#he's the entity's golden boi and still find that funny

[anintroverteddarling]

Have some DBD Ghostface doodles because he's da boi

[theteasnake]

Ghostface: The Bitch

He is the Entity's golden and problem child and gets the most privileges than the others. Being on friendly terms with him tends to reward you with similar luxuries. The Entity also speaks to him the most, although it's mostly just him having a one sided convo with himself until the Entity replies.

Before the Game showed up, he was offered his own cabin on the outskirts of the survivor camps. It's still there and is mainly used as his stalking hq.

He's quicker than most to catch up on modern slang. Half the time he hates it and half the time he finds it amusing to confuse the other killers with it.

"I'm a murderer, not a monster!" - whenever he's accused of any crime that isn't a murder, even if it's as small as stealing.

If put in the same area as Freddy Kruger, it's on sight. He hates the burnt man with a passion.

I don't think he has a canon age, I couldn't find one, but I'd say he's around 21-22. He only visited a handful of towns and lays low between each one, and assuming he killed his father at 16-17, I think 21-22 is a good estimate.

He has conflicted feelings about his father. He both loves and loathes him.

Narcissistic? Mayhaps. ADHD? 100%.

He's got a celebrity crush on the Trapper. Nothing will come of it, but he will fanboy about Evan.

I feel like he'd enjoy Fallout Boy, especially American Psycho. Along with unhinged modern pop like Joyride.

Chaotic bisexual with no preference. Maybe a hint of demiromantic. Idk, you gotta be really interesting to prevent him from murdering you but you'll just end up with him unhealthily obsessing over you.

This man is an asexual and you can't change my mind. He's probably tried but gave up ten seconds in cause it's not as thrilling as murdering. Plus, why would he do something that's just cheap adrenaline when he can get pure adrenaline from killing?

Adrenaline junkie.

Isn't allowed to try gambling, drugs, or anything else that can turn into an addiction. He gets addicted very, very easily.

He smoked for a very short time before he was taken. He quit cause he didn't want to fuck up his lungs. He picked it back up when he was taken, cause why not? He defo thinks it's hot.

Not fond of alcohol, it clouds his judgement and he doesn't trust himself to not kill on a whim while under the influence.

Thinks the simp survivors are funny. But will cut a hand off if they try to touch him inappropriately.

Best way to seduce him as a survivor is to just be good at kiting. He loves a good challenge and if you manage to stay alive for a good period of time, he'll let you live as a reward. Plus, he loves his final girls.

People tend to think he's a dog person, they're obedient and man's best friend. He's actually a cat person, they're much like himself. Stealthy hunters. Dogs are too loud and clingy.

Has never hurt an animal outside of hunting. He has no reason to, humans are more fun to go after.

Probably enjoyed Deadpool comics before being taken. He also shares the same humor as DP. Add in a sprinkle of puns and bad dad jokes.

Has a collection of secret photos of his favorite killers.

Has attempted to kill fellow killers just for fun.

The definition of "fuck around and find out".

You know that meme of how guys won't bat an eye if they're injured but act like they're dying when they have a simple cold. That's Danny.

Very expressive and dramatic with his movements. Mainly cause you can't see his expressions behind the mask.

Would be a theater kid if he would've been allowed.

He's got trauma. This man has trauma. I doubt it would've been easy to be raised by a military dad. Plus, I doubt his mother was in the picture or very involved.

Isn't allowed to cook or make food for others. He's attempted to poison and drug people various times. Just cause.

Is very fidgety and stims a lot. Taps his fingers, chews on pens, humming and whistling, leg bouncing, etc.

Occasionally pretends to be a friendly killer just to down them all. He likes to see the betrayal in their eyes.

Views the Legion as a group of little shits. Doesn't care for them but they try to follow him around whenever he's not at the Game.

Don't leave him in the same room as the Trickster. It could end in either a bloodbath or Danny coming out confused and dressed head to toe in merchandise.

He knows he's not allowed to harm the survivors outside of the trial, but that doesn't stop him from scaring the shit out of them.

Sometimes he'll pretend he's a survivor to gain access to the survivor camp.

Doesn't like Tapp, and thanks whatever being out there that he didn't have someone like him in his world.

Very judgy.

Mori pictures of his favorite survivors are kept in his wallet.

Ya'll need to stop trying to justify his kills. You treat him like some vigilante trying to clean up the streets, when he wouldn't even touch fellow criminals with a 10 inch pole. It'd be a boring story if the resident aggressive drunk is murdered, but the well loved waitress, on the other hand, would make a great headline.

Probably dreads office and water cooler talk. Unless it's gossip. He's always down from some gossip.

Names almost every inanimate objects after his favorite subjects/victims. He's got bad emotional attachment to the objects. Like really bad.

Touch starved. Probably has never been hugged.

Does not do well with heat. Every time he ends up in warmer states or working in the summer, he's like "why did I do this to myself?"

Self hatred? Nah. Can't hate yourself if you don't know who you are.

Anger issues to the max.

Once accidentally broke Philly in a fit of rage and almost drove himself off a bridge. He fixed the camera, don't worry.

If he does choose to be friendly (to spice things up) and the survivors still run from him or keep stunning/blinding him, he'll tunnel them. He does not have patience.

Stabbing is his love language. He's currently being taught that that's not healthy. It's a work in progress.

Gift giving is his other love language. Though, it's mainly dead bodies and mori photos. Like a cat leaving dead mice for their owner.

Gets disappointed when other survivors don't join in on the photo. They're labeled boring and get tunneled.

He's got so many scars from his subjects fighting back. They're like trophies to him.

Isn't allowed to have caffeine, especially in the Entity's realm. Last time he had it in his world, he almost murdered a whole family in one go. When he had it in the Entity's realm, he had so many trials lined up but the high didn't wear off afterwards and he attempted to break into other killers' trials.

The type of pet name he gives you is determined by how he feels about you, regardless of gender. Princess is mainly applied to whiny and bitchy people. Babygirl is used sarcastically or affectionately depending on the scenario. Dollface or doll is saved for those that has peaked his interest or people he deeply cares about. Then you have your usual; cunt, bitch, mother fucker, asshole, dipshit. Sweetheart and toots are reserved for Amanda.

He swears like a sailor.

Is a natural night owl. Make him wake up before 11 am and he'll stab a bitch.

He used a voice modifier in his world, but he has no use for it in the fog. He still has it. It's named Roger.

He makes so many references to so many horror movies. It doesn't matter if whoever he's talking to has seen it or not.

Saw someone headcanon him to be autistic. Yeahhh. That's all I gotta say. Yeahhh.

Very common for him to not eat for days. Only because he forgets to eat. Same thing happens with using the bathroom. He just forgets.

Probably had fangirls in his world. He planned to kill one just to see what would happen. Never again. Just. Never again. The horrors he found in their bedroom could never be removed from his brain.

Depression? Can't be depressed if you're high on adrenaline 24/7.

Is a college drop out. He only started it as one of his identities. It was... boring.

Frat parties or parties in general is the bane of his existence. It's hard to stalk someone if they keep blending in with the crowd. But it's a good place to off someone, if he can keep his eyes on them.

Don't let him have access to anything that can start a fire. The Entity learned that the hard way.

[darkfictionjude]

Etymology nonnie here! 

I realized I had so much to say it was better to do different asks. Already the last one was very long. But most of it didn't focused on the new update (funnily enough, I had more to say about the previous one). I still have some things to say about the previous update, but I pretend to speak about the one you pushed yesterday. Also, apologies for not messaging yesterday. I had to go to classes when you released the update, so I only got to read it quite late. Today I probably wouldn't have been able to write you anything, but I found the time amongst the things I have to do.

About this new update. I loved how the interactions with the RO's went. Now, as you know, my MC (Indiana) is romancing Imre. And while I expected lust (and there is some), I think it has been very cute as of now. And evident. Since both Nia and Lorcan have showed some reaction to it. 

Probably the most surprising thing for me was the phone call with Nia. The way I would love to have her POV of the scene. My MC calls so excited about the case, realizing that Sammy's murder doesn't fit the case profiling that they had been doing (not only due to gender, but also age). Like, we cannot go all Criminal Minds in this one, boys. At least, not yet. So, what would Nia think of this? MC, always so apathetic and seemingly uncaring about the world, so invested on a murder investigation? It's at once so suspicious and intriguing. Is this because of guilt? Out of murderous fascination with death? A weird, and probably ineffective attempt to clear his name? Nia's head must be full of theories.

But there is also the fact that MC seems to be so compatible and friendly with Imre. Like, I do suspect Nia told Imre to keep distant more to protect MC rather than because she actually believed they wouldn't get along. But I also believe she also thought the latter had some validity. So, it must be shocking that MC seems so excited and receptive to Imre (at least mine is, I know not all MC's are). Probably, a part of her is also worried about how everything is going to end. 

There is also an attempt to reconnect with MC. But is a careful and, not exactly hesitant, yet not entirely trusting. Which makes sense, of course, from her perspective. Once again I would love to have her POV. Even though I'm romancing Imre, nowadays is her friendship with MC the relationship that intrigues me the most. It's in such a complicated and unique situation. 

This always happens to me, but I just cannot wait for the next update. And this one released yesterday. I just had to mention it. 

Then, there's Lorcan. He's so fun. So petty, so immature, so dumb. I love him. The more I see of him the more I'm convinced I have to do another playthrough where I romance him. Yet it comes with the trouble of designing a different MC than my Indiana, and that means I'm back at the name choosing crisis again. Alas, I'm not surprised.

Also, the case. The more we learn, the less my theories seem to hold in place. As of now, everything points to a supernatural entity, or multiple murderers, or a cult. Maybe all three. The trouble is that I don't know how to connect these with any of the other suspects I had. Of course, we also have very little information, so any theory is subject to be disproven or strengthened as we gather more data and clues. 

Finally, there is some things I wanted to comment about the previous update, and the character creator. I still find funny you used golden beryl as a color choice. Even though I know what you meant, I still imagined my MC as a Simpson, given how yellow that color is. Yet, in the previous update, when MC is looking at himself in the mirror, you used another descriptor I think it's more accurate, by saying the skin tone is olive (now, olive has its own set of issues, as it can refer to both shade and undertone and mean different things, but that's English fault not yours, dear Jude). 

I think I mentioned once I wanted to do an anti-Imre initially. Now, I must admit, my love for Imre has escaped the confines of this IF and flooded over others. As, all my MCs are heavily inspired by Imre's appearance. Including my dear Indiana Crown. I think there is one demo in which I even named my MC Imre (I think I told you once already I fancy him in part because his name fascinates me). So my Indiana has olive skin, brown hair, and blue (technically indigo, so it's a bit more purple than blue) eyes. Which reminds me the fact that a lot of people date others very similar to them. And, in the case of gay couples, sometimes they look like clones. Here is not so much the case since Indiana is lithe, I imagine him shorter than Imre, and has plenty of scars. Including at least two on his neck (both the nasty one from 1992, and the one from when he sliced it as a child with a knife). 

There another thing I wanted to comment. About child MC being in beauty pageants. I don't know if I skimmed over that part before, or what was I thinking I didn't notice that. And it's so fascinating. Not only it shows how the Crowns, and Prudence specifically, care about appearances so much. As well as how abusive they can be. But also that MC was, at least back then, beautiful enough to participate in such things. 

That said, I just have to know how those went. No matter how cute MC may have been… He has dead eyes. How creepy must he have looked! Perhaps MC was a bit like a doll back then. Beautiful, yet dead inside. 

There is also the reinforcement of distance and the asymmetrical relationship between Prudence and MC, as well as her potential lack of love towards him. After all, most mothers wouldn't force their little kid to stop saying Mommy to say Mother instead. Like, there are mothers who get sad when their kids go from mommy to mom. So the fact that Prudence is deliberately creating such instance does give a good idea of how she doesn't want to he close to MC. 

The Crown family is truly a mess, huh?

Ah I was waiting for more in-depth reactions to the update! I feel like no one has given me any thought on what they thought of the complete 180 the investigation gets because of Sammy (all I've gotten are what's the word to the question Imre asks 😭)

What I love about MC's relationship with Nia is that it is riveting both as a romance and friendship, sometimes I feel friendships are less worked on than romances in some IFs so I'm glad you like it

Also Lorcan is the group comedian I gathered and he wasn't even looking to be he's completely serious when he asks the poop ask 💀

Yeah so MC never won those pageants but they were always in second place and it had to do with their lack of charisma and talent on the stage, the dead eyes were another disadvantage. I imagine to look like a creepy porcelain doll

[fruggo]

Hi hi can I req Danny, Leon and Steve with a male s/o who's a real goofy guy? Cracks jokes during chases, just can't take things too seriously, laid back and chill guy who prioritizes having fun

absolutely, thanks for requesting!! :D this is cute haha. i hope you like it!

danny, leon, and steve with goofy m!s/o

𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐍

danny would consider himself a pretty fun guy, though perhaps his idea of fun would not be the same as a normal person's. so i wouldn't take his word for it if i were you.

honestly? he thinks you're the shit. he genuinely likes your bad dad jokes great puns, will banter back and forth with you, and he might even give you the hatch instead of a mori. although he would love to have your picture, it can wait until the next trial. or the next if he still doesn't feel like it. who knows?

he likes that you're not too serious about everything. since danny is the entity's golden boy, he never has to worry about anything! he likes it here! and it's cool that someone else has a similar mindset about things. although he might have misunderstood "making the best of the situation and just being a goofy person" for "liking it here". you never really clarified which one it was, and why should he ask?

when danny finds out that you act basically the same way with all the killers, cracking jokes and laughing things off in chases, he gets all pouty. he thought he was special. well, looks like you're getting that mori now.

he still likes you though, and he gives you even more special attention now in the form of tunneling and camping! he means well <3 (no he doesn't he is a little bitch and a loser)

but then he hears stories from the other killers about you, and is pleased to find that you are significantly more fun with him, and, dare i say, flirty!

but he still wants to tunnel and camp you.

when you realize what he's doing, you don't get mad about it. what's the point? in fact you think it's really funny.

the first time danny proximity-camped you, you found it rewarding to just talk and talk and talk until he finally talked back. it took a while, but he did finally respond.

you would just say dumb shit, and then you would say more dumb shit, and then it got annoying and danny had to tell you to shut up. and then you would just dramatically whisper something like "okay, pissbaby."

and danny thought maybe he should be angry with you, but he just wasn't. he couldn't be mad at you, because even if he was, you wouldn't care. you weren't scared of him.

so when he finally left and you got unhooked, he tunneled you obviously. it makes sense, okay?

"wow, am i that handsome and gorgeous and attractive?" you monologued while smashing a pallet onto danny's head. "i'm really just so irresistible that you want to tunnel me? honestly, danny, i'm flattered. i'm touched."

danny couldn't remember since when you were on a first name basis, but he let it slide. just because maybe he thinks you are that handsome and gorgeous and attractive.

dude danny is kinda fucked up but like. he's funny. and charming. and he also let you take off his mask once, and so now you know he's also hot. he has a few things going for him as long as you ignore the part where he chases you with a knife.

𝐋𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐘

leon, our favorite rookie :D he's so cute!!! sorry im gushing i just cant resist i love him !!

and you love him too, so much. that's why you accidentally distract him during trials by goofing off and almost getting him killed

it's out of love. leon knows that. you don't really mean to.

while leon's doing a generator, you are probably somewhere nearby trying to find something even remotely interesting to do. and that might involve climbing a tree, then falling out of the tree. but it wasnt your fault! you swore the crows were attacking you, they didn't want you up in that tree because they knew you were just so cool up there and the Entity couldn't have somebody being better and hotter and funnier than itself so high in the sky.

leon could only smile and shake his head, inspecting you for the wounds you inevitably had. when you said you were fine, he was very skeptical, because your version of fine was never the same as his.

the killer knew where you were now because of your very loud "FUCK!" as the crows supposedly attacked you and forced you out of the tree, so you immediately put on your game face and got ready to command some attention.

leon said no, you were not in the right headspace to get chased. you only shrugged at him, slapped his ass, and ran towards the killer yelling, "HEY YOU WANNA HEAR AN AGGIE JOKE?"

leon was used to this by now, and he found it rather endearing. you were an enigma to him, really. how you could be so laid back about this whole murder-die-sacrifice thing was beyond him, but it was refreshing. he liked your enthusiasm.

since he had just come from raccoon city, he was still in his "i have to do the right thing and save everybody because it's my duty" kind of mood. you made sure to lighten up that burden and remind him that it's okay to chill sometimes, and he can't save everybody, especially not here. if you were in a particularly bad trial, you always made sure to get him to crack a smile.

likewise, leon wasn't always too jazzed about your "funny guy gets killed so the team can live" complex. he knew you didn't care, or at least you said you didn't, but he still hated that you constantly sacrificed yourself and acted like it was no big deal. to him, it was. he hated going back to the campfire alone and waiting forever for you to show up again; he cared about you and it hurt to see you sacrifice yourself so much even if he knew you would return.

leon didn't have a stick up his ass or anything--he had his fair share of humorous moments (i mean have you seen infinite darkness ashdjshdf that man just wants love and food). he just wants to save everybody, you included. it's frustrating to come to terms with the fact that he can't.

he loves it when he can hear you yelling at the killer mid-chase from afar, be it a pun or a swear or both. you've even influenced him to crack his own jokes while being chased sometimes--it comes out more often if he's being tunneled. if you ever happened to see him do it, you would wipe a fake tear from your face and start clapping. you were very proud of your rookie.

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍

the killers hated you and steve, and i mean like despised you

you were so chill. and for what???? why do you have chill???? nobody else has chill, what makes you think you deserve to have chill????

they could never make you angry and that made them super angry

you and steve would quip back and forth between chases, sometimes going so far as to pretend the killer is not there and talk about something like what kind of cheese you missed eating the most. let me tell you, that did not make the trickster happy.

he was a star!! a star, and here you two little shits were, ignoring him to talk about cheese. honestly, the audacity.

you and steve ran to the killer shack with the trickster on your heels, still talking about cheese. how the conversation had gone on this long was a mystery, and it continued to be a mystery while the two of you shared a chase in the shack.

steve was very happy to have found someone to share his sentiments with. everybody was so serious all the time, and while he was similar to leon with his altruistic streaks, he was slightly less responsible and occasionally enjoyed doing dumb stunts just for shits and giggles.

you can bet that whenever you are in a trial together, it's a competition to see who can hold the killer's attention longer. your teammates don't mind--all they have to do is complete gens, so their job is fairly easy. and it's always entertaining to catch sight of one of you sprinting with a new flashlight in your hand to go annoy the crap out of the killer.

there's no question that steve would die for you a hundred times over, and you would do the same for him. you didn't see it as a very big deal--you didn't see anything here as a very big deal. steve was the only important thing you had, really, and you cared for him a lot. saving him? kapeesh. no sweat.

scenario: steve is being chased, you throw yourself in front of him, the killer has noed, you are hooked, you give him a thumbs up as you die, he flips you off because why the fuck would you die for him what is wrong with you he's supposed to die for you and you know that?? why would you do that???? great, now steve gets to escape and it's all your fault.

you would simply smile. he was so cute sometimes.

[the-bloodycircle-cb]

𝙏𝙒: 𝙈𝙐𝙍𝘿𝙀𝙍, 𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝘽𝙇𝙊𝙊𝘿, 𝘿𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙃, 𝘿𝙍𝙊𝙒𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂, 𝘿𝙀𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙑𝙄𝙊𝙇𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙃𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙍 𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙋𝙔𝙋𝘼𝙎𝙏𝘼 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙈𝙀��

𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝘾𝙀𝙀𝘿 𝙒𝙄𝙏𝙃 𝘾𝘼𝙐𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙊𝙍 𝘼𝙑𝙊𝙄𝘿 𝙁𝙍𝙊𝙈 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙄𝙁 𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍𝙀𝘿 𝘽𝙔 𝘼𝙉𝙔 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝘽𝙊𝙑𝙀.

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𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 7398

𝓟𝓪𝓰𝓮 2 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓸𝓯 8

❝𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝓮𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓪

𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓽𝓮, 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓷'𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾?❞

It was a warm Sunday evening in a quaint little suburban area. The sun peeked over the fluffy clouds, golden rays spilling onto the red shingles of the roofs.

A young boy- somewhere in his teens- was skipping with joy down the sidewalk, clutching a clear plastic bag in his hands. He had waited incredibly long for this day, saving up his allowance to finally purchase the very thing he's been eyeing for almost three months now.

"I can't believe I finally got the collector's edition of Majora's Mask! This thing is antique~!" He chirps to himself, watching the game cartridge jiggle around in the plastic bag.

The walk back home took no less than five minutes, kicking off his shoes and making his presence known to his mother. He was quick to shower and have dinner before rushing back upstairs, already done his homework in advance so he could finally game in peace.

Throwing his hood over his head, he inserts the cartridge into his Nintendo GameCube he got two Christmases ago, grinning when it goes in easily.

"Finally, I hope the game doesn't lag. I spent all my pocket money on this shit, it's old but still playable." He mutters to himself, remembering the words from the antique shopkeeper earlier that day.

The smile that spreads across his face at the sight of the game loading successfully was filled with excitement and relief, clicking on a new slot before pressing play.

“Huh. There's a few glitches in this thing.. heh, must be the age. It did come from the early 2000s.” He snickered, getting used to the controls of the game.

A few hours passed and it was late into the night now when the male began to feel uneasy. He had passed through a few locations in the map and he felt as if something was watching him play. But that was impossible, his parents were sleeping and he was the only child.. it should definitely be impossible, shouldn't it?

He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand when he finally found the source of his anxiety in the dimly lit room. Eyes widening by a few fractions, he stared at the pixelated character in the background of the screen, blinking in disbelief.

“Is that... The Elegy of Emptiness statue of Link?” He sputters, watching as the pixels shift around, as if reacting to his words.

His fingers shook a little as he held the controller in his hands, chewing on his bottom lip.

“This must be like.. an easter egg or something, right? Yeah, haha, definitely. It's like.. and extra companion.”

The teen thinks to himself, feeling himself calm down at the thought. He disregards the way the statue continues to slink through the map with him, resuming his gameplay.

Things seemed to have calmed down, the male sinking back into his gamer zone but deep down in his stomach he could feel fear bubble. Ever since his revelation the dialogues that he encountered kept glitching, some of the words too pixelated to make out and some even being changed to words like “why?” and “stop”.

He doesn't let the goosebumps stop him though, pushing the sight of the uninvited visitor to the back of his mind as his fingers pressed the buttons to move his character.

But then, things.. went terribly wrong.

“Ah finally, now if I cross this I'm pretty sure I'll get to the other cliffside. Just walk down the bridge and I'll arrive at the next town!” He chirped to himself, eyeing the digital clock on his bedside.

01:34 a.m.

Right as he stepped foot on the long bridge, he heard it. The change of soundtrack from the normal roaming one to a more.. unnerving one. The teen's eyes searched around the screen, unable to find the statue anymore.

“That's funny.. it was there a few minutes ago.” He mutters to himself, continuing to move down the bridge. The music picked up, sharp notes piercing his ears as he watches the pixel water below churn and glitch.

He continues to feel uneasy, breath hitching in his throat when he spots a text box pop up under the Link character. Eyebrows furrowed, he felt ice cold fear wash over him despite being wrapped in a blanket. The text glared at him in the darkness of his bedroom as he jumped when his clock ticked.

02:00 a.m.

“You shouldn't have done that.”

A cold voice rasps, the sound grainy and distorted as it resonates through the headphones he was wearing. He almost screamed, unable to move his fingers to click the next dialogue.

But he didn't have to.

The next text box appeared by itself, again with the same glitchy letters and the same cold, disembodied voice.

“How foolish of you to have continued playing even after knowing there was something wrong with the game. How desperate are you youths to play this wretched game?”

His words couldn't seem to exit his mouth, being stuck in his throat when he froze up in absolute terror. He doesn't know what was going on, who was talking to him? Were these dialogues supposed to be apart of the game?

“You look absolutely terrible, did I scare you? I was waiting for you to finally realize it, take a guess what music is currently playing.”

Without needing to move, he saw his laptop screen lit up from his desk, eyes flying to stare at it in shock. He got up with shaky hands, staring at the game file before falling back onto his bottom.

DROWNED.wmv

He scrambled back to his GameCube, seeing no more glitchy dialogues but his own character nowhere to be seen. He blinks, gasping when he sees he statue yet again, this time it seemed to have his Link avatar in its grasps, dragging it over to the water's edge.

It took him too long to finally process what was happening, and it only hit him full force when he heard the first piercing scream. It was that of a young boy, fearful and pleading as he cried bloody murder. The teen's eyes could only stare helplessly as he watches Link kick and squirm in his statue's grasp, the sound of the struggle evident over the music.

“LET ME GO LET ME GO LET ME GO.”

He fell back in horror when the statue pushed Link's head down into the river, hearing the drowned out screams coming from the still alive Link as he's forced to take the water down his lungs.

The male finally found the courage in him to stand up and make a run for it, right as Link's lifeless body starts floating down the river.

Then again, he was too late.

Right as his fingers touched the doorknob he was flung back to the floor by an unseen entity, groaning in pain. He had hit his head on the desk side, swimming through consciousness and unconsciousness when he felt it.

Drip

Drip

He looked up, about to scream when he had his mouth covered, the man above him giggling from the terrified look on his face. He had no visible eyes to be seen, only pure black voids of his eye sockets and a single red dot as his pupil. What was more unnerving though, was the sight of him seemingly crying with the tears dripping down his cheeksn

And those tears were blood.

The man dragged his limp body to the GameCube, a small flash of light before he no longer felt the carpet of his floor. Instead, he felt cold damp grass underneath his body, looking up to see the moon shining.

His assailant had brought him into the game. He was transported straight into Majora's Mask.

“Y'know, I expected some more struggle from you. Are you just gonna stay there and let me drag you all the way before the inevitable happens?"

The male could only attempt to toss and turn as he was dragged by the legs, finally orienting himself to struggle once he hears the rush of the river a few feet away.

The teen finally screamed, he screamed and kicked and flailed and tried as hard as he could to free himself.

But did he really think his captor would let that happen?

“Aha, now this is more entertaining~ You remind me of myself, far back from now. I was here too, struggling and screaming for my life. But who came for me?”

His eyes grew cold, brushing the bloodied tears away. “No one.”

With that, his assailant tossed him into the river, gripping him by the hair. The man's hair shimmered to an almost silver in the moonlight, though streaks of gold were highlighted by the dim lighting. The teen let out another plead, clawing at the man's fingers to free himself only to elicit another giggle.

“You're funny when you beg.”

SPLASH

He started to flail again, screaming as he feels his lungs burn. He kept struggling, and with every struggle more water enters into his mouth and nose. He screams and screams and screams, the music of DROWNED.wmv getting louder and louder until it stopped.

Yuta hummed, finally loosening his grip on the boy's hair. He watches his lifeless body float down the river in a similar fashion to when he ‘killed’ Link just now, a satisfied grin on his face.

The next thing you know, the mother would go to wake her son up only to find an empty bedroom. It would be classified into one of the many missing children cases, remaining unsolved, forever. No sign of any struggle, no windows opened and nothing out of the ordinary. The only exception was the GameCube, the screen now completely pitch black with a text box in distorted letters.

“You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?”

𝓑𝓔𝓝 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷𝓮𝓭! 𝓝𝓪𝓴𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓸 𝓨𝓾𝓽𝓪

【Ｔｈｅ　Ｓｅｃｏｎｄ　Ｐａｇｅ】

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧: @yanlee @yanlee-spam

𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 (?): @time-for-confession @m00n-purplerose-chatbot @yourdaddychan @hunter-chaeyoung @domyukhei @amazingspiderhan @yanderexhoshi @yourcupidchuu @m00n-miaka-cb @xx-macabre-chungha-xx @your-jaemin @seventeen-chatbot @soft-hyunjin-chatbot @playboy-jun @leextaeyong @moonlightchn @ateez-zombie-wonderland @camboy-superm @madmanwoodam @midari-jieun @underground-ateez @ghost-hyunjin @gryffindorxjeno @yanderesungie @mafia-chaeyoung @angelhyuck-cb @caretaker-johnny @dancertenbot @roomie-xiaojun @heartbroken-yeji @exoticdancer-chatbot @criminalinvestigator-mingyu @softbf-skz @seoyejibot @lawyer-jungwoo @la-soleilmafia-cb @mafiaxwayv @sk-tao @jungseonghwa @incubuswooyoung @floristluda @empress-jiaqi @yarindere @alteredjiaqi @ateez-treasure9au-chatbot @yandere-jaehyun @spn-seungwoo @demon-nct (DM if you want to be +/- especially if this kind of concept makes you uncomfortable.)

[thebigqueer]

Sunlight

(Credit for the characters goes to Jeffrey Eugenides, author of Middlesex)

The summer heat has been unbearably warm, so weighted with temperature that it has forced us down onto our knees in the grass. A beam of sunlight fans over our faces, illuminating our scars and stories.

Obscure Object’s body absorbs the sunlight, and it makes her glow from within. The golden light threads itself into her red locks, creating a wall of fire that cascades down her back. She is one with the sun. I would not be surprised if she were to tell me that she was a creation of Apollo, cast down from Olympus because her beauty was too much for the gods to fathom. She could replace Aphrodite herself.

Obscure Object turns her face to me, letting a strand of fire slip over her ear and across her face. A smile eases over her lips. Her tan shoulder flashes in the sunlight. “It seriously sucks that you have to go to Greece,” she murmurs, her voice pouring over me like molten gold. “I want to take you to my summer house. We could have so much fun.” She leans into me, and against her lips I see the promise of a secret. Her mouth grazes my ear as she whispers, “And my parents won’t be around as often. Parties and stuff. We could sneak in all the booze we want.” And, as an afterthought, she adds, “Also, boys.”

I laugh and throw some dirt at her. She screeches. “Your parents are already out most of the time, and you drink more booze than any fourteen-year-old should,” I tell her, tipping my chin to the dark bottle in her right hand for emphasis.

She scoffs and takes another sip. Obscure Object is a graceful creature - every move she makes is on purpose. As her pink lips pucker against the rim of the bottle, I can only think that the booze is being sucked up for an important reason. It’s her mission. She must accomplish it.

And, for a second, a spark of jealousy bursts in my core. I want to be the bottle. I want to be the drink she sips from. I want her lips against me.

She hands the bottle to me but I shake my head and she takes it back, placing it gently at her side. “God, Callie, you need to loosen up a bit. We’re going to high school. Everyone does it.”

“Maybe you’re just a part of the herd.”

“Herd? Did you just compare me to a cow?”

“Moo.”

Now it’s her turn to throw dirt in my face. Specks of brown fly in the air as she lurches towards me, but the alcohol makes her sluggish. Her body pushes with all its might and her red hair flies, creating a halo over her hair, but I’m already three feet away from her before it hits me. She scowls in my direction, and I respond by sticking my tongue out. She groans and turns back, whipping her hair behind her. It flashes in the light again. I wonder how it doesn’t burn her as it touches down against her back once more.

I scoot over, finding that the distance between us is too much. Obscure Object’s bare shoulder brushes against mine, spreading its warmth to me. Electricity dances between us where she touches me, and I feel as though Zeus himself has struck me with a lightning bolt. I would not be surprised if he did.

Her golden fingers gingerly push her hair away from her face. Once again I am in the glory of her beauty: the freckles, the light eyes and the eyebrows. Being so close to her I can see that her face isn’t quite as symmetrical as I thought - an uneven eyebrow dances over her forehead, and I realize that she is not as perfect as I thought she was.

Which makes her even more human to me. Even more attainable.

Her eyes bear over my own face, searching across each and every crater of my skin. First my eyes, then my nose. Next my ears, my chin, my cheeks, my lips. Finally over my dark hair. She smiles again and reaches over clumsily, almost falling over my body. Her fingers graze over my dark strands. “Callie, you have such pretty hair.”

“That’s not what my parents tell me. It’s usually in my face.”

“Yeah, it is. But it’s still pretty. Like… you don’t really care.” Her fingers push my hair away from my face, and now I’m getting a clear view of her. A ripple of shock washes over me as I realize how close we are. Merely inches away from crashing into her. “But you have an even prettier face.”

“I wouldn’t really say that,” I say bashfully, turning my eyes away from her.

“I would. It’s, like, dramatic. In my face. But in a good way.” For a second, I let her words soak into my skin, allowing the warmth of them to seep into my ears. But then she takes another sip of her booze, and ice drips over me, cooling down all my systems. How do I know she means any of this when she’s getting drunk right in front of my eyes?

Her fingers detach from my hair and lay in her lap, but her eyes never leave my face. They continue digging deeper, deeper, looking into my organs, my mind, my body, searching for some secret identity. I wonder if she’s found out about me even before I’ve discovered me.

She sighs and takes another sip. The glass clashes with her teeth for a second, then she places it down again. Her eyelids flutter. “Callie, have you ever wondered what it’s like to kiss a girl?”

Now I know she’s drunk. She would never speak so openly like this, not if she were sober. Sometimes I can’t tell which version of Obscure Object is better - her dazed and doped version, or her sober and sophisticated one. When she’s like this, she becomes more free, more unlatched from the world. She becomes a new entity all together, not quite human. A new, free spirit, untethered from her mind and body and no longer in control of her actions. Reckless.

A warm blush bleeds over my cheeks. “Well, I have. When I was eight.”

She nods, but I can tell from her dazed eyes that she’s barely processing that information. “I’ve always wondered. Do you think it’s any different than with a boy?”

I consider her question, weighing my answer in my mind. “Well, maybe not. Are boys and girls so different? Aren’t we all human? Why does gender matter? All that should matter is who you’re into. I guess if you’re into girls, you’re going to like to kiss girls more.”

“Do you care if someone’s into girls, Callie?”

“Not really, no. It’s love. Why should I care?”

As she interrogates me, a bubble of hope grows in my chest. What is she saying? Is she admitting something to me?

“Interesting,” she murmurs, still staring at me. Her eyes drop down to my lips again, and I can see the gears turning in her head, considering her options. She’s calculating her next move.

She tilts her head. “Can I kiss you?”

Obscure Object doesn't’ give me a qualifier; she doesn’t say “just for fun” or “just for practice.” She only says “Can I kiss you,” as if there is no shame in doing so. A flash of light bursts in my brain, and my chest blooms with warmth. Can she kiss you, Callie?

“Yes,” I whisper.

And she leans into me, pushing her burdens into my arms. Her tan arms dangle over my neck sloppily, as if she can’t even bother to sit up. Hesitance lingers in the air, burning my skin, angering my soul. Come on. Tell me you feel the same.

Then her lips crash into mine, and the world explodes around us. I gently glide my arm over her waist and pull us into a better posture, if only to make it easier to feel her, to touch her, to be in her arms. The heat of her body scorches my skin, almost like a branding. I am no one’s but hers.

And soon we find a rhythm, dancing to a silent song. Her lips touch mine softly at first, feeling the territory, and then she dives into the ocean, ready for whatever storms are going to come. Lightning strikes my body; electricity sparks in my fingers. I’m bursting, overflowing, feeling. I want more, more, more. I want to soak her up, drink her in like alcohol, be the smoke that she drags.

Her soft lips fit perfectly into mine. Pink on pink, passion on passion. We’re quiet here in her backyard, and I suppose that’s expected - we are not meant to be known to the world, not meant to be ourselves. So we must hide in secrecy, bathe in our solitude. The world does not want us, but that doesn’t matter when we want each other.

She pushes against me, her stomach on my own, chest against chest, arm against arm. We’re melting into each other, becoming a new being all together. Our molecules separate and join again, connecting our bodies together. We are Hermaphroditus and Salmacis, becoming one body, one being, breathing to a single lung, beating to the same heart. I know her. I feel her. I am her.

Then, it all stops. A block of ice forms in my chest as she pulls away, and now I’m alone again, alone in my own body, my own mind. We are no longer one. We are separate. We are too far.

A dazed smile creeps over her features and her eyelashes flutter in the golden sunlight. “That was fun. I’m tired now.”

And with that said - without even waiting for a reply from me - she lies over the grass. The sun’s rays spill over her, golden spots glimmering over her body. A small pink smile pulls at her lips, but after a few moments, her breathing becomes steadier and the smile flashes away, giving way to her dreamscape.

And I am alone again, forced to deal with the crushing pain once more. The pain of knowing that she may never feel the way I do, may never understand the things she does to me.

The light catches against her hair once more, creating a halo of fire around her head. It burns bright against the green grass. I edge my finger closer, closer, and the flames lick against my fingertips. She is on fire. She is burning me up, turning me to ashes.

Memory is a funny thing. Two people can go through the very same experience, but one may just not ever remember it happening. Memory is subjective, and only some people have the gift of it.

Unfortunately, this means that between my sober self and her drunken being, I will carry the weight of the memory.

She will not remember our kiss when she wakes up; she will not even remember that we are made for each other. For the moment, I am her lover, but in a few hours, I will once again be her best friend.

So I lie beside her. If I only have the next few hours to pretend I am her lover, her muse, then so be it. As long as I don’t have to hide anymore.

We can be together, just for a few hours. Just for a little bit.

[nerv0usm3chanic]

CORRUPTION

Chapters: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4

--

((NOTE - This is an introduction to a new PERMANENT AU feature exclusive to nerv0usm3chanic. Please see further, generalized information regarding this AU here: X

Be advised that each of these chapters are VERY LONG. The full content will be tucked under a read more after a brief introduction segment.

DO NOT REBLOG.))

--

Vivi frowned as she spotted Arthur perusing the shelves of Tome Tomb. He wasn’t often in here except when meeting up with Vivi for hanging out later...which, now that she thought about it, hadn’t happened in quite some time. The blue-haired woman made a mental note to invite Arthur and Lewis over for one of their terrible movie nights before heading over to talk to the blond.

“Hey Artie!” The blond jumped at her sudden greeting, his hand over his now racing heart as it registered who it was that spoke to him. “Oh jeeze! I’m sorry for spooking you, Arthur.” She couldn’t help but let a small giggle.

“N-no worries, I’m fine.” Arthur assured her, taking a deep breath, “I um...I was just looking up some things here.” He gestured to the shelf, a series of books on it and many of which hopefully containing his desired topic. Vivi peered over, tilting her head and quirking an eyebrow.

“These are all about ghosts and magic...ooh! Did you hear a rumor about something spooky?” She was getting excited now, “Are you researching for a case, Artie?” Her eyes sparked with her excitement. With a nervous swallow, Arthur nodded slightly, scratching at the back of his head.

“Uh, y-yeah, you caught me.” He coughed, “I heard some rumors of ghosts causing some magical energy fluxes and-”

“Ooh! So exciting! I’ll have to get with you on this later after work!” Vivi clasped her hands around his and practically bounced in place. Just as suddenly, she bounded away to continue her workday and Arthur sighed. Thankfully, he got away without further questions, but he hated the idea of having to explain exactly why he was researching this topic. He’d have to take a rain check if she were to invite him anywhere.

--

“Is this everything?” The shopkeeper asked in a calm, neutral drawl. Arthur nodded silently, drumming his fingers - both the metallic and flesh and bone - on the counter as Duet collected the first of the three books. A blightly-colored eyebrow quirks and the mysterious person looked at Arthur meaningfully. “Are you sure?”

“U-uhm...I think so?” Arthur quailed, glancing sideways as he saw Vivi pass by with a cart of books to be out away. With worrying amber eyes, Arthur begged Duet to stay quiet about his purchases. They too glanced at Vivi before setting the book down with a soft sigh and giving Arthur a serious look.

“Something is off about you, Kingsmen. And I don’t like it.” They commented in a hushed tone, sure to keep their conversation between Arthur and them alone. Their implication was deeply ominous and Arthur shrank at the connotations. Duet relaxed slightly, easing their dark tone and casually checking out the books Arthur had selected as if nothing had been said. After a moment, Duet looked to the blond again.

“You are...researching...yes?” They offered a much more sensitive tone, prompting Arthur to nod and sigh in some relief. “Perhaps there is someone...I can recommend to you.” And with another subtle gesture, Arthur saw a flash of gold from Duet’s sleeve. He blinked as the shopkeeper slipped the thing in between random pages in one of the larger books.

“Was that a...a card?” Arthur asked as Duet finished ringing up the books. They didn’t answer, just placed the books into a plastic bag and looked to Arthur again.

“That will be $43.23.” Duet’s flat expression indicated they had no interest in continuing. Them making a directed glance over Arthur’s shoulder was enough to say why: Vivi was nearby. Arthur nodded, pulling out his wallet and retrieving the necessary funds.

“Thank you.” Arthur nodded, passing a $50 bill and taking his bag of books. He had no need for the small amount of change, especially if Duet’s lead pointed him in the right direction.

--

“This is it?” Arthur asked himself later that evening, looking at the gilded card and with the large book in his lap. There wasn’t anything even written on the card, just a golden embossed moon and beneath it, the words ‘qui petit auxilium’. Arthur didn’t know what it meant and he frowned angrily as he flung the card off to the side. He pouted further when the card spun gracefully and made a smooth landing on his nightstand. “How am I supposed to get help with this stupid spirit if I can’t get a straight answer?”

‘I can hear you, boy.’ The spirit snarled in his head.

“I know you can.” Arthur growled back, turning to the book for help and turning pages to look at the index. The blond proceeded to read from a selected section, investigating all he could from what little there actually was on ghosts and their affects on people.

Pages upon pages on skeptical theory, a chapter on the effects of those under possession - or assumed so - and a handful of paragraphs on magical side effects. None of which described lightning or electricity. There was a small section on hearing the voice of the spirit that plagued, though it was played down shortly after with most victims actually being mentally-ill. Arthur grew frustrated. Hearing that voice constantly tease and taunt him, a spirit that made electricity fly from his hands at the most inconvenient times, and the constant strain and worry...

With an exhausted sigh, Arthur shut the book, using the attached ribbon as a bookmark. He set the book on his nightstand and flopped onto his mattress...before looking to the card once again. Metal fingers reached out, taking the slip of thick paper and turning it carefully. The moon glinted bright in the lamplight as it turned and again the words showed bright.

“Qui petit auxilium...I wonder what that means?” Arthur whispered, weariness beginning to weigh on his eyelids. ‘I just...I just wish I could find something...someone to help me.’ With that thought, the blond curled onto his side, ignoring the devious hums of the other voice in his skull.

--

Despite his doubts, Arthur continued his research, both through the books he purchased and online. He even created a new throwaway Reddit account to search for advice and ideas on how to deal with things. Most if it was hooey and there were a lot of folks going to him to sell their ‘holistic’ home remedies for his ‘condition’. With a sigh, Arthur closed his laptop and rubbed at his tired eyes, bags growing darker each day.

He was the definition of exhausted. By this point it had been more than a year since his possession and he still hadn’t gotten used to the meddling voice in his head or the electrical surges that liked to flow around his metal arm. Arthur scowled at the appendage.

“You were supposed to help me feel normal again.” The mechanic growled at the inanimate arm as it laid peacefully beside his computer.

‘Normal was never an option after you and your friends stepped into my trap.’ The blond ground his teeth a moment before aggressively pushing back from his desk. He needed a walk. Arthur said as much when Lucan asked where he was going.

“Awrigh’ lad...bu’ Ah got dinner cookin’ righ’ now. If ye want it warm an’ fresh, be back in a half hour, okay?” Lucan asked. Arthur gave a tired grunt of ascent and loudly closed the apartment door behind him. The dark-haired Kingsmen looked to his father in concern. Arthur was rarely this moody, even in his teenage rebellious phase and it worried his family.

--

There was a flash of gold in the bright moonlight as Arhur played with the strange card over and around his fingers. The nights were chill and even walks at 6:30 pm were lit by streetlamps and moonbeams. Arthur liked going for walks at night. Fewer people to run into, to talk to about how poorly and pale he was getting, to look at his arm and feel sorry for him. Amber eyes narrowed at the thought.

He’d seen the pitying looks all three of his friends gave him...and he understood why, but it hurt to see them think anything poorly of him because of his still-new disability. He wanted to be normal again. He wanted to have never gone into that cave. He wanted Vivi and Lewis to have listened to him and his bad feelings. He wanted to...to...he sighed in defeat, looking to the card Duet had given him as he walked past a series of old houses in the nicer neighborhood on the outskirts of Tempo.

Research led to only dead ends...to all but one question he had.

“Qui petit auxilium...help to those who ask for it.” A nice sentiment...but ultimately useless if he didn’t know who to ask for help. His only clue was the golden moon that seemed to glow full under the light of the pale white moon above his head. Funny...they both seemed to match at this phase. Arthur hummed idly as he thought about it and looked up.

“A shooting star...” He murmured, coming to a stop in front of another old pseudo-Victorian-style house, the walls covered in ivy and all of the windows dark with some boarded up and others curtained off. He watched the meteorite sail in a surprisingly long trail across the sky. Before it vanished, he closed his eyes and sighed out softly:

“I wish I could find answers...I need help. Who do I go to?” He opened his eyes to see the meteorite had gone. “...please?” For once...the spirit in his head was silent. Arthur felt its presence, but heard nothing. That in itself was remarkable. On another outlet of breath and a soft nod, Arthur turned his head from the sky and turned to make his way back home...when he heard a loud creaking from his right.

Startled, Arthur whipped his head towards the previously-abandoned house. The door was opened and a bright light poured forth, golden and warm and beckoning. The blond didn’t even notice the soft pulse of magic from the card in his hand as he cautiously made his way through the front gate and approached the front porch. He didn’t even notice that the windows remained dark and empty of all life.

The entity in his mind was suspiciously quiet as he set foot on the creaky wood and carefully approached the door.

“Hello? Hello, is anyone home?” Arthur called out, hopeful to gain the homeowner’s attention as he poked his head inside. “I think your door lock may be...broken...” Words trailed off as Arthur took in the sight before him: a comfortable entryway complete with classically ornate wallpaper and decorations given gold trim to compliment their warm tones. He stepped further inside, fascinated to explore more.

Arthur came across a sitting room with the back of a large wooden chair facing him, a fire dancing merrily in its hearth. He sucked in a cautious breath when he noticed a dark-skinned elbow resting on one of the arms and a draping golden cloth pooling at the front of the chair.

“A-ah um...ex-excuse me for intruding...” Arthur started, pausing to swallow nervously. “I-I um...I actually was walking by and your d-door seemed to creak open on it’s own. I’m...I’m not sure, but I think your lock may be broken. I just wanted to let you know, just so you’re not surprised...by intruders...like me.” Oh, he could have done this so much better. Waiting at the front door and knocking would have been a much nicer way to alert the homeowner of this issue.

“I appreciate your concern, but you needn’t worry. I will be just fine.” There was a flutter of nerves in Arthur at the low, feminine tone. Internally, he was both intrigued and frightened by the energy he could feel exuding from around the woman in the chair. Then suddenly he was more frightened when - in the corner of his periphery - he saw the door lazily creak shut and click securely in place.

“Come around so I may see you.” A soft request that rang as a command through Arthur’s rattled skull as she raised one hand to beckon him forward. He nodded despite the fact that she couldn’t see it and carefully made his way around the armchair before finally seeing the commanding woman who owned this obviously magical home.

She was quite the opposite of who he expected to be living in a decrepit-looking house. Shimmering golden locks were tied back neatly, held back by a pearly comb while the rest spilled gracefully around and over her mostly bare shoulders. Arthur blinked at the shimmery golden dress she wore, something he estimated to be worth five or more months of his earnings at Kingsmen Mechanics and she wore it like a second skin with how confident and relaxed she was in her seat. His eyes briefly assessed her arms - obviously strong with muscle, but still lithe and feminine with their bearer’s grace - before he met her gaze.

Arthur swallowed at the bright glow that emanated from her eyes. A firm gaze that studied him with obvious wary scrutiny and a touch of irritation that carried to the slight downturn of the corner of her dark and light contrasting lips...Arthur averted his eyes to her shoulder as the homeowner assessed the mechanic.

“You asked for help...for a problem you cannot resolve by typical means.” A statement, not a question, but Arthur nodded anyway. There was a beat and then the woman let out a soft breath, so soft that Arthur was sure a mouse couldn’t have been quieter. “You wouldn’t be inside this building if you weren’t in genuine need. Take a seat and tell me what plagues you.” Arthur looked to the matching armchair beside hers as she gestured her other hand towards it.

“Th-thank you...” Arthur says gently, nodding to the woman and taking his seat. Once comfortable, Arthur begins to spin his tale.

That was the night he met Luna, the Witch of Secrets...

--

Chapters: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4

[inkribbon796]

Like a House of Cards Ch. 11: Opposites React

Summary: The heroes go looking for Dark and Logan’s group.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

As they stood on the street, the Anomaly that would appear in a bank vault gone from the Host’s hands, they had to recover from the power of the Anomaly coursing through them for a second time.

Chase collapsed onto his knees, feeling just a soul-deep sorrow. He was crying from memories and loss he couldn’t remember. “Fook.”[1]

“Chase?” Jackie dragged his feet over, he was feeling sluggish but it was thankfully easing from his body quickly.

“I’m fine,” Chase wiped his face with his arm. “I’m fine.”

“We can stop fer[2] a bit,” Jackie promised, helping Chase up.

“I’m grand,”[3] Chase promised.

“The Host and Chase will form one group, and Silver, Ethan, and Jackie will form the other as they try to find Dark’s group. “He asks that the heroes get their outfits back on, and for Silver and Jackie to try not to get themselves into trouble.”

“Ehh, we should be fine,” Jackie promised. “So long as Chase is gonna be okay.”

“We gotta talk anyways,” Chase nodded at the Host. “Try not ta[4] fight a hoard ‘a[5] bears.”

“No promises,” Mark smiled, and then the three of them left.

Silver, Crank, and Jackie waited in the alley for almost five minutes, getting bored. Ethan’s ADHD kicked him in the teeth before Mark’s did. Then a shootout started next to them. Several people were screaming and someone that the heroes thought looked a lot like Dark when he was pretending to be Damien. Except he wasn’t in his typical outfit, his hair was wild, and there was a streak of blue in his hair.

Ethan immediately cloaked them with his invisibility. They began to approach.

Two guys jumped on him and dragged him away. And then someone who looked almost exactly like Chase passed by the mouth of the alley.

“Don’t fookin’[6] let that arsehole[7] escape again!” Chase shouted.

The heroes got closer as the men used magic to tie “Damien” up.

He looked down at the bonds and then smiled at “Chase” which made the other man groan, “Dames, Don’t.”

“Kinky,” Dames smiled, his smile huge, leaning forward as much as the bonds would let him. “Chase. How’s life, doll?”

Chase glared at his captive before leaning in to get close to his face. “What the fook is wrong wit’ yeh?”[8]

The bound man just smiled, shrugging, “You’re going to have to be specific?”

“I meant Marvin, yeh mad fook, are yeh tryin’ ta kill my kid?”[9] Chase spat.

Dames’ only answer was, “If you wanted to get rough in bed, we’d need a bed for that.”

Chase grabbed him by the front of his shirt, “Keep yer[10] brat away from my kid, I don’t want the General killin’[11] him.”

“What’s with all this “killing” business,” Dames chuckled. “You and Gen are worried so much for your little games. They’re old enough to make all kinds of decisions.”

“Yeh taking the boys ta’a whorehouse isn’t a good choice, ya nutter,”[12] Chase spat.

“True,” Dames agreed, “they really had more fun with each other.”

“Fook this,” Jackie finally decided, as his whole body began to shake.

Silver grabbed Ethan and flew up, Ethan keeping them invisible as Jackie punched one of the thugs and then grabbed Dames, racing off with him. Silver flying in to keep up.

“What are you doing?” Silver demanded. “We’re supposed to be laying low.”

“I don’t know, I’m makin’[13] this up as I go along,” Jackie yelled, tugging Dames with them as they ran.

“What are we doing?” Dames asked. “Are we playing tag?”

“Yes!” Jackie yelled before anyone else could speak. “An’[14] Brody back there’s it.”

“Oh,” Dames said with a soft realization, then he smiled and grabbed them. “Well, we won’t win like this.”

Then they suddenly found themselves being slammed into the concrete wall of an alley, Jackie taking an especially hard hit because of his momentum.

Dames was looking them up and down as the heroes regained their composure, the corner of Dames’s mouth twitching a little bit. “You three aren’t from around here.”

“How’d yah[15] guess?” Jackie smiled as he got up, Silver floating before he was able to stand.

“Silly cheaters,” Dames laughed. “Couldn’t win your own game so you jumped to a new board.”

“It is so weird seeing you like this” Silver set his feet on the ground.

Dames shrugged, and then a portal began to twist open. It wasn’t quite like Dark’s dark purple-black Void magic. It was a deep red-magenta that felt more like hands ripping their way free.

Ethan tried to shield them but Dames couldn’t be cloned and excitedly stepped free to meet the man who stepped out of the portal. He had a sharp black suit and a bushy black mustache. A red and magenta aura coming off of him like Dark’s red and blue aura. He had dark red and magenta after images that echoed and stuttered off of him.

“Gen,” Dames smiled excitedly, holding his arms out.

“Where’s Junior?” Gen asked.

“I don’t know,” Dames denied, his good mood quickly starting to evaporate. “Ask your little trackers you put on them.”

General glared at Dames, “What were you two doing?”

“Nothing,” Dames almost giggled.

Dark’s glare became more baleful and he grabbed Dames by the front of his jacket, Dames giggling in response. “Don’t give me that bullshit, Dames. Did you let Bim go off with that hooligan?”

“Mayhaps,” Dames’s smile became almost giddy.

“Dames!” the General pinned him against the closest wall. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did,” Gen spat. “You can waste your time at brothels and clubs all you want, but you leave Junior out of it.”

Dames began giggling, “You have to admit, yours and Chase’s faces when you saw they were gone was pretty hilarious.”

“This isn’t funny!” the Entity snarled. “Bim is impressionable, no thanks to you. It burned down with them still in it!”

“At least I show him how to have a good time,” Dames dared. “You’d have him at a desk working papers until he died. He’s a kid.”

“Not anymore,” the General warned. “He stopped being a child when he turned sixteen. They all did.”

Dames rolled his eyes, “Ughh.”

The General stepped closer, “You cannot insist on treating them all like children, they are not.”

“Only because you wanted them to grow up, they never got to be children in the first place,” Dames argued back.

“You’re absolutely insufferable,” the Entity scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Why is being alive and safe so unfavorable to you.”

“You’d have him die in an office,” Dames spat.

“No I’d have him alive doing something,” the demon spat. “You insist on treating all of them like children. They are not, nor have they been for years.”

“I want my babies back,” Dames looked away, clearly upset. “What was so wrong with them being my babies? You said I could keep them.”

“They are safe, that should be enough. Do I make myself clear, Doomstrum?” Gen spat, his aura coiling just a hair too tight around the mad mayor.

Dames struggled in his hold for a bit before stopping, clearly refusing to look at or answer him.

Mark would have forced himself out of Ethan’s invisibility bubble, but the hero watched the demon’s expression soften for a couple seconds and then sighed before opening up a massive portal to show a relatively spartan office except for a very nice looking desk and a couch that looked extremely comfortable to sleep on. He let Dames go. “Let’s go Dames.”

The madman frowned and took a step before turning around, a smile spreading on his face again, “Oh, Gen, I have to introduce you to my new friends.”

“Your what?” The demon growled in frustration.

“Yeah they’re just,” Dames began, pointing to the three heroes at the end of the alley right before a portal ripped open behind them and a dark purple aura pulled them in and swiftly closed before the General or Dames could really react in more than surprise.

The three heroes landed on their backs around Dark’s feet in a dimly lit room.

“There we go, problem solved,” Dark announced.

“How does this solve our problems, you’ve led him straight to us!”

Jackie looked up in confusion, Virgil didn’t come with us?

When he looked up at Virgil however he was in a huge dark grey-black overcoat. His hair was different, but the eyeshadow still darkened his face.

Dark brought his aura up in time as a red-magenta magic tried to get into the room. He threw his aura against it and it was gone. “Nonsense, I can cloak areas to keep 

 magic from getting in.”

“Andy,” someone in a black beanie insisted, tugging on “Virgil’s” coat. The Side had some vitiligo marks on his face and hands, his eyes a deep golden yellow.

“Dee, not now,” Andy hissed.

“But they’re telling the—” Dee tried to report, before he was protectively pushed behind Andy.

“No,” Andy nudged his companions back and pointed to Dark. “I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t trust you,” he pointed to Wilford.

“And I sure as shit don’t trust you,” Andy spat at the Host. His voice was practically dripping with contempt.

“All we need to get to the next rift and we’re gone,” Dark scoffed. “We don’t need your trust.”

“So what’s the actual plan for getting home?” Silver asked the Host. “Seems like they’ve got a lot to deal with right now.”

“Simple we go into what is probably a horribly designed version of my office, and activate the Anomaly so it takes us home.” Dark dusted off his suit with his aura. “The plan’s already been made if you want to talk to the others.”

The Host dispelled an illusion and they saw the three Sides talking to Glitch Logan, and J.J peacefully napping in the corner. There was no sign of his double anywhere.

“I will have everything under control,” Logan spat at his doppelgänger.

“I don’t need to be reassured of anything,” Glitch Logan dismissed. “I have made redundancies and failsafes to ensure they do not die. If I was not certain, I would have raised my complaints. You will protect them, that is the only objective I need to give. If you work with the heroes, or with Google, I care not. Roman, Virgil, and Patton’s survival is all I care about. We spent a year’s worth of time working for it and I have come too far to fail now.”

“I will do so without needless killing” Logan promised.

Glitch Logan gave an inhuman smile, “We shall see, either way it’s inconsequential to me.”

The Anomaly glowed and it engulfed the two Logans completely before just Logan was standing there. He gave a shudder and a bunch of nanites fell to the ground around him, twitching once and then going offline, their components frying themselves so they couldn’t be used by anyone else.

Logan stiffened and Roman raced in to catch him.

“Lo, sweetheart?” Roman pleaded desperately as Logan blinked and coughed as air returned to his lungs.

The Host used a couple words from his narrations and the nanites were all gone from the floor.

Janus briefly checked on Logan before clearing his throat and drawing attention to himself, summoning his staff.

“The Host allowed us to speak with the other Sides, we got but a minute but we’ve come up with a plan,” Janus reported. “There is one fusion we have that enables us to make as much noise and commotion as possible, while showing that we are different people. I have spoken with this world’s Deceit and they cannot fuse—”

“Please don’t call me that, that’s not all I do,” Dee asked.

Janus paused, looking at Dee, “Of course do you have a preference?”

Andy was just watching Janus, staring at him.

“Dee,” Dee told him.

“Alright,” Janus agreed. “Anyways, I have spoken with Dee and they can’t fuse so it will be the easiest way to get the message across.”

“So we’re gonna use Remy?” Jackie asked.

“No,” Logan cut in. “Even before the merge I was not in the right emotional or mental mindset to fuse. My fusions are impossible without that mindset. My future self hinted the feeling would get worse and unfortunately he was right.”

“Okay, you’ve never exactly told us how fusion works,” Ethan reminded. “But I’m guessing that I’m gonna take a group in?”

“The heroes will not need to cause a distraction because the fusion will be enough to convince the General that they are different. Besides, the General will wish to speak to the Entity.”

“Will he?” Dark asked. “Last time he saw me he tried to take my head off.”

“Maybe we should talk to him,” Wilford smiled. “We never gave them a chance.”

“It is so weird seeing him in pink,” Andy commented.

“Why, what’s wrong with it?” Wil frowned. “Pink is a lovely color.”

“Nothing wrong with it, it’s just you’d rather set yourself on fire than wear pink,” Andy explained.

“No I wouldn’t, I’m wearing pink right now,” Wil gestured to himself.

Dark rubbed at the bridge of his nose, “This is going to take forever now.”

“No, I meant the other you, the douchebag in Armani,” Andy explained.

“Well then he should wear pink too,” Wil decided.

Andy let out a snorting chuckle, “Oh, trust me everyone in this city would love to see that.”

The group started to plan a bit so that Silver and Jackie knew what they were doing, and during that time, Janus leaned over to Roman.

“This means nothing, I’d rather Remus was here,” Janus told Roman.

“Well I'd rather Patton was here,” Roman agreed, emotions still running high from the mess with the doppelgängers.

“Good,” Janus spat.

“Good,” Roman glared at him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Accessibility Translations

1. Fuck

2. for

3. I’m alright

4. to

5. of

6. fucking

7. asshole

8. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

9. I meant Marvin, you crazy fucker, are you trying to kill my kid?

10. your

11. killing

12. You taking the boys to a whorehouse isn’t a good choice, you nutter

13. making

14. And

15. you

[m0e-ru]

Persona 4 Golden Anime Episode 7 Analysis

Disclaimer: P4 Golden, P4A and P4GA spoilers. This is all my interpretation based on the games, the Golden and original anime series. Also A LOT of Adachi. And I got tired near the end whoops sorry.

*In comparison to the original anime series, it elaborates on Adachi’s desire to cover the whole world of fog. He is the representative of the human masses who do not desire the truth.

He will allow the world to be covered in fog and everyone turned into shadows. Everyone will live a world of their own making, and the world will no longer be “shit.”

But here in Golden, it focuses on Yu and Adachi and their bond, almost nothing about the decision to cover the world in fog. This is about the conflict within the two of them. Their relatedness to one another, as having almost the same persona, representing that they are two sides of the same coin.

Right after the opening, we see the IT discuss about the murder, as usual. All the evidence points to a certain someone, Adachi. But Yu, who has a bond with Adachi--a friendship, he thinks, leaves the diner. 

Cut to the Velvet Room where Marie feels Yu. She’s afraid that he might disappear into the fog of peaceful lies. That he himself might be willing to turn away from the truth. That his friend might be the bad guy, and would rather not accept it.

Margaret tells her this might be an effect of obtaining the Jester arcana, a representation of his bond with Adachi. She tells her that it is currently unstable, that Yu’s perception of this bond is also wavering. And depending on the choices he makes, it would either change, stay as it currently is.

Then cut to Adachi taking care of Dojima in the hospital. He soon leaves for Nanako's room. Yu has a call with his uncle, and the moment he says Adachi’s out to visit Nanako’s room, Yu panics and runs for the hospital. As if he’s worried that Adachi would do something to her.

He’s worried, realizing Adachi’s true nature--that he is the murderer. He thinks clearly, in the front of his mind, “This man is going to hurt my little cousin.” 

Nanako is okay, fortunately.

But his mindset about him before was “This man is my friend, we had a good time together /gestures to the social link/.” He even left the discussion about who the murderer is out of discomfort and doubt.

And now he is in conflict with himself. Does he think that this man is a good guy and a good friend? Or secretly a psychopath who started everything out of some crazy motive? He gets himself together and “believes” that this man is a good guy.

Yu confronts Adachi, hoping to knock some sense into him because he thinks this man is his friend. But Adachi plays around with Yu. He waits for him in the eerie bedroom. Not in Magatsu Inaba, but somewhere more accessible. And it's funny because he mocks Yu, “Haha I'm a bad guy and I want to see you and your friends confront me and try to defeat me.” But when Yu asks to talk to him, Adachi says “I don't have anything to say to you.” 

To the point he visits the TV world himself. He finds his way to the eerie bedroom himself.

He thinks that Adachi has already escaped into the TV world, which he did. He left the Dojimas behind, after having a snack with Dojima, and tucking Nanako into bed.

It makes sense in the game where he closed the portal to Magatsu Inaba and then appeared right behind Yu. 

But here, he waited, said his piece and then said he has “nothing to say” to this boy who feels betrayed by him. Adachi says Yu betrayed himself, believing in the lie 'Yu' made up himself and continuing to believe in it after he saw all that happened. 

Adachi holds a card, about to summon his persona, and it implies he has accepted the truth, himself. His eyes are still normal, but as he summons his persona, his eyes turn yellow, as if his shadow overwhelmed him and has taken over his ego. I'll explain more about this some other time when I'll re-watch p4g. 

He is now talking as his shadow, the side he hides from himself and everybody. But even like Futaba, Shadows and your Real Self aren't the same. 

“We have the same persona but mine's tainted bc of evil here's the world from my perspective blah blah blah” then Adachi tells Yu to go home, back to his friends. Yu still persists, until he falls to his knees, paralyzed in fear from a bullet that almost grazed the side of his head. 

The character the anime gave him is Someone who cares about people very much, but also is still very much afraid of pain and death. Not someone who is cool and still standing, even after he almost got shot.

Heck, this just says this was actual Adachi, not some hologram illusion whatever he made just to confront him from afar. The bullet wasn't an illusion (I mean, it also was pretty real in the game), his persona Actually clashed with his.

Yu could have actually punched him that very moment as compared to when Kanji tried to do it. But he didn't.

Then it cuts to the Velvet Room, where Margaret explains to Marie about Yu's current dilemma, the now warped looking Jester arcana card. As if the arcanas represented in each bond Yu makes is his own interpretation. He unconsciously assigns the arcanas to all the bonds he makes. 

The Jester is still unstable and is now distorting. Marie listens and watches the entire time, worried about her friend and this bond he made and is currently unsure about.

Yu comes back to the real world, where Yosuke's fully aware that Yu left on his own to the TV world to confront Adachi, hopefully, with a plan. Yosuke tells him to trust his friends and not make them worry, where he shows Marie who voluntarily left the Velvet Room out of worry. 

She tries to talk to Yu and tells him to explain his feelings. She's the type of friend who is very direct, and will push you around, intentional or not. It's just how she was brought up, she had to learn everything all over again. But having these kinds of friends are important. Those who really keep it real rather than sugar coating everything. If she can't understand something, she will ask for a clear explanation. This further rules out the possibility of implication and misinterpretation. And that's good. 

She brings Yu to the same hilltop he brought her to, then wonders why the view is so obscured, by fog nonetheless. But here, she cheers him up, a complete opposite to whatever happened with Adachi. She rebuts Yu's conflicts he muttered to her. Then, she gives him her comb. Ironically, not intended as a symbol of separation, but a strong bond. The promise to keep it, and to return it, to see each other again no matter what. 

Then the sun shines through the clouds, penetrating the fog. Symbolism that Yu's judgement has been cleared from the doubt and betrayal that clouded it. The rest of his team come over, saying they'll be by his side and that he 'shouldn't run off like that’ as if Yosuke snitched on him and told everybody and went into the TV world on his own.

Here, Marie re-states the words of Izanami, whether remembering unconsciously, or just something she heard and appeared on the top of her head. 'People see what they want to see, and believe only what they want to believe. But as the individual entity she is now, She says her own opinion, But you're not like that, [Yu]' And with strengthened resolve, Yu tells his team to pursue Adachi on the same day, while Marie stays on the hilltop.

Then it cuts to the Velvet Room, where the Jester turns into Hunger, as if Yu reevaluated his bond with Adachi and accepted it. It's no longer warped and he will see this bond through. 

The IT focus on clearing the shadows while they tell Yu to confront Adachi himself. Adachi is clearly amused as he toys around with the IT, playing his game he's having fun with. Yu says he rejects Adachi. The Adachi that betrayed him, mocked him, and hurt him. He knows that there is good in Adachi, that he is rejecting the one he is currently facing. 

Adachi battles Yu, mocked and disgusted by the bonds he made, represented by the personae he was able to make. Yu 'relies' on the power of bonds, something that Adachi thinks is humiliating and unneeded, all because he was so deprived of one for so long. He asks Yu what a 'bond' is, and he replies with, “to believe in the person at your side, in your friends.” Something he tried to do with Adachi at the eerie bedroom, and soon contradicted in this confrontation where he 'rejects' Adachi. 

Adachi's perception of 'belief' and 'bonds' is something negative, implying he himself hasn't gotten anything good out of it. It makes you selfish by 'believing' an ideal of how you want someone to be. Adachi is telling Yu that he shouldn't have made a bond with himself in the first place, he is clearly pushing him away. Now look where it got him, it got him hurt, and again, betrayed. He constantly calls him an idiot with this persistent mindset. 

Yu continues to reject Adachi and all that he says. He 'believes' that what he is doing--that making bonds--is a good thing, even a bond with Adachi. 

But Adachi still continues to fight Yu. He speaks sarcastically about his friends and his relationship with them. As if they’re not genuine. “You’ve seen each other’s ulgy sides, how pathetic you can be. But you're like ‘Oh, that's okay’ Pretending to be generous, smiling.” He calls it creepy and weird, another way of how Adachi views the concept of bonds.

He continues to elaborate his point by saying “As if you could actually like someone’s ugly side.”

“Trying so hard not to hurt others because you don’t want to get hurt yourself,” and he thinks this is pathetic. Yu retorts, saying that he and his friends have truly accepted themselves and one another, and will always get back up to look for the truth. Again, Adachi speaks back and this time calls it “whitewashing,” that it’s covering up more of the ugly truth. 

However he was brought up, it might have included being taught that he should not appreciate the ugly side of people. Once Yu realized Adachi’s true self, Adachi fled. He could have been scared that the Dojimas, the only people he believed trusted him, would also realize this. He is throwing everything away so that they won’t get hurt like Yu. Betrayed that he is not who he really is. Not some bumbling fool who ends up being a good drinking partner, or a kind adult who helps you with homework and eats dinner with you.

Adachi might be empty, but this side of him, and how this is elaborated with his new relationship with Yu, has made it been interpreted that he cares. He doesn’t want to continue hurting the people he cares about. He regrets this. 

Adachi is now really fed up. Tired of listening to this boy who is so much better than him, despite also being almost the same. He is constantly shown by seeing him with his friends, helping other people, being with the Dojimas, and now, he’s going head to head with him. Adachi just wants him to go, he doesn’t want to see his face. And is Yu decides to stay, Adachi will just have to defeat him, to get rid of him himself.

Their personas crash into the Dojima residence, which was clearly still intact, compared to everything in Magatsu Inaba. The comb falls out from Yu’s uniform. Now, they are tired from summoning their personas. Adachi's eyes are not yellow anymore. (But in the original, his eyes stayed yellow when uhh Izanagi legit stabbed M-Izanagi in the face then he disappeared aahaha)

Yu takes his chance to fight adachi, one on one as two people. Adachi brings out his gun, but gets knocked in the head and falls to the ground.

Yu goes HAM and takes it all out on Adachi. He takes out all his hate, anger and his feelings of betrayal.

Adachi, now weak, talks about his failure and self evaluation. Yu looks around and finds Adachi’s mug and sets it up with the rest. “You had one yourself,” saying that he is part of this family, that he is cared about. He calls him “Adachi-san” and asks him to come back to the real world with him. To settle down and atone for sins. But also in a gentle manner, with no malice or hate, like the emotionally deprived good friend and family member he is.

At that moment of weakness, the shadows merge with Adachi, bringing out Ame-no-Sagiri, the “ruler of fog” and the aspect of Izanami who watches humans from the heavens. Briefly cut to Marie, still on the foggy hilltop immediately feeling this presence.

Yu looks up and calls Adachi’s name, worried about what possesses him. Being blasted away, he hears Adachi’s voice, being sarcastic, but also as a form of encouragement to defeat Ame-no-Sagiri. We continue to see brief scenes of Marie on the hilltop, saying she is aware of what is currently happening the moment Ame-no-Sagiri awoke. Yu summons Magatsu-Izanagi as a separate persona, symbolizing the “maxed out” bond he has made with Adachi. And yelling “I'm taking you back,” means he wishes to save him, like all the dear friends who needed help. 

He slays Ame-no-Sagiri with this new, quite chaotic, persona and catches Adachi, continuing to keep him safe. 

Yu feels his chest pocket, as if he’s missing something, but quickly brushing it off, as if their memories have truly been taken away. Marie says her goodbye, while the IT thinks they’ve saved Inaba from the fog.

Now a final cut to Marie, where the fog that dispersed from Ame-no-Sagiri envelops the Inaba at an alarming rate. She hears an unknown voice that calls her to awaken, “Ame-no-Sagiri has been slain. The fog shall return to its rightful place,” which is Marie. Another flash of memories that comes with a sharp pain comes to Marie, her grave, as if the Hollow Forest was made long ago, to prepare her for this. She squats down in pain, finally remembering her duties as the one to absorb the fog.

With this memory and task she must fulfill by disappearing, she takes all her friends' memories with her and clears the fog. She wishes not to hurt them by telling them that she should die to save them, and instead takes every single memory about her from her friends. This way, they wouldn't have to care for a girl that they can’t even remember.

[momrryfest2020]

You guys are AMAZING!!

Okay, so here’s the list of prompts, gonna open up author signups tomorrow...note, this is an all pairings space, so feel free to read these prompts as such! And if you want to provide something that is NOT a prompt, no worries, just submit to the collection when I open it up. This is gonna be *fun*, you went above and BEYOND on these!! <333

Prompt list:

1. Juno AU

2. During a mutual divorce, harry finds out he’s pregnant and has to navigate that with his ex and his new love interest!

3. Harry is pregnant and he’s all too happy to finally be able to put his pre-post natal yoga certification skills to real practice as he leads his class.

4. Harry has always been into dirty talk, especially “daddy” kink, and now that he (or she) is pregnant, his (or her) partner kicks it up a notch, calling her “mommy”

5. ANYTHING LACTATION KINK, DON’T CARE HOW.

6. Mommy + Pregnancy Kink please Harry calls his partner mommy and imagines getting impregnated by them.

7. Harry’s sad that he’ll never be able to get pregnant so his partner makes him feel better by “knocking him up” ie: lots of dirty talk about harry being fertile and barebacking and sweet talk afterward about what a good mum harry will be.

8. Harry just gave birth to their first child and is still very tired and exhausted, so Louis makes sure he is the best husband ever and learns more recipes to cook for him, takes care of their little bundle of joy and they’re just a happy, small little family :> lots of cuddling pls (and maybe at the end when harry’s feeling better a big family trip with both their families to a swimming hall)

9. That picture of Dakota Johnson at the farmer’s market, feeding a baby a fresh strawberry, you know the one…that’s it, that’s the prompt.

10. Harry gets baby fever after the last of his former bandmates has a kid of his own and he’s the last one standing. He decides he wants to adopt a baby with his current partner. A cute story about Harry adopting a baby basically

11. Harry is in that annoying part of pregnancy where he has to pee every 10 minutes. One night he’s having sex and suddenly has to pee. Person A doesn’t want to ruin the sex and begs him to just pee where they are. They both enjoy it more than they should??

12. The Back-up Plan (2010) AU - Harry conceives twins through artificial insemination, then meets the person of their dreams on the very same day.

13. Moving to a new town to start a new job is never easy. It’s even more challenging with two teenage daughters and a recent divorce from her husband of 16 years. Harry is at her wit’s end when her hair dresser suggests a single mothers’ get-together through the Meetup app. Despite being skeptical of meeting people from the online group, she goes. At the meeting she meets Louis, who also has teenage kids, and they end up falling in love.

14. cheaper by the dozen au

15. harry and his (or her or their) partner on their first night home with their newborn ft. some freaking out about being responsible for a whole human person but mostly lots of cuddles for everyone.

16. one of harry’s close friends just had a baby so he and his partner go to see them, during the visit his partner notices that harry is extra attentive/fixated on his friend while she breastfeeds so he brings it up when they get home and sexy times ensue

17. pregnant/just gave birth harry decides to go to a breastfeeding support group

18. Harry as cool mom inspired by the Cool girl monologue from the movie Gone Girl. Because i don’t get how society’s expectations of moms don’t leave all moms more bitchy, on top of that cool mom has to make it look easy and fun.

19. One thing that made me completely obsessed when I was pregnant, was the feeling that my body was changing but not being able to tell if it was all in my head or physical there. Having that sort of assessed and validated by my partner in a not clinical way has been super satisfying (both in a sexy and peace of mind way)

20. Harry, who has always enjoyed being everybody’s baby, is having a baby

21. Louis is an alpha and a new single father to a six months old or younger if you wish (the mother is not around). Harry is the nanny he hires to help him take care of the baby because he has no idea what he is doing. Harry is an omega and the baby takes an immediate liking towards him and his scent. The baby’s first word will be ‘mummy’ to Harry and him having a break down because he sees the baby as his own. (He and Louis obviously get together)

22. Mitch and Harry have to babysit Adam Prendergast’s kids for the day and Harry falls into the mom role easily.

23. Harry is a single mommy of a newborn that can’t seem to fall asleep at night. Louis is the nice neighbor that should be called baby’s whisperer. Strangers to Lovers AU with lots of kinks and fluff, please! (Bonus points for Louis being obsessed with Harry’s body) (Golden star for lactation kink)

24. Buns in the oven, babying a sourdough and kneading dough could make for some amazing suggestive dirty talk in any kitchen, especially for someone who ten years later still talks about their job at a bakery, loves baguette and is a little obsessed with pregnant bellies.

25. Louis and Harry are at a party that is related to Louis’ job, Harry is just being a good hubby and coming with him. Harry is seven months pregnant though and some of Louis’ colleagues keep staring at him in a flirty way. It makes Louis furious that they’re all staring at his baby mama like that so he takes Harry home and they have hot sex, Louis calling Harry mommy, add lactation kink if you want to and pls lots of mentions about the things Louis adores about pregnant Harry (aka bigger thighs, glowing skin, tiddies, tiddies, did I mention tiddies? you can also make this a/b/o of you want)

26. maybe a cute little collection of Louis’ and Harry’s firsts with their baby? first time they hear the heartbeat, first time they feel them kick, first time they see her after harry gave birth, first time harry breastfeeds, first time they say mama or papa, first time of them going to visit the grandparents, first time crawling, first bath with mama and papa… ugh my heart.

27. Harry’s and Louis’ son is like 16, so he is hanging out with his friends and his friends are teasing him about how hot his mother (aka harry) is, just like the 1d boys always did with harry about Anne. The son feels super uncomfortable and Louis is super confused why these little teenagers boys always stare at Harry’s body when he is cooking for them whenever they visit until he finds out they think of Harry as the hottest milf in town (more humor than actual sexual references pls, this is supposed to be more funny than awkwardly sexual :D)

28. Harry missing his pre-pregnancy body a bit after having his second child and Louis making him feel loved, them both going to the gym and working out together just to have hot kinky sex in the shower later, body worshipping and lots of sassy mommy harry please <3

29. I would love some sad sex fic. Being pregnant is a messy affair. You become a dual entity of you and the baby and are expected to be constantly performing happiness. Dads are allowed to be uncertain but moms are constantly asked how much they are looking forward to the baby. Sometimes you are in line at the supermarket and feeling a profound sadness and frustrating hornynes and being told you are glowing by some complete stranger is in no way making your day better, it only solidifies the feeling of having become your pregnancy.

30. Person A helps a miserably full and sore Harry when he starts to ween the baby from breast feeding but of course he’s still producing milk.

31. Mommy H is spoiled with a huge and extravagant baby shower. Ideally he’s huge and kind of miserable at this point but he’s being pampered and doted on and absolutely loves it.

32. So (optional abo) Harry gets pregnant from a night out at the age of 20 ish? When his kid gets to the age of 12 (Harry 32) he starts asking about his other dad and Harry feels bad his son doesn’t have a dad so he starts to research. He find 4 possible guys it could’ve been - louis, Liam, Niall or Zayn. He thinks he’ll just know when he meets them all. He was wrong. (Perhaps one of them turns out to be the dad, but Harry falls in love with another one For example: Louis the dad and Liam the lover or Zayn the dad and Louis the lover! Choose any pair combo!!! Whichever endgame you prefer)

33. lots of mommy harry with a newborn baby fluff and him being over the moon, loving his little bundle of joy and pls add a cute breastfeeding scene

34. The progression of Harry’s horniness during pregnancy to the point that his mans doesn’t think he can keep up with it

35. Harry’s been dating x person for a while and they have a healthy and diverse sex life. They both think it would be hot for Harry to be fucked by other guys while his boyfriend watches. Basically a cuck/orgy situation with some breeding/fertility dirty talk to make it kinkier. (Could be that he’s already pregnant and gets fucked by an outsider??)

36. Pregnant Harry gets his first bra to accommodate his milk coming in and he’s kind of obsessed with how he looks in it

37. harry + ot5 or ot4, being their intersex mate or omega, multiples in pregnancy and maybe a kidnapping, runaway magic harry using bond or mate pull to make it back to them as they also fight their way back to him

38. Harry Edward Styles, single father with a gorgeous six year old daughter. He works in an event management company, his specialty wedding planning,with his own personal office with a team and all. He is Arya’s mummy as he gave birth to her when he was eighteen year old. With a loads of baggage from his past Harry is a strong person who is giving his all to make a perfect life for his daughter. They are the dynamic duo against the world. (The name for the child can be changed as per author’s wish and Louis and Harry pairing please thank you)

39. Girl direction: Harry is excited to learn that her alien gf is ovulating and volunteers to be the incubator of gf’s self-fertilised eggs. Sexy oviposition and sharing the joy of motherhood.

40. Girl direction 70s AU: Harry and her gf secure a sperm donation and get busy with a turkey baster.

[coastalhorrors]

I Want To Believe (In Us)

For @oumasaiexchange s Autumn Exchange, written for recipient number 1!!

Prompt: Drama! I like angst with a happy ending. I adore bittersweet content in fanfics. And as art, I like anything with really pastel colors and cute things.

Word count: 4,924

Summary: Shuichi Saihara wasn't too keen on summoning the undead this late at night, especially when the temperature outside his beaten down Subaru Legacy had just gotten down to below freezing. 

-

Shuichi Saihara wasn't too keen on summoning the undead this late at night, especially when the temperature outside his beaten down Subaru Legacy had just gotten down to below freezing. 

The car itself rattled with each labored breath it took attempting to keep its inhabitants warm, and dust had started to pile up on the far reaches of the dashboard, but it was in better shape now than when Shuichi had gotten it. 

He had bought his car earlier that year from one of his Uncle's coworkers and had spent nearly half that amount of time trying to repair it. When he had gotten the car its seats were worn and stained with who knows what, and both the tail lights were out. There were also multiple dents on the trunk and on its sides, and upon seeing it Shuichi had realized why he had gotten the car so cheap. He had managed to fix the taillights and sanitize the inside, but from various investigations and some dubious late-night research, he figured those dents were just there to stay. 

He sighed as another sneeze sounded out from beside him and more dust scattered itself around them. 

"You're going to catch some sort of disease if you keep digging through the library's collection of occult tomes," Shuichi said, laying his headache-ridden skull back on the headrest. 'The black plague is back you know, and you're not immune."

He could practically hear the sly smile creeping its way onto Kokichi*s face.

"Aw, is my Shumai worried about me? Oh! Maybe he's just jealous that I'll find evidence of the supernatural before him, the Super High School Level Detective of all people!" He giggled mockingly, a childish lilt to his voice.

"Hardly," Shuichi replied wryly, gazing down drowsily at the dim blue light of the clock. 

11:47 P.M.

Thirteen more minutes.

Then Kokichi would try to summon whatever demonic creature he found this week in one of his many forums, historical books, or maybe even a newspaper, ultimately failing, and Shuichi could drive them back to the dorms so that he could watch more of the X-Files until he fell asleep. 

That had been their routine since about halfway through their first year at Hope's Peak Academy. Shuichi remembered the day when the infamous Kokichi Ouma had come to his dorm room one night, loud, out of rhythm knocking interrupting the peaceful quite Shuichi had become accustomed to throughout his small-time staying there. He had said he needed a ride somewhere and that he wasn't taking his chances with the questionable form of art that was public transportation. 

He also made a point to say that Shuichi was the only classmate he knew with a car, which was utter nonsense if you asked him. Mondo in the class three years above them had a motorcycle and made sure everyone knew it, and Kazuichi from the class above them was a mechanic for Pete's sake. Even Miu and Kaito owned their own trucks and Kirumi had a motorcycle she cherished dearly. 

Shuichi recalled brushing it off, Kokichi did enjoy his lies after all. And he didn’t mind going out that night, especially since he meant to go out anyway and grab some snacks for his study session with Kaito, Maki, and Kaede the next day. Which, coincidentally, he ended up almost missing because of how late he slept in. 

They ended up staying out until about 3:00 A.M. that night. Kokichi had said it was a stakeout for something Shuichi wouldn't understand, which was probably true considering to him it was a complete waste of time since the only memorable thing that happened that night was a particularly loud owl cooing from somewhere in the trees nearby.

And yet Kokichi came back a few days later with another reason to take Shuichi out into a field in the middle of nowhere, where the stars above shone brighter than any street lamp, and the tranquility was omnipotent. 

Shuichi had figured out where he was driving them to a few days in. It was a small field brimming with red and purple wildflowers in the spring and summer, near an old farm where a nice lady lived with her sheep and chickens. She had apparently inherited it from her grandfather who had been missing for years, it had made front-page news about two years ago. 

There was a shuffling from beside him, and when Shuichi looked over Kokichi seemed to be going through some sort of hastily written notes. Then he remembered what Kokichi's handwriting looked like and determined that it was probably actually pretty thorough, just too messy to read at a glance. He didn’t bother trying to read it, and he honestly wasn’t too interested in what it was pertaining, only because he knew even if Kokichi did try to explain it to him without lying through the whole thing he still wouldn’t understand why it was so important. 

The only words he was able to glean from his momentary glance were the title headers that contained such words as 'continued from page two','very dangerous', and 'what to do if…'.  He had no clue what Kokichi was trying to accomplish, or if he'd even succeed, he only knew that this was one of the things he openly took seriously. At least in Shuichi’s eyes, he didn’t know what the rest of his classmates saw. 

He was pulled out of his thoughts when the passenger's side door opened. "Well Shuichi, wish me luck in not getting my head completely obliterated by a demonic entity!" The smaller boy chirped, exiting the vehicle and trekking through the snowy field, occasionally sidestepping a slippery patch of ice hidden in the weeds. Shuichi watched the other boy for a while, followed him with dull golden eyes, how Kokichi gazed up at the stars for an answer to his question, whatever that was, how he scrutinized each star falling upon his gaze, always searching for something, even in the dead of winter. 

And yet Shuichi still couldn't figure the other boy out.

He didn't understand what was so important about this field if there even was anything really important about this field. He figured Kokichi probably wasn't above lying about taking Shuichi out someplace in the middle of nowhere. 

He'd have to keep going on these escapades with him to find out what was so important with this place.

Apparently, there wasn't anything important about the field. And if there had been, then Kokichi had completely blown it off. 

It was late December when Kokichi decided to take a look down in Hope's Peak Academy's basement. Which, granted was better than driving icy roads at the midnight hour, but at least in his car Shuichi had heating. 

The basement was dark and dank, smelling of dust and mold, and Shuichi got the distinct feeling that if he touched one of the walls on accident, he'd catch some sort of wicked disease. Kokichi, naturally, thought it was just right.

"You know Shuichi, this would be the perfect place to summon an unholy monstrosity," Kokichi said, walking beside him, flashlight in hand, round eyes glancing about the large room. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was a dead body hidden somewhere down here either." 

"Kokichi why are we down here? Don't you have anything better to do? Like studying for that physics exam maybe?" Shuichi said, ignoring the other boy’s previous statements, he had long gotten used to Kokichi's ramblings by now. He twisted his flashlight towards his right, coming across nothing but a slate grey wall and empty space. 

Kokichi gave him a wild look, violet eyes and bright white teeth gleaming from his light. "Oh Shuichi my beloved, when will you learn," he tsked. "I never study for those stupid things, we get them like every week, and as long as you pay attention in class, you're good enough." 

"You don't pay attention though," Shuichi said doubtfully, peering at him through his peripherals. "Earlier today you got into an argument with Rantaro in the middle of class." 

Kokichi grinned, "Oh you've got it all wrong! I'm a master at multitasking, a leader such as myself would no doubt be able to know what's going on in class whilst debating with my lab partner about whether or not contacting aliens is unethical!" 

Shuichi rolled his eyes back into his head, he should've expected an answer like that. 

"Ew, what's that creepy look on your face for?" He heard Kokichi say disgustedly. 

Shuichi hummed questioningly in response, somewhat quirking a brow, as his gaze fell back to Kokichi.

"You got an ugly smile on your face, you look like a sadist or something," Kokichi said, pointing his lithe fingers towards Shuichi's face. And to his shock, Shuichi realized he had let a small smirk cross his features. Unconsciously he took a small step back and raised his hands in defense. 

"O-oh it's nothing, I just remembered something funny from earlier," He said, hoping he successfully blew Kokichi's question off. 

He leered at Shuichi for a moment before something caught his eye ahead of them and he jumped forward. 

He sighed in relief, then paused abruptly. Why was he relieved? He had nothing to hide, so why was he so nervous under Kokichi's glare? Why did he feel so guilty all of a sudden? 

He eyed Kokichi, who had gotten a good few meters away by then, as he crouched down to pick at something on the ground. He was like a child, Shuichi thought, a really disturbing child, and he found himself wanting to let another smile crawl onto his face. 

He determined that Kokichi was way too charming for his own good. 

As the sun set on a snowy evening a few weeks after their basement escapade, Kokichi found himself back in the same boat. Not that he'd ever left, bugging Shuichi had been a hobby of his since late October. 

He sighed wearily and rested his head against the desk in his dorm. He had ended up pulling another all-nighter preparing for tonight’s investigation. They would be going down to the basement again, this time looking for a special type of worm Kokichi had heard about in a podcast. The midnight worm, as they were called, were bloodsuckers and could leap up to seven feet, maybe higher, and he wasn’t passing up the chance to possibly find such a rare specimen. 

Shuichi didn’t know that of course. Kokichi made sure he always goes into their little adventures blind. He liked watching the detective piece together the clues he was given, it was fascinating, especially for a runagate like him. The puzzled looks, the tentative movements, it was all just like sweet cream, and Kokichi was the cat lapping it up. 

His favorite was when Kokichi had planned a particularly difficult puzzle and Shuichi got fidgety. He bore witness to nose scrunching, nail-biting, clothes tugging, and the like. It made him extremely pleased to know that he’s stumped his starcrossed rival. 

Shuichi never learned of what those investigations were about, Kokichi never told him. And he could see how crazy it made the detective, not knowing just what he had gotten himself into. Which was the best part, Shuichi wasn’t entitled to come with Kokichi anymore, now that they had moved indoors for the deep winter. He could easily say no and reject coming with, and yet he just kept doing it. 

This also made Kokichi happy to see, as he had piqued the interest of Shuichi so much so that he just couldn’t say no. 

This was Kokichi's most nefarious plot yet. 

He'd keep coming up with these inspections, keep traveling from basement, to field, to the coast to wherever, as long as Shuichi came with him, until… well. He hadn’t figured that part out yet. He only knew that whatever it was going to lead to, it would be amazingly entertaining. 

Kokichi smiled to himself as he gathered up his notes on the midnight worms. He hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.

The corridors were quiet as he made his way down to Shuichi’s room, stark white walls clashing with the dark wood. Finally, he stood in front of the door of his acquaintance. His friend? His colleague. Though that still didn’t seem right as he knocked quickly on the door. A pattern Shuichi had no doubt gotten used to. 

There was a sound like someone had just set something down and some slight curious mumbling from inside when the door swung open. 

"Hello, there Mr. Detective! I’ve finally come to murder you in cold blood!" He lilted, stretching out the 'hello' for effect. 

The boy in front of him didn’t look fazed in the slightest, in fact, he looked almost expectant. 

"There you are, I was starting to worry if I had gotten my timing wrong," Shuichi said, clearly relieved. 

Kokichi grinned, "Aw, were you worried about little old me? Don’t worry, I’m always at your door on Thursday evenings, rain or shine!"

"Its Wednesday."

He shrugged, "Tomato, Tomahto. Ready to get moving? We don’t have all night."

Shuichi gave him a long look before blinking, coming back to his senses. "Yeah definitely, just let me grab my bag quick." He turned around, rummaging behind his door. He returned after a few seconds and gave Kokichi a courteous nod. 

He started forward, not looking back to see if Shuichi was following him, because he always was. 

"So what are we looking for today?" Shuichi asked. His footsteps were even, but Kokichi could feel the expectancy radiating off him. It made his smile return, even brighter this time.

"Oh you know I can’t tell you that, it’d be no fun that way. You are a detective after all." He called, looking over his shoulder. He saw Shuichi blow a small breath out of his mouth. He was glad to know the other boy was still interested. 

That was Kokichi's last thought before they descended the staircase into the basement. 

Shuichi had a problem. Quite a big one in fact. It had kept him up night after night, and the worst thing about was he couldn't even do anything about it. 

He was falling in love with Kokichi Ouma. Except there was something wrong with that sentiment, it being that he really couldn't fully say that he was in love. 

He had seen firsthand how people act when they're in love, he knew the consequences of it.

And Shuichi was terrified. 

He had seen relationships fall apart, sometimes while he studied at his Uncle's detective agency, and other times just out in the world. 

He remembered one time when he was younger and still lived with his parents, his mother had taken him out Christmas shopping. They were almost finished and were about to check out when an older guy, a high schooler he had assumed at the time, started shrieking about his girlfriend breaking his heart. And Shuichi was not too keen on replicating that.

Not that he ever thought he'd go on an angry rampage in a craft store decorated to the brim with wreaths and poinsettias, he liked to think he had much more self-control than that. 

No, Shuichi knew he couldn't deal with the aftermath of heartbreak, especially his very first one. It was common knowledge that high school relationships rarely ever last, and if they did, they developed into cruel, twisted and spiteful ones after a good while. And just thinking about the thought that he may never recover from a heartbreak that bad kept him up at night. 

Even more so now that there was a person he liked. Not loved. Definitely, totally not loved, he was way too young for that. 

But the way that Kokichi always had a puzzle for him, always made sure to keep some sense of mystery going, absolutely captivated him, and he was met with the mental image of a certain infamous mastermind playing a game of cat and mouse with a familiar detective. 

And his heart ached every time Kokichi brought him out somewhere now, as he watched violet eyes sparkle with delight at stumping him. He noticed that when the other boy was particularly excited for something, he'd twirl his hair around his finger ever so often. Which made his heart swell with something, all because Kokichi actually cared. He had spent numerous days, weeks even, of his life researching things for Shuichi to help him 'discover', and the thought that someone was there for him, and thought about him so often drove him insane. 

But high school relationships never last. It's not love. It's just some silly game they played. Nothing more. This was never going to go anywhere, so why even bother right? There'd be someone else when he was older, more mature. 

Shuichi was not going to ask Kokichi out, no matter how much he wanted to. Because as long as he kept reminding himself of that one simple fact that has so far been proven true and just, it would all be okay in the end. 

At least he hoped so anyway. 

Kokichi was suffering. 

Valentine’s day was just around the corner, and he was choking on hearts of red and pink, all because he went and started liking some stupid detective. A very handsome stupid detective. A handsome, and capable, but nevertheless foolish detective. 

He had done everything in his power to make Shuichi see him in that way, but it still hasn't worked, and he was starting to get frustrated. 

Kokichi had created case after case, researched day and night for something, anything to get Shuichi interested in him. And to a degree, it had worked. Now, they were what most people would safely call 'friends'. And that was well and good, but just friends, the thought of nothing more ever happening between them, made his stomach fall through the floor all the way to some sort of afterlife. 

But he couldn't stop trying. There was no harm in trying, only progress. At least that's what Rantaro and Miu would tell him when he lamented to them about his failing love life. That, and some other, less motivational words.

There was nothing left to do except suck it up, do some more exploration into things that might pique the other’s interest even more so than he had already accomplished, and continue with his plan. 

Kokichi was either doomed to fail or gain a mediocre at best win. 

Shuichi couldn't do this anymore. It was time to throw in the towel.

He couldn't take the late nights with Kokichi, the unnoticed glances he threw the other boy. The teasing was unbearable as well, he found it impossible not to be flustered around the other boy, and Kokichi would always respond with some snarky comment like, for example, accusing Shuichi of having a crush on him. 

Which really wasn't very nice at all, specifically because of the way Kokichi would stare at him when he asked the question. Like he was actually expecting some sort of answer. 

It made Shuichi's gut turn. Because really what was he supposed to say? 'Actually, you know what, I do like you Kokichi, a lot.' What kind of sadistic person would do that to themselves? People with a crush on a short, immature, liar that's who.  

No.

No, he was done with it. He had to end it now or else it would never happen. 

Shuichi had planned it all in his head. Each step in a specific fashion, planned carefully so that he'd have the best results. Which really would just be Kokichi not calling him out on the spot. 

Yet as he walked down the hall towards Kokichi's room, he felt his legs moving at an unearthly slow pace. He had to convince himself multiple times that it would be okay, that he could do this, and he wouldn't disintegrate while in the middle of speaking.

Because it was either this or more useless pining after a foolish dream.

As he arrived at the door, Shuichi realized he was shaking the tiniest bit and had to will himself to raise his hand towards the door. His fist clenched so hard, he wouldn't be surprised if he drew blood soon. Then the door swung open, and Kokichi Ouma stood in front of him, eyes wide and brows raised. 

"Oh hey Shuichi," he chirped pleasantly. "Are you stalking me now? Because you know, standing outside someone’s door is kinda creepy."

Shuichi felt his face heat up as he stumbled back a step. No doubt his face was as red as the wildflowers just starting to grow in the gardens outside. 

He quickly realized his fist was still raised and shot it down beside him. 

"Well, no actually, um, I have-" he started but was interrupted by the boy in front of him. 

"Whatever, anyways Shuichi we're going out tonight!" Kokichi exclaimed happily, grinning from ear to ear. Except something seemed off.

Something he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

"O-out?"

"Yup! Remember that old field we went to a few months back? The one by the spooky old murder barn? We're going back there tonight!"

Shuichi did remember that field. And that barn in fact, though he didn’t recall any homicides occurring near it. "You mean you’re going to make me drive you out there again?" Shuichi asked, knowing the answer already as Kokichi nodded his head casually. "Look, Kokichi, I would really love to drive you there but-"

"Great! It's a date then! I'll see you tonight Shuichi!" He said, leaning forward and dragging out Shuichi’s name in a way that made his heart leap.

And just like that, there was a door back in his face as Kokichi closed it on him.

He stood there for a few moments, unsure of what to do next. His choice of words and use of 'date' made his voice catch in his throat, but ultimately he decided it was just a coincidence. 

He decided to go along with Kokichi that night, and he’d tell him there that they couldn’t continue these late-night shenanigans. 

Tonight would be the last time. 

The air was cool with an early spring breeze when they arrived at the grassy meadow. It was nearly dark when the two left the dorms, so Kokichi had made sure to pack some flashlights. He laid down a small linen blanket he'd also made sure to bring over the fresh grass, they were going to be here a while he figured, so why not be comfortable? 

Shuichi stood awkwardly at the edge of the blanket, eyeing Kokichi wearily as he relaxed down onto it. "What’s that look for Shuichi?" He asked in a way that hopefully resembled his usual tone and hid the nervousness he was feeling. "If I was less humble I'd say you look a bit flustered."

He swore he saw Shuichi’s face turn pinker than usual, but he blamed it on the lack of light. Kokichi did, however, watch as the detective shifted his weight, clearly on the fence about something, before settling onto the blanket next to him. 

Kokichi looked up into the night, staring into the vastness of the universe. They had traveled far enough from the cramped urban cityscape to be able to see a majority of the stars that covered the sky like a curtain. It was one of the reasons he enjoyed coming out here so much. That and watching for otherworldly spaceships. 

Though that’s not why he brought Shuichi out here, at least not this time. Kokichi was going to confess. He was tired of waiting and of feeling his heart sink into what seemed like a black hole of hopeless aching. He didn’t care if he got rejected anymore, he just wanted it out. 

He took a deep breath and shoved his anxiousness into the corner of his mind. "You know why I brought you out here, right Shuichi?"

Shuichi turned to him, the hands on his chest fidgeting in habit, and an eyebrow quirked in intrigue. "If I was to give a wild guess, I'd assume you took me out here to look for extraterrestrials again?"

Kokichi smiled, he had figured that one out months ago, back when freezing snow still coated the ground in layers.

He was about to speak when Shuichi interrupted him. "Do you really believe in all that stuff? The aliens, the shapeshifting wolves, all the things you brought me with you to find?"

He turned to the other boy, eyes wide in shock, he hadn’t planned for a question like that, especially having been already busy with his own agenda. 

"I…Want to believe in them." Kokichi responded, surprising himself with such an honest answer. "It's more fun that way. There are so many boring things in the world. Stuff like that… Like spaceships and vampires and teeny leprechauns, it all just makes life so much more interesting you know? Just like…"

He paused, clamping his eyes shut tight in preparation for what he was about to say. It was now or never.

"Shuichi, you’re really smart you know?" Kokichi began, sitting up from the blanket, "like crazy smart, and so tolerant of everyone, even if they start wearing your patience thin. I could never do that. I think it's really admirable of you."

He felt Shuichi shift beside him and nearly combusted on the spot when he spoke. "Are you alright Kokichi? You’re not acting like yourself, do you want water? Or do we need to get back to the dorms?"

He winced, opening his eyes back up but looking to the left to avoid the others' intense gaze. "That too. You’re so kind. Too kind if you ask me, especially towards people like me who don’t deserve it."

"Kokichi-, "Shuichi started, but he had to keep going, or else he would never get it out. 

"Listen, I know it doesn’t make sense, and I know you’re going to hate me afterward but…" He sucked in a breath, "But I like you Shuichi. Like, I really like you. And I know you don’t like me that way, or else I would have known by now, but I physically can’t keep it in anymore Shuichi, if I did, I'd probably die on the spot. That’s… That’s why I brought you here…" Kokichi said the last words slowly, absorbing in sections what he'd just said. 

Now Shuichi would scream at him and tell him he’s worthless and foolish for somehow falling for him, and Kokichi would be able to go on with his life and finally get over this. He could deal with the hateful stares and glances in the hallways, as long as the truth was out.

He flinched slightly when he felt a warm hand wrap itself around his arm. "Look at me Kokichi," he heard Shuichi say in a soft voice that made Kokichis heart yearn. "Please?" 

Slowly, he turned back towards Shuichi. His face shone dimly in the moonlight, but still, his golden eyes stared through him fiercely, picking every bit of him apart. He didn’t seem angry, however, but he still couldn’t figure out exactly what Shuichi was feeling. 

Then, in a nearly inaudible voice said, "I like you too, Kokichi."

It took him a moment to figure out just what Shuichi had meant, but when he did, his heart jumped into his throat. 

"What?" He managed to choke out between nervous breaths. Shuichi really couldn’t be serious.

"I said-" he paused, seemingly trying to gather his words. "I said that I really like you too. I was just… Scared, I guess." He quieted again after that.

He was serious.

Kokichi made a small 'O' with his mouth and looked down at the blanket. Shuichi’s hand was still clasped around his arm. He could definitely guess what he was afraid of. Rejection, heartbreak, falling out of love. The like. 

"Well," Kokichi started. "We can always deal with that later, down the line when we get to it." He said, looking back up at Shuichi when something caught his eye. 

He gasped, "Look Shuichi, a shooting star!" Kokichi said, a childish tone returning to his voice. 

"That’s a plane, not a shooting star," Shuichi stated after looking up, clearly still a bit apprehensive from their conversation. 

"That doesn’t mean you can’t wish on it though." He said in a sing-song voice, he was tired of their serious discussion. Kokichi saw Shuichi glance back up at the plane. It was small compared to the open sky. He smiled. 

Kokichi stood then, brushing off Shuichi’s hand and stretching his arms and legs when he caught the look Shuichi gave him. 

"What are you doing?"

"I think, dear Shuichi, that we deserve a treat. Ice cream sounds good right now. And maybe some fries." Kokichi responded. Truthfully told, he had forgotten to eat all day due to his restlessness. 

Shuichi smiled up at him, and Kokichi saw him take a breath.  Yeah, that sounds nice. We should get going before it gets too late and nothing's open though." He stood and cautiously, reached out his hand towards the other boy. 

Kokichi took it. 

They walked back to Shuichi’s old car in comfortable silence. It was new, and it made Kokichi shiver at the thought of it, but it was welcomed. 

Right then Kokichi decided they could deal with their anxieties later. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy Shuichi’s company. 

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 1 of 26

Title: The Devil and the Deep: Horror Stories of the Sea (2018)

Author: Various (edited by Ellen Datlow)

Genre/Tags: Short Story Anthology, Horror (Various), Female Protagonist(s), LGBT Protagonist(s). 

Rating: 7/10 (note: this is an average of all the stories)

Date Began: 1/1/2020

Date Finished: 1/6/2020

I don’t usually read short story collections. But since I kicked off 2020 with a trip outside the US, I wanted something that could easily be picked up and read in short bursts. So I dove into a short story anthology @mistressofmuses gave me for Christmas. Since I was staying on the coast, this seemed like an appropriate choice. 

This anthology is a collection of 15 original horror stories by different authors, each somehow associated with the sea. Like any anthology, they were pretty hit or miss, but there were some I really enjoyed. Honorable mentions (scoring 8/10 or higher): 

Fodder’s Jig by Lee Thomas (9/10) 

The Whalers Song by Ray Cluley (9/10) 

A Ship of the South Wind by Bradley Denton (8/10) 

Broken Record by Stephen Graham Jones (8/10) 

A Moment Before Breaking by A. C. Wise (9/10) 

Sister, Dearest Sister, Let Me Show To You The Sea by Seanan McGuire (10/10) 

He Sings of Salt and Wormwood by Brian Hodge (10/10)

For a brief summary of all the stories and impression of each, see below the cut. These are in the order they appear and contain minor/implied spoilers.

1. Deadwater by Simon Bestwick - 4/10

Summary: A man living in a coastal tourist town is found dead by the shore. When her cop boyfriend rules it a suicide, the man's best friend Emily investigates the death on her own.

Thoughts: This one was very predictable. I'd figured out the "twist" and exactly how it would end by the half way point. It wasn’t super exciting and the writing just wasn't engaging for me. I did appreciate the occasional thematic callback and the whole thing about broken people needing to stick together, but there wasn’t enough of that in the actual story to sell me on it. 

2. Fodder’s Jig by Lee Thomas - 9/10 

Summary: Two men in their 60s fall in love with each other and try to form a life together. However, amid one’s rough divorce, a bizarre disease emerges that causes people to dance wildly and speak in tongues after exposure to the ocean. When one of the two men begins to exhibit symptoms of the disease, everything changes. Thoughts: Well done, creepy cosmic horror, and the ending was phenomenal. I loved that it was about two old gay dudes trying to find happiness late in life, struggling with manipulative family issues, and how all of it seamlessly blended with the horror. The prose was great too, and the zinger when you fully understand the title is... an experience. I thought it was interesting that the flashback scenes were in present tense and the current scenes were in past tense, but it sort of makes sense with the themes of the story.  

3. The Curious Allure of the Sea by Christopher Golden - 7/10 

Summary: A woman's father is lost at sea. To honor his memory, she tattoos herself with a strange symbol found in his abandoned boat. However, afterward, sea creatures and people alike find themselves drawn to her. Thoughts: It was moderately creepy. The part where Jenny burns off the tattoo (spoilers) was viscerally horrifying. Beyond that, it didn't stick out a whole lot. Sort of like a “wouldn’t that be fucked up?” Twilight Zone episode. 

4. The Tryal Attract by Terry Dowling - 5/10 

Summary:  After a conversation with his neighbor, a man agrees to spend several nights in the neighbor's house to commune with a talking human skull which he has recurring dreams about. 

Thoughts: The prose was good enough, but the actual horror element was sort of like one of those creepypastas that’s just unintentionally funny. It felt very Scooby Doo and I don’t think that was the intent. 

5. The Whalers Song by Ray Cluley - 9/10 

Summary: When a Norwegian whaling ship sinks after a catch, the small crew manages to escape. On shore, however, the eerie artifacts they find of old whaling ships are more than they bargained for.

Thoughts: Way way way eerie, and the prose was great; very stilted yet beautiful. There was an underlying theme of the past and present, which Cluley explores in multiple ways. It has a slow start but it pays off. One of the more haunting ones in the collection. 

6. A Ship of the South Wind by Bradley Denton - 8/10 

Summary: Three years after the Civil War, two Native Americans -- a boy named Charley and his uncle JoJim -- are accosted by a group of travelers in the plains of Kansas. They find that help comes from an unexpected source-- an eccentric, quasi-supernatural figure named Captain Thomas, whom JoJim met decades ago.

Thoughts: Honestly, setting a sea-themed horror story entirely in Kansas was a power move, but I think it worked. Did a great job building and maintaining tension. I loved the small details, like keeping the villains as "Red-beard" and "Black-beard" even after we learn their real names to keep things nautical. It's kind of like if No Country for Old Men crossed over with a pretty good episode of Goosebumps with some pseudo steampunk elements.

7. What My Mother Left Me by Alyssa Wong - 6/10 

Summary:  Following the death of her mother and breakup with her abusive boyfriend, Emma and her new girlfriend visit her mom's old beach house to collect her things. However, things get weird when they discover partially decomposed, yet still living fish along the shore.

Thoughts: I’m torn on this one. The writing was really good, but it felt like the story couldn’t decide between being a straight-up slasher flick or a deep, heartfelt exploration of family and surviving domestic abuse. I really felt like it needed to be longer, as both elements felt underdeveloped. 

8. Broken Record by Stephen Graham Jones - 8/10 

Summary: A man is trapped on a deserted island.

Thoughts:  I do not want to spoil the "twist" of this one but it's good and a fun scenario to imagine. Toed the line between humor and horror well.  

9. Saudade by Steve Rasnic Tem - 5/10 

Summary: A man agrees to go on a senior singles cruise at the behest of his daughters, but feels awkward and out of place. He is drawn to a bizarre woman who occasionally appears and causes something strange and unsettling to happen.

Thoughts: The writing is good, but Tem spends the bulk of the story focusing on protagonist Lee wandering a cruise ship and being sad about it. I loved the ending and its callback to an earlier, seemingly unrelated scene, but beyond that I feel there’s way more you can do with the inherent horror of a cruise ship. 

10. A Moment Before Breaking by A. C. Wise - 9/10 

Summary: While a little girl and her mother are immigrating to the United States, the ship they are on suddenly sinks. The girl is captured by cultists who perform a strange ritual, binding her to a creature called the prince of the sea.

Thoughts: I really dug this one-- it's just so weird. I loved how the narrative treated the shared body between Ana and the prince, and that we get to see Ana in various stages of her life. The prose was gorgeous. Definitely one of my favorites in the collection.

11. Sister, Dearest Sister, Let Me Show To You The Sea by Seanan McGuire - 10/10 

Summary: When her little sister drowns her in the tide pools by their Washington home, a teenage girl makes a deal with an eel-like entity of the sea to get her revenge. Thoughts: "Holy fucking shit" was pretty much all I could say when I finished this one. Visceral body horror at its finest, and I'm always a sucker for revenge. The prose was beautiful and horrid in the best way. I'm a big fan of the author already but this exceeded my expectations.

12. The Deep Sea Swell by John Langan - 3/10 

Summary: A couple is traveling by ship. One of the two, Susan, recalls a few supernatural stories their mutual friend Giorgio told them before she has her own supernatural encounter.

Thoughts: I found myself begging the author to press the enter key on his keyboard a few times. Beyond that, this was the first story that actually challenged my suspension of disbelief with what happens and how it relates to the main character. I didn't find the horror element very scary at all. There were some cool visuals but that's about all I got out of it. 

13. He Sings of Salt and Wormwood by Brian Hodge - 10/10 

Summary: During a deep sea diving exercise, a competitive surfer comes across an old, sunken yacht. He is horrified by the strange worm-like creatures devouring the wood. However, when he returns home to his wife, they begin to find strange, humanoid carvings every day on the Oregon coast. Thoughts: GOD was this good. Superb voice and writing, very creepy, and everything comes together so well in the ending. I felt an emotional connection to the love and longing between Danny and Gail, which is always hard to accomplish in a short story. Just a stellar read.

14. Shit Happens by Michael Marshall Smith - 3/10 

Summary: A higher-up from a tech conglomerate attends a company conference aboard a converted boat-hotel, but things go south when guests start to experience acute gastrointestinal distress. Thoughts: This gets like 3 points for making me genuinely laugh a few times and -7 points for everything else.

15. Haunt by Siobhan Carroll - 6/10 

Summary: In 1799, a cargo ship is troubled by a ghost ship on their trail. When the passengers and crew are stranded in the middle of the ocean, the dark pasts of the crew slowly come to light. Thoughts: The writing was good, the author clearly knows her shit, and I can admire what she is going for. However, the whole thing was just a bit too brutal and graphic for me, especially knowing that some of the things described were based on real events. I guess that was probably the point based on her author’s note, but I can’t recommend this as an entertaining read. 

[aweebwrites]

A Different Take

The Overlord only knew the errors of his decision to try and overthrow the First Spinjitzu Master when he rose the scythe of quakes high, intent in his eyes. He slammed the scythe into the ground and the land began to split, putting space between him and his children, watching helplessly as he was reduced to spirit while they were reduced to statues. He watched his eldest from afar, the one he appointed leader hardened, turnt to stone while reaching for him, his mouth still open in a yell.

He tried to get to him, to them but he couldn’t leave the island. The space between them only kept growing. Soon, he couldn’t see them anymore. He was wrong. He would have never attacked if it had meant his children would be collateral. But he hadn’t known that. Hadn't considered. He had created them all as soldiers at first, meant to be disposed if it meant he could reach his goal of conquering Ninjago. But he had watched them learn and interact and grew to treasure them. Now, none of that matters. His sons were at the mercy of the First Spinjitzu Master. He could find a way to shatter them. He feared for them.

But that fear gave way to anger, to the promise of retribution if even one of them ended up broken. And with the passing of thousands of years, watching the island sink into the Endless Sea, he plotted his return, his revenge…

And lost himself along the way.

Once Kozu was summoned to the Dark Island after what he was sure was at least a thousand years later with his brothers, he was eager like the rest of them to see their father again. Their spirits fell once they were met with the half mortal Garmadon and an off entity. When the entity spoke however, they realised that it was their father. This was what the First Spinjitzu Master had done to their father.

He told them to obey the mortal and they did, not having much of a choice with the mortal wearing the Helm of Darkness. Kozu never understood why he created that wretched helmet to begin with. They would do as he wished without it still. But this was their father's decision and they would respect it. It didn't take very long for them to notice the difference in their father.

He was like he had been when they were first created, perhaps even worse. He was distant, focused on nothing but revenge as well as conquering Ninjago. Kozu had learned by then that their father had spent his thousands of years as punishment on the island, by himself and reduced to this spirit form. They didn't know what had happened to him during that time but they could guess. It was why they worked harder for the mortal, each of them willingly walking into the Mouth of Darkness to get the dark matter their father needed, built tirelessly, scouted endlessly.

The Overlord had been pleased at their work, unphased once he received news of his soldiers falling prey to the Mouth of Darkness' depths, knowing very well they will be able to get themselves out. With time but it was very possible. (He had checked to reassure the nagging feeling in the back of his mind, speaking to Garmadon once he reached the surface again.) Everything was going perfectly, even though those ninja had tried to stop him. He successful possessed Garmadon's body, had regained his full form- but the boy, the Green Ninja had swept it all from under his feet.

All his plans, all his effort to secure them a safe place in this realm was about to be wiped away by a golden brat. That one thought had brought him up briefly from the demands of his mind to exact revenge and conquer. That's right. He wanted to secure a place for them. Wanted to ensure his children were safe. He looked at the boy who was glowing brightly before diving out of his own sphere of darkness, the light following him. There were so few left! He would not let them perish because of his mistakes!

Kozu and his brother's, still under the control of the brown idiot watched wide eyed as their father swooped down towards them, weapons raised against their will to hurt as the Brown Ninja ordered. They watched as he landed before them, wings gathering them all before him and covering them, ignoring the wounds they inflicted on him. There was blinding light and their father's pained roar. Kozu looked up at him, horrified as he faded before his eyes, leaving nothing but the mortal he had once possessed.

Father.

Kozu wanted to grieve, rampage even, but he couldn't let himself do so just yet. The Brown Ninja had fell over from the blast and the helmet had rolled off. He ran over, taking the helmet as the man looked up at him in fear. He yearned for nothing more than to destroy the ignorant mortal who controlled them and prevented them from preventing their father's demise but even woth their numbers, as significantly smaller as it was, the ninja had the golden one whom was capable of destroying them. They had to make their escape.

He lead them into hiding, moving quickly on their feet until they were sure that there was no-one following them. What was left of his father's vast army looked to him, the very same question in their eyes.

What now?

Their father was gone and they would most likely be attacked on sight by quite literally anyone. They couldn't be found by the Golden Ninja or they would be destroyed. They had to keep moving and stay low. And so they had. It was hard for Kozu to hide as many of them as there were but he couldn't bare to lose anyone else. The sewers were foul smelling and snake infested but they were extensive. They always held a way to make their escape if they were being pursued. He made it work. He had to. They used the chaos of the mortals rebuilding their precious city to make their escape, attacking the transport taking away their largest brother on the way. Now that they were mostly together again, now that they were free from the city…

Now that their father was gone…

They remained adrift.

Unknowing to them, the Overlord had lived.

He woke up in a digital realm, everything there new and confusing. It took the Overlord some time to understand this new world he was apart of but once he did, the first thing he did was look into the whereabouts of his Stone children. Do they live? Had he succeeded in saving them? Or had he… Yet again… Failed?

Relief washed over him once the internet provided information of the liberation of their largest brother. Their whereabouts are unknown but he knew his sons, knew Kozu. They were fine. His heart longed to be with them, to make sure no-one would ever even attempt to hurt them again… And so, he began scheming. Taking the Golden Ninja's power would finally give him his own body again while eliminating the threat he posed to his sons. It was the perfect plan. But he needed help. He simply couldn't do this on his own. And so, he had bullied the one Cyrus Borg to aid him.

Except, Cyrus had betrayed him and handed the ninja the technoblades, the only devices able to erase him from the Digiverse, and possibly… Erase his existence as he knew it. He couldn't have that. His sons were waiting for him. Did they even know he lived? Would they even want to see him again after everything he had done to them? He tried not to think of that. Borg couldn't be trusted anymore and the Ninja had the Technoblades. He needed more. He needed an army bit je didn't want to draw his Stone sons inyo another war. So he created a new one. The Nindroids were meant to be tools to reach the Ninja, an extension of himself. And yet…

Each Nindroid that went offline sent a stab of pain through his blackened, digitized heart. He created them, just like he had his Stone sons, to be tools. Yet again, he felt for them. Each one was created unique, their own personalities, their own souls. Cryptor was his most dedicated, his general. He willingly sacrifices his brothers just for the purpose of his plans. It ached his heart how much like him he was. But he had to harden it. He had to become whole once more. Once he was, once he had the golden power, then he would claim Ninjago as their home. His Stone and Metallic sons alike will live in peace once his work was done. They will no longer know fear. The moment soon came. He finally had the Golden Ninja in his grasp, feeling his power drain into him. He was so close, so, so close. But the Ninja- of course the Ninja- interfered, wiping him from the Digiverse, forcing him to take refuge in his half formed body. Pythor, the equally loyal serpentine had stood by his side, had saved him and the drowned mech. He had to plan a new. He sensed the moment the Golden Ninja had given up his powers after all. That only left one other source of golden power.

Unknowing to the Overlord, far away, towards the very southern tip of Ninjago lay a camp. Within that camp were a little over a hundred Stone Soldiers. Kozu stood on the sand, staring out at the ocean. All he could see was his own arms stretching forward, their vanishing father getting farther and farther away. Watching that, seeing him fading into vapor while desperately trying to reach him… He squeezed his eyes shut. It felt as if his world had come to an end. He knew it was very much the same for his brothers. They hadn't wanted to ever come anywhere cliffs nor beaches after that. Now… They would take any memory of their father and hold on tight. Kozu sometimes questioned himself. Could he have done something, anything to save their father's life? He knew he would if he could have. Standing here, the wind pushing his flowing black hair back. He…

He felt lost.

He stood unphased by the heavy footsteps that approached. A large foot landed next to him then another.

'Beautiful, is it not?' Kozu focused on the view ahead and noticed the sun beginning to set.

Funny. When he first stood here, the sun had just ripped below the sea.

'You did everything you could.' He looked up at their largest brother.

'How do you know that? You were not there.' Kozu couldn't keep the irritation out of his voice.

'I do not need to be there to know you had. And even so, our brothers do not lie.' He spoke low, his deep voice rumbling like thunder.

Kozu remained quiet. He knew it too. He knew he did everything he could. Yet he couldn't help but feel like there was more he could have done.

'Brother!' Both looked towards the Scout, all but tripping over his short legs to get to them.

'Slow brother, do not fall.' Kozu warned him but the scout fell just then.

He walked over, picking him up off the sand and setting him on his feet.

'What is the-'

'It is father!' He blurts and Kozu froze.

'He lives!'

_________________

The mission was a success. Cryptor had brought back the Golden weapons but with very few others. Yes, there was still a little over a hundred Nindroids remaining but his heart went out to every single one of them lost. He would not fail, would not allow their passing to be for naught. The ninja were stuck on the comet without a way back. All that was left now was for him to conquer Ninjago. But of course, the Ninja somehow return. They were the bane of his existence, the very legacy of the First Spinjitzu Master himself. How he despised him and in turn, them. They would come but he will not let them win. He had his Golden Armor and an army. He would win this, no matter what.

He sneered at the Ninja as he held all but one in the golden tendrils he created from the armor. This will be the last time any of them get in-between him and his goal for his family! He watched as their Nindroid hoped his way across to face him, tendrils raised and ready. What he hadn't expected was for the Nindroid to grab onto the Golden Armor directly like a fool.

"Let my friends go!" He grunted out, metallic body encased in a blue glow from the stress of the Golden Power.

"Go where, doomed Ninja?" He asked, watching almost amused as his face plate fell off. "The Golden Weapons are too powerful for you to behold. Your survival chance is low." He taunted.

"This isn't about numbers! It's about family!" Zane yelled and his words struck the Overlord so deep, he flinched with the force of it.

Only when the golden tendrils lose their powers did he realise that yet again, he was on the brink of destruction.

"I am a Nindroid and Ninja never quit! Go Ninja, go!" Zane yelled, blasting his ice at the Overlord, forcing him to take a step back.

No. He can't die! Not again!

He had even more to live for! His sons! His sons! He hadn't even had the chance to let his Stone sons know of his existence! He couldn't die!

"What are you doing?! Let me go you fool!" He all but roared at the Nindroid, trying to push him away but his body was locked up and unmoving.

He felt the Nindroid's core becoming more and more unstable. No! No!

"My… Sons!" He gritted out as the Nindroid glowed brighter.

He squeezed his eyes shut. This was the end. Again.

"No!"

His eyes shot open, just in time to see a blur of red knock the overloading Nindroid away from him, both figures hitting the ground hard. He blinked in surprise then gasped as the red helmet fell away as his son stood, glaring the Nindroid down as his glow decreased.

"... Ko… Zu…" He got out, recovering from almost being wiped out again.

He turned around and looked up at his father, at this new form he held.

"Father." He says quietly but the Overlord heard.

A collective yell sounded and he looked up, down and all around.

His sons.

All of them made a tight perimeter around them, armed and on the defense, mingling with the Nindroids that joined them. Warmth filled his cold heart- then he realised: he now had the upper hand. He laughed as he broke the ice away from his chest.

"You have failed! Ninjago will be-"

"No-one's." Kozu cut him off, surprising him and the ninja who had rushed over to their mechanical friend.

"Kozu. I do not understand." He managed to say after the surprise passed.

"Open your eyes father. You are doing it again!" He yelled, startling the Overlord anew. "Your obsession with Ninjago does us no good! Each and every time you try, you are defeated and we suffer! Did you save us, just so we can watch you fall yet again?!" He snapped at his father who appeared timid even.

"My son. All that I have done has been to secure a home for us. The ninja, the people would never leave us be!" The Overlord defended.

"Of course they will not! Not if we stay here! Not if we invaded their home when we have our own!" He yelled back. "The Dark Island is ours. It has been the moment since it was torn from Ninjago itself! I tire of running! Of fighting! I tire of these mortals and their annoying Ninja! We all tire!" He yelled, gesturing to his brothers and the Nindroids who then began to murmur their agreements.

The Overlord looked around at them all. He hadn't even considered the Dark Island. All he saw it as, was a prison. But his sons see it as otherwise. They see it as a refuge. He paused to consider. Yes, the island held many bad memories but… If his sons were there with him…

"Is this what you all think? What you all desire?" He questioned them.

There wasn't even the slightest bit of hesitation from any of them, their agreements rung clear.

"Do not do this thing again father. Revenge is not everything. It is not worth it. Not anymore." Kozu says quietly and the Overlord looked at him.

They all startled once he was overwhelmed in purple, gold and magenta smoke that faded to reveal the smaller form of the Overlord, Golden Armor on his person still, contorting with him to fit his smaller form. He walked forward to his sons, uncaring of the ninja watching from not very far away.

"... I too, tire." He spoke quietly once he was standing before Kozu, said Stone General almost a whole head taller than he was. "Tire of fearing, of fighting, of losing… I would desire nothing more than to be left alone with my sons." He tried for a smile, revealing sharp, serrated teeth.

Kozu breathed out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding and risked an embrace his father gladly returned. Celebrating yells echoed as the massive army convulged around the two.

"Well. What do we do now?" Jay asked, still clinging to the unconscious but alive Zane like a koala, much like the others were.

"I find this all very hard to believe." Garmadon admitted, staring on with eyes as wide as his brother's but he smiled. "But I understand what it means to risk it all for your son." He says, looking to Lloyd who smiled back.

"That's it?!" The tiny yell cut through the celebration and the army parted around the tiny serpentine glaring up at the Overlord and his son. "After all that, you're just going to give up?! Where's the destruction? The revenge?! This was not a part of out deal! You were supposed to take down the ninja once and for all!" He all but screamed at the Overlord, just to make sure he was heard.

Kozu and the Overlord glanced at each other. The Overlord then looked back to the tiny Serpentine.

"A wise Warrior once told me… That revenge is not everything. So yes, I have given up on trying to conquer Ninjago, on trying to defeat the Ninja. I have found… Better things to do with my time." He shared a smile with his son as Pythor seethed. "Perhaps you too will soon realise the same, Pythor. Perhaps you will even realise the cost of revenge… Is greater than you could think. Perhaps... You will realise that it is best... To let go." He says to the angry serpentine.

"No." The crowds of Nindroid and Stone Soldiers alike parted again, revealing Cryptor standing there.

He flicked his hood back, sneering at the one he is to consider as his 'father'.

"This is pathetic of you!" He spat and the Overlord held back his eldest son as he heard his second general out. "Giving up, after everything we've done, after all this time spent for what? For something as useless as 'family'?!" He yelled at the Overlord who remained cool in the face of his rage.

"Yes." He says simply, making Cryptor even angrier.

"What kind of worthless idealism is that?!" He all but roared, stalking towards his creator, intent in his eyes. "All of our hard work for nothing! Everything was a waste?! No! I won't accept that! I refuse!" He was now face to face with the Overlord as Kozu growled low, all four hands gripping his katanas tightly.

"You can't!" He snarled.

"I can and I have." The Overlord spoke again and the calm, confidently spoken words had Cryptor taking a step back.

"No!" He whispered, shaking his head, a metallic hand coming up to grip the hair he was given. "You can't! If you give up then- Then-!" Concern crossed the Overlord's expression.

"They died for nothing!" Cryptor blurted and they finally understood.

All the Nindroids he lead to their demise while following his word…

"It was not all for nothing. We would have not gotten here without their help." Kozu told him and Cryptor shot him a glare as he took more steps back.

"No! That isn't-" He turned and ran. "That isn't enough!"

Grief filled their father's heart as he watched him go, knowing confrontation was something he did not need right now.

"Let him go." He says, preventing anyone from going after him. "When he is ready… He will come to us." One Nindroid still followed him but that was expected.

Cryptor and Mindroid may not get along but their bond was unique.

"We have overstayed our welcome." The Overlord spoke to his sons then reached a hand out, creating a portal to the Dark Island. "It's time we take our leave." He says then watched as they all filtered in.

Both he and Kozu waited until the last Stone Soldier and Nindroid who chose to go with them went through before approaching the portal as well.

"Wait! We can't just let him go! At least, not with the Golden Armor!" Lloyd yelled, gaining their attention.

"Lloyd has a point." Their Sensei says as both brothers approached.

"I will not hand over the Golden Armor to either of you." The Overlord spoke up, glaring at them. "You half mortals and your gaggle of mortals do not have the means of power to protect it." He told them pointedly.

"You expect us to trust you with it? How do we know you won't just go back to the Dark Island and form another plan to take over Ninjago?" Wu countered.

"You let me worry about that." Kozu says, crossing his upper arms as his lower held onto his katanas still.

"Frankly, I've had enough of this place. For as long as no-one steps on the Dark Island uninvited, consider us at peace." The Overlord says, turning away, urging his glaring son along.

"You can't just-"

"Watch us." Kozu snarked, cutting off his father's previous host.

"Forgive us. We simply do not like either of you." The Overlord says lightly before walking through the portal, leaving it to disappear immediately after.

Both brothers stared where the portal once was.

"Well. The future promises to be interesting." Garmadon says drily and Wu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ugh." They looked over at Zane who was slowly coming to. "What did I miss?" He asked as Cole and Kai helped him to sit.

"Zane. If I wasn't so shaken up and glad you're alive, I would strangle you to death." Kai says seriously and Zane blinked at him.

"But I do not need oxygen to live." He says, confused.

"Shut up and let us hug you, you big nerd." Lloyd mumbled as he squeezed him into a hug, the others hugging him as well.

_______________

The Dark Island got a lot more lively after that. The Overlord used his new golden power to create a massive stone castle to house all his sons. He also had to create a new power source for all the Nindroids with them but that was the least of his concern. The moment they got back, however, the first thing they did was liberate the Stone Soldiers trapped in the Mouth of Darkness. They were… Reasonably angry. They created their own city around the massive castle and they certainly didn't miss Ninjago at all. Cryptor and Mindroid eventually made an appearance and instead of feeling outcasts, they were welcomed as if they had always been there. The Overlord sealed the Golden Armor away once it began having a negative effect on his Stone sons (they began to crack dangerously) but it was impossible to get to for anyone aside from him and even he would have difficulty getting to it. He had to wield it once more however.

While he had no intentions in returning to Ninjago, the threat of Oni made it necessary. They threatened to destroy this realm which included the Dark Island and his sons. They weren't pleased that he left them behind for their safety but they were pleased to hear he didn't even have to fight. All he had to do was take his massive form with the equally massive sized golden armor and the Oni could not have fled faster. They held a strong hatred for the Golden Armor it appeared. The Dark Island was safe and so were his children. That was all that mattered.

Perhaps he should make more...

_____________________

(I mc fricking told you I'd finish it! *Me @ myself*. We all know Garmadad is the best dad in existence but Overdad is my dad and I love him so much you wouldn't believe. Not more than my boi Kozu tho but pretty hecking close. I absolutely love this evil boi okie.)

[unlockthelore]

Sweater Strikes Back

The best part of being in a large and rather dysfunctional family was the lack of boredom. Every day was something new and there was a spectacular aspect to the mundane that Kurama lacked when he was simply going about his days pretending to be a human boy.

After meeting Hiei, falling in league with the others, and going on more than his fair share of adventures — he found a wealth of treasures in the people around him that outmatched all the ones he’d gathered during his days as a bandit. He loved and he lost in those days, gaining perspective in a quick brush with death, and later on a family all of his own.

Along with a loving husband and children to dote on day in and day out.

Though speaking of his husband and children, Kurama was ecstatic for Hiei’s return from the Makai. Mukuro was busy with her duties in Alaric so she wasn’t able to come to the Ningenkai for Christmas.

While the children had been admittedly downhearted with the lack of their grandmother’s presence, they were appeased to know that Hiei would take over delivering her presents to her including their drawings and other things.

Kurama wasn’t sure what Mukuro would do with all of it but for the children’s amusement, he’d filled a red sack with the presents then sent Hiei on his way. The fire demon was less likely to spark a flame with their children watching him with awe.

And Kurama knew that it meant a lot to Hiei to see their smiles. With the promise of getting him back and a quick kiss, Hiei was gone and Kurama was left to wrangle their children into their surprise for their father.

Finishing up the last few stitches on one of the sweaters, Kurama held it up and smiled at his handiwork. It was a dark red with miniature white foxes chasing snowflakes around the hem, patches of white along the elbows and the neckline. Setting it aside, Kurama glanced up at the sound of thundering footsteps.

“It fits, dad,” Kohaku said, swinging around the banister to peer into the living room with a wide smile.

He was twelve years old now and his hair had grown well past his shoulders, wavy and thick, it was tied up in a ponytail with a hair ribbon similar to the one Yukina wore. The light blue and eggshell white of his sweater a sharp contrast to the murky dark grayish-black tear gem connected to his earring. His dark-grey eyes bright as his gaze flicked down to his sweater, the depiction of flames lining across his chest and at the center of his stomach seeming to glow with his reiki.

“Figured out a new trick?” Kurama asked as Kohaku padded over, climbing up onto the arm of the couch.

“Yeah,” Kohaku said, settling on the couch arm and leaning over to press a kiss to Kurama’s cheek. “If I channel my energy, I can make it light up.”

Kurama listened to Kohaku’s explanation with a smile. No matter how old he got, Kohaku was still as affectionate as the little baby that Hiei brought through his window all those years ago.

And it warmed his heart to see him so excited and experimenting with his abilities. Kohaku’s fear of his own being broke Kurama’s heart and worried Hiei to no end. Seeing him come into his own and try to understand himself was the best gift they could’ve gotten.

“Where are your brother and sister?” Kurama asked, glancing up at the clock. “Papa will be home soon.”

Kohaku tilted his head and glanced at the staircase. “I think that Ai was playing with Youko and Genji was trying to get his tail to fit in his pants.”

Almost on cue, a little white fox came running down the steps two at a time, pausing at the last one to look up the staircase. Another set of thundering footsteps coupled with a flying leap came from upstairs, a little girl with messy dark hair sticking the landing, stumbling forward a bit with her arms wheeling around then catching herself. After a short pause, she turned to face Kurama and Kohaku with her arms stretched high over her head.

Her own sweater was a darker shade of grey with two violet dragons chasing their tails in the center and flames around the neckline and hem. And with her arms stretched over her head, Kurama was pleased to see that it was big enough for her to keep for a few more years.

“Good job, Aiko,” Kurama said over Kohaku’s cheering. “But try not to jump from that high, okay?”

The fox sitting beside Aiko’s feet tipped its head to one side before scrambling up her leg to scale her side and settle on her shoulder as she hurried into the living room. All but tackling Kohaku and draping herself across his legs as she looked up at Kurama with bright green eyes.

“It’s alright, dad. Haku told me a funny joke so if I remembered it at the last second, I’d just float.”

Kurama shook his head and tweaked her nose. “Just because you can use your powers to float doesn’t mean that you should abuse them.”

Neither Kurama or Hiei guessed that one of their children would manifest with powers connected to the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, and Aiko’s capabilities were just as unknown to them as the mythical entity itself.

It was a surprise to find that she could float when she was an infant, prone to lifting off when she was happy enough to be lighter than air. And considering her perpetual state of cheer, it was difficult to keep her on the ground.

Yet despite the unusual state of her being and her powers, Aiko seemed to take everything in stride. At nine years old, she was well on her way to learning how to control her powers with ease, likely taking after Hiei and his learning ability. Nonetheless, Kurama didn’t mind her silliness. She was a child despite being connected to an ancient being. And he wanted her to be a child as long as she could be.

“Come here, Youko,” Kurama cooed, the fox’s ears perking up as he clamored over to climb up onto the couch and curl up by Kurama’s side.

In lieu of having a dog or a cat, or any conventional pet, they had a fox. While Youko had started out as a stuffed fox, plush and made by Hiei’s hand, he’d been brought to life by Aiko two years ago. Only reverting back to his stuffed state when he desired but otherwise happy to tag along with the children to ensure that they weren’t getting into too much trouble.

“Now all we’re missing is…” Kurama leant forward and smiled as Genji came hopping down the steps two at a time.

Their only child that manifested as a youko, he bore a likeness to Kurama as the youko and his human form resembled Kurama’s own with a few key differences. At the tender age of four, he didn’t have much control over changing his forms and seemed more than happy as a youko. Silver hair brushing against his shoulders, his ears perking up and golden eyes brightening as he laid eyes on his siblings and Kurama, running over to clamber onto Kurama’s lap.

“I got my tail to fit!” He said proudly, the tail in question swaying with gusto.

“You did, little one.” Kurama said, balancing Genji on his lap as he leant over to grab his sweater, helping him pull it on. “And don’t you look nice?”

Genji grinned and snuggled closer to Kurama. It was times like this that Kurama couldn’t help but agree with Yusuke and Kuwabara’s thoughts on Genji being a “child-sized” version of the youko. Far more innocent than Kurama’s other form and infinitely cuter in his own personal bias, and definitely cuddle-sized. Genji enjoyed being doted on and soaked up his sibling’s praise and adoration along with Kurama’s arms settled around him.

After awhile, the children started to talk about their own sweaters and each other’s before Kohaku pointed at Kurama’s.

“What’s that on your sweater, dad?”

Aiko squinted at Kurama’s sweater and Genji wiggled to one side to look at it himself. “It almost looks like Papa.”

“Yeah…” Genji agreed, tipping his head to one side.

Kurama chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through his youngest son’s hair, rewarded with Genji’s rumbling purr. “When your Papa comes back, ask him to tell you the story of the little alien.”

“Little alien?” Genji asked, curling up and pillowing his cheek beside the caricature.

Aiko knelt behind Kohaku, her arms draped over his shoulders as she peered closer, effectively squishing her cheek against her brother’s. “What kind of story is that, dad?”

It was a testament to Kohaku’s balance that he didn’t go toppling over onto Kurama’s lap. And to spare the older boy all the weight, Kurama made room for them and reached out to bring Aiko closer to him, Kohaku settling beside her with a sigh.

“I’s part of the story of how Papa, Uncle Yusuke, Uncle Kuwabara, and I helped to save the realms.”

The children loved hearing stories about their adventures and before they could begin their onslaught of questions, the glass door leading to the backyard slid open and Hiei walked through with the empty sack thrown over his shoulder.

“Telling stories already?” He asked, after taking one look at them. His eyebrows knitted together, eyes narrowing when he noticed what they were wearing. “Wh— What are you all wearing?”

“Papa!”

The kids clamored off the couch, making a beeline for Hiei and hugging or in Genji’s case, scaling up the fire demon’s body to find a place to hold onto him. They launched into several talks and explanations of their day and their sweaters and asked about Mukuro and a number of other things. With the deluge of information, Hiei wasn’t sure which to answer first but he bore witness to their sweaters then leveled Kurama with a stare.

“Merry Christmas, anata.” Kurama said cheekily, resting his chin in hand as he leant against the couch arm.

Hiei rolled his eyes, setting the sack down and starting to try and wrangle their kids so that he could sit down himself, a smile playing on his lips once he finally flopped down beside Kurama.

“Merry Christmas,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Kurama’s cheek.

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

The Fallen, 2/17

Volume: 1.

Number of parts: 2/17.

Pairings: Nine x Rose.

A/N: Written for Whumptober. Human Shield (D4), Dragged Away (D6). Tagging @thebookster on her demand.

“We've all fallen, but at the same time we're not broken. There is the hint that we are going to get up again.” - Amy Lee.

CHAPTER 2:

“Who are you?”   It was laughable how this question was always coming back to him in whatever life he was living. Laughable how different the species of the universe could be, and yet how identical they were. They hated the emptiness, the unexplained. They need to name things, to name people. That was an obsession, a necessity. He had given many answers to this question. Many lies and many truths for many reasons. The only reason he had to lie today was for his safety. He didn’t like the place, didn’t like the staff. He was distrustful. There was an atmosphere here that he would qualify of unhealthy though he couldn’t quite identify why it made him so uneasy.   “I’m the Doctor. What about you?” “Doctor who?” “Ding ding ding, we have a winner for the jackpot.”   This joke never got old and never failed to make him laugh. The person in front of him didn’t find him any funny though. He was only worsening his current condition. They already thought he was crazy. He couldn’t deny it. When he had woken up after fainting in that street, he was in a tiny room with cracked white paint. He was laying in an old bed that was grating every time he moved. By his right, there was a small window with bars and a blind partially shut. Under that window, there was a small wonky table. There were two doors. One was facing the window, the other was facing the bed. One was locked, the other was leading to a bathroom barely large enough for a shower booth, a sink and toilets. He was stuck in this room for as long as whoever locked him here would want to keep him. With a sonic screwdriver, he might have been able to get out. But he had nothing. Not even a shoelace. That’s how he had understood where he was. A mental hospital. Not a surprise. Later that day, a nurse had come in and he had followed her obediently. He had been introduced in the office of a certain doctor Nash Grieve. His therapist. He had sat down and listened o her as she explained to him that he had been found babbling incoherent things in the streets. The police had brought him here. He had been so defeated that day, so down to have failed that he accepted to be locked in this building until he was better. The medical staff was coming to him every now and then to check on him. He wouldn’t be out of bed. Sometimes, they would sit down and talk to him for a couple minutes. He would say nothing, just stare at the ceiling as if it was holding the answers to his questions. He would follow the group he was assigned to when it was time to eat. All of this for a full week and now, he was back in this office and playing dumb in front of the doctor Grieve. But the feeling if uneasiness he was feeling in this place gave him the strong urge to run away. Which he couldn’t.   “You looked better than a couple days ago.” “I’m feeling better. Your staff has taken great care of me.” “They are concerned about you.” “Why’s that? I don’t cause troubles.” “Indeed you don’t.”   The doctor Grieve leant back in her chair and crossed her hands on her stomach. She fixed him silently for a moment. It was making him more uncomfortable than he already was. This woman wasn’t impressive though. She maybe was in her fifties with dark brown hair turning to grey on her roots and temples. She was thick-set but not fat. There was something motherly about her. She couldn’t be a bad woman. So why was he detecting something wrong in here?   “They gave me the police report of that night.”   He gave a nod. It had been mentioned already. He remembered facing a police officer and losing it but he didn’t remember what he was saying. Something that had caught their attention. Something that was justifying his presence here. But he was better, so it would be logical to let him go. Which wasn’t gonna happen. If the medical staff had concerns about him, they would keep him in this hospital to be sure he wasn’t a danger for anyone, himself included.   “The blood test they ran on you showed that you were negative to drugs and alcohol. Yet, you were babbling about something being in your head and in someone else’s head. A woman named Rose. You’ve added: ‘I need the Doctor. The Bad Wolf isn’t gone’.” “Oh. I see. That’s embarrassing.”   He had done this dream numerous times these past days. It wasn’t really a dream. It was a memory. He remembered it fully now: he had kissed Rose Tyler on Satellite 5 to take the Bad Wolf out of her head and save her. That was the original plan. And it had gone wrong. Really, really wrong. He hadn’t felt it immediately. That was only when he woke up in the middle of that street in Manchester that things had appeared clearly to him and from that moment, he had known that he had to get to Rose to the new Doctor and tell them about the situation. However, he couldn’t get to Rose – thanks to Jackie who probably hated him more than ever now – and the Doctor hadn’t seemed to catch any of his distress calls. Or he was deliberately ignoring them. For once, he would be following the rules. Wasn’t it ironic? There was an unspoken rule in the Time Lords’ community, an unspoken story. They were keeping these hidden because of the shame these superior beings had toward this part of them. The Doctor was called a thief for stealing a type 40 TARDIS, but the truth was that all Time Lord were thieves. They were born with one face and were stealing the eleven others among people they met in their long lives, and when they were regenerating, the face they had taken was sent back to its previous life without any memories of being a Time Lord or Lady for many years. That was why there were so many missing persons, especially on Earth. Humans shapes were easier to steal, made it easier to fit in in the universe with how far they had spread their territory. And they didn’t suspect anything when they came back on Earth. This face belonged to a man named Maxence Spitz. When the Doctor had come across him, he was a young man going through a hard time. He had just lost his best friend and was falling into a dark circle of depression. He made friends with the teenager and kept him in mind when he left. When he had stolen his face, Maxence was in his thirties and was struggling to find a job. He had done lots of small jobs but couldn’t find a career of his own. The Doctor had given him the stars and a heavy weight to carry on his shoulders. He should have forgotten about all of this when he sacrificed himself for Rose. It was underestimating the Bad Wolf. The entity split in three. A part of it went back to the TARDIS, the two others remained stuck in the two humans’ minds. That was a really problematic. His instincts were warning him that telling his real name to this woman wasn’t a good idea. It would be used against him, against his family. He would never let anything happen to his mother and brother, especially with the power now sleeping in his head. He would stick to the Doctor for now, even if that meant staying here for a little longer. He had to contact his family so they could come and see him, and hopefully free him from this hospital. He wouldn’t get out on his own.   “What’s embarrassing?” “This is a trouble I’ve developed when I was a little boy. I had night terrors and was sleepwalking in time of great anxiety. I was never really diagnosed. Mom and I both knew what was causing them.”   It was a lie though it really could have happened to him. His youth hadn’t been one of the best. He shouldn’t be able to remember because of how young he was back then, but he did. There were the cries, and the yells, and the pain. Sometimes, they were coming back to him. But he hadn’t heard them in years. Not the ones of that night. Instead, he had heard the screams haunting the Doctor’s dream and he was forever stuck with them now. There were more pleasant memories thankfully. He would cherish them.   “Alright.”   The doctor Grieve didn’t seem entirely convinced with his explanation but she was accepting it anyway and adding it to the file. His file. He had a medical record in a psychiatric hospital. He would have laughed if he had been able to. It was useless to worsen the situation even more.   “Who’s Rose?” “My ex-girlfriend. She had just dumped me when the police found me. Her mother kicked me out and I was so stunned that I sat down in a corner and cried. Must have fallen asleep after that.” “What’s your name?” “Why do you want to know my name?” “What don’t you want to give me your name?” “I prefer staying anonymous. Let’s stick to ‘the Doctor’ please.” “You’re not making things easy for yourself, you know.” “Yes, I know.” “Enough with bollocks!”   Both the doctor Grieve and the Doctor jumped in surprise when the voice raised out of nowhere. The door was opened with violence and an angry man came. The therapist held herself back from sighing and rolling her eyes upon seeing him while the Doctor froze and stared. It is impossible… And yet, it was. Jeremy Backfire, his father, was standing there, in the threshold. The Wolf felt the confusion and fear and rage rising in its host and feed on it to get some strength back. It hadn’t been in control in the last few days, hadn’t showed up because it wanted him out of this hospital. That wouldn’t happen if it was being visible. Plus, it had been considerably weakened with the loads of energy it spent with his arrival on Earth and his attempt to get to Rose but its host’s negative emotions and the evil aura coming from this newcomer was giving him new strengths and enabled him to rise again. The Doctor got up so fast that it sent the chair to the floor with a loud noise. His eyes had that bright golden glow again. The Wolf was there but he still had control. It didn’t have enough power. It was still channelling, absorbing. It would come out at the right time hopefully.   “There you are,” exulted Jeremy. He turned to Nash, totally unimpressed by the power his son was spreading in the room. “His real name’s Maxence Spitz. He told you the truth about being the Doctor. What you’re witnessing now is the Doctor teaming up with the powerful entity called Bad Wolf.”   Contrarily to Jeremy, Nash was clearly impressed and pretty scared by what she was seeing. An order was given: The Doctor had to be mastered and taken to an isolated cell. Nurses came in. They obviously had been waiting for this order to come. The doctor Grieve didn’t agree with these methods. Jeremy Backfire was her boss. He owned the place and she certainly had nothing to say to him about his way of ruling the place. But this man, Maxence Spitz or the Doctor… whatever he was called, was her patient. It was her duty to protect him and she couldn’t have him thrown into an isolation cell just because she was asked to. She was about to place herself in front of Maxence to stand in the way of the newcomers when the man she was trying to defend moved. He was so swift that she only saw a trail of golden light and then, he was holding one of the nurses with an armlock in her back and was threatening to kill her if Jeremy wasn’t going away. He was using that poor innocent as a human shield. If it had been Nash, it would have worked. But Jeremy only smirked. The Wolf broke the neck of the poor woman and let her body fall to the ground like a puppet. The other nurses stepped back. So did Nash. She was genuinely terrified now.   “You won’t have him,” growled the Wolf. “I won’t let you.”   Maxence Spitz was his host now and the entity would protect him until his death. Which hopefully wouldn’t happen anytime soon. They needed the Doctor to fix this mistake he had made, but he was turning a deaf ear. So Maxence and the Wolf had to team up to survive and protect themselves.   “Take him away. Now.”   The voice was firm. The order was clear. The Wolf wasn’t strong enough at the moment to deal with four nurses and a mad director. It faded away in the middle of the struggle and Maxence was abandoned to the hands of medical people that were dragging him away. Nash tried to protest but Jeremy wouldn’t change his mind. This patient was his now.

To be continued...

The Fallen © | 2019 | Tous droits réservés.

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[heartbxnd-blog]

@alolua has sent: Out of all the Mortys ( Pokeani, Pokespe, Soul Silver, Silver, Crystal, Modern, even Mortys from some of your verses ) who is your favorite and why ??

// O shit whaddup!!

Here is the TLDNTR version:

All time favorite design: Gen 2 (more specifically Golden boy’s one)

Small acknowledgement/shoutout to Spaceworld 1997′s Morty/Enoki

From my verses: Ancient!AU

Read more for the explanations!

OKAY SO, I said once and I will forever keep saying this. But good old gen 2 (gsc) Morty will forever be my favorite design that he has ever had!

IMO the one interation that makes justice to this look, HAS to be the Golden boys manga.

It reeks with creativity- the late 90′s early 2000′s looks and daring, likely because at the time the old designs didn’t follow a format/pattern- they didn’t solely rely on stereotypes in order to convey what type the trainer specializes at. For as silly- and eye soring itburnsIcan’tlie non sensical it may look like to us, it did convey in its own way some kind of depth to the character- as in ‘Hey, our lives are a whole lot more than what we train’ especially for Morty who is found at the so-called heart of Johto’s history.

Off topic- but I feel like it still is relevant and worth to bring up: looking back at the other gym leaders designs of this time- I guess this isn’t an outlandish idea or way to look at it. But with the exception of Chuck (maybe Clair and Whitney) based solely off on their looks, you can’t quite tell what the Leaders are supposed to be specialized at. Some might say this is bad? But you have their names, and that’s where their specialty is given out (...IDK how a flower named jasmine- is related to Steel but....).

Or u know maybe they ran out of time? System limitations? An accident? I could be looking too deep into this. BUT look at all of these conclusions you can draw out of this “flawed” design, this is why the more I look at these older designs- the more I feel like they just dumbed out a lot in the Galar’s gym leaders and characters so far Im really disappointed.

Also just gonna slide in here his in game sprite- that was dope.

This color scheme deserves a brief shoutout

This is going to be short, I swear! But with the release of the beta designs, I just couldn’t get over how DRASTICALLY different yet FAMILIAR at the same time he looked.

He is most certainly different from his gen 2 looks, but it is so fun to realise-that his modern looks actually took his beta design as the base for this redesign.

It’s no wonder Morty’s changes definetely felt like they were amongst the most drastic ones in the remixes.

Also worth mentioning that- since his name at this point in the development was Enoki, some pople speculate that he might have been a poison type trainer instead! Or even a dark type trainer- which because of the kanji representing ‘ki’ it means demon.

// So this leads me to my favorite version of Morty (which tbh... Can I even still consider him Morty by this point?), his ancient AU setting- which finds itself around the time when the Burned tower incident happened in the pokemon world’s history.

At this point in this verse’s development- it’s hard for me to outright call him Morty, because he has become an entity of its own.

This is Matsuba- Morty’s direct ancestor (great grandpa of 300 years in the past). Morty is the descendant from one of the numerous children he had in his lifetime, this is where he inherited the clairvoyance abilities from. Which obviously- he isn’t aware of such lineage.

It’s funny to see how in his conception- very early on, it was just one of the countless verse me and @dragonmasterlance came up with- it was just meant to be a silly feelsy Lance/Morty AU nothing else. But- it grew on me, and it became such a neat and nice compliment to Morty- now I can’t see him without Matsuba being a piece of his story.

I thank a lot @auraguardians & @thetreeofbeginning for helping me on this one, for using this AU so helping me to flesh out this verse.