#(i would never survive a kirby game)

[your-fave-is-being-blended]

could you blend Marx from Kirby?

Marx from Kirby is being blended!!

You cannot save him.

[amourningcrow]

Late game spoilers, particulary about Varric! I wasn't able to put this into words before, but now that I've had some time, I think I can actually talk about it. It's a little long though.

I tried to start a new playthrough three times now, but I can't even make it to the ritual side without breaking down. It is, frankly, embarrassing.

But Varric means so, so much to me. I knew deep down that he wouldn't make it out of this alive - that he even survived past DA2 was a surprise to me. The man's got tragic death written all over him! But I still wish we had gotten some more out of him. Some more interactions with the companions, more banter, more relationship dynamics. We never even found out what he would have called the others! (Aside from Neve, who was 'Slick', apparently.)

This isn't even a criticism of the writing! I think it makes sense and fits his character, sadly. (Though it's also the first time they actually managed to make me hate Solas, which is quite a feat.) It's just me being heartbroken about one of - or maybe even my ultimate - comfort character. I played DA2 (and the others, too, but DA2 holds a special place in my heart in this regard) during a time in my life where I was very much just... lost, I guess. God. I think I actually felt physical fucking grief when I went through the Fade prison scene? I was shaking and sobbing the whole time and I don't know if I have it in me again.

I'm a bookseller by trade and Varric loving stories always resonated with me. He's often reduced to being the sarcastic sidekick, but I love all his aspects and complexities so very dearly.

The son who didn't ever quite fit in with the society he grew up in, who couldn't hold up to his parents expectations and so instead refused to be tied down by them, but still had a deep love for his family.

The man who was so tragically in love with a woman he couldn't have that he made her his little secret, keeping Bianca's identity even from his best friends. Who probably still didn't let go of his yearning all those years later, maybe because it was easier than opening up and getting hurt again.

The one who was always bickering with Cassandra, this steely woman he was always at odds with, but still wrote her a continuation for his romance series he didn't even think was good because beneath all of his veneer, he still cared.

Who was presented with this half-spirit half-boy and saw just a squirrely kid who needed some help to find his place in the world. (And yeah, this is special to me. Because god damn it, I never had someone like that growing up, and I would have given all my limbs and a kidney for it.)

Who was so, so full of compassion himself, despite all the shit the world had already thrown at him.

I don't know. Maybe I just have a thing for people who try to lock their hurt away so not even they, themselves, have to confront it. (Maybe because I'm a little like that myself and maybe that's why I like Lucanis so much, as well. Damn you, Mary Kirby.)

But anyway. Sorry for the vent. I just needed someplace to share this, I guess. I don't know what to do with this hole in my chest, but props to Bioware (and damn you again, Mary Kirby) for putting it there, because it's definitely not normal for me to care this much. I wasn't even this sad when I had to leave my Hawke in the Fade. Maybe they'll finally find each other again, wherever they are now ��

[phanzon]

I can't believe I'm going to write this AU out before my Kirby AU (which has been in the works for 2 years), but @rorydrawsandwrites had to infect my mind with their Puppeteer AU. So here's an AU to add on to theirs: Puppet Sisters AU (1/?) CW: Emotional and psychological abuse, suicidal tendencies, identity death As per usual, it revolves around Gangle having the ability to possess and control other people, which leads to her continuously possessing and emotionally abusing Jax. However, what if the side effects became too much to bear for our favorite rabbit? The constant headaches, the inability to sleep, the disassociation and disgust towards his own body... the overwhelming self hatred and shame... how he's all alone in this digital world as every one points and laughs at his misery... to have no control over his own bod, his own being as another controls his very mind against their will. The sheer mental anguish languishing in his soul for simply existing, for thinking, for simply being himself. What does it even mean to be "Jax"? A made up name for a man he has little memories of being before getting sucked into this digital hellscape. A trickster that everyone hated for his mischievous cruelty and now suffers eternally for their amusement... At this point they don't even see Jax the way they did before... now they only see a smiling corpse being dragged around by ribbons. No, they wouldn't miss him, after all they never fought for him whenever he fled to their rooms and begged for sanctuary. Every night is a struggle to stay sane as a thick fog clouds the mind while voices and memories play out in front of him like twisted puppet shows. In these moments of free time he would spend hours coming up with places to hide, ideas of how to struggle, justifications for giving in little by little. But now... now he simply tries to survive. The anguish of existing overwhelms his senses, tugging at his mind and body. He no longer fears his tormentor, whom he now stays in her room with, rather he fears transforming into a beast, stuck in perpetual torment as he's dragged out like a dog and thrown into the cellar... forgotten as he continuously tears his corrupted flesh apart in the abyss.... He wants to give up, to let go and let the pain go away... but abstraction will never ring relief. He rather give in to the devil he knows rather than the devil he doesn't. When Gangle awoke, she is less than thrilled. The past month her doll hasn't even tried to run or hide from her, instead he keeps lying there in bed, hoping for her to take control. It was deeply satisfying at first, seeing their former tormentor finally having his spirit broken and allowing her to take over without any hassle. But the moment passed and as soon as it did, Gangle realized that there wouldn't be any fun without a struggle. In all honesty she was thinking about taking a break, maybe then she could get some enjoyment out of Jax suffering from the side effects of her games.

However she did not find Jax in her bed, rather he was on the floor on both of his knees, his head bowed to the floor, tears dripping onto the carpet. Gangle couldn't help but smile, "What are you doing on the floor, bunny? Are you asking me to make you my pet?" Jax responded in a hushed, monotone voice. "I want you to make the pain go away...I.... I give up.... you win." Gangle tilted her head in confusion. "Give up? You're giving up now? So then, what was all that the past month?" Jax sat up, holding his arms close to him as his ears drooped and he wept uncontrollably. "Hell... It's hell to keep going on like this... I'm... I'm.... broken... I'm useless without you." Gangle feigned a frown and went over to her doll, kneeling down and stroking the back of his furry head. "Aww, there there bunny... I only broke you because of what you did to me and everyone else." Jax rested his head on Gangle's shoulder. "I... I know I did and i deserved it but-" Gangle interrupted. "and honestly if you're squirming in pain because I'm not possessing you, then maybe I should really cut down my time with you~" Jax looked at her with fright. "WH-WHAT?! N-NO WAIT I-" Before he could continue, Gangle got up and began to walk towards the door. "Anyway I better hurry on to today challenge, I wouldn't want to be late." In that moment, she could hear a thump as Jax dived towards her, grabing their leg in desperation. She dawned a devious smile. "NO! nonononono, don't leave me, don't leave me Gangle I- I need your help!" Gangle couldn't help but giggle. "Awww, so desperate for attention~" Jax closed his eyes and gripped harder. "Please Gangle... I'm dying..." Suddenly Gangle's face turned to confusion. "Dying???" She turned around and kneeled to Jax's height. "What do you mean by that, bunny?" Jax grabbed his head in pain and went into a fetal position. "I... I've been holding myself together for weeks now, but I'm at my limit... I can feel myself slipping... I don't want to abstract, I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH THIS CONSTANT PAIN!" Gangle recoiled, even after all this time she's never seen Jax so frightened to where he would ask HER for help. "I see... So what do you want me to do about it? In fact, what do I even get out of helping a pathetic, useless scamp like you?" A silence filled the room as Jax burried his head in his knees. He had fought for so long to maintain his pride, his spirit, his integrity. Little by little he was whittled away: his dignity, his humanity, his sanity... all to dust. The old him would have beaten him senseless to what he was going to do... but the old him is gone forever, and now he and all that he was will follow suit. "You can have everything." Gangle blinked a few times before asking him to clarify. "Everything?" Jax turned away in shame. "Everything. My body, my mind, my soul if I even have one... Everything, take it all and let me finally get some sleep... forever. Gangle was taken aback. "You... You're serious about this?!" Jax replied without so much as a hint of humanity left in his voice. "If you don't take me now... you'll lose me to the cellar. I'm already a dead man walking." Gangle had an emotionless expression on her face, coldly calculating, weighing her options. She wanted to see Jax tormented even more, seeing him be carried off screaming and crying could bring a smile to her face... but at the same time she was pretty invested in using his body, a lot of time and effort learning how to control his body would go to waste if he really abstracted. She was skeptical over his claims, but it was best not to risk it. "Very well, I will relieve you of your suffering." Jax cried with joy, his grin thankful at this distorted gesture of mercy. "Th-thank you..."

As Gangle slithered her warm, soft ribbons around the puppet's body, limb by limb, she whispered in his ears. "Now just relax, I will make sure to take care of your body for myself. All your pain, all your fear and all your anxiety won't bother you again. No more sadness, no more anger. Just b l i s s." Jax could feel himself slipping. Normally he would be pleading for his life for Gangle to stop. But after such a grueling fight, he can finally sleep for good. With Gangle stroking his eat, she continued. "Now all that's left is your pretty little neck my dear, then you wont have to worry or be bothered by anything or anyone anymore. Your mind will be put to rest and you'll be in good hands. You've been a very good puppet, bunny~" And with that, Jax gave a final breath before coming under Gangles control. Gangle sighed, she didn't expect Jax to be THAT desperate for her control. However as she made the puppet stand, she could feel something was off. "Hmm? Wait a minute... this feels like-" Her eyes widened as she realized Jax was indeed telling the truth of his abstraction. However, just as soon as she felt it, it slowly trickled away. "Well #$%&, you were telling the truth. I guess you should thank me bunny... Bunny?" Whenever Gangle possessed Jax, she had to put his consciousness somewhere inside the depths of his own mind as to keep him trapped and conscious enough for her to hear his struggles. Except now, his mind truly felt empty, with all traces of him vanishing along with the feelings of abstraction. "Bunny? are you there? Jax? Did.. did you really just leave me your body?" Gangle had underestimated how Jax truly felt in his darkest moments and how true his words of letting go were. But now that he was gone, it felt surreal to control a living body without a mind to suppress and torture. As Gangle mentally observed Jax's mind, she realized many of the areas of the brain that she once had to wrestle Jax for control of were now completely ripe for the taking. "Hmm, I wonder." In an instant, Gangle was able to control Jax's body movements with much more precession and flexibility. No longer did it feel like dragging a corpse around the circus, Gangle felt much lighter and could harness Jax's natural athleticism. "WOAH! I feel so light and nimble! I wonder what else I can do without that bunny boy stopping me?" Observing Jax's mind, there was always one spot that Gangle couldn't seem to get a hold of, no matter how submissive and agreeable Jax was. Gangle closed her eyes and focused as hard as she could. "Come on... come onnn... almost got it... riiiiight... th-ACK!" As Gangle connected to that part of the mind, a shock went right up both Jax's and Gangle's body's, arching the former's back backwards before collapsing. Gangle couldn't keep it together and blacked out beside the empty husk of a body.

NEXT

[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

Curious, in this au what is Marx’s role in this story. Is he changed at all or different

I try to incorporate and mix anime & game lore in order (to try) achieve a good mix of both... (but everyone is 10 x emotional & sympathetic...)

So Marx was the last creation of N.M.E and was to be the "pièce de ré·sis·tance," a monster in the guise of a friend. Not just that, but the "perfect friend for Kirby." (Planning to take advantage of Kirby's soft heart and friendly nature.)

Similar to how they used the following monsters (Chill, Galbo, Kirby's Robot-dog, etc.), but he was never finished... the Nightmare's base was destroyed when Kirby & the townsfolk blew up the base.

Marx was just left there all alone... the only thing that survived. But he didn't know what was his purpose. And the minute he's born, all he can see are these soldiers (Star Warriors) hunting him down.

Thankfully, our friendly N.M.E Salesman saves him and tells him all about it, basically his last act of revenge against King Dedede & Kirby. And he honestly feels fulfilling his purpose is what's going to make him feel whole.

He even tells him that it was Kirby and the gang's fault he's left all along up here with no one. His beef wasn't just with Kirby but with everyone in Dreamland (but the anger is mostly towards cappies... they blew up his home).

Marx is pretty central to Kirby's stories and is one of the core reasons why he wants to become a star warrior. He does serve as one of Kirby's most loyal allies and one of Kirby's closest friends.

HEAVY SPOILER WARNING FOR (KNIGHTMARE'S END & KING DEDEDE REMPTION ARC)... Keep reading if you'd like... I'm going to water down everything and skim over some details in this explanation. And there's some art content as well)

(After the events of The Knightmare's End)

After remembering his past with Meta Knight... Kirby wanted more than anything to rekindle his relationship with his long-lost guardian. With Kirby regaining his memories it was easy for him to slip and reestablish the closeness he had with Meta Knight back when he was an infant. (He missed him so much...)

Meta Knight (on his part) was determined to make up for all the lost time, teach him everything he knew, and eager to reconnect with his boy after all those wretched years alone. He was ready to give him the world... (Basically, he spoiled him rotten for a while! XD)

Being under Meta Knight's tutelage, Kirby began to mature properly, even learning how to talk... but he taught him in a way that made him excited to learn. With each lesson, he'd weave tales from his past... which allowed Kirby to learn more about Team Halberd (their family). He'd even invite Knuckle Joe & Sircia for lessons & sparring so they could learn about their parents.

For Meta Knight, spending time with Kirby managed to heal the wounds around his heart. As for Kirby, he felt like this was what he had been missing all this life (a parental figure), someone who could always be there for him & love him no matter what. The bond they shared made each other feel less lonely, and it was one in which they helped each other grow.

But unknowingly this had consequences...

With Meta Knight reclaiming as Kirby's guardian leaves Fumu in this status of limbo. Fumu basically got everything she wanted... being free of the burden she was as the keeper of the warpstar. But she didn't know how drastically his relationship with Kirby would change.

Fumu still doesn't know Kirby overheard what she said... he just doesn't want to trouble her anymore (like she wanted). The events of the whole anime series took a toll on Kirby. (Namely, with the cappies wanting to kick him out.) He found himself staying away from town.

While everyone in Cappy town tried to make it up to Kirby... and forgave them. He never really trusted them or allowed them to get close to him like they used to. Fumu sees this and tries to remedy the situation, which backfires terribly. (Is the same thing similar to the "Kirby Takes the Cake,"- episode where he runs away.)

Fumu: Kirby this is your home, everyone lo-

Kirby: Then why doesn't it feel like home-

Fumu: Kirby but why-

Kirby: Poyo... going to Meta Knight's...

This was the moment when she realized just out of touch she was with Kirby. Bun could only watch this trainwreck... and couldn't help but be upset with Kirby turning down all his sister's party. Causing a rift between the friends. (They still didn't get it Fumu & Bun.)

This divide is made even further with the (redemption arc) of King Dedede. (Events involving Dark Matter)

Kirby forgives Dedede and now considers him a friend!? This leaves Fumu & Bun desperate to convenience him otherwise... believing him to be too trusting & too naive... But who should come to back Kirby on his decision is none other than Meta Knight!

Kirby: But he means you don't see what I-

Fumu: He's tricking you, Kirby! Like he always does...

Bun: Yeah, how many times has he pulled this "turned over a new leaf junk" on everyone!

KD: It's fine kiddo... I won't stay where I'm not wanted I'll-

Kirby: Poyo, (sees KD visually uncomfortable) but Dedede...

Fumu: Meta Knight, aren't you going to do something, stop-

Meta Knight: I stand by my pupil's decision... This is Kirby's choice... I trust him... do not overstep your boundaries, both of you!

Resulting in Kirby spending more time with Dedede & MK than with them (helping the king to better himself). The siblings want nothing to do with Dedede's betterment. Bun & Fumu... they can't help but resent Dedede but this also minimizes the time their time with Kirby.

It bothers them how increasingly chummy he's they've been getting with King Dedede. (There's also a little incident that Kirby & Meta Knight swore to keep secret for KD's sake that they two don't know about... which would have probably made them more sympathetic to King Deded, it just wasn't their (Kirby & MK) story to tell...)

In truth, Marx didn't have to do that much... he just had to expose Fumu & Bun's deepest insecurities about their friendships. With Bun being the main chess piece in it all.

(Marx's arc takes place after "Kirby and the Crystal Shards" )This is Kirby's first major adventure... without them.

Fumu bottles up her feelings... but Bun is furious and extremely jealous of King Dedede: it almost feels like they've both been replaced with the guy who tried to get rid of him before.

Causing tension from the once-knit, tight group of friends (Fumu & Bun). And the dynamic of the trio has been altered... causing the cracks in their relationship undeniable... And who should take advantage of these cracks... Marx.

Marx's major role in this arc serves to expose the cracks in the friendships he has with Fumu & Bun. And show how a pile of little problems can destroy a once-strong friend.

So, without going into detail...: Marx manages to manipulate the heck out of Bun & the other kids (the group he hangs out with in the anime) to bully Kirby, leading to the kids pranking and almost killing King Dedede.

Bun receives the brunt of the punishment and reveals his jealousy and anger at Kirby, leaving him and Fumu behind (especially after the Ripple Star saga).

This leads to Kirby calling Bun a horrible friend, resulting in "Empathic touch" being accidentally used. Bun & the kid gang are forced to see and feel what they've been doing to Kirby... even before the incident. All the times they made him feel small, left out, stupid, and different...

It's finally to revealed Fumu that Kirby heard her rant about "How she never wanted to look after Kirby..."

Everything all clicks to her now and she starts to apologize profusely. But it's far too late for that... because to Kirby... Fumu's actions lately (Marx also manipulated her into ignoring Kirby) prove it otherwise.

And they (Bun & the kid gang) feel awful (AS THEY RIGHTFULLY SHOULD!) And META KNIGHT IS ABSOLUTELY LIVID, no longer trusts Bun, and says, "I'm utterly disappointed in you..." And doesn't want him and those "gutter children" (Meta Knight) near Kirby... again...

But he (MK) apologizes to Fumu... "I'm sorry Fumu... I should have never got you involved... I will try better not to..."

Fumu: Not that's not what I wanted, Kirby- *reaches out to him*

Kirby pulled away from her, disheartened... Meta Knight trying his best to comfort Kirby... with Dedede carrying him in his arms... they both bring the poor baby home.

Marx relishes this! During this incident managed to paint himself as an absolute saint... (being the one who told MK of the bullying, warning Kirby about the car, etc.) while Bun was the evil mastermind (when in reality it was Marx).

While Marx may have been the main puppeteer, these were issues that were already beneath the surface... Marx just dug them up. (This is why this friend problem is carried into the next 2 arcs... okay back to Marx...)

Taking full advantage of Kirby's low state and doing his job as the perfect friend. And he actually manages to cheer him up! He plays with Kirby and listens to his problems (slowly accidentally gets attached and realizes how alike they are and... NONONO! Marx you've got a job to do!) But the more he spent time with Kirby the more his inner guilt grew...

A few weeks later, the game plot begins with a bit of a change.

Meta Knight is still suspicious of Marx... so rather than letting Kirby go alone to collect the stars, he goes with him (plus he's too young to travel alone.) Basically, Meta Knightmare Ultra & Kirby Milky Way Wishes combined. In short, the trip ends up being a fun father-son trip... just with them having to stop the Sun and the Moon from fighting at the end.

Meta Knight takes this as an opportunity to have him unpack the situation with Fumu & Bun. However, he doesn't give him the false hope that everything will be patched up instantly... it's going to take time and effort. And friends just sometimes (unintentionally) drift apart... especially when you're growing up... they change.

Meta Knight then reveals that he had a friend like that too and they ended up drifting apart as well... but it ended terribly (Galacta Knight). They collect all the stars (yada, yada, yada) same plot line happened, "Marx Villain reveal" but with a little twist.

When it comes time to make the wish... Nova attempts to grant the wish, but they cannot grant the wish. They tried multiple times as a result of this happened:

Nova: Are you sure this is what you want?!

Marx: OF COURSE THIS IS MY PURPOSE! MY DESTINY GRANT MY DANG WISH ALREADY YOU DAM-

Nova: That's not what you want... You don't really want this...

Marx: What are you...

Meta Knight takes this as the opportunity to fly into Nova... Basically, it was Meta Knight the one to destroy the Nova Clockwork, instead of Kirby on the Starship.

While Kirby takes on Marx... he tries to talk to Marx, but he's not having it... This is where Marx's Soul kicks in as he rages on all the while tears, are leaking from his eyes. Blaming Kirby for his failures, claiming he must have done something.

Marx constantly angrily asks, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!," "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME! YOU AND YOU'RE STUPID CAPPIES ARE THE REASON I'M ALONE IN THIS WORLD! YOU DESTROYED MY HOME AND RUINED MY LIFE I HAVE NO ONE! I HAD A DESTINY! I HAD A PURPOSE, AND YOU! I WAS CREATED TO WRECK HAVC! ... so ...WHY... Why... *begins to cry* I'm supposed to hate- You and your stupid friendship... why do I feel-*

Then Kirby hits him with an "empathic touch," which shows pretty much a montage of Marx and Kirby's moments together. He pretty much shows that "he was enjoying his time with Kirby...", and "he does care for Kirby..." (Oh no did he actually want to be friends with Kirby- This wasn't so supposed to happen!?)

Kirby understands it all: feeling lost, trying hard to fit in, finding your place in the world. What happened to him after the destruction of Nightmare's base. (how he was abused by a certain someone) Kirby just felt so sorry for Marx and was oozing with empathy for him.

Kirby: It's okay Marx I forgive y-

Marx: DON'T... Don't I... I don't deserve- AAARGH!

Due to Kirby's "empathic touch," he was able to also feel how much the friendship meant to Kirby. Marx can't help but he failed on both ends... he couldn't do what he was made for and he may have just lost his first and only friend...

And just before Kirby has a chance to forgive Marx: he flees anger at himself for everything he's done. He doesn't want Kirby's forgiveness (he doesn't deserve it...), leaving behind his balancing-ball.

Marx does make a wish, however... but it's not what you think...

Once destroying the Nova Clockwork Meta Knight, rushes to console his Kirby.

Meta Knight: Kirby, are you alright-

Kirby: If had just one person in his life... maybe he wouldn't have... he could've been my friend- poyo~*starts crying* I can't hate him, I just can't... ARE ALL MY FRIENDSHIPS GOING TO AMOUNT TO THIS IN THE END... LIKE THIS!?

Meta Knight: Oh my poor boy you've been through so much-

Kirby: Am I dumb, hoping he'll come back as my friend... IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!?

Meta Knight: It doesn't have to... *hugs him* this friendship meant a lot to you... it helped you through a tough time * Think back on his friendship with Galacta, although it hurt him in the end, he was grateful for the good it did* it made you less lonely I think that part's worth cherishing... and I don't think you're dumb...

Kirby: Huh?

Meta Knight: After the war, I kept seeing the worst in everything... expecting the worst... to stop me from-... but it blinded me from the good as well (he's referring to Kirby) and... I fell into despair. *pats his head* I'm sorry to say this probably won't be the last something like this will happen, but...

*wipes tears with his cape*

Meta Knight says something that resonates with Kirby... and it's something he carries even to this day.

Meta Knight: So keep your eyes open and beware of the bad in the world... but also *takes Marx's ball and gives it to Kirby* hold on... hold on to the good as well... you don't have to look, just know that it's there... it'll keep you from falling...

For a while, Marx wonders galaxy... I'm not gonna reveal what he does just yet, but... the path he takes leads him back to Kirby.

One thing leads to another, and Kirby gets saved... BY MARX?! Marx tries to flee after saying Kirby, but he gets gravely injured... which forces him to have to stay put. Well, he tries to escape and is literally a feral cat the whole time. He just feels too darn guilty still about everything about Nova's Wish... and doesn't believe Kirby actually forgives him.

So, as a compromise, they let him recover in Halcandra. They cash in a favor from Magolor. Marx gets to know Magolor and basically talks about his story with Kirby. (Literally, Mags just redeemed himself recently...) This interaction makes him feel a little better... but he's still a little anxious that is until Kirby shows him his ball...

I really love Marx's story arc... I hope I didn't spoil too much there are a few secrets still hidden, but like I said this is a very watered-down version of everything hope you stick around for the full story!

Look forward to it!

[g4yforethan]

suffocation

pairing: ethan landry x male!reader

summary: reader and ethan are dating but suspicions arise if ethan is secretly a killer

warnings: cursing, violence!

after a terrifying and long night, you had survived your first ghostface attack. you had lost both of your best friends, anika and quinn, and you were devastated and in shock that you were now a target. after getting checked out by the police and ambulance, you were waiting outside of your apartment with mindy, tara, and chad. you tried calling ethan at least 5 times but there was no reply, soon, you see ethan come out from the crowd of people at the crime scene and chad charges at him. they argue and ethan walks up to you. “ethan where the fuck were you last night?!” you yell at him. “y/n, i had econ! i’m sorry for not calling you back.” he tries to hug you but you refuse. “you didn’t tell me you were going to econ last night. i don’t know who to trust now ethan.” he looks at you with desperation and trying to convince you that he was innocent but you kept your distance.

after a series of attacks that followed, the group decided that it was best to beat ghostface at his own game and meet in the theater. while boarding the train to the theater, you got separated from the group alongside ethan and mindy. mindy was already suspicious of ethan from the start and you were starting to feel the same way. once you three got on the train, ethan wanted you to be next to him. “y/n please stay next to me. i don’t want you to get hurt.” “ethan i don’t know whether to trust you or not right now!” “just please for right now. just stay next to me.” he gives you a kiss on the lips and holds you in his arm as the train reaches your destination. after a while, you looked up at him and saw him staring at mindy, eyeing her with the most menacing look on his face. you tried to shrug it off but you couldn’t. when the train had reached your stop, you look towards mindy and saw her in the back of the train bleeding and in pain. “oh my fucking god mindy! what the fuck happened?! somebody help us!” you and ethan grab onto mindy and race out of the train while paramedics come to help. “y/n you go to the theater, i’ll stay here with mindy. GO!” you give him a kiss and run out to the theater.

you get to the theater and find that the main entrance is locked. you go around the back end of the theater and find a door leading inside. as you walk in, you try to be cautious and quiet as possible in case ghostface was already there. as you make your way in, you start to hear screaming coming from one of the rooms, you find the source to see tara and sam in shock as two ghostfaces attack chad. stab after stab. "y/n, tara we have to go now!” sam yells at you both. as the three of you run to the main center of the theater, you are cornered by the two ghostfaces wielding the knife. out of nowhere, a gun shot goes off and the ghostaces are out of sight. kirby comes out and explains that she was shot but sam and tara weren’t buying it and neither were you. all of a sudden, detective bailey comes out with his gun aiming at kirby. out of nowhere, he shoots kirby and the two ghostfaces emerge from behind. “no fucking way. it’s you?” you stare in disbelief. “yeah of course it’s me. thought you would know better after what you did to us.” “us?!” you scream at him. the ghostace to his left begin to reveal who they are. it’s ethan. 

“no no ethan i trusted you.” you start to cry as pain and betrayal fills your brain. he looks at you. that once innocent smile has turned into the most deranged stare. “it was easy y/n. pretend to fall in love with you just to get close to sam and tara. it was the perfect cover.” “so you were never in love with me? all of those times? it was just you using me for some sick fucked-up plan?!” tara tries to comfort you as you cry and cry. “listen we don’t have time for the lover betrayal storyline-” detective bailey shouts. “so who’s the ghostface next to you then huh? mindy? gale?!” tara cuts him off and yells. “well i was going to get there before you rudely interrupted me.” the ghostface takes off the mask. it’s quinn. “hey roomies. didn’t see that one coming did you?” “yeah because you died. there was blood all over you!” you’re in disbelief. how did she survive? “you see y/n all it takes is a little bit of fake blood and a good performance. thought you would know better mr. horror fanatic.” the trio begins to separate as detective bailey goes on a monologue and ethan and quinn threaten the three of you with their knives. 

“you’re a killer. just like your father!” detective bailey shouts at sam. “NO IM NOT!” “yes you are you motherfucker. YOU KILLED OUR BROTHER!” the three of you look at each other in confusion. “you told us your brother died in a car accident.” ethan points at you. “no, no, no you sweet dumb thing. he died in woodsboro. at the hands of this dumb bitch in front of me.” you couldn’t believe ethan. all of this for his sick fucked-up brother who nearly killed your friends last year. “you all went through this much trouble trying to kill us for vengeance for a sick borderline pedo man-child?!” you scream at all of them not feeling threatened at all. “woah, you watch your mouth there baby boy.” “oh fuck you ethan!” he slices your arm with his knife and gives you a smile. quinn charges at sam but tara smacks her with a brick, tossing her to the ground. kirby shoots at ethan and bailey and they fall to the floor. the three of you run to the exit on the top floor. 10 feet away from the exit, you miss your step and fall.

 “help me! sam! tara!” they try pulling you up but the blood on your hands makes it too slippery for them to pull you up. by this point, ethan was already up, desperate to catch you. “come down here y/n. i wanna know how it feels being inside of you.” “fuck you ethan!” “FUCK YOU!” he yells back at you. you can’t hold on any longer at this point. “sam. give me the knife.” she hands you the knife and you give her a menacing smile. you fall to the ground and ethan quickly stabs you in the side. “gotcha now pretty boy!” you scream and jab the knife into his mouth. he looks at you in disbelief and pain. you slowly move the knife further into his throat which makes him start to cry. “go burn in hell sick fuck!” you remove the knife and he falls back on the ground. he’s dead. you smile knowing that he’s gone but you start to feel the pain that he was once your sweet, cute boyfriend but that was all in your head. that’s the way you like to remember it.

author’s note: hi everyone! hope you enjoyed this story. please send requests of any other characters that you like me to do as my requests are open! thank you <33

[desultory-novice]

"Brighter Skies"

...Ended up drawing this while working on other sketches. Because my brain is just wired for wistful, emotional takes I guess XD

-

Arguably, White-Haired Noir, the Noir who lived, is the Noir who had the hardest journey learning to love not hate himself. Teenage Noir could have never imagined this kind of life for him, because his whole life, he'd just been waiting to die.

In Darkened Skies, when he makes a soft, restrained plea to Kirby for that blessed mercy kill, some part of him was relieved, calm even, that he'd finally survived to the point where he might at last be set free from the pain of living. An ironic wish...

It's a damn hard thing to learn: to live and live positively for yourself. To trust and move forward even though you're lost and confused and making constant dumb mistakes and there's no one around to reassure you, "Of course you're a good big brother!" (or whatever else one might be) when, hell, you don't FEEL good on the inside, but somehow you still NEED to hear it. And to hear it from someone else, because you've lost the ability to trust your own voice ages ago...

Kirby's "stop" is referring back to asking Dark Matter Swordsman to stop the invasion of Popstar (1) but in a general context can also be read as "I'm glad you learned to stop hurting yourself."

-

(1) Random Apologies AU AU Lore

As White-Haired Noir grew up, he became aware that he is only alive because he exists in a branch dimension. He was never supposed to survive. Adeleine was. His fate was always to become Dark Matter's Swordsman and be consumed, body and soul. You only have to live on Popstar for a while to pick up on the existence of alternate dimensions/timelines, and Adult Noir knows he is living in one. 

Kirby, through some mysterious power no one can explain, is also aware of this. Furthermore, on occasion, he expresses explicit, true knowledge of the main timeline, while Noir himself only has guesses about how a world without him would have played out.

(These sideways flashes mean that this Kirby does know about and misses playing with Adeleine, same as he would miss the absence of any of his friends, but Apologies AU AU Kirby cares equally about Noir. He could not trade one sibling/one friend for the other.) (2)

Even when he wasn't sure his existence was an anomaly, White-Haired Noir spent most of his later teenage years trying to find a way to "fix things," to either trade his life back for Adeleine's or to bring her back through some other means. It was following the Apologies AU Star Dream incident where Noir finally realized pursuing this path would only end up with him dead and no one happy. He began, at last, to accept his own reality not as an anomaly or a mistake but as something fragile, yes, something unprepared for, yes, but entirely and wholly for him and to start to cherish his own existence.

Now, if you were to wave a wish granting star or magic wand in front of Noir, he would solemnly decline it. And if you dropped a random AU Adeleine in his lap, he would do no more than give his alternate sister the warmest hug (she would be willing to accept XD) and tell her that, whether his words sound like utter nonsense or not, "Your older brother wishes you all the happiness in the world."

Then he'd send her back on her way.

-

(2)

This is ki~nd of meta-textual based on the fact that while Kirby isn't ever really like "Oh man, Meta Knight's not in this game!" we the players are aware of it and put our feelings into Kirby.

...Or something. I thought it was a fun idea at least?! ^^

[unnecessary-dinosaurs]

i’ve noticed jurassic fans love to criticize camp cretaceous for things that other jurassic content they love also has??

like “the kids have too much plot armor there’s no way they would all survive that long.” but it’s ok when eric kirby survives alone for months on sorna? or when ian malcolm’s daughter kills a raptor with gymnastics?

“the mind control is dumb.” girl the mind control is literally in dominion and fallen kingdom and some of the old jp video games.

“it’s for kids!” it’s literally just as much for kids as every other jurassic movie except maybe the first. and why would that make it any worse? seriously do you not realize how much goes into to making these movies as marketable as possible? half the movies just feel like excuses for new figures and plushies. camp cretaceous embraces the childlike wonder the series is built on but is written for everyone. there’s plenty for adults to enjoy calm down.

they just like to say it’s bad because it’s animated. i feel like a majority of vocal jurassic fans are just like 40 yr old guys who just want to watch cgi dinosaurs fight and hear chris pratt affirm their toxic masculinity. jwcc is so good and has so much heart but they’d never know.

[cross-word]

Reckless

Ethan Landry x male reader

I’m running out of ideas 😭

Word count: 760

You had just gotten home, everyone was at the hospital comforting Kirby and chad for surviving ghostface. You laid in your bed hours going by and watched as the sun from your window slowly disappeared.

He was a ghostface. Ethan was a ghostface, nights you spend laughing playing video games next to him we’re all of them fake?. Who was Ethan? Was he Ethan Landry or Ethan Kirsch who was your best friend? Who was the boy you’ve been dating for 2 years?

Two years he spent two years gaining your trust just to destroy everything by trying to kill you. You were lucky you left this nightmare with major bruises and a busted lip.

“Y/N you good?” Tara asked through the door “yeah I’m fine” you responded laying back down on your bed. For the rest of the night you hear Sam and Tara talking about moving back to California after Tara graduates.

Mindy and Chad would obviously follow which leaves you in New York by yourself. You think to yourself you hear rattling your window rattling you look at your only window to see him.

Fucking Ethan. He was alive.

You sat in shock about seeing your dead best friend alive. Oh god was he here to finish the job.

He looked at you with crazed eyes. You tried to scream but Ethan’s gloved hand covered it, putting a knife against your throat. “Scream and I kill you and everyone who walks in this room” tears ran through your face.

“I need your help,” he says, spitting blood onto my chest. “What do you want me to do?” you whispered, trying not to get Tara’s attention. “That friend you have that works at that clinic” he says groaning from the pain in his throat.

“You don’t need a clinic you need a hospital dumbass” you snarled at him he pressed the knife into your throat “you need to shut up” he says “ok, ok, ok just get the knife away from my throat” you tell him.

“You’ll have to wait until at night before leaving” you tell him, he slowly lets go of the hold on you “you can’t leave me” he says, you felt like your heart was going to jump out. Why? He’s psychotic. Insane. Why does he still make you feel like this “you’ll tell the others and I can’t have that” he told you blocking the door with his body.

Even if you screamed he was here, you knew he’ll kill you before Tara or Sam gets in.

Picking up your phone and dialing a number “who are you calling” he says walking towards you “the friend that works at the clinic, I’m telling her she needs to stay for a while” Ethan watched as you called your friend.

Suspicion in his eyes he listened to every word you say to your friend.

You left your room with Ethan behind you, his knife pressing against your back. Before you two could leave you hear Tara call out for you. Ethan spun you around closing the door slightly making sure Tara didn’t see him.

Ethan stood crouched behind you as you conversed with Tara. He got impatient pressing the knife onto your back “hurry it up” he whispered.

He watched as you slowly closed the door. You two walked to your car Ethan watched as the street lights hit your face. “Would you end up staying with me if I didn't..” he asked “probably, I really liked you” you told him turning towards the clinic.

You saw your friend wave through the clear doors “go walk in there” you tell him. You watched as your friend checked out Ethan's throat, cleaning all the blood and prescribing him medication for his throat.

You watched your friend lead him to lay down. She asked you to talk with her outside of the room “what happened to him, how’d he get like that” you debated telling her he was a ghostface killer.

“He got into a fight and the dude had a knife and tried to stab his eye” you lied to her.

After that day you never saw Ethan ever again.

It’s been 4 years since the attacks, your friend group knew he was alive because of the report they only found two bodies.

You walked down the aisle of the grocery store picking the things you needed.

When you bump into someone you both look into each other's eyes, those damn eyes his brown eyes, those eyes that comforted you when you cried about your problems.

“Hi, Y/N” Ethan said, with his beautifully dumb smile.

[alltheoutsinfreeeee]

inspired by/blatantly stolen from this post

little bits of thoughts and details, as well as spoilers, about each below

Favorite Game of All Time: Final Fantasy IX! From characters to themes to soundtrack, while each parts on their own might be inferior to other games, in its full package nothing will ever beat out FFIX for me. I love this game with all my heart.

Favorite Series: The Tales series~ Their stories always manage to capture me, the character designs are iconic... They might be trope-heavy and sometimes predictable, but its MY trope-heavy and sometimes predictable game series.

Best Soundtrack: Ar tonelico II. This was actually very hard and AT2 does still have several contenders. TWEWY, Terraria Calamity Mod, Pokémon... In the end AT2 won out for now because. Well. It's not often a soundtrack is a huge deal in-universe, songs have their own conlang(s) with grammar and everything, and the soundtrack was specifically designed to sound like it was produced on in-universe instruments as opposed to real life ones. Why did I pick AT2 instead of 1 or 3? It's my favorite and I'm biased.

Favorite Protagonist: Niko OneShot and Kirby! Feel good characters that always make me smile. I would die for them. (hey who's that hiding in there, where did he come from--)

Favorite Villain: Magolor, Kuja, Ardyn. My boys, my chew toys. I would die for them, but for entirely different reasons that for Niko or Kirby, and if I hear anything bad about them in my presence I will throw hands. (in my head anyways, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and i shy away from online confrontation. just hope i will never meet you offline because in that case WILL argue in their favor with you for hours.)

Best Story: Finding Paradise. I adore the characters, the game makes me cry everytime I play it, it left even more of an emotional impact than To The Moon did, I have never felt more personally attacked or seen by a video game, let's move on.

Have not played but want to: Digimon Survive I own and have started, but lost motivation a few hours in. I still wanna finish it one day because I keep hearing only good things about it and I'm a sucker for character development and insect Digimon. OMORI I also own and also have finished one route, but I haven't gotten to the hikkikomori route yet. One day. Kirby Squeak Squad/Mouse Attack I genuinely have never played and wish to change that one day. Sassy mouse phantom thief with cane and ice magic? That's entirely my aesthetic.

You Love Everyone Hates: Final Fantasy XV and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. In both cases I think the hate has mostly subsided by now, but I vividly remember many people disliking both games to an unfair degree. Neither are as bad as people made them out to be.

You Hate Everyone Loves: No :3

Best Art Style: CrossCode, The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog and The World Ends With You. I like anime artystyle and I'm proud. CrossCode is beautiful pixel art, TMoSTH is so unbelievably cozy, and TWEWY is just *chef's kiss*

Favorite Ending: After careful deliberating I went with Ar tonelico 3. The culmination of an overarching story of three games, connecting with the Planet, making up for sins and ultimately taking the first steps towards salvation. With Ec Tisia sounding in a new age as the credits roll. Beautiful.

Favorite Boss Fight: Sister Friede in Dark Souls 3. * disclaimer that I have never actually played DS3, but I love everything about this fight. Setting, atmosphere, dialogue, music, surprises... Truly peak, even if maybe a stereotypical answer to this question.

Childhood Game: Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy VII and IX. Most N64 Mario games as well as Pokémon Crystal could be put on here, but I feel like those three are the ones that stuck with me the most.

Relaxing Game: OoT and Kirby again, but also Pokémon Platinum. OoT might sound weird at first, but with the soundtrack, the fishing pond as well as the ranch there really are a lot of cozy spots in the game. Kirby doesn't need an explanation, cozy and relaxing are a core part of the series. Platinum is here because of the soundtrack and nostalgia. It's my for now unrivaled favorite Pokémon game.

Stressful Game: Bloodborne and In Stars and Time. Bloodborne is self-explanatory, but also it's my favorite out of the Soulsborne games. In Stars and Time isn't stressful in the same way a Soulsborne game is, ISAT is emotionally stressful (positive and complimentory). My favorite video game party in several years.

Game you always come back to: FFIX, Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess and Platinum. Kingdom Hearts and TWEWY can also be on here, but the space is a too small.

Guilty Pleasure: The Ar tonelico trilogy. Not because the gameplay, story, music or characters are bad, but because there are some. Let's say outdated anime tropes in it. If you can live with some unnecessary fanservice and also less than stellar localizations in favor for genuinely amazing worldbuilding, and fantastic characters and songs, I am lovingly putting the games in your hands.

Tons of Hours Played: TWEWY, Platinum and Tales of Vesperia. You guys don't know how obsessed teenage me was with TWEWY. Platinum is, again, my favorite Pokémon game. And I wouldn't ever have gotten started on tumblr if it wasn't for Vesperia~ I keep gushing over Symphonia and the Abyss, but Vesperia's my go-to Tales game. Not one character I dislike in the whole party. They are all my children. Yes, even the 35 year old.

[diamondzoey]

*Crashes through the roof* more questions and scenarios part who knows!

1. If your bug was in a horror game, which one would it be and would they survive?

2. If your bug was bird folk what kind of bird would they be?

3. Royalty! AU

Do they know how to fight?

4. Scenarios #1 (baby bugs and modern Au!)

Your bug was talking to another bug in the kitchen and hears a voice and sees Asher

Asher: hey bug name look what big sis got me! *Shows a purple cat plushie with a big grin on its face*

Your bug: Cool but what is it?

Asher who has a smile on his face: It’s a character from a animated series called smiling critters and this cat is catnap and when you pull his tail, he releases a lavender mist!

Asher pulls the tail but instead purple mist coming out it’s red mist and when that happened your bug and Asher looks confused

One of bugs decided to text jemma about the plushie

-text-

One of the bugs- hey jemma did you give Asher a catnap plushie

Jemma- what are talking about?,I never got him a catnap plushie

After that one of the bugs tells your bug about what Jemma said in the text

How would they react or say?

5. If the bugs were to go bowling who would win?

6. Scenarios #2

Your bug was doing something and hears a door and opens the door and sees a small pink ball

Bug name: What the-

Kirby: poyo!

Bug name, who’s confused: am I dreaming?

Kirby looks a sword and uses it’s copying abilities and to suck the sword into it mouth and than a sword appears in its hand: Poyo!

Bug name:…..

7. If the bugs were a smash tournament who would win?

@rozeliyawashereyall @willowve01 @asmrbrainrot @kaiamtt @iistxrmyskyii @insignificant-anarchy @stxph-artist @aspenm00n @keyaartz @fangsshadow @rustycopper4use @piffany666 @dreamyshape @idontevenknow7878 @lunaritychuwolf @littlesiren79 @castbracelet240 @strayharmony943 @proxdragon @tiefling-chaos @threeweekinsomnia

@redacted @wilderrorcard @puffin-smoke @fennaboysenberry @lunnats @headstrashdump

@lightdragon789 @pinkcocopuff-aqualoid @itsargyle @not-5-rats @astralbulldragon13

@ccstiles @fruity0salad @takashishihoin @megapugman

@reefhastoomanyaccs @kaydenskiwi @greaysharkboi

[pikespendragon67]

And Now, an Ode to Priam Fire Emblem: The Decade or So Long Blorbo

As I type this, the Nintendo 3DS and WiiU eShop have legally shut down their Internet servers. Pokemon can still be transferred via the Poke Transporter & Pokemon Bank, and content that was downloaded before can still be redownloaded, but now it is legally impossible to not only buy games, but to also download their free content that was distributed online. For some games, this might not have been utilized or was just a small bonus that didn’t mean much. For Fire Emblem Awakening, it meant access to new maps & somewhat new characters. 

4 of the free online characters were within Awakening’s main story & acted as “what if” scenarios. What if Emmeryn survived her character defining fall that ended a decade-or-so-long war? What if Yen’fay was the Chon’sin royal sibling that survived instead of Say’ri? What would Gangrel do if he lived after Chrom defeated him? What would Walhart do? What would Aversa do if it turned out that she was brainwashed by a cult, realized this, and decided to fight against this? Some were better executed than others, in my opinion, but some of these characters also had exclusive skills, such as Aversa wielding dark magic outside of a Dark Mage/Sorcerer class or Walhart being immune to armor & beast killing weapons, or were just more manpower for your army.

There was one final Spotpass map, though, that acted as a nice free challenge mode (if you didn’t plan on buying the DLC for Apotheosis, of course) : 50 whole units against 26 of your own. At the epicenter of it is Priam, the character I’d like to honor with this memoir. 

Priam is a character not found in the main story of Awakening, and is a dweller of the Isle of Giants in the Outrealms (aka bonus content land oooooh). He’s the leader of a very large army (again, 50 units) consisting of people from every nation within the continents of Ylisse & Valm. He’s supposedly related to a radiant hero of legend, though it’s never officially confirmed. He likes to train, eat meat, and fight strong opponents to better himself regardless of their origins. Overall a relatively simple character to understand. 

For many players, they tend to forget he exists or do their best to pretend he doesn’t exist in the first place. Either they didn’t play his map, his character traits didn’t stick with others as strongly as others, or the big meat and potatoes hot button issue: his relation to Ike. Ike is the protagonist of the Tellius saga, or the games consisting of both Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn. He does not have a canonical ending where he marries, and within the games, he doesn’t show romantic interest in any female characters. He does, however, have paired endings with characters such as Ranulf (who goes on a journey) and Soren (who accompanied Ike on his own journey, never to be seen or heard from again). And with sources stating Priam is a direct descendant of Ike, rather than an off-shoot through Mist (Ike’s younger sister) and Boyd, many got upset. “How could Ike have a kid? He’s not interested in women. He likes Soren.” is something I see regularly while scouring through Priam’s tag on Tumblr or through comments on Youtube. And I’m not here to argue against that. I do, however, think I have an idea why Priam was chosen to be Ike’s descendant of all the previous lords: Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Brawl, at the time, was the latest Smash Bros. game when Awakening was in development. Smash Bros. is usually how Nintendo fans branch out from just playing Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, or Kirby and get introduced to series they might not have even heard of, such as Fire Emblem. In fact, it was due to Marth & Roy’s appearance in the previous Smash Bros. game, Melee, that the West got their first taste of Fire Emblem games. However, in Brawl, Roy was removed from the roster and was replaced with Ike. This makes sense, as Path of Radiance was the latest console Fire Emblem game when Brawl was released. (I also wonder if it has to do with the west never receiving Roy’s game, but that’s just speculating on my end). Gotta promote your games somehow. Though from what I understand, the Tellius games did not sell as well as Intelligent Systems had hoped. Additionally, with the following games being remakes of Marth’s original adventures now on the DS, those also did not sell well. Heck, the west never officially got the remake for Mystery of the Emblem. 

This could just be fan speculation ruminating throughout the decades, but it seems to be common belief that due to poor sales, Fire Emblem was almost a goner franchise that probably would’ve remained dormant for decades or even had no games developed for it. As such, Intelligent Systems wanted to broaden the market by appealing to newcomers. Some that may have heard about Fire Emblem through Smash Bros., but never gave it a shot due to the permadeath system that the games were infamous for, or just no real interest beforehand. Awakening exploded in popularity, garnering new fans like crazy. And with Chrom, Lissa, Emmeryn, Lucina, and Owain being descendants of the recognizable Marth (especially as Lucian disguising herself as Marth and even being briefly confused for Marth by Tiki), it would make sense to have a supposed descendant of the recognizable Ike as well. …Although one could speculate that Walhart is a descendant of Alm & Celica, which makes sense given how Rudolf looks… And for more reference’s sake, they threw in a bunch of past Fire Emblem throwbacks in weapons & lore that made writing a worldbuilding-centric fic a fucking nightmare.

So, with all of that, what are my thoughts on Priam being related to Ike? 

…Eh? 

My whole explanation beforehand was me retelling how I got into Awakening in the first place sprinkled in with hearsay I’ve read online, but as I grow older & more bitter at the world, Priam could be related to a shoe for all I care. (Although if Roy DID stick in Brawl, it would be cool to see how his descendant would be, especially if we’re going the route of Eliwood/Ninian having Roy, who then marries Lillina). What I like about Priam is traits somewhat shown in Ike, sure, but it’s also just the missing potential that keeps me coming back to him.

SO, time to get into how I started to like him. I remember when I first played Awakening, I asked a friend if I should pick between Stahl or Lon’qu to marry (as I was aware of the auto-marriage to Chrom mechanic and wanted to avoid that). The friend said Stahl was a better pick, as he was a kind lad that loved to eat & had messy hair like yours truly. Then, when the Spotpass maps were released, I immediately made a new save file so that I could marry Priam. Why? …Because he had a bandana and I liked his English voice acting (for the few grunts & battle quotes that were present). The Awakening Hero armor design is eh, but I liked how his was customized to be, well, radiant. The 3D model was shinier than those of Flavia’s or other playable reclassed Heroes, and I really just liked how he paired a tattered cape with his armor. 

I also remember level grinding for an entire summer just so I could finally take on his map efficiently. Granted, I played Normal/Casual, but when I replayed the map a 3rd time for another save file, my units were barely able to beat him. It was worth it, in my opinion. 

What really made me start up that second save file were his supports with Female Robin. Priam is an unfortunate case of “Avatar-sexual”, meaning he only has supports with Robin & Morgan if he’s his dad (although in the Hot Springs DLC, he does have a nice chat with Yen’fay & tries his damnest to fight Walhart). We only learn small things about him, such as his love for training & how he utilizes breathing techniques that would fit right into Jojo or Demon Slayer. He also gets flustered when someone does something nice for him unexpectedly, such as Female Robin doing his laundry as thanks for training with her. He doesn’t really care about expenses, as he bought a really fucking expensive ring when he proposed to Female Robin and says “I don’t give a damn what you do” when you sell items in his inventory. He’s devoted to the point of letting the world burn before seeing Female Robin get hurt (thankfully not to a yandere-like level). …And you learn he fought a bear when he was 12 if you support with Male Robin. He’s what got me to liking characters that had muscle (yes even though Basilio and Vaike were right there).

Combat wise, he was a good non-armor defensive unit (especially with wielding Ragnell to give him +5 defense), but what I find neat is that he learns weapon breaker skills even in classes he can’t become, like Gryphon Rider having Lancebreaker. He has both Sol and Luna, but not Aether like. This might be so Aether stays exclusive to Chrom, Lucina, and a potential daughter/granddaughter, but I speculated this could be Priam either holding himself back from using Aether’s potential or him still trying to figure it out.

Along with this, if you were a budding mythology/history nerd like I was, you realize he was named after not one, but two! TWO! Important figures in the Trojan War: King Priam and his son, Paris (In Japanese, Priam is named Paris, so yes, go ahead and make the French jokes. His English voice actor already plays the Frenchiest Fry Virion himself). In fact, this was one of the many things that sparked my interest in mythology/history. 

And finally, this was around the time I was starting to get interested in voice acting trivia. This meant I wanted to act as a human IMDB page and go “whoa, did you know such and such shared a voice with so and so?! Isn’t that neat?!” At the time, I didn’t know Jamieson Price also voiced Virion, but I DID know he voiced Iskandar from Fate/Zero and Chad from Bleach. Those were 2 of my favorite characters so I was sold. And then for Japanese, Daisuke Ono voices him. Jotaro Kujo from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Shizuo Heiwajima from Durarara!! Of all things! WOW! 

All of this is really fucking cool shit, and it’s such a damn waste that Intelligent Systems doesn’t do anything else with him! 

To fill in my disappointment, I’ve definitely created a version of Priam in my head that’s drastically different from canon. I’ve incorporated elements from what I’ve continued to read in his supports, inspiration coming from moments & traits from other series that I’ve watched/played that I thought would be cool, and overall just positive things to keep me going when I was going through a rough spot. Canonically, he’s probably like what people expect Goku from Dragon Ball Z to be. In my mind, he’s like a battle-hardened tactician brawler that gets very excited about swords (to the point where he takes up blacksmithing to craft his own), loves to speak about life in a philosophical lens, and experiences a quiet yet extremely unsettling quiet anger when someone he cares about gets hurt. I also headcanon he uses his headband to cover scars from his bout with fighting a bear when he was 12. OH! And he gets to have twin girls: Cassandra and Helena. 

…So yeah, completely different from canon. But with only 3 Cipher cards and 1 appearance in Heroes as I type this to go by, I feel like it’s okay to speculate about what could have been. He could have been in Awakening’s main story as an opponent to Walhart during the second arc, or he could have been a recurring superboss in future Fire Emblem games that somehow always ends up in different dimensions. He could have been a hint for an upcoming Fire Emblem game that explored Tellius 1,000 years in the future much like how Awakening explored Archanaea & Valentia 1,000 years after Marth, Alm, and Celica ruled. (And apparently 2,000 years after Seliph ruled Jugdral? Again, consistent worldbuilding in this series is a nightmare if you try to connect all the games). Heck, I thought that was going to be what Fates was when I saw the cutscene of King Sumeragi shielding baby Corrin from arrows. 

Part of the reason why I’m so attached to Priam is spite from this lack of potential, and the fans mostly ignoring him for their own reasons. Like! We could have had so much more with this guy! And that kept me motivated during dark times in my life. I won’t go into specifics, as it’s quite personal & possibly triggering, but I’ll just say I felt very upset, very angry, and very alone at a certain point in my life. But I kept myself going for the unrealistic but still plausible goal of getting to see Priam get his own game. It might sound dumb, but it kept me wanting to move forward in life. And it’s because of that that I’m here today, and I’ve met other Priam fans online that have their own ways of showing that they like him. They have different reasons than me, and that’s awesome! Priam fans, in spite of their small numbers, exist! When I first joined Tumblr, I unofficially joined a “Radiant Waifu Society” where 3 other people were also Priam fans. I don’t talk to them as much as I did back then, but I do see one of the members post art from time to time & another one makes Fire Emblem Heroes content on Youtube now! I’ve also met one of my best online friends through a shared interest in Priam. She introduced me to many new friends I’ve made over the years, and I still talk with a few of them on a daily basis in friend group servers on Discord. I love sharing cursed voice acting trivia with her and the many other friends whenever I get the chance to, especially seeing their initial reactions when I tell them Priam is also voiced by Jelly Jiggler of Bobobo fame. 

All in all, I’d say Priam, in spite of his controversies in fandom spaces, was a great positive in my life that I can’t help but be thankful for. Intelligent Systems probably didn’t expect someone to care for this one-off character so much, but anything’s possible these days. 

Thank you for being such a positive force in my life, Priam Fire Emblem. With your map no longer being legal to download, here’s hoping you get your own game someday.

[chernobog13]

Batman and Manhunter (Paul Kirk) by Walt Simonson.

This version of Manhunter has a rather confusing history. Originally, Paul Kirk was a private investigator, created by Ed Moore, who starred in his own serial in Adventure Comics (vol. 1) starting with issue #58 (January, 1941). The feature was titled Paul Kirk, Manhunter, but that was just a description of the job he did, not a nickname he used, nor was he ever called that.

The Paul Kirk, Manhunter feature ended in issue #72.

The final appearance of Paul Kirk, Manhunter, from Adventure Comics #72.

Adventure Comics #73, April 1942)* saw the debut of a new, costumed Manhunter feature by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.

The new Manhunter was Rick Nelson (no, not Ozzie and Harriet's kid), a former big game hunter who decided he should put his skills to use hunting down criminals. He donned a costume and began his career as a crimefighter.

The cover of Adventure Comics #73, the new Manhunter's first appearance, and page 8 from his initial story. Obviously, no one at DC editorial knew that Manhunter had a blue face mask, which is why the colorist went out of his way to create a mask for the character.

Adventure Comics #75, wherein everyone is finally on the same page about the mask, except now his ear is blue as well.

As you can tell from these images, the new Manhunter definitely was in no way related to the previous feature with Paul Kirk.

Except by his second appearance in Adventure Comics #74 the character's name was changed from Rick Nelson to Paul Kirk. I don't know why made that decision, although many sources point the finger at DC's editorial staff. Anyhow, that led to the original Paul Kirk getting completely retconned out of DC continuity.

Simon and Kirby left the Manhunter feature after Adventure Comics #80 (November, 1942), although they were still doing the Sandman feature in that book. Manhunter's final appearance was in Adventure Comics #92 (June, 1944).

Writer/editor Archie Goodwin and artist Walt Simonson revived the Manhunter character for a series of 8-page back-up stories in Detective Comics (vol. 1) #473 (November, 1973).

The new Manhunter by Walt Simonson. The figure is from a DC house ad.

This new Manhunter was a revived and revised Paul Kirk. Kirk had given up the costumed crimefighter gig and returned to big game hunting. He was mortally wounded during a hunt, and that would have been the end of him. But an organization called the Council found him, used their super-science to heal him, and gave him a genetic enhancement that gave him advanced healing. They also cloned him enough times to create a small army, of which Kirk was leader.

Goodwin and Simonson were going to make their Manhunter a completely original character. However, they used Simon and Kirby's version of Paul Kirk so that they did not have to spend their limited comic book pages to create a back story for their hero.

Kirk eventually realized the Council was up to no good and began working to take the organization down. He gained some allies along the way, including Batman. Together they brought an end to the Council, although Kirk lost his life - for good this time - when he caused the Council's HQ to explode.

Jack Kirby tried to revive his Joe Simon's version of Manhunter in 1st Issue Special #5 (August, 1975).

The main character was Mark Shaw, not Paul Kirk, but the costumes were very similar. Jack also established an ancient organization that picked worthy individuals to act as a Manhunter to take down the criminals and gangs that the police could not - or would not - touch.

Unfortunately, Jack never got to finish that story. Instead, Steve Englehart took the concept and ran with it in a totally different direction during his brief tenure as the writer on Justice League of America.

That was not the end of the Manhunter character, of course, which has been revived several more times (including twice by surviving clones of Kirk). But that's a post for another day.

(* In March, 1942, one month before Simon and Kirby's Manhunter debuted, Quality Comics introduced their own Manhunter in Police Comics #8.

This guy was Dan Richards, a police rookie who graduated at the bottom of his academy class. A friend of his got framed, so Richards donned a rather dull costume (sometimes without pants, and the footprint chest emblem didn't last long) to fight crime. He was assisted by his faithful dog, Thor.

This Manhunter outlasted DC's version by a good stretch, until August, 1950's Police Comics #101.

Shortly thereafter, DC bought all of Quality's characters. Eventually all of them were incorporated into the DC Universe. The two different Manhunters finally met, post-Crisis On Infinite Earths, in All-Star Squadron #31.)

[polliwoggers]

Not sure if this has been answered, but what is your interpretation of Zero-2?

you're all good, I don't think I've talked about this before. Mostly, my interpretation boils down to "they're not LITERALLY Zero, but they might as well be. Mostly."

Zero dies at the end of DL3, very solidly defeated by Kirby and Gooey. In the transition to his final phase, though, he loses his hard outer shell, which cracks open and falls away as the battle continues. It shows up again in K64, held together by bandages, on Zero-2.

Zero was the only active Dark Matter queen in Kirby's galaxy and dimension, and was therefore vitally important to the continuation of the Dark Matter species in those areas. Without him, the existing stock of Dark Matter drones would be the last generation of Dark Matters before facing extirpation, and they wouldn't even have a leader to see them through it! This is a major problem for a species that (largely) operates as a hivemind with their leader calling all the shots.

Dark Matter drones have the minimum amount of actual Dark Matter required to function as part of the species. They can't afford to donate any of their Dark Matter to create offspring -- there's just not enough to go around, and it's not their purpose as a drone to reproduce anyway. To attempt it would kill the drone and ultimately achieve nothing.

However, like with puffballs, if enough Dark Matter drones pitch in together, they may be able to achieve… something. The drones just wouldn't survive that process. And, on the precipice of extinction, the existing Dark Matter drones who had served under Zero were desperate enough to try -- and there were a lot of them.

The drones converged within the shell of their leader, hoping to recreate him, but something went very wrong with Zero-2. In desperation, the Dark Matter drones had thrown whatever Dream Matter they could to supplement what little Dark Matter their sacrifice could muster, but it only created misshapen amalgam with a leaking tail, veins spilling from its sides, and a gaping hole where Zero's eye used to be. They wanted a new queen, but I don't think that's what they got.

Whatever Zero-2 was, they did not live long enough to really find out. Attacking any planet is a dangerous game with someone like Kirby around, even if you purposely avoid going after Popstar! If they had survived, I think they would have a really unique relationship between the plurality of their origin and their single-minded goal of emulating a dead queen they never truly met.

They are significantly less powerful than Zero was, which partly ties into how they were defeated by something like Ribbon's Crystal instead of the golden weapons required to kill most other Dark Matter-based bosses (Triple star, Love-love stick, Rainbow sword, etc.). I'll talk more about golden weapons when I cover Galaxia.

Following the deaths of Zero, Zero-2, and Dark Nebula, there are no more Dark Matter queens in Kirby's galaxy. What few Dark Matter globs remain are living on borrowed time, and the species will soon become extinct.

[turquoisetuber]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: What DLCs Would Survive Galeem??

I always found it a little backwards that only Kirby survived. Even if he was the only one with the ability to live, he would've helped someone else (like Meta Knight or King Dedede), but I just bought it. But with the additions of the DLC Fighters, there's never an explanation as to how they got there or if they were a part of Galeem's army. So that's where I come in. I'm going to decide what DLCs would survive and who wouldn't!!

NOTICE: I am by NO means experienced in all of these games!! A lot of my knowledge is from Smash and Smash only, so if I get facts wrong, feel free to correct me!! I'd love to hear all of your guys' ideas as well!!

So of course, there are rules and limits. If there weren't, almost everyone would live.

Nobody can latch a ride with Kirby/any other potential survivor. As I said earlier, if they were able to do that, Meta Knight and Dedede would be alive.

As said earlier, most of my knowledge is based off of what they can do in SMASH. But that doesn't limit it. I researched several characters' abilities to make sure my claims were as accurate as someone with no idea can.

With that, let's get into it!!

Joker: Not a Survivor

Joker is pretty much a normal teenager, and Arsène doesn't have anything that would help Joker escape?? I'm pretty sure that there are a few things in P5 that might have allowed him to survive? But as far as I know, no, he wouldn't.

Hero: Not Sure?? Leaning: No

I know nothing about Dragon Quest, but I feel like Hero would be in the same boat as characters like Link and Cloud, where they can try but ultimately they're gonna get captured. The only reasons I'm not sure is because of Hero's reveal where they save Link from Marth and Meta Knight, implying they were alive? But I don't think they actually survived and that that was just a way to advertise them.

Banjo & Kazooie: Not Survivors

Banjo & Kazooie would be in the same boat as Duck Hunt. They don't seem to have anything outstandingly useful to win with, so unfortunately they probably wouldn't live.

Terry Bogard: Not a Survivor

Terry is the most human out of the bunch for DLC pack one (aside from Joker, but even then, Joker has Arsène). He really doesn't have anything to fight against Galeem with and almost no means of escape. Terry unfortunately wouldn't live.

Byleth: Not Sure?? Leaning: Yes

Byleth, unlike the other Fire Emblem cast, has Sothis, who I think has been seen helping Byleth escape one place to get to another. Of course, I'm guessing based on the reveal trailer, and have no prior context to what that cutscene actually was. I still think Byleth could survive.

Min Min: Not a Survivor

Similarly to Terry, Min Min is just a stretchy human. She doesn't have anything all that special other than her arms. Min Min probably wouldn't survive.

Steve/Alex: Survivors!!

Our first definite survivors of the bunch, and they're the minecraft reps. Any shock? Anyways, this one is situational. But I'm gonna count it since the Star Fox gang AND Captain Falcon conveniently had their ships. So, how would they do it? Nether portals. If Steve and Alex build a Nether portal and go through it, Galleem probably couldn't get them, since I think the light would just break the portal on contact since it acts more like a weapon than an entity. So congrats, Steve and Alex, to be the first of three definite survivors!!

Sephiroth: Take a guess. (Survivor!)

Listen, Sephiroth can slice Galeem in half. Considering that, I think he could avoid Galeem's attacks. Under the assumption that he doesn't kill Galeem so that World of Light can actually happen.

Pyra + Mythra: Not Survivors

As far as I'm aware, neither of them have any abilities that could help them escape, since they seem human or equivalent? So they wouldn't make it, most likely.

Kazuya: Not Sure?? Leaning: No

Kazuya was weird to me. I'm not a huge fighting game person other than SSB, so I knew nothing about Tekken. After some google searches, I leaned to the side he wouldn't survive. He's mostly human, but even with his Devil's Gene, more powerful characters (like Ganondorf) also lost, so he wouldn't survive. I think.

Sora: Survivor!!

My main!!! Even though I love Sora, I'm not biased! I haven't played Kingdom Hearts. But based off of a few searches, and his Final Smash, I believe he can open portals with his Keyblade. Unlike Steve and Alex, he can open portals under less circumstances. So the place of our third and final survivor goes to no other than Sora!

To finish it off, the DLC packs brought some very powerful characters that could survive World of Light. I wish we had gotten some explanation as to what happened to the DLCs, but I get it. Cutscenes are hard to make. Again, these are all my ideas, and I might not be right! If you have something to add, feel free! I'd be glad to hear from you! If you got this far, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!!

[kimium]

I asked @m34gs what she thinks the Twisted Wonderland house warden's favourite video games are. She answered in this ask and prompted me to give my thoughts. So, here I am!

Here are a few ground rules: I'm going to pick games I've personally played or had experience with. Also, if a game is in a series and I think they're very similar, I'm listing them together.

The House Warden's Favourite Video Game

Riddle - Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland

Wow, I'm really outing myself with how many Kirby games I've played, huh? Well, I'm not sorry. When I was a child I LOVED Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland. I loved the simple world design, the fun, easy mechanics, and the bright colours/music. It's also a fast game. Even as a child I think I beat it in like six hours. Anyways, I think Riddle would enjoy this game for those reasons. It's something he can lose himself in briefly and have fun. I know there are probably better Kirby games out there and newer ones at that, but the childhood nostalgia wins in the end.

Leona - Tetris

I really love your pick of Mahjong for Leona. Honestly, the desire to just go "yeah, what M34GS said" or pick another tactical game like Chess, Checkers, or even Go. But, I decided Tetris is also a good pick for Leona. As you said, Leona isn't one to care too much about video games, so he isn't going for one with story... like I do. He needs a low risk game with just enough puzzling. So, Tetris. It's fun to arrange things, does require some level of strategy, and is very satisfying when you win. Leona can also put it away at any time, so this means he can nap when he's bored or done.

Azul - Don't Starve Together

While I sort of wanted to pick a murder mystery game with Azul, Don't Starve Together has resource management. Which, I think is right up Azul's alley. Sure, the game has a "survive in the wild" vibe, but Azul is there trying to optimize his strategy, gather everything, and not die. He can also play with Jade and Floyd if he wishes, but there is a high chance those two would sabotage him. Azul will take that risk though, and I think those three would have a lot of fun. It's also a casual game, so he can put it away without worry of story or progress.

Kalim - Harvest Moon (any of them)

I agree that Kalim deserves a relaxing, slow game, without much conflict or objectives in it. While I think a game franchise like Animal Crossing also works, since I've never played an Animal Crossing game myself, I'm picking Harvest Moon. I think Kalim would find it very fun to build his farm, befriend the locals, solve whatever problem is occurring, and marry his favourite NPC. I didn't pick a specific Harvest Moon game simply because I only have experience with two: the original and The Tale of Two Towns (I think... I can't check right now). Besides, Harvest Moon all has the same "flavour" so to speak, so I don't think me specifically stating which game is necessary.

Vil - Super Smash Bros (any of them)

I agree that Vil would love a co-op game that he can play with his close friends. I also agree it has to be easy and with low stakes. Sure, SSBs has "meta units" and an entire competitive video game scene with the game, but I think Vil would play this as a party game. It's casual with everyone just picking their favourite characters and stage. There may be some sabotage (a must) and items on (deadly) but in the end, everyone is just playing to have a good time. Who Vil mains is up to you.

Idia - TWEWY/Neo TWEWY

The urge to pick a mobile game like Genshin Impact or an open world game like BoTW or TotK is high, but I want to avoid gacha games in my list and... I've never played BoTW or TotK. Sorry. So, I picked a personal favourite of mine: The World Ends with You and the sequel. I picked this because I think Idia is the kind of person who gets into the story of a game and enjoy the characters. TWEWY has some amazing characters, great story, amazing music, and of course, the essence of Shibuya packaged into the entire game. I also think Idia would love the game play, enjoying swapping his pins out for better ones, and enjoy the extra challenge modes.

Malleus - Pokemon Yellow/Red/Blue (or Green)

Okay, here is the problem: I think any sort of pet simulator game is great for Malleus, however, I dislike pet simulator games. I'm here for story and lore... which I think is the opposite for Malleus. But here is the thing while Pokemon has a narrative and many components it started off super simple: go around and catch Pokemon and go to the gyms. While newer Pokemon games have introduced so many things like Beauty Contests or an open world design, I think the old games are perfect for Malleus. He'd enjoy creating his team and nicknaming them. I bet he'd be delighted to learn that there are dragon type Pokemon in the world too. Sure, he may struggle with some more "meta" components but at least in the older games we didn't have Mega Evolution or newer Gens and BST to worry about.

There you have it! I hope you like my list! I had fun picking the titles while also trying to keep in line with the characters!

[therookieroad]

The Rookie Road: A Beginner's Guide to Workout Wisdom with Kirby Repaja

In the ever-evolving fitness world, getting started can feel like navigating through a jungle of information. Overwhelming, to say the least, especially with so much conflicting advice floating around the internet. Introducing Coach Kirby Repaja, someone who's been in the trenches of fitness for over six years as a professional bodybuilder.

So, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned gym-goer looking to level up your game, his insights will resonate with you. His passion for fitness is infectious, his knowledge is invaluable, and his commitment to helping others achieve their goals is unwavering.

Who exactly is Coach Kirby Repaja? He has been in the field for quite some time, and being so has made him accumulate a following. He now coaches many people to help them in their journey. For credentials, he is the Champion of the IFBB Nationals of 2022, 2nd Place in the 2022 IFBB Nationals Open Teens, and 5th Place in the BHC 2023 Junior Division. He has allowed us to dive into his world and see what he has in store for us today.

"What were the most impactful and significant moments in your journey?"

In retrospect, he recalls the turning point that shaped his path:

"The most significant moment in my journey was back when I got my first champion in the IFBB Nationals, where it was my men's physique debut. I survived at that prep even though I had a low budget then."

Coach Kirby explores the particulars of diet for weight management, emphasizing the significance of customized strategies suited to each person's physique and goals, using this milestone as a source of inspiration. "Regarding weight loss and weight gain, it depends on your weight, activity rate, and current physique," he says.

"The secret to it is to be consistent."

Coach Kirby does, however, provide a general rule for losing weight or fat:

"Make sure to be on a calorie deficit and hit your macronutrients."

When paired with consistency, this structured strategy is the core of successful weight management programs. At the same time, he recommends a calorie surplus while keeping adherence to macro-objectives for individuals trying to gain weight or develop a lean body.

Considering budget and accessibility, we asked him about what he would recommend to individuals striving to meet their dietary needs on a budget.

"For me, it is the basics, especially if you are only a student who budgets his money. Chicken breast and eggs are two basic sources of protein and essential nutrients. This is very sustainable and effective. You can get your protein intake and fats there. For your carbohydrates, you get them in rice, oats, or sweet potatoes."

He spoke.

Next, we asked Coach Kirby his thoughts on the never-ending debate about what weightlifting and calisthenics provide better than the other. This is the wise advice he gave based on firsthand knowledge.

"The decision between weightlifting and calisthenics is based on personal tastes and aspirations."

He says.

"Both can be combined to produce a well-rounded exercise program."

He recommends a balanced approach to muscle stimulation when designing an exercise program.

"For beginners, four exercises for big body parts in the upper and lower body are optimal."

he says. He also added that one should do at least 2-3 exercises for small body parts such as the arms and shoulders.

To end the interview, we asked him one final question:

"What is a quote or saying that you would like to impart to those just starting in their workout journey, and why this specific quote/saying?"

"Love and trust the process." He emphasized the quote by saying it is very one-to-one with the journey someone takes in the fitness world. There is no rushing it; whether you like it or not, there will be days where progress feels stagnant and slow, but the point of all of it is to learn and hone your body to its best version. There is no rushing the process; you must let it take its course to see your efforts bear fruit. And so,

"Love and trust the process."