#-and all the build up leading to it with the episode intertwining parts of the book (Town and Harriet's favorite poem) to make their goodbye

[furashuban]

“Goodbye, Harriet M. Welsch.” “The M will always stand for Myrtle. Harriet Myrtle Welsch.”

[fizzlehead]

if i think for even a second about how badly they’ve handled betty’s sexuality this season I get so angry i feel like i’m gonna blow a fuse. the thing that made her so interesting and important to me as a lesbian was that her sexuality was so intertwined with her feelings of being evil and having this inherent darkness inside of her, and even if the show wasn’t doing it on purpose it was so clear to me in everything that she did as a character and how i interacted with her and the show. this was all so especially clear to me in the episodes leading up to the “are you hot for agent drake” exchange where she, upon meeting drake and sharing some very obviously sexually charged moments with her, began seeing the aura appear around herself—the one that denoted dangerous people. like she had a gay experience and immediately began seeing herself as a threat to herself and the people around her. and it was so so fascinating and gratifying to watch her evolve as a character and wrestle with these different parts of herself and struggle to detangle them and piece herself back together. and this season they’ve thrown absolutely all of that build up and nuance and development to the wayside in lieu of her just openly having fantasies about kissing women and not seeming to feel any sort of inner struggle over it whatsoever, despite it being the fucking 1950s. they took everything that made her interesting and complicated and unique and so so important to me and abandoned it in a heartbeat just to lazily turn her into an entry in tv’s boring, lifeless, one dimensional lgbt character of the week contest. and i know it’s just a tv show but it fucking sucks so hard, man.

[emma-ofnormandy]

TAG GAME: EIGHT SHOWS TO GET TO KNOW ME

@fireflyxrebel-writes had an open tag and Im bored between meetings so, why the hell not!

1. Vikings: Valhalla- If you’ve been around that last year+, this one is a give in. As a fan of period dramas, I never really ventured into shows this early in history until VV, but my husband got me into it and now these characters have grabbed me and will not let go. The investment in this story is quite high and has now given me a wonderful fandom to be a part of as well.

2. The Witcher- A fantasy genre indulgence that I was initially hesitant of since I don’t enjoy GoT but do like LOTR, but has since stuck in me. I will forever be a simp for the found family trope and add to that the amazing woman that is Yennefer of Vengerberg and you have me sunk. The strong females as a whole draw me in and keep me invested. With a change up of the lead after season 3, I will struggle to stick with it, but I will watch enough of 4 to see if my husband notices there is a different actor for Geralt.

3. Shadow and Bone- As a big fan of the crows duology, when I knew they would be in the series I had to watch. I continue for that story and for the hopeful spin-off. I also watch just for the cast- they are such an inclusive and lovely bunch of people that I do it for them.

4. Miss Scarlet and the Duke- Victorian England, unapologetically independent and smart lady, handsome police detective reluctant counter part, mutual pining and slow burn, enjoyable supporting cast- what isn’t to love about this show? Hits all the notes for me and I think more people would fall in love with it if they knew about it.

5. The Office (US)- It is one of those comfort shows for me. It plays in the background while I do stuff or I watch it if there is nothing else on or don’t have the mental capacity to get invested in anything. It’s my TV security blanket.

6. NCIS- I will preference this with I do not watch past Ziva’s exit (so season 11 onward I have not seen). It’s the first show I think I actually got invested in. It creates stories outside of drama related plot lines, fleshes our characters and allows slow builds and character arcs to truly shine. I think streaming media needs to take notes and revert back to this type of story telling rather than cram everything into 8 episodes.

7. After Life- Perhaps not one that most people would peg for me, but the way it deals with a significant loss and the surviving person coming to terms with that while simultaneously intertwining additional heavy subject matter along side normal life BS is just amazing. It is some of the best dark humor out there and, in my mind, is flawless in every way.

8. Law and Order- The show that probably started my true crime obsession and the reason some true crime podcast is always playing or I’m watching some true crime documentary. I enjoy the (usually) single episode stories and the original show had some amazing cast members. It is a basis for inspiration in some of my AU fanfic writings and has so many seasons that there are probably still episodes I haven’t seen.

Tagging @something-more @witch-and-her-witcher @shelivesinhermind @mercurygray @naps4bats and @lafiametta but not pressure lovelies!

[eddydreaming]

My First Xianxia

Hello there my dreamies! I came up with that name, dreamies, to call my readers, what do you think? It sounds cute.

I recently watched a Xianxia for the first time because an online friend recommended it to me. I’ve always loved fantasy, and this genre seemed to have something I’d enjoy. Xianxia means “a fantasy TV genre based on Chinese mythology and the concept of chivalrous spirit”, literally meaning “immortal heroes”. 

The name of this Xianxia is The Last Immortal.

THE LAST IMMORTAL - BASIC INFORMATION

Episodes: 40 (45 mins)

Release dates: Dec 11, 2023 - Jan 4, 2024

Genres: Romance, Wuxia, Drama, Fantasy

In a world full of wonder and enchantment, Feng Yin, a female spirit, sets out on a journey to collect the pieces of her scattered immortal essence while navigating the complexities of her true identity. Accompanying her on this quest is Gu Jin, the son of the "true god", whose magical powers have been sealed, making their relationship all the more intricate.

Once master and servant, their dynamic transforms amidst personal challenges. They begin to develop a deep connection that suggests the potential for a stronger bond. As their fates become intertwined, Feng Yin and Gu Jin embark on a transformative journey to retrieve her immortal essence, fueled by admiration and trust.

(Source: mydramalist)

REVIEW - NO SPOILERS

I watched it in one week. 40 episodes. I’ve never watched a drama so fast in my entire life. I have not uploaded last week’s Thursday’s blog because I needed to finish this drama to talk about it.

The characters in the story were exceptionally well-crafted. Usually, I tend to like the male lead characters more, but in this particular case, it was the female lead character that caught my attention. At the start of the story, she appears cute and charming. She is shown as a weak character due to her low power. However, her personality is so strong that she sets what’s right and wrong clearly in her mind, and is determined to do the right thing, even if it means facing the consequences. 

The male lead in the show was amazing. He is very loving and caring towards everyone around him, to the extent that he would even sacrifice his own existence just to ensure their happiness and well-being. Although he initially appears to be a foolish character, as the show progresses, he emerges as an even stronger character.

The supporting characters are incredibly well-developed, each with their own unique personalities that mesh perfectly with the story.

One of my favorite parts of the drama is the character development.

In regards to the romantic relationship, there are not many physical actions involved. Nevertheless, their connection is incredible and their way of loving each other is very passionate and dramatic, sometimes even shocking. 

The world-building was amazing. Everything was stunning, and though the story of the immortals was initially hard to understand, it was very captivating.

REVIEW - SPOILERS

I would like to share my thoughts on two memorable scenes that I came across in dramas. For me, a drama that has iconic scenes that stay with you forever is what makes it memorable. The first scene that truly touched my heart was when Qing Yi destroyed Cloud Condensing Mountain, which was Ah Yi’s home. She was deeply hurt and sad, and her cries felt so real that it made me cry too. 

Later, Qing Yi planned to seal her immortal bones, but unfortunately, her immortal core was already damaged, which meant that she would end up being killed. When Qing Yi found out about this, he ran towards her to stop it, but it was too late. In a state of shock, he hugged her tightly as she disappeared right before his eyes.

The scene hurt a lot, it created a lot of emotions in me, and I still remember the huge impact it had on me. The effect of that scene was so significant that it stayed with me long after I had watched it.

In the second scene, Feng Yi discovers all that Qing Yi had done for her. She tells him that they should forget about everything that happened. Qing Yi asks her what they should forget, referring to the moments when she ignored him and the hurt she felt because of him, or all the loving moments they spent together. In response, she kissed him in a beautiful moment that made me want to shout, "Finally!"

I really enjoyed watching the drama, but I was a bit disappointed with the ending. The drama was full of intense emotions, but the ending felt plain and lackluster. Although I appreciated the significance of the pear blossom tree forest scene, where the male lead was revived, I was hoping for a more satisfying conclusion. I expected the couple to at least hug each other, but they just looked at each other, leaving me wanting more.

RATING

Characters: 10

Plot / world-building: 10

Music: 10

Acting: 10

Ending: 7.5

Overall: 9.5

[inknopewetrust]

𝚊𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

summary: the decisions we make lead us to where we are supposed to be.

pairing: Marc Spector x Fem!Reader; Steven Grant x Fem!Reader; word count: 6.3k

warnings: spoilers for episode 6; angst, violence, suggestive material.

quick links: Masterlist // Part I // Part II

“So where do these go?” 

The pot sizzled on the stovetop, the small kitchen around you was filled with a delightful steam and the smell of a veal mixture and chicken cooked on low suffused your senses. 

“Where does what go?” 

Marc had been peering into the refrigerator looking for a lemon when you noticed the uncut onions on the counter. Under the yellow lighting of the small kitchen you shared, you pointed to the onions as you stirred the pot. 

“The onions.” 

Marc shot up from his bent position and all you heard was a ‘bang’ and the dishes that rested on top of it clatter. “Shit!” 

“You alright?” You asked as he rubbed the back of his head, coming to stand beside you–sans the lemon–and gazed down at the 3 onions that did not make it into the dish. Marc tipped his head in the direction of the pot. 

“They were supposed to be in there.” 

Inside that kitchen, your realization could have been felt beyond it. Onto the street four stories below and inside a cab driving past with tourists not even realizing they past an apartment building. Marc saw your eyes grow wide, the spoon stopped moving and your mouth dropped open and repeated the same word he had just exclaimed in pain. 

“Shit!” 

Marc couldn’t help but laugh. He did not have enough fingers to count the times where an item neglected to find its way into a recipe. As his head throbbed, he found the cure in your charming defeat. 

Knocking the spoon a few times on the side of the pot, you moved around him and grabbed the onions before putting them back into the basket that held extra potatoes and one squash that sat in the corner where the counter met the wall and nothing more. You turned around, leaning your back against the edge of the same counter, laughing with a hand covering your face. 

“Every time!” You cried, not in sorrow but in ridiculous irony. “Every time your dad comes over I mess it up. We should just go over there from now on.” 

Marc could not disagree with your statement–you did mess up a breakfast, lunch, or dinner every time you had guests over and most common was when his dad stopped for dinner. But Marc would also argue against going over to his father’s house. Not only for the poor memories that would always be associated with it, but Marc liked having his father in a space he could control–or at least one he knew like the back of his hand. The only thing that kept it from falling apart was you and he knew his father could see it, which is why he appreciated that his father always offered to come to the apartment you shared. 

His mother, however, never came. She also never asked Elias about Marc or you when he returned. 

“It’s fine, baby.” Marc reassured you, moving the slightest to face you, put his hand on yours to see your face as you tried to shield it. 

“But it’s every time… sooner or later he’ll see me for a fraud and he’ll know you helped with all of this.” 

“You cook fine. The food will be fine and just because it’s missing a few onions doesn’t mean its ruined… now if you messed up kosher laws…” He scolded with a smile, winking at you as you begrudgingly let him move the hand off your face. 

Marc didn’t look at you with pity for what you considered to be “destroying dinner” but an appreciation for still even attempting to put effort into an evening that could be solved with a quick run to a restaurant or his father could bring a dish to share. 

“Next thing you know I’ll do that too.” You said, keeping your head low and watching as Marc took your hands in his, letting his fingers intertwine with yours as he trapped you in the little corner of the kitchen. 

“I think I can trust you enough not to do that.” 

“I don’t know…” You voice was almost melodic, a smile creeping onto it as it always did when he took your hand in his. Just having him near was enough for you–sometimes Marc believed you felt differently but it was. He was gone so often that these little moments stuck in your memory for your own sanity’s-sake. 

The way he made you feel… it was special. 

A kind of love that transcended the world you knew and cascaded into the ones you didn’t; where the Earth stood still and nothing could break the bond except the smell of burning food on the stove. 

You furrowed your brows as you gazed at him when the smell hit your nose. Quickly letting go and pushing past him again, you stirred the pot with an audible huff and Marc’s laughter. 

For one night, everything was perfect in his eyes. Marc did not feel the weight of his past lingering on his shoulders or the need to protect himself. In this quaint little shoebox of an apartment on a street block in Chicago, he felt at home. 

“I’m going to make sandwiches next time. No cooking.” You scolded yourself as you stirred vigorously. 

Marc wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you against him but continued to let you stir. He kissed the side of your head, watching as the simmering pot calmed down and was saved from becoming inedible. 

“It looks perfect, even without the onions.” He quietly whispered in your ear. The feel of him in the crook of your neck caused your shoulder to scrunch into your chin, his laughter encouraging the feeling. “What? Don’t you like it when I praise you?” His words were suggestive, he knew that. 

“Now, I know I didn’t say that…” You replied, keeping your eyes on the pot but you felt his hands roam, hugging you and moving in a sway like motion against him. Marc’s cheek rested on your shoulder and he was tempted to do it again. 

“So…” He lifted his head up in the slightest motion and the sensation returned. “You don’t like it when I do this.” You pulled your shoulder away and tried to break free but he wouldn’t let you. 

“Marc I swear to God I will knock this over if you keep doing that.” 

“I’m not doing anything.” 

Sometimes that love aggravated you in the best of ways. 

“Do it again, I dare you.” You prompted him to try it again and he did against your better judgement. This time he let go of you after because he felt the retaliation coming but was unsure what it was. When your arms went up on defense, the spoon went with it and the red sauce from the pan flew across the kitchen and landed square on Marc’s chest–and his green shirt. 

The laughter stopped, the sizzling of the stove continued, the lone beep from a car outside filled the air as Marc looked down at you stared at his face, waiting for his reaction. 

“I didn’t– “You started and he cut you off. 

“This was the best you could do?” Marc pointed to his chest as he looked up. He watched as you tried to formulate an answer but your mouth couldn’t sound words so you shrugged. You saw his eyes calculate the situation and he resulted in holding out his hand, flexing it and looking at the spoon. 

“Give me the spoon.” You gazed down at the spoon in your hand, still full with a dripping sauce on the floor, and shook your head. 

“I think I’m good…” 

“Baby, give me the spoon.” He used the voice. The stern, commanding voice that he got when he returned from service years ago and used it when he 1. Wanted something and 2. Wanted something in the bedroom. You weren’t sure which one he wanted right now or if he was messing with you. 

“What are you going to use it for?” You stalled. 

“I didn’t say but give me the spoon and you’ll see.” 

“I rather like this spoon so I think I’ll keep it. Besides, it belongs in the–” You moved to put it back in the pot and Marc shot after you, making you squeal as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders and grabbed the spoon from your hands without much effort. 

“Now, you got me all dirty it’s only fair I return the favor.” 

In a swift motion, Marc had twirled you around and wiped his finger on the spoon, gathering the sauce and dragged his finger across your cheek, lips, and chin. 

“See!” He exclaimed happily when he was content and saw your eyes narrow at him. “Now we match.” 

“I didn’t mess up your pretty face.” 

“No, but it gives me an excuse to do something…” Your eyes still narrowed, you knew exactly what Marc was going to do. He wasn’t a predictable guy, per se, but you knew him better than most. You licked your lips as he watched your tongue clean the sauce from them, his eyes entranced by the motion. 

“You know…” You spoke lowly, Marc leaning into you and encircling his arms on your waist as your arms around his shoulders and settling in the hair that curled on the back of his neck. You heard Marc drop the spoon the counter with a thud. “It’s not half bad without the onions.” 

You could hardly contain the smile when Marc’s lips met your own. The sweet savory-ness of the dish mixed with the taste of Marc was intoxicating. He breathed in deeply, taking every inch of you with him as he moved his mouth against yours and gripped onto you as if his life depended on it. 

But Marc also knew that his father was on his way. 

Marc broke the kiss after a few minutes and leaned his forehead against yours, listening to your shallow breathing as the world finally felt content to him. 

“It tastes perfectly, baby. Just like I told you it would.” 

You hummed, scratching the back of his neck gently with your nails. “I’m not that bad of a cook.” 

“No, you’re not.” He chuckled, pulling away even though he did not want to. He saw the red sauce on the rest of your face, the stain on his shirt, and glanced at the clock that read 6:27. 

“He’ll be here soon so go clean up, I’ll finish this, alright?” You nodded at him, letting your hands fall against his chest and avoid the stain. 

“Don’t forget about the lemon.” You reminded him and it was now his turn to nod. He let you pass, hearing you walk down the hall and into your shared bedroom where the distinct click of the bathroom light turning on sounded in the distance. 

“Get me a new shirt too!” He shouted after you but did not hear a reply. 

Marc assumed at the time that you had nodded to yourself in the mirror as you wiped away the sauce but he knew now that wasn’t the case. The second after you turned on the light the world had changed for him, but also for you and his father. 

In the hallway outside of the apartment, a wine bottle crashed to the floor but couldn’t be heard through the door. Marc’s father had just nearly arrived when the snap occurred. Down the hall from him, you had just flipped on the light. You didn’t even make it to the sink when all he found was an ash-like substance on the tile floor. 

Marc never ate dinner that night. 

The earth rattled underneath your feet as the God took hold. 

Never had you experienced such a sensation. 

Your body overtaken, your soul intact yet bruised from the voice that now directed your actions. There was a fear that perhaps this choice was the wrong one, but Thoth was not Khonshu. 

As the dust settled from Harrow’s rapture, Thoth had assumed his avatar within you. And although you were the same, you felt different. You gazed down at your hand covered in gold armor, a black fabric coolly settling onto your skin as it nearly glinted in the shallow moonlight that snuck in through the cracks in the pyramid. 

Is this what it felt like to be a God? Or, to at least be associated rather closely with one. 

You felt powerful. The kind of power that you did not know existed in the form that entered you, but in the oddest of ways, it felt fitting. The person you were as a child to teen to adulthood had not prepared you for this; but no one was ever prepared to be called upon in service of a God or to protect the things they loved most. 

From what you gathered, Khonshu gave Marc a second chance at life, perhaps now a third, and maybe Thoth had given you one too. 

Not rising from death in the same service; being guided through life with an extra hand on your shoulder that pushes you to be better, do good, and help the world in more ways than one. 

“I sense a kindness within you.” 

Thoth’s voice boomed above you. The God hadn’t been ‘inside’ as you believed. He had just extended a piece of himself into you as a form of protection. As you served as his living body, he watched from above, below, and every moment beside you. 

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” You gazed up at him, no longer scared of his non-human features. It had irked you at first–the bird-like creature that manifested larger than the normal person but you had to remind yourself you lived in a world where an alien made half of the population disappear, one where Marc was the avatar of another God and hid it from you for years upon your return to this life. 

“When you are fighting Ammit, kindness doesn’t often succeed.” 

“Then why choose me? Huh?” You shrugged, holding your hands out from your body and realizing that the outfit was heavier than you imagined. The black fabric intertwined with the gold to make a suit of pure power and radiance­­–and then you looked down at your chest–a band of emeralds fitted the suit below your chest and along your neck, shimmering in the low light. “Being a good person is obviously not enough to defeat evil, so what was the point of choosing me? Just because I set you free?”

“Kindness drives a person, as yours does you. If what the Gods have said of you is true, then having you as my avatar is my honor.” 

“What the Gods have said of me? They watch us?” 

“Every God does.” 

“And I suppose you can’t say what they’ve said?” 

Thoth laughed, booming and loud. “You can see the emeralds? Remember them as pieces of judgement. The color green is now part of you in ways it is not with others and when the time of your own comes, these will protect you.” 

“My judgment? You mean death. Enchanted emeralds, Gods of many cultures watching over us all…” You mumbled, looking down into the gleaming stones once more and catching your reflection. “I am not cynical but, sometimes I think I’m going a little crazy.” 

“You’re not going crazy, my dear, just opening your eyes to how the world truly is.” 

“And this is how the world truly is? That everyone has a God who speaks to them and becomes a… superhero… in its presence.” 

“I do not know of this ‘superhero’ that you speak of but you are an avatar. My physical hand in this world and through me, you will see what the others around you have too. Those good and evil forces this world contains and how we judge based on those actions.” 

“We, we, we… I didn’t ask for this, you know. Anything that’s happened to me really.” You moved away from Thoth as the candlelight still held strong. “What of the judgement when my world was thrown upside down years ago? Did you all have something to do with the people who disappeared?” 

Thoth sensed an anger within you. The force that caused the shift in population was ungodly. 

“No…we did not. That was a titan, not a God. There were plenty of good who disappeared and plenty of bad who stayed. Harrow, he stayed, as did Marc. Here were are trying to fight evil with the good that maintained and the good that is created now.”

A rumble of stone collapsing sounded not far from you. As if you immediately believed the sound was Harrow coming to recapture you in chains, Layla’s voice called out. 

“Y/n!?” She repeated your name a couple of times as Thoth shifted around you. The God knelt down, put his beak in your face and for the first time in the minutes since you became partners in this life, you felt that there was a kinship between you. Before today, you weren’t certain you had ever heard of the God. 

“Marc Spector needs you. You bring him peace, I saw it in his book, remember that while the world challenges you.” 

Thoth was gone in a puff of smoke as Layla appeared in the chamber. 

At first, all of what either of you could do to one another was stare. Here, in this chamber where your paths crossed for the first time not more than an hour before, both of Marc Spector’s loves stood–anxious and heartbroken, united and strong. Layla was in white and gold, a scarlet scarab on her collarbone and no true identification of the God who had chosen her as an avatar–but you knew it was not Khonshu. She looked at you the same way, curious and calculating. The woman who appeared captured by Arthur Harrow and connected to Marc in ways she still wasn’t sure. 

Layla still loved Marc. She was still married to Marc. But Layla knew Marc had his secrets and that would be another tally on her list on why Marc was not the best husband. 

“So…” Layla said breathlessly from her run to you. You nodded, taking in a shaky breath as the realization that a fight lay ahead of you unlike anything you had experienced before. The most exercise you ever got was the weekly kickboxing class you took because Marc had convinced you to for your own protection. 

“Who’s your God?” It felt like a strange question to ask but in the context of things, it surely wasn’t. 

“Taweret.” 

“Oh.” You did not know what God that was and Layla could tell. 

“Taweret.” She repeated, walking closer to you and taking in your suit that appeared when Thoth assumed you as his avatar. “Goddess of childbirth and fertility, but she has a significant impact on those trying to pass into the afterlife.” 

Childbirth and fertility. Fitting for the woman who was married to your Marc.

You hummed in understanding, observing her as well. She nodded after she was done and gave you a small smile. Layla was a good woman. She didn’t deserve your ire for what happened during the five years you were gone–it just stung. 

“Thoth is a good God, a respected one…” She trailed off, trying to find the right words to use in your presence. “I had to think quickly but I think it will be a good fit with Marc and Khonshu.” 

“And you?” 

“Taweret is pretty sweet on her own.” 

“Layla…” 

The woman shook her head, smiling as if she knew what you would say without speaking much of anything. 

“Marc and I… we have a complicated relationship. His lifestyle, his secrets… not every part of him is meant for me. I don’t know you or your relationship with Marc but I know when love exists. I love him, I always will, but if we’re going to do this… I want you to know where I stand with him. He knows that too.” 

“I trust you, Layla. But I think this conversation should include him too. His faults aren’t our responsibility to sort out.” 

Layla knew she liked you. Marc liked strong women and while you weren’t the same, the similarities were there. 

“And now he needs us to save his ass.” She laughed and you responded in kind. No matter what happens in the moments to come, you thought to yourself, you hoped you had a friend for life in Layla. 

“So, what do you say…” She nudged her shoulder into yours and looked down the narrow hallway to the exit. “Time to save Marc?” 

You nodded and smiled. “What would he do without us?” 

You didn’t know she would be able to fly. 

The two of you had been running for about a mile and suddenly, Layla noticed the purple emitting from the top of a pyramid disappear. Your attention had been diverted by the massive God’s fighting above you and threating to squish anything in its path as their thundering steps shook the Earth. 

“I am going to see if I can find them! Keep going in this direction!” She pointed ahead of her and her suit shot metal wings from her shoulder and she was gone like a soft wind. You could not believe your circumstances in that moment. 

You were running, alone, in the desert of Egypt trying to get away from massive Gods ready to squash you like a grape and going toward danger as your life-long partner was an avatar of a God that was trying to do good in the world by eliminating evil people who committed terrible acts. 

It all made so much sense–if you compromised that this was all a dream and you’d wake up in a minute softly laying in your bed. 

But you also couldn’t believe that. 

There were Gods fighting above you. Your mind was in shambles trying to reconcile that. 

“Keep going.” Thoth spoke to you but did not appear. 

“What do you think I’m doing?” You spat as you panted heavily. The sand made it difficult to run. 

“Girl has a bite.” Thoth scoffed as his presence disappeared from you. Above you, the Gods stomped and suddenly, in front of you, Layla landed after disappearing no more than a minute before. 

“Fuck!” You shouted as she scared you, stopping you in your tracks so fast you slid against the sand. 

“What a kind greeting.” 

“You scared me, that’s all.” You bent over, catching your breath and heaving heavily as you prepared yourself to continue on. “Did you find them?” 

“In the town, you won’t make it on foot.” 

“Then you go and help him.”

Layla laughed, grabbing your arm and instructing you to hold onto the back of her suit. 

“You are coming with. I think Marc would be happy to see you… this hasn’t been easy and he won’t expect you.” 

“Yes, a surprise is just what he needs right now.” 

“Grab on, don’t let go no matter what.” She told you and right before she took off with you attached, her eyes went wide.  “Do you know about Steven?” 

“Steven?” 

“Marc’s…” She tried to find the right word again. “Alter. Or the only one I know of at least.” 

If there is one thing Marc had ever shared with you that you kept closest to your heart, it was the fact he had tried so hard to keep his life to the standard of normal society told him to have. His alters didn’t fit that standard and that brought more pain to his already traumatic life. He claimed he could control it and the day he had truly broken; it was the moment he had prepared you for. 

His mother’s Shiva, the moment where he cracked and couldn’t control it anymore.

Marc told you to let him go–that it would hurt more knowing that he wouldn’t recognize you when an alter took control of the body. When that moment happened you listened to what he wanted but not what he needed. Maybe he wouldn’t have disappeared to London if you had acted on what he needed instead. 

“Yeah… a little bit.” You told her and felt that even ‘a little bit’ was an exaggeration. You didn’t know Steven but she did. 

“They’re a funny pair, those two. You’ll like him.” And as she lifted off of the ground with you holding tightly to her, Layla said: “I think Steven’s got a crush on me too.” 

Layla dropped you behind a row of buildings as she perched above it. 

On her cue, she said she would fly down and you could attack from behind–whatever that meant. You had to go with what your instincts of what it meant to be a hero contained. 

At the ground level, there were supports of Harrow and civilians everywhere. As you frantically looked around for the nearest exit to the scene of the action, you shooed at people to go away, run as fast as they could. They listened, those who wanted to leave, and fled the area. Mothers taking their children, families fleeing as fast as they could. 

Between two buildings, a street led you to the center of it all and a blinding purple light sent Arthur Harrow flying past you. In the direction that he flew from, Layla stood over Marc who was amazed to see her there–and he followed by rising to his feet and hugging her tightly. 

Your heart squeezed tighter at the sight. 

And then his outfit changed and the sound of his voice was loud and English–the British kind and the same one that you heard when his control slipped on the cobblestone street of Chicago. 

Steven.

Around you, Harrow had regained his posture and his supporters cocked their guns in preparation. Steven and Layla began making their way toward you, the former of which had yet to notice you in the shadows. 

You began disarming the men around you as quickly as you could. Using the skills you had learned in the classes and the ones that came with Thoth’s guidance, you were rather good at it without realizing it. Layla helped cut through the supporters as Steven used a pair of batons to fight the men and then he threw one at Harrow. 

As Harrow prepared to block it, he held his staff upright and blocked it with a swing of the staff. You took the chance ran up behind Layla and Steven before Steven had the opportunity to catch it in return. You felt the metal in your hands and slowly lowered it before handing it back to Steven. 

When you turned to see Steven, it was no longer Steven looking at you but Marc. 

There was nothing the world could do to prepare you for that moment. Seeing his glowing eyes in your direction when he least expected you to be there. You weren’t scared of him in the suit or the actions he was taking because you knew he needed to do it, and in a way, he realized you were there to help him too. 

Marc saw the way Layla looked proudly at you–knowing she had a part in this too. 

You extended the baton to Marc. 

“I heard you needed a little help.” 

He wanted to kiss you but he couldn’t. So, all Marc said was: 

“Maybe just a little.” 

And all three of you looked down to Harrow knowing the end was near. He would not make it out of this fight a winner. 

Every man that was fighting for Harrow gave up easily. After the first was down from your hand, it made each following man easier to forget about. You knew your purpose and Thoth was the finally judgement, not you. Your hands did not kill. 

You weren’t sure if either of the two noticed that, but Harrow did. His staff never wavered toward you as if he knew that your purpose was not that same as the others. You let them keep the lead and fight him directly while you focused on the followers that never stopped coming. 

In the town center, you helped pile innocent civilians into a van but Harrows judgment was pointed in your direction. 

“Layla! Marc!” You shouted as they pushed him closer and closer and the glow began to shake the van. You weren’t sure what to do but you ushered those who were outside of it away and down the street. Layla was the first to help with the other civilians as Marc dealt with Harrow. 

“You alright?” Layla asked and it was from the fear she saw on your face. This was not your world. It may have been her and Marc’s but it wasn’t yours. 

“Fine. I’m fine!” You repeated as if you were trying to convince yourself. 

“What do we do, Layla? How can we stop someone like him?” 

“We just have to keep trying, Y/n. We have to.” 

“But what if we can’t” 

It was when doubt settled that the tides often shifted. You could see Khonshu above the buildings falling to the ground. Marc was trying to hold of Harrow but one of his crescents came flying and captured Layla’s arm onto the van. 

She tried to break free but couldn’t. 

Where do you all go from here? 

Harrow approached Marc as he laid still in the rubble. His staff held high, Harrow pushed it down and into the crest of Marc’s suit that shot a purple beam into the night sky. Around you, the same men who you had not killed rejoined the fight with their weapons aimed high and firing. Layla covered her face with the wings Taweret gave her but Thoth gave you nothing of the sort. 

A bullet pierced you in the abdomen and you fell against the van before crumbling to the floor. 

You didn’t know how Thoth worked. 

But you looked at Marc because you didn’t know how much time left and he was already looking. 

He could see your breath catch in your throat and your eyes start to water. You weren���t going to die but seeing you in pain, seeing Layla in pain, it pushed him over the edge. 

The line of where Marc began and who committed the violence that took place in that square was thin and invisible.

Words could not describe what you witnessed.

Pure, unbridled rage emitting from a man who had demons and chose to act on those in a similar fashion.

Marc Spector was not in control, neither was Steven Grant.

It scared them both. In a body where an uncertainty of control had teetered before, they believed themselves to be two halves of a whole yet experienced a near-out-of-body experience where neither assumed control.

They were floating; free falling into a pit of despair against an enemy within.

Marc was the first to get control of the body. His eyes were frightened, terrified that what he had done was beyond all of his capabilities—and in some ways, he was right. Marc could see the flames. The flames of destruction and death littered around him like trash and nothing more.

The lives were worthless.

And the one he held in his trembling hands was ready for judgement.

The staff stuck of our Arthur Harrow’s skull. Half wedged between bone and muscle, it hadn’t been enough to kill him but incapacitate and disarm. Harrow wasn’t the threat, the body Marc and Steven shared was.

Marc put Harrow on the ground, not-so-gingerly taking the staff out of his skull and leaving the man to remain there unconscious. He looked around at the destruction as his vision cleared from the destructive haze. There were two pairs of eyes on him: Layla and you—the former still pinned to the van and you were still sitting on the ground but no longer holding your abdomen. You were fine. Whatever God was looking after you was doing it well.

But both you and Layla stared at him with curious eyes.

He was reminded again that whomever did this… it wasn’t someone he knew as he did Steven and as Steven knew him.

“That wasn’t you, was it, Steven?” Marc asked, witnessing his destruction. In a seconds time, Steven took control of their body and observed the same chaos.

“Not a chance, Mate.”

Layla broke herself free and held out a hand to you. You gladly took it and rose to your feet without an ounce of pain other than sore muscles. Thoth worked wonders, he did. She looked at you and the blood that had yet to dry where the bullet had gone through.

“I’m fine, Layla. Really.” You reassured her with a smile and walked over to Steven who was watching.

“It wasn’t you, Steven.” It was the first time you had ever held a conversation with him. It was as though you were looking at Marc but not truly. The body was the same but the mannerisms were different. His brow wasn’t tightly creased and his fists weren’t clenched. Marc always looked as though he was ready to pounce on the world but Steven looked scared to even touch it.

Steven nodded, glancing at Layla before looking again at you. “You must be Y/n.”

“Yeah.” You nodded, giving him the same soft smile you did Layla. “I’m Y/n. It’s nice to meet you Steven.”

Layla had made herself present in the conversation by calling out to Marc and it gave you the first opportunity to see Marc take control. You blinked and it was the man you had grown to love, but he was concerned and hurt and tired.

“What the hell was that, Marc?” Layla asked him with a scorned voice. She didn’t mean to be judgmental but the unknown scared her too.

“I don’t know.” Marc shook his head and looked at her, then you, and finally realized the weight of having you here. He reached his hand out, caressing the right side of your face with eyes that screamed sorrow. “I blacked out.”

Behind the three of you, Ammit had taken Khonshu by the collar of his linens and dragged him away from the scene. With Harrow nearly defeated, Ammit remained the final chapter to close.

“Get Harrow.” Layla said, sternly looking at Marc as if he created this problem. Marc had much blood on his hands but Harrow’s choices were his own. “I know how to stop Ammit.” She picked up Marc’s batons and the staff.

“We have to finish this, Marc.” Your voice was less harsh. Layla had chosen this path, chosen to be part of this life and had always been because of her father but you, you were never supposed to see this side of Marc. What time had made of him. You looked at him with the same adoring eyes he remembered waking up to every morning until the world changed and they were gone. But his healing began now and it started with redemption from Harrow’s defeat to leaving Khonshu behind.

“You don’t have to do this. I know you certainly weren’t brought here on your own free will.” Marc stepped closer, closing the space between you as Layla started off to the pyramid.

“But I chose to be here for you.” Here for him in this Egyptian square so far away from home. “And I think there are some things we need to talk about, huh?”

Yeah. That double life he has been living.

Marc knew you knew. There was no way that could have gone unsaid with Layla present.

“I don’t need to know now… but I need you to be honest with me when the time comes, alright?”

“Yeah, baby. I will.” Marc was sincere and you could see it in his eyes. Whatever he had been keeping from you spanned beyond Layla and his job, but his own mindset and the help he needed to heal. Marc dropped his hand from your face, letting it trail down your arm and through your finger tips before letting go.

“I can’t lift that man alone, so, what do you say, Marc Spector or… Steven, whoever wants to help. Let’s end this huh?”

Maybe it was because Marc was shaken from the events of his blackout that Steven appeared to in a his very different suit. It surprised you when you saw him speak to Layla earlier because it was a literal suit.

“I suppose we better get this off to Layla then!” Steven handy truly been known to you until moment ago and he already had stolen your heart. Every part of Marc you loved, Steven would be no different.

As you knelt down to pick up Harrow by his feet, you looked up at Steven and he caught your eye.

“What? Is there something on my face?” His accent was so strong. You gave him a shy smile and shook your head.

“I assume Marc is always there…?” You weren’t an expert on how it worked, you weren’t trying to be, but something told you the answer may have been yes.

“Yeah, in a way.”

“Can he hear me?”

Steven nodded, bending down to your level as you both prepared to move Harrow.

“I love you.”

Steven knit his eyebrows together and have you a look that made you think of how people look at puppies. The sickening cute ‘awe’ and adoration soon to follow.

“Well he says that ‘of course you’d do this now and that he loves you too’ but he had an attitude about it.” Steven said in response and you chuckled, grasping Harrows ankles.

“I would have expected nothing less.”

Tag List // CLOSED

@slytherheign  @alotofsomething @milkiane @daddysfavoritesexkitten  @silvery-luna @marasmixers  @yesraazzi  @spideysimpossiblegirl @ohmygodsebastianstan @trash-panda99 @teamspideyman  @mahaloapollo @butterflyheart-me @n1ght5h4d3-24 @sarvhrt @le3h4 @thelaststraw3 @rellasnowheenim @xoxoloverb @mellomadness @louloudeug99  @wolfire20808 @superbreadsoul @nervouslaught3r @dylsneha @cleverzonkwombatsludge @delicatespiritualitysciencebat @i-still-dont-like-your-face @mads-weasley @dreag214 @child-of-the-moon-gods @luvwanda @rqmanoff @that-0ne-simp @grandmentalityfest @mayafatimakhan @1-800-vader @vaIntyne94 @madnpan

[toontails]

Toon Quest|| Reader Insert

Chapter 3: I'm Here, You're Here, Everybody's Here!

A/n: Hey guys! Sorry I’m late (5 months late) sorry about that. I was busy! I promise! I had to

Split the chapter as this was a lot longer than I wanted it to be. So you’ll be seeing Chapter 4 and possibly chapter 5 real soon! I won’t leave for so long again. Don’t worry.

But I’ll make this note quick. A couple people messaged me and said that this story reminds them of Babqtfim. At the time I didn’t know what that was. Until I did research. And to satisfy some of you. I incorporated some of that in the plot. Don’t worry. It won’t change the plot drastically.

I particularly didn’t wanna publish this chapter as I feel nothing really happened in this chapter. But I couldn’t leave you all waiting for any longer!

Oh! And the next chapter. I’ll introduce to you—musicals! Don’t worry they won’t stay for too long in the story. I know not everyone likes songfics lmao. But it goes with the plot I promise! We’re starting to get rolling again so buckle up.

Enjoy!

-

“Now...where did I put that folder…” M/n searched the desk for a folder she was searching for—for about 4 minutes now. The day has pretty much been frantic—after Henry and M/n left from the board meeting yesterday, work had to be done in all departments. To start the new set of episodes—M/n was in charge of getting the scripts from the writers that were out of town—meaning they had to be shipped into the studio. Which was delayed about a day everyone was supposed to be scheduled to start reading through the script. But that was pushed off because of Bendy now being out of town and the fact that there was a new objective for everyone in the studio to do. Or...more to attend to in that matter.

M/n was silent as she looked under the receptionist desk. Muttering under her breath incoherently. She hardly noticed Charley sauntered over. After pestering Annie for a few minutes M/n so happened to be in his path as he was on his way to go find Edgar. Leaning over the desk he looked as M/n stood back up with a time ticking expression of annoyance slowly etching on her face. That was until she saw Charley standing on the other side of the desk where she flinched slightly, surprised at his sudden appearance.

“God dammit Charley—what did I tell you about sneaking up on me—“ she held a hand to her chest to feel her heart pace slowly slow down after seeing Charley.

“I dunno, I lost track, I think this is the...uh….5th time?” He fakes a thoughtful expression as if he were really counting the many times M/n told him to announce himself before just standing off to the side to be noticed. Which he was known around the studio for.

M/n shook her head and rubbed her forehead. “Did you see my clipboard today? It had stuff on it that I need because Henry wants to have a meeting with everyone in the conference room later on today and I need that.” She said, Charley raised an eyebrow, his eyes slowly sliding away from M/n and to the background where he saw..Edgar! Thank god...Edgar was holding a clipboard as he skipped down the hallway where he left earlier to follow Boris and Alice. He hardly noticed Alice and Boris trailing behind the spider as they talked to each other. The clipboard that Edgar had a grip on was yellow...well from what it seemed from where Charley was standing.

“Is it yellow?” He asks her. M/n perks up, removing her gaze from a stack of paper to look at Charley, In hopes that he had a clue to where her clipboard went. “Yes, it is. Do you know where it is?” She smiled at him. He looks back at her.

“Nope.”

“Then why did you—“

“But, I’ll go find it for ya’, how about that? I got a keen eye, don’t ya’ worry about a thing! You stay right there and I will be back in a jiffy!” He said before turning the other direction and walking off. M/n looked as if she were about to say something...but took his word that Charley would have her clipboard. The only reason Charley was going after it was so he could find out what Edgar wanted to speak to Alice and Boris for.

He, Edgar and Barley rarely talked to Alice and Boris and Bendy—actually they talked a lot because they were a part of the same production. But seeing Edgar seemingly...in a rush to speak to the two? Did raise questions to Charley. But Charley then remembered as he stopped walking.

“Where is Barley..?” He muttered.

“Fer’ the love of—where are ya’ takin’ me? You toss books on my head then expect me to venture off with ya’ to spy on Eddie, so what? Let the guy have a li—“

Charley smacks the back of Barley’s head who wouldn’t stop bantering with him. The eyepatch wearing toon grunts at the impact and rubbed the back of his head.

“Shut up you moron, you sure do love to bicker…” Charley grunts as he and Barley walked

down the hall where Alice, Boris and Edgar once were walking down. “We’re going to see what Ed and the others are talkin’ about, Alice has been rambunctious lately.” Charley said, looking at a door as they passed by, listening to see if anyone was in the room. Barley raised an eyebrow. “And why would that be our problem? Look—Bendy’s outta town. I can finally get a full night's sleep without him somehow having the urge to pull a joke on me at 3 in the morning. And I’d like to say, I slept wonderfully.” Barley said. Bendy was always around the studio doing little jokes and...well being a disruption. Especially to Sammy. It was just that Bendy rarely got out and interacted with other people—other than anyone in the studio. But now that he is gone for a day or two. Barley was glad to get some sleep in and some peace and quiet without having to run into Bendy’s antics.

“Look, I just wanna know what Ed’s got planned. Shut your trap and help me find them.” Charley walked ahead of Barley in search of the three. Barley muttered under his breath.

“Fine..”

-

“Don’t worry about society’s problems, they say, their problem isn’t our problem, they say—“ Y/n mocks. Watching the fields go by. It was still the afternoon and they..obviously were still on the road. Oswald was still seated next to Y/n. His ears flat against his head as he watched her...rather sarcastically bring up the last ‘meeting’ they had at the studio about all that was going on between toons and humans and how—it wasn’t their concern nor responsibility. And;

“Now look at us.” She said, She leaned far back into the car seat. Arms crossed across her chest. Bendy was still looking at the road. But Y/n could see his expression had almost turned sour.

“Are you hintin’ towards somethin’ or talkin’ just to be talkin’?” He asks her. Finally getting a reply from him. Y/n shook her head slowly. Looking at the road as well.

“I didn’t expect a diner to be a place where toons weren’t allowed. I don’t even know when they started doing that.” She said, Oswald opened his mouth to speak. As he did so his ears raised slowly.

“I’m pretty sure there’s other establishments that serve all of us.” Oswald said. Y/n didn’t reply for a second. She silently agreed with Oswald. There’s no way every single establishment or building had a no toons policy.

“Yeah…” she muttered. Everyone fell silent and for the most part the sound of the car's muffled engine was heard. It was nice to have a quiet feeling. Considering what had happened a few minutes ago. Y/n was no longer hungry after the altercation at the diner so for the most part her main focus was no longer on getting food. But figuring out what was in Idaho—or more who was in Idaho and what their next objective was. She felt Oswald sit back next to her. His shoulder touched hers as there wasn’t much room to begin with. But the space was still comfortable to sit with him in. She saw Oswald turn his palm face up and edged it over to Y/n. Y/n looked at his hand, uncurling her hand from her crossed arms hovering it above his and looked over at Oswald who was already looking at her. He must have seen she was maybe upset from not eating—or just the fact that the people at the diner were so...rude and the unexpected turn of events. Was he trying to comfort her somehow?

Soon he lifted his hand and took her hand in his. Y/n smiled and looked back out the window feeling the warmth cascade her hand—touching a toon seemed—odd. She could feel a soft texture from his ‘fur’ but then again it didn’t feel like fur. He was warm and not to mention, odd feeling four fingers instead of five intertwined around her five fingers. But, either way. It did relax her and stop her from bickering she was

Once doing it for about 40 minutes—which was mostly aimed towards Bendy but he didn’t seem to give her a reaction from her constant complaining. But either way, she was calmer and serene.

Soon the car slowed down. They were in a small town—similar to the one they just left in Oregon considering they were now entering Idaho. Y/n blinked momentarily. “What’s wrong?” She asks Bendy.

“The trail is gone.” He said his gaze still focused outside of the window to try and see if he could spot any sort of hint towards their new direction, but to no avail he couldn’t find any sort of trail or subliminal hint anywhere. Y/n looked at the welcome side on the side of the road. A chipped green painted sign with white letters elegantly painted on the wooden sign. ‘Warlington Hillside’

“Warlington Hillside…” Donald read the name, Panchito looking out the window at the sign as well. “Well. A mile back I saw we entered Idaho so..I guess..it’s up to us?” Y/n said. Turning to look at Bendy and then over her shoulder to Panchito and Donald. Donald's expression stirred into utter confusion.

“Why would it drop us off here? It couldn’t just lead us to where we need to be? Or who we’re looking for? For all we know—whatever we’re looking for can be in an entirely different town in this state.” Donald took the book that was on Y/n’s lap. He shook it momentarily as if it would make the book shake to life and get to working again. Panchito tilted his head.

“Ah...Donal—I don’t think it works that way my friend. It would just be best that we start here. After all! We are in a town!” He motions towards the front window of the car towards the town that would have been entering if Bendy kept driving.

“What are we supposed to do? Ask everyone in town if they see any suspicious activity?” Donald sarcastically said as he flipped through the pages of the book. Panchito froze for a moment. And then he shrugged as if to say the idea wasn’t so bad after all.

“Actually, I think that would be a perfect idea!”

“I was kidding—“

-

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. This is the dumbest idea ever…” Donald rubs a hand across his face and soon edged his beak. Y/n closed the car door and looked around the town. She actually took notice that the town wasn’t exactly a town? But more of a city. Its twinkling lights from each building caught her eye. The street lamps were now flickering on as it was nearing sunset—but the sun was still out, showcasing its melodious colors in the sky. Her eyes traveled around the area. Watching the cars drive by in the street and watching such...fashionable people walk down the street.

Looking over she saw a man and a woman walking by. Arms intertwined with each other as they both seemed to be in a deep conversation. But what took Y/n’s attention was the clothing. Their clothes seemed—dated back. The vest. The pants. The dress. It seemed tailored. With rich fabrics. Vintage clothing of something straight from a film in the era of the 40s.

Y/n never heard of this place before. In the distance she could hear jazz.

“Now. All we have to do is ask around!” Panchito glanced at the small group as he extended his arms to motion around his surroundings. Bendy had a hand on his hip. Giving Panchito a blank expression. Obviously he thought the idea of going around asking random strangers for any suspicious activity was a horrible idea. What kind of idea is that?!

“Oh lighten up. I like the looks of this place.” Oswald nudged Bendy. Bendy only sneered before moving away from Oswald’s constant nudging.

“This place—I don’t know. I don’t like it.” Donald denied. Crossing his arms and tapping his webbed foot to the pavement. The four turned their gaze to Panchito who caught their attention when he spoke to a random stranger passing by.

“Hola! A quick question.” Panchito says. The man stopped walking and looked at Panchito. A smile appeared on the stranger's face.

“Of course!” He said.

“Do you have any news around town? Anything suspicious? Anything new? Or big?” Panchito asks. The man thought for a moment. Bringing a hand to tap his chin.

“Well—nothing too out of place has happened around town! But you all should really go to this jazz band tonight—might not be the place you all are looking for. But it really is a good way to relax and loosen up for the night!” The man informed—not exactly information they were looking for. But then again. It was something.

“Is this some place everyone frequently goes to?” Y/n’s asks. Walking over to Panchito to look at the man. The man shook his head. “Oh no—I assume you all are looking for something? There’s been this toon in town—I can’t remember his name. But he’s looking for two other people? From what I remember he said something about them being on the radar from some other group of men. But anyway! He’s mostly at this bar around sunset after—well I don’t know what he does throughout the day—but either way. He’s always at this bar a few blocks down on Columbus Street. I would go ask if he needs works done if that’s what you all are askin’ for.” He thoroughly explained. Panchito hummed in amusement before glancing at Y/n to see what she had to say. Which—was great. Not only did they get information on the fact someone was kidnapped? Y/n wanted to assume it were toons in the same predicament Oswald was once in. But who was at the bar more than likely on the lookout for the same thing they are.

“Thank you! We’ll certainly give him a visit.” Y/n smiled. The man smiled and nods.

“He’s a toon—he’ll be easy to spot in the bar. I wish you all luck! Bye!” The man then turned around and walked off. Donald still had his arms crossed.

“I wonder who’s the big guy that’s on the same page we’re all on.” Donald said. Y/n turned around and looked at Donald. Bendy and Oswald stood next to Donald. Y/n tapped her fingers on her leg. Was it a good idea to even ask a random stranger that would seemingly have information? Maybe. Maybe not…but—either way.

“It’s worth a shot.” She muttered to herself. Glancing around the city she looked at the group of toons.

“Alright. Let’s go find this guy.”

-

“Okay—“ Alice took the yellow clipboard from Edgar. Edgar scattered into the empty meeting room. Past Alice. Boris walked in shortly after, closing the door as he walked in. Alice read over the list of things that M/n and wrote down—it was more of a to-do list. A series of things that needed to be done—mostly before the week let out. Alice ran a hand through her hair as she tapped her foot to the ground.

Boris stood by the table and then looked at Edgar. “So—what was it that you were trying to tell us? Other than that clipboard.” Boris spoke up. Edgar squeaked as he hopped on a chair. Standing on two legs. He placed his hands together as if he were some sort of pastor. He then pointed over to Alice mostly signaling towards her halo—but she was too busy reading the clipboard to take notice. Boris tilts his head. His gaze moved over to Alice when he took notice of Edgar’s gesture.

What could he be referring to? Looking back at the spider. Boris’s nose twitched. “I need more detail.” He says. Edgar nods before looking around before dashing off to the side of the room. Ripping open a closet and pulling a black throw over blanket from the closet before speeding over to Boris and hopping back in the chair. Edgar placed the black blanket around him as if it were a cloak. Edgar placed his hands together once again. As if he were praying. Boris' ears perked up slowly as his tail slowly swayed side to side.

“Is it someone or a something?” He asks. Edgar points to himself. Alice looked away from the clipboard and focused her attention on Edgar.

“Were you pointing at Alice’s halo?” Boris asked. Edgar nods once again. Finally! They were starting to understand him! What a miracle!

“I’m assuming this someone takes on—something religious?” Boris asks. Edgar once again nods. Alice was about to speak before a familiar voice interrupted. “He’s talking about nuns, you idiot.” Boris and Alice turned around and saw Charley standing in the corridor. Alongside Barley who had his arms in his pockets—as he always had them.

“Where did you two come from?” Alice asks. Turning to face the two. And placing a hand on her hip. Her upper lip twitching in annoyance. Charley motions towards Edgar. “Lookin’ for him! And M/n is looking for her clipboard—which you seem to have and I’m here to retrieve that and Edgar—“ Alice quickly cut Charley off by turning the clipboard around and showing it to Charley.

“July 23rd. A board party for toons and humans. It’s more like an integration celebration.” Was all she said. She practically shoved the clipboard in Charley’s face to show the circled date at the bottom of the list. Charley glared at Alice snatching the clipboard from her grip. He looked down at the clipboard and he felt Barley walk closer to him to read the list as well.

“Wuss so bad about it? It’s just some shindig.” Barley asks before looking at Alice. Instead of Alice explaining. Edgar hopped from the chair. Leaving the black blanket in the chair. He landed in the middle of the circle the four created. He squeaked and squeaked frantically. Waving his arms in the air. Charley furrowed his eyebrows.

“Aye! Calm down! What’s the rush?!” Charley told Edgar. Barley took the clipboard from Charley’s hands and read the list attentively. Alice looked between Edgar and Charley.

“What’s he’s saying?” She asks quickly. Edgar huffed before he went still and composed himself before looking at Charley. Letting out a series of squeaks.

“He’s going to explain from the beginning.” Charley translates. Alice nods before raising a hand. She leaned over and closed the door.

“But first. Charley—Barley. There’s something going on. World wide that is.” Alice said. Charley huffed. “Yeah—obviously we can tell. Sudden flux of toon riots and anti toon lovers are starting to rise.” Charley said. Alice nods—that was one thing that was out of the way that she didn’t have to explain. Thank goodness.

“Yes that. And—the fact that Bendy—and a few others are—I guess you can say are resolving some upcoming problems.” She said. Barley laughed under his breath. “What’d he do? Wreck private property again and get himself in cuffs?” He asks—mostly jokingly but Alice deadpanned for a moment as she shook her head.

“No. This is serious. Long story short. The real reason he’s away and out of town because M/n’s daughter found this book—the—“

“The one on TV.” Boris finished for Alice. Alice nods. Charley furrowed his eyebrows and thought for a moment…when the hell was the last time he looked at TV? He did remember seeing a news segment about some government artifacts being looted from a museum a few days ago. Now that he remembered. He could remember being told that the artifact was a book. And…he did hear Bendy in a room the night fumbling around as if talking to someone—now mentioning he heard more than one voice.

Well…he be damned.

“Now that’s somethin’ new.” Barley absently said—it were as if he read Charley’s mind. They were on the same page. Charley crossed his arms and gave Boris and Alice a look.

“You know I didn’t think Bendy would be this stupid and troublsome enough to steal a book for fun and then run off with M/n’s daughter.” He missed the point.

Smack!

“Ow! What was that for?!” Charley rubbed his forehead where Alice deliberately gave a slap to. Alice had her hands on her hips as she glared at Charley.

“He didn’t steal the book you idiot! There were three of them that night. Edgar knows it all—as well as additional information. Edgar can explain all that—but what I need for you too to know…” Alice looked between Charley and Barley.

“Is that we are now working together to help Bendy and the others—“

“What?! No! I’ve basically been told he had a stolen book with him. I’m not gettin’ involved in this mess. Look at society’s impression on toons right now. You think that when they find out that a group of toons with a young girl are on the run, with a book they are currently lookin’ for would look good on us?” Charley sneered at Alice. Barley on the other hand agreed with Alice.

“I’m agreeing with Alice on this. Bendy wouldn’t just do anythin’ fer just the fun of it. When was Tha’ last time Bendy stole anythin?” Barley asks Charley. And Charley couldn’t name off a single time. Charley’s nose twitched as he sneered yet again. Of course Bendy caused trouble around the studio. But anything revolving anything in public—he was—well. A normal toon. That didn’t cause any trouble. So obviously there had to be a reason why he was traveling around as of now. Alice took note of Charley’s silence and then continued speaking.

“Charley. We know. You hate Bendy—hell. Even at times I get angry at him. But he’s still family. And if we have information that will very much help him and the others he’s with. We should help him as best as we can.” Alice’s halo slowly glimmered the beautiful golden light. Charley silently stared at her before grunting and waving his hand.

“Fine! Tell me the info and let’s get started.” He said. Alice smiled and clasped her hands gently at his participation.

“Edgar. Fill Charley and Barley in first on what’s going on. As well as the book.” Edgar nods at Alice's command before turning to both Charley and Barley. It took only a few minutes to inform and get the two to update them of what was going on. Charley stood in front of Edgar, arms crossed and nodding his head every once in a while as he took in the information. Despite it being a bunch of squeaks and motions. He still could understand the spider—as well as Barley.

“So. He’s in Oregon now?” Barley asks. Alice nods slowly. “From last I checked. He is. I was going to give him a call today to see where he and Y/n are—I believe that’s her name.”

“A magic book…” Charley muttered under his breath. It sounds so—made up. Childish. But if Edgar seemed pretty serious about it. Then Charley was willing to go the distance with the others.

“The night when M/n’s daughter came to the building and when she and Bendy and—a third person That was in the room. Edgar was in there—but you said you had more information. Right?” Boris asks. Edgar nods frantically. Charley motioned Edgar to continue.

“Alright then let’s get to the important stuff.” He said.

Edgar looked at the four before he started explaining.

-

“What are we gonna do now? The brat and those toons got away.”

Edgar peeked from behind the garbage can. A few blocks away from the studio. Edgar was entertained by the action in front of him. The rabbit that he saw as he peered from the ceiling out the window in the room where Bendy and two others were discussing with each other—two when how Bendy and that rooster leaped from the window with a lasso.

He had to follow them to see—what were they up to? Edgar had always mostly been in the studio all his life. And seeing such adventurous actions take place out of nowhere really caught his attention. Unfortunately he was too afraid to wander near the bar. But when he saw Y/n, Bendy, the rooster and the rabbit appeared from the buildings. Edgar could tell that they were after something. Which led to them chasing two people—who he now deemed the bad guys. He followed the car chase—but mainly swinging from building to building by his web. Which was how he kept up. And how he ended up behind the garbage can in the alleyway where the van of the two ‘bad guys’ had crashed near. He saw the man in the trench coat slip off his jacket. The two backs were turned towards him. So he couldn’t take in any facial details. But with the coat off. Edgar could see a black blazer vest. A velvet red undershirt. The man's hair was a familiar dark color slicked back with hair—not a single strand disobeying.

The woman had dark hair as well. Fair skin. And a dark knee length dress. Her hands on her hips as she stared at the wrecked car. The man sighed and rubbed his temple.

“We need someone that can get in there for us to grab the book…” the man muttered. The woman glanced at him as she silently watched him contemplate. The man reached in his pocket slowly before pulling out a device—a phone now that Edgar thought back on it—at first he didn’t know what it was.

“I’ll contact him. You know he’s been practically yearning to join.” The man told the woman. Who had then nodded. The two had abandoned the crashed van and wandered down the sidewalk. Edgar squeezed between people who had checked to see and check on people in the car crash. Followed after the two as they then turned down an alleyway after several minutes of walking. Which only led Edgar further away from the studio—but he knew his way back perfectly. So he didn’t have to worry.

Edgar peeked from around the corner. The alleyway had a few puddles from the rain from earlier. The brick walls glistened from the water and the fluorescent street lights that gave light to the alleyway. Edgar saw that the two slipped into a building from a metal door. But it closed unfortunately so it wasn’t able to make it. Looking up. Edgar could see an exhaust hood near the top of the doorway. Scurrying over. Edgar with ease climbed on the wall and up to the exhaust hood. Edgar placed four hands on the hood and with a strained grunt and groan using all his strength he pulled the exhaust hood from the wall. Anyone would have fallen back from the sudden motion of something being ripped from the wall. But seeing Edgar was a spider and could travel up and down walls. His balance didn’t falter. Edgar tossed the torn metal behind him—a distance; ‘clank!’ Echoing in the hall. He quickly crawled in a dark humid vent. The feeling of dust tickling his form wasn’t his worries.

“You had one job!” A shouted echo was what Edgar followed. It seemed the lady that man was with was the one who was shouting. No doubt there may be more people. Edgar crawled through the vents and absently walked by a vent that peered down into the room. Perfect.

Edgar backtracked and quickly placed his full attention down below.

Despite outside being what seemed to be a worn down warehouse. The inside seemed more of an office building. He could see the features of the woman. But the man stood in blind spot. Standing next to a coffee table as the woman stood in front of the coffee table as well as standing in front of three toons—the beagle boys. Magica was standing off to the side. Arms behind her back.

The beagle boys seemed to flatter at the woman's scolding.

“Was it so hard to catch that girl!? She’s 18 for crying out loud! What damage could she do?! She’s a kid! And that—that damn toon! You couldn’t catch him?!” She shouts. The shortest of the three beagles raised a finger to speak. “They all worked together..Miss..” he said slowly.

The woman’s expression only hardened.

“It seems we can’t depend on you three to take them out and take the book. This isn’t some ordinary schemed show where every episode the plan foils and we say oh well better luck next time—and the same thing happens! We mean business!” She shouts. Soon Magica finally spoke up.

“Miss Susan. Might I remind you that this particular group is indeed chosen by an ancient powerful book. She’s more than just some teenage girl with an absent mind and those toons are more than just toons.” The duck said. The woman—now Susan now that a name had been given sighed as she raised both her hands and slowly rolled her fingers down to lock them both into a fist. Each finger gives a satisfying crack. But before she could say anything. Two figures burst through the front door. Standing around the same height. They both were toons. One had two horns on his head. And black fur—he almost resembled a goat. His yellow optics gleaming at everyone in the room. “Ding dong!” He shouts as he extends his arms. Next to him stood a toon. Dressed in a tailored purple suit. His head was a dice. Arms behind his back as he trailed

Behind the demon like-goat into the room.

“Well. What do you know?” Susan mutters. Edgar felt himself shrink at the sight of the horned toon. It indeed was the Devil! He’s heard of him—not someone to be messed with. His Right Hand Man as most toons know of—King Dice. Was also another toon that meant business.

“We heard the news. They got away? Bummer.” The Devil circled around Susan. His tail brushed under her chin as he then stood by the coffee table. Susan scoffed and shook her head slowly.

“Yes. They got away. With the book—we planned this all out. I don’t see h—“ she was cut off by the man in the trench coat.

“As I said. We need someone to go along with them to get that book.” He said. The Devil placed a hand on his chest. “Which..ladies and gentlemen. Is why I’m here.” He grinned. Showing the sharp rows of piercing teeth that were ready to sink into anything.

“Who do you have?” Magica asks. The Devil glanced over to her and placed his hands behind his back.

“Two hard headed people. And might I say. That can make anyone run for their money. Two toons. They’re brothers and I think they would do this mission just fine. After all, They do owe me their souls. Having them run a small errand for me won’t be a problem.” The Devil said. Susan's interest had been caught with the new way to retrieve the book. But there was a small problem.

“Where are they?” She asks.

“Good question. They got away from me a couple months prior to this entire plan you all manifested. But nevertheless. They still owe me. It should be easy to track them down. After all I have their souls and can do what I please with them at any time.” Susan nods at the Devil’s explanation. “I can track them down if need be.” Magica pipes up.

“That would be perfect.” Susan whispers.

“When we find the brothers. All it would take is for me to tell them their objective. Which is to retrieve the book from those toons. And bring them to me.” The Devil said. The man in the trench coat spoke up yet again.

“They would need to approach the group carefully. Go along with them, not startle them.” The man said. Susan nods.

“Heard you loud and clear.”

“I’ll go and track down these brothers.” Magica straightens her shirt before turning to face the Devil. The dice man had yet to speak. More so standing next to his boss with a calculating expression.

Magica had her eyes closed as she furrowed her eyebrows. She was a powerful force. A witch. With powers so ancient and powerful. It wasn’t a surprise how quick she was able to get the location of their supposed ‘minions’.

“They’re in Idaho. Not too far of a drive.” Magica speaks up. Susan grins.

“Well. Off we go! It’s only a matter of time before those toons and that brat get too far!”

-

“They’re sending hitmans?!” Boris shouts. Tugging at both of his ears. Alice had a hand over her mouth taking in the information that Charley basically had to translate to the group.

“They’re sending someone out to go after the book and kill them…” Alice said slowly. Charley had a hand on his hip as he looked between Boris and Alice.

“Why don’t we just head down there and warn them?” He asks.

“Henry will be looking for us.” Boris answered. And Alice nods. Barley shook his head. “Ah please. The lad is busy gettin’ a headache about that board meetin’ we can leave now maybe make it to Oregon by midnight.” Barley said. Alice raised a finger.

“I have a feeling we should head to Idaho instead. If those brothers are down there, No doubt the others will be.” Alice said. Barley perks up yet again.

“Wait a minute…Charley. Ya’ said somethin’ about nuns?” He asks. Charley looked at Barley and slowly nodded. “Well Eddie did. But yeah. Why?”

“Those boys are in Idaho for a reason. Ed. You said somethin’ about that Devil guy ownin’ their souls. Yeah?”

“Squeak.”

Barley nods at Edgar’s confident answer before looking at the four.

“Well in this city located in the state. There’s this monastery. Filled with nuns. It's an ancient chapel. I remember Wally sayin’ somethin’ about learnin’ in his history class that that monastery has this jewel that can keep away all evil. Spirits and demons. Those boys must have been after that if they’re bein’ chased by the Devil himself.” Barley informed. Alice clasped her hands together. Brilliant! Just the information they needed!

Charley snorts. “Good luck with them thinkin’ anyone would let them inside the sanctuary.” Alice ignored Charley’s statement before she focused her attention on Barley.

“What’s the name of the church?” She asks. But Barley shrugs. “I dunno. Neva’ asked. We could ask Wally. But I doubt he’ll give us an answer without questionin’ why? And I’m pretty sure we should all lay low for now and not run our mouths about all that’s goin’ on.” He said. He was right. Alice wasn’t too upset. At Least they knew that the chapel was in Idaho. That was a start.

“Well..if you think about it. The Devil is also after the others as well…that jewel can come in handy..” Boris said. Charley raised an eyebrow. “You sayin’ Bendy and the others should steal it?”

“Not that!” Boris quickly shook his head. Alice had a look of concentration written on her face. She then furrowed her eyebrows.

“We’re leaving now.” She said. Charley, Barley, Edgar, and Boris all looked at Alice with the same expression. Puzzled and shocked.

“Now?” Charley asks.

“Now.” Alice said. She walked over to the door and opened it. But Charley quickly shot in front of the door and blocked her exit.

“Hey now. Let’s think about this. We have the Devil involved and the government and a witch. Are you sure this is a good idea? Besides. Idaho is hours away from us. And neither of us can leave because everyone will be looking for us.” Charley quickly spilled all of the reality common sense out. But Alice furrowed her eyebrows.

“They need us. I doubt they know those ‘minions’ are after them. Alongside with the Devil himself. This has gotten serious. So everyone let’s go. We have a road ahead of us.” She was serious. A hint of malice dripped in Alice’s voice. Charley stared at Alice. Contemplating. He had no choice. One way or another some sort of altercation would happen.

“Whos car are we takin?” He muttered before moving away from the door.

-

“Thanks Wally! Love you!” Alice sat in the drivers

Seat as Boris sat in the passenger. Wally stood on the sidewalk watching the toons. Charley muttered under his breath as he slipped in the car. Alongside Edgar and Barley. No bags packed. Just them.

“Okay….uh..when will you be back?” Wally asks. Alice smiled innocently. “Soon! Bye!”

And with that. The car pulled out of the parking lot and down the road. Wally blinked—but he never questioned a thing..good thing his apartment was close by.

“Now. Let’s go get our friends…”

-

Pushing the doors open. The sound of various people talking. Cigars. Music—jazz and liquor wafted into the air. Y/n looked around and saw toons and humans together in the bar. All dressed in their Pristine clothing. Some at pool tables and booths interacting with one another.

The floor was made of mahogany wood. The dim golden lights after so lightly lighting the room. It had a warm feeling and not a feeling like that dinner that had that odd feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb.

“Thought the guy said our guy would be easy to find.” Donald said. He crossed his arms and his eyes looked around the area. There were toons in the building. And the person they were looking for could be any one of them.

“We could ask around.” Panchito piped up. But Donald scoffed. “Not that again!”

“Well. We have no other choice.” Bendy said. He looked around the building. At Least to find a hint of their target. Hopefully they would track the guy down more sooner than later.

“Let’s go sit in the meantime.”

The five had wandered over to an empty booth. And sat down. Feeling the tension in Y/n’s leg let go. Y/n relaxed in the booth and sighed in pure relief. “At Least for sure we won’t get kicked out from here.” Y/n told the four. Panchito and Donald sat across from Y/n. As Oswald sat next to her and Bendy sat next to Oswald. Sitting on the outside of the booth.

Taking the menu and opening it. Y/n absently went over what would be served in the bar. “What time is it?” Donald suddenly asked. Y/n took her phone from her pocket and glanced at the time. 8:14PM

“It’s 8PM.” She groaned. It was so late already! Suddenly the thought of where to sleep appeared in her mind. She looked over Bendy who was looking over at a small crowd of people.

“Bendy. Are we sleeping in a hotel tonight or are we still on the road?” She asks. Bendy turned his attention to Y/n. “Well. We hadn’t exactly found out what we needed from here—not to mention. We still need to find that toon that guy was talking about. More than likely we’ll stay in town for tonight.” He replied. Thank goodness. She didn’t think she could stay cramped up in the front seat much longer.

“So! Oswald. Where have you been for these past couple of years?” Donald asks. Turning his attention to the rabbit.

“I could ask the same for you, pal.” Oswald gave Donald a smile. Donald huffs before placing his head in his palm. “Watching my nephews. It was a headache. But they’re good kids.” Y/n perked up and placed her attention on Donald. “Oh? You have nephews?” She asks with a small smile. Donald nodded at her answer.

“They left with their mother a few weeks ago.” He said. To which Donald and Y/n strikes a conversation. First talking about his nephews talking about living in a boathouse. Which Y/n still saw as interesting. Within a few minutes. The sounds of cheering and laughing and clapping were heard. Causing the group to turn their heads over by the bar.

Bendy had been rubbing his temple as if his head was aching. He stopped when he heard the cheering and looked over to the bar. A toon was standing on the bars tops. From what it seemed to Y/n. He was a cat, with a white face and black fur. He had on a brown button up undershirt..an odd color for a button up. He had on a tanned faux leather bomber jacket. The shoulder pads seemed to be tanned like soft cotton. And the collar of his jacket was a sherpa design. Which also had that soft cotton look. He had on brown dress pants and brown loafers. An odd choice for his outfit. But that wasn’t Y/n’s business.

He also had on a brown cloth fedora hat. Which, now she’s thinking about it... He sort of resembles Indiana Jones. On his hip was a wrapped up rope underneath a yellow Fanny pack that was wrapped around his hips.

“It almost killed me! But I was too quick! It quickly tried to grab onto me with its claws—but. As quick as I was, it only nicked me.” The cat reached down and pulled his button up. Untucking it and lifting it up to show his torso. A healing wound was seen on the side of his torso. Three distinct claw marks ripped into his fur. The wound was pink which made it much more noticeable.

“That’s more than a nick!” One person shouts. The cat only smiles wider.

“Tell us more!” Another shouts. They obviously were intrigued by his story. He must have been the guy that was drawing that crowd over by that bar when they first walked in.

“Yes. Another. Let me buy you a drink lad. You must be thirsty from your last journey!” A man states. But the cat shook his head. Waving his hand he turned down the offer.

“Ah. No thank you sir. The only thirst I have. Is the thirst for adventure!” His statement made the crowd cheer loudly.

“Who is that guy?” Y/n asks as the cheering calmed down enough for her group to hear. Donald was the first to reply. “He’s this archeologist. I only know about him because my uncle reads his books. His name is Felix.” Donald explains. Yet seeing a renowned person was in the same building as him. He didn’t seem too excited though.

“I’ve heard of him too. I think he’s a cool guy.” Oswald said. His eyes still planted on the cat toon. Who was now off the counter speaking to someone. But Bendy didn’t seem too interested in the toon as he leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “That still doesn't answer our question as to where this person is we’re searching for…” he muttered. Y/n noticed his change in demeanor and energy. She leaned over Oswald slightly and pressed the back of her hand on Bendy’s forehead. The heat coming from his head gave a little warmth to Y/n’s chilled hand.

“Bendy, are you coming down with something?” She asks him. Before he could speak. Y/n removed her hand and spoke once again. “You need to rest. You’ve been up all day. I think it’s best if We all stay in town tonight.” She told the small group. Panchito looked away from the cat and placed his attention on Y/n. “You still have not eaten anything.” He told her. Y/n took in account that she indeed still hadn’t eaten anything. And it would be best to eat before they ventured off to do anything. And now it seemed they had a lot on their plate to get through.

“So. What are you in town for?” One of the patrons of the bar asks the cat. Y/n, Bendy, Oswald, Panchito and Donald looked over back at the bar and saw the cat was sitting on a stool facing a man—most likely no one important but their conversation caught their interest.

“I’m lookin’ for two fellow toons. I ran into them about four days ago because they were looking for something down here—to stop someone—that had something to do with a church I believe. They were talking so quickly I could barely latch onto what they were panicking about. So. I helped them here. Where the church was located. But an hour ago when we got here they were napped. Someone took them when I was off on the street asking for the location of the church.” The cat explained. Despite the sounds of the bar with the clattering dishes and murmured talking from other patrons. The group was able to hear the conversation crystal clear.

The cat must have felt the gaze of the five staring and listening to the conversation. His ear pivoted in the direction of their booth before he turned his head to look at the group. Bendy quickly grabbed the menu and lifted it up towards the end of the table to block his gaze. Using it as some sort of wall. Ducking his head. Y/n, Panchito, Oswald, and Donald followed the same as Bendy as they leaned into the table as if having a group meeting.

“Are we all thinking the same thing?” Y/n asks the toons. Bringing her voice down. Oswald glanced at her before he spoke.

“Well the man down the street did say something about someone looking for kidnapped victims. He might be the person we’re looking for.” Oswald said. Y/n sighed and placed both hands on her face to ease the tension. Why him?

“We can’t have him tag along. He more than certainly knows about the book. He’s a damn archeologist! And if he finds out we have it—lord knows what would happen to us.” She whispered to them. Bendy raised his finger to inject something. “Then again doll, he might know more info about the book than we do.” He said. Donald slowly raised an eyebrow.

“Okay—that’s nice. But what about those kidnapped victims? Are we looking for them..?” He then slowly pivoted his thumb towards Panchito—which he was really motioning towards the direction a few feet away at the bar where Felix was.

“—Or the cat?” He finished.

“Well we can’t look for the people that were taken. We don’t have any information on them. But he does.” Oswald answered Donald’s question. Hinting towards Felix. So making it clear. Felix was the person they were on the search for. And now. Someone they needed to lend a hand maybe for the night.

Bendy sets the menu down and sits properly in his seat. “Well I guess we all can agree that he’s helping us.” Bendy glanced at the group. Which they nodded in agreement. Y/n was about to add something else—about who would go to speak with the cat. But with luck on their side. The cat decided to come around himself.

“Hello!” The five looked at the end of the table and saw Felix was standing by the table. A smile planted on his face as he glanced individually at the group. The group was caught off guard by the cat's sudden appearance—other than Panchito. Who waved in return for his greeting.

Felix continued speaking before he placed his gaze on Bendy. “I notice you’re Bendy, right? From the show?” He asks. And Bendy slowly nods. Odd having someone who travels a lot know about his show—but he didn’t complain.

“I am.”

“Great! Nice to meet you! My name is Felix!” Felix took Bendy’s hand and shook it fiercely. Bendy’s smile twitched before widening. His arm trying to keep pace of the cats shaking.

“Hi, nice ta’ meet you too.” Bendy’s voice wavered and bounced from being shook like a doll. Felix let’s his hand go before digging into his Fanny pack. And pulling out a small notebook—not exactly a big notebook—but one of a size that shouldn’t exactly fit in the Fanny pack.

“I love your show! I find it funny. You know. I watch it from time to time when I’m just lounging around—whenever I get the chance.” As he spoke to Bendy he pulled out a pen from his pack and opened the notebook and passed it to Bendy. “Might I have your autograph if you don’t mind?” He asks.

“I—well—sure.” Bendy didn’t seem to know how to respond. Instead he took the pen and the notebook and wrote it down in the notebook. Felix then looked over and placed his gaze on the three that were staring at the cat.

“I’m assuming you all aren’t from around here?” He asks. Oswald shook his head. “No. Actually. We all aren’t exactly—it’s a long story—“

“We’re on a mission and we’re looking for someone—but we got word they were kidnapped at the last minute and some guy on the streets told us to come to you because you know the people who we are looking for to advance further in our objective. And we didn’t want to really bother you—but we really need to leave town by sunrise because we have a lot to do ahead of us because we’re running from these guys who are out to kill us! And if they find out we’re here—we’re dead a-“ Donald quickly slaps his hand over Panchito’s running mouth. Felix ears perk up—obviously his attention now fully on them.

“Sorry—it’s been a rough day—we..” Donald tried to think of a way to make the group seem less…fugitive-like and…predictable. Y/n could feel herself shrink—she didn’t exactly know what to say. Because either way—with explaining what they needed and who they were looking for a why would result in circling back around to the book—the book that was stolen—and obviously is wanted by various people…for some reason. For all she knows, Felix could potentially be someone that wanted the book like that…man in the trench coat..or. Take them in..either way. There were a lot of options.

Instead of anything hostile. Y/n saw the cat's tail slowly swaying from left to right as a smile appeared on his face.

“Am I glad I ran into you all then.” He said. Oswald lets out a perplexed yet shock noise. “You are..?” He asks slowly. Felix nods. “I’ve been searching for those two for hours. Unfortunately not many people are much help here. But now that I need you and you need me. We can make this easier by finding them. But my question is. What do you need them for? Are they friends?” Y/n knew this question would occur. One way or another. None of them replied. Instead glancing at each other waiting for each other's answer. Donald soon sighed.

“Follow us.”

-

Thump

Y/n placed the book on the counter. After leaving the bar. Felix led the group to a hotel room he was staying in for the time being. It was small—but comforting and out of reach of anyone else so the group—along with Felix. Can safely discuss amongst each other.

Felix's eyes widened when he saw the book Y/n placed on the counter. His tail wagged quickly as he quickly placed his paws on the book.

“Oh my! How did you all get your hands on this?!” He ran a finger over the embroidery on the leather book. He quickly turned around and looked at the five. He didn’t seem angry, too shocked or scared—but more ecstatic with seeing the book. How on earth did they get it? Y/n held her book bag close to her chest as she watched the cat. Standing next to Panchito, Y/n spoke up—for the first time to Felix.

“Well. It's a long story that we constantly had to repeat—which I’m sure we have to repeat many more times but, we promise we aren’t thieves or anything like that. We’re just doing what the book tells us—damn that sounds bad..” Y/n muttered the last part under her breath. Felix shook his head and smiled.

“No—no. I have so little information and notes on this book. There’s so much to learn about it. I only know the bare minimum.” Felix turned towards the book yet again. He was silent for a moment before he continued speaking.

“It’s a book created eons ago. The story seems like a fairytale. But I assure you. This is all real.” He picked up the book. But didn't try to open it. Instead Felix examined the leather casing on the book. After a few moments of silence. Felix continued talking again.

“This book holds a lot of power. Along with knowledge about life—“ He then turned around and faced the five who were looking at the cat. Felix then pressed a finger in the stitched name on the book.

“Hint the name.” He adds.

“So…it’s about the evolution of life..?” Y/n asks. Felix smiled but shook his head? Y/n was left perplexed. If the book wasn’t about life itself. Then what was the purpose of it?

“No. In fact. I don’t even know the meaning of it! No one does!” He laughs. Which only left Y/n more puzzled. Donald furrowed his eyebrows.

“What?! Aren’t you the guy with the brains? I thought you knew about this thing!” Donald shouts as his hands flew to his head to tug at his feathers. He didn’t take it well knowing how mostly everyone was aimlessly traveling around without a thought in their head. Which Y/n couldn’t blame him.

“Well. All I know is that this book has knowledge of people that it chooses—from my understanding. This book only awakens when great danger is near.” Felix explained. That was something Y/n assumed would be the answer. The book acts as some sort of warning. Hearing Felix say it. Was a relief in an odd way.

“When was the last time the book was awakened?” Y/n asks. Felix lifts a paw. And taps his chin with his claw. A look of contemplation ridden on his face.

“I don’t have a clue. Any sort of information on this book was held from the last holders and—-well they’re not here. All I know is that only the holders of the book are able to access it.” Felix said. He glanced down at the book before glancing back at the group. “Which is you all.”

“The people that were kidnapped. What did they come here for? The book led us to this town.” Bendy asks. Cycling back around to the main reason they all needed Felix. Felix nods firmly before passing the book back to Bendy. Who took it and tucked it under his arm.

“Yes! The brothers. Their names are Cuphead and Mugman. They came here because they were looking for a jewel I believe.” Felix reached into his Fanny pack as he spoke. He quickly pulled out a photo. And showed it to the five. The photo was a picture of a red ruby. Or a jewel. It was perfectly placed on a white pillow for display. Around it seemed to be something reflecting it. Like some sort of glass box was encasing it. Which raised the answer. Was the jewel another artifact?

“They were escaping the Devil—big guy—I don’t know if you all know about him.” Felix adds. Oswald nods as well as Bendy. Panchito, Donald and Y/n only stared at Felix for further information. The Devil? As in..

“Satan?” Y/n asks. Felix furrowed his eyebrows and contemplated yet again. “In a way—yes!” He answered.

“Wha—huh? Wait..are we talking about. Big furry guy? Horns. Yellow eyes? The one that runs a Casino on this small island near the Atlantic? That Devil?” Donald asks. Leaning forward slightly in disbelief. Whoever this guy was. He seemed like someone not to mess with. Felix nods at Donald’s statement.

“I…I apologize. I do not understand who this fellow is.” Panchito pipes up. Y/n looked away from the rooster and over to Felix. “Neither do I. I only know one guy who people referred to as the ‘Devil’. And that’s this weird guy that lives on our street that shaves his back in the morning every Sunday and when he shaves you can see this tattoo of a demon—“ Y/n crossed her arms and looked at the ceiling in thought.

“I think he was a biker…” she looked back at Oswald, Panchito, Donald, Bendy and Felix. Who all gave her a questioning look.

“Every Sunday? Jeez. How fast does that guy's hair grow?” Oswald asks before grimacing at the thought. Y/n rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it…” she muttered. Donald quickly got back on track by placing his gaze back on Felix.

“That doesn't matter. Why would they be running around from the Devil?” He asks. Felix placed the picture back into his Fanny pack and zipped the pack up as he started to speak yet again.

“They never told me. But they seemed to really try and get away. So I helped them. And got them here. Our plan was to find that jewel. That jewel comes from an ancient tomb on this island called Ruby Falls. Though the location doesn't matter. The jewel is here in Idaho. And last I checked in. It was in a convent.” Felix informed. Thank goodness he was a help. A church would be the last thing Y/n suspected to be a part of their journey.

“The jewel works as a shield. Keeping all negative spirits away. Which in all. Means. The Devil wouldn’t be able to touch them as long as they had that jewel with them.” Felix finished. Bendy’s grin wavered before he raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly were they going to get this jewel? Steal it from a bunch of nuns?” He asks.

“That’s something I don’t know! Never got to find that out!” Felix laughs.

“How do we even know these brothers are who we’re lookin’ for?” Donald asks. Turning his direction to his group. “For all we know we would be chasin’ people that we don’t even need.”

“It’s worth a shot. We don’t have much to go off of but this information we have here.” Y/n said.

“In the meantime. You all can stay here tonight?” Felix smiled. But his ears quickly perked up—as if he had just remembered something in the nick of time.

“Oh! I didn’t get your guy’s name! Besides Bendy of course.” Felix walked closer to the group. His attention sets on Y/n first as he lifts a paw and gently takes her hand in his to give a soft shake. “My name is Felix.” He introduces—as if by now Y/n didn’t know his name. The silly gesture caused her to smile. As she felt him shake her hand.

“My name is Y/n. Y/n L/n.” Felix smiled once more. “Nice to meet you, pretty lady.” He said softly. The cat took a moment to take in Y/n features. By surprise Y/n’s smile widened at the action when Felix looked over to Panchito. Who had been standing next to Y/n.

Felix spoke to Panchito, Oswald and Donald. Getting their names and striking an interesting conversation with Panchito and his home in Mexico. Where he explained he lived on a family farm owned by his father. The conversation went before Felix told the group to make themselves at home;

“Sorry for the mess—I didn’t expect guests.” Felix quickly tossed a book bag across the room. Where it landed by a couch. There were only two rooms. The living room. Which was connected to a small walk in the kitchen and bedroom. Which had one bed. Enough room for everyone to sleep for the night. Y/n had wandered over to a window that was by the couch seeing it was pressed against a wall. Peering out the window. She saw they were a few floors up. Maybe the 4th floor or so. But it was a nice view out in the street. The bar was actually across the street from the hotel. Peering down she could see people walking down the street—which begged the question.

“So. What’s up with this town? Weird clothes and stuff..” she asks. Turning around and surprisingly Felix was standing behind her—which she didn’t know. He was holding a blanket and pillow balled in his arms. Hearing the question he leaned over and placed the blankets on the couch.

“Well this town isn’t exactly ordinary to say the least.” He said. Moving to stand next to her he glanced out the window.

“This town likes to keep a tradition—well. If you would call it that. Singing is their passion. Ya’ know. Back then a lot of films had musical numbers and all that jazz. Very happy town I do say so.” That was..some odd information that she didn’t know even existed…

“A real life musical?” She asks. Her eyes glued on him. Felix turned to look at her before nodding. “Yeah! Something like that.”

“How come I haven't seen anyone sing yet?” She asks.

A town that spent their time in joy and ..singing? Certainly that was something she would like to see.

“Oh trust me. You’ll hear it sooner or later. You should head to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Y/n nods at his statement as Felix turns around to walk off. Still stuck on the fact the town was like a musical film! Certainly she was sure it was down to annoy her friends sooner or later—-mainly hinting towards Donald. But with fatigue now creeping onto her every so slightly. Y/n turned towards the couch. She kicked off her shoes before she placed the book bag down on the floor as well. She sat down on the couch and lifted the blanket and laid it over her shoulders. Looking over she saw Bendy sitting on the floor with a blanket. Along with Oswald, Panchito and Donald. Felix had left his room to give everyone space and quiet.

“What are you guys doing on the floor?” She asks. The four turned their heads away from the TV that was one and held their attention. They looked at Y/n and Bendy spoke up.

“We all can’t fit on the couch.” He said. Y/n glanced at the couch. And he was right. The couch wouldn’t fit five people. Nor was the couch a pullout. But Y/n didn’t want the four to sleep on the floor. Y/n grabbed her blanket and pillow and stood up from the couch before she wandered over to the group and plopped down on the floor as well.

“I guess we’re all sleeping on the floor then.”

“Oh yay! It’s like a slumber party.” Panchito sets his sombrero down away from the group before he nicked Y/n’s blanket and tossed the warm cloth over her and his own form.

“Whatever you all do. Please don’t sleep wild. I don’t need someone’s foot in my face in the mornin’” Donald turned over to lay down. Lifting the blanket to his beak.

And there. They all had their peaceful sleep.

-

“Now stay ya’ asses quiet, my boss’ll be here soon.” Doug fixed his tie on his blazer. Walking away from the cage Cuphead and Mugman were still seated in.

Cuphead seemed to have run out of energy to shout at the two toons. Moving his eyes from Doug who had his back turned to the cage. Fixing his tie and speaking to another toon—or henchman—what Cuphead was now referring to them to. Soon Doug turned around and looked at Jack who was standing around idly.

“Put the cage on the carrier and take it to the next room.” Doug told Jack who had snapped from out of the dazed expression and nodded quickly

Jack stumbled over to the cage picking it up and putting it on the carrier. “Yes sirrrrr!” Jack drawled. Doug then snapped his fingers impatiently. “Hurry! The lady will pay us handsomely when she sees those two!”

Cuphead and Mugman shuffled slightly at the sudden movement of Jack pushing the cart. Cuphead yelped as he tipped over and crashed into Mugman. Causing Mugman to get stuck between the bars of the cage and Cuphead. Mugman wheezes before shoving Cuphead’s form off him with a heavy groan. Cuphead muttered before he watched Jack pushing the carrier to another room in the warehouse.

“Where are you taking us?” Mugman asks, placing his hands on the bar to look at Jack. Who then sniffed and wiped his nose momentarily.

“The garage area. It’s where all my friends are.” Jack replied. Cuphead punched Mugman’s shoulders. Mugman rammed into the cage at the impact. A painful expression written on his face. “Ow! What was that for?!” Mugman hissed at Cuphead.

“Don’t talk to him.” Cuphead nonchalant in response.

“But you talked to him earlier!” Mugman pouts.

“Correction. I was trying to be condescending, you’re tryin’ to make pal-pal with this idiot.” Cuphead whispered to Mugman. Grabbing Mugman by his shoulder to speak to him more closely.

Mugman gasped softly—rather dramatically—and furrowed his eyebrows. “Cuphead...that’s not nice.” He said. Cuphead gave him a blank expression before looking at Jack.

“What’s 2 plus 4 Jack?”

“Negative 7!”

Cuphead looks at Mugman. Who still had his gaze on him. But he didn’t seem to care about the fact that Jack completely got a math question wrong. The two were interrupted by the sound of metal doors flinging open. The two cup brothers faced forward as the cage entered the new room. The fluorescent lights illuminated the room as the cage was placed down. Cuphead and Mugman’s expression immediately deadpanned at the sight of various figures.

“Well—howdy doo!” Zip cackled. Shooting from behind a man cloaked in a trench coat. Cuphead didn’t pay attention to the shadow like toon. And turned his gaze over to a figure he was very familiar with.

“Ah! Dice. Long time no see—is that a new mustache?” Cuphead smiled. Standing up—more crouching in the cage before he wrapped his hands around the bars in front of him to look at Dice. Dice didn’t respond as he held a stoic expression—before rolling his eyes.

“Out of all people…” he mutters.

Mugman looks away from Dice and the odd man in the trench coat to see a woman. She wore a black dress—flats—a sharp gaze settled on the two—next to her was a duck toon. Raven black hair. Dark eyes—and a black dress..what an odd group…

“Country boys…” the duck’s voice was stained with disdain. She sighed before shaking her head. Cuphead could hear the disgust in the ducks before he placed his gaze back on her and sneered.

“Why are we here?” Cuphead skipped the jokes and introduction as he glowered at the group.

“You two have a pretty simple job.” Dice finally speaks up. Mugman shivered slightly. They were dead they were dead they were dead—they are going to die!

“No.” Cuphead responds. Mugman immediately shoots up from his seated position and covers Cuphead’s mouth.

“I—he means—what—what is the—what’s the offer?” Mugman stammered. But Cuphead didn’t budge. He pushed Mugman’s hand away and pointed at Dice.

“And I said no! We—“

“You—“ Mugman quickly added as he nervously grinned at Dice. Cuphead then points his thumb to his chest harshly—pointing to himself.

“I’ve had enough of these games! Just let us go! We want nothing to do with you nor that crybaby Devil either!” He shouts. Susan smiled before looking at King Dice. “That’s one fiesta cup.” She chuckled. King Dice rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it…” he muttered.

“Well. If you won’t listen to me. Listen to him.” King Dice raised a hand. Placing his middle finger to his thumb in a motion of snapping.

“Crap…” Mugman mutters. And with a snap of his fingers. The two felt the ground leave their shoes and into the dark—hot world.

“AAAAAAAH!!!”

Crash!!

Laying flat on his face. Cuphead lets out a heavy yet pain filled groan. His arms sprawled out and his shoes almost beat touching his head. Mugman on the other hand was caught by his shirt by a long appendage. Mugman had his eyes covered. His body curled into himself as if he were cowering from the ground he thought would be his demise. Cuphead’s gaze slowly left the red dusted colored stone ground—he squints as he gazed around his surroundings—almost familiar to a cave—humid—hot—real hot…

Cuphead’s blurred gaze soon landed on Mugman—who had yet to uncover his eyes. Cuphead heaved himself up as he stared up at Mugman. His blurry eyes soon subsided and his eyes trailed over to what had caught Mugman by his shirt. Tracing the long black appendage which soon landed on the imp that stood still—gleaming down at Cuphead with its bright fierce golden eyes. The Devil.

“You gots to be kiddin’ me…” Cuphead whispered to himself. The Devil’s ear twitched and his tail slowly lowered to the ground. Placing Mugman on his feet. Once Mugman felt the ground beneath his shoes he brought his hands down slowly and glanced over at the Devil with frightened furrowed eyebrows.

“Long time no see you two.” The Devil grins widely. Cuphead sneers before he takes several steps to the Devil. Pointing an index finger up at the imp.

“Now you listen here! I have answers that need questions!” He shouts. The Devil immediately deadpans and rolls his eyes.

“I believe you mean questions that need answers…” he corrects the cup. Cuphead sputters before glaring yet again at the Devil.

“What’s the big idea! What do you need from us? We’ve done what you’ve asked the last time—I told ya! Our deal with you—is off. It’s over!” Cuphead shouts. Mugman rubs his forehead in an anxious manner.

“Cuphead—stop.” Mugman grunts. But Cuphead didn’t listen.

“You two still owe me one more deal. That was our agreement. 3 deals. You’ve done two so far. And this shall be your last objective for me. And it is important.” The Devil explained calmly. Placing his hands behind his back. His golden eyes looked at the two in an attentive manner. The corner of Cuphead’s lip twitched as he gleamed up at the imp.

“No more deals.” He repeats. Though the Devil smiled—he’d expected this from the hardheaded cup. The Devil lifts a hand and points at Mugman—who had yet to speak. Mugman felt himself shrink under the Devil’s gaze. “You’ll do this deal—or you’ll lose him. The choice is yours.” He calmly said. Cuphead glanced over at Mugman. Mugman raised his eyebrows.

“Wait—who me? Huh?” Mugman sputters. Placing a hand on his chest. “Death is inevitable for everyone. But I can and will take something precious away from you Cuphead if you don’t comply. As said this is your last deal and you two won’t have to hear or see from me ever again.” The Devil said. Cuphead sighed through his nose harshly.

“But if you don’t. Mugman will die. I do own you both after all—but on the bright side! Haha! Hey! After you two finish this deal. You two won’t be owned by me anymore! This is a win-win deal here!” The Devil lets out an airy laugh. Mugman shuffled under his feet.

“What do we have to do?” Cuphead asks. The devils ears perked up. “All you have to do. Is take and eliminate.” He answers.

“Wait—no! We can’t—no!” Mugman rushes between the Devil and Cuphead. Spreading his arms to intervene. Mugman then looks at the Devil.

“We can not do that! We can’t kill anyone! I apologize—but this is way out of me and Cuphead’s bargain—“

“We’ll do it.” Cuphead replied. The Devil hummed before looking at Mugman. Mugman sighed before shoving Cuphead away and fully facing The Devil.

“I can’t..I can’t do that—I—I can’t just hurt someone.” Mugman pleads.

“Why Mugman I didn’t even tell you if they were even good or not! For all I know I could be sending you two to take out one of the world's most wanted criminals!” The Devil laughs. Mugman frowns. “I can guarantee you that they more than likely aren’t.” Mugman said. The Devil grins before nodding.

“You’re right. They aren’t.” He chuckled. Cuphead soon spoke up. “Like I said. We’ll do it. What do we need to do.” Cuphead went back to the topic at hand. And the Devil wasted no time.

“A book. You two are off to capture a book. You will retrieve that book and bring it back to me. As for the people that are holding the book. You will take someone by the name of Oswald. And kill one person—she’s a useful source that needs to be stopped.”

“And her name is Y/n L/n.”

-

Y/n felt her nose twitch. It felt like something was crawling on her nose. The light touch on the tip of her nose felt soft. But caused her nose to twitch yet again. She furrowed her eyebrows and lifted a hand to rub at her nose. But was met with something soft. Her eyes fluttered open. The smell of something sweet wafted in the air. But her focus was more on touching her nose to see what it was that was bothering it.

To Y/n’s surprise; it was Oswald’s ear. The rabbit was asleep. And his ears must have flopped over in her direction. Y/n places a hand on his ear to gently move it away. The sudden feeling over his ear caused him to awaken. His onyx eyes slowly and heavily opened. He must have been awfully tired. He smiled at her softly and Y/n returned the smile.

“I made breakfast.” Y/n flinched at the sound of Felix’s voice. As well as Oswald. The two glancing above them to see Felix hovering over them. Arms behind his back with a smile.

-

“So. First thing we need to do ask around town if they found any details last night about—“ Y/n ignored Felix and was busy stuffing her mouth with the pancakes he made—she didn’t know if the fluffy pancakes were so delicious because she was yearning for food for the past several hours or if they really were just some really good pancakes. Panchito watched Y/n as he held his fork. A smile stretched on his beak. Boy was she eating fast!

But Felix hadn’t noticed as he was busy going over today’s routine with everyone—which actually mostly consisted of Bendy listening to him. Donald was trying not to drift back off to sleep. As he had the bottle of syrup in his hand. The syrup substance had long over spilt on his plate and was now dripping on the counter. Oswald hadn’t eaten his pancakes—he must not have been hungry. But overall..majority of them were distracted and weren't listening to a damn thing Felix was saying.

“So!” Felix clapped his hands. Causing Donald to jump in his seat and quickly place the syrup bottle upright and put his attention on Felix, Panchito and Y/n to quickly place their attention on Felix and Oswald to snap daydreaming and place his attention on Felix as well. Felix thought he had their attention the whole time. Smiled with glee.

“You all got that? That’s the plan!” He says. Bendy looked at the four. He could tell they didn’t take in a single thing of info.

-

“Okay. I think it would be best if we all would split up.” Felix said as he looked at his wrist watch. He and the group stood on the pavement. In the early hours. It was around Looking away from his wrist watch he looked at the group. Counting before nodding. “Luckily we have an even group.” He says.

“Oh! Can we pick our partners?” Panchito asks. And Felix nods—“well of course.” He said in the background as Panchito hops over to Y/n and hooked his arm around hers. Y/n smiled as she stood next to Panchito as the others took their partners as well. Bendy went with Felix and Oswald went with Donald. An even group—thankfully.

Leaving out Panchito practically was skipping down the sidewalk in joy. Y/n scrolled through her phone for a mere few minutes before she placed it in her pocket and looked over at Panchito.

“You think we’ll even find them in town?” She asks. Panchito took a moment to think. “Ah—a slim chance. We'd have already run into them by now.” He replies.

“But. I’m more on the optimistic side.” He smiled at her and Y/n smiled back—their characteristics should be too hard to see as the brothers—from what Felix explained—literally had cups for heads. So they would be easy to spot. Rounding the corner. As Panchito and Y/n were in a deep conversation—Y/n accidently ran into someone. Not paying attention. Y/n was gladly able to keep her balance, opening her eyes that she didn’t realize she closed on the impact. She looked in front of her to see who she had accidentally ran into. Not before placing a hand on her forehead after feeling the pain starting to travel on her forehead. She must have run into them pretty hard.

Standing in front of her was a toon. Also holding his forehead—his head was as shaped as a ceramic pale gray cup. He had a red nose and wore a black dress shirt with brown shorts. He held his eyes closed as he muttered under his breath—damn. She must have run into him pretty hard.

“Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention.” Y/n sheepishly apologized. Removing her hand from her forehead. The toon slowly opened his eyes and looked at both Panchito and Y/n. He held a sour expression but that was until he took a moment to stare at Y/n.

“Oh—uh—No. I���m sorry—I should have been payin’ attention.” He apologizes, speaking slowly as if he were unsure. As for Y/n it were as if a brick was tossed at her face to bring her back to reality. Wait.

“What’s your name?” They both ask in unison. Both Cuphead and Y/n put on a surprised expression. Cuphead quickly then replied. “My name is Cuphead.” He replied. Y/n felt her heart leap in her throat. Well what do ya know?! Look at how quick they were able to find one of the brothers! How long have they been just wandering around town?

Gasping slightly. Y/n smiled. “Hey! Aren’t we glad we ran into you—me and a couple of friends of mine have been looking for you and your brother.” She explained. And Cuphead couldn’t wipe the look of awe off his face—what is he supposed to do now?! He can’t just kill the poor girl. Not to mention—

“You’re pretty!” He nervously exclaims. Y/n stopped talking slowly as she stared at him before she smiled yet again. “Oh—thank you.”

“Qué nombre tan extraño…” Panchito mumbled under his breath. As he stood beside Y/n and gazed upon Cuphead.

Panchito then softly nudges Y/n’s arm.

“No. No sé de él.” Panchito told her before putting his gaze on Y/n. Y/n looks away from Cuphead and to Panchito.

“What’s wrong?” She asks him. Panchito grabs Y/n by her arms softly and directs her to face the opposite direction of Cuphead. “I don’t know about him.” Panchito lowered his voice for only him and Y/n to hear. The sound of various footsteps and murmured voices of people in the town were seemingly muffled to Y/n’s ears.

Cuphead stood behind the two. His eyes found sight of Y/n’s book bag that she had strapped around her shoulders—more than likely he assumed that’s where she kept the book.

“Why?” Y/n asks Panchito. “Do you think it is odd that we spent hours last night searching for him and his brother and no sight? And seemingly we now run into them?” He asks. Which. Y/n agreed. The town wasn’t that big from the looks of it. They should have ran into the brothers hours ago last night—but then again—seemingly they were kidnapped. And Cuphead didn’t show any sign of stress from being taken—then again she knew nothing about Cuphead nor his brother.

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.” Y/n muttered.

“Hey—sorry to interrupt—“

Y/n and Panchito both flinched at the sight of Cuphead standing in front of them.

“But. Do you two know Felix? The guy we came to town with.”

-

DING!

“OH! Look! Oswald! Look!” Donald points at the game stand in front of the two—Oswald looked away from whatever he was gazing at and looked over to Donald and then the stand his friend had been playing at. The two managed to come across a small fair in town. A few stalls held games and unfortunately Donald grew distracted and started to play the silly game—tossing the baseball in a bucket—much to Oswald's mind it didn’t interest him.

“You’ve played this 3 times already Donald.” Oswald told him. Donald looks at the stall and back at Oswald. “You must be the fun guy at parties.” Donald grunts before he walks past Oswald and down the dirt path. A few people walked by to have fun on their own at the fair. Oswald's ears perked up slowly before looks behind him. He then started walking slowly—following after Donald.

“Is it just me. Or do you have this weird feelin?” Oswald asks. Donald opened his eyes after walking with his eyes closed for a few seconds. He had an expression of contemplation on his face. Before he dismissed the thought. “You think always like that.” He grins triumphantly. Maybe in a way to get back at Oswald’s last remark. Oswald blinks before squinting his eyes. “No I don’t.” Oswald quickly reputed.

“I’m joking..” Donald laughs. The two walked down the fair, the sound of murmured voices and games wafts in the background.

“But really. You hadn’t told me anything about what you’ve had going on.” Donald picks up. Oswald looks at Donald. “Well..nothing too exciting happened lately.” He started before looking ahead of the two again. Oswald’s ears slowly flattened. “Just been hangin’ around.” He finished. Donald’s tail feather flickered as he looked away from Oswald. When he knew Oswald the rabbit was very outgoing and straightforward. But he couldn’t find the sense in himself to keep pestering the rabbit.

Trying to think of another topic to push aside the now awkward silence—before Donald could say anything. Oswald turned his gaze back on Donald. “I’m sorry I left suddenly.” He said abruptly. Donald looks at Oswald as the two slowly start to trail off with their walking before standing still.

“I’ve…been meaning to tell you that for years—and the others of course. But more importantly you because well—you were always there.” His voice was quiet but Donald could still understand and hear every word that came from Oswald’s mouth.

“I feel horrible for what I said and—and I didn’t mean it—Especially not towards you—I was angry and sad and at times I can’t really control that because…” Oswald trailed off. His ears felt flat against his head before reaching a hand up to wringe nervously at his ear. “A lot has happened when you and the others were away that I tried to get myself through and I couldn’t..” he trailed off yet again and Donald felt himself frown.

“Oswald. You don’t need to apologize. I’m always here to talk. What ha—“

Pew!

THUD!

A light blue light of energy whizzed between Donald and Oswald. Oswald’s ears quickly shot up. As Donald quaked in fear before jumping away from Oswald.

“Bettigan! Don’t do that!” Shouts a voice. Oswald and Donald quickly shoot their heads over to see 3 figures. A lanky stack of casino chips. In a western get up outfit holding onto the wrist of a cup headed figure. With a blue nose black sweater and blue shorts. Floating in the air was black 8 ball.

“HAHAHA! THat was funny! You almost got em’ Mugs!” Shouts the 8-ball as he cackled.

“That’s not funny. You almost caused a scene you nut!”

“Is that…?” Oswald whispered. Donald slowly nods. “I think.”

“Should we?—“

“Run!” Donald dashed past Oswald and grabbed onto the rabbit's wrist and dragged him down the fair.

“Hey. They’re gettin’ away!” The 8 ball cried out. Mugman looks away from Bettigan—one of the few partners he was assumed to be before looking over at where Donald and Oswald stood.

“Come on your idiots!” Bettigan laughs before he runs after the two in the general direction they headed. Mugman and Mangosteen followed after Bettigan.

“I thought he was on our side!” Donald shouts as the two run out of the fair and back into town. Oswald huffs before throwing his hands in the air. “I did too!”

“Do we find Felix!?” Donald asks.

“We need to find So—OW!” Oswald’s ears dropped low to steer clear from the blue peashooter that whizzed past them yet again. Donald looks behind them to see the three were indeed after them—the town didn’t seem to take heed that the peashooter was a dangerous weapon as it didn’t seem dangerous at all. So they kept on with their day.

Oswald soon ran into someone knocking the two onto the ground. “Ow! Hey!” That voice! Looking down he saw Y/n who had squinted her eyes from the sudden impact.

“Oh. There you two are.” Panchito stops walking as he turns around to see Oswald quickly shooting from the ground dragging Y/n along with him. Cuphead stopped walking as well but didn’t face the group as he saw Bettigan, Mangosteen and Mugman running over. Mostly Bettigan holding Mugman by his handle and Mugman holding a sour expression.

“Run! Go!” Donald shouts as he shoves Panchito with him. “What’s going on?!” Y/n said as Oswald took her wrist and they jogged off with Panchito and Y/n.

“Hey! You didn’t get the girl?! I just saw her!” Bettigan said as he skids to a stop to stand in front of Cuphead. Cuphead sends a glare to the cowboy. “I was going to you idiot!” Not entirely true.

“They’re gettin’ away. The girl has the book.” Cuphead picked up Mugman from Bettigan and placed his brother on the ground.

“Are ya’ sure?” Bettigan asks. Cuphead nods. “Yes! It’s in her book bag. But I wants the girl. You all stay away from er’” he sneers as he eyed Mangosteen and Bettigan.

“What? Why—“

“I said so! Now go catch that rabbit!”

“Aye aye. Capn’” Mangosteen cackles before In a blink of an eye that magical 8 ball vanished in thin air.

-

The four ran down the sidewalk—that surprisingly didn’t have many people as it was still the early morning.

“Where is Bendy and Felix?!” Y/n shouts as the four rounded the corner. “Don’t know! The town is small, sure we’ll run into them.” Donald shouts.

“Okay! New plan! Forget the last plan! Keep the book safe! And don’t die!” Oswald shouts. Panchito smiled. “Sounds delightful!”

Soon a black dot formed in front of the two. Two eyes rolled around as well as a smile forming an 8 ball with a face?

The 8 ball opened his mouth and a light illuminated within its mouth and a loud vibrating sound hummed as if some sort of weapon was starting up. As the sound got louder the light grew brighter and brighter. The four took wind that they needed to stop running. The four skidded to a stop just as they were about to get too close to the 8 ball. A light of energy soon shot from the 8 balls mouth and landed on the sidewalks creating a small explosion. Unfortunately being too close and not having enough time to react. The impact caused a powerful force and Y/n flew back. Not knowing whenever the others were she felt herself land somewhere soft.

“Hey—I know this is sudden—“ quickly opening her eyes she was face to face with Cuphead who held a nervous grin. Y/n shrieks before swinging her fist and it collides with Cuphead’s temple—unbeknownst of her his cup head was..well actually a cup. And the solid ‘tink!’ Made that known as the pain surged through her hand and through Cuphead’s head. “Ow!” He shouts as his hands fly up to his head. Y/n fell to the ground and immediately scurried away. Tripping over her shoes she ran past Cuphead and across the street where she thankfully didn’t get hit by any passing cars.

“No wait!” Cuphead shouts before groaning heavily in frustration.

Donald quacks in fear as he runs in the opposite direction. Taking Oswald by his ears and Panchito by the collar of his shirt. Dragging the two—more so Oswald. Donald ran the opposite direction to avoid the 8 ball.

“Who are these people?!” Donald shouts. As Panchito ran beside him. “Ow! Let go of my ears!” Oswald cried out as Donald shoved the two in an alleyway—Panchito heaves before turning around.

“Ah! Where is Y/n?!”

-

Y/n ran down an alleyway. Hopping over forgotten garbage and trash bags. She heard footsteps behind her and she felt her heart leaping in her chest. She was going to die! She was going to DIE!

She skids around a corner and sees a dead end. A garbage dump against the brick wall. If she could hop that she could get to the roof!

“Fuck am I thinking?!” She quickly disputed the thought. She couldn’t do that—she wasn’t in a movie. This was real life! She panicked as she heaved out of breath to try and catch her breath. She paced back and forth until she heard the sounds of the footsteps getting closer. Turning around she spotted Cuphead.

He heaved and tried to catch his breath as he frowned. “Jeez—you’re fast—“ he heaved. Y/n quickly stooped down and picked up a few rocks and pebbles. She quickly yet harshly threw one at the toon and it hit him in his face—some landing on him as some didn’t. Cuphead flinched and raised his hands up.

“Ow! Listen! Ow! Stop! I’m not here to hurt y—ow! I don’t wanna hurt you! I’m just here for the book!” He shouts. The minute he mentioned the book. Y/n felt herself jerk backwards. The familiar tug caused her to drop the rocks in shock. Her shoes slightly lifted from the ground from the book now awakening in her book bag and the dumpster vibrated and echoed at the impact of her shoes.

“No—no-no.” Y/n quickly tried to run past Cuphead—but the book dragged her back over to the toon—undoubtedly running into Cuphead sending the two to the ground.

“Ow!”

“What was that?!”

The two shouts. Y/n quickly got up before turning to face the streets and running off yet again. “HEY!” Cuphead shouts.

Y/n almost tripped over a stroller a mother was pushing. Y/n glanced over her shoulder and shouted a quick apology to the mother. “Sorry!”

Looking back ahead. Y/n tried glancing around the town for her friends but to no sight she didn’t see anyone. Breathing heavily through her nose. Y/n looking over on the porch of a house. There sat. Water gun. Not a weapon but she was sure it would come in handy. Her fight or flight mode was kicking and she was desperate for survival and protection. Grabbing the toy gun she ran down the sidewalk and looking around.

“Guys!” She shouts in spite of catching the attention of her friends—but instead. Catching the attention of a certain cowboy.

“Well looksy here!” Bettigan shouts. Y/n stops jogging before turning around and spotting the toon. Bettigan flicks his hat up and grins at Y/n. “Put em up—cow girl—“ he demands. Y/n blinks as she shuffled on her feet. The sidewalk had little to no one to hide behind but she still felt crowded. She quickly lifts the toy gun up and glares at the opposing opponent. “Stay back!” She shouts!

Bettigan stared at Y/n for a moment before reaching to his side and pulling out a pistol—in fact..it was real. Not ever having a weapon pointed at her. Y/n—like a wimp. Dropped the toy gun and raised her hands up in fear.

“Drop the bag.” The gun motioned for Y/n to turn around. But Y/n felt her mind go foggy. HOW WAS NO ONE SEEING THIS?!

“Come on now..drop it.” Y/n slowly took the book bag off her shoulders before placing it on the ground. Bettigan smiled—but before he could talk. Something whizzed in the air and knocked the pistol from his grip.

“Bettigan! I told ya’ don’t kill her! What are y—“

“You idiot I had her right there she has the bag in the ground!” Y/n saw Cuphead walk over pointing his index finger at Bettigan’s chest out of fits of anger.

“She’s right there!” Bettigan motions over to Y/n. Only to find.

“Where did she go?” Bettigan muttered.

-

Y/n tripped over her shoes as she rounded yet another corner. She rushes past a street where a quiet neighborhood resides. On the whim she heard two voices! One she was familiar with.

“Hey! Watch the horns!” It was Bendy!

Y/n skids to a stop and looks down the street. Standing on the side of a building was a tall lanky figure. He was furry, dark and…his horns were large and he had Bendy by his tail. Bendy hung upside down as he gazed up at this creature.

“Where’s the rabbit?” The creature asks. Y/n could only see the back of the creature and see Bendy being held. Y/n wasted no time before she ran over. Picking up a rock from the ground and chucking it in the air.

“Put him down!!!” She shouts. The rock hits the creature at the back of its head. It was a hard hit but not enough to deter the creature. But enough to make him turn around and gaze over his shoulder to the girl. It’s yellow eyes pierced into Y/n’s form.

Yellow eyes, black fur, horns.

“Oh shit…” she whispered.

The Devil drops Bendy before turning to Y/n. Bendy soon scurried away from the creature and over to Y/n. His arm looping around Y/n’s waste and picking the girl up to run from the neighborhood.

“What are you nuts?! You just hit the Devil!” Bendy shouts at her. Y/n frowned as she looks over Bendy’s

Shoulder—not seeing the creature anymore.

“I didn’t know that was him!” She cried out in fear. Bendy slowly stops running as he looks around frantically.

“Do you still have the book?” He asks her. Y/n felt him put her down. “Yeah, where’s Felix?” Y/n asked. Bendy looks back at her. “I dunno. The guy wandered off. No wonder he lost the twins!” Bendy sneered. Y/n breathed heavily trying to grasp onto her breathed as she looked around.

“I can’t find the others.” Y/n huffed

“Me ei—“

“a…a…a…a..” a distant scream echoed in the air.

Y/n and Bendy looked at each other as they heard the distant screaming grow closer.

“aaaaaAAAAAAAAHH!!!” Oswald had soon flown into Bendy and Y/n and the three had unfortunately rammed into a glass pane window of a store; the glass shattered into shards as the three fell into the store. A few screams of the pediatricians pierced the air. And Y/n felt wind get knocked from her lungs. Y/n rolled on the ground. The glass shards sticking to her shirt, pants and bag, Bendy groaned in pain as Oswald did as well. The sound of feet slapping the concrete grew closer.

“Guys! Are you okay?!” It was Donald. Y/n felt her eyes go blurry from the sudden impact. She groaned at the feeling of air not being able to properly cycle around her lungs. Soon Panchito and Donald hopped into the store through the broken glass. Donald reached down and helped Y/n up. Y/n groaned as she stood up slowly. Closing her eyes to help regain her balance.

Oswald slowly got up as Panchito looked down at Oswald. A few cackled and laughs echoed in the air—similar to being surrounded by a pack of hyenas. Y/n opened her eyes to see Bettigan, Mangosteen, Cuphead and she assumed his brother Mugman was standing in front of the broken glass pane. A few imp like creatures with different shades of red fur—there had to be at least 8 imp creatures that stood next to the now villainous people that weren’t on their side.

Mangosteen had yet again opened his mouth—like how he did to throw the energy ball at them earlier—but instead. Y/n felt herself slightly lift from the ground and her book bag unzipped and the book soon slipped from the bag leaving Y/n to tumble to the ground. Bendy had caught her and held her by her waist.

“No!” Y/n protested as the book floated over to the group. “Nice running around. I’ll give you all that.” The western cowboy—Bettigan praised. His voice was deep and husky. The book was an arms length away from him as he reached out to grab the book. But instead;

Whip!

A thick lasso rope embraced around the book. With a tug the book was pulled away from the beam of energy that was pulling it closer to the opposing group—being snatched off the go side where it landed in the hands of Felix. Felix stood in the doorway entrance of the store. A couple of customers cowered behind a shelf that stood next to him.

“I don’t think so.” Felix smiled at Bettigan. Bettigan huffed before pointing at the group. “Get em!”

With a blink of an eye. Donald, Y/n, Panchito, Bendy, Oswald and Felix dashed from the store. Almost tripping over her feet. Y/n ran down the sidewalk with her friends to seemingly nowhere—their main objective was to just get away from their opposing team.

“Where are we going?!” Y/n shouts as she and the others found themselves on the main street of the town once again.

“I don’t know!” Felix shouts—but he didn’t seem to sense the danger they were in. Instead enjoying the cat and mouse chase that ensued. He then grunts before looking down at his hands where he held the book.

“Ow! Hey—it’s burning me!” Felix said curiously. He tossed the book over to Y/n and she caught it. “Maybe it—AH!”

Y/n was dragged back, her arms being tugged harshly by the book. It lifted her from the ground with great strength. Y/n shrieks as she feels herself seemingly get tossed backwards and ramming into someone.

“Ow!” Shouts a voice but she couldn’t match the voice to the face as she and the person fell and rolled on the ground—rolling in a few summersaults from the impact. With adrenaline pumping she didn’t take much time to get up as she did the first couple of times. Sitting up and looking over. She was met face to face with an exhausted looking Mugman.

“Ah!” The two scream before backing away from each other. Her back hits the car that was parked off to the side of the street.

“Gotcha! You brat!” Y/n felt someone take ahold of her hood and lift her up yet again. She sunk into her jacket and aimlessly kicked and tossed her legs. “Ah! Let me go!” She protested. Swinging her arms back, try and hit whoever had her hold by her hood. Looking off to the side she saw the book laid aimlessly on the ground in the middle of the street.

“Mugman! Get the book and take it to Mango! I’ll deal wit’ da girl!” An accented voice shouts. Mugman stared at Y/n momentarily before he slowly backed away and scurried off towards the book. Y/n was dropped to the ground. She fell to her knees and before she had the time to get up and run off. She was grabbed by her shoulders and flipped around onto her back. A foot pressed into her torso. She gazed up at the person to see that they were a toon. A fox toon in a red suit. He looked to be some sort of pimp.

“Alright Noid. Heard ya’ve been givin’ my boss problems.” He sneered. Leaning down as his nose pressed against Y/n’s. Y/n glared at the toon. “I dunno who you’re talking about! I don’t even know what you guys are after us for!” She shouts.

“The book! Where’s the rabbit?” He got to the point. Y/n was silent for a moment as she stared up at him. “Oswald?” She asks.

“Yes, him—“

“What makes you think I’ll tell you!” She tried to swing at the fox. But he backed away before her fist could make an impact on his face. He holds his belly and laughs boisterously. “HAHAHAHA! OH man! You’re too good kid!” He laughs. He reaches behind his back and pulls out a pistol.

“Too bad you gotta be put out da’ picture.” He aims the gun at Y/n. Y/n wheezed slowly as she saw the weapon. Her fingertips running cold. She was going to die! She tried to sink into the concrete road away from the barrel. She could see the black hole pointing at her eye. But before the fox could pull the trigger. A loud thud was heard above Y/n. The creaking off a car and the alarm on the car went off—letting her know something heavy must have landed on it. The fox lowers the gun and looks up.

An animalistic growl rumbled the ground and Y/n shivered at only thinking what creature was there to kill her now?! She slowly moves her head to roll her eyes back to glance behind her. She only could see a large silhouette crouching on the alarmed car. She didn’t wasn’t to move too much in fear of having that fox toon wanting to quickly finish the job and shoot her.

“Let. Her. Go.” It was no one she was too familiar with. It couldn’t be any of her toon friends. Y/n cursed under her breath

But instead the fox's ears lowered as he lifted his foot from Y/n’s torso. “Go on. Take the girl.” He retaliated. Or so what Y/n assumed he did. The creature took a step from the car. And Y/n could feel purgatory chanting her names. She was going to die. She should have listened to her mom! Just stay in the house! This was crazy! She didn’t even know what she was doing! Should she just give them the book?!

“Whoa!”

Thud!

Whoever the big and bad creature was must have taken a step too wide and fell off the car. And fell face first into the ground. Deciding to take a look at this mystery hero. Y/n slowly sat up and saw;

“Boris?” She asks slowly. The wolf had landed on his chin, ears dropped low as he looked at her. His body arched over his head as he gave her a flustered smile.

“Ah…hey Y/n—“

“AAHAHAHA! This?! This is supposed to be the big wolf?!” The fox hurled over and laughed, arms curled over his stomach as he laughed hysterically.

“You—YOU HAD ME THERE FOR A SECOND!” He laughs. Boris’s attempts to try and spook the fox clearly almost had the enemy—but with one silly move caused Boris’s plan to fail.

As the fox laughed. Y/n quickly pushed the fox away from her, causing the toon to fall into the car behind him. She scurried off the ground and rushed over to Boris. Grabbing his arm and tugging him up—with how heavy he was her tugs meant nothing—but Boris thankfully was quick as he stood up and towered over her—she never realized how tall the wolf was—but thinking more on that later. She and Boris ran down the street away from the fox who just then got back up and shouted curses at the two.

“Where did you come from?!” Y/n shouts. She smiled at the wolf who ran next to her with a silly grin. Without taking notice. He closed his eyes and started to explain. “Well! Alice decided it would be best if we—“ Boris was cut short by running smack dead into a light pole. He stood stiff as a board. His ear twitched as his two eyes were replaced with X’s

“Didn’t…see that…sign…” he wheezed. Y/n skids to a stop as she looks forward to seeing that wandered into a construction sight. Looking at the sign that Boris inadvertently ran into she saw it had a black photo of a sewer hole. Boris staggered as he held his head.

“Oh my…” he whimpered. He seemed like he was about to fall.

“Hey! You two can’t be over here.” A construction worker warned. Y/n saw Boris falling back. She gasped and tried to stop the wolf from falling but he was far too heavy. She pressed her back into Boris’s but he already seemed to be knocked out unfortunately when turning the opposite direction to hoist Boris up. She noticed the open sewer hole a toe length away the black darkness was calling her name to just fall in.

“NO!” She shouts.

“Yes!” Y/n quickly looks up to see that flying 8-ball again. Gasping she stiffened at the sigh of the creature.

“Boris! WAKE UP!” Y/n legs gave out as she then fell into the sewer hold. With Boris limply falling in after. His foot had kicked an abandoned street sign and it flew in the air before falling into the sewer hole with Y/n’s descending screams. Mangosteen blinks before reaching a hand up to his chin (?)

“Wow—she’d much rather toss herself in a sewer line then be up here with me?” He seemed hurt genuinely as he frowned.

“…”

“OH WELL! Time for some brutal murder!” He cackled before floating over to the sewer hole and falling in as well. The construction worker blinked slowly and furrowed his eyebrow. Before he rolled his eyes

“I don’t get paid enough for this..”

-

Boris landed on top of the metal street sign shortly Y/n landed between his legs oddly Boris was still sitting up muttering under his breath—eyes closed but he seemed out of it.

“Yes—I’d love to….” He muttered under his breath. Y/n couldn’t see anything in front of her as her shaky breathing echoed in the sewer.

She shakily reached for her phone. Once finishing it she quickly took off her bookbag and placed it in front of her. Mesmerizing where her front zipper was. She unzipped it before turning in the flashlight in her phone and placing the phone in the front zipper. Once the light was on she could see the sewer line. The street sign oddly secures at some sort of boat as in the shallow water kept she and Boris afloat as it floated down the line.

She heard water a few feet ahead but it was so dark she could only see what was really in front of her. She looked over her shoulder and nudged Boris.

“Boris! Wake up—wake up please! We’re—we’re in the sewer and I think we’re lost!” She panicked. She lifts a hand up as she looks infront of her. Her hand softly pats at Boris’s face.

“5 more…minutes…Henry….” He muttered.

Y/n had her focus on the end of the tunnel—where she soon could see that—there was a drop!!

“Nonononono!! No!” She shouts. Pressing herself back into Boris. Boris snores before he snorts and wakes up. He looks around with an alarmed expression.

“What?! What’s going on?! Where am I?! Why is it so dark?!” He cried out. Y/n wrapped her arms around Boris’s arms as if to use them as some sort of restraint.

“Oh my gosh!” Y/n shrieks in fear. Boris shouts as he wraps his arms around Y/n as well. The street sign lurched forward and the two were sent sliding down the steep hill, Y/n felt her stop spinning in circles. Similar to how it felt riding on a rollercoaster. Their screams echoed in the sewer.

“AHHHHHHHH!”

“AAAAAAH!” They both shout in fear yet—excitement.

Suddenly a ball of energy shoots down the tunnel. Lighting the way down the tunnel where Y/n could see for a split second an abrupt turn. Y/n looked over Boris’s shoulder to see the 8 ball had followed them into the sewer line—possibly to make sure they were dead for sure. Y/n hid her face in Boris’s shoulder as she felt the abruptness. The metal street sign that acted as a sled skids the wall. Creating a spark as the tunnel dipped down yet again causing them to go faster.

Another energy ball had been shot and it landed right in front of the two just before the second dip. Y/n shrieks as she flies off the sled—as she deemed it.

Boris yelps and frantically tries to grab onto Y/n but he is separated by going into another direction which is downwards into the sewer. The energy ball had torn off another metal plate which held cables to the sewer lines wall—thankfully with luck on Y/n’s side she lands on the new sled and was separated from Boris when she was led to different tunnel—which was a form as Boris went left and she went right—on the hood side she managed to lose Mangosteen. Y/n had landed in her stomach and was holding onto the metal plate that was curled at the end so she could have something to grasp onto. It really resembles a sled now.

Y/n felt another dip and her legs lifted from the sled and she flipped forwards mid air. Screaming Y/n felt herself free fall as she lost the metal plate she was on. Boris had made it from the tunnel he was separated from Y/n. And he looked up in the direction of Y/n’s screaming. And right when he looked up. She landed back between his legs.

“AH I THOUGHT I LOST YOU!” He shouts with glee. As he hugged Y/n. Rubbing his cheek on top of her head. Y/n felt herself shivering at the thought of maybe landing in the sewer water and scraping herself up pretty bad. She was thankful that Boris was there. The two looked forward and saw at the end of the tunnel a large pipe that led upwards. The pipe had a valve. And spurts of water were spilling from the crevice of the pipe.

“I think that's the way out!” Y/n shouts and smiles. Boris smiled as well before frowning.

“Why aren’t we slowin’ down.”

-

Being tossed through a window of a house that was nearby. Bendy groaned as he laid on the floor limply. The debris of the glass shards and dust particles from the wall wafted in the air. The demon's tail twitched as he sighed…tossed through a wall…again. Bendy glared up at the ceiling in irritation.

“This is not my week…” he grumbled.

Hearing the sudden tiny gasp caused Bendy to snap from his trance before sitting up on his elbows. Looking over he saw two children. One boy—no older than maybe the age of 10 holding a bat over his head in fear that Bendy may have been an intruder. And a little girl who had to have been 8 cowering behind her brother. They both held a fearful expression thinking Bendy would harm them. Bendy blinks before having a nervous smile. “Um—-I can explain—“

Donald was caught off by frantic huffing and puffing. Oswald quickly crawled into the apartment. Crawling over the glass shards and wall pieces. His fur was ruffled as he landed on his stomach to breathe.

“They—are Vicious!” Oswald's voice cracks as he shakily points behind him which leads outside. Bendy was surprised that the rabbit crawled up to the second floor to get away from beagle brothers—who had also shortly after decided to make their appearance after Y/n suddenly vanished.

Oswald looks at Bendy before looking over at the kids. His ears dropped once he saw how alarmed the two kids were. Seeing two toons being thrown through the wall into your home? That would frighten any kid.

“Oh man…” he muttered.

The two kids then screamed in fear and the brother dropped the bat to the ground before he grabbed his sibling and scurried off down the hall. Oswald quickly gets up as well as Bendy.

The faucet in the kitchen trembled and the ground vibrated. Oswald and Bendy look down at their feet before looking at each other. Bendy blinked before the sound of water spraying widely outside caught his attention. Two distinct screams were heard and both Oswald and Bendy were yet again tossed to the ground by Boris and Y/n. The two were soaking wet. The mildew smell of water wafted the air. And the sound of a heavy sew lid smashing onto concrete echoed in the streets.

Y/n coughed up water and crawled off of Bendy. She gasped for air and groaned heavily. Bendy yelped as he quickly wiped the water from him as he looked over to Y/n who were on her hands and knees trying to free her lungs of water. Head to two she was drenched and shivering.

Boris stood up quickly and shook his coat of fur. Splashing water everywhere. Bendy wandered over to Y/n and helped her up.

“Boris! What are you doing here?” Bendy was relieved to see his friend. And Boris wagged his tail quickly, happy to see Bendy as well. “Alice led us here! She had something to tell you! That there’s this group of people trying to kill you all!” He explained before he grunted.

“But it seems you all already got the gist of that.” He muttered under his breath shaking his left foot from any water. Y/n gagged and groaned.

“I’m all wet! With sewer water! And—and they took—-The book!” She shouts. Bendy and Oswald both looked at her.

“They took the book?” Oswald repeats. Y/n looks at him and nods, breathing heavily to catch her breath. “Yes! And we need to get it back!” She looked out towards the hole in the wall and ran a hand through her hair.

“Where’s Alice?” Bendy asks as he turns to look at Boris. Boris thought for a moment. “They’re still in town.” He answered.

“They’re?”

“Oh yeah! Charley, Barley and Edgar are with us too!” Boris nods with a bright smile. Y/n didn’t know who they were other than Alice. But Bendy didn’t seem pleased.

“Come on. We need to find Donald and Panchito.”

-

Rushing down the sidewalk. Y/n could see the water spluttering from the sewer hole that she and Boris had exited from. Water everywhere on the street after busting that pipe they ran into shortly after their victory chase with Mangosteen. Luckily the water damage didn’t floor the street—but surely construction will pull their hair out when they see that.

“How did you two get up there anyway?” Y/n asked Bendy and Oswald before motioning up to the hole in the building on the 2nd floor. The two kids that were in that room peered down at them. Bendy points to himself. “I was tossed.” He then points at Oswald. “He was hiding.” He finished. Oswald looks away down the road to avoid eye contact. Y/n’s clothes felt heavier she sighed and shivered yet again.

“All we need to do is locate that bo—“

“Squeak squeak!!” Two loud echoing squeaks that reminded Y/n of a dog's chew toy echoed in the air. The four turned around and were faced with a spider toon—Edgar. He held the book in his hand and smiled triumphantly.

Bendy smiled.

“Eddie!” He shouts with glee and runs over to the toon. He wrapped his arms around the spider toon and lifted him up to give Edgar a tight crushing hug. Edgar let’s out various squeals of laughter. Y/n didn’t know who the toon was but assumed he was good and that Bendy knew him. She jogged over and once she got closer the spider smiled at her and handed her the book. Y/n smiled before taking ahold of the book. At long last!

“Thank you.” She thanks the toon as Bendy sets Edgar down. Edgar smiled before he looked away with a flustered expression.

“There you guys are!” Y/n glanced up and saw Panchito and Donald running over. Once they were close they skidded to a stop once spotting Boris. His height must have made the two cautious as Donald quacked in a surprised manner before hiding behind Panchito. Boris’s nose twitched before he smiled and waved. “Hi!” He says. Panchito soon smiled and waved at Boris—remembering the face from the studio. As for Donald he cautiously looked at Boris but remained silent.

Bendy took the book from Y/n and smugly grinned.

“And we have the book. You all can thank—“ he then looked at Edgar but—Bendy then points to himself with his thumb as he grinned.

“This guy.” Just as he said that. A black blurry figure ran in between him and Y/n. Snatching the book from Bendy’s grasp. Bendy still held the hand up that was holding the book. He looked at his head before he looked at Y/n whose mouth was agape.

“What the hell Bendy!” She shoved him—for what felt like the 100th time the book was taken from them! Bendy grabbed Y/n’s hands to stop her from shoving him again. “Hey! Hey! Don’t get hostile with me—“

“Hah! Losers!” Everyone looked over to see the shadow like toon that Oswald, Y/n, Panchito and Bendy encountered. The fast shadow toon grinned as he held the book above his head before dashing off reaching behind his back with his free hand. He held a small metal like ball.

“You know out of everyone we’ve encountered—he doesn't make me scared.” Panchito absurdly confessed. Oswald rubbed his eye so that he could start to bruise up. The toon then smashed the ball to the ground like a smoke bomb. Black smoke seeped onto the ground and out popped 4 shadow creatures. All with sharp features their glowing white eyes caused Y/n’s bookbag to fall off her shoulder as everyone stared in awe as the 4 shadows loomed in the air threateningly.

“I take that back.” Panchito said nonchalantly.

“Get them!” Zip shouted before he cackled loudly and rushed away with the book. The four shadows quickly started towards the group and all six of them screamed in fear before scurrying off in different directions.

Edgar tripped over his legs running away as he followed Y/n. With how small he was he sure was fast as he kept up to speed with her. Boris and Bendy had run off into another direction. Boris screams and he tripped over a trash can. But he rolled off the ground and kept running. Oswald, Donald and Panchito found their different paths as well—everyone splitting up yet again.

Y/n held her bookbag as she tripped over her wet and saggy pants that were weighing her down. She had to think big instead of running everywhere! She looks at Edgar hoping he could understand her. “Do you think you can find that book again?!” She asks the spider as the two rounded a corner. Edgar squeaks before he remembered she couldn’t understand him. He nods before he stops running and zips off to another street in hopes of finding the stolen book. Y/n looked behind her and saw that the shadow like creature was quick and series of voices were in her head—she assumed it must have been the effect of the creature she covered her ears and huffed she was running out of breath and her legs urged her to take a rest she was running too much! Y/n ducked under a man's arm as he stood in the way. He almost tripped over and looked at Y/n in confusion but didn’t seem to notice the shadow creature chasing after the girl.

As soon as Y/n thought could outrun the creature. To arms stuck out. And grasped onto her dragging her into an alleyway. Y/n yelps and almost tripped over. Turning around quickly she was met with Cuphead.

“Sh! Quiet! I’m helping you—“ he raised a finger to his mouth to silence her. Y/n huffed and placed her back on the wall opposite of Cuphead. She felt water dripping from her and onto the concrete ground. She tried to contain her hard breathing but she couldn’t as Cuphead peeked from the alleyway. Should she even be standing near him?

As he was busy looking away and out the alley to see if the creature was far off somewhere. Y/n looked over and saw a gate she could hop—would she even be quick enough? She couldn’t even run—her clothes were wet and she felt icky and tired! Y/n looked down at her hands to see the bandage around her hands were loosely coming off.

“Are you okay?” Y/n heard the voice echo in the alleyway. She looks up to see Cuphead had turned around to face Y/n. He was wringing his gloved hands slightly.

Y/n didn’t really know what to respond as she stared at him. “Yeah…” she cautiously said. Cuphead smiled. “Great—“

“So. You’re out to kill me?” She abruptly asked…well she had to know! Cuphead opened his mouth before placing his hands on his chest. “They told me to. But I don’t wa—“

“So you are going to kill me?”

“No! I’m not—I was but until I ran into you today—I made the decision that I wasn’t—“

“So your original plan was to kill me—“

“I don’t think either way I put it—it’ll sound good. Look—let’s start from the beginning.” He wandered over to a trash can and leans his elbow onto it. Before looking at Y/n he then smiled.

“Hey, I’m Cuphead. Cups—whateva’, but you can call me…anytime.” He winks at her. Y/n mouth was agape as she stared at him. Feeling butterflies in her stomach as she saw him lean too far in the trash can and almost fall over. He played it off by reaching a hand out to Y/n to shake.

“And I know you. You’re Y/n—my uh…boss…sorta told me. To kill you.” His words went quieter—as blunt as he was he really didn’t seem like the guy to want to kill anyone. But Y/n couldn’t even form words as she looked at him…what an odd guy..

“Don’t seem too…moved..okay..uh…you're still there?” He moved his hand when he saw Y/n didn’t take the hand shake. He waved his hand in front of her to see if he could snap her from her daze. Y/n blinks before she slowly removes herself off the wall.

“What suddenly made you not want to kill me?” She asks. Cuphead gave her a closed lip smile as he gazed at her with a far off look. “Well…you’re pretty.”

What?

Despite feeling the fluffy feeling of butterflies in her stomach. Y/n didn’t find the reply good enough. She furrowed her eyebrows and Cuphead soon raised his hands.

“I know—that doesn't sound like anything too believable—look. My brother and I aren’t people that go around for fun harmin’ folks. This—our boss—The Devil. He sorta owns our souls for the time being, and he said to release us. We had to take that book from you and your friends and specifically kill you. I don’t know why.” His reply seemed genuine and authentic. Y/n tensed muscles slowly eased as she slowly nodded.

“So you’re not going to kill me?” She asks yet again. Cuphead shook his head. “I’m not. I promise I won’t lay a finger on you..” the two were silent for a moment as Y/n tried to wrap her hand around everything. She doesn't understand.

“I don’t understand…Why would you not kill me if that’s the only way to not be soul bound to the Devil.” Y/n repeats. Cuphead looks off to the side.

“You know Felix..right?” He asks. And Y/n nods.

“Well. Me and Mugs—my brother. Our original plan was to get this jewel that would protect us from the Devil. But as you can see—“ he motions around himself. “We’re here. I was going to let you all go—I hope your friends are still alive.”

“Trust me. They are.”

“Well. If you all can get away safely and find that stone. That can break the string between the Devil and me and my brother.” Cuphead finished. Y/n stared at him for a moment.

“So you want us to help you?”

“If that’s not too much to ask..”

Y/n was silent…the book..something about it from earlier…she ran into both Cuphead and Mugman because of the book. Idaho…wait.

Gasping softly she looks at Cuphead.

“You—you and your brother. The book—okay look. We have this book. And this book is leading us to people that should belong on our team. And you and your brother are two of the few people!” She quickly explains. It all made sense now! Cuphead tilts his head.

“What’s the purpose of it. Everyone on my team—the head honchos as I put it. Want that book. I never really cared to find out why but..what’s so important about it?” He asks. And frankly;

“We don’t have an answer for that yet. It’s—it's a lot to unravel. And we’ll explain that when we get you and your brother out of this mess. All you need to know now. Is that. You need to be on our team. And I’ll make it happen.” She boasts. Y/n gave him a smile and Cuphead then smiled back.

“I like ya’ spunk.” He winks. “Have any boyfriend’s?” He grins. Y/n smiled slowly. “No.”

“Lookin’ for any?”

“We have bigger things to look at right now—“

“Alright, alright. I have a plan for you to get your book back and for your friends to leave town safely.” Cuphead moved on. Y/n nods as the two walks deeper into the alleyway.

“Tell me and let’s put it into action.”

[xebecatt2002]

"Gabrielle, Tell him. Do the Bard thing" Chariots of War

From the very first episode Gabrielle is introduced as a storyteller and straight away it is hard not to be impressed with the level of authenticity the writers give to Gabrielle’s skills as a Bard. Many of these stories she tells are based on fragments of authentic myths.

'Chariots of War', the second episode of the series, opens on Gabrielle telling Xena a story as they make their way to the bar in a village tavern. Though we only catch the ending of her story, there is still interesting details to unpick.

G: “And so, Zeus, in his appreciation, turned the two lovers into oak trees. And then do you know what happened?”

X: “Somebody built a boat out of them?”

G: “No-- their branches intertwined, and they spent the rest of their days in each other’s embrace.”

There are a lot of stories in Greek myth involving 'metamorphoses', the Greek word for ‘transformations’, with both gods and mortals turning into other things like plants or animals. The only story that comes close to the one Gabrielle tells is the story of Baucis and Philemon.

The complete version of the myth is only found in the work ‘Metamorphoses'. It is a collection of myths woven together into a narrative through their common theme of transformation. It was written by the Roman poet Ovid who lived between 43 BC and 17 AD, a period of Roman history which saw the end of the Roman Republic and the reign of the first Emperor, Augustus.

The gods Zeus and Hermes (known here in their Roman forms, Jupiter and Mercury) disguise themselves as mortals and travel across Greece. When they seek hospitality from the mortals they encounter, they find themselves turned away from every household until the come upon the simple home of Philemon and Baucis.

‘Looking for shelter and rest, they called at a thousand

homesteads;

a thousand doors were bolted against them. One

house, however,

did make them welcome, a humble abode with a roof

of straw

and marsh reed, one that new its duty to the gods and men.

Here good Philemon an Baucis had happily passed

their youth

and here they had reached old age, enduring their

poverty lightly

by owning it freely and being content with the little

they had.’

Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.628-635

Here the couple greet the strangers and offer up what little they have, providing them with the best of the meagre food and wine unknowing their true divine identities. Ovid goes in to quite a bit of detail describing the hospitality the couple offer especially the dishes that make up their feast during. While they entertain their guests the cups magically refill with wine.

‘Meanwhile, whenever the mixing-bowl got empty,

it seemed

To refill of its own accord, with the wine welling up by

itself.

Stunned and scared by this wonder, Philemon,

trembling, and Baucis

lifted their upturn hands to heaven and fervently

prayed

For forgiveness after serving so poorly prepared a repast.’

Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.679-682

Fearing they have offended their divine guest they seek to appease them by sacrificing their only goose. This leads to a comical scene with the elderly couple chasing the goose and failing to catch it. It appears to run towards to gods for safety which seems to work as the gods command them to spare the bird as they are grateful for what they have already provided.

They then proclaim that the couple will be spared from the punishment they will inflict of their impious neighbours who refused to honour the Greek custom of hospitality known as xenia (ξενία), a word derived from the Greek word for stranger xenos(ξένος). Sometimes referred to as 'ritualized friendship' the custom was based on generosity, courtesy and gift-giving that strengthen ties between people. In earlier times when it was thought that the gods walked among mortals it was even more important to respect these customs to avoid incurring the wrath of a visiting god. It would became seen as a moral obligation for both Guest and Host to show respect to each other.

Returning to Ovid's story, the couple leave their home with the gods and head to the safety mountains. There they witness the flood the gods send down to wipe out their impious neighbours. Nothing is spared except the couple’s home which undergoes its own transformation as it becomes a temple to the gods.

The gods offer to grant the couple anything they desire as reward. After deliberating with each other Philemon and Baucis ask to be guardians of the new temple and also, that when the time comes for them to die, that they die together so they don’t have to suffer the loss of their partner. After many years happy years together they are transformed into Trees. Philemon an Oak and Baucis a linden.

"We

ask

to be priests and to guard your temple; and since we

have passed our years

together in peace, let the same hour carry us off, so I

need not

look on my dear wife’s grave, nor she have to bury my

body."

Their wish was granted; as long as life was allowed

them, they served

as the temple’s guardians. When time had taken its

final toll,

and while they were casually standing in front of the

steps of the building,

telling the sanctuary’s history, both Philemon and

Baucis

witnessed their partner sprouting leaves on their worn

old limbs

As the tops of the trees spread over their lip sand concealed

them forever.

Still to this day the peasants of Phrygia point to the oak

and the linden nearby which once where the forms of

Philemon and Baucis.’ Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.712-720

The devotion the couple have for each other is really endearing. You can really see why this story would appeal to a young Gabrielle who left her home and arranged marriage to find the true place she feels she belongs.

It is also an interesting choice of story to share with Xena, someone she’s just met who is aloof and independent. She’s eager to befriend the warrior but is finding her emotionally distant. This emotional distance is reflected in the physical distance between them. In these early episodes they have clearly defined personal spaces, such as sperate bedrolls, and they spend a lot of time apart as Gabrielle is left behind in a 'safe' location. You could read into this that just as Xena tries to keep distance between her and Gabrielle physically to protect her, she is trying to keep her emotionally distant for safety reasons as well. In some ways Gabrielle may understand this which is why she choses to tell this particular story to Xena. The old couple might seem weak and vulnerable but they are given strength by the devotion and support they have for each other. Gabrielle is trying to show her new friend that caring isn't a weakness but a source of strength by using this story as an example.

X: “What’s the point?”

G: “Come on, Xena. I believe everyone will find their tree in the forest someday-- even you.”

X: “I find the strongest trees in the forest stand alone.”

G: “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Xena; sometimes it’s good for the soul to be soft.”

This moment beautifully foreshadows the relationship that grows between Xena and Gabrielle throughout the series as both become entwined emotionally, spiritually and physically in a multiple of ways. There are moments that the imagery of the myth is invoked in such a way that Xena and Gabrielle symbolically become the lovers. Intentional or not by the writers it is a fantastic coincidence.

One episode that subtly does this is ‘The Abyss’ during one of its poignant cave scenes. After an encounter with cannibals Xena and an injured Gabrielle become tapped in a cave that is rapidly flooding. As Xena tries to get them out, Gabrielle tells Xena her final wish, that she wants to be buried with Xena.

X [Whispers]: "Gabrielle-- Gabrielle-- here-- here. The time's

come. We're getting you out of here, all right?"

G: "Oh."

X: "All right."

G: "Xena, I have a-- a last wish."

X: "I don't want to hear of it."

G: "No-- I'm serious. You don't want to know?"

X: "What is it, then?"

G: "I don't-- want to be buried-- with the Amazons."

X: "All right. Well, in fifty years, when the time comes."

G: "Xena-- I wanna lie with you-- with your family? In

Amphipolis."

X: "What about your family?"

G: "I love them-- but I'm a part of you. I want it to be like

that forever. I love you."

It is the climax of a series of intimate moments that are grounded in their love and devotion to each other. Gabrielle’s words cement their soulmate relationship. They are meant to be, and will be, together forever like the lovers of her story.

The context of this moment adds another layer to this allusion. As Gabrielle is affirming to Xena that she is a part of her, the warrior princess is preparing to save her injured partner by tying her to herself using vines. This nicely invokes images of Gabrielle’s story of the two lovers who becoming trees and entwining together. Also it connects with Ovid's tale of Philemon and Baucis as like the mythic couple, Xena cannot bear to witness the death of her partner. As Philemon and Baucis were spared that fate by being transformed into trees, Xena is using a plant to physically entwine her and Gabrielle to save her from death.

This climb up the ravine walls to escape the rising water could be reminiscent of Philemon's and Baucis' arduous climb up the mountain to escape the flood or just another coincidence. What perhaps isn't is that it is love and devotion that binds each couple together for eternity. Just like the lovers in the story Gabrielle tells in season one, and the myth it is based upon, Xena and Gabrielle will be together for eternity in each other's embrace.

Throughout the series there are a number of different ways Xena and Gabrielle become entwined together. As the emotional distance between them shrinks, the physical space seen in earlier episodes disappears and they begin to embrace each other. Not only is there a myriad of touches and hugs to connect them but while sitting, walking and even fighting they become inseparable.

They become so close that they pick up traits from each other and almost merge into one. This is such a vast topic to discuss it really needs its own post to explore in detail but the importance for this discussion is the idea that they merge into one entity. The idea that they become one is the connection with the myths and invokes the imagery of metamorphosis.

This metamorphosis becomes literal later in the series. In season 5’s ‘Succession’ during Ares’ contest to determine a worthy successor to Xena as his Chosen, he places Gabrielle and Xena into the same body. At dawn they discover that Gabrielle metamorphoses in to Xena and dusk, Xena into Gabrielle. This nicely alludes to Gabrielle’s story as they transform, much like the couple becoming entwine trees, two individuals become one entwined in each others bodies.

This physical metamorphoses happens in the series when it has become fully established that these two are soulmates, destined to be together for eternity. They are truly devoted to each other that they cannot be separated, just as the lovers cannot bear to be parted from each other even when they are transformed into trees.

As Gabrielle predicted at the end of her story, they both found their tree in the forest in each other.

Sources

Ovid, Metamorphoses

Whoosh.org, Episode Transcripts

Screen captures by myself

Thanks to Simjay on the Discord Xena group for the Gifs!

[theowlhouseheadcanons]

Some Details in Keeping up A-Fear-Ances

So in Keeping up A-Fear-Ances, we see Eda's golden teeth is attached. That really caught my attention because, in my head, the teeth was one of the collateral effects of the curse, but it's apparently an accessory.

Maybe it's an ornament she chose to use to go full on her title, the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch of the Islands, that single sharp teeth a constant reminder of the powerful creature that lives within her;

Maybe she lost a teeth in a fight when younger, and instead of choosing a normal teeth to replace it, she decided to pick the "shiny thing" at the market;

Maybe it is part of the curse, and it can be plugged in and out because all her body has this "ability"as a side effect of her condition;

Another thing that caught my eyes is that Lilith is way bigger than Eda in beast form. We could say it is a visual way to express their age difference – Lilith is the oldest, therefore she's bigger.

But this is not just a weak common sense concept, it also doesn't make sense since Lilith and Eda has similar height and weight. So what are the options?

As stated in the show, there's yet a lot to discover about this curse, but we have some hints that allows us theorize a bit;

My first take was to say Eda had shrunken after they split the curse, but she always has been that "small" (I rewatched some past episodes to confirm it, as from my memory Beast Eda seemed way bigger because there wasn't another beast to compare her to) which lead me to discard this. And besides, they've split it equally, so we can't argue Lilith took a "bigger chunk" of the curse and that affects her size directly.

As we've seen the beast erupts whenever they get too stressed or the elixir's effect is gone – the curse is deeply intertwined with their psychologic state, and its physical manifestation reflects some physical traits too .

And I've made an assumption in a previous post that the elixir works as a "little cage" that keeps the curse away from Eda's conscience, but as it fights against that "cage", it builds "pressure", which comes off strong once the potion wears off (causing Eda to blackout or instantly turn into the beast, as shown through season 1)

So based on that, I risk to say that the beast's size reflects the host's levels of stress on the first transformation.

Let me elaborate: Lilith had her first transformation as an adult, who's been accumulating a lot of stress during her whole life – dread for cursing her sister, constant pressure from the Emperor's coven, mommy issues, etc – and not once seemed to let that stress out (small peaks yes, but never liberating her whole frustration). So when she turns into the beast, there's a lot rage/frustration that goes off with it, which is visually shown through her size.

Eda, on the other hand, turned into beast when she was at ease, and didn't seem to have "major problems" before the curse that could've been accumulated inside her – and that's why she's smaller;

Well, I might be completely wrong, but for now these are the speculations I could make.

[syllvane]

muscle memory pt. 6- sylvie x reader

a/n: here it is, clocking in at a whopping 2.4k words!! spoilers for the middle and end of episode 3 and for the beginning of episode 4! this is very plot heavy, but i hope you guys enjoy it!

read the previous part     read the next part     read the series  

Your whole body ached and it was only then, laying face down in the purple dirt of Lamentis, did you realize how tired you were.

Well, you supposed that on the side of the train tracks seemed as good as a place as any to take a nap.

“Give me the TemPads,” You heard Sylvie say nearby and what sounded like her pulling out her dagger not long after.

Right.

You groaned slightly as you stood up, regaining your bearings as Sylvie held her dagger to Loki’s throat.

Loki looked over at you.

“Is she always this violent?”

You looked at her, tilting your head slightly, opening your mouth to answer before Sylvie shot you a look. You closed your mouth.

“The TemPads, now,”

Loki held his hands up defensively before opening up a little pocket in space and time to reveal the TemPad smoking, crumbling into nothing as Loki held it.

He opened up a second pocket in space and time to reveal the same thing- wait, when had he taken your TemPad from you?

Sylvie lowered her dagger, her hands shaking slightly and you felt yourself going perfectly still.

Nothing like realizing that you’re going to die to sober you up.

“Oops.”

“You asshole. You killed us!”

For a second, you were worried that Sylvie was going to pull her dagger on him again, though your worries were abated when she walked past him, letting out a pulse of green magic as she screamed.

She sat down on a rock a little bit ahead, all of the fight seeming to leave her body.

You walked past where Loki was standing, patting him on the shoulder gently as you passed him before sitting down next to Sylvie, your knee touching hers.

“I’m sorry,” You told her and she scoffed.

“Everything I’ve done has been in the name of getting you back and making a life for us. Now all of that is gone. We’re going to die on this moon.”

“Not all of it.”

She looked at you.

“What?”

“Not all of it is gone. I’m right here,” You grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone anymore.”

She stared down at your intertwined hands for a couple of seconds before looking back up at you and the way that she looked at you... the way that she looked at you made you feel silly for ever believing that she wouldn’t love you. 

“I missed you so much. I’m still angry, don’t get me wrong, I’m just.. I missed you,” She told you and before you could respond, Loki walked over to where the two of you were sitting, standing in front of you both, demanding your attention without saying a word.

“I have an idea.”

“What?” Sylvie asked shortly. 

“The Ark- before you say it, I know that it gets destroyed before it makes it off the moon, blah blah blah, but it’s never had us.”

No one spoke for a couple of moments.

“We hijack the Ark and get it off the moon,” Sylvie said and Loki nodded. “It’s better than just sitting here and dying, I’ll give you that.”

Both Sylvie and Loki looked at you expectantly.

Truthfully? You would rather die here than risk going back to the TVA again.

There are worse things than death and you are well-acquainted with them.

And still, there is the smallest glimmer of hope in Sylvie’s eyes and you will not be the one to extinguish it.

“We don’t have much time, we need to move.”

A ghost of a smile flashed on Sylvie’s face as she stood up, helping you stand up as well.

“Wait, really?” Loki asked in disbelief, following the two of you as you started the long trek to Sharoo.

By the time you could see the skyline of the capital city, the lavender sky had deepened in color. Whether that be because night was falling on the moon, or because the planet that it had orbited around for so long was starting to block the star that had given both of them life, you weren’t completely sure.

“What if you enchanted me and walked for the both of us? Or I take a nap in my subconscious and then you could just wake me when we arrive. Yeah?”

Although Loki missed the look that Sylvie gave him, you did not.

“That’s not how enchantment works,” Sylvie said pointedly and you didn’t miss the curious expression that came onto Loki’s face.

“How does it work?”

“It’s not… fine. You want to know how enchantment works. I have to make physical contact with the target and grab hold of their mind.”

“How?”

“It depends on the mind. Most are easy and I can overtake them instantly. Others, the stronger ones, it gets tricky. I’m in control, but they’re there, too. I have to create a fantasy from their memories.”

Loki slowed down, looking at you.

“So you… you’re a Variant.” He said slowly and you nodded.

“Everyone at the TVA is.”

He completely stopped this time, staring at the two of you in shock.

“What?”

Before you could say anything else, an announcement from the Ark stated that there were only ten minutes left before launch.

“We have to hurry up if we’re going to make it,” You said and although the other two didn’t say anything, they matched your pace as you started walking faster towards Sharoo.

From the bits and pieces that you remembered about it, Asgard was one of the most beautiful places in the galaxy.

It was gold and filled with luscious green gardens and after visiting many other places in the galaxy as an agent for the TVA, you still weren’t sure if anything could compare.

Sharoo was beautiful in a completely different way.

Where Asgard was an all natural beauty, Sharoo was neon lights and graffiti and futuristic design. It probably would’ve been even more beautiful if it wasn’t illuminated by orange flames.

“Do we trust each other?” Sylvie asked.

You grabbed her hand, squeezing for a second before letting go, not needing to say anything.

“We do and we can,” Loki responded, looking around the city as well, trying to find the best vantage point to get to the Ark.

“Good. Because this is going to suck.”

Sylvie took your hand again, leading you through the crowd as Loki got onto an overturned stall.

“They’re going to let all of these people die,” You said quietly and Sylvie didn’t say anything, only squeezing your hand in reassurance.

The three of you watched as the gates that were directly in front of the Ark closed, presumably to keep the growing crowd out.

“We have to get on the Ark and make sure it takes off.”

“How?” Loki asked and you looked at your surroundings, trying to figure out the best way to access it.

“We go around,” You said and Loki jumped off his pedestal, his arm instantly around Sylvie and his hand on your shoulder as he led the two of you to an alleyway, saving the both of you from being trampled, and the three of you continued running until you reached an open space.

You all stood still for a moment, assessing the situation before you felt a sickening crack- for a moment, you were sure that you must’ve broken something, but as you looked at Sylvie and Loki, you realized that they had felt it too.

You looked at the sky above you just in time to see the jade-colored planet that had been looming above you all this time split apart- not even split apart, really, crumble was a more accurate word in this situation.

Everyone around you watched silently as the crack rang through the air, paralyzed by fear.

After the first couple of meteors hit, fear turned into panic and screams rang out all around you as people found the ability to move again.

The three of you continued running with a new sense of urgency, though this time instead of running to safety, you run right into one of the falling pieces of the planet.

Compared to this, you almost missed the pain of being thrown off the train- at least you were sure that that pain would stop. At least you knew then that Sylvie was safe.

You stood up, your ears ringing and your head spinning.

Loki was already beginning to stand up as well and you offered a hand out to Sylvie, whose eyes were still closed.

She took it, opening her eyes and letting out a shaky breath before the three of you continued running, this time into the safety of a restaurant.

“You okay?” Loki asked, posing the question to both of you.

“Yeah,” Sylvie said and you nodded as well, more focused on the other two people who had entered the restaurant.

One grabbed Sylvie’s cloak, trying to knock her off balance and she disposed of him with ease.

Loki tossed you one of his daggers and seconds later, you threw it through one of the guard’s helmets.

You walked over to where the body had fallen and grabbed it as Loki disposed of the other guard.

The three of you ran out of the other entrance, missing another meteor strike only by a couple of feet.

You continued running, Loki and Sylvie helping to navigate the collapsing city.

The sound of creaking metal filled the air and for a second, you were worried that the planet was crumbling even more, if such a thing was even possible.

When you looked up, you felt a brief sense of relief as you realized that it was only a building that was falling on you.

“I got this,” Loki said, planting his feet and Sylvie pulled you out of the way, the two of you watching as the God used his magic to suspend the falling building midair before pushing it so that it fell over the other way.

“Come on, we can still make it!” Sylvie yelled over all the noise and Loki sprinted after the two of you, joining in as you and Sylvie fought through the guards before the three of you were finally standing in front of the Ark.

It feels like a nightmare when a piece of the planet slices through the Ark in half.

For a couple of moments, the three of you are unable to do anything but stand there and watch the destruction, watching the last chance that you had of escaping Lamentis-1 go up into flames.

The guards are motionless as well, watching the thing that they had been trying so hard to protect get destroyed- you even see one kneel down on his knees, overcome with the grief of it all.

Maybe they were finally realizing what was going to happen to them.

You put your hand on Loki’s shoulder, watching his chest heave- even if he didn’t say anything, you knew that he blamed himself for the failure to save the Ark and everyone else on it.

You then lifted your hand, walking after Sylvie.

The three of you find yourself outside of the city once again, watching the smaller remnants of the planet crash into the moon. You rest your head on Sylvie’s shoulder- you didn’t want to go back to the TVA, but somehow this feels worse.

The thought of dying in the arms of the woman that you love provides very little solace in the face of imminent death.

“I’m sorry,” Loki said, taking a seat next to you. “I’m sorry that you two will never get the life you wanted.”

You didn’t look up at him, but you offered your hand to him- you both were equally to blame for getting drunk on that train. You both were responsible for the failure of Sylvie’s plan. The least you could do was offer forgiveness to him.

He took your hand hesitantly, as if you might pull away from him as soon as he grasped it.

You didn’t, and he held on.

“Well if I have to die, I’m glad it’s by her side. There’s nowhere I’d rather be at the end of the world,” You said and Sylvie looked at you with indescribable fondness and sadness. “If I can’t have a life with her, then at least I get to die with her.”

“This is how it always ends for us, isn’t it? With the end of everything as we know it,” She remarked bitterly and you shrugged, something that was difficult to do with the way your head was resting on her shoulder.

“This isn’t so bad,” You replied, watching as smaller chunks of the planet continued to impact the moon. “I mean this is awful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not the worst way to go. Surrounded by friends.”

Loki shifted besides you and you wondered to yourself if anyone had ever called him that before- a friend.

It didn’t matter much now- soon the larger chunks of the planet would crash into the moon and the three of you would die, your words and any memory of them gone as well.

Still, they seemed to mean a lot to him and you supposed that was all that would matter, in the end.

“It won’t be long now,” Sylvie said as she rested her head against yours, watching as bigger chunks of the planet creeped closer and closer. “I didn’t say it back before, when you told me on the train. But I love you too. More than anything.”

“More than time itself?” You asked jokingly and although you couldn’t see her, you were sure that she rolled her eyes by the laugh that she let out.

“Especially more than time itself.”

You sat up and let yourself look at Sylvie one last time, wanting her face to be the last thing that you saw before it was all gone.

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see the impact of a large chunk heading for the three of you and with your free hand, you cupped her cheek.

Gods, you were going to miss her.

Before the impact could reach you, you saw two familiar opaque doors appear behind Sylvie and Loki and you felt your heart drop more than it had when the Ark was destroyed.

Your saviors were here, only they were here in the name of the agency that had imprisoned you in the first place.

[dukeofonions]

The Problem With Asides

Before I get into anything I want to clarify that this is not going to be a criticism of the two Asides episodes we’ve gotten so far. This is a critique of the concept of Sanders Asides as a separate series from the original Sanders Sides. A second note I want to make is that this is, just as all my other posts are, a personal opinion. This is not meant to be an attack on anyone, just a general criticism from a confused writer and viewer of the show. 

And final disclaimer: A lot of what I’m going to say is based on information that I no longer have available. It’ll mostly be me recalling things I heard and if I at any point get something wrong please feel free to let me know. 

That being said, let’s get into this, shall we? 

(Fair warning this post is very long hence why I’ve divided it into parts so feel free to read then come back as you wish)

Part One: The Concept of Asides

Some time ago last year, I believe shortly after Dealing With Intrusive Thoughts came out, was when the idea for Sanders Asides was first announced. The basic concept of it being shorter, more lighthearted videos focusing on the Sides outside of the main storyline. This format would allow them to give us more Sides content in between the long waits for the main series since those episodes were beginning to take more time to produce. 

Of course, everyone was eager for more Sides, so the majority of people were excited. Not only that but due to the main series tackling heavier themes, the episodes were becoming more angsty with less time for the characters to just relax and goof off with each other. The idea of having episodes reminiscent of the low stakes, sillier, happier content of season one was a welcome break from the more complex episodes and would be a nice return to form for the series. 

We were also informed that these episodes would be much simpler than their main series counterparts and wouldn’t disrupt the work being done on Sanders Sides, which meant we didn’t have to worry about long gaps between the main story episodes, right? 

(Another disclaimer: I am perfectly aware of the main reason why we were not given as much content last year and am not blaming Thomas or the team for doing what was necessary to keep themselves safe and hope they continue to do so as this continues into the new year)

Jump to November 22, 2019, where we got our first official episode of Sanders Asides, roughly five months after DWIT came out. Which, for this fandom, was record time to get more content and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly they were able to get this out. Though at the same time, I wondered why it took five months to make what was meant to be a short, simple episode. 

So imagine my surprise when I went to watch the episode and saw it was nearly 20 minutes long. Which, okay, isn’t that bad when you compare it to the lengths of the more recent Sanders Sides episodes. But at the time, I was under the impression that the Asides would be, well, much shorter. The longest I expected would be maybe 15 minutes, but you know what? It’s the first episode and it has been a while since we’ve had Sides content, so maybe they wanted to give us a little extra due to the long wait. 

I started the episode and at first, I was overjoyed when I saw the first shot of all the Sides sitting in the living room in their onesies about to have a movie night. This was exactly what I’d been hoping to see from this series! It’s pretty much a staple thing in the fandom for the Sides to have movie nights together, and now it was happening in canon! 

At the moment, I had high hopes for this series and was filled with joy. 

Then that hope and joy were immediately crushed when I realized this was yet just another Virgil-centric angst episode. In fact, this entire episode was, well, exactly like a regular Sanders Sides episode. Sure, there were some jokes here and there, but the tone of the episode was no lighter than the last Sanders Sides episode. If anything DWIT felt lighter in comparison to this one. 

Which leads me to ask, what the heck happened? 

Part Two: Literally the Same Show

At this point in time, we’ve only had two episodes of Asides. Usually, I try to hold off my judgment of a series until I’ve had at least one other episode to see if my original criticisms still stand. 

To be fair, I did think Flirting With Social Anxiety was a step in the right direction. More comedy, a lighter tone, yes. Perfect. But again, just like with Are There Healthy Distractions? This episode quickly dove right back into the angst pool, and just like ATHD it was a pretty long episode, clocking in at almost 25 minutes. 

Not only that but again, both FWSA and ATHD don’t feel any different from the episodes we’ve been getting in Sanders Sides. 

1. They’re just as angsty.

2. Roughly the same length as Sanders Sides episodes.

3. Take about just as long to produce.

4. Contain a lesson to be learned. 

Which, okay, you can have lessons in lighter shows too, but we’re already getting that in Sanders Sides and Sanders Asides was described as, well, being less plot heavy. Yet so far both episodes are still tied in with the main plot. 

ATHD deals with the aftermath of DWIT, not directly but it’s pretty obvious that the whole thing with Virgil’s reveal at the end of that episode is being addressed in the background. Which, kind of takes away the impact of that ending, but I’ll get to that later. 

Then FWSA takes place after Putting Others First and again, is dealing with things from that episode in the background. Again though, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It makes sense to see the characters dealing with things from past events.

So why is it a problem here? Because, again, Sanders Asides is meant to be a separate series, and all the subtext brought on from the episodes in Sanders Sides makes the plots in these two episodes confusing. 

For example, I was perplexed during my first watch of FWSA because I couldn’t understand why the focus of the conflict was lying. I didn’t understand why Virgil and Roman came to the conclusion that Thomas’ reason for being unable to approach Nico was because he was lying to himself, when both the title of the episode and what we were shown points more to, well, social anxiety being the problem. 

(Quick note: One could argue that this was done purposefully to have Virgil putting the blame on Janus since he doesn’t like him and wouldn’t want to admit that he was the one responsible, but this series has had a bad habit of favoring Virgil in the past so until we get more answers I’m gonna leave this on the backburner) 

It didn’t help that I had no idea when this episode was meant to take place in the timeline, and I originally thought it could take place a bit after season two since Roman and Virgil seemed to be doing better, but more on them later.

All of this bugged me until I found out that FWSA takes place after POF, and after watching the live stream that followed and getting some more context, the lying thing made a bit more sense, but the fact that I was as confused as I was just caused more frustration to build up. And I wasn’t the only one who got thrown off by the “Lying is wrong” message of FWSA so I had to ask again, why was this episode a Sanders Asides when apparently, you need information from the last Sanders Sides episode in order to understand it?

So you’re telling me, that the second episode in what is supposed to be a separate series that isn’t meant to be a part of the main plot, is now integral to the plot of the main story you’re telling in what is, as you have said, a separate show? How does that make any sense? 

Okay, one could argue that Thomas getting a love interest doesn’t really fit with the current storyline that’s going on in Sanders Sides, and that is a fair point. The problem with that is, FWSA takes place right after Putting Others First. 

You all remember what happened at the end of that episode, right?

Part Three: Intrusive Plots

At this point we’ve all become rather accustomed to the long waits in between videos, it’s nothing new to us, and for the most part they haven’t done anything to harm the current plot of Sanders Sides. Sure, the length of time between videos can cause people to lose interest, but for the most part the tone of the last three episodes of Sanders Sides hasn’t differed much and the story flow is still going along smoothly. 

Let’s start with Selfishness vs Selflessness, which is the episode that sets up the big climax for season two. It’s still got its jokes and funny moments, but the overall tone is far more serious than previous episodes have been. This carries on into DWIT where Thomas has been so stressed out lately that he’s begun to have trouble with his intrusive thoughts. 

Virgil even gives a pretty good summary of Thomas’ current mental state: “He recently realized he’s a bigger liar than he thought he was, he doesn’t understand himself, he’s committed to skipping a big callback, and he’s sleep-deprived. So yeah, he feels like a piece of dirt who has no control over his life.”

And all that was a direct result of the ending of SVS, despite DWIT not being the direct follow up to that episode the two are still intertwined. Remember that for later.

DWIT ends with the long awaited reveal of Virgil having been a “Dark Side.” Even though the majority of the fandom had figured it out by as early as Can Lying Be Good? That didn’t take away from the emotional gut punch that this scene was and it’s one of my favorite moments from the series. I may have to make a whole post breaking that scene down but what matters is that this scene was a turning point for Virgil’s character.

We’ve seen him trying to hide the truth from Thomas ever since Janus and Remus started popping up, and there were close calls with both of them nearly revealing it themselves and continuously dropping hints to Thomas. Only for Virgil to admit it to Thomas himself, and leave before Thomas can even say a word. 

We don’t know for sure how Thomas is feeling in this moment, but it’s clear he’s been shaken by this. He doesn’t really have a lot of time to process it before he remembers to acknowledge the audience and close out the video. 

This comes up again once we finally get to the monster of an episode that is POF, the follow up to SVS that everyone had been waiting over a year for. Right away we see that Patton and Roman will be at the forefront of this discussion with Logan popping up every now and then, but who doesn’t show up in this episode despite having played a role in SVS? 

Virgil. 

He’s nowhere to be seen and his absence is definitely felt. Why wouldn’t he be part of this discussion? He was there in SVS and had a lot to say on the matter, he was even part of the decision to choose the wedding over the callback! So why wasn’t he there? 

Well, just look at the ending of DWIT and there’s your answer. Of course he isn’t about to show his face after that. Not when Thomas is already under so much stress already and he isn’t sure how Thomas will react to seeing him-

*insert random voice whispering off to the side*

 Wait, Virgil has seen Thomas since DWIT? When? 

*whispers continue*

Oh, right, they interacted in Sanders Asides. How did that go again? 

*whispers explain*

Huh? Thomas said he’s cool with Virgil despite revealing that he’s been hiding something from him this whole time? That “something” being the fact that Virgil was once considered part of the others that were currently making Thomas’ life miserable?

*whispers confirm*

Really? They’re both okay with each other now? Well, good for them. 

So wait, then why didn’t Virgil show up in POF? He was there during the first discussion and honestly he’d have more of a reason to show up than Logan who wasn’t really present at all in SVS. 

*whispers explain* 

He just wasn’t need there? Hm, alright. Guess that makes sense… 

Well okay, Virgil and Thomas are on good terms once POF rolls around, Virgil isn’t present during the conversation because he isn’t needed and I suppose his presence would make things worse. Especially once Janus revealed himself, he wouldn’t allow him to get a word in. Even though Janus could probably silence him but I digress. 

Fast forward towards the ending of POF, remember when I said to remember how SVS and DWIT were connected? Well DWIT is just as important to POF, acting as a bit of bridge between to the two episodes. 

Janus brings up Remus (both directly and indirectly) twice in this episode.

First here:

 Notice how Roman’s breakdown is already being foreshadowed here, the camera focusing on him while “Logan” says this isn’t an accident. 

The second time Remus is brought up is at the very end after Janus has revealed his name:

“Oh, Roman thank God you don’t have a mustache. Otherwise between you and Remus, I wouldn’t know who the evil twin is.” 

(No I am not posting screenshots of this scene I already got emotional over the last one)

As we saw at the end of DWIT, Roman does not have a good relationship with is brother. So much so that when Thomas refers to Remus as such, Roman creates a different analogy that compares Remus to a mirror, reflecting everything Roman doesn’t want to be. 

Roman desperately wants to distance himself from Remus, not wanting anything to do with him. We’ve only gotten a glimpse of just how far this loathing goes, and part of that comes from Roman finally breaking down after being told by Janus that if it wasn’t for a mustache there’d be no difference between him and Remus.

This shook Roman more than anything else in the show has so far, moreso than him being the one to decide that Thomas should give up the callback. He was the one that pushed Thomas to make that decision, believing it was the noble thing to do, only for it to only make Thomas feel worse and then be told by Janus that his “noble sacrifice” was all for nothing. 

Janus, the one who had been supporting Roman throughout SVS, buttering him up and encouraging him to go after his dream, told him that his sacrifice was worthless. Then to top it all off Janus admits what he did and brushes it off as a joke. He doesn’t apologize to Roman, leaving him in the dust, then when Roman responds by laughing at his name he’s shot down even lower. 

And when he looks to Thomas and Patton for help, for answers, anything.

They stay silent.

Patton tries to reassure him, telling Roman that they love him, but he doesn’t believe it. He sinks out, and that’s the last we see of him.

Selfishness vs Selflessness, Dealing With Intrusive Thoughts, and Putting Others First are three of the biggest (and dare I say most important) episodes in the series. The three almost act like a trilogy, with POF leading to something bigger, the season finale. Which will be culmination of all three of these episodes. 

We’ll be seeing Virgil’s reaction to Janus having been accepted by Patton and facing his own past as a “Dark Side.” Then we’ll find out what has become of Roman after he disappeared at the end of POF, and how it now affects his relationship with Thomas.

*whispers return and begin to whisper*

I’m sorry what?

*whispers repeat*

Virgil already knows about Janus getting somewhat accepted? Well okay I guess he would, wish we could have seen his reaction to that but oh well, no big deal. At least we got the Roman and Thomas confrontation to look forward to. 

*whispers whisper*

Roman has already interacted with Thomas since POF? When?!

*whisper* 

In FWSA? Oh yeah, how did that go again? It was super awkward right? Since Roman doesn’t really trust that Thomas loves or values him?

*whisperly whisper*

They get along just fine as if nothing happened? 

*whispersty*

It looks like he might still be upset with him since he’s being a bit passive aggressive? 

*whisper* 

Can’t really tell because the three are too busy trying to talk to a cute guy at the mall? 

Okay, I guess that all makes sense… 

Looks like Roman and Virgil still aren’t on the best terms with Thomas but are able to push that aside to help him talk to this handsome stranger, and hey, it worked! Thomas now has a boyfriend! Just look at Roman and Virgil at the end, they’re both so happy with Thomas! 

Looks like now they can focus on this new chapter in their life and leave the events of POF behind them. I mean, now that Roman and Virgil seem pretty cool with Thomas it would just feel weird to suddenly have them angry with him again, wouldn’t it?

Part Four: The Problem

Sanders Asides was originally described as being a series separate from the main storyline of Sanders Sides. Promising us shorter, less complicated episodes to give us a little something in between the longer, heavier episodes in Sanders Sides. This was a great idea that ended up falling apart the moment it began. 

When I was going through SVS, DWIT, and POF I mentioned that the three of them felt like a trilogy. All three of them link together to tell one bigger story, and on their own they get the job done. They set up the season finale perfectly to the point where you have an idea of what to expect and what to look forward to. 

The main things being the aftermath of Virgil’s reveal and Roman’s breakdown, which would most likely cultivate in them teaming up against Janus. This would also involve Virgil coming to terms with his past and Roman having to face Remus. 

Of course, none of this has been officially confirmed, but given everything we’ve seen up to this point it just makes sense. 

The story for season two is nearly complete, all we’re missing is the conclusion. 

Then Sanders Asides showed up and threw everything off course. What was supposed to be its own thing crept into a story that was already (for all we knew) set up and being put into place. 

We were told that the Asides wouldn’t do anything to disrupt the flow of Sanders Sides, yet it’s been confirmed that there will be one or two more episodes of Asides before we get the season finale. 

Why? Why are these episodes necessary when everything was set to move forward after POF? If these episodes are that important that they absolutely have to be made before the finale then why are they simply not part of the main series? 

You could say “Well they’re not directly tied to the main plot, that’s why.” But need I remind you that Asides as a concept was just intriduced after DWIT came out? These episodes were written specifcally for Asides, which unless I’m wrong means that they were just added into the main story with no planning whatsoever. 

FWSA honestly feels like it should have been the start of season three, something that should have waited to be introduced after season two wrapped up because it’s just too much. 

We already have so much to unpack from SVS, DWIT, and POF now we also have a new love interest on top of that? 

Virgil and Thomas’ resolution doesn’t even feel all that special because it wasn’t talked about directly between them. Thomas was indirectly letting Virgil know they were still okay, so what does that leave for us? All that build up about Virgil being a “Dark Side” only for it to be brushed over like it was nothing, and this happened in an Asides episode, not even in the main series. 

It also makes Virgil’s absence in POF confusing when they had already set up the perfect reason for him to be absent in DWIT, but according to the first episode of ATHD Virgil and Thomas are okay with each other. Sure, Virgil being there might have made things worse but at that point everyone was making things worse. 

We no longer have a confrontation between Thomas and Roman to look forward to because in FWSA we see them interacting as normal. Even the passive agressiveness isn’t anything new to Roman and really, it all just sounds super petty which he had been known to behave like that even when nothing is seriously wrong. Not only that Roman is overjoyed at the end, having finally gotten something he desperately wanted, the happy ending he deserved.

All that’s left for him is to fave his feelings towards Remus, but what would even happen there?

The problem with Asides isn’t the quality of the episodes, FWSA is actually one of my favorite episodes. The problem with Asides is that the team is taking what should have been something small and turning it into a far too elaborate for what its original purpose was: To give us more lighthearted content to enjoy in between the waits for the heavier episodes.

Instead it just feels like they’re adding onto something that really didn’t need adding on to, creating more work for themselves when it just isn’t necessary, and that worries me.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, it’s hard for me to make all these judgments when no one has any idea what the finale is going to be like. And usually, the team is able to excede my expectations and create something amazing. 

But with all these new Asides episodes that feel like they’re just being crammed in at the last second, it makes me wonder how the rest of the series will go if they continue down this road. 

Season two started September 1st, 2017, it is now January 3rd, 2021. Throughout season two the production of episodes became more elaborate, and there have been complications that arose from trying to make these videos as a result that sent production screeching to a halt. And on top of that, these Sanders Asides have been added to create even more work for Thomas and the team.

I don’t understand why they’d do this to themselves when it’s already become more difficult than ever to make videos in general, not just Sanders Sides. 

We were offered something simple that would have satisfied everyone during the difficult times, only to be given something that honestly, wasn’t even needed. I do appreciate Thomas trying to get us more content, but I don’t think he or the team realizes just how content we’d all be with just a five minute video of the characters we love just doing something as simple as hanging out and having fun, especially with how dark things have become all around us. 

We don’t always have to be watching these characters struggle, sometimes we just need to see them be genuinely happy.

(Thanks to everyone who took time to read this monster of a post, I did not mean for it to get this long but it’s been dwelling on my mind for a while and I wanted to make sure I got out everything I wanted to say. Again, this is all just a personal opinions and you are not obligated to agree with me. If you have an objecting opinion I would not mind hearing it but please keep any discussions civil.)

[aspoonofsugar]

I find it interesting that Ruby's and Cinder's arc is to be their own person but for different reasons.

Hello anon!

I mean, everyone is trying to become their own person in RWBY :'''), so it is not really a surprise, nor something unique to Ruby or Cinder. After all, it is a common narrative in coming of age stories, like RWBY is.

Don't get me wrong, Ruby and Cinder are definately foils! That said, I think we need a little bit more to truly explore this foiling as it deserves.

The good news is that next volume will probably give us some inspiration on the topic, since it is going to center around Ruby :’’’)

I’ll also take this chance to share some thoughts on RWBY’s structure as a whole because I think it is rather interesting.

Basically, RWBY is an ensemble cast story. It follows team RWBY (and JNR + O) around and they are the protagonists of the whole story, but they are not the MCs of every volume or arc. Sometimes they are, but some other times other characters take the lead.

This is not something new, but something established since the very beginning to be honest, even if it becomes clear only later on. 

I quite like this structure because it lets several characters shine as much as RWBY, Oscar and JNR.

Admittedly, it is a technique that has been polished only lately, but it can be moticed in early volumes as well, I think (also, breaking them down is fun anyway).

So, volume 3 and the Vale Arc as a whole have Pyrrha as the main protagonist. A lot of focus is given to her relationship with Jaune and her death ends the whole arc and kicks in the story. In volume 1 and 2 there is a lot of preparation done for her arc and a lot of her scenes build into season 3 finale, even if they seem irrelevant to the “main conflict”.

That said, she is not the protagonist of each volume. Volume 1 has a lot of focus given to Weiss and Jaune as characters. They both receive a lot of development both in the Emerald Forest and in dedicated episodes that have nothing to do with the main conflict. Blake too receives some focus that sets her up to be the protagonist of volume 2, I would say.

Volume 2 explores Blake’s tendency to run away and her unwillingness to rest. She also shares important moments with both Sun and Yang. Finally, a lot of the plot is driven by her wish to stop the White Feng and to arrest Torchwick, which is how the volume itself ends.

The Mistral Arc is really Blake’s arc (and partially Yang, to be honest because their arcs are strongly intertwined). Blake has her own subplot throughout the whole arc, which is tied with the main conflict, but also its own thing (see volume 5, where the other 3 reunite early, while Blake has her own struggle with Ilia). The Mistral arc also ends with Blake’s personal nemesis Adam being defeated once and for all.

When it comes to the arc’s volumes, I think that...

Volume 4′s protagonists are Ren and Nora. They are the ones about whom the climax is about. Their backgrounds are explored and they keep reliving their trauma as they go back home and meet people killed by Grimms.

Volume 5′s protagonist is Yang, imo because it is also Raven’s volume. A large part of the conflict center around Raven and her conflict with her daughter. Here, Yang also shows her development and moves forward.

Volume 6 is about Ruby. She is the protagonist of the climax and it is really the story of how she steps into Oz’s role as leader and brings everyone together. It is also the volume that so far pays the most homage to her Red Riding Hood allusion and where we discover more about her Silver Eyes.

So, now we arrive to my favourite arc, which so far has had my favourite structure. The Atlas arc.

The protagonist of the Atlas arc is clear:

Penny is really at the centre of the Atlas arc and even if she dies in volume 8, I think it is fair to assume her presence will be felt in volume 9 as well, where hopefully the loose ends of the Atlas arc will be wrapped up.

Anyway, when it comes to single volumes, we have...

Volume 7′s protagonist:

Volume’s 8 protagonist:

The interesting thing is that Cinder and Ironwood clearly foil each other. They also both foil Penny when it comes to the theme of trust.

Not only that, but they actually foil Penny when it comes to specific secondary themes (secondary for the Atlas arc, which is specifically about trust and not for the series as a whole).

Penny and Ironwood foil each other when it comes to the theme of “heroism”. In short, Ironwood is sure that to be a hero he must give up on his humanity, while Penny proves that a true hero needs humanity at their core.

Penny and Cinder are foils when it comes to the way Atlas treats them. They both struggle to free themselves from their society, but go at it in opposite ways. Cinder rejects Atlas as a whole and finally destroys it. Penny instead keeps loving the people and does her best to protect them. This is why Cinder mocks Penny and sees her as a mere puppet because she does not rebel against the society that exploits her. She misses that Penny’s rejection of Atlas is subtle and even deeper than Cinder’s own. Penny rejects Atlas whole mentality and follows her genuine wish to protect others, while Cinder remains stuck in Atlas exploitative mindset. So, Penny dies, but is able to become a true person and to forge genuine bonds, while Cinder apparently wins, but is stuck in a situation worse than before.

All in all, humanity is clearly the major theme of Penny’s character arc. As a result it is a theme present in both her foiling with Cinder and with Ironwood.

That said, we still have a final volume of the “Atlas arc” even if it is not really set in Atlas :’’’) and we know Ruby is probably going to be the protagonist of volume 9.

This opens up a lot of interesting possibilities when it comes to foiling and themes because as a character Ruby has been set up to foil Penny, Ironwood and Cinder. So, I am curious to see if all this foiling will be fulfilled and how it will be solved as she gets focus in volume 9.

There are really many possibilities and I am looking forward to them!

[ordinaryschmuck]

Why I (Want to) Love Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure

Salutations random people on the internet who most likely won’t read this. I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

When I heard Disney was making an animated series based on Tangled, acting as a continuation from the original movie, my initial thought was, "Why?"

Sure, Disney is infamous for its unnecessary sequels of the story after happily ever after, with the many, many, many failures that follow suit. Even then, though, most of these continuations were movies that kind of have the potential to tell more of a story. But what more could be said about Tangled? Sorry to spoil a movie that's over ten years old at this point, but by the end of it: Rapunzel lost her golden hair, was reunited with her parents, fell in love, and lived happily ever after. Her losing the golden hair is the most essential part of that list because how can you do a series based on a Disney princess when her most iconic feature is gone? Then I found out that the series forced a way for her hair to come back, and my new initial thought became, "Oh man. This is gonna suck, isn't it?"

Despite the hesitation, I decided to give it a chance anyway. After all, I've been pleasantly surprised before. Things like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and even The Owl House (yes, really), were shows (and a movie) that I didn't think would be that special. Only to find myself enjoying nearly every minute. So after watching Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, I can certainly say I was surprised...but it was entirely for the wrong reasons.

And to explain how requires spoilers. So if you haven't checked the series out yet, I highly suggest you do it to form your own opinion. Just keep in mind that it's a bit of a mess, but it can be an enjoyable mess...sometimes...let me explain.

WHAT I LIKED

The Animation/Art Style: The series swapping from 3D to 2D might have been the most brilliant decision anyone could have ever made with this series. Usually, when an animated movie gets turned into a show, the most noticeable downgrade is always the animation. Whether it’s not as detailed or not as fluid, it's always subjective that the movie is better animated than the series. But by switching up the styles, the contrast becomes objective instead. 2D and 3D animation each have their pros and cons, so deciding which one is better is nothing more than a matter of opinion. So by changing the style, Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure avoids getting complaints of being a downgrade from the original movie. It also helps that the art style of the series is really unique.

The best way to describe how the show looks is that it's like a coloring book brought to life. At times, everything looks like it was drawn and colored in with crayons, which sounds like an insult, but in actuality, it's one of the best features of the series. As much as I love most animated shows nowadays, I will admit, they all look a little too similar at times. Then here comes Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, which tries to incorporate a whole new style that successfully sets it apart from most shows.

As for the animation itself, it's really well-made! It's remarkably expressive when required, while the movements are really fluid during the correct scenes. Sure the fighting can be a little floaty during some action set pieces (yes, those exist here), but the dialogue and comedic moments are really where the series shines with its animation. I may have problems with the series as a whole, but I give credit where credit is due for the perfectly executed effort that I see in every episode in terms of animation.

Rapunzel and Eugene’s relationship: This was not something I was expecting to enjoy from the series. In the movie, Rapunzel and Eugene were fine. They were the typical Disney couple that worked off of each other enough that it was always entertaining, even if it was unbelievable that they fell deeply in love with each other after, like, two days. They weren't bad, but they weren't anything to go crazy over.

But the writers for the series said, "You know what, let's make these two adorable in nearly every scene they're in." And they are!

Even though I don't believe in their relationship in the movie, I fully believe it here. Both characters have a large amount of faith in one another on top of having endless love for their partner. Like how Eugene knew Rapunzel would be fine when taking out an airship or how Rapunzel couldn't bring herself to say a bad thing about Eugene when making Cassandra a sparring dummy of him. It's legitimately pleasant to watch, to the point where I put Rapunzel and Eugene in my top ten list of favorite fictional couples. They're that good to me, and it's one of the reasons why I don't jump on the bandwagon of shipping the two main female characters together. I'm all for LGBTQA+ representation, but give Cassandra her own girlfriend. Rapunzel's taken, and most of my enjoyment of this show comes from her and her man. So, you know, keep things as they are.

Cassandra (Seasons One and Two): Seeing how I've already mentioned her, let's talk about Cassandra, shall we? Because when making a series based on a movie that had only four prominent characters, with two of them being comedic animal sidekicks, you're going to need to introduce more members to the main cast to write more potential stories. And Cassandra, in Seasons One and Two (I'll get to Season Three), is a worthy addition. She acts as a strict straight man (I know the irony) who interacts well with Rapunzel and clashes perfectly with Eugene on occasion. She was passably entertaining in Season One and developed amazingly in Season Two. Her growing frustrations with Rapunzel's actions lead to a slow build-up that made her betrayal heartbreaking but somewhat understandable. And as for the results in that betrayal...yeah, I'll get into that later. For now, I'll just say that Cassandra was a pleasant addition to the main cast, especially when she was a part of the main trio, and she's yet another good surprise that the writers supplied for the series.

The Songs: The songs are...not going to be for everyone. Most of them are passable yet kind of generic, while others sound like they belong on Disney Junior (Looking at you, "Bigger Than That"). But when Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure makes a hit, MAN, it is a home run. Numbers like "Ready As I'll Ever Be" and "Nothing Left to Lose" are sung phenomenally, orchestrated well, and are songs I can listen to on repeat multiple times. And "Waiting in the Wings" is not only something I consider to be the best song in the series, but it's also something I'd place as high up on Disney's best due to how f**king incredible it is. "Waiting in the Wings" is a powerful ballad that manages to be both tragic yet inspiring on top of how well it sums up Cassandra as a character. The writers may not always be on top of their game when it comes to music, but songs like these prove that they know how to earn that Disney name.

And that’s all I have for the likes...Oh boy. That’s not a good thing is it?

WHAT I DISLIKED

It Peaked at Season One: It did. It really did.

Season One felt like the writers had a grip on what type of show they wanted: A slice-of-life series with Rapunzel dealing with the issues of her kingdom with a meager threat of these black rocks growing in the background. It was all cute and well-balanced for the most part, but that all disappears in Season Two. Because now it's sort of about this adventure, but because Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure set itself as a slice-of-life series, there need to be these small-scale stories that intertwine the grand narrative being told. The issue is that the story comes to a grinding halt one too many times as fans are forced to sit through these filler episodes that, while not all of them are bad, still feel like a distraction. And by Season Three, the series does feel more focused while having some slice-of-life episodes added to the ongoing story instead of distracting us from it. But the writing isn't as strong, there are several plot holes in the narrative (how did Rapunzel's sunstone get into her dress?), and there is way too much time going back and forth on Cassandra's morality. They claim that she's a villain while arguing that there might still be some good in her, and they continue this train of thought for nine episodes when it really could have been settled in two. For me, it's a bad sign for a series when the first season is the best one. Because if it's all downhill from there, what's the point of even watching?

It Tries to be Epic: This might have been the worst decision the writers could have made.

Now, here's the thing: I don't mind grand epic tales of adventure and battles against demons. If anything, I'm all for them...when it's appropriate and fits with the tone of the series.

Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure suffers a similar problem Frozen II has, in which the writers felt like a big, life-threatening adventure was the perfect continuation of a meager, personal story about the relationships of characters. It isn't. If anything, it's completely missing the mark about what the original story was about. And sure, sometimes writers can succeed in telling personal stories through grand adventures. Just look at The Owl House and parts of Amphibia. But with those shows, it's established within the first few episodes that action and peril will be a series staple. With Tangled, while there was some action and peril, it's all very subdued compared to how high the stakes got raised in later episodes in the show. Especially in the series finale.

And, I mean, c'mon. You're making Rapunzel an action hero?

Judy Hopps? Yes.

Moana? Maybe.

Raya? Most definitely.

But Rapunzel? The character who’s all about optimism and seeing the best of others. That's the character you're going to morph into a hero that fights against an evil demon laid dormant for years? Did you even watch the original movie? Yeah, sorry, but I just don't buy it.

If you want to tell an epic story that gets the blood pumping for fans addicted to adventure, go for it! See where the wind takes you. But make sure to set that tone as early as possible while also making sure that it fits with the characters. If not, the end result is a series that feels like it's trying to be something it’s not.

Eugene is Kind of an Idiot at Times: It should be noted that Movie-Eugene and Series-Eugene are practically two different characters. In the film, Eugene was more or less the straight man, as he often questions the wackiness in the world around him and keeping Rapunzel grounded in reality. For the series, most of that personality got transferred to Cassandra. Thus making Eugene's new role in the series act as the egotistical imbecile. Sure, he had those moments in the film, but not as frequently, and it really pains me when the writers really lean hard into a minor aspect of his personality. Sometimes there are moments when Eugene acts like his original self. But it's all small scenes that are spread apart with entire episodes where he has half a brain cell. I'm sure some people didn't mind this change to the character, but as someone who adores the movie version of Eugene, I can't help but feel disappointed.

The Villains are the Worst: Now, I don't mean the one-off villains that show up, cause some chaos for a bit, and disappear at the end of the episode. Those are characters with fun personalities, occasionally cool designs, and do their job as villains of the week. It doesn't matter if their motivations are laughably simple, as their purpose is to be enjoyable characters above anything else. So I actually enjoy those villains...it's the ones that act as season-long antagonists that really grind my gears.

The purpose behind these types of foes is to build up how evil they are throughout the season. The issue is that the writers try to give these characters, or at least two of them, a point. To be fair, this can work. Just look at Killmonger from Black Panther and sometimes Karli Morgenthau from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. You understand and probably even sympathize with the logic and reasoning these characters have. It's just that their actions couldn't be farther from what you would do. The problem with Varian and Cassandra is that they have the motivation, but it's not written suitably for the story.

Cassandra is a whole can of worms I'll get to in a minute, but Varian is someone I can easily discuss for a brief time. Because while I can comprehend his pain for having his father frozen in yellow rock, I don't think turning evil is the best decision to go with that character. Because A. Everything is his fault. He blames Rapunzel for not helping him, but even if she didn't have a crisis to deal with, there was nothing she could have done to stop it. His frustrations are not only unjustified, but given the fact that this wouldn't have happened if he listened to his father in the first place, it feels like him becoming evil is too drastic of a turn. And B. Varian worked much better as a supporting character rather than a primary antagonist. He was just this hopeful, if not a clumsy scientist who wanted to prove himself, who causes minor catastrophes due to not thinking ahead. Turning a character like Varian into a villain is a bit of a misstep because if the guy acts hilariously incompetent as a good guy, it makes little sense to have him be intelligent and ten steps ahead of Rapunzel when being evil. If he were to become more serious and careful when helping the rest of the main cast, I'd consider that character progression done properly. But becoming a villain is just an overreaction.

However, none of that compares with my issues with the main antagonist of the series: Zhan Tiri. This goes back to my problems with the series making itself too epic. Because if Zhan Tiri existed in any other show, I probably wouldn't have any problem with her. She's built up well throughout all three seasons and is kind of threatening at times. But she doesn't belong in a series based on a movie that dealt with a small, personal issue where it wasn't even the character who killed the villain in the end. It was her love interest and animal sidekick. Even if Zhan Tiri works well as a character, the fact that it doesn't feel like she belongs in the show makes her too distracting to enjoy. And that's why these villains suck. If not poorly written, they don't belong in a series that should focus on small-scale issues. And if you can functionally write an antagonist that appears for only one episode but flounder with ones that show up in several, well, that's just embarrassing.

Cassandra (Season 3): OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH BOY, do I have some words to express with this character. Like with Movie-Eugene and Series-Eugene, Cassandra from Seasons One and Two is frustratingly different from the psychotic IDIOT from Season Three. Basically, just take the issues I have with Varian, multiply them by ten, add them with some bafflingly stupid decisions, and you still wouldn't get how much Season Three-Cassandra frustrates me!

First off, her motivation...what the f**k were the writers thinking? The big reason why Cassandra betrays Rapunzel and motivates all of her misdeeds was that Cassandra's mother was Mother Gothal...EXPLAIN THAT LOGIC TO ME?! Because Cassandra should know what type of woman Mother Gothal was. She should know what Mother Gothal did to Rapunzel in the first eighteen years of her life. So how is Cassandra being abandoned by Gothal the central motivator to cut ties with Rapunzel, who is probably an even bigger victim in this scenario!? Seriously, Rapunzel was cut off from the rest of the world and treated as an unknowing prisoner because she was beneficial to Gothal. Cassandra was adopted into a household with mutual love and got to actually live her life. In no way does it make sense for her to be angry at Rapunzel.

Nor does it make sense that the writers try to play it off as a good thing in the song "Crossing the Line!" Sure, it sounds nice, but thematically, it gives across the opposite feelings that the audience should have. Because if Cassandra cutting ties with Rapunzel is meant to be tragic and awful, why is the music suggesting it's the best possible thing that's ever happened for the character? If you like the song, fine, but even you have to admit that it's thematic nonsense.

But, sure. Cassandra's evil now, and she considers it a good thing. Whatever. I'll take it as long as it leads to good stories...but here's the thing: In the penultimate episode before the three-part series finale, Cassandra asks a question. A question I would have never expected her to ask, despite everything that has happened in the last season. A question that was so baffling, I had to legitimately pause the episode to process the fact that she asked something so stupid. Because Cassandra, the character who is intelligent and grounded in reality, asked, "Am I the bad guy?"

I was honestly shocked to find out she was shocked! How, in the flying, everlasting, cock-a-doodle-doodling F**K does a person like her not pick up that maybe, just maybe, she isn't the hero in this story!? Call me crazy, but endangering the lives of people you once called friends and family, dressing in black, AND HAVING A GIANT EVIL-LOOKING TOWER MADE OUT OF F**KING SPIKES aren't qualities I would give to a hero!

If Cassandra was like Thanos, a character so wrapped up in his ego that he can't even notice how evil he is, I would understand. But she doesn't have an ego. Anger, yes. But for the most part, her personality is based on having logic and reasoning. So turning her into a villain and having her unaware that she's a villain is an act of lunacy that I am incapable of understanding. I don't know who's idea this was, but whoever is to blame...you've got issues.

>Sighs<...This series isn't good, is it?

IN CONCLUSION

I like the animation and some of the characters...but that's not enough. Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure is a mess of a show that tries to do too much for a story that should have so little. Meaning that it's a D+ for me. I want to enjoy it and give it a higher grade, especially with how much I hear people praise this series. And if you do enjoy it, all the power to you. Your opinions are valid, even if I highly disagree with them. Because for me, this is a show that I won't get myself tangled up in again in the future.

[haissitall]

Season 2 of DSMP as a wonder tale

So I’ve read Morphology of the Tale and Historical Roots of the Wonder Tale by Propp and thought, hey, why not analyse DSMP S2 as one would analyse a wonder tale based on the theories of this author? The results are under the cut.

Disclaimer: Read this through an ironic lens. I know that season 2 was (probably) not intended to be a wonder tale. However, connecting dots which weren’t meant to be connected is my passion.

1. THE BEGINNING

The tale begins with the introduction of the hero (Tommy) and his home (L’manburg and its’ inhabitants). Tommy goes out (a function of absentation, he leaves his home) and goes against an interdiction, a rule of. Uh. Not burning other people’s houses. Which, coincidentally, is exactly what the villain lurking in the shadows, Dream, needs. Dream applies trickery with the purpose of kidnapping Tommy. What happens is, quote, “He [the villain] demands or lures out his victim. Sometimes this form is a consequence of a deceptive contract.” As we all remember, the contract is exactly what took place.

This leads to Dream taking Tommy with him, or a departure.

2. THE EXILE

Here we have to talk a bit about Historical Roots. Propp suggests that the root of such a tale lies in the ritual of initiation, which in itself is based on the idea that the initiated goes through death, being in the world of the dead and returning, resurrecting, being born anew. Such rituals were practiced in secret, children were taken to a small hut, usually in the woods, and had to go through some trials, sometimes purely ceremonial, sometimes actually quite cruel, to make them believe that they are going through death. After such a ritual they were meant to become adults and receive some kind of magic powers, usually connected to the powers of talking/luring/becoming like the animals. In fairytales it is represented by the hero encountering some kind of a small structure and meeting a character, a donor, who puts the hero through some kind of a trial (sometimes just giving them a question and waiting for the correct answer) and, after that, giving the hero a magical object/entity/ability, the helper. But, as the rituals became more and more obsolete, people’s opinions of them started to change, they stopped seeing them as necessary, as good. Thus the witch in the hut becomes stricktly evil, a hostile donor, the trial with fire - burning in the stove, and the children are meant to escape and punish her.

With all that said, let’s look at the exile and its attributes.

1) Dream takes Tommy on a long journey by water. Only Ghostbur, a dead man, can come with him. It is obviously meant to represent that Tommy starts crossing the line between the world of the dead and the living. The forest is replaced by an ocean, not an unusual occurance in tales. 2) They settle on a shore. Tommy is not completely in the land of the dead yet - he is at the entrance. Dream only guards this land. 3) As the first order of business, Dream builds a small dirt hut. Nuff said. 4) Dream tortures Tommy, positioning himself as a hostile donor who wants to destroy the hero. So far Dream played both the role of The Villain and The (hostile) Donor (guardian of the land of the dead), which, while unusual in the actual fairytales, is possible. 5) Dream wears a mask. Clear indication of this being picked up from a ritual. 6) Dream turns into a woman (mamacita). While it is a weird episode, with the help of The Historical Roots it is easy to explain - sometimes men who performed the ritual dressed as women. 7) Tommy goes through temporary insanity (doubting if he sees Tubbo or not) - another aspect of this stage sometimes seen in tales, connected to the mental distress children went through because of the violence and/or drugs during the ritual. 8) Dream gifts him a trident. Sadly, only temporarily. It would’ve been a perfect fit if Tommy kept it - a magic method of flying, something a donor like Dream gifts/is stolen from very often in tales. 9) Tommy “dies”. At the end of the exile Tommy actually performs a ritual, metaphorical death by jumping of off the pillar into the water. It is worthy to note that everyone thinks he is actually dead after that, which we will see come into play later. 10) Tommy leaves dirty, in rags. Usually it happens when a character returns to the land of the living, but here it can be considered as a metaphor of learning how to turn into an animal and escape Dream via such means. Quote: “In a tale, it is hard to distinguish between a dirty and an animal-like character.” Tommy, of course, calls himself a racoon. It is possible to assume that Dream somehow gave him this ability unknowingly, by giving him/making him wear dirty clothes, although there is no proof of this in the text. 11) Tommy has difficulty talking about the exile. A hero not being able to talk, especially about what happened in the magical forest, is a common occurance in tales, connected to the secrecy of the rituals. 12) Dream chases Tommy. Not immediately, but there definetely is an element of the chase. Usually this trope happens closer to the end of the tale, but it is possible to see it this early too.

3. TECHNOBLADE

We turn our gaze to Historical Roots again. Besides the witch’s hut, there is another structure a hero can see in the woods - a big house. Its attributes are usually: large size, riches/a lot of food inside, no one is home at the moment, is inhabited by men (usually several who are like brothers to each other), a secret basement. Propp explains this as reminiscent of men’s houses, somewhere where men usually lived as brothers after the ritual described above. They were still in this forbidden territory, not quite “alive”, only doing hunting. The newcomers were to serve the rest of men at first.

Now let’s look at the encounter.

1) Tommy finds Techno’s house empty. Inside, he sees riches, particularly food. He proceeds to hide there. 2) Tommy finds golden apples and golden blocks. Gold always indicates things from the beyond, and sometimes it indicates the object the hero searches for. 3) Technoblade is half-man half-pig. Being an animal/having animalistic traits is very common for all inhabitants of the land of the dead, the owners of the big house included (in some tales they are bears, for example). 4) Technoblade finds Tommy and asks to serve him for a certain amount of time. A classic trope, where Techno is clearly The Donor asking for a favor in return to which the hero should get The Helper. 5) After Tommy agrees, Techno shows him the secret basement. In tales, the basement usually contains one or both of these things: a magical object (The Helper) and dead, dismembered bodies (think Bluebeard). In our case, it’s both: the magic armour which Tommy shortly gets and the skulls. The skulls are, of course, of the people Techno’s killed, and, since he big house’s inhabitants in certain cases can be associated with cannibalism (and since Techno is a pig, a gluttonous animal), he’s probably eaten his victims as well. That’s why Tommy is so horrified when he sees them. 6) Techno hides Tommy from Dream chasing him. In this case he takes on the role of the Helper. We can also make an assumption that he grants Tommy invisibility (another very common fairytale gift). Now, was the armor Tommy got from the basement making him invisible? There is no proof in the text, but it seems logical. 7) Tommy performs Techno’s tasks, all very fairytale-like. Get him a pack of wolves, get him lost magical objects. 8) In gratitude, Techno gives the final gift - the magical axe, fulfilling his duty as The Grateful Donor. 9) Tommy returns home invisible, unrecognisable, everyone thinks that he is dead. This completely fits the trope which stems from the original meaning of the ritual - the initiated died and returned a new person. Him being invisible means him still belonging to the world of the dead.

4. TWO PHASES

This is the point where we start facing complications. After Tommy runs away from Dream and seemingly returns home, the cycle begins anew - Tommy’s home gets destroyed, he gets helpers, has to seek Dream out etc. The fairytale having two “phases” is not uncommon. Propp: “Development from Villany or Lacking to Wedding or any other resolution can be called a tale. The resolution can be <...> escape from a pursuer. Such a development can be called an act (a phase). Each new Villainy, each new Lacking creates a new phase. One tale can have several phases. <...> One phase can follow another, but they can intertwine as well, the first phase can halt, a new phase gets inserted.” I presume that this is what we’re dealing with here. While there is not a lot of connecting tissue between the phases in our fairytale, there is proof that they are parts of the whole. For example, a tale can be considered whole if “a magical object, received in the first phase, gets used in the second”, which, in our case, is the axe.

So let’s look at how the second phase begins.

1) Tommy gets accused of something he hasn’t done. In tales the second phase usually begins with the hero being unrecognised while a false hero claims the reward. Here we see a very different form, but the motif of a certain substitution and of the hero having to prove himself again is still here. 2) Dream is, again, the Villain, tricking Tubbo into giving away a magic object, the discs. The discs are seemingly a talisman, providing the city of L’Manburg with protection. Without them, the city is open for an attack.

5. THE DRAGON

The dragon, according to Propp, is a very complex character with a lot of meanings. Firstly, it needs to be said that the dragon can be any animal. Usually it is, of course, a serpent, but in a lot of cases it is a fish or something else. So, the dragon is someone who swallows, thus, in come cases, taking the hero to the land of the dead in his belly or having the land of the dead right inside of him. Inside, the hero can find riches/magical objects. This is, again, connected to the initiation ritual, with the hut sometimes being seen as an animal, swallowing the initiated. As the public opinion about such rituals changed, the dragon morphed: a good guy who gratiously spits you out > you have to make him spit you out > having to cut your way out > someone else cutting you out > just killing him with the threat of swallowing being only a threat. The dragon has a lot of attributes, sometimes all of them at the same time. The dragon is associated with water (he’s a fish or controls the rivers or the rain etc), with mountains (caves), fire (breathes fire, guards a river of fire) and being able to fly. The dragon sometimes has a lot of heads, multiplying his ability to swallow.

With this said, let’s look at who destroys L’Manburg.

- Technoblade can fire rockets. He wears red. He has a golden crown and an intrinsic connection to gold with his simularity to a piglin (gold, according to Propp, is a metal of the sun, of fire). In addition to that, Propp has an example of a fairytale where the serpent turns into a giant pig. Also, let’s not forget that Techno can float while firing rockets. - Philza has a flying element to him. - Dream has a connection to water (took Tommy to exile by water), has a connection to the land of the dead (see exile), and mountains (first met Techno on the cliff near the sea, again, water). In the first season, Wilbur called him a lizard. Later you will, of course, see that Dream has even more simularities with the dragon.

But who is the dragon? The answer is simple: all of them are part of the same creature. Three heads of one body, all representing certain aspects of the dragon. Usually the dragon is a hybrid between a serpent and a bird, but here we see an addition of a pig. I don’t see why not.

6. THE SECOND JOURNEY

After an act of villainy (the destruction of L’Manburg), thus, another exile, Tommy has to embark on another journey to the beyond to prove himself. Now he has more of a purpose, he has to search for the magical disks, a very fairytale motivation, and, supposedly, slay the dragon as revenge. Tubbo also somehow plays into all of this. I would say that Tubbo is very close to being The Princess. Dream doesn’t kidnap Tubbo, but he later holds him hostage and threatens his life. It is not accidental that the season ends with Tommy and Tubbo sitting on the bench together - not like Tubbo was the second main character; Tubbo is Tommy’s prize along with the discs.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. With typical for the second phase swifteness, we go through:

1) Tommy getting a crossbow from Ghostbur. Ghostbur is a classic Donor, he is the grateful dead realtive, a very common trope for Donors. 2) Tommy acquires Punz as his Helper by bribing him.

7. THE FINAL BATTLE

During the final, we see all the previous elements, repeating in perfect harmony.

1) Tommy has to get to Dream by boat. See getting to the place of the exile. He’s returning to the land of the dead. 2) He has to have a magical object, a compass, to lead him there. Dream again becomes a Hostile Donor when giving it to Tommy. 3) Dream is on the giant mountain, guarding the entrance to where the discs, the searched object, are. A classic place for a dragon to be. 4) Tommy uses the axe and the crossbow to fight Dream, utilizing his Helpers. 5) However, he wins with neither: Dream leads him to the cave deep underground. I would suggest that this can be interpreted as dragon Dream swallowing him. 6) Inside Tommy finds himself deeper in the afterlife. Here he sees the disks on the golden blocks (remember what gold means? the beyond and the searched object) and dead animals, Henry and Friend, just in case you still haven’t realised that this place is where the dead go. 7) Only the third (three - a magic number in tales) Helper, Punz, cuts Tommy out of the beast’s belly in complete compliance to tales’ canon. Usually the one to win is not even the hero, but his helpers. However, the helpers act on the hero’s will, are continuations of him and his virtues, are him in a way. 8) Tommy hears dead Wilbur afterwards. Why? Because Tommy himself just returned from the land of the dead, of course. 9) Tommy slayed the dragon, got the searched objects and Tubbo. And they lived happily every after. Or, at least, in this fairytale.

8. THE CONCLUSION

There is none. Make of this mess what you will.

It is interesting, however, that season 2 so heavily foreshadowed: Dream standing between the lands of the dead and the living (driving the boat, guarding the cave, later - conducting the train and literally resurrecting people); Tommy dying and being ressurected.

Tommy’s prison visit is a perfect miniature of the initiation/the tale actually. 1) The Prison stands on water, but to get there you have to get into a small house on the land. You have to go through the portal, wait, and then get through it again - a very magic-esque procedure. 2) The Prison is massive, much like all the castles in the beyond. 3) The guard has to let you inside. The guard is not human. The guard wears a golden crown. 4) You have to go through trials to get inside, including the trial by water (swimming through the tube) and fire (walking through lava). 5) In the end, Tommy dies, gets resurrected and walks out. Everyone looks at him differently now. The only thing in this which doesn’t fit the unsual tale format, is that Tommy gets nothing out of this. No rewards, no money, no princess :(

Cheers, thanks for reading! uwu

[twiceinadream]

“Say you won’t let me go.”

Requested: Yup

Request: wishful thinking part 2??

a/u: I hope you guys like the story. This is the song that helped me get through my rough patch when I wrote the original, “Wishful thinking.” Thank you guys for all the support, I love you all! Please stay safe and wash your hands!

Part: 1.) “Wishful thinking.”

Background: This picks up right where, “Wishful thinking.” ended.

Category: Fluff and Angst

Word Count: 3.6k

You let out a breath as you sat back into your pillows, your phone thrown somewhere on your bed or on the floor, you honestly couldn’t find it in yourself to care. Your emotions were crashing into you like waves as you placed your head in your hands. You wanted to think, but your mind just seemed to be a blur of more emotions.

Somewhere between the tears and the empty feeling in your chest, you had fallen asleep. Your dreams that night were plagued with images of Jihyo. The once love of your life haunting your sleep, as you tossed and turned beneath your sheets.

When morning arrived you weren’t given the courtesy of peace or time to think on what had happened the night before as you jolted out of bed. A thunder of fists pounding on your door practically scared you awake, as you rushed out of your room and ran towards the door, using your hands to smooth down your hair before tugging the door open.

As soon as the barrier between you and the outside world swung open, you blinked as you took in the sight of the eight women standing before you, a solemn look on all their faces as they took in your appearance. Your eyes were bloodshot and puffy, your hair was still somewhat sticking up and you were wearing your day clothes from yesterday.

Nayeon closed her eyes as she let out a sigh, “Y/N, I...we’re really sorry. I swear we had no idea that Ji…” Nayeon cut herself off as she saw the way you flinched at the mere mention of your ex-girlfriend, “Sorry. I mean, we had no idea what she was doing to you. If we had known we would have told you sooner so you wouldn’t be...” You held your hands up to stop the eldest member as you gave them a tight smile.

“Thank you, really, but this isn’t your guy’s fault. You don’t need to be sorry for something you guys had nothing to do with. I appreciate the sentiment, but none of you have anything to apologize for.” They looked at you sadly as a similar thought seemed to cross all their minds.

‘Why did Jihyo ever give up someone like you?’

Jeongyeon gave you a small smile as she shouldered her way past Nayeon, “Well, even if you say we have nothing to be sorry about, we still wanted to give you a few things since we’re your friends Y/N. We all care about you and just wanted to make sure you were taking care of yourself.” The second eldest held up the bags in her hands, as the rest of the members followed suit with bags of their own, “So, may we come in?”

-

Your apartment erupted with laughter as Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung re-enacted a very over exaggerated story they were telling from their adventures during Twicelights. Using your furniture to jump from different spots around your living room, as Chaeyoung insisted that was how they stopped the robber from getting away and saving some lady’s purse.

You couldn’t help but laugh along with the members as they made you temporarily forget the true purpose of their visit. Your heart felt light as you clutched your stomach, leaning against Sana as you both laughed out loud. But, just as Jeong and Chae were getting to the climax of their story, Dahyun stood up to get their attention. “I’m sorry, I have to stop this now, but our schedules start soon and the vans are outside waiting for us.” The eldest maknae frowned at you slightly as the rest of her members began rising from their sitting positions, “I’m sorry we have to go, Y/N. We’ll be back tonight, we promise!”

You nod in understanding as a smile plays on your lips, “It's no problem, guys. Thank you for coming this morning and bringing all this,” you motion to your kitchen that is full of bags upon bags of food, “and just being here for me. It means a lot. Have fun today guys!” The members smile as you lead them to your front door, each of them giving you a hug as they leave. You smile as Chaeyoung tells you one last joke as she heads down the hallway, as you turn your head you are greeted with Sana staring back at you. A soft smile on her lips as she pulls you into a hug.

You felt as though your breath had been knocked out of you with the tightness of her grip, but you eventually eased into it as you hugged her back. It felt as though the world stopped as you two held each other, reluctantly pulling away when you heard the rest of Twice call for Sana. The Japanese girl smiled as she placed a kiss to your cheek, placing her palm where her lips were seconds ago, “Take care of yourself, Y/N-ah. And know we’ll always be here for you.” You nodded as you watched Sana walk down the hallway, waving as she got into the elevator.

You sighed as you replayed the moment Sana had kissed you, your hand went up to hold the spot where you could still feel Sana’s lingering kiss. A giddy smile taking over your features as you slumped into your couch, “Oh my god!”

However, your mood suddenly turned sour as you realized that you were starting to catch feelings for the Japanese girl. Sana! One of your ex’s members! You put your hands over your face as you let out a loud sigh, “Oh my god.”

-1 Week Later-

Sana smiled to herself as she left the company building. Finishing her schedules early as she decided it was a nice enough day for a walk then maybe go out for lunch afterwards. A skip in her step as she happened to notice the high rises around her, realizing she had wandered into your neighborhood. She reached for her phone to text you, only to find it completely dead. Sana frowned as she put her phone back into her purse. Shrugging as a smile graced her lips, making the quick walk to your building to see if you would be interested in having lunch with her.

The Japanese girl padded quietly through the hall of your floor, before reaching your door; knocking on the oak. There was a beat of silence, then nothing. Sana furrowed her eyebrows as she knocked again, a confused look on her face as she suddenly scrunched up her nose. ‘Am I smelling smoke?’ She sniffed the air again when she suddenly realized the smell was coming from inside your apartment.

Thinking on instinct alone, Sana quickly scrambled to grab the extra set of keys she carried in her purse; jiggling the key ring till she got the one for your apartment alone in her fingers. Making quick work of the lock as she burst through your front door, the smell of smoke quickening her steps towards your kitchen. However as she turned the corner into the little cooking area of your apartment the sight that greeted her was something she had not been anticipating.

She shook her head to get rid of all the other thoughts swirling in her mind as she ran towards your stove. Turning off the burner before grabbing the pot of smoldering papers and pictures as she threw it into the sink and turned on the water, putting out the flames. Scanning it’s contents briefly, as she made out written notes (that she could have only assumed belong to Jihyo) and singed pictures of you and your ex.

Sana bit her lip as your hiccupped sobs began to fill her ears, a deep pang of hurt filled her chest as she turned to face you, “Hey, hey. You’re okay, Y/N.”

Your tears clouded your vision but you could tell by the sound of the girl’s voice that it was, Sana. The Japanese girl held you close as you broke down in her arms, curling against her as you balled her shirt in your fists. Holding her closer to you as you sobbed into her, “Pl...please don’t let me go, Sana. Say you w..won’t let me...me go.”

You hiccuped as your words tumbled from your lips, you took in shuddering breaths as Sana cuddled you closer to her, she rubbed your back comfortingly, “Let it out Y/N. It’s okay, I‘m right here. I won’t let you go, I promise.” You nodded as you closed your eyes breathing in the Japanese girl’s perfume. Sana smiled softly as she placed a kiss to your forehead, an instinct she picked up from comforting her members, “It’s alright Y/N-ah. I’m right here, breathe.”

Sana held you close to her chest as she rocked you in her arms, sitting on your kitchen floor. After a half-hour your tears had finally ceased and you raised your head from the Japanese girl’s hold, smiling as you got up. Stretching out your hand to help her up, as you pulled her into a hug, “Thank you.” She smiled and nodded, casting a lingering glance at the pot in the sink. Watching you yawn as she grabbed your hand and pulled you towards your bedroom.

“You should get some sleep, Y/N-Chan. You’ve been through a lot today.” Sana said as she untucked your sheets, urging you under the covers.

You bit the bullet as you grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving, “Can you stay with me? Please?” A hopeful smile adorned your face as Sana agreed, unable to resist the puppy eyes you were giving her.

“Okay.” She slid into the bed next to you, and held you in her arms, kissing your head once again as Sana felt you relax in her arms, already asleep. “Rest well, Y/N. I won’t let you go.”

-6 Months Later-

You and Sana had been cuddling on the dorm room couch watching the latest episode of a drama, when the front door suddenly opened and you turned to lock eyes with your ex-girlfriend. It felt as though a million different emotions crossed your faces in the seconds it took your eyes to register you were staring back at each other. Until Jihyo’s eyes drifted to the girl you were holding.

Sana.

The leader suddenly felt as though her heart had been stabbed with a knife, as a deep throbbing pain seemed to fill her chest as she looked between you and Sana. Your hands still intertwined as you all stared back at one another, the bags in Jihyo’s hands felt heavier than she remembered as she felt herself begin to tremble. She made quick work of the things she was holding as she just simply threw them onto the counter, her breath hitching in her throat as you and Sana had turned back to the television. Ignoring her.

But, no matter how hard she tried, she still couldn’t escape the feeling of utter betrayal she felt. Sana had gone behind her back and was now dating you. You! Her ex!

Jihyo bit her lip as she made her way down the hall, not daring a second glance at the two of you on the couch. Tears threatened to spill out as she slammed the door to her shared room, whimpers bubbling from her lips as she dug the heels of her palms into her eyes to stop the tears from slipping out. Anger coursed through her body as the Korean girl did everything in her power to not march over to Sana’s bed and throw everything off of it. Her hands clenched into fists as she slammed them down onto the mattress of her bed, fighting off her urge to scream into the silence of the room.

As the sound of the door slamming echoed throughout the dorm, you and Sana looked at each other with worried expressions. “I should probably go check on her.” Your girlfriend said as she moved out of your arms to stand. But, before she could make it two steps away from the couch, you caught Sana’s wrist in your hand to grab her attention.

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean for her to see us. Whatever she says to you, just know it’s my fault and I’m sorry.” You frowned as Sana gave you a small smile, squeezing your hand in reassurance before leaning down to peck you on the cheek.

“Whatever happens we’re in this together. And...I love you Y/N.” The Japanese girl smiled weakly as she let the “L” word slip.

Your eyes widened in surprise at the word, before your features softened, “I...I love you too, Sana.” As the words were spoken you let go of Sana’s hand as she made the journey down the hall, taking in a deep breath before grasping the doorknob and pushed the door open. She was immediately greeted with the sight of a conflicted looking Jihyo, numerous emotions passing in her eyes as she looked at the older girl.

Tension filled the air as they stared at each other. Then the wall of silence was shattered as Jihyo finally spoke.

“How could you do this to me, Sana!? I trusted you, and you betrayed me!” Jihyo couldn’t hold back her flood of tears any longer as she pointed an accusing finger at the older girl, “How could you go sneaking around behind my back with Y/N! I trusted you, Sana!”

Sana looked at her leader in disbelief, for the first time not an ounce of respect was in her eyes for the younger girl, “Yeah, and Y/N trusted you!”

As Sana’s words left her mouth the room suddenly became silent, a deep pang of guilt echoed throughout Jihyo’s chest as the Japanese girl’s words sank in. “Get out.” The words were spoken barely above a whisper, but Sana had heard it clear as day.

The elder of the two now looked more serious as she eyed her leader, “What?”

“Get out!” Jihyo exploded at Sana as the Japanese girl quickly left the room, followed by the door being slammed behind her. Jihyo let out a shaky breath as she sank to her knees, a sob ripped out from her chest as she began to feel the most intense pang of guilt overwhelm her as she thought of you. How heartbroken she had left you. How lost and hurt you probably felt.

And it was all because of her.

Jihyo let out a long sigh as she sniffed back a few more tears before she got back to her feet. You deserve an explanation and an apology, she knew she at least owed you that much. She wiped her eyes one more time, not caring for how red or puffy they were as she let out a shaky breath. Mustering up her courage to open the door and finally face you. Her body worked faster than her mind as she opened up the door and made her way down the hallway, and stepped into the living room. Only to be met with nine pairs of eyes staring back at her.

The rest of the members crowded around you and Sana as they eyed their leader. “I have something to say.” Nayeon raised an eyebrow at the younger girl as she stepped closer to you.

“And what could you possibly say, to make any of this better? We heard what you said to Sana, so you better choose your next words very carefully.” The eldest crossed her arms as her gaze bore holes into Jihyo.

“I just want to say that, I’m really sorry Y/N. What I did was wrong and unforgivable. I can see that now.”

The atmosphere seemed to have grown cold as Jihyo finished her small apology to you. Her words mostly fell on deaf ears as you sighed, shaking your head. “What good does this do to me now Jihyo? And how is it that you suddenly have the gall to stand there and apologize to me now, when you couldn’t even work up the guts to just break up with me. Do you even have an idea of what you did to me? What, you, put me through? How many nights I had to cry myself to sleep because you weren’t there beside me. Do you know what it feels like to have the love of your life go and cheat on you?” You looked at her with fire in your eyes, venom dripping from every word that left your mouth as you threw your hands in the air. “Of course you don’t! Because I loved you! I actually cared about you!” You let out a sharp breath, shaking your head.

“Do you have any clue how much it hurts to find out you’re just someone’s afterthought; when all you tried to do was give that person the world. When you left me, I felt worthless. You made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of being loved, like you just stood there as you watched me try in vain to pick up the pieces of myself that you smashed to the ground. And you have the audacity to tell my girlfriend that she was the one who betrayed you!? Sana was the first person to ever take all my broken pieces and put me back together, no matter how many times she may have gotten cut, she never gave up on me. She showed me what true love really is. Sana makes me feel alive and like I’m worth something. She makes me happier than I ever was with you. And even if by some cruel twist of fate that we don’t work out, I’ll take this heartbreak over any second chance I could ever get from you.”

You clicked your tongue as you spared one last look at Jihyo, “But, still. Even with all the pain you put me through, I have to thank you. Because without you,” You gave Sana a small smile as you laced your fingers together, then turned towards your ex, “I wouldn’t have found the love of my life.”

You frowned as you could see your words sinking into your ex’s heart, watching an all too familiar hurt fill her eyes. The same hurt that filled you the night when your world came crashing down, and it honestly didn’t feel as good as you thought it would. But, nothing either of you could ever say would reverse what’s already been done. You let out a sigh as you spare her one last look, “You’ve said your piece and I’ve said mine. There’s nothing more we have left to say to each other, I just wish you the best of luck.”

And with that said, you turned towards the door; Sana’s hand in yours as the members part for the two of you. Leaving the dorm with a heavy heart you both walk in silence. You finally turn to stare into your girlfriend’s eyes, a small smile finally breaking onto your face.

“Let’s go home.” Sana returns your smile as she leans against your side, swaying the two of you as you walk.

“Then, home it shall be.”

-

Later that night, when everything in your apartment was silent, dirty dishes were left in the sink as moonlight spilled through your curtains. The blue glow outlining your sleeping figure in the darkness of your bedroom, as your even breathing sounded like a metronome to the girl beside you. Your face relaxed as all of the day's events seemed to have disappeared from your mind as you slept peacefully against the warmth of your girlfriend.

Sana couldn’t help the smile on her lips as she watched you sleep, her eyes traced your features as you let out a breath. The Japanese girl moved her hand up to cup your face, stroking your cheek with her thumb as she thought about what caused your bond to form, Sana sighed as the memories of your guy’s relationship ran through her mind, ‘Maybe Y/N really is my soulmate.’

Sana just shook her head a little at the thought as she placed a soft kiss to your forehead, smiling to herself as she cuddled up against you and closed her eyes as sleep began to take her. Your scent filling her senses as a fleeting thought left her mind, ‘That’s just wishful thinking.’

[queenaryastark]

(1) hi - hate replies, so here we go. So I think the strongest parts of 1 depend on whether you approach the series as itself or as an adaptation. From just a tv series, Marina is incredibly compelling. Daphne/Simon's romance (until That Scene and the rushed ending) were really good too. But from an adaptation lens, DS are the weakest of all the couples (and TDAI is the weakest of all the books) so there NEEDED to be changes, and naturally those were better than the aspects kept from the book

As for future seasons - Marina is definitely the weirdest for me. Bc like you, i loved her! I was rooting for her! I want her to have a HEA. But the expectation now is that essence of all the endgames will be kept the same... which means Marina has to die? So either the show messed up by making us root for Marina or the creators are baiting book readers with hints that the endgame/spirit of the romances will be the same. (now i think they have plans for some book ships - pen/colin but also K/A)

So all of this is to say (and again I'm sorry this is so many asks sheesh) - I like to believe the writers are focused on writing a good STORY foremost and using the books as a guide, especially when it comes to Bridgertons + Pen. And I worry that book fans have too high of expectations and their ridiculous gatekeeping of the fandom is alienating the common sense :/

See that’s the thing, if Daphne/Simon was the weakest of the canon pairings and needed to be changed for the adaptation (which I fully believe from everything I’ve heard), then I don’t see why they weren’t the only things changed with the adaptation. If anything, they needed even more changes since no form of THAT SCENE should have been included. But everyone else could have remained the same. As it stands, the way the story is set up in this first season seems to be building up to certain canon arcs (Anthony falling in love despite himself) while making other things far-fetched or impossible (Eloise is clearly ace and Colin has no possibility of romantic feelings for Pen who he sees as a kid sister). I know the writers claim the main beats will be the same, but if so, this set up is not looking good so far.

As far as Marina is concerned, her last scenes have both tragedy and seeds of hope. On one hand, she is marrying a man she doesn’t feel she can love so that her life and her baby’s life won’t be ruined. On the other hand, her final scene with Portia seemed to suggest that she’ll be able to persevere in some way. “You are strong, Miss Thompson. Perhaps even more so than me. You will do well.” Why leave her with that if the message wasn’t set up for a continued focus in her struggle and healing?

I know that to book purists Marina is a minor character, but as far as the show is concerned, she is deuteragonist heroine behind Daphne. I almost said she was a supporting character, but that wouldn’t be true. She doesn’t support anyone else’s story but her own. The writers gave Marina her own arc, struggles, and relationships that are independent of the “main” story, but happen to take place alongside and occasionally intertwine with Daphne’s, while maintaining it’s overall independence from hers. If Marina was only meant to be a one season character whose only purpose was to die a couple seasons from now so ace!Eloise can get a husband she doesn’t want, then the writers wasted way too much screentime on her, especially since the Featheringtons have deeper onscreen relationships with Marina than they do with each other and their whole S1 story seemed to be serving as the supporting cast for hers. I mean seriously, Portia and Marina had one of the most complex dynamics on the show and she seems closer to her and more proud of her than she is of her own daughters by the last episode. Why do that for a supposedly minor character? 

Sorry for rambling but yes: 

So either the show messed up by making us root for Marina or the creators are baiting book readers with hints that the endgame/spirit of the romances will be the same.

This is the situation IMO. Either their choice to increase Marina’s role in the first season to that of a secondary lead was a mistake since it set up narrative promises that can’t be fulfilled or they are being misleading/dishonest about their plans with the canonical accuracy of the series going forward.

[monotonous-minutia]

Merlin mini-rant

I really like the show but one of the things that doesn’t sit quite as well with me is the handling of who started as possibly my second-favorite character, Morgana.

I like heroine Morgana. She’s sassy and spunky and sweet, has a little more humility (and possibly humanity, at least at first) than Arthur, so they balance each other out at the start. Despite the fact that (and I’m still not really sure why they do this, because it doesn’t last long) the narrative seems to ship them at first, they have a really sweet, genuine sibling relationship that helps build the foundation of their friend group/found family. Morgana is physically strong and agile without the narrative making her sacrifice her femininity to be so (as is too often seen). She’s also very smart and talented in ways that others aren’t; while several characters are off winning physical battles afar, she’s at home winning battles with words. There are many episodes in Season One where the story would not have ended as well as they did if she hadn’t said what she did, to whom she did. She knows the ins and outs of the palace, she knows who’s who, and she knows what everyone’s priorities are, so she can almost always find the right thing to say to make them see sense, and often come to realizations that help them grow as people. She has a deep, innate empathy to those around her regardless of rank, while still recognizing ranks enough to utilize her power appropriately (and sometimes just be a little priss--she’s young, y’know). She’s incredibly gay with Gwen and I love it.

I also like villain Morgana. Her journey from the above-described heroine to the ruthless villain we see by the end of the series is well-thought-out, and the slow deterioration of her morality based on the events she goes through is both heartbreaking and makes me want to bang my head into the wall. She continues to be incredibly powerful, still using her wit and words as weapons, as well as becoming an alarmingly great sorceress. Her degeneration from the stately figure we see early on to the deranged witch by the end of the action is meticulous. And the fact that she’s still very attached to Gwen even after all these developments, and even when Gwen makes the choice to stay in Camelot, is an interesting touch that adds a depth to her that isn’t always seen with villains.

But I gotta say I love heroine Morgana more, and not really just for emotional reasons.

I’m not mad that the main villain of the series ends up being a woman, because the idea that women can’t be villains is just ridiculous to me. And, as said before, her arc is very well-written imo, so it doesn’t seem like a cop-out, like “we just wanted a girl villain bc girls are bad.”

I am a little mad that when the main villain turns out to be a woman, it leaves only one woman in the principle cast of heroes. Not that Gwen can’t totally hold her own, but it would have been nice to have her dynamic feminine duo with Morgana (and their ridiculous gayness) for the rest of the series, rather than leaving the majority of the action up to the men. Plus, I think keeping Morgana around as a hero might have given Gwen more outlets to be involved in the main action as well, since these two are definitely a power couple.

Dramatically speaking I think it might have worked better, too. Again, I like the villain arc Morgana gets--it isn’t rushed and it’s well-thought-out. But I think it would have been even nicer to have them be two different characters. Maybe keep Nimueh around for a few extra seasons, and/or introduce someone else with the same powers Morgana ends up with. Or keep Morgause; she could even still be Morgana’s half-sister, but Morgana refuses to join her, adding another layer to the hero/villain dynamics. Her backstory could be similar, and we could see parts of it along the way as it intertwines with the rest of the plot.

But I would have loved to see Morgana stay in Camelot as one of the lead heroes. Early on she doesn’t seem to have any desire to gain the throne (and I always thought the whole “she’s-actually-Uther’s-biological-daughter” thing was a cop-out anyway), so I can totally see her finding herself in a supportive, advisor-type role to Arthur as he takes on more and more responsibility. Their sibling dynamic would provide a lot of genuine sweetness and sassy banter throughout. She could continue to provide valuable assistance during the adventures, using her words and knowledge and influence to help out, becoming wiser as the years go on and helping Arthur build a strong kingdom.

She could have continued her super-sweet relationship with Gwen, supporting her as she slowly becomes more important in the court, vouching for her despite her rank, and continuing to be incredibly gay.

I think it would have been really cool if she and Merlin connected early on about their magic and confided in each other. I would have loved to see the two of them struggling together as they harness their powers, and bonding over that; and Merlin for once being able to take on a mentor-type role where his contributions are actually acknowledged, as he helps Morgana through the early stages of her revelations. Plus, it would help both of them feel much less alone, which not only saves Morgana from the villain path, but also gives Merlin some of the attention and support that he needs and never effing gets.

I think it would be funny if Arthur’s impression that they’re flirting continued throughout the series as a running gag, especially as they’d be making excuses to spend more time together so they can help each other with their magic. They could even use it to their advantage at times to get him off their backs. (On that note, I can see Morgana concluding the series with no other love interest than Gwen, though it would also be funny if she continually received suitors that were more running gags or funny side-plots to other stories).

I can almost see it like this: instead of refusing to tell Morgana that he also has magic in 2x3 (“The Nightmare Begins”), Merlin actually does tell her, so instead of her going to the Druids and starting that path of conflict, she and Merlin become closer and her goals become more focused and she’s less scared, and that prevents her from going down the path of darkness.

As Morgana works to understand and control her powers, she could learn about its history and lore and the Old Religion and stuff and be able to help identify sorcery and mythical creatures when they come across them.

And her relationship with Mordred could add yet another layer to the hero/villain dynamic; she could take on a mentoring role for him when he joins the Knights, maybe even helping him out with his magic and trying to get him into her and Merlin’s little “magic circle.” Merlin’s suspicion of Mordred could cause some juicy personal conflict between him and Morgana, and Mordred’s inevitable betrayal would be devastating in a dramatically satisfying way, if that makes sense.

All in all, I do like villain Morgana and her whole villain arc; but I would have liked it even more if she’d stayed in Camelot as one of the heroes, keeping her place in the principle cast of characters and remaining an important part of their friend group/Disaster Bi Club.

anyway....those are my thoughts...idk if anyone on here even knows what I’m talking about lol but I wanted to get it out there; I usually do my TV show rants on Twitter but the character limit for posts prevents long stuff like this.