUT HE'S NOT. HE'S FUCKING AROUND HERE, APPARENTLY.

Dante:... are we SURE it's him? He seems kinda... human with no memories and magicless?

Lucifero: oh this motherfucker turned himself human at the price of his magic. Istg, only Astaroth would pull shit like this.

Dante: HUH???

-------

Zenon upon seeing Asta: ALLEN???

Beelzebub: ASTAROTH??? HE'S NOT DEAD???

Zenon: ??? BIG BROTHER'S DEVIL CONTRACTOR DIED???

-------

Ralph: Lord Yuno, I beg of you with my whole heart, please do not hang around that antimagic boy anymore

Yuno, assuming Ralph is pulling some homophobia/classicism stunt, lying through his teeth: antimagic boy? You mean Asta, my BELOVED rival, with whom I had made a lifelong promise? Whom I will become wizard king with together?

Ralph: Lord Yuno, that knight looks exactly like the fucking time devil if I've ever seen him, I am BEGGING you-

-------

Lucifero: *kills Licita* lol, what are you gonna do?

Liebe, 17 years later, taking Asta's hand in demon pact of frienship/marriage/vengeance:

*3 days later*

Lucifero: give me back Astaroth 🔪

Liebe: lol, gimme back Licita then 🔪🔪🔪

Asta: ??? Who the HELL are we talking about???

#i have deadlines and yet here i am #shitposting my aus #black clover #asta black clover #liebe black clover #lucifero black clover #yuno black clover #silv writes

[ecoamerica]

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[bowandcurtsey]

Can you do black clover headcanons of (William, nozel, and other characters of your choice!) react to their crush having chaos magic like Wanda from marvel! so basically they have the ability to use any type of magic! but reader can get very chaotic and reckless because they're the only one to have this kind of magic so they had to train themselves at such young age and was treated very harshly if they messed up (even though it's not their fault 😭poor baby) so it's hard to control it when they get emotional! they can be extremely strong like super powerful! but they dont give a f**k about becoming wizard king they don't want responsibility they just wanna have fun! That doesn't mean their irresponsible they just don't want to be held down! so as long as it doesn't hurt anyone they choose to let their chaos flourish! (In short words reader is a chaotic neutral 😂)

Scarlet Witch is OP as hell. What kind of power is chaos magic seriously! She is so underrated!

If you guys don't follow Marvel, basically her magic is telekinesis and telepathy. So it allows her to control objects / break objects and also do hypnosis. she can also produce energy waves. Meaning she can basically control any matter. LOL. Since that includes air, it also means she can fly.

Also this request is similar to Reckless series, here's PART 1 and PART 2. You can check it out!

William | Nozel | Zenon x f! reader

William Vangeance

Has always known that you were a powerful individual by the look in your eyes. He's really happy that you're on the side of good instead of evil, else you would probably be a very troublesome enemy to fight.

He was always very rest assured when he sent you on missions but one day, you lost control. The enemy hit a spot when they killed of some of your allies and villagers.

The enemy was ripped to pieces but you couldn't stop your powers. Things were being smashed into pieces and there was chaos everywhere.

William rushed to the scene. "Y/n! It's me!"

"Will.. don't come near! I'll hurt you." you cried, your mana surging throughout your body.

"No. you won't. Control yourself." William inched closer to you.

You calmed down slowly and before you knew it, you were wrapped in William's arms.

You were shaking in fear because when you messed up, you always got beaten up and abused. But William held you and stroked your back gently without uttering a word.

"I'm sorry Will.." You apologised to him after you recovered from your episode. "Should I.. leave? Should I quit being a magic kn-"

"No." he shook his head and smiled. "No you shouldn't give up just because you made a mistake y/n."

He stroked your head, "we should learn from our mistakes and just be a better person from now on."

William still put you on missions and he even put you in charge of the younger knights. He hoped that by teaching the younger ones, it would inspire them and also have you learn about yourself.

Sometimes the best way to learn is through teaching others. You were still the pride of the Golden Dawn and William. He's always so proud to call you his and wouldn't hesitate to drown you with compliments.

If he saw that you got a little too reckless, he'll be worried for you and he would only chide you behind closed doors, telling you that he was so worried and he could never bear to see you injured.

Off duty, he would also treat you as a princess and even though you might be stronger than him, he'd still treat you as equals in a relationship.

He'll never fail to hold you close to him at night and whisper sweet nothings in your ears so that you'll always feel safe and sound with him. William is absolutely your pillar of support and he makes sure that you know that.

Nozel Silva

Nozel finally understood the true extent of your powers when he saw you losing control during the fight with the devil. The devil played some dirty mind games with you and succeeded.

Seeing you lose control, reminded him of Noelle and how his heart ached for you. He put you in his silver star of execution and was careful that you did not hurt yourself or others.

He just waited until you calmed down yourself.

When you woke up, you were in Nozel's arms and you were both flying on his silver eagle.

What got him surprised was when you started sobbing uncontrollably.

After awhile, you felt him stroking your head and you looked up at him.

"You should be telling me 'thank you', not this."

He eased a little when you started laughing again.

Since then, Nozel was always protective of you. Not because he couldn't trust you to control yourself; on the battle field, he still let you go all out. But because he realised that you were always someone that had your weak points and was trying your best to be strong.

On nights where it was just the both of you behind closed doors, he would always hold you tightly in his arms and tell you, "you'll always have me. You're not alone."

One day you replied him, "So are you. You have me too, you're not alone. Sometimes, you can depend on me to shoulder your burdens too."

On days where you had a little too much fun and got injured, you could see that he would get extremely grumpy at you.

"I'm sorry~" you'd give him a little pout and your puppy eyes and it would work all the time.

"if you don't care about yourself, then care about people around you that are worried for you." he'd give a little humph while holding you in his arms.

Zenon Zogratis

He was absolutely star struck with your powers. He loved watching you fight, he thought it was like a dance and it kept him captivated and mesmerised.

Once, he saw you lose control of your powers and it even sent a little shiver down his spine. You were indeed formidable if you were in control of your full capacity of your powers.

You caught you as you were falling, you had run out of mana, but what took him by surprise was your trembling lips and your eyes in a daze, muttering "sorry" repeatedly.

He held you tightly, telling you "it's okay".

A week later, the headline on the spade news was that the school that you grew up in, was burnt to crisps and that there were no survivors.

Although you were strong and you could easily whip an enemy's ass, Zenon was still protective of you. He still enjoyed watching you fight though, but he would never let you come in any harm's way.

God bless anyone that speaks of any nasty remark about you. As long as it reaches Zenon's ears. They're dead.

He'll step in mid fight if you get too reckless and one glare from him is all it took for you to understand that you've gone too far. He'll finish the fight swiftly and move on.

He'll be a little more quiet the rest of the day but you know that he's just worried for you.

Give him a little physical affection and this man is whipped. Holding onto his hand and giving it a squeeze, pulling him into a hug when you both got home, pressing a little chaste kiss on his cheeks and telling him "thank you" was all that was needed.

Afterall, you're his precious woman and he loved everything about you.

-end-

#black clover imagines #black clover headcanons #black clover imagine #black clover x reader #black clover fanfiction #black clover x you #black clover x y/n #zenon zogratis x reader #zenon zogratis #black clover zenon #nozel imagine #nozel silva x reader #nozel x reader #nozel silva #william vangeance x reader #william vangeance #black clover william #black clover nozel

[seeyounexttime]

As you may know, Black Clover is having an online exhibition. If you look at it here (has to be on mobile though) you see 0/20 and 0% in the corner. I saw the screenshots that some people shared also have zeroes and wondered... After some clicking around and struggling with Japanese, I’ve gotten a full score :D

So for those who want to know what to do, or can’t see the exhibition yourself for whatever reason, I’ve made a walkthrough that’s what it’s called right?

First, you’re asked to please turn on the sound and enjoy. There’s an ON and OFF option

Devil Possessed Work Is On Display. DEVILS AND ~THE DON’T GIVE UP MAGICAL EXHIBIT~ Black Clover 6th Year Anniversary Celebration

The Spade Kingdom’s evil devil hosts have set their hands on Black Clover’s online exhibition, the “Don’t Give Up Magical Exhibit”, from the 5th year anniversary celebration!? Only the “devil-possessed works” were shining a suspicious light in the transformed exhibition hall.

[yellow/gold box] To the Devils and Don’t Give Up Magical Exhibit >>

Asta has newly awakened devil power!? -- Together with the devil Liebe, get power to confront the invasion of the Spade Kingdom, including the Dark Triad!

[white/silver box] To the Don’t Give Up Magical Exhibit >>

Complete Revival of the “Won’t Give Up Magical Exhibit”!? -- Because of the Spade Kingdom’s invasion, the “Don’t Give Up Magical Exhibit” has ended up in miserable condition, but Nero’s sealing magic has succeeded in completely returning it to the way it used to be! Let’s dive into the work and explore Asta and friend’s “won’t give up magic”

I recommend starting with the previous year’s exhibit, so flip your phone to the side and click the white box with Nero on the corner..~

A little tutorial: you can click in the picture frames, swipe, and pinch the screen. Nero says “I’ll tell you if you get lost. Don’t worry.”

“Not giving up magic” isn’t only Asta’s magic.

Everyone who supported Black Clover will surely have the power of “not giving up magic.” Now, with your magic power, let’s dive into the world of Black Clover’s story.

PROMISE -- 約束 (yakusoku) -- The source of the power of Asta’s “not giving up magic” was a “promise” with his rival, who pursues the dream that they can never give up on, called “to become the Wizard King.”

Nero says “Tap the framed picture.”

This causes a little manga movie to play - about Asta and Yuno of course. Their promise, words exchanged at the dungeon, that time they saved Hage, and times they fought side by side in the Elf Arc are shown. When it comes to an end, it displays this manga spread:

Nero says “Tap the demon’s bones...”

This plays a manga movie about Licht’s and Lumiere’s tragic battle...

Nero says “Tap the icon on the upper left to return to the original world.”

You’ll be taken back the Promise screen and should now have 1/20 at the bottom corner

PRIDE -- 誇り (hokori) -- Magic Knight Squads that protect the world with magical power. The Wizard King with the magic knight captains whom he brings together. It is that “pride” built up due to their overwhelming achievements that is the source of power.

Again, tap the framed pictures. A slideshow of their most prominent moments (before the timeskip) play. At the end is a panel of their most impressive spell at least that’s what I think they were trying to do here?

Nero says “You want to know more about your comrades right”

Tap the yellow button next to her (it says “see details+”). This pops up:

At the top is their type of magic. Then a short description about them. The rest is mostly stats that were already in their manga profile’s + a little extra. In order it’s: {their name ☘, age, height, birthday, sign, blood type, favorite thing, birthplace, and rank}

Yami’s birthplace is the Land of the Sun; Dorothy’s is the Witch’s Forest; Jack’s is in the Common Realm; everyone else was born in the Noble Realm

COMPLEX -- 劣等感 (rettoukan) -- A person who can deal with their “inferiority complex” is also a blessed person who has the chance to become stronger than anyone else.

*note: the kanji specifically refers to “inferiority complex”

A manga movie about her struggles with magic plays, then switches to this:

Nero says “Pinch out and move forward.”

As you “zoom in” panels of Noelle’s development with spells, from Sea Dragon’s Lair to Valkyrie Dress, rotate around, ending with:

“I... won....!!”

FRIENDSHIP -- 絆 (kizuna) -- For their precious friends, sometimes a person can even go as far as surpassing their limits. A magic blow vested with the “bonds” of friends has defeated any despair.

*note: the kanji means “bonds (between people)”

Nero says “If you look at all the framed pictures of bonds…”

When you click on each framed picture, you get panels like in the Complex section but these one’s don’t rotate

It focuses on an important fight for each Black Bull, I think one that emphasizes their bonds with someone and/or teamwork. Magna & Luck share framed pictures; Gauche, Gordon, Grey and Henry share another. Usually at the end you see the kanji for their magic attribute (Charmy’s ends with “food magic”)

Like with the captains, there’s also a panel of them looking impressive. Again, Nero says “You want to learn more about your friends right.”

At the top is their name, description about them, then Profile ☘ and stats in the same order as the captain’s in the Pride section. I want to note that Charmy’s birthplace is literally “?”

But Before You Finish Looking At All The Frames-!! swipe left and take a look 👀

Try to tap this~  Nero says “If you look at all the framed pictures, there will be something good.”

After you watch the 8th one, you’ll find that the middle frame has lit up

“Tap the framed picture” Nero says. A manga movie about the Black Bulls plays, showing their good and awesome times, then ending in the group shot of when they busted in during Asta’s and Nero’s trial --but wait!! there’s more!!!

We’re moving left-?! Omg SECRE-!??

“Well done, you undid the seal.”

“I will undo the seal with my magic.”

Sealing Magic

Inverse Release

LOVE -- 愛 (ai) -- The magic of Black Clover has been sustained by the “love” of everyone who continuously supported all the characters, including Asta and Yuno, and this story. Thank you very much for so much “love.”

That’s right: you just unlocked Love :’)

Tapping it opens up a high-quality image that you can download for yourself.

Nero says “It’s a commemorative wallpaper. It’s yours.”

☘ Instant Posting Magic ☘ Let’s share with everyone that we came to play Black Clover’s 5th anniversary project “Never Giving Up Magic” 📖 Use Instant Posting Magic

Tapping that opens up twitter. Nero says “Post in celebration.”

--but wait! there’s even more!! swipe one more time 👀

Zenon, what are you doing here? staring at a framed picture of the Heart Kingdom... Tap it, Nero says

oh shit

a preview of volume 25 plays

Click Here For Part 2~! ☠ 

※✧※

*Disclaimer: The exhibit used 諦めない魔法 (akiramenai mahou). Akiramenai is the negative form of the verb akirameru "to give up" and mahou is "magic." It's definitely a reference to Asta's "my magic is never giving up" line, and I guess it could be translated as "magic that doesn't give up" but doesn't that make it sound like he has magic? This becomes more of an issue when they begin to apply it to others beside Asta... So yeah, sorry that sounds awkward. Also depending on context and because I got tired of repeating the same phrase I changed the form from "don't give up" to "not giving up" and others.

I was using google translate quite a bit, after I looked up kanji by parts because I couldn't copy-paste the pictures (it was decent practice; I think I can totally identify the word "not giving up" now). This isn't an official release, but I did try to clean things up to at least sound coherent and give you a better idea of what's going on.

#black clover #asta #yuno #noelle silva #yami sukehiro #black clover exhibition #long post #black clover asta #black clover yuno

[mishy-mashy]

I haven't seen much spoilers for Black Clover's latest chapter, but I think I was right

As in I was literally just thinking about this and scrolled a bit, saw a spoiler of Yuno crying and two grimoires, and whoop

*sees Yuno crying*

Is this supposed to look like a parallel from him to Zenon when crying?

Anyway. A while ago when I made a theory about the connection between Licht, Tetia, Yuno, and the unborn baby, before it was actually revealed, I ended up being right. I think this was before Zagred appeared, and it was probably 2 or 3 years ago, idk

And I was thinking. Yuno has wind magic because of the elf soul having the same magic as Tetia, the mom. And elves are from Clover kingdom. So because of the baby, Yuno would've gotten a clover grimoire with wind magic, despite being from Spade

So technically, Yuno became a knight using someone else's grimoire, because he doesn't actually have his proper one by birthplace

So Yuno's in the Spade kingdom right now. If he crashed into a grimoire tower or wherever they go to get their books, wouldn't he get his own Spade grimoire meant for him, rather than the baby soul that already has one? So he'd have two grimoires

Does that mean he'd be like Charmy, Fans, and Mars with two types of magic for the two grimoires (though his aren't stitched together into one), or does he just have more spells now? Or his power is actually properly boosted with the grimoire he should've had from the beginning of being a knight, and now it's a combination of that and point 2 in this paragraph, and his power is seriously boosted now

*insert moment I see a post of Yuno with two grimoires*

Oh.

#once again having a burst of energy to explain something #black clover #i was right four times in this series in that yuno tetia baby licht connection #julius not being dead #nacht being the white hair guy in the small flashback about freedom being cool #and that yuno would get two grimoires #yay me #literally me explaining why I think yuno would get another grimoire and seeing it actually happen #edit: just checked. the closest time i could find is june 2018 so its around that time i came up with the yuno and elf soul theory #earlier or later idk #edit2: family connection was 3 years ago. thought of yuno finally getting the second grimoire the moment he stepped foot in spade. and now #here #yess #analysis

[uozlulu]

Black Clover chapter 310 reaction and spoilers

The oldest Zogratis brother tells Zenon in a flashback, “The weak die easily. It's impossible to protect them all. In that case, we'll destroy them temporarily, then we'll regenerate them, this time with undying bodies! With the devils’ power, we four, the Zogratis siblings, can use our magic to remake humanity. Fortunate citizens who have no fear of death, let us create a truly peaceful Spade Kingdom!” Then the text underscores “…for the prosperity of the Spade Kingdom!!!” which we know is part of Zenon’s motivations for taking on Beelzebub as his devil. There’s a lot to unpack here including the visual. One major question is: Does the oldest brother actually believe this or is this how he’s convincing Zenon to join them? We know that Zenon dragged his feet a bit in receiving a devil. It also makes me curious if the devil that Zenon encountered with Allen was sent by the oldest brother to manipulate the situation.

The visual is also interesting here too. Once again, we see the oldest brother this time with Vanica and Dante standing behind him. The oldest brother’s face is obscured, but we can tell that he’s likely a rather tall man who’s in a wheel chair. The absence of the face raises a lot of questions, because I would think we either a) know who he is or b) know who he’s related to. If we’ve already met him, no clue who he’d be, but if he looks like someone we know, it wouldn’t surprise me if he looks like Damnatio since Damnatio looks like he could also be a Zogratis. Also wouldn’t surprise me if the oldest brother looks like Yuno or perhaps Loyce since the Zogratis siblings being a bastard strain of the royal family would make some sense since their hair seems to do similar things that Yuno’s hair does. Also wouldn’t surprise me if it’s something more out of left field like the oldest Zogratis looks a bit like a young Father Orsi, and this is going to be part of a bridge to the Spade Arc being part of a larger devil and angel saga like how from the magic knight award luncheon to the end of the Elf Reincarnation Arc could be arguably an Eye of the Midnight Sun saga.

Speaking of the oldest sibling and who might potentially possess him, I’m thinking it’s going to be Satan. Vanica has a devil that doesn’t exist in mythos but is the origin point of curses, Zenon has Beelzebub, and Dante has Luciferio (Lucifer). So Satan would fit in with that group of devils. Mythologically, Satan and Lucifer, while both cast out of Heaven for defying God, aren’t necessarily the same mythological figure, though many think them to be because of their similar origin points. Satan is more the snake in the Garden of Eden while Lucifer is associated with Venus. Also it seems like if the oldest Zogratis is a devil user, then it would make sense he would be a devil that could outrank Lucifer, which would be Satan I would think. It’ll be interesting to see where this is going either way.

Yuno achieves Saint Stage, which is “when the resonance between a spirit and its host between a spirit and its host is very close to 100%.” I would assume the spirit in question here is Licht and Tetia’s child more so than Sylph who is an Elemental since part of what allowed this to happen is Yuno’s constant proximity to death during the battle against Zenon. What I like most about this is I would think that this is one of those moves that can’t easily be reproduced, that the only way to achieve it is for Yuno and the child to be united in the goal of surviving. It’s a nice touch like how Yuno’s stars have a decay rate and possibly a regeneration wait. It helps elevate Yuno to keep him and Asta as equals without making Yuno so OP he has to go like sit in a box or something.

Now that we’ve defeated Dante, Vanica, and Zenon, and also met their oldest brother in flashbacks, seems like we’re closer than ever before to what shoe’s about to drop. It’s going to be exciting to see what that is and how it likely connects back to the oldest Zogratis.

#ymmv #liveblog #manga liveblog #black clover manga liveblog #black clover manga spoilers #i'm reading ch 310 #theory #black clover theory #black clover #i don't know what to tag this

[loosesodamarble]

The Curse of the Four Leaf Clover

So one evening I was talking with my sister and friends. I don’t remember why exactly but my sister had brought up carrying around lucky charms. Among the lucky charms she brought up four-leaf clovers and I jokingly went “you probably shouldn’t.” I had kinda forgotten that no one besides me in the group was into Black Clover.

Either way, my sister asked why four-leaf clovers weren’t lucky. I quickly explained the lore of grimoires and clovers in BC then gave brief overviews of each wielder of a four-leaf grimoire.

Licht lost his entire tribe of people and had to turn himself into a giant demon to stop a devil from taking over his body. And when he’s resurrected, he has to fight the same devil.

Lumiere had to fight and kill his best friend (Licht). He probably didn’t know if his sister lived or died the day of that tragedy. Then his body turned to dust as he died.

Patry died as a child before he could get a grimoire and when he came back, it was all part of the devil’s plan. He got turned into a raging, mindless dark elf and permanently lost his grimoire.

Yuno lost his parents and kingdom as a baby. He grew up in poverty for most of his life. If Asta hadn’t come along, he would’ve had his grimoire stolen the day he got it. After becoming a Magic Knight, he’s bullied and harassed by his co-workers (Alecdora and Langris being the most prominent examples). Then when he learns of his royal origins, that same day his boss is kidnapped and half of his co-workers are killed.

And I didn’t bring this one up with my sister and friends but the elf soul that Yuno’s first grimoire actually belongs to is so unlucky that they didn’t even get out of the womb. Yikes.

Regardless, five-for-five, four-leaf grimoire wielders are met with misfortune.

But why would that be when four-leaf clovers are famous symbols of luck?

Well, maybe because Tabata is a Japanese man. Japanese and Western symbols of good luck aren’t the same. If you are the least bit familiar with Japanese language, homophones, and superstitions then you know where I’m going with this. In Japanese, the number “four” can be pronounced the same way as the word for “death.” Thus, four is unlucky.

Thus, we have our unlucky clovers.

I know what some people might be thinking. “But they’re all blessed by mana.” “Yuno is a prodigy.” “Patry was turned back to normal.”

Being blessed by mana didn’t make people agree with Licht and Lumiere’s vision of humans and elves living in harmony. The elves accepted Lumiere and Tetia but no other humans. They cursed the humans in their dying breaths.

Lumiere’s invention, which was meant to bring elven power and human ingenuity together, was used to massacre the elves. He watched his friend Secre curse herself with Weg to preserve his life.

Patry learned that he was being manipulated and that he hurt many innocents for nothing. He went against the beliefs of the one he admired for nothing. He believed he was meant for greatness because of his four-leaf but that was actually his downfall as his grimoire became Zagred’s five-leaf grimoire.

Yuno is put under so much pressure and is always on his own. He alone was the “hope of the church.” He was entrusted with responsibility even when Asta proclaimed his desire to help. Mimosa and Klaus are with him often but it always feels like they’re associating with him because they’re Asta’s friends, not Yuno’s. He was the only person able to solo a Dark Disciple and face Zenon for even a moment. And in the final battle against Zenon, Finral and Langris couldn’t be there to support him and Yuno had to face Zenon alone. No, the elf soul and Bell do not count because, let’s be real, both are little more than talking power-ups. All the pressure on Yuno is patially due to being “blessed” with the four-leaf grimoire.

Yuno being a prodigy, being vice captain at 17, and getting two grimoires are snazzy things but I chalk that up to him being Tabata’s most special and favorite child more than anything else./hj

When you really look at Licht, Lumiere, Patry, and Yuno, their lives are unfortunate. Triumphant moments and incredible power do not make up for the more personal misfortunes in their lives.

All of them had high expectations put upon them and all of them have been met with tragedy and failure. Patry and Yuno are alive and able to fight for a happy end but they’re in no way blessed. None of them are.

The four-leaf grimoire is not an omen of luck. It is an omen of death and despair for those who have one.

#black clover #black clover meta #black clover theory #black clover licht #lumiere silvamillion clover #patry #yuno grinberryall #long post #I’m not saying that Tabata actually intended for the four-leaf grimoire to be unlucky #this is just a meta analysis #but I’m vibing with the idea

[konboyblues]

On Yamihime & the Politics of Toxic Loyalty

I think about Yami’s history and his struggles, and wonder just how deeply Julius’ arrival affected his psyche. Here’s a man who collects squad members like they’re Pokemon, and has no problem giving them a home and a military title because, quite frankly, that’s what Julius did for him, and because Julius gave him a reason to live, then maybe the people Yami collects will also find their will to live.

Except Julius didn’t pick him off the street because he felt bad for him; he took him in because he had magic power, and magic/mana is what makes the man in Clover Kingdom.

It’s not to say Yami doesn’t know he’s a cog in the greater Clover military machine; I’m sure he does! I just think it’s important to note that even though Yami is aware he was brought in to be a tool, he has no problem making others tools as well, because his perception of loyalty and service is inherently warped. For Yami, it’s OK to give your life for someone, no matter what kind of person they are, if you owe your loyalty to that person. It’s also probably why Yami, despite being so perceptive and intelligent, has never questioned Julius’ authority, even though the kingdom is a shitshow from the capital all the way to the boonies.

Asta is critical to Yami’s narrative because Asta, despite being a magicless manlet, is also the only person in the Black Bulls who doesn’t come into the squad looking for comfort, family, and a place to belong. Asta already has all of that. He has comfort in the fact that he’s an ambitious little fuck, he has a family he’ll literally die for, and his home is Hage. The Magic Knights are a path to his goals, not the goal itself. This is a clear opposite of the Black Bulls at large, who are mostly depressed, prone to loitering, and have no motivation to heal and improve their magical abilities because they’re all suffering from depression, anxiety, etc., and the Black Bulls and Yami are really all they have, because they have nothing and no one else.

Prior to Asta’s arrival, the Black Bulls were largely fractured, and barely functioned as individuals, much less a team. Yami did nothing to foster camaraderie. He didn’t have to! They didn’t have to be loyal to each other, only Yami, because it wasn’t a brigade, it was a halfway house, and he was house master. Again, it’s not to say Yami willingly fostered toxicity in his ranks, but he definitely let it fester for so long that it took a whole arc for them to come together as a cohesive unit. And why? Because Asta was the only one well-adjusted enough to recognize his squad’s potential as a whole, versus Yami who wanted them to surpass their limits individually.

But through Asta, I truly believe Yami learned the meaning of family and individual agency in ways Julius could never teach him. I don’t see Yami as a father figure for the Black Bulls at all. In fact, if there’s anyone I think Yami resembles the most, it’s Rukia from Bleach, and that’s as a mentor, a friend, and an ideal to be achieved. Yami is someone who, despite fundamentally being a good person, is bound by his toxic loyalty to his king, wrapped in politics beyond his comprehension, and ultimately a tool who’s been sacrificed time and time again to keep up appearances. The Black Bulls are some of the strongest people in the realm, and led by the King’s ward himself, and yet no one respects the Black Bulls, and no one looks to or respects Yami as ward of the King. He’s treated like garbage despite the military clout. He’s a monster to be feared, when he could have been a beacon of hope for other immigrants, but in the greater narrative of Clover’s military, that just wasn’t possible, and so Yami’s dignity had to be sacrificed in order for him to coexist with the natives.

And now that he’s literally about to be sacrificed, I think it’s poignant that Yami smiled one last before his transformation into Yamihime. It’s his way of apologizing for his shortcomings as squad leader because, in a way, he knows it’s his fault Vanessa, Finral, Grey, Gauche, and Henry still aren’t emotionally well enough to duke it out in tough spots, and Asta can’t save them at the end of the day because Asta is but one human. Yami knows he fucked up, and that he should have tried harder, but he didn’t. Of course we know that it’s not Yami’s fault he got snatched up, but for Yami, it’s a culmination of all of his shortcomings, so he has to smile at the end, because he needs the Black Bulls to understand that it aint their fault. AKA, if we follow through with the Bleach parallel, then the Black Bulls are mini-Ichigos, with Asta being Alpha Ichigo.

The power structure that birthed the Black Bulls can’t be allowed to continue, because how many others like Yami are serving the Crown while willfully ignoring the injustices happening to the civilians? How about the crimes against military personnel? How many more Zara Ideale’s are there? How many more Vanessa’s, and Finral’s, and Henry’s? More than enough, probably, but they’re stuck in this hateful cycle because they have a central figurehead willing to sacrifice them to keep the institution running. That’s why Julius has to die, not because Julius is inherently evil (he’s not), but the institution he serves, upholds, and strengthens is corrupt and fundamentally evil. It’s the same institution that carried out a genocide, and created the tragedy of Yamihime and those like him, those who were sacrificed one way or another to keep the Crown looking pretty.

So why the wall of text? Simple. I feel like Yami’s one of those characters whose physical appearance is a reflection of his deepest insecurities. Here’s a guy who’s three hundred pounds of pure muscle and bulging neck veins, but not only is he objectively ugly, he also has the social skills of a wet leaf. He doesn’t know how to navigate socially, can’t read the room, is crazy intelligent and observant, but too damn stupid to catch a cue. And it’s not his fault! He’s dumb! Lonely! He wants friends, but he’s bad at it! So what does he do? Overcompensate with his muscles and emotionally detach himself enough that his squad members can’t get too close to him, so then he becomes more of an ideal than a person. 

With his transformation into Yamihime, I think Yami is finally in a place where he’s finally humanized, not only to the Black Bulls, but to the audience as well. Now we know that despite three hundred pounds of muscles, anyone can be a victim. Despite being a physical representation of oozing masculinity, anyone can be harassed, hurt, and victimized by violent predators like Dante and Zenon. The transformation into Yamihime thus serves as the critical juncture where Yami is now a person rather than just Julius’ tool, the Black Bulls’ idealized leader, and Charlotte’s love interest. Yami is now a deeply flawed human being who has his own shortcomings and insecurities, recognizes these issues, and who has accepted his failure in order to emotionally relieve his squad of having to feel the guilt of losing him. I know I joke about the Yamihime a lot, but it really is a powerful tool when used properly, because Tabata didn’t fridge Yami, he made Yami the very human being Clover refused to believe he was.

And his rescue now is staked on his humanity, because Yami is a friend and a potential lover, and not just a monster, or a captain, or the dude who’s made of three hundred pounds of pure muscle. And with Yami’s transformation into Yamihime, it comes time for Julius to be removed from the narrative as a proponent of the old Yami and all that he stood for, because Yamihime can’t be the tool of the state after this. Yami can’t uphold the dirty institution after this because the institution has spent this whole time stripping away Yami’s humanity, so for Yami to return to Clover as Julius’ soldier does nothing to reflect the change that’s necessary for the story to further develop as a whole. 

See with Yami’s humanization came Julius’ breakdown as a figurehead. I now understand why Tabata had to deage him. If he’d killed him off during the elven invasion, then he would have died a martyr and thrown the country into a civil war with a Spade invasion on its heels. No - Julius needed to be deaged so that it would be much easier for both the audience and characters to consume his true death because it’s easier to woobify a thirteen year old babie than a forty year old man. Because despite how kind Julius is to Yami, he’s still a propagator of violence and a leading figure of a corrupt institution. For Yami’s sacrifice to even make a modicum of narrative sense, Julius must die. The civil war, which has been brewing since the first chapter, is practically imminent.

tl;dr: Yamihime is an excellent developmental point for Yami, Julius needs to die in order to start the Clover civil war, Jack the Ripper is Renji Abarai and will rescue and eventually go onto marry the Yamihime, and Henry’s bussy pops SEVERELY. No, I will not be taking questions.

#yami sukehiro #julius novachrono #black clover #asta #jack the ripper #jack x yami #real talk

[shaymcsudonim]

Black Clover as a Deconstruction of the Shonen Heroes Journey

(Readmore break isn’t working for me. Will try to fix later. Press J to skip.)

So, most people have noticed this pattern in Black Clover...

...and, to be fair, so did I, when I first started watching. 

I saw the first five or six episodes, went, ‘tHiS iS wIzArD nArUtO,’ then didn’t watch any more for months, until I finally got bored enough to watch the rest for laughs. 

And then, of course, I got blown away by the genuine bonds of affection and respect between the characters.

(also, I eventually got used to Asta’s yelling, so that helped).

But, until you put in the time investment, you don’t put the dots together that Black Clover is actually a deconstruction of the Shonen Manga Heroes Journey. 

You can see pieces of it in Patri and the Cult of Personality he that built in the Eye of the Midnight Sun. 

Though, admittedly, it’s less obvious in Fana, Rhya, and Vetto, who are all blinded by grief to the point where they’ve all but lost any compassion they originally possessed. 

Indeed, the entire point of them in the first arc is that they’ve been traumatized enough to invert their personalities completely.

No, this extreme devotion to a single figurehead was best demonstrated in the three main humans in the Eye of the Midnight Sun: Sally, Valtos, and Rades. 

The three of them demonstrated fanatical loyalty to Patri: Valtos because he saved him, Sally because he allows her to pursue her passions, and Rades I’m pretty sure it was just because Patri gave him the opportunity to use his magic freely. 

This ‘cult of personality’ tactic, of course, is one very often employed by Shonen Protagonists, because it’s much easier than showing the character development necessary to turn an enemy into a genuine ally. 

And, while I was committed to seeing the show through unless it got really stupid, there was also a sense. of, ‘oh, now the darkness starts’ when Patri sacrificed his three human followers to further his own plans. That this cold-blooded sacrifice was a part of the plan all along. 

Honestly, I think the first place I truly started to have faith in Tabata’s writing was when Rades resurrected himself, Valtos, and Sally. The pieces had all been there from the start. We all knew that his magic was zombie magic. 

But It was also patently obvious that those three were sacrificed to demonstrate Patri’s assholeish nature to the audience, and reduce the number of characters, making the logistics of the upcoming fights simpler. So, while I wasn’t happy about the gratuitous death, I had accepted it.

But then Rades said, ‘no, I am the hero of my own story, and my story is about revenge,’ and I cannot tell you how wide I smiled. It wasn’t just Rades saying that, it was Tabata saying that he values his side characters, even the minor 1st arc villains. 

Then there’s the Zogratis siblings, the fact that they’re siblings, in the truest sense of the word. They fight together, they rule together, they’re more than capable of executing a multi-pronged attack which must have required extensive planning and teamwork. Even Zenon, the coldest of the three, goes to check on Dante, and saves him from the Black Bulls. 

Though we’ve yet to get the full picture, they even seem to have good relationships with their devils. Zenon’s a brick wall, of course, but Dante and Lucifero clearly talk to each other, and Megicula and Vanica openly express affection for one another. From what we’ve seen so far, the Zogratis siblings seem to, at the bare minimum, respect each other and the devils that they host. 

They’re still blood knights who would cause the apocalypse for the sake of finding strong opponents, yeah, but wanting ‘to fight strong opponents and help my friends’ has been the primary motive of many an anime protagonist. It just usually gets tempered by common sense and/or compassion.

So, with the major villains at least, they exemplify many of the virtues often given to anime protagonists. Not to say that they don’t have flaws, but their flaws are not those of the typical villain.

In contrast, many of the Heroes in Black Clover possess attributes normally seen in villains. 

Consider the Black Bulls: Asta, the Freak of Nature; Noelle the Unfavorite Noble Child; Magna, the Thug; Luck, the Blood Knight; Gauche, the Sexual Deviant; Vanessa, the Drunk; Finral, the Womanizer; Grey, the Shapeshifter; Charmy, the Glutton; Gordon, the Creepy Guy; Zora, the Avenger; Henry the Vampire. 

(Also Nacht, the Summoner, though the jury’s still out on him)

Asta’s comrades are all people who easily could have been villains, whether through their powers, their personalities, or simply their trauma.

But they weren’t. And this is at least partly due to another aspect of the series that I admire. 

Everyone is special.

[ID: Emmet from the Lego Move next to a quote reading, “You don’t have to be the bad guy. You are the most TALENTED, most INTERESTING, and most EXTRAORDINARY person in the universe. AND YOU ARE CAPABLE OF AMAZING THINGS. because you are the Special. And so am I. And so is everyone. The prophecy is made up, but it’s also true. It’s about all of us. Right now, it’s about you. And you can still change everything.” end ID]

That is to say, the villains aren’t the only ones to have aspects attributed to the typical shonen protagonist. And neither is Asta, as it turns out. He gets determination, resilience, and compassion, of course, but he’s far from the only one. 

In fact, his journey is made far easier by the ‘compassionate protagonists’ who came before him.

Starting as far back as we can in the timeline, we’re left with the Clover Nobles and their xenocide against the elves. Evil, tragic, and it should have never happened. Not to mention, it allowed the Nobles to hoard resources in the form of stolen mana, which they then passed on to their descendants. 

But, even after the worst had happened, Nero and Lumiere’s sacrifices eventually led to Zagred’s downfall. (And to the survival of one of Licht and Tetia’s children.)

Then, centuries later, came Zara Ideale. A man who worked tirelessly as the first commoner wizard cop, only to be killed by his elitist comrades in the purple orcas.

This could have led his son, Zora Ideale, down a dark path, but instead he devoted his life to protecting the citizens of the kingdom from the same corrupt magic knights that got his father killed.  

And that’s without even mentioning how when Julius Novachrono became Wizard King, he reformed the merit recognition system to mitigate the amount of harm the noble magic knights could do to their commoner comrades’ careers, to prevent what happened to Zara from happening to others. In the present day, multiple magic knight captains (Yami and Jack) are commoners, as are many of the magic knights in general. 

Not to mention Yami, in particular, formed a squad out of outcasts, to provide the support system that he never had as a young man. 

And all of this happened before the main character has even started on his heroes journey.

I could say a lot more words about how this demonstrates Tabata’s recognition of the fact that many of the problems with the Homestuck Quadrant Kingdoms are systemic, and that they won’t be solved with only a few good people working against them, which is why Asta still has a lot to do in his own quest to be Wizard King. 

...but really, what I wanted to do was say that, after reading the 267 leaks, it doesn’t surprise me one bit that AMD may be a better person than previously implied by the manga.

(heck, they did the same thing with Zora, when he was introduced).

Even though AMD seems motivated by a need for vengeance, is undeniably prone to fits of blackout rage, appears altogether too interested in possessing Asta’s body, and these are, indeed, traits that fit more with the aesthetic of a villain... I’m pretty sure AMD’s got the traumatic backstory of a true anime protagonist.

As I’ve said before, simply having an aspect typically attributed to a hero does not automatically mean AMD will be a fully heroic character. But, as was mentioned before, he also has a lot of common villainous traits.

And in Black Clover, a character with a villain archetype will more often than not side with and/or join the Black Bulls. 

#black clover #black clover spoilers #lego movie spoilers #meta #long post #black clover 267 #spoilers #readmore doesn't seem to be working #i'll try and figure it out later #press j to skip

[icewitcher]

who are your favorite top ten black clover characters & ships? talk about them!

The question at one millions dollars. I was waiting for it. It’s gonna to be a wild ride because I know who are my ten favourite characters but I don’t know where to place them in my list.

Let’s start with the two characters that share the first place in my heart, it’s literally a tie between these two:

Asta and Finral.

The two soft bois that didn’t deserve half the things that happened to them. What else I can say ? I love them so much that I wrote an AU just for them where they interact much more. And the way Asta support his senpai or how Finral told to Asta to trust him and the loud boy replies “Sorry but I already trust you !” I f that isn’t bromance then I wonder what it is. If only they could interact more... I just hope ending 11 of Black Clover didn’t lie to us and that Finral will have some importance for a) the episodes (need to catch up the few episodes I miss because apparently we’re going to approach some demon/devil’s lore before Spade’s arc) or b) will play a role in the chapters which is help Yuno or Asta to beat the crap out of the Dark Triad in the fight. Or else why would he be in an ending about Asta, sang by Asta’s japanese voice ?

Yami Sukehiro

After two members of the Black Bulls, it’s their captain. The character that knows how to be a good and lovable shounen protagonist. That man is so powerful so badass that he made his way in everyone’s heart even in the heart of a the captain of the Blue Rose knight. Charlotte go get your man before he dies !!!! Or Jack go get your man and marry him so @tanahashistotties can be happy ! (But I won’t ever interrupt Yami if he’s in the toilet, I value my life and want to live until I’m old.)

Zenon Zogratis

Also know as Bone Man, Zenon Zogratis is probably the villain of the arc that I can’t wait to see more in action. Each time he fought (more like he did a massacre) he was only at 55%. And the anime is solding him very well, appears for just a few seconds in two openings and fans are already waiting for him. But I guess @sharkologydesign arts and @houseofspades headcanons/scenario is what really make me fall for this man. Continue the good job fellows zenon’s fans !

The Fire Vermillion’s siblings and one (1) Flower Vermillion

The Vermillion’s family is clearly the best family that I have the pleasure to meet and see in action (Kirsch Vermillion ? I don’t know him). Each time one of them is on screen, you know you’re gonna to have a good time whether it’s through Leopold rivalry with Yuno and Asta, Mimosa’s crush for Asta that push her and his cousin to surpass their limits or the elder Vermillion siblings, captains of the Crimson Lion Kings Mereoleona and Fuegoleon playing the tutors/masters for the Black Bulls (Tabata give me more information on Mereo and Acier relation, I just want to see how Noelle’s mom was a good mom ! *crying*)

Noelle Silva

Can be resume in seven words.... BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERIES SO FAR !!! I stand one (1) water mage and tsundere princess and it’s her !!! But it’s also because of her tsundere acts that she is in nine in my top, I’m starting to find it annoying because she really doesn’t need to put this act anymore with her squad or with anyone. However at the same time, I understand why she act like this and I’m ready to gun blazing Silva’s house if I need to just for fucking destroying Solid’s face, Nebra and Nozel won’t escape my wrath.

Nero|Secre Swallowtail 

I love Secre because without her the little bastard that Zagred is would have won and it wouldn’t have been something pleasant.... I’m joking she isn’t only that ! Her whole relation with Lumiel... it’s heartbreaking how they can’t be reunited even after 500 years but the fact she was there from the beginning, saw everything Asta did... It’s sae to say she is basically us, watch Asta growing up as a magic knight, thinking he would be only her tool to fight Zagred but after so much time pass with him and the rest of the Bulls she truly believe in him and trust him.

Special mention: Yuno Grinberryall

Yuno is included because of his rivalry with Asta but because of the chapter of this week (that I read yesterday in his RAW version even if I don’t understand what has been clearly said) and the chapter of last week. I didn’t like his big talk because it felt out of character for him even if he took a massive RIP on his face  (something I have been waiting for and I thank Zenon every time I think about it) and that it was necessary to give him confidence but to say the Golden Dawn is the best ? Rethink dude ! Without giving any spoilers for the chapter of this week, what happen in this chapter is the reason Secre took Yuno’s place in my top 10 BC characters or else it would have been someone else, probably Zagred or Licht. 

As for the ships I won’t enter in details but here’s my top 10 favourite (crack)ships (Except for the top 5, I don’t know in which place I should put them)

AstaxMimosa

AstaxLucifero (my crackship that I will support and I have no regret.)

YamixCharlotte

FinralxVanessa

FuegoleonxNozel

MereoleonaxJulius

YunoxNoelle (I found the idea of this ship very interesting)

RillxCharmy

TetiaxLicht (I’m so sad but at the same time happy for them. The reason ? The chapter of this week.)

GauchexGrey

#Black Clover #ask #witcher answers #black clover asta #finral roulacase #black clover finral #yami sukehiro #black clover yami #zenon zogratis #black clover zenon #mereoleona vermillion #black clover mereoleona #fuegoleon vermillion #black clover fuegoleon #leopold vermillion #black clover leopold #mimosa vermillion #black clover mimosa #noelle silva #black clover noelle #secre swallowtail #black clover secre #black clover nero #Black clover Lucifero #Charlotte Roselei #black clover charlotte #vanessa enoteca #black clover vanessa #black clover nozel #nozel silva

[toku-explained]

The Awakened Swordsman of Water

SSSS.DYNAZENON: Juuga suggests Gauma rejoin them, while Onija is against it, considering him a traitor, Gauma refuses anyway. When Juuga questions if the others are Kaiju users, Gauma claims they have the aptitude for it. Yomogi is now joining training. At school Yume decides to ask about Kano from the music club advisor, he points her to a student from the time named Kanae, she relates to Yomogi that right before her death Kano had invited her to a recital for the first time, and she wanted to know why. Juuga approaches Yomogi, to his friends bemusement, Yume contemplates to Mei about calling Kanae, Koyomi by chance runs into Inamoto-san, an old classmate, who he recalls being a bad influence, she returned to town after marriage, Chise questions him about her afterwards. Juuga tells Yomogi that the Kaiju Eugenecists and Gauma were alive 5,000 years ago, revived in the modern age, he says to ask Gauma why they split. After he meets the he suggests they could be comrades, Simuzu seeing a wisdom as they can't control Dyna zenon, Mujina arguing it isn't a kaiju and Onija being against it. Yomogi brings up what Juuga said to the others and they decide to ask Gauma directly, he agrees he betrayed them but doesn't give a straight answer as to why. The new kaiju, Bernaddon, is controlled by Onija, in Chiba, forcing Yume and Yomogi to skip the afternoon classes. When Gauma suggests a Gattai, Yomogi and Yume say it's impossible for their hearts to be one unless Gauma tells them why he's fighting, trying to dodge while they do so. He finally admits he wants to meet the woman who entrusted Dynazenon to him in this era. Dynazenon forms, using the Dyna Sabre, before to avoid the explosions, dragging Bernaddon to space and unleashing a Full Burst, then DynaRex finishes the surviving head. Gauma asserts the power of kaiju make no sense, and Yume considers the possibility of reviving someone. Onija barely survived Bernaddon impacting.

Heroes' Odyssey: Battle in Hyperspace concludes.

Saber: Storious and Master Logos are now outright collaborators, although I think the Shindai siblings are unaware of this, he has them avoid interfering with the ongoing battle. The item Sophia is hiding is naturally also part of the original book. Rintaro's current feelings are familiar ones. He's lashing out because of this. The Megiddo keeps changing to Mei at just the right moment. Rintaro finds the nerve to wield both Nagare and Rekka to get Touma away. Rintaro duels Touma, and by sensing Touma's feelings that empower Rekka, manages to awaken the same power in Nagare. Their bonding talk otherwise is kind of like they're both in love with Mei, I mean it has that sort of direction not that that is the case. Despite a coordinated battle Mei is only briefly separated, but with resolve they resonate to bear Zooous and cut her free, the Double Rider Kick Zooous. Storious gets the key from Mei. Kento is bemused by another event he hasn't seen before. A bird relays a message from Viktor to Yuri about his whereabouts.

Before Zenkaiger, a reminder of the current watch order. 1, YT video where You can become Zenkaiser, 2-4, YT specials demonstrating ZenkaiOh, 5-6, All Red Great Gathering, ZenkaiRed Special

Zenkaiger: While the Kikainoids handle the shop, Kaito spots Stacey again. Stacey seems pretty indifferent, but when Kaito runs past to help the others he turns it into a race. The others have won by the time they arrive. Now seeing Kaito is a Zenkaiger, Stacey produces his Ijirude made Geartzinger, and uses Ankoku Gears to summon Gorenger, under his command. He claims to only be hired by Ijirude, not actually part of Tojitendo. As Gaon arrives he further summons Boukeger and Magiranger. Zyuran decides to attack Stacey, but Gaon's human worship sees him block the attack, and they use a Kakure Skill technique to escape. Zyuran lays into Gaon, who runs off, Yatsude suggests Gaon trusts them in his way, knowing as Kikainoids they're tougher than the humans. Kaito and Gaon share their worries before Stacey summons Gaoranger and Gorenger to attack them. As the Kikainoids fight, Kaito questions Stacey, who says he may be partly human, then uses the Ankoku Gear to become Stacaesar. The suggestion has been made that Stacaesar's head is based on Battle Japan, I feel as though the suit has influence from Dark Knight and Bio Hunter Silva. Barashitara questions Ijirude on using Stacey, he explains it was to test the technology on someone close to human, it seems Barashitara doesn't mucgph care for him, and Stacey wants to prove himself the stronger. The Gaoranger gear is used to add animal power to the Kikainoids and beat the copies, then Gorenger for dualling Gorenger Hurricanes, defeating the fakes. Stacaesar summons Daizyujin, GaoKing, MagiKing and DaiBouken, while Zenkaiser fights him, the rest grow and gattai to fight their robo counterparts. They split to barely dodge finishers, they try to grow bigger but instead summon the Geartlinger Bazooka, which they power with the Flashman gear, defeating all the robos. Stacaesar responds by summoning Flash King, Great Five, Turbo Robo, Five Robo, Ryuseioh, RV Robo, Galaxy Mega, Gingaioh, TimeRobo Alpha, Abarenoh, Bio Robo and DaiDenzin.

Genms: Masamune intends to kill Kuroto again, becomes Cronus. Both are angry the other still exists. They just fight, arguing themselves as the one to reform Genm Corporation, as Amatsu's condition gets worse thanks being infected by both Kuroto and Masamune. Rin however notes that the two virus strains are each preventing the other from fully consuming him. Amatsu notes his resolve as a president is still shaky, unlike the pair fighting. A Mighty Critical Strike meets a Critical Crews-Aid, and both are struggling to get up. Amatsu says they have reminded him of what is important in a president, love for the company, and is beating back the effects. Kuroto accepts he's beaten as Rin goes to Amatsu's side, then Masamune decides to actually hug Kuroto for once, telling him he will stop him because Kuroto is his son and he loves him, Kuroto responds to the affection as both fade. Soon Amatsu and Rin are sprucing up the Thouser-Intellion office, while in a void of malice, Kuroto believes love can soon change his fate.

Dogengers Nice Buddy: For their various scandals, Great Z declares the Dogengers unworthy of the title of hero. As the heroes try to console Fukuokaliber, Ohgaman tries to fight Great Z, but is sorely trounced. Great Z does his over the top set up for his Great Maximum Breaker, defeating Ohgaman. He leaves with Yabai Kamen while the heroes try to regroup. Filming on Ginga Shinsei Great Z starts, but Yabai Kamen keeps struggling with the more stressful work in filming a bigger budget tokusatsu series, as the CM continues the Affect System is explained, and Great Z uses the Great Maximum Cutter to close things out. The Dogengers are watching, save the still unconscious Ohgaman, Tanaka explaining the Gubga Shinsei series and Great A's connection to Great Z. Kitaqman is now enraged. Things are interrupted by the arrival of a couple of movers plus Hanagata Riku, who says it's his house now, confirmed by the awakening Ohgaman, and so they quickly gather their things and leave. Ohgaman takes them to a new location, but everyone knows they're in a department store, but they go to the café and apparently move in. At the house Yabai Kamen emerges from Riku's one box. Ohgaman starts detailing his plan, that they'll rescue Yabai Kamen so they can defeat him again and kick start a Dogengers Golden Age. As part of the plan they will Buddy Up, Kitaqman and El Brave, Yamashiron and Fukuokaliber, and himself with Rookie. He then unveils a pair of handguns, the Nice Buddy.

#toku explained #ssss.dynazenon #kamen rider saber #kamen rider ex aid #kikai sentai zenkaiger #dogengers

[one-leaf-grimoire]

“triad”

 Chapter 21: the futile purpose

Warning: Major character death, major depictions of violence, manga spoilers

AO3 LINK

Four minutes remain before the end

This is it… almost there…

Zenon’s mouth was open slightly as he drew breath after breath, his heart pounding after the high-stakes fight that had only  just begun. He had hoped the sneak attack would knock me down at least, but there I was again, standing up and as straight as I could with a bone lodged in my stomach. But he had learned valuable information from the strike. She can heal herself, almost instantly, with time magic. She’s only able to do that because she’s shedding it constantly. Perfect… His fight or flight instinct was going crazy as I took a step forward. Even if we kill her now, there’s still the other Magic Knights to take care of. They won’t stop attacking until it’s too late and the Tree has been completed. But if we keep her alive, just a little longer…

No such strategic thoughts were running through Dante’s head. His vision was red as he looked at me, gearing himself up to go in for the kill. You’ve humiliated the great Dante enough- you’ll pay with your life!

No, wait.

Dante froze as Lucifero finally spoke for the first time since the battle started. The devil had been oddly silent, even though his presence within Dante increased to 100%. 

Don’t kill her… not yet. She can be of use to us. 

Dante’s eyes widened a little as understanding dawned on him. He glanced over between his siblings, wondering if they were working off of the same idea.

We can do that? Then…

When I emerge… Lucifero’s voice took on a biting, bitter tone. I’ll remove that menace myself.

Menace?

…

Lucifero… just how much do you know about her?

Lucifero did not answer again. Through Dante’s eyes, his own gaze was fixed on me, on the mark emblazoned on my forehead, a deep, black color. Forbidden magic… what did she do to herself? She can’t be possessed by them… but it’s clear now. Simulcia’s will is being carried on through her descendents. 

…

All four of the people present are thinking the same thing: I have to win. 

I take another step towards them, gritting my teeth as the weight of the bone starts to impede my motion. Shit… I can’t fight like this- My hand grasps its diameter, and I start to release fire, burning the material away. I can heal myself better when it’s gone and-

Zenon raises his hand before I can finish.

“Bone magic: Eternal Fangs, 100%”

Before I can even move, even more bones appear from his body, shooting out at me with amplified speed. All I can do is back up as fast as I can. Shit shit! Jump- JUMP- My foot braces against the ground, ready to spring away out of range, but it’s too late. A hollow scream is ripped from my chest as more bones than I can keep track of pierce my body like a pincushion. Pain explodes in every part; in a way, it’s refreshing, something that no one recently has been able to coax from my body. But now, it’s everywhere, immobilizing me like some doll suspended from strings.

My vision goes white, metallic taste in my mouth. Zenon’s power- he’s pulling out all the stops. I try to swallow, but I just gargle. They’re really getting serious, did I fuck up? In any case, I gotta get down, before-

Right in the middle of that thought, the bones shift, lifting me up. Oh god oh god- I crack open an eye as the world spins. Suddenly, I slip right off the bones, ripped by a jolting motion. The momentum sends me flying, as if Zenon were just flicking a pesky mosquito off of his ear. I don’t have time to be afraid before I hit a wall, crashing right through it from the force. My vision blurs again, and I finally scream, more out of confusion than terror. I hit another wall, finally coming to a violent stop. 

Zenon lets out a breath, his eyes not leaving the place that I disappeared into. “Vanica, Dante-”

“Got it.” At once, the two others rushed forward. Dante smirked, using his body magic to reinforce his arms for the beating that was to come. “All we have to do is knock her into that room.”

“Right, once we do that, we’ve won.” Vanica giggled in anticipation. “I might even have time to fight Noelle after this~”

Come on- Get up!

I feel time magic start to circle around my body, automatically like it always does. But it hurts this time, as it forces bones and flesh back into their places. Fragments of stone and bone are dragged along with it, and my jaw clenches tight to stay quiet. But it’s brief, and I feel my strength return. Good! I start to sit up, my hand gripping my Grimoire like a vice. Now, I just have to anticipate them better-

There’s a BOOM, and none other than Dante is suddenly right in front of me. My eyes widen, seeing that his arms are reinforced and a bloodthirsty expression is on his face. “THERE YOU ARE!” he screeches, and before I can move out of the way, he blasts me with his bare fists, an unmerciful barrage that once again sends me flying. AH! How are they so fast all the sudden-

“MY TURN! MY TURN!”

Oh no. I turn my head just in time to see that Dante had tossed me right towards Vanica. Wait! Hold on-

Of course, she doesn’t “hold on,” and I soon find myself being punched again and again, slashed at by her bloody talons. Three points of my body light up with pain: my right shoulder, my left hip, and my right knee. “HAHAHA! Look at you, can’t you keep up anymore? What happened to all that power you had before?” She giggled, slashing me one last time. With a strangled cry, I get tossed away once again. I hit the ground, immediately rolling to a stop.

Vanica chuckles before landing before me, pointing at my pitiful form as I struggle to sit up. “See there? I got you with my curses!” 

Curses?! I look down at the places still pulsing with pain, and see that there are three similar marks glowing in the spots, dark blueish black spirals that float on my skin as if it were water. Uh oh, this isn’t good-

I start to clench my fist, summoning fire, but it’s slow. Vanica screeches with mirth before lunging at me again. “USELESS! Those are weakening curses! It’s going to take you a hot minute to charge up your magic now!” I look up just in time to see her Red Beast hurdling at me. “Just enough time for us to BEAT YOU!”

It hits me, and I’m once again blasted away.

… how… what’s wrong with me-

Her curse makes it hard to even move once I roll to a stop.

Just a minute ago, I was on top of the world-

Dante appears again to beat me, then back to Vanica, then back to him, then her, then him again-

W-What’s going on-

I manage to land on my feet once, but ten bones sail towards me like spears to send me crumpling back to the floor.

Where are they-

BAM. Dante’s fist hits me in the stomach, and I black out for a whole two seconds.

They’re moving differently now… they’re cooperating. It’s like… they have a strategy?

The world fades back in as I crash through another wall. Everything is spinning, and there’s nothing but the taste of blood in my mouth. 

They have a plan… but what is it-

Three Minutes remain before the end

The air suddenly becomes quiet, eerily so. The silence is cold, and is only broken by a low, creaking vibration that’s more felt than heard. I blink, slowly coming back to awareness, wood against my back. The curses continue to sap away at my energy, and it takes all the strength I have to sit up. Where are they? Am I about to get hit again?

Everything hurts. Blood soaks half of my face, bubbling out from a severe wound above my hairline. One of my eyes is covered with the stuff, and when I blink, it stings. 

Somehow, the attacks have stopped. Letting out a deep breath, I take the brief moment of respite to reach up and wipe my face. My right arm hangs uselessly at my side, skewered completely through by a bone. My own bones are shattered, obliterated by the brutal volley of attacks I was just put through. 

Ow… ow…

My vision starts to clear once again. Something is writhing silently around me, dark shades of grey and brown. What on Earth? Is this-

It all hits me at once, the realization of where they corralled me: I’m sitting in the chamber of the Tree of Qliphoth, and am sitting on one of its branches. I crane my neck to see its many twining branches growing up and up, out of sight. Oh god… was this their plan? At the moment, I can’t feel it damaging me or anything like that, so I’m not sure what the aim of this is. Maybe it was an accident? Slowly, I look back down to see that the chamber goes farther down than I could have imagined. It’s hard to see, but there’s a large symbol on the ground below where the Tree grows from, and I feel like there are people down there. 

“There you are. Good thing you didn’t fall.”

My gaze snaps up at the sound of that voice, and I see the Dark Triad standing on a branch above me, staring down at me with… apprehension? Something about their stances doesn’t make sense, but I don’t have time to think about it very deeply.

“Come on then. Get up.”

Zenon’s voice is cold, blank, merciless.

“This is where you will die, Wizard King. But we won’t do it until you show us the power you used before. That is the last gift we’ll give to you.” 

The bloodlust of six beings is focused right onto me.

“Heal yourself, and die a noble death along with the rest of the world.” 

…

Slowly, I reach up and grab the bone still stuck in my side. Runes start to circle around it, and I carefully tug on the bone to slide it out as the wound heals. The pain is nothing now; my mind is consumed with the task ahead of me.

I can’t lose.

That much is clear. Whatever they have planned, I won’t let them go through with it.

Despite the bone still stuck in my leg, I stand up, my knees wobbling as they desperately try to prop me up for just a little longer. 

And if I die, I’m taking them all down with me!

But before that, there’s something else on my mind. If this is really the Tree of Qliphoth, then that means that William and Yami are somewhere nearby. At the very least, I have to save them, and stop this tree from growing any further. If I can do that, I’ve won.

“Are you sure you want me to heal?”

Particles of light start to circle my body, efficiently cleaning up the wounds left behind as I pull out bone after bone after bone. My right arm snaps back into place, and I flex it, from my shoulder to the tips of my fingers. Time flares up around the curses, and in an instant, they are erased.

“It’ll be the last mistake you make.”

Blood thins, and disappears, bruises evaporate, and I feel my strength return. Right now, there’s nothing more I want to do than release my forbidden sealing spell and see what happens, but I know I won’t last long if I do. Right now, I need to live, and I need to win.

...

“Remember what I taught you.”

Wind blows around me, cooling the sweat on my brow with a pleasant chill. I pant lightly, my mouth open just a little, as I get ready for the next bout.

“If you can work on your precision, you can use this power to predict the very near future.”

The sun is so bright, I can’t see his face.

I’m never going to be strong enough to do that, though… right?

“Accelerate time around your body… use what you see to win.”

No… I am strong enough.

My power surges around me, time whirling at a breakneck pace as I prepare for what could very well be the last few moments of my life.

I am strong… and I am selfless. I am the Wizard King!! Maybe I’ve sinned, far more than one person should. I’ve stolen and murdered for this power. But it’s mine now! This path I’ve walked has brought me close to temptation, close to destruction, but… there’s so much more to this world than me and Julius. Yami, William, Marx, Adeline, Joy, Fuegoleon, Charlotte, Mereo, Noelle, Mimosa, Yuno, Asta- Everyone- 

Zenon, you’re right. I will die in this place. And I will die a noble death. I will die to defeat you!

And everyone I leave behind… I will leave their future up to them.

My body moves on its own, pushing forward just as it has always done. Flame, light, and time are swung from my fists as I pursue the enemy around the tree. Each of my steps hits heavy on the wood, warping it as it absorbs the blow. Zenon and the others fly ahead, staying just out of reach. Every now and then, one will turn and try to make a strike. But each time, I manage to dodge, either that or my wound is instantly healed. 

Yes… more… more power-

I don’t care that each wave of magic rips more and more of my life force away; it’ll be worth it.

If I can just catch up to them-

Suddenly, as I brace against the trunk in order to leap once again, the Tree swells underneath me, almost like a wave. It catches me off guard, and I push off and away from it, my heart pounding. What on earth was that supposed to be? I think, narrowing my eyes. The Dark Triad are suddenly nowhere to be seen. The fibers of the tree leak some sort of black substance that floats like smoke through the air. Swirling menacingly as the tree itself starts to radiate power. Is this a trap? Or-

It’s right then that I realize that the tree is… bigger. Significantly bigger. I’m almost up to the ceiling now, snow and wind pelting in from above. The twining branches are now thick, a lattice that almost blocks out the sky above. My eyes widen. Wait- how long were we fighting? My perception of time is completely off, the magic still warping it around me. How tall did the tree grow just now?!

Wait…

There’s a chill in the air. Everywhere around me, I sense dark, creepy magic, opening up from seemingly no where.

Gates? But- Wasn’t this supposed to take several days? What is going on-

Is… did the gate just open all the way!?

Somewhere in my stomach, a pit starts to form. I float there, totally still, as the impending wave of despair starts to grow on my shoulders.

Did… did my magic-

I completely dominated the mana in this chamber. My Time magic permeated every square inch of it, as I sped the passage of time up and up and up- The Dark Triad stuck close to the trunk of the tree as I pursued them… all the while, the Tree was absorbing time, more and more until-

My gaze drops, to the ground far below. There’s movement.

“When the gates are open… the two catalysts will be spent.”

I drop like a rock, zooming down to the bottom of the room, my heart starting to pound faster and faster. 

No… it can’t be. This is a mistake- 

Things start to come into focus. I see two heavy metal coffins, both with their doors open.

They didn’t trick me… they didn’t… this isn’t happening-

I land heavily, a few meters away. There’s another man nearby, but I ignore him and run straight for the coffins.

Yami… William… did you escape? You did, didn’t you! 

I run around once of the coffins and see that they are both empty.

You did! You’re out… now I just have to find-

I make the mistake of looking down.

…

…

…

Waves crested gently upon the beach as the sun started to set.

William holds a tiny hermit crab in his hand. His pants are rolled up to his knees to keep them from getting wet.

And years later… another sunset. Another smile.

“I think… another Golden Dawn awaits us both.”

Yami smiles at me, that last spark of hope that I needed to keep living.

“You’re my friend… and you’re the one Julius loved. So go.”

I feel his rough palm squeeze my shoulder before letting go.

“Go… and feel.”

…

…

Yami…

I drop to my knees.

William…

My hands are shaking, and I feel the last of my strength slip through my fingers.

All those years together… all those good times, all those bad times…

Why… why did they have to end like this?

There are two bodies on the ground. I can’t recognize either of them, but I know who they are.

…

...

“Go and feel.”

…

…

I am… I am feeling… now.

#triad #fic #bc spoilers #oc: lisa #:(((