#despite the fact they're both against new who companions

[companion-showdown]

Who is your Favourite Companion not from Contemporary Earth?

TOURNAMENT MASTERPOST

#not from around here: round 1 #go on vicki #can i not dream of a vicki vs zoe final #despite the fact they're both against new who companions #they can do it #right #i believe in them

[altocat]

Why ship Sephiroth and Genesis? They're rivals, and Genesis was a huge dick to him in Nibelheim.

Genesis as he exists in CC is, well, kind of flawed. I think the reason he polarized the fandom so much was his pretentiousness, as well as what a generally shitty friend he is, especially to Sephiroth.

So I sought to change that in what I hope entails actually fleshing him out. Why does he feel the need to compete with Sephiroth? His journal clearly showed that Seph was his hero. There's obviously a lot of history between them, especially if Sephiroth was consistently that reluctant to confront him. There's a ton of jealousy, a ton of bitterness, and a ton of unspoken conflict between them.

So why?

What if Genesis is so desperate to be Sephiroth's equal because he WANTS his hero's aknowledgement? What if the crux of his whole hero mindset is because he WANTS to be the same as Sephiroth? Sephiroth is unattainable, a champion among men, beyond everything and everyone. So what if it turns out that Genesis not only wants to prove to the world that he's just as capable of being a hero on Sephiroth's level, but to also prove himself WORTHY of Sephiroth's affection?

All his life, he's come in second place. His parents only ever fed into his insecurities, and his physical frailty always put him at odds with the poems he read as a child. Then he finds out about Sephiroth --almighty, all-conquering. Flawless. The hero of his stories, of his dreams. That's what he believes in. That's what motivates him to become something more than a rich man's son. Getting close to Sephiroth will validate him. Getting close to Sephiroth is everything.

As for Sephiroth, this is new territory. A friend. Someone he believes to be a trustworthy interpersonal investment, AND someone who has the drive to actually keep up with him! Genesis isn't afraid of challenging him, not mewling and fawning over him, but really working to get on his level. What's more, Genesis' arrogance is just so...novel. He's never seen someone so brave with so much ego. He's never been interested in personal glory and yet here Genesis is working for it at all costs. And Sephiroth WANTS him to try. He WANTS the competition. He genuinely respects Genesis and wants him to succeed.

On top of that, he's always felt different, isolated. Here's someone who goes out of their way to integrate him, but also a tangible connection that he can relate to. Someone who pulls him out of his shell, engages him, isn't interested in studying him like a lab specimen. He's never had someone to be close with like this. He doesn't want to lose it. Not ever.

Together, they're fire and ice, polar opposites from opposite lifestyles who can go one minute being the most dearest of companions, and at each other's throats the next. It's a complete whirlwind, with both idiots completely failing to openly express just how incredibly important they are to each other.

Which brings me to the doomed lovers angle I like writing with them. Their lack of communication and internal insecurities are bad enough, but Shinra's meddling only continues to fuel their rivalry and pit them against each other. Despite the fact that both admire each other so strongly and probably could have come to the conclusion that they would have always been worthy in each other's eyes. But no. Shinra has to keep pushing and pushing and then it all comes tumbling down.

And in the end, Genesis ends up alone, full of regrets, finally realizing that he'd always had what he was looking for. His "gift of the goddess" was always there. Sephiroth, conversely, renounces everything that remotely resembles human attachments and no longer even REMEMBERS Genesis. They broke each other, one way or another. And had their circumstances been different, if they'd actually talked to each other, if they'd just given a little nudge, they could have shared the Banora Whites. They could have been happy.

So yeah. That's basically me rambling and spitballing them lol. I just think they're neat and have a potentially interesting dynamic if fleshed out. Plus it gives them both a bit more tragedy overall, at least I hope so.

#Sephiroth #Genesis rhapsodos #Sephgen #Sephesis #Sephcanons #ff7 #asks #ffvii #crisis core #final fantasy 7 #Crisis Core reunion #Alto rambles

[hinatastinygiant]

1 | Cherry Wood

Pairing: Bokuto x Fem!Reader

Escapism Masterlist

Different color lights shine all around you as your body sways like a tree being blown in the wind. Despite being absolutely drunk out of your mind, you continue to dance thoughtlessly between your two friends.

"Y/N, let's go get s'more drinks!" Phoebe beams as she grabs onto your hand. "That guy over there just said he'd buy all three of us some champagne!"

"Oh yeah? What's the catch?" Kenji smirks as he eyes up the three men standing by the bar.

"Just a dance," she shrugs. "Are you in or not?"

"You know I am," you smile as you grab her by the hand.

"Well don't leave me behind," Kenji scoffs as he wraps his arm around Phoebe's. "What're we waiting for?"

Phoebe smiles as she guides you both over to the men standing by the bar. Then, after a few short introductions that you don't even remember having two minutes later, you've got a glass of champagne in your hands while the man who purchased it has his hands on your hips and his chest against your back.

"You're so beautiful," he whispers as he leaves a few kisses down the side of your neck, leaving a chill down your spine. "How come I've never seen you around before?"

"I guess you weren't looking hard enough," you hum as you lean your head back and smile up at him.

"I'm glad I finally opened my eyes," he replies softly as he lifts his hand to your chin. He gently lifts your chin while beginning to close the gap between the two of you before you're suddenly interrupted by a tap on your shoulder. When you look in front of you, Phoebe stands with a wide grin.

"There's more champagne in the back, Y/N. Are you coming with us?" she asks.

Looking past her, you see another tall man awaiting your answer. Not to mention that Kenji's already walking off to the backroom with yet another of the three strangers.

"Of course," you smile as you take your handsome stranger by the hand.

Together, you make your way to the back of the club; a part of the building you had never been in before. Typically reserved for VIP members only, you never thought you'd even have a shot stepping foot in this room.

The VIP room is a bit brighter than the rest of the club. In here, you can see more of your surroundings despite your growing case of dry-eye. The man whose hand you're holding is wearing all black just like his two friends. A bit odd to be matching that way... Are they some kind of Men in Black team?

When your companion takes a seat in one of the plush chairs, you happily straddle your legs over him and wrap your arms around your neck. He's not a bad kisser; in fact he's better than most.

Your time with your new favorite stranger flies by. You grind down his lap, mouth open as your breathing deepens. The stranger attacks the side of your neck, biting your earlobe, and making you absolutely weak at the knees.

When the club closes, the six of you make your way to the exit together. The stranger kisses you once more before letting go of your hand and walking off.

"Where do you think they're going?" Kenji sighs as he approaches you on the left. "I mean, they're just walking off like they're going to disappear around the corner."

"Maybe they're not real," you laugh. "Maybe they're ghosts."

"I bet you they're going to fuck," he nods.

"Dammit, you're so right," you grumble as you turn to look at him. "Shit, it's getting cold out. Where's Pheebs?"

"Her beefcake stuck around," he scoffs enviously. "He's calling a Lyft for the four of us."

"Okay, well, let's go over to them," you sigh as you wrap your arm around his.

"Hey guys," Phoebe beams when she pulls away from her fling's lips long enough to see the two of you approaching her. "Ready to go home?"

"Considering your hottie's friends ditched both of us, yeah. We're ready," Kenji replies.

"Aw, I'm sorry about that," she pouts, "but I do have a surprise for you guys."

"What is it?" you ask.

"Sharing your man?" Kenji laughs.

"No," she sings. "Something else. You'll see when we get into the Lyft."

Finally, once you get into the car, Phoebe finally tells you about her little surprise. You watch curiously as her fling pulls out a small plastic bag with a white powder inside.

"No fucking way!" you gasp, nearly snatching the bag out of her hands. "Jesus, Pheebs, we've been dry for so long since my guy dropped out and moved back home. Where'd you get this?!"

"You can thank me for it," her one night stand grins smugly.

"And I will," you reply as you grab your friend's arm and hold it out straight. "Stay still, Pheebs. I'm gonna be pissed if we spill any of this."

"Okay," she giggles as you spread the white powder in a thin line across her forearm. You then grab a dollar bill from your pocket and roll it up as tightly as you can. Once you've got a good makeshift vacuum, you lean in close and inhale the powder up your nose.

"Fuck," you hum as you lean back and look up at the ceiling. "That's the shit."

When you get back on campus, Kenji goes off his separate way to get back to his dorm. You, Phoebe, and her fling, walk back together in the direction of your dorm.

"Hey, what're you gonna do while he's in the room with me?" Phoebe whispers to you without her fling hearing. "You know I've gotta pay for that coke that you snorted."

"I'll just chill in the common room down the hall. It's no big deal. Or..." you begin to trail off.

"No, Y/N, don't be a fucking idiot. Don't you dare say-"

"Maybe I'll go to Caden's room," you shrug.

"You're going to crawl back to your ex?" she groans. "Y/N, whyyyy?"

"I won't fuck him, but at least it'll give me something to do. We didn't end on terrible terms," you scoff as you try to come up with some kind of excuse.

"What the fuck are you talking about, yes you did! You wanted to continue your relationship and he wanted to fuck some bimbos from down the hall!" she whispers sternly. "Don't you dare go back there."

"Fine," you groan as you reach your dorm building. "Then I'll just go sit in the common room for a little while."

"Why don't you go see Kuroo? Isn't his dorm close to Caden's?" she then asks.

"Kuroo has the sleep schedule of a toddler. I know he's fast asleep right now," you tell her.

"Alright, fine. Well, give us an hour and then come in, okay? I'll text you when we're done, too."

"Fine, fine," you wave as you stop by the nearby sofa in the hallway. "Go have fun. I'll be here."

Escapism Masterlist

#bokuto x reader #bokuto x you #bokuto x y/n #bokuto #kotaro bokuto #kotaro bokuto x reader #bokuto x fem!reader #x femreader #x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu self insert #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x female reader #haikyuu bokuto #haikyu #hinatastinygiant #escapism #fanfiction series #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3

[shi-daisy]

Small Scare

Day 6, we're nearing the finale! Today on the Wavewave agenda we have the continuity I like the least because my favorite boys have so little screentime and also Sam is the bane of my existence! (At least Megatron is gorgeous as always) Anyway, I hope you all like!

Wavewave Week - Day 6 Fear (Bayverse)

"I would much rather be a fragging satellite again." Soundwave muttered.

Being stuck on this forsaken rock was bad enough but being stuck on this rock in a human body to properly hide from the damn Autobots was a torture in it of itself.

His new body was a fleshy, bruisable, pale thing that made him look like something out of a bad anime. His hair was long and pitch black akin to that of emo band members, he still had the same big optics but were now blue instead of red, and worst of all he could not even transform.

"Your grievance is understandable, but there's nothing to be done. It was either this or death. At least now the humans won't be able to find us."

Shockwave whispered to him. His new frame was taller than Soundwave's with black grey hair, pale skin, and heterochromic blue and brown eyes. The scientist now also wore glasses and looked like a human doctor to anyone else.

They were out picking up the lunch order for themselves and the rest of their companions, as they all had been given a human form courtesy of Shockwave's apprentice, Sunbeam.

Sadly, now they were all stuck living as humans.

It was demeaning, it was infuriating but most of all it was scary.

Soundwave didn't like having the same needs as the fleshy creatures or being just as delicate. He didn't like the fact that their cause was now reduced to a dozen humans hiding out in a mansion instead of leading a charge against their enemies. He hated having the same hunger and discomfort as the other humans in the area had. He hated how weak it all made him feel.

The restaurant's bell chimed as another pair of costumers arrived. Soundwave would've paid them no mind had it not been for the fact that he knew these humans. It was Sam Witwicky and his girlfriend.

He tensed up and quickly looked away. If there was anyone who could discovered them it was that whiny little human.

Shockwave noticed and simply pulled him close, wrapping his arm around his waist as human couples often did. "Go along with it. He won't notice."

Soundwave nodded staying as calm as he could, while a sense of fear filled him. The other couple stood close to them, seemingly not recognizing them, but that did little to calm him. It felt as if they were mocking him, waiting until he let his guard down to uncover his secret and have him dragged away by the military.

'They're going to open us up. They'll want to know how Sunbeam was able to transplant our consciousness, they're going to kill us again!"

"Order up for the Wave family!"

The employee's voice startled him, Shockwave wasted no time in picking up the food and dragging them both out of there as quick as possible. Even when they got back to the car Soundwave could still feel their hands tightly intertwined.

"He didn't suspect anything. They were both on the own little world and know nothing of what I've thought Sunbeam. Not even the autobot scientists know of this, we are safe."

It sounded like he was trying to convince himself just as much as Soundwave. The drive home was tense but at last they arrived.

They weren't done putting the food on the table when Sunbeam immediately noticed their discomfort.

The formerly yellow bot was now a small blonde woman with hazel eyes and seemingly permanent pigtails. Despite her chirpy appearance she'd been able to follow Shockwave's research perfectly and bring most of them back and into human forms, after testing the procedure on herself.

"What happened to you two?" She asked concerned as she took hers and Barricade's order from the bag.

"Sam was there. It seems he didn't know it was us but...we can't be sure."

Her eyes went wide and she nodded. "Cade! I need assistance!"

Barricade looked as if he'd just woken up. His black hair was messy his tan skin had the markings of the pillow and he had yet to shave. "What wrong, bitty?"

"The human boy, we must track him!"

She didn't give her boyfriend a second to even ask anything before she dragged him away to the computer room.

"What do we do now? They might know, we're all going to die!"

"Soundwave you need to calm down! We can't do anything now other than eat. So come, let's go have lunch and worry about this later."

He decided to listen to the scientist, even taking him on his offer to eat together in his room, they were almost done when Sunbeam peeked through the door. "Good news! Sam's as oblivious as ever. I checked the cameras from the area where he and Carly traveled and they didn't head to any military station or anything like that. They just went home. I'll check on them tomorrow again just in case."

He was impressed that the tiny girl was keeping tracks on their enemy so seamlessly, maybe she'd make a good spy. "Thank you Sunbeam, sorry for the unnecessary trouble."

"Don't worry Soundy! I'm here to help! Next time Cade and I will go, or maybe I can convince Lord Megatron to finally go out and relax. He's really taking all of this in strides" She huffed. "Enjoy your lunch! I'll see ya later!"

"As ditzy as she seems she's the best pupil I've ever had." Shockwave spoke like a proud human parent.

Seeing him smile was a rare sight, but Soundwave absolutely loved it. "Im sorry for troubling you. I suppose I'm not yet used to being a human."

"You have nothing to apologize for. I was also terrified. This isn't the outcome we wanted and it's only been a few months since we became humans but I am somewhat glad we have eachothers company. It makes things far less difficult."

"Thanks Shockwave."

They finished their meal in silence, but simply by being in eachothers presence, Soundwave was far less scared. "I'll do the dishes, while you wait maybe put on one of those science documentaries you liked so much. I'd like to watch it with you."

"Very well, I'll make sure to choose something we both enjoy."

Maybe this new human life wouldn't be a total loss, if he could spend it like this.

***

He ended up chosing a documentary in human music, much to his own surpise. Soundwave was fascinated, as he expected but also looked tired as the programing came to an end.

"A pity we couldn't meet Motzard, he seemed like an interesting human." He commented.

"Oh I agree, but perhaps he might've reacted poorly to our previous forms."

"Could you imagine? Having to deal with humans throughout history?"

"No thanks that sounds like an absolute nightmare."

He chuckled at that, noticing that both him and Soundwave were very close together on the bed. They almost looked like a couple.

Soundwave yawned, snuggling close to him. "Do you think we'll stay safe?" He asked.

"It's possible. Nothing is ever certain but I'd like to believe we can rest calmly for now."

Shockwave looked down at the man sleeping beside him. The fear probably wore him out.

Barricade came into the room, stopping himself when she saw them. "Oh sorry! Am I interrupting?"

"No. Any news?"

"Nah, bitty just asked me to check on you both, she's making contingency plans just in case."

"Tell her we're fine. And do be careful not to get caught though, Sam might be more wary of a cop than of us."

"No problem. Rest easy."

They were left alone again. Shockwave pulled the blanket over them, staring st Soundwave's sleeping face for a moment. It had been very disconcerting seeing such a brave and smart man get so scared, but the fear was not unwarranted after all they'd endured. He hoped one day they would get past it.

Until then he was happy to provide Soundwave comfort as he cuddled close to him while they slept. Perhaps he would grow fond of this new human existsnce in time.

#wavewave #wavewave week 2022 #tf shockwave #tf soundwave #tf Barricade #tfoc sunbeam #Day 6: Fear

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Cast: April the Hedgehog

Owned by: Myself; formerly owned by @xanster777

"Whatever goes on, just know that I'll have your back, no matter what. That's a promise I can be sure of."

April the Hedgehog is an OC created by my buddy, Xanster (of "Don't Leave Me" fame), and who had been transferred in ownership to me after he couldn't find any major use for her in his stories.

In terms of her personality, where I'll start explaining from, she's a rather shy bean and needs some time to adjust to meeting new people, though once she does get close to a friend, she's much more open to interactions. She hasn't been known to smile very often, but when she DOES smile, it's the most adorable thing ever!

That said, her past hadn't been a pleasant one. Due to some innate abilities she held within her, some nasty people were using her as a weapon, and it's why she had barely been smiling before her turn of events; the poor girl thought it was normal, and she had no idea what it was like to smile.

In the original universe she came from (Dimension SYX-2018), she was taken in by Xanster's main OC, Sytox the Hedgehog, and in that time, she was in a small love triangle with him; she had a crush on Sytox, whilst he was crushing on his counterpart of Metal Sonic, who was passed down to him by his Eggman as a guardian.

Of course, since the ownership transfer happened, changes did have to be made, though I've kept the main basis of April present. In Dimension EV-2019, during the period when Toxinfect was terrorising Mobius, she had ended up on the planet to escape the harsh treatment she received, and by doing so, she ended up meeting Nitro and his companions and was taken in for shelter.

It took her some time to properly smile, though through support from Nitro, she found comfort in the fact that she could live a genuinely normal life with people who cared about her as a person. However, Toxinfect caused that trauma to crash right back into her by using her as a weapon once more, this time in a bid to break Nitro's spirit. Unfortunately for the monster, this only served to infuriate the hedgehog and lead to his near-undoing.

April has since recovered from that day, thankfully, and in the original Errorverse timeline, has even managed to get some karmic payback on Corruptor, the war elite responsible for her awful past, like Serpentine was to Milla. And through her strong life debt to Nitro for backing her up over the years, she was one of those who managed to avoid losing her former memories in the new iteration of the Errorverse.

In this iteration, she personally also took a stand against Toxinfect, but almost got killed if not for Nitro intervening at the last minute. She also came to bond well with the Rewrite variation of Amber/Betty, who remained good to the core despite being held by the Black Beast curse, and in both versions, April has developed a love for burgers of all fillings and sizes. In fact, you can say they're her favourite food whenever she gets the chance to have one!

During More than One Universe, she and Nitro were one of the first to feel the cosmic tremor coming from Dimension MP-2021, and she stuck by Nitro's side when some cosmic claws injured Chris's legs and left him out of the action for a bit. And once the time came for the wider crossover to kick off, she and OMT!Cream both served as comfort buddies for OMT!Tails as he did his best to cope with OMT!Sally's passing.

In the aftermath of that story, she was willing to stick by Nitro's side in the Blur Gang, though more as an honorary member who isn't AS actively involved in the crusades, but is still there to give companions company to hang out with, alongside lending assistance in the action if need be.

Since Into the Sonic-verse, she had also been accompanying Nitro on occasion at the Quill Society HQ, which has served as her way of making even more friends from across the multiverse without having to dimension-jump all the time. And as it happened, she was one of the more vocal against LM!Sonic's canon event theory, especially since it was companionship she needed to build her character, not misery.

Perhaps April and Sytox could cross paths again as friends someday through the multiverse? Who knows? We'll just have to wait and see.

#sonic exe #sonic the hedgehog #spider verse #sth #sonic #sonic fandom #sth au #sonic au #spider man #sonic original character #sonic oc

[void-botanist]

Happy WBW! 👑 - What world leaders are most remembered? Why? Is there division in how they are viewed among people in the present day?🌪️ - What great natural disasters still linger in the history books? What impact did they have on the world, both historically and in the modern day?

Happy WBW! These are honestly better questions for Pajiir, where I know more than nothing about world leaders and important natural disasters.

👑 - What world leaders are most remembered? Why? Is there division in how they are viewed among people in the present day?

These are only a few but they were the ones I had the best idea about, roughly in chronological order.

Verussico Zivelek: Past king of Navar (and ancestor of Aza & Sheri) who reinstituted every measure of separation that his grandparents had put in place between Navar and its northern neighbor, Gurenii. Did this prevent a war? Probably. Did he do it for the power? Significantly. Generally used as a figurehead of the enemy for the surrounding countries that formed the Wall (not a literal wall, a travel and trade restriction zone). Within Navar people tend to have mixed feelings about him still.

Arsalis Sitrobeli & Ginomet Quintall: Forged the alliance between the Quintall (human) and Sitrobeli (uep) families that persists to this day. There remains a helping of intrigue and rumor about them, despite the fact that their lives and dealings were decently well documented, primarily because the power this small country wields in global politics is partly due to the Sitrobelis' influence with the Forests. They're also remembered in fiction, with the tempestuous formation of the alliance as backdrops to other stories.

Barrea Genwrntol: The first swl king to wage out and out administrative war against the magistrates of the five nAkkanswl. The kind of person you lampoon in a shanty about how docking laws are so particular because of her that you are doomed to never return home. People sometimes try to make her out as a victim or a woman of poor advisors but the more widely held view that she was an asshole who set the stage for the nAkkanswl legal system to still be kind of broken several hundred years later is arguably more correct.

HJ Elviret: Former Council Lead on Elbas Island, and child of one of its founders, Herric. Technically still living, but thoroughly excommunicated from Elbas. Though mostly an offhand mention in mainland - and especially nonrooted - history books, HJ is remembered in the Companions as a sellout piece of shit, which is funny because he actually briefly decimated the tourism economy of Elbas Island, which in turn took a chunk out of tourism on its neighbor, Hoscha. What was he selling out to? His mother's dreams of Elbas being a haven for the Pure and Unfortuate of the Forests' upper crust network investors.

🌪️ - What great natural disasters still linger in the history books? What impact did they have on the world, both historically and in the modern day?

Pajiir has generally all the same natural disasters as earth but I've thought most about hurricanes. The south Liliniek rarely experiences hurricanes/tropical storms, much like the south Atlantic. But some sixty years ago, one did form, and it destroyed segments of the archipelago rail bridge that connects two continents. There was a lot of discussion about whether this was a one off - it hadn't happened since the bridge was built, and anything resembling a tropical storm rarely appeared in the area, but no one wanted to keep perpetually rebuilding the bridge. In the end they did rebuild the bridge stronger, though no new tropical storms have yet materialized.

#king is a generic title in the nAkkanswl #there is so much intrigue in the history of Elbas Island and it's mostly about Herric fighting with their wife and HJ lol #wbw #worldbuilding wednesday #set: pajiir & delphonus #wip: tfa

[ftb-writes]

It is time!!!!

The next piece will be another fan work, a Breath of the Wild one. Also, fun fact about a name in this one! Kyryap is a Russian word for a panther!

Pokee had, for all intents and purposes, settled into life on the strange new planet well. The Exiled rather liked the hunting prospects here -- he'd have to tell the Elders about this place once he was allowed back into the tribe.

Pokee-Stick sets his weapons to the side for now and shakes his head at the sheer irony of the situation he had stumbled into -- as a Young Blood on his first hunt.

He and his hunting party had discovered a new colony of Xenomorphs. The Elite who had been leading the excursion had decided this was a bit too much of a challenge, and had called for backup to assist the Young Bloods-- during the retreat, however, Pokee had stepped wrong, and the soil under him had collapsed into an underground cavern.

The Yautja had found himself face-to-face with the Queen, and several very angry Praetorians blocking the exit. The only thing nearby was a fallen branch, which Pokee had picked up and brandished like a sword.

Oh, but the Queen had laughed. A silly, tiny, armor-clad thing, his shoulder pads were much too big, his only defense was a bit of wood. Pokee, in desperation, drove the stick into her head. And somehow, blindly, he had found a weak spot. A scar perhaps, some soft point from a previous injury. But the Queen lay oozing brains at his feet, and the Praetorians had scattered, leaderless and wild.

Pokee had earned his scar, a burn from the acidic blood that had splashed onto him as the Queen fell, and his Name. And Pokee had felt very much alive.

It was on the way back to the transport, the other young bloods congratulating Pokee on such a difficult kill, that fate would intervene. They had looked like a Prowler, the rogue Xenomorph, red markings and feline grace, a long, whip-like tail clearing the brush behind them. They had scented the dead Queen on Pokee, and a simple mistake was blown far out of proportion. Because the Xenomorph had thought that Pokee was their Queen.

Upon returning to the clan, the Elders had told Pokee he was exiled until he could kill Kyryap; but Kyryap hasn't raised a claw against Pokee so far. Not to mention, Pokee sincerely doubted that Kyryap would even attempt to defend themselves from 'the Queen'. It simply wouldn't be an honorable kill.

Which puts Pokee in a bit of a predicament. This whole mess is Kyryap's fault, but it isn't like they intended for this all to happen. The Xeno had just been following their instincts, and has even been helping Pokee hunt prey big enough for the both of them to thrive, and drive off predators that could threaten the small homestead they'd somehow built together.

That is the other dilemma -- Pokee couldn't even explain to Kyryap that they were mortal enemies; the two have made frustratingly little progress on the language barrier. Xenomorph communication is largely non-syllabic, based on gurgles, body language, and pheromones. Pokee wishes he could understand, only to know why Kyryap stayed.

A year ago, yes, he'd smelt like a Queen. But now, Kyryap had to know that he wasn't. It feels like living a lie -- a misunderstanding left uncorrected. Pokee hates himself, that Kyryap is so trusting. When the Xeno had curled close, during the first cold, dark months here, Pokee had felt guilt. Now, he's just confused.

Kyryap comes in, now, rain sluicing off their exoskeleton, and gurgles as they drip on the woven floor mats. The Xenomorph offers up some berries to Pokee.

Pokee wishes he could hear someone else speaking to him again, just once, in a way he understands. It has been so lonely here, despite the near-constant companion. The rain drums on the thatch roof above, and Pokee shakes his head sadly.

"I don't know if I can eat those," he clicks, trying vainly to explain that they're so different once more. Kyryap is a Xenomorph, and Pokee is a Yautja, and the two should not be on remotely good terms.

Yet they hunt, together, and Kyryap finds little nooks and crannies in the largely rocky terrain where hardy little plants grow, worming through crags and crevices that Pokee is too broad-chested to fit, climbs the few trees with a quick agility matching Pokee's to scare out groups of smaller prey on the days that the large animals are far off.

Now, Kyryap holds out the little handful of bright green berries again, insistent. Pokee… doesn't know what to do. These little hiccups have been happening more and more frequently, and Pokee has had a recurring, treacherous desire to be a Xenomorph if only to be able to communicate with another lifeform. It is a thought stuffed away deep, not looked at except on the darkest nights, while Kyryap slumbers on the other side of the sleeping room.

But Pokee wants conversation, understanding. He's so lonely.

"I can't," Pokee tries again, tired, but soft with the one being who hasn't abandoned him despite the entire universe silently screaming at them. "You somehow eat more than me, anyway."

Kyryap holds up a berry, and their inner jaws snap out to pluck it from between their fingers almost delicately. As if showing Pokee that it is meant to be eaten. And Kyryap carefully selects a large berry from their hands and offers it up to Pokee, held between two razor-sharp nails.

"Kyryap," Pokee sighs, and the Xeno whines. It is a sound Pokee has never heard them make, and it's… pleading, almost.

Just one shouldn't hurt, Pokee supposes, if it stops Kyryap from fussing. The little green berry has thin, blueish membranes under the skin, and Pokee turns it over curiously before placing it between his teeth. It bursts sweet on his tongue.

He doesn't die, at least not yet. Pokee watches Kyryap watch him chew the gummy berry and swallow.

After a moment, Kyryap offers up another.

Pokee did… enjoy the berry. And it didn't kill him. One more couldn't hurt, and Kyryap shuffles closer as Pokee readily accepts the offered fruit.

He eats eight, each sweeter than the last.

"Alright, they are good," he concedes, after the two of them have eaten the handful together. "My gratitude." Kyryap nods, and tilts their head down and to the side to watch him from one strange eye.

'Do you… hear me now?'

Pokee flinches, so unused to words at this point, and lunges for his weapons, any one. He has a horrible, gut-churning thought that the Elders have decided not to wait any longer, and sent someone to kill Kyryap for him.

Kyryap intercepts him, as if they've done this a million times before, pushing him back to settling on the mats, patting his arms gently.

'Do you… hear me now?'

The voice is whisper soft, a breath on the wind, completely without echo. It is like it is spoken into his ear, only for Pokee to know, and Pokee -- Pokee understands.

"Kyryap," he whimpers, hopeful and terrified in equal measures. Because it can't be.

'That is what you say to know me,' the Xeno replies, smooth. 'The berry allows us to share thoughts.'

"But I'm--" Pokee starts to question, and Kyryap chuckle-hisses and shakes their head fondly.

'Works on all. Had to look all over for them. Silly, scent-deaf Queen.'

The words thrum with reverence, and Pokee feels tears prick his eyes as he kneels on the mat across from Kyryap and the truth tumbles out of him like a secret, "I'm no Queen. Kyryap, I'm not."

'You are a Queen of my choosing,' Kyryap insists. 'But I would apologize, my Queen. Your colony cast you away because of me, or that is what I think happened.' Kyryap shifts forward, close enough to bump his forehead, and nuzzles a comfort. 'But you let me stay. You named me, and you let me stay, even though it's been a bit inconvenient for you, Yautja Queen, and I chose you, have chosen you every day. Rogues need no Queen, yet I evolve again for you. I will be a Praetorian. I will be your colony.'

"I'm a Yautja, you even know it," Pokee laughs wetly. "I can't make more of you. We'll be alone, and I am meant to kill you. Yautja and Xenomorphs are always enemies."

'Then we will be a colony of two, Yautja Queen, and the only such colony ever to exist. You are no enemy of mine, and I hunt only for you. I am your Praetorian, your guard -- your Elite. Other Queens will not understand, but we will fight them together.'

"I don't understand," Pokee whispers. "You follow me to death."

'I will help you to understand, now,' Kyryap breathes, gentle, into his mind. The voice is quieter, as if coming from farther away. 'You claim I follow you to death, my Queen, but you are my life. The last Queen was weak, she did not name us. A Queen through blood, but nothing more. You saved me. My life, and death, are but yours to command.'

"It's not like I'm even infected. You would follow a Queen that shares no blood with you?"

Pokee's question goes unanswered. It seems the ability the berries grant only lasts so long. Kyryap snorts and shakes their head, before moving to encircle Pokee in the curve of their side and tail, head resting upon an armored shoulder. Pokee wants to howl, to scream. It has been so long since there was another voice to keep him company, and it's gone again.

They sit together, Kyryap providing near-silent comfort and a rumbling purr, before the Xeno nudges at Pokee repeatedly, and more insistent. Pokee allows the Rogue -- the Praetorian, if what Kyryap says is true -- to coax him to his feet and lead him out into the rain.

It's almost torrential now. The rainy season of the planet is apparently coming on fast and hard. Sheets of water buffet the unlikely pair as Kyryap winds around rocky ridges and outcrops, into the canyon-laced area the homestead abuts. This is an area rich in mineral ores and game, as prey come down into the shadowed fissures to escape the heat of the usual sunny days. The crevasses provide only moderate shelter from the deluge.

Kyryap examines small nooks and crannies as they pass, searching dutifully. Pokee shivers in the damp chill, and glances up the sides of the deepening canyons, watchful as always of predators following food into here. He almost misses Kyryap sliding, squirming, into a crack in the rocky wall too thin for Pokee to squeeze into.

It's too quiet, now, Pokee so used to Kyryap's presence after this long. He waits, dutiful, as the minutes stretch.

"Kyryap?" He calls after nearly half an hour. Immediately, he hears an echoing trill, further in and down from the sound of it. After another moment, Kyryap wriggles out into Pokee's space, triumphantly brandishing several large vine segments weighed heavy with green berries.

The next harvest is a bountiful one, baskets and baskets of bright green berries for Pokee to eat throughout the day. The homestead has grown to accommodate the small farms and a couple more rooms, carved resolutely into the unwilling rock the planet is made up of. The berries only grow in true shadow, and store best in cool darkness, so the additions are necessary for Pokee's continued communication with his Xenomorph.

They have guests, today, four members from the tribe. Pokee welcomes them inside, out of the heat of the daylight, and smiles proudly as the hulking, crested Praetorian brings a whole basketful of berries, woven from the vines the berries grew on. He feels Kyryap settle, huge and intimidating, at his shoulder, watching the guests for any sign of ill-intent.

The guests don't eat right away. They demand answers to the Elders' questions, an Elite Pokee hasn't met and three Blooded, all from the ill-fated hunting party. The Blooded, at least, are polite to him, but the Elite growls at the odd pair and complains about the long-lasting construction that's gone into the homestead. Pokee doesn't need the berries to know Kyryap doesn't like this one.

"It's a sturdy home," one of the Blooded compliments, after most of the Elite's bluster has run its course. "But the Elders are concerned. Clearly, it's still alive, and it appears to us that you have every intention to stay here, Pokee. You could be an Elite, an Elder, given the time and experience. You would throw away your honor for one of these?"

"Have a few," Pokee avoids, motioning to the basket. He pops the berries one at a time every few minutes by now, savoring the additional benefits as long as each berry can provide. "They're really very good. Kyryap found them."

"He's named it," the other two Blooded whisper amongst themselves, and it takes effort for Pokee not to frown at them.

"I will answer your questions, if you give me the time to do so," he sighs, "but you're being very rude about all this, quite frankly, and it has been some time since I've been able to get news from off-planet. Still trying to work out the bugs in the communicator I built."

Pokee gestures behind himself at the beginnings of a basic, long-range communicator, and the guests are disgusted to see a long insect with seemingly infinite legs crawl out of it.

"Literally," Pokee grumbles, and watches as Kyryap reaches over and picks the creature -- about a foot long -- up and slurps it for a snack. "Kyryap, gross, eat over the table, please! You'll get guts on the floor again, and I'm going to be the one cleaning it up!"

He turns back to the four visitors just in time to see one bite into a berry. The Blooded chews, and goes pale. "These are Shaman Berries," he excitedly tells the Elite. "Elder Salanis told me of these! Elite Kanlac said they've become rare back home!"

At this, the other three finally begin picking at the berries, missing the grin on Pokee's face. The former Young Blood had forgone his mask and armor months ago, but he's very careful in schooling his face into expressions slightly more recognizable to Kyryap. They've both done a lot of adjusting, but their abnormal bond has grown stronger for it.

"They let groups of consumers share thoughts when nearby," one Blooded is explaining to his fellows. "This is a kingly gift you welcome us with, Pokee-Stick!"

'A queenly gift, I'd say,' Kyryap interrupts, and chuckle-hisses as the other Yautja all freeze. 'Wouldn't you agree, my Yautja Queen?'

"A queenly gift, indeed," Pokee snickers, popping another berry between his teeth. "Go check on that lovely egg of ours, won't you, Kyryap? After all, we got it through such… unconventional means."

'Stealing eggs,' Kyryap sighs into their minds. 'You're a terrible influence, my Queen.'

Still, the Xenomorph turns and crosses the space to a low archway, opening onto a set of stairs that lead down into the chiseled-out incubation cellar the two had built for just this purpose. The stairs are cool, and shallow pools of water line the floor here. Kyryap brushes a careful finger along the single egg inside this small room, and smiles. Together, they are building a colony with Pokee, in rather odd fashion. Kyryap leads the Queen's tiny force, while Pokee researches ways of communicating with his colony properly.

Upstairs, Pokee turns back to the visitors and rolls his eyes. "I suppose it would be easier if Kyryap infected me and I became a Predalien, as the oomans called them," he grumbles good-naturedly. The Elite looks mortified.

'And as I keep saying,' Kyryap snips from below, thoughts curling tender and safe around Pokee's, 'I will not infect you. It would not be you after that, not really.'

"You could be the Queen, then," Pokee challenges, and smirks at his guests as Kyryap's response comes.

'YOU are my Queen,' the Xeno rumbles through the berries, firm but not harsh -- never harsh with their Queen. 'The Queen of our colony. I. Will. Not.'

"You would make a good Queen," Pokee teases, only half-joking. "I'd follow you."

Kyryap's thoughts go all tangled and jumbled, so even the berries can't help, as they only do when the Xeno is embarrassed at Pokee's warm, honest compliments.

"My Praetorian," Pokee rumbles, proud, and feels through the thoughts they share a swelling of pride from Kyryap's end as well. "Never leave me."

'Never.' Kyryap agrees, unflinching, as they return to their Queen's side, and the two fix unwavering gazes on their guests.

"Well, Elite? I believe this answers your questions."

The Elite shakes his head. "Yet leaves even more. You will not kill it?"

Anger, then, hot as fire, bleeds across the table from Pokee. He's frowning now, and stands, pulling a weapon down from a shelf on the wall. It is the very same branch that earned him his name, sharpened still. "Kyryap has shown time and again that they mean no harm -- to me, at least. They have been an invaluable assistance here, after you all cast me aside, and have been nothing but respectful -- even to you, who come demanding their death. It would be a dishonorable killing, and I will not endanger my Praetorian by bringing them back to the clan with me to prove this before the Elders. I know you all hope my promising skill would someday return to our home planet, but my clan -- my colony -- is here now. The hunting will sustain us, and my colony, small as it may be, will not just survive but flourish on this planet. I will not abandon Kyryap."

"Then you will die here with it," the Elite pronounces, just in time for the Facehugger clinging to the ceiling above him to slap onto his shoulder and worm up under his mask.

"There are three more for you," Pokee warns, as the Elite crashes to the floor, spasming. "If you do as I say, you'll leave this place yourselves."

The three Blooded clump together, terrified for maybe the first time in their lives, staring up at Pokee and the enormous Praetorian shadowing him.

"You will leave this planet untouched, and allow my colony peace to grow. If you do not come after us, we will not come to Yautja Prime." Pokee replaces the weapon and motions to the basket. "I will allow you to take these. Perhaps, with continued good relations such as this, peace will come between Yautja Prime and us. Tell the clan you killed us, if it will help at first, but that the Elite sacrificed himself to bring down Kyryap." Pokee opens his arms, and a Chestburster drops into his embrace to cuddle into his face and brush careful legs against his flesh-braids. They purr as they get comfortable.

"Yes, Yautja Queen," one of the Blooded whispers. Pokee smiles, feral. The three can see now, eyes adjusted to the dark inside the building, that the ceiling is crawling with Facehuggers and Chestbursters, and one solitary Runner perches just above the stairs to the incubation chamber.

"Oh, and one more thing," Pokee mumbles, turning to look back at the communicator. "Once I get this up and running, feel free to let us know about any… abandoned eggs you may come across. After all, if you help my colony grow, I'll want to keep you around, yes?" Pokee's feral grin softens as he turns his gaze onto Kyryap. "You and Bryg see them out, please?"

The Praetorian nods once, and they and the Runner flank the three trembling Blooded. "Safe travels," Pokee clicks, turning to examine the Elite's still body.

[iamnightduchess]

SnK 139 (A personal thought on Reiner & Mikasa's ending)

We have finally reached the end. For those who began this fandom since 2010, it's been 11 years of happiness, tears and heartbreak, on top of character discourse with our respective favorites. This manga is rich with amazing life values that requires more than just a quick zip through of every chapter. It requires a thorough, repeat reading. Hajime Isayama weaved his universe in a way that never cease to blow all of his readers' minds away but still touched our hearts in an emotional way.

(Special thanks to @pethellhounds for the key pointers for this post!)

No doubt, I love all of the characters, each of their flaws, strengths and growth but my two favorites have always been Mikasa and Reiner, individually.

Upon the first two reads, I was saddened, I was devastated and I allowed my emotions to filter the absolute value of the final chapter; in particularly to my most favorites. All thanks to the discourse we had in our RK discord, my brethren offered me a different perspective on how we could truly perceive ch.139 for what it truly is: a bittersweet farewell which only leads to new beginnings.

Reiner Braun

Armin was destined to save humanity, Eren confided on that himself. Even if it was Mikasa's personal choice on ch.123 that is the ultimatum that had saved humanity by eradicating the power of the Titans from the world for good. As referenced on this post, it has been Mikasa that was destined to free Ymir all along through her selflessness.

Upon first read, the following panel seemed to portray the remaining alliance members in a different light. Everyone looked amazing, happy as they exchanged banter just like how old friends with shared traumatizing experiences do. After all they're all celebrated world heroes - living with possibly an upgraded lifestyle, fame and wealth even within those 3 years. But upon several more reads and deeper observation, one could not entirely disregard the rather dark and gloomy atmosphere beyond the bright surface. In particular Jean and Reiner, who seemed to be a bit more noticeable.

Jean somehow is putting on a front as a skirt-chaser (having preference for younger girls) while Reiner seemed to be simping over his old crush (who's already married & has a child in Paradis).

The above panel seemed comical because the actions & lines seemed a bit "out of nowhere", but beyond the surface - everyone's hurting secretly from within, some are masking their pain, though some remained unaffected because they all shared a heavy burden of guilt towards Eren's death & Mikasa's withdrawal from the group to lay their friend in his final resting place all the way in Paradis. Jean and Reiner both are putting on a front.

Do remember that during the Marley arc, not even once was Reiner shown to reminisce about Historia very specifically. Not even in a fleeting thought, thus why it could also be deduced that she did not actually have a huge impact on his memory or his genuine affections beyond just a fleeting crush to hide his tormented mental state from within. How could someone who has been shown to have tremendous emotional growth and a consistent, albeit shaky psychological regulation during his primary arc was reduced to a typical simp archetype in the final chapter? This is not, a "Reiner can finally be his real self who's free of his burdens & he is someone who's enjoying his new life" moment.

The last time he portrayed this "simping" behavior? When he was 17 years old during the 104th's first SC excursion and when his psyche was almost teetering on its edges as his Warrior!alter is wrestling control against his soldier personality in Utgard Castle.

Reiner's simping (which was an intended joke) was also an indicator of a bleak truth: his DID regressed, from his regulated state and his psyche was completely torn apart from that day. In Marley, he had been extremely depressed but he was a loyal, strong and steadfast soldier who had only his duties in mind. To see him do a complete 360 & reverted to a creepy old behaviour, is truly saddening. He's been masking his pain with this front. Even Pieck could be seen sending him a silent, understanding look of concern for his letter-sniffing action.

In 139, despite having a new chance at life, having his mother's genuine love and acceptance & achieved his original dream in becoming a respected hero who is recorded in history, one could not entirely rule out the possibility that Reiner's DID has regressed to the point that either he reverted back to his soldier persona as a facąde or he'd might have developed a new alter altogether after having to experience Survivor's Guilt for the second turn. Yet this time, with no known time limit since the Curse of Ymir had been eradicated. DID is a lifelong condition. It does not go away, it cannot be healed even with modern medicine but yes, could be managed. That letter, the mentioning of Eren's name and their impending arrival on Paradis - the place he felt the happiest of his life - could be his trigger to put on that front. He, (along with the rest of the alliance on that ship) had to live with the fact that his and his family's new life and future had been at the expense of two people's livelihood; Eren & Mikasa. Eren sacrificed his life. Mikasa chose to bury Eren at his final resting place in Shinganshina and remain there to honor his memories on her own, without anyone by her side despite having fought together & almost on the verge of dying together.

(Thank you @lancerofdarkness for pointing this out!) We can see the banter between Reiner and Jean is very reminiscent of Reiner and Bertolt, where the latter cautioned the former on "not getting too carried away". Where Bertolt had a filtered approach, Jean had a more direct, head-on snipe. This dynamic had been initially observed much earlier in this post.

The alliance members could possibly have made a silent pact between them on not mentioning either Eren or Mikasa's name out of respect for that 3 years. Or if they, as well as the others, were not divulged of the real truth by Armin. With or without this knowledge, Eren's death and Mikasa's silent departure from the alliance do affect everyone. Some are more obvious than the others.

Once again, I feel compelled to share an unpopular perception that Reiner's simping is not his true self's behavior. It is a mask. A fake persona. It is a front to hide the real pain from within.

He cared about both Eren and Mikasa respectively, as much as the others do.

Mikasa Ackerman

Upon first reading, I was initially devastated for Mikasa's conclusion. It was her decision and selfless act that had saved all of humanity and won Ymir over, which completely destroys the Paths as well as removing the titan powers together with its curse. The woman who had been at the frontlines, placing her life at stake, almost dying first to protect the men in the alliance; she who had sacrificed everything ended up with nothing but only memories of the one who could never be and loneliness.

To throw salt into the wound, we saw Eren uttering in Paths on how he refused to accept the notion of Mikasa being with another man, he wanted her to only love him and have him in her heart even 10 years after his death. It was indeed a last spur of the moment declaration that ironically contradicted his plea in 138.

Their relationship was never meant to take off by riding into the sunset together, they are not destined to be with each other, even if their feelings are mutual. Despite my personal observation of their relationship as a form of enslavement in itself: Mikasa still sees it as her devotion & commitment to Eren. I have to respect her perspective on this.

Ymir mistaken Stockholm Syndrome as love, she perceives enslavement as love. Being used as a tool of war and breeding, surrendering all her will to her captor, yearning for his validation - she saw those as love. Now the glaring parallel between Ymir and Mikasa are truly obvious. Because of love, Ymir tethered herself to Paths or purgatory for 2,000 years and in exchange of Mikasa's decision & action, Mikasa remained tethered to her love for Eren & his memories for at least another 10 years if not for the rest of her life on earth. That is truly heartbreaking.

I was devastated. I personally believe she deserves better. She too deserves to have her happy end, to be loved and have a family of her own.

When Armin had dreams of seeing the world beyond the walls, Mikasa has always been a simple girl with simple dreams: i) to go back home within that forest in Shinganshina and ii) to be by Eren's side forever. Once we realised this, Mikasa actually had everything she ever desired after all. She's back home in Shinganshina, living in solitude and in peace with no burden of world peace, diplomatic affairs on her shoulder and has no need to put on a facąde. She's been grieving and she still cried for her yearning to see Eren's face again even after 3 years that she might not stop shedding tears in the next 7 years just like Eren wanted. That is how psychologically and emotionally affected she is with Eren's words, actions and death. She chose to remember Eren and keep her in her heart that it is almost seen as an imprisonment but she's also free from other wordly responsibilities unlike the rest of the alliance members.

Did I wish she would have a better ending than this? Absolutely. This young woman has never been on her own ever since she was born, it's heartbreaking to see her having to process her grief alone without even a single companion by her side. She lost all of her incredible physical strength and had to learn how to fortify her emotional strength through her grieving process. She has only learn on how to love and be loved by Eren, which has major missing components left to be desired. Mikasa deserves to be loved, to receive that affection openly in return from someone who would be ideal, respectful, trustworthy, expressive, equally devoted, the raindrop to her seed, the sun to her cold days and loving towards her and maybe one day, eventually would be able to grow a real family from that genuine love.

The last two bottom panel above we can actually observe the innocent kid!Mikasa just like Isayama promised. She is ready and curious to once again, learn more about the beautiful but cruel world. She is ready to leave the forest upon realizing that no matter where she goes, Eren will always be inside her heart.

She is at peace. Even if she looks way thinner, fragile that she should be and could be seen collapsing as she was hit by another wave of strong grief. But since the members of the alliance are coming to Paradis for a potential negotiation, it is been stated by Mikasa that they are also coming to see Eren's final resting place to pay their respects. She will be meeting her friends after 3 years for the first time and I could really hope that they can be the support that each other needed for true healing. I am holding on to the possibility of her being ready to move on and start living again after putting the course of her life on hold by mourning for Eren the moment she is reunited again with Armin, Annie, Reiner, Jean and Connie.

The bird flew over the ship carrying the alliance as it is heading towards Paradis before heading towards Mikasa's location, giving his answer to her "You're happy right?" question by wrapping that scarf around her neck for one last time. He wanted her to be free after 3 years of grief. He wanted her to move on when she meets their friends again because she does not deserve to be consumed in her grief not even another day. Not even for another 7 years. Not even for the rest of her life.

Anything that we envision happening after 139 is valid in this universe. I believe Mikasa will begin living her life to the fullest as the end of the series is also the beginning of her next journey. But this time, she will be doing it in the company of her loved ones. Together.

#snk spoilers #snk 139 #snk meta #snk thoughts #snk opinion #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan #snk #aot #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #snk manga

[thethreemages]

W O O, so I'm back a bit from the art-grave to finally upload this piece I had completed a lil while ago... the pic in question being some slight redesign/touchups for two of my central side characters of TTM, Noira and Raider Crane~ 💙 Just to keep things a lil fresh and reflecting a bit better of their current character portrayals, so I hope you all enjoy! ^^

More info about both characters can be found below (and here on DA too)~

-Noira Crane (age 16) is Raider's younger sister, Princess Zia's best friend and currently enrolled at St. Ravilda's Mage Academy. A generally stoic and poised young lady with a rather sharp tongue than many would expect... often expressed through well-placed snark at those trying to interrupt her and Zia's "fun" (aka: sneaking around and setting up pranks around the school). When she's not busy hanging with Zia and keeping up their rather limited cheer squad these days, Noira could often be seen competing heavily for maintaining her place up above the top ranked students (of which a certain white-haired prince keeps trying to secure that spot for himself). Underneath her "well-to-do" exterior, however... lies a deep-down insecure girl who often feels pressured to bottle up her feelings, especially with the amount of pressure her parents (Lachlan & Vinia) put on both her and her brother Raider growing up. Combined with the strain put on from Raider's falling out with their parents a few years back... it's left Noira rather scared to delve too much into her own natural Water Mage abilities for fear she can't measure up (even with her folks trying their best to "dial back" for her sake, since she's their only remaining child living with them now). The few things in life that can truly bring a sense of peace and smiles to her face are Zia's company, the success of beating her rivals, and the never-ending bond she and Raider share between eachother... no matter the distance, no matter what.  (Fun Facts about Noira): -She's usually never seen walking around without her beloved dog companion, "Misty Belle" (courtesy to my pal @littlechaoticwitch for helping to come up with the name :3 ). The fluffy pup given to her as a gift from her folks a few years back, Misty is quite a sweet lil lady for most who are allowed to be near her. Always eager to follow her mistress around faithfully, snuggling and goofing around the room when left idle, and occasionally chewing at the ankles of those who try to mess with Noira (like, again, a certain white-paired prince who never ceases to push his luck lol).  -She was named after one of the earlier Crane family ancestors, "Noira the Victress". Said to have been quite a powerful blood pirate, the present-day Noira Crane has... always been a bit unsure of how to feel about her namesake, despite her father and some other distant relatives seeming rather proud of it. She's still a lil curious to try and research more about her ancestor though, given how popular she was as a subject for numerous campfire stories.  -Noira has been diagnosed as nearsighted from the time she was in elementary school, and thus is never seen without her favorite pair of horn-rimmed glasses (an aesthetic picked up from her favorite aunt, Freya).  -While her parents have officially stated for Noira to be the heir to their Crane Corp Industries business, Noira is still conflicted in herself of what she wants to do in life by the time she graduates. Whether it'd be to try out being a traveling Mage, or join more of Zia's royal court down in Asteria... its hard for her to decide atm.  -Being born a rather tiny and frail baby, Noira was always watched like a hawk by the family-hired medical professionals to keep her safe and protected. She's required to carry a couple EpiPens with her on the day-to-day with how many allergies she has, and Zia always tries to remember to keep a nice lil bag of snacks with her too in case her friend's blood sugar dips too low (as does Raider when he and Noira get to hang out on their own).  ============= -Raider Crane (age 21) is Noira's older brother, one of Kain's old school friends and currently making it big as an extreme stunt performer/traveling Electric mage. A bright, cheerful and fun-loving young man who lives to make others smile... whether it'd be for his own friend group or the crowds of audiences who clamor to come see his shows. Yet even with so much going well for him now... it wasn't always the easiest for him growing up before. Living under the roof of his folks who

always kept a tight grip

on him being "the best" (especially by his father), and even facing it worse with some bullying by Kaz's crew at school... it left Raider pretty timid and reclusive for the longest time. Only once others like Kain, Lyra, Briar and a few others taking the time to approach him did his true loveable goofball nature started to sprout for good... but at the same time, something just felt "missing" within Raider that didn't really sit right with him. Knowing how much of a rut he'd be bound to stay in if he kept up things how they were now... he decided by his last few years of Ravilda's to "change" himself for the better. From getting a new "bolder" punk look, working out and bulking over the summer, and taking some social sessions with fellow popular girl Dyani to gain some confidence in himself... Raider returned to the halls of the academy with a brighter, more-outgoing outlook on life now. He started gaining popularity left and right, taught Kaz's crew a thing or two when they tried one last chance to mess with him, and by graduation he was already on his way to make it big after getting signed on by an aspiring tv crew. All was going fine for once... yet back at home, things escalated between his parents (who still didn't seem understanding of Raider's personal dreams over their family business) to where Raider just... couldn't take it anymore. Many words were exchanged that night that prompted the young man to up and leave the family home for good... and never turning back except to now and then check up on his baby sister Noira. As the few years passed up until now, things are still going good for Raider in terms of his work and bond with Noira... though things remain relatively strained and awkward in regards to him and his parents. Whether things will ever truly improve or not with them is unclear as of now... but for the time being, Raider is at least content with himself on being able to finally shape his life the way it should be; fun, free, and fulfilling in its own way~.  (Fun Facts about Raider): -Back at his own personal trailer, Raider has a trio of cats he adopted awhile back named "Sprocket", "Buzz", and "Zipps". Having always been a strong cat person since he was a boy (but never getting the chance to own one growing up, given his mom's allergy to them), it was a big dream of Raider's to get his own feline companion by the time he moved out of the house. He went to the shelter to find three kitten siblings who were tossed aside and overlooked among some other animals... and being the big sweetie as he was, Raider was all too eager to scoop them up to adopt them all together. They're quite a funny bunch who tend to get into some trouble if left unsupervised, but are very much loyal to Raider either way with how often they'll form some "snuggle piles" with him once he's off-of-work.  -Raider gained his name from his paternal great-grandfather, Raider "The Swiftest" Crane. Originally was going to be named "Odin" (after Lachlan's own father, as was the old man's request many years ago)... but due to a falling out between the two not long before his son's birth, Lachlan decided against that and gave his boy "an even prouder name" to look up to instead. As for the present-day Raider himself, he's always been curious to know more about his great-grandfather given some accounts about him being a "commander of the skies" (via-riding dragons).  -From birth, Raider has carried an eye condition known as "Anisocoria"... in which one of his pupils is permanently smaller than the other eye and thus leaving him with some partially-blurred vision. For certain shows of his that take place in some heavy-weather conditions, Raider is required to wear some specialized goggles to help him see through his performance.  -His current neon/cyan blue hair isn't his natural haircolor, as Raider was actually born with darker/blackish-blue hair instead. Used to grow it out pretty shaggy and long up until his teens (in where he often hid his face behind his locks at times when he was down on himself)... but by the time his last

few highschool years rolled around, he cut most of it off and styled it to the look its at now as a nice change of pace. Got quite a few compliments on it's initial debut, so Raider has long since kept it around as his own lil "brand".  -As most of his friends have all long since went their separate ways after Ravilda's, Raider is the main one who likes to keep arranging for them to meet up on the few downtimes they're able to take off from their schedules. Often likes to greet any of his buddies with the biggest, crushing hugs imaginable (being lowkey touch-starved as he is)... and while not always the most logical thinker in terms of planning, he's the main heart to keep the group afloat in times they start bickering or feeling lost with one another.

#the three mages #the crane family #my art #raider crane #noira crane #my ocs #oc art #side mages #side characters

[grey-eyed-menace]

So!

I'm coming straight outta left field with this one, but hey, some of the best things in life come from spontaneity!

Er... Maybe.

Anyway, here's my Pokèmon AU!

Featuring the Female Protagonists I played as, their names, general differences from canon, and personal headcannons I came up with during my first playthrough of each game!

...and how they fit into the wider world! Maybe. Kinda.

I'm only doing the main series females in this post, with potential a potential sequal in the form of the side game females!

I do know that the main series male's will have their own post though! Mostly because I legitimately cannot control myself, and it's already halfway done!

So, without a further ado...

Arden Forrest!

Childhood friend of Red Audra, and the maternal cousin of the one and only Blue Oak.

Chose Charmander as her starter, named the little guy Flare, and is extremely defensive of the nickname. She is/was ten! Sorry if her creativity wasn't up to par!

Ended up having to travel with Red because her mother absolutely refused to let her leave Pallet otherwise.

Simply stick with him out of convenience after Viridian Forest, mostly because at that point there really wasn't anything to gain in separating from him.

In this continuity she's the older sister of the Sun and Moon protagonists. More on that in Jericho's section.

At the end of her journey, her team consisted of Flare the Charizard, Lenz the Jolteon, King the Slowking, Knott the Vileplume, Skye the Pidgeot, and Blue the Raichu.

Raichu is a stuck up little shit, and pampered, the nickname was obvious. To her at least. Oddly enough, Blue the Raichu hates Blue the human.

The only reason Giovanni remembers her is because she straight up decked him across the jaw when he threatened to kill one of her Pokèmon.

Somehow ended up acquiring Silver as a travel companion for three weeks, Red was bemused. He was also incredibly confused when that feral eight year old showed back up three years later in the news.

Ended up hanging up her battling career shortly after she lost the championship to Lance, and handed over Flare to Red to battle on a more permanent basis.

She still trained the rest of her team, and still does, she just realized that despite her talent in the profession it just... Wasn't her calling. She wasn't as quite as in love with it as she was at the start of her journey.

Bounces around the world for a bit during the three or so years between the Blue/Red and the HeartGold/SoulSilver storylines, and after Lance wins the championship back from her. Trying to find herself.

She participates in the Galar league around the same time as Leon, Raihan, Sonia, and Nessa, mostly as a curiosity, and maybe as a way to try and reconnect with her battling roots, but jumps ship after Opal because fucking hell is their League a killer for self-confidence.

Her jersey number, for the record, was 069. She deeply regrets keeping the uniform years later.

She also finishes the Unova circuit, but doesn't challenge the Elite Four or the Champion, and she tries to do something in the Ferrum Region for a bit before packing up and returning home.

Perpetually pissed off that no one can remember her fucking name.

And no, it isn't about the Championship thing, she was fine with that, really, it's just that the moment she introduces herself ahead of Blue or Red people tend to either treat her like a commodity, or like she doesn't exist.

Made it through the Elite Four and beat Blue before Red.

So yes, she is the official record holder for the shortest Championship. Which, if you're wondering, is exactly thirteen hours, seven minutes, and thirty-three seconds.

She and Blue played Go-Fish for two hours while Red finished up with Bruno.

The ensuing eleven hour battle with Red both traumatized and bored Blue in equal measures.

Blue had the title for a week. Red bolted to Unova shortly after winning and declined the position, turning it back over to her. She proceeded to hold it for another six months before a match with Lance turned it back over.

Actually ends up as one of Professor Oak's lab assistants once she ends back up in Pallet, and... Eventually finds her calling in research.

She throws herself into her education with everything she has. And... Never really loses that passion and drive.

Has to be physically dragged to Passio during the Master's tournament/festival. Dragged. And no, that's not an exaggeration, Blue physically throws her over his shoulder, books their shared flight, and well, he basically kidnaps her.

If it makes you feel any better, he pretty much did the same thing with Red, only it was a private flight that was prearranged.

It makes her feel better, anyway.

She spends the entire tournament/festival in borrowed clothes.

She takes solace in mock-poker matches with Red, Grimsely, Lina, and, oddly enough, Cynthia and Steven Stone.

She does eventually end up becoming a professor in her own right, with a focus on Abilities and how they affect a Pokèmon's mental and physical growth, and also ends up with an engineering degree as well.

In her late thirties I see her taking over Professor Hasting's job for the Ranger association. Mostly because, in my head-cannon at least, Regional Professor status isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and at that point in her life the only reason she would even take over for Oak in any capacity is out of sentimental value for the Pallet Labs.

That, and it's a cushy job, plus she gets to see small children scramble around for over jumped flying tops. So really, it's a win-win.

Teases Jericho relentlessly over her relationship with Gladion.

Not that her romantic life is much better. Someone idly points out that Red is romantically pursuing her when they're nineteen and she proceeds to have a minor breakdown.

Or, you know, she just remains forever oblivious, and Red remains extremely passive in his pining.

Completely blind-sided by Blue's wedding, and honestly doesn't know what to think of his wife, but plays the role of doting aunt pretty well once they have their first kid.

Shows up in the White 2 storyline in a rental tournament, wrecks Rei's shit, comes back a day later during a Team Switch Tournament, and proceeds to destroy the battlefield.

Then, once Rei is the Unovian Champion, she comes for an actual vacation, and actively, and willingly, participates in the Cross-Region Tournament, makes it to the finals, wrecks Rei's shit again, and then destroys the Stadium when she goes up against Red in the semi-finals... Yeah, I'm not sure what storyline to put to the whole rage vent thing, but it's there. It exists. And Red pays for it.

I'm thinking Blue just gets in over his head a week or so before the tournament, and she quietly simmers all the while.

I think if I were to make a fic about her journey/life, I'd call it 'The Trials And Tribulations Of A Run Of The Mill Pokèmon Trainer'. Because... Ya know, against Blue and Red, she's actually a pretty average trainer.

Compared to Red, who'll have participated in over thirty league circuits in his lifetime, (and plowed straight through the champion in a pretty good chunk of them), Arden has only actively participated in maybe five, mantled a single Championship, and completed two other circuits, with the last three or so having her jump ship due to pressure, having to put it aside for prior commitments, or a simple lack of interest, (the incredibly vague Greece based region I have an idea for is incredibly interesting history wise, in universe, it's Gym and tournament circuit on the other hand... Lacks pretty much anything to make it even remotely interesting).

Red will be a living legend once all is said and done at the end of his career. While Arden has a single legal achievement to her name, the famed recognition of being one of three people to take down the Pokèmon equivalent to the Mafia, and a pretty average badge count for a career trainer.

Also, Lina loses to Red on Mount Silver. She knows, she was drafted as the referee because when she came to drop of Red's food for the week. She's pretty much payed off to say otherwise though.

And she doesn't know why.

She's convinced it's a conspiracy.

Fades into relative obscurity around the time of the Sun & Moon storyline, but her damn if her tiny fan club isn't dedicated.

Doesn't show up in Alola for the battle tree because Blue couldn't find her for three solid months.

No one knows what the fuck she was doing.

...she may or may not have been the Gates To Infinity protagonist.

There's a tiny aside to a Snivy named Leaf in article concerning Overgrow and how it affects the Snivy population at large though.

And that's Arden Forrest, a bit clunky, but hey, they're randomly ordered facts, not a character sheet. Next up is the Crystal heroine!

Marie Smith!

Traveled through Johto about three or so years before Arden, Red, and Blue began running around Kanto.

Older than her sister, Lina, by seven years.

I actually don't have all that much on her because I got to the third Gym on Crystal before my brother destroyed the Device I was using to play the game on.

What I do know, from this information, though, is that she disappeared around said time.

No build up, no cries for help, nothing. Just up and gone. She just cut contact with her family, things happened, and she's absolutely infamous for nearly killing three thousand people. Somehow, she's officially recognized as someone who completed the Johto Circuit though.

She got recruited by Cypher.

Again. Shit happened.

Oak blames himself for an incident in the Kiro Region, (Egyptian Region), pertaining to her.

Lina's entire journey is an event and a half because of her.

If I were to make these little things into a fic series, she'd get... Like a seven chapter mini-fic told from seven different people's perspectives throughout her journey.

Those people, in order, would be... Her mother, Whitney, Naoko of the Kimono Girls, Giovanni, Clair, and Oak.

With an extra chapter detailing her death during the Kalos invasion.

She shows back up in the Kalos storyline in this and traumatizes the ever loving fuck out of Serafina.

She chose a Chikorita. Who she loves dearly, even when she's pretty much gone off the deep end, and then some.

Lina Smith, local trouble maker, owner of a perpetually terrified Feraligator, and the best friend of the very weird Ethan Aurum, and the only person who seems to be on Silver's good side. Vaguely.

Oh so vaguely.

Youngest out of three children, her older brother, Gregory, is an incredibly average guy who's extremely confused as to what the fuck happens on her journey, and never NOT worried about her.

Parents died in a car accident some two years before the start of the storyline, is cared for by Gregory at this point in time

Don't ask why Greg is a thing. He just is.

Like Arden before her, Lina takes a very proactive approach to dealing with Silver during the Radio Tower Incident. Which involves decking him in the jaw.

Surprisingly, this is the part where there relationship improves.

Chooses a Totodile and names him Reyne, and is fiercely protective of him. The little guy could put a Sobble to shame... This also means Silver ends up with the incredibly overly energetic and affectionate Chikorita, all for my personal amusement, (said Chikorita is named Lyra, and no, he does not spoil her, shut your mouth Aurum!).

Her entire story isn't so much focused on her gym challenge or the reappearance of Team Rocket, as it is finding out what the fuck happened to her sister.

Ethan starts tagging along after Goldenrod, and starts to reveal he knows a lot more than he's willing to admit about the situation.

Gets caught up in a lot of nasty things, and nearly ends up dismantling an operation to kill Red, Lance, and Cynthia.

(Where are our favorite colored duo, and supporting tree, during all this you may ask? Why, still recovering from trauma of course! Like reasonable, sane, run-of-the-mill people. More specifically, Blue's officially taking over Viridian gym before the start of the Kanto gym circuit season, Red's fucking around in Hoenn for a good bit before coming to Mt. Silver just two months before Lina gets there, and Arden's in that vague Greece based region getting therapy.)

Her journey is just a really long incident report, and Looker has half a mind to slap her at the end of it.

A good portion of it is Ethan's fault though. Ethan, by the way, nails the looking right through you stare.

And a girl named Sarah Morgendy comes up a lot, although it turns out she's just a kid trying to protect her adopted brother from the shit shoe she got them involved in illegally.

The only two problems with that is she's about eleven and emotionally compromised.

Gets recruited by Interpol after everything is said in done.

Gets the code name Agent Lenz.

Demands therapy for herself, Ethan, and Silver. She gets it.

While she's training as an agent, Ethan and his mother move to Unova so that he can attend an Academy meant 'rising stars', and Silver becomes Elm's apprentice.

...somehow ends up married to Blue years down the line. They have two kids between them. Maria and Reginald

#pokemon #pokemon headcanons #pokemon pc's #kinda #the females all have different names and such! #the boys retain their canon names mostly because I cannot self-insert into them #Guess Which Girl Actually Has My Real Life Name! #Pokèmon Blue #pokemon heartgold #Pokèmon ruby #pokemon platinum #Pokèmon white #Pokèmon x #pokemon moon #pokemon sword #pokemon main series #pokemon+worldbuilding #again kinda #Arden is the only one with a therapist for reference #I mean #Sera lives with Ethan's girlfriend in Couriway Town Post Game #but that's not... really a substitute to professional help #Elle just cries #Hop... adjusts

[alansparkshark]

Alright, this hit me like a Boarbatusk. Or a truck. Same thing.

So, here I am, happily making some RWBY OCs. I get to their Semblances and think: "What can I give them that's useful and connected to their character?" Cuz, you know,

I don't quite get it from that explanation though, so my next thought is: "Well, let's look at the original cast, see what they got and how it pertains to their characters."

And yet the more I looked, the more a thought grew in me.

"There's aren't so much decided by their personalities as they are by their wishes."

Now, hear me out here. For most Semblances we've seen yet and have heard/seen the unlocking of, they seem to have appeared in a moment of need, a moment of physical or emotional stress.

And it always seems to pertain to certain desires the user has.

Alright, let's just start from somewhere. Let me explain my thought process.

I take a character who's Semblance we know of, then check their backstory and personality. Then I check if said backstory/personality could lead to a desire in said character. And finally, I try to see if that desire connects directly to the Semblance of the character in question.

Let's start with someone who's Semblance we not only know, but saw the moment they found it.

Lie Ren.

First off, we check their personality/backstory. Ren is a quiet, less emotionally expressive character. He seems to stay calm in every moment. As the story progresses, he grows more expressive - in current-day Kuroyuri, he is shown in a rage.

So far, it seems fitting that such a character gets a Semblance such as "Calmness", as I'll dub it.

But it's the moment that he unlocks it that makes it interesting.

Up until that point, we've seen Ren as an excitable little boy. He went from store to store, trying to find something to buy his father for his return. He shows a lot of emotions at that point. When the Nuckelavee attacks and his parents perish, he is panicked beyond belief and is hiding under an archway. He notices Nora a little ways away, in a similar state. He wants to help her. He wants to take action, but he's too panicked to move. He wants to calm down , he tries and tries and- his Semblance activates. His desire to calm down activated his unique ability - to instill calmness despite negative emotions. His wish was to do as his father and mother did - be brave and inspire others to feel the same.

In other words, his Semblance was unlocked by his desire to be calm so he could be reliable to those he cares about.

Alright, next big example - Jaune.

His Semblance was first hinted at in "Forever Fall, pt.2" as Cardin attempted to give Jaune the good ol' knuckle sandwich, only hurt his hand after a bright flash of light (This'll be of importance later). The next time we see it is alllll the way in "Vault of The Spring Maiden", and this time it was fully unlocked. His Semblance of Aura Amplification is one that I personally feel really fits his character - he doesn't want to protect his friends. He wants to do as Pyrrha did for him at Beacon - bring them up, assist them in achieving new heights but not doing it instead of them. Notice how I again used "wants". His desire to do as a good leader should, bring up his teammates, is the basis of his Semblance. It's the same with when he blocked Cardin's punch - he wanted to bring himself up from the pitiful state he was in at the time, not just protect himself from the pain but have the strength to overcome it.

Alright, next up on the list... is Raven, surprisingly.

She was one of the easiest to piece to this logic, as she and Qrow have an irony with their Semblances. But back to Raven.

Her Semblance is "Connection", as I'll call it. It's premise is relatively simple - she can create a portal to those she has a strong emotional connection to. The list so far includes Qrow (brother & teammate), Taiyang (lover & teammate), Yang (daughter) and Vernal (right-hand woman until her untimely demise). We know about Vernal due to process of elimination - unless you wanna imply she actually had a connection to Cinder or her companions. And yet, her whole story is how she abandoned her daughter and her husband. She told Qrow "they owed everything to the Branwen tribe", strongly implying, if not confirming she feels a sense of thankfulness to the people who raised her when she needed it. She admonished Qrow for deserting the clan. She feels a sense of duty towards them. And yet, her Semblance is based entirely on emotional connection - something I doubt is of great importance in a bandit clan composed of "killers and thieves", in Qrow's words. I'd hazard to guess that a childhood in a bandit clan would easily stir a desire to form lasting bonds - something easily achievable when you can make portals. Despite her sense of duty, she still desires a strong emotional bond, devoid of power dynamics and a sense of "we may die any day". Something she had with Taiyang and Yang. Something she had with Qrow and Vernal, despite the circumstances. Really adds a layer to her character if you put it like that.

Alright, who's next... hm, let's put Qrow on the dissection table now.

His Semblance of "Misfortune" seems awfully contradictory to his character, that of a caring man who can barely stand to hurt those close to him, even if they're not family and friends. Why would that be his Semblance?

Well, he obviously didn't have a great opinion of the Branwen tribe. Who knows, maybe what Raven saw as being saved, Qrow saw as being used. Maybe he wished that they'd be caught by bad luck, that the tribe would just collapse and disappear. But that spite evolved into his current Semblance - everyone around him suffers while he's only really left with emotional scars.

Welp. That was depressing. Who's up for getting at Nora next.

Now, this is gonna be pretty short this time. There's not a lot to talk about. She sees Ren as her emotional anchor, her savior. She wants to give back for what he does. She sees he's struggling on the physical side (he's pretty low on the endurance, as evident multiple times throughout the show), so she desires to be strength he's lacking in. And look where that got her - her Semblance, "Charging" makes her grow exponentially stronger the more electricity she absorbs. She can even channel it into objects, like Magnhild or an Ursa. I'd say mission successful, you funky little Thor ginger.

Let's finish up JNPR with their resident apology machine - Pyrrha.

So, we know she'd been in many tournaments. She's the Invincible Girl. The three-time Mistral regional battle tournament winner. She's honestly a gladiator. And what does a gladiator crave? Victory. That's where her overpowered (in comparison to others) Semblance appeared from. She simply wanted to beat her opponents more easily. Well, until she didn't want all the fame that came along with her power.

Alright, who do we mentally lay bare... Hm, Velvet seems simple enough.

What's there to say - a shy, bullied bunny. She's a second year in the first year's history class. I'd say that would do some things to your confidence. And what's her Semblance? Well it just so happens to be "Movement Copying". She can copy a person's physical movements, even if she has not seen them, as shown in "Heroes and Monsters". Makes sense - her desire to be as strong as those around her shows both in her Semblance and her weapon (which is basically a weapon-copying camera). She doesn't have confidence that she's strong, so she (quite literally) does as those around her.

Hm, who next... oooh, how about Yang?

"...basically a temper tantrum", I'd call it "Rise Up". This also can connect to a desire. Yang, being repeatedly battered by one damaging event after the other - her mother abandoning her, her stepmother dying, likely a depression in her father and mothering Ruby. The girl has likely been brought down more than once. But she desires to get stronger from it, so much so that the desire has become a characteristic. She shows so when she decides to find Ruby, when she decides to start training again. She has done it again and again and she'll continue doing it - her desire is now another part of her personality that won't break.

Alright, we put Yang here, how about we make a Bumbleby combo and go for Blake next.

"Shadows", now that's a name I can get behind. She "leaves an empty shell, a shadow to take the hit while she runs". It's, all things considered, a kind of cowardly Semblance. It's basically "here, beat on this while I dodge away and escape the attack". And with the recent events, we've seen she doesn't wanna run anymore - yet she retains her Semblance unchanged? Makes no sense if it's connected to a personality trait. But if it's connected to a desire, then it would make perfect sense. Firstly, she's a Faunus. We know for a fact that there's Faunus discrimination (seriously, if the Adam short and Adam's scar aren't enough proof for you...) and that she was fighting against it in protests. And if our world is anything to go by... yeah, it's easy to see how peaceful any counter-protests would be. Not to mention Adam himself. From all those factors collected, well, the thought process behind the desire her Semblance is founded on becomes obvious - she realised the racists only saw an animal, nothing of importance where Blake stood. So she gave them just that - an empty sandbag to hit while she runs. I'm not gonna get into Adam, as I'm simply sick of the topic.

Hmm, who's left... Well, Weiss has a familial Semblances. The Schnee Glyphs aren't so much unique as the summons included. Really, the only thing unique about her Semblance is who she summons, as we've seen a Queen Lancer, a Boarbatusk and the Arma Gigas, unlike Winter, who we've seen with a flock of tiny Nevermores and a Beowolf. The show says the Schnee family Semblance is a very rare thing, a passed-down-by-blood power. So it's an understandable outlier.

Let's look at Ruby next... Well, she seems to be a very big outlier to this theory of mine. Her silver eyes have more to do with her desires than her Speed. Maybe she has a desire we have yet to see? Anyways, I don't quite have an explanation for Ruby, so I'll leave her aside.

Let's clean our palates with Sun, then.

His Semblance, "Kage Bunshin No Jutsu" (I know it's called "Via Sun", but I wanted to make an unoriginal joke), actually seems to fit my theory. We don't have much, if any, backstory, but in this case we need none. His desire, as we've seen many times throughout the series and which was twisted in Volume 4 & 5, is to help people. He wants to be there for those he cares about, like Blake and his team, but he realises he can't do it alone. So his desire turned into his Semblance, "One Monkey Army" - a way for him to help even if he's alone to do so. You can't tell me he hasn't used his Semblance to fetch something for someone at least once.

Hm, few people left. Let's go with Emerald.

Her "Hallucinations" are a nod to her growing up on the streets. A place you'd be begging people not to pay attention to you. Her Semblance, then, is born from the obvious desire to fool prey and predators alike.

Neo... We don't know much about her. No backstory, some personality, but honestly? The only idea I have at this moment is more of a headcannon. But I CAN connect her Semblance's evolution. So, before V6, her Semblance is simply making physical illusions. It's honestly similar to Blake's "Shadows", in some uses, but it's definitely a lot more of a multi-use tool. It can be used to make her look different, if not outright invisible. But it always shatters upon being hit. Fast forward to V6 and her fight against Cinder, and suddenly she can use the illusions as straight up puppets to fight for her. Her Semblance grew, to put it bluntly. But why in such a manner? Her illusions were fragile and immobile before, now they're tougher and mobile to the point of being straight up weapons. But why in that direction? Well, they can move and touch things without them breaking now. Guess who's started to get more headpats from her partner.

Alright, Hazel is up for the mental strip.

Honestly, despite our lack of major backstory here, his Semblance is pretty easy to trace back. Nobody likes pain, outside of masochists, so it's easy to understandable he'd have a Semblance that removes the feeling of pain.

Adam. Adam Adam Adam. He's surprisingly more similar to Hazel than Yang in terms of Semblance. Yeah, you heard that right. "He gets to dish out damage and not feel it". His Semblance is basically a self-loading gun - he can use the power of strikes to charge it, only to the unleash various empowered slashes. He refuses to feel pain, just like Hazel, but unlike him, he also desired to return what was meant for him straight back at his attackers. Hazel is relatively peaceful when the situation doesn't include Ozpin, but Adam? He's aggressive, always bloodthirsty. His desire was simple - feed his thirst for vengeance. A perfect Semblance for that wish, no?

Hm, well we only have Glynda left. I got nothing. I don't see how I'd understand her desire to have telekinesis without a backstory I doubt we'll get.

Well, that's it for that! I feel like I'm onto something.

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