#??? voice: Crush? With what? A big rock? A hammer? Be more specific

[skinandscales-if]

If you're still doing the emoji asks what about 💗 for all the ro's?

💗 GROWING HEART - if they have a crush, is it noticable? what changes when they're in love?

Atlas: Very noticeable, mainly because he’s never had one before. He’s extremely confused and will blatantly ask people what’s wrong with him, eventually realizing what’s going on and doing everything in his power to squash it. He’s genuinely very scared of having a crush, with both it’s inevitability and its complications. He has a lot to get over and reconcile with himself. Plenty of shame to wipe off of his skin. When he finally admits to it, it’s gradual, like releasing a breath. Cathartic, but shaky. He has a lot to learn, and even more to ask. It’s a process.

Puck: Quiet, like its just like flipping a switch. They’re naturally very kind, but their affection becomes almost withdrawn a bit, as if their crush is something they watch like a beautiful animal. Not to be touched, but instead, admired. A crush for them brings up a lot of complicated feelings, and though they won’t try to turn the feeling sour, it becomes bittersweet quickly. They try to live in the moment and fail every time. Admitting to this love is the opposite of how they deal with a crush, however. The affirmation of their feelings is intense, frightening, and leaves them without any poetic language to draw on. It’s being seen and it is as scary as it is electrifying.

Skye: A crush, to her, is like breaking the cloud line. Sudden, quick, and eye-opening. She carries this awe-struck joy in her chest like a blooming light, and can’t ignore it even if she tried. Unlike Puck, she’s incredibly good at living in the moment, and doesn’t even bother getting caught up in the tangle of implications for her future. She loves, and she loves with her entire person. It seems ridiculous of her not to claim her joy when she can. She sees no point in covering up her genuine feelings. Falling in love and having a crush are one and the same to her. Love just means she was right to follow her intuition the whole time.

Reese: Crushes are always followed by a tightening of his shoulders and the closing of his eyes. Like he’s about to crash into a wall and he can’t stop himself, but he can pretend, in the few seconds before, like it’s not real. Before it obliterates him. Crushes are short, fallible, and should be moved on quickly from at every cost. He just wishes his body could follow his brain. His feelings are always too easily seen, too fast, and too violent for his liking. He never feels anything small, and affection makes him feel that hole in his chest a little too much. Love, on the other hand, is the only thing to make him stop entirely. The reality always sinks in with a shudder. But he still relaxes his shoulders. Maybe this time it’s here to stay.

???: A crush is a meaningless thing. Fleeting and temporary. It will be fixed soon enough. Love, on the other hand, is a plague. A threat. Something that must be dug out of her chest and squashed underfoot. She’s seen love tear people apart. She will not be so stupid.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

The Serpent’s Tomb

Many miles off the coast of the Netherlands

The restless sea tossed its waves against the sheer cliffs rising out it, fanning out and foaming, like hands reaching up towards the top of rock walls that were shrouded in mist. The fortress stood strong against its thundering force, as it had for nearly a millennium, shielding its dark secrets from both the waves and the world. Within the walls of this natural crater, an atmospheric inversion capped the caldera with a thick blanket of clouds. Even flying over it in a jet would only let you see this strange cloud mass floating right over the sea. Walls form a dark ring and in each of the cardinal directions, an ancient stone carving of a woman was a sentry looking out into a vast ocean. The women were dressed in long robes, each one about 12 feet tall, their hair sweeping back, as though facing into the gale. They were covered in lichen, their sightless eyes peering endlessly towards the horizon. The cloud cover hid a crystalline lake of water, forever hidden from the sun by the constant cloud cover. It stretched 40 miles across and in the center was an island where a granite stone monastery was the only sign of human habitation. The lights were on in this monastery, the single point of light, in a world that hadn't seen the sun, moon and stars for a thousand years.

In the central worship chamber a man in a hooded cloak knelt in front of an image of a serpent climbing up a long pole. In the Bible, there is such an image. A copper serpent that cured the snake poisoning of those who could gaze upon it, only to be destroyed when people began worshiping it like a god as this man was doing. However, this image was not of that curative snake. Nor was it the medical serpent, the staff of Hermes or the rod of Asclepias.

This was something far more ancient, yet far more grounded in reality than any of those. 

The man raised his eyes to the great serpent. The staff was painted blood red and the snake was painted black. It’s eyes were solid gold and peered down with a cold, judgemental gaze from a height of five meters. The carved scales glittered in the light of the candles, the flickering of the fire granting a sense of motion to those mighty coils. Yet it must have paled in comparison to the true serpent, the Midgaardslang, a snake so big, it could circle the whole world and grasp its own tail. The worship of the Midgaardslang was born out of fear of forces too great to understand. But because of the reality of this snake, the culture that revered it held out to the end against the forces of Christianization.  Once you had seen the god with your own eyes, there was no longer room for doubt, no longer any need for faith, and no true conversion to anything else. There was only one true religion. The dragon.

The man finished his prayer and stood to his feet. “Your great gift has finally returned to us. We are eternally grateful. Eternally.” He drew back his hood, revealing salt and pepper hair and steel grey eyes. His skin was transparent from not seeing the sun all these years. He looked aged but the cords of his neck and the set of his jaw bore no wrinkles or sagging. He turned away, walking with the firm and confident step of a warrior. His cape fanned out and swept up whirls of dust in his wake. He was alone in this room, this man always worshipped alone.  But as he walked, the candles all extinguished behind him. The golden-eyed serpent was swallowed by darkness. 

Outside the entrance to this central room is a hall full of doors and staircases. The Monastery was built like the ancient pyramids, to guard against looters and thieves, there were many false entrances, trap doors, and misdirecting signage, a labyrinth of stairways and halls. The man descended the spiral staircase without hesitation. Monastery’s true form was hidden underground, under the lake. It served as both a tomb, and a vast city hidden below the obsidian water. The water was kept at bay by pumps that worked with the tides, an example of how the ancient knowledge of the dragon was passed down to these people. Who could imagine in the age of fossil fuel and solar electricity that people in the middle ages could harness the power of gravity to create a self perpetuating pump system and use the heavy waters of the lake and the mist above to hide from the world?  As he descended further down, the sound of water could be heard, a deep sucking sound, like a giant’s heartbeat. That water ran through pipes like veins and arteries. The intake and the outflow of the water reached an equilibrium and the water level in the lake never rose or fell.

Pinpoints of light came into view and revealed a hall as wide as a highway. All the inhabitants of the Monastery City had come out for this occasion. They stood on either side of the way, dressed in dark cloaks, with black sheer veils covering their faces. They murmured in hushed voices as he walked through, a single man, dwarfed by the size of his own domain. As he passed, they all bowed their heads. The highway led to a dead end, a circular room with a ceiling too high to see. At the center of the circle, Dominic lay on an altar. His eyes stared up into the ceiling, burning golden. He was still dressed in the clothes from the soccer game, save his shirt that was removed. His skin was pale save the purple bruises on his chest and face where he’d been struck hours earlier.

This area was cool and damp. Even with the cloak, the man couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

 Five other people stood around him, their voices murmuring low and steady without pausing, deep and guttural noises like snarling. This Yanling was unique to this area. It was not something that affected Dominic but it called to the dragon technology embedded in the room and that was acting on Dominic’s body. So long as they chanted, Dominic could not move, staring up, transfixed by something no one else could see. Every few seconds he would blink slowly. His pupils were thin and needle-like slits in the golden irises.

“How long do you think it will take?” The woman’s voice was a soft whisper, so as not to interrupt the concentration of the five hybrids standing around the stone altar. They were the high priests of this place, aged with little energy to come here and chant. If they were interrupted now they might just faint and perish.

“It shouldn’t be much longer. This is not only his home, but his birthplace. The tomb… and the womb. Where he was buried, and where he was born. He will naturally return here. Mind, body and spirit.” He looked on Dominic with a quiet reverence of someone regarding a holy relic.

“Though… the body… What is it?” Her eyes gazed upon him in both curiosity and fear. After leaving the Netherlands by boat, they flew the rest of the way here by helicopter. The only real way to reach this place any more. Dominic had kept fighting the whole way, unaware of his heritage or his fate. He was in terrible pain and kept asking for medicine. She couldn’t tell him anything of course, but just reassured him that he would heal just fine once they reached their destination. Once his dragonblood awakened, he would recover in days from wounds it took weeks for a normal human to recover from.

“What he is is something beyond our comprehension now. The building… The whole city was built under the direction of the writings of those now dead. And the Midgaardslang left this place hundreds of years ago. It’s just a husk. And all we have left are the myths that say that the Midgarslaang called forth an army of giants that cast down hail, while it climbed up the oak tree to spew poison from the air. The great hero Donar struck the serpent in the head so hard that he crushed it and the ground beneath it. The land sank seven miles deep under his hammer. But Donar was poisoned by the serpent and died. The crater filled with water, becoming his grave and the grave of the Midgardslaang.”

Such feats were impossible for a man to do, but for a hybrid, it wasn’t that hard to believe. This great god of a serpent and the man that slew it, dying together deep beneath the earth was one of many events in the history of Dragonslaying around the world. Donar’s pyrrhic victory ran true in the hearts of those who battled dragons. Killing one at the sacrifice of one’s own life was normal. What wasn’t normal, was the end of the tale. Unlike most myths, the end of this myth has a specific date, 1222 AD. A great fire came from the grave of the Midgaardslang and the ghost of the serpent ascended into the sky, fleeing north. Such specific references at the end of what should have been the annals of fantasy was a jarring reminder that this did happen.

“Once the door opens, we will finally have access to the last of the documents and our work will begin.” He turned to her with eyes that showed a burning excitement. “Sylke, our journey is beginning now. Like the dragon we have slept and now…”

Sylke was the woman who held the phone to Dominic’s ear. She was his guard and was therefore permitted into this space, watching over him. She saw that his breathing was coming a little faster as though being tired out by a great effort or, perhaps, being frightened by something. But those eyes didn’t stop staring into the depths of that ceiling. He suddenly cried out arching his back in pain. A great rumble came from above, followed by a sudden downdraft of frigid cold air that carried with it a heavy rain. Tons of water cascaded from an opening that came from that vast ceiling. It crashed down with the force of Donar’s great hammer. Like most great dragon knowledge, what was hidden in this shrine came designed to be obtained with a price, a sacrifice of human life. However, just before the torrent could rush in and obliterate everyone in the room, it congealed above their heads and rose back up again, forming a conveyor belt.

Yanling - Vortex.

Sylke’s eyes were bright gold. She held her hands above her head. The wind from the moving water blew her hood from her hair. She held back a water pressure great enough to stop a tank. This Yanling could be used as a barrier, but also as a way to move through water. man wrapped his arm around her waist. A thick blue coil of water separated from the flow and lifted them from the floor, sweeping them up into the tower. The water carried them up towards the ceiling into the thick darkness. Much to the man’s surprise, Sylke leaped from the water into an open air space. They were once again standing on solid ground, wet and shivering in the pitch dark. 

Sylke had to continue her water control. “You have 3 minutes a most. That’s the best I can handle!” She was straining against the force of the water now. Even if the old monks got out with Dominic, the whole chamber could be permanently flooded. But he came prepared, lifting up a bright waterproof flashlight. When he flicked it on he gasped in shock.

It wasn’t just a few paintings or obscure ruins or relics. Bookcases lined an entire wall around the central cascade of water. 

[linderu]

putting his resolve to the test.

in which i write how i see hachuling’s POV of the contradictory scene from episode 12.

series: tower of god characters: khun, hachuling pairings: implied khunbam ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24784636 summary: hachuling finds out a member of the khun family has befriended yuri jahad's precious irregular/wolkhaiksong recruit, and decides to give him a little test of his own.

“What’s this? One of my cute little brothers made friends with the irregular?” Hachuling mused, holding his chin with a playful smile. “I’m going to have to investigate this, don’t you think? It might be interesting.”

“Why are you talking like you weren’t coming in the first place?” Yuri complained, crossing her arms over her chest. “We need you to bypass their monitoring, or it’ll be a pain finding him!”

“Always sending me to do the dirty work… why do you get to have all the fun, Yuri?” He was already typing up a storm on his computer as he whined, looking into a certain Khun Aguero Agnes. When was the last time he had been concerned with another member of the Khun family? Not in quite a while, he guessed. He kept tabs here and there—a good Scout always had information on everyone’s positions and gossip—but nothing interesting like this had popped up before.

A.A., huh. Reading the information on the screen, he’d definitely heard the rumors. Another family outcast like him accompanying an irregular who could ignite the Black March. Curious.

Would he show the same devotion for this special irregular that he had for Khun Maria Jahad?

Hachuling had to see this for himself.

---

Hacking into A.A.’s lighthouse was a breeze—well, he was a baby regular. He didn’t reveal anything to his teammates, either, despite Hachuling’s undeniably intimidating presence as a ranker overpowering him inside of his own makeshift base. He simply turned his communications off and met him outside.

Hachuling perched on a rock, watching A.A.’s distrustful glare with a sly grin.

“Don’t look at me like that, Princess Maria’s step stool,” he teased. A.A.’s expression didn’t falter, despite the fact Hachuling was intentionally targeting his weakness—how amusing.

“And? What does a member of the Khun family want with me?” A.A. didn’t miss a beat with his counter question, his tone as full of suspicion as his gaze.

Hachuling hopped down from his perch gracefully, approaching his brother with clear intent. It was time to test his priorities, as well as his resolve. Had he really made the decision to move on from his past, where he had once given everything to support a woman who chose power over him—or was he just putting on a front to look cool?

“Do you want to see the princess?” He asked coolly, striding past A.A. and tilting his head back to catch his reaction.

“…!” A.A.’s expression revealed his shock, and Hachuling narrowed his eyes smugly. Bingo.

“I’ll take you to see Princess Maria.”

“Why?!” A.A. swung around to face Hachuling, who took a couple more steps away, smiling to himself.

“Because it’s fun to upset the Khun family. I’m an outcast too!” He turned around, opening his arms in a flourish.

Watching A.A.’s reaction, it was obvious—he was still fixated over Maria. It made sense… judging by what Hachuling knew, the wounds were fairly fresh.

There was no way he wouldn’t accept his proposal. If he knew his family well enough—the irregular was nothing more than an interesting toy to him, ready to be discarded at a moment’s notice. The second something of meaning was dangled in front of him, why would he choose to stay with such a weak boy, even if he was in possession of the Black March?

Hachuling extended a hand, welcoming A.A. to accept his offer. “Come on,” he encouraged, hammering the final nail in the coffin.

The harsh slap to his hand took him by surprise, and his smirk fell along with his arm.

“I’m not climbing the tower for Maria,” came A.A.’s cold reply.

Oh?

“What?” Hachuling shrugged his shoulders, smile back on his face. He sensed the presence of someone observing out of sight and knew his time to taunt the younger Khun was coming to an end, but he continued, nonetheless. “You plan to rise to the top of the Khun family?”

“Higher.” Higher? How bold, and with such determination in his voice. Was this really the same Aguero he’d heard the rumors about?

“That’s a big dream for someone too scared to pull a knife on me. But…” he dodged a swipe from A.A.’s friend with ease, landing a couple meters away. Time’s up, it seemed. “It seems like you have pretty decent allies. Well, good luck.”

How interesting, Hachuling mused as he walked away leisurely. He wondered what was going on in that baby regular’s head. Just barely completing the floor of tests, and he’s already decided he would aim higher than the Khun family?

How did he envision that outcome to look in the first place?

Most people didn’t make it up the tower to start with.

There were many climbers who got this idea in their head that they would surpass Jahad in some way, only to be crushed underfoot, or turned to extremes like FUG. There were also the people who were all bark and no bite, simply opting to live a cushioned life once they realized how much they would struggle to climb.

The impression Hachuling had, after that encounter, was that A.A. fit none of those categories.

Maybe he was biased. The kid was another Khun defect, like him. But he saw the potential. A.A. was already top of his class as a regular, leading a princess of Jahad around of all people, as a light bearer when he was a Khun—if that wasn’t already fascinating, he didn’t know what was.

Best of all, he had refused Hachuling’s proposal. So his teammates—that irregular, specifically—were already more important to him than the woman he gave everything for. Curious, indeed.

It seemed they wouldn’t have one recruit to Wolkhaiksong, but two. Momentarily, he thought about how difficult it would be to convince Yuri Jahad, and shrugged.

Well, he would just have to sit back and watch the two kids for the time being. If they made it to floor 77 together—which at this moment, Hachuling was almost certain they would—it shouldn’t even be a question.

If A.A. and the irregular both realized their full potential, they would shake this tower to its core.

“Don’t disappoint me, little brother,” he murmured to himself with a smirk. And he really was cute, too.

[goodwriterwithbadhabits]

Bass Line

Master List

"Heres a concept, we do the damn show and then I go back to the hotel and sleep for 15 hours." You offered your bandmates, shrugging your leather jacket on. The stylist came over to you, readjusting the bandana in your hair as the makeup guy touched up your nose.

"You are so lame." Miria, the drummer, groaned. "Just come out with us tonight."

"Please? I keep telling Wonpil you'll meet his band." Sana, your rhythm guitarist begged. "They're such big fans of us and I'm pretty sure Jae is dying to meet you." You huffed, rolling your eyes as the three of you, and your keyboardist, Asher, followed your manager towards the stage. 

"Maybe I don't care if they want to meet me. I don't want to go out right now." You decided. "So stop trying to make me. Please." You glanced at the other members while looping you bass across your body. The other members of your band shared a glance. The four of you were known as Thorn and Hammer, a more punk rock band consisting of 4 members; you, the bassist, Sana Min, Miria DiAngelo, and Asher James as the youngest in the group, and essentially all of your’s little brother.

Tonight you were performing in a small club in Gangnam South Korea, where Sana was from. You guys hadn't always been popular enough to travel like this, but last year when word got out that Sana was dating a member of some semi-popular Korean boyband, your fanbase essentially exploded, and your Roses grew from a couple hundred, to close to a million.

As per usual, you abandoned your jacket halfway through the set, earning the loud cheers you so adored. Looking out at the crowd, you could see Wonpil waving a banner that said "I'm so proud of Sana" (a fan adopted mantra ever since she explained that her parents didn't support her choice to sing.) You grinned at him, pointing him put to Sana when she danced by you.

When your solo came up, you got close to the mic, shutting your eyes and letting the meaning of the lyrics wash over you. A loud whistle caught your attention, seeing as most of the crowd as gone quiet to hear the rasping emotion in the song. Your eyes snapped open, landing on Wonpil who was staring at his friend who was hiding behind his hands and probably blushing. You smirked at the reaction as you delivered the last of your lines with a growl and the drums picked back up.

After the show, you were even less inclined to go out, wanting to just remove your mic pack and makeup and go back to the hotel, but fate had other plans. As you were lounging on the couch, now in a pair of leather pants and a plain black shirt, finally eating, there was a knock on the door. Sana rushed to open it and you didn't have to look up to know it was at least Wonpil.

"You did amazing baby!" He cheered. Your eyes stayed on your food, not really wanting any more social interaction for the night. You were about drooling when you remembered the bottle of sour watermelon vodka waiting for you in your room.

"Boys this is Asher, Miria, and our leader, Y/n." You gave a little wave, glancing up to see the other 4 boys staring at your members with wide eyes. The two with red hair were staring at you specifically, and you sighed knowing there was no way in hell you were getting out of a conversation.

"Hello." You started, standing up to bow and shake their hands. "Thank you for supporting us. I hear that a few of you are Roses."

"All of us are actually." One said. "Sorry, I'm Sungjin, these are Jae, Young K, and Dowon, and I believe you already know Wonpil."

"Yeah, wassup man." You greeted him, initiating your secret handshake. It actually wasn't a total secret, it was the "Bandshake"

"When Wonpil told us he knew Sana we were excited and then he told us they were dating and we were really hoping to get a chance to meet you." Jae gushed excitedly.

"Well thank you."

"Hey, Y/n I thought you wanted to head back to the hotel. Danny says a car can't come to get us for a few more hours." Asher informed you.

"It's fine." You shrugged, picking up both your backpack and guitar bag. "Its what 5 blocks away? I can board over." You decided, grabbing Miria's skateboard. "Don't stay out too late. It was nice meeting you." You waved to Day6 before heading to the door.

"Nows your chance man." Someone whispered.

"Dude, shut up." Someone whispered back. You opened the door and stepping into the hall just as a voice called out, "Hey, wait." You paused, almost certain it was Young K calling your name, he was the one who had whistled earlier. You turned to face him, suspicions confirmed as he met up with you. "Can I walk you to the hotel? We're staying there too and I don't really wanna -"

"No problem." You interrupted with a shrug.

You walked quietly for the most part until he finally said,

"You know, growing up I never really knew many bass players. It's not in instrument many people learn. They prefer guitar for flexibility of the piano for that subtle "I'm smarter than you" aura." He explained. "Maybe that's what drew me to you, the fact you played bass and had the most amazing voice."

"If you're trying to say something, spit it out." You prompted when he trailed off.

"I've had a really bad crush on you for ages. Could I take you out to dinner sometime?" You smiled, looking over at him as he walked with his head cast down. "You don't have to, in fact, you could pretend I didn't say anything and I can just go hide in my hotel room until I decompose from embarrassment." You let out a laugh.

"Dinner sounds amazing. But how about you join me in my room for something a bit stronger so I can get to know you?" You offered.

"Sounds like fun."

~~

The next morning you were woken up to Sana, your roommate, jumping on your bed.

"How do you have so much energy after spending the night with Wonpil?" You asked, tossing your pillow at her, knocking her to the floor.

"Are you kidding me?" She gasped. "This has nothing to do with Wonpil, and everything to do with you!" You peeked at her with one eye.

"What do you mean?"

"The photos from last night are everywhere! They're nicknaming you two "the bassline" It's so cute." You sat bolt upright, snatching your phone off the table to find all sorts of links. One, from Dispatch, had pictures you the two of you walking to the hotel and shots of you sitting on your balcony drinking. The last shot they had was of you both laughing really hard, his head thrown back and you partially leaning over his lap.

Your phone dinged again.

New message from Brian:

The bassline huh? I kinda like it.

To: Brian

Me too.

New Message from Brian:

Tonight at 6, meet me in the lobby for dinner.

To: Brian

See you then.

[crue-sixx]

The Game of Life

Title: The Game of Life

Author: tiddly-winx

Summary: A prequel to The FUNeral.  You're an outstanding character when you meet a charming blonde and his friends.

Warnings: swearing, death and sickness, drug use

It was Christmas and you were spending it alone at the Troubadour.  Your family didn't want you near them (save for your sister Kathy, 15 years old at the time).  You rolled the blood packet meant for Halloween in your mouth waiting for some douchebag to tell you those words you heard so often.  It didn't take too long for him to show up.  Of course he was hammered when he slurred "Heeeeeey baybeh" he stumbled over to you "Wha's a pretty thang like you doin' all alone at Christmas?"

You brushed him off with "Lookin' to get laid" you rolled eyes, you had no intention of sleeping with someone too drunk to know what he was doing.

"I can do that, sweetheart" he put his arm around you "but you'd look much prettier if you smiled!"

That was the moment you'd been waiting for, so you bit down on the blood packet and pushed the fake blood out of your mouth, your teeth stained red, dripping onto the best ugly Christmas sweater you had in your arsenal.  He recoiled and left you alone.  You were relieved and wiped your face with  your sleeve. and went along with your business.

At least you tried to go on with your business, but a voice behind you said "Hot damn girl! That was awesome!" you were annoyed at this but you turned to see four grown men dressed in glam rock costumes and more make-up than the prostitutes that worked the corners.

You glanced over and said "Thanks,  It's a little late for Halloween don't you think?"

"We're the band!" the blonde one laughed, taking the comment in stride. "We're Motley Crue!"

"Huh" you said, unimpressed.  You hadn't been paying attention to the music.  You had been busy tinkering with a music box you had been working on-your job was an apprenticeship at a clock maker's shop.  Music boxes were your hobby, and people were willing to pay you for them.  This one was almost finished-all you had to do was fix the music source and paint it to the buyer's specifications and it would be done.

"You don't seem too enthusiastic" said one with black hair, all of it covering his face.  All you could see was his nose, mouth and chin.  

"Sorry" you were sincere in your apology "I just have a deadline to get this thing done by" you backed off and showed them.

"So why the fuck did you come out if you had to get it done?" the tall one said, confused.

"I didn't want to stay cooped up in my apartment at Christmas" you said, which was true.

"Tell ya what" the blonde one said "Take it back to your place then come on over to our place and party with us!"  he put an arm around you "We'll give ya a Christmas you'll never forget" he winked.

"Sorry, not interested in that" you winked back.  You knew what he meant "but I'll come over and get bombed with  you!"

"That sounds cool!" the tall one said "I'm Tommy, this is Nikki" he patted the bassist's head, to which he growled "blondie over here's Vince and the old dude" he jutted his thumb to a man who couldn't be more than a few years older than they were "the man from Mars, Mick Motherfuckin' Mars!" the man in question gave a shy wave while nursing a bottle of vodka.

"I'm Y/N" you shook hand with them.  You're place wasn't that far from their apartment so you climbed through the window like you'd seen other people do.  Vince greeted you and helped you inside.

The whole apartment was popping with activity, people drinking, snorting, shooting up and fucking all around you.  You didn't mind and joined in even, slapping some people's naked asses.  "So why were you alone on Christmas?" Tommy asked "Don't you have a family?"

"Well yeah but they don't like me" you said, them telling you that you were the biggest mistake they'd ever made "guess they thought having me and getting married would save their relationship..."

Tommy looked away and said "Sorry..."

"Nah, I do have a little sister that likes me" you smiled, Kathy being the only one of your siblings that you actually liked.  "When she turns 18 she's leaving my parents and coming to live with me".

"So you were an oopsie baby?" Nikki asked, Tommy shooting him a glare.

"Yep. Pretty much" you laughed, not taking offense at all.

Nikki chuckled "Yeah, me too" he extended his hand for a fist bump and you obliged him.  He then offered you a line of coke, to which you happily snorted it up with one giant inhalation.

The next day, you woke up on their couch in the clothes you had on the night before.  You stretched out and saw that a few other bodies where strewn around the floor and beds.  Mick was the only one awake and trying to make breakfast with the filthiest equipment ever.  You stopped him and said "Let's go to Denny's.  My treat" you winked at him.

While you were eating, you asked "Why're you hanging around with those three wild animals?  You seem way calmer than they are?"

"They're my band" he smiled warmly.  "Though they may act like stupid rug monkeys most of the time, they're kinda like my family" you had to laugh at that, it was just too cute.

You decided to invite them over for dinner a few weeks after meeting them, on the condition they stay out of  your room where you kept the music boxes that you were working on.  They agreed and you had ordered Chinese, you couldn't cook to save your life and you wouldn't offend them by forcing them to eat your disgusting food.  You heard a knock at your door and thinking it was the delivery guy you opened it, only to see one of your buyers demanding an unfinished product.

"It's not finished yet" you told him "I will give you a call when it is and you can come get it then" you tried to shut the door but he pushed his way in your apartment "Get out asshole!"

"I ordered from you three days ago!  It should be done by now!"

"I told you it would be at least a month and you agreed to my terms!" you shouted at him.

"For three hundred bucks, I think you need to work harder!  You ain't cheap!  My daughter's birthday is tomorrow!"

"You should have thought about that and commissioned me a month ago then if you wanted it done by tomorrow!"

"I want you to do it for free, since you're so slow!"

You had heard this argument before from people who want your music boxes for free.  "The materials and parts needed alone cost about 50 bucks, plus the time it takes me to build these things covers the whole price!  What I do with one box in a month took me years to learn how to do.  That's why I only charge $150 up front and $150 upon completion. I will NOT spend all my time working on YOUR box alone.  I do have other customers, a job and a life outside of this. If you're unsatisfied I will give you the materials and you can make the damn box your own fuckin' self!" You did have a day job at the clock shop that paid your rent but this was something you enjoyed doing.

"I can just go to the toy store and buy one better!" he huffed "Since you don't want my business, I'll spread all shit about you and your boxes and tell people not to buy from you!"

"Whatever asshole!" you showed him out and into the arms of your dinner guests.

"This guy botherin' you Y/N?" Vince asked, taking a strong grip on the guys shoulder.

"Nah" you waved them off "Just another douche bag who wants my product for free" you had told them about people who refused to pay you for your boxes and how it happens more often that you'd like it to.  "Come on in, the food's on it's way!"

You had a great dinner and let them sleep over, Vince and Nikki sleeping in your bed with you, all of you too hammered to be fucking at all.  Tommy had taken up your couch while Mick was snoozing away in the chair.

A few years passed and the steady stream of people wanting your music boxes helped with the expenses.  The band had made it big, and they were some of your best customers.  They paid you much more than you asked for, you finding ways to slip their extra money back in their wallets.  Gifts for their wives, girlfriends or children you took extra care with these ones.

You eventually bought a house right by Vince's place, you secretly having a small crush on him.  The view was to die for, and you just loved the location.  You were fond of his wife Sharice and his little girl Skylar, you babysitting when they needed a date night.  Tonight you were working in the workshop when your doorbell rang.  "Who could it be at this hour?"

You were expecting one of your friends but were totally shocked to see four year old Skylar on your doorstep, the poor thing crying her eyes out.  "Skylar!  What's wrong sweetheart?" you took her in and gave her a cup of hot chocolate.

"Mommy and Daddy are fighting" she sniffled.  "It woke me up and scared me...so I went to a quiet place..."

You were livid at her parents, but you knew better than to take it out on the child.  You let her sleep in your bed and after you knew she was asleep you picked up the phone and called Vince's house.  Sharice answered the phone with "FOR FUCK'S SAKE WHAT?!" you pulled the phone away from your face until she was done screaming.

"Where's Skylar?" you asked, the other end of the line going silent.

"She's sleeping" Sharice snapped.

"I think you need to check" you advised "and put the phone in between you two.  I need you both to hear this" you waited until you heard Vince comment that she wasn't in her room. "You both here?"

"Yeah were here" Sharice was panicking "Do you know where Skylar is?!"

"She's over here" you said flatly "she showed up at my house about an hour ago in her night clothes crying.  She said your fighting woke her up and scared her" Vince and Sharice looked at each other, them not even seeing her leave the house.

"Can she stay over there for a few days while we try to sort things out?" Vince asked you, him on the verge of tears.

"Sure" you said, knowing all of Vince's vices and not daring to judge him on them.  You had your own problems, and couldn't nag at him.  It was like the pot calling the kettle black.

"I'll stop by later with some clothes and her toothbrush" Sharice added.  You knew they were headed for a divorce, but the kid being dragged into it was unfair.

You were playing tea party with her when all of a sudden, Skylar burst into tears.  "Hey now, honey" you hugged her to you "what's wrong?"

"Do Mommy and Daddy hate me?" she asked in her tears.

"What?!  Honey, no!" you brushed her tears away "What on earth gave you that idea?"

"Me staying with you" she blew her nose on your shirt. "Why don't they see me?"

You were contemplating on how to explain what was going on with Vince and Sharice to their four year old.  It wasn't your business to tell so you said "Mommy and Daddy are going through a rough patch and they're trying to work it out so you all can be happy..."  she wouldn't be able to understand that Vince had a problem with keeping his dick in his pants or drugs and alcohol out of his body.

"You sure?" she sniffled.

"I'm positive" you said and booped her nose, making her giggle.  A few days later, Vince came to your door with a sorrowful look in his eyes.

Skylar jumped on him, and gave him a big hug "Did you and Mommy work things out?"

He was trying to fake smile for the sake of his child "Not yet, baby.  We're trying..." he looked at you and tears were rolling down his face.  He quickly wiped them away when the little girl looked at him.  "Come on, Mommy's in the car" he gathered her things and before he went out the door he said quietly "I'll be over later...I need a place to stay a few days..."

"Sure Vinny" you said quietly.  You waited for him, and he came back a few hours later.  He was on his way to being wasted but you cut him off, locking your liquor cabinet.

"We're gettin' a divorce" he cried on your counter "I fucked up royally..."

"Hey" you rubbed his back "she's not trying to keep you from seeing Sky, right?"

"No, she's not" he answered,  "I'll have her every other weekend and she'll stay with Sharice the rest of the time.." he was shaking, Motley Crue about to go on tour and he wouldn't be able to see his daughter for a while.

You couldn't say anything, now was not the time for words.  You needed just to be there for him.  

A few months of uneventful bliss later was when you started to notice a change in yourself.  You were having headaches more often, and they were increasing in severity and duration.  Your sister Kathy had been living with you and she too noticed.  It was the day you had a seizure while working on a music box, that prompted Kathy to drag you to the doctor.

You hated doctors, but your life would change forever.  You had been given a diagnosis of brain cancer, and had the options of how you wanted to do your treatments.  You opted to go in and have them done through your arm.  You and Kathy kept everything under wraps as long as you could but the jig was up when Nikki rolled up your sleeve and saw your scars from the needles.  He glared at you, having been sober for a while "You been shooting up?!"

You pulled your arm away and said "It's not what you think, Nikki..."

"Then what is it?" he asked snarkily.

You and Kathy looked at each other and sighed "I have brain cancer.  These are from my chemo treatments..." his face fell and looked like he was about to cry.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked after he composed himself.

"Y'all have your own problems" you said, taking a swig of beer.  "You don't need me to add my baggage to the mix." 

"Does anyone else know?" he asked quietly.

"No" you answered "And don't you say anything to anyone."  He promised that he'd keep his mouth shut.

Later that night, you saw an ambulance drive past your house and to Sharice's.  You looked on in horror as you saw the little one being loaded into the vehicle.  You thought about calling Vince, but you knew Sharice would call him as soon as possible.

He called you the next day, through drunken sobs he said "She's got stomach cancer...my baby's got stomach cancer" your own heart sank at the news.  You went to go pick him up from the bar and take him back to your house.

You visited Skylar in the hospital as much as you could, your own sickness taking a backseat to comfort the family.  You eventually had to come clean and admit your own cancer to Vince, who just hugged to you him close.  The day that little girl died, you were getting a treatment and you went to the children's ward to visit.  You knew from the way the family was positioned around the bed and the crying, that she was gone.  You stayed out in the hallway and cried silently to yourself.

When they all filed out, they didn't even have to ask before you said "Y'all can stay with me" you knew it would be a tough road the next few months for them but you'd be there.  Your boxes took a back seat, you informing your buyers and refunding their money.  You needed to keep working on them to keep your mind busy.  The day that your hands wouldn't stop shaking you knew this cancer would kill you.

You were handling your tools when out of nowhere your hands began to shake.  Vince was in the other room and heard you throw your tools to the floor and curse. He just held your hands until they stopped shaking. You would live in your house for a few months, but you were deteriorating quickly.  The only person you allowed to see you was Kathy.

You were new bed bound, not able to do anything for yourself.  Kathy was right there, doing everything for you.  You felt you weren't long for this world, you asked her to call your lawyer.  You'd had to use him multiple times when people tried to sue you for not giving them the boxes when they refused to pay.  You won all those cases and kept him on.  "Hello Miss Y/N" he said as he looked at your skeleton frame.

"Hey Mr. Gibbs" you tried to smile, but even that hurt. "Have a seat."

"You called me here to draft your last will and testament?" he asked.

"Yeah" you sighed "What I want at my funeral..."

"Okay" he said and took out a note pad and pen "What would you like to have done?"

"Have them dress me up in a clown costume, with full make up and a big red nose that honks like a goose" he looked up at you in confusion. 

"E-excuse me?"

"You heard me" you mocked "Clown costume and make-up" you had to take a break to catch your breath.

"Right" he let you take as much time as you want "your casket?"

"Pumpkin Orange" you coughed "and Halloween decorations..."

He knew at this point that it was pointless to argue with you and wrote down what you wanted.  "No black..." you wheezed.

"What?" he looked up.

"Nobody wears black" you said "anyone wearing black at my funeral will be sent home to change, or wear the ugliest clothes Kathy can find..."

"And for the luncheon afterward?"

"Roast squid and duck.  Both with their eyes still on...plus some normal food.  I doubt that anyone would touch something that had it's eyes looking at them...."

"Who do you want to give the eulogy?"

"Kathy" you said, needing a break again "Tell people to bring a drink to open before she gives the eulogy..."

"Who do you want me to call first at the time of your death?"

"Vince Neil" you said with no question.  "Then Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee..."

"That concludes your funeral arrangements...how about your assets?"

"They all go to Kathy" you said "She's taken care of me like a baby, now it's my turn to take care of her..."

"I see, and your remains?"

"Cremation" you took a deep, ragged breath "turn my ashes into rings for my four best friends..."

With the business concluded, he bid you adieu and finalized the paperwork.  You turned your head to the side and you saw a face most welcome "Hey Sky"

"Hi Miss Y/N!" she was excited to see you after so long.  She was just as you remembered her when she was healthy.

"You here to take me to Heaven?" you said, the pain easing up.

"Yep!" she was kicking her legs in the seat, them not being able to touch the floor "So you wouldn't be scared when you went!"

"I see" you smiled at her "Thank you, you'll be wonderful guide" you closed your eyes and the last bit of life escaped your body.  Your spirit sat up, Skylar had extended her hand and you took it asking "What's Heaven like?"

"A beautiful dream" the little girl answered "You'll love it!" you and Skylar walked hand in had towards the light.

[cometmedal]

I wasn’t tagged, I just nabbed this from someone on my dash ‘cause it looked fun!

Rules: answer 85 questions then tag 20 people

Last

Drink: Sam’s Cola

Phone call: n/a

Text message: Telling @cy-bug to sleep ‘cause they don’t feel well

Song you listened to: Carry On by Fun.

Time you cried: Last night, because I was laughing over a meme @voca-color showed me

Ever

Dated someone twice: Yes, and it was a mistake.

Kissed someone and regretted it: No, I’ve never kissed anybody besides my parents.

Been cheated on: Yes, a few times.

Lost someone special: Unfortunately, I’ve lost a large handful of friends, and I’m still trying to get over one despite the fact he’s been gone for about a year now.

Been depressed: A lot more often than I care to admit.

Gotten drunk and thrown up: I’m not legally allowed to drink, but even if I was, I wouldn’t drink for the sake of getting smashed. I have, however, drank too much water and threw up as a result.

Favourite colours

The entire sky blue hue range 

Pastel yellow and gold

Pastel pink (and pastels in general)

Teal and turquoise

In the last year have you…

Made new friends: I’ve made a bunch of new friends, many of which I talk to on a daily basis!

Fallen out of love: Fortunately, no! I’ve fallen in love, instead.

Laughed until you cried: A lot more times than I can count.

Found out someone was talking about you: Yes, although it’s been a fair balance of positive and negative.

Met someone who changed you: Absolutely.

Found out who your friends really are: Yes, and I love them with all my heart.

Kissed someone on your FaceBook friends list: I’ve kissed my mom.

General

How many of your FaceBook friends do you know irl: I don’t know 99% of them ‘cause they’re all folks my mom insisted I add because they’re her friends.

Do you have any pets: A cat named Yoyo, a budgie named Ruko and a lovebird named Henlo.

Do you want to change your name: I’m content with my name, right now.

What did you do for your last birthday: I don’t quite recall, but I know I got Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that year and I sat and played it for over 14 consecutive hours. I beat the game during that time.

What time did you wake up today: 7AM, just as I do every day.

What were you doing at midnight last night: Sleeping. I go to bed at 12AM every night.

What is something you can’t wait for: Wreck-It Ralph 2! It’s so close, but so far away...

What are you listening to right now: We Are Young by Fun.

Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: Not that I can recall...

Something that gets on your nerves: How acceptable it is to be rude and nasty in today’s society. Folks would rather blow others off, as opposed to being nice, whether it be for no reason or personal benefit. 

Most visited website: Tumblr, Gmail, Youtube, Paypal and Duolingo.

Hair colour: Blonde

Long or short hair: Short

Do you have a crush on someone: My crush and I are dating!

What do you like about yourself: I can’t really think of anything I like about myself.

Want any piercings: I had my ears pierced years ago, but the holes have closed up since then. I wanna get them re-pierced so I can wear geeky earrings. 

Blood type: I don’t remember specifics, but something O-type.

Nicknames (copied from another meme I did): Fix-It Felix (Jr.), &#^$-It Felix, Junior, Fiddlesticks, Hammer Time, Handyman, Big Bro/Bro, Lil Bro, Hackerman/Fix-It “Hackerman” Felix, Short Stack, Pint-Size, Twinkerbell/Twink, Little Blue, Fix-It, Lil Buddy, Good Noodle, Captain, Soft Boy, Weenie, Felix Parcell, Lucky, Smol Boi, Fixer, Hammers, Robot/Android, Gay, Guy With The Clean-Cut Store-Bought Vanilla Snore On His Head, Fewix, Gamer Boy Felix Dot Com, Sleeping Beauty, Cowboy, Funny Small Service Man, Fix-It Whimsical Jr./Fix-It Whimsical Felix, Cheetos Bacon and Cheese Ball, Master Meme Thief, Fix-It &#^$er, @^$&-It-Up Felix, Nintendo Wii, Gayest Cowboy, Bro, Space Wizard

Relationship status: Taken

Zodiac: Capricorn

Pronouns: he/him

Fave tv shows: 30 Rock, Spongebob Squarepants, Steven Universe

Tattoos: I don’t have any, but I’ve been considering one. I’m not sure what I want it to be, but I don’t want anything big and extravagant. 

Right or left handed: Right-handed!

Ever had surgery: I don’t think so.

Piercings: Both of my ears (closed up, as mentioned before).

Sports: I don’t engage in sporty activities, but I’m interested in dancing.

Vacations: I’ve never been on a vacation.

Trainers: Eh? As in, personal work-out trainers? If so, I don’t have one.

Eating: Nothing at the moment, but I am hungry.

Drinking: Sam’s Cola (or, at least, nursing the last sip in the bottom of the can)

I’m about to: Hack Disney Heroes: Battle Mode again.

Waiting: For nothing, at the moment.

Want: Pecan pie.

Get married: I don’t think anybody would marry me, but... maybe...

Career: I wanna be a singer and voice actor.

Which is better?

Hugs or kisses: I like both, but hugs are ideal ‘cause I don’t know how to kiss.

Lips or eyes: Eyes! Though, lips are pretty, too.

Short or tall: Both are good, but I’m always shorter than most folk due to the fact I’m below 5ft.

Older or younger: In terms of romance, I’m fine with either as long as they’re still within my age range. In terms of platonically, I don’t care how old or young they are. I’ve got friends under 13 and friends over 30.

Nice stomach or stomach: I’m afraid I’m not following. What’s this about? Tummy size? Big tum or little tum? I don’t care how big someone’s tum-tum is, if that’s what this means.

Hookup or relationship: Relationship, preferably. Hook-ups can be messy and end in broken hearts for both parties. They’re sloppy.

Troublemaker or hesitant: I don’t like making or getting into trouble, so I try to avoid it. However, if I need to step in and sort something out, I will.

Have you ever

Kissed a stranger: Nope!

Drank hard liquor: Nope, still can’t drink.

Lost glasses: Once or twice.

Turned someone down: Yes, a few times.

Sex on a first date: I’m a virgin.

Broke someone’s heart: I would hope not.

Had your heart broken: Multiple times.

Been arrested: Nope, I’m a good boy.

Cried when someone died: A lot of times...

Fallen for a friend: Yep, and now I’m dating them!

Do you believe in…

Yourself: It depends. I do, sometimes.

Miracles: Absolutely.

Love at first sight: Love takes time, and love takes work. Most cases of “love at first sight��� are superficial and depend heavily on things such as looks and mannerisms. In order to determine how strongly you feel about a person, you need to get to know them on a face-to-face personal basis.

Santa Claus: I don’t celebrate Christmas.

Kissing on the first date: It really depends, but most of the time, no.

Angels: I don’t believe in angels in the traditional sense, but I believe everybody is an angel in their own right, and that guardian angels do exist. They may not be white-robed winged messengers, but they can be anybody. Your best friend, your loving mother, your loyal pet -- you, even. The world is filled with angels.

Other

Best friend’s name: Weegie!

Eye color: Blue

Fave movie: Wreck-It Ralph, Little Shop of Horrors, Ghostbusters, Super Mario Bros., the multiple Super Mario anime(s).

Fave actor: Most of the folks who acted in 30 Rock and Wreck-It Ralph! Primarily John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman and Jack McBrayer.

Tagging: If you’re reading this and want to do it yourself, feel free to nab it from me!

[ninaahelvar]

The Gladiators of New Earth - Prologue

Summary: When the Crash occurred, Earth became a wasteland of what it once was, the environment changing; people changed to - they became worse. Across the Galaxy, they’re hearing of the Gladiator, Logan Hunter, from earth - her battles a sight to behold. When the galaxy decides to fight, Logan discovers that her dying planet may be used for someone else’s gain.

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A/N: So, this story came from a bunch of different inspirational sources, but I desperately wanted to finish the prologue for you all! This is a rough first draft! I hope it is as interesting as I think it is. It should be an enjoyable ride from what I've experienced with it. Anyway, enjoy little ones! xx

The clock tower loomed, the hollow clunks of its gears echoing over the decayed York City New. Jacob and his young brother, Layton, climbed over the side of the mountain, the old floors of the apartment buildings were swaying; never properly built into the mountain’s face. One wrong step, and you’re a goner. That’s what their father said. But they had to get to the stadium. They couldn’t miss the battle.

Since the Crash took over everything, the land became untouchable and life drifted from the physics humans once knew, existence became something to relearn. Until everything stabilised into a flux of different environment and rules, people lived in the side of mountains to stop the crumbling ground from taking them, buried homes under roads as to not float away by the misinformed gravity, live in floating houses with strings tying them to remnants of scaffolding. Animals turned over in their environment; birds needed to swim in the depths of the ocean, dogs had to float and fly, sea creatures either lived in the deserts - whales bounding upwards like they once did, but now in waves of sand - or stayed in their waters as the salt bonded to hills, circling the grassy knolls like they owned their own gravity.

And the human race? Well, they had to learn to be human all over again, didn’t they? Jacob’s mother reminded them of that as they grew.

Creatures from hundreds of other planets all across the galaxy came to earth - the-little-planet-that-could - marvelling at its people and slowly tearing apart the planet’s structure and physics with every passing visit. Eventually, the sea rose into the sky before crashing back down after one ship departed. It was the first spark of the global crisis - no ships in, no ships out. The Crash. Earth was no longer the-planet-that-could, but rather, the planet of low dwellers, living on a rock in a solar system that should have died out already.

The stadium was close to the clocktower the family maintained, the only way people of York City New could tell when to race up the rope ladders. It was hung there since the First Balance came, gravity finally coming to a stop and fixing its point throughout the global - some places gravity was high, some where it was low; the remnants of New York City leveling into low and high. The land brought up mountains and caused buildings to fall to nature's wake, crushing down the structures and letting nature take over - the gravity in spurts of unbelievable pressure and none at all. The Stadium was in the low gravity zone, the rope ladder hammered down to the strongest ground there was and nets placed just below; even though society and life had gone to hell, safety was still wanted to some degree.

The Huntress was all people wanted, that’s why everyone came out. When human decided to learn to be human again, they unfortunately stuck with the Greeks and their messed up ways of entertainment. Gladiators. Specifically, one. Logan Hunter. She was small when they started, no older than nineteen. You could see it on her face that she had been tainted by the Crash in some way - but no one ever knew what. All anyone knew was her name was Logan Hunter and she was downright dangerous. She trained in swords, archery, close combat - everything in order to be better. By twenty-four, she was the champion of the Gladiator stadium and everyone around the world knew her name. Now, at twenty-five, she was going to be broadcast across the galaxy; other planets finally hearing word of her feats and they wanted a glimpse of her. Earth was no different. Everyone wanted to see the woman that finally brought balance to an unstable planet.

Jacob and Layton had never missed a game, not since they started. Logan was always the underdog, smaller than most of the men fighting, but she was quicker than they were. When she started fighting, everyone saw, watched her with every passing hour just to see this girl move. She was terrifying and she knew it. Even if the world was fighting to stay alive, Logan Hunter was plastered across the global, her face the rage of a dying world striving to survive.

The drumming from the stadium above was the marching orders, Layton climbing the rope ladder ahead of Jacob. Layton was racing up the ladder, the whole thing shaking as he tried to get up faster. “Don’t fall or we might lose each other,” Jacob warned. Layton laughed. His ten year old spirit was far more excited than he probably should have been - Jacob knew that the excitement was for the poor young boy’s crush. But it was pretty hard for someone not to be in love with Logan just a little bit.

The stadium, constructed in 2430 out of old buildings, lost its gravity in 2432 in the fifth crash. With the four preceding crashes, many building had contingency plans to keep things levelled and secure - with the rise of the gladiator battles in everyone’s minds, the stadium got its contingency. Reaching the top, the stadium that looked more like the colosseum that once stood strong, the two brothers watched the people pour in. It was filling in number that were hard to fathom, but not uncommon. Jacob pushed Layton to the hidden spot in between two stands, a better view and fully able to see the new TVs hanging by the engines that were far too old for themselves.

When the stadium was nearly full, the brightly coloured and over-accessorised Billy Ames strutted out into the stadium’s floor, cameras on him and the crew around him; they were preparing for the show of a lifetime. Billy Ames was the first man to ever suggest the games, acting out his part as ringmaster. Jacob and Layton had seen him once in the market, a chubby man with missing teeth and filled in with golden replacements. Now, he was donned in a red coat filled with bottle cap pins to make him shinier than ever and a top hat that was made from several other black hats of different shades. He was being flashy, he wanted to stand out, and that really wasn’t a problem for him.

When he was all wired up, he raised his hands up, the entire crowd rising as well and cheers started to boom all over. The crew dispersed, leaving Billy and a single cameraman along for the journey. The screens lit up. Jacob watched as Layton hitched himself up to view things more clearly. Layton was beaming with delight, the idea of the gladiator coming into view was too much to deal with.

“This is the first official broadcast from Earth’s Gladiator battles,” Billy exclaimed with that same nasally voice as always. No matter how irritating it was, the entire stadium ignited whenever they heard it. “You’ve all heard of us. What kind of bloodshed has occurred here. But now? You get to experience all the blood and guts yourself!” he roared.

There was a hush that befell the ground, waiting “Now, now everyone! You’ve heard of her before, even snuck an illegal look at the battles. We see your satellites trying to pick us up,” he winked at the camera, laughing and the crowd joining too. “But here and now, you will witness her all for the very first time in high definition,” he said with a big grin, gesturing wildly before the gates behind him started to rise. Billy smirked, bringing the camera into his face “Coming to you all across the galaxy, from the planet without equal. Give it up for….The Huntress!” he proclaimed, the gates hitting their stopping mark and the slow rumble of stamping feet echoed afterwards.

The screens switched, a dark corridor with the small glow of a young woman walked towards the light. Her blade clanging against her metal shield, sparking when she hit it hard enough. She started slow, the camera keeping its gaze strictly on her. Then, she started to run, the beating of feet against the stadium’s floor her charging song. When the light of the day hit her, the sight of her in her gladiator armour sent the entire stadium into cheers.

The tan leather was only slightly darker than her skin, keeping everything covered but revealing enough to tantalise a crowd. Her pleated skirt swayed as the breeze kicked in. She stayed steady, her boots with metal plating to keep her legs safe, kept her grounded. Upon her head was a golden helmet with the red brush swaying as the breeze came back in, decorating her as the fiercest warrior.

Piercing the ground with her sword and placing her shield at her side, she removed her helmet, tossing it across the dusty stadium ground. The cameras were on her every move, highlighting her beauty and her scars, training the galaxy to marvel at her wonder and ferocity. Her hazel eyes and short dark brown hair flowing as the winds came in and finally to a stop; she was irresistible to the eye, no one could stop looking at her.

Logan Hunter, the Huntress of Earth, young with tanned and weathered skin; she was who they were here for. The entire galaxy was tuning in to see her kill or die.