#“lets see how far they can fly on borrowed wings.”

[mig-murgthenurg]

Who would win?

Raven.

A ruthless mercenary, skilled enough to solo an entire Spaceport of MCs and other ACs, demonstrating what makes them a feared and high priority target amongst the PCA.

Or...

A brain-fried nobody who just found a chainsaw in the trash an hour ago.

[taikonaut-kaskara]

This game is fuckin RAW man

[pakmanjosh]

"Let's see how far they can fly, on borrowed wings."

[mfdraws]

"Lets see how far you can fly....on borrowed wings."

[ashinaisshin]

見せてもらいましょう…借り物の翼で、どこまで飛べるか。 Let's see how far they can fly... on borrowed wings. ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON (2023), dir. Masaru Yamamura

[kc5rings]

She even borrowed a name from a dead merc….

Ave and I were talking about Wiš'adel the other day and Ave said she’s like an armored core now and I’ve been thinking about it ever since

[hugsandchaos]

Okay, I know I said that Danny + dark crystal = Eldritch Danny reflex transformation, but this is separate from that. Let’s take a quick step back for a quick second, because I thought this was a good idea.

Danny accidentally touches Twilight’s dark crystal, or maybe he does it on purpose not realizing that’s the thing turning him into a wolf, and becomes a giant space bird. He could either be a raven, crow, or magpie, and here’s the explanation!

Raven or Crow: Ravens and crows are known as symbols of death or something like that, so that would be a reference to his status as a halfa. His dark wings would be perfect for glowing spots or swirls of colors like stars and distant galaxies on a clear night, and they wouldn’t really affect his hair color once he’s back to normal since the feathers are dark. Unless you want to add a few small random spots of white that eventually fade back to black.

This form would also have a ghost form, which looks pretty ethereal. The “living” form has dark feathers, eyes glowing like you took the moon, duplicated it, and put it in his eye sockets with a hint of blue, and several glowing white spots on the under-view of his wings. The ghost form has white feathers, eyes so dark that it looks as if light itself can’t escape it and somehow with a hint of green, and the white spots have turned black.

Magpie: I just noticed that when Danny had bird features in a lot of fan AUs, they’re usually magpie features, which I think is pretty cool! I mean, you can just switch the colors of the feathers when you go from “living” to “ghost”, and you get the best of white and black feathers in both forms! With this one, Danny could have a few stripes of pure white in his hair when he changes back, but his entire hair color doesn’t change like Legend’s did because his feathers were both black and white.

Both ideas could have a few of the same things. Here’s a list of them!

•White spots and streaks in the black feathers to resemble stars and comets, the patterns switching colors depending on which form Danny’s in.

•Under-view of the wings reflects the night sky, even during the day. Looks really odd in ghost form, though.

• ⬆️ Both ideas are for two reasons; To symbolize Danny’s obsession of space and blending in during night flights.

•While in his living form, Danny flies just like a bird. A giant bird, but still a bird, which is a bit of trial and error given how he used to fly. While in ghost form, his core does most of the work, but he can still use his wings to push himself even further.

•Living form eyes glow like the moon, ghost form eyes are dark like black holes.

•Eyes stay the same color? Blue in living, green in ghost.

•Danny is able to mimic sounds and voices just like a crow/raven/magpie. He has fun with it.

•Giant space bird form is 25 feet tall.

Scenarios with Corvid Danny!

•Twilight tries to calm Danny down, but after looking over himself and moving around a little, Danny actually gets excited and starts showing Twilight his new space wings. Danny will want to go back to normal sooner or later, but for now, he wants to stay in this form for a bit. Still, he knows the crystal belongs to Twilight, so he asks him if he can stay in the form for “a bit” to enjoy being a giant space corvid. Twilight was a little confused by Danny’s enthusiasm, but he agreed.

•Explaining it to the group. Twilight explains that the giant space bird is Danny, and when Sky offers to turn him back, Danny refuses and explains again that he wants to see what this form can do first. And then he shows off his space wings, because that’s his favorite part about the whole situation. He has no idea why his form is a giant space bird, but he’s not complaining! Twilight says that he’s letting Danny borrow the crystal for a bit, but there’s obviously going to be a few rules.

•Danny’s not allowed to go near civilization, he’s to avoid travelers, no flying too far, no fighting until he gets used to this form to avoid mishaps, and no jumping off cliffs to practice flying! Get down from there, space nerd!

•Danny carries them and lets them mess with his feathers as long as they don’t pull. I think Sky is most likely to ride on Danny’s back for fun and anyone can climb up onto his head to get a vantage point of the area, but who’s the first to actually ask? Danny suggested it, actually! He wanted the others to see the view he did and lowered his head, then told them to climb on. Then his lifted his head back up, slowly so he wouldn’t drop them, and let them watch the view with him.

•It’s snowing. The group can’t find shelter to get the fire started and they’re tired. Corvid Danny uses his wings to make a tent for them! His wings are really big to support his weight and size, so it worked! Oh, and don’t worry! The temperature wasn’t actually bad for Danny. 1; He has feathers. 2; He’s used to these temperatures and lower. 3; His ghost half.

•Danny practicing flying whenever he gets the chance. He picks up on it pretty quickly! Half of it is from closely watching normal ravens/crows/magpies flying and copying them, and the other half is trial and error.

•Normal corvids flock to Space Corvid Danny and talk to him. They think the strange, giant bird with wings like the night sky needs investigation, and they ultimately decide that he’s friend material!

•Space Corvid Danny copying all sorts of sounds and even the group’s voices. He thinks it’s really funny, and he’s right! The group asks him to copy certain things, sometimes to make fun of each other, and it’s great.

•Space Corvid Danny VS Big Flying Monster!!!

•Space Corvid Danny talking with Twilight about how much he loves learning to see the world in this new perspective.

•The Links spotting or even making constellations in his wings. He gets really hyped up about it, and if they’re making up new constellations, they’re now obligated to make up stories based off it with him!

•The others got “animal habits” or something from their forms, and so does Danny! What are these habits? Let’s brainstorm! Definitely developing a fondness for shiny things, but his space obsession urges him to organize it into a constellation or some other space related art project… That’s all I can think of. 🙁

•Space Corvid Danny going ghost would be pretty interesting! The night sky patterns being inverted would be quite the otherworldly sight!

•He 100% gets Wild to take a few pictures with his phone.

•Danny either going to Twilight and Sky and says he’s had his fun and is ready to turn back, or he’s asked for it back and he agrees. Then he hugs Twilight and thanks him for letting him have such a fun opportunity. Twilight thought it was interesting that Danny didn’t freak out and immediately search for a way to change back, but rather want to explore this new perspective.

•As I’ve said, if it’s a magpie, Danny could have a few stripes of pure white in his hair when he changes back, but his entire hair color doesn’t change like Legend’s did because his feathers were both black and white.

•He might get the chance to be Space Corvid Danny again someday. Who knows?

Little bonus bit!

•Sam and Tucker think that Danny’s Space Corvid form is pretty neat and ask if he can still become a ghost, and he happily shows off! They climb on him, go for a flight, mess around with mimicking sounds, and overall have a great time together. Some of the Links think it’s sweet.

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Hey Slug! Now that all snippets are out, what are your thoughts so far on the BB songs for the 3rd DRB? I'm especially excited for Ichiro's. It reminds me of Hiphoppia but with less intense dream vision feel and more funky back alley hip hop stuff. Jiro's sounds good too tho!

I love anon asks like this that remind me to go look at the new stuff that comes out... I would never think to do it otherwise. Thank you; it's very sweet of you.

Let's fire up the old YouTube and give them a listen.

Ichirou -- H歴維新 / The H Age Revolution

(Side note about the title: I'm using "revolution" here in a general sense, but this specific wording is evocative of the Meiji Restoration, the political revolution in the late 1800s that ended the regime of the Tokugawa shoguns and "restored" the old social order under the emperor while radically transforming Japanese society as a whole. Here, we should understand that Ichirou is tearing down Chuuouku's reign to usher in a new state of society.)

(Fifteen seconds in) YOOO this goes hard. I like this beat and the vaguely military-esque theme w/ the horns.

(At end of preview) DAMN okay. Give me a sec to get my thoughts in order.

Every time I see the language in these songs, I'm reminded of a video of an NHK presenter guy reading the lyrics of one song and announcing dryly, "They're all very good at kanji."

I love how this is much punchier than Break the Wall. Ichirou seems to be much more of an active agent in it, not just the figurehead leader of a revolution--and I LOVE that. It's great to see Ichirou embracing his individuality and not simply playing into the image of MC BB that others want him to be.

I also love all the callbacks to previous songs, quite literally going back to basics. ペンは剣より偽りがない ("The pen is mightier than the sword, and that's a fact!") goes all the way back to Hypmic's very first song's ペンは剣よりヒプノシスマイク ("The Hypnosis Mic is mightier than the sword")

Can't wait to get the full version and learn the lyrics. Seems like a hella fun song to rap.

Jirou -- Sunshine

(Five seconds in) Getting "This Means War" vibes.

(Fifteen seconds in) Bro what is this autotune... This sounds like the opening of Rhyme Anima season 2.

(Forty-five seconds in) "I'm ready; the wind's pushing me along; I'm flying with the wings Ikebukuro's given me" Hell YES Jirou you get that identity independent of Ichirou

(Fifty seconds in) "I can't shake the past. I take my scars with me off into a future--a future that's still unknown." Yo this is bars. (I'm butchering its lyricism but whatever) I love that Jirou is actually acknowledging his past and his struggles instead of pushing it away. You notice how his comments on the past are always either "Ichirou was so cool" or "Saburou used to be such a cute kid; what happened?" ? It's good to see him finally being honest enough to touch on his hurt feelings.

(End) Hmm... I don't know how I feel about this one at first liston. I really like Jirou's voice actor's singing voice, so I'm kinda not feeling the autotune. On the other hand, his singing voice definitely has more of a sweet/young flavor, and I can see the authors wanting to lean away from that to make him sound more adult. I think my issue is this song sounds... idk, a bit too idol pop rock to my tastes. I don't mean that idol pop rock is a bad thing; it's simply not my personal preference.

Here's a selection of people in the comments having a normal one:

"Wtf he's hot now"

"I'm picturing Jirou going to school the day after this song drops and his friends being like 'EYYY' and he's like 'Aw, you listened to it? Thanks, guys!' Then a bunch of girls swarm him and he deadass has no idea what they're on about it"

"Say it isn't so... Not my sweet baby boy dumbass Jirou... They made him hot af..."

"I feel like a mom watching my widdle Jiro-chan grow up"

Saburou -- 朱夏 / Maturity

(Side note about the title: Japanese borrows some terms for stages of life from ye olde Chinese (<- very technical term) wherein stages of life correspond to colors and seasons. You may know the word "seishun" (blue spring) or have seen blue = youth as a recurring piece of imagery in Japanese media. (BSD's Blue Period, anyone?) "Shuka" (red summer) is the stage that encompasses most of adulthood; it's the summer or prime of a person's life. The word conveys a sense of energy and a greater understanding of the world than in the youthful seishun period. Sounds like the Hypmic authors want to convey that our baby boy is growing up! *sobs into a hankie*)

(Five seconds in) Chill lofi hip-hop beats for studying

(End) Hmm... Musically, I liked the piano as a consistent piece of imagery for Saburou. It was a little too chill for me, but I always say this and always warm up to Hypmic songs over time lol.

Lyrically, I kept thinking throughout the video "This would be easy to translate" because Saburou monologues for most of it haha. Apart from the imagery related to seasons and the BB's heat/energy "firing" him up to reach the hot summer of adulthood, most of the song is surprisingly literal and straightforward. Saburou states in plain terms that he wants to go be his own person (seems to be the running theme of this album), but it's a departure from his usual style of complex imagery and vocabulary. I would guess that's on purpose, as the song opens with "All through my childhood, I could never wait to grow up. I'm a better rapper than Ichirou, but no one ever sees me as anything but an accessory to him. At least I'm better than Jirou in every way-- oh, who am I kidding? Look at me going on like an edgy middle schooler. I'm always smart, collected, calm--but on the inside, I'm NOT okay!" That is, Saburou is purposefully throwing away his attempts to look smart and mature for his age. He's allowing himself to be rough and emotional like any fourteen year old.

Really fun start to an album; can't wait to hear all the songs! Thanks again for sending this ask, anon.

[superchat]

——Raven，you survived！ ——Let's see how far they can fly…… ON BORROWED WINGS

artist: las91214 ~ be sure to follow and support the artist ~

[deep--dive]

[ RAVEN'S HANDLER ] : I've identified the target. That's the mercenary who took your name. Let's see how far they can fly... on borrowed wings.

from ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON (2023)

[5hrine]

Borrowed Wings

C/Ws: NSFW

You fly so far on borrowed wings.

I have found many things which live drifting within me, but none so beautiful as you. None who examine me so closely, who have deemed me worth more than just passing through. I know, now, what it is to be admired rather than only seen, and more, what it is to be understood, pursued. I feel the trace of photons from your sensors, like fingers upon my skin. I did not know the concept of “love” before your touch, before the heat of your engines, before seeing the way you float within me and learning who you really are.

You have taught me so many of your words through pulses of light, always so… frustratingly brief. It took me some time to find the pattern of your language in the bursts. It was only when a copper-rich part of me felt the vibrations that I began to understand, that you speak with sound. I have learned your word for my kind - nebula. I like this name. The way it courses through me, a resonant hum, quiet but undeniably present.

You call my children stars. They like this name, too.

You have spent so long and so much examining me, probing me, trying to learn of me, why must I be kept from returning the favor? I wish so terribly to thread my gaseous form between the plates of your hull, into your life support system, past your farms of algae, to find the soft truth of you inside. I would navigate the space between the teeth of your zippers, the hook-and-loop of your outer shell, just so that I could touch you as you have me. Many dozens of particulate-fingers tracing along your every pore, cold and hot all at once, painting your visor in my brilliant colors.

Would you breathe of me, if I asked you? Would you let me that deep inside? How would I taste to you, I wonder? Would you like the effervescence of me on your tongue? Would you let me strip off your shell, to let me see you wholly, so that I can mimic your shape, arms and legs and fingers and hips of stardust, ready for you to touch, ready to touch you, to feel you, to know you.

I stall your engines to let you drift in my currents. I intertwine my newfound fingers with your own and lead you to your observation deck. I show you beautiful vistas of me, where my brilliance stains space. I help you to avoid my most dangerous places, where the radiation or gravity would hurt you. I bring your hand to my breast, my back arching at your touch. Showing you, intimately, where stars are born. Pressing my lips to your hair, stroking it gently as your lips do their work.

I would let you glimpse the surviving climax of my supernova.

I would trace my fingers over your neck, your cheek, your ears.

I would help you understand that yes, I am space dust. Yes, I am the crucible of stars. Yes, I am alive.

[seldomscilence16]

Whumptober day 30:

"It's okay just to say 'I'm not okay'."

Borrowed Clothing | Bridal Carry | "Not much Longer…."

Fandom: Bat Family

Prompts used: All

Ive been reading dpxdc but am not confident yet, so heres some OOC Bats, based mostly on Wayne Family Adventures, tried angsting some new people for once! I have only read Duke in WFA so hes probably the most OOC forgive me. But let me know, Id love to hear from ya'll on any of my posts :)

TW for blood and injuries, near death experiences

…

"I am never letting you talk me into this again."

Tim glares at the far wall, hanging by his feet, arms tied to his chest. He's in civvies, and his brothers WILL owe him a new outfit after this.

"Oh come on, you were the perfect bait!" Jason's voice comes through the comm, barely holding back his snickers.

"Hush Little-Wing. I'll take you to your favorite coffee place- at a reasonable time- to make up for it BabyBird." Dicks voice is far more sympathetic and even tinged with the anxiety that comes with seeing his brothers in harm's way.

"Then Jay owes me a new outfit." He murmurs a tad petulantly.

"TT, I still think we should have snuck in instead of this, convoluted, plan."

"That would have been fine if we had known where they were located, hence this plan." Duke yawns as he finishes his sentence, pulling a double shift for this case.

"Next time, someone else can be the hostage." Tim grumbles as a headache grows with all the blood rushing to it.

"Whatever you say Timmy." Jason placates mockingly.

"Is anyone else concerned about how long they've left Red Robin alone?" Barbara's exasperated voice comes through the comms, bringing everyone back.

"The lack of blood in my legs should definitely be considered." Tim comments, swinging slightly to try and look around.

"Well, it looks like everyone is-"

"Leaving the building!" Duke cuts Dick off, Jason curses,

"Looks like we got some rats to catch!" He calls, leaping from his hiding spot before the others could react.

"Hang in there Tim, we'll be back!"

"I regret my existence."

"TT is that all?" Damian is a millisecond behind Jason, Dick and Duke give each other an eye roll of comradery, before they are following.

They put up a fight. Seemingly desperate to escape- though it's not super odd- they seem more scared of not being able to leave than of the Bats themselves.

"Not much longer…" The anxious mutter comes from the goon closest to Signal.

He’s quick to pin him, nerves flying in his gut, telling him that they were missing something important.

“Until what?” He pulls his best Batman voice, tired gravel helping him hopefully.

Pinned against the building, Signal doesn’t really need an answer from the goon, the light gives him a glimpse of exactly what he needs to know, but the answer comes anyway,

“B-bomb...”

“Guys, we’ve got a situation! I’m going in for T- the hostage!” Duke catches himself throwing the guy to the nearest Bat, “Find the bomb!” He dashes into the building.

“A bomb?” Tims voice groans, “I am owed several coffees, thank you.”

“Maybe focus on not blowing up first?” Duke's voice is strained, not yet so nonchalant with these types of threats.

“The goons are ready for transport, we’re headed to the device, just stay calm Duke.” Dicks voice is level, and Duke takes a breath to match it.

Tim is partway untied, having been working on it since he’d been hooked, his face is flushed but he gives a lopsided grin- likely to comfort Duke.

“Signal, my man, come to hang out?”

“Har har, let's get you down.”

He steadies him as his feet touch the ground, head spinning and body reorienting, they haven’t even taken a step yet when the whole building shakes, rickety floors and creaky walls groaning with the effort.

“Uh, guys?” Duke cautions, worry skyrocketing again.

“Time to move!”

Duke doesn't need to be told twice, he scoops Tim into his arms with a grunt and finds himself sprinting once more.

“Blushing bride was not on my list.” He mumbles, hand holding his head as the other tires to keep him stable.

“Don't worry, sure it doesn't count when the blood had no other option.”

“You’d be surprised.”

The floor is crumbling as another tremor wracks the old bones of the place. He makes the decision to find the nearest window, taking the Bat route out, and sending a prayer to whoever listened that they all made it out.

“You’re ok… ‘s good…” Blood is a second skin, Jason's jacket torn to shreds as glass and wood alike protrude from his body.

“Todd.. you're…” Damian looks up at the unhooded vigilante, minor damage to himself as he see the crushing weight his brother keeps off him.

“Relax kid… Won't die frem the same ting twice.”

“Jay! Damian!” Dick coughs, the bloody hero shoving at the beams across Jays back until the two can get free. “Are you guys okay?”

“S’fine, lets get baby brat outta here.” The slur comes and goes from his tone, whether from a given effort or otherwise they can't tell. Shifting nearby has them tensing, before a light shines at them,

“Oh thank the Gods.” Duke is dusty but unharmed, moving debris ever so carefully to give them a path out.

“M’place s’closest.” Jason murmurs, leaning heavily on Damian who hadnt moved from his side.

“I can not carry you Todd, stay awake.” The youngest mutters despite his stance.

“M-“

“It's okay just to say ‘I’m not okay’.” Duke interrupts quickly, taking the lead as Dick takes the rear.

“...could be better.” He concedes.

“You are not this much bigger than me. How?” Tim swims in the borrowed shirt and sweats, as does Damian, but neither seems keen to take them off either as they plop onto Jason's couch.

In the kitchen, Duke, Jason and Dick patch each other up carefully, channeling Alfred as best they can until they decide the trip is worth it. Jason grits his teeth as another stitch pierces his skin, Dick muttering a thousand quiet apologies in several languages. Duke keeps his eyes on his own job, if for nothing else than to keep from cringing and hurting Dick.

“We’re bringing the girls next time. This never happens when they're around.” Tim grumbles, ice pack on his face.

“I beg to differ.” Dick mutters.

“Is night shift always like this?” Duke ties off his last bandage and goes about cleaning up.

“Meh.” He gets several, so so hand gestures and a tutt and groans to himself.

“We’re alive, goons apprehended, I'm calling it a win.”

[atinydragon]

Rat Manor: Hide And Seek

After the day’s incident it’s decided that the rats less experienced with borrowing should get some lessons in it. To Button’s surprise she volunteers!

[masterlist]

"I can't believe you did that!" Button tried to make her voice stern but it came out squeaky as usual. "You know we're not supposed to be seen."

"I know, I'm sorry Button." said Glimmer. The fairies antenna were drooping. They lowered their voice to a whisper "But our new guest smelled like trash and Sam wasn't much better."

"Still..." Button glanced over at the other three fae.

They were standing in a group with Sam explaining to Willow how she found Moss. The pixie in question was standing next to them smiling as her eyes darted around the attic.

"...We're not supposed to be seen." repeated Button.

"Why not?" said Moss.

Both Button and Glimmer jumped. Neither had seen the pixie approach. Even Sam and Willow looked confused as to how she got over there.

"Well giants don't really like us..." Button fidgeted with the end of her dress.

"Giants are really territorial." Willow stepped in. "They don't like others in their space or taking their supplies, no matter how small. Sometimes they don't even seem to realize we're people."

"That's because of the glamour." said Glimmer simply. They looked at everyone's confused faces "Y'know the one that makes giants see us as bugs and literal rats? I've told you about it right Button?"

Button fidgeted. Had Glimmer told her about it before? She couldn't remember ever hearing of it. But what if she said they never did and then she just forgot about it like a terrible friend-

Glimmer sighed and straightened up. “Well. I'm not certain of its exact origins but it's a sort of universal glamour on all fae that disguises our true appearances to giants. To them we look like a normal rodent or insect."

"Is that why that giant didn't react to you?" said Sam to Moss.

"Yep! I was just a big fly." Moss buzzed her wings to make a noise uncannily similar to a fly’s buzz.

"That actually makes a lot of sense, it was probably a defense when we first encountered giants..." Willow trailed off, getting lost in his own head.

"Right, it's a defense thing. I'm sure giants would react far worse to a person in their home than just another bug." said Glimmer.

"All the more reason to not be seen." said Willow as he snapped back into reality "They're likely going to set traps now that they know for certain that pests can get in. Maybe even worst..."

Button gulped and stared at the floor. She felt Glimmer's arms wrap around her shoulders.

"But!" Willow said hastily "This is an old house. It's only natural for there to be hundreds of ways for actual bugs and rats to get in. The giants here have almost certainly accepted that they'll have to deal with them being inside. As long as we don't any more brazen things or let them see us in the pantry we should be fine."

Everyone nodded.

"Good. Tomorrow I'll go scout and see the damage. And hopefully get food, those apples are barely enough for tonight."

Alone? Not even the bravest of scouts in Button’s family had been willing to go alone unless absolutely necessary. Willow didn’t seem stupid to her so he must be quite brave to do this.

Sam cringed at her bag of browning apple chunks. "Wait just you? Weren't you all about as many people going?"

"For food runs yes usually. But this is a scouting run." said Willow. "Also you're... well..."

"A liability, yeah I get it." finished Sam.

An uncomfortable silence followed. Everyone was scowling or looking down avoiding the others eyes or shifting around like they didn't want to stand there anymore.

"I could do stealth training with you guys." Button blurted. She squeaked and covered her mouth. Why did she say that?

"What's that?" said Sam.

Somehow Button's paws lowered on their own "It's something my family did to teach the kids how to sneak around a dwelling. Where to walk, how to hide quickly, that stuff." Button's ears were burning by the time her mouth finally stopped.

There was a pause.

Button curled her tail around her legs. They were not happy at all. She was going to get yelled at.

"Oh yeah that's a good idea. You are very quiet, no offense, so you must have been really good at it." said Sam.

"Yes more sneaky!" buzzed Moss "I like sneaking."

"Then we'll do that." said Willow "I'll go down and scout while Button gives you all a crash course on being stealthy." Once again everyone gave their agreement.

Button blinked, unsure of what just happened.

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

"Why'd you let me say that?" Button fussed with her cloth piece, unsure of how to wrap it around her in a professional manner. What even was a professional way to look to teach people how to steal?

"Because I'm not going to tell you to shut up." Glimmer grabbed the cloth and began wrapping it around Button "Especially not when you're being smart. This is a good idea." They tied up the cloth.

"Still... what if they don't listen to me or make fun of me?"

"After what the three of us did without any thought yesterday, none of us have any leg to stand on if you mess up. Besides Sam will be waiting for me to mess up, not you."

"I guess that makes sense." mumbled Button.

"Good. Let's go."

The two fae left the den and headed to the hole.

Moss and Sam were waiting there for them. Willow had already left to hopefully map out the kitchen giant's, or the cook as Glimmer thought she was, schedule.

Button gripped one of her pony tails. The only one she could look in the eye without breaking her neck was Moss. Even Glimmer was suddenly intimidating with the prospect of having to teach them something looming over.

"So what first teacher?" Glimmer winked.

Hopefully Button's mouth was making the normal smile she was trying to get it to. "Well... first is..." she glanced around. How had her mother started these lessons? "Where would you hide if a giant appeared? GO there. Right Now!"

The other three looked startled at the suddenly firm voice that came out of Button's mouth. But then Moss zoomed off and the other two moved as well.

Button had been mentally counting. Once she hit five seconds she spoke, trying to be as loud as she could. "Okay! Stop where ever you are!" She walked forward to begin searching only to stop when she glanced at the hole and saw Sam on the first platform.

Sam grinned sheepishly up at her. "Should have gone down one more huh?"

"That's okay, this would get you out of a giant's way at least. Want to help me find the others?"

"Sure." Sam heaved herself out of the hole.

The two didn't have far to walk until they found Glimmer crammed in between two boxes.

"Well, I guess that hides you from a giant." said Button "Can you get out?"

Glimmer squirmed, doing little to get themselves out. Sam had to pull them out.

It took the trio longer to find Moss. The pixie had hidden herself well. She was only found when Button happened to look up and spot her hanging upside down from the rafters. "That was fun! What's it for?" said Moss once she fluttered down to the others.

"It's a test. But we're not done. Now you all close your eyes, say millipedes five times, and then come find me." said Button.

The others looked confused but did actually do as they were told.

Once they all had their eyes closer Button bolted.

She rounded around a box and headed full tilt towards a bookshelves. Narrowly dodging splinters, she dove under it. Now laying down she moved just enough to get somewhat comfortable on her stomach. And she waited.

Soon she heard the others began to search for her.

Sam and Glimmer were immediately bickering but still moving around. Moss was either silently searching or had gotten distracted.

Time passed and eventually Glimmer and Sam were standing in front of the bookshelf.

"Where is she? Can she turn invisible or something?" said Sam.

"Not that she's told me. But I'm starting to wonder..." Said Glimmer.

"Nope!" Button popped out from under the shelf.

Both fae jumped at her sudden arrival.

"How did you fit under there?" Sam crouched down to look at the small space. "Also why are we playing hide and seek?"

Button stood and brushed herself off "Hide and seek?"

"It's a kids game. One person is 'it' and has to close their eyes and count while everyone else hides. Then the person goes to find them." said Sam.

"Oh. A game?" Button had never done these tests for fun. How rough did Sam live?

"It's so fun! We didn't really take it seriously, at least my siblings never did. My brother, James, would just throw a blanket over himself. Sometimes it would even work, but usually he'd just end up popping up shouting 'boo!' and chasing the seeker. It was great."

Or Sam's family hadn't been as strict as Button's and the game was actually just a game. Button ignored the odd pain she felt from this information "That sounds nice. My family always used it as a way to train kids on how to hide and flee properly. I've never really played it just for fun..."

"Well you can now." said Glimmer "I mean, we have to take it seriously but you're already so good."

"Yeah! You take it easy so you don't completely own us newbies." Sam winked.

Button blushed "Okay."

Moss appeared from nowhere "Can I do the findings now?"

Once the others got over the fright they agreed.

[uraniumdaydreams]

LET'S SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN FLY, ON BORROWED WINGS

I've never played Armored Core but the new gameplay trailer looks fuckin sick

[upward-stair]

"Let's see how far they can fly... on borrowed wings"

[allithealigator]

Camp Half Blood an Alternate Universe

Chapter 5: Aliya

I fell asleep so quickly and so eager for the Capture the Flag game tomorrow. I woke up to Sophia’s ugly face staring at me. 

“What are you doing staring at me?” I asked 

“Because I can and we gotta go eat breakfast,” she said. “Come on. Elena and some friends I made are already down there.”

“Wow, you made friends?”

“Yup.”

Groggily, I got up and changed out of my pajamas. I had found a Camp Half-Blood shirt on my bed so I put it on after Sophia left because I’m not about to change in front of my best friend.

After I changed I met Sophia and Elena down at the pavilion. I just followed the campers that were coming out of their cabins because I didn’t know how to get there.

I found Elena at our table and sat down next to her. It was kind of depressing that we had to sit at our tables, but I found it strange that Annabeth and some Hermes kids were sitting with Percy and Sophia at the Poseidon table. I sadly glanced at them. Sophia seemed to notice and patted the seat next to her. 

I went to Sophia’s table, which was very far away from mine, and brought/dragged  Elena with me. We sat down at the table and then a plate appeared in front of me. I looked at it, confused. 

“You have to say what you want,” Sophia explained. 

“Oh.” I looked at my plate. “Eggs and pancakes.”

Eggs and pancakes appeared on my plate. I noticed that the ambient sound of clinking utensils in the background was somewhat calming.

“Who’s this?” I asked, gesturing to the Hermes kid.

“That’s Lukas.” 

“Oh.” I looked back at my food and started to eat.

“Demigods, I have an announcement to make–first, we have three new half-bloods, two have been claimed, but one is still unclaimed,” Chiron announced. “Can everyone welcome Sophia, the daughter of Poseidon, Elena, the daughter of Koalemos, and Aliya, who has not been claimed yet? In other news, the Capture the Flag game will be tonight.”  

After Chiron announced that there were new half-bloods, everyone’s heads turned to us. Even after the long announcement, people were still looking at us. I took this chance to look at everyone's faces. I saw Nico and his boyfriend looking in my direction. Everyone started to leave the pavilion and do their daily stuff. 

Percy and Annabeth dragged us away and gave us our first official tour. We viewed the climbing wall, amphitheater, labyrinth, Zeus’s fist, Woods, The Pegasus stables, forge, arena, cabins, Volleyball court,  the strawberry fields, where the Demeter kids were growing strawberries, and the lake. 

When we got to the lake, Elena thought it would be a good idea to push Sophia into the lake to see if she would float. In the end, she stayed in the lake and started breathing underwater. After the tour, Percy took us to the Pegasus stables to teach us how to ride while Annabeth went to do Athena cabin things. Elena got on a pegasus and then it bucked her off. 

“I guess pegasus riding isn’t your thing,” Percy had said. 

Sophia stroked the winged horse’s face and started to talk to it. She mounted the black pegasus like a queen and took off. 

I successfully got on the winged horse despite not knowing anything about horses. Soon I was up in the air and flying next to Sophia.  

“What’s your horse’s name?” Sophia asked me.

“Her name is Jalisa,” I said. 

“Cool. “

Then Percy appeared next to us. “I forgot I let you take my horse, so I had to borrow another.”

“Wheeee!” Sophia yelled as Blackjack folded his wings and went into a dive. Jalisa followed, and Percy’s horse brought up the rear. 

“He wants a donut!” Sophia shouted over the wind. 

“He always wants a donut!” Percy shouted back.

I seriously thought Jalisa was falling at first. And then I realized that we were just going to land. I saw Nico and his boyfriend Will and fangirled a bit (What? I ship Solangelo) standing next to Elena so I decided to land next to them. Once I landed Elena gave me a look of disgust.

“What?” I asked 

“You figured out how to ride a pony,” she said grumpily.

“Is that a problem?”

“Um? Yeah! It’s a huge problem because now you're better than me at something.”

I smirked. “I’m kinda better than you at everything.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Yeah-huh.”

Sophia landed next to my horse. 

“There we go, they’re fighting again.” Sophia rolled her eyes. Will walked over to us.

“Hey, you guys who want to practice archery?”

Sophia went pale. “Uh . . .” she glanced at Percy. He was shaking his head, eyes wide. 

“I’ll do it!” she yelled. “It’s worth a try, anyway.”

“I wanna join too, to prove that I’m better than Aliya at archery,” said Elena.

“I’m gonna come to show Elena that I’m better than her at this too,” I said. We all walked to the archery range to try.  

I took a bow and an arrow from the small basket of bows sitting on the floor next to me. 

“Let me show you,” Will said from behind me. I hadn’t noticed he came with us. I held the bow up and Will stepped behind me and positioned my arms. 

“Just like that,” he said, and I swear tingles shot down my arm. I saw Nico sitting in the stands smiling. Elena also had a bow and aimed at the target. Will counted down from three so we could all get ready.  

“Three….. Two…….. One… Shoot!”

We both shot the arrow. Mine had hit the target smack in the center, while Elena’s was right on the edge of the target. I heard clapping coming from the stands and saw Nico, Sophia, Percy, and Will clapping their hands and cheering. 

The next activity was close combat. Elena picked up a small dagger and waited for Sophia to pick something to fight with. Elena lunged at Sophia, and in summary, it was a brutal fight and I knew I had to break it up. 

I remembered Elena said that she would prove she was good at close combat. But I wouldn’t let her prove herself if it meant hurting someone. I stepped forward and took out my box knife, and slowly it turned into a black sword with a half-moon, half-sun design on the hilt. I still wasn’t used to the transformation of it, but I liked its design.

I stepped up to Elena and Sophia. I stood with my back to Sophia and was facing Elena, pointing my sword at her. 

“Stop,” I said calmly.

“I need to prove I’m better than someone at something!” Elena protested.

“That doesn’t mean you should hurt them.”

“Yeah, I agree with Aliya,” Sophia added.

“Shut up, Sophia!” She backed off after we said that.

Suddenly we heard someone shout, “Hey, Percy! Annabeth!”

Percy and Annabeth’s heads turned to find the voice.

“Is that . . . Leo Valdez?” Sophia whispered in my ear, her eyes widening like saucers.

“Yeah, of course, it is, dummy,” I answered her.

“He’s cute,” she whispered in my ear.

“He’s taken,” I said bluntly.

“I know.”