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makeste · 5 months

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BnHA Chapter 409: Bro I’m Straight Up Having a Good Time

Previously on BnHA: AFO murdered his brother like the mischievous knave he is. Bruce was all, “hey Kudou don’t look now but I think Yoichi might have given you his secret quirk that we didn’t know he had.” Kudou was all, “damn that’s wild, it almost feels like this is a pivotal moment that will change all our destinies forever, you’d think Horikoshi would have spent just a little more time elaborating on this but I GUESS NOT.” Back in the present day, AFO was all, “I’m just going to use all my quirks at once because fuck this kid,” and Katsuki was all, “lol oh shit.”

Today on BnHA: Kacchan is all, “okay, I know I should be hopelessly outclassed, but hear me out: what if I just win anyway. What if I just go ahead and blow his shit up, because this is the final battle, and this is what all of my character development has been building up to since day one. What if I just beat him, because I’m the guy who wins. Simple as that. What if I just kick his ass with my one quirk, and prove all the haters wrong.” Horikoshi is all, “okay, sure.” AFO is all, “wait, wha -- ”

oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my g

huh. well I wasn’t expecting to start tearing up less than two panels into this chapter but HERE WE ARE

I love that he’s screaming and crying with his balled up little fist right from the get go lol. he was born a pissed off baby

he’s so squishy

and so tiny!!!!?!?! !?!??!?!

and he was RAISED WITH LOVE. fucking thank you, lol. gonna print that out and frame it on my wall. turn it into a flashing neon sign to give me comfort any time I stumble across stray Mitsuki discourse lol

anyway. oh my goodness. if this is a sign of things to come, there’s a very strong possibility this chapter may destroy me. how exciting!!

yep. yep yep yep. this is for sure going to be the chapter that finally does me in. it’s been a great ride folks

you better not be thinking any thoughts about dying, young man. this had better be meant in the sense of “because I’ll be by your side supporting you instead”, as opposed to “because I will be a little pile of dust in about three seconds’ time oh shit”

(ETA: after finishing the rest of the chapter, I’m pretty sure it’s the former! the first flashback is a reference to his chapter 120 speech -- “even higher than you, Chosen One.” the second is a throwback to chapter 247, when he told Endeavor he only had his one quirk, but it was strong enough to do anything he wanted to do. and the third flashback is one he also had at Jakku when he sacrificed himself to push Izuku out of the way.

so to me, this reads like (1) a reminder of his determination to surpass Izuku and become the strongest hero; (2) foreshadowing for him defeating AFO with Explosion, the Little Quirk That Could; and (3) a reminder of his “origin.” that last one being important because nowadays it’s just as strong of a motivator as his original goal. back at the beginning of the series, all he cared about was being the strongest. now, though, he’s not just fighting for himself; he’s also fighting to atone, and he’s learned to put himself aside if necessary.

as for the dialogue, this reads like a continuation of his mental conversation with Izuku that he began in chapter 362 (“gotta win... right, Izuku?” “so, Izuku... can I still catch up to you?”), and then continued in chapter 406 (“for some reason, I feel like I could overtake you now”). so in that context, “I’ll no longer get in your way” basically means that he’s done chasing Izuku, and that he’s caught up now and can hold his own. his determination to get stronger hasn’t wavered. his confidence in his own quirk and his own skills hasn’t wavered. and his resolve to atone for everything he did to Izuku is as strong as ever. put those all together, and we have the recipe for quite a spectacular redemption fight. his follow-up to chapter 362.

because earlier when he fought Tomura/AFO, he was basically just trying to buy time. no one ever planned or expected him to have to face the Big Bad one-on-one; that was supposed to be Izuku’s job. he was only meant to be there as support. and in the end he wasn’t strong enough, and he nearly died. and rather than being able to support Izuku, he ended up being used against him.

but this time is different. he’s no longer the decoy, the distraction. he’s no longer the pebble. he won’t get in Izuku’s way, because this time he’s going to be strong enough to win the fight. he’s going to hold his own, and get the job done.

so yeah. “I won’t get in your way” = “you can depend on me”, basically. because he’s become that guy at last. the guy who shows up in the clutch and wins the day. the hero he always wanted to be. good stuff.)

OH MY GOD

once again, just really solid hero advice from All Might here. there’s a reason he’s the GOAT

lol but in all seriousness it does tug at my heart to see him shouting so desperately at this kid. especially knowing that he’s presumably feeling the same pride and awe that I am, but with a lot more heart-stopping terror mixed in because unlike me, All Might doesn’t know that Kacchan is actually going to live forever. he narrated chapter 285, All Might, have a little faith

AFO is the extra-est mfer to ever live. but also it really tickles me to think that Kacchan pissed him off THIS much. it’s kind of an honor in a way

of course his plan is to simply just blow AFO up. of fucking COURSE it is. maybe there will be brain cells later on in this chapter, but for now who even needs them lol

OH MY GOD?!?

DID THIS MOTHERFUCKER JUST BLOW THE FUCK UP FROM THE INSIDE?? am I seeing this right?? DID KACCHAN JUST SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST ALL FOR ONE WITH HIS MIND

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

(ETA: shoutout to AFO for being so analytical when I personally would have just been screaming, “OH MY GOD MY FUCKING EYEBALLS AHHHHHHHHHH.”)

THAT’S WHAT I’M SAYING THOUGH!! HIS POWER WASN’T DONE AWAKENING YET, APPARENTLY??

oh no wait it’s even better. this isn’t Awakening at all, this is just Katsuki playing 5D chess

so he actually did have brain cells the whole time then! Katsuki I sincerely apologize. you somehow had the presence of mind to make a goddamn minefield even in the midst of all of this hullaballoo

AND HE’S HUMBLE TOO LMAO

it’s true!! I’m people!! please ignore the multitude of times I’ve previously called him a dumbass, including earlier in this very chapter lol

hahahahaha yesssssssss

this chapter is incredibly validating for a number of reasons. I’m going to attempt to remain calm about it. but I’m enjoying this a lot ngl

oh AFO

:D :D :D

(ETA: you know what, I actually do have more to say about this. because I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve debated with people about this very thing, lol. for a while there post-Jakku it was just constant pessimism about Kacchan’s future in the manga. all this stuff about how Katsuki doesn’t have a main villain. Katsuki isn’t important enough. Katsuki is being phased out. Katsuki isn’t strong enough. Katsuki’s done developing. Katsuki’s just a joke character now. Katsuki’s just the damsel in distress. Katsuki’s always going to be second fiddle to Izuku. etc. etc. etc.

and then this chapter -- this whole entire fight, really -- comes along, and it’s just nonstop rebuttals, lol. and it’s not just that he’s proving all the negativity wrong. it’s that he doesn’t even care about any of that. AFO is out here trying to goad him with that same “YOU’RE JUST A SIDE CHARACTER” bait, and in response Katsuki just hits him with a Howitzer and tells him to shut the fuck up. AFO thinks he can get to him by being petty, because AFO still sees him as the bratty kid from the Sports Festival. but the present day Katsuki has long since moved past all of that, and no longer gives a fuck whether or not he shares the spotlight. unlike AFO, who never lost his childish egotism, Katsuki has learned to see outside himself, and the resulting growth has made him a bigger badass than AFO could ever hope to be.)

(۶•̀ᴗ•́)۶

ouch

HAHAHAHAHA

bro I’m straight up having a good time. this recap is gonna suck this week because there’s absolutely no commentary I can think of to add other than “I’M REALLY ENJOYING THIS, THIS IS GREAT”

I want to take this entire chapter and get it tattooed on my face

sorry AFO. this must really suck for you

lmao. is that all Kacchan. tell him how you really feel

OH MY GOD NO WAY LOL

so, fun fact, I literally just read chapter 385 last night lmao. most fortunate timing I’ve ever had, holy shit

okay so lemme just add some more thoughts on this one really quick

Hawks deserves all the nice things in the world and I’m so sad I can’t give them to him, but at least he gets this. sweet sassy revenge

I am once again calling everyone’s attention to the fact that AFO continues to be his own undoing. congrats on screwing yourself over bucko

Kacchan’s sleeve ripping up Deku-style is once again making my Plus OFA Theory senses all tingly. it probably is just a coincidence and has nothing to do with OFA, but I can’t unassociate it now, so I’m just gonna sit here and read as much into it as possible

if I had a nickel for every time AFO’s eyes blew up in this chapter, I would have two nickels, and that is way too many fucking nickels jesus christ

ever since he came back from the dead, Kacchan’s been doing this thing where he is just really pretty at all times, even when he is being a gremlin. and honestly it’s taken some getting used to, although I’m not complaining

but like in this panel especially, it just really stands out to me how even his “GRYAHHH I’M GONNA KILL YA!!!” face somehow has this really cool, intense, piercing glare now and he no longer looks like a baby troll when he does this kind of thing lol

OH FUCK YEAH

୧༼✿ ͡◕ д ◕͡ ༽୨

“THERE’S NO WAY I COULD’VE WON THIS ALONE.” OMG. THAT KACCHAN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT JUST HITS DIFFERENT EVERY DAMN TIME, I SWEAR

he and Hawks basically pulled a “you hold him and I’ll punch” lol. thanks for the assist Hawks

Mitsuki and Masaru being all, “my little baby boy!!” and “HOLY SHIT”, respectively, sent me all the way to the moon lmao

HELLO THERE YOICHI? fancy running into you here. just chilling out over in this montage of people close to Bakugou who are watching him kick ass. did you take a wrong turn, mayhap. you’re not inside of AFO, we know that much. and Deku, much as I’m sure he’d love to have a front row seat to all this, seems to have his hands full dealing with Tomura right now, sadly

so all of that does seem to raise an interesting question, no? where did you come from just now, and why? and when Kacchan says he’s not alone, is there perhaps more truth to that statement than even he knows? or am I once again just reading way too much into this lmao

anyway so yeah! that sure was fun. and with the end of the year approaching and back-to-back two-week chapter breaks coming up, I have a chance to do the funniest thing of all time, and still not manage to catch up, lol. nah but I’m gonna try my best though. pretty sure I should be able to manage

#bnha 409 #bakugou katsuki #all for one #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha #sorry this is late I've been trying to post it for almost an hour #the 'post now' button was infuriatingly greyed out for some reason #ended up having to copy everything over to a brand new post and redo all the pics and formatting #thanks tumblr

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ezzydantes · 2 months

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Monster Trio Births part 1

Author's Note: Follow up to telling the Monster Trio You're Pregnant. Don't necessarily have to read that one to experience this but prequels are awesome. Lol. Enjoy! Supreme fluff! ***edited*** baby girl would be a little over a year old (17 months for those on top of it, lol) based on my timeline I gave in the prequel..smh..😳😒😩😑😬 my bad...

Luffy

The pair of you had finally reached the Sunny after running into some "turbulence" along the way. Once the crew was together they were surprised to see a bouncing baby girl of a little over a year old amongst their crew. You had given birth to Monkey D. Asa (pronounced Ace-Ah after her dear uncle who would never meet her) before you're rendezvous point was to be met at Sabaody. Rayleigh and Sharkky had offered to keep the infant safe in secret until they could dispatch her later but Luffy refused. If after all the training he had gone through couldn't keep you and you're baby girl safe... he deemed it pointless. He would have his daughter and lover with him. It was his resolve and no one could tell him better. Not even you...

********flashback*******

"Luffy... ", you whispered as he nuzzled into you after another day's hard work training on Rayleigh's regiment. Boa Hancock had allowed him to rest with you and the baby at night in your private quarters in the palace when he had wanted to end his day with you. She had taken a liking to you and considered you one of her sisters after helping save her family after having just given birth a few weeks before and still within your healing time, much to your lover and Rayleigh's protests.

"Y/n.... you and this baby you gave to me... you mean the world to me... I would rather you and her hate me then put you through the hardships that we will face... I'll keep you under Hancock's protection for eternity... " he began but you silenced him with your finger.

"You promised me Monkey D. Luffy that come hell or high water even the end of the world would not keep us from you... what changed?"

Your Captain actually lowered his head and began to get on his knees before you stopped him. "Will you always look to where we are? Concerned about our safety when you can ensure it?"

His eyes sparked red for a moment... the PTSD he endured at the Battle of the Best shining through...

"I'll fight to protect you and Asa... ", he gently whispered, "But I have more reason now than ever to be King of the Pirates..."

He smiled once more as he held your daughter close..."and Asa will be Princess..."

"Lou...", you gently stated, drawing his face to yours as he held your daughter to his chest and pulled you close as well, "We knew having a baby would put a kink in your plans....."

"You knew the day we left our island it wouldn't be easy.... and you reminded me more when we left that our relationship could result in a child.... but I SWORE to take care of you BOTH..." he interrupted your train of thought.

"I will NOT lose you or Asa...", he quietly swore as he kissed your forehead, "NEVER for a moment doubt that I want my girls with me... but if it gets too dangerous don't be upset if I send you back here..."

You smiled as you kissed his cheek. "I'll respect that... but if it ever does come to that... don't abandon us..."

"Never", he growled as he cuddled you and your infant daughter closer to him "I'll never give my girls up..."

****end of flasback***

"Captain... I can understand you bringing y/n along but what's with the kid?" Zoro ungracefully pointed out.

"IDIOT!" Nami shouted as she punched the back of his head with enough force to knock him down, "OBVIOUSLY they had a KID in the last two years!"

"Wait.... are you telling me I never had a chance with y/n?!" Sanji lamented before he joined the swordsman on the ground from Nami's hands as well.

"Congrats to you both... I mean it's SUUUPER that you guys had a kid but... are you sure it's a good idea for y/n and the baby to tag along? I mean we're going DEEP SEA..." Franky pointed out followed up by Chopper's medical advice saying it wasn't safe as well.

Robin and Brook were too enamored with the baby to care of anyone else's opinion and acted happy to meet the gurgling mess known as Asa.

"I've thought long and hard over the past two years... y/n is part of our Nakama... and my future Queen... Asa is my heir and princess... I'm NOT leaving them behind..." Luffy seriously stated, "I already lost a part of my family...again... I'm not giving them up... their my girls... my family.... as are each of you... help me keep our family safe or step off... I won't hold a grudge against you if you do..."

He took Asa out of your hands and held her close as he took your hand in his, "My daughter doesn't keep me from being King of the Pirates... or y/n being my Queen... if anything it's more motivation... I want ALL of us to be free and have fun in our journey TOGETHER..."

"I'm not changing diapers but I'll train Asa", Zoro answered first.

"I'll teach the Princess how to cook and defend her and y/n with my life ", Sanji spoke up.

"I'll teach her how to navigate and make profits!" Nami shouted as she took the baby from her Captain's grasp, "Gotta make sure you inherit it ALL, huh?"

"She'll need to learn about all the cultures we meet and those before her time. I'll read her some historical facts along the way..." Robin smiled as she cooed at the baby in Nami's arms.

"Well if that's the case I'll teach her how to build some cool Super weapons and repair things! Uncle Franky gots you kiddo!" The cyborg smiled.

"I can teach her basic medical stuff! And herbiology!" Chopper smiled big as he crawled up Nami's back to gently caress the smiling babe.

"I can teach her how to play the violin! Sing her lullabies to get her asleep!" Brook jovially laughed.

You smiled as the crew began to accept their newest Strawhat crewmate. Your daughter cooing, babbling, and giggling as she began to acclimate herself to her family. You squeezed Luffy's hand reminding the Captain he never let go. In all his goofiness he smiled wide at you, "Told you they'd spoil her..." and began to laugh. It was a perfect moment with your family. You felt reassured in that moment... your lover had picked his perfect crew.

#monkey d. luffy #one piece x you #one piece #monkey d. luffy x reader #pirate king #monster trio

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yeyinde · 1 year

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My mostly wholesome Price thought of the day is just wanting to give him a massage. And I don’t mean a quick shoulder rub; no, I mean a proper full-body massage with oils and candles, and all because he deserves to be pampered. Price (and honestly all of the boys) is so stressed all the time, it comes with the job, and because he’s in charge and bears so many different burdens, I am certain he carries some of that tension in his body, especially his back and shoulders. He’d never ask for one, but I’m sure he would appreciate it so much. Knowing that you care enough to want to relieve some of his stress would warm his heart and just make him love you that much more. Plus, you’d get to touch him however you want, and he’d undoubtedly thank you afterward by making you feel good, so it’s truly a win-win situation. In conclusion, I love him, and I am projecting because I, too, am stressed about finals and would benefit greatly from a massage lol -🧚🏽‍♀️

You always seem to know exactly what is going on in my head, and I'm genuinely in awe over everything you write.

Price, to me, is someone who never takes. He gives, always. He'll be as rough as you want. As sharp as you need. He puts everyone, and everything, before himself. He's a natural born leader. Utilitarian to his core. He's the first one who takes the shot, who gets blood on his hands, to spare everyone else from the hardships of it. He carries the weight of every single action on his shoulders and eases it with vices in the form of cigars and scotch, and screams himself raw on the battlefield. He refuses to be coddled or cared for because it's not Important. He's not important compared to everything else.

He's secondary even in his own life.

So, imagine just—pretty little woman'ing him in the tub.

He comes home, reeking of stale tobacco and aching from his duties. Joints aching from carrying the world in his hands. He just wants to sink into bed with you by his side.

But you don't let him. You drag him to the washroom where it smells of lavender and clary sage. Where you've run him a warm bath, poured him a glass of his favourite scotch (and a bottle of water, because God knows this man needs something more than malt in his belly), and you've given him a cigar. You don't condone his bad habits, but he's a man who bears the brunt of everything in his aching muscles. You let him have his comforts—some of the only things he chooses for himself.

You pull him into the bathroom, undress himself yourself despite his protests that you're doing too much, he doesn't any of this, he just wants you—

You press kisses, and pepper reverent whispers into each battle scar and old wound. You sing hymns in every knot that clots under his skin until it's smooth again.

It's easy to revere him in the same way he does you, and you worship each blemish on his body until adamantine sapphires melt into liquid blue lagoons. Until his shoulders sag, and the wrinkles in his forehead dissipate.

He goes willingly when you tug him into the tub, brows raising when you get in first, settling against the back. Price huffs, amused, a little bewildered, but he goes along with your demands, and sinks into your embrace. It's a little awkward, a little unsure. He isn't a man who allows himself these small moments of affection—its all saved for you. Not him, never him.

But you persist.

You've never held him like this—and with the way he tenses before liquifying with a groan into your arms, you wonder if anyone ever has. It cudgels into you. A small moment where you resolve, absolutely, to hold him like this more often.

Price huffs, and tsks the entire time you wash him, telling you it isn't worth it, he can just shower, you don't need to go so far for me, love.

It breaks you a little.

You press a kiss to his nape. "Shut up, and let me spoil you for a moment."

The stutter in his lungs, the sudden silence—it's all an extension of just how brassbound and ironclad his resolve is, and how heavy he must feel to carry it all alone. Has anyone ever spoiled him before? Has anyone ever tried to rub the grit off with gentle hands, and a soft touch?

(You ache at the thought.)

You nip his skin when he sinks down against you, eyes fluttering shut in a moment of contentment, bliss. He looks so young like this. So raw and vulnerable, and you feel the affection spume deep inside of you. Your unshakeable mountain of a man.

Your head falls, forehead resting on this shoulder as you run your fingers over his worn, battered flesh. Each stroke to his skin is done with purpose, conviction. You touch him as if you could suffuse the heft of your love into his marrow where it will aerate in his heavy bones, and ease his burdens.

He rumbles, a noise of pure pleasure, and you hug him closer to your body at the surprise that leaks into the grunt.

He deserves the world and more—

"I'll make you feel even better when we're finished, love."

—and you plan on showing him.

#soft john price #captain john price #john price #captain john price x you #captain john price x reader #john price x you #john price x reader #imagines #kindaaa????#this got away from me a little bit but god #this man is making me lose my mind

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leonha · 9 months

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

c. leona kingscholar x bimbo!fem reader

warnings. toys, mean leona (he drives ofc), college setting, reader’s 20 y/o.

a/n. i’ve been on this account for over a year and this is my first drabble. not proofread, was very horny when i wrote this - enjoy!

“Happy birthday, ‘Ona!”

Well, if it wasn’t Leona’s favorite girl, strutting your way to his car with a small gift bag tucked under your hand. He sat in the driver's seat, head tilted against the headrest as he watched you trot to him in your tiny dress.

“Really takin’ your damn time. Hurry it up, we got reservations.”

There’s a pout evident on your cherry glossed lips as you settle yourself into his vehicle. It’s nice that he gets to break away from school on his birthday—And it’s even nicer that he brought you along with him; His precious freshman. “Don’t be so mean, you bully. I got you a gift!”

He sits up, his eyes following you while the slightest tinge of a smirk quirks at his lips. He quickly took into account his true situation. He got himself caught up with a pink loving bimbo and you sure as hell weren’t leaving him any time soon. “Must be real special to ya, getting me gifts and all.”

You hold the bag up in his direction and he takes it from your grasp. “Of course, you’re special, ‘Ona. You’re my boyfriend!”

He waves off your last set of words, digging through clusters of tissue paper to finally uncover his present. His expression sours as he takes a finer look at the device in his hand.

“And what am I gonna do with this?” It’s a bullet vibrator with a tail end, hot pink and small—Just as you are.

“Use it on me.” The tone of your voice was lower now and from the way you were squirming in the seat of the car, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He starts up the car in one swift motion, his other hand fidgeting with the vibrator. “Keep it in til’ we get to the place. If you cum, I'm leaving ya.”

As if it were instinct, you take the vibrator from his hand and shift your panties to the side, clicking the toy on and lodging it inside your cunt.

The first few minutes of the drive were safe aside from your incessant moaning in an attempt to stave off your pleasure. It wasn’t until his fingers found their way to your clit, strumming the nub in harsh circles that left you dizzy. You’d switch between biting at your lip to gripping his wrist to calm you down yet they were futile in the battle of stopping you from getting off because if there was one thing Leona had the energy for, it was teasing you until you were a dumb mess of a toy for his own pleasure. And it seemed to work when you cried out his name, letting him know that you couldn’t take it anymore, that you were gonna cum. You weren’t even halfway to the restaurant when your high washed over you and his freshly detailed car seat was littered in your essence. He scoffed at your weak resolve, pulling over on the highway and unlocking the doors.

“We had a deal. Get out.”

#leona smut #leona kingsholar x reader #leona kingscholar smut #leona x reader #leona x reader smut #leona kingscholar x reader smut #leona x you #leona x y/n #leona kingscholar x you #leona kingscholar x y/n #twst smut #twst x you #twst x reader #twisted wonderland smut #twst x y/n

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moonmacabre01 · 1 month

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You know what would be a banger story?

Bandee getting amnesia and his friends falling over their feet to try and get him back to normal.

No, don't look at me like that. I promise my idea's at least kind of good. I think.

I'm not sure my idea really counts as "amnesia" since Bandee hasn't really lost his memory so much as it got sealed off by the villain, who's using Bandee as a distraction so he can take over Popstar(bog standard motive, I know. Least his method's creative . . ?). But anyways.

Bandee get hits by the sealing spell, and regresses HARD. Back to pre RTDL, where he really started to come into his own as a hero. Obviously, the rest of the Dream Team(plus Elfilin and Magolor) freak out. No one knows about the villain, so they're all frantically trying to figure out WHAT happened and HOW do we reverse/fix it. Magolor's flipping through spellbook after spellbook, and everyone else is carrying Bandee from place to place trying to jog his memory. Meta Knight takes him for a flight(you were so scared the first time . . ), Dedede asks him to help with a mechanical project(how many late nights have we spent like this?), Kirby takes him apple picking(you taught me how to get them without hurting the tree!), and Elfilin brings him to Waddle Dee town(I thought it was amazing, the way you kept everyone together). And slowly, Bandee starts to feel he's been here before . . . that's he's something more than he thinks.

(One of the few actual scenes in my head involves Elfilin and Bandee watching the sunset in Waddle Dee town, and Elfilin admitting that while Kirby's his hero and friend, Bandee's the one he really looks up to. [In my headcanon, Elfilin met Bandee before Kirby arrived, and watched him organize construction efforts, keep up morals, and really be a leader. And after the events, Bandee was one of the most encouraging in helping Elfilin learn to handle his power, always patient and understanding. Safe to say, Bandee really means a lot to Elfilin, just as much as Kirby] Bandee is really touched by this confession, and the sealing spell, already weakening, starts to crack ever so slightly.)

While Elfilin is taking Bandee back to Castle Dedede, they come across the villain, who's begun their attack, in combat with Kirby and the others, and things aren't looking too great for the Dream Team. This causes something to click in Bandee's head. These people are his FRIENDS, and he has to help them, he can't let them lose. This revelation is the final straw for the seal, which breaks and causes the sealed memories to flood back. With the memories comes new resolve, and he manages to turn the tide of the battle, and is, fittingly, the one to defeat the villain.

All in all, everything turns out okay. Everyone's relieved that Bandee is back to normal, and Bandee has a new understanding just how much he means to the people around him. The final scene in a way mirrors the scene in WDT, with everyone watching the sunrise together.

#if you read the whole thing thank you ^^#I'm still fuzzy on a lot of things #but once I iron a few things out I might try and make a proper fanfic out of this #kirby #bandee #magolor #elfilin #kirby character #king dedede #meta knight #text post #long post #moonmacabre01

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cariantha · 9 months

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A Kiss on the Hand (Part 1️⃣)

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks) Rating: General Warning: None Category: Hurt/Comfort; Angsty Fluff Word count: 1.2K Series Summary: After realizing just how much they mean to each other, Ethan and Sawyer express their love through a sweet hand gesture. A/N: Artwork by the incredible @/artbyainna on Instagram. This is a three-part series. Part one is a rewrite of Book 2 Chapter 11 and was inspired by In Case You Didn't Know by Brett Young.

Part One: Soulmates

With his arms encircled around her, Ethan held Sawyer as close as the plastic between them would allow. He felt the pressure of her fingers gripping his, and the press of her lips as she placed a prolonged kiss on the top of his gloved hand. The simple gesture conveying so many words still left unsaid.

With their eyes locked, he wondered if Sawyer noticed what must surely be red, watery eyes staring back at her from inside the plastic helmet. If she had, she didn’t say anything before her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep.

He knew she needed the rest, but as Sawyer slept like the dead, Ethan worried she was halfway there. The wavy lines and flashing numbers on the patient monitor foretold a grim story.

Updates from the lab had been few and far between, and Ethan knew the saying “no news is good news” did not apply in this situation. Instead, every hour that went by without an update felt like another nail in the coffin.

Carefully disentangling himself from her limbs, he eased off the bed and tucked the blankets around Sawyer’s feverish body. He placed an oxygen mask over her face, then sat in the chair next to her bed. His thoughts drifted all over the place as he watched the mask fog and defog with each labored breath.

At one point, he wondered whether he was being selfish by choosing to spend these precious and possibly final moments with her. Moments that should be spent with her family, her closest friends. As he sat there pondering his place in her life and how she would introduce him to a stranger, he came to a realization. None of that mattered because Sawyer was his best friend.

She was someone he trusted with his secrets, someone who was always honest with him, someone he could be himself around. Not since Tobias had he been comfortable to laugh and joke and tease. Sawyer had a way of making his burdens feel lighter. Even if he could ignore the romantic feelings, she would always be more than just a mentee, colleague, or teammate.

They had an undeniable connection to one another. Being in the same room as Sawyer felt like home. She was the sweet to his salty. She challenged him, not just in medicine, but in life. In love. Against all odds, she continued to fight for him. For them.

He hadn't believed in soulmates before, but then again he'd never felt like this before. Maybe she was his soulmate, he thought. Because if he knew anything to be true at that moment, it’s that if Sawyer lost this battle, a part of him would die too. And if there was a chance that it would give her the motivation to keep fighting, he was willing to overcome his fear and admit everything.

Resolved to do just that, Ethan stood and took a seat on the edge of the bed. Taking her limp hand into his, he swallowed his nerves and began to speak.

“Sawyer, I … I told you earlier that I regret keeping us apart … but there’s more.”

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “There’s more that I’ve been keeping under lock and key.”

“I … I have wanted to say what was on my mind so many times … but I’ve been too scared. Scared that you don’t feel the same. Scared that you do. And I fear if I say it now that it will sound like goodbye … and I …”

Mouthing the words “I can’t,” Ethan hung his head and choked back a sob.

Steeling himself, he began again. “Rookie, I need for you to know … just in case you don’t … I'm … I’m crazy about you. You. Drive. Me. Crazy,” he punctuated every word.

“It’s true, you are a colossal pain in the ass … but I confess … I secretly enjoy it,” he tittered, recalling some of his favorite memories. “Very few people challenge me the way you do.”

Ethan noticed how her eyes moved slowly behind her closed eyelids. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing right now. I can see those wheels turning in that head of yours. You’re already plotting ways to get under my skin,” he squeezed her hand with a smile.

After watching her chest rise and fall for a couple minutes, Ethan inched up the bed and placed her hand over his heart, holding it there with both of his.

Clearing his throat, “You … you’ve had my heart for quite some time now. I’ve tried to pinpoint when exactly you captured it, and I’m not sure. I knew you were someone special after that night in the NICU … and then something changed in Miami,” Ethan dragged his fingers up and down her arm.

With an amused chuckle, he continued. “I have to confess. My first response to the hotel's mistake with the room reservation was not anger or frustration. Believe it or not, I actually thought to myself, 'That was lucky.'”

“Then when I saw you in that dress-,” he tucked a stray hair behind her ear, “I didn’t think it was possible for you to be any more beautiful. You literally took my breath away and rendered me speechless.” Ethan briefly closed his eyes, recalling the memory.

Shaking his head in disbelief, “God, I was a fool that night. A fool for pushing you away, and an even bigger fool for thinking I could ever resist you. I don’t think you’ll ever understand how that first kiss did me in, Sawyer.”

Ethan delicately lowered her hand and checked the flashing monitor. Her blood pressure and heart rate had dropped to dangerously low levels.

His plastic suit crackled as he leaned over her body. Hovering over her face, he whispered a final plea.

“I need you to fight, baby,” he uncharacteristically begged. Sniffing back tears, “I need you. I won’t be able to handle it if you leave me.”

“I’m sorry I wasted so much time,” he apologized again. “If you come back to me, Sawyer, I belong to you. You’ll have all of me.”

Ethan gently lifted the oxygen mask from her face and touched two fingers against her lips. A loving “kiss” right before he whispered, “I love you, Rookie.”

<><><><><><><><><><>

Twenty-four hours after the antidote had been administered, Ethan rushed to Sawyer’s room with the good news. He was almost knocked off his feet, though he was unsure if it was from Sawyer crashing into him, or from the immense wave of relief that washed over him.

Ethan held her close, running his hand up and down her back. With the need to feel her skin under his fingertips, his hand slipped between the ties of her hospital gown. His warm palm melted against her bare back.

Sawyer wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck, and standing on her tiptoes, she pulled him down just enough to rest her cheek against his. Her body shook with a quiet sob.

With his lips at her ear, his heart raced, those three little words teetering on the tip of his tongue.

Losing his nerve, he choked them back along with his tears, only letting a single teardrop escape.

As they slowly pulled apart, he took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. Just as she had the day before, he kissed the top of it. Slowly, three times. One kiss for each word trapped behind his lips.

A/N2: Parts two and three get a little bumpy.

Part Two: Always Three Times

Part Three: I Know What You Mean

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @potionsprefect @jamespotterthefirst @annfg8 @peonierose @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @jerzwriter @quixoticdreamer16 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @inlocusmads @txemrn @trappedinfanfiction @mvalentine @takemyopenheart @openheartforeverinmyheart @doriopenheart @coffeeheartaddict2 @genevievemd @starrystarrytrouble @hopelessromantic1352 @kyra75 @lsvdw-blog @rookiemartin @headoverheelsforramsey

#open heart #open heart choices #open heart fanfic #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #ethan x sawyer #choices stories you play #choices open heart #playchoices #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #cfwc art

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ecargmura · 4 months

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The Mochi Mayhem Epilogue Was Hilarious (Review)

Here it is. The finale of the DLC. The ending to an era. How should we celebrate this milestone? Excuse me? Could you repeat that again? The Chicken Dance? What?

Anyways, this epilogue is bringing in the main story and DLC together by making the Paldea trio meet up with Kieran and Carmine, the DLC characters in one last misadventure to stop the land of Kitakami from doing the chicken—er, Mochi dance by a mysterious Pokemon that looks like a Pecha Berry.

The overall epilogue was very hilarious, but it also got me having a lot of questions. I know that the event starts in Kitakami when you examine the peach plush in Peachy’s. After the little scene that happens, Arven calls because he wants to come over to the player’s house, meaning you have to travel all the way back to Paldea where Nemona and Penny tagged along and then Kieran gives the player a letter, which then makes the Paldean group go back to Kitakami, which is when the event starts happening. I don’t know why the game makes it so that we have to jump through different regions. I know it’s for plot as the Paldean trio didn’t get offers to study abroad. It made me wonder what would’ve happened if they had come along during Teal Mask.

Despite that, Kieran meshes well with the Paldean trio. It sucks that Carmine was possessed throughout the whole story, but it makes sense as she had her fair share of spotlight in the Teal Mask. This is Kieran’s time to shine! I find it hilarious how he was theorized to have been possessed, but when Pecharunt showed up with the evil mochi, Kieran is the only other person aside from the player to not eat the mochi as it hit his forehead and flew off. Ha, take that, theorizers! I wonder what would’ve happened if Nemona had been involved in the Teal Mask DLC—maybe that was why they took the Paldea trio out of the story for the DLC because the story’s issues would’ve resolved fast.

Pecharunt is a weird Pokemon. While it has a connection with the Kitakami lore, it was never really explored. It just showed up and wrecking havoc. While it did give the Loyal Three their toxic chain, it never really had an involvement in Teal Mask until this DLC. The Loyal Three are its retainers, but there were slight hints of its existence sprinkled here and there. I’m also confused on why it decided to wake up and decided to possess everyone with toxic mochi. Is it angry? Chaotic? I’m not sure. Despite that, Pecharunt is no slouch in battle.

What I liked about the DLC is the fact that Kieran joins the player as a Multi Battle partner which is a definite redemption from his behavior in the Indigo Disk DLC. It was nice being able to battle together with him. I was actually surprised that Kieran’s grandparents were trainers too. They were pretty tough. Arven and Penny were challenging too. I do like that in the midst of the double battles, the last match is against Nemona, who is challenged as a single battle. I loved the mix-match of battling styles.

Once you complete the DLC, Nemona, Arven, Penny, Kieran and Carmine can be interacted with in the League Club with the former three being special coaches. I do like that they give you such a bonus afterwards. I feel like it’s a good way to end everything as you are reunited with the three most important characters in the main story followed by the two most important characters in the DLC. What makes Paldea special is the unique varieties of characters that makes it a worthwhile experience.

Argh, it’s going to be hard to say good-bye to these characters because they’re all so good. All the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, teachers, Team Star, students and DLC characters were just so GOOD! Scarlet and Violet legit shot up to my third favorite mainline Pokemon game because of how good the game and DLCs were. What will Pokemon do now after the masterpiece that was SV? If Unova remakes are true, will it live up to SV’s hype? Will it be better than BDSP? Only time will tell. What are your thoughts on this epilogue and the DLCs as a whole?

#Pokemon #pokemon scarlet and violet #mochi mayhem #epilogue #DLC #nemona #arven #penny #kieran #carmine #review #game review #ecargmura #arum journal

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joycrispy · 8 months

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leah i trust your judgement, good omens fic recs? 👀👀

Aww, thank you!! I appreciate the vote of confidence. xD

H'OKAY so bear in mind that I am basically brand-new to the fanfic side of this fandom, so, I don't think any of my recommendations are going to be news to anyone who's been here since 2019 or earlier.

That said, these are my favorites so far:

Factory Settings by Anonymous. 107k words, 60 chapters (and written in just two weeks last month, insanely enough).

I've recced this one before and I'll do it again, because it's an absolute blast. Premise is that Crowley DOES end up coming with Aziraphale to Heaven, but turning back into an angel has the unexpected side-effect of...well, restoring his factory settings. Meaning he is exactly the angel he was, with no memory of the last 6000 years. And things begin to unravel from there.

This fic is what finally sold me on Ineffable Bureaucracy, by the way.

Be advised that this IS a Crowley-was-Raphael fic. Since I know people tend to feel strongly about that. And it does apply some of the tropes that Raphael-deniers (and me, despite being a mild Raphael-truther myself) usually dislike. But the whole thing is just so damn impressive that, in this case, I'll allow it. xD

Demonology and the Tri-Phasic Model of Trauma: An Integrative Approach by Nnm. 99k words, 16 chapters.

I'm sure everyone already knows this one, but hey, a lot of my followers seem to be brand-new fans, so maybe I can pass the good word along. The POV character is Aubrey Thyme, Crowley's psychotherapist, as she helps him try to unpack all the trauma of...being Crowley. It's basically one long hyper-intensive character study, and it rules.

Bark Dust by rfsmiley. 8k words, oneshot.

This one is just gorgeous.

It's Aziraphale's POV, set during the Saxon Wars. In battle, Crowley gets run-through with a blessed sword, and the effect is the same as being exposed to Holy Water, but much, much slower. So, you know. Agonizing. And neither he nor Aziraphale can heal it.

...I don't want to spoil anything, but. The way this is resolved actually made me stop and put my face in my hands. It's terrible and beautiful and poignant as fuck.

Highly recommend, with a content warning for gore/descriptions of makeshift surgery.

This Soul Outstreaming by Rend_Herring. 22k, oneshot (essentially a novella).

Okay I won't even front with you. This one is my favorite.

It's Aziraphale's POV, following their relationship across human history, in the style of the show. It's also absurd and wry and heartfelt in the style of the show. And, though it was written in 2019, elements of it predict Season 2 with an eerie degree of accuracy.

The through-line here is specifically the development of their physical intimacy, so, heads-up that this is absolutely Porn-With-Plot. But, in like a

kind of way. Quite literally. You can imagine.

I would also like some recs, if anyone wants to offer them! This is my bedtime reading, lately. xD

#good omens

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illuminatedquill · 7 months

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Well, that was certainly a finale.

Initial thoughts below (SPOILERS AHEAD):

Ahsoka 1x08:

THE JEDI, THE WITCH, AND THE WARLORD

I’m a bundle of many emotions but first -

Look, nothing’s over. Okay? Filoni is clearly playing a long game here with these characters. So let’s all calm down and wait for the next season.

There was simply too much to show in this final episode for it to be satisfying on every front. I think, for the most part, he succeeded in ending this first season and setting up What Comes Next.

But I do feel like some of the character stuff was resolved a little too neatly, in my opinion.

There’s such potential in these relationships and I feel like Filoni was laser focused on getting the groundwork laid down for the future. And it’s Big.

(THE MORTIS GODS ON PERIDEA. ANAKIN FORCE GHOST. I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW IT.)

I’m not 100% pleased with where Sabine ended up and the fact that she just irrevocably altered the fabric of her home galaxy due to her decision seemed to have been glossed over by Ahsoka and STILL not found out by Ezra.

I mean, there’s HUGE ramifications from what she did. And I’m worried that none of it will be played out to it’s proper devastating conclusion.

Yet, I’m willing to let it slide because it’s clear that there will be more. So, we just have to wait.

Also, the exploration of why Sabine made her choice was never addressed. At least, not in a way that was satisfactory to me. Again, I’m hoping that’s explored in the future . . . but I don’t know.

Even Thrawn was confused about her decision! He couldn’t understand it. And this is Thrawn we’re talking about.

How can you not interpret everything Sabine did in this season as being driven by something more than just friendship. Even the casual fans picked up on it.

(It’s me! I’m the casual fan. Didn’t ship it before and then I saw the first Ahsoka trailer and it suddenly clicked.)

She officially cemented her place in the Disaster Lineage when she made the choice to hand over the map to Baylan! Gambled the fate of an entire galaxy just for the chance to see Ezra again!

That’s peak romance! Literally have not seen a character’s choice forever alter the future on a galactic scale of this magnitude since the main man, Anakin Skywalker, himself!

All for love!

And, yeah, I know the Wolfwren fans are pleased with Shin also being on Peridea. I know Filoni is on the record being against an Ezra/Sabine romance (at least during Rebels, which made sense at the time to me) but I don’t see that pairing being a thing.

We’ve gotten prime examples of healthy, loving, supportive romance from him: Sabine’s parents, Kanan and Hera, Ezra’s parents.

Shin would need to mellow out her murderous nature by 100% to be friends with Sabine. If that happens, I would be cool with it.

Don’t see her doing that anytime soon with her last scene being that. She’s too power hungry.

Other thoughts:

Fantastic battle scenes - highlight being the final duel between Morgan and Ashoka. She went out like a fighter.

Thrawn was excellent, as always. Lars Mikkelsen was born to play this role. His cold, calculating menace is balanced perfectly by some flickers of emotion here and there; the regret when he asked Morgan to stay and his annoyance at Ahsoka escaping his hellfire.

Eman is Ezra. Fantastic casting.

As for Natasha as Sabine . . .

I want more from her. Just more of her as Sabine, forever and always. Still my favorite character on the show. I think there’s more emotional depths to be explored (LIKE HER FEELINGS FOR EZRA) but I’m putting that on Filoni.

(. . . This post is a mess. Sorry for rambling. I’m sure a lot of you feel the same.)

Just want to emphasize that it’ll probably be fine. Nothing’s been decided, one way or the other. And the success of this season should hopefully guarantee more of these beloved characters on our screens soon enough.

And, well, there’s nothing a good fanfic can’t fix. I expect we’ll be seeing plenty of those after this.

#sabezra #ezra bridger #ezrabine #sabine wren #ahsoka #ahsoka show #star wars #star wars rebels #ahsoka show spoilers

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meowstix · 8 months

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i finally wrote a Long Post on takao kinomiya

OHHHH BOY :3 so i have been thinking about him occasionally recently. and i've like, had a bit of a realization? this post will Mostly be abt g-rev but that's mainly bc that's kind of where his whole... Issues are gone into the most. it is also where we see a certain someone who makes me go "wow! no wonder takao is like that"

so, i think i've already talked to some extent about how a big part of takao's shift in character was because of him being thrown into fame at such a young age. and well that's still definitely true but another aspect i don't believe i've gone into is that this actually builds onto another aspect of his character and paints like.. a very particular and kind of unexpected image. this other aspect, to be specific, is his abandonment issues.

the fact that his grandfather is the closest thing he has to immediate family around is one of the first things we find out about him, and this fact will end up explaining... a LOT, though it's not noticeable for a good while. i think it's a bit present in v-force, or at the very least there's Something to be made of just how quickly he latched onto kane, but the beginning of g-rev is where it really becomes obvious.

firstly, there's his reaction to the team splitting up. i should note the dub kind of screwed up the scene where max and rei leave, the end in particular has the dub basically resolve tyson's doubts with max actually confirming that, yeah, they're still friends, meanwhile in the original version, takao's question of "we're still friends, right?" goes unanswered. that aside, another notable aspect to this can be seen later with takao lashing out at rei after their battle in the world tournament. not only does he feel like rei abandoned him, but rei has friends, he has people supporting him. (obviously takao... still has hiromi and kyojyu but that's a whole other can of worms that i don't really feel like getting into)

hitoshi's treatment of takao is.. also noteworthy, to say the least. this is the first time takao has seen him in so long, and hitoshi never really seems to give a shit about him. i mean, i think he's supposed to, in that unhelpfully vague mentor way, but he sure as hell never shows it. and it's like... as i mentioned, hitoshi in particular really makes you realize that yeah, no wonder takao is like this.

i look at all this and i realize, it's like... takao is actively falling back on his fame in g-rev to make up for this feeling of loneliness eating away at him. he just wants to be seen so, so badly. he just wants to feel loved.

#i should probably rewatch the second half of v-force specifically the eps with zeo #bc i feel like there's probably something to be made of his dynamic with them but i'm not sure what exactly?#rat chat #beyblade #bakuten shoot beyblade #takao kinomiya

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acourtofthought · 6 days

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I have some questions for ya.

For Elain to be the cauldron's favorite, this must lead to something in her book. Are there any implications of being "cauldron's favorite" aside from her powers? If so, what are they?

For Lucien and his identity as Helion's son, how do you think Lucien will find out and come to terms with being the heir of the HL of Day Court? To what extent will this affect his relationship with other characters (himself, his mate, family, Tamlin, NC, Feyre, etc.)

Vassa will return to Koschei, what do you think she can do during her captivity? How does Jurian fit into the narrative? (his role essentially and his potential actions)

Will we see more of Tamlin? Side character appearance to Lucien's story? Potential ending for him?

Lastly, do you think one book can satisfactorily resolve the stories of all these characters? Feel free to be as honest as possible.

P.S. These questions are just hyping me up for the next book because I'm really sure Elain's book is next.

I actually don't think the Cauldron will be a major plot point in Elain's book though I do think it will come into play in the next "series" SJM contracted for (which I think is still part of the ACOTAR world but with a focus on the Valkyrie / Illyrians / Autumn Court, maybe even the Seraphim).

In one of her Live interviews, SJM made the comment that there will be consequences to Nesta changing her and Feyre's anatomy. I think that has less to do with consequences for she and Feyre specifically and has more to do with her actions awakening the Cauldron which might have sent out some sort of pulse into the universe. We know the Midgard Asteri are now dead but they had always been searching for survivors on other worlds. Since we also now know the Daglan / Asteri tied themselves to the Cauldron, it makes some sense that it would act as a Beacon to the other Asteri in the universe, calling them back to Prythian where there is this cache of power waiting for them.

But plotwise, I don't think we're there yet. While I think it's evident SJM is setting up for more world walking, currently the people in their world are still trying to recover after the war with Hybern, trying to redraw the boundaries and territories, trying to secure peace among themselves. Throwing time travel plots into the very next book then wrapping it up with Elain and Lucien, Koschei, Beron and the treaty (things not connected to time travel) seems backwards since world walking / time travel seems a much larger story, a more epic journey that might end in some sort of crossover battle with not only the ACOTAR characters but characters from Midgard, the Princes of Hel, maybe the TOG characters.

So for Elain's book, I don't think her connection to the Cauldron will be a major plot point outside of our knowledge that it wanted to give her gifts and those gifts will be important in helping her resolve the open ended plots in SF (Tamlin, Beron, Koschei, the treaty etc).

I go back and forth on Lucien and his heritage. I think he may have always suspected he was not Berons' son but did not automatically jump to Helion as his father. Helion only became HL of Day UTM, after Amarantha killed it's previous HL and most of his family so I do think Lucien's Day powers / markers of a future HL have only recently been appearing for him. I think there's a chance, since the end of ACOMAF, he's now begun putting things together but still isn't 100% sure. I could see Elain having had a vision of Lucien in Day, maybe she'll be the catalyst for him finally understanding the full truth? Maybe when he and Eris resolve their past issues with one another, Eris will know and he'll be the one to confirm?

As with mostly everything that is thrown Lucien's way, I think he would easily step into whatever it all means for him. He's stepped up even when nobody asked him too and maybe this will finally lock something in place for him, the sense of truly having a purpose rather than being doomed to the life of a drifter.

I don't think there's much Vassa will be able to do during her captivity though I think once freed, she'll definitely play a role in helping defeat Koschei. Jurian, I think, will be with Elain and Lucien on their travels to the continent. He'd play the same role that the IC did for Feyre at times, Gwyn and Emerie for Nesta at times. While I don't think he'll be the main focus, SJM always finds a way to give humans a purpose even when alongside fae or other characters with magic (i.e. Nesryn, Chaol, Yrene).

Yes to Tamlin. Spring has been a main focal point for a few books now, the people without leadership, that Beron is looking to take over it's land, how the NC needs Spring's army as an ally. There is no better time for SJM to resolve his arc than in an Elucien book especially as his relationship with Lucien has been strained this whole time.

At the end of it all, I'm not sure I see Tamlin staying High Lord. He's neglected his people for far too long and if the magic can giveth, I imagine it can taketh away. It's a position he never wanted in the first place and I could see him stepping into the role of general of the Spring army.

And yes, I do think an Elucien book could resolve the major plots laid out in SF and even a few in HOFAS. I think they can secure the peace treaty, restore Spring, kill Beron, and bring back the dying lands of the world (the Bog / the Prison) / cure the illness plaguing the Pegasus, setting up Lucien as High King to maintain the peace across the fae and human territories. I think that would then be a natural way for SJM to transition into the future of the ACOTAR series which would deal with time travel / world walking. Where once the climate in the rest of their world is settled, the NC can deal with the Illyrians, the Valkyrie can continue training not only themselves but other females so they become a true elite female fighting unit (I don't see them having Pegasus of their own until the illness affecting the foals is cured, Helion only has a few breeding pairs and I doubt he'd risk sending them into battle and having them completely wiped out). I think Merrill would be one of the next villains, a catalyst for trying to helping other surviving Asteri / Daglan enter their world and that would prompt some in the IC to world walk in an effort to stop them / joining characters from other series to fight "space" battles so their own worlds remain protected.

#elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #acotar theory #acotar 5 #acotar 6

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tallseaweed · 4 months

Text

Relinquish Your Burden: Chapter 3

Word Count: 3.1k

It was clear that winter had arrived in New York.

After picking out his fur cape, Thor made sure to button Love into her warm jacket and fur-lined boots. The two of them stood at the hatch of their ship, the wind swirling through their hair and snow catching in their eyelashes.

It had been many years since Thor had last been to the Midgardian metropolis. He hadn’t been keen on returning, but his ship picked up on a distress signal about a mid-level invasion, and he had sworn that the Earth was under his protection.

The city would always remind him of fighting against Loki and his—no, Thanos’s —army of Chitauri. It brought forth the ache of fighting his brother, whom at the time he had recently believed dead. Not that it would be the last time.

In retrospect, he could not help but realize that although that time had been painful, all the people he had loved and lost had still been alive.

His father. Odin had been the one who used dark energy to send him to Midgard with the objective of stopping Loki by any means necessary.

His mother. Before he departed, Frigga had imparted her own wishes to him: "Bring him home, Thor."

Loki. Initially, he had hoped that his brother could be reasoned with. He soon learned just how deep Loki’s resentment ran.

"Did you mourn?" Loki mocked.

"We all did. Our father-"

Loki cut him off with a finger. "Your father. He did tell you my true parentage, did he not?"

Thor had soon found himself somewhere between demanding and pleading.

"You give up the Tesseract! You give up this poisonous dream! You come home."

His words almost seemed to get through to Loki, his eyes shining with emotion before he huffed out a humorless laugh. Schooling his features into indifference, his next words crumbled Thor's resolve.

"I don't have it."

After his initial inquiries about Jane’s whereabouts, Agent Coulson had told him that S.H.I.E.L.D. had moved her to Norway during the battle, effectively keeping her out of harm's way. Although it became a point of contention in their relationship, he had been relieved that she was safe.

A lump formed in Thor's throat. He should have spent more time with her while he still had the chance. The fresh grief from her loss was still so close to the surface. How precious and fleeting human lives were.

"I mean to rule them, as why should I not?"

"You think yourself above them."

"Well, yes," Loki replied.

"Then you miss the truth of ruling, Brother. A throne would suit you ill."

He had not always believed this of Loki. During his banishment on Earth—after Thor realized just how incompatible his temperament and desires actually were for a would-be king—he came to the realization that his brother had been better suited to the throne all along. He had been cunning where Thor was guileless, quick where Thor was clumsy. Loki never lost sight of the bigger picture, while Thor let any small or imagined slights lure him into tunnel vision.

Although he had not been on Asgard when their father told Loki his true heritage, it was painfully clear how much his little brother had been affected. What had their parents been thinking, not telling the two of them something so vital? It would not have been the family-splintering reveal that it had become if Odin and Frigga had not let their children believe that Frost Giants were heartless monsters. How could they allow that, while knowing full well that Loki was one?

In the end, it had taken Loki until the end of his shortened life to finally accept himself as he was.

"I, Loki, prince of Asgard…"

His gaze landed meaningfully on Thor. "Odinson…

The rightful king of Jotunheim…"

"Uncle Thor!"

Thor was jolted from his memories, hastily wiping a tear from his eye. Now was not the time to grieve the past. Sprawled out below their ship was a large snow-blanketed park crawling with the brown-shelled bodies of a band of Procyonites. According to the intel from the distress signal, the rogue group was working for themselves, and set on using New York's power grid to recharge their ship. If the human screams from down below were any indication, the Procyonites were not asking nicely.

"Alright Love, we've got to take these brown-shelled guys down to protect the nice humans. Are you up for that?" She nodded. "You take that group by the trees there, and I'll take the ones by the statue." He handed her Stormbreaker. “Just call for me if you need any help."

And just like that, they leaped off of their ship-turned-home and launched into the battle.

Thor felt himself relax. It was all so familiar, the adrenaline, the comforting swing of Mjolnir, the muscle memory kicking in. Fighting grounded him, for there was no room to think of the past or the future in the throes of battle.

Suddenly, a flash of green caught his eye. Loki must have just taken down an opponent—

He froze, his heart falling through his stomach. Loki was dead. For certain this time. He was imagining things since he had just been thinking of him. He tried to refocus on defending himself from the ire of his current Procyonite opponent, but the distraction had cost him. Just as he braced himself for the incoming blow, another burst of green light had the creature slumping to the ground.

Thor blinked.

Before him stood a blonde woman with a steely countenance. She appeared to be wearing some sort of battered imitation of Loki's Asgardian leathers. When they made eye contact, she just smirked and spun around to take down another opponent, this time with her machete.

Thor's body finally caught up with his racing thoughts, and he threw Mjolnir at the Procyonite, knocking it unconscious. Before the woman could get away, he reached out, catching her wrist.

"Who are you" he demanded, eyes flashing dangerously, "and how do you have my brother's magic."

She managed to twist her wrist out of his iron grip, but didn't move to get away. Placing her hands on her hips, she asked "What makes you think it's Loki's magic and not my own?"

Thor narrowed his eyes, and the ends of the woman's hair began to levitate from static electricity. "Because your whole getup is obviously modeled after his.” Pausing to take her in fully, he added, “Though you look more like some faded photocopy of him if anything."

The woman huffed and rolled her eyes. "That's exactly what he said." In the blink of an eye, Thor had her shoved against a tree." What did you just say?" Thunder boomed nearby.

She sighed, seemingly exasperated. "I've met your brother. Real charmer."

"Have care for how you speak of the dead," Thor growled menacingly.

Her face softened toward something akin to sympathy. "Your Loki may be dead, but the one I met isn't."

This sent Thor's mind reeling, but he managed to keep her pinned in place. "You speak as if you believe there to be more than one Loki of Asgard."

At this, the corner of her mouth twitched. Eyes glinting, she asked, "Have you ever heard of the multiverse?"

---

Mobius's eyebrows rose at his unexpected company.

"Sylvie- what?"

"Where are we?" asked the young girl. She looked familiar, but Mobius was having a hard time remembering her name.

Thor looked down at her kindly before he glanced back up at Sylvie, eyes hardening. "I'm not sure, but this woman knows something about your Uncle Loki, and I intend to find out what."

Suddenly, Mobius remembered. She was Love, Thor's adopted daughter, Gorr's wish from the Altar of Eternity. As the TVA's former expert in the pursuit of dangerous Variants, he had carefully monitored Gorr's timeline and even brought in a handful of Gorr Variants. All of the dangerous ones had watched their daughter die in their arms.

"But Uncle Loki died, right?"

Sylvie cut in, directing her reply at Thor. "Your Loki died, yes. But in the multiverse, he was one of many."

"You expect me to believe that there are multiple versions of everyone just running about?"

Mobius laughed hollowly as Thor’s eyes snapped to him. "Back at the TVA, we called them Variants."

Sylvie's face hardened briefly at the term, but she recovered quickly. Before Thor had the chance to ask what the TVA was, she redirected the conversation. "Would it help if I proved to you that time travel is real?"

"Oh, I know it is, I've done it myself," Thor responded smugly. "You have to get into a time travel suit and get sucked into some sort of quantum portal. It's how we Avengers reversed Thanos's snap."

"Funnily enough, that's actually how our Loki" Mobius gestured to himself and Sylvie, "came to the TVA in the first place-"

Sylvie elbowed him in the arm and hissed "You're getting ahead of yourself, let me do the talking." He rolled his eyes but allowed her to continue. She looked back at Thor. "What if I told you that we just time traveled and you didn't even realize it?"

Thor scoffed. "I remember that particular sensation quite well, I assure you. I would have realized."

"Oh would you?" Sylvie smirked. "Then why are the three of us on live TV?" She gestured to the news broadcast. Sure enough, Thor, Love, and Sylvie were on screen, fighting the Procyonites in New York.

"Woah," breathed Love. Thor's eyes widened as he took it all in.

"The orange doorway we stepped through—was time travel?"

"'Fraid so," Mobius answered calmly. He was used to having to explain the TVA to the Variants he would interrogate. The reminder of the cruel orders that he'd blindly followed left a twinge of guilt in his chest.

"Alright, so how did you meet this Variant of my brother? You said it had to do with the Avengers time traveling?"

Sylvie nodded at Mobius, and he sighed. "Alright, everyone have a seat. I'll start from the beginning."

"Wait, you were the fugitive Loki Variant?"

Sylvie spread her arms wide. "In the flesh," she smarmed, "but if you ever call me Loki I'll make you regret it. I'm Sylvie now, have been for longer than you've been alive."

"So that's how you are able to wield Loki's magic!"

Sylvie glowered. "Like I said before, it's my magic. But yes, it's quite similar to Loki's."

Mobius continued telling the story, with interjections from Sylvie for the parts he hadn't been there for and the explanation of her motives for freeing the timeline. She seemed particularly tense and distant when recounting what happened in the Citadel, and Mobius didn't push her for details. All that she or Loki had said was that they'd fought, and she'd kicked him through a Time Door into the past so that she could kill He Who Remains. Even so, it was abundantly clear to Mobius that the two of them cared about each other.

"And then came the problem with the Temporal Loom," he sighed.

"Sylvie, are you gonna explain your plan now? Ya kinda left me hanging when you disappeared off on your little side trip to fight aliens in New York with Thor and Love."

On hearing his daughter's name, Thor instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders. The gesture was endearing, but Mobius knew he'd done it on instinct, uncomfortable that Mobius knew her name without an introduction. Talking to TVA agents tended to have that effect on people.

"Right," Sylvie replied. "Like we just said, Loki sacrificed any life he could have had to go hold the branches of time together, and with them, he created a multiversal Yggdrasil. I opened a Time Door to its location," she glanced apologetically toward Mobius, "and after seeing and feeling its power, I'm almost certain that Loki’s Yggdrasil can sustain itself, just like an actual tree. I think Loki was just the catalyst, and he should be able to leave."

Mobius's thoughts began racing. If Sylvie was right and Loki really was able to leave, why hadn't he come back? He couldn't possibly want to sit there isolated from everything, could he? Or worse, what if he had returned to one of the timelines but let them all believe that he was still there, holding the branches? After all they'd been through together, it seemed unlikely. Still, unease pooled in his gut.

From the second Loki had disappeared through that portal, the vast majority of Mobius's thoughts had centered around how to get him back without risking the timelines. He'd never even stopped to consider the possibility that Loki wouldn't come back if given the opportunity.

He’d at least thought Loki would be doing everything he could to get back to Sylvie. It seemed like the majority of the time Mobius had spent with him had involved chasing after her for one reason or another. He’d spent years convincing himself he wasn’t bitter about it. The two of them deserved to be happy together if given the chance.

Breaking the contemplative silence that had descended on the group, Mobius voiced some of his thoughts. "If he's able to come back, why hasn't he?"

"It matters not. If what you say is true, we cannot let him remain there." Thor said resolutely. "If there's a chance I could see him again…" He trailed off, eyes glazed with emotion and distant memories.

Mobius looked toward Sylvie for her reaction. She was fidgeting with the cuff of her sleeve, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Finally, she looked up.

"I couldn't tell you why he hasn't come back, but I get the feeling it has to do with his mindset. Knowing Loki, he's probably convinced himself of something, and is too stubborn to see past it without someone calling bullshit."

Mobius nodded, and when he saw Thor doing the same he flashed the god a sad smile. Thor returned the gesture with a feeble one of his own. If anyone was as familiar with Loki's stubborn streak as Mobius, it was Thor. He'd spent years trying to convince Loki that his adoption and species didn't make him any less of an Odinson. It had taken Loki until his death on the Sacred Timeline to come around.

Love's small voice broke through the weight of emotions blanketing the room. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get him!"

The young girl's words spurred Thor into action. "Love is right, let us not waste any more time attempting to decipher Loki's motivations when we can go ask him ourselves." He stood up and summoned Mjolnir from the coffee table. Then he looked down at Love and shot a concerned glance toward Sylvie. "I swore to protect my daughter, and I do not wish to put her in any unforeseen danger." Love shot him an indignant glare. "Are you certain it's safe?"

Suddenly, Mobius remembered walking down the gangway with the Temporal Aura Extractor in the bulky TVA suit, terrified of losing his skin. The temporal radiation wasn't an issue now that the Loom was gone, but…

"Yeah, it's safe," Sylvie confirmed. "There's nothing there but the timelines and empty space."

"Uh guys," Mobius interjected. "I know you all have godly powers and physiology to keep you from immediately freezing into a popsicle when you're out in space, but my lack of powers and very human physiology won't do me any favors out there."

"Not to worry, I have space suits back on my ship, and you are welcome to use one," Thor responded easily. He looked pointedly at Sylvie. "Can you open one of those time travel doors to get us there?"

Back in New York, everyone boarded Thor's ship (which was still hovering above Central Park, right where they left it). Just before the hatch closed, Mobius caught a glimpse of Doctor Stephen Strange opening a cluster of portals to send the Procyonites and their uncharged ship somewhere far away.

Thor slid into the cockpit and took off, looking for a safe place to land. Love led Mobius and Sylvie to the collection of space suits, giving the pair an impromptu tour along the way.

"...And here are the space suits!" She explained happily while pointing at a compartment filled with sleek suits of varying bright colors. To Mobius's relief, they were nothing like the bulky temporal radiation suit at the TVA. "Uncle Thor insists on having them since he has mortal friends, including humans like Jane."

Mobius reached into the compartment, his fingers brushing against the green suit. Was that too on the nose?

When he looked up, Love was watching Mobius, her stormy blue eyes a little too assessing for comfort. "You love my Uncle Loki, don't you."

Mobius froze, his heart skipping a beat. "What?" He chuckled nervously, heat rising to his cheeks. He was intensely aware of Sylvie's gaze on him. "Of course I do, he's my friend."

Love tilted her head to the side. "Yeah, but it's more than that, right? Earlier, you were talking about Loki like Uncle Thor talks about Jane. It's different from how he talks about his dead friends and family."

Had this kid really figured out what Mobius had been repressing for years that easily?

"Sorry hun, but Loki and I are just friends."

He looked to Sylvie for backup, but she just flashed him a knowing look, the corner of her lip quirking slightly.

Chagrined, Mobius attempted to change the subject. "I'm gonna go check on Thor, see if I can help him find a landing spot." And with that, he grabbed the blue suit and headed toward the cockpit.

Within ten minutes they had found a grassy field in upstate New York to land and cloak the ship in. Mobius got into the suit and helmet, and Sylvie helped him with the gloves. After Mobius assured himself that there were no cracks or leaks, the four of them disembarked and stood around Sylvie's TemPad.

"Alright, I'm going to open a Time Door as close as I can get to the timelines. Once we're there, I'm going to try to use my magic to get us inside Loki's Yggdrasil. At the very least, that should get his attention." She paused, looking everyone in the eye. "Are we ready?"

Thor voiced his assent, and Mobius pushed all his anxious thoughts about Loki's motivations aside. He would find out the truth, and deal with the fallout later.

He took a deep breath. "We're ready."

-----

Notes:

Aaand we're back!!

I've been traveling with my family and didn't have access to my computer for over 3 weeks, but now that I'm back I'll be trying to update this story weekly :)

I hope you enjoyed Thor and Love's addition to the group! The reunion with Loki is FINALLY happening next chapter, so buckle up for all the feels ❤️

Side note: Procyonites are aliens from the Thor comics, described on Wikipedia as "a reptilian race with a large brown tortoise-like shell and brown scales, 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) in height on average."

taglist:

If you'd like to be added or removed from the taglist at any point, please leave a comment or send me a message :)

@loopsisloops @muddyorbsblr @superficialdomina @infinitystoner @unlucky-number-13

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#loki #loki fanfic #loki s2 finale spoilers #loki spoilers #fix it fic #lokius #lokius fic #mcu loki #loki marvel #mobius #mobius m mobius #mobius mcu #loki series #mcu #marvel #brodinsons #the sun will shine on us again #relinquish your burden

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metataxy · 8 months

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Rebels S2 Finale Drabble

Canon divergence I want:

What if, instead of blinding Kanan in an attempt to get Ahsoka and him out of the way, Maul just decided that powerful Force Users who also had it in for Palpatine were a bit scarce these days, and he probably shouldn't throw away the extra help?

----------------------------------------------

"Where's Ezra," Kanan seethed.

Maul bared his teeth in a grin. "Our apprentice is currently activating the battlestation."

"Our apprentice?" the Knight sputtered. Maul ignored him, flicking his eyes to Ahsoka.

"Surely, Lady Tano, you Rebels could find a use for a Battle Station of this size? The technology is a little outdated, to be sure, but it's not as though they have so many other options."

Lady Tano's lips curled. "As though you wouldn't just stab us in the back the moment it became convenient."

Maul smiled at her. "Lady Tano, at what point would it be convenient now for me to stab you in the back?" Tano paused. Apparently the years had taught them both the benefit of reflection. "Our goals are one and the same."

"And what goals are those?" the Togruta Knight demanded, looking as though she'd cross her arms, if it wouldn't slow down her draw on her saber.

"Why, to kill our former Masters, of course." Maul consciously relaxed his posture. "After all, we've hardly been successful in dispatching Palpatine and Vader alone."

Jarrus' eyes darted sideways at Ahsoka. Maul itched to use the Knight's distraction to take him out. It would be so much easier to mold Ezra without Jedi interference--but no. Jarrus had proven his usefulness against the Inquisitors, and even if his Jedi precepts held the man back now from his full potential, he'd seen man's fighting style. When pressed, his Soresu flowed abruptly into Juyo strikes and back again. Their brief conversations proved him easy to rile, fast to anger, impatient.

He could work with this.

"Asides," Maul said, opening himself to the Force, so they could feel his honesty. "I find I have... struggled... with managing the needs and expectations of my forces in the past."

"You mean you treated everyone as disposable and they mutinied to save their own lives."

"Reductive, but yes. A collaboration would benefit us both. You cannot deny my expertise in war or my knowledge of our foe, Lady Tano. You would gain the resources of this battlestation, the Black Sun, and," his eyes flicked to Jarrus, "a much needed sparring partner."

"No," Jarrus said as the battlestation continued to rise around them. The man's eyes flicked back to Ahsoka, who looked pensive. "It's a no. Right, Ahsoka?"

She clicked her tongue against her teeth, hesitating.

"Right, Ahsoka?"

"Kanan! What's happening--" Ezra all but tumbled down the stairs towards them.

"He's a cutthroat who will kill you in your sleep the moment it serves him, but for now, he's got a point," Ahsoka decided. Kanan gaped at her. Another jolt went through the battle station, and they all fought to keep their footing, Ezra all but bowling Kanan over as he ran to him. "What's happening?"

"We'll discuss this later," Ahsoka told them definitively. "For now, we have to get this battlestation out of the Emperor's hands."

"Battlestation?" echoed Ezra incredulously, glancing wide-eyed at Maul.

Maul smiled. "Indeed, young apprentice," he said, cherishing the surge of irritation his words triggered in Jarrus. "Let me show you all to the control room."

And the Jedi followed him.

------------------------------------------

Despite his resolve to play the long game and become the new Emperor and do the galactic domination thing, having realized he needs to cooperate at least some people and acknowledge them as more than tools in order to accomplish his goals results in Maul actually bonding with people. The Jedi manage to talk him out of his worst impulses. He still pulls shit that makes some of them refuse to talk with him for months on end (eg. sacrificing less important Rebel groups as bait in order to take out larger Imperial forces, using hostages to ensure compliance of Imperial officials, endangering civilian lives by compromising Imperial supply lines, etc.) but veterans like Saw Guerrera and Airen Cracken end up respecting his effectiveness.

As for the Jedi themselves, under Maul's influence they end up developing a new Force tradition, something both Jedi and Sith and neither. To Kanan's initial displeasure, he finds himself leaning far more dark than Ezra grows to become. They all have another run-in with Leia, Maul recognizes her as Sensitive and trains her, while Ahsoka figures out she's Anakin's daughter. When Vader tries to murder everyone on board the Tantine, Sith Leia is there to stop him.

And Kenobi never has the opportunity to do suicide by Sith because Maul is just like, fuck no, let's admit we've just been into each other all this time and deal with that in a less murdery way--and they make geriatric cybernetic love and weird everyone the fuck out.

The end :P

#star wars rebels #star wars #darth maul #ezra bridger #the dark side #jedi #sith

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episodicnostalgia · 4 months

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Star Trek: The Next Generation, 120 (Apr. 11, 1988) - “The Arsenal of Freedom”

Teleplay by: Richard Manning & Hans Beimler Story by: Maurice Hurley & Robert Lewin Directed by: Les Landau

The Breakdown

The USS Drake has gone missing after being sent to investigate a planet (Minos) whose entire population has ALSO gone missing; so naturally the Enterprise has been sent to figure out why there are so many missing people connected to one planet. On a probably-unrelated-note, it turns out the Minosians were arms dealers who sold super advanced weaponry, but I’m sure that won’t be relevant to the following 45 minutes. Anyways, the Enterprise arrives at Minos to find zero signs of life, except for a hailing frequency originating on the planet’s surface. Obviously Picard accepts the call, but it just turns out to be one of those un-skippable YouTube advertisements for a highly advanced weapons system, and Picard is like “That was weird. We should send some people to the surface to check that out.”

For what must be a first for this ENTIRE crew, Tasha makes a rational security decision in convincing Riker to keep the away team as small as possible, in the interest of general ship safety (since there is absolutely no sign of the missing Drake, which I honestly think is a MUCH bigger red flag than Picard is making it out to be). Riker agrees (taking only himself, Tasha, and Data), but gets himself caught in a statis field almost immediately, so Picard throws caution to the wind and beams himself AND Dr. Crusher down to help out… somehow. Although, credit where credit is due, Picard does have the foresight to leave Geordi in charge of the Enterprise with orders to abandon him and the away team if it means protecting the ship.

Naturally all this leads to a double-jeopardy situation. Down below, the away team keeps getting attacked by little killer drones that regenerate-and-adapt every time one gets shot down; meanwhile separate drone starts attacking the Enterprise, slowly picking away at the shields (oh, and it can cloak, making it tough to kill). Geordi finally figures out a way to outsmart his mechanical nemesis by using the displacement of Minos’ upper atmosphere to reveal the drone’s location. At the same time Picard conveniently falls into a pit that happens to contain a control panel that activates the holographic salesman (from the aforementioned automated message) who prompts him to finalize the purchase of their killer drones, in order to “end the demonstration”; thus completing what has apparently been a VERY high-stakes sales pitch.

At this point it’s been concluded that the Minosians accidentally created a killing machine that was so effective it accidentally murdered their entire species, in addition to anyone who came poking around. Since the Enterprise is now safe, and the mystery of the Drake’s disappearance is solved (in that the crew are confirmed to have met a nightmarish end), we can chalk this up to another happy ending!

The Verdict

There’s something to be said for a straightforward adventure story, and ‘arsenal of freedom’ successfully delivers on that front. I can’t say there’s enough going on here for me to classify this episode as one of “the greats,” but it makes good use what it does have.

The highlight of this episode has to be Geordi’s command of the Enterprise. It’s nice to see some genuine progression for a character that I’ve often felt gets overlooked, made all the better by the fact that I found his solution to the drone battle refreshingly plausible! Usually when Star Trek is dealing with cloaked adversaries, it gets resolved with some kind of tachyon-scanner-upgrade-techno babble. That’s all well-and-good AS LONG the writers also take care not to abuse such genre-conventions (which is another matter entirely), but I still tend to prefer solutions that adhere to the laws of physics. As for Geordi’s time in command, I also appreciate how this episode builds on his previous experiences, in throwing him a greater challenge to overcome.

The away team’s adventure definitely makes up the weaker half of the episode, but even that is at least cheesily entertaining, avoiding any glaringly cringy moments. My main criticism would be over how convenient Picard’s discovery of the control panel was, allowing him to call off the drones; but this is far from the most egregious deus ex machina on a Star Trek show, and it certainly won’t be the last.

But yeah, fun stuff.

3 stars (out of 5)

Additional Observations

I’ve gotta say, the skies of Minos are a beautiful shade of bluescreen- I mean blue.

TNG always suffered from a “women character problem”, in that the writers seldom knew what to do with them, so I was pleasantly surprised with this episode. It’s not so much that writers did anything groundbreaking with the ladies here, but this has been their best overall use of them up to this point, by my reckoning. Tasha is shown to be competent and reliable, Crusher is able to keep her wits about her after she’s injured (even getting some added backstory), and even Deanna’s council to Goerdi isn’t half bad (which is really saying something for these early episodes). The show still has a tremendous amount of work left to do in this regard, but it’s at least a tiny step in the right direction.

BATTLE BRIDGE: This is only the second time we’ve been shown the Enterprise’s saucer section separating from the rest of the ship. It’s a pretty cool feature that will be seldom used, but it’s an effective way to sell the raised stakes of a given situation, and thoughtfully applied here.

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memes-in-a-half-shell · 6 months

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Villain AU - Deadlock, Part 9

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 ||

This fanfic is not popular at all, but goddamn I'm having fun writing it 😤👏 WOO

It took them some weeks, but plans were finally getting in motion. Late at night, Vee received a message on her phone only to notify her that Donnie was waiting outside the appartment building.

"Meet me down on the street?" she read with slight confusion.

Packing her gear into a backpack, she headed to the building's entrance, meeting with a garbage truck waiting by the sidewalk. The woman hesitated for a moment, but dared climb to the passenger door, peeking inside.

The first thing she noticed was the array of electronics decorating the space, but she also saw Donatello sitting at the driver's seat, striking a goofy waiting pose with a grin. Vee laughed, not waiting to get in. She was first met with music, recognizing the tune as Evil Woman by ELO.

"I'm sure you chose that song on purpose," she pointed, sitting down.

"Oh come on, I would never," he teased back. "It just so happened to start as soon as you got in."

"Uh-huh," sourly agreed the human, although playful as well.

She took a moment to look around the cockpit, truly amazed by everything her eyes landed on. As her gaze moved, she then got to the back of the vehicle, her eyes growing even more.

"Holy shit Donnie, what even is this truck?!" She pointed towards one part. "There's even a couch, what the fuck!"

"That's where the magic happens," he played off cool, though he remained comical. "Welcome to smooth Donatello's fuck mobile."

That got Vee to burst into laughter, a loud snort easily escaping her. She rapidly placated a hand to her mouth, looking back at the terrapin with renewed wide eyes. That brought the mutant to laugh as well, soon the same sound leaving him too. The woman pointed at him next, snorting again.

"No way! We laugh the same!!"

They could only fuel one another, yet reached a resolve with warm smiles, somehow charmed by this unforseen similarity. Donnie broadly gestured to the back of the truck.

"Actually, this is primarly a battle truck. ... But I gave it my own twist to also make it a party van," he winked at the end.

"I mean, with the disco ball, I can see that," added the human, still peaking and looking over from her seat.

"I know just what's needed to get this party started!"

With a flick to his radio, another song started, its beat already catching Vee's attention. The tune of We Like To Party! from Vengaboys was now blasting, the woman already cheering while Donnie got the truck back on the road. She couldn't stop dancing a little in her seat as she started singing along - to the terrapin's slight surprise. He couldn't hide his smile as he was driving, enjoying this burst of happiness from her. As the first half of the song ended, Vee sighed to calm her excitement, lowering the music's volume. Settling herself comfortably in her seat, she glanced over at the terrapin, a grin forever present on her features.

"So! What excuse did you give to your family?"

Donnie lightly tapped the steering wheel, his eyes still on the road: "Said that I needed to do some test runs with the truck for a couple of new features. I've been indeed working on it lately, but I'm not done yet with the upgrades. ... But they don't need to know that!"

"That's what I'm talking about," added Vee with a smirk.

Getting to meet up was definitely a challenge as it went on. Ever since that night Donatello got into an argument with Leo, his return home had been met with a family sit down and a long and tedious conversation about the mission and the woman's involvement. Raph had reported that she didn't seem like a threat, physically - to which Donnie gave him the stink eye. She was aware of the plan to take the Foot clan down, as well as any potential Purple Dragons involvement. For Leonardo, that was already too much, but for Donnie that was only the tip of the iceberg. They knew nothing, many details were still in the dark. The terrapin did bring a point on the table regarding Vee's findings about Bishop and their ties to the so-called "Earth Protection Force". With that lead, Donnie had been able to research the organization and had indeed found out that Bishop kept themselves involved in many projects that dealt in non-human findings and various xeno researches of the likes. There was a pattern to notice, and there was no way the turtle would let that go. His family may be well against the woman's participation, but they didn't need to be made aware of it for now.

They arrived near their destination; a tall tower that was reserved for pharmaceutical research and various medical advancements. Parked, Vee observed the building from her seat, pushing out a quick sigh.

"Another tower... great."

"I already got the layout figured out, it won't be so bad."

"Hopefully the security won't be as arduous as the Foot's."

"Piece of cake, I'll say," smirked the terrapin.

The woman playfully rolled her eyes, hopping out of her seat and heading towards the back of the truck - she did not miss the opportunity to smack Donnie's shoulder on her way.

"I'll get dressed, don't peek."

The mutant tsked in amusement, shifting the vehicle's stick to get it back in motion and closer to the building. He couldn't help peeking into his rearview mirror a little...

He stopped the truck near a back entrance where delivery trucks would usually go. Parking into a dark spot, he then stepped out, soon joined by Vee in her usual technical gear.

"So, where do we start?" she asked in her flanged tone.

The terrapin tapped something to his right wrist, a 3D holographic model - or rather its inner skeleton - of the building appearing from a small projector on his shoulder strap.

"Seems like we have some naughty hematologists in here who's been leaking some blood sample information to the Purple Dragons." He tapped to a higher floor, a dot marker appearing. "We'll need to reach the 24th floor and tap into those databases - see what they have to offer."

"Why does it always have to be on such high floors?" briefly sighed the woman.

"Aw, come on, it'll be fun," smirked the other, tapping another button, this time highlighting vents and corridors throughout the whole complex. "We can either stick together and go along a path that shouldn't offer too much surveillance, or you can wiggle alone in the vents. They'll be too small for me, so I can't sneak around in them."

"Would we reach the destination at the same time?"

"If you work that butt of yours fast enough in those vents, maybe. You might even get there a bit earlier than me."

"Bet. I just need to know how I'll head there exactly."

On cue, Donnie reached for a pouch to his belt, next handing a watch-like device to the human.

"Wear this; you'll be able to view the same map I have and it'll highlight you the best route."

Vee faked a gasp, accepting the object with slight giddiness.

"Monsieur Donatello, you are the gift that keeps on giving!"

"Watch out, soon enough I'll claim my due," he winked.

The duo got on the move, keeping communications open as they went their seperate ways. Disabling the cameras had indeed been a piece of cake, the terrapin still making his way carefully along the halls and stairs. Vee had mostly been complaining about dust and some webs here and there, but her trek did allow her to reach higher levels faster. As she arrived to the 24th floor, she slipped through an opening large enough for her at floor-level - after removing the grid. Easily spotting a room with computers and various testing equipments, Vee made a beeline as she brought the watch up:

"I've made it. I'll start looking through the files."

No answer.

"Donnie?"

His voice came through as a hush: "We've got company."

Still walking towards the room, she spoke in soft tones as well: "Who?"

She steered for the first computer she laid eyes on, already booting it up and ready to slip in a key that could bypass any login credentials.

"Foot ninjas," he replied. "They're just a couple of floors under you. I'll try to see how many of them there are."

"Hacking in, grabbing stuff, and waiting for you," simply answered Vee, tapping on the keyboard next.

Already starting to copy over files, she dared moving away and tried peeking out of the room. She first heard some faint footsteps, barely noticing some dark figures before she reeled back inside.

"They're coming," the woman stiffled through gritted teeth. "What the fuck is the Foot clan doing here anyway?"

"Drop everything and go," advised the turtle.

"Go where? I'll have to go past them to reach the vents!"

"Hide! I'm coming."

Vee glanced at her download, not even halfway through. She'd just need a couple more minutes.... With a hushed groan she turned the green lights of her googles off, retracting to a dark corner, under a desk. The ninjas made their way closer, stopping by the room's entrance. The woman worried as to why they were interested, when she realized that the computer she was messing with was the only one with its monitor on .... damn idiot. Three figures stepped in, coming closer to the hardware. They were speaking softly, observing the transfer window. It was when Vee picked up something along the phrase "let's unplug this" that she got some smoke bombs out. Slipping out of her hiding spot, her hand grabbed the first thing she could - a pen - and threw it far so it made noise right outside the hallway. The ninjas' attention diverted, Vee did not hesitate to throw her bombs next and took the chance to slip through the smoke and right to the computer. In a swift move she grabbed her key, hoping she would have enough information, and settled back up to chance an escape. Yet her action was altered, a hand grasping one of her wrists, a mask figure meeting hers. Her body was instantly lifted and thrown up against tables nearby with a loud crash. Voices rose in a warning an alarm suddenly blaring through. Vee barely had time to come to reason that a renewed pair of hands grabbed her by the front of her hood, yanking her back on her feet.

"What are you doing here?" asked one of the ninjas, still holding her firmly.

The woman winced lightly, trying to play it cool afterward: "I wanted to get a good idea of the building's layout. I have an interview tomorrow. I'll be less worried."

Wrong answer. She got slammed on the table once again.

"What did you copy?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, sweetheart."

She saw the other raise his fist, ready to punch her face, but Vee had been quick enough to raise her knee and hit the other straight to his groin area. As the ninja reeled back, the woman was standing on her feet - slightly dizzy. The smoke dissipating, she could see the two others ready to strike her, Vee instantly holding up her fists in a boxing position. It'd been a while since she last "fought" something, but now was no time to slack. Her first opponent came swiftly, his kick interrupted with a quick block from Vee's wrists. Her claws gave her an advantage as she ripped through some clothes, drawing a bit of blood from superfical cuts. All she had to do was to keep herself in defensive until Donnie would come...

The second man came in delivering a punch to her side. A loud grunt left the woman, but she came back with a vengance as she shouldered her attacker, then elbowing right under his chin as hard as she could. Next spotting a metal tray, she grabbed it, deflecting another kick from the other she blocked prior. It was a constant back and forth, trying to keep her head out of this metaphorical raging water. Her body was screaming in pain, but the adrenaline was keeping her in check - always ready to punch or stop any ninja coming her way. She heard some heavy footsteps coming down the hallway through all this commotion. In this cacophony, the first man who'd grabbed her was finally back on his feet, shouting for the two others to move aside. In a juxtaposition, she spotted Donatello's shape at the door frame, behind the now clearly angered ninja. Vee felt some instant relief wash through her, but it was shortly lived when she felt a kick to her chest - strong enough to push her backward and have her crashing through a window and down the tower.

The terrapin's yell was instant, rushing into the room and barely minding the Foot ninjas as he shoved them out of the way. His only goal was the window, through which he jumped and next aimed for a screaming Vee.

His weight was an advantage at this moment, falling faster than the human. Her arms were already extended towards him in this blatant need for help. As soon as the mutant got a grab of her hand, he instantly pulled so that Vee could wrap her arms around his neck and squeeze her thighs against his sides. In an expert move, Donnie reached for a gun-like device with suction cups, aiming for windows. As it stuck, the duo was slinged through another glass, the terrapin bracing for impact as he surrounded the woman in his arms and rolled into a room, barrelling through chairs and desks.

... They remained in this closed position for a couple more seconds, simply to acknowledge the fact that they were not falling anymore. Donnie was the first one to move and sit up with a groan, looking down at Vee who was still clutching at his very being.

"... Are you alright?" he asked.

She barely nodded, finally moving in turn, yet remaining in his lap and facing him for a little while more. She removed her hood and her googles, lowering her mouth mask with a shaky breath.

"You saved me..."

That got a quick snicker from the other.

"What? You wanted me to let you splatter down on the pavement?"

She didn't answer at first, prefering to hug back around his neck once more. He had said that as a joke, of course, but deep down his core he would have never forgiven himself if it had been the case. The immense fear that had gripped him as he watched her crash through that window... Free falling was something normal along his patrols, but for her it must've been a fearful realization that death had only been some mere seconds away. He hugged her back, nuzzling her hair. All he wanted was to hold her forever...

The constant beeping alarm caught back to their ears, prompting them to move once more. This time Donatello winced, noticing a pain to his right shoulder. Looking over, the duo noticed a big shard of glass firmly planted into his scales, blood already starting to trail around the wound.

"Oh, hello," simply observed the terrapin.

Vee's mind rushed at the sight, realizing that this was a chance. She needed to think of something quick that would allow her to get some sample secured... Her deer-in-headlights stare did not escape the turtle. He waved a hand slowly before her eyes.

"Hey, you good? Are you uncomfortable with the sight of blood?"

Vee snapped back to life, comically dismissing his concern.

"I bleed every months, I can handle it."

"As expected," he was shuffling through a pouch at his belt. "I'll need you to put some gauzes and tape on the wound after I'm done removing the shard."

"Don't you want me to remove it?"

He handed her the needed items, his head shaking slightly.

"It needs to be removed in one swift move as to avoid breaking the glass. I'm strong enough to do it, don't worry."

She agreed, preparing the first aid care. Donnie placed his left hand around the glass, prepping himself mentally until he swiftly pulled - a sharp hiss leaving his lips. Some quick "go, go, go" escaped him, trying to numb down the pain as he focused on Vee's actions.

"Let's go back to my place, I'll be able to patch you up better," she said after being done.

"Was about to propose the same," he added, still wincing a bit. "Before the others catch up to us."

***

The ride back to the apartment was definitely somewhat quieter. Donnie was trying to not focus on his right shoulder, prefering to throw in speculations as to why Foot ninjas had been present. Were they securing the information? Were they trying to steal the data instead? Was there anything else of value over there? The reasons seemed infinite and that could only fuel the duo's curiosity and theories even more.

Finally arriving at Vee's place, the woman hurried to her floor as the terrapin was doing his best to reach her living room's window, waiting patiently for her to get in and open the way for him. Vee's mind was a blur as they headed for the bathroom, her thoughts completely locked on the bloodied bandages. Holding them gave her pause - so close to her goal.

"Are you sure you're alright?" rose up Donnie's voice.

Her gaze shot back up to him, quickly nodding.

"I'll go get scissors to help cut the new bandages," she simply answered, already disappearing towards the kitchen.

She had to think fast. Knowing she had to preserve the small sample, Vee quickly fumbled around and reached for a tupperware, throwing the bloodied gauze and medical tape in, sealing it shut and hurrying to hide it at the back of her refrigerator. Closing the door, this sudden wave of relief hit her - any and all pent up stress finally fading away. The weight of everything that happened finally fell on her shoulders, a light shaking invading her limbs, and most specifically her knees and hands. Reaching for a pair of scissors in a kitchen drawer, she also grabbed a glass of water - a further excuse for her absence.

Heading back to the bathroom, Vee found the mutant observing his wound in the mirror, already at the task of washing it (and wincing slightly).

"How are you going to explain that to your family?" asked the woman, placing the scissors on the small sink counter.

"Cut myself on sharp metal, trying to fix something on the truck. S'not the first time it happened anyway - but not as deep."

He handed her a piece of cotton soaked with an antiseptic liquid.

"Pat that around the wound, please."

Vee carefully took the piece after discarding her glass to the side, next trying to calm her hands as she placed her free one around a safe space on his shoulder, the other carefully tapping the piece on his scales. She focused on the feel of his skin, sensing his arm's muscles twitch ever so slightly whenever she got too close to the wound's opening - alongside his patient moves as he prepared the next steps of his care. He next tasked Vee to apply some ointement while he prepared the needed length of bandages.

All of this executed in cooperative silence, Vee could only smile faintly, feeling this easiness between them; this sensation that they truly were a team now. The terrapin noticed her features softening, a quiet chuck leaving him:

"What are you thinking about?"

The woman's motions slowed, eyes crossing Donnie's.

"We make a good team."

His gaze appeared tender, his whole self warming with this simple sentence. Vee gestured for him to hand over the bandages, starting to wrap him up.

"I suspect you had to protect yourself against the Foot while I was trying to reach you," spoke Donnie, changing the subject only to get himself out of this inner puppy-eyed reverie. "How did that go?"

Vee sighed, continuing her task: "Let's just say I was mostly lucky," she started. "Back when I was a kid I had some boxing lessons with my dad, but that feels like forever ago..."

"Huh! You never really mentionned anything about your family before. Do you still talk to them?"

The faint frown on the woman's features was already a good indication.

"... Let's not talk about that right now, if you don't mind."

"Noted."

The terrapin swiftly moved the subject around once more, a smile on his lips.

"Raph was wrong then; you can indeed be a physical menace!"

Vee was back into that similar amusement: "Oh, please, I would absolutely still be obliterated by him if I were to try to fight that wall of a turtle. ... I'm certain I could even lose against you."

"We can test that out, sometime," added Donnie with a smirk.

As Vee finished securing the bandage, she lightly slapped over it, making the turtle wince one last time.

"We'll see about that," she simply answered with a stick out of her tongue.

The woman proceeded next to her living room and computer, tasking herself with plugging her key containing any information she'd been able to snatch from their excursion. The tall turtle followed suit, rolling his right shoulder lightly only to get accustomed to the faint pain as quick as possible. Skimming through the data, Vee noticed that most of the files were targeting blood samples. Apart from the usual types and various metrics, some more digging revealed mentions of 'animal ancestors', which instantly grabbed Donnie's attention. Standing behind and slightly hunching over the woman sitting in her chair, the mutant took hold of the mouse, taking control of the search. To be surrounded by his form, Vee felt the faintest of blush invade her cheeks - being reminded of how small she appeared alongside him.

"Do me a favor and search the term 'mutation'," he asked. "I'd do it myself, but your keyboard's too small for my stupid fat fingers."

That brought a quick amused snort out of Vee, pressing the ctrl and F keys, then searching for the requested term. Some results were found, a particular sentence holding their attention:

As per the client's information, animal ancestry may play a key role into the test subject's mutation after being subjugated to the purple substance. Two successful specimens are known and alive, currently out of reach. Samples are yet to be distributed for further research. Tentative recreations are still ongoing.

"Tentative recreations?" read back Vee, puzzled.

"They're trying to recreate the purple ooze..." clarified Donatello. "And with Bebop and Rocksteady still locked up, they can't access their blood and extract the substance."

He straightened up, sighing as he pinched between his eyes, under his glasses, grumbling next: "They want to mutate people again, of course they wanna do that...."

"Do you think they'd be able to do that from scratch? Why would they want to mutate people, anyway?"

He looked back at Vee, the woman still trying to read more on the matter. The terrapin's hands gently landed on her shoulders, his thumbs petting the nape of her neck slowly, thinking. That motion seemed to ease Vee's tension, sensing her muscles relax and her posture slacking ever so slightly.

"There could be many reasons," started the turtle. "Knowing the Foot Clan, they'd most certainly want to add more muscles to their organization. Ever since Shredder disappeared after Krang's invasion, they've been more reckless on certain operations..." His next thoughts pained him a little. "And if they're really trying to recreate the purple ooze, I can only hope they are not experimenting on human subjects already.... the cases about missing people makes sense now and I'm starting to fear the worse."

Donnie's hands moved along her shoulders and over her arms, hunching over her once more only to nuzzle her hair in gratitude.

"Thank you for grabbing that information, it's a step in the right direction."

"I assume you want a copy of it?"

"Yes please," mumbled the turtle, still nuzzling her hair.

He would have to do a thorough review of the documents, knowing he would need to regroup all the intel and let his family be aware of it. ... Donnie felt cheap for having to take all the credit in front of them, when he'd much prefer to reveal it all with Vee alongside him.

Gear back in place and ready to go, the terrapin was stopped by the window, Vee's hands against his arm and scales. She took a moment to observe his features, as if wanting to burn this image into her mind.

"I didn't say thanks," she simply stated first. "... Thank you for saving me back there. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't jump after me. I-..."

The mutant's smile was sweet, instinctively bringing a hand to cup her cheek.

"That's my job; saving people and this city."

"Even unlawful information brokers like me?" added Vee, joking lightly.

"Even more so..." he answered in a heartbeat.

In a natural gesture Donnie came nearer, leaving a faint kiss to her forehead. Both with their eyes closed, they remained close, basking into this serene proximity.

"I'd never let anything or anyone hurt you..." he murmured.

She trusted those words. She knew he was speaking the absolute truth and once more, she could only feel this relief by standing at his side.

Saying goodbye felt a bit heartbreaking that night. The terrapin said that he'd keep Vee informed as best as he could, as soon as possible. ... The woman had a faint hope it'd be tomorrow - yet that was only infatuation speaking at this very moment.

...

Alone once more in her apartment, Vee took a moment to watch the garbage truck disappear into the night. She surprised herself with a long sigh, this cold sensation invading her body all of a sudden. That reminded her of her fridge, her attention snapping to it and already making a beeline to her small kitchen area. Opening the door once more, she spotted the tupperware far in the back, it's bloodied content still present. ... Closing it, she pondered her next course of action. The sample may be too poor and small to be actually handed to her mysterious client. She would definitely need to up her game if she wanted to grab something of greater value. Yet, now something was starting to sprout in the depths of her mind, starting to wonder what was actually planned for such sample of such extraordinairy blood.

For now she would safekeep this forbidden treasure, hoping she wouldn't need to hold onto it for too long...

((TO BE CONTINUED))

#it's-a-moi #villain au #usual sorry for any mistakes #there might be some fluff in the next chapter 👉👈#need to do some planning first - but at least I know where I'm going with this fic 😂 so it's not a complete improv like most of my fics #ndasjdbsdsdbhfsdbfhsdhfbfbsdf #ANYWHOOZLE

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