#until he finds himself as a captain of his own elite unit | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

boltwrites · 3 years

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Misfits - Chapter 3

Fandom: Star Wars - Clone Wars / The Bad Batch Pairing: The Bad Batch / Reader (Polyamorous) Rating: M (Rating May Change) Tags: Polyamorous Relationship, Force-Sensitive Reader, Slow Burn

Work Summary: After a year working with the 501st, you've been assigned a new post - Clone Force 99, aka the Bad Batch. You're concerned about the transition - you found it hard enough to fit in with the 501st, and now you had to acclimate to an entirely new squad. As it turns out, the Bad Batch is very accommodating.

Chapter Summary: Hunter insists that you nap on the way to Kamino.

read it on ao3 | start from ch 1 | or read more below

“Get some sleep. It’ll be a while until we reach Kamino.”

Hunter gestured towards a bunk that you could tell was well used. You worried the inside of your lip, considering the offer.

This ship was a far cry from the accommodations you were used to. It reminded you more of quarters you once shared with a pirate crew – cramped, but cozy.

You didn’t mind it, per say… but it wasn’t what you were used to. On the Resolute, you had your own quarters, completely separate from the rest of the clones. It had been both a blessing and a curse – it afforded you some privacy, being the only female Captain, and working with a majority of clones who had never experienced such direct contact with a woman. It was honestly tiring dealing with their staring – which wasn’t even a majority sexual, honestly. They were just curious about you, and while you didn’t blame them, that didn’t mean you wanted eyes on you while you were just trying to get some rest.

The Bad Batch didn’t seem to be quite as bad as the 501st, and you suspected that perhaps because they were a smaller, elite squad, they had encountered women in different environments than just a club full of clone chasers like 79’s. You could feel Wrecker’s eyes on you half the time, and his curiosity reminded you the most of the 501st’s own sneaking glancing. You also caught Tech looking a few times as you set your meagre belongings in the cargo area – he had seemed flustered and turned away, datapad in hand. You had no idea what his fascination with you was, but you assumed you would find out soon enough. It was almost cute seeing how you flustered him, if only because your own men – or, former men – had grown so used to your presence that they had gotten harder to fluster.

But then, there was Hunter and Echo, who both reminded you of Rex. Rex hadn’t been bothered with your gender if only because he had worked so much with Ahsoka the years prior. You didn’t know who Hunter had worked with that made him so comfortable with you, nor Echo, but you were glad that at least your gender wasn’t causing any more awkward tension than it should. You felt strange enough barging into Hunter’s team, where you technically outranked him as a Captain, but knew about as much as a shiny when it came to this squad.

At least everyone was better than Crosshair, who avoided you like a bad smell. He obviously had some kind of a stick up his ass.

But that was besides the point – the real question was: did you trust these men enough to sleep out in the open like this? You didn’t think they would hurt you, or anything quite so dangerous, but you did value your privacy. And it seemed strange to sleep in their communal space while you still felt like an outsider. That was far too… intimate for your liking.

“I’m fine,” you tried to respond to Hunter’s offer with a polite smile and a nod. You didn’t want your refusal to read as rude – you just didn’t want to open yourself up to something so intimate as sleeping in another clone’s bed, even if it was simply a matter of convenience. You didn’t doubt that the clones crashed in whichever bunk was available – the blankets on the bottom two looked more worn than the top, which alluded to the fact that they shared these.

You denied the offer, even though you were tired. You hadn’t slept since the Resolute had returned to Coruscant, and the fatigue was wearing on you. But you were a force sensitive. You could draw energy that way, you hoped. And maybe with an extra cup of caf from the small galley on the ship.

Hunter frowned at you. It wasn’t that he was outright offended by your refusal – he looked exasperated instead.

“I know you’re tired. Rest. We don’t have private rooms like on the star cruisers you’re used to, but it’s safe.”

Your eyes widened, and you shook your head. “No, I- I didn’t mean-“

“I know. I know we don’t have much,” Hunter shrugged, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. “But it’s what we’ve got. Took Echo some time to get used to. I don’t blame you.”

You sighed, remembering Echo. Hunter’s looking at you and seeing Echo – another 501st member adjusting to a new place. And, he’s right, to an extent. Maybe you’re overthinking things. The Bad Batch has been nothing but kind to you so far.

“I’m sorry,” you shook your head. “You’re right. It’s different from the 501st. Over there, I had a private Captain’s room. And here-“

“You’re right in it,” Hunter finished. You nodded, sighing. Hunter nodded at you, understanding, before he continued.

“Ain’t no use in separation here. Each member here was selected for a purpose, and each is an expert in that field. I’m a superior in name only – I’m more like a coordinator, if I’m completely honest,” Hunter admitted, and you breathed a sigh of relief.

“So, you guys operate more like pirates or something than an actual military unit?” you asked, with a raised eyebrow and a little quirk of a smile. Hunter shrugged, making a little noncommittal noise.

“I’ve never worked with pirates, but maybe.”

You laughed, relaxing. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, taking a nap in the open. After all, you were going to be working with these men for the foreseeable future. You had to learn to trust them, and if there were any issues with boundaries, you would work it out. It would be fine, especially if the crew operated the way Hunter said they did – you understood that structure far more than you did military hierarchies of command.

“Thank you, Hunter,” you patted his shoulder gently, well aware of the armor that covered it. “If you don’t mind, I think I will take that nap. Maybe up there, though.”

You gestured to one of the top bunks, and Hunter even cracked a smile himself.

“High ground. Good choice.”

You shared a smile, shaking your head at him as he clapped you on the back and made his exit towards the cockpit.

His touch left you warm, even thought it was friendly, the sort of thing the clones took part in all the time. You kind of hated the way your cheeks flushed as you hopped on the bunk, untying your boots and kicking them to the floor, discarding your jacket and what little armor you had (shoulder plates and forearm guards, really) at the end of the bunk.

Not only was the Bad Batch different from the other clones in terms of their operation style – casual, bound by trust rather than duty – they were also different from other clones in certain physical aspects. Hunter’s hair, in particular, caught your eye far more often than it should in a professional sense, even as you tried to ignore it. And that little smile he just gave you –

No. No, you couldn’t do this. You had to work with Hunter, and if something happened between the two of you, you couldn’t count on the fact that you both would be able to remain professional.

You wrapped the blankets around you in a little cocoon as you tried to talk yourself down from all of this. It had been easier with the 501st. Those degrees of separation prevented you from forming those attachments. But here – this wasn’t a military structure. This was a team, a crew. You couldn’t get away from these men – for kark’s sake, they all shared these bunks.

The bunks, including the one you were occupying. They were homey – the blankets wrapped around you were plentiful. A couple were standard issue – you recognized the distinctive Republic insignia emblazoned on them. But some were clearly handmade. There were scraps of fabric entwined, one around another, weaving together to make a sturdy blanket. Another looked to be a quilt, hardy and thick, made to withstand the chill of space travel.

You were enveloped in them, completely cocooned, and you were already starting to warm up again despite the absence of your jacket. You tried to turn your brain off, for just a moment, and relax into the softness of the blankets, into the homey little bunk. The Bad Batch had obviously taken care to make their beds cozy and warm, and you appreciated it – it spoke to how they valued their space, their comfort. It was nice.

You started to drift off, and you couldn’t help but notice that even the blankets smelled nice. Not from a fresh wash, necessarily – no, it smelled more like it was pleasantly lived in. But didn’t it seem like the bottom bunks were the most used by the Batch?

Maybe this was Hunter’s bunk, you considered with a little smile, curling in on yourself. Hadn’t he mentioned the high ground? You imagined that a veteran officer like Hunter might care about things like that – about being able to get a jump on anyone trying to disturb his sleep. He would feel safer up here, like you did. The way this bunk was angled, there was a good view of the outside hatch, so Hunter would be able to see anyone trying to enter the ship.

Maybe it smelled like him, then. You could imagine him wrapped in these blankets too, maybe ones that thankful civilians gave him for his help.

You had told yourself you didn’t want to get attached, but as you drifted off into a light slumber, you couldn’t stop the visions that danced behind your eyes – Hunter in the bunk with you, his broad chest pressed to your back, his arms wrapped around your waist. If he snuggled too close to your shoulder, his hair would tickle your jaw. Maybe he would tell you the stories of the blankets wrapped around the both of you – his fingers tracing over yours as you thumbed over the handmade details, as his low voice hummed in your ear.

You drifted to sleep thinking of him, the thrum of his voice, rough hands against yours. And if those thoughts spilled over into your dreams – that was only for you to know.

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taglist (get added!)

@killtherandomness @pastelpanda19 @nothingadventured-nothinggained @lafy-taffy @badbatch-simp24 @zazzysseoul @obiwansblog @tired-ninfa

#the bad batch x reader #the bad batch x you #hunter x reader #echo x reader #tech x reader #wrecker x reader #crosshair x reader #mine

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littlefreya · 4 years

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Lines in the Sand

Summary: She is one of the best snipers serving in Iraq, but she is also suffering from an attitude problem and ironically has a hard time following orders. After an incident in her former base, she is sent to join the Special Forces unit led by Captain Syverson, who requires a talented sniper.

Unlucky for her, Captain Syverson is a hard man who likes things by the book and according to order. He ain't got the patience for troublemakers.

Pairing: Captain Syverson x OFC (Jessica Gallagher)

Word count: 1,784

Warnings: Smut in future parts, some foul language and sexual content.

A/N: Please enjoy, reblog, like. The world needs more Syverson, and I think he is one of Henry's finest roles.

Bad girl.

That’s what they say she is; trouble, attitude problems.

She heard all of it at psych evaluation.

'Prodigy' is another word they use for her.

And sometimes even 'asset'.

She likes this one the most. It strips her of all human notions.

That’s the only reason to keep her around, and it’s not like she has any desire to go home anyway. Home is tough. Here in the desert, surrounded by death and horny virgins - that’s the easy part.

“Killing is easy,” she said to the military psychologist who had her profiled from head to toe before being transferred to camp Warhorse.

“Gallagher?” a young soldier calls toward her, huffing and covered with a sheen layer of sweat as he runs toward her. She glares at him bemused, holding the fresh new uniforms which she just collected from the storage unit.

“Yeah?"

The boy's face is lightly freckled, his big doe eyes seem untouched by war and his freshly shaven buzzcut shows he only just arrived. 'More meat for the grinder' she muses, just another kid who doesn't belong here, like the most of them. She knows the type well enough to write a thesis about it by now. If she thought she had any brain to do that sort of stuff.

"Captain Syverson wants to talk to you.”

The kid looks her up, probably wondering why she even here. She got used to that type of stare a while ago.

“I just arrived here from another division” she explains, “didn’t even get into my uniform, what’s the fucking rush?”

The kid shrugs, looking slightly terrified as if she is supposed to be scared of Captain Syverson and shouldn’t be talking that way.

“Fine…” she sighs heavily, lowering the tip of her army hat and rolling her eyes.

As a soldier serving at the professional US army, Gallagher knows she has a shit-ton of issues with authority, yet she wouldn’t be in any other place.

The Captain sits at his office, wearing his favourite red t-shirt and army shorts that cut at his knees. A small portable fan is perched on his desk, pinning from side to side and blowing tiny droplet of sweat from his ridged forehead.

During that time of the year, the temperatures reach a level that won’t shame the fiery pits of hell. Even a southern-born man like him an effort dealing with the heat, but Sy suffers quietly, not even mentioning a word of the weather. Small-talk is a waste of time, and ain't nothing but the pretence that people care when they don't.

“Captain, Sir,” the kid walks into his room, saluting the Captain. “I have private Gallagher with me.”

The young woman follows, a blank stare on her face. She salutes toward the Captain, looking robotic and so indifferent he can tell already she had a great potential of pulling some stunt and getting detained.

“Thanks, Private Holt, you may leave now," he answers in a heavy southern accent, and voice low and rich like smoked Whiskey.

Holt leaves the room in a hurry, leaving Gallagher to stand quietly in front of the Captain. She has dressed in a plain white t-shirt and khaki field trousers while her eyes remain hidden beneath the tip of her hat.

“Sit down, soldier."

He commands, taking her file in his large dirt-stained hands.

She sits down quietly. Scanning the room with silence. It is yet another captain’s office, maps on the wall, guns and ammo. A "Slayer” labelled mug rests on in his desk with freshly brewed coffee, next to it is a deck of cards. No pinup girls posters apparent anywhere, not a perv unlike her former Captain, or at least he is hiding it in his bedroom.

He finally turns to look at her, manspreading on his chair with zero elegance or concern toward her. Why should she be treated any differently?

Captain Syverson is surprisingly a very attractive man. A big guy with broad shoulders and massive muscles. His cropped short hair does well to bring out his excellent bone structure while a few scars decorate his forehead and his upper left cheek. His strained face is covered with a thick, untamed beard which he strokes at his chin while thinking to himself.

He takes one glance at her with his fierce blue glare, and then gives her his next command “Hat off, private.”

“Sir”. She replies with compliance, taking off her hat and placing it atop her folded uniform.

One glance at her now exposed face, and he is forced to fight back a snort of laughter. He learned how to keep his emotions hooded in this job. She is petite, her arms may look strong yet quite skinny. And it’s quite a wonder that her skin is pale while serving in the middle of the fucking Iraqi desert.

If this was anywhere else right now, he’d offer her a burger. This is the elite they’ve been speaking of? For fuck sake. Better be worth it.

He is aware, of course, that she is pretty, they usually are. Chase and Annica for example. Sometimes he wonders if they send all the cheerleaders squad to his unit to fuck with him, since he can’t actually, fuck them.

“That’s better”. He gives her a small smirk which quickly fades back into what seems like his usual grumpy face.

“We’ll keep it short and honest, private,” he says, opening her file “You’ve been transferred here from your unit, they say you are a prodigy…”

“Take me out there, and I’ll shoot a rabbit between the eyes from 20 miles away.” she interrupts him, speaking coldly.

“Did I give you permission to speak?” he asks her with slight anger. Never in his life, he had a young recruit dare to do so, especially not a woman.

She remains silent, knowing that’s actually the required response. For change,

“Good. Your file shows amazing achievements” He throws her file in front of her with what seemed like an utter lack of actual interest “it also shows you have attitude problems.” His eyes meet hers as he says these words, his lips clasped to show some sort of severity. “Do you know what I want to know?”

Her blue eyes stare back into his with a dead gaze.

He sighs, rolling his eyes “Permission to speak granted.”

“You want to ask if I’m going to cause any trouble.”

He nods, folding his arms together, his eyes travelling up and down her features for a mere second.

“No, Captain.” She can’t promise him that even if a gun was pointed at her head, but she plays along. Everything in life is like her stupid video games anyway. Oh, she does miss those.

“Good.” He gives her another hasty smile, the kind that doesn’t show any genuine care or affection and is just meant to move the conversation forward. “So you know why you’re here?”

“I’m very good with my sniper rifle, Captain."

"It says you’re a fucking wonder”. He answers, not ashamed to curse in front of her, which she finds slightly refreshing. All the other men constantly apologize as if she doesn’t shoot people’s head-off for a living. As if women don’t see brutality as much as men do. Perhaps even more.

“Listen, I care about my men. Just live up to your name, be a good girl and you might just make daddy proud ”. He explains to her, not even regretting saying the finale part. It’s just how he talks and if she has a problem with that she might as well not be here.

But she doesn’t even flinch. Instead, she replies with a small, nearly invisible smirk and nods.

“Yes, Captain."

The Captain’s eyes lit up with the charm of a child as he smiles widely for surviving yet another conversation with a new recruit and even though he has scruff all over his face she detects two large apparent dimples in his cheek.

Finally, he stretches from his chair and stands. She follows, noticing he is menacingly tall and seems to carry himself with sheer confidence and intimidation.

"Come, I’ll show you your room."

She follows him silently down the hall. He doesn’t bother with making any boring small talk which she is actually quite thankful for. It’s easier to not try to connect with people. The base is quite loud at the moment anyway, and she’d be unable to hear half of it.

"Men go here.” He points to one room by the end of the hall and then continues walking until they pause next to a closed room, “Ladies go here, you met the other girls?” he asks to which she shakes her head “Well you will. Girls get their own private shower in the room, in under no circumstances you are to use the collective shower room”

He pauses and turns to look down at her. Eyes growing sofer all of a sudden. “Anyone ever bothers you, says anything even slightly inappropriate, you come straight to me, you get it?” he asks her, managing to sound both severe yet still soft at the same time.

“I’m just over there, by the end of the hall.” he looks to the other side, touching her shoulder without thinking, so she’ll face where he is pointing. His hand leaves her shoulder without any of them, giving it any attention.

The Captain has his own little private kingdom at the end of the very house they turned into an army base, so it seems. She wonders if that’s where all the pinup posters are hidden at.

“Enjoy your stay, Gallagher”. He speaks, looking down at her face, wondering how long will it be before he has her in his office for some sketchy behaviour.

“Thank you, Captain, I will.” she gives him another one of her forced smirks and turns away, walking into her new quarter.

He takes one look at her as she turns from him, unable to resist his natural temptation to look at her ass.

It’s small, tight, the way he likes it.

'Yes, she’s gonna be trouble.'

There are two girls in the room, sitting on their beds. A beautiful redhead with rather wide shoulders and strong arms. The other woman is somewhat petite as herself with tanned skin and beautiful dark eyes. They’re both looking quite curious to know her.

“The fuck is with your captain, walking around with severe big dick energy?!” she speaks out with sheer confidence.

The other girls look at her for a long moment, complete shock on their face by the content that came out of her mouth but then burst into laughter that can be heard all over the base.

Clearly, she isn’t the only one who noticed.

#Captain Syverson #Sand Castle #Captain BDE #henry cavill #captain syverson x ofc #captain syverson fanfiction

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junova · 4 years

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↬ 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐬. 𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬

pairing: au!steve x fem!reader

summary: the one where you meet steve rogers.

word count: 3.8K+

[author’s note]: hello my sunshines! welcome to the first installment of a short series i’ve been working on. hope you enjoy reading it as much as i loved writing it! lmk what you think <3

warnings: angst, slight dose of baby fluff (if u blink), cursing

*: ･ﾟ ✧*: ･ﾟ✧ *: ･ﾟ ✧*: ･ﾟ✧ *: ･ﾟ✧*: ･ﾟ✧

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED was a slight shift in priority and truly, it wasn’t a big deal. You understood the two of them worked together, and time had run over. Later in the evening when he returned home, he apologized to you. Forgetting the two of you had plans while he with another woman, but you didn’t let it get under your skin. Above everything else, you trusted him.

Until the first time moved to the second one, than the third, until you couldn’t keep count of how many times he had ‘forgotten’ the dates the two of you had made. Still, you let it slide. This was your sweet, tender boy. You knew despite the growing tension he would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. Just like the past couple of months, you chalked it up to him just being too busy.

It had to be it.

—

Maybe more than anyone else, you understood. His step-father was pushing all his unrealistic expectations of their first and only child. Continuously pushing him to be the best of the best no matter the cost. Maybe in the past, he would have blamed his parents, specifically his father for pushing him so harshly to attend Winter University.

He had become resentful towards his father after his first year. He was stressed more than he liked to admit and the pressure to please him was always at an all time high. Heading into his third semester, he wanted nothing more than to drop out. The high intensity of each course he took too much to bear along with the very high expectations everyone in his family had for him. Just waiting for him to either succeed with grace or fail with shame.

As everyday passed, essay after essay, he regretted the life which was chosen for him. He feared of sounding like a spoiled brat who was gifted the riches of the elite and acted like it was a burden. It certainly was the reason why he never complained. He knew what it meant to have nothing. It didn’t cost a thing. Now with the world at his fingertips it felt it may cost him everything.

—

Tony suggested he should join the soccer team this year, so he did. Just as he was asked.

It’s not as if joining was ever completely out of question. Steve had played it in high school, but he never thought he would be good to make the team. As it turned out, he was.

He joined the team and it turned to be a good outlet for him to escape to. When everything seemed too much to juggle, he something in his life to blow off some steam. His roommate, Bucky, even made tryouts himself.

As the weeks droned by he found a nice balance with his assignments between practices. It certainly wasn’t easy at first, but he adjusted quickly. His body soon became acquainted with waking up for practices at the crack of dawn. Was it enjoyable? Hell no, but Steve was starting to feel like he truly belonged to something. He was part of team. He was part of a unit. He didn’t even knew he craved it until he had it.

The team captain, Wilson, urged Steve to attend the house party after their first win of the season. He was more than reluctant to attend when Bucky basically all put pushed him out of the dorms. He really did want to go, but the idea of all the assignments he was neglecting while he was partying didn’t quite sit right with him.

If it didn’t sit right with him, he’s sure it wouldn’t sit well with Tony.

Before he could offer some half excuse to ditch the party, an ice cold beer was shoved into his hand. Urging him to join the celebration activities.

So he did.

He played one too many games of beer pong, indulged himself in a few more drinking games before he felt slightly buzzed. It was the only time he let himself let go and not worry about a damn thing.

Then a few women came onto him, interested in something more than just platonic company. He took it as his cue to leave. Close to midnight, his muscles tight and restricting due to the game he had played, craving nothing more than to find the comfort his bed could offer.

He let Bucky know he was leaving so he didn’t worry and started to make his way back. Making his way through the house just moments from stepping out the front door, when he heard a small cry.

There was a small bar in the room adjacent to entrance Steve was hoping to make a beeline exit for, but then he saw you sitting there. On the countertop with tears in the most captivating eyes he had ever seen. You really didn’t seem to be looking at anyone in particular. Your eyes following the bodies that passed you almost as if you were in a haze.

You still hadn’t connected the dots on how intently Steve was looking at you and he was more than appreciative. He really didn’t want to be perceived as a creep but you were alone and probably drunk. He just wanted to make sure no one would take advantage of you.

As carefully as he could, he approached you with a peace offering at hand. He picked up a red velvet cupcake with frosted icing on his way out, planning on munching on the delicious treat on his way home. He sensed maybe you would need it more than he did.

The moment he stepped forward, you were acutely aware of his presence. His broad shoulders with his muscular build did nothing to diminish the fear you held when he approached you. Not looking at you like you were something to be owned or possessed, but as a bystander just wanting to offer a helping hand.

He was so much taller than you. Even as you sat on the counter of the bar, as soon as he close to you, his soft eyes connected with yours. Maybe it helped he didn’t lure over you at the moment, he just looked at you.

Then as if it was the most mundane act in the world, he reach into his back pocket to pull out a silky, lavender handkerchief and handed it over to you.

“Thank you.” You felt over the handkerchief, smoothing it out between your fingertips. More than hesitant to due so, it felt nice. Expensive, too much for you to be drying your wasteful tears with it. He was offering and you thought it might be rude not to, and you really didn’t trust your voice to say anything more than pleasantries.

So, you wiped your tears with it and it felt heavenly. Much like the boy in front of you looked. A few minutes passed, and your cries had settled down. The presence of his body protecting you or maybe it’s just what it felt like. He still hadn’t said a word to you.

Maybe an attempt to not scare you in the other direction. Naively, you thought he might be protecting you in some way shape or form. You knew you could take care of yourself if push came to shove, but the idea that maybe there was still some human decency out there was a nice thought.

It could be possible not every man preyed on women when they were at their most vulnerable. Of course, this one was wrapped in pretty packaging, so maybe that put you at ease.

“Do you have a safe way to get home?” Oh? He finally speaks.

“I can manage just fine.” You chipped, quite shortly to him. Watching him carefully, as he took a step forward. He reached in the same pocket from before, pulling out a small index card, with a number printed on it in small red ink.

“On the small chance you can’t, ask for Happy and he can take you home. No charge, no hassle.” He then places the cupcake he had been holding in his right hand before placing it where you sat comfortably along with the card, before leaving you alone.

You watched as he walked out the door, not sparing you a second glance.

—

Maybe it was naive to let your mind drift back to the boy who had showed you kindness. Anytime another person spoke to you it was easy to assume they only wanted something from you. Searching for a reason to exploit the dean’s daughter.

Just two weeks ago when you were caught in a compromising situation you had been set up in, your mom had paid them off before the vulgar photograph spread throughout campus. The way she scolded you still fresh in mind.

The absolute disregard for your own feelings, but total care for her reputation was nothing short of surprise. Above all, her career had come first and you were just a simple pest threatening to ruin the life she had built.

Never neglecting to remind you of it.

You really wish you could just be the like her. Fiercely strong, not putting up with anybody’s shit but you were the complete opposite of her. Weak, fragile, more sensitive than you’d like to be.

She never quite missed a beat to let you know even if it’s what you wished for.

Her disappointment weighed heavily on your shoulders that night and Finnick abandoning you for the pretty blonde across the room did nothing to help your self-esteem either.

So, you sat on the vacant bar and cried. Only because you thought everyone was too engrossed with their preferred vices and the burn of vodka numbing their senses to hear you.

But a boy with silky, shining hair as golden as the sun sought you out like a moth to a flame. A large part of you waiting for crude, perverted comments to fly right out his mouth with no intention of catching them.

Then he left as soon as he came, not even leaving his name with you. Not as if you cared, you would never see him again.

Until you did, two weeks later to be exact.

Now, you were beginning to think he only came into your life when you seemed like a damsel in distress. Not only did a thunderstorm decide to show up on your supposed date night, but Finnick had decided to be a world colossal dick.

At this point it shouldn’t surprise you. He had shown you time after time it’s who he was and to think he would change was an idiots’ dream. Your dream, so to speak. This time he crossed the line, pushing you to your brink.

“Please baby. I’m sorry. It honestly was just a slip up, an oversight. Truly. It won’t happen again.” You regret even picking up his call in the first place. Now more than ever, hearing his sorry excuses wash over once again filled your venom to the brim.

“I don’t give a fuck what your excuse is, Fin. This is the forth fucking time this week alone. I’m done with your bullshit.” Your anger once again getting the best of you, but you were well within reason to be bitter about him forgetting a date the two of you had planned once again.

“Can we just talk? I’m finished and I’m free for you.” His tone was small, minuscule, almost like he actually cared he had let you get your hopes up.

“Go talk to someone who fucking cares, Finnick.” You hung up on him as he was mid-sentence, because dear god lord help you if it actually became any importance to you.

Now, it no longer mattered to you. You had given him more chances than you could count, but he always fell short. Maybe you expected more than you should from him. On the other hand, you been with him for over a year.

If you were you honest with yourself he acted the same as he did before. The only difference is the love had dissipated into dust, no longer letting you be blinded by him. His eyes didn’t glow with love but rather with an emptiness you couldn’t fill. Even if it’s all you wished for.

Now, on this shameful night, you stood outside waiting for a sign. Maybe a beacon of hope letting you know not everything was lost.

Hoping your four year relationship wasn’t tumbling down the drain.

Then you saw him, again.

Just like before you were struck by just how beautiful he is. Without a shadow of a doubt, he was the most attractive man you had ever encountered with.

His build made you recognize him instantly. The man who had given you the handkerchief to remedy the loss you felt that night. An act of kindness which hadn’t been reach out to you in so long.

Now, here you were crying in front of the handsome stranger again. Surely, he would think you were nothing more than a pathetic little girl.

This time he wasn’t alone which only seemed to triple your embarrassment. Accompanied by a man who seemed to be twice his age, more than likely his father. He hadn’t noticed you yet, thankfully. Even if he had, you doubted he would realize who you were.

He surely could have been drunk or out of his mind on the night he found you. Part of you knew he was of sane mind, but the shameful part of you wished he wasn’t so there would be nothing familiar about you.

Simply, you be a single face in a sea of many.

Fate would not be on your side today, because he approached you. Loudly enough to make his presence known but not too loud to scare you off.

Is this what it felt like to die inside?

He was even more beautiful than last time. A pure vision and by the way he carried himself, he knew it, too. Although, the mysterious blonde wasn’t arrogant but held confidence so infatuating you could help but be intrigued.

“Here.” He gestures softly, your big doe eyes meeting his own. He held the umbrella under the both of you, shielding you from the pelts of Zeus. “I can’t imagine you would want to get more drenched than you already are.”

Part of you wanted to dismiss him, but you had a feeling he wouldn’t let you even if you tried. Especially from the judgement from the man who was tucked safely by the front door.

Now, that he mentioned it, you hadn’t noticed you brought yourself out onto the curb from the restaurant allowing yourself to be coated in your shame.

The rain, too.

“Thank you. Again. Seems like I only know how to make myself appear as an emotional idiot in front of you.” Now, the two of you so close to one another the concept of breathing was hard for you to grasp.

It wasn’t lost on you the death glare the man he was just with looked at you like vermin. How you could anyone ever be associated with someone who looked as pitiful as you did?

Trust me, I was asking myself the same question.

“Take the handle.” The golden boy guided the umbrella towards you, all but shoving it into your hold. You thought he was going to walk away from you again but he took the moment of his gloved fingertips freed to remove the wool coat off of his muscled back. Carefully, placing the dry material on your shoulders.

He didn’t miss the quizzical frown upon your face, maybe if you weren’t crying you might have been the most stunning women he had ever seen.

Not even the rain could hide those puffy cheeks and under eyes from him. It wasn’t important to him now, not when you were shivering half to death.

“You’re freezing. You need to warm up.” His fingertip fastened the buttons on the coat, wrapping you in what smelled like him. A musky scent so refreshing you let it consume your senses. Immediately two sleek, jet black town cars pulled up to the curb where you stood by the mysteriously chivalrous man.

“C’mon doll.” He grabbed the umbrella, holding it firm as he reached his free hand out for you ready to take.

For an unknown reason, you latched on to him. Surprising even yourself.

The older man skipped in front of you opening the door, before hopping in with the man you still didn’t even know the name of.

In hindsight, probably wasn’t the wisest decision you’ve made but there was this underlying feeling. You trusted him. He had given you no reason not to, only providing his aid and care one both occasions.

Mindlessly offering him your address, now aware of how fucked you were if he wasn’t as kind as he seemed to be. Not only were you with one unidentified man, but two.

“Are you okay? Are you still cold?” He peered down at you, his eyes piercing through you with a soft warmth. In stark comparison to the man sitting across from you, his brown hues watching you for any sudden movement.

“I’m warmer now.” He nodded, accepting your affirmation for now. Itching to say more, wondering if you were as well.

The heater inside the vehicle seemed to leave him warmer than he would normally prefer, but kept it on even if it was making his body sweat profusely. Almost worried he might be making you uncomfortable, eyes following yours just to make sure you weren’t looking as he removed the blazer only know allowing his true physique to be exposed.

But god were you fucking looking.

You knew he was jacked, but to this extent? You didn’t know it was possible to look this good.

As soon as his eyes found your own, shamelessly checking him out, he figured now would be a wonderful time to insert himself in.

“You know, sometimes it’s easier to tell strangers your problems than the people closest to you.” Lowering his voice, so the older gentleman couldn’t hear him. “I-I don’t know why you’d assume I have a problem.” You looked at him and you felt like an unopened book but he still managed to know every little thing about you.

“Just a feeling, maybe. That’s all.” He didn’t bother you again the rest of the ride home and it bugged you. He clearly wanted to say something but he bit his tongue instead. Keeping his hand in his lap, making sure he kept his distance from you.

“Smile snowflake, you’re not getting soaked anymore.” The older man finally addressed you. Focusing his fury gaze upon you, waiting to elicit a certain reaction from you.

Snowflake?

“Tony, leave her be.” He hissed at him. For a moment, you thought he was being protective. He doesn’t know you idiot, think straight for once.

“Why? You decided to bring a stray without my consent. I’m just having fun, Steve.” You didn’t miss the tension growing between the pair, ready to brawl right here in front of you.

Steve.

Why did his name sound familiar to you? Do you know him? Is that why he was being kind to you? Did he somehow know you?

“If you don’t drop this I swear to god, Stark.” Thankfully enough for Steve, Happy interrupted the two men.

“Sir, we’ve arrived at the designated location.” The car coming to a halt and you couldn’t wait to bust out of here. Desperate to dry yourself, hopefully you still had time and you wouldn’t catch a cold.

Just as you feared, it was still pouring down. Fantastic.

“Thank you for the ride, really. You didn’t have to.” Your small, angelic voice barely ascending to a volume loud enough for Steve to hear you.

His eyes getting lost in you for a moment before looking through the window, the rain morphing itself into larger specs of hail.

“Jesus, it’s still fucking pouring. Let me walk you up.” He reaches towards the umbrella he had tossed into the empty seat.

“Steven. We need to go.” Tony had lowered his voice an octave lower, demanding Steve actually listen to him just this once.

“You can wait two minutes.” Rolling his eyes at him, before he intertwined his hand with your own. “C’mon.”

Held you right against his muscled chest as he pulled you out of the car and into him. Under the umbrella, tucked safely away from getting sick even further. He moved until you were under the protection for your patio. The rain once and for all shielded away.

“I’m sorry about, Tony. He means well but he’s a bit of an asshole.” Steve smiled down, looking like he had just won the lottery. “Really? I couldn’t tell.” Just like that, Steve let out a soft laugh. Showing off his perfectly aligned pearly whites, with a subtly you wished to possess.

“Oh shit! Here.” You begin to take off the coat he lended you, but his calloused hands stopped the gesture.

“Keep it. Please?” He questioned, almost like he was unsure of the words falling out of his mouth.

“Why?” You thought it was a simple question, but he must have stood there for a couple of minutes before actually responding you.

“It really just doesn’t fit me right, would hate for it to go to waste.” He mumbled it out, almost as if he was struggling with the concept of flirting with you.

“Okay, then. I’ll keep it.” You agreed with him, gripping it closer to you. Taking in his smell once again.

“Alright, then. You should get going. Wouldn’t want to keep Tony waiting.” He nodded, stepping away from you, battling a war with himself.

Just do it, dummy. This is your chance.

When you thought he was going to walk away, he took you in his arms. No longer caring about the damage your wet hair may cause to his suit. Not that Steve really cared to begin with.

“You don’t deserve whatever he’s giving you. Just know there’s always something better at the end of the tunnel, maybe even someone else willing to offer you more.” He breathed into your ear, before kissing you sweetly on the cheek.

“I’ll see you soon, angel.”

Leaving with more than enough to think about.

—

taglist: @tonystankschild

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zuihuojoui · 3 years

Text

To Act;

Monday December 14, 2020 12pm

“You’re fucking the crazy bitch?” Ayao asked when Joui walked into her sitting room, cleansed, and cleansed again from the stench of imp inners and seen to Syuusen’s justified large meal. He stopped at the coffee table, leaning down to pull up a small cake to his lips. Ayao did love her sweets. The table was decorated in peonies and pink and red miniature cakes, some covered in gold dust. He simply looked at the elder, seated in the blush colored velvet chair, eyes focused on the white fox on her lap, petting its sleeping head. Her eyes raised, her expression clear, she was not repeating the question Joui felt no need in answering.

He sat, legs crossed, licking the sweetness from his fingers. She was his elder, yes, but he was clan leader this side of the portal. Sometimes when his elders came into Kadeu they made the structure of hierarchy a pain to enforce.

“You are”, she concluded by his silence and calm expression.

He felt no intrusion into his mind but Ayao could probably just tell it so, even if Joui felt he gave nothing away with his expression. Eori, his mother, would not be pleased her training in expression withholding was failing. Then again, this was the prodigy of Genun’s generation. He could hide nothing from those eyes.

She grinned, then let out a small sweet laugh. “I hear this vessel is quite stunning. You know Joui, you can save some fun for the rest of us. I am not in the habit of sharing a lover with my grandnephew.”

Joui chuckled, her statement too ridiculous to not laugh, then took the extended napkin from an attendant, wiping his hands clean. “Kadeu is not that small Ayao”, he answered then tapped his thigh.

Her smile faded, lifting the sleeping fox to her junior butler. Once the sleeping creature was free of the room, she reclined, continuing as if she intended not to wake her pet. “I know you will never outright answer the question of your entanglement with the bitch, but now that entanglement has brought her wrath and those rats from her home world.”

“Wonderful, isn’t it?” he answered, his smile growing.

“Joui”, she spoke then clasped her hands together, long pointed nails painted black in view, golden rings with pearls on three fingers.

“Yes, I am enjoying it”, he breathed with ease. “I’m awaiting a report that should narrow my options”, he added, passing his right hand over the soft velvet at the arm of the chair. “Rest assured beloved Grandaunt, I have never lost sight of my duties and though I would love very much to torture all of her senses while carving up that beautiful host holding the vicious essence within”, he began, all but imaging the vengeance he could deal on a personal level from his knowledge of her inner most thoughts. “Then lock her consciousness away in anguish till the very secrets she shared rip her to pieces”, he paused, stripping the malice from his smile. “I know the repercussions well. The timing is not ideal.”

Ayao smiled widely at him, his own expression growing into a mirror of hers. The door to his left opened, his junior butler stepping in and bowing before both High Fae. Joui stood, walking closer to Ayao, kneeling at her crossed legs. “Bless me”, he worded, head leaning against her legs. Her smile softened, hands passing over his head, adjusting his locks behind him. She looked up, eyes holding their golden glow. Joui felt the mana yanked towards her with the precision of all her years. Her head lowered, lifting his forehead to meet his own. His eyes opened, their shared golden gleam uniting, mana passing into him, until her eyes faded back to brown. Joui closed his eyes then lowered his head in thanks, his own returning to hazel. He eased back, giving a formal bow, hands meeting above his head, his head lowering completely to touch them.

He then stood, smiling at her with thanks before leaving a kiss to her cheek.

6pm

Within his own study he let the report absorb within him, let its words map his choices precisely. The silence held after the scout gave it. He glanced around the room at his gathered captains, dressed in their armor and awaiting his order. His full guard awaited the order to march, bloodlust peeked and ready to end the whole faction if their Lord so will it. Still, Joui yet considered his actions, something the demon clearly did not do.

The ex-council members had hurriedly gathered in their chamber. The spies witnessed the rushing carriages and verified each member enter the hall. They still had eyes on them.

Joui thought it through, turning to look to the crackling fire, its blaze an option in itself. He could very well burn the bastards alive. Syuusen would see to that easily since they were all gathered neatly in one place, but what he didn’t understand was why.

Why had they gathered when Valentina was sole Ace?

He stared at the fire letting his thoughts free to find the most probable answer. Realization turned him to face the captains with a grin. “They either intend to rid themselves of the demon or she is already incapacitated. That summoning must have taken much out of her. With their combined skill they could have taken back control”, he hummed then looked over the map on the table in front of him. “And are preparing to re-elect themselves Aces. Such freedom they have in that democracy”, he spoke earning laughter from the captains.

Tapping along the map on the table, he gave their positions, ensuring their amulets were ever ready. All the while the image of his new antler head friend faded into his mind, their conversation and its lasting impression replaying. To act.

And so he did. Taking a small force of 20 he rode in darkness, down the road he took to meet Valentina on their arranged days. The cabin they kept at the very edge of the city, hidden under brush and darkness could only be met by two roads, one from his faction, the other from her own. Both saw nothing else but darkness and the wall behind. Down the road he met the house that looked all but abandoned, but didn’t stop, taking his guards around it and up the road towards Diamonds. It was the easiest way in, past the LEA and the border he closed. Up the road their horses were left hidden in the houses sheds, team moving into the house at the corner and under the planks that hid a secret she shared. Even a being as old as she, while claiming to fear none, her mistrust built tunnels to move around the city of her influence. The only error was passing that knowledge to the High Fae.

Now that their romance was over, from her own doing, her demands to possess him like an object rending any affection, he was free to use all her gifts for his benefit. Down the stairs, the stench of sewer filled his nostril rapidly, urging his steps. The team moved quickly, down the path, the solitary flame of a fire elementalist leading the way. At a fork she stopped, looking to the Fae who pointed right; Left led to her home. Right they moved, happily away from the stench of filth and rot, and up flights of narrow stairs. At the landing a painting of the Ace’s current host, seating pleased in pink. Joui stepped forward, pulling the panel from the eyes already cut out that gave sight into the room.

There they were, { @merirobin } Seated around their table, missing one that made the set. The six were gathered, panic on their faces. He could hear their conversation and none of it mentioned the demon, just the attack and him, and what he might do.

What the fuck happened to Valentina?

He closed his eyes with a breath, opening again linking himself behind the barrier and blessing Ayao extended, and lined the casts, projecting the illusions for the the gathered party behind the faux wall. Their senses were disrupted, the last images of the room filled with just their number still present in their minds, barring from the true sight of Joui and his team stepping within, encircling the ex- council members.

The elite Academy mage earned a shifter on his lap. The talent with black painted lids whined how beautiful their now prisoner was but still did their duty. Fangs bared and a kiss to his neck injected the snake venom to the prominent artery, then another two to his wrists for good measure. The other members saw to daggers and blades pointed to their throats.

Once the color of the mage’s skin began to alter and the poison had spread far within his blood, Joui pulled the cast, hand going to the table to steady himself from the effect. He sat atop it and watched the widened eyes focus on him as the illusion faded. “Before you feel admirable, brave, or any other foolishly timed heroics, consider my words quite carefully”, he said pointing a dagger pulled from his side to the dying mage. “Sen’s poison’s has taken this one and they are quite gracious”, he worded smiling at them seated still on the dying man’s lap as he tried gasping for air that would not come. “They will happily have you share this delight but I, I am not quite in the sharing mood”, Joui added, eyes moving to the LEA Chief.

“There is a small army of my Elite Fae guards, and our allies as gifted as beautiful Sen”, Joui continued earning a giggle from them, “outside awaiting my mark. And of course, a dragon in the sky above you”, he said tipping his head back. Night had concealed Syuusen’s movements with its altitude but Joui still felt his presence. “I can either have my comrades here, slit all your throats, and paint this room a wonderful hue of crimson, or my dear dragon can engulf it in flames, and no, Meri, my sweet”, he said looking to the familiar face, recognizing that expression of anger taking her beautiful features just like it did the last time they met. “Your aquatic wonders will not save you from my dragon, but you can try”, he said with a grin. “I would love to see it”, he breathed, leaning in her direction, eyes shifting to gold, his intrusion of her mind teasing the memory of the illusion he once gave her, the cuff burying into her shoulder. “Or”, he began looking to the Academy head, then to the Palace owner, “we can continue being friends.”

He let silence fall in the room, his secondary cast pushing into their minds, filling it with the growls of his dragon, the marching of his army, and the sensation of their skin ablaze. There he watched them shift uncomfortably in their seats, inching from the pointed blades ready at their throats. “No?” he asked pulling the cast and willing Syuusen closer. “Friends it is”, he said sheathing his blade back at his side, though his guards did not move their own. He moved to the LEA chief, whispering commands into his ear, then rested his hand to his shoulder while he pulled his amulet free.

“Now, answer me honestly”, he said letting his eyes again shift to gold. “Where is Valentina?”

8pm

He almost fell over from the laughter when told of Valentina’s end. “Sealed in a box, by a fucking actress { @ara-kadeu}”, he said enjoying the end the demon received. “How amusing. Do have them sing this in an opera this year. A wonderful warning to bad children this Yeon Nen”, he mused then sat still. “You will bring this box to me. Perhaps I want to sing sweet songs of loss to it, comfort my old friend”, he said though his expression darkened. “I must thank Ara for this service she has done me.”

He eased off the table and walked around slowly, settling at Meridith’s side. “Your faction is now mine. Worry not, I hate gaudy posters and care not for most of the idiotic things you Diamonds need to feel alive”, he said placing a hand on the desk. “But be not fooled, I have taken it. As she wanted with mine”, he said then sat back on the table. “Your lacking backbone and years of corruption has done this to you. This farce of system that proclaims to be led by the best, has done nothing. Your people are dying and those with the natural ability to help, chose riches over basic decency. And that’s coming from me, the Ace of Hearts, who prides his money more than anything, right?” he asked, eyes narrowing at Meredith. “ And yet I have fed my own.” He spat with disgust, looking across the room. “The cost of rebuilding my faction, healing my injured, burying my dead, comforting their loves, you will pay. Your water elementalists will offer water to your lowranked for a subsidized price that you will pay, and a fair price to all else. You will open your storehouses and feed your fucking faction”, he said shaking his head, irritation raising his voice as he has to direct the basics to this room of pompous fools. “You are all fucking children, unfit to sit in this room, to dare have the same rank as me, to dare think yourselves my fucking equal”, he said then heard Syuusen’s roar outside, echoing the anger he felt.

He stood and walked to the window, the tail end of the creature visible. Below a portion of his guard awaited him, LEA forces dead and covered before them. The chief had given them the order to stand down, before the blades returned to his throat and plunged within. His valiants had saw to anyone loyal still to the old demon. “Making me trek near refuse”, he complained. “Cobwebs and vile insects attempting to disrespect by body. In that damp dark, horribly paved tunnel. I will be scrubbing the smell of that place off my skin and from my hair for fucking weeks.”

Journalists had began showing up on the steps below. A dragon roaring in the sky wasn’t hard to miss. The Heart force before the monument of Diamond leadership was also hard to miss. Yet there was no bloodshed, save the dead and covered LEA, no burning of the city, even after the senseless attack to Hearts the day before.

Joui walked from the chamber with the newly reinstated Aces, down before the press and his guard. There he told how he fought the imp invasion sent by the wicked Diamond Ace Valentina, saw the devastation first hand as he tried to protect his own. He told of the lasting damages, the trauma to the living and sadness of the dead, all who provoked none of this senseless behavior. He reminded of the corruption already plaguing the continent and how he had opened his own storehouses, paid exorbitant prices for fresh water from corrupt water elementalists to keep the sickness at bay and keep his people free to live their daily lives without that worry. He told how the Aces aside him joined him to fight the demon fearlessly, while his guards held back her personal forces. He told how they vanquished the evil and restored order. He told how two of their own had been slain in the struggle but fought for the freedom of their democracy. Now was the time for Hearts and Diamonds to work together to see business prosper and people have the freedom to live free from tyranny.

He shook the hands of the returned Aces, journalists clamoring for further updates, while his dragon coiled behind him along the steps. He let the Aces revel in the cheers of their return, let them be hailed righteous heroes. Such was as he wanted.

Syuusen drew closer, nuzzling at the High Fae’s shoulder. He nodded, knowing the dragon felt what his smile hid. He would return to his estate to rest, to see to the state within him, to nourish himself well. He would knowing he had progressed the wish of his elders. By their blessing his duty upheld, his vow to their goal moved ahead.

Indeed the timing was not perfect and the situation would have to be revisited but there were steps made. Best yet, steps made out of sight of the press and the farce of a press conference he held giving the fools recognition, while freeing blame from rightful actors. Their forces would be purged, their economy wholly dependent on him, and a few high households turned to ash. But for now he let them smile, let the continent be none the wiser.

He had acted, without being seen, but the goal well accomplished.

#sp: To Act #Syuusen #dictator barbie arc #mr steal yo faction #merirobin #ara-kadeu #whew #evicts this

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multiverseforger · 3 years

Text

When the last surviving member of the planet Xandar's elite Nova Corps, Rhomann Dey, is dying, he selects New York high school student Richard Rider to replace him.[10] Rider is given the uniform and powers of a Nova Centurion but little instruction on how to use them. Calling himself Nova, Rider becomes a superhero, fighting costumed supervillains such as Condor, Powerhouse,[11] Diamondhead,[12] the Corruptor,[13] and the Sphinx,[14] and teaming with heroes such as Spider-Man[15] and Thor. He initially hides his identity, but later reveals it to his family.[16]

Rider discovers Dey's space ship orbiting Earth and uses it to journey to Xandar with Doctor Sun, Powerhouse, Comet, and Crimebuster and the Sphinx,[17] where they join Xandar's war against the Skrulls.[18] With the help of Rom the Space Knight, the Skrulls are defeated. Wanting to return to Earth, Rider is released from his duties on Xandar and relinquishes his powers.[19]

New WarriorsEdit

Upon his return to Earth, Rider struggles to readjust due to his failure to complete high school. Unknown to him, the planet Xandar is utterly destroyed in an attack by the space pirate Nebula.[20] With the help of Night Thrasher, Rider regains his powers and joins the New Warriors superhero team,[21] where he becomes close friends with Speedball. Richard briefly dates Yale student Laura Dunham and teammate Namorita.[22][23]

Cover to New Warriors (vol. 1) #75.

Pencils by Patrick Zircher.

Rider encounters Garthan Saal, a former Nova Corps Centurion who had been driven insane by absorbing too much Nova Force, the source of power for Nova Centurions. Saal seeks more power so he can restore Xandar to its former glory. He strips Rider of his powers and transports him to Xandar. Saal is defeated. Rider witnesses the reformation of the Nova Corps and receives the rank of Centurion Prime.[24]

Assigned to Earth, Rider is confronted with the challenge of balancing dual lives as a member of both the Nova Corps and the New Warriors. Rider encounters a Nova Corps member from an alternate timeline named Nova 0:0,[25] who prepares him to stop the Deathstorm, which is coming to destroy Earth. Because Rider defies Xandar's Queen Adora to stop the Deathstorm,[26] he is temporarily stripped of his powers and rank,[27] but is given back his powers when his replacement sacrifices himself.[28]

"Annihilation"Edit

Nova briefly travels the US with the reformed New Warriors as part of a reality television show.[29] Rider leaves the group when he is summoned to Xandar alongside the entire Nova Corps, which has been fully mobilized to respond to the Annihilation Wave, a force from the Negative Zone led by Annihilus. The wave decimates Xandar and the corps in a surprise attack.[30] As the only surviving centurion, Rider makes contact with the Xandarian Worldmind, a living supercomputer that regulates the Nova Force and is caretaker of the entire database of Xandarian civilization. The Worldmind uploads itself and the entire Nova Force into Rider, greatly enhancing his abilities.[31] During the Annihilation War, Rider takes command of the United Front, a loose collaboration of soldiers. In a nearly year-long campaign, Rider resists the Wave's advance across the galaxy until the United Front suffers a swift defeat. He leads a small team into the Wave's conquered territory and eventually engages Annihilus in personal combat, killing him.[32]

After the Annihilation War, Rider returns to Earth to rest. However, finding out that his pleas for help in the Annihilation War were ignored by Earth's superheroes because of a Civil War, and meeting Penance - his old friend Speedball, who was mentally scarred by the events leading up to said war - Rider returns to space, feeling out of place on Earth and disturbed by what Penance had become.[33]

Post-"Annihilation"Edit

Attempting to aid the Kree against an assault from the Phalanx, Rider is wounded and crash lands on a sparsely populated Kree outpost.[34] While Rider's unconscious body recovers, Worldmind deputizes a local Kree commander, Ko-Rel, to guard him. Rider is infected by the transmode virus and joins the Phalanx.[35] Now tasked with killing Rider before the Worldmind falls into enemy hands, Ko-Rel attacks him, only to be killed by Gamora in retaliation. Upon her death, her fraction of the Nova force returns to Rider and enables him to overcome the transmode virus. He flees Kree space pursued by Gamora and a Phalanx-controlled Drax.[36] Seeking a cure for the transmode virus, Rider eventually arrives on Kvch, home planet of the Technarchy. Rider enlists the help of the mutant Warlock and his son Tyro, who cure Rider, Drax, and Gamora of the transmode virus. The five return to Hala to engage the Phalanx.[37][38]

When ambushed by Skrulls during the Secret Invasion storyline, Rider is aided by Kl'rt. He learns about the Secret Invasion and heads for Earth.[39] Rider learns that Project Pegasus, the base where his brother now works, is under Skrull attack. Working with Darkhawk, Rider successfully stops the Skrulls' advance. The scientists of the facility extract the Worldmind from his brain and use the supercomputer to jump-start a project known as the quantum flask, which restores Quasar to life.[40] A Skrull warship is about to attack Project Pegasus but is destroyed by a band of alien Nova Centurions who then declare their allegiance to Rider.[41]

Rider learns that Worldmind has been recruiting for the Corps without telling him. When he learns that Ego the Living Planet is among the new recruits,[42] he becomes enraged and tries to battle Worldmind. As a result, he is stripped of his rank and ejected from the Nova Corps.[16] Because his body has become dependent on the Nova Force, Rider will die if he is without it for too long.[43] As a temporary measure, he borrows the quantum bands from Wendell Vaughn and becomes Quasar.[44] Using his new abilities, Rider rescues the Corps from the War of Kings. Ego is removed as a Centurion and Rider regains his Nova Prime status, but not before most of the new recruits are slaughtered by the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Nova agrees to train the remaining new Centurions, including his younger brother Robert.[45]

Nova is recruited for the Secret Avengers by Steve Rogers and sent to Mars to investigate Roxxon's operations on that planet. While there, Rider discovers a second Serpent Crown secreted there, only to fall under its influence until rescued by Rogers and his team of Avengers.[46] Shortly after this mission, Nova is called away to deal with the events of The Thanos Imperative and Steve Rogers confirms he has left the team.[47]

"Realm of Kings" and Thanos ImperativeEdit

A lost Nova Corps ship appears from a tear in space-time known as the Fault. Onboard is Zan Philo, a long-missing Nova centurion who is assigned to train the new recruits.[48] Later, Rider and Darkhawk find themselves inside the Fault, where they are called to do battle for the Sphinx against his younger self. Because of the unstable timestream inside the Fault, Nova is able to return with Namorita, his old girlfriend who had died a few years earlier.[49] Rider returns to Project Pegasus, where he confronts an alternate Quasar who originates from the Cancerverse, a universe within the Fault.[50]

Catching up to the alternate Quasar, Rider returns to the Fault to see the Universal Church of Truth rip it wide open.[51] Assisted by others, he confronts Lord Mar-Vell, the evil alternate version of Captain Marvel, but cannot stop him. Entering the Fault to assist the Guardians of the Galaxy, Rider and the Guardians watch Thanos destroy Mar-Vell. Now facing an enraged Thanos, Rider pulls the Nova Force from the rest of the Corps for extra strength. He and Star-Lord are able to hold Thanos back for the few minutes it takes for the Fault to close, trapping all three of them in the Cancerverse.[52] The two heroes continue to fight Thanos for a Cosmic Cube which has the power to send them home. Rider charges the Cube with the Nova Force to create a doorway for Star-Lord, intending to remain behind and keep Thanos from escaping too. Star-Lord escapes, but Rider is unable to prevent Thanos from escaping as well.[53] Because no one is immediately aware Star-Lord survived, Nova and Star-Lord receive a statue in their honor on Hala.[52]

ReturnEdit

The latest Nova, Sam Alexander, locates the Xandarian Worldmind.[54] Rider's consciousness awakens within the Worldmind during the encounter. It is later revealed that Rider and the Worldmind survived the closure of the Fault and remain trapped in the Cancerverse. Using the Nova Force, Rider manages to escape the Cancerverse, returns to Earth to visit his mother,[55] and learns that his father has died.[56] He encounters Alexander and they begin working together. However, in his escape, Rider has become a portal to the Cancerverse, which repeatedly attempts to invade Earth through him. Rider returns to the Cancerverse in hopes of closing the portal and thus saving his own universe.[57] Despite his resistance, he is co-opted by the Cancerverse, but is freed by Alexander, who has followed him. He two escape the Cancerverse once more, using the Cosmic Cube carried by Thanos' Cancerverse doppelganger. Rider and Alexander resume their lives and relationships on Earth while continuing as Nova Corpsmen.[58]

In the aftermath of "Empyre," Nova represents the Nova Corps during a Galactic Council meeting held by Super-Skrull. When Emperor Stote of the Zn'rx was found dead in the restroom and Noh-Varr becomes a suspect after attacking the Skrull subaltern Val-Korr, Nova calls in the Guardians of the Galaxy to investigate Emperor Stote's murde

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roseprincesskristina · 3 years

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The Crimson Doctor And A Patient

((Heyo! Today's special surprise goes out to the ladies out there whose unbeatable for White Day Zero never cease to die down. In this story, a very non illed patient has been called for check up at Maverick Hunter HQ located to the medical office. But what she didn't realize during her appearance is that a familiar "physician" plots a "special treatment" in store. Anyway, with that aside, please enjoy! 😊✌))

Daylight made its brightening occurrence to reveal a healthy smile upon the town of Abel City, homeland to the freedom fighting organization known as the Maverick Hunters who clash against unruly tyrants such as mavericks, with an unreasonable desire to do as they please like creating felonies on purpose without practicing the apologetic act or clemency towards humans. Lead by the previous commander, Sigma, wielding a soon-to-be dream of hoping for a perfect future when all of humanity has become swept out of Earth, leaving the powerful reploids to rule of an iron grasp without anyone to stop this nightmare. Until luckily, his schemes have yet again become silenced from the duo of upper class hunters X and Zero to restore peace by defeat him multiple times despite of the resurrection. No matter how unstoppable his power will be, companionship will always overdraw brawns.

Today is yet a lovely morning to enjoy life accompanying both humans as well as reploids together in existence, never the matter of differences. Birds tweeting in a cheery tone helping to rise up the evening mood, clear breeze easing away all stress penetrating inside the bodies, and the perfect balance between man and robot will always be much more peaceful than it was in the past. Life for this city along of its inhabitants, is what makes it ever so graceful as it is now.

You, a young human woman, are enjoying yourself to learn more about this city, since the first time arriving here to meet everyone, including the famous irregular slayers themselves in the flesh. While strolling throughout this section for a further enjoyment of a lifetime, a tall but familiar figure in red with golden locks tied in a ponytail gazes at your presence since he walked past you minding his own business, which cause him to stop for a moment. Not realizing about this person before yet finds her rather innocent, also beautiful unlike the rest who visits his office at headquarters. Inspires nature at most, being kind to others, helping, all of these things about you have gave him a pumping love struck. But as a wonderful pill to take. The perfect plot to gain her attention just pop up within his mind. In order for her to come towards him, he must pose himself as someone else that would woo her. Perhaps as a doctor like Lifesaver, however, a sexy version flashing his unbeatable charms to the hearts of women. The scarlet hunter wrote down this message on a paper, quietly places it in your back pocket with a lack of notice, then beams away to his dorm for an upgradeable change of armor. Chuckling menacingly yet flirtatiously to himself at the similar time.

"Mm he he he he... Oh this is gonna be too easy... As soon as she receives my form for tomorrow's health examination, I'm gonna give her a special present in mind for later just in case..." He schemed quietly, clothing his wardrobe into an unlicensed love physician as well as a long diamond colored operating robe to suit him better. Confiscating his upper armor part from the body, joined with losing an entire inner suit to pose as a "curing pill" should be the only powerful supplement there is to have patients fall into a hypnotic state once taken. He began to gaze to his divine reflection along of the secret "tranquilizer" to use for later. The smug expression reappears as he said... "The doctor...is in~"

The next day has occurred, you have been summoned here by a strange doctor for a visit about getting a checkup exam, due to a message given from the personal "assistant". Right in front of Maverick Hunter HQ while entering inside for an appointment today, one of the elite hunters began to escort you over to a different location by using an elevator that ascends directly to the room.

"Hello miss. I apologize for proceeding you so rudely, but the doctor wishes to see you immediately for your check up. Please follow me to the elevator." Nodded to the respected hunter, you proceeded with him while being escorted.

Meanwhile into the doctor's office, the other novice hunter reported that you'll be arriving very shortly to take a physics test, then an unknown medical reploid responded with a smile.

"Good~. Bring her into my office~." He said, spoken of a deep seductive tone. "Time to give my lovely patient a special treatment in store for her~... He he he he~...." Underneath his snow white operation coat, he refuses to wear his full red armor that he stripped out of but to have the briefs remain on along with the boots and helmet.

Making your way through a long hallway and appearing in an early time for the "treatment" to cure your body from illness that you don't have right now, you began to take a seat while waiting patiently for anyone to see you. Looking around this facility to keep you fully occupied would lower the boredom level to none even to ponder of your favorite spots in the park staring towards the clouds flowing by, along with spending time with your family, friends, including fun activities to do in a spare time. Until a sudden door has opened automatically catching your attention to peer who it is that exits the other room, revealing the similar yet unknown stranger from before who mistakenly sent an invitation to your bottom pocket when you return home. Wore a long white lab coat representing a medical expert that studies the anatomy along with holding a clipboard in his hand, geared with a pair of glasses. Standing in front of the desk with his back turned while awaiting for your attendance, he greeted you with a smile.

"Ah. Good evening, young lady. I've been excepting you." A gentle voice aims forwardly to you during his existence to check on you. "Thank you for coming in with a short notice to have an appointment. How are you feeling today? Are you physically active?" You replied at his greetings by a polite nod. Even though you're not an a crucial condition, he still needs to examine your well being clearly to make sure of it. "That's good. I see you have obtain the message that my assistant gave you at your house, correct?" Once again, you said yes. Showing the paper to him about getting a different medicine. Deep inside his mind, he's fully prepared to offer you something even more than a shot or anything else. The grin on his face made its return, meaning that you are in his trap for a romantic event to happen very so that you're fairly unaware of.

"Good. Very good. I'm glad to hear that you're perfectly well." Again he smiled towards your answer. "Now then, let's begin the study for your examination about yourself along of your health. Would you prefer the normal blood test? Or...." Slowly opening the long doctor's robe to reveal his stunning gorgeous abs by a flash, the visible blush shown itself into your face due to the witnessing dream before you. "Maybe I should give you a very sexual procedure instead~?" Without seeing this coming, you should've realized that something was completely off about the whole "appointment meeting with the doctor" phase, has been a scam the entire time. Even to notice of his voice more carefully, it was rearranged from original to sexually deep that gave women quite thrilling shivers. Hearing from the word "sexual" is not what a real doctor would say or has been printed into the dictionary, but surprisingly this person said it informally who imitates as one is obviously known as....

"Hey there, kitten~ Fancy having you here~ Ya miss me~?" Removing the glasses from his face steadingly to show a familiar expression, even a sexy voice shooting at you through the brain to assist your memory by remembering slowly during your later visit for a Valentine privacy, the "medical reploid" forms himself as none other than Zero. Upperclassmen of the maverick busting group that fights to remain balance for the city as well as the 0th unit captain. You silently gasped by a flush, covering up your full expression due to his irresistible "operation procedure" that he plotted only for you. Approaching seductively as he goes to you with both arms hidden behind his head licking his flawless lips in a rotating fashion, the heart shaded swordsman grasps under your chin. Winking a kiss upon your head proudly to see you again for a visit.

"Mmmm~ Glad to see your lovely mug again, my sweet little patient~ How's it going~? Surprised~? You should be, because I'm gonna cure your sickness from those dull worries spinning all over your cute little mind with a special antidote to cheer you up~" He said, circling around you romantically. Very much closer than ever, his body had almost planted onto you or face, releasing the inner urges trapped within your soul. Having your soft cheeks painted of the color pink because of the medical stud flexing passionately in front of you has surrender to him very quickly. However, the strongest sense of your will accompanies you to remain calm by doing as your hot host requires you to do. Surrender yourself within his grasps is the only option acceptable to make his evening a lot easier when it comes to mute types like you.

"So~ What's shakin, dollface~? Happy to see me~? Bet you are~" The handsome android said with an attractive spell waiting for anyone such as yourself to become its victim. "Guess you're wondering why the note I send ya wasn't a real one, right~? Well, that's correct~ Cause it was me all along~" The flustered gasped must've escaped from your mouth after his confessions. Slightly bamboozled of his plans, but have understood it very positively with an apologetic flush. "Awww~ Even though it was a prank, I'm still glad you're not upset about the false appointment~ Thanks for forgiving me, sweetheart~" Grinned the flamed colored love doctor, smooching your forehead. "Now, how about we start our own private meeting alone~? With me~ Holding you in my muscled palms~ In my medical lair~ Together~" Hands placed upon your shoulders quite so calmly, one knee landed onto yours caused your entire anatomy to burst into the shady burn of redness unlike any kind of sunlight in the summer, but a nervous highlight covers your body wholeheartedly. A replied nod answers his question has lend a satisfied smirk towards him.

"Mmmm~ That's my patient~ Just the way I like it in a human girl~"Purred the charming expert, sitting onto your lap for a comfortable view of you, existence, the rest. Such as the preparation pouring downwards on both by his unavoidable sexiness clearing a severe fever, which you hardly gain. "Hope you're ready to have your pleasurable surgery, cause I'm change your poor life like you did mine~" You flustered yet another with a blush and very psyched at both.

"Are you excited, little lady~? From the looks of your inclinations, I'd say you are prepared for a love making check up given by yours truly~" He questions you with a finger traveling around your body, sided by his lips advancing towards the ear. Already aware of that, yes has been answered once more.

Inside your thoughts, multiple visions about this miraculous hunk in glimmering crimson showing off his god like steel dancing erotically without an end to go by. Blowing kisses for no reason whatsoever, shushing your sadness in a minimum of his unstoppable flirts about you. Especially to a certain someone he utterly admires mostly in his dreams to help him rest peacefully at night, lowering dreadful memories of violent past back to the sewerage dump where it rightfully belongs. Never to be recognized anymore. All that remains forever in front of him, is a ravishing angel of the heavens dragging him out of the frighten memories that would engulf his existence from the world across him. Replacing the former thoughts along with the ex irregularity days due to his beginning since he was made by the late Dr. Wily. Vanished from his conscious permanently. The real focus he stares rapidly is the newly symbol of life, meaning you, rehearsing the balance to its regular rate, allowing peace to perform the rest. No more maverick infiltrations, people involved in death, either to realize about the crazed used-to-be maverick king's comeback. Just some good old fashioned treatment sucking several stresses right out of his soul. Siding with a loveable victim in his sights, pressing his "ultimate tranquil supplement" against you in a grinding position just to arouse your emotions to its knees.

"Ohhhh~ Man, you're looking pretty healthy since our last encounter in my dorm~ Have you been exercising all night~? Or are you thinking of little ol' me~?" He was starvingly interested from your improved figure than before despite of last month's enchanting love event which morphed his exhaustion into a craving appetite waiting to be served on a golden platter. Two shades of red reopened themselves in your cheeks, feeling his harden yet soothing hands cushioning everywhere around you by the shoulders, chest, even your body colliding with his.

"Mmmmm~ Even your cute little fever is smoking hot too~ But in a loving way, it always turns me on~" Yet another, your eyes were yanked in complete shook, leading you to shed a sweating tear drop all over your clothing. Heart beating of a repeatable rhythm, hands held on the chair, breath zooming right out of your yap. Unable to control yourself, he viewingly cools away your steam by speaking into your ear.

"You know~ I always love it when your nervousness never fails to amuse my thirsty needs~ It pours all over my succulent, gorgeous armor so nicely~ Making me a very naughty hunter wanting to be punished for being bad~" You hardly gulped while hearing his erotic sayings of himself about your shyness showering him. " But most of all~...." Shockingly, he whispers comely at you. "I'm very~... Very~... Also~.... Hungry to have you for dinner~ Mmmm~" Slurped the ruby painted blonde, without wearing his brighten armor and under clothing still. His traveling tongue have commenced to taste some elegant skin by laying it on your cheek, slithering up, down, the neck, anywhere but the body. He couldn't get enough of your sweetness, seconded to the soothing sensation of his voice entering your imaginations including to polish your dreams into reality. Pondering of his graceful anatomy washing off a few negligence torturing your goals, likings, inspirations. Gone with a single assault, no longer coming back to mind. Your urges were calling to him saying "Please don't stop~... ", or "More, daddy~...". Either way, it doesn't really matter for as long as you, an angelic patient, are into the golden locked physician's clutches, all has been going smoothly as predicted.

"Ohhhhh~ Mmmmmm~ God, you taste so better than the others~ Mmmmm~ So clean, even my taste buds went totally berserk over you~" Intrigued insanely, he obtains another lick of your scarless facial religiously. Thinks of you as everyone's favorite candy that he wouldn't dare try to resist from. Eating famishingly of your creamy substance away, he then sips for a deeper kiss so desperately that the new memory will last eternally. The shading scarlet blush in your skin, shoots its volcanic blast to the skies, ascending to all the stars of space. Blinking lashes accelerated by a flicker. His breath took yours, piercing the corrupted heart of the bad ordor. Slain for good to make sure it was turned to ash. Continuing his solo procedure upon the patient makes it so simple to do than an ordinary practice. Plus by this, it refers to satisfaction of his lips advancing all over you.

"Mmmmmm~ Mmmm~ Oh baby~ I wanna taste you more~"

Panting like crazy almost as "getting ready for school" reaction setting your insane inner desires free that yearns for the red charmer's fascinated treasures tangling you. Shutting down everything of your life, hobbies, friends, family relatives, including schoolwork in your head. Changing them into quadruple images of Zero whistles more than one smooch clearing any kind of illness that gets in the way to live a delightful life. Slaying viruses in one strike of no problems, demolishing boredom cells damaging multiple reputations with a swooning sword.

And thirdly, a most powerful shield of all to deflect thousands projectiles of allergies fired toward anyone clean from the ignorant snot of assumptions. Immune to all twisted disasters, lack of weaknesses, especially the gifted immortality to overpower any weak obstacles shooting their way. Nothing will ever penetrate his invulnerable barrier of hotness. Holding you in his arms will grow a hundred times tougher than the normal state, by purifying the tiredness you never had into a sleepless cycle of pleasure.

"Ahhhh~ You're easily delicious when your anxious persona made my stethoscope so wet~" He purred of enjoyment, rolling his pink licking buds in a circular part. "You remind me of someone I know whose also soft but compassionate~ Getting well with people, loves peace, all that~ He's an amazing partner when you get to know him~" No clue of who this person is, but you nodded towards his concern of X, 17th unit commander.

"But enough about that, let's focus on you for an example~ Placing my chilling shot in your warm heart~" He smirked purringly, rubbing his pecs followed with the bod pressing into you. A blazing blush had overtaken your emotions, thoughts and even the will to resist.

Attempting to flee from something incredibly challenging, he mashed the lips in yours much further. Forbidding your chances to leave so hastily, you have been carried towards and pinned to the table during an infinite smooch.

"Mmm~ Sorry, doll~ But it ain't gonna be easy to escape from me once you're already sealed in my restraints~ So just relax, and lemme give you my.... "health shot" to ease your painful anxiety~ Very~ Slowly~" Once again, the aired shade returns in your conscious than just a face alone. Inserting his best "shots" to freeze your movements gave him the opportunity to perform a lustful dance in order for you to give yourself up, his fingers formed into a snap to crank the sensual music.

Red lights beamed all around the room when activated, desk remodeled into a comfy bed decorated only for you, an exercising pole, and of course, the cherry on top. A talented beam sword wielder proceeding to the silver pole, dancing the night, since it's daytime, in a tango by polishing his body onto it, licking, twirling so passionately, all the things he can do just to lasso your attention up to a tied position.

"Oh pussy cat~" He called you by an alluring finger wiggling toward at your body, having the head glanced to him forwardly. However, both yourself even the desires were pierced from his tendering view as he took off his faux operating faux coat slowly. Caught off guard, the only choice you have now is to witness wholeheartedly of the magnificent medicine he has kept for so long, beginning to show it by flashing more of his holy remedy before you.

"Remember when I said about my special cure that I'm gonna offer you for being a good girl~? Well here's a beautiful reward just for you~ Mmm he he he he~" Winked the glamorous boy toy. Blushing in a harden figure, the ravishing blonde in red flexibly dances across the pole then shoots a blowing kiss. Flowing tied locks fly so freely, hands caressing on the body in a loop, makes you a little bit woozy. Like an a perfect kind of dizziness to keep you occupied.

What you could ever dream of for the rest of your life is honestly a real thing, thus is one of the best cure that you would even ask for. Allowing his "virus" of a spell casted on your very soul to feel its sting burrowing into the bones, spreading widely as it is. Causing them to be numb, losing its control to ignore something or someone uniquely handsome such as the superior hunter. Parts of your body, in which you're controlling, are now under his dazzling influences without a strength to retaliate. Everything within your consciousness, now belongs to him. Which means, you are his permanent plaything to pleasure with all day and night long. Imagine it, a famous sword expert embracing your innocent well being, all to him. None for anybody to steal you.

Concluding his delectable performance to place a peaceful birdie such as yourself to a slumbering state, the serious Class A crusader climb into you into a lover's bed by flatly laying against your body, in a numbing condition still, gives you once more an eternal kiss.

"Mmmmm~ Thanks again, sweet cheeks~ For accepting my just desserts to make this operation an easy success~" He thanks you, purring all over your anaesthetic form with a finger vertically to the lips. "I knew you'd appreciate my expertise as an unlicensed physician~... Of love~" Your smile meant with a blink since you can't move your arms, legs, especially head. Enjoyed his company to the fullest in a new and improved memory to hold in store. His grin reveals as a rotating tongue on the lips, eager to do a second examination on you to increase a hotter mood. Closing the curtains of both windows, also the bed for a decent privacy away of the crowd. A romantic event between a doctor and patient, lady luck has always been by his side or not. But, it hardly matters for as long you are present with the only doctor who's very great with ill patrons. As for him, the only skill he has is wooing the ladies. Much like you as well.

"So, my adorable little doll, now that we're finally alone, how about another.... "secondary procedure" in secret~? Whaddya say~? Hmm~?" Prepared for more of the private procedure once again, the answer still remains the same like always. During your paralyzed fashion, he smiled seductively after his question.

"Mmmmm~ That's what I like to hear~ Now~ Where were we~? Oh yeah, the second treatment I'm gonna give you~ He he he he he~" Closer yet again to your unstable state, smushing his upon yours gently, readying for a permanent kiss in the lips of all the century. While your spirit is still active, love has cured the dangerous bacteria that ruined nature's remarkable time. Especially you.

"I love you more than anyone or anything in the world, kitten~ Thanks for turning my day into a fabulous paradise~" Showing his gratitude because of your inspiration to him, he gifted you a much more longer kiss than today. Second with his body massaging your needs.

"I really love it when you're fully relaxed, cutie~ Now ~ Stay still for me, and lemme give you a tasty cure to aid your cold fever.....with my scrumptious body to help you get well~ Purrrrrrrr~"

Midnight has shown its quiet face to the city, different than the jubilated sunshine from earlier. The civilians headed home for a new starting day to appear tomorrow after a wonderful evening bringing humans, including reploids, altogether in equality just as the sapphire android whose been created by the late Dr. Thomas Light requires it. All threats as well as the maverick troublemakers from the past have all been avoided as they speak. At last for now.

So as the red tough guy enjoying his perfect off duty, comforting a special whose funtime had been a real supplement along with a well balanced breakfast to help the anatomy by growing big and strong. Even to make his life a living heaven than hell: You. A darling angel that makes everybody including Zero, change from a sorrow frown into a joyful grin.

"If any of you ladies like to have your personal checkup, then don't be shy to visit yours truly~ I'm always here to cure your illness anytime~ *Wink*."

Dr. Zero, Crimson Maverick Hunter

The End

#megaman #mmx #rockman x dive #zero #white day zero #fanfic #reploidpov #hot doctor #class a #maverick hunter #fanservice

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seriouslyhooked · 4 years

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Feels Like This (Part 2)

Emma Swan is a once lost girl who is now making good. She has made a way in the world for her and her young son, Henry, and after years of hard work, Emma is in her last stretch of schooling for the career she’s always wanted. Unexpectedly, she finds herself in a tiny nation no one’s ever heard of for her last year of study. She knows nothing about the place except that it’s beautiful, has a world-renowned child life program, and is filled with possibility. Meanwhile, Prince Killian is hardly happy with the title he received at birth. As the second in line for the crown, Killian has long tried shaking his royal duties. He built a career in the royal navy, and has stayed out of the limelight, but his ship has been called to port indefinitely at the request of his brother, the King. Fate (in her many forms) brings Emma and Killian together and the resulting fic is a cute, fluffy, trope filled romp featuring heart felt moments, a healthy dose of insta-love and an assured happily ever after. Story rated M and will have 12 parts. Part 1 Here. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Oh my god, guys, I am not going to lie, I am having so much fun writing this fic! I have missed having new stories to explore so much, and I am so eternally grateful for all of you who kept pushing me to do another Royal AU. I didn’t realize how much I was going to love doing this again until I started, and now I have so much I want to explore, and so much fluff and cuteness in my head I can’t wait to share with you all. I hope you will enjoy this chapter. Keep in mind, I know it’s been a slower burn so far, but I promise the pay off will be perfect. In the meantime, you’ll see where Killian is in this fic, and the people in his life who will become important characters to the rest of the story. Some are based on the show, some are added additions as you’ll see. For example, I always name Killian’s mom ‘Meera’ in my fics, I know it kind of sounds like Milah, but they’re not the same and I chose that name originally because of its meaning and because of a poem I read long ago – the sounds was coincidence. Anyway, that being said, I hope you will enjoy, and thank you so much for reading!

“Well, mates, we’ve finally done it. Our twelve-month stint is complete and all our sorry asses are heading home. Never thought I’d see the day.”

The words from Will Scarlet hung between Killian and his friends where they sat in the cargo hold of a military aircraft flying over the last piece of the sea that separated them all from home. They had just finished their active deployment in a classified location, and it had been immersive and seemingly unending. With limited contact to the outside world, and a constant goal of getting their mission done, these officers and their subordinates had worked hard to serve their country and its citizens. It had been trying times, and the task at hand was hard, but this was what they trained for. The Montenarro elite naval force was as selective as it was distinguished, and every man and woman serving in it was considered a national hero. But Killian hated that term, and he hated it more than anything when it was used in conjunction with his other loathed title – prince.

“You nearly didn’t make it, Scar-boy. If you hadn’t had Hook watching your back, you’d be dead ten times over.”

Killian smirked at the bit of teasing from Robin. That nickname for Scarlet was classic and well earned, given how many near misses he’d had with a tragic, awful death. But the boy part was bestowed thanks to Scarlet’s enduring childishness. His old friend always brought a laugh, and he could sober up when things got serious, but he couldn’t apply that sense of military discipline or responsibility to the rest of his life. He was a man child: unruly and a bit manic, but now that they were coming home, Killian hoped Will might figure things out. Meanwhile, Killian’s nickname, Hook, had at one time been a huge resentment for him. He’d earned the moniker in a notorious fight off base years ago just upon entering the royal command. The man he laid out with a single punch was a right jack ass, who’d made a show of harassing women and spewing all kinds of ignorant crap the whole bloody night, but the headline of the moment was that the ‘rebel prince’ had struck again. His superiors were furious, and he was punished accordingly, but it was his brother, the King, who had dealt the harshest blow.

“You set one more foot out of line and I will bring you back home. If you’re going to make a spectacle of yourself, you’ll damn well do it somewhere our mother doesn’t have to worry about your safety.”

That was enough to set Killian to rights, because despite the seemingly charmed nature of his life, home was synonymous with hardship and discomfort. Being royalty was a constant burden of saving face and proper manners. He loved his brother, his mother, and his Gran, but they fit into that world with ease and a natural charm he didn’t possess. They loved shaking hands and kissing babies, took great pride in parades and national addresses, and knew how to ‘operate society.’ Killian, on the other hand, couldn’t stand it. He never blended well, never trusted easy. He’d met one too many snakes in Montenarro’s royal court and he didn’t need any more lessons on the hidden intentions people carried. It would sound mad to the average person, but there was a similar sense of dread he shared on deployment and at home, and on the good days, when he and his men were all safe with a job well done, he was vastly happier in his profession than in his personal life at home. At least he felt like he was serving something, and participating in a duty that was bigger than hollow gestures and picture perfect moments.

“The most important thing is no one’s dead,” Tink murmured from her spot on the other side of the hold. She was damn right about that. “We made it through another tour and I, for one, am out of here.”

“Olive will be glad to have you home, love,” Graham stated, patting their friend on the arm a few times in a signal to her extra sacrifice made these long months.

The mention of Tink’s daughter made her smile and in any other person tears no doubt would have shown in their eyes at the mention of such a reunion, but not Tink. This woman might be the smallest of their platoon but she was the fiercest and honestly the smartest. She was also brave as could be and composed at every moment. He’d asked her once how she could manage that, given everything that they saw and went through. Every one of them had moments of grave impact, where the stress or straight out fear crept in and took root, but not Tink. Her response was simply stated though it seemed impossible to comprehend:

‘When you have a reason to get home, a part of you that needs you, you don’t have the luxury of breaking down. Everything I have needs to go towards one thing – surviving. I have to get back for her and she matters more than everything else. No matter what I see here, she’s my beacon home.”

“The day I left, I promised her that this was my last tour,” Tink said, surprising everyone except for Killian with the revelation. She’d confided in him about her plan to leave their unit a few months back, and when the paperwork needed to get to higher ups to unenlist from front-line duty he helped her, knowing she was owed that after years of faithful service to the crown. “I didn’t want to mention it because I knew exactly what you’d all say.”

“You’re leaving us?” Will asked and the tone in his voice was like someone had kicked him in the gut. For someone so full of bluster, he caved in quick, and while Graham and Robin didn’t sound quite so stricken, they too were surprised.

“I took a land command. You’re looking at the royal navy’s newest pencil pusher,” she said with a huge grin. “Six years ago I’d have laughed in your face if you told me how happy that would make me.”

“But that was before,” Killian said, understanding her instinct to be with her daughter and the change she needed to make her family whole again.

“You always get it, Cap. But what about you – you think you’ve got another tour left in you?”

Ah shit. Here was the moment of truth. He couldn’t lie when faced with Tink’s question, but he had been denying the inevitable even to himself for so long. Every tour his brother told him this would be the last one, but every time he waivered when Killian returned and asked to leave once more. Killian had been serving for more than fifteen years now, a decorated Captain who had earned his own way and proven his merit. He knew he was well respected and highly capable, but that would stop meaning anything to Liam soon. No matter how good a Captain Killian was, his duty, as Liam saw it, was to be the prince and the second in line. He had obligations at home, and as loathed as that life was, Killian considered himself lucky. His family had given him the freedom of finding something more like normal all these years. Here, with his crew, he was normal. He wasn’t a monarch, but a man, part of a team even if he was a leader, and there was no bull shit muss or fuss. Now that would likely end, but despite wishing he could come back, Killian was grateful for what he’d been able to do and the friends he’d been able to meet.

“I serve at the pleasure of the King,” Killian hedged. “But I think it likely my assignments will be changing this go around.”

“What he means to say is he’ll be dodging the ladies at court and fending off those investment cats always vying for access to the royal purse,” Graham joked. Killian only shrugged, not able to contradict the man, as he was probably dead on.

“I’d take the desert twice over before I took that shit,” Will said, and for once, Killian had to agree with him, but it didn’t matter either way.

Soon enough the plane that was flying them back to base was prepared to land. Their descent was easy, but the feelings that Killian grappled with were not. There was relief of course when the doors opened and they were back on land. They’d been serving in dangerous places, running on borrowed time with too many close calls. Even the plain façade of their base near the capital couldn’t hide the beauty of Montenarro. Many people called this country too small to notice, but what it lacked for in size, it made up for in location. Nestled on the Mediterranean, with a range of coastlines and mountain range, this nation lived in a world that was warm and where the sun shone brightly and often. Today, the coast was clear and glorious, but the mountains weren’t far and the foot hills were lush this time of year. The greenery around them was a luxury compared to the barren wastelands they’d been encamped in, but beyond the walls of this military compound lay his real life. When he left this place, he stopped being Hook, or Cap, or even Killian. He had to be someone else, and the weight of that shifted the peace within him to something frenzied and on guard.

With a swift but genuine regard he bid all his brothers and sister in arms goodbye, and handed in his papers and his weapons with the higher-ups. By the time he made it outside, headed to his personal barracks where he needed to collect some personal items, a royal enclave was ready for him and their head of security, Jefferson, was already waiting.

“Your things have been gathered, Your Highness. We’re ready to ship out.”

“So help me Jefferson if you start that Highness crap already -,”

“Sorry, sir.”

Killian sighed at the lingering formality but it was a small improvement and it wasn’t actually Jefferson’s fault. If the man waivered from formal titles surely Liam would hear of it, and his elder brother was no fan of abandoning tradition. Why he’d even let Killian serve all these years was beyond him, but Killian expected Liam knew that without an outlet and a feeling of normalcy, Killian would have lost himself long ago.

The ride through the city’s center was long, but Killian barely took it in despite looking out his window. He’d seen this route a million times, and it might be lovely, but it was a signal of returning to a state he didn’t like. The only part of the drive he found favor in was seeing the people around them, and from all looks and appearance, the citizens of their small nation were happy and well. People were out and about, children were playing, families were gathered and enjoying the spring day. Everyone was partaking in this first sweet taste of summer and their worlds seemed calm and bright. As a ruler that was the only thing a King could wish for, and Killian felt that call too even as Prince. Their roles meant nothing if the people were not served – but under Liam’s watchful and ever attentive eye, it made sense that they would be happy. They were surely headed towards another prosperous year, and, as Killian had always known, the nation had never been in better, more capable hands.

By the time they reached the city’s far edge and the golden gates of his family’s castle rose before them, Killian was at war with himself. On the one hand he was edgy from what was yet to come, but he was also glad to be back, to see his mother and grandmother, and even his brother. At the end of the day he loved his family, he knew that they worried for him every day he’d been away, and he’d be glad that coming home could bring them comfort. He mindfully made the choice to choose their happiness over his own for the time being, and as he exited the limousine, he schooled his features in a smile which widened at the sight of who was waiting at the door.

“Oh, my little Killy. You’re home at last.”

To the rest of the world, his grandmother was the dowager Queen and a force to be reckoned with. She was a high society lady, the former ruler of this nation, and a fierce advocate for the throne, but to Killian she was just his Gran, a charming, insightful, sometimes crafty older woman with too much love in her heart to ever perish. She was pushing 90 years old but here she was, the first to greet him and moving about like she was thirty years younger. She came straight to Killian, ignoring his polite bow and instead pulling him in for a warm embrace. How a woman so tiny could still possess such strength, he’d never know, but he had a fleeting though that she and Tink would get along before his grandmother pulled back with a mist of tears in her eyes.

“Did you miss me that much, Gran?” he teased, fending off his own wayward emotion at being reunited with one of his favorite people. “I thought I was just a load of trouble wrapped up in a charming giftwrap.”

“Oh hush. I said that to you one time – one time! And you never let me forget it. I mean truly, my dear, what was I supposed to say? You got into your cousin Sienna’s wedding cake and ate damn near half on your own before the reception could even start. Chef nearly perished at the sight of it.”

“I was a kid, Gran.”

“You were old enough to know better. But you could see what a menace that foolish Count was, no doubt. Can’t say I blame you for your actions now, given everything.”

Everything in this case was a huge scandal strewn across the tabloids. Sienna, who was actually quite a distant cousin, but still of royal lineage, was a rather stand-offish woman who had married more for status than for love. Unfortunately that status was tarnished less than ten years later when her now ex-husband was revealed as a philanderer and not a cautious one. It was a mess of paparazzi fodder, but to Killian it wasn’t all that bad, not after what they’d gone through with his father.

“Honestly I just wanted cake,” Killian admitted, shaking off thoughts of the man who’d wronged them long ago and his Gran grinned, none the wiser.

“Well there will be plenty of it now that you’re home. Your mother has planned a whole host of events, and before you get all stodgy and upset, you remember what every day has been like since you were last home. Poor Meera’s been fussing with that rosary damn near twenty times a day.”

Killian felt a pang of guilt hearing that, but his grandmother ignored his stricken look, pulling him inside. Immediately in the entryway he found his mother and Liam and the rest of the household staff set to greet them. He saw the joy in his mother’s eyes, and a clear sense of relief in Liam’s and he knew, even without words or actions, that he was truly missed and very much loved. Still he glanced back at his Gran, quirking up a brow to silently ask her why she wasn’t part of the precession.

“When you get to be my age, my dear, the formalities start to seem rather pointless. I wasn’t waiting an extra second to see my grandson, and your brother has the good sense to let me be.”

“Anyone who lacked that sense risks a fate worse than death, I’m sure,” Liam said dryly, but he spared a smile for their Gran all the same and allowed the old woman to swat at his arm like he was a pesky fly instead of the reigning monarch. “It’s good to see you home, brother.”

“It’s good to be with you all again,” Killian said, choosing his words carefully. He was not interested in lying to his family. They had enough to grapple with from the world around them, the least they owed each other was transparency. His mother certainly seemed to agree, and the tears she’d no doubt held in for months streamed down her still lovely face as she pulled him in close and hugged him far tighter than a royal mother should. Here was his mother in truth, not the part she played in public spaces, and despite their appearance in front of the staff, she doted on him like any good Mum should.

“You’re okay, darling? No bad scrapes this time?” Her tone grew warbly and Killian again felt the tug of guilt for what he put his family through in doing what he loved. He couldn’t regret his choice to serve and stake his own path, but he knew what a toll it took on his mother, and that was regrettable. On one of his first deployments he’d been injured pretty badly and he bore the scars along his back and side to prove it, but nothing vital had been hit, thank god, and as soon as he was healed he’d been ready to go out again. It almost broke his mother, but she was a strong woman, stronger than any he had ever known.

“A few nicks, Mum. Nothing serious.”

“Oh thank God. And now you’re home for good at last.”

Killian looked to Liam for confirmation and his brother shook his head. “Let’s not go there yet.” Liam pulled him in for a hug of his own, one of a special design they’d shared since he was but a boy and again Killian felt the true affection of his brother. They may be men of very different stripes, but Liam was a part of him and who he was. He was his elder brother and the closest thing Killian had to a father figure. His love meant the world to him, and so too did his approval.

“So, Gran mentioned some festivities. Have I time before the circus, or will it descend immediately?”

“Circus?” His mother asked, clearly confused before looking at her mother-in-law with amusement. “I think your grandmother is up to her old tricks. We don’t have anything planned. It’s just us and your favorite dinner. Just how you like it.”

Thank God for that, Killian thought to himself before turning to his grandmother who looked like a spoiled tyke at Christmas. She was so pleased with her little fake-out, she actually clasped her hands together.

“The Americans call it ‘punking’ someone. Such a garish word, but it does have its merits.”

“Still no hobbies to be found, Gran?” Killian asked, knowing that his grandmother was a busy body, and she needed a lot of occupation or she risked being… well, like this.

“Who needs the bloody things?” Gran said, swearing so brashly it made Killian choke on his drink and his mother gasp. “I do what is needed. You needed a good joke upon arriving home so I did what I could to provide one.”

“Gran’s taken to jokes of late,” Liam explained and Killian suddenly wanted very much to know what the old bird had been up to. From his brother’s expression, she’d gotten him good, and Killian would pay to see that.

“I tried to get it on tape, but that blasted Jefferson took my phone spouting all sorts of nonsense about royal protocol,” his Gran said, reading his mind. “But regardless, your dear brother knows perfectly well that I have plenty of occupation with the foundation. So much work that needs doing there. It must be constantly tended to, just like your mother’s roses.”

“I don’t remember it being so much,” Killian remarked, not even really remembering that the family had a foundation at all. It was more an endowment, a way to give the vastness of their wealth to worthy causes. But writing checks surely couldn’t take such effort.

“Well I’ve had to change it, haven’t I? If I was going to build something worthy of your attention, it had to do real good. It’s much more hands on now, you see. I might be in my twilight years, but I can still get my hands dirty.”

And there it was. He was wondering what the plan would be. He assumed he’d be added to Liam’s counsels and propped up as a family focal piece, the returning hero back home at last. But even without fully understanding the intention, Killian could see an earnest excitement in his grandmother’s eyes. Whatever the foundation had become, she was trying to build something for him, and if he could have a purpose beyond the face of a royal family, he’d be eternally grateful.

“So I really am home for good then?” Killian asked, broaching the uncomfortable topic once more as Liam considered him from the other end of the table. After a beat of quiet, Liam replied.

“I’ve spoken with our heads of command. The conflicts we’re involved in are winding down and while the Americans continue their crusade in the Middle East, our time of service there is drawing to a close. We’re shifting back to more diplomatic measures, and what’s left to fight can be handled by your fellow soldiers I think.”

“The country is in good hands,” Killian agreed and though it hurt to think that he was truly finished with his service, he was prepared for such an outcome. Liam would not demand that Killian leave. He was never so authoritarian, but this suggestion spoke volumes and Killian, much as he might be tempted, would not go against his brothers wishes.

“If they’ve been trained by you then it certainly is,” his mother agreed fiercely and Killian laughed. Her statement was not at all based in first-hand knowledge. She had never seen him in the field, rarely even seen him in his military context at all, but she still staunchly believed in him. It was appreciated, but comical all the same.

“And the foundation? What exactly is it doing these days?”

“Well by god, what aren’t we doing? There’s so much to do you see. We’ve been funding all sorts of new energies so we can be ‘green and clean,’” His Gran chirped happily. “We’ve expanded our species protection efforts with the ministry of parks and wildlife. I went on a whale watch with the Duchess of Mandrey. It was just marvelous. We wore, oh what, do they call them…? Oh right, ponchos! We’re working with the ministry of health to create community gardens not just to teach the children but to feed the people. You should see what we’ve done in the cities, Killy. We’ve built these centers with the soil and the supplies. The little ones love it -,”

“Clearly there’s quite a few balls in the air as it were,” Killian’s mother said, gently interrupting his grandmother’s exuberant storytelling. “But we were thinking, I mean if it works for you, that whenever you’re settled back in you might look at one particular part of the organization. Get a more hands on feel for something and truly learn the workings of the charity.”

“Did you have an idea of which one?”

“The Montenarro Children’s Sanctuary,” his Gran replied with total assuredness, and to his amazement, she produced a pamphlet (would wonders ever cease?) from somewhere under the table to hand to him. “Got that from the front desk last week. It’s all in there, dear, and the children are just precious. You’ve always loved the little ones, so it’s a perfect fit.”

“Have I?” Killian asked, not sure if he’d ever shown that predisposition. He always liked interacting with the children in the extended family when they came for holidays and events, but that was hardly a background in working with kids.

“Of course you have. You have such a way with them, and these children, well my dear, they just need someone like you so much. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference.”

Killian knew she must be right, and he felt, despite his hesitations and the urge to reject someone else planning out his life, that this may indeed be a good fit for him for now. He never would have chosen such a charity first, thinking himself a bit understudied in the ways of children, but it certainly couldn’t hurt to give it a try, and his family was right, he needed something to do, something that actually felt like it mattered. After living for years with a purpose he couldn’t waste his time doing things he felt were frivolous. If he did he might go mad.

“I’ll go on one condition,” Killian said and they all considered him, clearly surprised he would accept at all and that he was handling his military retirement so well. “No one at that organization is calling me Prince Killian, Your Highness or any of that. I’ll go by Killian. That’s it.”

“But dear that’s -,”

“Before you say it’s not possible, Mum, just think for a minute about the work they do there and the kids in that scenario. This is a home for orphans and children who can’t be cared for in traditional means. They don’t have present families, they don’t have anything to call their own. They might know I am prince, but I don’t want them to feel the difference between us. You want me to help somehow? I don’t know how to truly help people when we’re separate or unequal. I never mastered that. It’s not how I work.”

“It’s just a title, Killy,” his Gran said sadly but he was holding firm. He wanted this for the kids and for himself. He’d dedicate himself to helping in this way, but he wanted at least a feeling of something normal, something that was his and not the crown’s. He looked to Liam, awaiting his brother’s verdict, and after a brief consideration his brother nodded.

“It seems reasonable enough. But only at the foundation. To the rest of the world you are, and always will be, Prince.”

“Fair enough,” Killian agreed. “Now, any chance we’ve got some cake?”

At the joke, everyone laughed, but low and behold there was cake to be had. And though his life was shifting radically, and he might not be on the most solid of ground right now, Killian felt hopeful that things might just work out in the end. Soon enough he’d be a part of something again, and he hoped quite sincerely to make a difference and make a change for the people he served, and in truth, for himself as well.

…………………..

Hours after their meal, and long after her son had headed up to his wing of the palace, Queen Meera looked out her large antique window to the full moon out tonight. She thanked the heavens that her son was back home safe. After so many years of fighting, and being in the thick of too many international skirmishes, he was finally back and all in one piece. Every night she’d prayed for his safety and for his health. She prayed he would be protected and smart out there doing God knows what. But she also prayed that he would feel peace, when she knew peace was a luxury for her youngest boy he wasn’t usually graced with. Recently she’d added a few more prayers as well, ones that would keep him open to the changes coming in all of their lives. She was grateful at dinner that he was receptive to the prospect put before him of working for the family foundation. So far the plan was working, and she sent up another prayer that the rest would fall into place too.

Perhaps it would be strange to some that she was doing this, trying to craft a future for her beloved son when he was a fully-grown man, but she knew down in her soul that Killian needed the guidance. He was a good man, a strong man, a man bound by honor and compassion, but her son was always closed off, especially when it came to matters of the heart. There were many reasons for that, a few near-misses in love, and all the attention that their family brought forward, but the real reason underneath it all stemmed from the sins of his father, a man Meera once felt love for, who blessed her with two children and promptly threw the life they built together all away.

Prince Brennan had always been notorious. A party boy, a man of mischief. He never met trouble he didn’t like the look of, but his people and his family still believed him to be fundamentally good if a bit lacking in maturity. He was set to inherit the throne as the only child of the King and Queen, and through a twist of fate Meera and him had met and fallen in love. Meera was a common girl, with no connections, and no wealth to speak of, but it hadn’t mattered to Brennan. In fact, in hindsight, he probably wanted her even more because of it. They stole away as many moments as they could, and then one day he told her they were getting married. He never asked, he just informed her, and she went along with it, knowing she loved him even if she was scared of trying to be part of his world. She thought he’d bring her home to meet his family, thought he’d seek their approval, but Brennan had a mind of his own, and that night they eloped.

Only when they were legally man and wife did he bring her home and the fall out had been immense. His father, King Rupert, was furious, but the ire never was directed at her. It was Brennan who the King and Queen were mad at, and Meera couldn’t understand why. If King Rupert and Queen Eleanor truly liked her, why be so angry? Why chastise him as they did? Only a year later, after the birth of her eldest son, Liam, did she realize why; Brennan was flighty and irresponsible. He couldn’t commit to things, he never devoted himself to anything forever. He was bad at making decisions, at paying attention, and he had a total disregard for his impending role as ruler of Montenarro. If someone even hinted at his impending responsibility to the people of this country he went running as fast and as far as he could. Still Meera believed he loved her and that even if he couldn’t give all of himself to his duty, he could be there for her and their children. After trying for seven more years to give Liam some siblings, they were blessed to have Killian, and only after her second son’s birth did the truth fully come into focus. Marriage hadn’t actually meant to Brennan what it meant to her. In her eyes, they were meant to be partners, meant to love each other, and honor each other, but he couldn’t do it. He grew resentful and unruly, and ultimately, unfaithful.

It was an awful time, to be sure, and for Killian, it ended up being all he knew of his father. She kept everything she could from both of her sons, but somehow things always got out. The media had a field day at each and every instance, and then, when it got so bad and so brutal, Meera decided she must go. She and her sons could stay here no longer. Not with Brennan here. Shockingly, when she told Eleanor and Rupert of her plans they told her it was not her place to leave. It was Brennan who must make a choice – shape up and make amends to his wife and to his family, or leave, forsaking his thrown, his power, and all inheritance as he did. Brennan knew in an instant what he wanted, and so he left, but not before Killian and Liam heard him yelling and carrying on. At only six years of age Killian watched his father leave them all, with nothing like regret, and then, a few days later they found that Brennan had died in an accident, the product of reckless choices finally catching up with him.

Explaining to her sons how their father’s actions had no influence on who they were was so hard. Liam seemed to know this, but he channeled his pain into being the perfect heir. He put so much pressure on himself to be a wonderful king and a wonderful son. She worried about that and she was trying every day to help manage that as best she could. But Killian was far more sensitive. He was sweet and thoughtful and bold all at once. He had the biggest heart and he wanted so badly to wear it on his sleeve. But he didn’t. He closed himself off, and then he’d gone into the royal navy and Meera was devastated. She was always worried sick for her son, but what could she say? She saw in him a burst of that vitality and that light in his eyes when he was away. Even in the midst of chaos, Killian was at peace. Why? Because he could be himself. He’d found a place he felt safe, in some of the most unsafe places around the world. Now, though, he was coming back and this was not a place he felt that freedom. With them of course he had trust, but with everyone else she knew his walls would come right back up, steadfast as ever and impenetrable to most.

That was why she was doing this. She wanted a chance to open Killian up to more, to prompt her son towards something he deserved but had always run from: love. She knew he’d be hesitant, and only the perfect kind of woman could bring him to a place where he could be himself, so she’d been looking. It was practically her job to meet people all the time, to come into contact with royals and commoners alike, but she never had much hope. No one felt right, no one seemed perfect until a few weeks ago. Eleanor had returned from one of her outings with the foundation, from the children’s sanctuary, and slapped down a folder with a simple statement.

“I found the girl. Killian’s sweetheart. I know she’s the one.”

Meera was so excited, and she opened the folder without second thought. Sure enough the woman in the file was beautiful, and surprising. She was an American and pretty as could be, clearly smart as she was here on a fellowship grant from the local University. And she had a son. There were all sorts of details about how the school had made arrangements for them because she was such a promising fellow. She was gifted with children and had her own experience with being an orphan as well. Meera planned to go the next day with Eleanor to see for herself, but Eleanor said she wasn’t there. When Meera realized Eleanor never even seen the girl she was horrified. It was one thing to be looking for potential suitors for her son, but people they’d never even met? That seemed like a bridge too far.

“She’ll be here in two weeks. The Sanctuary director couldn’t stop talking about how excited they were for this year’s candidate and one thing lead to another… but that’s the way these things go sometimes.”

It was not the way things usually went, and Meera knew that, but she had never regretted following Eleanor’s instincts before. If her mother-in-law believed in this, then she felt that she should too. And besides, their goal here was a good one – all they wanted was two worthy people to fall in love, after all. What was really the harm in that? Meera just didn’t know, and that was the problem which had been keeping her up for more than a few nights now.

“You are worrying too much, Meera. It will all turn out exactly as it’s meant to,” Eleanor said, having walked into the room with such silence Meera never once detected her.

“You really think it’ll happen?” Meera asked, not even bothering to hide her anxiety.

“Think it’ll happen? My love, he’s as handsome as can be, a Captain of the navy, a hero of war, and has a heart of gold. Any woman worth her salt is going to take one look at him and fall straight in love. Meanwhile he’s going to take one look at this Swan girl and you know what he’s going to do? He’s going to see forever in an instant. His heart will beat for her, and love will stake a claim from the very first moment. Cupid will have quite a simple task of it, you mark my words.”

“You make it all sound so…”

“Romantic? Blissful?”

“I was going to say theatrical.”

“Love at first sight has long been slandered, but still it exists. People find it every day, and many times when they know, they just know.”

“I just want him to be happy,” Meera admitted looking down at her hands. That was all she ever wanted as a mother, for her sons to be well and whole and good.

“And he will be,” Eleanor said, grasping Meera’s hand in a sign of comfort. “He will be happy. He will find exactly what he’s missing. You just have to trust and believe, my dear. It’s all any of us can do.”

Meera nodded, deciding to believe that this would work, and to accept the older woman’s sage counsel, despite its fairytale influence. She wished that with this tiny little push in the right direction, her son would find his happiness with a woman of substance, and good will, and heart. From what they’d discovered, Meera truly believed such a love could be found with this one special woman, Emma Swan, and she only hoped that Killian and Emma were ready and willing to take a chance. But alas, nothing but time would tell, and now all they could do was wait and see…

Post-Note: So there we have it. It was a lot of background I know, about Killian and his family and his past. But I hope you’ll see a bit more of the world I’m building and that it will eventually add to the meeting CS will have coming in the next chapter. As for Killian’s meddling Mom and Gran… what can I say? I missed having some meddlers in my AUs. I have lots still left in store for this story, and as always I can’t wait to see what you guys think. Thanks again so much for reading, and I hope you all have a lovely rest of your day!

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somegirlsnerdywords2 · 4 years

Text

Anime i’ve Watched

That begin with a S (Part 2)!

Yep this is how i’m going to bring over all the anime and manga i’ve watched and posted about on the old blog. It’s not so detailed but it will have to do. Anything new I watch or read from this point on will have their own posts.

Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai:

Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, School

Synopsis: With the introduction of strict new morality laws, Japan has become a nation cleansed of all that is obscene and impure. By monitoring citizens using special devices worn around their necks, authorities have taken extreme measures to ensure that society remains chaste. In this world of sexual suppression, Tanukichi Okuma—son of an infamous terrorist who opposed the chastity laws—has just entered high school, offering his help to the student council in order to get close to president Anna Nishikinomiya, his childhood friend and crush. Little does he know that the vice president Ayame Kajou has a secret identity: Blue Snow, a masked criminal dedicated to spreading lewd material amongst the sheltered public—and Tanukichi has caught the girl's interest due to his father's notoriety. Soon, Tanukichi is dragged into joining her organization called SOX, where he is forced to spread obscene propaganda, helping to launch an assault against the government's oppressive rule. With their school set as the first point of attack, Tanukichi will have to do the unthinkable when he realizes that their primary target is the person he admires most. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 7/10

Finished airing in 2015 with a total of 12 episodes.

My Thoughts: Super pervy but surprisingly funny and somewhat enjoyable. The only character that really made me cringe hard and want to tear my eyes out and scrub my brain was Anna... she was just too much. Just no. Not one i’d suggest or am likely to watch again but if it’s your thing, go for it.

Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan):

Genres: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen

Synopsis: Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations. After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Based on Hajime Isayama's award-winning manga, Shingeki no Kyojin follows Eren, along with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and his childhood friend Armin Arlert, as they join the brutal war against the titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 9/10

Finished airing in 2013 with a total of 25 episodes.

My Thoughts: The first season was a damn near masterpiece and it’s rise in popularity was no shock after watching it. Amazing opening theme, fitting art/ style and a pretty interesting story. This is the type of anime that i’d likely suggest to someone who isn’t actually all that interested in anime.

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2 (Attack on Titan Seaon 2):

Genres: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen

Synopsis: For centuries, humanity has been hunted by giant, mysterious predators known as the Titans. Three mighty walls—Wall Maria, Rose, and Sheena—provided peace and protection for humanity for over a hundred years. That peace, however, was shattered when the Colossus Titan and Armored Titan appeared and destroyed the outermost wall, Wall Maria. Forced to retreat behind Wall Rose, humanity waited with bated breath for the Titans to reappear and destroy their safe haven once more. In Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2, Eren Yeager and others of the 104th Training Corps have just begun to become full members of the Survey Corps. As they ready themselves to face the Titans once again, their preparations are interrupted by the invasion of Wall Rose—but all is not as it seems as more mysteries are unraveled. As the Survey Corps races to save the wall, they uncover more about the invading Titans and the dark secrets of their own members. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 7.5/10

Finished airing in 2017 with a total of 12 episodes.

My Thoughts: I have a very love/ hate sort of relationship with every season of this anime after the first. I still find it to be an extremely interesting anime and story that’s quite well done but certain negatives keep popping up as i’m watching, things I can’t quite ignore. Still pretty good series overall though.

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 (Attack on Titan Season 3):

Genres: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen

Synopsis: Still threatened by the "Titans" that rob them of their freedom, mankind remains caged inside the two remaining walls. Efforts to eradicate these monsters continue; however, threats arise not only from the Titans beyond the walls, but from the humans within them as well. After being rescued from the Colossal and Armored Titans, Eren Yaeger devotes himself to improving his Titan form. Krista Lenz struggles to accept the loss of her friend, Captain Levi chooses Eren and his friends to form his new personal squad, and Commander Erwin Smith recovers from his injuries. All seems well for the soldiers, until the government suddenly demands custody of Eren and Krista. The Survey Corps' recent successes have drawn attention, and a familiar face from Levi's past is sent to collect the wanted soldiers. Sought after by the government, Levi and his new squad must evade their adversaries in hopes of keeping Eren and Krista safe. In Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3, Eren and his fellow soldiers are not only fighting for their survival against the terrifying Titans, but also against the terror of a far more conniving foe: humans. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 8/10

Finished airing in 2018 with a total of 12 episodes.

My Thoughts: I just don’t really care for the characters... I mean I don’t hate them but that connection just isn’t there. Which may be a large part in why I don’t LOVE this series. Still, this season was a bit better than the previous one.

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2 (Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2):

Genres: Military, shounen, action, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy

Synopsis: Seeking to restore humanity’s diminishing hope, the Survey Corps embark on a mission to retake Wall Maria, where the battle against the merciless "Titans" takes the stage once again.

Returning to the tattered Shiganshina District that was once his home, Eren Yeager and the Corps find the town oddly unoccupied by Titans. Even after the outer gate is plugged, they strangely encounter no opposition. The mission progresses smoothly until Armin Arlert, highly suspicious of the enemy's absence, discovers distressing signs of a potential scheme against them.

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2 follows Eren as he vows to take back everything that was once his. Alongside him, the Survey Corps strive—through countless sacrifices—to carve a path towards victory and uncover the secrets locked away in the Yeager family's basement.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 9/10

Finished airing in 2019 with a total of 10 episodes.

My Thoughts: That’s the stuff. That’s the stuff I loved about the very first season of the anime. A vast improvment from the previous two seasons in my opinion!

Shingeki no Kyojin: Kuinaki Sentaku (Attack on Titan: No Regrets):

Genres: OVA, Action, Fantasy

Synopsis: Many years before becoming the famed captain of the Survey Corps, a young Levi struggles to survive in the capital's garbage dump, the Underground. As the boss of his own criminal operation, Levi attempts to get by with meager earnings while aided by fellow criminals, Isabel Magnolia and Farlan Church. With little hope for the future, Levi accepts a deal from the anti-expedition faction leader Nicholas Lobov, who promises the trio citizenship aboveground if they are able to successfully assassinate Erwin Smith, a squad leader of the Survey Corps. As Levi and Erwin cross paths, Erwin acknowledges Levi's agility and skill and gives him the option to either become part of the expedition team, or be turned over to the Military Police, to atone for his crimes. Now closer to the man they are tasked to kill, the group plans to complete their mission and save themselves from a grim demise in the dim recesses of their past home. However, they are about to learn that the surface world is not as liberating as they had thought and that sometimes, freedom can come at a heavy price. Based on the popular spin-off manga of the same name, Shingeki no Kyojin: Kuinaki Sentaku illustrates the encounter between two of Shingeki no Kyojin's pivotal characters, as well as the events of the 23rd expedition beyond the walls. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 7/10

Finished airing in 2015 with a total of 2 episodes.

My Thoughts: I love Levi, he’s probably the only character I really care all that much about in this series but I just didn’t love this OVA!

#Anime #Shimoneta to iu gainen ga sonzai shinai taikutsu na sekai #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan #attack on titan: no regrets

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blainebigbang · 4 years

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Blaine Big Bang 2020: Posting Schedule

It’s finally here!

Tomorrow kicks off the Blaine Big Bang 2020!

Every other day, throughout the month of February, Blaine fans will be greeted with a new 25K+ fic of Blainey goodness from our 16 amazing authors and artists! Congrats to our participants!

Please see below the cut for the complete schedule:

February 1st - take my picture now (shake it 'til you see it) Author: Civillove Artist: Kanversrph Blaine likes to call this part of his life as being 'the flavor of the month'. While he enjoys being a successful model, he feels like the industry keeps taking little pieces of him. When he meets Sebastian, a nature photographer, he feels like he might get those pieces back.

February 3rd - Nothing Can Keep Us Apart Author: TeddysHoney Artist: Riverance Blaine is a Prince whose father was killed by King Burt's army. Blaine lives with his mother near King Burt's castle. One day, Prince Kurt sees him drawing water, and Kurt sneaks into the village to meet Blaine. They see one another in secret for a while. A war begins, however, and Blaine must go and fight. Kurt looks for him every day, waiting for him to return. He has no idea that Blaine has been captured by the enemy or that he's waiting for his brother to help him escape certain death. Once the war is over, Burt decides it is time for Kurt to find a mate. No one is good enough in Kurt's eyes, however. After realizing that Blaine may not be coming home and a pleasant evening spent in the arms of another man, Kurt sneaks off into the woods to cry, convinced he'll have to marry someone else and that Blaine is dead. Blaine surprises him in the forest, and, having convinces an indebted priest to marry them, the two are wed. Instead of returning to the castle, however, they decide to fend for themselves in the lawless forests surrounding the kingdoms. February 5th - Ships That Pass In The Night Author: Delightful_Fear Artist: JudeAraya Blaine has a great life, with people packing into his piano bar six nights a week as they sail to some of the most beautiful places in the world. He’s not lacking for beautiful men to share his bed either. Why would meeting the aloof counter-tenor in a touring Broadway group change anything?

February 7th - Life in Repair Author: Room108 Artist: SeblaineAddict In the wake of his most recent break-up with Kurt, Blaine returns home to Lima to lick his wounds and reclaim some measure of happiness. An unexpected opportunity to travel to Thailand with former friend (and sometimes nemesis) Sebastian Smythe, proves to be just the salve he needs. As their bond strengthens through the ups and downs of life on the road, Sebastian and Blaine revisit their lingering spark from high school and must decide whether it’s worth re-igniting or if it will be snuffed out for good.

February 9th - Bicycle Patrol Unit Author: Carmelcoffeeaddict Artist: Lallagoglee When NYPD bicycle cop, Blaine Anderson, begins to fall for Kurt Hummel - the gorgeous man that he first notices jogging through the park during Blaine's patrol - it causes a rift between him and his patrol partner, Sebastian Smythe.

February 11th - The Silver-Scaled Mark Author: Jayhawkwrites Artist: Michaelscribbles Blaine is a half-elf living in a town of full-blooded elves. He doesn’t fit in and is bullied almost daily for his heritage. One day Blaine finds solace in the library and later finds a book that talks about the magic in his world. He is drawn to it and wants to learn all he can. After Blaine has consumed all of the books in his town, he goes off to college to become a wizard so that he can help protect those that are not able to adequately defend themselves. Once he has graduated, he finds that he and several companions are part of a prophecy that will help unite the races in his world. February 13th - Out of the Blue Author: Lilyvandersteen Artist: Redheadgleek Kurt organises a fake wedding for Brittana to get presents from random billionaires. Cooper is one of those invited, and he shows up with his brother in tow. Sparks fly, but not of the good kind. Enemies to lovers, anyone? With a slight Pride and Prejudice vibe?

February 15th - Let It Be Me Author: Darriness Artist: Usurix It's been three years since Blaine fell in love with Kurt but between college, jobs, social lives, and parenting his twelve-year-old sister, can Blaine manage it all?

February 17th - Wouldn't Change A Thing Author: Slaydiest Artist: Datshitrandom One the eve of his junior year at Dalton, Blaine’s dad kicks him out of the house, dumping him at the bus stop, cutting him off, and leaving him homeless. This is the story of how he survives, meets Kurt, and ultimately triumphs. February 19th - Here You Come Again Author: Kaianieves Artist: Kanversrph It's senior for Blaine, and just when things should be falling into place, he finds them falling apart. He's got a crush- hopefully nothing more than that- on his best friend, and a dance that he would rather do anything other than plan. Blaine's conflicted- should he sit out, be miserable and hope that this year passes by in a blur? Or should he embrace it, enjoy it and maybe even shoot his shot? February 21st - A Very Seblaine Christmas Author: MrsTotten Artist: SeblaineAddict Blaine loves his family and friends, he really does. But after a bad break up they just won’t leave him alone it doesn’t matter that everything else is going great, everyone is fixated on whether he is finally dating again. None of this is helped by his ex fiancé proposing to his new boyfriend at top of the rock and now all anyone can focus on is blaine love life or lack thereof. And now he’s heading home for the holidays. A whole week of crazy family, new directioners and so he tells a tiny white lie, that his new boyfriend his joining him for Christmas. Whilst waiting on a delayed flight and trying to figure out how to break the truth to everyone he bumps into the last person he expected to see, the flirty, charming green eyed ex warbler who was always able to find a way under his skin. Over a whiskey and a catch up an idea forms and Sebastian agrees to be his fake date for the holidays. But as Sebastian finds himself engulfed in the warm, happy madness of Blaine’s family and friends and warbler reunions, Blaine starts to see a new side to his old friends and as ex boyfriends, meddling friends and well meaning family start to get involved. This fake relationship could end up being the most real thing these crazy boys have.

February 23rd - broken glass sparkling Author: Merengs Artist: Purpleyin A year abroad. A chance to get away, put on hold all the issues he still needs to resolve and maybe find the bits of himself he thinks he’s lost. So Blaine takes it. February 25th - It's Not Easy (Being Stuck With Me Tonight) Author: Xhorizen Artist: Thegreatgothamrewatch Blaine had the perfect life – He was married to the man of his dreams, they lived with their best friend in the greatest city in the world, and he had everything he had ever dreamed of. Never mind the crippling depression and anxiety he dealt with each day he failed to book a job, and the lack of happiness he had in his marriage. One night, everything gets turned upside down and everything Blaine thought he knew was gone. How will he manage to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of his life again? February 27th - Is There a Twelve Step Just For You? Author: Thenameisbritney Artist: Datshitrandom "He was still the same short, nerdy Blaine Anderson he’d always been. An easy target for school bullies everywhere. Kurt was the popular co-captain of the Cheerio’s, looking down on his kingdom like a fair but firm ruler. No one was on his level, certainly not a peasant like Blaine." Or Blaine tries to tell Kurt that he has a crush on him but accidentally ends up asking for a makeover instead. Oh, dear. February 29th - The Dalton Military Academy Warblers Author: Julia3132 Artist: CinnamonT Blaine Anderson is 2nd son of richest man in the world Winston Anderson. A devastating injury brought him back to Ohio where he disappeared into the family's massive estate. Society doesn't see him again until 2 years later, when after the death of Winston, he shows up at Dalton Military Academy, a place he is totally unsuited for. Sebastian Smythe is Captain of Dalton’s elite 1st Squadron and everything Blaine wants to be…dashing, debonair, comfortable in his own skin. A real James Bond. What Blaine doesn’t know is Sebastian is actually a member of the secret organization and Blaine is his mission...Find out the truth behind Blaine's arrival at Dalton and determine whether or not it has anything to do with his father's unexpected death. March 2nd - Love, Blaine Author: Gleefuldarrencrissfan Artist: Klainiac Blaine Anderson is a typical teenager. Except he’s not because he’s hiding a huge secret. He’s gay. But after reading a confession on the informal Dalton blog, he discovers that he’s not the only closeted boy at Dalton. After a moment of courage, he emails him and ultimately starts up a friendship that will change life as he knows it. Loosely based on the movie Love, Simon.

#Blaine Big Bang 2020 #BBB 2020 #BBB 2020 Posting Schedule #Blaine Anderson #glee fic

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silencedminstrel · 4 years

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The Revenant Collectives Trilogy Part 3 - Defeating The Dark Legion

“Looking back, the Revenant Collectives had had several peaceful decades of galactic plundering and making a name for themselves, dodging law enforcement agencies, endearing themselves to the downtrodden and exploring new sectors of space normal people wouldn’t tread without a triple layered force-field and high powered laser vapor grid. However the altruistic side of this band of space pirates is about to shine their brightest, thanks to efforts of this certain Chinese Triad Leader from a dump of a colony somewhere in the Horsehead Nebula by the name of Stanley Chan. Though a native of Xian Gan Prime, he always had eyes and ears on all things happening within the Earth Alliance government and, on this one particular day, he received the most shocking of news: one of the top ranking politicians is a Shudwa Dumanta Legion spy and he’s about to rendezvous with Shaik The Fallen One to give him some top secret information that will hasten his conquest of the planet.

Gathering all their resources, him and his old friend, Code Black Hacker (a dangerous class of IT saboteurs in the Galactic Union’s most wanted cyber-criminals list) and another Triad leader Bonbon Hai formulated a plan to intercept that snitch, put everything on record and then put a bullet in that traitor’s head, for the said restricted information is a blueprint to a galaxy-hopping starship that both the Earth Alliance and the Galactic Union had developed—The Sign Of Shairo—and they are about to commence its construction soon. Shaik already knew why and where that starship is heading to and, realizing if it reaches the ‘Root of Laniakea’ before the ‘Kal Merkaba’ phenomenon begins, all his eons of careful planning will be for nothing! And since the galaxy is currently firewalled by five supercomputers (Mother Matrix is one of them) he has to procure those schematics via the old fashioned way—plant a spy in the government to find them and make him deliver them to him personally. And after doing that, he ordered his minions to at first cause trouble in the underbelly of that divided galaxy to allow his Legion’s activities to go unnoticed. Later on he would make the Dark Legion’s presence officially known as their fated meeting drew near.

Rembrandt and Patrick knew about the existence of this Dark Legion several years back but they never knew how fast they gained a foothold in the galaxy until he met up with Stanley Chan. There Stanley Chan proposed to form an alliance to intercept the Earth Alliance traitor via a suicide squad made from both his Xian Gan Prime Triad and the Revenant Collectives, plus some help from a few of his friends from both the Galactic Union and the Synod. The space pirate duo were surprised at Mr. Chan’s humanistic side and, knowing the man knew what he is doing, they agreed to help him out of charity (piracy is a business after all). Thus with much difficulty, they managed to create not only the aforementioned squad but also an accompanying fleet of ships bound for the region just outside the galaxy, a realm of constant cosmic chaos (where matter and dark matter collides every second) where that meeting is to take place. Thus on that fateful day, a team made out of the Triad duo and company, a space marine force from the Earth Alliance, an elite militia from the Synod, two former soldiers of the Galactic Union, cyborgs from New Hesperion led by Mother Matrix, Saif Mintaka and a Psi-being from the Order of The Blessed, departed for the Outer Rim to rendezvous with Rembrandt and Patrick and volunteers from the Revenant Collectives. Alas, a month of violent galactic storms saw them unwillingly took up shelter on the galactic frontier planet Borobudor Fringe before a new launch window opened up and they resumed their journey.

And what an eventful month that was!

The fatal attempt on the Supreme Chairman of the Galactic Union’s life while officiating the Galactic Union’s Founding Day celebration by an unknown fleet threw more than half of the galaxy into a time of uncertainty and power vacuum, with iron-clad curfew enforcements on all Union’s administrated systems and round-the-clock emergency patrols in every quadrant, it was a big inconvenience to both the galactic public as well as its dark underworld, where street protests and backstreet warfare became part of the daily news. This was when the panicked central government fell prey to hearsay and blamed the ‘previously non-existing’ Dark Legion behind the Chairman’s death, and all the sudden any unregistered cruisers and dreadnoughts were immediately considered a terrorist threat, busy interstellar trade routes reduced to a standstill, planetary economies plunged into recession and local governments lost control over their people. Few actually realized that the attack was orchestrated by the Dark Legion’s old adversary the Ephron Dantiaz Legion (the White Legion), risen from eons of obscurity as if guided by a sign and somehow gained full support from the governing rival (The Galactic Synod) to stem their dark counterpart’s advances. Shaik didn’t take this thing very well (because the Chairman himself was apparently one of his agents) and was forced to make his Dark Legion’s appearance earlier by confronting the White Legion in every sector of known space, angered by the fact they dared to ruin his plans and oblivious to the fact his fate is about to take on a turn to the worst real soon…

Barely a week had passed before the troubled government decided to do an impromptu general election, and both the news and its corresponding events affected the unlikely band of heroes differently. The previously cold relationship between Rembrandt and his estranged son Melvin seemed to have thawed out thanks to the help of his mentor Patrick. New Hesperion cyborg mercenary Remington Edwards began question his motivation when his only brother, City Sentinel Lieutenant Bradford, was killed in the line of duty (and was unknowingly brought back to life later on by Mother Matrix herself) by a fusion bomb planted by the Dark Legion’s unlikely agent—his own girlfriend. Saif Mintaka kept on traveling in and out of dimensions doing strange errands for the upcoming ‘Kal Merkaba’ event, even more so when his own protégé, City Sentinel/Guardian Captain Humoga Triakis went into a coma after surviving an ambush perpetrated by agents of the Dark Legion. The Human/Pibian hybrid and space pirate elder Patrick Escula faced a deep dilemma when his sworn enemy Purvustra Svem-Avika, a deranged Pibian sniper who blamed him for his girlfriend’s death and had been after his head for the past decade; came to him one day seeking help with his “otherworldly” problems. And the tank-bred Psi-being Gus Hanson begrudgingly accepted who he really is when his grandfather the Patriarch of the Blessed Order died and made him the only defender of all psychic beings in the universe called ‘The Golden Child of Future Past’. For the uninitiated it would seem that both the insignificant suicide squad and the galactic underworld alliance’s fate hang in the balance but in truth, it is not so…

Finally all the contestants for the empty Supreme Chairman of the Union’s seat had registered and shortlisted, with the vacant spot now hotly contested by two young politicians, twenty one year old Triakian galactic business mogul Kranov Charcharias (Humoga’s half-brother) and a twenty-six year old dark energy physicists Rmezon (no surname) evidently an agent of the Dark Legion sent by Shaik to take over the galaxy through political means. While most of the galactic eyes and ears were fixed onto the final day campaign between these two and (to a lesser extent) sporadic battles between the Dark and White Legion, the underworld alliance said their last goodbye to their loved ones prior to commencing the suicide mission. Remington was briefly united with his supposedly departed brother Gaius Bradford (thus rekindling his fighting spirit), Saif Mintaka formed an alliance with the spirit of a powerful prince during his many celestial travels, Union Army deserter and bomb expert Captain Tevork-Chi received news from his adopted son that their displaced race had just received a new planet, and the disassociating tank-bred Gus Hanson, mourning for his destroyed home world Haven-32B, found a reason to live again when he fell in love with another tank-bred while on Borobudor Fringe. And to top it all off, the Spokesperson of the Galactic Synod himself, Commodore Periz had agreed to join them, escorted by the Synod’s legendary military elite the ‘Pax Cabalis’ squad. As the heated campaign went on full-swing in the center of the Milky Way, the weary underworld alliance received news that they’ve been waiting for since forever: the month long galactic storm had dissipated and their launch window had been programmed and confirmed. Thus the fleet of Xian Gan Prime’s Stanley Chan, which consisted of two privately registered dreadnoughts with military grade trans-warp engine, a stealth cruiser with an Earth Alliance Marines logo and a Synod Class ‘diplomatic’ barge; departed from that frontier planet to meet up with the Revenant Collectives fleet of five souped-up destroyers and their infamous flagship “The Silenced Minstrel”, out near the heliopause.

The confrontation was imminent…

The fleet arrived at the supposed rendezvous point of the Alliance mole and the Dark Legion, and rudely found out the traitor was none other than Earth’s Home Minister himself! Stanley Chan decided to get there before that politician does so that they could document the entire transaction and then disposes of both parties. They approached the site in stealth never realizing that Shaik the Fallen One had set a trap for them. Realizing this, the galactic supercomputer Mother Matrix quickly intervened, took over the cybernetic medium Melvin’s body and through him, she took control of the weapon turrets of the entire fleet. His father Rembrandt tried to stop him but Melvin was encased in an electrified force-field that nearly short-circuited him. The entire squad watched in horror as all the guns on each one of their ships aimed and fired upon both the Earth Alliance and the Dark Legion’s ship, blowing them up behind a fearsome blaze, and then the hapless cyborg fell weakly down the floor, where his father cradled him and Stanley Chan nearly put a bullet in Melvin’s head. Mother Matrix appeared out of the cyberspace for the first time and explained what she did, as she detected a fluctuation in the matter-dark matter equilibrium that suggested they were headed right into Shaik’s trap. Stanley Chan was placated by this and both ended up looking at the raging cosmic inferno for a moment before the entire squad got teleported into the Dark Energy Realm—and straight into the bridge of the Shudwa Dumanta Legion’s flagship itself! They awoke to find themselves in a vast, strangely lit hall filled with strange objects and intricate circuitry on every wall and even on the ceiling. Not soon after, an ominous red mist appeared out of nowhere and for the first time the identity of Shaik The Fallen One was made known to the universe, a humanoid in dark blue mask and poncho-like garment decorated with golden epaulettes, the all-too-sickening emblem of a flying black bird of prey lifting a sword while engulfed in a blazing fire (emblem of the Dark Legion) emblazoned proudly on his chest. A glowing red bladed sword floated effortlessly by his left side always within reach, and from his obsidian black visor aglow a pair of red eyes devoid of life! He grabbed hold of his sword, swished the red mist away and the confrontation began. Gus Hanson sealed him in a force-field generated by his psychic powers combined with a cybernetic field generator wielded by Bonbon Hai and Commodore Periz sealed his mouth via his own secret skill to prevent him from uttering any enchantments. Shaik the Fallen was understandably furious at this point; Gus grimaced in pain with each of the former’s hacking and slashing at his force-field and it wasn’t long before the Mad Wolf sprung loose and began to cast a powerful magick over the group. Saif Mintaka calmly drew out his sword, melded his powers with that of the dead prince and—to everyone’s horror—Stanley Chan confronted Shaik and lobbed a hand grenade full of the deadly Ofla Fever virus at him, and then he just stood there smiling as everyone in his team vanished from view via Saif Mintaka’s powers and right back onto Rembrandt’s starship, just in time to watch the formidable flagship of the Dark Legion erupted behind a catastrophic explosion. The starship then left for the nearest exit point of the Dark Energy realm for the Milky Way, leaving with a memory that will change their lives, forever…”

#new age #gothic #depressive #synthesizer #instrumental #science fiction #fantasy #cyberpunk #space opera #space pirates #dark legion #galactic union #synod

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garrettauthor · 5 years

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New D&D Campaign

Today we played the first Game Zero of the new D&D Campaign I’m starting with a group of adult friends. This is the first campaign I’m DMing since my family campaign petered out last year.

Other than my wife, no one in the group has played D&D before, except for maybe a few half-games when they were teenagers. We’re all adults, we all have kids, except for one couple. At present there’s seven players total.

To introduce the players to the game in a less chaotic environment, I’m grabbing them by twos and threes, and playing a Game Zero with each of them.

(You might recognize this as what Matt Mercer did with the cast of Critical Role before Campaign 2—that’s where I got the idea).

It lets new players learn the rules without dealing with a table of seven people, and with as few distractions as possible.

These are called “Game Zeroes,” i.e. the game you play before the REAL game starts. And today, we did our first Game Zero.

At the table was my wife, @underrealmgal, playing her Half-Orc bard, Shielda.

A quick aside about Shielda:

My wife has played in two campaigns and a one-shot so far. She enjoys the game a lot. And so far, she’s played rather “typical” race/class combinations. First, a human fighter. Second, an elf cleric. In the one-shot, a goliath fighter.

When I started putting this campaign together, she said, immediately, “I want to play a half-orc bard.” She wanted to do something completely off the wall.

Shielda is an absolute shit-mixer. She literally plays punk rock on her lute. She’s been touring local towns since she was a teenager.

I love her.

And, OF COURSE, we're designing a custom mini on Hero Forge. Here's the work in progress:

Shielda heard a legend of a guitar out there in the world, made of diamond and strung with silk. The elf who told her of the guitar said it was gone from the world, “Never to be seen again until the platinum dragon returns.” Then he vanished.

Shielda set out from her sleepy little town to search for whatever “the platinum dragon” is, in hopes of finding the guitar of legend.

The other player in this Game Zero was a new friend named Cameron, playing a drow rogue named Zelren.

Cameron has been a dream player during the setup process. Came up with his own backstory, dove into character creation, super excited. I’m so happy to DM for him.

Zelren was raised by loving parents. His father was a member of an elite fighting unit called the King’s Fist, who were in the employ of a duregar king named Gargrond.

But jealous members of Gargrond’s court convinced him the drow were plotting to overthrow him. Gargrond had them all killed. Zelren’s mother barely got him out of the kingdom, but she herself was killed in the escape.

Zelren was caught by a slaver and sold to a smith who had criminal contacts. Zelren picked up a few tricks from them, and after some decades, he was able to escape. Now he’s set out for revenge on Gargrond.

Cameron was super stoked to find out about Hero Forge, and he’s designing Zelren now. He should have him by our first real session. Here’s the work in progress:

Okay, this post is getting a little long, so I’m sticking the rest under the cut.

As Game Zero opened up, Shielda was being dragged into a jail cell by the city guard of Tirisfell. She’d met a man who said he’d heard of the platinum dragon, but couldn’t remember any details. But he had the address of a dragonborn named Marlasar Klexxad who would know more.

The stranger bet the address in a game of cards against Shielda, who’d been wiping the floor with him all night. But with such important information on the line, Shielda didn’t want to leave things to chance. She cheated, and the stranger caught her at it.

Unfortunately for her, the guard captain Corbrik Strongarm happened to be in the room. He’d had a few run-ins with Shielda, and he didn’t like her much, so he scooped her up and took her in.

As the cell settled to silence, Shielda went to look out the window of her cell. (This was a local drunk tank, not supermax). And who should happen to be passing by the jail, but a drow dressed in black with his cowl pulled up.

Shielda got his attention, and the drow introduced himself as Zelren. He’d had his own run-ins with Captain Strongarm, and was easily persuaded to help break Shielda out of the jail cell.

Zelren’s thieves’ tools made short work of the jail window, and he lowered it to the ground. But then a whispered argument broke out.

Shielda wanted Zelren to come into the jail to help her retrieve the rest of her stuff. Zelren wasn’t much of a fan of jail cells, and he wanted her to come out. They could circle back around and figure out another way to reclaim her possessions.

In the end, the decision was made for them. Shielda raised her voice just a bit too loud, and a guard down the hall heard her. He started coming towards the cell, and Shielda told Zelren to put the window back in place.

Zelren tried...and dropped the window on his foot instead (Natural 1).

He screamed a very undignified "FUCK!" just as the guard stepped into view and saw him.

The jig was up, so Shielda dove through the window—but with her own Natural 1, she tripped, faceplanting on the street outside (and taking 1 point of bludgeoning damage).

The chase was on. Two guards pelted out of the jail after them. But early on, Zelren and Shielda managed to dodge around a crowd of drunken revelers that the guards slammed into headfirst. Soon after, the adventurers lost themselves in the crowds packing a large town square with a massive statue of a drow knight at its center.

With her flawless knowledge of the city streets (and a Natural 20 on an Intelligence check) Shielda led them back to the jail. They surveyed the front door from 40 feet away, discussing what to do.

Zelren decided to sneak up to the window and see what was going on inside. But before he did, Shielda hummed him a little tune he’d never heard before. (Someone from our world might have recognized it as the Rocky theme song.)

Suitably inspired, Zelren crept up to the window, silent as a mouse, and peeked inside. Two guards sat inside—one by the jail’s front door, and one by the door leading to the cells.

But far more importantly, there was Captain Strongarm. He was sitting at his desk, studying a slip of paper by the light of a lamp. He had a deep frown on his face, like he’d received some disturbing news.

Zelren returned to Shielda and told her what he’d seen.

And Shielda had an idea.

Together they returned to the jail. Zelren took up position by the front door, waiting for a signal. Shielda promised he’d know it when he heard it. Meanwhile, Shielda poised herself just beside the window Zelren had peeked through.

When all was ready, Shielda leaped into view in the window and sang a song her mother had sung to her every night before bed—albeit with a bit more of a punk twist.

Tendrils of magic wove into the room, and both of Corbrik’s guards passed into a magical slumber. Corbrik blinked hard, gripping the edge of his table ...

... and then the spell passed, and he stood, seeing Shielda framed in the window. His face twisted into a mask of fury.

He went to rouse his men, but Zelren was faster. The drow darted into the room and slashed with sword and dagger. Corbrik reeled back under the blows. But such a burly man couldn’t be brought low so easily.

Corbrik struck back, his blade biting into Zelren’s side. Shielda saw her new friend injured, and she unleashed a string of vitriolic insults from her place at the window.

Zelren hadn’t thought so much profanity could fit into a sentence in any sort of grammatically sound way.

Unfortunately, her insults fell flat, and Corbrik was unaffected. Shielda decided to do things the punk rock way and climbed through the window, ready to slam Corbrik’s head into the wall instead.

She never got the chance. Zelren struck again, and the pommels of both his weapons crashed into Corbrik’s temples. The guard captain fell senseless to the floor.

Zelren heard footsteps coming from the door leading to the cells. They didn’t have much time. He barked an order to Shielda to hold the door while he opened the confiscation locker to get her things.

Shielda threw the lock on the door, locking the rest of the guards inside the building, and throwing her shoulder against it for good measure. Zelren turned to the locker—but as he did, he spotted the key to it poking out of Corbrik’s pocket.

And when he went to retrieve it, he also found the slip of paper Corbrik had been studying earlier. It contained the address Shielda had “won” in her card game. The address of Marlasar Klexxad.

Zelren froze.

Dim through the years since his childhood, he remembered the name. Marlasar was a dragonborn sorceress, and she had been one of his father’s close friends. Zelren hadn’t thought of her in years, and hadn’t seen her in decades.

But there was no time to wonder at it now. He went to the locker, which opened easily with the key he’d lifted from the captain. Inside, he found Shielda’s rapier, her lute, and the coins she’d won from her games that night—100 gold in all.

He also found a pair of supple grey leather boots, and a small grey leather bag of the same material, as well as a small glass bottle holding a red liquid.

“Zelren!” said Shielda, as the pounding on the other side of the door grew more insistent. “We’ve got to go!” Zelren scooped up everything in the locker, and they beat a hasty retreat.

Possibly against their better judgment, they returned to the tavern where Shielda had been arrested that evening, hoping Captain Strongarm was in no condition to pursue them that evening. The barkeep, Marlan, a red-haired dwarf with Einstein hair, greeted Shielda with a laugh. “I knew they wouldn’t hold you for long, girl.” (Though he did demand an extra gold piece to pay for the disturbance she’d caused earlier).

Shielda gave Zelren 50gp of what she’d earned earlier that night as thanks for his help. Then they sorted out the treasure. Marlan recognized the potion as a healing potion. Shielda tried on the boots, which magically expanded to fit her massive feet. When she stood up, they realized her footsteps no longer made any sound. She handed the boots over to Zelren, figuring they were quite a handy thing for a sneaky drow like him to have.

The real surprise came when they opened the grey bag. Inside, they found three small furry balls. Shielda took one out and dropped it on the tavern’s table.

A full-grown panther sprang into existence before their astonished eyes.

Marlan nearly choked in astonishment. “Get that damn thing off my table!” he roared. “Where did it even come from?”

After taking a moment to reassure herself that the panther wasn’t going to eat her, Shielda motioned to it. “Hey, get down from there.” The panther instantly obeyed, sitting docilely by her side. Shielda scratched it under the chin, and soon its rumbling purrs were shaking the floor.

“You want to try?” said Shielda, proferring the bag.

“Are ... is this what we’re doing?” said Zelren, utterly bewildered.

Shielda only responded by shaking the bag.

Sighing, Zelren took out a second fuzzy ball and dropped it on the table. The poor, abused table groaned anew as a massive direwolf appeared on top of it.

“SHIELDA!” bellowed Marlan.

Zelren hastily ordered the dire wolf to sit beside him. It did, looking across at the panther with what seemed to be a cool haughtiness.

With the treasure sorted, it only remained to figure out what they were doing next.

Now that she had the address, Shielda was determined to seek out this Marlasar and see what she knew about the platinum dragon.

Zelren, too, was interested in finding the sorceress. He confessed to Shielda that Marlasar had been a friend of his parents when he was younger. Neither of them were quite sure why the two of them, from such different lives, would happen to be drawn together by something so strange as a name on a slip of paper.

But for Zelren, it was a matter of pragmatism as much as anything else. He only wanted one thing: to kill King Gargrond. But he wasn’t even vaguely ready for such a feat. To accomplish it, he’d need a lot more training, and powerful allies. And what better ally than a sorceress?

And if the plucky, hulking half-orc before him happened to be traveling in the same direction, why not travel together, even if only for a while?

So, almost against his better judgment, Zelren found himself with a new friend. And Shielda found herself with a traveling companion who was somewhat more stealthy and skilled at fighting than she was. A win-win situation.

Shielda paid for their rooms, and they settled in for a night’s rest. When they woke in the morning, they were somewhat disappointed to learn that their animal companions had vanished during the night—but there were two new furry balls in the grey bag, so that was something.

* * *

And that was the first Game Zero!

I’d like to keep a log of this campaign here and on Tumblr. So every once in a while I'm going to dump what happened in the last game. It won’t be polished, of course. But I love these characters so far, and I love the idea of following them as they grow.

It feels good to be playing D&D again.

#D&D #dungeons and dragons #rogue #bard

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marnthewsexchange · 5 years

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Writers are now revealed! Below is a link to all the fic and if you haven’t had a chance to read/comment on the fic gifted to you, please do so and let the writer know what you think! Everyone worked hard on their fics and every piece is so lovely so make sure you give all the writers some love and thank them for their hard work ♥

The Mods would like to thank everyone for participating in this exchange to make it a great success! If you have any comments/feedback, feel free to let us know!

Fic Index (Arranged Alphabetically by Recipient)

Note: Please check tags for additional warnings.

catch me falling by breakmystrings for BenBitchops (Rating: Teen | Warnings: None | Words: 4,872)

Auston can almost see the headlines now: Omega becomes bumbling idiot when told his alpha crush endorses him to be Captain.

Waking up on the Wrong Side of the Bed by eafay70 for bicroft (Rating: General | Warnings: None | Words: 1,184)

Auston has spent way more time than he'd like to admit wondering what life would be like with his soulmate. Their first night sharing a bed turns out to be far different from Auston's expectations - but then again, Mitch Marner is far different from Auston's expectations in other ways, too.

The Smile of Your Nightmares by eyeslikeonyx for Bidawee (Rating: Explicit | Warnings: None | Words: 4,627)

Auston Matthews observes the living room from where he stands, looking for any signs, any clues that can give him the answers he’s looking for. He’s in a beautiful, modern style loft in the financial district that’s clearly well kept, surrounded by designer furniture that’s clean and spotless. The kitchen is organized, and it’s pretty clear that the loft belongs to someone from the Toronto Elite.

Belonged to, he should say.

all I need is you by breakmystrings for dannybsdadbod (Rating: Teen | Warnings: None | Words: 2,062)

Mitch isn't worried about his contract.

lovely by dannybsdadbod (Rating: General | Warnings: None | Words: 1,013)

Mitch and his soulmate talk pretty regularly, a few times a week, usually. Mitch still doesn’t know their name, nor their gender. Though, he’s pretty sure it’s a boy. His soulmate has made it clear though, that he doesn’t want to share their names until they actually meet.

the way to a man's heart is through by itsawesternhenry for eafay70 (Rating: General | Warnings: None | Words: 3,437)

It’s just his luck he’d get a concussion literally a week after recovering from the flu. Auston barely even had time to appreciate the novelty of skating without feeling like he was gonna hurl every other step before he was back in the training room, lights low, head spinning. Some days he could just scream, like maybe that would unravel the ugly knot in his chest, but Paul warned him against doing anything that could aggravate the concussion.

-or-

Auston's dealing with a head injury, Mitch is dealing with a sophomore slump, and the best solution for solving both problems is, as always, good food.

Set during the 2017-18 season.

worthy of you by dannybsdadbod for eyeslikeonyx (Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Words: 1,748)

Everyone kneels for a dom until they’re 21. It’s to teach both subs and doms what a healthy and good relationship is like.

Auston by hfleury for gravityinglass (Rating: Teen | Warnings: Writer Didn’t Specify | Words: 10,935)

Centuries ago the Matthews family was cursed leaving Auston with the nose- rather, snout of a pig. To break the curse he must be accepted by one of his own, but, of course, that is easier said than done. (Based on the movie "Penelope")

higher love by BenBitchops for hfleury (Rating: Teen | Warnings: Writer Didn’t Specify | Words: 2,534)

“I’ll be honest with you, the Leafs are definitely a way better team.”

Auston hadn’t had the heart to be offended because he knew his hometown team was shit on a good day. But that didn’t mean he didn’t have a comment too, “How many years has it been since their last cup, fifty or was it seventy years?”

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast by The_Doctors_Milkshake for itsawesternhenry (Rating: Teen | Warning: Writer Didn’t Specify | Words: 5,261)

When Auston got drafted by Toronto, he knew he was moving to a town of supers. He just assumed it wouldn’t affect him that much. He should have known, his mother always warned him about assuming.

(Or 4 Times Mitch saves Auston, and one time Auston saves him)

(the weight of) the ring on your finger by venvephe for plothole (Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Words: 15,231)

"Marry me," Auston blurts.

Mitch freezes, his fidgeting hands coming to a standstill as he stares, wide-eyed, into Auston's face.

"I mean," Auston almost stammers, "marry me. If you have to choose a knuckle-dragging alpha. Choose one you can actually, uh. Tolerate."

"And that's you," Mitch says, disbelieving.

Picture Perfect by Bidawee for slightlyoutoftime (Rating: General | Warnings: None | Words: 11,951)

Auston visits Mitch’s perfect home and his perfect suburban family and finds out that all is not what it seems.

Feelings Run So Deep by eyeslikeonyx for tae9909 (Rating: Teen | Warnings: None | Words: 11,369)

Auston knows that being openly gay while being a part of a high-tier fraternity at a big name university isn’t really a common thing. Hell, he can probably count on one hand the amount of frat guys that have come out over the past ten years just based on all the social media lurking he did the summer before rush week. He’s done his research and he is not ashamed in the slightest.

how life changes by slightlyoutoftime for The_Doctors_Milkshake (Rating: General | Warnings: Writer Didn’t Specify | Words: 1,396)

When Auston told his mom that he and Mitch were getting married at the ripe old age of 21, she’d had a lot of advice. There’d been the usual stuff about never going to bed angry and always making time for each other but also how important it was to have their own space. She’d mentioned how essential it was to acknowledge anniversaries even when Mitch said he didn’t care. There was a discussion about how to be a good parent (if they ever made that choice) and not to let the kids pit them against one another. But his mom didn’t tell him anything about the knockdown, drag out fights that would erupt over interior decorating.

blood in the writing by gravityinglass for venvephe (Rating: Teen | Warnings: Writer Didn’t Specify | Words: 10,356)

To: K. Dubas, CDPU Project Director From: M. Hunter, CDPU Head of Personnel Recruitment RE: [[CLASSIFIED]] CANADIAN DOMESTIC PROTECTION UNIT, SKYLINE (Version 3.1) Attached files: Classified, Level 7: SKYLINE PROFILE Version 3,1 (68 KB), SKYLINE SUIT (143 KB), SKYLINE v NATRIX (3.1 GB)

...the Mark XVI Skyline suit clearly pays homage to the city of Toronto. The majority of the suit is bright, Maple Leafs blue, a color specifically loaned to Skyline by the Toronto Maple Leafs owner himself. The suit is detailed in crisp white, an outline of the CN tower running up the left ribcage and maple leaf detailing along the right leg. This differs from previous suit designs in clarity and artistic integrity. This appears to be the first version of the suit where the user seems confident enough in their work to put significant effort into aesthetic detail. See attached photo for visual reference...

Or, Toronto has developed a super-villain problem. Luckily, it's also developed a pair of vigilante superheroes.

#2019 exchange #fic index

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incorrectsmashbrosquotes · 5 years

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Smash Bros Character: Mass Effect AU (Warning: Long)

I know N7 day has come and gone, but I really wanted to show this to you guys for a while now. I love Mass Effect, and I love the idea of my favorite Smashers being in it.

If you have not played Mass Effect, I apologize, for you are about to be horribly confused.

Bayonetta: An Asari, but more than that she is an Ardat Yakshi who has found a way to control her powers and mate normally with other life-forms, but still has access to her mind-destroying powers. Her only real wish is to be left alone, but since Justicars continue to pursue her, she keeps moving. Despite her condition, she is, at heart, a kind soul.

Bowser: A Krogan warlord who has left his home with a collection of followers and colonized a new world. To subvert the Genophage he uses genetic engineering, creating a new generation of “Tank-Born” Krogan, including his own children. He is technically a fugitive from the Citadel Council, but they can never seem to keep him down for long. But now he has received an offer from a mysterious being called Ganondorf, one that seems too sweet to refuse.

Bowser Jr.: Bowser’s Tank-Born son, Bowser Jr feels like he has a lot to live up to. He and his siblings do their best to emulate their father and make himproud, embracing their heritage as Krogan despite being Tank-Born.

Captain Falcon: A former N7 Marine who quit the Corps to become a free-lance bounty hunter. He possess some Biotic ability, but relies mainly on his weaponry to get him out of trouble. He’s a modern day cowboy, zipping from System to System, hunting criminals and scum for money. Zaeed Masani himself declared him one of the few men he trusts.

Chrom: A human commander who’s name and leadership has garnered respect and admiration from the Alliance and Citadel forces. While he himself is a respectable fighter, he is a better commander than warrior. He has a daughter, but due to his promiscuous nature no one knows who the mother is.

Cloud: Cloud was an ordinary colony boy, albeit one born with Biotic abilities. Until his home colony was attacked by Cerberus. He and a few others were taken to the Teltin Cerberus facility and was experimented on horribly by Cerberus. He escaped during Subject Zero’s escape, but unlike her he was found by a passing Alliance patrol, led by one Commander Zack Fair. Now Cloud is a vigilante/mercenary has devoted himself to destroying Cerberus, and saving anyone they might make a victim.

Corrin: Corrin is a child of two worlds. They were raised by Asari Justicars to be a Huntress but she never lost contact with her native family and species. Corrin is now a candidate for the Specter Program, but now that they are on the Galactic Stage, they must start to question which world they belong to.

Daisy: An asari, unique in the fact that she has little to no Biotic power. She makes up for this by being an absolute beast of a soldier, trained in every weapon from pistols to the legendary M-20 Cain. Daisy is loyal to her asari people, particularly her cousin, but has her eye on a certain human officer.

Dark Pit: Dark Pit is a turian, a clone of the original. Despite his unorthodox birth, he is a fierce fighter and loyal, despite being a bit of a maverick. Assigned to the Asari Matriarch Palutena’s personal guard, Dark Pit is eager to shake the assumptions heaped upon him for being Pit’s clone.

Dark Samus: A creation of the Reapers, Dark Samus was created to mock the original and be her superior in every way. A barely sentient cyborg/clone, Dark Samus wants to be “alive” more than anything, and will do whatever it takes to make sure the Reapers succeed, for when they do they promised to grant her “life”.

Donkey Kong: Another Cerberus experiment gone wrong, Donkey Kong was the result of a Cerberus attempt to create Super Soldiers using animal DNA. DK was the most successful, but did not appreciate his confinement. So he busted out, leading a massive exodus of genetically engineered apes and monkeys, where they eventually found themselves on a planet to colonize. Little did they know, it was the home planet of the Yawhg...

Diddy Kong: DK’s adopted son and heir, Diddy is determined to live up to his foster dad’s legacy. Because his people are constantly at war with the Yawhg, Diddy has been forced to grow up quickly. His technical genius has been a boon to his people, leading to their salvation more than once.

Duck Hunt: A tame varren who made friends with a flying mutant pyjack.

Fox: Fox McCloud is a human Specter, and the current leader of the “Star Fox” team: an elite unit of soldiers put together by the Council with the express purpose of addressing and investigating the Reaper threat. Fox has made startling headway into the investigation, and dreads whatever else he might find.

Falco: A turian Specter, and Fox’s best friend/rival. Falco is a hot-headed bad-ass and a damn fine pilot, but his recklessness get him into trouble. However, unknown to anyone but Fox, Falco is the illegitimate son of Saren Atrerius, and will do almost anything to shake himself of his father’s dark legacy.

Ganondorf: No one is sure what Ganondorf once was. But what is known is that he is ancient. Older than human comprehension. He is, in fact, the last of the race that the Reapers originally were. His body has long since decayed, leaving only his mind electronically preserved. He was foound by Cerberus, and taken to a remote facility, where he reawakened and swiftly took over the facility. He has now constructed himself a new body. One made from the DNA of humans, krogan, turians, and asari, and reinforced with geth cybernetics. Now with Biotics unmatched and technical power unequaled, he will stop at nothing to achieve his aims. His goal? Take control of the reapers, and subsequently the whole Galaxy.

Greninja: A turian soldier, more than that, one trained in stealth and assassination. While originally loyal to the Hierarchy, Greninja has recently become disillusioned with the way things run, and has become more and more belligerent of orders. But soon, he may have to choose which side he falls on in what is to come.

The Ice Climbers: A pair of quarian twins who have taken to researching new worlds for the quarians to potentially settle. Their studies have found that colder climates would make a more suitable habitat for them, and have taken to studying the polar regions of planets. But their research has also dug up Reaper artifacts leading them to shift their focus away from colonization, to war.

Ike: The leader of the Alliance Corsair’s, a group of Alliance military ships that are technically off the books. Ike, is a second-generation Marine, but already his exploits have earned him respect and admiration from his fellow Corsairs and the Alliance military. Ike is strong-willed and a true champion of the people, hunting down any and all foes of the Alliance. But now he must turn his attention to the coming threat of the Reapers.

Incineroar: A mutate creature meant to fight for the Alliance, but escaped into the wild. He was eventually found and recruited by Pokemon Trainer.

Inkling: A child asari who has commandeered a vessel with their friends, looking for fun and adventure. They have been traveling the galaxy for a while, seeking new worlds and new adventures. But recent events are forcing them to take responsibility for their place in the Galaxy, and to answer the call of duty.

Isabelle: Isabelle is actually not military of any kind. She is a civilian, helping to oversee the construction of a new colony. It’s not her fault that it was on top of an ancient Reaper cache! Now she is forced to turn her colonists into a militia, to fight the coming onslaught.

Jigglypuff: A karaoke AI that gained sentience and fled in a robotic body. Now she’s a singer on Omega and is one of Aria T’Loak’s favorite members of her “court”.

Ken: One of two human Biotics raised by a turian martial artist to be warriors of and fighters. Ken is now a sport fighter, making hundreds of credits a night by winning matches. However, Ken’s sense of responsibility is strong, and the coming conflict will need his power.

King Dedede: A mysterious alien being from millions of years ago of incredible power and strength. However, his main goal seems to be to eat as much food as possible in the entire Galaxy. While he makes noise at being evil, he is really a big and friendly guy. However, he has great knowledge of the Reapers, and has sworn to help the Galaxy fight them. ...Right after lunch.

King K. Rool: A Yawhg who escaped the quarantine around his planet and now raises havoc as a pirate and crime lord with his Yawhg followers. K Rool is a creature of greed and cruelty, seeking as much pleasure and wealth as he can. However, Now that he has learned of DK’s presence on his home planet, he hunts him with a terrifying fervor. Too bad DK is usually too much for him too handle.

Kirby: One of King Dedede’s race, Kirby is an Elder Being of phenomenal cosmic power that may be able to save the galaxy from the reapers. Unfortunately he is also still a baby, and as such it is difficult to get him motivated.

Link: Link was a human raised by a turian exile who left the Hierarchy after his stalwart commitment to justice led him to mutiny during humanity’s “First Contact War”. Link was raised with that unbending commitment to justice in mind, and it shows. Trained to be the ultimate soldier, Link is now a galactic vigilante, fighting crime lords, slavers, and all manner of scum and villainy. He has even earned a moniker: The Star Knight. However, he refuses to be beholden to any government, since he believes them to be useless and inefficient. But lately his dreams have been dark. Terrible machines from the darkness. He must be ready.

Little Mac: Like Ken and Ryu, Little Mac is a free-lance fighter in the various galactic circuits. Or at least he was, until he was mutated by Eez-O. Now he is a super soldier, drafted by the alliance to help them fight the Reaper invasion. But little does Mac know, he is a secret Cerberus Project. And now they want their property back.

Lucario: Lucario is a powerful Biotic, and an experiment of Cerberus in combining human and asari DNA. As such, he also has unprecedented psychic abilities. Lucario, however, left Cerberus in a rather brutal fashion and carrying a jaded view of humans. This was changed, however, when he met Pokemon Trainer.

Lucas: Lucas is one of two human children who were given unprecedented Biotic powers when an asteroid from beyond the Galaxy landed in their colony. Now, struggling to control his new powers, Lucas finds himself at the center of a war he never wanted to be a part of. The Reaper War.

Lucina: The daughter of Commander Chrom, Lucina is a Staff Sargent int he Alliance Navy. She hopes to live up to her father’s legacy, but lately her days have been haunted by nightmares of the future. Visions of the extinction of the human race, begun by her father’s death. She must stop this from happening. It is the only way.

Mario: Mario is a former human Specter, but retired due to his increasing age. He is now an Fleet Admiral, commanding the Alliance’s forces from his flagship “The Mushroom Pride”. It is also well known that he is in a relationship with the daughter of an asari Matriarch.

Luigi: Luigi is his brother, but simply in his shadow. Luigi, however, doesn’t mind much, as his duty is more important than any potential fame and glory. He is also in a relationship with Daisy.

Marth: A human General, Marth is a young but respected commander of men. He is a founding member of the Corsair’s, and willing to go to any length to fight for humanity. However, he now finds himself in a hopeless war against beings older and more terrible than any in this galaxy. He cannot win, unless he convinces the Elder Beings King Dedede and Kirby to help.

Mega Man: An illegally created AI battle robot, Mega Man has travelled the galaxy in search of purpose. He finally found one among the geth, who accepted him as one of their own. He is now an ambassador of sorts between the geth and the organic races.

Meta Knight: The third Elder Being to be awakened, Meta Knight was a military leader in his day, of a nation that spanned the galaxy. But now he must goad Kirby and King Dedede into action against the Reapers, for the sake of all organic life.

Mewtwo: An attempt at recreating an ancient race of psychic aliens by the asari that went horribly wrong. Mewtwo broke loose, and now searches for purpose among the stars. He has now found it on Rosalina’s home.

Mii Brawler / Mii Gunner / Mii Fighter: AI warriors created by Cerberus to fight for them.

Mr. Game & Watch: A primitive AI that just wants to help.

Ness: The other child who was made a super-Boiotic by the asteroid that hit their home planet, Ness is the more confident of the two. He is clear in his purpose. To help in the fight against the Reapers.

Captain Olimar: A quarian investigating new worlds for the quarians to settle, Olimar is a botanist and scientist who despises violence. But his discovery of a new planet and a new species under threat by the Reapers, Olimar must find his courage and fight for the future.

Pac-Man: A salarian STG commander who’s team has been investigating the Reaper threat. Their findings have been spine-chilling, and now they find themselves hunted by Reaper forces.

Palutena: An Asari Matriarch who believes int he Reaper threat and wishes to prepare for it. As such she is mustering as many ships and soldiers as she can and prepare the Galaxy for what is to come.

Peach: The daughter of an asari matriarch who, like Palutena, is trying to rouse the galaxy against the coming threat. Peach, however, is working with her lover, Admiral Mario, to rouse the people of the galaxy.

Pichu: An experiment by Cerberus to create a new for of electrical life form. It succeeded, and now Pichu is roaming free on a new world.

Pikachu: The same as Pichu but bigger.

Piranha Plant: A Thorian creeper that gained sentience. It now wanders the stars with Bowser, serving his new Master’s will.

Pit: A turian, the one from which Dark Pit was cloned. A gifted Biotic, Pit is the captain of Matriarch Palutena’s personal guard.

Pokemon Trainer (Charizard, Ivysaur and Squirtle): The Illusive Man’s child, Red is determined to rescue as many of their father’s twisted experiments as he can. The creatures he rescues share a powerful bond with them, and will fight and die for them.

R.O.B.: A geth unit who fights beside Mega Man and fights for the future of his people. He seeks the destruction of the Reapers and the death of the traitorous geth who follow them.

Robin: A powerful Biotic and one of Chrom’s crew, Robin is a brave and loyal person who whole-heartedly believes in their comander. Robin is more of a support fighter than a front lines sort of Biotic, but their abilities make them invaluable on the field.

Rosalina: An asari matriarch who leads a biotic compound for all races on a private space station called “Asgard”. Rosalina is one of the most powerful biotics in existence, and seeks to train others of every race to use their gifts for good. Her altruism extends even to the krogan and the vorcha, and has been a powerful voice behind the efforts to remove the genophage.

Roy: Roy is Marth’s right-hand man. he is a ferocious soldier and technical expert, and is another founding member of the Corsairs. He has been with Marth since the beginning.

Richter Belmont: A member of a military family, one specifically trained to hunt rogue Biotics. As such, Richter is naturally resistant to Biotic abilities and any damage they cause. A bit arrogant, Richter has a good heart that is too often ruled by his hot head.

Ridley: A monster. He was a Yawhg originally, but was captured and experimented on by Cerberus until he was a twisted shadow of what he once was. He now roams the stars as an emissary for Cerberus, hunting down potential experimental subjects. However, sometimes his Yawhg aggression comes out and he goes on rampages. As is what happened on colony V-R-19, where Samus’s parents dies.

Ryu: Ken’s adopted brother and rival, Ryu travels the galaxy seeking worthy foes and the answers to his past. However, he soon finds himself enrolled in the Reaper War.

Samus: When Ridley killed Samus’s parents she was found and raised by the most unlikely of foster family. A small group of Prothean survivors, preserved beneath her colony. Samus was enhanced with their DNA, and turned into an unstoppable tool of destruction and war. Samus is, however, ruled by her sense of duty and commitment to her cause. she prepares to face the ancient enemy of her adopted species, the Reapers.

Shulk: Shulks life was... ordinary. Until, of course, the Heretic Geth attacked his home. Ever since his people have been at war, barely holding their own on their colony world, cut off from their native planet of Earth. However, Shulk has recently found something that may turn the tide. An ancient Reaper weapon. The Monado.

Simon Belmont: The patriarch of the Belmont family, a family that hunts rogue Biotics. A bit older and more jaded than Richter, but his heart is no less kind. He pursues his family’s ancient goal of hunting the ancient rogue Biotic: Dracula.

Solid Snake: A human and leading member of FOXHOUND, a Spec-Ops group founded for the express purpose of fighting Cerberus. But Snake is, in fact, a creation of Cerberus. Another of their experiments that has turned on his creators. snake is an old soul in a young body, having seen too much in too brief a time.

Sonic: A turian warrior, possessing an affinity for speed biotics that none others can match. Free-wheeling and fun-loving, Sonic is a maverick who just wants to help as many people as possible. He is also old friends with Admiral Mario.

Toon Link: Link’s clone, created by the Alliance in secret, hoping to recreate Link’s natural solder abilities. However, he ran from the Alliance and has joined a group of benevolent Pirates.

Villager: A powerful AI that seeks to fight the Reapers and gain true sentience and humanity.

Wario: A mindless and greedy thug of a krogan who works for Ganondorf for money. He does bot care that he is betraying he species.

Wii Fit Trainer: A civilian who has recently enlisted alongside Little Mac to fight the Reapers.

Wolf: A turian pirate and mercenary who works for both the Alliance and Ganondorf. While truly a mercenary, in his heart of hearts he has a kind heart when all the cards are down.

Yoshi: A friendly Tank-Born Krogan who fights beside Mario as his faithful friend and side-kick.

Young Link: Another clone of Link, this one created by Cerberus. But this one is still a child. He is being raised by Cerberus, but in secret his mind is being molded by ancient and powerful forces for one purpose: to end Ganondorf and the Reapers once and for all.

Zelda: Zelda is a pureblood daughter of two asari matriarchs, and her biotic power shows it. She also seems to possess budding psychic powers as she seems to possess a modicum of foresight. She now seeks Link, seeing him as the key to ending Ganondorf.

#incorrect quotes #incorrect super smash bros #AU #Mass effect #Super Mario #Legend of Zelda #Kirby #Star Fox #Kid Icarus #Wario World #Bayonetta #Pikmin #Pokemon #Castlevania #Metroid #Sonic the Hedgehog #Xenoblade Chronicles #Metal Gear Solid #Earthbound

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cottonfreakz · 5 years

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Attack on Titan???? Here's a good read to catch up

If there was an entry for “crossover hit” in the dictionary, it wouldn’t be strange to see a big picture of Attack on Titanright next to the definition. It’s easy to forget if you’ve been consuming anime for most of your life, but the medium still resides firmly in the territory of niche entertainment. For a title to become popular with the general public, it must strike the difficult balance of being approachable enough to not scare away newcomers, while also maintaining the aesthetic and style so unique to a Japanese production that it will satisfy dyed-in-the-wool otaku enough to spread it in the first place. Just one of these crossover hits will pop up every couple years or so, oftentimes acting as excellent primers for new viewers to dive headfirst into the world of anime. Cowboy Bebop and Dragon Ball Z did this in the ’90s. Fullmetal Alchemist and Death Note did it in the 2000’s. Then a young production company by the name of (staffed largely by up-and-coming talents from burgeoning parent company Production I.G) burst onto a global stage in 2013 with their adaptation of Hajime Isayama’s dark fantasy/apocalyptic horror manga, Attack on Titan, taking the anime industry by storm to become the most mainstream new anime of the 2010s.

Whether you’re an old fan just looking for a refresher or a newbie in need of a crash course, this handy guide will get you all caught up to speed for the newest episodes.

Act 1: The Fall of Zhiganshina

When our story begins, humans are already an endangered species. For over a hundred years, they have lived in fear of the Titans, a mysterious race of giant, animalistic humanoids that wander the world searching for people to devour. Nobody knows anything about these creatures or where they came from, and the small population that managed to escape the Titans’ wrath unscathed have barricaded themselves within numerous towns, surrounded by three layers of sky-high stone walls. Life behind the walls is peaceful enough, but our protagonist, Eren Jaeger, yearns for the adventure and freedom afforded to the Scout Regiment, who are the only souls brave enough to combat Titans beyond the cities’ walls.

Eren lives in the town of Zhiganshina, along with his best friend Armin Arlert and a girl his family recently took in, Mikasa Ackerman. Armin is a shy nerd prone to being picked on, and Eren is too stubborn and combative for his own good, while Mikasa is the strong, silent, and exceedingly intimidating badass who bails the boys out of the messes they make for themselves. Despite this outer strength, Mikasa’s backstory is later revealed to be tragic and bloody. Her parents were murdered by slave traders when she was young, leaving Mikasa in danger of being sold into bondage. Eren and his father, Dr. Grisha Jaeger, happened to make a house call on the family mere hours after the incident, so Eren tracked down the slavers and killed them with Mikasa’s help. She has remained by his side ever since, and the equally loyal Armin makes three.

The trio’s lives remain relatively peaceful until the day the Titans break through the first wall of the city, Wall Maria, with the help of a never-before-seen Colossal Titan, and everything goes to hell. Eren’s mother is brutally eaten by a Titan in the attack, while his father mysteriously vanishes. Amidst the bloodshed and destruction, the young boy swears vengeance on the monsters, while a great number of civilians are slaughtered around him. Those who survive are forced to migrate further into the city and become disenfranchised refugees. The starvation gets so bad that a quarter of a million people are exiled outside the walls, where they are summarily wiped out by the Titans, including Armin’s grandfather and the only remaining guardian over the trio. Embittered and orphaned, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa resolve to join the army and fight to reclaim their world.

Act 2: Humanity’s Comeback

Five years pass, and everyone has worked tirelessly to develop the skills needed to fight the Titans. Central to the militia’s arsenal is the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, a harness that combines numerous razor-sharp blades with multi-directional grappling hooks to provide soldiers with maximum mobility and speed. After mastering the difficult skill of zipping through the air with nothing but rapidly-fired cables, the soldiers are able to attack the Titans’ only known weak spot: the nape of their neck, causing instant death when slashed deep enough. Eren is the most passionate and aggressive soldier in the corps, while Armin is an exceptional strategist, and Mikasa has become the strongest and deadliest cadet in the program.

This is also where we get to meet the majority of Attack on Titan’s supporting cast, the training recruits who fight alongside Eren, Armin, and Mikasa in battle. These include Reiner Braun and Bertolt Hoover, ranked second and third behind Mikasa, as well as the aloof Annie Leonhart. There’s also the proud and antagonistic Jean Kirstein, the friendly Marco Bott, the outgoing and empty-headed Connie Springer, the kindhearted Krista Lenz, and her brash yet mysterious companion Ymir. Last but not least is Sasha Braus, whose zealous gluttony and loud personality has made her a fan-favorite. Together, these members of the 104th Training Division graduate with honors and take on a number of roles to prepare for the inevitability of another Titan attack.

Act 3: The Battle of Trost

It turns out the cadets won’t have to wait long, because shortly after graduation, the Titans return to launch another offensive, led once again by the Colossal Titan. Despite the unit’s years of training, these Titans are still formidable foes, and the soldiers are absolutely trounced in a matter of hours. In a desperate attempt to save Armin’s life, even Eren is dismembered and devoured by a Titan at the very start of the battle. This isn’t the end of Eren’s story, however. In his final moments, he discovers that by shedding his own blood in a moment of rage, he can actually transform into a Titan himself. In a maddened stupor, Eren is able to use his Titan form to decimate the other Titans and give the cadets a fighting chance, before reverting back to human form, unconscious. This understandably results in much confusion and fear, but Eren manages to survive the army’s interrogations by offering his services as a tool in Titan form. Commander Dot Pixis requests that Eren use his formidable strength to seal the hole in the second wall, Wall Rose. Wary of his own strength, Eren agrees under the condition that he be escorted by Mikasa and Armin, as well as members of the elite Scout Regiment, a group of expert soldiers with the skills and fortitude to explore the world outside the walls. Heading up this special task force is Captain Levi, an enigmatic and exceptionally skilled soldier who has little trust in Eren. Also working with the Scout Regiment is Hange Zoë, who has a morbid fascination with studying and dissecting Titans. Thanks to an overwhelming effort from everyone involved, Eren manages to move a giant boulder to patch Wall Rose’s massive hole, saving the remaining populace from further decimation by the Titans. Still, Eren briefly went berserk during the mission and almost killed Mikasa, so he has a long way to go before he can trust himself in Titan form again. In the aftermath of the Battle for Trost, Eren is subjected to a tribunal, where his continued survival is allowed only through surveillance by the Scout Regiment. He gladly joins Levi and Hange in this deadliest branch of the army, hoping that they can help train him to control his Titan transformation. Most of his comrades join the Scout Regiment alongside him, including Armin and Mikasa, of course.

Act 4: The Female Titan

As Eren studies with the Scout Regiment, he learns about two Titans that Hange has captured to study, affectionately named Sawney and Beane. However, an unknown traitor murders Sawney and Beane to prevent further research, escaping into the land outside the walls. In order to find out who could possibly be willing to collude with the Titans, everyone prepares for an expedition in pursuit of the truth about their core nature, which Eren believes lies dormant in the ruins of his home in Zhiganshina. Unfortunately, it isn’t long after leaving the safety of Wall Rose that the Scout Regiment makes a startling discovery: a massive Female Titan, in hot pursuit to murder them all. After she demonstrates indisputably human intelligence, the Scout Regiment realizes that she must be a human with transformative powers just like Eren, who she seems to be tracking down specifically, even choosing not to kill other targets. She pursues Eren’s group into the forest, resulting in a grueling battle that kills a large number of soldiers while injuring many others. With a few clever traps, the Scouts are finally able to subdue the Female Titan, but she cocoons her weak spot in an organically generated crystal substance to protect her identity and her life. Mikasa and Levi attempt to wear the Female Titan down, but to no avail, and even Eren is no match for her in his Titan form, resulting in more casualties and her ultimate escape. Demoralized, battered, and ashamed of their defeat, the Scout Regiment returns to the city completely empty-handed. While Eren languishes with his fate once again up in the air, Armin and Mikasa have their own suspicions about the Female Titan’s true identity. With Armin’s help, the other members of the 104th training division construct a plan to lure the Female Titan out of hiding, under the guise of liberating Eren from internment. As it turns out, the culprit is none other than their fellow cadet Annie Leonheart, who confesses but reveals no more information before frantically battling with Eren and the others. As the Female Titan, she wreaks havoc on the capitol behind Wall Sina, but the cadets are able to hold her off long enough for Eren to take her down in Titan form. As he hesitates to land the killing blow, Annie encases her body in organic crystal, forcing the army to take her into custody with no way to interrogate her. The first season ends on a note of uncertainty, as it becomes impossible to ignore that other humans who can transform into Titans have infiltrated the army, and unlike Eren, they are not on humanity’s side. The final shot of the season shows a chunk of stone from one of the Walls crumbling away, revealing the uncanny visage of a Titan sleeping inside the structure. There truly is nowhere safe to hide anymore, with the reveal that Titans not only live inside the Walls, they also live inside the Walls.

Act 5: The Beast Titan

Attack on Titan’s second season picks up exactly where the first season left off. Hange Zoë interrogates Pastor Nick of the Wall Cult to figure out what exactly Titans are doing buried in the city’s walls, but before any progress can be made on that front, the 104th Cadets are caught in the middle of another crisis: Wall Rose has apparently been breached, and Titans are lumbering their way southwards. Everyone scrambles to inform nearby villages to evacuate, but the unfortunate Miche Zackarius has a fatal encounter with the Titans’ newest foe, a hairy goliath that seems more cunning and intelligent than any Titan we’ve met before. Following the arrival of the new batch of Titans, Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Levi and Hange are try to work out the Wall Cult conspiracy while the other cadets fight simply to survive. Sasha barely makes it out of her old hometown alive after a terrifying one-on-one encounter with a Titan, and Conny comes to his own hometown, Rakago, to find it destroyed. His family’s house has been crushed underneath the weight of a Titan, who Conny can’t help but find eerily familiar looking; later in the season, the Titan speaks to Conny, and we discover that the creature looks like a Titan-ified version of his own mother, which forces our heroes to yet again ask the question that has been haunting them their whole lives: Where do the Titans come from?

Act 6: Krista and Ymir

As the surviving Cadets regroup and search for the breach along Wall Rose, we get to see more of some of the characters who’ve only been background players so far, with two standouts being Krista and Ymir. These girls have a fairly complicated histories that are both deeply tied to the larger universe of Attack on Titan. These secrets are revealed through multiple flashback scenes and episodes throughout season two, but I will try and lay it out in (mostly) chronological order:

A long time ago, Ymir lived in a country far away, and was worshipped by a cult there. When the cult members were caught and punished by the authorities, they (including Ymir) were injected with a mysterious chemical and thrown into the wilderness (this will be very important later). Years later, Ymir and Krista meet as cadets during a brutal winter-training exercise, and they end up growing very close. Ymir also knows Krista’s greatest secret, that she’s actually the member of a noble family whose real name is Historia Reiss. In the bitter winter frost, the two girls vow to support and protect each other as cadets. Back in the present day, Ymir and Krista wind up trapped in a crumbling old castle after failing to find any breach in Wall Rose. Without warning, the Beast Titan arrives with a small army of Titans to attack them, and while the Cadets fight bravely, it doesn’t take long for them to be backed into a corner with no way out. Valuing Krista’s life more than anything else, she sheds her blood and leaps of the Battlement, revealing her own dark secret: The injection she received as a child turned her into Titan capable of shifting back into human form, just like Annie and Eren. She originally spent 60 years mindlessly wandering the land as a Titan, but she eventually regained her humanity, and now she’s hellbent on using her Titan powers to protect the woman she loves.

Act 7: Bertholdt and Reiner

Unfortunately, Krista and Ymir aren’t the only ones with secrets. After spending most of Season 2 seperated from everyone else, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa finally reunite with their fellow cadets after the battle at Castle Utgard. Their peaceful reunion is short-lived, however, because Eren’s group harbor some suspicions regarding their friends. Pastor Nick already warned Hange that Krista was the key to the secret of the Wall Titans, and the lack of a breach in Wall Rose would only further suggest that there are yet more Titan traitors living among the humans. Unlike the prolong arc that preceded Annie’s reveal, however, we learn within the span of a single episode that Bertholdt and Reiner are also Titan Shifters.

What’s more, Reiner reveals this information himself, meaning that these two were part of the attack that killed Eren’s mother at the very beginning of Attack on Titan. Reiner pleads with Eren to join them and stop the bloodshed, but Eren naturally doesn’t take this very well, answering instead by transforming himself and engaging Reiner in an epic Titan-on-Titan brawl. While Eren puts on a brave fight, Bertholdt and Reiner end up gaining the advantage, absconding with both him and Ymir. Eren is immobilized as he recovers from the debilitating injuries he took in the fight against Reiner, and Ymir is unwilling to make any moves against their captors until she has an advantage on them. They take up hiding in a nearby forest while Mikasa, Armin, Hange, and the others plan a rescue mission.

Though Bertholdt and Reiner harbor some fear of Ymir (she ate one of their companions many years ago when she was still trapped in her Titan form), they being to slowly draw her to their side by offering a safe haven for both her and Krista. Though Ymir suspects Bertholdt and Reiner’s many years of duplicity have left them mentally scarred and a little unstable, she agrees to help them take Eren back to their homeland.

Act 8: Rescue and Revelation

As Bertholdt, Reiner, and Ymir make their escape with Erin, the rest of the Cadets come charging after them, despite the many Titans swarming the outskirts beyond the forest. It is a vicious, bloody battle; Erwin Smith loses an arm to a Titan after offering himself up as a distraction, Hannes is killed, and many other Scouts are crushed or eaten as they fight their way to Erin. While Mikasa manages to rescue Erin, they end up confronting the same Smiling Titan that killed Erin’s mother years ago.

Believing their deaths to be inevitable, Mikasa finally confesses her love for Erin, but the surge of emotion unlocks a new ability within Erin: He can control Titans. He uses this gift to force the other Titans to kill the Smiling Titan, and then he uses his power to ensure a victory for his friends, though Bertholdt, Reiner, and Ymir end up escaping in the process. Even though Erin and the others have survived yet another vicious battle, dark tidings loom on the horizon. Hange and Conny confirm with Commander Pyxis that the Titan invasion originated not from outside the walls, but within the town of Rakago, meaning that no how many walls they build, humanity can never be truly safe from a Titan invasion. Far away, the apparent mastermind behind these events emerges from within the Beast Titan, promising even more wickedness to come for our heroes…

Act 9: “A Princess, a Killer, and a Titan walk into a bar…”

At the beginning of Season 3, Levi Squad is camping out to recuperate and support Eren, who is struggling to master his ability to harden in Titan form, which is how Hange plans finally seal the hole in Wall Maria. Also there is the former Krista, who has now fully adopted her birth name of Historia, and she’s having her own troubles reckoning with the events of Season 2. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in the districts: Pastor Nick is brutally killed, and initially the incident is written off as a one-off murder, but Hange and Levi discover that it’s merely the first act of bloodletting in a vast conspiracy being perpetrated by the Military Police themselves. The government has seemingly become determined to purge any knowledge of either Historia’s noble lineage or the secrets of the Titans they’ve been keeping from the public, and they are willing to use their influence on the military to kill anyone who might compromise their goals.

Before the military can execute their raid on Levi Squad, though, our heroes flee into the city and execute a clever gambit to evade their captors. They almost manage to pull it off, too, until Levi learns that there’s another team on the squad’s tail. They’re a gang of expert marksman who have modified the military’s traditional omni-directional mobility gear to function with their guns instead of blades. Their in the business of killing humans, not Titans, and they’re being lead by the infamous killer known as Kenny the Ripper, who shares a bloody history with none other than Levi himself. Kenny and his crew make off with Eren and Historia, who are taken to the latter’s father, Rod Reiss. Eren is fully a prisoner, but Historia is surprised to find her dear old dad to welcome her back with open arms. Their complicated relationship forms the backbone of this entire arc of the story, and this is where Attack on Titandecides to drop a whole mess of bombshells all at once, and they all have major ramifications for the show’s characters and plot. For one thing, our heroes discover that King Fritz is little more than a puppet, and Rod Reiss is the true heir to the throne, which would make Historia the next in line to rule the kingdom. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

Act 10: The Princess’ Story

Historia’s life had always been marked by misery and solitude, we learn. Her mother, Alma, was a former servant of Rod Reiss’ who was essentially banished to the countryside after giving birth to Historia. Alma’s resentment towards her own daughter manifested in equal parts disdain and rage. The first physical and emotional connection Alma ever made with her young daughter was to shove her to the ground and bloody her nose, and the poor girl was convinced that such abuse was the only kind of love she could ever feel. There was one girl, though, named Frieda, who would come to Historia’s ranch and read with her and speak to her, loving her in the way that Historia never thought possible. After Reiss had Alma killed, Historia was renamed Krista and sent away for good, and she forgot Frieda’s existence entirely until reuniting with her father. This was no accident, either, because Frieda had the power to alter people’s memories in whatever way she wished.

This magical power is a kind inherited by members of the true royal bloodline, who transfer their talents across generations along with the ability to assume the form of Titans. Below the ruins of a family cathedral, Rod escorts Historia and Eren both to a gigantic crystal cavern, where the Reiss clan has held its Titan rituals for generations. In order for the powers to be carried from one host to the other, however, the royal successor must consume the titan form of their predecessor. Literally: Rod has a dose of the serum that is used to transform humans into Titans, which has long been kept secret, and Historia is meant to use it to become the kind of monster that can eat whomever carries the power of the royal bloodline. This is why Eren has been kidnapped along with Historia: He has come to possess the power of the Founding Titan because of machinations of his father, Grisha Yeager, and Rod intends for Historia to take back her birthright by force.

Act 11: The Killers’ Story

Meanwhile, Levi and the rest of the squad are on the run from the law, trying to reckon with the knowledge that the monarchy they’ve sworn to protect is a corrupt sham that will sacrifice the people on the altar of its own self-preservation. Knowing that they cannot possibly rescue Eren and Historia with an entire nation hunting them down, Levi teams up with Commander Erwin and General Pyxis to concoct a nearly suicidal gambit: Unite the citizens, overthrow “King” Fitz regime, and install Hisotorita as the new, legitimate Queen. Through feats of daring and subterfuge, the team actually manages to pull it off, and the the military leaders allied with Levi and Erwin take charge while Levi our heroes at last race off to rescue their friends from Rod Reiss. Levi has some family ties to grapple with too, though. As it turns out, he and Kenny share the same family name, which also happens to belong to a certain red-scarfed girl we know: Ackerman. A series of flashback reveal that there exist entire cities buried deep below the earth, filled with people, and young Levi Ackerman lived there with his destitute mother, Kuchel, until she wasted away from disease. Kenny found the starving orphan and raised him to become a cold-blooded killer like him, which is the only way to survive in the harsh world of the Underground. The Ackermans aren’t just random killers – their entire lineage is inextricably linked to the royal family. Before falling out of favor with the nobility, they served as knights and protectors for generations,. It’s even implied that the Ackerman bloodline has been imbued with superhuman strength and reflexes, which would explain Mikasa, Levi, and Kenny’s ferocity on the battlefield. Eventually, Kenny found himself in the good graces of Rod Reiss’ younger brother, Uri, who almost killed Kenny in his Titan form. Their partnership would span decades, and Kenny would come to be a trusted confidant of the would-be king, and the soldiers that served Uri would go on to form the ranks of his gang. Years later, Uri would kneel in a familiar crystal cavern, and he was meant to be devoured by Frieda, though Eren’s father had other plans. This is what has led Kenny and his troops to in the present day and defend Rod and Historia, as the latter tries to decide if she wants her father’s love and power, and whether she’s willing to kill Eren for it.

Act 12: The Titans’ Story

The good news is that Historia is not at all in favor of having to murder her friends, so she slaps some sense into a despondent Eren to the Titan out of him once again. As Levi Squad assaults the cavern and takes out Kenny’s gang, Rod Reiss is left alone with the last drops of the Titan serum and a fatal amount of desperation. He ingests the serum himself and becomes an impossibly huge Titan that threatens to crush everyone in the cave alive. Eren finally musters up the will to transform and harden his Titan body in order to protect all of his friends, while the Reiss Titan slithers away to the nearby Orvud District. Our heroes escape, and they broach the succession plan to Historia while simultaneously scrambling to defend Orvud from the encroaching behemoth that will undoubtedly destroy them all if it isn’t put down immediately. Historia agrees, and she even manages to strike the killing blow in the battle the creature that used to be her father. This stunning victory is the perfect piece of myth making that Historia needs to win the favor of the people and take her rightful place as Queen. With peace finally restored, Eren and the others can go about their original mission of sealing the hole in the Wall for good. In the aftermath of Historia’s rise to power, Eren finds clues to his father’s true intentions when he seeks out his former drill instructor, Keith Shadis. Shadis knew Grisha from the very beginning, revealing how Eren’s father came to the kingdom as an amnesiac, and that it took years for Grisha to build his life as a well-respected doctor with Carla, Eren, and Mikasa. Sometime between then and the breach of Wall Maria, though, Grisha discovered the secrets of the Titans and the Reiss clan; when Carla was killed in the Titan attack, he stole the power of the Founding Titan and killed all of the Reisses save for Rod, and then purposefully injected Eren with the serum in order to keep it out of enemy hands.

When Levi retrieves another intact vial of Titan serum from a mortally wounded Kenny, he establishes a new objective alongside repairing Wall Maria: To investigate the secrets that lie in the basement of the Yaeger home. The enemy Titans loom on the horizon, and now that the Reiss, Ackerman, and Yaeger bloodlines are so violently entangled with both sides of this war, there’s no telling what explosive battles lie ahead…

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