#Tim sort of fell in love with Phantom

[dcxdpdabbles]

The bakery is a front!...Right? Part 5

Danny opens his eyes to the sight of a potent magical barrier glowing around him. It would have held off many of his subjects but did nothing against his court, much less the king.

Then, he noticed he was in some sort of cave, strapped down to a fluffy bed. There isn't much he can see besides the various machines hooked up throughout the place, various cars, two planes, what appeared to be a training ground, and a.... dinosaur?

Where the hell am I? He thinks, trying to recall what happened to lead him here. But all he can clearly remember is fighting with Phantom over going to the park. Everything after that was a blur.

He tries to move, frowning at the very little give of his restraints. One around each of his four limbs, three large belts over his knees, stomach, and upper chest.

After a few minutes of struggling as a human, he slumps in place.

His blue eyes fly over the runes that shine along the barrier's side, noting three magical signatures. This was a group effort. Strange. Who would put Danny here?

Phantom remains silent but watchful from their shared eyes as Danny scans his surroundings again to ensure no one is around before shifting. As soon as his ghost forms, the barrier flairs, indicating an alarm has been tripped.

Danny sighs tiredly, allowing his body to pass through the restraints. Phantom reaches out to push his hand through the barrier, wiggling his fingers on the other side. Just as they thought, it's not going to keep Danny inside.

Feels like water. Phantom says, and Danny agrees. Whoever put him in here either overestimated their strength or underestimated Danny. He hopes it's not another death cult. Those always left him feeling sick after dealing with them.

It's then Danny realizes another fact. Phantom does not feel like his body trying to split in half; Phantom feels like himself again, another part of who makes up Danny.

Like the inner voice when you read in your head, just as his ghost half had always been since he was fourteen. Danny had been in this creepy cave for over a week because his mating season had finally ended.

That also meant that Danny was missing a full week of memories.

He is going to have some words with whoever is responsible. Danny rechecks the barrier, realizing it's still flaring, and decides to wait for them to approach him. He can pretend he's trapped inside, hopefully creating a false sense of security and getting answers from his kidnappers.

He crosses his legs under him just as a portal rips open a few feet away from his barrier and out rushes a blond man in a trench coat. Behind the man is a woman in a magician outfit and a teenage girl in a purple cape. Danny scans each person, noting the barrier's magical signature matches them all, and knows they are responsible.

Trench coat falls to one knee, bowing his head in respect. "Your majesty."

The other two follow suit after he speaks, repeating his greeting. It seems Trench Coat is the leader. The ghost king leans back on his hands, frost slowly spreading over the blankets under his palms.

It crawls to the edges, slowly falling down the legs of the bed and around the floor. Danny stops it right at the lines of the barrier, knowing the blond man is watching it. The blond man's shoulder relaxes when the frost fails to go over the drawn lines.

So they did underestimate Danny. Well, it made things easier, at least.

"Where am I?" Knowing Phantom's voice echoes and unsettles the three kneeing magic users, he asks. Sam had once told him it sounded like the cracking of ice glaciers from within the giant ice caves after his friend returned from a trip to the artic with her parents.

Danny wasn't exactly sure what that sounded like, but he had always thought it made him more intimidating, especially when he kept his voice a regal calm. Tucker said the calm made it extra creepy, and he wanted to watch these three sweat right now.

"The Batcave, your Highness." Trench Coat responds. Danny's jaw drops.

"The what cave!?" He gasps, springing up from the bed to spin around and look at his surrounding better. He knows he just shattered the illusion but come on! It's the Batcave! This place was a legend among his customers! "Batcave as in Batman!?"

"Indeed." A new voice calls and Danny's head snaps toward a man hiding within a shadow. He's good for a human, but although the shadows open their arms to him, they are not part of him, and Danny can trace every inch of him as easily as though a spotlight had been shined on him.

"Batman" He whispers in awe. The Dark Knight steps out into the line of sight of the other three, ignoring Trench Coat when the blond man starts to hiss at him to kneel. "I got kidnapped by Batman. That's so metal."

Batman, to his credit, doesn't even flinch at the accusation. "You were deemed a danger to the public."

Danny snorts. "Been there. Done that. Got a cookie on the way back."

The mask man's eyes narrow. "Are you aware of the damage you have caused? The lives you have potentially ruined since arriving in my city?"

"Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about. All I did was open a bakery." Danny glances down at the magic users before waving a hand. "You three can stand now, by the way."

The three stand as Batman steps up against the barrier. He looms over Danny in a poor attempt at intimation. Even with having to tilt his head back to keep eye contact and the glowing yellow stip of magic, Danny finds himself on equal footing with the human.

"Batman, bugger off. Now." Trench Coat hisses, yanking the other back a few steps. "We do not need a war with one of the most powerful beings in the multiverse."

"A being that tried to steal my sons." The other man growls, and Danny blinks.

"First of all, I didn't even know you had kids. Second, I have never met them in my life, much less steal-"

"Red Robin will not be going with you, no matter what you say!" Batman interrupts. "If I have to keep you here until the contract is neutralized, I will."

"This is not helping B." The woman dressed like a magician says. She was beyond nervous, a slight tremble ranking her frame. "We're supposed to be negotiating the terms of the engagement."

"The engagement?" Danny mouths, confused.

"We have his sister, Jassmin Fenton. That's a good enough starting point-" The girl in the cape starts, and Danny snaps to attention at his sister's name. Her neck is in his hand, cutting off her words with a chock gasp. He sneers in her face even as the other three scream at the speed he crosses the barrier.

"Where. Is. Jazz."

"Raven!" The other woman screams. "Prat eht gnik ni a egac!"

Her magic washes over him but freezes as Danny's power overtakes it. The spell lands on the ground as a sparkling clump of ice.

The girl claws at his hands, trying to pry him off even when a bear tazer slams into his side, sending electricity throughout his body. If he had been fourteen that would have been enough to have scared him enough into letting go.

He's not a little kid anymore, though. He backhands Batman away from him, catching the tazer he drops as he is flung and throwing it at Trench Coat.

It slams against the man, knocking him on his ass. "I didn't even do anything!"

Danny raises the girl, wondering if he should squeeze more- it's not choking her. He just wanted to scare her.- when Ellie came flying from the direction of a large stone stairway. It seems the Batcave was underneath something. "Danny, stop! Let her go!"

"They kidnapped Jazz!" He yells, eyes blazing in an angry green. Raven's eyes widened at the color. She chants a spell, but her magic is frozen like Zatanna's was before it could even form. She looks stricken.

Not surprising since magic is supposed to be one thing to never fail against the paranormal. Too bad for her Danny is the king and thus far more powerful than the average ghost.

"No, they didn't! She literally upstairs flirting with Jason!"

Danny lets Raven go to swing his head in Ellie's direction. "Who the fuck is Jason!?"

"A really buff book nerd."

"Of course he is."

"Yeah, he's also Peter Draper." Ellie continues with a What can you do shrug.

"Oh, word?" Danny tries to imagine Jazz and Peter, but his employee is so short-tempered that he finds it odd his sister would ever look his way twice. Then again, Peter was only short-tempered because he was trying to keep Alvin safe from Phantom's charm, so....maybe that's what got her attention?

"Your Highness," Trench Coat clears his throat. "We really need to discuss the engagement."

"What engagement?"

Ellie flies over to drape herself across his shoulders like a floating scarf. "The one between you and Timothy Drake."

"The Wayne CEO?" Danny never met the guy; how was he engaged to him?

"Yeah, but you know him as Alvin Draper or Red Robin." Ellie shrugs at his Godsmack expression. "The Bats thought you were selling drugs, using kids as carriers, and using the bakery as a front to cover up your crimes."

"Drugs? Child endangerment!? Why would they think I would do something so terrible?! My bakery is a lovely place!"

"Cause you're kind of shady, Danny. Fruitloop shady."

"I'm disowning you." Danny turns his attention back to the four - heroes? If they were with Batman, they had to be right?- and frown. "I love Gotham. I was just trying to sell pastries and help my community."

"Yeah, but you're still shady." Ellie laughs, ignoring the disownment like every other time Danny threatened her. "They sent in spies to figure you out."

"Spies? In my bakery?" Danny repeats, horrified. He snaps his fingers at his sister, narrowing his eyes. "You can never tell Andres he was right."

She bares her teeth in response, and he knows his store manager will be unbearable come Monday. Danny covers his face wanting to scream, until Batman steps to growl at him. "Tim isn't going anywhere with you."

Danny squints at him. "You're making it sound like I'm taking him by force."

"You are." And another voice jumps in, but this one is familiar. Danny twists around to see Alvin-er Tim calmly walk down the large stairway wearing only white pants. Along the sides of the pants are runes that make Danny's stomach drop.

They're the marking of a human sacrifice in the ghost zone.

"I won't resist." Tim continues stopping before a horrified Danny and clasping his hands tightly. Tim's gaze rests on his feet, every inch of him portraying submission. A group of people quickly come down the stairs, each trying to talk over the other, but Danny can't take his eyes off the human, giving himself up.

Phantom's core weeps. When a human is made into a sacrifice, there is nothing other ghosts can do to intervene. It's one of the Rules within the zone, like Truce Day. There was nothing he could do to save his employee.

"Who?" He whispers his ghostly glow highlighting the youth in Tim's face. Only nineteen. "Who do you belong to?"

Tim's hands twitch, but it's the only sign of discomfort as he lowers his gaze even more. "To you, your highness."

"Wha-"

"Oh, for goodness sake!" Jazz yells, walking over to whack him on the head. Ellie moves so her hand can reach his skull and punches the back of his head. Several people gasp, scandalized, but she does seem to care as she starts nagging. "Daniel Fenton! You let this boy out of his human sacrifice engagement with you right now!"

"His what with what?!" Danny screams back, only to have Sam walk around a blond woman and stomp on his foot. "Ow!"

"This a dick move, Danny! Tucker, come over here and tell him!"

His best friend appears only to punch him in the gut. "It's mess up, man! Tim didn't even know he was walking into a fae circle when he went to your apartment!"

"Stop hitting me! I don't even know what the hell is going on!" He yells, rubbing his bruised stomach.

Jazz crosses her arms and taps her foot. "Five. Four."

"Why are you counting?"

" Three. Two"

"Jazz, seriously, stop it."

"One. Zer-"

"I, High King Phantom, release Timothy Drake with no conditions!" He screams, cowering away. The runes on Tim's pants snap like broken chains. "Just please don't say zero!"

"That's what I thought." She says, nodding her head and then laughing. "I can't believe that still works on you. I'm sorry we didn't explain, but I wanted to get Tim out of danger as soon as possible. Tim was the first to find you when the Bats raided your house a week ago, looking for non-existing drugs. Phantom took over in a mate craze and tried to keep him along with Damian- er Robin- prisoners. "

"We all had to join forces to free them, but you were too powerful. You ripped a portal into the ghost zone and took them." Sam takes over giving Danny a stink eye. She always does hate when Danny slips away to the zone to avoid them. "Tim struck a deal with Phantom agreeing to be his human sacrifice/ husband in exchange for his brother's freedom while the rest of us tried to get to the zone."

Danny doesn't know what to say but feels his mouth moving. It's Phantom who answers. "Again, from the bottom of my heart. My bad. Really. I just wanted a baby."

Ellie chirps, "Baby fever is a medical condition Phantom. Don't sweat it."

"Maybe sweat it a little." A man shouts from beside the frozen Tim. The teenager is staring at Danny with a kind of worship looking upon a saint. And a lover. Danny blushes slightly. "You stole my baby brothers."

"Richard. I can not have this conversation again with you." Phantom rolls his eyes and fades back into Fenton as he powers down. "All I did to Tim was try to cover him in blankets, feed him and make him sleep. My human side wasn't even aware of things."

"Still not cool, Phantom. I thought Danny was going to retake him after this visit," Richard responds, pressing Tim into his side. "Even if it was just due to your mating season, don't repeat it."

Danny takes over with a raised brow. "Don't go into my lair during my mating season, then. Who had you snooping?"

"We did what we had to." Batman is notably less hostile now that the contract between Tim and Danny is broken. Danny considers his words and then nods. He gets that. He would have done the same if he thought some creep was luring the street kids into something dangerous.

"Danny," Tim says, approaching the halfa "Will you go on a date with me?"

"Drake! No!" A child screams from the crowd, but Danny can only see those gorgeous blue eyes, and something deep within him uncoils. Phantom settles in Danny's soul with a content sigh. It's found its mate, after all.

"Yes, I'll go on a date with you." Danny pauses. "You won't work at the bakery anymore, right? I can't date my employees. That's a power imbalance."

Tim laughs leaning in to press his lips against Danny's. The other human's outraged cries fade away as Danny melts against him. "How could I ever think I could resist you. You're too perfect. "

"Wait- what?" Danny blinks, but Tim shushes him with another kiss. Both ignore how the Bats leap in to pull them apart, or Team Phantom rushes to protect Danny and fight them off.

John Constante watches the two groups with a frown "So...no war?"

"I don't think so?" Zatanna responds, confused, while Raven watches impassively.

Danny was right. Come Monday, Andres is unbearable, but Tim comes over for lunch and a quick make-out session, so it's worth it. Manolo returns later that day to invite Danny to his school band performance. His mother is now on her way to recovery, finally allowing him to learn the flute.

All is well in Phantom Bakes.

(Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4)

[dyinggirldied]

royal consort au brainrot

the royal consort au by @dcxdpdabbles makes me lose my mind so i have to share this so i can go to bed:

danny has his own wikipedia page though there is ongoing debate on whether they should use present tense (since he is alive) or past tense (seeing as he is engaged to the ghost king/high king of infinity realm)

some part of the social media romanticizes danny's situation as a hades and persephone or cinderella or both. you just know that some girls and boys out there are maddeningly jealous that danny manages to bag a king who is seemingly deeply in love with him.

unfortunately, he becomes a standard of beauty (twink, short, black-hair and blue eyes) because somehow rumors leak that phantom finds him the epitome of beauty. bruce is a bit worried since tim sort of fits the bill. in another city, billy batson/shazam is being teased by his adoptive siblings also for that precise reason

surprisingly, danny can be a charming speaker which people thinks it's part of why phantom fell in love with him.

bruce (and a portion of the world, including constantine) is concern since danny is still young (not sure how old he is in original prompt so i left it vague) and this whole thing; being the most popular public figure in the world and being haunted constantly by paparazzi, his joining with the ruler of the dead, the political between his home world and his future one, might damage his psyche sooner or later and bruce is trying to find a contingency plan for that.

and what's even is batman's contingency plans for this kind of situation, i don't know. im not that smart but clark, diane and constantine and the flash family will need to be there. to make sure bruce doesn't accidentally go too far.

also, this one comes like a hammer to my head but what if one day, danny feels an itchy sort of feeling in his throat but waves it off as a cold? he regrets it when barely a minute later he coughs out a palmful of blood. danny might be in outdoor place or in the justice league headquarter but the point is: everyone panics. especially once he loses consciousness.

this one can be branched off into two:

someone, either the leftover resentful giw or amanda waller, decides to poison him.

maddie innocently makes lunch for her son, after finding a new bag of spice for the meat. that spice contains blood blossom, which is deadlier for ghost (or half-ghost) if you eat it. of course, clockwork will ensure no one finds out danny is a halfa by making the machine detecting it as allergy, if a bit unsual one and danny will still live, if a bit disgruntle and so done with his half life already

[highonchocolate]

Take Two: The Guardian in Gotham Chapter 5

First   Previous   Next   Ao3

They raced over the rooftops towards the center of the city, where they could see a tiny figure blasting waves of fire in all directions. As they neared the Akuma, they noticed that they looked female, and they were surprisingly color-coordinated. She had coal black skin, with glowing red runes inked over her flesh. Her eyes were like embers, and her hair shifted and changed like a living flame. Everywhere she glanced would immediately catch fire, and she shot some sort of substance from her clawed hands that made the poor victim stop running in terror and instead smile dazedly at the flames. 

Chat, Queen Bee, and Viperion set about rescuing the civilians as Ladybug and Ryuko engaged the Akuma. They dodged her blasts, dancing around her as they looked for her Akumatized object. She screamed defiantly, shouting her fury towards the sky. “I am Inferno! They mocked my love, now they will feel it too! Let them be purified in my flame!” The two heroes exchanged a confused glance at her wording.

What would fire have to do with love? Marinette thought as she backflipped nearly out of the way. Thinking back to Inferno’s powers, she felt the puzzle pieces begin to slide into place as she observed the Akuma.

As the five of them watched, Inferno turned her gaze on a civilian, and he started to catch fire. Before he could panic, she hit him with the substance, and he started to grin, even as he burned alive before their eyes. 

Marinette felt vomit rose in her throat as she looked at his blackened corpse, still smiling even in death. She saw her horrified and sickened expression echoed on the faces of her teammates. She forced herself to look away before she lost her dinner on the rooftop.

As the Akuma made her way towards a school, cutting a swath of destruction in her wake, she called for a regroup and a hurried discussion.

One lucky charm and three Second Chances later, they had managed to lead the Akuma into an abandoned building. Immediately, there were three simultaneous calls of “Cataclysm!” “Venom!” and “Wind Dragon!”. As Inferno froze from the paralysis, Chat destroyed the floor, and she fell through with her arms trapped by her side. Ryuko shifted into a gust of wind and stirred up dirt, making it impossible for Inferno to look at any of them. 

As the Akuma thrashed in her restraints, Marinette leaned forward and grabbed the akumatized object (a silver lighter) before breaking it and purifying the Akuma. She cast her Cure and watched with bittersweet relief as it washed through the broken city. 

She was glad she could fix everything, but it never should have never broken in the first place. As the last buildings were repaired, and the few stragglers were returning to their evening activities, she turned to her team. “I’ll call you in the evening over there. Or I guess in the afternoon tomorrow, considering the time difference.“ She frowned, trying to calculate the hours. “We’ll report then.” Her team nodded as she stepped through the portal into Gotham.

---

Stepping into her room, she checked the time and saw that it was already 7:15. Panicking, she ran over to her wheelchair and sat down before detransforming. Realizing she was still in her pajamas, she wheeled over to the closet and pulled on a sweater. She quickly swapped out her pajama pants for loose sweatpants, seeing as she didn't have time to wrangle leggings over her cast. Rushing to the bathroom, she awkwardly brushed her teeth before making her way to the kitchen.

---

When she wheeled into the kitchen for breakfast, Alfred looked at her intently before asking “How are your injuries, Miss Marinette?” She paused before answering, and cast a glance towards Tim, who was distracted trying to make coffee. Confirming his attention was elsewhere, she quietly answered “My current injuries are doing well, Monsieur Alfred, but the phantom pains I could do without.” He paused in his cooking and turned towards her worriedly. “Phantom pain?” Instead of answering, she navigated to the Ladyblog on her phone before tilting the screen towards him. Tim stumbled out of the room, coffee in hand muttering something about “Three hours’ and “pumpkin grenades”. Ignoring his strange comments, she turned back to Alfred and handed him her phone.

He scrolled through the website as she began eating. As she ate, his face paled at the videos of all their battles. Sensing his unasked question she quickly spoke up. “My cure restores everything. Nobody but me and the rest of the Holders remember the fights, so you don’t have to worry.” He looked shocked at her sentence. “Miss Marinette! That is all well and good, but do you not have anyone to guide you at all? What about the Master that entrusted the jewels to you?” She looked down sadly at her plate. “He lost all his memories when he gave up the Guardianship to me. Hawkmoth had figured him out, and we were in the middle of a battle.” She paused, pushing food around her plate before she continued speaking. “There wasn’t any time for him to do anything. Transferring Guardianship was the only viable option at the moment.” There was a long beat of silence before Alfred responded. “You are video calling your friends tonight are you not?” Confused at his change of subject, she looked up at him curiously. “I am. Why?” A determined look crossed his face. “I am going to help you all unmask this villain. Even if it means getting other heroes involved.” At his statement, she was shocked into silence. “...You would help us?” She questioned hesitantly. At his firm nod, she nearly burst into tears, and grabbed him in a fierce hug. “Thank you, Alfred” She choked out. “Thank you so much.” He said nothing, only hugged her tighter. 

---

After their emotional conversation, Marinette headed upstairs to continue working on Jagged’s latest commission. A full suit and an evening gown for him and Penny to wear at the Wayne Gala. Six hours flew by in her designing haze, and when she finally looked up, it was already two hours past noon. Ignoring her stomach, she continued directing the Kwami as they pinned together the rough beginnings of the suit under her careful watch.

At around three, Alfred brought her a sandwich before gently admonishing her for her lack of self-care. She smiled sheepishly at him before continuing to pin the hem of the pants. He sighed tiredly before leaving her fabric-filled room. 

Soon enough, it was dinner, and Marinette headed downstairs to eat. She met one of Dick’s friends, a really sweet woman named Barbara, who was also in a wheelchair. She spent the whole meal giving Mari different tips on how to use the wheelchair. They included things from keeping your stuff from getting tangled in the wheels, to instructions on how to make sharp turns. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a teen a couple years younger than her storm into the dining room with a scowl on his face. He ignored her completely, sitting down with a huff.

She locked eyes with Barbara, who shrugged at her like ‘what can you do?’ before continuing to eat. 

---

After dinner was over, she wheeled into her room after telling Alfred that she would be talking with her friends soon. At nine PM, he walked into her room just as her phone buzzed with a Video Call request. Accepting, she leaned back against the headboard and he stood by her bed as they waited for her team to report. 

Luka spoke first. “The Akuma’s name was Inferno. She is a pyromaniac who’s friends had mocked her and told her to ‘get help’ upon discovering her obsession. However, she does not burn down buildings, and only lights small candles to burn old notes.” “So they were being unnecessarily cruel, and judging without all the facts?” Kagami asked. He nodded once and then waited. “Moving on,” Marinette spoke. “Chloé, continue please.” “Alright Nettie-Bug. So her powers were the ability to set anything on fire with her gaze, and she could make the civilians love the fire even as they burned in it. Which is a nod to her pyromania.” She said. “She had no other powers, but those two were a deadly combination.”

“As for casualties,” Adrien continued, “the Eiffel Tower was melted and several buildings all over the city had burned to the ground. Not to mention all the plant and animal life as well. And out of 2,161,000 Parisians, 670,000 were burned alive and brought back by your Cure.” Marinette dropped her head into her palms and groaned out loud. “This was definitely one of the more powerful Akumas. I think that might have been one of the top three in terms of the death toll.” She remarked grimly. “Kagami?” “Chat had burns on his back and shoulders from holding up a beam so some civilians could get away. Queen Bee and Viperion had burns on their forearms and palms from lifting debris, and you were burned on your arms and back. Since I was able to shift into the elements, I only had minor burns on my hands.” The fencer spoke. Adrien let out a low whistle. “So this was not the worst we’ve had, but this definitely shouldn’t be categorized as one of the less damaging fights.” Marinette summed up. “Yeah, basically.” Chloé nodded. 

Alfred, who had remained silent the whole conversation, chose to speak up. “I assume you are all members of Miss Marinette’s team?” He asked. “Holy fuck!” Adrien screamed, just as Luka and Chloé both yelled curses of their own. Kagami didn’t say anything, but her hand had moved and was now resting defensively on her fencing sabre. “Oh!” Marinette laughed “I forgot to introduce you to Monsieur Alfred! He’s a true Peacock, and he said he’ll help us defeat Hawkmoth and Mayura.” At her statement, her friends immediately tensed, but they smiled at the elderly man on screen. They talked for a few minutes, but before he went downstairs he promised that he would talk to the Justice League. When they had asked him how he was going to do that, he had simply smiled and said “I have my ways,” and then left. After he had gone, Kagami spoke up, voicing everyone’s concern. “Mari, are you sure you can trust him?” Marinette immediately nodded. “Our auras recognised each other, and there’s no way of faking that without it leaving a mark on your soul. His soul was not corrupted, so he’s definitely a true holder.” At her explanation, everyone relaxed and their strained smiles softened into genuine grins. With the harder part of the evening done with, the five of them talked and laughed together for hours. 

---

The rest of the week passed by in a similar manner, except for when she finally had an actual conversation with Damian. Looking back, it was not the best way to meet someone, but hey. He had started it!

The afternoon after Inferno, Bruce had spoken with her parents about the intricacies of her stay before informing her that she would be in Gotham until May, but would be going back to Paris for Christmas and New Year’s. As soon as he had announced the duration of her stay, Damian had scowled (again!) and walked out of the room. Marinette had no idea why he disliked her so much. He hadn’t even looked at her at all! Making up her mind to speak with him, she wheeled herself into the living room where he was sketching.

At the sound of her wheels rolling against the floor he immediately spoke up. “Gordon, there you are. I noticed you have talked with Dupain-Cheng. I don’t understand why she allowed herself to get hurt by a few kids her age. Tt. Pathetic.” At his statement she felt a flash of defensiveness and anger flare up in her chest. “Well maybe I got hurt because it was ten of them against one. Maybe I got hurt because they came up from behind and hit me over the head with a metal beam. Maybe I got hurt because they had knives and all I had was a cloth bag. I don’t know Damian,” she spits his name like poison. “You tell me why.” As soon as she had begun speaking he had stiffened, and after she finished he slowly lifted his head to look at her for the first time. He made no outward reaction towards her injuries and bruises, which were a sickly blue-green, but she saw the flash or shock in his eyes. Wheeling past him, she called over her shoulder “Don’t make assumptions about things you don’t know, kid.” He bristled at her wording, before tilting his nose up and haughtily responding. “I am only two years younger than you, Dupain-Cheng. I am by no means a child.” Refusing to respond, she simply made her way upstairs, steadfastly ignoring the pangs of hurt in her chest and the stinging of tears in her eyes from his earlier comment.

---

After that wonderful interaction, Marinette did her best to stay out of Damian’s way. Before she knew it, Sunday rolled around, and her wrist brace had finally come off. She had never been more grateful towards accelerated Ladybug healing. She went to bed, and soon enough she was waking up the following Monday to go to school.

---

Taglist: @laurcad123

[malakiart]

Welcome to more deep Disney Parks lore y’all! :V

Before I begin, I was asked to share around this brand new Haunted Mansion Discord server. Come and join us in nuptial doom and let’s discuss our favorite Disney ride! :D

This said...

Little personal backstory when it comes to this absolutely horrible man I just draw under the cut! :P

I am a huge, HUGE fan of Phantom of the Opera (book, musical, movies, the whole shebang!) but Phantom Manor was my first indirect exposition to Leroux’s story. I was born the same year that Disneyland Paris, or as it was known at the time, ‘Euro Disney’, opened its gates and my parents brought me there for the first time at the age of 3.

Useless to say that this ride scared the shit out of me at such a young age, lol. But as I grew up and became the Gothic aficionado that I am today, I absolutely fell in love with this ride. I would dare to say that it was what ignited my fascination with horror to begin with (alongside Tim Burton’s movies). So yeah, thanks Disney.

Last year’s refurbishment of the attraction confirmed old theories and debunked others, but I personally really like the changes that they made, including giving Melanie a more sinister role (yes I know, I am in the minority when it comes to this :P I don’t care!) and revealing without any shadow of a doubt who the mysterious ‘Phantom’ was. I mean, we always knew deep down in our morbid hearts but it’s nice to see that Disney didn’t backpedal on what was hinted and, in fact, doubled down on the evil doings of Daddy Ravenswood.

I was hoping there would be some sort of explanation why there are now two men who are said to be the founder of the Big Thunder Mountain Mining Company (the 1st being Henry R. and 2nd being Mr.Bullion mentioned in the Orlando queue of the ride) or vague ties to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers since we got one with Constance and George Hightower but I guess Phantom Manor is bound to remain its own unique thing. A bit of a shame since I think it would’ve been cool to get more connections between the parks.

[taiblogcomics]

Let Trigons Be Bygones

Hey there, renewed benefits. We're winding down to the last third of Teen Titans here. And boy, it's gonna suck. I don't remember everything or when said things I do remember happen, but I know they're not enjoyable. Is today's issue one of those? Well, let's find out~

Here's the cover:

This cover is boring. Like, I know, "Oh no, Tim Drake's evil now apparently." But come on. A, we already knew that, and 2, it's just not a very exciting cover. It's extremely dark, and you can't really even see all the unconscious heroes (who seem oddly out-of-scale to Tim here). It's just not a good cover, man. Very suitable for advertising Man of Steel on it, though~

We pick up where we left off last time, with Trigon and his multi-headed horse having scarpered after Psimon did a brain blast to kill a bunch of soldiers. The others are naturally upset, but Psimon defends himself, on grounds that he'd go to jail if they were allowed to get close. I thought he was unconscious at the end of the last time, but here we are. Solstice is particularly upset, and Psimon is about to lash out at her, but Kid Flash punches him out. I guess super speed is faster than psychic powers. Kid Flash keeps punching him, and Superboy has to restrain him, saying he's better than that. Kid Flash isn't so sure...

The group turns their attention to Raven, asking her if she knows where her father went. Alas, Trigon is a master of deception and even his daughter doesn't know where he might be. We cut back over to Hell, to see exactly where he might be. It's Hell. Trigon's using his scrying pool to observe the Titans, chortling that his daughter has intergrated herself into their team. I don't know how she did that, and I've been reading every issue. Trigon seems confident in this, though, and he decides to exposit his origins to his three sons.

So here's Raven's origin. Essentially, Trigon got bored of conquering and ruling and turned his attention to seduction. And while he sired a bunch of sons, it wasn't until he met a human that he had a daughter. See, he could teach her everything except for creation. Except for love. Apparently his sons can't learn this, it could only be a daughter. I dunno if that's sexism on Trigon's part or actually the way demons work. Either way, he let the mother live to raise Raven, but she did the unthinkable: ran away with her daughter to protect her.

So the peoples of Azarath raised Raven, helping her to extinguish the flames of rage within her. But when she learned of her true origins, she fled that place as well, presumably to protect them. She hid out on Earth, up until the Phantom Stranger encountered her. Apparently his plan was to send Raven among demons to incite them into rebellion, because she's one of them while still having a spark of goodness within her. Unfortunately, it's easier to squash the goodness out of someone than stir up goodness that isn't there in someone else. She fell back under Trigon's sway, and they had a lovely father-daughter bonding day slaughtering millions.

So, because Raven is (presumably) half-human, she desires things in addition to ruling. Ruling the Earth, that's inevitable. But Raven wants to do it with friends, with allies. And that's why she's bonded with the Titans, so she can eventually corrupt and bend them to her will. Trigon's sons are disgusted by this sort of sentimentality and figure Trigon's getting weak. One of them (Belial, I think?) leaps to attack him, and Trigon just swats him away. See, he's clearly not weak. The other two immediately denounce him and say they had nothing to do with their brother's attack. You'd think I'd call them out on being disloyal, but that's just brothers being brothers~

As Trigon tells them to go do the thing they know what to do but the audience doesn't, we cut back over to the Titans on Earth. They're gathering up to leave, and Beast Boy wakes up to come with them. Cassie is pretty set on getting Raven to confess something, because Cassie's always got to play the "chip on her shoulder" card.

Turns out she's right, though, as no sooner does Raven conjure some darkness to cover their escape does she turn all mean-faced and threaten Cassie for her disrespectful attitude. Cassie punches her, and Raven returns to normal, apologising. Ah, hitting. It solves all inter-personal problems! Before they can leave and the comic can end, though, the source of Raven's mood swings appears: her brothers have just teleported in.

So here’s Raven’s origin. It’s not significantly different than pre-New 52, except the obvious part: Raven still wants to rule the world. Oh, sure, now she wants friends to do it with, but she’s still basically a villain. I think you’ve completely missed the point of Raven’s entire character, comic. Like, go watch the animated Teen Titans series’ fourth season, and then come back and tell me what you did wrong.

Also, what was the point of introducing Psimon here? Like, I’m all in favour of re-introducing classic Titans villains (something this series should have done from the start, instead of wasting our time on Diesel and Harvest), but why in the middle of a Trigon arc, which sweeps him aside? Can you focus on one damn thing at a time, comic? Please~?

Also, I probably don’t need to point out that the cover was a lie, but they could have done something at least remotely interesting with it. Like, I know how covers work, they don’t have to be true, they just have to sell the comic. But you really telling me that “angry evil Tim Drake” is more sellable than “the origin of Raven”? Maybe you just don’t know what people want, comic~

[seehowsupplethespineis]

Tim Burton Crossover (Part 2)

(Things really start heating up in this chapter! I don’t have much else to say. Enjoy!)

(Warnings: Fainting)

Surprised for a moment that Edward had spoken up, Jack said nothing, but then realizing that the ball was in his court, he replied, “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Edward.” He halted, not knowing whether or not he should continue, but then resolved that he should, “Do you know how you got here?”

Edward stared fixedly at Jack, “No.”

Alright, so there’s someone else involved in this. “Do you have any idea who could have caused this?”

Edward shook his head.

“Hmm… Well, Edward, I think it would be best if you stay with me while we sort this out. Is that alright with you?”

He nodded.

“Great!”

“Jack!”

The skeleton turned as Sally hoved into view over the ridge, and descended, in that uneven gait of hers. “I’m sorry I’m late, Jack. I-” She caught sight of Edward, “Oh, hello. What’s your name?”

Edward looked at Jack, who nodded encouragingly. “Edward.” he said.

“Hello, Edward. My name is Sally. Where did you come from?”

“A big house.”

“Oh, I see… “ she turned to Jack questioningly.

Jack shrugged, “He arrived out of thin air, literally, and both of us haven’t the slightest idea how he got here.”

Sally looked shocked, turned to the newcomer, “Oh my! What were you doing before this happened?”

“Walking.” said Edward.

That’s helpful! thought Jack, sarcastically, “Are you familiar with Halloween Town?”

The young man thought for a few moments, then shook his head.

“This is quite the puzzle… “ Sally murmured.

Jack nodded to himself, then turned to Edward, “This is Halloween Town, where we, the inhabitants, go about preparing for Halloween. Does that make sense?”

Edward blinked, “What is ‘Halloween’?”

Sighing, Jack rubbed his face, and tried to think of a way to explain. Finally, he resolved to just say, “You’ll find out later.”

“Why do you have scissors for hands, Edward?” Sally asked politely, changing the subject.

The one questioned looked down at his hands, rasping them together, “I always have.”

Seeing that that was the only response she would be getting, Sally just smiled.

“You’ll fit right in here.”

It was at that moment that Jack noticed another person had joined their midst; a lovely corpse, dressed in a long, white wedding gown, that looked as if it had been buried once or twice before. She appeared startled, and stared at them for a few moments before speaking.

“How in all the land of the dead did I end up here?”

No one had an answer for her.

The corpse bride scrutinized them shrewdly, “Why have you brought me here?”

“We didn’t!” Jack exclaimed hurriedly, “You’re the second one to materialize here.” He gestured to Edward, who, not knowing what else to do, nodded. Jack continued, “We’ve no idea what’s causing it.”

The undead woman looked unconvinced, but apparently decided to play along.

“What region of the land of the dead is this?”

“Er… this isn’t the land of the dead. I mean, there are dead people here, but this is Halloween Town.”

“Halloween Town?”

“Yes. Have you heard of Halloween?”

The stranger stared at him blankly.

“Nevermind.” said Jack.

Sally, whom had been listening attentively, decided to join in the conversation, in a more cordial manner.

“What’s your name?”

The corpse bride stared hard at Sally for a moment, then apparently deemed it alright to let them know, “I’m Emily.”

“Sally.” The living ragdoll replied, gesturing to herself, then gesturing to her companions, “This is Jack, Edward, and Zero.”

Emily seemed to brighten a bit as she noticed Jack’s dog, but then grew stony faced. “Dead people can only go to the land of the dead. How could you end up here?”

Jack didn’t know how to respond, “We’re not all dead here.” He finally said, lamely.

“We’re all mad though, right?”

Everyone gathered jumped at the unexpected new voice, accepting Edward, who simply fell over backwards. Spinning around simultaneously, they all laid their eyes (or the people that had eyes did) on an odd looking fellow. He was wearing a brown coat, a comically large dotted bow tie, and a top hat that had some sort of sewing instruments sticking out if it. His hair stuck out on either side of his head, and was curly and a bright, vivid orange.

The newest of the newcomers grinned at them, which was slightly disconcerting, as a result of his ghastly white face and startling green eyes, that bored into each and every one of them, not to mention the large gap between his front teeth. He spoke again.

“I know I’m the Mad Hatter, but this is mad even for me.” His voice had a strange, tremulous quality to it, so that sometimes it rose in volume and pitch, and sometimes it dropped. He was still beaming.

No one could think up an answer to that, so silence ensued this rather weird statement.

The Mad Hatter broke it, “Might I inquire as to what my mad imagination has called itselves?”

There was no response for a moment, then a voice from the ground said, “I’m Edward.”

“Ah! Thank you myself! Edward I say, eh?”

Everyone just stared at him. At last, Jack, feeling he was now some sort of host, decided to speak up, “Uh, hello! My name is Jack Skellington, this is Sally, Emily, and Zero. You’ve already been introduced to Edward.”

“What an odd array of names I have decided to call myself.”

Emily now deemed it wise to say something, “We’re not figments of your imagination. We’re real.”

“Who’s to say my imagination isn’t real?” said the Mad Hatter, spinning swiftly to stare hard at Emily, unblinkingly. He then erupted into a giggling fit at the perturbed look on her face.

This man is mad! Thought Jack to himself, Although, I suppose he did tell us in advance...

His train of thought was interrupted by a loud thump sound coming from behind him. He turned in time to see a man, a normal looking man, struggle to stand up, eventually succeeding. The man stared at them in horror, through a pair of strange goggles, that made his brown eyes look unnaturally large. He was dressed all in black, and had slightly tousled dark brown hair. He stared at them, silently gaping.

“Hi!” Sally said, in as welcoming a tone as she could.

The man uttered a faint “Oh…” and collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.

“Oh my!” exclaimed Sally, hurrying over to the prostrate man, followed closely by Jack and the others, except Edward, who still lay on the ground.

“Help!” he called nervously.

“I’ve gotcha, Ed!” the Hatter said, doubling back and stooping down to help him up.

By the time the two joined the assembly around the latest of the newcomers, Sally was frantically fanning him, everyone else watching and not knowing what to do.

“He reminds me of someone I used to know…” Emily muttered absently.

“Who is causing all this?” Jack asked of no one in particular, “How many more people are going to arrive?”

“Just a few, Skelly, including myself!”

Again, most everyone jumped at the new voice, and, again, Edward began to tip over backwards, though this time was saved by Sally, who pushed him back up so he wouldn’t land on the still senseless man on the ground.

Spinning round, everyone laid their gazes on a green-haired ghoul, wearing a black and white striped suit. He stood there, grinning at them through rotting teeth. Zero began to bark wildy at the phantom, who looked down at the ghost dog.

“Hey, how ya doin’?”

“Are you what’s causing this?” inquired Jack, drawing his attention to him.

The eccentric ghost grinned wider, “That I am! Who but the Ghost-With-The-Most could come up with as brilliant a scheme as this?”

No one had a response for that, so they all just stood in silence. The Hatter tittered.

“You laughing at me!” The ghoul was suddenly face to face with the Mad Hatter.

“No, I’m laughing at me, since you are me.”

The ghoul backed away, and muttered, “Yeesh, What a weirdo! Ya know what I’m sayin’?” he looked at Edward.

“No.” Edward murmured, fearfully.

“That’s okay, not many do!”

The green-haired so called Ghost-With-The-Most gazed at each of them in turn.

“Now, where was I? Oh yeah, time to bring the fun!”

And the flamboyant apparition disappeared, and suddenly new people arrived from thin air. The first was a pretty young woman with red hair. She fell to the ground and looked around her in fear, until her panicked gaze landed on Edward.

“Edward?” she said in astonishment.

“Kim!” Edward said, equally amazed.

“What’s going-” Kim’s statement was cut short as another person materialized next to her. The frightened girl screamed and scrambled away, as a skinny black haired man in a suit stood stock still near her, wide eyed.

“What… Have I died?” he said, shocked.

“Victor!” Emily shouted, hurrying to him, followed closely by Edward, who was moving as fast as he could over to Kim.

“Emily?” Victor’s face portrayed disbelief, “How… What… Am I dead?”

“No, you-” suddenly the green-haired ghoul appeared right in front of her and Edward. Emily gave a cry of surprise and stumbled back, Kim shrieked again, and Victor yelped, leaping away from the ghoul.

“Uh-uh, I don’t want any tearful reunions!” said the spectre, and with that grasped Victor and Kim firmly by the wrists, and before either of them could cry out, disappeared with them. Emily and Edward both cried the names of their loved ones simultaneously. The fiendish ghost reappeared. Furious, Emily rushed at him.

“What have you done with him?” She leapt at the phantom, arms outstretched to grip his throat, but he was already gone, appearing yards from them. Emily landed heavily on the ground, her arm popping off.

“Oh, that looked like it hurt,” said the ghost, “But just hold your horses, will ya? I haven’t shown you everyone, yet.”

Again, he disappeared, and soon two more people arrived. One was a young blond haired woman in a sailor’s outfit. She looked around her in alarm.

“Hatter!” she called. The Hatter, who had been watching all this transpire in confusion, turned to look at her.

“Alice…?” he whispered.

“Hatter, what’s going on?”

“I-I don’t know… I mean, I should know, since this is all in my head…”

“Hatter listen to me! This is not going on in your head. This is real!”

The Hatter looked somewhat unconvinced, but, on looking at Alice’s earnest face, he concluded that this may, in fact, be real. “I’m not that mad.” he said to himself.

The second person had long blond hair, that spilled over her cloak and dress. She looked around her frantically, and screamed when she caught sight of the odd characters amassed near her. It was then that she recognized the unconscious man, who was now muttering to himself in his troubled sleep.

“Ichabod!”

“Katrina…” he murmured.

“Ichabod, wake up!”

“Skeleton… Scissors… Corpse…”

“ICHABOD!”

The man called Ichabod sat up quicker than the eye could follow, making his temporary caretaker Sally yelp in surprise. His frantic gaze searched wildly until it fixated on Katrina.

“Katrina!” He jumped to his feet and raced over to her, and ran headlong into the Ghost-With-The-Most. He cried out in fright, dropping to the ground, as the ghost grinned sinisterly at him.

“Hey.”

The spectre suddenly appeared beside Katrina, and disappeared with her.

“No!” came Ichabod’s strangled cry.

By this time the Mad Hatter and Alice had reached each other.

“Hatter, who was that… ghost?”

“I don’t know, but I expect he’ll be coming for you.”

“He can try.” said Alice, with a grave face.

Sure enough, the ghost appeared again.

“Your turn, Blondie.”

“I don’t think so.” Alice swung a fist at him, putting all her power behind it, but it passed harmlessly through the spectre. She stumbled slightly, stunned, and the ghost made to grab her.

“Ye’ll not be touchin’ a hair on her head.” The Hatter’s voice had undergone a dramatic change. Now it was ominous, instead of giddy, and possessed a prominent Scottish accent. And his eyes, green before, were now yellow, with a murderous glint in them.

He leapt at the ghost with a war cry, but the ghoul was gone before he got there, appearing a little distance away.

“Ya know ya can’t win, right? May as well give up and play along.”

Now Jack, whom had been observing all this, not knowing what to do or how to help, saw his chance. In two easy strides (for him at least) he stood behind the ghost and grabbed him by the shoulders.

“Hey, watch the suit, Skelly!”

Jack’s moment of triumph was cut short as all at once he felt a strange sensation in his bones, as if they were dematerializing. And suddenly he was gone. But he was only gone a mere instant before he landed painfully on the ground, yards from where he had been.

Laying there in shock, Jack watched for a few moments as the Hatter tried and failed to pounce on the green-haired ghoul, who appeared right beside Alice at that moment, gripped her wrist, which she tried to twist in order to free herself, to no avail. He watched as she and the ghoul disappeared.

“Alice!” The Hatter’s hand was extended towards where she had been. He slowly lowered it after a few seconds, still staring at where she’d been standing moments ago, his eyes slowly becoming green once again. Ichabod lay on the turf not far off, shocked and confused. Emily worked to pop her arm back into its socket, muttering angrily to herself. Edward stood, staring at the ground, oblivious to the world.

Jack made his way over to them. He was utterly dumbfounded. Never, in his wildest dreams could he ever have predicted any of this happening. He felt immensely sorry for those around him (even if he barely knew them), who had seen the people they cared for kidnapped by that horrible ghoul. He watched, still slightly stunned, as Sally dashed up to him.

“Jack! Are you alright?”

“Yes, Sally, I’m fine.” He smiled reassuringly at her, a gesture which she returned. And then the spectre popped into existence next to them.

“I’ll be wanting you, too.” And with that, he gripped Sally by the arm.

“Sally!” Jack’s quick, frantic hand that had reached out to grab Sally was only a second too late.

And she was gone.

[theprocrastinatingalien]

Battle of Star Wars - Batch#1 Heats (featuring Princess Leia, Finn, R2-D2 and Jar Jar Binks)

It's been a while, but we're back with another battle... we've had a Battle of the Superheroes, a Battle of Star Trek, and a Battle of The Walking Dead. Now it's time for... the Battle of Star Wars!

Over the next few weeks we will whittle 64 STAR WARDS characters down to just one winner.  Of course, by 'we', that means... you! You kind find the polls for the first of 16 characters over on twitter - add procrastinalien and get voting!

But "who are these 16 characters", I hear you cry!  Well, here is a brief breakdown on the characters begging for you vote in Batch#1.

BODHI ROOK

The first character we have is actually from one of the spin-off movies ROGUE ONE, with Bodhi played by Riz Ahmed. Rook is a former Imperial pilot that defects to fight for the Rebellion.

SHMI SKYWALKER

Pernilla August may not have a whole lot of screen time in THE PHANTOM MENACE and ATTACK OF THE CLONES, but she does have a very important role to play in the STAR WARS universe... she's Darth Vader's mother!  Of course she didn't know her little Anakin would turn out to be a big bad, did she.

R2-D2

Everyone's favourite little white and blue droid. Is he C-3PO's sidekick, or the real hero of the STAR WARS Saga.  I think the latter, personally.  So far only 2 characters have appeared in each of the Saga episodes... and R2 is of them. Originally Kenny Baker was inside the beepy dustbin, but is now played by Jimmy Vee.

ADMIRAL ACKBAR

Anyone for calamari?  Mon Calamari that is.  But be careful "It's a Trap"! Ackbar appears first in RETURN OF THE JEDI, and now reappears in THE FORCE AWAKENS, and THE LAST JEDI.  Erik Bauersfeld voices the Admiral, whilst the movement comes from Tim Rose.

JAR JAR BINKS

Is he really the most 'hated' character in the STAR WARS saga? I mean, really?  Well, possible.  I bet he picks up some votes here though  Ahmed Best played the clumsy Gungan throughout the prequel trilogy, his largest role being THE PHANTOM MENACE.

DRYDEN VOS

Vos is described as the public face of the syndicate Crimson Dawn. He tries to kill Han Solo in SOLO, the second STAR WARS spin-off, and I have to say Paul Bettany cuts a decent villain.

BOSS NASS

The leader of the Gungan's, appearing in THE PHANTOM MENACE, and voiced by the unmistakable tones of Brian Blessed.  In fact, he sort of looks like him too... but more toadlike.

FINN

John Boyega was one of the new generation of STAR WARS actors announced when we found out we were getting a new sequel trilogy.  Finn starts off a stormtrooper (FN-2187) for the First Order, but realises that's not what he wants and becomes one our heroes.

BOBA FETT

Originally played Jeremy Bulloch, Boba Fett quickly became a fan favourite after the bounty hunter turned up in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.  We got a little backstory to the character in the prequel trilogy, when we discover that Boba is actually a clone from his father Jango.

KI-ADI MUNDI

One of the characters played by Silas Carson, Mundi is one of the Jedi Council in the prequel trilogy - and therefore becomes one of the more prominent deaths come REVENGE OF THE SITH.

CAPTAIN PHASMA

Gwendoline Christie (GAMES OF THRONES) is a fancy Stormtrooper type (shiny silver armour no less) who takes a particular dislike to Finn following his defection in THE FORCE AWAKENS.

QI-RA

Before Han Solo fell for a certain princess, and before he fell for a certain heap of flying junk, he had another love - Qi-ra.  They lived on the streets together before both of them making off.   Whilst Han became a smuggler, Qi-ra began working for Crimson Dawn.  She was played by Emilia Clarke (another actor from GAME OF THRONES).

WILHUFF TARKIN

Peter Cushing portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin in the first STAR WARS movie, overseeing command of the Death Star, 'ruling through fear of force'. He's one of the first villains we meet in the universe... and had popped up in other movies played by Wayne Pygram (REVENGE OF THE SITH) and Guy Henry (ROGUE ONE).

C-3PO

Like R2-D2, C-3PO has appeared in all STAR WARS Saga movies, in various stages of construction. The neurotic droid had been played by Anthony Daniels since the beginning, and is expected to appear in the next movie out this year.

SIO BIBBLE

Bibble is described as the governor of Naboo, and a member of the Royal Advisory Council towards the end of the Galactic Republic, and start of the Galactic Empire. He was played by Oliver Ford Davies, and his inclusion isn't at all to fill a gap...

PRINCESS LEIA

So here we have the first of the 'big three' (Luke, Han and Leia) from the original trilogy.  I have purposely separated them into different batches so they can't meet too early.  Leia Organa, is Luke Skywalker's twin sister, and daughter to Darth Vader... with her lover Han Solo, they have a son - Kylo Ren.   Carrie Fisher, played Leia in the first three movies, returning for THE FORCE AWAKENS and THE LAST JEDI.  Despite the actress' death, Leia will return for EPISODE IX.

So there you have it.  Those are your first 16 characters... now get yourselves to twitter and vote for your favourites in each pairing.  In three days the remaining 8 will face each other in the Batch#1 Quarter-Finals. 

[demitgibbs]

Q&A: An Intimate Evening with Deborah Cox

The South Florida community is invited to a sneak peek into the newest project starring Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum recording artist and actress Deborah Cox live at Seaspice, located on the banks of the Miami River. Acclaimed for her starring roles in the hit musicals The Bodyguard, Aida and Jekyll & Hyde, this concert will chart new territory and give you a behind-the-scenes look into Deborah’s latest collaboration. You’ll hear “hits” that you know, new songs that you’ll love and intimate stories from Deborah’s exciting career. Created with renowned Broadway talents Director Richard Jay-Alexander of Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon and Musical Director Joseph Joubert of Motown, The Color Purple and Billy Elliot, this special performance will showcase the sheer beauty and artistry of Deborah Cox like never before. Proceeds from “Arsht Live at Seaspice” support the Arsht Center’s numerous Arts Education initiatives that annually serve more than 55,000 Miami-Dade children and their families.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Deborah Cox and Richard Jay-Alexander (separately) for this Hotspots exclusive Interview:

When did performing become an interest of yours?

It started when I was 11 doing different talent shows and other things, and then I went to a performing arts high school.

What was your first professional gig?

It was my first commercial, and it was for Marvelous Muffins. I was paid $50.

When did you know singing/performing would be your career?

Probably when I was in high school. I was the one that was always tired in first period as I had a gig the night before. It was somewhere around 17.

You have collaborated with many artists. Do you have a favorite and why?

My favorite is the duet I did with Whitney Houston. The reason for that is I felt like everything came full circle for me as an artist. Growing up I looked up to and admired her so much!

You have received many awards for your efforts in the fight for human rights. What made you decide to use your fame for this cause and has this been rewarding for you?

It’s been really rewarding as it came out of purely organic situations. I had lost a few friends from AIDS, and I had other gay and lesbian friends who were shamed and kicked out of their family’s homes. This made me want to speak up on human rights issues, and I have never stopped!

Your Broadway debut was in Aida, how did this come about and tell us about the experience?

I was literally in between albums and had just given birth to my son. The producers were looking for a new AIDA and I just went for it, and got cast. It rekindled my love for musical theater which I had done prior to my albums.

You were recently in the Broadway Tour of the Bodyguard, which, I must say you were AMAZING in, can you tell me about that experience?

Thanks! It was a very liberating experience. It was the most challenging role to date because I knew what the expectations were and I had to deliver 13 Whitney Houston hits!! What I didn’t know was the discipline this role would require. That meant no wine, tons of water, no coffee and being at my very best vocally so I couldn’t afford to get sick. My only days off were the travel day to the next city. I also felt that it came full circle for me. I was able to pay tribute to a long-time mentor, label mate and friend.

Describe yourself in three words?

Focused, nurturing, and fearless.

What should the South Florida audiences expect from this sneak peek of your new show?

Well, this will be the first time working and creating anything like this with Richard. I decided to work with him because I’ve been a fan of his work with the legends. I was introduced to him through a mutual friend and we clicked. I think everything has to do with chemistry and being able to trust a director that will bring out the best in you. I’m a little anxious about the journey.

I am not sure what kind of show they will get because I don’t know what it is yet. I am so excited that the Adrienne Arsht Center and Seaspice are allowing me to test out this experiment right here at home. I wanted to be able to do a show that really reflected on my influences, my likes and I wanted to share more of my own personal stories. I felt like it was time to get off the dance floor for a moment and bring the audience into my living room!

Part of the proceeds from this concert will benefit the Arsht Center’s award winning arts education programs. As an artist, why do you believe arts education is important for our local youth and students?

It’s Huge to have support for our arts programs. Where would we be without the performing arts? I think our youth need an outlet to express themselves. I also feel that we have to nurture the talent and keep programs growing where they can do workshops and have the opportunity to learn from professionals. The summer programs are amazing. I also think that it’s encouraging for them to know that there are world class artists right here at home and to see themselves as a part of that picture.

What does the future hold for you?

More music, live performances and more activism. I think more now than ever we as artists need to use our platform to bring awareness to some of the things we are most passionate about.

Richard Jay-Alexander – Photo by Bruce Glikas

You started out as an actor and now you are a famous director, do you like one more than the other, and what are the differences, creatively?

I love directing, but I didn’t really see it coming in the early parts of my career. When you fall in love with theatre, all you see is the performances. You’re not aware of all of the other skills that go into the creation of the final product. Leadership is also part of directing and I guess when you add up all the years of being class president, producing carnivals for muscular dystrophy as a youth, and anything authoritative like that, it all seems to add up to this trajectory.

As an actor, you have worked with celebrities such as Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone (those two alone make me want to die and go to heaven), Tim Curry, Ron Moody, and Sir Ian McKellen. What did you learn from working with such superstars?

Wow! What a question! I’ve been a professional in the business for 43 years now, and I’m STILL learning “lessons.” Just listening to you drop those names my mind gets flooded with so many things, but, trust me, I have learned from each and every one of the people I have worked with.

As a director, you have worked with even more celebrities. Do you learn more directing or acting, and why?

Why are you asking these difficult questions? It’s crazy and I feel totally blessed to have worked with as many people as I have. But, I’m also fortunate that I’ve worked with so many people that I have admired while growing up, myself. I’ve recently begun to be referred to as “The Diva Whisperer” and it makes me laugh, but I sort of like it, too. I was dubbed that in a meeting with a great dame named Lisa Sharkey, who is the Senior Vice President Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins. We were in a meeting talking about the possibility of a book deal. Having been an actor, a stage manager, a singer, a dancer, a production assistant, a script reader… ALL of those things come into play every single time I step into a rehearsal with a cast or a star. Being able to jump in and out of hoops, myself, helps take away some of the fear, and puts me on the same playing field as whomever I’m working with.

You have directed shows in some of the most famous Concert Halls in the world. Do you have a favorite, and why?

Okay you’re now “officially” the smartest interview I’ve ever had. You haven’t asked me one repeat question from all the years I’ve been doing interviews. Every single venue is awesome in and of itself, but I must say, Carnegie Hall and The Hollywood Bowl are two of my absolute favorites. Every time I return to either of those, I still get chills.

You are on the Executive Board of one of my favorite organizations: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. When did you get on the Board, and tell our readers why?

Okay, you’re killing me, now! I’ve been on the board since near the very beginning and was there when Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares came together as one. It was a simple decision, really. Our business was being obliterated by the loss of lives and talent. To this day, sitting on that board and being led by Tom Viola, our Executive Director, and a committee of leaders in the theater community is one of my proudest responsibilities.

You are also Camp Director for Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp. What made you take this position and is Kristin as super sweet as I think she is?

Being the Camp Director for Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp fell in my lap out of nowhere. When we were on Broadway doing “Kristin Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway,” I was in her dressing room one night, and she was despondent over the direction her camp was going in. She had dreams and goals for it, and felt they might be off-track. This happens to many not-for-profits in their early years, and, at that point, I volunteered to step in and help her. It has been a joy, and is one of my favorite things I look forward to every year. The kids are high school age and theatre obsessed, so they’re basically ME, when I was that age. Kristin is a marvel and insanely talented. But she cares about proper education, the arts, and helping young people realize that training and having a career can be within your grasp… no matter where you live or come from. This is also why Deborah Cox and I are doing The Seaspice Event which supports The Adrienne Arsht Center’s Arts Education and Community Outreach Programs.

How did your new project with Deborah Cox come about, and what should our readers expect from this sneak peek of your new collaboration?

This is a very happy story. I went to see The Bodyguard on tour when it played The Arsht. I knew about Deborah Cox and her music, but I had never laid eyes on her, on a stage. Everyone knows this NOW, but, that night, I threw my shoe in the air more than a couple of times. I remember thinking to myself, “SURELY, she’s doing this for me. She can’t possibly do this eight times a week!” Just weeks later, I received an email from a leading producer in New York, named Nick Scandalios (who also sits on the BC/EFA board) telling me that Deborah wants to put together a new show, and expand her wings, musically, beyond her legendary dance & music career. We arranged a meeting… it was pretty magical… and, here we are! We’re in the middle of the process, and we’re exploring all kinds of music, and also her unique background and story. The people who attend the event at Seaspice are going to witness where we’re at mid-process, and how and why we’re trying to analyze and conquer the type of material we want to share with an audience. I don’t believe this is done at a regional level, or a local level, but at a world-class level, and what we arrive at, ultimately, should be able to grace any stage across the globe. Deborah is nervous because she feels people expect a certain something, and they will get that, but, I have assured her that they will join her for the rest of the ride, as we move forward. It’s always scary, whether it’s Barbra, Bette, Bernadette, etc. But, we do it together, and we also have the guidance of a brilliant musical director, who is a star in his own right, and his name is Joseph Joubert.

One of the most fascinating things about Deborah, was learning that she is Canadian. More on that as well as being a mom, a wife, an activist, a dance diva, a friend of Whitney Houston’s, a Broadway star, a Fashionista, etc. when we see you at Seaspice.

Arsht Live at Seaspice (422 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL) featuring Deborah Cox takes place on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm with tickets starting at $75.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2019/01/24/qa-an-intimate-evening-with-deborah-cox/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/182270897215

[hotspotsmagazine]

Q&A: An Intimate Evening with Deborah Cox

The South Florida community is invited to a sneak peek into the newest project starring Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum recording artist and actress Deborah Cox live at Seaspice, located on the banks of the Miami River. Acclaimed for her starring roles in the hit musicals The Bodyguard, Aida and Jekyll & Hyde, this concert will chart new territory and give you a behind-the-scenes look into Deborah’s latest collaboration. You’ll hear “hits” that you know, new songs that you’ll love and intimate stories from Deborah’s exciting career. Created with renowned Broadway talents Director Richard Jay-Alexander of Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon and Musical Director Joseph Joubert of Motown, The Color Purple and Billy Elliot, this special performance will showcase the sheer beauty and artistry of Deborah Cox like never before. Proceeds from “Arsht Live at Seaspice” support the Arsht Center’s numerous Arts Education initiatives that annually serve more than 55,000 Miami-Dade children and their families.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Deborah Cox and Richard Jay-Alexander (separately) for this Hotspots exclusive Interview:

When did performing become an interest of yours?

It started when I was 11 doing different talent shows and other things, and then I went to a performing arts high school.

What was your first professional gig?

It was my first commercial, and it was for Marvelous Muffins. I was paid $50.

When did you know singing/performing would be your career?

Probably when I was in high school. I was the one that was always tired in first period as I had a gig the night before. It was somewhere around 17.

You have collaborated with many artists. Do you have a favorite and why?

My favorite is the duet I did with Whitney Houston. The reason for that is I felt like everything came full circle for me as an artist. Growing up I looked up to and admired her so much!

You have received many awards for your efforts in the fight for human rights. What made you decide to use your fame for this cause and has this been rewarding for you?

It’s been really rewarding as it came out of purely organic situations. I had lost a few friends from AIDS, and I had other gay and lesbian friends who were shamed and kicked out of their family’s homes. This made me want to speak up on human rights issues, and I have never stopped!

Your Broadway debut was in Aida, how did this come about and tell us about the experience?

I was literally in between albums and had just given birth to my son. The producers were looking for a new AIDA and I just went for it, and got cast. It rekindled my love for musical theater which I had done prior to my albums.

You were recently in the Broadway Tour of the Bodyguard, which, I must say you were AMAZING in, can you tell me about that experience?

Thanks! It was a very liberating experience. It was the most challenging role to date because I knew what the expectations were and I had to deliver 13 Whitney Houston hits!! What I didn’t know was the discipline this role would require. That meant no wine, tons of water, no coffee and being at my very best vocally so I couldn’t afford to get sick. My only days off were the travel day to the next city. I also felt that it came full circle for me. I was able to pay tribute to a long-time mentor, label mate and friend.

Describe yourself in three words?

Focused, nurturing, and fearless.

What should the South Florida audiences expect from this sneak peek of your new show?

Well, this will be the first time working and creating anything like this with Richard. I decided to work with him because I’ve been a fan of his work with the legends. I was introduced to him through a mutual friend and we clicked. I think everything has to do with chemistry and being able to trust a director that will bring out the best in you. I’m a little anxious about the journey.

I am not sure what kind of show they will get because I don’t know what it is yet. I am so excited that the Adrienne Arsht Center and Seaspice are allowing me to test out this experiment right here at home. I wanted to be able to do a show that really reflected on my influences, my likes and I wanted to share more of my own personal stories. I felt like it was time to get off the dance floor for a moment and bring the audience into my living room!

Part of the proceeds from this concert will benefit the Arsht Center’s award winning arts education programs. As an artist, why do you believe arts education is important for our local youth and students?

It’s Huge to have support for our arts programs. Where would we be without the performing arts? I think our youth need an outlet to express themselves. I also feel that we have to nurture the talent and keep programs growing where they can do workshops and have the opportunity to learn from professionals. The summer programs are amazing. I also think that it’s encouraging for them to know that there are world class artists right here at home and to see themselves as a part of that picture.

What does the future hold for you?

More music, live performances and more activism. I think more now than ever we as artists need to use our platform to bring awareness to some of the things we are most passionate about.

Richard Jay-Alexander – Photo by Bruce Glikas

You started out as an actor and now you are a famous director, do you like one more than the other, and what are the differences, creatively?

I love directing, but I didn’t really see it coming in the early parts of my career. When you fall in love with theatre, all you see is the performances. You’re not aware of all of the other skills that go into the creation of the final product. Leadership is also part of directing and I guess when you add up all the years of being class president, producing carnivals for muscular dystrophy as a youth, and anything authoritative like that, it all seems to add up to this trajectory.

As an actor, you have worked with celebrities such as Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone (those two alone make me want to die and go to heaven), Tim Curry, Ron Moody, and Sir Ian McKellen. What did you learn from working with such superstars?

Wow! What a question! I’ve been a professional in the business for 43 years now, and I’m STILL learning “lessons.” Just listening to you drop those names my mind gets flooded with so many things, but, trust me, I have learned from each and every one of the people I have worked with.

As a director, you have worked with even more celebrities. Do you learn more directing or acting, and why?

Why are you asking these difficult questions? It’s crazy and I feel totally blessed to have worked with as many people as I have. But, I’m also fortunate that I’ve worked with so many people that I have admired while growing up, myself. I’ve recently begun to be referred to as “The Diva Whisperer” and it makes me laugh, but I sort of like it, too. I was dubbed that in a meeting with a great dame named Lisa Sharkey, who is the Senior Vice President Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins. We were in a meeting talking about the possibility of a book deal. Having been an actor, a stage manager, a singer, a dancer, a production assistant, a script reader… ALL of those things come into play every single time I step into a rehearsal with a cast or a star. Being able to jump in and out of hoops, myself, helps take away some of the fear, and puts me on the same playing field as whomever I’m working with.

You have directed shows in some of the most famous Concert Halls in the world. Do you have a favorite, and why?

Okay you’re now “officially” the smartest interview I’ve ever had. You haven’t asked me one repeat question from all the years I’ve been doing interviews. Every single venue is awesome in and of itself, but I must say, Carnegie Hall and The Hollywood Bowl are two of my absolute favorites. Every time I return to either of those, I still get chills.

You are on the Executive Board of one of my favorite organizations: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. When did you get on the Board, and tell our readers why?

Okay, you’re killing me, now! I’ve been on the board since near the very beginning and was there when Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares came together as one. It was a simple decision, really. Our business was being obliterated by the loss of lives and talent. To this day, sitting on that board and being led by Tom Viola, our Executive Director, and a committee of leaders in the theater community is one of my proudest responsibilities.

You are also Camp Director for Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp. What made you take this position and is Kristin as super sweet as I think she is?

Being the Camp Director for Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp fell in my lap out of nowhere. When we were on Broadway doing “Kristin Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway,” I was in her dressing room one night, and she was despondent over the direction her camp was going in. She had dreams and goals for it, and felt they might be off-track. This happens to many not-for-profits in their early years, and, at that point, I volunteered to step in and help her. It has been a joy, and is one of my favorite things I look forward to every year. The kids are high school age and theatre obsessed, so they’re basically ME, when I was that age. Kristin is a marvel and insanely talented. But she cares about proper education, the arts, and helping young people realize that training and having a career can be within your grasp… no matter where you live or come from. This is also why Deborah Cox and I are doing The Seaspice Event which supports The Adrienne Arsht Center’s Arts Education and Community Outreach Programs.

How did your new project with Deborah Cox come about, and what should our readers expect from this sneak peek of your new collaboration?

This is a very happy story. I went to see The Bodyguard on tour when it played The Arsht. I knew about Deborah Cox and her music, but I had never laid eyes on her, on a stage. Everyone knows this NOW, but, that night, I threw my shoe in the air more than a couple of times. I remember thinking to myself, “SURELY, she’s doing this for me. She can’t possibly do this eight times a week!” Just weeks later, I received an email from a leading producer in New York, named Nick Scandalios (who also sits on the BC/EFA board) telling me that Deborah wants to put together a new show, and expand her wings, musically, beyond her legendary dance & music career. We arranged a meeting… it was pretty magical… and, here we are! We’re in the middle of the process, and we’re exploring all kinds of music, and also her unique background and story. The people who attend the event at Seaspice are going to witness where we’re at mid-process, and how and why we’re trying to analyze and conquer the type of material we want to share with an audience. I don’t believe this is done at a regional level, or a local level, but at a world-class level, and what we arrive at, ultimately, should be able to grace any stage across the globe. Deborah is nervous because she feels people expect a certain something, and they will get that, but, I have assured her that they will join her for the rest of the ride, as we move forward. It’s always scary, whether it’s Barbra, Bette, Bernadette, etc. But, we do it together, and we also have the guidance of a brilliant musical director, who is a star in his own right, and his name is Joseph Joubert.

One of the most fascinating things about Deborah, was learning that she is Canadian. More on that as well as being a mom, a wife, an activist, a dance diva, a friend of Whitney Houston’s, a Broadway star, a Fashionista, etc. when we see you at Seaspice.

Arsht Live at Seaspice (422 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL) featuring Deborah Cox takes place on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm with tickets starting at $75.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2019/01/24/qa-an-intimate-evening-with-deborah-cox/

[amplesalty]

Day 31 - Halloween (2007) / Halloween 2017 summary

Like a reboot to the face

Well, another year that didn’t go so well. I kept up with actually watching stuff though...mostly. We’ll get on to that...

This just felt really brutal. That’s not to say the violence or anything but just the tone of it. I mean, you start with this backstory into Michael Myers in this run down, working class home with an abusive, drunken, layabout (step?) father. Then you slowly come to learn of his gateway behaviour of killing animals before he makes the step up by ambushing a school bully and beating him to death with a large branch.

I’d say this is worth watching, even if it’s just for the ‘prequel’ of the first half hour or so. Once you get to modern day, it’s just standard slasher fare treading old ground. Albeit, with a lot of Rob Zombie alumni along the way and a few ‘Oh hey, it’s you!’ moments. Like Danielle Harris coming back to the franchise as one of the babysitter types that gets attacked by Michael, or even ‘Yuri’ himself, Udo Kier, in a brief appearance.

It’s gonna be weird going in next year with only having the sequel to this left to go in the franchise. Though, I suppose there is the next Carpenter movie due next year so I could always drag the life of this gimmick out into 2019 by watching that then.

Anyway, here’s a list of what I did watch. Kind of fell apart in the past week or so but still a fairly decent effort.

Day 1 - Prince of Darkness (1987) Day 2 - Maniac Cop (1988) Day 3 - Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) Day 4 - Hocus Pocus (1993) Day 5 - Frozen (2010) Day 6 - Beyond Re-Animator (2003) Day 7 - The Omen (1976) Day 8 - Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Day 9 - Scream (1996) Day 10 - Last Man on Earth (1964) Day 11 - Videodrome (1983) Day 13 - Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) Day 14 - Leprechaun (1993) Day 15 - V/H/S (2012) Day 16 - Phantasm (1979) Day 18 - Nightmare on Elm Street 2 (1985) Day 19 - Island of Lost Souls (1932) Day 20 - Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) Day 21 - Pumpkinhead (1988) Day 24 - Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996) Day 25 - King Kong (1933) Day 31 - Halloween (2007)

Frozen I liked, it’s a lot of weird mixtures. You have these people trapped in this sort of fantastical scenario of being stuck on a ski lift but it’s a hell of a lot more realistic than most other horror movies. And it’s very minimalist and claustrophobic considering it’s set on a vast mountainside.

Omen and Beyond Re-Animator I liked, BRA being much better than I remember Bride of Re-Animator being. Gotta love Jeffrey Combs.

Rocky Horror Picture Show I was quite disappointed with. Tim Curry tour-de-force aside, I was kinda bored by the whole thing. I think next year I need to look into Phantom of the Paradise, which I gather is a mix of that Rocky Horror vibe (although Paradise came first) and Phantom of the Opera.

Scream was a weird experience because I honestly can’t remember if I’d seen it before. Having watched Scary Movie previously, I coudn’t tell if I was remembering stuff from that or it’s source.

Last Man on Earth was okay, Videodrome was fucking weird but hey, it’s Cronenberg, that goes without saying. Friday the 13th, lol, final chapter my arse. Like Halloween 4, it heavily implies it’s going to strange new places by making Tommy Jarvis the new killer but I’m guessing that doesn’t pan out.

Leprechaun, amazingly ridiculous. V/H/S and Phantasm...eh. Nightmare on Elm Street 2 I really liked. I think because for the most part it was more open to the interpretation that it was more Jesse going crazy than it actually being Freddy. With something like a Friday the 13th sequel, it’s like ‘Oh, Jason is here again to slaughter another bunch of non descript kids. Yawn.’ I think that’s more interesting when you can’t really pin point what’s going on, that maybe it’s the mythos or idea behind Freddy, the bad vibes in the neighbourhood that is inspiring someone else.

Ernest, Jim Varney is a bit OTT at times with the gurning but good dumb fun nontheless. Likewise with Tremors 2, that benefits greatly from Burt Gummer being in again. He adds a lot of levity that would be sorely missing without him.

Outside of Hocus Pocus, I think my stand outs this year would be Nightmare 2, Scream, Frozen and Omen. What can I say though, I love my campy silliness. Hocus Pocus FTW!