#fight off global warming one rune at a time

[crestfallencrest]

Got super stressed out today so decided to draw some faves. Maybe i'll draw more faves later.

[butterflyinthewell]

My origin headcanon for Tommy’s saber, Saba.

This will sound so ridiculous, but one of my favorite characters from MMPR was Saba, the beautiful living white tiger saber bestowed upon Tommy when he became the White Ranger.

Saba and the TigerZord come from planet Saberius, a world that died a billion years ago after war tore it apart. Saberius was like Earth, save its sky was closer to purple than blue and it had rings that created rainbows overhead when the sun hit them just so.

Saberians were anthro white tigers and two factions were at war. The people who lived on the plains wanted the blood of the people who lived in caves, and vise versa. The war was so old that nobody young knew what it was about anymore, but it started over mining. Too much mining and the usage of nuclear weapons was killing the planet.

But there was an old wizard named Nikodai who still remembered when the world was peaceful. In his youth he was the original White Ranger who controlled the TigerZord, which he built himself and imbued with magic. He was one of the first to fight in the wars, yet as he fought he cried out for people to stop and talk it out, but nobody listened.

As the wars picked up he hid the Zord and white Power Coin away, fearing the power falling into the wrong hands if he was killed. He tried to preach messages of peace while using his magic to heal the sick and wounded, but his words were brushed off as nonsense.

Nikodai could hear the cries of the planet. She begged him to stop the wars and he tried to do so peacefully. But nobody wanted to listen.

As time went on Nikodai made friends with a youth named Magaki. By then the wars were so violent that younger and younger people were being enlisted to fight. Magaki was one of the people who thought Nikodai spoke nonsense until one day a nuke hit way too close to Nikodai’s cavern home. He cursed at the plains people, and Nikodai told him to stop that, that they were all Saberians and this hatred was going to kill them all.

Then Nikodai caught wind of people digging around the Adaro mountains, which was where he hid the TigerZord. Fearing that it would fall into the hands of people hungry for power, he took Magaki on a quest with him to seek it out.

On the way, they ran into some plains people who tried to kill them on sight. Magaki knocked one out using the martial arts moves he knew, but he was shocked when Nikodai tornado kicked the other guy to knock him down. The still-conscious warrior moved to attack again. Nikodai stopped Magaki from killing the warrior and instead hypnotized him with magic to pick up his unconscious kinsman and go home. Magaki just stared at Nikodai in disbelief.

So Nikodai said, “That was mercy, something everyone has forgotten.”

It was getting late, so Magaki challenged Nikodai to race him. Nikodai looked decrepit at a glance, so the young lad was pretty surprised when Nikodai picked up the hem of his robes and outpaced him. The old wizard teased his younger friend about losing to an old man and they laughed as they ran.

The mountains held deep magical properties and Nikodai knew the planet would help him if he asked it of her. Magaki and Nikodai became closer friends during the journey. This is thanks in part to Nikodai letting Magaki hear the planet’s screams of agony and finally getting him to listen.

They got to the Adaro mountains only to find a nuke had destroyed the people trying to dig there. Assured that the Zord was safe, Nikodai took Magaki inside the mountain where the TigerZord appeared to scowl in its slumber.

The planet granted Nikodai fresh ore from its core. Nikodai took the ore and secreted it away for the journey home. Magaki asked him what he planned to do with it, and Nikodai said he planned to make a weapon of peace.

Once home, Nikodai forged the ore into a beautiful saber and sculpted its face into a likeness of his own. He carved microscopic runes into the blade. The saber became the key to the TigerZord. But Nikodai feared what may happen if the saber fell into the wrong hands, so he hid it away and swore to only take it out as a last resort. He continued preaching messages of peace to both the plains people and the cave people.

A few started to lay down their weapons. Their superiors forced them to pick them back up. They were afraid to defy orders.

And the wars continued...

The years passed. Magaki grew into adulthood and introduced Nikodai to his girlfriend, Nara. Magaki joined the military and became a formidable fighter. He went from wearing a breechcloth and a tunic to Saberian armor, which was an opulent black and gold chest plate. Nara, who was a fantastic gymnast and who could fight like a storm if pressed, preferred to cook and look after Nikodai. She often wore pink tunic dresses with flowy skirts that allowed ease of movement. Nara worried often about Magaki’s physical safety. He was an accomplished martial artist, but cool kicks couldn’t stop a bullet, lasers or nukes.

Nikodai looked at this young lady who had just become a woman and realized too many children were growing up terrified. Then a nuke hit a few miles from his cavern home, shaking everything. Saberius shrieked in agony; the planet was irreparably damaged and doomed.

That was the last straw. Nikodai got pissed off. Nobody wanted to listen, so he was going to make sure Saberius’ legacy lived on. He busted out the wall where he hid the saber away, took it deep into a glowing room and opened his spell book.

Magaki walked in to Nara crying and found Nikodai chanting and dropping glittering powder over the silver, glistening weapon. A strong wind blasted into the room and lightning burst from Nikodai to strike the saber, turning it white.

The saber opened his eyes, gasped and cried out, “I’m...alive?”

And Saba was born.

Saba could hear the cries of the planet because part of her Spirit has been transferred to him along with a piece of Nikodai’s. He darted around, terrified, shouting that the world was dying.

Magaki and Nara heard this and looked at Nikodai in disbelief. It was true. The planet’s core was collapsing, and already massive volcanic eruptions shook the opposite hemisphere. They were too late to save it, so their only choice was to relocate Nara and Magaki to the TigerZord and escape. Nikodai himself didn’t want to go. The planet was his first love and he couldn’t leave her alone to her pain.

The Saberians rushed to the cave entrance only to find their world unrecognizable. Ice crystals from the planet’s rings were crashing down, gouging out holes through which lava spewed up. Tornadoes were all over the horizon. Plants were dying and the oceans were evaporating. Think global warming on extreme fast forward.

A lava rock slammed into the cliffs behind them. Nikodai was buried under several boulders. Magaki and Nara frantically tried to dig him out. Saba, terrified, emitted light rays from his eyes that destroyed the boulders. Nikodai was crushed so much that some of his insides had been forced outside.

As Nikodai lay dying, he had a vision:

The TigerZord escaping into space with Saba safe inside.

Saba being discovered by a wizard carrying a spiral-tipped staff.

Five Coins flipping for the fate of the universe.

The TigerZord teleporting onto a blue planet with a single moon.

An alien warrior wearing a Saberian battle uniform with Saba at his side...

Nikodai knew what came next. He begged Saba to call the TigerZord, but Saba was afraid he wouldn’t know how. Nikodai promised him that he could do it while Magaki and Nara wept over him.

So Saba took a deep breath, levitated himself upright and called the TigerZord for the first time. The Adaro mountains exploded with a boom heard around the world as the hyperactive Zord broke free. It leapt over lava pools, bounced off flying boulders and righted itself when it landed on its back.

Hope rose in Magaki when the TigerZord slid to a stop nearby. He leapt up and down cheering. Even in his grief he recognized the hope the TigerZord represented.

Nikodai lived long enough to see his TigerZord burst through the sulphuric brown smoke. He said goodbye and died of his wounds. Clouds covered the sun when his heart stopped. Magaki was distraught and Nara began to cry.

The continent began to sink into the lava. The TigerZord was in danger of being lost forever. Saba couldn’t take his eyes off his dead father. Nara screamed at Saba to get off the planet before everything was gone. Magaki joined in. Saba shed tears because he didn’t want to leave his friends, but a lurch from the dying planet prompted him into action.

Saba teleported into the TigerZord. Unfortunately, ash from distant volcanoes covered the sun along with the clouds, which cut the TigerZord’s power in half. He couldn’t take Nara and Magaki with him. They knew this was a possibility, so the two Saberians waved goodbye. Saba bellowed a tearful farewell and launched the TigerZord.

Up through the lightning torn skies. Up through the angry clouds. Up through the evaporating atmosphere. Up through the falling ice crystals. Up and up the White TigerZord went, rocketing away from the dying planet.

Magaki turned to Nara and cupped her face. He told her he loved her and swore they would all meet again somewhere, somehow. They kissed again as everything became fire and that was the last sensation they felt.

Saba watched his home world explode in a brilliant flash. He had become his world’s only legacy, so he closed his eyes and vowed to complete his mission.

With that, Saba and the TigerZord went dormant and drifted through interstellar space for millions of years until a planet registered.

The TigerZord landed in the open wilderness. This planet was peaceful and safe, so the Zord laid Saba between its front paws with the White Tiger Coin and went back to sleep.

A man carrying a spiraling staff found the TigerZord in the wilderness. He approached it without fear because he was very familiar with Zords. He glanced down and noticed Saba lying between the White TigerZord's front paws. Lowering his staff, he reached down and picked the Saber up to examine it.

As soon as he was touched, Saba's eyes opened and flashed, startling his finder. "I am Saba of the planet Saberius, which is now gone. I seek peace."

The old man bowed his head; had been dreaming of the loss of Saberius and what came after, and now he felt that everything had come full circle. He told Saba that he had landed on Eltar and introduced himself as Zordon.

Saba sensed Zordon’s power. He was a wizard like Nikodai. He told his new friend all about how he came to be, the people he lost and the world he came from. Zordon listened with sympathy, something not enough people did on Saberius. He told Saba that he, too, was going to war with someone named Rita Repulsa.

Saba became Zordon’s companion in the war. Zordon wielded him like a champion and called upon the TigerZord on a few occasions.

When both sides reached a stalemate, Saba suggested something less violent. Zordon took that suggestion and challenged Rita to a special coin toss that would determine who would rule the universe. Saba helped Zordon infuse the Coins with magic to ensure the evil side wouldn't win.

Rita lost the coin toss as planned. In her rage, she cast a spell that trapped Zordon in another dimension beyond the flow of time. Zordon retorted by focusing his power and locking Rita and her goon-squad in an intergalactic dumpster. He sent her off into space, hoping that was the last of her.

Before he was completely trapped in his new prison, Zordon teleported Saba and the White TigerZord to Earth where they remained hidden for the next ten thousand years. Saba was patient and spent the time dreaming of his home. Hoping that maybe, by luck, he wouldn't be needed and he would be able to dream for the rest of eternity.

But the evil returned.

For a time, the help of the White TigerZord and Saba were not needed. Then one day, the war intensified. Saba was awakened by a telepathic call from Zordon.

And with Zordon’s pronouncement:

"Extend your hand, White Ranger, and accept all that has been granted to you."

...a human hand held Saba for the first time. Tommy was unaware of the history behind his Ranger armor or the story of the beautiful saber entrusted to him, but he felt its life and magic course down his arm.

There was so much more Tommy didn’t know, but Saba realized something the second Tommy’s hand closed around his handle. He didn’t have time to ponder it, because Nimrod was becoming a threat and Rita was going to be another one.

Tommy went after Nimrod while the other Rangers dealt with the threat of Rita’s dumpster. (Lord Zedd hilariously had stuck her back in it...) Saba and Tommy worked together like wind and windmills. When it was time to call the TigerZord, Tommy’s reaction to it sealed what Saba knew.

Nimrod went down. The Rangers gathered afterward to debrief on what happened. They hadn’t morphed off their Ranger suits yet, so Saba listened to Tommy and Kimberly talk to each other. With their faces covered he focused on their voices and realized he heard those voices before.

The spirits of Nara and Magaki had reincarnated and found each other in the form of two human teenagers.

Tommy asked Saba if his name meant anything. Saba said yes, it was Saberian for Peacemaker.

That night, as Tommy and Kimberly slept safe in their beds at home, Saba appeared in their dreams. He explained why he was there while his eyes reflected the story of his world.

A world with hardship and war.

A world where a doomed couple shared their last kiss as everything they knew crashed down around them.

A world where hope survived long after everyone had perished.

A world where an old wizard's dream of peace was still unfolding.

...and somewhere in a place of both darkness and white light, Nikodai’s spirit looked up into the future and smiled.

[eversall]

jimon + jace taking a simon 101 class??? idk what this is

i know what it is its an adorable prompt

to: parabrotai, izzybelle, clearlyfray, supermaia

[jace] i can’t believe i’m stooping to this, but how can i win simon over? 

.

i. [izzybelle]: simon likes those lame pick up lines, and puns, and bad jokes.

“Simon.” Jace calls out as he slips out of the Hunter’s Moon. “Wait up.” 

“Well this is a surprise.” Simon says cheerfully, his hands in his pocket. “What brings you to my side of the docks?”

Jace snorts. 

“Alcohol.” He jerks his head at the bar. “What, you heading back to the boathouse?” 

“I have a 9 AM class tomorrow, yeah.” Simon says. Right. Simon’s going to NYU now, trying to get a normal life back. Jace isn’t sure how he manages to go to class in the morning and then sneak into their missions at night. How is he sleeping?

“I’ll walk you back.” Jace says, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

“I’m not a damsel in distress.” Simon scowls at him. 

“But what if I am?” Jace asks, smiling winningly and strolling alongside Simon. This is easy for him. Flirting is a game he knows. Too bad it never works on Simon. 

Case in point - 

“I get it, you’re the big bad Shadowhunter and I need to stop interrupting your missions.” Simon’s frown deepens. “I said I was sorry.” Jace blinks at him and sighs. 

“That’s not what I meant at all. It was a joke.” He supplies, helpfully. 

“That’s not a joke. Here’s a joke.” Simon says, snapping his fingers, his eyes brightening. “What’s the ocean stressed out about?” 

“Global warming.” Jace says immediately. “Melting ice caps. The polar bears - “

“Current events.” Simon snickers, and Jace tries hard not to let that get to him, but he can’t help the tiny snort and his lips twitching upwards. “See!” Simon crows, pushing excitedly at Jace’s shoulders. “You do think I’m funny.”

“I think,” Jace says, arching an eyebrow, “that you’re not taking global warming seriously enough, Simon.”

“Not taking - you’re a real piece of work, Jace.” Simon says, sighing, but he’s smiling too. Jace grins again and waggles his eyebrows. 

“A piece that everyone wants.” He tries again, and this time Simon blushes and shoves him. He misjudges his own strength and sends Jace careening into the lamp post. “Jace - shit!” He’s immediately in front of Jace, fussing over him for injuries. Which - ridiculous. Jace is a Shadowhunter. He fights off demons, and Simon’s still afraid of his own strength in comparison. 

“Hey, chill, I’m fine.” Jace says, straightening up and laughing. “It’s just so easy to fall for you, Simon.” He winks, for added effect.

Simon storms off. 

Well. Back to the drawing board, then. 

.

ii. [supermaia]: you should wine and dine him, he’s into cheesy shit like that. like a proper, romantic date - if you even know what romance means, herondale. 

“Hey!” Simon skids to a stop in front of Jace, breathless. “Sorry I’m late! You said to dress nice, and, well, I’ve got a lot more options since Raphael forced me to update my wardrobe.” 

“Forced?” Jace asks skeptically, trying his hardest not to ogle at Simon. It’s a difficult task when Simon’s in a tailored blue button-up, the sleeves rolled to just below his elbows, his dark jeans ending in smart looking oxfords. 

“Raphael doesn’t hold with even exiled members of his clan looking like a fashion travesty.” Simon grins at him. “So what’s this undercover mission? Are one of the waiters demons?” 

“Oh. Hm. Yeah.” Jace clears his throat and folds his arms. “Our source reported that the demon’s moved on, but Alec wants us to check the place out just in case.” 

“Argh, really? So this is like a throwaway mission?” Simon asks, scuffing his shoe on the ground. The valet’s starting to look at them funny, and Jace realizes with a jolt that he still has his glamour rune on. He hurriedly tugs Simon into the shadows and lets his eyes flash, activating the rune again as he slides his hand down to grip Simon’s. The valet stares hard at the spot where Simon must have just disappeared. 

“You sound really disappointed.” Jace remarks, his grip on Simon’s hand tight. “It’s a free fancy meal.” 

“I want to help.” Simon scowls at Jace. He hasn’t let go of Jace’s hand either. Jace’s heart starts to pound faster, and he’s sure Simon can hear it. He doesn’t care, he wants Simon to hear it, wants Simon to understand how much Jace wants this. 

“You always help, why not take a day for yourself and put it on my card?” Jace asks, cajoling him. Simon squints. 

“You -” He says incredulously, and then he stops. And starts again. “You have a credit card?” 

Jace gives him a look. “How did you think I lived in New York? Do you think I just fight demons and then power off for the day or something?” 

“Or something.” Simon says wonderingly. “So like, what, you go grocery shopping and stuff? You go to the library? Do you - “

“I told you I go to book club.” Jace says, feeling peeved. “I’m just a normal guy, Simon.” 

“That”, Simon says, pointing at Jace triumphantly, “is the most humble thing I’ve ever heard you say. Well done. Congratulations.” His cheeks dimple as he grins impishly at Jace, and Jace can’t help but shake his head, the corners of his mouth twitching. 

“Careful,” Jace teases, “that was almost a compliment.” He lets go of Simon’s hand and steps away, trying not to feel disappointed as he smooths the lapels of his jacket. It was a long shot anyway, he thinks to himself. 

Simon’s staring at him, his brow furrowed and his expression thoughtful. “You wanna go get burgers then?” 

Jace sighs and shakes his head fondly. He can go home and sulk about not getting a date with Simon, or he can get burgers with his friend. The choice is pretty easy. 

“Yeah, let’s go get burgers. You can watch me eat and be sad.” 

.

iii. [parabrotai]: i’m no expert but i’ve been told you should try to talk about your feelings?? like be open. don’t hide stuff. i think simons into that kind of communication thing

“I play the piano.” Jace says as he drops into the seat next to Simon in the Institute’s kitchen. He means to say it conversationally, like an opening to better topics, but instead he blurts it out into the silence. Simon raises an eyebrow and takes out one earphone. 

“Huh.” He says, tilting his head. “This may come as a surprise to you, but you lose this competition. I play the piano too.” 

“You play the keyboard.” Jace scoffs back automatically, before he backtracks. “No, no, I meant - you know. Now you know. I play the piano.” 

“Okay.” Simon agrees bemusedly, sipping at his cup of blood. “Now I know? What, are you trying to tell me I play the piano badly? I thought you liked my songs - “

“I do.” Jace shakes his head as he crosses his arms and leans against the counter, grinning. “Angel help me, I’m not sure why, but I do.” 

“Hey.” Simon throws his wadded up napkin at Jace, who ducks, laughing. “I’m a hot Downworlder commodity.” Jace raises an eyebrow, and waits - 

Simon flushes an attractive pink. “I mean - like I’m popular - like not hot hot - you know what, I think I am, honestly, what - “

“Don’t worry your pretty face.” Jace says sincerely, patting Simon’s cheek as he pushes off the counter and goes in search of a mug to make himself tea. Simon splutters behind him. 

“Are you making fun of me? You’re making fun of me.” Simon declares. Jace hides his smile as he roots through the cabinets. 

“I’m not.” 

“I don’t even know whether to believe you or not. You’re messing with my mind, man.” Simon moans, a thunk sounding. Jace turns to see that Simon’s let his head fall forward on the counter, desolately draped over it like some sort of tragic hero. 

“Write a song about it, why don’t you.” Jace says, grinning. Simon bolts upright at that, a strange gleam in his eyes.

So he never actually gets to have a conversation with Simon about feelings, but they do spend the next hour creating increasingly awful lyrics for a song. It’s something. 

But he’s getting tired of being rejected unwittingly at every turn. It feels like maybe friendship is all he’s ever gonna get from Simon, and that’s fine. It’s fine. Whatever puts that stupidly gorgeous smile on Simon’s face is enough for him. 

iv. [clearlyfray]: don’t be an idiot. just be you. he likes YOU

Jace goes into a state of shock when he reads Clary’s text. She looks over at him, through the crowd at Hunter’s Moon for Simon’s gig, and winks. He splutters into his beer and looks back at Simon, who’s really getting into it now, his eyes lowered as he croons into the mic. Strobe lights flash around them, and the crowd is loud and wild; Simon’s a popular act. 

He waits through the set, his heart in his throat as he obsessively smooths his thumb over his phone screen. When Simon finally finishes, Jace forcefully pushes through the crowd until he can clamp a hand around Simon’s shoulder. 

“You,” He hisses, and Simon looks at him, alarmed, “Come on, we have to talk.” 

“Izzy if he kills me you’re my witness!” Simon screeches as Jace drags him out through the back door. Jace snorts. 

“Shut up.” He commands, unable to stop himself from smiling at Simon, a fond feeling bubbling in his chest. “I’m not - Simon. You idiot.” 

“You know, I just - yeah, I’m lost at this point.” Simon says, bemused. “You alright, buddy?” Jace ignores him. 

“I’ve been flirting with you for weeks.” He murmurs softly, stepping closer and noting the way Simon’s eyes widen and his lips part ins surprise. “I even asked Maia for help, and - now Clary tells me I didn’t have to try so hard.” 

“You - flirting?” Simon asks helplessly. “I thought you were just - being you.” 

“Yeah.” Jace presses closer, and Simon swallows, holding his ground, looking up at Jace through his lashes. He’s almost Jace’s height, but his eyes are absurdly large and beautiful, and it’s embarrassing how weak Jace is for everything about Simon Lewis. “Apparently you like that, even though I made a fool of myself.” 

“I do.” Simon agrees nervously, biting his lip. “God help me, I do. I never thought I could have this, though.” 

“Neither did I.” Jace admits, honestly, and it’s his heart on his sleeve as he stares at Simon. 

“Fuck, Jace,” Simon says, and then he launches forward and crashes their lips together, hard and demanding. The kiss is fierce, unyielding, taking Jace apart and stitching him back together as Simon’s tongue parts his lips like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Jace is breathless with desire, an overwhelming want clouding his mind as he knots his fingers in Simon’s hair and pulls him closer, pulls him in to take everything that Simon’s willing to give. 

They kiss for hours, or minutes, or seconds; all Jace knows is that he has to rip himself away at the end to suck in deep, ragged breaths, shaking as he leans against Simon. Simon, the rat bastard, just laughs, content with not needing to breathe. 

“That was awesome.” Simon enthuses, his arms encircling Jace’s waist. His smile crinkles the corners of his eyes, and he traces a thumb over Jace’s cheek. It’s soft in a way that Jace is still getting used to, and he hums and leans into the touch. 

“Just shut up,” He says, laughing breathlessly, “and kiss me.” 

And Simon does.