#can't stop this little vortex of chaos

[netheris]

Sooooo I got bored and made some Blursed Emoji gifs, enjoy! (2nd time I have added with even MORE!)

[netheris]

New item drop:

Seeds of Fate.

Plant a seed to grow a Tree of Fate.(takes 7 days to grow) From which, you can harvest 1 Fruit of Fate. The fruits are shaped like D10s and are filled with sweet juice, like Gushers candy. (Incase you want to incorporate it into real life ;) ) Each tree can only grow 1 fruit at a time.

When a character eats a Fruit of Fate completely(they must eat the entire thing, no passing it around and taking 1 bite, or it doesn't work), the player of that character may make 1 reroll during the campaign at any time.

Hopefully this submission will actually include the image of my weird dice

Oh my goodness they're gorgeous. How do you read them?

[raptorific]

IMPORTANT FACTS TO CONSIDER:

The Paddy's Pub crew has no lower limit to how morally depraved their actions can be, but they have a hard upper limit on their capabilities. There's nothing they won't do, but also many things they can't do. They are horrible, but they're also idiots whose plans always backfire on them, even if it leaves a trail of destruction in their wake.

The Wilkerson family has no upper limit to their capabilities, but hard red lines they're unwilling to cross morally. There's nothing they can't do, but there's a lot they won't do. They're fundamentally decent people, but their lives are a vortex of chaos and destruction because they're geniuses with no ability to tell the difference between good ideas and bad ideas, and Failure never stops their worst ideas from being executed perfectly.

Effectively, the difference between them is that if they were both trying to build a killer robot, the gang's robot would cause disaster for others because they did a bad job making it, and the family's robot would cause disaster for them because they did a good job making it

The Gang is working with functionally unlimited resources, but they have very little willpower and they are cowards

The Family is working with next to no resources, but are unable to let things go, ever, no matter how trivial, and are also chronically unable to anticipate consequences to their actions at all

IMPORTANT RULE:

If you think one side should be able to call on a supporting character, the other side must also get an equivalent supporting character, i.e. if The Gang gets Rickety Cricket or Artemis, then The Family gets Lois' Mother Ida or Francis' Wife Piama, etc

[cera-writes]

Nightcrawler with an SO who can split herself into different emotions with each emotion having a different power. Maybe the emotions are running rampant and causing mischief and Kurt is the only person who can wrangle them in.

Emotional Rampage

A/N: this was a cute request! Sorry it took me a while to get it written for you <3

Pairing: Kurt Wagner x reader

Tags: reader-insert, fluff, angst, emotional turmoil, inner demons, pet names, established relationship, endearments

Nightcrawler materialized in a kitchen bathed in the dimly dark sheen of Fear's shadow manipulation. Dishes clattered as Sullen slammed a cabinet door shut. Overhead, Joy buzzed like a rogue wasp, leaving a sonic trail.

This was Tuesday.

"Alright, alright," Kurt held his hands up, teleporting a plate out of Sullen's path. "Let's calm down, everyone. Was ist los?

Fear flickered, casting distorted shadows of Kurt's normally cheerful grin. "Something's wrong, Kurt. I don't like it."

Joy, a blur of pink energy, zipped around the room. "But we don't know what it is! That's the problem!"

Sullen, radiating a low rumble of disapproval, crossed their arms. "We need to find it. Now."

Kurt sighed. "Ich verstehe, but causing a scene won't help. Tell me what's bothering you."

Silence. Fear dimmed, then flickered again. "It's… a feeling. Something dark approaching."

Joy buzzed impatiently. "Exactly! But without knowing what 'it' is, we can't stop it!"

Kurt, ever the mediator, took a deep breath. "Alright. How about this? We work together. Fear, show me what you sense. Joy, scout ahead with your speed. Und Sullen, if we need to throw down, you've got my back, right?"

Hesitation, then a grudging nod from each fragment. Fear pulsed, sending tendrils of shadow that snaked out the window, pointing towards the city's abandoned amusement park. Joy zipped out with a whoosh, leaving a faint pink afterimage. And Sullen, with a grunt, followed Kurt as he bamfed them out of the chaos.

Standing on the creaky Ferris wheel platform, fear tingled on Kurt's skin. Fear's shadows pointed towards a dark, swirling vortex at the center of the park. It pulsed with a malevolent energy.

Joy reported back, a worried frown etched on their normally carefree face. "Kurt, it's like… a negative-me. It feeds on fear."

Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized, a twisted reflection of Kurt, complete with pointed ears and a barbed tail. "Ah, Nightcrawler. And your precious little emotions. This will be fun."

A fight ensued. Sullen's strength met the dark doppelganger's blows head-on. Joy zipped around, creating sonic disruptions that momentarily weakened the creature. But it was Kurt, teleporting in surprise attacks while Fear channeled courage into him, who finally managed to land a decisive bamf, sending the negative entity back into the vortex.

With the threat neutralized, the fragments drifted back towards you, their forms merging. You sighed, exhaustion clinging to you like a second skin. "Thanks, guys," you whispered, a soft smile gracing your lips.

Kurt pulled you close. "Anytime, Liebchen. Though, maybe next time we could save the demolition for the bad guys?"

A tired giggle escaped you. "Promise." Leaning into his warmth, you watched the city lights twinkle back to life.

Later, curled up on the couch with mugs of hot cocoa, Kurt hesitantly brought up your emotional outburst. "Liebling," he began, his voice laced with concern, "ist alles in Ordnung? These episodes seem to be happening more often."

You snuggled closer, appreciating the gentle way he brushed a stray strand of hair from your face. "I don't know, Kurt. It's like… a tangled mess in here sometimes. All these emotions, and I can't always control them."

Kurt squeezed your hand. "But that's what I love about you, Schatz. You wear your heart on your sleeve, in all its beautiful, chaotic glory. And I'll always be here to help you sort through the mess, together."

His words, laced with his endearing native tongue, warmed you more than the cocoa ever could. You realized that even the most complex emotions couldn't dampen the love you shared, a love that thrived on understanding and a whole lot of patience. With a contented sigh, you leaned your head on his shoulder, the tramclings of the evening forgotten. In Kurt's arms, you knew you had a safe haven, a sanctuary where even your most turbulent emotions could find peace.

[radiance1]

Hello people.

Using this from Herald of Seasons drabble, and this here reply from the wonderful @percyisawesome

So I'm gonna say that the Herald of Seasons title Vortex gave his little guy was split between Danny and Phantom, Danny getting Spring and Summer and Phantom getting Fall and Winter. Because of that I'm gonna say that both of them like the rain and snow as a little flavor thing :3

So Danny still gets dropped kicked out of the zone to DC by a ghost who didn't want a living person in the zone, who then gets beaten up by Vortex for putting his hands on his little guy, and Danny brings along the seasons and stuff.

Except that Danny can't easily guide Fall or Winter as he could Spring or Summer, because that wasn't his role, that one fell to Phantom. But he still does it because, well, Phantom is there to do those things, he's still in the DP dimension., even though it puts some strain on him to do these things.

So he meets Batman, gives him a snowflake (accessing the power of ice is easier than guiding Fall and Winter), and then leaves hoping to encounter him next Spring. Then Phantom manages to find his way to the DC verse and he kinda, well.

He kinda fucks shit up.

You get Winter, and you get fall, you get winter and on and on. Sending chaos to the balance that Danny tried to create and when he's made aware of it, he drops what he was doing to go and put it back into order and Phantom's already gone to spread more cold.

This, obviously, gets the attention of the Justice League due to sudden change in the weather all over the place. So, they get to investigating, find it to be someone deliberately changing the weather, and quite violently at that.

Batman instantly thinks back to that child he met, proclaiming himself to be the Herald of Seasons. The boy didn't seem to be the type to do this based on their conversation, nor how he waited for the rain to finish before calling forth snow.

Batman doesn't want to jump to any conclusions yet, but he'll keep note of the information, and also shares it with the rest of the Justice League just in case.

Danny is kinda running himself ragged trying to clean up the sudden changing of Seasons, for every Fall and Winter he reverts back to Spring and Summer, another takes its place. Eventually, the Justice League manages to crack down on Phantom's location, and pulls up to stop him from continuing this unnatural weather changing.

Phantom takes one look at Batman, and instantly guns for him because of that snowflake he has hiding in his suit. Unfortunately for Phantom, there's some heavy hitters in the Justice League, as well as Justice League dark who pulled up because this was an incident of magical capacity.

So Phantom gets hold in check, and the JL just sees a child meta that's the source of everything going on here, and, while fighting, try to talk him down from all of this but Phantom?

Phantom just does not care. He goddamn hates humans, because all they want to do is try to capture and tear him apart under a light, so he decided to destroy them first before they destroy him, hence the massive and violent change in weather.

Just as a massive Winter is over the city they were fighting with and the Justice League getting more and more convinced that they can't communicate with Phantom. It suddenly becomes lighter, the storm, I mean.

Danny appears.

He's finally caught up with Phantom, who was causing an imbalance in nature that he established and tried hard to keep. Checks on Batman because hey that's his friend, and also tries to talk Phantom down.

He gets farther than the Justice League, and the storm gets lighter and lighter, the area almost coming back to its natural season, until communications broke down because Phantom got shot at.

Who? Why none other than the GIW, of course! They followed him to the DC verse, and Phantom's recent actions only reinforced their views on ghosts.

Unfortunately, Danny becomes the focus of Phantom's rage and faces the brunt of the attack to do being so close, he thinks that Danny, a human is allied with the GIW, and even if he felt familiar he couldn't care anymore because the men in white lied, the girl who called him her brother lied, the one calling themselves his friends lied and the ones who called themselves his parents lied.

Danny lied. Phantom didn't know why he cared so much, but it just hit harder than any other time.

Humans always lie.

So Danny gets injured, and a fight breaks out with the GIW trying to get both Phantom and Danny. Because the boy was obviously also a ghost if he was able to talk with Phantom.

Unfortunately for them, the JL puts a stop to that.

Phantom is on the full offensive, while Danny is on the defensive. Mostly because Danny doesn't really, fight, magically at least. He knows martial arts, but Phantom does as well, and Phantom due to being a ghost is physically stronger than him, so he would have to resort to magical might, rather than physical.

Unfortunately, due to his usual use of guiding rather than forcing as Phantom did and also because Phantom used his powers to fight and fend off the GIW, he doesn't have as much experience with fighting with the elements.

So, he's mostly reacting here, rather than acting.

Even worse when he's injured as well. Eventually, Phantom escapes, and Danny gets taken to get medical attention in the League base by Batman.

[netheris]

I don't care if this is soap, wax, plastic, or ceramic, I'M TAKING A BITE AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME!!!!!

fleurfleur_kr

[seramilla]

Odette’s main love language is acts of service and physical touch— she does a lot of things without Verosika needing to ask her. She’ll draw Verosika a bath with some wine while she listens to verosika rant about her day, and she’ll give verosika a back rub afterwards. Verosika is absolutely obsessed with it but she’s always sleep by the end of the process to properly repay Odette.

Odette doesn't feel like Verosika gets enough credit for how hard she works. Sure, her fiancé doesn't vibe with the typical 9-to-5 and occasional overtime like Odette does, but Verosika's schedule is random, demanding, and requires a flexibility Odette doesn't have. Odette likes a set schedule and predictability; Verosika thrives on chaos and life's little adventures, but sometimes, it takes a lot out of her.

There are times Verosika will be on tour in Hell for a week, and come right back home, only to immediately have to leave again for another tour in the human realm. And sometimes it could be nighttime in Hell, and morning on Earth, and the still has to work straight through it; the time difference is unpredictable, and more than once, Verosika has done three or four shows in 48 hours without a wink of sleep. During those times, she may take several weeks off afterward. All she wants to do when she's home is sleep, relax, love on Odette, and sleep some more. Odette does her best in those times to take care of her.

She'll break open a bottle of wine from her mother's coffers, run Verosika a warm bubble bath, and listen while the succubus rants for hours about all the crazies she meets on the road. Someone had tried to rob her when they stopped for tacos in the desert; that man found his head shoved right up into his own asshole by Vortex, and ironically, the dude is probably here in Hell now, reckoning that he ever tried to mess with Verosika Mayday when her hellhound was on duty. The story makes for a good laugh, anyway.

After Verosika's bath, Odette will give her a massage, with plenty of oils, and scratch good and long between her wings where she can't reach. Verosika is like a large, lanky cat at this point; if succubi could purr, Odette's certain she probably would. Odette can get her motor running good and proper, and while the succubus desperately wants to return the favor, her body's demand for sleep is all-consuming. She succumbs to it and falls asleep right there on the floor, snoring away, under Odette's careful caresses.

Odette doesn't mind. She simply puts her to bed, and when Odette lays down next to her, Verosika will ultimately gravitate to her at some point during the night. Odette's body heat is like a beacon to the succubus' senses. Maybe when she wakes up, it will be Odette's turn. But for now, Odette can catch up on her book, while Verosika cuddles with her for hours. Verosika has already said she's taking a month off this time -- they'll have more than enough time in the coming days to catch up.

[chronicallylatetotheparty]

Perfect Paradise Ch.14:

The Risen are Ridden with Rhythm and Dance

Summary: On the Shadow Path.

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

"How disturb-ox," Caramba muttered, rubbing the "chin" of his short, round, yellow exosuit.

Looking through the data on his other arm's wrist screen. Caramba paced the length of the Chaos. Occasionally glancing at the waters of the Seine below.

"How did they open a vortex without a Blix?' Carapace asked.

"They didn't," Cece slid down the mast onto the main deck of the Chaos. "The astronomical rings you described are an Aerian dimensional anchor. They must've waited for a vortex to open in the general vicinity of France and redirected it to Paris."

Rena Rouge smacked her fist into her palm. "That's why it didn't close! They were keeping the vortex open because it was their only way back."

"But what were they after?" Carapace asked.

"You have a matriarch in that zoo of yours don'tcha?" Zak pointed out.

"The Blix? Isn't it a bit big?" Rena held her hands up and moved them apart to represent the relative size of the giant jellyfish and the pirate ship.

"Never stopped them from trying before," Cece replied.

"An entire dimension between her and the Triangle and these boneheads still can't leave her alone. Typical," Zak muttered.

"I hear you dude," Carapace said.

"It was definitely one of Caligo's missing ships." Caramba pulled his robotic limbs in and rolled his spherical exosuit towards Cece. Popping back to his feet and showing her his wrist screen. "Look at the engine signature."

"Caligo?" Rena asked.

"Admiral Caligo. He's the only skeleton with an eye patch," Zak explained.

Rena Rouge's brow furrowed. "Why would a skeleton need an eye patch?"

"What's more surprising is that you can detect anything at all, little dude," Carapace said.

Caramba opened the face screen of his exosuit. The small green alien grinned, single antenna bobbing. "Wahoolian technology is far more advance-ox than Earth standard. The only civilization that comes close is- No, I shouldn't say."

"Spoilsport," Rena muttered, disappointed at not getting a hint.

"If my calculations are correct the rate at which viable vortexes are appearing outside the Bermuda Triangle is stabilizing," Caramba stated.

"That's good. Right? That sounds good," Carapace observed.

"It's within expectations," Caramba shrugged.

"Huh?" Rena gave them a confused look.

"Remember when I unlocked the Triangle twenty-ish years ago?" Zak asked.

"Vaguely."

"Vortexes started opening sporadically across the Earth due to so many dimensions of null-time being... Reattached, so to speak," Cece explained. "The imbalance only delayed the stabilization process. Now that Carapace's ward is in place it appears the metaphysics of the Triangle is making up for lost time."

The present members of the Seven C's laughed at what was probably an inside joke.

"Hear that Turtle dude? Progress already!" Zak held his arm up for a fist bump. Carapace obliged.

"However, it does mean that more vortexes are safe to travel through," Caramba said. "Usually exiting the Triangle would send you back to the time and place you entered it."

"But skeletons were never ones for rules," Cece said.

"Neither are we," Zak grinned.

"You think they'll try again?" Rena Rouge asked.

"Unlikely. Timeline pirates have to contend with the temporal authorit-ox of Timesters, your own Bunnyx and the anti-paradox magic of the Bermuda Triangle itself. Coming back is just asking to get caught."

"Silver lining. I'll take it," Carapace grinned.

Zak rubbed his hands together. "Great! Then we're done. And since we're already here might as well go sight seeing!"

"Uh, don't you think an Atlantian and a Wahoolian will attract attention? Paris pretty much assumes anyone weird is an akuma nowadays."

"Rena Rouge is correct Zak Storm," Cece agreed. "We would stand out."

"I've thought of that!" Caramba raised a finger and then brought it down on a device in his hand.

A holographic field spread out from it. Zak's sword vanished. Caramba appeared like a short, pudgy boy in a yellow shirt. And Cece's clothes changed to more surface appropriate attire. Her hair was still pink but the scales on her forehead and the points of her ears disappeared.

Cece touched the invisible fins along her forearms to make sure they were still there. "And this is why Atlantians don't like visiting the surface."

"Aw, c'mon!" Zak wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Already walking down the ramp. "It'll be fun! We can visit an aquarium if you get land sick."

"Very funny, Zak Storm."

Caramba stretched his exosuit arm from the walkway on the bank of the Seine to pat the Chaos' hull. "We'll be back before you know it!"

The Chaos' eyes glowed briefly as he acknowledged their departure.

Rena glanced down at them, still on the deck, and pointed. "Should we?"

Nino waved her concern away. "Ah, let 'em be tourists. They deserve a break."

"I thought you said there were seven of them?"

"Yeah, two of 'em are spending time with family in the Middle Ages and one's in the Golden Age of Piracy. Apparently."

"Shut up!"

"I'm serious! Time doesn't flow linearly in the Triangle. You know that, dude."

"I keep forgetting that they're older than they look."

"Zak and Cece are about our age."

"They look twenty!"

"Yeah, they don't spend much time outside the Triangle... Or at least Zak doesn't. Atlantian dudes do age slower than us."

"I'd be jealous if it didn't come with temporal displacement trauma."

"You still look beautiful, dude."

"I'll have you know that I'm not the type of girl who fools around with another man's husband."

"Ha, ha," but Nino couldn't quite hide his smile.

(Read the rest on AO3)

[akuaya-eng]

(Main story) Chapter 6 - Episode 3

- REVEALED TRUTH -

(Adder walks in)

Espada

Adder…!

Vanis

Hey, Adder. It's rare to see you come all the way out here. Did you come to pick me up?

Adder

It seems you've been wasting time chatting. How much longer do you intend to take to capture that bastard and return?

Vanis

You could have waited a bit longer. Adder's arrival surprised everyone. Look, especially Espada.

Adder

So you're here, Espada. You still look as gloomy as ever. But you should feel good, right? Your master is about to achieve the glory of causing a calamity.

Espada

Even without the help of the Belladonna family, Lord Dia would have accomplished it alone. I don't know what you're planning... but if you intend to use Lord Dia, you'll have to deal with me.

Adder

Such an interesting guy. Since when did you start using such voluptuous language? There's a "half-devil" ring to it.

Espada

…!

Adder

It seems like you can't understand the difference in our strength. You'll never be able to part with your own human blood, Espada. It's about time you return to the Devil World. Staying with that bastard won't benefit you at all.

Espada

My place is here. I will not return.

Adder

Ha. Apparently weak ones are attracted to each other. You've always been hopeless.

Espada

…! Insult me all you want, but don't talk about Lord Dia.

Adder

Don't bark so loudly. The idea of my foolish brother becoming a watchdog is laughable. As a devil weak in both power and heart, what can you do...? Ah, too bad. Your ability to run away was excellent.

Espada

………

Dia

Adder Belladonna. Why have you come from the Devil World? Are you here for sightseeing? Is the Belladonna family that idle?

Adder

As the head of the Belladonna family, I've come to show you the path as a devil. For a thousand years you've been crying in this desolate place. Aren't you tired of wasting your life?

Dia

… What do you want to say?

Adder

It's simple. It's time to make up your mind. Abandon your lingering feelings for the human world. The opportunity is within your reach. Cause a calamity. Become a true devil. Don't be swallowed by a vortex of chaos; become the chaos itself. That is what it means to flaunt your power as a devil.

Espada

………

Dia

I was wondering what was all this dramatic entrance, but... you devils all say the same thing. If you want to pretend to be a renowned devil, try a bit of temptation. With that kind of attitude, you won't get my cooperation.

Adder

So, a being who became a devil later in life can't understand the honor of causing a calamity. What meaning does a life have if it's just weak and barely surviving? You're not that foolish, are you, Evil Prince?

Dia

………

Vanis

… Hey, Espada.

Espada

… What?

Vanis

While the important people are negotiating, why don't we have a little chat alone? For Adder to personally try to get Dia to cooperate, he must really need Dia's power.

Espada

Stop acting like it's somebody else's problem. You must control all the schemes. After all, you're the Belladonna family's dog now. If you don't follow orders, you won't be able to get a meal.

Vanis

It's not like Espada to be so mean. If I'm a dog, let's try to get along as fellow canines. Besides, I want Espada to come back. Rosé looks so lonely.

Espada

Don't make me laugh. Are you really concerned about Rose? You probably just want to offer Rodé a new toy because you're tired of playing with him.

Vanis

Sharp as always. But I don't mind. It's true, Rosé's behavior is interesting. But-- I think it would be even more fun if Espada was there. That's all.

Espada

Give it up. I won't return to that mansion and deal with Rosé.

Vanis

I see. That's a pity. I'll save the temptation for next time… Hey, Espada. You should support your master more.

Espada

… It's Lord Dia's decision. It's not my place to interfere.

Vanis

After all, Espada is half human too. You understand Dia's feelings, don't you?

Espada

… I have nothing to tell you.

Vanis

Hehe, your loyalty is impressive. I should learn from you.

----------

Adder

The next calamity we plan will cause immense damage to humans and angels, plunging them into despair. Their lack of self-awareness about their place needs to be corrected. That's one of our missions as devils.

----------

Fiori

If I keep just listening in silence… That guy… is gonna do whatever he wants…

----------

Adder

You can't think you can escape this mission forever... Besides, you've never caused a calamity since becoming a devil, have you?

Dia

………

Espada

…!?

----------

Fiori

Huh…? What did he say…

(thinking) That was close…! My voice was too loud… Good. It seems they haven't noticed I'm eavesdropping.

----------

Espada

Lord Dia has never caused a calamity…?

----------

Fiori

So, that means… The "Red Moon Calamity" has nothing to do with the prince…!?

----------

Espada

Lord Dia…

----------

Fiori

Prince, what does this mean…?

----------

Dia

………

[netheris]

Guess what?

I made m o r e

With Julie, I went more 50s style, like the movie Grease, and with Sally, I tried more of a 70s style.

I LOVED HOW THEY TURNED OUT!!!

Hold on, wait-

Hear me out-

Wally Darling as a 1950's greaser? Maybe? 👀

Wally art by Clown (PartyCoffin) obviously-

[furmity]

Desert Days

I deeply, achingly miss Mparntwe (Alice Springs, Eastern Arrente country) sometimes. Then oh, a two month old baby was violently attacked this week. Sending more cops, the politicians visiting, what are they going to Do.

Violent crime is common. Break- ins are typical. Shockingly young children will hold up the service station with machettes. You don't walk through town alone at night, but take a taxi to travel two streets away. If Men's Business is happening, don't go out at all.

Police presence in all the bottle shops, your ID scanned, and all your purchases on file, trying to catch the people who take alcohol to the communities. The no- drink list, fetal alcohol syndrome warnings. Opal petrol which can't be sniffed.

The town is built on an old meeting place. The men's entrance through the Gap now the path of the Stuart Highway and the Ghan railway. The women's entrance down the Ranges with its caterpillar paintings, always full of dirt bike tracks and tourists. There might even be a campground if I remember.

The hippies will tell you Mparntwe is a vortex, the rest that you'll be chewed up and spat out if you don't belong. I have never known a town to have so much personhood for complete lack of a better word. Alice decides when you come or go and she is very very angry. So much pain in that place. So very very hot and dry. The River flowing once in a good year, everyone with a different idea of how many sightings makes you a local.

My first week there, I was in a laundromat. In one of those bleak zones by the highway: service station, mechanic, employment office, laundromat. I noticed a rock in the carpark with chains around it. A Dog Stone, sibling to an outcrop across town. It was to defend the Arrente when an initiated man touched it. The plaque said that the last time it was touched was when the white men came. I looked around and wanted to flee the country in shame.

I left Mparntwe after two years for family and education, back to sleepy little Tarndanya during 2020's chaos. But ever since I left I've had the feeling that nowhere else was quite like Real Life. You go to the city and nobody is thinking about it. It's so very far away from the other big centres, waaay outback, "Why would you move to Alice Springs?". The tourists can fly straight to Uluru now, they don't need to see.

Most places let you forget, WANT you to forget the affects of the stolen country, stolen children, stolen wages. Even if they can acknowledge it they cannot look in the face of just how much damage was done, they don't have to see it on every street corner. Alice will make you see, and will stay with you, and you can never be comfortable with the happy outdoor lifestyle Lucky Country shtick again. There's a horrible flip- side to the national image, a huge gap in health, wealth, and respect between Indigenous Australians and everyone else.

I think it's very important for Australians to go to the desert. Mparntwe is the largest Centre, but it isn't the worst. Everyone told me you don't even stop for petrol in Jurnkkurakurr- Tennant Creek... and don't ever go out to the communities if you aren't expected.

So there are a lot of eyes on Mparntwe right now, as there are sometimes. I don't know what the solution is, no one seems to, just send more cops and truancy officers, denounce whatever Scheme failed to make a difference. The year I moved there, there was a scandal that a detention centre ruled unfit for habitation was stuffed full of minors. Someone told me the army is sent in every 10- 15 years when it gets too out of hand.

[sadboi-in-a-sweater]

Sadboi's Incredibly Strange Multifandom Adventure - Chapter 20: Cool Dragons or Something Like That

When the group went through the next vortex, they found themselves in a world dominated by dragons. Sadboi's eyeholes widened as she spoke, "Oh my god, we're in the world of Wings of Fire."

The dragons of Pyrrhia were not what they expected. These majestic creatures looked at them with curiosity rather than hostility. They had heard of the Guardians of Synthesis and their quest to purge the Dark Matter from the multiverse. A young dragon named Clay approached them, introducing himself as a member of the MudWing tribe.

"Welcome to Pyrrhia," Clay said, bowing his head slightly. "We've heard of your deeds in other realms. Our land is in dire need of your help. A rogue group of dragons, the Talons of Peace, has been spreading fear and chaos. They claim to serve the greater good, but their methods are… questionable."

Sadboi nodded, her vibesense tingling with the sincerity of Clay's words. "We're here to help. Tell us where we can find them."

The dragon led them to a hidden fortress, nestled between two towering cliffs. The fortress was made of the same crystalline material they'd seen in the "Minecraft" world, but now it was tainted with the unmistakable aura of Dark Matter.

"The Talons of Peace are led by Morrowseer," Clay explained. "He was once a great leader, but the power of the Dark Matter has twisted him."

The Guardians of Synthesis took a moment to gather their thoughts. They knew that a fight was inevitable, but Sadboi hoped they could find a peaceful solution. She turned to her friends, her expression a mix of determination and hope. "Let's try to talk to them first. Maybe we can show them the error of their ways."

As they approached the fortress, they were met by a dragon guard, his scales shimmering with an eerie black and red sheen. "Halt!" he bellowed. "You do not belong here!"

Sadboi took a deep breath and stepped forward. "We're not here to fight," she said, her voice firm yet calm. "We're here to help."

The dragon snarled, his eyes narrowing. "You are the ones they call the 'Guardians of Synthesis.' Your kind has no place in the natural order!"

The French Narrator spoke up, his voice carrying the weight of countless stories. "The natural order is not so simple, mon ami. Sometimes, it needs a little… nudge."

The dragon guard's expression faltered for a moment, and then he stepped aside, allowing them entry into the fortress. Inside, they found Morrowseer, his once-noble form now a twisted amalgamation of Dark Matter and dragon.

"So, you've come to stop me," he sneered. "You think your hearts are pure, but you're just pawns in a game you can't even begin to understand."

Sadboi looked into his eyes, her vibesense reaching out to the core of his being. "We understand more than you think. We've seen the pain and fear that the Dark Matter brings. We're here to offer you a choice."

Morrowseer's laugh echoed through the chamber. "I have already chosen. The Dark Matter is the only power that can ensure peace in this broken world."

The group exchanged glances, their resolve unshaken. They had faced darkness before and had come out the other side stronger for it. This time would be no different.

The narrator spoke softly, his French accent giving way to the gravity of the situation. "Choisissez sagement, Morrowseer. The chemin de la lumiere est encore ouvert pour toi."

The tension in the room was palpable, as the fate of Pyrrhia hung in the balance. The dragon's eyes flickered, and for a moment, Sadboi thought she saw a glimmer of doubt.

But before they could continue, the ground began to shake violently. The Dark Matter's influence was growing stronger. The time for talking was over. The battle for Pyrrhia was about to begin.

Morrowseer's eyes gleamed with malicious intent, and he grew in size, his form now a terrifying beast of shadow and crystal. The Guardians of Synthesis readied themselves, each drawing upon their unique abilities.

Sadboi focused her vibesense, feeling the collective determination of her friends. She knew they could do this together. "Let's show them what true unity can achieve!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the chamber.

The group leaped into action, each member using their skills to dismantle the corrupted dragon's defenses. SpongeBob's bubble-based abilities proved surprisingly effective against the crystalline scales, while Patrick's brute strength allowed him to hold his own against the powerful creature.

The French Narrator transformed into his Kamen Rider form, Kamen Rider Dolphin, and charged at Morrowseer with a narrative-infused battle cry. His dolphin blade sliced through the Dark Matter's influence, leaving a trail of glittering light in its wake.

The fight was intense, with the dragon unleashing a barrage of dark energy blasts. The Guardians dodged and parried, their movements a symphony of heroism and friendship. Sadboi could feel the vibes of each ally, their hearts beating in time with hers as they worked in perfect harmony.

Gary, ever the silent companion, leaped into the fray, his eyes glowing with a newfound power. He transformed into a being of pure light, his "meow" echoing through the fortress, resonating with the purest of emotions. His presence bolstered the group, giving them the strength to push on.

Tony Stark, having observed the battle from the sidelines, realized the true enemy wasn't Morrowseer, but the Dark Matter controlling him. He stepped forward, his Iron Man suit shimmering with newfound energy. "I've got an idea," he said, his voice a mix of excitement and determination. "Let's try to isolate the Dark Matter and free him from its grasp."

The group nodded, understanding the risks but believing in their hearts that they could save the dragon king. They surrounded Morrowseer, their combined powers pushing back the shadows that clung to him like a second skin.

With a final burst of vibesense, Sadboi located the core of the Dark Matter. It was a pulsing, malevolent heart, nestled within the dragon's chest. She focused all her energy into one, powerful blast of light, aimed at the heart of the corruption.

The room exploded with light as the Dark Matter was expelled from Morrowseer's body. The dragon stumbled back, his scales returning to their natural color as he took a deep, cleansing breath. The Guardians watched in amazement as the corrupted crystals shattered and fell away, revealing a dragon who looked more regal than ever.

Morrowseer looked at them with newfound respect. "Thank you," he rumbled. "I…I had lost my way. But you have shown me the truth. The power of unity is indeed stronger than the darkest of forces."

The French Narrator, now back in his human form, clapped his hands together. "Mais oui! Together, we can conquer even the most formidable of adversaries!"

The dragons of Pyrrhia celebrated the Guardians' victory, hailing them as heroes. The land was safe once more, and the bonds between the dragons and the Guardians grew stronger with each passing moment.

But as the festivities grew, so did the whispers of another world in trouble. The multiverse was vast, and the Dark Matter's influence knew no bounds. Sadboi and her friends knew they had to keep moving, to keep fighting.

The French Narrator leaned in, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "The next chapter of our saga awaits, my friends," he said. "Where will the tides of destiny take us next?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Sadboi looked at her friends, her eyes shining with determination. "Wherever it is, we'll face it together."

The portal opened once more, and the Guardians of Synthesis stepped through, ready for whatever lay ahead. As they disappeared into the swirling colors, their vow of unity echoed through the multiverse: "Together, we will conquer the darkness."

[ramuneempiremtl]

Slave-kun’s Happy Life in Another World: Chapter 23

"The leader still hasn't arrived, huh?"

"Since we have some time, why don't we measure Owl's magical power?"

So, the three of us went to a place called the appraisal office.

By the way, Aki had disappeared at some point. He probably went to check out the cafeteria inside the branch, I guess.

Appraisal office.

As the name suggests, it's a place where you pay to have the value of items you want to know about appraised.

They also measure magical power here. It seemed they could tell you what types of magic you're likely to be good at as well.

There's someone at the reception, but the measurement is done by a machine, kind of like self-service. We asked Nove to pay again to start the measurement. The money is inserted into a coin slot, just like a vending machine. Very modern.

I did as I was told, stuck my hand into the device, and let my magic flow. It might be similar to a blood pressure measuring device.

There's a meter and something like a glass orb, and you're supposed to understand the results by looking at them.

But I don't get it at all.

The meter's needle is pointing right in the middle, and the glass orb has become somewhat colorful. What's this?

"Wow, you really do have a lot of magical power."

"You might have as much as Nove, right? It'll probably increase a bit more as you grow."

"The types of magic you can use… Hmm, the colors are all mixed up, I can't tell. …Excuse me! Could you take a look at this?"

Nove called out to an elegant old lady who was leisurely drinking tea at the reception.

This is the second old person I've met in this world! It's very rare. The first one was a butler-like person who helped us at the mansion.

"Oh my, such a small child has come. Let me see."

The old lady put on her glasses and observed the glass orb while touching the machine.

I caught a glimpse of a silver bracelet on her wrist, and Nove exclaimed in surprise.

"With such a high amount of magical power, you have many types of magic showing up. Excluding the basics, there's ice, lightning, this might be spatial. Then there's healing, reduction. The future looks promising for you."

"…Thank you."

"Hehe, no need to be so formal. I'm just a staff member now."

Suddenly, Nove's attitude changed.

Is she someone important?

Ice and spatial magic suit me. I'm happy, I might be able to make ice, and maybe I can do things like teleportation or storing things in a different space! Although I don't feel like I can do it.

Reduction might mean "purification." It seems like it's turning impurities back into magical power. There might be more uses for it.

The possibilities are expanding.

I need to study.

The master said, "Maybe I should measure mine after a long time," and borrowed money from Nove again. Nove, while glaring at the master, handed over the coins without saying anything, perhaps mindful of the old lady at the reception.

The needle stopped at about one-tenth of the scale. The glass orb was a color that could only be described as brown.

Even I can tell, it's probably very little.

"Oh, it's grown a bit!"

"…Finally reaching the average for a normal person, that's good. Can it still grow at your age?"

"The training paid off."

"Oh, what interesting colors… Normally, with that amount of magical power, these types of magic wouldn't show up."

"What! This is just brown, isn't it!?"

It looks just brown to me!?

"It's quite distorted. Dawn, Chaos, Great Tremor, Storm, Blazing Sky, Starfall, Great Vortex, Ice Prison, Extreme Lightning…"

"W-what!?"

The old lady listed off unfamiliar terms. What on earth can she see?

I can't understand the content with the vocabulary of this body. But it sounds strong!

"I've never seen anything like this before. All 'World-Type' magic that could take down several countries… if you could activate them, that is."

"…They're all similar to the types that appear in ancient documents…When you mix them all together it turns brown…Could this be a malfunction of the machine?"

"Well, who knows."

"I told you, I used to be called a child of the stars, a magical prodigy."

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard."

The nuance of "Child of the Stars" is something like "child prodigy."

I think he's more like a final weapon than a child prodigy.

No way, if the master becomes a world-destroying sorcerer who laughs and shoots magic like crazy…

Judging from the amount of magic power, it seems impossible to activate. I hope it's just a bug in the machine.

"Thank you very much for your help."

"Hey, thanks."

While Nove thanked the receptionist old lady in polite language, the master thanked her very frankly in his usual tone. Nove is glaring at him a lot.

"It's fine, I was free anyway. This place is far from the troubles of the city."

"…If I may be so bold, that bracelet is a 'Circle Rank,' isn't it? You are the former lord, right?"

Wow.

She must be an amazing person!

"Hehe, I told you, I'm just a staff member now. Don't you think 'Appraisal' is a good place to make use of 'Discernment'?"

"That's reassuring. I'd definitely like to request an 'appraisal' again."

"H-Hulk!"

"I'll be waiting."

She seems like a friendly person, which is a relief.

Nove is flustered, though.

The master doesn't change his attitude even when he hears she's an important person. Rather, he speaks in the same tone to everyone.

I bet he'd be the same even if he met the king.

"Well, you boys must have a big job waiting for you."

"…How do you come to think that?"

"I can tell. Because I have 'Discernment.' I'm sorry to have the children clean up this branch."

"Cleaning…?"

"The air hasn't been flowing well here lately… I used to have tea and chat with the current lord. If I hear any interesting news, I'll let you know."

"…Understood."

"Children are treasures. Take good care of them."

The old lady doesn't give off the intimidating presence of a former lord at all. She's just like a grandmother watching over her grandchildren.

Still, I can tell she's no ordinary person.

We've met an amazing person.

The master looks puzzled when he hears about cleaning.

"May good fortune come your way."

"Good fortune to you."

After exchanging greetings, we left the appraisal office, pulling along Nove, who seemed a bit spaced out.

[lowtaxsa]

Something Awful: 1999-2000

Ah, the history of Something Awful, a tale so mind-numbingly boring that I'm pretty sure it's been used as a torture technique. But hey, you asked for it, so buckle up for a wild ride through the life and times of a snarky, dead internet guy who clearly never got over his grudges.

Before SA, I slaved away at Gamespy and ran Planet Quake. Working there started off cool, but it quickly devolved into a swirling vortex of misery. The CEO, Mark Surfas, tried to turn his band of underpaid nerds into a real company but had the managerial skills of a drunken raccoon.

They employed meatheads like Sal "Sluggo" Accardo, who was about as helpful as a sunburn, and Darren "Dakota" Tabor, a backstabbing weasel. They made me work insane hours, and when I hit their idiotic milestones, my reward was a cheap backpack and an MP3 player I sold for a measly $20. Thanks for nothing, guys!

I eventually stopped caring and ended up working with LadyICE, an ancient hag who was so useless that I'm pretty sure she was cursed by a witch. After I mocked her incompetence in a Cranky Steve update, she tattled on me like a whiny child, and Darren forced me to sign some shady documents that got me fired. Good riddance.

With no job, I focused on SA, and our first tech guy was Cozmo, who I met on a Quake 2 server. He helped set up the early SA site, which had a design so terrible that it looked like someone vomited up Halloween decorations. The forums started slow, but it attracted a motley crew of weirdos who somehow found our little corner of the internet appealing. Go figure.

The early 2000s were the wild west of the dot-com bubble, where people made absurd amounts of money by doing practically nothing. I, however, missed that boat and ended up on the sinking ship that was the Gamefan Network. They never paid me a dime, and I got roped into cleaning up Billy "Wicked" Wilson's messes on Voodoo Extreme. He was a talented guy with a head full of bees, but he sadly passed away due to liver damage.

Then, I jumped onto the Backbeat Media Network, which was like being the awkward goth kid at a prep school – we didn't fit in at all. But at least they were nice, unlike eFront.

I joined eFront, hoping they'd be better, but it was like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. They promised checks that never came, and I was desperate for the money they owed me. Greg Panos, their web relations guy, convinced me to work for them full-time. It was like making a deal with the devil, except the devil was an incompetent buffoon.

The entire eFront debacle was a disaster, and to make matters worse, Gabe from Penny Arcade started a petty crusade against me, claiming I profited from eFront's collapse. That guy had the intelligence of a moldy sponge, and I carried a grudge against him for ages. But hey, at least Tycho was cool.

Here's a fun story about eFront: Kevin "Fragmaster" Bowen stole a chair from them when he quit. Why? No one knows. It's like trying to understand the motivations of a feral raccoon.

By early 2001, I was completely over the whole network thing. But hey, at least I had some entertaining stories to tell, right? So, that's the not-so-glorious history of SA, as told by a bitter, sarcastic ghost who's still clinging to his grudges from beyond the grave. What a life, huh?

As I look back on the twisted, bizarre, and sometimes hilarious history of Something Awful, I can't help but feel a pang of unease. The early days of the internet were rife with chaos, colorful characters, and more than a few facepalm-inducing misadventures. But as the dust has settled and we've all grown older and wiser (well, maybe not all of us), I've come to realize that there's a darker side to this tale.

The internet has transformed into a breeding ground for unscrupulous businesses and manipulative advertising practices. No longer is it simply a collection of misfits and oddballs – it's become a sprawling marketplace where data is bought and sold, and where the almighty dollar reigns supreme.

Consider the world of online advertising: a parasitic landscape where companies feed on your every click and view, milking you for all you're worth. My own experience with these vultures is a testament to their ruthlessness, as they withheld my hard-earned money, forcing me to struggle while they cashed in on my misery. It's a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the predatory nature of this digital realm.

And what of the current state of YouTube? Once a haven for homegrown content and genuine creativity, it's now become a soulless behemoth, churning out a never-ending stream of insipid clickbait and mind-numbing "challenges." The platform has been overrun by money-hungry creators and advertisers, all vying for your precious time and attention, only to leave you feeling empty and unsatisfied.

It's time for us to take a stand, to recognize the dangerous path we're treading. The internet was once a glorious, untamed wilderness, filled with boundless potential and a sense of wonder. But now, as we hurtle headlong into a world dominated by corporate interests and a relentless pursuit of profit, we must ask ourselves: is this really the future we want?

So let this be a dire warning, a clarion call to those who value the true spirit of the internet. It's up to us to resist the encroaching tide of greed and manipulation, to carve out a space where creativity and genuine connection can still flourish. We must never forget the lessons of the past, for they are the keys to unlocking a brighter, more authentic future.

As for me, I'll continue to raise a sarcastic, mean-spirited toast to the memories, the grudges, and the bizarre collection of misfits who made my time on the internet a wild, unforgettable ride. Rest in peace, Lowtax. You may be gone, but your legacy lives on – a stark reminder of the perils and pitfalls that lurk in the darkest corners of cyberspace.

[farvaduvet]

I was about to ask what kind of character was Wilted pit going to be, as in was he going to become a minor or major enemy, an ally or perhaps just a victim of circumstance.

You just answer the question with the drawings you posted, most likely becoming a friend to pit(oo)

yeah i can't just throw the boy through the wringer and not give him a happy ending lolll. and dark pit gets his own redemption arc in canon (if you can even call it a redemption? a 'learning to give a damn about people' arc) so wilty has to get in on that sweet sweet ally juice too in my au

Wilted Pit is technically an enemy for most of the storyline, serving under Pandora and then Medusa and then Hades once both are taken out. but he's never that antagonistic in personality. he's just a Nice Little Guy. who keeps getting sent to make Pit's life a living hell. but Wilty would quite like to make friends with him, since they're the only angels around, even if most of what he receives is open hostility. what really drives Wilted Pit to the side of the Underworld is rejection from Pit and Viridi, not really actually being evil. at least the Underworld isn't trying to kill him, unlike everyone else.

but of course the Chaos Kin arc happens, so when Pit gets turned into a ring for three years, Wilted Pit gets knocked out. Hades ditches him at this point, leaving him stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Palutena ends up finding him unconscious and taking him back to Skyworld. she'd always wanted to take him in, in the same way she would do that for Pit, but Pit was so blatantly hostile towards her that she assumed Wilted Pit would be the same way. anyone serving the Underworld seems an unlikely candidate for switching sides to the Light Army, anyways.

Wilted Pit and Palutena obviously get along (like they do in canon), and both of them are integral to helping Pit rescue Viridi and kill off the Chaos Kin. Pit isn't happy about this at first, but eventually warms up to them-- he's got a lot in common with Wilty, and their common ground eventually lets Pit open up to him about his Repressed Feelings of loneliness and worthlessness in the eyes of the gods. Viridi getting taken over by the Chaos Kin was kind of the last straw for Pit. obviously, she's possessed, but getting rejected by the one god he thought was cool enough to treat him like an actual person hurts pretty bad. bad enough to feel like giving up entirely. so getting that recognition from Wilted Pit (and Palutena too) is what motivates him to keep trying to save the world instead of leaving it to the dust.

he's not the kind of person to throw himself to the dogs for someone else, but when Wilted Pit gets dragged down into the vortex by the Chaos Kin's remains, all Pit can think to do is go in after him.

blah blah, they've all gotta go revive him, so Wilty flies down to the rewind spring. along the way he gives Palutena and Viridi a little beatdown about why "teamwork makes the dream work" and effectively convinces the two goddesses to stop warring with each other and team up to fight Hades.

his arc gets a culmination when Pandora pops up again at the Rewind Spring right when he's about to dip Pit in the water. she calls him out for betraying her, and he feels real bad about it, not entirely rid of his Underworld allegiance-- but he's able to kick Pit into the water just enough while she's got him grabbed. Pit comes back to give some Defense to his Homie and then they kick her ass together once and for all.

after that, Wilted Pit sticks around as an ally. i haven't entirely figured out how the endgame plays out but he's there as Palutena's servant.

(not me writing a boatload of crap about my au again lmaooo)

[shadowdianne]

SWAN QUEEN: Daniel died, her mother died, Henry died, Emma died, so why the fuck can't she? Brr.

I don’t do this. Not anymore Xd Yet, you very well know that you are one of the very short list of people who can make me write SQ still Xd

And well, It’s angst so, hey, that’s a bonus

“Save him.”

She had gritted her teeth as Emma had looked at her, pleading eyes breaking through the black and white façade of the Dark One; she had been about to pass from exhaustion, fingers tightening around invisible ropes, her magic being called forth with all of her might as hex after hex pulsed through the air, linking both her body and Emma’s as they both tried to stop the other; concrete and electricity filling the air alongside with the heady scent of ozone.

She hadn’t answered, not vocally at least. She had grabbed the air and asked for the dagger to appear on her extended hand, purple tendrils coiling around her, lighting her skin with sparks that bit into her as Emma lost control over her body once more; her pain being mitigated by anger and repulsion.

They had known everything could eventually lead to where they were; in the middle of a destroyed Storybrooke with nothing but magic that kept being called, being syphoned, by feelings that felt untamed and trembling against their ribcages. Regina had tried, she truly had, back at Camelot, the last bits of her memories diluting like dew under the early sun. She, however, despite everything, despite her being the one who had grabbed the dagger when Emma, a tired, gray-lined Emma, had asked her to hold onto it, despite having promised to be the one who was able to do the unthinkable, had failed.

Maybe it had been her own emotions, her own feelings, the damned bit of hope that had blossomed inside her chest when she had seen Emma walk into the diner, hard edges and pain escaping her sides, like fog spilling over the sea’s surface. Maybe if she had seen the divided mind, the way Emma kept changing back and forth from someone she knew to someone she didn’t, maybe if she hadn’t been so keen on wishing, on wanting. Maybe.

There weren’t any seconds left for that though, the thought hitting her, bolts jumping from her body as she was raised from the air, Emma’s hands pale and stark in front of her, the darkness of her magic twisting the pure dirty white that had been hers and only hers prior to the vortex, prior to her screams, prior to her one and only single request: spare Henry, spare them, please.

The magic had laughed and wrecked everything on its wake, coming forth from every pore of Emma’s body, squashing her mind on the intervals the blonde didn’t fight to get the control of her own body back. For a second, a moment, Regina had thought that she would be able to, would be strong enough.

And then the dam had broken, the restraint Emma had managed to get, the little pieces of herself that had been floating inside her mind had scattered further and further still and the dark magic, the one that fed off chaos and despair, had stepped forward: all claws and fangs and death.

Regina had managed to get others to safety, but she hadn’t accounted for Henry, noble, precious Henry, who had thought the impossible could always be achieved if one fought enough for it. Maybe that had been her fault as well; maybe it was only the byproduct of true love kisses and magic that reeked of a world that wasn’t the reality of the town they were marooned into. Nevertheless, as she had fought and called for Emma, wishing that some of her words hit with enough strength to create a ripple between the two merged consciousness, Henry had appeared, running down what was left of the main street, holding his book atop everything else, asking for powers that were too fickle to listen properly.

She had tried, she had. But the magic had been too strong, too unpredictable. A stray tendril had curled around the boy’s legs, causing him to fall, fall, fall. She had been able to smell the scent of blood before seeing the droplets that grew into a river, the paleness of his cheeks obvious enough amidst the rubble, amidst the screams.

“Save him.” Emma’s words came out hoarse, her voice formed out of a myriad of echoes from moments shared that now ebbed away from them both. It was short lived, glimmering with nothing but the realization she couldn’t keep on fighting.

Regina called the dagger once more, asking for that stubborn part of herself, the one who would never apologize to Pan or any other villain before or after him, the one that was rooted on her own anger and loss, the one that had created and built the Queen persona, the one that had been the base of the reason why the darkness had come for her all those months ago, thinking of her a worthy host. The one that kept the world dark and hungry, the one capable of cursing and hexing if only for the whole purpose of seeing her enemies burn. She fed the black pearl that sat at the very center of her heart, the tendrils of magic that kept her heart from being red. And pulled.

“Regina!”

She struggled to breathe; she could listen to Emma now, pained, and raw and more like herself. When she focused her eyes onto her the dark one was flickering, the vortex she had once seen now above them both, twirling. It was working, in a way. She would only get a chance, one. Feeling her body freed from the tendrils, she jumped towards Henry, opening the book with one hand, chocking on a sob as she felt the lack of breathing on his chest. She had lost too much of herself to know hubris wouldn’t save him. Nor her. She poured the magic onto the pages, his blood marring them, feeding them as they growled into existence.

There was a second, a moment, in where she thought it would fail, in where she thought of the stupid reasons why she had thought herself strong enough to do what she was about to do. Yet she didn’t dare to give reason for the magic to taint her as well, to destroy the opening between the blinking force and Emma’s own body keeping the incarnation with a physical body. She struck the book with her magic, with Henry’s hope, with Emma’s despair. There was a flash, a caress made out of quickly disembodied fingers.

And then, nothing

-.-

They buried them one close to the other, in tombstones that were quickly covered by moss due to the magic present and reinvigorated by the blood of the one who had been called savior by so many it felt ludicrous now. They didn’t rest on the mausoleum, the dark corners of the building far too weighted by other stories that bled ink so thick it felt like tar.

She was told that it hadn’t been her fault. She was told that her magic had reached the book too late. She was told that, by some reason her idea had worked. “Of course” She would answer with vocal cords so fried she felt as if muting herself to the world would be best. “I knew what I was doing.”

She was told that she had saved Storybrooke, the repairs being done under the gloomy knowledge that two more laid at the city’s graveyard. She was called a savior.

She hated it.

Daniel had died, her mother had died, her father had died.

Henry, Emma, had both died: so why the fuck wasn’t she herself resting next to them now? Why the magical blast hadn’t killed her as well, turning her to shreds, to specks of dust unable to feel pain and anguish, why did she keep on walking while they didn’t?

For a second, a stupid, cruel second, once the book had closed on its own volition, the blast so strong it had pierced her eardrums, she had seen Emma stumble and fall but still breathe, eyes as green as ever, hair back to blonde. She had smiled then, her other hand, devoid now of the dagger, the blade bare, not holding a name no more, reaching for Henry’s collar. She had thought then and there that they might survive, that she would see Emma kneel and approach them, with the stubbornness she pretended she hated, with hands warm from magic devoid of the madness from before. She had thought, she had hoped, that she would be able to hug her, to maybe admit that what she had wished to say back at Camelot, at the well, when everything was closing around them, was a simple admission that felt ridiculous now if only for the obviousness of it all.

She had been wrong.

Emma had mouthed words at her from where she had rested, words too close to those same words she had thought she might be able to admit. Her eyes had focused on Henry, blood dripping from her lips and tongue, teeth colored red and black. She had mouthed the same words to him, eyes fluttering, closing.

Regina had screamed then, cursing everything, everyone, cursing her legs as they failed her, as she was unable to reach out the woman who she had vowed to destroy and yet had made her fail and fail again.

She hugged herself while she eyed the tombstones, eyes dark and face covered in still healing scars. She would wave them goodbye, healing the rest of what had been Emma’s magic cursing through her. Yet she refused to. A sick, ill way of keeping a part of her within her reach.

“Bring them back.” She wished, anger, wrath, loss. Asking for the trees to listen to her, for the soil to spit them back, for their souls to return. She had been weak when Daniel had died. She wasn’t weak now; she wasn’t supposed to be.

“Bring them back.”

Because if they were gone and she couldn’t follow them, wasn’t supposed to, she would do her damnest, would curse her soul beyond repair, only to have them back. She would give her everything, every drop of her blood. She would destroy and maim and stood atop a skeleton-made mountain, only so she was able to cheat death.

She was done with honorable causes that did only led to nothingness. She didn’t want to have Snow’s vacant stare, David’s inability to say two words without stammering. She wasn’t weak.

She wasn’t.

She couldn’t.

“BRING THEM BACK.”