#and how much it breaks and slowly destroys parts of him while hes fighting with every little bit he is and has for his country and people

[the-jam-to-the-unicorn]

💔💔💔😢😢😢

[rafeandonlyrafe]

crimson red

words: 1.4k

warnings: 18+ only, smut, stalker!rafe, DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT, NONCON, R*P3, KNIFE PLAY, READER GETS CUT, DESCRIPTIONS OF BLOOD, BLOODPLAY, BLOOD EATING?? LICKING??, P IN V SEX, UNPROTECTED SEX, BRANDING? SCARING?, THREATS OF MURDER, DACRYPHILIA, extreme caution yall this is for my dirty depraved freaks

part one / part two / part three

“stop struggling.” rafe grunts out, one hand holding the sharp blade to your throat while the other is gripping your hip, bruises already forming as your skin blossoms purple.

“r-rafe.” you whine out, wiggling your hips again. “please stop. please.”

“you're making things worse for yourself. stop moving.” rafe warns. 

you go to continue to argue when the knife presses forward a little harder, rafe not even realizing that a bead of crimson red blood is dripping down your throat from the tip of the knife breaking through your skin.

“see?” rafe licks his lips when he spies the blood. “that's what you get. you're gonna stop moving now, right?”

you can't nod, so you let out a mix of a whimper and a cry that rafe takes as agreement, leaning down to lick at the trail of blood that has now fallen to your shoulder, all the way up to where it spilled from your neck, already starting to dry up now that rafe has moved the knife away slightly.

“now can i put this down?” he questions, head tipping forward, forcing you to keep eye contact with him as his eyes pierce into you, any sign of friendliness long gone.

“yes.” you manage to croak out. “i won't fight anymore.”

“good.” rafe grins, but there's no sweetness behind his smile, the wickedness shining through as he moves the knife away from your throat. you take a ragged breath, watching how he sets it next to you on the desk.

“now im gonna fuck you. im gonna cum inside of you. i want you to be good, alright? if you start screaming, ill cut you.” rafes voice is soft and quiet as he explains, like his cock isn't currently rock hard inside of you after ripping your clothes off and forcing himself in.

“ill be good.” you nod freely now, tears falling down your face. rafe just smiles, leaning in and instead of licking up your blood, he runs his tongue along one cheek and then the other to taste your salty tears in his mouth.

“i wonder if your pussy tastes as good as your blood or tears.” rafe looks down, still buried inside of you. you're grateful he hasn't started moving yet, giving you time to adjust.

rafes hand wanders lower, his fingertip swiping over your clit, making your body jolt at the sudden flash of pleasure before he moves lower, rubbing at where you are connected as he gathers some of your wetness onto his finger.

he brings it up to his mouth slowly, making sure you're watching as his tongue licks your juices. rafe lets out a low moan, eyes fluttering closed. “delicious, baby. i think i like the way your cunt tastes more than your tears.”

you gulp, hoping he won't continue or want further taste. you know you won't be able to hold your moans back after just the brief feeling of him touching your clit, and you're trying not to give him the satisfaction of showing your pleasure as much as you can help it.

“but ill have to eat your pussy another time.” rafe continues. “and explore your other holes…” rafes eyes are on your mouth, but you know he has no limits to what he could force you to do, not when he is so intimidating, knife at the ready. “i need to fuck you right now though. i hope you're opened up enough baby because im about to destroy this pretty little cunt.

rafes hips rock back slowly before snapping forward, a squelching sound filling the room as he pounds forward, no restraint in the sudden speed and intensity of his thrusts.

you have no choice, having to reach up to grip rafes shoulders so as to not fall backwards. you see the smirk on his face, glimmer of amusement in his eye, especially when you let out a small moan.

“you like my dick, huh, baby?” rafe questions, tilting his head to the side. he gives you a particularly hard thrust to cap off his sentence. “not even gonna have to threaten you with a knife next time you're enjoying it so much.”

you hate that his words are true, rafes cock hitting you perfectly with every thrust, touching you in places no man has ever been able to reach before.

“tell me you like it. tell me you can’t get enough of my cock.” rafe grunts, hands squeezing your hips so tightly that you can already feel the bruises forming, purple blooming under the grip of his fingertips.

“i-i like it.” you mutter, hoping that satisfies rafe, not wanting him to threaten you with the knife again.

“baby.” rafe grunts out, the cute nickname in such contrast to the angry look on his face. “that’s not all i said. keep going.” “i can’t get enough of your cock.” you say quickly, fearing retaliation. “i love it. feels so good.” rafes expression shifts to a smile. “thats a good girl. now rub your clit for me, c’mon.” rafe encourages you. you let go of his shoulder with one hand, having to wrap your arm around his shoulders to keep yourself up, pulling you both even closer together. you can feel every breath rafe takes against your face, warm and wet just like his cock inside of you.

your hand moves slowly down your body. you glance at the knife next to you, wondering if you could reach out for it, make a play for control.

“y/n.” rafe growls, pushing his hips so deep into you that you slide back slightly on the smooth surface of the desk. “i said touch your fucking clit. make yourself cum for me.” “o-okay.” you press your fingers against your clit, rubbing quickly. your traitorous body loves the feeling, a small moan slipping from your mouth as your high builds.

“good. good.” rafe coos. he leans in to press a kiss to your mouth. you keep your lips firmly sealed together until rafes tongue forces his way inside. you drop your jaw open, knowing there is no point in fighting his advances.

“damn, baby, can feel you clenching ‘round my dick.” rafe moans, only briefly pulling away before continuing to kiss you, dominating your mouth as his tongue flicks against yours. you hate that its true, you can feel your orgasm growing closer and closer.

“you’re so wet, are you sure i’m not the one being forced into this here?” his cock is swelling inside of you. you know whats coming, just as he’s threatened.

“you’re sick, rafe cameron.” you manage to say, brows briefly furrowing together before your orgasm breaks free, your back arching, bare chest pressing against rafes, your fingers slowing as your clit pulses.

“oh fuck.” rafe mutters out a quiet curse before you can feel him releasing inside of you, filling you up, cum pouring into your unprotected womb.

“i may be sick.” rafe presses a kiss to your open mouth. “but i’m yours.” rafe picks the knife back up, your eyes widening. “and you’re mine.”

he moves before you can react, grabbing both your wrists and holding them behind your back, forcing your back to arch as your breasts are put on display, his softening cock still buried in your cunt, trapping his cum inside of you.

“this is to make sure you don’t forget that.” rafe turns the tip of the knife towards your skin. you would struggle, but you know that just makes things worse as you cry out when he cuts a thin line down over the swell of your breast. he makes three other quick shorter cuts, your blood spilling down your abdomen. 

“don’t worry.” rafes voice is kind as if he didn’t just scar you. “they’re not that deep. just enough to mark you.”

rafe raises the tip of the knife to his mouth, turning it last minute to run the smooth edge over his tongue, cleaning your blood off of it as his eyes gloss over.

“now i’m going to be watching you.” he finally pulls out, making your boy shudder at the sudden loss of him filling you up, cum sliding out of your destroyed pussy onto the desk below you. “and if you try to get help. or let another man touch you, when you’re mine, i will use this knife on everyone you love, and then you.” he points the tip at you, your eyes widening as the pain blossoms in your chest, not wanting to be cut any more.

“understand?” his head quirks to the side.

you have no choice but to nod.

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[babsharrison]

Between Worlds - Neo x Reader

Pairing | Neo Anderson x Fem! Reader

Summary | Neo returns to your life after disappearing, revealing that the world you live in is an illusion of the Matrix. Now, you must choose between the safety of the life you know and the unknown truth alongside Neo.

Word Count | 1.5k

CW | None. just some fluff

A/N | Hey luvs, this is my first fanfic here! I really hope you like it, and sorry if there are any grammar mistakes, I did my best. 😭

The soft morning light filtered through the café windows, casting dancing shadows on the tiled floor. Neo sat at a table in the corner, a forgotten cup of coffee in front of him. His eyes never left you, as you laughed and chatted animatedly with a group of friends at the next table. To them, you were a young woman full of life, hope, and possibilities. To him, you were a painful reminder of what he had lost and could never have.

As he watched you, memories flooded in, bringing back the conversations you’d had about dreams, the future, and freedom. Words that now seemed distant, almost unreal, as if they belonged to a time and life he could no longer reach. You were trapped in that illusory world, believing everything around you was real, while he lived in another dimension, fighting against the invisible shadows of the Matrix.

Your friends stood up, leaving you alone. Your gaze wandered around the café, and he noticed a sudden melancholy in your eyes, a trace of emptiness that tightened his chest. The urge to run to you, to hold you, to tell you that everything would be okay, grew inside him. But the words weighed heavily. His heart raced erratically as he shifted in his chair, nervous. He had never known how to handle the feelings you stirred within him.

Neo knew the world you belonged to was a prison, an illusion carefully designed to keep you asleep to the truth. He couldn’t let you stay there, ignorant of your own condition. But there was fear—fear that, in trying to save you, he would break the trust between you. What if you hated him for destroying what you believed to be real? The doubt gnawed at him.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, he stood up, the temporary decision to leave taking hold. He felt weak as he crossed the café door, leaving you behind once more. There was a shadow of guilt within him, knowing that his continued distance only made you more vulnerable. He hid in corners, watching you on the streets, following you from a distance as you carried on with your routine, completely unaware of the devastating truth.

Days passed.

He became a shadow in your life. He watched you walk to work, carrying a simple briefcase, your face focused on some daily task. He saw how your lips curved into a smile when someone told a joke. How your hands moved, almost dancing, as you spoke animatedly on the phone. But he also noticed the sadness in the moments when you were alone, the pensive expression, perhaps wondering why some parts of your life felt empty, as if something was missing—an absent presence.

Sometimes, he followed you to the building where you worked. From across the street, hidden in the shadows, he watched you get lost in the hurried crowds. And even though you didn’t know it, he felt the growing anguish of always being so close, yet so far.

He knew he couldn’t continue like this for much longer. The guilt was slowly consuming him. If only he could explain... If only he could make you understand what was real.

Until one day, he made a decision.

He couldn’t live on the sidelines of your life anymore, watching from afar. The risk of losing you forever was great, but the fear of never trying was even greater.

You were having a normal day, walking back home, shopping bags swinging at your side. Your steps echoed softly along the sidewalk as the day waned, and the sky turned shades of orange. Neo followed closely, closer than ever. With each step, the weight of the choice he was about to make became more evident.

You approached the gate to your building, distracted, fumbling with your keys, when suddenly you felt a presence behind you. A chill ran down your spine, and you turned quickly, your heart leaping in your chest. There he was. Neo.

Your gaze met his, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. He stood still, the dark coat gently flowing with the wind. The face you hadn’t seen in so long, the figure that had disappeared without explanation, was now there, standing in front of you.

“Neo?” you murmured, surprise and shock mingling in your voice. “You... you’re here?”

He took a step forward, his expression serious, but there was something else in his eyes. Something you hadn’t recognized before. “I couldn’t keep watching you from afar,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “I... I couldn’t leave you alone in this world.”

Your heart raced, a confusion of emotions washing over you. “Alone? What are you talking about?”

He hesitated for a second, the words he needed to say weighing heavily. But he knew the moment of truth had arrived. “I need to show you something. Something that will change everything.”

“Change everything? Neo, I thought you... I thought you were dead.” Your voice came out fragile, your eyes wide with disbelief, a mixture of pain and relief surfacing in the words you spoke.

Neo felt the impact of those words. Part of him wanted to apologize for letting you believe that, for disappearing without explanation, but he knew that any words would be insufficient. He had failed to protect you from the truth for too long. And now, here you were, standing before him, not knowing that you lived in a prison, not knowing that the world around you was a lie.

“I should’ve told you sooner,” he admitted, his gaze fixed on your face, trying to catch every nuance of emotion passing through your eyes. “But I couldn’t... I didn’t know how. This world... this life you know isn’t real.”

You took a step back, confused, trying to process his words. “Not real? What are you saying? This is my life, Neo. My job, my friends... my life.”

He stepped forward, trying to close the distance between you without pushing. “All of this was designed to keep you trapped. Like an illusion, a prison for the mind.” He was pleading with his eyes, his voice low and serious. “I was trapped too, until I found the truth. Now, I’m fighting against it... and I need you.”

Your mind was spinning. Everything he said sounded like madness, but there was something in his eyes—something that made you stop, hesitate. The intensity in Neo’s gaze, so familiar yet so distant, hit you hard. You had always trusted him, always knew he was different. But now, he was speaking of things that were beyond what you could understand.

“I... I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you whispered, your hands trembling as you held the shopping bags, trying to find some anchor in the reality around you.

Neo knew this would be hard. He had gone through the same confusion, the same denial. The revelation of the Matrix was devastating to anyone, but he needed you to trust him. He needed you to see.

“I know it sounds crazy. I didn’t believe it at first either. But let me show you.” He extended his hand, hesitant, as if the simple gesture could change everything between you. “If you trust me, I can take you out of this.”

Your heart raced. Part of you wanted to back away, to flee from all this madness. But another part, the part that still believed in Neo, that still felt something for him, was curious. What if he was right? What if everything he said was true?

You looked at Neo’s outstretched hand, feeling the crushing weight of the choice ahead. On one side, the life you knew—comfortable, familiar, safe—and on the other, the truth he offered you, mysterious and terrifying. Fear mixed with the desire for answers, but there was something deeper, something that went beyond words.

Neo was everything to you. The days without him had been long and lonely, a silent pain you could never ignore. Now, he was here, standing before you, more real and more beautiful than you remembered, like an impossible dream that had materialized.

The air around you seemed heavy, almost palpable, as your fingers hesitated for a moment. Every movement carried the gravity of that choice, an invisible line that separated the past from the future. Slowly, your trembling fingers began to move until they found his hand, sealing what, in a way, had always been inevitable.

Neo watched as you made the choice. His heart, which had seemed frozen, started beating again with force when your fingers finally touched his. There was a moment of silence between you, as if the world around you had disappeared, leaving only the connection between your hands.

“I trust you,” you finally said, your voice low, almost a whisper. “Show me what I need to see.”

Neo gently squeezed your hand, the expression on his face softening for a brief moment. He knew that what lay ahead wouldn’t be easy for you, but at least now, he wouldn’t be alone. The journey you were about to face together was only the beginning.

[brucewaynehater101]

i want you to know that i scroll through your posts and interactions just to find all your fic recs and open new ao3 tabs.

your tim parenting Bruce au has destroyed me and I love it so much thank you for your service.

do you have any more particularly gut wrenching aus cooking up in your genius noggin?

Heeeey. How'd you know I had a new AU I haven't released yet?

But before we get into that, thank you for the compliments. Angst is my favorite flavor.

As far the AU, you know the saying, "You either die as a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain"?

I feel like that could fit Tim so well.

How I imagine the AU to start out would be Tim as Robin. He's in the batcave with Bruce as the man is showing him a particularly devastating case. Bruce, his mentor but not his father, turns to Tim with a grimmace.

"There's a reason we have a code, Tim."

They both glance at Jason's memorial and Bruce's hands start to shake.

"As much as we may want to give in to our desires and emotions, we can't stoop down to their level. There needs to be lines we won't cross, even for the greater good."

Azure eyes snap to arctic ones, begging for the younger to understand.

"We do this to protect others, even those who are twisted and foul. We aren't the judges or executioners."

Tim nods in agreement, and Bruce's shoulders lose a little of their tension. The older man pats the teen's shoulder in pride before his attention goes back to the murder case.

Tim, as Robin, had many interactions with Bruce that shaped who he was as a vigilante. How much force to apply when fighting, what lines to cross, and acceptable codes of conduct were taught to the kid in several instances. It didn't matter that Bruce himself had broken them or that, on very rare occasions, Dick also broke them. They were rules Tim was expected to follow, and they were reasonable lines. Of course, Tim did everything he could to meet those standards. He may have trained with Lady Shiva, and YJ may get into so whacky ordeals, but there's no excuse to go outside of those bounds.

It became difficult, though, when Jason beat Tim into the floor of Titan's Tower. When Jason, after hurting several family members, was welcomed back. It became a strain on Tim when Bruce enacted the 16th Birthday present fiasco or Tim found out about what the man had done to Dick (the bruise he left on Dick's face after Jason's passing). It was demanding to follow those rules when Damian came into the picture and when Dick handed him Robin.

When Tim found that painting of Bruce, when Dick and the JL turned their backs on him, when YJ wasn't there to support him, some part of Tim said "fuck it." Why should he follow standards he had to leash Bruce into obeying? The man wasn't even here anymore.

He still tried, but he gave less effort to it. He didn't want Bruce to find out when he returned after all.

But Tim? He never returned from that desert. As far as the Bats become aware after Tim sends them the data for Bruce and then blows up the bases, Tim died in the explosions he caused.

And the rest of the AU goes into Tim exploring how the guidelines Bruce gave him were bullshit, so he slowly starts to let more and more go until he has no moral bounds anymore. He's seen Bruce, Jason, Damian, Barbara, Alfred, and Dick all break one or more of these "rules" that were placed on Tim. So why should Tim go along with it?

What does it matter if he betrays, manipulates, tortures, and kills if it saves the most people? What does it matter if he commits suffering if he's helping people?

Until, one day, Bart and Kon are on the other side of the battlefield from Tim. While Bart is steadfast in defeating Tim (no matter how much it pains him), Kon is devastated that Tim never told him he was alive. He doesn't even care that Tim is a villain. If he had just asked, Kon would've joined him.

It's too late now. Bart needs Tim to stop, Tim can't let Kon join him, and Kon is torn between his duty and his friend.

So Tim does what he always does, he sacrifices himself. He allows them to take him into holding, executes his plan to murder all villains left, places restrictions on the JL (so they'll never hurt anyone the way they hurt Tim and abandoned his friends again), and then Tim disappears. Bart opposing Tim was the sign that Tim was in the wrong. He knows that. If he wasn't, Bart would've been on Tim's side no matter how morally grey he got.

Tim had crossed into the black.

He became what he always feared he might one day be.

[farfromstrange]

New Year's Day | Matt Murdock x Reader

Masterlist

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Reader

Summary: You recount your history with Matt and the highs and the lows of your relationship.

Warnings: Fluff, descriptive writing & lack of dialogue, mentions of blood, but this is mostly very tame

Word count: 2.5k

A/n: This One-Shot is dedicated to my bestie, @blackshadowswriter. I'm a bit late, and I'm sorry for that. It took me a bit to finish. I just want to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. I also know you love Taylor, so I thought "why not write a fic and use as many song references as possible? She's going to LOVE that!" You're my favorite person in the world and you deserve this. I love you. I'm all out of words because I'm anxious as hell about showing you this. It took me two days to finish. I wanted it to be as good as I could make it. I'm still not 100% sure, but I never am when it comes to giving gifts. I hope you like it <3 (This is also why I'm not tagging anyone else because this is a gift for my best friend and I intended it as such)

From the moment you bumped into him on the corner street of your favorite café, you knew that he was the kind of chance that would only come around once in a lifetime.

It wasn’t like you, at least not back then, to buy a stranger a coffee. And it was even less like you to give him your number afterward.

You had never been big on dating at that point in your life. You used to take things exactly the way they came to you, and dating never really seemed to fit into that narrative.

You preferred to lose yourself in your own world, a world where no one could touch or hurt you the way you’ve been hurt so many times in the past by people who claimed to care about you—people who claimed to love you, and in the process, you lost sight of the fact that there are still a handful of good people out there.

No one can blame you for thinking like that though. Your heart has been broken one too many times, and not just by broken relationships. 

Deep down, you craved to find someone capable of understanding all of you, not just the pretty parts. You almost felt pathetic for pretending you didn’t need it and still thinking that way.

But deep down, you craved to find someone who wouldn’t be afraid of sticking around, someone who would never leave you because life tends to get hard.

It seemed nearly impossible to find a person like that without breaking your own heart, so you decided to retreat into your shell. Better to keep your heart safe and protected than put yourself out there and be broken all over again, right?

Those stupid love songs on the radio and the endless romantic stories of your friends’ dating lives, however, fueled your need for the same kind of connection only a few songwriters know how to put into words.

You wanted to fall in love, find the right person, and heal. You wanted to figure out why love wasn’t like the burning red of sex and passion but golden, like daylight. A love living for. A love fighting for.

You felt so stupid, secretly pining for an innocent childhood dream that eventually got crushed after years of heartbreak, but that is what happens when someone becomes chronically lonely. You turned to daydreaming because at least in your head, your life could be perfect. Not just good, not just livable, but filled with love and happiness.

Truth be told, when you’re your own worst enemy and have an inner saboteur set out to destroy everything that could be remotely good for you because you truly believe you don’t deserve it, it’s hard to allow yourself to be open. So perhaps that is why you chose to lock yourself away and live in delusion instead. Not facing reality became standard procedure in your way of life.

You tried blaming it on your past, your broken relationships, and disappointments, and while that played a big part in your trauma, you also slowly started to realize that you might have been hurting yourself so you wouldn’t have to open up ever again.

In an attempt to erase all the problems, you became the problem. You became your worst enemy, someone chasing ghosts that stayed long in the past and only came back to haunt the living shit out of you. But that’s a survivable condition. 

You tried therapy, you tried turning your life around and starting anew, and while that helped you find a job you love, find a nice group of friends, and make peace with what’s been broken, nothing else seemed to change. 

You had barely started putting yourself back together again when you bumped into him. You were late for a meeting, so your focus was on your phone instead of the street before you.

It was your fault. He was just trying to make his way over the sidewalk, his cane tapping in a steady rhythm to make his way forward, and you stepped right in the middle of it. 

You remember him grabbing your arm, catching you before you could fall. He wasn’t even irritated. When you looked up in shame, seeing the red glasses and the came, you begged for the floor to open up and swallow you whole. 

“I’m so sorry,” you said. “I wasn’t looking. Are you okay?”

But before you could go on a rant about your stupidity, he cut you off, and in the silkiest voice possible, he said, “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Are you?” 

“What?”

“Are you okay? You seem in a bit of a rush. Don’t want you to accidentally bump into a car next.” He chuckled, adjusting his glasses. Blood rushed to his cheeks. “That was a bad joke, sorry.”

You just about melted. “It’s okay,” you found yourself chuckling. “And so am I. I was too focused on my phone. That was my fault.”

“Don’t blame yourself. It happens,” he said. He was so calm about it, unlike other New Yorkers you’ve met before.

Maybe the fact that you found him extraordinarily attractive and easy to be around compelled you to ask if you could buy him a cup of coffee to make up for bumping into him, completely abandoning your plans to make it to your work meeting five minutes late.

He introduced himself as Matthew. A lawyer. Not one of those rich defense attorneys who simply do it for the money. No, he does it to help people, and you fell for him right then and there. 

Maybe it was fate, maybe it was destiny, or maybe it was just dumb luck, but that day, when you got home after work, his number in your phone and a stupidly giddy smile on your flushed face, you knew that you’d somehow been enchanted to meet him. 

You never believed in love at first sight until you bumped into Matt Murdock, but the second you did, your life flipped upside down and changed in ways you could have never predicted. 

It is possible that the song playing over the speakers in the café right before you bumped him played a part in how you perceived the interaction. You’ve never been one to believe in coincidences. Nothing is ever accidental, and neither was your meeting. It couldn’t have been. 

You found each other when you needed someone, anyone, both of you, and it stuck. Thankfully, it did. 

Summer that year was cruel with New York drowning in an excruciating heatwave. You’d been meeting up with Matt for a couple of weeks, but you didn’t have it in you to put a label on whatever delicate thing was starting to build between the two of you. You didn’t want to wrap your hand around it and accidentally shatter something you could see growing into something more in the future. 

He was unlike anyone you’d met before, and he treated you in a way that made you believe, finally, that you are worthy of love. Not just giving but receiving because Matt himself struggled to see his worth after years of being disappointed and being there for everyone but himself. 

Love is a fragile thing though, and you have never been quite good with fragile things.

After a night of drinking away your sorrows at a nearby bar, you made your way to his apartment. You took a cab, too wasted to find your way there by yourself. You remember that you were crying; you were miserable and loathing yourself for several reasons that didn’t even make sense to you then.

When you arrived there, you knocked on his door. You didn’t get an answer. Just as you started to turn around and make your way back outside, you could hear a thud from the other side of the door. Panic settled in. You didn’t even hesitate before you opened the door, which was surprisingly unlocked, and made your way into the dark interior of his apartment. 

Finding your blind, catholic not-boyfriend in a pool of his own blood, wearing a leather-clad suit with the horns of the devil had not been on your to-do list until that night. Reality hit you just as fast and knocked sobriety back into your senses as the adrenaline started to take over. 

He let out a grunt. Your name passed his lips. He sounded so weak, so fragile, and you just stood there, your heart pumping too much blood for your body to handle. 

“What the fuck?!” you said. You didn’t yell, you didn’t snap, you simply didn’t know how to process this information. 

You were well aware of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen parading outside at night, beating up criminals and giving them a good fright—Matt did not fit the picture you had of the guy until you saw him lying there, obviously injured. 

“It’s not what it looks like,” he said hoarsely. He tried to roll over, but the pain turned out to be too severe. 

Needless to say, he passed out on you without a proper explanation, and you somehow had to use what little you could remember from first-aid to help this bleeding mess of a man. You feared that you would lose him that night, and that was when you realized that, on top of falling for him, you didn’t care who he was, you only needed him to live.

When he woke up to you hovering over him, he groaned. “I’m sorry,” was all he said. “I’d understand if–”

“Don’t talk,” you cut him off with a finger on his lips. You wouldn’t let him push you away. Not after everything you’d been through.

He tried to sit up. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“It’s not exactly something you lead with on a first date. I get it. What I don’t get…”

“I didn’t lie,” it was his turn to cut you off. You remember looking up at him, and you heard him out. You had to. In your mind, there is an explanation for everything, and you were once again proven right at that moment.

He bared his life story to you, how he survived through tragedies no human should ever have to face. How he turned blind, how his senses heightened, and how he lost the one person he could always count on. When his father died, something changed in Matt. He tried to go straight, to do his father proud, but he couldn’t ignore this desperate need for justice forever. He felt cursed. So, he became someone who could make a difference, and not just as a lawyer.

He expected you to walk out, but you didn’t. You saw him for who he was, and you accepted him.

“I think I’m falling for you, and it scares the hell out of me,” you blurted out that night.

He stared at you, his unfocused eyes bewildered, his lips moving soundlessly as he tried to find an answer.

Just when you thought he would break your heart after putting your trust in him, he let out a shaky sigh and he kissed you.

He wasn’t ready to say it back just yet, but he spoke to you through actions that made you feel confident in what you were growing again.

You somehow already knew back then that Matt Murdock would be the man you one day would marry and spend the rest of your life with. 

The truth is, you two have been through a lot throughout your relationship. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but you would be lying if you said that it wasn’t worth it. 

From the moment you met him to the countless dates, sharing coffees over empty takeout containers, kissing in the rain, Daredevil, fighting over the beautiful women in his life that almost broke you, and fighting over his desperate need to push those away who only want what is good for him because he is own worst saboteur.

It all led you down a journey that turned out to be harder than expected and not at all the love story you envisioned, but it still turned out to be the best thing that has ever happened to you. He is the best thing that has ever happened to you. 

You used to run away from happiness out of fear of getting hurt, and Matt did the same. He feared to admit it, but then he met you and he finally realized that running was of no use because you were more than ready to stick around through everything. Through every disaster and heartache—through every broken bone, you stuck around.

You saw something in him from the moment you met that no one can ever take away. You got a taste of heaven from the devil himself, and even though he was darker than the sunshine you wished for in your life, you managed to find a way to bring some light into his life. 

You are sunshine, even on your worst days, and he’s midnight rain. But you love the rain. You love him. 

Your first kiss happened in the rain. He took your hand and asked you to dance, and you did. You danced to the sound of the raindrops pattering against the asphalt beneath your feet, and it was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen—Matt engulfed in the soft moonlight, his hand in yours, and a big smile on his irresistible lips. 

You want more of those nights. Even the nights you’ve had to patch him up or hold him as he broke down from all the weight he often enough carries on his shoulders, you want more of those. You want all of them.

You want him and all the strings attached to him, no matter how painful because ever since he can remember, people have walked out on Matt and hurt him in ways you can only fathom. You don’t want to be that person. 

He opened up to you. He decided to be vulnerable. He stood with you through everything and fought for you when you thought you two wouldn’t last.

He gave you his best smile and his tears, and he laughed with you every night that you waited up for him to come home safely. He quickly became the moonlight to your sun—it is a different kind of light, but it is a light that sustains you nonetheless. 

You want all of his laughter and never miss it again. You want his smiles. You want his tears. You want to spend every waking second with him. You want to miss him and welcome him back home after an agonizingly long night of worrying. You want to cheer him up in court and be his lucky charm. You want to wear his initial on a chain around your neck, in Braille, because he got it for you on your birthday. 

“I know I don’t own you,” he said to you, “but I love you. And I know you. I want you to carry me close to your heart the same way I’ll always carry you close to mine.”

And his, you are. You’re no one else’s but his, and even if that sounds a bit territorial, you don’t care. You want all of it and more because it’s Matt you’re talking about, no one else. Not a stranger but the man you love so desperately it hurts sometimes.

All the girls he loved before don’t matter because he’s got you now. You forgave him more times than he probably deserved. You held on when he barely had any strength left. In return, he has shown the same kind of devotion to you time and time again. How can you ever say no to any of that when you are so in love? 

All those memories replay in sudden flashing sequences right in front of your inner eye. You love him more than anyone has ever loved him. You pulled him out of a very dark hole. You saved his life. And he saved yours. 

As he’s kneeling in front of you now, your hand in his and clutching the small, velvety box in his other, your life passes by before your eyes. Your life alone and your life together. You recount every memory in a millisecond, too shocked to even comprehend what is happening. But it is happening. 

Matt Murdock is kneeling on the floor before you, the glitter, confetti, and sticky champagne someone spilled earlier most likely leaving a stain on his good dress pants, but he remains unwavering in his decision to open that little box and show you what he’s been hiding for a while. 

It’s a diamond ring, something he probably took months to save up for. It’s small yet elegant, and it’s staring right at you. He’s taken his glasses off to try and do the same. You would marry him with paper rings, that much is true. 

Matt says your name oh-so-softly. “Will you marry me?” Four words that stop your heart and restart it at the same time. 

He sees right through you. You see right through him. Even in your worst times, you were there for each other, and now he’s asking you to spend the rest of your life with him. Together. To give him all of your days and nights and he will give you all of his in return. He is asking you the question you’ve been wondering if he would ever ask it, and he did. 

The fireworks go off in the distance, in your stomach, everywhere. The new year has rounded the corner. People are cheering and celebrating around you, but you don’t pay attention to them. 

The clock strikes midnight and with the softest smile, you say, “Yes.” You don’t need to tell him that you would do it a million times over because he knows. He knows your heartbeat, and he knows that you would never lie to him. 

He doesn’t waste time to pull you into his arms and kiss you softly, passionately, as if both of your lives depend on it. 

It’s a bit cliché, to get proposed to on New Year’s Eve. To start the new year with the man you love and a ring on your finger. But that only means that you will still be together on New Year’s Day, and all the days after that. 

Matt chose you. You chose Matt. You chose a life together that is as unpredictable as they come, but at least you have each other to hold onto. 

And he will never be just the stranger that you bumped into in front of your favorite corner café ever again. You have him now. Maybe that was your plan all along. Maybe you are the mastermind he knows that you are. None of it was accidental. 

And now, Matt Murdock is yours. Forever and always. 

[holylulusworld]

Designed by pain (9)

Summary: Broken hearts are hard to put back together. 8 years ago, Dean lost something he didn’t even know he had in the first place. Will he get a second chance?

Pairing: former AU!Dean Winchester x fem!Reader

Warnings: angst, language, past break-up, arguments, daddy Dean

A/N: This was an alternative idea for the first chapter of my Bucky story: Monster-in-law masterlist. I decided to use it for a story with Dean.

Designed by pain masterlist

Designed by pain (8)

Dean couldn’t find sleep that night. He tried to close his eyes, but all he saw was the ring on the bed while the words from your note echoed in his mind.

You wanted him to stop you from leaving, and he didn’t even know about it. 

His mother stole the only chance he had to see you swollen with his child and hear the first cry of his baby boy.

She stole everything from him. And he let her. 

It’s the first time in his life he doesn’t know what to do. Dean has lost his way, and he’s not sure there is a way to fix what he and his mother destroyed years ago.

Coming here was an act of desperation, nothing else. He didn’t think this through. All Dean wanted was to meet his son, and somehow, he had hoped there would be a chance you’d forgive him. 

Wishful thinking. A daydream he had hoped would come true.

A lie he sold himself so easily while he was clawing at the seat on the plane. Dean is a great pretender when it comes to his feelings. He pushes them away, pretending to not feel the emptiness inside of him since you left his side.

“Can’t sleep?” Sam yawns and slowly sits up. “Dean, you should try to get some sleep. Y/N allowed us to stay and agreed to talk to you in the morning. That’s more than you could’ve dreamed of.”

“I fucked everything up,” Dean sighs, and rolls to the other side to hide the tears well up to his eyes. “I could’ve had a life with Y/N. Sammy, I’ve missed her pregnancy, and the birth of our child. I didn’t see his first steps. His first word wasn’t daddy because I wasn’t around. Do you know how this feels? Do you?”

Sam fights the tears and the lump in his throat. He doesn’t know how it feels because he was there, watching his baby boy's every step. “No…I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” Dean huffs. “I got drunk and hurt Y/N. I let Mother walk all over her and didn’t even try to contact Y/N. You wanted me to find her, but I let my doubts and issues get in the way.”

“You didn’t know about the note, and her pregnancy,” Sam slowly sits up. He slips out of the bed to place his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “I know Y/N is still hurt, but Mother played you both. If there is a slight chance Y/N will at least let you be a part of your son’s life, take it. Don’t chicken out. Just take it.”

“Fuck’s sake, I’m trying to do the right thing. It’s just…” Dean sniffs. “It’s all so fucked up. Our mother ruined my relationship out of spite. Father tried to hit on my fiancé and still drools all over her. I’m a father and don’t know how to tell my son that he grew up without a father because I was the one fucking things up between Y/N and me.”

“Can you not say fuck all the time?” Sam grunts. “You can’t cuss all the time while a kid is around. Dean, you need to learn to control your mouth and use your brain as a filter.”

“I can curse as much as I want to as long as Michael is not around,” Dean argues. “Now lemme sleep.”

“You didn’t sleep at all. Your grumpiness kept me awake,” Sam bites back. “But fine. Go ahead and ruin your chance. I’ll fly back home tomorrow.”

“Sammy…I…I need you here. I don’t know what I’m doing here,” Dean sits up to look at his brother. “Can she ever forgive me? It was all my fault…my fault alone…”

“Arthur, not now,” you rub your tired eyes while arguing with your boss and best friend. “I know you don’t like Dean, but this can’t be helped. He’s here, and I need to find a way to handle the situation. Michael deserves to know his father…doesn’t he?”

Ketch shakes his head. He stares at the closed front door while you nervously run your hands up and down your arms. “I came here to check on you because you cried last night, Y/N. He’s in town for not twenty-four hours and already made you cry. Let me throw him out of your house.”

“Ketch…” you grab his wrist and stop him from entering your house. “I love you like a brother, but this is something you can’t do for me. Michael needs to know, and I need a conclusion too. Let me handle Dean.”

“Y/N…”

“Do you trust me?” You look him straight in the eyes. “Do you believe I’m a smart and independent woman able to make my own decisions?”

“Yeah… I mean…” He stammers now. “Of course, my dear…”

“Then let me make my own decision,” you pat his hand. “You’re a good friend, and I—”

You can’t end your line because Dean storms out of your house. He immediately attacks catch, landing a blow to your friend’s cheek. “YOU! You kept her away from me! You sonofabitch! Now you come here to get her? Forget it!”

“Dean! No!” Sam tries to stop his brother, but Ketch and Dean are already throwing punches at each other. You can only watch them fight over you, or whatever they believe they are fighting for.

“DEAN!” 

“KETCH!”

You and Sam yell while the men fight and argue. Ketch yells at Dean for leaving you and his baby, while Dean calls Ketch a girlfriend-stealing gremlin.

You’d chuckle at Dean’s choice of words but they are about to seriously injure each other.

“STOP THIS NONSENSE!” Sam yells. He wants to get in between the men. “DEAN!”

“He’s my dad?” 

You turn around like in slow motion to watch your son’s eyes widen. His face falls, and he sniffles. 

“Baby…I—” you try to find the words to explain why you never told your son about his father. “We should head back inside.”

“He’s my dad?” He says again, a little louder this time. “But…” Michael shakes his head. “I hate you! All of you!” 

“No…I…” You sniffle. “Great! I hope you are both happy now!”

Part 10

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Homelander being obsessed with his sister HC III

Warnings: heavy siblingxsibling implications, Homelander being such a narcissist that he falls in "love" with his own sibling, dubcon, noncon, manipulation, stalking, basically all the horrible parts of HL come out to play, MC has blonde hair and blue eyes like HL, different plot than 'All I Ever Wanted, All I Ever Needed', kidnapping

I II IV V

With just HL to interact with, loneliness was inevitable, even if you wanted to resent him and keep your fury

when he'd unintentionally scared you, HL would keep away from his apartment for a while. and when he did stop in, he made sure to avoid you the best he could

it's you who surprises him one morning at the kitchen table with breakfast. You invite him to eat with you

his company was better than none

you decide to play nice, if only to better your situation

but it's a tentative companionship. both of you walk around the other like hesitant/wounded animals; unsure if the other means to harm

neither of you share anything in common, much of that thanks to the different environments you were raised in. in your differences though, you find one another's stories to be interesting (although at times you feel your heart shatter at how lil HL was treated)

thanks to the small conversations you've been having, his mood positively shifts

enough so that Ashley notices with great relief.

painfully slowly there's an odd bond forming

one night when you decide to order in pizza, you witness Homelander in leisure wear. you'd thought that suit was glued on to him. he seemed just as nervous, vulnerable even without his blue spandex

"What was it like, growing up with a family? with love?"

and damn did that hurt you to hear him asking that. you actually reach out and hold his hand, touching him for the first time and HL is incredibly tempted to lean in and claim your lips with his own. he doesn't want a repeat of scaring you though

even with a bond having been formed, he doesn't like when you ask to go outside of the apartment. he'll snap at you with a red gleam in his eyes. afraid that you'll run off the moment he grants you such a simple liberty

"You're treating me like a prisoner, John." that was another new habit, calling him John. Making him sound like a mortal and not a god "People will care that I'm gone."

"No one has said anything so I guess you're not as important as you think." he'll hiss while grabbing the front of your shirt.

instant regret

especially when you start to cry, broken down after how long you'd been cooped up in there; under his complete control. you're at your wit's end and don't know what to do anymore

"I can't be happy here, not when my basic freedom has been taken from me. No matter how sweetly you speak to me or all the gifts you throw at me. It will never be enough to make me forget that."

How is it possible that you make him so angry yet also make him want to hold you close to him

He CAN'T release you though. Couldn't even fathom letting you go. but you've had it

a physical fight breaks out and near destroys his apartment. you're body is screaming for freedom and if he wasn't going to give it to you, well, you were going to take it yourself.

also please tell me some HC you guys have of Homelander x sis!Reader 😊

[the-chaotic]

「— A Stranger Savior 」

「Resume ― 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 a mysterious stranger appears and saves Tatsuya and Tsukumo from the accident? 」

「pairing ― Kohaku, Tatsuya and Tsukumo. 」

「カオス ― Writing from Kohaku's perspective is so difficult, I hope I did it well and didn't mischaracterize him. I also tried to keep a consistent chronology of events. 」

Kohaku is still trying to understand what happened.

He thinks that it was all just a hallucination induced by stress and anxiety, but seeing Tatsuya and Tsukumo being checked by paramedics and giving statements to the police, he knew that none of it could just be his imagination.

Everything about that week was sending him into a collapse; first Tsukumo talking about how Tatsuya was worried about him and Mugen and then the fight against the Amamiya brothers among the other many problems. Kohaku felt like she was going to explode at any moment.

When Tatsuya asked to meet with him the day after the fight, Kohaku didn't expect much, he knew that his friend would talk about the path Mugen was taking and he thought he was ready to hear everything that could be said.

But when Tatsuya, the person he valued most, confronted him with the truth, he knew he had enough.

Tatsuya was right, he was scared. Afraid of change, afraid of his friends slowly leaving, afraid of being alone after everything. And all of this led him to be trapped in a spiral of constant anxiety that was preventing him from see what's really happening around you, especially with Mugen.

His breaking point was when he arrived at the Mugen base to relax and by chance overheard a member who was there with another person using his name and that of his gang for dark things.

It was at that moment that Tatsuya's words reached Kohaku and led him to an epiphany.

The next moment, it was as if a part inside him said that he was ready to start accepting the changes that were happening around him, that even though it was difficult, in the end, he was not alone because he had friends who were there for him and that they wouldn't leave him behind. He hopes it's not too late.

Collecting her thoughts, Kohaku decided to go after Tatsuya to apologize about his behavior and the things he said before.

While looking for his friend, from afar on a deserted street he saw him with Tsukumo by his side, which was a perfect opportunity to apologize to him too.

“Tatsuya!” he ran to a stop in front of the two and took a minute to gather the words, “I…”

Kohaku couldn't finish before Tatsuya forcefully pushed him to the side and that was when he no longer knew if he had hit his head on the ground and passed out or if he was delirious because he had no idea how to explain what he saw.

He saw a car coming at high speed about to hit Tatsuya and Tsukumo when, without him knowing from where, a figure appears in the middle of the two, pushing them to the ground and, with inhuman strength, slams both fists on the hood of the car completely kneading.

The brute force of the pack causes the car to fly over the three, skidding frantically with a sharp sound at least 60 meters away, completely crushed and destroyed.

Tatsuya and Tsukumo looked as shocked as Kohaku at this moment. Looking back, the car was completely destroyed and smoking with a strong smell of gasoline, there was no way in the world that whoever was driving it could have survived.

Still in shock and a little desperate, Tatsuya called the police while Tsukumo looked for any injuries on the other. Kohaku got up to go to the other two when he quickly remembered the mysterious savior.

He looked around the space looking for the person when he saw them standing far away. Even with the distance, he tries to record what he can of his appearance, which isn't much. What made him even more incredulous was that even with the loose clothes, the figure didn't seem to have any muscles that could justify its strength.

In the end, none of the three came away with any serious injuries other than a few scratches on their hands. When the police asked for their statement, Tatsuya took the lead and said what had happened but not telling them about the person who saved them, he just said that at the last second the car lost control and overturned. The police officers accepted this excuse.

Neither Kohaku nor Tsukumo questioned him about why he didn't tell the truth, because they also didn't know if they should. Besides, who would believe it? Maybe it would be better this way.

They were walking away after being released when something caught Kohaku's attention. On the sidewalk, there was a blue and white bracelet with a broken clasp. He quickly picked it up without the police noticing and put it in his pants pocket. That accessory probably belonged to that mysterious person and was the only clue he had, so he decided to keep it. Something told him that it would be important to keep that belonging.

You punch the wall behind you in frustration creating a large hole.

You almost ruined everything.

You took a few deep breaths to regain control and stabilize yourself. You weren't sorry for saving those guys, but that action would have consequences and it didn't help at all that two of them were wearing the vest of the infamous Mugen gang.

I hope dad doesn't get upset.

You knew that as soon as you got home you would get a lecture from your father for being reckless, for exposing yourself like you did, but trying to think positive, your identity was safe thanks to the large hood of the sweatshirt you were wearing.

You take off the sweatshirt you were wearing and put it in the backpack that you had left hidden in an alley, although those guys had left by a different route than you, prevention was never too much.

Your phone vibrates and when you pick it up and turn it on, a simple and straightforward notification of a message from your father saying 'I'm waiting at home' glows ominously.

Well, Shit.

After putting away your cell phone, as a form of consolation, you touch the beloved bracelets on your wrist only to notice that one of them was missing.

Please, somebody kill me now!!

[izunias-meme-hole]

2 days after being spoiled before buying the game and I can easily say I LOVE the approach Tears of The Kingdom took with Ganondorf

I knew he was still gonna be an evil ass bastard, but I thought he’d try and figure out how to break, or at least nullify, the Demise Curse somehow so he can not only handle things his own way, and not be bound by fate. I NEVER expected him to a reincarnation of himself that embraces the fact that he’s the literal second coming of Demise and be proud of that. Yet at the same time it fits so well into this new timeline. It’s like he’s a literal force of destiny and I love this approach.

I also didn’t think we’d ever get some Ocarina of Time level scheming from him since he’s most likely gonna be slowly regaining the strength while he was being dehydrated, but no. We got some lore about him in the form of memories, and we get to see him feign loyalty to the ancient Hylian King, just to get his hands on his queens sacred stone, which combined with his own magic, pretty much made him a true devil. Which brings me to my next point.

He’s thankfully still threatening and he still has a strong presence! I’ll find out HOW strong his presence is when I buy the game next week because Wind Waker Ganondorf was also great yet lacked a large presence, but I can thankfully say Ganondorf here is still a threat and has a strong presence, despite spending most of the main story in Hyrule Castle rehydrating.

Not only that, but there’s this line. (I may be reading to much into it)

This line pretty much sums up Ganondorf at his core, no matter the game he’s in. He’s a man, a CUNNING man, that was born into royalty who takes what he desires, destroys what doesn’t bend to his will, and seeks to reshape everything in Hyrule into an empire ruled by him. Back that up with Matt Mercer’s surprisingly fitting voice work, and I can say that this game did Ganondorf RIGHT!

Also…

Sayonara giant final form boar fight and hello Demon Dragon Ganon! Say what you will about this part of the fight, but this is a breath of fresh air after years of the boar. (I like the boar forms too, but only OOT and Hyrule Warriors made it work well)

The only problems I spot so far with this incarnation is that it’s not that revolutionary because Hyrule Warriors (The original) did something similar with their Ganondorf, and the fact that nothing really tops Ocarina of Time’s Ganondorf. Still I will give TOTK credit for actually making a Ganondorf like this canon, and making what might be the second best Ganondorf outting in the entire mainline series and possibly even surpassing Hyrule Warrior’s take on Ganondorf.  If this sounds like fanboying, I apologize because I love how well Ganondorf was handled here and I cannot wait to actually buy the game and experience taking on this bastard like a true gamer.

[bruggle]

Behold!

The Rip-out-your-heart-inator!

At least, that's the goal. Dunno if I achieved it. Have fun, chilren.

Glowing

The past is a haunting thing. But what else can it do in the present except try to hurt you?

Words: 3k

"A moon of light reflecting fully

And I guess it would feel like rebirth

Out of some kind of dying

To see yourself

So glowing."

-Glowing, The Oh Hellos

Carnage.

  Destruction.

  Death.

  How much was caused by him?

  Everywhere X looked, that’s all he saw. Omega, within the massive suit Weil had created in order to enhance his ability to control reploids while fused with the Dark Elf, sat prone; too heavily damaged to even move. X glowered; he didn’t even bother trying to fight it back. There were few people X could say he truly hated. Omega had the ‘honor’ of being one of them.

  A part of X wanted to end the doppelganger right then and there. To hell with mercy. To hell with restraint.

  X tore his gaze from the giant reploid. He had to find his brothers. Axl had disappeared early in the fight; swallowed by the sea of controlled reploids that had appeared the second Weil had integrated the Dark Elf. Zero… Zero had faced Omega alone for the first part of the battle as X struggled to beat back Weil’s army of golems. He wasn’t sure where the red clad reploid had gone once the white reploid had set his sights on X. Please don’t let them be dead.

  There were… so many bodies.

  So many.

  None of them deserved it.

  Of the few reploids still standing, none of them were familiar. They all ducked their gaze once they realized X was looking at them. No. He kept moving. Surely, Axl would appear with yet another poorly timed joke, as he was wont to do. Or… or Zero would join his side without a word, silently giving his support. Please. Please.

  As X wandered the battleground, he noticed a group of reploids standing in a circle; their grave expression sent a pulse of panic through his systems. No. He picked up the pace, making a beeline towards them. No. As X grew closer, one of the reploids noticed his presence, a horrified expression making it’s home on his face. No. More took notice of the blue bomber’s appearance; beginning to  whisper amongst themselves. No. “Wait-“ one of them called, but X ignored them; stumbling closer to the object they were encircling. Why did it look familiar?! Pushing a purple clad reploid out of the way, it took everything for X to not break right there and then.

  The figure on the ground was clad in navy armor with grey and red accents.

  The inset blue gem was destroyed.

  The helmet was gone, allowing red hair to hang loosely around his face.

   Sightless green eyes stared back at him.

  X fell to the floor, gathering Axl’s limp body into his arms. “No, no, no,” he repeated softly to himself, over and over and over and over again. It was unnatural to see the normally hyperactive reploid so still. X refused to look at the missing arm and legs, focusing on the prototype’s face. Axl’s body was shaking or was that just his own arms shaking? as X hugged him closer. He was- X shut that thought down, choosing to instead bury his face in Axl’s hair. “You’re okay,” he whispered, clenching his eyes closed. “It’s over. Wake- wake up, Axl. C’mon, this joke isn’t funny anymore.”

  The surrounding reploids looked around at each other, searching for the correct words to say. X didn’t care. Where was Zero? Why wasn’t Axl waking up?! “Sir,” one of the reploids hesitantly spoke up. “I don’t think-“

  “Shut up,” X demanded, snarled, begged.

  Don’t tell me, he silently prayed. He has to be okay.

  Where was Zero?!

  A sudden wetness on his cheeks made X slowly reopen his eyes. Had it started raining? Looking up, the skies were still clear it didn’t fit it didn’t fit it didn’t fit it didn’t fit it didn’t fit causing X to slowly bring a hand to his face. Pulling it away, it was definitely wet; he had almost forgotten he could cry. The reploid that had been brave enough to speak gave him an odd look. They couldn’t. Of course they couldn’t.

  Anger.

  Rage.

  Pain.

  Why was there so much pain?!

  Gently cradling his brother’s body to his chest, X slowly stood up. He knew. Axl was dead. And it was his fault. X never should have allowed him to become a Maverick Hunter. Turning, he made his way back to the center of the battleground; passing the giant, motionless heap yet again.

  He had never wanted to utterly destroy Sigma as much as he wanted to destroy Omega.

  Why not? asked a voice. Why not destroy it now?

  It was there that X noticed a new face, one completely unmarked by the horrors all the other survivors witnessed. Her eyes were darting over the wasted landscape, until they landed on him. Recognition lit up her face, as she hurriedly made her way to him, carefully picking her path in order to avoid the worst of the… viscera.

  “Mister X!” she called. “I was- I was sent by Isaac! You’re needed!” X brushed past her, he didn’t care. Isaac could go to hell for all he cared at the moment. “Mister X, please-“

  “Tell him I’m busy,” X ordered growled, seethed, snapped.

  “Oh, but Mister X, it’s an emergency!” the reploid insisted. “There’s been bombs set off and-“

  “ENOUGH,” X boomed. He didn’t need to hear it. He had heard them going off as Omega had fallen, Weil cackling in the background. The reploid shrank back, fear flickering in her eyes for a second. It was then that she seemingly noticed the limp form he held tightly to his chest. “O-oh…” she whispered, franticly looking around before darting off.

  Good.

  Great.

  Why wasn’t Zero here?

  Ventilation system working overtime, X turned back around. He gently laid Axl on the ground, searching his face one last time in a desperate, desperate hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll blink. Ask X what the long face is for. Laugh. Wink. Punch his arm. Something. Anything. Please.

  But he knew.

  He knew.

  He fucking knew.

  And so, with a heavy heart, X gently closed the prototype’s eyes one

  Last

  Time.

  His tears gently landed on Axl’s face, giving the illusion that it was he who was crying, rather than X.

 

 

 

  What was he supposed to do now?

 

 

  The thought of making a grave passed X’s mind, but he didn’t want to entertain it.

  That would mean Weil won.

  That Axl was dead.

  He didn’t want

  He

  He didn’t want to think about it.

  The sound of footsteps alerted him to an approaching figure.

  Too urgent, too heavy, too quick to be Zero.

  Glancing at the figure, X didn’t recognize him; but he very obviously recognized the blue bomber. Making a straight beeline to X’s location, the new figure saluted him. X didn’t respond, causing the figure to falter for a second. “Sir, I’ve been sent with a message,” he said in a clipped manner.

  X didn’t respond.

  The figure hesitated.

  “Sir, Maverick Hunter HQ-“

  “Don’t,” he commanded. He begged. He raged. He pleaded. He cursed. He whispered. He screamed. What was he supposed to do?

   No, no, no, please, no. Weil had already taken so much; please, please, don’t tell him the monster had taken more.

  The messenger stood awkwardly, struggling to figure out what to do next. It was pretty obvious that the poor figure was likely pulled from the streets in order to deliver the message to X. A message he didn’t want to hear.

  He didn’t want to hear.

  He didn’t

  He didn’t want

  He didn’t want to hear.

 

 

 

 

  “He needs to pay for his crimes!”

  “But there’s so few left! Are we really going to throw away a brilliant mind?!”

  “Are you out of your mind?! He’s the reason everything went to shit in the first place!”

  It was all so… meaningless.

  The squabbling, the yelling, the arguments, meaningless.

  He wanted to kill him. He wanted to kill them both.

  Isaac glanced over to X, concern written on his face. X didn’t care. It was all meaningless.

  After a handful of reploids none of them familiar. Why were none of them familiar? were finally able to tear X away from his position kneeling over Axl’s body, Isaac had carefully, gently explained that Zero had sealed himself away; claiming fault for everything that happened. After all, he had been the source of the virus. The Dark Elf. Omega himself. It was all his fault.

  X should hate him.

  He really should.

  But he had already lost one brother.

  Why did he have to lose both.

    And now, here he was. The last dregs of society demanding him to figure out what to do with Omega. With Weil. X couldn’t bring himself to even look at them. He just wanted them out of his sight. The large, white reploid still sat prone, completely worthless without its’ master to command it. Pathetic. He could almost bring up pity for the thing.

  But not quite.

  Weil, on the other hand, had a smug look despite half his face being covered. Prevented from speaking, he was completely at the mercy of X.

  He wasn’t feeling very merciful.

  It scared him.

  Why, that voice asked. He’s taken everything from you.

  “Enough,” X called, his patience growing thin. He just wanted them out of his sight. “There is no way to remove Omega from the suit. Not without destroying it, but there is no way to know for sure if… Weil has any sort of backup plans for that.” He had certainly had a plan to make sure nobody won if he didn’t. The doctor narrowing his eyes told X he was right on the money. He glowered down at the human. “Launch it into space,” he ordered. “It won’t be of any use where Weil cannot reach it.” The people officiating the trial glanced at each other, whispering amongst themselves. The moon had served as an adequate prison for Sigma; X hoped the same would be true of the doppelganger.

  “What of Weil?” asked one brave individual.

  “Toss him out of Neo Arcadia,” X demanded snarled. “I don’t care how.” He had to leave. He would do something he’d regret if he didn’t. Turning, X made his way off the podium. Isaac followed after, trying desperately to speak to him.

  X ignored him.

 

  It was all so meaningless.

 

 

Ciel helped.

 

But not by much.

 

 

  It still hurt.

 

 

 

  The Dark Elf’s reappearance had made him panic.

  Was Weil back?

  If he is, kill him.

  The thoughts were getting louder.

  He was slowly becoming a danger.

  It scared him.

  Thus, he had come to the conclusion that for the sake of everyone, he needed to seal himself away. Just as Zero did all those years ago. The Dark Elf… She had rejected the notion of fusing with X. Quite violently, in fact. But alas, his will, his anger, his agony, it was greater than her rejection. She had fallen silent once fully fused.

  But it had taken it’s toll.

  He was so tired.

 

  He let himself rest.

 

 

  It wasn’t so bad, simply existing in a void…

 

 

 

 

  X awoke in a panic.

  Greedily gulping down oxygen, he put a hand to his head. Hair. Real hair. Not the synthetic hair he was used to. He pulled it away, studying his fingers. Scars littered the hand; not from fights, not from war, not from weapons. These were all from forgetting where they were while cutting vegetables. That touching hot pans was not a good idea. A misplaced needle while fixing up a garment. Peaceful scars.

  He had never been so relieved to see a scar before.

  He had to take a moment to remind himself that he was no longer back there.

  He was no longer a leader. Well, outside of being head of his little mishmash of a family.

  He was just X.

  Just as he always wished he could be.

  Just as he always should have been.

  The cry of a gull pulled him from his musings, causing him to glance at the clock by his bed. It was quite early; he still had an hour or so before the sun even began to rise. But the thought of trying to sleep after… that made his stomach turn. He was awake, whether he liked it or not. It was far too early to start breakfast, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t go out into the kitchen.

  Barrell had gotten him addicted to coffee, after all.

  Quietly making his way out of the kitchen, he turned on one of the lamps rather than the overhead lights. Levi was rather sensitive to light and had the habit of leaving her door open while she slept. The last thing he wanted to do was wake up any of the inhabitants. (Could you blame him for wanting at least a little bit of peace to himself? Eight people in a single house boat was quite the number, after all!) X made his way to the cabinet he knew held the caffeinated drink he craved; making sure to open it just right. (The darn thing squeaked if opened too quickly; he and Barrell were still trying to figure out why.)

  Just as he grabbed the bag of grounds, the sound of footsteps caught his attention. X inwardly groaned; he had been so careful not to wake anyone…

  “What are you doing up, dad?” asked Volnutt, his youngest. The younger carbon was rubbing at his eyes, telling X he had indeed just woken up.

  “Couldn’t sleep,” X quietly sighed. “Now why are you up, young man?”

  “Bathroom,” Volnutt yawned. “But I heard something, so I came to check it out.” X chuckled quietly to himself. “It’s just me,” he assured the brunette. “No need to worry. Go take care of business and get back to bed.” Volnutt blinked blearily at him, before turning to do as he was told.

  Shaking his head, X prepared his coffee as quietly as he could. Filling the pot with water to pour into the chamber, placing a filter into its place, filling said filter with grounds, now all that was left was for the machine to warm up. The older carbon looked around for something to occupy the time.

  Unfortunately, there wasn’t much in the kitchen. And he didn’t want to go walking around in fear of waking any more of the inhabitants.

  The flush of the toilet grabbed X’s attention; he waited for the sound of running water to accompany it.

  It did not occur.

  That boy…

  As Volnutt opened the door, X glared at him. “What?” he sleepily asked.

  “You did not wash your hands, young man,” X accused, crossing his arms.

  “Ah, crap,” Volnutt muttered. “Forgot.” He made the decision to walk back to his room regardless. X stared after him incredulously. “Excuse me,” the older carbon huffed. “Go wash your hands, Volnutt!”

  “But daaaaaad!” Volnutt winged. “’M tired! And you said go back to bed!”

  “You can go back to bed after you wash your hands!” Honestly, this boy…

  Volnutt let out a scoff, but obediently turned and did as he was told. X shook his head as he chuckled at the boy’s dramatics.

  He would rather have to get onto this child about washing his hands every time than spend one more second back there.

  Now why wasn’t the coffee maker heating up?

  As X studied the machine in an effort to figure out the reason (surely he wouldn’t be bested by a silly little machine like this!), Volnutt walked into the kitchen. X was tempted to tease him about no longer being tired, but he was far more interested in figuring out why the blasted mechanism wouldn’t give him his caffeine.

  “Uh, dad?” Volnutt quietly called. X turned to him, seeing him point to a spot on the wall. The older carbon turned to see that he was pointing at an outlet.

  An empty outlet.

  Meaning the coffee maker wasn’t plugged in.

  Well that explained it.

  Huh. He was more tired than he thought.

  X couldn’t help but laugh at himself, causing Volnutt to chuckle alongside him. The older brunette shook his head as he quickly plugged in the machine. Now it was making the familiar sounds of heating up. “Are you okay, dad?” Volnutt asked, genuine concern lacing every word. X gazed at his youngest, soft sigh escaping him. “Just a nightmare,” he assured the fourteen year-old. Volnutt tilted his head. “You want to talk about it?” he asked. “You always tell me that it helps.”

  The former blue bomber gave his youngest a fond smile.

  What had he done to deserve this child? He didn’t deserve him.

  “I’ll be okay,” X insisted. “Maybe when your older, we can talk about it.” Volnutt’s face fell; X hated doing this to him, but the child had no business knowing the horrors he had been through.

  He will be dead in the ground before he lets even an ounce of his past touch this child.

  “What’s all the noise about?” yawned Leviathan as she blearily entered the room. “I’m trying to get my beauty sleep.”

  Oops. X supposed they had been a bit too loud.

  “Sorry Levi,” said Volnutt, a cheeky grin forming on his face.

  Oh no.

  “You definitely need it.”

  Oh no.

  “WHY YOU-“

  “Children!” X hissed. “It is still early! Do not wake the house!”

  “Is that coffee I smell?” asked Barrell, slowly making his way out of the room. X let out a defeated sigh. So much for his peaceful morning…

  “HEY!” Roll called from her room. “Some people are trying to sleep!”

  “Take your own advice!” Fefnir yelled from down the hall.

  “Why don’t you?” argued Harpuia.

  “Man, you’re all so noisy,” chuckled Phantom, slinking into the kitchen from an open window. “Couldn’t be me.”

  “As if!” Volnutt argued. “You were stomping on the roof of my room all night!”

  “Prove it,” Phantom smirked.

  Watching the chaos unfold, X poured himself and Barrell a cup of coffee.

  He wouldn’t trade this for anything.

The past was the past.

And it would stay that way.

[amorphousgreydragon]

Metal Sonic Game Idea

imagine a game where you're playing or designing a metal Sonic. You collect gadgets, parts, gimmicks to travers the land while switching between fighting styles and manually adjusting things like weight or speed, so that everyone who plays it has their own Sonic android that's designed just the way they like it. The world reflects this change by having a wide array of biomes and challenges fundamentally baked into them, like a forest area where branches begin to fall and break in speeds depending on how heavy your android is, allowing for more options or just easier time using them depending on the situation. In another area, the challenge could be something ice related where barrelling through obstacles as a heavy wrecking ball opens up other opportunities due to how being heavy makes momentum more powerful as a tool. Most areas however would be mostly neutral so that there is enough sandbox to just have fun without feeling the need to constantly switch between your metal Sonic variants/loadouts you compose. Besides weight, speed and simple stats like that you can also bring back old gimmicks like Anti Gravity from the Riders games. Or a giant laser to fight enemies or blast through obstacles, a grappling hook, jet boosters, sawblade quils like in metal sonic first silver incarnation, a targeting system, and so on.

As for story, I had the idea of Sonic controlling a Tails adjusted Metal Sonic due to a distress call coming from a wormhole that is too dangerous to leap through, even as Super Sonic. So Sonic volunteers to upload his consciousness to be put into the machine, using a chaos emerald to keep his physical brain and the robot on the other side of the wormhole connected. Everything Sonic experiences in the robot body, he really feels. If you can't tell, I want there to be as much transhumanism and body horror in this as possible.

What Sonic finds on the other side? I've had some ideas myself. Maybe it could be a distant galaxy, like a callback to the third season of Sonic X. Of maybe it could be an alternate reality of some kind, who knows ^^ more callbacks to Sonic X and all that was established in that show would be insane though.

One possible way to make a game like that narratively interesting would be to start everything mysteriously due to amnesia after Sonic makes the connection with the downed Metal Sonic unit, because, unbeknownst to everyone involved except Eggman who made a similar mistake in the past, the personality is still dormant in the robot- hardwired into it. So now, Metal Sonic(?) follows the mission of an uncertain master that is unknown to them, not realising what they once were. Metal and Sonic, fused into one temporarily. Slowly over the course of the adventure with their boss managing to stabilise the wormhole and send more and more resources through, they learn of their situation. Slowly, their situation dawns on them. No mouth, no way to scream, as their memories return to them. Sonic's and Metal's. The poles of their minds begin to reassert themselves, especially when Sage takes up contact with them through the reach of a chaos emerald of her own. The brother, the sister and the hero, together on an adventure.

Will this be enough to transform Metal' relationship to Sonic? Will either of them go mad with eachother's memories? Will Sage menage to keep them from destroying themselves until their mission of saving the galaxy is complete? Will Sonic, isolated from his friends, his own body and identity, go mad like Metal intends to make him?

[crowroboros]

Two Mentally ill Men in Games that I like

I'm drafting up a post about Moebius, Ouroboros, Alpha and their role in shaping Aionios and how they tie into the messages and themes of the Xenoblade series but I'm taking a break from that because I just can't look past how similar Consul N and Leo's arcs are.

MASSIVE Echo (Leo's Route) and Xenoblade 3 spoilers. I mean absolutely earth-shattering spoilers. You have been warned.

Also this is being written on the spot and in one sitting and while I'm sleep deprived so it might be messy and a bit incoherent to anyone but me. Maybe I'll touch it up a bit in the future. This is also long as hell.

TLDR; N and Leo:

Are both obsessed with their romantic partner

Are both mentally beaten down and manipulated by their circumstances which slowly strengthens their obsession and makes them spiral further

Are both possessive of their romantic partner to the point of manipulation and control to keep them by their side

Both commit atrocities in the name of their obsession (To be fair to Leo, Consul N is MUCH MUCH worse in this regard) Both reach their breaking point towards the end of their game

Both indirectly kill their romantic partner/love interest

Are both incapable of moving on when their relationship ends, leaving them stuck in the past.

Are both a major part of a game all about "going in circles", "cycles", and the human condition

Both perpetuate the aforementioned cycle

Both put on a front of being stable and collected to hide intense shame, regret, and turmoil going on within them.

Leo and Noah are two shades of the same color so to speak. Now let me be clear, Mio and Chase are nothing alike and their roles in Noah's and Leo's respective obsession with them are very very different. Chase directly had a role by texting and sexting Leo while drunk, continually fueling Leo's hope that the pair would get back together. Mio on the other hand, alongside Noah, was forcibly reincarnated again and again by Moebius. They kept meeting, falling in love, and having their lives ripped away from them by war. Mio's involvement begins and ends with her just trying to survive like everyone else.

Noah, in all these past lives, seems to be the last of the pair to die. And even thought the memories of each life were wiped upon rebirth, those memories and their complimentary feelings still lay dormant deep within him. Hundreds of memories and feelings stacked up deep within his subconscious.

Each time Noah loses Mio is more painful than the last and it culminates when the pair, in a new incarnation, lose the hope to fight against Moebius and ending the war; instead deciding to go into hiding. They have a son, Ghondor, together and hope to live out the rest of their lives in peace. Alas Mio again dies, this time from her Term Marker reaching the end. And Noah is absolutely distraught. It only gets worse with Noah's death a year or two later, for he is brought before Moebius Z and forced to witness all of his past lives; Every time he and Mio met, fell in love, fought by each other's side with the Lost Numbers...only to get killed again and again.

Noah in this moment is forced to realize that he exists in an inescapable cycle, and becomes despaired of ever ending it. Z, seeing Noah at his lowest, offers him the option to live out eternity with Mio. Noah, if he is to take the offer, will get immortality, power, and he'll even bring back Mio to live alongside him; All he has to do is become Moebius, and completely destroy the inhabitants of The City. And to Noah — having just relived the pain and suffering of hundreds of past lives and being told that nothing he does can change the world — accepts. After all, why wouldn't he? If nothing he does matters in the end, if Moebius will keep the inhabitants of Aionios stuck in this cycle of bloodshed for all eternity, then why can't he at least live out that eternity with the one he loves?

When Noah becomes Consul N and destroys The City as well as killing most of its inhabitants — including his and Mio's now adult son Ghondor — Z does keep his promise, bringing Mio back as Moebius M. But she's absolutely horrified by his actions, lashing out at him and pushing him away. Noah at this point already regrets his actions, never having truly agreed with Z on the goals of Moebius. He's disgusted and ashamed of himself over what he had just done, and it's only made worse by Mio's response. But instead of repenting or accepting that what he is doing is horrific, he puts on a front. He buries his regret deep and pretends to believe in a cause that he never truly could get behind. He spends the next thousand years carrying on as the very thing he and Mio were so desperate to destroy and internally it's killing him. N becomes despondent and hateful, relying on Mio's existence to keep himself happy all while he presents himself outwardly as stoic and collected, pretending to be content with his choice. On the other hand, Mio openly hates the life she has now been forced into — taking lives and perpetuation the cycle of war that grips Aionios to fuel her own existence — and she too falls into a depression.

On the Echo side of things, this is equivalent to the prank Chase and Jenna pulled on Leo as well as the three years that Chase and Leo kept having a long distance "on-again-off-again" thing going on. Pretending that Chase was cheating on Leo, the breaking of Chase's phone, Chase never directly saying that the pair have broken up — only saying that he's going to Pueblo — and then limiting contact for the following three years to just drunken sexts doesn't offer Leo any real closure on the relationship. Leo has based so much of his own happiness on the idea of his relationship with Chase and the bond they had together, and now he's desperate to have that back, even going as far as to continue to wear the anchor bracelet that he and Chase wore to symbolize their relationship all these years later.

Just like N deludes himself into thinking that what he is doing as Moebius is what is good for himself, Mio, and the people of Aionios, Leo is deluding himself with the false hope of rekindling his relationship with Chase. They're both holding on to their own desire for a relationship long dead and are ruining themselves in the process. Both are perpetuating the cycle that holds their respective worlds captive: Consul N with the Endless Now and the war between Keves and Agnus, and Leo (albeit on a much smaller scale) with the inability to grow and change.

Both Aionios and Echo are locations that get their identity from their stagnation and decay. Aionios has been in an endless war since its creation with the collision between the universes of Bionis/Mechonis and Alrest, slowly getting chipped away at by the Annihilation Events. Echo was once a thriving town that over the years has failed to keep up with the changing world and now sits in a state of decline with only ~50 residents by the time of Echo VN.

And in this state of eternity, both Leo and Noah are given the opportunity to embrace change and to accept that nothing will be the same forever. For Leo it's when Chase leaves Echo, and for Noah it's when Mio dies in the last natural reincarnation. But both of them are too afraid of what it means to move on and let go. So instead, both cling to what's familiar and end up back at square one.

This refusal to move on isn't just detrimental for Leo and N alone, but it is detrimental for everyone around them. Aionios and its war persists for at least another millennium at the hands of N, resulting in the prolonged suffering of the people of Keves and Agnus. While Leo's obsession over Chase results in the manifestation of The Embrace, which stalks people such as Duke and Dale and drives them to some level of paranoia. And it all reaches the breaking point when it gets the person they love most — the object of their obsession — killed.

To briefly provide context before this next section; Sometime across the thousands of years between when Consul N and M came into existence and the main game of Xenoblade 3, N and M's repressed hope and ideals of a better world manifested as separate entities all of their own as the pair sunk deeper into despair and self-loathing. (Origin is essentially a Conduit emulator and there is a bunch of Xenoblade lore that makes this already long post even longer so just know that under certain conditions and with access to certain things, one's willpower can cause physical change or manifest as a physical entity.) These newly formed entities are the protagonists of Xenoblade 3; Noah and Mio. Functionally, it is the same as the cycle of reincarnation that all inhabitants of Aionios experience except with the caveat that the originals are still alive. From here on out, the Noah and Mio who became Moebius will be referred to as N and M, while the protagonists of Xenoblade 3 will be called Noah and Mio.

When the protagonists get absolutely fucked up when fighting against Consul N, Consul M sees potential within the group and spots an out. She is presented with a second chance to hopefully put an end to the world's suffering. M ends up revealing everything to Mio; The memories of their past lives, what Consul N did and his reasons, and ultimately what M wants from this: To die. The two switch places, with Mio taking M's place and M taking Mio's.

M, masquerading as Mio, spends a month in prison where she and the rest of Ouroboros are psychologically tormented and taunted by Consul N. Whereas M saw Ouroboros as a second chance, N sees the group as a threat to the familiar. A threat to the eternity he gained with M. To him, M is his property to hold close. So he spends that month breaking down the group's hope, putting them in the same place he was moments before he was given the offer to become Moebius. He wants them to fall victim to the same cycle he has.

And when that month is up, M dies in Mio's place at the Homecoming. She dissolves into light and her soul is set free from the reach of Moebius and the cycle of reincarnation. She has escaped the cycle and embraced an unknown future in the form of Mio.

And when N realizes who just died, he crumbles. For much of the final act of Xenoblade 3, N is inconsolable. He sits alone within Origin, not speaking or moving from his place in the Amphitheater. He knows that everything he has done up to this point had just been erased, for M is now gone. He is forced out of the past he lived in and is thrust into the future alone. But rather than admit that, he only dives deeper into the mask he wears, pretending that it isn't him clinging to the past that led to her demise but instead the changing world brought about by Ouroboros.

Over in Echo when Chase, Jenna, and TJ return for spring break it is Leo who takes action and gets the entire group back together. After all, this is exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for! He can get the group back together after three years and try his hand at getting Chase back as well! Over the course of Leo's route, the wolf gets increasingly more aggressive and protective of Chase and by the end of his route, he's outright threatening anyone he views as potentially taking Chase away from him again; using his size and gun to intimidate them.

In Leo's bad ending, this culminates when Chase once again leaves the status of his and Leo's relationship ambiguous. When trying to jump on a train to escape Echo, Leo grabs and pulls Chase off the caboose. This causes Chase's legs to swing under the rails and for both of his legs to be severed at his calves.

It's here that N and Leo begin to differ, at least in this ending of Leo's route. Whereas N was in full control of what he was doing, Leo is undoubtedly influenced in part by the hysteria over Echo. Leo's obsession, possessiveness, overprotectiveness, and his aggression is all him, however it is likely that as the hysteria takes hold of the town, these traits are exasperated by the supernatural. It's why N falls into a near comatose state out of grief, and Leo loses grip on his own sense of reality, failing to grasp the gravity of Chase's injuries. Leo takes Chase to his house and bandages his wounds thinking it'll be enough. Chase slowly bleeds out and eventually dies, though Leo doesn't seem to be able to grasp this. In fact, Leo's actions and behavior after Chase loses his legs could be seen as analogous for when N decided to become Moebius. It is when Leo fully resigns himself to Echo, thrusting himself and Chase into reliving their past together. Literally in Chase's case, as he flashes back to various memories of his and Leo's relationship as he dies.

Despite the difference, thematically N and Leo's situation here is the same. They both refused to step forward into the future and the center of their greatest desire died because of it. For N, it was the possibility of a future without M. If Moebius was stopped and Origin rebooted to allow for the safe reconstruction of Bionis/Mechonis and Alrest, there is a chance that he'd never see M again. There's a chance that the rebooting of Origin's systems won't even work and the two worlds will cease to be. And for him, that possibility is too much to bear for he bases his entire sense of self around M and his relationship with her.

With Leo, when he asks Chase if the otter will stay with him after they escape Echo, he needs a concrete answer. The past three years has had Leo in a sea of uncertainty in regards to his relationship status with Chase, and as Leo says himself "seeing you leave on that train was too much."

For Leo, getting on that train meant leaving all that he and Chase went through in Echo behind for a future that neither of them can predict. He's terrified of what that could mean; Maybe they'll work out, maybe they won't. Maybe they'll be friends, maybe they'll never talk again. Why take that risk when the two can stay in Echo? Echo, just like Aionios, is stagnant and decaying; things stay the same and end up right where they began. Stuck in a cycle.

But Leo's good ending follows a different path. Here, Chase directly and unquestionably cuts things off with Leo. Chase forces Leo to move on by giving him a hard answer, making sure that the wolf simply cannot continue to hold onto the idea of their relationship rekindling.

And what does Leo do in response? Nothing. As Chase and the others flee on the train, Leo stands and stares; Dejected.

In this ending, Chase lives. However it is more similar to M's death in terms of what it does to Leo and the overall narrative. Just as M's death did for N, Chase's rejection forced Leo from the perfect eternity he tried so desperately to craft for the two of them. Leo is forced to move on without Chase, and it crushes him. In his despair and grief, he is left alone by the side of the tracks in the dark.

Two years later, Chase returns to Echo with Kudzu to formally say goodbye to the town and Leo. In these two years, Leo has undergone a lot of change. He too is leaving Echo, moving back in with his parents, and he's no longer wearing the anchor bracelet. In these past two years, Leo ahs come to terms with the fact that he and Chase are over.

Leo has managed to escape the cycle and has come to accept the future that awaits him. He's no longer wearing that anchor bracelet; which not only symbolized Leo and Chase's bond, but also the way it tied Leo down. it symbolizes the way the weight of what the past meant for him kept Leo from moving forward and embracing the changing world around him.

And his route ends with the pair parting ways.

Through both leaving Echo and moving on from Chase, Leo is stepping into an unpredictable and uncertain future. He doesn't know what will happen or whether he'll ever see Chase again, but he's content with that. In a town where all you can do is go in circles, he has managed to get free of that burden and forge his own path in life.

Over in Aionios, Ouroboros make their way within Origin and confront N. When they find the Consul, he's no longer sulking alone, but standing ready for a fight. Now that M is gone, now that all he has sacrificed for hundreds upon hundreds of years has been for nothing, he feels empty.

It doesn't matter what happens to N anymore, he just wants to make others feel the same pain and suffering he's feeling. This is comparable to the two years Leo spent dealing with Chase's absence post-Echo. Rather than wallowing alone however, N is taking out his sorrow and guilt on Ouroboros. He's lashing out, as he knows that his eternity is gone.

Ouroboros and Consul N fight, and after a long battle N is defeated again. It is here that N and Ouroboros — in particular Noah and Mio — have a heart-to-heart with him, serving as his inner conscious in a manner similar to that of self-reflection. The pair get N to realize that he fucked up, and nothing he does will bring M back nor will it make everything he has done right. But importantly, they empathize with him, understanding his reasons and how hard it was for him to keep up that act. They convince him to not allow the past to define him and to instead atone for his actions and move forward. And their words, as well as M's, finally get through to him.

N and Noah fuse together, giving N a chance not to redeem himself, but to atone and move forward with his life. He joins Ouroboros to destroy the last remaining Moebius, Moebius Z, and to set the world free from stagnation.

Moebius and Ouroboros, the symbols themselves, are two sides of the same coin. Both are cycles, seemingly endless paths looping in on themselves. But whereas a Moebius strip ends where it started, and Ouroboros ends one loop with the birth of something new. Moebius is an endless cycle of stagnation. Ouroboros is the endless cycle of change and rebirth.

Ouroboros goes on to destroy Moebius Z, the collective unconscious given physical form by the dense collection of fear and anxiety over the fate of their worlds that the respective people of Bionis and Alrest within Origin's systems felt as their universes threatened the other with oblivion.

As Origin reboots and Aionios falls apart, Ouroboros separate as they're dragged along with their respective universe. N has done it. He, similar to Leo, has managed to move on from eternity. he has allowed Aionios to be destroyed and has stepped into an uncertain tomorrow. From here, no one knows what will happen. Maybe Origin will fail and both universes cease to be. Maybe everything will go to plan and the worlds no longer are at risk of destroying each other. If it does succeed and the universes safely merge together again, there's a chance that Noah, Mio, and the rest of Ouroboros won't be alive to see it, thus never meeting each other again.

But they're content with that.

Consul N from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Leo Alvarez from Echo Project's Echo VN are both complex and interesting characters that explore the human desire to cling to what's familiar and reject painful or unsatisfactory change. And through them, we see how staying in the past can be harmful not just to the self, but to those around you. Through these two characters, Monolithsoft and the Echo Project team tell the audience that it's okay to be afraid of how things might turn out, that it's okay to want to stay close to what's familiar. But if you resist change, if you do everything in your power to keep yourself in an endless now, that you'll do nothing but cause harm. So look forward to tomorrow, for it is a bundle of possibilities. And just

Walk on.

[bunny7567]

I got you - chapter 7

Pairing: Rex x Jedi!ofc

Word count: 5k Tags/Warnings: canon-typical violence; description of injury; animal attack; 2nd half of this chapter follows some action and dialogue from Jedi Crash episode; it's also *tragic backstory* time; a little hurt/comfort

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osik - crap, shit

~~~

Lexie was beginning to settle into her role as a general, her confidence in her leadership skills and Jedi abilities slowly returning in the almost two standard-months spent aboard the Resolute and on various assignments. Their latest relief mission had been straightforward and uneventful, however, quite heart-breaking. The small moon of Dasi, had finally been liberated from under Separatist control, after a difficult campaign led by the 212th. The 501st was finally able to arrive with the medical and food supplies that the inhabitants had been desperately waiting for.

Lexie had never seen such destruction before. The state of the northern hemisphere, where most of the mining communities were located, was deplorable, with villages all but destroyed and thousands of people displaced from their homes. The Republic had promised to aid in the rebuilding, but everyone knew it would be months, if not years until that would happen.

She had spent three rotations by the side of Kix and the other medics as they attempted to help get the very few remaining medical facilities up and running again, while Anakin with Ahsoka, Rex and the rest of Torrent Company were tasked with distributing the food supplies.

Lexie felt drained as she arrived back on the Resolute, as well as shocked to notice how little the clones seemed to be affected by the devastating landscapes they had just been walking through. She voiced this thought to Kix as they walked together to the mess and was reminded of the short amount of time that she had been fighting in this war compared to them. There was no condescension in the medic’s voice as he explained it to her, it was simple fact. She too would get used to it after a while. What a horrifying thought.

It was already a regular practice for Lexie to have her meals alongside the men. An unspoken seating arrangement had even been established, with Lexie and Rex always sitting next to each other, while on her other side she usually had either Echo or Fives. She had let her guard down a little with them, she enjoyed their company and they enjoyed hers. They had fully accepted her into their little group, misunderstandings having been cleared up, and Lexie’s promise to do better clearly visible since their deployment.

There was still some apprehension from some of the troopers she couldn’t interact with as much, but ever since her public apology and their Captain’s constant reassurances, the belief that she was a clone-hater had greatly subsided.

There were still moments when the guilt of that first mission would overwhelm her and the fear that she would repeat her failure would make her spiral into a panic attack. Echo had seen her duck into a supply closet soon after they had left Coruscant and had decided to follow her in, thinking of the encounter he had with her right after Erosh-4. They were only hours away from joining the ground assault on the Separatist forces that had cornered Master Mundi’s men on Ku’mai, and the worry of letting everyone down again was weighing heavily on Lexie’s shoulders.

Echo’s suspicion had been correct, he had found her pacing between the shelves, her hand clawing at the upper part of her robes, appearing to struggle to catch her breath. He hesitated, but decided to try to offer her support again. Her master’s voice was screaming at her inside of her mind, reprimanding her for appearing so vulnerable in front of him again, but this time she did not jerk away at his touch on her shoulder. Her hand left the fabric that felt too tight around her chest and rested on top of his, squeezing it lightly, as she focused on steadying her breathing. She had let Rex in, she could let Echo in too.

She thanked him, and he smiled kindly, and she made sure to keep an extra eye on him on the battlefield. She had actually not ventured too far ahead from the clones during the fight at all, unlike Anakin or Master Mundi who were slicing through the droids much in front of her. Lexie was staying back, on the defensive, ready to jump in front of any trooper and deflect the blaster shots that they could not avoid. She didn’t want to lose any more men than necessary, didn’t want to feel that cold feeling of death any more than she had to. It worked fairly well, the casualties sustained during the battle being minimal. She was relieved.

Walking into the mess right after Kix, Lexie was disappointed to see that Rex was not sat at the table. He must be with Anakin again. She had noticed her fellow Jedi sneaking away every now and then, reminding the Captain of “a thing” they had to take care of. Lexie was getting suspicious. Anakin was hiding something and Rex was doing his best to avoid her questions about it, giving her flustered attempts at lies and changing the subject whenever it was approached. She didn’t want to prod too much at first, but it was beginning to annoy her. She would just have to ask Anakin about it point blank when she next had the chance.

Lexie got some food and took a seat next to Fives, who was occupied with telling the others about some woman he couldn’t wait to see again on their next leave. The group was now fully comfortable around her, with Fives, Hardcase and Jesse no longer holding back on any raunchy details while recounting the exploits of their nights out, or apologising to her after making lewd jokes.

She had really surprised them by revealing that a lot of the Jedi did not live celibate lives and had even hinted at a few of her own past flings, which had earned her a place in their locker-room talk. It had also made Fives bolder in his flirting, which she had to admit she kind of enjoyed and sometimes even reciprocated, much to the dismay of Rex who would stare daggers at his brother getting nothing in return except for a shrug and a “I would stop if you just admitted you like her vod” when she was out of earshot. But the Captain would always deny it, insisting his feelings for his General were nothing more than professional.

“All I’m saying is by this time, in two rotations, my hands will be quite full, if you know what I mean”, Fives concluded.

“The entire sector knows what you mean vod, you’re not at all subtle”, Kix laughed.

Lexie shook her head and chuckled. She really liked these boys.

“Don’t see why we still have to spend two more rotations in orbit. The moon is secure, surely the Seppies won’t dare return after the ass-kicking they received”, Hardcase commented after a few silent moments.

“It’s not about the moon”, Lexie informed them, recalling the briefing she attended that morning. “We’re on standby in case General Secura needs reinforcements on Quell, we’re the closest battalion to her position”.   

The mood for the remainder of the meal had soured a little at the realisation that they might not get their overdue shore leave. Yet none of them complained too much about it, they knew the drill, they knew their place was on a battlefield.

“We’re heading to the training level”, Fives said as they were getting up from the table. “You coming, General?”

“Sure thing”.

Sparring matches with Fives and the others were also becoming a habit. He had first asked her to join them a few days after the Ku’mai mission, causing the entire table to fall silent as shocked faces looked between her and Fives. None of them had dared approach that subject since the sparring practice between her and Rex had ended with her in tears.

Lexie felt grateful that Fives had decided to stop tiptoeing around it and eagerly accepted, something that he ended up regretting once he found himself on the training mat, knocked out after only a few minutes. He had underestimated her, she was a lot quicker than he thought. In his defence, the only time he had seen her in hand-to-hand she had not been in her best form at all, but when focused she was very skilled. However, Fives was determined to eventually get the drop on her and she was happy to keep humouring him.

“You sure you want to end up flat on the mat again, honey?”, Lexie teasingly asked Fives as they reached the training room.

“Not gonna happen today. I am not fighting alone. This time you’ll have to take on both me and Echo at the same time”, he replied with a grin as he started warming up.

“Umm, I don’t remember agreeing to that”, Echo said.

“Finally you come up with more of a challenge”, she replied. Her confidence had been growing and she was getting a bit cocky.

“But you know the deal. No Force osik”, Fives reminded her.

Lexie nodded and started warming up as well. Echo reluctantly joined after a bit more convincing from her and Fives. It felt like a bad idea. Sure, she was good, he and everyone in the training room had laughed and been in awe when Fives was down in like 5 minutes during their first match, but the duels had been getting longer, the men were getting used to her combat style and were finding better ways to counter it. Last training session when Rex had finally agreed to spar with her again, he had almost won twice.

Echo wasn’t exactly sure if he was worried he’d get his ass kicked by her (again), or that she’d end up hurt this time.

Lexie was doing very well at first. So well, in fact, that in her overconfidence she got Hardcase to join the sparring match too after a while. With three against one, however, it was a little more difficult to land good punches on her opponents and, as she was getting more and more tired, it became more difficult to avoid them too. She tried to move, to avoid an attack from Fives, when all of a sudden, as she turned, Echo’s fist connected with the left side of her face.

And down she went as everything turned black for a minute.

“Rex is gonna kill me”, she heard Echo say as she laid flat on the mat.

Lexie groaned as her hand reached for her face. He really got her good. Her eyes opened, seeing all the clones looking down at her, concern evident on their faces. Kix jumped straight into medic mode, asking if she’s alright, shining a light over her eyes before slowly lifting her to a sitting position. She looked at her fingers and noticed the blood on them. He really got her good.

“I am so sorry General”, Echo’s panicked voice reached her.

“I’m fine, don’t worry”, she laughed it off. It was her own fault after all, she had gotten cocky.

“You won’t be when Rex hears about this”, Fives half-whispered into Echo’s ear. Lexie’s eyes narrowed in confusion.

“Let’s get you to the medbay”, Kix ordered as he helped her stand.

Rex’s mind was racing as he hurried down the corridors. “General Khalla was taken to the medbay”, was all the information he had. He had overheard two shinnies just as he reached the mess, finally finished with helping General Skywalker make his private call. Rex had basically snapped at them, asking what had happened, only to be met with nervous mutterings of “we don’t know Sir, we just heard she’s injured”.

What could have happened? She had been on a simple supply distribution mission, helping with the reorganising of a few med facilities, what could have gone wrong? It couldn’t have been droids, the Separatist forces had been driven away before they even got there. Insurgents maybe? Separatist sympathizers? But why had he not heard of any attacks? His mind was going over these questions at hyper speed, while also trying to avoid the very pressing question of “why did he feel so scared?”.

“What happened?”, his stern voice sounded as soon as he entered the medbay.

Lexie was sat on an examining table, while Kix was placing a small bacta patch on her left temple. The beginning of a black eye was starting to be visible. Fives and Echo were stood right next to the table and Rex noticed that Echo’s face had turned white the moment he walked through the durasteel door.

“Echo got a bit too rough during a sparring match”, Jesse said in a teasing voice from a chair near the table. Hardcase let out a small laugh from next to him.

The Captain’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Echo, anger clearly visible in them.

“Oh don’t be mean”, Lexie addressed Jesse. “It was my fault, Captain. I got too cocky, thought I could take on Fives, Echo and Hardcase at the same time. Echo just managed to land a good hit, that’s all”, she said light-heartedly.

“I did warn you it won’t be me flat on the mat this time”, Fives quipped, making Lexie roll her eyes and smile.

Her smile was genuine. She was fine, she was not in any danger. Rex let out a breath trying to get his heartrate under control. Why had he been so worried?

“Are you feeling alright?”, he asked her, gaze softening as his eyes met hers.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. You know I’ve taken worse hits to the head in the past”, she replied with a chuckle.

Rex did not find that as funny. An image of her laid in the hospital bed flashed though his mind causing a nauseating feeling in his stomach.

The comlink on her vambrace beeped before he could say anything else, Anakin’s voice telling her she’s needed on the bridge in an urgent tone.

Aayla’s cruiser had taken some serious damage and was starting an uncontrolled descent into the planet’s atmosphere. Lexie had just watched in exasperation as Anakin had ignored her protest and flung himself from the gunship. They were going to crash land into the cruiser in a few seconds anyway, he could’ve waited.

“Hey, kid”, the Captain said.

“I know, I know. I’m hanging on”, Ahsoka responded, hand clinging to the wall of the gunship.

Crashing into the cruiser, Lexie and Ahsoka jumped out, followed by Rex and a few troopers. Lightsabers ignited and they caught up with Anakin and Aayla, slicing through droids along the way. The ship that would get them out of that mess was all the way down in the docking bay. The group made their way there, a blaster bolt grazing Lexie’s left arm. As they reached the ship a loud explosion sounded nearby. Lexie wanted to act, but Anakin was quicker, using the Force to push them through the gangway as the blast doors started closing, while remaining behind to try and keep the blast at bay.

“Don’t move the ship”, Ahsoka ordered through her comlink while Lexie’s sabers slashed through the blast doors that had refused to open. The hydraulics must’ve jammed.

“We have to leave now”, Aayla shouted as Ahsoka and Lexie dragged Anakin’s unconscious body onto the ship.

They struggled to lift him and carry his to the small medbay, activating the med droid as soon as they got him into a bed. He was severely injured, they needed to get him back aboard the Resolute asap. Lexie’s anxiety was through the roof and she took a moment to try and centre herself. She couldn’t panic now, she had to remain calm.

Ahsoka was just as worried as she was, letting her emotions get the better of her and arguing with Aayla when she came to get them to the bridge. However, there was no more arguing when Commander Bly came in to inform them that the ship was in hyperspace, heading right for a star. This just gets better and better.

They had very little time to act. As they rushed to the bridge, Lexie did not even have a second to glace at the body of a dead pilot laid out in the hallway. She barely glanced at Rex, who was crouched down, messing with a circuit panel that he quickly abandoned as he saw all three Jedi run past, and he followed in on the bridge after them.

“It’s no use”, Commander Bly’s fist struck the control board in frustration. “The navigation computer’s completely fried”.

“Shut down all power circuits to reset the coordinates”, Aayla said turning to Rex.

“That would cut off Anakin’s life support”, Ahsoka protested from the other pilot’s chair.

“We don’t like it either, but it’s a risk we have to take”, Lexie responded, trying to push her own anxieties about her friend’s condition out of her mind. She had to be practical, she couldn’t allow emotion to guide her. She glanced at Aayla who gave her a reassuring nod.

The reset abruptly brought the ship out of hyperspace, causing Lexie to be flung against the wall as the artificial gravity turned off. She saw Aayla try to switch the power back on and was about to reach with the Force and help, when all of a sudden something crashed into her hard, knocking the wind out of her.

The handle that Rex had been holding on had broken and he was thrown, pinning her against the back wall of the bridge, rigid plastoid making contact with the right side of her chest. As the power came back on the two of them fell to the floor, with Rex briefly trapping her under his body before he managed to lift himself off of her.

“I’m sorry, Sir. Are you alright?”, he asked as he lifted her from the ground.

Lexie’s hand went to her side, from where a sharp pain was spreading over her ribcage, accentuated by every breath she would take. That was not a good sign. She waved him off and hurried to the others.

“Well, we’re not going to crash into the star, but we’re definitely going to hit that planet”, Ahsoka remarked dryly.

Lexie felt Rex’s arm around her back as they braced for impact.

The sun had just set, the bright maroon of the sky slowly morphing into a deep indigo. Lexie watched as the search party formed of Ahsoka, Aayla, Bly and the rest of the clones departed, and closed her eyes, silently praying they would be able to find some help for Anakin. She headed to the makeshift tent where the unconscious Jedi was laying and checked that her friend was still breathing. His condition was really worrying.

At least she had Rex with her. His presence had a soothing effect on her mind. She closed her eyes again and reached to him through the Force. He was calm and collected, a true soldier.

“You should rest, Sir. I’ll keep first watch”, his voice came from behind.

The Captain was sat by the fire and Lexie walked towards him, taking a seat, legs crossed and body angled so she could face him. She was close enough that if she stretched her legs, her feet would rest on his thighs.

“My mind is a bit too agitated at the moment, don’t think I could sleep just yet”, she admitted.

“That’s understandable, General”, he said with a nod.

“I thought we were making progress”, she said narrowing her eyes at him.

“What do you mean?”

“You dropping the formalities when it’s just the two of us”

“Respectfully, Sir, I only agreed to that for when we’re off missions”, he said with a small smile.

“Come on, Rex, we’re technically not on a mission right now. We’re just waiting around for the others to return”, she pushed.

The Captain gave her a look and shook his head, amusement present in his eyes.

“I will just keep nagging until you relent”, she threated jokingly. “I can be quite stubborn when I want to”.

“Which is all the time apparently”, he quipped.

Lexie let out a laugh then immediately grimaced as the movement shot a sharp pain through her ribcage. Her hand reached for her right side instinctively.

“How bad is it?”, Rex immediately asked.

“It’s either a bruised or a cracked rib. Can’t tell for sure until I get it scanned”, she replied trying to breathe through the pain.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”, he asked, even though he knew there wasn’t much either of them could do without a medic or proper supplies.

“It’s not that bad. I just need to keep my mind distracted”, she didn’t want him making a fuss; compared to Anakin she was in top condition. “So I don’t know, talk to me about something”.

“About what?”

“You and Commander Cody seem close”, she prompted. She had seen them interact only once, after the 501st arrived on the Dasi moon, but it had been enough to notice their strong bond. She had been curious about it and had planned to ask him the next time they’d share a meal together. In all fairness she was curious about anything that had to do with Rex, feeling a need to learn more about him.

“Well, he is my ori’vod”, he replied with his half-smile.

“I know what vod means, but what’s that first part?”, she asked.

“Ori’vod means big brother. And before you ask, yes we are technically the same age. It’s a matter or relationship dynamics... plus the difference in rank I suppose”, he tried to explain.

“So were you… what was that word you guys use, batchmates?”

“No, we met after the Battle of Geonosis. I went back to Kamino for specialized command training. That’s where I also met Bly and most of the other commanders”.

Rex then told her about his training and about Tibrin and Christophsis and how those early battles helped strengthen the bond between him and Cody. If he didn’t know she was only looking for a distraction from the pain, Rex would’ve thought she was actually interested in getting to know him better, with the way she was asking questions and listening intently.

“What about you, Lexie, do you recall anything about your family? I remember you Jedi join the Order at a very young age right?”, he asked after he had exhausted his stories.

“Typically yes. However, I was an exception. Came to the Temple when I was 9. It’s probably why Anakin and I became so close once he joined. We had similar circumstances”.

“How come you joined so late?”, Rex asked.

Lexie clenched her jaw. Should she open up about this? Not even Anakin knew the full extent of her history. She’d had to bury it deeply in order to move on from everything she had been through, yet her heart would still ache when she thought about her family. But just like that night after their first sparring match, there was something about Rex that made her feel like she could tell him anything, like she could really open up and be vulnerable. She took a deep breath. She could tell him her story. Or most of it anyway.

“Well it’s a bit of a longer story, but I suppose we have time if you really want to know”

“I do; if you’re alright with talking about it”, he said, having noticed her hesitance.

“What do you know about Seccaya?”

“Not much. We learned a little about it in one of our Galaxy history lessons. I remember something about a royal coup 10 or so years ago”, he said, eyebrows slightly furrowed as he recalled the information.

“13 years ago. Almost 14 actually… It’s why I had to leave. You see, Seccaya is a very religious planet, and… stuck in the Old Ways. How should I explain this? Many people worship Nature and believe that no one should have power over it. So for centuries the Jedi were regarded as abominations, you know? Our abilities… moving things with our minds, the way we can connect to animals, influence other sentients, it’s not something that anyone should be able to do. Force-sensitive children were quickly taken off-world or forbidden by their parents from using their abilities.

“Things were starting to change, however… Queen Axanna, the one that was overthrown, she was more tolerant. She even allowed my Master to come to Seccaya and stay; she wanted to re-establish a relationship with the Jedi Order and with the Republic. Her sister didn’t agree, she was devout to the Old Ways and so she orchestrated the coup and took the throne for herself. I was in danger once she became queen and had to flee the planet, and so my Master brought me to Coruscant and convinced the Council to allow me into the Order”.

She took a few breaths before she continued. Her fingers were rubbing small circles on her sternum. It still wasn’t easy to talk about this.

“Wasn’t easy to convince them, I was too old, but he had already started my training 4 years prior so he used that, plus my refugee status and the pledge that he would take me as his Padawan as an argument and they eventually accepted”.

“You started Jedi training while still on Seccaya?”, Rex asked a bit confused.

“Yeah. That was quite unusual. My mother did not want me to be sent to the Temple, but she was concerned about my abilities, and about me being able to control them, so she asked my Master to train me. She was… influential on the planet, so he agreed. He thought it could help the Jedi in repairing the relationship with Seccaya as well. So I wasn’t a complete novice when I joined the Order.

But joining so late was also really difficult. Unlike the other Jedi, I remember my family… I had strong attachments to them. I loved my mother, and I struggled a lot with mourning her death. And the fact that I would never see my cousins again. M-My father died not long after I was born so I don’t have siblings… but I have two cousins that I used to think more of as sisters. Anara is 5 years older, but Myria and I were born only a few days apart so we were so close growing up. My aunt didn’t like that, after she found out I was Force-sensitive she tried to discourage us from being close but it didn’t work…”

A tear rolled down Lexie’s face and she quickly wiped it away.

“I’m gonna stop talking about it if you don’t mind…”, she said quietly. She couldn’t break down in front of him again, what kind of Jedi would she be?

“No, of course”, Rex said softly.

He reached his hand, resting it on her knee. His eyes were full of compassion and Lexie held his gaze for a few moments.

“I’ve never told anyone so much about my past before”, she admitted.

Rex felt a warm feeling in his chest. He couldn’t believe that she trusted him so much in order to share her secrets with him. He was touched, and felt proud to know he was her confidant. But before he could say anything a rustling noise coming from the tall grass caught both of their attention. Rex jumped up, putting his helmet on in a swift motion, and surveyed the area.

“Stay here, General. I’ll go check the perimeter”, he said assertively.

As soon as Rex walked away Lexie closed her eyes and reached through the Force around her. There was something there, not too far away. She tried to look deeper, to gauge the intentions of this cold presence, but movement noises coming from the tent behind her broke her focus. She turned and saw Anakin had moved, trying to leave the tent, and she rushed to his side as he fell.

“Anakin, are you alright?”, she asked alarmed.

“Be-behind you…”, he struggled to say.

She didn’t need to hear him finish the words. She felt the sudden danger and rapidly turned, drawing and igniting her lightsabers as the massive creature attacked at her. The creature managed to grab her left arm with its beak, throwing her back, over its body. She twisted in the air and landed on her feet but the force of the touch down sent a pain through her chest.

 She tried to regain her footing and lifted her right arm to strike but the creature was fast, using one of its powerful paws to claw at her arm and push her down to the ground. Lexie screamed as her shoulder rotated back forcefully before feeling her arm go numb. The creature was now on her, prepared to lift its sharp beak and pound it into her when a blaster shot hit its back. It let out a harsh cry as more shots followed, then hurriedly disappeared back into the tall grass.

“General, are you okay?”, Rex asked as he rushed over.

“I’m fine, go help Anakin back into the tent”, she replied as she slowly got up.

Her left hand grabbed her right arm. The pain in her shoulder was now throbbing and she could not move it at all. She glanced at her left arm. The fabric of her sleeve was shredded and some blood was visible on her forearm. Thankfully it didn’t seem that the cut was too deep.

“I think my shoulder is dislocated”, she announced as she walked over to the Captain, who had just helped a barely conscious Anakin lay back down. “Need your help popping it back in”.

He walked to her after taking his helmet off, kind eyes finding hers.

“Are you ready?”, he asked as he took a hold of her limp right arm.

Lexie nodded.

“1… 2…”

She screamed a curse as he pushed the joint back in its place before reaching 3.

[desultory-novice]

Ok so what if Magolor Nova and Crowned Marx

Amusingly, I just ran into this discussion about Galactic Nova that's totally relevant here: It brought up "Why did Nova fly menacingly toward Popstar after Marx made his wish?" Because it fulfilled Meta's wish without moving an inch.

Their theory was Galactic Nova needed the stars of the milky way to use its full power. When the stars bailed to help Kirby, Nova lost a significant chunk of wish-granting power. The best it could do for Marx was just do whatever it was doing. (Collide with Popstar?)

I bring this up because this means as long as Magolor still made others do his handiwork, he'd suffer the same fate as Marx did if he stole a wish from Nova. The star would de-power itself because he wasn't the person who summoned it. With that out of the way, let's talk BOSS FIGHTS and THE AFTERMATH!

[Descriptions + sketches below. CW: Disturbing imagery warning for Marx's fight. Magolor's defeat too, actually.

Magolor + Galactic Nova

For Magolor, once Nova starts to power down (immediately before the boss fight) he almost immediately gives up on it fulfilling the rest of his wish and uses his (now Nova-boosted) magic power and starts disassembling the clockwork star, which rests in the distant background of the battle as a creepy, mechanical skeletal husk.

He uses his magic to morph its detached parts into various physical enhancements/weapons for himself. Breaking the compass off to telekinetically fling around like a pair of spears or forming a giant fist to hit you with out of the piano keys, managing to wield them all at once with multiple powerful magic circles. Meanwhile he's removed chunks of the Nova's face to use as protective armor swirling around himself as he faces off against Kirby.

(This battle would be pseudo-3D/1st-person, most closely resemble the battle with Star Dream and with Void Termina, as you're trying to get close enough to Magolor while facing off against a barrage of weaponized Nova parts.)

Unlike Marx, who goes haywire and crashes into Nova and explodes, the end goal of the fight with Magolor is about wearing him and his magic down so that Nova can take its parts back, re-assembling itself slowly in the background the more punishment you inflict on Magolor. This reaches its denoument with a tired Magolor competing against Nova's own gravitational pull to maintain some control of his clockwork armor until a stubborn Magolor loses the struggle and is sucked backwards into Nova, ending up being bricked up INSIDE the restored (now quietly ticking away) clock.

A Post-Nova "friendly" Magolor returns as something of a part-Nova cyborg. A clockwork Magolor replica, made of plated metal and springs. This (implied horrifying) experience hasn't changed his personality in the slightest, however.

--

Marx + The Master Crown

As for Marx, his first phase goes all in on the idea of fusing "the jester" and "the king." Much like how Magolor did, he experiences a dramatic makeover once he dons the dreaded diadem. His accessories become larger, more fanciful, and more gaudy.

This Marx is glutted on crown-fueled greed and thrills to kick back and be the one who runs the show. His fight is not a brawl but a full on trick boss, like Squashini in Epic Yarn, only ramped up to 11.

Marx spends this phase chilling in the background, watching and giggling as he uses the crown's limitless magic power to make YOU into the fool, having you jump through impossible (flaming) hoops in his deadly show and laughing maniacally when Kirby takes any damage. He gets bored though, and eventually, angry enough to leave his safe perch once you destroy enough of his tricks.

When you overpower him with the Ultra Sword, just like with Magolor, the Master Crown shows its true colors, turning against Marx just like it turned against Magolor.

The fight then turns into a nightmare version of "The Greatest Living Show" with the Master Crown transforming/taking over Marx's fun little stage and extending its tendrils into long golden meat hooks it sinks into Marx, flinging and slinging him at Kirby, ripping Marx in two and trying to smoosh you with the two halves.

It uses the thorned horns from Magolor's fight like scissors, cutting his "strings" loose then grabbing him from a different angle to signify a different attack pattern/phase of the fight.

Post-Crown Marx, like canon Magolor, begins to show some personality changes after his awful experience, steering away from tricks that hurt or upset people and focusing more on being a sassy entertainer. As for physical changes, he doesn't have scars from the crown's tight grip like Magolor (...is often HC'd to have...) but the rips and tears in his body from the crown pulling him apart persist, only they're filled in with gold now, like a piece of kintsugi pottery.

[ladybellissima]

Finding Love Katakuri x Reader Part 28

Silence and darkness welcomed Katakuri with open arms after another hour of torture. He lost the track of time. He couldn't tell, if it was day or late at night or if already weeks past or only days. Katakuri could only focus on his mental strength to not break. To not lose against these bastards and show any weakness. Never would they get informations about his family. Never would they be able to get a trumph card against his mother to destroy his home.

"never will they get close to my wife…"

Closing his eyes the image of her lovely smile popped up in his mind. He would do anything to have her by his side now. Close, embraced in his strong arms. It broke him more than every torture they would try. Moving slightly, he growled of the immense pain, which shot through his body like an arrow. He wasn't able to move an inch. Still cuffed with the damn sea stones, he was defensles hanging from the wall.

"She sure knows by now what happened… God damn it.", he cursed and could imagine her tears, her helpless cries about the fact that he wouldn't come back ever again. Biting his lip of desperation, till blood slowly ran down his chin, he tried hard not to cry. Katakuri was lying to himself. He was already broken. He couldn't. He just couldn't accept to not see her ever again.

"I want to life…."

His frustrated whisper echoed through his lonely cell, but he knew all too well that his hopes were useless.

"I just want to say how much I love you. Just one last time… My lovely sweet wife…"

Shaking his head to control his feelings he sighed deeply. The most important thing was that she would be safe and that was the last string for him to keep on fighting.

xxx

" Fuel low… Fuel low"

(Y/N) 's look fell onto the display of the ship. Horrified she gasped of shock, while she guided the ship with high speed through the sea.

"Not now! Out of all places it have to happen here!", she spoke frustrated, while the ship trembled of another push of a sea monster. She was so close, so damn close after traveling for exhausting long weeks, but out of nowhere a sea king followed her tracks and started to attack. Sweat rolled down her forehead, while she pushed button after button to get faster and hopefully out of the territory of this monster.

"You damn beast! Get out of my way… Who knows how much time Katakuri has left…", she shouted frustrated and her look fell onto his vivre card which was already burnt to the half.

Suddenly the ship was shaking like crazy and (Y/N) was rolling from one side to another, up and down and to all directions. Her bags were roughly pushed open and ingulfed with Big mom's sweets, she quickly grabbed the small bag from Pudding to not lose it too. Screaming she lost completely control over the situation and the next moment everything was black. With half lided eyes she only was able to see the red control lights and the sound of water.

Was this her end now?

"Damn it… Katakuri…", she whispered before her vision became blurry.

"Captain Coby there is something swimming before us!", a marine cadet called out to the young man and let him look out with a serious expression on his face.

Finding the object, he could only tell that it was pink.

"From what we could see it seems like an underwater submerge ship, but I am not sure..", the cadet spoke next to his captain.

Irritated he ordered to get closer to this mysterious thing and got more confused after getting a better view.

"a… a Bonbon?", he spoke dumbfounded and never saw such a thing.

"yes captain Coby. A swimming… Yeah… bonbon.", the marine spoke kind of amused of the situation. It really looked ridiculous. Slowly they pulled the huge vehicle out and placed it onto the ship.

"Who would travel with such a… honestly I can't find the right words for that.", he spoke and watched the others who were looking for an entry.

"Captain!"

Slowly Coby stepped to the marine and looked into the ship. Gasping he couldn't believe his eyes. In between an huge amount of sweets was laying a breathtaking young girl, who was hugging a small bag dearly. With hearts in their eyes his crew flew around him, while Coby still couldn't move an inch of this image. Shaking his head he entered the ship and came to her side.

"She seems okay… Just unconscious", he whispered and brushed some strainds of hair out of her face. Smiling he took her into his arms and came back outside.

"How sweet"

"She looks like an angel…."

Ignoring his lovesick marine collegues, the young man walked to his office and laid her down onto his bed.

"We will head back to the base!", he ordered quickly and made sure that (Y/N) was comfortable.

It took her awhile to wake up. With a loud groan she opened her eyes and watched her surroundings. Confused she found herself in a neatly cleaned office and relieved, she found Pudding's bag beside her bed on a table. Nervously she got up from her laying position to get a better view.

"Oh finally you are awake…", a voice got her attention and she was met with a young looking man with pink hair. Most of it was hidden behind a bandana. Clothed with a captain coat, he seemed of a high rank. (Y/N) realized that her accident with the sea king, led her directly to a marine ship. She wasn't prepared to get in touch with these people so suddenly and felt in a way helpless of what to say.

"You don't have to be afraid. I am Captain Coby. We found you and your… Yeah ship. Are you feeling alright? You aren't hurt or? ", he spoke politely and came a step closer, but stopped immediately after he noticed her shiver.

"I.. Am fine. Thank you for your concern. And thank you for helping me out there. I am very grateful.", (Y/N) spoke as friendly as possible and smiled slightly towards the captain. In a way he seemed nice. Blushing he avoided her sweet smile and coughed to calm down.

"That's a relief.", he spoke and was about to ask further, but a cadet stepped to his side.

"Captain. We are here. The base is calling.", he spoke nervously and quickly Coby turned to the exit to answer the call. Stopping in his tracks, he looked back to (Y/N) and smiled widely.

"Don't worry Miss. You are safe here. After all, We are at the marineford base G-1! ", his words rang in her ears and let her eyes widen. She was there. She really was able to get to Katakuri's prison. Wiping her tears away she took a deep breath.

"Now (Y/N) focus. Calm down, get information and get an overview of the situation…", she spoke to herself, while her look wandered to her hand. Touching the black ring of Katakuri, she knew that she first had to make sure, if she was able to speak with them about her situation. On her way she thought about her possibilies. Maybe she was able to make a deal? To give them money to let her husband go? Sighing she took the ring off of her finger and placed it into the bag. Till she didn't know what would happen, she should hide her identity.

Stepping outside she gasped of the sight before her. The marineford was huge. It looked like an empire. The high stonewalls, cannons and thousands of marines, which were patrolling around the place were making her shiver of fear.

"Impressive right?", Coby's voice got her attention and let her look up to the smiling captain. Nodding she thought about her husband and where exactly he was being kept.

Deep in thought she didn't notice that the ship was already inside the base and docking on land.

" Captain Coby, Navy Admiral Akainu is waiting!", one of the many marines called out to them and softly he tapped (Y/N) 's shoulder to get her attention.

"Come with me please.", he spoke and walked forward. With every step she felt her nervousness raise. Mens were gasping and drooling of her appearance, which made her quite uncomfortable and Coby annoyed. Sighing he looked down to the beautiful girl and could see how afraid she was and the most scary meeting was already waiting around the corner.

"We will meet now Navy Admiral Akainu. He is one of the most powerful marines. I am sure that he won't cause you any harm. He is just very cruel against pirates or other criminals.", Coby spoke and didn't notice that he sounded in a way sad.

"You don't seem really happy about your motivated Admiral. ", quickly apologizing of maybe going too far, Coby just chuckled of her sweet behavior.

"You got a point. Well it's just.. I believe in justice, but it's important to see the person behind the actions too. If he is just killed because of the title, I think that's going into the wrong direction.", he spoke nervously to relieve his true intentions. Smiling (Y/N) stopped him by grabbing his arm, which gave him goosebumps.

" That's very honorable of you. You see things through your heart. I don't know this Admiral yet, but I am sure you are a way better marine than him, because you give people a chance and not judge someone by his appearance or name.", (Y/N) spoke with a smile and took him of guard. He was really fascinated by this woman. After being in trouble and god knows how long she was in that bonbon vehicle, she still kept a heartwarming smile on her face.

"Why is a girl like you out on the sea alone?.", he asked out of the blue and got a blushing mess of thinking out loud, while (Y/N) watched him with raised eyebrows.

"a girl like me?"

Flustered he fought for words and started to walk again.

"Forget what I said. Nevermind… Let's go.", he spoke quickly and they walked along a corridor to reach a big double door at the end. Pushing it open, Coby let (Y/N) walk inside, who was shivering of the cold atmosphere. The room was huge. High walls with windows made the room even more bigger. At the end was a big desk with two marines on each side. But that wasn't really important at that moment. Because her eyes met the serious ones of the Navy Admiral Akainu. Alone his strong expression made her scared. He was frozen in place and showed no sign of starting a conversation. Uneasy (Y/N) stopped and waited for Coby to help her. He knew right away how intimidating his superior was and stepped beside her.

"Navy Admiral Akainu. Here is the person who was traveling with the strange object.", he spoke professional, while Akainu's look was piercing her.

"Your name.", he asked and crossed his arms.

"(Y/N)… ", she quickly spoke and pressed her fist together for support. She had to pull herself together. It was her only chance.

"Why is a young woman traveling out there all alone? There has to be a good reason for that.", he spoke calmly and looked down onto his papers again. (Y/N) didn't know if she was allowed to speak, while he was reading and waited dumbfounded.

"What's the matter? Are you thinking of a good lie?", he suddenly asked and looked up shortly with a bored expression. Coby knew how this man loved to play with people. Looking down to her he was stunned of (Y/N) 's annoyed look.

"I am terribly sorry, but seeing you reading in between our meeting, I thought of not to disturb you.", she spoke with a hint of anger and let the Admiral raise his brows stunned. It was many years ago that someone was speaking with him like that. On the other hand Coby was sweating like crazy.

"I see… I was unpolite. So again. Who are you?", he asked in a demanding tone which let her shiver. Thinking about what to do she felt her heartbeat increasing.

"Admiral Akainu!", a sudden voice cut in and a marine stepped into the room. Annoyed he gave the intruder an angered look and let him bow in apologize.

"I am sorry to disturb, but we found an inscription at the cockpit of this stranger's ship. It belongs to the Big mom pirates!", he spoke and let (Y/N) 's heart stop for a moment. The air got thick and cold, while Akainu gave her a deadly glare.

"You are a pirate? And belong to this scum of people… ", he spoke with a dangerous calm voice. Coby gasped shocked and couldn't believe it. (Y/N)' s mind was racing. She had to find a good answer. A good plan. The moment she stepped into this room she realized that speaking things out and make a deal wasn't an option.

"Alone for the way you speak to me, I will kill you with my own hands.", he growled and got up pissed.

Gasping (Y/N) stepped back, while tears rolled down her face. She always learned to be honest. To never betray others, but this time she would.

For him.

Taking a deep breath she walked closer to the angered Navy Admiral, who was able to kill her with one hand. Coby wanted to stop her, but knew all too well that things got already too heated.

" My name is (Y/N) (L/N). I am the princess of Exotica. "

[unma]

I Love Philip (LOR) And Feel so Painfully Bad for Him

Every time I think about Philip I cannot help but be reminded of how dirty he gets done in Library of Ruina. My little boy does not catch a break. He gets beat into submission at least 4 different times. He unwillingly gets saved from certain death in the library, and with the hindsight we get at the true ending of the game, that would have been a preferable fate.

But no, he gets thrown into Oswald's clutches. He doesn't get a chance to properly mull over his feelings and emotions like Xiao did, he doesn't get to actually work through it in a healthy manner, and much like Yan, gives in and becomes the Crying Children.

He still doesn't die. And then Argalia gets a hold of him and he loses all sense of who he once was, until now he's just Philip again. But he isn't Philip: everything that once made him up is gone, replaced by only the cinders, the ashes of what was once his burning flame.

And now he fights, burning once more. Much like Xiao, his fuel was those he cared about, but now that's all gone. Now he just fights for the Ensemble. And really, for what? He's truly and wholly apathetic now; any semblance of emotions is muted and grey, dulled to the point of returning to apathy.

It's a wonderful parallel that Malkuth continues to burn while all her efforts seem to have been hopeless, with the hope that it all, in time, will be worth it, while Philip burns in spite of said hope: he burns to destroy all, and reduce it all to sad, depressing soot.

In the end, it's a sad fate for him, and every time I return to the song "And There Is Heard No More" I feel horrible for him. He really didn't deserve all he'd gone through. Most members of the ensemble are horrible, or dislikeable in their own ways. You don't feel bad for their deaths, even if you do realize that some of them got here simply because of how twisted the city is. But we've spent a lot of time with Philip and got to see how he really was just trying his best for those he cared about, only for him to burn out until there was nothing left of him.

In the direct opposite manner of how Xiao goes out in a triumphant blaze of glory and will now get to see those she cares about once more, satisfied that she took action and never stopped burning till the end, Philip goes out the same way a small candle fire does. Silently and weak, the wisps of smoke that remained of him gone in the wind.

Xiao is the raging forest fire that scars the land irreparably for years, maybe even decades to come. Philip is the small candle flame that never got to spread before it slowly died off. And 'Philip', his remains, is that melted wax candle, being forcibly set aflame in an attempt to reduce everything to that same, sad puddle of apathy.

But this is just how I see it. Something I didn't point out here is the importance of isolation and the ability to define oneself to Philip's story, and how losing those close to him and being driven to Isolation was what got him here, and he was further not allowed the chance to grow or define himself like Xiao was, or how Angela could in the floor realization. Hod's Realization is all about Angela realizing that only she could truly define herself, and this floor's theme is an excellent parallel in that Philip wants the same: the ability to define oneself in isolation. The difference is, in part, in the extent.

Malkuth does not think that one is completely defined in the absence of others. While letting other's criticism and opinions define you is, frankly, a horrible idea, it does not mean it is all to be discarded. And while the clashing of opinions will inevitably lead to conflict and hard times, one can choose to take it all and use it yourself: to decide if and how to use one's experiences to define yourself. You define yourself, and you are not limited to your environment, but that does not make it a waste. You can grow and become better because of your enviornment.

'Philip' does not believe in this. He doesn't see the point, seeing where his hardships brought his previous self, which is why he wants complete isolation. In truth, he believes the same: You define yourself. But their beliefs are fundamentally incompatible as soon as the topic of oneself in relation to other people comes up, which is why they must disagree.

This final bit is a bit of a headcanon, more headcanon-y than my previous interpretation of events anyway.

I like to think that since Philip still has those little bits of what he once was, those come out in battle. When he's burning, when he's overheated, that previously dead flame is back, at least in part, and he can more vividly recall things and remember why and how he's gotten here. It would be a nice touch, but maybe that's just me.

Anyway, that's enough ranting about my poor boy. I have a fic to finish, and then maybe I'll go beat up Oswald and Argalia for doing this to Philip. And then I'll solo Roland with a different floor, probably.