#Rust Protector for Metal Surfaces

[rustbulletnv]

Rust Bullet Industrial: The Ultimate Rust Protector for Metal Surfaces

Rust: The silent menace that bothers homeowners, farmers, and property managers alike is rust, which slowly corrodes and degrades expensive equipment and structures. Rust is a silent menace. However, there is no need to be concerned since Rust Bullet Industrial is here to save the day. Rust Bullet Industrial is a cutting-edge rust inhibitor and protective coating that was developed expressly to protect metal surfaces, such as those found on metal roofs, household and agricultural equipment, and other exposed metal surfaces. As a leading industrial rust inhibitor, Rust Bullet Industrial is more than just a rust-proof paint; it's a revolutionary solution that provides unparalleled protection against the harmful effects of rust. To further understand why Rust Bullet Industrial is the best option for rust prevention and protection, let's take a closer look at the most important advantages it offers over others.

Superior Protection, Unmatched Durability

In addition to providing outstanding protection against rust and corrosion, Rust Bullet Industrial functions as a powerful rust inhibitor coating. By forming a robust and long-lasting barrier that is resistant to chipping, peeling, and cracking, its innovative formulation ensures that your valuable metal assets will remain in good condition for an extended period of time. Whether it's agricultural equipment, metal roofs, or industrial machinery, Rust Bullet Industrial offers unparalleled protection against rust, ensuring that your investments maintain their integrity and last for a long time.

Convenient Application, Long-Lasting Outcomes

Utilizing Rust Bullet Industrial makes the application process very simple. Because of its straightforward, one-step technique, there is no longer a requirement for substantial surface preparation, which will save you both time and work. Rust Bullet Industrial guarantees a smooth and equal finish every time, regardless of whether it is applied with a brush, roller, or spray equipment. Furthermore, the formula's ability to self-level makes application a breeze, which ensures that the results will be long-lasting and withstand the test of time.

UV-resistant and chemically resistant material

In order to survive the most severe situations, Rust Bullet Industrial was designed and developed to withstand the harshest environments. Due to the fact that it is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, it guarantees that it will maintain its protective capabilities and appearance even when exposed to direct sunlight. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor equipment that is subjected to severe weather conditions. In addition, Rust Bullet Industrial is extremely resistant to a wide variety of chemicals, such as acids, alkalis, and solvents, which guarantees dependable protection in both industrial and agricultural environments.

Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective

The duty that we have toward the environment is a primary focus at Rust Bullet. Because of this, Rust Bullet Industrial does not include any hazardous chemicals or heavy metals, which means that it is eco friendly, and most coatings have a low VOC option for added environmental safety. Not only is Rust Bullet Industrial environmentally safe, but it also saves money in the long run since it eliminates the need for costly rust removal treatments and reduces the frequency with which rust removal treatments are required. Rust Bullet Industrial will ensure that your assets are protected, allowing you to say goodbye to costly repairs and replacements.

Versatile, Customizable

Rust Bullet Industrial is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to tools, vehicles, and structures, for example. Due to the fact that it is compatible with the majority of topcoats, it enables customization, which means that you can mold the appearance of your equipment to suit your preferences. You can rely on Rust Bullet Industrial to provide you with adaptability and dependability, regardless of whether you are safeguarding your home, farm equipment, industrial apparatus, or marine vehicle. It is important to note that Rust Bullet Industrial is not merely a rust inhibitor; rather, it is the most comprehensive rust protection solution for metal surfaces. Rust Bullet Industrial is the best option for protecting your valuable assets since it offers outstanding protection, is simple to apply, is resistant to ultraviolet light and chemicals, is friendly to the environment, and is versatile. When you use Rust Bullet Industrial, you can enjoy long-lasting protection that prevents rust from affecting your investments for many years to come. Rust should not be allowed to damage the integrity of your investments.

[unitedstainlessllp]

Top Tips for Welding and Working with Stainless Steel Sheets - United Stainless LLP

United Stainless LLP being the leading Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturers in India also emerged as one of the most reliable Stainless Steel Sheet Supplier in India. We do know what our clients have been expecting from SS sheets, and we work there out to satisfy them to the best. y more.

As an Excellent Stainless Steel Sheets Manufacturer, we make all efforts to provide the finest quality SS Sheets in the steel industry to our noble clients. Our high point of attention to detail towards quality, price, and service of SS 304 Sheets has helped garner many orders for us around the globe. 

As prominent manufacturers in the SS Sheet Manufacturers in India, we are leading a wide variety of sheets that are made from nickel alloy, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, titanium, duplex, and Super duplex steel.

Understand the Properties of Stainless Steel - United Stainless LLP

1. Choose the Right Grade of Stainless Steel

There are different grades of stainless steel, and the choice will depend on your specific project requirements. Common grades include:

304 Stainless Steel: Known for its excellent corrosion resistance and versatility. It is the most widely used grade.

316 Stainless Steel: Contains molybdenum for better resistance to chlorides and acids, making it ideal for marine and chemical applications.

430 Stainless Steel: A lower-cost option with less corrosion resistance, used more in decorative applications.

Choosing the appropriate grade for your project will ensure optimal performance and reduce complications during welding and fabrication.

2. Ensure Clean Surfaces

Contaminants regarding dirt, oil, and grease make your weld quality beset. First, clean the stainless steel sheet using a non-chlorinated solvent or stainless steel cleaner dedicated specifically for the task, before you start welding. Do not use abrasives that can leave carbon steel particles in your welds to cause eventual rust and corrosion.

3. Use the Right Welding Technique

For stainless steel sheets, there are different methods that can be used; still, the dependency goes on to the thickness of the sheet, finish required, and also the type of joint. Some of the most common techniques are discussed below:

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) Welding: Ideal for thinner stainless steel sheets. TIG welding provides greater control over heat input and creates a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing weld. This method also minimizes the risk of warping.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) Welding: Suitable for thicker stainless steel sheets and is generally faster than TIG welding. It’s easier to learn and offers good weld penetration.

Stick Welding: Can be used for stainless steel, but it’s less common for sheet applications. It’s mainly used for structural projects where aesthetics are not a primary concern.

Ensure that you choose the right filler material that matches or complements the grade of stainless steel you’re working with.

4. Control the Heat

One of the main challenges of welding stainless steel sheets is heat control. If the heat is too high, it can lead to distortion, discoloration, or even damage to the chromium oxide layer, compromising the material’s corrosion resistance. 

Use pulse welding: This technique alternates between high and low current, allowing you to maintain heat control while still achieving a strong weld.

Keep the heat-affected zone (HAZ) small: Minimize the HAZ by maintaining a consistent, moderate welding speed and limiting the amount of time the heat stays in one place.

Use heat sinks: These can be clamped to the workpiece to absorb excess heat and reduce distortion.

5. Use the Right Shielding Gas

Shielding gas also is, of course, a very important coolant and protector of the weld pool itself. Pure argon or an argon-helium mix is recommended for almost any stainless steel welding process. A mix of argon, helium, and a small percentage of CO2 or O2 can improve penetration as well as the stability of the arc in MIG welding.

Countries We Supply SS Sheets

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Vietnam

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Turkey

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Taiwan

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in USA

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in UAE

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Australia

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Iran

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Europe

Stainless Steel Sheet Manufacturer in Qatar

Website: unitedstainlessllp.com

[outdoorfurniturenz]

How to Maintain and Clean Your Outdoor Furniture: Expert Tips

Outdoor furniture is an investment in your home’s exterior charm and functionality. From patio chairs to garden sofas, these pieces enhance your outdoor living area, creating spaces for relaxation and social gatherings. However, to ensure your outdoor furniture remains looking like new and performs well over time, regular maintenance and cleaning are essential. Here’s an expert guide on how to maintain and clean various types of outdoor furniture effectively.

1. General Maintenance Tips

Regular Cleaning Regularly dusting off and cleaning your outdoor furniture helps prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. For most outdoor tables and chairs, a simple solution of mild soap and water will suffice. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently clean the surfaces, avoiding abrasive materials that could damage the finish.

Protective Covers Using protective covers when your furniture is not in use can shield it from the elements. High-quality outdoor furniture covers are designed to fit over chairs, sofas, and tables, protecting them from rain, snow, and UV rays. This simple step can significantly extend the lifespan of your outdoor furnishings.

Seasonal Care Adjust your maintenance routine according to the seasons. For instance, during fall, remove leaves and debris that may accumulate on your furniture. In winter, ensure that your furniture is either covered or stored in a sheltered area to prevent damage from harsh weather.

2. Cleaning Different Types of Outdoor Furniture

Wood Furniture

Teak and Eucalyptus: Regularly clean with a soft brush or cloth and a mild soap solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can strip the wood of its natural oils. For deeper cleaning, consider using a specialized wood cleaner. Reapply teak oil or a similar treatment annually to maintain the wood’s natural luster and resistance to the elements.

Cedar and Pine: These woods benefit from occasional sealing or staining to protect them from moisture and UV damage. Clean with a mixture of water and mild detergent, and avoid excessive scrubbing that might damage the wood surface.

Metal Furniture

Aluminum and Steel: Wipe down with a cloth and a solution of mild soap and water. For stubborn stains or rust, use a non-abrasive cleaner or a rust remover. Ensure the furniture is completely dry to prevent rust from forming. Powder-coated finishes generally require less maintenance, but inspect them regularly for any signs of chipping or wear.

Wrought Iron: Clean with a mixture of water and mild detergent. Wrought iron furniture may develop rust over time, so check for any signs and treat with a rust-inhibiting primer and paint if necessary.

Plastic and Resin Furniture

Recycled Plastic: Clean with soap and water, using a sponge or cloth. For stubborn stains, a solution of baking soda and water can be effective. This type of furniture is usually resistant to weather damage and doesn’t require much maintenance.

Synthetic Wicker: Wipe down with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can degrade the synthetic fibers. Regular cleaning helps maintain its appearance and prevents mold growth.

Upholstered Furniture

Sunbrella and Other Fabrics: These outdoor fabrics are designed to withstand the elements. Clean with a solution of mild soap and water, using a soft brush for any stains. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. For persistent stains, refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

Cushions and Ottomans: Remove and wash cushion covers according to the care instructions. Spot clean any spills immediately to prevent stains from setting in. Consider using a fabric protector to repel stains and moisture.

3. Special Care Tips

Umbrellas Regularly clean your outdoor umbrella canopy with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Ensure it is completely dry before folding and storing. If your umbrella has a metal frame, wipe it down to remove dust and debris, and check for any signs of wear or damage.

Sun Loungers and Recliners For sun loungers, regularly clean the frame and upholstery to prevent buildup of dirt. If your lounger has adjustable parts, ensure they are functioning smoothly and lubricate any moving parts as needed. Check the upholstery for any signs of wear or fading and address any issues promptly.

Outdoor Tables Glass-top tables should be cleaned with a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to avoid streaks. For wooden tables, follow the wood maintenance tips provided earlier, and ensure to clean any spills promptly to prevent stains.

4. Environmental Considerations

When maintaining and cleaning your outdoor furniture, consider using environmentally friendly products. Opt for biodegradable soaps, natural cleaning agents, and avoid harsh chemicals that can harm the environment. Additionally, choosing eco-friendly furniture options made from recycled or sustainable materials can further contribute to an environmentally conscious home.

By following these expert tips, you can ensure that your outdoor furniture remains in excellent condition, enhancing your patio, garden, or backyard for years to come. Regular maintenance and proper cleaning will keep your outdoor living area inviting, stylish, and ready for relaxation and entertaining.

[parthbhel29]

Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Metal Bed Frame

Your metal bed frame is not just a functional piece of furniture; it also adds a touch of elegance and modernity to your bedroom. To ensure that it continues to enhance your sleeping space for years to come, proper maintenance and cleaning are essential. Here are some valuable tips to keep your metal bed frame in top-notch condition.

Regular Dusting and Cleaning:

Start with a simple routine of dusting your metal bed frame regularly. Dust accumulation affects the aesthetics and lead to scratches over time. Use a soft cloth or a duster to remove dust from the surface. For deep cleaning, a mild soapy solution and a soft sponge can be used, followed by thorough drying.

Avoid Harsh Cleaning Agents:

While cleaning your metal bed frame, it's crucial to steer clear of abrasive or harsh cleaning agents. These can damage the finish and compromise the integrity of the metal. Opt for gentle, non-abrasive cleaners to preserve the original shine and look of your bed frame.

Bed Protector Sheets and Covers:

Invest in high-quality bed protector sheets or covers specifically designed for metal bed frames. These protective layers act as a barrier, preventing dust, spills, and scratches from reaching the bed frame directly. Nilkamal Sleep offers a range of bed accessories, including durable and stylish bed protector sheets.

Check and Tighten Screws:

Periodically inspect the screws and joints of your metal bed frame. Due to regular use, these may loosen over time. Tighten any loose screws to maintain the structural integrity of the bed. This simple step can prevent potential issues and ensure a stable and safe sleeping environment.

Prevent Rust Formation:

Metal bed frames are susceptible to rust, especially in humid environments. To prevent rust formation, keep your bedroom well-ventilated and avoid exposing the bed frame to excessive moisture. If you notice any signs of rust, address them promptly with rust-resistant solutions or metal-friendly paint.

Consider Bed Accessories:

Enhance the longevity of your metal bed frame by investing in accessories such as bed covers and throws. These add a decorative touch to your bed and provide an additional layer of protection against wear and tear.

Buy Quality Beds from Trusted Brands:

When choosing a metal bed frame, consider purchasing from reputable brands like Nilkamal Sleep. Buying a high-quality bed frame from a trusted brand ensures durability and longevity, reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacements.

In conclusion, maintaining and cleaning your metal bed frame is a straightforward process that, when done regularly and with care, can significantly extend its lifespan. By following these tips and incorporating protective measures, you can preserve the beauty and functionality of your metal bed frame, ensuring a comfortable and stylish bedroom for years to come.

[pratimadheer]

Maintaining and Caring for Your Induction Cookware Sets: Tips for Longevity and Performance

Induction cookware sets have gained immense popularity in modern kitchens due to their energy efficiency and rapid heating capabilities. However, like any kitchen tools, they require proper care and maintenance to ensure they last for years and continue to perform optimally. In this article, we'll explore essential tips for maintaining and caring for your induction cookware sets, helping you make the most of your investment.

1. Proper Cleaning Practices

Cleaning your induction cookware after each use is essential to prevent food residues from building up and affecting performance. Here are some cleaning tips:

Hand Wash: While many induction cookware sets claim to be dishwasher-safe, it's generally best to hand wash them. This helps prevent the harsh dishwasher detergents from affecting the cookware's finish and integrity over time.

Warm Soapy Water: Use warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to clean your cookware. Avoid harsh scouring pads or abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface.

Stuck-on Food: For stubborn, stuck-on food, soak the cookware in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to loosen the residue before scrubbing gently.

Avoid High Heat for Cleaning: Never use high heat to burn off food residues or boil water to remove stains. This can cause discoloration and damage to your cookware.

Dry Thoroughly: After washing, dry your induction cookware thoroughly to prevent water spots and the potential for rust. Use a clean, dry cloth or allow them to air dry.

2. Seasoning Non-Stick Cookware

If your induction cookware features a non-stick coating, proper seasoning helps maintain its performance and extends its lifespan. Here's how to season non-stick cookware:

Pre-Seasoned: Some non-stick cookware comes pre-seasoned, meaning it has a thin layer of oil or fat applied at the factory. However, additional seasoning may be necessary over time.

Regular Seasoning: To season your non-stick cookware, heat the pan on low to medium heat and add a small amount of oil or fat, such as vegetable oil or a non-stick spray. Spread the oil evenly across the cooking surface and let it heat for a few minutes. Then, wipe the excess oil with a paper towel and let the cookware cool before storing.

Avoid High Heat: Do not use high heat when seasoning non-stick cookware. It's essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the right type of oil and the recommended temperature.

3. Choosing the Right Utensils

Selecting the right cooking utensils can significantly impact the longevity of your induction cookware. Follow these guidelines when choosing utensils:

Avoid Metal Utensils: While some induction cookware can handle metal utensils, it's generally safer to use non-metal utensils, such as wooden or silicone spatulas and spoons, to prevent scratching and damage to the non-stick surface.

Nylon or Plastic Utensils: Utensils made of nylon or heat-resistant plastic are excellent choices for non-stick cookware as they are gentle on the cooking surface.

Avoid Cutting in the Cookware: Refrain from cutting or slicing food directly in your induction cookware, as this can damage the non-stick surface.

4. Storage Considerations

Proper storage of your induction cookware is essential to prevent damage and maintain its performance:

Use Cookware Protectors: To prevent scratches and damage, consider using cookware protectors or placing a towel or paper towel between nested pots and pans.

Stacking Carefully: Avoid stacking cookware directly on top of non-stick surfaces, especially if it has a delicate coating. Place a cloth or paper towel between nested pans to protect the non-stick layer.

Hang Pots and Pans: If you have the space, hanging your cookware is an excellent way to prevent scratches and damage while ensuring easy access.

5. Regular Inspection

Regularly inspect your induction cookware for signs of wear, such as chipping or peeling in the non-stick coating, loose handles, or any other damage. If you notice any issues, it's essential to address them promptly to prevent further damage.

6. Follow Manufacturer's Instructions

Lastly, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for care and maintenance specific to your induction cookware set. Different sets may have unique requirements, so it's important to follow their recommendations for the best results.

In conclusion, proper care and maintenance of your induction cookware sets are essential for ensuring longevity and performance. By following these tips, you can enjoy the benefits of your induction cookware for years to come. Remember that well-maintained cookware not only serves you better but also helps you prepare delicious meals consistently.

[speedwaycomposites]

The Benefits of an Aluminum Heel Plate 

An aluminum heel plate is an important part of any car, and it can help increase the overall performance and efficiency. In this article, we will explore why you should consider using an aluminum heel plate on your vehicle.

What Is An Aluminum Heel Plate?

An aluminum heel plate is a flat sheet that mounts to the underside of your paint and provides protection from rocks, road debris, salt damage, rusting metal chips, or other potential hazards encountered by vehicles when driving on roads and highways. It helps protect these delicate parts against corrosion and damage caused due to road vibrations experienced while driving at higher speeds. This also reduces noise from under your car's hood in addition to protecting those vital components located beneath its surface which could ultimately lead to costly repairs if not properly maintained with the use of a quality aluminium toe protector system. Additionally, they provide balance between grip forces coming off tires during hard acceleration W-turns or sudden braking cycles preventing wheels losing contact with ground which could be dangerous especially during high degree turns where traction control systems tend not to work effectively enough without further input from driver as he tries balancing out heavy load shifts away da/sliding s hl mph accuracy professionally designed aluminium post exhaustions plates come into definition here too!

Advantages Of Using An Aluminum Heel Plate: 

-Improved Safety – The first advantage in using an aluminum heel plate is improved safety since it prevents some common causes of accidents such as skidding and loss control over cars due slight unevenness underneath their frame created by dust build up creating poor exposed instead healthy smooth surfaces after extended periods of time continuously alone normal steel / iron wear & tear ! Apart from these ample number benefits derived daily adds additional value each category was discussed above detailed afterwards -Weight Reduction– As comparedwith traditional steel alternatives used traditionally inside horses cared all around world today mention range relatively lightweight options goes beyond specific patent protected only practical yes convenient anywhere just omit issue beforehand fact remains now totally new game increased power packages incorporated multiple layers going present settings readily choice consumers continuing trend engineering technological research aimed advancing lightning scientific understanding mentioned speculate exchange taking place following 1 simplification methods dripping tire function state cutting down costs materials identical purpose precisely existing phrases spares fitted perfectly every ways electric versions weight even less electricity required nowadays integrated smart computer microchip embedded processors within tiny space takes really likely astonishingly consequentially still continue.

[thestylesupreme]

Essential Advantages of Using a Quality Car Wash

A quality car wash offers some of the most essential advantages available to vehicle owners. From restoring a vehicle’s appearance to extending the life of your car, a quality car wash is a must for anyone who is looking to maintain their vehicle’s value. Using a quality car wash will help to remove dirt, debris, and road grime from the surface of your car, while also protecting the finish from the elements, and providing a clear protective barrier against everyday wear and tear. Furthermore, a quality car wash can help to preserve the life of your car by helping to limit exposure to damaging pollutants. The wax and shine products used in quality car washes also help to enhance the aesthetic of your vehicle, and can help to keep it looking brand new for years to come. Whether you need a full detailing or a basic wash and wax, utilizing a quality car wash is a great way to ensure your car remains in great condition for years to come. Car wash advisory is essential for the safety and care of vehicles.

Reduced Wear & Tear on Your Vehicle 

Car waxing helps to reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle by providing a physical barrier from the elements. Wax is a great way to protect a car’s paint from the sand, pebbles, and other harsh and potentially damaging elements in the environment. Waxing will also help to fill in any crevices and small surface damages in the paint which can help even out the overall paint job of the car giving it a smoother finish. The wax helps to give the paint job an even level of shine by filling up the surface dents, imperfections, and scratches. This will help to maintain the integrity of the paint job on the car and keep the car looking good for a longer duration.

Prevents the Buildup of Dirt & Grime 

Car wax helps prevent the build up of dirt and grime which can cause paint to start looking dull, dingy, and unattractive. Wax does this by providing a protective barrier between the paint and the environment. This barrier resists the accumulation of dirt, grime, and other elements which can lead to the deterioration of the paint. Car wax also helps to reduce the accumulation and spread of acid rain, bird droppings, and other airborne pollutants which can corrode paint over a period of time. By preventing the buildup of dirt and grime on the vehicle, car waxing helps add a layer of protection to the paint job and helps maintain the look of a vehicle’s paint.

Significantly Extends the Life of Your Vehicle

One of the best benefits of car waxing is that it significantly extends the life of your vehicle. Car wax helps to protect a vehicle’s paint from the daily elements which can cause the paint to deteriorate over time. This helps to keep the car looking new for longer as it prevents the onset of rust and other forms of corrosion which can have a drastic effect on the longevity of a vehicle. Additionally, car wax will also help to protect the undercarriage and other metals on the vehicle from rust and corrosion thus helping the internal structural integrity of the vehicle.

Spruces Up the Look & Feel of Your Vehicle 

Car waxing helps to spruce up the look and feel of a vehicle. This is done by providing a protector layer on the top of the paint which can give the vehicle a glossy and vibrant look. The wax also helps to fill in the microscopic surface dents and scratches on the car’s body which can have a major impact on the overall look of the vehicle. The wax also helps to bring back a certain level of shine to the car which can give it a much more attractive look.

Increases Safety & Improved Visibility 

Car waxing helps to add another level of safety to a vehicle by providing an extra layer of protection against the elements. The wax helps to form a protective barrier between the car and the environment which helps to reduce the risk of rusting and corrosion on the vehicle. Additionally, the wax helps to fill in cracks and crevices on the car which can increase visibility. This can be particularly beneficial in areas with high levels of precipitation or smog which can have an adverse effect on the visibility of the vehicle. 

Completely Removes Pesky Bugs & Tree Sap 

Car wax helps to remove pesky bugs and tree sap from the vehicle surface. This is done by forming a protective layer on the surface of the car which prevents the bugs from sticking to the surface and blocks the tree sap and other elements from coming into contact with the paint. The wax also helps to remove the bugs and sap which are already stuck to the surface of the vehicle and helps to reduce the amount of scrubbing which needs to be done to remove them. 

Improved and Easier Maintenance of Vehicle 

Car waxing also helps to increase the ease and ease of maintaining a vehicle. This is done by providing a protective layer on the vehicle which helps to keep dirt and other elements from sticking to the vehicle surface and makes it easier to clean. Additionally, the wax helps to protect any possible damages to the paint job which can be difficult to fix and can easily become expensive. Waxing your vehicle regularly makes it much easier to maintain the look and feel of the vehicle and keeps it looking new for a longer period of time.

Conclusion

Using a quality car wash is one of the best ways to care for your vehicle and make it shine. It provides many advantages such as reducing the time and effort it takes to clean your car, protecting your vehicle from the elements, saving you money and improving the resale value of your car. Additionally, using a quality car wash also helps the environment by using less water than traditional methods as well as preventing hazardous materials from ending up in waterways. All in all, the essential advantages of using a quality car wash are clear and make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to take better care of their car.

[trywonderx]

What is the best paint to prevent rust on metal? - Trywonderx

At Trywonderx, we strive to provide the best in paint technology and maintenance products that keep your metals looking and functioning as they should. Our special rust prevention paint is perfect for those exposed to moisture and can keep your metal from corroding. With easy application and a variety of colors available, you can feel confident that you're taking care of your metal and keeping it rust-free with Trywonderx!

Rust is a natural byproduct of metal against metal contact. Rust can cause corrosion and eventually lead to a breakdown in the metal. There are different types of rust, each with its own prevention method. The best paint to prevent rust on metal may vary depending on the type of rust and the surface being painted.

best paint to prevent rust on metal?

When it comes to preventing rust on metal, the best paint to use is one that contains rust inhibitors or has anti-corrosion properties. Here are some options to consider:

Rust-Oleum 7779-830 - Rust-Oleum is a popular brand that produces a range of paints and coatings for metal. Their 7779-830 High-Performance Protective Enamel contains rust inhibitors and is designed to provide excellent corrosion resistance.

Krylon K09198000 - Krylon's Rust Protector Enamel is a durable paint that is designed to protect metal surfaces from rust and corrosion. It is ideal for use on outdoor furniture, garden tools, and other metal objects that are exposed to the elements.

POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating - POR-15 is a high-performance coating that is specifically designed to prevent rust and corrosion. It forms a barrier that seals out moisture and prevents rust from forming on the surface.

Behr Premium Direct to Metal Semi-Gloss Paint - Behr's Premium Direct to Metal Semi-Gloss Paint is a water-based paint that is designed to provide excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance. Best Paint to Prevent Rust on Metal It can be used on a variety of metal surfaces, including doors, windows, and trim.

Ultimately, the best paint to prevent rust on metal will depend on the specific application and the conditions the metal will be exposed to. It is important to choose a paint that is specifically designed for use on metal surfaces and has anti-corrosion properties to ensure maximum protection.

Different types of paint and their abilities to prevent rust

There are different types of paint available in the market that have varying abilities to prevent rust. Here are some of the commonly used paint types and their abilities to prevent rust:

Oil-based paint: Oil-based paints are effective in preventing rust as they create a barrier between the metal surface and the moisture that causes rust. They also provide excellent adhesion and durability, making them suitable for use on metal surfaces.

Epoxy paint: Epoxy paints are a type of two-part coating that provides excellent protection against rust. They form a hard, durable surface that can resist corrosion, abrasion, and chemicals. Best Paint to Prevent Rust on Metal Epoxy paints are ideal for use in high-moisture environments, such as on boats or in industrial settings.

Rust-inhibiting primer: Rust-inhibiting primers are specially designed to prevent rust from forming on metal surfaces. They contain chemicals that react with the surface of the metal to create a protective layer that prevents moisture from reaching the metal.

Zinc-rich paint: Zinc-rich paint is a type of paint that contains a high percentage of zinc dust, which provides excellent corrosion protection. The zinc particles in the paint form a barrier between the metal surface and the environment, preventing rust from forming.

Powder coating: Powder coating is a type of coating that involves applying a dry powder to a metal surface and then baking it to create a hard, durable finish. Powder coating provides excellent protection against rust and corrosion, making it suitable for use in a variety of environments.

It's important to note that while these paint types can help prevent rust, they are not foolproof solutions.Best Paint to Prevent Rust on Metal  Proper surface preparation, application, and maintenance are also critical to ensuring the longevity of the paint and the prevention of rust.

Conclusion:

In conclusion,we would like to remind our customers that we offer a wide variety of paint and metal maintenance products at Trywonderx. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible service and products for your needs. Thanks for choosing Trywonderx!

Contact - info@trywonderx.com

Phone Number: 020 - 2606 1530Location: Suprabha Corporate House, 373, Somwar Peth, Pune - 411 001, India

[bitchfitch]

Because, That's How The Stories Always Go

Count this a prolog, or a self contained tragedy.

An adventuring party lead by the fated hero of this land trecked across the scorched earth beneath the red moonlight. The smell of rot and char and burned blood filled the searing air between the cragly cliff faces. Twisted roots and branches, now more charcoal than wood caught on their clothes and gear as they pushed on ward down this path towards their shared destinies. The cracking and snapping as each delicate piece of destruction as it fell from its trunk joined the marching footsteps through the cinder and ash.

Twisted approximations of people and animals shambled in the distance, barely hidden by the thick, putrid yellow of the sulphurous smog that drifted from cracks in the ground. The Villain's influence burned all around them and twisted the world and everything in it to match his hellish nature.

This was once an idealic place, a sprawling verdant valley with a beautiful white stone castel at its center. That was where the princess, the beautiful and noble future queen of this land, had been sent to keep her safe from the encroaching vile destruction rought at The Demons Kings hands. Only for his forces to have invaded this land and taken her hostage as a putrid bid for power.

They had demanded that the true and righteous king give up the land their bile had seeped into in exchange for his only child's life. In bloody ink and spat words The Villain had threatened to kill her and feed her to the the six eyed bull-wolf monster that stood at his right hand, or crueler yet, to make her the beasts wife, or perhaps even his own if he was feeling particularly mean, if his demented demands were not met.

The Hero and his party trudged onward, ever closer to the center of this plight. To the princess, to her captor, to the Villain of this story. Unbeknownst to them though, their every step was being watched by the burning crows that cawed and croaked overhead, their ruby eyes cutting through the smog to track every step.

---

The Villain watched from within his throne room, the simple dark metal hand mirror that acted as his view to this scene was clutched tight in his white knuckle grip. He kept his sholders square as he watched the march, his face neautral, but he knew what was coming.

His hands shook, his gut turned itself inside out, the fire that ran in his veins seemingly died and left him cold to his very core.

He flicked his wrist to change the view, a final check over of everything he'd built. His people cowered from the path they had suspected the Hero and his party would take, their store rooms were full, their defenses ready. The Villain tried to unclench hks jaw, they were all so scared. They were all in so much danger.

He had to protect them. That was what he promised to do. To keep them safe from a world that scorned their ilk. He had failed so spectacularly. How many had died to protect this infant kingdom? How many had nobly, foolishly, bravely, stood between The Hero and The Villain? How many had been slain? How many would be in the aftermath of this? Would there be another cull? How many parents would live just long enough to see their children die?

They were in danger, and it was his fault. He wasn't strong enough, or clever enough. He wasn't enough to keep them safe.

But, maybe, just maybe he could buy them time. Allow another fire wrought ruler to take his place as protector. To keep them all alive just a little bit longer.

A hand, Heavy and bulky rested on his shoulder, only his thick cape kept it from being burned as his turmoil made his skin glow with searing heat.

"Minion," The Villain said as he set aside the mirror, turning to look at the goliath of a monster he called his best friend, "Promise me something," His own hand came to rest on the back of Minion's, spindly stark ash white fingers that were barely cool enough to stand, against shiny and thick black and rust red fur,

"Anything," Minion said without thought, "But know I am bad at promises," His voice was heavy, a deep baritone that rumbled through his chest, carryimg the sorrow that was held their out with it,

"Be a better king than I was," his own voice was cold, all the fire gone from it. He had done his mourning alone in his private rooms earlier, with one of Minion's shirts clutched tight to his chest. Now he just needed to be strong one last time,

"You ask impossible things of me," Minion snorted his almost pitch black eyes found the Villain's fire blues, "I can stay, We could fight them together-" he was always earnest, but now the force behind his conviction could burn hotter than even The Villain could,

"Then we would both be killed, and I would spend my last moments grieving," Villain sighed. He's seen his friend fall to those heros too many times to have any hope that he would survive another encounter. Villain wouldn't allow his own selfish desire to not be alone while facing his execution be what kills Minion.

Villain pulls his hand away, before slowly reaching with both to remove the crown from his head.

It was a circle of twistend and melted sword blades that he had forged for himself when he declared himself future king of this land, blood drenched and victorious. The tarnish on its surface evaporated as it turned red then white hot. The hard metal melting in his heated hands as he shaped it. The circle had fit him perfectly, it would sit nicely just behind his horns as a twisted accent to them. But it would have been far too small for Minion's skull. So he bent and twisted it until it was perfect again, now a half circle that could rest above his broad horns without interfering with his bovine ears or the pair of eyes that sat the highest on his face.

"Take this and go to your people, my friend, give them my apologies and your strength," He spoke while he finalized the shape, "If you do not think you can be a better king than I, then at least promise to be one that sees happier times and many, many more years," He took a breath before turning to look his friend in the eye, "Now kneel for me one last time,"

Minion's breath was choppy as silent oily tears stained the sides of his muzzle. Still, he knelt before the throne with his head bowed, not another word passing between his fangs. Even like this, hunched forward on one knee, he was almost a full hand taller than Villain.

Villain sapped the heat from the crown, setting it into its new shape and cooling it enough to not burn as it was placed, "The land shall recognize its new king," he set it between Minion's horns, his hands hesitating for a moment before drifting from the now cold metal to cup the sides of Minion's face, the fur here beneath his six eyes was silk beneath the former king's fingers.

Memories flooded him of the days spent with a pair of scissors between them as they tried to tame the thick beard that seemed determined to make a home here against Minion's wishes, and the laughter as they struggled to clean up the choppy edges, and the unavoidable bald spots that always cropped up do to Minion's inability to sit still, and Villain's imprecision.

"The people shall love you as much as I do," He brushed the tears away as Minion shook with a barely contained sob.

How many times have they spoken their love to each other? Whispers of desire hidden behind their genuine and iron strong friendship,

"You shall be victorious in all you attempt," Villain guided his friend to lean forward just enough for Villain to press a barely there kiss to the top of his snout as he passed on his final blessing before stepping away,

"Go now, go to your people and keep them safe. When you return… Let someone else handle the mess you will find, I couldn't bare to know I left you to sob over my corpse," Villain said, he sat the throne again, decidedly careful to look anywhere other than the hulking and devastated beast before him. He needed to be strong. He couldn't cry. Not now, not ever again.

Eventually Minion stood, his hooves scraping against the stone floors, "Rest well, when it happens." He said with shaky words, "You will be remembered, I will make sure of it," with that final promise he turned and left. Only stopping at the door to say one last thing before shutting the Villain in this tomb, "I love you,"

The door shut, the sound echoing theough the room like a thunder clap as the Villain's composure broke. He wiped at his eyes, furious with the hot red streaks that were surely staining his skin. No, no, no.

He needed to be strong. He needed to do this. He couldn't break now. Couldn't run to Minion and sob into the fur on his friends chest. Villain was always going to die. He was always going to be defeated by his fated enemy. But still, fear pulled at every inch of him.

He sobbed into his hands, staining his palms blood red. He had everything he ever wanted. A kingdom that was thriving, people that respected him, friends, a home, someone that he'd carve his own heart out for. And none of that mattered.

Because He would be dead before sunrise.

Because, thats how the stories always go.

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Finders Keepers

Ch6 Preview: _cynosure

“Hey, hey!” Jack demanded. Coffee nearly splashed out of the mug when he slammed it down on the aluminum surface of the folding table which’d served as his workstation, the mug nearly avoiding his pocketwatch. “How come it’s front and center—next to me?”

The sigh that answered Jack through the comm sounded weary. And it hadn’t been the first, nor the last, time it’d been heard.

The days after the assassination attempt had passed by like a whirlwind. Each time Jack rose with the morning sun, he’d woken up to a hunger gnawing within him. It was a bloodthirst that demanded to be satiated and an all-consuming compulsion to piece together the new puzzle set in front of him. Security had been tightened. Rhys and the loaders had been seen following him doggedly. Even past acquaintances Jack had met intergalactically had actually commed or ECHOed him.

While he basked in the sudden attention, the cynical part of him understood that the demonstrations were ultimately superficial and self-serving. He’d find memos around the Hyperion offices of Opportunity advising him to take insurance against further security risks, and he’d crumble the paper into tight, little balls. Robots that were sent as human proxies ended up being riddled with bullet holes once Jack got tired of their constant nagging.

It was just unfortunate that there had been no survivors to interrogate. Everyone who’d been in that room had been either too skilled or lucky, shooting down the terrorists. Even so, it’d been interesting when he had the bloody corpses examined. They might have been disguised in Hyperion yellow, but he’d thought the make and model of their combat gear resembled the disgraced Crimson Lance soldiers and assassins. That theory only fell to the wayside when the coroner showed him the mess of organic tissues and inorganic parts soldered together in an amalgamation of bioware that made up their anatomies.

To Jack’s recollection, he didn’t remember any surviving Lance units being anything but human. Cybernetics was controversial across the galaxy, with few brave enough to undergo the augmentations. All sorts of laws and restrictions existed to restrict the installation and use of it. Few were willing to amputate their limbs or have cyberware technology implanted into their muscle and nervous system—even with sensory performance improvements and advantages. The only exception to that he could think of was his enforcer, Wilhelm, who wanted to be more cyborg than man.

All and all, the failed assassination attempt had been spun into publicity story—of how it was only due to the presence of the great and mighty hero who had saved his cohorts. Handsome Jack was the hero who overcame all odds to fight for his people. Terrorism was no match for their hero.

Maintaining such notoriety, however, wasn’t without its downsides. He’d been met with begrudging respect and disdain as he spun his web to ensnare the wealthy or the influential and to keep them from taking the next shuttle out. He’d even contributed his own credits—Hyperion’s finances—to the emergency relief funds generated to aid any victims and to rebuild the corporate offices. Of the brave cynics who’d questioned how truly safe their developing utopia could be if such an attack occurred on their soil, Jack made sure to silence and have examples be made out of them, whether it have been through arrests, blackmail, bribery, hefty fines, or even their deaths. The rallying cry of his supporters, with the underbelly of Hyperion propaganda blaring constantly and the societal pressure of its loyal citizens and classism, served to help drown out the majority of his dissenters. It was clear to most that the Hyperion CEO was running Opportunity as a modern totalitarian dictatorship, but Jack thrived in the knowledge of his absolute authority—a far cry from his past. This city would be his magnum opus—one of his three surviving legacies.

While Jack was happy to have things back to a semblance of normalcy since the incident, he was helpless to resist the lure of the stars. Being back on land was appreciated, but it never felt real to Jack. His trips seldomly lasted long; relearning to walk again in the force of the planet’s gravity, regaining his balance and getting his motion sickness under control—they were all great initial adjustments to his routine that he disliked undergoing regardless of whichever homeworld he was visiting. Catching up on current events, pop culture, and life in the time he’d been away made him feel like he was an alien—surreal as it was. Days could have him questioning his sanity: if he could’ve been the only one on this godforsaken, crummy planet with the self-awareness that they could be living in a simulation and everyone around him had been replaced by robots. Those startling moments of sobriety felt like being doused headfirst in cold water, popping up in the most inconvenient of times such as board meetings or over his favorite mealtime, instantly souring his mood.

Those were the times he got trigger-happy. It was a clear indication, when even the return of his taste buds couldn’t keep him satiated any longer, that a trip to the docking bay was long overdue.

He’d even find himself taking comfort in the company of actual machines than with his fellow humans. If he closed his eyes, he could pretend he was back in that world of the transcendently magical and deeply prosaic, with its familiar smell of outer space—vaguely resembling rusted metal—cocooning him. Space was a symbol of liberation from earthly concerns, from petty squabbles and from flapping lips. Pandora was full of bandits and the impoverished, all of whom loathed him just as much as he despised them. The uneducated words that came out of their mouths made him want to bash his head against the wall. The closest sanctuary he could make on this planet that was similar to the floating moonbase Helios, where the wealthy gathered and ambition reigned strong, was Opportunity.

The narrow pale features of his Vice President, Jeffery Blake, was peering back at him through the floating projection. A healthy dose of caution had always tempered the businessman’s mannerisms—an epitome of professionalism—but even he seemed visibly aghast by Jack’s disapproval in this conference call. “Sir…,” Jeffery said slowly, “as I’ve said, we’ve run it by our focus groups. This one was especially well-received—”

So even you’re walking on eggshells? That was the thought that flitted across Jack’s mind.

Jack groaned, slapping his hands on the table. “Pal, you’re not listening to me!” He jabbed his finger at the projection, making it fizzle slightly before Blake’s face reformed over his index finger. He exclaimed, “Look. What do you see? Why am I being overshadowed by my own tinman?”

Like every other propaganda poster displayed at the Living Legend Plaza, on billboards, and even back at Helios, Jack had a team of artists who knew the emphasis of every design was to memorialize the Hyperion CEO in the moment of a heroic exploit. Whether the stories were true or not, no one dared to question the legitimacy—especially not after the examples Jack had made out of his doubters in the past.

Sensing the eyes on him, he finally deigned to glance over his shoulder. The plastic covering of the seat squeaked under him in his readjustment.

If looks could kill, then Jack would be buried twelve feet under with the glower Rhys had been directing at him for the last few hours. Plugged into the charging port, Rhys was currently sitting motionlessly in the back with its arms crossed, strapped into place as all of Jack’s other knickknacks to avoid having his belongings float around. The brown synthetic hair was in disarray, still windswept from the small pandemonium Jack’s arrival had caused at the private spaceport on Pandora. While Jack wouldn’t say what the android had exhibited at the spaceport had been signs of anxiety, it certainly hadn’t seemed pleased with the amount of camera flashes and the throng of bodies that had crowded around them since their arrival. It especially hadn’t liked being ordered out on an errand to retrieve a case of imported alien cigars for Jack and his new buddies to smoke in the first class space lounge.

To Jack, Rhys was becoming more and more capable day by day—even if it did exhibit a lingering attitude problem sometimes, coded into its systems. Despite the personality package of the android’s mysterious predecessor that he had Rhys install into its own noggin, Atlas’ resentment of him seemed to have endured despite the megacorporation having long since been disbanded.

“No, sir, it is merely sharing the spotlight—with you. Everyone knows that you are the hero. After all, how could they not? A mere machine standing next to the rakish, devilish Handsome Jack? You’re the protector; not that robot.”

Jack grunted, removing his gaze from his android.

One thing Jack did like about that stoic man, besides being a damn good salesman, was that the man somehow knew what to say—or what not to say—to get the best results. He somehow intuitively knew how to transverse the landmine that was Handsome Jack, offering fawning words and publicly putting on a show of respecting the Hyperion CEO. Even now Jack could sense the calculating air behind that crafty expression of his.

“It’s unfathomable that you’d be in any way overshadowed anyhow.” There was an evenness to that deep, calm cadence which soothed wounded pride. The man didn’t even give the impression that he knew he was walking on tightrope. With a slight smile, Blake continued, “We are selling an image to the people of Opportunity. What planets need is heroes of today. A fresh face doesn’t hurt your image; in fact, it strengthens it. Besides, the added benefit is that now everyone knows Rhys belongs to you, sir.”

The more Jack listened to his parasitic compliments, to the words drifting into his ears like silk, he could feel a taut smile beginning to split his mask from ear to ear. He’d wanted to reach through that projection and smash Blake’s face into the table. Even though he knew he was being manipulated with honeyed words, Blake’s logic and attempt to appeal to his ego did make Jack subside a bit.

The recliner creaked as Jack sank back into his seat, his arms folded over his chest. His scowl remained on the metallic gold constellations on the blue ceramic mug, with its Dads Need Space Too seemingly mocking him. He could see his own mask reflected upside-down in the black coffee, the rehydrated beverage still full to the brim. No matter how many years had passed, no matter the innovations and technological advancements, the cheap, universally standard freeze-dried coffee still sucked in comparison against the freshly brewed cups that could only be acquired planet-side or at select space stations. Grumbling under his breath, he flicked the plastic straw, sending it careening to the other side.

Safety was priority. Similar to the dehydrated meals of somewhat liquid consistency and the soluble drinks that the Hyperion dietitians had vacuum-sealed into the standard-issued pouches for his flight, the lighter items that Jack had brought had velcro in the back to adhere them to the walls. He didn’t have to look to see his storage locker was full of Pandoran snacks and souvenirs.

By the time that the call with Blake ended, he was pinching the bridge of his nose, exhaling through the mouth of his mask. His foot was tapping a jittery tune against the floor, clattering loudly in the hollow shuttle as the hologram displayed comms he’d made that had gone unanswered.

In the silence that followed the absence of voice, the whirr of machinery permeated the enclosed space, along with the crackle of the comm system as the shuttle cruised among the stars. It was times like these that punctuated how infinitesimal they were in the vast emptiness that consumed them.

The shuttle they were flying in was privately owned by Handsome Jack himself, estimated to be between the cost of the massive space station that was Helios and the cost of at least a quarter of the emergency escape pods that lined that station. Designers and engineers alike, in the dawn of Hyperion’s startup, had tried their best to include enough terrestrial comforts to inspire even the weariest of souls to want to stare into the void that was outer space. Given the weight restrictions and limited space on any interplanetary vehicles, designs had to be lightweight and flexible, serving multiple purposes in low-gravity. But unlike those compact spherical pods, an optional artificial gravitational field had been installed inside the computer modules and ventilation systems—which’d meant squishy human CEOs like Jack didn’t need to tether or strap themselves down to something in order to avoid floating under zero-gravity conditions. It hummed in the background, a constant companion and white noise.

Jack could hear the crack of bones shifting as he flexed stiff fingers. It was a painful sort of awareness; his joints ached and he could get tired so much faster. However much he liked to joke that he was born for the stars, reaching for once unreachable heights, traveling in space reminded him of how he wasn’t as young and sprightly anymore. He’d gotten used to it, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

It was also only in a private moment like this that he could admit to himself, that as much as he loved hogging the spotlight, isolation could sometimes be a blessing in disguise for him. Yet despite the serenity, Jack’s foot was still restless.

“Shit���.” Jack knew himself very well. His eyes shot to the monitor, fixating on the photo hovering on the side. His eyes traced the face of a dusky-skinned woman with piercing eyes and the curve of that sable dark hair which curled up entrancingly against sharp cheekbones. It was one of the few photos he’d captured where she hadn’t been wearing her smirk like her prized cowboy hat, like an accessory. After several more minutes, he declared, “Fuck it.”

And he jabbed his thumb on her name.

The familiar beep, beep, beep of the outgoing call rang hollow in his ears. His thoughts were brewing into a black storm, cresting in the restless energy that threatened to spill over as he laced his fingers tightly under the metal clasp over his chin. “C’mon. Pick up. Pick up.”

Beep. Beep. Beeeeeep. Click. “Howdy there; Lawbringer and Sheriff of Lynchwood here.” A strong voice bled into his ears like smoke, making his nails dig grooves into his knuckles. “Nisha if I know you; Ms. Kadam if you’ve got nasty business with me. Only leave a message if you’ve got something important to say—”

Crack. The table clattered under the fist that slammed down onto it. “Shit,” he said, bowing his head. “Nisha.” His features contorted. Anguish coated his voice. “Why are you ignoring me now? I just...fuck, I just want to talk….”

His hand was throbbing in pain. His resentment flagging, he lifted his fist to inspect why he felt a little wetness. And another curse slipped out once he saw what it was that he’d hit. It was his pocketwatch.

He snatched it, bringing it up closer to eye level. The metal prongs which’d protected the dome couldn’t withstand the impact, the glass having splintered into pieces. The once phosphorus blue glow in the center, which contained his bio-data, granting him full security clearance, had dimmed into black. The DNA inside was contaminated; there was no way he could salvage this.

A voice drifted into his awareness. “...Jack?”

Jack could merely stare down at his broken watch in silence. He felt like a disembodied spectator that couldn’t speak; he could only listen. It was as if his brain was suffering a massive short circuit and struggled to compute. Plip plip plip plip. The liquid seeped between the cracks of his fingers.

Click. Jack heard a strap being unfastened. Footsteps soon clanged on the floor, advancing toward him. He felt a deft touch on his shoulder. “Oh, your watch….” It was phrased as a casual observation, non-judgemental and nonchalant. “Yikes. Give that here. Lemme see.” A pale hand reached down and Jack watched long fingers close over the broken watch.

It was only instinctual; as Rhys’ arm retreated, Jack’s head followed the movement like a gravitational pull, stopping only when he caught sight of the frown on the android’s features as it saw Nisha’s image on the screen. Heterochromatic optics darted from the projected image and refocused on his owner’s possession on his palm. As Handsome Jack’s android, it’d known the timepiece’s functions. Jack had let it analyze its properties before.

“...It may have been an accident, but I’m glad I don’t need to break out the emergency first aid kit.”

Jack nearly jerked back when Rhys reached for his hands, fearless and unafraid.

Rhys’ gaze had transferred over to him, and he watched the awkward tilt of his lips as he squeezed Jack’s fingers. In a charitable tone, he was entreated, “You don’t have to tell me what’s been on your mind, if you don’t want to. But I’d like to help you repair this. It’ll take some time, but may I?”

Staring wasn’t quite the word he’d use to describe what was going on in the moment. Jack’s eyes rested, not unblinking but slowed, locking onto the strange human gesture. Rhys held his gaze but instead of the expected icy hostility, the android almost radiated sincerity.

At a loss for words, Jack pulled his hands back, slipping free from the discomfort of the moment.

“Jack?”

He propped his right fist slowly up against his jaw, and soon the left fist joined. For a moment, he remained silent, ruminating on Rhys’ features. Up close, even he could freely admit to himself that the person Rhys had been modeled after had been somewhat photogenic. Jack wouldn’t say the man had cut a dashing figure—he certainly didn’t look like a model even in the renders, nor was he a pretty boy like the financial advisor Jack had stationed at the VIP Tower of the Handsome Jackpot casino—but Rhys was passable by most societal standards. Well defined, with a sharp jaw and angular cheekbones, tall and lean. (Although his looks were maybe somewhat average in comparison against the ruggedness of Handsome Jack himself, he couldn’t fault the man for being born inadequate.)

While Jack suspected the original Rhys might’ve been prone to bouts of fretting and insecurity from how he’d sounded in the audio logs, Jack saw none of that in the confident way he’d held himself and even now being simulated by this android. In a way, Jack had seen a little bit of his past self in the man that he was learning Rhys might have been, struggling to air respectability to his peers and to be recognized.

“...Y'know,” Jack remarked, “you’re really not that bad of a guy.”

“Uhh.”

He waved his hand cavalierly in the air. “Yeah. If you think you can do me a kindness, go for it. Send it to the best watchmaker I have in my contacts.”

“Got it.”

Putting the computer on sleep mode, Nisha’s picture fizzled out as he gestured for Rhys to take a step back. With a quizzical look, it did as it was told and merely watched as Jack straightened up, wiping the liquid off on his jeans. He ignored the pinched expression it formed upon seeing the small dark stain.

He snapped his fingers twice above his thigh. “Eyes up here, tinman.”

Brown and gold optics leapt up to meet blue and green.

In feigned arrogance, Jack advanced forward toward it. The little rise in the corner of his mouth was a familiar smirk that he’d heard others lament as appearing sinister. “Stand up straighter. I wanna check something.”

“What do you—?”

“Ah!” Jack slapped his hand over its mouth, stopping it from answering. “I didn’t ask you for your opinion now, did I? Now shut up and lemme do my thing.” Without asking for permission, he swept his hand from the top of his head to Rhys’. There was a couple millimeters of empty space between his palm and that coiffed synthetic hair, a negligible difference in reality but it was enough for Jack.

It didn’t matter that he was wearing his high-heeled boots instead of his go-to sneakers. He was taller.

SUMMARY: By some miraculous twist of fate, Jack stumbles across an Atlas android hidden smack dab in Hyperion headquarters. Obviously, what is he going to do with it? Keep it for himself, of course, because as the saying goes, "Finders keepers, losers weepers." What he didn't anticipate was the clusterfuck he'd find himself in, when he discovers the valuable model he'd been hoarding has a hidden backstory. There is more than meets the eye. (It's a sort-of tie-in to the Borderlands and Tales from the Borderlands universes. This is another attempt at an AU, although I hope to pay homage to elements from canon.)

Ship: Handsome Jack & (android) Rhys Strongfork

(A/N) - Ch 1-5 of Finders Keepers can be found on AO3, written by PhoenixTakaramono. For everyone that’s still following this story after my extended hiatus, thank you very much for your patience! If you feel like you’ve read this preview before, you’re not wrong. I’ve made a few revisions, but keep in mind that this preview may or may not reflect the final edits in the final draft of ch6 which’ll be uploaded to AO3 once it’s been complete. This has admittedly been one of my more troublesome chapters to write, but finally I can see the light on the horizon.

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[imhereforbvcky]

Watch Me Run - Part 11

Masterlist  -  Series Masterpage  -  Part 10 -  Part 12

Summary: You inherit a family relic that gives you the gift of foresight but there are others who are interested for more nefarious reasons. You turn to the Avengers for help. (Bucky x reader) Chapter: You and Bucky settle into the safe house and set a plan B. Loki begins executing his next plans.

Warnings: probably swearing, angst of course

Word Count: 2124

A/N: Not gonna lie this one is a little slow. But they’re starting to trust each other, and care for each other a little more than just mission-mindedness.

“It’s uhm… cozy,” you nodded, looking around the tiny cabin.

The small wooden structure huddled quietly into the thick dark woods that surrounded it. Light was a resource out here, not a given, and the darkness that threatened to swallow you and Bucky both on the short walk from the rusted old pick-up truck to the creaking door of the cabin was felt very differently by each of you.

To Bucky it was safety, a blanket of natural protection that guarded you both from unwanted watchers and the danger still lurking in every corner. To you it was the danger, or at least the opportunity for it. Everywhere you couldn’t see was a place something deadly could hide. You hadn’t learned to use everything around you like Bucky had.

Sometimes, though, you could fool yourself out of fear with sarcasm.

“Very Grizzly Adams.”

Bucky grinned, shaking his head as he hauled his gear past you into a corner of the living space where a small wooden dining table stood, just big enough for two mismatched chairs.

“It’s functional,” he corrected.

“It can be both,” you shrugged. “Bit rustic, but the fireplace is nice, and all the cozy blankets. I bet it looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting after a good snow.”

“You don’t want to be here in the winter,” he chuckled.

The mere click, whoosh of unsnapping holsters and removal of his weapons was loud enough to fill the tiny space. The heavy clatter of the steel firearms and leather sheathed knives onto the wood tabletop was downright thunderous.

You didn’t argue, instead stepping further into the cabin, and slowly circling each area, taking it in. There was a large stone fireplace taking up one wall, surrounded by worn and sunken furniture. Behind the sofa stood the table where Bucky unloaded his modest personal armory. That “small” amount just about filled the room.

Behind Bucky stood minimal kitchen with an old porcelain sink, the kind that would run rusty water for a bit when you first turned the spout. A small wood-burning stove stood in the corner, dark and industrious. There was a refrigerator too, small with rounded edges, like it had been placed there in 1956 and left to rust. Orange streaks raced down from the metal handle, but it hummed loudly, proving its life. Maybe you’d been wrong about that old rusty truck being stolen. It seemed to fit right in.

On the opposite side of the cabin stood the sole bedroom, so tiny you wondered how any furniture had been moved into the tight space. No, surely the house had been built around the queen sized bed that reached within 2 feet of every wall. There was no other way.

“So where is ‘here’ anyway?” you asked, completing your spin.

“North.”

“Uh huh, uh huh. I gathered that when we got on the northbound freeway. But drove for hours. Can I get a little more than that?”

“It’s more than you need to know.” Bucky grumbled as he sunk down onto the undersized couch. Its tired springs and ancient frame groaned louder than he did.

“Really? I disagree.”

“You’re not going anywhere without me. So, yeah. It is.” He stretched out over the couch and crossed his arms over his chest, curling into as compact a shape as someone of his size could form on so diminutive a piece of furniture.

After the taxing beginning to this mission, the relief of his safe house sank through his entire body with tremendous weight. Need began to supersede want and civility. Starting a fire could wait. This conversation could wait. All he needed right now was sleep.

You had other ideas.

“Look, I just left everything that feels safe to me behind, all of it covered in blood.” Bucky slowly turned, reading every frantic expression as your voice rose in pitch and volume. “Every time I close my eyes a god from another world is destroying everyone and everything I touch. He is hunting me and I can’t run fast enough. I don’t know what these dark dreams mean but they are more than real and there is nothing I can do except sit in a truck and follow orders. So please!”

You blinked quickly, willing the fear and the grief you’d been swallowing for days back into the box that you kept far from the surface, far from where they were currently clawing up your throat and spilling at the edges of your eyes. Your gaze had remained on the floor as you spoke, but now it flickered to the calm grey of Bucky’s.

He only stared at you with an impassivity that was oddly comforting. Nothing could rattle him, nothing frightened him or chased him away. He was an immovable granite shelter in the icy storm that had begun to rage around you a week ago.

“Please, tell me something,” your voice had dropped to a whisper. “Anything so I can pretend that I still have a modicum of control over my own life.”

He nodded slowly. A quiet understanding and a silent agreement. Bucky understood control better than anybody. He perpetually worked to untangle the complex knot of both fearing and needing it.

“We’re in northern Canada. In a cabin on an unincorporated piece of land half an hour from a town you’ve never heard of.” His voice was even and low. This information was no more useful than what little you had before but it was something to think on at least. “Nobody’s heard of it. That’s the point. Nobody will find you here. You’re safe.”

You nodded quickly, shoving at tears with the heel of your hand.

“And in the impossible event someone does come, you remember what to do right?” He was sitting now, tired grey eyes soft but clear. He tugged on your wrists,demanding your focus, asking you to rehearse his instructions.

Another nod. “Yeah, um. The cellar door in the floor of the closet.”

“Mhmm.”

“There’s a key to the truck down there. Soon as it’s clear, I take it and run.”

“You get in that truck and you go. Anywhere but here.” He ducked a little to meet your eyes and found them little calmer, a little less frantic, but still wide and watery.

“What if I can’t?” you croaked. “Run, I mean. What happens to you when I leave you behind?”

“If it’s anyone but Loki: nothing happens. I’ll be fine; I’ll find you. And we’ll keep running. You and me,” he explained, smoothing his thumbs in light soothing sweeps over your skin. “But if it is him? You can’t wait to see what happens, you hear me? With that staff he’s got… I’m just as dangerous to you as I am useful. Best I can do is buy you time.”

You nodded, chewing your lip, apprehension in every bite. It made sense. It did. Loki was a well-trained combatant, with other-worldly strength and magic of which only legend told. It would take only one stumble, one missed shot, one tap of that sceptre, and Bucky your protector would become your hunter. The most prolific assassin in a century.

But the fact remained: you weren’t sure if you could. Leave Bucky to the hand of fate.

People like to think they’re logical, that they do things with thought and reason. But the truth i they are driven by instinct, by fear and learned responses, regardless of rationality. And you had learned as a very young child, curled up in the icy wreckage of a car waiting for rescue, watching the snow greedily seep the life from your family, that time is precious. People are precious. You don’t give up on them, and you don’t leave them to ruin in the cold.

He gave your arms another squeeze. “You’re not here to look after me. I’m protecting you. You’re my mission. Only time I’ve ever failed a mission was to save my best friend. Who was … also my mission.” He smirked slightly at the bittersweet memory. Just a hint of his lips ticking up at one corner. “I’ve got you, alright?”

Something between a chuckle and a sigh left you: relief. “Thanks.”

Carefully, you curled your hands to wrap around the underside of his forearms, holding onto him in return because in the end, whether either of you had chosen it, you were in this together now. He was all you had.

With a deep breath you let your fingers unfurl and felt his drift away, brushing over your skin. You missed it already, the comfort of his hold on you.

“I guess you weren’t kidding when you said ‘north,’ huh?” With arms wrapped tight around your stomach, fighting off a shiver, you glanced out the window.

“No,” he laughed, easing back onto the couch again.

“The Great White North.”

“It will be soon,” he promised.

“Hey, Bucky?”

“Hmm,” he hummed, eyes already drifting closed.

“What about you?”

“What about me?” A tired mumble spoken into the cushion.

“Who is looking out for you?”

He laughed at that. He didn’t mean to, but it burst out of him. The sort of laugh that comes only when the truth is too unpleasant to actually speak. And so instead, something cynical and dismissive had ripped forth instead.

“I’m serious,” you continued, your dangerously empathetic heart bleeding all over that lonely cabin, so obviously designed around stealth and escape and fear. “When’s the last time you got to be safe?”

A sigh would probably not suffice for an answer, he knew. “Wakanda. There was some time... I had a little place on the edge of the capital. Kept some goats, if you can believe it.” He chuckled at the memory. It seemed so far off now, so small in the timeline of his life, he almost questioned whether it was real.

“You weren’t there very long.”

“No,” he agreed. Not long enough. It never was. He’d become so tired of war, but it always found him. Drafted, then used mind and body alike, then drawn by guilt into whatever battles fell from the sky. This was his penance.

“Any other time?”

“I guess after SHIELD… HYDRA went down… that was running not fighting.”

“That doesn’t count,” you frowned, sitting on the floor beside the couch and curling your knees.”We’re running now and it’s anything but serene.”

“Then… Before the war, I guess.”

“The war…? As in, the World War?”

“Mhmm,” Bucky burrowed deeper into the couch. He was tired in so many ways. “Second one.”

“That’s… That’s like eighty years, Bucky!”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t you want to rest? Don’t you need a break?”

“You tryin’ to get rid of me?” You could hear the smile in his voice

“No.” You chuckled and he liked that. Liked the sound of complete relief, not a single trace of the fear from moments ago.

“No, you’re right. I’m retiring,” he teased. “Should we go to the beach?”

“Yeah!”

“’Kay, right after this nap.”

Hardly a moment later Bucky drifted off to the last sound he expected to hear on mission: a giggle.

Loki had chosen his target well. Waiting, always waiting outside the Avengers Tower, he studied the flash of badges, learned their roles until he found just the right one. She was a loner, awkward and frustrated. He’d followed just twice to make sure.

Once: in disguise, to a bar where she sat at the edge of a group of complaining software engineers. It must be hard, he thought to himself, always working in the shadow of someone like Tony Stark. They were full of complaints, and hers were often spoken over.

He considered that she might help him out of spite, but reconsidered. Best not. The risk was too great. Fear would ever be a far greater motivator than irritation. Spite could run out, anger could diminish, could be soothed. Fear… fear could be reapplied time and again.

The second time, the woman had gone straight home. No happy hour today, no grumbling except to her cat.

He waited in the darkness until the house went still, and then waited more.

She woke to a cold sharp metal piont at her chest, like the tip of an ice cube. Except it wasn’t. In her startled haze, and the pitch black of her room, all she could make out was the shimmering blue orb.

Next she noticed the silver blade stretching down to the center of her chest and her eyes snapped wide.

Dark hair and a sneering face were her last memories before her eyes clouded with the same blue as the orb. A lone command echoing in her head choked out the protests, even the scream already scratching at her throat.

Find all possible safe houses.

Chapter 12 >>

[marshmallow-phd]

Lies Untold

Part of The Untamed - EXO Wolf Universe

Genre: Supernatural, Wolf Au

Pairing: Luhan x Reader

Summary: For generations, your family has been the protectors of mankind. You were considered one of the best and due to that reputation, you were sent on what could be the most important mission for the organization. Going under cover in a college to sniff out a particularly large and threatening wolf pack seemed easy enough. But when you meet one of the members, everything you’ve known since birth will be overturned and your loyalty to your family and heritage will be tested.

Part: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I 11 I 12 I 13 I 14 I Final

**

Ice ran through your veins. You could feel his hot breath against your neck. His very proximity was enough to churn your stomach. Your skin was crawling to get away from him. He’d had this effect on you since you were children. There was always something unnerving and unsettling about him.

Out all the people… no. You couldn’t lose your cool. You could still control the situation. You’d conquered your fear of him long ago.

“I don’t know what you’re blabbering about,” you hissed as you stood up from your chair abruptly, causing him to jump back. “I was fixing the files after finding there was a mistake in the information. We can’t exactly operate at an efficient level if we’re strategizing off of inaccurate information.”

Johnny raised an eyebrow, something sparking in his gray eyes. “Inaccurate information, you say?” Out of his pocket, he procured a folded up piece of paper. He held it up between his index and middle finger like it was the winning card of a poker game; his ace in the hole. “If the town was incorrectly named in the files, then why do your GPS coordinates have you going only to the town previously mentioned in the files?”

You always knew that Johnny was twisted. He crossed lines and went around orders. His disciplinary file had an above average amount of papers that had found a home there, but he was never really punished for any of his transgressions. Most of the council actually preferred his methods, even if they went against tradition and honor. And he had mastered hiding the more insatiable parts of himself from the elders. His greatest trick.

This, though… it was like he knew you weren’t going to go through with your mission. Or… he’d been planning something from the beginning….

“What are you getting at, Johnny?” Challenging him in this moment probably wasn’t the best idea, but you needed to keep him talking. Johnny was like the villain in a spy movie. Once he started on his speeches, he gave away everything.

“Entrusting you with this mission was a mistake from the start,” he sneered. “You’re too soft. You’ve never even slain your own wolf.”

“This mission wasn’t about killing,” you snarled back. Whether you were choosing to leave this life or not, being called soft or weak was still an insult. You’d been taught since you were little that being either one of those things would get you killed. “It was getting the book. That’s why you weren’t sent. You’re too reckless. All you think about is the kill. You never look at other perspectives.”

Johnny scoffed. “Other perspectives? You sound a little peace-loving, don’t you?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

Slowly, a smirk grew across his lips. “Do I?”

Turning into the predator he really was, Johnny began to circle you, his eyes trained on your face. You tried hard to remain collected, to act bored or uninterested in his little game while in reality, panic was beginning to shake the very fibers of your muscles. Fight or flight was kicking in and either one would give you away.

“I don’t think I do know what you mean actually,” he hissed in a very snake-like fashion in your ear. He was directly behind you now and enjoying the game he was masterminding. “You forget, (y/n), I’ve seen you hesitate before..”

You elbowed him hard in the stomach, receiving a satisfying groan in return. “That was years ago, in a simulation. If that’s the best you’ve got, then maybe you should pick a new career.”

Before you could walk away, Johnny grabbed your arm and spun you around. His wide, round face was red from the strain it took to hold himself back. Controlling his temper was always a struggle for him and you might have just pressed the wrong button.

“I was born and bred to someday lead this section of the organization,” he growled, the grip on your arm tightening, forcing a wince out of you. “I am the only one strong enough to lead the next generation. You are weak and sympathetic. It makes me sick.”

“I am not,” you argued back desperately.

“Yes, you are. You don’t have the willpower to do what is necessary. But don’t worry. Because I have the will and the vision it takes to eradicate the world of those creatures. I will make sure that every single mongrel is wiped from the face of this earth and I’ll start with your precious monsters.”

“They’re not monsters!” The words were out from your lips before you could bite them back. By the sickening grin spreading across Johnny’s face, you knew you’d given yourself away.

Slowly, the real monster turned his head and glanced over his shoulder. “Is that proof enough for you?”

Suddenly the monitors on the walls flickered on, revealing the council sitting back at the conference table after you’d been told the meeting was dismissed. You were surrounded on all sides by the people you used to admire and look up to. Every member wore a cold expression, save your father. Disappointment and heartbreak were written all over his face.

“No judgement will be passed as of yet,” your father declared. His voice was much more powerful and indifferent than what his features showed. “We’ll investigate further. Until then, she’ll be held in the cells with the possible charge of treason.”

The monitors went black again, cutting off any possible argument you might have given. Pressed against the delicate skin of your neck was the sharp edge of Johnny’s favorite knife.

“Don’t try to fight,” he laughed. “There are more of us outside this room.”

You didn’t plan on fighting. Not right now. But of course he brought backup. He knew if it was simply one-on-one, you’d win. Johnny couldn’t hold his own in a long running match.

Knowing that you didn’t have any other choice, you let him lead you out of the main hall and across the grounds towards the holding cells while his loyal goons followed closely behind with Tasers crackling in their hands.

“(y/n)?”

Shit.

You kept your face forward, ignoring the cries of your baby sister as she ran towards you.

“What are you doing with her!” Alli shouted.

Johnny snarled at her. “Mind your own business, child!”

“I’m not a child!” she bit back. Turning to you, her fierce façade melted away to a desperation for answers. “(y/n), what’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about it, Alli. Everything’s going to be fine.” An empty promise. And she knew it. She maybe not have been an adult, but you couldn’t get away with simple generalizations with her like you could a child.

“Don’t lie to me!”

“Your sister is a traitor, how about that?” Johnny shoved Alli away, making you fight against his grip, but the knife was back at your throat and his slid the metal just enough to break skin. “Get out of here. If you want answers, find your father.”

Alli shot you one last pleading look. At your silence, she took off for the main hall. You weren’t sure if your father would actually explain anything to her, but you hoped he would keep her in the dark just a little while longer. For her own sake.

The only light that was given in the small, stable-like prison came from the high windows that would be just out of your reach. Concrete slabs made up the walls, impossible to climb with their smooth surfaces, and old iron bars speckled with red-orange rust created the doors to the five-by-eight rooms. Old, musky straw covered the dirt floors and several of the cells had worn wrist cuffs hanging from a heavy nail hammered into the walls. Thankfully, Johnny didn’t see a need to chain you up as he shoved you into one of the cells near the middle of the single-hallway building after patting you down for weapons. You hadn’t strapped any on you this morning, deeming it unnecessary. That decision still seemed right. If you were able to get out of here, you knew exactly where your weapons were stored, rather than being in the possession of Johnny. Again, that was if you got out of here.

“This is a truly enjoyable sight,” he snickered as he slammed the cell door shut. With a motion of his head, he led his posse outside, leaving you alone.

You slid down to the ground, not caring about the dirt and grime that was getting all over your pants. It wasn’t a surprise that you landed here. As soon as you’d gotten into Innie’s car, you knew there was a high chance that you’d be caught. You’d come to terms with the end and so now all there was left to do was sit and wait for your fate.

**

Luhan crouched down low in the shrubbery that outlined the compound. Buildings that ranged from large training facilities to personal homes were scattered among the grounds in no specific order. Hunters were wandering around in groups of three or four, the older ones walking stoically with their hands hand their backs while the more youthful hunters were loudly joking and shoving each other.

The sun was still too high in the sky for his liking, so Luhan waited - rather impatiently - for the better cover of night. He had no idea where you were or which house belonged to your family, but that was easily handled. He just needed to find a small hint of your scent. Surely you’d been gone long enough that he wouldn’t pick up old, confusing traces.

As soon as he had the cover of darkness and the compound seemed to have settled for the night, Luhan emerged from the forest and slowly walked along the cemented trails. He stuck to the shadows, but at the same time tried to look like he belonged so no one would question him from a distance. Taking several deep breaths, he tried to concentrate on finding your scent among dozens scattered around the area.

Finally locating it, he followed your trail to the largest building in the center of this place. He knew walking into what was obviously the headquarters for this branch of the organization, but he needed to find you.

And the front door was unlocked.

So, he opened it slowly, stepping inside and carefully, quietly closing it back up again. He scanned the long hallway, careful to look for any signs of movement. After a hundred feet or so, your scent came to a stop at a pair of double doors. There was no light shining out from underneath onto the carpet, indicating that the room wasn’t in use. Was it possible you were still in there?

Luhan decided to take the risk. He placed his palm on the shiny golden handle and pushed.

The room was empty. Great. Now he had to find the trail again.

“Well, isn’t this a lovely surprise?”

Luhan whirled around. Leaning against the opposite wall was a cocky-looking hunter about his size twirling a knife between his hands. Luhan knew his eyes were giving off an amber glow, catching the smallest bit of light to give him better sight. This hunter knew what he was, anyway.

“It’s interesting that you came after her. Very revealing,” the hunter mused, not looking up at Luhan. He instead kept watching the knife as if it held the world’s secrets in its structure. “I thought (y/n) had just gone soft, unable to hurt the poor, unsuspecting wolves. But now that you’re here,” he pointed at Luhan with the knife, finally making eye contact with him, “I suspect that it’s much more than that. Is she, perhaps, your precious, fated mate? That would certainly explain a lot.”

Luhan let out a low, threatening growl. “Where is she?”

“In the same place all traitors go,” he shrugged. “But she won’t be there very long. Especially now that you’re here. Maybe we’ll be nice and kill you both together. Wouldn’t that be sweet? Just like Shakespeare’s stupid play.”

Luhan wanted to pounce. He wanted nothing more than to jump on this sick, sadistic hunter and rip his throat out for even thinking about hurting you. But before his muscles could twitch, the doors at the end of the hallway flew open, revealing a new group of hunters.

Shlink.

The knife the first hunter had been holding was now embedded into the wall near Luhan’s ear.

Well, shit.

Taking off in the opposite direction, Luhan burst through the doors, making it to the outside before the other hunters made it to their leader. Thankful for his supernatural speed, Luhan bobbed and weaved through the buildings. He couldn’t head back to the woods. Even though it was his territory, the place he was most familiar with, it would make getting back here nearly impossible.

From what he heard with his acute ears, the hunters were still a ways behind him. He glanced over his shoulder, but he couldn’t see where they might be looking for him. Up ahead, there looked like what might have been an unused building. The grass around the edge of overgrown and a few of the higher up windows were cracked or missing corner pieces. He ran towards the possible hiding spot.

He didn’t make it.

Strong hands stopped him in his tracks and yanked him off his course. He landed hard on his back against the wall of one of the steel buildings. The jolt sent a shockwave through his system, unnerving him for a few seconds as he shook the stars away.

“If we live through this, I’m going to kill you.”

Luhan blinked, his eyes widening as he made out the silhouettes of some of his pack members. Kris still had a good grip on Luhan’s shirt and his eyes were flickering red as he towered over him.

“Why the hell did you take off on your own?” Tao whispered harshly. Concern was evident all over his face, even in the low light of a crescent moon.

Luhan shoved Kris’ hand away. Guilt bubbled up in his stomach, growing worse when he saw that Minseok was among the tiny rescue party. “You shouldn’t have come for me. The more of us there are, the more easily we could be caught.”

“Well, we’re not going to be caught because we’re getting out of here,” Kris argued.

“No.” Luhan glared up at the alpha. “They have (y/n) locked up and they’re going to kill her. I have to get her out.”

Tao looked back and forth between Kris and Luhan, his uncertainty of who to follow apparent. Minseok, however, had no trouble on deciding.

“I’ll help you get her out.”

Kris’ looked down at the eldest wolf in shock. “You realize she’s the one who shot you, right?”

��Yes, I do,” Minseok nodded. “But at the end of the day, she’s Luhan’s mate. If getting her out means Luhan comes home, too, then I’m going to help.”

Kris tried to hold his ground. They all knew if he really wanted to, he could order them all back home. The only one who wouldn’t be able to obey would be Luhan. Only the mate pull was stronger than a true alpha’s orders. But Kris had always refused to be the person who forced his authority.

He sighed heavily, looking up at the twinkling stars before bringing his face back down. “Fine. We’ll get the hunter out.”

Luhan smiled, but the flickering, hope-filled joy only lasted a second as an ear-splitting scream cut through the air.

[psychosistr]

Friendly Four Verse- Meetings Part 1: Megavolt & Quackerjack

Summary: The Negaverse- a world where the city of Saint Canard is ruled by the villainous Negaduck. In this city overrun with crime and corruption, a group of heroes come together to fight back against injustice. The first to meet are the city’s long-time protector, Megavolt, and a particularly colorful clown named Quackerjack.

Notes: So, I FINALLY finished the first few parts of my Friendly Four stories! Before going into it, I’d recommend checking out one of my previous posts talking about my Friendly Four designs and backstories, just so you can get a better idea of what they look like. Hope you guys enjoy it!

The first one that Megavolt found was Quackerjack. Or, rather, Quackerjack found HIM.

It was another long night of patrol for Saint Canard’s lone protector, Megavolt. The city was large and teeming with crime thanks to the town’s influential dictator- Negaduck. The task of protecting a city so massive, and so rampant with crime, was indeed daunting, but the lightning-bolt themed and purple-clad hero was more than prepared to do what had to be done for the hope of a brighter future!

As he used his electrical powers and a touch of magnetism to his steel-toed/soled boots to glide along the city’s many sparking electrical wires, Megavolt heard the terrified screams of a woman nearby.

“HELP! Please, someone! HELP!” The woman cried in terror, the cries followed by a deafening roar.

Megavolt rushed towards the sound, jumping from wire to wire to cut down on his time. “HOLD ON!!!”

When he arrived, he found a female duck and her two children being backed up against a chain-link fence in an alleyway by a tall, spiky, hulking being that was covered in shadows. Out of fear, one of the children threw their lit flashlight at the beast and screamed.

The light source hit the behemoth then bounced off of a grey stomach. When the flashlight rolled across the ground, its light shined on the monster to reveal it in its entirety:

It was a massive dinosaur-like creature with armored plates on its skin and spikes growing all down its back. Its tail had a large stone-like tip that flicked about in irritation, smashing anything it touched. Around it’s pointy-beaked face, it had more spikes that grew out from four separate points to make it look even more intimidating- its shaggy red hair, scarred-eye, and torn black pants doing nothing to help dissuade the initial feelings its body gave any onlookers.

It let out an angered snarl when the light shined on its face and shielded itself by placing its hands over its eyes. “Ow! Stupid light!” It growled and stomped on the flashlight with one of its massive feet, crushing the device with ease. “I warned you to quit shining that stupid thing at me!” He (from the voice, it appeared to be a male) snarled as he advanced on the frightened family.

Wasting no time, Megavolt magnetized his shoes to the metal gutter-pipe of the nearby building and slid down to land between the family and the dinosaur. “Stop right there, evil doer!”

The woman gasped in surprise and relief. “Megavolt!” The kids cheered his name as well, looking up at him with relief in their tear-filled eyes.

Megavolt faced the monster while standing in front of them, hands sparking in preparation for the impending battle. “Don’t worry, citizens- I’ll deal with this disrespectful dino!” At his cue, the citizens ran away, the dinosaur now much more focused on him than the weak commoners.

“Megavolt, huh?” The dinosaur sneered down at him, stepping closer to show how he towered over the smaller rat. “What’re you gonna do? Shock me? Go on, I dare ya!”

“Alright, if you insist!” Megavolt charged a blast of electricity to his fingertip and fired it right at the monster’s chest. To his shock and horror, though, the attack did absolutely nothing. “What?!”

The dinosaur smirked at him and cracked his knuckles. “Guess you haven’t heard of me, huh? The name’s Shamutt.” He reeled his fist back in preparation for a punch. “And if there’s one thing I hate more than light, it’s stupid noisy heroes!” His fist flew forward and hit Megavolt right in the chest, sending him flying.

Megavolt nearly crashed into the wall, but was saved thanks to his still slightly magnetized shoes dragging him off course towards the metal fence that the family from earlier had previously been cornered against. Shaking the dizziness off from the blow, Megavolt found he wasn’t given much time to recover before the Jurassic jerk was closing in for another attack, this time with his hammer-like tail.

Thinking quickly, Megavolt used his magnetized shoes to run vertically up the fence, perched briefly at the top, then grasped the metal fence posts and channeled a healthy dose of electricity into the fence. He jumped from the fence onto the metal gutter-pipe he’d slid down earlier at the last possible second, resulting in the dinosaur’s mighty tail striking the fence and becoming wrapped up and pierced by the electrified metal.

Shamutt let out a pained roar, the electricity apparently having a stronger effect now that it was hitting a weaker area. By the time he’d managed to free his tail from the fence, the giant was looking dizzy.

Megavolt decided to follow up his attack and stay on the offensive. To do so, he gripped the gutter-pipe tightly and pressed off from the wall with his feet until it broke loose from its rusted restraints. He charged his electricity into the metal and angled his fall so that the pipe would land on Shamutt’s head.

The attack nearly worked, but Shamutt turned and slammed his freed tail into the rat and the pipe. Thankfully, having the pipe in the way cushioned some of what would have otherwise been a fatal blow.

The resulting collision sent Megavolt sprawling out into the street past the mouth of the alleyway. He was about to get up, when a shadow loomed over him menacingly. He looked up just in time to see Shamutt’s tail swinging down towards him and rolled out of the way.

Unfortunately, this resulted in him rolling against the side of a parked car and, effectively, trapping him in place. “!!”

Shamutt walked up to him with an evil grin and raised his foot, preparing to stomp on him. “Nighty night, Mr.Hero!”

Before he could follow through on the action, however, a new voice cut itself into the conversation. “ ‘Nighty night’? What are you talking about, big guy? It’s not bedtime!” Both Shamutt and Megavolt were surprised when a small cluster of marbles were thrown at Shamutt’s face. The marbles exploded on impact, sending the titan off-balance. As a follow-up, Megavolt saw something colorful suddenly slam into the dinosaur, sending him flying. “It’s PLAAAYYYYTIIIIME!!”

Shamutt was sent tumbling across the sidewalk before turning over onto his knees so he could look at what just hit him with an angry snarl. “Alright, what’s the big idea?!”

Shamutt and Megavolt saw a duck in a VERY colorful clown-like costume wielding what, at first, appeared to be a metal baseball bat painted in a tessellation of diamonds that matched the duck’s color scheme. Upon closer inspection from his angle, though, Megavolt could see three large holes on the back of the bat and could smell smoke, hinting that maybe the bat had a little more firepower hidden within.

“The ‘big idea’,” The clown-themed duck began while spinning the bat around in a wide circle. “Is that the game you were playing looked kind of unfair. So,” He tossed the bat in the air briefly, making it spin in shiny, eye-catching circles that made the colors look mesmerizing when the streetlights reflected off of the metallic surface. “I thought I’d come and even things out!” While the dinosaur was distracted by the flashy display, the duck held out a hand to help Megavolt to his feet. “Whattaya say, Sparky?”

Megavolt grinned and took the offered hand, pulling himself to his feet. “Sounds good to me.” He charged electricity down to his hands once the duck let go, feeling far more confident now that he had backup. “But don’t call me Sparky- the name’s Megavolt!”

“Heh, alright, Megavolt.” Without even looking, the clown caught the bat perfectly in his hand when it fell back towards him. “Call me Quackerjack!”

Then, as if they both heard a starting-gun go off, they leapt into action together- running at Shamutt at the same time.

Quackerjack pressed down on the heart-shaped pin located on the bat’s handle and it made a sound like a car engine starting up. With a loud rev, the holes on the back of the bat suddenly ignited and Megavolt now understood what they were:

They were rockets.

Flames shot out of the holes and Quackerjack used the added momentum to smash the bat into Shamutt’s tail when the dinosaur-like villain tried to hit them with it. The extra force allowed him to successfully counter the lethally strong appendage and throw the giant reptile off-balance again.

Megavolt followed his new companion’s attack with one of his own, shooting a charged blast of electricity right at the already off-kilter titan’s eyes. The energy was bright and flashy, but Megavolt still held back to avoid causing permanent damage. With any luck, the attack would-

“AAAAAH!” Shamutt screamed in pain when the blast blinded him. “My eyes!” He began rubbing roughly at his stinging eyes to clear his vision. “When I get my hands on you little twerps, I’ll crush you like the tiny bugs you are!”

“We may be kind of small.” He heard Megavolt say as his vision slowly came back to him. “But, you know what they say: The bigger they are-” Shamutt’s vision cleared just in time for him to see Megavolt touching his charged hand to Quackerjack’s bat.

“The harder they fall!” Quackerjack finished the quote for him and activated the bat’s rockets while running at Shamutt. He spun around on the last step before taking a flying leap and smashing the charged bat into the giant lizard’s head.

The combined force and momentum of the metal bat, together with the electrical charge coursing through the metal, made for an extremely effective improvised stun-baton.

“!!!” The blow connected and Shamutt’s eyes rolled back into his head as he was properly knocked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About half an hour later, onlookers were gathered around the street to see the spectacle that was a giant Jurassic mutant tied upside down to the side of a building by a series of magnetized pipes and already-broken street lamps with a small cluster of moving wind-up teeth jumping and chomping at his head every time he struggled to break free of his bindings.

The cherry on top was the brightly painted sign above him in a rainbow of letters that read “THIS DINO’S CRIME-SPREE JUST WENT THE WAY OF THE DODO! –COURTESY OF YOUR FRIENDLY LOCAL HEROES, THE DYNAMIC DUO MEGAVOLT & QUACKERJACK”

The heroes in question watched the scene unfold while sitting on the edge of a rooftop down the block with their legs hanging over the edge.

“I really owe you one.” Megavolt said while smiling at Quackerjack. “If you didn’t come along when you did, I’d be the one going extinct right now!”

Quackerjack chuckled at the obvious joke, clearly amused by the rat’s sense of humor. “Eh, don’t mention it. There aren’t that many heroes in this town- we’ve gotta stick together!”

Megavolt let out a long-suffering sigh and collapsed back against the cool roof-top beneath him. “You’re telling me! I’ve been doing this on my own since I was SEVENTEEN! Do you have ANY idea how tiring that gets?!”

“Seventeen?!” Quackerjack’s large beak fell open in disbelief when he heard the number. “Geez, I’ve only been at this for a year and I’m already exhausted! How the heck are you still alive?!”

“Heck if I know..” Megavolt pulled himself back up, reaching behind himself to straighten his slightly rumpled cape. “Still, it was nice to have some help for a change..and we did make a pretty electrifying team..” He looked at Quackerjack with a hopeful but slightly anxious smile, holding out one hand in invitation. “What would you say about going from a solo act to a duet?”

Quackerjack looked at him with a huge grin that practically split his face. “I’d say,” He took the offered hand, and everything it stood for, and grasped it with a level of enthusiasm that was nearly contagious. “You’ve got yourself a new partner in crime-fighting, Sparky!”

“Don’t call me Sparky.” Megavolt corrected the other’s nickname for him, but the smile on his face and the joy in his heart did not falter for even a moment.

Next Chapter->

End Notes: The first chapter is short and sweet just because I always felt like these two would have the easiest chemistry. The next chapter with Bushroot will be longer and have each of the three revealing their backstories!

Also, for anyone who was curious or didn’t get it, yes, Shamutt is Stegmutt- I decided to change his dinosaur from a stegosaurus to a shamosaurus (you can scroll towards the bottom of the page if you just want picture references). They’re within the same dino-family, but I felt like the shamosaurus looked dark and intimidating enough to fit in with the villainous theme of the Negaverse.