#‘ey lois this is almost as bad as that one time my brother killed the whole clan!’

[dailysasukes]

sasuke day 12

[pokespe-rainbow]

Any Tmnt Iteration x Spider-Man!Reader: First meeting

Part 2 , Part 3

You hold the proud title of New York one and only superhero. It's probably been months since that weird spider bite you, and that incident with your uncle's demise probably let you scarred for life, but that's not what we're gonna talk today! Can we please let your dead uncle out of this? Yeah? Thank you!

You've done a lot of things for this city, seriously, from a crazy guy with robotic wings to an electricist that controls electricity. Pretty ironic doesn't? Of course, no version of Spider-Man could be Spiderman if the media didn't drag your reputation through the mud. You can thank that to your boss, Burne Thompson. You almost regret coming to him when selling pictures of yourself, but you were desperate. If it helps your aunt to get to the end of the month, you could take a little of public humiliation. At least one of your coworkers, April O'Neil, is nice enough and always talks good from your alter ego when she's on the scene. In fact, the number of times you've rescued her is enough to tag her of your Lois Lane or your Vicky Vale. She's pretty, but you're not interested!

It was just another normal night, doing your spider things and taking yourself selfies, until your Spidey Sense started buzzing and telling you danger approaches. You keep your camera in their place with one of your webs before waiting for action.

You didn't expect to find an oversized turtle in a skateboard just goofing around. Okay, it's New York, weird shit happens all the time. The Turtle had an orange bandana and a pair of nunchakus on their belt. Oh! And they're naked! Well, turtles didn't have the same genitalia mammals had. In none of your Animal Planet you never saw a crocodile's junk— No Spidey! Bad Spidey! Your Spidey Sense never gets wrong! And if your Spider sense says this Turtle is dangerous, then some truth must be!

"That's some pair of good tricks over there" - you say casually as the Turtle frozes and start looking around - "Up here buddy, on the side of the building."

The Turtle's eyes are surprisingly... Human. Of a pretty baby blue color. Squared head and two holes instead of a nose. You think you could actually freak out if there was an actual human nose there.

"Holy sh—!" - comes out a very human and childish voice. He sounds pretty much like someone your age should sound - "[S/n]! I'm sorry! I promise I didn't do anything illegal! Just don't take me to jail!" - he frenetically screams

"Woah woah, easy buddy " - you put your hands in the air as a sign peace - "I'm not going to do anything as long you didn't do anything, okay? You just don't see a giant turtle every night! A giant lizard? Maybe. I was just curious. You don't plan to do anything in this neighborhood?" - you do you best to out your vest Batman voice

"No Sir/Ma'am No!" - The Turtle stand up straight

"No taking over the city plans I should worry about?" - you ask again

"I promise! I'm a good guy!"

"Very well" - you stayed silent for a couple of seconds before changing the mood - "I believe you!"

The Turtle stays still before looking at you - "You do?"

"Yes"

"You're not gonna run screaming or anything?" - ask the Turtle

"My dude, or dudette or non binary buddy, is that's your wave. This is New York. If you can't stand a pair of wierd shit like giant animals then you're a pussy and you should move out because you're not a yanqui if you're not used to"

"Oooohhh" - the Turtle seems to realize - "Thanks... That's... That was nice, you're the first person that doesn't run away screaming"

"And you're the first person, excuse me, reptile that doesn't try to kill me on the spot. I should be thanking you" - you said as you decide this little fella over there is going to become your favorite person in New York at this point as you jump and land next to him... Her.. They? - "Do you have any name I can call you?"

"Sure! Name's Michelangelo! But my brother's call me Mikey!" - answers the Turtle

"As the artist? You know? The one with the naked statues?"

"Exactly!" - Mikey says before laughing - "Oh, I'm so gonna use that with my brothers!"

Curiosity spikes you. He already mentioned his brothers twice. As much as you like to ask if they're turtles as well you decide to keep your questions for yourself. You don't know how he ended up as a giant turtle, but the world weren't as gentle with the ones that were different.

"Really, wait to you hear this one—" - you were about to drop some lame joke before you could heard police sirens on the distance - "Shoot. Duty calls" - You turn to look at Michelangelo - "Sorry, but I gotta go"

"Sure! Go kick some bad guys ass!" - cheered Michelangelo - "I can't wait to rub I meet [S/n] on Donnie's face!"

"Oh really?" - you rise an eyebrow behind your mask - "Can you tell me tomorrow how it go?"

"Really dude/dudette?" - asked Michelangelo, you could see the starry look in his eyes

"Yeah! Same hour, same place!" - you say as you prepare to swing away - "And don't talk to stangers in alleys!"

"I Won't!" - you heard him answer as you swing away

New York. The city a Turtle and a Spider could get along...

[pl-panda]

To Marry a Vigilante: Part 3

MASTERLIST || First || Previous || Next

Disclaimer: Masterlist

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

The dinner was an interesting affair. Everyone was gathered around a large table that could easily fit several more people. Marinette was sitting between Damian and her mother; on the opposite, Tim, Stephanie, and Cass took the seats. She was glad that they were all people she knew well enough. It was overwhelming. Before, Christmas was always just her and her parents. Occasionally, Nona came too. And there was this one time when she was five when her great-uncle visited. This was much too crowded. 

Damian gently squeezed her hand, reassuring her that it was alright. She ate some, but the nerves made her lose appetite quickly. She was in Gotham. Celebrating Christmas with her husband’s family. Husband… She was going to have a panic attack. She wasn’t ready. 

“Habibti. It’s okay. Everyone here’s a friend.” Damian whispered into her ear, seeing she was spiraling. “Nobody is going to judge us on anything.”

“But I didn’t make any gifts for the Kents. And I didn’t know your eldest brother had a daughter! And I’m a total klutz. I will probably knock over the tree and it will fall and set the house on fire and you will end up homeless or someone will get hurt and then your family will hate me and the Kents will hate me and I…” she kept whispering faster and faster until she was finally starting to feel the need to breathe or pass out. The jury was still out. 

Seeing her daughter’s panic, Sabine also grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. “Honey, let’s go get some fresh air.” She said loud enough for people close to them to hear before leading Marinette outside. Nobody batted an eye when the pair passed them. 

Once the two were in the back garden, Mari felt her legs give up under her and if not for her mother, she would have probably collapsed. The woman held her tight and led the girl toward the bench, which was luckily not covered in snow. 

“I’m so sorry, Maman. I don’t know… I just felt so overwhelmed. There were all these people and I was really meeting my husband’s family and friends for the first time and I guess I was not prepared for all this…” She was speaking fast. 

“Don’t worry sweetie. I understand. Did I tell you how, when I met your Nona for the first time, I accidentally flipped her over my shoulder and pinned her to the ground?” Sabine asked, smiling understandingly at her daughter. 

“No! Really?”

“Yes. Well, in my defense, she surprised me with a gun that shot candies.” 

Marinette couldn’t help but giggle at that. It did seem like something her Mémé would do. 

“She was shocked at first and I was afraid I hurt her. Instead, after that, she decided that I was apparently worthy of dating her boy and gave us her approval.” 

“So… the moral of this story is that I should flip Talia over for them to accept me?” Mari asked with a cheeky grin. 

“That too, sweetie. I can even lend you something from my bag if you want a more… permanent effect.” 

“Maman!” 

“Fine…” Sabine grumbled goodheartedly. “You don’t need to worry about fitting in or how they will perceive you. I’ve seen how that boy looks at you and I approve.” She smiled. “That’s all that should matter.”

“Thank you maman. I’m glad you’re here.” She hugged her mother as the two sat together on the bench, enjoying the evening chill until the cold became irritating instead of refreshing.

-------

When the two returned, the dinner was nearing the end. Marinette noted seven burning holes on the ceiling but didn’t comment. There was also a plate on fire next to Jason that he seemed adamant not to acknowledge. Also, Mar’i and Jon were levitating above the table and playing rock paper scissors, except they used the props. Silently, Marinette walked to take a seat next to Damian. Her mother went over to talk a bit with Bruce about something.

“Um… Why is Jason’s plate on fire?” She asked, very much confused. 

“Tt. He wanted a souffle on fire.” 

“We’re already at desserts?” The girl asked, surprised. In the corner of her eye, she saw Cass staring at Tim and Stephanie with a strange gaze. It wasn’t hostile, but rather, she couldn’t really name the emotions present. 

“Yes. I saved you some maracons. You love the strawberry ones, right?”

“You made me prefer lemon ones.” She smiled. “The subtle sourness really brings out the sweetness.” 

“Of course it does Angel.” He smiled. “Sadly, we sit next to Brown, who will devour anything with sugar in it.”

A devious grin appeared on Mari’s face. “Really now?” She reached over into her purse to pull a small box where she kept the power-up cookies for her Kwami. “Tikki… will you mind if I give her a burnt-red one? You know which…”

For a moment, it looked like the Kwami wanted to protest, but then the small goddess noticed the plate of cookies was empty. “Go for it, Marinette. It won’t hurt her.”

“Stephanie! I’ve got a spare macaron I can share,” she smiled at the blonde girl. 

“Gimme!” She almost leaped like a gremlin, her eyes in a slight daze.

“Uh-oh. She is experiencing a sugar rush. I think she ate the whole plate herself,” Tim spoke from his seat, eyes slightly worried. 

Mari handed over the macaron and watched as Steph ate it. It took only a moment for her face to flush red and tears to appear in her eyes. “Water!” She said with a hoarse throat. Tim handed her a glass, but when she downed it, the burning only increased.

“Oh no! I forgot to warn you! It was made with ground hot pepper instead of flour… silly me!” Mari said, keeping the cute smile on. “I would advise milk.”

When Stephanie ran to the kitchen, followed by Tim laughing and Cass and Damian smiling, the older boy turned to Marinette. “You are devious.” 

“She shouldn’t have eaten so many cookies,” the girl shrugged. After that, she actually started to enjoy the evening. It might have started a prank war later on, but for now, she was safe. 

---------

After dinner, the crowd moved to a large living room where adults took seats on the couches or chairs while most kids and teens sat on the fluffy carpet. Alfred was walking around and handing the wine glasses to adults and hot chocolate to the youngsters. Clark opted for hot chocolate as well, which earned him a round of teasing. 

Since everyone was staying the night, there was no need for designated drivers. When Tim and Stephanie tried to get their hands on alcohol, Alfred slapped their hands. More laughter followed. 

Marinette sat there, cuddled into one armchair with Damian, observing everything and looking cute. 

“...I’m just saying, Bruce. You could smile a bit more in costume too. It wouldn’t kill you.” Clark finished a short speech.

“Work and homelife should stay separate,” Tim spoke up from his spot on the floor.

“Which doesn’t stop you from smiling. You’re not a Buckingham Palace guard.” Lois pointed out.

“To be frank, you could smile a bit more often, B.” Dick supported the enemy.

“It would be bad for the image,” Bruce mumbled. “If anyone saw Batman smile, it would ruin my years of hard work.”

“Diana disagrees.” Kor’i smiled. “She actually said once that ‘a smiling bat looks pretty handsome’.”

“I’ve seen a smiling bat!” Mar’i shouted from her spot on Jon’s knees, the two of them acting like nice siblings. It secretly irked Damian, but he wouldn’t ever voice that thought. “There was a cartoon!” 

“That’s nice, sweetie.” Sabine couldn’t help but rub it into Bruce some more. “Did he also have a cape, like Bruce?”

“Yes! And he walked on two legs!” 

“See? I think your image doesn’t need to suffer.” Tom joined his wife. His English wasn’t that good, but he could get by. “Maybe you could get a cartoon about Batman? Ladybug had her own movie and a song dedicated to her.” 

“Ladybug?” Jonathan asked. Marinette immediately tensed at the mention of her superhero name. She definitely did not want to reveal herself to everyone here. It’s not that she didn’t trust any of them, since all of them knew about Batman and co., but she felt uneasy. The fewer people knew, the better. 

“Parisian superheroine.” Sabine clarified.

“We sure didn’t hear about her back in Smallville.” Martha insisted, smiling. “Then again, we don’t really keep with the news from the old world.”

“There was this terrorist in Paris that used magic to turn people into temporary villains. He was finally defeated recently. I think you’ve seen all the ladybug decorations.” Tim explained in broad terms. 

“Ah! Right. I was wondering about the ladybugs…” 

Damian noted that his beloved was tense and decided that it was a moment good as any other to spring up the surprise. He shifted slightly, signaling that he wanted to get up. Marinette, who was still holding her cup, immediately sprung onto her feet. She thought he maybe wanted to leave somewhere or speak with his father alone. 

Instead, Damian hit the side of his hot chocolate cup with a spoon three times, gathering everyone’s attention. 

“Tt. I wanted to say a few words. This will be important so shut up you lot.” He cleared his throat before continuing in a mostly emotionless voice that most people associated with his ‘Ice Prince’ persona. “Marinette. When I first met you, it was not from our own free will. The bitch that is my mother forced our hand and tied us together. But we got to know each other out of our own free will. Nobody forced me…” His head snapped toward Dick. “Tt. Don’t you dare, Grayson.” Seeing his brother raise his hands in a surrender gesture, he carried on. “Nobody forced me to come to Paris. Definitely, nobody forced you to actually accept my courting. To this day, I am left wondering why an Angel as you would actually agree to go out with me, but here we are.”

The people watched with rapt attention. Marinette just stood there, unable to voice a coherent thought. She had no idea what was happening, but a deep red blush had made its way onto her face when he praised her. 

“You were so full of passion and joy and it reminded me a bit of Jon, but without the irritating factors.” 

“Hey!” The boy protested. A murderous glare from Damian shut him up quickly. 

“As I was saying, you were perfect in my eyes. I was taken away by your kindness. There are no words to describe my feelings.” His tone was still emotionless and monotonous, but Marinette could see that he was doing his best to actually see this through. “I can say without a doubt that I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” 

All air was suddenly sucked from Mari’s lungs when he fell on one knee and pulled out a small black box. Inside was probably the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. There were three flowers on a golden band. In the center of each, there was a shining diamond, surrounded by smaller stones. The petals were made from pink stones that she suspected were also diamonds. Were there even pink diamonds? All in all, it looked beyond words. 

“Will you do me that honor and become my wife?” When he finally asked, she could feel the world spinning. This was… this was better than in any of her daydreams. And not only because instead of Adrien there was Damian. 

The words died in her throat. She had to sit down to not faint. “Yes…” She whispered weakly, so only Damian could hear. The boy smiled brightly (a rare sight to be sure) and put the ring on her finger. 

Her gaze fell on the band he had on his own hand. It was silver with a large black stone in the center of the band, surrounded by eight diamonds. The Black Cat Miraculous she realized. 

An applaud arose from several places in the room, but some of the guests were confused. 

“Aren’t you two too young to get married?” Johnathan asked, scratching his head. 

“Tt. Technically, we are already married where I come from. This is for my wife’s content and nothing else.”

“Married?!” The old farmer asked, scandalized. 

“Tt. That’s what I said. Now can someone please get my Angel some water? I think she is about to faint.” 

“Um… I would also be very interested in the story…” Clark joined his father. He wasn’t exactly that much scandalized, but confusion was clear on his face. 

“I promise I will explain everything. I think we should give the two some breathing space…” Bruce proposed hesitantly. 

“I will help get Mari to her room. I think she has had enough excitement for today,” Tom offered.

“I am also turning in for the night, Father. I trust that between you and Miss Cheng they will get a full story. Sans the private parts of course.” He glared at him. 

“I will make sure of that.” Sabine quickly cut any protests.

“Good. Good night everyone. And Merry Christmas or whatever.” With that, he left, wanting to catch up with Tom and Marinette.

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

Masterlist // Next

[novemberwasgrey]

The day Clarisse almost killed another Jackson boy than Percy

...or when her daughter told her she was dating Percy’s son. Parents!Chrisse because why the heck not.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Twenty years ago, Clarisse La Rue’s morning routine consisted in being awake at 4am because of nightmares. She would go training alone in the camp’s arena, then go back to her cabin some hours later to lead her siblings at breakfast.

Now’s routine was different but still involved nightmares. Sometimes hers or, like this morning, her son’s.

“N-No! Let me go! Mommy! Mommy come save me please!”

“Jules, it’s me, wake up. You gotta wake up.”

The nine-year-old boy abruptly woke up, panic visible in his eyes until he saw his mother. Instantly, he threw himself in her arms.

“Shhh… It’s okay baby, it was just a bad dream. Mommy’s here.” Clarisse whispered, not even embarrassed of how soft her tone sounded.

She played with his curly black hair while rocking him back and forth against her chest. It took a minute but finally Julian stopped shaking.

“It was those monsters again, Mommy, and they were after you and Daddy…”

“We’re fine, Jules. They’ll never get to me and Daddy. D’you know why?”

His tears suddenly disappeared as a giant smile replaced them:

“Because you’re my mom!” he exclaimed. “And a drakon slayer!”

“The, drakon slayer, little punk!” Clarisse corrected as she started to tickle the little boy whose laugh was warming her heart.

It still amazes her sometimes how much he looks like Chris.

Letting him enjoy his bed a little longer, Clarisse left her son's room while tidying up the cluttered hall.  Because of course, she was the only one in this bloody house to clean up everyone's mess. Whether it was Lois's boxing gloves lying around on Julian's toy box, Chris' guitar that Lena borrowed from him constantly and that was about to fall down the stairs if she didn't- and what the Hades was Axe's spear doing in the middle of the bathroom?  She felt like she was back at Camp Half-Blood again where she was always cleaning up after her brothers.

Oh, by the way: Chris and her had four kids.

Their oldest daughter, Lois, or mini-Clarisse as the Stoll call her, was eighteen and currently attending her kickboxing class right now. Needless to say, she was the worthy granddaughter of the God War.

But it was nothing compared to Axel that Clarisse had hoped would look more like his father growing up. Although she was quite proud of him when he punched a boy from his class for the first time. ‘That’s my boy’ she thought with a smirk as she went downstairs to the kitchen. They didn’t call him Axe for nothing, the axe having really become his weapon of choice.

Starting breakfast, Clarisse thought about her second daughter, whom she still hadn't seen this morning.

“Good morning, mother! What a great day it is!”

…found her.

Clarisse rolled her eyes as Lena arrived in the kitchen as noisy as a herd of elephants.

“Would you be fricking quiet? Your little brother’s still sleeping, and your platform heels might wake the entire neighbourhood yet.”

Lena brought a hand to her heart, feigning hurt. “Mom, how dare you! These shoes are fabulous and were offered to me by a very special person.”

“I’m the one who bought them.”

“Exactly.” Her daughter smiled, leaning on the kitchen’s counter, facing her.

Again, Clarisse rolled her eyes but let an affectionate smile stir her lips. ‘Kid’s a smooth talker just like her dad.’

You know sometimes she wondered how funny the gods thought it would be to grace her with a feminine daughter. Lois was definitely more of a tomboy style like her, but Lena has always been the one who wanted pink dresses and make-up, growing up. Something Clarisse’s own mother was the most thrilled about. ���What? I couldn’t do that with you when you were little, let me enjoy that with my granddaughter!’

So as Lena was messing with one of her light brown hair strands that she had probably spent an hour to straighten, Clarisse knew something was up; it was a nervous habit of hers.

“You know where Axe is?” she asked first, not wanting to drop the bomb yet.

“No idea.”

Clarisse frowned. “You don’t know where your brother is?”

Lena shrugged, eyes still down on her hair. “We shared your uterus for nine months but we’re not mind-bonded. He’s probably out with Adrien again.”

“Mmmh. Okay, what’s going on?”

Her daughter startled. “Huh? Nothing, I really don’t know where Axel is but he’s probably not in troub-“

“Not that,” Clarisse interrupted, though it wasn’t in an aggressive tone, just a worried one. “With you. You’re nervous.”

Lena then proceeded to make a move her, Julian and Chris would do very often: laughing nervously when they got caught doing or hiding something.

“Wow, mom, you really know me too well for my own good.”

“Seems like I do. Explain, now.” Clarisse requested, folding her arms and gods damned when did she start looking so much like her own mother?

Knowing her end was near, Lena started by doing what she knew best as the perfect Hermes legacy she was: deviating the inevitable conversation.

“Well, um, remember when I broke one of your favourite bronzes shields and I blamed it on Axe and you finally found out that it was me all this time?”

“Continue.”

“You kept loving me, right? ‘Cause you’re my mom, you’ll never disinherit me for anything I-“

“Lena.”

“Even if I do something that you consider really idiotic-“

“Lena.”

“And you’re probably going to faint-“

“Silena Mari Rodriguez.”

“Jeez! No need for the full name warning, fine fine I’ll tell you…”

She took a deep breath; Clarisse was sure she had never seen her daughter so worried before.

“I… I’m dating someone.” Lena finally admitted.

“Oh.” Clarisse first said, just mild surprise visible in her eyes. “Well it’s great. What, you thought I was going to react like your dad whenever your sister brings a new boy or girl home?”

“Well in his defence, Lois is a serial heartbreaker. It’s hard to keep up with her dates.”

“So. Who’s the lucky one?”

The worried expression was back again.

“Uh, that’s the tricky part.”

Clarisse frowned. Was it someone she knew? Who could she possibly date that she wouldn’t approve of?

“Again, remember that you love me uncondi-“

“Lena, I’m losing my patience he-“

“It’s Luka!”

Clarisse didn’t reply anything for a moment, she didn’t know how long, her daughter’s words sinking into her mind. She only knew one Luka. And if it was this Luka… ‘Holy fricking mother of Hera’ she screamed mentally.

Finally, she was able to utter as calm as possible:

“Luka.”

“Yes.” Lena nodded.

“As… Luka Jackson.”

“Yes.”

“Annabeth and… (she spat the last word) Percy’s, son.”

“…yes?” and she almost sounded hesitant or wanted to crawl in a hole away from her mother’s fury.

Fury that, however, never came. Instead, Clarisse managed to put on her “I’m okay” face.

“Does he treat you right? Respect you?” she asked seriously this time.

“Yes, of course! You know him.”

“Alright then.”

“W-wait, that’s it?” Lena sputtered, her eyes wide. “You’re not mad or planning a murder?”

“No. Please kiddo, I’m an adult. If you’re happy, then I am as well.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“MY BABY! HIS SON IS DATING OUR BABY!” Clarisse was yelling, and Chris was sure their poor neighbours were as deaf as he is right now.

“Out of all the boys in the world, why would she choose him? She’s perfect, she could have any boy she wants!”

“Clary…” he started, sighing.

“She’s only 15! She’s too young to have a boyfriend, what if she’s not ready for some things?”

“Clary-“

“I swear if that punk hurts her-“

“Clarisse! Gods, shut it for a minute, the gods can probably hear you from Olympus!” Chris finally exclaimed, silencing his wife.

First in shock, Clarisse did realize she was rambling and crossed her arms firmly against her chest before sitting on their bed. Usually, Chris would have taken the opportunity to point out how cute her pout was, but he could see that she was particularly upset at the moment.  Not a good idea.

“First of all, you do realize she’s dating Luka, right?”

“No shit genius, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for ten minutes!”

“So you do remember that you adore this kid?”

Clarisse opened her mouth, trying to come up with a smartass answer but got none. Fine. She might have babysat him and his sister Zoe when they were little, seen him grow and hold his first sword. And they do call her Aunt Clarisse. But still.

“I’ve never said that.” She mumbled.

“But you mean it. He could pass anytime as Percy’s brother in looks, which is probably what freaks you out the most right now, but he’s also the nicest boy we’ve ever met. He’ll never hurt Lena intentionally and you know it.”

One thing Clarisse positively hated, is when her husband was right.

“I guess.”

“And if it can make you smile a little bit: imagine Percy’s face when he’ll know about this.”

At that, Clarisse let out a chuckle. “That idiot’s probably going to faint.”

“You’re adorable,” Chris said, kissing her on the cheek. “but you don’t need to worry that much about Lena. Besides, they’re only 15 and 16, it’s not like they’re already going serious or something.”

Clarisse raised an eyebrow. “We got together at the same age. What was all your 16 years-old-self wanted to do with his first girlfriend at the time?”

Her husband’s eyes widened quite comically as he whispered: “Oh shit.”

“Exactly. Good night, babe.”

[1237tnb]

I’ll Love You Into Healing (SuperCorp)

Chapter 1:

Kara and Lena stood in Lena's lab. Lena worked diligently creating a powerful vault to house the cell of Leviathans that Lex had stood from Brainy.  

Kara stood over Lena's shoulder impatiently, before she began to pass around the room.  

What was it with Luthors? Why couldn’t they do right? Whenever Kara had to deal with them, she had to deal with another mess to clean up.  

She shot her eyes back over to see what Lena was doing only to see Lena lay both of her hands flat on the desi and stand up straight.  

“You seem very annoyed with me.” Lena commented. It had been like this for a little over a month now. Lena had apologized multiple times and not comment any further on Kara's callous attitude, but it was all becoming too much.  

“Well, why would not have to do this if you didn’t create the tech that Lex is using now! I told you that he was no good, but you trusted him anyway.”

Lena stood up even straighter and cleared her throat. She tried to keep the hurt out of her eyes, and instead settled on grabbing an item on her desk to tinker with.  

“I already apologized for that. I told you that I was working on a project to help people I was just misguided in my reasoning.”

“And I told you that I don’t want to talk about the past.”

Then why did you bring up the past? Lena pushed the thought down, flipped her hair to the other side of her head, and went back to running simulations on her program.  

After several minutes Lena cleared her throat and spoke up.  

“I'm leaving National City.” Lena announced. “I came here to do good and change the negative narrative around my family’s name, but it seems that every time I try to do good that I make things worse for you and your friends, and the city. So, I’m leaving, right after I finish this chamber for Leviathan.”

Kara's eyes widened. She knew deep down that she didn’t want Lena to leave, but on the surface Kara was so angry.

People like Lillian and Lex were the reason that Kara couldn’t have a normal life and why Kara’s friends were never safe. Maybe if Lena left, National City would return to normal.  

Lena stood up and walked out her lab passing Alex and Kelly on the way out.  

Alex and Kelly nodded to Lena respectful before they looked to Supergirl. They then looked behind themselves to see if Lena was in ear shot.  

“Why...?” Alex looked around before looking at Supergirl. “Why were you talking to Lena like that?”  

“Like what?” Kara shrugged.  

Kara and Alex gave one another a knowing glance, before the refocused their eyes on Kara.  

“You were being super rude.” Alex spoke blatantly.

“Well... If it wasn’t for Lena, we would not have to be hunting Lex down now!” Kara crossed her arms in front of her, and Alex looked around confused. Were they talking about the same Lena, because the last time Alex checked, Lena was Kara’s best friend of three years? Lena had killed Lex only for him to be brought back to life by the Monitor, and Lena helped them save the world, even risking her life to save Kara’s.  

“I... do not understand.”  

“Lena used Myriad and Q waves to create the technology that Lex is using to threaten all of us now.”  

“No... that was Brainy. Lex is using Brainy’s tech. Brainy had been helping Lex for the last year. That is why Lex put Brainy in charge of the DOA. That’s why Brainy broke up with Dreamer. Lena’s technology has only contributed to a small portion of Lex’s plan. Lex did not want Lena’s technology. He wanted Lena, but Lena chose us. She chose you.”  

Kara shook her head. Her arms were still crossed as she pivoted on her heel and turned away from Alex and Kelly. To her surprise, they were making it clear that they did not share Kara’s sentiments about Lena’s actions over the last year.  

“Still...”  

“Kara...” Kelly did not know if it was her place to speak, but she decided to speak anyway. “Have you still not forgiven Lena? You forgave Brainy after everything. He freed the Toy Man and nearly got multiple people killed. He lied to us for almost a year, but you forgave him.”

“Are you saying that I shouldn’t have? Brainy only did what he did, because he thought that he was doing the right thing to save the world.”  

“Yeah, so did Lena.” Alex pressed.  

Kara opened her mouth say something, when Kelly stepped forward and interjected.  

“Kara as doctors, Alex and I investigated the project that Lena was working on. She brilliantly was trying to create a way to reduce violent tendencies and pain in individuals in order to stop crime. She got close to figuring out how to do it, but she did not account for the way that the brain adjusts to stress.”  

“Kara as crazy as it might sound, Lena was trying to create a system to protect people for a long time, so that people like you and I do not have to do what we have to do to keep the world safe. She was really trying to protect us.”  

“So, you’re on her side?! You think that it is okay to take away people’s free will.”  

“No.” Alex shook her head. “We...” Alex pointed back and forth between Kelly and herself. “We absolutely do not think that.”

“That’s actually why we think that Lena discontinued the experiment.” Kelly interjected again.

“She realized that pain is inevitable, and that it is something that we need to grow and enjoy the good times, and also that free will is something that needs to be preserved.”  

“Well... I don’t know why you both are vouching for her! Do you not care how she hurt me? She pretended to be my friend for months and used kryptonite against me.”

Alex’s eyes widened and she rescinded what she was going to say next. Kelly and she then stepped forward and sat the tablet on Lena’s desk, before both turned on their heels and left Lena’s lab hand in hand despondently.  

Kara stood in Lena’s lab by herself still seething. She waited in frustration. Nearly an hour had gone by for the conclusion that Lena wasn’t coming back, that she must have gone home or to her office for the night.  

Kara sauntered out of the lab making sure that the powerful lights went off behind her.  

However, she stopped in her tracks as she approached the elevator.

“I’m worried about Kara.” Kara overhead Alex talking to Kelly. “I haven’t seen her act this way, since we adopted her when she first got to Earth. She was angry about everything and difficult to reason with.”

“I’m sure she’ll come around.” Kara heard Kelly breathe.  

“I’m just afraid that she won’t come around in time. I know she loves Lena as much as I love you. I don’t know if Kara would be able to handle it if Lena left National City for good, but she is being too stubborn to forgive Lena.” Kara heard Alex sigh, before she continued speaking.

“I can’t help but feel like this is my fault. I knew how Kara felt about Lena for years, and for years I tried to convince Kara that Lena was as bad as any Luthor, and I was wrong. Now, that Kara feels hurt by Lena, she is treating Lena worse than she treats Lex.”

Kara’s eyes widened. She felt her blood boil with rage. She couldn’t believe that Alex and Kelly were talking about her behind her back. Worse than that they were siding with Lena after everything.  

Kara ground her teeth together and stepped back from the elevator. Forget the elevator! She needed to clear her head.  

Kara flew up through the center of L Corp and crashed through the window at the top of the building, sending glass shards following dozens of stories down to the lobby.

Page Break

Chapter 2:

Kara spent the next few weeks in Argo City crashing on Clark and Lois’s couch. She could not believe her sister and Kelly. Moreover, she couldn’t believe that Jon, Meghan, and Dreamer all shared their sentiments. Even Kara’s own earthly mother agreed to Kara was being obnoxiously callous to Lena.  

Did they not see that Lena’s mother and brother had Jeremiah killed? Killed! They killed Jeremiah to get to Supergirl!

Kal remained uncharacteristically quiet as well as Lois. They just shot Kara concerned looks as they took care of young Jonathon until Kal finally said something.  

“Hey Kara, you know that we love having you here, but...”  

“But I am overstaying my welcome...” Kara sighed, draping her head down between her knees.  

“It is not even that.” Kal shook his head. “It is that we feel that you are avoiding your friends, and that it is just hurting you.”  

“They are all siding with Lena...!”  

“What’s wrong with that?” Kal asked as he picked up Jon’s muddy onesie off the floor and flipped it into the laundry basket that he was carrying under his arm.

“She... She... She hurt me. She used kryptonite against me. She lied about being my friend for months. She used me to steal Myriad. She did not accept my apology after I apologized a hundred times! Now, I am supposed to accept her apology, because she apologized a couple of times?”

“You know...” Kal scratched the back of his head. “Bruce and I have butted heads many times, and he also used Kryptonite against me, and he stole things from the Fortress of Solitude. He often saw me as the enemy and thought the worst of me simply because I am a Kryptonite.  

I mean you are mad at Lena because she did for three months what you did for three years.”  

“I was just trying to protect her!” Kara cried throwing her open hands forward exasperatedly.  

“Then why did you tell Dreamer, Mon-El, Kelly, Maggie, James, Winn, Jon, Meghan, Brainy, Barry, and Oliver all who you are long before you attempted to tell Lena?”

“Because they all have powers, and they are engrossed in this vigilante lifestyle!”

And Lena doesn’t? She is a genius beyond humanly plausible and more than capable of taking care of herself.”  

“Kal!” Kara exclaimed, before she frowned, and her shoulders slumped down. Her eyes dropped to her hands that were resting on the calves of her crossed legs. “Kal...”

Clark rested his hand on Kara’s shoulder and gave Kara an understanding smile.  

“Kara I am not trying to make you feel bad. I love you. You are my big cousin. I am just trying to help you see things from Lena’s perspective, because good friends are hard to find. Please do not right yourself out of being happy with someone that you genuinely care about. Do not gamble away time waiting for the perfect moment, go ahead and apologize. After all, after Krypton and the Crisis you should know that time is a precious commodity.”

Kara looked up and Kal and then returned to Earth. His words touched Kara, and she did not know if she had ever heard him say so much about one thing.  

Upon her arrival, she apologized to her friends and family, and then went to see Lena.

Page Break

Chapter 3:

Kara flew up to Lena’s high-rise apartment to see that it was mostly empty. The only things left were a few packed boxes and her bed on top of the box spring but without the headboard.  

“You really are leaving.” Kara’s eyes widened in surprise as her eyes panorama-ed around the sterile, white apartment.  

“Well, you know that they say, ‘Where there is smoke, there is a Luthor’.”  

Lena’s words stabbed Kara’s heart, even though Lena did not mean them to.

“I can’t escape my family’s name. It’s my curse. Everything I touch goes to ruin no matter how good my intentions are. I think it is time for me to get out of the way, and let the real heroes take care of things.”  

“Where will you go?”  

“I’ve thought about going back to MIT and finishing out my doctoral program. I could become a professor and research the implications of gravitational waves on dark matter and how we can harness that energy to create perpetual renewable energy. I could achieve tenure and spend the remainder of my days teaching. That sounds harmless enough.” Lena shook her head as she stared out of the National City skyline. She blinked back the angry tears that were stinging her eyes.  

Lena wiped away a stray tear that chased its way down her cheek and turned to Kara.  

“I finished the chamber. It should be able to contain the cell that Brainy created to hold Leviathan. Even Lex should be incapable of using it for his purposes. I gave it to Alex, and I also wrote up everything I know about what Lex is planning. I will be honest, however, I do not know much, because Lex never trusted me after I shot him. The only thing he ever trusted in is his belief that he is smarter than me.”  

Lena shrugged, before she slid her empty flower vase into a cardboard box that was filled with Styrofoam.  

“Lena I...” Kara still did not want to apologize.

“I am sorry that I hurt you Kara. I know that you do not want to talk about the past, but I need you to know why I did it.”  

Kara stood on the other side of Lena’s apartment, mouth ajar, ears ready to hear.  

“There’s a mathematician named Dr. Nash...” Lena began her story, still staring past Supergirl and to the gorgeous night skyline.  

“Dr. Nash Wells...?” Kara speculated.  

“No.” Lena shook her head. “Dr. John Forbes Nash. He attended Carnegie Mellon. He was brilliant and developed the concept of Game Theory that is widely used in Economics, Business, War, and International Affairs.

For years, he had a best friend who started as his roommate. After Nash’s wife and son, Nash loved no one more than he loved his best friend and his best friend’s daughter. The two were friends for more than a decade. Dr. Nash also worked with the US government to stop the Russians during the Cold War. One day when Dr. Nash was giving one of his lectures, he was detained by several men and forcibly taken to a mental institution...”  

Kara unthinkingly moved closure as she became enveloped in Lena’s story.  

“Dr. Nash demanded to know why he was being detained and why they would not release him.” Lena’s voice cracked and she felt herself begin to cry. “They told him that he had schizophrenia, and that his best friend that he had loved for so long did not exist. They told him that his best friend was just a product of his schizophrenia as well as his life’s work stopping the Russians.” Lena’s voice cracked again. “He didn’t believe them at first because he loved his best friend dearly, and his best friend was real to him, until why day he noticed that in twelve years, his best friend’s daughter had never aged once. “Lena coughed as the tears took over and agitated her eyes. “In one foul swoop, he realized that everything in his world was a lie, and to everyone else he was just some delusional old man. Even his own wife thought so little of him, that she eventually divorced him.”  

Lena cover her eyes with her hand, before she looked and looked back up. Her eyes were completely red, and her chest was tense.

“That’s how it felt when Lex told me not only that you were Supergirl, but that everybody (all of our friends and my family) knew but me. I was just some delusional fool. And you know Kara...” Lena’s chest seized as she choked out another sob. “It is not that it wasn’t completely obvious that you were Supergirl. I am a genius who went to MIT after all. It is that I loved you and I trusted you so much that I refused to believe that you would lie to you. I took you for your word!”

“Lena I...” Kara moved towards Lena hand outstretched.  

“I’m sorry for the pain that I caused you and using Kryptonite on you. I will never forgive myself for that. I will never forgive myself for becoming the villain.” Lena quickly turned on her heel and shut herself into her bedroom.  

Page Break

Chapter 3:

Kara sat in her apartment feeling even worse than ever. She was terrible. She was being terrible to Lena, and she had no excuse for it.  

She hurt Lena deeply, and Lena came to Kara’s rescue any way. Could Kara say that she would do the same for Lena? Kara wanted to say that she would, but at this point she just didn’t know.

She shut herself into her bedroom for what felt like another week. She knew that Lena would be leaving for New England any day now, but she did not know how to talk to her. She did not even know where to begin.  

The magical Mr. Mxyzptlk already showed her how she couldn’t fix how she messed up the last time. How was she going to fix how she messed up this time?

Kara buried her head in her knees when she saw her phone buzz. It was William. She did not want to deal with him right now. She did not even feel worthy of dealing with him right now. Kara was a terrible person, and she knew that he was going to ask her on another date.  

Why was Kara so willing to almost reveal her identity to William, but so unwilling to reveal her identity to Lena for so long?

Lena? Oh, how she loved Lena. For three years, Lena just saw Kara as Kara. Not as Supergirl, Kal’s cousin, Alex’s weird little sister, Cat’s lackey, a Kryptonion. No Lena, just mad saw Kara as Kara and that made Kara feel seen and loved. It was a feeling that Kara never wanted to lose, and she knew that she would lose it the moment that she revealed to Lena that she was Supergirl.  

“Ugh...” Kara was so stupid. She shoved the pillow in her face and growled allowed, before she fell backwards onto her bed.  

Was she really about to let Lena leave National City and become a college professor? She was really about to let Lena leave National City and become a college professor! There was nowhere near enough apologies in the world to take back all of the cruel words that Kara said to Lena, and the abysmal way that she treated her.  

Lena was going to move out of Kara’s life for good and there was nothing that Kara could do about it.  

Kara picked herself up off the bed. Nothing was getting done by sulking. She still had to help her friends stop Lex and the last remaining member of Leviathan.  

She flew to the temporary DOA hide out and began to make preparations with her friends.  

They all looked at her with deep concern. There was no way that they could do this without Lena, and the definitely could not do this with Kara is the depressed state of mind that she was in.

“Yes Jon,” Kara invited him to speak as she felt his leery eyes on her.  

“We think that we would have a higher chance of success if you asked Lena to help. Also, you seem like you are in a bad headspace...” He commented.

“Yeah... Well, I am sure that she does not want to help. I have been pretty awful to her these last two months, not to mention the last four years.” Kara pulled at the skin on her face stressfully.  

“I think she’d be willing to help if you asked.” Alex breathed caringly.

“I do not deserve her help. I do not deserve her friendship, and I do not deserve her.” Kara shook her head.  

“I was so disgusted by her abusive family that I did not realize that I was becoming her abusive family. I turned her reality into a reality similar to that of Dr. Nash.”  

The frowns on Alex and Kelly’s faces deepened again. They once again shot one another knowing looks.  

“Well Kara,” Jon measured his words as he looked down on his beloved friend. “If you deceived Lena into brokenness in four years. I believe that you can love her back into healing in a few more.”  

Kara’s eyes widened and she realized that that was the real lesson she was supposed to learn from Mr. Mxyzptlk. Healing Lena’s hurt from keeping her identity secret was not something Kara could heal overnight, because Lena was constantly carrying decades of baggage. It was something that would take years of trust and love to rebuild, but for a friend as amazing as Lena, it would be all worth it.  

Kara flew out of the hideout and back to Lena’s apartment.

Page Break

Chapter 4:

“Oh my gosh Jon! Be nice to your cousins!” Kara exclaimed as she finished packing the lunches for school.  

She turned around and blushed as she saw her absolutely stunning best friend Lena walking down the stairs of their quaint home escorting their youngest daughter Martha.

“Are you ready for work babe?” Lena asked Kara as she walked up to her, and Kara gently pulled Lena into her arms and kissed her lips longingly.  

“As long as I can come home to you!” Kara smiled with a wink.  

Kara and Lena had been married to one another for a little over five years now, and Kara was just as in love with Lena as she was the day, she met her.  

Their relationship was difficult at times, but working through the pain, heartbreak and betrayal all those years ago made it all worth it.  

“I’m going down to the capital today to propose my new STEM program to the governor. It has a focus on the inclusion of diversity of impoverished children of different races, ethnicity, and terrestrial origins. I really think that the governor is going to like it.” Lena blushed as she grinned for ear to ear.  

“Well...” Kara beamed at Lena, “You know what I think... I think that you should be the governor, but that’s just me.” Kara giggled and Lena giggled as well, before they kissed one more time.  

[g-on-ef]

Hi! You mentioned in your blog that you needed a distraction and that fic-requesters were free to come your way? If this is convenient, then can I request a damijon fic? One where batfam is overprotective and keeps interrupting the time damian and jon spend together and the two get frustrated? Thanks!

A/N: Of course you can sweetie ^^

So there is no confusion Jon is 14 and Damian is 17

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

He knew it was a mistake to tell Dick that he was dating Jon, he should have listen to his instincts when they told him that it was a bad idea but Jonathan thought he was embarrassed of him because he didn’t want to tell his family about them.

The truth was in the Batfamily you learn that you share everything, the bathroom, food, your dad’s attention; anything you could think of the family shared even when the girls and their personal problems, okay that was mainly Steph but the point is if one had something they had to share with everyone in the family.

So, it was natural that Damian wanted to keep something to himself for as long as he could but Jon wanted everyone to know and Damian just couldn’t say no to those big blue puppy dog eyes so he gave in and told his family.

Of course, the last thing he expected was for Grayson to tell Todd, who told Brown, who told Thomas, who tried to keep it a secret but Drake figured it out himself and told Damian that he was going to need a lot of luck.

Now he understood why he said that.

His worst fear was that he might have to share Jon’s attention with everyone, he never thought that his brothers would do everything they can to keep him from enjoying his time with Jon.

“I guess it could be-”

“Don’t say it,”

“Say what?”

“Don’t say it could be worse because every time you say that something worse happens,”

Jon puffed his cheeks in anger and Damian did not think that was adorable…okay he did but he was not going to say that out loud.

“That’s not true,”

“Our trip to the zoo?”

“Oh, right that was…I mean it wasn’t…okay so it could’ve…”

The look on Damian’s face told Jon that he was right and nothing Jon could say would prove him wrong.

“Shut up,” he said while grabbing a fry and throwing it at Damian, Damian just laughed as he looked around the food court and saw that the close was clear, he then reached for Jon’s hand however, before he could another hand landed on the table making a loud banging noise, poor Jon nearly wet himself at the loud sound that appeared out of nowhere.

“Hey you guys! Tim, Duke, Jay, and I brought you guys some food,”

If Damian had heat vision he would use it to burn Grayson’s smug look off his face right about now.

Meanwhile, Jon was hoping against hope that he didn’t look like he was seconds away from soiling himself.

“I thought I told you Grayson that Jon and I would be getting our own food,”

“True…but since me and your brothers are already here why not get you guys some food,” he said with a huge smile.

Damian wanted to slap that smile off his face.

The rest of the batboys came with Duke giving him an apoligic look, Tim giving him a smug look, and Jason glaring down at the baby supe.

“Ummm…that’s so nice of you Dick,”

“Of course it is, I mean my baby brother is on a date and I really want to make sure you guys have a good time,” he said with a sweet smile, a little to sweet for Damian’s liking.

When Jason placed the food down he also gave Jon a sweet smile.

“I took the liberty of ordering for you hope you don’t mind,”

“N-not at all,” Jon was about to grab his plate before Damian grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“Don’t eat that,” was all he said before he gave him his own plate.

“We can share from mine,”

Jon just smiled and didn’t want to admit that he was scared to eat the food Jason got him, mainly because he could smell the spicy condiments coming off of the plate.

Dick and Jason glared at the baby supe while said supe was doing everything not to pay attention to their glares even though it was easier said then done.

Duke and Tim looked at each other before they slapped the back of their brother’s heads.

“Why don’t the two of you go to the arcade while Tim, Jason, Dick, and I finish eating,” Thomas said smiling at the two boys.

He had to admit, Damian and Jon were the cutest thing and while he can somewhat understand Dick’s need to be overprotective with Damian the older boy needed to let go and let him be on his own.

Damian smiled and grabbed Jon’s hand.

“Thomas, you are officially my favorite,” he then pulled Jon away from the mess that was his brothers and headed for the arcade.

“What the fuck Duke?!” Could be heard from the other side of the restaurant and Damian and Jon couldn’t help but laugh.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

He thought of all people Drake would be the most understanding, the one who would let them be and not bother them but he was wrong, he was so wrong.

He turned his gaze to Jon who also looked annoyed and was holding himself back from burning off his brother’s face.

Connor and Tim overheard Jon telling Damian that they should spend some time at the park. Damian agreed and couldn’t wait to spend a nice day out with Jon.

The it was a nice day, the weather wasn’t to hot or cold, not to mention that Alfred prepared them a nice home cook meal, informing the boys that he hopes they have fun.

The plan was simple, eat some food play on the swings-Damian would never admit it to his brothers but he loved the swings they were really fun-and flying kites together. Overall, it was supposed to be a relaxing day…until Drake and the Clone showed up ate their food and asked them what they were doing at the park.

Jon had to bite his tongue to not say anything rude but he was close to snapping and if it weren’t for the fact that he was a little intimated by his big brother he probably would have gone off on him.

“So, where you two planning on flying kites?” Tim asked gesturing to the kites on the floor.

“What do you think?” surprisingly it wasn’t Damian that answered but Jon.

Kon and Tim looked shock for a moment before laughing it off, clearly Damian was rubbing off on Jon.

“Okay right silly question, so what else where you two planning on doing here?”

“Nothing,” the two said simultaneously both wearing matching glares. Tim just shrugged it off and kept eating when neither Tim nor Kon were looking Jon used his ice breath to freeze both their drinks, both of the older boys were shock to see their tongues stuck inside their drinks, Damian was shocked and laughed as he realized that his boyfriend just played a cruel trick on them.

“Wanna go back to my place and play some video games?” Jon asked.

“Sounds like a plan,” 

Jon smirked as he took Damian in his arms princess style and flew off, ignoring the muffle screams from his brother and Tim.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

It’s been two years since young Masters Wayne and Kent started dating and it still surprised Alfred how overprotective his siblings were of him.

With Jon being 16 and Damian being 19 you would think that his other grandchildren would stop harassing them and leave them be, Jon has proven time and time again that he wasn’t going to leave Damian and Damian continued to show everyone how important Jon was to Damian.

And yet his other grandchildren-minus Duke and Cass, and everyone wonder why those two were his favorites-and Bruce decided to always interrupt Master Kent and Master Wayne’s dates and it was beginning to take a toll of both boys. Not that he blamed them, two years of having older sibling interrupt your date can get to you. It was a miricale  that Damian hasn’t killed any of them.

 Tonight was Jon’s 17th birthday and Damian decided to throw a huge party at Wayne Manor, of course this meant that all the batboys and girls were gonna keep a close eye on Damian and make sure that Jon behaved himself, surprisingly Damian invited every superhero but none of Jon’s or his friends which was weird in their eyes.

“Okay guys it’s almost time for the birthday boy to get here,” Lois said, if Dick didn’t know any better he would’ve assumed that Lois had a mischievous look on her face but dismissed that idea. Lois was an amazing woman who would never do anything to harm anyone right?

An hour into the party and Jon nor Damian were nowhere to be found, even Clark looked surprised before he and Bruce approached Lois, Dick and the rest of his siblings followed close behind them.

“Hey Lois?” Lois turned away from her conversation with Diana to look at her husband, his best friend, and said best friend’s adoptive children.

“Yes?” Lois asked with sickly sweet smile.

“Where are Jon and Damian? I thought you said that Jon would be here soon, so where is he?”

“And Damian?” this time it was Dick Bruce looked at his eldest with a disappointed look for interrupting him.

Lois looked at them before shrugging her shoulders.

“I don’t know, I mean Damian just texted me saying he was on his way but I guess they might have made a stop somewhere in Smallville?”

The two families looked at each other before flying off to Smallville, there was no way their baby was going to lose his virginity to some asshole

(Both families failed to see that they were having similar thoughts)

Meanwhile Lois smirk as she send Talia a quick text

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Talia watched as Damian, Jon, Maya, Kathy, and the rest of the tiny heroes danced around having a good time, she felt her phone buzzing in her pocket.

Pulling it out she saw she recieved a message from Lois who let her know that their families are on a wild goose chase and won’t be back home until morning.

Talia laughed as her son’s plan to keep Bruce and Clark occupided worked. 

She looked up to see Damian and Jon kissing one another while everyone else was having fun and not paying attention to the couple since they knew their friends needed some peace.

Talia made a mental note to give Jon his present later, after all a private island where no one, not even Tim Drake himself would find would be the best thing he’ll ever get since he can use it to spend some time with Damian with no interruptions.

[the-desolated-quill]

The Tsuranga Conundrum - Doctor Who blog

(SPOILER WARNING: The following is an in-depth critical analysis. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, you may want to before reading this review)

Ugh. I suppose it had to happen eventually. After four great episodes on the trot, it was only a matter of time before Chris Chibnall ran out of steam and returned to his usual output.

Okay. That’s not fair. The Tsuranga Conundrum isn’t that bad. It’s not like Cyberwoman or his Silurian two parter. In fact had this come out during one of Moffat’s series, I probably would have considered this episode a highlight. But Series 11 so far has been a true return to form for the show, with episodes like The Woman Who Fell To Earth and Rosa featuring some amazing moments of characterisation as well as intelligent and quite often powerful writing. Somehow Chibnall has managed to defy expectations and demonstrated just what you can do with a show like Doctor Who if you were to actually put the time and effort in. It’s for that reason why I feel like The Tsuranga Conundrum is such a spectacular dud.

It’s funny how i mentioned Moffat’s tenure as showrunner because this honestly feels like an episode from that era just as The Power Of Three felt like a throwback to RTD. All the episodes so far this series have had slow deliberate pacing, giving the audience time to truly get to know the characters and the setting. In fact the characters are clearly the main focus this series with the plot and monster (if there even is a monster at all) being secondary. This I feel is what has made this series so strong. It’s what made even a weak episode like Arachnids In The UK have an emotional kick to it. The Tsuranga Conundrum on the other hand feels like the complete opposite of this. Everyone is dashing about, spouting exposition, with the characters becoming almost an afterthought. Obviously if you’re into this kind of plot driven, fast paced Who, then more power to you. It just feels really out of place after the previous four episodes.

What also affected my enjoyment were the character inconsistencies and general stupidity. I have had nothing but praise so far for Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor, but this... I don’t know what has happened, but this is not a good episode for the Doctor. For starters the episode opens with Team TARDIS on a junk planet and coming across a sonic mine, but instead of doing something sensible like running away, the Doctor just stands there like a twit waiting for the thing to detonate. Then when she regains consciousness four days later on the Tsuranga, she tries to hijack the ship so she can get back to the TARDIS. Yeah! Fuck the other patients! It’s not like their lives matter or anything! That has got to be one of the most unDoctorly things I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry, but the Doctor would never do something like that.

But wait! A UO breaches the shields and enters the ship. The Doctor’s doctor Astos, having just ordered her to return to her bed, demands she checks the much safer port side of the ship while he takes a look around the more dangerous starboard side. It was his tone and manner that really got to me. Can you imagine him saying that to a male Doctor? And do you know what the worst bit is? She actually does what he tells her to do. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Again, there’s no way the Doctor would do something like that. I don’t care what gender they are. The Doctor in any of their incarnations wouldn’t have submitted to someone else. They would have taken charge. And yeah, she eventually does once Astos gets killed, but that scene still irked me. When I first heard the words ‘Chris Chibnall is going to be writing the first female Doctor,’ this was the kind of thing I was afraid we would get.

I’ve got nothing against Jodie Whittaker of course. She’s still giving it her absolute all, but there’s just very little for her to work with here. Another scene that really stood out as weird was the scene where she asked Yasmin to pick a number to set the bomb timer to. Why?! That just seems like such a callous and inappropriate thing to do in that situation. Matt Smith’s Doctor I could buy doing that. That’s just the kind of dickish and plonkerish thing he would do, but Whittaker’s? It just feels like an excuse to do weird, kooky shit. And here I was hoping we’d left that behind with Peter Capaldi and the dreaded sonic sunglasses. Not to mention all the moments where the story stops dead in its tracks so that the Doctor can witter on at length about hope and anti-matter. Again, Jodie Whittaker does her best, but there’s a time and a place. It’s hard to marvel at an anti-matter drive when there’s a fucking alien eating the spaceship.

Let’s quickly discuss the Pting. I liked it. It’s a good design and a different kind of threat for Doctor Who. I’m impressed this series how Chibnall so far has managed to stay away from the usual ‘alien invaders wanting to take over the world’ schtick, finding different kinds of threats and motives for each episode. The Pting isn’t evil. It’s just hungry and looking for something to eat. That’s so innocent for a Who antagonist that’s almost charming. Unfortunately it’s undermined by yet more stupidity. The Doctor is alarmingly slow to catch on to the fact that the Pting isn’t interested in killing the crew. It just wants to eat the ship. I would have thought the computer describing it as ‘strictly non-carnivorous’ and seeing it scoffing down her sonic screwdriver would have been a bit of a giveaway, but there you go. She acts like this is a big revelation, but we knew this from the start, didn’t we? If the audience are further along than the Doctor, something has gone spectacularly wrong. And then Chibnall drops the clunker that the Pting feeds on energy. Wait... huh?! If it feeds on energy, why was it eating metal earlier? And if the Pting ate all the energy in Astos’ life pod, how did it explode?

Characters are another issue. Because the episode is zipping along at a hundred miles an hour, there’s barely any time to really get to know anyone. Lois Chimimba’s medic character I thought had potential, having to take charge of the ship after Astos’ death and maybe taking inspiration from the Doctor and following her example, but she’s too busy dealing with a comedy male pregnancy (that I didn’t much care for by the way. I didn’t think it was particularly funny and it just felt like Chibnall came up with it at the last minute to give Graham and Ryan something to do). You’ve got this famous general and her engineer brother who aren’t particularly interesting. There’s the usual sibling rivalry you’ve seen done millions of times before the eventual reconciliation where the two spout ‘I love yous’ over slushy music (this is the closest composer Segun Akinola has gotten to Murray Gold territory and I very much hope we don’t come any closer). Then the general pops her clogs due to Plot Contrivance Syndrome and the engineer ends up saving the day piloting the ship... which begs the question why didn’t he just pilot the ship in the first place if he knew how to do it? Makes the general’s death seem a bit silly really.

Whereas previous episodes managed to tug at the heartstrings with subtle, but effective moments of characterisation, The Tsuranga Conundrum goes the RTD route of bashing you over the head with gaudy sentimentality and melodrama. Nothing can be left to chance. Everything has to be spelt out so that even the idiots at the back of the class can understand the emotions on display. The Doctor’s speech about hope. Ryan talking about how his mum died and how his dad was never there for him. Ryan then using that experience to tell Yoss how to be a dad. The android giving the final eulogy about stars guiding you through bollocks (I’m paraphrasing obviously, but that was the gist of it). It all just feels incredibly forced and not in the least bit affecting. The one moment I think sparked a genuine emotion out of me was Graham and Ryan laughing about how Grace would react if she saw them delivering a baby on a spaceship.  That was a nice human moment that. I liked that.

It isn’t a bad episode. It’s certainly not the worst thing Chibnall has ever written. If I close my eyes and cover my ears during the stupid and annoying bits, I’d probably enjoy it. But compared to the previous four episodes, it’s hard not to see The Tsuranga Conundrum as a massive step backwards.

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

Fate Diverted - fic

Characters: Jon Kent, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Damian Wayne, bits of Dick and Bruce Summary: Robin died, but Jon didn’t know him anyway. A/N: A kind of what-if-ish au, on if Jon was in the continuity when Damian died, or something like. Whether Damian still has his powers upon resurrection is up to the reader. Jon is probably 8ish in this fic? (Also, small self-promo: I wrote an original short story and published it on Amazon, and if you like my fics, it’d mean the world if you checked it out too!)

~~

He came home, and found his mom crying.

“Mom?!” He asked, dropping his bag by the door. Lois jumped and looked up at him, and her tears seemed to fall faster. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Is…is Dad okay?”

As Jon neared her, she sniffed and held his face between both of her hands.

“Your father’s fine.” She whispered, trying to smile. “Just…ah, something’s happened. Something…something incredibly terrible, and he’s trying to help deal with it.”

“What happened?” Jon asked, holding her wrists. “Can I help him…?”

“Nothing…nothing you need to worry yourself with. Just. Something with an old family friend.” Lois still tried. She dropped her hands, and Jon reluctantly let her go. “Now, don’t worry about me. It was just some hard news to hear. Go on upstairs and get your homework started, okay?”

Jon watched his mother for a moment. Watched as Lois dabbed at her eyes and tried to regain some composure. Eventually he sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to get anything else out of her. He turned back to his bag, picked it up, and slowly made his way upstairs.

And he stayed there, even when he heard his father return. Silently crept to the top of the steps, and listened to his mother’s still-watery voice.

“How’s he doing?” She whispered.

“He’s…a wreck.” Clark returned. “I haven’t seen him this…bad since Jason. And even then, his grief made him shut down. This time, he’s…he’s angry and guilty and…’a mess’ doesn’t even seem to be the right word for it.”

“What about the others?”

“God, Lois…” Jon heard a sigh, and now his father sounded upset too. “Dick won’t leave the body. He won’t eat, he won’t sleep. He’s just standing there holding his hand. Any time Bruce or Alfred try to get him to do anything, he screams and fights them. If they can’t get him to do anything on his own soon, they’ll have to forcibly sedate him.”

“Oh, Jesus…”

“Tim…honestly, I had to keep checking to see if he was breathing. He just sat there, staring into space. Wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t look at me. I had Conner send him a text, and he wouldn’t even look at it. I don’t think he still has.” A pause. “And Bruce is going to burst. He won’t let himself grieve right now. He’s barely taking care of his other children, the ones who are there or the ones who aren’t. Cassandra and Jason didn’t return afterwards. Alfred and I couldn’t get a location on them, or anyone else in Bruce’s circle. And Bruce is just…running on rage. Going after the one who killed his son as opposed to mourning him.”

“Does he know who did it?” Lois asked. “I mean, this wasn’t Joker or anything like that, so…”

“It was Talia.” Clark breathed. Lois audibly gasped. “Damian’s mother.”

“I…no way.” Lois tried. “I know she’s a bad person, I’ve heard the stories, but. To kill her own son?!”

“I think that’s what makes this whole thing even worse.” Jon heard movement, and the plop of someone sitting down on their old sofa. “…The kid was almost cut in half, Lois. That’s how big the stab wound was.”

Jon heard his mother sit down next to his father.

“And…for a few seconds, I even questioned if the sword was the cause of death.” Clark’s voice was muffled, like his face was in his hands. “He had so many injuries. Arrows sticking out of his back. Bruises, cuts. The sword made it an instant death, but even without that, he could have died from the attacks he’d already suffered alone, if they didn’t get him to a hospital in time.”

Silence.

“Eleven. Bruce told me he was eleven years old, Lois.” Suddenly Clark sounded wrecked, and Jon wanted to run down the stairs and hold him. When his father let out a sob, Jon physically jumped at the sound. “Damian was only eleven years old.”

Jon didn’t want to hear anymore. He’d gotten the facts. Some kid his parents knew named Damian had died. Horribly, apparently, and at the hands of his own mother. And there was nothing he could do about it. Nothing Superman could do about it. Nothing he could do for Superman either.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and stood, quickly going back to his room and closing the door.

~~

They were on their way out of town, on a father-son trip, when, as they passed the Gotham limits, Clark suddenly turned the car, mumbling about making a quick stop.

Jon didn’t mind. He hadn’t been to Gotham many times, let alone such a huge, sprawling house. So he just hung on to his dad’s hand as they walked up the front stoop, and were led through the house, and past a secret clock door, by an elderly butler.

Batman was there, at a computer. His cowl was back, and it revealed a tired-looking older man. There were bags under his eyes and scars across his face. He barely turned when Clark, after telling Jon to stay back, approached him.

But Jon didn’t much care about his dad’s ‘work friends.’ Really, he was more interested in the cave around him. All the technology, and even the rocks themselves.

He was just looking around – but something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned towards a series of cases, some holding costumes, some empty.

There was a man sitting on the ground in front of one, leaning against it, his cheek smushed against the glass as he stared blankly inside. He was in a black and blue uniform – Nightwing, he recalled his father telling him.

Nightwing’s uniform was a wreck, exposing bruises and gashes all across his body. He didn’t seem to mind them, though. Seemed more focused on the bloody costume inside the case.

The uniform was small, and it took Jon longer than he’d have liked to admit to realize it was Robin’s. The kid who died a few weeks ago.

“He wouldn’t want you to be like this.” He heard his father gently telling Batman. “He wouldn’t want any of you to be like this.”

There were tears on Nightwing’s face. And by how puffy his eyes were, it looked like there’d been tears on his face for a while.

Jon took a step forward, but stopped immediately. Should he go comfort him? Would he be accepted? Nightwing didn’t know him, and he didn’t know this man. Didn’t know what he’d been through. A child had died, Jon knew that objectively, sure, but he wasn’t necessarily sad about it. He didn’t know the child either. So could he truly comfort a man who was still in mourning after losing his eleven-year-old brother?

It turned out – he didn’t have to. Clark was there instantly himself, crouching in front of the younger man, Batman basically abandoned, though probably by the Dark Knight’s order, not his father’s choice.

Silently he put a hand on Nightwing’s shoulder. Nightwing didn’t react at first, kept staring at that bloody uniform. After a few seconds, he only moved his eyes, to look up at Superman.

Clark smiled, and said something short. It’s okay, probably. Nightwing’s tears seemed to just fall faster, and he began to shake his head, keeping his cheek painfully tight against that glass.

But his father just kept that smile, even when it turned sad. Gently reached out and gathered Nightwing into his arms. Nightwing fell into his chest, clinging to his shirt, as sobs wracked his shoulders. Clark just held him, rubbing carefully at his injured back.

Jon glanced at Batman. He hadn’t turned away from his computer, but he did stop typing. Listening to his partner’s cries.

Jon just tilted his head and curiosity, and waited.

~~

“Dad?”

“Yeah, Jonno?”

Jon stared out the window at the receding manor. “I’m…confused.”

“About what?”

“Nightwing seemed more upset about losing Robin than Batman did.”

Clark paused for a moment. Remained silent until they got on the highway a few miles away.

“…Things aren’t always as they appear, son.” Clark said quietly. “Batman and Nightwing loved Robin equally. They just show their grief…differently.”

“…Oh.” Jon hummed, staring at the trees passing outside. “Robin was Batman’s son, right?”

“Yes.” Clark said. “However, there was a time when Robin lived with, and was raised by, Nightwing. And the two of them became incredibly close.”

“So…they were almost like father and son too?”

“You could look at it that way, I suppose.” Clark sighed. He went quiet again for a moment, like he was debating himself in his own mind. “…Robin died for Nightwing.”

“What?”

“Robin died protecting Nightwing.” Clark explained quietly. “Nightwing blames himself for their loss. So, even if they weren’t as close as they were, Nightwing would still have that extra guilt on his shoulders.”

“…Oh.” Jon repeated, but sadder this time. “Does Batman blame him?”

“Oh no, never. Batman blames himself too.” A bitter chuckle. “The Bats are all good at that particular skill. Blaming themselves.”

“…Would Robin blame either of them?”

“I didn’t know the boy well, but I don’t think so. He loved them too much to blame or accuse them much of anything.” Clark explained. Another long sigh. “You were supposed to meet him, you know.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. When your mother and I thought you were ready to meet folks in the hero community.” Clark mumbled. “I’d…hoped you two would have become friends.”

Jon didn’t know what to say to that. Me too? That’s cool? Sucks he died first?

So in the end, he said nothing. Just kept staring out the window.

~~

Jon had always been bullied. He was used to that. Goody two-shoes, dweeb, loser, brown-noser. He’d heard it all, it never much bothered him.

It did make him lonely, though.

Because, yeah he had friends. But his friends didn’t – and couldn’t, he didn’t blame them – always come to his aide. Normally, he had to deal with these on his own, and afterwards, his friends would hide in shame.

Not to mention, no one else knew what it was like, having Superman as their dad.

This wouldn’t happen if I was friends with Robin the Boy Wonder, he found himself thinking after a while, bitterly. Robin wouldn’t take any of this sitting down. Robin would know what it’s like, having a superhero as a dad.

That bitterness turned to downright anger after a while. Because it wasn’t fair. Jon didn’t have many friends. And one of his potential future ones got killed before they could meet. What’d Jon do to the universe to make it do that to him?

One day, after a particularly bad bout with the bullies, he returned home and glanced at the fridge. There were family pictures there, of various life events. One in particular, though, showed his parents with Bruce Wayne. All in fancy suits and smiling for a pose. Around them were Bruce’s children. His older sons on the edges, his daughter and youngest son in the front, cocooned by the three adults. He was smirking, hands in his pockets.

Damian, his name was.

“I hate you.” Jon decided, poking harshly at Damian’s face. He thought of Nightwing, sobbing at the uniform case, and poked Damian’s face again. “This is all your fault.”

Damian just kept smirking, even as Jon stomped out of the room.

~~

His powers started to develop. Lois went back to working full time at the Planet. Superman was needed more and more every day.

Jon felt more alone than ever.

~~

It was a call in the middle of the night. And with his super-hearing coming in at random times, the phone’s ringer was a surprise fire alarm inside his head, even though – he realized after near jumping out of his skin – it was in his parents’ room.

His hearing dropped out, but he could still hear his father’s voice. The creaking of his bed. His mother’s questioning voice, his father answering.

Suddenly, the whoosh of Superman flying from the house, just as Jon got to the hallway.

“Mom?” He could see her still lying in her bed, looking after where he husband had just disappeared from. She glanced at him. “What’s going on?”

“Call from Batman.” She said gently, then smiled a little bit. “There’s been an…update.”

“Update?” Jon asked. “On what?”

“Robin.” Her smile grew, like it did when she was proud of Jon. A ‘mom thing,’ Clark called it. “…He’s…he’s back.”

Jon didn’t say anything. Just slowly turned back into his room, ignoring the excitement swirling in his gut.

~~

When they got to the Batcave, Jon almost went in search himself, like he was Krypto on the hunt. Clark must have known that, because as soon as they settled on the platform, he put a strong hand on Jon’s shoulder and squeezed.

“Bruce?”

Batman was where he always seemed to be, at that computer. He perked at Clark’s voice, but didn’t turn.

And that was all the attention Jon gave him. Instantly let his gaze wander around the Batcave, bypassing the tools and technology. Looking for another sign of life.

There.

He was on what appeared to be practice mats, in training gear. Lanky, but bright-eyed, and clearly breathing. Clearly alive. He wasn’t practicing or training, though. Rather, he was playing with a cat. Dancing around with a ribbon toy, laughing as the cat jumped and twisted between his legs.

A dog and a cow were relaxing in a corner nearby.

He let the cat catch the toy, and plopped down on the mat beside it. The cat curled into his side, kicking at the string. Damian kept smiling, but closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh.

And Jon couldn’t contain himself.

He slipped out from underneath Clark’s hand, and went slowly walking towards the practice area. Damian didn’t stir, but Jon had a feeling he heard him anyway. After all, the cat and dog sure did. Their ears perked and they looked straight at him.

Still, he stopped when he reached the edge of the mat. Watched for a moment, then softly called: “Hello.”

Damian slowly opened his eyes and glanced over, face blank. The cat rolled onto its back, rubbing its nose at Damian’s chin.

“Hello.” Damian said coolly. “And you are?”

“Jon.” He offered. “Jon Ke-”

“Superman’s son.” Damian cut off, eyes glittering in interest. “Superboy.”

“Ha, not quite.” Jon laughed. “But you’re Robin.”

“When my father will allow me to be again.” Damian huffed, rolling to his side and sitting up. The cat meowed in loss. “Or perhaps a little sooner, if I so choose to.”

“Well.” Jon hummed, watching Damian stand, stretch, and then start towards him. Hesitantly, though, like he didn’t trust his visitor. But still trying to keep that cool façade. “I could ask my dad if you could patrol with him. I’ve been begging for him to take me out for ages.”

“Me, with the Supers?” Damian raised an eyebrow at him, eyes glancing down his body before frowning. Jon was taller than him, and he could see it bothered the older Bat. “My mother would be appalled.”

The mother who killed him, was the only thing Jon could think. And that made him angry, and selfishly so. Not so much because a mother killed her son, or that someone killed a child. But the woman killed his friend, before he could even be so.

Damian’s eyes suddenly shot past him. “…You’re not supposed to be over here talking to me.”

Jon glanced back. Both their fathers were watching them. Clark looking disappointed, and Bruce straight up glaring at him. Protective, Jon figured. He didn’t want anyone near his newly resurrected and returned son. No threats, no unknowns. Jon got that. He could respect that.

…To a point.

“I know.” Jon sighed, looking back. “I just…needed to.”

Damian looked back at him, eyebrow still quirked. “Needed to?”

“…Yeah.” Jon murmured embarrassingly. “…My dad said we were supposed to be meet. You know, before you died. He hoped we’d have been friends. I guess I kind of did too.”

“Did he?” Damian asked quietly. Thoughtful, more than surprised. “Interesting. I was…unaware of that.”

“Me too, until it was too late.” Jon pursed his lips. “I hate when they do that. Keep secrets and stuff?”

“I do as well.” Damian nodded with a smirk. The same smirk as that photo on Jon’s fridge. “Never pegged Superman to be that kind of man, though. I thought that was more of a thing my father did.”

“Well, they do hang out all the time. Maybe they rubbed off on each other.” Jon shrugged. “…Think we could hang out, like they do?”

“I don’t hang out.” Damian sniffed haughtily. “…But I wouldn’t be against patrolling with you and your father some time, if your offer was genuine.”

“Sure.” Jon grinned. “I’ll ask my mom.”

“Your mom.” Damian snorted, glancing back to where his cat was still on the mat. “…You own a farm, correct?”

“Yup.” Jon nodded. “My dad does most of the work, though.”

Damian hummed. “…Would you like to meet my cow, then? I rescued her from a slaughterhouse. Her name is Batcow, and she’s a better crime fighter than two of my brothers combined.” He glanced away awkwardly, looking almost sheepish for the first time since Jon’s ever known of his existence. “I mean, if you are supposed to meet me, then it’d only be correct for you to meet all of my associates as well.”

He turned away before Jon could answer, walking royally across the cave, but Jon didn’t care. Failed in hiding his sudden smile as he trailed after Damian.

“Unless you’d like to remain here by yourself and be bored to tears by our fathers, of course.”

After his friend.

“Nah, I’ll.” Jon jumped up even to him, and he caught another one of Damian’s smirks out of the corner of his eye. “I’ll stick with you, if that’s okay.”

(Even if Damian refused to admit that title for a few more years.)

[witchyfoxelf]

[movie review] injustice (2021)

i watched all the cutscenes from the video game in preparation for this, and my biggest problem with it was that even if lois died (and even if clark was responsible for it), i just can’t see him going off the deep end like this. but in the video game all of that happened in the past. the movie is all about him getting to that point, and that’s actually drastically worse because the whole time it’s happening i’m just not even slightly buying it.

you just can’t turn clark into a dictator without him being a completely different person. the things that make him him could only be changed by a drastically different nature or a drastically different nurture, and this movie doesn’t suggest either of these. it just completely uncritically buys in to joker’s “one bad day” theory from the killing joke, and there’s nothing else to it.

there are actually a few things i like about this. dick and damian’s relationship is great, and has a lot of carry over of what i liked about their relationship in some of the batman movies from the previous run. i especially loved dick calling damian “little brother.” i’m also honestly super impressed that that did strike a chord with me considering that nightwing’s ghost being called “deadwing” made me giggle inappropriately every time he appeared.

i also liked how everybody picking a side was handled in the movie quite a bit better than in the game. the people who fall in with superman are never wholly complicit with his bullshit, and the one who comes the closest to being is diana (and frankly she’s almost as out of character as clark at times), and even she is genuinely horrified when confronted with unmistakable evidence that he’s gone off the deep end. also catwoman doesn’t side with clark to keep an eye on him and try to protect bats or whatever the fuck was happening in the game to set up bats being all butthurt about it and refusing to forgive her. that was dumb.

speaking of selina, the bit where clark sent her to check on bruce after dick died was extremely good. and although i already talked about how much i appreciate this movie’s take on dick and damian’s relationship, i also really appreciate it making it obvious how fucking important dick is to bruce. seeing him literally crying over him was… a lot. and selina does such a good job of comforting him, telling him not to be batman, to just let himself be a mess just for one night. that was exceptionally good.

i was also impressed that the u.s. is portrayed fairly accurately in this, with them freaking out the second superman seems to be challenging their authority and saying the quiet part out loud when they say, “superman’s bringing down governments. fine when it’s in our interest, a mighty big problem when it’s not.” they also jump right to siccing the cops on superman’s father. so, yeah. some points there.

unfortunately there’s also some serious bullshit here given that the u.s. government isn’t literally the first one supes goes after when he decides to start unilaterally taking down governments. plus there’s some tone deaf “both sides”y shit about israel’s occupation of palestine, and a throwaway reference to north korea’s nuclear program being disarmed but no mention whatsoever of any other country’s nuclear program like, oh, i don’t know, just throwing one out at random, the fucking united states. i mean, it’s not like they’re the only country in the world that has engaged in acts of nuclear war and–wait, hold on, i’m getting new information… huh. well, hey, they probably don’t blatantly bully other countries using their nuclear arsenal as a cudgel to uh… what’s that? … all the time?

huh. well, that’s awkward.

and yeah, given that supes is obviously the bad guy here, none of that would be a huge issue except for the fact that the movie isn’t really shy about what it thinks is right and what it thinks is wrong, and it doesn’t seem to be terribly upset about either of these throwaway details? and for that matter, no one ever actually articulates a counterpoint to superman’s bullshit? no one ever says, hey clark, funny thing is, when you prevent people from using violence to resist, you allow the everyday violence that oppresses them to continue unabated just because it doesn’t bother you. no one says anything other than, basically “nuh-uh.”

okay, there is one pretty good scene where mister terrific kicks clark’s ass rhetorically while simultaneously kicking his ass at chess. but even that doesn’t actually articulate a positive ideology to contrast with supes’. it just boils down to a slippery slope argument.

but that still isn’t the biggest reason why i didn’t like this. it just circles back around to the fact that they never, at any point, sell me on superman doing any of this. i was just constantly mentally shaking my head and saying “nope.” you didn’t make it believable, guys. a switch doesn’t just go off in your head and make you a totally different person because something really bad happens to you. and the whole story just falls apart if you don’t believe that. c-rank

[hewhofightsbythesword]

my favorite family guy episodes that no one asked for

not ranked in any particular order than release date

s07ep07: ocean’s three and a half

- stewie sings this song by bryan adams and it’s fucking awesome lol like seth macfarlane is such a genius. his talent is so unhinged. i remember watching w my brother and us turning to one another and being like “his voice is actually good” which does not come off as an instant surprise but it’s nice to just remember now and then

s08ep17: brian & stewie

- i’m not in the family guy fandom, even though i prob should lol, but i can see this one being a big fan favorite. every so often i see edits of this episode on social media. brian and stewie have a heart-to-heart moment where they kinda say to each other “you know, if you died, i’d be sad” when suicide is mentioned. these are talks i’ve had w my own siblings. seeing something so dark but so relatable on screen was really cool. this episode is the kind where you laugh, you cry, and you relate. it’s perfect and ends that way too. brian picks up a sleeping stewie and takes them home after the vault door opens revealing a heaven-like light

s09ep01: and then there were fewer

- i actually hate murder house mysteries so much. like talk about overplayed, but i found myself enjoying this one. i always like it when james woods makes an appearance in episodes. the music was insane too. what i really like this episode, what makes it one of my favorite of all time is the ending. by the end, lois discovers who had been killing everyone off and because of this, the killer was going to off lois in order to keep their secret. stewie saves his mom w a long distance kill and delivers one of his best lines in my opinion. “if anyone’s gonna kill that bitch, it’s gonna be me.”

s16ep12: send in stewie, please

- i didn’t realize i had a things for how the writers at family guy end their episodes. it’s like the whole list. sorry not sorry. in this episode, stewie goes to therapy after pushing a kid down a flight of stairs. there’s so much to like about this one. there’s hamilton (i was so obsessed w hamilton), the funniest read ever. stewie goes on a rant on what his therapist’s life is like and it was so depressing, it was funny. like he was just making up shit based off a picture he found in the office. they conclude that stewie makes up a lot, including his british accent to hide from who he really is. the therapist hears stewie’s real accent but he later regrets it, fails to give the old therapist’s heart medicine resulting in his death. we saw a dark stewie we hadn’t seen in a while. he resulted to murder and claimed he was okay w his decision. as he’s laying in bed that night, he has a nightmare. brian comes in to check on him but stewie asks brian to stay the night. “i did something bad,” stewie confesses. half asleep, brian asks him if he wants to talk about it. stewie declines his offer and attempts to sleep it off. but he can’t. his eyes remain open in a slow-eating guilt for what he did that day. and maybe stewie isn’t as evil as he makes himself out to be.

s19ep15: customer of the week

my brother was excited to show me this episode. i have to admit, this one had to grow on me. once it did though, i ended up liking it more than i thought i would. when i watch family guy, i’m watching for peter and his shenanigans or for the messed up meg moments. like there’s so much i look forward to when i watch. lois isn’t a character i’m really there for. the more i pay attention to her though, the more i like. this episode did it for me. in attempt to make customer of the week after failed attempts, she decides to go the hero route. she concocted a plan where she would spread a bag of nuts in an employee’s car who has the allergy so she can swoop in, save the employee’s life, and be praised and eventually given customer of the week perks. not knowing how serious nut allergies are, i think she like kills the poor girl and lois is caught. she’s at home washing the dishes w a stoic look on her face. lights and sirens are heard and seen. lifelong friend and neighbor officer joe swanson is there to arrest her. and she does something i really liked. she kinda shakes her head a little while she still washes dishes. “i’m just washing the dishes, joe,” she tells him. and that really touched me in some way. poetic almost

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1217

Monday, June 18, 2018

 My brother-in-law George and I went fishing yesterday. Something interesting always happens when we are together. I time arriving at the lake at twilight so we're driving there when it's still dark. One year we saw lights in the bush off of the off ramp to Almonte and a young woman sitting on the barrier crying. We stopped to see if she was okay. She wasn't injured but was pretty shaken up. This was before everybody had a cell phone so George stayed with her while I drove all the way back to Stittsville to find a pay phone. I got the OPP and told them where the off ramp was. I drove back and we waited until an officer arrived and then we continued on our trip. George said she dumped a whole bottle of perfume on herself probably to hide the smell of booze. Please don't drink and drive. So yesterday we're cruising down the 417 with my cruise control set at 105 KPH and we pass an OPP cruiser. Next thing we knew he was behind us with his roof lights going. I pull over thinking I was going to hit with a speeding ticket and when he got up to us he asked why we were driving without the headlights on. Y'see, I had just bought a 2018 Honda CR-V and one of the features is that you can set the headlights on AUTO and the car will turn them on and off as needed. I thought that the switch was set to AUTO. What must have happened was that the last time I parked I automatically turned off the headlights and forgot I did that. The CR-V's dashboard lights up when you start it so I assumed that the outside lights were on too. The headlights were on because I could see that they lit up the road but the tail lights were off. It took several minutes for the officer to check my credentials but he accepted my lame excuse and wished us luck on our fishing trip. We did have a good outing too. We caught 23 fish between us.

 Strangers in Paradise XXV #4 - Terry Moore (story & art). I don't know what Katchoo is looking for in this back story but I am hooked.

 Weapon X #19 - Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (writers) Yildiray Cinar (art) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Sabretooth's in Charge conclusion. The cover of this issue should have a spoiler alert on it. Weapon X does not join S.I.C.K.L.E. here but maybe next issue as they try to help out their new friend Omega Red.

 Batman #48 - Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin (art) June Chung (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). The Best Man part 1. Tom and Mikel's version of the Joker is a very scary homicidal maniac. I get that Batman doesn't kill but seeing what the Joker did in the church, Batman actually being an eye witness to a murder, and Batman doesn't just snap his scrawny neck when he has a chance, I don't get that. Maybe the Cat will act differently when she joins the fray. I hope so.

 Death or Glory #2 - Rick Remender (writer) Bengal (art & colours) Rus Wooton (letters). I love the art but the gruesome story about human trafficking is hard to take. Glory is a relatable hero and her heart is in the right place. I hope she keeps it there.

 Man of Steel #3 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Ryan Sook (art) & Jason Fabok (art page 16) Wade von Grawbadger (inks pages 12 - 13, 15) Alex Sinclair (colours) Josh Reed (letters). The big bad guy Rogol Zaar has a hate on for Krypton and he does major damage physically and emotionally to Superman when he hits Earth. I notice that he looks like Jonah Hex's ugly brother. He's got an axe to grind and he's going to use Kal and Kara. The teaser mystery of what happened to Lois and Jon is what's keeping me reading.

 Hunt for Wolverine: The Adamantium Agenda #2 - Tom Taylor (writer) R. B. Silva (pencils) Adriano Di Benedetto (inks) Guru-eFX (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). Our heroes go undercover in a black market auction in a submarine. What can go wrong? They should have brought a bucket of Flex Seal.

 Doctor Strange #391 - Mark Waid (writer) Jesus Saiz (art & colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Sorcerer Supreme of the Galaxy part 1. It's a new number 1 with a new creative team and they are starting from scratch. Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts is powerless. He's lost all of his magic so he goes to Tony Stark for help. This leads to a space trip, hence the title of this story arc. I have a feeling we'll be hearing "I am Groot" soon. I actually like this new direction mostly because the writing is more mature and not in the "there's swearing" sense. The art is awesome too. I'm going to follow along to see if Doc Strange gets his mojo back.

 Plastic Man #1 - Gail Simone (writer) Adriana Melo (art) Kelly Fitzpatrick (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). This is great. The writing is stellar and the art is gorgeous. I wasn't a big fan of DC's super hero comic books when I started collecting but I loved their oddball books like The Inferior Five and Plastic Man. Plas is like a human ball of silly putty who can transform into any crazy shape. This updated version is wang. If they throw in Woozy Winks, it would be more wang. Deadpool fans would like this too.

 The Magic Order #1 - Mark Millar (writer) Olivier Coipel (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Peter Doherty (letters). Man, this is so good. Mark Millar introduces a dysfunctional family of magicians coping with the murder of one of their fellow magic wielders by another faction of magic wielders. It's good magicians versus evil magicians. I am so happy to see Olivier Coipel's art on the racks again. I recommend this to all you Harry Potter fans out there.

 Astonishing X-Men #12 - Charles Soule (writer) Gerardo Sandoval (art) Erick Arciniega (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). A Man Called X finale. What? The Shadow King isn't dead? Chuck is helplessly watching his precious X-Men fall into despair as the evil villain prepares to take over the world. I was disappointed that there wasn't a clever twist thrown in to defeat the bad guy, just Chuck rallying to save the day. The point of this story was to resurrect Charles Xavier as the man called X. A new creative team takes over starting next issue and I wish Matthew Rosenberg (writer) and Greg Land (artist) well. There's no one on this X-team that I'm a big fan of so I'm going to bench this one.

 Detective Comics #982 - Michael Moreci (writer) Sebastian Fiumara (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Clem Robins (letters). This is a spooky one shot story pitting Batman against the disenfranchised of Gotham City and their spiritual leader Deacon Blackfire. He's a ghost dontcha know. The whole issue feels like a fever dream

 Kick-Ass #5 - Mark Millar (writer) John Romita Jr. (pencils) Peter Steigerwald (digital inks & colours) John Workman (letters). This penultimate issue has another uh-oh moment for our hero. It really doesn't look like she's going to get out of her situation alive. We'll find out in next issue's conclusion, but I'm banking on more bad guys getting killed no matter what happens.

 Thor #707 - Jason Aaron (writer) continues his stalwart efforts chronicling the adventures of the mighty Thor. The Odinson is back as the star of this book and Marvel celebrates his return by giving this issue a number 1. I like using the legacy numbering though. There are two stories in this $5.99 US issue.

 "God of Thunder Reborn" with Mike del Mundo (art) Marco D'Alfonso (colour assists) and VC's Joe Sabino (letters) catches you up with all you need to know to follow along with what's going on after Jane Foster relinquished the mantle of the Mighty Thor. Jane even makes an appearance and I like how she has recovered. One thing I like about Jason's writing is that he smoothes out the thees and thous to make the Asgardian dialogue less archaic. The change in art from Russell Dauterman's fine line work to Mike del Mundo's painted style took some getting used to but I think he suits the manly change to this book. What's a Thor reboot without the god of Mischief? He's not the only god returning either.

 "The Grace of Thor" with Christian Ward (art) and Joe Sabino (letters) takes us far into the future in a Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy type story starring All-Father Thor and his three granddaughters. Something is amiss with the universe and Thor goes off to see what's what. There's a big surprise on the last page and it's going to be torture to wait for Thor #711 (#5) to find out what happens next. It's going to be a super big gulp of an issue, trust me.

 Batgirl vs. Riddler #1 - Tim Seeley (writer) Minkyu Jung (pencils) Jose Marzan Jr. (inks) Otto Schmidt (epilogue art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). Prelude to the Wedding part 3. I loved this classic Riddler story where he leaves riddles for Batgirl to solve in order to save lives. The epilogue doesn't lead into the next duel but does reveal another guest to the wedding.

 X-Men Red #5 - Tom Taylor (writer) Mahmud Asrar (art) Rain Beredo (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This issue did me in. the story is going along just fine with the red team righting wrongs and protecting fellow mutants. Even X-23 and Gabby appear, albeit briefly. Then Namor shows up in his cool new costume (I can imagine Cosplayer getting giddy) and Jean says something noble and then we cut to twenty years from now where major characters are dead. So did the red team efforts fail? The last page by Ed Brisson (writer) Oscar Bazaldua (art) Erick Arciniega (colours) and VC's Cory Petit (letters) is the "Countdown to Extinction" teaser, which sounds like another big threat that will eliminate all mutants. It wasn't that long ago that the Terrigen mists almost wiped out mutantkind. I was talking to Rob McLennan recently about the X-books and why we haven't been wowed by them. We are both long time fans and my opinion is that none of the current writers know what else to do with these characters given the "world that fears and hates them" theme of the X-Men. I love these heroes but the team dynamic isn't doing it for me anymore. Plus Nightcrawler has a goatee now. This X-team is eliminated off my "to read" list.

 Marvel 2 in One Annual #1 - Chip Zdarsky (writer) Declan Shelvey (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Letterer not credited. They used the extra long $4.99 US annual format to tell a fuller story featuring Victor Von Doom, the Infamous Iron Man, helping out Ben and Johnny. Victor knows the truth about their missing family and friends and is trying to find out why Ben is hiding it from Johnny. I really like how Chip is keeping the changes that Brian Michael Bendis made to Doctor Doom. He's still super arrogant and self confident but he has some compassion now. I thought the flashback scene with Reed and Victor at the end of Secret War was very enlightening.

 Domino #3 - Gail Simone (writer) David Baldeon with Anthony Piper (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Domino decides she needs help to deal with her nemesis Topaz. The guy she goes to is one of my all time favourite Marvel heroes. No, it's not Spider-Man. He might call her Grasshopper.

[theoddcatlady]

The Legion Studies, Part Six

TW: Mentions of pedophilia, sexual assault. 

December 2, 198X

I never found out the truth about Brandon, if he really did murder his mother to be with a male lover without her judgment. But he didn’t end up leaving the next morning.

The blizzard was so white I couldn’t see anything out of the hanger. If I didn’t know better I’d say nothing existed outside of the lab.

The power outages were terrible now, almost happening hourly and lasting up to fifteen minutes at times. But my interviews were the B-2 group were placed on hold as everyone’s attention was on Chloe.

Whether Chloe’s accusation was remotely accurate, I had no way of telling, but Dr. Lewis was unnaturally thrilled. Every psychologist was present when Chloe’s first interview was conducted.  

December 5, 198X

“Hello… Chloe? Is that you?”

Gone was the sweet if not shy little girl. Father Carter sat across from her, smiling kindly while clutching his Bible close to his chest.

Chloe’s blank eyes darted around the room, a few times landing on the one way glass that allowed me and the others to observe. Several sticky pads were stuck to her head while Lois monitored her brain activity. Her eyes felt like they burned into mine before she turned back to Father Carter.

“Fuck off.”

Lois made quite the face at the vulgar language coming from such a petite child.

“Go back to screwing little boys at your parish. I’m not speaking to you.” Chloe crossed her arms and scowled.

I felt my stomach twist, but I continued to write. Something was clearly wrong. Chloe’s very body language had changed, even the inflection on her words was different.

Father Carter wiped some sweat off his forehead before he smiled again. “Chloe? Is someone else in there with you? Are we talking to them?”

Chloe cocked her head to the side and hummed for a bit before shrugging. “Possibly, you rat faced prick. It’s not Emmet, before you ask,” She said.

Hugo walked inside the room. “I miss anything?” He asked. I shushed him and continued writing.

Chloe twirled one of the wires leading up to her head as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Why are you here, Carter? We both know you’re not exactly a lover of the bible.” She eyed it for a moment before laughing. “You don’t even believe. How do you expect it to protect you if you don’t put faith in its ability to defend you? That isn’t how it works.”

Father Carter laughed. I saw his knuckles go white as they clutched tighter on the Bible. “I can assure you, devil, I believe in the Lord, he is our Savior and he will protect me from your wickedness. I will make you leave Chloe be-“

Chloe started to laugh, completely caught up in hysterics. The monitor hooked up to her started to go nuts, Lois’ eyes went wide as they could go. “Please, go ahead, try! I could use the amusement! It will fail. Like everything you do, you will fail. Now go entertain yourself with my little brothers, I’m sure they’ve learned not to cry by now.”

I heard a snap and turned to see Dr. Lewis. His grip had actually broken the pencil he was holding in two. His face was beet red and before I could ask if he was all right he stood and knocked sharply on the window. Father Carter jumped like he heard a gunshot. Chloe perked up and waved.

“Hi daddy!”

I filed out last of the room to hear the sound of a fist meeting flesh. Dr. Lewis had punched Carter in the stomach, hard enough that the priest was half bent over. Another punch and I heard the crack of Carter’s nose breaking, the priest turning into a blubbering mess. “P… please! Herb! The devil lies! His tongue is that of deceit-“

“I have heard enough of your lying, Father Carter!” Dr. Lewis shoved the other man over, his eyes blazing. “I have half the mind to toss you out into this blizzard, right now, let you try to walk back to town!”

Father Carter began to wail before Hugo stepped in, putting himself in the most dangerous part of the room. Between a father and a man who was accused of molesting his children. “As much as I’d love to see Carter get his desserts, Dr. Lewis, we can lock him up with the B-2 group. I’ll talk to Chloe, finish the interview. All right? I’ll talk to Scotty too, see if we can get his side of the story.”

Breathing harshly through his nose, Dr. Lewis finally nodded coldly. “Get your things from your quarters, Father Carter. You have ten minutes. You’ll be placed in Rex’s old cell. Is that clear?” He said.

Father Carter bobbed his head up and down, willing to take imprisonment over freezing to death. Shaking, with a faint scent of urine clinging to him, the priest took off down the hall.

Ten minutes turned into twenty. Thirty. An hour.

Father Carter had vanished, and so did little Scotty.

Somehow they had disappeared into thin air.

December 6, 198X

Dr. Lewis was distraught. His son and his molester had disappeared without a trace. I’d been plagued with nightmares the few hours I slept, but I still searched. The security footage at the trapdoor showed that he did not leave. A small comfort.

Not to mention things were starting to get worse.

Dr. Leon stumbled into my room with a face covered in blood and groaning in pain. I nearly screamed until he managed to say, “Fucking lunatics! Get me an icepack, for the love of god!”  

The wound wasn’t as bad as initially thought, head injuries just tend to bleed like nothing else. I managed to clean him up while asking him what happened.

After he’d swallowed three high strength painkillers, he began to talk.

“None of the patients would talk to me today. Anastasia claims she speaks for all of them. Not even Kaitlyn’s come from her room. Anastasia’s apparently been talking to ‘their’ doctor and therefore I’m no longer needed. Needed, I’m the only one who sees them, I have no idea what the hell she’s talking about, and I tell her that. Then she pitches a glass at my head and starts screaming about rape and murder and I just get the hell out of there while security sedated her. God, my head… I think she was drinking piss or something, and that sure as hell wasn’t lemonade.”

I could smell it on his clothes. It was absolutely urine. “I’ll throw your clothes in with mine to wash,” I offered moments before the lights went out again.

Dr. Leon swore again and I heard him uncap his flask to take a very deep swig.

“You know, it’s probably not a good idea to wash down pain meds with whiskey,” I offered.

Dr. Leon snorted and didn’t respond.

The lights didn’t come on for a whole hour this time, Dr. Leon fumbling his way out of the room only with the assistance of the security lights in the hallway. I sat alone in my room, wondering if Dr. Lewis had managed to make contact with the outside world, to bring people here to help search for Scotty.

Hugo came in my room around ten PM, the lights were back on but I had only turned on the lamp by my bed. He sat beside me as I stared at the ceiling. For several minutes, we didn’t talk. I just took my time examining him. Possibly for the first time, I recognized how young he was. He’d likely still get carded for drinking if he didn’t wear all the Goth get up.

“Hey, Dr. Barbara?”

I finally sat up, rubbing the cross around my neck. “You can just call me Barbara, Hugo,” I said.

Hugo quietly chucked, and I studied that gap where a tooth used to be. “Barbara. I love that name, you know. I might write a song about it someday. Listen, Barbara… can I stay in here tonight? I… I don’t feel safe. Alone. I feel like I’m watched.” His eyes flicked over to me. “Please? I’ll stay on the floor if I have to.”

I didn’t say anything, I just scooted over and patted the spot beside me. Hugo grinned before he crawled in next to me, close enough that I could make out brown speckles in his otherwise blue eyes. I could smell the sharp notes of a bittersweet cologne on his neck.

“Thanks… Barbara.”

December 7, 198X

Hugo thankfully doesn’t snore. Although seeing him without all of the makeup was a bit jarring at first, I didn’t expect him to have such a baby face underneath all of that.

“Hugo, how old are you?” I asked after he stepped out of my bathroom.

He finished drying his hair and turned a bit my direction. “Just turned twenty four. Why? Making sure I’m legal?” He teased.

And back to the normal Hugo. I snorted as I buttoned up my coat. “You’re very funny. Breakfast sound good?”

“Ah, the glorious stale bagels and mushy eggs, what a glorious feast!”  

Hugo pumped both fists into the air before sprinting out the door, into the hall… and then slipping in an enormous puddle of blood.

The scent hit me before the sight, the wet, metallic smell making me gag. My eyes started watering. I stepped out expecting to see another dead body.

The hallway was drenched, the walls, the floor, the ceiling, all oozing and dripping. I covered my mouth with my shirt collar. I felt the tacky blood stick to my shoes. Hugo sat very still in the middle of it all, his mouth in a perfect ‘o’. He lifted up one of his hands to his face, examining the red, before he puked violently onto the floor.

I followed suit shortly after but at least managed to run back into my room to use the trash can.

Cleaning this mess seemed impossible, but what was more disturbing was trying to find the source. I was placed on that duty with Hugo, who looked like he regretted every moment of his life up until then. We didn’t talk. We just followed the trail of blood, which turned from dragging footsteps to streaks like they’d fallen and began to crawl.

We found Ollie kneeling next to one of the bathrooms. Almost like he was praying while trying to push his intestines back into his body. Whoever had killed him had slit his belly wide open. Hugo groaned and covered his mouth. “Hated the bastard. Didn’t want him dead though.”

There were no tears, but there were pity. I shook my head. “Neither did I. I really hope he’s the only victim.” Could so much blood could come from a single person?

I had almost stood back up when I saw something twitch among Ollie’s spilled guts. I frowned before I knelt back down, using one of the pens in my pocket to to push aside one of the intestines.

The tube of flesh burst at that moment, and out came a very large, bloodsoaked rat. Followed by another. And another.

My scream was so loud I alerted security.

[disregardcanon]

in honor of my sapphic marathon, here is the “ Iris West becomes a legend, has a fling with Sara Lance, and saves herself and Barry from Savitar” fic that i abandoned forever ago. 

i’ve been talking about this fic i never finished for a month (because it’s literally been a month since i wrote most of this thing). i was really mad at barry in between the episode where they Broke up and the musical episode, and i always deal with that by shipping the character’s love interest with someone else to spite them. 

it evolved into more of a temporary deal than the hard and fast “iris joins the legends FOREVER” that it was when i started, but i just lost so much momentum after the musical episode fixed everything that i couldn’t fix this up to be ao3 material. hope that you guys enjoy it here. 

implied atomwave because reasons 

"You want to join us?" "Temporarily," Iris says, "I just need a break." "We ain't a cruise service," Mick says. "What Mr. Rory means to say is that what we do is dangerous," Rip says. "We can’t just pick up tourists, Miss West”  "I'm going to die in two months at home," Iris says, "I'm not looking for a luxury vacation, I just want a break." 

“A break?” Rip says, “I’m not sure that this is the place for you.” 

"I want to make a difference somewhere," Iris says, "and if I can figure out how to save myself." She shrugs. Sara nods. She likes what Iris is saying. "Alright Iris," Sara says, "welcome to the Legends." "Get out of my way, dimples," Mick fucking Rory tells her. "Aw, he gave you a nickname already," Ray says, "that means he likes you." "Do not," Mick says. "Uh huh." "I don't like any of ya." "None of us, huh,” which almost sounds like Ray’s prompting a response. Mick rolls his eyes at that.  "You know I like you." Then he pauses, and looks thoughtful for a second.  "Sometimes," Mick says as he walks out of the room. "He likes you," Ray promises, "I'm his partner, I know these things." then he follows Mick out of the room. Iris sends Jax a confused look. "Wait, are those two-" "No one knows what those two are," Jax says, "we stopped asking months ago." That explains absolutely nothing. "Do you have any self defense experience?" "'Not much. I wanted to be a cop when I was younger," Iris says, "but my dad talked me out of it. I don't know how to defend myself, to be honest." "I mean, I'm pretty good with a gun, but without a weapon I'm useless." So Sara Lance teaches Iris self defense. Sara wishes that she'd met Iris earlier in life, when she was less fucked up and Iris was less tied down. She thinks that she could have loved her, before the League. Before Nyssa and dying and whatever the hell she felt for Snart. Iris is exactly the sort of girl she'd have fallen for back then. Iris fits right in with the legends. She takes her journalistic skills into the field and helps solve crimes with her deduction and interpersonal skills, and she writes accounts of all of their trips and gets interviews with people, normal civilians and people of historical significance. She and Nate have a blast working on the historical archives and updating them and figuring out which bits are wrong or right. "It's just frustrating, you know? I know he's just trying to protect me, but I'm not just a damsel in distress. This was bullshit back when Spider-Man did it." Sara cracks a smile. "It never works. The bad guy doesn't forget that person's important to them, and it just makes everyone unhappy." "I know," Iris says, "that's what I keep telling myself." Then her look darkens a bit. "What is it?" "It's nothing," she says in a voice that lets Sara knows it's definitely not nothing. "Iris." "It's just," Iris says, her voice losing confidence, taking on a weird half joking half nervous tons, "I just, I've been thinking that he doesn't even love me anymore." "Iris-" And one thing leads to another and they're in bed, and Iris is freaking out because does it count as cheating if you're broken up and you’re pretty sure you’ll get back together but you don’t KNOW and Sara's like we can stop if you want, we don't have to keep going but Iris kisses her and then the world falls into place. Sara eventually looks into Iris's future. She knows that Iris is avoiding it, and that she thinks she can find a solution if she avoids it long enough. Sara runs through every scenario, and they all end the same. In every version of reality, she dies. Iris West dies, and then the Flash rushes into a hapless, rage-blind fight with Savitar. He dies too, and Kid Flash takes up his mantle. Iris walks in on Sara replaying it. "Oh my god," Iris whispers.   "Iris," Sara says gently. "Is that the future, right now?" Iris asks. Sara nods her head. "What if I change something?" Iris asks, "what if I came back in October or something?" "It's the same in every version, Iris, no matter what you do. No matter when you come back." "Every version?" Iris asks, voice hollow. "Yes," Sara says, "every version." "What if I never went back?" Iris suggests, frantically. "We both know you don't want that." Iris has carved herself a place with the legends, but she doesn't need it. She has family and friends and a fiancé to get back to, and that's not even mentioning her career. The rest of the legends have little to nothing to come back to, but Iris left a full life behind her. Sara won't let her give it up, no matter how much they all want her to stay. "We'll figure out something, I promise," Sara tells her. "The spear of destiny," Iris says, "do you think it could rewrite my fate?" "I don't know if that's a good idea," Sara says. "Do you have a better one?" And no, Sara doesn't. "No!" Thawne shouts, but Iris grasps the spear tighter, and feels herself floating off the ground. She opens her eyes, and sees the shocked faces of her friends. Eobard Thawne looks up at her in awed horror. "Eobard Thawne," she says, her voice taking on an echoing, other-worldly quality. "Iris West," he says, his voice cracking, "please, save me." "Why shouldn't I erase you where you stand?" "Please," he begs, "I can tell you about you and Barry's original timeline, your children, your career. I can help you defeat Savitar." Iris laughs. Like she needs Thawne's help to defeat Savitar, when she holds the power to rewrite reality in her hands. "You killed Barry's mom to spite him," Iris growls, "I should erase you and all of the damage you've done." "Iris," Rip says, "you have no idea the effects that could have on the time stream." "Remember the effects of Flashpoint," Stein says, "you felt those effects for months. Imagine what this would do." Iris can imagine what it would do, though. It would make the world a better place. God, she just wants to do it.  "Iris," Sara says, "I know what it's like to take a life, to take too many lives. It sits with you. You don't want that weighing on you." Iris can feel the truth in their words, and knows that she can't erase Thawne from the time stream. "Please," Thawne says, "I'll do anything just- just save me, Iris." She's not going to erase him. That doesn't mean she has to save him. Iris holds the spear of destiny in her grubby little fingers, and rewrites history. "I'm alive," he says, full of shock. "You are," Iris says. "But I don't feel solid," he says, "I don't- I don't-" Then he spots the time wraith approaching from his left. His eyes widen. "You didn't save me," he says, and he wraps his hands around her throat. "Savitar's not around to kill you anymore," he says, squeezing a little harder, "guess I'll have to finish the job for him." She chokes, and she hears the rest of her Team scrambling for their weapons. "Drop dimples or I'll light you up-" Thawne rolls his eyes. "If you try to light me up, Rory, you'll just get her. I'll be gone in a Flash." "Speaking of Flashes, who should I kill next, Miss West, your brother or your ex?" She sputters, and he laughs. "Guess it doesn't matter, you'll be dead either way." She sees a flicker behind him, something ghostly, and she feels something bubble in her throat. "You brought this on yourself," he says, and the time wraith descends upon him. He drops her harshly to the ground, and he screams as he tries to run. But the time wraith digs it's claws into him and drags him into the void. "What just happened?" Jax asks. "Looks like dimples saved the day," Mick says, which is apparently an explanation. Sara holds out a hand and helps Iris up, letting her lean on her for support. "Yeah," she says, "she did." Iris almost doesn't want to leave. "You sure you wanna leave, dimples? Sure the Captain can treat ya better than the Flash." "Don't pressure her," Ray says, "she'll come back if she wants to." "I'll miss you too," she says, rolling her eyes. "The archives will miss you," Nate says. Amaya rolls her eyes. "He means he'll miss you. I will too." "You're the Captain, Sara," Amaya says, "it's different." "You know you'll always have a place with us, right?" Sara asks. Iris nods. She knows it, and she feels so much better knowing that. 

"I won't apologize for sleeping with someone else while you were Lois Lane zoning me," she tells him. "I won't ask you to," he promises. "How do you do it?" Iris asks him. Barry sends her a confused look.  "Live with the power to change history, and never do it?" "Well,” Barry says, and Iris rolls her eyes as she remembers Flashpoint. 

"You just changed it once," she amends. "I only had the spear for a minute and I almost rewrote everything," she admits into his back, "and if I had it constantly, I don't know if I could help myself." 

"Hey," he says, "you are the best person I know. You did the right thing, even though you didn’t want to. You probably wouldn’t have changed things the one time.” Iris doesn’t know if that’s true, but she decides to let the matter lie. It’s easier that way.  "I am pretty great," she says, "the legends all said so."

[victoriousscarf]

for the meme: Jason Todd and Slade Wilson

Jason: First impression

Okay I’m reaching back to 2008 for this but I’m pretty sure the first time I ran into Jason was Hush because I read Hush really early. I remember it being my introduction to a lot of characters (including Dick as Nightwing) which is both great because it covers like Batman’s entire rouge gallery and crew but is also awful because it covers everyone and that gets confusing fast hah.

So my introduction to him was Bruce’s overwhelming guilt and rage over his death. That’s a pretty strong impression. I also know I read Under the Red Hood fairly early and liked it enough to get the animated movie the instant it came out. But I don’t remember really LOVING Jason at that stage. Like I liked him but he wasn’t someone I was so into. I’m pretty sure the first time I ever wrote him was Find the Sun. I had Dick and Tim in the first story I ever wrote but I’m pretty sure Jason wasn’t in it.

Impression now

God I can not with this compassionate broken and angry child. He’s brash yet kind, too messed up by his own tenderness and driven to extremes by his anger. Someone hug this boy.Favorite moment

Damn I don’t know. I mean the end of Under the Red Hood when Bludhaven is nuked and he fights Bruce anyway creates this really interesting triangle between Bruce Jason and Dick and tho Dick isn’t there he’s still so much a presence of the screen, the favored son vs the one who messed up and died and Bruce’s panic while finally facing this ghost. I don’t know if I can say it’s my favorite but it fucks me up to this day. I also like him fucking with Black Mask that always gives me a kick. And I really love him first meeting Dick back as Robin (the post zero hour one, not Nightwing Year One).Idea for a storyI’m sure variations have been done but I’d love more about him dealing with the Lazarus pit and how that continues to effect him. Unpopular opinionI really don’t like new 52? Like I’m all for Jason having actual friends and there’s some good in Red Hood and the Outlaws but like that’s never where i go first. Like Roy and Kor almost always are Dicks friends first. I wish Jason had been allowed to keep growing in the pre 52 with maybe some more links to Donna and Kyle and building a life post all the things he had done instead of scrapping the slate back and making him WAY less angry or brutal. Like, I’m glad new 52 reframes his compassion but I really like his compassion held in tenuous balance with his rage. (I feel starved for truly angry characters okay that aren’t just assholes). Pre 52 had some major issues with him too but tbh I’m more in Under the Red Hood territory than Red Hood and the Outlaws. Favorite relationshipYou gonna make me say it??? Really? Okay fine I’m totally into him and Dick. And I don’t just mean I really like making them kiss: I am so fascinated by the possibilities of their relationship in canon: favored son vs second son, and how Jason’s idolization of Dick turns to rage contrasted with Dicks behavior toward Jason starting as Robin, changing to his guilt and missing Jason so much turning to complete disregard for Jason when he comes back which directly contradicts Dicks entire reaction the whole time Jason was dead. Dreaming about him, getting into fights with Bruce, and perhaps most importantly beating the Joker to death with a crowbar when he mocks him about not remembering Jason’s name. (Sure it got fixed almost instantly but like mocking Jason’s death drove Dick, guilt complex almost fell apart when he let someone else kill Blockbuster Dick, to actually /kill the Joker/ which makes him the only member of the batfam who actually avenged his murder at any point??? Does Jason even /know/?) Add on legacy issues (when Dick disappears for a year Jason takes up the Nightwing suit too) and like yeah I’m fucking here man. I mean I love Bruce and Jason and the pain between them, and Jason and Tim starting with rage and moving to actually being friends but like the miasma of whatever the fuck is between Dick and Jason keeps dragging me back. (Come home brother is the only page I want to keep from Battle for the Cowl)

Favorite headcanon

Jason is acting president of all Robin’s have a crush on Dick Grayson club. They’re still trying to figure out where Duke lands but Steph is a member, tho she got the least of it since her stint as Robin covered Dicks mental breakdown era.

Slade:First impression

Damn I don’t remember. I’m fairly certain I ran into him in the teen Titans before anywhere else and he’s always interested me but I can’t quite remember which issue I found him in first. I know I spent a lot of time tracking down Judas Contract since it was out of print at the time and I have like a really early printing tpb from the 80s as a result. And even more time finding the issue where he just strolls into Dicks apartment to tell him he’s in Bludhaven because that issue never was collected in trade, so I was checking every comic store I could find and their back issues.

Impression now

I’m really disappointed he’s become more of a generic villain in a lot of DCs media. Like I loved him under Wolfram, when he was a Merc with an honor code and snarky outlook who was as likely to tutor the Titans as attack them. He almost became an ally a few times. And like I haven’t dug into his post new 52 comics that much but he just seems so bland and like oh ho ho he’s such a badass and that’s all that matters!!! So like I’m still attached to the character I just haven’t paid much attention to his recent canon.

Favorite moment

Hmmm… I mean I really like the time he allies with the Titans and the old squad was just side eying him the whole time while the newcomers where sorta more like eh? Is he so bad? And then Dick rode a goddamn nuke because why not.

But honestly it’s probably him and Dick standing outside the abondoned Titans tower, fighting over their guilt over Joeys death. It’s showcases both of their emotional pain, Dicks temper, and Slade’s strange capacity for compassion.

Idea for a story

Can I have another 80 stories set in Flashpoint with him as a pirate???

Honestly I’d be really here for an actual nuanced story exploring his relationship with his kids. Too often it gets reduced to hate or them being too much like their father and that’s not what I want.

Or! Considering I have no idea what the fuck is happening with DC right now but I just read that Superman and Lois from pre and post new 52 just got combined and have memories from both universes combined Slade dealing with his kids and Dick and sure throw Ollie in here too. The fact he’s both not met Grayson and has spend years intimately knowing Dick and the workings of his mind would be a trip and could be fun, plus his more complicated relationship with Joey and Rose pre new 52. Also Ollie would have a shit of a time figuring out his two lives (as he’s a set of characters that changed by far the most with the new 52) and why not throw Slade at him again too for old times sake? (Hey asshole remember when I crashed your wedding? I’m not even–actually yeah yeah I do you ASSHOLE)

Unpopular opinion

I have no idea??? I honestly don’t know what’s popular and what isn’t with him. So far no one’s bitched at me with anything to do with Slade.

Favorite relationship

While I’m totally here for the respectful turned to hateful rivalry between Slade and Dick (and honestly that’s another relationship that’s been stripped from Dick that drives me MAD) my favorite is actually Slade’s relationship with his kids. He’s distant, moves on a scale as simply a neglectful and not great dad to full on abusive and using his kids for his own ends (like for sure sticking kryptonite in Roses eye is a great idea!!!! But that was also at the height of Slade loosing his morals and mind). But as much as he wasn’t there for Grant, it was Grant’s foolish death and Slade’s pride that sent him on a collision course with the Titans. His guilt over Joey, first with his muteness and later for killing his own son, the fact that as terrible as he was to Rose he wants the person he respects possibly the most (Dick) to take care of his kids, especially her. The fact that when he looks at Rose the emotion the black lanterns see is love. The fact his entire plot in Flashpoint was his quest to save his daughter as the world goes pear shaped into apocalypse. Slade loves his kids he’s just a terrible fucking father and I love it.

Favorite headcanon

He still respects Dick despite everything they’ve done to each other.

[batfam-imagines]

Stray -  Part 4

FINALLY!!

Previous: Part 3

———————————————————————————–

Having Jason back is one of the best feelings in the world. Helping him completely terrorize the rest of the Batfamily is even better. However, when he seriously injures Tim, the newest Robin, you scream at him until he agrees to no longer hurt his brothers.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to really hurt him! I was just so mad!”

“I know, Jay! I know you’re angry at everyone right now, but he’s just a kid! You’ll be just as bad as the Joker if you kill him!”

Jason growls, raking his fingers though his hair, “I’m sorry! I-I think I need to apologize; I think … I think I should head to the cave and apologize to the kid”

“You do that, and while you’re at it I want you to talk to Bruce. You two have a lot of shit to work out. It’s been fun annoying them and taking over the city with you, but this family feud needs to stop”

Jason flopped onto your couch, “Tomorrow”

“Fine, tomorrow, but you are going to do it. No excuses”

“if I’m going to talk to Bruce, than you have to talk to Dick. You haven’t talked to him in almost 3 months, ever since you got out of the hospital”

“Dick made it clear where he stood, I don’t see a reason for us to talk”

Jason rolls over, peaking at you from under his arm, “You know that’s not true. He’s tried to talk ot you almost every night, but you actively avoid him. So tomorrow when I go to the Manor, you are gonna come with me”

“What?! No!”

Jason just shrugged, flopping back fully on the couch, “Fine. If you don’t go than neither will I”

You growl, shoving Jason off the couch and taking his place, “Fine, I’ll go with you, but if Dick isn’t there then that’s it”

Jason nodded, “I can live with that”

He gets up and heads to his room, “Don’t forget to take your meds!” you shout

“I know!”

Jason had been seeing the psychiatrist. They had put him on low dose anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and had been teaching him techniques to manage him anger. So far everything was working.

--

Standing in front of the Manor is a lot more intimidating than you expected it to be. Of course you had been to the Manor, you had helped train Tim, had been Jason’s sister, and Dick’s friend. But for some reason, right now, it was a hell of a lot more menacing than all of those other times.

“Welcome, Master Jason. Welcome Miss Y/N. This is a pleasant surprise, Master Bruce is upstairs with Master Tim and Master Dick.”

Jason glances at you with a smirk, “Dick’s here, Y/N. It looks like you’ll have to talk to him”

“And Bruce is here, Jason, so you’ll actually have a conversation with him. You took your meds this morning right?”

“Yes, and I brought some extras, just in case I freak out”

You nod, relieved that Jason had remembered the extras, “Good. Let’s head upstairs, might as well get these conversations over with. And remember to apologize to Tim”

--

You can see Tim flinch as soon as he sees Jason, and you know that Jason see’s it too. You can see the hurt in his grey eyes, “Tim, listen, I’m really sorry for shooting you” Jason sighed, “I hadn’t taken my meds that day, and I just got so angry when I saw you out there. I’m sorry that I almost killed you, I would … I would like to get to know you when you get better”

Tim still looks wary for Jason, but he nods at Jason’s offer, “As long as you promise not to hurt me anymore, I-I would enjoy hanging out with you”

Jason nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, then he turns to Bruce, “I need to talk to you, B. Just the two of us, I-I think there are a few things that we need to talk about”

Bruce stands up and gestures for Jason o follow him. You really hope that they can work out some of their issues, not you just had to complete your task.

“Dick …?”

“Hey, Y/N. It’s nice to see you. I’ve been trying to talk to you since the hospital, but …”

“Yeah, can we take this to another room?”

Dick nods, and quickly makes his way into an adjoining room, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you, I was just so angry after the hospital conversation that I just couldn’t stand to talk to you”

“I broke up with Babs, almost 2 and a half months ago. I just couldn’t stay with her when I realized that I wanted someone else.”

“You’re dating someone new?”

“No, not yet. I haven’t had the chance to talk to her” Dick glances down, his foot scuffing the carpet.

You force a smile on your face, “Who’s the lucky girl?”

“Well it really depends …”

“On what, Dick? Why are you acting so strange? Are you alright?”

“Oh, I fine! I just really missed talking to you, and …” Dick swallows, loudly, shifting from foot to foot, “I need to tell you something, and I need you to not interrupt until I’m completely done”

“You have my word. I won’t say anything until you are completely done talking”

Dick nodded and took a deep breath, “So here goes nothing” He cleared his throat, “I broke up with Barbra about a week after our talk in the hospital. I couldn’t get the words from your letter out of my head, I couldn’t get you out of my head. The fact that you said you’ve loved me, that you have since we were kids, made me reevaluate everything about us.” Dick took a deep breath, “I realized that I love you too. That I’ve loved you for years, but that I refused to admit it to myself. I-I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, so I thought that, by dating Kori and Babs, I would just get over you.” Dick finally looks up at you, his eyes glossy with tears, “But when you called me that night, when I thought I would be too late, I realized that it didn’t matter how I felt in the past, I love you, and the thought of living in a world without you is terrifying”

There were a few moments of tense silence before you finally spoke up, “Then why did you leave me in the hospital like that?”

“I was angry at you for taking all of those pills. When we found out that it was Ivy who did is to you, it reminded me how painfully mortal we all are, I couldn’t-couldn’t handle the thought of you dying, so I tried to push you away. I thought that I would be okay with Babs, that I would get over loiing you, but I didn’t, I couldn’t. Every time I saw you my heart fluttered, and I knew that I couldn’t lead Babs on like that, so I ended it. I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance, a chance to make up for everything I’ve done wrong”

“I want to, Dick, I really do, but you hurt me. You abandoned me for a long time, and I don’t know if an apology is going to be enough”

Dick drops down, crouching between your knees and taking your hands in his. “I know it won’t be enough. I know that, but-but I still want to try. I want to prove to you that I’ve learned from my mistakes, I want to prove that I love you the same way you love me. Will you give me that chance?”

You sniffle, “Yes, Dick, I want you to try. I’m so sorry that I was avoiding you, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I want to try with you. I never thought you would return my feelings, but now that you do, I’m so scared. I’m so scared that I won’t be enough, that you’ll be disappointed when you really get to know me”

Raising your hand to him lips, Dick gently kissed your knuckles, “You could never disappoint me, ever”

“I’ll try not do. I’ll try”

———————————————————————————–

Let me know what you think! Send any ideas or requests you have to my Ask Box!

[knickkatstuff]

Of Spinobi And Sisters: Chapter 1~

I do not own Ninjago. All credit goes to Dan & Kevin Hageman. I only own my OCs. Please enjoy; critiques are fully welcome <3

Chapter 1: ‘We’ve Left Too Calmly’ Ever since the Overlord’s demise; the Serpentine took the humans to heart; all the tribes except one. The Viperian. This tribe’s legend begins in feudal Japan. The Viperian were once a pacifistic group who lived happily with the humans. They brought great joy and prosperity to them; for they had invented the Moon Festival. But the daughter of the general; Venomi, saw darker power in ruling over the tribe. What could be another generation of peace and happiness was instead darkness and destruction. Venomi attacked the innocent humans; to the point where she turned her anger to her father. After killing her father; Venomi took charge of the Viperian, making them join her in her dark path. But then; she took down their first invasion. The first Spinobi Kunoichi; using a magic that the First Spinjitzu Master made long before creating Ninjago. Spinobi magic. However; she did not last long after the war. Now years later; Venomi had now given birth to her now twenty-two-year-old son, Poi-Shen, and her eighteen-year-old son, Fangz. And the First Spinobi Kunoichi’s granddaughter had now earned a daughter and four students. Years later… “This will hurt, okay?” Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Jones said to her younger friend, Angela Larsson, or Angie before kneeling on the sofa to wrap her leg in a bandage. Jennifer, or Jen, was the master of snakes. She had long wavy dirty blonde hair that was tied into a twist ponytail. Her more upturned soft blue eyes held a serious gaze; her lips were full; and her body was somewhat boney, but not entirely. She wore little make-up; mainly eyeliner and mascara. Her uniform was an aqua green color; with a katana sheathed to her back. She was the second-youngest of the group; and stood at 5’8. “OW!” Angie yelped in pain. Jen kept her steely gaze, “I warned you, Angie,” “Pft, I know.” Angie pouted. She was the youngest of the group; as well as the shortest (standing at 5’5). She had long strawberry blonde hair that was tied into two braids that rested over her shoulders; her big crystal blue eyes shined; her broad smile was currently turned to a pout; and two tessen fans were sheathed in the belt of her auburn red uniform that hugged her small curves well. She didn’t like wearing make-up; it took too long in her opinion. Even though she was depicted as “tiny” by the others, she was the master of thunder. “Did you Angie? Did you really?” Seventeen-year-old Emilie Vigioso asked sarcastically; leaning on the archway. Emilie was the second-eldest; and stood at 5’9. She had long chestnut brown hair that was tied into a messy low bun. Her eyes were a brilliant apple green that were highlighted with black and purple eye make-up; and sharp lips. Her body was slim; and covered by a purple uniform that hugged these curves tight. She often wore make-up; the reason is unknown. Emilie was also the master of predator. “Emilie.” Jen said with a glare. Emilie smugly glared back, “Jen.” “Children, enough.” Seventeen-year-old Kayla Babcock implied as she kept her gaze to her laptop. Kayla stood at 5’7; and was only a bit younger than Emilie. She had short sandy brown hair that ended just past the centre of her neck; chocolate coloured eyes; thinner lips that were coloured with neutral pink lipstick. She wore a light pink uniform that fit well with her somewhat-pear figure; and a kusari-fundo was attached to her belt. At the time; Kayla was busy hacking into a Viperian firewall to keep them from knowing where they were, as she was the master of technology. Emilie kicked Kayla’s leg; but not enough to seriously hurt her, just to piss her off. Kayla glared lightly at Emilie; then turned back to her computer. “Guys, this isn’t a good time.” The clacking sound of high heels grew near; and eighteen-year-old Yoidesu Sonai appears with a chill expression of her face. Sonai was the eldest of the group; as well as the tallest, standing at 5’10. She has long jet black hair tied into a low ponytail, and bangs split down the middle of her head that rested in front of her ears. She had bright honey brown eyes that just slightly held a glint of blue light, and her lips were full. She had an hourglass figure with her crystal blue uniform hugging every curve. Sonai was the master of wind, like her… deceased older brother, but also something much more powerful. The four girls looked at Sonai before placing looks of guilt and embarrassment once seeing her expression. It was a bad idea to get that look from her if you were them, “Unimpressed Soni was scary Soni.”, as they thought. Sonai let out a sigh, softening her gaze, “Did you guys finish packing?” “We did, Soni, don’t worry.” Jen answered, earning glares from Emilie and Angie before they agreed alongside Kayla. Sonai smiled lightly, before walking towards Kayla. “Did you set up the firewall yet, La-La?” “Just a second…” Kayla mumbled as her fingers typed the final code. As she saw the “FIREWALL ENGAGED” sign, she almost burst with joy. She wrapped her arms around Sonai; pulling her into a tight hug as the black-haired girl laughed a little. “I assume your enthusiasm means you have succeeded in hacking the firewall, child?” The elderly Japanese voice was soon recognized to belong to Sensei Yoidesu. Sensei Yoidesu was around fifty-five-years-old; and held a sweet, impressed smile on her aged face. She had wavy, greying stark blonde hair in which the top layer was held up in a clip; narrow turquoise eyes; and thinner lips; with wrinkles around her eyes, cheekbones, and mouth. She wore an almost cream-like white kimono top and pants, with the Ninja Hikari symbol on the back (a black and white Dahlia-ish flower). Kayla took a second to calm her excitement, blushing lightly in embarrassment, “H-Hai sensei.” Sonai happily ruffled Kayla’s short hair, smiling warmly. Yoidesu turned her head to the others, Jen was simply finishing off Angie’s bandages as Emilie prodded and constantly tried to annoy Jen, who just sighed irritably and rolled her eyes. Oh, these poor girls. Yoidesu thought, a look of concern appearing on her sighing face. Perhaps this was a bad idea. What if they find us? What if they know how to locate us? What if- “Mother.” Sonai’s voice took her mother out of her trail of mind. The black-haired girl smiled comfortably. “Don’t worry, I’m sure that we’ll be okay to get out of the city.” Yoidesu’s eyes widened with surprise at hearing her daughter’s words. Sonai had read her mother’s mind… again. The elderly woman let out a small chuckle, “Oh, how you make me smile, my daughter.” “Yo~” A young male’s voice loomed in. Seventeen-year-old Conner Jennings walked into the room, removing his black earbuds from his ears. Conner stood at around Sonai’s height, with the exception of a few inches. He had long, dyed white hair that was tied into a high ponytail the ended at his lower back, with a tan brown bandanna around his forehead; with light grey eyes. He was currently wearing a black t-shirt with a brown leather jacket tied around his waist, tan jeans, and grey sneakers. He looked a little worn out; as he was dealing with preparing the horses for about two hours. Maybe his girlfriend would make his attitude better. “CONNER!” Angie yelled happily; running up to Conner and hugging him tightly. The two had been dating for about two years now; and the girls often wondered how he lasted that long without going insane. With Conner’s intelligence, and Angie’s… condition… they just went with the fact that Conner knew his shit. Conner laughed and kissed her temple lightly. Then Sonai just decided to ruin this cute moment. I know; she’s heartless. “Yoshi, yoshi~ Let’s get our stuff and finally leave.” Sonai chuckled when Angie gave her a hard-core pouty face, before walking off with the others to collect their stuff. Jen didn’t exactly pack much, only the things she absolutely cannot live without. She was always a serious and blank-faced girl, and it was rare that you get her to even smirk. She had always been attracted to art and the more classical and slow music, but a simple rock song here and there wouldn’t be the end of the world. She had packed her art supplies, training regime, and collection of many novels; mostly the “Giver Quartet” by Lois Lowry. Emilie was an emo type of girl; meaning she couldn’t live without her clothes and make-up. She packed her eyeliner and eyeshadow; her countless CDs of rock and punk music; and cooking supplies, as she had a passion for cooking and baking. She was always… the “troublemaker” of the team. She would constantly be trying to annoy the girls to the point of getting them in a pissy mood; and was always flirty and a bit perverted when it comes to girls that meet her standards (*cough cough* Jen); she was certainly a feisty puppy. Kayla was always a timid and sweet girl. She’d always talked quietly, stutter when she wanted to state her point when others were speaking, and would apologize at anytime if she felt it was necessary. She simply packed her tool-box; study books; and her small container-shaped necklace which she never opened unless she had to. Kayla was always known for her one thing; her Monophobia, meaning she was terrified of being alone. She’d get clingy to people if she was scared; and would even freak out to the point of a full-blown panic attack. Angie happily hummed to herself as she packed her bags. She packed her many hair elastics; her old Nintendo DS; and her hundreds of stuffed animals. She was always bubbly and happy; up to the point where the others assumed she was an idiot. Most times she would be off into her own little world; and acted as if her stuffies were real, talking with them and making them walk/speak/etc.; much like a child would. But with her condition; the girls never questioned or were angry at her actions. Sonai gazed at a simple photo of her and her brother before folding it and placing into her collar. She was the caring one of the group; often treating the girls as if they were her younger sisters. She simply packed the hygiene products; extra clothes; and other things they might need. She always put the clan before herself; often not even worrying about her health/state, as long as the others were okay and happy. There was never anything she wouldn’t do for her girls. It almost seemed like she didn’t consider herself existent or important; but she was extremely good at hiding it. Yoidesu checked in with the girls through the archway; watching as they hurried to pack their things. She had taken the time to pack already; packing food and water, along with other things. She had adopted Sonai years ago and taken in the girls around three years ago; and almost acted like the typical overprotective mother. She’d ask them questions like “Where are you going so late?” or “Are you sure you should be wearing such short clothes?”; average mom things. She refused to let them get hurt; she would not fail her family again. Around 30 minutes later… “Alright; Kūki.” Sonai said as she rubbed her horse’s mane. “We’re gonna be going away for a while.” 

Kūki whinnied in response; and Sonai chuckled as she climbed upon him. Kayla and Emilie finished setting up the fake skeletons around the girls’ room; adding the wigs and putting one of their gi’s on them and such. They returned out side to board their horses with Jen and Angie. Emilie laughed as she roughly petted her horse, Poupurinto, and she nipped her hair; while Kayla checked the harnesses on her horse, Supāku, and he rubbed his head against her chest. “Did you set up the fakes?” Jen asked; turning from her horse, Hebi, and gazing at Emilie. In the distance; Angie could be seen doing some gymnastics before climbing onto her horse, Kaminari, behind of Conner. Emilie rolled her eyes, “Yes, your Highness. Now; do I get a reward~?” She asked; leaning down and puckering her lips at Jen; who sighed irritably before a short and sweet kiss on her lips. “Alright, lovebirds.” Sonai interjected; her back impressively bent backwards while Kūki was turned away from them, “Let’s get goin’.” Jen blushed heavily; before walking hastily to climb aboard Hebi. She simply pretended that the kiss never happened; straightening her ponytail and adjusting her armband. Emilie stuck her tongue out at Sonai; who simply laughed at her. Emilie simply trotted on Poupurinto up to where Jen was; and lightly pinched her behind. “C’mon…” Angie said in an almost whiny voice; swatting the air with one arm while the other was wrapped around Conner’s waist. “I’m not unpacking right after I had to carry everything!” Conner glared at Angie, “What are ya’ talkin’ about? I did all the work!” Angie just pouted and crossed her arms at her boyfriend. Sonai sighed while watching Jen yell at Emilie while Angie and Conner just playfully glared daggers at each other. As for Kayla? She was simply gazing shyly from the mother and daughter to the team. Yoidesu shook her head, “Yame!” The four teenagers stopped and stared fearfully at the elderly woman. “We must get going!” “H-Hai Sensei.” The team responded before trotting on their horses to where Yoidesu was. The sensei sighed irritably; but she knew she couldn’t stay mad at her students. They were children; and not perfect children at that. Sonai smiled at her mother and girls, “Alright. New home, here we come.” The team then took off; Sonai staying behind with a match in her hand. She sparked a flame; and chucked it at the dojo. In the mere matter of a minute; the flames began to spread across the wooden cabin-like home. … C’mon Soni… The black-haired female thought to herself; turning Kūki around to catch up with her team. They shouldn’t be able to find us. They’re good with electronics; not biology… yeah. “Hey, Sons.” Angie snapped Sonai away from her mind. “You wanna know something weird?” “No.” The entire team responded; Sonai shook her head, laughing, “Sure, Ange. Whassup?” “Soni, no.” “Don’t ya’ think we left too calmly?” Angie asked; Sonai shrugging in response. “Fucking hell, Angela.”