#and summons a snake because he needs someone to vent to

[driedlillies]

Fix it au where hashirama looking at his younger brother certified mad scientist no 1 and installs some fucking ethics class for jutsu creation and something so orochimaru atm uncertified mad scientist no 2 almost fails it and finally gives up on his fucked up experiments because he really wants a real fucking lab and not only the secret station in the woods he set up

[verfound]

Here in this diary! (I think I know but I wanna seeee)

...I was honestly gonna save these for the next two WIPWednesdays, but then someone said @lukanettejune had Villain!Luka as today's prompt (6/4), and it just seemed like it'd be fun to share this today?

Because I've been sitting on Villain!Butterfly!Luka for a while now without having a lot of time to work on it, and I'm pretty sure the only ones I've discussed it with are the OG LBSC crew. And y'all will never believe when I say our Fluffy Meet Cute Queen is the one who gave me the prompt. 😁

The prompt started with Marinette recording Guardian/Ladybug-specific things in her diary, in case anything ever happened to her (because superheroes typically don't have a long life expectancy lbr), to explain - or to lead the next Guardian. I can't remember if Luka specifically getting the diary/Marinette giving it to him was the original idea (it's LBSC it probably was), but it...ran away with me. And Shadowman was born.

The summary: Under normal circumstances, Luka would never read someone’s diary. But Marinette’s been missing since Ladybug’s death, and he’s desperate. Every page gives him new insight into the girl he was realizing he never really knew. Every page reveals just how much Paris had failed its beloved heroine – how much he had failed her. Now Luka Couffaine is out for revenge, and the only person who could stop him is gone.

So here's what I've got.

We open on the death of Ladybug. It's the final showdown with Hawkmoth, and Viperion is the only 'temporary' hero there because LB thought they'd need Second Chance (and he's the only one she really trusts anymore). Viperion and Chat Noir are standing over LB's body, and Hawkmoth is cackling behind them, Mayura crumpled at his feet. He tells them he might not have won, but they haven't either - "Your hero is dead! Your precious Ladybug is DEAD!"

And Viperion walks over and just clocks him. He takes Hawkmoth and Mayura's Miraculous, but when he turns around Chat and Ladybug are gone. This leads him to believe Chat has LB's body/her Miraculous - but he's...confused. Did this mean they won? He hears the sirens approaching and waits for the police. Before they take hi away, Gabriel asks him: "Have you actually won anything? Is Paris truly safe?"

Two weeks pass. It's a mixed bag: Hawkmoth is defeated, but Chair Noir hasn't been seen or heard of since the defeat, and Ladybug is dead. Paris is safe but in mourning. Luka is guilt-ridden over Ladybug's death, convinced he could have prevented it and his failure to fix it makes him an unworthy Snake. He renounces Sass, and he's been keeping the Snake, Butterfly, and Peacock in a safe place.

In this 'verse, Luka doesn't know or suspect that Marinette is Ladybug. Immediately after the battle, Luka called Marinette. He needed to talk to her, to see her - but she never answered. He tried to go over the next morning, but Sabine calls him and lets him know Marinette wasn't in her bed that morning. They didn't hear her leave, but she's not answering her phone and they can't find her - has he seen her? So for two weeks he has been at the bakery almost constantly, tirelessly helping Tom and Sabine search for Marinette. No one can find her. No one's heard from her. And he's starting to go a little nuts.

(Note that this takes place during summer - HM was defeated right before break. Dingo's back in Australia for the summer, which is important for Reasons. Luka's not in school, stopped going to work, and is using pretty much all his time to help look for Marinette.)

So it's been two weeks. No akumas because no Hawkmoth, a dead Bug, and a missing Marinette. Luka's at the bakery, shambling around Marinette's room. Tom and Sabine are downstairs, waiting on a call from Roger who may have found a lead. And Luka's just poking around, spiraling, when he notices...the box with Marinette's diary is open. It wasn't open before. And there, on top of her diary, are two letters: one addressed to him and one addressed to Chat Noir.

So he reads his. It's a goodbye/Just In Case letter. She explains how she was hoping he wouldn't find it/she wouldn't need it. She'd set a magical lock on the box, so that if something happened and she didn't come back...and she's sorry. She's so sorry, because she never wanted to drag Luka back into this, but she needed him. She tells him her diary will explain everything: she wrote everything down, and she always thought it was because she just loved to journal, but she realized it was because she never had any proper training. The next Ladybug/Guardian deserves better. If she doesn't make it, the next LB/Guardian has to be prepared. Better than she was.

And Luka can't move. Can't breathe, can't think. Because the letter had been addressed to him, and he wasn't going to read it, but he had hoped maybe there was a clue, except the clue was...Marinette is Ladybug.

Ladybug is dead.

...Marinette is dead.

And it's all his fault.

And he reads her diary, convinced he had to have misunderstood...but it's all there. Everything. Becoming Ladybug, her spiraling feelings for Adrien, Chat being so pushy with his affections, her troubles with Lila and the class, the expulsion, Alya constantly pushing/pressuring her with Adrien, becoming Guardian, feeling like she had to bear everything because Chat was so lackadaisical/reckless/self-sacrificing, her growing feelings for Luka...and Luka realizes it's true. She was Ladybug, and she was going through so much more than she ever let on. And he realizes that all of them - even him - only made it worse. And they're not going to find Marinette, because Ladybug is dead, and they never found Ladybug's body, and...he just goes numb.

He walks out of her room. Out of the bakery. He doesn't answer Tom or Sabine when they ask if he's ok. He just...walks. And he doesn't fully realize any of this/where he was going/doing until he wakes up the next morning in his bed with tears still drying on his face. And Juleka's there, and she's like "bro wtf?" because he's freaking her the hell out, and he just says: "...she's gone."

And for the first time ever, Luka looks at Juleka and is...angry. Furious. And he can't talk to her. He realizes he blames her. He blames himself. He blames everyone: her 'friends', her classmates, her family, Paris...if they had all tried harder, been better, then she wouldn't be...if they hadn't left her all alone...

And Luka just Shuts Down. Everyone's worried about him, but he won't talk about it. He's closing himself off to everyone - even Juleka and Anarka. Sabine calls Anarka, because Luka went from being at the bakery every day helping the search to nothing, but Anarka has no idea?

Luka keeps rereading the diary. He's stuck in this loop of "I should have known," "we should have helped her," "this is our fault..."

And another week or so passes. There's still no sign of Marinette, except now Luka knows why - knows that she's never coming back. And he finally goes back to the bakery to tell Tom and Sabine what he knows, because it's cruel to put them through this any longer. He has the diary, her letter, and the three Miraculous stones with him. And they're all sitting in the kitchen, and he's trying to talk and failing to find the words.

The news is playing in the background: Nadja is doing a special on the rise and fall of Paris's beloved heroine. She comments how Chat Noir hasn't been seen since the "battle that freed Paris from Hawkmoth's reign of terror" and speculates that it's because he's mourning his lover. And Luka just...snaps. Shouts "That lying bitch!" at the television. Sabine asks if he's ok, but he's not - Ladybug is gone. Marinette is gone. And nobody cares. Nobody realized they caused it. And they need to be held accountable - they need to pay.

Tom and Sabine knew about Silencer, of course, but they've never seen calm, sweet Luka so angry before - and it terrifies them. And Tom tries to tell Luka that it's ok - Marinette's not gone, not like Ladybug is. They're going to find her. They can't give up hope. And Luka realizes her own parents didn't even know. They didn't notice. They did nothing to see or stop how she was hurting. And as much as he loves them, he realizes they must pay, too - and he's the only one who can make them. He has her diary. He has the Butterfly. He can make them all realize how alone they left her. He can make them all feel as hopeless as they made her feel - as he feels now.

And he tells Tom he's wrong: Marinette is dead. Marinette was Ladybug, and she's dead, and she's never coming home, and it's all their fault - even his. But they don't believe him, and he leaves without showing them the diary. He just feels...defeated.

Back at the Liberty, he comes home to find Juleka and Rose watching the same report. And he retreats to somewhere deep in the Liberty, somewhere private, where he can don the Butterfly. He starts flipping through the diary, and he finds a passage where Marinette was venting about Nadja: her journalistic integrity ("No wonder Alya thinks its' ok when THAT'S Paris's example!"), the Prime Queen interview when she was more interested in pushing LadyNoir than discussing Hawkmoth, about how she's ALWAYS been like that, how many times she's called her last-minute to watch Manon to chase a story...and it's important to note that none of these things are inherently bad, or that Marinette is saying Nadja's awful for them. She's venting in her diary, like you do. But Luka's in such a dark place by this point that it only makes things worse.

He tears the page out and keeps reading and rereading it. Keeps thinking how Nadja must pay. HE summons Nooroo, and before Nooroo can speak Luka tells him everything that happened. Hawkmoth's gone, but so is LB. That Paris let their Guardian fall. Nooroo is devastated because that means Tikki's gone, too, and what about the Miracle Box? Luka assures him he'll take care of the Box, but Paris has to answer for what they did. Nooroo agrees to help, gives Luka a basic rundown of the Butterfly's powers, and Luka transforms - except Nooroo didn't explain everything, and Luka didn't have Marinette's training, so he doesn't realize Nooroo doesn't need negative emotions. He thinks you have to upset someone to create an akuma.

So he takes the diary page to the TVi studios and confronts Nadja on air. He introduces himself as Shadowman. (For a hot second he considers introducing himself as 'Shadowmoth' - which I would like to point out this story was started before that name was dropped so fuck you Gabriel - but it's too close to 'Hawkmoth', and Hawkmoth was the one who killed Marinette. He refuses to be associated with him/take his name.) He tells Nadja and the world that Ladybug was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. That Marinette is dead because Ladybug is dead. And that Paris caused it.

He accuses Nadja of sensationalizing Ladybug and the akumas/battles. He reads the diary page on air. Nadja doesn't believe him at first, but then he gives her the page and she recognizes Marinette's handwriting. Realizes he's right. She's overcome by guilt/grief, and Shadowman creates an akuma. It goes into the diary page, and Prime Queen is reborn as Telecaster.

And this was all live. All of Paris is watching the broadcast, and they know they aren't safe.

Cut to where Adrien's been hiding. He sees the whole thing, and he can't believe it - until he hears the people in the studio screaming. He realizes he has to do something, because Paris isn't safe anymore, and this time there's no Ladybug to fix his mistakes.

Back at TVi, Telecaster is attacking everyone. As Nadja she was determined to tell the news, even to the point of amping up stories for ratings - but that was kinda forced by her producer? So she's going after the bigwigs at the studio for forcing her to be so ratings-focused/sensationalistic. And she's just destroying the studio, which is...fine. Paris has other media outlets...right? It's just chaos.

Chat Noir finally shows his face and demands to know what Shadowman thinks he's doing/who he is. Part of Shadowman's disguise is literal darkness, so he lets the shadows recede and lets Chat actually see him. And Chat realizes it's Viperion/Luka - and he pleads with him to stop. That LB/Marinette wouldn't want this - that she loved this city and knowing he was attacking it would kill her.

And it's just...the wrong thing to say. Shadowman says the city was what killed her, and they have to answer for it. That Chat has to answer for it. But Chat doesn't understand - he was LB's partner? Her friend? He was at the final battle with her - how is her death his fault?

But Shadowman tells him it's not his time yet. He is coming for him - he will get his Miraculous back for the Box - but not yet. He will get LB's Miraculous back (note that he's operating under the belief that Chat has LB's body/Miraculous, so he honestly believes CHat will just use them to purify the akuma and fix the damage - except Chat doesn't and can't). But Paris must suffer first, just like Marinette suffered. He disappears before Chat can go after him - and then Telecaster is attacking and he has to focus on her.

And Chat does defeat Telecaster, but there's no LB. No one to purify the akuma or fix the damage. He doesn't actually have her Miraculous, so what now? (This leads to Chat having a growing collection of butterfly jars with akumas and no idea how to fix it. Paris needs LB - he needs LB.)

After leaving Chat to deal with Telecaster, Shadowman goes back to the bakery to retrieve the Miracle Box. Marinette's skylight was always open (he always assumed it was because it's the roof no one can enter through there - except now he realizes it was easy access for Ladybug). Tom and Sabine hear noise from her room and burst in with umbrellas/paddles/whatever but freeze when they see Shadowman standing there with the Box. They try and stop him: they saw the report, they know who he is, they realize who Marinette was, and believe it's now their duty to protect the Box, since Marinette can't. And Shadowman is livid, because "You couldn't even protect her. You never even noticed...your home is supposed to be safe. Your parents are supposed to keep you safe. When did you ever do that?"

He akumatizees Tom and Sabine before he leaves: the dual-akuma Safe Harbor. There's no diary page left with them because Marinette never actually spoke out against her parents in the diary: it's just Luka's frustration with them. He leaves them there and goes back to the Liberty to retieve Sass, Duusu, and the diary.

Back at TVi, Chat realizes that if LB was Marinette and LB was the Guardian then Marinette would have the Miracle Box. He takes his coffee mug with the akuma and books it back to the bakery, except her skylight door is now locked? The balcony was always open to him, but is now locked? So he has to go in through the side/home door as Adrien.

Tom greets him. Is being very jittery/Concerned Parent and acting Weird - and so is Sabine. They're both worrying over him, apologizing about Gabriel, asking if he's ok - and he can't get a word in edgewise. Finally yells at them to stop - he needs to see Marinette's room. He needs to get the Miracle Box. And they just...freeze. They don't react at first. He tells them he knows they saw the news - everyone did - so they have to know that Marinette was LB. And LB had the Miracle Box/all the Miraculous gems, and he has to get them back. But they try and laugh it off (again, it's all very stilted), and he finally just transforms. Says he was LB's partner, and with her gone it's on him to protect the Box now. Except when he looks back at them the butterfly mask is over their eyes and he realizes they're akumatized, too - and he just gave his identity away to Shadowman.

Safe Harbor is like a Stepford version of Tom and Sabine. They're turning the bakery into a fortress because they couldn't keep Marinette safe, so now they're making it the ultimate safe haven. And even though Shadowman realizes Adrien's identity, Safe Harbor doesn't fully? They just see it as Adrien fighting back/resisting their protection - so they deem him a threat and start attacking him. (Again, no diary page here: the akumatized object is a family photo of Tom, Sabine, and Marinette.)

After the fight, Chat goes to trap the akuma in the coffee cup with the other one - only to realize the cup is empty. He remembers akumas can phase through objects, and he has no feasible way of trapping the akumas. But...Cataclysm destroyed Uncanny Valley. Could it maybe destroy akumas, too? Before he can try it, the akuma is released and a white butterfly flutters away.

Across the street, Shadowan is lurking and watching him. He doesn't understand why Chat didn't use Ladybug's powers to purify the akuma. Why isn't Chat fixing any of this? Does he want to watch the city burn? He thinks Chat's just being stubborn. Well, he can be stubborn, too. He has to up his game next time. He releases the akuma because, deep down, Shadowman is still Luka. He still cares about the city and the people he's going after. Maybe a little sliver of conscience not letting him go all-out yet?

So Luka returns to the Liberty long enough to retrieve Sass, Duusu, and the diary before he realizes he has to leave. Adrien is Chat, and Adrien was the one who chose him as Viperion, so Chat knows who he is/where to find him, too. Juleka catches him before he leaves, and says, "...I was afraid it was you. On the TV. Luka, you have to stop this." "None of you stopped. I don't see why I should, either."

Luka goes into hiding. He remembers reading about Master Fu's old shop in the diary. Master Fu had left it to Marinette as a safe house, but as far as he knows Chat doesn't go there anymore (no reason to) and doesn't realize he knows about it. (Eventually, later on, Chat does go there and catches Luka - so Luka ends up hiding out at Dingo's home, bc the Kings are in Australia for the summer/it's empty.)

Aaaand that's all I have of the outline so far. 😂 The idea is Luka creates a hit list using the diary: Nadja, Tom and Sabine, Mayor Bourgeois, Alya, The Girl Squad (yes even Juleka and Rose), Lila, Chloé, Marinette's class in general, Mlle. Bustier, M. Damocles, Master Fu, Chat Noir/Adrien, and finally Luka himself. He confronts each person with a page torn from the diary, and he uses Marinette's own words to convince them of their guilt. With the exception of Tom and Sabine, the akuma is always in the diary page. Chatdrien is Luka's 'last' target, because as Ladybug's partner he blames him most - except the real 'last target' is actually Luka.

He plans his final akuma almost like a suicide mission, hoping that Chat will Cataclysm him/take him out when Shadowman kills him, so they're both defeated simultaneously. Except...

Things don't go as planned. Because Ladybug wasn't dead. The Guardians were able to heal her. And she was never supposed to see Luka this way.

[mcheang]

Queen of Mean

WARNING: very dark alternate ending and character death. But also very salty.

Come on, Audrey’s evil outfit speaks to Marinette. She already wears pink and black, and she already made a fashion statement with a feather hat. So yeah in this fic, she is wearing this look and she carries a sceptre.

Princess Justice is super powerful because Tikki is currently imprisoned and comatose in her purse. And in addition to Princess Justice’s powers to conjure any punishment...she really has the power to conjure anything....pink. (What? if all lucky charms are red and black, Princess Justice’s conjurations are pink.) Not to mention she also has Ladybug’s good luck...

Princess Justice and Queen Verity turn the school into their castle and expose Lila. Princess Justice turns her into stone. She then sets out to punish the Mayor, as advised by Hawkmoth.

The students are imprisoned in thorns but in separate cages. You see, Princess Justice does not want to give up her earrings but she will fight and give a show. And her classmates can only transform in privacy. She already got her vengeance, she has no pressing need to fulfil her end of the bargain.

Yeah Princess Justice pretty much triumphs against every other Miraculous holder. Their defeat is very brutal, as Marinette finds punishing them for not trusting her very therapeutic. Bunnyx is summoned since Chat is told to go to hiding by the Guardian as he will lose.

When Mayura tries to carry the trophy Miraculous away, she collapses under their weight. Princess collects them in her purse, promising to give them to Hawkmoth later. In her purse, the Miraculous boost Princess’ power who does not collapse at all. The boost in power changes Princess’ tiara to a crown, making her the queen of mean.

Princess Justice and Mayura follow Bunnyx to the time period when Marinette is first accused. (Bunnyx can change time zones, not locations, so she has to go back to school where the villains are waiting)

Princess defeats Bunnyx by surprising her with the ability to conjure a time portal blockade. Using the bunny miraculous, Princess opens another time portal where Ladybug and Chat Noir are unprepared for her.

Ladybug and Chat are surprised because Princess is obviously Marinette (her hair may be pink but it’s still her face)...and soundly defeated. They are trapped in ice. Luckily, Ladybug points out that Princess Justice’s akumatization is planned. Realising the truth of this, Princess uses the bunny and snake miraculous to freeze time and turns all Hawkmoths and Mayuras in whatever time zones are open to stone. Princess Justice realises that she has no plan after vengeance and she does not want to be a pawn nor does she want to suffer in silence anymore. Yeah...she has gone completely evil while left to stew in frozen time. When she opens a time portal, there is murder in her eyes.

Marinette goes back to Bunnyx’s intended destination and kidnaps Lila, Alya and Adrien to her original time zone and gives them a view of the hell she has wrought. The 3 she intends to punish most. Lila dies a different but still excruciating death and is cursed with insanity. Alya is brutally killed with a slow and painful death as she lay there broken. Marinette punished the Best Friend who never defended her. Marinette saved Adrien for last and transformed him into a silent hamster. She confesses her feelings for him before renouncing them. “In some way, you are to blame for this the most. I am an honest girl, Adrien. And having me be silent for your sake has created the mean queen you see right now. I’m all the negative emotions Marinette has suffered in silence on your account. It is more than that i was hurt. I actually became someone I’m not because of your stupid advice. And like everyone else who has hurt me today, you will die by my hand.” Marinette crushes Adrien in her hands.

The queen of mean returns to Ladybug and Chat and unfreeze them. When Chat tries to remind Marinette who she really is, Princess Justice gags him with fire and warns him if he keeps this up, she will burn him alive. When he acquiesces, she frowns at him and honestly does not know whose voice is more annoying, his or Adrien’s. They keep saying how she is good and how she would never want this. Princess finally explains that she has always wanted retribution and honestly the way he and Bustier kept talking just felt like they were ignoring how she had been wronged. Easy for Adrien and Mrs Bustier to say. They always let the bullies get away and the victims just have to bear that in silence. She informs them that she surrenders because she sees no more benefit in Hawkmoth’s deal. However, the 2 of them will have very clear memories of these timelines. Lila will certainly become suddenly mad. Alya and Adrien will think it was a bad dream but one that will haunt them for life. She blames them in particular because Alya had sent her to the back alone. Adrien knew Lila was a liar and let it happen. When she was expelled, they did nothing, shocking Ladybug and Chat. (Technically when Marinette was expelled, Adrien didn’t continue his defence). Mrs Bustier and Damocles will have a foreboding and decide to do a thorough check into the anonymous tip. While angry at being Hawkmoth’s pawn, Princess Justice will heal Mayura to thank them for finally letting the truth of her feelings be expressed. Princess Justice reveals tearfully that to release the akuma, Chat must kill the imprisoned Tikki, revealing her identity. (Sure she will be resurrected with the Miraculous cure but it is still murder)

Ladybug summons her lucky charm which is a fortune cookie with the advice to forgive yourself. Chat thinks it is a very direct message to the two heroes for failing, but Ladybug asks if there is anyone else Princess Justice resents. The latter finally admits she hates herself for falling so low. She compromised more than honesty for Adrien’s sake, she also became a pathetic and mean person. Princess Justice remembers how she could have been Kagami’s Friend faster if it weren’t for Adrien, nor would she have ignored Luka and her obsession was just downright embarrassing. Princess Justice is ashamed of how far she has fallen and though she does not blame Adrien for that, she does wish she had never fallen for him because her love for him has been a poison. Chat is heartbroken at this confession but tries to defend Princess Justice by saying that even he was a mean dope in love, admitting he caused Copycat and wasn’t much help against Desperada. Ladybug herself is just surprised that inside of her exists self-loathing.

The one thing Princess demands is that she keep her fashionable feather cape. She really has grown fond of it.

Princess also warns them that they can try to forget but ignoring trouble is what caused her birth. The heroes finally see behind the evil and dangerous Queen of Mean is a broken-hearted and lost princess.

The deed is done and the day is saved. Life returns to the moment just before Marinette is accused.

Lila suddenly screams and tries to bash her head. Alya wakes from a nightmare. Mrs Bustier is pale. Marinette faints into a feather cape on her desk. Adrien throws up.

Adrien is pale. It is his new worst nightmare. He broke his beloved Ladybug and she no longer loves him. He is ashamed to face her but Plagg reminds Adrien that ignoring was his flaw. Marinette avoids Adrien but cries to Chat.

Marinette feels guilty over what had done but learns Princess Justice had left a cure, some shred of mercy left inside her. Lila is still coherent enough to lie. She can get sympathy but can no longer hurt others. Truth will free her from insanity, with her Mother as a witness.

Gabriel and Nathalie realised that they had akumatized Marinette but she decided to surrender once she realised she was a pawn. But she was still grateful for the chance to vent. Being Miraculous wielders they still remember events and learn that while Princess Justice certainly killed Adrien, she had also succeeded in defeating Ladybug and Chat Noir and cured Nathalie. They are left to wonder what to do next.

[twofacedbelief]

Roceit where Remus is trying to get Roman and Deceit together?

Read it on AO3

Matchmaking is a Sciencetags: background intrulogical, aromantic virgil, hinted sleepxiety

Remus had learnt three very important things after he started to date Logan.

Being listened to and taken seriously was amazing

He could literally die from affection, it was so good

The only difference between screwing around and doing science is writing it down

As such science had become his new favourite thing. Especially after Logan explained how love was caused by your brain producing different levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and oxytocin. If love could be science, then setting his fellow sides up could be a science project!

The first step was choosing the test subjects. He had immediately crossed out Patton from the list, as the parental figure wasn’t legally allowed to date. It was a law he and Roman had come up with when they were younger since everyone knew that dads could only be married or single, no in-between. The next name to be crossed out was Virgil. For all that Remus could be mean, he wasn’t outright cruel, and it would be cruel to force someone aromantic to be in a science project focused on love. There was also the detail that Virgil seemed to have something going on with Remy, and Remus did not want Sleep to come after him.

With Thomas not even being an option, as Logan had forbidden him from involving their host in any science projects, that only left Roman and Deceit.

Thinking about it, those two were the perfect test subjects for this particular project. Both wanted people to listen to them, both craved affection, and they both lied about not needing affection. They were meant for each other!

The next step was to come up with a hypothesis. Except Remus had no interest in actually being scientific, so he instead summoned a giant bulletin board to plan situations that would make Roman and Deceit fall in love. First, he put up two pictures in the middle of the board: one of Roman, and one of Deceit. Then he used red string to connect between the photos and post-it notes were he had written down what his test subjects liked and disliked. There were some common things, like classical music, waltzing, and flowers - except Roman preferred his roses to be alive, while Deceit kept dried bouquets. What really connected the two was their dramatic flair and interest in romanticism.

With a connection to build from, Remus started experimenting on his unknowing subjects.

Experiment #1: Kidnap subjects in their sleep and let them wake up to a romantic graveyard date in the ImaginationExpectations: They go with the flow, enjoy the food that Remus prepared, and talkReality: Roman is scared, the food is ignored, and Deceit takes interest in the gravestone inscriptionsAftermath: No longer allowed to kidnap subjects in their sleep after Logan found out

Experiment #2: Send formal invitations to the subjects inviting them to dinner in the Imagination castleExpectations: A romantic candlelit dinner as an orchestra of animals play musicReality: One of the animals from the orchestra accidentally caused a candle to topple over, setting the curtains on fire before the dinner could beginAftermath: Everyone had to sit through a lecture on what to do in case of fire as neither stabbing the fire (Roman) or pouring wine on it (Deceit) are acceptable ways to put a fire out

Experiment #3: Talk to subjects about the otherExpectation: They’ll see the other in a new light after hearing Remus singing their praisesReality: They took it as an opportunity to vent about the other - Remus zoned out in both conversationsAftermath: Remus spent an hour making sure Logan knew how loved and appreciated he is

Experiment #4: Tell subjects to just fuck alreadyExpectation: They take the adviceReality: They team up to embarrass him in front of LoganAftermath: Patton baked him cookies and shared some stories of their embarrassing phases

Experiment #5: Instead of the Princess and the Frog, it’s the Prince and the SnakeExpectation: Roman immediately connect the dots and kisses the snake, who turns back into Deceit, and they live happily ever afterReality:

Remus was on his last idea. Technically, his last idea was locking the two into a closet but Logan had used his one veto on that. It might also have been the only idea that he told Logan about because at least one of his earlier experiments would surely have been vetoed otherwise. Using science as a reason did not work when your boyfriend asked what science, as “all the science” weren’t an acceptable answer.

It was out of a mix of frustration and creative genius that he decided to turn Deceit into a snake. And throw said snake to Roman without any explanation. When everyone was gathered in the living room for family movie night. To be fair, Remus had never pretended like he actually thought things through. It had seemed like a good idea, so he did it, simple as that.

Deceit hissed angrily at him from where he had made himself comfortable around Roman’s shoulders.

“Not that I’m not amused, but what the hell Remus?” Virgil asked while he tried to not laugh.

“Let’s just turn him back and return to our movie night.” Logan pushed his glasses up as he tried to do just that. “Remus, why can’t I turn him back?”

“Oh, maybe he needs a kiss!” Patton suggested, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He would probably have loved to hug the danger noodle if not for the way that Deceit glared at him. It was an impressive glare considering he was currently a snake.

“True love’s kiss!” Roman exclaimed. “You’re a genius, padre.”

“So who is going to kiss him?” Virgil asked. He had taken his phone out to immortalise the moment, and to share what was happening with Remy.

“Uh…”

Patton and Roman looked questioningly at each other, as they were the only valid options. Or rather, Patton was doing something weird with his face that Remus couldn’t make sense of, but it caused Roman’s face to grow red. It was definitely fun to see his brother getting flustered because of something Patton out of all people did.

The stare-off - if one could call it that - ends with Roman moving Deceit from his shoulders so that he instead has the slippery snake in his arms. Logan is the only one to politely look away as Roman bends down to press a kiss to Deceit’s snout. There’s a completely unnecessary poof of smoke as the kiss makes Deceit turn back. He looks quite comfortable where Roman is holding him in a bridal carry.

“I love you too, Roman, but if you excuse me, I need to kill your brother,” Deceit said, a smug smile on his lips even as he glared at Remus. He made no move to actually get down from Roman’s arms.

“Wait,” Roman spluttered out as he helped Deceit stand up. “Does that mean we are dating now?”

“Roman, we’ve been dating for a month,” Deceit informed him and lightly kissed his cheek. He took the opportunity to steal Roman’s sword from its sheath.

“What! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Later, darling, I still need to kill your brother.”

Aftermath: Remus didn’t get killed, but Deceit did manage to stab him. It was worth it since his science project was a success and he got to see his brother and best friend being mushy and in love. As a bonus, he got Logan to nurse him back to health as he healed from the stab-wound.

[dragonmaiden79]

How would the main 6 react to their MC being "betrayed" and left behind by their friends?

How would the main 6 react to their MC being "betrayed" and left behind by their friends?

Thank you anon! You're my first ask ever (*squeals in joy)!

Asra

*Immediately notices MC's change in behavior.

*Not going out much, being alone more, and being just generally sad. He starts to become concerned and asks questions, until eventually Mc breaks down crying in his arms, finally releasing everything about the situation.

*He'll hold them and wipe away every single tear, saying that only an ass who couldn't appreciate an amazing person would treat them that way.

*Surrounds them with warm blankets, pillows, and cuddles (squeezes from Faust too) after making some hot chocolate to settle them down so that they can tell him every single detail.

*And if they ever go out together in public and see those former 'friends', Asra makes sure that they never so much as glance at Mc again.

*He stands up to them, saying exactly what is on his mind and harshly warning them away, because he'd hate to make them sorry

*He's Mc's shield and that's all there is too it, so that is the one veiled threat warning that they get

Nadia

*The Palace servants love gossip and the information reached her before Mc had a chance to tell her

*Instantly, a summons and carriage is sent to the Shop to pick them up so that Nadia can console them

*Mc is greeted at the Palace with all of their favorite foods and snacks, assorted perfectly into a picnic basket, held by Nadia who has cleared her entire day to dedicate to their well being.

*As Mc explains what parts of the rumors were true or not, the Countess finds herself with a bad taste in her mouth, and by the end of the story she is having the guard serve each individual their 24 hour notice to vacate

*Makes it a point to have everyone in the Palace involved helping MC heal from the emotional trauma of being backstabbed. They will be catered to and cared for indefinitely or, at least until she is satisfied with their mood and level of happiness: They need to feel as loved and adored and amazing, as they are

*By the time Mc is ready to trust again, all persons involved in 'this abandonment debacle' have been banished and black listed from all Vesuvian and even Prakran properties, ensuring that Mc will never have to suffer the sight of them again

Portia

*She does feel bad for Mc, really. But she's honestly more than ecstatic that she gets more private time with them to cheer them up

*She heard the rumors about the friendships going to hell and marches right up to the jerks to confront them

*Unable to stop herself, she makes a scene confronting them in the Marketplace, calling them out shouting their bad deeds from the heavens

*She wants EVERYONE to know what jerks they are and how they treated Mc, so that the tables will turn and people look at them differently

*When she stops by the Shop, she brings a couple of loaves that legendary pumpkin bread to comfort Mc and let them know what she did

*They share a laugh about the way that those losers took off after she was done yelling at them and she assures Mc that she'll make up for all the friends that they lost by doubling- No, tripling the amount of time that they hang out together

*She invites them to everything she does, making sure they don't feel left out: Baking, visiting Mazelinka (who has an opinion on the 'friends' too'), keeping Julian out of trouble, and sleeping with Pepi- Things that keep Mc involved and engaged

Muriel

*He never wanted to meet these other friends to begin with, nor did he like what he saw of them while lingering in the background the 2 or 3 times that he did

*Inanna would growl whenever their scents got on Mc, so he already assumed the worst about them (aside from the general contempt he has for people as a whole)

*But it doesn't validate him in any way at all, when Mc shows up to his hut, distraught, looking unhappy

*They are welcomed in with open arms literally, engulfing Mc in a big warm hug after he closes the door to his hut

*Muriel listens silently yet, attentively, not missing a word, stroking their hair while they sit in his lap venting their shock, sadness, and frustrations

*When they're relieved and done letting everything out he's very tender and kind, giving them his best reassurances and dismissing the ones who hurt Mc as never worthy of their time anyway

*He offers Mc to spend the night with him so that they can have dinner and stay close during Mc's time of need

*He's not super certain on how he should be handling the situation, but he does his absolute best

* Perhaps staying more than just the night? Maybe spending a few days feeding the chickens, tending the vegetable garden, and napping together?

*Giving Mc some quality time to get their mind off of things is his goal

Julian

*After Mc tells him what happened, he enters an immediate state of disbelief

*Who could betray a person who's so beautiful, special, gifted, intelligent, amazing--

*The more he thinks about it, the more upset he gets on Mc's behalf. Cue Boss Julian™

*He knows exactly where to find the ones who hurt Mc and marches right up to however many people it is to make his point.

*"Listen here, you snake-tongued, yellow-bellied, pathetic-excuse-for-a-piece-of-rhinoceros-shit, filthy swine--" he says through gritted teeth, shirt collar of the offender in hand, other one jabbing a long finger into their chest

*"If you ever, EVER, so much as breath Mc's name in public, I'll make you wish that your meager shell of a body had withered away with the plague and burned at the Lazaret!"

* It doesn't end there though. Actually, that's where outpour of his love and adoration begins.

*He buys them a very thoughtful gift to start off

*He then talks Mc into coming with him on a very romantic night out even though he knows they're down in the dumps

*They go to an intimate restaurant by the docks where he tells them how they won't have to worry about such bullies anymore. He stood up to them and will do it again if he has too.

*He gives them the gift and spends the evening baptizing them in his most in-depth, compassionate complements and small kisses making sure that they feel completely valid and desired.

Lucio

*Mc starts to tell him what him what happened and before the conversation is over he's fuming and blowing up

*"They did what!? We'll just see about that!"

*He's suiting up and calling for his horse to be prepared because if someone thinks that they can harm or embarrass Mc in any way they have another thing coming, and just, just wait until he finds his sword--

*Has to be stopped as soon as possible because betraying Mc, is tantamount to betraying Lucio himself and, oh, that is not what you ever want to do

*Just few sentences have triggered this man, deleted all his progress as a person, and turned him from Upright!Lucio to Pre-Plague!Lucio

*In other words The Human Torcher™

*Yeah, Mc actually has to calm him down, ending up holding and petting him to soothe his anger instead of the other way around

*(Crisis averted) When his nerves settle, he decides that since he can't have his way, that they'll just have to rot indefinitely in the dungeons

*This would not go unpunished, "Just wait and see, Mc. I promise that will never happen again."

*In the meantime, to make Mc feel good he invites everyone else (the rest of the main 6 and Vesuvia) to a massive week-long party thrown in Mc's honor

*"I think I've got a enough friends to share with you, hm, Mc? Nothing to worry about now that they're all here for you!"

*He steps closer, whispering softly as he kisses their hand. "Of course, I'm here too and if you need anything else, just say a word and I can make it happen for you."

Here ya go, hope you enjoyed! 💙

[claustrophobicfandom-blog]

Run Boy ~ Ronan The Accuser (GOTG)

Pairings: Ronan the Accuser x You // Run Boy Run: Woodkid

Warnings: Eh none? A little flirty.

Words: 1,360

A/N: Different than the movie, I don’t like to follow the plot 100%.

Summary: Being Thanos’ blood-daughter isn’t easy, especially when you are quite fond towards the one who betrayed him.

“With all due respect Thanos, your daughter made this mess, and yet you summon me.” Ronan paced, irritation clearly dripping from his dark tone. You watched him carefully, the way he spoke told you that this wasn’t going to be a peachy conversation and that it was going to be a one-sided talk for the most part - noticing your father’s usual stubbornness.

“I would lower my voice, Accuser.” The Other spat, not enjoying Ronan’s presence as is so why would he allow such an irresponsible Kree to talk so disrespectfully to your father? You rolled your eyes, not comfortable with how much he spoke for Thanos. Understanding that he was a servant, you didn’t realize that in the contract it stated that he must also be your father’s mouth. Of course, it didn’t, but this creature was obsessed with him.

“Let him vent.” Your voice was warning as you glared at the personal servant. You were never quite fond of him, for his voice annoyed you, and sometimes you felt as if he was trying to win over the righteous ruler - which was ironic because you were the only blood daughter of Thanos, so why would he choose some slave over his kin?

“First she lost a battle with some primitive -

“Thanos put Gamora under your charge.” The Other interrupted, trying to point out Ronan’s flaws.

“Then she was apprehended by the Nova Corps!”

“You are the one here with nothing to show for it!”

“You have nothing to show for your sorry attempt to be a right-hand, so keep your mouth shut!” You mutter, keeping your seat a few feet from your father. “This problem is not of your concern. You could not have stopped Gamora.”

“Your sources say she meant to betray us the whole time!” Ronan roared but made eye contact with you rather than the back of your father’s head.

“Perhaps we felt indifferent about our sources.” You contemplate. “Gamora has always been one of the best...” you glance at your father for a brief second, “adopted daughters to my father.”

“Do not speak for him!” The Other shouted, but you quickly spin your hand in a swatting gesture and break his neck, watching him fall to the ground. “I shall speak for him because he chooses not to take these matters seriously.”

Ronan narrows his eyes but doesn’t show any resentment towards you. Perhaps it was because he understood how you felt about him, and he shared that same affection.

“The only matter I do not take seriously, boy, is you.” Thanos grumbles, spinning his chair around to face the Accuser. “Your politics bore me. Your demeanor is that of a pouty child -

“Father -

“Silence!” Thanos eyes you with disappointment and anger, which meant you were in for punishment later. “You seem to have a soft spot for this Kree, perhaps that’s why you’re so weak...” He insults.

You could hear a scoff of a laugh coming from Nebula, but you clenched your teeth together not wanting to start a fight and have your father become more infuriated with you. At least he wouldn’t take you apart and put your back together.

“Perhaps it’s so.” You admit, tilting your head a little higher but returning your gaze back upon Ronan. “I believe the ancient laws of the Kree are quite... fascinating father. I do believe Ronan is capable of retrieving the orb and bringing it to you.”

You lick your lips, causing Ronan to shift.

“If you weren’t my blood y/n...” Thanos growls, clenching his fists together. “Do not embarrass me any further.”

“May I assist him?”

“No.”

“Father, if I assist Ronan in retrieving the orb, I can train more efficiently! Ronan can train me. He is down one, so it isn’t fair! Gamora has apparently betrayed him -and you for that matter - why would I betray my blood?”

You jumped down from where you are sitting and made your way over to Ronan, “would you allow it? I understand you wish to destroy Xander. I could be of help.” You stared into his dark blue-violet eyes, searching for a glint of approval.

The corner of his lip twitched upwards, but that was all the approval you needed. You spun around to face Thanos.

“I will not disappoint you father, I swear it.”

<> <> <> <>

“You must have courage speaking to your superior like that.” Ronan points out, giving you a brief tour of his ship. “He is a... barbarous man.”

You chuckle, taking the opportunity to link your arm with Ronan's - but he tries to push you away in fear of being caught. He didn’t trust himself to be that close to you, not in the open like this.

“No, if Nebula were to see -

“Nebula? The scrap? You think my father would believe a piece of robotic savage over me? I see you think very highly of me, Ronan.” You roll your eyes, crossing your arms in offense.

“I didn’t mean -

“Personally, I don’t believe you should be referring my father as ‘barbarous’ when you’re a sadistic Kree who plans to wipe out a whole planet all because some Xandarians killed your father. Boo freaking hoo Ronan, get over it.”

You pick up your pace, but let out a cry when you feel Ronan grab the back of your clothing and slam you into the wall. His hand grips around your neck with strength, enough to bruise but not enough to kill. You would have liked it if it wasn’t for how angry he was at this very moment.

“How dare you disrespect my family!” His voice was threatening, and the look in his eyes told you that you might have crossed the line.

You should have been scared, terrified because of the pain you could feel around your neck and how close he was. You didn't know him all that well but knew him enough from what you’ve witnessed when he would speak with Thanos - he was not a man of games and did not appreciate anyone degrading his race, or culture. Possibly this was why you admired him because he cared so much about his people and would do anything to protect his home.

“I’m... sorry.” Your voice came out in a whisper, barely audible as you placed your hand on his chest. “My father deems it his responsibility to determine who I shall... bear with, you see. Ronan, I marvel at the Kree.”

He searches your eyes for fallacy, but loosens his grip around your neck and cocks his head in bewilderment.

“What are you saying?”

“I do not believe in your commitment to wipe out an entire planet because of what happened in the past,” you take a deep breath, “but I’m willing to assist you if it means you help me destroy my father.”

“It is impossible to kill your - why would you want to do such a thing?” He didn’t seem as shocked as he sounded but nonetheless seemed wary of your proposition.

“The orb, it’s more than what you think. It can destroy a whole planet, a million planets Ronan!” Snaking your hand up under his helmet to rest on his cheek, he flinched and removed his grip from your throat but didn’t decline your gesture. “I want to destroy my father because I wish to be with you.”

He parts his lips, but before he could say anything, you lean in and press yours to his. The texture of his blue and black lips, a bit rough, but you didn’t mind it. It was quite pleasing, for this was the first time you’ve ever kissed someone. It wasn't as 'exciting' as you have heard, but it was gratifying.

To your surprise, you could feel him kiss you back which was contrary to what you thought he would do. His lips, warm and comforting, but at the same time, the kiss seemed quite possessive.

“We shall destroy the world...” He mumbled against your lips, before kissing them again. “But you must be punished for your lack of respect, then you may learn.”

[elliotthezubat]

DEATH CITY DAYS GAIDEN 1: the arachnophobia massacre

-60 years ago-

leech: eyyyyy you jelly? Mosquito: "Hmph. I simply think Lady Arachne needs a gentleman befitting her regalness, not some brute." leech: then go into your younger looking form and put the moves on her ya old coot. I do it all the time! Mosquito: *angry twitch* "You pervert..." leech: whaaat I do it for food! Mosquito: "...And that works? How?" leech: I just get them alone and drink their blood. I also store some of it for later. Mosquito: "You dare to drink of our divine maiden's blood?!" leech: I didn't say _her_, just random ol chumps off the streets! Mosquito: "Oh...Hmm...And that works for you?" leech: you'd be amazed. Mosquito: "..." (squirms) "What if I'm not good at the small talk?" leech: sounds like it isn't my problem. Mosquito: "Hmph. Damn you.  I'll do it myself." leech: if it blows up in your face, don't come complaining to me! Mosquito: "Your confidence in me is shocking..." -and so- Evangeline:...... Mosquito: *clears his throat* "Excuse me?" Evangeline: hmm? oh. hello mosquito. Mosquito: "Hello, Evangeline. How are you?" Evangeline: well, I suppose... Mosquito: "Hmm...Is there anything I could do?" Evangeline:...I would like some tea, if it isn't too much trouble. Mosquito: (nods, bows) "Very well. I will brew it." -outside baba yaga's castle- Mosquito: (nods to the guards--then spots someone) "What on earth...?" guard: halt! identification is required past this point. Mosquito: (approaches) "Who are you?" ???: ....just family, that's all... Mosquito: (tense, aims his nose at her) "Family is not usually invited here...Your name?" ???: *smirk* -vector plate arrow- guard: hrk! *impaled* Mosquito: "!!!! No!" *propels his Needle Nose at her* medusa: *rolls eyes and dodge* do you mind? I have a bit of a business meeting with arachne, now be a good little servant and let me in, ok? Mosquito: "Never!" (swings around and stabs against at her) medusa: gah! tch-....that the best you got, old man?! Mosquito: *his skin is giving off heat* "Hardly...FORM FROM 200 YEARS AGO!" medusa: gross...but you know the saying, the bigger they are, the harder they fall... Mosquito: (slams hand down at Medusa) "The smaller they are...the easier to squish." -inside- guard: lady arachne! your sister medusa is attacking our guards! Giriko: "?!! Let me out the fucking snake!" Arachne: (folds her fan, steps down from the web to the floor) "How close is she to my current location?" guard: she's taken down the first 3 waves! Evangeline: mother? what's going on? Arachne: (gets down to Evangeline's eye level) "Eva, I need you to follow the guards to the safe room." Evangeline: but what about you, mother? Arachne: *hugs her* "I will join you soon. Please, wait for me." Evangeline:..... guard: lady eva, this way please. Arachne: (sad smile at Evangeline) -in one of the legs- medusa: is this all you got sis? I've gone through like...hundreds of your soldiers now! Mosquito: (now in 400 years ago form, but bleeding) "I'm still standing--and you won't, you snake." medusa: *sigh* do you ever give up? *summons vector sword* Mosquito: "Not until my opponent is dead beneath my feet." (resumes fighting stance, ready to slice her in two) medusa: hmmm.... medusa: *she charges at him* HYAAH!!! Mosquito: (stands still, smirks..."Yes, just a bit closer, then I dash behind her and slice her from behind...") medusa: *looks up* hmm? Mosquito: "???" (looks up as well) medusa: now. -cue arrow rain- Mosquito: "What?!" *arrows through the forehead and eyes* "AAAAH!" medusa: *grins* Mosquito: (clutches his face, howling..."I have to heal before she gets to Lady Arachne!") medusa: *arrow aimed at his face*...... medusa: nighty night~ *shoots the arrow into his forehead* Mosquito: "UHRK! ...Lady Arachne...forgive..." (collapses) medusa: now if you excuse me, I have business to attend to... *Something bites Medusa's skin* medusa: *wince* what? *Another bite against her neck, then against her feet, arms, sides* medusa: w-what?! *They are spiders* Arachne: (disembodied voice) "Amazing what one can accomplish...Now, die." *Sharper bites and venom entering Medusa* medusa: *screaming* Arachne: (smirk heard from her voice) "Are my babies hurting you? Such a shame." medusa: tch- *vector arrows the spiders off and at her* I think you have something I want, sister dearest... Arachne: (emerges from shadows) "Oh?" (summons a web--which twirls a broken piece of the castle's column down at Medusa) "Then it's something I will never give you." medusa: !! -vector shield- too bad, guess you can expend more soldiers then... Arachne: "As if you would leave once you got what you wanted--" (tosses a second column at her with more web) medusa: !! *transforms into a snake and escapes into the vents* Arachne: "!!! Damn!" *taps communicator* "Guards! Update?!" guard: Evangeline is safe. no clue where giriko went... Arachne: "...Giriko? If you can hear me, get that witch: she is going through the vents." Giriko: "..." (looks up at vents...hears something...) -in the containment room- researcher: why do we have that vial of blood? Researcher #2: "Something Lady Arachne asked us to monitor for advanced research. It's properties for influencing others are astounding." researcher: and the FREAKIN SOUL FRAGMENT?! why do we have to keep so many papers on it? it freaks me out! Researcher #2: "Safety precaution." -rumbling in the vent- Researcher #2: *hears the rumbling* "Air conditioner kicking in?" researcher: but it's freezing down he-GRK Researcher #2: "?!! Oh no--" medusa: oh, what have we here? Researcher #2: (pulls gun) "Stay back!" Medusa: *vector arrows their hand to the console* nah. Researcher #2: "Ah! No! Don't! That material is dangerous!" Medusa: don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe. Researcher #2: *slams fist against big red button--containing the soul fragment behind glass* Medusa: like that’s going to work… Researcher #2: "Wait for it..." *ducks* Medusa: *pre-emptive shield* *Daggers fly from the walls towards Medusa* -vector shields are deflecting them away from medusa, the blood, and the soul- Researcher #2: "Oh no..." *slams intercom* "Guards! Get to Research Facility #7! medusa: *slices their head off* nah. *takes the blood and the soul* I'll be taking these~ Researcher #2: *dead* Guard: "We came as soon as we could! We--" *sees the damage* "Oh, poopie." Medusa: *smirks* Guard: *aims spear at her* "Release the specimens! This is your only warning!" Medusa: let me think…yyyyyyeeeeeaaah no. Guard: *stabby stabby stabby* "Die, vile witch!" Medusa: *dodge, scratch, dodge* oh my god don’t be so rude Guard: "You have no chance of escape! Lady Arachne would rather send this entire castle crashing down on top of us then let those specimens be released!" Medusa: crashing down on top of you? can do! *vector slash* Guard: "Ah!" *slash, bleeds, dies* -several bodies later- Giriko: "Tch. Who let this bitch in here?" guard: I DONT WANNA DIE! Giriko: "Man up, you fucking pussy! We got a job to do, and I am not carrying your dead weight! Now get ready to rip that snake cunt apart or else I will fucking rip your balls off and--" Evangeline: *whimpering* Giriko: "?!" *nervous smile* "Don't listen to Daddy's foul language, sweetie. I'm just, um, giving a motivational speech! Yeah! That's it." Evangeline: mother…. Giriko: (leans down, pats Evangeline's head) "Mama is going to be safe--don't worry." Evangeline:….

Giriko: "..." (pulls her in for a hug) -elsewhere- Arachne: *in separated spider form, searching for Medusa* medusa: so many of your soldiers dead....some 'matron' you turned out to be.... Arachne: *disembodied voice* "My soldiers are willing to die for me. Who would ever be willing to die for a treacherous witch like you?" Medusa: at least _i_ can handle myself. And you? you just sit on your little web looking pretty. Pretty STUPID! Arachne: "I don't send others to do my work for me. I do it because it's the best course of action. After all, you look rather tired--" *Spiders slam against Medusa en masse, like a fist crashing against her* Arachne: "Old woman..." Medusa: FUCK YOU, YOU’RE OLDER THAN ME! Arachne: (spiders bite all over Medusa) "And yet you still tire so easily. You have not taken good care of yourself, Sister. Too much time stressing out this weak physical form..." Medusa: …..*smirks* I could just get a new body….besides, getting rid of the baby weight isn’t as easy as it looks… Arachne: "Let me expedite that for you--by ridding yourself of this body...Just need to reach your very soul and rip it from you, you awful, sadistic monster." Medusa:……bitchgettingimpaledsayswhat. Arachne: "...What?" medusa:...vector spear. -a vector impales arachne through the back and out the stomach- Arachne: "--No!" *stabbed* Arachne: *coughs blood* "N-No..." Medusa: you talk shit. You get hit….now your one minion said something about ‘sending this castle crashing down’? Arachne: *struggling to breathe* "I-I'll send this whole castle crashing down b-before I..." medusa: BEAT YA TOO IT! Arachne: *glaring* "You won't win..." Medusa: you sure? cause it looks like I already did. Arachne: "My people won't stop fighting until your blood coats these walls..." Medusa: looks like most of them are dead to me….i should probably weed out the rest of them….and your brat spawn… Arachne: "!!! No!" guard: *over radio* lady arachne! what's going on? Arachne: "Lock the rooms! Don't let anyone in!" *desperately trying to lunge at Medusa* Medusa: *slashing at her with vectors* Guard: should we evacuate? Arachne: *screams of bloody pain* Guard: !!! we need to evacuate, now! Giriko: (nods) "Evangeline, stay close..." Maid: get the young mistress someplace safe! Giriko: "Where would that be?" -BOOM- Giriko: "!!! No!" -there is chaos, Evangeline is separated from giriko in the rush- Giriko: "Evangeline!" (reaching for her) -CRACK- Giriko: *all is black* "Ugh..." -hours later, you awake to silence, fog, and rubble- Giriko: "Where am I? What happ-!!! Arachne! Evangeline!" -but nobody came…- Giriko: "...No..." (tries to move, his right leg broken, his shoulder dislocated, as he drags himself through the building...) -something is laying in the center of the fog- Giriko: "???" *approaches...and shudders* -arachne lays lifelessly on the cold, hard ground- Giriko: *silent, just collapses to his good knee, tentatively reaching for her body...and she is not moving...he picks her up in his arms, she's still not moving...He sobs as he holds her* -there is no response- Giriko: *sobbing...* "Evangeline!" -silence- Giriko: "..." (lays Arachne down...wiping his eyes) "Evangeline!" (struggles to pull himself away from his deceased Arachne) "Evangeline!" (searches the entire building...) -she is nowhere to be found….not even under rubble- Giriko: "Fuck! Come on!" *screaming to the sky above* "Help me out, you bastard!" -all that can be found is dead soldiers and servants, broken furniture, and crumbling walls- Giriko: "...What do I do...?" (collapses onto the floor) -silence- Giriko: "..." (takes broken furniture and medical supplies to make a splint for his broken leg and pull himself together before walking back to Arachne...He lifts her body and takes her outside) "Wh-Where do I...What do I..." -elsewhere- Medusa: *coughs* damn…the poisons kicking in…. Noah: "Just get through it, you cow." Servant: "!!! M-May I help you, Madam?" Medusa:…..may I speak to you in private, slave? Servant: "Y-Yes, Madam..." (follows Medusa) Noah: "Tch. Guess I'll do something else while you two chat..." -later, screaming can be heard- Noah: *humming* "Hm-hm-hm hm-hm-hm hm-hm-hm-hmmmmm-hm-hm..." Medusa: it’ll take some adjusting over time, but I think I could rock this look… Noah: (glances her up and down) "Yeah, I'd say so. That you in there, Medusa?" Medusa: in the flesh..or _new_ flesh rather… Noah: "Hmm..." (stands up, approaches) "How long does it usually take you to adjust to the new skin?" Medusa: about a week or so… Noah: "What do you usually do to speed up the process? Stretches? Exercises? Can you even use your magic the same way?" Medusa: *small vector* yes. Though I might have to resonate with it more…intimately. Noah: (taps finger lightly along her small vector) "And what usually helps you get more in touch with yourself to resonate better?" (glances at her) "Maybe you need to touch yourself a bit more..." Medusa: *gives him a look* or have someone else do it~ Noah: "..." (trails finger down from the vector arrow and down her arm) "This new body..." Medusa: much better curves than the last one… _and_ she was fresh…if you catch my drift~ Noah: (his hand moves down along her arm and towards her hips) "Hmmm~ She did look luscious...And now you do..." Medusa: *smirks* Noah: *small pinch of her hip* -and so- Noah: *panting* Medusa:…fuck that was good… Noah: "Agreed...Think you're getting the hang of that body quite well...Much tighter than the last one, too." Medusa: and a lot more sensitive… Noah: "Could tell--the way you were howling." Medusa: probably woke the baby, but whatever… Noah: "Hmph. Don't worry about that. Just worry about Round 2."