#ally to suddenly having adam around

[womansound]

camping in your askbox again ♫ for ... anthony and adam <3

↻  ◁  II  ▷  ↺      ♫    𝚗𝚘𝚠    𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐    ...  adam  &  anthony's  infinite  playlist  !

###  001  .  valentine  𝒃𝒚  laufey  !  

i've  lost  all  control  of  my  heartbeat  now, got  caught  in  a  romance  with  him  somehow  — i  still  feel  a  shock  through  every  bone when  i  hear  an  "i  love  you" 'cause  now  i've  got  someone  to  lose

###  002  .  like  real  people  do  𝒃𝒚  hozier  !  

honey,  just  put  your  sweet  lips  on  my  lips  — we  should  just  kiss  like  real  people  do

###  003  .  about  you  𝒃𝒚  the  1975  !

and  i  miss  you  on  a  train,  i  miss  you  in  the  morning i  never  know  what  to  think  about  — i  think  about  you  (  so  don't  let  go  )  

###  004  .  i  know  you  know  i  love  you  𝒃𝒚  sunset  rollercoaster  !

just  want  you  to  know you're  my  sunshine  in  the  sky

###  005  .  sundays  𝒃𝒚  fkj  !

at  the  airport  when  they  first  met:  "what  are  you  listening  to  ?"

[dragonoffantasyandreality]

Captain Scarlet and the Singing Squadron - Chapter 4: Scarlet vs Black, part 1

(Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2 -p1, Chapter -p2, Chapter 3, …)

I am back with a new chapter! >:D

@uniwolfcorn @teapotteringabout @skymaiden32 @knyee @janetm74 @the-original-sineater @thundergeek59 @riallasheng @mariashades @yarol2075 @voidparadoxical @llamawrites @river-sam2 @coco9728 @hebuiltfive @thalassastra @bassic-ally @pareidoliaonthemove @graverinth

-0-0-0-

The Angels had landed on the mini airport near the station. Giving their Fighters a much needed refuel.

Destiny, Rhapsody, and Harmony were helping the captains planning how to counter the Mysteronized Jets when they do suddenly appear. And where to start searching for Captain Scarlet.

Rhapsody was obviously the most worried of them all. The British Angel biting the nail of her thumb, while trying to distract herself by focusing, maybe a little too hard, on the mystery at hand.

To think that later, she and Scarlet would go on a date on the Kuril Islands. Adam would bet they would spend a much-needed time in the hot springs and enjoy the sight of the beautiful basalt formations, the black volcanic sand, and the white pumice hills.

Destiny, the French lead squadron pilot, gently calmed her teammate. She too was worried of the situation. But keep a firm mental support among her peers to formulate a plan in case something worse happen.

Harmony had a frown on her round, usually calm and soft Asian face, which told of many promises of a nasty punishment. Everyone knew if she had found the culprit responsible for capturing Scarlet, somebody would become a bloody pulp on the floor.

Not that she would necessarily attack on sight, but it was a well-known fact if said culprit turned out to be a prick.

Speaking of culprit…

“Do you think… the person who took Scarlet might have to do with those rumors?” asked suddenly Rhapsody.

“Huh, I didn’t put it that way…” Captain Ochre rubbed his chin, then raised a brow at the British Angel, “What makes you think these two are connected?”

“If you think about it: the crew of this powerplant mentioned about the recent happenings in the forest nearby. Which they claimed this didn’t happened until last night,” she began, walking around the table as her finger lightly dragged across the map, “Then, the Mysteronized fighter jet we fought early got mysteriously shot down, and Scarlet was taken after the crash.”

“Which means, something - or someone - was in that forest doing the Scooby-Doo levels of weird things,” Ochre concluded.

Rhapsody pursed her lips from laughing, as she nodded.

“Well, let’s not forget the lads here also mentioned about this place once being a great battlefield a century ago,” Magenta pointed out. Though, nobody missed his eyes filled with discomfort.

“Pat, don’t tell me you believe in ghosts?” Harmony smirked with amusement.

“I hope I don’t have to…” he tried to hide a gulp.

“Alor! Are we already going over these stupid things?” Destiny laid her knuckles on her hips, giving everyone a serious stare.

Before anyone could say anything, Captain Blue’s epaulets began flashing white.

Blue took his cap and placed it on his head, letting the mic flip from his cap’s visor to his mouth.

“Colonel White, sir?” he listens in attention.

“Captain Blue. Lieutenant Green and I had managed to locate Captain Scarlet,” his commanding officer replayed the news.

Everyone sighed in relief. Rhapsody especially lay her hand to her heart. In which Adam slightly smiled at her reaction.

“Yes sir! Can you tell us where he is?” he asked, ready to pick up his equipment.

“Now hold on a minute, captain,” the colonel spoke firmly, “There’s something I need to tell you about the supposed condition of Scarlet. During our call, there were moments where he appeared to be acting strangely.”

Everyone shared looks as they began to worry once more. Colonel White continued.

“He claimed he was alright, but one time he seemed to have whispered something… or whispered to someone. There were pauses to some of my questions. And he had also claimed that he was ‘not alone’. Would you go and check on him if he’s mentally stable? I’ll send the coordinates immediately,”

“S.I.G”

Cutting off the comms, and the mic flipped back into place, Blue looked at every officer.

“So, uh… who’s coming with me?” he smirked.

-0-0-0-

Seems oddly calm for a birch forest, thought Captain Blue as he and his group trekked about the outskirts.

“I don’t like this…” Rhapsody muttered. Her eyes were glancing left and right with wary, “This place is giving me the creeps.”

Captain Ochre, who was right behind them, holding the Mysteron Detector in his hands, threw a sharp glance at the darkest parts of the forest. And shivered by the sudden cold of the silly imaginations his mind had conjured up, in which, thanks to his training, immediately suppressed them.

“Fishy… like we’re about to go ‘fish out of water’,” he slightly joked.

The two of them turned around to him, giving him sarcastic raised eyebrows in which he grinned back at them with innocent eyes.

“Looking for your colleague?” a voice echoed from elsewhere.

Everyone sharply turned towards the source of the voice. Standing before the bushes, was a young man holding a dog.

He was pretty tall for a youngster, almost as tall as Captain Blue. But him wearing a perfect copy of the century-old military outfit from the Eastern Front, with the badges and all, made this encounter all the more bizarre!

As far as everyone know, there was no reports of a movie being filmed here.

To not let the young man, wait, or grow wary of them, they step in to play along.

“Yeah, kid. We are looking for our buddy, Captain Scarlet. Did you happen to see him?” Blue finally asked.

“Da! He’s at our camp. Just a few minutes away,” the young man pointed somewhere forward along the edge of the forest.

Meanwhile, Captain Ochre took a shot of the fella with the Mysteron Detector. The Polaroid-like picture was being produced, supposed to show an X-Ray image of the person.

If the person was a human, the picture would appear normal with visible bones. If they were a Mysteron Agent, it would come out as clear full picture of the face. Like they were null to the rays.

The picture of the man came out as none of those things; instead, it showed a big black blob.

Ochre retried again, turning the detector off and on to check if there was a mistake.

The pictures still showed the same results.

The trio threw a glance at each other before turning their eyes back at the young man in front of them.

“Say, what’s your name?” Ochre nodded his head towards him.

“Grasshopper,” the man replied.

“Grasshopper?” Blue raised his eyebrows. While the calmest of the captains held his breath from giggling, his eyes were glittering with mirth.

Rhapsody merely covered her mouth with her hand while Ochre didn’t manage to hold out a laugh, let alone a giggle.

“That’s my callsign…” Grasshopper deadpanned sarcastically.

“Got it!” Blue waved his hand, shaking his head a bit to recompose himself “Well? Are you going to lead us to our colleague?”

The young man threw a hand towards the passage.

“Prashou!” he said with a smile.

[exorcist-ava]

The Lieutenant had told them a week ago here would be new recruits joining them.

Not new to heaven, but new to the official trainings.

The recruits would move in to the barracks today, the day after the extermination. Heaven had already insured that their bunks were already laid out for them. The exorcists had made space for them, the seraphim had the beds delivered in place and there were suddenly more lockers in the locker room. When they arrive, they would be introduced to the formation and over the course of the next twelve months become acclimated to the rigorous trainings the exorcists went through to protect heaven’s light. During the next extermination they would simply watch from above to learn about what it truly meant to be an exorcist. After that they would go through it themselves.

Canine had gone through the process themself three years prior, their bloodlust insatiable as they watched the extermination from the safety of heaven. They hated watching and not being able to do anything about the disgusting sinners plaguing creation. They looked forward to having more sisters in arms who, like them, would probably believe their job to be the most sacred duty an angel like them could hold. In their opinion, there wouldn’t be enough exorcists until all of hell could be wiped out in a single extermination.

Being warm and welcoming was a part of their duty to the new exorcists. Canine took this part seriously, despite communication being one of their only flaws.

They stood in the mirror looking at their crooked nose, a staunch reminder that not all who look friendly are allies and not all who look like the enemy are foes.

They needed to smile at the new recruits. They tried for something warm… fake. They shook their head and tried for an excited grin… intimidating, and it showed off their sharp canines. Not that either. They thought about Adam and Lute, respectable, kind, warm. They tried to emulate Lute’s smirk…

Yeah, that would work.

They headed out to formation. They were pretty early, but it was better than being late.

@exorcist-canine

Ava was nervous about finally joining the official training of the Exorcists. All around her she saw the other new up and coming recruits she had known her whole existence in Heaven - all of which snickered as she met their gaze.

Ava wasn't really the best at fighting. She was, as Adam described her, a dumb bitch. The Lieutenant was a bit kinder, opting instead to call her tactics sloppy whenever they held youth assessments. Virginia had assured her that she'd grow into a mighty Exorcist for Heaven one day, but Ava couldn't help but feel like a massive disappointment anytime the others would jeer at her lack of aim and concentration - or when Adam would loudly call her "AIDS" in front of them whenever he got annoyed at her.

She joins the line-up, nervously avoiding everyone's gaze and hoping not to draw so much attention to herself. As she had learned with age, being more reserved and quiet meant much less trouble for her than being herself. Unfortunately for her, a certain older Exorcist had noticed her.

[sinner-sunflower]

P.2 HH Lucifer-centric AU 22/?

STORY 1, PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 14.5, PART 15, PART 16, PART 17, PART 18, PART 19, PART 20, PART 21, PART 23, PART 24, PART 25, PART 26

I totally forgot to post this yesterday alksjdlksajkl

It's literally in my drafts but the day was too busy I honestly forgot. So here's a treat!

Also, I know there's a lot of mystery and questions of what's going on but I never planned to fully stay on the POVs of those in Heaven. I just wanted to give you guys a glimpse but I didn't want to tell it all.

You are all as clueless as Luci. Just as I intended hehe

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

Lucifer feels cursed. He can sense it. Even without Roo, he's certain that all this misfortune is deliberate. Given everything that has happened in the past few months, he didn't think it could get any worse.

He should've known not to jinx it.

Everyone jumped up, alarmed by the cannibal demon's frantic cries for help.

Outside, they were met with a chaotic battle as sinners and Hellborns fought against the supposedly dead angels. Both side have bodies that lay lifeless on the ground amidst the pandemonium.

Lucifer: What the fuck is going on?!

Cannibal Demon: We were piling the bodies up in the Embassy for burning, as you instructed, Your Majesty. But then—a body suddenly sprang back to life and attacked one of our workers! The next moment, we were all being attacked by the other bodies! They don't seem conscious, sire. They were snarling like rabid animals.

At that moment, an angel turned in their direction and charged straight at Lucifer. He extended his hand, and the angel burst into flames, collapsing to the ground and writhing in pain until it died.

Charlie, the hotel residents, and the other Overlords sprang into action, fighting to kill as many angels as they could.

Lucifer saw what the cannibal demon was talking about. The angels didn't seem truly alive. Instead, they screamed and attacked blindly, targeting anything in their path. Their forms were as mangled as the one that had fallen before him.

Then an angel was tossed at his feet. It twitched but the body was too destroyed to attack again. It looked up at him with blank eyes, black liquid streaming down its face like tears. The angel reached a hand towards him and tried to speak.

Heaven Angel: K-k-ki- me. P-ease

Lucifer was too petrified with shock to even register what the angel was trying to say. Was it begging him to kill it?

The angel gasped and attempted to crawl closer until an axe buried itself in its head, instantly killing it. Lucifer looked up to see Adam standing there.

He wondered when Adam had arrived.

Adam: Dude! Snap out of it! The fuck are you doin'?? And what the shit is happening?

But Lucifer couldn't answer. He just stared at the first man blankly.

Lucifer: I thought you were at the palace?

Adam: Seriously?! Gah!

Adam swung his axe again, killing an angel that had gotten too close.

Adam: One of these fuckers got in and I'd rather not die in your stupid house!

Another swing, another fallen angel.

Lucifer: They're angels....

He saw Adam's gaze harden but he does not falter one bit.

Adam: Are you just gonna stand there and stare or are you gonna do something?!

Lucifer snapped out of his daze, the reality of the situation sinking in. He looked around, seeing the chaos unfold as his allies fought for their lives. Taking a deep breath, he summoned his strength and stepped forward.

Lucifer: Let's end this madness.

He extended his hand, conjuring flames to incinerate the embassy, illuminating Pride like a giant flaming beacon.

Lucifer: Toss them all into the fire!

Lucifer's voice boomed across the city, echoing with authority. Soon enough, angels were screaming as they were engulfed in flames.

He took to the sky, setting fire to every zom-angel he could see. Reminding himself that they were no longer their normal selves, he saw this as an act of mercy.

Lucifer flew higher, his eyes scanning the chaos below. He could see Charlie, the hotel residents, and the Overlords fighting fiercely, holding their ground against the onslaught. Each flame he conjured was a prayer for the end of this madness.

As he incinerated bodies left and right, a troubling thought gnawed at him: Was this still Roo's doing? The state of these angels bore a striking resemblance to the infected creatures he had encountered in Sloth.

Roo: Not me, fallen. Looks like someone upstairs messed with something they shouldn't have. How thrilling~

The voice startled Lucifer.

Lucifer: What are you talking about?!

Roo: Hell's not the only one harboring a dark entity.

He cursed her silently but the Root of All Evil just laughed.

Roo: Corruption is such a wonderful thing.

The battle continued, and it didn't take long for them to rid the area of the reanimated corpses. However, the toll was immense. Everyone was on the verge of collapsing. The relentless series of events in the past hour had drained their remaining strength. If Heaven were to attack now, they would be fighting for their very lives.

Lucifer landed, breathing heavily, his mind racing. The angels’ corrupted state pointed to something far more sinister than he initially thought. If Roo was telling the truth, then Heaven itself was compromised.

Charlie: Dad!

Lucifer: Char-char, you guys okay?

Charlie: We're all fine.

Adam: Speak for yourself, girlie.

Charlie was only slightly surprised by Adam's appearance but didn't question him.

Lucifer: Are we sure that's the last of them?

Charlie: Alastor has his shadows canvassing the city right now.

Lucifer looked around at the carnage, wondering how much more they could handle. Before he could think further, Adam spoke up again.

Adam: I know those angels.

Lucifer: What?

Adam: Most of these are my girls.

There was a hint of sadness in his voice. Despite being a misogynist douche, Lucifer realized Adam genuinely cared for the angels in his army.

Lucifer: Exorcists?

Adam: Yeah... shit, what the fuck is going on up there? Why did they turn into these things?

Lucifer had no answer, so he remained silent.

They see something twinkle in the sky, followed by a beam of light. Lucifer quickly raised his hand to create a barrier just in time to deflect the blast. Even he struggled against Michael's powerful weapon. Multiple blasts rained down, but they were erratic, not aimed directly at Hell.

Something in the distance was getting closer and closer, dodging left as another blast exploded nearby.

Was Michael aiming for that?

They couldn't tell what it was until it drew nearer. It was an angel, struggling against another as they plummeted. Soon, more angels came into view. A particularly strong blast from Michael shattered Lucifer's barrier, and they could only watch as more angels fell into Hell.

The war had arrived.

And there was nothing they could do to stop it.

Roo: Play time~

Lucifer should've known not to jinx it.

[shy-nightmare]

The Toonz Twins: Toontown Sleuths

Chapter Sixteen: Toontown

Summary: Valiant and Twyla arrive in Toontown, hellbent on finding Jessica and saving the boys. An unlikely ally saves their asses.

Credit for inspiration goes to @imaginarytoon1, author of “The Birchwood Twins: Toontown Investigators” and @its-metal-mistress, author of “Bendy and the Ink Machine: Learning How to Live”. Please check out their own wonderful content ^^!

Special Guests Tags 😊: @marinerainbow, @slashingdisneypasta, @weaselnerd, @lastofautumn, @spookiifi, @amberfox232, @heartsissopure, and our new special guest @trashogram A.K.A. @mantisandthemoondragon. Thank you all again so much for the 500 like milestone! 💕😭💕😭💕😭

“Going up, sir and ma’am?” Droopy asked when the two arrived at a hotel for Toons.

After Eddie and Twyla arrived in Toontown, the red curtain pulled up which unveiled their destination. Twyla quickly learned that the Tooniverse has a different day and night cycle, so even though it was nighttime in the human world, it was sunset in Toontown. While Eddie drove, the two were welcomed by many Toons from singing trees to dancing hummingbirds. Even the sun was amiable. Once again, Twyla was bewitched by the beauty of hers and her family’s new home…

…but then Eddie crashed into a giant pile of junk.

The town was packed with traffic, and the atmosphere blared with cacophonous honks and laughter which made Twyla wince from the loud sounds. Despite her sensitive hearing, she saw Jessica’s shadow in a window several floors up in the hotel and followed her trail. But the minute she and Eddie stepped into the elevator, they both fell like deflated balloons. Droopy stood on their left, standing on a box accommodated for his small height.

“Mind the step, sir and ma’am,” he advised and pulled the lever. The sudden speed was so strong they were squished to the bottom of the floor like pancakes for the rest of the trip. The Toon bellhop dog suddenly stopped the elevator, and the two guests were tossed up to the roof. “Your floor, sir and ma’am.” He said and opened the elevator doors, throwing the two off like luggage. Before the doors were closed, Droopy stuck his head out and said, “Have a good day, sir and ma’am.”

The duo got up and approached one of the closed hotel doors. Eddie peeked in through the keyhole and smirked, “Gotcha.”

He pushed the door open with a slow creak, and Twyla quietly snuck in before aiming her pistol at the older Toon woman who was holding her lingerie. “All right, Red. Where are they?” she growled.

The woman turned around and her eyes widened.

“A MAN!!!”

Twyla’s eyes shot up wide and took in her error. The woman they’ve followed was not Jessica Rabbit. Not even the slightest. She wore the exact same dress and purple opera gloves, but her stature was thin and wonky in proportions, and her light green heels were sizes too big for her skinny ankles. Her cheeks were dotted by freckles, and her green eyes were drawn too close together above her large nose while an Adam's apple adorned her neck. Unlike Jessica who wore her hair in a coquettish style that’ll make Veronica Lake green with envy, this woman’s aerospace orange hair was a wild mess complimenting her man-crazy nature. Her painted lips pulled into a manic, lascivious smile revealing her bent teeth and her tongue lolled out. Yep, definitely not the singer they're looking for!

Twyla nearly dropped her gun, “Oh my God! Ma’am, I am so sorry—Eep!”

Eddie yanked her by the collar and dashed out of the room. He slammed the door just as the woman made her pursuit towards him, and the two ran. The door was kicked down, and the man-hunting floozy shouted, “Yoo-hoo! Lover boy! It’s Lena Hyena!”

“Is it wrong to say that Greasy’s nothing compared to her?” Twyla asked, not realizing she said her thoughts aloud.

“Kid, you better thank your lucky stars Tom did not hear you say that!” Eddie interjected, pulling her into the men’s bathroom to hide. They both turned around…and screamed. Instead of seeing a floor, they were seeing the streets from several floors down! They plummeted their way down at a dangerously fast pace until Twyla spotted a flagpole and she extended her arm long enough to grab onto the pole while holding Eddie with her right arm. She let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, wook! Piddies!”

Twyla and Eddie looked up to see Tweety. “Hi, Tweety.”

“This widdle piddy went to market.” Tweety plucked Twyla’s thumb.

“Uh, what?”

“This widdle piddy stayed home.”

“Tweety, what the fuck?”

“This widdle piddy had roast beef.”

“I swear to God, don’t even—”

“And this widdle piddy had—” Just as Tweety was about to finish, the Toon wolf girl lost her grip and resumed falling while she screamed obscenities at the iconic Toon bird.

But then, she heard the sound of…munching?

“Eh, what’s up, Doc?” Is that…? Twyla and Eddie turned to their left and saw Bugs Bunny! In the flesh! He held onto a backpack and wore parachute goggles.

“Jumpin’ without a parachute? Kinda dangerous, ain’t it?”

“Yeah!” The two turned to their right and saw Mickey Mouse! “You could get killed! Ha!”

“You guys got a spare?!” Eddie yelled.

“Bugs does.”

“Really?” Twyla smiled hopefully.

“Yeah, but I don’t think you want it~” Roger sang-song.

“We do, we do!”

“Give it to us!”

“Gee, uh, better let ‘em have it, Bugs,” Mickey told Bugs.

“OK, Doc, whatever you say,” Bugs replied, pulling out the spare parachute. “Here’s the spare.”

“Thank you.” Eddie thanked him, taking the spare in his hands just as the two Toons pulled their strings and parachuted high above them. Eddie pulled the string…only to find a spare tire. Not a spare parachute. A spare tire.

“Oh, what the fuck?!” Twyla cursed at them as she and Eddie fell inches closer to the ground. But just as they were about to become roadkill, two gloved hands caught them. Twyla saw it was Lena who saved them, and she sighed with relief. “Thanks—”

“Outta my way, bimbo!” Lena snarled, tossing the younger woman like she was a sack of potatoes. She tumbled across the street until she roughly bumped into a brick building. “Ow!” she shouted in pain, her head swarming with stars as she got up to glare at the crazy lady. “Bitch!”

Eddie somehow managed to release himself from the woman’s embrace and looked down at the road painted in a single white stripe. He lifted it up and tore it into two lanes. “Come to Lena!” the redhead lunatic cried as she ran a record-breaking speed while she stood on the line. She followed where the line led her…which ended at a brick wall.

“Toons!” Eddie snickered, “Gets ‘em every time.”

Twyla caught up with him while she was gingerly rubbing her arm. “You all right?” Eddie asked.

“I am now that we handled the bitch,” she muttered, cracking her back. “Ah, now that’s better.”

“You’re young, you’ll live,” Eddie snarked, pulling out his revolver. “Come on!”

The ravenette demoness nodded and grabbed hers, following her ally as they turned to the corner of a dark alley. It was all so familiar, like all the alleys she hid in back in Chatham. Trash cans, leaking rain gutters, and the smell of grimy street water. The further they walked, the bigger their shadows grew.

Eddie sneezed and his shadow turned to him, “Gesundheit.”

“Thank you.”

“Valiant.”

Twyla’s ears lowered and snarled, recognizing that voice. She slowly turned, pointing her pistol right at Jessica who held up a gun of her own, which made her slightly recoil and lower her weapon. Wait. She wasn’t aiming at her or Eddie either.

Speaking of which, Eddie slowly turned around, holding his hands up in surrender. With bitter humor, he stated, “I always knew I’d get it in Toontown.”

“Behind you!”

Jessica fired, making the two of them duck. The bullet missed them by a long shot, but Twyla’s wolf ears picked up something ricocheting off of something. She and Eddie brought up their guns, pointing at her.

“Drop it, lady!” Eddie snapped.

Twyla’s demanded, “Where the fuck are Roger and my brother?!”

“I just saved both your lives, and you still don’t trust me?” Jessica asked, approaching them as she dropped her pistol.

“I don’t trust anybody or anything!”

Twyla frowned, her ears perking back as she glared at him. “Gee, thanks.”

“Not even your own eyes?” Jessica pointed to the ground. The two sleuths looked down and saw a man-made nickel-plated Colt Buntline Special close to Eddie’s shoes. “That’s the gun that killed R.K. Maroon and Doom pulled the trigger.”

“Doom?!” They both chorused, though Twyla was more into shock than her employer. It was…Doom all along? Her heart dropped to her stomach. If Doom killed Marvin Acme, and if Maroon didn’t kill him to claim ownership over Toontown then that meant….

Doom wants Toontown. He framed Roger. And Greasy tried to warn her.

“I followed him to the studio, but I was too late to stop him.”

“That’s right!” The three turned sharply down to the other end of the alley. Doom ran, yelling, “You’ll never stop me! You’re dead! You’re all dead!”

“Doom!” Jessica covered her ears as Eddie and Twyla fired at the real murderer. However, he was too quick and made a right turn before they could reach him.

“Which way did he go?”

“I don’t know! He went that way!”

“Let’s go!”

“Dum dums,” Eddie shook his head, throwing the empty weapon to the side.

“Come on!” Jessica grabbed his arm, Twyla closely following behind them. As they exited the alley, Jessica gasped out, “Oh no! Where’s Roger?”     

“You’re only worried about him? What about my brother?” Twyla ran towards Jessica’s vehicle with the trunk open. She touched the soft padding; it was still warm. Her nose detected for Roger’s or Tom’s scents. “Tommy! Where are you, bro?”

“Roger? He chickened out on us back at the studio,” Eddie said, approaching the ladies.

“No, he didn’t,” Jessica elaborated, “I hit him on the head with a frying pan and put him in the trunk. So he wouldn’t get hurt.”

“Makes perfect sense,” Eddie’s lips pursed, and Twyla shrugged. Fair point.

“We’re obviously not going anywhere in my car,” Jessica turned to the detective, “Let’s take yours.”

Eddie turned around, only to find his vehicle missing. And not only that, but the town was a complete wreck. A fire hydrant had been knocked away, and buildings had hurt faces on them. On the road, there were skid marks made by tires going in any direction but straight. “I got a feeling somebody already did.” He extended his arm out for emphasis.

“By the looks of it, I’d say it was Roger. My honey bunny was never very good behind the wheel,” Jessica observed.

“A better lover than a driver, huh?” Eddie joked. Twyla was too focused on the road to pick up on the innuendo.

“You better believe it, buster.” Jessica poked his shoulder.

Twyla’s ears picked up something. A wailing siren.

“Uh, guys?” she said, pointing down at the street.

“Uh-oh. It’s the weasels!” Jessica exclaimed, pulling at Eddie’s arm while grabbing Twyla's shoulder. “This way! We’ll take Gingerbread Lane!”

“No, no!” Eddie resisted, sticking out his thumb, “Gingerbread Lane’s this way!”

A yellow blur whirled right in front of them, causing them to spin for a second. Benny greeted them, “So Valiant, you call a cab or what?”

Eddie climbed through the driver’s seat and Twyla hopped in from the back, activating a barrier made of thick ink with her magic large enough to cover Benny and their heads. Jessica made her way around to sit in the other seat, which definitely got the cab’s attention.

“Hubba, hubba, hubba! Allow me, mademoiselle!” Benny opened his door, allowing Jessica to sit before slamming it shut and taking off just inches away from being slammed by the Dodge. Benny zoomed in the tunnel and Twyla fired her Blackhawk and Maroon’s gun while quickly ducking from the firing bullets.

“Hey! Watch the paint job, will ya, kid?!” Benny shouted over.

“Sorry!”

“So how long have you known it was Doom?” Eddie asked.

“Before poor Marvin Acme was killed, he confided in me that Doom wanted to get his hands on Toontown. And he wouldn’t stop at anything,” Jessica replied.

“So he gave ya the will for safekeeping?”

“That’s what he told me, except when I opened the envelope there was only a blank piece of paper.”

“Eh! A joker to the end.” Eddie sarcastically responded.

“So where to, already? My meter’s runnin’!” Benny asked.

“I have to find my darling husband! I’m so worried about him,” Jessica put a hand on her forehead with worry.

“Seriously, what do you see in that guy?” Eddie asked.

“He makes me laugh,” Jessica answered. Twyla’s heartstrings pulled a bit.

Aw, that’s sweet. She hid a small smile, but her smile faded when her thoughts went back to Greasy. She faced the Dodge and sighed, “All this time, he had been working with Doom in Acme’s murder. First guy I meet who doesn’t throw rocks at me, and Greasy turns out to be another corrupted cop. Doesn’t explain why he would warn me, though.”

“Greasy?” Jessica whipped her head to her, her face scrunching with angered disgust. “That fucking pervert?!”

“What do you mean, he warned you?” Eddie furrowed his brows.

“Um….” Twyla’s ears dropped, and she chuckled nervously, “He sort of…heh-heh, tried to tell me to drop the case. I think he and his guys are a part of Doom’s plans.”

“WHAT?!” They both exclaimed in unison just as Benny sped off towards the exit. They were free!

Until Twyla spotted Doom not too far ahead on the side of the road. With his foot firmly placed on the tip of that damn barrel.

“BENNY, WATCH OUT!” she screamed.

But it was too late. The Dip had already spilt over the road and hissed as Benny drove through it. “AAAHH!” he screamed in pain, the white paint from his tires smearing onto the road as they spun out of control. “I’ve been dipped!”

Benny slammed headfirst into a light pole, throwing his occupants off him. Eddie landed right onto his back, Jessica skidded and landed on her backside, and Twyla tumbled over while her guns loosened from her grasp. “No! My gun!”

“Tsk, tsk,” Doom tutted, towering over the trio, “What an unfortunate accident. Nothing more treacherous than a slippery road, especially when driving in a maniacal Toon vehicle.” He smiled tauntingly at them, and Twyla responded with a hateful snarl.

Their heads turned to the sound of the damned wailing siren. The van pulled up with a screeching stop, once getting past the Dip of course. The weasels then started piling out. “Good woirk, Boss!” Smartass praised.

Doom turned to them sharply, “Don’t just stand there. Help them, put them in my car. I think they’ll enjoy the ribbon cutting at the Acme Factory.”

Smartass led the others, but Greasy slipped past them and made a grab for Twyla’s arm. Eddie went to stop him, but he was shoved back to the ground by the Spaniard’s surprising strength. He waited until his colleagues “escorted” Eddie and Jessica to Doom’s car.

“What the hell, muñeca?!” he growled at her, making sure to keep the volume of his voice for only his and Twyla’s ears. “I thought I told you to scram!”

“You honestly thought sendin’ me a note and torturin’ my brother was gonna do shit?!” Twyla hissed back, her fur bristling with fury. “Why would you even try to warn me in the first place when you knew I was gonna come back?! I thought I made that clear last night!”

“Ey, Greasy!” they both turned to see the Brooklyn mobster opening the door for Twyla, “I said ‘apprentice’ her, not schmooze with her!”

Greasy only growled in response and began leading the halfie princess. He turned to her again, “You better come up with a plan quick because I can’t help you anymore!”  

Twyla’s blood ran cold. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Her captor ignored her, escorting her to the Dodge. She looked over her shoulder at Benny and couldn’t find her pistol anywhere. She hoped Tom was all right, wherever he may be.

[things-arent-what-they-seem66]

BG3

✨️Adam- Astarion ☆ Lucifer- Tav✨️

After a long day of being kidnapped by squid aliens, making allies, and lying through his teeth, Adam is finally able to rest. And at night time, something he hasn't done for over two hundred years.

Moments after closing his eyes, Adam opens them and finds himself in a thick, dark forest. He instantly felt like he was being watched.

Adam stood and walked forward cautiously.

Adam: Hello?

The air felt thick, and mist suddenly surrounded him. An airy, familiar voice echoed through the trees.

Sera: First. Thou shall not drink the blood of thinking creatures.

Adam looked around the forest, trying to find his master.

Sera: Second. Thou shall obey me in all things.

If Adam had a beating heart, it would be beating out of his chest. He could still feel the fear and anxiety creeping up his spine and into every one of his nerves.

Adam: A-Absolutely! It's just that I was kidnapped-.

Sera: Third. Thou shall not leave my side unless directed.

He can feel the coldness of the forest dig into his bones. His every fiber was shaking with fear, but he forced himself to smile.

Sera: Fourth. Thou shall know that thou are mine.

Adam backed away as in a flash of red mist, his master appeared before him. Her red eyes pierced his very soul.

Sera smiled: Pathetic. As always. But at least you know your place.

Adam bowed his head. To show respect and to hide his fear.

Sera: You are mine. Forever.

Adam wakes and bolts up out of his bed next to the fire. Looking around, he could almost still feel her presence. He needed to get back before he's punished.

But then it dawns on him. If he's free to walk in the daylight, can he be free from Sera? Free from her rule?

Adam looked around the small camp at the three other sleeping bodies. He could test it if he's truly free from her influence. He could feed on a thinking creature.

Lucifer tosses and turns. He doesn't sleep well. His mind slips between nightmares and restless sleep.

His eyes slowly start to open. He doesn't know why he woke up so in the middle of the night. Maybe something was wrong or maybe, he just got lucky.

Lucifer's eyes widened as he saw Adam crouching over him, mouth open as if he's about to bite him.

Adams red eyes suddenly lock with Lucifer's, making him stumble back.

Adam: Uh- shit.

Lucifer stands up, tense and ready to fight.

Adam: No, wait! It's not what it looks like! I swear.

Lucifer glares at Adam, and folds his arms.

Adam: I wasn't going to hurt you! I... I just... I just needed-! Well... blood.

Finally, Lucifer takes a closer look at Adam. In the firelight, he could see every detail he missed when they first met. When Adam held that blade to his neck. The sharp teeth, the blood red eyes. A vampire. A slave to sanguine hunger.

Lucifer: A vampire. How long has it been since you killed someone? Days? Hours?

Adam smirked: I've never killed anyone. Well...

Adam looked away: Not for food... I feed on animals. Boars, deer, kolbolds. Whatever I can get. But it's not enough- not if I have to fight. I feel so... weak...

Lucifer watched Adam as he swayed, clearly drained and exhausted.

Adam put on his best puppy dog eyes. They always worked. Unless it was Sera.

Asam: But... if I had a little blood, I could think clearer. Fight better. Please?

Lucifer: You're a vampire? Why didn't you tell me?

Adam: I was sure you would say no... or likely ram a stake through my ribs. No. I needed you to trust me- and you can trust me.

Lucifer was silent for a moment: Fine- but not a drop more than you need, Adam. Or I will fucking stake you.

Adam blinked in surprise: Really? I mean- of course. Not a drop more~.

Lucifer glared as Adam put on a more flirty tone.

Adam: Now, how about we get more comfortable, shall we~?

Lucifer laid back down on his bedroll and watched as Adam kneeled next to him. He wasted no time in burying his fangs into Lucifer's neck.

He thought this would feel more pleasurable, but it was anything but. Adam's fangs felt cold, sending sharp shock waves through his neck.

But soon, the pain fades. There's a throbbing numbness, making his heart rate quicken and his breath hitch.

Adam almost moans, feeling the blood rush into his mouth. He can finally feel that deep, empty hole inside him being filled. The whites of his eyes turn red, filling with the blood he greedily sucks out of Lucifer.

Lucifer could feel his heart slowing, his mind going blank. He was losing himself.

With as much willpower, Lucifer could muster, he forced Adam off.

Lucifer: A-Adam! Stop- you're taking too much!

Adam reluctantly removes himself from Lucifer's neck.

Adam: O-Of course! That-.

Lucifer covers his neck, applying pressure to his new wound. He looked over Adam. He looked blissful, dabbing at a string of blood that ran from his flushed lip to his chin with his finger, he quickly licks the blood off his finger.

Adam smiles: That was amazing... my mind feels clearer. I feel stronger! I'll definitely be of use to you now~.

Lucifer: You better, asshole... I look forward to seeing you fight... this better have been worth it.

Adam smirked, and put his hand on his hip.

Adam: Hm. Shouldn't take long. So many people need killing after all~. Now, if you'll excuse me. You're invigilating~. But I need something more... filling~.

Lucifer weakly watches as Adam stalks away towards the forest, looking a lot more confident and stronger than before. Ready to hunt.

This gives God Adam Au meets Vampire Adam Au with some aliens thrown into the mix lol

[lgbtqmanga]

New Releases Sep. 24, 2024

Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You. (manga) vol. 4 by Haruka Mitsui

Mizuha's seventeenth birthday is the pits. Her parents totally forgot, and the sempai she likes isn't interested in her. But when her longtime childhood friend asks her out, Mizuha has to sort out what this change could mean. And her feelings may not be the only ones changing in this latest volume!

Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (novel) vol. 2 by Tang Jiu Qing

KNOW THINE ENEMY After a passionate night together, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye part the next morning as enemies. A new emperor has ascended the throne, and the court is in flux. Power and position are in reach for anyone who dares to grasp them—and Shen Zechuan will stop at nothing to pursue his ambitions. But while Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye counter each other’s moves on the board, grander schemes are afoot in the capital of Qudu. As court conspiracies swirl around them, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye find themselves unlikely allies against a mysterious adversary pulling the strings behind a series of calamities targeting the emperor. Yet, in order to work together, there must be trust, and with trust comes risk: in setting their masks aside, they may inadvertently find their whole selves laid bare.

BARBARITIES (manga) vol. 4 by Tsuta Suzuki

FINAL VOLUME! The king is under house arrest, Joel’s enemies are in power, and worst of all, Adam has been captured. Joel is determined to overthrow Simon and restore King Chris to the throne, but when Simon uses Adam as bait to lure out Joel, he doesn’t know what to do. Can Joel find a way to save Adam as well as the kingdom, or will he have to choose between love and duty?

Boys Gilding the Lily Shall Die!? (manga) vol. 1 by Yomogimochi

Chihaya Katagiri has always been the first trumpet in her school’s brass band — until Hibiki Aikawa transfers from a prestigious school and takes the spot. Despite initial suspicions, the two quickly become close; Katagiri admires Aikawa’s talent and enthusiasm for playing the trumpet, and Aikawa is struck by Katagiri’s grounded treatment of her abilities, as well as her love for music. As their feelings for each other grow stronger, their lives become more complicated with the stress of classes, other relationships, and the last competition of their high school careers drawing near.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (manga) vol. 15 by CLAMP

Clear Card picks up right where Cardcaptor Sakura left off, with Sakura and Syaoran starting junior high school. With the Final Judgment passed, Sakura thinks school life will be quiet, but then all her cards suddenly turn blank! The mysterious new power she discovers will change how she thinks about her powers in this latest volume.

Dinner for Three (novel) by Hizaki Isamu and Yukimura Kanae

Struggling to raise his young brother on his own, Shizuku has been working as a male companion in order to make ends meet. One day, he mistakenly thinks that his little brother has been kidnapped and attacks his neighbor, Tsujido. Seeing that the brothers need help, Tsujido starts to cook warm meals and care for them. For the first time, Shizuku got a taste of what it's like to be taken care of in a family…

Handsome Girl and Sheltered Girl: The Complete Collection (manga) by mocchi-au-lait and majoccoid

When Okuma Satomi’s friend seeks her help wrangling guys for a crossdressing cafe, Satomi winds up with a boyfriend! Sort of. After asking her handsome and aloof classmate, Kanda Mizuki, to help out in the cafe, Mizuki agrees, but on one condition: the two of them must go on a date. Satomi eagerly agrees, delighted to have such a good-looking guy interested in her, but Mizuki realizes that Satomi has completely misunderstood something crucial: Mizuki is a girl! Will this case of mistaken identity blossom into something beautiful, or will the truth leave both girls brokenhearted?

Konohana Kitan (manga) vol. 14 by Sakuya Amano

Yuzu and Satsuki are now working as maids at the Akitsushima Hotel, an inn for Western Great Spirits that they arrived at on their travels. Will they be able to pull off their duties despite being astonished by the inn's quirky owner and the other maids? Fox workers will wait on you hand and foot. This is the 14th volume of nostalgic Japanese stories that will illuminate and heal your heart.

Mobsters in Love (manga) vol. 2 by Chiyoko Origami

Mob captain Akihiro Kashima has been successfully hiding his feelings for his boss for years now. But Ritsu Hibiya, assistant captain, has figured out his secret! In order to keep Hibiya’s lips sealed, Kashima agrees to be his servant, but then Hibiya pushes him down and kisses him…just when the boss walks in on them!

My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today (manga) vol. 2 by Kiyoko Iwami

Yuni loves how passionate her secret girlfriend can be, but honestly…? It’s starting to feel like volleyball takes up all of Nanase’s time. Especially when her latest game is all the way in Osaka, where Yuni will not only have to spend a lot of money but also be alone most of the time. However, Fuuko offers the perfect solution: She’ll pay IF Yuni goes on a date with her. It’s not cheating if you’re doing it to support your girlfriend, right?

Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang (novel) vol. 4 by priest

EVIL IN THE BLOOD As Chang Geng continues his dangerous mission investigating corruption in the south, Gu Yun races back to the capital in hopes of stopping a bloody insurrection. But internal unrest is not all that threatens the throne of Great Liang as foreign enemies gather on both land and sea. When Great Liang’s northern foe sends an envoy of peace to the capital, an end to the war may be in sight. But the northern tribes come with their own desperate plan: a mechanism to ignite the curse lurking in Chang Geng’s blood and turn him against all he holds dear. To save Chang Geng, Gu Yun must find the secret to the curse of the wu’ergu—before both of them run out of time.

Wails of the Bound (manga) by Keri Kusabi

Alpha Keisuke Takaba has just transferred to a new office, hoping for a peaceful work environment filled with fellow Alphas. His illusions are quickly shattered when he meets his new manager, Miyabi Karasuma—a brash Omega who is willing to use his body to get whatever he wants. Keisuke can't stand Omegas, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't avoid Miyabi and is even forced to follow along as Miyabi performs “favors” for business associates. The more he sees of Miyabi's life, the more he feels pity for the Omega… but maybe “pity” isn't the only thing he's feeling?

Wolf Pack (manga) by Billy Balibally

Set in the far-far north, where wolves rule, the head of the valley, Garm, follows the tradition of the lake chief, Hati, and becomes his guardian. Garm is frank and tough, and Hati is serious and pure. They respect each other's pride as chiefs and males, but at first they are somewhat at odds with each other. However, as they come into contact with each other's way of life, their deepening bond makes them the one and only pair…

[alterrune]

CHAPTER 4, ACT 4: AIR POLLUTION

(This time, the plan is incredibly simple. Since I still have the Heaven Incursion's mind-broadcast machine that I reverse-engineered a while ago, I'll use it to send a message specifically to the members of the Toppat Clan and the staff of GEOGRAM, which means the Viper spies won't get the message [and since Joe Sutton and the other former Blackjacks are now affiliated with GEOGRAM, they'll get the message too]. I quickly whip out a script I wrote before inacting the plan, and drive my wheelchair over to the microphone.)

Attention. This is the ColorStreak Battalion. If you are hearing this, then you are actually a member of the Toppat Clan and/or a member of GEOGRAM.

(The message begins making the actual members of the Toppat Clan and GEOGRAM cover their ears, but the ones who don't cover their ears are not effected and looking at the others in confusion, meaning they're spies. Jackpot.)

We have recieved word that spies are aboard both the Airship and GEOGRAM's base.

If anyone you see is not covering their ears in pain from this, that means they are a spy and should be dealt with immediately.

We highly reccomend giving them a taste of their own medicine. If they've worked on anything for you, force them to try it.

And do not leave a single assassin alive.

CSB out. You know what to do.

(And with that, all the assassins are immediately found out and are killed with their own sabotaged goods, whether it be consuming their own poisoned food and drinks, being forced to kill themselves with their own sabotaged weapons [guns fire a bullet into the wielder instead of the target or explode when the trigger is pulled, melee weapons retract from the wrong end to kill the user, and many more], using their own sabatoged equipment, and every other assassination method they had planned to use on the Toppat Clan and GEOGRAM were instead used by the Toppat Clan and GEOGRAM on them.)

Holy shit. Kyle, that was incredible!

Hey, I'm relearning how to walk, Alter, not how to think.

Yeah. And it shows.

(Suddenly, Laurence, Lily, Aaron/Adam, and Sutton appear from the doorway of the security room in the GEOGRAM base we had hidden ourselves in.)

You guys are fucking awesome.

No kidding. Thanks to you guys, I finally got to kick some ass.

I believe Aaron would like to have a word with you five. Don't worry, it's a positive one.

(Aaron walks up to us.)

Kyle "Alterrune" Cross, Violet Cilantro Wolfsbane, Henry Banker Stickmin, Ellie Thorne Rose, and Kyle Micheal Ryan Gibbons, it is with great honor that I bestow upon all of you GEOGRAM's highest and most prestigious medal of honor: the White Diamond. This medal of honor is reserved for outstanding people who have saved GEOGRAM from certain doom, and considering the awe-inspiring display in which you not only saved us, but the Toppats as well (whom are your friends and our allies), you have damn well deserved this medal of honor. Wear it with pride, Colorstreak Battalion. You have earned it.

(Aaron hands us all the White Diamond. It's an incredibly ornate genuine silver medal, with decorative symbols that represent GEOGRAM engraved all around the centerpiece, which is a geniune diamond, which has been flattened so it fits into the spot where it lays. Below the centerpiece is our full names engraved into the silver, and the ribbon that holds up each medal is in our signature colors: red for Alter, purple for Violet, blue for Henry, pink for Ellie, and black for me.)

Wait...Henry, your middle name is "BANKER"?

And Ellie, yours is "Thorne"?

Yeah...I tend not to tell people my middle name because, y'know, I broke into a bank when my middle name is "Banker"...you can see how many jokes could form from that.

And my mom gave me that middle name. Pretty sure she didn't expect her daughter to end up at the Wall, and then become not only the Right Hand Lady to the leader of a criminal orginization, but also to MARRY said leader.

But then again, both my folks and Henry's folks cut all ties with us after they learned of our criminal acts. And good, because we don't miss 'em.

Blah blah blah. How about we celebrate this occasion? After all, the last time we gave out one of those was a really long time ago!

Adam. No. We will not be celebrating this until Kelso is defeated. Once that happens, you can break out the champagne, okay?

CHAMPAGNE?! WHERE?!

...

Oh...uh...sorry. Ol' boozehound habits again...

Hey, don't worry about it, Vi. We've all got problems here. How about you and the others hop onto my wheelchair's passenger seats and we'll at least celebrate our victory with one bottle of champagne. And the top-shelf stuff, at that.

Uh...non-alcholic, please.

Trust me, cuz. Aaron's got that covered.

(We all ride my wheelchair's train mode seats and begin celebrating our victory.)

END OF CHAPTER 4, ACT 4

ACHIEVEMENT(S) GET: Giving A Cat Cow's Milk (Operation Cat's Claw set), White Diamond (Stock Achievement set)

INFO GET: [HENRY'S MIDDLE NAME IS "BANKER", ELLIE'S MIDDLE NAME IS "THORNE", AND KYLE'S MIDDLE NAME IS "MICHEAL RYAN". NAMES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN BIOS.]

DISPLAYING EPILOGUE...

A WHITE DIAMOND?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!

(Kelso, having already intercepted the GEOGRAM news, has seen that we've been awarded GEOGRAM's most prestigious medal of honor: the White Diamond. She is not happy.)

They are members of the Toppat Clan! They shouldn't be honored! And especially not with the most prestigous fucking award GEOGRAM can give out! By god, if only I could've dropped the façade when me and Aaron were interviewing those two imbeciles. I could've wrung their necks out on the spot!

HEY! Don't you DARE talk about my son and his friends like that.

(Kelso grabs her metal bat and holds it above her head, about to strike Carol again...but stops before swinging.)

Ah, forget it. I don't even have the energy to swing at you right now. However...

(Kelso pushes a button on her main computer, and a blowtorch suddenly pops out, intent on burning Carol's feet with a quick burst of fire. Luckily, Carol moves out of the way in time.)

...mental torture is still torture, is it not?

(Suddenly, Kelso's phone goes off. It's a message from us.)

-🔺💜🔵💕✍🏼-

Hiya, Carol! Those assassins were quite the handful. If it hadn't been for the Heaven Incursion's "mind-broadcast" machine, you probably would've killed all of the higher-ups!

But we managed to make sure that the assassins got taken out by their own saboteur work. Must be embarrassing dying to your own work.

And now GEOGRAM has given us the highest medal of honor they can give: the White Diamond. My younger brother, Jacob Wolfsbane, came to visit me just to display how proud he was of me for earning such a medal. GEOGRAM is our ally and our ally alone, Kelso.

And to think you had Aaron wrapped around your finger. Glad he found out who you were and abandoned you the very instant he could.

You're running out of places to hide, you know. We'll find you eventually.

And we'll smash every wall you try to put in our way. You can count on that.

See you soon, Sarah.

Kyle Gibbons ✍🏼

Alterrune 🔺

Violet Wolfsbane 💜

Henry Stickmin 🔵

Ellie Rose 💕

-🔺💜🔵💕✍🏼-

(Kelso is visibly angry. She puts her phone down and clenches her hands into fists.)

GODDAMNIT!!!

(She slams her fists down onto her planning desk hard, leaving a large dent where she slammed her fists down.)

I am this close to snapping my phone in two, and breaking everything else.

(Kelso's expression suddenly changes.)

"Unbridled rage into furious drive"...hahaha...yes! That's what they meant! Turn my anger into a way to push forward! HAHAHA! I'LL SHOW THEM ALL WHAT KIND OF SNAKE I AM WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO ME!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Yep. She's fucking lost it. Thought it'd take less time, to be honest.

They'll all regret messing with me. The grand finale isn't ready yet, but when it is, oh-ho-ho...

...they'll all die in the most brutal way possible.

Sweet Jebodaiah Christoff, she really HAS fucking lost it.

END OF EPILOGUE...

[contrivedchaos]

So Sera and Carmilla after Carmilla falls keep seeing each other why let a little thing like treason and banishment get in the way of a good relationship. Sera makes portals and sneaks to hell they spend some time together usually in bed it's pretty casual it's not like they can do that much but it goes on for a few thousand years till Carmilla breaks it off someone in hell asked her out and she likes him and well she knows what she and Sera has can grow into something more. Sera knew it would happen eventually and doesn't hold any bad feelings to Carmilla she deserves to have a real relationship not a once a month liaison. They go their separate ways Sera raises up the ranks of heaven gets Emily to care for and is very successful if a bit lonely while Carmilla starts dating this guy and marries him they have Odette and Clara and she grows her empire. Than suddenly her husband dies somehow (stares at Sera. I'm kidding she wouldn't murder her ex's husband that is too evil and would make Carmilla sad. She was happy when she heard the news than felt guilty about being happy.) More years pass Carmilla adjusts to being a widow and single mom while running her empire and Sera keeps climbing the ranks of heaven. Carmilla starts to feel lonely and eventually askes Sera if she would like to meet up. (Sera has a similar reaction to the phone call as Lucifer had to Charlie's though she doesn't answer the phone like he did.) They meet up and well get back together as they had been before though now they occasionally do dates as well either Sera disguised in hell or Carmilla disguised going back to heaven. The girls all suspect something is up with their mom/sisters her monthly night where she can not be distributed but have no idea.

Yeeeeeeeessssss! We love a good covert rendezvous between lovers-who-should-be-enemies. If anyone powerful in Heaven found out, they would probably face serious consequences, but they do it anyway, because they love each other! They always have! 😭😭

Carmilla probably thought she was doing the right thing by ending things with Sera. When they were lower on the totem polls of their respective societies, it was easier to get away with seeing each other. But once Sera started taking on more responsibility as a Seraphim, and allowed Adam to do his Exterminations every year, it drove a rift between them. Carmilla thought that it would be better to go their separate ways -- she couldn't justify continuing a relationship with the person allowing her people to be slaughtered.

Eventually she met Clara and Odette's father, another overlord who was allied with Zestial, who was also rising up in the ranks in Hell. They started a relationship and were able to cobble together a comfortable life. They started Carmine Industries, she took his last name, and they had the girls. Maybe at some point he got careless and was killed during an Extermination, and Carmilla never fully recovered. That's why she's so tough on her girls to always be careful, never takes risks, and rules over her empire with an iron fist. She doesn't want to lose anyone else.

But she's not immune to loneliness, and while Zestial is still around, and they are very dear friends, she misses her husband and that close companionship. In a moment of weakness, she calls Sera, who doesn't answer at first. But Carmilla keeps trying, and starts leaving messages that she wants to speak. When they do finally talk, Sera confides in her that Heaven isn't all it's cracked up to be. She has a job to do, but it brings her no joy, and now her only purpose is making sure Emily is safe. She and Carmilla find common ground on wanting to protect their girls, and spend long hours talking before finally agreeing to try again. Except it's even more dangerous this time, because they are both in positions of power. Emily, Odette, and Clara eventually find out, and agree to watch their backs and cover for them. But how long can they keep this going before one or both are found out?

[deepfriedhopesanddreams]

Another part of the Vacation arc! ( Apparently, Tumblr just keeps cutting it shorter and shorter for both me and Bloom😢, so close...)

Kat: *chuckles* *sends meatball pun to group chat*

Everyone: .... Seriously?...

Kat : what? It's funny!

*Kabiguan opens the zipper on the bag and looks inside. He's happy to see the botbots, every bot realises that... No one knew what happened earlier inside the infinity mall. To the human allies, it's just nothing. Every bot agrees to keep this to themselves.

The human allies dropped off Kat and Marvin and continued their vacation.*

Marcus: alright everyone! We only have a few more days left

(@deepfriedhopesanddreams : and literally limited reblogs for me and Bloom)

Marcus: how about we speed things up?

Everyone: yea-

Cosmopatty: yeah! Montage! *Snaps fingers*

Everyone: Aaaaahhhhhh!!!! Who are you-

*Everyone was experiencing a montage. They took photos, but they can't remember how.... They kept going and going until the final day of their vacation*

Gabby: whoo! That was fun! That was... That was fast... Do you guys remember anything?...

Everyone: no/not really/ what's going on?

Gregory: okay that bot over there is responsible

Cosmopatty: what? I'm only helping my boss

Dave: wait who's your-

Cosmopatty: buh bye! *Flies back into the bag*

Hiraya: okay... That happened...

Raven: okay, she ruined our fun!

Todd: but at least we got pictures?

Marcus: yeah, and it's our last day, let's just.... Go home...

*Rough Ride was about to drive back. But Cosmopatty just has to intervene and snap their finger again. In an instant, they went back like it was minutes*

Rough Ride: how the- what the fu- damn... I thought we're already off the "eldritch bull####t" hook, damn

Gabby: yeah... What's going on- oh hey, it's my mom's gardening store!

*they were right in front of Evelyn's Gardening store, she was about to close.*

Evelyn: what the... Back so soon?

Gabby: hi mom!

Evelyn: hi sweetie!-

*Gabby stepped out of Rough Ride to give her mom a hug. Box followed behind Gabby. Evelyn had a frown on her face*

Evelyn: oh, your father's gift is... Floating...

Gabby: oh yeah it's a long story...

Box: Eve...

Evelyn: Adam?

Dave: wait your name's not Taurus?

Kabiguan: *sticks his head out* oh! Is that "Mom"?

Evelyn: !!! , A transformer?! Wait ... Mom?...

Gabby: it's also a long story-

Cosmopatty: I hate "long stories", let me help again! *Claps his hands*

Everyone: ...

Hiraya: what did you do?...

Cosmopatty: mmm maybe you should check on the mall... The mall that Dave works at, not the food mall

*Everyone was confused. They don't have much time to explain it to Evelyn. Rough Ride suddenly moved by herself, she wasn't in control. Driving over a safety barrier and several familiar looking vehicles. She drove close to the mall. But something isn't right...

Agents... Lot's of them, surrounding the mall. They hand this odd wire around the mall, like securing it. The human allies quickly hid somewhere, they got closer to listen in any of them. What is going on?*

Agent Wagner: are you sure?

Agent Mordecai: affirmative, look *shows her the energon tracker* see this? This place... Is contaminated with energon...

*Everyone was shocked, there's energon residue?*

Agent Mordecai: ... Alright, men, do it now

*one of the agents flips some switches. A large surge of shock was activated. The wires shake violently. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake.

A large arm emerges out of the mall then another, the whole mall begins to transform, it was a Titan... Everyone's eyes grew wide at his presence. He was in absolute pain, the shock hurt him so much, he tried to stand up but the tough wires kept him down. The agents started to fire at him, this made things even worse. They began to fire missiles at him. He manages to throw one away, but it crashed into Evelyn's Gardening store*

Evelyn: oh no!-

*back at the parking lot*

Gabby: oh boy, I hope that missile didn't hit a civilian...

*the Titan struggles to move, everything hurts*

Marcus: what are we going to do?! This is bad

[berniecranes]

One thing that kind have irked me a little bit is John's views in the game. No, not the fundamentals I disagree with, as that is obvious. But the inconsistencies with what they built up for him. They're minor details, it doesn't really change much, but excuse this ramble I am going into. It's going to be talking about the VW, and some of the tactics used in it, so I want to give a full warning for this.

Also I want to preface this as this is not to defend John. I have been more than adamant on the fact that John is a scary, shitty, C*A Officer regardless of anything else.

As you may know, John makes a passing comment to Lincoln about how LBJ is handling the war. He says "President Johnson is a goddamn pussy. He started that war, he should finish it." which clearly shows John, a. Puts blame on LBJ for pushing the war, obviously being lighter towards Jack's actions earlier on. Whether he is a believer that Jack wouldn't have escalated the war, or he wouldn't have had it get this bad/would have handled it better, that is up for debate. And b. He wants it to end. Which is an obvious, I think assuming him and Lincoln want this war to be over makes sense. But, especially with the idea he was a C*A Officer; because at this time, the C*A and M*litary were not hand in hand allies, as I believe that happened either with N*xon or the 80s, I cannot remember fully right now. They often opposed views. And with this, the C*A believing they "ACTUALLY want to the end the war"; whereas the m*litary wants "glory." Now, I would like to point out, just because John wants the war to end doesn't make him anti-war. As we hear how he feels abt anti-war protesters. Clearly he still believes they should do their """civic duty""" or whatever. Regardless of if you're happy with it or not, or be quiet and go along with it, I guess.

But this really is where my biggest gripe comes in. John says the way to end the war is "filling up the sky with B-52s" AKA, keep bombing V*etnam. This has been the tactic that has been FAILING. LBJ has been critiqued even in his own Party that he needs to stop the bombing & to start negotiations. But the thing with LBJ, he is too stubborn likes to do things his way. And, do you know who opposed continuous bombing? The C*A. While I know clearly not EVERYONE did, but then tell me why....when they established John is unhappy with how things are going, especially with what LBJ is doing.....WHY he would be pro the tactics that ISN'T working? UGH! It just makes no sense to me. And to go on and continue to mock him when he haults the bombings? Like hello?

And no, I do not believe he would want N*xon or whatever because I still do believe he is a democrat. I think his staunch support for Jack should definitely still be noted. He wouldn't go SO hard for a politician he believed in...if he didn't believe in him you know? Remember John is a man of this time, he's an actively present adult. He isn't looking at it 60 yrs later, he's looking at it in the moment. I think it's more than fair to say his frustration of LBJ doesn't show he is suddenly against him or whatever. Because they're just that; frustrations. Especially in the conference, we see how the war fucked with John and how he feels about everything as a whole. But it is true, the handling of the war overshadowed literally EVERYTHING LBJ did. And I'm not saying that is a bad thing, when your screw up (putting that lightly) is a literal mass killing of an entire group of people, that is GONNA be the focus of what you did. Oh, but with the line where John says if Jack was still around N*xon wouldn't be president. I believe that is a rather loaded answer, not as simple as Jack would be elected, because he couldn't have been, it would already be 2nd term. The plan always would have been Bobby would try after Jack, then Teddy. But I think he still holds a lot of his hopes in what the nation could have been with him, and truly feels Am*rica "lost its way" or whatever. But yeah, I think it's clear he still is aligned this way regardless of the many wrong things John does or say.

Like I mentioned, this is by no means me defending him or the C*A, as they were doing terrible shit. As we know the Ph*onix Pr*gram (which to remind you, M3 has John AND Lincoln involved in that for some reason...) exists, and many other things are public about their doings there. I just think this shows how the game lacks to really show anyone's core views or thoughts. Instead of using John as a way to show the many different views, they should have stuck to one and have him do that. Instead, they went with this, something that literally makes NO sense.

Below the cut are all the John lines I mentioned and also a passage or two from the book V*etnam: A History by St*nley K*rnow

Added in alt text so hopefully they're all easier to read, I apologize abt the book pictures, they were taken last year in the middle of me reading so often I just got a quick pic and continued on, aha

[allylikethecat]

“Your last emergency call was you crying over not having any more sweets at your place, so excuse me for being distrustful.” This reminds me of the eye fic when George had to come over in the middle of the night haha. Could still be cute for something else tho

OK SO I know I have an absolute bajillion prompts that are much older than this one in my inbox. This prompt is actually from today. However kind anon, this was my favorite prompt from the Late Night Call Prompts list and I got way too excited about it because you're right, it also reminds ME of the eye infection fic and then it got me thinking... what if Fictional!Matty really was calling for a dumb reason this time lol Anyway I have decided that I'm going to try and keep my prompt fills to around 500 words moving forward so that hopefully I'll actually be able to fill some of these. And because I got excited I filled this one first. Anyway, here it is, it's silly but I enjoyed working on it and I hope you like it too! Thank you so much for the continued support and sending me this prompt request! I hope you had a lovely Tuesday and that you have a great rest of your week!

❤️Ally

“Your last emergency call was you crying over not having any more sweets at your place, so excuse me for being distrustful.”

“Yes Matthew?” George answered on the fourth ring, barely catching the call before it went to voicemail. His voice was thick with sleep and Matty felt a pang of guilt for waking him up but quickly pushed it away. 

“What do you mean, yes Matthew?” Matty asked, crossing his arms over his chest even though he knew that George couldn’t see him. George was thousands of miles away in LA, where it was very much the middle of the night. Meanwhile Matty was stuck in London with a sinus infection, his doctor advising him it was best to sit this one out. He had only been going to LA with George as moral support and to sit on the beach anyway, while he worked on Charli’s new record. “What if it was some kind of emergency? What if I was in the hospital? What if I was dying, George?” 

“I would hope you’d call Ross or Adam then because I am nearly six thousand miles away and thus unable to help you if  you were in the hospital,” said George with a yawn, his voice sounding far away and tinny through Matty’s speaker phone. It made his heart ache, he didn’t want George to be so far away, especially when he was still feeling poorly despite the antibiotics. 

“Well what if it was some other kind of emergency then?” Matty asked, George would be home in a few days, but it still felt like a few days too long. 

“Matthew,” said George, the exasperation obvious in his voice. “Your last emergency call was you crying over not having any more sweets at your place, so excuse me for being distrustful.” 

“Okay first off,” said Matty, “I was extremely stoned and I couldn’t remember how my legs worked to go to the store and get more, so it really was an emergency, if I didn’t have something with chocolate as soon as possible I might have actually died.”

George yawned again, “can we stop talking about you dying?” George asked, “I know you’re a dramatic little fuck but I don’t like the idea of that.” 

Matty huffed, not appreciating being called dramatic or little but also somehow warmed that George didn’t like him joking about his death. 

“Fine,” said Matty, picking at a loose thread on his sweatpants. “How is LA?” 

“Hot and sunny,” said George, “and the middle of the night.” He yawned again. 

“If you don’t want to talk to me that’s fine,” said Matty and George sighed. 

“I do want to talk to you, I always want to talk to you,” said George, wishing Matty would just get to the point, he had clearly called for a reason and was dancing around the topic. “It’s just the middle of the night and I’m tired, so if you could get to the point that would be great.” 

“It’s fine,” said Matty, running his fingers through his hair, suddenly feeling silly, “it’s not that big of a deal, you’re right it’s not an emergency or anything it can wait.” 

“Matthew,” said George, he just wanted to go back to sleep. “You already have me on the line, and it was obviously important to you to call me this late. What’s up?” 

Matty swallowed hard, bracing himself for George’s reaction. “Em, what’s the Netflix password again?” 

Matty sighed as he was met with the dial tone. George had hung up on him. 

[10-days-of-freakin-olives]

Chapter Two of Know Thy Self-Help is posted!

In Kemet, Crawley learns the hard way that Heaven has more than one way of punishing a disobedient angel with too many opinions, and Aziraphale is pushed to his limits, but something good may come out of it yet.

There's some heavy stuff in this chapter, considering we're covering probably the most dramatic and intense part of Exodus. Have a snippet:

"This isn't who you are, Aziraphale," Crowley makes one last attempt at compelling his only potential ally to just help him fix this.

Another roof caves in. Another family burns. Crowley's stomach turns.

"You don't want this. I know you don't want this. You were made to protect, to…to love," he reminds the angel. "You can protect them now, like you protected Adam and-"

"Be silent," Aziraphale hisses, and Crawley shouldn't feel so relieved to hear the fury in his voice, but it's such an improvement on the empty tone he'd been using that the demon can't help it. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I know you."

Aziraphale shakes his head so minutely Crawley nearly misses it.

"I do," he insists. "Well enough that I know you don't want-"

"It isn't about what I want," Aziraphale cuts him off, voice breaking, finally, horribly, but he still hasn't turned around. "There are consequences to interfering with the Divine Plan, Crawley."

"And that's it?" Disbelief floods him. "You'll let these humans be tormented, tortured, murdered …just so you won't be punished?"

"This is my punishment!" Aziraphale's fists clench at his sides as the words tear themselves from his throat so harshly Crawley can't help but flinch.

They both freeze, and the angel draws in a shuddering breath. "I. I mean. This is…"

Something cold slithers down Crawley's spine and curls up in his stomach in a sickening, heavy lump. "What does that mean?"

"I-it's nothing. I…misspoke."

"M-…Aziraphale, what does that mean ? What punishment?" Horror makes his tone sound much angrier than he means it to, but Crawley is scared , because he has unfortunately suddenly remembered that he only knows of one punishment Heaven metes out to disobedient angels, and he can’t help but regret even bringing it up, much less mocking Aziraphale for being afraid of it. Crawley’s still afraid of it. "What did you do? What have they done?"

"It doesn't matter," Aziraphale replies, gathering himself, back straightening.. "It's not a punishment, that was an…inaccurate classification."

" What. Do. You. Mean. "

"It is a lesson," Aziraphale says, each cursed syllable plunking into place with care. "I have been remiss, and I must be corrected so that I may serve Her Will properly."

Click the link to read it in full!

[casspurrjoybell-28]

The Alpha's Addiction - Chapter 29 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Beau - Kao

"This is... Koa. We were having, uh, lunch together."

I cross my arms, nearly scoffing in disbelief.

By lunch, does he mean the dining he did on my fucking slick?

He's leaving out the part where he moaned in pleasure at the taste of it, lips wrapped around my fingers.

Despite my satisfaction at the memory, it does little to ease the raging irritation building up inside of me.

The Omega pouts, puffing out his bottom lip in an effort to be cute.

"Why couldn't I have come? I would've loved to meet your friend."

This little bitch did not just call me Cyrus's fucking friend.

I'm about to retaliate but Cyrus quickly grabs my hand, squeezing it in his own.

The Omega doesn't miss the movement, eyes darting to where we make contact.

They flash in what I assume to be jealousy and I purposely push myself closer to Cyrus for my own delight.

"He is... my mate, Beau," the statement doesn't even cause Beau to blink.

"Oh, that Omega. The single mother with a pup, right?" he says it so condescendingly, still not even acknowledging my presence and I swear I see red.

"That omega is right here, if you have anything else to ask about him," I say, tone filled with sugar-coated venom.

Beau's tight-lipped smile wavers but the lapse in certainty is gone in an instant.

"I don't, really. Just was confirming who my betrothed's fated-mate is. There's been a lot of talk about you, considering Cyrus and my soon-to-be union. But I trust you won't be an obstacle to that. It's not like being fated is essential for mates, right? I mean, that pup of yours isn't Cyrus', is it?"

So many emotions come crashing down at me all at once.

Cyrus is... betrothed?

To this annoyingly beautiful Omega that is insulting my being a mother?

I can barely comprehend the words, speechless as I reel in the meaning of them.

I'm not... I'm not Cyrus's only choice.

And this whole time... I've been acting high and mighty, taking him for granted because there was never a threat.

Now, the threat stands in front of me, smug at my inability to create a comeback to that.

Because what the actual fuck can I say?

All I want to do is scream, perhaps cry.

I'm so upset that this is happening... that Cyrus never told me any of this.

"Beau, please refrain from making such comments during your stay. We are your hosts," he replies sternly, hand tightening around my own.

"You're my host, Cyrus. Not him," Beau rolls his eyes, as if bored.

"And this is not simply a 'stay'. Your home is now my home, Cyrus."

I feel like my entire world is falling apart.

"Alright. Now go home," Cyrus orders, tone more adamant this time.

Beau huffs and puffs, stomping childishly but doesn't put up a fight.

He's off down the road, skipping without a care in the world, as if he didn't just drop that complete bomb on me.

Cyrus is silent.

He observes me, face grim.

I just stare back at him, chest heaving in heavy breaths.

I feel absolutely nauseous.

"Who the fuck was that?" I ask, my voice tight and I sound pathetic, like I'm about to cry.

Cyrus rubs a hand on his face, raking it back through his hair with a sigh.

"My father invited him to stay. He's the son of the Alpha from an ally pack and our families want us to mate to join our packs together. But I swear, Koa, I'm not going to accept the union. No matter how hard they push," he reaches for my hands, but I back away.

"Then why is he here? Why didn't you send him back?"

Red, hot anger boils in my veins, along with humiliation.

"I-I'm trying to figure out what to do and him staying here is only to appease my father for the time being," his voice is pleading but I don't care.

"And what daddy says, goes? That man thinks I'm a fucking slut, Cyrus. And you still listen to him?"

"I don't have a choice," he suddenly raises his voice, hands fisted at his side.

I fall silent, not expecting him to get this worked up.

He's usually so calm.

And here I am causing yet another fight.

Why is everything going wrong?

"I took over as Pack Alpha only recently, Koa. The  warriors I now command are still loyal to my father and that devotion runs deep. If I don't listen to him, in at least some capacity... he'll strip it all away. Without my warriors' compliance, I do not have power over this pack. I won't be able to properly protect you or Oliver like that. Do you understand? I am trying to hold this all together, for your sake."

"Everyone in this pack expects me to claim a Luna soon and since I haven't... the North River Pack thought sending over their son would be the perfect chance for a union. Whether you like it or not, Beau will have to stay here and it's not my fault that I didn't have a bonded mate to show to his family when they visited."

I'm frozen in place.

His words are harsh but I know there is no malice behind them.

All he's saying is the truth, one that I was too ignorant to recognize in the first place.

"I-I'm sorry, Cyrus. It's not that I don't want to be with you but I just can't... I can't commit to that yet..."

"You don't have to, my Moon," he shakes his head.

"I'm only telling you this so you know why this is happening. I would never use it to pressure you."

I feel like crying.

I don't deserve him.

He had all these stressors on him and refrained from telling me so as not to put them on me, too.

In the end, his thought process centered all around me.

I could solve all of these problems with a simple 'yes' and 'be' with him.

Truly be with him.

Alpha and Luna, fated mates, bonded.

It's like all the puzzle pieces are right there, yet I can't bring myself to put them together.

My past.

My worries of the future.

Oliver.

All of it is holding me back.

Even my own perception of myself.

What if Cyrus regretted his decision to claim me once it was done?

There is no way for an Alpha to remove their claim mark from their fated Omega.

You are tied together, souls entwined as the Moon Goddess wished it to be.

But would Cyrus wish it as well?

I'm broken.

It's clear as day, at least to me, though I'm able to hide the effects of my abuse from others well.

I'm not confident I could ever make a good Luna, no matter how badly I want to stand by my Alpha's side.

Is it okay for me to indulge in Cyrus like this?

When he doesn't know what my past has done to me?

What it's taken from me?

Could I ever give him the whole, happy family he deserves?

I hope... I hope I can.

I go to bed that night with a heavy heart.

Cyrus and I did not fight after that.

We didn't say anything more on the matter.

"We will figure this out, little wolf," he tells me once Oliver has gone into our room, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I pray to the Moon Goddess he is right.

I also make note to complain to Morgan about Beau's bitchiness as soon as possible.

[kpswrites]

Sunrunner - Chapter Nine

Zenith swirled the contents of her glass, stirring up the phosphorescent flakes within. The drink itself was a generic blended whisky from Brightstone mixed with a generous amount of soda. She had ordered the drink knowing that the conversation with Sturdy might go sideways. Getting smashed before potentially outing a spy seemed like a bad idea.

"Do you drink at all?" She asked.

"Not often, and only when I'm not on a job. I prefer these," Sturdy said, pulling a cartridge from his pocket.

"Nox? That stuff is pretty addictive."

"No more so than the normal vices," he said, nodding at her drink, "and these will let you keep your senses sharp."

"You worry about losing control?"

"No. I'm always in control."

"Because you don't drink?"

"Because I'm trained to be."

"Do you worry about other people losing control?"

The question made him pause.

"Depends on how dangerous they are."

"Oh yeah? Alright, how about Adam?"

"Mild concern, given his training."

"Odybrix?"

"Very concerned."

"Obviously. BOB?"

He hesitated, his posture stiffening ever so slightly.

"Negligible."

"Me?"

"Also negligible, unless you're piloting."

"Ooh, big mistake. You haven't seen me with a sniper rifle."

"I didn't take you for the shooting type. How did you pick up the skill?"

"My brother," she said, a note of sorrow entering her voice. "I wouldn't call our relationship healthy, but we did like to challenge each other. Didn't take long before I was a better shot than him. Pissed him off, being career military and all."

"What are you going to do if Remington wants him dead?"

"Save him. Blood's worth more than credits, even if it's bad. Anyway, speaking of skills, how does a mercenary learn to sneak into spacecraft and hack databases?"

"Experience."

"Oh yeah? Because it sounds like professional training to me. Less merc, more spy."

"You've met a lot of spies?"

"If I have, they obviously weren't very good ones," she said, taking a sip from the glass. "I've dodged a few teams working covert ops, so I recognize the profile of a spook."

"Wait," he said, lifting his fingers, but not his hand from the table. "Take a look around, but don't turn your head."

It wasn't an attempt to derail the conversation. Dwarves in suits were quietly approaching patrons throughout the club, handing them what must have been vouchers, and escorting them out through side exits. The club was being systematically cleared out around them. Zenith's finger twitched and she felt the alarming absence of her sidearm. This was bad.

She began to rise but, Sturdy took her hand. Her eyes met his and he gently nodded downward. A kinetic pistol rested on his lap.

"How did you get that past dock security?" She asked.

"I didn't. I've got another under my shirt. We've been set up."

"Yeah, got the feeling this is about to get hairy. We need to get to the others."

"I can. I've got the stealth tech. Plan: we flip the table, you draw their fire, I get the crew."

Zenith hesitated, knowing what he had been tasked to do to BOB, but there wasn't much choice. She took his hand and said, "I'm trusting you to get them out of there."

Sturdy nodded. "On three. One. Two."

The countdown stopped when a dark-skinned infernum stepped into the Perihelion and was confronted by two of Tibor's goons. One pointed to the door she came out of, clearly trying to get her to leave. Instead, she made a quick series of hand gestures and suddenly one dwarf was tackling the other. Tibor stood by the bar, shifting his gaze from the infernum to his grappling allies, then to Zenith and Sturdy. He reached for something tucked behind his back.

"Three!" Zenith yelled, flipping the table and grabbing the gun.

Sturdy actived the stealthweave causing his body to disappear in expanding blotches of invisibility. Zenith heard his first few footsteps before the table started getting peppered with bullets and the occasional plasma blast. The kinetic fire didn't pierce the impromptu shield, but bright orange circles blossomed where the plasma struck. It wouldn't be long before her cover was torn to shreds.

She waited for a lull in the hail of gunfire, then popped out and took two shots at a nearby thug. The first hit triggered a personal shield generator, causing blue light to cascade around the dwarf. The second took him in the head. The dozen or so remaining thugs took cover—they hadn't been expecting resistance.

Zenith caught a glimpse of the infernum woman before ducking back into cover. Her own shield flickered as she took a shot from Tibor. In response, she raised a hand and a mote of flame flew from her fingertips, catching the dwarf in the head and searing his face. An instant later, she drew a small metal cylinder and a blade of crackling energy erupted from it. In a few seconds, she closed the distance between a group of gunmen and began their systematic dismemberment.

Who the fuck is that?

—

Buddy choked as she inhaled the searing vapor. Her hands automatically went to her hips for her pistols, but found none. The crew was still reeling from the ambush and barely able to dodge the first blast from the shotgun. The murder-bot took aim at Odybrix' head and fired as she dove to the side, catching some of the spray in her shoulder.

The murder-bot swung the shotgun in Buddy's direction, levelling it at her chest as pain lanced through her lungs. She wasn't going to be able to dodge it. The muzzle flashed and, in the same instant, BOB sprung up in front of her, taking a direct blast to their chassis. They landed on their side with a heavy clunk.

"BOB!" She cried.

Adam surged forward, tearing one of the chairs in front of the desk from its fastening to the floor and smashing it over the bot's head. Seeing a chance, Buddy ducked behind their would-be assassin and jumped on top of it, furiously attempting to kick, elbow, and otherwise bludgeon the weapon from its hands. A pink glow enveloped the shotgun a moment later, pulling it, the bot, and Buddy forward. Three successive shots blared in the death chamber, two hitting the wall and the last catching Jim in the hand as he jumped out of the line of fire. Buddy gave one last powerful downward kick and dislodged the weapon from its grip, then rolled forward, grabbing the shotgun and unloaded five shots into the murder-bot.

"BOB?" She asked, coughing as the other robot went limp.

"I am unharmed!" BOB said. "It did not penetrate the titanium reinforcement."

"Jim?"

"I am functional," Jim said, holding up his hand, which sparked and flickered from flesh tones to the onyx black of his microbots, "but I will need repairs."

"We need to get out of here," Hoxley said, hacking.

"The door disappeared; there's no way out," Odybrix said.

"There was a panel beside it when we entered! It has vanished as well!" BOB said.

Buddy took two shots at the walls beside the door and the pellets caved in a metal plate. BOB was there in a flash, extending their manipulator and pulling the panel open. Flesh melted and metal corroded as the crew watched helplessly. BOB's arm was a blur of swift, robotic precision, cutting and extracting circuitry, then replacing it with other parts from somewhere inside themself. The yellow haze grew so thick that the stout robot was lost within and all that could be heard was the rapid tapping at the panel.

With a sudden click and hiss, the door slid open, spewing deadly vapour into the hallway. The crew surged out of the door like an uncapped soda bottle. Buddy took in a wonderful breath of clean air as she ran and had it immediately knocked out of her when she collided with something unseen. Sturdy materialized on the floor with a thud.

"It's a trap," he said, getting back up.

"We know that, genius," Odybrix said, coughing. "Where's ZT?"

"At our table. They have her pinned."

"Not for long," Buddy said, charging forward past Sturdy.

She turned the corner, shotgun raised, and took in the battlefield. Bodies and parts of them lay on the bloodspattered dance floor as its colour pulsed in time with the music. Gunfire zipped across the room towards an upturned table and, curiously, an infernum standing behind a pillar. A nearby dwarf caught her movement, sneered, and spun to spray her with a Peppershot Auto. Her finger was already pressing down on the trigger.

The dwarf flew back in a mist of blood and shredded muscle, relieved of his face. The body that hit the floor wasn't a dwarf and Buddy was no longer at a club. Combatants wearing patchwork armour scattered for cover in a dark, empty street and took aim at her. Each fighter had three red stripes painted on their shoulders, a marking she didn't know the significance of, but understood it meant they had to die. She blasted an infernum mid-slide as he tried to take cover behind a car. The body that rolled away was a dwarf.

BOB stomped into the fray, catching pistol fire that harmlessly ricocheted off their reinforced armour. Blue light flashed around Buddy—a laser triggering her PSG—and she somersaulted behind BOB. She popped out from behind friend-cover and shot the thug who tagged her, obliterating his own personal shield and scoring a hit in his abdomen. A number of the dwarves keeping Zenith pinned peeled off to deal with the crew.

Adam snatched a pistol from a corpse and expertly snapped off two shots at a thug running for cover, disabling his shield. The dwarf attempted to dive under a table, only to stop in mid-air. An instant later, he flew into the ceiling with a sickening crunch, then fell in a heap on the ground. Odybrix, glowing with a pink psionic aura, pulled another combatant out from behind a pillar, ready to repeat the maneuver, but wave of force struck her.

Tibor stepped into the middle of the dance floor, glowing blue and surrounded by a barrier of psionic energy. Five of his stooges ran inside the protective field, shielding themselves from gunfire and focusing their own attack on the new arrivals. Odybrix and Sturdy fled into the hallway they came from. Adam joined Buddy in ducking behind BOB.

Buddy took a quick glance and saw three of the thugs pulling grenades from their vests. Before she could tell Adam and BOB to scatter, she heard bone-chilling screams coming from their assailants. She peered out again and witnessed an infernum woman inside Tibor's barrier, shredding his lackies to ribbons with an energy blade. Before she could reach him, Tibor hit her with a psionic blast, sending her flying twenty feet away. She landed on her feet.

Buddy raised the shotgun to take the gang leader out, but BOB charged ahead, blocking the shot. Tibor heard the clang of the robot's approach and raised a hand, holding them in place. He formed his hands into shaking claws and blue light surrounded BOB, accompanied by the whine of metal being pulled apart. Tibor smiled viciously as BOB's form began to contort.

Buddy strafed left and unloaded the shotgun at Tibor, but the pellets either bounced off the barrier or were deflected enough to leave him unharmed. She sprinted towards the pair, ready to pummel the dwarf's head in, then saw a panel on BOB slide open. Scalding coffee sprayed onto Tibor's face, causing him to howl and drop to the ground, freeing BOB of the psychic grip. Before either Buddy or Adam could take a shot, the robot stomped forward.

"What the hell are you?" Tibor asked, clutching the raw remains of his face.

"An inspiring vessel for caffeine," BOB said, falling onto Tibor and popping his head like a grape.

Another body dropped at the infernum woman's feet, leaving only her and the crew. She took a moment to look over each of them, then approached. She stopped at the mutilated corpse of Tibor, bent down, and withdrew a PDA from his bloodstained vest.

"Y'all are pretty impressive."

"You're not so bad yourself," Zenith said, walking out from behind her hole-ridden cover.

The woman held the device to a band on her wrist, which beeped after a few seconds. A hologram projected from the band a moment later, displaying text and a route to a nearby part of the station. She tossed the PDA to Buddy and gave the crew a sad smile.

"Looks like you got tangled up in some bad business, darlins'. I dunno how much you've dealt with Remington Corp in the past, but they're not gonna stop comin' for you until you're dead or they don't have a reason to anymore."

"You know that for a fact?" Sturdy asked.

She nodded. "Mhmm, and I think we might be pursuin' the same guy."

"Who are you?" Hoxley asked, peeking out from behind the hallway.

"Ebshian Glaidur. You can call me Ebby."

[percontaion-points]

Client No 5 chapters 11 & 12

This book review contains discussions of sw; reader discretion is advised

Click to see the rest of the snark & image descriptions

Chapter 11

“What do you want, Todd?” I snapped.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to remind you how good we were. I helped you that night.”

For sure the relationship between Todd and Ally is filed under “he might not hit you but…” Yes, Ally is working under him of her own free will. But look me in the eye and tell me that Todd constantly pushing her to have sex with him, to go meet more clients than she wants, to go see a client that she’s said she will not be servicing again… Is a healthy relationship. 

I smiled. My friends were certainly unconventional, but I loved them for it.

Chapter 11 summary: At home, Ally tries to sleep but can’t. So she gets up to get some warm milk, and finds Jamie dressed to go out. She says that she’s going to a party with Amy, Todd, and Adam, and that Ally should come along, too. That it would help get her out of her funk. Ally agrees, and gets ready. 

When they arrive at Adam’s apartment, the other three had already started. What happens next is… well. It’s a goddamned orgy. I don’t know what anybody was expecting. 

But then Todd tries to fuck Ally, and she has a nervous breakdown. She runs into the bathroom, but Todd comes to try and talk to her. 

The two of them end up fucking in the other room. Ally uses Todd to get over every bad relationship that she’s been in. The guy named Nick who broke her heart. Widower Robert. Scott. When they finish, Ally feels more like herself, like her mask is back in place. 

She looks at herself in the mirror and decides that she’s ready to face Scott in the morning. He called her a whore, because that’s what she is. 

She slips out, leaving the others to their fun. 

Chapter 12

He dipped his fingers into my [vaginal] wetness and swirled them around. He pumped them in and out a few times, and I moaned to give him a show. 

Then, to my surprise, his fingers moved higher and he started spreading the moisture over my anus. It appeared he did want ass after all— literally. 

I wasn’t opposed to anal sex. I’d done it plenty of times before; I was just surprised because most guys would start with the girly parts and move to the ass after they were worked up. 

“I’m going to fuck your ass.” 

Thanks for stating the obvious! I pushed my butt a bit higher to give him better access and moaned. “Mmm, put it in me.”  

Anal sex was probably a good option for Mr. Quickie. I’d found through experience that guys could go a long time in the pussy, but anal sex was usually over much faster. I guessed that the extra tightness and pressure was too stimulating for guys to hold out for long. 

He pushed inside me slowly and I relaxed my body, letting him in. 

SHE’S LETTING HIM DO ANAL WITHOUT LUBE?! DEAR LORD, DOES THE AUTHOR KNOW HOW MUCH THAT FREAKING HURTS?!

He took my hand as we left the 21 Club, fingers laced together. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I suddenly had a boyfriend. Who was I, and where had Ally gone?

Chapter 12 summary: Ally is getting ready to go meet with Scott when Todd calls to tell her that she has a last-minute client. She’s upset, but he points out that she’s got 2 hours before that, so she has plenty of time.

So she goes to meet the guy, who wants anal. Ally thinks that the guy is a closeted gay but is too embarrassed to hire a gay escort. She thinks about asking Todd to find another guy who’ll do that, as she doesn’t think Adam is into guys like that. Not even gay for pay. 

That appointment made her a little late for her meeting with Scott. Exactly as everybody had predicted, he’s there to beg for her love. But he doesn’t want her to be an escort anymore. Ally obviously says no, that she’s doing this because she loves to fuck, and not because she’s hard-up for money or a job. 

It really boils down to the fact that Ally is scared of being hurt again. In her opinion, you either have a messy break-up, or one of you dies. And either way, the only thing that’s left is so much pain you wish you were dead. 

Despite Ally wanting to leave, and to never see Scott again, he somehow convinces her to be his girlfriend. And that she shouldn’t take any clients when he’s in town. Ally doesn’t like that last bit, and points out that he’d simply move to New York full-time and force her to stop working if the two of them want to be together. He insists that he wouldn’t do that. Ally does agree, but inwardly winces over how she’s going to have to pick up the slack during the rest of the week.