#Leonardo…Bandit. long time no see

[theanonymousninja247]

*comes in and excitedly kicks down door* So please don’t mind that I literally woke up from the dead of sleep with this friggin idea, but HOLY HONK YALL!

Tell me that these two, tired, wise cracking, dramatic, blue fathers would not just be the best of friends?!?!*

*grabs you but the collar* LOOK ME IN THE EYE AND TELL ME I’M WRONG

[bestworstcase]

@tumblingxelian tag from here

#OK I'd legit love to hear your take on her interactions with Oscar

oh i think about the interrogation scene a normal amount

something i want to underline before diving in is the conspicuous discrepancy between the eloquence and spoken delivery of salem's soliloquies in V1/V3 (internal monologue) versus her dialogue (verbal speech). it's especially noticeable in juxtaposition with ozma's V7 soliloquy versus ozpin's dialogue, where no such discrepancy exists; oz talks the way he thinks, he's an excellent orator and even in casual conversation he's well-spoken and charismatic.

whereas salem... thinks eloquently and often poetically ("nature's wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness..." or "it's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the hearts of the weary..."), but speaks with minimal rhetorical flair. her speech is also sometimes a little stilted or just very, very deliberate in a way that does not sound natural; and there's times—her conversation with cinder in V5 is a particularly noticeable example—where what she says circles around what she means.

"working with bandits? keeping ruby alive? what's the point? we're strong enough to take what we want by force!" / "never underestimate the usefulness of others; take leonardo. he was one of ozpin's most trusted, but now... hm. you will have the power i promised you when the time is right, but remember that it comes with a cost. if ruby rose has learned to harness her gift, you must take care to protect yours. there's only so much i can do to aid you."

<- its like. instead of just saying it, salem says examples supporting the idea she's trying to articulate. if a conversation were a math problem, salem shows all of her work but doesn't give the answer. and she does this A LOT.

none of the other characters in the story are like this—which means it isn't, like, a problem with the writers failing to write cogent dialogue. it's a deliberate character choice for salem specifically.

anyway, prior to the interrogation scene, salem only appears in contexts where she is either addressing her subordinates or—in V7—giving ironwood the terms of her siege. on two of these occasions, she get interrupted with unexpected new information (ozpin is back, ruby rose used the lamp) and in both cases, salem abruptly ends the conversation and either kicks everyone else out (V6) or leaves (V7).

and i think that's worth noting in relation to this scene, because the interrogation veers off script very fast and we get to see salem, um, Trying Her Best.

so!

as far as salem knows, oscar is gone. she expects—prepares for—a hostile and painful confrontation with ozma. when oscar wakes up, she's huddled against a pillar in a shadowy corner with an arm curled around herself and her head low, staring fixedly at conjured shadows of her dead children. she is Not Okay.

but when she speaks, her tone is conversational. almost cordial, once she's past the withering sarcasm in "my long lost ozma... found at last." it's affected! it's not real! she's reciting words she planned and probably rehearsed beforehand—which i think is likely the case for most of her little speeches. she's a poor speaker.

except... it's oscar. salem twigs that he isn't ozma the instant he talks, stares at him for a couple seconds without no visible reaction except that her mocking little smile fades, and:

snarls and grabs his face and yanks him down to get a better look at him—the mask just shatters. there's lots of ways to interpret this, but i'm inclined to take it as salem recognizing that this isn't ozma and then second-guessing that instinct and grabbing him because she needs to be absolutely sure.

"you can pretend, boy... but you're not fully him. not yet, at least." her tone shifts on every clause, from almost a growl to relieved to just sort of resigned. and then she drops him, exhales, steps back:

and just... stands there gazing into the middle distance for a couple seconds. like—oscar being here was not a possibility she even considered until it happened and upon finding herself in this situation her reaction is basically, "...um."

and then she's like

well... :)

perhaps you and i can have a better working reLaTiOnShiP.

...

...

oscar, >:[

was it? :\

laying aside the dire understatement of referring to what happened between her and ozma as a bad "working relationship," you can like. hear. the crash box crashing in her head as she says this. her tone swings from sweet and gentle to sardonic to coldly indifferent—and then she follows this by swerving right back into cordial neutrality. hrgkhsj her affect just goes haywire

and i think that happens because this is just so far out of expected bounds that she can't figure out how to say what she needs to say to get herself back on track. her speech smooths out again as soon as she segues into her questions, because she knows what she planned to ask ozma and she can tailor that to oscar instead.

but getting there? dial-up noises.

the hysterical part though is that it's really obvious this awkward verbal jumble isn't indicative of internal confusion or uncertainty, in that salem knows what she's going to do—her chosen tactics are clear and entirely coherent. she:

calms herself down and backs off.

states her intention to play nice if he cooperates.

both implicitly and explicitly differentiates him from ozma to indicate she understands he's his own person and can and will set her rage and bitterness with ozma aside to treat oscar fairly.

which is precisely what i meant in the OP, about salem having the necessary grasp of human nature to be—in theory—a formidable manipulator but lacking the social dexterity and charisma required to put it into effective practice. like, tactically this line of attack is very shrewd, but her awkward, erratic delivery cuts the legs out from under it because she sounds utterly insincere.

⭐️ she tried.

continuing on—salem first explains the context regarding what she needs to know about "the beacon relic" (sidebar, does... salem even know what it is? this is the only one she refers to this way. the lamp, the staff, the sword, and "the beacon relic"), all in a fairly amicable tone except for:

"if i know my ozma" <- she's implicitly positioning herself and oscar on the same 'side' against ozma. this follows from her deliberate rhetorical separation of oscar from ozma and also the basis of her strategy in coaxing this information out of oscar. the reason she's taking the time for this little prologue is not to help oscar understand why she captured him necessarily. she's (trying to) set out the rules of the game she is playing. trying to, because she's doing her showing-her-work-but-not-giving-the-answer thing again.

here's what she means:

"perhaps you and i can have a better working relationship. oscar, was it?" -> i can work with you because i know you're not him. "if i know my ozma, he has used some means of deception to hide [the relic's] location differently from the others." -> ozma lies. i despise him for lying to me. i expect you to prove to me that you're not like him in this specific way. "i need to know where it is." -> i want an honest answer.

salem knows he isn't going to tell her where ozma hid the relic, if oscar even knows that information; she doesn't expect or even want him to tell her that yet, necessarily. rather, this is a test. she wants to see if oscar will try to deceive her.

"that's not something i know about." he passes.

immediately, salem rewards him for being honest. "of course." she removes her hand from the hound's shoulder and moves away.

"he would keep that one guarded as long as possible." she also takes the opportunity to reinforce that she sees oscar as a separate individual and insinuates that ozma is actively keeping secrets from both of them.

and again, this is a cunning approach because:

oscar is scared and uncomfortable. he quite clearly anticipates that salem is going to get angry and hurt him as he says he doesn't know the answer. so when she accepts "i don't know" without hesitation and physically moves out of his personal space, it creates these feelings of surprise and relief.

that emotional reaction is the key to salem's strategy here. first she tells oscar that she will be reasonable if he cooperates, then she clarifies her expectations ("don't lie.") she asks a question knowing full well that he either can't or won't answer it. he says "i don't know" and braces for retaliation, but instead salem goes "okay" and turns down the heat. she's demonstrating through her actions that she's going to play fair.

"how about something easier, then? the password for the lamp."

she doesn't expect him to tell her this one either. not yet. it's another test that builds from the first. she's established that "i don't know" is a safe answer (as long as it's true). what salem's fishing for him to say now is "i'm not going to tell you that."

why? when she walked away, she left oscar hanging from the hound's jaws. salem lowered the heat—she didn't turn it all the way off. the point of all this is to teach oscar how to play her game, and the last rule he needs to know is that "i won't say" is also a safe answer. had he given her that answer, the hound would have set him down and withdrawn to lay down in the entryway.

only then would the game truly begin. the idea is to draw oscar into something like a real conversation and gradually get him comfortable saying things like "i don't know" and "i won't answer that question" by cultivating trust. once that rapport exists, it becomes really easy to turn the discussion around by asking oscar why? why not take the risk of trusting her with this or that information? after all, she's been nothing but polite and reasonable. does he truly still believe she's the evil monster ozma made her out to be? she gave him the benefit of the doubt... can't he do the same for her?

salem wins by convincing him she's a person he can negotiate with. that pulling this off would be the ultimate fuck-you to ozma only makes it more satisfying.

of course, that's not what actually happens. (partly because salem talked a circle about the "don't lie" rule and oscar—who hasn't spent the last four volumes seeing that his woman yells and flips tables when she's lied to—didn't pick up the hint.) instead, he tries to deceive her again and salem lashes out.

<- the physical violence gets all the attention from the fandom, and i do understand why, it's nasty and protracted and made to be viscerally unpleasant to watch, but. it's only a placeholder, something salem does while she considers what she's going to do—and say—to hurt him in a way that will never heal.

ok.

salem gets that oscar isn't ozma, didn't ask to become him, and feels desperate to retain his own identity distinct and separate from for as long as possible. she knows how ozma's reincarnation works, what this curse does to his hosts. it's not hard to figure out that it is a horrifying, traumatizing ordeal for the souls he's "paired" with. this is why she makes such a particular point of differentiating between oscar and ozma.

"the lies come out of you so easily." ("if i know my ozma, he has used some means of deception...")

why does she caress his face like this? to make him remember her like ozma does. "like-minded souls, indeed." you can pretend, boy, but so much of you is him that you remember even this.

the torture is just the preshow. this is the cruelest, most devastating thing she could possibly do to him, and salem knows it. she gave him a pass on pretending to be ozma, and he threw the second chance back in her face by lying to her again; she's furious and upset and she wants to HURT him.

this is how porous the boundaries between you and him have become. this is how close you are to being him. this is how little of you there is left to lose. like-minded souls, indeed.

like.

she does this to fuck with his head and it horrifies him so much that oscar spends the remainder of this arc actively choosing to endure being hazel's literal punching bag rather than let ozma take over or try to escape using ozma's magic. in 8.6:

OZMA: I’d like to express again that this is my burden to bear, not yours. His grudge is with me. OSCAR: No, it’ll be even worse. He’s holding back with me, I can tell. OZMA: I understand. I do. But you’ve done so much already. The least I can do is give you a break and try to get us out of here. OSCAR: We can’t leave yet.

they go back and forth, oscar proposes trying to flip hazel, ozma agrees it's worth a try. when hazel comes in, ozpin goes "oscar, please"—and because oscar doesn't respond, it's ambiguous whether he gives ozma control or if ozma shunts him aside again as he did at haven academy.

either way, the next we see of oscar after the interrogation scene is ozma entreating oscar to let him take over and oscar going no no no, that'll make it worse, no i don't need a break, i've got a plan, no no we have to stay here. and while his reasoning is cogent... this is a fifteen year old boy who's spent the whole day getting beaten up by a guy three times his size, and he actively wants to stay and be tortured more rather than let ozma front for a while.

and then in 8.9:

OZMA: I think this plan to divide may have run its course. It’s time we start thinking about a way out; not having our cane certainly limits our options, so… OSCAR: No! I don’t like what happens when we use magic. Every time we use it, I can feel us merging faster. I'm not ready for that.

the deeper truth gets spoken aloud.

this is not a new thing with oscar—his emotional core has always been existential dread—but framing it in this way, set against hours and hours of brutal torture that oscar insists is the less bad option, represents a massive spike in the intensity of his horror.

because salem Did That.

anyway the interrogation scene is great. 10/10.

[destinylightsup-2006]

Okay, this time this is my grand update for my little about myself, and I remaked it by removing some of them and replaced by featuring other characters/people who I'd love to choose.

A sequel to the previous page I made before A little about me. And another A Little about me (Remake).

Sadly QUIETTALEOfficial is no longer activated here anymore for a certain reason

(A link to one of my previous references that inspire me.) www.deviantart.com/destinywith… www.deviantart.com/destinywith…

The ones that I did not add into the template, that are similar to the ones in my reference sheet.

My name is "Destiny" (but my real name is "Daniel")

Gender: Male

Age: 17

Alignment: Good

Element: Light, Enchant and Neutral

Personality: Good, Kind, Friendly, Insecure, Heroic, Helpful, Honest, Caring, Pure-hearted, Remorseful, Good natured, Brave, Nervous (sometimes), Gentle, Supportive, Thoughtful, Selfless, Accidental, Sufferable (when something wrong with him), and Well behaved (like always a lot).

Family/Pet/Relationship (I mentioned them because I don't want to use my families' real names.)

My brother

My mother

My father

My 3 cousins (female)

My 2 uncles

My 2 aunts

My grandmother

My grandfather (deceased)

My grandaunt

My granduncle (deceased)

My other relatives.

I have a French Bulldog ever since we got him on 4th June.

No love interest just yet.

Favourite Songs/Musicians

Friday Night Funkin songs (e.g. Mashup)

Owl City (Fireflies, Good Time, When can I see you again)

Ellie Goulding (Outside, Lights, Burn, Easy Lover)

Calvin Harris (We Found Love)

David Guetta (Titanium)

Taylor Swift (Love Story)

Katy Perry (Roar, Fireworks)

Panic at the Disco (High Hopes)

Imagine Dragons (Enemy, Believer, I'm so Sorry)

Skillet (Standing in the Storm, Out of Hell, Legendary)

Little Mix (Black Magic)

Clean Bandit (Symphony)

Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean, Beat it)

One Direction (One Thing)

Fifty Fifty (Cupid)

The Script (Superheroes, Hall of Fame)

Jubyphonic (Butterfly and Halloween cover)

Pretty much anything else I love.

Favourite Food

Fish & chips

Sushi

Red apples

Pizza

Macaroni

Grapes

Strawberries

Kiwi

Tangerines

Oreos

Cheesecake

Mango

Spaghetti

Ice cream

Tiramisu

Katsu

Favourite Drinks

Orange juice

Milk

Hot chocolate

Bubble tea

Lucozade

Oreo milkshake

Friends (Like I mean true Friends I communicate with them mostly)

Simphoni

Seyvert

Marta Ceccanti / @martaceccantiworld 

Rosaline Faith Heartglow / @innocent-angel-girl

Bria D./Hatari / @kuukuualchemistjuku 

Ced / Ced145 

Chey / @asktheminecraftcrew

Vabessa / Vabessa2006 

Otto / TheCoreoftheStar/@ottos-core (however I decided to leave them not being tagged so much since they're not on DA anymore)

Kylie / @kylievershion

Deli / @delicatethefox 

Samantha / SweetieSammyCakes 

Molly / Mafu0Mol 

Gianluca Ruger / @gianlucarugergr

Jedidiah Daigle / Reaperental 

Desue / DesueDraws 

Colleen (DesueDraws) 

Scarlet / RedHeartSunset 

Neoshi / NeonFluffyMoon1 

Norman / NormanTheWolfman2002 

Carno / CarnoProductions 

Chelsie / ChelsTheMutant667 

Juan Jose / JJproduction297 

Dylan Jewelson (@innocent-angel-girl) 

Spinel (@innocent-angel-girl) 

Candy (Precure)

Mylai the Ghostfire (Ced145) 

Gingerbrave (Cookie Run)

Kirby

Edd, Matt and Tom (Eddsworld)

Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Gilbert the Jemling (@Princess-Faithra) 

Steven Universe

Ruby Rose (RWBY)

Weiss Schnee (RWBY)

Blake Belladonna (RWBY)

Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Jaune Arc (RWBY)

Red and Yellow (Larva)

Sailor Moon

Aang (Avatar)

Sora (Kingdom Hearts)

Boyfriend (Friday Night Funkin')

Girlfriend (Friday Night Funkin')

Flippy (Happy Tree Friends)

Kevin, Stuart and Bob (Despicable Me)

Strawberry Cookie (Cookie Run)

Wizard Cookie (Cookie Run)

Custard Cookie iii (Cookie Run)

Chili Pepper Cookie (Cookie Run)

Steve (Minecraft)

Felonious Gru (Despicable Me)

SMG4

Mario (SMG4)

Meggy Spletzer (SMG4)

Melony (SMG4)

Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)

Charlie Morningstar (Hazbin Hotel)

Hercules (Disney)

Mario

Luigi (Super Mario)

Sonic the Hedgehog

Po (Kung Fu Panda)

Emmet Brickowski (The LEGO Movie)

Invincible/Mark Grayson

Finn Mertens (Adventure Time

Jake (Adventure Time)

Mega-man

Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)

Close Friends

Jayson / @jj2k20

Eila

Rikadiah

Maia / JustAGirlOnDA 

V.C 2.0 / @v-c2-0

Emma / @emmazworld69420

Arwen Bourne / @ArwenTheCuteWolfGirl 

Zero Experience / Zexperience 

Fancy Graphics / @fancy-graphics63

Vincent / @vincentlopez

Anthony / AnthonyDraws04 

Lengieal / @lengieal 

Mark / Mark-Born 

Zoe Drake/Popping Candy (@kuukuualchemistjuku) 

Sally / SallyVEVO 

YazFly / xXYazzyChanArtsXx 

Amity Hsu / Amity-Hsu 

Remmy / RemmyTheSpaceManX101 

Spring-o-Bonnie / Spring-o-bonnie 

MsTwirlePoofs / MsTwirlepoofs 

Kate / KATEtheDeath1 

Xem / XemTheKillerDoll 

Don / DonCon206andHedgie 

Raspberry Flash (SweetieSammyCakes) 

Stan Marsh (South Park)

Kyle Broflovski (South Park)

Kenny McCormick (South Park)

Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup (Powerpuff Girls)

Spider-Man

Osmosis Jones

Thomas the Tank Enginge (Thomas & Friends)

Clotted Cream Cookie (Cookie Run)

Financier Cookie (Cookie Run)

Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)

Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)

Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)

Pure Vanilla Cookie (Cookie Run)

Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

Gandalf (Middle-earth)

Splendid (Happy Tree Friends)

Woody (Toy Story)

Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)

Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)

Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)

Zenitsu Agatsuma (Demon Slayer)

Inosuke Hashibira (Demon Slayer)

Lightning McQueen (Cars)

Mater (Cars)

Dipper Pines (Gravity Falls)

Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls)

Stanley Pines (Gravity Falls)

Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Samus (Metroid)

Donkey Kong

Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)

Mako Mankanshoku (Kill la Kill)

Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony)

Spike (My Little Pony)

Starlight Glimmer (My Little Pony)

Tiger Lily Cookie (Cookie Run)

Jotaro Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Hollyberry Cookie (Cookie Run)

Dark Cacao Cookie (Cookie Run)

SpongeBob SquarePants

Patrick Star (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Goku (Dragon Ball)

R.O.B. (Nintendo)

Wildberry Cookie (Cookie Run)

Crunchy Chip Cookie (Cookie Run)

Meta Knight (Kirby)

Optimus Prime (Transformers)

Godzilla

Enemies/Rivals (obviously the ones that I mentioned who are targets of me and trolls that hurt my friends, but don't worry, I didn't tag them anyway)

Dreadlock ("Overall Arch-Nemesis" and evil counterpart)

Mucida, Neplacut and Brute ("2nd/secondary Arch-enemies")

Vulgarous the Portentous Dragon

Queen Mahogany

Technaz 

Rosera Doubt Heartbreaker (@innocent-angel-girl) 

Violent Marta (@martaceccantiworld)

Aubri A./Zatari (@kuukuualchemistjuku) 

Queen Aria (@kuukuualchemistjuku) 

DarkCed (Ced145) 

DarkChey (@asktheminecraftcrew) 

Midnight Darkness (Vabessa2006) 

Teeth (@ottos-core)

Keli (@delicatethefox) 

Ahtnamas (SweetieSammyCakes) 

Vinnet the Ghostfire (Ced145) 

Dark Gianluca (@gianlucarugergr)

Princess Nora (@martaceccantiworld) 

Bowser (Super Mario)

Dark Enchantress Cookie (Cookie Run)

Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Scar (The Lion King)

Storm King (My Little Pony)

King K. Rool (Donkey Kong)

Sideshow Bob (The Simpsons)

Tord (Eddsworld)

Hades (Hercules)

Diesel 10 (Thomas & Friends)

Salem (RWBY)

Niles (SMG4)

Mommy Long Legs (Poppy Playtime)

Russ Cargill (The Simpsons)

Pain and Panic (Hercules)

Plankton (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Cinder Fall (RWBY)

Dark Meta Knight (Kirby)

Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda)

Mayor Shelbourne (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)

Big Jack Horner (Puss in Boots)

Dr. Octopus (Marvel's Spider-Man)

Lasombra (Hey Arnold!)

Francis (SMG4)

Thrax (Osmosis Jones)

Fliqpy (Happy Tree Friends)

Scanty and Kneesocks (Panty & Stocking)

Horned King (The Black Cauldron)

Tricky the Clown (Madness Combat)

The Auditor (Madness Combat)

Ridley (Metroid)

Queen Chrysalis (My Little Pony)

Lord Tirek (My Little Pony)

Cozy Glow (My Little Pony)

Kazuya Mishima (Tekken)

Matcha Cookie (Cookie Run)

Carnage (Spider-Man)

Pomegranate Cookie (Cookie Run)

Licorice Cookie (Cookie Run)

Poison Mushroom Cookie (Cookie Run)

Balthazar Bratt (Despicable Me)

Thanos (Marvel)

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Master Xehanort (Kingdom Hearts)

Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Infinite (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Sir Pentious (Hazbin Hotel)

Black Hat (Villainous)

Kavaxas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls)

Megatron (Transformers)

Black Pearl Cookie (Cookie Run)

Slenderman

King Ghidorah (Godzilla)

Neutral/Grey Area (Neither do I trust them, but do sometimes help out)

Beavis and Butt-head

Hank J Wimbleton (Madness Combat)

Peter Griffin (Family Guy)

Eric Cartman (South Park)

Randy Marsh (South Park)

Deadpool (X-Men)

Johnny Bravo

Panty and Stocking

Conker (Conker's Bad Fur Day)

Lumpy (Happy Tree Friends)

Discord (My Little Pony)

Phantom of the Bwahpera (Super Mario)

Credit me when using

Do not steal my art without permission

Do not trace my art

Do not report without a reason

No pedophilia

No Incest

No rip-offs

You have to be 13 or over to access my page

No homophobia/transphobia

No NSFW

Remember what you do, don't post images from other disgusting websites that you're not meant to visit

Definitely no sexual/erotic Roleplaying

(NOTE: I do not own everything, except my persona, Simphoni, Seyvert, Eila, Rikadiah, Dreadlock, Mucida, Neplacut, Brute, Vulgarous, Queen Mahogany, and Technaz, All Credit goes to Everybody else and rightful owners that I used and mentioned.

Also, if I didn't add you here, forgive me, and please don't you ever say, "Where am I?", "Why am I not in it?" or "Please include me", because that would make you look yourself like an egotist and I'd be quite annoyed if you lot don't read the section that I written here, it's my choice and it's my decision to what I like to do. And please respect everything what I added.

[grace-writes-shit]

When My Back Was Turned (Ezio Auditore X Reader)

Words: 3645

Warnings/Themes: Injury, Violence, Blood, Not Quite Character Death, Angst, Fluff

Characters/Pairings: Ezio x Reader, Claudia, Mario, Maria (briefly mentioned)

A/N: This is just something I’ve been working on and finally decided to post. I almost didn’t. This isn’t the whole story that I wrote, there is more to the ending, but it felt too rushed for me to want to post it. Some background information for this one, I imagined the reader/ this character as ten years younger than Ezio. And in a form of self-indulgence, she comes from a world where AC is just a game, but I imagine it also has it’s version of Templars and Assassins that no one knows about. Thanks for reading!

They limped up to the villa, having abandoned their horses at the stables at the entrance to the village. Eyes had been glued to the battered pair from the moment they had approached. He wasn’t as badly beaten as she was, only sporting a split lip, a sprained wrist, and various cuts and bruises. He held her upright with an arm gently around her waist. He didn’t want to jostle her bruised, possibly fractured, ribs or her recently dislocated shoulder. She was bleeding from multiple wounds along her face and hands.

They were on their way to what was supposed to be a simple visit to Monteriggioni that turned into an ambush by some mountain bandits. Ezio had made it out relatively well and was already running away, thinking that his wife was just behind him. However, her shout of surprise told him otherwise.

As she had been about to follow him, a couple bandits grabbed her. And before she knew it, they had shoved her over the cliff face. It felt like she had rolled for hours when it had been mere seconds before her hand grabbed onto a young tree sprouting from the rock. It groaned and cracked under her added weight and threatened to break. Upon catching herself, her already damaged body smacked the rock and a sickening pop sounded as her arm left its socket.

Ezio had immediately jumped into action, swiftly dispatching the remaining attackers, and rushing to the cliff's edge. His heart hammered in his chest at the sight of her clinging to that sapling for dear life. She was too far down for him to grab her and she definitely wouldn’t be able to climb back up with her shoulder. Thinking fast, he stripped the cloaks and capes from the fallen bandits and tied them together into a makeshift rope. She could barely keep a hold of it as he pulled her back up to safety.

He held her close to him, petting her sweaty and bloody hair. He whispered comforting words to her as she shook against him. He knew she was scared of heights and falling, the reason for her refusing to free-run on certain buildings and to do a Leap of Faith, unless absolutely necessary. However, in this situation, she hadn’t been in control and it terrified her.

Once she had quieted down, Ezio sat her up properly and told her he needed to reset her shoulder. She had nodded somberly and let him pop it back into place without a peep. Ezio almost found it amusing how she can take the pain of a dislocated shoulder with only a wince, but she couldn’t handle heights. But now wasn’t the time to tease her.

Recovering their horses that had run off with their packs, the pair made their way back to Monteriggioni.

A doctor was already waiting for them as they entered the villa, some kind villager sending for one when they saw the two. Mario and Claudia stood with the doctor, the older female’s hands over her mouth, and Y/N was practically unconscious by the time they made it to the trio.

Mario swept up to take the woman into his arms, allowing Ezio to cradle his wrist and follow them into their shared room. (Y/n) was placed gently on the bed and the doctor immediately began his treatment. Ezio collapsed into the chair at the foot of the bed, his armor digging uncomfortably into his flesh.

“What happened?” Mario began his interrogation before Ezio could get his bearings. Shaking his head, Ezio began to carefully remove his armor. Claudia was already helping the doctor remove (Y/n)’s, who moaned in pain. The younger man’s eyes fixed on her at the sound.

Seeing that his nephew was not going to answer him now, Mario rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. Until (Y/n) was cared for and out of danger, Mario knew Ezio wouldn’t speak to anyone about the mission. This wasn’t the first time this has happened, but it is the worst condition either of them had been in in a long time.

“Once you two are rested, meet me in my office to discuss what happened.” Mario placed a hand on Ezio’s shoulder, squeezing gently. The younger man simply nodded, not wanting to take his eyes off his wife.

Nearly an hour later, (Y/n)’s wounds were patched up and Claudia had changed her into a loose shirt and pants. Ezio’s wrist had been wrapped and put into a sling and his lip cared for. He had moved his chair to be right next to her as she slept, tucked into the bed and her favorite blanket pulled up to her nose, just the way she liked it. He wished he could curl up with her in that bed, but on doctor’s orders, she was not to be moved around too much or her ribs would not heal properly.

Ezio knew he should probably go find his uncle but speaking to anyone and leaving his wife’s side didn’t sound very appealing. So he sat in his chair, watching as her eyes flickered behind her eyelids. She must be having a bad dream. As she often does after a particularly bad mission.

He reached over and stroked her cheek with his good hand, smiling softly when she nuzzled into his hand. She would probably wake in the morning grumpy and very hungry. An angel when she was asleep but a terrifying beast upon awakening. Ezio smiled wider at the thought. She would definitely kill him had she known his thoughts.

At some point in the late evening, Claudia knocked and left some food on the table next to him, squeezing his shoulder and telling him to eat and rest. He nodded and picked at the food. The roasted duck didn’t quite smell or taste as appealing as it did when he wasn’t consumed with worry.

Many times has he tried to convince his wife to retire from Assassin duties, to stay safe and live life to the fullest while she was still young. But those conversations usually ended with him sleeping on the floor and her not speaking to him for a full evening. How dare he think that she would ever let him face the dangers they did alone.

After eating as much as he could stomach, he carefully stripped from his robes and stepped behind the partition in the room. A tub filled with water sat in the corner, filled earlier with hot water by a maid. By now the water was less than lukewarm, but he hardly felt it as he lowered himself in. She had already been cleaned by Claudia with a cloth and a basin of water.

The partition was positioned so he could still see her on the bed when he leaned back. On his own terms, he would have just climbed into bed after changing into a sleeping shirt, but since he began courting her, she always refuses him to enter her bed unless clean.

‘I don’t want my bed smelling like blood, metal, and sweat!’ She had yelled at him early on in their relationship. No matter where they were if there was a bed, she had to be clean before entering it. He figured it came from whatever futuristic upbringing she had.

He still vividly remembers that day, he had just brought the Apple to Leonardo’s workshop with his uncle and Niccolò for the artist to study. When Leonardo had reached out to touch it a bright, golden light engulfed the room and a figure fell from thin air. Ezio had rushed forward to catch the person.

She was unconscious and dressed in strange clothes. But he wouldn’t lie, this stranger was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. In the next few days they had found out she came from a different world, far in the future. She had been tasked by a being called Minerva to guide Ezio on his journey.

Six years had now gone by and she had since become a master assassin and his wife. His gaze fell down to his bruised knuckles. A gold wedding band laid just above one, on his left ring finger. He didn’t normally wear it on missions but seeing as how this was supposed to be just a visit back to Monteriggioni, he had worn it proudly. It had a red smudge of blood on it. Removing it from his finger, he washed it in the waters.

Finishing up in the tub, he threw on a sleeping shirt and stepped quietly over to the bed. He was always hesitant when sleeping with her when she was injured. He was either a fitful sleeper or a cuddler. Neither one is very good for her injured state. But he knew she wouldn’t rest as well without him next to her. So being cautious, he placed a few pillows between them before fully settling in. He laid on his side, careful of his wrist, and gently stroked a knuckle across her soft cheek.  

Her lips quirked up and she turned her head to nuzzle into his hand. He let a gentle smile take over his face. Even battered and weary, she still found a reason to smile. Pride swelled in his chest at being the reason for her smiles most of the time. A truly beautiful thing to behold.

“Buonanotte, amore mio.” He withdrew his hand, but let it rest on her stomach. As his eyes closed, he felt calloused fingers wrap around his.

“Buonanotte, Bello.” Her voice was raspy and quiet, but it was still the sweetest sound he'd ever heard.

________________________________________________________________

A knock to the solid wood door roused him from his dreamless sleep. As predicted, he had moved a lot in his sleep. Now he laid on his back, arms sprawled out and one leg tossed over the barrier of pillows, his foot tucked under her leg. The sheets had bunched around his waist and the duvet tossed over her slumbering body. Drool was crusted to the side of his mouth and his hair was in disarray. She, of course, looked positively heavenly, despite her injuries.

Rising from the bed, Ezio straightened his appearance and moved to the door as a second knock sounded. The kind Doctor from the previous day had returned, most likely to change her bandages. Behind the elderly man was Claudia, a tray with fruits, bread, and two small bowls of soup on it.

“Ah, Dottore, Buongiorno. Come in.” Ezio stepped to the side, letting the two into the room. He excused himself to behind the partition to change into more presentable clothes. It was somewhat difficult with only one good arm, but he managed. After struggling to button his shirt up with one hand he gave up, stepping out from the partition. Claudia rolled her eyes and buttoned his shirt up for him.

“Nothing but a child.” She grumbled, poking him roughly in the chest. He chuckled, rubbing the spot.

“Careful, Claudia, I still have uses for him.” A raspy voice came from the bed. Claudia’s attention snapped over to her sister-in-law.

“(Y/N)!” The siblings rushed to the bed, leaving enough space for the doctor. “How are you feeling?” Claudia questioned. The younger woman gave a pained smile as the Doctor peeled back the bandage on one of her deeper wounds.

“Like hell, to be honest. And I’d kill for some ibuprofen…” She bit her lip and pressed her head further into the pillows when the doctor dabbed an alcohol-soaked rag into the wound. Ezio took a step closer, worry flooding his veins. He truly hated seeing her in such a state. He was beating himself up inside for not getting to her sooner.

“I can give you a poultice to take the edge away around your ribs.” The doctor began rewrapping her wounds. “I’d advise you twist or move around as little as possible for the next few weeks to give your ribs time to heal, and only wear loose clothing. Your other bandages must be changed every eight hours.”

“Grazie, Dottore.” The woman nodded in appreciation. The doctor smiled and set a small jar of the poultice on the bedside table. After giving a few instructions on the next few weeks of healing, he bid the three farewell and departed.

“I’m glad you’re already doing better, mia sorella.” Claudia sat on the edge of the bed, taking Y/N’s hand in hers. “You had me worried sick seeing you return like that.” She lightly scolded.

“Sorry, Claudia. Next time I’ll tell those bandits to not attack us. Just because you worry about me.” Y/N smiled.

“Piccola merda.” The two women laughed, only to be cut off from the grunt of pain from the junior. Ezio finally stepped forward, still silent as before. He took the jar and removed the lid, setting it on the table.

Claudia stood up out of the way of the man on a mission. His face was drawn into a concentrated frown and he refused to look at his wife’s scratched-up face. With stiff and precise movements, he pulled up her shirt to just under her breast. Her skin was a vivid purple, the bruise forming overnight. His brows furrowed deeper at the sight.

His sister excused herself, sensing that the two needed to talk. But not before directing her brother to make sure to feed his wife the soup she had brought. He merely grunted in response, dipping two fingers into the greasy concoction.

Despite his angry demeanor and calloused hands, his touch was feather-light on her skin as he spread the poultice on her ribs. Her eyes didn’t leave his face as he worked. It had been so long that either one of them had been injured like this that Ezio was having a hard time controlling his emotions.

“Bello…” Her voice was just a whisper, but it had his finger freezing over her skin. He sniffed and grabbed a rag to wipe his hands clean. “Ezio. Look at me.” Her fingers closed around his wrist, tugging him down to sit next to her. He slowly brought his eyes up to meet hers. And the tears immediately sprung to his eyes.

“Oh, my love…” Her own vision blurred with tears and she threaded her fingers with his. “It’s okay, I’m okay.”

“I should have been faster… I should have made sure you were following me…I’m so sorry, mia bella.” He covered his face with his free hand, the other squeezing her fingers. His chest constricted with suppressed sobs.

“Ezio.” Her voice was soft but stern. He managed to look at her again. “This is not your fault. You had no way of knowing what was going to happen, not even your sixth sense could have predicted this… I don’t blame you for this happening, so I don’t want you to blame yourself either.”

He sniffled and wiped the tears from his face.

“And besides, I promised to kick the ass of anyone who wronged you. So don’t make me kick your ass when I get out of this bed.” She gave him her signature lopsided grin. He let a laugh escape him despite the want to sob instead.

“Now, I’m starving, so help me sit up.”

“Sì, Signora.” Ezio helped her up and placed the tray of food in her lap. There was just enough for the two of them. They ate in silence for a few minutes, not realizing how hungry they were.

“The real tragedy here though is that I think I lost my hairpin down the side of that cliff.” She pouted as she popped a strawberry into her mouth. The dainty gold hairpin had been an anniversary gift from Ezio two years ago and she wore it every time they took a break.

Ezio chuckled. “I shall buy you all the hairpins until the void of missing that one is filled.”

“Oh, my dear, I fear your wallet will weep. As it may take all the hairpins in the world for the hole in my chest to be filled.” She feigned distress, pressing the back of her bandaged hand to her forehead.

A yawn suddenly forced its way from her, stretching her chest painfully.

“You should sleep, it will help you heal.” Ezio cleared the tray and set it next to the door. His wrist twinged. He almost forgot his own injury. Despite the pain though, he once again helped his wife lay down and pulled the blankets up to her chin. Her eyes batted slowly up at him; her lips pursed ever so slightly. He huffed a laugh and bent down to press a slow kiss to her waiting lips.

“I will be back before you wake again, mia bella.” After kissing her forehead, he made sure she closed her eyes then left the room. He had to report to his uncle about the attack. Not something he looked forward to.

________________________________________________________________

It took a little less than six weeks for her to be fully healed. Her ribs still twinged dully when she twisted wrong, but daily stretches were quickly strengthening her muscles again. Ezio had finally broken his moody attitude now that she was up and walking.

The pair had stayed in Monteriggioni while she healed but constantly corresponded with the others in the Brotherhood. But today, the two were finally returning to Venezia to continue their search for Savonarola and The Apple.

She knew Ezio was anxious to resume their search, but despite being injured, she was glad they had somewhat of a break. She knew it would be around this time that Savonarola would be making his way into Firenze to steal control from the Medici. In the next three years, they will be storming the city to take down the corrupt monk. And then they won’t have a moment to breathe.

“Tesoro, are you ready to go?” Ezio’s voice brought her back from her thoughts. She smiled up at her husband and nodded. They were already packed and had their horses ready for the long journey. She hugged Mario, Claudia, and Maria goodbye as they met them at the town's entrance. She mounted her horse, Ezio on his horse trotting up next to her.

Waving, the pair left the town. And for the next eight years, they fought tooth and nail against the Templars. They defeated Savonarola, regained the apple, took down Rodrigo, and returned to Monteriggioni. Got run out of said town and came to Rome. Together, they began the rebellion against Cesare, starting with destroying the machines he forced Leonardo to make for him.

The two had destroyed all but one, the naval cannon. Following the engineer and getting past the guards was the easy part. Burning the blueprints was also easy. But when it came to actually destroying the machine and the naval fleet, that had proved to be more difficult.

Ezio rowed the gondola while she manned the Cannon. And slowly but surely, they dispatched the large ships. They had survived a few near-hits, the small boat rocking violently, the ropes and extra ammunition sliding around on the floor.

She cheered as the last ship went down in flames, Ezio breathlessly laughing next to her. His arms were on fire from rowing.

Y/N turned the Cannon, facing down onto itself. She looked over to her husband with a grin. “Would you care to do the honors, messere?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ezio wrapped his hand around the firing mechanism, “Perdonatemi, Leonardo.” He pulled back on the lever and they both turned to dive off the side of the boat.

But as she had said once, many years ago, they could not have predicted this.

As the boat had been rocking from enemy fire, and she moved around, a rope had looped itself into the perfect snare around her foot. When she jumped from the boat, it tightened, the other end is tied off on the metal machine. She had dived perfectly, was swimming next to Ezio as the explosion went off.

And then she was yanked back.

As the Cannon sunk to the bottom of the bay the rope tightened even more around her leg. She was quickly running out of air as she tried to free herself. Her hidden blade picked the wrong time to jam, if only she cleaned it as often as she should have.

Ezio was just about to break the surface when he turned to look at her. And his blood went as cold as the water around him. Managing to take a deep breath at the surface, he dove back down, swimming as fast as he could. She was sinking fast, faster than he could keep up. He watched desperately as she finally gave up, looking up at him and giving him an apologetic smile.

“NO!” The word only came out as a bubbled scream, mixing with the last bit of air leaving her body. Her eyes slipped shut and she descended into the dark depths. Out of his vision.

Not caring about his swiftly depleting oxygen supply, Ezio continued to swim after her. His lungs burned and his arms and legs grew slower. Just when he thought he was going to pass out as well, a bright golden light illuminated the bay, he could see the outline of the Cannon as it sunk. But not her.

The ache in his chest became too much and his body moved to the surface on its own. His head broke the surface and he gasped for air. His body was filled with relief, but his mind was a typhoon of emotions. Panic, confusion, grief.

He knew that light, he had seen it fourteen years ago when she first entered this world.

And just as she had come, she disappeared just as quickly.

[rose-tinted-juls]

juliana's comfort movies pt.2

posted: 20.07.2021.

scent of a woman (1992) main actors: al pacino, chris o'donnell, james rebhorn short summary (imdb): "a prep school student needing money agrees to "babysit" a blind man, but the job is not at all what he anticipated." why i love it (in a few words): al pacino (as i've already said, i absolutely adore him - he's breathtakingly talented and attractive), interesting plot, dark academia aesthetic, another classic one, i find it heartwarming and wish it didn't end

the holiday (2006) main actors: jude law, cameron diaz, kate winslet, jack black short summary (imdb): "two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love." why i love it (in a few words): i don't even know really, it just makes me feel all happy, and it makes me believe that out of unexpected adventures can come true love. sometimes i just love a cheesy, fluffy romantic comedy

a walk in the woods (2015) main actors: robert redford, nick nolte, emma thompson short summary (imdb): "after spending two decades in england, bill bryson returns to the u.s., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the appalachian trail with one of his oldest friends, stephen katz." why i love it (in a few words): i'm a huge fan of robert redford, i love bill bryson (author) and his books, this movie never fails to make me laugh (even though i know the jokes by heart already), the scenery is *chefs kiss*, it makes me wanna go a long hike, the soundtrack is lord huron songs and it's amazing, true comedy

catch me if you can (2002) main actors: leonardo dicaprio, tom hanks, christopher walken short summary (imdb): "barely 21 yet, frank is a skilled forger who has passed as a doctor, lawyer and pilot. fbi agent carl becomes obsessed with tracking down the con man, who only revels in the pursuit." why i love it (in a few words): young leo (!!!), it's honestly so much fun, i love spielberg's movies *shrug*, so many twists, it's based on a true story (!!), amy adams is cute, never gets boring to watch it

the whiskey bandit (2017) main actors: bence szalay, zotlán schneider, viktor klem short summary (imdb): "a rootless young man in ceausescu's romania crosses the hungarian border looking for a better future. with his back against the wall in the post-socialist turmoil, he becomes the most successful bank robber in hungarian history." why i love it (in a few words): finally another hungarian movie i love, based on a true story (!!), the title is terrible but funny in english (i swear the hungarian original title is a hundred times better - "a viszkis"), it's an interesting look back into communism in romania and hungary

love actually (2003) main actors: hugh grant, bill nighy, colin firth, liam neeson, martin freeman, emma thompson, andrew lincoln, keira knightley, thomas brodie-sangster, alan rickman short summary (imdb): "follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before christmas in london, england." why i love it (in a few words): so many incredible actors oh my, adorable plots, so enjoyable to watch, it's a must really, i watch it every christmas, baby thomas brodie-sangster *-*, this movie makes me believe that love actually exists (lol see what i did there), suitable for all age groups in my opinion

the lake house (2006) main actors: keanu reever, sandra bullock short summary (imdb): "a lonely doctor, who once occupied an unusual lakeside house, begins exchanging love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. they must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late." why i love it (in a few words): this one's one of my all time favourite movies, incredible actors, i love keanu and sandra, even more when they play together, the plot is something so unique and well-created, makes you believe in love and that it really has no barriers, some mystery with time

serendipity (2001) main actors: john cusack, kate beckinsale short summary (imdb): "a couple search for each other years after the night they first met, fell in love, and separated, convinced that one day they'd end up together." why i love it (in a few words): it's a truly adorable movie, a lovely romantic comedy, CASSIOPEIA (sorry i just love that scene since i was like 9), makes you believe in love (yeah this one too), but also it gives me some frustration at times when things don't work out like i want them to lol

knives out (2019) main actors: ana de armas, daniel craig, chris evans, christopher plummer short summary (imdb): "a detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family." why i love it (in a few words): it's exciting, it has phenomenal scenes (often i laugh so hard my sides start to hurt), i love the actors oh my, the cinematography oh my, THE PLOT, i love detective movies, watched it three times within two weeks (and i rarely do it)

while you were sleeping (1995) main actors: sandra bullock, bill pullman, peter gallagher short summary (imdb): "a hopelessly romantic chicago transit authority token collector is mistaken for the fiancée of a coma patient." why i love it (in a few words): a childhood favourite, watched it like a hundred times (and never got bored), i love sandra bullock, an interesting plot with small twists that i adore, bill pullman's jack is amazing (and his freakin smile), funny and adorable, it's a must for someone who loves romantic comedies

[remmushound]

Curse of the Clans part 10! @selfindulgenz @scentedcandlecryptid @starsha-k-luna

Usagi shoved Leonardo down. With his hands bound, Leonardo wasn’t able to catch himself and landed face-first into the rough wood, Usagi and Nuriyuki falling alongside him. The space where their heads had once been was slashed by a flash of metal as a saw blade whizzed past and slammed into a nearby tree, embedding deep into the trunk.

“Stay down.” Usagi whispered quickly to Nuriyuki, who had taken to hiding under the thin sheets that would have otherwise acted as a blanket. “Don’t move.”

Usagi pulled both of his katana free and jumped from the cart and ran swiftly to meet their attackers. From his position, Leonardo couldn’t see who the attackers were, and so he forced himself into an upright position despite Usagi’s warning.

It was hard to see through the night and the fog, and with the figures moving as fast as they were. He couldn’t tell which one was Usagi; not for certain. They all looked the same! They were rabbits, all rabbits. Rabbits with weapons that, though Leonardo could hardly see the detail, recognized. There were many such weapons in his home!

Finally, Leonardo deduced which one of the figures would have been Usagi. The one with dual katana, holding his own as best as he could against what, at Leonardo’s count, was three other rabbits. Weapons flashing. Powerful hind legs kicking out, sharpened claws ripping into flesh and sending fur flying.

Usagi was tossed to the ground but, before the offending rabbit could bring their blade down upon the struggling creature, Usagi’s feet met their stomach and dislodged them. He tried to scramble to his feet, but was pinned once more by a larger rabbit who planted a foot on his head.

Leonardo felt helpless. His arms couldn’t be freed no matter how he fought, only managing to dig the rope deeper into the thick skin. The pain wasn’t very much, but it was enough to make Leonardo stop his struggle and try to think of a different escape. He let himself fall backward so his carapace would take the brunt of the fall, and then followed the command of his slopped shell to slide onto his plastron.

“Hey— hey kid!” Leonardo called in a half whisper.

Nuriyuki poked his muzzle out of the sheet, his nose twitching, eyes watery and spilling tears down his cheeks. “I’m not supposed to talk to you…”

“Hey— that’s okay— that’s okay. You don’t have to talk, just listen.” Leonardo spoke quickly, some of his words seeming to blur together. “You can trust me, okay?”

Nuriyuki didn't respond, laying as flat as his fat little body allowed and bringing his paws up to wipe the tears from his eyes, though the spiraling terror still remained in the dark pools.

“I— I need you to get me my odachi and to untie me.” Leonardo said, “S-so I can help your friend!”

Nuriyuki started to pull deeper into the protection of the sheets.

“Hey— no no no no, listen! The only other thing that happens here is your friend getting torn apart by those baddies. I can help him! You just have to trust me.”

Nuriyuki looked up. His eyes met Leonardo’s and they shared a silent connection. Nuriyuki sucked in several deep, strained breaths before scampering out from his shelter and grabbing a hold of the ropes restraining Leonardo, undoing them with surprising expertise. When Leonardo felt the ropes go slack, he jumped up and grabbed his odachi from Nuriyuki. In the same motion, he threw himself over the wall of the cart and charged to join the battle.

The offending rabbit currently pinning Usagi heard Leonardo coming. Before Leonardo’s sword could touch base, another blade crossed his in a disarming attempt. Leonardo held strong, falling and swiping at the rabbits feet. The rabbit jumped back with just enough time to avoid the attack, and just enough time for Usagi to scramble to his feet and join Leonardo with their backs pressed together so no one could sneak up on them.

“How’d you get free?” Usagi whispered.

“I’m very persuasive.” Leonardo snickered in response.

The attackers seemed hesitant to continue to fight now that the playing field was almost even. They had pulled back, gathered into a small huddle as they eyed Usagi and Leonardo with glowing eyes. Leonardo knew that look. He smiled and stomped his foot, making the rabbits startle and scatter off into the night.

Usagi gave it a few moments before he dropped his blade, and Leonardo followed suit.

“Thank you.” Usagi breathed softly, his ears still erect as if he expected the enemy to return at any time. He turned and gave a bow to Leonardo, which the mutant was quick to return.

“What did those guys want with you?” Leonardo asked, sliding his odachi back into its place on his shell. “Seemed personal.”

“They were just bandits.” Usagi quickly brushed past Leonardo’s question. “Nothing more.���

Usagi moved past Leonardo, eyes dwelling on the mutant for as long as he deemed necessary before jumping into the cart with a powerful bound. Nuriyuki immediately ran to meet Usagi, hugging the rabbit though his pathetically arms couldn’t quite reach fully around. Usagi’s paws went to carefully cup around Nuriyuki’s back and hold him close, though Leonardo wouldn’t count such as a hug.

“Are you alright?” Usagi asked, his paws going from the badger’s back to his shoulders, carefully squeezing him.

“I’m fine Usagi.” Nuriyuki squeaked. “Are you hurt?”

Usagi fluffed out his ruffled fur; it was stained brown with the mud that lay under the frosted snow, but there was no blood that Leonardo could see.

“I am fine as well.”

“Those bandits were really big!” Nuriyuki frowned, his ears lying flat.

Usagi tweaked the badger’s nose before leaning down to pick up the box of berries he had forsaken. He then turned to Leonardo.

“We have to pack up and keep moving. Those bandits will be back with more friends.” He shoved the box of berries into Leonardo’s arms. “You need to keep your strength. And don’t manipulate my ward again.” The rabbit’s eyes and teeth flashed a threatening warning to the turtle.

Leonardo looked down at the assortment of dried fruit, then back up at Usagi with the slightest bow of his head. They started to clean up their camp and were long gone within the hour.

[skylarmoon71]

Donatello Fanfiction- Oneshot

"Guys quit messing around, they're getting away!" Leo yelled. Raph and Mikey were tying up the two robbers they'd stopped a few blocks down. Three more of the men had managed to run off into the crowd. Leo knew if they didn't stop them at the upcoming turn it would be difficult to catch them without being seen.

When the men took a turn, Leo smiled. It was down a street he knew pretty well. They could cut them off without a crowd. When he pitched over the last building, he could hear grunts of pain coming from the other side. Raph and the others finally caught up, leaning over the building just in time to see another person dressed in black, taking out the men they were trying to stop. With one powerful punch, the robber hit the opposite wall, knocking out cold. 

"Woah!" 

Mikey's excited scream caught the person's attention.

Their head raised, and Leo took the opportunity to jump down. He wasn't sure if this guy was friend or foe. His brothers followed, and the figure backpedaled.

"Listen, we're not going to hurt you. It looks like we were after the same people."

He could tell by the way the person stood that they were still very much unnerved. Leo took a cautious step forward. "I know that you must be-" he didn't have a chance to finish the sentence, because they fired a punch, which he dodged.

"Hey! We're on the same side!" Ignoring the statement, the individual continued to fight back, and when the last punch connected, Leo was shocked when he was forced against the wall at the force. Whoever this was had knocked the wind right out of him. He fell to the ground, a bit disoriented. When he finally regained his wits, he stood up slowly.

"He's strong guys be careful." Leo warned. Raph, Donnie and Mikey circled.

"Alright, don't ya go getting ideas. We don't want to hurt ya." As they moved to fire another attack, Donnie shot out one of his rope launchers. It wrapped around the figure's torso, bounding their hands at their sides. The body hit the floor with a thud, and the noises of struggle was all Leo heard. He straightened, rubbing his sore stomach.

"D-Damn it let me go you bastards!" Leo was stunned at the feminine voice. It sounded pretty young too. Reaching over he pulled off the hood, surprised at the girl before him.

"No way she's a girl!" Mikey shouted. You glared up at them, pissed.

"Just wait until I get out of this I'll punch your lights out! " Why the hell are you guys so big anyway, and buff. Kinda hot." you muttered that last part when your eyes landed on the one in purple. He shifted at your stare, and Mikey was cheering. "Dude she's definitely joining the team."

"Shut up Mikey!"

You frowned, forcing yourself upright. Donnie and Raph took a step back, and you started yelling, freeing yourself of the rope. It ripped like a piece of paper, and Leo's eyes grew wide. How were you so strong? Your hands raised in front of your face, watching them carefully. Regular thugs you could take, but these guys, you had no idea what they were.

Still, you weren't going to just lie down and get beaten.

"Leo what do we do?" Donnie was out of ideas. Anything else that he had to subdue you probably wouldn't hold, and you were just defending yourself. They weren't sure how to approach without causing harm, or being harmed.

"What are you?" you questioned.

"We should be asking you the same question. I've never met a human with your strength." The cocky smirk on your lips really reminded Leo of Raph.

"I was born like this, comes in handy when douchebags like that try to take advantage of other people." you gestured to the unconscious bandits.

"But you guys, you're those vigilantes that have been running around, I heard talk. But I thought it was just a rumor." you stared, and they were still standing at a distance.

"Michelangelo at your service." The one in orange said with a grin bowing. You smile a little, eyes falling back on purple.

"Why aren't you freaking out?" Leo expected more of a reaction, you were taking it pretty well.

"Please, I'm from Central City, I've seen weirder stuff. Sorry about the stomach punch. You just really surprised me. "

Leo sheathed his blades slowly. "It's alright. I'm Leonardo."

"Name's (Y/N), nice to meet you."

And that was the beginning of a very interesting partnership.

~~~

"What are you working on handsome." Donnie almost dropped his magnifying glass, clearing his throat and stepping away. You just smiled, watching the way he nervously fidgeted with the items on the desk.

"I-I'm fixing the cameras we have set up around the city. After the power outage, a few of them went out. It's important that I keep them running."

You weren't sure how long it had been. Weeks, probably months. After your meeting, you started working with the turtles. At first, you were a bit skeptical. Because even though they seemed like good guys, it wasn't in your nature to trust strangers. But as you continued on your night trips protecting the city, you kept running into them. So eventually, you all teamed up. It worked out pretty well too. You gained a family, at least now you weren't out there on your own anymore. You were strong, but not invincible. It was nice having back up.

Mikey was a very interesting individual. Raph, he was like your twin brother. You both loved breaking stuff, and pissing off Leo.

Donnie, well he was something else. Maybe it was his intelligence, or his adorable shyness. Or even those nerdy glasses. Whatever it was, it had you hooked. You always enjoyed being in the lair, because it meant more time making Donnie flustered. He always got nervous at your advances, and you absolutely loved his reactions.

Pure gold.

"Since you're so good at fixing stuff, I have a little problem of my own." That caught his attention, he placed the items down, giving you his full attention. You could already see him flipping on his goggles and scanning you for any internal problems.

"I can't seem to find anything wrong with you. Your vitals are functioning as normal. Heart rate steady, blood pressure moderate, lung capacity-" you took a step forward, and he backed up against the desk in surprise. "It's not that kind of problem." you whisper. He pulled his goggles off, swallowing.

"W-What k-kind of p-problem is it?"

"There's this guy, I've been trying everything, but I can't get him to make a move.." you bit your lip, staring into his beautiful emerald eyes. "What do I do.." You had him trapped between you and the desk, no chance of him running off like all the other times. At his height, he had to look down. You were standing on your toes to match his height. When your eyes flickered to lips, he nearly had a heart attack.

"(Y-Y/N)!"

"Yes." Donnie wasn't sure what to say. All those days spending with you, he thought flirting was just in your nature. But now that he thought about, you were never like this with any of his other brothers.

"Maybe she really does.." he shook his head, banishing the thought. He was a mutant, and you were human. In no world would such a relationship work out. Besides, you weren't serious about it. To you this was probably just a good pastime.

"Donnie?" You could tell something changed. His eyes lowered to the floor, and he took you by the shoulders, gently pushing you back.

"I have to get back to work." He didn't look at you, just headed for his room. You just watched him go, feeling crummy. You wrapped your hand around your body a bit self consciously. He must have really not liked you to just push you away like that. "Whatever, I don't care." If he really wasn't interested, you would just give up. It wasn't worth the heartache, honestly.

~~~

"We have to be careful this time. Their security is a lot better than what we've dealt with so far. All we're doing is immobilizing the men, Lieutenant Vncent is going to handle the rest." You nod at Leo's instructions, pulling the black mask over your eyes.

"Let the games begin."

Everyone started to fall out, and as you moved to jump down the building, Donnie offered you a hand. You just brushed it off, doing a backflip and landing easily on your feet at the bottom. "I've got it." you muttered in annoyance. It was bad enough he basically rejected you last time, but he wanted to act like the whole thing didn't happen.

The entire time you were beating yourself up. You weren't the most beautiful person in the world, but hell you weren't ugly either. Maybe he was just used to being around people like April. There was no way you could compare to that.

Your current mission was to shoot down a weapon transport. A bunch of criminals thought it was a good idea to start operating off Shredder's old territory. Idiots.

NYPD intercepted a deal that was about to take place, and of course Leo offered his assistance. So here you all were at an old construction site.

From your spot you could see a car pull up, and Leo signalled to the others who were already surrounding the building. You all had been there for half an hour. Leo wanted to get everyone of them. So when Donnie clarified that the last of them were there, they sneaked inside. You followed Leo, ducking and slipping through a half broken door on the other side.

"Are you sure this is top notch, my boss will be pissed if you don't deliver on your deal." The thugs were discussing the merchandise, while Raph and Mikey were quietly taking out the body guards set up at different points around the building. You almost let out a laugh when you saw the one Raph grabbed from not too far away. It looked so comical. He caught your eyes, smiling and giving a thumbs up. You just shook your head. When Leo nodded, you realized now it was safe to show yourself.

"Boys, boys, boys." you spoke catching all their attention. They spun around drawing their guns.

"Uh uh, I wouldn't do that if I were you." The man in front of you started laughing.

"This kid thinks she can come here and takes us down. Run home to your mommy brat." You frowned.

"That's no way to talk to a lady." You pulled out the tonfas strapped at the sides of your boots with a grin.

"Let's have a little fun shall we." you grinned. When you ran straight at them they started firing and you blocked every bullet easily. You could hear the bullets bouncing off the metal, and as you got close enough, you swiped, taking down the first male. He grunted, gun flying from his palm as he crashed to the floor.

Leo came down, tying up the last bodyguard. "I thought I said no theatrics, in and out (Y/N)." you shrugged your shoulders when Leo raised his fist, knocking out the man who tried to sneak up behind him. "Couldn't help myself." you laughed when he rolled his eyes, turning to the remaining men who were just standing there in fear.

Raph and Mikey finally joined you in the main area.

"Ready for some turtle butt kicking!!" Mikey hollered. One of the guys right in front of him dropped his gun that had run out of ammo. He screamed out, running straight at Mikey, and you laughed when he knocked into his chest falling back on the ground. Mikey didn't even have to lift a finger, he knocked himself out.

"Woah..no hands!"

You giggle, falling out to deal with any men that might have gotten away. Leo was checking the area doing the same. Pretty soon you could hear the police sirens. Probably Lieutenant Vincent.

As you got to the back, you could see Donnie bounding an unconscious man. He raised when he heard you walking closer. "I think that's the last of them." He spoke. You nod, and as you opened your mouth to tell him that it's about time to leave, you catch a red dot at the back of his head. Your eyes widen. "DONNIE! Your scream alerts him that something is wrong, and he doesn't register the problem, because your body collides with his roughly and the sound of a gun firing echoes.

You both hit the floor roughly, and Donnie takes a moment to catch himself. When he sees the blood, his heart stops cold. You're lying on the floor, unmoving. Another bullet goes off and this time he can tell where, blocking it with his bo staff. He catches the assailant through the broken glass, he's trying to reload his weapon. Donnie taps on the gadget on his shoulder, and the small drone disengages from his backpack, firing off in the direction of the sniper. The man doesn't have a chance to get a next shot, because the robot lands on his shirt and releases an electric current. Painful yells fill the area before he hears the thud of his body. Now that the threat is gone, Donnie turns back to you. Raph and the others finally show up, all yelling out for you and Donnnie. When they get there the shock and fear is obvious.

"Is she.." Mikey's voice breaks, blue almost shaking.

"Get her to Vincent, Now!" Leo doesn't mean to be harsh, he's just as scared as everyone else. But if they waste time panicking, then there's a chance it'll be too late. He knows Vincent will do all in her power to save you. Donnie lifts you into his arms, and he can see the bullet wound. It's in your stomach. He ignores it, now isn't the time. As he rushes off, all he can think is how much he regrets not answering your question that day. He'd give anything to do it right now, because there is a chance that there won't be a later.

~~~

"There's no need to worry. The doctors say she'll make a full recovery. " Leo's not sure he's ever held his breath that long. After speeding you to the hospital, all four turtles were waiting anxiously on the roof, hoping that you were fine. Lieutenant Vincent has just provided them with the good news, and now it feels like they can breathe easy.

"The bullet went right through, and thankfully it didn't hit anything vital. It might take her a while, but I suggest she take a break from the crime fighting for the time being." Leo can't agree more, and Vincent gives him a reassuring pat on the arm.

"Great work today." she says softly. She nods to the rest of them, turning and heading for the staircase. As the door closes behind her, they all let out a sigh.

"Thank goodness." Mikey mumbles. Usually he's ready with a witty joke, but at the moment, he can't really think of one, so he drops down on his butt, all the stress of waiting finally gone.

"S-She saved my life." Donnie whispers. At the point in time he kept going over why you would do something so reckless. He had his shell for protection, surely a bullet would have been nothing to him. But after he calculated the angle of the shot, it made sense. The sniper was attempting a head shot. That would have definitely killed him.

"Why do ya sound so surprised. Of course she would. " Raph knows you'd do it for any of them in a heartbeat. "She'd risk her life for anyone of us, especially you dumnut."

There's more to the statement that he realizes, and when he looks over at Raph, Donnie understands.

"She cares about ya a lot. Maybe if ya took ya head out of those computers you'd see it. " Raph doesn't say much more, he turned his back, running and jumping unto the other building. There isn't much they can do now but wait for your recovery. Leo pats Donnie's shoulder, following after Raph. Mikey isn't too far behind. Donnie stands there for a moment, processing all that's happened. This is one situation he can't solve with logic. That's for sure.

~Four Weeks Later~

"For the last time I'm completely healed up. So when can I get back out there?" you give Leo the biggest puppy eyes you can muster. He just looks completely unimpressed.

"Donnie?" you gasped.

"W-Why are you asking Donnie! He's biased! I want a fair trial!" you demand.

"According to my statistics, your wound will heal more effectively if you refrain from any strenuous activity for the next two months. You'll be as healthy as a horse."

"TWO MONTHS ARE YOU SHITTING ME!!"

Leo just folds his arms. "You heard it, no activity for two months. " Leo is already walking off, and Splinter is standing in the background watching it all unfold. Deciding this is your last resort, you fire your puppy eyes at Splinter. "Pwease!" you push out your lips for maximum effect, and he just clears his throat.

"Donatello's statistics are usually very accurate." he turns quickly and your mouth just hangs open.

"Damn it!"

When you got out of the hospital, the boys were cautious, they babied you constantly at the beginning. For a while you liked it, especially having Donnie's attention. He was with you day and night, helping nurse you back to health.

At certain points you felt bad, because you knew he was just doing it because of a heavy conscience. It wasn't out of care, but guilt. Finally tired of being bed ridden, you were ready to get back out there. But they refused to let you.

You sent a glare at Donnie, storming off. This meant you were back to being stuck in the lair. When you got to Donnie's room you just wanted to punch something. With your strength you would most likely shatter it to pieces, so you refrained. You walked in, slowly trailing to the mirror. You just stared at your reflection for a while.

Reaching for the bottom of your shirt, you lifted it, watching the scar that was forming from the wound, just below your bust. "Stupid scar, I'm perfectly fine." you grumbled. When you heard the door close behind you, you jumped. Donnie was standing there, and you realized that he must have seen the wound. You shoved the shirt down hurriedly.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude, I was just checking to make sure you're okay. "

You frowned. You were done accepting his pity too. Now it just irritated you.

"You don't have to worry about me Donnie. I'm fine." you snarl.

"I know that you're angry but we're just trying to-"

"I-I don't care!" you shouted. You huffed, already at your last strand of patience.

"Y-You don't have to keep checking in on me. You don't have to pretend to care about me anymore okay. I didn't take that bullet just for you too feel sorry for me so you can stop now. "

"What are you saying of course I care about you."

"IT'S NOT THE SAME!!" you hated that you were yelling at him. He hadn't really done anything wrong. You couldn't force him to feel the same.

"It's not the same.." you mutter this time, and you can feel the tears prickling at the corner of your eyes.

"I love you Donatello. I-I've been in love with you for months.." you finally said it. No more flirting, or playful nudges. You flat out said it. You sobbed, unable to stop the tears now.

"W-When I saw that light on you I was so scared I thought I-I'd never get the chance to say that to you. I know you don't feel the same I just..I don't want your pity love. I want the real thing and I-" he crossed the floor, cupping your cheeks, and you breath stopped the moment his lips touched yours. Everything froze. Time, your body, your heart. It wasn't a deep kiss, just the brief touching of lips. As quickly as it happened, he pulled away, eyes searching yours.

"I do feel the same way, I-I just thought that it was impossible for you to actually feel that way. Not for someone like me."

"Someone like you..." What the hell did he mean by that.

"I'm a mutant (Y/N). I've gone over this inside and out. I've worked out every possible equation, and none of them seem to lead to this working out. I just thought it would be easier if I stopped it, before anything could happen. "

He was such a scientist.

"I don't care about equations Donnie, or what you are. All I care about is the guy I fell in love with. The sweet, intelligent, caring, sexy person that is Donatello. Nothing else matters to me."

He was blushing, you were sure of it. "Did I mention freaking adorable." you smiled when he avoided your eyes bashfully.

"All I really know is I want you Donnie, I've wanted you for so long." he gulped, and you raised, pulling him in for another kiss. This one was all want on your part. You could tell Donnie was struggling to keep up. Your hand pressed to his chest, and you could feel his heart racing under your fingertips. He jolted when he felt your hands sliding down. He pulled back just as you unlatched the panel at his waist. It dropped to the floor, and he stared at you, breathless.

"W-What are you doing!"

The look in your eyes wasn't one he was used to. It wasn't like the playful smirks you sent him when you were teasing. This was lust, yearning, longing..love.

"I want to feel you Donnie...every piece of you." you were reaching for him, hands going up and removing his goggles. He just stood there, watching as you slowly freed him of all his gadgets. All he managed to do was breathe. When they were all gone, you looked at him. You took his hand, placing it on your waist. You could feel the slight tremble in his hands. "It's okay Donnie, you can touch me.." he flexed his hand, checking to see if this was even real. The softness of your skin couldn't be an illusion. You slowly backed up, taking him with you to the bed. Climbing unto the mattress, Donnie followed, mesmerized by the look in your eyes.

"We don't have to go all the way...I just really want to feel you." He nodded, covering your body with his own, and this time he initiated the kiss. You hummed, loving every minute of it. He was careful not to apply to much of his weight. When you felt his hand going under your shirt, you swore you were on cloud nine. Shy nerdy Donnie's was finally taking the lead, and it was a million times better than you'd ever imagined. His hand was trailing up higher, and just before he could get to your bust, he stopped. You whined in disappointment. He pulled back, giving you a moment to catch your breath.

"I-Is this really okay?" you could tell he was still tentative.

"T-This is all happening so fast...m-maybe we should stop. Y-You're still recovering after all."

"Donnie please don't..."you bucked your hips into his, gasping when you felt him begin to harden. Since he was pressed right into you, it was almost impossible not to feel it. He lost his composure for a brief second, clenching his fist into the sheets.

"Don't stop.." you breathed. He apparently didn't need much more convincing. You could see the way his eyes were dilated. He wasn't going to back out again, not anymore. Now that he knew how much you wanted this, wanted him, he could finally give in. There was no need to protect himself, because your looks, it was all the convincing he needed. It was enough.

[rwby-grimm-guardians]

RWBY Grimm Guardians Arc 4: Re-Bonding In Mistral Ch 6 (Part II)

Here’s Part 2 of Chapter 6.

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

(The next morning…)

As everyone was having breakfast, still absorbing the conversation from last night, the youngest of the team leaders went to the living room.

“Yang…” Ruby called out. Her big sister hummed from the couch, turning to face the younger of the two with a raised eyebrow. The red cloaked teenager bit her lip. She knew she shouldn’t ask this... But she wanted to try and help. “Do you...want to talk about Blake and...our other mom…?” She asked with hesitation. As expected, the blonde sighed, “Blake, yes. Mom...I’d like to wait for now.”

“She didn’t come back with Mom...did she?” Ruby asked, sitting next to her big sister on the couch. Yang shook her head, “No, but I get why. Stepmom gave Mom a choice and Mom alone has to decide if she’s ready to return.” “She’d do the same with us, if we were in that position.” She explained. “It’s just…” The blonde sighed, racking her fingers through her hair.

“I just...wished this was an easy choice for her.” She said. “I get it. She wants to protect us and proud of her for that.” Ruby nodded in agreement, before asking, “But you want her to do it where you can spend time with her. Right?” “I know it’s a bit hypocritical…” Yang said. “But, unlike Blake, I’ve been without Mom my whole life…”

“I can’t talk to her the same way I can speak to Blake.” The blonde said. “I…still don’t know Mom well enough for that.” Her younger sister nodded, “I get that. Also, unlike our other mom, you and Blake have a more effective means of staying in contact.”

Yang nodded in agreement as she rested her head on Ruby’s shoulder. “I know you’re questioning your thoughts. I am too…” The younger of the two said. “So, trust me. We’ll both get answers soon enough. I’m sure...”

“She might be anxious over Dad’s possible reaction too.” She explained. Yang nodded, before shivering, “I don’t want to know how bad THAT might end up.” Ruby nodded in agreement, “We’ll see how it goes... and support them in the best way we can.”

The blonde nodded, before the two rested on the couch. As the morning went on, they watched Jaune spending time with Pyrrha, while Ren spent time with Nora. “Those two pairs are cute together.” Yang chuckled. Ruby grinned, “Aren’t they?”

Weiss then sat down next to them, with Ruby saying, “Your mom looks WAY different now.” The heiress gave a soft chuckle, “Yeah. It’s almost unbelievable.” “But it’s nice. I’m happy with it.” Weiss smiled. “She...finally feels better about herself.”

The tallest of the three sighed, “Speaking of parents, will Blake and Gambol’s like us?”

Weiss sighed, “I hope so. I don’t want to be judged based on my father’s actions.” “From what Mom said since our virtual meeting, they seem really nice and understanding.” Ruby said. “We might be good in their eyes, if they believe Blake.”

“Speaking of Blake, she texted me earlier.” Yang said. Her sister and Weiss turned to look at the blonde, to which she said, “We’ll need to be careful. White Fang’s gonna attack Haven soon.” “Shit…” Ruby whispered, to which Yang nodded. “Yeah.” The blonde replied. “How long do we have?” The heiress asked. The blonde sighed, “Approximately two weeks. They could attack earlier. We’ll need to hurry and be cautious.” “Blake and her family will be coming to help us out.” She explained.

Ruby and Weiss nodded. That was, at least, one good sign.

The three noticed Evergreen comforting Oscar in the kitchen. “Seems like last night made him feel worse about himself.” The youngest of the three said. Yang nodded, “It was Ozma, not him.” The heiress nodded, “Though it seems he’s struggling to see the difference.”

The sister pair nodded in agreement. Qrow entered the living room with a mug of coffee, before looking at his nieces. The two just each gave him a reassuring nod, before he gently combed their bangs out of their eyes with a chuckle.

“Guys…?”

Everyone turned to face Summer as she entered the room, before Ruby, Yang, Qrow, and Evergreen’s eyes widened. As the former STRQ leader stood before them, she was in the EXACT appearance she had prior to her death. She was shorter, had no scars, had longer hair, and had her black dress again.

Yang immediately sat up, before she and Ruby began standing.

“Sum…?” The former bandit called out, covering his lips in shock as he almost dropped the mug. His former leader nodded, shaking, “Please...tell me I’m not DREAMING. Please tell me...that I’m still here.”

Immediately, the former bandit realized that his former leader had triggered her strongest ability. Her unique semblance: Transformation.

Putting the mug on the table, Qrow walked up to her and racked his fingers through the woman’s hair, before holding her. “I’m SO proud of you…” He said, a smile forming on his face. “You remembered your greatest strength.” Something in the former STRQ leader cracked as she broke into tears, burying her face into the now taller man’s shoulder and holding him tightly. “It’s okay, Sum. It’s okay.” The former bandit whispered. “This is real. You’re not dreaming. You’re still here.”

Yang and Ruby, without hesitation, immediately rushed up to them and hugged their mom. Qrow gave a weak, yet genuine chuckle as he said, “I’m so proud of you…” Summer finally pulled back a bit, wiping her face dry and sniffing. “Sorry…” She mumbled, referring to the stain on Qrow’s shoulder. The former bandit smiled, “Don’t be. You know I’d sacrifice a dry shoulder for you, Rae, Tai, and the kids any day.”

The now shorter woman nodded, before holding her daughters...or at least attempting to, given that the two had wrapped their arms around her waist and abdomen from behind her.

As the two teenagers released their hold on the former STRQ leader, she let out a sigh. “I’ve missed this…” She mumbled with a tired smile, before pointing at the stubbled man in front of her. “Doesn’t mean you get to use the height jokes, Qrow.” The former bandit gave a fake pout, “You’re no fun.” Summer gave a genuine chuckle, “And even though I’m shorter, I’m still a can of ass-kicking. I told you that ages ago.” Qrow smiled, raising his hands with a nod, “Yes, yes. You did.”

The two stood like that for a few moments, before Summer once again tightly hugged the taller man. “Easy, Sum…” The former bandit said with a smile. “I got you.” He felt his former leader nod, tightening her hold on him.

Summer began to wonder if this was what it was like. To love yourself.

…

She believed that this was probably ONE way to love yourself. If so, she’d take it with every bit of joy in her. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Some time later…at Haven Academy…)

Finally the group had arrived at the academy. And as they entered, the headmaster, Leonardo Lionheart welcomed them. “Why hello. Thank you for...coming.” He said with a nervous chuckle. “There seems to be...more of you than last time.” Everyone raised an eyebrow, before Qrow said, “Well, the more the merrier, as they say. What’s going on with the council?” “Why did you...bring your weapons?” Lionheart asked.

Once again, the group was confused by the headmaster’s nervous tone…

As well as getting suspicious…

“We’re huntsmen, Lionheart.” Evergreen said, before giving his fellow headmaster a concerned expression. “Is everything alright?” The bearded faunus nodded, “Yes, of course! I apologize.” “Haven’t had my evening coffee yet.” He explained.

Summer and Evergreen knew THAT was a lie and a half.

Suddenly, Summer felt Yang gently tugging on her sleeve as she whispered, “Mom’s here.” The former STRQ leader knew Ember heard that...and probably Ruby and Qrow too. The tallest of the group turned towards the balcony Yang was now pointing to, revealing a black bird on it. Nodding, she then said, “Raven… If you could be polite and come down here, please.”

The group watched as the bird flew from the balcony and landed in front of Summer, before transforming and revealing Raven, removing her mask...and still wearing Summer’s cloak. “You are too observant for your own good.” She said...with a noticeably somber tone.

That alone made Yang realize that her mother didn’t want to be at Haven. Qrow went up to the two, asking, “The hell are you doing here…?” Summer continued to look at her former partner in the eye, before whispering, “You’re not here by choice… Are you?”

The tribe leader sighed, whispering, “Bribed. Salem’s brats want the Relic.” The twins could hear the uncanny wolf growl from their former leader. “And Vampier?” The taller woman asked. Raven closed her eyes, “She’ll be here too.”

Summer sighed, “Very well then. I can make her beg for mercy again.” “I know you will.” The elder Branwen whispered with a small smirk. “Plan is to trick them into fucking up.” The taller woman chuckled, “I’m glad you still got that clever side of you.” The twins smiled, before noticing their former leader grinning as she said to them, “Better make this convincing. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The Branwens whispered, obviously a little anxious by how willing Summer seemed to go along with this plan. The three then backed up from each other, before Summer whispered in each of her daughters’ ears. As she did that, Qrow successfully managed to distract Lionheart by asking Raven in a convincing angry tone, “There’s only one reason you’d be here. You got the Spring Maiden, right?”

Unexpectedly, the elder twin gave Qrow a noticeable flinch. His jaw nearly dropped in shock. ‘Oh fuck, do NOT tell me…’ He thought to himself in worry. Summer paled, realizing that Qrow didn’t know that Raven was a Maiden...and she was certain the tribe leader was internally panicking. ‘Those two need to play their cards VERY carefully right now.’ She thought. ‘Or we’re so fucked…’

“I do.” Raven said...and as expected, Qrow was even more shocked. ‘Fuck…’ He thought, before saying, “Okay… Then help us by letting her join us…” “Not that simple, little brother.” The tribe leader said. “You know as well as I do that fighting Salem is just a LOSING battle.” Her little brother sighed, “Rae, we’ve been over this. We can stop her. She’s not invincible.”

“She’s right, Qrow.” Summer suddenly said in a monotone voice, drawing a lot of shocked reactions towards her. “Nearly...died ONCE...against Salem.”

The twins and Evergreen looked the most horrified out of everyone present. Against her better judgement, the elder Branwen asked, “Then why are you still fighting?” “Not. Just...protecting you all…” Her former leader said, once again in a monotone voice. The twins felt like their hearts SHATTERED when they heard that. Raven could tell that Evergreen seemed very guiltful over this. Summer’s fingers twitched, before she said, “Can’t kill HER. But her TOOLS, on the other hand…”

“Kill off...or defeat her support? She’s alone.” The former STRQ leader said. “We can, at least...make her fail.” She then perked up, looking around her, as if she had forgotten where she was. Summer then cleared her throat, before saying, “Sorry… That was...something I needed to get off my chest...for quite some time.” “I think…” She mumbled. The group and Raven assumed that the taller woman just had a flashback and whatever thoughts that were still buried decided to show up.

Raven seemed to know very well as to what Summer was talking about earlier.

“As much as I’d like to continue this discussion...and be proven wrong....” The tribe leader started. “This group won’t let me waste anymore time.” She then half-heartedly swung Omen down, opening a portal. A fireball and an energy blast launched out, both hitting Summer to little effect. She had dashed in front of Ruby...and as the smoke cleared, the former STRQ leader glared into the portal. “I see you got a new toy to play with.” She said as Vampier stepped out.

The Bat Queen grinned smugly, “Yeah. Do you like it?” “A...friend of mine has a new toy as well.” She said pointing at the portal as Cinder stepped into the room. The teenagers paled as their eyes widened in shock.

“Thought you saw the last of me, brats?” The red-dressed woman grinned. She and Vampier then looked at a now-furious Pyrrha. The Bat Queen raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you supposed to be dead?”

It was taking a lot of strength from Jaune, Ren, and Nora to make sure the armored redhead didn’t rush in and get fatally injured again. Cinder looked at Ruby, who looked like she saw a ghost. “Did you like my gift?” The Fall Maiden asked with a grin.

“How…?” The red cloaked teenager asked, shocked that CInder was standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. Her mind almost flashed back to her nightmare as the red-dressed woman sighed, “Salem’s QUITE generous. Gave me a new arm, new ability…”

“And freed me from my FEAR of you damn brats.” She emphasized with a grin. She then snapped her fingers and soon, Mercury, Emerald, and Vernal had entered the room. “Ah, if it isn’t the assholes who tried to make us look bad.” Yang smirked. “Now we can kick your asses without feeling guilty.” Ruby managed to ignore Cinder as she looked at her sister and Ember, “You two want my scythe?”

The taller blonde ruffled the younger Rose’s hair, “Thanks, kid. But we’d rather punch their teeth out.”, before going into Yang’s gauntlet. The blonde teenager looked at Ruby, obviously concerned as she whispered, “Are you going to be okay?” The younger of the two shook her head, “I...really don’t know…” Weiss put a hand on her leader’s shoulder, “You understand that you have us to help you. Right?”

Ruby gave a small smile and nodded, before jumping as Willow shielded them from another fireball. “What’s the game plan?” She asked Summer. The former STRQ leader narrowed her eyes, before saying, “Vampier’s mine.” She then looked at the teenagers, “Can you take on Cinder and her brainwashed children?” After a few moments of silence of looking at each other, both teams nodded. Summer smiled, giving them a reassuring nod.

She then looked at Qrow and Evergreen, “You two and Willow try to take on Raven and Vernal.” “At least to make this somewhat believable to Cinder…” She whispered. The three adults nodded, before Qrow and Summer noticed a brief, but thankful smile on the tribe leader’s face. “Do me a favor and don’t hold back, brawd.” Raven said. Reluctantly, Qrow nodded, “If that’s what you want, chwaer.”

Cinder formed a flame in her hand with a grin, while Vampier charged her new pistols. “If we’re all done with this chit-chat…” The Fall Maiden started. “Time. For. Some. FUN!” Summer immediately pulled out her sabers, before everyone began charging at each other. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God, this was hard, but I hope it was good enough.

College is a pain in the fucking ass and some personal shit with anxiety had also prolonged this.

Now, Transformation works like this: Summer can transform into things that represent her or her bloodline (for example: A giant gray wolf, a legit giant, a Beowolf Grimm, herself prior to her death or during Beacon, and...something else that will be revealed in the future, hopefully). She can partially transform into other creatures, but it’s difficult to do so. Also, she prefers not doing it with other things.

Of course, these forms (excluding the mysterious one (for reasons not yet set in stone) and her appearances prior to her initial death (because it's just a cosmetic change)) all have their own benefits and flaws.

Naturally, her wolf forms can allow her to communicate with canines, like Zwei for example. As her Beowolf Grimm form was granted by the Grimm blood now inside her, she’s able to communicate with Grimm.

The next three chapters will ALL be about Haven’s fall. With a LOT of differences.

[thechubbyotter]

You will be Mondo Gecko Chapter 1

It all starts on a warm summer night.  In the depths of New York City.

 Our heroes in orange and blue bandana make their way through the very crowded market of the Hidden city.

 With salespeople trying to draw attention to customers, curious magic objects. And children insistently begging their parents to buy them something.

 A typical situation of a market.-Aaagh...Why did we have to come just this day-

 The blue one protests, while hiding his face more with the cap of his jacket.

-... I already told you that I am wanted to catch me in this place after the incident at the spa ...¿why didn't you ask someone else, like Raph or Donnie? -

-Because they are busy ... Donnie is still working at Shelldon, and Raph is having a private training session with Dad-

 Michelangelo answers while enthusiastically observing several of the objects that were sold.

 He loved visiting that city.  And more if it was about seeing novel magic objects.

 -¿And why didn't you ask Draxum? ... He have free time - Leo asks, annoyed at being there.  He did not like to hide his identity, and to have the tension of being seen.

 -¿Don't you remember that he is massively wanted here? ... They are being more cautious with the prisoners after you escaped from jail ...-

 He turns to look seriously at his older brother.

 -... If they catch him, we may not be able to rescue him as easily as last time ... we can't risk it-

 -Of course ... and they can lock me up for life, right? -

 -Don't be exaggerated ... you are a young ninja ... Obviously you won't be caught as easily as him.  That he is weak and old for persecutions ... - he says giving him a somewhat annoyed look - ... Why do you think they sent me here?-

 -Exactly, they sent you, ¿why do they include me in this? ....-

 Leo stops in front of a store, falling behind the orange one.

 -Because you're  my  older brother.  And you must accompany me to make the orders for Draxum-

 Mikey faces him, somewhat annoyed by the unusual bad attitude of the one in blue. Normally he would be delighted to come to that place.

 -Today was the last chapter of "Married with himself".  Now how will I know if he discovered that it was only a mirror? - He complains slightly about his loss.

 While Mikey only gives an annoyed look, discovering the reason why his older brother was like this.  Sometimes, even if he didn't accept it, he could bring out his childish side.

 -Look, I could perfectly come alone.  But Raph says that I am forbidden to come alone to this city .... It is not my fault that he treats me like a baby-

 - Well, it's not mine either ... I just wanted to enjoy this beautiful Saturday night ... Enjoying some delicious snacks, while I watch one of my favorite shows ...-

 Mikey just starts to shake his head slightly, in disapproval of the older man's attitude. But Leo just ignores Mikey's expression, smiling, as he imagines that longed-for situation. And then give a sigh of defeat

 -But guess what ... not all of us get what we want ... You don't leave the nest, and I don't have my grand finale-

 -Hey, don't compare my situation with your stupid narcissistic program- says the one in orange crossing his arms, as a sign of anger.

 -Yeah yeah ... whatever you say baby Mikey ...- He goes ahead of the child with a mocking look -... Try to insult me ​​when you leave mom Rapha's nest  ...-

 Michelangelo only gives a slight grunt at the teasing he was receiving from the red-eared turtle.  But he was was resisting to start an discussion.

 -Ha ha ha...look at your face, you look like a grumpy old man-

 Leo laughs as he points to the face of a notably angry Mikey, who looked like he was about to explode.  It could really be annoying when they argue.

 -If you don't change it, you can stay like this forever-

 Leonardo's mockery was interrupted, due to the sudden knock he received from the door of the store.  Opened by some hooded subjects, who came out of it at full speed.

 -¡¡LEO!!-

 Mikey forgets the discussion, to quickly help the almost unconscious Leonardo. Who was totally stunned by the hit he received.

 -¡¡HELP!!-

 He quickly directed his gaze towards the person who yelled.  Discovering an elderly cyclops, who left the store dejected by what had just happened.

 - ¡¡Those guys have stolen my mirrors !! -

 Michelangelo looks at those who had just left the store.  They weren't far and they weren't very fast.

 He deduced that it would take short time in to catch those if he made his way over roofs and buildings.

 This would be a good opportunity to show what he is capable of to his brother in blue bandana.  To sabotage a robbery without having the help of his brothers, it would be a good feat that would silence them permanently.

 Also, being a self-proclaimed hero, he wouldn't let that injustice go so easily.

 -Wait here Leo, I won't be long - he says, simulating a typical voice of a comic book hero, which he read without permission from Leo.

 As soon as he says that, he puts down the shopping bags from that day, with the boy still stunned from the blow.  To quickly pursue the chase after those thieves.

 -¿Eh? ... ¡Wait! -

 The absence of the box turtle immediately restores him from the daze.  And as he can, he try to get up as quickly as possible

 -¡Mikey come back here! .... ¡¡¿Where do you think you are going? !! -

 Unfortunately he was not heard by the minor.  Which runs across the roofs of stores, so quickly that in a second it completely disappears from his sight.

 -Damn ... ¿now what will I say to Pops?- He says annoyed at being abandoned like that.

 And sore from his fall.

 -¿Eh? ... ¡Hey!, ¡¿isn't that the spa thief?!-

 Confused, he turns to see where that comment came from. He finding a group of Yokais, who were carefully studying his appearance.

 He scratched his head confused by their interested looks.  Only to notice that he was no longer wearing his jacket cap. That he has surely falling in that blow.

 He swore at that moment he sweated cold

 -He he.... I don't know what they're talking about, it's the first time I've come to this city- He says hiding his nervousness as best as possible.  In the hope that they would believe his lie.

 -He's lying! ...- One of them shouts showing those present a "Wanted" sign. With a very gratifying sum of money as a reward- ... It's the same guy in the photo, only he's now bald! -

 - Oh boi - as soon as he says that, he proceeds to take the purchases, and to escape at full speed down the main street.

 Towards the same direction his younger brother took a few seconds ago.

 -¡¡COME BACK HERE!!-

 Yokais' group chase after him, like an enraged mob chasing a beast.  Even with torches and weapons.

 Leo just runs like there's no tomorrow.  Using his ninja skills to avoid bumping into confused people in the market.

 -¡¡YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, MIKEY!! -

 It's the only thing he could say to run at full speed.  Dodging the weapons and nets of the crowd.

 ••••••••••••••

The orange bandana turtle managed to gain some advantage in the chase.  So much so that he was almost on the heels of the bandits.

 But he still lacked to reach them.

 -Damn it, he reaches us! ...- one of the subjects shouts in anguish to the others.

 Who were also getting tired of the race

 -... Al! ... What do we do ?! - The aforementioned thinks of a plan while they keep running. Until suddenly his face lights up with an idea.

 -¡Follow me! ...¡ I have an idea! -

 His henchmen listen to his orders and increase their speed to the maximum, managing to turn down a street.  To quickly hide in an alley.

 Thus disappearing from the sight of Michelangelo.  And thus they bought some time.

 -¿What do we do now? ...- one of the subjects asked while wiping the sweat from his forehead -... no one should know where the lair is-

 - Yeah ... X will kill us if we take him there ... Or if we arrive empty-handed-

 -Okey ... listen ... we will is do this- he says between gasps of fatigue from the previous race -... one of us will have to distract him so that the others can go to the base with the merchandise .... He will amuse him, over time  enough for us to escape your sight, ¿understand? -

 -Well, and who will be the cannon fodder? -

 Three of the subjects go into pensative mode, trying to choose the subject.

 -Hey, why don't we send the brat? ... At least he could do something so simple ... Right? -

 The aforementioned is exalted by the looks of the three subjects, directed at him. They had already decided who they would send as bait, and he did not like that.

 He could only give a slight sigh at that command.

 -Okay - discouragedly lowers his shoulders.  He hated those kinds of jobs, but he had no other choice.

 ••••••••••••••

 Mikey came to a crossroads, that was completely empty.  Surely because most of the inhabitants were in the market at that time.

 While regulating his breathing for the previous race. He try to hear some noise.

 -They couldn't go that far-

 He affirms himself, trying to carefully observe his surroundings.  Looking for any clue that will lead you to your objectives.

 They weren't fast, enough to get away.  They must still be in that area.

 He was watching the rooftops, until he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.

 By directing his eyes to the source of that sound, he managed to capture one of the subjects, who had a long protruding tail. And when he saw it, he instantly began to run through one of the streets of the intersection.

 -Stop there!-

 He quickly starts the chase again to go after that subject, leaving the place.

 And at the same time, he letting the other criminals sneak away, away from that place.

Again he was running, but this time only after one of them.  That compared to the others, this ran with less difficulty through the passages of the city.  As if he knew them from head to toe.

 The subject, once in while he looked over his shoulder.  A making sure it was still running after him.

 To later show his tongue, with the intention of provoking him.

 That did nothing but anger him

 -Stop right now!- He says already very irritated, not being able to reach it.

 At some point he realized that they were on a street that he knew.

 And that the subject he was, chasing had entered an alley. The which, if I remembered correctly, had no way out.

 There was no way he could escape.

 -You're mine, lizard boy- he says drawing a malicious smile, for his assured victory.

 But as he turned the corner, ready to catch the fugitive, he could only see the empty alley. He could not believe it.

 The subject had disappeared.

 He had no time to analyze what had just happened.  Because he found him climbing the wall like a spider.

 -But ... ¡¿what ?!- he yells more than disconcerted by that scene.

 While, the boy reaches the top of the wall.  Already more than out of reach.

 After this he gives a buffoonish look to him, from his place.

 -Goodbye dwarf, good luck next time! - he says to later, laughing, disappear from his sight.

 I was not going to let him.  If he didn't catch one of them, Leo would prove his point, and he wouldn't leave him alone for a whole week for it.

 -Oh, you won't! -

 More than determined, he looks for a way to climb to the top.

 Observing the area, he get see the balconies of a building.  That they were conveniently close to the wall.

 He quickly climbs , until he manages to pass the wall.

 This time the chase continued on the rooftops.  That they were of a different structure than New York, and it was more difficult to run on them.

 Soon Mikey tried to catch the subject with one of his nunchucks.  But this one soon notices that movement, and jumps to avoid it.

 -I see you don't give up easily- says the subject without stopping running.

 -When it comes to doing justice, rest assured that I will not do it- he says with a determined look.

-Well, we'll see if you continue with that attitude after this-

Then the hooded man throws a pile of marbles after him.  Causing Michelangelo to slip into a house window.

 A loud roar is heard within it.  Followed by screams of people.

 -What the hell?!  Get out of my kitchen !! - shouts an angry man, inside the house.

 -Ha, silly boy- the lizard smirks at getting rid of his pursuer.

 But his happiness lasts very little when he is surprised by the boy.  Appearing in front of him, wearing saucepan on his head, like helmet.

 -Now is my turn!-

 Mikey gives a smile, to later throw the saucepan like a frisbee towards the subject.

 Taking a clean hit in the face of this one.

 And causing it to fall from the roof, towards a pile of sheets, in a cart located in the street.

 Mikey gets off the roof and walks towards the sidewalk. To finally, being able to catch the subject.  But he is suddenly blinded by a sheet shot by the boy.

 -Aghh! -

 -See ya, child! -

 While the turtle tried to remove the huge sheet from himself, the boy took advantage of running away again.  With the stolen mirror in his hands.

 Mikey was already getting tired.  The subject did not want to stop for anything in the world, and the truth is that he was already losing strength.

 It wasn't like catching a typical human thief.  He was a slippery, fast guy ... And he climbed walls like spider man.

 This was already ridiculous.

 They climbed back to the rooftops, and it seemed like this would never end.  Well, until the thief ran out of roofs to run on.

 They arrived in a really high area, on the roof of a house in very bad condition, that seemed not to have been inhabited in years.

 He had no way to escape.

 -Okey bro, give me that mirror ...- Michelangelo says approaching the hooded man, while turning one of his nunchucks -... You no longer have an escape-

 -So you think?-

 Subject takes a very long chain out of his pocket.  And Mikey goes on alert, and prepares for any attack.

 But in a second he is totally confused when the subject throw the end of the chain towards the sky. Achieving tangled in the leg of one ofthe many flying creatures (more specifically a kind of dragon).

 -Goodbye, silly child!- He says, saying goodbye with a mocking laugh.

 Mikey couldn't even defend himself from that insult.  Since in a few seconds the subject was already suspended in the air. Being carried by the flying reptile.

 -WHAT?! ...IS SERIOUSLY?!!-

 The totally irritated little turtle can only stomp on the roof. To vent his impotence to achieve it.

 But his fury disappears after hearing a slight crack, where he was standing. To later feel how it breaks, causing it to fall into the old house.

 ••••••••••••••

About one hour passed from the previous chase.  And the reptilian boy a long time ago left the dragon express, to be able to find his companions.  But he was really getting tired of running.

 For nothing in the world could he let that boy catch up with him.

 This already exhausted, decides to hide in a secret place, which he usually visits on several occasions.  Where it was very little crowded, and where he knew he could rest, without fear of the mirror being taken away.

 Upon reaching his safe zone, he could only sigh of relief.  He was out of the woods now.

 -Finally ...- he says while checking that indeed he was no longer persecuted -... I lost him-

 Already calmer, he began to walk towards his hiding place.  Which was one of the many tunnels on an abandoned pedestrian walkway.

 Which the seemed like a long time ago it wasn't visited.  Most likely because it is a further from the city center, and not very attractive to tourists.

 -That dwarf was very hard to get rid of.... Is he a ninja? ...- He talks to himself, as he enters a tunnel.

 -... I don't even know where the others went anymore - He checks his jacket pocket, pulling a device out of it.  To then review it.

 -And to top off, my communicator ran out of battery ... This is perfect-

 He was on his until he noticed a peculiar smell.  Like melted cheese, tomato sauce, oregano, and other seasonings.

 He quickly realize that this smell is coming from above him.  And when he fixes his gaze on the roof of the tunnel, he is totally paralyzed by what he sees.

 -¿What the-

 -I got you now, lizard boy-

 Mikey says, while giving him a malicious smile that manages to make him uncomfortable.

 He had no idea how the turtle had gotten there before him. Or how he found it.

-Damn it- He says, whit his eyes widened when he sees his pursuer in that place.

 He quickly chooses to escape from that place.  But his escape is sabotaged when Mikey drop on top of him, leaving him with no chance to move.

 The mirror slips from his hands. And these are immobilized by the strong grip of Michelangelo.

 -It was enough dude, return that mirror right now-

 -Get off me -

 The discussion that was his about to take, was interrupted after the shock they received from the mirror. That crashes in front of them.

 It burst into a thousand pieces, then released a strange glowing smoke.

 -Agh! ... Great! ...-

 The hooded man quickly removes the little turtle from his back in a second.  And he quickly stands up, facing Mikey, with noticeable anger.

 -... Look what you did, now I'll have to find another- he says angrily, pointing to the broken object.

 -Well deserved you have it ...- Michelangelo gets up to face the boy, who was on the defensive -... Stealing is a bad, boy-

 -I gonna show you what's is wrong, if you don't get out right now-

 The reptilian boy takes the kusari fundo out of the pocket of his jacket, again. To later give a threatening gesture, making the chain thunder with his hands.

 That restless a bit to Michelangelo

 He had no plans to seriously fight the boy.  He just wanted the other to return the mirror peaceably. And he wasn't in the best shape to fight.

 -H-Hey calm down, I don't want to fight with-

 -GET OUT !! -

 Suddenly he is attacked by the enraged hooded man, who tried to hit him with the kusari, moving it from side to side.

 -Leave me alone! ... that old man had mirrors to spare, I don't see any problem with taking one out of the hundreds he has-

 The boy pauses briefly with his movement.  He was really exhausted from the previous race.

 -That's still theft ... and the least you can do is pay for it-

 -SHUT UP!!-

 Mikey manages to dodge the strong blow of the weapon, jumping away from the subject.

 It already gave him enough time to peacefully redeem himself.  And he wasn't about to take a beating that night.

 -Okey bro, I tried to do it on the easy side ...but you won't leave me another -

 Mikey quickly unsheathes his nunchucks, to start spinning them.  Ready to attack.

 -You will regret facing me, dwarf- says the hooded boy, while giving a mocking smile.

 -I will show you what this dwarf can do- full of determination he gives her a smile.

 -We'll see that!-

 At that moment the conversation ends, To start the fight.

 Which started in an exciting way, to finish faster, than Michelangelo had in mind.

 Ironically, the hooded boy ended up being defeated with his own weapon.  Receiving a strong blow, from the weight of the kusari, falling unconscious

 -Emm ... so ... I win? - is the only thing Mikey could say after that fact.

 He had to accept that this situation had not happened to him before.  He didn't know how to react to that.

 He concluded that what the boy had in speed, he lacked in strength.

This one was knocked down so easily, that he couldn't help but feel bad about him. It was more than evident that this subject was more about words, than actions.

 -Hey boy ... are you okay? -

 He ask the boy lying on the floor.  Without receiving a response from him.

 He was concerned not seeing any reaction from the other.  He didn't even seem to breathe.

 He couldn't be dead ...

 ...Right?...

    ...¡¿RIGHT?!

  That self-question scared him.  The boy could very well have died with such a strong blow to his head.

 In that instant the guilt fell on him.

 I didn't want to hurt him ... MUCH LESS KILL HIM.

 He quickly proceeds to help him.  Removing the heavy kurari from his head, and shaking his back to wake him up.

 -H-Hey dude, wake up ... Open your eyes! -

 He began to sweat cold when he saw that not even shaking him there was a reaction.

 He couldn't believe it ... He didn't want to accept it ... He was too young to die.

 -DO NOT GO TO THE LIGHT!!-

 Soon you can notice how the boy slowly opens his eyes.  He still looked dazed, but at least he was alive.  And that reassured him.

 -How good ... you wake up- I couldn't be happier that he opened his eyes -... thanks to—

 He is quickly silent, being thrown to the ground by the reptile's long tail. Banging his head on the cold concrete.

 -Agh! ... What's wrong with you?  I just wanted to help you- Mikey says from his place.  Rubbing his freshly beaten head.

 -¡¿Help me?! .. ¡You gave me a hit that almost killed me! -

 -You gave it to yourself-

 The hooded boy again tries to hit the turtle.  With more fury than the previous one.

 But once again, Michelangelo was able to dodge it. Being he on the edge of the balcony, and away from the subject.

 -I've had enough of you, what happened before was just a little slip ...-

 The boy prepares by getting back into his fighting pose.  With a malicious gaze directed at his target

 -... this time I not gonna be gentle-

 -That's how I like it-

 Michelangelo responds in the same way as the boy.  Preparing his fists to attack, and forming a grin of determination.

 He was so focused on the one in front of him that he didn't realize a crack was getting bigger on the edge he was stepping on.

 -Give me the best you have, lizard boy! -

 The boy was about to attack him.  But he is paralyzed when he sees the place where the turtle was standing.

 -WATCH OUT!!-

 That scream he received from the one in front of him baffled him.

 He barely had time to think, until he saw himself falling from that tall and steep place.

 The edge shattered.

 That explained the large number of danger tapes that were all around the place.

 That pedestrian walk was practically falling apart.

 He was falling into the void.  And he did not have his nunchucks to prevent the fall.

 Most likely he left them on the ground when he was checking on the lizard boy.

 He had no salvation.

 His life passed before his eyes in a second.

  His father ... his brothers ... his friends ...

 He couldn't even say goodbye to them.

  He could not believe it

  He couldn't accept it.

  He didn't want to accept it!

 He didn't want to end in such an absurd way!

  HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS !!

 He could only close his eyes tightly.  Hoping that when his body hit the ground, he didn't feel so much pain.

 Already ending.

 But his fear was immediately removed.  Left in place the total bewilderment.

 By now it must have hit the ground.  And to have passed to the world of the spirits.

 But by slowly opening his eyes.  He realized that it was still suspended in the air.

 How could that be possible?

 He directed his gaze to his outstretched arm towards the sky.  Noticing that he was being held by the dark chain of the boy's kusari.

 Quickly the other boy begins to pull it.  Little by little go up the young turtle.

 The tension of the chain began to manifest itself on his forearm.  Causing him pain as he felt it tighten.  But he preferred that a thousand times, than having a gruesome death crashing to the ground.

 He couldn't help but shed tears of pain and relief when he was finally safe on the pedestrian walk again.

 That situation had really scared him.  And he could not believe that the subject who a few moments ago wanted to attack him, had saved him from one more than assured death.

 -Thank you ... but ... ¿Why you-

 He is quickly silenced by the absence of his unusual savior.

 -Lizard boy? -

 Michelangelo quickly stands up to look for the reptilian boy that a few seconds ago was in front of him.

 -Where are you?!-

 He immediately finds it at the top of the wall, that separated the street from the viewpoint.          

 He looked at him over his shoulder.

 -H-Hey..¿Why did you-

 -Don't bother me again, brat- says the reptile boy, while he turns around avoiding having eye contact with the turtle.

 To then prepare to start your journey.

 -¡W-Wait! ... ¡You forgot your...... kusari-

 He couldn't finish saying what he wanted.  Well, the boy had already left the place.

 He was really confused.

 ¿Why did the guy who tried to hit him on several occasions save him from falling off the cliff?

 It was really very strange what had just happened.

 He, being calmer, of everything that had just happened, proceeded to remove the chain that was tightly tightening his arm.

 Slowly he unwrapped it, revealing some, not very pleasing to the eye, marks on his skin.

 I really preferred those bruises, than having had that horrible final destination.

 Once he wrapped the boy's kusari fundo.  He proceeded to collect his weapons.

 Along with them he found a kind of mobile phone.  That the screen was completely smashed.

 At once he guessed it was from the lizard boy.

 He was admiring the object until he managed to make out a voice calling him from a distance.

 -Mikey! ... I finally found you! -

 -Leo? -

 He aforementioned, quickly goes down where his little brother was.  He looked totally exhausted and angry.

 You could tell right away that he had an intense career.

 Michelangelo was so focused noting his tired appearance, that he did not realize, when he was already grabbing his shoulders.

 -Y-you .... ¡¿WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! -

 -Eh I-

 -How can you go after those criminals?! .... they could have hurt you! -

 -¿What happened to you, Leo?- He asks, surprised with the exhausted and dirty appearance of his older brother.

 -An angry crowd tried to capture me for hours ... but that's not the important thing now! - He answers angrily when he sees that the minor wanted to change the subject.

 -¿For hours?- The youngest questioned, while the older one kept scolding him.

 -¡Yes! ... ¡And don't change the subject! ... Don't go chasing crooks alone again! ... It's dangerous! ... Did you hear me ?! -

 -¿And you didn't use your swords to teleport?-

 The one in blue stopped yelling at him, to think about what the minor had just said.

 If he hadn't been so tired.  He would have slapped himself in the face, not realizing that he could easily have escaped like that.

 He just gives a deep sigh of annoyance, in surrender.

 Whatever ... let's go home right now-

 He says, to start his journey.  Followed by the minor.

 -From now on I will go to do Drax's orders-

 Mikey just kept following his brother in total silence.  He was still somewhat stunned by everything that had just happened.

 He just wondered why that boy had helped him.  If he had clear intentions to finish him off.

 And because when I look into his eyes  He felt that it was hiding something.

 That really ... was weirder than normal.

[mando-lore]

"A bird... or something...": The story of Mothman and other 'flying men'

Certainly Strange: A Podcast About The Unexplainable, episode 7

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"It was a bird... or something."

It was the 15th of November, 1966, and Roger and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette were joyriding through a maze of dirt roads that connected abandoned world war two bunkers, late at night in Point Pleasant West Virginia. They had just driven past an abandoned generator plant when they saw… something. A huge figure in the darkness, just off the side of the road. And it was watching them. With huge, blood red eyes.

"I'm a hard guy to scare" Scarberry later said to the local newspaper, "but last night I was getting out of there." He slammed the gas and tried to manoeuvre his car out of the dump area as quickly as possible, away from the strange creature that watched them. And as they fled, they all saw the creature, something that looked like the hybrid between a man and a bird, standing on a hill by the side of the road.

And then, it started following them. It hoovered above the car, chasing them. “We were driving one hundred miles per hour and that bird kept right up with us. It wasn’t even flapping its wings.” The women started crying. The creature followed them until the couples reached the National Guard Armory on Route 62. They thought they had finally lost the strange man-bird, but once they turned the car around, there it was again. It seemed to be waiting on them.

The creature was over six foot tall, grey, with a wingspan of 10 feet. "It was like a man with wings," Mallette said. "It wasn't like anything you'd see on TV or in a monster movie..."

The Scarberries and the Mallettes gave a statement to the police. "If I had seen it while by myself I wouldn't have said anything," Scarberry commented, "but there were four of us who saw it."

At first, the four witnesses were the laughingstock of the town. But soon, stories started to surface, old and new. They were definitely not the only ones who had witnessed the creature that is now known as the Mothman.

On that very same day, on November the 15th 1966, the Mothman had been spotted by a farmer about 90 miles away in Salem. Newell Partridge was watching television when at 10:30pm he heard his German shepherd named Bandit howling. The farmer went out to check on his dog with a flashlight, when he was met with two large red eyes, like red reflectors, staring at him.

Bandit took off towards the creature that threatened his master, into the night. Then, the farmer could hear his dog screech and whine. And he never saw him again.

The strange thing? In their eyewitness report, The Scarberries and the Mallettes told the police that, while they were being chased by the Mothman, they had seen something, lying on the side of the road. It had been a carcass. The carcass of a dead dog.

The very next day, the Mothman was spotted by one Mr and Mrs Wamsley and their friend Mrs Bennett, who were driving through the world war two bunker area on their way to visit a friend. They parked the car in a darkened area several feet from the residence, and knocked on their friend’s door. When they found him not at home, they headed back to the car. This is where they saw it. In the darkness, a shadowy figure lurked behind the automobile.

“It rose up slowly from the ground. A big, grey thing. Bigger than a man, with terrible, glowing red eyes.” Said Bennett. According to her own statement, when Bennett saw the creature, she was so horrified she fell on her baby whom she had been holding in her arms.

There were dozens of Mothman sightings during the next several weeks. One witness, Mrs. Roy Grose, saw the creature through her kitchen window, early in the morning when her barking dog had awakened her. She say a large multicoloured object hovering over the treetop in a field across the road. That same day a local teenager encountered a huge birdlike creature with his car, and claimed that it had followed him for more than a mile.

Tom Ury, a young shoe salesman, was driving down route 62 at 7:15 in the morning on his way to work, when he spotted a towering figure standing by the road in an adjacent field. Suddenly it had spread its wings and took off straight up. The figure then started circling his car like a bird, and kept flying over the car even at the speed of seventy-five miles per hour, much like as he had done to the Scarberries and the Mallettes. Tom was apparently so frightened by this encounter, he did not get into work that day.

In total, there were around 200 sightings of the Mothman in the year 1966 to 1967. But it was not the first time something like a bird-man was spotted near Point Pleasant.

In 1961, 5 years prior, a woman was driving down route 2 along the Ohio river with her father when she spotted a winged figure. She had just passed by a park when a tall figure suddenly appeared in the road ahead of her. It was a grey figure with folded wings across its back, like how one would describe an angel. Startled by the car, the creature unfolded its wings, which “practically filled the whole road”, and then the mysterious creature took off.

However, the woman and her father were not the first to ever witness the creature that would become known as “The Mothman”. In 1948, the Army officials at McChord Field in Washington state were approached by the 61-year-old Mrs Bernice Aikowski, who claimed that she had seen a man-bird in her backyard in nearby Chehalis.

“I know most people don’t believe me, but I have talked to some people in Chehalis that tell me they say the man, too. It was about 3 PM on January 6th, and there were a lot of small children coming home from school at the time. They saw the man, too, and asked me if they could go into my backyard so they could watch him longer as he flew towards the south end of the city.”

According to her, the flying man-bird seemed to be a man equipped with long silver wings fastened over his shoulders with a strap, like one of the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci.

On April 9th, 1948, two Longview Washington state residents named Viola Jonson (a laundry worker) and James Pittman (a janitor) told journalists that they had seen several men with flying suits and goggles, flying through the air, circling the city at a hight of 250 feet. Two similar flying men were sighted near Butte in Oregon, on September 16th that same year.

In 1971, at 2AM in Norton Massachusetts, police sergeant Thomas Downy was driving home along Winter Street in Mansfield. As he approached a place known, ironically, as Bird Hill in Easton, he was confronted by a huge winged creature that was over 6 feet tall with a wingspan of eight to twelve feet. As sergeant Downy drew to a stop at the intersection, the birdman flew straight up, disappearing over the dark trees into the swamp. Downy reported the sighting to the Easton police when he arrived home and a patrol car searched the area, but the man bird was never seen again.

These birdmen are not sighted exclusively in the United States, however. Plato and Homer already wrote about a race of winged men in Ancient Greece. On July 11th, 1908, the Russian explorer VK Arsenyev sighted a winged humanbeing near the mouth of the Gobilli river. Sightings have also been reported in Portugal, England, and Vietnam.

The many sightings of the Mothman came to an end on the 25th of December in 1967, when the Silver Bridge, connecting Point Pleasant with Gallipolis collapsed. 46 people died, and it is still known as the deadliest bridge collapse in the history of the United States. Next to the Mothman sightings, the Silver Bridge collapse was the second terrible and bizarre thing to put Point Pleasant on the map in one year’s time. So it was not hard for people to seek a connection between the two.

Some eyewitnesses claimed that they had seen the Mothman at the bridge that day it collapsed, blaming the creature for the disaster that killed so many. Of course, it is a way of mourning to seek an explanation, someone to blame, for this terrible loss of life.

People did indeed think that the Mothman was a bad omen, a demonic vision that foreshadows a great disaster. The Mothman does bear the resemblance of a demon, the embodiment of fear itself.

A more realistic based explanation for the Mothman comes from Dr. Robert L. Smith, an associate professor of wildlife biology at West Virginia University, who said that the description of the Mothman all fitted the sandhill crane, the second largest American crane, which stands almost as high as a man and has a wingspan of more than seven feet. He said the “red eyes” could be the large red circles around the crane’s eyes. The appearance of the bird could have been moulded into the image of a monstrous creature through mass hysteria.

So, is the Mothman an image of the mind, the demonic embodiment of fear? Is it simply a bird, mistaken for a monster through mass hysteria? Or… is the Mothman real? Whatever he was or whatever he may be now, still, he is certainly strange.

SOURCES

All That’s Interesting. (2017, May 17). The True Story Behind The Legendary Mothman Said To Terrorize West Virginia. Retrieved from https://allthatsinteresting.com/mothman

Coleman, L. (2001). Mothman and other curious encounters. Cosimo, Inc. https://books.google.nl/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KZlavRmNPtkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA8&dq=mothman&ots=KSz4GP-jP7&sig=-WwUOFtlxYvPePGyE-MwpPccj4s#v=onepage&q&f=false

Daly, J. (2020). Narrative Hijacking: Mothman and the Silver Bridge Collapse. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2279&context=researchweek

Gettysburg Times. (1966, December 1). Monster Bird With Red Eyes May Be Crane. p. 12. Retrieved from https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LG0mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Rf8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=620,2790721&dq=point+pleasant+roger+scarberry&hl=en

Point Pleasant Register. (1966, November 16). Couples See Man-Sized Bird...Creature...Something. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20071011230219/http://www.westva.net/mothman/1966-11-16.htm

[kc-anathema]

ANON Usagi, Leo on display, something with pretty knots (shibari)

Kinbaku

Every road-side inn of Usagi's world seemed the same—several tables and chairs in little clusters, a candle on each table, and a sake jug with two cups as soon as they sat down. The inns were always dim, even during the day, with the windows and doors open to the sunlight that barely came in. Behind one door, the kitchen clanked and splashed, and behind another door were the handful of rooms that one could rent for the night.

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

Leonardo glared at his traveling companion. "Now what?"

Usagi, a rabbit-eared ronin, sat down in front of him and generously poured out sake, taking a sip.

"We are on our last ryo." Usagi smiled despite the way his ears drooped down and his shoulders sank. "We will have enough to pay for this drink...and then we are broke."

Pushing the sake across to his friend, Leonardo leaned back in his chair.

"I could fix that," he offered.

"You're as bad as Kitsune,” Usagi said. "We do not need to resort to thievery."

"A bounty, then," Leonardo groaned. "A quick hunt—"

"We do not have the energy—"

"—we bring in some easy catch—"

"—I did not see any wanted posters here—"

"—and then we get a room—will you quit arguing?" Leonardo sighed.

"Do you honestly feel up to it tonight?" Usagi asked.

Leonardo glared at him from the corner of his eye. They were both covered in dust from the road, and they were both sore from wiping out two bandit clans along the way, and they were in the middle of an unspoken argument about the orphanage they'd passed and the reward money Usagi had completely given away.

Leonardo's look was hot enough to set the wooden building on fire.

"I don't feel up to a lot of things tonight," he growled.

Usagi paused, then nodded once in understanding and took another sip.

"So what's the bad news?" Leonardo asked. "Yokai down the road? Evil nobles? A poor mother of twenty kids on her last grain of rice?"

"You misunderstand," Usagi said with a small smile. "That was the bad news. But there is good news."

"Why do I think it's good news for everyone but me?"

"Ah, well. Not quite. In fact, you won't have to do anything but sit there. Easy work, actually."

Leonardo scoffed. "I need to meet this Kitsune. Sounds like he's more sensible."

"She," Usagi said. "And you'd probably like her. But we are getting away from the point. We weren't exactly paying attention when we walked in here."

"It was about to rain," Leonardo said. "Of course we weren't looking too carefully."

"So look now."

Leonardo almost didn't. They'd slept in the rain before. It was not that bad, not when there were abandoned farm houses and shrines everywhere. Usually haunted or filled with bandits. And scattered long distances apart. Far from the road.

He looked.

And shut his eyes tight.

In so many ways, his world and Usagi's were completely different. Anthropomorphic animals instead of humans, feudal instead of modern. But in other ways, they were exactly alike.

A bar full of nothing but bears with their kimono open in invitation, or worse, with nothing but a fundoshi, all watching the two young, dusty ronin drinking alone.

Leonardo leaned over the table and put his head down in his arms.

"No," Leonardo said. "Not again."

"You didn't object the last two times."

"I did," Leonardo said. "You ignored me."

"It will pay for the room."

"So would a quick walk outside."

"Without resorting to theft."

"Then you do it this time."

"If you know the knots...?"

Leonardo glared up from the table. Usagi's smile was confident and infuriating, even moreso as the rabbit gathered the ends of Leonardo's mask and rolled them around his white fingers.

Outside, lightning flashed and the rain came down in torrents.

"You'll keep it short," Leonardo demanded.

"Of course."

"Nothing painful."

"Never."

"Nothing...too bad."

"I'll even let you keep your legs closed."

Leonardo sighed and shut his eyes.

The worst inns, he'd come to realize, had a small space to one side for a musician or two, a performance, even a raised stage. Enough space for Leonardo to sit with his legs curled beneath himself, leaning on one side. The floor was hard and uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as the ropes Usagi bound around his plastron and shell.

"Perverted rabbits," he muttered under his breath, barely audible, certainly not visible to the audience. "Samurai bondage freaks. Exhibitionist—god, I hope that rope is clean—"

"Silence," Usagi whispered, "or I will put the rope through your mouth."

Leonardo grumbled but fell silent.

The room was quiet save for low murmurs and the soft clay clink of sake into cups. Leonardo refused to look up, jostled slightly as Usagi wound rope around him, twisting it in places, winding tight knots that pulled against his shell. Then Usagi reached around and pulled some of the rope into open diamond patterns on his front.

"The turtle pattern," Usagi said, to the laughing appreciation of the audience.

Leonardo flushed enough to show through his skin. That brought a murmur from the crowd as well.

Then came the box tie around his arms.

This part was harder with the shell in Usagi's way. He couldn't simply restrain Leonardo's hands behind his back...so he didn't even try, folding them in front of Leonardo as if the ninja was trying to cover himself in front of everyone.

Leonardo's wrists were bound, then his arms were tied to the diamond pattern down his chest, and then the rope was tied off behind his back where he couldn't reach. Breathing became a little harder as the rope pressed visibly into him. There would be bruises in the morning.

There was a roof beam above them. There was always a roof beam for this sort of thing. He felt the familiar tug on the center of his shell, drawing him upward just enough to take the weight off his legs.

His ankles were already crossed. They'd done this enough times that he knew how to make it go faster. The tie at his ankles wasn't too tight so he wouldn't be in pain, but the rope wound around his calves and knotted at his knees. An entirely different length of rope went around his thighs purely so that Usagi could bind them tightly and with several criss-crossings, then attach them to the ties around his knees.

Finally—finally they were almost done—his legs were pulled up higher than his head. Leonardo lay sideways in the air, uncomfortably upside down, refusing to open his eyes.

The audience took it for submission and reticence and paid well for the display. Leonardo heard the coins hitting the floor and heard Usagi step away from him to gather their earnings.

It was a long while for Usagi to return. Leonardo tried not to struggle as every twitch made the rope creak.

"We are in luck," Usagi said at last, kneeling down to better speak to him. "This is enough to stay here for a few days and eat. A few days of well earned rest, yes?"

"The next noble we pass on the road," Leonardo muttered, "I'm robbing him blind."

Usagi chuckled and glanced over his shoulder. The inn was dark and empty, its keeper having given him a key for the room to let and gone to bed. There was only the last candle here before them. With a mischievous smile, he gave Leonardo a small kiss, sending him turning slowly in the air.

"We're alone," Usagi warned him. "You should not test what I would do when you are like this."

From the back of the room, a match struck. The farthest candle lit, illuminating someone leaning back from the light, barely visible in the darkness.

"I dunno. What you got in mind?"

Leonardo froze, silent save for his heart suddenly pounding.

Usagi slowly stood, squinting into the shadows even though he knew that voice.

Raphael.

[thecomicsnexus]

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #21-25 JUNE - OCTOBER 1991 BY RYAN BROWN, DEAN CLARRAIN (STEPHEN MURPHY), BYRON VAUGHNS, GARY FIELDS, BARRY GROSSMAN, GENE COLAN, CHRIS ALLAN, BRIAN THOMAS, GARRET HO, JIM LAWSON, ROD OLLERENSHAW AND MARK PACELLA

SYNOPSIS (FROM COMIC VINE)

A U.S. spy satellite falls from its orbit and crashes into a pile of U.S.S.R. space junk, becoming entangled with a radioactive canister. The two fuse together in their descent towards the earth below. A man is watching the news in his cabin in the woods and becomes frustrated and angry with all of the reports dealing with mankind's effect on the failing environment. He lifts his TV set and carries it outside, where he tosses it into a garbage can - suddenly, he's struck with a blast of light and energy... Moments later, we see that the woodsman has been transformed. He's now some sort of hybrid between man, television and satellite! "What goes around, comes around," the creature states, "What comes around... goes around!" With that, the cyborg morphs into a ball of fiery energy and flies off.

The TMNT are working out in the sewers, still concerned about their missing brother, Raphael. Splinter and April are using the computers at April's news office to do research when one of O'Neil's co-workers arrives. Splinter hides while April has a joyful reunion with her friend, Malcolm, who thought she had been killed. The man asks April if she's investigating the reports of the fallen spy satellite, but O'Neil states that she's interested in something else. Malcolm politely excuses himself so April can get back to work. Splinter wishes to leave, and April sits at the keyboard to save her work - only to be pulled into the screen of the monitor by the cyborg! The Sensei tries to pull April free, but he's too late and is blasted by the satellite dude. Later, Splinter explains to the Turtles what happened. Donatello hacks into the news station's computers, attempting to trace where April was taken. Meanwhile, April is surprised to discover that her abductor is interested in having her interview him. The man states that he's about to destroy the world's communications systems - when April asks why, he tells her to grab her camcorder and he'll explain everything. The fellow stands and explains that he first wants to show people what's really going on in the world: starvation, disease and war - and then he'll shut everything down and force people to pause and think about what's happening - and then, together, humanity can do something about the problems. He hopes this plan will work so he doesn't have to do something more drastic - like using the nuclear waste within his body to irradiate the world's oil fields and rendering them useless for human use. April declares that his plan is madness, and the cyborg states that he is mad - and he's not going to take it anymore!

Just then, the TMNT come crashing through the window and battle the 'borg, who finally reveals his name to be Vid Vicious. Vid dives into a nearby computer monitor, with Donatello close on his heels. The two are transported to a bizarre dimension and begin to fight, as the others ponder how to rescue their brother. Suddenly, the Shredder arrives with a gang of Super Foot Soldiers! A fight breaks out, and Shredhead manages to download Vid and Don to disc before destroying the computer. With his prisoners in hand, Shredder escapes!

The Shredder makes his escape with the disc containing Vid Vicious and Donatello, leaving Master Splinter, Leonardo, Michaelangelo and April to look for clues. The Sensei notes that the best clue is the remains of the defeated Foot robots themselves. Noting that they've recently encountered another robotic Foot foe, the foursome heads to Chinatown to investigate the building that had housed the giant Foot robot.

Upon investigating the abandoned structure, our heroes find a matchbook from Acme Traps. Splinter notes that the Shredder is leaving them obvious clues and thus they are probably walking into an obvious trap - but they must save Donatello, so the protagonists head to the headquarters for Acme Traps. Meanwhile, the Shredder opens the disc containing Vid and Don. Vicious escapes by flying out of a window, and Donatello uses the distraction to attack Shredhead. Unfortunately the ticked off turtle is no match for Saki and his robot minions, and is quickly subdued.

The door to the Acme Traps building is unlocked, allowing easy access for Leo, Splinter, Mike and Splinterm, who proceed warily. They quickly discover that Don has been tied up and hung from the ceiling of the high room. There are three doors on the ground floor, and Leonardo, Michaelangelo and April head off to investigate them. Splinter sits and ponders why Shredder has only left three doorways for four foes, when he spots another route. Meanwhile, Mikey runs into some Foot robots and defeats them with ease while Leo and April discover that their doorways connected them to a circular hallway. After climbing a ladder and walking a scaffold, Splinter soon runs into Shredder and the two begin to fight. The Sensei leaps through a broken window to the structure's rooftop, with Shredder close behind him. The two old enemies exchange blows, but Shredhead wins the battle when Splinter's coat gets entagled with Acme Traps' billboard.

Shredder moves in to deal the killing blow, but a mysterious stranger arrives in a red cloak and kicks Saki's butt. Leo, Mike and April arrive on the roof and help Splinter down - and as they wonder who their rescuer might be, the red cloaked fighter reveals himself to be none other than Raphael! As everyone greets the fiery mutant, Shredder makes his escape.

The TMNT are enjoying Donatello's latest creation - a sewer hot tub. April decides that bathing in warm sewer water isn't anything that she's interested in doing and heads off to stand watch. Raph explains that Cudley the Cowlick brought him home after his outer space adventure with the Mighty Mutanimals. Meanwhile, in Dimension X, Krang discovers an unexpected ally on Morbus, the garbage world where he'd been banished to by Cherubae.

Back on Earth, April discovers an approaching intruder - who turns out to be Master Splinter. The Sensei tells O'Neil that it's time for her next lesson, and he admonsihes the TMNT. Splinter's not happy that his four mutant students are lounging about. The riled rodent orders the Turtles to get busy finding the Shredder before anything else terrible happens. Raph is happy to be proactive, but the Sensei reminds him that he needs to work with his brothers rather than on his own.

Slash demands that Krang help him find his palm tree - or die! The brainy alien quickly surmises the circumstances and promises to take Slash to a world filled with palm trees, and thus Krang has found his next minion. The two set off together and Slash explains that he was sentenced to a prison term on Morbus - as many other unsavory characters have been. The toxicity of the place usually kills prisoners, but some can survive in the environment. As the Turtles transverse the sewers, they come upon a group of men who are assembling a bazooka.

Back on Morbus, Slash and Krang spot a landing spacecraft. As the villains close to investigate, two armed guards escort a chained prisoner named Bellybomb off the ship. The guards read Bellybomb's long list of offenses and ask him if he has any last words before they abandom him on the toxic planet, to which the cosmic criminal replies, "You neglected to mention my unpaid parking tickets." Krang is most impressed with the toothy alien. The TMNT discover that the men in the sewer plan to use the bazooka to fire a missile through the street and into an armored car's vulnerable underside. The Turtles launch an attack on the would-be thieves.

Slash attacks the guards holding Bellybomb and the two criminals charge into the ship to battle the remaining law men. Krang looks on happily and as he crawls towards the craft, decides that it's time to find a new body. The Turtles easily defeat the well-armed bandits and tie them up, while the villains in Dimension X commandeer the prison ship and set a course for Earth.

Slash, Krang and Bellybomb are on their way to Earth when they decide to stop at a nearby planet and hunt for some lunch - much to their surprise, upon landing they discover Bebop and Rocksteady! The two complain about being bored and join the terrible trio on their trip to our planet.

Meanwhile, the TMNT are on a mission to investigate one of Shredder's numerous bases. As the Turtle boys arrive, they quickly discover that Shredhead is home - and a battle ensues. After a brief skirmish, Krang's spacecraft suddenly smashes through the ceiling and the Turtles are face to face with quite a motley crew. Slash, Bebop and Rocksteady attack the TMNT while Shredder slips away to investigate the spacecraft. Inside the ship, Saki finds Krang and Bellybomb, who gives Shredder a face full of mega-halitosis that knocks the ninja unconscious. The aliens lay Shredder on a table, and Krang proceeds to possess the man in a most disturbing manner.

Bebop and Rocksteady have taken to the streets and rob a pet store of its supply of food. The deadly duo then make their way to the zoo, where they apparently begin to fire their weapons upon caged animals.

Meanwhile, the TMNT are facing their worst (and weirdest) foe yet - the head of Krang on the body of Shredder! With little time to spend gawking at this oddity, the TMNT brace themselves for another attack by Slash, Bellybomb and the Krang-Shredder monstrocity. Early on, Raph entices Slash to run off in search of his palm tree, making the odds better for our heroes. Shortly, Slash finds a pet store and breaks the window to gleefully steal a small plastic palm tree.

Eventually the Turtles' teamwork enables them to get the upper hand in the fight. Raph rips Krang off of Shredder's body, while Mikey twirls his nunchukus and forces Bellybomb to get a giant whiff of his own toxic breath, thus disabling their remaining adversaries. Just as the Green Team is ready to celebrate, Bebop and Rocksteady arrive with a huge array of animals that they've freed from the zoo and level their guns at the Turtles. The TMNT drop their weapons as Shredder awakes. Saki relunctantly states that the Turtles saved his life and dejectedly walks off, but before he gets too far, Leonardo reminds his old foe that he owes the Turtles now. With is head bowed, Saki replies, "I know... I know." and disappears into the night.

Bebop and Rocksteady load the spaceship with their animal companions from the zoo, as well as Krang and Bellybomb, and head for outer space. The Turtles worry that both Shredder and Slash are on the loose again, and make their way back to the sewer.

Bebop and his partner drop Krang and Bellybomb back on the toxic waste planet before returning to the jungle world - which they've decided is home.

REVIEW

This was pretty much the end of this run in my country, so anything after this is new to me. This arc has been in my mind ever since, and each issue has something interesting. Sometimes for the worse.

The first chapter is perhaps the lowest point of the series thus far. With a villain that makes no sense, and even events that make no sense. The guy becomes super-powerful because a satellite fell on him, and he can do almost anything. Then he and Donatello get trapped inside a floppy disk (???).

But after that, things get better. An issue illustrated by Gene Colan (I didn’t realize this as a kid, probably because it was before reading all those Batman comics), then the issue with the cover of what was issue #1 in my country (which was actually issue #5).

The real deal here is Krang and how evil he can be. It is something I never realized by watching the cartoon, but the comic took him more seriously.

The sweetest thing is Slash, looking for his palm tree, something Krang took literally, but becomes very cute when he finally finds a toy palm tree.

To me this was the perfect conclusion for the run, and having just read the following filler episodes, I can imagine why.

There is a back-up story that will continue for a few issues about April and Splinter in Chinatown, I will probably talk about it when that story finally starts.

The purpose of this story is pretty obvious now, they wanted to make a distinction between this comic and the cartoon, the two were very different at this point. The most evident difference is April and anything around Channel 6. April is a better character in this comic than in the cartoon, and a character female readers could be interested in.

I give the story a score of 7.

[jjthescriptwriter]

EXT. DESERT - DAY

It`s unbearably hot under the bright sun.

LEONARDO is leading TWO CAMELS along by a little tiny rope.

On the back of one of the camels RAPHAEL, MICHELANGELO and DONATELLO are riding and relaxing, Donatello is humming the song MAGIC CARPET RIDE by Steppenwolf.

On the back of the second camel we find APRIL O`NEIL, who is happily snapping photos with her camera.

APRIL: I`m getting some really wonderful pictures here, guys.

(BEAT)

I can`t wait to show these to Irma when we get back to new york.

LEONARDO: (SARCASTIC) I`m glad someone is enjoying themselves.

RAPHEAL: What seems to be the matter, Leo?

(BEAT)

Arn`t you enjoying the sun?

LEONARDO: That`s very funny, why don`t you help out a little here?

RAPHEAL: No, i don`t feel like it. I`m so comfortable on the back of this horse designed by committee.

EXT. DESERT - SAND DUNE - DAY

A BAND OF BANDITS are observing our gang of heroes from a far with binoculars.

BANDIT LEADER: (TO BANDIT #1) Do you see something?

BANDIT #1: Yes, i do.

BANDIT LEADER: Can you tell me what it is?

BANDIT #1: It`s hard to explain.

(BEAT)

I´ve never seen anything like it.

BANDIT LEADER: What do you mean? What is it?

BANDIT #1: It`s four green monsters and a very beautiful young lady with fair auburn hair.

BANDIT LEADER: What?

(BEAT)

Have you gone completely insane?

BANDIT #1: I have starting to wonder the very same thing, boss.

The Bandit Leader grabs Bandit #1`s binoculars and takes a look inside them, he now sees The Turtles and April on their camels.

The Bandit Leader removes the binoculars with a baffled look on his face.

BANDIT LEADER: I most have been out in the sun for too long, because that looks like giant turtles with ninja gear on.

(BEAT)

But it can`t be.

BANDIT #2: So what do we do now?

The Bandit Leader thinks about it.

BANDIT LEADER: Let`s capture them and take them back to the place with us, i think that the sultan may get some level of amusement from the green monsters.

(BEAT)

And he is always on the look-out for beauties to enter into his harem.

(LAUGH)

The band of bandits all untether their horses and get on them.

The Bandit Leader takes out his big sword and lifts it into the air.

BANDIT LEADER: (TO THE OTHER BANDITS) Get ready to strike.

All the other bandits take out their swords as well and hold them up into the air, they all shine in the sun like gold.

BANDIT LEADER: GO FORWARDS!!!!!!!!!

(BEAT)

ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bandits ride forward in a cloud of dust.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

Leonardo now sees the giant dust cloud in the distance that is heading towards them at an alarming speed, he stops.

RAPHEAL: Who told you that you could take a break, Leo?

LEONARDO: (POINTS) Something is coming towards us.

The other turtles and April look up and now they can see the giant dust cloud as well.

RAPHEAL: That probably ain`t something, nothing but a giant dust cloud.

LEONARDO: Something tells that it´s not just a dust cloud.

APRIL: Guys, can any of you hear the sound of horse hooves.

The sound grows loader until the band of bandits emerges from the dust cloud.

DONATELLO: Seems like the time for relaxing is over.

LEONARDO: You don`t say.

DONATELLO: It`s show time.

MICHELANGELO: COWABUNGA!!!!!!!!!!!

The Turtles all jump off the camel, they draw their weapons and start running towards the band of bandits.

The bandits all jump off their horses and start running towards The Turtles with the swords drawn.

The fight between The Turtles is very fast pace with many quick cuts, April is snapping pictures with her camera the whole time.

At the start of the fight it likes The Turtles may get the upper hand, but they are soon quickly overpowered by the bandits.

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY - LATER

The Turtles and April are now sitting on the backs of their camels again, but now their hands have been tied up with rope.

The camels are now being led by one of the bandits.

The other bandits are following the camels on their horses, except for The Bandit Leader, who is walking in front.

EXT. THE DESERT - PALACE - DAY - LATER

Soon the whole cavalcade reaches a great wall with a pair of giant gates, a pair GUARDS are standing outside.

The Bandit Leader says something to one of the guards and the giant gates open up, they then enter a great courtyard.

INT. THE PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

A REALLY FAT SULTAN is sitting on his big throne and eating a giant sandwich, right then some of the bandits enter with our captured heroes.

SULTAN: (TO THE BANDIT LEADER) What is it now?

THE BANDIT LEADER: I brought some prisoners for you, your majesty.

The Sultan looks up from his sandwich and sees The Turtles, he is shocked by them.

SULTAN: What in the whole world are those abominations?

THE BANDIT LEADER: I don`t know, your majesty.

(BEAT)

I can only assume that they are somekinda freaks of nature.

RAPHAEL: Who is he calling abominations?

MICHELANGELO: You`re not exactly Christina Applegate yourself, mister.

LEONARDO: I don`t think they have FOX over here.

Then the focus of The Sultan`s gaze moves over to April, and he is smitten right away.

THE SULTAN: (TO THE BANDIT LEADER) Where did you this lovely thing?

APRIL: Hey, i`m not a thing, I´m a person.

LEONARDO: It seems like this guy has very old fashioned views.

THE SULTAN: Guards, throw these green monsters into the dungeon.

(BEAT)

They will be executed at dawn.

(LAUGH)

INT. PALACE - DUNGEON - DAY - LATER

The Turtles have now been placed a small prison cell, with a sleeping guard on a chair outside.

MICHELANGELO: This is truely the worst place on earth, they don`t even have H.B.O.

DONATELLO: Stop complaining now, we need to figure out someway to get out of her and save April.

LEONARDO: I`m already working on that.

Leonardo takes out a small pin from his shell, he bins into a key-like shape and puts into the keyhole, he pokes around until the door unlocks.

LEONARDO: Quiet now.

The other turtles nod their heads, Leonardo carefully opens the door.

The Turtles sneak out without weaking up the guards.

The band of bandits all untether their horses and get on them.

The Bandit Leader takes out his big sword and lifts it into the air.

BANDIT LEADER: (TO THE OTHER BANDITS) Get ready to strike.

All the other bandits take out their swords as well and hold them up into the air, they all shine in the sun like gold.

BANDIT LEADER: GO FORWARDS!!!!!!!!!

(BEAT)

ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bandits ride forward in a cloud of dust.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

Leonardo now sees the giant dust cloud in the distance that is heading towards them at an alarming speed, he stops.

RAPHEAL: Who told you that you could take a break, Leo?

LEONARDO: (POINTS) Something is coming towards us.

The other turtles and April look up and now they can see the giant dust cloud as well.

RAPHEAL: That probably ain`t something, nothing but a giant dust cloud.

LEONARDO: Something tells that it´s not just a dust cloud.

APRIL: Guys, can any of you hear the sound of horse hooves.

The sound grows loader until the band of bandits emerges from the dust cloud.

DONATELLO: Seems like the time for relaxing is over.

LEONARDO: You don`t say.

DONATELLO: It`s show time.

MICHELANGELO: COWABUNGA!!!!!!!!!!!

The Turtles all jump off the camel, they draw their weapons and start running towards the band of bandits.

The bandits all jump off their horses and start running towards The Turtles with the swords drawn.

The fight between The Turtles is very fast pace with many quick cuts, April is snapping pictures with her camera the whole time.

At the start of the fight it likes The Turtles may get the upper hand, but they are soon quickly overpowered by the bandits.

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY - LATER

The Turtles and April are now sitting on the backs of their camels again, but now their hands have been tied up with rope.

The camels are now being led by one of the bandits.

The other bandits are following the camels on their horses, except for The Bandit Leader, who is walking in front.

EXT. THE DESERT - PALACE - DAY - LATER

Soon the whole cavalcade reaches a great wall with a pair of giant gates, a pair GUARDS are standing outside.

The Bandit Leader says something to one of the guards and the giant gates open up, they then enter a great courtyard.

INT. THE PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

A REALLY FAT SULTAN is sitting on his big throne and eating a giant sandwich, right then some of the bandits enter with our captured heroes.

SULTAN: (TO THE BANDIT LEADER) What is it now?

THE BANDIT LEADER: I brought some prisoners for you, your majesty.

The Sultan looks up from his sandwich and sees The Turtles, he is shocked by them.

SULTAN: What in the whole world are those abominations?

THE BANDIT LEADER: I don`t know, your majesty.

(BEAT)

I can only assume that they are somekinda freaks of nature.

RAPHAEL: Who is he calling abominations?

MICHELANGELO: You`re not exactly Christina Applegate yourself, mister.

LEONARDO: I don`t think they have FOX over here.

Then the focus of The Sultan`s gaze moves over to April, and he is smitten right away.

THE SULTAN: (TO THE BANDIT LEADER) Where did you this lovely thing?

APRIL: Hey, i`m not a thing, I´m a person.

LEONARDO: It seems like this guy has very old fashioned views.

THE SULTAN: Guards, throw these green monsters into the dungeon.

(BEAT)

They will be executed at dawn.

(LAUGH)

INT. PALACE - DUNGEON - DAY - LATER

The Turtles have now been placed a small prison cell, with a sleeping guard on a chair outside.

MICHELANGELO: This is truely the worst place on earth, they don`t even have H.B.O.

Leonardo: Stop complaining now, we need to figure out some way to get out of here and save April.

DONATELLO: I think i've got a little something that might work.

Donatello takes out a small pin from his shell, he bins into a key-like shape and puts into the keyhole, he pokes around until the door unlocks.

RAPHEAL: Oh, you are a genius, Donnie.

DONATELLO: It was nothing, just using my brain.

LEONARDO: Quiet now.

The other turtles nod their heads, Leonardo carefully opens the door.

The Turtles sneak out without waking up the guards.

INT. THE PALACE - HALLWAY - DAY - LATER

The Turtles are opening every door they can and take a peek inside.

RAPHAEL: Have you found April yet?

LEONARDO: No, but she must be here somewhere.

Right then The Turtles hear the sound of footsteps, they quickly hide behind whatever they can.

One of the servants runs past, he seems to be in a real hurry.

SERVANT: SULTAN!!!!! SULTAN!!!!!! SULTAN!!!!!

INT. PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

The Servant runs over to The Sultan on his throne.

SERVANT: Sultan, the lady dressed in yellow is being a total nightmare. We had a lot of trouble getting her to put on her harem veils and she totally refuses to learn how to belly dance.

SULTAN: In that case we will just sell her off to someone else.

SERVANT: I will get the word out right away, your majesty.

INT. PALACE - THE HALLWAY - DAY

The Turtles are standing close to the entrance to the throne room, they have been listening to the entire conversation.

RAPHEAL: We need to put a stop this.

LEONARDO: Let's find a spot where we can work out a game plan.

The turtles sneak away.

EXT. PALACE - BALCONY - DAY - LATER

The Turtles are standing under the giant throne room window.

LEONARDO: (TO DONATELLO) I want to stay here and keep guard and keep us updated on anything going on.

DONATELLO: Don`t you worry, Leo. You can trust me.

LEONARDO: You are a really useful turtle, Leo.

Leonardo, Rapheal and Michelangelo walk over to another corner and start to strategize.

RAPHAEL: I say that we go straight in there and ambush them.

(BEAT)

That fat sultan won`t know what hit him.

LEONARDO: No, you are being hot-headed. We must do this more planned and thoughfully.

(BEAT)

Otherwise we`ll just end up getting captured again, and that would do no good for anyone.

Right then Donatello runs up to them, he has a panicked look on his face.

LEONARDO: What is it, Donnie?

DONATELLO: We got big problems, Shredder has showed up and he is trying to buy April.

The other turtles gasp.

RAPHEAL: How did he find us all the way out here?

DONATELLO: I don`t know, maybe someone tipped him off about our travel plans.

MICHELANGELO: And just when i thought that things couldn`t get any worse.

The Turtles run over to the throne room window and take a look inside.

INT. PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

Shredder is middle of haggling with The Sultan, but it`s not going very well for him and he starts getting more and more frustrated.

April is standing at the other end of the room, she is now dressed in her harem get up, that is still yellow of course.

April is being kept a eye on by two big guards.

SHREDDER: (TO THE SULTAN) I´m willing to give 300 golden coins for the girl, but no more then that.

THE SULTAN: I won`t take any less then 2000 golden coins, that` s way below market value for a beauty like this.

EXT. PALACE - THE BALCONY - DAY

The Turtles are highly amused by Shredder`s failures.

RAPHAEL: Turns out that Shredder is not quite the deal-maker he thought himself of being.

INT. THE PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

Shredder takes out a small black capsule from his pocket, he drops it on the floor.

Two small openings appear in the capsule and really black smoke starts coming out of it.

The smoke soon engulfs the entire room, everybody covers their noses, except for Shredder.

THE SULTAN: Where does that awful odor come from?

EXT. THE PALACE - THE BALCONY - DAY

Some of the black smoke starts coming out from the window, The Turtles now have to cover their noses as well.

RAPHEAL: Who of you let that one out?

(BEAT)

Be honest now.

DONATELLO: There is only person in the entire world that can produce a smell this putrid, and his name is Shredder.

INT. THE PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

Shredder walks up behind April, he grabs her from behind and covers her mouth with his hand, he then drags her over to the door and out of the room.

All the smoke quickly clears, but now both Shredder and April are gone. The Sultan and the guards looks around confused.

INT. PALACE - BALCONY - DAY

The Turtles hear the sound of an engine starting up.

RAPHEAL: Where is that sound coming from?

LEONARDO: It sounds a lot like a v-8 engine.

DONATELLO: But it can be, surely.

Right then Michelangelo looks up into the sky.

MICHELANGELO: You ain't gonna believe this, but Shredder has taken to the skies.

The other turtles now look up into the sky as well.

EXT. THE SKY - DAY

A cross between a spacecraft and a convertible sportscar with the foot-clan logo on the grill flies out of the top tower.

Shredder driving, April in front passenger seat.

APRIL: HELP!!!! HELP!!!!

SHREDDER: (TO APRIL) There is no use screaming, my pretty little captive. No one can save you now.

(LAUGH)

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY

The car is now flying away from the palace.

SHREDDER: You should view this as nice little freebe added to your holiday, miss. O'Neil. The view of the desert you get from up here is just wonderful.

APRIL: I always knew that you were the worst person on earth, Shredder. But i could never imagine that you would never sink this low, interupting people's vacation with one of your whicket shemes.

SHREDDER: You should have known that it dosen't matter where in the world you and green friends chooses to travel, the Shredder will always find some way to track you down.

APRIL: You should also know that you these kinda things never ends good for you.

SHREDDER: Things will be different this time, this desert is the perfect place for me to rid myself of you and the turtles once and for all, you just wait and see.

(LAUGH)

The car disappears.

EXT. PALACE - BALCONY - DAY

The Turtles look a bit defeated.

RAPHAEL: So what are we gonna do now?

DONATELLO: None of us are able to fly?

LEONARDO: Don`t worry, there is all kinds of strange stuff down in that courtyard, i´m sure there something there that we can use,

MICHELANGELO: it´s worth a try.

DONATELLO: Anything to save April.

EXT. PALACE - COURTYARD - DAY - LATER

The Turtles walk up through a long line cars and another abandoned junk.

MICHELANGELO: Have anyone found something that we might be able to use?

RAPHAEL: No.

DONATELLO: Where did sultan get all this stuff from?

RAPHEAL: They most have belonged to other people he has kidnapped over the years.

LEONARDO: Don`t talk a bunch of baloney now, Raph. Ships can`t fly.

RAPHAEL: Not normal ones, but these can.

Then they suddenly stop in their tracks.

Further away at the other end of the courtyard there is an old bi-plane from early 40's parked.

DONATELLO: That is just what we need.

RAPHEAL: That thing looks to be older than Splinter.

MICHELANGELO: Is it even still able to fly?

DONATELLO: I'm sure of it, come on.

The turtles run over to the bi-plane.

Donatello opens up the door to the engine compartment and takes a look inside.

DONATELLO: There is nothing in here that i can't fix.

Donatello takes out a wrench from his shell.

Donatello uses the wrench to tighten some things that are loose.

Donatello closes the door to the engine compartment again.

DONATELLO: Time for take off.

THE SULTAN: (O.S) Not so fast, you little green monsters.

The Turtles quickly turn around and they see The Sultan with a whole bunch of guards behind him, they all have their swords drawn.

MICHELANGELO: Look like we got a little bit of a problem to take care of here first.

The Turtles now draw their weapons and now a fight breaks out between them and the guards, at first the guards have the upper hand, but The Turtles are soon able to turn the momentum around and defeat all the guards.

After the fight The Sultan runs away like the coward he is.

The Turtles all jump into the bi-plane and fly away.

Donatello sits in the pilot seat, Leonardo in co-pilot seat, Rapheal and Michelangelo are sitting on the wings.

EXT. THE SKY - DAY - LATER

The bi-plane flying.

Leonardo spots something ahead of them.

LEONARDO: (POINTS) I can see Shredder up ahead.

MICHELANGELO: Oh boy!!! Let`s get him!!!

Bi-plane picks up speed.

EXT\INT. THE FLYING CAR - DAY - (MOVING)

SHREDDER: (TO APRIL) You better hope that those goofball turtles somehow grow wings and learn how to fly, miss. O'Neil. Because that's your only hope of rescue.

APRIL: You won't get away with this.

SHREDDER: Don't be count on it, my lovely. Everything is proceeding just the way i want it, soon we're gonna be flying above a dangerous area where there's plenty of quicksand, and let us just say that's where i'm gonna drop you off.

(LAUGH)

EXT. THE SKY -DAY

The bi-plane is now right underneath the flying car.

Some strange notices starts coming from that the engine compartment.

LEONARDO: What is that?

DONATELLO: The engine might be back-firing.

RAPHEAL: Great just what we needed right now.

Right then the door to the engine compartment just falls off and smoke starts pouring out.

Notices have now started to sound something like human chuffing.

INT\EXT. THE FLYING CAR - DAY (MOVING)

Shredder has heard the sounds from the bi-plane engine, he looks around confused, then he looks over at April.

SHREDDER: (TO APRIL) Could you please explain those strange noises i'm hearing.

April acts quickly and pretends to cough.

APRIL: There is nothing to explain really, it's just that the thin air up here is making my lungs play up.

Shredder takes a quick look at THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR and sees The Turtles in their bi-plane.

SHREDDER: Where did they get an air licence?

Shredder looks ahead and sees A GIANT QUICKSAND PIT appear up ahead, he grins and turns to April again.

SHREDDER: (TO APRIL) You won't need to worry about the air for much longer.

Shredder`s car makes a sharp turn and swoops down closer to the ground, it starts to circle the quicksand pit.

SHREDDER: (TO APRIL) This will be sight of your demise.

Shredder presses two buttons on the dashboard console, and then he pulls a big lever.

EXT. THE SKY - DAY

A trapdoor opens up underneath April, causing her to fall out of the flying car, she lets a loud scream.

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY

April lands feet first in the quicksand, she start sinking.

APRIL: This does not look good at all.

EXT\INT. THE FLYING CAR - DAY

Shredder laughs, he`s really happy with himself.

SHREDDER: That is really clever way to get rid of a piskey television reporter.

(BEAT)

Next i'm gonna take away the flying licence from those lamebrain turtles.

EXT. THE SKY - DAY

The flying car quickly turns around and flies over to the bi-plane, they are now right beside eachother.

SHREDDER: There you are, turtles. Both me and miss. O'Neil really started to worry that you wouldn't show up.

DONATELLO: Oh. Come on, shreddhead. You know us better than that.

LEONARDO: Wait a minute here, where is April.

RAPHEAL: What you done with her?

SHREDDER: She was feeling sick and wanted to get off.

MICHELANGELO: I can buy she was sick, she was probably sick of you.

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY

April has now sunken up her chest in quicksand, she looks up towards the sky and spots the bi-plane.

APRIL: (PANICKED) HELP - HELP

EXT\INT. THE BI-PLANE - DAY

The Turtles hear the sound of April screaming, they look down and see her in the quicksand.

DONATELLO: Don't worry, April. You'll soon be rescued.

EXT. THE SKY - DAY

The flying ship starts to dive down towards the quicksand pit.

INT\EXT. THE FLYING CAR - DAY

SHREDDER: Not if i have anything to say about it.

Shredder takes his car-phone.

SHREDDER: (INTO THE PHONE) This is Shredder speaking. Sent in the troops.

Shredder puts the phone down.

SHREDDER: Now i got those turtles just were i want them.

(LAUGH)

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY

April has now sunken up to her neck in the quicksand.

APRIL: PLEASE HURRY!!!!

DONATELLO: (YELLING) Don`t worry, April. We`ll soon get you out of there.

The bi-plane stops right above the quicksand pit. Rapheal pulls April out of the quicksand and helps her onto the wing of the bi-plane.

APRIL: Thanks alot guys, for a moment there i thought i was done for.

The bi-plane flies away again.

EXT. SKY - DAY

Right then two more flying cars appear on the horizon, they are all full with FOOT-SOLDIER ROBOTS.

EXT\INT. THE BI-PLANE - DAY

Donatello now spots the flying cars with foot-soldiers.

DONATELLO: (POINTS) There´s more trouble ahead.

The others look and see the flying cars as well.

RAPHAEL: Seems like Shredder has set up a trap for us.

The Turtles all draw their weapons, ready for a fight.

EXT. THE DESERT - DAY

The bi-plane and all the cars land in a little sand dune. Shredder jumps out of his car.

SHREDDER: (TO THE FOOT-SOLDIERS) ATTACK!!!!!!!

Now the fight between The Turtles and The Foot-Soldiers breaks out, April keeps taking pictures with her camera the whole time.

The Turtles quickly get the upper hand over The Foot-Soldiers and they explode in very colorful ways.

When allt The Foot-Soliders are destroyed, Shredder jumps back in his flying car.

SHREDDER: You have not seen the last of me, i´ll get you for this, you stupid turtles.

Shredder flies away towards the sky and disappears.

LEONARDO: Now we knew that there will be someone waiting for us when we get back to new york.

DONATELLO: Where do you wanna go next, April?

APRIL: Anywhere where i won´t get a bunch of sand inside my boots.

The Turtles and April laugh, and then they get onto the bi-plane and fly away.

THE END.

[leonsi]

it was a tmnt crossover btw and i got too tired to draw it out bc its like 5 am here BUT here r the basics bc i am Vibrating:

mikey is Po. duh. there is no better person for Po, don't lie to yourself. they're both incredibly skilled underdogs who want to see the good in everyone, and dont underestimate people just from how they look. Mikey is extremely discouraged when he comes to the Jade Palace, but with his relentless optimism (and a little help from Shen), he puts in twice the effort to catch up with the others and it pays off fivefold. raised in a noodle shop, picked to become the Dragon Warrior, does a badass job at it. next.

Shen is Oogway. this makes sense in my mind. however i have been awake all night so maybe i will change this later, we'll see. instead of being a warrior, she's more of the mystical lady of the jade palace. still just as respected as Oogway though, still the highest in terms of power.

Master Splinter is Shifu. you knew this was coming.

Tigress is Raphael. not leonardo. i am right with this also, hear me out. Tigress' fatal flaw was always her anger and her strength, which she weaponized to protect herself from people seeing her as a monster. raphael is constantly seen as 'the bad guy,' (or believes he is) because of his temper and strength. they're both brave fighters who focus more on physicality and strength than anything else. while Tigress is more prone to focus on form in the movies, in this AU Raph is still himself, who focuses more on results than form. he's still seen as the best fighter for the every-day villains they have to face, such as bandits in the village, and as such is still respected just as much as Tigress was. However, just like Tigress, despite being skilled in his own regard, Splinter still holds some contempt for his aggression when fighting. He is the most bitter he wasn't chosen as the Dragon Warrior, believing Splinter sabotaged him because of his dislike of Raph's temper up until Mikey proves himself.

Leo is Viper. Like Viper having to compensate for being born without venom, Leo has to compensate for the damage in his right leg he obtained during an 'accident' (im still deciding whether to stick with a chronic injury or a porsthetic, seeing as how early the movies are set in China. im not sure there would be any prosthetics at the time that could accommodate fighting without some mystic intervention. ill do research). He struggled to keep up with the others until Shen helped him adapt his own fighting style. Leo focuses far more on agility, speed, and skill than any of the others do, and as such is often practicing longer, reframing tried and true methods to accommodate for his disability. this leads to some self-wirth issues, especially so when he has to break from training or seek cover in a fight to rest his leg, and this is the only reason he's not jealous he's not the dragon warrior. despite all of them being underdogs and misunderstood at one point in their lives, he is the only one who's not actively hostile to Mikey. he's not welcoming, either. At most, he helps him get familiar with where everything is in the palace, and then leaves him to fend for himself lmao

Donnie is Crane. this is also obvious. Donnie had a long history of being underestimated from his 'svelte,' form, despite the fact that his fighting style well makes up for his strength, and this caused him to develop some performance anxiety. he spent much of his life too stuck in his head to fight, and even with Splinter and Shen's help, he sometimes finds himself getting lost there again. however, he is still an excellent fighter that can easily keep up with Leo and Raph, while also setting traps for their enemies. Though he is the smartest of them all, he isn't too jealous about not being the Dragon Warrior, because the responsibility and lime light that come with such a title isn't something he wants. However, he does bitch about Mikey a little because he's angry some kid from a noodle shop stumbled into the palace when he had to shed blood, sweat, and tears to get there, and he makes sure Mikey knows it.

Master Splinter accidentally adopted all three of them, at some point through their lives. This ends up alienating Mikey even more at first, as he's not only excluded from the team, but the family. However, somewhere along the line, Splinter does somewhat adopt Mikey, too, becoming his third father. the others are all jealous because they have Zero fathers aside from splinter LMAO

i have more backstories for each of them already, but this is all im gonna say now bc its 5:30 am and my hands hurt !! and im still deciding if i should add Karai, April, and Casey to the furious five or not, so i dont want to expound too much on the turtles before getting to them. abyway.

i just wanted to watch the kung fu panda movies again how did i end up making a whole au

[masterweaverx]

Headmaster Raven

Next

“Did you hear about that big fight that went down a few days ago?” Bolin said in an excited undertone.

Arslan rolled her eyes as she led them through the crowd of their fellow students. “Everyone’s heard about the battle, Bolin.”

“I hear it was those Vale kids we fought at the festival!” Reese confided. “Team ROSY, you remember them?”

“First of all, it was team RWBY. Second, why would they be here?” Arslan looked at the damaged doorframe of the main hall. “And how the hell would they have torn these things off?”

Nadir ran a hand through his hair. “I’m more worried about the staff change. I mean, what happened? Why’d they spring that on us?”

Arslan frowned quietly. That had been the question on her mind as well, ever since she’d heard about it. She tried to get some answers, call up some of their old professors, but their scrolls were always out of range... or dead. And the news that Headmaster Lionheart had been working with the White Fang...

She shook her head, looking around the main hall. "I’m sure that our new headmaster will explain everything.”

“Damn, we should have gotten here sooner,” Reese grumbled. “I can barely see the stage!”

“Not like there’s anything to see,” Nadir assured her. “Nobody’s there. Just some ragged-looking bird on the rails.”

“The new headmaster is probably planning some sort of dramatic entrance,” Bolin pointed out with a shrug.

“I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” Arslan assured them. “After all, it’s almost seven thirty and it would be unprofessional for them to--”

The words caught in her throat when a bloody gash in reality suddenly appeared on the stage.

A figure strode through--a tall figure, garbed in red and black, with a large hoister on her hip that held a single hilt. Thick gauntlets were crossed over the artistic depiction of a flight of birds, while necklaces of many beads hung around the newcomer’s neck. Tattered black hair and feathers flowed out from behind a bone-white helm, crafted and painted to resemble the very creatures that they were taught to hunt and destroy.

It was a mask that had long haunted Arslan’s nightmares.

“Reese,” she commanded in a tone of forced calm. “Head down to the armory, get Bolin and Nadir’s weapons. You two, stay near the door until she comes back--”

“Atlas is slowly phasing out Huntsmen entirely.”

The voice that projected from the stage was level, cool, and feminine. Even if the students’ attention hadn’t been caught by the portal, the words would have made them look at the figure now observing them all.

“First,” she continued, “it was by replacing them with soldiers. Then they replaced the soldiers with their mechanical knights. They’re still training what they call specialists, but all of you saw that mechanical girl at Vytal. She might be the final step in ending the need for Huntsmen entirely.”

“Reese,” Arslan hissed.

“Huh?”

“The armory. Now.”

Reese gave her a confused look. “Arslan, what’s--?”

But Arslan was already moving, edging around the crowd.

“And really, what’s the point?” The figure took a few steps left. “You don’t need to be a huntsman to kill a Grimm. You don’t need to be a huntsman to fight a bandit. You don’t need to be a huntsman to found a village, or defend a kingdom, or even to fight a huntsman. The skills you can learn here, you could learn from anywhere, so long as you had access to the knowledge.”

She tilted her head, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. Arslan froze for a moment as the helm passed over her. As soon as it was looking away, she continued her cautious traversal.

“There is one difference between a huntsman and an ordinary mercenary. It is not their weapon. It is not their semblance. It is not their connections. It is their status--their image. When people see a Huntsman, when they hear the cry of a Huntress, they know... a Hero has arrived.”

The figure spun around, walking to the other side of the balcony. Arslan carefully, cautiously, let her dagger fall from her sleeve into her hand.

“There’s a trust put in those who graduate from the academies. A trust that they will give their time, their effort, and their lives to the continued existence and defense of the kingdoms. Even now, in Vale, there are many professors working tirelessly to prove that trust is well founded, to prove that the kingdom will not fall so long as one Huntsman stands. People trust the Hunstmen. And Leonardo Lionheart has betrayed that trust.”

The figure looked out at the crowd. “Some of you--not enough, but some of you--heard of the staffing change and tried to reach out to your old professors. And every single attempt has failed, because Leonardo lied to them. He told them of missions, in villages or in cities, places they needed to go. They trusted him, and they went, and every single one of them was killed by an assassin waiting just for them. And then, after he was finished wiping the board clean for his master, he told her where to find a bandit to pin it all on, and stepped aside so the White Fang could blow up the tower right outside those doors.” She put her hands on the rails. “Every Huntsman and Huntress left on the continent is standing in this room.”

Arslan’s grip shook as gasps of horror came from the crowd. For a moment, doubt wavered across her face.

Then she looked up at the helm, and her grip became firm as she resumed her journey. She was already halfway there.

“Some of you, no doubt, recognize me. For those of you that have lived hiding from the real world before today, let me set the record straight.”

The figure reached up, taking off her helm and hanging it next to the bird still perched on the rails. A red shawl bound the base of the feathers to the top of her head. Her face was pale, with eyes the hue of a Grimm’s. Something about it registered as familiar to Arslan, but she shook it off.

“I am Raven Branwen, leader of a bandit tribe that has razed many villages, plundered many homes, and killed many innocents. Some of you may have heard of me by my other titles; the Bloody Storm, the Witch of the Winds, the Nevermore Queen... the Bandit Bitch of Anima.” A quirk of the lips. “That last one isn’t true, I’ve only screwed three Huntsmen and Huntresses in my life, and none of them were from Mistral.”

A small smattering of nervous laughter came from the crowd. A very small smattering.

“And yes, as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, I am your new headmaster.” Raven crossed her arms again. “I came with my own staff, something that Mistral desperately needed. That, and a few other things, convinced the council to put me in charge of you wastes of meat. Yes, wastes. Your last headmaster sabotaged everyone he was supposed to lead, which means your training has probably suffered. And now you’re learning to protect people from somebody who made a career out of terrorizing them. Your reputation is going to be marred twice over before you even graduate, and if you don’t think you can be the noble hero a Huntsman is supposed to be with that going against you... get the hell out of my school.”

Arslan, carefully, cautiously, closed in on the stairs. The bird cocked its head at her, looking her over as she fell still; after a long moment, it looked away, and she slowly began her ascent.

“By my count, I’ve got six months before the council scrapes together enough competent people to kick me and my tribe out of this place. That’s six months I have to undo the damage Leonardo did, six months I have to watch you fumble about as you play hero, six months that I have to endure your incessant whining about fairness and hope. And then I’ll probably go back to my old job, because to be honest? It was always the huntsmen that made my job so hard. Without them, it should be a stroll in the park.”

With a flick of her wrist, Arslan detached the dagger’s blade from its hilt, a rope trailing behind it as she sent it towards Raven’s leg. She swung her arm, already capitalizing on the motion--

--and, somehow, impossibly, Raven kicked the blade up mid-flight, catching it in her hand.

“Then again, if you manage to impress me, I might actually consider retiring. I hear Vacuo’s got some nice views.”

A single tug sent Arslan stumbling forward into Raven’s grip, lifted up by her collar before she could recover. The bandit examined the rage-filled face for a moment, ignoring the hard kick to her hip.

Then she tossed her over the rails, letting the impact of the ground knock the breath out of her.

“Your training begins tomorrow. You have that long to set up your dorms. If you’re first years, there are tents near the cliff.” Raven glowered at the crowd. “Get moving.”

[yoshimickster]

RWBY Volume 5 Ep 1 Recap(plus shorts)-HERE WE GO(spoilers)!

Shorts will be recapped in a few sentences cos...well they short.

Weiss flashes back to her sister Winter foreshadowing that the’s next to die while sitting on a train. SORRY WINTER QROW SHIPPERS-her time is nigh.

Blake flashes back to her friend explaining why she fights for civil rights when she passes for whit-I MEAN-human! Yup, human, ALL while failing at an attempt to stop Adam “I love teenagers” Taurus’ plans.

And Yang flashes back to the time her and her sister were almost killed by a bear because Ruby couldn’t do dick without a weapon at the time-RIGHT BEFORE-ironically saying she’ll always be by her side...ALL while riding a motorcycle aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelf!

Basically three sad flashbacks-THERE YA GO!

The episode starts out SWINGING with team RNJR criticizing the show’s logic of having them walk all the way to Mistral, and joking about how Qrow almost died. HAHA death.

1:04 We are then treated to what only looks like rejected character and background designs to Legend of Korra and/or Avatar the last Airbender! Don’t get me wrong, nice drawings, but don’t they have the budget to freaking animate crowds anymore?

1:33 Qrow gives brief Mistral backstory right before-SURPRISE AIRPLANE MOTHER FUCKERS! You are shocked, do not lie.

1:44 Weiss has WITTY banter with the airship pilot of cargo ship three-THE FIGHTIN’ TRES-where Weiss hears a cry for peril which the pilot ignores...kinda...kinda dark.

3:07 We are then treated to the city, where...no-one is anywhere...throughout the whole town...you know you can only use Grimm attacks to not animate crowds in large spaces for SO long Rooster Teeth.

3:56

Nora: Maybe try...LOUDER?!

Damn Nora, when you get sassy?

Thankfully Qrow points out how it makes no sense that there are no CGI models running around-AND SPRING INTO ACTION!  

4:31 They close in on a door and find-SOME OLD MAN THEY MAKE FAINT...FAKE OUT! Next thing you’ll tell me is that his name is Spencer Pokensensen and that he’s a servant of the courts.

4:50 As for what HORRIFYING event caused him to not greet them at the gate it turns out...HE FORGOT...are all headmasters incompetent? Ozpin didn’t see team MEAN until they struck, and this guy is forgetting meetings, what the hell?

5:05 Team RNJR introduces themselves all saying there names as if fans forgot-OR-for those weirdos who start a show in its fifth season. Yeah I know you exist-AND YOU’RE SCUM!

5:12 The new Headmaster’s name is....Leonardo Lionheart...I don’t have a joke for that, that just sounds AWESOME!

5:36 Qrow reveals he told the team about the ancient mystical glow orbs of destiny, and Nora does her perfect impression of every fandom ever:

“...SO-is this not going how anyone thought it would?”

But enough about that-

5:53

Ghira: UNBELIEVABLE!

Sun: TOTAL GARBAGE!

...my god...THEY AGREE ON SOMETHING! FUTURE FATHER-IN LAW AND SON IN LAW BONDING! Er...POTENTIAL future father in law, heh heh(Bumblebee fans don’t hate me please).

5:59

Kali: Well at least you two can finally agree on something.

This is why I love you Kali, you are absolute purity in this magical Harry Potter meets X-men meets M.A.S.K. world.

6:10

Blake: Guys, everything’s gonna be okay.

...Blake...being positive...I am scared.

6:20 Blake is revealed to have an unnamed body-gaurd whom the fandom will attach a personality to WHILE ILIA DROPS IN...okay they HAVE technology in this world, she should’ve tripped off some damn motion sensors-SPEND SOME MONEY GHIRA!

Ilia then reveals that she took the fall for those creepy fox...brothers? Or are they married? I’m cool with either, I just want some background on who were originally supposed to be the main villains of volume 1(seriously, look it up).

8:00 SILENT PRINCIPAL’S ROOM-get ready for dramatic exposition babies!

Leo reveals the reason for a lack of teachers and students is OF COURSE-because of the Grimm...ironically from the Vale attack, DAMN this show is good at long lasting consequences.

9:13 OH WOW-Atlas is being a problem? Know what else, WATER IS WET!

9:42 OBLIGATORY RENORA SITTING TOGETHER MOMENT-there ya go you ship-hounds!

We are THEN told that each Maiden can open a specific door with their own abilities...I keep making Avatar parables, but that sounds RATHER Avatar, you know like in Volume 1 with the fire temple?

“She was determined at first, but the weight of responsibility proved too much for the child”.

AND THEN THERE’S THAT-that is AANG mother fucker!

11:30 Typical Avatar, runs away from home, gets picked up by bird bandits-WON’T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!

12:17

Qrow: WE NEED TO GET THE SPRING MAIDEN NOW!

Leo: DAMMIT QROW, you don’t have a search warrant!

Qrow: SCREW YOUR WARRANT-lives are at stake!

Leo: YOU’RE A LOOSE CANNON BRANWEN! YOU’RE OFF THE CASE!

14:06 OOOH-poor Johnny boy, he REALLY wants him some revenge on Cinder.

15:06 But thankfully they make a logical compromise and-HOLY SHIT-he was lying because of Watts! I thought he was tricking him or some shit, this is WAY more interesting!

15:30 HEY-its that end scene from volume four! HOORAY FOR CYCLICITY! 

16:31 WELCOME TO JUST RITE-for all your Seven Elleven gas station allegorical needs!

...wait that place has a BAR?! Its a gas station...where people go to feul their vehicles...and serves alcohol...thaaaaaaaaaaaaaat is a messy combination.

17:30 Yang gets hit on by a drunk guy, then hits him SO HARD he bounces like four time! What is his semblance having a body made of rubber?

18:01 AH-Yang does the Archer drink finger-AWESOME!

18:18 WELP-we got our answer, she went after Raven-COMMENCE ALT-U FAN STORIES NOW!

18:56 Hey girly, I heard your looking for someone!

Damn, literally the ONLY TIME in history when getting hit on by a drunk creepy guy pays off!

19:00 OH DAMN-spooky music, WHO COULD IT B-oh its just Oz...didn’t we know that all ready in the trailer? And did we need a second pointless fake-out? A TAD superfluous.

I would also like to point out this is the ONLY time a man getting drunk and taking an underage boy home with him is okay, the ONLY time!

We then close out the ep with Oscar introducing his Bishie ass to the group as Oscar Pine(mother-fucker’s name was a play on the Prof’s name, twas DESTINY), reveals he’s mother-fucking OZPIN, all while the drunken old man on the couch REJOICES! HOORAY FOR ACCIDENTAL SUCCESS!

We’re also treated to the NEW theme song, lots of action, lots of fighgint, bitter sweet messages yadda yadda, you know how it goes. 

WELCOME TO VOLUME FIVE BABIES-this has been MicksteRecap with Yoshimickster, hope we can be pals this season!