#and then literally THE NEXT DAY i get the ability to poll

[nyoomfruits]

hi!

i just binged both of your fics and can i just say you are ONE HELL OF A WRITER??? its absolutely amazing and so beautiful <333 i have no word to describe how BRILLIANT and SIMPLY LOVELY your works are.

and if- only if you are planning on a new fic (ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE) will you please consider a long fic or an au based on mastermind by ts because its SO MAX?

thank you for your service honestly

hfhhghgnf this is way too nice thank you so much ;-; <3

i am currently in the middle of outlining my next fic already (hoping to start writing today !!!!) but i do love mastermind and how max coded it is so??? who knows!!! definitely adding it to The List (tm)

[celuere]

I don't know if you have done this already, but could you do hc of vampire Arlecchino? I literally can't stop thinking about this.

Been on a Vampire!Arle brainrot for the last days and UGHHHHHHHHHHJJ DMMNKANDNQND the way she can suck me DRY. Like in my poll I did a few weeks back about what I should write next, I mentioned the option of a Vampire!Arle x Hunter!reader and let me indulge you in my scheming and what you can expect.

Most Vampire Hunter works I’ve read, they somehow always end up being human. Barely a match for a vampire BUT what speaks against another mythical creature hunting for the blood suckers? A Fae for example?

Now, Fae‘s are- well, Faeries just without the wings. Possessing over the same supernatural abilities of a vampire along with a wide range of elemental powers, light/shadow manipulation etc. and over a VERY long lifespan. Known to be unnaturally beautiful beings and their blood-

Their blood is known to be absolutely delectable.

So there is the Hunter Organization of the Fae and the Fatui Clan. The oldest and most dangerous Vampire Clan with its eleven Fatui Harbingers, Arle being a human-turned-vampire through the Tsaritsa and NOW I can get to my headcanons. I sadly can’t go into much details or else I would spoil the plot of my Vampire Arle work💔

slightly suggestive, MDNI

Still hosting the HotH, the orphans being either Vampire fledglings or human children which she had to turn in order for them to survive. She helps them accustom to their life for example how to control and manage their bloodthirst, how to choose their prey correctly and feast on them without killing them accidentally.

Now, since Vampires age completely different than humans, I’d say Arle would have the physical appearance of a 35 yo old woman while already being +1000 years old, meaning she counts as an ancient Vampire already

Actually rarely goes hunting for human blood and prefers animals, but since their blood isn’t as nutritious as human blood, she has to drink way more often than her colleagues. Sometimes if she DOES get hungry for something other than animals she goes out and snatches the first pretty thing on the street she can find.

She‘s a good drinker. Making sure the victim is passed out and buries her fangs into a spot that’s less hurtful, she might be a monster but that doesn’t mean she has to act like one.

Oh but when she gets her hands on the pretty hunter fae that’s been on her ass for the past decades… she may never want anything else. (I don’t wanna spoiler too much😌)

Vampire‘s have their own laws. Some of them for example is that they have a STRICT hierarchy and I mean STRICT. Like an ordinary dude disrespecting her out of nowhere? That‘s a dead man. That also means that the head of the Fatui Clan - the Tsaritsa - has utmost authority. Her word IS the law. That’s not even something Arlecchino wants to defy… well maybe she’ll make an exception for you.

She is possessive of her prey. I mean that with all my heart. Once a Vampire claimed ownership over a certain individual, it‘s by Vampire law their very own property. Any inappropriate approaches by someone else of her kind is deemed hostile and she IS allowed to get rid of them, no matter their status. And she will.

I think I’d be funny to see her turn into a cute little bat. She‘d be so adorable.

She does frown at Childe whenever he just takes a drink in front of her, like no- she doesn’t wanna see that.

But on the other she could not care LESS if Columbina is sitting in front of her and drinking her third man of the day dry. Nuh uh, she doesn’t drink from pretty ladies, she thinks they’re too precious.

A teasing little shit when she gets to have a taste of you. Having you neatly seated in her lap, bare neck exposed to her- goodness you look beautiful when you wait for her to get a drink of you.

Her hands CANNOT stay in one place once she sunk her teeth into your skin. Grabbing onto your hips, then the next they’re running through your hair, opening up your ponytail so she can grab a better handful to tug your head back.

She‘d never just drink from one spot. After your neck she‘d take your hand gently into hers and guides it up to her lips before she buries her fangs into your wrist. Crossed-pupils always watching you, analyzing you before you eventually grow limp from her intake of blood, that’s when she‘ll stop.

She‘d get a drink by biting straight into your tit or your inner thigh but maybe that’s just me.

Afterwards she‘d clean up the bloody bite marks and gently lay you down on your bed, filling you up a glass of strawberry juice (lots of iron, good for your blood) and place it with a bowl of oatmeal on your nightstand. She is caring like that.

If you can’t tell I’m very obsessed with the idea. Sedate me please.

[heartsforseo]

Strawhats with an author member

Summary: You're an author (you go by anon), and one day you ate a devil fruit. Now you can trap people inside your novels. (I think you BSD fans know where I'm going...) The straw hats found you and decided to invite you. (You said yes...cuz that's literally what this story is abt and cuz u were bored).

You live on a small island somewhere in the new world. You work as an author who goes by the pen name "S".

Usually, pirates would come to your island twice a month. The townsfolk were very friendly and you sometimes stepped in when pirates crossed over the line.

One day, you and your friend were hanging out in a small secluded alleyway. Your back was against the only entrance and you were facing your friend who was already opening the mystery novel.

"Good luck," you had said.

Your friend only nodded. Bright yellow light surrounded the both of you. When the light finally disappeared, your friend was gone, and the closed book fell to the ground. You picked it up and turned around, ready to leave the alleyway.

Your eyes locked in with a black one. A 5'11 man with a straw hat was staring right at you with mouth agape from amazement.

Your eyes widened, and you were about to open the book facing his way. But his arm suddenly stretched and took your book before you could open it.

"COOL!!! How did you do that?!" The guy wearing the straw hat asked.

"Shh, don't be too loud or the others will catch us," you walked towards the man, "they don't know about my ability. And I would like to keep it that way."

You took the book from the stranger's hand and walked away. The rubber man beside you said, "That's an awesome ability. How about you join my crew?"

You stop walking and look right into his eyes. "Crew? I don't know anything about you and would like to keep it that way."

The man only smiled back and responded, "Is information all you want? Well then, I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I will be the king of the Pirates!" He raised both of his hands and made a fist. All this while smiling.

"King of the pirates? Don't make me laugh. Plus, I decided to live here for all my life."

"Really?? But don't you want to go on an adventure? I and my crew always go on fun adventures. You will never be bored!"

Before I could say anything back, a woman with long orange hair came up to me and Luffy.

"There you are! We're gonna leave in 2 days. Next time don't dash away and wait for us, Luffy!" The tangerine girl said.

The girl who was scolding Luffy finally noticed me and apologized. She then introduced herself and dragged Luffy by the ear. I watched the scene until they vanished into the crowd and walked off. I hope that my friend is almost done with the book.

I went to different places for inspiration. Being a mystery writer was no easy task. Especially if you only have a limited view. The sun was almost setting, and my friend was still stuck. My new story really did a poll on them.

I walked into Naty's bar and ordered a drink. Luffy's sentence rang into my head. An adventure? I wonder what it'll be like...My books had always sailed the sea, but shouldn't the author, too? No. Being a pirate is dangerous. My view may be limited, but my mind is not.

As long as I have a paper and pen, I can do anything...is what I would like to say. I took a few berries, placed them on the counter, and left the bar. Today took a sour turn.

A/n: This was supposed to be a head cannon but I accidentally made it as a story...so uh... ALSO PLEASE REQUEST IM BORED AF :((( part 2 getting posted...tomorrow? BTW WHAT SHOULD BE THE DEVIL FRUIT NAME BE???

[doukeshi-kun]

THE OVERCOAT — mostly yapping

i'm still sane about nikolai's ability. i'm gonna ramble here because i know nikolai better than asgr sensei himself LMAO. also, please note that i am mostly using manga panels for references because that's like the most canon. yippee i'm using the normal font.

this is not entirely a definitive theory or anything. i'm horrible in writing essay. i just want to create a conversation regarding his ability :3

first, let's establish that: he can definitely use his ability without his cloak. (why he looks big in suits omg pin me down pls)

which means he is a LIARRR RAAAAA

(technically not because it is true that his cloak is connected. it's just that he doesn't mention about the ability is not restricted only to the cloak)

now, i think his ability is either:

A. he has a pocket/personal dimension (like lucy's) but can only be accessed through clothings, not restricted to his cloak. like if you're tiny enough to fit his pocket, you might slip into his personal dimension. and i like to think that his personal dimension can be anything he wants. one day it's a big mansion with things he has stored inside scattered all over the floor. and the next day it is probably a circus tent with creepy mannequins around. who knows. i think that's cool. great fanfic source lmao

there are a few similarities between The Overcoat and Anne of Abyssal Red—they are a type of personal dimension and time flows differently than the real world.

some key differences could be that: Nikolai may or may not change the appearances of his personal dimension. The only way to enter his dimension is through clothings/fabrics. Nikolai can still access his dimension without having to teleport himself fully to there. Obviously he doesn't have a big monster waiting in his dimension. He also doesn't have fancy mechanisms like prison door or things like that. His dimension is literally just a fancy storage room.

i remember, a few people here have mentioned that time does not flow in Nikolai's pocket dimension. there are multiple evidences of this. this poll he unleashes moves on a very great speed. he also mentioned that he can dump a blast of explosion just like that.

he could be dropping the poll from a great high and as soon as the dropping poll slip into his dimension, the momentum and velocity stayed the same. he could be pulling out a safety pin of a grenade and put them into his dimension, and he can just immediately unleash an unsafe grenade right onto his opponent.

—

B. when there's an entrance, there is an exit. the core of his ability is essentially portal creation. as long as the portal is on, things are still connected (perhaps it isn't restricted to a clothing at all. perhaps he severs his own hand to make a gun appear elsewhere). when he closes one connecting portal, the matter trapped within it will get spliced too.

the most prominent example is atsushi's leg.

atsushi's leg is still connected to himself. the portal is 'connected'. and once nikolai severs it or closes it, the object trapped in that portal is also severed. if we apply this logic, it means that atsushi's bone and flesh are literally exposed openly which makes me gag a bit.

by this logic, nikolai can literally sever anything as long as you are within 30 metres. imagine he creates a 'portal' between your head and neck. he could behead people just like that. i think that will be very cool to see. i mean, he already did so in his chainsaw escape trick, which he has a gap between his body and someone else's—which you know what, i feel that the trick is pulled last minute. nikolai is likely intended to be killed off right then and there idk. wouldn't it be more logic to say that he severed his own body like how he did to his own hand? he can already sever and keep his hand connected, it's not impossible for him to do the same for his whole body.

i like to imagine that in this murder when he 'skinned' someone alive.

nikolai probably creates a portal on the victim's body, which allows him to pry open the skin from inside out. imagine you're being tied up and a pair of foreign hands or blade suddenly appear out from your own body and tear your skin apart.

not gonna lie, i feel like fukuchi's sword amenogozen can be totally be replicated by nikolai up to a certain degree. when amenogozen first made the appearance, i literally thought nikolai was helping to manipulate it. i literally thought fukuchi 'borrowed' nikolai's ability or something. nikolai can stab his knife into a fabric or something (an entrance portal) and the knife would come out from inside an organ (an exit portal). the only difference with how amenogozen works and how the overcoat works is that—nikolai just cannot travel back to the past.

i wonder if he can also sever space like akutagawa, but by portal-ing shit

also, i think his ability really doesn't need his clothing to be a medium? because in sigma's case, does nikolai just create seperate portals on sigma's body? connected to what? can he just create random portals onto any space and matter as long as it's within 30 metres? is it really 30 metres? am i tweaking

—

two things can be true at once. now that i'm properly thinking, Nikolai probably does have a pocket/personal and portal creation at the same time because then he can also keep things and link them. i think i am leaning more to that.

Nikolai is already a strong and versatile ability user (that's my man). ngl i am biased but i do think he can take on a lot of characters. his reflexes and timing is very good—as seen during his fight with atsushi and his timing to jumble sigma (mind you sigma falls from the sky in great velocity). besides, nikolai is spontaneous and chaotic—i imagine it would be hard to figure out his next moves because he can unleash literally anything from his cloak. if he can just create portals with less restriction or medium, he can divert attacks.

i can also take nikolai.

what do you guys think :D

[dare-to-dm]

Scheduling Your Game

I'm seeing some notes on my DM Superpowers poll saying essentially "All of these abilities are available through mundane means, but actually being able to play without scheduling issues requires magic!"

Honestly, I put that option in as a joke because I know how often people complain about it. But it's literally not magic it's just coordination to make it happen.

Anyway, here is my advice for getting to regularly play D&D (or the TTRPG of your choice):

Find people who want to play regularly.

Pick a reoccurring day. For my main group, it's every Friday. For my secondary group, it's every other Wednesday. This will obviously be a group discussion, but the host has the final word.

Being able to regularly attend games on that day is now a requirement of joining the gaming group. If you cannot regularly attend a game on that day, then you either need to find another group, or accept your status as "special guest star" rather than "regular cast member".

Anyone who needs to miss a game day gives enough notice to be planned around. If advanced notice is not given, attendance is assumed.

Like, it's not easy, but it's not impossible either. I think picking a regularly reoccurring day is essential. If you have to literally agree on a specific date for your next session every single time, than the administrative headache is going to kill your game.

[i-am-grell]

Anime Poll - What Do I Watch Next?

I hope to finish Mob Psycho 100 today, so let's get a poll going for tomorrow's watch. If you're new to these I wanna watch a lot of anime, but I suck at finishing series, starting series, and making choices, so I leave it to Tumblr.

Since I'm leaving to go camping on Friday for two weeks, I will be prioritizing shorter series that I can get through in a day or two. All the choices this time are pretty short so I may be able to sneak another poll tomorrow, but we'll see.

As always, propaganda* (*my context-providing thoughts/ramblings) below the poll. You're absolutely allowed to reblog and bully your followers into voting for your choice - other peoples' followers: you don't have to know me, follow me, like me, or even like anime to press a button; go nuts.

Propaganda:

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces - Alt Miyamura with the hair and the jewelry was hotter, but he's a sweetie so he gets a pass. Anyway, this is for The Missing Pieces portion of the anime.

Ace Attorney - Finish up season 2. I was stopped somewhere in Recipe for a Turnabout by hearing J Michael Tatum's aph France voice. Can't jumpscare the Hetalia fans with that, my man...

Tribe Nine - Chronically last place, but I get it. It's no longer 2020. Among Us streamers aren't hip with the youth anymore.

SK8 the Infinity - Will the SK8 fandom win their 6th silver medal in a row? At this point probably. Sorry, bitches and bros and nonbinary hoes. I feel like in this poll you'll either lose to gay lawyers or gay assassins, but at least it's still gay. Love y'all.

Buddy Daddies - Rei Suwa is FINE. Hot DAMN. Between just seeing this man's picture and my love for Aizawa, I like 'em dark-haired and homeless-looking with the ability to clean up if needed.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! - Ngl I saw someone post some clips of literally one episode of the dub on TikTok and it looks both gay and chaotic (the dub. The dub is chaotic). And if there's one thing I love, it's queer shows with ridiculous dialogue.

[sonic-fankid-showdown]

Poll 14, Round 1.

About Star: (by @angstsuccer) Star is as stubborn and competitive as her two dads. She’s had a board since before she was born. Her dream is to be an extreme gear racer just like her dad. She has a keen sense of adventure as well. She’s the eldest of her siblings and one day hoping to be the next leader of the Babylon Rouge’s when her father retires.

About Punchline: (by @iihavenomouth) Punchline is a trouble-magnet in the literal, supernatural sense! With the uncanny ability to alter probability at whim, and the resolve to use this incredibly powerful ability exclusively for The Bit, Punchline has all the potential to be his time’s greatest villain - with all the motivation to instead be its funniest side character. He and his younger sister Noel follow in their fathers’ footsteps to become the next generation of Hooligans, treasure-hunting and getting into all sorts of hijinks because of it (including but not limited to: time travel, dimensional travel, crossover incidents, funny moment compilations). He loves cheating at cards and dice and has a dramatic, showman like demeanour. Punchline is entirely self-aware. He sometimes addresses the readers directly, in a “hey chat, I think we’re gonna have to kill this guy” sort of way.

[dc-polls]

"That Really Happened?!" DC Comics Tournament Entry #23

Wally Mobius Manhattan West

[ID: Cropped comic panel of Wally West as the Flash but in a blue suit sitting on the Mobius Chair. He has one hand to his head, and the other conjures an image of a house. /END ID]

What Happened?

Alright. So. The Mobius Chair. In post-Flashpoint continuity, the Mobius Chair wasn't made by Metron, but by Mobius the Anti-Monitor (which I have beef with, but will set aside for the time being). So it was already all powerful. Then Metron took it across the multiverse in his pursuit of knowledge, and the chair gained basically all the information that's ever existed in past, present and future, as well as in realities that didn't end up coming to exist. Then one day when some other shit was going down, Wonder Woman lasso'd Metron out of the chair and Batman took it for a while. Then finally Metron got it back and made a deal with Owlman on the moon to give it to him. So at this points it's changed hands a number of times, and all the while has absorbed a shitton of knowledge in the process. Next thing you know, Metron and Owlman are steaming piles of dust. The End. Or is it?

Cut to everyone's favorite, Heroes in Crisis. We're not going to get into all that because it's not the point here, but it matters because it's why Wally was in jail at the start of Flash Forward and was at a pretty low point in his life. But not to worry, the Mobius Chair told (?) Tempus Fuginaut to do some shenanigans to convince Wally to sit on it (and also save his family and this and that, you know how it is). Though reluctant, Wally does decide to sit on the chair. When this happens, he is imbued with ALL the knowledge the chair has absorbed. So like, that's a lot right? Yeah. But what we weren't shown because it was implied, is that Dr. Manhattan was the one who took the chair on the moon, so not only does Wally get everything the chair already had, but ALSO Dr Manhattans powers. Wally immediately becomes blue and starts sitting like the biggest douche in history because I guess that's just what the chair does to people lmao. And he becomes not only the fastest man alive, but also the most knowledgeable and arguably most powerful. He literally fixes the multiverse.

And then it's like "To be continued in Generation Zero" which didn't even get put out because free comic book day got all hecked up due to Covid. But it did get printed in the Flash Forward trade paperback, and idk the Batman Who Laughs shows up, and tbh that's about where I lose steam on this whole thing.

BUT the point is... even though continuity got kind of rewritten, Wally in his infinite ability to transcend reboots, has been hinted at (or maybe even outright said) that he still retains the Mobius Chair/Dr Manhattan knowledge in current times. So that's pretty darn fascinating.

--

Tournament polls will be posted after all entries are up. As always you can find all posts related to the tournament using #dc-polls-trh

[finoalcielo]

SETSUBUN 2023

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: Everyone.. you are all aware of what day today is, right? EVERYONE: (gulp) YORU: YES!!! IT'S SETSUBUN! Now, everyone, all together, okay~~?! EVERYONE: SOY-Ya!!!!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: I'm going to attack... I mean, throw good luck all units but... KOI: Yo-Yoru-san? YORU: I'd like everyone to help choose which beans to use this year. IKU: We have choices for the beans? YORU: They'll be provided by Shun-san-Soy. SHUN: Leave it to me-Soy! EVERYONE: Uh oh

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: Vote this instant-Soy!!!! KOI: Yoru-san!?!?!?! YORU: Here are the choices. These are beans that will make you do ○○ if hit-Soy!!! ① Expose a secret ② Tell us what you like about your partner ③ Act like a Chuunibyou until the next day ④ Tweet a poem

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU:

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: Oh, let us start this year with the Bean Song-Soy!! KOI: Isn't this from last year!!!! YORU: Be captivated by the splendor of music! ! ! !

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: I apologize, my computer froze for a while. KOI: Before we knew it, Yoru-san has already turned into Setsubun-style! Or rather, your computer freezing is most likely a curse from those people who don't want beans tossed at them. YORU: I'll soon be hitting them soon. RUI: By the way, I'm curious about what the results are of that poll... YORU: Hmm, let's see~

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

Tell us what you like about your partner !!! YORU: The beans!! Please!! SHUN: I'm on it!!!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: SOY-ya (hits) YOU: HEEEEEYYYYYY. I don't really get why he goes all out like an idiot on Setsubun but since he seems to be having fun, I guess it okay--NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I THINK. Ah, also the way he treats only me a bit roughly make me happ-- ARGGHHHHHH!! EVERYONE: That really is embarrassing.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

HARU: SOY-ya!! (Hajime dodges) EVERYONE: ... HARU: Don't dodge ittttttt HAJIME: ... (so troublesome) ARATA: SOY-ya (hits) AOI: ...I like when he acts like a little child even if I feel like scolding him. Lately however, he's been quite mature lately and sometimes, even my heart starts poundi---AHHHHHHHHH

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KOI: SOY-ya! (hits) KAKERU: Whoops. I really respect Koi for his adaptability, and his ability to get information. Its like he has antenna all over the place. Oh, and he can literally talk about anything! Let's get along well! SOY-ya! (hits) KOI: A vanguard with a spirit that never gives up! Whenever I see him acting cool, like in Zanshin, I go "Ahh~" ✨

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KAI: Come on, come on SHUN: SOY-ya! (smacks) KAI: He has a pretty face. EVERYONE: We know. SHUN: I'm happy but just a bit more! KAI: I was just kidding (www) I don't need the beans to praise you! I respect your kindness. You're cute when you get a bit lonely and would like some attention. Your Demon Lord's mode is cool. SHUN: Fuhehe... ✨

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

RUI: SOY-ya (smacks) IKU: Eh, you want to hear it too (laughs)? You play the piano so well that it makes me want to pray to it. Though he doesn't speaks a lot, when he does its filled with meaning... at times it feels like he's seeing through my soul and there are times when I get chills down my spine in a good way. I'm always intrigued by Rui. RUI: Fufu

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YOU (finally normal): This. Is. Really. Embrassing!!! You guys!!! Let's raid the other units too!!!! EVERYONE: Roger ARATA: You-kun's face is red like an ogre~👹 YOU: SHUT UP!!!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

???: Bringing love, justice and fortune!! The Setsubun Cheering Committee have arrived!! KOI: SOY-ya!!! (hits) OUKA: Takaakiiii!! Your eyes, erebrows, forehead, everything is my favorite but the moment you speak, your words and your inner self is the best---- GAOSGHSASHS!!!!!! TAKASHI: Wah, thank you!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KOI: One more! SOY-ya! (hits) HARUTO: His musical talent is SOYmazing! Though he looks thin on the outside, his bold nature is SOYmazing! He's dignified too, so he's just SOY! SOYmazing! SHO: Fufufu, thank you Haruto EVERYONE: (This is certainly embarrassing!) REIJI: Okay!!! Goodb-- KAKERU: SOY-ya!! (hits)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

REIJI: Though his self-esteem is low, I like how his self-respect isn't low. I like that face he makes when he's proud of his work and when he's really into something. I can't help but think "Stop. I'm weak to that. Eat well". AYUMU: ...A-Ah... REIJI: ... AYUMU: ... EVERYONE: So serious. REIJI: AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KAKERU: SOY-ya (hits) YUUMA: I think that strength of his that can reflect on his failures and keep on trying again and again is cool. He doesn't put on any air nor does he acts prejudiced. There are times when he feels quite mature actually to the point my heart pounds✨...I usually say this though (wry smile) NAO: But my heart skip a beat too (laughs)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KOI: SOY-ya! (hits) RUKA: Me too?!!! Everyone knows how cool Gakkun is, so its kind of redundant? But in my case, I like that sloppy side of his that not everyone knows about. He sometimes dozes off in his everyday clothes, hugs half of his futon when its hot, and like that bedhead is so amazing that I go "KYAA"! GAKU: So maniac (www)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

FUTABA: Ah! Nii-san isn't here! TAKAAKI: As expected of him (www) He's aware that whatever he'd say would be too desirable (laughs) KOI: Well, I was aiming for him (laughs) Awww, now I can't~ ＊＊＊ ISSA: ...(sigh of relief). Who would stick arou-- YORU: SOY-ya (hits)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

ISSA: He grew up taller than me. Might as well start taking responsibilities and becoming bigger internally too. He's got to give it his all. It should be to the point where I'd get the shivers. Keep challenging yourself. ISSA: ...AHHHHHH!! FUTABA: I'll do my best! KAKERU & KOI & YORU: Soy-bye!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

ARATA: Hello~ SOY-ya! (smacks) SORA: So sudden?!?!!? Whenever Mori is busy with his work and then turns back to look at me with a smile, I get really happy and SOUSHI!! Your face, voice and personality are gifts from heaven. I'm so envious!! Explodeeeee💥 SOUSHI: Why get angry at me?

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

RUI: In that case, let's have Soushi come forth. SOUSHI: Eh? (hits) SOUSHI: Even though he's a crybaby and a bit stupid, I'm surprised by his soft and pure nature. I think Mori's stupid, despite being a smart one, since he puts others before himself way too much. As twisted as I am, I want to protect both of them-AHHHHHH!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

IKU: SOY-ya.... a sweet magic spell (hits) REN: His character is... well, the times when I think he's childish and the times when he's adult-ish, both situations are bad for my heart (in a good way). He always chooses what's important to him without any hesitation. I'll continue to learn from him! NOZOMU: Yup! I can tell that you think of me that way.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

AOI: Sorry to bother you. SOY-ya! (hits) MAMORU: Woah (laughs). I always say this but... Kou-kun's mind, body, appearance; everything is beautiful! It's like a beam of light coming from him...! I'm photosynthesizing when next to him! KOKI: Fufufu (sparkle) MAMORU: Photosynthesizing~ ✨🌿

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YOU: Hmm, let's see. Who should be next~ RYOTA: ...Excuse me, I need to leav-- (appears) YORU: SOY-ya! (hits) RYOTA: ...!?!?!?!?! KEN: He's a sniper (wwww) YORU: It's why I joined the archery club. YOU: You're kidding, right? (www)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

RYOTA: Ahh, geez! Ken is unfair with everything, you know!? It's my fault, but he comes up and apologizes, making it into a situation where I have no choice but to give up! He's too good at it and not sarcastic at all! I thought it was adult-like of him to be so considerate but no, he was just stupid like a dog! I don't think him as cute, not even sometimes! KEN: Woof (www)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

PEOPLE HIT BY BEANS: ~~~~~~~~!!!! IKU: It looks like a picture from hell! RUI: They're in agony YOU: I get them. I really do. MORIHITO: Ah, but I heard some good things too, you know~? (laughs) KOKI: Indeed. YORU: It was truly a wonderful Setsubun. TSUKI-GROUP: SOY-bye!!!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: There's only two of you in Infinit0, so how about it, both of you? A great deal, right? ROA: Your japanese got a bit weird there, but I get what you mean (ww) Also, your face is a bit scary, Yoru-kun (www) REI: Just what happens to you on Setsubun.... YORU: It's the Isoflavone effect. ROA: That's a lie, isn't it (laughs)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: Excuse me. SOY-ya. (hits) ROA: I... what's this... something is forcing me to say the words... I've said it before but... Rei-san's voice is.. not fair. You know those times when we have those secret meetings and are whisperings? Half of those I spend thinking "Woah, what a nice voice" with some words going in one ear and out the other! REI: Don't do that (wry smile)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: Please return the compliment. SOY-ya (hits) REI: I'm relieved to see that his innocence hasn't changed at all. I thought that there was another side to him when we first met. But I want to go back to the past me and say that Roa won't change. It's like you're my savior. Thank you. ROA: I'm a bit embarrassed.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: What a marvelous love you have for each other... Thank you very much. SOY-bye!!! (whoosh) ROA: H-He disappeared... REI: ...Is he a ninja? ROA: I heard he was sniper... REI: Yoru during Setsubun... is amazing... isn't he.... ROA: Yes....

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

~An ordinary setsubun was celebrated too~ ROA: Ogres are... well, according to Tsukipro's bean song, ogres come in as friends too~! REI: Good luck in! BOTH: May everyone bless you all!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

~Everyone in SQ waiting while watching the TL screams~ ※It's just an image

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KAI: 'Evening~! And SOY-ya! (hits) TSUBASA: Ah, I thought it'd be Shiki for sure.... When it comes to SolidS and music, listen to my solo. Takamura Shiki is the type of person who completely disregards what normal people would think of as important or interested in. And it comes so normal to him that even I can't help but think "what the heck are you?!" I can't help but think its your key point💢

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

SHIKI: Key point, huh...? TSUBASA: Ahhhhhhhh!!! THIS, I SWEAR AHHHHHH!! HARU: SOY-ya♪ (hits) RIKKA: It's my turn!! Dai's shyness is really cute. But, in spite of that shyness, he's also a serious guy that can throw blows that'll hit you in the heart. Children like him are scary since they make unfair adults forget their unfairness.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

SHUN: SOY-ya🌟 (hits) EICHI: Even when Shu was in his previous unit, I thought he was amazing. Even now, he's so cool that I can't help go 'kyaaa'. I guess I'm quite the fanboy (laughs). Ah, but I also the you who go sometimes weak in private life.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KUGA TWINS: Please don't throw them as though it'll pierce us HAJIME: What kind of beans do you think I'm throwing? SOY-ya (hits) ISSEI: I'm sorry for always teasing you. It's just, you're getting more cooler and cooler as the time passes by... I just wanted to see your honest reaction, Ichiru. You've matured. And have grown. I love you.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

EVERYONE: AH~~~~~~~~~~ KAI: The person listening also took the damage.. well, I guess the embarrassment was too much to handle. (www) SHUN: Isn't it nice to see them on such good terms~♪ HARU: Right! YORU: For you all, here's the love of isoflavones... TSUKI-GROUP: SOY-bye!!! HAJIME: Bye

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

~After returning~ KOI: Fu!! Mission accomplished! KAKERU: Setsubun was very successful this year too! ARATA: The love for their partners was overflowing. AOI: Yup. Though, it was kind of embarrassing... (laughs) HARU: My beans were avoided!! KOI: Haru-san (ww)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

HAJIME: Why don't you say it instead? HARU: My love for you is a normal occurrence. It'd be meaningful to hear things I wouldn't normally... HINA: Uhm HARU: Huh, Hina-chan? HINA: Good evening! I've received some mysterious beans... Hajime-san, shall we? HAJIME: ... EVERYONE: (Nice!)

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

HAJIME: ............Fine HINA: Thank you! SOY-ya (hits) HAJIME: ...Seeing his unruly and fluffy hair under the sunlight makes me feel peaceful. I don't really hate how you fall asleep while listening to roundabout stories. I can laugh at your clumsiness, so I like the way you are.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

~Procella have returned too~ YOU: I managed to take everyone down with me... IKU: You've got an evil look (laughs) RUI: But I think good luck came to them too SHUN: I think so too✨ We've all been with each other for so long. Though we may be able to convey our feelings without putting it to words, sometimes, saying it is important too.

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

KAI: Satisfied, Yoru? YORU: Yes! KAI: Alright then! 2023 Setsubun has come to an end! ＊＊＊ YOU: ... YORU: You? YOU: SOY-ya (hits) YORU: ...I like how you always go along with me with all your might even if you might grumble about it. YOU: ...whatever YORU: Ahaha

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

☆ IT'S SETSUBUN ☆

YORU: May we all be blessed with good luck! See you next year! SOY-bye!

#Setsubun #Setsubun Cheering Committee

[kamiversee]

bro i’m crying so bad i spent the last 3 days binging tfl and i atp ion even know who i like more. like bro i didn’t even peep choso re-entering the apartment until u mentioned it in ch. 18/19(?) 😭😭😭😭😭

i was genuinely just rooting for choso the whole time until i read thru some of ur responses to anons in ur kamianswers! tag. made me more wary of choso coz everyone was talking ab how he’s THE SAME AS GOJO like choso was blackmailing mc too ?????

the whole fuck list concept just confused the fuck outta me like IM THE MC. like fym gojo doesn’t really owe any of those guys anything ???? why she sleeping w them then ????? then i thought back to ch. 1/2(?) when gojo said it was for his entertainment. i honestly forgot that bit until it was restated in ch. 46😭😭😭

i also rmbr u saying that some ppl have guessed the ending already, so i was trying to figure out what i could but i just gave up from confusion. now i just wanna wait for the next chapter to come out instead of trying to figure shit out coz i ain’t nancy drew💀 ima let everyone else cook

anyways i would love to read the other stories that u have bc i love how ur characterization of everyone in the story from the mc, gojo, and choso to shoko, ino, and even naoya. while not everyone had a lot, i was still able to get to know every single person u mentioned. another thing that i think ur amazing at that is highlighted very well throughout tfl was ur ability to build up a certain character or event. nanami’s night, choso’s comeback, and sukuna pt 2 were some of my fav parts to read bc u built up each one perfectly tbh.

all in all, bro is perfect 🫶

Thank you so much for this.

Im literally so happy that I’m able to have people really understand how confusing it is for the reader, the whole point is to be confused so I’m glad I was able to achieve that <3

And hey I will say, as far as we/the reader knows, Gojo claims to have owed two people specifically; Geto for sleeping with his ex, though the reader doesn’t rlly get tht info herself & then Toji for breaking megumi’s leg at one point ^.^

So from her pov, she only knows that Nanami is someone who Gojo owed nothing to, still causing confusion ofc but I just wanted to make tht clear :)

I feel like I lowk gotta rewrite my other stories bc idk if I’ll ever live up to this masterpiece fr😭 BUT I’ll be making a poll abt what story I should write next once this is over so ig we’ll see <3

[wildfyrevalkyrie]

Chapter 3 for @journeythroughjourneytothewest's book club!

Chapter 3

Summary

Wukong trains his subjects in war to protect them from future attacks. He robs a kingdom's armory and threatens the Dragons of the Oceans for his staff and battle garb. He forms a brotherhood with six of the seventy-two other demon kings on Flower Fruit Mountain (although the rest pay tribute). The Ten Kings of the Underworld send for Wukong to pass on in his sleep; instead he fights his way into hell and strikes his and as many monkeys' names as he can find from the Register of Names, granting them all Immortality regarding Old Age (and potentially preventing them from ever reincarnating?). The Jade Emperor nearly sends an army to arrest Wukong upon hearing of his deeds, but Gold Star of Venus convinces him to instead offer him a position in heaven so as to tame him socially rather than by force.

Misc. Notes

Wukong originally trains his subjects in war as a game, then realizes "o shit, we may one day piss someone off, we should get real weapons" which 1) great foresight Wukong and 2) who taught him war? Was this part of the curriculum at Subodhi's?

Was not expecting two of Wukong's commanders to be female monkeys. Pretty much everyone so far has been male.

Bareback Gibbon the Expositor my beloved returns ♥

FFM has 73 demon caves (72 + Waterfall Curtain)

The other demons pay homage to Wukong b/c of his scary fuck-off army, which is part of exactly what he feared while teaching War™

Wukong has the ability to part water! Will we ever see him do this again?

This exchange:

Wukong: This weapon is too light! Aogung: Fam, it weighs almost 2 tons.

Aogung is quaking at Wukong's strength, and, ngl, same

It's an interesting detail that Wukong's staff specifically chose him and not the other way around

I can't decide if I'm surprised or not that Wukong didn't pay Aogung, despite stating that he would

Dumbass really went and pulled out the scary war form while playing with the staff smh

Wukong gets mistaken for a hairy thunder god during his rampage into hell

Shoutouts to the Gold Star of Venus for preventing unnecessary bloodshed. That's def going in my peer review for him next time he asks for a raise

Thoughts/Poll!

Wukong in this chapter immediately went and proved Subodhi right, committing thievery, threatening other immortals, unrepentantly breaking promises of payment, and putting his responsibilities on others so that he can relax and make friends. Is this sudden violent attitude because Subodhi told him that is what he was or would he have been like this even regardless upon attaining his powers?

I lean towards it coming from being informed by his teacher that he is evil, not because I want to absolve Wukong of any guilt (he still chose to commit those crimes), but because the Wukong before and at Subodhi's is different from the Wukong after Subodhi's, notably with how he regards promises and payment. Pre-Subodhi, Wukong gives a speech about trustworthiness and about the value of following through on one's word to his monkeys (p 105), and makes similar statements both to the woodcutter (p 112) and generally throughout Chapter 2. Post-Subodhi, however, there's the Dragon Incident, where Wukong first goes back on what he's there for (from a divine weapon to a weapon and battle garb) and then on his promise of paying Aogung for the weapon ("Go and look some more, and if you find something I'll like, I'll offer you a good price" (p 134)). His original attitude was demonstrated literally in the paragraph before Subodhi's declaration, which suggests that this wasn't something that occurred because of the power he'd gained mixing with his natural inclinations.

Since this is fundamentally a Nature vs Nurture debate, however (especially since Wukong is supposed to symbolize the mind), I'm gonna open it up to a poll!

[team-frightfur]

Revelations from Zexal blind watch.

Ep 7 and 8: How did Fuya not get submitted to Gayest Yugioh character poll? This kid is a textbook small gay.

I like when Astral reveals he's just a little stupid. I love how he cannot tell apart fiction and reality. I love how Yuma is too stupid to explain the difference. "It's just TV!" Astral: I see, so TV records the history of a different dimension! We must investigate further!

I hope this trend continues. Seeing him find his legs/compassion and empathy is delightful. Maybe he can find his toes, too.

Omg! Yuma set a card on his first turn without being asked! He's learning! Sadly, it seems to have come at the cost of his jumping ability. Episode 1 Yuma could easily chase Fuya.

Edit: spoke too soon. For someone who refuses to think of the future or the past, Yuma sure runs a lot of traps.

So like, in episode 7, Yuma says 'Haction' and the subs translate that a to 'Live Action'. Honestly shocked and appalled that he was actually just mispronouncing 'Fiction'. I love this stupid dog.

Shark wins the prize for Worst Duel Runner.

Ep 9: This is the kind of episode where you watch as a kid and like, its funny, but as an adult its just terrifying. Like has this catgirl been stripping Yuma naked at night? 5 times a week? I'm scared. Please lock your windows.

I love how Astral is completely oblivious. "I thought stalkers coming into your room was normal." Today on 'Astral Learns Common Sense': the right to privacy!

Omg I'm so proud of Yuma, if he tries he can do it. He can strategise! He can win! he doesn't even need Astral... sometimes! Go go go!

The implication that Astral understands romance more than Yuma. The implication he's been watching romance shows on TV.

Ep 10

Cursed

Shark: So like, I'll duel you, but I gotta head home and grab my deck first. Don't move ok. I gotta walk to the gang hole, grab my duel runner, drive home, grab my deck, drive back. Won't take a moment.

Omg my boy has been improving for real! Yuma set a card all on his own! Too bad Shark runs fucking MST! Actual pro. Whats next? Book of Moon? Crackdown? Compulsory Evacuation Device?

Me: Astral is salting Yuma for not reading graveyards as if anyone reads graveyards.

My Irl Friend: I read graveyards.

Me: Don't talk to me.

Shark deserved that win. He deserved that win so much I'm so proud of him! He spent the last three weeks imagining their next duel, how he'd win, all Yuma's weaknesses. Excellent.

Ep 11 and 12: What genre does shark think he's in. Gangster flick?

Tetsuo is so mad at Yuma for using Numbers but like, what else is he supposed to use? Gagaga beatdown?

Also, everyone keeps saying Yuma's playing this tag duel suboptimally, but without seeing his hand how are we supposed to know? Did he specifically summon Utopia before using S/T removal? Did he have S/T removal? No? then it's not a 'Reckless' summon, Astral! It's 'getting two future Xyz mats off my field and replacing them with a substantial protective body!'

Glad to see Yuma's genuine improvement, though. Admittedly, the end of the duel involving 6 different backrow made me want to just. Drop in. Summon Sat Cannon. Watch the chaos.

Ep 13 and 14: Kaito walking in here freezing time and unleashing a magical girl tranformation. Walked out of a different show. Good for him. Powerful. I like how deranged he is here. Already better.

For a guy who supposedly doesnt like eating souls, you sure did make "Imma eat your soul" a catchphrase, Kaito. You sure smile alot while killing people, Kaito. Holy shit tho, he runs 3 of his monsters. C o n s i s t e n c y.

Kaito truly is a magical girl, specifically, he's a dark magical girl in the vein of Fate Testarossa. Your days are numbered, Kaito. Friendship is coming.

Yuma you were doing so well. Why did you not set that card befoooooore.

Episode 15 and 16: Does this imply that Zexal is the timeline of Gx and Dm but 5ds was deleted from the universe along with synchro summoning? Anyway I literally lined my comm while my friend watched because I lost interest instantly.

[tnpx]

Dear et al.,

Don't let the Kimberlé Crenshaw stans fool you. Black womEn are not at the bottom of the well. They are standing next to it, policing who gets to send the bucket down. You cannot be the most educated and the most critically oppressed. That--quite literally--is not how any of this shit works.

Stop playing in traffic and calling it intersectionality when you have the power to step out the lane. You are not the ones getting hit and ran on on purpose. And you *absolutely* can be in the car--even behind the wheel--particularly if you're the L driving with a G, B & a T...

Top tier example: Kamala is a cop who stood on the Edmund Pettus bridge and gave a pre-Super Tuesday "souls to the polls" 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday sermon, in which she broke her 5 months silence on G3n-syde. And then over 5 weeks later--still no ceasefire==she turned around and made an instagram reel with the cast of A Different World like Freddie didn't almost get expelled for protesting Apartheid in South Africa.

There's more: she didn't miss the opportunity to make a campaign ad starring Whitley and Dwayne about all the debt her administration has forgiven right on time for graduation szn. And peep this, the photo that coms up when you google her sunday service is of her and two more NPHC #IncorporatedNegroes with everything to gain from the photo op. That's a joke I can't make up.... like, A Sigma, a Que and an AKA walk into a bar because they set it so low that they walk right into it instead of missing it entirely and maintaining the ability to claim ignorance.

Y'all hella gross sometimes.

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2024-03-03/vice-president-kamala-harris-to-join-in-marking-anniversary-of-bloody-sunday-on-alabama-bridge

Pause.🤚🏾 No thank you's. I don't do paid advertisements. #CRiTwalkOverTedTalk🙃

*This snark was brought to you by the rage in my heart felt in reaction to reading the Black Academic's Guide to Winning Tenure without Losing your Soul and NCFDD Monday Motivators, with additional support from minding my own Black business (this is all of our business).

Happy Stonewall SZN & almost St. Pauli Murray Day.

Happy Sunday. xo, XO

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dawnn Lewis (@dawnn_lewis)

[thecelestiallegacies]

Sul Sul Simmers! How was all that? It feels like a lot happened to me. What a year. It feels like a big shift is coming now that Grace and Lucy are teenagers, but below the cut I wanted to throw down some things I had written, that didn't really seem to fit anywhere in the queue. I figured it'd be good to get them out now so I'm not carrying them with me through the next arcs for this family.

Sweeney Todd, the master vampire, was slain by a hunter. In this altercation, she killed the hunter as well. That hunter was none other than Thorne Bailey, Vulcan and Hermes' paternal grandfather.

Knox Greenburg, Fatima and Venus Witherspoon all died in a tragic plane crash and I didn't want to write about it because Vulcan has been through so much tragedy I didn't have it in me to go into more detail on it.

Breaking up with Bella was rushed in because Vulcan literally did it in game on a whim. Like rolled into Creekside Smooth at 2am for guys night and just decides he wants to dump her. He just really, really wanted to be single. Uncertain if she'll get picked back up or not. Canonically she is an alien but because she wasn't raised on Sixam she doesn't know how to use any of her special abilities.

Mabel writing in her journal and reminding herself that she'll be a vampire by the end of the year. The early breakup changes nothing. The day after Harvestfest, the 13th year will befall Vesper and Fortune and their fate will be decided.

Brandy loves dancing. Tempted to make her a vampire hunter like her father, Thorne.

Vulcan is still brutally famous but his reputation is going down due to all the relationship drama.

Venus Generation Requirements (teen) New Trait- Romantic Aspiration- Serial Romantic [ ] Keep a retail job for 3 days. [ ] Have 2 romantic flings.

Fortune and Vesper count for this generation until they don't count.

Brandy is not part of this generation and will get a random trait when she ages up. May do a poll and let the readers choose her trait and aspiration.

Isla, the mermaid from Vulcan's summer in Sulani, has gotten into the gardening career and has flower arranger vibes. It's yet to be determined if that relationship will be revisited during Vulcan and the twins' week on the islands.

Also Mer-teens have been added in Sulani. A lot coming up.

I hope that was a good throw on stuff that I take random creative notes on while I'm playing the game that creates the stories you read. I really do appreciate it so much when I see the same handful of blogs liking multiple posts, and knowing that you're reading and loving this little nebula as much as I do means so much.

I might experiment a bit moving forward because this is my first time really rotating through multiple teenagers and getting through high school (though I got some practice with my vampire teens) I'm open to exploring other story telling devices.

And always, a special thanks to the CC creators and pose creators that allow me to tell the stories I do. I regret not exploring poses with Marisol because she absolutely deserved to be in some fun day time television interviews. Thank you creatives for doing what you do.

Onto the next season. A week in Sulani with Vulcan, Grace and Lucy where they'll explore ancestry, culture, celebration and the first crushes of teenagers on mythical creatures, all wrapping up and getting back home to Willow Creek just in time for PRIDE. The following Monday, Lucy and Grace start high school.

[palbabor-writes]

I have, uh, thoughts...

M’kay, I know this has likely been harped on until nothing is left but little bits and pieces, but after reading this latest chapter, I realized what’s been bothering me about this current arc. It’s the imbalance of violence and aggression that is heaped onto Shigaraki.

I don’t know if this is Horikoshi’s intention, and I’m likely looking wayyy too into this, but I’d argue you don’t have your characters say things for no reason. So, if you’ve got a minute, let’s see if I can sort through these nagging emotions of mine.

warnings: manga spoilers 220 - 285, basically, no touch if you don’t want to see the current arc 

Ok. Let’s roll the clock back and look at something Shigaraki told us at the USJ.

Now, while he has changed a lot from these early arcs, that core motivation he carries here is the same. He wants society to see just how fragile and how ridiculous their reliance on a hero state of justice really is. And, I would say that he’s absolutely right in this assessment.

The idea of heroes and villains needs a foundation of violence. They need that evil, almost as much as they need the concept of justice. It’s the age old right and wrong theory. It doesn’t leave space for grey, for nuance, for differences in ideology or upbringing.

However, heroes like to ignore what they can’t fix. Like anyone, they’re human and humans don’t often take pleasure in looking at the uncomfortable. I’d argue that’s why Gran Tourino doesn’t check back in on Kotaro. Yes, he made a vow, but those memories of that crying child being placed with a trusted friend, and not his mother, not Nana, have stuck with him. Nana wouldn’t be any wiser, or any less dead, if he checked in on her son. In chapter 281, we finally, FINALLY see Gran reflecting on that choice both he and Nana made

If he had checked in, Kotaro might have known a different memory of his mother, or he might have at least been able to see the threads of aggression and abuse that were riddling Tenko’s life. He might have seen AFO, manipulating and watching. Might, might, might. No matter how you shake it, everything changes when there’s some kind of monitoring, of looking out for your fellow man.

With that in mind, BNHA’s world state, which is based on hero work, would need a strong set of checks and balances to function properly, to catch those falling into the cracks & I’d argue we don’t see much push for that from the everyday populace.

Which is wild. Because society itself is practically Quirkless. Sure, 80% have a quirk, but in Japan you cannot use your quirk in public. If you do, you run the risk of arrest or classification as a villain.

That is why we see moments like these

Izuku is likely one of the only people in this massive crowd who really has no quirk. There is a horde of people standing there and no one is lifting a finger. It’s kinda a “bread and circuses,” mentality. They look fucking entertained and no one is freaking out except for Izuku, who knows what it feels like inside that goop thing. Instead, they’re all waiting, watching for the next hero, or for All Might to show up. But wait, aren’t there heroes there? It’s a city and this is a massive attack, it’s brought foot traffic to a standstill, surely a hero will get there and save this boy who is literally dying.

Oh. They’re there. But they’re waiting too

They are all “managing,” the situation and hoping Bakugo will survive long enough for someone with the right quirk to come along. Not polling the masses of people to see if any of them could possibly assist in the meantime, no, all these civilians get to watch this miscarriage of “justice.” Don’t worry. If the kids strong enough, he’ll make it.

So far, Shigaraki’s underlying motivation calling for a more rigorous, critical, take on heroes doesn’t feel too far fetched. Looking at chapter 1 alone, the current way things are isn’t right and it’s not fair.

Now, Shigaraki isn’t going about asking for it the “right,” way, but I bet he’d see a similar response even if he wasn’t hurting and maiming people as he goes.

The latter would let him be swept aside just as easily as the former. We see this happen with Stain. The news isn’t talking about the Nomu, or the countless people who were terrorized and hurt. No, they’re talking about the Hero Killer, because just like in our real society, that’s what get the clicks, the likes and the attention. Again, people don’t like to look at things that make them uncomfortable.

Yet, even with this horrifying fact, that Stain could go down in history books as a villain, as someone who gleefully killed others, people, both good and bad, sat up and took notice. Many even identified with his ideals: That heroes are corrupt and they are only in the field for the fame and money. Only All Might was the perfect specimen to Stain. Because this is an idea that people can get behind, to me, that means that others know things are stacked against the underbelly, the downtrodden. But they can’t be bothered to call for change.

On the flip side, Shigaraki, who has a better grasp on the true ills and neglect of hero society is often told he has no “real,” ideology, no real conviction, and this is a theme that’s repeated over and over and over.

Like most things in BNHA, it begins with All Might

Then it’s carried to Stain, Dr. Ujiko, an ally and long time supporter of AFO, to Re-Destro, and, most recently, to Endeavor. They all can’t see what Shigaraki is wanting, what he’s calling for.

It’s easier to name him a monster, a freak, scum, then to listen or to absorb any of what he’s saying.

But, as he says, he’s got convictions. He’s got his father’s, he’s got AFO’s ideas on the ethics and morals of hero society, AFO’s drive to crush OFA, once and for all, and his own deep seeded resentment and neglect toward a broken hero society. Honestly, he’s got more motivation than almost any other character.

And how is he treated? How does Horikoshi show us the “heroes” response? He gives up a heaping of violence. From chapter 270 to 285, Tomura Shigaraki is hit, punched, burned and beat around a whopping 36 times. And, for most of this fight, he is effectively quirkless.

How many hits does he get in? A grand total of 6.

And his first reaction is never to maim, in these moments, instead it’s to talk, to rattle, and to question

He only goes for Endeavor after he’s been burned, likely, without his regeneration abilities, to the point of death. These heroes aren’t aiming to subdue, they’re going in for the kill. And yes, he has just decayed an entire hospital and the surrounding area, the heroes are warranted in their anger and their frustration. After all, they’re the ones who dropped the ball here. This was a “planned” raid and they should have been the only ones in any real danger. They’re heroes, so I’d argue that it’s their job, their life’s mission to save, no matter the cost.

Besides, if they can spare AFO, not once, but twice, they should be trying to spare Shigaraki just as hard.

This has been a long and drawn out arc, with many, many ups and downs, but the one thing I don’t wanna see is the heroes getting a pass. This society has pitfalls and it’s got big ones. People are treated as lesser if they don’t have quirks, or if they have the wrong ones, the ones that don’t make them look normal. People are pressed to the side when they don’t conform and a hero, the current number one, has gotten away with mentally, and physically, scarring his family for over 20 years.

Right now, there are no checks. There is no: who watches the watcher in this world and I’d argue society has suffered for it.

Yet how are we shown how to treat those who don’t agree with us? With anger, untapped rage and physical violence, of course. And this is true of BOTH sides.

At the end of the day, as he said back at the USJ: violence only breeds more violence and while I don’t like predicting future chapters or arcs, I’m hoping that thread won’t be dropped. It’s one of the things that drew me into BNHA and I hope we get to see more, not less, of that grey morality.

[pokeexehasstoppedworking]

Love Doesn’t Do Encores Ch12 Battle Gym Leader Kabu

You had been so, so confused at first when Gloria all of a sudden announced she wanted to use your sobble against Kabu. And to be honest you weren't really too keen on the idea either. Your little cute roll-y poll-y sobble who'd cling to you when scared?? Fighting against the second strongest gym leader in all of Galar??......Yeah. You really, REALLY weren't feeling up for the idea, and had asked her why for goodness sakes!? Her answer was simple.

"The tears ability! Sobble's tears will be my winning strategy against Kabu. I already gotta plan in mind but I can't do it without your pokemon's help since I ain't got a sobble 'o my own! Please Y/n! I'm beggin' ya!"

Well.....You really didn't want to just hand over your sobble even if you trusted Gloria by now, but you also didn't want to make her lose the gym challenge either. After all completing the game was your only shot at making it back home so far. If Gloria couldn't beat Kabu and was snuffed out of the challenge by him then what would you do? So...You agreed. Your sleep didn't come easy to you that night but somehow you managed to fall in a deep dreamless sleep. The next morning literally having to make Gloria push you off the bed in order to wake you up as she shook you. Not on purpose of course, as she had just been trying to get you to wake up but the moment your groggy body fell to the floor with a thud she began apologizing purfusely.

"Y/N!!" Your body rattled more than a maraca as you suddenly began pulling out of the darkness blinking rapidly at the blurry vision of everything shaking before you like an earthquake. "WAKE UP ALREADY!! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!!"

"WHAT- AH!!" Your world tumbled as you fell from the comfy bed and was met with the hardness of the wooden floor by Gloria's feet. "OW!!"....You groaned as the blanket slowly fluttered down to messily cover you.

Gloria's hands shot to her mouth, making a hissing sound as she watched you experienced pain. "Y/N!! Oh my Arceus! I'm so so sorry!," she quickly apologised.

"...Good morning to you too, Gloria," you mumbled before kicking the sheet off you and pushing yourself off the floor, your hair a mess, and yawning. "What time is it?"

"Um..Seven in the morning I think?" You turned to her tiredly and noticed she was already wearing her white challenger uniform and all ready to go.

"Did you get the others up?," you asked stiffling a yawn as you stood.

"Um..." She chuckled nervously as you stretched your back and rose a brow at her as she held up a hand. "Uh..About that...They're gone." Her face frowned more as you paused...and blinked at her.

"...What do you mean 'They're gone'?"

"They weren't there when I knocked on the door, so I guess they left early! I'm sorry I didn't know!"

"Oh for the love of-..." You sighed and waved her off. "Nevermind." Quickly reaching over, you bent down and pulled the blanket off the floor, throwing it back neatly over the bed before going for your bag. "Are you all ready?" She nodded. "Good. We'll find them later. For right now let's just worry about getting to the stadium and seeing what's up! Ok?"

She had quickly agreed to that and you wasted no time throwing yourself together, tossing your bag over your shoulders, and grabbing your sobble's pokeball. From what she told you last night, you thought it'd be best to put the little critter into it's pokeball and give it to her before her battle to avoid any complications should your sobble start acting up. Which lead to now. The two of you were already in the elevator on your way down to the lobby. Anxious tention in the air so thick you could cut it with a knife as you lightly gripped the pokeball in your hand slightly harder. After a moment or two of silence Gloria went digging through her bag and pulled out something that looked pretty much like the goggles you'd see a diver wear before entering the water.

"Did you eat anything?," you asked glancing at her as she slipped the straps over her head making you give a confused look. "...And what are those for?

She silently shook her head slightly as her head was bent down and you watched in silence as she silently tightened the black straps tightly around her head. When Gloria finally managed to look up at you, the goggles were tightly clamped around her eyes and she shook her head no. "No. I was too busy tryin' too get ready. 'sides I feel pretty queezy. I don' know if food's a good idea right now." She blinked obviously noticing the look you were giving her goggles. "What are you- Oh these?" You nodded and she smiled. "Well last time he cried ya'll didn't stand a chance. But I figured if I covered my eyes real good I won't get affected by whatever's in those sobble's tears that makes ya cry rivers!"

You stared....."That's bloody genius!! Why didn't I think of that!?"

She chuckled. "To be honest it really ain't my idea anyways. I remember Hop telling me the idea back when I got my toxel. I remembered it when I thought of usin' your sobble and stopped by that clothes shoppe in town. They were sellin' swim wear n' stuff since it's summer and picked up these lil babies. Like I said. He's a genius."

Ah! That must've been why it took her a while to get back to the hotel. She really was preparing for her gym battle. As the elevator went you had reluctantly handed over your sobble's pokeball to her and she gently took it. Giving it a look before deeply inhaling and slowly exhaling, most likely psyching herself up before relaxing her posture and slowly slipping the pokeball into her pocket. You watched as she did so with worry and a little bit of guilt eating away at your stomach. You weren't sure if this was really the right thing to do after all, especially without telling your pokemon. This was surely going to be quite the shock for it, and you weren't too sure what the outcome could be. A ding interrupted any of your thoughts as the both of you looked back towards the doors as they opened, and you were lightly surprised to see the girl there. The same girl you had been worriedly thinking over last night. Marnie!

She was standing there in the lobby kneeled down handing her hamster like pokemon some kind of fruit to eat, which it took eagerly, but upon seeing you two blinked and slowly stood to her feet. "Mornin' Gloria. ..Oh. And you too Miss."

"Uh hi!," Gloria greeted a little unsure since she must've looked a bit strange in the swimming goggles. "Are you headin' off to battle Kabu too?"

She shook her head no. "No. We were 'bout to shove off on the next leg of our journey now. That friend of yours already went off to challenge the next gym, tho."

"He did?," you asked and Marnie politely nodded towards you. "...How early did those two wake up?"

"I couldn't say for sure, but by how happy they were it seemed like they had a plan."

"Oh! Well we have a pretty great stragety too!" Gloria smiled proudly. You were glad at least her nerves were seeming to be getting better.

Marnie only nodded. You looked at her for a moment and it didn't seem as if she had any nefarious schemes or malicious intent behind that polite exterior of hers. But still last night's questions swirled in the back of your mind as you narrowed your eyes in thought, raising your brows as she calmly reached into her leather jacket pocket and pulled out a small reddish card before handing it out to Gloria.

The brunette blinked at it for a moment before raising a brow in question. "What's this?"

"Kabu's League Card," she replied calmly, "It's supposed to help against him, but I ended up with a few copies, so I'll give you one." A look of surprise passed on both your faces as you two exchanged looks before looking back to Marnie. "Don't look so chuffed. It's no big deal. 'N I already got two others already."

Gloria stared for a second longer before smiling and taking the card from her. "Wow. Thanks!"

Marnie nodded in reply. "Oh. Here." She reached back into her pocket and pulled out a second card before holding it out towards her. "Take this too. A little somethin' for our battle yesterday. As a thanks for helpin' me out."

"What's this?"

"My own league card. Your friend gave me one of his so I figured you could have one too."

"Whoa! Thanks!" Gloria gladly accepted the other card with a smile. "That's real nice 'o ya!"

Marnie gave the smallest of smiles. "I bet you'll have no trouble beatin' that ''man of fire'' Kabu chap, right? Why don'cha get over to Motostoke stadium and get that gym badge already?"

...Gloria jumped. "OH!! RIGHT!! We need to get to the stadium!" She stuffed the cards into her pocket as fast as she could as Marnie peered up towards you and you blinked at her. ...You opened your mouth to ask her about the Team Yell involvement that's been going on. Not expecting really any answers outta her, but before you could say anything something tightly gripped around your arm and you yelped as Gloria yanked your forward in a run. Almost making you hit the floor for the second time that morning. "THANKS MARNIE!! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEXT STEP!!"

Marnie waved a hand back at your retreating forms. "Good luck out there!"

Gloria yanked you along, nearly tripping down the steps and over your own two feet as she raced ahead putting one arm out to shove the door open in her mad dash to the stadium ahead. Thank goodness the Budew Drop Inn was literally right next to the stadium. You didn't think you could last too long with Gloria's way of yanking you forward in a frenzy without falling over for too long. Cheers and loud noises were clear as day as soon as the two of you stepped out the doors and started running over towards the stadium. How early did these people wake up around here!? Thank goodness at least you two didn't have to worry about bumping or tripping over other people. It was a short distance, but with the adrenaline pumping and worry in your systems it felt as if you two ran a marathon by the time Gloria moved the two of you towards the double doors she had gone through previously during the Entrance Ceremony. Her sudden stomp making you stumble and catch your self clumsily on your knees and free hand as she still gripped your arm tightly, thankfully not smacking into the ground, as she skidded to a stop. Low and behold guess who was already waiting for you two? Victor gave the two of you a raised brow before sighing and reaching up to rub at his temple, as Hop chuckled and crossed his arms at the sight of you two girls.

"Slow moving aren't you, Glory?", Hop teased.

"O-Oh...S-S-Shove...o-off!," she forced out back at him between deep breaths. Letting lose your other arm. You hissed in sourness as you pulled it towards you, reaching up to rub where Gloria had gripped it.

"Where had you two been?," Victor asked frowning, "We spent half an hour knocking on your door before we left."

"I've already gone and earned my fire badge," Hop said in agreement, "The man of fire Kau is just what you'd expect. Nearly got burnt in my battle with him."

"LITERALLY," Victor added, "I'm surprised his pokemon weren't turned to ash when he barely made the second round. .....Was a very lucky close call that made him win."

"Even with my strongest team it was definitely tough- and - go .....but I still won in the end!"

"Just barely. He lost the first round, won the second, and third ended with a tie. Since no one won or lost the third round it counted as a win towards Hop as well and he managed to walk away with a two out of three win victory."

"SERIOUSLY!? How early did ya'll get up!?"

"Nevermind all of that!" Hop interrupted everyone waving a hand. "You need to get a shift on, Gloria. I bet you could beat the man of fire toooo....." He blinked. Staring right at her face seeming to FINALLY notice the swimming goggles on her face. "...Hey. Whatcha wearing those swimming things for? Afraid you'll get fire blasted at ya?"

She blinked as Victor was nice enough to walk over and help pull you up to your feet, pointing to her face. "Y'mean these? It's sobble protection."

he gave her a confused look. "Sobble protection? But Kabu doesn't have a sobble on his team."

"Not for Kabu's pokemon." She gestured to you as you thanked Victor. "I'm borrowing hers. I remembered what you said about using goggles to maybe help block the effects or their tears, so I'm tryin' it out."

Hop gained a look of surprise. Not sure if it was from what Gloria said or the fact she was using Sobble. "You...remembered t-that." He asked shyly. Yep. Def from what Gloria said.

She nodded. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I? By the way, how was the challenge?"

"Huh?" He blinked before turning an embarrased pink. "Oh uh r-right. *ahem* It went well. I mean you have to catch t-three pokemon but it's no big de-"

"WHAT!?" He blinked at her shout and watched silently as she quickly patted her pockets. "We have to catch pokemon!? B-But I didn't bring any empty pokeballs!!"

"Gloria, calm down-"

"Calm down!! CALM DOWN!?," she snapped towards her twin shouting with a look of panic, "I don't have any pokeballs on me except the ones that already have pokemon in them! How am I supposed to battle the gym LEADER if I can't make it past the gym CHALLENGE, Vic!?"

"You can borrow some of mine!," he shouted back at her.

Gloria shut up and stared at him blankly for a moment. "......Come again?"

Her brother groaned giving an eye roll before slipping the large (suitcase-) pack off himself. Silently you all watched as he brought it up and opened it before shoving his hand quickly inside for a second before pulling out a trio of pokeballs. Shoving them all at Gloria who barely managed to catch them all fumbling as she did. "Here!" He insisted already starting to close his bag. "Don't worry 'bout paying me back. You can keep 'em. But for crying out loud, Glory!! Become more prepared!"

Her brown eyes glanced between the poke balls and her brother. Looking to be at a loss for words. "I-....Uh....T-Thanks??"

"Don't thank me yet! You still have to get in there and beat him. So get to it, Glor! I know you can pass this challenge like you do every other- AH!!"

"THANK YOOOUUU!!! You're the best brother EVER!!"

Victor groaned as she hugged him before squirming his way free like a worm. "Yeah, yeah. Nevermind that now, you have a battle to win! Remember?"

"YEAH RIGHT!!......Um."

"What now?"

"You might want to stay out here instead of going inside, I uhhhh...Don't know how this might turn out."

"That might be a good idea," you commented. "Especially if those tears are gonna get BIG from Dynamaxing....But would you be able to do it without us there?"

"Yeah!...Wait." She glanced back to Hop with a slightly worried expression, "You'll still watch me from the live footage, r-right?"

Hop nodded without hesitation. "Of course we will!,'' he smiled whipping out his phone, "You don't even have to ask us. As your best rival and friend it's my sworn duty to support you in your journey even if it's from behind the scenes! We'll be here cheering you on all the way!"

"But first she actually has to go inside and do the challenge before Kabu decided you're not coming at all."

"R-Right! Yeah." With a turn of her head Gloria faced the doors before her before with another inhale and exhale, her face steeled and she started forward. "Wish me luck!"

"You don't need it!" "Go get 'em, Glory!" "Good luck!" The three of you shouted at her as the doors opened and she slowly walked her way in.

The worry feeling in your gut increased as you realized you wouldn't be watching your sobble battling within the stadium, but it might be better you all weren't affected by the giant tears if Gloria really was going to be dynamaxing the sobble. Hop pointed over towards a bench nearby where the three of you could sit and watch and you agreed, following the boys over as the cheers from the stadium was ever present. Guess the crowd must've gotten wind of another challenger on their way in to challenge Kabu. Hop had turned his rotom phone on and went to what he said was the Gym League's official website where you could find everything from past Gym leader's biographies, to their pokemon, to even content the Gym Leaders themselves posted. You could even find live footage if they currently battled anyone to watch if you couldn't be at the stadium. How convenient! It didn't take Hop too long to pull up a video turning his phone sideways to full screen as you and Victor huddle around to watch. What was shown on screen was the inside of the stadium, the many people in the stands, and an empty field. Gloria must've still been just starting the challenge presented to her. To which Victor commented it might take a bit to catch all three pokemon. So all the three of you could do was wait it out for the moment, which you did. You sat there for the longest time just staring at the phone screen mind wondering off into space as the boys chatted among themselves next to you glancing at the phone every so often. Would this really work out ok? You were starting to feel like maybe you shouldn't have let Gloria borrow sobble but you also really wanted to get home so if this really was the way she could win you were doing the right thing.....Right?

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!" You jumped at the loud man's voice that shouted out in what sounded like two different directions. And it kinda was, the announcer's voice was loud enough to be heard outside the stadium and came from the live feed being recorded live from Hop's phone as well. "The battle between Gym Challenger Gloria and Gym Leader Kabu shall now commence!!" The three of you quickly snapped to attention at the phone Hop held as the camera recording the live feed zoomed it just close enough where you could watch the battle at it's fullest, but also too far away to see their faces sadly. You hoped Gloria wasn't feeling too anxious. The crowd roared again in cheers as at last both the figures of Gloria and Kabu jogged their way towards the very center of the big field before stopping. Here we go. "Battlers please take your place on opposite field and face one another!!" It looked like they exchanged a few words before turning and walking a decent amount away from one another. " SET!" They faced one another. "Pokemon at the ready!! BATTLE BEGIN!!"

In a flash of bright light, both parties sent forth their pokemon as the crowd cheered. Kabu a fox looking pokemon, Nine tales if you remembered right. And Gloria her Roselia.

"Wha- Why's she using a grass type?," Hop asked confused, "Grass-type pokemon are usually weak against fire-types. Shouldn't she know the type disadvantage? "

You were confused at first too. Why would she be using a ro-...Your eyes widened remembering something from your past encounters. "....Stun spore."

"What?," he asked turning to you.

And you them as you spoke. "I bet you more than anything she's going to use that stun spore move on that thing."

...Hop's eyes widened. "Of course! Stun spore leaves a paralysis effect on it's opponent! She could that to get an edge up on Ninetales if she's able to land the hit!..If she can that is. Ninetales has the time advantage and more speed than any other nine tales I've seen. I couldn't even get passed it."

You said nothing after that and turned back to the screen as a flame thrower type move nearly hit the roselia by a couple inches. OH Crap- The battle must've started while you weren't paying attention! So far Gloria seemed to be doing ok. With a point from her form she must've been giving an order, because that roselia in all it's agility used tackle and ran straight towards the ninetales. ..!? WHAT WAS SHE DOING!? She was gonna get that poor rose pokemon hurt! A tense and cold feeling grabbed a hold of your body as the fox pokemon opened it's large mouth, and filled with the burning  fire as it shot towards the roselia. A collective aw reaction coursed through the crowd and you three as the roselia....slid. That's right. SLID. The grass pokemon suddenly dropping back as it it slipped and fell to it's knees (Or you guess what counted as knees on it) and as if in a rock star pose, leaned all the way back as the fire passed above it literally inches from it's face. No doubt the speed from the tackle added in it's aid of sliding across the grassy field. As if time slowed down, the fire soon left the ninetales's mouth, and it turned it's head down towards the roselia sliding towards it at break-neck speeds. Lifting the roses on it's arms surrounded by burst of electricity, you could've sworn the fox thing gave a look of panic, before there was a flash of light as bright as a camera's flash as the roselia continued it's journey under the ninetales as it was enveloped face first by electricity. Now if you thought the corvinkight's loud cries when you crashed into it's nest was terrifying, it was nothing compared to the high pitched dog like wails that came from this pokemon really made your stomach flip. Through the static shock surrounding it, the ninetales gritted it's fangs and looking as if pain, forced itself to snap towards the roselia who stopped just behind it. And in one swift motion, in a white blur the pokemon turned and swiped at it. HARD. With a cry from the pokemon it went flying across the feild, tumbling head over heels, round and round in summer salts until finally with a thud the poor thing landed with half it's body crossing one of the perimeter lines.

"MATCH!!" The announcer's voice called back through and it honestly made you jumped by how it surprised you, too lost in the battle to notice. "THE GYM CHALLENGER'S POKEMON IS OUT OF BOUNDS!! GYM LEADER WINS FIRST ROUND BATTLE!!"

The crowd roared out again at Kabu's obviously win, and you weren't too surprised since he is supposed to be the second strongest gym leader. So it shouldn't be surprised that the ninetales was still able to move like that after Gloria's stun spore surprise. Tho you were a bit sad at her loss.

"Aw man! She totally got canned out there!," Hop sighed lowering the phone a little disappointed as both battlers returned their pokemon

Victor hummed. "Well, yes. Glory lost first round but it's not a total loss. Stun spore's affects increases the more the recipient of it moves, so it'd be dumb if Kabu forced his ninetales to battle again for the second round. It'd just be giving her a better chance at winning. So she still managed to wittle down them to an equal two pokemon each."

....Hop nodded. "Yeah! You're right. But it doesn't mean the other two won't be just as powerful."

"SECOND MATCH START!!" The voice returned. "POKEMON AT THE READY!! SECOND ROUND BATTLE BEGIN!!"

Two more bright lights appeared and the BIGGEST arcanine you had ever seen appeared before you! That thing was huge! Much better than the ones in game. And Gloria had sent out her raboot. A fire type against a fire type. They should be equaled out but you had a feeling the arcanine was the more powerful in terms of strength and skill. Gloria better have had a trick up her sleeve for this one. Kabu was the first one to make a move. As it quickly leaned his head forward just an inch and the raboot jumped a good yard back away in fear.

"That's arcanine's intimidate. Hope that raboot's not too scared."

The arcanine took a step forward the rabbot took another step back. Kabu pointed and in an instant it charged. Flames spewing from it's mouth the moment it opened it's maw and it fell. Well at least you thought it did by how fast it dropped, only to flip using it's back legs to kick off and a envelope itself in fire to perform Flame Wheel- Raboot. Charged! It's feet gaining fire with it's speed when you realized what was going to happen. Was Gloria attempting to use Flame Charge as a way to counter the Flame Wheel like back when she used her Scorbunny's move to deflect Hop's Wooloo's tackle? That may have worked out back then but Arcanine was much bigger and stronger than an ordinary wooloo! There's no way as strong as raboot was they could deflect that flame wheel....Except..Well...That wasn't what they did at all. As soon as that raboot jumped and made contact with that fire hoop of death, it was like a catapult suddenly went off under it's feet. Using the momentum of the moment that crafty little bunny used it's own fire as a shield for it's feet from the flames of it's enemy to leap itself into the air. The three of you watched in awe as the raboot launched itself a decent twenty or so feet in the air above the arcanine who had stopped and then looked up in confusion as it most likely didn't expect that. That's when it struck. With a surprising speed for being in mid air, the raboot shot back back down straight towards the arcanine. The dog pokemon in retaliation growled and opened it's maw WIDE to catch it within it's fangs at the same time as the raboot flipped, and landed a perfect double kick to the upper part of the pokemon's face. The. Arcanine. WAILED OUT!! The jerk it's head gave shoving the rabbit pokemon to the ground with a loud squeak as it hit the dirt but as quick as ever sprung itself back onto it's feet to face it's enemy. The much taller fire type shaking it's head and pawing at it's eyes.

"A Quick Attack and Double Kick combo!! How'd they do that so fast!?"

None of you had time to answer that before Gloria was already pointing at the arcanine and the raboot swiftly followed. The arcanine snarled it the approuching raboot's direction eyes closed and again went to use Bite, but with a quick side leap to the left, it easily delivered another double kick to the side of it's head. Making it recoil. And thus it had begun. Side! Back! Gut! Front Leg! Back Leg! Under Chin! Front Leg again! The raboot as quickly as a real rabbit in your world, was light on it's feet. Using quick attack and double kick over and over again to kick the blinded and confused arcanine in random places jumping over, under, around and sometimes latching onto it's fur to propel itself in a different direction from the jaws or swiping paws as it growled and blindly went after him. One time literally trying to slam it's whole right side onto the smaller pokemon before the rabbot quickly thrust itself forward under and away from the falling body before giving it a tackle to it's exposed middle in retaliation for the body slam. Using it's speed and smaller body to it's full advantage. The blinded pokemon's only saving grace was to suddenly use the order of flame wheel to break away from the small menace. Rolling fast away in a hoop of flames. You nearly choked on your own breath as you all watched in disbelief as the tinier much smaller raboot CHASED. Yes. CHASED after the spinning wheel of death faster than you had seen it run. The flames gathering on it's feet again. Another flame charge?? The arcanine stopped just a few yards away from him, flames still gathered within it's mouth as it turned, presumably to launch a strong flame attack at the smaller beast. And raboot with all it's speed and flaming feet. KICKED!! As fast as a jet streaking through the sky, a flaming rock was launched right at the pokemon's face. And connected. With a yelped and smoke going off from getting straightly hit by it, the arcanine went down.

"ARCANINE HAS BEEN RENDERED UNCONCIOUS!! GYM CHALLENGER WINS THE SECOND ROUND!!!"

THE. CROWD. CHEERED!! Ember....That raboot used ember to knock out that arcanine!! You didn't know whether to be impressed or surprised at what just happened but both the boys next to you exchanged a few cheers of their own and high fived. And you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. Holy canoli that was tense!! ....But then you froze. Wait...If both first and second rounds were over..that meant only the third was left. And the third round was the dynamax specialty. And Gloria was planning on using... all the worry came rushing back in an instant.

"Oh no-"

"FINAL MATCH DETERMINES WHO WINS AND LOSES!! YOU FOLKS KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!" Oh please don't say- "DYNAMAX ROUND SET!! GET YOUR POKEMON AT THE READY!!" You could all suddenly hear the crowd begin chanting the word 'Dynamax'. Your eyes widened as, as tiny as Gloria's figure was on the camera, you could CLEARLY make out her reaching into her pocket and pull out a pokeball, her other hand coming up to her goggles. In than instant your face paled and your blood ran cold. A heavy feeling of cold settling in as you saw that unmistakable red energy gathering around her wrist band as she held your ball. Your poor baby's ball. "FINAL BATTLE BEGIN!!"

The first to make a move was Kabu as the pokeball in his hands swelled up to the size of a watermelon and with a firey look in his eyes, swiftly turned on his heel and with one arm chucked the giant thing into the air. It sored through the sky until popped open and THE BIGGEST centipede you had ever seen came forward. The ground where you three were sitting shook from the force of the giant pokemon in the stadium in front of you landed on the ground. Sending a wave of wind and rubble from the field flying in it's wake as dark reddish-orange storm clouds darkened itself overhead, making it look even MORE horrifying than it was....OH. SWEET. MOTHER. OF MILTANK!! If that thing was scary to you than it'd be an utterly drop dead terror for your poor sobble! The pokeball in Gloria's hold swelled up to the same size as a watermelon. Using both arms to lift the thing over her head, and tossed it into the air. It soared through the air and all three of you watched like you were watching a trainwreck happening. Too scared for the results but unable to look away feeling as it popped open. And your sobble made it's entrance. The blue pokemon now several times bigger than it's usual cat like hieght. It landed in the same fashion as Kabu's centipede thing did. And instantly a look if confusion graced it's face as with a montrous chirp it started quickly looking around at itself. Although that confusion quickly dashed away as soon as it's eyes laid upon the terror in front of it. It froze. Staring unblinking with that blank stare of his as it laid eyes on the centipede pokemon.

"Oh no-

Now you weren't entirely sure what move it was called that it used, but all of a sudden this giant bug thing decided to play....But this thing moved so fast in air as Kabu leaned back and pointed up at it you nearly had a heart attack then and there. It took the form of a sideways zig zag pose and gathered a great deal of fire within it's coils. The GIANT ball of flames launched in a moment's notice as it sailed out. And hit your sobble directly with an explosion. You cried out, hands coming to clasped at your mouth at the noise the water pokemon made as it connected and tumbled over. The three of you had to grab a hold on the bench as it wobbled, Hop nearly dropping his phone in process as he did. Thank goodness he didn't because you still had your panicked eyes stuck to the screen even as it shook. .......Your now giant sobble with storm clouds gathered over it's head was just laying there for a moment....before it pushed itself onto it's bottom silently, dirt from the field falling off itself as it did. He stared blankly back at the centipede-...thing for a moment....before it's giant mouth quivered. And in a flash the giant sobble threw it's back and began to cry. The loudest cries you ever heard rung out through the sobble's mouth, it sounded like someone took the world's largest bagpipes and cranked it's volume to eleven. But that's not what concerned you. Thousands of shining droplets starting floating down everywhere. And in an instant the centipede thing violently shook it's head. A loud cry of protest coming out of it.

"Holy Arceous..."

Was all any of you could manage to say at the situation as you continued to watch your sobble cry as the centipede thing continued to shake it's head and yell out. Kabu's small form on the screen even shown him using whatever towel he kept around his shoulder to suddenly smush his face against. The centipede thing suddenly dove. A giant crater forming in the field as it attempted to bury it head away from whatever was irritating it. After a moment your sobble stopped. Giving it a look as it twitched and kept it's face in the giant crater it made for itself like an ostrich, eyes watering a bit as it did. It gave a look around again but seemed to be scanning more of the stadium than the field. Most likely looking for a way out. That didn't surprise you in the slightest. What DID surprise you next was what it did next. Your. Sobble. Scowled. In the direction of the centipede thing who still rubbed it's head in the dirt, most likely trying to settle down the burning sensation of the tears it experienced before. You blinked as it gave off a montrous sound of it's own towards the other pokemon. Did....Did your sobble..The one who who dive under your arm or hide behind your head just...growl at the other pokemon?? By the end of the war cry it gave as a shock, it pushed itself forward. Landing it's hands right onto the ground as a wave of energy expelled from it. The force making crackes in the earth around the thing's buried head before blue light seeped through the depths of the earth and a geyer of blue light shook the stadium and the three of you.

"T-T-THAT WAS A SOBBLE'S MAX STRIKE MOVE!!," Hop managed to force out between holding onto the bench as everything shook.

"IT WAS A WHAT!?," You shouted back at him trying to make out the shaking screen in his hands between holding onto the bench yourself.

The centipede things wretched it's head up from the dirt and with a loud cry began shaking it frantically like a panicked snake. That was before it was attacked again of course by your sobble. A torrent of water rushed out from it's mouth the moment it was opened and hit the thrashing fire type straight in the face as it cried out. The fire becoming so bright it turned white...except it wasn't coming from the giant pokemon. The bright light was coming from the other side of the field as your sobble cried out again- The screen shut off with a beep. A flash of 'No Signal' coming over the sudden white screen. The three of you stared at Hop's phone. No one moving. No one saying anything. As the three of you just....stared at the lost signal-

"NO!!" Hop yelped and wretched his arm back in surprise as you snatched the phone from his hands. Frantically bringing it up to your painicked face as your body drawled in quicker breaths. You shook the phone within your hands and furiously tapped the screen in rapid moment before the rotom within it wretched itself from your grip with a scowl to escape your grip. "NO NO NO!!" You snapped back to Hop. "WHAT HAPPEND?!"

"We must've lost the live feed signal," Hop replied back reaching over and grabbing the rotom from mid air and bringing it back to him.

"Can you get it back?!"

"I can try, but I don't know if-"

"GYM MATCH IS OVER!!" All three of you froze to stare in the direction of the voice coming loud and clear from the stadium. ....You slowly stood up. "CENTISKORCH IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!! GYM CHALLENGER GLORIA WINS THE MATCH!!" The crowd cheered...And you leaned forward-

"OOF!!" You were yanked back by your backpack by Hop before you could fall to the ground below and you landed with a thud back onto the bench. "....Thanks.''

Hop nodded before he put the phone quickly away and stood along with Victor. "C'mon. I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna see what happened."

You stood up quickly with a scowl. "You bet your pokeballs I'm going to see what happened! Gloria and my sobble is in there!"

There was no questions or doubts about it as the three of you unanimously started towards the inside of the stadium doors in worry for the young trainer and your pokemon. ...Except as soon as the doors opened the trio of you were stopped by some man wearing a gym suit and sunglasses. Surprise, surprise. You and Victor weren't allowed in as unregistered gym challengers. ....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? You wanted to yell at this guy and push past him if you bloody had to to see them! And Hop looked as if he was about ready to argue in your favor as well squaring up. The only one who seemed to be thinking clearly in the situation was Victor who had to pull the two of you back to wait outside for her. You wanted to get it!! Who cares if they threw you out kicking and screaming!? You were seeing your pokemon!! Oh the irony when Victor yelled at you two it would only put Gloria's and Hop's places in the challenge in danger if either one of you did anything dumb to threaten their places. Oh....Well when he put it like that, then it did make the two of you seem foolish. But that didn't you liked it standing right outside those giant double doors leading to the inside of the gym pacing, and tapping your foot, staring at the doors in worry, mumbling to yourselves. Poor Victor standing deadpanned in the wake of your two's worried mess with a sigh. You all nearly jumped as the door opened and the slightly dirt covered girl of the hour finally came out-

"GLORIA!!" The brunette yelped as she was all of a sudden encased in a tight hug by her worried friend. "OH GOSH!! WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!! I figured if anyone could do it you and raboot would be the ones....But STILL!! That match had me right at the edge of my seat! I thought for sure you would've been crushed-"

"Hop! Geez! I'm perfectly ok! See?" She pried herself away from the clinging boy to make some space between them both. "I'm as fine as a deep fried curry! And I walked away with more than just my safety!" She beamed brightly as she spoke. "I got my bloody fire badge!"

His eyes widened. "WHAT!? No way! That's incredible!"

As the four of you were a little busy focusing on Gloria and worrying, none of you noticed the blue thing walking past her legs and up to you.

"WAIT WAIT!!" Hop nearly stumbled as you dove and Gloria blinked in surprise as you grabbed her shoulders in worry. There wasn't any signs of a sobble around her so it must've meant she put him back in his pokeball!!...Or at least you hoped she did. "Where is he!?" You asked in a worried tone. "Where's my sobble, Gloria?!"

......She blinked. "Oh...Ummm. Yeah about that." She gave an almost cringe as she said the next few words. "He's uh....Not exactly a sobble anymore." The three of you stared at her....A pit dropping in your stomach strong enough to make you feel like hurling.

"WHAT!?"

"No no no! He's fine I swear!," she insisted holding her hands up to your scared face. "It's just that-"

"ACK!?" Gloria blinked as you were suddenly whipped back by something heavy latching onto your backpack. It felt like someone had dropped the weight of a toddler on your shoulders all of a sudden. The three looked on in confusion as you stumbled back in panic waving your arms wildly for balance before throwing yourself forward to right yourself and grabbed your knees in a leaned over position. "What in the actual-" You paused. Something shifted on your back and grabbed your shoudler. In an instant you whipped over your shoulder to look at the thing pulling itself up onto you. And what you were met with was a face to face encounter with a frowning blue head who gave a small thrum sound at you. ............You blinked. "What the heck!?"

"Uh...That's what I was trying to tell you about," Gloria said pointing to it.

Without breaking eye contact with the thing that was half sitting on your pack half slumped over against your shoulder, you slowly stood up and pointed at it. "What the world is this thing?" To which it gave a indignified chirp and grabbed your nose. "Hey!"

"Oh hey! It's a drizzilie!"

...You looked at Hop for answers brow raised. "It's a what?"

"A drizzilie," he repeated pointing at the thing slumped over your shoulder. "They're considered highly intelligent pokemon but also really lazy ones." Another pouty chirp was thrown in Hop's direction. " I think I read somewhere that they're good at making traps."

"This still doesn't tell me where my sobble is!"

"Y/n, drizzilie is the evolved form of a sobble!," Gloria pointed again, "Sobble evolved near the end of the match! He's literally right there on your shoulder!"

You paused...whipping back to the drizzile who only moved his eyes from where it's head laid upon your shoulder. ....THIS was your adorable tiny little sweet innocent baby sobble!? It reminded you of a moody preteen. You two continued to stare at each other a bit regarding each other silently...before you asked a question. "You want food?" It immediately lifted it's head up and gave a deeper chirp noise in approval and you laughed. " Ok...It's definitly him alright. But how come he evolved?"

"Because...it's what pokemon do?? They're always evolving and growing as they go, there's no stopping it."

"....Fair enough."

"Hey." Gloria blinked as her brother gently grabbed her shoulder with a concerned look. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Of course I am. It'll take more than a dynamax battle to stop me."

Hop laughed. "With all the badges we've earned ourselves, I reckon we should be alright even against the fierce pokemon you find deep in the Wild Area. Let's go find out for ourselves-"

"NO!!," both you and Victor screamed at once making Hop blink...And Gloria snorted.

Surprisingly you did not want to stay there any longer in fear of what else might happen to you all, so after a bit of convincing on Victor's side to Hop who was eager to go straight to the Wild Area for the rest of the day to battle and catch wild pokemon, you five just went back to your hotel. You felt entire exhausted, and not because of the extra added weight to your load now thanks to your sobble's new and maybe not so improved form. But mentally from the exhausting experience you had been put through. It...was a day you'd have to get used to but in the end Gloria won her third badge and your sobble...uh..Drizzlie was perfectly fine even if he changed a bit. So at the end of the day it was in fact a win win situation for everyone. You had felt relief when you got back to your hotel room and slid off your bag, plopping yourself on the bed with a sigh. Your new drizzile standing there for a moment before flopping itself onto you with a small 'Oof' escaping you....Yeah. You guessed you'd have to train him out of just jumping on you anymore now that he was the size of a six year old child.

"Hey, Y/n? Are you going to sleep right now?", Gloria asked curiously.

"....I dunno. Maybe,'' you answered muffled by the pillow. "Why?"

"We're getting lunch. Want me to grab you a curry?"

"......Yeah. As long as it doesn't have any eggs or tails on it. Grab me one-" Your drizzilie patted your shoulder and you sighed. "Make that two. Something tells me he's going to be more hungry from now on." Gloria laughed again and you sighed.

The rest of the day went by rather quickly in your eyes. You all ate lunch and you ended up falling asleep way earlier than usual with your drizzilie watching the three teens curiously as they ate and ended up chatting and showing off their league card collection card collection thus far before you ended up closing your eyes. By the time you woke up again Gloria and Drizzile was already up and ready to go eating what must've been the room service breakfast, but she was also kind enough to order a small stack of waffles for your hungry self. Perfect! It wasn't long for the both of you to get packed and meet up with the boys outside the inn waiting for you two by that weird mechanical elevator.

"Hurry it up, Gloria!," Hop called over waving an arm.

"We're coming! Boy how early do you all wake up?"

You were a bit cranky. Still a bit groggy so early in the morning and having to lug around extra weight on your back as your drizzilie had insisted on jumping onto your back and took residence inside your back pack. Most of his body was inside the backpack amongst your other belongings but his head and arms were thrown over your shoulders as he refused to start walking chirping in protest when you tried to reason with him and wouldn't let you put him in the pokeball so you had to get creative with a compramise. Moving all the food you carried into the secondary pocket leaving just your clothes in the main space of your pack and leaving enough room for it to find acceptable. You wondered if the reason Drizzilie didn't want to go back into it's pokeball was in fear something like what happened yesterday would happen again, being used to getting carried by now, or if this was just because of the lazy behavior Hop mentioned before?..Or maybe a combination of the three? The boys gave a couple chuckles at the sight of your new situation but stopped when you tossed them a look and changed the subject by making the elevator go.

"So. Have you two decided where you want to go next?," you asked walking up to the exit of Motostoke that lead out to the Wild Area.

Both nodded.

"Yeah. I wanna stay here for a few more days and catch some pokemon," Hop answered.

Gloria blinked at him. "Wha- But I wanted to stop by Hammerlocke."

Hop stopped walking immediately just outside of the giant exit. Making Gloria stop and blink at the bewildered expression on her friend's face. "Hammerlocke? Why would you go there? You know Raihan doesn't battle anyone unless they have seven badges."

"Yeah. I know, but it's on the way to Stow-on-side." She explained with a smile. "Bea sounds like a good challenge for me to tackle next being the fighting type gym leader. Hammerlocke just happens to be on the way there."

"Eeehhhh. I dunno Glor. I really had my mind set on taking on some wild pokemon. With a stronger team comes a stronger trainer right?"

"I...guess so..."

"'kay. How 'bout this? If you're all that dead set on going to Hammerlocke, you can go and we'll we'll meet up with you there!"

Gloria seemed not too keen on that idea for a moment but sighed and nodded. "Alright. But how are you planning on getting there?"

Hop went to answer, but paused. Gold eyes blinking widely before leaning over to the right to look behind you all. "Huh? Hey. Is that who I think it is coming this way?"

Brown and f/c color eyes followed the path of Hop's gold ones to look behind you and the three of you paused at seeing who exactly was jogging towards you all. Coming towards you in all his firey glory was the 'Man Of Fire' Kabu himself. What was he doing here? ...Oh no! Were you all in trouble with what happened yesterday!?Was he angry from your sobble-..Er..Drizzilie's tears?! Were you all going to be billed or something!? You all couldn't pay any medical bills! None of you had enough money! The gym leader jogged right up to the four of you as you all exchanged confused or worried looks before stopping in front of you all.

"Thank goodness I managed to catch the lot of you before leaving Motostoke," he stated. It..didn't sound like he was angry.

"You're the gym leader, but you still came all the way to see us off?," Hop questioned, "...Oh! I bet you can already tell that I'm the one who'll become the next champion, yeah?"

To your surprise the older man chuckled and gave a smile. "There are many trainers who never manage to gather three or more gym battles, and they just give up on the gym challenge all together. So I make a point to see off any trainers who are able to defeat me. So allow me to send you off with a proper, sporty chant." He cleared his voice as you raised a hand to say he didn't have to- "Hustle, hustle, hustle Hop! You can do it, you can do it, Gloria!" ...Gloria gave off a few giggles and you lightly kicked her foot to get her to stop. "The Gym Leaders you will face ahead are all tough opponents. But I believe you will prevail! Believe in your pokemon and keep pushing on!"

"Thanks y'all! We're gonna keep winning!," Hop confirmed with a smile and thumbs up towards the older man, "We've got too if we want a face-off in the Champion Cup after all! C'mon, Everyone!" He spun on his heels and pointed towards the exit. "Let's head for Hammerlocke!" And ran off.

Victor groaned turning to walk after him. "Not again."

You chuckled and rolled your eyes. You wish you had that much energy. "Gloria correct?" You blinked and turned your head over to Kabu who was looking at Gloria. "That was a most unexpected battle the other day. As I already said, I'll have to learn from it. But I don't suppose you'd mind telling me how you thought of such strageties?"

She beamed. "Of course! Your league card listed your pokemon and their main abilites like everyone else! So I used that info. Your ninetales was pretty fast on it's feet, so it made sense to use a move that wouldn't let it use that speed. But arcanine are built bulkier and have more muscle than a ninetales. They may be fast on their feet too, but no where near the speed of raboot or ninetales. So speed and agility would've been the way to go. And as for your centiskorch, I didn't have a lot of pokemon that could withstand it's fire power, so I had to find a way around that. A sobble's tears seemed like the greatest force to fight it."

He hummed before nodded once again. "I see. Well then I must train my pokemon to overcome your sobble's tear attack before another trainer gets the same bright idea as you did."

"Oh it wasn't my sobble." She pointed at you and he looked at you. .....Then to the Drizzile's face lazily staring back from your shoulder. "It was hers."

"I see...Well then, Miss. I'll have to congratulate you on raising such a strong water type. I have no doubt that it'll make a mighty Inteleon one day."

You smiled as your drizzile patted your shoulder. "Thanks! I think he's a good boy too. Ain't that right?" Embarrassed your pokemon tutted and looked away making the old man chuckle.

"We'll then. I shall leave you. I must be off to start training up before the next gym challenger comes knocking at my door."

"We outta get going too. I have a feeling we're in for a long trip ahead of us." .....Hey. Now that you thought about it...Your eyes widened. Wasn't there some kind of character development or a tragic event that happened to one of the characters after the player received their third gym badge??..."Yeah. We better catch up to the other two."

You managed to pull Gloria away bidding good bye to the jogging gym leader and pulled her out of Motostoke at last. Onto the dirt path leading out of Motostoke and splitting in three directions to chose from. You spotted the two boys somewhere up ahead as the two of you approuched. Hop throwing his hands up into the air pumped.

"Hello again, Wild Area, my old friend!," he shouted to the sky, "I've come back to you even stronger than before!"

"Hop you don't need to shout." Victor adjusted his pack on his back with a roll and stretch of his shoulders. "If anything you might scare away any good potential pokemon with that racket."

....He hummed. "Well I guess you have a point about that, Vic." ..He turned his head more towards the two of you girls approuching before he smiled and twisted around fast to face the both of you. "Gloria! Hammerlocke is up that way." He pointed towards where the road split off towards the left. "Got it? Over Motostoke bridge and straight on down the road a ways. And yeah, you could certainly rush there without a single detour....But now that you and I have a few gym badges, we should be able to catch stronger pokemon! So I know what I'm doing!"

" And what's that mate?" Gloria asked in a tease.

"I'll be catching myself some amazing pokemon to fill in the next page in the tale of my legend!" You chuckled at his enthusiasm.

All of a sudden your Drizzilie turned to look behind you as footsteps approuched. "Don't waste your efforts." The rest of you followed suit to stare at the figure just now leaving Motostoke as well. And your eyes widened slightly. "It's not like either of you would ever make it through the gym challenge anyway." The one who approuched the two of you was none other than Bede. The poor gave that smug smirk he always did and placed a hand on his hip staring at the lot of you. "The Champion really must have been off his rocker to endorse likes of you."

"WHAT DID YA SAY YOU LAVENDER SOAKED EYED COTTONEE FOR BRAINS!?" "DON'T YOU INSULT MY BRO LEE LIKE THAT!!"  Gloria shouted and made a move to step forward but you grabbed onto her back pack to pull her back effectively also blocking Hop with your other arm as the two shouted with glares at him.

"Whoa there you two." You gave him a glare and he slowly looked up towards you the smug grin turning into somewhat of a frown. "I thought you left after collecting those Wishing Stars from the mines. Did you stay behind just to insult them? That's a pretty petty thing for you to be doing with your free time."

He didn't answer right away which made you raise a brow until he tutted and turned his head away. "I was going to leave after a day's rest here, but after hearing these two were going to battle Kabu I decided to stick around and watch the pitiful efforts of my enemies. I mean, Hop here can't even throw a poke ball properly."

You saw Hop flinch. Oh no..You remembered somewhat of him saying he practiced throwing the ball sometime during your first meeting with Leon. "Rubbish! More like you don't know enough to recognize greatness when you see it! My throws are the greatest and my bro is the finest champion the world has ever seen! I'm not gonna listen to you insult him!"

"How tiresome," Bede mutter again running a hand over his hair. "Fine. I'll battle you over there." He pointed a hand towards some trees. "Maybe that will help you finally understand just how weak you are."

Hop growled and your brows rose in shock at his sudden anger. You didn't think the ever chipper Hop could've gotten so mad. "You're on then. I know you challenged Gloria in Galar Mine Number Two and lost to her there." Your eyes widened more glancing between the two of them as Bede frowned more....So THAT'S what Bede meant by them causing him trouble. "And I'm her greatest rival. In other words there's no way you're beating me."

"All this prattle about Gloria and the Champion and whatnot. Do you not have anything of your own to show?"

"YOU BET YOUR SORRY PINK TUTU BUTT HE DOES COTTON FOR BRAINS!!," Gloria shouted giving  another tug against your grip on her as she leaned forward, angry glare that could put a dynamaxed pokemon to shame, hands balled into fists at her sides. Her sudden spout of anger caught Bede off guard enough to take a few steps back from the red faced girl spitting her scottish accent at him. "I'll have you know Hop's one of the smartest, most kindest people I know! He's a bloody genius who knows all kinds of pokemon skills! 'E's like a walking dictionary of smarts that's how skilled he is! He knows more than you and me put together so badger off with your sorry excuses!! I don't see you doing anything but complain about everyone else and praise the chairman like he's Arceous 'imself!" Victor grabbed onto his sister's other arm pulling her back with you at this point. "Yet ya complain 'bout us talkin' 'bout how amazin' Lee is!? When are ye gonna step up from being a walkin' billbourd for the Chairman n' his bloody secratary and show me somethin' huh!? HUH!? How 'bout you take ya own advice!?"

"GLORIA THAT'S ENOUGH!!," Victor shouted in his own scottish accent at her pushing her back by a wide eyed Hop as she continued to glare angrily at Bede who remained silent and wide eyed at her. "CALM DOWN!! Ok!?...I'm pretty sure he's gotten the point by now."

"Oh he better!"

"Hey! That's enough now!," you agreed giving her your own frown, keeping your grip on her back pack in case she tried anything. "I think you're scaring him." Gloria paused enough to give you her own stare, as you turned to look at Bede who continued to stand and stare....before he blinked, quickly whirled on his heel and sped walked away with his hands forced into his pink coat's pockets.

"I-I'll wait for you over there! Don't keep me waiting!"

Gloria huffed, jerking her body from her brother's grip as she glared at his leaving form. "Yeah? Well he started it by causin' all of us trouble n' insulting us for no reason. The bloody cottonee born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ey Hop?".....She rose a brow when her friend didn't answer and turned to the silent boy staring wide eyed at her. "....Hop? Are you ok?"

".....I-..." He coughed reaching a hand up to rub at his neck as he looked off. "I mean uh....That was some roasting you gave h-him back there. Heh."

"Well it's true!," she insisted pointing at him, "You were the smartest kid in school! And y'know so much about science, and history, and you can calculate math in your head faster than a calculator could. You know so much about pokemon that I know you'd be a great Champion. That's why I got so angry at him."

Hop stared at her again mouth opening a little..before sputtering on his words. "I- You- R-Really?"

She crossed her arms and nodded with a huff. "'Sides, I wasn't about to let the Mareep Head get away with smack talkin' my best friend and his brother. If he's going to bring a fire then he better expect someone to roast him back!"

He stared at her a moment longer before an unmistakable red washed over his face as he quickly looked away. "R-Right! T-T-That's what friends do after all! D-Don't worry. I'll show this wally my skills in battle! S-So..." With that he quickly turned and began jogging off from the three of you. "See you later, Glory! L-Let's meet up in Hammerlocke when I'm through with him!"

Well whaddya know!? You smiled watching as Hop scampered off in a knowing way as Victor sighed before turning to his twin. "DONT DO THAT!!"

"Do what?"

"Try to fist fight another gym challenger like yer in a wrestlin' ring! Ya cook! What would've happened if that guy told ye off to the Chairman especially after you had dinner with him in Hulbury?! You'd get yourself kicked out by him or worse both yaself and Hop since you were defendin' 'is honor like in the bloody stone ages!?" You had started to notice a pattern that the accent would become more prominent in their voices when they were angry.

"Like I would've actually tried to punch to punch him! I know better then ta throw hands and risk somethin' like that now."

Victor groaned reaching his hands up to rub at his face. "I love ya but you drive me crazy!"

"I could say the same for you too."

.....Still rubbing his temples Victor turned. "I have to catch up with Hop before they start fightin' again. Make sure she stays out o' trouble."

"I can-"

"I was talkin' to Y/n!" He shouted back making Gloria pause as he walked off....And it was finally your turn to chuckle.

With a huff she placed her hands on her hips with a glare. "Well that's just a bunch of flamin' Rapidash crap if I ever heard it!"

You nodded reaching up to rub your face, finally letting go of her backpack as you did. "He has a point tho. If you and your opponents want to have a battle then that's fine, but you guys shouldn't get into fights like that." She hummed but didn't say anything else to that. "Come on. Let's get going to Hammerlocke. I'm curious about this place."

"Oh. Then if we're lucky we might meet the selfie guy himself hangin' 'round his gym!"

"Oh boy. Can't wait to see what the big bad strongest gym leader has to show."

"I think you'll like 'em. Lee said he's one of the kindest people he's met in the industry...But there is one thing I should warn ya 'bout."

"What?"

"He's a playful teaser so he'll probably try to flirt with ya when he sees ya."

"........He's going to what?"