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#mr lee: i was stabbed in the gut for him

mrstsung · 4 months

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DEADASS old man shang tsung should be loved more

Like mk legends shang tsung specifically is absolutely delicious.

(Minus some things like not really showing his treachery to shao kahn. Like it's playing a bit too safe in the cunning department. And honestly makes it look like he's a sinp for shao kahn when he fucking wasn't and hated his guts and would happily stab shao in the back 1000 times over if you ask him and given him the opportunity to. And not to mention it's so convenient around plot. And i hate that. Because honestly holy shit this shang had potential. He had the presence,the aura,but never really shown to fight. And it sucks. Because shang is supposed to be a beast in kombat. He was a fucking boss after all. Like gdi nrs. Why you gotta fumble this guy so hard?! Like the writing is right there!)

Anyways. Old man shang. Let's get back to that.

The reason why i feel old man shang or at least how shang tsung IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

This mofo is cursed. To age. Less he takes the lifeforce/souls of others Because he decided to say "fuck you elder gods! Imma take your ritual healing dark magics and apply it to kombat. Imma take this shit and make it my own!" DEADASS a Dracula energy/soul vampire. Like this man despite everything,still could whoop your ass because he is fucking 500yrs old! From old dynasty china. In earthrealm. Yeah.

This man used to be a warrior from earthrealm,got into beef with raiden,and said fuck you im switching sides as soon as he caught whiff of an opportunity to(at least in his mind at the time) be treated "better" (which he really wasn't as better off,maybe even worse,but he had some power and some better standing tho at a cost)

Like you could take shang tsung in many ways. But all in all he doesn't need to be twirly mustache to be evil. Nor does he need to be good or "SOME GODS PLAYTHING!" to be righteous or do honorable things.

Legitimately mofo shang tsung as an old man should be written as a person who comes off as uncannily and eerily calm,a air of danger but you can't really run away nor want to. You're too damn curious even tho you're screaming inside to run. He needs that true fucking snake vibe.

Very few people have written and portrayed this successfully. And tagawa pioneered that well vibe for villains imho. (Tho the man was unfortunately typecasted by Hollywood this man by god set the bar high. He did it so damn well. He put his whole heart into this. And honestly out of all his roles,this was the most notorious of his roles. Tho i hope this man gets more leisure roles and happier roles in the future. And eventually has a safe,and peaceful retirement. He deserves it. Fr. Thank you Mr. Tagawa seriously. <3 )

Artt butler did a fantastic job with shang tsung,tho given a better script it would be better.

Same with alan lee. I feel his would have made me like it more if fans and story weren't shit.

But all in all shang tsung being rejuvenated and young is nice. And should be shown especially since he is cursed. But his default,unpopular opinion here but. His old man form should be his default look. If not old man old man,then a but of salt n pepper at bare minimum.

Honestly,shang i prefer at his old man look because thats what i well grew up on. And that's kinda how i see him. 🤷‍♀️ *shrug*

Like guy is a flashier more fancy pai mei from Tarantino's kill bill to me. Maybe slightly bit more nicer and considerate but not by much. Lol.

I could go on and on about old man shang tsung specifically. But I'll leave this at.

Honestly we just need to bring him back. We need to bring back shang tsung with that vibe. We need to not make him conveniently made for plot. No give me the shang tsung that i fucking knew.

That bastard needs to make a comeback. And mk11 can't be the only game that he does it in.

And mk legends can't be the only media outside the games that does it either.

Anyways,old man shang. I love this foxy grandpa.

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anterocash · 1 year

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When Min woke up, many mental health professionals shuffled in and out of his room. They would sit in silence except for the television filling the air with something other than the beeping or the sniffles of his tears ( he had so much time and wasted it on crying, he’s embarrassed). Eventually, Cash moved to a rehab facility. Even then, ‘visitors’ drop in and ask how he is doing. When Cash first woke up, he didn’t know what or who he was and when people tried to help him, it didn’t feel right.

The nurses were more focused on getting him to remember than talking about his feelings, and Cash didn’t want to do either. He didn’t know who Minkyu was, nor did he care to learn. It was a book of poetry they claimed had been written by him. The cover read Cash Shon, not Minkyu Lee. Lee Minkyu, whichever. It wasn’t him. If this book was written by him, it must have been who he was, right? Cash sees that as his birthday, even if he still goes by the one on his driver's license.

While Cash Shon was trying to figure out who he wanted to be (such an undertaking), another therapist decided to take a stab at him, maybe because she was a libra, perhaps because instead of asking him how he felt, they ended up talking about a television show they both enjoyed for an hour. Cash was the one who asked her to come back the next day. They grew close, which helped him articulate how he felt with her help. It was like having the best aunt in the world. Cash never told her how he grew restless in a city he couldn’t remember and wanted to be ‘home.’

A place he didn’t know but wanted to find desperately.

As soon as Cash didn’t require a walker to get from point A to point B, the belongings that matter were packed up, and Cash went back to the country he hadn’t lived in for twelve years.

Now that Cash is back, he wants to see her; Cash knows it’s what he needs; he wants to tell her everything, catch up on the shows they shared, and tell her about his growth (his regression.) Luckily for Cash, she was still a practicing therapist accepting new patients even though Cash was not new. Cash made an appointment and went through his routine: showing up early to hotbox a joint and listening to the radio. At the same time, he writes down points of stuff he wants to talk about in the notes app on his phone, or he will forget to bring it up. Ten minutes from when he wants to go in, the dread fills his gut, anxiety punching him in the chest out of nowhere, and he wonders if this is a good idea.

Being here after years makes Cash nervous, and Min never gets nervous.

He gets out of the car, though, and the smoke cloud follows, and he idly wonders if they ever can smell it when he steps into the building. Not that he cares. Reception comes from inside the office and into the waiting area, hugging him, sounding like a pack of chickens clucking simultaneously. He tries to give them each a chance to tell him what they’ve been up to. But his appointment starts in five minutes, and Cash doesn’t want her to see him for the first time in three years like this after promising to send lunch for everyone one day; he sits on his phone for those last few minutes. Cash wanted to do this first session back alone before he had his girlfriend come with him, Cash doesn’t mind having her around all the time, but just this once, he wants to tackle this without a plus one.

Min has no clue what they’re walking into after she comes to get him, they fall into the easy routine of him trailing behind her down the hall, and he closes the door shut behind him once they’re in her office; she even has the candy dish out for him already.

“How are you, Mr. Shon?”

Cash squints because he doesn’t like how his name sounds in her mouth, and he finds himself feeling defensive; he tries to stamp it down, getting one thing out of the way before they go any further.

“I’m fine, but I missed you –”

She smiles at that and puts her laptop down (they’ve gone paperless, and Cash doesn’t give a damn about the planet, it doesn’t feel right). “I missed you too. I was pleasantly surprised when you scheduled an appointment. Have you been back long?”

“Two months now,” he says as he unwraps a piece of candy after shoving his hand down the bowl; he pops it into his mouth before they really begin to talk.

There is a slight lull in conversation once they’ve done recaps and discussed their usual topics.

“I really am sorry about how things went down.”

Min rarely apologizes; Cash can’t apologize enough. Funny how it goes. His therapist looks at him thoughtfully before she answers him.

“No, you aren’t.”

“Yes I –”

“Cash, if you wanted me to know that you had planned on leaving the entire time we met, you would have told me.”

Once upon a time, Minkyu hated when a woman was right. Now, at his considerable age, he just sighs, the long line of his shoulders slumping into a slouch against the couch. Min feels fifteen years old during a scolding. He can’t help but make himself seem as small as her words make him feel. “It was a last-minute decision –”

“Made the minute you woke up, Min.”

Cash’s jaw tenses and he wishes he had a lollipop or something; ah, right – Min reaches for the candy dish on the end table to his left and peeks out the window, admiring the rear of his car, takes a church lady butterscotch circle, popping it into his mouth; they can focus now.

“I had no idea who I was,” Min says after a swallow letting the flavor coat his mouth, keeping him alert.

The uncomfortable heat of tears welling up in his eyes is immune to candy.

“I was given something few people can say they have; a second chance. The more my memories returned, the more I hated myself; I couldn’t do that anymore. I didn’t want to be that guy anymore. So I left because I realized I had a clean slate, a new man. Min is supposed to be dead. He’s supposed to be gone –”

“You won’t ever be the same person you were once before; you said that was fine, and I knew it wasn’t because you left that same weekend I found out that you were gone.”

He pushes his thumb and pointer finger behind the lens, pressing into his eyes with a watery sigh, wiping his tears; he wants to say coming here was a mistake, but deep down knows he needs the wake-up call.

“Did you find what you were looking for in Korea?”

Absolutely, Cash thinks but says nothing and wipes his eyes. Korea was only the beginning of the life he would forge his way and not the way the universe wanted it. Min learned new habits and gained what he hopes are lifelong connections with people. Cash thinks of how he had reached out to Min’s mother from a longing he didn’t want to decipher by himself and still ended up that way. They don’t linger on that. He thinks about the look in Ashley’s eyes – and the sharp, piercing pain going into his skin from her knife; Cash had never felt more alive than while his life hung in the balance.

“Yes,” Min answers without a doubt after blinking his eyes into focus again, correcting the glasses on his face. “I had to get out of here,” he explains with a frenzied look in her direction.

“Why?” She begins to type, and he doesn’t even care. He has to get this off of his chest.

"I couldn’t remember anything. Larry was pushing me around like a show pony, and people seemed fascinated by the car accident. It felt like I had nothing left here, my best friend was dead, and I was supposed to be dead with him. What was the point? Everyone either hated me because Gideon died, or they pitied me."

Just like how he feels like there is nothing left for him in Korea, he left.

“But you have something here now?”

Cash rubs his hands over his face and jostles his hat. He can feel the bare skin of the scar on the back of his head and quickly re-adjusts his cap. The sensation isn’t as uncomfortable as it used to be when he first woke up. Funny how the human body works; the nerves only recently gained strength in the past few months. Feeling it is a reminder of why he’s sitting on the couch right now.

“Yes. I have everything.”

#drabble

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fahrni · 6 months

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Saturday Morning Coffee

Good morning from Charlottesville, Virginia! ☕️

I’m still having a great time at work integrating React Native into an existing iOS App. I still have a lot to learn about JavaScript and TypeScript but my interest is piqued. Don’t get me wrong, I still need to learn SwiftUI and I still love doing native work, but this is worth learning because we’re seeing more clients ask for it.

Just poured my first cup. I hope you enjoy the links.

Alan Herrera • Comic Sands

The United States Forest Service responded to a video filmed by a couple that went viral for allegedly showing Bigfoot walking in broad daylight.

I really do wish Bigfoot was a real thing. The skeptic in me says “Of course this is faked.” But how do we really know?

The truth is out there.🛸

Steven Lee Myers, Stuart A. Thompson and Tiffany Hsu • The New York Times

Now rebranded as X, the site has experienced a surge in racist, antisemitic and other hateful speech. Under Mr. Musk’s watch, millions of people have been exposed to misinformation about climate change. Foreign governments and operatives — from Russia to China to Hamas — have spread divisive propaganda with little or no interference.

Face it, Space Karen isn’t the genius everyone made him out to be. He’s a self serving narcissist with too much money and strange ideas.

I’ve been saying I won’t call X, X, because it’s still Twitter. I’m wrong. Twitter is gone. Now folks are left with X.

Please, please, please, sell the Twitter name and branding. Someone could make something amazing with it. 🐦

Swift Forums

When using this feature, the developer hand-writes Objective-C headers just as they normally would for an Objective-C class, but implements their declarations in Swift by using an extension marked with the new @implementation attribute.

This is an interesting idea but I’m not sure it’s any better than what we have today when using @objc notation.

I suppose it would mean the continued existence of the vaunted header file. 😄

Dave Winer

I have basically had it with JavaScript. It is a write-only language. More so than any other language I’ve used, including some pretty old and arcane systems. I asked ChatGPT to give DALL-E instructions based on this prompt.

Even if you don’t read Dave’s piece go check out the images generated by DALL-E. They’re beautiful works of art suitable for framing. Seriously.

Steven Beschloss

Twice now President Joe Biden made the decision to visit active war zones not under U.S. military command. These trips, to Kyiv in February and to Tel Aviv this week, are without precedent in modern American history. It’s easy to take these visits in stride: It’s the President of the United States! Surely, he has quite a circle of protection. But I think it’s worth reflecting on the vigor and guts—and principle—it took to meet American allies in person to demonstrate American support, despite genuine danger.

Joe Biden has been a great President. I don’t care if he’s “too old” to hold the office. He seems to be doing a pretty damned good job of it. 🇺🇸

Paul Thurrott

Crapware. PC makers have long installed crapware and other superfluous utilities in Windows, providing users with a compromised user experience that didn’t reflect what Microsoft intended. But with Windows 11, now Microsoft installs its own collection of crapware too, in the form of sponsored apps and shortcuts in the Start menu.

Seriously Microsoft? Some of your own software includes ads? That’s pathetic.

At least Apple’s annoying notifications for services are a little better, not by much, but slightly better. 🤬

Detroit Free Press

A politically connected Detroit synagogue president was found stabbed to death Saturday morning outside her home in the city’s Lafayette Park neighborhood, east of downtown.

If you think the war in Gaza and Israel don’t affect us at home, think again.

Hate crimes in the States will most likely continue to climb because of it. 😢

Chance Miller, Ben Lovejoy, Zac Hall, and Michael Potuck • 9 to 5 Mac

Is M. Night Shyamalan running Apple? The company just announced a Monday night keynote event on the eve of Halloween. The tagline? Scary Fast. Macs are rumored, but what Apple silicon will be inside?

How long have M2 Macs been a thing? I haven’t got a clue. Is the M3 a Halloween surprise just in time for the holiday season? 🤔

Joseph Heck

Over the summer, I started working with the Automerge team to bring its Rust-language core to Swift.

Joseph is a really nice guy and I’m excited to see him working on something he’s so passionate about. I’ll be keeping an eye on his progress. 🦀

Witney Seibold • /Film

Halloween’s Original Movie Poster Has A Creepy Hidden Detail - And It Happened By Accident

It took me a while to make out what they’re talking about. Go see for yourself.

Sindre Sorhus

Buffer will never be removed, and probably never even deprecated, but at least the community can slowly move away from it. My hope is that the Node.js team will at least start discouraging the use of Buffer.

I know nothing about JavaScript but it’s always nice to see someone advocate for making code safer.

Do you use Buffer in your code? Maybe it’s time to change that? 🦬

1Password Blog

How ethical hacker Jamie Woodruff used a pizza delivery to break into a server room

This made me think of the 1992 film, Sneakers. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it. It’s a great film. 👟

I’d be horrible security for a data center. Pizza? You have pizza? Sure, come on in! 🍕

Victor Tangermann • Futurism

AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard consume an astronomical amount of electricity and water — or, more precisely, the massive data centers that power them do.

The crypto and AI data centers really need to get their act together and start building sources of clean energy to power these monstrosities.

Andy Greenberg • WIRED

They Cracked the Code to a Locked USB Drive Worth $235 Million in Bitcoin. Then It Got Weird

This is a cool story! Again, I think of Sneakers.

I hope this means folks who forgot their passwords are able to crack their keys open and sell off their bitcoin.

Especially the poor dude who has millions in bitcoin. He’s not using this tech, currently, but I hope he’s able to finally be able to cash out. 💸

Marc Elias • Democracy Docket

Republican lawyers are back in the news and are bringing disgrace to the party and profession. Even before the indictments in Georgia, it had been widely reported that at least five, and perhaps all six, of former President Donald Trump’s co-conspirators were Republican lawyers. Now in Georgia, we add several lawyers, some familiar and some new, to the list of Trump’s co-defendants.

At least some of these knuckleheads are pleading guilty and cooperating.

I still say his Orangness will get off scot-free. He’ll delay, delay, delay. Win the Presidency. Pardon everyone he can, destroy democracy, and not leave the White House until he’s dead.

If things get super bad I hope Canada and Mexico will accept American refugees.

Dave Rogers

Sea level rise is a game of inches. It doesn’t take many inches to create miles and miles and miles of problems. And it’s going to take decades to address those problems, so we might as well get started now.

Yay, climate change! 😡

If the Orangeman doesn’t destroy the nation, climate change might.

Dave, we won’t cleanup things on the shoreline. We’ll just let Mother Nature take it and leave a giant mess. Like we do. 😔

Christopher Nichols • Atlas Obscura

One of the reasons people can never be entirely sure about what is going on at Area 51 is that it is a highly classified secret military facility. It was not until 2013 that the United States government even acknowledged the existence and name “Area 51.”

I like this take on Area 51. We don’t need aliens to create crazy technology.

I do like the thought of aliens though. 👽

Daring Fireball

This “now is not the time” argument gets trotted out by Republicans after each and every gun massacre. Right after their tweets offering “thoughts and prayers”. Bullshit. The aftermath of a massacre is the time to demand sane gun control measures.

Yep. More pressure to pass great gun legislation. It’s time for a nationwide ban on assault weapons and other protections.

0 notes

the-homicidediaries · 1 year

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Ed Kemper

Hello, everyone who takes the time to read this. <3

I hope everyone has had a good Mother's Day. I've had one of the best days. My children are so lovely, thoughtful, and caring. I couldn't be prouder of who they are becoming. BUT Enough about me.

Idk, I kinda figured I hadn't talked about a serial killer in.. toooooo long, so in honor of Mother's Day, I will be shedding some light on Mr. Edmund Kemper, The Co-Ed Killer. (I'm also totally waiting for my Sims game to redownload, so I had some time to kill, lol.) If you've never read one of my essays, well, sometimes they can get gross and I'm obviously not being very professional. I told Del it's like I'm just talking to one of the girlies, haha. So please keep that in mind; it may get graphic and I may say a curse word here and there. I am 32 after all.

When I think of Edmund Kemper, a few things come to mind. In no particular order: Number one, he's unbelievably intelligent; he's said to have an IQ of 145, only 15 points away from Albert Einstein. I know he's dangerous because he is a serial killer, but brilliant people are just as scary. The level of power they hold, the mind games; terrifying. And it's pretty rare for us to see serial killers who are so smart. Like just to name a few people off the top of my head.. Robert Pickton, Henry Lee Lucas, Ottis Toole, Arthur Shawcross, and Gary Ridgeway, not so bright to be honest. Another thing I think of is how MASSIVE Eddie Boy is. (SPOILER: Oh, I am speaking in present tense on purpose; he's still alive in a medical facility in California.) This man is 6'9", over 300 pounds. Is he the biggest serial killer? Let me google real quick. YES HE IS, HA! Just wait until you see the pictures I post of him next to the police officers when he was on trial. He's SCARY tall, and he was actually really good friends with said police officers, but he couldn't become a police officer like he wanted to beCAUSE he was so massive. (Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself.) I also think, (imagine this in big, flashing red, neon lights), MOMMY ISSUES. It was pretty clear early on in Ed's life that his mother hated his stinkin' guts and favored his sister's instead, but we will get into alllllldat girrrrrrl.

Edmund Emil Kemper was born on December 18th, 1948 in Burbank, California, to E.E. and Clarnell Kemper. (Omg I just realized why she is so angry all the time. Clarnell? DISGUSTANG) Okay anyway, so, his parents divorced in 1957 when he was 9 and he was, of course, stuck with his angry, alcoholic mother. They ended up moving to Montana. She blamed Ed for everything bad that happened to her. (I think I've listened to some podcasts that said she was so angry because he looked so much like his father and that angered her. Don't quote me on that.) When Ed was ten, his mother forced him to live in the basement away from his sisters because she was always worried he would harm them in some way. (I always go back and forth with this. Was Ed a normal child until his mother put it in his head he was a problem and he might start hurting his sisters OR did she see something everyone else didn't? I don't know.) Regardless, it's said soon after that, Ed started exhibiting some weird behavior. Weird like, like serial killer level weird. Like dark. And evil. Like he would play this game with his sisters that he called "Gas Chamber" where he had them blindfold him, have him sit in a chair, and he would writhe and scream in agony until he "died". Like, idk sometimes my Barbie's parents or sister would die in an accidental car crash, but yeesh. He also admitted during this time he would have dreams about murdering his mother. (Ed LOVED to talk about himself, also pretty rare for serial killers, so there are lots and lots and lots and LOTS of videos of him being interviewed.) Also when he was ten, he buried one of the family cats.. alive. When he was thirteen, he stabbed the other with a knife. Clarnell noped the heck out of Eddie and sent him to live with his paternal grandparents in North Fork, California. (I do want to keep this essay mostly focused on the relationship between Ed and his mother, but when he was 15, he did brutally murder his grandparents "to see what it felt like." This led to him being sent to the California Youth Authority where, I am not kidding you, he was so charming and brilliant they let him do whatever he want and go wherever he wanted, so he spent a majority of his time learning the correct answers of the exams they were giving him until he was eventually released for being "cured" of his schizophrenia at 21. After fatally shooting both of his grandparents to death because he didn't like their rules. It's Ted Bundy vibes and it's awful. But yeah, sorry to quickly explain that without much detail. I highly recommend looking into it.) After he was released, it was reccommended he maybe not live with his terrible, alcoholic, abusive mother, but guess what Eddie Boy did? I'll give you two guesses. Yup. He freakin' MOVED BACK IN WITH CLARNELL. Clarnell was living in Santa Cruz, California, now (after her third failed marriage), and she had taken a job with the Univeristy of California. At this time, Ed had also accepted a job with the Department of Transportation after being rejected to become a state trooper due to his size, which I already told you, but the show must go on! Like he was CLOSE with these dudes. They nicknamed him Big Ed, one of them gave him a badge and handcuffs, the whole shebang. And his car! His car was a Ford Galaxie 500 and it highly resembled a police car. (I'll post a picture.) Like for all intents and purposes, he was basically a state trooper. His job with the Department of Transportation is critical in his serial killing career because that's how he lured the girls he murdered. He picked up hitchhikers and.. ya knoooow. Killed them. But even worse, he would murder girls from UC, but they trusted him because he had a sticker or something hanging in the window, I can't remember, that said he was connect to UC. (Like I said, I am not getting into these murders today, but they are bruuuutal. Ed is a special kind of effed up.)

Okay, so here is where I give the signal that it's going to be really bad, like really, really bad. So. I'm just saying, you don't have to read it! It's not too late to turn around and never look back. But, if you're a little messed up like me, hi. Let's get into it, yuh. (This is all awful, you can really tell how much he hated his mother.)

In April of 1973, Ed Kemper committed his last two murders. First was the murder of his mother, Clarnell Kemper. Before he murdered her, he went to her bedroom and she said, "I suppose you're going to want to sit up and talk now." He replied, "No, good night," and When she was asleep, he bashed her head in with a claw hammer and slit her throat with a penknife. He then decapitated her and proceeded to use his mother's decapitated head to perform oral sex. (I have learned that term is called 'irrumatio'. 'In the ancient Roman sexual vocabulary, irrumatio is strictly a form of oral rape (os impurum), in which a man forces his penis into someone else's mouth, inducing vomiting for sexual gratification.[2]' Gross.) After that, he set her head on top of a shelf and screamed at it for an hour. He also threw darts at it. He also cut out her tongue and larynx and shoved them down the garbage disposal, and the absolute symbolism of that is chilling. Like he could finally shut her up, except he couldn't. Like I said, he loved to talk about himself and give interviews, and when her vocal cords couldn't be broken down, he said, "That seemed appropriate, as much as she'd bitched and screamed and yelled at me over so many years." Afterwards, he hid his mother's body in the closet and Eddie Boy went to have himself a drink at a local bar. He ended up inviting his mother's bestie over and he murdered her too. :( Ed assumed he was going to be caught immediately and fled to Pueblo, California, where ultimately, he ended up telling on himself to his police buddies. They didn't even believe him, he had to prove he was The Co-Ed Killer. I think it's very important to realize that he turned himself in after his mother was murdered. Like she was connected to all of his other murders somehow. I think he said in an interview that after he killed his mother, his "original purpose was gone" and he couldn't emotionally handle it anymore. I personally think he lived out his most disgusting, most wanted fantasy and since it was over, he had no other reason to keep going. Fun facts to lighten the mood? Ed stays in the same facility as Manson did! And also Herbert Mullin. It's rumored that Mullin had a habit of singing that pissed Ed off, so he bribed him with peanuts to get him to stop, lol. He's a smart man. In his time in prison, he's been a model prisoner I reckon. I read he has scheduled other inmate's appointments with their psychatrists and he enjoys making ceramic cups. Ed has a very nice speaking voice, unfortunately, and also while he was in prison, he recorded over 5000 hours worth narrating a set of audiobooks which I have searched high and low for, but I can never find them. He's been very forthcoming with his crimes and has had several interviews. He's also been denied parole several times, and he's even waived his right to a hearing saying, "Society is not ready in any shape or form for me. I can't faullt them for that."

And that is the disgusting, unfortunately true, murder of Clarnell Kemper by her own son, Edmund Kemper.

Happy Mother's Day! <3

My sources: Wikipedia, of course. And also: https://www.biography.com/crime/edmund-kemper

Pictured below are: Ed Kemper as a child. Ed Kemper and Clarnell Kemper. Ed Kemper's victims. Some photos to how he towers over people. Ed Kemper then and now.

Thank you for reading, I love ya!

#serial killer #edkemper #mothersday #fucking yikes

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the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 2 years

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Behold...this. Now, what, going on three days in the making?

Decided to take on @fluffytuffles’ Ultimate Fancast Challenge, and in true me fashion I had to do something to go with it.

Click for full view. Read more for list format and brief explanations here and there.

-Decided to make this in the style of one of my favourite souvenir brochures, complete with Understudy/Alternate spread page - if I were a real mad-man I would have written out the little bios for everyone, too, but honestly this already took *way* too long and my head hurts - maybe I will come back to that part ;)

-In this speculative cast, almost every cast member has their own understudy/alternate rather than having a handful of understudies/understudy roles playing different parts etc. etc. - this is both a result of me being indecisive and also because I do what I want. Think of it in the lines of traditional Korean musical theatre casting, where most principal leads have at least two individuals casted and rotated through performances.

-Please note that several of these performers have passed away or are currently too old/retired to play the parts indicated - I am aware of this. This is strictly based in dream casting and the blanket understanding that it exists in a bubble of reality.

CAST:

Munkustrap: Jack Rebaldi (Main) (Act like you’re surprised, I dare you) Keith Bernardo (Understudy)

Old Deuteronomy: Ken Page (Main) Gordon Bovinet (Understudy)

Grizabella: Laurie Beechman (Main) (I have never heard a “Memory” more heartwrenching and actually emotionally gutting than Laurie Beechman’s, both in voice and circumstance, and I will not be swayed on this) Ruth Jacott (Understudy)

The Rum Tum Tugger: Gino Emnes (Main) David Hibbard (Understudy) (Man I miss goofy rockstar Elvis Tuggers)

Mr. Mistoffelees: Mark John Richardson (Main) Akihiro Hanebuchi (Understudy) (Mark only *slightly* edged him out and I’m not exaggerating)

Mungojerrie: Dane Quixall (Main) Hugo Riveros Delporte (Understudy)

Rumpleteazer: Bonnie Langford (Main) Kristi Mancini (Understudy)

Skimbleshanks: Ross Finnie (Main) (Again, act surprised) Lee Greenaway (Understudy)

Jennyanydots: Joanna Lee Martin (Main) Lorraine Graham (Understudy) ( Yoshiko Hattori was also under heavy consideration)

Gus the Theatre Cat: Sir John Mills (Main 1 - The first main is reserved for any actor over 70+ years of age because I said so) Christopher Gurr (Understudy/Main 2)

(In this dream cast, Gus, Bustopher, Asparagus etc. are separate characters all on their own - I would have at least two actors playing Gus since I want him to either be an older performer or actually elderly, and would not reasonably expect someone 70+ to perform however many times a week without a break, so they would swap. Extra special bonus is that Ian McKellen or Judi Dench are allowed to pop into the theatre whenever they want and play Gus as special guests, both because Ian McKellen deserves a stab at Gus on stage and I think Judi Dench would actually make an excellent gender swapped Gus the Theatre Cat)

Bustopher: Stephen Hanan (Main) Eric Lee Johnson (Understudy)

Jellylorum: Leah Delos Santos (Main) Marni Raab (Understudy) (I’d particularly like Marni *now* to play Jelly)

Admetus/Macavity: Dainel Gaymon (Main) Ross McDermott (Understudy)

(The parts of Admetus and Plato are played separate, with Admetus doubling as Macavity, while Plato doubles as The Rumpus Cat, more in line with original Broadway)

Demeter: Ding Zhenying (Main) Brenda Braxton (Understudy)

Bombalurina: Marlene Danielle (Main) Jacqui Boatswain (Understudy)

Victoria: Anique Bosch (Main) Kayoko Yoshioka (Understudy)

Jemima: Myrthes Monteiro (Main) Cindy Belliot (understudy) (Jemima and Sillabub are played as seperate characters, much in line with Japan, but with Jemima still being on the younger side. I’d say on the older end of the kitten group, more in line with Tumblebrutus, while Sillabub is in the age group with Pouncival/Bill Bailey - more on that later)

Sillabub: Lee Na-min (main) Tracey Packham (Understudy)

(See above)

Alonzo: Brian Steven Shaw (Main) Ahmad Simmons (Understudy)

(Ahmad gets the official replica golden!Alonzo costume he deserves. He also covers Tugger)

Asparagus: Philippe Ermelier (Main) Karlis Zaid (Understudy)

Plato/Rumpus Cat: Philip Michael Baskerville (Main) Kenneth Ard (Understudy)

(See Admetus/Macavity)

Cassandra: Lee Ji-eun (Main) Lyne Tremblay (Understudy)

Coricopat: Lucas Radziejewski (Main) James Titchener (Understudy)

Tantomile: Patricia Meeden (Main) Ilona Petrash (Understudy)

Pouncival: Phineas Newborn III (Main) Nick Hendricks (Understudy)

(To retain a multitude of kittens/diversity of the youngin’s group, and just because I like the idea of a bigger cast, we’re yet again taking a page out of original Broadway and keeping Pouncival and Carbucketty as separate characters, with Carbucketty utilizing the London design while Pouncival gets to keep his. Pouncival is younger, while Carbucketty is a little older)

Tumblebrutus: Randy Bettis (Main) Jason Wise (Understudy)

(See Jemima - like Pouncival and Carbucketty, we’re going to keep both Tumblebrutus and Bill Bailey. Billy boy retains the London design, and is moreso in age group with Sillabub and Pouncival, while Tumblebrutus gets his Broadway design back and is part of the older kitten group with Jemima, Victoria, Admetus, etc.)

Bill Bailey: Juan Carlos Verdú (Main) Aaron Hunt (Understudy)

(See above)

Electra: Lili Froehlich (Main) Chiara Vinci (Understudy)

Carbucketty: Mukeni Nel (Main) No understudy

Etetera: Jo Bingham (Main) No understudy

Victor:

Steve Barton (Main) No understudy

(I wanted Steve Barton in the cast because he was phenomenal - I already had two Munkustraps. But guess who used to cover Munkustrap? That’s right - best of all words. In the meantime, I feel like he would make a very good Victor from what I think of the character, and a good combination of both the OG Victor and the odd revival swap. Enjoy a picture of him as Munk but pretend it’s Victor)

And finally, this is a tricky one explanation wise but stay with me - if I have to cast a Growltiger (though ideally if I were to do a dream production there would be no Growltiger period unless it was just a cut performance of “Billy McCaw” or “In Una Tepida Notte” - but even then? With the negative connotation still attached to Growltiger in the original poem, I’d probably just change it to Cat Morgan and change Griddlebone to another - and neither would have anything to do with Gus and the others), it would have to be:

Growltiger/Cat Morgan/Pirate Cat Lead: Rory Campbell (Because that note holding is fucking iconic and you cannot sway me on this) No understudy

Griddlebone/Pirate Queen Lead: Carrie Ellis No understudy

#idk even how to tag this #fancast #catsedit #welcome to my blog i spend all of my free time doing time consuming bs that brings me joy but i am TIRED #also note that i love so so so many performers and they are on a constant cycle - this fancast is never set in stone #hasn't been ever #and it never will be for the rest of my days

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callaeidae3 · 2 years

Text

The Case of Kindall, K. - Ch. 2 (1/3)

Tags for this chapter: Yuuki has PTSD, angst, mentions of court trial (in the form of a transcript), mentions of lingering racism (between fictional peoples: Arkala and Arkala'ana)

Previous part/beginning of story:

Chapter 1 - Part 1 | Part 2

---

Yuuki launches into the investigation the moment he gets home. He barely registers the sound of Timothy’s car reversing down the driveway due to the roaring of questions inside his head.

It’s a good thing Lee’s not home. Yuuki’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking the entire car ride home. He noticed that Timothy noticed. The shaking still hasn’t stopped, making Yuuki have to re-enter his laptop password twice after hitting the wrong keys by mistake. If Lee finds out about the panic attack, Yuuki will never hear the end of it.

His phone buzzed in his pocket just before he got out of Timothy’s car. As suspected, it’s a message from Lee, but Yuuki doesn’t have the energy to deal with lying right now.

He’s got a truth to work on finding out.

What his gut’s telling him is that both Kyle’s pleading not guilty and the evidence piled up against him is all truth, but it’s the stuff that’s been automatically assumed that Yuuki’s after: the points that weren’t covered and the parts that were omitted.

Yuuki wonders if racism might have a part to play in Kyle’s case, too. The Arkala’ana, whom Kyle appears to be affiliated with, have a history of being discriminated by the Arkala, mostly for their preference of living down in the valleys of the island in the Great Caves and also for their pale skin tone. While the lingering racial tensions between the two native Arkala tribes have died down since the arrival and immigration of multi-national people, it’s still seen floating around from time to time.

Even if Kyle Kindall isn’t fully Arkala’ana, it wouldn’t be far-fetched a thought that maybe his ethnicity is one of the reasons why no one wanted to properly represent him in court. All it would take is for one of the witnesses to harbour racist thoughts towards the Arkala’ana and just like that Kindall’s case could be swayed by bias.

Whatever the reason, Yuuki swears in his heart he will find out why Kyle Kindall insists he’s innocent even when everyone else says he’s not.

Before he loses himself in his thought processes, Yuuki checks the door’s locked. He opens a window in the lounge to let in some fresh winter air, but everything else he keeps shut out of paranoia.

What happened at the office in Ninao isn’t going to happen here.

Logging into the work server, Yuuki scours the documents he’s acquired. His stomach growls. He ignores it. He brings up the trial transcript Timothy sent him and reads it.

Case #2310 (Charge: Manslaughter)

Judge: Harrison, Timothy

Defendant: Kindall, Kyle

Youth Advocate: Smith, Charlie

Yuuki skims over the formal introductions and guidelines to proceedings.

Judge: Kyle Kindall. You are charged with the death of seventeen year old Daniel Wilson. How do you plead?

Defendant: Not guilty.

Judge: Before the incident happened, did you have any intention of taking Wilson’s life?

Defendant: I didn’t.

Judge: If not, then why did you have a knife on you?

Defendant: I didn’t! I was just sitting at the park doing nothing when –

Judge: Kyle, I request that you control your emotions or else your advocate will need to answer for you.

Defendant: I was at the park. Doing nothing. Daniel came up to me, with the knife.

Judge: How do you explain your fingerprints on the knife handle?

Defendant: I didn’t do it!

Judge: Second warning.

Defendant: He made me do it. He forced me to put my hand on the knife and wouldn’t let go and I freaked out and he still wouldn’t let go and then I stabbed him, on accident.

Judge: You could’ve walked away. Why did you chose to retaliate?

Defendant: He gave me no choice! He attacked me! I was just trying to get away!

Judge: I apologise, Kyle, but I am going to have to ask Mr. Smith to speak on your behalf. The Court has the permission to restrain you if necessary should your emotions escalate further. You have had your third and final warning. Mr. Smith. Does Kyle’s account to you of what happened match his answers?

Youth Advocate: It does.

Judge: Do you believe his account to be mostly true?

Youth Advocate: I do.

Judge: How would you describe the reason behind Kyle’s actions?

Youth Advocate: I believe his retaliation was no more than a means of self-defence, if not perhaps on the extreme side.

Defendant: He was holding me down!

Judge: Court, you may act in accordance.

[Defendant muted]

Judge: Court, we will proceed. Evidence supporting the charge of manslaughter include, but are not limited to: witness reports of shouting, a key witness seeing Kyle with Daniel at the scene and Kyle’s fingerprints found on the knife handle. Peace Forces have ruled this as sufficient enough evidence to support the charge of manslaughter. Mr. Smith, do you have anything to say against this?

Youth Advocate: I have nothing to say that will counter this evidence.

Judge: Kyle, though you pleaded not guilty, as you can see there is substantial evidence to suggest that you are. For the record, even upon hearing this do you still plead not guilty? Nod if you do.

[Defendant nods]

Judge: Alright. You are hereby sentenced to two months of imprisonment on the charge of manslaughter. That time may change. You are eligible for a retrial should evidence supporting your claim come to the Peace Force’s attention. You will accept these charges. Due to your volatile nature, you will be subjected to isolation for the safety of those around you. Mr. Smith, have you anything to say to Kindall before he leaves this room?

Youth Advocate: I will continue to support you, Kyle. Don’t lose hope.

Judge: Court, you may proceed with the defendant’s transfer. All rise.

[End of Transcript]

Yuuki reads over it until the words become so familiar to his head voice that his brain switches off analysing them. Rubbing his eyes, he stops and sits back to think.

Questions start popping up in his mind immediately.

There was a knife involved in the incident. Who did that knife belong to? Is it even the same knife some of Kyle’s old school reports said he had confiscated off him a couple of times?

Yuuki taps his finger on the side of his thigh, frowning. He fetches a notepad and pen to write the question down on.

The only information given about Daniel Wilson being intoxicated was a note from his autopsy. Why wasn’t the matter brought up in court? Did the Peace Forces decide that Kyle’s fingerprints on the knife were incriminating enough?

How did Kyle’s fingerprints end up on the knife? …especially if that knife isn’t his and he isn’t guilty?

It was reported that people in the neighbourhood heard shouting. How many voices were heard shouting? Who shouted first, and what was the nature of their tone?

At the trial, Kyle said that Daniel approached him. To what extent is this true? Did he have any prior knowledge suggesting that Daniel might come after him?

Yuuki taps the pen on the notepad. He glares at the laptop screen, heart beating fast.

Are Kyle’s fingerprints the only ones that were found on the knife?

Pause. Tap tap tap.

The key witness saw only Kyle and Daniel. Were there any others at the scene? – see shouting.

Did Daniel’s family know Daniel was drinking that day? What were his drinking habits?

How far away is Village Park from their homes, school, friend’s places, common haunts….?

And lastly, in bold, scribbled handwriting, Why were these things not asked during the trial?!?!?!

It’s unlike Timothy to not question these things. It’s unlike Timothy to speak to anyone the way the transcript said he did in Kyle’s trial. But Yuuki understands that when he’s at work, Timothy must act with indifference to his own feelings, so then maybe there’s nothing really out of the ordinary there in that regard.

Yuuki still finds it suspicious. Timothy must’ve been under some kind of pressure to have the trial outcome decided that day, else he would’ve ruled that they needed more evidence before coming to any conclusion. Maybe he had to satisfy the Peace Forces. If they found Timothy to be ‘too soft’ under Taularh’s new rules, then he’d be called unfit for his job and get kicked out of it, or worse.

They can’t let that happen. He did what he could for Kyle given the situation he was in, and now it’s up to Yuuki to take the baton from him. With it, Yuuki vows to do the best he can.

The afternoon passes. Yuuki eventually caves in to his hunger and takes a break from his searching. The muscles in his right hand ache from all the writing. His head aches, too, but it’s a pleasant kind of ache. It’s been a while since he’s been involved in non-PTSD related deep thinking, so he’s enjoying getting back into his old work mind-set.

Ever since Ninao, he thinks, I…

Just like that, Yuuki loses his appetite. He has to force himself to swallow down the mouthful of toast. The rest of the slice is returned to the plate. With a grimace, he brushes the crumbs off his hands, grabs his phone from the table and takes himself outside to distract himself.

It’s cold, now that the sun’s minutes away from setting, but it’s stress-relieving. The cooling air on his forehead is a profound relief. Slowly but surely, the oncoming wave of flashbacks recedes.

Yuuki sits on the slope of the driveway watching the colours of the sky fade into dusk. Seemingly out of nowhere, he suddenly remembers he hasn’t checked his phone since he got home. Yuuki slips it out of his jacket pocket, squinting against the screen brightness.

You have one (1) unread message:

Lee, 12.35pm

How did the meeting go?

He tugs the sleeves of his jacket further over his hands, otherwise ignoring the sudden drop in temperature that’s now got him shivering.

Oh, it was great Lee, Yuuki thinks. I accepted the position like you didn’t want me to. We went to the detention centre and I met Kyle. I think he’s hurting. I don’t like it. Guilty or not, he shouldn’t be kept in isolation. I’m worried it’s going to do more harm than good. I had a bit of a flashback episode – I’m okay now. Actually, I lie; I’m not. Kyle’s not. I’m going to do what I can to get him out of there.

There’s no way he could text that and expect Lee to understand. Even if Yuuki spoke those words to his face, he’d still insist that Yuuki’s ignoring his own health to help Kyle. But nobody else is helping Kyle, convincing Yuuki that he might very well be, along with the scarce few people who believe the trial was unfair, the last line of defence standing between Kyle and his loss of freedom.

Yuuki noticed the asterisk on the case summary. Subject to change, it said. Not the isolation part but the duration of imprisonment. In other words, there’s nothing stopping the higher-ups from extending and extending that time period. In other words, the supposed two month sentence could very well end up being a life sentence.

Kyle’s seventeen, for crying out loud! Yuuki wants to shout. He could be my younger brother in another reality.

Perhaps that’s something else that makes Kyle’s situation all the more real to him. Yuuki’s only seven years – and however many months – older than him. That’s not much of an age gap. Yuuki turned twenty-five a few months ago, free, and here’s Kyle Kindall looking like he’s going to be spending his eighteenth birthday in prison, possibly even for something he didn’t do.

And what of the fingerprints? Yuuki’s not sure what he ought to think. If the Peace Forces found Kyle’s fingerprints on the knife’s handle, and the charge was recorded as manslaughter, then… either Kyle is guilty and he tried pleading otherwise, or else he’s not guilty, just as he said he is, and he was set up.

Yuuki feels in his gut that it’s the latter. As he’d said to Kyle earlier that day, what good would it do him to plead not guilty in a court room full of people saying that he undoubtedly is? Kyle doesn’t strike Yuuki as being the kind of guy who would go to all that trouble.

That means it’s just as Timothy said – Kyle had to have been merely poorly defended. It’s quite possible that only evidence supporting the idea of him being guilty was presented.

But that only raises yet another question of why, and it makes Yuuki’s head spin trying to figure it all out.

Tomorrow, Yuuki reminds himself. He’s going to have his first official meeting with Kyle tomorrow. He can start his investigation then.

---

Next part: Chapter 2 (2/2) -- link to be added when posted

---

Published by Callaei Books.

ISBN-13 (paperback): 9780473478766 | ISBN-13 (Kindle): 9780473478773 | ISBN-13 (ePUB): 9780473562137

#the case of kindall k #kindall k series #kk1 #original story #callaei books #yuuki takahashi #whump writing

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maxwell-grant · 3 years

Text

Thoughts on the Vincenzo finale

GODDAMN, THIS SHOW. Spoilers below the cut

-....Okay I totally get why everyone is so mad about Han-seo dying and no bullshit excuse is gonna make that go down any easier. I was FAR more invested in seeing what happened to him than just about anything else in the show but, idk man, I came to terms with it. They’ve been setting up that death for a while now, even showed several times already he already expected to die at the hands of his brother and made peace with it, openly wanted to confront Han-seok instead of running away even when he had that option, and he died being the main reason why Vincenzo was not only saved, but eventually able to get Han-seok. He died being useful and loved by a brother.

He deserved better and it was a bullshit decision that soured a lot of people on the finale and even the show, absolutely. But I don’t think it’s like, bad BAD writing. If he had to die by Han-seok, if they had to kill one of the heroes in the finale to keep the stakes up and give us a final gut punch (since we know Cha-young is not gonna die, c’mon), Han-seo makes a twisted form of sense. Like I’d personally prefer Mr Cho to die because he’s always been the most whatever character, but nobody would be that sad about him, y’know, so it would be pointless, and none of the Geumga Plaza residents are expendable. So, Han-seo it goes.

-I think they might have thought that they had to kill a character just to remind us the show still ain’t afraid to pull any punches. Like I don’t think the whole set up with Lee getting stabbed would have much tension if the show didn’t demonstrate beforehand that yes they will kill the most loveable characters.

-They DEFINITELY should have at least given Han-seo a funeral at least, because they all but completely forget him after he’s gone. Like at least Vincenzo could have buried him and said some parting words as they ensured he got the dignity in death that he didn’t get in life. At least something other than that painful flashback scene.

-Idk man, I don’t think it ruins the show or even the finale but it sucks, I get that killing off the most lovable character is an old and dirty trick but even if Han-seo had to die no matter what they could have gone about it better.

-I also wasn’t really wasn’t that convinced by the kiss between Cha-young and Vincenzo, it felt kinda desperate. Like they were about to part midway through the conversation and then they’re like “goddamnit let’s just do the kiss already”.

-Putting aside Han-seo’s death I liked pretty much everything about it, again, the show always delivers on quality even when it sets up bittersweet decisions

-I love everything about the Geumga Plaza residents continuing to stick together and look out for each other with the same sense of unity and style that they got from Vincenzo, even naming themselves the “Cassano Geumga” family.

-I think it’s ultimately a good thing that Vincenzo didn’t stay, because if he was still with them, that would make their growth less impressive. We get to see that they have completely embraced what Vincenzo made them see about themselves and are now operating as a cohesive group, unafraid to trash talk politicians and thugs. We see now that they can very well handle themselves without Vincenzo, even if they are brought together by the black suits and hand gestures they wear imitating him. Hong Cha-young gets to fight for justice and do those sassy and stylish struts to the courthouse on her own, An’s become director, they’ve all grown as people to the point they no longer need the extraordinary figure of action, because they’ve become that themselves. It’s the kind of “everyone is or can be awesome” message that a lot of superhero stories vaguely gesture towards or botch, here done well because we’ve had more than enough time to know these people, know their faults and issues and the ways in which they are average or unremarkable, discovered the ways in which they are not and the secrets they’ve kept buried, and seen them put those secrets and talents to good use to fully embrace their confident ass-kicking selves.

-I’m so glad none of the Geumga Plaza residents died and I would have been far more pissed at the finale if one of them did. That Lee situation scared me bad enough as is.

-Like the villain protagonist and warrior of a distant land he is, Vincenzo doesn’t stick around after he vanquishes evil. He moves on after trailblazing a path for others. Especially after the show has shown us the full scope of just how genuinely evil he can be, I also think it was a smart idea to not have him stay, so ultimately his positive actions can have the most impact here, while he returns to the dark and fantastical realm of legend he walked out of, changed for the better.

-GodDAMN the way the villains went out. They really waited right till the very last episode to show just how goddamn brutal and ugly Vincenzo’s vengeance can be. They even give him The Villain Theme Song, the song that’s played everytime the show’s villains have done something awful, when he corners Myung-hee.

-I didn’t want Seung Hyeok to die. I had grown somewhat fond of him. He was a slimeball who had it coming, yeah, but even Vincenzo was a little taken aback by how he died. I wanted Hyeok to like, flee the country and be forced to set up a little tourist shop in the countryside of something, just living a small, humble life away from all the murderers he’s been roped into associating with and now lives in fear of. I guess ultimately he had to die for the sake of the episode’s stakes but, damn. Rest in piss I guess.

-I was wondering how they were going to deliver on Myung-hee’s punishment ever since Vincenzo spared her from getting shot, and a quick death really was too little for her, but DAMN. GODDAMN. I really thought they set up the whole zumba thing as a funny little quirk to bely how evil she is, but they really had her burned alive as Vincenzo puts on the funny little zumba music and she has to DANCE TO DEATH WHILE ON FIRE. Also really solidifying the witch comparisons from earlier episodes, since she burns like one.

-This fucking show man. It isn’t on Black’s level on terms of sheer emotional moments and misery but it’s very much not fucking around either.

-They really went all 1000% in making sure Han-seok got the most agonizing and horrifying end conceivable, holy shit. Every part of it is brutally horrifying, in fact it’s far more viscerally horrifying than anything Han-seok’s ever done on screen. He gets to see in full just how much of a monster Vincenzo can be and it’s something far bigger than himself. Vincenzo beats the slasher villain by putting him on a Saw death trap that goes on for agonizingly long, and we never even see him die.

-And then they had to twist it even further by having a goddamn crow start pecking at his guts Prometheus-style, because of course they are going to go full Old Testament vengeance on punishing him.

-I’ve never seen a show succeed in both creating a completely irredeemable villain and then give him an equally horrible and fitting punishment in just the right measure. No wonder they had him kill the audience’s favorite right early on, they really wanted to make sure the audience would be onboard with him being tortured to death.

-They really just didn’t shy away at all from Vincenzo’s true nature. There’s been talks that this is a sort of redemption arc for him but it kinda isn’t. He never really expresses remorse for the horrible things he does in Korea, just the ones he’s done in Italy that made him go against principle. He regrets the monster he’s become but understands it as a necessity for the sake of others.

-I talked about how mobster stories often romanticize or soften their protagonists for the sake of fantasy, but something the finale reaffirmed is that the show has no illusions about what Vincenzo is.

-In other mobster stories, religion usually pops up as a form of guilt the protagonists feel over their actions, usually Catholic mobsters who know they go against the word of God but cannot help but damn themselves to hell. Here, we know Vincenzo was dropped in an orphanage shortly before he was adopted by the mafia, and twice he consults with the Buddhist monks for advice. The first time, the senior monk advised him not to run away from his troubles and to put his assets to use by creating something good, which he has taken to heart as we learn in the finale that he’s bought an island in Malta to serve as a sanctuary for people who need protection.

But in the second time, in this episode, he’s told that, yes, he will never be Buddha, he will never be within that sphere of good, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do good. He is told by the senior monk, the closest thing to an in-universe Word of God, that he is like Vaiśravaṇa, the horrifying Heavenly King who rules over the yakshas and punishes those who step out of line, god of warriors and punisher of evildoers and protector of those who are ultimately more holy and good than itself. And when he punishes Myung-hee, when she asks what is it that separates him from her, he references Vaiśravaṇa as himself putting the yaksha (her) in line, shortly before he burns her to death.

-In other mobster stories, the protagonist’s troubled relationship with God is a catalyst for their guilt or even a prelude to their deaths. Here, Vincenzo receives what is basically a stamp of approval from the closest thing he has to a god to keep on his work. He’s become his own god.

-I have some pretty extensive thoughts on the show’s final moments so I put them here.

-No Inzaghi, 0/10 worst episode ever.

-I’m not sure if there’s going to be a Season 2, and part of me hopes that there is because I could watch these people on a million adventures, but on another, I hope not because the show’s had such an incredibly strong and tight conclusion to wrap up it’s narratives, I don’t think another season would do it any favors.

-GIVE ME THE GEUMGA PLAZA SPIN-OFF ADVENTURES RIGHT NOW (and also please show that Han-seo was just faking his death pretty please)

-This show kicks the ass out of virtually every American tv show I’ve ever seen and I’m glad it’s trending, but this deserves every bit the reverence people give it and then more. This show was incredible and any smart writer should be taking as much notes from this as they possibly can (I know I am).

-Man I am not ready to say goodbye to this show at all. I hope the entire cast is feeling very proud of themselves because this really was glorious

-GEUMGA PLAZA SPIN-OFF RIGHT FUCKING NOW

#vincenzo #tvn vincenzo #vincenzo finale #song joong ki #ok taecyeon #jeon yeon been #k-drama

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pokeexehasstoppedworking · 3 years

Text

Love Doesn’t Do Encores Ch14 Battle Gym Leader Bea

You two had found yourselves out of Hammerlocke by sundown that day. But not before you went back into the town and stopped by that cafe you both had passed earlier, and each gotten a free piece of cake and small cup of tea from those coupon things that Applin Boy had given to Gloria as thanks for helping him. Cake and tea weren't exactly what you would call dinner but you weren't going to complain about free food. Your drizzilie sure tried sneaking it from you but settled for the small bag of fruit you tossed at it after you told him no.

"So," you asked Gloria after taking another sip of the tea you received, "You mentioned challenging Bea next right?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Remember how I told you there was four gyms that gave the same badge?" You nodded. "The Fighting Type and Ghost Type gyms give the same badge. While the Ice and Rock gyms give a different badge from the Ghost and Fighting gyms, they give the same one as well. So either someone can just chose the Fighting or Ghost type gyms then move on and chose either the Ice or Rock type gyms. But I plan on stopping by both. The closest one just happens to be the Fighting Type Gym run by the Gym leader Bea. Not only is she the top fighting type pokemon trainer, but she's been the winner of the Galarian Martial Arts Championship seven years running undefeated. They say she can go bare fists with her machomp and win."

"Wow. She sounds really strong."

"She is. Which is why I think that's why Hop's going there too." She frowned stabbing at a piece of her free cake. "He said he wanted to become stronger. Challenging another strong gym leader right after defeating Kabu but loosing to Bede sounds like he's trying to conquer another hard challenge to prove he's strong. ...I'm worried about him."

"I know, but don't worry," you assured with a smile. You remembered enough about the game to know Hop would definitely bounce back, and after hearing him speak the other day, you knew he'd be fine. "He's a strong and has enough determination in him to move a mountain if he felt like it."

...She smiled at you. "Thanks Y/n. I knew I made a good choice in my traveling buddy."

You paused a moment...before blinking. "That reminds me. Why did you want me to come along with you back in Postwick? I mean it's not that I mind, but we were practically strangers then."

She shrugged. "I really don't know. I know it's gonna sound weird, but there's a really good atmosphere around ya. Like...You just give off good vibes, and my gut feelings are usually spot on anyways. An' I wasn't wrong!" She smiled. "You've been a great friend ta us!"

You smiled. Well that was strange. It was almost like what Sonia said about your 'good aura', but you weren't going to complain about the nice compliments.

"You're one of the gym challengers endorsed by Leon, aren't you?" Both of you looked up and blinked at the sight of an older woman, who looked older than Kabu, dressed in a blue and pink outfit with accessories, an umbrella in one hand, was pretty tall for someone you'd expect, and aquamarine eyes looking at Gloria curiously. Stunned that you two hadn't noticed noticed her walk up to you before now, both you two looked at each other before Gloria looked back to the old woman and nodded. She hummed for a moment before suddenly holding out something to her you recognized right away. "My name's Opal. If you want to know more, have a look at my league card." Gloria's brown eyes stared at the card for a moment before taking it from the lady. "I'll keep an eye on you, Child. I want to see what you can do when you go all out."

Both of you watched silently as she silently just...turned around and walked right out of the cafe. Like nothing had just happened. Leaving the two of you sitting there looking after her blankly before looking at one another with blank faces wondering if that actually happened.

Eventually you blinked as Gloria looked at the card handed to her. "Who was that?"

"According to this..she's Ms. Opal." She looked up to you holding up the card in her hand, "And the Fairy Type Gym Leader from Bellonlea!"

"What?" You held out your hand as she offered it to you. "Lemme see that." And true to Gloria's word, it was an official League Card with the picture of the very same elderly woman you just spoken too on it. "Huh." You handed it back to her. "I wonder what she was doing all the way here in Hammerlocke then?"

She shrugged before pocketing the card. "The same thing as Lee? Like maybe she's seein' the Chairman too? Or maybe traveling since I don't think anyone would challenge her yet. March is almost over so it's still pretty early in the year for anyone to gather many badges."

Wow. Almost three months had passed already? You must've lost track of time from traveling so much. You weren't too sure but shrugged. "Who knows? C'mon. Let's finish eating and hit the road before it gets too dark outside."

After the meal the two of you headed back out on Route Six as the sun nearly set in the sky making everything lightly darker but had enough light to still see. The lights of Hammerlocke shining out as the two of you left the dragon town. You were a bit nervous about running into Raihan or that Mr. Rose again, but you ran into neither as you left the town. Thank goodness. You and her then fell into the familiar routine of walking, camping, and more shaking of berry trees as you passed by them by chance. Only this time Gloria seemed to pick back up her hobby of taking pictures for her dex challenge again. The photos Victor had given her had filled up a good sizable amount of the book already but there was still more photos needed for it as well as for that curry dex challenge book she needed. It was a bit random but you were glad she found something to keep herself occupied on the way there, and photography was a pretty neat hobby. Although she didn't seem to be as into it as Victor was. If she wasn't doing that, she battled a pokemon here n' there as you either watched or gathered food or some other needed thing to be done and like before you traveled past a few small towns, houses, or other travelers heading in the opposite direction. No signs of the boys, but you were glad not having any more run ins with those Team Yell grunts as days passed as you two slowly made your way towards Stow-on-Side.

"So how long until we reach Stow-on-Side?," you asked one day while walking.

Gloria hummed for a moment before whipping out her phone and flipping through the screen once it turned on. Lately the region around you had started to get rockier with more and more hills and cliffs jutting out of the earth until it slowly consumed both side of the path the two of you walked. "According to Rotom we should be there sometime tomorrow if we keep on goin' down this pathway." That was great news! "Also accordin' ta this, there's another historical wonder protected by the Galarian Conservation Society! ...Hmm. I wonder if she'll be down here too??"

You rose a brow at her. "Her who?"

She looked at you. "When I was chattin' with Sonia at the vault I showed 'er some old pokemon fossils I picked up. Useless really. Ye find 'em sometimes and see 'em in your science classes n' museums and the like. I was gonna give 'em to Hop as a gift since he's into that kinda stuff but she told me an old scientist friend of hers was in Stow-on-Side trying out this new fossil restoration or somethin' like that. But she couldn't find any fossils to try 'em out on."

......You blinked. "Since when did you get fossils??"

"I found two by accident back when we 'ere in the Wild Area. Y'know. When I fought that wild diglett in the cave." You groaned remembering that experience. "And then some bloke traded me two he didn't want at the pokemon center for the applin I was gonna put back when the red-headed bloke didn't want it. I completely forgotten I even had them til I remembered just now."

"That reminds me. Whatever did you do with those other pokemon you were given? Especially that baby toxel. It looked pretty young."

"Ah! I sent it to Mum to take care of! She mentioned being lonely without us there so I thought she'd like raisin' the wee tyke!"

You rose a brow. "Can she handle a toxel??"

"She sent me pictures of the lil thing sleepin' with Munchlax so I think they're doing just fine!"

"If you say so."

The both of you traveled until the sun went down and you set up camp under a shady ledge before quickly packing up the next day at day light and going to travel again. Until coming to a bunch of bright stony ledges and cliffs in a dead end where the path ended just a few yards in front of the cliffside. .......Which left the both of you confused looking around.

".....Does this mean we're at Stow-on-Side?," you asked pressing you hand against one of the rocky hills before yanking and waving it back from the heat of them sitting in the sun all day. Speaking of which it was hot as you traveled. Must be entering summer territory. Your f/c eyes scanned up and down the cliffs surrounding you all and a hand pressed above your brows to block the sun. "Or did we make a wrong turn somewhere??"

"Can't be! We followed nothin' but Route Six all the way here!" Gloria had already brought out her phone giving it a little shake. "Accordin' to this Stow-on-Side's just up ahead!"

"So either your phone's broken or we have to suddenly learn how to rock climb." Your eyes scanned the ledges more. They looked a little too dangerous to just be climbing without any professional gear or unless you were a rock climbing expert. To which you had neither...."What about that corvisquire you have?"

"It's not big enough to fly either of us up these mountains!...*sigh* We might have ta just call a flying taxi at this rate."

Yeah. That might be the best option either of you two had at this point. ....Your Drizzilie, which had taken to fully putting itself into your pack with just his head peeking out from under the lid to avoid the sun, suddenly gave a look towards something shiny. Before it's eyes widened and it gave a loud chirp poking it's head out fully to the both of you. You looked over your shoulder as it continued to make noises at you. "Whoa! Hey. What is it boy?" It's arm popped out and he pointed his hand towards the other side of the dead end you were at. You both looked over and you blinked at something against the cliffside shining in the sunlight. "Hey! What's that over there?" You pointed and began walking towards it...Gloria blinked, before putting her phone away and quickly following after you. You approuched the shining thing and soon discovered it to be a- "It's a ladder!" Walking forward more it was indeed a metal ladder. Secured and bolted to the cliffside and going up until it ended at the very top of it. "....What's a ladder doing here?"

"That must be how people get ta Stow-on-Side from 'ere," Gloria reasoned. "Ya think they'd actually make this more easier to get too."

"You'd think so. Good Boy!" Drizzilie gave a huff before returning to it's spot inside your bag. Ok be tsundere. Pausing to look at it for a moment you grabbed it before immediately letting go from how hot it was. "...You really think this is the way?"

"There's no other way around here other than a taxi, and what do we have to lose? The worse case scenario is that we'll hit another dead end or just climb to the top and hail a cab like we were thinkin' anyways."

She had a point. And if you did end up just going to the top of the cliffs here you could get a better look of your surroundings. So reluctantly you nodded. "Alright. But let me go first to make sure it's safe." Slowly and with a sigh you grabbed the metal ladder wincing in pain when the hot metal stung your hands lightly, and began to climb up. It wasn't too hard or high of a climb, and you were fast to release the ladder as hard as you can also considering the weight on your shoulders, it made it a bit more difficult. Once you reached the top however and climbed up all the way, you noticed there was nothing but more ledges, dead grass, and...another ladder leading somewhere ahead of you. Standing up, once you deduced it was safe, you carefully looked over the edge to Gloria looking up at you and waved. "It's safe! And I found another ladder!"

Gloria didn't even hesitate after that. In her excitement you weren't sure if she just didn't notice the pain or bared it to climb up but you were there to offer a hand and pull her up with you once she was there. And you two wasted no more time and got climbing. Not baring to stand in this heat anymore. The second ladder you climbed up lead to the top of one of the larger clifftops, a small pond of some sort, and another much longer ladder leading you further and higher into the mountain sides and you two went. Your muscles were sore and tired from the extra weight of your Drizzilie who peeked out and down from your bag every so often, and your hands burnt under the ladders' metal. You were sure it wasn't enough to be badly hurt for a long time, but it sure stung, and you were paranoid that at any moment you would fall. But luckily you didn't and by some miracle forced yourself NOT to look down before making it to the third ledge and ..another ladder. Gloria right on your heels. Rinse and repeat. Climb, pray to whoever heard you that you wouldn't fall, get to the top, and then do it again. The both of you must've been on your seventh or eighth ladder and ledge at this point and you were resting on your knees exposed to the hot sun tired, breathing heavy, and shaking your sore hands. Gloria doing the same with her hands before reaching up to wipe her brow and look around ...Before spotting and pointing to yet another ladder.

"Hey look! It leads up to a tunnel of some kind!"

You looked to the giant black whole that the ladder lead into and groaned. "Oh PLEASE tell me this isn't going to be another mine."

"Only one way to find out!" She happily bounded towards the ladder, and with another groan, you slowly forced yourself to stand and followed after. Where does she get so much energy? And in this heat? She was already half way up the ladder by the time you got there and began slowly climbing, grip so hard your knuckles turned white to keep yourself from falling. Gloria making her way right into the tunnel and disappearing from view as you got closer to the top yourself. "Y/N!!" She suddenly shouted echoed by the tunnel. "Ya gotta see this!!"

"I'M COMING!!," you strangled out in a shout still making your way up.

Gloria was waiting for you when you finally got to the top, letting her grab your arm to pull you with a grunt into the shady tunnel with her. With a sigh as your sore hands touched the cooled floor of the cavern, you twisted your legs around, and just sat there breathing and wiping at your forehead from the long trip you two had suffered. Gloria was kind enough to let you catch your breath, considering it must've been harder for you with your Drizzilie being no help, for around five maybe ten minutes before you turned your head..and blinked at the light coming from the other side of the short tunnel. Gloria went ahead and started walking towards it...and you again forced yourself up and walked after her. But slower this time considering how tired and sore you were. She stopped by the cavern opening and once you caught up, your eyes widened.

"Holy smokes!"

Carved into the cliffside was the BIGGEST statues you had ever seen! The stone digletts stared out blankly onto the horizon and were blocked off by a chained fence embedded into the stone ground below it. Was this the historical landmark Gloria spoke of yesterday? She started walking forward and after a moment you followed staring up at the massive stone beasts before you. A flash of light going off as she snapped a picture of it while passing....Before she turned and with a gasp that had you snapping forward pointed excitedly.

"Y/n! Look! We found it!" What was unmistakeningly a stadium shone brightly in the sunlight as you looked and blinked, and before it was a couple small buildings, one including that classic pink pokemon center. You two wasted no time in jogging towards it past the statues and up a small flight of stairs carved into the stone floor, past under a wooden gate of some kind and over to the buildings ahead. Where you saw people. PEOPLE!! Walking around doing their everyday lives as usual! You two had successfully found Stow-on-Side! The tall two story buildings were all carved from stone as well with a couple small tables in the pathway you two walked that had a few people yelling at passerbys to come and bye from them as they sat under umbrellas from the hot sun. As you walked past everyone Gloria took out her phone again and after a few taps on it nodded in glee. "This is Stow-on-Side alright! Apparently the diglett statues we saw are part of some famous ruins including an ancient mural up the path by the stadium! We should go check those out once I'm done with the battle here!"

"Once we rest first!" You sighed and again reached up to rub your temple. "I'm beat from all that walking and climbing! And it doesn't look like this place has any inn or public place besides the center we can rest up in."

You both turned right still walking along the path towards the stadium.

"Yeah? Well I can check on my regional map of Stown-on-Side. It should tell u-" She stopped. Freezing like someone paused her on tv. Her face suddenly drawing a blank. Curiously, you stopped too and turned around to give a raised brow at her suddenly blank expression. Before you turned to look where she was looking. A whine coming from your backpack as your Drizzlie poked it's full head out. And you under stood why she stopped. IT WAS THE BOYS!! Both were talking to each other walking down from the stairs leading to the big stadium, until they happened to look down towards the both of you and stopped. The four of you staring at one another in surprised silence...Before Gloria straight up BOLTED towards them both! "HOP!!"

"Glori-AH!!" The poor boy didn't even get a chance to finish talking before he was glomped by the brunette nearly knocking the both of them over in the process.

"I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!! YA PURPLE HAIRED LOONEY PONYTA!!," she shouted with a smile. "YA HAD ME SO WORRIED!! DON'T DO THAT!!"

"N-Nice to see you too!," he forced out strangled by the crushing hug, "M-Miss Y/N help!"

You walked on over but didn't need to pry them apart thankfully as she let go and let Hop breathed and clutch at his chest by the time you got there. Victor looking annoyed opening his arms. "And what am I? An invisible Sobble?" Gloria giggled before giving her brother the expected hug he wanted.

"We thought we'd miss you guys here by how long it took! Were you here that long?"

"Sadly yes," Hop answered rubbing at where Gloria nearly crushed him to dust. "Turns out there was a few people here itchin' to battle Bea before going on to harder gym leaders like Kabu, so we had to camp out for a bit for an opening."

Gloria paused...slowly retracting her hug from her brother and turning to him, face concerned. "Does...D-Does that mean you didn't win?"

...He smiled. "Took me two tries! But I managed to get my fighting badge!"

"You did!! Hop that's amazing! I told you, you could do it!"

He chuckled....before his face turned back to a neutral one. "But...Glory." His hands came to stuff themselves into his pockets. "I'm still not too sure what I should do about all that stuff I told you before. About me being weak and dragging down Lee's good name and all, yeah? "..He smiled again. "But the only thing I can do is get stronger right?"

With a sigh Gloria gave her own determined smile, reached over, and made him blink as she flicked his nose. "That's what we've always told you, Hop. I never lost doubt in ya."

He paused for a moment gold eyes blinking and looking cross eyed at his nose, before his face went pink again and he chuckled. "Y-yeah! A-Actually I was hoping for a b-battle with ya the next time I saw you." Your Drizzilie whined more. "Vi-Vic's been battling me and helping me build up my team and come up with new s-strageties on how to battle upcoming gym leaders. So I'm gonna try out all kinds of different things against you and see what works!..If you wanna battle that is?"

"Do you really need to ask? You're on!"

"Then let's do this! I bet an all out battle with my true rival will help me get my head on straight-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH-"

A screech that pierced your eardrums interrupting Hop from saying anything else. Immediately all your hands shot up to your ears and you all made some kind of cringed face or closed their eyes from the scream that came from directly behind you. You forced yourself to turn around at your drizzilie's head poking out from your bag. Mouth open wide and yelling at the top of his lungs before he abruptly stopped upon noticing you had looked at it in utter shock.....How could such a small thing make such a noise!! Slowly, the others uncovered their ears as well giving the three back and forth looks, before also looking in the direction of your bored looking drizzilie.

..........Victor blinked and pointed at your backpack. "What the absolute Arceous was THAT!?"

"I......have absolutely no idea." You eventually managed to get yourself to talk. "I've never heard him make a noise like that before."

"Could there be something wrong with him?," Hop asked rubbing one of his ears, "It is pretty hot and he's a water type. Maybe he's gotten dehydrated from lack of water or something?"

You jumped. YOU HADN'T EVEN CONSIDERED THAT WHILE TRAVELING!? WHAT THE HECK!! YOU WERE AN AWFUL TRAINER!! "I...." You swiftly turned nearly nailing Gloria in the side with your back pack in a panic. "I-I gotta get him back over to the center just in case! You two go ahead and have your battle!"

"I'll come too!" Victor stepped forward. "I meant to stop by anyways to grab some potions from the center."

If you heard him you didn't pay him much mind as you practically stumble-ran your panicked self back down what few steps you had climbed up towards the stadium and RAN towards the center with Victor right behind you. You nearly tripped and slammed in your haste turning the corner and RUNNING past the vendors calling out towards that bright pink building. The people inside jumping and looking on in surprise when you practically ripped the doors off their hinges bursting inside and without missing a beat flew to the wide eyed nurse joy standing behind the counter, swiftly turning your back where your drizzilie still bored looking despite everything that was happening right now, and in panic DEMANDED she'd take a look at him NOW!! Surprisingly no one moved, too shocked to really know how to react. It took Victor coming in and explaining calmly to the startled Nurse Joy what the drizzilie did and politely asking her to look him over did she finally react accordingly. She took her sweet time in the next ten minutes pulling your water pokemon from it's hiding place, making it sit on the counter as you watched a nervous wreck with Victor assuring you he was ok, and slowly and carefully examining him as a doctor would a patient during a physical....All to just smile at you and tell you essentially......Your Drizzilie...Was throwing a tantrum akin to that of a moody angsty teenager during puberty. ....You blinked and had to be explained to again as, even though Drizzilie was a little dehydrated from the hot weather, he was actually throwing a tantrum because he was hungry. So you, worried you might have let something bad happen to your pokemon without knowing, had panicked over nothing and rushed him over here to be told he was acting like a toddler not getting their way because he was hungry......WHAT!?

"He's perfectly healthy, you probably just haven't fed him today yet and he was just expressing that to you in what way he thought you'd understand. Although in this heat he is naturally a little dehydrated, and you yourself look it too and exhausted. My advice to the both of you is to rest here for an hour or two out of the weather and have you both drink some water. I'll lend you some and some pokemon food so it doesn't happen again. After all we don't want anyone dropping from the heat."

You sighed. Relieved Drizzilie wasn't really hurt, but annoyed he had scared you for no reason. You shot a scowl at the pokemon standing next to you and as soon as it made eye contact with you looked embarrassed to the floor. Nurse Joy was nice enough to give you some bottled up water and a small bowl of pokemon food for the two of you and you thanked her before Victor was nice enough to help you carry them over to the table and chairs in the corner. You gladly plopped yourself down in one chair exhausted, sighing as at last your muscles got a chance to rest among the cool ac of the center. Victor sat across from you as your drizzilie plopped itself on the floor by your feet with it's newfound food and water to make it happy.

".....Hey. Y/n?" You hummed from where you had laid your head against the table. "Are you ok?"

".......Yeah."

".......Would you like some water?"

".....Yeah."

He was nice enough to hand you a bottle of water which you chugged down before resuming your position of laying against the table silently resting. Even when the other two finally caught up to you and entered the center.

"My strategy goes right to the pot when I've got all these bad thoughts running through my head," Hop's voice came as you heard the door open just didn't look up.

"Yeah. But I also barely won. I blame the heat. 'Sides you're gettin' better!," Came Gloria's voice right after him.

"Hrmmm. I tried switching my team members in and out to max out their potential in every match up but we just couldn't get it together somehow. Maybe that's why I'm still so weak?"

"Call yourself weak again n' I'll drag ya ta Lee myself kickin' n' screamin' and have him talk ye out o' that crazy mindset!"

"Ok! Ok! I won't! No need to go all charmander on me, Mate. .......Oh! Y/n! Hey!"

"......Hi," you mumbled to Hop.

"So how'd it go? Is everything ok?"

"Oh yeah. Turns out he was just throwing a big whiney fit cuz he was hungry like a big baby, but he should be fine now. How was your battle?"

"OH! That's good to know he's not hurt or anything. It was fine thanks. I got to see how my tactics work on the battlefield and what to improve on. In fact I think we're ready to move on. Are you ready to go, Victor?"

"What?! You mean you're both leavin' us again?!" This time you did force yourself to look up. More out of concern than anything as Gloria stared at the two boys, and you noticed Victor had stood up from his seat. "B-But we just caught up with you!"

...Hop sighed. "I know, and I don't really wanna split up either but I still have some things I need to work out myself. And I wanna make more good choices when it comes to battling and strategies for them. .." He smiled. "But Lee really is the greatest trainer, and I don't want people laughing at him all because his little brother is rubbish. It's not enough. I've got to try harder and harder and hard 'til no one's laughing!"

"But....you're not rubbish to me."

Hop paused again before sighing again. "I know...That's why you make such a good friend and rival, Glory."

"............Hey Hop." The three looked at you and you hesitated for a moment. Would this change the game's story events?? Well it wouldn't hurt to give him some words of encouragement like you gave Sonia. "Listen. You got the Fighting Type badge right?" He nodded. "Then you're not rubbish! You said it yourself that there was a few other gym trainers were here because they didn't want to challenge Kabu yet. But you did. And you won against the guy that supposedly makes their numbers drop."

He blinked wide eyed, not really expecting that. "Yeah...But just barely. And not exactly how I would've liked."

"So? That didn't stop you from winning on your FIRST try either way. How many trainers besides you two have those bragging rights?? The dude's so powerful he personally says congrats to anyone who does beat him. A guy doesn't do that unless only a few actually manages to get past him. Sure Bede may have beaten you. Sure he said a bunch of stuff about you and your brother, but he's just doing it because he's trying to get under your skin. He's trying to make you doubt yourself. He's trying to make you lose." You pointed to the wide eyed looking boy. "Hop. You CAN'T just be calling yourself weak. Leon and you are both strong. Just in different ways and Leon sees that in you. Why else would be agree to sponsor you in the first place? Haven't you seen what you've been able to do so far?" You gestured to his back pack. "In there somewhere is four badges ok? Four badges that you won on either your second or even first try. Do you think I could have done that? Absolutely not. You have four badges and you just need eight to compete at the end of the year! It's been three or four months and already you've come farther than most of your rivals in the challenge." You smiled. "That's not rubbish or weakness Hop. That's your true strength plain and simple."

Hop continued to stare at you with those bright gold eyes for a long moment, before the biggest smile you had ever seen on him came through. "...Yeah...YEAH!!" He pointed at you. "You're absolutely right! ...I...Still need some time to think about a few things, but I appreciate the words."

You smiled and nodded. "You'll figure it out eventually. Until then, just keep calm and work hard and you'll get there. Don't worry yourself over what Bede said because Gloria's right about him being wrong."

With a nod, Hop turned back to Gloria who blinked back at him. "I'm off, mate. Off to find the kind of pokemon that I can really draw the strength out of."

She frowned. "We'll meet up with you later tho...Right?"

"Oh you know we will! I still have to beat you sometime. I'll see you around. Ok?"

....Gloria nodded and the two of you watched as they bid farewell and after a moment they were gone. You two looking after where they left....before you looked over at Gloria's sad face. "Hey. Are you alright?"

After a second or two she nodded. "Y-Yeah." She inhaled. "Yeah I'm good. It's just a bit unfair y'know? Gah!" Her hands came up to grip her head. "I wish I could just get my mind off all this!"

You opened your mouth to speak- "That child." And practically yelped, jumping up, as the both of you whirled around face to face with....Opal. The elderly woman staring at where they boys left. "Gym Challengers should battle for the sake of their own pokemon. Why worry about saving the Champion's name? We all know he's unbeatable."......You exchanged a look with Gloria. "Anyway, here's a little something for letting me watch your battle." To your surprise what she handed out (more like put in Gloria's stunned hand-) was another league card. "Now on you go, Child. You're headed to the Stow-on-Side Gym next, no? The Gym Challenge is about having fun."

You both watched silently as she once again appeared out of no where, before ignoring anything she just did, and just...Left! Gloria finally blinked before curiously looking down at the card in her hands. Slowly turning to you as she rose a brow. And looked up to you. "..This is Bea's League Card."

....You blinked. "You mean the gym leader from this gym?" She nodded. "Why on earth would she have that?"

"I'm more confused on why she's here too."

"I'm more impressed she managed to do all that climbing required to get here. Wouldn't be surprised if she did the smart thing and grabbed a taxi....But she's got a point." You pointed to the card in Gloria's hands. "We came here so you would challenge Bea. If you want to get your mind off things, then a battle against her would be the best thing to do just that."

Gloria stared at you a moment. Before looking down to the card in her hands a determined look coming over her as she inhaled and pumped a fist into the air. "You're right again! I came here to challenge the fighting type gym and it's leader! I didn't spend days travelin' and climbing an unholy amount to just quite now! Hop plans on challengin' me 'n the finals! I owe it to him to at least try my best to get there with him! If he can do it then so can I too!" She turned, her mind dead set and seeming to forget you. "Look out Bea! Cuz 'ere I come to get that badge!!"

"You can do it!," you called after her as she suddenly ran out of the center, fist still high in the air. And leaving you sitting there by yourself. After a moment you sighed and leaned your cheek back down against the table. You were too tired and sore to move at the moment and your back could use a rest from days of lugging that troublemaker aro- The chair in front of you creaked as Drizzilie climbed onto it, before pulling itself onto the table and sat there next to your head, careful to not sit on your hair spilt over on the table behind you. After a moment it gave off a questioning sound and tapped your head as if expecting an answer outta you. You blew out a breath. "I get you're used to being carried around by now, but now you're bigger and heavier. And it's starting to strain my back out." It made another squeak noise. "That means you're a big boy now. One day you're gonna be taller than ME!" You were right that Inteleons were genuinely taller than most humans if you remember right. "What then? You can't expect me to piggy back ride you everywhere. It tires me out. So after today, how about you start giving walking a try?" Your answer was a few pats to your head. "I'll take that as a yes. Because there's NO way in heck I'm trying to carry you back down those ladders."

It was...mostly a blur right after that. It was almost embarrassing how fast you were to fall asleep sleeping half way on a table, but you must've been more tuckered out than you thought. You weren't even too sure how much time had even passed. All you can remember was waking up to a flash of light from behind your retinas making your sleeping body flinch....And your hearing picking up giggling from a far distance. And the feeling of something pressed against your neck. It felt like a cool water balloon just laying again your neck, not that you didn't mind being inside from the heat and all that, but you definitely shied away from the something that was shaking and as COLD AS ICE sniffing at your cheek. With a groan from being deep in sleep for so long, your eyes slowly blinked open to blurry yellow-....Yellow?? You blinked back more in your sleepy stupor as your drizzilie laid lazily like a cat in the crook of your shoulder and next as you yawned. Reached a hand up to rub at your eyes. And looked at the yellow dinosuar as it tilted it's head at you curiously. Blank faced you sat there and stared at it. ......It blinked and gave a small noise. And you yelled up immediately shoot up to your feet as the thing gave a scared sqawk like a parrot and dove itself to cower behind Gloria shaking. Drizzilie chirping in annoyance at being disturbed from it's spot of rest on the table next to you! Everyone in the center was either hiding behind the counter or like you pressed against the walls away the scary looking pokemon who looked like a giant yellow dinosaur trapped in a blue upside down acorn. The thing gave a sad noise as you stared at it, body pressed against the wall, your chair knocked over in the process of getting up. Gloria was already cooing at it soothingly and patting it's head, camera slung around her neck and a picture in her other hand........You pointed.

"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING!?"

"Calm down, Y/n. Ya gonna scare Arctozolt even more than the wee babe already is," she said calmly patting it's head.

......You blinked. "I SCARED HIM!? Gloria what IS that?!"

"Oh this?" She gestured to the thing glancing around nervously. The only ones not so freaked out about it was apparently her and your Drizzilie who looked more annoyed it's nap was cut short. "Remember that scientist las I mentioned before? Well I found 'er wonderin' around with the weird contraption in hand. You were still sleepin' when I went back out for food so I figured why not give it a try? This is only one of four new wee ones I've got....But I wanted to come to you straight away because...well..." She looked nervously at you with a strained apologetic look. "I think we might have ta make a run for it."

.........You blinked. "....Run from what?''

She hummed making a rolling motion with her now free hand. "That scientist lady may be lookin' 'round for me cuz I ran off with her 'research'." She gestured to the pokemon who pressed it's nose against her arm curiously.

......"Gloria." You peeled yourself from the wall finally. "PLEASE tell me you didn't steal those pokemon."

She scowled stuffing the picture into her pocket. "I nay stole anything! Especially since it was mine in the first place! They were my fossils she just did some science whatcha-may-callit to 'em. It's not my problem she throws a fit once she sees me flee with 'em. 'Sides. Do ya really want them cooped up in some lab being studied like statues?"

....Well...You couldn't argue with her there. So with a breath in you breathed out calming yourself and held up your hands. "Right." You quickly moved to grab your bag, Drizzilie taking the hint and hurrying to climb off the table to join after you. "Ok then. Let's leave. And put that thing in it's ball-" You paused. ".....hey. What about Bea?"

"I told you I came for the Fighting Badge didn't I?", she asked pulling out a pokeball, in a flash of blue the light the thing was gone. "And I walked out with it as well! No need to worry ye head off!"

You nodded already going to the door. TIME TO LEAVE!! The last thing you wanted was to be arrested by a scientist for tampering with her research or stealing or-...Or whatever Gloria did while you were out cold. Darn it you had to stop being such a deep sleeper! You should've went with her instead of sleeping in! "Which is the fastest way out of Stow-on-Side?" You asked speed walking to the doors with your pokemon at your heels easily keep up with Gloria in tow behind you.

"The fastest way out is the back path leading behind the stadium." She said pointing as you sped walked out into the hot sun. "It's up that long stairway past the mural!"

You nodded. Sounded good to you! And your body was well rested from that powernap so you had the energy now to spare. Footsteps slapping against the stone pavement the three of you sped walked past people who looked like they'd seen a ghost. Oh no. Don't tell me Gloria paraded whatever ancient thing that was on the way there! Looking around, you peeled your eyes out for any sign of an angry scientist with a machine or anything the like. And you did run into a scientist. Just not the one you were fearing. As you two made it up the first flight of steps that lead to the stadium and path to the mural, a dash of yellow side lined you.

BARK!!

WHOA! You yelped and swung your arms out as you stumbled a step, only saving grace was Gloria who thanks to her quick reflexes grabbed onto your pack and pulled you back upright. Catching yourself back onto your feet as the yamper culprit wagged it's lightning bolt tail and panted happily at the both of you before giving off another loud bark. ....Wait a second. A yamper?? What was a yamper doing all the way up here? That could only mean one thing.

Footsteps rapidly approuched. "I'm so sorry!" You both turned. "Is everyone ok?"...Yep. It was Sonia. You both sighed in relief to see her. Thank goodness! It was just her. The red headed scientist quickly approuched scowling at the happily panting pokemon before wagging a finger at it and placed one hand on her hip. "Bad boy! You know better than to run off and scare people like that!" The dog pokemon tilted his head at her but otherwise didn't change it's expression as she turned to you two apologetically. "I'm so sorry about that. He can get easily excited. But it looks like my yamper really likes you, huh?"

"Sonia." A hand on your chest as your headed tilted back with a smile of relief, "Thank goodness it's only you."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come examine the ancient ruins and mural around Stow-on-Side after flipping through all those history books in the Hammerlocke library." They had a library?? "I thought maybe something was here. Anyway, we've run into each other at a good time." She happily turned and gestured up the way towards the stairs you two were about to run up anyways. "You know the mural here in Stow-on-Side I just mentioned? It's said to tell the story of the hero of Galar as well. Though what's there today is actually a replica of the ancient art that used to be here."...She paused...and you blinked as she turned to Gloria with seemingly a bright new idea in her mind. "Say. You tend to have surprisingly sharp eyesight, so I was wondering what you might think when you see the ruins?"

Gloria blinked..her hand coming to rub her arm embarrassed. "Uh..Actually I haven't see the ruins or m-mural yet."

She blinked taken a back. "Oh really?,'' she asked surprised. Gloria nodded embarrassed and Sonia held up a hand in assurrance. "Hey that's alright. There's a first time for everything. Since you haven't see it yet, how about we go together since I'm heading there anyways?"

"Would we!?," Gloria beamed and you coughed to gain her attention.

"Aren't you forgetting we're supposed to be leaving town for something?," You pressed raising your brows.

"Yeah. We're still going the same place anyways. But don't ya think running would make us look more suspicious?"

You opened your mouth...but closed it. She had another point. It's make you both look suspicious if either of you just ran outta here like a ghost was chasing you, it'd make you look like you were fleeing the scene of the crime. Acting along with Sonia like tourists would probably help you both blend in here a little better with the other people walking up and down the stairs...You nodded. Alright. You'd do that but then you two had better skedaddle while you had the chance too. Sonia looked please at your answer and would've probably expressed it too, if it wasn't for the earth rattling KA-BOOM sound that went off like a bomb somewhere above all of you. The echo of it boomed across rattling the sky, and you and the other two girls, and a whole bunch of other people looked up in alarm at the frightening sound. Which had come in the direction of the very place you were about to head off too. Sonia's yamper made a distressed bark sound and scampered behind the woman's legs. Drizzilie too seemed mildly surprised at the sound. The best you would describe it as a far away grenade or a firework going off, but who'd have either of those around here!?

"Wha...What in the world was that!? What's going on up there?!," Sonia managed to asked out before another ka-boom noise had you all more startled. "Sounds like it came from the direction of the ruins, too!"

"Maybe some of the old things are collaspin' in on themselves from age?", Gloria suggested.

That made a worried look come over the young scientist and a hand came up to her cheek. "Oh no! That's not good! Those are historical sights we're still studying!"She gave a look to the pokemon still cowering and shaking behind her heels. "Let's have a look! Come along, Yamper!" Her heels left loud footsteps in her wake as she turned and ran towards the stairs the yamper whimpering like a scare dog before quickly running after it's owner.

You yelped as Gloria suddenly grabbed you too and yanked you into a run after her. "Come on! We gotta see what's goin' on too! That's are way outta here remember!?"

You didn't argue with that. Only willed yourself to ran with Gloria after Sonia who was already ahead of you running up the flights of stairs as fast as her legs could carry her. Without the extra weight on your shoulders anymore it was really easy to keep up with them as you all ran past people who were looking with concerned, confused, or scared faces up towards the top of the stairs. One little boy even gripping the pants leg of who must've been his grandmother sobbing in fright. Sonia was the first to reach the top of the hot weathered stairs and stop facing what must've been the source of the sounds because ANOTHER giant boom noise echoed throughout the sky. Your heart raced in your throat, and your lungs heaved as you picked up the place. The second one to get there was Gloria and then a minute later you right behind her and then your Drizzilie who had resumed to running on all fours just to keep up with the lot of you. And the source of the noises were laid at your all's feet. No it wasn't a grenade. Or fireworks. Or even ruins collasping in on themselves from old age. It was a HUGE elephant looking pokemon who must've been the size of a large soccer mom's mini van who had it's trunk halfway stuck inside the cliffside where this strange but beautiful looking hand painted mural was drawn onto the cliffside. A giant hole was in the mural sadly disrupting it's beauty as many spiderweb cracks surrounded it as the elephant thing forcibly pulled it's trunk out of it scattering rock dust and tiny fragments at it's base. And the white haired boy encouraging it on as he pointed.

"Yes! Destroy it! Destroy it all!," he shouted to the elephant pokemon in absolutely frustration, "We're going to find those Wishing Stars!" Your eyes widened in absolute SHOCK. Holy heck!! It was BEDE!! What in the world was he doing!? The others must've been in shock too because they didn't react at all staring in horror as the thing raised it's trunk again and with a sickening crunching gravel sound slammed it's trunk back into the whole it created. More cracks slowly forming across the pretty painted picture. "We've got to bring the chairman more wishing stars if we want to please him! Copperajah! If you're truly the chairman's pokemon then you should feel grateful for this chance to help him find wishing stars!" The thing gave out another elephant sound and repulled it's trunk out from the now slightly bigger hole it made.

"BEDE YA BLOODY KOOK!!," you both jumped as Gloria finally found her voice, hands flying to grip her head as she stared horrified at the destruction before her. At the sound of her scottish accent Bede let out a high pitched wail of surprise and whirled around back pressed to the pokemon's side as his wide purple eyes stared. Surprised no doubt to see Gloria there. She threw her hands at him and his mess. "WHAT IN THE WHOLE STUPID HAIRBALL BRAIN SCHEME OF YERS ARE YE DOIN' NOW!?"

Bede continued to stare at her wide eyed for a moment, before instantly righting himself and dusting himself off. "Oh my. You again." He was WAY to calm for this to be normal. "So you think that you can start collecting wishing stars now and get in the chairman's favor? That's the way of things, is it?!"

Gloria blinked and looked at him like he was stupid for accusing her of something so...so...Well stupid too. "Have ye stumbled and hit your head on somethin' or is your head so stuffed full of that fluffy hair ya can't see what you're doin' right there!?" She pointed even more at the destroyed mural. "And what are ye goin on about wishing stars for!? Like I give a ratatta's arse 'bout lil rocks when I already have the one I need!"

"I see. So you have some cunning in you. But I won't have it!," he growled pointing back at her in anger. "I won't allow anyone to stand in my way! I have to win this for the chairman! Do you really think I'd let you keep me from everything I want!!"

"Did ya even hear what I just said!? I don't want ta git in your way! I want ye ta stop damagin' that thing! Are ye deaf!?"

He chuckled without any happiness. "Oh yes. My partner's move is simply splendid, wouldn't you say?" He held up his hand and with a snap the copperajah as he called it gave a giant elephant roar before lifting it's trunk back up and striking back into the same place it had been before hand. "Now leave me be until I can figure out what to say to you officially!" He turned back around. "I have work to do."

"What do we do!?," you turned to Sonia in a panic as she as panickedly looked back to you as you helplessly pointed at the GIANT elephant thing. "I can't take that thing on with Drizzilie! I can barely beat my own sleep time!!"

"I-I-..." She stammered looking around panicked hands lightly shaking not sure what to do herself before whipping to the stairs to everyone there. Sweat on her face. "SOMEONE GET THE GYM LEADER!! SOMEONE GET BEA NOW!!"

Good idea! Bea would absolutely be able to stop this but by the time she got up here that mural would've been nothing but rubble- ?! "GLORIA NO!!!" Your hand snapped to stop the girl but she was too fast as your hand grabbed empty air.

Gloria had dropped her bag to the ground. Her hands gripping her camera so hard her knuckles were white as she charged forward with speed you hadn't seen her use before. The copperajah pulling it's trunk back again to slam it for the hundredth time back into place in the crater it made in the rock as Bede persisted in barking at it to do so. It's trunk lifted high to the point it was about to slam it back down, when Gloria slid her way between them and the mural, before holding up the camera- "SAY CHEESE!!" And a flash of bright white shot out. The copperajah gave out a pained wail as it turned itself away from the flash quickly shaking it's head. The trunk that was raised to strike the mural more instead coming to it's own body to rub at it's eyes. Bede himself flinching back with a angry cry followed by a growl and gritted teeth as he was stopped.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?," he cried out angrily to her arm wiping at his eyes before blinking wide purple eyes full of confusion at the scowling girl. "I'm doing this for you! I'm doing this for everyone in Galar!!"

"What you're doin' is destroyin' Galar! Not helpin' it ya dummy! Why would I want ya doin' this for me!?" Bede stopped seeming stunned and...it might've been your panicked mind but he looked a little hurt at her words as she glared and held up her camera at him like a weapon. "Now stand down before I get more evidence of yer crimes!"

"...I...But why? How can this be?" ..He numbly pointed at her. "How could someone like you get in my way? I was the one chosen by the chairman! I was the one to defeat the champion!" He cried out at her. "I'm one of the elite! Someone who can shoulder the future of the Galar Region!" He pointed at her. "YOU EVEN AGREED WITH ME!!"

"Since when did I agree with destroyin' ancient sights for bloody sparkly rocks!?"

He didn't get time to anwer. In fact none of you did as a group of footsteps made their way from from behind you and your Drizzilie chirped in surprise before diving in front of your legs to avoid being swarmed by a few people in police suits like you'd often see Officer Jenny wear, a few gym staff people in white suits, and at least three pokemon that you supposed was to help restrain the culprit. You and Sonia looked around yourselves surprised but relieved to see the police coming FINALLY, and Bede suddenly looked even more panicked hands at his sides and lookig around widely as he was affectively surrounded.

"Make way for the Chairman!" Hey! You recognized that woman's voice. And turned just in time for the Chairman himseld and an angry Oleana part their way through the crowd. But instead of feeling relief anymore, a bad feeling pooled at the end of your stomach. "Challeger Bede!" She yelled and just when you thought Bede couldn't have gotten any paler, his skin turned such a white the bright white of his hair could've been considered darker than his skin tone. "I wondered what you were up to when you asked to borrow Chairman Rose's copperajah.I can't believe you'd try to use the chairman's pokemon to destroy a historical sight!"

Wait wait WAIT! HOLD UP!! They actually let Bede borrow THEIR pokemon without asking what he was doing and surprised about this!? ..A low rumble noise came from the wall as a piece of it slid away between the cracks around it. A few pebbles falling from it and landing right behind Bede's feet. No one noticed but Gloria who was still standing between Bede and the destroyed mural, blinking and looking up at the stone wall. You all were too busy watching the show between Bede and his sponsors to notice.

Bede had stood there stunned for a moment before scowling and pointing at her, but his tone was obviously scared. "Who cares for some ancient ruin when the next thousand years are at stake!? Did you stand in the path of a pokemon's simple beam or something?" Wrong move. Oleana looked even more angry now. "How do you expect to support the Chairman with that sort of thinking!?"

More pebbles fell down and Gloria looked right up, twisting her body around as she took a few steps back staring at the wall.

"Bede." Bede Froze. Absolutely. Freaking. FROZE as the Chairman addressed him holding a hand up to Oleana who immediately stood down at his motion. "Young Bede." His hand was slowly returned to his pocket, the chairman's eyes scanning his pokemon who still shook it's head and the absolutely destructon of the once beautiful mural. And shook his head. How was he so calm about this? "It pains me to say this but I am truly disappointed."

".....W-What?"

"It's true that I'm the one who found you, back when you were all alone." He sighed reaching a hand up to rub his head. "I saw talent in you. You reminded me a little bit of myself back when I was young. That's why I sent you to a trainer's school, to give you a chance at success. But trying to destroy the mural, part of Galar's history! You show no love toward Galar!" He looked back up to the boy who by this point was lightly shaking. Just staring at him like a little scared mouth. "You are clearly not a worthy challenger for the Gym Challenge."

"W-W-WHAT!?," Bede shouted at him. "B-B-But all I have ever done was for you!" He placed a hand to his chest. "All I have ever done was for Galar! Y-You must be joking right!? You're disqualifying me from the Gym Challenge?! But you're the one who endorsed me! T-T-There are a hundred different ways we could sort this out!" He insisted more desperate. "Why are you chosing the worst possible option?!"

Mr. Rose just held up a tired hand again. "I don't want to hear anymore from you, Bede. We will decide what to do with you later. For now you will return to Hammerlocke with us."

"B-B-But-.." He looked around in a blind panic around himself at every staff, policeman, and other adult there watching him. More pebbles falling and Gloria's eyes widened in danger. "I-I REFUSE!! THERE WAS A MISTAKE!!"

"Challenger Bede," Oleana stated firmly, "I'll be taking those wishing stars you have gathered. And you WILL be returning with us to Hammerlocke."

"I- N-No wait!" He was grabbed by two men in those white gym uniforms and his purple eyes shrank as Oleana walked towards him.

That's when the Chairman turned towards the rest of you and smiled apologetically. "AH! Sonia! And Gloria and her friend too!" You both turned to the Chairman as Gloria paid no attention to you, the Chairman, or Bede's shaking form as Oleana collected what looked like more sparkling gems out of his pockets. "Terrible shame all this." he gestured to the seen before him and you wanted to hurl at how disgustingly calm he could POSSIBLY be about all this! "An absolute disaster." OH YOU THINK!? "I never wish to see us lose challengers for this sort of reason. Yet we do what we must do to keep things fair and sportsmanlike."

"Then why did you lend him your copperajah without watching him?," you found yourself saying with a frown, "Or have a young boy collect stones from possibly dangerous mines?"

He fell silent, giving you a look that could have been surprised at what you said as you still stared at him. The reality of what you had said not catching up to you then and there because on top of what just happened something else struck. The sound of cracking walls and moving gravel made everyone look up as the cracks and wall of the cliffside moved ever so slightly under the weight of the lose boulder as it slipped free and fell down towards the earth. Down right towards the scrambling and screaming people. Right towards the frozen form of Bede as his mouth opened in a silent scream at the heavy rock barraling towards him as he stood in it's shadow- Well the rock did made contact with the ground, shattering into lots of tinier pieces on impact. Everyone yelped and cowered, arms flying up to shield their faces or turning away as the tinier rocks flew everywhere. Bede and Gloria laid upon the ground sprawled out from where she tackled him out of the flying death maker's way. Both groaned out before sitting up. Bede once again freezing at the sight of Gloria being so close and pulling him up into a sitting position with a scowl!

"Ye alright?"......he slowly nodded. "That's good." Before she began shaking him. "WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!? NOW DO YA SEE WHY IT WAS A STUPID IDEA YA DUMMY!? YA COULD'VE BEEN CRUSH BY A STUPID FLYIN' BOULDER!!"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?" A loud female voice cried out and if you thought Oleana's loud voice was scary it was nothing compared to the slightly smaller than you woman who stomped her way through the crowd barefoot, angry, and with at least three fighting type pokemon behind her. Just how many people were going to show up here!? And how could she stand walking around barefoot on the hot ground!? The grey haired woman looked absolutely shocked at the state of her town's mural and all the debry around the ground from it, but unlike everyone else who stood around taking a long time to react, her reaction was instant. Anger flooding her features and her face looked like a tea kettle ready to pop as it turned beat red. An accusing hand was pointed at the destruction caused. Wait. She looked familiar. "WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!?"....Oh right! You saw her on the card Opal had given Gloria! It was Bea the gym leader of this place!...And she did NOT look happy to see what happened. Even more unfortunate for Bede some people around him pointed him out to the angry woman and once she snapped his gaze to himself still half held by Gloria, you could tell he was just one more heart attack away from fainting. "SO IT WAS YOU!!" She pointed right at him. "IT'S BAD ENOUGH YOU INSULTED THE TRAINER I ENDORSED BUT NOW YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY OF RUINING MY TOWN'S SUPPLY OF INCOME TOO!? WHERE DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE MONEY TO KEEP THE STADIUM RUNNING COMES FROM YOU LITTLE PUNK!? I SWEAR BY THE TIME I'M THROUGH WITH YOU YOU'LL BE GLUING THE ENTIRE THING BACK BY HAND WITH NOTHING BUT A LITTLE CHILD'S GLUE STICK!!" By now Bede looked pale enough to pass as a ghost.

"Bea now, now." The Chairman held up his hands to her in a calm manner. "Calm down. I'll pay for all the damages and repairs to be fixed. We'll have an exact replica of the mural back up in no time at all. It'll be like this never happened."

"WHAT?!" She snapped a look towards the chairman. "AND LET THIS LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER GO UNPUNISHED FOR ALL THE TROUBLE HE'S ALREADY CAUSED!?"

"I never said he wasn't going to be punished. We were just about to figure that out just now I assure you."

She huffed crossing her arms. "Oh yeah? Is that right? If you ask me you should take away the gym badges from him-"

"NO!!" Bede gave off an 'Oof' as Gloria suddenly grabbed him to her in a protective manner and his face hit her shoulder as he blinked confused. The adults looking at her in a way that made you nervous just standing there watching.

...Bea got a look of realization over her before she pointed at Gloria. "Hey. I know you. You're the trainer that I just badge the Fighting type badge too. Are you in on this too?"

Gloria shook her head no. "NO!! Are ye kiddin' me?! I'd never do somethin' as stupid as this!" Her hand pointed at her. "BUT YA CAN'T TAKE AWAY HIS GYM BADGES!!" She then pointed at the Chairman who blinked at her. "AND NEITHER CAN YE!! BEDE WON THOSE FAIR N' SQUARE!!" Bede blinked and looked up to her in shock. "YER RIGHT THAT HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR DOIN' WHAT HE DID!! BUT GYM BADGES ARE A SYMBOL OF ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN AS A POKEMON TRAINER JUST TO GET THEM!! ONCE A GYM LEADER GIVES THEM TO YA IT JUST SHOWS HOW MUCH YOU IMPROVED AND GROWN FROM THEN!! IF YOU TAKE THEM FROM HIM THEN YOU'LL BE DOIN' NOTHING BUT TELL HIM HIS WORTH AS A TRAINER IS NOTHING AND I WON'T ALLOW THAT!!" Her grip on him increased slightly. "Punish him for what he did to the mural if you want, but don't you DARE take his gym badges from him!"

You weren't sure whether you wanted to bury yourself under a rock or be proud of her in that moment, but her words got the Chairman to stare at her a moment. Humming and eyeing her protective stance frowning at him before he sighed and nodded. "She's right Bea. I won't tamper with the progress he's already made thus far, but he sure will be answering for the mess he's caused everyone today." He gestured back down towards the stairs. "Come. Lets discuss what we can do about the mural out of the hot sun alright? Ms. Sonia I don't suppose you could stand by until my team gets here could you?"

Sonia blinked."...OH! I-i-...Sure."

The two of you stood there as everyone and their pokemon trickled out of the destroyed area and back down the stairs after the chairman and gym leader who shot a nasty glare at Bede before she left. ...Bede slowly pried hmself away from Gloria falling back onto his bottom as she blinked. He got up shakily, dusting himself off in the process, before looking back to her. The two of them silently staring at each others for the longest time.

"Bede," He jumped and turned to Oleana as she stood there waiting for him expectantly, "Come along. You're aware the Chairman doesn't like to kept waiting." Bede paused for a moment looking between her and Gloria exactly once, before turning and started walking towards her. She turned and walked away from the three of you as Gloria slowly stood herself. Bede not sparing either of you a head glance as he walked past the two of you head down without a word.

The three of you stood there watching everyone leave down the long flight of stairs silently ...before you finally broke the silence by looking at the mess as the copperajah lumbered past after it's owner. ".....Well I can say for certain that this so fair has been the most eventful day I've ever had in my life."

"Tell me 'bout it!" Gloria grumbled dusting herself off as she walked over to you to which you looked at her.

"Hey. Are you ok? You're not hurt are you?"

She shook her head no to your relief as she still deeply frowned. "I know the show ponyta was a looney but I didn't think he'd have the gall ta pull somethin' like this."

You hummed. ".....Somehow I don't think that was exactly all his fault."

"Whatcha mean by that?"

You went to answer her but was cut off yet again by voice. "Now that I think about it..." Both of you looked to Sonia who hummed. "You know. During one of Bede's matches, I heard the announcer say that Bede has no family. Apparently it was Rose who took Bede under his wing, and so Bede was battling for the Chairman's sake." Gloria looked between you two surprised, but you were more angry than surprised at this point gaining a frown. You had pretty much picked up on that by now. "*sigh* But that's a story for another day." She looked to the destroyed Mural. "Oh poor Bea. What an awful turn of events. I hope the mural survived all that."

"I doubt that." Gloria kicked a decent sized rock away from her at the mention.

And then that's when the rumble started. Just like the sound of the rock that nearly crushed Bede, only there was a lot more of it! The three of you looked up in horror at the cracks in the once pretty mural finally giving away under the strained weight, and it fell apart.

"LOOK OUT!!"

You quickly grabbed Gloria and yanked her behind you as your Drizzilie once again ducked behind your legs for cover as the rocks fell away and crumbled to the ground in a heap. Sending smaller rock fragments and dust everywhere making the three of you cough up a storm. But it's when you looked up however, is when the REAL mystery began. Because when the two of you looked up....your eyes widened. In place of where the mural used to be was a pile of rubble and a hole in the cliffside. But in the hole ..was a couple of statues. Two of which were two GIGANTIC dog looking pokemon holding a sword or shield in their mouths, and behind them were two kings carved into the stone.

"...Hey." You glanced at Gloria shaking dust from her hat and Sonia walked up wide eyed to the statues. "Are you ok?" She nodded before plopping the hat back onto her head. "Good. What about you Sonia?.....Sonia?" You blinked and looked over to the orange haired woman gaping up at the statues...Huh. Why did they seem familiar to you?

"......Not a brilliant turn of events, but the ruins were brought into the light for us to see!," Sonia finally said after a long moment of silence. "What does this tell us about Galar's legends?"

"Uuuuh." You rose a brow up at the statues. Not really sure if she was talking to you or not. "A....sword and shield?" You guessed based off what the things were holding in their mouths...Hey. Wasn't this whole game's thing revolved around a sword and shield or something??

She nodded. "Right! More than any hero, there's those things that appear to be pokemon that stand out! Not just that, but those pokemon appear to be holding a sword and shield as if they were using them! Anything else look interesting to you?!"

"Uuuuh. ...Those two guys there." You pointed to the two king statues. They're the same as the tapestries aren't they?"

"I didn't notice that! Oh good observation! There really were two heroes. But if that's the case then why only the one statue at Budew drop inn?"

You shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe whoever built it didn't feel like making two giant gold statues."

She hummed. "More than any statue of a hero or old tapestry, these ruins made in truly ancient times must show us the real truth! Which means that....."

"....The sword and shield are pokemon?"

"YUP!!" She snapped with a smile to you making you blink. "I was thinking the same thing! Seems like at some point in history the sword and shield were combined with the two actual pokemon and treated as the same thing!" She hummed looking back to all the rubble. "But then what? They just faded from history? Two young heroes. The sword and shield were actually pokemon. But why would the truth of these ruins be hidden when their stories were depicted in artwork?"

"...Maybe they had something to do with it?" She looked at you and you pointed to the human statues. "The kings or whoever they are. They went through a lot of trouble hiding this..maybe it was to protect the things that protected them."

She hummed. "Possibly. We won't be too sure until I get Mr. Rose's approval to study it more. Thanks! With your help I really feel like we made a big discovery here!

"Not sure how I helped but your welcome!"

"..So there was history being covered up by all that over stylized artwork. I'm gonna have to look into this some more. OOHH!! IM SO EXCITED!! NO RESEARCHER HAS EVER MADE SUCH A DISCOVERY-" A bark caught both of your attention as Sonia looked down at her feet in time for her yamper to drop something white at them. And she blinked. "Hey boy. Whatcha got there?" Not a bone you hoped. She quickly reached down as you leaned over to look and she stood up with a white mask in her hands. It was covered in does and a bit yellowed with a few scrapes, and had three black holes in it presumably for a person's mouth and eyes. "Well would you look at this. I dont think this is from the ruins. ...It kinda reminds me of the one's Allister wears."

"Who?," you asked trying to see it. Sonia handed it over to you and you grabbed it from her to get a better look.

"Allister. He's the boy who's in charge of the Ghost type Gym just down the road there." She pointed towards the exit path from Stow-on-Side. "It's located by the Stow-on-Side cemetary, but it'll take a full day just to get there from here. I just mentioned it might be his since the only one I've ever seen with that kind of mask was him at the Entrance Ceremony....But I guess you'll be headed to Bellonlea next, right?"

You opened your mouth- "Y/N!!!" You were nearly knocked to the ground when Gloria ran up to you and grabbed you suddenly. Yanking you forward hard enough to send you stumbling a few steps as she panicked. "It's that restore scientist lady! She's headed up the stairs this way!" She pulled you into a run away from Sonia as she watched bewildered down the path away from here. Your Drizzilie running at your heels.

"Bye Sonia! Good luck in your research!!," you called back.

Guess you'd be able to finally leave Stow-on-Side.

#pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon piers #pokemon swsh #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon piers x reader #Reader #Reader x Piers #Piers

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ricaffeine · 4 years

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𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | 𝐓𝐰𝐨

an: in conclusion i suck at writing, this took far too long to write and i'm not impressed. fingers crossed that the next chapter will make up for it 🖤

leave a comment! i'd appreciate it a lot :))

CHAPTER THREE

The doors creaked open, screeching into the frosty silent of the night, before snapping loudly against the wall. In contrast of the dark night, the full moon shined proudly, its light gently twinkled through the glass ceiling of the room.

Followed by were firm footsteps, shoe soles tapped against the hardwood floor and fainted into the distant. He collapsed onto his arm chair, a sigh of relief washing over as he shifted his weight back.

A knock was heard twice, followed by a steady pace of footsteps that visited the room. Kangtae averted his vision to the man– no, the ghost. Polished in his neat blue uniform, reflecting against the moonlight was a silver half-moon shaped pin tucked above his chest.

"Mr. Moon, you're back." His voice emitted softly as he stopped right in front of the desk- exactly four feet away– accompanying in this hotel for over seventy years– the longest person aside from Kangtae yet to stay, he had his own merits. Jin Hyun paused reluctantly, his wrinkles creasing from concern, eyes wide alert. "What happened to your hand?"

At first a bit muddled, but realization crept after him and Kangtae sighed. Glancing at his blood-clothed hand– scenarios of red winded up in his head. "Ah.. this?"

That impulsive woman.

"Just some accident." His reply was simple– like the man he was and unlike the moon guest house's previous owner, he was, you can say, far less complicated.

Kangtae peeled at his clothed hand, anticipating as the blood wrenched skin morphed back to what was before, clean flesh took back its place. "Where's Manager Lee?"

He then reached for his whiskey decanter, filling up a quarter of the lowball glass. "Isn't she back yet?"

Jinhyun hesitated. "About that, I'm afraid to tell you that there had been a major issue regarding your latest purchase. But do not worry sir, Manager Lee will inform you once she has discussed with the–"

"Tell her to take the day off tomorrow." Kangtae spoke and sipped his glass, embracing the scorching burn that drained down his chest. "I'll manage it myself."

Although struck in confusion, the old spirit knew better than to question his boss's command. Jinhyun nodded reluctantly, made sure he would address the message to the mortal being.

"It's the full moon today, so I think we are expecting many guests."

Kangtae drained his glass and set it back on the table, jaw clenched at the comment– though it was swiftly masked away with his poker face. "Open for business, but don't accept the ones whose death were so gruesome. They're a pain in the ass."

Suppressing the urge to tell him that discriminations shouldn't be allowed, instead Jinhyun bowed, no interest to provoke any further into his bitterness. "I will take special care, so they won't get in your way."

He left with another steady bow, footsteps fell into the distant and Kangtae picked on the red stained cloth that layed flat on his desk. A blue flame lit up on its end, he watched waves of blue consumed all of it, before golden ashes swirled and vanished into thin air.

One speck however, did not follow and he reached out, trapping it between his pincers.

"Ko Munyeong, what should I do with you?"

Munyeong slapped her phone shut.

Frustration built up like a ticking bomb as she threw it behind her. It landed with a loud thud, but she could care less. Yesterday's event had bittered her enough and Sangin's repeating missed calls since 6 a.m. weren't brightening her mood any better. Tires screeched against the waxed floor as she struck a sharp turn into the parking slot, the reserved for CEO sign knocked into nowhere.

In her new prized possession, Munyeong stomped through the building, brave less employees– who ever barely had the guts to look at her on a usual day, shuddered twice as much–

"Good morning Ms. Ko!" The tiny body wiggled its way to block her off. A weary smile is served from Sangin's pesky assistant.

"Move aside."

Seungjae shuffled, hands suspiciously frantic as she spoke. "Mr. Lee just informed me that he will be here soon–"

Munyeong hissed. "And?"

"..And that you should go wait in his office." She finished meekly, unsure of her tone.

"Why would I wait there?" She pointed her finger foward. "The meeting room is right here."

Not intrigued for her reply, Munyeong nagged the girl's shoulder, rather she'd figure it out herself.

"Move."

She strolled across, then paused within her pace, eyes captivated by a figure. Leaning onto the metal rail, Prada purse dangling in the air, she hummed in her own favor.

Ah. Him again.

"What a sight." Munyeong said as she stepped down in her extravagant red mini dress, ballooned sleeves cuffed tight at her wrists, a plunging neckline where she proudly presents her new gold necklace. True to her words, he appeared just as fine. Black slacks– which to her favor, did an incredible job in displaying his godly thighs. Cuffed sleeves of his button up accentuated his broad broad shoulders, and the spectacular waistcoat that hugged his chest.

"You look more dashing in these clothes."

The man teared his eyes away from The Witch's Rose– another of her cash-claiming pieces. A work of watercolors and actual blood splayed onto the canvas, everyone who has seen it ends up in complete awe.

However his gaze was not purely admiration, rather laced with criticism– certainly something she never enjoyed from anyone. But there are some exceptions for some specific people, aren't they?

"I thought you were different, but I was obviously wrong." She crossed her arms. "How much did he offer you?"

His voice was rough, almost coarse even. "If you can't talk politely, at least try to not be so cryptic."

"Ah. Look at you talking so casually."

Munyeong raised her chin and barged into his space, weaklings would have already shown signs of discomfort, but surprisingly he was remarkably unbothered. She dragged a finger along his shoulder, the curve of his skin firm beneath her touch, and tapped his bicep. "I practically stabbed you."

He swiveled around, this time his body directly faced hers. "What about it?"

"How much did Mr. Lee offer you to compensate and make sure your mouth stays shut?"

A short spur of silence fell before he let out an cocky ahh. "I'm guessing that method always works."

Her smile dropped. "Verbal consolation is bullshit, money is best."

"You really think so?"

She shrugged. "Then what do you want?" Eyes wide as she suggested. "Sex?"

In a swift moment he had drowned closer to her. His gaze burned at her, brushing at her lips and froze. "Is it worth that much?"

Admittedly he was good at getting on her nerves. Too good, though she'd never lose to anyone, including him. Munyeong let out a scoff.

"If you're not here for money nor sex, then what do you want?

He cocked his head slightly, his prominent eyes playing innocent and for a second Munyeong forgot that they were bickering. "A refund?"

A snap back to reality, her face laced with confusion. "What refund?"

He dodged her question and looked over her shoulder. "Ah. There it comes."

She turned around to see a Sangin entering with a box of not-so-secret cash in his hands.

"Good afternoon Mr. Moon Kangtae. I deeply apologize for what happened, what can we do–"

As usual, meetings with her always began with Sangin's devastated face– knowing all the trouble she is going to cost him– but today it did seem particularly worse.

Kantae lifted his hand, as if it was a sign to stop. "Let's cut to the chase– I want my money back."

Sangin's smile dropped, though immediately replaced by his appealing mask. "Yes, I understand–"

Kangtae stared at Munyeong, a smirk rising on the corner of his lips. "Including our little incident, I say it'd be 11 million."

Tragically, Munyeong had not noticed by the consequence of the appalling numbers. She snapped at the man to her side. "What the hell is he talking about?"

Sangin sighed. "Munyeong-ah, you see.. your little smashing session. It had wrecked The Nightmare Garden, therefore, we will have to repay our client. Mr. Kangtae is here to–"

Client?

Her eyes shot at him again, impossibly wider. "What do you mean client? Then who was that snobby lady?"

"Ms. Lee is my representative." Kangtae stepped in. "But it doesn't matter. The fact that you jeopardized my painting with that cheap wine-"

"I'm not giving up my money!"

"Well, there's nothing you can do." He smiled– devilishly and yes Munyeong would kill to wipe it off his charming face.

"You'll be hearing from my lawyers in a few days." Kangtae reached for his box of honey money, which was sheepishly handed from Sangin. "Until then, I'll take this."

With another amused– and irritatingly handsome smile, and piles of cash he headed off. Left in silence was a raging pit of fire and its hopeless manager.

Three hours and seven corspe employees later, Munyeong crumbled the paper cup in her hand. Furious was an understatement. How could she give her money back to him? She was set, eyes on her prize but just like a fucking clownery it vanished into thin air.

"Aish Moon Kangtae, that bastard." Munyeong trampled at the crumbled trash, letting out on a slice of her frustration. It was his choice to interfere with her, no one forced him to.

"Oh my my, you're a such a pretty girl." A squeaky voice giggled, penetrating into her quiet atmosphere.

She glanced at the lady, head to toe. Dressed in a horrifying shade of hot pink. Her frail grey hair was topped by a floppy hat- also in the same absurd color. She seemed to fond pearls, as it was accented everywhere, including on wrinkly her fingers where she had slotted a card in between. "Mr. Kangtae had asked me to pass this to you."

Her high-pitched voice rang like bells as she added. "He also said that he'd be willing to compromise, if' you go visit his hotel."

Munyeong raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

With a delighted smile, the lady nodded along and Munyeong promptly snatched it, ambiguous eyes interpreted onto the cursive blue lettering.

"Hotel.. Blue Moon?"

A condescending smile played on her lips. More so amused by the piece of paper and unaware of the soft breeze that swept past her.

Fine. If he wants to play with her, she'll play with him.

#it's okay to not be okay #psycho but it's okay #iotnbo #pbio fic #kdrama #kim soohyun #seo yeaji #hotel moon light #hotel blue moon #moon kang tae #moon gang tae #ko mun yeong #사이코지만괜찮아 #호텔 델루나

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andromedarune · 3 years

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[Vampire!Leon/Witch!Reader] “A Night of Tricks and Treats” (Halloween Fic~!)

A/N: HAHA, I did it! It’s later than I wanted to post this, but it’s here! So enjoy the story that y’all voted for: A Vampire!Leon AU, with cute/fun elements, and a black dahlia thrown into the mix (along with other creative liberties). Thanks to everyone who voted on that poll - this one’s for you!

Vampire!Leon x Witch!Reader - “A Night of Tricks and Treats”

Word Count: ~3k

Rating: Teen (mild blood, reference to death, adult language, spooky stuff)

The third set of feverish knocks on your front door pulled a frustrated groan from your lips. You were finally drifting off to sleep when some rando decided to assault your door at some ungodly time in the night (or morning, since you checked your phone to see that it was a quarter past three). Pouted lips set on your face, you groggily slip out of bed, hardly bothering to grab the cardigan that you kept slung over your desk chair. Another fit of knocks was just starting up when you threw open the door, ready to say a few choice words to your unfortunate visitor.

But unfortunately for you, this wasn’t just any visitor.

“Hey, you’re awake!” Leon gave a cheery smile, oblivious as ever.

Ah. Maybe you should have put on some better clothes. But you’re already this far in - you decide to just play along like nothing’s wrong. Knowing him, you’d at least have a couple of minutes before the awkward sets in.

“Uh, yeah… You do realize it’s three in the morning, right?”

Leon shrugged.

“I’m aware, but it’s so much easier getting here at night. You have no idea how annoying paparazzi can be…” You sink in your hip a bit, watching his eyes flit down past your head for the briefest of moments. He tries to meet your gaze again, but the awkward smile twitching with some odd emotion that settled onto his face cues you in that he most definitely noticed.

The weather’s been oddly warm despite it already being autumn, so you were still wearing your summer pajamas. Which, of course, were a simple set of purple Wooloo PJs. Short-shorts that were baggy and comfy, a tank top that was equally baggy and comfy. Nothing scandalous, but definitely more revealing than what you normally wear.

You can practically hear the dial-up sounds going on in Leon’s mind as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other, one hand tangling itself around a strand of that obnoxiously long purple hair, him just desperate to find something to distract himself with. It’s kind of fun to watch, actually.

“Did you need something?” you eventually sigh, crossing your arms over your chest as a hint of self-consciousness rumbles through your gut.

“A-ah, right!” he snaps out of it and lifts up his arm. Carefully pulling back the sleeve of his casual red hoodie, he reveals to you his forearm. A large, dark-colored burn covers most of the arm, even reaching down to his fingertips. You can’t help but wince, leaning forward for a closer look. “I, um, could use some of your help with this, if you don’t mind.”

“Again, really, Leon?” you can’t help but scold him a bit. He laughs, anyways. “This is the third time this month - one of these days there’s not gonna be much of you left to heal.”

He mutters a soft apology, but you’re still playing like you’re irritated with him and spin around into your living room. You don’t make it far before you realize that Leon’s still standing just before the threshold.

“Oh, right - you can come in.”

“Thanks,” Leon sighs in relief, still holding his arm with a smile.

Just like always, you guide him through your house, leading the significantly taller man down the halls towards a dark down just at the opposite end of your little cottage house. Expertly, you unlock the mystical mechanism that you yourself created (probably seven or eight years ago now? Man, how time flies) to reveal the ominous, shadowy basement. The two of you descend down the steps; you pass by a set of candles and light them with a snap of the fingers, a sight that surely puts stars in Leon’s eyes. He’s always been a sucker for parlor tricks like that.

Leon waddles over to the simple wooden chair you have waiting near the center of the room, taking a seat to watch as you tugged on your long black cloak (the one you made a habit to keep hanging down here for these very instances) and began pulling out various ingredients from one of the numerous cabinets that lined the upper walls of the room.

“Wish you’d just commit to being nocturnal, already,” you couldn’t help but sigh, checking the date you had written on the little jar of beeswax you were inspecting. “If you keep getting injured like this, your healing abilities might become permanently disabled.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m still champion,” he laughed, seeming more amused by your reaction than anything. “I can’t just step down for no reason.”

“Sure you can.” You climbed up onto a lower shelf to dig further into a cabinet. You left that jar of chamomile here somewhere. “Gym leaders do it all the time.”

“It’s different for champions. We’re the best of the best, the image of the ideal trainer for our region. Galar isn’t known for giving up, so that’s not an option I’m willing to consider.”

You almost settle for the bag of rosemary, only to quickly set it back in the cabinet. That would be bad, using rosemary on Leon. You were trying to heal him, here, not destroy the guy. You decide to check another cabinet.

“I know, I know, Mr. Unbeatable Champion. I’m just saying that it hasn’t even been a year since you’ve turned and now I’ve basically become your primary medical provider. And you don’t even pay me!”

“I pay you!” He whines a bit before pausing, no doubt trying to think of instances of proper “payment”. “I, um… Well, I’ll pay you back this time!”

You finally find the chamomile, and even stumble upon that jar of honey you were looking for earlier today (of course, they were both behind the several jars of cinnamon sticks). So you throw the man a perked eyebrow while walking over to your giant black cauldron, which rested within a rustic brick fireplace.

“Oh yeah? What have you, Good Sir Champion, have to offer to the likes of me?”

“Name your price and I’ll double it.”

You snicker, lighting the fire with a clap of the hands rather than snapping. You can barely catch Leon’s amazed smile from this far away. How is any of that exciting for someone like you, you can help but wonder. Champion, genuinely cool guy, recently-turned vampire… still gets amused at basic baby magic. Same ol’ Lee.

“Hm, that’s a bold offer, young man,” you muse, adding a dramatic raspiness that makes you sound like some aged witch from a shitty Blockbuster horror film. “A wise man would think twice before dealing with a witch~.”

“Please,” he snickered, “you still call me to catch baby Joltiks that wander into your house. Don’t even try.”

A playfully sour look from you spurs a booming fit of laughter from your old friend. You hide your smile by turning away, focusing more on getting some dandelions to add to the mix. A small bag of garlic slumps over in the cabinet, so of course you grab it and reveal it to the man. He instinctively leans back a bit, a nervous grin settling onto his face.

“Hey, maybe this’ll add some extra zing to your salve, huh?”

“Uh, n-no thanks…”

“That’s what I thought,” you cackle, tossing the garlic away. Thoroughly satisfied with what you have, you dump a shit-ton of beeswax into the cauldron, watching it slowly melt before adding in the other items. While all that boils away, you wander over to your other writing desk, skipping past your grimoire in favor of digging into a drawer. There, you retrieve a small glass vial and a bag of jumbo marshmallows; those in hand, you walk back over to where Leon resides.

“Time for the secret ingredient.”

“It’s not really a secret ingredient if I already know what it is,” he frowned.

“Shut up and open wide.”

He rolls his eyes a bit, but does as he’s told. If you didn’t already know the truth here, you might have not seen anything unhuman about his teeth. Overly white from years of meticulous care and likely bleaching or whitening strips (though the thought of Leon walking around at night with whitening strips on his teeth nearly made you choke on your spit), but otherwise normal-looking human teeth. However, you knew better, and peered a little closer to his canines. Sure enough, you could see it; a slight shimmer, something like seeing heat rising off the earth during the summer, wavy and hardly noticeable. You took a marshmallow in one hand, the vial in the other; expertly, you stabbed the treat into one fang and simultaneously propped up the vial against the other tooth. Leon flinched a bit (“It feels really weird,” he had told you one time, following the same procedure the night he needed a quick fix after accidentally grabbing one of his grandmother’s rosaries when cleaning up his mother’s house, “kinda like I’m spitting with my teeth. Yuck.”). In seconds, small spurts of a dark, sort-of maroon-colored liquid fills up most of the vial. You give it a few seconds more before pulling away, taking a moment to drain the liquid from the marshmallow before offering the remains to the champion. He childishly takes it with glee, stuffing it into his mouth with that stupid smile on his face (goddamn his smile was gorgeous, but it’s way easier to just say that it was stupid, instead).

With the last and most important ingredient, you return to your work, carefully pouring the vial’s sibylline contents into the concoction. You pick up the large wooden spoon that hangs over the fireplace and give a few generous stirs.

“Y’know,” you hear Leon’s footsteps creeping up behind you, keeping a slow, leisurely pace as he meanders around the room, “this really wasn’t the future I thought for us when we were kids.”

You exhale a chuckle from your nose. You almost say that you feel the same, but the fear of him inquiring further about what you did envision makes you choose a different set of words.

“Don’t even think about getting all Byronic on me,” you peered over your shoulder. He simply smiles at you - an even stupider smile - hands in his pockets as he slowly makes his way towards you. “I’m not going to listen to you moan and groan about your tragic fate for all eternity.”

He chuckles, something surprising soft instead of his regular bone-shattered laugh.

“Of course not. I’m just saying that I figured we’d be, y’know, doing other things.” You try not to think about what he could mean by that. “But I’m not really against this. I don’t think I would’ve found out about your little shop of horrors down here, otherwise.”

He’s got a good point there. Literally the only reason you admitted to your secret life as a decently skilled witch was the night he turned. You could still remember it all; he stumbled into your house, desperately holding his wound with that terrified look in his eye, as if he was looking at Death, itself. You’d never personally treated a victim of vampire’s night out (not a live one, anyway), but you did everything in your power to keep Leon alive. But you knew that it was nothing short of a miracle that he managed to wake up the next morning, having survived a night of literal death in slow-motion. Not so many victims were so fortunate to make it through the process, but like hell you were about to let your childhood friend die like that. So now he knew your secret, and you protected his. At least you didn’t have to worry about the two of you drifting apart any time soon, especially with him always forgetting basic vampyric flaws like sunlight all the time.

He settles beside you, offering a soft smile.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m really grateful to know someone like you. You’ve got better things to be doing, and yet you always make time to bring me back after I do something stupid again and again.”

You look into his eyes a moment too long before looking back into your task. The gooey mixture, now dyed a deep red, bubbled down below, seeming almost alive.

“You make it sound like I just started doing this. I’ve been patching you up since kindergarten.”

“Fair enough. But still… I’d be dead if it weren’t for you. So, thank you.”

He’s got that look in his eyes again, golden irises burning brighter than ever, and he’s far too close for you to be comfortable. So, logically, you look even deeper into your cauldron, grateful that the darkness of the room likely hides your ever-burning cheeks. Thankfully, the brew looks just about ready. You reach over and grab a small bowl from the table nearby, spooning some of the waxy goo into its hold.

From birth, it had been decided that you would carry on your mother’s family tradition of witchcraft. And you have - with much pride - and it’s become your greatest secret that would spell disaster should it be learned by the wrong people. You didn’t make many friends, but Leon’s dumb smile was so infectious that you were always drawn to him, even if he drove you bat-shit with his innocent antics. The two of you were close for so long, but after he became champion, things became a bit more strained. You figured that it wouldn’t be long before he forgot about you altogether - but then last year’s “incident” happened, and now a whole new understanding unknown to much of the world had formed between you both. You knew it was far too late to ever consider confessing any of your possible feelings for him (feelings of annoyance, you always told yourself - what an unfortunate lie that’s come to be), but now here you were, likely stuck as his clandestine nurse for the rest of your mortal life. And then what? You’d be reincarnated, would likely stumble upon memories of your past lives (such is the fate of those who take on the witch’s mantle), and see the man you once loved (or loathed, as you’d rather say) finding someone else to take care of him in your absence. For him, it’d hardly feel like a change. But for you, it’d truly be a fate beyond that of death or eternal damnation. You should be happy that he has a reason to stay with you for the rest of your life, but instead, all you can feel is a bitter aftertaste that you have no choice but to suffer through.

“I can’t say I believe in fate,” you shrug your shoulders, “but every now and then the stars align in such a way that has us thinking that God has a sense of humor.”

Leon chuckles again, but you don’t really know. He doesn’t really know what you’re referring to. Right?

You shuffle him back over to the chair, sitting him down and resting his arm across the armrest. As gentle as possible, you spread the salve across the burn area, letting it soak in a bit before applying a second coating that you massage into his skin. Leon watches with that dumb, stupid, bothersome smile of his; you make a point never to meet those eyes, not when you’re so close to him like this.

After a few minutes, you give an affirmative nod and pull back, inspecting the injury. Sure enough, it’s already starting to lighten up.

“Looks like we got power in the healing department,” you smirk. “You’re all ready to go, Good Sir Champion.”

“Not quite.” You must’ve made a weird face, because he’s quickly backtracking, rubbing the back of his neck with a laugh. “I mean, uh, I still have to pay you back double, right? You never said what kind of payment you want.”

You don’t like the way he phrased that. No, you hate the way he phrased that. It’s got your mind in all sorts of a jumble, now. So as quick as you can (before you accidentally say something stupid), you make up a response.

“Flowers.”

Okay that’s really fucking dumb.

Leon quirks his eyebrows at you, seeming amused once more.

“I, uh, I mean,” you stumble for words, hoping to dig yourself out of this hole you’ve thrown yourself into with one stupid word. “What I mean is… I’ve been looking for a specific set of flowers for this spell I’m working on, but they don’t really sell them in stores nearby. So, uh, yeah. Get me flowers.”

“Flowers? For a spell?”

“For a spell,” you affirm.

“Okay,” there’s a strange tone to his voice that you don’t really want to try and decipher, “I can do that. What, uh… what kind of flowers do you want - er, what kind do you need? For the spell?”

You run through a mental list of all the most non-romantic flowers you can think of. Unfortunately, you like flowers, so all of them kinda felt romantic. God fucking dammit.

“Uh… dahlia’s? Black dahlia’s - yeah, those’ll be good. For the spell.”

“Right, the spell,” he nods, glancing off to the side for a millisecond. “I think I can do that, yeah. For a second, I was kind of scared you were gonna make me get a bunch of super poisonous flowers. Not sure how I would explain that one to my bank.”

“Y-yeah, right.”

A brief (and awkward) silence settles over the two of you. Eventually, Leon moves to get up; you shuffle a few steps back to give him enough space to stretch.

“Well, thanks again for helping me - I feel a thousand times better. I swear, you’re a better doctor than, well, actual doctors.”

You smirk with a smidge of pride. “Magic is just a science that hasn’t been accepted yet. And it looks cooler, too.”

“Maybe you can teach me a few things, some time.”

You narrow your eyes at him, playfully glaring in such a way that has him laughing just at the sight of it.

“That’ll cost you more flowers, Lee - are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“I’ll buy you as many flowers as you want - any kind you want.”

You wait a minute for him to backtrack, or to say “For the spell” in a rushed manner like always. But that’s it, the end of the sentence. He just stands there, smiling in that stupid way evermore, eyes focused entirely on you.

It’s a look that you can hardly describe, the look in his eyes at that moment. It pulls something from your chest that you had spent years keeping locked up tight.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

You don’t know what scares you more - the fact that you said that, or the fact that he grins even brighter.

You’re the witch here, and yet he’s the one trapping you in this terrible enthrallmetn that has you seeing stars with just that stupid-dumb smile of his. It’s hard to blame it on his status or his altered state of humanity when this has always been the case. No, that’s just the kind of person Leon has always been and (hopefully) always will be. And you would likely be stuck with this (gorgeous) idiot for the rest of your mortal life.

It’s got your heart beating faster - you can’t tell if it’s from fear or from excitement. Maybe both. Most likely both.

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the-cult-of-russo · 3 years

Text

Push and Pull (Part 5)

Pairing: Matt Murdock x OC

Warnings: cursing, gunshot wound and stitches

--------

A lot of people might think Daphne was cold or heartless. Sure, she had a bad attitude and it was hard for her to form meaningful relationships, but it didn't mean she was a complete bitch. Which is why she felt bad as she looked at the photos of Mr Lee's son, Keiran, and young wife making out. She'd be seeing him later in the week and have to break the news to him. She was planning on breaking into the Keiran's apartment and snooping once he was at work in the day. She still had that gnawing feeling something was off with the adulterous couple.

She'd never had a real relationship herself. She never let herself get too attached. She wasn't sure why, she'd just always been that way. Even as a kid with her older brother and sister, she was the snarky sarcastic one. Her love to push people's buttons left her with little to no real friends and guys didn't like a girl that talked back. She didn't mind. It meant she didn't get hurt. She'd just have sex when the opportunity arose and then wash her hands of it. But she'd be a liar if she didn't sometimes wonder what it would be like. To have that someone who cared. Who treasured her and made her feel special. But then she'd think about how most of her PI work was looking into cheating spouses and how most of the time they had been right. Was true love even real?

She sighed, kicking her boots up onto her table. It was scuffed enough so she didn't care too much. Her boots were paired with a long black summer dress with a slit to her thigh and some thick tights, a black wool cardigan on top. Goth chic her sister Lisa would call it. It made her snort. Her hair was slightly wavy from the shower she’d taken earlier and it had dried naturally. Standing up, she grabbed her backpack and camera and decided to head out to Keiran's apartment. Only this time she was really hoping not to find something.

On her way there, she thought about the guns. It had been a couple of days since the disastrous outing with the Devil himself and the morning after she’d given her evidence to Brett. He was worried, so was she. But it was out of her hands now. And thankfully she hadn't been contacted by Mr Moody to accompany him again. Pulling her phone from her cardigan pocket, she was satisfied Keiran would be out of the house and at work. As she stepped up to the shitty broken intercom at the front, she heaved a sigh. She hoped someone would let her in. Glancing at the names, she just settled on any of them. There was a dull beep as she pressed the button for 'Mr Meyers'.

"Hello?" The sound of an old man sounded.

"Hi there, would you be able to buzz me in please?" She asked politely. She bit her lip holding her breath as she prepared to think of an excuse for him.

"Annie, is that you?" He asked, sounding confused.

"Mhm," she lied, rolling her eyes and getting impatient.

"You forgot your key again, dear? I keep telling you to make another," he chuckled through the intercom.

"I know. I'm just forgetful I guess," she snorted. The shrill buzz almost startled her, that had been so easy. Thank God for Mr Meyers. She slipped inside and jogged up the stairs to the third floor. Her steps were light as she tried to listen for any noises. She didn't need anyone suddenly appearing and wondering why a weird girl was on their floor. She idly wished she had Matt's super hearing. It sounded quiet though and she got to the door she was after.

A few quick moments with her lock pick set and it was open. Her search was quick and efficient. Always making sure to put things exactly where they should be. She felt like she'd searched everywhere and hadn't found anything. She knew she should have felt relieved but she couldn't shake that nagging feeling in the back of her head. She stood for a moment, closing her eyes as she tried to think where something would be. When she opened her eyes again, they glanced around until they settled on a piece of modern art of the wall. She wasn't a fan of the modern stuff. It looked like a toddler just threw paint on a canvas. Her art preference was the more detailed skilled work. She padded over, lifting it from the wall. Sure enough, behind the canvas was a safe.

"Bingo," she muttered.

It took longer than she liked to crack it, but she did in the end. She wasn't happy with what she found. Along with a handgun that had the serial number scratched out, she found copies of Mr Lee's life insurance. It was for $2 million and it would be split between Keiran and Mr Lee's wife. She started to see just why this guy was getting in her pants. Were they planning something together? Or did she have no idea she was being pulled into this? She snapped some pictures quickly before putting everything back where it should be. Before long she was on her way home again with a bad feeling. It wasn't concrete evidence of any plans but she'd learnt a long while ago to trust her gut. Maybe she should move her meeting with Mr Lee up and speak to him.

Her train of thought was interrupted when her phone started ringing. It was Brett.

"Hey, got news?" She asked, walking down the street and weaving through the people.

"Bad news. Last night a whole bunch of people were gunned down. Some biker club. Ammo matches some of the heavy guns you got on film," he stated grimly. She stopped walking and the person behind her who almost collided with her scoffed as they moved past.

"Well that's not good. I guess they weren't for selling then? Why would the Italians have beef with those guys?" She asked warily. As bad as it would be, she'd been hoping that the guns were just being sold. But this was war and she had a feeling the bikers wouldn't be the only ones facing the wrath.

"Not sure yet. We're trying to piece it together. Whatever it is, it seems like the Italians are trying to take over some turfs. I'll keep you updated," he sighed. After they bid their goodbyes, she trudged up her stairs trying to figure it out.

Sitting on her sofa, she wondered just how bad this war the Italians were waging would be. She'd never set out to investigate organised crime. She stuck with her small time thing for years and she was fine with it. But a few years ago Brett reached out when he was hitting dead ends. He'd heard about her skills and he shouldn't have asked her for help but he did. Now she did bits and bobs for him every now and again, especially with her interest in the Italian case. He was a detective now and even though it was still off the books, everyone knew she helped them out. She only dealt with him though. She didn't trust most of the other cops after the whole thing with Fisk. She'd kept out of that shit show as much as she could after one of the crazy Russians caught her and she got a lovely stab wound in the thigh. Then there was the whole mess with The Punisher. All of it had changed the gangs of Hell's Kitchen. Some of them wiped out, others coming back and others even stronger than ever. She hated that sometimes she wondered if she'd grew a pair and didn't shy away from it after being stabbed, if she'd have saved some of the lives lost in the chaos left behind from Fisk and Castle. Maybe that's why she couldn't say no when Brett had asked her to start looking into the Italians.

Either way, here she was. In the middle of a war that was just beginning. And her curiosity wouldn't let her back out now. She wanted to know what was going on just as much as the cops. There wasn't much she could do now anyway. She'd let Brett call her when he had some news and a lead to go on before she threw herself in the line of fire again.

She found herself preoccupied the rest of the day with thoughts on the Italians. She switched between trying to distract herself watching Netflix on her laptop and then looking at articles about the biker massacre. Her phone had been resting on the coffee table. She doubted Brett would be calling her today with news but she waited anyway. She wasn't sure just when she got so invested in trying to help with this. She just wanted something, a lead from the evidence at the crime scene or to do with HCL with the money laundering. Anything that would give her a direction to go to dig deeper.

Trying to block the Italians from taking over her restless mind, she snuggled on her couch with a thick blanket in her pyjamas as she watched Breaking Bad on Netflix. She loved the show and she’d watched it multiple times. She kept dozing in and out of sleep as night drew on. She wasn't sure what time it was when she heard a banging in the open plan apartment. She shot up, glaring at the door as her heart hammered in her chest. A quick glance to the large clock on the wall told her it was 3am now. The banging came again but she realised it wasn't from the door. Looking to the large window, she was startled by Matt in his suit, leaning against it from the outside. Her annoyance glared at him for dropping in at this time. Dropping in at all, honestly. She told him to stay the fuck away and here he was at 3am and waking her up. She found it hard enough to get a decent sleep on the best of days.

Throwing the blanket off her, she stood up and stomped over to the window. She wasn't even paying attention to him really.

"What part of stay the fuck away don’t you get?" She snapped impatiently. He didn't say anything through the glass but then she noticed how his hand was clamped over his chest, how his chest was heaving. Something was wrong. She opened the window to see him better and the moonlight glinted off his suit that seemed wet. Oh. Blood.

"Jesus, you're bleeding?" She asked, her voice getting a little higher. It was a lot of blood.

"Are you going to let me in or not?" He bit out, wincing as he did. She had half a mind to close her window and let him bleed out on her fire escape. But as annoying as he was, she knew she couldn't. She stepped aside and he carefully climbed inside. She took note of how slow he was moving and she wondered how much blood he'd already lost. He stumbled once inside and she quickly wrapped an arm around his uninjured side, making him groan in pain. With a tut, she led him to her couch and helped him sit down.

"Why are you here? I mean I get that you can't exactly go to the hospital, but here?" She asked, feeling irritated. She hadn't expected to have a half dead vigilante bleeding out on her sofa.

"I didn't have anywhere else to go," he muttered, shifting as he tried to take off his suit. She wanted to ask about Foggy but she guessed the happy go lucky best friend wasn't his go to for stitching him up. With a heaving sigh, she knelt on the couch next to him, helping him remove the top half of his suit. There was a gunshot wound under the front of his left shoulder. She tried not to be concerned.

"It's still in there, can you get it out?" He asked weakly. She tried to temper the anxiety at how bad he sounded. Not like she cared or anything, she'd worry no matter who it was.

"I can try," she muttered. She jumped up and ran to the bathroom, grabbing the tweezers off the side, the first aid kit and then the bottle of whisky that was on the side in the kitchen.

When knelt next to him again, his mask was off and it was jarring to actually see his face when still in his devil suit, even if it was only partially.

"Don't think this is a routine. You get hurt again, you can go somewhere else," she snarked. Honestly at this point it was more to cover her nerves at trying to keep him alive. He chuckled a little, leaning his head on the back of the sofa as she doused the tweezers with alcohol. One hand carefully steadied herself on his chest and she glanced at his pale face. His unseeing eyes were on her ceiling and his hair was all over the place.

"This is gonna hurt like a bitch," she murmured. Honestly, she felt a little bad for him. He just nodded, closing his eyes in anticipation.

She took a deep breath before digging the tweezers in his wound. He cried out. One hand gripping the couch tightly as the other flailed for a minute before he settled on fisting her shirt. She bit back a retort since he was in pain and she focused on fishing out the bullet. Thankfully it wasn't too long before she yanked it out. He was breathing deeply, sweating and looking awful and now the wound was oozing blood at a worrying rate. She grabbed some gauze and pressed it to the wound with a worried frown.

"I need to stitch it, hold this," she said firmly. Still fisting her shirt, his other hand came up to put pressure on the wound. She dug around and got the needle, cleaning it with the whisky before threading it. She tried to ignore the tremor in her hand as it brushed against his, moving the gauze.

When her eyes flit to his face, he was already looking at her with his unfocused gaze.

"You look like shit, Murdock," she muttered with a wry smirk as she started to stitch him up. He chuckled a little, scrunching his eyes closed as she tried to make quick work of sewing him up.

"I feel like it," he replied with a sly grin. She shook her head as her hands delicately thread the needle through his skin, stopping occasionally to soak up the blood with the gauze.

"You're good at this. Not your first time?" He asked. She wondered if he was making small talk to try and take his mind off it. Since he was injured she decided to go along with it. Her anger at dropping in like this would wait until she was done.

"Not a gunshot, but I had to sew myself up after a gnarly stab wound," she murmured in reply.

Her hands faltered as his hand let go of her shirt and settled on her bare thigh, his fingers running over the jagged scar. It startled her how he'd even know where it was but she shook it off. He was weird after all with his super senses. She tried to ignore the fact his hand was on her thigh at all. She tried to reason that his hands were kind of his eyes since he was blind. But the touch was light, gentle almost, it made her feel weird and she didn't like it. She didn't think anyone had touched her with such gentleness before.

"Who stabbed you?" He asked with a frown.

"Got caught snooping by one of the Russians a few years back. Taught me a hard lesson in being more sneaky," she snorted mirthlessly. His frown deepened and his hand stilled on her thigh. A few stitches later and he was all done. She wiped his wound clean before bandaging him up.

His gentle touch to her scar had rattled her and she hopped off the sofa the second she was done. She started stuffing everything back into the first aid kit.

"I wasn't joking when I said this won't happen again. Teach Foggy first aid or something, but don't drop by here like this again," she said shortly, maybe harsher than intended and his frown let her know he was confused by it. He didn't reply, just nodding curtly at her. After putting the bloodied gauze away she noticed him standing from the couch, he was swaying on his feet though and she bit her lip as she walked over.

"What are you doing?" She sighed, annoyed.

"Getting out of your hair. That's what you wanted right?" He bit out. Yes, it was. But as he took a woozy step forward he almost collapsed again. She felt a pang of guilt and pursed her lips as she walked over, pushing him gently to sit back down.

"You lost a lot of blood, you need to rest. Just stop being annoying. You can take the couch and leave tomorrow," she relented. He didn't look any happier than she was about the whole thing but there wasn't much they could do. They both knew he was in no condition to get home just yet. He gave a curt nod, staying where she pushed him back down. This would be awkward as all hell. Her apartment was all open plan except the bathroom and a small closet. Her bed was on the other side and she felt uneasy with him being so close if she was to sleep. But she also didn't want to stay awake and be forced to spend time with him with this tension.

"Go to sleep," she huffed, padding over to her bed. She had some blood on her shirt and a bloody handprint on it from where he'd gripped it. But she paid no mind to it as she climbed in bed, burrowing under the blankets. She fell asleep that night to uncomfortable silence.

#matt murdock x oc #matt murdock fanfic #matt murdock #daredevil x oc #daredevil fanfiction #daredevil

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neoniverse · 4 years

Text

heal me. | chapter II

disclaimer: this series is a work of fiction. any businesses, events or incidents are products of my wide imagination. all of the character’s personality does not reflect and has nothing to do in real life.

warnings: smut, angst, usage of strong language, mentions of death, alcohol & drugs, cheating issues and lots of flashbacks (read each chapter carefully)

pairings: jung jaehyun x reader

a/n: unedited ;)

« CHAPTER I / CHAPTER III »

“Hey, you still there?”

“Who’s this?”

The other line silenced—a brief pause. I’m certain it’s not him.

“Jaehyun.” I froze in my spot. Holy crap.

“And what’s the bouquet for, Mr. Jung?” I don’t even recognize my own voice, I’m agitated, again.

“I just wanted to express my gratitude.” His voice is so low, I can feel the depths of it pulling me. He sounds so cozy—alluring, to be honest. My breathing is slowing, almost hitching. I’m abruptly aware Johnny is staring at me, brows furrowed, I dart to my swivel chair and turned it around.

“It’s not like I did something honorable.” Stay calm, Y/N. Breathe.

“Hmm. Well, fortunately, I’m certain you did.”

“Thank you for the roses, Mr. Jung.” I’m all trepidatious—my traitor heart is abnormally beating.

“The pleasure’s all mine.” Oh hell, I can visualize the enticing gleam in his dark brown eyes. How can he make such four words titillate? He hang up. I turned around again, phone in the chest and eyes closed.

“I’m assuming there’s a comeback, yes?”

“Words, Johnny.” I snap. He laughed as if I just told him a funny joke.

But me and Jaehyun again? To hell with that. My feelings are too fragile, that being with him could even crush my heart into thousands of pieces. That’s how fragile my whole system is. I will never forget the day he chose to cheat on me.

Loving someone is so shallow that it could bring pain because you have to sacrifice something, but it doesn’t have to be always painful. You should also learn how to love yourself.

When I left him, I thought things will go better. I looked desperate, finding for solace to everyone’s arms after I lost Jaehyun, tons of projects, my interest in doing things I like and my mother. Her death is something I will always look back on because I wasn’t with her.

I lost her.

For the times that I also lost myself, Johnny had come to save my losing ass to the pit of darkness and loneliness. I’m so thankful for him even though he reminds me of Jaehyun.

I am restless that night, not paying attention and rolling in the sheets of my bed. Dreaming of something that will enliven myself and dark, deep unfathomed places. I woke up in the middle of the night, ended up watching the still, lit up busy city lights before crying myself back to sleep.

The first week of April went smooth and peaceful. I often see Jaehyun in the site but I decided to wait for him to leave so I could completely avoid him. Having Jaehyun close to me is something I never prayed for. I still hate his guts.

“How about we go to a nightclub after this and at least have some fun? You guys, especially Y/N, looks so exhausted as fuck.”

Johnny shouted in delight. “Damn, that’s what I’m talking about!”

Like what Architect Lee suggested, we went to a club that Johnny recommended. It was just a ten minute drive from the office.

“Ladies, this is my cousin Mark,” Johnny introduced the man who just came—probably in this twenties. His hair is ruffled jet black and he’s wearing white button-down dress shirt, sleeves are rolled up three-fourth. “Mark, this is Y/N, Seolhee and Rosé.”

“Architect Rosé Park.”

“Hi! I’m Architect Seolhee Lee!”

Mark extends his hand so I immediately placed my hand in his. He smiled and sat in the empty space of the black leather couch beside me.

Rosé offered me a shot of foreign alcohol, Jägermeister. She seems to be a party girl who knows a lot of things in alcoholic beverages. I drink, but I have to tolerate myself. For the last time I was drunk, I ended up sleeping in my bathtub because I kept going back to the bathroom.

We ended up finishing one bottle of Jägermeister and JD and two bottles of vodka before finding ourselves on the dance floor. The colorful lights strobed with the blasting music. I danced and danced until I felt someone staring at me.

I looked around to find the set of eyes who has been observing my every move, grind, and ruffling of hair. As I try to look for them on the dance floor, my eyes accidentally stayed in the second floor. I saw Jaehyun sitting in the black velvet couch, eyeing me as if I’m his prey. He drank the dark-colored liquid that was in his glass.

I rubbed my eyes and tried to look for him, again. He wasn’t there anymore.

The fuck?

“Y/N! Is that you?”

I promptly looked behind me and saw an unfamiliar person in front of me. My brows furrowed for a moment.

“Oh my god,” I exclaimed before hugging him. “Madexeus!”

He chuckled and tightened the hug. We moved away from the dance floor to sit on the high chairs placed before the bartender’s counter.

“2 glasses of my regular, please,” He told the bartender before looking at me. “Holy shit. Is that really you?”

I shrugged. “How long have you been here? It literally felt like ages since I last saw you.”

“Just came here for a short visit, though.” He passed a glass to me. “And I also heard what happened to your mother. I’m sorry.”

I gave him a short smile and drank the alcohol that felt like thousands of knives in my throat. The pain of losing my own mother is still in my heart, stabbed like a poisonous dagger.

“Thanks. I’m fine,” I lied. “It has been two years, already, Xeus. There’s no way I could never get over to that.”

“What are you doing for living now? Am I free to call you Doctor Y/N now?”

“Oh, that. I didn’t pursue it anymore. I’m an Engineer now, though!”

I’ll try to be happy, at least for my mother and not for anybody else.

“Well, are you sti-”

I was about to talk when someone gracefully dragged me from my seat. He lifted me up and placed my stomach to his shoulder like I’m a sack.

“What the fuck? Help!” I shouted and averted his hands from holding my legs in place.

“Shut your ass up or I will spank that.”

The voice is so manly, authoritative and dominant. There’s only one person I know who is pretty much likely to act like that. He opened the shotgun seat’s door before carefully putting me inside. I pushed myself more to the side of the door.

When he entered the car, we fell silent.

“Jaehyun, just bring me back insi-”

“No and I wont.”

“Why did you dragged me just like that, then?!”

“Who are you with? That ugly ass man or my cousin Johnny again?”

His left hand gripped the steering wheel while the other hand is behind my headrest. Jaehyun revived the engine before drifting away from the club’s valet parking. I looked at the buildings outside.

“Does it matter to you if I’m going out with one of them?” I softly whispered.

His eyes focused on the road.

“Are you avoiding me?” He scoffed. “Yeah, of course, you’re avoiding me.”

I remained my eyes to the buildings outside until Jaehyun pulled up somewhere unbeknownst to me. He removed his seat belt and went out. I rolled my eyes before following him.

He sat on the hood of the car and slid his hands to the pockets of his black slacks. I sat beside him, admiring the view of city lights.

“That night..” He heaved a deep sigh. “I was drugged by Chaewon. That’s why I wasn’t able to remember everything when you asked me.”

I remained silent.

Speechless.

“When.. did you know about this?” I asked, still looking straight at the view.

“A week after you moved out and left me alone, broken.”

He knew and he didn’t even bother to tell me even a single detail about it.

“Chaewon is my old secretary’s sister. I was out with my brother that time when my secretary was with her. She saw me and greeted us. Apparently, she knew me already that time but acted like she didn’t. I don’t remember the other things that happened after that. All I know is she’s the one who drugged me.”

Jaehyun stared at me and I locked gazes with him.

“I didn’t bother telling you since you already had Johnny beside you. I also heard from him that you lost your interest in Engineering when your mother died that’s why I asked him to make you back on track again. Because I know I won’t be able to do so.”

Fresh hot tears slowly streamed down to my cheeks, which made my heart clenched. I couldn’t stop the tremendous pain I’m feeling.

“I-I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He looked away, realizing what I said before moving closer to me. “Shh. Hey, love, it’s alright.”

“Jae, I’m sorry,” I said, softly. He cupped my face to wipe the tears.

Jaehyun didn’t answer. Instead, he held my head and pulled me. Making me lean on his chest. I bit my lower lip to cease my loud sobs.

That same night, Jaehyun drove me back to my penthouse. I dozed myself to sleep so I could at least escape from reality. The day after next, I visited the site to check the supplies if we ran out of something.

“Excuse me. Are you Engineer L/N?”

I looked behind me to see who called me when a man in dark blue button-down dress shirt, red necktie and dark blue slacks appeared in front of me.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Taeyong. May I ask if Jaehyun Jung is here?”

Jaehyun?

“He’s not yet here. Jaehyun often goes here at around 4 pm.” I answered while closing the folder I’m holding.

“Oh, yeah? Thank you, gorgeous.”

“Wait! Are you Jaehyun’s cousin? I can contact him if you want.”

He turned around again and removed his wayfarers.

“I’m his brother, Taeyong.” He winked. “It’s already quarter to four, maybe I could stay and wait for him here?”

I led him towards the office. When I opened the door, Johnny was scanning to some paperworks.

“Come on. It’s hot there, we have AC inside.”

He entered the room and silently sat on the black couch beside Johnny’s desk.

“Jae-” Johnny stopped. “Holy fuck, man!”

The Taeyong guy chuckled. “I knew you would be here, John. What’s up?”

Johnny sat on the single couch, still surprised.

“I’ll just go outside.”

I immediately went out afterwards. If he is Jaehyun’s brother, how come I haven’t seen him before?

“Hey.”

I almost fell on my feet when I heard Jaehyun spoke. He laughed. He was wearing a white button-down shirt, open at the collar and sleeves are rolled up, and gray slacks. His gray coat is hanging on his arm.

“Your brother’s inside,” I said, softly. His brows furrowed.

“My what?”

“Taeyong? Your brother?”

His jaw clenched and instantly opened the office door.

I stood behind Jaehyun and saw his brother grinning widely.

“Oh. Hey there, brother. Miss me?”

“What are you doing here?” Jaehyun authoritative asked. What’s with them?

He held my hand and pulled me closer to him.

“Woah. I won’t steal your lady. Right, gorgeous?” Taeyong looked at me. “Anyway, since you’re already here, come home tonight. Father’s asking for your presence at the family dinner.”

Jaehyun scoffed. “And if I won’t show up?”

“Oh, you would absolutely want to, dear brother.”

Taeyong went outside and walked towards his orange Lamborghini. Jaehyun made his way to his black Tesla and they both drove away from the site.

“What’s with them?” I asked Johnny. He just shrugged.

Another week has passed when I was invited to a charity event in Paris. I wore a simple maroon satin slip dress that ended just one inch below my knees and hugged my body well. Then I let my ash brown soft wavy hair down.

The whole event was so boring, it was all about business and that’s not even my field. I looked at the guests and all of them are known for being wealthy and leading capitals of fiscals or law firms. If not, most of them are either CEO or stockholders.

I finished the last faint brown-colored liquid in my wine flute in just one drink and stood up so I could leave the place quietly. I was about to exit peacefully when I bumped into someone’s shoulder, making me almost stumble on my own feet.

“We met again, gorgeous.”

I looked up to face the person and saw a familiar face— the owner of same playful grin.

“Allow me to introduce myself again and make up for my first bad impression to you,” He offered his right hand. “I’m Taeyong Lee.”

#nct #nct 127 #nct jaehyun #nct au #nct angst #nct smut #jung jaehyun au #nct fanfic #jaehyun angst #jaehyun smut #nct x reader #jung jaehyun #jaehyun x reader #jeong jaehyun #jaehyun fanfic

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nola-unchained · 4 years

Text

SCREAM FILM FRANCHISE PROMPTS .

SCREAM :

❛ Would you settle for a PG-13 relationship? ❜

❛ I’m sorry if my traumatized life is an inconvenience to your perfect existence. ❜

❛ You sick fucks. You’ve seen one too many movies! ❜

❛ Are you alone in the house? ❜

❛ We’re gonna play a little game. ❜

❛ My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me! ❜

❛ When do we see breasts? I wanna see Jamie Lee’s breasts. ❜

❛ You cut me too deep. I think I’m dying here, man. ❜

❛ You take a knife and you slit ‘em from groin to sternum. ❜

❛ I will totally protect you. Yo, I am so buff, I got you covered, girl. ❜

❛ We ask you questions and if you get one wrong, boo-gah, you die. ❜

❛ What do I have to do to prove to you that I’m not a killer? ❜

❛ We already played that game, remember? ❜

❛ I mean did Norman Bates have a motive? Don’t think so! ❜

❛ See, it’s a lot scarier when there’s no motive. ❜

❛ Oh, you wanna play psycho killer? ❜

❛ Oh, please don’t kill me, Mr. Ghostface. I wanna be in the sequel! ❜

❛ Well, you’re not going to be alone any more, right? ❜

❛ There’s always some stupid bullshit reason to kill your girlfriend. ❜

❛ I never thought I’d be so happy to be a virgin. ❜

❛ What’s your favorite scary movie? What comes to mind? ❜

❛ You hang up on me again and I’ll gut you like a fish, you understand? ❜

❛ Tell me something. Did you really put her liver in the mailbox? ❜

❛ This is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life, for one last scare. ❜

SCREAM 2 :

❛ I’m not interrupting anything, am I? ❜

❛ Have you ever felt a knife cut through human flesh and scrape the bone beneath? ❜

❛ You should really deal with your trust issues. ❜

❛ This is just the kind of guy you’d love to bring home to mom… if… you had… a mom. ❜

❛ I was just reading in your book about your last cameraman, the guy got gutted. ❜

❛ First of all: he wasn’t gutted. I made it up. His throat was slashed. ❜

❛ You know, you must be getting quite a lot of flak on that, right? ❜

❛ Your flattering remarks are both desperate and obvious. ❜

❛ Well, I was hoping I might get just a few words with you. ❜

❛ Tell us everything that’s happened, looking back on the last two years? ❜

❛ Whoa, Hey, hey, hey hey, Deep breaths, Lot of deep breaths. ❜

❛ Why do you always answer a question with a question? ❜

❛ Yeah, and I’m impatient. Look, do you want to leave a message for someone? ❜

❛ So, why don’t you show your face, you fucking coward? ❜

❛ The killer is trying to finish what was started. ❜

❛ If the killer is following a pattern, maybe we can figure out who’s next. ❜

❛ So what do you wanna do, bonehead? Sit here, wait and see who drops next? ❜

❛ Don’t you know history repeats itself? Hm? ❜

❛ I thought I was gonna be up there until opening night. ❜

❛ So, uh… what’s your favorite scary movie? ❜

❛ Is that the best you can do? ❜

❛ “Drink with your brain.” That’s our motto. ❜

❛ That shit only calls you when he’s drunk. Don’t go over there. ❜

❛ No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be the hero and you’ll never, ever get the girl. ❜

SCREAM 3 :

❛ Not only did they-did they kill the film, but they killed my cast.. ❜

❛ Variety called me a “pariah”. I don’t even know what a “pariah” is. ❜

❛ Oh, it’s hard being friends with you, [Name]. ❜

❛ When you’re friends with [Name], you die. ❜

❛ It’s time you came to terms with me and with mother! ❜

❛ I had no idea they were going to make a film of their own. ❜

❛ Fucking kill me! You can’t fucking kill me! ❜

❛ So, why don’t you tell me, who you are? ❜

❛ Answer right, your girlfriend lives. ❜

❛ I’m sorry I’m running late. I’m still on the 405. I’m about 10 minutes away. ❜

❛ Uh, look, since I got you on the phone, let’s talk about your character, okay? ❜

❛ See? I don’t understand why I have to start the scene in the shower. ❜

❛ When it’s a threat, you’ll know it. ❜

❛ The killer is in the house and he’s upstairs! ❜

❛ The question isn’t who I am. The question is: Who’s with me? ❜

❛ Now, do you have somewhere we can be… alone? ❜

❛ If you do one thing to attract attention to yourself, one thing, I’ll kill them both. ❜

❛ I don’t want them. I want you. It’s simple. You show yourself, they survive. ❜

❛ I’ll call you when you’re on your way. ❜

❛ How do I know they’re not dead already? ❜

❛ What’s the matter? What are you staring at? ❜

❛ You’re gonna pay for the life you stole from me, [Name]. ❜

❛ You did it all. You did it! You call them all, even your closest… friends. ❜

❛ How do you know you’re not hearing things? How do you know I’m not someone in your head? ❜

SCREAM 4 :

❛ You forgot the first rule of remakes: “Don’t fuck with the original”. ❜

❛ Oh, my God, I love it. I’ve seen it five times and still gets me every time. ❜

❛ Am I, or did whoever make it just underthink it? ❜

❛ Don’t we hear enough of this story every year? ❜

❛ I’m not trying to scare you.. ❜

❛ This is the last person you’re ever gonna see alive. ❜

❛ You’re in my movie, you got a fun part, so don’t blow it. ❜

❛ People live and people die, and you’d better start running! ❜

❛ And I like him - To tease, to torment, to make him squirm! ❜

❛ Sorry about that. Just… making around before taking off. ❜

❛ It’s okay. I mean, you had… a lot of stuff… going on back then. ❜

❛ I think I have just enough time to slice someone open! ❜

❛ You do know there are cops all over the house? ❜

❛ You think this is all about you? You think you’re still the star? ❜

❛ You’ve done very well by all this bloodshed, haven’t you? ❜

❛ Well, how about the town you left behind? ❜

❛ I’m gonna slit your eyelids in half so you don’t blink when I stab you in the face. ❜

❛ But if you wanna be in the hospital, I’d be happy to put you there - in the morgue! ❜

❛ It’s kind of the one component the killer is missing. ❜

❛ You film your entire high school experience, and, what, post it on the 'net? ❜

❛ Well, if you wanna be the new, new version, the killer should be filming the murders. ❜

❛ Working on less of a Shrequel and more of a Screamake. ❜

❛ Ah, friends count, but it’s the family ties that cut deep. Am I right? ❜

❛ The ones you care about most. And what’s closer than family? The bond of blood. ❜

#unchained:meme #meme weekend

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blankdblank · 5 years

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Sango - Thranduil Prompt Request Pt 6

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 -

Tags –

@himoverflowers, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator, @sweeticedtea, @ggbbhehe4455, @thegreyberet, @patanghill17, @jesgisborne, @curvestrology, @alishlieb, @jogregor, @armitageadoration, @abiwim, @jotink78, @evyiione, @sweetlytenacious25

…

Two weeks, barely, that was all Tom’s attention hovered on you before his noticing the slimmer far more interesting female having much more scenes with him. You only had five weeks to film what shockingly few scenes you both as the lead couple had together. Thankfully you remained quite private, and never went past a peck on the cheek in public, holding the relationship between you as old friends to the world protecting what little pride you had left as the gaping hole in your chest bled just a little harder from his repeated abandoning of you.

All this through Lee’s sparce emails and texts wishing to start any sort of communications with you again. Alone and stoic you sat as usual on your sets, focusing on the script and notes from the director and writer wishing for you to get the role just right, sealing your reputation as dependable and dedicated in their minds. Though in all honesty it took all you had to not constantly be in tears on the set like you normally were in your newest b&b room making you feel like a giant at your need to hunch in several of the rooms.

In your third month a knock drew you from your bed, a low groan left you as you stood, reaching up to meet the roof reminding yourself not to hit it once again in the shifting roof height in the small office/mini apartment you had rented. Through the paned glass on the door to it you blinked adjusting to the bright sunlight soon dimmed by the giant body in front of it as they ruffled their hand through their hair after pulling off a cap. Under your breath you mumbled, “This, cannot be happening…Haven’t even had toast yet…”

Forcing a weak smile you unlocked and opened the door spotting Lee in his turn as he grinned at you anxiously. “Jaqi. Um.” His hand rose to rub the back of his neck unable to find the words.

“Your flight’s a bit early.”

“I caught a sooner one.” You nodded and he added, “I woke you up.”

You nodded, “After dark scenes yesterday.”

“Shit. Um.” His head tilted curiously as he asked, “After dark as in night time, or romance scenes?”

“Night time. Some firework car chase monstrosity. Had to sprint through alleys and a park for hours to time it just right on all the angles.”

“Ah. I feel even worse for waking you now.”

You shrugged, “I’m the only one to last the night without wheezing. You start up in three days still?”

He nodded, “Yes.” His eyes scanned over your shoulder towards the still packed suitcases stacked at the foot of your awkwardly small daybed in the opposite corner of the room across from the small couch and table across from the tiny imitation kitchen the room had offered. “If you have the supplies I could come in and make you breakfast, if you wanted.”

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He nodded, “Of course. Ya. I understand.” Wetting his lips he struggled against the urge to turn away only to glance back when you said his name.

“Lee.” His eyes met yours in a pleading expression only to narrow curiously as your hand rose and planted on the ceiling causing his lips to part and for him to lean down and peer inside seeing the other dips at the switching of areas in the apartment. “I have to duck in the toilet and bed area. Your role’s an actiony thing. I can’t have you hurting yourself.”

“Who did you rent this from, a Hobbit?”

You chuckled weakly, “Mrs Tilden is really nice. Barely four feet, but really nice. I’ve only got it another night anyways.”

His brows rose, “Then where are you going?”

You shrugged, “Saw some adds yesterday, but they’re not fond of the cameras. Had some troubles with actors before.”

“I,” He wet his lips again, “I’m renting a house, few blocks over, three spare beds. And it would give me a chance to apologize, and try and make it up to you. Your filming’s four months right?”

“Another three, actually. We managed to get a fair bit done already and something about flooding cut some of the travel scenes.”

He nodded again, “Well I’m here for four, so,”

With a sigh you turned, “I’m gonna get my shoes.”

A smile spread on his face and he crouched down with a chuckle and squeezed inside the doorway to get a better look of his place only making you giggle when you joined him again. “This, it is very homey.”

You rolled your eyes, “There was a lot of care put into it.” Missing his eyes scanning over the tight t shirt and jeans he loved on you then met your eyes with a more sullen expression.

“When I started acting I jumped on what I could. I had to focus on it. I know it’s a terrible excuse, but I really wanted to give you plenty of space to focus on it properly.”

“Not even five minutes a day, or even a week? You couldn’t just give me that?”

After a disappointed sigh aimed at himself he replied, “We were busy is such a pitiful reason to use. But it’s all I have.”

You nodded, “You could have texted me on the toilet if you had to.”

He couldn’t help it but his brow rose playfully, “You, wanted me to text you on the toilet?”

“It would have guaranteed me time.”

A smirk spread across his face, as he struggled to hold back a chuckle, “Yes it would have.” After a nip at his lip he said, “I promise, should, I win your trust, and possibly, just possibly get you to like me, even just a little again, I will promise you to always text you,” a chuckle left him as you rolled your eyes, “When I’m on the toilet.”

You giggled softly and nudged him towards the door. “Come on, you woke me, now you have to feed me.”

Lee chuckled leading the path to the door, “I feel like I should be recording these. For any future vows.” Making you giggle again, “No, I’m serious. Those are incredible vows. To always feed you when woken and to always text you on the toilet.” His smile grew when he was upright again outside watching you lock the door.

“I can imagine the looks of shame on your friend’s and family’s faces.”

“I think my Dad and Brother would be jealous not to have thought of them first.”

…

All together, since your first step towards dating after your fumble in the airport seven years had passed. Tears warmly still streamed down your cheeks through another sob you failed to contain as you packed your long since used duffel and large gym bag. On the message machine in the house once again Lee’s unnoticed recorded drunken conversation clicked off and saved when the machine went back to sleep until the next call would come in. Word after slurred word flowed freely from the man who’d so greatly changed since your first try together, one who’d hinted countless times at nearing popping a certain question. The hint of reluctance in your heart still lingered knowing just how poorly it would stand up against your first proposal, but you did truly love him, something his message paid no mind to at all.

Overall your pleasing personality and willingness to aid and support him through anything was a bit of an issue for him apparently, ‘too perfect’, was mentioned more than once. The sealing factor of his stated idea to simply ‘end it already’ was your pause in renewing your contacts with your agent and modeling agency. He simply didn’t understand why it would matter that when you had mentioned a feeling of not being safe in that modeling agency without any hard reasons not to, simply stating it was a decision a simple gut feeling shouldn’t stand in the way of when it came to the doubling of your salary and exposure.

He did, however find aiding in the hunt for a new acting agent a bit enjoyable for him as yours didn’t like your being with Lee. But the final stab was that he simply didn’t wish to be the guy having to follow up to your ‘supposedly perfect former fiancé’ one again the pit in your chest bled and pulsed painfully at the following cursing recounting of the proposal you had shared with him in confidence when you’d first gotten together.

Wiping your cheek you eyed the giant replica weapons encased in cloth that you shouldered out of some deep draw to take it with you as the voices of Richard, Martin and Graham had seemingly egged on stung in your mind’s replaying of the message. Somehow your greatest friends had thought it healing or helpful, in whatever way, to allow their drunken friend to spill all of this, obviously without realizing you had been listening in when he seemingly pocket dialed you. Yes you’d forgiven him, but not this time. Not when he’d been so cruel and they had so cheerfully egged him on, even adding in their own reasons to the list.

But as your hand settled on the doorknob your eyes clamped shut as you thought about martin’s first comment, “I told you, from the first time she had just fallen asleep in my home without so much as an invitation, she wasn’t the respectful sort.”

Not once had you ever been to Martin’s house, and Richard’s after being, “And those cakes she made. Whoever told that woman she could bake was painfully obtuse.”

Graham fired in not a moment after, “Then she just assumed she was free to claim my rum that once. Honestly, the jam bags on that one.”

Over your shoulder your ponytail swung drawing a faint jungle from the bell you’d woven back into your hair in your decision to leave. As it fell silent your eyes opened through a soft gasp as it clicked in your mind, It wasn’t a trail guide you’d lost but a King, in a world you were so painfully torn from.

A ring from your dusted off flip phone sounded signaling you to draw it out, in a glance at the scene your chest clenched seeing Martin’s name. After a momentary pause you hit talk and raised it to your ear hearing the echoing whispers of the shielded Hobbit currently hiding in the bathroom at Lee’s. “Jaqi, I, is this thing working?”

“I’m here.” Your voice wavered out.

“Oh, good! Well, it’s Bilbo. I’ve only a few moments left, Gandalf mentioned something about a time limit, Thorin and Dwalin were already pulled back.”

“Bil-.”

“Jaqi, I need you to know, Gandalf said something about returning to the crack. I’m not certain he knew where he was referring to, but, he said head to the crack and you’ll find the door there.”

“Crack?”

In an anxious glance around Bilbo stole a quizzical look at himself in the mirror before shaking his head and repeating, “It has to do with a memory about a hawk, one of your first you mentioned to Gandalf about your lost childhood.” A tingle went through his fingers as he felt himself starting to be pulled back again, “I have to go, he’s pulling me. We promised not to let you go back, come home.” A click on his screen later he’d set the phone down on the counter and felt his vision go blurry before his eyes opened to his room in Erebor again and he sat up first feeling his face then his hair and ears with a relieved sigh.

His eyes locked with Gandalf’s as he asked, “You told her where?”

Bilbo nodded, “Yes.”

Gandalf nodded with a soft smile, “Now the hardest part is up to her. To find this crack again.” His eyes met Thorin and Dwalin’s sullen figures slumped at the base of their chairs instantly feeling the hateful words they had urged out of the man poorly imitating your heart broken Husband still locked in his self imprisonment. Their eyes rose to meet the Wizard’s as he tapped their curled legs to say, “It is painful. But the ties had to be broken, or she would have stayed for any ties to him and you through the excruciating years time would grant her.”

They nodded and wiped their cheeks only to have Dwalin mumble, “Doesn’t make it feel any better. Breaking her heart like that.”

Gandalf, “I know. But, it will be worth it, to have her home again. Where she belongs.”

…

Closing your phone you looked to the door and exited, locking up and dropping the keys through the mail slot before you turned and eyed the taxi you’d called. One short ride after another you sat on a crowded bus staring out the window as it neared the next pit stop along the way to Arizona as you once again mumbled, “The crack. Really Gandalf…” with a sigh your mind wandered back to the first memory you had recounted to Gandalf on your prior trip to Middle Earth, one with your Cousins where you had befriended a hawk in the week long trip centered around the Grand Canyon. Softly again you mumbled, “I suppose it is rather small after seeing Moria and those tunnels.”

As the green around the long stretch of highway still lingered your mind wandered back to that first night in the King’s arms as you laid across his bed clinging to each other and peering out at the stars through his wall of windows. Against your neck Thranduil purred, “Which one do you wish for tonight?”

In a giggling reply you said, “When you word it like that it sounds like you’re gifting me the star Dew Drop.”

A smile spread across his lips as his head rose allowing yours to turn and face his, “What if I was?”

Your borrow rose, “I doubt the Valar would allow such a gift.”

He chuckled coolly and replied, “All the same, I humbly beg Eru, should you ever leave me, the stars are yours.” Your brow rose, “For I never wish to see them again in your absence.”

Warmly a tear streamed down your cheek as you could almost feel his lips on yours with his warm arms circling you tightly, drawing you to his chest once again. Shielding your sniffle you wiped your cheek and eyed the indent from the golden ring formerly on your finger, now zipped safely into your boot pocket again, wondering how it hadn’t affected you here after wearing it for so long.

With a sigh you were looking over the small rest stop around you before glancing at the small diner here only to snicker as your foot landed on the skateboard rolled in front of you through a pained ‘oof’ from the tall man having collapsed in a try at jumping the curb behind you. With a giggle you said, “Lio, you really are out of practice aren’t you?”

In an instant he leapt up to his feet softly saying, “Echo.”

The familiar voice drawing your eyes to the towering man with long curly raven hair down to his navel nearly with striking purple silver flecked eyes and small fangs identical to yours you recognized at once, “Ecthelion.”

A relieved chuckle stirred from him through tugging you into a tight yet brief hug then pulled back as he eyed you fully before curiously looking over the lands around you and asking in Ancient Elvish, “Where are we?”

“Just outside of California.” His brow rose, “It’s a bit of a long story. But Gandalf’s holding a door to get us back to Middle Earth.”

“Gandalf?”

“Oh, Olorin.” His face lit up, “One of the Isitari.”

As he glanced at the diner he wet his lips at the wafting scent of the food inside, “Are we stopping here to eat?”

You nodded and guided him inside as he bent to claim his skateboard, curious of why he was gifted the strange contraption. “So, how did you get here?”

He grinned at you, “I won the right to return to you from Namo.”

“How is that?”

His grin grew, “Chess.”

“But, it’s been Ages.”

He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed chuckle, “Well, it did take me quite a time to master the game.”

“So for ages you just kept playing him until you won?”

He nodded, opening the diner door for you and following you to the free one sided corner table with two small chairs on the sides along the walls granting him both closeness to you and room for anything he wished for. “How much do we have for food and expenses?”

“I’m quite wealthy here, order what you care to try.”

With a quizzical brow he eyed the menu unable to distinguish what anything was past the pictures and relented to asking what you enjoyed and requested a match to your order. His smile only grew as he accepted the spare hair tie you had offered to him to pull his hair into a large bun while you gave your orders to the waitress smirking at him before his eyes shifted to the glimmer of silver tucked in your curls resting against your back. Gently he gripped the bell and held it over your shoulder asking, “Who are you courting? I cannot read these runes.”

“King Thranduil.”

His lips parted under his focused furrowing brows before he said, “I know of no King Thranduil.”

“Son of King Oropher, of the Great Greenwood in Middle Earth.” He blinked at you still unable to retrace those names, “Well, Greenwood is barely touching the borders of Lothlorien, which used to be called, Lindórinand, King Amroth, I can’t remember his Father’s name. Um,”

“I know the lands, I believed they were under the care of Silvan Elves.”

“They were, see, King Opherion wasn’t a King. He and his family lived in Doriath, when that fell they fled and were chosen to lead those Elves and joined with the Silvan Elves in Greenwood, who also accepted him as their King.”

“Glorfindel approved of this match?”

“Well,” You both turned to smile at the waitress bringing your food and thank her before you eyed him in his pleased inspection of the grilled chicken and baked veggies you had picked for you both before he claimed a sip of the iced peach tea you had also chosen with a pleased hum then glanced at you again. “At first, the gap between when I was taken from Gondolin and when I woke up in Middle Earth after, Olorin, had brought be there from this world, I couldn’t remember nearly all of it, or any of my former life in Valinor.” His expression shifted seriously as your words sank in. “For months I was on a journey to reclaim the homeland of my close friends, the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, where I met Thranduil. It wasn’t until we traveled to Moria after reclaiming Erebor that we passed Lolthorien, where Glorfindel spotted me, just a couple days before I was drug back here again.”

“Why here?”

You lowered your glass from the sip you’d taken and raised your fork in your hand, “Lady Galadriel, from Finwe’s line,” he nodded understanding the line you were referring to, “She got a ring of power, one of the Elven three, which she traded, certain people, to increase her power and beauty.”

“People, what people?”

“Gondolin.” His lips parted, “She traded the secret barriers, and me to gain power.”

“What right does she imagine she has to barter for your place so carelessly?!” He asked in a hushed whisper.

“I wasn’t the last. I’ve seen Aredhel here.” His brow rose, “Though her time here has done nothing towards her manners or cares for others.”

“Who else?”

“I’m not certain how many. I did hear from the Dragon that stole me she also was ordered to hand over her own Daughter as well.”

“When we return remind me to behead this so called Lady.”

“She’s trapped here. Followed be back after I destroyed her ring, tried to drag me back again. Eventually had to release control over her double’s body when the last of her strength faded.”

A proud smirk eased on his lips as he eyed his baby Sister and her new found strength he hated you had to find on your own, somehow seeing the pain this world had inflicted on you in your eyes. “I am glad to hear it. I cannot wait to see this Middle Earth and especially this King of yours.”

That night you guided your Brother to the motel near the bus stop and booked a room, accepting the last single bed room that he inspected curiously before taking his turn to bathe after you had, then smiled softly and joined you on the bed eyeing the food you had ordered and set there. Happily he sunk into sleep, full from the pizzas and smiling as he held you in his arms after your nestling there. The following morning with your bags and his on your shoulders he walked beside you on the street you were following that took you straight to the Grand Canyon national park. In awe he looked over these lands following after you, all through the park you followed the same paths you had all those years ago before your lips parted as you remembered exactly where you had found that hawk.

It took a few days but you had wandered your way back onto the same path you’d had to get lost all those years back to find. Peacefully you both shared all your times and pains the separating ages had left you to face through your near three week long hike. By the start of the fourth all those paths and rivers you had to cross had found you located outside a familiar crack in the rocky wall far too high to glimpse the sunlight over when you stood in its shadow. A smile slid onto your lips as you could feel a tingling in your fingers and wove your fingers with your Brother’s, who smiled against his nerves at the strange sensation, and followed you inside.

…

Seated along the wall of his bedroom Thranduil lost in his stoic silent pit of despair his eyes wandered from the bed again back to the doors of his balcony as his Son, who he’d somehow missed entering, had opened allowing a fresh breeze inside the room, nice and warm in the early night air as the first signs of spring were nearing. With a glance back at his Father’s blood shot eyes Legolas said, “Ada, you need some fresh air.”

Against his control his body rose at the notice of the time as interim King having left an exhausting weighty stoic expression on the once constantly smiling and soft, pleased by the simplest of things now unable to stir the smile it once did at his and his Father’s shared pain. Stiffly he walked to the balcony doors asking with his eyes aimed at the gardens below, unable to bear the pain of not seeing the stars you loved so dearly yet again, “The Niphredil constellation, is it shining brightly tonight?”

Under curiously furrowed brows Legolas once again eyed the sky confirming the presence of one of your favorites that had claimed its yearly chance to shine brighter, “Yes Ada. Just over the eastern tower.”

The King nodded, “Exactly where it’s meant to be. I hope she’s enjoying it, to ease her pain, at least.”

“Ada, Mithrandir gave his word, and Bilbo sent word, they had made contact and given her the instructions to the doorway.”

After a deep sigh Thranduil replied, clenching his fists on the thick marble railing, “Three months she’s been gone. And all the peace he can offer is to wait.” In a pained groan he turned to go back inside only to pause in the doorway at a soft flicker he caught in the corner of his eye. Slowly his eyes shifted to the glass reflecting small dots he got a clearer view of by shifting the door closer to him before he eyed the sky with parted lips. The small speckled reflected in his eyes, formerly absent since your parting drew a gasp from the Prince now growing an elated smile.

“Ada.”

A tear streamed down the King’s cheek as he whispered, “Thank Eru, our stars have returned.”

His eyes lowered to his beaming Son with a tear of his own streaking down his face, only to turn at the ghostly whisper signaling the appearance of the King of Dunharrow who bowed his head to the pair, “The Queen is nearly to Gondor.” The ghostly eyes scanned over them both, “I will pass the word to the Dwarves, she is calling to us.” Before questions could be asked the ghost King vanished leaving the pair to glance at one another before darting to the King’s closet to dress him quickly.

Deep in the Elven halls and the nearby green marble kingdom shouts for the preparations for marching to aid the stolen Queen filled each corner as all able and willing, except by direct order to remain behind for order or protecting the keep, the men readied to march. Though for all their eagerness the Dwarves could spare few, leaving simply the King and two advising Cousins, Balin and Dwalin alongside Bilbo readied to ride along with the Elf King and Prince leading their small legion of Elves ready to encounter anything. Nearly doubling when Lord Celeborn and Glorfindel joined them with even more protection for the Lords and Kings among them.

All watching the stars for the truest path as the Elf King relished the chance to see his most precious gift to you, once again promising his chance to hold you under them the first night he was able to share with you wherever he would find you. No matter what, his Queen was home.

Pt 7

#Lee Pace x Reader OC #Thranduil x Reader OC #Hobbit #lotr

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ilvsyzj · 3 years

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Chapter Nineteen: Mission #1- Finding Toothless’ Partner and Finding Sophia and Rich Secret.

Mission Day #0

When I asked my questions none of the boys spoke. They just stare at the floor. It’s was like they had a secret that they were afraid to tell me. But the Healers were there and they explained it to me.

Sarah: Before you came into Sky’s life. Sophia always thought that Sky would be hers. But the Goddess had a different plan for her. When Sophia went to the Oracle Mansion on her 18th birthday. It wasn’t Sky that became her soul mate it was Rich. When she saw it wasn’t the person that she has been dreaming about ever since she was a little girl, she got really upset. She and Rich never got out of the Friendship Phase. Because Sophia thought that Sky wouldn’t find his true soul mate. So, all she had to do was show up at the Oracle Mansion when there is Soul Mate Searching Party. She try to flirt with Sky and even try to get into his pants. But Sky just stopped her in her tracks before she could go even further. Sophia, thought Sky was playing hard to get. But he wasn’t. Sky doesn’t like Sophia at all. He only pretends to be friendly with her because we all have to work together as a team. But the truth is Sophia isn’t a really nice person. If she can’t get what she wanted then she will stop anyone from having what she wants. Sophia never said anything to you for a whole week is because she knows that Sky is going to defend you. But when Sophia found out that you were Sky’s soul mate, she became really jealous and would come up with plans to make you either sick or hurt you. But the boys could see through Sophia’s plans and by the time you come downstairs everything is right. For example, when you and Sky is suppose to exercise on Sunday nights. The treadmill that you use is raised up 40 degrees higher then usual. Vicky usually exercise on Sunday nights. So, Vicky will lower your treadmill back to your normal level. When you’re about to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sophia always put rat poison in your food. But Charlie would always swap it out for a fresh plate. All of these things are done by Sophia because she is jealous of you and mad at the Goddess for not being fair. As for why Sophia want to join King Eric. Well, that’s because King You had send her family into exile. Why Sophia’s family is in exile is because Sophia’s family were a bunch of robbers. They say they would change and not steal from anyone else. But since Sophia’s family are poor they have to rob others so they can survive. Sophia’s family tried to rob the Royal Family. But instead Sophia’s family killed something that was very dear to the Royal Family’s heart. That something was Frankie. Frankie was only 3 years old when he died. CCTV caught Sophia’s brother Max stabbing Frankie in the heart. So, Sophia traded her freedom to have her family to be exile while she stayed and train hard to become a Healer. Sophia wasn’t suppose to be a Healer. Because Sophia doesn’t have to the power to heal. But the power to kill. King You knew Sophia doesn’t have the healing power, but she traded her freedom to become a healer so that her family doesn’t have to die. Sophia’s freedom was to leave Sky alone and stop flirting with him. King Eric accepted Sophia’s family and they became hunters. But Sophia’s father wouldn’t leave his only daughter behind so he made a deal with King Eric, and that deal is to become loyal to King Eric. By becoming a hunter for life. If Mr. Gong did that then King Eric will get Sophia back to her family. Of course Sophia heard this and accept, but she has to stay in our team for a bit longer. Because King Eric wants to take over Mythical Kingdom. Sophia is the perfect choice to be their mole, and King Eric offered Rich the same plan. At first Rich didn’t want it but King Eric told Rich that he has a way to free Lee from prison. So Rich became the second mole. King Eric never liked the Mythical Kingdom and whomever becomes the strongest Royal Couple will be the end of King Eric.

Jazzy: What is a strongest Royal Couple?

William: It’s called the Yin Yang Royal Couple. It is very rare. No one has come close becoming the Yin Yang Royal Couple. It said that the Yin Yang Royal Couple will bring peace to Mythical Kingdom.

Jazzy: Oh. Well, now that we all know that there’s two moles on our team. We’ll just leave it be. Tomorrow we will get Snow and if they keep up with their stupidity then let them.

Sky: What are you saying?

Jazzy: If King Eric wants to take over Mythical Kingdom. Let him. We just have to train hard and defend Mythical Kingdom. I don’t believe we can’t defend our home. So for now, we’ll just pretend that we don’t know about Rich and Sophia’s secret. I don’t want them to run away from us. I want to catch them red handed. But right now it’s not the time. Keep training hard and let them leak information to King Eric.

Jeff: What if King You finds out about this?

Jazzy: -looking around the house and out the window- King You already knows about this. If he disapprove of what I’m planning then Sebastian would come and stop me on his behalf. Sebastian is King You’s advisor and he is also our guard who keeps an eye on us. The entire might not have any CCTVs but I have a feeling that there is CCTVs. Its just tinier and we can’t see it. But its there. I may not say much most of the time, but I can sense things. Before any one knows. Also, I’m not stupid as most people think I am. I may not tell you all what I’m planning, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a plan. My plan is to train hard and act like we didn’t find out about their secret. Let’s just through this last 4 weeks.

Brandy: What if they attack first?

Jazzy: They won’t attack. It’s too early. My gut is telling me that they would attack later in the year. Also, King Eric doesn’t want Yin Yang Royal Couple. King Eric wants something bigger. Something that no one knows about. He thinks getting rid of Toothless and Snow, he would find what he’s looking for. Because King Eric thinks that Toothless and Snow is the key to something bigger.

Sky: Like what?

Jazzy: Who knows. But it has to do with Mythical Kingdom. Something inside Mythical Kingdom. But we can’t just go charging in. That will be too dangerous. Training is our only option.

Charlie: You’re not going turn into a monster are you?

Jazzy: -laughing- No. But first Toothless, you really stink. You need a bath. A real bath.

Toothless: Finally.

I took Toothless to the bathroom and gave him a good scrubbing. 45 minutes later Toothless is back to his old self. I also cleaned up the entire house. Because it smell like a dumpster. 2 hours later the house was back to normal. We didn’t get to bed until 2 am. Tomorrow morning we will continue our journey to Hunters Island.

-End of Day 0-

Mission Day #1, Getting Snow.

The next morning we all had coffee and breakfast. Put on our walkie-talkies and set out. Toothless stayed at home with Sky and everyone else. While I, Will, Mike, Phil, and Sam went to the island. The new plan is for Mike to make the rest of us invisible. I knew that King Eric will move Snow into a different location, to make everything a little bit difficult. But that’s okay. I’m familiar with Snow scent so finding her wouldn’t be so hard. But I want to test the hunters. I know that King Eric is going to let us rescue Snow without attacking us. But after hearing what was said last night. I too want to test them. 20 minutes later we found Snow, she was in a cage sleeping. The poor thing was super skinny and scare. But when Snow knew I was there to help her and not hurt her. Since I don’t have the key to unlock her cage, I actually used my fire power to open the cage door. I was more surprised that I didn’t melt the entire cage. Mike used his invisibility to cloak Snow. We went back to the house without any problems. None of the hunters or King Eric came after us. This mission took no more than 30 minutes. I try to give Snow a bath which she didn’t like and she almost scratch the crap out me. So, I ask Sky to help me. To my surprise Snow like Sky and quietly let him bath her.

I left the bathroom and went to get my phone. I want to find out more about Yin Yang Royal Couple. So the best person to ask was Siri. That’s what I did.

Jazzy: Hey Siri!

Siri: Yes.

Jazzy: I need more information on Yin Yang Royal Couple.

Siri: Yin Yang Royal Couple is a very rare couple. In a thousand years there was only one pair couple who have reached this stage of life. It was Goddess herself and her lover. Yin Yang Royal Couple is very powerful, they have the ability to heal anything that they touched. To achieve this stage you first need to find a soul mate, then you need to find a black cat and white cat, and then you need to have the Mating Mark. Once you have all these things then you have to keep training. The more you grow the stronger you’ll be. That’s all the information I have on the Yin Yang Royal Couple.

Jazzy: Thanks Siri.

Siri: No problem. Princess.

Well, I have one black cat and one white cat. I have a soul mate. But I don’t have the Mating Mark yet. Also, I’m not strong enough. But my gut tells me that the Yin Yang Royal Couple is Sky and I. Why? Because Snow wouldn’t have allow Sky give her a bath, and Toothless wouldn’t have cuddle me every single day.

Sky: Why were you asking Siri about Yin Yang Royal Couple?

Jazzy: Eek! -jumping out of my skin-

Sky: Sorry.

Snow: Meow?

Jazzy: Because I want to know more about it. But Siri didn’t give that much information. All she said was how to become a Yin Yang Royal Couple. And that the Goddess and her lover reached the Yin Yang Royal Couple stage.

Sky: You think its us?

Jazzy: That’s what my gut is telling me. Toothless has been cuddling me for a week and half now. Snow, would only let you bath her. She almost scratch the heck out me. I think Toothless is my Yin and Snow is your Yang. Siri also said that the harder we train the stronger we get. The only royal I know is you. And Siri won’t stop calling me Princess every time I thank her for something. Unless you’re going to tell me that there’s more than one royal member on our team.

Sky: No. I’m the only royal. The boys are from noble families. Their families were middle class families that rose to the noble ranks. When I become King the boys would become Lords. Same with the girls.

Jazzy: Well, that’s that. -smiling- Snow really likes you.

Snow: I apologized for almost scratching you Princess. I don’t really like the way you were bathing me. You were scrubbing me too hard.

Jazzy: I’m sorry. I was trying to get the stink out, and scrubbing you hard was the only way I can get it out. But if you like Sky can give you a bath when you need it. And I’ll give Toothless a bath when he needs it.

Snow: You’re not mad Princess?

Jazzy: Why would I be mad. :) If you don’t like something that I’m doing please let me know. I’ll be happy to change it. I just want you to feel comfortable, loved, and be safe. Nothing else. :)

Snow: Okay.

Jazzy: Hey Siri!

Siri: Yes.

Jazzy: Why am I being called a Princess?

Siri: Because you’re soul mate is a Prince.

Jazzy: Oh. Is that the right title I’m suppose go by?

Siri: Yes. Your current title is Royal Princess Jazzy Tam.

Jazzy: Do all get that title when you’re dating any member of the Royal Family?

Siri: Yes.

Jazzy: Thanks Siri.

Siri: No problem. Princess.

Sky: I could’ve answer that question for you.

Jazzy: Yes. But I have a feeling that you might tell me some weird answer.

Sky: Like?

Jazzy: Something like you’re a prince and that automatically make me a princess.

Sky: -laughing- That’s the answer I will give you.

Jazzy: Ugh! -playfully pushes Sky away-

While Sky and I was talking Snow went to Toothless bowl and started eating his dinner. Drank his water and now she is sleeping. While Sky was fooling around.

Toothless: -biting Jazzy ankle-

Jazzy: Ow!

Toothless: Hungry. Thirsty.

Jazzy: I put food in your bowl. Also there’s water in your water bowl.

Toothless: Snow ate and drank it all. My bowls are empty. Feed me now! Or I bite. -going for Jazzy’s ankle again-

Jazzy: Okay! You crazy cat.

I refilled Toothless’ bowls. Toothless happily ate and drank. Snow finished cleaning herself and looked at me.

Jazzy: -smiling-

Snow: Sorry. I was too hungry and thirsty to wait any longer.

Jazzy: -smiling- That’s okay. Tomorrow is Friday. Sky and I will go shopping for you.

Sky: Snow, I made you an appointment to see a vet tomorrow morning.

Snow: -hissing and growling-

Jazzy: Snow, you been in that cage for Goddess know how long. We need to make sure you’re okay. We want you to be healthy. And not sick. No one likes going to the doctors. But everyone needs a physical check up every now and then. I would’ve go with you but I have report to write. You’ll be find. Also, Sky will buy you nice water bowl and food bowl. Let me know what you like eat and I’ll make it for you. -smiling-

Snow: Promise?

Jazzy: Mhm. -smiling-

Snow: Find. I’ll go. But I’m not going to be happy about it.

Toothless: You’ll be find Snow. -jumping up to the bed-

Snow turned up her nose at Toothless, and curl up in between Sky and my pillows. I sense that Snow didn’t like Toothless that much. But I know they will be friends in no time. I went to shower and then start writing my report and catch up with my homework. I was so busy that I didn’t noticed that there was a knock on our bedroom door. Sky opened it and it was Mike.

Sky: Dude, you’re not suppose to be on this floor.

Mike: I know. But none of you answer your phones. So, I have no choice but to come knocking.

Sky: Well, make it fast. What is it? Or we all going to be in trouble.

Mike: Dinner’s ready.

Sky: You could’ve scream that. We could’ve hear you.

Mike: We have done enough screaming this week.

Sky: True. We’ll be right down.

Mike: Mhm.

Sky and I went downstairs to eat dinner. Then we did our usual routine and then we went back to our rooms. I finished the report and my homework. Sky was reading, Toothless and Snow was sleeping. I was about to go to bed when the alarms of the house went off. Snow freaked out by the sound, Toothless went on high alert with his hissing and growling. Sky and I ran downstairs with everyone else. We went outside and found the King himself trying to turn off our sensor alarms. Mike went to turn it off.

Sky: Dad? What are you doing here?

King You: -sheepish- Sorry, I forgot the pass code. I’m here to talk to you guys. Sebastian isn’t at his usual spot. He probably went to eat dinner.

Sebastian: -running towards us- Your Majesty! What are you doing here?

King You: I’m here to talk to them. I forgot the passcode. Sorry for tripping the alarm.

Sebastian: Oh. It’s my fault I wasn’t at my spot. I was taking a shower.

King You: It’s fine. Go finish your shower. I’ll just talk to the young ones. -smiling-

Sebastian: Yes, your majesty. -bowing-

Sebastian went back to his house to finish his shower. The King and the rest of us went back inside the house. Charlie gave King You some tea to drink and we all sat down in the Common Room.

Sky: Dad, is something the matter?

King You: King Eric, contact me and he said that for now he wouldn’t declare war on Mythical Kingdom. But in the future he will declare war with us.

Kelly: What?! Why?!

King You: Because King Eric still wants the Ultimate Prize. But he said that you guys got Snow, so he’s letting us with a warning. King Eric also said that Mythical Kingdom don’t have the Ultimate Prize, because he couldn’t feel it’s energy yesterday when he and his army was here. But he said that in the future the Ultimate Prize will be at Mythical Kingdom.

Jazzy: -confused- Sorry. I don’t understand. What is the Ultimate Prize?

King You: The Ultimate Prize is not a what. It’s a whom.

Jazzy: -confused- Huh?

King You: To simply put it. The Ultimate Prize is the Yin Yang Royal Couple.

Jazzy: -shocked- What?! King Eric is after Sky and myself?!

King You: Mhm.

Jazzy: Why?

King You: Because if King Eric doesn’t destroy you and Sky. Then he won’t win. The Ultimate Prize is the heart of Mythical Kingdom. With it everyone and everything will be at peace. The Ultimate Prize is very powerful. The Oracle said that the Ultimate Prize is the only thing that would heal everything that is hurting. But you and Sky hasn’t have that much training. So, King Eric decided to give you the chance to train and grow. Then in the future he will have an even fighting field with you.

Jazzy: What did I ever do to King Eric? For him to hate me so much.

Kelly: Because you’re Sky’s soul mate. You two are the Royal Couple.

Jazzy: -angry- That’s a stupid excuse. If I ever heard one.

Sky: Ever since I was a kid, all the dark forces are after me. I rather die if it would make the dark forces stop looking for me and my love ones.

King You: That’s why I never told Sky to Oracle Mansion when the Soul Searching Party. Because I didn’t want him to find his soul mate. Because I didn’t want both of you be the focus point of King Eric.

Sarah: You’re protecting them.

King You: Mhm.

Jazzy: Your Majesty. You’re not being honest with me. Please tell me the whole truth.

King You: Okay. The Ultimate Prize is the Yin Yang Royal Couple. The strongest couple there is. They are the guardians of Mythical Kingdom. A thousand years ago, Goddess and her love were the first Yin Yang Royal Couple. They would protect, heal, and fight what is right for Mythical Kingdom. All kinds of dark forces will always come after them, and try their hardest to bring them down. Each year there would be millions of wars between Mythical Kingdom and the dark forces. Each year more and more mythical creatures die along with the humans. But each time the Goddess and lover would defeat all the dark forces. After the wars Goddess and her lover would use their power to rebuild and heal everything and everyone. The sad thing about the Yin Yang Royal Couple is that when they use too much of their power, they become very weak and it takes them months or years to be fully recharge. The last dark forces was the ones take down Goddess and her lover when they were at it weakest. It was King Eric’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather who took down Goddess and her lover.

Jazzy: Please don’t tell me that for Sky and I to be fully recharge is having sex after each war.

King You: -laughing- Goodness no. The Queen and I don’t want a million grandchildren. The only why for Goddess and her lover to recharge was to go to the Healing Spring. They were about to go to the Healing Spring when they were attacked. The Healing Spring is the most powerful source of healing for anyone who need an emergency recharge. But if you use the Healing Spring too much it can lose it’s power. That’s why we don’t use the Healing Spring that often, because we have healers. Now, I don’t know how the Goddess and her lover use their powers to heal and rebuild things. But the Oracle did tell me that Goddess herself has the power of fire and her lover’s power is ice. Their combine power is wind. Also, the Goddess always have a black cat following her, and her lover always have a white cat following him. When the Goddess and her lover died, the black cat and white cat disappeared. When all four of them were gone Mythical Kingdom went down hill from there.

Sky: Jazzy, and I aren’t safe. King Eric is waiting to attack us when Jazzy and I are strong enough. What if we don’t train? Would King Eric still come after us?

King You: It doesn’t matter. Whether you train or not. King Eric will still come after you. The only way King Eric won’t come after you is when you both chose not to use the Yin Yang Royal Couple powers. But I’m calling his bluff. To be honest with you all, King Eric isn’t going to stop hunting you both down until he destroys you both. Then we have to wait for another thousand years for a new Yin Yang Royal Couple. By then we will all be hunters or slaves.

Kelly: -angry- That’s not fair!

William: Kel, life isn’t always fair.

Kelly: -angry- Well, we can protect them. We’ll train harder and we will protect Sky and Jazzy. If King Eric wants a war, then he’ll get a war.

King You: You can’t always protect Sky and Jazzy forever. What are you going to do? Hide them in a cave for the rest of their lives.

Jazzy: No one can protect Sky and I forever. But what King Eric doesn’t want is something that has to do with the Yin Yang Royal Couple and R.M.C. Hey Siri!

Siri: Yes.

Jazzy: What happens when the Yin Yang Royal Couple and R.M.C. combine together?

Siri: When the Yin Yang Royal Couple and the R.M.C. come together they become the Ultimate Power. They are called Yin Yang Royal Mythical Court. A very powerful team that can help rebuild and heal everyone in the Mythical Kingdom. And destroy King Eric and his army. King Eric is most afraid of the Y.Y.R.M.C. Any questions?

Jazzy: No. Thanks Siri.

Siri: No problem. Princess.

Jazzy: Okay. Let’s get through the next 4 weeks. Sitting around and moping around isn’t going to help. If King Eric is afraid of Y.Y.R.M.C. then lets show him that we are not weaklings. Let him watch and see how strong we can be.

Sarah: Can we actually do this?

Jazzy: We can do anything when we put our hearts into it, and never giving up. -smiling-

Sky: Mhm. Okay, we have classes tomorrow.

King You: Actually, you don’t have classes tomorrow. Because you’re on a mission.

Sky: But we finish our mission.

King You: I know. But after a mission you have the right to rest. So Sebastian already collected Jazzy’s report. I’ll be looking forward to be reading it. So tomorrow, just relax and do whatever you want. In the future there will be more missions to come. So don’t give up.

Sebastian: Also, you don’t have to do any chores this weekend.

Jazzy: Eek! -jumping out of my skin-

Sebastian: Sorry.

King You: -laughing-

Jazzy: Can I make an request?

King You: Go ahead.

Jazzy: From now on Sebastian can’t pop in and out while we’re in this house. He has to make some kind of sound. I don’t want him scaring me until I graduate. Or I might turn him into a toad.

King You and Sky: -laughing-

Jazzy: At least a toad would make some noise.

Sky: Seb, you better do as she says. Otherwise, I think she will turn you into a toad.

Sebastian: Yes, Princess.

King You: Alright, I’m going home. Otherwise the Queen might think I’m with one of my mistresses.

Everyone: Goodbye Your Majesty.

After the King left, Sebastian went back to his own home, and we went to bed.

-End of Chapter Nineteen-

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