#LB 40th

[plus-low-overthrow]

H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N F O L K S!

H'Bday to LB on his 40th!!! Love you man!

[3416]

Auston Matthews Media Availability | 01.27.24

[jcamilov06]

THAT'S YOUR 40TH SCHWARBOMB OF THE SEASON!!! 💣⚾

Philadelphia Phillies 9 - San Diego Padres 4

[nylwnder]

GAME 82 ✅✅✅

4 GAME WIN STREAK? YUH THAT TOO ✅✅✅✅

[preciouspiastri]

trying so hard to not have a migraine but i think it's happening anyway :/

[blueskrugs]

death, taxes, crying over adam wainwright

[anjuschiffer]

Amira Wayne - Chapter 25

..I'm trying best to finish this fic QwQ

TAGS: @toodaloo-kangaroo @vixen-uchiha @we-want-mini-mini @ramos123 @redscarlet95 @corabeth11 @anonymously-odd @officiallydarkgeek @galla0200 @jayjayspixiepop

Chapter 25: Family, Friends and Identities (4)

MASTERLIST | FIRST | PREV | AO3

-

Sabrina looked at her phone, staring at the blank screen in front of her. 

The time read 3:30. 

No call nor text from Marinette or the rest. 

“Sabrina, are you okay?” Sabrina stopped herself from flinching when her father spoke to her from her bedroom door. She was pretty sure he was exhausted from work and had retired to bed already. “What’s bothering you? That’s the 40th time you’ve moved that pin since you’ve made that board.” 

“Nothing’s- you’ve been counting the times I’ve been moving this pin?” Sabrina commented, looking at the board in front of her. The pin in question- a spotted red pin Sabrina had mentally labeled as ‘LB’. 

Ever since Chloe asked her a few months back to help her uncover Ladybird’s identity, Sabrina had made a board of her own to keep track of their information. 

To think her dad was keeping track of its placement while she could barely remember it herself. 

“Well, yes- rather, from the times I’ve been able to track its change in position: 40 times.” Roger walked up to the board, looking at the red strings tied around the different photos and reports that have been crossed out in red ink. “Trying to figure out Ladybird’s identity, aren’t you? I think you’ve made more progress than our own team before we were forced to stop.” 

Her dad tried unmasking Ladybird? “Although, I’m surprised you found this article.” 

“Which one?”

“This one.” Sabrina looked at the article her father was referring to. 

Creations Incorporated: Allies or Spies? “While we were aware of it, most of us at the office chose to ignore it. After all, the article was just a hate letter towards Ladybird and Chat Noir and the programs they created. So in the end, it was dismissed as one huge conspiracy theory. 

However, it’s resurfaced thanks to the recent violation of the PRM.”

“PRM?” Where did she hear that before?

“Protections and Rights of the Manipulated: an article that detailed every program that was created to protect the identities of the Victims after the third Hawkmoth incident.” Roger explained. 

Oh right, Ladybird had mentioned it before in passing during her briefing when Sabrina had first started as Multimouse.

“Did it resurface due to the recent leak of Victim identi-”

“The article resurfaced all because of M.Wayne.” Roger cut her off.

“M.Wayne? How did he-”

“The article mentioned how there was no way Ladybird or Chat Noir could fund the cooperation of their own accord unless they had a sponsor doing it for them.” Roger started. “After all, Creations Incorporated not only provides medical assistance to anyone who needs it, but also covers Victims financially and has funded the security network of Paris ever since the beginning of Hawkmoth’s terrorism which the writer found odd. 

After all, who has millions of dollars to spend like that?”

Sabrina looked at M.Wayne’s photo she took shortly after Marinette’s akumatization. The one where he was entering the bakery.

“Millionaires…billionaires…perhaps the military…”

“That’s what the writer of the article believed as well, but they weren’t able to get any evidence of it being funded by France’s military. So their next best option: billionaires. And while they managed to find a single piece of evidence of large quantities of money being wired to Creations Incorporate, the reporter was silenced shortly afterwards.”

“They killed him?” Sabrina asked, feeling the blood in face drain.

“They bought his silence.” Roger cleared up. “And then he stopped showing up to work.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” 

“But how does it tie back to M.Wayne?”

“Turns out a Wayne lawyer visited the reporter a few days before he went silent. And now that this evidence has surfaced, there’s more reporters who want to know M.Wayne’s relation with Creations Incorporated and Ladybird.”

Sabrina could only hum as she stared at the ABP, staring at all of the info-

She must’ve been staring at the board a bit too much as her father snapped her from her concentration with a simple hand to her shoulder.

“What did you notice?”

“Dad, can I ask you something?” Sabrina asked her father, walking up to the board and pulling off a photo she pulled off the web. She tried her best to scratch off the red paint over it although she knew that would barely help to look at the photo clearly. 

It was grainy after all. “What would you do if I got hurt? Or maybe kidnapped?”

“I would use the full extent of the law to make sure the person who hurt you pays for what they did!” Roger pledged. “I’ll make sure justice is served and that they will never hurt you again!” 

“Thanks Dad.” Sabrina smiled, happy to hear that her father would go to such extents for her. “Any family member would fight when it comes to someone they cherish, wouldn’t they?” Sabrina looked at the photo in her hand.

It was blurry but clearly showed Superman pulling back what she thinks was a furious M.Wayne, reaching out towards members of what Sabrina thinks are known as the Justice League. 

The angle in which the photo was taken wasn’t exactly the best but you could see something red dangling off of one of the member’s arms. 

A red polka dotted yo-yo within the green glow surrounding the member carrying a limp Ladybird.

At the time, Sabrina and Chloe didn’t take the picture seriously as they were only able to find one source regarding this incident and considering the source was just a random kid who happened to be passing by, the girls disclosed it as ‘inconclusive.’

But now…she thinks they will have to revisit this lead, especially after hearing what her father revealed to her.

Mr.Wayne had to be personally connected to Ladybird for him to react that way upon seeing her get taken away that way.

So personally connected as if she were-

“-your question has to do with what you pieced together?” Sabrina jumped from her thoughts the minute she registered her father’s voice asking her a question.

“It’s all speculation for now as there isn’t too much evidence, but-” Sabrina bit her tongue, turning her attention to the developing pain in her mouth instead of the things in her mind. “Did the funding Mr.Wayne provided only go for medical and network security? It didn’t, by any chance, go to other areas like infrastructure?” Sabrina couldn’t help but ask, mentally cursing herself for wanting to know whether her theory was going in the right direction. 

She watched her father cross his arms and close his eyes, a small hum escaping him as she continued to study his reaction to her question. With a small ‘hmph,’ he opened his eyes and shook his head. 

“He only funded medical and network security from what I can- wait. He did donate towards schools as well, your school being one of them. Now that I think of it, I think your school got the largest donation among the ones he donated to.”

“My school?” Sabrina asked, feeling the floor beneath her sink. 

“Well, it seems that most Victims that arose from the start of this whole Hawkmoth chaos ended up being students from Dupont, something Mr.Wayne seemed to have noticed. Thinking that perhaps Dupont’s students do not have enough funding to create proper outlets for their students to relieve stress, Mr.Wayne donated the money and sent contractors to help renovate some unused classrooms and create new spaces where you kids could destress. 

Speaking of, Principal Damocles mentioned to me the other day that the amount of students who became Victims did go down a bit thanks to these initiatives. Moreso, there has been an increase in students entering competitions and expanding their portfolios for scholarships thanks to the new abundance in resources created by Mr.Wayne’s donation.”

Sabrina could only stare at her father as she processed what he had just told her. 

While Chloe’s dad did sometimes donate to the school, or rather, gave the school funding to make sure the classroom Chloe was in had the best teaching materials available to them, Sabrina didn’t think that the recent upgrades in the school was thanks to Mr.Wayne's donations.

She didn’t know he even made dona-

“Dad, when did he start donating to Dupont again?”

“A few weeks after Hawkmoth started to akumatize Paris, so, two months.”

Sabrina closed her eyes, trying to zone out the sudden increase in her heartbeat.

Why is everything lining up too quickly? Why was everything making sense now?

The gadgets, the training, the purchase of an entire floor.

The unconcernment of money and the need to provide for others…

Mr.Wayne explained everything.

“-you okay?” Her father asked, causing Sabrina to jump upon opening her eyes when she realized her father's hand was blocking her vision. She now faced his worried eyes, scanning her own as if it held answers to his concern. “You don’t feel like you have a fever. Sabby, Beanie, are you feeling okay? You didn’t eat anything weird at the-”

“I-I’m fine Dad. I-I think I just need to sleep.” Sabrina managed to say despite the voices in her head telling her to say what’s on her mind. To tell him what she found out. 

To call someone. Anyone.

She needed to vent to someone, anyone.

Anyone but Chloe.

Sabrina froze at the thought. 

Chloe’s hiding something. So is Adrien.

So then, who? 

Who do I go to?

“-taking you to the doctor’s.” Sabrina heard her father say, seeing him texting someone as he said it.

“N-no! I’m fine!” Sabrina lowered her father’s phone from his view. “I’m fine Dad, really. I mean, it’s been a long night. It’s almost four in the morning, and I think I’m at my limit. I’ve almost been awake for 24 hours after all.” She tried to play off despite her entire body screaming at her to tell him.

Tell him the truth. 

“Again?” Roger sighed, shaking his head. “Beanie, you can’t keep this habit up. It was one thing when you did it as a kid but now? It’s not good for your health.”

“I know.” Sabrina said with a strained smile, her father ruffling her hair as he made his way out her room.

“Get some sleep. And don’t think about staying up for another hour. I’ll be back to make sure you’re not up reading reports, alright?”

“Alright.” 

“Good night then.”

“Good night Dad.” Sabrina watched as her father closed the door, hearing the shutting of the door echo around her room. 

Now, alone in her room, her mind drifted back to the dots she finally stringed together.

Mr.Wayne is a relative of Ladybird and she’s a student at Dupont…

He started donating only after the start of Hawkmoth’s appearance meaning only one student who started the school year at that time had to be Ladybird…

And there was only one student who fit that criteria.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

And yet, who can she go to talk about this with? Who?

Nino. 

There was him…

With a second to waste, Sabrina grabbed her phone and texted Nino.

’Nino, I need your help. If you’re free tomorrow, meet me here when you can. I’ll explain it to you if you come tomorrow.’

Sabrina finished adding her address and looked at the text, her finger hovering over the arrow next to the text bubble. 

She had to send it.

She had to.

She pressed the button and turned her phone off, knowing if she continued to see it, she would start to regret sending it.  

She made her way to her bed and closed her eyes, missing the texts Nino sent her shortly after she drifted to sleep. 

‘It sounds really important, especially if you’re sending a message this late at night.’

’I’ll try to get there around noon.’

’Is that okay?’

’Actually, I’ll be there around 10. There’s something I need to ask you as well.’ 

A moment passed before another text entered her phone. It was from Chloe.

‘Bri! Turn on your tv, now!’

-

Damian looked at his sister, watching as she laid on the floor, curled up in a ball while a hairless feline hissed at him. It would back up whenever he tried to get closer to it, Damian deciding to just stay in his place for now.

Not completely knowing what to do, he crouched to the cat’s eye level before quickly picking the cat by the fat on its neck, placing the kitten in his arms. At first the cat clawed at him and hissed before realizing he wasn’t going to harm him.

Once the kitten started to settle in his arms and let out a quiet purr, Damian decided to quickly look around the room. He eyed the mess of papers on Amira’s desk and glanced at the whiteboards scattered around the room that were covered to the edges with notes written in marker and taped photos.

Returning his attention to her desk, he noticed camera footage playing on one screen while the other showed a map of who knows what. As for the papers, he would have to get closer to see what was written but judging from the colorful inks and wrinkles on some of them, Damian had to guess they weren’t legal documents.

Then, there was the odd string dangling from the side of the loft bed.

“How did you get in here?” Amira asked, slowly sitting up, Damian finally returning his attention to his-

“Were you crying?”

“What does it matter to you?” She croaked as she stood up, the cat in Damian’s arm jumping off and headed towards her, nuzzling its face against her legs.

“You should never expose your weak-”

“Does Dad know you’re here? And you didn’t answer my first question.” Amira pointed out, Damian looking to the side to avoid her eyes. “How did you-”

“Through the skylight.” He answered, looking back at his sister, stopping himself from resuming his scolding. Her eyes were puffy from what he believes had been an hour of constant crying, the corners of her eye homing flakes of dried up tears. 

But judging from the regularity in her voice, she saved herself from complete ridiculement by not yelling or screaming while she was crying. “And no. I came here to find out why you came to Paris instead of-”

“I thought I told you I had other duties-” She tried to remind him.

“Duties that seemed to have gone awry.” Damian then walked to the string that had been bothering him this entire time.

“Don’t touch-!” Despite hearing his sister’s late warning, he tugged on it, causing a large map to drop to the floor. Lines of red marker streaks, an array of notes and photos as well as a large hand drawn circle were slowly analyzed as Damian skimmed the map.

Names, dates, times, faces - with each case Damian read, the more he wondered what exactly it was that his sister was dealing with that caused her to be in Paris for the past four months.

It was as if she was looking for someone in particular. 

“Agustus: akumatization # 3. Akumatization?” Damian asked, watching Amira try and push him away from the map. “What is all this? What is an akumatization? I never-” He could feel her hand on his shoulder attempting to tug him away.

“It’s nothing you-”

“I should know about this. I am your-”

“Stop meddling in my business!” Amira shouted, finally shoving him strong enough to send him two steps back. “Leave!”

“It is my business when your name is part of these akumatizations as well.” Amira froze, Damian wondering why she reacted that way. “If it is an issue you’re trying to solve, how did you get yourself involved?” Damian furrowed his brows. “Did you let yourself-“

“You know nothing!” Amira yelled, pushing Damian away and fumbled to roll the map back up. “How dare you just barge into my room and-”

“So why are you here?” Damian decided to divert, watching as his sister stopped fussing with the map in her hands. She stood there, silently. “From the looks of it, you should not have any reason to be here.

You are the Wayne heir and should have no reason to be outside of Gotham. 

 And while I know our father has several business venture throughout the world, you never once showed interest into his Pa-”

“What does it matter to you?” Amira asked, going back to putting the map away. “Let me guess, it’s your birthright-” the map fell out of her hand. “You know what? Just take it all then!” Amira turned to him. “If you want the company so badly, then take it! 

Father would never give it to me anyways!” Damian watched as she slowly lowered her head to look at the floor. “Not after what happened-“

“What are you talking about? Not let you-“ What nonsense was she talking about? Why was hse giving up so easily? “It is equally your birthright as it is mine. You said it yourself the day we first met. 

That you are willing to take over Wayne Enterprise as you are Father’s biological child.” Damian grabbed her shoulders. “So why are you giving up now? For what reason?

I was looking forward to the challenges you-“

“Challenges?” Amira whispered. “Why would I ever dare to challenge you? Rather, I have no right to challenge you when I could barely defeat my current enemy.” She let out a dry laugh. “Who would you want to challenge someone who let her enemy get the best of her?”

“What enemy?” Damian asked, trying to rack his knowledge around his sister. Trying to remember every piece of information he was able to scrape up while at the manor.

The certificates with a different name, her actual name embroidered onto her nursery items, the file of her school in the Batcomputer…

He sorted through the names of her classmates, club members, school staff…

But nothing ever indicated her having a rival, a nemesis she had to fight.

Fight…fighting…akumatization…

He turned his attention back to the map.

He scanned the thing, his eyes landing on a photo of a man with white hair who looked to be around their father’s age. Right under the photo he read the single note she had written for him. “Hawkmoth?  This is the man who you lost against?”

No, there was no way his sister lost to this feeble looking-

“I’m a failure, aren’t I?” Amira stood next to him, Damian noticing a haze in her eyes. “I thought I was ready to take up a mantle. I thought I had enough training to take him on.” Amira gripped her chest. “And I went and blew it.”

Damian looked at his sister and then at the map she had. 

It seemed like she had managed to find out her enemy’s identity. 

She had his location…

Where did she screw up?

This would’ve never happened had she been taught the Al Ghul’s-

But she doesn’t consider herself one.

She had voiced her distaste for their grandfather and his mindset. She hated the man. 

And yet…

Someone has to teach her how to deal with a threat like Hawkmoth properly.

Their father’s teachings failed her… there was only one thing left to do. 

“I will help you.” Damian vowed. “While the League does not endorse the concept of helping others for their lack of competence, that does not mean I am not capable of providing assistance if it means getting the mission done.” He explained when he noticed Amira looking at him as if she heard wrong. 

“But doesn’t- why-“ Amira sputtered out, Damian seeing her confusion written on her face. “What do you get out of this?”

“Father has failed to teach you the proper-“

“Dad didn’t-“

“-so I will show you the proper way to dispose of-“

“Proper? Dispose? What-“

“In other words, I will help you find Hawkmoth and dispose of him.”

“You can’t just-”

“Permanently.” Damian added, eyeing the photo on the map next to them, grabbing it and crumbling in his hand before tossing it into the garbage bin.

“No!” Amira yelled, “We are not killing-

“Then how else do you plan on stopping his madness? On harming your-” Damian paused, “friends.” He managed to spit out.

“It’s not as easy as it seems, Damian.” Amira huffed. “I had to take precautions into consideration and-” Damian scoffed. 

“Consideration? Amira, your mission is to-”

“I had to make sure I planned everything correct-”

“Planned? As in a few days?” Of course, depending on the type of mission she would have to plan it her strategy to bring full success. 

“What? No. It took me months-”

“Months? For this?” Damian huffed, “Why are you taking so long to complete your mission?” She had to be lying. “Are you stalling? I thought you were our father’s daughter, my sister. Why is it taking you so long to get rid of him? If it were me, I would’ve-“

“Killing him isn’t an option here, Damian. Killing isn't the solution to my problem, or rather, to any problem. There are other better, humane options.” She stressed out. 

“Killing him would ensure that this problem would never happen again. It would-“

“Killing Hawkmoth would mean hurting my friend!” Amira raised her voice. 

“Hawkmoth is a threat to-“

“He’s my friend’s father, Damian! His father!” Amira screamed, Damian wondering why she was getting so worked up over this detail. Why was she worrying about the aftermath? “I can’t kill him! He’s the only close family he has!”

“If you have known his identity for this long, then why haven’t you-” 

“Are you even listening to me Damian? How the hell do I tell Adrien that his father is Hawkmoth?” Damian remained silent as he watched unshed tears continue to pool into his sister’s eyes.  

But not even a second later, they began to fall. 

A sniffle escaped her. “Tell me Damian. How am I supposed to do this without hurting anyone?

To go to one of my close friends and tell him, ‘Hey Adrien, Hawkmoth is your father, did you know that?” A dry chuckle escaped her. “What about his mother? Did you know Gabriel has had her in a capsule several meters underground for the past year? 

As in, the mother everyone has believed to have died because his dad made a huge deal over her illness?”

He watched as she crouched to the floor, holding onto herself for dear life, as if that would comfort her in some sort of way. “Or even if I don’t tell him, let him join the battle, how do you expect me to just stand there and watch the events unfold for themselves? 

How do you expect me to stand there and watch my friend fall apart?” Amira asked him as if he had the answers which, to his annoyance, he did not have for her. 

Because, this was pointless. 

Why should she care about the consequences of her decisions if it means getting rid of the enemy once and for all? “Or even if he doesn’t join the fight, how will I break it to him as he watches his father get arrested? 

Tell him that his only option left was to live with his aunt in England until he’s of age…would Adrien ever forgive me for doing that to him? And- oh god. Chloe! 

Would she ever forgive me for doing that to him? To her? To us?”

Damian watched as his sister let out a wail. “Knowing her, I know she wouldn’t. I’d be lucky if she’d still talk to me afterwards…if either of them talked to me…oh! And don’t get me started on Nino and Sabrina...”

She slumped completely to the floor, bringing her knees in to rest her head on them. Quiet shudders escaped her, her hands tightening their grip on her legs. 

Damian didn’t know whether to approach her or let her be. Better yet, he didn’t understand why she’s bothering to clean up after her decision. 

Her focus should be on the result, not whatever got her it nor the consequences. 

She was too attached to these people, the reason why she’s like this now…failing...

She had to realize that sometimes there are decisions she will not be able to ponder too much about. Decisions that no matter which she took will always have consequences and loose ends. 

Just like her friend’s attendance in-

“ ‘Let him join,’ ” Damian quoted, turning to see his sister’s reaction to his quick discovery. 

Nothing so far. “You mentioned your friend joining the fight…are you saying this friend of yours is a vigilante of Paris?” He watched Amira stiffen. 

He couldn’t believe it.

While he couldn’t find much about his sister’s involvement and duties in Paris, he did have an abundance of information on the current situation of Paris itself and seeing the chaos of papers in his sister’s room, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots. 

His sister is a vigilante of Paris. Not of Gotham, but of Paris. 

What led her here of all places, he wasn’t sure but that wasn’t his main concern. His main concern was the person who was in front of him because…is this really the same girl he meet days ago? 

This wasn’t her, was it?

Was this really his sister? 

Was this really her?

“You seem to know at least one of their identities, but what about them? Do they know that you know their identities? Do they know yours?”

He watched as his sister looked up to him, panic having already settled in her eyes. 

Was she really not aware of her slip ups?

“I- Damian. No, they don’t- I do-” Amira curled back into herself, Damian no longer able to stand watching his sister crumble like this.

This was unacceptable. 

Where was the sister who yelled at him and told him he didn’t deserve to be Robin? Where was the sister that Father was so proud of?

Where was the one who punched him in his face and dared to put him in his place?

“Get up.” He commanded her, only she didn’t budge. “Get up.” When she didn’t move, he grabbed her arm and lifted her up with ease, surprising himself and her, judging from the widening of her eyes.

He guessed she wasn’t expecting him to do that to her because he certainly wasn’t expecting to be able to lift his sister that easily. “Get up. It’s unbecoming of you to-”

“Leave me!” Amira yelled, attempting to pull herself from his grip. “Why do you want to help me? What do you have to gain from this?”

Why was he doing this? It’s not like he had anything to gain from-

Maybe not gain, but certainly he would be able to get at least something from his guidance.

Reaching into his tunic, he was grateful for storing the drawing there.

“Because I need answers.” He told her, Amira’s failing coming to a stop, “Who is this?” He asked, showing her a sketch of the portrait he saw back at the manor. 

He didn’t fail to notice the widening of her eyes when she took it into her hands. 

“Where did you see this?”

“In the manor.” He admitted. “But I can’t exactly drag a four foot portrait across the sea to show it to you. So I had to draw it.”

“You…drew this?” She asked in what he thought was amazement, Damian feeling his pride soar. “It looks exactly like the pho-“

“What photo? Are you referring to-“

“-the photo attached to the portrait?” “-the photo my mother gave to me.” The two simultaneously finished off. 

“Your mother?” “Portrait?”

“The portrait.” He told her again. Did she not know of the portrait? “I found it in the manor while- why does it matter?”

“Because like I said, she’s my mother.” 

“Your mother?” Damian whispered, taking back the small sketch. 

“I don’t know what portrait you’re referring to but it looks exactly like the small photo my mother gave to me recently.”

If Amira was saying that the lady was her mother, then…did that mean…

When Amira remained silent for a while, Damian turned to see his sister, confused as to why she looked like she wanted to cry again. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’ve never seen her before?”

“If I had known who she was, I wouldn’t have asked you, now would I?”

He watched as she hesitated to speak, the closing and shutting of her mouth irritating him. “You act as if-“

“Ra’s never spoke of her to you?”

Damian shut his mouth. 

Ra’s knows this person? He knows who their mother was?

“No.” He answered a bit too quietly for his liking. 

“As I said before, she’s my mother. Her name is Talia Al Ghul, Ra’s Al Ghul’s daughter.” Damian heard his surroundings get quieter. “And if you’re telling me that you're my blood brother…then, then that means she’s your mother too.”

There it was again, that odd, annoying pit in his chest. 

“So… she’s our mother…So why weren’t you raised at- ”

“She had me outside of the League’s headquarters and left me with Father when I was barely a year old,” Amira softly said, a frown on her face as she looked distantly at the portrait. “She did it to protect me from Ra’s. To stop him from potentially killing me.”

“You keep mentioning our grandfather wanting to kill you. Why would he want to kill-”

“‘Ra’s may be many things, but a liar he is not.’ Or so Talia quotes.” Amira softly spoke, “he gave our mother the choice to either send me off to our father or have me killed by his hands. 

There was no keeping me in the League’s grounds when he had no use for me…”

“No use? Al Ghul blood runs through our veins.” Damian started. “So just like me, you have the right to be heir to-“

“If that were the case, then I shouldn’t be here, should I?” Amira asked. “If I had the same birthright as you, I would’ve been raised alongside you, shouldn’t I have? 

I should’ve been by your side.

Instead, here I am. 

Outside of the League. 

With our father. 

Not by your side. 

So, what does that mean?” Amira asked him, leaving Damian for a loss of words. 

He didn’t know what that meant and just thinking about what it could mean…it meant having to analyze the years of training and ideologies he thought to be right. 

It meant questioning his grandfather’s wisdom… which was something no one dared to question. 

Not even himself. 

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Amira’s phone going off, Damian watching Amira ignore it. 

“You’re not going to pick it up?”

“It’s probably Dad or my friends trying to check on me.” 

“Give it.” Damian ordered, which surprisingly Amira did. By the time he was given it, the ringing stopped, allowing him to see the amount of missed texts and calls she got from their Father and her, what he assumed to be, her friends 

He read the text from a so-called ‘Kuschelbär’ before running to her desk, scanning it before turning to Amira. 

“Connect me to a tabloid channel. Now.”

-

The minute Bruce got a phone call from who-knows-who, Jason and Selina watched him grab his coat and bolt off only to come back in a panic. They watched as Bruce pulled out his phone and spoke with Alfred in a hush tone when Selina had enough.

“Bruce, what’s going on?” She asked as she stood in front of him, hearing Alfred’s voice quiet down on the other side. “You need to tell us what that phone call was about so that we can help-”

“Damain hacked the zeta tubes and is in Paris.”

“Damian?” Jason asked, looking at Selina for answers, only to get an equally confused look back. “Who’s Damian?”

Selina heard a loud sigh and click, watching Bruce’s face scrunch up a bit. Oh. She knew that face a bit too well for her liking. Rather, she’s seen this face before…months ago when it came to a certain someone.

“Is Damian another kid of yours we should know about?” Selina challenged.

“You have another kid who’s your actual flesh and- oh God.” Jason looked at Bruce appalled. “Just how many women did you sleep with and had ki-”

“He’s from the same-” Bruce cleared his throat. “He’s Amira’s twin brother. Somehow.”

“What do you mean somehow?” Selina asked, her mind lingering on Jason’s comment from earlier. Would there be more women turning up with kids who were Bruce’s?

“Yeah, what does ‘somehow ‘ mean?” Jason questioned. “ ‘Somehow’ here seems to be that you’re not sure how Damian was born and yet if he’s supposed to be Amira’s twin, doesn’t that mean they should’ve been born the same day? Shouldn’t he have been born from-” Jason found himself realizing something. “He is Talia’s kid…right? Talia knows about him…doesn’t she?”

While venturing with Jason, Talia always spoke to him of the limited memories she had of Amira when she was an infant. She told him with great details of her birth and her struggle with keeping her away from Ra’s harm. And yet, in all those stories, she never once mentioned another child…not once…

Selina felt her chest twist at the information given to her. 

To not know of your own child’s birth…of their existence while being separated from the one you did know about… 

She could only imagine the pain that could bring…

Bruce’s phone rang again, snapping everyone from their stupor, Bruce answering with a quick greeting, a scowling forming on his face the longer he held his phone to his ear. He lowered it a second later.

“Jason, turn on the tv.”

Jason did as he was told, flipping through the channels before Bruce told him to stop.

A clip showing Bruce and Selina entering the mayor’s New Year party was playing on the screen before it minimized and showed the faces of the people presenting the clip.

“-telling you, there’s got to be more than just a party invite for Mr.Wayne to be seen here in Paris tonight. Sure, he has always been seen going around the world from time to time to check on his other branches, but tonight? Bruce has never been seen interacting with people completely out of his circle like Mayor Bourgeois and his family.

So to suddenly appear at a local party like this?

I’m telling you Alec, there’s something more to this than what we know.” Bob Roth commented as he leaned back into his chair.

“And let me tell you, I think you’re absolutely right Bob.” The other show guest -Jerry- added. “ I had the chance to speak with him tonight for a while, happily giving us the deets to his wedding, but tonight. Tonight, I could tell his mind wasn’t with us. For the first portion of our conversation, he was looking across the room even though Selina was right beside him. Someone had caught his attention for him to act that way.”

“Wait,” Alec leaned forward.  “You’re not saying-”

“Oh I am!” Jerry said with a smirk.  “I think Mr.Wayne was meeting someone-”

Alec raised a hand, stopping Jerry from finishing his thought.

“My producer is telling me we have M.Wayne on the line- ladies and gentlemen. Please welcome, M.Wayne!”

-

“I should’ve known you were Chat Noir. I mean, it was all there!” Chloe huffed. “The witty remarks, the bad cat puns-“

“Hey! They’re not that bad!” Adrien defended, pouting a bit. “For the record they were made with proper timing and execution and always made- 

Plagg! Stop messing with that already!” Adrien scolded the Kwami, grabbing the remote he was gnawing on. “You already broke my other remote, don’t go breaking-“

The sound of the tv turning into the latest channel filled the room, a pair of gossip hosts laughing before it abruptly stopped. 

“Welcome M.Wayne!” Alec eagerly welcomed the new guest, Adrien and Chloe wondering if they heard the host correctly. 

Behind the host, where the party clip was playing, was replaced with a simple photo of Bruce with a phone symbol next to it. “Before we begin, can I just say that it’s such an honor to have such an esteemed guest such as yourself with us tonight! I would’ve thought you were all tired out after the New Years Party at the Palace! What are you doing up so late , may I ask?”

Bruce laughed.

“Alec, I’m flattered to hear that. And tired, oh absolutely! But I couldn’t help but have to intervene after hearing the current rumors regarding my soon-to-be wife- what? No, Selina, I'm not going to stop introducing you like that.”

“Oh, Mlle Kyle is there with you?” Alec asked with a grin, knowing tonight’s show was going to be hit. Oh! He could already see the view count!

“Selina is here alright although she’s getting ready to head to bed. Something about needing her beauty sleep.” At that, everyone laughed, although Jerry’s was strained. If you paid attention enough, you could see beads of sweat forming on his face. 

“Well, just from this small chat, we can clearly tell you’re in love with Mlle Kyle. On that note, what do you have to say on M. Badeaux’s theory of you having another-”

“While I was distracted tonight regarding another person’s presence, it definitely wasn’t another woman who caught my attention.”

“Oh, so then what-”

“As M.Roth and M.Badeaux so kindly pointed out,” both men paled at the call out, “I’ve been traveling to Paris more frequently this year due to new business ventures but also due to some more…personal issues.”

“And these personal issues just so happen to involve the mayor of Paris?” Bob dared to ask. “If you ask me, it sounds like you’re just making excus-”

“Well, with the most recent akuma attack affecting my kid’s school, as a parent I had to-”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Jerry interrupted Bruce. “What do you mean by kid?” Jerry looked at Bob who shrugged while Alec remained silent with a sparkle in his eye. “M.Wayne with all due respect, what do you mean by kid? As far as we know, your eldest has long graduated from school and-”

“Well, as a parent, I’ve always been supportive of all of my kids’ dreams, backing them up in whatever dream they have. And for my youngest, I sent them here to Paris to help them figure out what they wanted to-”

“Could this child be Jason by any chance?” Alec asked. “ Last we heard about him, you pulled him out of school due to some injures he inquired from-”

“Oh, Jason isn’t my youngest.” Bruce nonchalantly said, the studio growing silent. “My daughter is.”

-

“-my daughter is.” Amira stared at the screen as her father’s voice echoed throughout the room. 

Damian watched as tears trailed down her face, a sob escaping her as she silently wiped her face.  

While he couldn’t figure out if she was crying from joy or from fear, one thing was for sure.

He hated the lump that was forming in his throat and the odd sinking in his chest.

NEXT

[bikebound]

2023 Yamaha RZ350: What if Yamaha and Bimota teamed up to create a 40th anniversary edition RZ350? California’s Julian Farnam decided to build his own interpretation, including a custom chassis and swingarm based on his AK-1 chassis kit, which saw success in AMA / AFM racing. Weighs just 290 lbs with a half tank of gas and 75 hp on tap from the 375cc @tony.doukas built engine. “I often refer to the handling as ‘telepathic.’ It’s almost as if the bike knows what to do with very minimal rider input. It is an absolute joy to ride!” With thanks to @aerocraft_fiberglass @cyclefinish @motodemic and more. Photo: @astronaut_bear at @the1moto. Full story today on BikeBound.com. ⚡️Link in Bio⚡️ https://instagr.am/p/CtJg7U_uXlL/

[blueiscoool]

undefined

A Devastating Defeat for Russia at Vuhledar

Russia has lost at least 31 military vehicles in their failed attack on Vuhledar.

13 tanks, 12 BMP-1/BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, 2 MT-LB, an IMR combat engineering vehicle and others were destroyed or abandoned.

Ukraine just scored a major win in Vuhledar.

Russia’s widely-anticipated winter offensive has begun. Aiming to extend its control over eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, Russian troops are attacking north and south of Donetsk city.

In the northern sector, around the city of Bakhmut, the Russians slowly are advancing—albeit at staggering cost.

In the south, around Vuhledar, the Russians’ losses are just as steep—but they’ve made no clear gains that could justify the casualties. Vuhledar is turning into a meatgrinder for the Russian army, with enormous implications for the wider offensive.

The latest Russian attack on Vuhledar—a town with a pre-war population of just 14,000 that lies a mile north of Russian-held Pavlivka, 25 miles southwest of Donetsk—kicked off on Monday.

Seemingly a couple of battalions of Russian mechanized troops, together riding in a few dozen T-80 tanks and BMP-1 and BMP-2 fighting vehicles, advanced north.

The Ukrainian army’s elite 72nd Mechanized Brigade is entrenched around Vuhledar. It has laid minefields along the main approaches from Pavlivka. Its drones surveil the front. Its artillery is dialed in.

The Russians know this. And the assault force took rudimentary precautions. Tank crews injected fuel into their exhausts to produce smokescreens. At least one T-80 carried a mine-plow

But leadership and intelligence failures—and Ukraine’s superior artillery fire-control—neutralized these measures. The Russian formation rolled into dense minefields. Destroyed tanks and BMPs blocked the advance. Vehicles attempting to skirt the ruined hulks themselves ran into mines.

Panicky vehicle commanders crowded so tightly behind the smoke-generating tanks that Ukrainian artillery, cued by drones, could score hits by firing at the head of the smoke. The Russians’ daylong attack ended in heavy losses and retreat. The survivors left behind around 30 wrecked tanks and BMPs.

Vuhledar is further evidence of the downward spiral in Russian military effectiveness. Armies that lack robust recruitment, training and industrial bases tend to become steadily less effective as losses deepen.

Desperate to maintain the pace of operations, the army replaces any well-trained, well-equipped troops who’ve been hurt or killed with an equal number of new recruits—but without taking the time, or expending the resources, to train and equip those new troops to the previous standard.

So the army gets less and less competent even as it inducts more and more new personnel. Incompetence leads to even greater losses, which prompts the army to double down: draft more green troops, train them even less and hurry them to the front even faster than it did the previous recruits.

Apply this tragic model to Vuhledar and the Russian army’s failures make more sense. For months, the Russian marine corps’s 155th and 40th Naval Infantry Brigades were responsible for the sector around Pavlivka. But the marines suffered devastating losses in repeated failed assaults starting last fall.

It’s possible both marine brigades now are combat-ineffective. Their replacement appears to be the 72nd Motor Rifle Brigade, a new and inexperienced formation that belongs to the ill-fated 3rd Army Corps. The 72nd MRB formed in Russian Tatarstan and, as such, includes a high proportion of ethnic minorities. Cannon fodder to the Kremlin.

Outside Vuhledar, the Russian 72nd Brigade met the Ukrainian 72nd Brigade—and got beaten at least as badly as the marine brigades did. If this is the best Russia can do after a year of wider fighting in Ukraine, its ballyhooed winter offensive could be costly ... and brief.

By David Axe.

[unitedbydevils]

Match Review: Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool (AET)

My heart. I can't. United are off to Wembley, and I'm off to hospital because I think i'm dying.

BRACE FOR A LOAD OF TWEET REFERENCES TOO.

United struck early at Old Trafford and it FELT like it would be our day. We were playing free flowing football, not that Liverpool weren't at the races, but we looked like a rival not an underdog.

Mainoo class, Rashford sharp, Garnacho drawing defenders, Hojlund holding up the ball, Bruno dictating play, McTominay... being saucey... and then bang he scores. SCENES.

This pressure lasted til around the 40th minute and then United fell apart and conceded 2. Classic.

Freddy here queries the focus, but as the image below shows, United without a proper no6 like Casemiro (because McSauce ain't that) are just two disconnected attack/defence units and it's pants.

Mainoo should be an 8. Bruno IS a 10. McTominay is a 10. Mount is an 8. Maybe Amrabat wouldn't have been the right choice, but he would have filled this pocket.

It's tricky for Ten Hag though. McTominay is an ENGINE and evidently committed, and scores important goals, even if he isn't an ideal fit. It's tricky to not pick deserving players.

The hope had faded at the end of the first half, and things were a bit sour. United looked knackered, were showing the cracks of this season all over again, and that frustration was coming out in the form of Captain Bruno's petulence.

I don't personally thing Erik Ten Hag wants United to be so disconnected. I just also think his team NEEDS a ball-playing CB (we only have Martinez) and a proper 6 (ageing Case, unfancied Amra). Two crucial positions to be filled, and that's ignoring the zero depth at CF and the issues form or injury issues at RW/LB.

Second half saw a second chance for United, and none other than substitute Antony scored the equaliser. What.

ETH went full Ranieri tinkerman mode too.

Antony LB, Bruno quarterback, Eriksen deep, Amad on, Mount on later... a full madness occurred and it was amazing.

Praise came through from the fans too - even amidst the tension. Onana had a very good game, Garnacho was everywhere, Mainoo so classy on the ball... hard to call out anyone being poor.

Then of course United conceded yet another deflected goal...

But before that 2-3 position, United COULD have won it at the death in normal time if Rashford had finished - and it wasn't his only missed chance.

The storyline loves a twist and turn though. 3-3 Rashford.

United are on adrenaline now. Buzzing. The Old Trafford atmosphere is fever pitch. Everyone's knackered, cramping, puffing like old dogs, but still both sides battled on. A proper cup showdown.

Fans on both sides were beginning to feel sick.

At 3 all, everyone feared the worst: penalties. You can't deny though that today's game was the pinnacle of a mad weekend of FA Cup football. City Newcastle aside, we had the shock turnaround of Coventry beating Wolves, Chelsea Leicester going the distance, and now United Liverpool. Sensational viewing.

As the end of extra time loomed, Liverpool's attack was broken down and the counter was on. Garnacho - who it felt like had sprinted all game long - and Amad alongside. Two kids against the world, tearing it down the pitch. Shit pass from Alejandro, recovered well by Amad, slight feint, step, weasels it past Kelleher and gently in off the inside of the right post like a snooker finish.

That's all in slow motion, but the crowd and the explosion of noise was like we'd just won at life. Volume. Kids crying with joy. Amad sent off for taking his shirt off to celebrate. Amad-ness. Amazing.

And lo, United did win 4-3 at the death at home to book a semi final at Wembley against Coventry. Not that lower teams have been easier (hi Newport) but I also have more faith in Chelsea of the 3 of us to hurt City.

So yeah, Klopp's hopes of a fairytale season ending are over. I love shit like that. Ruining the party is part of the fun of it all.

We're all knackered, but we're all buzzing. This weekend has been mint, and how often can you say that about a United game eh? Up the fucking reds, and on to Wembley!

[3416]

never been so sad for a win LMFOAO

[toyotaofnorthcharlotte]

The 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition is Here

Toyota has announced the 2024 Toyota GR lineup – and we’re so excited to show you one of our favorites on the lineup. The 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition is all the buzz in the sportscar community, and one of the main reasons is that it commemorates the Toyota AE86’s 40th anniversary. Since this N Charlotte Toyota sportscar has so many cool features, we will make it simple for you.

2024 Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition Performance

The 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition comes with an upgraded performance package – that comes in both manual and automatic transmissions. You’ll be able to add this performance package to your 2023/2022 Toyota GR86, so don’t worry if you’re not able to get your hands on this particular N Charlotte Toyota. Let’s get into it.

There will be ZF SACHS Dampers and Brembo brakes that come standard on all models.

These features will enhance the consistency of handling, ride comfort, and brake system.

Automatic and, now, manual transmission models are equipped with Active Safety Suite. The system has features like Pre-Collision Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Plus, this Toyota is super light at 2,811 pounds with the aluminum hood, front fenders, and roof panel – making it one of the lightest sports cars on the market.

The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter FA-24 engine has 228 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. This makes this N Charlotte Toyota go from 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds for the 6-speed manual transmission and 6.6 seconds for the six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. 

Finally, you can go into track mode with the push of a button and switch off vehicle stability control.

What does the 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition interior and exterior look like?

As mentioned earlier, this N Charlotte Toyota sportscar is an homage to the Toyota AE86, which is very popular in the anime and manga community because of the anime ‘Initial D’. If you don’t know – although you should – Initial D is about a character named Takumi Fujiwara and his rise to being a downhill racing hero in his Toyota AE86. Since the anime is so well known, the Toyota AE86 has been coined the ‘initial D car’. Now, let’s get into what the modern initial D car will look like when you first take a look:

To start with a bang, it will come with a number plate that marks the 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition.

It comes with a black-wrapped hood, black TRUENO Edition side panels, and a black duckbill spoiler. 

As a tribute to the 1980s model, this N Charlotte Toyota sports car will have a ‘TRUENO Edition’ badge on the front bumper lip and rear decklid.

Also, other accents this ride will have are black metallic 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with black door handles and mirror caps.

This is what you’ll step into:

Ultrasuede sport seats that are trimmed with red leather, a red-stitched shift boot, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

‘TRUENO Edition’ shift knob and all-weather floor mats.

Finally, an 8-inch touchscreen has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those features are complemented with 8 premium speakers to rock out to on your drive.

2024 Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition Price 

We don’t have the exact MSRP of the 2024 Toyota GR68 TRUENO Edition, but we can guesstimate that it will be around $35k-40k because the 2023 Toyota GR86’s starting price is $28,400. And with all the special features and it being limited, there will be an obvious bump in the price.

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte 

If you want to get behind the wheel of this sports car, then stop by Toyota of N Charlotte! Also, stay posted on our social media for any updates about this ride. We’re located at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.

[toyotaoforlando]

4 reasons to get the 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition

Toyota is revving its engines for the 2024 Toyota GR lineup - and a new trim is being added to the 2024 Orlando Toyota GR86 lineup: the TRUENO Edition (it means ‘thunder’ in Spanish). Many Toyota fans are excited about this trim because it celebrates its throwback design - the Toyota AE86 from the 1980s. But, what does this trim have that makes it so special? We’re going to make it simple for you.

What we love about the 2024 Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition

#1: The design – and its throwback features

The Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition features retro two-toned paint and ‘TRUENO Edition’ badging. As said earlier, it is styled like the Toyota AE86 as an homage to its 40th anniversary. The Toyota AE86 was a part of the 5th generation of Toyota Corollas from 1984 to 1987 and showcased sporty liftback styling, pop-up headlights, and an angular hood.  But, it also has a modern look with its 10-spoke 18-inch black metallic wheels, a black duckbill spoiler, the black TRUENO graphics on the side panels, and two paint colors to choose from - Halo or Track bRed. 

#2 - See what’s inside 

We talked about the exterior – now it’s time to go inside this Orlando Toyota’s cockpit. When you go inside you’ll see that it is extremely comfortable and easy to manage with the low-slung, driver-centric layout with the push-start button, 8-inch touchscreen audio system with 8 premium speakers. You’re going to be sitting in Ultrasuede sport seats with red leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, special all-weather floor mats with ‘TRUENO’ badging, and red-stitched shift gear.

Since the beginning of time, Toyota has been all about safety – and it doesn’t stop at this Orlando Toyota sportscar. It comes standard with Active Safety Suite with Pre-Collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Sway Warning, and Automatic High Beams. 

#3 - The speed.

Toyota has never failed when it comes to reliability - and if you want to go 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds? You’ll be able to with the 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition. This Orlando Toyota sportscar can do this with its naturally aspirated 2.4L FA-24 engine – the horsepower is 228 and the torque is at 184 lb.-ft. It also has rear-wheel drive and comes in both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition has special perks – and even if you aren’t able to get it on your hands, you can add it to any GR86 year and/or trim. The special performance package includes ZF SACHS Dampers and Brembo brakes that offer maximized performance. This new package ensures firm and stable steering, maximized ground contact, and a quieter cabin.

#4 - The NASA membership 

The 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association – which makes your experience even better. With this membership, the 860 GR86 TRUENO Edition owners (yes we said 860) will be able to receive discounts on NASA-sanctioned events and other benefits – like one free High-Performance Driving Event.

Channel the Initial D car in this new Toyota special edition

Not only Toyota sportscar fans are excited about this trim being added to the Orlando Toyota GR86 lineup - but also anime fans. Initial D is a manga-turned-anime that focuses on the evolution of Takumi Fujiwara where he becomes a downhill racing hero in a Toyota AE86 – which the 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition takes stylistic cues from. So, the car has been coined the name ‘initial D car’. 

See a new 2024 Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition in person

Ready to make this Orlando Toyota yours? Stay tuned – we’ll keep you updated if you follow us on social media. You can also call Toyota of Orlando to get more info and arrival dates at (407)298-4500. We’re conveniently located just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia if you want to swing by!

[fiftytwotwentythree]

Wellness Wednesday:

The Groundhog Day Diet

Sunday I officially started my Groundhog Day Diet (the same daily meal on repeat). Obviously the name of the diet stems from the 1993 Bill Murray film, but the month long challenge was more inspired by Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary, Super Size Me (a challenge to eat McDonald's for 30 days straight).

I settled on the following specific daily foods for the month:

Lunch:

Turkey & Swiss Sandwich, a Side of Baby Carrots, a Cup Peaches

Snack:

A Serving of Trail Mix

Supper:

Bowl of Soup and a Glass of Milk.

All ^that^ comes out to approximately 1,290 Calories.

Now, I didn't necessarily do this to keep better tabs on my calories - no - I merely did it to see if I could do it - or - better yet see how long before my tongue goes mad.

As well, I am hoping this "diet" will assist my pocketbook as I have planned out my meals, purchased a large majority of all my fixings, thus hopefully minimizing my grocery bill for the month of October. The only items I forsee having to purchase is fresh Turkey, Bread, Milk, and Carrots.

So far, 4 days in, things aren't too shabby. I wish I would have thrown in some popcorn to booster my snack intake... but... I'll know better for next time.

.

.

40th CHECK-IN:

Current Goals:

Lose 52 lbs

Completed as of 4/12/2023

New Goal: Maintain or Continue on The Weight Loss Path

Avoid "Junk Food"

Minimize Take-Out / Fast Food Consumption

Short Term:

Vegetarian-ish Diet: Completed

End Date: 4/09/2023 - 46 Days Total

Groundhog Day Diet:

10/01/2023 - 10/31/2023

Eat the Same Thing Each Day for 31 Days

*Not Photographed*

Turkey Deli Meat, Wheat Bread, Swiss Cheese, Milk.

.

.

Stats from August:

Food:

Leftover Meals: 20

Oranges: 20

Salads: 18

Bags of Popcorn: 17

Cans of Soup: 9

Take Out: 0

Candy/Sweets: 0

Workout:

Jumping Jacks: 12,800

Push-Ups: 3,200

Glute Bridges: 3,200

Reverse Leg Lifts: 3,200

Leg Kickbacks: 3,200

Sit-Ups: 3,200

Squats: 800

Plank (mins): 160 mins

Assisted Push-Ups: 0

Weight Loss:

Weightloss This Month: -1.0 lbs

Average Weightloss per Week: -0.25 lbs

Total Weightloss: -85.6 lbs

Entertainment:

Movies Watched: 19

Favorite from the Month:

They Cloned Tyrone

"TV":

Hours of Television Watched: ~ 40 hours ( How To with John Wilson, Modern Family, Outer Banks, Ink Master, Muscles & Mayhem, Only Murders in the Building, Ms. Marvel, Detriot Lions vs KC, Detroit Lions vs Atlanta, Detroit Loins vs Green Bay)

Books:

Books Completed This Month: 0

Book Title(s) Completed This Month: -n/a-

Book Total for the Year: 2

Comics:

Comics Completed: 4

Trades Completed: 7

Comic/Trade Titles Completed:

Lumberjanes Vol. 1

Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 1 (Marvel Masterworks)

Chew Vol. 3: Just Desserts

Deadpool by Skottie Young Vol. 2: Good Night (Deadpool (2018-2019))

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection Vol. 3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (2022-2023) #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (2022-2023) #2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (2022-2023) #3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (2022-2023) #4

New X-Men by Grant Morrison Vol. 1: E Is For Extinction (New X-Men (2001-2004))

Spider-Man/Deadpool Vol. 0: Don't Call It A Team-Up (Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016-2019))

Favorite Comic/Trade Read:

Deadpool by Skottie Young Vol. 2: Good Night (Deadpool (2018-2019))

Magazine(s):

Magazine(s) Completed: 0

.

.

Meal Tracker:

THURSDAY

Lunch:

(2) Hotdogs

Individual Cup of Bob Evan's Macaroni and Cheese

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

Bag of Ranch Corn Nuts

Bag of BBQ Corn Nuts

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Supper:

Can of Progresso Creamy Tomato with Penne

- 10 Crackers

(2) Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

(2) Small Oranges

FRIDAY

Lunch:

Bowl of Leftover White Chicken Chili

- 10 Crackers

(1) Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Snack:

Bowl of Wonderful's Shelled Sweet Chili Pistachios

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

Supper:

Individual Cup of Bob Evan's Macaroni and Cheese

SATURDAY

Lunch:

Skillet Chicken Quesadilla

- Leftover Chicken

- Busch's Taco Fiesta Black Beans

- Uncle Ben's Spanish Rice

- Shredded Mild Cheddar

- Good & Gather's Queso Blanco

- Side of Sour Cream mixed with Herdez's Street Taco Rojo and Verde Sauce

Snack:

(2) Individual Bags of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(2) Individual Bags of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

(1) Glass of Pumpkin Spice Flavored Milk

Bag of Black Jewel Popcorn

(1) Colorado Peach

Supper:

(2) Skillet Quesadilla

- Leftover Chicken

- Leftover Busch's Taco Fiesta Black Beans

- Leftover Uncle Ben's Spanish Rice

- Shredded Mild Cheddar

- Good & Gather's Queso Blanco

(1) Glass of Pumpkin Spice Flavored Milk

SUNDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Swiss with Toasted Wheat Sandwich

(5) Baby Carrots

(1) Cup of Del Monte Peaches

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Supper:

Can of Progresso Lasagna Style Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Glass of Milk

MONDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Swiss with Toasted Wheat Sandwich

(5) Baby Carrots

(1) Cup of Del Monte Peaches

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Supper:

Can of Progresso Lasagna Style Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Glass of Milk

TUESDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Swiss with Toasted Wheat Sandwich

(5) Baby Carrots

(1) Cup of Del Monte Peaches

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Supper:

Can of Progresso Lasagna Style Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Glass of Milk

WEDNESDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Swiss with Toasted Wheat Sandwich

(5) Baby Carrots

(1) Cup of Del Monte Peaches

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Supper:

Can of Progresso Lasagna Style Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Glass of Milk

.

.

Workouts:

THURSDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

FRIDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(10) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(10) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SATURDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SUNDAY

* Afternoon Workout *

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

* Evening Workout *

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

MONDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

TUESDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

WEDNESDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges[4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

.

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WEIGHT TRACKER:

Starting Weight (Noon, 1/01/2023): XXX.X lbs

Weight at Last Check-In, 9/27/2023: -0.8 lbs

Weight As of Noon, 10/04/2023: +1.0 lbs

Total Weight Loss: -84.6 lbs

.

.

Closing Thoughts:

The Good:

Had an opportunity to take PTO in the middle of the work week. Using it for some R&R.

The Bad:

I quasi wish I included a daily bag of popcorn in to my Groundhog Day Diet... You Live and You Learn.

Gained a pound - which put be under 85 pounds of weight loss.

The Ugly:

I have insane pain in my lower leg/shin. Been icing my leg throughout the day.

[eazy-group]

Nikki lost over 80 pounds

New Post has been published on https://eazydiet.net/nikki-lost-over-80-pounds/

Nikki lost over 80 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Nikki lost 80+ pounds by eating healthy food, exercising, and staying true to what works for her. She is determined to be as healthy as possible for herself and her family, physically and mentally. We’ve followed her transformation and maintenance journey since 2018. Check out her 5 year update!

Social Media: @stillfit360 on all platforms @mrsstillfit360 also on Instagram 

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take? My journey began in January 2018. It took me less than a year to lose the initial 80 lbs, but honestly, the change and work are ongoing. I’ve had some highs and lows, especially with the fallout from the pandemic, but I’m most proud that I’ve maintained despite it all. 

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up? Initially (in 2018), it was 90% & 10% health – I wanted to fit in a dress and lose 70 lbs by my 40th birthday. 

Nowadays, my motivation has flipped. I’m living with the next decade(s) in mind. I want to be as healthy as possible for myself and my family. I want to lead by example. 

How did you change your eating habits? I continue to practice intermittent fasting, which began in 2018 when I initially lost weight. Mainly, I eat a mostly clean, whole-food diet. I avoid processed foods and added sugar. I avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. I don’t do cheat days, but I have rare occasions where I’ll enjoy standard American diet foods as an exception, but my rule is to keep my diet clean. 

What is your workout routine?My workout consists mainly of outdoor walking. I will lift weights a few days a week, but my focus is fast-paced walking. Exercise is more for my mental and cardio health, to be honest, and to get stronger. The kitchen is where I focus on my weight. 

How often did you work out? I walk daily for at least 30 min. Two days a week, I do a long walk for 60-90 min, and two days a week, I lift. 

What was your starting weight? 250+ pounds

What is your current weight? 165 pounds

What is your height? 5’5.75″

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? The journey to health and wellness is never-ending. Mental health plays a significant role. Don’t neglect it. 

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? I have not had any surgery. Although I have some areas I don’t love, I don’t plan to have surgery either. (I fully support anyone who has made that tough decision. I know it’s not easy.)

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? Don’t listen to everybody; listen to yourself and let logic lead you. There are so many “experts,” but we all learn as we go. I follow people who align with my beliefs and end goals, such as aging gracefully, homemade products and foods, nontoxic and organic enthusiasts, and women’s wellness. I implore you to do the same. 

We know good from evil. Unfortunately, we’ve been taught wrong from the start. It’s hard to change bad habits, but it’s possible. Most importantly, don’t give up. Don’t let a bad day create a lousy life. Health is wealth. 

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[wiackcom]

Video: 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition: A Game Changer! https://youtu.be/0P4AQQTIQA8 The Volkswagen Jetta GLI sport sedan turns 40 for the 2024 model year, and VW is celebrating this milestone with a special anniversary edition. With unique styling details and limited availability, the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition commemorates the rich heritage of this iconic performance sedan. Introduced for the 1984 model year, the Jetta GLI took the GTI's sporty formula of a spunky turbocharged engine, precision handling and premium interior, and packaged it into an affordable German family sedan. This novel combination proved a hit with enthusiasts seeking practicality and driving fun. The seventh-generation Jetta GLI continues to offer an enticing mix of power and utility. Now the limited-run 40th Anniversary Edition adds exclusivity to the tried-and-true GLI recipe. Let's take a closer look at this special commemoratory model. Overview of the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition Volkswagen is building just 1,984 examples of the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition for the North American market, nodding to the year 1984 when the first Jetta GLI arrived. With unique cosmetic touches inside and out, along with 40th Anniversary badging, this special edition celebrates four decades of the Jetta's upscale and sporty variant. Under the skin, the Anniversary Edition shares its mechanical components with the standard 2024 Jetta GLI. Motivation comes from the familiar 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder pumping out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automated (DSG). While VW could have added some performance upgrades to mark the occasion, the focus of the 40th Anniversary model is on unique styling and collectability. Only available for a single model year, this marks the first time VW has celebrated the Jetta GLI's legacy with a special edition. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Engine, Performance and Transmission The 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition features the latest version of VW's 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, carried over from the standard 2024 GLI. This proven powerplant generates 228 horsepower at 4,700 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque from just 1,500 RPM. This ample low-end torque combines with a responsive turbocharger to deliver strong acceleration off the line and confident passing power, while the broad power band maintains pull throughout the rev range. Drivers can choose between a precise 6-speed manual gearbox or the optional 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automated transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. In performance testing, Car & Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds for a manual-equipped GLI, which should carry over to the 40th Anniversary model. While not breaking any land speed records, this hot sedan provides a satisfying blend of power and efficiency. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Exterior Design and Styling The 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition gains several unique styling treatments to celebrate four decades of the model. Only three exterior colors are offered: Pure Gray, Pure White or Rising Blue. Blacked out trim around the grille, window surrounds and badging provides contrast against the exterior paint. Red accent lines feature throughout the exterior, and 40th Anniversary badges adorn the front fenders and hatch lid. Rounding out the look are 18-inch black alloy wheels. These styling enhancements give the Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary a distinctive, sporty personality. For a limited edition commemorative model, the darkened accents highlight the GLI's athletic character and rich 40-year racing pedigree. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Interior Features and Technologies Inside the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition, unique trim elements highlight the special edition status.

Sport front seats feature embroidered 40th Anniversary tags. Red accent stitching provides a distinctive contrast, while seat fabric displays a one-of-a-kind molecular design. Front door sills are illuminated with "GLI 40" projection lights. The D-shaped steering wheel has a race-inspired "40" logo on the bottom spoke. Red stitching and "GLI 40" badges remind occupants of this model's collectability. In a nod to enthusiasts, the 40th Anniversary Edition skips the Autobahn package's leather seating, sunroof and premium audio upgrades in favor of weight savings. Heated front seats are still included to provide comfort. Standard tech features carry over such as Volkswagen's excellent 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Pricing, Trims and Value Volkswagen has priced the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition quite competitively, especially considering its limited production run and exclusive details. The starting MSRP comes in at $29,315 for the manual transmission and $30,115 for the DSG automatic. That undercuts the pricing of a standard 2023 Jetta GLI Autobahn by around $3,000. And you still get a nicely equipped special edition with unique anniversary styling that will only appreciate in collectability over time. For driving enthusiasts on a budget, it's an opportunity not to be missed. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Handling, Steering and Suspension As an anniversary model celebrating the Jetta GLI's sporting capabilities, the 40th Edition retains the standard model's honed chassis and suspension components. The retuned front strut and rear multilink suspension provides flatter cornering and improved body control compared to a base Jetta. Electric power steering offers line. While not upgraded, the braking system delivers strong stopping power with 13.4 inch vented front discs. Sticky summer performance tires can be added as an option to maximize grip. Combined with GLI-tuned driving mode profiles, this special edition retains the agile handling that has defined the model for 40 years. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Fuel Economy Estimates The 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition inherits the fuel efficiency of the standard GLI, meaning expect 25 mpg city, 32 highway and 28 mpg combined per EPA estimates. This efficiency comes courtesy of the turbocharged engine, precise direct injection system, and standard engine start-stop capability. With a 13.2-gallon fuel tank, the 40th Anniversary Edition can cover over 350 miles between fill-ups, providing substantial cruising range for road trips. For a performance model, these numbers are quite reasonable, as the turbo-4 balances both power and efficiency. Better mileage means lower operating costs. 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Volkswagen models traditionally score well for reliability and owner satisfaction, and the Jetta GLI is no exception. The EA888 2.0-liter turbo engine has proved robust over many years and miles, requiring just basic maintenance. The 7-speed DSG gearbox is also smooth and durable in most cases. Owner reviews praise the Jetta GLI's premium interior materials, upscale tech features, and of course, gratifying performance. The excellent balance of sporty driving dynamics and daily livability makes satisfied owners. VW's excellent 6-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty provides significant peace of mind. For an enjoyable long-term ownership experience, the Jetta GLI checks all the right boxes. And the 2024 40th Anniversary Edition offers one of the most unique and collectable versions ever. Why Buy the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition? For driving enthusiasts, the 2024 VW Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition offers a compelling blend of exclusivity, collectability, and real-world performance. The limited-production run and exclusive commemorative details make this special edition appealing. Beyond rarity, the 40th Anniversary Edition delivers a satisfying sport sedan driving experience.

Confident turbocharged acceleration, agile handling, premium interior appointments, and everyday practicality have defined the Jetta GLI formula for 40 years now. This special edition celebrates that rich heritage. Volkswagen also gifting 40th Edition buyers with a model representing excellent value in its segment. For under $30,000, few competitors can match this combination of usable space, upscale cabin materials, lively performance, and limited availability. How the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Compares to Regular GLI Except for its exclusive cosmetic and interior touches, the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition is mechanically identical to the standard 2024 GLI. The engine, transmission, suspension and other hardware carry over unchanged. Performance and handling remain the same lively package that GLI buyers have appreciated for generations. The Anniversary model simply adds more visual excitement through its unique colors, badging and trim accents. These details commemorate the Jetta GLI's four decade journey. Technology content is also very similar on the 40th versus standard GLI. The main omissions are the leather seating, Beats audio system and moonroof from the Autobahn package, skipped to benefit performance. Expert Reviews of the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Edition Early reviews praise the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition for celebrating this model's heritage with classy, nostalgic styling touches. The exclusive colors and interior details provide welcome differentiation in a crowded segment. Reviewers note this special edition comes at a fair price in today's market, and retains the satisfying blend of power and handling that defines the Jetta GLI. While it doesn't gain any performance upgrades, that also maintains its balance as a livable daily commuter. As an anniversary model, it mostly succeeds through uniqueness and collectability. FAQs What makes it special? Limited production of under 2,000 units and exclusive interior/exterior anniversary details. Does it have more power? No, it has the same 228 hp turbo-4 engine as the standard GLI. How is it limited? Just 1,984 will be built, marking the first year of Jetta GLI production in 1984. What are the exterior colors? Choice of Pure White, Pure Gray, or Rising Blue. Does it have the Autobahn package? No, it skips some luxury features in favor of performance. How much does it cost? Around $3,000 less than a standard 2023 GLI Autobahn trim. When can I buy one? The 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition goes on sale in summer 2023. Should I buy over regular GLI? If you appreciate exclusivity and heritage, it's worth the upgrade. Any other anniversary extras? Unique wheels, badging, interior accents. A commemorative model true to Jetta GLI roots. For loyal VW fans, the 2024 Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition presents a fitting tribute to this model's four-decade journey. With time-limited availability and anniversary styling, it celebrates a sport sedan that remains young at heart. Here's to another 40 years of the thrill-seeking Jetta GLI! #Wiack #Car #CarInsurance #CarRental #CarPrice #AutoLoans