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killinkiwi · 19 hours ago

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You Deserve It

Part Two of My Little Soda Pop

Summary: You decide it is time to get your life back on track, starting with taking care of yourself first. What better way than going back to your favorite bathhouse? What could stress you out there?

Content Warning: Memories of Masturbation, Gwi Ma Being a Dick, Wanting Dick, Perpetual Horniness

Check Out Part 1: Here

May I also say, before we get into it - thank you all for the overwhelmingly positive feedback and support. It has been years since I wrote I was genuinely so anxious to post but I am thankful for everyone. Sincerely.

Now please, enjoy Part 2 of our Ab Adventures

The bathhouse was steamy, humid mist making it impossible for ladies to see one another - a blessing considering a lot of the older ahjummas were in tonight.

You let out a sigh as you sank further into the hot water. The heat immediately to loosen the knots in your muscles, the herbs in the water soothe and soften your skin. It had been quite awhile since you had visited a bathhouse and tonight just felt right – especially after your little masturbation and panic episode.

“What the fuck?” You muttered to yourself, dropping the shirt to the ground and looking around the room sporadically. You even poked your head into the closet and bathroom to check no hunk of a man was just casually hiding in there.

There was no one in the apartment other than you and Missus, you’re middle-aged maine coon who slept unbothered on her window hammock in the living room. There was no idol hiding under your bed or rushing out the door half-dressed. It was just your naked and frazzled self.

So how did you know his name?

Immediately you laughed at the thought and the situation.

“Obviously he isn’t here, like – come on Y/N,” You laughed at yourself. You must have seen the name somewhere at the plaza show on the merch or hell, you could have even used context clues to subconsciously to piece his name together. He wasn’t in your room whispering to you, it was just your little fantasy going wild and helping fill in gaps.

Yeah, that made sense.

You walked back into the bedroom and swiped the shirt off the floor once more, deciding to actually wear it this time. As you assumed, it was a bit baggy but you kind of liked it like that. It was soft material and landed just a little bit under your butt. You admired that it was signed by Abby for a moment, before getting embarrassed again at the situation.

You walked over and collected the light stick off your bed, cringing again at the semi-dry handle. “Shit, better go wipe it off. I can at least keep it as a collectible.”

As you walked to the bathroom, you popped open the battery compartment to remove them only to literally be empty-handed. You quickly flipped it upside--down to see there was indeed no batteries included with it. So how the hell did it glow red during…?

Damn. Your little imaginative illusion was strong.

Strong enough you must have bruised your own neck grabbing at it during your orgasm. You could see in the mirror what looked like two small bruises, barely indents really. You remember thinking he bit your neck, his long canines pressing into your skin, but obviously that didn’t happen so you must have done it with your nails.

That checks out. 100%.

After wiping the light stick handle with a damp rag, you couldn’t help studying yourself deeper in the mirror. It wasn’t wrong or rude to say you let yourself go; you did look a little rough. Past your post-orgasm frazzled hair, it was lifeless from lack of care. Your skin was dull, a few whiteheads popping up and dark spots more apparent from lack of consistent care. The delicate skin under your eyes was dark, telling the world you didn’t sleep. You weren’t eating very well, definitely not nutritious food either. You truly had let yourself fall apart, even before the relationship ended.

It was time to change that.

You made up your mind in a split second – it was not fair to yourself, to your mind and body, to keep treating it this way. It was time to take care of yourself and your environment. The apartment, despite lacking items now, was a jumbled mess. It was disgusting and it needed to change.

In just a shirt and a rather catchy song stuck in your head, you begin quickly tidying the apartment up. Old trash sitting in the can? The bag is tied and waiting by the door to be taken out. Old food sitting in the fridge? Tossed into a new trash bag, tied up, and left at the door. You stripped the bed of its sheets and threw them into the wash before grabbing a new set to redress the bed. You then grabbed an empty hamper and started collecting your clothes from the floor of the apartment, not realizing a particular cloth you used to clan yourself up earlier was missing…

“You’re my soda pop, my little soda pop!”

You finished organizing your alarming amount of dirty laundry into their respective darks, colors, and lights. Now all that was left was to clean yourself up.

You looked at Missus who was now lying on your made bed, looking like a little loaf. “You know what, I think it’s time I go to a bathhouse. I used to love them, and I deserve to go back, don’t I? Yes, yes, I do, Missus, yes I do,” you began cooing at her.

She looked unimpressed.

After a quick rinse off in the shower and throwing some comfy clothes on, you grabbed your purse and you were out the door to the bathhouse!

And then you went back to your apartment because you forgot the stupid trash.

And now you were here, relaxing deep into the herbal waters with their earthy scent. You closed your eyes and let your mind run blank. The sloshing sounds of water filled your ears, the sounds of ahjummas scrubbing someone in the distance, whispered chatters, and light humming accompanying it. It felt familiar and comfortable, but also just genuinely nice.

You needed this.

“But do you deserve it?”

Your eyes snapped open again and water sloshed around as you sat up. It was quick to see no one was around you, so no one was whispering in your ears.

You waited with bated breath to see if it would say something again, but after a few moments of silence you settled back into the water again, a little more tense. The voice was a mere whisper, nowhere near as loud as it usually was. Perhaps as you were bettering yourself it would disappear entirely.

Slowly you let yourself loosen under the water’s heat once more, still a little on edge. You wanted to enjoy the water’s warmth a little longer before having to go be scrubbed down so you did your best to ignore the haunted feeling that washed over you.

Twenty peaceful minutes flew by, your fingers showing shines of pruning and letting you know it was time.

Time for pain.

The scrubbing genuinely hurts, it is not pleasant, but it is extremely gratifying and enjoyable. The first few times are awkward too. It is uncomfortable to be splayed out in-front of an attendant nude as the day you were born, waiting for the exfoliating mitt to descend upon your body and rip off your upper layer of skin. Not to mention – They. Get. Everywhere.

But afterwards, you feel smooth and fresh. Off goes the old, tired skin, out comes the glowing, healthy layer.

This time was no different for you. Despite having many scrubs done in the past, it always felt embarrassing to be scrubbed and touched by the older lady. The worst spots are between the toes, between the legs near your bits, and the armpits with boob combination. Then she flips you like a pancake to get between your cheeks. Despicable.

Yet, like always, you walk away feeling the sting of refreshment and lost skin cells. You feel rejuvenated. Is this what snakes feel like when they shed?

You wear a loose towel as you sit in the sauna room, the final step of your bathhouse routine. The sweat pours down your face and chest, and your thighs are also uncomfortably slick with sweat against the wood panels. In here you sweat like crazy, but this is the final detox. The hot steam opens your pores, allowing the nasty shit in your system to pour out with the sweat.

And as always, you last about fifteen minutes before you physically cannot handle the scorching warmth.

“Phew, I feel great,” you moaned to yourself as you swapped your moist towel for a thin, dry robe. “Time for tea.”

You grabbed your little coin purse and walked out of the women’s private area to a secluded vending machine a little aways from the lobby main area. It was near the door that separated the women’s area from the men’s. No one ever uses the door but staff, guests remaining respectful to their counterparts.

You inserted the coins into the machine, humming Soda Pop once again as you choose a bottle of iced tea as a refresher for your parched soul. The sauna always makes you a thirsty bitch.

You retrieved your bottle, unscrewing the cap and taking an unattractive swig. “Deeeelicious,” you hummed satisfactorily as you turned to walk back to the locker room.

The next second was a chaotic blur.

The wooden door separating the bathhouses suddenly swung open as a group of pink blobs rushed through it. Your uncapped tea fell from your hands as you narrowly avoided the door, the cold beverage splashing on the floor and creating a puddle. As you threw yourself out of the door’s path your slippers betrayed you, your feet slipping one way and your body hurtling towards the wall.

You let out a wheezy “Oof!” as your midsection slammed into – wait that’s not the wall? What the fuck?

Looking away from the wall and down, you realized there was a rather strong arm wrapped around your waist, fingers digging into your lower hip and muscular chest against your back. Whoever slammed the door open was oh-so courteous to at least catch you.

You quickly righted your footing so you could stand on your own. You attempted to pull away, but the grip of this person was abnormally strong, to the point you barely budged. Sudden anger built within you. Wearing a stoney glare, you snap your head to the side to confront them.

“Could you fucking no-“ Your tongue immediately shriveled in your mouth.

Was this another illusion? Are you dreaming? Did you die in the sauna room?

Why was Abby, a member of the Saja Boys, standing in the women’s bathhouse?

Why was he still holding on to you?

Why was he running?

HOLY SHIT HE IS TOUCHING YOU!

“Careful now, wouldn’t want you getting hurt,” he chuckled, face still inches from yours.

You swallowed hard, your face flushed for a whole new reason. “I- you- women’s bathhouse why?”

You could die.

He laughed a little, his grip loosening and pulling away to your truthful displeasure, but it allowed you to whip around and full face him in his glory.

Abs was wearing a light pink button-up shirt that was borderline about to pop open. It was tight, displaying the upper portion of his pecs and short enough to see the bottom of his muscled stomach peeking. Ripped skinny jeans adorned his muscular legs and finished off with a pink pair of sneakers. Even better, he wasn’t wearing the beanie from earlier, so his fuchsia locks were styled yet fluffy, so pullable…

“Like what you see, babe?”

Fuck – he caught you ogling him.

You felt your face burn brighter as you attempted to scramble for dignity, missing his razor-sharp smirk at your reaction. “Sor- no! No, no, no, I was getting the drink and the door and suddenly I am going down and even more suddenly you’re here and- I’m not stalking you!”

He blinked as you finished your ramble before releasing a full, deep-belly laugh. This man was genuinely cackling at your flailing about whilst attempting to get a coherent statement out.

“Oh baby,” The pet name causing your heart to spike, “You make me laugh. I was just pulling your leg, I know I am easy to stare at, no shame there.”

There was not an ounce of teasing when he said that too, he genuinely meant it. Abby knew he was attractive and believed the world knew it – he wasn’t wrong.

“What are you even doing here?”

The words tumbled out of your mouth, the filter between your tongue and brain disintegrated apparently. The question came out a bit harsher than you intended but it was valid. Why was he in the women’s bathhouse?

He was quick to fire back, “I could ask you the same thing.”

“No, you can’t,” you spoke a little slower this time, pointing a finger at the wall where the name of the bathhouse was plastered. “This is the women’s bathhouse, for women. I am a woman. The men’s is that way, the way you came barreling from.” All of this was bluntly stated because, genuinely, you were losing your mind but desperately trying to keep your cool.

You were talking to Abby, a fucking idol. A sexy, hot, muscular, attractive, sinful idol.

“Right.” He had a hint, the lightest hint, of sheepishness on his face, almost indiscernible. “Right, we were in there trying to enjoy ourselves after the show when a few of our crazy fans appeared and started making a fuss. It was getting messy so we had to leave for our safety.”

It sounded logical enough.

“Oh right, the game show was tonight, huh?” You tried to ease the awkward energy you were mainly exuding.

That smirk was immediately back on his face. “What? You’re telling me you didn’t watch me play games tonight? You’re breaking my heart over here.”

You felt embarrassed, borderline scolded despite such playful words and tone. “Sorry, I was here-“

Abby interrupted, “But you couldn’t have stopped by first to come see us, see me?” He stepped closer, your face bursting into flames with his proximity, unable to fully hold eye contact. “I know I would have loved seeing you there, to see you standing out in the crowd. I can practically see using your little light stick, wearing my shirt, screaming my name…”

The sauna felt cold with how hot this air felt now.

Flashes of this afternoon played in your mind. The way the handle of the light stick filled you, the way you moaned and squirmed from pleasure. You can still feel his touch ghosting your stomach, his finger massaging your clit, his deep voice growling in your ear.

“Abby, babygirl, scream it while I make you cum.”

“You promise you’ll come to the next one though, won’t you? You will be there,” his voice dropping, letting you know it wasn’t a question but rather a command, one you could only nod your head to agree too. “Atta girl.”

“Atta girl, take it all in for me.”

You whimpered at his words and the memory of his illusion.

It was still playing in your mind, projecting in front of you. Abby’s eyes turned golden, lips pulling back into that seductive snarl that displayed his canines. You knew your mind was conjuring it, but it looked so real.

The moment was shattered when the wooden door swung open again, nearly colliding with your shoulder had Abby not yanked you forward. The door was attempting to bruise you at least once it seems.

As it closed, there stood the leader of the group, the one with black fluffy hair. He was also wearing pink and appeared to be breathing a bit heavy.

He looked straight as Abby, troubled face morphed with confusion. “Why are you still here? Why aren’t you with the others?”

Abby gave a lazy smile. “Fan service, Jinu, gotta stop to see my favorite lioness. She is part of the Pride after all.”

You gave a little wave.

The leader, Jinu, snapped his attention to you, his stern eyes smoothly transitioning to seductive appreciation and beautiful smile adorned his face. “Welcome to the Pride, we love such supportive fans such as yourself. We need you.”

“Um, hi, yeah,” you stuttered, not necessarily comfortable talking to attractive men at this point.

“Are our fans still in there?” Abby asked, emphasizing the wording slightly.

“They are being dealt with, they are quite the handful those three,” Jinu laughed before his smile dropped slightly. “Abby Saja, when you’re done, hurry back so we can… rehearse, got those Idol Awards and I hope you can be there to support us,” Jinu looked back at you. “And remember, the Saja Boys love you!”

Jinu gave you a beaming smile, eyes closed as he gave you finger hearts and waves. With one last nod at Abby and a smile sent your way, he turned tail to continue towards the lobby, and you assumed to the exit doors. The women at the front desk must be having a feel day with such handsome idols passing through.

And again, you were alone with the pink-haired wet dream.

“Crazy fans in there, huh?” You chuckled dryly with a point of thumb at the men’s area, trying to fill the silence once more.

“You could say that,” he chuckled. “You could even say they’d kill to get to us.”

Yikes. What crazy ass sasaeng fans do these guys already have? They literally debuted today.

You literally masturbated to him today.

You cleared your throat. “Right, wow. You guys got to have great security then, right? Strong team?” Your words sounded weak even to yourself. It was clear you were trying to keep the conversation going despite having no idea what to say. It was making your anxiety skyrocket.

“You’re just desperate for attention, attention you don’t deserve, Y/N.”

Not now, please not right now. You tried to compose your face, try not to react, but it is hard when the voice whispers. A cold breeze blew along your spine, goosebumps raising as you felt a shadow descend upon your consciousness.

“Do you really think he’d be interested in you? He isn’t, he won’t be. You don’t deserve his att-“

The whispers were cut off, utterly muted by Abby wrapping his arms around you and smothering your face into his muscular chest.

Was he actually hugging you? Why? Could he see the distress clouding your eyes? Was he comforting you?

A deep, almost guttural hum came from his chest. It sounded akin to a growl you could argue. His pecs vibrated with the sounds, making you hyperaware of how your body was pressed against his. Your arms were frozen at your side, your brain unable to comprehend how he was holding you let alone tell your limbs how to react.

First, your face was buried into his chest, his cologne invading your senses entirely, intoxicating. It was somewhere between a musky and oriental cologne. The smell is not too overpowering but enough to cause you to go animalistic, a scent you would remember at night when you sought self-pleasure. It was sinful to smell so good.

And second, you were painfully aware of how thin the bathhouse robe was by how every inch of you molded into every inch of him. Your breasts were squeezed to his upper abs, nipples peaked against his muscles. Your stomach held a similar fate, but also rested against his groin and it made you wonder if his jeans were rolled a little wonky-

Or was he just that well-endowed?

And don’t even start on his hand placement! He had a firm yet gentle grip on the back of your neck fingers gently entwined with the hair at the nape of your neck. His other arm was slung across your waist, but his hand firmly dug into the meat of your hip – akin to his hold earlier – but the way his fingers dug in made your pelvic floor squeeze a little.

Images of him holding your neck while he made you ride him flashed through your mind. The way he would gently squeeze your neck as he pushed himself back into you, making you take him fully. The way he his grip would bruise your hips as he pounded into you from behind, his fingerprints embedded into the tender flesh. It would bruise so perfectly.

Whilst you frothed over being molded against him, you remained blissfully unaware of what was truly happening.

Oblivious from the soaking water demon that arose from the spilled tea puddle behind you, ready to feast on your soul Gwi Ma had effortlessly wormed into. The demon’s eyes werfe soul focused on you, wet hair sticking to sickly blue skin. It extended its’ hand towards your energy, ready to open its’ jaws and consume your life in the name of the demon lord.

Only to halt at the sight of the lion-like demon who held you in its vice grip.

Eyes molten gold, slitted so sharply, full of rage and possessiveness. Deep purple patterns formed across his tanned skin, crawling down his face and into his neck. His lips curled back, exposing sharp canines as he released a low growl. A black energy oozed off his frame, chilling the lesser demon to the core.

No words were spoken, but the threat was clear.

“She is mine.”

The water demon quickly began to dissipate back into the tea puddle. As it sank it kept its head bowed, refusing to look at either one of you now. This was clearly a special circumstance if one of Gwi Ma’s personal stars was here for her.

You felt is grip suddenly loosen, and despite wishing to remain against him, you pulled yourself away. However, his gaze was trained behind you, looking rather stoic. His brown eyes held a tinge of annoyance, and anger?

You peeked behind yourself, seeing only the wall and the rippling puddle of tea from your spilled bottle. Shit, you would have to get something to clean that up.

When you turned back around, Abby’s eyes were soft and seductive again, no trace of the previous emotions you had thought you saw a second ago. He gave you a lopsided smirk. “That robe is a little thin, don’t you think?”

Flames crept up your neck and face as you realized while you felt every inch of him, he felt every inch of you too. You quickly crossed your arms over your hardened nipples, wishing the floor would open and eat you alive. “Well, it gets hot in the sauna, and you walk out sweaty, an-and it feels nicer to not wear something thick. Plus! Who goes around huggi- why did you hug me?” You rambled once again, trying to hurtle over the embarrassment.

“I like you like this,” Abby cut-off.

You shifted on your feet, mumbling, “Like what?”

He leaned down, invading your space once more.

“I like when you get all bothered for me,” he looked down at your heaving chest, the robe gradually loosening to expose more of it. “You get so flustered, it’s addicting to watch.”

Your breath was rapid, yet it felt like no oxygen was getting to your brain.

Standing upright again, he gave you another crooked smile. “I should get going, I have to go rehearse after all.” He began to back away, eyes never straying from yours. “Go enjoy a cold shower, I hear it feels great after a steamy session in the sauna.”

Your throat was locked, vocal cords frozen and mouth completely dry.

“I will see you again soon, Y/N, and keep pampering yourself,” he ordered as he finally turned around, ready to walk out towards the lobby exit.

However, he didn’t leave before locking eyes again with you.

“You deserve it.”

With that, he was gone, leaving you confused and breathless in the corridor. So many feelings ran through your body – the top three being horny, anxious, and bewildered.

Because how the fuck did he know YOUR name?

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milkdudsss · 19 hours ago

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Sold to JJK?!

Y/N isn’t like other girls. She likes to read books and wear jeans. But what happens when the most popular boy band ever buys her right out of her own house?

pt.1, pt.2,

“I have to leave this place, I just can’t stay here anymore!” I shouted at him, trying to walk away as fast as I could in this rain.

“But why?! I thought everything was going so well! I- I thought we had a connection, why are you leaving me like this-”

“BECAUSE I LOVE YOU” I screamed, my chest heaving with every breath. “I- I love you and it’s killing me to stay and see you like this…”

...You’re probably wondering how I got into this situation… Hi I’m Y/n and my life, is pretty crazy. Let me take you back to the beginning where this all began...

The sound of loud crashing downstairs woke me. I got up and sighed, another terrible day in this terrible house. Sometimes I wish I could just leave this place, but I have too many books to carry, and I doubt my converse could keep my feet dry in this rainy weather.

“Y/N GET DOWN HERE NOW!” My mom yells, breaking me out of my daydream.

I quickly throw on some leggings and an old sweater, then I throw my hair into a messy bun and head downstairs.

When I get to the living room I expect my mom to be there, ready to give me a list of chores to do, but instead my blue orbs fall onto a group of men surrounding the coffee table.

“Woah, she’s such a babe!” A tall, white haired man said, tipping his glasses down his nose to get a better look. However, he was quickly reprimanded by a blonde man who looked like he was late to his third conference meeting of the day. “Satoru, be more polite. It’s rude to ogle at others.”

“I mean he’s not wrong, she does have a nice piece of ass on her.” Another man spoke up. This one had dark hair and a deep scar on his lip. He smells like a midlife crisis.

The blonde man just pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Y/N, these men will be your new owners, once you pack your things they’ll take you to your new home… wherever that is.” My mom said, not even bothering to look at me through the briefcase she had her head buried in.

Owners? Do they thing I’m some sort of dog? I thought to myself, wrapping my arms around my miniscule frame in discomfort. “W-w-what do you mean owners? What exactly is going on?”

A man covered with pink hair and tattoos answered in a voice that definitely confirmed he had at least twenty felonies. “We bought ya, simple as that. You’re gonna be the newest toy of Two Misdirection.”

“Two Misdirection? What is that, some sort of dnd club?” I asked.

One of the men on the couch got up and looked at me in confusion. “Wait, you seriously don’t know who we are?” He asked, tossing his long black hair over his shoulder, successfully hitting the pink haired man in the face with it.

I rolled my orbs at him. “No… Am I supposed to?”

They all stared at me in shock until the white haired boy with glasses spoke up. “I mean, yeah, kind of. We’re like the biggest boy band in the world, have you been living under a rock or something?”

“N-no, I just find my books more interesting than pretty boys like you.” I scoff.

He swings his legs excitedly off the edge of the couch and blushes. “Aww you think I’m pretty?”

His swooning is interrupted however, when the man with long dark hair abruptly pushes him off the couch.

“T-t-t-t-hat’s not what I meant-”

“That’s enough! You promised this would be a quick transaction, so take her and leave already!” My mom shouted, standing up to usher us out of the living room.

The man with pink hair threw me over his beefy shoulder and began walking out of the house. “Say no more, I’m dying to get out of here and take this one to someplace more… comfortable.”

I tried to squirm out of his grasp, but I was just too tiny and weak. “L-let me go you perv! I haven’t even gotten to pack all of my books-”

“No need to worry about your things, we’ll have them delivered to the estate shortly.” Said the blonde man from earlier.

Before I could respond, I was tossed into a limo, and was surrounded by all the members from this so-called “Boy Band”.

“W-where are you taking me?” I asked.

“To our mansion, obviously.” The white haired man said.

The man with the long dark hair elbowed him in the ribs. “Quit being rude Satoru, she’s probably confused about everything that’s going on, aren’t you Angel?” I blush at the nickname and hide my face in my ginormous sweater. I guess the good thing about being so petite is that all of my clothes can double as tents at least…

“Aww come here sweet thing, no need to be shy, I don’t bite.” He says, spreading his legs and patting his thigh as an invitation for me to come sit on his lap.

Before I can make my way over to him, A set of large, tattooed hands wrap around my waist and pull me against a pair of juicy man pecks. “Yeah, well I do. So stop trying to hog her all to yourself and let us introduce ourselves too.”

I let out a squeak as he pulls me in tighter. This was going to be a long ride…

#jjk #gojo x reader #jjk fluff #geto x reader #sukuna x reader #toji x reader #kento x reader #harry styles x reader #what have I created...

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seitmai · 1 day ago

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Many thoughts

“Again? The fuck are you talkin’ about Per?” “You already told me about this, don’t you remember? When you were like thirteen, you came home crying about how you were going to hell ‘cuz you had some sort of sinful thoughts about a boy in your class.”

Instant plot twist! 👏🏻😲

“Nothing, go away,” Rhett huffs, sniffling pathetically. “I’m not going away, it’s my job to look after you, and you better stop crying before Dad gets home. If you tell me what it is, I can fix it, and you’ll stop.” “You can’t fix it, Perry, you can’t, no one can.” He’s still sniffing, but at least he’s sitting up and looking at Perry now, eyes shiny with tears. “You won’t know that until you tell me what it is,” Perry argues.

He is doing great in his big brother role 🥹

He feels it every single time he sits in the uncomfortable wooden pews and looks up at the altar. A tightness in his chest and an itching of his palms. It feels wrong to be here, but he doesn’t know why. The entire room is always filled with a judgment that isn’t his, and yet it choked him all the same. Riding bulls felt like nothing compared to a thirteen-year-old boy questioning the church. “I’m going to hell, Perry,” He whispers.

My heart just breaks for little Rhett, this is rough 💔🥺

“No way. It's just all those new hormones in your body wreaking havoc. You ain’t going to hell cuz you ain’t queer, it’s not real.” The front door squeaks open loudly, and both boys' heads whip over toward Rhett’s open bedroom door. It was either a bad sale day or a good sale day because their dad is home early, and suddenly Perry doesn’t have all the time in the world to make Rhett see that his feelings toward this boy were nothing more than a blip that he can just forget. They can just stop this right here, and neither of them would go to hell or get in trouble, as long as it stops before someone sees or hears them.

Urgh its definitely not optimal what Perry is trying to do, but he is a kid himself and he just want to protect his little brother and himself however he can 🥺

“No, he just fell off the bus and face planted into the dirt, that’s all,” And since when could Perry just lie like that?

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Perry feels his heart sink into his stomach. He’s not useless; he’s the one who’s saving his little brother from a life of condemnation, his dad just doesn’t know it. Can never know it. It’s times like these that he would ask his mom what to do. He knows that she would know exactly what God would say in any situation. Except that what God would say about this particular situation is the reason he can’t talk to her about it. No, this has to stay between them. It’s going to be Rhett and Perry, just as it always has been— it always will be.

Their dad’s sigh comes out wearily. “How many times I gotta tell you to look after your brother? What kind of man are you if you can’t even make sure he stays on his feet?” Royal shakes his head at the older brother, “Fuckin’ useless.” He mutters, walking down the hall and clicking his own bedroom door shut.

Perry takes the fall 🥺👏🏻

The line about saving his brother from condemnation hits so hard!!👏🏻 like he doesn't really know how what to do with this piece of information Rhett shared with him but he knows he needs to protect him, even if its not perfect 🥺

Give Me Grace - Ch. 1

.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃽 .°˖⋆

tags: Rhett Abbott x transmasc oc. Talk of religion, struggle with faith and coming to terms with sexuality. author's note: I know OCs aren't popular around here, but I put my whole heart into this, so please just give it a chance ❤️ Thanks to @enyalius for beta reading. Updates every Friday. | Check out my kofi

It’s too hot in Wabang for the time of year, but there’s a cool breeze rustling through the grass and giving them some reprieve, even though Perry is still sweating through his t-shirt. They’re fixing the fences for the millionth time, except that Perry is busy swinging the hammer and Rhett is a million miles away, staring into the horizon.

Part of Rhett is still here; he can hear Perry’s excessive ramblings about worrying for Amy, and he can hear the dull whack of the hammer hitting the fence post over and over, but he’s not really listening, and he’s not even holding the post like he’s supposed to be.

“Helloooo, earth to Rhett…” Perry stops and stands up, waving his hand in front of Rhett’s face. “Where the hell are you, man? You’re not even listening, and you’re also not doing your job.” He nods toward the fence. “I wanna get this done before dinnertime.”

Rhett’s eyes clear up and return to the present, but he’s still chewing on the inside of his cheek, and he can’t meet Perry’s eyes. “I gotta tell you somethin’,” He mutters, eyes on the post rather than looking at his brother.

“What is it?” Perry asks, lifting the hammer back up and bringing it down against the post one more time.

Rhett’s chest heaves with the deep breath he takes, clenching his jaw before he speaks. “I think m’queer,” He mutters out, low, like if he speaks at a normal volume, the rest of his family will hear him all the way across the pasture and back at their house.

Perry makes the mistake of not giving Rhett his full attention, and the words that come out of his brother’s mouth make his head snap up just as he’s bringing the hammer down again. “Ah shit, fuck, god dammit,” The hammer comes down and clips the edge of his thumb before it falls into the grass and Perry brings his hand up and yanks the glove off to bring the throbbing edge of his thumb to his mouth as if he can suck the pain out. “So, we’re back on this again?” He asks once the stinging pain has dulled.

“Again? The fuck are you talkin’ about Per?”

“You already told me about this, don’t you remember? When you were like thirteen, you came home crying about how you were going to hell ‘cuz you had some sort of sinful thoughts about a boy in your class.”

Rhett’s eyebrows are still knitted together, but there’s a pounding in his chest— he remembers.

***

Rhett and Perry always get home before their parents. The school bus that goes out into the country drops them off a good thirty minutes before Royal gets back from bull auctions in town and Cecilia gets back from her work with the church.

Normally, they walk up the dirt road and to the house together, Perry tasked with looking after his younger brother. Today, though, Rhett couldn’t get away from everyone fast enough, running up the dirt road as fast as his still-growing legs would take him. He can hear Perry calling after him, but he doesn’t stop, and he doesn’t look back, even as the screen door to their house slams behind him, he just runs up the stairs to his bedroom and collapses on his twin bed.

He’s crying, his cheeks are wet, and his nose is starting to run, but it only makes him angry. He’s too old to cry now, Royal tells him so. He’s becoming a man, so unless bone is sticking out of skin, tears are prohibited, and even then, it depends on what kind of mood his dad is in.

Perry doesn’t knock before he comes in; he never does, but Rhett doesn’t yell at him this time, he’s too busy trying to stop the tears. “What’s the matter?” Perry asks, almost sitting down on the edge of the bed, but he hesitates. Rhett’s long limbs are taking up too much room now; they wouldn’t fit together like they used to, maybe he should ask his mom to ask his dad to buy Rhett a bigger bed.

“Nothing, go away,” Rhett huffs, sniffling pathetically.

“I’m not going away, it’s my job to look after you, and you better stop crying before Dad gets home. If you tell me what it is, I can fix it, and you’ll stop.”

“You can’t fix it, Perry, you can’t, no one can.” He’s still sniffing, but at least he’s sitting up and looking at Perry now, eyes shiny with tears.

“You won’t know that until you tell me what it is,” Perry argues.

Rhett wipes at his eyes again and looks at his brother. He can’t see his own face, but he knows he looks as terrified as he feels. He still follows his mom to church every Sunday, and he isn’t brave enough yet to question the scripture that the pastor recites. He’s not brave enough to ask his mom what things mean.

Perry’s own teenage face, that hasn’t been sullen by parenthood or the disappearance of his wife yet, crumples at his brother's words. “Why would you say that? You haven’t done anything worth going to hell for.”

“I have…” Rhett nods, eyes filling up with tears again. “There’s this new boy in my class, I wanted—” He starts, interrupted by a choked-off sob. “I thought he was pretty and I wanted to kiss him, Perry,”

“No, you didn’t,” Perry responds without missing a beat.

“I didn’t?”

“Say it,” Perry growls out, hard and demanding, gripping Rhett’s wrist tight enough to bruise.

“I ain’t going to hell, I ain’t queer, s’not real.” Rhett recites, punctuating each part with an obedient nod, committing the words to memory, even as he tries to yank his wrist away.

Royal’s heavy steps clomp up the stairs, and he stops outside Rhett’s door, looking over both his boys, eyes moving more slowly over Rhett’s wet, red face. “You cryin’?”

“Uh-uh,” Rhett shakes his head quickly, and Perry turns to face their dad.

“No, he just fell off the bus and face planted into the dirt, that’s all,” And since when could Perry just lie like that?

——

Tagging my favourite accounts for chapter 1, if you want to be added to the real tag list, comment below! @sebsxphia @withahappyrefrain @rhettsunshine @lewmagoo @girlcowboy @beachbabey @ohtobeleah @theoraekenslover @hesvoid34 @statichvm @arcanechariot @peachystenbrough @voidsxntry @voidpies @verricherri @voidpvllman @fairyheart @mustaaarrd @p0rcelainserpent @howtodisappear444 @abbysbenchpr @geminiwritten @reveryfics

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j-eryewrites · 3 days ago

Text

Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want This Time

Chapter Seven of Under Pressure: A Thunderbolts Fic

SERIES MASTER LIST | MAIN MASTER LIST

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Word Count: ~7.0k

Warnings: Language, mentions of wanting to kill/murder someone, Valentina hate train, mentions of insecurities, I guess still THUNDERBOLTS SPOILERS, (let me know if I missed something)

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. I've been on vacation in DC and Maryland, so I have been busy. But here it finally is. I believe from now on the chapters are going to get a bit longer. I'm trying my best to not write over 10k chapters anymore (we will see how long that lasts). As is mentioned in the tags, this is a slow burn, so I'm sorry folks, it'll be a while until reader and Bob become a thing, BUT I promise we will get a whole lot more interactions with Bob in the upcoming chapters. Anyways, please enjoy!

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

You were all better prepared this time, walking into the old Avengers Tower. However, hardly anything remained of your old home. It had been one of many you had lived in, but it was the first. One tends never to forget their first home and the memories that linger in the walls, growing quieter with the years. The bones stayed the same, but the skin and muscle had all been torn out and replaced. Even as you walked in the front doors, there were people patching up and building new drywall. Your brows furrowed at the large white truck. Its siding was unlabelled, almost like a blank canvas waiting to be used for something more. As you approached the front, a team of guys hustled around the truck, seemingly trying to remove it from the building. You couldn’t help but notice some snickers escaping your fellow–well, you guessed you could say it now– teammates.

“Wow,” Yelena announced from her place in the front of the group. She twirled around, eyeing you all whilst wiggling her brows before stopping at Bucky. A slight grin appeared on her face as her pointer fingers twiddled in the air. It was the kind of smile that was always followed by a joke or a jab at another, and from how she scrunched her nose at Bucky, you figured it had something to do with him. “Nice knowing the door was unlocked this time.”

Peering over your shoulder, you caught Alexei cheerfully slapping Bucky on the shoulder. Yeah, definitely Bucky.

“It was great plan, Mr. Winter Soldier.” Alexei’s chest heaved as he let out another chuckle. Everyone besides you and Bob let out another laugh while the two of you tried to piece the inside joke like a puzzle. All the pieces lay before you: a broken wall with an indent that fit the front of the crush truck perfectly, piles of swept-up glass as workers put in new panes, Bullet holes in nearby walls. Each piece fitted together, snuggling closely inside your mind beside everything you knew about the culprit.

Despite being great friends with Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes was nothing like your bonus dad/uncle. You still weren’t really sure what familial titles to call the Avengers–your family. They all raised you, each one taking a different spin on the responsibility of caring for you. Bucky was someone who fell under that category. While Steve was the kind of person who’d sit with you on rainy days where you wanted to savour the sound of the water drowning out your thoughts, Bucky was the one you’d crash into when running from the demons in the dark. He listened and understood your struggles with your past, the regrets, the lies, all of it. With his vibranium arm, he’d hold you until you could stand on your own again, all while he shooed the shadows that crept too close to you. While a stable foundation you could find your footing on, Bucky was just as rickety as the rest of you. In a moment's notice, he’d jump out of a moving car, all while avoiding taking a trip to the grocery store because of something embarrassing he said a few weeks ago to an underpaid clerk. As you passed by the struggling workers removing the truck from the building’s entryway, it was apparent Bucky had taken the jump. Instead, the jump was barreling through the front doors.

Bucky rolled his shoulder back, as he tilted his head back and forth like he was adjusting how tightly his head was screwed onto his neck. He tightly nodded to Alexei, shaking off his encouragement, “Thanks. And just call me Barnes.”

“You got it, Mr. Win–Barnes,” Alexei corrected himself. Clutching the base of his belt, Alexei adjusted his suit to better keep his belly tucked in. He had insisted on wearing his Red Guardian attire despite its soiled state.

Besides Ava, due to obvious reasons, the others had chosen to wear the fresh clothes you and Bob had picked up for them at the store. It was strange seeing them all out of combat gear. You struggled to find the word for it as you waited for the elevator to arrive in the lobby. Peaceful? You shook your head. You all were anything but peaceful, with how everyone had a permanent scowl or glare plastered on their face. The only ones you could probably say were close to anything peaceful were Bob and Yelena. Although Bob held a befuddled expression, he still did not understand much of anything despite your attempts to explain things to him. Yelena, on the other hand, was smiling, but it was the kind of smile that could turn deadly in the blink of an eye. You were all on edge with the upcoming meeting, so relaxed wasn’t the word. Your eyes lit up. Uncomfortable.

“Right,” Ava said, eyeing you strangely. It was then that you realized you had said it out loud. “Anyways, what are we planning on doing when we get up there? I still say we should kill her, you know, get it over with and then go on our merry way.”

Walker’s eyebrows raised as if he pondered the thought before shaking his head, his head tilting slightly. Your brows pinched together, wondering if he always shook his head like a father who only said no because Mom said so. Glancing at the group, you figured the title of ‘Mom’ belonged to Bucky, given how drained he appeared due to all the threats of murder.

“As I said before,” Bucky exhaled. His mouth was working overtime as he enunciated every word with remarkable clarity. “ We can NOT kill Valentina. We are here to discuss and ONLY THAT.” His eyes met every one of you, lingering a bit longer on the more bloodthirsty of you.

“Okay, Senator Barnes, way to be a politician,” Walker grumbled under his breath. “A little beating never hurt anyone. See, I turned out just great–” You and Ava snickered.

“Yes!” Alexei cheered. “Mr. Walker gets it. We can always break a few bones–”

“No breaking bones, no accidental flying knives, no weird energy stuff, or–” He pointed at Yelena. “Your zit-zit thingies.” Yelena groaned, flinging her arms into the air, revealing she had indeed brought her stun bracelets. “Bob–” At the mention of his name, Bob stood a little straighter. His gaze was torn from the popcorn-looking ceiling and onto Bucky. “Just…” But Bucky couldn’t finish his sentence. His face contorted to discover the right words, only to sigh in defeat. “Just don’t do any of what I said.”

“Yeah, no, got it,” Bob blurted. “No killing. Just talking.”

The ding of the elevator bell interrupted the conversation, bringing it to a conclusion. The brass doors slid open, revealing a spacious room. One by one, you all filtered in. Once Alexei entered, the room felt a little less spacious. Slowly, the doors closed with a thud. You all stood there for a moment.

“Why aren’t we moving?” Ava questioned, standing on the tip of her toes to peer over Bucky’s shoulder.

“Don’t ask me, I’m not near the buttons,” Walker clarified, shifting to lean his back against the cool surface of the elevator walls.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t ask you, now did I?” Ava retorted. Walker lifted his head to scoff at her, angering Ava further.

“Okay, okay, we get it. No one has pressed the buttons yet.” With minimal effort, Yelena jumped into the air. It was just enough height to see over most of the heads. “Bob?” Yelena called out to him.

“Yeah?”

“You’re in the corner with the buttons.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So…can you press them, so we can go up?”

“Uh…W-what floor are we supposed to go to again?” Bob quietly asked. A loud groan left Walker’s mouth. You swiftly elbowed him in the ribs, stifling his complaints. “I forgot.”

“Uh…It’s floor…” Yelena trailed off. Her green eyes fell on Bucky.

He felt the stare hit the back of his skull. Sighing, Bucky muttered the floor Valentina had told them to be on. “73.”

“73, Bob!” Yelena bellowed.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“So,” Valentina cleared her throat, bringing her hands together in a wringing motion. You eyed her tense smile. One you had put on many times before in front of people you’d rather be six feet under than standing in front of you, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and Valentina was desperate. “Can I get you anything to drink? Mel here makes a great cup of coffee.” Mel gave you all a tiny introductory wave before catching Valentina’s glare and slumping back against the wall with her eyes cast down.

“I’ll have coffee. You can never be too awake,” Alexei grinned at Mel, who began to jot down his order.

“What would you like in–”

Leaning forward in your leather conference room seat, you placed your elbows on the table. It was a dark-stained oak with the O.X.E. label plastered on the middle in a blue and gold resin design. Your fists clenched tightly together as your voice lowered. “We’re not here to play nice and chat over drinks, Valentina.” Valentina’s smile dropped, finally expressing the face she had fought off since the moment you all entered the conference room.

It had been one of the only floors safe from the damage caused by the Void incident. After all, a building is not typically built to withstand a helicopter or two falling out of the sky and crashing down onto it. Some of the outer windows had been shattered, letting in a chilly late afternoon breeze. Even in the closed-off conference room, you could still feel the cold. You welcomed it. It kept you alert, and one needed to always be on the tip of their toes with Valentina.

“Ms. Stark, you surprised me.” Valentina’s dark eyes narrowed on you. “I thought your Father would have raised you with some manners. Or at least common courtesy–”

You lunged out of your seat. If it weren’t for Bucky hauling you back, you’d have your bare hands around Valentina’s throat.

“Y/N,” Bucky hissed. Using his vibranium arm, he led you to a chair farther away from Valentina, right across from Bob. “Talk, not kill,” he whispered to you under his breath once you were seated. You let out a huff of air in distaste at being removed from the conversation and placed in a time-out.

“Valentina,” Bucky cleared his throat.

“Mr. Barnes, or ah–” She corrected herself. “Senator Barnes, forgive me.”

Bucky made a tight-lipped smile before continuing. “Bitch,” he muttered quietly, as he took a sharp breath to try and cover the curse. But before he could say anything else, Valentina’s act dropped in the blink of an eye.

In an exasperated manner, Valentina flung her arms up and gawked at the lot of you as you sent her glares. They were all on a varying wavelength: Alexei was on the lowest end due to him loudly whispering to Mel his coffee order, Walker and Yelena were in the middle of bordering the fine line of talking to and actively planning Valentina’s murder. Ava and you were on the furthest end wanting to strangle the woman, and the desire grew ever more enticing the longer she breathed. All while Bob did not know the spectrum even existed, yet still held some animosity towards the woman. Something deep inside him hurt when he saw her. He wasn’t sure why, but he had a feeling it had to do with what you and the others had gently tried telling him. Bucky was in the 3/4th range: 25 percent wanted to kill, and the other 75 percent wanted to sort this out. There was also an extra 30 percent there for his desire to just call Sam and have his help in figuring this all out.

“Jesus! What is with you people?” Valentina bleated. Her eyes went wide as they made a round trip around the room. “It’s like you hate me or something.” A flash of nervousness rippled through her dark eyes. She tried to hide how shaky she was getting by drinking some of the water in front of her at the head of the table. You all noticed the signs despite her attempts at concealment.

“More like we want to kill you,” Ava commented, shifting in her seat to prop her legs up onto the conference table. “But Bucky here wants us to talk and, well, he’s terrifying, so I’m doing my damnedest to listen.” Walker nodded in agreement. When he caught Bucky’s eye he uncomfortably shrugged in response.

“Wait–” Bucky turned to Ava, his eyes meeting each of yours briefly. “You’re scared of me? Why?”

Yelena let out a bewildered gasp. “Dude! You’re the Winter Soldier. Who wouldn’t be scared?”

“Not the Winter Soldier anymore,” Bucky clarified.

“Well, you were,” Yelena quipped back. “I’m still reeling from when you blew up our car.”

Alexei let out a sob, thinking about the Red Guardian Limo. “My Limo business,” he somberly mourned.

“Look,” Bucky sighed. “I said I’m sorry. You were evidence that was trying to run away, and I–”

“Made a tactical decision, I get it.” Walker finished. “Still could’ve driven your motorcycle up to us or, you know, maybe talked it out like you’re wanting us to do now.”

“Guys–” Bucky tried to defend.

“I’m sorry, what’s going on?” Bob interjected.

“Honestly, Bob, that’s such a great question.” Yelena loudly stated, bringing the conversation to a halt. Bob beamed, happy to have been of help. Slowly, his eyes met yours as they flickered with confusion, asking for your help. Quietly, you nodded your head to the seat beside you. Yelena turned to Valentina, her eyes growing cold. “What are we doing here, Valentina?”

Finally having the attention back on her, Valentina clasped her hands together. Her rings ground against each other as she tried to calm herself. “Thank you, Yelena.” She cleared her throat, pulling up her most diplomatic voice. “Well–”

A loud screech came from the end of the table. “S-sorry,” Bob muttered, pulling out his chair. All eyes flashed to him as he made his way around the back of the table to sit next to you. He muttered apologies as he trekked over. It felt like years, with the silence and stares looming over him. “Sorry,” Bob apologized again, finally sitting down beside you as his hands found their way into his lap. He began to fiddle with them with his eyes cast down.

“You good?” You leaned over, whispering to him.

Bob’s eyes moved to yours, smiling softly as his hands came to a still. “Yeah, just…” He trailed off, looking at the others as they engaged with Valentina. “I still have no idea what’s going on.”

“I can try to explain if that helps?” Bob nodded. “You remember the Vault?”

“Y-yeah, we almost burned alive. I thought that lady was the one who, you know…” Bob gulped. “Wanted to kill us.”

“Right, well, I’m pretty sure she still does, but now we’re her ticket out of an impeachment trial, so she’s trying to play nice. While we are trying not to get caught up in her schemes and be taken down with her.” You explained.

Bob’s eyes narrowed as he began to piece things together. “So that’s what you and Bucky were talking about at the restaurant–Good food by the way. I really liked it. Wait–” Bob stopped himself short, his eyes lowering as his next question popped to the surface. “Uh, what’s she being impeached for? I’m sorry, I don’t know–”

“The director of the CIA.”

You weren’t sure what Bob was expecting you to say, but it sure wasn’t what came out of your mouth, with how his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “ Jesus, uh, wow. That’s a big one.”

“Yeah, I know–”

“No!” Alexei loudly exclaimed, banging his hands against the table. The coffee in his mug was spilling from the sheer force of the pound. “We are the Thunderbolts! Not the ‘New Avengers’.” Yelena groaned into her hand. Her face turned red as Alexei got louder. The disgust in Alexei’s voice at being the “New Avengers” was appallingly apparent. “We are no second-coming of Avengers. My team is the Thunderbolts. ” Then he mumbled under his breath, cursing the name Shane. You couldn’t quite hear it all.

“Well, it’s a little too late to change the name, seeing as I told the press and all,” Valentina explained. She tensed as Alexei claimed it was his team. “Besides, it’s my team.”

“No. My team. Yelena, tell her.” Alexei demanded.

“Dad–” Yelena pleaded.

“Tell her we are Thunderbolts,” He proudly proclaimed, before switching his focus back to Valentina. “Change name back. So simple.”

Valentina let out an annoyed chuckle. “Not simple. No, you’re all the New Avengers, whether you like it or not.”

“I think we’re all forgetting the fact that she tried to kill us,” Walker hissed. Standing up out of his seat, he pointed an accusing finger at Valentina. All of a sudden, it felt like you were in a courtroom, except every one of you was a prosecutor put up against a defendant who was speaking for themselves.

“Actually, I was having you all kill each other, ” Valentina clarified. You scoffed, rolling your eyes at her poor attempt at an excuse. “Which seems to have worked somewhat since there’s only seven of you instead of eight.”

Walker froze. The finger that was once pointed at Valentina now faltered down to his side. His jaw clenched tightly at her words. You all did. Ava especially. Her eyes fell to the ground, finding the speckled pattern of the carpet drawing all of her attention. Bucky and Alexei glanced around at you all. Alexei’s eyes softened at Yelena’s somber expression, as a deep frown already etched itself onto her face. When Bucky’s eyes met yours, you couldn’t help but look away. Valentina was right. There was no refuting her words.

“So what?” Yelena muttered. Her breath was low, and her shoulders were tense. Her eyes slowly drew away from her reflection on the table. “Are we still your shadow ops? Here to do your dirty work but under a new shiny title?”

Valentina cocked her head to the side, taking in a deep breath. As if it were a reset button, her posture now stood straighter, like a needle about to inject something venomous deep into your veins. “Yes and no.” Her empty glass clinked as it was placed back onto the table. “You’re in this with me now. If I go down, you all do too. There’s nothing people love more than tearing into those who have fallen, and trust me, I’ll make you fall with me.”

Bob nervously glanced over at you. His glance sparked a similar reaction in others. It was exactly as Bucky had told you earlier. Valentina was a predator who saw her opportunity and took it. You all were trapped, enchained by her side until she fell, dragging you all down with her, or until someone freed you. The weight of Bucky’s words and ideas fell on your shoulders. You shrink under their gaze, not enough for Valentina to see weakness and pounce. No, it was the kind of weight that you could not buckle from. The only place left to go was forward, and so you raised your head to face the viper.

“Now, the public is already skeptical of you all, and I don’t blame them. I mean, we’ve got Walmart Captain America, a former assassin, a mall Santa, a failure of a senator—” Valentina’s words were intended to cut deep despite the coach-like tone she used when speaking to them. Despite her attempts to weaken you all, they fell on deaf ears. You knew you weren’t perfect. No one who sat at this table was. Covered in the shadows cast by the new name you all bore was enough of a reminder.

“Alright, we get it, Valentina,” Bucky spat. “Where are you going with all of this?”

“You’re so lucky you’ve got a cute face, Senator Barnes–and good hair,” Bucky scowled at the disguised insult. “Mel, I’m sure we can get it even better, tell the hair department that–”

“On it,” Mel said, already jotting down the ideas that began to spew from Valentina’s mouth. You wanted to feel bad for the poor woman, but she was just as much a part of this as you were.

“We’re going to need good PR. Charity events and maybe some interviews with top news stations. We have got to build the image that you, miscreants, can step into the shoes of the old Avengers. Oh god, I won’t even begin to mention sponsors and–”

“Yelena, the Wheaties box!” Alexei cheered, nudging Yelena’s side. It seemed he intended it to be a whisper of sorts, but his voice came out much too loud as if he were a child going through a growth spurt. Whose brain was not realizing that they stood two feet taller than before, misjudging every action and placement.

“I’m sorry,” Valentina blinked. “What? And what is that ridiculous get-up? We are definitely going to have to change that.”

Alexei’s face dropped as his eyes narrowed at her. “No change. I am the Red Guardian and–”

“Let me stop you there, Mr. Red Guardian,” Valentina interjected, brushing over Alexei as she continued to spit out more ways to make each of you into the most delectable mold for the press and people to eat up. The way she discussed wardrobe changes and PR events would put even the best social media influencers to shame. “Mel, make a note to trim up the beard, tidy him up a little…” She paused. “A lot. Hell, all of them. Actually, call the wardrobe and other accompanying departments stat. We’ve got a lot of work to do before–”

“Oh, I feel a headache coming,” Bob mumbled. The stress of it all: the unknown, Valentina’s threats and judgements, and now all this talk of being public and close-ups were making the wrinkles in his forehead more and more prominent.

“I feel you,” you replied, trying to soothe the divots in your skin that mirrored his.

“Enough about the hair and…whatever,” Bucky declared. Valentina paused her monologue, clenching her jaw. Sitting straighter, Bucky brought his hands together. He looked very official with how he sat, despite the T-shirt and jeans, and leather Jacket combo he was rocking. You understood now why he was elected by his Brooklyn constituents. While he didn’t have a way with words, Bucky did have a way with connecting with people and getting things done. “We need to talk about how this is going to work. Clearly, you need us, and somehow we need you.”

A smile flickered onto Valentina’s face. It wasn’t a challenge or one meant to belittle. Instead, it was one of acknowledgement, as if Valentina began to see past the cover and actually read the contents. “You all, this little team you made, is official. And because you are the New Avengers, you need to start acting like them, doing what they did. You will all live in the Watchtower once the renovations are complete. You will attend events and make public appearances. And you will complete missions, save the world, I’m sure you get the gist. You do all that, and I make sure you are provided for. It’s an exchange, you see, I don’t get impeached and criminalized, and you all can have a chance for the clean slate I promised. Sound fair?”

The rest of the meeting flew by. Not because the topics rolled off the tongue spurring on the conversation, but because you chose not to listen for much longer, instead choosing to fiddle with your fingers. You trace their shape, dragging along the creases of your knuckles, which eventually stop. Next, you fumbled with your nails, not once bringing them up to your mouth. It had been a habit you broke long ago, but the urge to nibble now was unbearable. You could feel the nail beds touching your skin, digging into places you hadn’t noticed before. Soon, your focus was brought to the hangnails that peeled away from the original nail. You winced as you scratched at them, an attempt to get it away. It wasn’t until a soft hand squeezed your shoulder that you snapped out of it.

Looking up, you found Bucky. It took a minute for your mind to load and understand what he was trying to tell you.

“Y/N?” Bucky muttered your name. His thumb came to rub your shoulder in a circular pattern. It was the same one he always did when trying to comfort you. Clockwise three times, then counterclockwise four times before rubbing up and down to restart the pattern.

“Huh? Oh yeah, I–sorry, ” you quietly said. You glanced down at the paper in front of you. It was a contract of sorts. One Valentina was having everyone sign. Legally binding, you recalled her saying. She’d do all the things she promised: provide housing and support for you all so long as you did what you agreed to. Scanning the papers, you realized she had pre-signed everything. You scoffed, picking up the pen that laid in front of you. You twirled it around, creating an illusion as if the pen was floating in the air. As your hands mindlessly flipped the pen between your fingers, your eyes lifted from the contract to your team. It seemed they were all reluctant to sign something like this, even though you spent the last two hours, give or take, discussing all the fine details.

It was air-tight, or at least that is what Val wanted you to believe. You knew there was always some loophole you could find and hold onto, like a get-out-of-jail card. Finding it was the problem, though. While you were smart, you knew little about the legality of things. Picking up the thick paper, you bit your lip and clicked your pen. With a swift motion, a signature now lay on the line. Signed and dated. Mel came around, picking up the contracts one by one. Valentina blabbed on about how you all would receive copies of the contract to keep with you. Pinching the bridge of your nose, you watched as the contract in front of you disappeared. You couldn’t help but feel as if you had just made a contract with the devil, and you weren’t sure if you’d get out of this with your soul intact. One thing was for sure: you were going to need one hell of a lawyer to help you out.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The savoury scent of Chinese takeout wafted through the air. Although you and the others had devoured it the moment the delivery arrived, scarfing it down until your stomach overflowed and then eating some more, the scent lingered. Flopped against the cushions of your couch, you flung arms out, trying to stretch away your food baby.

“Oh god,” Yelena groaned as she curled up in the corner of your couch. Snagging one of the throw pillows to brace against her stomach, she puffed her cheeks and let out a huff of air, which blew the blonde strands of her hair out and away from her face. “I don’t think I have ever eaten so much food in my life.”

“I second that,” Ava added, letting her head fall back on the cushion to the right of you. Wiping a few stray strands of hair from her face, she let her arms slump back down to the ground, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of your shiny hardwood floors.

Beside you, Walker took a long sip of the beer he borrowed from your fridge. The flavour of the golden liquid teased his taste buds. At first sip, he wasn’t sure if he’d like it, seeing the brand and all, but it grew on him. The bitterness gave way to a soft sweetness that helped massage away the stress of the past few days. “Nothing better than cheap food and good beer,” he muttered, his eyes distant as he raised the drink in his hand, making a toast.

“I’d drink to that,” you chimed, as you turned your head to gaze at your drink on the coffee table. You had only taken a few chugs of it before filling your stomach with as much Chinese food as you could eat. Now it sat building up condensation that formed a ring on the wooden surface of the table, matching all the other rings that had come before it. You weren’t one for coasters, it seemed. Extending an arm, you reached out for the drink. Your knuckles stretched out of their place to brush the dewy surface of your can. You jutted out your bottom lip, frowning. It was just out of reach. So you strained even further. Still, the drink lay out of reach.

Walker chuckled. “Why don’t you try again? Maybe you’ll get it this time.”

“Shut up, Walker,” you quipped back. You caught sight of the smirk that formed on his lips. The line of his smile reached his bright blue eyes. You rolled yours in response, reaching again for the drink. However, you didn’t have to reach far as the drink was lifted up and placed into your hand.

“Here you go,” Bob said. Despite wearing your gloves, you could feel the warmth radiating from his hand. Carefully, you adjusted your fingers to hold only the tip of the can, giving his large hand the room it needed on the drink.

“Thanks,” you muttered, feeling his hand slip away once you had a grip on the drink. Bob just nodded his head, before turning back to his plate, still making his way through the last bits of fried rice on his plate. Lifting the beer to your lips, you felt the cool liquid drain into your throat. It sent a welcomed chill throughout your body.

At the end of the couch, Bucky pushed himself off the cushions. His hands reached for the dirtied plates and dishware littering the coffee table. Stacking them one on the other, he carried the pile into your kitchen, gently placing them into the sink before washing them off and putting them into your dishwasher. You wanted to tell him you’d take care of it later, but the meeting with Valentina had made your throat coarse and your vocal cords unwilling to speak. Instead, you made a mental note to remind yourself later to thank him. Soon ,Bucky came back with a trash bag, collecting the empty take-out boxes and crushed cans of beer. Eventually, you willed yourself off the couch, following Bucky into the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

“I’ve got this,” Bucky said, urging you to go sit back down with everyone else as the food comas overcame them. Alexei was the first to succumb as ripples of snores began to sneak out of his mouth.

You shook your head, placing a few remaining dishes into your dishwasher before closing it. “Nah, it’s my house, you’re my guests.”

“Well, you’ve been a great host so far, now let me be a grateful guest,” Bucky quipped back.

You chuckled as he gently pushed you to the side to start your dishwasher for you. “Ever the gentleman, Bucky Bear,” you teased, letting the nickname you gave him long ago slip out, watching as he rolled his eyes at it. You knew he cherished the name more than he let on. He just never would give you the satisfaction of knowing.

Reaching into the cupboard below your sink, you snatched a container of wipes and popped open the lid. The antiseptic smell of Lysol filled the air. With a sharp tug, the cleaning wipe detached, freeing itself from the bottle, and you began to wipe the counter. There wasn’t much to wipe, but even so, it kept you busy providing you a much-needed distraction from Valentina, the contract, the team, hell, everything.

“Pepper called.” The words slipped out of your mouth. You sighed, wiping a spot on your counter a little harder. Bucky leaned against the counter beside you. He didn’t say anything, instead just giving you the space you needed to breathe, to keep talking. “She saw the news and called to check in. Make sure everything was okay.”

“And is it? Is everything okay?” Bucky asked. You didn’t turn to look at him, but felt the weight of his eyes all the same.

“I don’t know anymore, Bucky,” you admitted. You had stopped wiping the counter long ago, the Lysol wiping having dried out. “Earlier at the restaurant, I thought maybe I could do it, but then we had the meeting and signed the contract–Bucky, I’m drowning. In over my head with everything, and I haven’t even started. What’s worse is that Val is right. She’s a horrible person, but she’s right. I mean, look at us.” You tried your best to stay quiet, but with how much your voice was trembling, it was getting difficult. “We’re a bunch of misfits.”

“You’re human,” Bucky said.

You let out a dry laugh. “So were they, and yet here I am feeling less than.”

Bucky took in a deep breath, flexing his hands. “Look, kid,” you sent him a glare. “Y/N,” Bucky corrected. “The Avengers were idolized. Put on pedestals for stepping up and being the first, but even then, they weren’t perfect. No one is. You know that better than anyone.”

“Then why is it so much harder to live up to their expectations when they’re gone than when they were alive?”

“Because they’re a memory. Living things change and adapt. Memories stay fixed, imperfect capsules of what once was. Look, I know it doesn’t do any good to dwell on the past. You get lost in all the questions of what could have happened and what might be instead of seeing what’s right in front of you.” Stepping closer, Bucky placed his vibranium hand over yours. “Go rest, I’ll finish cleaning up here.”

Reluctantly, you dragged yourself away from the kitchen and into the living room, flopping back down onto the couch. Pretty much everyone had fallen asleep by now. Walker lay tucked into the side of the couch. His mouth hung slightly open as he breathed in and out. His chest rose at a slow and steady pace. Nearby, Yelena grumbled in her sleep, still hugging your throw pillow. Ava was no longer anywhere in the room, but from the creaks in the floorboards upstairs, you figured she had found her way back into one of the guest rooms. Alexei still snored, his mouth hanging wide open. His nose twitched, and you noticed bits of rice stuck in his scruffy beard. All while Bob leaned against the palm of his hand. His elbow, which was braced against the table, slipped as he dozed off. The sudden jerk startled him awake. With a finger, you nudged his shoulder. He whirled around to look at you. His eyes were blown wide with sleep. “Huh, uh–I’m up,” he said groggily.

“You can take one of the beds,” you quietly offered, glancing at the sleeping figures nearby. “I doubt they’ll wake up anytime soon.”

“Uh, I’m good,” he tried to convince you he wasn’t tired, but you could see the sleep he was trying so hard to fight off.

“Bob,” you sighed. “You need to rest. We all do. I know my place is unfamiliar, but I’ll do what I can to make it comfortable for you. More pillows or blankets? Maybe melatonin?”

Still, he shook his head. “Melatonin makes me wake up in the middle of the night, so–I promise I’m okay. I just–” His face fell, and he turned away from you. You sat up from your place on the couch, sliding down on the floor next to him. Behind you, you could hear Bucky’s deep footsteps as he made his way into your office to crash on the blow-up mattress. “I-I know you all said that I’m coming with you and that I’m a part of the team, but I can’t help but feel like that if I fall asleep, that I’ll wake up and you all will be gone.”

Your shoulders fell as the tremble in his voice. Softly, you laid your head against your knees to get a better look at him. “Bob, I promise we will all be here when you wake up. I know some of them are leaving to get packed for when we move into the Watchtower, but we’ll be here.”

Finally, Bob looked at you. His eyes scanned your face as he searched for any sign of a lie, but there was none. You looked certain and secure in your words despite the uncertainty he had heard you convey to Bucky in the kitchen. He felt bad for eavesdropping, but found it difficult not to listen to the sound of your voice. “Okay…”

“Speaking of,” You began. “Do you have some place you want to go, things to pack up?”

Bob shook his head. “No, when I left for Malaysia, I kinda sort of left everything behind. I don’t really have anything, besides the clothes and toothbrush you got me.”

“Oh,” you uttered. “That’s fine. I’d be happy to pick you up some more things, if you’d like.”

“I don’t want to ask that of you. You’ve already done a lot for me.”

“Bob, please, it’s fine. I promise it does nothing but ease the weight of my wallet,” you lightly teased, all while trying to reassure him. “We can go shopping tomorrow if you like.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Bob smiled, tucking his knees into his chest to rest his arms on top. Slowly, he let his head drop down, lying in his arms. His eyes were still gazing at you from where you sat. You couldn’t help the heat that flooded your cheeks as he looked at you.

Licking your lips, you began to nibble on them, your body unconsciously mirroring Bob’s position. “You’re welcome to stay with me, you know, until we all move into the Watchtower and all,” you whispered. Your fingers trailed the seam of your pants up and down, unsure as to why you were nervous for just offering him a place to stay. He hummed in agreement, fighting off the weight of his eyelids as they tried to close. Shifting, you carefully nudged him. “If you won’t go to sleep in one of the beds, at least sleep on the couch, Bob. It’s a great couch, if I might add. Might just sleep on it myself,” you yawned, lifting yourself off the floor to grab some blankets from your closet. Bob shook himself awake, mumbling that he’d be fine, but his body betrayed him as he stood up and crawled onto the couch. You unfolded the blankets, peeling the soft fluffy fabric from each other before lying it down over Yelena, Alexei, Walker, and lastly, Bob. Then finding an open place on the couch, you tugged a blanket over yourself.

You curled your legs closely, settling in the fetal position. Settling in one of the corners of your large U-shaped couch, you let the serenity of the night overcome you. Bucky or Ava still shuffled around upstairs moving to and from the bathroom. It was a few minutes before the light at the top of the stairs flicked off, leaving only the dim light in the kitchen and some of the warm lights of your lamps remaining. Outside, you could hear the faint rumbling as cars drove by. Occasionally, some light chatter would fill the air as your neighbors stumbled into their homes after a late night. Nearby, you could hear Bob shuffling. The fabric of his sweater zipped across the fabric of your couch as he tried to get comfortable. For a moment all would be still, until he started moving again.

“Bob?” You called out. He hummed in response, his movements stilled. “You good?”

“Y-yeah, I just–it’s a bit cramped.” You tilted your head off the throw pillow you were laying your head on. It was a floral pattern with tiny birds embroidered onto the surface. Even in the dim light you could see how crowded the other side of the couch was. Walker and Alexei, who were no means small, lay spread out. Walker had his legs out, his feet hanging off the edge of the couch as Yelena’s legs lay tucked behind him. Where Yelena’s waist lay, was Alexei’s head. Granted he was on the floor, his large arm that was tucked underneath his head took up the same amount of space as Yelena’s torso. At the end of the other side of the U lay Bob, trying to avoid placing his feet near Yelena’s face, and legs anywhere near Alexei’s open mouth.

Observing the large gap that was between you and Walker, you figured it’d be safe. Besides you still had your gloves on which eased any worry you might have accidental touch. “There’s more room over here,” you admitted, opening up the space for him. Bob muttered out an okay, before waddling over, dragging his blanket behind him. Your head dipped down as he lay next to you. His feet just inches from grazing Walker’s sleeping body, his head coming to a rest near yours. Your pillows pressed up against each other. “Better?” You asked.

Bob nodded, as you watched the tension in his shoulders and neck relax letting him fully extend. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Of course, anytime.” You took in a deep breath, letting your body fully be held by the couch below you. As your eyelids shut, you called to FRIDAY instructing her to switch off the lights and lock the doors for the night. You vaguely recalled her signalling the completion of the tasks. “Goodnight, Bob” you mumbled, unsure if your words came out coherent or not. Sleep quickly overcame you before you could hear Bob wish you a goodnight as well.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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werewolfetone · 1 day ago

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Can I be controversial for a second. I think it's rlly interesting that a complaint that a lot of people on here have about AI art is that the artist, usually construed as a single person or in rare cases a few people who do the entire process of "making art," is viewed as having not "made" the art as in done all the labour to produce the work, when going into irl art spaces often reveals that this is the case far more often than people seem to believe it to be. I can only speak with authority on photography because that's the community I'm involved in but I can't tell you how many shows I've gone to which credit one name but, when you speak to the photographer, they either had someone else develop and print the film/edit the files/whatever, and while this is definitely not the rule (not even in film) it happens enough that it's significant because the person who does those things makes kind of big decisions about the way a photograph... is, for lack of a better word. changing things like exposure, how much dust on the lens/scanner to edit out, how much to doctor the photograph to show a more idealised idea of the subject (editing out wrinkles etc), these are big artistic decisions that someone else other than "the artist" is making. which brings us to AI and the idea of "not making" something yourself. a photographer exposes a piece of film to light for a fraction of a second and then other people develop, edit, and print their photograph, and through this engrained idea of art as unilaterally solitary rather than a conversation between everyone involved that's the work of the photographer alone. somebody on chatGPT comes up with an idea and gets a machine to execute it and they didn't "make" it. idk if I'm trying to make a point other than it's weird how labour is viewed in the arts + under my communist regime people who don't credit richard avedon's darkroom staff in exhibits of his work will be executed by firing squad

#jory.txt #guy in the local photo group pissing me thefuck off on instagram again. lol

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good-beanswrites · 2 days ago

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es being in CONPLETE and utter denial that their prisoners care for them and vice versa. This could be humor and/or angst. Like the prisoners have a whole birthday for es, they bring them back to their room when they pass out, etc. And still, es is like "uhm. Yeah so my prisoners DEFINITELY hate me for the verdicts and stuff" while ignoring a letter on their desk that says "we care for you!!"

They really are the most in-denial child you've ever met -_- I really hope the give-your-warden-a-hug trend continues through the vds, but I'm doubtful 😅 I got hooked on the birthday idea, especially since they don't have an official-official one. I tried to keep a balance of angst and lightheartedness, with the ending ambiguous enough to satisfy either hehe... (Also featuring a quick reference to the last angst piece where Es came down with a fever, but not meaningfully a sequel)

Es awoke on their birthday cold, sore, and crying out in fear.

They’d fallen asleep at their desk (which hadn’t been an issue the first few times when their neck and shoulders weren’t pinched up in pain.) Jackalope denied any fiddling with the prison’s temperature, but they still believed this chill wasn’t normal. Neither was their sharp increase in nightmares…

They shoved their notebooks aside, knocking against the desk’s lamp with a clatter. Es knew they had no right to feel so bitter. It wasn’t as if it was their real birthday. Today marked the day Milgram had begun, but they had joined the others scoffing at Mahiru’s suggestion that it could be considered the day “Es” was born.

And now, there was no one around to push it.

They arrived for breakfast in their rumpled uniform. Sure enough, no one spoke a word as they picked at some cereal. Yuno was the only one to make an odd comment after they stood, heading to the hallway.

“Back to work already? Maybe you should take today off. It’s… a good day to relax.”

“I’m fine, Yuno. There’s a bit more to get done,” they lied.

Milgram’s paperwork and logs had been turned in weeks ago. Everything currently strewn across their desk was there for personal use. It was better to continue their endeavors in the privacy of their own room rather than be an annoyance out here.

“If you say so…” her voice lilted with a lightness Es hadn’t heard in a long time. “Just try and take one break out here, okay? We don’t want a repeat of last time, hehe~”

They nodded, her cheery tone only plunging them deeper into shame. The prisoners had every right to ensure they didn’t overwork themselves again. It must have been infuriating to be expected to care for their own warden. They had to spend a whole week watching over some helpless child who’d dragged their prison into despair.

That night, Mikoto further drove in the knife by repeating the request cheerily. He brought them a plate of dinner, stopping the door with his foot when they tried to shrug off his comments.

“Just a little change of scenery,” he prodded. If even he was offering advice about overwork, the prisoners must have been desperate.

“Alright.” Es glanced down at the plate, knowing it would be going straight to the garbage given their current appetite. Something sweet sounded more palatable, but that would only sound childish to admit. “I’ll come out to grab some tea in a minute.”

The prison felt oddly quiet when they finally honored their word. They crept from the corridor into the kitchen. Es thought Jackalope maintained control of the meals, but the new mess of dishes told them the prisoners had made something on their own. Es felt a pang of guilt for throwing out their dinner; it may not have been as fur-infested as they originally thought.

They made their tea as silently as possible. The ache had returned to their muscles and temples. All they wanted to do was curl up on the couch in their room, grab a blanket to stave off this chill, and cry as silently as they could manage into their tea.

As Es approached their quarters, they realized they wouldn’t be so lucky.

The door to their quarters stood open a crack, voices of the prisoners rising up from inside.

“Hurry up! They’ll be back any minute now.”

“I thought you told them to leave their room?”

“I don’t think they were really buying it...”

Es already figured out the motive was out of selfishness rather than concern, but the betrayal still stung. They were the Warden, after all – they should have been far above falling victim to some mutinous plot to ransack their bedroom.

They took a measured breath. Their plans would need to wait. Es placed their tea on the ground, straightening out their uniform. They mustered up all the authority they could by lifting their chin and making the most of their height. They closed the gap to the doorway and hoped the stomping of their boots announced their arrival with enough intimidation.

“And just what do you think you’re do–”

“Surprise!”

Es’ mouth hung open, the rest of their lecture falling away into complete bafflement. Their room had been transformed with homemade materials: paper chains hung like party streamers above. Colored crafts were strewn about, in various shapes but with a clear rabbit theme. The books on their desk had been cleared away to make room for a cake, on which Kazui was hurriedly lighting some colorful candles. The icing displayed a shaky-handed drawing of Jackalope’s face.

“Happy birthday!” Muu beamed at them, unwavering even through her horrid veil. She linked her arms through theirs to drag them forward. “Didn’t we do such a good job?”

“I – what? My birthday…?”

Mikoto shrugged. “It’s close enough.”

“We figured you’d had enough bad surprises lately.” Kazui gave a guilty laugh. “We thought we owed you a nice one.”

Es’ shoulders sank. “No. You don’t owe me anything.”

“That’s good,” Amane said, “because Fuuta-san completely ruined your cake.”

“It’s going to taste fine! If you actually helped with the icing, maybe it wouldn’t look so bad…”

“I was busy making the chain.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Muu said. “We couldn’t surprise you with gifts, since you see our requests. But it was fun making decorations. We still don’t really know what you like, but we know you and Jackalope get along, so we thought you might like rabbits.”

They blinked. “Ah. Where is Jackalope?” There was no way he’d allow all this. After all, he was the one who specifically told them that a Warden of Milgram has no birthday, or age, or anything else to call their own. It was easier that way, he said. Es had agreed, at the time.

The others looked away nervously, but Yuno kept up her bright smile. “Kotoko’s cell. She never does party stuff like this, but I think she still wanted to help. She’s looking after him a bit.”

That sounded like a terrible idea. Es should go make sure he was still in one piece. Then again, what were a few more minutes to understand the situation…?

They eyed the cake. Though the decoration wasn’t the highest quality, there seemed to be a lot of work put into the dessert. “I thought you all were above petty bribery.”

“I told you they’d be a baby about it.” Fuuta crossed his arms. “No kid likes their birthday to be a big deal.”

Yuno flicked his ear. “Every kid likes that! You’re just the weird one.” Before he could complain, she turned the attention to the flickering candles. “Now, you should make your wish!”

“Mm-hm. Muu won’t eat it if it gets gross candle wax in it.”

The Warden shouldn’t sit around and share a cake with the prisoners under them.

Kazui said, “it has berries in the filling – your favorite. At least, I thought you mentioned something like that to Shidou-san.”

The Warden should recall information about the prisoners, not the other way around.

“How does that sound?”

“That sounds…”

The Warden shouldn’t have a birthday, to begin with.

They tried to get a hold of their trembling voice. “That sounds…” Their throat squeezed itself tight. The others’ eyes widened. They started to cry.

“Oh, Warden-kun!”

“I told you, you’ve been working too hard!”

“Here, let’s get you some cake.”

“It’s okay!”

Es wanted to demand everyone stop with the coddling and the childishness. They didn’t need all this fake concern. But they were outnumbered – too many arms pulled them in and patted their back to fend off. Amane used a sheet of paper to blow out the candles, cutting a slice early.

Es was ushered over to the couch. With all the bodies around them, it felt warmer here. The plate of desert landed right into their hands.

“I… I don’t understand,” they said at last. “It’s not even my birthday. And even if it was, none of us are getting any older. After everything… I mean… You know I don’t deserve this.”

They hung their head. Yuno let out a drawn-out sigh, and they waited for her to agree with them.

Instead, she nudged them playfully. “I know that everyone deserves something sweet on their birthday. And some company, no matter the homicidal status…” Es didn’t expect so many chuckles from the group. “And a wish.”

Amane reached over to place a half-melted candle into their slice. She lit it.

It was mere flattery, they reminded themself. These prisoners had no reason to care, other than to get on Es’ good side in hopes of skewing their verdicts. There was nothing special about it – anyone would do the same.

They looked at the gazes surrounding them. Their smiles weren’t forced. But how could anyone tell what was real, anymore? They curled their legs up under them.

Es closed their eyes, and made a wish.

#milgram #es #+ little appearances from #yuno kashiki #fuuta kajiyama #muu kusunoki #kazui mukuhara #amane momose #mikoto kayano #i hate adding to the trend of leaving kotoko out of things because shes too mean but i genuinely dont think shed enjoy something like this #but still want to help -- even betrayed by es she has sympathy seeing everything theyre going through #when your prisoners throw you a surprise bday party and bake you a cake and you still can only believe theyre bribing you 😔👍#was the wish 'i love my friends and wish this could last forever :)'#or 'i know these people fucking hate me and i wish all this would just end' 😭#or secret third thing #i love giving es a ton of random paperwork because What does this child need to do?? who knows but more paperwork be upon ye!!!#buuuut i decided to be semi-realistic this time and admit theyre taking notes and planning verdicts all for personal use #i assumed the nightmare was about the previous deaths (we love being haunted by ghosts of people you think youre responsible for killing 👏)#but i suppose it could be a lot of things rip...#if the es fans know what theyre favorite food may be lmk!! i chose berries because those are rabbits' favorite fruit hehe #the pudding minigram makes me think they have a bit of a sweet tooth so theyd be down for skipping dinner just to get something sugary #anyway thank you so much for the request!!#i always love writing es (and even if theyre not 100% accepting it) i love writing them being given some love :')#drabbles

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tobiasdrake · 2 days ago

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Digimon Adventure 02x31 - Sylphimon, the Storm of Love / Opposites Attract

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Team Rocket created Mewtwo and unleashed him upon us. Iori was hostile to Ken until he agreed to leave but then Miyako fixed the problem by hitting Ken until he agreed to come back. Nothing was accomplished and no one was helped.

We open in the Digital World, deep in the woods. Digimon are out and about enjoying their lives. A bunch of Numemon are hiding in bushes. Elecmon is out taking care of the babies. There's even a Unimon.

But then, suddenly, they hear it. Heavy armored footfalls approaching. The Digimon scatter. The Numemon pull down their eyestalks to conceal themselves. Elecmon shepherds the babies away. Unimon gallops off. No one wants to be here for what's coming.

As BlackWarGreymon cuts down a pair of trees in his path and steps into the area, the only sound is a strange chattering noise. He looks up to see a frightened Kuwagamon clinging to a tree, trying their hardest not to be noticed and faillng miserably due to their teeth chattering.

But this Kuwagamon is unworthy of BlackWarGreymon's attention, so he presses on.

This is an incredibly quiet and tense scene in the original. The dub gives it a larger soundscape. There's scary bad times BGM playing, the Digimon gasp audibly, and there's effects for both the slicing and the falling of trees. Kuwagamon gets dialogue.

Kuwagamon: Ooogh, I'm invisible! I'm not here! You don't see me! Owohwohwohwohwohwohwohwohwohwohwohwohwoh....

This is in lieu of the fact that Kuwagamon does not speak in the original and, in fact, is not a species of Digimon that talks at all.

Now that we're up to speed with him, what's up with our deadly duo?

Arachnemon and Mummymon are in the car tracking BlackWarGreymon's movement in the Digital World.

Mummymon: Wherever he goes, he leaves a phase distortion in his wake. If we follow that, we'll find him. Arachnemon: Where the hell is he trying to go!? Mummymon: Well, if we knew that, there wouldn't be a problem. Arachnemon: Why are you so calm about this!? Speed up! Mummymon: (sigh) ...yes, ma'am.

At Arachnemon's command, Mummymon picks up the pace.

In the dub:

Mummymon: We should be able to track BlackWarGreymon by following the spatial disruption. He won't elude you, my sweet! Arukenimon: You had better be right, Mummymon. And don't call me that! Mummymon: I am your eternal slave, my dear. Whatever you wish. Arukenimon: You're pathetic. Speed up! I'm growing weary of you! Mummymon: Yes, Pumpkin!

The dub's having fun with Mummymon's unrequited feelings. It still hits the key point about them tracking the distortion, but it's a little awkward. It's the presentation.

The original says that BWG is creating some sort of distortion in his wake and they're tracking that. The dub says we're tracking him by following the spatial disruption as if we're already supposed to know what that means.

This is a minor point and it's a confusing piece of technobabble either way, but the original phrasing is less likely too leave you stopping and going, "Wait, what spatial disruption? What's a spatial disruption?"

In the human world, another day of elementary school comes to a close. The Chosen Children gather in computer club to discuss the royal shitstomp they definitely all died from but then fortunately got to pop 1-Ups between episodes.

Takeru: BlackWarGreymon.... Daisuke: Even Paildramon couldn't defeat him.... Tailmon: We were up against an Ultimate Digimon. There's nothing we could do. Even if I could reach Perfect, we'd still be no match for him. Takeru: If we just had two-- No, even one more Jogress Evolution we could pull off, then we might stand more of a chance against him. Chibimon: You guys need to hurry up and Jogress already. Daisuke: You need to drop the attitude. Chibimon: Nah. Ahahahahaha! Patamon: But who are our partners? Poromon: If we knew that, we could at least practice. Upamon: That's right-dagyaa! Tailmon: It would have to be someone here.... Poromon: Here...? Patamon: Someone....

It's a good question. Are we going girl-girl and boy-boy with Hikari/Miyako and Takeru/Iori? Or are we going bestie-bestie with Miyako/Iori and Hikari/Takeru? Both of these are entirely conceivable. Though it might be a little awkward if we end up going Miyako/Takeru and Hikari/Iori.

Again, I want the franchise to stop being lazy and give us alternative Jogress forms already. >.< I don't care if they aren't canon! Neither is Ponchomon but we still have that!

In the dub:

T.K.: We needed this like a hole in the head. Davis: I think that's exactly BlackWarGreymon's plan. Gatomon: If he even looks at Kari the wrong way, I'll put a hole in his head! I don't care if he is a Mega!

The dub seems unaware that we already fought BlackWarGreymon and got our teeth kicked in.

T.K.: Very courageous but crazy. Even if you could evolve to Ultimate which, let me remind you, you can't, he's TOO POWERFUL!!! DemiVeemon: If the rest of you could DNA Digivolve, he'd be toast! Davis: Think you could have more of an attitude, little guy? DemiVeemon: Nuh-uh! Hahahahaha! Patamon: How rude, but he's right. We're useless. Poromon: Maybe we could practice but who with? Upamon: Yeah, who's my partner? Gatomon: Hmm, good question... You're all so young and inexperienced. Poromon: But we'll learn quick.... Patamon: You'll have to.

We're all inexperienced when it comes to DNA Digivolving, Gatomon. It's a brand new concept.

In the original, Takeru is the one holding onto hope and saying that we might have a chance if the rest of the team can Jogress. The dub makes him a party pooper criticizing Gatomon for thinking she could ever compete with BWG, then has DemiVeemon overconfidently be the one to assert that more DNA Digivolutions are the answer - albeit in a flippant way that's more of a dig against them.

Overall, the tone is a lot more negative. The dub kids don't feel like they're confidently trying to work through the problem the way the original kids are.

While the Digimon are thinking about Jogress, the conversation moves on to BlackWarGreymon himself.

Miyako: That being said, he's even blowing off that spider woman's group. Iori: That just proves he's not an opponent we can go after with a piece of rope. Hikari: Where could he be going? All by himself, no less....

Real quick, rope is a simple and useful tool that can be applied to all kinds of situations to make an easy and effective solution. To that end, the phrase "一筋縄では行かない Hitosujinawa de wa ikanai" or "I can't go at it with a piece of rope" came to describe abnormally complex and difficult tasks with no easy answer.

Anyways, Hikari suddenly speaks up from offscreen, where she's been all this time. While we've been chatting about Jogress, Hikari's been staring out the window in a depressed funk. But now that she's sharing what's on her mind, everyone shuts up and pays her all of their attention.

Hikari: BlackWarGreymon... A Digimon who seems to have been born only to fight. Team: ... Miyako: Hikari-chan... are you worried about BlackWarGreymon? Hikari: It's not quite like that.... Daisuke: Hikari-chan is kind, unlike you, Miyako. Miyako: Hey! What's that supposed to mean!? Daisuke: What's what mean!? Takeru: (breaking it up) Okay, okay. In any case, let's get to the Digital World. We can't let them create another Digimon like that again. Daisuke: Yeah! We'll smash those Dark Towers before they know what hit 'em! Right, Hikari-chan? Hikari: Sure....

Hikari answers positively but her heart isn't in it. Daisuke accepts it and Chibimon hops up onto his arm with excitement.

Chibimon: Let's go, Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah!

But Miyako sees through it. As we transition to the Digital World, Miyako thinks to herself about Hikari while creepily staring at her.

Miyako: (thinking) Yeah, I'm nothing like Hikari-chan. She carries so many things inside her heart. So much that, sometimes, I have no way of knowing what's going through her head.

Right now, what's going through her head is, "Uhhhh, why is she staring at me so intensely? She's been doing that for half an hour. She knows I can tell she's doing it, right? Is she trying to intimidate me? Am I her latest crush? What is this? Okay, just ignore it and maybe it will go away."

Miyako, you really need to master the art of the "You can move your eyes, just don't turn your head" maneuver.

In the dub:

Yolei: I can't believe BlackWarGreymon dissed Arukenimon like that. Not that I blame him. Cody: I think she was as surprised as we were. BlackWarGreymon's a loose cannon. Kari: Where do you think he's going? I kinda feel sorry for him. Team: HUH!?!?

The difference in Kari's voices is like night and day right here. Hikari delivers her lines in a sad and distant tone, like she's not really in the room talking to us. She's squirreled away inside the vault within her heart.

Kari just chats normally like this is an everyday conversation.

Kari: He must be very confused and lonely. She created him to be a fighting machine! That just seems really sad to me. Yolei: I must be going crazy. It sounds to me like you're worrying about a cold-blooded monster! Kari: Not really. I just care about him. Davis: That's the difference between you and Kari. She cares about other people. Yolei: What's that supposed to mean!? Davis: Just what it sounds like! T.K.: Hey hey! Do I have to separate you two!? It's stupid to fight each other! Let's go to the Digital World and finish what we started. Davis: Yeah! If we knock down the Control Spires, old White Hair is out of business! Kari, you're with me, aren't you? Kari: (reluctantly) ...yyyyeah...? DemiVeemon: I'm with you, Davis! Davis: Yeah! Yolei: (thinking) I hate to admit it but Davis might be right about Kari and me. She never puts her foot in her mouth like I do. I never know what she's thinking. It kinda makes me nervous. (transition to Digital World) Veemon: So anyway, then the guy says, "Knock Knock". Davis: Veemon, I told you, no more knock knock jokes. Veemon: This isn't a knock knock joke! It's a joke about a guy who tells knock knock jokes! Davis: No more! Veemon: You're no fun.

The dub doesn't bring up the possibility of Arukenimon making another BlackWarGreymon or something like him by combining another set of 100 Dark Towers. Which is a very serious threat that we should be concerned about.

Miyako can't tell what Hikari's thinking because of how much she carries inside her heart. Hikari is closed off. Emotionally reclusive. She doesn't share what's on her mind very often.

Kari is sassy and loud about her feelings so they obviously can't say that. Instead, Yolei can't tell what's on Kari's mind because she "doesn't put her foot in her mouth" like Yolei.

This rephrasing of the idea shifts the Neutral Zone. Miyako presents herself as the Neutral Zone and describes Hikari as comparatively reserved and withdrawn. Yolei presents Kari as the Neutral Zone and attacks herself for being comparatively brash and tactless. It's really weird that Yolei criticizes herself in this fashion rather than saying anything substantive about Kari.

The dub also doesn't carry Yolei's internal monologue through the scene transition. She gets everything she needs to say out before leaving the human world, and her time in the Digital World is taken up by Veemon's knock-knock joke.

Lastly, and this is mainly for the shippers, but: Davis expresses Daisuke's insult to Miyako/Yolei well but doesn't use the word.

According to Daisuke, what Hikari has and Miyako doesn't is 優しい yasashii, "kindness" or "gentleness". As in Ken's Crest virtue, by name. It doesn't really mean anything but the shippers might have fun with the fact that Daisuke admires Hikari for 優しい yasashii, specifically.

As the team trudges through the woods, Tailmon suddenly stops and looks around. They keep walking until Hikari suddenly realizes she's fallen behind and stops too.

Hikari: Tailmon? Tailmon: This is it! This is where I lost my Holy Ring! Hikari: Your Holy Ring is here!? Tailmon: I'm certain of it.

It's been thirty episodes, so Tailmon helpfully goes into flashback so we can watch a Unimon controlled by an Evil Ring take her Holy Ring from her.

Tailmon: At the time, I couldn't stop and look for it because the Digimon Kaiser was on a rampage. (End Flashback) Tailmon: With the Holy Ring, I might be able to reclaim my original strength.

Fingers crossed! We are well past the point where Tailmon being Adult-strength in base form would be a significant edge in combat so we might as well let her have her Holy Ring back. This nerf is no longer required.

In the dub:

Gatomon: This is weird.... Kari: What is it, Gatomon? Gatomon: This is it! I thought it looked familiar! It's where I lost my Tail Ring! Kari: Really!? Are you sure!? Gatomon: Positively! It was awful. (Flashback) Gatomon: Ken wasn't so sweet back then and even good Digimon like Unimon were forced to do his dirty work. (End Flashback) Gatomon: I couldn't look for my ring back then but if I had it now, I'd be one tough Digi-Kitty!

This is solid. The only thing that really stands out about it is Gatomon's generally more playful personality that she always has.

Once that's settled, one person in particular is hyped to get looking.

Daisuke: YES!!! Let's all start looking for it! Hikari: (pleased) Daisuke-kun!

Hikari's pleased, but Miyako and Iori both give smug, knowing looks to Daisuke.

Iori: Trying to score points with Hikari-san? Miyako: So predictable, Daisuke. Daisuke: (blushing) THAT'S NOT A BAD THING!!!

V-mon nudges Daisuke in the leg, grinning.

V-mon: You're not beaten yet, Daisuke! Daisuke: V-MOOOOON!!!

Tears streaming down his face, Daisuke picks V-mon up and shakes him. V-mon touched a nerve by calling out the fact that, at this point in the triangle he's formed with Takeru and Hikari, there is no mistake that he's the odd man out. There honestly never was but even Daisuke can't deny it anymore.

In the dub:

Davis: That's it then! We'll just have to go find it, whatever it is. Kari: You're the greatest! Cody: Trying to win points with Kari? Looks like it actually worked this time. Yolei: Not even Davis can strike out every time. Davis: (blushing) OH YES I CAN!!! Veemon: (nudge nudge) I don't think that's what you meant to say. Davis: Yes, it is!

The shot of Daisuke throttling Veemon is cut.

Davis is correct. The punchline of this bit in the original is that Daisuke has thoroughly been vanquished at this point in the competition for Hikari's affection and everyone's making fun of him for still trying.

Ironically, given the way they've treated him in the past, the dub plays up what a win this moment is for him to give him more dignity. But this is dignity he then defensively sacrifices as an alternative punchline to the throttling.

Daisuke's throttling of V-mon gets a laugh out of Hikari and we move on.

Takeru: In any case, Daisuke-kun is right. Let's try and find it. Patamon: Yeah! Hawkmon: Always hasten to do good. Armadimon: We're sure to find it-dagyaa! Tailmon: Thank you... all of you.

Hawkmon is quoting Japanese proverbs again. This one is "善は急げ Zen wa Isoge". 善 Zen means good. Good deeds, good things, good virtues. It is the act of doing good. 急げ Isoge means to hurry and do something in a rush. So the idea is that when you know that something is good, you know that it's the right thing to do, then you should get out and do it now without hesitation.

Daisuke: So, Hikari-chan-- Hikari: I'll search with Miyako-san.

Before Daisuke can even say it, Hikari walks right past him and wraps her arm around Miyako's. Miyako is as lost as Daisuke.

Miyako: Whuh...? Hikari: Let's start looking in that direction.

Without another word, Hikari and a very confused Miyako disappear into the woods. The cogs in Daisuke's head slowly turn until the clockwork strikes Rejection o'Clock, and he slumps over in defeat. Just then, V-mon nudges him in the leg.

V-mon: You're not beaten yet, Daisuke! Daisuke: V-MOOOOON!!!

Yeah, they fucking did it again. XD

In the dub:

T.K.: Whatever! He may be confused but he happens to be right! Patamon: Mhm! Hawkmon: That's one point for Davis. Armadillomon: Two points and a cookie if you find it. Gatomon: Now you're talking! Thanks a lot. Davis: Let's get going, Kari-- Kari: I think this clearing we passed is the best bet, Yolei. What do you think? Should we start there? (Kari and Yolei leave; Davis slumps) Davis: Dyaaaaaugh.... (Veemon nudges Davis) Davis: What!? Veemon: Back to usual, huh, buddy?

As before, Daisuke throttling V-mon is cut.

Kari's rejection of Davis comes off a bit more passive-aggressive here. Instead of announcing her searching partner before he can ask, she pointedly ignores him entirely. But the effect is the same in both versions; She doesn't directly shoot him down but she does very strongly imply rejection in both her body language and her words.

The dialogue from the Digimon is changed to tease Davis instead of expressing their eagerness to start searching.

As to the censorship, they had a pretty decent idea for a gag to make use of Veemon's nudging last time. But here, for the follow-up throttling, they've got nothing.

Nearby, Ken happens to be in these same woods.

Wormmon: Something about this place makes my skin crawl.

The last time Wormmon said that, Ken ignored him and did what he wanted to do anyway. It did not go well. This time, Ken stops and takes a careful look around the woods.

Then he sees it. Just ahead of him, the forest melts away, revealing the black ocean of Dagomon.

For a moment, Ken flashes back on the moment he dipped his Digivice into the water and it became the Dark Digivice. Then he screams.

Ken: UWAAAAAAUGH!!! Wormmon: Ken-chan, what's wrong!?

Nearby, Hikari and Miyako are searching the woods for Tailmon's Holy Ring.

Hawkmon: Nothing here. Tailmon: I think it was around here.... Ken: UWAAAAAAUGH!!! Hikari: Ichijouji-kun!

Without another word to the rest of the team, Hikari runs off into the woods, following Ken's voice.

Miyako: Hikari-chan? Tailmon: Hikari!?

Nothing else for the others to do but follow after.

In the dub, Ken and Wormmon have a bit of extra dialogue when Ken starts looking around.

Wormmon: This place just doesn't feel right. Let's go home, Ken. (Ken starts looking around) Wormmon: Ken? What's wrong? Ken: I'm not sure.... (Ken sees the black ocean and flashes back) Ken: UWAAAAAAUGH!!! Wormmon: Oh no, Ken! HELP!!! (Kari's team searches the woods) Hawkmon: This is exceedingly tedious. Gatomon: And you're the one with the bird's eye view! Ken: UWAAAAAAUGH!!! Kari: That's Ken! He's in trouble! (Kari runs off) Gatomon: (bitterly) I hate it when she does that.

It should be noted that in both versions, Hikari/Kari is the only person who hears Ken. This will be elucidated next scene, but it informs on the reactions the others give her. To Miyako/Yolei and Tailmon/Gatomon, we were searching the woods in relative silence apart from our own comments until Hikari/Kari suddenly ran off.

So, in the original, Hikari shouts "Ichijouji-kun" and then bolts into the woods while providing no further context. Miyako and Tailmon repeating her name is the verbal equivalent of them blinking at each other in confusion.

The dub has Kari say, "He's in trouble" before bolting into the woods. Now there's context, which makes Gatomon's flippant remark come off really harsh. You... hate it when she tries to help people in trouble? She has explained herself. You're being an asshole right now.

Ken's not doing so hot right now.

He's down on his knees, gripping his head in agony.

Wormmon: Ken-chan! Ken-chan!

Hikari comes running through the woods, tailed by the rest of her group. Miyako, Tailmon, and Hawkmon slowly gain on her.

Tailmon: Hikari! Miyako: Hikari-chan! Where are you going!? Hikari: Didn't you hear it!? That was Ichijouji-kun's voice! Miyako: Ken-kun's...?

Sure enough, the girls come upon Ken and Wormmon, still in that position. Hikari approaches him and crouches down to get on his level.

Hikari: What's wrong, Ichijouji-kun? Miyako: Did you run into something? Like BlackWarGreymon!? Ken: The ocean.... Miyako: What. Ken: I saw the ocean... The dark ocean.... Hikari: O_O The dark ocean...? Miyako: O_o The dark ocean, you said? I guess it's pretty dark here, sure, but.... Ken: It's over. I'm fine now.

Ken proves how fine he is by standing up and wobbling, nearly toppling right back over. Hikari gets up and grabs him, supporting him while they walk.

Miyako: You call that stumbling "fine"!? Honestly... An ocean in the middle of a forest....

While Miyako dismisses that idea as absurd, reality crackles around the three of them. The color slowly dulls into grays and a black wormhole appears around them. Ignorant of what's happening to reality, Hikari, Ken, and Miyako continue on into the wormhole, fading out of existence and leaving this area of the forest as empty as they found it.

In the dub:

Wormmon: Oh, Ken.... (Kari comes running, tailed by the others) Gatomon: Wait for me! Yolei: Where are you going!? Kari: Didn't you hear him scream just now!? It's Ken! Something's wrong with him! Yolei: Ken!? (They reach Ken) Kari: Don't worry, Ken. We're here now. It'll be okay. Yolei: What happened? Were you attacked? I don't see anything. Ken: The ocean.... Yolei: He's finally cracked! Ken: It was the dark ocean! It's horrible! Kari: O_O Huh!? The dark ocean!? Could it be...? Yolei: O_o Maybe it's contagious! I can't see a thing. How about you, Hawkmon? Ken: It's nothing... I'm fine. (Ken weakly gets up; Kari supports him) Yolei: No, you're not. You're clearly seeing things. "Dark Ocean"! Ha! Kari: I think I know how you're feeling. Yolei: Maybe we should just play along, Hawkmon. Hawkmon: Do you think he fell on his head? I did that once and thought I was a fruit bat.

This is perfect. A+. Yolei and Hawkmon's added banter fills the space where the dark portal is taking them, and the sheer irony of their skeptical remarks juxtaposed against them actively vanishing as they speak beautifully captures the intent of the moment.

And then the dub takes its first commercial break right on the fruit bat remark, as they are taken by the void. Chef's kiss.

Elsewhere in the woods, Daisuke, Takeru, and Iori are having no luck turning up the Holy Ring.

Iori: It isn't here. Takeru: Should we look somewhere else? Daisuke: (sigh) Let's do that.

Daisuke takes out his D-3, checking the radar.

Daisuke: Where's Hikari-chan's team right now?

On the radar, the lights of three Digivices are moving away from them at a fast clip.

Daisuke: What the hell?

At that remark, Takeru takes out his own D-3 and sees the same thing on his radar.

Takeru: Something happened to Hikari-chan's team!

Takeru breaks into a sprint, chasing after them without another word.

Daisuke: HEY!!! TAKERU!!!

Takeru isn't listening. He keeps right on running.

In the dub:

Armadillomon: This is hopeless. T.K.: We can't just give up! Davis: No way! Kari's counting on me to find this thing for her.

In the original, we're not talking about giving up. We're talking about searching a different area. Daisuke checks his D-3 to make sure we don't overlap onto Hikari's team.

The new dialogue gives him no reason to check his D-3. Instead, the D-3 itself suddenly starts beeping at him, as if trying to warn him.

Davis: Where'd she and Yolei go!? (Davis checks D-3) Davis: That doesn't make sense.... T.K.: What!?

Then T.K.'s D-3 suddenly beeps at him. So whatever Emergency Broadcast they're receiving, it's taking its sweet time crossing the woods from Davis to T.K.

T.K.: There are three of them!? But who's that with them!? (T.K. runs off) Group: Huh!? Davis: Three of them!?

Davis somehow didn't notice the third blip even though he looked at the radar too. But he's dumb and probably can't count.

The answer to who that is with them is Ken, of course. That's Ken's blip. We all know who Ken is. It's surprising that he's joined them but it's not, like, "DROP EVERYTHING, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY" that Ken joined the girls.

What T.K. should be noticing is that the blips are shooting through the woods at a fast clip, as if they're running from something or being taken away by something. That's why they're in danger. Not because a mysterious sixth D-3 no one has ever heard of (except literally everyone) is suddenly among them.

Returning to Hikari's team, we find them now wander heavily desaturated woods.

Hikari: Doesn't it feel like we passed through this same area a moment ago? Tailmon: We might have gotten lost in these dense woods. Miyako: You can't be serious! H-Hang on a minute, are we going to waste away until nothing's left but our bones-- Oh?

Miyako spots Daisuke walking through the forest.

Miyako: Daisuke! Hawkmon: V-mon!

Miyako and Hawkmon wave frantically and call out to the pair.

Miyako: DAISUKEEEEEE!!! Hawkmon: V-MOOOOOON!!!

Daisuke stops and turns towards them. They run towards each other, but then Daisuke unexpectedly passes through Miyako and keeps going.

Hawkmon: V-mon!

The same thing happens to Hawkmon. V-mon runs right through him and keeps going.

Hawkmon: Eh!? What the....

Daisuke comes to a stop surrounded by Hikari's team.

Miyako: BUT WHY THOUGH!?!? Daisuke: That's so weird. I could have sworn I heard a voice. Hikari: Daisuke-kun...? V-mon: I thought so too. Ken: Motomiya-kun!

Finding nothing, Daisuke keeps going in search of the girls.

Daisuke: HIKARI-CHAN!!! MIYAKO!!! Hikari: It looks like we've ended up in a very strange place. Miyako: (whining) Nooo!

Sorry, Miyako. But you're in the weird shit with Hikari and Ken now. Hope you enjoy your stay.

In the dub:

Kari: These trees are all beginning to look the same; Tall and really, really dark. Gatomon: Do you think we've been chasing our tail this whole time? Yolei: You mean we're going in circles!? You think we're lost!? Is that it!? Forever and ever until we die-- Hm? (Yolei spots Davis and Veemon) Yolei: It's Davis! Hawkmon: We're saved! Yolei: OVER HERE!!! Hawkmon: VEEMON!!! EXCELLENT TIMING!!! Kari: DAVIS!!! T.K.!!! (Yolei and Davis run through each other) Yolei: Uhh... huh? Hawkmon: Veemon! (Veemon runs through Hawkmon) Hawkmon: Oogh, I feel faint.... Yolei: I'm confused.... Davis: I was sure I heard a voice over here. Do you think maybe they're ghosts, Veemon? Kari: Davis, we're right here! Veemon: Nah. I don't believe in 'em. Ken: Where are you going!? (Davis and Veemon run off into the woods) Davis: KARI!!! Veemon: KARI!!! Davis: YOLEI!!! Veemon: YOLEI!!! Kari: That's strange. If we can see him, why can't he see us? It doesn't make any sense. Yolei: What now!?

Kari calls out to T.K. for some reason even though he's not present in this scene.

Kari mentions that the trees are "starting to look the same". In the original, Hikari is doing the "I swear we've passed that exact rock four times" spooky maze bit.

The censors let Yolei say "die". Possibly because it's still not as vivid as her describing becoming 白骨 hakkotsu, skeletal remains.

Failing to find Hikari's team, the boys regroup in the woods.

Daisuke: Did you find Hikari-chan's team? Iori: They're nowhere to be found. Patamon: We've looked everywhere! Armadimon: Where could they have disappeared to-dagyaa? Takeru: Patamon, evolve and then we can search from the air. Patamon: Okay. Daisuke: V-mon, we're going to evolve too. V-mon: Yeah! Iori: Armadimon! Armadimon: Got it-dagyaa.

Takeru and Daisuke, I get, but I'm not sure what Ankylomon is going to contribute to this search that we aren't already doing. If anything, I'd be worried about accidentally trampling the girls by kaiju stomping blindly around the forest.

In the dub:

Davis: Cody! T.J.! Did you find Kari? Cody: They seem to have just disappeared! It's not logical! They can't have gone that far! Armadillomon: Well, they have. Patamon: Even I couldn't find them! Not one trace. T.K.: I'll go up with Patamon. We just have to try harder. Patamon: Okay! Davis: They're around here somewhere. We'll find 'em! Veemon: Yes, sir! Cody: You're ready, Armadillomon? Armadillomon: You can count on me!

Davis chooses an incredibly inappropriate time to bring back the "getting T.K.'s name wrong on purpose out of spite" bit.

Nobody mentions Digivolving; The most that's said is T.K. ambiguously saying he'll "go up with Patamon". So now the shots of each character psyching up their Partner for evolution are just them expressing that they're gonna be even more searchtastic than the searching they've done, and it's really awkward.

What exactly are we going to do to "try harder"? There is an answer but it's one the dub fails to express.

While they're doing that, Kari's team continues to explore the dark woods.

Ken: The fog is getting thicker....

No one has anything to say to that. They keep walking on in silence until Miyako suddenly has an idea.

Miyako: Hey, let's sing a song. Hikari & Ken: ... Miyako: Then how about we play shiritori? Shiritori sound good? Hikari & Ken: ... Miyako: Mrr... Oh, that's it! We can play cards! Let's play-- Ah! But I didn't bring any cards! Whoops, silly me. Ahahahahaha... heh.... Hikari & Ken: ...

She's trying so hard to lighten the mood but those two are drowning in plot.

しりとり Shiritori is a Japanese word game where you try and say a word that begins with the last syllable of the word the previous player said. It's to help children learn and develop their vocabulary.

Ken: We don't seem to be going anywhere. And we might not be able to go back either. Hikari: It's okay. As long as we want to go back and there's someone out there who wants us back, there will always be a way out of this world. Miyako: (sharply) Hikari-chan! Hikari: Eh? Miyako: You're mocking me, aren't you? Hikari: Of course not! Miyako: You're mocking me! Hikari: I'm not mocking you! Miyako: Of course you are!

Miyako furiously storms past Hikari and Ken and stomps off into the woods alone.

Hikari: Miyako-san.... Ken: Uh....

Poor Ken. You know he's gonna mentally jot that down as another bullet point of proof in the "My presence disrupts your team dynamic" category.

Miyako's sudden freakout is a little confusing but I think what happened here is that Ken and Hikari were talking quietly, and she was a ways back. So she didn't hear what they said. She just saw them whispering to each other after ignoring her.

As the only one here who has no idea what the dark ocean is, Miyako doesn't really grasp the severity of the situation or why Hikari and Ken are so haunted by this place. As far as she knows, a weird Digital World forest is doing some weird Digital World bullshit.

In the dub:

Ken: I don't like the way this fog keeps getting thicker. Kari & Ken: ... Yolei: Hey, I know! Let's sing a song! Kari & Ken: ... Yolei: Okay, so you don't like that plan. Why don't we play a game? Kari & Ken: ... Yolei: How about this? We can play my favorite game, Telephone! ...oh, I forgot, there are only three of us. I guess that would be pretty boring. Ehehe! Kari & Ken: ... Ken: How are we going to find our way home if we don't even know where we are? It's hopeless. Kari: Nothing is ever hopeless, Ken. You of all people should know that. There are too may people who want us back and we want to go back too much to be stuck here forever. Yolei: WHY WON'T YOU TALK TO ME!?!? Kari: What!? Yolei: Do you two want to be alone or something!? You could just say so instead of ignoring me like this! Kari: We're not ignoring you. Yolei: Yes, you are! (Yolei storms past them) Kari: Come back, Yolei! Yolei: Hmph! Ken: Um, Yolei...?

What 12/13-year-old has Telephone as their favorite game? Miyako also suggests playing a childish game but she's not out here doing ad reads for it. It's just, y'know, a thing you can do that doesn't require paraphernalia.

(Incidentally, this episode of Revisiting Digimon Adventure was brought to you by Red Rover.)

Do children still play Telephone? I don't know if children still play Telephone in this modern age of The YooToobs and The Influencers. In case it needs explaining, Telephone is a game where you whisper something into one person's ear, then they whisper it into another person's ear as best they heard/remember it. You go around the room until it gets back to the original speaker.

Like しりとり shiritori, it's not really a game so much as a learning exercise. It's a practical demonstration of the way information changes through second-hand retellings, as the statement or phrase you get back at the end is usually wildly different from what you originally said.

In any case, what Kari says to Ken is similar to the original, but they both water down the context. Hikari is expressing a personal lesson she's learned from her own time in the Dark Ocean. She wanted out and Takeru wanted her out, and together they forged a path.

Kari expresses the same idea but in the abstract. We have to get out because of the people who want us back, rather than those people being the way out. This makes her and Ken's discussion sound more generic and universal to any perilous situation, while Ken and Hikari are talking about their experience with the dark ocean specifically.

They also changed the nature of Yolei's freakout... sort of? Miyako accuses Hikari of バカにして bakanishite, which means to ridicule or look down on someone. It's not super clear where she's drawing this conclusion; Is she misinterpreting their whispering together as them mocking her? Or does she think they're ignoring her on purpose, looking down their noses at her antics? Unclear. Maybe both.

Yolei's freakout is clean and unambiguous, while still playing to the same idea. They're ignoring her and whispering to each other, and she feels hurt and dejected by it.

After storming off from the group, Miyako doesn't get very far before her rage deflates and regret sets in.

Miyako: Ugh... I did it again. I said that right to her face at a time like this.... Hawkmon: You did go a little overboard.

Miyako and Hawkmon come to the edge of a massive ravine.

Miyako: Oh look, instant karma. It's a dead end. Wait, what's....

Miyako describes the cliff as バチが当たった bachi ga atatta, divine retribution from the gods as punishment for one's transgressions.

But then, looking down into the ravine, she sees something twinkling in the darkness.

Miyako: HEY!!! That's the Holy Ring, isn't it?

Hikari and Ken come quick, joining Miyako at the ravine's edge.

Hikari: The Holy Ring!?

Standing at the edge and peering down into it, they can't quite make it out beyond the glinting.

Hikari: What do you think, Tailmon? Tailmon: I don't know.... Ken: Holy Ring...?

Ken flashes back on Tailmon's Holy Ring deflecting an Evil Ring in the first episode.

Ken: (thinking) I've seen it somewhere before. I feel like I've held it in my hands. When was that? There are holes in my memory....

He should probably share that. Because we're looking around these woods under the assumption that the Holy Ring was left lying here after Tailmon lost it. But if Ken's held it in his hands then that means his forces recovered it. It could be anywhere, and is probably not glinting at us from that ravine.

In the dub:

Yolei: Ugh... I did it again, didn't I? Oh, Hawkmon... What ever was I thinking? Hawkmon: Thinking is precisely what you didn't do. Yolei: Ken probably hates me after I made a fool of myself. Hawkmon: I doubt that.

Fuck Kari, I guess. Yolei only regrets doing that in front of the cute boy. This is particularly notable because Miyako and Hikari's relationship is supposed to be what this episode is about.

Yolei: Uh oh! Now what!? (Yolei spots glinting object in ravine) Yolei: KARI!!! GATOMON!!! I THINK WE FOUND IT!!! (The others come running) Gatomon: My Tail Ring!? Kari: Really!? Yolei: See? Right down there. Kari: What do you think, Gatomon? Gatomon: I can't tell from here. Ken: (thinking) I know I've seen this before, but where? (Flashback to Gatomon's Tail Ring deflecting Dark Ring) Ken: (thinking) There are too many gaps in my memory. Why can I only remember the awful things and not the things that would help someone? It almost feels like it's on purpose. Wormmon: (thinking) He has that look again....

Those two things are not mutually exclusive, Ken. If you took the Tail Ring, that's an awful thing that would help someone now.

Well, only one thing to do now. Much like that time Miyako wildly speculated that Ken's flying fortress flew off into the sky, she's going in before anyone can even discuss what to do.

Miyako: Well, I'm going down to take a look. Hawkmon: I feel like we've been here before. Have we been here before? Hawkmon: Miyako-san, I should really be the one to go. Miyako: Nah, it's fine. Hikari: Don't push yourself, Miyako-san. Miyako: It's fine, I'm fiIIIIYAAAH!!!

In the middle of delivering the dismissive blowoff phrase 平気平気 heiki heiki a second time, the ledge beneath Miyako's foot gives out and she falls. See, that's why Hawkmon should have been the one to go. He wasn't being patronizing. He has wings. Wings are good for combatting gravity.

Hikari catches her by the wrist before she can plummet too far.

Hawkmon: Oh my Digi-God, this is happening again. Miyako: (relieved) Thank you, Hikari-chan.... Hikari: Are you okay, Miyako-san!?

Ken comes over to help too. But then they both see it. Out of nowhere, familiar-looking waves crash into the wall at the bottom of the ravine.

Ken grabs his head and screams while Hikari loses her footing. Hikari and Miyako plunge into the abyss together.

Ken: UWAAAAAAGH!!! Hikari & Miyako: AHHHHHHH!!!! Hawkmon: Miyako-san! Tailmon: Hikari! Wormmon: Ken-chan!

Without hesitation, Hawkmon and Tailmon leap down into the ravine to chase their Partners. Wormmon tries to get through to Ken but he's lost, screaming bloody murder into the sky.

...and that brings us to our commercial break! Hey kids, do you like Hot Wheels? You should buy some Hot Wheels! (This commercial was brought to you by our sponsor Red Rover. Red Rover, Red Rover, send customers on over.)

In the dub:

Yolei: There's only one way to find out! Hawkmon: Oh, Yolei! I beg of you, don't! Yolei: You worry too much. Kari: Of course he's worried. It's too risky. Yolei: It's the least I can do after--WHOA!!! (Yolei loses footing; Kari catches her) Hawkmon: I wish you wouldn't do this sort of thing! Yolei: Uh... At this exact moment, so do I. Kari: Don't worry! I have you! (Crashing waves; Kari and Yolei fall in) Ken: UWAAAAAAUGH!!! Kari & Yolei: AHHHHHHH!!! (Hawkmon and Gatomon go in after) Hawkmon: YOLEI!!! Gatomon: KARI!!! Wormmon: Uh, Ken...?

The dub goes along with this spot being the second commercial break.

Hawkmon here tells Yolei not to go into the ravine but doesn't propose the obviously sensible alternative.

Returning from commercial, Hikari rouses Miyako from unconsciousness.

Hikari: Miyako-san!

Miyako slowly opens her eyes. She's lying on a small ridge jutting out from the cliff.

Hikari: (relieved) Miyako-san! Miyako: Hikari-chan! Hikari: Whew. Are you hurt? Miyako: I'm okay. Where are we

Miyako looks around at the dark ravine around her as it starts to come back to her.

Miyako: That's right... I was trying to reach the Holy Ring.... Hawkmon: (gently) It was awfully reckless of you.

Especially considering that we've done this exact thing before. Do we need to put Miyako in a safety harness to keep her from throwing herself into chasms?

Tailmon holds out a broken piece of an Evil Ring to show Miyako.

Tailmon: Apparently, this was actually what you saw. Miyako: An Evil Ring!? (pouts) It wasn't even the Holy Ring.... Tailmon: Still, I appreciate your concern. Thank you. Miyako: Tailmon.... Hikari: Now let's hurry and get out of here. Miyako: Right.

I'm glad Tailmon's touched by Miyako's exuberance. Helps to smooth over the argument we just had. But she did still throw herself and Hikari down a cliff for nothing so that's awkward. XD

One of these days. One of these days Miyako will recklessly throw herself off a cliff and it will actually be helpful! Surely!

In the dub, Kari doesn't say anything until after Yolei opens her eyes.

Kari: Yolei, wake up. Yolei: Whuuuuuh... (attentive) Kari, where are we? Kari: Thank goodness. I was worried. Yolei: About me!? Why? ...oh, yeah. I remember seeing something shining down here but then what happened? Hawkmon: The usual. You did something absurd. (Gatomon holds out Dark Ring fragment) Gatomon: But we did find this. Yolei: It's just a Dark Ring... (pouts) I was trying so hard not to be selfish for once. Gatomon: But you weren't. You thought it was the real thing. Thank you, Yolei. Yolei: You're just saying that.... Kari: No, really. It was very thoughtful. Yolei: (touched) It was?

This is pretty good. Hits all the important notes and doesn't even get tripped up by 引っかかる hikkakaru. Good job.

Now that we're up to speed, it's time to get out of this ravine.

Miyako: Hawkmon, evolve! Hawkmon: Yes, ma'am!

With "Show Me Your Brave Heart" playing behind him, Hawkmon gets as far as "HAWKMON SHINKAAAAAA" before the sharp tone of a bell kills the music and brings us right back to the cliffside. Hawkmon's evolution goes absolutely nowhere.

Miyako: ...what are you doing? Hawkmon: Huh? That's strange... I can't evolve.

Something about our present circumstances is suppressing Hawkmon's evolution.

In the dub:

Yolei: Alright, let's get out of here! Hawkmon: My pleasure!

They don't have the bell chime that serves effectively the same purpose as a record scratch, but they do have the evolution noises comically fizzle out for a similar effect.

Yolei: Uhh, what are you doing? Hawkmon: It seems... I just can't do it.

Consequently, this part is perfect.

Despite the fact that Digimentals are a thing, Hawkmon's inability to evolve sends Miyako spiraling. It's the straw that broke the camel's back.

Miyako: EHHHHH!?!? WHY CAN'T YOU EVOLVE!?!? HOW ELSE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET OUT OF HERE!?!? ARE WE GOING TO BE STUCK HERE FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES!?!? Hawkmon: Miyako-san.... Miyako: AND EVEN IF WE COULD GET OUT OF HERE, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE EVEN ARE!!! Tailmon: Miyako.... Miyako: (half-crying) DAISUKE EVEN WALKED RIGHT THROUGH ME!!! Hikari: Miyako-san.... Miyako: AAAAAAGH NO MORE!!! WE'RE FINISHED!!! OUR LIVES ARE GOING TO END RIGHT HERE--

Suddenly, Hikari slaps Miyako right in the face, bringing a stark silence to her understandable but unhelpful panic attack.

Hikari: ...Sorry. Miyako: Yeah... Me too.

Still, it's good that she got that all out of her system. It can't have been helpful to keep it bottled up.

In the dub:

Yolei: What do you mean? This is no time for jokes, Hawkmon! Stop fooling around and Digivolve! How can you pick on me like this!? I just fell from a cliff, you know! Hawkmon: There she goes again.... Yolei: If you can't Digivolve, we'll never get out of this canyon! And even if we do, where will we go!? Gatomon: We'll be fine. Yolei: NO, WE WON'T!!! HOW CAN WE BE FINE!?!? DAVIS RAN RIGHT THROUGH ME!!! Kari: We'll think of something. Yolei: NO, WE WON'T!!! MY LIFE IS OVER!!! I'LL NEVER GET MARRIED, HAVE CHILDREN, MAKE MILLIONS IN THE STOCK MARKET, I HATE THIS--

Unlike most instances of kid-on-kid violence, Kari's slap is allowed to occur completely uncensored.

Hawkmon: Gyooogh... Yolei: ...huh. Kari: Oh, what have I done!? Yolei: I'm sorry... I guess I needed that. Hawkmon: Brutal! But effective!

In the original, all of Miyako's panic points are observations about the dire circumstances they're in. The dub has her rope in a baseless accusation that Hawkmon's picking on her and also complain that she won't get married, have children, or make millions in the stock market. The latter of which is fairly founded in the original sentiment that they're going to die here.

The dub also positions the other three characters as trying to argue with and/or be snippy about her meltdown. In the original, they just express concern up until the sudden slap. The dub version does flow really well, however, as it builds momentum and shows the others trying to reason with her before resorting to the slap.

I'm just a little snippy about how dismissive Hawkmon is of her.

Once Miyako's calmed herself, Tailmon and Hawkmon quickly excuse themselves from the scene.

Hawkmon: We'll go look for something we can use as a rope. Tailmon: Wait here.

Hawkmon and Tailmon ascend the canyon by wing and claw, leaving Hikari and Miyako alone on the ledge. They sit in silence for a moment. But eventually, with nothing else to do, Hikari breaks the silence.

Hikari: Miyako-san, you can be a handful sometimes. Miyako: (sadly) I knew that's what you thought of me.... Hikari: But... I've always envied that about you. Miyako: Huh? Hikari: I can't just scream or admit when I'm scared the way you do, Miyako-san. Miyako: Hikari-chan.... Hikari: Maybe that's why I'm being taken by the Dark World.... Miyako: The Dark World...? Hikari: I don't want to go... But I can't stop it....

Miyako looks at Hikari with absolutely zero context for the shit that just came out of her mouth. But before they can discuss it any further, Hawkmon and Tailmon lower a vine.

Hawkmon: MIYAKO-SAN!!! Tailmon: HIKARI!!!

With their help, the girls are saved from the dark chasm.

Hikari's admission is interesting particularly in how it connects with her conversation with Takeru in the Dagomon episode. Hikari is not an individually strong person; Her strength comes from the people who support her. She inspires others to care for and support her, and their power in turn becomes her power. It's something Takeru had a hard time appreciating, given his own struggle for respect and independence with his brother Yamato.

Here, in this context, Hikari harkens back to that aspect of her and admits her admiration for Miyako's forthrightness. Hikari could never just stand up and go, "I'M GOING DOWN THAT CLIFF" and then hurl herself off the ledge without a care in the world. For better or worse, Miyako is bold and assertive in ways Hikari can't be, and Hikari envies that.

She's just... never really expressed that because Hikari keeps her feelings close to her chest. That's the kind of person she is. She's stoic and hard to read.

In the dub:

Hawkmon: Now, let's see if we can find our way out of this mess. Gatomon: I'm with you. (Hawkmon and Gatomon leave) Kari: ... Yolei: ... Kari: Yolei, I'm really sorry for slapping you like that. It's just not like me. You seem to bring out the worst in me! Maybe because we're so different. Yolei: No, it's me. Kari: I have to be honest, Yolei. The truth is, I envy you. Yolei: Huh? Kari: I wish I could say what I'm feeling like you do. I keep everything inside so no one gets hurt but me. Yolei: I had no idea. Kari: Maybe that's why I was drawn into the World of Darkness just like Ken. Yolei: Ken!? You're not like Ken! Kari: We keep too much inside, making us vulnerable. (Vine lowers) Hawkmon: Hello hello! Rescue is at hand! Gatomon: Going up?

It would be easier to buy that Kari has this problem if she wasn't so sassy and assertive all the time. The dub's alternative take on the character has kinda come back to bite them.

Kari brings Ken into this conversation and asserts that bottling his feelings too much was the reason he was taken by the Dark World too. Kari, you have no idea what Ken's relationship with the dark ocean is. Don't try and speak to it.

Therapy for Ken. And Hikari/Kari, for that matter. Really, therapy for everyone.

With Hawkmon and Tailmon's help, the girls are soon back up topside. With Ken. Remember Ken? He's still here.

Miyako: (relieved) Finally, we're out of there! Ken: Um.... Miyako: Huh? Ken: I'm so sorry I couldn't come and help. Miyako: Nah, you're no good in dark places, Ken-kun. If you had fallen in with us, it'd be terrible with all that screaming you'd do! Ken: ... Miyako: Ah! But you were acting as the Digimon Kaiser at one point, so you do have some guts, right? Hikari: Miyako-san! Miyako: Huh? (sheepish) ...ohhhh, did I just remind you of something you didn't want to think about? (excited) Oh, that's right! That thing I spotted was an Evil Ring, not a Holy Ring! What a ripoff, huh? An Evil Ring, of all things! Oh! But don't worry, I'm not blaming you for that. Ken: ...uh....

Hikari, who has been visibly growing increasingly despondent as Miyako continued to talk, suddenly can't help herself and starts laughing.

Miyako: It's not funny, Hikari-chan! Hikari: Ahahahahahaha b-but hahahahahahaha Miyako: I guess it is pretty funny. Both: Hahahahahahahaha!

Ken remains standing there with the trauma Miyako slapped him in the face with while the two girls laugh at how insensitive she is. And it is pretty funny. Both Miyako's thoughtlessness and the general irony of the Digimon Kaiser waiting helplessly around for us while we went on an Evil Ring misadventure.

In the dub:

Yolei: I'm glad that's over. Ken: Um.... Yolei: Ken? Ken: I'm sorry, Yolei. I wasn't able to help you. Yolei: That's okay, Ken. I know you were afraid, and it would have been silly for you to fall down with us. You were so freaked out, you probably wouldn't have done any good anyway. Ken: Nyeeeeuurgh.... Yolei: Oh, right! I forgot! You were the Digimon Emperor. You were brave back then! What happened? Ken: Hey, Yolei! Stop! Yolei: (sheepish) Oops, I'm sorry. I guess you don't really want to be reminded of that. I wouldn't! (excited) Hey, guess what we found down there! You'll think this was funny. It wasn't Gatomon's Tail Ring at all! It was one of your Dark Rings! Kari: (gasp) Yolei: Okay, that's not funny but I didn't mean "Funny Ha-Ha", I meant "Funny Ironic" funny. Don't get me wrong. Even though you made them, I'm not blaming you. (Kari starts laughing despite herself) Yolei: What are you laughing at, Kari!? This is serious! Kari: Hahahahaha.... Yolei: I'm just making it worse, huh?

Yolei does not join in the laughing, and instead Kari's laughter comes to a stop of its own accord. In the original, they keep laughing until an abrupt stop that's about to come.

The dub does an amazing job with Yolei's thoughtlessness. "You were brave back then! What happened?" got me. XD I also like that she species that it was one of "your" Dark Rings. There's not really any other Dark Ring it could be but the pointedness is great. 10/10

Hikari and Miyako keep laughing until Hikari suddenly gasps. The tone drops immediately.

Miyako: Hikari-chan? What's wrong? Hikari: I hear it... The sound of the waves!

Hikari stands up and runs into the woods.

Miyako: Hikari-chan!

If she hears Miyako, she shows no sign of it. She keeps going. Keeps running until she comes to another cliff at the edge of the forest. A cliff overlooking a vast black ocean.

Hikari: I knew it. I knew this was the ocean. To this place again... (Flashback to dark ocean shoreline in Dagomon episode) Hikari: ...I've been called!

Hikari's last line is one of those instances where the Japanese script is really hard to make fit perfectly into English. The line is "またここに... 呼ばれた Mata koko ni... yobareta!" This line is punctuated in a way that works specifically within Japanese sentence structure.

The phrase またここに Mata koko ni establishes context. また Mata means "Again" and ここ koko is "Here". Hikari hesitates, fearful, and there's a very quick flashback to the Dagomon episode with Hikari looking out at the dark ocean, with that ominous lighthouse in the distance. Then we're back to the present and she dramatically throws down the verb 呼ばれた yobareta which is to call out to or invite someone to join you. "To this place again... (flashback) ...I've been called!"

The fansubs translate it as "They called me here... (flashback) ...again!" Which is correct English sentence structure but puts the emphasis on the wrong part of the sentence. Hikari's not freaking out about a rerun; She's freaking out because she's been taken by the dark ocean.

But I'm not sure there really is a way to word this that keeps the emphasis on the verb and sounds organic and natural in English sentence structure. This is a case where you have to pick and choose what matters; Some part of this delivery is doomed to be lost in translation.

In the dub, Kari's laughter has fizzled out when she suddenly gasps, so there isn't that sharp juxtaposition.

Gatomon: Kari? What's wrong? Kari: The waves... I can hear the waves.... Yolei: Kari? Gatomon: Oh no.... (Kari runs into the woods until she reaches the ocean) Kari: Oh, I knew it! Is this darkness inside of me? Inside of Ken? Is that why we can't get away from it? I wish I were stronger.... (Flashback) Kari: ...or knew what it wanted.

The dub's solution is to just go completely off-script. Kari speculates that it's the darkness in her and Ken's hearts that the ocean wants, again drawing comparison between the two characters.

Before long, the rest of Hikari's team arrives.

Tailmon: Hikari! Miyako: Hikari-chan!

As Miyako, Ken, and their Digimon approach the edge of the cliff, they look out at the vast expanse before them.

Ken: It's true. It is the ocean. Miyako: Ocean? Where's the ocean? I don't see it. There's just land stretching out in every direction. Hawkmon: That's right.

Seeing the cliff's edge from Miyako's perspective, she and Hawkmon see an endless patch of forest ahead of her. The ocean isn't here for them.

Tailmon: Why does this ocean keep calling out for Hikari!? What the hell is out there!? Ken: Hikari-san's been to this ocean too? You mean it wasn't just me...? Miyako: Both Hikari-chan and Ken-kun...? WHY CAN'T I SEE IT!?!?

Miyako protests her exclusion so furiously and so loudly that the eldritch forces of unknowable darkness deep beneath the waves acquiesce to her sheer force of personality and the forest disappears. The dark ocean appears for Miyako too. VICTORY FOR THE REALITY-BREAKING POWER OF BEST VIRTUE PURITY.

Just like Mimi's cross-dimensional scream. These are the same.

Miyako: There really is an ocean! Ken: Something's wrong. It's like the world is misaligned somehow. Miyako: Is it because the power that protects the Digital World is weakening? Ken: Huh? Miyako: Izumi-senpai told us about it the other day. Ken: A power that protects the Digital World....

Ken has no idea what we're talking about but Miyako's probably hit it right on the money. It occurs to me that what we're standing in right now would have been a killer plot point to have in the first anime. This would have been a good way to show the "distortions in the Digital World" that were such a major plot point.

In the dub:

Gatomon: Don't scare me like that, Kari! Ken: It really is the dark ocean. Yolei: Ocean? What are you talking about? All I see are a bunch of trees! Hawkmon: It is indeed an ocean of trees but I don't think that's what they mean. Gatomon: I almost lost Kari once before to this stupid ocean. I wish I knew what it wants with her. Ken: Kari, you've been here? Seen this before? I didn't know anyone but me had ever been here. Yolei: Kari sees it and now Ken too. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!!! (Yolei can see it now) Yolei: Whoa.... Hawkmon: (worried) Yolei, what have you done...? Ken: Something doesn't feel right here. It's as if the world has slipped out of place. Yolei: I wonder if it's because the powers guarding the Digital World are losing their grip. Ken: Huh? Yolei: I was just thinking about something that Izzy told us once. Ken: This could be important. What powers was he talking about?

No one knows! He was incredibly vague about it. XD But we'll surely find out.

This is all pretty good. I really like the phrasing on "the world has slipped out of place". That's a really good way of capturing the imagery of the original line. Ken's expressing that we're in some sort of reality collision or tear, where the dark ocean and the Digital World are overlapping each other in the same physical space.

Nearby, Arachnemon and Mummymon are driving down a road lined with Dark Towers. Arachnemon notices Hikari, Miyako, and Ken up on that cliff fizzling with static, drifting between realities. She finds it very amusing.

Arachnemon: Is that...? Those kids are such amateurs! They blundered straight into a distortion in the world. This would be a good opportunity to dispose of them.

Mummymon glances down uncertainly at the radar they're following, still tracking the "phase distortion" that BlackWarGreymon's leaving in his wake.

Mummymon: ...but we're already pursuing BlackWarGreymon. Arachnemon: Oh, I know.

Plucking out several strands of hair, she lets them fly into the Dark Towers they're passing. As usual, her hair embeds itself within the Towers and a new Digimon is created.

Arachnemon: Leaving it to you!

With those marching orders, Mummymon keeps on driving and the pair wash their hands of this.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: Look at that, Mummymon! Isn't this delightful? Those foolish little children have stumbled into a phase warp. They have no idea how vulnerable they are! Mummymon: It's such a shame we have to keep following BlackWarGreymon. Arukenimon: You underestimate me. (Arukenimon plucks several hairs) Arukenimon: This little operation isn't worthy of my personal attention. SPIRIT NEEDLE!!! (New Digimon is created) Arukenimon: Enjoy your lunch, my darling! Digimon: Grahahahaha!

Solid.

Back at the ocean, Hikari falls to her knees, holding her head.

Hikari: I don't want to be here.... Tailmon: Hikari! Pull yourself toge-- Hikari: I want to go home! Miyako: It's okay. I'm sure we'll get home.

But then they hear it. The low, bestial growling. An unseen force drawing closer, its hideous and monstrous gurgling growing louder, all coming from....

...not the ocean. Back the other way, actually. Arachnemon's Digimon slowly melds through reality, piercing the veil between worlds to reach the children at the dark ocean.

Hikari: Nyeugh! WHAT IS THAT!?!?

Glad you asked! Blossomon is a Perfect-stage Data-attribute Plant Digimon. They're from the Wind Guardians V-Pet, where they were initially the Perfect evolution for Togemon and Kiwimon before Lilimon replaced them in the .5 edition.

This is our first time doing a rundown for Blossomon, though we did see one of them among the Wind Guardians in the first anime. Takeru tricked Pinocchimon into murdering them with his .44 Magnum, and they were such a minor part of the show that I guess the narrator just didn't feel like doing a rundown back then.

Narrator: Blossomon! Perfect-stage. Plant Digimon. Their special attack is Spiral Flower.

He doesn't really feel like doing a rundown this time either. Fuck Blossomon, I guess.

In the dub:

Kari: (half-crying) Ohhhh I want to go home! Gatomon: You have to fight it, Kari! Don't give in. I need you. Yolei: Don't worry, Kari. We'll be home soon, remember? You said so yourself.

She did not. The closest thing Kari has said to "We'll be home soon" is when she said to Ken, "Nothing is ever hopeless... There are too may people who want us back and we want to go back too much to be stuck here forever." Which is a promise of escape but makes no guarantee of imminency.

That seems to be what the dub is going for, though. Might have been a good idea to just have Yolei quote Kari rather than paraphrasing her.

Digimon: (snarling noises) (Everyone turns to look as an eye appears in the air) Gatomon: I think Big Brother is watching us.... (The rest of Blossomon emerges) Hawkmon: Or at least his corsage! Ken: (rundown) That's Blossomon, an Ultimate Digimon. Her Spiral Flower attack is a good excuse for weedkiller and her children are worse than thorns!

I think the "children" are supposed to be Blossomon's four smaller buds. That's a weird line. Still, at least Ken gave her a rundown. He put more effort into this than the narrator did.

"At least his corsage" got me. XD

I don't think we use the terminology "Big Brother" in this context anymore. I haven't heard it in a long time. But back in the early 00's, "Big Brother" meant government surveillance. "Big Brother watching you" means the government is spying on what you're doing. It was a big deal back then, what with the PATRIOT act and all.

Today, we're all being spied on all the time by everybody. Fucking Walmart is spying on you. So it isn't really noteworthy anymore. The phrase became obsolete not by progress but by normalization.

Suddenly, Tailmon notices something: A tear in reality left in Blossomon's wake, through which color and light are pouring into the dark ocean.

Tailmon: AHH!!! I see the forest through that rift!

Colored light from the rift blankets the children, restoring their colors to vibrancy.

Hawkmon: Now! Miyako-san! Miyako: Yeah! You might be able to evolve now! Ken: Wormmon! Wormmon: On it!

Using their D-3s, Miyako and Ken evolve Hawkmon and Wormmon into their Adult forms. Tailmon wants to join the fight too and turns to Hikari.

Tailmon: Hikari!

With a shaky hand, Hikari holds up her D-3. But then Blossomon lets out a roar so hideous that it drowns out and kills Show Me Your Brave Heart, silencing all music. Hikari fractures once more. She drops her D-3 and falls to her knees screaming.

Hikari: NOOOOOO!!! Tailmon: Hikari! Miyako: Hikari-chan!

It's an interesting detail that the dark ocean itself suppresses evolution. The Dagomon episode didn't really go into that, but it's not a retcon either. There was a Dark Tower present for that episode, so the only natural evolution that occurred was Angewomon after it was destroyed. And, by that point, Hikari's light was piercing the dark ocean's reality.

Here, by this point, it's clear that we aren't about to run into a surprise Dark Tower around the corner. It's the dark ocean itself that suppressed Hawkmon from evolving. The power to suppress evolution comes from here. It's a product of this reality. And that makes sense, what with the dark ocean's corruption being what turned Ken's Digivice into the Dark Digivice that powered the Dark Towers. This is the source.

That might not seem to gel with the existence of Perfect Digimon in the dark ocean but remember that the Hangyomon and Dagomon we saw weren't really Digimon. They only assumed the form of Digimon.

In the dub:

Gatomon: Heyyyy! Behind her! There's a hole in space! I can see right through it! (Light restores color to everyone) Hawkmon: I believe that's my cue. Yolei: About time. You'll have no trouble Digivolving now. Ken: Are you ready? Wormmon: Lemme at her! (Aquilamon and Stingmon Digivolve) Gatomon: Is it okay? Kari: Mhm! (Blossomon lets out a hideous shriek) Kari: WAAAUGH!!! Gatomon: Kari? Yolei: This is not a good time!

Yolei returns the favor for how few fucks anyone gave when she was the one freaking out.

Kari gives a weirdly confident "Mhm!" when she raises her D-3 even though she's supposed to be (and visibly is) shaky and hesitant. Hikari is actively undergoing a steadily worsening panic attack and her animation doesn't really work with that vocalization.

There's no time left to get Hikari in on this. The battle begins.

Blossomon swings their tendrils at Aquilamon and Stingmon, but their aerial mobility proves surprisingly effective at keeping away from Blossomon's attacks.

Aquilamon: BLAST LASER!!!

Aquilamon takes a shot, hitting Blossomon square in the writhing vines that pass for their center mass. But when the dust settles, Blossomon seems unaffected and lets out another roar.

This second roar pushes Hikari deeper and deeper into the dark ocean's clutches. Even the reality of the dark ocean now fades, leaving Hikari adrift in the waters.

Hikari: No... Stop it.... Don't take me away!

Back at the ocean, Miyako and Tailmon both try to shake Hikari back to reality.

Miyako: Hikari-chan! Tailmon: Hikari!

But it's to no avail. We're losing her to the gremlins of her mind.

In the dub:

Aquilamon: BLAST RINGS!!! (Aquilamon blasts Blossomon; Blossomon roars again) Kari: Not again! DON'T TAKE MEEEEEEE!!! I just don't think I can stand it this time. (Yolei and Gatomon shake Kari) Yolei: Kari, snap out of it! Gatomon: You have to fight!

There's a weird tempo to Kari's protestations here where her level of panic and shrieking peaks at "Don't take me" and then she comes back down for her third delivery once she's fully immersed in the dark ocean. Like. Now she's in the water; Why does she sound calmer?

With Hikari disabled, Aquilamon and Stingmon go on a full offensive.

Stingmon: SPIKING FINISH!!!

Stingmon scores a direct hit with his attack, but it means nothing to Blossomon. Blossomon punches him with one of their buds, dropping him on his back.

Ken: STINGMON!!! Aquilamon: GLIDE HORN!!!

Aquilamon's attack goes as well as Stingmon's. Blossomon grabs him by the talon and slams him into the ground.

Miyako: AQUILAMON!!!

Having vanquished their foes, Blossomon lets out a triumphant roar.

In the dub:

Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!! (No good; Blossomon punches Stingmon) Ken: STINGMON!!! Aquilamon: GRAND HORN!!! (No good; Blossomon slams Aquilamon)

The dub takes its third commercial break here.

Yolei doesn't react to Aquilamon going down. Which kinda makes sense since she's so focused on Kari right now. Miyako's multitasking.

With this third roar, Hikari continues trembling.

Miyako: Hikari-chan! Hang in there! Hikari: I hear the voice of darkness... The darkness is swallowing me... IT'S OVE--

Suddenly, Miyako deploys what she learned from Hikari: An armor-piercing and panic-shattering slap to the face.

Miyako: Get a hold of yourself! When you hear the voice of darkness, I'll just scream and drown it out! When you're being swallowed by darkness, I'll hold your hands and bring you back! SO DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME IT'S OVER!!! Hikari: Miyako-san... Thank you.

Of note: The music that plays during this sequence is the theme from the original Adventure OVA. This is the music Hikari came in with way back when.

While Blossomon fucks off for like two minutes to go get coffee, a column of pink light pierces the dark ocean's clouds just as it did in the Dagomon episode. It slowly descends and engulfs Miyako and Hikari, and also Tailmon who's nearby.

Hikari: Hikari (light)? Miyako: That's right. Because Hikari-chan is the hikari. Your hikari can shine through any darkness. Tailmon: Miyako is right, Hikari.

Hikari hesitates for just a moment as she processes Miyako's words. Then she embraces them.

Hikari: Yeah!

With that mouth noise pretending to be a real word, their bond is forged. Hikari and Miyako's D-3s begin to glow, illuminating their Partner Digimon.

Miyako: The D-3! Aquilamon: This is....

This is Jogress, fucker!

In the dub:

Yolei: Kari, you have to talk to me or I can't help! Kari: The darkness won't leave me alone! I'll never be strong enough! IT'S GOING TO WIN!!!

This time, they don't visually censor the slap but they do play a goofy horn honk over it alongside the flesh-smacking sound effect. They didn't do that when Kari slapped Yolei.

Yolei: That's enough of that nonsense. Of course you're strong enough! You're the strongest person I've ever known! And if you think I'm going to sit by and let you run on yourself like that, you can just think again! We'll fight it together, Kari. The darkness will never beat you! Do you hear me!? Kari: Yolei, thank you. Hehe, you're a true friend. (Pink light shines down on them) Kari: ...it's beautiful. Yolei: Just like you. I forgot yours is the Crest of Light. You have the power to light up the darkness! It doesn't have a chance! Gatomon: You're the worst enemy of darkness. (Kari hesitates, then processes) Kari: Yeah! (D-3s start glowing, as do Digimon) Yolei: What's happening? Aquilamon: Ohhhh....

They completely changed Yolei's speech to Kari, which now feels a lore more individualistic. It feels focused on hyping up Kari specifically, with Yolei offering some lip service to "And I'll help you do it!" It's about Yolei reinforcing the strength Kari already possesses instead of Yolei and Kari making each other stronger. They aren't letting Kari be vulnerable in her moment of vulnerability.

I was going to speculate that they might have done this to make it less shippy but then Yolei came out with that "Beautiful just like you" bit so nuts to that. It still underserves Yolei in what is supposed to be their moment of joint actualization.

In the original, the two slap scenes parallel each other. This is what Hikari and Miyako's Jogress bond is. This is the way the two fit together and complete each other. Hikari is able to temper Miyako's enthusiasm, to bring her back down when her feelings are running away with her. And, in turn, Miyako's tactless forthrightness and strength of personality lets her punch right through Hikari's barriers so that she can fight the demons clawing at the inside of Hikari's skull.

As usual, the dub is fucked with regard to the 光 hikari wordplay. They can't stick it, so they have to bring her Crest in and do their best to emulate "Oh yeah, you have darkness-cancelling powers," without that meaningful symbolism.

With Miyako and Hikari's bond forged, their light envelops their Partners. It's finally time. TAILMON AND AQUILAMON, JOGRESS SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Sylphimon is a Perfect-stage Free-attribute Beastman Digimon. As with all the new Partners, they were created for 02 so there isn't a lot to say.

Like Paildramon, they have clear inspiration in their design for which part came from Tailmon and which part from Aquilamon. Also they're wearing Boob Plate armor over a flat, masculine chest which I find hilarious and perfect for a nonbinary design.

Their name comes from the word "sylph" which is a kind of air spirit. It's spelled correctly in Japanese, シルフィーモン Shirufiimon but the vowels got transposed in the original's Romanization of the word as "Silphymon", which appears during the rundown. The dub then just rolled with that.

Hawkmon just keeps getting screwed on his evolution names. But at least it's not as bad as the butchery done to poor Arachnemon.

Narrator: Sylphimon! Aquilamon and Tailmon Jogress Evolved into this Beastman DIgimon. Their special attacks are Top Gun and Dual Sonic. Hikari: Tailmon... Miyako: Aquilamon... Ken: ...Jogress Evolved?

In their new form, Sylphimon steps forward to confront Blossomon. Like Paildramon, their two selves can talk to each other independently, though this is the first time they've been displayed onscreen instead of just voiced individually.

Sylphimon (Tailmon): This is a Dark Tower Digimon. I'm sure of it. Sylphimon (Aquilamon): Agreed. Let's punish it!

I've said it before but I really love this aspect of Jogress Evolutions. It's such a cool way to do fusion stuff.

In the dub, they unexpectedly let the narrator do the rundown again.

Narrator: (rundown) Silphymon is the DNA Digivolved form of Gatomon and Aquilamon. Silphymon's Static Force is the ultimate weapon against darkness and hate. Kari: It has Gatomon's grace. Yolei: And Aquilamon's strength. Ken: That overgrown daisy's history. Silphymon (Gatomon): Let's send this Control Spire Digimon back to the spider in a dustpan! Silphymon (Aquilamon): I like the way you think, Gatomon.

Unlike Paildramon, the dub actually does the separation of Silphymon's identities here. It'd be difficult not to with the two faces being displayed onscreen like that.

Resolved to vanquish Blossomon, Sylphimon charges up and fires his signature move.

That's not the GIF; It really is weirdly blurry like that. I have no idea why.

Sylphimon: TOP GUN!!!

Despite the weirdly blurry chargeup animation, the attack hits its mark. In one shot, it annihilates Blossomon in an explosion that rips upwards through the woods.

Flying around on the search for the missing girls, Daisuke and Takeru spot the column of explosions.

Daisuke: What's that? Takeru: Hikari-chan!

Down on the ground, Ankylomon also notices the explosion.

Ankylomon: That way!

The blast subsides while everyone moves to meet back up with Hikari and Miyako.

In the dub:

Silphymon: STATIC FORCE!!! (Blast rips upwards through woods) Davis: LOOK OVER THERE!!! T.K.: I'll bet it's them! Ankylomon: They started without us.

Ankylomon quips but nothing really substantive to talk about.

With Blossomon destroyed, Miyako and Hikari exchange a silent look of mutual appreciation and respect.

Before their eyes, Sylphimon's evolution breaks down into Plotmon and a Baby I form for Hawkmon.

Hikari: Plotmon! Pururumon: I'm Pururumon, Miyako-san.

Pururumon's name comes from ぷるぷる purupuru, the onomatopoeia for jiggling or bouncing.

Cut to a short time later, as the sun begins to set. The rest of the team has finally found Hikari and her crew with their devolved Digimon.

Iori: Sylphimon? Daisuke: I get it! Hikari-chan's Jogress Partner was Miyako! Ken: In any case, I'll be leaving now. Miyako: Um....

Miyako stands up as if she's about to say something to stop him, but she bites her tongue. Instead, she says something to herself.

Miyako: I think I understand Ken-kun a little better now. And Hikari-chan too.

Miyako turns her attention over to Hikari and we follow that gaze. Takeru approaches Hikari.

Takeru: I was worried you'd gone away to the other world again. Hikari: (shakes head) Mm-mm. I'm okay now. I'll never have to go back to that place again.

Hikari looks over at Miyako, shooting her a smile, then reiterates.

Hikari: Not ever.

And that is where we leave off today's episode. Is this truly the last we'll hear from the dark ocean? Uh, kinda. It does have one more major appearance to turn in but not in the same context as the ones it's had thus far.

In the dub, Kari and Yolei have some thoughts to share when exchanging glances.

Kari: Wow! Yolei: Double wow! Kari: (thinking) You know, she's pretty cool. Yolei: (thinking) You know, she's pretty cool. Both: Huh? (Silphymon devolves into Pururumon and Salamon) Kari: Salamon! Pururumon: I'm Pururumon now, Yolei. (Cut to everyone catching up) Cody: Silphymon? Davis: (mocking) Rats! I guess that means Yolei is Kari's DNA Digivolve Partner! Too bad, T.O.! Ken: You're all together now. Time for me to go. Yolei: KEN!!! (Ken starts to walk away) Yolei: (thinking) There's a lot more to Ken than a pretty face. And Kari too! They fight enemies I never even see! (Yolei turns to Kari) Yolei: Ready to go? Yolei: (thinking) She won't fight them alone anymore. Not if I can help it. (T.K. approaches Kari) T.K.: I thought I'd really lost you this time. I was afraid you'd slipped into the other world for good. Kari: (shakes head) Don't worry, T.K. I have a feeling I won't be fighting it alone anymore. (Kari looks at Yolei) Yolei: Hm? Kari: Yolei won't let me. Narrator: Have Kari and Ken seen the last of the dark ocean? Will Kari's light defeat the approaching darkness? Find out on Digimon: Digital Monsters.

Ahaha, tricksy. Narrator did not promise "next time" so as long as those questions are decisively answered before the end of the show, we're in the clear.

The first time we went to the dark ocean, Dagomon ended the episode decisively in the original but was swearing revenge on Kari in the dub. Which nothing ever came of because that wasn't supposed to be a character we ever follow up on, at least not in a literal sense.

Here Kari again swaps out "I'll never have to go back there ever because of Miyako" for "Yolei will help me fight them from now on" which has a similar meaning but sounds more open-ended. As if she is once again promising more dark ocean shenanigans to come.

Davis is still being obnoxious about the love triangle, but in this case he's just making subtext into text. Daisuke does weirdly choose to look at Takeru when he says Hikari's partner is Miyako. The dub just drew out that expression into a full bit of teasing.

Assessment: This was something I was thinking about in episode 13 and I have to bring it up now because this episode really put a spotlight on it.

The dark ocean is mental illness. There were distinct shades of that in the Dagomon episode and in Ken's backstory episode, but this episode really shines a spotlight on it. I think Hikari is supposed to be schizophrenic. I think that's the intent of the metaphor.

The Dagomon episode even suggested it wasn't the first time this has happened to her and alluded to an incident with Taichi. Hikari is a chronic sufferer of lifelong visual and auditory hallucinations, and because of how she is, she just doesn't open up about it and keeps it to her own inner world. And because this is a fantasy adventure series, that gets interwoven and interconnected with her being the special girl who gets possessed and has special powers.

Takeru and now Miyako plunging into the dark ocean to help her is a metaphor for them supporting her through her condition even when it threatens to drown her. The things Miyako says to her in this episode? I'll scream louder than the voices, I'll grab your hands and pull you back. Those aren't techniques for vanquishing a great evil. They're grounding techniques to center Hikari's reality.

The dark ocean does have all kinds of rules and metaphysics and shit to it because it is a literal place within the fictional reality. But it's not... really a place. Except when it is. It is and it isn't. But it's primarily a frame of mind.

That's also why the dark ocean accepted Miyako. It's not a real place. It is a Lovecraftian-inspired realm of madness. It's not that it became real for her; It's that she stopped arguing with Hikari's hallucinations. She chose to see it so she could be there with and support Hikari on Hikari's level.

Ken, by contrast, has not been visited by the dark ocean all his life. It was the trauma of his brother's death that drove him to the dark ocean. Sometimes real-life tragedy can do that to a person. It can bring them to the dark ocean.

That's what happened to Ken in the Dark Whirlpool as well. It's why the Digimon warned Takeru not to look directly at what was below. I am now fully convinced that the Devimon entity Ken met down there is the same thing that was wearing the guise of Dagomon. Ken got what he wanted then, but he brought the madness of the dark ocean back out with him.

Is it good mental illness representation? Uh, probably not. I've been a caregiver for someone suffering from schizophrenia and I've never once considered slapping them in the face as a grounding technique. That is a terrible idea. The worst. But I do get the distinct impression that that's what this is supposed to represent.

I think this is why the dub version feels like it's struggling to find the topic. It gestures vaguely at "The ocean wants the darkness inside us" because I think it's taking the ocean a little too literally and trying to grasp at what this Metaphysical Evil Villain seeks to achieve. It's treating the dark ocean as Sauron when it's more like Pyramid Head.

#digimon #digimon adventure 02 #revisiting digimon #revisiting digimon adventure 02

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