#after learning Megs won't hurt her

[cityzenshark]

Likely a hot take: I find it hard to believe ES Megatron is as tyrannical as his G1 self.

There are implications of his harsh treatments, discipline, leadership towards his own troops in the past, Decepticons hating him because of his betrayal, but that's Megs on the Cons, not Megs to planet Earth or the entirety of the war. Prowl is the only Autobot seen being distrustful of him and he was painted a bad guy for it.

One of Megatron's main traits throughout the franchise (except Shattered Glass) is his sheer hatred towards organic races. Lost Light Megs still dislike them yet he doesn't let that hate turn destructive anymore. The irredeemable Megs though? They hate organics; they loath humans especially.

ES Megatron isn't like that. There's no way the regular Megs would want to work with humans, let alone want one in his vicinity. Perhaps he and Dot are just work friends -- formal friendship -- yet it obviously became more than that despite having not seen each other in years before the start of the show.

It's weird that people link G1 Megs and ES Megs as the same person when they're not. ES Megs is harsh, yes, but not tyrannical.

[pjsk-story-summaries]

Tenma Tsukasa "The Way Back Home for You and Me" Fes Card Story Summary

Fan translation (Tsukasa's Number 3 Fan)

Part 1: Wonderlands x Showtime debrief after a practice involving emotion-based improv. Once reaching the station, Emu and Nene head off to go shopping while Tsukasa asks Rui for advice on how to understand side character's narratives. Tsukasa wants to be able to imagine the stories of characters different to himself more. Rui suggests practicing with a simpler story: picture books.

At home, Tsukasa digs through his shelf and finds an old book he'd used to read to Saki often: "A Way Back Home for You and Me". The story follows two young siblings. After their good friend and neighbor suddenly had to move, the older brother decides to cheer up his little sister by walking to visit their new house. Tsukasa had idolized the brother in that book, but he still doesn't know what kind of expression he had made once finally reaching their destination since his back was turned in the illustration and the only dialogue was the sister saying, "Big bro, you're making such a weird face!".

Tsukasa decides to read the book to find the answer. Suddenly, his phone flashes, transporting him into SEKAI. He finds a glowing ball lying around and assumes the plushies had left it out. When he goes to put it away for them, it transports him to a strange place.

Part 2: Tsukasa assumes he's dreaming and pinches himself. When it hurts, he realizes it's real. A young girl and boy race in front of him, so he stops them from racing into the street and crashing into a biker. Tsukasa immediately recognizes the two as the main characters from his picture book, Meg and Hero. Tsukasa decides to accompany the two to learn more about the story. He tells them about his own sister to convince them. Tsukasa notes that he shouldn't interfere much to not accidentally alter the story.

However, after walking around for an hour, Meg gets sleepy. She asks Hero for a piggyback ride, to which the brother agrees, even though he's extremely tired himself. Despite his plan to not interfere, Tsukasa offers to carry Meg instead so Hero doesn't hurt himself. He does a little dance to prove his energy, cheering the both of them up. Even if this means Tsukasa won't figure out what that "weird face" is, he'd rather see the two kids smile.

Tsukasa delivered the two kids to their friend's house safe and sound. He realizes there that he never needed to see what that expression was: he already knows it. Tsukasa praises Hero for being a good big brother and tells him to hold back the tears, since his little sister and friend are watching.

Tsukasa is transported back to the main SEKAI, where he finds Miku. Miku explains what a Fragment of Feelings is and asks if it was a scary place. Tsukasa reassures her that it was exactly where he needed to go.

[dead-by-mending]

Legion members and what they think of each survivor

The title says it all. Once again, feedback would be appreciated

Dwight : Frank, Julie and Joey straight up think he's pathetic (they're just annoyed that he keeps hiding in lockers), while Susie just thinks he's trying, but not enough

Meg : While the others don't care about her, Frank and Susie actually like her. Frank because since she's a sprinter, she actually gives him a bit of a challenge and he likes that, and Susie... because she's cute and has a nice mask ?

Claudette : They're just so annoyed with how many times she was hiding right under their noses all the time, but Joey still kinda feels bad for her, especially after he learned about her social awkwardness, as he was like that sometime (he also thinks she's cute but won't admit it)

Jake : They hate Saboteur with a burning passion, so they have to hate the one who brought it, right ? Well actually no, Frank and Julie think he's kinda cool, living alone in the forest. That's the kind of life they would have prefered to Ormond

Nea : She's pretty much a bitch to every killer, trying to piss them off as much as she can thinking she can run them for hours (and it usually doesn't work). Too bad for her, the Legion is EXACTLY about that, so they love her attitude. Julie secretly wishes she could be friends with her

Laurie : Obviously they're always excited about the idea that they can stab the most iconic final girl herself, especially Frank and Julie. They used to hate DS, but since its nerf, not so much...

Ace : While they can get probably as cocky as him, they just can't stand that guy. Susie finds the grin he has in the lobby extra creepy

Bill : They don't understand how this old man can keep up. Then he looked cooler when they learned he did Vietnam and was shooting up zombies before diying and getting taken by the Entity

Feng Min : Susie is the only one to tolerate her, the others think she's just ultra annoying, like Nea but worse. She shouldn't have called them cringe, because now they keep calling her like that (even tho they don't know what it means)

David : They don't really care about him, and even less about him being gay (or anyone's sexuality or ethnicity, they just stab everyone the same). But once he tried to punch Frank in the face, and now he makes it personal every single trial where he faces him

Quentin : They don't know why, but they like this gremlin, especially Frank. They think he's funny when he just falls asleep at some random moment (because yes, it happens sometimes)

Tapp : If you're familiar with what the Legion was doing before killing, then you can guess they're not fond of law enforcement, including cops like Tapp. They prefer causing mayhem everywhere

Kate : Frank's soulmate (I will die on this hill). When they're in a trial together, he doesn't want to hurt her, but she doesn't the Entity to get displeased at him because of that... Meanwhile, the others don't care about her (not even Julie, she moved on so she couldn't care less)

Adam : What I said earlier about Legion and law enforcement also goes for education. So you can guess that they don't really like Adam either. However they have a bit of respect for him for sacrificing himself to save a girl in the train crash that got him here

Jeff : Their old pal from high school. None of them recognized him at first, because he had grown up, but once they did, they were kinda happy to see him. They try to let him live as much as possible (especially Susie)

Jane : Joey and Susie see her differently : he sees a thicc latina that's exactly his type, she sees what Jane is trying to be, a body positivity icon, as Susie is a bit chubby herself and got bullied for that... Meanwhile, Frank and Julie couldn't care less

Ash : Frank was in shambles when he saw Ash for the first time in a trial, as he's a big Evil Dead fan. He was kinda disappointed to see him without his chainsaw or boomstick though, he was hoping he could steal those

Steve : Their opinion on him evolved just like he did in the show : they saw him as an annoying douche at first, then started to like him for getting cooler

Nancy : At first they thought she would be boring. They quickly realized how wrong they were, especially Julie. Now they're either afraid or excited that she could bring guns in trials

Jonathan : Who ? No seriously they almost never see him, which is a shame because his music taste would surely fit some of the Legion members

Yui : They all think she's kinda cool. I mean, I don't know if you've seen a champion biker girl not being cool, but honestly, I never saw that happen

Zarina : Curiosity killed the cat, like they say. They wouldn't like her to search into their lives, especially Frank and Julie who made some "special recordings" of themselves...

Cheryl : They thought she was kinda cool at first, but now they're afraid of her, ever since they learned about how she killed a literal god, after giving birth to it (man Silent Hill's lore is confusing)

Cybil : Just like with Tapp, they like to show her their opinion on law enforcement... And let's just say it doesn't always end well...

Lisa : Frank always had a nurse fetish, so before starting to date Kate, he was really enjoying a trial against Lisa... Now he just asks Kate to wear a nurse outfit when they're alone...

James : At first they just found him weird because of his attitude. Then they thought he was creepy because they learned about Mary and how it created Pyramid Head. And now they hate him because he's basically the reason Midwich exists and they'll never forgive him for that (me neither)

Maria : She just kinda exist ? Just like Jonathan, they very rarely see her

Felix : Frank and Joey were just a bit jealous of his good looks. Frank still does, but now Joey feels bad about him because he got taken while his girlfriend was pregnant, meaning he has a child but may never see them ever...

Elodie : Julie likes her independent spirit and taste for adventure. But she and the other Legion members hate Power Struggle so much. No, they don't hate her because she's French, Canadians and Frenchs are bros

Yun-jin : A girl that's stylish and independent ? That's exactly the kind of girl Julie would like to be friends with. Too bad they don't have the same music taste and that one has to kill the other, otherwise they'd get along so well

Jill : Frank and Joey knew her from the og RE1, so they almost didn't recognize her (since it's her RE3 remake version). Also, they hate Blast mine so freaking much

Leon : No one knew him because the og RE2 came out after they were taken by the Entity. They soon learned that he could either be a nice dude to hang out with or literally the worst person to mess up with. Also they think Flashbang is funny (except when it actually works)

Claire : Same as Leon, but they can't take her really seriously

Chris : They just hate him because he always tries to punch them (and every other killer). He's just stupid

Mikaela : They found boons annoying at first, but now they mostly don't care. They find it dope to have a literal witch in the realm anyway. And let's just say her leather pants fashion didn't get unnoticed...

Jonah : It's not a good idea to have a CIA operative who loves math with a bunch of math haters... But not so much if said CIA operative committed war crimes...

Yoichi : They only knew his kid version from the original Ringu movie, so it felt weird for them to see him as an adult. And they don't like him so much since he's a teacher

Haddie : She's just kinda weird according to them, with her visions and all... But that's still kinda cool

Ada : Frank and Joey honestly were really interested in her...until they learned about Leon's feeling for her, they stopped having those thoughts. Professionals have standards

Rebecca : Frank thinks she's maybe just as sweet as Kate. But obviously not as beautiful

Carlos : An actual mercenary ? That's just really cool

Sheva : Apart from Joey, who seems to have a type, they don't really care about her. Sure, she's a military, that's cool, but that's it

Vittorio : They were kinda surprised to see a dude from the Middle Age here, and they got an existential crisis wondering if they were going to live that long or more in the Entity's realm...

Thalyta and Renato : Twin survivors ? Sure, why not ? Apparently Thalyta goes into Joey's type, and Renato seems really relatable to Susie for some reason...

Gabriel : They wish they could find him cool because of the fact that he's a clone but one thing stands in the way : MADE FOR THIS

Nicolas Cage : I could literally sum up their reaction with "What in the actual fu-". Seriously everyone was extremly surprised to see Nic fucking Cage arriving to the Entity's realm. And with his perks being overall so funny

Ripley : Frank loved the Alien movies, so seeing Ripley here was just so dope

(Sorry if it took so long, school was taking a lot of my time. That's also why some of the recent parts are short, I wanted to finish this quickly)

[yes-i-write-fanfiction]

I’d like to imagine that a good ‘ole kick or punch in between the legs has the same effect on Cybertronians as it does for humans, and since I just binged watched Chainsaw Man and had many a witness to Denji’s signature ‘nuts or nothing’ technique, how would the TFP Bots react to their young and scrappy recruit repeatedly kicking Megs in the family jewels?

Optimus is slightly horrified. He's never kicked someone in the nuts, never considered kicking anyone in the nuts, and it seems like a low blow to him (pun intended). Honestly feels bad for Megatron and has to actually pull the young bot away after a few kicks. Tries to impart on them the value of honest fighting.

As a medic, Ratchet knows exactly how much being kicked like that hurts, and Megatron is getting struck repeatedly so he can't help but wince at the scene. Afterwards though, once the fight is finished, he's gonna pat them on the back and tell them they did a good job. What? It was amusing as hell seeing Megatron writhe around in pain like that.

Bumblebee just learned a new move! He will only use it in desperate situations though, when he's out of any other options. With great power comes great responsibility and all that.

Bulkhead makes a mental note to never piss this bot off, at least not when they are within kicking distance. As much as he likes to see Megatron get his ass handed to him he can't stand to watch this brutal display and ends up looking away.

After staring in shock for a few seconds, Arcee just nods her head. To be honest, Megatron deserves to be kicked in the nuts so she don't feel even a twinge of sympathy for him. Will praise the bot later and offer to teach them how to improve their kicking technique.

Just like Bumblebee, Smokescreen is gonna adapt this move. The difference is that Smokescreen won't hesitate to use it. It's his main attack now.

He never thought it would happen but Wheeljack actually feels kinda bad for Megatron in this situation. He's been kicked down there before so he knows just how painful it is. Still, if it works it works and he ain't gonna tell them to stop.

Ultra Magnus is absolutely HORRIFIED. Not because he feels bad for Megatron or anything but because it's such a cheap and dirty tactic! There's nothing in the autobot code against these kinds of attacks but there should be! In fact, he's going to ask Optimus if he can add a paragraph to prohibit this kind of behavior.

[twoidiotwriters1]

Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Making my teen self's dreams come true next week I'm seeing FOB live -Danny Words: 2,767 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Sailboat Bed' -by The Devil Music Co.

XII: My Lil Prince (Derogatory)

In retrospect, she just pretended not to know this would happen because then maybe it wouldn't happen. The gods use that tactic all the time and every now and then it works, but now she's mending bones and stitching up campers, going from one side to another because Austin and Kayla have been taken, so Lily and Ara try to help where they can. 

Harley is devastated and frightened, he thinks Apollo will see to his death, and considering how impulsive he is, Ara wouldn't put it past him. However, Apollo and Meg are nowhere to be found. Ara keeps Harley close, not wanting him to run into the forest in a desperate attempt to fix things. 

Day becomes night, and Ara acknowledges she can't go home. Her campers need her. She's going to Chiron when she discovers Apollo is there, she just hadn't noticed him. Meg is there too. 

"Ara..." Harley whimpers quietly, clinging to the back of her shirt. 

Ara's voice remains firm. "Recognize your faults and move on. I won't let him hurt you." The boy grabs her hand, the other clinging to his beacon. Ara takes him to Apollo and clears her throat. "Harley, go on..." She squeezes his small, calloused palm encouragingly.

"It's my fault," the young boy mumbles tearily. "I got them lost. I... I'm sorry." She looks at Apollo prepared to threaten him if he tries to curse Harley, but the boy looks at the camper with a heavy gaze.

"It's all right," Apollo says hoarsely.

"The racecourse went into the woods," Harley continues, lip quivering. "It shouldn't have done that. They got lost and... and—"

"Harley," Apollo says slowly. "May I see your beacon?" 

The boy looks at Ara and she nods. "It's okay, I'm here."

Apollo begins to tamper with it carefully. "I'm not an inventor—I don't have your father's skills. But I do know music. I believe automatons prefer a frequency of E at 329.6 hertz. It resonates best with Celestial bronze. If you adjust your signal—"

"Festus might hear it?" Harley drops Ara's hand. "Really?"

"I don't know. Just as you could not have known what the Labyrinth would do today. But that doesn't mean we should stop trying. Never stop inventing, son of Hephaestus."

The boy wraps his arms around Apollo and crushes his ribcage, then runs away in a sort of giddy state. Ara pushes a strand of hair behind her ear trying not to look pleased. "That... that was nice. Thank you. Harley's learning to deal with his pent-up stamina and I haven't been able to give him the attention he needs. It's been a couple of hard..." she sighs. "Years."

Lester blushes, everyone tends to get flustered when Ara bestows upon them her kind side. "It wasn't his fault. The labyrinth... I think someone is controlling it."

Ara frowns. "That's impossible, only Daedalus and Pasiphaë had control over it."

"Let's go get Chiron."

"You're not going," Meg concludes. 

"What? You can't—"

"That's an order. No going into the woods until I say so."

Apollo's body stiffens after she says that. Apparently, the whole being her servant is a real thing. "Meg McCaffrey, if my children die because you wouldn't let me—"

"Like Chiron said, you'd just get yourself killed. We'll wait for daylight."

"I'll go with you," Ara announces. "If you're right and someone is using the labyrinth to get a hold of my campers, I have to take care of them."

Chiron makes a face. "Well, then... I will see you three in the morning. We will find a solution. I promise you that."

The centaur leaves them. Apollo glares at Meg. "I'm staying out here tonight, in case Kayla and Austin come back. Unless you want to forbid me from doing that, too." 

It's a useless deed, but twenty minutes later, the three of them are camping at the edge of the forest. Apollo and Meg sit on a blanket while Ara paces quietly with Pollo seated a few feet to her right, pushing little rocks out of her way each time she approaches. She changed into flannel PJs because her clothes got bloodstained. Snow starts to come down then, worsening Ara's mood. She hates cold, Leo and her met in winter, so now this season is not only annoying but also depressing.

Whenever they had cold nights in the Argo, she would sneak into Leo's room and cuddle with him, and at home, she could use his forgotten hoodies if hers weren't warm enough. Leo had always represented warmth, and safety in her life, someone she could be soft with. At camp she doesn't get that kind of princess treatment, she gives it. 

Ara remembers what Percy said, about her being run dry by the world, and she wonders if Apollo is here to do that. It's his fault Leo isn't here, so that's quite the obvious hint.

"We should go inside," Meg shivers, slumping into her jacket.

"And abandon them?" Apollo scoffs.

"Don't be stupid." Meg says. "You'll freeze out here."

"They were my children." Apollo's voice quivers. "I should've done more to protect them. I should have anticipated that my enemies would target them to hurt me."

"You've had a lot of children. You take the blame every time one of them gets in trouble?"

Ara thinks of Michael, if the god even knows how much Ara and Lily loved his son, and how much the entirety of Olympus owes him. There would be no daughter of Olympus without Michael Yew. 

"It's my fault Python retook Delphi," Apollo continues. "If I had killed him the moment he reappeared, while I was still a god, he would never have become so powerful. He would never have made an alliance with this... this Beast."

"What beast?"

"That's who's in charge of whatever's happening inside the forest and the labyrinth," Apollo glances at Meg with a frown. "And you know him. In the Labyrinth, when you heard the Beast's voice, you were terrified."

Ara turns to the girl. "Do you?"

"Meg, he wants to destroy me," Apollo insists. "Somehow, he's behind these disappearances. The more we understand about this man—"

"He lives in New York."

Apollo and Ara share a look. "All right... That narrows it down to eight and a half million people. What else?"

"If you're a demigod on the streets, you hear about the Beast," Meg stares at her fingers as she grumbles out her response. "He takes people like me."

"Takes people... why?" Apollo asks.

"To train. To use like... servants, soldiers. I don't know."

"And you've met him."

"Please don't ask me—"

"Meg."

"He killed my dad."

"That's what they meant," Ara crouches. "The plague spirits..." the girl places a gentle hand on top of Meg's to absorb some of her discomfort. "I could've been one of those kids if my satyr hadn't found me. But you... you weren't abandoned, Meg, so why did he take you?"

"I refused to work for him. My dad tried to..." Her breath trembles. "I was really small. I hardly remember it. I got away. Otherwise, the Beast would've killed me, too. My stepdad took me in. He was good to me. You asked why he trained me to fight? Why he gave me the rings? He wanted me to be safe, to be able to protect myself."

"From the Beast."

Meg moves her hand away from Ara's. "Being a good demigod, training hard... that's the only way to keep the Beast away. Now you know."

"I had no idea of this," Ara says. "How come neither Chiron nor I knew about this?"

"It's not your job," Apollo says bitterly. "It's supposed to be us, we should keep track of our kids. We're meant to tell you where to find them, but we don't. We forget."

Ara locks eyes with the boy, and for the first time, he looks almost human. "It's shameful. Why do we worship you if everything gets done by us?" The gods never delivered the right resources, tools, or information to do the job right. The very own system she leans on was messed up since before she was even born, and all she's achieved has been mostly thanks to her human side.

After an hour or so of irate silence, helicopter noises catch their attention. Apollo gets up and stands next to Ara. "Who's that?" Meg asks.

"That is Rachel Elizabeth Dare," Apollo sounds relieved. "Let's go see what the Oracle of Delphi has to say." 

"Rachel?" Apollo croaks out.

She seems just as disappointed in him. "So it's true."

Apollo turns to Meg, looking to keep her away from the grown-up talk. Ara used to hate that. "Would you tell the others that Rachel needs some space? Fetch Chiron. He should come up. The rest should wait." Meg turns to Ara for confirmation and she nods, so the girl obeys. 

"A friend of yours?" Rachel asks.

"New camper," Ara eyes her with concern. "Let's go to your cave."

Rachel glances at Apollo. "Heads up, you won't like it. But yes, that's probably the safest place."

The murals have been painted over except one: The Daughter of Olympus. That image has been on display like an ID so everyone can recognize Ara in case they need help. She'd only seen it once, a few weeks after the war with Gaea when trying to get a prophecy to look for Leo. Rachel added a golden outline to her body that looked like her soul light, and Ara wonders if Percy or Annabeth told Rachel about it and that's why she'd put it on the painting.

They sit down to wait for Chiron, and he comes up after a few minutes with Meg—and Lily. "Rachel—Where are Millard and Herbert?"

The girl shakes her head. "They arrived at my house badly wounded. They... they didn't make it." They all sit together and Apollo explains what's been going on, and what they found on the labyrinth. Rachel gapes. "The Delphi. You saw Python and you..."

"At present, I cannot defeat Python," Apollo explains miserably. "I am much too weak. And... well, the Catch-88."

Chiron sighs. "Apollo means that we cannot send a quest without a prophecy, and we cannot get a prophecy without an Oracle."

Rachel glares at her old stool. "And this man... the Beast. What do you know about him?"

"Not much. The Beast apparently has a reputation for snatching up young demigods in New York. Meg says... Um, she's had some experience with the Beast."

"Can you tell us anything that might help, dear?" Chiron asks kindly.

"I've crossed paths with him. He's—he's scary. The memory is blurry."

"Blurry," Chiron glances at Ara and Lily, the three of them sensing the girl is hiding something.

"That's all right, Meg," Rachel eases her, she's just a little girl, after all. "I have some information that may help." The girl pulls out her phone. "You guys have probably figured it out, but phones are going even more haywire than usual around demigods. I'm not technically one of you, and even I can't place calls. I was able to take a couple of pictures, though. Chiron, you recognize this place?"

"That is the building you described last summer," Chiron raises a brow, "where you parleyed with the Romans."

"Yeah," Rachel continues while Lily examines it. "Something didn't feel right about that place. I got to thinking... how did the Romans take over such prime Manhattan real estate on such short notice? Who owns it? I tried to contact Reyna, to see if she could tell me anything, but—"

"Communications problems?" Chiron finishes.

"Exactly. I even sent physical mail to Camp Jupiter's drop box in Berkeley. No response. So I asked my dad's real estate lawyers to do some digging."

"Your dad has lawyers? And a helicopter?" Meg asks in awe.

"Several helicopters." Rachel wrinkles her nose. "He's annoying. Anyway, that building is owned by a shell corporation, which is owned by another shell corporation, blah, blah, blah. The mother company is something called Triumvirate Holdings."

Ara chokes on the coke she's been drinking. "My gods, are we going to have another fight with the Romans?"

Rachel makes a face again. "Look at this next shot. These are the owners of Triumvirate Holdings—Just getting this one picture wasn't easy. I've spent the last two months investigating them, and I don't even know their names. I don't know where they live or where they came from. But I can tell you they own so much property and have so much money, they make my dad's company look like a kid's lemonade stand."

"The Beast said that his organization was everywhere," Apollo mentions. "He mentioned he had colleagues."

"Adult demigods?" Chiron frowns. "I can't imagine they would be Greek, but perhaps Roman? If they helped Octavian with his war—"

"Oh, they helped," Rachel scowls. "I found a paper trail—not much, but you remember those siege weapons Octavian built to destroy Camp Half-Blood?"

"No," Meg pouts.

"Sorry, Meg. You seem so at home here, I forgot you were new. Basically, the Roman demigods attacked this camp with giant catapulty things called onagers. It was all a big misunderstanding. Anyway, the weapons were paid for by Triumvirate Holdings."

"So they are Romans?" Ara glares at the phone. "What are they doing in New York?"

"I found something even worse," Rachel shifts awkwardly. "You remember before that, during the Titan War, Luke Castellan mentioned he had backers in the mortal world? They had enough money to buy a cruise ship, helicopters, weapons. They even hired mortal mercenaries."

"Yeah, and we never figured out what he was talking about or where did he got all of it. We sort of just assumed it had to be all stolen."

"Now we know. That cruise ship, the Princess Andromeda, was property of Triumvirate Holdings."

"What? That doesn't make any sense! The gods said Romans and Greeks had been tricked into forgetting each other, so then why these three men had a way to contact each side years before we even triggered the big prophecy?"

"These men..." Apollo gulps. "I'm afraid they are not modern demigods."

"You think they're ancient demigods who came through the Doors of Death—like Medea, or Midas? The thing is, Triumvirate Holdings has been around since way before Gaea started to wake. Decades, at least."

"Centuries. The Beast said that he'd been building his empire for centuries."

"So like a whole bloodline of demigods?" Ara offers.

"That's impossible, the demigod genes would've washed down with time, and I doubt they would've managed to keep the godly offspring from decaying without being known." Lily shakes her head.

"Yeah, but Meg said they're stealing kids from the streets, so who's to say they're not raising predecessors to keep whatever thing is going on hidden and running?"

"For what purpose?" Lily huffs. "It doesn't make sense. What do they want?"

"I don't know. But the Beast... in my dream, he called me his forefather. He assumed I would recognize him. And if my godly memory was intact, I think I would. His demeanor, his accent, his facial structure—I have met him before, just not in modern times."

"One of them is immortal, then?" Ara gets even more confused. "Lester, that's impossible. Only gods are immortal..."

"The name Triumvirate..." Apollo rubs his forehead. "The last triumvirate I dealt with included Lepidus, Marc Antony, and my son, the original Octavian. A triumvirate is a very Roman concept... like patriotism, skullduggery, and assassination."

Ara feels uneasy. "You mean these are sovereigns... of what?"

"Again, I do not know. But it seems these men have been plotting against us for a very long time. They funded Luke Castellan's war. They supplied aid to Camp Jupiter when the Romans attacked Camp Half-Blood. And despite those two wars, the Triumvirate is still out there—still plotting. What if this company is the root cause of... well, everything?"

"That is a very troubling thought," Chiron comments as if it needs to be said. "Could three men be so powerful?"

"You've lived long enough to know, my friend. Gods, monsters, Titans... these are always dangerous. But the greatest threat to demigods has always been other demigods. Whoever this Triumvirate is, we must stop them before they take control of the Oracles..."

"Excuse me? Oracles plural?" Rachel questions.

"Ah... didn't I tell you about them when I was a god?"

"No, you did not tell me about them."

"Oh... well, my mortal memory has been faulty, you see. I had to read some books in order to—"

"Oracles. Plural."

"In ancient times," Apollo gives in, "there were many Oracles. Of course Delphi was the most famous, but there were four others of comparable power."

"But those were destroyed ages ago." Chiron points out.

"So I thought. Now I am not so sure. I believe Triumvirate Holdings wants to control all the ancient Oracles. And I believe the most ancient Oracle of all, the Grove of Dodona, is right here at Camp Half-Blood. I also worry," Apollo gives Ara a look. "That they may be planning to take you."

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[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

I Won't Say (I'm in Love)

Written By: Alan Menken & David Zippel

Artist: Susan Egan with Roz Ryan, Cheryl Freeman, Lillias White, Vanéese Y. Thomas & LaChanze for Hercules

Released: 1997

From the 1997 Disney movie Hercules, “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” is the movie’s featured love ballad. After a romantic date with Hercules, Meg expresses her conflicting emotions through song (with some back up from the Muses). Hurt before and technically working for Herc’s arch nemesis, this song demonstrates Meg’s reluctance to get into another relationship that (in her mind) can only end badly.

[MEG] If there's a prize for rotten judgment I guess I've already won that No man is worth the aggravation That's ancient history, been there, done that [MUSES, MEG] Who d'you think you're kiddin'? He's the earth and heaven to you Try to keep it hidden Honey, we can see right through you (Oh no) Girl, you can't conceal it We know how you feel and who you're thinkin' of [MEG] Oh No chance, no way I won't say it, no, no [MUSES] You swoon, you sigh Why deny it? Uh-oh [MEG] It's too cliché I won't say I'm in love [MUSES] Shoo-do, shoo-do, ooh [MEG, with MUSES] I thought my heart had learned its lesson It feels so good when you start out My head is screaming, "Get a grip, girl" "Unless you're dyin' to cry your heart out" Oh [MUSES, MEG] You keep on denying Who you are and how you're feeling Baby, we're not buying Hon, we saw you hit the ceiling (Oh no) Face it like a grown-up When ya gonna own up That you got, got, got it bad? [MEG] Whoa No chance, no way I won't say it, no, no [MUSES] Give up, give in Check the grin, you're in love [MEG] This scene won't play I won't say I'm in love [MUSES] You're doin' flips Read our lips, you're in love [MEG, MUSES] You're way off base (Shoo-do, shoo-do) I won't say it (She won't say it, no) Get off my case (Sha-da, sha-da) I won't say it [MUSES] Girl, don't be proud It's okay, you're in love [MEG] Oh At least, out loud I won't say I'm in love [MUSES] Shoo-do, shoo-do, shoo-do, shoo-do Sha-la-la-la-la-la, ah

God Only Knows

Written By: Brian Wilson & Tony Asher

Artist: The Beach Boys

Released: 1966

“God Only Knows” is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys. It is the eighth track on the group’s 11th studio album, Pet Sounds, and one of their most widely recognized songs. “God Only Knows” was composed and produced by Brian Wilson. Tony Asher helped Brian with the lyrics. Carl Wilson sang lead, and Bruce Johnston sang harmony vocals with Brian in the outro. The song broke new ground in many ways. It was one of the first commercial songs to use the word ‘God’ in its title. As producer, Brian Wilson used many unorthodox instruments, including the harpsichord and French horns that are heard in the song’s famous introduction. Although The Beatles engaged in a friendly rivalry with the Beach Boys based on mutual respect, Paul McCartney called this song the best song ever written.

[Verse 1: Carl Wilson] I may not always love you But long as there are stars above you You never need to doubt it I'll make you so sure about it [Refrain: Carl Wilson] God only knows what I'd be without you [Verse 2: Carl Wilson] If you should ever leave me Well, life would still go on, believe me The world could show nothing to me So what good would living do me? [Refrain: Carl Wilson] God only knows what I'd be without you [Interlude: Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston] Ooh, ooh Do, do, do, do, do, do, do Bow, buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do) Buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do, do, do) Buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do) [Refrain: Carl Wilson] God only knows what I'd be without you [Verse 3: Carl Wilson] If you should ever leave me Well, life would still go on, believe me The world could show nothing to me So what good would living do me? [Chorus: Carl Wilson] God only knows what I'd be without you [Outro: Carl Wilson with Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston] God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you (What I'd be) God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows) God only knows what I'd be without you (What I'd be) God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows) God only knows what I'd be without you (What I'd be) God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows) God only knows what I'd be without you (What I'd be) God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows) God only knows what I'd be without you (What I'd be) God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)

[beclynn-herondale]

If you let me chapter 2

(For some reason, I am kinda getting nervous about this story, idk, but anyway I wrote the second Chapter last night as well, but idk if I'll be this productive again 😂) also this is another universe kinda thing}

Rosemary woke up to the sun bright in her room, she guessed she cried herself to sleep, she hated crying so she made sure no one was around to see her do it, and she went to check on Kit, who was still sleeping in his basinet, she decided to watch him sleep for a bit, she noticed Johnny still wasn't in the room, maybe he had gotten up or maybe he had never come home.

She supposed once Kit woke up she should eat something but she didn't have much interest in food lately, but she needed to, she thought of Céline making her breakfast and smiled, wow, she really needed to stop thinking like this but she couldn't get Céline out of her head.

Why couldn't she? She couldn't stop thinking of how beautiful Céline was and how her hair looked so soft, how her eyes were a beautiful green and she could stare into them for hours, how her lips looked soft and wondered what kissing her would be like, these thoughts went through her head on a daily basis and she wish she could stop but also maybe she was happy for them.

Kit woke up and she smiled at him

"Are you hungry my baby?" She said

And she picked him up and went to the kitchen to fix him a bottle, she made herself some toast with strawberry jam.

______

Céline took Jace to get Crepes today for breakfast, Céline loved chocolate crepes and it seemed her son had inherited the love for them as we, she was also teaching him french, he loved when she sang to him in french.

"Oh buddy, you got some chocolate on your cheek," she said.

"You too, mama," he informed her.

And they both laughed, she loved these moments where things felt normal and she could forget for even a moment, she had never known she could be this happy, until she had Jace and suddenly it was like there was a new light in her life, she would love him and be so gentle with him, he would never know anything like the childhood she had.

She picked up a napkin and wiped the chocolate off his cheek, he smiled at her.

"Alright what do you wanna do now?" She asked him

"Can you help me with reading?" He asked

Jace was always wanting to read and learn how, he loved learning

"Alright," she told him.

______

Rosemary noticed Johnny was still not home, she wondered if he decided to leave them, surely not though, right? She always had this fear in her that he would and she wondered if she would actually care if he did, she hated herself for feeling this way and thinking these things but life is like that.

She looked over at Kit playing with his stuffed animal and smiled, he didn't know hardships yet and she wished he would never have to, but she knew that it wasn't in her power to decide that.

The door opened and Johnny walked in, he looked annoyed

"Where have you been?" She asked calmly.

"At the shadow market, why does it matter?" He said

"I think I have a right to know where you are, especially when you haven't been home for almost a day," she said with a bit more force this time.

"Well I wasn't sure if that Céline was gonna be around, I don't like her and honestly I would like you to stop meeting with her, and that brat of hers," he said.

And Rosemary felt a rage she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Jace isn't a brat and Céline is my friend, and you don't get to decide if I hang out with people or not, I don't say you can't be at the market all the time," she said with a calm rage to her voice.

"Well it's my house and I haven't said anything to Céline's face, I tolerate her when she's here, hell I even became ok with the fact we were having a kid, and I continue to go out and make money to pay for everything!" He shouted at her.

And she felt her heart sink and break a little in her chest, she never thought he would actually say he didn't want Kit but he just did, she started cry and wanted to stop but couldn't, she loved him and they had a kid together so why did it feel like it was falling apart? She loved him.

"Rosemary. . . I... I am sorry, I shouldn't have yelled that or said any of it, I am just upset," he said more softly.

"Are you sorry? Or are you just saying that so I'll pretend everything is alright when it's not," Rosemary said, she realized she had said what she had been feeling for a while.

"It's that woman, Céline she is filling your head with stuff that isn't true, you know she has this idea that women are strong and can raise a kid on their own," he said with venom

"Women can do things on their own," she said.

"Really, why are you still relying on me than?" He said

"Well maybe I won't anymore," she said

And he looked like she had slapped but she didn't really care cause he had just shattered part of her heart, she would regret later she knew.

She saw Kit looked upset but he wasn't crying and she went over to hold him.

______

"Good job!, Buddy," Céline said cheerfully to her son

"I did it," he said so happy.

"Yes you did."

He had just read three whole pages of a book in french and he was so proud of himself, she would eventually start teaching him latin and if he is interested other languages.

"Hey mom?" He said

She realized she had zoned out

"Yes, baby?"

"Do you think some day I could learn the piano?" He asked

"Of course you can, my sunshine," she said and ruffled his curly hair.

She hoped he wouldn't lose his curls when he got older, he had beautiful curly hair, his eyes were gold, and she thought she knew why but couldn't be sure.

______

Maryse and Robert had been exiled to the New York Institute, several years ago, they were the heads, and Maryse hated that Alec and Isabelle didn't know very many other Shadowhunter kids, but it was her fault, she trusted Valentine and let him play her like a chess piece.

She kept in contact with Céline, Céline kept eyes out for anything that wasn't normal in paris and Maryse did the same in New York, she disliked Céline when she first met her, but she didn't hate her now, she was also raising a kid out of Idris and not around other Shadowhunter kids, she asked Céline if she wanted to come visit cause maybe their kids would hit it off.

Maybe they would have another friend, and it had been years since Maryse had seen Céline so maybe things could change, or maybe Maryse is finding am excuse just to see someone.

______

After their fight Rosemary waited for Johnny to leave before she packed stuff for her and Kit and went off to find a warlock to make a portal, she decided she would go to Céline, maybe Johnny would figure out where she went but she at least needed some time away from him.

Amd Céline would be nice to just be around, she never thought she would become close to this girl who had saved her years and years ago, but life was funny that way wasn't it?

And they are both so different now, both mom's trying to make the best with what they have, trying to not let the world hurt their children like it did them, she knew a little about what Céline's parents had done to her and she wished Céline had never gone through that, but she remembered what happened to her parents and wished she had never had to see them like that.

She found a warlock and they made her a portal, she went through it and she was in Paris, and it brought back memories of that night she first met Céline and that Silent Brother.

She started trying to figure out which part she was in and after she did she made her to Céline's.

She got to her small apartment and knocked on the door, Céline opened it and looked shocked.

"Rosemary. . . Why are you here? Is everything ok?," She asked concerned.

And she just cried and hugged Céline, Kit was in her arms but she didn't want to let go and she didn't want Céline to let go of her.

"Mommy, who is it?" She heard Jace call as he came to the door.

he saw them and joined the hug, telling Rosemary it would be ok, and that she could cry cause crying is good, this angel she thought.

Tagging @khaleesiofalicante cause I put a scene where Céline and Jace eat crepes, @chibi-tsukiko @spotsandclawsthings @megs-readstoomuch meg idk if you are interested in this but I am gonna tag you from now on if that's alright 🙈

[cityzenshark]

Earthspark AU

I've been planning to write an AU canon rewrite titled "Firsts to Grow Up" but there hadn't been time, so I want to share some of the story points here.

Story points are not in order.

Robby and Mo are 14 year old twins to reflect Twitch and Thrash.

Dorothy is hesitant on taking the Terrans in.

Alex juggles supporting Dot, protecting his kids, and indulging his own interest in understanding the Terrans scientifically.

Exploring the Terrans' nature, and them learning nearly everything.

GHOST is a visibly international ops unit (to me, they feel like wannabe supernova locals rather than what they're described to be).

S1 finale is "Home", meanwhile the Bot Brawl is a seperate episode.

The triplets are more intelligent than the twins due to Alex's presence when they were born.

Exploring Witwicky town and its local legends that connects to Terratronus.

The Terrans' teachers only consists of: the parents (soft skills & history), Bee (self defence), Elita (alt mode), Megatron (responsibilty), and Wheeljack (biology). No Dad-2.

Megatron and Elita make presence whereas Optimus is often on GHOST mainbase that is elsewhere.

The story and cast will make as though Meridian and Mandroid are two different persons up until the revealation in "Home".

Mandroid and Tarantulas both observe the Terrans in secret. Tarantulas stopped after his near mistake with Nightshade, prompting suspiscion when he admits to the family that it wasn't him who leaves behind energon snacks for them.

In "Mooo-ving In", Bee is being a bad guest; not the kids and family being terrible hosts. [if I were Bee in that episode, I'd leave]

Dot gets a new friend who also fell victim to GHOST's tricks for a park ranger job. He is a veteran medic who's experienced in energon-related ailments on humans. He makes appearences to check on the cybersleeves.

Mo's cybersleeve grants healing because she's emotionally closer to the Terrans than Robby, who prefers his own space and hanging out with his friends online.

Robby's sickness is gradual from the start of the story due to wound infection he got from the fall that lead him and Mo to the Emberstone cave, The cybersleeve covered the hurt arm but did not heal him, instead it's poisoning him bit by bit.

Robby, being an internet addicted teenager, thinks Dot's fear of Cybertronians is unfounded because she's buddies with Megs and had someone like Alex for husband.

After moving to Witwicky, Robby and Dot's relationship are strained due to Robby's hardheadedness and Dorothy's sour mood upon discovering her dream job being a lie.

The Maltos keep the Autobot friendly fire a secret from the Terrans so they won't regard their teachers the wrong way.

Mo is happier in Witwicky because she loves nature and has real friends at school. Robby meanwhile prefers the city life and his old school, hence his bitterness towards his new environment.

The parents dislike talking about the "Autobot friendly fire" because Alex could've been one of the victims if he hadn't visited Dot in the hospital.

Alex teaches the Terrans self defence with Filipino martial arts since they don't have offensive weapons except Twitch.

To be continued in another post...