#as was the wandering warrior who follows his own sense of justice

[lanternlightss]

it will always be so interesting to me that the two to die out of the main cast we know were amos and nameless bard. one who had dearly loved and stood by a god, witnessing his actions up close, until she could not take him not listening anymore. one who befriended a thread of the thousand winds, istaroth’s thread, and (presumably) taught them more of how humanity is.

what a particular pair.

[awarmbowlofhomemadesoup]

Stories: Miyamoto Usagi vs. Yuichi Usagi

(made for Leonardo shippers who can't decide between two rabbits)

Both Miyamoto and Yuichi's stories are based on doing what's right -be it honor, justice or kindness.

There is a difference, with the former being for older age groups and the latter being for the younger.

(this is based on my opinion with no energy to put in sources, take it with a grain of salt)

Personalities

Assuming that Miyamoto came of age when he became a samurai during the Edo period, he became a wandering one at 16-17. Yuichi left home when he was 16.

Both Miyamoto and Yuichi share similarities. Despite Miyamoto having a perpetual scowl, they both have a sense of humor. Both are not above doing stupid stuff on rare occasions due to age and arrogance (like the time Miyamoto tried to lord his status over a monk who turned out to be Mirage comics Leo). Both are patient and giving with kids.

In the start of their stories, Miyamoto has more experience with the outside world and fighting than Yuichi as will be explained below. However, it is Yuichi who has closer bonds.

Living Situations and Relationships

Both will have different perspectives due to their living situations. Because Miyamoto is on a pilgrimage for years to find himself, the people he meets only stay with him for weeks at maximum.

He is a good guest to kind families who would take him in. Miyamoto would end up helping with their woes (whether it's exploitative landlords or businessmen stirring conflict between communities).

Miyamoto seems to be closer to his master than his father as most of his backstories on upbringing revolved around his master.

Yuichi in his story is just beginning. He is bound to the city to help with the yokai and to train with his master since he lacks the temperament and experience.

He also has friends to support and accompany him -and being their own people, they have their own conflicts that affect him and the others too.

Yuichi also has closer relations with his family, particularly his aunt, whom he feels undeserving of her love because of his many mistakes of being restless on the farm.

Threats that They Deal With

Miyamoto's life is harsh because of bandits and assassins on the roads he travels. He is a bounty hunter to have money for his travels. Sometimes, he meets malicious spirits.

While Yuichi's aunt has protected and taught him long enough, he has to deal with interstellar threats that are over his head using mystical means.

Usagi Yojimbo

Based from what I've read of Miyamoto Usagi's story in the Usagi Yojimbo comics, most of the comics revolved around honor, the code of the samurai, and how far you take it to be true to the samurai way.

Some of the comic series show the harm it can inflict on others when warriors take duty, obedience, and self-sacrifice too far:

Gen's father who spent the rest of his life looking to avenge his master at the cost of his wife's exhaustion and death, and alienating his son who resented him for it.

Another samurai who was aware of how corrupt his sworn lord was and chose to keep his honor as a samurai by defending him to the death.

But that even if you follow honor over your heart, it's sometimes the most practical and wise -such as Mariko choosing to hide the true identity of her son's father and marrying someone else so that Miyamoto can serve his master instead of running to her to take responsibility. (while I don't agree with her decisions, I can at least understand where she's coming from)

The comics don't really show what's wrong or right. It allows the readers to decide for themselves.

And for Miyamoto, he would do the right thing (duty, obedience and self-sacrifice as a samurai).

And if he can't do the right thing, then he will do what's kind.

And if he can't do what's kind, then he will do what's just.

Like in one of the comics, he was tasked to retrieve the sword of a widower's husband as it is the birthright of her son. (do what's right)

But the village girl who had a relationship with the husband wouldn't let go of the sword -even for money. Miyamoto doesn't want to force her, so she decided to give her time to think about it. (do what's kind)

But the girl's brother accidentally killed her when they fought over the sword. When Miyamoto found out, he avenged her and buried her next to the husband. (do what's just)

Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles

The name Yuichi means "kind." And while Yuichi doesn't seem formally and in-depth trained as his ancestor in being a samurai, it frees him from its complications. He isn't as burdened as his ancestor by the samurai code.

Miyamoto and the other samurais in his time are burdened with obedience, duty, and self-sacrifice. Yuichi is free from those.

Yuichi is more straightforward. He stays in the city and help with the yokai because it is his fault. But soon, he defies what is supposedly his lord (Lord Kogane) to stand up for the yokai who had done no harm and help them find their place in the city.

While being a samurai seems outdated or outlawed in their city, Yuichi has brought balance with it by following the code his auntie has instilled in him: to defend those who cannot defend themselves. And later on, with the yokai and Kagehito: help those who cannot help themselves.

But it doesn't come without consequences. By the end of Season 2, it would be believable if the risks he took would haunt him despite everything becoming alright. He risked his life, his family and friends' lives, and the city in an advanced alien invasion to help another alien. Things might have turned differently if he hadn't learned to connect with the Ki crystal at the last minute.

Conclusion

Comparing the two Usagis is like comparing a ponkan from an orange. Both use kindness as a weapon, but each wields it differently due to experience, situation, and period of living.

They will both carry different regrets. They will have different stories and choices because they have similar but different perspectives. Miyamoto has been doing his pilgrimage for years. Yuichi is still beginning his journey.

But this is just my opinion from having completed Samurai Rabbit S1 and 2, and about 40 series of Usagi Yojimbo before taking a break. Do what you will.

[wanderingmind867]

I don't know what else I can add here, expect that we're slowly approaching the end of my Justice League Canada stuff. I wrote stuff for maybe 20 more issues, maximum. So here's some more of my stuff.

Issues #55-56: The introduction of probably one of the last new members of the team, the Justice League ends up in Paradise Island, because Saturn is trying to gain a foothold on themyscira. In order to help resist the coup of Saturn and his army, the Justice League gets the aid of the amazonian warriors. Specifically, Diana's fraternal twin Nubia comes to the rescue!

Nubia, the proud champion of Mars! Capable of bonding with Jemm over their shared greco-roman worship, Nubia would no doubt also love Martian Manhunter, since he's a proud child of Mars, like her. While Diana grew up amongst the Greek amazonians of Themyscira, Nubia was raised by Mars over in the roman quarters of the world. This was part of a trade that had to be made, to punish aphrodite/venus and artemis/diana going behind the other gods backs when they created themyscira. Nubia and Diana may be sisters, but Nubia is a proud roman warrior at heart.

But Nubia helps the Justice League and her sister defend themyscira. And after saturn/kronos warns that this is not the end, merely the beginning of his invasion plans, that's when Nubia insists on joining the Justice League Canada. To defeat Kronos/Saturn, they're gonna need a warrior who knows him intimately. So who better than one of the war god's legions?! And Nubia won't accept a no. She forces herself onto the team at sword point.

1. Jemm, Son of Saturn

2. The Question (Vic Sage)

3. William Nielsen

4. Willow/Mantis

5. The Admiral (Sam Heartsea)

6. Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter)

7. Wonder Woman (Diana Prince/Diana of Themyscira)

8. Nubia of Themyscira (joins officially at the end of issue #56)

Issue #57: An issue delving into Willow's backstory. While Jemm and Nubia hold private meetings to discuss the threat of Saturn, our other team members split up and go their seperate ways for a while. William Nielsen still doesn't have any home, so he follows Willow back to her rented condo in ottawa.

Here, we get to see willow raising her son Sequoiah. She hugs him as soon as she gets home, she cooks him a traditional vietnamese dinner, and she reads him bedtime stories at night (he may be around 9-10 years old, but he's still her son). William is amazed at the love parents can show for their children (since william never had any real parents, being an android), and he expresses his desire to feel affection for someone the way Willow feels affection for Sequoiah.

This leads to willow and william having a candid conversation on the couch, a conversation wherein willow finally begins opening up about herself, in her own cryptic way. We'd finally drop all the clear references to her past life as mantis in the marvel universe. Years ago, willow was a haughty young woman who had no sense of identity. She spurned the man she loved (the swordsman) and paid dearly for it.

But then she learned the truth of her identity, and she recieved a second chance at life. She became as one with her love, and they had a divine child. A child upon whose head rests the fate of the stars. She's been raising him for the past 8-9 years, keeping to herself in her home in Connecticut. But she has been to this world before, the same way she has been to many worlds before. If there is a universe where life exists, willow and sequoiah have probably wandered through it.

But fate brought her back to this world, to the name of willow and to the realm of the justice league. Apparently this world needs her and her child. Their destinies await amidst the stars of this world. That is a fact she is all too aware of. And William Nielsen…he is a kindred spirit. He reminds her of an old friend and an old flame (the vision), but also of herself. A man on a quest to discover himself…he called out to Willow. He brought her into these strange machinations of fate. And now…she will wait, and see what fate has in store for her.

1. William Nielsen

2. Willow/Mantis

Cameos from:

3. Jemm, Son of Saturn

4. The Question (Vic Sage)

5. The Admiral (Sam Heartsea)

6. Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter)

7. Nubia of Themyscira

Issue #58: An issue delving into Sam Heartsea's backstory. Because just like Willow, Sam Heartsea is a real enigma and mystery. This goofy old newfoundlander, who can manipulate the tides and who seems to be close friends with figures like the Phantom Stranger. Nobody knows what's up with Sam, so this is a solo issue dedicated to answering all the questions about his backstory.

And now, to finalize some details of sam's backstory for myself: sam heartsea is a legacy of the gods. His godly heritage goes back to the greeks, predominately. But there's some celtic in him too. His father was poseidon, and his mother was a demigod child of dionysus. But beyond that, his maternal great-grandfather was a celtic god. So he's the heir to two different pantheons, making him a very powerful man indeed.

Because of his powerful background, sam is a dealer in all things supernatural. He contented himself to live most of his life as a fisherman out on the rock, but he's got connections to all sorts of people. The Phantom Stranger and him had many an adventure in his youth. Him and Madame Xanadu are card playing buddies. He's got all sorts of little connections like these, connections he keeps secret, locked in very close to his heart.

And because of his many godly ancestors, he's got a keen sense of when things are going right in the cosmos. And ever since Deadman got involved with the Justice League a while back, sam's been sensing a grave danger building to the fabric of reality and to the protection of the gods. And it's this fear which uneases him, but which also makes him so adamant on staying with the league.

And as Sam finishes reminiscing and thinking about his past, he notices the morning star in the sky. It's Christmas Day, and he hadn't even realized. An auspicious date, no matter who you are or what you believe in. And on this auspicious date, he notices a creature rising from the waves. And it's this cliffhanger that'll lead us into the Justice League Canada Christmas Special.

1. The Admiral (Sam Heartsea)

Camoes from:

2. Jemm, Son of Saturn

3. The Question (Vic Sage)

4. William Nielsen

5. Willow/Mantis

6. Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter)

7. Nubia of Themyscira

Justice League Canada Christmas Special: Set around issues #57 and #58, this is a nice warm tribute to the holiday season. I haven't thought of many details yet, though.

1. Jemm, Son of Saturn

2. The Question (Vic Sage)

3. William Nielsen

4. Willow/Mantis

5. The Admiral (Sam Heartsea)

6. Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter)

7. Nubia of Themyscira

8. Aqsarniit

[firestar-fr]

Drabble: The Warrior’s Guild

Dragons in this story: - Crisis - Loki - Technically the rest of these too

Characters in this story are Anthro

Crisis walked up to the top of the hill outside the Hewn City, observing the large fields around them as he did. It was at the edge of the clan territory, watching over the Emperor’s Wake in the distance. It was a warm afternoon, and the breeze coming in from the Sea of a Thousand Currents was nice and cooling in the sun. Crisis wasn’t wearing his armor today, but rather a brown cotton jacket, nothing underneath. His chest scars were on full display, both the battle scars, and the surgical ones. He wasn’t alone either, the clan’s warriors all following him up there. He stopped at the top, his mane flowing in the wind. “This is where I shall plant the foundations of our new purpose.” He spoke to his clanmates. The Shade that once had tried and failed to claim him was flowing along his wings and neck. He drew his sword, plunging it into the soil. “From this day forward, we shall not only pursue justice, but also aim to raise the future warriors of these lands. Teach them to be better than the warmongering warriors of the past!” The clan cheered to his declaration, the warriors all raising their fists in support. He took a deep breath, pulling the blade up again. He pulled a seed from a pouch, dropping it into the hole. “Let this tree be our symbol. A sign of unity, and of home.” He closed the hole with his tail. “Now lend me your magic, and give the seed what it needs to grow.” Every warrior put their hands on the ground, channeling their powers into it. Seconds later, a cherry blossom tree sprouted up from the soil, the trunk growing thick and solid, branches unfurling and going into bloom. Crisis turned around, facing the tree. “It is done. Call the Construction Crew. This shall be the centerpiece of the Guild Hall, and the Dojo.”

Crisis was sitting under the Cherry Blossom Tree in the atrium garden of the Clan Hall, meditating. A year had passed since the founding of the guild, and they had taken in quite a few aspiring dragons hoping to become warriors. He sensed someone walk in, remaining in his pose as his eyes remained closed. “Ah, Loki.” He spoke. “Settling in well, I hope?” The young skydancer had recently been taken into the dojo. He had been found wandering the lands aimlessly, picking fights needlessly. The metallic obsidian skydancer stopped before him. He didn’t respond. Crisis sighed. “Troubled, are we?” He had a concerned tone. “This is a Warrior’s Dojo, is it not?” Loki asked. His tone was rather impatient. “That is true.” Crisis opened his eyes now. The radiant gold iris was surrounded by a black sclera, tiny tendrils of Shade making them almost seem like a sun. His gaze shifted to the skydancer before him. Loki shook his head. “Then why don’t I get any sword practice?” He crossed his arms. “No duels or anything. Just lessons about meditation, gardening, medicine?!” “Tell me.” Crisis stood up. He was looming over the Skydancer quite a bit. “What does it mean to be a warrior to you?” “It means to fight with superior skill and might!” Loki bragged. “To win at all costs!” Crisis sighed. “Then show me this skill.” Loki gleamed at this. Didn’t have to ask him twice. He reached for his blade, drawing it. The sound of metal clashing with metal rang out, once. Loki’s blade went soaring through the air, landing behind Crisis, who was sheathing his own blade again. Loki was stunned, knocked on his back and with a cut across his left cheek. “W-what?! I didn’t even see that!” “Because you lack discipline.” Crisis stretched. “Your form is sloppy, your resolve weak. You lack focus, and you absolutely lack understanding.” He knocked the tree with his tail, catching the single twig that came falling down. “To be a warrior is more than just about fighting. It’s about protecting life.” He offered the twig to Loki. Loki blinked, a bit unsure. “B-but...” “You wish to be a warrior?” Crisis remained calm. “Then be prepared to learn the way of the warrior, the way my guild is willing to teach it.” The skydancer took the twig, studying it. “Plant that where you see it fit to be. Nurture it. Let it grow.” Crisis explained. “A warrior who cannot nurture life, should not be allowed to take one either.” Loki nodded, listening now. “But, where.” “Wherever you see fit.” Crisis had a tendril of Shade recover Loki’s blade. “Most plant theirs where they will eventually call home, so they have something familiar to return to.” Loki sheathed his blade too, drying the blood off his cheek. “I. Understand.” He bowed, before heading out. “Thank you, Master Crisis.” Crisis settled back down, starting to meditate again. He could sense the sapling get planted not far from the guild hall, and he knew he had made the right choice. Because just a few years later, it would grow to be a great tree, and Loki would become a formidable and honorable warrior within the guild.

[2broschlininahotub]

I apologize for the delay in sending this, I got roped into writing a few very long emails that tools me several days to finish, I am not joking when I say I am not concise lol, as well as playing through events on Goddess of Victory: Nikke, which I highly recommend as beyond the fan service is a wonderful story and excellent characters and soundtrack thought monetization is beyond predatory and it can be a horrible grind at times, and Genshin.

As I told you previously, I don't really have an abundance of information on these 3, I have somewhat more information than i did before on Mr. Fox, and know a little bit about both Demon and wolverine, but I advise you to do your own research in addition to what I am going to list here, with all of that said let us begin shall we?

Also, below this will be some Spoilers for each of these 3 characters. I will also be trying to avoid spoilers for their interrogations where I can, so this might be a great deal shorter than you expect, that said, please feel free to message me if that is the case and I can try a more in depth take on them.

Wolverine: Violent, savage, brash, and yet also steadfast in his loyalty and reliable in his ability to survive and thrive in even the most hostile and cruel of habitats within the area of Dis, this native of the Rust is a skilled hunter through and through, and yet also an embittered soul. 

When one first sees the savage hunter of the rust, they see the brutish looking Sinner that is categorized as part of the Libram of Violence, for quite obvious reasons, though there is more to this hunter than merely a feral and savage warrior. 

Wolverine’s story begins with him being found as a feral child wandering the Rust by a vagrant who called the area home, even knowing it would be difficult and that ti would diminish his already small supplies, this man took Wolverine in and did his best to raise and teach him how to survive in the horrid conditions of their home.

For years the old man did all he could to teach Wolverine and care for him, but there came a time when he realized he could not adequately provide for the young boy, nor could he insure he properly grew by himself, and as such, wishing for a better future for his ward, he gave him to a gang to raise, hoping he would have a future in the slums of Syndicate, as opposed to the hell of the Rust.

He could not have known the hell that wolverine would endure in his time with the gang, beaten and abused, made into little more than their feral attack dog and hunter, denied food unless his jobs for the day were completed and made to eat and sleep on the floor like the beast they saw him as.

For a long time this was all Wolverine knew, the betrayal of the one he saw as a father and teacher, the pain of his existence with the gang, and his desperate drive to survive being all that he could focus on, until there came a time when he awakened as a Sinner. 

The exact means and methods are unknown to me, but he managed to leave the gang’s grasp, and instead made something of a living trading the bodies of Corrupters with the gangs of Syndicate in exchange for meat and such, unknowing that their bodies were being made into Mania weapons to be used in the gang wars that ruled the area. 

It was this, and his Sinner nature, that led to him being detained by the MBCC and thus it was that Wolverine, and his ever faithful lunch/pet Pippy, came to meet the Chief and find his new home in Minos. 

With Wolverine, it is important to understand that his loyalty, once fully earned, is very much that of an unconditional variety, once it is earned he will follow the Chief to the very end of the world, even stating that should they leave he will find them no matter where they go.

He is indeed a very good boy, who asks but for extra meat for the missions he accomplishes. 

Mr. Fox: Greed, guilt, self loathing, pride, a twisted sense of justice, and a silver tongue, each of these words that one can find to be synonymous with the infamous lawyer that rests in Minos, the ‘Invincible Lawyer of Eastside’ as he is known to some, but to us as Mr. Fox. 

When one first lays eyes on him, their first thought is of a corrupt lawyer, one who exploits his power to make others do as he says through his words to make his opponents in the courtroom lie under oath and incriminate themselves as he fights for the highest paying clients, and they would not be far off, but there is as always more to the story.

“Hell is waiting for me.” These are the words Mr. Fox says as he watches the consequences of his actions unfold, held back from joining the child as they plunge from the building and onto the pavement below, even as his Sinner power awakens. 

Since that day, when his actions lead to the death of a young child in a child abuse case, Mr. Fox has lived in pursuit of even greater sins, such that come his final day, his sentence to hell is absolute and he will at last be made to suffer for all that he has done in his life. 

His policy of Justice being the victories he brings to those who hire him, his triumph and them being liberated of the allegations arranged against them being proof of the justice of his actions, seems to be little more than a mask for the true purpose of his actions. 

Despite this, he devotes himself wholly to his job, bringing all that he is to each and every trial that he is hired to represent his clients in, his work ethic rivaled but by the sheer loathing he seems to hold towards himself, even going so far as to aid the MBCC with its own bureaucratic issues from time to time.

His loyalty to the Chief is born of his desire for them to be the one to pass the final judgment on him, to be the one to at last send him to hell for all that he has done, and as such he remains loyal till that final day arrives and he is sent below for all he has done.

Demon: Revenge, anger, hatred, contempt, the weight of grief and guilt pulling him forward as much as his hatred and desire to see the corruption that plagues Discity purged, these are the things that define the S ranked Sinner known as Demon, these are the things that push him forward in his quest to purge the rot from the city of Dis.

A man who has lost everyone and everything he has ever loved, so much so that nothing seems to be able to alleviate the weight of the loss, not even the idea of freedom and the chance of peace is enough to truly warm this giants heart, only his desire to purge the city of the ‘Maggots’ that have infected it keeps him moving day by day.

To best describe not only the will and power of this man, let me quote a line from his Interrogation Intel where it claims that the MBCC, upon learning of his location, dispatched thousands of units to track him down, but even so it took over 60 hours for him to be captured, as expected of someone who was not only born in Syndicate, but was also a member of the Special Task Force that operated under the FAC, and even after having over 300 grams of shrapnel removed from his body and a lethal dose of sedatives given to him mere hours before the interrogation, he is still able to break free of his restraints when provoked.

There is much more I could say in regards to the story of Demon Schilder, but I feel it is one best experienced yourself, as it shows not only how corrupt those that run Dis truly can be, but also just how much a desire for revenge and grief can drive one forward. 

As a closing bit about this titan of a man, let me say that his loyalty to the Chief is a simple one, as long as you walk the same path, then you are friends, but the moment he feels you have become corrupted…at least it will be a painless end. 

Again, I apologize for the lack of real information on these Sinners, I rarely use them and have them at low compliance, as such I have had to consult the wiki for some of the intel I have on them, and go through their interrogations for the rest. 

All of that said, I hope you and your stay safe and cool in this damned heat wave.

It is okay besides this is interesting to read

[moonglow-nightjar]

Alright here we go, fighting my eternal anxiety-fueled brain to apply cuz I love her ;w;

FR Username/Numbers: Karolishko #297349

Basic Clan Lore: Tempos is a merchant city situated on the edge of Reedcleft Ascent, sprawled across tall cliffs and floating isles and structures, earning its fortune through passing caravans and ships, largely controlling the seaway between Plague and Wind into Water that exists in my lore. The city is filled to the brim with merchants and craftsdragons, as well as mercenaries and criminals, for there's always some coin to be made for the dragons who can hold their weapons in the borderlands. The relevant part of the city for Rot would be The Grotto: a series of underground caverns underneath Tempos where a subterranean river flows through before meeting the ocean, it has become a hot spot for the city's shadier residents, with the Black Market running and most of mercenaries and warriors grouping up in the cheaper, rowdier taverns underneath the main city. Plenty of work for her to find, for the gold is always flowing in Tempos... And plenty of prey.

Plans For Dragon: Okay alright, I really like the idea of how Rot among all of them inherited the most in terms of Pig's bloodthirst and lust for combat and I want to lean more into that in a quite literal way. Like father, like daughter. Blood is the source of all life and holds a lot of power in it, something Rot learns to use, after meeting Victim, another former denizen of the Plaguelands who'd learned to control blood in full, as well as creating magically infused blood vials, which with a quick injection into the dragon's own bloodflow result in an unnaturally fast, yet often painful healing, faster and more effective than regular healing magic, stitching ripped flesh and mending fractured bones in seconds. She would rescue Victim, who in return would pay her off by providing his services as a blood alchemist, the two forming a bond born out of accident and necessity and later on genuine connection, with Rot learning how to harvest blood, in addition to magic, to prolong her carnage. Healing herself the more blood she spills, fueling her to endlessly throw herself savagely at her enemies, her smaller frame making her all the deadlier, a swift wolf maiming and tearing, ever-chasing the sweet taste of blood that she craves.

I also love the idea of her as an avenger beast of sorts, brutal and vicious, yes, but with a sense of justice. Like you said, fulfilling her contracts for free for the especially desperate, killing monsters, both unnatural and those that call themselves dragons, tyrants mad with power, a protector to those who'd lost all hope and an omen of death to everyone in the lands who thinks they're powerful enough to get away from the sharp claws of bloody justice. Following a creed of her own, even if when asked she would deny any such thing, she would simply say that she's an executor, nothing more, the one to bring what was long coming. While she's loyal to the contracts she takes, it wouldn't be unheard of for her to refuse a job, only for the one who tried to hire her to end up dead the next day. Stalking the murky streets of the Undercity and the wilderness alike, guided by the smell of blood, stealthy and swift yet with all the power a guardian dragon possesses nonetheless, she would make herself a name as both a reliable sellsword, assassin and almost a folk hero of sorts for some, those who were only saved by the grace of her bloodied blades.

Another idea I'm bouncing around my head is, once again, making her name of Rot more literal, sustaining an injury while wandering the wasteland that was left to fester, infected and spreading, before meeting Victim. She saved his life, cleaver in hand, and he saved her life with his talent in hemocraft, magical blood transfusion halting the progression of her ailment, causing a heightened resistance to disease and plague's decay, faster natural healing and further susceptibility to blood healing, as well as strengthening her magic, allowing her to draw on the power she'd received in Godfall more easily. With regular transfusions at Victim's, using blood as well as magic gathered from her kills helping her sustain and develop her abilities with effectiveness.

Some assorted thoughts include her being oddly charming and talkative, despite her reputation of a hellhound silently stalking the streets, she's the type of dragon you would love to have a drink with when she's off-job, spending a lot of time and coin in the Undercity's taverns. Inheriting her father's love of tinkering, she loves to work on her cleaver, as well as an array of other, lighter blades she wields in combat, notably including a bandolier of throwing knives she uses expertly. You can often find her fiddling with a knife or two while sitting down and enjoys showing off some knife spinning and tricks around the bars she frequents. Her talkativeness shows in the fray as well, for she lives for the thrill of the fight and enjoys mocking and talking down to her opponents. Proud and head-strong, she refuses to bow her head down before any god or king, for she was made to slay them, not serve, and she answers to only two things: herself and coin. As said before, despite her smaller stature she's twice as vicious, throwing herself into the fray with reckless abandon, using her entire body and a considerable collection of weapons with mastery. Should you disarm her, and it is no small feat most wouldn't be capable of, she is far from defenseless, and in fact often enjoys finishing off her competitors with her bare claws, harvesting their blood as she rips them open, for a death from her Cleaver is something you must truly earn. A thrill-seeker, she lives for the rush of adrenaline in the midst of battle, and there is nothing to replace the sweet song of blood pumping in her ears as she once again dances with death, but there is other ways to satisfy that desire, the thrill of the chase is almost as satisfying to her as the gory conclusion and she loves the hunt. She would also remain close with Victim and often play protector to him should any of the Grotto's denizens be unwise enough to pick on the small wildclaw, with Victim playing the role of the more level-headed one in the duo, balancing out Rot's own recklessness, Victim is always the one to tend to her wounds if she comes back from an especially dangerous job with her supply of blood depleted. As shown with her penchant for justice and helping those in need, she's got a softer side she isn't willing to show to much of anyone, and yet those, like Victim, who get to know her outside the bloodsoaked field of battle, or even fight by her side, see a warm, caring in her own way presence, a dragon willing to do anything for those she calls family or friends.

Here's also a short playlist for Vibes and the outfit plan for her!

Intended Payment: A Plague egg and a Wing egg, to represent her birthplace and her new home.

PIGLET APPLICATION #05 ROT THE BUTCHERESS.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

These Piglets are for lore clans with a tumblr presence (sideblog, FR posting on mainblogs, etc you simply have to be a lore clan who engages with the community here on tumblr.)

Other players with their siblings (and myself with their parents) will be not only welcome to but encouraged to write interclan letters/in character messages to their siblings, and you'll have to be okay with everything that comes with that (On-Site DMs, the potential of a message going unanswered/etc) I would also appreciate if you ping me for the stuff you do with them because I want to see what they get up to <3

If you win one of the siblings, please refrain from applying for another, this is so everyone interested gets an opportunity and a fair shake at taking one of the girls home!

If you're the selected winner, the dragon is yours to do what you please with! (Regene, change species, rename, change gender identities/pronoun preferences, etc) I ask only that you have a lore/character reason for breed or name changes, as they'll be connected to a wider group of dragons that would need to know these things (What kind of dragon their sibling has become, What to call them in letters, etc) and if you can keep them a modern breed so they can keep their cleavers, well that'd just be nice for their old man Pig.

Please honor the basic lore of the dragon you win, you're welcome to rewrite/reinterpret the lore they arrive with, but please don't eliminate that history entirely, since they'll be interwoven with other clans/players!

[and a big thank you to Khadjin for reminding me I never mentioned this yet!] my lore deviates pretty substantially from site lore. however every aspect can be explained within the context of the site, please don't feel like you have to adopt my headcanons to participate in these!- my "Lesser Gods" are nothing more than magically afflicted/overcharged spirits or magically mutated dragons created in a reactor explosion somewhere in Lightning and some timeloop silliness, and the 'Gaps' are highly concentrated leylines caused by this incident. the eleven gods of sornieth remain the only true gods in my lore much like the site on the whole!- the Piglets and their parents simply lived under the affliction of spirits, cults, and mutated dragons and contextualized them as "Gods" the very same way we create urban myth/legends. While they would know of The Host and the Gaps because of the direct effect both have had on their parents, they are not required to have continued to believe in them as "Higher beings" and can have learned in their time away from their family that these things are likely, little more than the arcane gone haywire.

BLANK APPLICATION

Please copy/paste and fill this out in a Reblog here on tumblr or send it to me through my submit box here so I can keep track of things on a per-dragon basis for the course of the 48-hours each application will be active!

FR Username/Numbers: Basic Clan Lore: (just a general description of the lore/area of your clan you intend to place this hatchling in!) Plans For Dragon: (A little description of any of your ideas, headcanons, story beats, etc you're thinking of for the dragon you're applying for! This can be anything you've got in mind, scries, outfits, etc, feel free to go as big or as little as you want, I wanna see what's going on in your head!) Intended Payment: (These dragons will be PWYW, but I need everyone to acknowledge they're not free, so whatever you're planning on paying/trading for them, even if you change your mind when the time comes, stick something here.)

RINGLEADER'S HEADCANONS

These are just some smaller lore bits and pieces you're welcome to use or disregard for each child, things that I couldn't fit into the bios in a way that made sense. much like the example outfit photo up-top, this is for fun or stuff to help get ideas flowing, if you're stuck!

While all the hatchlings have a song blurb that fits them in their bio, Rot actually ended up with a second one stuck in my head working on her, and it's been categorically "IN MY BLOOD" by Wage War. specifically? "Learned that all good things are earned and learned to live off the land // I close my eyes and hear those words from my old man: Never start what you can't finish with your own two hands." as she's not only the daughter most like her father in lifestyle, but the one with the most prevalent taste for a fight.

If her sisters have been somewhat bear-coded, big and dangerous with a noted regality, Rot is the veritable cougar or wolf. Powerful and deadly with a slinky, thinner frame built for stealth over brute strength. For this reason, she fights with her cleaver differently- using the heavy piece of steel to dig into the ground and anchor steady whilst she whirls around it with smaller, more maneuverable weapons.

She's got Pig's oddly southern drawl, and while her sisters may not have taken it on as prevalently, Rot sounds every bit like she grew up in the backwoods, rumbling a 'darlin' on smoky, rough vocal chords.

Magically primed in the Godfall, Rot now bears the ability to camouflage herself via bending and twisting light off her scales- it is a clumsy, unhoned talent at the moment, and requires the regular intake of magic harvested from other sources.

THIS APPLICATION IS OPEN FROM 5:30 PM DECEMBER 10TH, 2024, TO 5:30 PM DECEMBER 12TH, 2024. REBLOGS AFTER THIS TIME WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE RUNNING.

And here's the pinglist! (Aren't you all glad I'm done with this now?)

@hor-wod-flir @harpyartisan @fuiran @terra-tortoise @bawkrya

@pocketmouse-fr @spongyspingy-rising @avalonianrising @clansunsharp @khadjin-fr

[broomsick]

Get to know the Norse Gods

A quick rundown!

(Following that one other post I made about the Norse Goddesses)

Þórr, the Terrible. Son of the Earth Goddess Jörd and the God of Gods Óðinn, a fierce and powerful figure who’s known for his short temper and for being the strongest of the Æsir. Despite this, he is the protector of mankind and a great drinker, as he enjoys having a good time. He is associated with thunder and lightning.

Freyr, the Fair. The kind and generous son of the sea God Njördr, he lives in the world of the elves. He is most known for the story in which he gives up his treasured sword to please Gerðr, the woman he loved, dooming himself to die in Ragnarök due to his lack of weapon. He is associated with harvests, welcome rains and fertility.

Týr, the One-Handed. A poised and coolheaded figure, known to have sacrificed a hand in order to bind the wolf Fenrir. He accompanies Thor in a lot of his travels and often voices wise advice for the Gods. Though he is also associated with negotiation and justice, he is generally considered a God of war strategy, battle and sacrifice.

Loki, the Trickster. A troublemaker in Asgard, often causing conflict which he is always forced to solve himself. He notably accomplished the feat of causing the death of Óðinn’s beloved son Baldr. However in most cases, his legendary wit manages to avoid him the consequences of his actions. He is associated with trickery, mischief and cunning.

Óðinn, the Wanderer. One of the most important figures in norse mythology and the wise leader of the Æsir Gods. He is constantly in search for knowledge, having namely discovered the runes. He often disguises himself as an old traveler to wander the lands, and is known to bring deceased warriors to his hall of Valhalla. He is associated with wisdom, knowledge and death.

Baldr, the Good. Son of Óðinn and Frigg, the most beloved of the Gods who all revered his innocence and generosity. He was said to be gracious, cheerful and so beautiful he appeared luminous, though early sources make him out to be as fierce as a son of Óðinn would be. As the story goes, he foresaw his own death through a dream. He is associated with light, purity and beauty.

Heimdallr, the Watcher. The deity who watches over the Bifrost, the bridge which leads to Ásgard. He lives in a high fortress to properly utilize his keen senses: legendary eyesight and hearing. He is said to be able to hear grass growing and see as much by day or by night. As the Gods’ watcher, he stays vigilant at all times until Ragnarök, when he will blow the Gjallarhorn to inform Ásgard of the enemy’s approach.

Forseti, the Lawspeaker. The obscure justice-maker of the Gods, who presides over their legal assemblies as divine judge. According to Snorri’s Prose Edda, he is the son of Baldr and Nanna. His hall is Glitnir, golden and bright, and there he settles conflicts and exacts fair judgment. For this reason, he is associated with the law, peacemaking and justice.

Bonus:

Víðarr, the Silent. Son of Óðinn and renowned for his legendarily silence and cold-bloodedness, he was created for the sole purpose of avenging his father in Ragnarök. After Óðinn is swallowed by the wolf Fenrir, Víðarr will step down with one foot on the beast’s lower jaw and tear its mouth in half. He is the God of Revenge.

[kaylatoonz]

I drew this when I first found out about the Knuckles series we're getting in 2023 (I'm still kind of sad we haven't got any news yet).

Anyway, I had the idea that they could introduce Amy and Rouge to the series and connect it to the third film.

Thinking about it now I don't think this would work because not everyone going to watch the show (they either don't have Paramount + or they feel the need to). So introducing two new characters in a series that not every movie fan going to watch would just alienate certain audiences. (This happened with my family when we went to see multiverse of madness. My older siblings didn’t see Wandavision so my twin sister and I had to explain a lot before and during the show).

So the best way to solve this is to have the show be a prequel that covers Knuckles' adventures before coming to earth. The last few episodes can be set in the present time (hinting at or building into the sequel).

Rouge is a thief who has stolen a jewel that looks oddly similar to the master emerald that Knuckles has been questing for. with this being his only lead he sets off to bring justice to the thief and honor back to his tribe. Along the way, he meets a pink hedgehog on her own journey who pauses her own quest to help him (Amy can't leave anyone behind who needs help, it's just not in her nature😁). This confuses him but he allows her to follow him (Amy may have unintentionally contributed to knuckles being too trusting😬).

After a wild goose chase between a thief, warrior, and wanderer Knuckles realizes the jewel is not what he's looking for so he returns it to its rightful owner (or it gets destroyed 😂).

Rouge having the most fun she’s had in ages sets her sights on Knuckles and even more on the Master emerald/Chaos emeralds. (Knuckles let slip about a jewel much greater than the rock she stole🤦‍♂️). Eventually they meet again in the next film her siding with Shadow to get her hand on the Emeralds.

As for Amy, she offers to be his friend and continue helping him on his journey. Knuckles declines Amy's offer and insist they both finish their quests alone. Amy tells him she senses their paths will cross again and she hopes by then he'll be more open to friends. (it's a bad and good thing that Knuckles took this to heart, based on how the second movie with his 'friendship' with Eggman and later friendship with Sonic and Tails).

In the third film, they can introduce Amy and Rouge in similar fashion Tails did with Knuckles (when they got chased by Knuckles) and the echidna lore (please use this art style again for any lore😭)

Knuckles vouch for Amy for helping him once and tell Sonic and Tails how she would be a valuable ally. (Though he's a bit uncertain if she was ever his friend because of what happened with Eggman. Luckily Amy proves him otherwise.) He refers to Rouge as being complicated... suggesting they should keep their guard up at all times when confronting her.

I think doing it this way would allow the series to serve as extra content rather than required content to understand the movie. Either way, I hope we get something good from the Knuckles show we're getting in 2023.

Bonus:

I think Sonic would be peeved that Knuckles knew another hedgehog and didn't tell him.

Sonic: You knew another hedgehog that didn’t want to kill me and you didn’t tell me!!!😡

I also think Amy's quest may have something to do with Sonic or a prophecy of a future threat they must face together (fourth movie tease).

[halcyon-writings]

family

requested?: yes (anonymous) //tldr, if alucard had a sibling (the reader, of course) dealing with the loss of family, both living and not

note(s)/warning(s): canonical character death, spoilers babyyyyy, violence and injury, angst it’s rare for anyone in this series to have a good time huh?, also for this being that the reader can literally look however you want, imma say Lisa isn’t white bc I do what I want and it’s my fic :) this is also the most i’ve written in a good while omg, im highkey proud so pls don’t let this flop

Lisa Tepes is dead.

Your mother, is dead.

Killed, burned alive. Gone to ashes.

All because the church had believed she was a witch of sorts. Several thoughts dance in the back of your mind as you gaze upon the pyre. Smoldering from the heat, the flames gone. Your father leaving his message, no, his warning, that he would act in one year.

“A farce that was!” You hear a shout, and you force down the bitter laugh, throat tight and eyes burning. Especially so when you slowly begin to hear continued shouts of agreement, from voices previously silent.

Here your mother was, her final resting place. Burned to ashes for some sick show of power.

And you could do nothing as she was mocked for it.

Your fist clenched at your side, you feel your nails cutting into your skin, but you walk away to return home.

And to say that the castle was no less better was an understatement. Your father was most likely in his quarters.

And when you finally sit down, the weight of your weary finally settling against your soul, do you allow yourself cry. Quiet tears turning to sobs as you muffle your voice with a pillow.

You had failed her. Missing the chance to save your mother, too late to have done anything.

But you pause, noticing the presence at your door, your brothers familiar knocking pattern resounding suddenly through the empty hall.

“Come in,” Your voice is embarrassingly raspy. As you clear your throat, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand. But it wouldn’t hide the redness of your eyes.

Adrian says nothing, and a part of you wishes he did. His larger hand takes yours. A comforting squeeze.

You blink again feeling your eyes burn, and you squeeze his hand back.

“Father is...” He trails off, no doubt thinking of what he could say next.

“What he plans on doing, it’s not justice.”

You stare up at him, But it would be deserving. A bitter corner of your mind supplies.

While Adrian had taken after Mother in his demeanor, much more kinder, more welcoming. You were no doubt like Father. Reserved, distrusting, easily prone to grudges if you were wronged in some way.

But you bite your tongue.

“He gave them a year,” You murmur after some time, “But no doubt he’s ready to calling his armies.”

At this Adrian turns alarmed. the warmth from his hand slips away.

“We must stop him!”

You’re still reeling from the events from earlier today, and a part of you wishes to have no part in his attempt to try and stop your father. But then you remember your mother.

Her kindness, regardless of how she was viewed for being different.

And your warily stand anyway.

If only you had more sense. Your father remains eerily silent as he embraces you both. His hold tighter, and while Adrian seemed convinced, you saw the dark look in his eyes.

The year had passed. You weren’t surprised to hear of the bloodshed.

It was naive to expect otherwise. While reluctantly following your brother, you can only stand, frozen as your blood feels like ice in your veins as your remaining family clashes.

“No.” Your voice is barely a whisper.

They don’t hear you.

Glass shatters.

And foolishly enough, you rush forward.

-

With your brother injured and fleeing, and you yourself were not free from any sort of pain.

Stepping in between the two as they fought ended with a gnarly gash on your shoulder, as you fell to your knees and blood slipping past your fingers. Your father stands in front of you, like a protective pillar as your brother stares in shock, quickly wanting to help you in some way.

And then the fight is over. Your brother is gone too.

The castle is much larger and colder now.

As you’re confined to your room, the wound healing into an angry red, then to a muted and dull scar. For a moment you wished it took longer, your father guilty and you were reminded of times you had been sick when you were younger. While you had not been too keen on the typical children’s books, reading theory on physics and other sciences only seemed fun when he would read to you and you’d ask questions in between passages. (Your voice funny from a stuffy nose led to laughter and a small coughing fit but otherwise it was nice).

But now was not the time to reminisce on the happy childhood.

You know you cannot stay. Ultimately, Adrian had been right. Once you feel as though you can move your arm once again, slowly, you begin pack a small bag. You didn’t want to build up any suspicions, finding some money in your room and whenever you could take a few coins or so from your father that he would not miss.

Extra clothes were folded and put away separately.

And you make your escape on a rainy evening, the uneven droplets helping hide your tracks. But you knew now that your father had brought back Hector and Isaac, new generals to help fight in his war, you had to be weary of the night creatures that would no doubt be sent after you.

Well, you were creative. At times flying in a transformed look, no one would suspect a bat in the dark of night afterall. And it was easier to. find good vantage points that way. But to also avoid any people, you didn’t quite trust yourself to not get into an altercation with a bigot.

You rarely slept longer than necessary, especially not when those dreams were memories or nightmares.

Now that you had learned how to walk, you were a right menace. It was an uphill battle in itself to keep you in one place. You were curious and the world you knew (being your father’s vast castle) was huge. Your childlike curiosity was never let down by your adventures.

You laugh quietly, which sounds like small squeaks as you fly up and hide above the gaudy chandeliers. Your father, giant coat gone, hair tied back and in a plain dress shirt and slacks as he searched for a curious toddler.

Snickers continuing as he paces down the hall. You hop down, landing slowly and feet planting into the ground, knees bent. Before you had down the opposite direction.

The lab usually wasn’t a place you could be allowed in on your own. But having heard that your mother was there, you knew it wouldn’t be a problem! So your little legs carried you along. Until you found the familiar doorway.

Dozens of tubes and mechanisms had you turning your head as you wandered in, your shoes tapping against the marble floor.

“Now what brings you here, sweetling?” The warmth of your mother’s voice has you smiling before you see her. As you run forward and hug her side, clutching her dress in your small fists. “Not causing trouble for your father are you?”

You shake your head grin betraying your word, “Nope! I’m not doing any trouble!”

“And how since when did that happen?” She laughs gently.

“Now.”

Your brother looks up from his own books, waving before returning to work. Your nose crinkles, so much for playing experimenting. But before you can say much, your nearly yelp as you’re brought up into the air by a pair of strong arms.

“I’ve found you, little wanderer.” Your father’s voice carries no heat behind it. Then again, he was always soft hearted for you and your brother. But most of all, your mother.

“I’m not little!” You pout, “I’m big now!”

-

You’re taken away from your reverie at the snap of a twig.

With your lack of sleep, as you had insisted on traveling more, you were less than surprised to have been snuck up on.

“Peace, my friend,” The old man murmurs. You keep your knife in an iron grip in front of you. Who you’re guessing is his son or grandson, has his hands raised the same way, but no weapon to be seen, magic, oh good. Then again, not like you needed a knife when you could make your nails go into claws and the fangs. Don’t forget the fangs.

“I can’t exactly be peaceful when it’s the middle of the night and suddenly figures in blue robes appear out of now where,” You answer dryly. But seeing as how the others behind the main two have not done or said anything noteworthy, nor were their stances make them look like they could really fight, you lower your weapon slightly.

Clearing your throat, “Although, I shouldn’t be swinging my own weapon around either.”

The old man just smiles gently. And you can’t help but be just slightly comforted.

In the end, the speakers stop for the evening. And the Elder, despite looking like a frail old man, is firm in his decision that you stay and “eat properly.” And like a scolded child, you listen. Food and drink all but pushed into your hands as you’re quickly brought into conversation, the previous confrontation all but forgotten.

And then you perk up when he mentions Gresit.

“So... the sleeping soldier,” You begin, slowly chewing on the sweet bread you had been given. “It was true?”

The Elder nods, “My grandchild and a traveller, they had gone to explore it. Well, the traveller had gone to save my grandchild. I will not hide the fact that I was a bit doubtful. But Belmont had proved himself a man of his word. Although, he does need to drink more water.”

You blink, a look of a surprise clear on your face. Belmont...

Fuck. 

“Although I hadn’t expected the legend of the sleeping soldier to be realized so quickly.” 

At your inquisitive look, the Elder begins to explain. Of a holy warrior beneath Gresit, who would come to save it’s people in their most dire of hours. 

“The pair had come up with a man with long hair, like gold.” You couldn’t help but let out the breath you had been holding. So the Belmont didn’t try to kill him. you could breathe a little easier at that fact. 

“Where are they now?” You ask, holding the empty cup in your hands, as you stare down as though waiting for something.

Getting your answer, you stand, adjusting your bag over your shoulders. You wave off the concern in staying, if it had already been several days since the Speakers had left Gresit, then you needed to cover a lot of land to get to your brother. 

That is, until you saw the expression on the Elder’s face grow stern, as though he was scolding a child. With a heavier bag, one that the Elder insisted that you take some more things you could eat along the way, in exchange you give the Elder a small trinket you had been using to hide from the monsters of your father’s army, you finally set off. While your worries were not completely settled, your shoulders felt lighter. Metaphorically of course.

Of course, giving away the object that kept you hidden made it a bit more, difficult, when it came to trying to hide and travel at night. Much less even try to stop and rest. 

It had barely been two days since you had left the speakers, and already, you had run into some trouble, a beastly creature’s claws barely caught on your sleeve, leaving your arm bare as you shuddered from the chill in the air. You can only sigh mournfully, you really liked that coat. But, better your sleeve than say, you actually getting wounded. 

Your nails resemble claws, while your free hand holds the dagger in a steady grip. But being surrounded on all sides, it did not look promising.

Well, you thought mournfully, if you died you could at least see your mother again.

Until you hear the sound of what reminds you of a whistle? And then a sword flying through the air, slicing through the night creatures, giving you a chance to get some distance.

You hear the surprised shout of your name, and look up, to see your brother wide eyed, sword now returned to him, and a man and woman standing at his side.

“Um... hi.”

-

Much to your relief, the night creatures are easily taken care of.

And as you’re finally able to explain your story, you find yourself relaxing into the extra cloak given to you by the Elder.

“You mean you met the Speakers on your journey?!” A woman, petite with short blonde locks, who you learn is named Sypha, asks, and you notice the way her shoulders sag in relief.

You nod, “Yes. They all were safe.” If her shoulders sagged anymore she’d full on be slouching. You leave out the part of leaving a possibly precious trinket with them, not wanting her to think you cursed them or something.

“So you mean to tell me, Dracula, fucking Dracula, had more than one kid? That he actually had a woman not only give him not just one, but two children?” Is incredulously asked next by the scruffy looking man. Trevor, as your brother says.

You only stare in annoyance, sure your father was about to raise an army to annihilate the human populace but he didn’t used to be that way.

Before you can retort with a scathing remark of your own, Sypha elbows him harshly in the side. And you know it hurts from the way he immediately puts a hand where she hit him, eyes widening slightly. Serves him right.

“And what of...” Adrian- no Alucard as he wishes to be called, asks, near hesitant.

“Father?” You ask, arms crossed, “Same old same old. Planning the same amount of destruction here or there.”

As he looks to the snow covered earth, you roll your eyes, “Did you expect anything different?”

It’s quiet, and neither Sypha nor Trevor speak.

“No.”

You all sat around camp quietly for a while after that.

-

Your lungs feel like they’re being constricted. Your throat burns as you struggle to breathe, claws digging into your skin like knives. Before you’re thrown backwards, landing harshly against the wall. Books fall from the book case and your weapon clatters noisily from the ground. 

You take shallow breaths, barely standing before you’re thrown once more. Curse your father’s stature and supernatural strength. You close your eyes, waiting for another attack and at least hoping to brace yourself for it, but it never came.

Instead, your brother stands in front of you, as he and your father remain in a standstill. Sypha and Trevor’s footsteps are rushing towards you three. 

It all continues to move so fast, until he stops noticing the painting of your mother, as she had been holding your brother and then you as a baby, and the next thing you know, your father is staked through the heart. And with wobbly legs, you take your sword, and swing. So falls Dracula. But it felt like no victory. 

You sit up with an alarmed look, stopping yourself from shouting.

That was... a dream? You rub your eyes, feeling that your cheeks are wet and you sigh. 

When you see a shadow looming over you, the light of the fire giving slight visibility, you freeze. Before noticing it’s your brother and not his companions. 

“Sorry,” You say, making sure to not look at him, so that he didn’t see your tears. 

Quietly, he places his coat over your shoulders, sitting beside you, wrapping his own blanket loosely around his own shoulders. “You have nothing to apologize for.” 

You only grip the jacket lapels tighter, shaking slightly as you hiccup, unable to stop yourself from crying again. 

He must think it’s because you miss your mother, and you do. But this dream was far different. And you say nothing as he brings you into his arms. Your tears having long since dried when the sun rises moments later. But you find yourself falling asleep as your brother rubs soothing circles on your back, feeling the build up exhaustion finally leaving you. 

When you’re awake much later in the day you can’t help but laugh a little when Sypha scolds your brother for being mean enough to make you cry, he didn’t you assure her quick enough, although you’re back to laughing when she then turns around to scold Belmont when he makes another slight comment. 

[ask-paradox-and-friends]

(Here we go part 2.)

Garou had beaten the god to a broken mess and started dragging his own body far away from the temple but halfway to his hiding spot he fell ill and hurt when he woke he saw that he was in a cave in outworld and was nursed back to health by an elderly hermit who had informed him of his position and the fate of the realms he then offered a hand an offer to train him. Garou sensing his power accepted it. And thus Garou is the student of Shujinko.

Paradox had enjoyed his month long stay in this realm as while he came to this realm to hunt down a elemental that had dared to disrupt the Dream realm and once he finished his chase of The Black Dragon he took matters into his hands relieving the head of the black dragon from his own head he then tore into the elder god who wished to enslave him and then while rampaging against all those who stood in his way he walked home ready to sleep he was stopped by a voice. Stopping when he heard the voice he contemplated it's request. Noting the gravity of the struggle he walked away from the portal home. The apocalypse was not done with the realms.

Naruko wandered earthrealm sent by her employer to study how damaged the realms were from the outworld invasion and the rise of shinonk once she was done she went back to her employer with some fascinating intelligence. Earthrealms great spirit had stalked her it begging her to join its side and defend all from what was coming. In a move that shocked Noone her employer told her to seek out the spirit's tribe. And when she did the Matoka took her in as Kurama the great kitsune sage. The Uzumaki and it's employer the Galeforce empire were now earthrealm's guardians and their first action? Return two warriors home.

Kaito had found himself in the depths of the netherrealm after a bright light nearly blinded all that was there when he cut down the corrupted god. Feeling the corruption in his body the tengu demon wandered the realm cutting down anyone who wished harm on others he then saw an unusual ally as he had seen the chosen one Liu Kang had taken over the realm and was planning to invade other realms. His friend Jeanne of arc transformed by Lucifer's power into a violent angel of justice together the two fought and destroyed Liu Kang. With that done they both noticed a symbol and in a flash they were back in earthrealm blessed by the matoka thanks to their ally the shinobi Naurko. With the Tengu of Yamamoto mountain, the kistune sage, and the violent angel of justice none dared risk conflict with earthrealm or it's allies.

The king of the Galeforce empire was wounded after his battles he had layed against the wall of the shelter he had found breathing heavily as illness and injury caught up to him. Dropping his sword he wished he could see his family one last time. As if by the will of the gods a pair of hands reached out and took his body to the evertree the land of spirits that bordered his lands while his spirit watched as his beloved queen took his duty and worked to ally with the Yamamoto the Matoka and the Uzumaki proud he then noticed his shadows came to him and gently laid his soul into his wife's shadow the queen felt a surge of power. Peilea felt a warm feeling of love as she stood. The King and Queen had been bound by spirit and love as champions of their gods.

Captain Saito was used to being patient and taking advantages of upsets in any situation as her lives of being a yakuza and a shiengumi have been nothing but battle chaos and bloodshed. So when her and her friends had been sent to this realm she moved to take over crime to make sure it could not harm anyone it shouldn't after the red and black dragons heads were reduced to bloody pulps on grounds by a rather angry four armed ally of hers she eventually remade with groups into a dragon of azure shades she personally ran to enforce laws and crimes of her choosing while getting rid of other criminals across the realms following the orders of Queen Peleia to lessen any who'd harm their worlds unfortunately Earthrealms God of thunder didn't see it that way.

Doctor Sunblood was a mortal turned god who was busy uniting realms and people's under his banner and his council of acceptance only when shinok and the elder gods stepped in with the gods doing all they could to halt his plans which led him destroying the gods by opening the void and letting out the gods of the voids and various anons along with its eldrich rulers the one being learned to fear the names Shadrax and Nxyialite while he and rhythmscale should the corrupted and now evil heros what the anger true gods of madness look like.

Welp. I'm doing a lot of mortal kombat stuff. Sk...

Uh ill start with an mkx style ending and then add 'DLC' (anyone else I want to put on the 'roaster' of this fake fighting game thats just our Einherjars and others.)

Tsugu had bested the elder god shinok in combat, but unfortunately, as a result of the battle, one of the God's allies had cut the poor girl with a kamidogu a cursed magical dagger that bound her to the blood code and the blood god. Driven insane by her growing bloodlust that mixed with the cursed and dark magic flowing through her body she became a monster. A monster with a heart as while her nightly feeding led to her being known as a bloody curse all of Japan feared but all was not lost. As durning the day she was a human taking great care to control her urges and curses. It was then one unlikely teacher came to her to control her urges. Kotal Khan. He gave her one condition. Protect Outworld from Raiden.

Pico had brought down the god and while he begged for mercy the mercenary shot off his head with a shotgun. Knowing he couldn't truly kill the immortal he took his chance to do the next best thing. Take his head and leave it in a dark cell buried under the jinsei while burning the body in a large blazer as he turned to leave he was approached by Sonya Blade. The special forces general held her rifle out as she was unsure why he was here or why he did what he did. All pico said was 2 words before in a flash of light he disappeared. 'Boyfriend Girlfriend.'

Joan had fulfilled the duties given to her by the Saint Olga the Saint of vengeance she stood firm at the edge of the netherrealm as without shinok the realm had devolved into a bloody chaos what she was not expecting was the soul of the previous guardian of the realm to come to her and grant her his power as she now stood as the guard of hell to destroy all who'd wish to harm earth or netherrealm. The guardian's name? Lucifer.

The burned hero was dragging his large sword across the ground as after he was done slaying the former elder god he started dragging his broken burnt scarred body to his final act when shinok was invading earthrealm he had destroyed many families and killed many others. The large being handed his damaged mask and as he smiled to his beloved daughter he wishpered to the winds he would be with her mother and grandmother. In his stead Maki would with other children of the family would protect earthrealm. Two earths would know the word 'Midoriya' with 'Savior'

Ruby had succeeded in defeating the god as with her Triyanid shell and her grim flesh she was the perfect one to destroy the god. Unfortunately for all shinoks amulet enhanced her hunger as soon as she grabbed it she got to work eating what was left of the god and soon after that she came to outworld ready to destroy a rival hive and a freak of nature that threatened to destroy her home. In three short years the kytin and tarkaten were turned into bio matter for her brood and the cyber linquei were reduced to foot soilders for her lover Penny as when her friends came to help they too were corrupted by amulet. All of Remnant soon would quake as with an army to match the collective of Grimm mechanical cyborg hive creatures charged across the land as the hivemind of two beacon girls influenced by dark magic came to one singular goal. Destroy all traces of Salem and Ozpin.

Mai had been summoned to the realms by a collection of mages wishing to grant an audience with the elder gods to help save them. What they received was a wrathful angel who had decapitated the immortals and used their heads as a way to steal their powers with shinok added to her list she had started to notice changes in her being. She was still herself in mind but not in body. But as she was ready to complete her goal of tracking down the last Elder god a Raiden who had absorbed all the corruption of the jinsei stood before her. Accusing her of being a threat to earthrealm she shot his accusations back at him which angered both as soon they were locked in combat. The earth will burn as lighting cleaves the sky apart. The fates of mortalkind are solely based on who survives this conflict.

[cyndalyssa]

DWD OC Month: Day 2

DWD OCs’ Backstories

1. Rosella Macawber

Rosie was hatched and raised in Transylvania by her father, Mattias, alongside her sisters. As she grew, everyone thought there was something off about her. Unlike her family and her peers, she did not relish the scary, the dark, and the disgusting--she seemed more interested in playing in the dirt and tending the garden, and she frankly found all the popular toys, games, and clothing boring. Add in that her only magic was moving dirt and rocks around with her mind, and she was ripe for bullying, even from her sisters. The poor girl was miserable. 

One day, while staying at her family’s summer home, Rosie had ran off into the woods to avoid her sisters’ usual torment, and ended up getting lost. In her efforts to find her way, she wandered onto Normal territory, where she experienced sunshine, songbirds, and the most eye-poppingly colorful and aromatic garden she had ever seen. It was so unlike any Monster garden that she was fascinated, and she soon met the garden’s owners, an old farming couple who gave her lunch and made conversation with her. 

While she did manage to find her way back to the summer house, she still spent the rest of the summer visiting that couple and learning things about gardening, cooking, textiles, music, art, and more. She doesn’t know if they ever figured out that she was a Monster, but clearly they didn’t care, they thought she was a doll. She was sad when she had to go back home to the boring darkness, but she was given a parting gift:

She started expressing her brighter interests as she grew, bringing on more torment, and even a bit of unwelcome ‘advice’ from her strangely paranoid father about not going too deep in those interests. However, realizing that her society would never cater to her interests, she simply focused on honing the skills she dabbled in that summer so that she could create things based on her interests and be happy in her own little niche. 

By adulthood, while excluded and basically forced to live on her own little homestead, she could take care of herself. While she was proud of who she is, she couldn’t help but feel terribly lonely, and as happy as she tries to be, she’s still angry about how she was treated. 

She was grateful that eventually Morgana noticed that everyone was being unfair to her, and feeling pity for her, offered her a job in the Normal city of St. Canard, where she was more likely to make friends. 

2. Ronald Sputterspark

Ron had a fairly normal childhood--being a mischievous boy who loved playing all sorts of jokes and pranks, often constructing weird things at school just for a laugh. He was such a nuisance, his older brother Elmo, while never the big brother bully to Ron, pretended they weren’t related to avoid more ire than he already had.  

That said, they both agreed on hating Ham String--Elmo being consistently bullied by him, and Ron having suffered through the ‘high school intiation ritual’ the seniors, lead by Ham, gave the freshmen. Elmo did find it funny when Ron pranked Ham and got away with it. But, they still kept their distance from each other, usually only working together to help their father with something.

And then, one day, Ron helped Elmo set up an experiment in the school lab, and promptly left because he had plans with friends. Plans that were easily flexible.

That was the last time that Ron saw Elmo. 

Ron and his parents were so overwhelmed with panic and grief over Elmo’s disappearance, trying desperately to find him, that Ron bowed out on the Senior Prom prank. He regretted the parting words, that they weren’t closer, that maybe he should have stayed to help... the what-ifs haunt Ron to this day. 

Ron cleaned up his act and became a good student after that, going on to college, building his career, getting married and starting a family, and just building a life. Just a simple, normal life. 

Until he learned that Elmo was alive... and was none other than Megavolt. 

3. Strings and Shadow

They were just a pair of brothers traveling the country and playing music at parks, bus stations, subways, and street corners, just having a good time with their instruments and making a little money along the way with their busking. Life was good, even if they had to run from cops every now and again. 

Then, when hopping off a moving train to check out a small town not far from St. Canard, they ended up bumping into of all things, a fairy. 

A fairy that promptly took out her wrath at being slammed into by two stupid teenagers on them. The energy flash burned away Shadow’s body until he was nothing but an actual living shadow, and the magic burned away Strings’ emotions down to almost nothing.

Residual magic did affect them in that now they have powers related to shadows, which they both admit is really cool, but being basically crippled in communication (Shadow), and emotion (Strings) really hurt the talent they love--music. This, coupled with Strings’ desire to feel something and Shadow’s frustration at being silent, made them take up crime for survival. 

4. Engracia Armando

Engracia grew up in a rough neighborhood, where her parents instilled in her and her siblings a sense of justice, a persistent, hard-working attitude, a fighting spirit, and the ability to think around situations to survive. While her siblings went for more normal jobs (i.e. her brother Enrique opening a restaurant), Engracia was a bit more ambitious.

Eventually, she joined SHUSH, thinking that she was already changing the world. However, she still had a lot to learn, and there were some lessons she had to learn the hard way.

While still a naive newbie, she was seduced by a double agent from FOWL that nearly took down SHUSH from the inside with info he swindled from various agents. While Engracia considers herself lucky to have kept her life and her job after that, she still kept herself on guard for years after that, only being softened by now being a mother to twins. 

She managed to climb the ranks over the years, proving herself one tough chicken and eventually becoming one of the top ten agents of SHUSH. She’s often the one to train new recruits, and she admittedly wants the challenge of training mutants to become superheroes--though given how possessive Darkwing Duck is of his self-proclaimed position of ‘St. Canard’s Hero’ and his own track record of doing things outside the box, she’s having a bit of trouble selling the idea. 

Nevertheless, she’s still working for a better world. 

5. Goldenrod

She was raised in fairy society, where she was taught to look down on Monsters and Normals. Growing up, she was a mean tomboy that liked fighting so much that she learned weapons play and martial magic, and she grew into a warrior. 

 She found satisfaction in hunting folks who dared offend the Fae, and so took up that line of work. She’s got a good track record of finding and killing offenders, which she finds a lot of fun--the more challenging, the more thrilling. So when she was approached to track and take out someone who put a Very Important Fae in semi-permanent stone sleep, she enthusiastically accepted. 

From what she gathered, the magic residue pointed to a member of the Macawber family, and on learning that one of them moved to some city in America, she wondered if that was the one and they were avoiding responsibility. So, she followed, though she didn’t have a magic door and had to travel across the ocean and the country to find this wayward Macawber. She might have taken or ruined a few Normal lives along the way (like Strings and Shadow above).

Arriving at St. Canard, Goldenrod was met with Normals tougher than she thought, and a city setting she was not used to. If she wants to take out Morgana Macawber--whether she was the culprit or not doesn’t matter now, taking out the Macawbers’ golden child should send a message--then she has to find a way around these challenges, like that annoying Darkwing Duck. 

[fatefulfaerie]

Memory

Link couldn’t see any of the castle from where he sat, his feet dangling over the ledge of the large rock and his hands planted behind him in his comfortable lounge. From Tarrey Town, the Akkala Citadel Ruins and descending sharp peaks and valleys of Death Mountain’s lower sections covered up the castle in its entirety.

In places such as this, it was easy for Link to forget his responsibility, at least for the moment. But for the blue Sheikah tower rising above the citadel and Vah Rudania’s red stream of light aimed at an angle towards a castle he couldn’t see, it was places like this that surely allowed the people of Hyrule to forget about what Daruk called “that swirling swine”.

There was a peace and a resounding apathy they had that he simply couldn’t submit to. After all, a hundred years was a long time. People had survived the Calamity, had given life to children and grandchildren in a world Link saw as ruined. This was their normal, as thus Hyrule was, for the most part, complacent.

But he couldn’t be.

As relaxing as the sunset was upon Akkala, he couldn’t rest within it. Call it his inner courage, that pushed him into battle with a confidence unbefitting of an amnesia-ridden warrior. Call it his sense of justice, that looked at Hyrule and its state of ruin and felt pulled to correct it by some instinct he couldn’t explain. Call it something else entirely, something that burned and ached within him whenever he heard her voice or saw her face.

Link was restless in a world that rested upon chaos, and there were so many reasons to explain why.

“I was wondering where you wandered off to.”

Link looked behind him, his eyes following Hudson as he sat next to him. It wasn’t long after Hudson settled that Link’s gaze went back to the sunset.

“I wanted to thank you,” Hudson started. “For everything you did to bring this town together, for even introducing me to my wife because of that. Really, I can’t thank you enough. You really are amazing.”

Link shook his head as he looked out at the distance.

“You��d be surprised,” he muttered.

“Maybe,” Hudson said with a slight chuckle. “But I do know that it’s hard to find someone in Hyrule who will drop everything for someone else. It’s an admirable trait, and so is your humility.”

Link took a pause. He was in this conversation now, whether he wanted to be or not. And he could tell from his tone of voice that Hudson wanted from him what Link knew he could do the least.

Explain himself. And make conversation.

“I think I just…” He tried before exhaling a breath. “...needed some busy work...I’m nervous about something.”

Hudson nodded.

“That was me this morning,” he said. “Before the nuptials I was so nervous. I needed to make sure every little thing was perfect, prepare myself in every possible way, for every possible circumstance, almost training myself to be ready.”

“Seems kind of obsessive,” Link said, knowing he was projecting, knowing that for the past three months he had gone to every shrine, explored every corner of Hyrule, fought any malicious monster that would put up a fight. He was fueled by the pure fear of failing Hyrule again, failing her again.

“How did you get out of it?” Link asked.

“Trusted myself,” he said. “That I was ready, that in a way, I’ve always been ready, that when it comes down to it, there’s only so much I can do.”

Link nodded in understanding. It was time. It felt like time. In fact, it had felt that way for a while now. Link had felt the desire to right the wrongs of his failure ever since he first paraglided onto the soil of Hyrule.

And yet the more he ventured through it, the more he learned of his weaknesses, the more he learned of the champions’ death, the destruction of the Hyrule he was supposed to save, his fall at Blatchery Plains, the more he doubted he was worthy of the Princess’ confidence. He could smell the way his blood ached in his nose, he could feel the Princess’ hands as she clutched onto him, the tug on his heart as he inwardly insisted upon staying alive for her, his neck pulling the weight of his head to ensure that if he were to see one last thing before he died, it would be her.

That was his failure, dying at Hyrule’s greatest hour of need, but his recompense for that was surviving, given the opportunity to become stronger by perhaps the goddesses themselves, the opportunity to save her. And thus, his determination to not fail her again consumed him with a near obsession of self-improvement.

“What about you, huh?” Hudson asked, completely interrupting Link’s train of thought. “Got someone special?”

“No...no…” Link said with a bashful chuckle and a bowed head, as if averting his glance from the sunset.

“Oh come on,” Hudson insisted, not believing Link in the slightest. “Strapping young lad like you, there’s got to be someone.”

Green eyes shone in his mind like emeralds in the moonlight, but even brighter was the smile he liked to imagine her wearing, that made his heart burst at the seams. He thought of her blonde hair billowing in the wind as the breeze shifted upon him, rocking his own strands of light brown hair.

“Maybe once, but…” Link said. “We’re kind of...separated.”

“Bad break up?” Hudson asked.

“Something like that,” Link said, trying not to laugh at the fact that he was fairly certain they were never ‘together’ in the first place. They never got the chance. The term ‘separated’ was a bit more literal.

“Do you still love her?” Hudson asked.

Link looked up, looking in the direction of the castle, his blue eyes extending beyond this conversation.

“Yes,” Link said with a piercing vulnerability and a breathlessness, as if it was the first time he said it out loud.

“Then that’s all that matters,” Hudson said. “Go to her and show her your love. I’m sure she’ll take you back in a heartbeat.”

That wasn’t the problem. Well, it was a problem, whether her love for him lasted a hundred years or not, and after that, all that foreign relationship stuff, but that was something to suss out much, much later. The problem now was his readiness to save her and not fail.

“Y-yeah totally,” Link said in reply before out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Hudson standing up.

“I’ll leave you to your pondering,” he said. “I bet Rhondson is looking for me anyway. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Yeah,” Link said, turning his head to force a small smile.

“And be sure to invite us to the wedding,” Hudson said as he walked off. Link didn’t have the energy to correct him, to chase after him and insist upon the ridiculousness of that concept. Technically, they were still only seventeen and Hudson didn’t know he was talking about a princess, or that Link was nervous about something much more perilous.

Link shook his head as his gaze returned to look at the sunset, imagining the castle bathed in that same light behind the citadel.

“Trusting myself,” Link whispered.

He purposefully fell to his back with an exasperated sigh. His fingers interlocked and his hands resting on his forehead.

Could he really do this? Was he really ready to face Calamity Ganon? All this extra time, was he ready earlier? Stressing too much over being perfect? He just needed to win once, to defeat Calamity Ganon once. Maybe it wasn’t about feeling ready, one moment he didn’t know he was waiting for where everything clicks into place. Maybe it was just about getting up the courage to try.

He closed his eyes slowly with his next inhale, searching for the motivation and finding it quickly.

You’re going to be just fine.

Her voice was soft, like an angel as his mind replayed the memory. With what seemed a great effort his glance shifted to her. His head rested on her shoulder and he could feel the love in his heart as he looked at her, but he also felt himself fading.

What he saw of her was always an image that faded, lasting mere seconds. If he had the choice, he could look upon her for thousands of seconds and it still wouldn’t be enough time. He tried to stay here, in this moment, holding on to it for dear life, coaxing himself to focus on her and by sheer willpower ignore his fatal injuries. A breath escaped him quickly after.

Darkness.

Open your eyes.

Link did just that, to an Akkalan sunset, clouds reaching and spreading, like smears of white upon an orange canvas.

He felt his breathing, the one reanimated by the Shrine of Resurrection all those months ago, the way it coupled with the wind and the wild.

To anyone else in Hyrule, this moment would be peaceful and serene, perfect. But when it came down to it, at the end of the day, after all the rigorous training and perfectionism, the worries, the overzealous anxiety about failing at his role…

No matter what he feared, he knew one thing for certain.

He wanted to see her, know her, feel her, love her as more than just a memory.

He wanted her beside him.

[omegangrins]

A Rant on the End of Tremors 7: Shrieker Island

As the main man said,

Throwing caution to the wind because this blew up elsewhere.

If you can do it with Justice League, fuck it, let's do it for every shitty movie we've got.

While we're at it, can we change the ending of the 7th Tremors movie so *MAJOR FUCKING SPOILERS* Burt Gummer doesn't die or at least bring Jamie Kennedy back, or Marvel style recast Jon Heder, so he dies saving his son instead of a random-ass person who could have easily saved themselves. Or cut the forced montage of Burt clips at the end so his death is at least ambiguous. Seriously beyond pissed about that one. THAT is no way for him to go.

I would also like to point out that the next Tremors *HAS* to be titled Tremors 8: Ouroboros and bring everyone back for Burt's funeral . Otherwise, what's the fucking point?

I have feelings about it, people. *FEELINGS!!!*

One of my favourite childhood memories is picking out Tremors 2 from the local gas station's movie rentals and forcing my parents to watch it. I was probably 5-6 at the time.

Let's say that it's been a lifelong love affair ever since. It took me another 10 years before I even watched the 1st. Probably why I hold good sequels in such high regard.

I didn't even know about the 1st until it played as a trailer in front of 2 and never thought to watch until years later. That's a testament to its filmmaking if I ever knew one.

So seriously, that's how they chose to kill off one of the most well known and prolific characters in a movie/TV series known around the globe? With an unnecessaryily needed death and a montage of clips from all the other movies that are obviously better than this one.

And I'm saying that as someone who defends Chibnall/13th Doctor...

...and I'm fucking fuming because THIS is how you *actually* destroy something people love and hold dear to their hearts. It's like the ending of Game of Thrones. His shitty ass death has made it a loooooot harder to rewatch. And they are one of my favourite series!!! Not flawless but fun. But I will defend every other movie and all the episodes except this. Honestly I'll still defend 7/8ths of this one as well.

Like I said, it's easily fixed too. Fucking vice versa swap out Jon Heder for Jamie Kennedy, who the movies have been building up for the last two, and have Burt save his son in front of his old flame. Boom, you won't even need the montage of clips cause you can just have Travis and his mom reminisce about Burt instead. Show not tell. I don't even care he died by Graboid (although in all honesty, I've allways wanted El Blanco to take him down or Burt kills himself from the PTSD. It would have AT LEAST MADE SENSE. Hell, the best would be a heart attack to callback Val's "Yeah, Burt, the way you worry, you're gonna have a heart attack before you get a chance to survive World War Three.". But none of us ever get the best death.). And it's not even about Burt sacrificing himself to save a nobody. Cause that could work too. BUT YOU NEED TO BUILD THAT SHIT UP. Not just fucking drop it like it's hot.

Like I said too, the first 7/8ths ain't bad but it's an entirely different story than a swansong for a hero.

It's all about some billionaire scientist/cowboy hunter dude who likes to get his jollies off hunting the biggest and the baddest who ends up inviting people to this island so they can hunt down Super-Graboids he designed for shits and giggles. But then some Shrieker-fy....

And the pretentious douches come and die one by beautiful one while Burt tries to save them anyway and it's all spectacularly dumb fun until it comes crashing down in the final 10 minutes. Fuck, they should just cut the last 10 minutes. Then it's a perfect little Tremors ditty.

#RELEASETHE7THTREMORSWITH10MINUTESFROMTHEENDCUT

This isn't even about Jon Heder either. He's just doing his job. Hell, do what /u/VoiceofRonHoward pointed out.

"It is clear that Jon's character was just pasted in over Jamie's, the artifacts of the father-son relationship are all over it. They should have gone full Marvel and just replaced Jamie with Jon and acted like nothing happened."

CAUSE FUCK YES!! The only time a story sucks is when they don't commit. Commitment makes all the difference. Now, I'm pissed double-pissed they didn't do that instead since Heder and Kennedy are similar in terms of white-boy-ness.

Even Michael Gross agrees:

"Yes, yes. Now I can't presume to speak for Jamie [Kennedy]. My understanding was they asked him and he said no. And so that's why they went with somebody else. So I had nothing to do with that decision. I just heard the stories. I missed him for that reason. You begin a relationship with the character, and you want to continue it....

...As you build a relationship with this son, we had two, it would've been nice to have three, but that was the hand I was dealt."

One of my favourite bits of Tremors lore comes from the 5th too so it's not like I hate sequel changes out of hand:

"This is a warrior dance. Our ancestors hunting the lnkanyamba and the Impundulu.

"What's that?

"Impundulu. It's what you call the Ass Blaster.

"Ass Blaster.

"Yes.

"Yes.

"Hey, you know, you make Ass Blaster sound good.

Primitive cultures fighting Graboids, Shriekers and Assblasters. I just love that thought.

Hilariously, my meta opening to the 8th movie would be a flashback to 10,000 years ago and a Neanderthal-like Burt Gummer teaching others how to drive Graboids off cliffs like they did with mammoths.

Thank you for giving me the space to rant. Cause fuuuuuuhhhhhhhhuuccck!!!

Here's Michael Gross' own words from his AMA that prove the people making Shrieker Island didn't know their shit.

"The Tremors series is one very close to my heart and I want you to know how appreciated your continued effort is for your core fan base.

My only question would be were there ever any studio decisions made for Burt that you refused to comply with? Or was everybody pretty much always on the same page on what to do with the character?

Thanks again for your dedication.

- Josh"

"Thanks for the kind words, Josh. As regards the first four films, with Wilson and Maddock as the writers, we were very much on the same page. 5,6, and 7 were a bit different, because there was a 13-year hiatus between 4 and 5, and we had to refresh our memories while "reinventing" the franchise for a new audience. I will give you one example: in an early draft of Shrieker Island, a new writer wrote a draft where Burt threatened to shoot one of the bad dudes, and I had to tell him—this is true—"Burt never intentionally points his gun at another human being."

And his own thoughts on Burt's "death" and how to bring it all back together again.

Universal and the director [came] to me with this idea, and they said, 'This could be emotionally very powerful, if we have to say goodbye to this man after 30 years. And I hemmed and hawed, and I thought about it a little bit. And I said, 'You're absolutely right about the emotional gut punch this can be.' And I said, 'You're going to hurt a lot of people's feelings.' And I said, 'But I thought this franchise was over after four. So I could certainly live with it being over after seven.'

"What we negotiated -- well, it wasn't really a negotiation, we all agreed on this -- is that we kind of left the door open. >!Because although Burt is gone, we never see a corpse. We never see his remains. Everybody assumes he's gone. Is he buried somewhere? Is he unconscious somewhere? We never see Burt dead. We see Burt gone. We see Burt not returning. What does that mean? Has he been knocked out? Does he have amnesia somewhere? Does he wander off? Is he in a kind of coma? So yes, the way it ends is pretty profound."

"As regards to the end of Tremors 7, let me just say that while people ASSUME Burt is gone, we never see his remains, do we? Just sayin.'

"The only reason he has become the main character is that everyone else in the original cast moved on to other things. I NEVER thought of him as the central figure, but it just worked out that Michael Gross, like Burt Gummer, was a "survivor." :0) "

"No one would like to see it more than I!!! One of my greatest regrets is that so many other cast members fell away over time. Reba was on to other things, Kevin said no to a second, Fred said no to a third. I would LOVE one last go with all of them, but it is not up to me. :0( "

"There are no guarantees, but for those who wonder aloud if this is the final film, I will say what I have said before: SALES drive sequels, Show biz is 5% show and 95% business, so if this latest addition to the Tremors franchise, sells well, [Universal] will follow the money, and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment may will be back for more."

/u/ActorMichaelGross, the bell has been rung and the song sung. Get the producers on this ASAP!!

I was also the first person to discover the symbolic foreshadowing of Stumpy's end with Earl's sleeping bag in the original movie.

Let's just say, I really *really* love these movies. So if anyone knows anyone, hook me up to the producers of this series and I'll Justin Lin in the Fast and Furious out of this shit.

Since I don't think it's good to critique without proposing either, I say we can make up for this fuck up with the next movie. We'll call it Tremors 8: Ouroboros. After the snake which eats its own tail.

We find out Burt faked his death to get the Proudfoot Corporation to let down their guard and when everyone from the previous series comes back for Burt's fake funeral they give him ever loving shit for being such a paranoid whack-job that he would fake his death to fool a government agency. Why would he do this? He found an old photo of Hiram Gummer with a Graboid warning on the back and asks himself why this valley, why these things, why allways me? And we find out, it's not Burt. It's that lifestyles of extremes will end up in places of extremes. Burt and the Graboids are survivors of different species. Sure the Proudfoot Corporation IS using Mixmaster to combine Graboids, Shriekers, and Ass-Blasters into one super creature for the military but it pales in comparison to Burt looking at his life and wondering in shame how many ancient giants like himself he has killed. And with that, he actually dies, and we keep the ball rolling with the rest of the characters trying to stop what they allways thought was just another one of Burt's crazy conspiracies.

That's why it's Ouroboros. Everything comes back around. We could end/start the movie with Grady, Earl, and Jodi opening a Monster World in Perfection Valley a la Desert Jack's Graboid Adventure. I don't know. I'm fucking trying harder than the people they paid to do this already.

It ain't perfect but I'm building on sand here so changes are gonna get made.

Like if the makers of Tremors notice this,

Then DM me because fucking A you guys need some help.

[spushii]

For all the Non-Neopians who happen to follow me on this website i want to share the lore of what this actually is and the context for it because this is maybe one of my favorite trick-or-treat bag stories now.

Every year Neopets does a trick-or-treating event around Halloween, where you can go to various pages around the site and pick up trick-or-treat bags that have various different Halloween-related items in them. For the last couple years, though, the bags have been explicitly themed after various Spooky-themed Neopets characters (usually iconic villains), and each bag has come alongside a short story pertaining to such character.

The excerpt above is from the Hubrid Nox Trick-or-Treating Bag:

Hubrid Nox was an evil warlord hellbent on taking over Neopia, and was one of Neopets.com's oldest and most iconic Villains.

The presumed writer/narrator of this short story is MAGAX, one of Nox's old servants and greatest warriors, who is said to have committed terrible crimes in his name.

At some point Magax turned against Nox, becoming his "arch nemesis" and dedicating his life to ridding the world of his evil. During the Faerie's Ruin plot in 2011, Nox was killed by that Plot's villain, as a minor part of her grander scheme, which Magax had nothing to do with. The full story is as follows:

"This stack of paper seems to be a rough draft of a manuscript. A lot of pages are missing and many things seem to have been erased or scribbled out.

When I heard he was gone, I was angry at myself. Angry that my first thought wasn't one of joy. He was a terrible man, and the fact he is dead means the world is better off, right? And yet, my first thought was a selfish one. If he is gone, what happens to me? How can I atone now? Perhaps through this book, I can start to work through these thoughts and bare my soul to the world. They can decide who I am.

I know to atone, I must lay bare my misdeeds, but I can't yet. I suppose I still haven't come to terms with what I've done. Even if it was he who made me do them. All I could manage to do was fight him over and over again. I should have done more. But he needed to be stopped.

His plans always seemed comical at first. Things that seemed like they could never work. Destroy the world by turning all of the potatoes into fries, take over everything by creating a popular musical that subconsciously brainwashed everyone who heard it into doing his bidding, set fire to the sun, blah blah blah. But the more I was forced to do his bidding, the more I saw how his mind worked and how he hid his true power and intentions behind absurd ramblings.

Once free of his control, I thought my first step had to be destroying him. Back then, I thought it was for justice, but perhaps it was just for revenge. Either way, I wasn't the one who stopped him. I have done nothing.

I've been wandering his old stomping grounds. He may not be around anymore, but that doesn't mean he hasn't left some terrible plan behind. Perhaps this is actually all part of his bigger plan??

Something strange is going on in his castle. At night, I hear movement in the halls, but when I go to investigate, I find nothing. Many of the rooms I've wandered before are locked. Yet when I break in, no one is there.

I've been on my own for a while now. No one has really come around. The few who have said I should leave here. I know I need to. I need to find other ways to help those I've hurt. But if I leave now, what will this all have been for?

His painting in the grand entrance seems as though its eyes follow me. He is still watching me. Tormenting me!

It's only a matter of time before he returns. When he lived, he could summon ghosts to do his bidding. So it makes sense that he could summon himself upon his death, right?

There have been more and more ghost sightings in the old graveyard. There's never been this many. It has to be him. I know he is here.

I see him floating just out of the corner of my eye. He's there one moment and gone the next. There in the trees, in the tombstones, in the ground but not in the ground. He is here. He is after me. He is haunting me. He must be stopped. It is my duty to stop him. If I stop him, I can move on."

I LOVE THAT THIS IS NEOPETS

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: Here are 9 Trans Anime Characters to Celebrate Transgender Awareness Month

  As we come to the end of Transgender Awareness Month, there’s a lot to account for within the community. During this time, we take a moment to mourn trans lives past and present who were lost to violence and oppression, but we also celebrate the amazing strides that we continue to make around the world. All in all, we bring a spotlight to trans culture in all shapes and forms throughout the month of November.

  In the spirit of Transgender Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at some of the positive representation of trans people in our favorite anime. Trans anime characters are more prominent than people might realize, between recurring characters in popular anime who have their own compelling arcs and shows that portray thoughtful and insightful explorations of gender. They’ve been superheroes, pop idols, magical familiars, and often flaunt their identities with grace and strength. 

  Let’s close off Transgender Awareness Month with a bang by celebrating some wonderful and inspiring anime characters who have carved their place in positive trans representation.

   Fire Emblem (Tiger and Bunny) 

Image via BN Pictures

  Among the league of sponsored superheroes protecting Sternbild City in this 2011 sci-fi romp, Fire Emblem is easily the most eccentric of them all. While their depiction in the initial series left a lot to be desired, the pyrokinetic hero received a rather compelling arc in the 2014 movie.

  In their childhood, Nathan Seymour was the target of hate and ridicule for wanting to present more feminine. That harassment followed them well into their adult years as they tried to come even further out of the closet with the way they dressed. Having overcome all of that, Fire Emblem went on to become one of the most successful heroes in the city in a Cinderella story that’s both emotional and inspiring.

  Lily Hoshikawa (Zombie Land Saga)

    A recent and very prominent example of transgender anime representation, Lily Hoshikawa displays all of the trademarks of the transgender experience. She has a deadname, dysphoria over her changing body that actively led to her death, and relief in the fact that she no longer has to worry about male puberty in her undead state. As a zombie, Lily projects tons of confidence and affirmation in her gender identity and uses that energy to help propel her idol unit to stardom.

   Desmond (Carole and Tuesday) 

  Image via Netflix

  Though a relatively minor character in Shinichiro Watanabe’s 2019 musical anime, Desmond was portrayed as a popular and influential artist in the Martian music industry. Due to some sort of influence from the planet itself, they began to display male and female characteristics in their body. It placed a strain on their body, but they were also able to use the experience to revitalize music on Mars as a whole. There’s nothing better than seeing a trans person rise to success.

   Sailor Starlights (Sailor Moon) 

  Image via Hulu

  Among the many groundbreaking examples of feminism and LGBTQ+ representation shown in one of the most iconic magical girl anime of all time, the Sailor Starlights stand out as remarkable trans heroes. Introduced in the fifth and final season of the original series (which got its first official US release as recently as 2019), the Starlights are a team of Sailor Soldiers who disguise themselves as a popular boy band among civilians. Having heroes who consistently switch genders to save the day and kick butt doing it is nothing short of awe-inspiring among transgender fictional characters.

  Ruby Moon (Card Captor Sakura)

    One of Eriol Hiiragizawa’s magical familiars came in the form of Ruby Moon, who disguises herself as Nakuru Akizuki when interacting with humans. Though she uses female pronouns on a regular basis, she actively and proudly wields her agender identity among others. It’s not often that a character in a children’s anime can be that open with their gender identity, so it’s immeasurably special when someone like Ruby Moon can.

  Everyone in Wandering Son

    The beauty of this unsung 2011 gem is its focus on gender exploration among adolescents as a major subject matter. Wandering Son offers its characters a chance to discover and cultivate their sexuality in safe and welcoming environments; a feat that’s rare enough in pop culture to begin with, let alone in anime. Aside from some regular human drama, the young students are able to present as feminine or as masculine as they like as they discover what it truly means to be their truest and most genuine versions of themselves.

   Alluka (Hunter x Hunter) 

    Among the enormous and eclectic cast of characters in this long-running series, Alluka stands out as a transgirl who plays a major role in the final arc of the 2011 anime. Alluka Zoldyck is the youngest sibling of Killua and was assigned male at birth. She also carries within her a spirit who she wants people to acknowledge and accept as part of her identity. Though she is consistently misgendered and mistreated by the rest of her family, Killua always makes it a point to defend and enforce her gender identity and welcomes every aspect of her personality with open arms. Otherwise, she has a significant arc throughout the series in which she is the only person who can save Gon during a major crisis.

  Alluka is also regarded as the culmination of the original manga creator's experience in portraying trans characters in his work. Previously known for far more problematic depictions of trans characters in popular works like Yu Yu Hakusho, Yoshihiro Togashi has made it a point to consistently explore gender and further his knowledge on it throughout his career. After decades of trial and error, Alluka is easily the most nuanced and thoughtful depiction of a trans girl whose exploration is as insightful as it is cathartic. 

  Kikunojo (One Piece)

    In this writer's opinion, One Piece's track record for transgender representation is questionable at best, if its overt reliance on gay and trans caricatures for comedy and spectacle is any indication. Enter the Wano arc, where the anime’s apparent 180 on trans characters has resulted in the most sensitive and refined depictions of trans characters in the iconic pirate anime’s long-running history.

  As one of the strongest samurai in the nation of Wano, Kikunojo has a strong sense of justice and a will to protect her country. Despite her renown as a male warrior, she describes herself as “a woman at heart” and presents progressively more feminine as she teams up with the Straw Hats against the tyrants residing over Wano. In a rare occurrence for One Piece, her gender identity is never brought up for ridicule. Instead, she is revered for her beauty and is able to fight on equal footing with some of the most powerful samurai and pirates in the world. As far as One Piece's previous failed attempts at trans representation go, Kikunojo is easily a breath of fresh air in terms of her strength and characterization.

  Hana (Tokyo Godfathers)

  Image via GKIDS Films

  In Satoshi Kon’s award-winning tragicomedy, Hana is a compelling character marked by tragedy and determination. As a former drag queen, the culture she found herself in helped to inform the identity she displays even as she becomes homeless. Despite some ignorant statements from her cohorts, she still has her own community that loves her and welcomes her in her entirety. 

  In the 2019 English dub, she was even voiced by Shakina Nayfack, a rising Jewish transgender actor.

    Anime has made many leaps and bounds in transgender representation. Like any form of media, there are always improvements to be made in equal and fair portrayals of trans characters. But from the most popular show to unsung but lovely little gems, trans representation can be found everywhere if you know where to look. Transgender Awareness Month is a time to honor heroes who live in and around and all over the gender spectrum, and our favorite anime characters are no different!

  What are some of your favorite moments of representation in anime? What do you think shows could be doing better in the future? Comment below with your thoughts!

      Carlos (aka Callie) is a freelance features writer for Crunchyroll. Their favorite genres range from magical girls to over-the-top robot action, yet their favorite characters are always the obscure ones. Check out some of their pop culture editorials on Popdust as well as their satirical work on The Hard Times.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

  By: Carlos Cadorniga

[ragnvindrknight]

Diluc’s ancestry and the Ragnvindr family

Specific note: Note that these are mostly my headcanons with a lot of assumptions and liberties taken. I might disagree or abandon some of them in the future if I find out something new or if canon drops anything that will affect these theories. When it comes to roleplay, however, everything here is flexible there’s no need to follow all of this if there are headcanons that clash.

Mostly Headcanon Stuff

> Diluc is not a direct descendant of Ragnvindr

The Dawn Knight Ragnvindr never married, nor did he have any biological children. He was in love with Venessa for a very long time ever since he saw her standing out and questioning the nobles during the Aristocratic Period of Mondstadt. However, Venessa did not return his love. At some point after Venessa had a son with someone else, Ragnvindr took him into his custody and gave him his name in honour of the comrades whom he fought side by side with against the Lawrence Clan. This secret, however, is likely unknown or lost throughout the years.

It’s possible the Dawn Knight fell in love with two women all his life - the Sword Dancer and Venessa, as both women had changed his worldview in life. But he married neither of them.

Ragnvindrs are romantics you can’t change my mind. Diluc may not be a Ragnvindr in blood but he was surely being taught as one.

> Diluc being Venessa’s descendant meant he is of Muratan origin, but he is not a pureblood.

Muratans are known to have tanned skin so Diluc’s different skin tone suggests that Venessa, or her someone down the line, might have married someone else who isn’t a Muratan, hence passing down offsprings of mixed bloodline.

> Diluc true people are from Natlan?

I’m not very sure about this but it seems the original tribal people are nomadic as opposed to being permanent citizens of Natlan. For now I assume Diluc does not explicitly belong to one land, but he is a mixed blood.

> Is Diluc a Ragnvindr?

This may change in future but for now, biologically the Ragnvindr line may have ended a long time ago. Diluc is not of the Ragnvindr blood line but he is definitely its rightful heir since Venessa’s time.

Semi-Headcanon Semi-Canon Stuff

Venti said “The Children of Murata, the Lady of Fire, are a hardy people blessed with a head of fiery-red hair. They are few in number and seldom seen in the North.”

I’m not really certain whether ‘Children of Murata’ was referring to her direct descendants or her creations, but if it really is referring to the Murata’s own children then it could possibly make Diluc from the lineage of the pyro archon. It also makes sense of him being able to wield a claymore like any one-handed sword, because his ancestors were people who spent generations wandering in the wilderness who knew nothing other than survival skills, and later turned into slave warriors.

Venessa being Diluc’s ancestor also means that the Knights of Favonius is her legacy, but it doesn’t mean anything now since Mondstadt has turned into a City of Freedom.

> Diluc’s constellation is an owl called Noctua, possibly referring to Noctua Athene (Athena’s owl)

Athena is the greek goddess of war, daughter of Zeus. She is also the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. 

Ares, also God of War, represents the violent and cruel aspects of war. Athena is the opposite of him, who is the calmer and was god of wisdom other than war. Venessa/Diluc is kinder as opposed to aristocrat Lawrence clan.

Athena is Zeus’ favourite child - Diluc is also his father’s only and favourite.

Athena is known for protecting civilized life and known as Goddess of the City, this seems to align with Diluc being Darknight and protecting Mondstadt.

Athena invented the flute but never played it. Diluc has a painting in his hall but it belonged to his father.

Though I don’t mean this being Athena = Diluc. Rather, I think Venessa resembles Athena, and Diluc is Venessa’s little owl (who is said to also ‘have a man-like face’). This also seems to fit in that Diluc’s physique seems to be a stroke smaller than the average sized person.

He’s meant to be the owl of the Dandelion Knight.

Another part of Diluc = owl I enjoy thinking about is the phrase “The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk” (Minerva is the Roman name of Greek Goddess Athena), which means that one only acquires wisdom only when it is too late -- Diluc realised the mistakes he makes only after he had lost everything. Other than that - the owl takes flight with the falling of dusk, and after dusk comes dawn meaning that Diluc found his enlightenment in life, hence the Dawn Knight.

> Murata on the Agnidus Agate Gemstone

“A pilgrimage for a wish; a battle to earn a name... Burnt to cinders for a dream. If the intention yet remains, achieved —'s truth he has.” 

The description seems to be telling Diluc’s life story… 

A pilgrimage for a wish > His 5-year-long voyage to seek his father’s murderer whom he never succeeded in the end.

A battle to earn a name... > Possibly referring to his battles as the Darknight Hero?

Burnt to cinders for a dream. > Diluc k*lls himself slowly by pursuing a dream, in this case, it mostly seems to be his vengeance. Hatred had reduced him and worn him down in the years.

And the last line.

If the intention yet remains, achieved —'s truth he has. > Not really sure about this one, but it seems to say that if Diluc continues his resolve, he will find some sort of truth. ------   Thanks Cas (@/riverside-dreams) for helping me fact-check gen.shin lore & Zo.zet (a greek friend of mine from Twit) to help check the information relating to Athena.