#how was it growing up separated from her twin but still so obviously a royal? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

rin-eko · 2 years

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Chapter Eleven - A mother’s despair

Chapter Warnings/Tags: pregnancy, stillbirth

masterpost

Three days later you still found yourself kissing Haruchiyo as you straddled him in bed. He, of course, had put you in the comprising position. There was no way you would have bravely put your legs on either side of his waist and pressed your upper bodies together without prompt.

Your loose robe fell down your shoulder, inviting him to suck the newly exposed area with a satisfied hum, his eyes sliding closed. You were quietly enjoying it, fingers gently tangled in his hair.

He had business with Manjiro and the King during the day, but at night he would return to your shared room, insatiable. As if he had been thinking of all the things he wanted to do to you during the day and couldn’t hold it in any longer. He would claw at your clothes and push you onto the bed, attached to your lips or your breasts as he thrust inside you.

While he was busy during the day you spent time with Senju, exploring the gardens or eating foreign snacks together and choosing fabrics for her baby- which the doctor predicted would come any day.

It will be twins, she quietly told you. But shhh, I want to surprise Manjiro. I had to pay the doctor extra to not tell the prince anything.

Your jaw dropped. Twins? Two babies? You couldn’t even imagine having one. You weren’t sure if Manji also had the rule of royal male children being separated from their mother, but you didn’t ask for fear it would upset the pregnant princess.

“Do you love him?” It was brave to ask, because it was expected of a wife to love and serve their husband. Senju rolled her eyes when she spoke about him, but she talked about him so often and with a lilt of fondness to her tone that made you think she really didn’t mind his protectiveness.

The question was for your benefit, too. You had heard Senju and Manjiro got off to a rocky start, but they at least tolerated each other now. Perhaps you and Haruchiyo could be the same, even if love wasn’t a possibility.

She gazed thoughtfully at the sky as she lightly swung on one of the wooden swings tied to a tall oak tree in the garden. The two of you had spent almost an hour taking turns and pushing each other. You wanted one in the Senin palace gardens.

“Yes,” she replied softly, as if only realising it herself for the first time. “I’m sure my older brother told you how I didn’t wish to marry. I made it very difficult for the prince at the beginning,” she giggled as she remembered something. “But I am learning and growing all the time, and he is always there even when I don’t want him to be.”

The tell-tale sign of Haruchiyo’s hardness pressing to your core had you shooting up straight from where your head was ducked in his neck as he gently nibbled your skin.

You quickly scrambled off the bed, wincing at the ache between your legs. You ducked down at the end of the bed, peeking over the edge to see him smirking at you.

“Why are you hiding from me, dear wife?”

“It hurts,” you complained. “You have not given me a break for a single night.”

“Come here, I promise I won’t do anything.”

You gazed at him sceptically. You were more likely to believe a rat.

“I promise,” he held his palm to you.

“Hmph.”

“If you don’t want me to take you, you can just use your mouth on me. It hurts here,” he complained, laying a hand over where he was erect.

You raised a brow, recalling the last time you used your mouth on him at the light festival. He hadn’t seemed to enjoy it then and had told you there was no use for you if you couldn’t please him.

“I don’t understand,” you stood, tucking your robe tighter together so the roundness of your breasts wasn’t showing. Frowning, “I thought you didn’t enjoy when I did that to you.”

He flushed almost in shame, obviously recalling the same scene you were. “Well it’s been a few months since then, let’s try again.”

“You will not fulfil your wish of getting me pregnant by doing that and since I am not good at it, why don’t you find another woman more to your taste to lick you?” you suggested, then frowned at your own suggestion.

He seemed even more baffled than you. You watched his face morph, a tiny puzzled tick between his brows before his lips turned down and he was fully frowning, in both anger and puzzlement.

“Are you really so indifferent to me?” he questioned roughly. You couldn’t quite place his expression. Somewhere in between trying to relax himself and hear your explanation and letting anger take over.

“Indifferent? No…” you cowered.

He stood from the bed, tall and intimidating as he stalked over.

He reached for you, tugging you into him by your waist. Ducking his head face close to yours. “Do you even care about me at all?” he questioned quietly.

“O-Of course, you are my husband and the crown prince of my country.”

“So no,” he sighed, standing straight once more.

“I do,” you insisted.

“You tell me what you think I want to hear, but I am not a fool, Yn. Do not insult me by lying.”

It wasn’t like he cared for you either. All you had to do was go over your months of marriage and it became obvious to anyone.

Besides, it wasn’t like you were completely immune to him- you just didn’t know what to make of his conflicting behaviours.

Your lips remained shut.

“I would cut open a hundred men to know what’s in your head.” Contrasting the crude words was a soft, murmuring tone and light strokes on your cheek.

You shivered. “Umm, don’t do that.”

A soft, amused smile touched his lips. “Do not worry. A part of me is enjoying trying to figure you out.”

…

“Sister in law, you are distracted today,” Senju said as you pricked your finger on a needle for the third time.

“Sorry.” You put down the soft pink fabric you were embroidering with gold for the baby. The two of you sat at a stone table in the centre of one of the pavilions in the expansive gardens. A soft breeze blew through the space, lifting your hair and cooling your neck.

“Are you thinking about my brother?”

Your head shot up. Were you that obvious?

She laughed. “You looked confused, so I assumed it was because of my brother. He is difficult to understand.”

That made you laugh because it hit the nail on the head. “That’s true.”

“Ohh…” She suddenly leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table with white knuckles.

“What’s wrong?” Alarmed, you shot up to stand.

“Nothing,” she winced with a smile.

“Are you sure?” she had been making strange sounds and gripping her stomach at random times all morning.

“Yes, the babies have just been kicking more than usual today.”

“Let’s go for a walk. You are near your due date, I have heard that walking may help the baby move into a more comfortable position in preparation for birth,” you explained.

She stuttered an agreement and you moved around the table to help her up, arms looped together to guide her down the few short steps to the soft grass.

A maid rushed over. “Princess, Prince Manjiro has told us not to allow you to move around too much for the next few days as we don’t know when the baby will come.”

“I’m fine. Nothing is going to hap-” she halted in her words just as the sound of liquid hitting the floor met your ears. You all dropped your eyes to the floor, seeing the clear fluid between her legs.

“Is that…”

She suddenly gripped your forearm, desperate eyes searching you. “My water broke, sister!”

“I-I can see that,” you stuttered, at a complete loss as to what you should do.

“What’s wrong?” you asked in concern.

“The baby is coming?” the maidservant panicked, wringing her fingers.

“It seems so,” you nodded.

“Yn! I am not ready to have two babies,” Senju wailed. The maid looked to you with wide eyes.

“Two babies?”

“Yes, she is having twins. Do not tell the prince, it’s supposed to be a surprise. Please go fetch another maid and call for the doctor and Prince Manjiro.”

She nodded, rushing away while you struggled to hold Senju and her big belly up in a standing position.

“Senju, we need to go to your birthing room. Can you walk?” you questioned.

“Y-Yes.”

You helped her hobble through the gardens, almost weeping with relief when another maid came to hold her other side and practically carry her up the steps to the palace.

“Sister, it hurts,” she moaned. Her hairline was already sweaty, and you didn’t have the heart to tell her it would probably only get worse. Sara had told you that giving birth was a painful process, yet another reason you hoped there wasn’t a baby growing inside you anytime soon.

“We are nearly there,” you soothed. You spotted a handmaid carrying folded fabrics and called for her.

“Please gather towels and warm water for Princess Senju’s birthing room. She is going to have the baby today.”

Her eyes widened. “I will do as you say, Princess Haruchiyo.”

You eventually entered the birthing room, helping Senju dress in plain, clean sleeping robes before laying her on the bed, occasionally wiping her head with a cool towel.

“The doctor will be here soon. Please calm, Princess. Everything will be fine,” you soothed.

“Where’s Manjiro?” she cried out, gripping your hand in a vice grip. She was already breathing hard, crying out in pain and holding her stomach.

“He will be here soon.” At least you hoped that was the case. Haruchiyo had said he and the prince were going into the city for the day, so you weren’t sure how long it would take to get back to the palace.

You were starting to panic along with Senju, hearing her sob that she wanted to push.

“You can’t!” you shrieked. It was only you and a maid in the room, who was rushing about preparing things. You doubted either of you were qualified to deliver a baby.

A sigh of relief escaped you when the doctor entered, ordering for a shallow bucket of warm water to be placed near the bed.

The doctor sat at the end of the bed, instructing Senju on what to do so he could look and see when the babies were going to come.

“They will be in birthing position in a few more hours. You must try and relax in the meantime,” he told her calmly.

She was anything but calm, shaking her head furiously at his words. “I can’t wait a few more hours! I want them out now!”

“You won’t be able to push them out as they are. You may end up harming both yourself and the babies.”

“Aargh!” she threw her head back, slapping away the maid’s hands that were still tending to her. “Everyone get out! Except Yn, all of you get out!”

You watched as they all rushed to obey the command, leaving you with the distraught princess.

“What do you need?” you asked.

“Manjiro! Where is the bastard? What’s taking him so long? He was the one who said he wanted to be with me when the baby came. Tch, such a liar.”

“I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” you encouraged, wishing your words were true. Your fingers were starting to turn purple from how hard she was squeezing them.

Luckily, after a few more painful minutes, a loud booming voice was heard in the hallway outside the room and then Prince Manjiro was pushing inside and rushing to his wife’s side.

“Darling,” he stroked the side of her face, looking relieved at the sight of her and worried at the same time. “The baby is coming?”

A swift slap to the side of his face was her response. “Where the hell were you?!”

The abuse didn’t deter him. He carefully climbed into the large bed beside her. “I was in the city. I got here as fast as I could. The doctor said it will still be a few more hours?”

“I want to do it now,” she sobbed. Gone was the hysterical, slapping woman. Senju buried her head in her husband’s chest and let go of your hand in favour of gripping his clothes.

You quietly crept out of the room, hearing tender words from Prince Manjiro’s lips that weren’t meant for your ears.

…

“You’re very beautiful. I think Princess Senju would love you,” you cooed, snipping another flower and adding it to the bouquet you were making for your sister in law’s room.

“Who are you talking to?”

You had sensed him watching you, but he was closer than anticipated, walking a few short steps to stand directly behind your kneeling form.

You head tilted up to observe your husband’s upside-down face. “The flowers.”

He smirked. “The flowers? And what are they saying back?”

He was mocking you. You scowled.

“They can hear people, you know. And they enjoy being spoken to. It helps them grow and soothes the flower spirits.”

“Is that so?” he sat back on his heels beside you.

“It is so.”

“Why are you gathering flowers?”

“For sister in law’s room. As a gift.”

“I see.”

“Did you visit her?” you inquired.

“Yes, on my way here. But she cursed at me and told me to leave.”

You turned to hide the small smile on your lips.

“Honestly,” he continued with a huff, oblivious to your amusement. “What kind of princess is she anyway? She brings shame to our family. The daughter of an emperor should not use such words.”

You straightened your expression, nodding along like the good wife you were.

He stared at you. “Why does your face look like that?”

“Like what, my prince?”

“Twisted. Like you’re trying not to laugh.”

“I would never mock you like that, my prince.”

He scowled. “Then why are you trying not to laugh?”

You couldn’t tell if he was seriously irritated or not, but you constantly walked on eggshells around him, fearful of one of his hurtful outbursts, so you bowed your head and apologised in attempt to soothe any frustrations he had with you.

“Prince Haruchiyo, Miss is having the baby. She asked me to call for you and crown princess Senin.”

His eyes lifted from you to the handmaiden. “Yes, we’ll be there soon.”

You quickly gathered the flowers together, arranging them nicely with your hair ribbon. Taking Haruchiyo’s hand when he held it out to you to help you off the floor, you peered up at him.

“Have we prepared gifts for Senju?”

He started guiding you back to the palace, hand wrapped around yours. “Yes, there are guavas and fabrics from home, a golden sapphire hair comb for Senju and toys for the child.”

“I can’t wait to meet them,” you hummed happily.

“I hope you’ll be this happy when we have children of our own,” he muttered, peering down at you.

You felt your chest freeze, any hesitance on the topic covered by a fake smile. “I would love to have children with you.”

He scoffed. “Why do I get the feeling you are lying, dear wife?”

“I’m not sure, dear husband.”

He eyed you, gaze finally dragging away at the sound of a high-pitched wailing cry. You both rushed to the birthing room.

“Sister in law,” Senju’s teary gaze flew to you. Not the happy tears of a new mother. Her bottom lip was trembling. She was holding a bundle in her arms and you got the sudden feeling that something was very very wrong.

A lone tear dripped from the corner of her eyes. Her gaze was faraway, looking directly at you but it was like she was seeing through you.

“Do something!” Manjiro shouted at the doctor. The prince’s eyes were red, his hair a mess as he fingers gripped into it and pulled, voice hoarse like he had been shouting for a long time. “Fucking do something!”

“I’m sorry,” the doctor swallowed. “He was already gone when he exited the womb.”

Your heart dropped.

“Sister in law,” Senju repeated. Another tear fell. “My baby isn’t crying.”

No. Not to Senju. This wouldn’t happen to Senju. Not that beautiful, charismatic girl. Your throat squeezed so tight you found it hard to breathe.

“What…” you stepped to her side, where she parted the cloth to reveal a tiny face with blue lips and closed eyes.

Senju smiled up at you, but it was a distant one. She looked like a lost child. Lost and confused, struggling to accept what was reality.

Your own tears fell. This was too cruel. You didn’t ever want to go through something so painful. Birthing was risky enough to a woman’s life, but raising a child made the risk worth it. But now…

Senju had cursed her husband for putting two babies in her, complaining to you that it was the most uncomfortable thing in the world, but deep down she had wanted them. She had fallen in love with them the moment she felt them kick.

Gone was the lively, stubborn young woman you had come to know and love over the past few days. This person was unrecognisable. She was shaking, eyes watering down onto the still baby’s soft skin.

“Why isn’t he crying?” she repeated. She stroked down his soft hair and hugged him close to her chest. “He’s not breathing,” she sobbed, laying her head to the tiny chest.

The awakening of another cry pierced the unbearable stillness of the room, interrupting the new mother’s devastated sobs.

You looked to where a handmaid was holding the other baby, the woman’s pale face fixed on her princess.

“Emma,” Senju rasped. “Give her to me.”

You held your arms out to gently take the small, lifeless form from Senju’s, allowing the maid to put the crying baby into her mother’s arms. Her tiny arms were flailing around, but her heart was beating steadily, and that just made Senju cry even more.

You gazed at the baby in your arms. There was no steady heartbeat. No ear-splitting cries. There was nothing. You hadn’t touched a dead body since your grandmother’s funeral. You didn’t think the next time it happened would be such a tiny being.

He really was barely anything. Could he possibly even count as a human? He was so small. So, so small, but would never grow. He would never experience life or even his own mother’s warmth.

“Emma?” a deep voice croaked. “You’re naming her Emma?”

Your teary gaze lifted to see Draken standing shock-still in the doorway.

Senju nodded with a soft smile. “Would you like to hold her?”

He nodded, swallowing when the tiny girl was lifted into his arms. Her crying eased, soothed in warm comforting arms.

“This is Shinichiro,” Senju held the foot of the baby in your arms. Draken’s eyes fell to him, soft smile falling.

His gaze flew to you. “Is he…”

“Yes,” Haruchiyo- who had been deathly silent through the whole thing- interrupted with a clipped tone.

Your husband glared at you. “Give him to the servant before you get cursed.”

Everyone’s wide, shocked eyes fell to him. The room went utterly silent and still.

“Why… why would you say that?” you lower lip trembled. You hugged the infant to your chest. “He’s beautiful.”

He stared at you blankly with no reply. Shock and anger- disbelief- swirled in you. You knew he was cruel. You had experienced that for yourself. But this was a new level. How could he say that? In front of his sister who had just lost her child?

“This is your sister’s baby. It’s not a curse. This is your nephew,” you sobbed. Such a little person. Someone who was meant to run around and play with his sister; a little prince who was meant to live long years.

“It’s okay,” Senju whispered. You turned to her in shock. She really was just a shell of her usual self. She didn’t even look present. The true Senju would have never taken those words from Haruchiyo.

“It’s my fault, Manjiro,” she addressed her husband. “I’m sorry. This happened because I wished for them to disappear when I found out I was pregnant.”

Her voice was hollow, barely acknowledging her husband when he quickly shook his head, his own tears falling as he knelt beside the bed and leaned over to kiss Senju’s forehead.

“No, no, it isn’t. This isn’t your fault, it’s just something that happened. There is a reason this happened. The Gods always have a reason for twining destinies- for bestowing and taking life. You understand.”

She leaned into him, sobbing harder. “I’m sorry.”

“Shh.”

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Manjiro. I’m sorry…”

“Shhh, it’s okay, darling. Listen to me, we’ll get through this. Shhh.”

But words did not take away her pain. Words did not take away the months she had spent growing that little body in her womb. Words did not take away how happy she would have been, how eager to teach him all about life. Words did not take away the guilt she would carry.

You had never felt such agony listening to another’s cries. Utterly broken. The cries of a mother who had lost her child.

…

You found Senju wandering the halls late at night that same evening. She was meant to be on strict bedrest as her body recovered, but she had clearly slipped past the sleeping Manjiro and Emma, looking akin to a ghost with her pale skin and gown. The moonlight shone through the window, casting light onto her silhouette as you made your way to the kitchen for milk, having been restless in bed and unable to sleep yourself.

“Senju…” you rasped.

She turned her head from staring outside, sunken eyes meeting you. Your eyes dropped to the small light blue blanket in her hand.

“Oh. Sister…”

“You should try to rest… please…”

She looked back out the window silently, unmoving. You throat worked on a swallow. Was there really anything you could say to make her feel better?

You went closer, taking her hand in your own to whisper, “Do you want to go to the room of prayer?”

She didn’t respond for long moments, but you almost wept with relief when her fingers twitched around yours and she nodded once.

You helped Senju kneel before going to open the outer doors of the stone room, allowing the night breeze to drift in. You went back to kneel beside Senju who was still unmoving as she stared at her lap.

You gently took her hand, guiding her fingertips to touch the surface of the water you knelt before. You also made your own ripples before pressing your hands together, bowing your head before the shrine.

“Who are we praying to?” you asked softly.

The silence was long and heavy before she spoke. Just two utterly broken words.

“My baby.”

You startled, your hands still pressed together as you looked to her.

She didn’t provide any explanation as to why she didn’t want to pray to a God, but to her baby instead. Only quietly started to speak.

“My baby, my Shinichiro… I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you into this world…”

Tears immediately spilled down your cheeks, hot and fast, dripping down your neck and clothes as you swallowed roughly to stop a sound escaping.

“I am sorry your life was so brief. That I will never be able to see your eyes open, your skin pinken, or your lungs fill with breath fills me with such sadness all I can do is wish for the days you were still safely in my womb.”

She sobbed, leaning forward with her hands covering her mouth desperately. “I wanted… to hear your heartbeat… so much. I wanted to play with you and raise you. I’m s-so s-sorry.”

She clutched Shinichiro’s blanket in her hands, her tears soaking through the fabric as her whole body shook.

“I never wanted… my sweet child to be born asleep. Even if I wasn’t ready, I loved you with everything in me.”

She fell into you and you clutched her tight, trembling along with her as she mourned in your arms and your lips pressed together to stop from shaking.

“D-Do you want me to go get Emma?” you whispered, stroking her soft hair. “So you can hold her?” You weren’t sure if it would make her feel better or worse, but you would try anything.

Senju sniffed and nodded, sitting up to wipe her eyes. “Yes.”

You were on your way back to the prayer room with a sleeping Emma in your arms when you saw your husband’s silhouette alone in the dark. He leaned against the wall across from the prayer room, silently watching you with glowing blue eyes. They dropped to the baby in your arms before meeting your gaze again.

“You left the bed,” he rasped.

You stayed quiet, silently walking past him and into the room.

He straightened, calling your name. You swallowed, stopping in your stride to look over your shoulder. “I’m staying with Senju and Emma tonight.”

His fists tightened, a look of plea washing over his delicate features as he called your name infinitely softer.

You faced forward when a tear slid down your cheek. You couldn’t look at him. Not when it was so obvious on your face that you were scared of this. Terrified of having children, of them being taken away by him or the Gods.

“Good night, my prince,” you whispered, tracing your finger down Emma’s healthy cheek before shutting the door between your husband and yourself.

Tagging: @soushswag @crown5 @angelmitsuri @c4tboyxiao @azusachna @luka-ali @denkis-slut

#sanzu x reader #haruchiyo sanzu x reader #haruchiyo akashi x reader #haruchiyo x reader #tokyo revengers x reader #bonten x reader #tokyo revengers series #sanzu series #haruchiyo akashi series #rins.works #tw stillbirth

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threadsketchier · 4 years

Note

So I saw the prequels prior to the Originals and it always bothered me how Luke got dumped on a death planet of Tatooine considering the state of that environment and shot that when down in the previous films while Leia got a life of privilege. I was hoping Bail would argue against splitting the twins. I obviously knew why it had to go that route because it had to align and follow up with the Originals. I guess it came off that Luke wasn’t really wanted...?

I already wrote a ficlet somewhat addressing this misconception.

Also, frankly, I’m getting kind of tired of rehashing the same issue - why do people keep assuming that the Larses don’t matter and don’t have a right to be in Luke’s life just because they live on Space Australia? Why do their feelings not count just because they’re low-to-middle-class moisture farmers who don’t live in a palace on Space Switzerland-Utopia? Why the fuck do people assume that Luke wasn’t wanted just because the Organas have a personal preference that was obviously previously established before shit hit the fans and they wanted a daughter and Bail, as a senator and Viceroy - essentially co-leader of his planet - is a fucking rational guy who understands the necessity of making hard decisions dictated by logic over emotions?

The twins weren’t just “split up because that’s how the movies have to go,” it does make internal sense within the narrative that it was safer to hide them in vastly separate locations to prevent both of them from being discovered at the same time and thus lost together, or for their latent Force bond to make them a psychic target if they grew up together and established it, acting like a beacon for Vader and Palpatine and any minions of theirs. It sucks, it’s painful, it has awkward consequences for them later on when Leia’s a bit too loose with her lips, but that’s why these movies have a tragic backstory. It has to suck real hard before it gets better.

Does it seem crazy that Leia wound up raised in such a screamingly obvious position as daughter of a then-Imperial Senator and princess of a highly prominent Core world being trained to follow in her biological mother’s footsteps and become a senator herself, thus occupying a very exposed role in the Empire, right under the Emperor’s and Vader’s noses? Yeah. But also remember that the Superman/Clark Kent illusion can actually work in real life. Assumption is a powerful thing. Your average Joe Citizen would assume that someone as otherworldly as Superman, an alien with the ability to fly, strength to bench-press skyscrapers and jumbo jets, heat vision, and other amazing things, would never stoop to living as a normal, humble, inconvenienced human being. It’s not merely the hiding behind a pair of glasses and hunching over a little with a nerdy tone and habits - it’s the entire idea that a Clark Kent could even exist in the same person of Superman. They don’t understand that he was raised as a human and actually desires this life, and doesn’t feel the need to lock himself away permanently in his dope Fortress of Solitude and never interact with the very people he wants to save and protect.

Vader was lied to by Palpatine about the nature of Padmé’s death, but there was no disputing that she actually died. In his crushing despair, Vader accepted with heaps of self-flagellation that his child was dead. He didn’t even know he had two children. In his mind, whenever he saw Leia - surely they were in each other’s circles at least at a distance before Rogue One and ANH - even if she reminded him of Padmé six ways from Sunday, he would not assume she was his daughter, because as far as he was concerned his child was dead. The OT establishes that latent Force-sensitivity also does not automatically make two related Force-sensitives consciously aware of each other until they mutually know one another as being related and Force-sensitive, so not even torturing Leia revealed this to him.

But I’m going off on a tangent. Let’s break this down:

Tatooine is nothing but a source of anguish for Anakin and his personal loathing for the place made it ideal as a hiding place. And no, I’m not just haha joking about sand. He was a slave there and buried his mother there after slaughtering an entire village of natives he knew in his heart that he shouldn’t have. It holds nothing but misery and failure for him.

Yes, Tatooine is abso-fucking-lutely a galactic cesspit. It’s ruled by the most vile mob boss in the galaxy, is rife with nasty wildlife that’s out to kill you, and is haunted by the troubles brought about by strife between colonizers and the native population. It is indisputably a dangerous place. But it wasn’t Tatooine that killed the Larses. It was the Empire. Just because they look like Soft Folks™ doesn’t mean they were - Owen and Beru knew how to take care of themselves, and they certainly knew how to take care of a child in this environment. They survived to middle age just fine, and would’ve kept going if it wasn’t for those fucking stormtroopers. Just because they didn’t live a life of luxury also doesn’t mean they were dirt poor either. When we meet Luke in ANH, he’s a healthy young lad who still has the privilege to fuck off with his buddies around his farm duties. Life may be tough but it’s not squalor and deprivation for him.

But honestly, even if they WERE dirt poor, they’re still Luke’s family, and they very obviously loved him. I almost feel like I shouldn’t have to restate it, but I will: Owen and Beru loved Shmi, and upon hearing that Anakin died and left behind a baby son, why wouldn’t they be moved and compelled to take Luke in, and why wouldn’t they deserve to have the chance to raise him in their memory? Even though they’d be sad that Luke was orphaned, they might even see this as a blessing to be able to raise Shmi’s grandson and Anakin’s son.

As much as he bitched about chores as a teenager, Luke learned damn valuable skills growing up on a Tatooine moisture farm that, coupled with the Force, saved everybody’s asses at the Battle of Yavin, and went on to make him an ideal squadron leader. Wealth and privilege are not always the best foundation, or at least certainly not the automatic one, for a person to learn good character either.

The Organas are human too. Faced with a difficult choice, they decided to take this poignant opportunity to fulfill a dream they’d been deferring for some time. Sometimes parents wish for a specific child, and that’s their prerogative (except IRL they don’t actually get to pick, they get whatever kid they gestate). If they’d taken Luke and let Obi-Wan take Leia, we’d be having the same argument about Leia growing up on Tatooine. There was no inequality in this decision. Bail and Breha wanted a daughter, there was a daughter present among the twins, so they chose her. This does not mean they valued Luke any less. Since the twins couldn’t be raised together for their own safety, it might as well have come down to a coin toss. Bail isn’t evil for exercising a shred of his personal emotions and desires in a situation where he otherwise knew he’d have to restrain himself. Also, he’d be smart enough to respect the fact that both children had actual family elsewhere in the galaxy and wouldn’t think any less of the Larses just because they live on Tatooine. The only way his decision would be careless or heinous was if he knew Luke was being taken to people who were abusive or so destitute they couldn’t even care for themselves, much less a third person, and he did nothing about it - but we know this is not that situation.

How do you feel about non-wealthy people living in harsh places here on Earth raising their children? Would you expect all the rich people in the world to go take those children away from them and adopt them just so they could grow up “privileged” instead? Think about how that sounds for a moment or two.

Honestly, if Bail had tried to argue about taking both twins because he felt taking Luke to his legal family on Tatooine was “cruel” or “neglectful” because of the planet’s “risky environment and poverty,” I’d hope either Obi-Wan or Yoda would have enough sense to smack him upside the head for being so thoughtless as to insult these people for being seemingly beneath him.

There is more to life than money and power/prestige, and Leia’s upbringing wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. She was no pampered, air-headed royal spending her days sitting idle being hand-fed space grapes while her “poor” brother ate sand cookies. She had to undergo intensive academic, political, and physical training from young childhood in order to prepare her to become a covert Rebel agent while she was still a teenager, as if being a child senator wasn’t already stressful and demanding enough. Sure, she never lacked for anything, but that is an incredible amount of responsibility to saddle on someone who wasn’t even an adult yet (like her bio mother). Luke was blessed with far more freedom and peace in his childhood than his sister. And him living on Tatooine with his father’s surname wasn’t nearly as dangerous as Leia existing within the heart of the Empire while actively engaging in Rebel activities that could have cost her her life, even without getting into the whole “daughter of Anakin Skywalker” business.

Also, just because we joke about Tatooine being Space Australia doesn’t mean every single day of Luke’s childhood was THAT eventful. It was more likely 80% dull farm life and 20% mayhem, and that 20% would be mostly Luke’s fault for being a crazy nut like his parents and getting himself into trouble he could have avoided in most cases. In other words, growing up there might not have been nearly as “deadly” as we make it out to be.

#i am in a Mood™ about this tonight & i don't care #high-sodium post ahoy #i know i have the tag #aunt beru is metal af #but honestly i need a tag for #the larses are metal af #my meta #star wars #luke skywalker #grew up in space australia & it shows #leia organa #owen lars #beru whitesun lars #bail organa #breha organa #classism

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thebiasrekkers · 3 years

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Shadow’s Birthright | MYG

Chapter 06: Convergence

Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)

Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut

Previous Chapters: Prologue 01 02 03 04 05

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 4,065

Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane, @mini-coop25, @shrimpmsg, @ggukkieland

AN: Sorry this took me so long. Life decided it wanted to kick me in the face repeatedly. But I did warn everyone this was going to take a little time with the updates. Please be patient with me. I promise you that it will be worth the wait. If you would like to be added to the tag list, feel free to drop me a line!

P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.

© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” - John F. Kennedy

Yoon greeted his parents with the Crown Princess at his side. They both bowed deeply as they heard the King and Queen laugh in delight. The Royal Consorts also received bows from the Crown Prince and Princess. Finally, they turned and were given bows from the princesses and princes of the Royal Court. The officials and guards, as well as the rest of the palace staff, were present for the opening ceremony to celebrate Crown Prince Yoon’s first international liaison.

When they were finally dismissed, Yoon took his seat next to the Crown Princess, waiting for food and wine to be served. Various voices of praise and congratulations were given to Yoon, to which he simply nodded his head politely and smiled while returning his own charming forms of gratitude. He allowed the Crown Princess to serve him a cup of wine and he, in turn, also served her. Merriment and good cheer surrounded the palace.

It made Yoon sick to his stomach.

The conversation he had with his Father-In-Law still didn’t sit well with him. At his own behest, he politely reminded Minister Jang that he should keep his small-minded ambitions to himself. He didn’t need to drag the Crown Princess into his mess. Regardless of his own personal feelings, Yoon held a deep amount of respect for his Princess. Jang Chae-Ok had no ambitions or selfish desires for wanting to be Crown Princess. She was simply a childhood friend to Yoon who always remained faithfully at his side.

The Crown Princess was not blind to his relationship with Kalina. But she also did not question it. It was from this show of her character alone that Yoon promised he would not take a Royal Consort when he became King. He owed her that much for her understanding.

“I wish that I could accompany you, Your Highness.” The Crown Princess’s voice was sad, matching her expression.

He reached out to grasp her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It will be a long journey. It is no place for a Crown Princess.” Yoon smiled. “I will be back before you realize I’m gone.”

She sighed. “I will miss you greatly.” She placed her hand over his. “Do be careful.”

“I will, Crown Princess.”

A loud gong resounded, drawing everyone’s attention. All conversation hushed as the head of the Artisan school approached. He bowed deeply while the others waited with anticipation for his announcement.

“Members of the Royal Court! We are here to celebrate the Crown Prince’s upcoming journey. We wish him great fortune but before he traverses out in the world, we want to be able to ease his worries and give him memories to hold on to as he travels to Ming. Things that he will be able to keep close to his heart and treasure if he should ever become homesick.”

Yoon smiled, despite his own internal dark thoughts. He loved his country. He loved his people. The skills they mastered in order to have these small moments to showcase their talents were clearly battles within their own houses. Some performers and artists had better skills than others, hence why they were allowed to appear at the forefront. Others were still in training to be able to climb up in the ranks along the way.

He secretly admired the drive that pushed these individuals along. Everyone had dreams, goals, and ambitions. People’s reasons for doing anything were threads that bonded everyone together to achieve common goals. No matter how small or big, they were to be appreciated. Even if one could not voice these appreciations aloud.

The Chief Artisan gave a wide gesture, spinning on his heels as the performers made their way into the grand courtyard. “We hope that our performers, both within the palace walls, and those who have managed to make their ways from the streets, will be able to soothe your soul.”

Everyone applauded as Senior Artisan stepped away, allowing for the in house performers to showcase everything they’ve practiced for days. Curiously, Yoon hummed to himself at the mention of street performers entering the palace. If they were skilled enough to gain the court’s attention, there was a good chance they would be given slots to enter the performance schools within the palace halls. It would be a golden opportunity to change their livelihoods for the better.

He was keen to see just what they were made of.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this.”

Jimin clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth, silencing Taehyung’s whining. “Hyung-nim is filling in for Namjoon Hyung-nim.” His eyes narrowed. “Surely you don’t expect him to wear the dress, do you?”

Taehyung pouted. “No, but still!”

“Besides,” Hoseok cut in, patting Taehyung’s shoulders roughly, “we all memorized multiple parts in case something happens. We only had time for Hyung-nim to learn one. Stop being difficult.”

Yoongi smirked, shaking his head while readjusting the waistband to his costume. The large rosary that hung from his neck was heavy and the boots were a little bit cumbersome, but bearable. He would be able to switch his shoes out when it came time for the tightrope routine. Jungkook and Seokjin fawned over him, making sure he looked as proper as he could in performance gear.

Namjoon appeared, holding out a red and black demon mask to him. “I gave it some new paint earlier so it should be dry now.”

Taking the mask from him, Yoongi cradled it in his hands. “Thank you, Namjoon-ah.” He scratched at the cloth headband. “What will you be doing during the performance?”

“I’ll be narrating and helping the musicians out. Percussion, mostly.”

“I see.” Yoongi eyed the mask, taking note of the large white fangs protruding from the mouth carved into the wood.

Because of the depth of the role, he wouldn’t be able to take his mask off during the entire performance. Beneficial for him, but he hated that Namjoon wouldn’t be getting any credit. Yoongi knew how hard they all must have been preparing for this particular performance. A small measure of guilt wormed its way into his heart, but Namjoon’s laugh brought him out of his thoughts.

“Now I feel even more terrible, Hyung-nim.” Yoongi saw the concerned look on Namjoon’s face, even though he was smiling. “Seriously, you’re doing me a favor. I feel bad enough. If you keep looking like that, I’ll think I’m completely worthless.”

“I’m sorry, Namjoon-ah.” Clearing his throat, he nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be feeling like this.”

“Thank the heavens you’re wearing a mask.” Taehyung pushed his headband up a little more. “Otherwise the audience is going to think you’re guilty of some crime.”

“It’s just nerves.” Jimin flashed Yoongi a reassuring smile. “Right, Hyung-nim?”

All he could do was give a small smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Hayan Geutop Troupe?” An unfamiliar voice pulled all of their attention. They saw someone dressed in official robes motioning toward them. “You’re up next.”

No one could hide their excitement. This was the first time any of them would be entering the palace. Each of them were given temporary passes to gain access. Once inside, they all made sure they were looking their best. The sound of joyful laughter and music rumbled through the courtyard, causing Yoongi’s heartbeat to elevate with excitement.

“Hyung-nim!” Jungkook gently nudged Yoongi’s back. “Your mask! Don’t forget to put it on!”

“Oh. Right.” Yoongi slid the large Demon mask over his head, making sure the cloth headwrap covered every part of his neck from view except the front.

The sound of loud drums rang out through the courtyard. It was a little bit difficult to breathe with the mask on, but not impossible. If anything, Yoongi was more concerned with the mask falling off by accident. But Hoseok assured him that the bands were secured and redesigned to fit his head perfectly. It wouldn’t come off unless he pulled it off himself.

Admittedly, his nerves were a little frayed. Being around so many people at once, as well as so much noise, was teetering him toward sensory overload. But he continued to remind himself that he had a job to do. He just needed to get through the performance and then he could continue exploring the Crown City to his heart’s content. They were set to ride back out to the mountains at first light.

He hoped the shops would still be open before the lanterns were lit.

The large drum was hit, signaling for everyone to settle down. Yoongi took another breath, waiting for their group to be announced in front of the Royal Court. His vision was limited through the small holes in his mask - the rest of the world shadowed on either side of him. He could hear his own breath in his ears as he tried to peer out in front of him. But he wasn’t sure what he was even looking for. There was a strange pull at his heart; a feeling he couldn’t quite explain.

Like someone was calling to him.

No. Like multiple people were calling to him.

“Members of the Royal Court! I present to you a troupe of young performers who hail from the outskirts of the Crown City!” The Chief Artisan looked in their direction as some of the students in the palace artisan school helped to set up their stage. “The White Tower Troupe!”

There was a round of polite applause from all the members of the royal court. The other troupe members were helping to set up the first scene for their skit. Yoongi waited patiently, even though he offered to help. Taehyung and Hoseok insisted that he stand back and focus on the performance. It wouldn’t take them long to get the set pieces ready. Once everything was put together, Namjoon walked gently forward and bowed deeply to the Royal family seated at the large banquet table.

“Please forgive our lack of eloquence, Your Majesties, as we attempt to regale you with a story. It is one I am sure you are all familiar with, but allow us to perform it for you just the same.” He flicked out the large fan in his hand, a picture of a blue sky and a green field painted on it. “We humbly present to you...the Tale of Green Pearl and the Demon!”

Yoon felt Chae-Ok grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He cast a sidelong glance in her direction, noting the soft pink flush that tinted her cheeks. He knew it wasn’t from the wine but more from her excitement. He smiled as she met his gaze.

“Oh, I love this story!” She looked back out toward the courtyard. “I’m interested to see how they will tell it.”

“As am I.”

The bass drum resounded through the large space just as the troupe finished setting up for the first scene. The narrator who spoke walked off to the sidelines and took a seat on a plush cushion that was provided for him. Silence draped over everyone present as the actors moved to their positions.

“Many years ago, there was a humble man who lived a humble life. He had a humble trade and a humble wife. The wife bore him two children. A son named White Fang and a daughter named Green Pearl.”

Yoon watched as the narrator spoke about each character. One by one, they all appeared - their faces concealed with wooden masks painted in eloquent designs. Lingering off to the side was an actor clothed in black, red and gold garbs - a demon mask covering his face. Yoon felt his heart beating a little faster as he gazed at the person, unsure of why this strange sensation was lurching in his chest.

The narrator slapped his stick against the small drum cradled in his lap. “As the seasons changed and the children grew older, the father became ill. The wife sent for what physicians they could afford and the old apothecary said that there was nothing he could do. The wife was distraught, unsure of what would become of her or her children should her husband leave this world for his journey to the afterlife.”

“Seobang-nim! You cannot leave us like this!” The wife sobbed beside the husband, cradling his hand between her palms. “What are we to do without you? How are we supposed to live?!”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” said White Fang as he placed his hand over his mother’s, “I will find a way to cure Father. I will travel across foreign lands until I can find the medicine that will save Father’s life!”

Again, the narrator struck the drum. “White Fang left to search for a cure for his ailing father, leaving his mother and sister behind.”

Yoon watched the person portraying Green Pearl moving toward the backdrop meant to pose as a wide open field. A lone tree stood off in the distance where she clasped her hands together and prayed.

“Gods of Heaven, I beseech you! Please help my father. Please find a way to help him get better!” cried Green Pearl as she lowered her head, all but sobbing into her hands.

Heavy drums beat softly, signaling an ominous transition. Yoon watched as the actor portraying the demon slowly moved forward, until he was mere feet from the Royal Banquet table. The Demon whipped his head around to face the Royal family, causing everyone to lean back and gasp.

All except Yoon.

Maybe it was the optical illusion of the mask, but he swore that the demon was looking directly at him. His heartbeat escalated, a soft thunder against his chest, and he waited for the demon to speak. There was a line here. Yoon remembered it. A line where the demon spoke to the audience of his wicked scheme.

But the demon said nothing. All he did was stare. Had the actor forgotten his lines?

“A demon heard Green Pearl’s cries, intrigued by her earnest wailings.”

The narrator cut through the silence. This seemed to wake the demon up, causing him to swiftly shuffle back a few steps as he threw his arm out in a dramatic flourish.

“The sweet sound of sorrow nourishes my heart,” the Demon exclaimed, curling his shoulders forward. He pressed a hand against his face, fingers gliding over the white fangs on the mask. “It is the sound of easy prey. How I have longed to devour such a miserable soul!”

He heard the Crown Princess gasp as the Demon ran forward, leaping into the air and landing on the tightrope with amazing ease. Yoon quirked a brow, internally admiring the actor’s swiftness and balancing abilities. The Demon leaned forward, slinging his legs out until he was hanging upside down from the rope.

Green Pearl took a sharp intake of breath, clutching at the front of her dress. “W-Who goes there?”

“A humble and curious Demon. But nevermind me, Sweet Child.” The Demon spoke in a cooing and sweet voice. “What seems to be ailing you? What causes you to mourn so?”

“My father is ill and there is no way to save him. My brother has left to travel in hopes of finding medicine to cure him.” Green Pearl turned away from the Demon, looking off in the distance. “I mourn for my family and what is to become of them should my father pass.”

The Demon laughed, swinging his body so that he was now sitting upright on the tightrope. He rested a hand on his knee and leaned forward, drawing Green Pearl’s attention once more. “This is a simple problem with a simple solution.”

“It is anything but simple!”

“Oh, but it is!” The Demon hopped onto the rope, bouncing up and down in a playful manner. “Because I know how to save your ailing father!”

Green Pearl stepped toward the tree, her hand reaching up toward the Demon but she was far out of his reach. “What do you know? Please, tell me how to save my father!”

The Demon bounced on the rope a few more times before dismounting, landing just a few feet away from her. He placed his hands behind his back and paced, not really bothering to stray too far from her but not coming too close. “There is a flower that grows in the western mountains. It is said that creating a potion from this flower can cure any illness.” He spun on his heels just as Green Pearl tried to approach him, causing her to halt in her steps. “But it is an arduous journey. Many have died trying to claim this flower.”

“Can you guide me to this mountain?”

The Demon circled her, his steps slow and measured. “What will you give me if I decide to lend you my aid?”

“Whatever you wish to claim from me, Sir!” Green Pearl fell to her knees. “No boon is too great when it comes to saving the life of my father!”

The Demon knelt down before Green Pearl, lifting her face to meet his. “You will become my bride. That is the price you must pay if you wish to obtain my help.”

“If marrying a demon is the trade we are making, then I would marry you a thousand times.”

The Demon pulled Green Pearl up onto her feet, a hearty laugh bursting from his chest. “Then come! Let us be off! The day grows shorter and the journey will be that much harder for you when the night comes.”

A gong and more heavy drums rang out as the Demon and Green Pearl exited the stage. Troupe members hurried to change the set backdrop to suit the next scene transition.

“So Green Pearl and the Demon hurried toward the Western Mountains. The journey was, indeed, arduous. Many perils crossed their paths, but the Demon protected Green Pearl every step of the way. The harshest trek, however, was the path leading up toward the mountains. Wild animals impeded their path. Even the cold mountain winds attempted to blow the two off the krags so they would plummet to their deaths.”

With each scene change, a linen drape with a painted landscape was swapped. The serene music fit the pacing of each scene and the narrator’s strong voice pushed the actors to continue through the skit. Yoon knew this tale very well. Yet watching it unfold in this manner made the story seem brand new. He was particularly drawn to the Demon, unable to shake the tremors in his heart as the masked performer’s moves seemed fluid and natural.

“Finally, Green Pearl and the Demon reached the top of the mountain peaks. There was the mythical flower the Demon mentioned. It was a rich purple in pigment, the stem a soft green and nestled among a cluster of clovers. In the snow and cold temperature, there was no way that any vegetation should have flourished, let alone this single flower.”

Green Pearl reached for the flower, preparing to dig it up from the earth. Suddenly, she was stopped by the Demon’s harsh pull at her wrist. “W-What are you doing?!”

“Do not forget your promise to me, dear Child.” He pulled her flush against him. “You are to be my bride the moment your father is well. And not a minute later.”

“I haven’t forgotten our deal, Demon!” Green Pearl pushed away from him. “We must hurry back quickly!”

A soft bell tinkling sound issued from a row of wind chimes. The Demon laughed, grasping onto Green Pearl and jumping up toward the tightrope. Everyone watching sucked in their breaths as a stream of dark blue fabric followed after them. The Demon dragged Green Pearl behind him as the actors portrayed him using his powers to help them travel quickly. The two actors almost appeared to float across the thick line of rope.

“The Demon used his powers to transport Green Pearl and himself down the mountain. When they reached the foot of the mountain, they instantly moved through the fields. Within minutes, they were back in Green Pearl’s humble village. He safely brought her home and Green Pearl wasted no time preparing the flower into a medicinal tonic for her father.”

Green Pearl appeared next to her mother, holding out a wooden bowl. “This tonic will help Father. Please, we must hurry!”

The Wife started to feed the potion to the ailing Husband. In minutes, he started to rise up from his bed. He held his wife’s hands and she threw herself into his arms.

“Husband! You are well!” she cried as her husband held her close.

He laughed, stroking her back. “Yes, I am well, Pu-in. But tell me, what has helped me come back from the gates of the Underworld?”

“I traveled far to retrieve a flower that is said to cure any illness.” Green Pearl hugged her father’s neck.

“A flower?” He tilted his head to the side. “How did you come to learn of this flower?”

Green Pearl lowered her head. “A Demon told me. He guided me to the Western Mountains and I plucked the flower from the highest peak.”

Both the husband and wife looked at each other, clutching at their chests. The father reached out for his daughter’s hands. “You foolish girl! How could you make an agreement with a demon?!”

“Don’t you know that a deal with a demon only breeds disaster?!” The mother shook Green Pearl’s shoulders. “You have sold your soul to the Underworld!”

Green Pearl pulled herself away from her family. “I’m sorry!” She ran out of the house where the Demon was waiting for her. “We must hurry!”

The Demon grabbed her hand in his. “Let us leave this place!”

“Stop right there, you foul trickster!” The Father appeared, brandishing a wheat sickle. “Release my daughter, this instant!”

The Demon laughed. “The deal has been made, Human! You cannot break the contract!”

The sound of a gong exploded over the courtyard, causing the Demon to gasp. When he looked down, there was a sword plunged through his stomach. As he turned, the assailant stepped forward to push the blade through his gut even further. The Demon reached out with a bloodied hand toward the one who attacked him.

“B-Brother!”

White Fang ripped the sword from the Demon’s body, causing the Demon to fall to his knees. His head hung low and Green Pearl was instantly at the Demon’s side. He finally collapsed to the ground and Green Pearl clung to his shivering form.

“What have you done?!” she screamed as the Demon continued to tremble in her arms. “Why did you strike him?!”

“It was a Demon, Green Pearl!” White Fang dropped the sword from his hand and the satchel from his back. “They only breed misfortune!”

“Y-You fool,” sputtered the Demon, “I would have given her a good life.” A trembling arm lifted as he pointed at White Fang. “Because of your actions, you have now condemned your sister to death.”

“What?!” White Fang dropped to his knees. The husband and wife hurried forward. “What lies do you speak, Demon?”

The Demon turned to look up at Green Pearl. “I will not be able to give you a life you deserve.” He touched the side of her face. “But I will be able to stay with you in the Afterlife. Always.”

“I am sorry for the cruel nature of man! Forgive me!” Green Pearl sobbed, burying her face in the Demon’s shoulder. “I will see you on the other side.”

And then the Demon’s hand fell limply to the ground. Seconds later, Green Pearl collapsed next to him.

Silence filled the courtyard. No one spoke. Hardly anyone took a moment to breathe, Yoon included.

It was broken the minute that the King began to clap. The Queen soon followed until everyone at the Royal Banquet table rose from their seats and applauded. Yoon was still stunned, but he, too, clapped. The actors remained where they were - unmoving. However, the narrator stepped forward and bowed deeply to them. The tragic scene remained, but the story’s message still lingered in the air.

Even a Demon was deserving of love and a person could see beyond the surface to one’s true heart.

But when promises were broken, a terrible fate would await.

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idk-my-aesthetic · 4 years

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Phoenix Prince /// Dragon Princess AU

Aka a healthy (ish) fire siblings au (thats still super angsty im so sorry) where Zuko and Azula love/take care of eachother and earn the love of their people

———————————

Ursa dies in child birth, though thankfully Azula survives. Zuko’s only three at the time but he’s devastated by the loss of his mother, and vows to protect his baby sister at all costs

He’s super super involved with Azula growing up, and does everything in his power to protect her from Ozai. Bc when she’s little Ozai’s very bitter bc she “killed” Ursa, plus he already hated zuko for being too weak, plus there’s no Ursa to challenge him. so he can basically do whatever tf he wants to them and be an abusive fucking dick

But then, Azula starts fire bending and is clearly a prodigy. Ozai suddenly takes an interest in her. She’s terrified of her dad so she does w/e tf he wants to keep him happy.

Except she refuses to hurt zuko. he’s her big brother and she loves him. She (secretly) stays really close with him, though is skilled enough at manipulation that Ozai thinks she’s basically cut herself off from zuko/hate him. Which zuko is fine with, he wants Azula to be safe from Ozai and if that means she needs to pretend to hate him when their dad is in the room? He doesn’t care, he knows his baby sister and knows she loves him

Anyway yeah Ozai starts to like her better and treats her.... “better”. (Note the quotations.) but she still feels guilty that Zuko’s getting the brunt of ozai’s wrath, so she does her best to keep Ozai’s attention on how good she is instead of how much of a failure zuko is.

Quick side note: if Azula seems ooc that’s on purpose. We know her toxcicity is a result of Ozai’s influence. But here he has way less control over her. Bc Ozai mainly controls her by using fear. And while she is afraid of him, she’s not nearly as afraid in this AU. a) bc Azula has her over protective big brother being over protective and b) Ursa’s dead so there’s no mother who is supposed to protect her failing to protect her and making Azula feel unsafe

So in this she’s much closer personality wise to like a “season 1 zuko” version of herself. She’s in general cool but tends to loose control of herself. Though she also has a lot more self confidence than zuko did, and maybe a bit too much pride. She’d never hit someone who was already down and cares for ppl, but pretends that she cares for no one

So yeah. The two are just kinda surviving living in the castle and love eacother a lot

Until they hear about the whole kill ur first born thing....... (which happens about 2 yrs after cannon bc Iroh came home when he heard his sister in law died and the whole siege of ba sing se was postponed)

Instead of like. Waiting for her brother to get murdered tiny 9 yr old Azula packs up their shit and gets ready to go on the run

Unfortunately she’s (almost) too late. While she’s getting ready to leave Zuko is trying to cover for her (Ozai would be murderus if he knew Azula was gonna betrey him by leaving) and somehow manages to insult Ozai while trying to protect Azula from being found out

Ozai gets big mad, and in a fit of rage tries to kill zuko by burning half his face off.

Azula runs in at the sound of her brother’s screams, at the exact same time two gaurd rush into the royal chambers. The guards are frozen in shock, but Azula is pissed

Azula attacks her dad. At first she has the upper hand/element of surprise but... she’s 9.

she starts loosing. Her forearm gets really badly burned in a suspiciously hand-shaped pattern.

During the fight Zuko’s struggling to lift himself from the ground and help. He manages to save Azula from a killing blow by throwing some fire at Ozai, but collapses immediately after. Azula barely has a second to breathe before Ozai starts attacking again.

For a moment it legitimately looks like Ozai is going to murder his two young children in cold blood

Until one of the guards snaps.

She uses the whole fucked up situation to knock Ozai out, though she doesn’t kill him. The other gaurd is just standing there, and she has no clue who he’s gonna help so she just knocks him out

Then the gaurd grabs zuko and Azula, and fucking BOOKS IT from the castle. She does a blue spirit type thing to escape (threatening to kill either Azula or zuko) and eventually gets them somewhere safe where she can get their wounds treated

The next day the fire lord puts out this whole sob story about how an assassin pretended to be a gaurd, killed his father, then kiddnapped his children. And how he’s sending out a whole manhunt for his lost children yada yada yada

The other gaurd that was there mysteriously disappears a few days later, but not before he can spread some “rumors” about the prince and princess’s disappearance. Ozai ascends to the throne and publicly offers an enormous reward for the return of his children,,,,,, while secretly sending assassins after them. (Like.... Azula attacked him and he already tried to kill zuko he don’t give a fuck)

Iroh is obviously devestated when he finds out. and while he thinks the whole thing is a bit suspicious he starts on a journey desperately looking for his lost niece and nephew

While all this BS is happening this poor gaurd suddenly has 2 damaged af kids to take care of and a bunch of assassins to run from

So once zuko and Azula are healed enough to travel and they know zuko won’t die, they go on the run. They can’t stay in one place bc of all the assassins after them and end up going all over the world

They don’t spend a lot of time in the fire nation (for obvious reasons) but they do spend bits and pieces there. Connecting with their people, meeting freinds of the gaurd who saved them that can help (like Lt Jee who ran Zuko’s ship in cannon) and spreading the truth of what happened.

Stories about the damaged prince and princess who were so hurt by their father begin to spread. But even more stories about how the prince and princess care for their people spread ten times faster. Stories they take time to rebuild small fire nation villages damaged by floods, or how corrupt military commanders suspicious disappear after they come to town start to spread.

Ppl start calling them the dragon princess and pheonix prince. Because the princess protects her people like a dragon protects it’s hoard, by killing everyone who dares to endanger it. And the prince has risin from the ashes (you can see the burn clear as day on his face), to heal the land and his people

(Though really..... the prince and princess are both dragons and pheonixes. Because even if she seems invincible and more ruthless than her brother, the princess has been hurt deeply. Though her wound is more easily covered. And she aches for the pain of her nation, the nation she feels she wasn’t strong enough to protect. She just hides her emotions better than her brother....)

(As for the prince, yes he shows more kindness than his sister seems too. But he is just as ruthless as her if someone threatens their hoard. He’s just a bit calmer.... less trigger happy than his twin. It was his idea to take out the corrupt commandor stealing a small town’s livelihoods, after all)

They call the gaurd who saved them “the Kitsune”. They say she is a flame wielding spirit, sent by Agni himself to protect the true leaders of the fire nation

Iroh overhears bits and pieces about them. He starts to get an idea of what’s happening, but for the most part he really struggles to track them. Ppl can recognize him, and they won’t sell out their prince and princess to someone who might take them away

So yeah. The three of them are on the run together for a long time. They can never spend long in one place (assassins never stop coming after them) and dart all over the earth kingdom and fire nation, seeing first hand the effects of the war. And gaining a positive reputation both for caring about their people in a way no one since before Sozin has, as well as shaming dishonorable fire nation soldiers who mistreat those in the earth kingdom

(They almost never hurt foot soldiers who are just following orders, but any one (especially upper command) who take clear pleasure in other’s suffering are often challenged to Agni kai’s in exchange for said soldiers leaving.

Though usually just being publicly knocked on their asses by a couple of scarred kids who turn out to literally be the lost prince and princess holy shit, is enough to put them in their place)

So yeah. They travel together earning a good reputation from as soon as they’re healed until zuko and azula are 14 and 11 respectively

At that point they get separated from the gaurd.... (she doesn’t die, either captured or separated for some other reason)

So now.... all they have is eachother

The two spend the next two years on their own. They still try to do the same types of stuff they did before but now they’re in a lot more danger w/o an adult to help them. They’re basically just.... 2 increasingly ferel children struggling to survive. They live mostly off of like foraged stuff and whatever money they can make/steal from rich assholes

They continue to dodge Iroh as well bc they have no clue if he’s gonna return them to their father or kill them or w/e. Which is wayyyy harder than it would seem, the only reason he hasn’t caught them yet is that they have an alliance with June the bounty hunter who keeps sending Iroh on wild goose chases bc she has a soft spot for the weird ferel kids. (And a huge crush on the gaurd who was basically their mom/older sister for a while. But we don’t need to talk about that)

so zuko and Azula are just these absolutely feral kids being hunted by 12 dozen bounty hunters from their father, plus the “dragon princess and pheonix prince” have officially been declared “traitors to the nation that are impersonating the late children of Firelord Ozai” so there’s a good amount of the actual military after them, and they’re trying to keep away from their uncle and all his fucking white lotus freinds

They’re a little bit stressed ok??? And like super protective of eachother by this point

And then who joins the fucking search??? The goddam avatar

Bc he heard these stories about these good firebenders who protect everyone no matter what side of the war they’re on. And ofc Aang wants one or both of them to teach him

So Aang like the lovable idiot he is, is just trying so hard to adopt these crazy feral firebenders.

And ik I keep saying feral but like. I need to emphasize this bc these two spent 2 years on the run + 2 more years on the run while basically living in fucking forests cus they’re out of money, connections, and the gaurd was the only one out of the three of them with social skills. They’re a little stressed okay???

And idk I just love the idea of Aang trying to befriend these crazy feral firebenders acting like they’re just like. Wild animals or smthn. Like cornering them in a clearing and trying to offer them jerky as if they were wolves and the two giving him the blankest fucking expression

Anyway this post is about 200x longer than I meant it to be and I am so so sorry. (Especially since I can’t put in a read more on mobile)

Anyway bc it’s so long i’m just gonna do the last bit in bullet form and try to finish as quickly as humanly possible

- obvi they join the avatar and stuff

- the gaurd (who ima call kit/kitsune cus I don’t have a name for her) eventually meets/joins with Iroh. June later joins them as well as they try to find the idiot fire children

- Sokka has a big gay crush on the feral firebening guy

- Katara has a very tiny crush she refuses to admit too on Azula

- there’s also a lot of drama between her and Azula at first bc Azula is brash and Katara kinda gets annoyed at a mix of that/the lingering bias she has against fire nation ppl but they get past it

- also Azula has ~issues~ where she blames herself for their mom’s death/ is sure their mom hates them but asp their mom comes to her in spirit form and says she loves her (no fucking clue when that would happen but I love that idea)

- instead of having zuko/Azula chasing them they have a really fun variety of different random bounty hunters. Obvi including sparky sparky boom man

- the siege of the north.... happens. Though Zhao doesn’t kill the moon spirit so yue lives, and Azula and zuko manage to make a huge speech and get many of the soldiers to defect to their side instead so it ends with minimal bloodshed

- when Toph joins the group she and Azula are chaos incarnate

-mai and ty lee hear rumors and stuff and join team avatar eventually

- when they find out about the day of black sun they just. Skip trying to talk to the earth king. Cus they can just stage a cou lol they have the people on their side?? Forces from both water tribes, random earth kingdom ppl they’ve managed to befriend,,,,

- though they have to find uncle first bc he could challenge zuko for the throne. Obvi they think they’ll need to get rid of him bc they don’t really know him and think he wants to hurt them but all of a sudden???

- so they kinda have a few side quests as they’re preparing and gathering everyone but then it’s the day of black sun!!! And it works and shit and I actually have some other ideas too but FUCK this is SO LONG i am so sorry and will shut up now

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mariamermaid · 3 years

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The Heir of Silberstein; schwarzes Schicksal (ch. 4)

“Black Fate”

Fred Weasley x Reader

Summary: As a new school year approaches in Hogwarts, the students are surprised when Dumbledore introduces a group of German siblings joining the school. The royal family of fortress Silberstein is now sent to Hogwarts to learn the matters of a normal teenager life. …

Words: 5.6k

A/N: There will be one more chapter/ some kind of epilogue coming on next Thursday! In this chapter are a few more mentions of blood and violence. Also, it´s explaining a lot more regarding the war.

Masterlist

10th of May, 1933; the local library of Baden-Baden. Queen Clara the second, drifted through the rows in the back of the library on the hunt about another book about specific herbs to heal magical creatures. Among the muggles, she was just another resident coming to visit. Obviously, they were unaware of her origin and especially of the wand pressing against her hip underneath the long coat. Time had flown and evening was coming, it was already dark outside. A little startled, she shivered before packing the two books under her arm and leaving the library. As she stepped out, she pulled the headscarf deeper down to her face, her Pegasus was waiting a few streets down on the roof of the Stiftskirche, the local church. She had to hurry to come home as the nights were still cold, but loud screams made her stop. Quickly, she hid in an alley while lurking towards the yard in front of the library. A couple of men in military uniforms, she counted at least 30 of them, made their way towards the library. Only few people tried to stop them before they eventually entered the library. The men who did try, were thrown to the side, even beaten and punched to make sure they wouldn´t impede again. Clara gasped, pushing her hand over her mouth. The group separated and within only a few minutes, they had created a small pyre and the other half, came outside carrying boxes of books. She peered a little closer until she was able to decipher a few of the titles; all books written by Jewish authors.

Tears started forming in her eyes and she stumbled a little backwards, further into the alley, taken back by the heartbreaking scene. She almost let out a scream, when her back suddenly bumped into someone. Luckily, it was Mr. Landauer, a fellow wizard living in Baden-Baden, and, a Jew.

He nodded with his head as a sign of courtesy, before his eyes wandered towards the fire as well.

“We have to be careful, my Queen. Protect your subjects and warn the king. War is coming.”

His voice was low and barely a whisper, an unusual sight of the polite Mr. Landauer. Goosebumps crawled down her spine and Clara could barely form a nod.

“You should come to the Castle with your family, we can protect you.” The worries in her eyes were clearly written, but Mr. Landauer barely shrugged.

“I thank you for the offer, my Queen. But you have to keep going now.” Biting her lip, Clara nodded before hurrying into the darks of the city towards the church. While she climbed up the bell tower with her heart beating in all of her limbs, a man in uniform stepped outside the library. His short cut hair was pulled back under a cap. In his arms a box of books, which looked awfully boring and innocent. But he knew that at a second glance, they had hidden messages. Messages only wizards could read and his hatred burned bright as he starred into the pile of books on the pyre…

The Night of broken glass had been the starting point in 1938. The annihilation of Jews began and with that, came the slowly but surely assault towards the German wizards. No history books or humans had experienced anything similar.

Oberst (german for colonel) Richter was a highly qualified military leader, but deep beneath the weapons he shouldered in the sight of the coming war, laid something else. Something dark and very surreptitious, no one was aware of what would follow after the 9th of November in 1938. Synagogues and shopping malls were burning. Graveyards, schools and residences of Jews, all burning and being destroyed. It was Hitler´s antisemitism that led to the catastrophe of the minority of the Jews. But Richter, who technically stood beneath Hitler´s commando, followed his very personal goals; the annihilation of wizards.

Driven by deep rooted racism, he declared the wizards as harbingers of the devil. Satan himself sent out his adjutants to bring an end to the world. A world the Nazis fought very hard to make their own. So, the clear conclusion was to exterminate the wizards to make room for the antisemitic ways of new Germany.

March 1944

“We shouldn’t have gotten involved”, Karl sighed, his hand running through his messed up and slightly sweaty hair.

“What does it matter now?” He paused, but then nodded agreeing. It was all useless.

“You´re right, Clara. They´re safe and that´s all that matters now.”

They starred at the blank wall in front of them, the room was completely empty.

They were alone, but their thoughts remained with the train that left the station in the very mean-time, the wagons were filled by Jews or wizards, who feared the Nazis. Kind Karl and Queen Clara had united their powers to bring together a full train for them to flee in.

The cost; their own life.

The royal couple was captured in order to protect and cover more refugees, so they could reach the train in time. A few tears fell from their cheeks as they remembered their own children, who would grow up without parents. But they remained safely within the new protected realm of Silberstein; no muggle was ever to find the castle again.

A loud slam of the door let them shiver and Oberst Richter entered the room. It wasn´t a prison cell, but offered the same purpose. Both of their wands had been destroyed and Clara was shot in the side, where blood stained her clothes. Oberst Richter hair was still pulled back and Clara remembered how she had first seen him in front of the library years ago. He looked even more cold and cruel now. The room was filled with deadly gas, not enough to entirely kill them, but enough to weaken them and more so their magical abilities. They were left defenseless. Richter wore a gas mask, hiding half of his face but his eyes were still showing and they reflected all the hatred that burned on his inside…

King Karl and Queen Clara were killed on that day in march, but they left behind two young children. Those two siblings later had a child each, and the first born; Michael, then became the father of four children…

Silberstein was only minutes away now; you could almost smell the scent of horses and pinecones. Fred and George flew a few feet behind you, letting you lead the way. The forest laid beneath them and high firs offered them cover. Suddenly, the two Weasley brothers felt like flying through a spiderweb, like a veil brushing against their skin and then they saw it;

The fortress of Silberstein.

The high tower was the first thing to make out, even in the dark of the night, it looked light and almost shimmering under the starlight. With a wave of your hand, you signalized them to fly closer to the ground, until you landed at the edge of the forest. The castle sat on a hill and the river separated half of the property from the woodland. “If we fly further, they´ll see us coming”, you explained quietly as the three of you snuck through the thicket.

“You´re the princess, shouldn´t they be on your side?” George asked curiously and you shrugged sadly.

“We don´t know on which side the employees are, they´re muggles, some house elves. Many of them are squibs, descendants of once wizard families but with no ability to control or perform magic.”

You nodded towards the stone wall, which faced towards the river side. “There is a secret passage to enter through the tunnels and dungeons.”

“Great, so we´ll just apparate-“

“You can´t apparate within our realm.”

The twins starred at you; shock clearly written on their faces. “The protection spells were created to keep unknown magic out, I don´t make the rules. Now take my hands.”

Fred eyed you carefully, while his brother grabbed your hand without hesitation. “Are you sure that you can handle this?” You huffed, but a glint of nervousness was seen in your eyes.

“Yes.”

The familiar feeling of your stomach turning and twisting took out your breath, and you stumbled a little backwards, when landing on the ground again. Fred was behind you, his hands grabbing your waist and keeping you from further falling. You shook your head, ignoring his continuous worried stare. “I´m fine.”

The twins eyed the stone tunnel they found themselves in. It was dark, the exit of the tunnel laid to their right and even though a metal grid separated the hallway to the cliffs and the underlying river, they heard the loud rushing and the water crashing against the stone. George had his wand ready in his hand; “Lumos.”

You led the group deeper into the tunnel system, several paths and junctions passing. “Do you remember the way?” George asked whispering. Tension was clearly hanging in the air. None of you knew what to expect. The stone was cold and the air was moist from the river water. But to you, it brought back a nostalgic feeling from your childhood.

“My siblings and I used to play hide and seek in these tunnels. I can tell them apart, even if you´d blindfold me.”

“Where does the tunnel end?” Fred asked, his eyes wandering back and forth in paranoia, making sure no one was following you.

“This one leads the closest into the castle; into the storage room behind the kitchens to be exact. There is also one ending at the well, at the armory and a few others.”

A nervous laughter escaped the twin´s mouth. “Love the emphasis on fortress; it´s not even that big!” You chuckled at their comment, but then you reached the end of the tunnel and silence settled again. With your wand, you tapped against the stone wall, the pattern was memorized in your head. Then the individual stones started turning, until a passage was revealed. The room you entered was equally dark as the tunnel, but you could quickly made out shelves with food and bags of wheat, the smell of fresh bread and pumpkins as big as heads.

“We´ll go through the kitchens and use the back hallways leading up to-.”

The sound of steps approaching made you abruptly stop. “Quick, hide!” You advised the twins, who disappeared behind large shelves on their own. They had snuck through Hogwarts enough, well past curfew, to know how to vanish into nothing but air.

“Nox!”

The steps stopped right in front of the storage room, lingering. You found your hideout closest to the door and watched how a mere light shone from the slot beneath. The door opened, slowly and carefully, you held your breath, the wand steady in your hand. The light fled the room and you lunged out, but stopped in your tracks as you came face to face with an old friend.

“Theresa”, you breathed barely audible. The twins lurked out from their hideouts, not sure if they should show their presence just yet. Your wand was pointed right at her and the lamp in her hand was shaking.

“Ich habe gehofft, dass du kommen würdest”, she admitted quietly and ignored the wand. (I hoped that you would come.)

Your eyebrows furrowed and you felt your jaw tensing.

“Auf welcher Seite stehst du?“ (On which side are you on?)

“Wenn du das fragst, weißt du genug um den Ernst der Lage zu verstehen.“ (If you ask that question, you know how serious the situation is.)

„Das war nicht meine Frage.“ (That wasn´t my question.)

She sighed and lowered the lamp a little to her hip height.

“Ich war immer auf deiner Seite, wir sind aufgewachsen wie Schwestern.“ (I´ve always been on your side, we grew up like sisters.)

Finally, you lowered your wand as well. She was right, she and her mother had been serving the royal family even before your birth and so often, you two had played with dolls together. A sigh of relief escaped your lips and you pushed yourself a step forward, your arms quickly embracing her.

“Merlin sei Dank, bist du endlich hier!” She whispered, hugging you tightly back. (Merlin bless, you´re finally here!)

“Wie schlimm steht es?” (How bad is it?)

„Gerade noch genügend Zeit.“ (Just enough time left.)

The twins slowly stepped out and Theresa gasped in surprise. “I brought reinforcements.” You grinned at her and she nodded at the brothers.

“This is Fred and George, they´re friends from Hogwarts.”

“I´m Theresa, I grew up with Y/N and served her as a maid my entire life”, Theresa introduced herself. Even though she was older, she was small and petite. Mouse-gray hair neatly put together and her maid uniform sitting perfectly. The twins noticed her thick German accent, you barely showed signs of an accent and only few words sounded off, when you spoke. They often forgot that English wasn´t your native language.

“Theresa, I have to see my father.” You turned back towards the girl, a hand on her shoulder.

“I know, but it won´t be easy.”

In the mean-time…

“Why didn´t you tell me earlier?”

August sighed, his brother, five beds across the room was awake and the curtain was pulled back.

“I wasn´t sure at first, like you always say; let´s not act stupid.”

“Does anyone else know? Did someone see him with the ring?”

August shrugged, he found the explanation process tiring and useless. “I don´t know about Paul or Ruben, but I guess that Albrecht doesn´t want anyone to know.”

Paul was head of the guards and Ruben was riding master, both well accomplished and highly ranked at Silberstein. Hendrik groaned slightly as he sat up further, he realized that it was useless asking more questions.

“When will Y/N be back?”

Just as August was about to repeat your words and answer his brother´s questions, the door to the infirmary opened and the youngest of the siblings came running.

“Ruth, what-“, Hendrik worriedly eyed his sister, who was clearly flustered.

“Y/n, she´s gone!”

“WHAT?” All previous pain and warnings to take it slow from Madame Pomfrey, were thrown overboard and both brothers hurried to their sister.

“What do you mean she´s gone?” August asked nervously.

“When did she leave?” Hendrik questioned further.

“Last night after visiting you”, Ruth explained towards August, still a little breathless.

“Did you follow her?” Hendrik wondered, but the youngest shrugged ignoring the stress in his voice. “I first thought that she would play some kind of prank with the twins when they snuck out! She didn´t come back though!”

The brother´s exchanged knowing looks.

“She went home, she went back to Silberstein.” Hendrik voiced what they all already knew.

A short break settled between them until August spoke up again.

“What now?”

Before Hendrik could answer, Ruth cut him off.

“We don´t have a choice, but to go back as well!”

For the first time in a long time, none of them objected.

“So, let´s make it clear again; I sneak past the guards within the royal wing and you go with Theresa to free Paul and Ruben.” You repeated the plan and the twins nodded carefully. With Theresa´s insight view on the current situation, they had quickly figured out a plan.

“I don´t think you should go alone”, Fred finally admitted and George nodded agreeing. You shrugged acknowledging their worries, but at the same time, there was no better option.

“The guards are wearing silver armors, your wands are useless against them, but you can free Paul and Ruben from the dungeon!”

“I really come to hate your protection methods against magic, you know Y/N?” George added rolling his eyes and you offered him an apologetic smile.

“But I agree with Fred, you shouldn´t go alone nevertheless.”

“I´ll come with you”, Fred announced and his brother nodded. You let out a sigh, there was no time to argue.

“Fine, but stay behind me.”

Fred smiled, feeling a lot more comfortable not letting you go on your own and saluted. “Yes, my princess!”

You watched as Theresa disappeared into darkness, followed by George. In order to free the head of the guards, well the old guard order, they had to distract the sentinels, who were ordered by Albrecht.

He completely took over, the guards are following his commando only and he´s starving the horses, so they´re too weak. You shivered even recalling Theresa´s words in your mind. It was much worse than you expected. Quickly, you shook off your worries and nodded towards the hallways leading up to the right wing of the castle; the wing of the royal family.

An old broomstick was held tight by Fred, the fact that his wand was mostly useless, was not only foreign to him, but it scared him deeply.

“We have to be careful; we don´t want any attention on us. No one knows I´m here, it should stay this way for as long as possible.” You explained whispering. Almost inaudible, you moved through the castle, barely any light was left and only the stars and the moon through the windows offered silhouettes to make out. Up to the second floor, where the royal wing was located, you didn´t even saw any guards. But then, in front of the door that led into the wing and the private section of the castle, three guards moved up and down. Two torches were hung next to the door and alarmed by the light, you stopped behind a corner.

“How do we take them out?” Fred asked. He lingered only inches behind you, the two of your lurking from the corner and observing how the three guards, wearing shiny armor, paced up and down. You felt Fred´s breath on the skin of your neck as he spoke and goosebumps crawled down your spin. You swallowed and ignored the increasing heart rhythm. Then your eyes wandered across the gangway to the windows…

“We don´t, we let them believe no one entered the wing! We just need to take their focus off, then we snuck to the other side of the adjoining hallway. We´ll enter the wing from outside!”

Fred didn´t like the idea of climbing from one to another window, at the height of probably 300 feet or so with nothing but a small edge of stone to hold on. But he knew that it was a matter of life or dead.

“Accio mouse!” You took your wand and pointed it towards a wall and within seconds, a small mouse ran out of a small, barely visible hole. The high shrieking alarmed the guards and they all turned to see what exactly caused the sound. It was just enough for Fred and you to rush right across the vantage point of the guards and disappear in the opposite hallway.

You pressed your back against the wall, the guards couldn´t see you now, but they remained close. You had to be quiet.

A small reassuring nod later, you had opened the window and climbed out. The brim to stand on was narrow, barely enough for your feet, but a few holes in the exterior allowed you to use them as handles. You stepped slowly to the side until Fred climbed next to you. His eyes travelled down for a second, nothing but stone, not even a lug to stop you from sliding further.

His hand was holding onto the handle, and carefully, you placed yours onto his.

“Hey, we can do this, I know it.” His eyes found yours and Fred calmed a little.

“I trust you; you know this right?” He answered and you smiled softly.

“I know, anyway we wouldn´t be here.” A chuckle escaped his lips. “This is what you do with the people you trust? I don´t want to know what you do with people you hate!”

Your smile vanished, he´d soon find out.

Step for step, slowly and making sure you had enough grip, you made your way to the window.

“Alohomora!”

The window swung open and you hissed surprised, but luckily, it didn´t crash against the wall. From there on, you found yourself in the private wing and continued to hurry. The interior wasn´t as posh and rather simple, still you noticed the differences. Family portraits gone, paintings missing, plants and flowers left to die and the air was cold.

You grew sad, seeing your home basically abandoned and lifeless. If you had only known sooner.

“The king´s chambers are right across the corner.”

Theresa had mentioned two more guards right in front of the king´s bedroom, but you came face to face with four of them.

“Eindringlinge!” (Intruders!)

Luckily, the royal wing was fairly soundproof, but you sighed as the four guards came running into your direction. It would take more of the anyway precious time you had left.

“For Merlin´s sake!” You muttered sounding surprisingly calm to Fred, who gripped onto the broomstick like his life depended on it. Two of the guards had actual weapons, spears to be exact. The other two only held a shield. On the shield was a blank spot, where once the emblem of Silberstein had remained. It only made you angrier.

You spun the wand in your hand between your fingers and Fred watched, how a silver sheen briefly enlightened like a flash bolt. Then you suddenly held a sword.

You knocked down the first guard by very simple running towards him and using his shield as a landing spot from your lunge. Then you spun to the side, the second guard groaned as the sword slid across an unprotected spot on his leg. With a kick, you maneuvered him to the side onto the floor as well.

Fred was barely able to keep up, he realized what you meant by training now more than ever.

The two remaining guards shielded themselves with their spears. The left one attacked first, but you dodged and rolled across the floor, finding yourself right in between the two guards. A series of attacks and evasion movements followed, until you were able to disarm one of them.

While he stumbled back, you blocked the other one with the spear. Fred decided to step in and with a hard throw, the disarmed guard trembled backwards. The broomstick had harshly slapped against his head, and he fell over unconsciously. The guard with the spear kept you at a distance, due to the length of the spear, but as he spun to reach back, you slid across the floor. When he faced you again, you were only inches away from him and you pushed the sword through his body. The magical weapon was stronger than the armor, and as you pulled the sword back, spinning it again to reveal your wand, the last guard fell down.

Fred was stunned by your fighting abilities and he recalled for future purposes, not to ever mess with you. He knew now, that being a princess meant a lot more than just having good table manners. With your wand back between your fingers, you nodded towards the twin.

“Let´s go!” Your breathing was quicker and the adrenaline from the fight rushed through your veins. Then you laid your hand on the doorhandle, for a split second, you held back. But Fred´s reassuring presence gave you enough strength to pull down the handle.

“Father!” The look of the once strong king looking more ill than ever, broke you down. You hurried to his side, softly grabbing his hand, while Fred stayed a little back. He wanted to give you some privacy as well as watch out for more guards approaching.

He looked thin, not in a healthy way and his skin seemed collapsed down to his bone structure, pale and dehydrated. In the large bed, he was nothing more than a shadow of what he once used to be. A small groan escaped King Michaels lips; the sudden loud sounds had awoken him from a dreamless sleep. It was painful to watch, how slowly his eyes opened.

“Y/N?” His voice was barely a whisper and you felt tears rolling down your cheeks. The entire scene was heartbreaking to even watch.

“What are you doing here? You can´t be here”, your father explained, his voice quiet but also alarming. You furrowed your brows. “I had to come here, father, Albrecht he-“

“I send you away, so he couldn´t hurt you.”

You stumbled back, you thought you had it all figured out, but you hadn´t seen it coming. It wasn´t at all how you expected this go…

A loud shot shattered through the air; Fred spun around to see a man, who had appeared out of nowhere, holding a gun. He had appeared like a shadow and while Fred tried to attack him with magic, you felt hot burning liquid running down your skin.

“Stupor!”

Fred was thrown against a wall, after his spell simple drifted off, a loud crash followed and the nearby furniture broke into pieces. Everything inside his head was spinning, he watched from his laying position, how the man stepped out of the shadows into your direction. Something about the man seemed not only mean, but purely evil. He really hoped that his twin brother was more successful.

“Oh, if it isn´t princess Y/N.”

“Albrecht”, you pressed out between your lips, your hand was already pushing against the wound on your side. You felt a pulsing going through your entire body and a weakening stroke. You could only guess, that the bullet was poisoned.

Albrecht wasn´t as you remembered him, yes technically he had the same features, but it wasn´t the same person at all. His facial features harsher and his eyes glowing in greed. He didn´t wear his uniform, he wore a royal attire with posh details. Your father had managed to sit up on the bed.

“Albrecht, leave her alone!” His voice was still weak, but at least steady now. You leaned against the bed as your strength was draining by the second.

“Oh, I wish I could Michael, but little Y/n was stupid enough to come back on her own. Now she will follow her father´s fate! I need to follow my destiny”, he paused for a dramatic second. “All wizards and witches must die!”

Even though your perceptibility wasn´t at its best, you were sure, that something was off about him. You felt a weird, almost mystical power lingering around his aura.

“Why? Do you want the throne?” Your voice was bitter and your eyes remained on him, you had to be careful, not knowing what he was capable of.

“It could´ve been so much easier, if it wasn´t for you all, but no! Karl and Clara had to make sure their descendants survived without my knowledge.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, what he said didn´t make any sense. “King Karl and Queen Clara were killed by Oberst Richter, but they still lost the war! The commando was extinguished!”

Albrecht chuckled, a sound you didn´t like it at all. “Are you sure of that?”

George had Paul, who was severely injured, thrown over his side and braced him to walk. Luckily, Ruben had only few bruises and he cleared the way together with Theresa.

“Albrecht knows Y/n is here, he´ll kill her with the king altogether!” Paul groaned.

“What about the guards?” George questioned as they reached the entering hall from the staircase that had led down to the dungeons. The guards that had once watched over the head of the guards and the riding master, would soon catch up to the four of them.

“We have to save the princess and the king!” Ruben agreed and Theresa nodded as well. George let out a sigh, the situation seemed more complicated to him, since he wouldn´t risk their lives as well. He wanted to win this fight with as many survivors as possible, hoping not to sacrifice the employees of the royal crown. However, he was sure that Theresa, Paul and Ruben wouldn´t hesitate to do so.

Loud voices coming from the front yard let the group freeze. Were even more guards sent in order to stop them? A loud bang echoed and George felt as the heavy doors trembled beneath the eruption. Then the doors opened, all they could do was watch in fear as the fog lifted.

Hendrik, August and Ruth entered, all of them having their wands or even swords in their hands.

Hendrik was first to approach them, he held the sword steady in his hand and stepped to them with swift motions. He truly looked like a young king leading his kingdom. Ruth was quick to hurry to Paul, inspecting his wound.

“By Merlin´s beard, you all came!” Ruben breathed surprised, but relieved as well.

“Episkey!” Ruth didn´t waste any time and was able to heal a large portion of Paul´s wound. August was able to fetch two further swords for both Paul and Ruben, Hendrik turned towards Theresa and George.

“Where is Y/N?”

“She went with Fred to see your father, but Albrecht knows about her stay here!” George hastily explained.

“I don´t think the king will survive a confrontation with him. He´s not, who he pretends to be!” Theresa added and fear swallowed her voice.

“Let´s not waste more time!”

“Are you sure of that? Are you sure that truly the entire commando was extinguished?” Albrecht repeated and the spite in his voice felt like a thick piton wrapping around your neck.

“No one could´ve survived”, you trailed off, knowing that it was useless at this point. Your calculations had been wrong.

“Are you a descendant of Richter?” Your father, king Michael, spoke up again and he exchanged a precarious look with you. Your eyes searched the room for Fred, he was behind Albrecht and you saw, how he slowly gained back consciousness. Albrecht´s bitter and evil laugh filled the room once again.

“A descendant? I thought you´d be smarter!”

You eyed your opponent closer, remembering the stories about your great-grandparents…

While she climbed up the bell tower with her heart beating in all of her limbs, a man in uniform stepped outside the library. His short cut hair was pulled back under a cap.

“How is it possible? You must easily be over 90 years!”

It had taken you too long to figure it all out; Oberst Richter and Albrecht weren´t relatives, it was the exact same person.

“Actually 102 to be exact”, he grinned and loathing crawled down your spin.

“But how?”

Winning time was number one priority, Fred was almost completely back and he watched the scene unravel, while you tried to figure out a plan.

“You had them all believe that wizards are evil and Satan´s adjutants, didn´t you? But in reality, you´re just like us.” Your eyes wandered back to your father, his explanation was so simple and logical. Yet, it was the first time it crossed your mind and the image imprinted in your mind, had blinded you before.

“You´re just like him, you´re like Voldemort”, you spit out, but immediate regret followed. The sudden movement brought even more pain from your wound and you hissed. Albrecht on the other hand, only chuckled lowly.

“A big name for such a little girl, but as you can tell; I prefer it to operate in a much more considered manner. I like to stay in the shadows. No one should know my name, until it is too late for them!”

For several seconds, all hoped seemed lost. Strength was draining from your body, your father wasn´t even strong enough to hold a sword and Fred´s magic was useless inside the walls.

Oh, Fred.

Your eyes found his, tears rolling down your cheeks. Why did you bring them with you? What if he died, just because of you? He saw the repentance shinning in the dark´s of your orbs. Without any words he shook his head. No, he didn´t regret coming with you at all. If you fate laid here in the fortress or if it was on the other end of the world, he´d always follow you.

“Any last words? Even though they won´t be printed in any books?”

“Let´s not act stupid!” Hendrik´s loud voice echoed through the room and you felt your stomach drop in relieved. Together with August he attacked Albrecht, a battle between swords and magic escaped.

George fell to his knees, helping his brother get up. Ruth slide across the room, ducking away from the fight and finding your side. But you stubbornly shook your head at your sister, gesturing towards the king. “Him first!” You urged.

Ruth nodded, not arguing and inspecting your father´s condition.

Albrecht was taken back by the sudden appearance of the Silberstein siblings and both of your brother´s were excellent fighter. As Albrecht tried to strike forward, luckily you had a good view on his movement pattern.

“Expelliarmus!” You yelled from across the room and disarmed Albrecht, who was then thrown to the ground by Hendrik. August had previous cut him on his leg, which made him wobble to one side.

Ruth had taken a healing potion out of Madame Pomfrey infirmary, and it seemed to be working rather quickly, King Michael lifted himself out of the bed. Paul hurried to his side; the king was still weakened after months of poisoning.

“This time, I´ll make sure you won´t survive Richter!”

Hendrik exchanged looks with his brother, this would take some more explaining at a later point.

King Michael grabbed Richter and fetched his wand from his coat, apparently, he had the wand with him at all times. Then he spun it in his hand just like you had used to, until the king´s sword appeared. Richter let out nothing but a small, pitiful groan, as blood started dripping from his mouth.

The sword had gone right through his torso.

First cheers sounded from Theresa and Ruben, but you barely comprehended them.

Darkness grew in your vision, which became blurrier and you felt your limbs falling asleep. Only seconds after Richter´s dead body fell to the side, you felt yourself fainting.

“Y/n!” At last, it was Fred´s voice, that you heard and his soft eyes staring down to you, before blackness swallowed you whole.

----------

tags: @ britishspidey @ perfectlysane24 @ acoolnight

#fred weasley imagine #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley fanfiction #oliver phelps #weasley twins #harry potter #harry potter imagine #mariamermaidimagine

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chaoticspacefam · 4 years

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Oh look another NPC that I basically turned into an OC

Part the first (officially documented on this Tumblr blog anyways) of “Elven gets unnecessarily attached to background NPCs that have literally no real significance to the story in-game and makes them way more important than they “are”.”

Saarai needs to work on her “it wasn’t me” face, dad is not believing it

THIS GUYYY ✨✨ a.k.a. Abaron, or that one dude hanging around Korriban’s Academy that gives you the “Purity” side quest where he asks you test how “pure” the Overseers are and says he’s gonna report back to the Emperor about the results. Cept that’s not quite how we’re doing things in the Subterfuge verse! (of course, what did you expect! lol) He’s Vowrawn’s husband, and a very, very tired (stand-in) dad to Ni’kasi and Saarai since their biological father died when they were toddlers, which meant Abaron and Vowrawn were their paternal figures instead for most of their lives.

So, here we gooo, meet Abaron, or as Vowrawn and the girls like to affectionately call him, Abe.

and as you might expect, headcanon/backstory time wooo!! which I shall put under a cut in case people don’t want spoilers cause it does detail (briefly) the Ahaszaai family backstory ;3 I covered a lot here but if there’s still more you wanna know either about the husbands or about the Ahaszaai family as a whole, shoot me a reply or an ask or whatever! (anon should be on if that helps you feel less nervous!) I could honestly talk about my dumb tomato family for DAYS, I love every single one of them.

He used to be part of the Royal Guard before Vitiate took over the Empire after the purge the Jedi did, and was one of the few who managed to survive the additional purge Vitiate did in order to “take over” rule of the Empire. Abaron managed to get D’leah and the very young twins to Rishi where they could grow up out of Vitiate’s radar, and then once they returned to Dromund Kaas and Korriban when the twins were older, he managed to keep D’leah, Vowrawn, and the twins “hidden in plain sight” right under Vitiate’s nose (whilst Vowrawn pretended to be loyal to Vitiate and worked his way onto the Dark Council and stayed there, Abaron remained as a “tutor” in the Academy so he could watch over the twins). After the Incident(tm) with Ty’s father “outs” D’leah and the twins (but by a stroke of luck/because Vowrawn’s sneaky y’know, not Vowrawn), D’leah makes Abaron swear that if anything happens to her, he and Vowrawn will guard the twins with their lives. Of course, Abe agrees. Ni’kasi has Saarai and little baby Ty holed away in a “secret” (but not terribly secret) apartment somewhere and after some searching, Abe manages to find them and get the full story about what’s happened because D’leah’s a combination of too angry and panicked by the events as a whole that she’s not able to either think clearly or recount them to him. His reaction is something to the tune of “aw shit, kid” and then the dad brain kicks in and Abe’s on it.

Abe manages to smuggle Saarai and tiny Ty back to the place on Rishi where D’leah raised the twins since Vitiate didn’t know about it, whilst Ni’kasi voluntarily stays back on Dromund Kaas with D’leah to do damage control. Abaron returns to Dromund Kaas to find out that Vitiate’s loyalists (Baras, Ravage and so on amongst them, the only NPC Dark Councillors I don’t headcanon as being ultimately loyal to Vitiate/the Emperor at this time are Marr and Vowrawn) have tracked down the family, D’leah is unfortunately killed, whilst Ni’kasi “turns herself in” as the “murderer” and essentially takes the responsibility for the killing so she takes the fall for Saarai in order to stop them continuing to look for a trail. Ni’kasi is then demoted to a slave and yadda yadda canon Inq storyline. BUT of course Vowrawn and Abaron are still worried about Ni’kasi, so, that’s where his canon appearance in the Academy comes in and also the reason why he’s so obsessed with “purity” in the ranks. Abe’s not reporting back to the Emperor, but rather using that as a ruse while he instead reports back to Vowrawn and the way of “scanning” the Overseers, other acolytes etc. is his best attempt at trying to track down Ni’kasi again, since it’s been a couple decades and he doesn’t know how much of her will have physically changed given the poor condition that slaves are kept in and so on. He and Ni’kasi do eventually reunite and Abaron will probably, in the Subterfugeverse, take Qet’s place in the Warrior storyline protecting Vowrawn once Baras and Vitiate’s other loyalists finally realise he’s also an Ahaszaai (because as much as I do love Qet, no way is Abe letting his husband go hide out on Republic territory with one of Baras’ assassins on his tail, without him nuh uhhh)

While Abaron, Ni’kasi and Vowrawn all reunite with Saarai and Ty on Yavin IV when the first coalition is formed with Marr and Satele, Vano and Aria and so on, when that battle is over Abaron and Vowrawn originally return to the Empire and serve under Acina for a while, whereas Ni’kasi refuses to separate from her twin and her nephew again. Abe and Vowrawn attempt to continue the plan laid out with Vano, of reforming the Empire from the inside out, and with Vitiate’s influences removed they hope this would become easier. Obviously, Iokath proves it is not. So, at the point where canonically Quinn re-joins the Alliance if you let him, Abaron and Vowrawn also defect and join the Alliance. Abe then flits between being personal guard for all three of them, though Vowrawn needs it the most often, because at least the twins do what Abe tells them to. His husband on the other hand..yeah, leaving that man without a babysitter is asking for trouble - which is why Quinn has to help him. It’s a (minimum of a) two man job keeping Vowrawn out of trouble 👏🤣🤣

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unplcnned-variable · 5 years

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so last night I said I was going to post an info-dump-thing about resident evil OCs and I actually finished it lmao

I know no one is probably interested but!! I’m gonna post it anyways! partly because I didn’t save the file lol

Reina:

All of Reina's important info can be found here.

Reina is still in contact with Chris and Rebecca, mostly through email and phone. She rarely sees them in person anymore, which sucks, but at least she knows that they’re doing okay.

Even tho she's terrible at it, Reina still has a passion for photography, and takes pictures of everything she finds interesting.

She has a whole folder on her computer that's just pictures of Emilia and Rodger. It's titled "Motivation". Emilia cried when she saw it the first time.

After what happened at the Spencer Mansion, Reina started to write a lot about the hazards of bio-organic weapons, and what people can do to fight against bioterrorism without literally fighting it. Obviously, she doesn’t have access to tons of info, but she does what she can. She still writes about other things, of course.

Originally, she considered joining the BSAA, an option which was brought up by Chris, but she eventually decided against it. After all, Reina isn't a fighter - but she does her part by informing the public about the truth, even if not many people listen.

She also taught Emilia and Rodger how to use firearms, in case they ever got caught in a situation like she did.

Reina struggled with separation anxiety for a long time after Spencer Mansion, and the Raccoon City Incident didn’t help, but she slowly improved over time.

The song "Johnny Boy" by Twenty One Pilots radiates Reina energy tbh

Emilia:

Emilia is the kind of lady who LOOKS like she has herself together, but under the facade is a life that's being held together by duct tape and coffee.

She primarily works as a travel agent, which is how she met Reina, but likes to pitch in at local business when she has spare time.

Emilia never experienced a bioterrorist attack first-hand, but she's seen what it does to people through the affects it had on Reina, and later, Rodger.

Although she now works for a travel agency, she originally wanted to become a medic of some kind. After her college plans fell through due to lack of financial support, she scrambled for a job, and ended up with that career. She’s considered looking for medical-related jobs again, however, she’s not entirely sure if she’d still be good at it.

Not gonna lie, she probably reads the zodiac section in every magazine she comes across. It's not that she necessarily believes it, it's just that she likes to think that she knows what's coming next.

Terrified of spiders. Most bugs, come to think of it. She doesn’t hate them, she’s just scared of them. She always specifies that she doesn’t want them killed, just removed from where she is.

She and Reina were away on business matters whenever the Raccoon City Incident happened, but were just a bit outside the city whenever Rodger & Friends got out and sent word that they were okay. That’s the closest Emilia has ever gotten to a real Umbrella attack.

Although Emilia was, and still is, an extremely rule-abiding person, she tends to loosen up whenever Reina is around. She claims that Reina's a bad influence, though it's all in good fun.

Tbh the song "Light On" by Maggie Rogers reminds me of her.

Rodger:

The kind of guy to threaten to fight things two times his size, including B.O.W.s. He’s trying to match Chris Redfield’s attitude, but he’s just a little too happy-go-lucky to really get it right, if that makes sense.

Rodger was 15 whenever the Raccoon City Incident happened. He escaped with the Adesso Twins (Eleanora and Amore), two kids who went to the local high school.

He knows Leon, but didn't actually escape alongside him - Rodger and the Adesso twins just happened to run for the RPD when hell broke loose, figuring that the police could help them. Rodger did his best to help out with puzzles, but he and the twins eventually ended up parting ways with Leon. He tries to keep contact with him, but it’s gotten difficult over the years.

He totally joined the BSAA when he got old enough, as did Eleanora, but they were both assigned to different teams.

Rodger is the kind of guy who pretends to be super rough tumble, but inside is actually really excitable and sometimes he accidentally lets that shine through. It's always covered up pretty quickly, but it does happen.

He was pretty devastated when the news came out that Chris went missing. The guy was highkey his role model / hero. Of course, that made it all the better when he learned that he'd been found again.

Rodger was 5 years old when he was adopted, and he'd spent most of his previous five years in an orphanage. His biological parents were a poor couple from Canada, who couldn't afford to support themselves and a child. He has yet to meet them, but kind of hopes to someday.

He honestly kind of has a crush on both Eleanora and Amore, but he in general has a closer relationship with Eleanora, simply because it's difficult to really get to know Amore.

The song "The Fear" by The Score makes me think of him, or possibly "Growing Pains" by Alessia Cara.

The Adesso Twins:

This will probably be the shortest bit because these two are relatively new.

The Adesso Twins are, well, twins. They can never seem to get straight who is older (PS: it’s Amore).

Eleanora Adesso is the tougher of two, and was originally looking towards a career in boxing before she took up a job with the BSAA. Like her brother, she also gives off a cold vibe, but she’s much easier to get along with overall.

Amore Adesso tends to be a 'negative nelly', as Rodger puts it. They don't always mean to come off as such, they just tend to look at everything in a very analytical way. They honestly kinda remind me of Arcade Gannon, just with less sarcasm and more dry humor. They mean well, I swear.

Hhhh I'm tempted to make them HUNK’s kids because a.) I want to, and b.) I can, but on the other hand, that might be cliche, and I don't know if HUNK is really the kind of guy to have a family (plus he works for Umbrella, which would make a big conflict considering their professions), so I'm. Hmm. I dunno yet. I think it all depends on your idea on what HUNK is like when he’s not on the job.

Amore found purpose in studying B.O.W.s and trying to find ways to cure Umbrella-made viruses, instead of joining the BSAA, like Eleanora did.

Eleanora makes me think of the song "Stay Frost Royal Milk Tea” by Fall Out Boy (yes, that is the song titled), and Amore makes me think of "This is Home" by Cavetown, though this might change in the future.

#ocs #stennie's stuff #info dump #ghjbkjdfhsd I'm nervous about posting this too but I'm hoping it's alright #it was a lot of fun to make!!!#also sorry if the math and ages are a little off I was tired when I tried to do it lol #ask to tag #I guess?? because bioterrorism??? idk??#anyways here goes nothing lmao #resident evil ocs #reina bailon #emilia bailon #rodger bailon #amore adesso #eleanora adesso

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redroselover14 · 6 years

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I gave one of my friends a prompt list and they choose this one. So I wrote about Markus and my oc named Lilliana!

Prompt: “I thought we were family!”

“Thanks for coming with me Markus. I know leaving Dad behind was tough for you.”

“It was easier when Carl fell asleep.” Markus led Lilliana into their shared home. Her arm crossed with one of his, silver hair over her shoulder in light waves. Her other hand was occupied with holding up the hem of her royal blue evening gown. Knowing her luck in the heels she was wearing, falling was at a high chance.

“Remind me to never attend one of these fundraisers again.” Lilli complained as they walked in together. Unlinking their arms to make a quick dash for the nearest chair. “Markus?”

“Yes Lilli?” He answered her quickly while hanging up his mandatory android jacket.

“First, I’m going to burn that jacket one day. Second, is there any of that cake left?”

“Which one?”

“That coffee and chocolate one from yesterday.” She was quick to kick off her heels. The hatred for the shoes had been slowly growing over the past few hours.

“Would you like a slice while you run off to the studio instead of going to bed?” A slight smirk crossed his face as Markus held out of his hands to her. Her smaller hand slipped into his and the synthetic skin faded away, leaving the white plastic underneath. The act itself was intimate and never failed to bring a smile to her face.

“You know me so well Markus, and a cup of coffee if you don’t mind.” The pair separated from each other in the spacious living room. Lilli made a dash to the studio, not even bothering to change out of her gown first.

The young lady stopped when she saw the light in the studio was lit. She knew full well that she had turned it off when she left. With her wheelchair bound father was upstairs asleep with her dog. Lilli turned back to check if Markus was still in the kitchen. Hearing the coffee machine warming up gave her the answer she wanted. Holding her breath she slowly pushed open the door.

The sight of her dark haired twin brother standing among the shredded remains of what used to be brightly painted canvas filled her with rage. It was just her own artworks that was vandalized. Thankfully her father's were left untouched. Untouched by the obviously high and angry man that wielded a box cutter.

“What the hell are you doing Leo?!”

“Oh look who it is. Dad's little princess Lilliana. Don't you have a plastic dick to suck?” “Don't you have drugs to snort? Or are you set in destroying my career and happiness just because you destroyed your own already.” Her words seemed to cut deep into her brother, causing him to glare at her.

“Always so high and mighty aren't you? The Great Lilliana Manfred! Pride and joy of the family! You make me sick. I thought we were family!” “Wake the fuck up Leo! We are family! But family doesn't break into someone's home and destroy their hard work!” Lilli took a few soft steps toward her brother. Hoping to disarm him before Markus was able to figure out what was going on.

“Family helps each other Lilli. Something both you and Dad refuse time and time again.”

“Leo we do want to help you. But giving you money isn't helping you. Rehab will help you. Counseling will help you! But getting high and destroying things isn't going to help!” She was right in front of him now, slowly reaching for the blade that was still clutched in his fist. “Dad just wants you to get better. I just want you to get better! But you don't give enough of a damn about yourself to get better!”

Not liking the words she was saying Leo lashed out. The lady held up her hand to defend herself against her attacking sibling. The box cutter left a deep cut across Lilli's palm, red blood pouring from her wound and the pain causing her to scream. Going weak from the sight of her own blood leaking out, Lilliana collapsed onto her knees among the canvas shreds. It was at this time that Markus rushed in along with Carl, still dressed in his sleeping attire, and golden retriever right beside them.

“Leo! What have you done?!” Carl shouted at his son and Gatsby began to growl. The android canine moving to get in between Lilli and Leo, warning growls and led that's barely seen beneath fur glowing a red. “Lilli!” Markus was quick to grab a nearby rag and slide down onto the floor next to her. Using the fabric to apply pressure to the wound. “You need an ambulance...” “D-Dad I-” “Leave Leo.” His voice was harsh as he refused to look at his son. More concerned with his bleeding child.

“I-”

“Leave before I call the authorities!” Carl all but glared at Leo now. The blade clattered against the floor and he quickly left the home. Gatsby following him to the door and going so far as to snap at him if he tried to turn around.

“Markus I'm fine.” Lilli attempted to get up but the android kept her sitting down. He knew she was dizzy but if it was from shock or blood loss he did not know.

“You've lost a bit of blood, an ambulance will be arriving soon. You should have come to get me when you noticed something was wrong.” Markus lightly scolded her, pressing the rag harder in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

“My poor little girl...” The father pushed his wheelchair closer to her, coming to a rest at her side. Her head moved to rest against his knee and his hand automatically went to her hair. Petting in a gentle and soothing fashion in an attempt to calm his child.

“Dad?”

“Yes Lilliana?”

“I want a restraining order against Leo.” She mumbled and looked at Markus in the corner of her eye. She watched as his green eyes was trained on making sure she would be alright. If she wasn't so dizzy Lilli would have felt a warmth in her chest. She let a smile spread across her face however, her hand moving to hold out to Markus.

The android watched her uninjured hand and moved one of his own to meet hers. Pressing his palm to be against her own as the synthetic skin melted away once again. Fingers fanned out so that her smaller digits could lace with his own and hold onto his hand tightly.

Carl just smiled as he watched them together. Noticing the look in Markus' eyes and wondering how long it'll take for the android to realize things for himself. Perhaps he already has.

“When are you two getting married?”

“DAD NO!”

#markus x oc

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imagineclaireandjamie · 7 years

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Flood my Mornings: Ian (IV)

Notes from Mod Bonnie

This story takes place in an AU in which Jamie travels through the stones two years after Culloden and finds Claire and his child in 1950 Boston.

See all past installments via Bonnie’s Master List

Previous installment: Ian (III): [Newborn fluff]

July 22, 1951

Come now, man: you were the Laird of Broch bloody Tuarach. It wasn’t long ago when you were capable of everything from bringing down foes on the battlefield barehanded to manipulating the workings of Europe’s royal courts. Even in more recent years, you managed to master an Automobile, did you not? For the love of Bride, you can certainly bring yourself to WALK to the Elevators.

Jamie did force himself to walk at a more-or-less dignified pace, but he let the foolish grin fly forth unchecked: Bree was here.

It had been only a day since he’d last seen her, but Lord, it seemed an eternity. More than once in that space of time, he’d found himself worrying for her sake. It had been so rushed, those minutes between their talking-to beneath the oak tree and when he’d entrusted her to the Harpers before fairly leaping into the Car to get to Claire’s side. He could scarcely remember how he had left things between him and his daughter. Had she spent the time apart fretting that he was still angry with her over the business with the climbing?

He walked faster. She had been fine, Marian (and later Penelope) had assured him in the times when he’d phoned, no tantrums or tears; but he still could scarcely wait another moment to have his little girl back in his arms again. For, full and complete as the experience of Ian’s birth had been, holding the wean made Jamie feel Bree’s absence all the more; a deep, growing ache in his wame, more noticeable with every passing minute. He needed to have both of his children there together, to kiss and hold them, to see both at once. A Dhia, came the stunned, joyful thought as he accelerated around the final corner: a father of two, Fraser...

Mrs. Byrd was just stepping out of the Elevator, Bree’s hand in hers, and Jamie could have burst with sheer joy at the sight, except that the minute his daughter laid eyes on him, she burst first: into tears.

He closed the distance between them in a matter of moments and caught her up into his arms, clutching her tight against his chest in a terrible panic of love and worry. “Bree, lass?”

She had thrown her arms around his neck at once, and he could feel the whole of her little body shaking as she sobbed out something that sounded like ‘Da.’

“I’m here.” He cupped her head. “Shhhh, dinna fash, lass, it’s alright....What’s the matter, a leannan?”

Penelope was apparently as bewildered as he. “Goodness! Where did that—She was quiet all morning, but I didn’t know something was—Oh, there, there, honey,” she crooned, coming close to stroke Bree’s back. “Tell us what’s the matter, sweet pea.”

Even with an inconsolable toddler on his shoulder, Jamie was filled with such tenderness and gratitude toward this dear woman. He and Claire truly couldn’t work at their hours and pace of life without Penelope’s endless dedication, a fact that would be all the more true in future, with two wee ones in her charge. To her credit, she was no cold, cruel governess like those in the stories: ‘Grannie Byrd’ was truly a member of the family. Jamie managed to bend down and kiss her on the cheek and express some of the depth of his gratitude with words, even over Bree’s tears. He truly hoped they never had occasion to learn what they would do without Penelope Byrd.

“Oh, you won’t have to, if I have anything to say about it,” she promised, patting Bree’s shaking back, then casting about a bit sheepishly. “I hate to run off and leave you without knowing what’s troubling her, but...”

“...But you’ve a wee grandson to meet,” he said with a smile, and for a moment, the look on her dear, weathered face made him wonder if he would have to manage two distraught ladies crying on his shoulder in a moment.

Still, as Penelope—glowing—made her way down the hall to find Claire and Ian, there was only Bree; only his daughter, sobbing her entire heart out.

“Alright, now,” he murmured in Gaelic, finding an empty chair on a quiet side-corridor and settling down into it. Surely, this was only the relief of an unaccustomed separation ended at last, he reasoned, and that would be soothed easily enough. “It’s alright, wee love....Cry all ye must...It’s alright, mo chridhe....”

He closed his eyes and held her tightly, a lump in his throat making him feel as though he would join her in crying at any moment. She just felt so big in his arms, so solid and full of lively energy, and all at once. he wanted to hold her there forever and keep her from growing up—that she might stay his wee one, always. “I love you, Brianna Ellen,” he murmured, finding it was the only thing that could hold the weight of all he felt.

What Brianna said in response had Jamie’s eyes flying open wide, and he bolted up so straight and so suddenly that Bree detached from his neck and would have toppled backward. “What was it ye said?”

Her face was red and wet and swollen, her expression the exact twin to her voice: wretched and genuinely crushed as she repeated: “...Love Beeyin more—th’n—me?”

“NO,” he swore violently. He saw her jump and forced himself to lower his voice. “That is absolutely not so, Brianna.”

“But—” She rubbed her eyes with both fists, hiccuping and still sobbing. “But them—they—”

“Bree.” He managed to get her to meet his eye again, torn between simple astonishment and anxiety for the state of her heart. “What on earth would make ye think such a thing?”

“Didna’nt MEAN to think one,” she wailed. “People were say—sayin’—”

“Which people? Who, lass?” he pushed.

“Meerin an’— Mister Tom an’ the people.”

“Oh, aye?.... And what did they say to ye?”

“That—” Tears welled up again in force and her words were choked and gasping. “You’re so much happy—‘cause of havin’ a—a baby thatsa baby-boy for FINALLY, and—and—” She collapsed once more in a heap around his neck. “An’—I—was—sad.”

“Oh, my sweet, wee cub...”

Jamie pulled her as close as he could, and kissed her again and again, her warm head pressed against his cheek. If Marian or Tom had truly made such a comment, he knew it would have been a completely lighthearted jest that had gotten unfortunately misconstrued. Still, by whatever means, that sense of ‘finally’ had obviously taken root in Bree’s heart, for the feeling behind that word had been deep and true.

“The people didna mean anything by it at all, Bree,” he promised. “It’s just how folk talk sometimes, aye? Some nonsense about how daddies are supposed to like their boys best, and mummies, the girls.”

“Thit’s—It’s...” He felt her sniff, heard the tentative hope. “....it’s a nonsense?”

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “‘Aye, of course it is. Lass, I love your baby brother wi’ all my heart, but there’s no’ a single thing in the world that could make me love YOU less.” She coughed and gulped for air, and Jamie decided that perhaps humor would be of some use. “In fact, your Mum and me quarrel ALL the time about which of us loves ye most.”

She stirred and glowered dubiously up at him from under wet lashes, lips still quivering. “...Who’s....the most one?”

“Both of us.”

“But who?”

“Mum AND Da.”

Bree had trouble not grinning, though she made a valiant effort to stay stoic.

Jamie pressed his good fortune. “And, let’s face it, wee Ian shall—WELL....Can ye keep a secret?”

“Yeah!” she whispered, streaming eyes suddenly wide. “I’m keep it!”

“Only between us, ken....?” Jamie whispered confidentially. “Your wee brother is going to have to work verra, VERRA hard to impress, because his sister is already the best there is.”

“Me’s, the siss-ter?”

“Aye, that’s you.”

She giggled even as a latent tear slid the rest of the way down her cheek. Jamie thumbed it away and kissed the track, serious again. “Truly, Bree: no matter how much we love Ian, your Mum and I canna love you any less, not ever. It isna even possible, do ye hear me?”

She got a deep breath at last and exhaled it, the life coming back to her eyes. “Aye-okay.”

“Aye-okay, indeed.” He kissed her, his heart full. “Shall we go meet your wee brother, then, cub? He’s been asking after ye...”

And her smile—captivating him entirely with the earnest joy and excitement in it—was all the reassurance he needed.

#;Flood my mornings #;mod bonnie

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sebastianxainsworth · 4 years

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Redemption // self para

Sebastian pushed open the door with a loud ominous creak, an action he’s managed to do dozens of times in the past for various occasions. This, however, was under different circumstances. The first time in three months he and Ryan left the city and longer since...

The last time Seb stepped foot in the penthouse office of the Ainsworth tower was the day he sent Theon tumbling through the window. The glass had long since been replaced by a brand new sheet, the blood cleaned extensively, and the desk itself vacated other than the current residence of Wayne. Thankfully, the man was gone for the night, leaving the rest of the tower for the youngest Ainsworth to explore old stomping grounds and simply wait.

Sebastian couldn’t understand what possessed him to make contact with Madyson and he wouldn’t expect her to come, not after their first and last meeting. Who would dare grant the wish of a deranged man who held a letter opener to her throat? Would she be forgiving or leave him without answer as he dealt with his demons alone out of spite within her anger? Sebastian didn’t feel right having the discussion over the phone or through text messages despite how easy it would be, not when it was this significant.

Seb moved across the threshold, his steps echoing through the silent din as he reached the large oak desk his brother and father sat at before him. Its twin matched the same one back at the mansion, but there was something incredibly royal and intimidating about this one. The deals that crossed its shiny surface, the conversations and secrets dwelling within the wood like an imprint. He never considered it in such a way, but the desk became witness to the company he desired to take the mantle of. His hand glided along the top, fingers barely glancing over the small antique knick-knacks lining the edge. It was difficult to imagine Theon sentimental about the little things, then again, he hardly knew his brother at all.

Madyson watched the man from the door frame for a long moment as she observed his quiet reaction to what should have been an ordinary office, but now she must have known was the sight of a former murder scene. The thought sent chills down her spine, the same factoring into her hesitation from coming here from the start, however, her previous words reminded Mady why she did this for a living. Was this Sebastian asking for help finding his way again? “Doctor Beckett?” The formal title shot through her thoughts like a hot knife and immediately caused the blonde’s posture to straighten as she stepped into the space. “You were having a moment. I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

“You weren’t. Preferred if you did anyway.” Sebastian moved his hand from the desk to the wheeled leather chair, gently swiveling it back and forth, “I, um, I just,”

“You just wanted to talk?” Mady filled in the blanks with a slow nod, “As long as you promise to refrain threatening me with a knife, I clearly see you’re in desperate need of someone to talk to.” She made herself at home in one of the chairs in front of the desk and dropped her bag at her feet, pushing aside the weird sensation looking at the window behind him. “Consider me a listening sound board.”

She was being too nice. Too understanding. It made this all the more worse. “About that, I need to apologize. You came to the house with nothing but an open heart and willingness that night and I pulled you into something you shouldn’t have been in.” Something Seb was involving her in a second time around, the man realized, as he responded quietly, “I’m sorry, Madyson.”

“I was never angry at you for that, Sebastian. You were fresh off of doing, you know, what you did and Ryan was under medical treatment the last I remembered from that session.” If she could call it a session. Mady placed her hands in her lap and looked down, “You weren’t the first of my patients to threaten my safety.” She repeated, “I’m not angry.”

“You should be. I went full psycho.” Seb’s fingers squeezed the chair’s back, “After what happened with my brother, I was,” Crazy? Delusional? Or maybe in deep enough to know what power felt like when he took it in his own two hands? Sebastian possessed power before, that came with the last name and family reputation, but he just didn’t know how to use it. That learning experience died with his brother. “I was just on this high. I thought I could do what I wanted, where I wanted, to who I wanted without consequences.”

Madyson pressed her lips tightly together, gathering her thoughts cautiously and carefully. There is always more to the story. “Apologizing wasn’t the only thing this was about, was it?” She responded quietly.

“No.” Seb’s equally soft response came as he pulled the chair back and slid into it with a low squeak. “I enjoyed it. Killing Theon, I enjoyed it and I can’t pretend I’m able to separate who I am between who he and my father were. I tried denying it with myself, with Benji, and I can’t.” Saying Theon’s name triggered an apparition he could see from the corner of his eye, forcing Sebastian to glance behind Madyson and spot a vision of his brother lifting his dark gaze to the ceiling in an eyeroll. The moment lasted longer than it should have and more often than the man would confess to.

The woman turned her head to see exactly what he was staring at, finding nothing but an empty door. Like he saw something she couldn’t quite see with her own eyes. Oh, no, this was an all too familiar sign. While Mady hated making assumptions, his history gave her one significant conclusion. “Sebastian,” She turned to face him with a sympathetic expression, “Do you mind describing to me what you’re seeing? Who you’re seeing?”

“Theon.” Seb groaned, leaning forward and placing his head in the palms of his hands, “They’re just flashes. Sometimes, I’ll have full-on conversations with him like he was actually in the room and I know it makes me sound like I’m fucking crazy. I’m not. I killed the fucker and I expected him to stay dead.” He lifted his head slowly, “You said I lost my way before, Doctor Beckett, but I obviously lost my goddamn mind too. The world already took away everyone I ever cared about, so what’s my sanity?” The Ainsworth patriarch released a second groan, “I lost Ryan, Doctor. I lost what was left of my family by my own decision-making and my best friend can’t handle a single second standing in the same room with me. This city, three months later, still thinks I attacked Newford. And the worst part, Madyson, I deserve this. I deserve every second of it.”

Mady stuck by her original diagnosis. The nature versus nurture theory became invalid when Sebastian’s case proved environment and biology were key factors in his deteriorating mental stability. He was now having hallucinations no one else apart from her knew about, lacking sleep, and it’s obvious he let go of his hygiene judging from the growing beard. “I cannot condone what you’ve done in your past, Sebastian, and yes, perhaps karma has caught up to you, but I don’t think you attacked Mr. Vincent. There’s always going to be doubts and theories and no one can say for certain what really happened. I just need you to know you’re still worth saving.”

“You don’t give up, do you? Never met anyone so damn relentless.” Seb’s lips quirked in a weak smile that was quick to leave, “You’re going to really waste a lifetime’s worth of years better spent on helping other people more deserving than me.”

“Perhaps, but I know I can help you. It’s not about what you do and don’t deserve, Mr. Ainsworth.” Madyson leaned forward thoughtfully as she permitted the silence to grow. Was she absolutely bonkers coming here and chatting with him? Or did the true insanity lay with the decision she considered? “This is typically the part where I prescribe you medicine for the visions, but this goes far deeper than your mind, Sebastian. You think you have no one here that cares for you, well, I’m disagreeing. You have me. So,” She sighed. This was it. “If you consent, we need weekly sessions. No more of these...spontaneous talks in the dead of night. Real, one hundred percent sessions, dedicated in my office.”

Okay, now, this was not what he anticipated. Going in with the apology and coming out with an official therapist jarred Sebastian. Therapy was scoffed at in his family, if you were having strong emotions and needing a conversation to speak of them, you locked that shit away. “Wait, you would do that for me?” The relief splashing along Seb’s expression lit a spark of overwhelming hope long lost in St. Cascadia. That’s what the city did, took away any shred of wishful hoping until you no longer knew how it felt. “Yeah, I mean, I want to. I need to.” Ah, then came the awkward and extremely uncomfortable thought. “What about Detective Hardass? He hates the factions, he hates the leaders, but he’s really gunning for me nowadays. He won’t like you and me doing,” The male waved a hand between the two of them for indication. “This.”

“No, he won’t.” And that’s what she was always fretting about in the back of her mind even on her way to the tower. It hadn’t flown over well with Derek when she talked to Morrigan and she was sure he’d nearly blown a gasket after she told him about the first very violent talk with Sebastian. Madyson was a grown woman with a job she loved and she can’t do it properly if she wasn’t helping everyone. “You let me worry about Derek. Besides, I still have doctor-patient confidentiality. I can’t tell him who I’m treating unless given special permission.”

“Tell him.” Sebastian granted without hesitation, threading his fingers together. “I’m not going to be responsible for ruining a relationship based on keeping secrets.” He knew what concealing the truth could do to any relationship. Lying about the nightmares and hallucinations or even hiding how deeply satisfying watching a man tumble through a window from Ryan, from himself, pushed away his wife. What she thinks he did to her brother may have been the real cause, but letting the cat out of the bag on his dwindling mental state would mean losing her entirely. Forever.

This was a dangerous game potentially playing with her life. Sebastian wasn’t a apart of her faction, in fact, she knew the gossip whispered about her helping the same man everyone believed had attacked Newford could have been considered career-ending, but it was downright scandalous. Speaking with a faction leader wasn’t taboo, becoming the therapist to one surrounded by controversy and heartache to her home is. Drake Vincent still hadn’t awaken and where was she? Supporting the man responsible, not the family.

Mady rose from her seat and glided forward, “I need to make myself extremely clear here, Sebastian, and I’m only going to say this once. If I feel any backlash from these sessions endangers my well-being or that of anyone I care about greatly, I won’t hesitate putting an end to it. I know what I’m getting myself into, who you are, your reputation. I may be willing to help you and foolishly,” Madyson pressed her palms to the surface of the desk and leaned forward slightly. Almost...threateningly. “But I will not tolerate the physical violence. Shout and scream as you wish, I can handle it, but no more letter openers. No more fists.” She heard Sebastian‘s chair squeak as he leaned back, “It won’t be just Derek you’ll have to fret over, it’ll be me. Do you understand?”

“Where’s this Doctor Madyson Beckett been hiding?” Sebastian couldn’t mask the playful amusement lacing his tone. The behavior brought a familiarity to the forefront previously shrouded by depression and self-loathing. Hidden from view, concealed from the light of day with a crippling breaking point that had been so much a part of who Sebastian Ainsworth is. Yet, with the darkness crashing through, he’d rise again. “Yeah. Yes.” Correcting his proper grammar, Seb pushed himself from his seat, “I understand.”

“Good.” Madyson moved to grab her bag before hearing, “If you really want to make this official, it has to be the proper Ainsworth way.” The blonde turned to spot Sebastian’s hand jutted out palm open. Deals were a Davenport trademark, a contract binding the signer or hand shaker, in this case, to a promise. It seems Seb found an affinity towards them just as his brother and father. She had nothing to be nervous for, right? “How impolite of me, good sir.” Mady reached out and took his, the two shaking their connected hands firmly.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Doctor Beckett.” Releasing his grip, the youngest Ainsworth smiled. “And thank you. For everything.” The first deal. The first of many, it would seem.

#redemption #self para #madyson

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thebiasrekkers · 4 years

Text

Shadow’s Birthright | MYG

Chapter 00: Prologue

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)

Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 2,128

Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi

AN: I’ve teased you all enough with this. I’ve been doing it since Yoongi dropped that damn MV (you all know it by now, don’t act like you don’t). And now here we are. Me. Again. Teasing you with a prologue. But it will be worth the wait, my loves. It will be worth the torture that I am about to put you all through. Because it’s a story I think needs to be told. I know I’ve seen some one-shots out there, and while that’s great, I want to put my Korean History knowledge through the ringer and really put you guys on a roller coaster. If you love this story, show it love. I’m writing this because it’s a story featuring a subject I’m passionate about and one that I will put all of my heart and soul into. Just like with Make It Right. So I present to you the start of this journey, this trilogy series (yes, I said it) full of heartbreak, magic and love.

“The more a thing is perfect, the more it feels pleasure and pain.” - Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy

Thunder rumbled across the skies as a pained scream tore through the night.

Hurried footsteps echoed through the palace halls as maid servants and eunuchs piddled about. Some carried brass basins full of water, others had armfuls of fresh linens. Royal physicians moved in and out of the White Lily Pavilion, urgency in their steps, and everyone was talking at once.

“The water isn’t hot enough!”

“Are those fresh linens?”

“The tonic is almost ready!”

“She’s sweating far too much!”

“We need another pillow!”

“Her legs are swollen. We need cold compresses!”

“Elevate them for now!”

“Her Majesty needs some water!”

Suddenly, there was a sharp gasp from one of the maidservants as an approaching eunuch appeared, followed by a small entourage of soldiers, eunuchs and handmaidens. She stumbled forward when another servant ran into her back, nearly knocking the fresh basin of water from her hands.

“His Majesty, The King, has arrived!”

Those who were able to, prostrated themselves before the king immediately. He wore deep crimson robes with golden dragons embroidered on the sleeves and chest. The topknot was held together with a golden ornament that resembled flames - a dragon pin pushed through to hold the item in place. His eyes were wide, full of concern, and burned a rich umber that was reflected from the crack of lightning that lit up the sky.

“How is she?” he asked as the royal physician approached, wringing his hands clean of blood. “It’s been hours!”

The Royal Physician sighed, sweat beading out over his forehead and nose. “It is a difficult labor, Your Majesty. Truthfully, I’m worried about Her Majesty’s safety.”

The King glared at him, causing the doctor to flinch slightly. “If she dies, I will have your head. Do you understand?”

The physician bowed deeply, as did his assistants. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Queen has a healthy delivery.”

Suddenly, one of the maid servants appeared, a smile on her face. “The baby is breaching, Sir!”

The Royal Physician made haste, following after the servant and back into the pavilion. The King watched, his hands locked together as he began to silently pray for the safety of both his Queen and his child. His eunuch and bodyguard sidled up on either side of him, whispering encouraging words to help ease his anxieties.

After what felt like hours of listening to the doctors and servants yelling encouraging words to the Queen, a shrill yell of agony broke through the night. On the tail end of the scream, a baby’s cry could be heard. The King felt his legs give way and he was held up by his attendants as he laughed in relief. But just before he was allowed to enter his Queen’s chamber, he heard something concerning.

“My Lord! Another one! Another child is pushing through!”

“What?!” the physician yelled, confused. This concerned the King, but since the Queen was still in labor, he was not granted entrance into her chambers. “Bring more linens and fetch Her Majesty’s tonic! Hurry!”

More urging words were given to the Queen as she continued her labor. The tension was so thick in the air that it could be sliced completely in half with a sword. Every so often, an attendant would tap at the sweat collecting on the King’s brow and temple. The storm that threatened to rain down on them continued to make itself known until another young voice pierced through the sky.

The King didn’t bother halting his steps as he all but ran toward the entrance of the Lily Pavilion. He kicked off his boots and his sock-clad feet thundered against the polished wood flooring. Two servants quickly slid the doors open to allow the King to enter the Queen’s chambers. His haggard breathing escalated when he saw his Queen’s complexion was even paler than when he’d last seen her. The servants and physicians quickly moved aside to allow the King to situate himself at her bedside.

“Choon-jung,” he whispered, his hands immediately moving to grasp her own as she reached out to him, “you did very well.”

Tears leaked from her eyes as she smiled weakly up at him. “Cheon-ha,” she managed to croak out, her dark bangs clinging to the sweat on her forehead and cheeks, “forgive your servant for her lack of grace.”

“Nonsense.” He stroked her cheek with as much affection as he could without allowing his emotions to overcome him. “You must rest now, my Queen. It has been a long night.”

“Your grace is immeasurable.” Again, she smiled. For a moment, all they did was look at each other. Finally, she huffed out a breath and craned her neck in different directions. “The Royal Physician?”

“I believe he went to go fetch your tonic, my Queen.” The King watched her nod again. Just as he was about to speak, two maidservants appeared. Each of them were holding thick silk blankets; one gold and the other emerald green. The King’s happy mood slowly grew dour. “Are they princes or princesses?”

The two servants seemed to sense the tone shift in The King’s expression and voice. They both looked at one another before lowering their heads solemnly. When he slammed his hand on the floor, they immediately fell to their knees while cradling the children and prostrating themselves at the Queen’s bedside.

“Forgive us, Your Majesty!”

“My King,” called his Queen, attempting to soothe his ire, “please, you must remain calm.”

“Are they princes or princesses?” He asked the question again through clenched teeth. He would not ask a third time.

One servant lifted her head to meet the King’s harsh gaze, gasping and then dipping it back down again. “F-Forgive your servant’s insolence, Your Majesty,” she stammered, clinging to the emerald blanket for what he could only assume was out of comfort, “they are both healthy princes.”

“Dojin-ah,” the King called, his hand already extended out in waiting. His bodyguard approached and placed a small dagger in the King’s palm. The two servants huddled even closer together as the King stood. “Which of the princes was born first?”

The Queen sat up fully, arms flying outward to cling to the lower half of the King’s robes. “Cheon-ha! I beg you to show mercy!” She tightened her grip on the silk fabric and he could only flash a pained expression as he stared into her fearful eyes. “They are your sons, My King!”

“You know that I cannot do that, Choon-jung,” he replied softly, his brows furrowing, “twin sons will only create turmoil in the Royal court. I do not want my sons fighting over the throne in the future. Nor will I have them be used as tools by any of the noble factions to obtain more power for themselves.”

Tears spilled from the Queen’s eyes and her hands slowly slid from his robes. He knew that she couldn’t argue with him. It wasn’t her place, and even if it were, she had no counterargument to dissuade him with. Reaching down to stroke her cheek, he gave her a silent apology with a mere look. He slowly unsheathed the dagger, his gaze hardening as he looked back at the two maidservants.

“Which of the princes was born first?” he asked again, pointing the tip of the dagger in their direction. “Do not lie to me or I will take your lives from you. Do you understand?”

The girl holding the golden blanket shuffled forward on her knees, holding the child swaddled inside out to the King. “This is the first-born prince, Your Majesty.”

He hummed, turning to face the servant holding the emerald blanket. “Give me the child.” Her head shot up and she turned a frightful gaze to the Queen. For a while, all the Queen could do was avert her gaze. “NOW!” The King’s booming voice shook the young servant girl from her frozen state and she slowly stood to approach the King.

When the child was placed into his arms, the King looked down at the young prince. His hair was jet black and his complexion was a bit red from having been brought into the world finally. The child fought sleep for a few seconds before he blinked up a set of dark, curious eyes at him. The King’s heart skipped a beat when the child sputtered a tiny giggle and smiled at him.

For a moment, the King of Joseon believed he would not be able to do this.

Before he could stop her, the Queen was up on her feet and wrenched the child from his grasp. She stumbled backwards, landing hard on her bedding. Her hair and robes were completely disheveled and her servants were immediately at her side as they began to straighten her appearance as best they could. Clinging to the child, she glared harshly up at the King.

He sighed. “Choon-jung,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing, “do not do this.”

“I cannot let you kill him!” She pulled the baby up to her cheek and buried her face into the blanket, sobbing openly into it. “I will not let you do it!”

The King hated seeing his beloved Queen in this state. For as long as they’d been married, before he’d even been crowned King of Joseon, he simply wanted to live a fulfilling life with his wife. They’d tried many times over the years to bear children, but to no avail. And now, when they were finally granted a miracle from the Heavens, they were instead cursed with two sons.

He’d never wished for the twins to have been princesses more than in that very moment.

Again, the Queen reached out to cling at his robes. He knew that she was desperate and he wanted nothing more than to grant her every wish she desired. But bloodshed often ran rampant in the palace. It took place when he was a child many years ago. He didn’t want that life for his sons.

“Please, My King! If you must deny this child’s existence, then send him away!” Seeing her tear-stained cheeks upset him and he slowly lowered himself down to her. “Please don’t kill our son. I’m begging you!”

For a long moment, no one said anything. The only sounds that could be heard were the tiny coughs and sleepy sneezes of his sons. Finally, he sighed and lowered the dagger at his side. He could not win against her.

“Very well,” he said, causing her to release another sob; this time from relief.

His bodyguard, Dojin, was about to retrieve the dagger. But before he could get his hands on it, the King shot his arm out to snatch his son out of the Queen’s arms. Before she could stop him, the King brought the dagger’s blade down on the child’s face. Blood wept from the right cheek and the infant screamed in pain. The Queen’s own screams intermingled with the noise and while it hurt his heart to do this, he knew that it had to be done.

He rose to his feet, handing both the dagger and the child to Dojin. “Take him, Dojin-ah. Take him and leave the Capital at once.” His bodyguard blinked, holding the child close to his chest. “You are not allowed to return unless summoned. Do you understand?”

Dojin’s lips parted slightly. “B-But Your Majesty…”

“He is your son now, Dojin-ah.” Reaching into the sleeve of his robe, he pulled out hiding inside of his palm and shoved it into the silk belt wrapped around Dojin’s waist. “When the time comes, give this to him. You will know when.”

He watched his bodyguard and dearest friend frown. “Your Majesty…”

“This is my decree.” The King placed his hands on Dojin’s shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Go. Go now!”

He watched Dojin lower his head sharply and then hastily made his retreat just as the Royal Physician returned. He looked over his shoulder curiously and the King quickly swept his arm out across his body. “The Queen only gave birth to one son. That is what the entire Kingdom will know from this day forward.” His eyes narrowed as the servants and physicians all looked between each other. “If I so much as hear a whisper of anything else within these palace halls, I will bathe the royal gardens with your blood.”

Sharp gasps and hushed whispers were thrown between everyone. The King stomped his foot, commanding for silence. “Am I making myself clear?!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” All the servants lowered themselves, their heads bowed deeply to hide their faces. “Your grace is immeasurable!”

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sueboohscorner · 7 years

Text

The Vampire Diaries 814 Recap “It’s Been a Hell of a Ride” #TVD #KilltheDevil

Episode grade: 10. Pure perfection.

All week long, I was both looking forward to and dreading Friday night, because one of my all-time favorite shows is coming to an end…but man, it’s going out strong.

We start with Cade menacing Damon for another crappy deal (all Cade’s deals suck, because he is literally the devil). This time, Cade wants his dagger back–you know, the one thing that could kill him. And of course, Damon’s going to play along, because Cade has Elena’s coffin, delivered helpfully by Kai.

Elsewhere, Bonnie’s throwing herself into the beautiful pocket dimension she’s able to access, in which she and Enzo can be together. Stefan ignores the “if my dreamland’s a-knockin’” sign and starts bugging her with his guilty conscience. She’s all, Not my problem, brah, and I don’t blame her a bit. Enzo’s a little more forgiving, though, and he urges her to let Stefan off the hook.

Rebuffed by Bonnie and continuing to wallow in his self-pity, Stefan is about to bail on everyone. He agrees to put his broody walkabout on hold when Damon asks him to help get Elena back from Cade. First step: Find Kai Parker.

TVD, I love you. I love you for so many things over the last eight years, but right now, I love you for making time in your final episodes for the delightful insanity of Kai Parker doing karaoke, tweeting (under the amazing handle CobraKai1972) in what can only be described as (ahem) presidential fashion, and hilariously refusing to pronounce Stefan’s name correctly.

Stefan gets stabbed through the hand (this is important), but Damon steps in to take Kai down. They drag Kai into the Armory and toss him in a cell. Alaric is gravely displeased at having his archenemy back under his roof. Of course, Alaric has other things on his mind right now; his daughters have been going all Firestarter.

With Kai stashed away, and the devil dagger in hand, Damon and Stefan head out to find Cade. At the last minute, Stefan insists he has to be the one to kill Cade, because atonement yadda yadda. Damon rationally points out that hey, I’m still a vampire, and you’re not, so of the two of us, I’ve got a much better chance at actually pulling this off. But Stefan is determined to be the hero, so he actually vervains Damon, and OMG Stefan you selfish jackass. Here’s where Stefan’s hand injury is an issue for me. He’s not only mortal, he’s got a freshly maimed stabbing hand. He’s refusing help killing the devil when he’s not even at full strength for a human.

To be fair, he does have something of a plan…he’s tasked Alaric with ringing the Maxwell hell bell. Since Alaric isn’t part of the Maxwell family line, he won’t be able to access the bell’s full power, but Stefan correctly guesses that the bell’s ringing will at least cause Cade some pain. (I’m choosing to ignore the minor plot hole about how the bell was deconstructed and taken away, yet is now back in the tower. I mean, Bonnie and Enzo had it with them, but her house was stolen from her, so it’s not a safe place anymore…and I am pretty sure Peter Maxwell had taken another component of the bell with him when he left town…but you know what? Screw it. Given the choice between expository dialogue about the bell or Kai Parker singing “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” at karaoke, I'll pick the latter every time.)

Speaking of our favorite evil scion of the Gemini coven, Kai and Caroline are having a heart-to-heart about her daughters, who are also, of course, Kai’s nieces. They’re siphons, just like him, and he offers Caroline a personal perspective on the crazy crap her kids are pulling lately. He tells her about growing up a magic-siphoning abomination, treated with disdain and fear, an embarrassment to his magical royal family. Being shut away and ignored, watching as his twin sister was nurtured in her gifts. Occasionally getting a blast of magic when he was able to siphon it from someone or something, and feeling like a druggie the rest of the time, desperate for more. It’s a powerful monologue, subtle and intense, and Caroline is as captivated as the audience is.

Then Kai explains that the reason her kids are suddenly out of control is that they’ve been dumped into an environment so full of magical artifacts, they simply can’t be expected to control their siphoning. He says a place like the Armory practically has magic in its walls…and then he demonstrates by siphoning the very glass that separates him from Caroline. Kai is out, loose in the Armory.

Right now, Alaric is dutifully ringing the hell bell, and it’s basically doing what Stefan thought. Cade is vulnerable, and Stefan’s got a shot here…until Alaric’s phone rings. Josie and Lizzie are calling for their daddy, because Kai is coming after them with an axe. Alaric walks away from the bell without a second glance, and Cade’s back on his feet.

Cade’s about to kill Stefan, but here comes Damon to save the day. Except that Cade already has the dagger now, and he still has Elena, and now he has Stefan as well. Damon has no leverage in this situation. Cade laughs that he’ll give Damon this much: Damon can choose whether it will be Stefan or Elena who dies today. Damon can’t accept this choice, so he asks Cade to take him instead. Cade agrees, requiring Damon to stake himself. Stefan, you know this is your fault, right?

Bonnie feels the psychic ripples of the danger to Elena, and she follows the feeling to where Cade is about to collect Damon’s soul. Bonnie says, Oh hell no, and she and Cade get into a psychic battle. The beauty of a psychic battle is that the opponents are too busy to do anything else…leaving Cade far more vulnerable to attack. Stefan finally does something right, and the devil is dead.

Back at the Armory, Kai’s stalking the girls, because not being the only surviving member of the Gemini coven is kind of a sore spot for him. He follows their voices into the Siren cave, then siphons away the magical wall Beatrice Bennett put up so long ago…except he hasn’t found the girls, he’s found Ric, pulling a pretty neat trick with his phone on speaker. Ric gets in a good punch or two, but he’s a little outgunned under the circumstances. Fortunately, Caroline is awake from Kai’s neck-snap nap, and she saves the day.

Damon, magically blown back into his body by Bonnie’s psychic rage storm, is able to convince Stefan to stick around and not be a self-pitying jackass for a few minutes. I mean, we’ll see how long before the full-bore brooding starts back up, but for now, Stefan is able to appreciate the miracle of the life he almost lost…presumably because they’re all operating with the belief that killing the devil also destroyed hell, so they’re no longer living with damnation hanging over them. Funny how Stefan is suddenly less ravaged by guilt now that he thinks he’ll escape punishment. He proposes to Caroline all over again, and she says yes, even though she and Ric seemed to be having a moment, and Ric is so totally the better man on every level.

(Also, Stefan is all excited about the future he sees as possible now, and he’s yammering about how great it will be to grow old and help raise kids, and be with his best friend? What best friend? He doesn’t mean Caroline, because he listed her separately in the marriage portion of the speech, and he doesn’t mean Damon, because he has always consistently called Damon his brother. Lexi’s dead, and that’s the only best friend I was aware of…I’m confused.)

Kai awakens, chained to a chair, in the karaoke dive bar from earlier. The delightful 90’s song, “Two Princes,” is starting up. Kai clearly doesn’t like this song as much as I do. Bonnie relishes the moment as she fills Kai in on his new normal: He’s in a new prison dimension, built to approximate his personal idea of suffering. All alone, no magic to siphon, no tricky escape hatches to work on, with a song he hates that will never stop playing.

But Kai has a parting gift for Bonnie, too: the truth about hell. Killing the devil didn’t destroy hell; sure, Cade created hell, but perhaps it took on a life of its own, nourished by the imaginations of all the people who feared it. Or perhaps a pocket dimension simply doesn’t exist in the head or at the whim of its creator; maybe, once created, it’s a true place that can’t be unmade so easily. If the latter, I would like to point out that Bonnie’s new pocket dimension is not simply a place to keep Enzo safe; it might be the place where all her loved ones can spend eternity–the new version of the Other Side!

But I digress. Kai’s revelation to Bonnie continues: Hell is still very much a real place, and there’s someone else who was waiting for Cade to be deposed so that they could step into the top dog spot. Gee, who else do we know who was that bad? Who absolutely went to hell, rather than to the Other Side?

You got it.

Granted, this raises another question about how bad someone had to be to wind up in hell rather than the Other Side–remember that Silas was on the Other Side, and he was as bad as they come! But that’s a minor aside, and I’m more than okay with it. Katherine is coming back to remind us why she’s “the baddest bitch of them all,” and I can’t think of a more fitting story arc to carry us into the bittersweet ending of this gorgeous series.

Finally, can we talk about the gift to villainy and television and acting that was Chris Wood's portrayal of Kai Parker?

I don’t know that I’ve ever enjoyed a villain more. Chris Wood is masterful, chilling and hilarious by turns, impossible not to pay attention to every moment he’s on screen. I don’t like Kai, obviously, but I love having Kai around. With every other villain we’ve had on TVD, I’ve been thrilled to see them breathe their last. By the time our heroes vanquished the Travelers, or Silas, or fricking awful Julian, I was cheering to have them gone. With Kai, even though he’s terrible, even though it’s clearly good that they’ve bested him!, I’m sorry to see him go.

#The Vampire Diaries #the cw #Chris Wood #Damon Salvatore #Caroline Forbes #Stefan Salvatore #Alaric Saltzman #Bonnie Bennett

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bluewatsons · 5 years

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Ross Kessel, One of Us (Review), 97 J R Soc Med 603 (2004)

'Those whom we call monsters are not so to God.'— Michel de Montaigne, Essays [c1580]

'Conjoined twins are born to be separated.'— Anonymous contemporary surgeon

Anatomy matters. Indeed, as Alice Domurat Dreger reminds us right at the beginning of One of Us,1 a book filled with warmth, humour and unexpected insights, we probably have all at some time or other wished to change our own anatomy or that of our children. We would like to be more like other people; or how we really are on the inside. Our noses are too big, teeth protrude, ears stick out; our tummies need tucking, breasts enlarging, eyes reshaping. Or perhaps we just want to change the way our hair curls—or doesn't—or our skin looks. And because we expect medicine to cure all our ills, it is to doctors that we turn. After all, if our defects were corrected we would not only be better individuals but better members of society too. And setting aside concerns about the allocation of resources, why wouldn't the profession agree?

Quite so! The troubles begin when we, specifically surgeons, wish to decide for others what changes to their anatomies ought to be made. For make no mistake, when it comes to the more obvious anatomical anomalies it is very largely the profession that decides not only the acceptable limits of the normal but also what should be done to ensure that individuals conform as far as is possible to those norms. Nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than in the surgical management of intersex (the conditions once grouped under the rubric of hermaphroditism), the subject of Dreger's earlier study Hermaphrodites and the Medical Invention of Sex.2 After all, who else can tell the parents of those 'unfortunates' born with ambiguous genitalia what can be done to make their children conform to one gender or the other—or nearly so? Starting from the conviction that no child with intersexed anatomy could ever grow up to become healthy and happy, it becomes plain that it would be positively cruel to leave the child's anatomy intact. This despite the wealth of evidence that, until about 50 years ago, when normalizing surgery for children with intersex conditions became increasingly common, many of these individuals were known to have done well both socially and psychologically.

In One of Us Dreger returns to these issues as they are raised by the existence of the rarer, but more visible and dramatic, case of conjoined twinning—a condition for which surgery became a treatment option at about the same time as it did for intersex cases and where many of the same assumptions are held. Namely, that no conjoined twin could possibly grow up to be content with his or her lot and therefore surgical separation of such twins should be attempted even if it will inevitably lead to the death of one. By studying their history, by letting twins and their parents tell their own stories, and by perceptive analysis Dreger sets out to examine, and indeed to a great extent to answer, two fundamental questions. First, exactly how abnormal, unhealthy and unhappy are those twins who for anatomical or other reasons have grown up still joined, i.e., what is the database underlying the surgical premise? And second, if separation during infancy is to be considered, what are the data that parents need if they are to give informed consent? Of course there are obvious benefits from normalization, but surely parents need to be clearer as to the potential costs as well as the benefits of their various options.

As to the wellbeing of the conjoined, Dreger's book introduces us to twenty or so pairs; some from history, others still living. Many became old enough to be communicating individuals, whether children or adults, and with one exception they seem not only to accept their situations but even to relish them. All come across as individuals with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. We meet the Bunkers, the original Siamese Twins, who married two sisters, had respectively ten and twelve children, were successful farmers and were mourned as respected members of their North Carolina community when they died at the age of sixty-two. In a charming family snapshot we see Abigail and Brittany Hensel, six-year-old dicephalic twins with an essentially singleton's body, joyfully romping with their mother and older brother. (Incidentally, Harvard University Press should be ashamed of the printing quality of the book's illustrations.) The Cady girls learned to walk, dance and rollerskate; the McCarthers were popular in high school and in later life; and Lori and Reba Schappell, who are known to many through Ellen Weissbrod's film Face to Face, have day-to-day lives that seem positively ordinary. None would want to be separated, nor indeed would any of those who we meet in this book—with the exception of Laden and Laleh Bijani, those obviously happy and well-adjusted university graduates who travelled the world looking for a surgeon who would separate them, knew clearly the risks they were running and died in the attempt. So much for the notion that conjoined lives are woeful, and that no-one could possibly wish to remain conjoined given the chance to be a singleton.

Of course the common response to all this would be to say 'well they would say that wouldn't they; they've never known what it's like to have a normal life and we can give them one—or at least a more normal one'. But these conjoineds' stories deserve to be better known. Indeed I suggest that we would be well advised to follow Priscilla Alderson's advice and regularly seek out the views and wishes of children,3 even very young children,4 when making important decisions concerning their fate. Sadly, parents faced with the decision of whether or not to subject their conjoined or intersexed children to surgery rarely, if ever, hear these stories. If they did they would be bound to ask not only what is going to happen to them in the weeks and months ahead but what will life be like in the years, even decades to come; with and without surgery. Perhaps the most shocking observation to come from Dreger's study is that, despite there being a substantial number of such operations annually, there is not a single satisfactory long-range follow-up study of children who have been separated. Indeed in some cases only short-term survival appears to be the criterion for assessment. The same seems true for intersex cases. A more cynical observer than Dreger might conclude that follow-up data are unavailable because they are unwanted.

In a chapter headed 'What Sacrifice', Dreger turns to just this question of outcomes; especially poor outcomes. The most tragic cases, of course, are those in which one twin is judged unable to survive surgery. To British readers probably the best known is the recent case of the three-month-old Attard twins whose parents refused to allow one to be killed in order to give the other a chance of survival. Both girls had functioning brains, each was developing a distinct personality and indeed both were judged to be 'reasonable creatures', but nevertheless the doctors and hospital sued to go ahead. If the results were not so tragic, the legal contortions of the four judges—with each providing different, and often conflicting, reasons for killing Rosie in order to give Gracie a chance of survival—would be risible. Many commentators have seen this case as an example of either the 'lifeboat problem' (is it justifiable for one dying sailor to kill another?) or the 'climber's problem' (is it permissible to cut the rope when your companion is pulling you over the edge?), but I believe with Dreger that the thread running through all four judgments is the notion that a conjoined life is an unworthy one. Most bizarre, at least to this reader, is Justice Ward's opinion that Rosie, the twin who was to die, had 'a full claim to the dignity of independence' even though obtaining this independence must kill her!

One of Us, however, succeeds in being much more than merely a telling of individuals' stories. As an historian, Dreger knows that medicine is practised in social settings that vary over time. Indeed her opening chapter places the conjoined within history (though not, and it is not her intention to do so, with the richness of either Leslie Fiedler5 or Armand Marie Leroi6). However, in a coda, 'Freeing the Irish Giant', Dreger dares hint that we may not after all be so different from our Victorian predecessors who invited the Siamese Twins, the Irish Giant, General Tom Thumb and others into their salons so as to peer at and ponder these 'Prodigies of Nature'. For it is a fact that the Royal College of Surgeons of England still gives the Irish Giant's skeleton pride of place despite knowing that his will directed that his entire fortune be spent on burial at sea precisely so as to ensure that his body would not fall into the hands of the anatomists! Dreger, however, seeks to look forward as well as back, and in a closing chapter suggests ways that the social context in which those with anomalous anatomies are viewed might be changed, just as the context has changed for other minorities; a task at least begun by the Hastings Center project Surgically Shaping Children7 to which she has herself contributed.

One of Us is an important and insightful book written with humour and compassion, and a book full of surprises. (I wonder if Mrs Thatcher would know the origin of the title.) This book is not a polemic. Alice Dreger is not seeking an end to separation surgery or surgery for the intersexed, nor even, if I read her right, saying that killing Rosie was necessarily unjustifiable. Rather what she seeks to do is to show us that people whose anatomies are very different from most of ours are nevertheless people. Her plea is that we learn more about their lives and how these can be altered for better or for worse by medicine. In this she echoes thoughts expressed almost thirty years ago by Leslie Fiedler when he wrote:

'... standing before Siamese Twins, the beholder sees them looking not only at each other, but—both at once—at him. And for an instant it may seem that he is a third brother, bound to the pair by an invisible bond; so that the distinction between we and them, normal and Freak, is revealed as an illusion, desperately, perhaps even necessarily, defended, but in the end untenable.'5

References

Dreger AD. One of Us: Conjoined Twins and the Future of Normal. Cambridge (Massachusetts): Harvard University Press, 2004. [198pp; ISBN 0-674-01294-1 (h/b); £14.99]

Dreger AD. Hermaphrodites and the Medical Invention of Sex. Cambridge (Massachusetts): Harvard University Press, 1998

Alderson P. Children's Consent to Surgery. Buckingham: Open University Press, 1993

Alderson P. The participation rights of premature babies. Int J Children's Rights (in press)

Fiedler L. Freaks: Myths and Images of the Secret Self. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978

Leroi AM. Mutants: On the Form, Varieties and Errors of the Human Body. London: HarperCollins, 2003

Parens E, Asch A, eds. Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights. Georgetown (DC): Georgetown University Press, 2000

#bioethics #alice dreger #conjoined twins #ethics #disability #prenatal testing #bodies #freaks #medicine #book reviews

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balshumetsbaragouin · 7 years

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Bittersweet Future: Chapter Twelve

Summary:

A battle of bitter enemies...

Battle Royale: Part I

In the irony that has become my life, saying that time stood still would be icing on the cake, but it wouldn’t be a lie. For the first time since I entered this wacky universe, I really got how much everything is fucked up. And you know what the crazy part is? The crazy part is it took seeing my Dad ordering my death via the Guys in White reject squadron to do it. Personally, my original bet was on seeing Vlad married to my mom, but hey, sometimes life is full of surprises…like the troops shooting at me for instance…

The reaction after that single command was immediate. The troops settled on the ground around Vlad’s ghost shield began opening a volley of blasts, hoping to either cut off their escape, or more favorably, destroy the shield all together. The loud booms in the background picked up in speed and volume as the GSU Air Ships hastened to drop off their cargo of men and vehicles. The jets circling over-head in a holding pattern joined their brethren strafing the outside of the shield with a combination of bullets and missiles. All of the GSU went into full attack mode.

Vlad quirked his lips in annoyance at the ecto-weapons currently nipping at his now near red colored shield, before turning away from the troops in front of him and back towards his family. “Alright, I need you all to listen up, I don’t have time to repeat this again,” he yelled over the din of the explosions of battle. “Jasmine, I need you to load up the Hover with everything it can carry, you know what’s most important, just get it done quickly.” He paused to make sure she’d understood before moving on. “Danny, I need you to take the twins and Lizzie over to the RV. Se-”

“What! Wait, why am I on baby-sitting duty? I can totally-”

“Snicker-doodles Danny, don’t you dare back sass me right now! Do exactly what I say, no questions.” The eldest halfa stared him down until he was sure he would listen. “Now, you get them over to the RV, set up the shield, full power, don’t turn any other systems on, and then wait for a break in the fighting. When you can jump out of the RV without being bombed by jets, head over to the Hover and give your sister some help.” Vlad flicked his eyes down to the youngest members of the group. “You three,” he pointed down when he realized the explosions were growing louder. That shield won’t hold much longer...“Don’t leave the RV for any reason. Do you understand me?” He waited a moment longer to watch them nod, before turning to his wife.

“You want me to take the ground troops or the air platforms this time?” She asked, her eyes shining with apprehension for the upcoming battle.

A loud shattering sound echoed throughout the valley as the outer shield broke under the relentless assault of the jets circling above the valley floor. The squadron waiting above the one that just broke the shield dive-bombed for the group’s position, hungry for blood.

“I’ll leave that decision in your capable hands Love.” Vlad tossed a look to his eldest son, “come on Daniel, let’s see if we can’t remind these underlings why you shouldn’t mess with us.”

“Very much agreed.” Daniel announced; a smirk already firmly planted on his lips. He passed a glance in Danny’s direction before turning his back ready to transform. Why did he call Jasmine your sister?

With that the group split in separate directions, determination set on their faces.

“Can’t you run any faster?” Nate complained from his position a few feet in front of Danny, racing towards the RV.

“Hey! I’m the one making the ghost shield, and carry Lizzie. The least you can do is not whine at me.” Danny panted while stopping behind a crate for cover. Another blast from the surrounding troops slammed into his shield, earning a grunt.

“Yeah well, the sooner we get to the RV-”

“The sooner you can stop working so hard.” Nick finished his brother’s sentence was a slight glare. He peered over the top of their current hiding place, judging the distance to the RV. They were within a 200 yard sprint, but interspersed between them and the RV was an advancing line of troops. Not good. “Hey so Danny, you have ghost powers right?” He couldn’t hide the nervousness in his voice.

“Well I don’t know Nick, why don’t we ask the ghost shield he’s making.” Nate responded with a roll of his eyes.

“Shut up!” Nick snipped back. “What I’m asking is you can transform right? Cause I don’t see any other way around that,” he paused to point out the now 50 feet closer line of soldiers, “group of GSU dorks.”

“Well yeah,” Danny screamed over an especially loud boom in the background, “but that’s not going to help much. The only reason they haven’t just rushed our position is because they can’t get a good read on my energy.”

“No way dumb butt. The reason they haven’t rushed our position is because they don’t know how strong you are. They already know-”

“-Where we are. That’s why they are shooting over here.” Nick finished before rolling his eyes in concert with his brother.

“Duh.” They both announced before a large blast from a bigger ecto-gun cracked Danny’s shield.

Lizzie gripped Danny’s shirt harder and shouted to be heard over another explosion. “Stop fighting! It’s not helping at all.” She jumped when another large crack appeared on the shield. “Can’t you make it stronger?” She asked, a slight tremor of fear wavering her voice.

Danny leaned over the top of the crate and sighted the troops heading for their position. “Yeah in a sec. I think I know how to get through those troops.” Danny narrowed his eyes at the weak point in the line advancing towards them. They had to avoid an obstacle soon, which meant breaking ranks, after that, he’d be able to throw an attack or two, and make a hole big enough for them to run through with much less resistance. He held Elizabeth a little closer and stood on the balls of his feet. “Ok everyone get ready to run.” He announced, slipping one hand out from under the youngest Master.

“What are ya’ going to do?” Nate asked before moving around behind him. He winced as another crack showed up on the shield, Danny obviously focused on something else.

The time traveling teen bounced up from his position behind the crate, firing several small blasts into the ranks of the GSU grunts. To his satisfaction, the troops parted just like he wanted. He waited a few more microseconds before turning to the boys behind him. “Come one run!” He leapt the crate and rushed ahead, charging the shield anew as he made for the line of currently disorganized ghost hunters.

Before the taken aback group of hunters could react, the shielded group ran through the large hole in their ranks. “Fire damn it!” The commander of the group demanded, raising his own weapon to send a few shots the hybrids’ way. His shots bounced off the bright green shield without even a crack showing up. He hissed into his communicator, “This is Agent O. I’m on the rear of the valley attacking a group of hybrids; I need back up out here!” He turned his sights back on the retreating group of kids, dropping his radio in his haste. He never heard the responses from the rest of the commanding officers, screaming for back up of their own.

Danny could hear his heart whooshing in his ears louder than the discordant booms of the unloading troops and the jets bombing every ghost signature or shield they saw. He groaned when another blast hit his shield, realizing the troops behind them had finally reorganized. That’s going to make this much harder. He mentally groused. “Nick…how do we know…that the RV…will even be…in one piece?” He panted out from in front of the other boys.

“The shields on all the vehicles went up automatically when the outer shield fell.” Nick replied.

“Yeah, it’d take nothing less than a nuclear bomb to break through those things with none of the other systems online.” Nate added, much less out of breath than Danny.

“If those shields are so good, then how come the outer shield fell?” Danny asked stopped behind one final crate he was using for cover. He shifted the squirming girl in his arms into another much less tiring position while he waited for an answer and the perfect opportunity to run the last few feet.

“It was spread over a much larger area, and it has more than one function! Besides what’s that matter now?” Nate huffed back, sparing a glance behind them to the troops catching up.

“I was just wondering, what made these shields so different, because if they were the same, I’d take my chances with my own.” Danny took a deep breath and prepared to just sprint through the lines of men guarding the RV when a loud crackling sound resonated throughout the valley. It was followed by a thunderous boom near instantaneously, sounding much more like actual thunder than any of the previous explosions in the valley. He swiveled his head left and right, looking for the source of the noise before something tugged on the back of his hoodie.

“Don’t worry about that one, that’s from our side,” Nick explained with another tug. “Come on; let’s get out of here while they’re distracted.” He pointed ahead of the crate to the men running towards the middle of the valley, to the apparent source of the last boom.

The oldest member of group waited another few seconds, to make sure the men had cleared out enough to be safe for them to run. Without another moment’s hesitation, Danny bounded over the top of the crate making a beeline for the RV doors. A few half hearted shots bounced off his shield before they made it to the edge of the dome being maintained by the RV.

Nick and Nate ran straight through the shielding, happily rushing ahead of Danny, before reaching up for the door to the RV.

“Uh hey guys?” Danny asked nervously to get their attention.

The twins’ attention returned to the outside of the shield, where Danny was sending them a look that was a combination of confusion and worry. “What’re ya’ still doing out there?” Nate mumbled mostly to himself, walking back to the inner edge of the shield. He reached his hand through once before returning it back inside. He frowned at the predicament as his twin got the door to the RV open.

“It’s the shielding technology Nate. Dad installed DNA recognition into it, so the GSU dorks can’t get through remember?” Nick rushed up the few stairs to the driver’s seat of the RV. “Now get in here and help me turn it off for a few seconds so he can get inside. I don’t remember which panel it is…”

Danny set Lizzie down and pressed her through the shield. “Don’t worry about that. Listen, just get in there and set the shield to 100% or something. I need to go help Jazz out and you all are safe inside the shield already, so I’m gone.” Just then another thunder-crack rang through the air, only this time the ground shook as well; he leaned against the shield for balance and glanced back towards the main battle taking place in the middle of the valley. He shifted back around to scream, face nearly flat against the shield, “And what the hell is that?”

Nate leaned out the still open RV door, as his younger sister bounded up the steps. “That is the sound of our Dad kicking butt.” Another crack and earth shaking boom rattled the area. “I sure hope those GSU dorks packed another pair of undies, because they’re going to need them.” He said with a playful grin plastered firmly over his face. He screamed something lost in the sounds of battle back inside to his siblings before looking back at Danny. “Hey, I thought you said you were leaving? Get going already!”

Great. I’m getting bossed around by ten year olds. Danny turned and nearly lost his footing as another earthshaking boom went through the valley floor. He glared lightly in the fight’s general direction before starting off in the direction he thought the Hover had been. You think Vlad would hold back on the…whatever it is he’s doing.

At the center of the chaos Vlad and his eldest son were giving the world’s finest ghost hunters a run for their money. He’d already destroyed a few air platforms they’d tried to set up, and while Daniel was busy dealing with the pesky jets still bombing the area, the faster boy had volunteered, so Vlad was blasting the levitating engines out from under the remaining platforms. The sooner I get these destroyed the better.

The platforms were a launch pad for the GSU’s small single person hover vehicles. And while a single one wasn’t anything to worry about, each platform could hold nearly 100 of them, and the GSU had brought ten platforms to the battle. They made for an annoying piece of machinery, and could overwhelm with sheer numbers. Worse, both the platforms and the flyers they carried, among other supplies, had been ghost proofed. While that didn’t make them indestructible, it meant it took a lot more fire power to destroy any one Levitator or platform than it should from the construction materials; at the very least with spectral energy creating the destructive power.

The result had Vlad using one of his most powerful attacks, not wanting to waste time or extra energy; he’d thrown a few well placed bright red lightning bolts into the platforms in the position to take several of them out with their failure.

The plan had moderate success, with one of the floating platforms already fallen, and another failing at that very moment. Unfortunately, the GSU had moved all of the remaining power in their shields to protect the remaining engines from further attacks. The shields were strong enough to blunt some of the damage away, and made it necessary to use more than one shot to take out a single engine. At the moment, they’d stabilized the third one from falling, and were launching their smaller single person crafts off of its bow.

Vlad cursed under his breath as the first wave of flyers made for his position. He didn’t have time for this nonsense. The group of craft zoomed towards his location before a large chunk of flying metal slammed into their formation. It took out half of the machines before ramming into the earth, straight into a contingent of troops on the ground, crushing several of the men beneath it. He looked over towards the area where the metal chunk had started from with interest. “What took you so long?” He questioned blasé in the face of the mounting chaos beneath him.

“Hey, next time you can take the baker’s dozen of fighter jets and I’ll throw energy attacks at the stationary targets.” Daniel flew to a stop next to his father, surveying the damage his last attack had done. For the last few minutes, he’d been out-maneuvering the pilots of the GSU’s Air Division. While they might have been the best fighter pilots in the country, nothing beat having the natural sense of flight that came with being able to do it yourself. They also had a much less responsive and larger system to work with, so he’d made quick work of the first three planes without breaking a sweat.

The next ten had come with more difficulty. The pilots suddenly woke up and remembered they could coordinate their attacks, and had done so. Using one group to try and pin down or herd him towards another group firing at him with bullets.

Not like that helped them all that much. Daniel noted smugly. He’d been able to pit them against one another, using their weapons to take out other planes, or just plain ran the jets into each other. Finally, with only two or three planes left, they had begun to retreat until more reinforcements arrived from the still disemboweling Air Ships. The hybrid had grabbed the closest plane and ripped a wing off, watching the now broken plane crash into the ground below. With a good piece of metal to work with, he’d tossed it back towards the main part of the battle, hoping to take out some more troops with it. The plan worked beautifully, the repurposed wing crashing into the first wave of Levitators like a freight train, before coming to a rest on top of some of the GSU’s ground troops.

“Yes how about that? I’ll scare off a bunch of incompetent GSU pilots and you can try and get past their level nine shields.” Vlad raised one of his own as a group of missiles from the platform closed in on his position. They exploded against the dark pink dome, not even making a dent, clouding the immediate area in near black choking smoke.

“Whatever. What do you say I take the ground troops and you blast some more easy targets?” Daniel offered setting his sights on a group of men trying to reinforce the troops already headed towards his mother. Without waiting for a response, he dove out of the smoke cloud and fired a few green blasts at the troops below.

“I thought you wanted the easy targets this time Daniel?” Vlad teased at his retreating form before taking stock of the situation around him. He looked behind him towards the edge of the fight where the RV was sitting. Good, the kids are safely inside and Danny is running over to help Jasmine. Though God knows why he hasn’t transformed yet. The smoke was clearing, and he needed to move now if he still wanted to use surprise to his advantage. He shot straight out of the remaining smoke headed for the advancing group of Levitators, wanting to cut them off before they reached any further into the valley.

Meanwhile, Daniel was hovering invisible over the group of men currently continuing to his mother’s position.

She was, as usual, single-handedly holding off a contingent of soldiers, but that was likely to change if the rest of the men heading towards her position got there.

Daniel frowned at the number of men rushing to her position, and decided to get a little creative. He hadn’t tried to use these powers on someone in months, and it hadn’t gone so well that last time, but at the very least it would delay the arrival of the newer GSU grunts. He closed his eyes and concentrated on sending his energy into the space around him. He would have to drop invisibility in a few more seconds, so he made use of the extra time to center his thoughts. The buzz of the humid summer air faded as the much larger signatures of the men below him took over. He mentally reached out for the warm thrum he felt coming from them, opting for the much more tired group of men already fighting his mother. Daniel took a deep breath and grabbed at the person shaped coalescence of water in his mind…

She’d been giving their opponent as much hell as she could when she felt something ice cold wrap around her body. She knew instinctively from years in the GSU that it was spectral energy; she just didn’t know where it was coming from. The oldest hybrid was engaged with the Levitators, the mysterious one they had tracked this far hadn’t even shown up, and 2nd Priority had disappeared from the battle after scaring the first wave of fighter jets back to base. Moreover, the energy felt like it was coming from inside her. But that’s impossible. She concluded, and tried to lift her gun to shake off the energy around her, only to find she couldn’t. Now panicking, she struggled to move her legs, shake her arms, to do anything but stand frozen stiff -when did I stopped moving-; to no avail. She shot a glance to the men next to her, her eyes the only thing she did have control over, and found him surrounded by a deep red aura. He was just as frozen in place as her, and from the look in his eyes, he had no idea what was going on either. Her mind went numb with fear as her limbs began moving of their own accord, hoisting her gun back into a shooting position from hanging limply at her side. To her dismay, the rest of her squad members did the same, falling into a single file line behind an outcropping of crates, backs turned to their original target. She had just enough time to pray her shots would miss, before everything went to hell.

The approaching group of fighters settled onto their haunches as a sudden volley of bright green fire halted their advance. “What the hell?” The commanding officer growled as another quick set of shots was fired towards their position. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were our own weapons firing at us. He looked towards his three o’clock where the Plasmius creature was tearing through their air support, before facing forward again. “Agent Q I need you to radio for more air support, I need some eyes over the back of that section of debris. I want to know what’s firing at us!” He screamed as several of his men were taken out by well placed shots. Abruptly, the firing stopped and a group of GSU soldiers rushed his position. He grimaced when they weren’t deterred by weapons’ fire, and ordered his remaining officers to shot to kill. If that red light is any indication they’re as good as dead anyway.

The last few minutes had been terrifying. Despite having no control over her actions, she’d fired into her own reinforcements and watched as several of her men were gunned down for refusing to follow orders. Worse, she had no sense of pain, so the injuries she was taking didn’t even slow her, or the other controlled GSU soldiers down. She finally reached the edge of the incoming line, and pinned the other commander below her. She had her blaster point directly at his skull, finger twitching over the trigger. It was taking everything she had to resist pulling it. She knew the man below her; they ate lunch together every day. She could hear his officers screaming for her to drop her weapon. If only they knew how much strength it took not to shot him…

“Sorry Kate, I’ll send your stuff to Jim when we get back.” He lifted his bazooka to her chest and squeezed the trigger, blasting a hole clean through to the other side. He shifted her corpse off of his body, and sent a fierce glare to the creature that had all but killed a good friend of his. “You’re dead you piece of spectral shit!” He raised his weapon, flicked it to full power, and sent a large green blast Daniel’s way.

Daniel had just enough time to register the power behind the attack before it closed on his position. He closed his eyes and teleported a few feet away, the blast had been close enough to singe him despite missing by a few feet. That was close… “Well someone looks a little upset.”

“Shut up you-”

“-Though if I were you,” Daniel interrupted, “I’d be more concerned with my original target.” Daniel watched as the commanding officer’s face scrunched into a confused frown before a hail of ecto-weapon blasts zipped into his group of men. He smirked as his mother dove back into the fight, easily routing the surprised and distracted GSU men, taking several more out before they could even re-group. “You’re welcome!” He screamed down at her when he saw her wave, before shooting off to take care of the new jets flying towards the valley from right over the edge of the mountains. And I was going to give Jasmine some help too. I hope that kid knows what he’s doing…

By this time Jasmine was almost finished loading up the Hercules Hover with the needed supplies. She wasn’t sure how they were going to get it out of the valley, someone would have to fly it, and with all the jets around that wasn’t advisable, but she trusted her father to figure it out. The majority of the GSU men had been occupied with chasing down either her parents or Daniel, considering they’d been making the most “noise”, but a few had come her way when they realized what she was up to. The red head was currently fighting off a new team of men, the other group having fallen to her sharp shooting and the shield around the Hover. This group, however, was proving more difficult to fight, and worse, there was another one coming up behind them. All in all, although she was nearly done with her task, she could use a little backup herself. Jasmine groaned as another one of her weapons signaled the batteries were running low. The majority of the replacements or chargers were already packed away, and she needed some guns to defend herself. “Come on Danny, the least you can do to make up for all of this is show up when I need you.” She didn’t blame the kid for not being so forthcoming with all of the details of his life. Despite the fact the GSU was the biggest threat to either of their lives, her family had in short order pointed enough weapons at him to give any sane person pause about sharing intimate life details. Like why you’re a half ghost or how you know who our parents are. She grimaced as she slid the last charged battery into place. Any time now…She thought firing a few volley shots over the top of crates she wasn’t planning on packing up. To her surprise, a much larger shot was fired in between both groups, shocking the GSU out of returning fire. “Took long enough!” She exclaimed as Danny settled in next to her.

“Yeah, you’re welcome.” He answered looking around behind him at the stuff scattered around the Hover. “How much more of that stuff do you need to pack?” He wanted to avoid fighting as much as possible, mostly because everyone around him was acting like this was a war zone, shooting to kill, tossing grenades, and everything betwixt. He risked a glance over the edge of the crates, and quickly ducked down when several large green blasts headed his way. He didn’t mind fighting; he spent most of his day at home stuffing ghosts into the Fenton Thermos, but the way everyone else was fighting had him worried. I’m not killing anyone. He determined. If he was honest, that seemed to be the only way to fight back against the GSU at the moment.

“Just two more crates, but they are back over the line where the soldiers have entrenched themselves. I need you to force them back so I can get those crates and we can get out of here.” She explained while firing two more shots over his shoulder.

“Hey! Watch where you aim that thing.” Danny complained while rubbing at the warm spot in between his neck and shoulder where the energy had zipped though. He passed one more glance over the crates, to gage the closeness of the GSU line, before turning back around to Jasmine. He caught her eye and counted back from ten on his hands, mouthing off each number as he went.

Three…a blast took out the top half of the crate.

Two…Danny turned to block any other incoming attacks, shielding Jasmine with his body.

One…Jasmine turned and ran for the safety of another set of boxes, the one they’d been standing behind of had been completely destroyed.

“Ma’am, the mysterious hybrid has just appeared on our radar!” Jillian heard squawk out of her radio. She halted her groups advance with a hand over her shoulder and pressed a button on the radio integrated into her lapel. “Where is it?” She demanded harshly into the hi-tech walkie talkie. “It appeared over in the northern quadrant, next to where the troops were engaging Jasmine Fenton.” The second in command mulled over the information for a few moments longer before turning to motion her men towards the mystery hybrid’s position. They needed to capture him most of all. While the other hybrids were on record, at the very least they knew how they came to exist, that one’s appearance was more than a slight crimp in their knowledge base. Jillian turned to follow her men over to the area when a voice caught her attention above the din of the battle. Interesting…I’m sure my men can handle the girl while I worry about her mother.

The former ghost hunter was making progress against her section of the GSU troops. She’d already taken out several of their Levitators, and a few dozen troops on her own. Unfortunately, it looked like they’d come prepared for Armageddon this time, so no matter how many troops she knocked down, it seemed like five more showed up to replace them. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out her retractable bo-staff, medium sized ecto-gun balanced in her left hand. Luckily enough, she shot with her off-hand almost as well as with her dominant hand. She popped three approaching GSU soldiers in the chest before depressing the button to extend her favorite melee weapon. Come to momma boys. Maddie slung her gun onto her hip before griping the staff in both hands, ready to whip it around into a few skulls. To her surprise, her opponents had stopped advancing, eyeing her with a wary expression on their faces. She took the reprieve to spy her husband and eldest son. Vlad’s keeping the majority of the Levitators at bay and Daniel is fighting off another squadron of jets. I hope Jasmine’s almost done. She settled into her stance and eyed the still stalled GSU drones. Suddenly, the reason for their hesitation became clear. “Oh, so what happened to last time has gotten around has it? Well don’t worry; I’ll be gentler this time.” She leaned off of her heels and onto the balls of her feet, ready to spring at the first person who twitched wrong. Someone to her left wriggled, shifting to reach for another weapon, so she took a step in that direction and swung…

He hadn’t meant to set off the virtual martial arts bomb in their midst, but all it took was one twitch and they were as good as bruised in any case. He’d reached for a knock out grenade, hoping to end the fight before it started, only to have it inadvertently begin.

She’d knocked out two of the people standing around her before they could even raise their guns. To even the odds, she’d planted her staff into the earth and catapulted herself over the top of the circle, being surrounded would make the fight much harder. A few of the fighters had woken up and fired a shot or two in her direction in the air, but she’d already nearly landed by then. She landed on one leg, and pivoted, settled her other leg into the ground right when her weapon made contact for full effect. She heard a satisfying crack, as the soldier’s firing arm was taken out, and moved into a defensive stance. Everyone had recovered from her first strike by then, and turned to fire at her. The shots bounced off of her reinforced ecto-steel staff as she twirled it to make a shield against the blasts. Maddie dived forward during a slight break in the firing pattern and caught one closest GSU member under the chin. She turned and used the other end to smash the person closest to him in the gut, before twisting to catch a final person across the back of the neck, knocking her out instantly.

Six down, six more to go. She thought determination reading in her every feature. The mother of five was back on the defensive, easily deflecting the blasts off her weapon, sending several back to the men who were firing. Opting to use their weapons’ fire against them further, she concentrated on reflecting the blasts back towards their targets. Four blasts zipped back to their sources, and she was left with only the commanding officer and one of his underlings. The brazen girl rushed at Maddie, baton from her belt raised to counter her staff. The former hunter effortless parried and disarmed the soldier in one move before catching the back of her skull behind her ear with the other end of her weapon. Her opponent crumpled to the ground in an unconscious heap while she faced off against the commander. At the last second she sensed a blast headed for her back. She twisted out of the way and the shot slammed into the officer’s chest instead of hitting her. She continued through the motion, drawing her gun off of her opposite hip, pressing it to full power, using the heavy staff to balance her shift in motion.

“Maddie.” A cold calm voice rang through the sounds of battle. The world around her had faded away ages ago to her. Almost as soon as she’d seen the other woman fighting, the rest of the world no longer mattered. She held her weapon solidly pointed at the chest of her opponent, willing the woman to so much as blink so she could fire.

“Jillian. How long has it been?” She inquired gun pointed directly over the other woman’s heart, staff still balanced in her right hand.

“Too long Madeline, too long.”

Nate and Nick watched with a grin on their faces while the GSU surrounding the RV tried to break through the shield, this time with a rocket launcher. The projectile bounced off of the shield; detonating only a few tenths of a second after that. The grunts outside tried to send several grenades at the shield at once. This only earned a loss of more ammunition and a set of rolled eyes from the twins.

“You’d think they’d stop trying by now, and go reinforce somewhere else where they can actually make a difference.” Nick noted pressing his face against the glass to distort it into a funny taunting face.

“Yeah maybe, or maybe these are all of the rejects that are too stupid to be of any use anywhere else.” Nate watched in muted humor as another rocket was sent into the shield. It also deflected off the shield and exploded; he passed a glance to the power panel for the shield. Still 100%. This is so boring.

Nick pulled his face away from the glass long enough to say, “Whatever, I just wish everyone else would hurry up. I’m sick of sitting around doing nothing. Hey, doesn’t this thing have cameras?” He moved away from the glass as another grenade hit and walked over to another set of panels at the front of the RV.

“Yeah? But so what?” Nate asked while joining his brother in the front seat. The front of the RV looked a lot more like high tech monitoring station and less like a car.

“Because then we can send out the cameras, and see how close everyone else is to getting their butts back over here.” Nick depressed a few buttons on the largest control panel, in no particular order, trying to get the set of mobile cameras to release. He was only rewarded with the windshield wipers turning on, followed by the headlights, and then the weapon’s system coming online.

“Wait stop!” His brother screamed when the weapons highlighted on the main display screen in front of him. He scrunched up his face in concentration trying to pick out what he wanted. He thought the cameras might be in this section of the computer.

Nick caught onto the other boy’s antics, but instead selected a pair of large missiles. “How about these?” he offered while pressing down on the touch screen.

Rocket Launchers activated. A computerized voice said from the console in front of them before two medium sized rockets shot from the top of the RV. The projectiles flew through the shield and directly into the midst of the surrounding GSU. The flying bombs had the designed effect, quickly blasting and throwing earth out of the way of their detonation. GSU soldiers dove left and right out of the blast zone.

“Oops. I didn’t think the screens were that sensitive.”

“Whatever. Let’s find those cameras before those GSU dorks recover.” Nate responded hitting another set of commands into the control panel. The weapons section shut down and was replaced by the communications section. That was swiftly followed by the espionage section, filled with hacker’s codes and eavesdropping technology, as the boys clicked through the RV’s systems.

“Wouldn’t the mobill cameras be with the spy stuff?” Lizzie offered from the mid-section of the RV.

“Hey great idea!” the twins enthusiastically answered before switching back over to the “spy” section to look for the mentioned equipment. In a flash, they had zeroed in on the flying recorders.

They popped out of the top of the RV, floating for a second as the video processors came online, before racing off onto the rest of the battlefield.

“You think four of those things will be enough?”

Nate frowned over his brother’s question before answering, “Yeah why wouldn’t it be?”

“What if some of them blow up?” Lizzie suggested.

The twins shared a look before watching the cameras fly off towards the platforms at the other end of the valley. They started broadcasting their findings back to the RV’s display system. The intensity of the fighting wiped any worry of destroyed property from the kids’ minds.

“Yeah whatever, just as long as they last long enough to show us what’s going on I don’t care…Hey look! There’s mom.” Nate pointed to the screen, where the second of four cameras had pinpointed one of the main fights.

Maddie shifted to the left, settling her feet and centering herself for the battle ahead. In that instant, the fight had begun. She continued the motion, sliding to the left to avoid the ecto-weapon fire heading her direction. The green blast soared past her where her shoulder had been as she returned fire, to keep her opponent on their toes. She knew from experience Jillian was too fast and smart to be pinned with energy attacks, even from close range, but it did give the other woman something else to break her concentration, and for that she was grateful. Jill was one of the few people Maddie had ever fought that was actually a challenge, and with nearly a half an hour of intense fighting under her belt already, she needed the extra edge the distracting fire provided.

Jill cart wheeled to the right, out of the range of the coming bright green blasts before reaching back and taking out another weapon. The second in command knew that while her adversary was a good shot, though not an ace unlike herself, she preferred melee combat against human opponents. Worse, she was one of the best at it; so her greatest chance came in making her keep her distance and using her superior shooting skills to her advantage. Better than that, she had back-up all around her, so all she had to do was hem her into another group of GSU and the fight would be over. However, that’s easier said than done. Jillian concluded as another of her well-aimed shots deflected off of Maddie’s staff. The other woman had taken to blocking her shots with one hand and shooting her own with the other. Damn it…It was time for a change of tactics.

The former ghost hunter narrowed her eyes and charged her opponent’s position, wanting to close some of the distance that had developed between them. Space only served to give Jill an advantage since it made using her bo-staff for anything but blocking impossible. Her feet bite into the dirt, and she deflected several shots as she charged. She quickly cut the length of space between them in half. Dodging around another fiery green shot she couldn’t deflect, Maddie slid into a fighting stance that would more easily take advantage of her greater melee skills. Her eyes narrowed when she caught her opponent raise her other hand to fire and chose to block the burning hot blast with her own gun, sacrificing it to avoid giving up ground. She swirled her staff around her body to give it a good amount of force, and slammed it into Jillian’s arm, knocking her un-raised weapon clean out of her hand.

Cursing and bring her unharmed arm to bare, Jillian fired a series of shots on the run, already twisting away and to the right to avoid being hit by the staff a second time. She watched Maddie hiss as a shot grazed her shoulder at close range and another barely missed her left thigh. Her opponent rolled and bounced back into a defensive stance, ready to avoid anymore coming ecto-weapons fire. The blonde woman steadied herself for the rest of the fight, watching her foe closely as she took stock of her injuries. Some small bruises and burns from close calls. But the main problem is that hit to the arm, I think she may have fractured my forearm with that one, but I know for sure my wrist is broken. Jill frowned as the new information flitted across her mind. A fractured forearm was no big deal, she could set and stabilize it in a few minutes if given the reprieve during battle, but a broken wrist would take that entire side out of commission when it came to weapons wielding. It wasn’t like she was in poor shape there, she could shoot equally well with both hands, but she’d rather have two guns to point at Maddie than one. She passed a glanced around the space immediately around her; the area where they were fighting was conspicuously empty. A look to the sky answered her question why, when she spotted both of the oldest hybrids giving the troops closest to them hell. Looks like 2nd Priority finished with those jets again, my time is almost up. Her troops would need reinforcement and her guidance soon, she didn’t have time to waste on this fight for much longer. Why isn’t she attacking? Jill wondered before bringing up her remaining gun to restart their clash.

Maddie for her part had taken the few seconds pause to take mental stock of her family’s positions. Vlad, fighting off the last of the Levitators, and he’s knocked down another Platform. Daniel’s giving him some help with the ground troops. From the sound of it the twins and Lizzie are safe inside the RV. So that leaves Jasmine…Her thoughts trailed off as her wrist began to ache and throb. She hadn’t taken the shot directly, but having the gun wrenched out of her hand like that still hurt. Despite that, it was likely only a bad sprain, and she needed to focus if she was going to keep the other woman so tied up that she couldn’t help the other GSU fight. She took a deep breath when she saw Jillian raise her gun; it would be harder to use her staff with a stiff and sore wrist, but she’d manage. She blocked the first shot, and the fight resumed.

The GSU officer backed away from Maddie’s approaching form, running backwards nearly as fast as she could forward, to preserve the space needed to keep her weapon’s fire effective. She decided to move the fight closer to the rest of her men; so she spun on her heel and raced towards the rest of the soldiers, opting to show her opponent her back to make up for it in speed. Jill heard the other woman scream something from over her shoulder and dropped to the side with just enough time to avoid the blast. It sailed uselessly to her left, not even singing her clothing. She stopped and refaced Maddie, having gained a nearly fifty yards with her short sprint. Still, it wasn’t close enough to draw the attention of her subordinates or to really close in on the other fight, so she was on her own. Ok, you want hand to hand combat honey? You got it. Jill decided before rushing the other woman’s position full speed.

Startled by the abrupt change in tactics, Maddie skidded to a stop as Jill closed the last of the space between them. She had just enough time to plant her feet before a solid punch was sent her way. She blocked it with the middle of her staff and pressed her advantage, moving the staff to the other side of her arm and pushing it away, hoping to throw the other woman off balance. To no avail, as Jillian only moved with the parry, grasped a hold of the staff, and brought one of her legs up for a body shoot against her. Thrown off balance she had no way of blocking the attack. To compensate, she rolled with the kick, reducing some of the effect by following the motion.

The two of them, still conjoined by their hold on the staff, rolled to the right landing back on their feet, staff still in hand. They fought over control briefly before it landed level between them both around chest level.

Jill glared over the top of staff and into the auburn haired woman’s eyes. “Give it up sweetie; I’ve got five years of youth and ten years of expert training on you.” She hissed as the weapon was twisted from her grasp, arms crossing uncomfortably, when Maddie flipped to the left still holding the staff. The ghost hunter settled back into an offensive stance and prepared to charge her again. I have to get that staff out of her hands. The GSU officer raced forward once again, only this time she stopped on a dime, avoiding the other woman’s attack. She ducked underneath it, crossing into the space between her body and the staff, and destroying her weapon’s defensive capabilities. She placed as much force as she could behind her next attack, bringing her elbow across into the now open space, and heading directly for Maddie’s head. She nearly screamed in frustration as the woman before her dropped back; falling down onto her back as the blow meant for her temple sailed cleanly through the air. Jill grunted as her opponent’s feet planted against her unguarded stomach, leaving her breathless, and tossing her a few feet away onto her back.

Maddie continued through the motion, flipping back onto her feet, using her hands to help back hand spring back into a standing position. She’s barely landed before she was taking off fleet footed for the last place she’d seen the other woman land, trying to press her advantage to the fullest. She landed on top of the still prone woman, pressing the staff into her neck as she struggled with her on the ground. “Dear, if you’ve been trained by the GSU for ten years it might explain a few things, though certainly not the crows’ feet, and you were calling me old. Come on hun, are these digs really necessary? Or maybe you’re just still upset about Amity four years ago.”

“Shut it Madeline. You know as well as I do that this,” Jill paused to press her palms against the staff with more gusto, forcing the other woman back into a sitting position over her, “is all your fault.” She grit her teeth and planted her feet into the earth, forcing Maddie off of her. “If only you realized what you had, then none of this would be necessary.” The second in command rolled to the left, listening to the whistle of the staff as it stung the dirt where she had just been laying. The next attack came quickly, and the one after that with even more speed. Oh she’s pissed now. She realized with glee.

“This is not my fault. I’m not responsible for how Jack chooses to take things, nor am I responsible for his obsession with killing every ghost he comes across.” Maddie whipped the staff around once more, one handed, as she reached for another weapon, this time an ecto-gun. She openly glared into the space her opponent left in the wake of her expert dodging. If only she would stand still long enough to land a hit, she’d show her what she really thought about her baseless assertions. “Besides, I’d say your dislike of me is more personal. What’s the matter honey? He still not biting after all these years?” She asked aiming the small ecto-gun at Jill’s constantly moving form.

“Oh and I have you to blame for it, if that’s what I was actually after. Congratulations, between your own children and my commanding officer it seems you have a knack for creating monsters.” She cheered internally as the other woman’s face flushed darker with anger and defensive pride. “Oh but don’t take my word for it, sweetheart, just take a look around you. Most mothers would be terrified and disgusted by the thought they gave birth to something non-human but apparently, just like with Jack, you relish the idea of making something so perverted. I mean honestly, I don’t know what’s more disturbing. The fact you left a good man for a heartless twisted inhuman monster, or the fact you weren’t satisfied until the man you left was just like him.” Jill screamed as a well aimed blast caught her along her already injured forearm.

“Shut the hell up.” Maddie closed in on her injured quarry, ready to end this fight right then. There was one thing she couldn’t stand, and that was anyone talking about her family. Just as the gun whined and whirled, ready to blast a hole clear through her opponent’s skull, the air began to buzz. She gasped as the space around her filled up with energy she could recognize in her sleep. There was a subtle red hue in the air wrapped around what she realized was the humidity in the atmosphere around her. Maddie snapped her head around to where she heard a large rush of water coming from. Daniel! She only took her attention off of her opponent for a moment, but that’s all it took…

Jillian rushed the other woman standing over her the instant she took her focus off of her. She reached up and grabbed the gun pointed at her, and began struggling with her for it, trying to at least throw the older woman off balance. She succeeded in firing off a few shots in the fight over the weapon before she noticed what had distracted Maddie so effectively herself. There was a veritable twister of water headed for the last of their floating platforms! The red tinged water moved like a natural water spout, building as it went; adding water to its size from seemingly nowhere. Jill refocused her attention on her opponent only to find her more interested in the sky near the quickly growing twisting wall of water. What are you looking for? The ghost hunter wondered as she wrenched the gun away from Maddie’s body. Jillian watched as the older woman withdrew another of her weapons and pointed it up towards her. Too slow…She was about to fire, when at the last moment; she spotted what Maddie had been searching for. Is that what you were so concerned about? She realized with a piece of wicked intent coiling in her belly. She’d take care of him after his mother.

The two of them stood stock still in a reoccurrence of the Mexican stand-off from before, with each of them now more interested in the water raging now only a few hundred yards away than each other.

Jill waited for the woman in front of her to shift her attention back towards the teenaged ghost floating not too far off, before she made her move. She fired a blast that forced Maddie to block with her staff and retreat as well. “Boys, that’s 2nd Priority making that attack, shot him out of the sky!” She barely had enough time to send that command through her communications link before she was tackled to the ground. And from the look in the mother’s eyes, she’d just made a command she’d be paying for in blood.

Across the valley, Jasmine had just loaded the first of the last two needed crates into the Hover. Unfortunately, her back up was having trouble fighting off the GSU grunts at the moment. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t strong enough to make a dent, it just seemed to her that Danny was holding back for some reason. It’s like he actually cares what happens to these bastards. You would think being shot at and nearly killed three times in two days would convince him to stop pulling his punches. Jasmine ducked behind another set of boxes, just feet from her final goal. She just needed to move forward a just a little more, and for once it looked like luck was on her side; Danny had forced the soldiers back a just enough to make sneaking to the last box possible. Let’s just hope he can keep them up there. She catapulted over the top of the boxes; her landing blending effortlessly into a hard sprint. The red haired girl wrapped her hands around the outside of the crate and hoisted it up preparing to race with it back to the Hover when something caught her eye and her ears.

The same twisting wall of water that had caught Maddie and Jill’s attention had now grown to twice its original size. The roar it was creating was audible over even the loud blasts and explosions of the raging battle around the valley floor. Several groups of GSU men had stopped to gaze at it in a combination of awe and fear as the water barreled towards the last of the floating platforms and the rest of their backup.

Jasmine managed to put the ghost hunter’s distraction to good use; running right past the stock still officers and back towards the Hover; already having discerned the origin of the impressive sight. I hope you know what you’re doing little brother. She saddled up to the door of the Hercules beetle shaped flying tank and hopped inside to set the last of the crates inside when she heard something rather large slam into the outside of the shield.

“You almost done in there?” A frantic voice shouted from the other side.

“That’s the last of it! I just need to signal that I’m done, and you can escort me back to the RV.” Jasmine stuck her head back out of the door to answer before doing a last check of the inside of the vehicle to be absolutely sure she had everything she needed. With a decisive nod, she stepped out of the Hover and turned to shout for Danny to take her back…only to spot Daniel being shot out of the sky. “NO!” Without even thinking about it; she dove back inside the flying contraption for a weapon.

“What?” Danny questioned pressing himself back against the shield. His lack of ability to pass through them was beginning to wear on his nerves.

The eldest Masters’ sibling stopped in her tracks and turned back around to the still open Hover door. “Danny! Those GSU bastards just hit Daniel with a huge blast. I can’t get to him as quickly as you can. I need you to go over there and give him some back up.”

“But what about you? There are agents everywhere!” Danny sent another medium sized ecto-blast into the charging line of GSU men, trying to wave them off a few moments more.

“I’ll be safe behind the shield. I’ll wait until you get back with my brother, now go already!” Jasmine huffed and pointed back towards the forested area of the valley where she’d seen her brother land.

Danny was about to argue otherwise when several more large ecto-weapons blasts bounced off the shield effortlessly. “Alright! But I’m coming back here right after that…” He conceded with a frown; heading as fast as he could fly towards Daniel’s likely crash site.

Wow my head hurts. I mean, I’m sure it didn’t hurt this much a few minutes ago, when I…when I was…um…what was I doing actually? Daniel wondered holding his still whirling head in one hand while pushing himself into a sitting position with the other. A moderate sized boom snapped him out of his dazed revere as he remembered the battle at hand. The teenaged hybrid hissed as he forced himself into standing. His middle felt like it was on fire. Bruised, badly, but nothing that’ll kill me. My head is scraped up pretty bad, but no fractures…and I’m just about out of energy. Great. By the time Daniel finished taking stock of his internal injuries and reopened his eyes he found himself encircled by at least 15 GSU soldiers. No I’m wrong, it��s fantastic. “So, I’m guessing you’re not here to play field medic?”

“2nd Priority ecto-entity Daniel Masters, you are under arrest by order of the Government Spectral Unit Field Branch. You have the right to submit quietly and to avoid most pain and discomfort.” The acting ranking commander declared with a self indulgent smile planted firmly on his lips.

“Might I suggest instead, you all taking a stroll through Hades? I hear it’s wonderful this tim-” the rest of his sentence was cut short by jumping to the right of the first of a flurry of blasts. The ghost powered teen tried to rush through the line of men and into the bushes directly on the other side. To no avail, the three men immediately in his path shouldered together and were able to withstand even his ghost strength enhanced attempt to tackle through them. Before he knew it, they’d thrown him back onto the center of the circle where he was forced to erect a hasty green toned shield. Oh this is not good…Daniel panted under the strain of keeping the shield up against the constant weapons’ fire.

Suddenly, one of the low ranked underpaid grunts got an idea. He lobbed a grenade from his belt towards the ghost hybrid in the middle of their group. “Fire in the hole!” he cried as he and his comrades dove out of the way of the resulting explosion and for cover. The grenade had been primarily designed to harm ghosts, but a small amount of the raw blow back from the blast was still dangerous to humans.

The last of Daniel’s strength gave out under the assault of the ectoranium laced explosive and his shield fell with a loud crack like the shattering of a dozen mirrors. His head spun with renewed vigor as the exertion only exasperated what was likely a bad concussion. Hs formerly pain glazed eyes hardened diamond sharp; turning icy at the sight of the barrel of the gun pointing right at his forehead.

“I gave you an opportunity to come quietly ghost. Now, according to every procedure, I’m authorized to use any force necessary to subdue you. And, well, you are the second most dangerous ghost in existence.” The acting commander hissed out with a sadistic grin, as deadly as the weapon he welded, on his face. “I’m thinking I should take out your legs first. You know,” he paused to laugh, “in case it tries to run again.” He addressed the rest of the sentence to the men around him. He pointed the gun down towards his newest target, the ecto-entity’s right leg. “Now, let’s see if your blood really is green like the rest of your-” A pained cry cut off the rest of his sentence as he, and some of his men, was tossed half a dozen feet from in front of the hybrid.

Before anyone could react, someone flew down into the center of the circle, and another much brighter green ecto-shield went up around Daniel. “Looks like you could use some help.” Danny suggested hand out in a perfect mirror of the other hybrid a few hours ago.

“Wow. Anyone ever tell you that you have perfect timing?” Daniel pondered with a grunt as he struggled his way to his feet with Danny’s help. He leaned over trying to catch his breath, hands placed firmly on his knees. The sound of his tired pants was so loud he almost missed the other boy’s question. “I’m fine. I’ve just been fighting too much today. I mean I think I killed about 20 jets, a couple dozen ground troops. I even took out a tank earlier back at the mansion. I’m bushed!” He paused to catch his breath and center his thoughts. I need to summon up enough energy to fight a little while longer. Then I can collapse for at least a week. The weakened fighter heard Danny’s voice again above the ringing in his ears. “I’ll be fine just give me a minute or so to make some more energy and we can get back to kicking these losers back to Mordor. Cool?” Daniel transformed and ignored the jag of pain shooting through his chest. He didn’t really listen to the other hybrid’s reply having turned his focus to the process of temporarily increasing his core’s energy production.

Danny for his part concentrated on maintaining the shield against the barrage of attacks the soldiers were now lobbing at it. He had a lot more energy than his other worldly twin, however, so the task was much easier than it had been for him. Still, the GSU members seemed to be signaling for back-up and with another group of nearly a dozen soldiers having just arrived Danny wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up. “Hey I hate to break your concentration or something, but how much longer is this going to take?” I’ve been asking that a lot lately… Another dozen shots slammed into his shield before the halfa had even finished his sentence forcing him to refocus his attention to holding up the shield.

“Just another few minutes…I’m more drained than I thought.” Daniel distractedly answered. “Just make the radius of the shield smaller.” He concluded simply before working on gathering the last of his energy up for the rest of the battle.

“Oh yeah sure; I’ll just do that while two dozen Guys in White rejects continue to throw bombs and shots at us. Yeah that’s no problem at all.” Danny replied with the tone of someone rolling their eyes.

“God and my family calls me sarcastic. Ok wise guy I’m finished.” Daniel took one more deep breath before opening his eyes and preparing to fly off at top speed. He glanced over the tree tops and spotted a bright red flare glowing off towards the main part of the battle. “Hey,” he elbowed the other boy in the ribs to get his attention. “That flare is from Jasmine. It means the Hover’s ready, so that’s where we’re headed after we lose these guys. So on the count of three drop the shield and get over there as fast as you can.”

“You know, I’ve been taking orders from people like my age or younger all day, and I can honestly say I’m getting sick of it.” Danny chanced a moment to act childish and lighten the mood by sticking out his tongue at the other hybrid inside the shield.

“Yeah, well Rule Three remember? In case of a battle, I’m in charge. So get used to it.” Daniel tossed back. He passed a look over his shoulder at Danny and started counting down until he caught sight of a large missile headed for their position. “Never mind! Just go now!” he ordered surging as fast as he could away from his last position.

Danny quickly followed suit, zooming away in close to the opposite direction even faster to avoid being turned into spectral slag. He looked back just as the missile rammed into the earth several hundred yards away from his current position, searing the ground and his retreating form with the heat. Woah that was close! Good thing he spotted that bomb before we got turned into burnt up pancakes. “Hey Daniel!” He called into the settling air around the blast zone.

“Over here,” he responded with a small blue flare to cut through the still kicked up dust. He surveyed the events of the rest of the battle with a critical eye. The twins and Lizzie are still inside the RV messing around with things. Well as long as they don’t get out it’ll be fine. Jasmine is surround inside the Hover, but the shield is stable, no need to rush off there right at the moment. Mother is…is that Jillian Castle? Oh I’m definitely leaving that alone. And father finished off all but one of the platforms, but it looks like the first round of tanks are just about through the edge of the forest leading to the valley floor. We need to leave.

“So, how about we go rescue Jazz from being stuck inside that shield?” Danny asked while settling next to his pensive looking doppelganger. When that didn’t seem to get his attention, he floated in front of him. “Hey dude, are you still in there?” the time traveling teen crossed his arms in frustration.

“Yes I hear you; give me a second. I’m trying to figure out the easiest way to get Jasmine back to the RV safely. Oh and she abhors being called ‘Jazz’ so don’t do it around her.”

“Oh yes your majesty.” Danny rolled his eyes and continued, “Dude why don’t we just swoop in, grab her, and fly her back to the RV? That’s simple-”

“-And probably going to get her killed.” Daniel interrupted. “As soon as we fly over there, every GSU fighter wannabe is going to fire at us, and if you thought it was hard before, it’ll be impossible after that.” He frowned and looked directly at the other ghost powered teen, “so unless you’d like to offer yourself up as bait-”

“Is that all? No problem, so let’s get over there!” At the surprised and skeptical look he was receiving from the other boy he explained further. “Dude I’m one of the fastest most agile ghosts I know. Trust me; if they can hit me then I deserve it. Now let’s go!” Not wanting to waste another moment, Danny shot towards the Hover’s position like a piece of black streaked lightening.

Daniel sighed and charged after him, hoping to cut him off before he did anything especially stupid or dangerous. And considering this entire situation is his fault to begin with, I likely have no idea the depths he can sink to. He caught up with Danny just as the top of the Hover’s shield came into view. The fact the other teen was still floating around the outside of the shield, dodging weapons’ fire, surprised him until he remembered the shield technology’s newest feature. Daniel stopped next to the other ghost powered teen above the very top of the dome. “Hey you keep them busy while I go grab Jasmine. I mean, since you volunteered to be the bait and everything, I’m sure you don’t mind holding the fort.” With that said he dived inside the shield and landed in front of the opening to the Hercules Hover. “So need a lift?”

“Thanks, but I’m more concerned with how Dad is going to-Dad!” Jasmine cut herself off as a large pink blast threw the line of advancing GSU men back over 100 feet. She bounded out of the craft and to the edge of the shield, trying to get a better look.

“Saw your flare, and figured it was about time I made an appearance. Is everything ready to go?” He said through the energy wall of the shield, eyes warily searching the area for any sign of enemy combatants.

Jasmine smiled and thumbed over her shoulder in the direction of the open hovercraft. “Yeah we just need to move it. I’m not sure how that’s going to happen though, with all of the jets and soldiers everywhere.” She leaned around his floating form when she saw a bright green flash go off. Oh, well at least he’s being useful. I’d expect him to be completely freaked out by now. Where did he learn to fight? She wondered before refocusing on her father drifting through the shield and landing on one side of the Hover.

“Daniel and I are going to teleport it. Now the shield is going to disappear with it, so be ready to defend yourself when that happens. Also, Danny,” he paused and raised his volume to get the other halfa’s attention. “I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but defend Jasmine. We’ll only be otherwise occupied for a few minutes, but plenty can happen in that time.” Vlad ended his warning by placing his hands on the Hover. “Ready Daniel?”

“As I’ll ever be.” He replied while watching his sister step out of the protection of the energy shield, gun in hand. Be careful. He thought before placing his palms against the cool smooth metal and concentrating…

You know, I’m beginning to think offering to be the distraction/bait/ghost hunter sacrifice wasn’t the best of ideas. In fact, I’m not sure what possessed me to volunteer to be the living ecto-weapons’ fire “pin” cushion. Danny dodged another in the increasing volley of GSU green colored blasts. It was getting harder for even him to avoid the shots, but stopping and erecting even a small shield would only make himself a bigger and more easily fatigued target. He glanced down to where his sister was fighting through the horde of men with expert marksman like shots. Oh yeah definitely bizarro world. He concluded after getting a chance to see her much improved aim in action. He risked another fleeting look away from the battle at hand to the pair working behind him. Ok their energy is all around the flying metal bug thing, so they should be done in a minute or two. Not so bad…

Just then the Hover, ghost hybrids and all, dissipated into a puff of red smoke. The shield disappeared only tenths of a second afterwards, leaving Danny and Jasmine alone in wake of the Hover’s departure.

Danny took his mind off the battle for only a second, distracted by the teleportation, but it only took that much for him to miss a shot heading straight for Jasmine on the ground. The sound of her pained and surprised cry was what got his attention. “Jazz! Hold on I’m coming.” He shot down towards her like a rocket, stopping just in front of her and creating an ecto-shield large enough for them both. “Hey are you alright?” the younger halfa asked gritting his teeth against the rapid patter of the attacks against his shield.

“I’ll be fine.” The other girl hissed back at him through her pain. “Just give me a sec to wrap this up and I’ll be back to the blasting action.” She tore through a strip of fabric on the ruined sleeve of her injured arm, making a quick tourniquet. Other than a slight tremor from the pain, her arm was otherwise still useable. Good. She concluded before setting the second ecto-gun back onto her injured side and standing up behind Danny. The red haired girl began to take stock of new situation when a ripple went through her system. They were about to be completely surrounded, and worse, she couldn’t really shoot as well on her right side now.

“Hey Jazz do me a favor.” Danny stated while lowering his arms and taking a deep breath.

“Sure thing if you don’t call me Jazz ever again.” She replied with a slight scowl in her tone.

“Stand behind me, and cover your ears.” He planted his feet and deepened his stance, he didn’t really have the room to go anywhere else, and this attack had a habit of throwing him backwards if he didn’t really brace himself. Danny took one final deep lung filling breath, closed his eyes, and…

If she had been thinking of keeping her arms up in favor of defending herself when Danny’s shield dropped, that thought left her mind immediately after his attack started. Even behind him, where the sound was at its least powerful, it was overwhelming. Jasmine dropped to her knees behind him; trying to bury her ears in a combination of her hair and hands to block out even more of the sound. It was so loud she couldn’t even think. She opened her eyes and was suddenly glad to be on the ground already, since the whole of it looked to be waving back and forth in time with the bright green waves of piercing howling sound pouring from Danny’s mouth. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand another second, he stopped and bent over panting with his hands on his knees. She saw his transformation rings start up before they fizzled out. Her ears were still ringing, but even so the silence was palatable. “What was that?” She shrieked at him, still nearly deaf from the attack.

“Ouch! My ears still work you know?” Danny complained while rubbing the one that had been closest to her auditory assault. “You like it? I call it my Ghostly Wail. That thing will demolish anything.” He stood back up and surveyed the damage. Well the first few rows are definitely down for the count; their equipment too. The closest troops to us look too shell shocked to do much but lay there for the next couple minutes and the ones across the valley will take a good while to get to us, which is perfect because we are heading to the RV.

Jasmine flit her eyes over the prone men and women of the GSU with a small smirk. “Well it certainly packs one hell of a punch, but I don’t suppose you can do that more than once or in the air can you?” She sighed when he shook his head, and noticed the much dimmer glow around his ghost form. “Well let’s get-”

“Macaroons! What in the world did you two do? We were only gone a minute or so…” Vlad trailed off as he took in the destruction of the area around the two teens.

“Wasn’t me. Danny did this sound attack thing, and it was like a ghost powered freight train. It just knocked them out.” Jasmine shrugged her shoulders and clipped her gun back onto her belt.

“Oh yeah, it’s like my trump card; it’s destructive, could cause a bunch of collateral damage, but it never fails to get rid of whatever I’m fighting. Hey wait,” Danny scrunched up his face as he eyed another very Vlad looking ghost a little farther off. “How long have you had a duplicate over there fighting?”

“Since I started trying to teleport the Hover with Daniel. I needed to keep-” the rest of Vlad’s sentence was lost in the slew of spectral grenades carpeting the area and bouncing off his hastily created shield.

“So there’s the real you Plasmius. I’d wondered what hole you’d slithered off into.” A deep voice mocked from a vantage a little above the protected group.

“What’s the matter?” Vlad asked as his recently destroyed duplicate dissolved back into his system, bringing its memories along with it. “Feeling a little neglected Jack?” He asked sending a tone of mock concern back.

Jack sent out a low whistle and shifted on the Levitator to get a better shot at the creature below. “Oh little ole’ me? Why ever would I feel lonely when you have the family you stole from me? I-could you all hold on a moment, I’m trying to fix these G-bombs onto your spectral energy signatures, and you just keep moving around. Naughty little ghosts. How am I supposed to kill you if you don’t stand still?” The Head Commander finished his ramble with some more fiddling on his supersized weapon. “Ah right there it goes, now where was I?” He questioned rhetorically as he took aim in the general direction of the group below him. “Oh that’s right I was explaining how I’m not lonely, because I’m not you see, I’m actually just furious, you know for the life destroying and all, but I’m not lonely; I have all my soldiers to keep me company.” Jack flicked a button on the top of the weapon to take off the safety.

“You kids head back to the RV; I’ll take care of Jack.” Vlad ordered while waving them back towards the defended vehicle’s position.

“But father, I can help-” Daniel barely finished the sentiment before staggering to the left when he tried to take a step forward.

“You’re exhausted. You can help me by staying out of this and getting your butt back to safety. Thanks for your help with the Hover earlier, but I’ve got this one on my own.” He sent a light glare in the kids’ direction when they looked ready to protest, and an especially large one in the more rebellious Danny’s direction. “And don’t tell me you’re not tired either Danny, that last attack wiped you out. Just…do as I ask alright?” He didn’t wait to hear their replies but instead rushed up towards his opponent, wanting to cut off the next attack before it was even fired. To his luck, he made it just in time…

#Danny Phantom #Danny Phantom Fanfiction #Phandom #Bittersweet Future #Balshumet's Fanfiction #Balshumet's Baragouin #Chapter Twelve

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thebiasrekkers · 4 years

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Shadow’s Birthright | MYG

Chapter 03: Dark Passions

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)

Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut

Additional Warnings: Oral (female receiving), heavy teasing, internal possession, body worship

Previous Chapters: Prologue 01 02

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 4,869

Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane, @mini-coop25

AN: And we have the smuts finally. Woo. I did it early this time, guys. Again, I just want to let everyone know that this series is going to be updated slowly. Like, one chapter a week. So just be patient with me. I promise you that it will be worth the wait. If you would like to be added to the tag list, feel free to drop me a line!

“Never love anybody who treats you like you’re ordinary.” - Oscar Wilde

Kali sighed as she watched the moon slowly rise over the mountain peaks. The world was still and quiet, the occasional chirp of the cicada barely audible in the silence that blanketed over everything. Turning her head slightly, she smiled as she watched Yoongi sleep. It took a bit longer than she might have wanted, but with the aid of a sleeping draught, he finally relaxed and allowed her to tuck him into his bedroll.

San slept faithfully at its master’s feet, his large head lifting when he heard Kali move to stand. The wolf started to get up, but she placed her hand out and shook her head. The wolf yawned and shook its upper body before settling back comfortably on the floor. She bent down to pet the wolf’s head between his ears and smiled when one of his ears flicked at the touch.

Scooping up her satchel, she reached inside and pulled out several books. Setting them on a nearby shelf, Kali made sure the letter was nestled between the pages of the book on top. After ascertaining that the two of them were sound asleep, Kali pressed herself out of the humble mountain home and stepped out onto the cool night air.

“I’m sure he will be seeking me out soon,” she murmured, gripping the strap of her satchel in one hand as she lifted her face toward the sky, “the tiger will bare his fangs if I do not answer his summons.”

With a wave of her hand, the space in front of Kali rippled. The trees, grass, and fireflies all blurred and tilted in motion. Finally, a dark hole appeared and she stepped through the portal. Once inside, a swirling galaxy of stars and light appeared around her. The large expanse of the void rippled with each step she took. Many voices careened at her body from every direction, causing her heartbeat to elevate with each second she was inside of that dimension.

Another portal opened in front of her after walking several meters. Without blinking, Kali passed through the large black opening. When she reappeared, she was back in her own personal quarters in her home just outside of the Crown City. Sighing, she took a quick look over herself in her vanity’s mirror. Her satchel barely touched the ground just as a loud knock echoed from outside.

Kali had no servants. She had no need for them. Despite a certain royal’s persistence, she refused to have any attendants that could possibly spy on her during her ritual prayers or when she crossed into The Veil. Joseon was still a skeptical nation and its people were quick to yell “heresy”, even without all the information. Being branded a foreign devil, the last thing Kali wanted was anyone being able to prove just how much power simmered beneath her fingertips.

Adjusting the front of her robes, she retreated from her chambers and out to the main courtyard. Her estate was small in comparison to most noble households, but the King spared no expense when it came to her comfort. Her biggest budget crusher was her personal garden that was full of plants of different varieties to help with her potions. Kali took a moment to survey her plants, despite the heavy persistent knocking rattling the large wooden gate to her estate. She was in no hurry to answer since she already knew who was on the other side.

She managed to clip a few sprigs of tea leaves and some Nightshade before the erratic knocking began to grate on her nerves. Placing the items into the leather pouch that swung from her hip, she approached the gate and slid the large wooden bracer ff the panels. Shoving the wooden gate hard, it swung out loudly and knocked into the person on the other side hard enough for them to fall on their backside. He looked up, perplexed, as she scowled down at him, biting back an irritated snarl.

“Persistence is only a virtue in some religions, Sir,” she said, her tone even, “patience is a virtue every child of man should learn to embrace.”

The young man scrambled to his feet, dusting off his clothing as he readjusted the hat on his head. “F-Forgive me, Lady Shuri!” He quickly bowed his head, apologies tumbling from his lips, before he reached to his side and pulled out the messenger cylinder hanging from his shoulders. He hurriedly untwisted the cap, pulling out the rolled up piece of paper inside. With his head bowed, he handed it to her.

Unfurling it slowly, her eyes scanned over the elegant brush strokes that belonged to the Crown Prince. He was asking for, as she knew he would. Wishing for his fortune to be read was simply a ruse. It always was. What he longed for was something that she could happily give to him. As a subject of Joseon, even as a foreigner, it was her duty to give into his desires. It was the one thing she could do to help tampen the madness that was already starting to brew inside of him.

She couldn’t deny him, even if she wanted to.

Folding the note away, she slipped it into the sleeve of her robe. “I will be there as His Highness wishes,” Kali replied, already moving back into her estate.

“B-But, My Lady...His Highness, the Crown Prince, said that I should escort you personally.”

She glanced at the messenger over her shoulder, cutting her eyes at him. All he could do was stand frozen in terror before a dark smile spread over her full lips. “His Highness will receive me when I am ready to be received. He knows I have been traveling and need to change.” Kali began closing the gate. “I will see him soon.”

The messenger swallowed the lump in his throat, fearing more for his life than for the lack of her presence accompanying him on the way back to the palace. But if he was smart, he would relay her words exactly as she said them to the Crown Prince. He would know the meaning behind them and he would be patient for her. Otherwise there was no meaning or value to their relationship in the first place.

Pulling the pin from her hair, her dark tresses fell about her neck and shoulders as she entered her manor. It wouldn’t take her long to gather up the herbs and oils needed for a nice soak in the bath. As for her clothing choice, Kali knew she would have to pick something shimmery but tasteful.

Even if her robes would not be on her person for very long.

It was late and he’d dismissed his servants for the evening. There were the standard guards posted outside of his palace entrance, but other than that, he was completely alone. The Crown Princess requested to see him, for him to spend the night at the Magnolia Pavilion, but Yoon refused. He would see his wife another night. But not tonight.

Tonight was reserved for one person and one person only.

Yoon paced inside of his personal chambers for what felt like hours. Every so often, he would reach up to bite his thumbnail both from impatience and aggravation. It would be a lie to say that his anger hadn’t flared when the messenger returned with Kalina’s words. As impertinent as he imagined her tone to be, he knew that what she spoke was the truth. Kalina was not a person of Joseon and, as such, not one of his people.

She held a certain level of autonomy within the Joseon Royal Court because of her standing with the King. Whispers of him being bewitched by the foreign soothsayer spread throughout the different Noble Factions. But everyone also knew how faithful the King was to the Queen. He had two royal consorts, but the Queen always had his father’s favor above the others. The other two concubines were arranged marriages from two different court factions. Yoon’s own wife was a member of the Western Faction of Nobles.

As it stood, no one in the royal family could marry someone outside of their own country. Not like in the times of their ancestors, when Kings were warriors and legends were carved in stone; immortalizing them forever. Joseon was a strict nation; even more so after the Goryeon Empire crumbled to the ground. But if Yoon could have his way, he would pass an edict that allowed him to marry someone outside of their own nation state.

For his own selfish reasons, of course.

Flopping onto the silk cushion behind his desk, Yoon grunted. He was growing more and more impatient. How long was she planning to make him wait?

Just as he was preparing to mentally chastise her, energy warped in the far corner of his room. The Crown Prince stood, the steady beat of his heart escalating as the color palette in one part of his room began to shift. Saliva collected around the inside of his mouth as Yoon slowly stood from the floor.

This wasn’t the first time.

This wasn’t the second time.

Kalina rarely came to him in this fashion, but when she did, it never got old.

He could watch her enter through that portal like a timeless dream until he ceased to exist.

The first thing he saw were her sleeves; a deep, rich purple spun from the finest silk and trimmed in silver. Her lithe fingers, modestly decorated with stone rings, reached into the space that occupied his chambers. The rest of her entered his room, her skin like chestnuts freshly plucked as her raven hair danced about her shoulders - just barely hidden beneath the softness of the robes she wore. She was barefoot, her toes peeking out from beneath the hems of her dress; the aroma of rose petals and lavender oils permeating his senses.

Sweat prickled along the back of his neck, her own neck bare save for a single jade pendant that hung from a thin black chain. She dipped her head slightly, looking up at him from beneath a hooded gaze. Kalina’s long lashes accentuated the forest green of her eyes, cheeks slightly tinted a soft pink from either the warmth or a flush at seeing him.

He didn’t care which it was.

The portal closed behind her with a mere wave of her hand. The magic that existed there almost seemed to vanish, but he could sense the power that circulated through her blood. Her arms swept out to either side of her as she delicately lowered herself to the floor. Everything fluttered around her, the candle flames dancing at her mere presence. Her head was bowed, but he could still see the smile on her face; like she’d succeeded in trapping the greatest game the likes of which man had ever seen.

Like any warrior, Kalina seemed to hold no such openings for Yoon to exploit. Yet she could pierce through every single one of his defenses. All it took was one simple phrase.

“Kalina Shuri is here, my Crown Prince,” she said, a bell-like lilt in her voice. Kalina lifted her face as he stared pointedly down at her. “...I am here, Lee Yoon.”

The trigger was always his name. His true name.

No one was allowed to whisper it. Not even his own wife. His parents set that name aside when he was elevated to the rank of Crown Prince. Lee Yoon disappeared from within the palace walls.

Only this exquisite creature before him, a being who seemingly had not aged since he was a child, dared to call him by name.

Yoon launched himself from the other side of the room, intent on laying his hands over every single inch of her. But just as he was less than a meter away, something stopped him. His body was rigid and no matter how hard he grunted, he was unable to break free. Wide eyes moved to look at Kalina, watching as the woman held her hand out at him - palm facing outward. There was a soft vibration in the air that sang over his skin, causing the hairs on the back of his arm to prickle. Sweat slid down the column of his neck, disappearing beneath his robes.

“Kalina,” he managed to choke out, feeling the veins starting to pop near his temple. Yoon’s eyes narrowed as she slowly rose from her seated position. “Release me at once.”

She was standing at her full height and was still a full head shorter than him. Yet in that body thundered supernatural power that only existed in myths and legends. That same power that was holding him bound in place, unable to take a single step toward her. Instead, she smirked, inching her way forward as the sleeves of her robe slid off just a bit to bare a shoulder to him.

“Now, now, Seja Cheo-ha,” Kalina said, the bell tone replaced with something deep and velvety, “the night is still young and I have not seen you in weeks.” She leaned forward, pressing her nose into the curve of his jaw. Her scent filled his lungs instantly, breathing her in at the exact moment she breathed him in. “Let me have a look at you, hm?”

This was torture. Yoon should have her flogged, but the way she plucked him like a brand new harp was deliciously unfair.

“Release me now, Kalina,” Yoon half-snarled as he felt the tip of her tongue press against his throat, “you jest far too much.”

Her hand glided over his shoulder, teasing at the baby hairs near the back of his neck. Kalina lifted her face to peer into his eyes and had it not been for her spell, he would have lost his ability to stand completely. The sorceress pouted. “But you’re going to be leaving for a long journey soon, are you not?” He shouldn’t have been surprised, but the expression appeared anyway. “Is that not why you summoned me?”

Yoon frowned. She was going to make him beg. This was outlandish.

“Will you have me beg, woman?” The question showcased his ire, but this only caused her smile to widen.

“A lowly being such as myself would never request such a thing,” Kalina whispered, her hand gesturing over his body.

What spell held him was lifted. Upon his release, he grabbed her and harshly tackled her onto his plush bedroll. The sorceress released a soft giggle, failing to abate his anger. He hadn’t pinned her arms down and she took the initiative to reach up and pull at the small pin that held his hair in place. His white-blonde tresses fell around his shoulders like a soft curtain of wheat and he felt a ripple slip down his spine.

Her fingers combed through his hair and for a while, neither of them spoke. Only the hushed sounds of their breaths existed between them. He lifted one hand up to press the pads of his fingers against the soft skin around her jaw. He let his thumb dip in between her lips and Yoon released a soft hiss when he felt her bite down around the digit. The loose-fitting robes suddenly felt too tight as his erection threatened to rub itself raw against the silk.

Removing his hand from her face, he slid it between the loose fabric nestled around her legs. He could feel her heat and his brows lofted when he realized how bare her attire actually was. Her flush-kissed cheeks grew a deeper shade of pink and he flashed her a predatory smirk.

“Were you preparing yourself for me?”

Kalina huffed an impetuous laugh. “Isn’t it a servant’s duty to always know the needs of one’s master?”

He bit back a groan. Her words were like a spider’s web, trapping him further. The harder Yoon struggled, the more he was ensnared.

Tearing at her clothes like a wild animal, every layer was peeled away to expose her sweat-tinged skin to him. He saw her lifting her hand, reaching out toward where the candles were, but he swiftly snatched at her wrist to stop her. She lifted a brow at him, aptly curious as to his intentions.

“No,” he whispered, bringing her hand up so he could press a soft kiss to the inside of her palm, “leave the light.” He grazed his teeth along the center of her hand, giving it a sharp nip. “I want to have a look at you.”

Leaning forward, he pressed his face along the valley of Kalina’s breasts; soft, pugnacious and full of warmth. He could feel the thrum of her heartbeat against his nose and he trailed his tongue between her breasts, a lascivious hunger threatening to burst from his entire body. Yoon’s hand fondled one mound and he used his other hand to pull at the ribbons keeping his robe cinched to his body. He ached for her. Yearned for her to release him from his demons.

Because only she could and she knew it.

His silk trousers fell easily off his waist and he kicked them from his legs in haste. Reaching behind him, he pulled his dark blue robes off his body and tossed them to the side; abandoned with Kalina’s own robes. He was hard and ready, his hands coated in her juices as he reached down to play with her folds. Decreed by the Heavens to rule, Yoon could only see himself worshiping this witch that lay bare in front of him.

Her fingers curled into the hair at the crown of his head, urging him forward as he pressed kisses along her stomach. He turned to press his teeth into the tender skin of her inner thigh and he smiled when he heard the gasp push from her throat. Inhaling deeply, he relished in her womanly scent before diving into her velvet heat to have his late night snack.

Yoon swirled his tongue over her clit, the taste of her enough to get him intoxicated. The glistening moisture around her thigh made his mouth water. He wanted to draw as much sound from this woman as he could. He would never tire of this taste; this aroma. She smelled sweet and dangerous. A deadly draught.

She was a poison that he would happily drink, the promise of unparalleled ecstasy at the core of her being.

Her moans permeated the room, lost along the silk folding screens and the sheer curtains as her own sweat soaked into the silk bedroll. She quivered under his touch, his kiss, from everything he was doing to her and more. He pulled back from her folds, his lips shining with the leftovers of her essence and proof of the meal he’d indulged in. Kalina moved to kiss him, but Yoon stopped her with a gentle clasp of his fingers around her throat - bearing the brunt of his weight on his other arm that was braced just on the other side of her head.

Yoon selfishly licked his lips, cleaning his mouth of every drop of her. He wouldn’t share. Not even with her and it was hers to begin with. He teased her folds with the tip of his erection as he felt her hips rise up to meet his own with a subtle push. His teeth snapped as he hissed, his dark eyes meeting her smoldering greens. He had her where he wanted her. Where he needed her. The level of restraint he was holding back made his arms tremble.

The look on her face, that look, was for no one else. Just him. The way her heart beat in her chest? It was for him. Kalina was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. The way the candlelight flickered across her body, cascading golden rays like the morning sun long her skin, was surreal. It was unfair. Why had the gods done this to him? Created a woman so blindingly beautiful with enough power to make any fearless man’s blood run cold? And he could not have her the way he wanted her; could not possess her the way he desired.

There were feral noises coming from Yoon as he leaned upward. Moving to his knees, he grasped Kalina’s hips and pulled her toward him. Her green eyes danced from the firelight and it nearly stole his breath away.

“Yoon-ah,” she half-sobbed, causing Yoon’s erection to swell even more. He was going to shatter and be dust in the wind if she said his name that way again. All it would take was one more croon from her voice and he would be ruined.

Ruined as he’d been ruined time and again by the sorceress.

He could stand it no longer! Yoon held her hips in his hands as he lowered his body. “Not yet,” he murmured, his hooded gaze roving over her body, “wait for me, Kalina…” His own form trembled as he settled her over the head of his throbbing erection.

Yoon bit down on the lower swell of his lip, holding her steady as her legs seemed to open up even further for him. He was drunk off her scent, his vision growing hazy for only a split second before righting itself.

Rolling his hips, he couldn’t help the narcissistic smirk that painted over his features as her legs moved to knock into his sides in an almost vain attempt to wrap them around him. Her heat squeezed him in a multitude of ways and the pleasure that he coaxed out of her was intoxicating - her mewls of strained lust urging him onward with each moment he drove into her. The sorceress’ nails dug into his biceps, gliding up the sweat-soaked surface up to his shoulders before grasping onto the meat of the muscle there.

Tiny puffs of air lifted from her swollen lips - lips that he’d teased and pulled at with his fingers. She was getting close and so was Yoon. His tempo accelerated gradually, a low growl pushing from his throat as he watched her rutting her hips against the slickness of his shaft - their pelvic bones crashing into each other with unbridled need.

Her cry of desperation echoed throughout the room, filling the space both around and between them. This spurred him on, reaching the edge of his own need for release as he felt the stinging pain of her nails dragging along his skin. There would be marks but it was of no consequence to him. He would deal with them before he began his journey. There would be questions but no answers would be given.

Heat spread through, filling her with everything until he was well and truly spent. The young woman beneath him had already succumbed to the pleasure she was given, her orgasm making her limbs grow weak.

Bucking his hips into her one more time, Yoon rode out the rest of his aftermath before slipping out of her with ease.

Rolling onto his side, he pulled Kalina with him so that she could nestle into the crook of his arm. For a while, all they did was share in heavy breathing as they attempted to recover. Yoon didn’t worry about falling asleep and someone finding them in that state in the morning. Kalina always left before the break of dawn, something that he mourned in the darkest corner of his heart. But decorum was standard in the Joseon Royal Court, something even he must adhere to.

He closed his eyes as her fingers traced over his brow, sweeping a few sweat-soaked locks from his cheek and tucking them behind his ear. Taking in another deep breath, he brought her just a bit closer to savor her warmth and scent.

“My poor, sad Prince,” she whispered, causing his eyes to snap open as he peered at her. Her expression looked solemn and Yoon wondered if Kalina was about to go to that far away place he could never reach. “So much pain. So much sorrow.” Her fingers, once again, combed through his hair. “So...unnecessary.”

Kalina’s words were cryptic. They always were. But they held a deeper meaning somehow.

“When you were a child, you were afraid, weren’t you?”

Yoon blinked, his lips parting slightly. “What nonsense do you speak, Kalina?”

Her eyes lingered on his for a handful of seconds before she pulled at his hair, pressing it between her fingers. “Your hair wasn’t always this fair. Once, it was darker than black.” It wasn’t a question. “Stories of unrest in the palace reached your ears. The struggles of your father in his youth before he was placed on the throne.” Her eyes lifted to look into his face. “Stories of bloodshed.”

An angry knot of pain began to form in Yoon’s chest. She didn’t need to finish this story. He knew it better than anyone. Being the oldest prince guaranteed that he was the next to obtain the crown. And while he had younger siblings, they were all princesses or far too young to even begin taking steps toward resting it away from him; his birthright.

But the fear was still there, gnawing at the back of his mind. His fear led to impulsive decisions. One of them being the ingestion of poisons. Not just one type, but multiple types. All at once. At the age of nine, he nearly died. The physicians were beginning to think that there was no hope.

The Heavens, however, had other plans. They helped him to survive; overcoming his own crazed attempts at ending his life. The result? His hair transformed from jet black to platinum blonde. It happened over the course of one week. There was no explanation for it other than his own body’s form of retaliation to the death that attempted to claim him.

Yoon was officially installed as the Crown Prince the following year.

He was pulled from his thoughts as he felt Kalina’s fingers slowly moving from above his right brow and down below his eye. They stopped just at the halfway mark from his lips and mouth. Something crossed her features, a somber expression, and he could only look upon her with mild wonder.

“This face will be marred someday,” she whispered softly, “but that day will not be tomorrow or the day after.”

Yoon sputtered a small laugh. “Mine will, you say?” He let his hand rest at the curve of her hip. “I’ve trained my body and mind extensively, sorceress. Unless it is you, no one would be able to get close enough to harm me.”

Because she was the only person he ever lowered his defenses for.

“You are a powerful and cunning young tiger, it is true,” came her gentle reply, “but that does not mean that your tail cannot be grabbed.”

His eyes narrowed. He wanted to question her; to demand an answer and determine the reasoning behind her ominous words. It was a warning, clearly. But a warning of what?

Before he could ask, however, Kalina was already pulling herself from his embrace and retrieving her robes. He sat up slowly, grabbing his own robe and draping it over his shoulders. Shuffling to his desk, he retrieved the hairpin and waited for her to finish wrapping herself up. Just as she cinched the wide silk waistband around her midsection, he began to pull up her hair. Her head turned slightly but he used his hand to keep her head facing forward.

“My Prince?”

“Shh,” he hushed, moving to gather up her thick waves in one hand, “let me do this for you.”

She hummed her assent, waiting for him to finish. It only took a handful of seconds to fully secure her hair in the pearl hairpin. Her hand moved to trace her fingers over the hair ornament and she glanced over her shoulder at him.

“Is it beautiful?” she asked while smiling up at him.

“It pales in comparison to you, sorceress, but it will have to do.”

Yoon cupped her chin in his hand, lifting her face up to meet his as he captured her lips in his own. They were dangerously close, but he held himself back. If he pursued any further, he would not let her leave.

He would cage her forever.

He watched her rise gracefully from the floor, the hem of her robes sweeping over the bamboo flooring. Every single curve of her form defied logic and as he watched her opening up the portal to leave, part of Yoon truly did want to capture her; to claim her as his and no one else’s. It was a selfish, hungry and dangerous desire, but it was there all the same. He could not ignore it.

With a soft gaze, she smiled and dipped her head low. “Your journey will be free of perils and you will obtain success. Have no fear, my Crown Prince.”

And like a dream, she disappeared into the void, dousing the candle flames and leaving Yoon to ponder her words as everything plunged into darkness.

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