#i honestly did not expect her to die i was gonna show mercy but then suddenly my attack delt 200+ and i was like wHAT...

[snugg-bugg]

I love the Vengeance saga sm….

so here are my thoughts

NOT SORRY FOR LOVING YOU:

This was SO pretty. Wangui has such a beautiful voice and she added so much depth to the character. But i still HATE Calypso. They could never make me like you Calypso. I liked How Jorge really made her seem like she just never learned how it was wrong to expect love in return regardless of circumstance. Especially the part “Was cast away when I was young

Alone for a hundred years

I had no friends but the sky and sun

So when you washed ashore

I thought for sure that you were my dream come true”

It really did a good job at showing she never learned because she never got a chance to learn these things.

DANGEROUS:

HECK YES HERMES!!! He was so so iconic and I loved how we was just partying while Ody was fighting for his life. My favorite part was defined the Wing Bag. Especially the winions. The melodies just seemed so much darker and serious then the playful tone of Keep Your Friends Close. I also loved the Athena reference at the end. I honestly hope Odysseus doesn’t learn it was her, it would make it so much more tragic.

CHARYBDIS:

This was the song I was looking forward to the most and I was not let down! The musical storytelling was so so good! Everything about it that I imagined is practically exactly what was on the animatic. Also extra points to part of it being done by @anniflamma (i’m not even gonna try to lie, Anni is my favorite Epic Animator) I LOVED the final verse. It was so pretty and Jorge portrayed the Longing of Odysseus SO WELL. I also adored the expectation diversion leading into…

GET IN THE WATER:

First off the Intrumentals starting the song were BEAUTIFUL!!! The piano was so striking and i loved it! Steven Rodriguez is genuinely PERFECT for Poseidon. I’m not gonna lie Poseidon is my favorite Greek God(Blame PJO) and Ruthlessness is actually the song that got me into EPIC. So it was amazing to hear him again. My Blood ran cold during the “Ruthlessness… Is Mercy Upon… Ourselves” part and I loved the overlapping vocals of the “Die”. And because it’s a bossfight it just has to end with making me cry. The “spirits” of Odysseus’s comrades was so pretty and I think it was my favorite(besides love in paradise ofc) of the “Heartbreaking remembering comrades” moments.

600 STRIKE!!!

1st of holy shit the Wind bag is such a cool Bossfight instrumental. It was so freaking cool(I love all the Wind parts in EPIC). I was a little disappointed by the Visuals, no disrespect to the artist at all! But i just thought the 3d was a little jarring. I truthfully think it would have been a little better if it was 2d. Enough of visual art talk though MUSICAL art talk time! I LOVED the chanting throughout the first-half. It was such a great(I think) wrap up to the Crews story and it also sounded awesome.

600 STRIKE: PART 2(that part)

Steven Rodriguez’s voice is really hot. I just had to get that out of the way. But in all seriousness this is my favorite moment of the Saga. I don’t think 600 strike was my favorite song, that title goes to Get in the Water, but 600 strike is a close 2nd solely based on the epicness of this moment. The way my heart just stopped when Odysseus said “Exactly” was just something I’ll never get over. Also I’m weird and i loved hearing Poseidon in pain.(I like my fav. characters to suffer). Also the overlapping vocals(can i even call poseidon’s part vocals it’s just him screaming in pain) was PHENOMENAL! I especially loved the 2nd “OOoohhhh” I saw someone say that Poseidon likely regenerated around the trident before it was pulled out and that’s engraved in my brain now.

And hot Take.

I think that Poseidon was actually ASKING Odysseus how he sleeps at night. During Monster Ody says “Is he scared that he’s doing something wrong” and I actually think Ody was right. Poseidon’s “I can’t” during Get In The Water seems genuine. I don’t know if it was because He literally couldn’t forgive Ody because of what Ody did, or if He’s is actually just trying to “keep us in check so we respect him, and now no one dares piss him off”. This may just be me over-analyzing/trying to sympathize my fav character but does Poseidon actually wonder if he’s doing something wrong.

And Finally, NEXT TO MY WIFE was actually so FRAKING cold. If someone said that to me i’d be devastated.

Ultimately the Vengeance saga was probably my 2nd favorite saga(after wisdom i just adore god games) Jorge did an AMAZING job with it and I’m so excited to see how much more a monster rawr rawr rawr Ody becomes.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts (:

[hrodvitnon]

Just got out of my first viewing (spoilers so tag accordingly)

Yeah that was the most ridiculous shit ive ever seen and i had a blast lmfao.

--

To get the few negatives out of the way: Syclla and Tiamat got COOKED. That's crazy. Especially Tiamat. I had no idea she was in the movie and like choked on popcorn when they said her name. First onscreen appearance and she dies in like 3 seconds... sucks to be her. But honestly... this is probably one of those moments where Fan Content messes with the perception of a canon thing, at least for me. It hurts a lot more because of the emotional attachment from stuff like Ozymandias's story, Shamhat, and other adjacent stuff. If I had never seen those and watched her die I'd probably think "oh she had a cool design, but whatever". But yeah, my only serious complaint is her being shafted and I don't even really think I can call it objective because there was definitely an attachment there.

Ok besides that this might be my new personal favorite Monsterverse. Could be recency bias but I don't think so. Every human is at the very least entertaining. Everything Trapper did in this movie made me crack up, hearing Bernie say the words 'Discord chat' and 'Ghidorahstan64' (i stg this was a callout of some kind) onscreen gave me terminal whiplash, and although Jia and Andrew's story was sorta surface level, it was still endearing. I'd rather have a good human storyline, sure, but if we can't have that I'll settle for entertaining.

Here I thought Suko was gonna be an annoying marketing ploy to sell toys... I physically snorted in the theatre when Kong slammed him into that one ape. MVP of the film lmao. Mothra was... also there. Yeah, it really shows that she was a last minute addition. But DAMN she sent Godzilla ROLLING with a single attack. Speaking of, I don't think the Tia-Zilla form was as underutilized as I've heard people say it was. Especially that new Atomic Breath effect. Holy eargasm.

Oh man though, Shimo and Skar are fantastic. Skar hits the same beat as like a Celestial Dragon or Vladimir Harkonnen with way more grace than I would've expected from a big monkey. They go shockingly dark with his treatment of the ape-slaves and Shimo... especially with that female ape insinuation.

Holy shit poor Shimo, man. I honestly thought the Skar controlling her aspect would be kinda downplayed and just regular mind control, not genuine torture of some kind. I love that they let her have characterization by resisting him at every chance she gets, and that the pain control isn't always active (i'm assuming that's the insinuation of keeping her all chained and behind magma, it depowers and restrains her when Skar's not actively using her), further insinuating she gets merciful breaks from hellish enslavement only to be yanked back into it whenever Skar needs something turned into a popsicle. I think my favorite moment in the film is right after Suko shatters the crystal and the light blue luminescence fades to reveal her actual eyes for the first time. Eyes are used throughout the film to show subtle humanizing features, like Godzilla falling asleep in Rome, Kong's wide eyes when he sees his kin, and shock when Shimo realizes she's free. Having her eyes glowing the whole film makes her seem way more monstrous and inhuman, so when that suddenly goes away she starts getting framed as just an animal. Also her eyes are pretty. Also, I lied, that wasn't my favorite part of the film. My favorite part was Kong giving her chin scratches and that cute half-hug. This needs to be normalized. He needs to hug Godzilla next film. I will pay someone a king's ransom for this to happen. Final little detail, I like that Kong doesn't do his final roar from on her back but standing next to her, on the same level as all the other apes. He doesn't look to elevate himself over her or everyone else like Skar did, which is a great touch.

Also also also: Think it's time for a Doug solo film where he tries to steal all the Titans' food. Make it happen Legendary.

Much agreement here! I'd love for a solo Mothra MonsterVerse film to really capitalize on her lore and give her stuff to do (without dying at the end preferably); maybe establish some connection between the Chen family and Jia. Also, I need a little shot of Mothra going to visit Godzilla while he's sleeping in the Colosseum and just cuddle up to the big lug.

Andrews and Jia were a welcome breath of fresh air after GvK reversed Mark's characterization and Madison became... that. There was still some slight tension between Jia not feeling like she belongs and Andrews wanting to do right by her, even if it means possibly giving her up, only for Jia to go "you're my mom, you're my home, stop being dramatic". You love to see it.

Adding to the Doug solo film idea... Shimo adopts him because he's cute and she thinks his shenanigans are hilarious. Let us have fun wholesome times!

[vrisrezis]

Only saying this cuz Belos Stan’s have been annoying lately (I like Belos myself, but man y’all have terrible takes holy shit)

Like if you like him cuz he’s a good villain, fine. If you’re mad he didn’t get a proper death, you missed the entire point of his death/character but whatever, keep your bias I truly do not care. I like Belos myself, in fact I like this show a lot but I have never and will never let my own bias towards a show or character effect how I criticize a series and how they handle certain things because I like to criticize the things I enjoy.

But the fact that people wanted Luz to suffer more, lose a limb, lose somebody close to her for good, etc. is fucking insane to me she is a 14 yr girl who is going to have lifelong trauma because of Belos. She has literally lost enough. Girl literally thought she deserves to be hated by those she loves and wanted to literally die. All we’ve ever wanted for this poor girl was for her to have a happy ending and she got it!!! This show does a good job at not falling into any bullshit tropes lmfao.

If you didn’t want some cheesy happy ending why the hell are you watching this show? It has been cheesy and bs since the beginning “weirdos have to stick together” like this show is CRINGEY!!! It always has been!!! It’s a Disney cartoon what did you expect!!! Very rarely does a Disney cartoon not have a happy ending honestly amphibia is the only one I can think of that wasn’t completely happy (correct me if I’m wrong???)

The fact people even wanted hunter to go through even more trauma by watching his uncle die???

Like god what is wrong with you. LEAVE MY KIDS OUT OF IT!!!! UR FUCKING WEIRD!!!

For real like I’ll never understand Belos Stan’s because truly they are the only people with this kind of criticism and it’s genuinely so weird you’d want characters, KIDS, that suffered enough to go through even more trauma because you wanted more for your fav who doesn’t even deserve it anyway. Lol. Like “wanted him to suffer more” since when is putting villains through misery any better .. Luz does not forgive Belos but she’s not gonna freakin torture the guy, she’s wants him gone as fast as possible and she isn’t wrong for that. She provided justice for all those that he hurt.

Again idc if you like him, I like him to an extent. But again, you’re weird for wanting the abuser to have a proper way out (something he wanted, something that’s taking mercy upon him and feeds into his delusion) and wanting the abused kids to suffer even more irreversible trauma.

Yes I have my own personal criticisms, I don’t think the way he went out was bad but they did nothing with Caleb and all the others. Not even a moment where they watch Belos die. Just feels like they added that in ep 2 for nothing.

But the whole Luz and hunter didn’t lose enough bs? You’re out of your fucking mind.

[artdagz]

Hey, another Leo escaped the prison dimension differently fanfic.

Don't know if I'll ever be able to finish anything again, but I still want to share this.

Fair warning: it is angst, last chance, injuries and some humor. If you see any more things let me know.

I neither have a name for this yet, nor do I want to post the working title since it's a bit of a spoiler. Let's call it:

‐--------

Leonardo the Blue turtle - intro

Leonardo couldn't take it anymore, realistically he knew,  He couldn't expect his brother's to break the laws of physics and save him from another dimension.

 Still his broken mind and shattered body would not accept the fact he had probably been trapped here for days. 

The krang had beaten him up good but faced with the choice to end him the monster did decide not to. Not out of mercy, leonardo was sure. 

The turtles shell was broken as were his legs and one arm,  but he was still breathing and defying death,  cause yeah not gonna make it that easy.

He never did anything the easy way, never seemed to learn, so why would he now?

In a better world his brothers probably already saved him and he could complain about the fact they ended up in jersey, but right now he didn't see that happening. 

Looking at the photo he was still clutching in his less injured hand he was hit with a wave of melancholy,  the sort that came with the idea of "at least they're save now." Before he sighed and pushed it down. 

He had been throwing himself a pity party long enough. Had been waiting for his brothers to save him long enough. 

They couldn't blame him anymore if he waited long enough and decided to try to break himself free or die trying. 

Which, honestly, both sounded better than to keep on rotting and wallowing in self pity,  since death also seemed too busy to get him in the next decade or so. 

So either Leo got out or death would be forced to reschedule for him.  Leo refused to Die out of boredom and pain, thank you very much. 

Looking over to where he had spotted his sword had ended up, Leo looked around one more time. If krang was still lurking somewhere, he didn't hear or see him. 

Sucker would probably wait for him to crawl over to his sword before tearing him a new one anyway, plus Leo wasn't gonna wait anymore. 

Stashing away the photo Leo began to crawl over to his sword using mostly one arm and the parts of his limbs that weren't broken. 

He had managed to splint his legs with his sword sheaths but it was a temporary job anyways and in a few moments this probably wouldn't matter anymore anyway, cause he intended to really give it everything he got. 

He was the portal guy,  so technically this should get him out of here,  right?

Nevermind. 

He was feeling eyes on him now,  but he wasn't squashed in the dirt yet so let the krang get some entertainment out of this,  Leo didn't care. Sounds of agony he released weren't only for show, simply more exaggerated than probably necessary,  cause the real agony for Leo was waiting or the idea he wouldn't get back to his brothers. 

But let the krang think he wants his sword for self protection or to soothe himself or some bull. Leo had been hyping himself up and gathering energy as long as his patience would let him and as soon as he could touch his sword he was out of here, one way or another. 

Taking a small break to breathe Leo briefly wondered if he'll end up with his ancestors if it didn't work and if they would scold him. 

Thinking back to granny karai, he didn't hate the idea seeing her again. 

Still he grit his teeth, eyes on the prize he pushed on. 

The "eyes" He felt boring into him brought on an uncomfortable tense atmosphere and he didn't want to wait for krang to lose his patience. 

Feeling a shift in his surroundings he swore he felt the moment the krang leapt towards him.  Taking one last leap himself he channeled all his energy into his sword at first touch.  The effort and closeness of krang making him give off one last scream as he felt himself disintegrate. 

The painful feeling of being taken apart not overshadowing the smug satisfaction he had as he could still see krang grabbing onto nothing as he faded out of this dimension. 

Leo shot the raging krang one last smug grin before being gone. 

In reality the time that passed while he faded was probably just a split second but Leo swears he could observe the krang trying to grab him just mere milliseconds before Leo reached his sword and got away in slow motion. This was most likely just the adrenaline and his senses being sent into overdrive just to be able to live out his potential last moments as much as he could. Now Leo couldn't deny the satisfaction of having gotten away, the outcome be damned. The krang did not get to control Leos life,  death or emotions anymore. Screw you, spit out bubblegum face. 

Even still,  a small part of the sliders brain couldn't help but wonder what would be next as soon as that all consuming white would be gone. 

Huh,  he'll just have to wait and see. 

With that thought the white light overtook all his senses and with the feeling of his body completely lost he gave in. 

[wack-ashimself]

'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story' may be one of the best parody movies ever. So much so, Weird Al may be known more for this movie than his music career.

I am trying to make this as spoiler free as possible, because it goes EVERYWHERE, but...god damn. I was laughing at...the weirdest times. He made a movie about himself that...never happened. But here's my favs. SPOILERS still tho.

1-The news interrupting a presidential speech for weird al having a TMZ type incident. They would probably not even do that for the queen, may god have absolutely no mercy on her soul. But for WEIRD AL? THAT'S hilarious.

2-The movie being narrated by one guy, weird al played by 3 different actors thru his life, weird al voice dubbed every singing scene, then weird al played a record producer in the movie AND showed himself in the old videos of his songs? It's like meta to the 7th power.

3-It went off the deep end in the 3rd act, but as I said on a previous post, if they were gonna do a parody of the innocent guy who made parodies...you go all out. Just...him killing Pablo Escobar? NOT on my checklist of things I expected to see. Both WTF and 'haha. okay. Whatever. Roll with it.'

4-The running joke of them never knowing what they made at his dad's factory (YOU NEVER FIND OUT). It seems like a joke, but to me it goes deeper on the whole (cuz his dad saw someone die, and personally lost a hand at the job) how we will do mindless, pointless, dangerous jobs, have little to nothing to show for it, and never question if what we are doing has any true value or meaningful impact on the world.

5-Weird Al originally coming up with eat it (and later on Amish paradise), michael jackson parodies weird al's song, and then the world sees al as...bigger than any star in all of human history (they do a scene where every song on the radio is him. That would freak me out). I think that's why we love this movie's shoot for the moon: we all know weird al in real life is a funny, smart, sweet, humble guy who...probably isn't even that rich, honestly. So...make him a stupid rich egotistical mega star, and see how that would play out? I mean, the shit in his mansion alone stroking his ego was so cheesily done, you almost would hate any celeb that could get close to it in real life. It's...tasteless. No one has a bust of their own head that...isn't from Rome.

I found this movie perfect because it was NOT perfect. There was many cheap laughs, mean attitudes for nothing but someone to provoke the others, and so many 'there is no fucking way that got close to happening' bull shit scenes, it was a mess story line wise. It was...weird al's fever dream of what his life could have been. BUT knowing weird al wrote it, helped craft it, and NONE of it as it is portrayed <at all> basically happened made it a wild ride of just...fun. You have to like weird al, know his past, and his sense of humor, but if you got all those 3, you'll love this movie. It's clearly his baby.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story: One of the few times IMDB gave it a fair score. 7.2. I would say 7.4.

ps-fav part? The ending. I mean, it wasn't the funniest nor had the best lines (there were some fucking amazing one liners in this movie) but....I stayed in the credits, writing this whole thing, JUST in case they did a mid/post credits scene. They did. It was art. MEGA SPOILERS.

Madonna is now a world renown scarred drug lord, visiting weird al's grave (she had him killed: told you it goes fucking bonkers) and, like the famous ending of the original carrie, his hand comes out from the grave and grabs her. I am sorry, but there's SO much to unpack there, it...ya gotta watch it to understand HOW THE FUCK this movie got to where it did. They basically just said 'we're gonna...do whatever we want, whenever we want, and figure out later how to tie it together later.' And somebody wrote a check. lol I've seen a lot of bad movies; this ain't one of them. It's...different....and to be on the nose: weird.

[apiratecalledav]

Quick note: I’m not back; I’ve got too much to deal with but I figured it’s only fair I post my thoughts about Stranger Things 4 volume II since I shared part one. I also might have a couple of jokes/shit posts to make if I can summon the energy in the next few days. 

Anyway—

Whew 😅 What a ride. Overall, an incredibly epic finale for a mostly spectacular season. But. Well…  shit happens, doesn’t it? And crappy, forced love triangles are the worst. Spoilers, obviously.

The Good

First of all: Eddie. Eddie. EDDIE.  

 I originally thought he was going to play a song to save Nancy from Vecna. But when the longer volume ii trailer made it clear that Nancy’s capture was only temporary, I thought for sure he’d play Master of Puppets aka the original title of episode nine. I was soo hyped. Then when the episode dropped and they changed the title, I thought there must have been a last minute issue with the rights or something and I was bummed. When it started playing, I nearly levitated with excitement. “This is for you, Chrissy.” 🥺 I also love that he and Dustin got to have a moment afterwards to just fanboy together. 

When he cut the sheets down and stayed in the Upside Down after Dustin was safe, I had Finnick flashbacks from The Hunger Games. Glad he got to have a proper fight scene and final words. I really would have lost it if he just got engulfed by monsters and vanished.

I knew he was gonna die but honestly, I thought they’d try to soften the blow/make it a little lighter by having Eddie sacrifice himself for Steve and crack a few self deprecating jokes along the way. But when he told Dustin to “never change” I said, “Oh, no” out loud. I knew then they weren’t going to show mercy so I did my best to prepare myself. It was beautifully done and I got teary eyed, especially when When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die started playing. But Dustin talking to Eddie’s uncle made me sob. I was not expecting any of that. Ugliest of ugly cries, okay?

Bonus points for a truly heartfelt, non-joking exchange of platonic “I love yous” between two young men. 

I definitely understand why some are angry that Eddie’s name wasn’t cleared but tragedy is part of his character… And there’s also a really powerful message— Eddie did things his way and he did them for himself and the people he loved. He found what made him happy and didn’t care what anyone else thought.  He never once succumbed to “might as well be bad since everyone already assumes it anyway.” He never stopped reaching out to lost sheep. Not to get all evangelical or anything, but Eddie was a true shepherd of the Lord; despite being branded as a devil, Eddie was more righteous than his “godly” neighbors, many of whom were more concerned about appearances than actual good. Eddie saved Dustin, did what he could to avenge Chrissy, and was metal AF until the end. That’s what was important to him, not what a bunch of strangers thought. I know that he and Chrissy are at their picnic table in the sky, living their best afterlives while they wait for Uncle Wayne and the rest of Hellfire. That’s what matters.

The world would be a better place if we were all a little more like Eddie Munson. And music would be better.

And if Hawkins is really getting introduced to Upside Down monsters and whatnot, there’s still hope for Eddie to get the recognition he deserves… fingers crossed. 

——

I was expecting the body count to be higher… thought Argyle might have to go to give Jonathan and Nancy some more shared trauma. Or Dmitri would die with his son thinking he was a traitor or maybe Murray would volunteer to be a decoy or something. But I’m glad they kept it lower. I think— especially in this show— it’s more effective to have only one really heartbreaking death at a time rather than a slew of moderately sad ones. 

———

Once again: Max. Lucas. Lumax. 😭 I’ve been trash for these two since day one but this season went above and beyond a billion times over. 

Lucas asking Max if he was in her happiest memory. And the season two throwback. “Presumptuous.”

Widdle Max at the skate park was too cute for words!

Max’s selfless bravery while Lucas tried so hard to come up with an alternative.

Passing notes. The movie date drawing.  The scene. You know what I’m talking about. All the awards for Sadie and Caleb. All. Of. Them.

The parallel to season 1 with Sarah dying and Hopper reviving Will with Eddie dying and El reviving  Max while When It’s Cold played. BRB once I salvage my heart after it went through this cheese grater.

Like with Joyce and Hopper, Lucas and Max have a date they need to get to. Surely a good sign.

—-—-

Music in general was especially great in these last two episodes. Separate Ways!  Erica, Lucas, and Max stepping off the RV with each “you” in the song was so good. The versions of Dream a Little Dream of Me at the Snow Ball will haunt me forever. Running Up That Hill was incredible once again. I love that it was originally Max centered but it extended to the rest of the characters. 

It’s a perfect foil to Vecna— his army is all one because they’re his puppets, while our heroes are one unit because they love each other and care about others.  

——

Steve 

Him wanting a big family to go on road trips with. 🥹  He’s really the only one without any siblings besides Dustin (who has a very loving mother plus several pets). I’ve long headcanoned Steve as a lonely-ish latchkey kid and finding out that he grew up wanting a bunch of little ones someday hit me right in the feels. 

His friendship with Robin has somehow reached new heights of adorable. The way he was just so happy for her and Vickie... Precious. 

Glad he’s rabies/infection free and his face was spared for once.

——

Robin’s character was a little wobbly for me this season but at the end of the day, I was happy. I loved her talk with Steve; I’d been missing their friendship after 4x02. Her hand on his back after Jonathan and Nancy reunited was subtle but so sweet. Robin and Vickie were very cute together. Plus, their ship name is Rockie (edited, eff you autocorrect). How awesome is that?? 

—-

A proper Will/Jonathan/Joyce hug. I always felt like there’s a rule somewhere that only two Byers are allowed to be emotional together at a time and it’s been a huge pet peeve of mine.

—-

Will!! I thought I heard somewhere that he filmed a scene with a harness so I was worried Vecna would try something. Glad he got a (at least supernatural) break this season.

His speech to Mike and the painting. Maybe a little cheesy but in a good, very ‘80s movie way. 

His love for El. That hug was exactly what I needed between the two of them. 

I know how badly this situation hurts him and I’m so proud of him for how he’s handling it. Plenty of grown-ass adults could learn a thing or two from Will. 

———

Jonathan back in Big Bro mode.  That scene was so sweet. I really like that Jonathan didn’t push Will to share or try to pry. Just said exactly what Will needed to hear. 

———

Speaking of siblings, Erica and Lucas were so adorable. The spear scene. The way she tried to save him from Jason even though she’s tiny and middle schooly. How she won’t leave his side at the hospital. 

———

Mike and El. My emotions. The pizza box goggles/ “try before you deny bit” was so cute. I had high expectations for his first “I love you” and damn, did they deliver. 

———-

El and Hopper reuniting. It really got to me. But my grandfather passed away almost a year ago, so when I watched it again with my mom, we both lost it ( but in a really good way)

———

Murray with that flamethrower was badass as fuck and kinda hilarious at the same time. I loved it.

———-

I think they did a great job balancing the darker stuff with comic relief in these last two episodes. Some of it felt forced earlier in the season to me. 

——

Joyce and Hopper finally kissed! 🎉 

Breadsticks and lasagna! 

—-

It wasn’t quite what I wanted, but overall, I’d say I like what they did with Brenner. They humanized him enough to make him interesting but they didn’t try to brush all his shit under the rug. It was a good mix of El caring about him— and in a way that said more about El than him— but not forgiving him or excusing him either. 

———-

Dmitri and Yuri’s scene was unexpected and really nice. I saw a few people saying it was too easy but c’mon. This wasn’t “hey, you remember what it’s like to be good. So stop being a dick.” It was “holy shit, literal monsters are going to literally EAT! US! ALL! This so not the time to be a douche.”

———-

Jason was… interesting. I guess I like that that he didn’t totally fall into the usual tropes. He was neither entirely “well meaning but misguided” or purely “he who hunts monsters...” When he went full asshole on Nancy, I thought he was totally over the edge. But then he seemed genuinely concerned for Max. I liked seeing that bit of humanity still there, even though he ultimately couldn’t reach into it enough to see the light. While horrific, I like the way his death symbolized the way he’d been torn apart by Upside Down-ness.  

His death made me realize I have an inner momma bear. I had felt very bad for him— his girlfriend and one of his besties died in such horrible, unholy ways. That’d mess anyone up. But once I got over the shock of how he died, I was just kinda like, “Yeah, let that be a lesson to anyone who lays a hand on my babies.” 

——-

I really liked having a brief break between episodes. I think Eddie struck more of a chord with me than Barb, Bob, and Alexei because I got to know him for longer than a day or two. 

———-

Doctor Owens. First of all: What a BAMF. Standing up to Brenner for El, trying to protect her from Sullivan. I really like that he strives to balance his teleological, “greater good” mindset with sensitivity and consideration.  He wants El to be his teammate rather than a mere means to an end— a lab rat or a weapon.

———

The Mind Flayer. Yessss. I got chills and said holy shit out loud when young Henry drew it.

———

Flambé. And Nancy blowing Vecna out the window. Epic.

———-

Sometimes, you gotta wholeheartedly embrace the tropes outright. And Hopper literally slaying the monster with a sword was fantastic.

———-

Karen telling Mike he couldn’t have any more vacations or go to college. Haha.

———-

Jonathan and Nancy’s reunion. Still not happy about all the messiness but “kiss on the forehead” is my favorite. 🥰

——-

Mike and Hopper being on good terms again. 

———

Are Hopper and Joyce and the kids just gonna live off the grid at the cabin? I’m super excited if that means they stay in Hawkins again. 

———

Shout out to Jamie Campbell Bower to his commitment to Vecna; spending hours getting covered in prosthetics and locating whatever depths of hell he pulled his Vecna voice out of. It adds so much to the character that we can see Henry/One in Vecna’s eyes and body language.

———

I don’t usually like when “all hell breaks loose” and the secret stuff gets out in the open. However, I think this show can pull it off… 

——-

I feel a little more confident that this show isn’t actually going to hurl itself down the fan service cliff. 😅

The Bad

This really isn’t anyone’s fault but one reason why I love Steve so much is because he reminds me sooo much of my brother. However, in the last couple of years, Joe Keery at certain angles (especially his eyes) has started to remind me of my husband. Steve’s battle clothes were a lot closer to my husband’s style than Steve’s usual outfits which REALLY amplified it.  So yeah, shit got distractingly weird for me a few times and I definitely could have lived the rest of my life without knowing what it’d look like if my husband and brother had a Freaky Friday thing. Haha.

———

I REALLY wanna know what the hell exactly has Mike told his parents about El. Is it some version of the “official” story? That Hopper had an affair when he was married and El is his daughter and she was visiting him in secret when Mike stumbled on her in the woods and fell hopelessly in love with her? Something else? Have his parents met El? Why is this curiosity door to potential comedic gold still closed? Picture El and Ted having a blank faced staring contest.

That reminds me… No cameo from Mr. Clark. 🙁

——-

Is Doctor Owens okay??? Is he still handcuffed to a pole in the desert?

———

Um, I don’t like how blatantly cliffhangery the ending is. There has always been an unsettling element to the endings but there was enough peace/closure that the hiatuses were more bearable. We’re looking at fall of ‘23 at the most outrageously optimistic earliest and I dunno… just feels a bit shitty. It’s not like they needed to fish for renewal…

———

Definitely sad we didn’t see a Hopper/Byers family group hug. I also wanted El to call Hopper “dad.”

———-

Eddie’s death did feel a little stand-in-ish for Steve. I don’t know if they were just piggybacking (see what I did there?) on his bond with Dustin or if they were just trolling, or if it’s a hint that maybe they did wanna kill him off and Netflix said no. Well, just in case, I’d like to thank all the millions of people who’ve canceled their Netflix subscriptions in the last couple of years. You might have saved Steve.

———-

I have a lot of feelings about the state Max is left in. I mean, I really, really don’t want this show to get too dark and given the way her journey has been a metaphor for depression, I feel like it’s extremely fucked up— borderline irresponsible— if she doesn’t come back from this. And I am fairly confident that she and Lucas will have their movie night. But I also feel like if they’re going to prolong the ambiguity of her fate in this way, there should be some kind of long term  consequences?   

——-

It felt kinda lazy not to have more downtime between the earthquake and the shit storm. A convenient way to avoid Nancy and Jonathan having a good talk and Max’s prognosis for sure. 

The Ugly The Absolute Shit-Hideous

Same song as part one but different verse:

Why, oh, why are they prolonging this bullshit love triangle? Yes, there was a recurring theme of mirroring season one and it could have been decent-ish. But this was just crap. Incredibly lazy, contrived crap. I’m torn between thinking they really do need to fix it next season and hoping that the (from what I can tell) generally negative reception will make them drop it.

Having Steve confess his feelings started to tip me into despair— he hadn’t really done anything “wrong” this season in that regard until that moment. But then just as quickly, I started seeing light at the end of the tunnel:

Robin interrupted S/N having a moment with “looks like we weren’t going the wrong way after all” 

Nancy donating yet more old things from her pre-Upside Down life… including Mr. Rabbit who’ll “be more loved in a new home.” My mom and I affectionately call Steve “harebrain” sometimes (both for “hair” and because Hare-rington) so that rabbity connection jumped out at us.

Then the way she looked at Jonathan when he reappeared. Like Steve didn’t even exist anymore. Which Steve definitely noticed and was pretty damn brutal. Are we really supposed to pretend that anyone thinks that kinda thing is shippable?   **Or that Nancy could be happy with a small army of children and most likely no career??? Or how clearly Steve wants someone to laugh at dumb muppet jokes with him (and Robin and Vickie.) I don’t see Nancy completing that adorkable foursome any more than I see her signing up for more than one or two babies. 

After Robin and Vickie had their moment, I kept waiting for one of Vickie’s friends to appear next to Steve and throw out there that she’s glad Vickie and Dan broke up because he always reminded her of Big Bird or something but nooo. Then they had to have Jonathan and Nancy once again avoid their problems.

All three of them traumatized as hell, plus we really only see them in life or death situations and that is the only reason I can give them a pass. In normal circumstances, they’d be kinda assholey.

I get that writing established couples sucks but there are so many more original paths to take. I also get that executive meddling is a thing and maybe they’re the ones pushing this crap. But in that case, you take pride in your work and respect your audience and your characters and you at least strive to make it understandable/believable. You do not do… this. 

The worst part about this whole storyline is that it doesn’t feel like they even care enough about it to waste even the slightest bit of brain power on it.

Like, why couldn’t Jonathan and Nancy have agreed at Christmas to “hit pause” and then reevaluate when they reunited at spring break? It would have made way more sense that Jonathan going MIA freaked her out so much. 

Or at the very least, couldn’t Steve and Nancy have a scene together before the trailer park so this shit didn’t feel so out of left field? She could have run into him while he was picking Robin up from school. Steve could have asked about Jonathan and Nancy could have admitted that things were rocky and Steve coulda told her how if she can help him learn to “crawl forward,” she can surely help Jonathan fly.  Or she could have opened up about how afraid she is to leave home next year.

Something.

Instead, they  just took advantage of the fact that Jonathan’s life was really painful even before/without monsters and hell dimensions, Nancy has a history of bottling things up until she bursts, and Steve has a fantastic “puppy that’s just been kicked” expression.

It also seemed like they knew it was kinda icky for Nancy to have all these moments with Steve so they tried too hard to make her perfect in every other way, and it frequently came at the expense of other characters (especially Robin becoming a “super klutz” after an entire season of playing it cool).

 Ah, fuck it, I’ll just come right out with it: Lucas should have been the one Vecna chose to deliver the message to El. For multiple reasons: revenge for taking Max back from the curse, he’s not only closer to El than Nancy is, it highlights how much their friendship has grown since the initial strained days in season one; it’s so fitting with Running Up that Hill and asking God to trade places with someone else in order to better understand them. 😭😭 

TL;DR

I mostly loved it. This is by far the most emotional experience I’ve had with Stranger Things, and in fact, any show in a good two or three years. There were a few surprises and most of them were pleasant ones. They’ve continued with their trend of taking familiar tropes and adding unique twists.  But I dislike how much they left unresolved before a very long hiatus. Also, love triangles are still garbage, especially when they crap all over multiple characters and eat up screen time that could have gone to more interesting possibilities.

[littlesniggy]

Prisoner

I started with Whole Cake Arc a little while ago and I must say I kinda like the Vinsmoke brothers (except their dad. Asshole). So here is a little something for my fellow Ichiji and Niji hoes.

Warning: 18+, nsfw, smut, prisoner, dubcon, voyeurism, degrading, name calling, violence

Word count: 2.5k

Your shoulders and neck were aching, your feet barely scraping over the cold ground beneath you. Your wrists were chained to the ceiling above you, leaving you in a more than uncomfortable position. You’ve been left like this for at least four days now, only occasionally getting food and water. The cell reeked of feces, stinging in your nose. But there was nothing you could do about it. Unless they decided to either kill you or let you go you had to deal with it.

Dark bruises decorated your naked body, your lip was swollen and bloody, and you were sure one of them had broken one of your ribs or at least injured it badly cause it was hurting like a bitch. You were glad you haven’t caught a cold yet due to the low temperature down here. But maybe it would be for the best if you got sick and maybe died due to it – though you knew they’d never let you die until they got the information they wanted.

You heard footsteps – at least two people – and your body tensed up. Usually, when there was only one pair of footsteps to be heard you knew one of the servants was coming down; but more than one pair meant theywere coming down for a visit, as they liked to call it.

“Wow! How can one person be so disgusting?!” you heard them before you saw them. “Ignore the smell. That’s just what low lives smell like.” You clenched your jaw but stayed silent. When they appeared from around the corner your eyes never left them like a lion stalking its prey – though you were the prey.

You saw Niji’s huge grin plastered on his face and Ichiji’s arrogant smirk. God, how you hated them! You grimaced at them in disdain, making them laugh at you. “Why do you look at us like this? You should be thanking us for keeping you alive.” The older brother mocked you and opened the cell door before entering, closely followed by his brother. The chains around your wrists rattled when you tried to bring your hands down out of instinct, trying to cover yourself.

“Fuck off!” you hissed, spitting in the red-haired face. Ichiji stopped dead in his tracks. He lifted his hand to his face, wiping away your spit with the back of his hand. Even though the cell was barely lit you could see a vein popping on his forehead. The punch to your stomach didn’t come unexpected but you had no means to defend yourself against it. “How dare you spit in a princes’ face, scum?” He wiped the back of his hand on your face, smearing your spit on your cheek. Your body was slightly hunched over, not being able to curl yourself up all the way. You spit out a little bit of bile that was forced out of your stomach by his punch, loudly gasping for air.

Niji emerged from behind his brother, grin still on his face. “And here we came to see if you’ve changed your mind. But apparently not.” He chuckled, punching your side with full force. Your body was dangling over the ground, your eyes went black for a moment before more pain shot through your body. “Fucker!” you hissed, glaring at the younger brother which made him laugh once more. “Such a dirty mouth.” Another punch by Niji, followed by one from Ichiji. You groaned in pain, head thrown back, eyes closed and one tear running down your face.

“How long do you wanna keep this act up, scum? You love the pain that much?” Ichiji grabbed your chin and yanked your head back down, facing him. You bit your lip, eyes glaring at him, wishing he’d just go up in flames and die. “You should’ve just told us then.” “Screw you!” you wanted to spit in his face again but this time he was faster, pressing his big hand in front of your mouth and nose, taking your ability to breathe. You tried to move away but your restraints wouldn’t let you. The lack of oxygen made your head feel dizzy. Ichiji was watching you fight for your life, the smirk never leaving his face.

Your legs kicked at the prince in front of you but he didn’t seem to mind, your kicks too weak to actually hurt him. “Do you want me to let you breathe again, little vermin?” your voice was muffled against his palm. “What was that?” Niji laughed, punching you again. Your eyes were closed in pain, your lungs desperately trying to take in the much needed air to no avail. Ichiji’s look never left your face and you knew you had to make a decision – live and humiliate yourself or die or at least pass out. Your mind screamed to not give in and die but your body was not convinced and so your mouth answered on their own. “He hoo!” you tried to say in hopes he understood you. Your eyes were turning red and you panicked. Your body squirmed, legs kicking even more than before and you repeatedly tried tell him to let go.

The two brothers obviously enjoyed your little ‘show’ and finally Ichiji showed mercy and pulled away his hand. You took in a deep breath, eyes wide open. You started coughing violently but were glad you could breathe again. “Pathetic. That’s what low-class citizens look like.” You didn’t seem them move but suddenly your chains were loosened and you fell to the ground, right into your own feces. You pulled your arms to your chest slowly, easing the tension in your shoulders and neck. You looked up but only found Niji in front of you. But behind you Ichiji started talking.

“Like a pig wallowing in its own feces. Disgusting.” He stepped closer until he stood right behind you. “Get up. We’re gonna have you cleaned.” He said and you looked at him in confusion. “What?” you asked in disbelief but promptly got kicked in your face, head clashing with the dirty floor. Your vision was blurry and you had to blink to get them focused again. “He said get up!” Niji reprimanded you, hands on his hips like a parent scolding their child. “Don’t rush her, Niji. Scum always takes a while to understand what royalty wants from them.” Ichiji chuckled. You suppressed the urge to talk back and just got slowly up instead. Your legs were shaky but you managed to support your weight and not fall to the ground again.

It was humiliating, to say the least, to walk through the castle naked and you kept your head low the whole time. When you entered a bathroom you lifted your gaze for the first time and looked around. It was a bathroom indeed, you were surprised. Honestly, you expected anything but a bathroom. Niji pushed you forward roughly and you stumbled against the opposite wall where the shower was. Ichiji closed the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed in front of his chest.

“What are you waiting for? Get clean.” He demanded. You looked from one brother to the other, confused. Weren’t they gonna leave? But you needn’t to ask because if they actually planned on letting you shower on your own they would’ve left by now. Reluctantly, you turned on the water and jumped to the side. It was cold but slowly turned warm. The warm water felt good on your sore muscles and bruised skin and you closed your eyes, forgetting the two princes for a moment.

“Turn around.” You heard Ichiji ordering. You swallowed hard but obeyed, turning towards them but not making eye contact. You felt their eyes wandering your body and it made you feel uncomfortable. The dirt on your body was soon washed away and your skin was clean again. “Almost looks like a human.” You heard Niji snicker. “C’mon! Wash your body!” he yelled amused. Your face turned red of anger and embarrassment but you followed this order as well. You grabbed the body wash, poured some in your palm and started to let your hands wander your body.

Immediately, the air around you changed and you stopped in your movements. You looked at them and a cold shiver ran down your spine. You couldn’t see their eyes but you were sure they were watching your every move hungrily like a starved animal. “Keep going.” Ichiji said with a calm voice but the aura around him was making you want to flee. Niji was no different. You didn’t dare look down to their private area cause you knewwhat would await you. “Did I stutter? I said keep going!” Ichiji sounded impatient and your hands started moving again; over your arms, over your breasts, over your stomach, and finally your legs.

The water washed away the soap and you hoped this would be the end. Oh, how wrong you were. “Wash it again. I think you missed spot.” Ichiji said, Niji’s grin growing wider at his brother’s words. “W-what?” you asked. “Wash you damn body, scum! Or do we need to show you how to do it properly?” Niji yelled, obviously more impatient than his brother.

You grabbed the soap again, letting your hands wander over your body once more. When you wanted to wash it away again, Niji stalked over to you with an angry expression on his face. “Good-for nothing…can’t even clean herself properly.” He said. You stumbled back against the cold wall behind you, your arms stretched out to keep him away from you. Needless to say, it was fruitless.

He pushed your hands aside and grabbed your breasts, massaging them in his palms. You let out a moan but shut your lips tightly afterwards. “See, that’s how you do it.” He laughed, his good mood coming back. His hands moved down to your sides and back up again, his thumbs stroking your nipples. He was definitely a tits man.

Ichiji was still leaning against the door but his curiosity got peaked even more after his brother started fondling your breasts. “Her body consists of more than just her tits. You must clean everything.” The way he said everything made your insides tingle. What was going on? Why was your body enjoying this?

Niji’s hands moved down your sides once again, grabbing your ass and pressing your body against his. Your wet skin pressed against his wet clothes, teasing your sensitive nipples. He massaged your ass roughly. You could peek over his shoulder and saw Ichiji watching the both of you. Your cheeks flushed red and you averted your gaze. “Look at me.” Ichiji demanded and you were surprised but followed his orders. So, while Niji was massaging your ass and rubbing his crotch against yours you were looking at his brother.

Small moans could be heard from you, every time Niji rubbed his clothed crotch against your clit. “You should fuck her, Niji. She seems to be enjoying it.” Niji laughed against your skin, his right hand moving from your ass to the front, unbuckling his belt and opening his pants deftly. “Who wouldn’t enjoy a royal cock?” he purred into your ear. His hand lifted your leg by the thigh, his dick lining up with your entrance. You panicked a little, trying to push him away but he was too strong. “No need to worry, scum. It’s a royal cock after all. You’ll be overwhelmed.” He said before thrusting into your hot core. You clawed at his shoulders; eyes pressed shut tightly. You panted hard, trying to relax but he didn’t give you time to get used to it. He started snapping his hips up, burying himself inside of you over and over again.

“I said look at me!” you heard Ichiji from afar and opened your eyes. He still looked so relaxed, watching you and his brother fuck like it was nothing. Him watching you had you moan in pleasure though. It made you feel all excited to be watched like this while Niji was fucking you in earnest. It felt good; too good. Niji moaned next to your ear, water running down your bodies. You didn’t think when you hoisted yourself up and wrapped your legs around his hips, your arms around his neck. Surprised, he stopped. A hard slap on your wet ass had you moan in pain and pleasure.

“Who told you you could act on your own accord?” he wanted to know but started moving again, apparently not minding it too much. You kept eye contact with the red head, biting your lip or licking away the water. Niji’s rhythm became more frantic and you could also feel your orgasm coming closer. Your moans got louder and you moved against him as good as possible. He grunted and you felt his muscles tense under your grip. Before he came, he pulled out and is cum shot out, mixing with the water on the floor and disappearing in the drain.

He panted heavily and put you down. You protested and tried to get some friction on your clit. You were so close! You wanted to cum as well! Niji looked down at you, a sadistic grin on his face. “You wanna cum, slut?” he asked cockily. “Yes..please….” you answered, hoping he would push you over the edge. Ichiji appeared from behind him and you thought that now was his turn. You bit your lip again, rubbing your thighs together. Your eyes wandered down and saw the bulged in his pants. A gasp left your lips and the tingling inside your belly came back, anticipating his cock.

“Who said you were allowed to cum?” Ichiji’s question caught you off guard. He moved closer, the water now soaking his clothes as well. He took your chin between index finger and thumb and had you look at him. You whimpered, your arousal way too present for your own comfort. He leaned down so you noses were almost touching. “Let’s make a deal…” he started. “You tell us everything you know and in return we make you cum so hard that you will never think about another man’s dick again.” You swallowed at his words, chest heaving. “What do you say?”

As if to empathize his offer even more his other hand moved between your legs and started rubbing against your clit, making you moan. You knew you shouldn’t agree but your mind was clouded by his skillful fingers which were making your knees weak. You whimpered even more, moving your hips against his touch.

“Deal.” You whispered. Ichiji looked content and looked over his shoulder to his brother. “Go get Yonji. He wouldn’t wanna miss what’s about to come.” Niji’s grinned at his brother, not bothering to close his pants before he left to probably het their brother. Ichiji looked at you again, his fingers pressing inside your pussy.

“Then, let’s start. Tell me everything you know. The sooner you do the sooner you’ll get fucked.”

To be continued (?)

[thechekhov]

So glad you decided to play Undertale! I think it would really suit you so I’m so happy you got into it! Could I have your thoughts about the game? I would LOVE to hear them. I’m ALL for long essays and rants, that’s my jam, but even just a small review from you would make me ecstatic!

Alright alright alright alright. 

I am ecstatic that someone asked because I have a lot to say AS ALWAYS. 

I’m gonna try to keep this readable, I swear. Will add pictures in between to keep things interesting. 

However, due to the length this will SURELY achieve, AND due to spoilers (and yes, laugh at me all you want, the game has been out for 5 years) I’ll put this under a cut. Read at your own (f)risk.

Metagaming - the game plays YOU

When I first started Undertale, I ‘knew’ these things:

there’s a stabby one with a knife, their name is chara

there’s a flower everyone hates

something something sans something something

and the last, and perhaps most important thing

you can spare your enemies to avoid killing them

The thing is. The THING IS. 

I did not realize how pervasive this strategy was. My thought at first was ‘okay, so I don’t have to kill EVERYONE.’

I had no idea that the reality was that I didn’t have to kill anyone.

I’m sure many others have already said this, but Undertale kind of changes the way you think about other games. It forces to you examine simply fighting your way through the RPG by introducing completely non-murder-y ways to resolve issues. This conversation-based combat style is not the first of its kind, I’m sure, but it’s also incredibly well done. It ties into the story, it ties into your decisions.

It ties into your decisions SO MUCH that it changes everything else in the outcome.

Undertale is a game well known for breaking the 4th wall. However, it does so in a strangely eerie, heart-wrenchingly real way. It teaches us that there are other solutions to conflicts - and it really... it really TEACHES us, you know?

Which is funny because to be honest, it took me a while to get the lesson.

(You may already be fully aware of this but yes, my first True Neutral Route was extremely organic. I legitimately had no idea that there was even more than one ending. I was just stumbling about er... killing. Out of habit.)

The beauty of this is that the game drives home that point even more effectively because I was fully unaware of my own bias. I had assumed that some enemies would require killing - DESPITE TORIEL SPECIFICALLY TELLING ME TO TALK TO THEM, and the entire Ruins tutorial being about Mercy. I killed the Dummy on accident (granted, it was due to me pressing the key too fast a few times) and didn’t think much of Toriel’s disapproval. I killed a few monsters because I saw my level was low and decided to automatically grind a little bit. 

By the time I got to Toriel, I was still not comfortable with the mechanic. I knew I could Spare her somehow - after all, she was a kind monster, and clearly an important character - but the Spare option didn’t yield promising results the first few times I chose it. I ran out of patience and decided that maybe... maybe it was like pokemon! 

Maybe I had to get her health down to a certain level before she would allow me to pass through.

Funny thing though.... you know what happens if you attack Toriel one too many times? Even if she has most of her health left? 

Yeah uh... it activates that one-hit-KO thing from No Mercy Route.

So of course, what happened? I hit her one too many times... and killed her! And of course, immediately panicked and reset. 

I got back to my previous save, Spared Toriel PROPERLY this time, and walked out of the ruins only to be confronted with my own reliance on the magical ‘redo’ button which was... apparently... not that magical.

Because it WASN’T a clean redo. Flowey apparently remembered. 

The idea that the game would KNOW about my previous attempts beyond the save file snapped me out of my casual Undertale playthrough. I realized that something was up - this game was not going to be like the others.

I think it was from this point on that I tried to be more careful, but again - I still hadn’t quite gotten the memo about not killing. I took down a few monsters around Snowdin. And when I got to Papyrus, I grew frustrated about not being able to beat him (I ended up losing several times and coming back to try again) and went off to grind SOME MORE because I figured that could raise my HP and increase my chances of holding off long enough to Spare him. 

(The incredible thing about this game is that actually, raising your level gives you only a slight advantage. You can be level 1 and carrying no items, and as long as you’re relatively proficient at dodging the bullet hell style projectiles you will have no issues.) 

Anyway, the point is that I realized I could spare the big monsters and did so readily - but I didn’t bother to spare many of the smaller ones. 

I figured it didn’t matter. 

And then I successfully evaded Undyne, gave her a cup of water, etc... and then went to her house to meet Papyrus, fully expecting her to befriend me anyway. 

And you know what happened?

“She said she won’t hang out with a murderer.“

I think that probably hit me the hardest at that point in the game. 

I had a bit ‘....oh’ moment at that point because I realized that the game would punish me for killing even the ‘not-important’ civilians of the Underground. It wasn’t about just sparing the ‘boss monsters’. My actions had consequences beyond just the ‘elite’ characters that we all tend to focus on.

Because yes, it made sense. It wasn’t about just Undyne - why WOULD she randomly be my friend after I killed tons of living beings?

From there on, I spared everyone, but didn’t reset. I decided to see how it would unravel.

The thing I want to talk about, which is a little difficult, is that...

It took me that long to learn that kindness was the answer. And that, in itself, ends up being a metaphor. 

It’s difficult to be kind if you have not been show how to be.

It’s difficult to change the way you behave (in a game or out of it) if all you know is using other methods.

It was hard enough to spare Toriel before I realized I had to just be very patient and trust that her attacks wouldn’t hit - though at first I thought she would just kill me! 

It was hard to avoid Papyrus’ attacks and I had to die several times before I successfully got through it. 

It was near impossible to fight Undyne because I legitimately had no idea Fleeing was an option. I struggled for ages at her stage, and I had to ask for help to understand what I could do.

And that’s actually honestly very true to life as well.

Being kind takes risk. Being kind takes effort. And sometimes, being kind means asking others HOW to be kind. 

When you choose to be kind, you risk being hurt, and you risk being trapped (Toriel). When you choose to be kind, you need to expand a lot more energy to succeed (Papyrus). When you choose to be kind, you need to sometimes reach out to others to show you how to properly do it (Undyne).

The rest of the playthrough probably went about as you expect. I completed the game, didn’t kill any Boss Monsters, fought to the end and... got that really unsatisfying Neutral Ending which felt strangely bittersweet. 

And of course, after I was done, I was prompted to go back and do a proper Pacifist Run. Which I did. I learned about the background of Determination, about Chara and Asriel... and about how everything came to be the way it was.

The thing that gets me the most about this game is how it serves as a direct parallel to how we use videogames. In fact, Undertale is a videogame... about videogames. 

Chara appears to be a direct metaphor for the people that use videogames to escape - to cope with whatever happened to them in The Overworld. Bad family life, or bad relationships or whatever we suffer - escapism through games is not, in itself, a new theme. 

Chara arrived in Undertale by dropping themself down a hole in the mountain, perhaps even seeking to end their life. They dropped into a world which offered them comfort and companionship, a new family and a new life - but in the end, their nature was destructive because their means to finding a solution inadvertently used other people as fodder. Asgore, Asriel - they used everyone else to complete their plans. It wasn’t about forming connections - it was about Completing the Quest. 

I wonder - did Chara even HAVE access to a MERCY option? 

Was their world one without the option of sparing someone? Did they only have the choice of acting - and was Mercy in the hands of whoever attacked them? I wonder how difficult it might have been for them. I wonder how that, in itself, shaped their perception of the world. 

I wonder if that’s why, during the No Mercy run, people recognize you as Chara? If they come back and attach themselves to your resonating DETERMINATION?

If this is true, was MERCY perhaps created later, brought into existence once Asriel himself made the choice to NOT fight, to turn back and flee, even after being attacked by humans in the Overworld? 

(It would be a nice parallel to Asgore DESTROYING the Mercy option when you enter the fight with him...)

...

In the end, I think Undertale is about many things, including video games. 

But it’s also hurting - and being hurt. 

It’s about how trauma can shape us, how we deal with feeling grief, and loss, and depression - and not being able to feel anything.

It’s about how we focus on goals and use DETERMINATION to keep going - even when whatever it is that’s driving us no longer has any SOUL. 

It’s about how our action have consequences, but they also carry the weight of a choice, and how powerful those choices are, and how powerless we feel when we aren’t given a choice - not to fight back, nor show mercy. 

I think that’s probably the reason this game resonated with so many people. It really brings something we love about videogames to the forefront - that ability to fight back, to have full and total control of our own lives...

And it also shows us how having that endless loop of repetitive grinding and fighting with zero consequences can lead to an incredible hollowness and make us numb to how we interact with real-life people. 

Anyway. 

Good game. 

[danganfan103]

Ronpa and Friends: Despair Rerun

Only Read if you've read RnF

Well it's time to get on the meat on the bone- bone on the meat- on the meat bone- the meat on bone- the bone on meat- of Ronpa and Friends! (mostly cause it's still uploading so I can actually make predictions) So for a quick synopsis, 5 years after the Thinner Pool incident, an incident that only Felicity Fieldmouse, the sister to Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, believes in, a second killing game is held in a theme park ran by the best character, Monobulb. But that's not all, there's also Toodles, who's much, much nicer! However, he likes Monomi so he's dying 50 times per chapter and saving everyone at the end. Doubt me all you want but I'm telling you that it will happen!

...

I have nothing to say about this besides I'll die of shock if Toodles gets out of this okay. Oh and if Mark isn't the 5th Chapter killer. Actually, I now want to see fanart of Mark in a Chiaki outfit. Can someone make that? I have no artistic talent whatsoever so I obviously can't. Besides, if I was artistically talented, I'd be making Monobulb and Chip fanart. But now, it's time for some spoilers and predictions

Spoilers and Predictions

Hmmm, let's start off with the best place. Where I think each of these character's dies. I'd make a list but I have literally no clue. This is just when I think they might die or as who.

Felicity: I'm about 100% she'll live if we're gonna follow Orange Juice's path. If she does die though, I imagine it'll be at the very end of chapter 6 as a sacrifice as she might be the mastermind but secretly, again, following Hajime's path.

Clarabelle: This is a tricky one. I can see her dying anywhere from Chapter 4-5. I see her making it far but not surviving for some reason. She might make it to Chapter 6 but she is for sure dying then.

Horace: This guy is not surviving. I can honestly see him being like Teruteru and being a twist first killer since it's so... sudden. If he doesn't then, it's something in Chapter 3. Could be a victim or killer, don't know, but I expect him to die then at latest.

Max and Gadget: I'm grouping these two together since I know for a fact that one of these two has to survive while the other perishes. Personally, I'd be heart broken if either of them did but that's another topic. I see them either dying as a Chapter 2 victim or as a sacrifice in Chapter 6. I can't see either of them dying in Chapter 3, 4, or 5. If it was Chapter 2, it'd push the other into a character arc to help while if it was Chapter 6, it'd be a heart breaking to watch the other.

Julius T. Cat: I see him surviving. I just do. I don't believe that he'll die. He seems like a mastermind figure but not the actual mastermind. I see his character arc going that he learns what true friends are to earn his ultimate. If not, Chapter 6 as a sacrifice to show he saw them all as friends.

Huey: HE BETTER LIVE! I mean, I hope he lives. I personally want him as a survivor but if not, he dies in like Chapter 4. He doesn't give me vibes that he'd die earlier but he doesn't feel important enough to be a Chapter 5 death or Chapter 6 sacrifice. I feel like he'll remember his past and then either get killed or kill.

Dewey: Out of all the triplets, I'm most sure he's dying. Huey has his whole past with Gadget and Max while Louie has this redemption arc that could happen. When, is the question. Chapter 2 or 3 is what I feel makes the most sense to me and as likely the killer. I feel like he'd get a motive that break him and cause him to kill someone who he thought was one of his brothers (he would have done it as a mercy kill so if he won, they wouldn't be in a painful execution)

Louie: Even if I want Huey to survive more, Louie has a better chance as he'll likely have a redemption arc of some sort. I think if he did die though, it'd be Chapter 5. He doesn't seem like a sacrifice but I can't see him dying earlier. I can see him as the victim, as following Nagito, but that means he wouldn't have a redemption.

Fethry: Either Chapter 1 killer or Survivor. I see no in between. If he does survive chapter 1, it makes since for him to survive because he'd likely feel guilt for his argument with Scrooge not too long before he died.

Gladstone: I doubt that Gladstone will survive. I see him as the Chapter 1 killer or the Chapter 5 victim. If he died as the first killer, it'd be a reverse of Nagito who everyone thought was the killer but wasn't. But if he doesn't survive, he'll die as the Chapter 5 victim, mirroring Nagitoes. Plus, I feel like it could be an added boost for Fethry through his death.

Magica: Yeah, I have no clue in the slightest. There is no way she's the first killer but I doubt she'd die in Chapter 2, 3, 5, or 6. I see her dying as the chapter 4 kill if anyone. I bet she'd target Huey myself. But that's the only time I can see her dying. Chapter 2 and 3 feel too early but chapter 5 and 6 feel like too important of deaths.

Baloo: Another one I'm uncertain of, he gives off mixed vibes. At one time he feels like a friend but on the other, he feels like an early death. I feel like the in between of this would be as a Chapter 3 victim. I don't see Baloo ever killing anyone. Unless... there was a twist. Specifically if Baloo was the mastermind. Yep, Baloo seems like he could be the mastermind, though I'm still betting on Felicity. I feel like a chapter 3 death would fit him more but the latter does seem possible.

To be continued...

[tillxthexearthxstartsxtoxcrumble]

!!!!!MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS SPOILERS!!!!!

I had mixed feelings honestly. I'm gonna go through what I disliked first just so that I can get the bad stuff out before all the good stuff

1. They made every character besides Wanda so much less powerful than they actually are. I get it, she's insanely powerful, but the many other characters were definitely capable of putting up a bit more of a fight rather than just her casting them aside

2. They did NOT do enough with Doctor Strange.. It was literally his movie and I hardly felt like he was the main character in it. They had evil Strange in a couple trailers but he was hardly a part of it at all and the potential they just missed out on!!! I was expecting him to be the actual one they fight for most of it with Wanda slowly going insane and bringing them to that universe or something.

3. I will cover later how much I loved evil Wanda but there are parts of it I hated. Such as, her having hardly any build up to being a villain. She had the fake garden but that was it. The entire arc was in that movie and it felt rushed. Villain Wanda was so powerful they should've had more of it and that should've been a driving point of the next few movies.

4. Don't get me started on them introducing Charles Xavier, Captain Carter, and all the others just for them to die in 5 minutes. COME ON!!!! Have Wanda have an amazing escape, showing her "mercy" (but to show she's still the villain, HAVE HER DESTROY THE PLACE AND LEAVE THEM DEFENSLESS OF SMTHN)

That's the main bit I didn't like.

Now to what I did like:

1. It was visually one of the most amazing movies they've done (one of.) I loved all the visuals and it was just breathtaking in some scenes.

2. Wanda actually terrified me in some scenes, she was so fucling powerful, and she was mad. I felt genuinely scared when she walked in after they closed that door on her.

3. I loved how they had Strange in this movie. I loved how he interacted with the others and I got way too emotionally invested in him being the father figure to America Chavez.

4. Christine. That is all. Just her. She is the moment. <3

5. I watched it with my s/o and it was so awkward because when Captain Carter came on screen I did not hide that I'm in love with her well. Meaning I actively said it and my s/o found it funny.

6. I cannot stress this enough- EVIL WANDA MY BELOVED. You scared the shit out of me and ily for it <3333

7. America Chavez. I saved this one for last cause she was my favorite part of this movie, honestly. I love her character, her powers are absolutely amazing and I fucking loved how she found a parental figure with Strange and now is gonna find her moms. I already read some comics with her and loved her character (she's actually one of the first comics I ever bought, I was absolutely obsessed with her for a bit there) so I was so excited to see her. I'm so excited to see her in future movies and for her to beat the shit out of some people <3

Overall I really loved it, but I need more of pretty much everything. More of the character's powers, more screen time, more evil strange, more dad strange, more evil Wanda, etc. I will definitely be watching this again!!!

[hollandorks]

When I saw chapter 19 was posted I got up and shut my door. I was like “I need complete privacy.”

Her and Bruce are two sides of the same coin. When she was in the car thinking and she wanted him to leave her because she didn’t care what happened to her. Her thought that “the city is more important than I am.” Honey, you’re sounding a lot like Bruce. Sweetheart, Bruce wants to protect Gotham, but he wants to protect you more. He loves you.

I can’t believe my panicked “are they gonna try to drug him?” thought was right but it makes sense. Also did he just have that gas mask? I like to think that he didn’t, and he had to stop by a store and pick it up. I like to imagine a clerk being like “ahhhhh what?” and kind of scared out of their mind because holy shit it’s Batman, and he’s buying a gas mask.

Them tying her up just for show? Overdramatic theater kids. But I get it. If the drug wore off before Bruce came that wouldn’t be good. Even though they could easily overpower her. So I get tying her to a chair.

Of course the villains monologued. They always do. When they revealed to her that they were gonna have Bruce kill her, my heart dropped. I bet Bruce heard that and was like “I’d die before I’d hurt her.”

The rescue! I love s a rescue! He’s so sweet and tender. I love that she slowly started to regain control of her body, and the first thing she does is to beg Bruce to leave her. To her, she can die. The city doesn’t need her for its wellbeing and safety. It needs him. It needs Bruce. Nothing can happen to him. She’d rather die.

I bet Bruce was crushed hearing that from her. He’s filled with angst about that for sure. Bruce would rather die a million deaths than leave her there. At the mercy of those men. On one hand they need her to get to Bruce. However, they’d probably just cut their losses and figure out a new plan to get to him. Bruce knows this even if the reader doesn’t.

Her driving his rocket car and telling him not to die before she can say “I told you so” and him just being totally confused. The way his scream haunted her when she touched his wound to wake him back up? Chefs kiss.

Also Alfred immediately being surprised to see her jump out of the car. I’m sure he had a million questions. But his Bruce needed immediate attending. I love her and Alfred working together as a team. I hope they do that a lot more.

I can picture the fear on his face when she took off his cowl. For him, this was it. The last moment of tenderness between them. The last time she’d trust him. And she just hits him with an “I told you so.” Classic. That made me smile.

I can’t wait for their next interaction. I bet she’s going to want to try again, and Bruce is desperately going to put his foot down. He never wants to feel that amount of fear again. He’s finding his checkbook, and he’s paying off her debts. He’s going to want to do it so badly, and she’s not gonna let him. I just can’t wait.

I loved chapter 19 and I am so excited for 20! I adore this story. Also I love you too Shelby!

🦇

***CH 19 SPOILERS***

Total focus: love to see it. I too will lock myself away for a good fanfic 😂

Love that you noticed those similarities 🥺 these two idiots just can't seem to realize how similar they are.

And honestly I didn't think about the gas mask part--I assume he had one because he seems almost like a doomsday prepper/ someone who constantly expects the worst. But it's also fucking hilarious to imagine him in his armor and mask at a store 😂

Villain monologues are a key part of action movies/ shows/ books/ etc. I don't make the rules. The villains just have to monologue. I absolutely know Bruce was losing his shit the whole time (she says as if she isn't the writer lol)

Taking a break to say--ugh I just want to spoil things for my own fic!!! It's so hard!!

Anyways, I knew their dynamic would change when she found out his identity and somehow that just became like....banter. So much banter. The I told you so thing was something I just could not resist. So I'm glad it was enjoyed 😂

Ch 20 coming Monday!! And ngl I really like it!

[sendme-2hell]

Ranking the books I read in April

aka just ranting about the books I read in april pls ignore me

1. The Space Between Worlds - Micaiah Johnson 

I cannot believe this book wasn’t nominated for a Hugo! I like the Hugo list (of the books I’ve read) but cmon. This book is like if you combined the social commentary in The City We Became and the queerness of Harrow the Ninth. Seriously this book had everything I wanted: parallel universes, great character development, social commentary, woc sapphic slow burn, satisfying ending. Also I feel like the title is paying homage to W. E. Dubois which is cool. “Between me and the other world, there is ever an unasked question: How does it feel to be a problem?” Like there is just this very cool idea of talking about other worlds as in literally other universes but also different worlds due to social and racial hierarchies. 

2. Plain Bad Heroines - Emily m. Danforth 

Horror, Hollywood, boarding school, everyone is gay, the narrator talks directly to the reader and it is hilarious, copious footnotes, have I mentioned how many sapphics there are? It’s hard to keep track. Plus polyamory. I just really loved this book and I felt it all came together in a way that was worth it. 

3. Steel Crow Saga - Paul Krueger 

This godamn book. I loved this book so much. I was so ready to yell about it on tumblr and tell people to read it. But apparently the author is someone who has harassed a lot of women so...uh...yeah. Nevermind I guess.

 I do want to say it is the most accurate depicition of a Sherlock Holmes superfan that I have ever seen in media. 

4. The Tiger’s Daughter - K. Arsenault Rivera

What if we went on a long trip on horseback and we were both lesbian warriors...jk unless…

Yeah so I loved this book so much. A lot of it is about navigating familial responsibility, fighting literal and metaphorical demons, fighting the patriarchy, fighting your anger, fighting tigers, etc...and yet I kept thinking to myself “this is the most romantic book I have ever read” and honestly I am gonna stick by that. It also has the “you think me a monster so I will become one” trope which is great. It is set in an Asian-based fantasy world and I did read a goodreads review that said it was as accurate to the countries it draws inspiration from as Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse is to the Russian and Scandinavian cultures it takes from. So that’s not great. 

5. Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

Speaking of! A few months ago I tried to read Shadow and Bone in preparation for the tv show and I could not finish it. The writing was...bad. Anyway I really liked Six of Crows and even though, yeah it’s tropey (I’m looking at you, Helnik backstory), there’s a reason those tropes work. Plus you cannot go wrong with a heist. About halfway through I did realize that there are six mcs and three couples so its kinda just like a giant triple date, which really changed how I read the whole story.

I’m very glad I did read it before seeing the tv show because I was able to be appropriately excited for the Crows and catch the Wylan reference and everything, but I also got to see the Alina stuff without having to read about it. 

6. Crooked  Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo 

I think I somehow liked this even more than Six of Crows, but for narrative simplicity I’ll put it after. I really like it when you put people in an impossible situation and see how they figure it out. Especially if they get out in a clever and reasonably possible way that ties together many different plot threads and has a few good fake-outs. This did all of that, and also developed every character in a way I found satisfying (except [redacted] *cry emoji*). 

Kaz pulls a Baru Cormorant with some money stuff and now I wonder if they would be friends. 

I read this after watching the show which was good because I knew who Zoya and Genya were but bad because there is a point where Nina is like “here is how shadow and bone ends.” She’s just talking to Mattias and casually spoiling everything for me. So there goes my dreams of living spoiler free until the end of the show. 

7. The Miseducation of Cameron Post - Emily m Danforth

My expectations for this book were....very different than it turned out, and I’m glad for it. After reading Plain Bad Heroines I shouldn’t have been surprised at how well written it is. I really appreciated how nuanced it is. It doesn’t spell out its ideas or themes and therefore lets you really sit with them. I would rank it higher but I don’t really enjoy reading about high school. 

8. Foundryside - Robert Jackson Bennett

I love a good found family, especially if at the beginning of the book they are on opposing sides. Enemies to friends = best trope! Also it’s sapphic that’s always good. But the best part of this book was the worldbuilding which was so cool. 

9. Malice - Heather Walter

Remember what I was saying about “you think me a monster so I will become one”? This book is the definition of that trope. Women becoming unhinged after being treated like shit, we love to see it! Especially if it’s gay. I do have to say, authors who write duologies where the first book ends on a cliffhanger, I see what you’re doing but yes, I will be preordering the next book. 

10. Fugitive Telemetry - Martha Wells

I don’t have much to say because Murderbot is so consistently excellent.  uh why is it so cathartic when xenophobes disrespect Murderbot and it’s humans step in and shut that shit down. Gets me every single time. 

11. Queen of Coins and Whispers - Helen Corcoran 

This book was like half romance half politics and unfortunately I did not find the politics that interesting or well written. But the romance was A+. It reminded me of Priory of the Orange Tree a LOT. Though significantly less dragons and I’m taking many points off for that. 

12. The First Sister - Linden A. Lewis

I wanted to like this book a little more than I did. There was just maybe too much body horror for me. Interesting characters and world though. There was  a location named Cytherea that they mentioned a lot and it was very distracting. I guess I still have tlt brainrot. 

13. Shorefall - Robert Jackson Bennett 

I think this book was well plotted out but it didn’t quite have my attention like Foundryside did. Also yet another book where a woman’s girlfriend ends up in her head. This time no one had to die so that’s nice. TM and SD take notes! 

14. The Deathless Girls - Kiran Milwood Hargrave 

Ok I LOVED the Mercies by KMH so I was a little disappointed in this Dracula retelling. It got interesting in the last 50 pages, but unfortunately that is not enough for me.

proud of myself for not reading a single straight book this April 

[janetbrown711]

"We'll figure this out" - Yakko

Yakko always knew he had a silver tongue, but he honestly hadn’t expected this. 

Somehow, Yakko had not only convinced King Salazar to spare him and his siblings because they “knew a secret about the Wishing Star”, but he had also convinced the king to make them a full-on feast for them in his dining room. Yakko honestly had no idea the king would fulfill his request but was overjoyed that he did. 

Wakko and Dot hadn’t seen that much food in their whole lives, and were eating like madmen. Yakko was delighted to see how happy it made them, and Yakko knew that even if the king caught them and knew they were using him, it would be worth it anyway. The food was delicious. 

However, the King was getting impatient, but Yakko got quite a kick out of annoying him, and since he couldn’t punch him in the face, he figured annoyance sufficed. 

“Now, tell me,” Salazar demanded, slamming his fist against the table. 

“About what?” Yakko blinked at him innocently. 

“The Wishing Star, you foolish child,” He growled, but Yakko wasn’t afraid. 

“Oh right, that old thing,” Yakko nodded as he took a bite of the ham and kicked his feet onto the table. “Right, yeah, you see, the key to the whole thing is...” Yakko internally panicked as he tried to think. He looked at Salazar, who was a lot more threatening the closer he got to him. 

“You have something on your nose,” Yakko pointed at him. 

“What?” The King sat up and gasped. “Where?” 

Thank goodness the King was a vain egomaniac. 

“Right there,” Yakko pointed. 

The King then sniffled and rubbed nose, asking, “Did I get it?”

“Ehhhhhhh, no,” Yakko shook his head. The King did it again and Wakko and Dot picked up on what he was doing. 

“Did I get it now?” Salazar asked. 

“Ew, no, now it’s over there,” He pointed to the other nostril.

“Ew! Get it off! Get it off!” Wakko and Dot said in unison. Yakko then leaned over to the king. 

“Look- we’re trying to eat here. Could you go to the bathroom to take care of it?” Yakko asked. The King, being the major idiot that he was, nodded and went off to the bathroom. 

“Okay sibs, now’s our chance,” Yakko nodded at Wakko and Dot, who immediately understood and they started to book it down the hallways, holding each other’s hands so as to not lose one another. 

However, they came to a screeching halt when Salazar appeared in front of them. 

“You horrible, horrible children! Who taught you how to behave?!” He shouted at them. 

Was... was this guy serious???

“No one sir,” Dot’s face fell dramatically before she coughed weakly. “You see... we’re orphans,” Dot looked up at the King with puppy dog eyes, and Yakko and Wakko did the same, though they were nowhere near as cute as Dot. 

“Ah, right. Well, everyone has problems,” The King turned his back and Guards took them to the throne room. Yakko pondering annoying him further, begging for him to adopt them, but Yakko would sooner die than say that. After all, it was his fault that their parents were dead, that all of this had happened. Yakko remained silent. 

“Now, are you going to tell me the secrets of the Wishing Star or not?” King Salazar said. 

“Nope! Never,” Wakko stuck his chin up, and Yakko was forced to play along. He still didn’t know what to do, but Wakko’s response wasn’t going to make things easier. 

“Fine, we have ways of making you talk,” The King grinned darkly, and Yakko regretted his actions immediately. 

The King then snapped his fingers and the Warner siblings were dragged off by guards to a dark, filthy, disgusting, and dingy cave that was absolutely freezing and likely full of spiders and other gross things. 

“This blows,” Dot scowled at the area. 

“But it did get us some time. Maybe we can even escape from here,” Wakko suggested, still holding out hope. 

“Yakko, no natural sunlight reaches down here. we’re being illuminated by really old and dusty candles, look,” Yakko pointed up and Wakko saw them. “This is a cave, solid rock. We have to think of a secret and fast.” 

The siblings sat in silence and tried to think, but the cold was distracting, and they all huddled close to preserve body heat. That, and Dot’s cough was only getting worse because of how dust and dirt ridden the cave was, and that was hard to ignore too. Plus Yakko hated spiders and boy were they everywhere. 

Ultimately, Yakko had too much in his mind to think, which only frustrated him more, which made thinking harder, and eventually he just gave up and focused on keeping his siblings warm and close. 

“We’re still together... that’s all that matters,” He thought to himself before yawning. He hadn’t realized how exhausted he was. They had done a lot of journeying in one day, and they’d have to somewhat repeat that if they wanted to go home, and hopefully they could avoid any other near-death experiences on the way back. Yakko had had more than enough already.

They sat there and tried to think for what felt like an eternity, hearing every creepy crawling thing move against the rock floor echo against the walls. Needless to say, it was a pretty miserable time, and they were almost grateful when the guards came and took them out and back to Salazar.  

“So... are you ready to talk yet?” The King smirked as he sat on his throne. 

“Yes, but please-” Dot coughed a little. “-don’t make us go back there!” She begged. Salazar chuckled. 

“We’ll see now,  won’t we?” He said and Yakko once again wanted nothing more than to punch him in his perfect teeth. He glanced at Wakko and it looked like he was having the same thought. 

“Now, tell me the secrets to the wishing star,” He demanded. Yakko gulped. He hadn’t thought of anything, so it looked like he was just gonna have to wing it. 

“It’s uh... not about what you wish it’s about... how you wish it?” He managed to say. Well, that wasn’t a totally terrible lie, and his sibs played along swimmingly, nodding their heads. 

“Really?” The king’s expression softened as he pondered it. 

“Oh yeah,” Yakko said, stepping forward and feining confidence. “You have to be really careful, things are taken so literally these days.”

“You don’t say?” The King stroked his stupid mustache. It was working. 

“Absolutely,” Wakko chimed in. 

“Now tell me, your majesty, what are you considering wishing for?” He said, sitting on the arm of his throne. 

“Well- the top of my wishlist is to own the world,” He said, showing said list to Yakko. 

“Nah, that won’t work. You’ll just get a globe,” Yakko said. “I bet that it’ll be nice, but it won’t be what you want. Try again.”

“Ah, I suppose that won’t do,” He frowned, crossing it off the list. Yakko couldn’t believe this was actually working. The King was such an idiot. 

“How about fame and fortune?” Salazar asked. 

“That’s the name of a popular book series. Try again,” Yakko shook his head. 

“Rats... Oh! I know! I could wish for the King Midas’ touch, where everything I could touch would turn to gold” He snapped his fingers. 

“That includes food, good luck eating a solid gold turkey,” Yakko rolled his eyes. Nobody could be this moronic, right?

The King huffed and leaned on the arm of the throne Yakko wasn’t sitting on. “I never realized this wishing business was so complicated.”

“Tell me about it,” Yakko huffed as well. 

“Oh, I know! How about I wish for youth and beauty?” He jumped up and asked Yakko. 

“That’d be more likely to get you a kid and a black horse than what you actually want,” Yakko shrugged, jumping down and rejoining his sibs on the floor.

“Well let me put it another way then... what about eternal youth?” He asked.

“You want to be a baby forever?” Dot raised an eyebrow. 

“I suppose that’s a good point,” The king went back to thinking, right before standing up. “I know! I’ll wish for a million bucks,” He grinned. 

“You do know bucks is another word for deer right?” Wakko tilted his head. Salazar growled in annoyance. 

“Of course I do!” He said, grabbing his cape dramatically. 

“Oh good, for a moment there I thought you were stupid,” Wakko grinned and Yakko internally facepalmed, fearing his brother had gone too far. 

“That’s it! I’ve had enough with you incessant and dirty little monsters!” The King’s face was red as a tomato now. Apparently, he didn’t take too kindly to being called stupid. Go fig. 

“Captain! Take them away!” He ordered and the Captain of the guard appeared in a flash. 

“And have them executed.” 

“Oh no, not this again,” Yakko panicked. 

“We had a deal!” Wakko stomped his foot. 

“Well, that’s the great part about being king,” Salazar leaned down. 

“I can do whatever I want.”

After that, the guards began to push and shove them with their guns and they were taken far away from the throne room. 

“Yakko- I’m sorry-” Wakko tried to apologize. 

“It isn’t your fault Wak,” Yakko stopped him. He did not want his brother dying on a guilty conscience, that was for him and him alone. 

Soon enough, the three of them were tied to two stalagmites in a different cave room (why on earth were there so many caves in this place?) and Yakko feared this was the end. 

“Sorry to do this kids, but it’s my job, so let’s get this over with,” The captain said, tying a cloth around Yakko’s eyes. Well, at least they had some shred of mercy in their hearts to not make them stare down the guns that would be their end. “Any last requests?” He asked. 

“Yeah, set us free,” Dot said. Yakko snorted a little. 

“No can do, pretty missy. I have my orders,” The captain said, his armor clanking as he shook his head. 

“Pleeeeaasseeeee let us go?” Dot said in her sing-song ‘i’m totally not manipulating you with how cute I am’ voice, and Yakko had no doubt she was using her puppy dog eyes, but alas, he couldn’t see because of the stupid blindfold.

“No way man! Forget it!” He said, though it was clear by his tone he was struggling to resist- Dot’s plan was working. 

“Pwetty pwetty pwease? With whipped cream and a cherry on top?” She upped her game. 

“Whoa, man! You’re working your cuteness on me, man! You’re irresistible cuteness! Stop,” The captain begged, but Dot had no mercy. 

“Pweasy squesy pweasey weasy wheeze?” Dot pleaded more. There was a pause for a moment. 

“Okay okay... fine! You win, man! You and your unspeakable cuteness! Untie them!” The captain ordered and the warners were untied. After they were freed, none of them hesitated to hug each other. 

“Now fire!” The captain said, his head in his arm as he cried (Dot really did a number on him, huh?), and gunshots echoed through the whole castle. 

“However can we thank you, sir?” Dot smiled up at the captain. 

“Don’t! You’re free!” The captain jumped away from her. “Just no more of the cute thing, please,” he begged. “Just go!”

“Wow Dot, I think you may have actually broken him,” Yakko examined the man, before noticing that all the other guards were in agreeance too. 

“I know, it’s a gift,” Dot smirked and flaunted her hair. Yakko rolled his eyes, and grabbed his siblings and they headed out of the castle as fast as their legs could carry them. 

Soon enough, they had managed their way out of the castle and they could see it- The Wishing Star. 

“C’mon sibs, we’re gonna make it,” Yakko said, a smile growing on his face as he ran. However, Dot screeched to a halt as a coughing fit overcame her, and she was forced to stop. 

“I-i can’t make it,” She winced. 

“C’mon Dot, we’re almost there!” Wakko begged. Yakko looked at his brother and they both took one of her arms and started to run again, practically carrying her. 

“We’re almost there, Dot. We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna-”

Yakko heard the sound of a cannon going off and before he knew it, a large explosion threw him and his sibs off of their feet. 

Yakko grumbled, having landed flat on his face. He struggled to get himself off, and he saw Wakko had landed right next to him and was rubbing his head. Yakko then looked over his shoulder and-

No. 

No, no, no, no, no, no, no! 

Behind him was Dot, sprawled out in the snow weakly. She looked hurt- badly hurt. Yakko and Wakko quickly got themselves out of the snow and ran to her. 

God, she looked so small and weak...

“C’mon Dot, please wake up,” Yakko pleaded, placing her head in his lap. She coughed weakly. 

“D-dot? Can you hear me?” Yakko said, his eyes filling up with tears as he rubbed her cheek softly. Dot mumbled and opened her eyes slowly, looking like it took an incredible amount of energy. 

Then, she smiled softly and touched his hand. 

“Tell me the story,” She said softly. Yakko sniffled. 

“Wh-what?” he asked, sharing a nervous, concerned, and confused look with Wakko.

“The story about mom and dad,” Dot said, giggling a little. “Tell me... one last time...” she coughed as it began to snow softly. 

Yakko shook his head as tears fell from his eyes. “N-no. You need to get some rest. W-we’ll take you home a-and y-you’ll be okay. R-right Wakko?” but Wakko was silent as he looked at Dot with tear-filled eyes. 

“Once upon a time...” Dot coughed weakly, “A brave knight married a beautiful princess, and they had two sons,” She said, looking at her brothers weakly. 

“B-but they wanted a daughter too, so they planted a garden...” she said, before coughing more. Yakko closed his eyes and summoned his inner strength once more so he could speak. 

“A-and out of the prettiest flower came..?” he asked.

“Me,” Dot smiled and squeezed his hand that was now on her shoulder.

“And so m-mom and dad took you home, a-and every night at bedtime they’d come in your room and they’d ask you ‘who’s the cutest girl’ and you’d say..?” Yakko was practically whispering. 

“I am,” Dot said, her eyes growing heavier. 

 “And they’d ask ‘how’d you ever get so cute’ and you’d say..?” He scooped her up and held her in his arms, rubbing his head against hers.

“I was born with that way,” Dot said, looking at him in the eyes.

She looked so much like Mom...

“And they’d say, ‘tell us your name,’“ He said, bringing her closer and closing his eyes, willing with all of his might that she’d stay alive. “A-and you’d say?”

“Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the Third,” Dot managed to say. “But you can call me Dot.”

“And they’d ask, ‘can we call you Dotty?’ and you’d say..?” Tears were streaming down his face as he opened his eyes to look at her.

“No,” Dot coughed. “Just Dot. C-call me Dotty a-and you... die...”

Dot went limp in his arms. 

Yakko couldn’t speak. He looked at her up and down, begging for there to be some sign of life. His breathing quickened and he rubbed his face against hers and he sobbed. 

“I can’t afford to lose them, she knows that. She can’t die- she can’t be dead- Sh-she just can’t-”

Yakko continued to sob, a feeling of anguish and pain that took over his entire body and was totally and utterly indescribable and unimaginable to those who had never lost a loved one before. He heard sounds of people talking and shouting behind him, but he didn’t care. 

His little sister had just died in his arms. 

“I-i didn’t mean to! They were just annoying me! Those two and- wait where’s the other one?” King Salazar said, and Yakko realized Wakko wasn’t with him anymore. Yakko watched, dumbfounded and numb as Wakko ran with all of his might to the Wishing Star. 

Everyone was cheering him on, while Yakko couldn’t get himself to say anything, still holding onto Dot. His eyes widened when he saw a cannonball be fired from the King’s Castle, and was aimed right for Wakko. 

“Oh no- please no- I can’t lose him too.”

“Wakko! Watch out-” Yakko had started to shout but there was a large burst of light and everything fell silent. 

Suddenly, Dot sat up. 

“I feel much better now,” Dot said, sitting up. Yakko blinked.

“D-dot???” He stuttered. 

“Hi,” Dot sheeped, embarrassed, but Yakko wrapped her into a hug he was determined never to let go of, sobbing yet again, but this time with relief and joy. 

She was okay.

Which meant...

Yakko stood up, and picked up Dot, before running to their brother, who was standing and facing the star. 

“Nice job Wakko, you’ve done well,” The face of a man in the star said to him. Must’ve been that fairy Wakko had mentioned earlier. 

“The power of the Wishing Star is now yours,” He said. Yakko blinked. 

That meant he hadn’t made his wish yet... He looked at Dot, who was looking away from him. 

Oh he was so going to talk to her about this later. 

“At the sound of the tone, please any wish you desire,” The man continued.

  “Okay.. here it goes,” Wakko said nervously, closing his eyes and focusing really hard. 

Abruptly, the Star began to glow and expand, and Yakko feared his brother might be standing a little too close. A bright burst of light broke through the area and suddenly the star was gone. 

Wakko blinked and looked at his hands before smiling. 

“Not one... but two ha’pennies!” Wakko showed them off. Yakko blinked, before walking over, setting Dot down, and examining the coins. 

“They’re real everybody!” He announced and every citizen of Acme Falls (and even the royal guards) began to cheer and celebrate. 

Wakko then looked up at his older brother nervously. “N-now I know what you’re going to s-say a-and-”

“You made the right wish Wakko,” Yakko put a hand on his brother’s back. “With that money, you’ll be able to pay for her operation and help revive the town,” Yakko said, smiling softly but proudly at his little brother. Wakko sighed a breath of relief. 

“I was so afraid you’d be mad at me- b-but once I saw that Dot wasn’t d-dea... you know, I thought this was second best,” He said. Yakko nodded. 

“Yes, you made the right call, it’s okay Wak,” Yakko said. Wakko nodded and smiled a little, before looking at Dot and hugging her immediately. 

Yakko sighed tiredly, but couldn’t get the stupid smile off of his face. He knew he was going to have to have a long conversation with his sister about the stunt she pulled later, but for now..?

She was alive. 

Wakko was too. 

For a horrible moment, he thought he had lost them, that he was going to be alone a-and...

But he wasn’t. 

They were there, and they were together and they were going to go home. 

Dot was going to get her operation, and everything was going to be okay. 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11

[ae0nx]

FRUITS BASKET S3 EPISODE 8 RECAP AKA THE KYORU CHRONICLES PART 2 (plus a quick recap of eps 3-7)

aaaaaaAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! I gotta get it out of me otherwise I won't be able to concentrate on work and I will be scrolling through the tag till the day I die. Everything from episode 3 of Season 3 literally hit me like an avalanche - literally cos I marathoned 3-7 over the weekend which I wouldn't advise unless you want an accelerated heartbeat - and I'm starting to realise... maybe I just wasn't ready for season 3. Despite asking for it, haha. Not gonna put as many screencaps for this one cos tumblr editing bay be trippin and I just don't have time nor emotional energy to be fighting with the picture uploads, sorry lol

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Episodes 3 - 7

I spoke before about how (despite my feelings about the characters) the English dub VAs for Akito and Shigure pair up really well audibly. And I think I feel the same way about both Yuki and Machi's English VAs! They both have the same soft spoken yet scratchy element to their voices almost like they are holding slightly back. Although, I'd argue that Yuki has been losing the element of slightly holding back as the anime has gone on which I wonder if the same would be included for Machi's performance?

I really like the presentation of Machi's trauma through her family's expectations to be perfect and how physical it is? How Yuki kind of encourages her to let it out in a healthy way? (Btw the whole chalk breaking scene in the meeting was SO FUCKING SMOOTH. YUKI IS A NERD BUT HE IS SO EFFORTLESSLY COOL A LOT OF THE TIME)

The age gap between Isuzu and Haru for sure isn't the worst age gap in this anime/manga but it's still a bit... hmm...

Episode 4:

In all seriousness, I know Akito deserves some sympathy but it doesn't change the fact that I still see her as a villain. Hurt people hurt people but it doesn't mean they should get away with it, I was honestly pleased Haru got that big confrontation with Akito to tell her WHAT'S WHAT but it was also somewhat... merciful?

Hiro's growth has been so beautiful to see, him realising there are bigger things than him from the event with Rin to his relationship with Kisa to then the birth of his little sister.

Kureno choosing to get his hands a little dirtier and paying the ultimate price for it (as far as we know so far in the anime lol) was great, he is the moon side of Tohru's sunshine.

Shigure... I still don't really get him and Akito's relationship. It's clear he's waiting for Akito to grow the fuck up but at the same time he's not creating an environment for her to grow and develop. He's decided to go with the 'tough love' route which I'm still deciding whether I like it or not tbh. Sometimes it feels necessary, at other times it feels shitty. I respect that he knows he's a scumbag and I don't deny that there are people out there who take revelry in the fact that they are awful but at the same time, him remaining unchanging despite everything feels... unrealistic. But considering throughout this story he doesn't seem affected by trauma, it's understandable, I guess?

Also... that scene where Shigure ponders about whether he should've been with Tohru is THE creepiest creeper shit he's EVER done in this series. No. 🙅🏾‍♀️

Momiji is best bunny boi regardless of how tall and 'manly' he becomes. 🐰His scene with Akito was so authentically him and he really did that shit. We love him. <3

I love the way that the curse breaking should (on surface) be a happy event considering all the trauma the zodiac went through because of it but it's presented mostly as loss as well as happiness. It's the realness of getting out of a bad relationship

Shigure basically laying it out to Tohru how Kyo means nothing in a very taunting way was an excellently painful scene and I choose violence. It was heartbreaking seeing how worthless they all saw Kyo compared to how Tohru saw him but... by this point I was just living in the pain so 🤷🏾‍♀️

The story visually showing how Isuzu is more willing to be soft after her whole ordeal through her fashion choices (e.g. the pastels, the cardigans) was really nice. And Haru being happy about Isuzu making friends with Tohru was cute!

It was nice we saw that Kazuma was still wary about whether Tohru loved Kyo for the right reasons, you'd assume after everything Kazuma would love Tohru as a match for Kyo but he's so emotionally intelligent and also just a protective Dad! Yay, good parenting!

Tohru's confession to loving Kyo was amazing however I still adore Kyo's confession a little bit more. Just a bit. Lol. However, if you add the moment later in episode 8 it trumps it completely. Ethereal goddess.

Kyo and Tohru's grandfather having a scene together was great and nice

Now that I think about it, I wish there was more a visual link in the story between Tohru adapting her speech to imitate her Dad and Momiji adopting his Mum's German accent. Albeit for slightly different reasons, it just adds to the unique connection Tohru and Momiji have. In short, I'm seeing this ship with my third eye now. I get it lol

I don't wanna screencap the scene where Kyo is haunted by both his deceased mother and deceased Kyoko and potentially deceased Tohru because it's the stuff of nightmares. But, it was a wonderfully done scene. You definitely understand fully and clearly why Kyo buried all of that trauma under his hatred for Yuki (I CAN'T WAIT FOR EPISODE 9, YOU GUISE!)

If Akito is a villain, Ren is the final boss. Although, with her type of villainy... I feel like I can kind of enjoy a bit more. She reminds me of a Greek God in the ways she master manipulates people and her desperation for control and power (I just read 'Mythos' by Stephen Fry, it's a great read lol)

It lowkey feels like every female character who's comfortable in expressing their sexuality in this story is punished in some way for it... this is an incomplete thought

Shigure as a child feeling like they should all be pitied is so... mature... I feel like I need more of an explanation for why Shigure is the way he is

Akito's ego death with Kureno? Amazing. I loved that she was at least aware enough to realise how Kureno had been coddling her all this time but again... doesn't excuse her crimes

But anyways...

EPISODE 8

Honestly? I really don't have much to say about this episode besides 3-5 points I wanna get out of my head. It's not a bad thing at all, it's just that there's still a lot left to play out from this 'arc' and this season in general that I wanna complete my thoughts on.

But I'll start with this:

Lol, isn't it funny?! Isn't it heart-wrenchingly funny how the relationship between Kyo and Tohru has kinda reverted back to how they were at the start of the series? The coldness of Kyo at the beginning of this episode (and throughout) was a bit of a gut punch considering all the light and fluffy moments that we've gotten between the two since the True Form arc.

Talking about the True Form arc, I feel like this episode is somewhat a repeat of the same emotions, same trials of the True Form arc. Kyo still 'runs away like he always has' but this time we get him being the most honest and confrontational with his own emotions and trauma than he ever has been during the course of this whole story. While trusting someone (Tohru specifically) for the first time with the whole truth of his story! He always seems to move one step forward and then three steps backwards and while it's a tad bit frustrating, it feels very... real. I'll probably complete my feelings how this arc reflects the True Form arc when we finish this section of the story in future episode(s).

Considering the fact that 80% of this episode is Jerry Jewell monologuing as Kyo and I never got bored really just sells his performance. Kyo was being incredibly cold this episode and yet the range of emotions through his performance made it feel understandable enough for you to empathise with it.

BrattyKid!Kyo to lighten the mood 😹I still wish he and Hiro had more of a relationship, I feel like they could have taught each other a lot. Well... mostly Kyo teaching Hiro tbh

Kyo rejecting Kyoka for her honesty and kindness and then later rejecting Tohru? Oh... kid...

Wow, I felt so good about that whole episode of Kid!Yuki helping Kid!Tohru get home and then it's slightly soured knowing KID!KYO was running about the streets alllll night into the morning?!?! I really did feel Kyo's frustration at not getting that win to actually do something right. And the irony of that being linked to him being unable to save Kyoka from the oncoming car?

Honestly, I don't know what my feelings are on Kyo being unable to save Kyoka. I don't even know what my feelings are on Tohru pretty much pushing that aside in favour of her feelings for Kyo. It's... complicated and I've been mulling it over in my head for the last 10+ years hahah However, if I was in Tohru's position I think I'd eventually come to a point where it feels like it's too late to really do anything about how bad I'd feel about it. Kyo's intentions weren't horrid, if anything he was just being a scared kid and he's allowed to be that. I just wish Tohru had a bit more time to evaluate it but considering she knew her mother well and assumes that wouldn't have been the full scope of what she had said, I don't have much of a problem with it in general

Lol, I love when Tohru gets a 'FUCK YOU, I LOVE YOU' moment with Kyo. 😂Another reflected scene from the True Form arc... only thing is that this time... it doesn't quite work. 😕

(Again, I love how all of these reflections are resolved in later occurences in response to the duality but I'll get to it next week when it shows hopefully)

Laura Bailey only had a few sentences in this episode but she killed it as always. Comparing her performance in 2001 to now is just... growth!

Ok, so Yuki automatically gets Best Boi in this episode for meddling and chasing after KYO of all people. Showing how he's personally done with hating Kyo. Realising Kyo is pretty much the only person who'll make his mother happy. I think he also lowkey wants to understand Kyo? But, we'll get to that next week.

....Oh yeah, Akito is there.

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In total, I liked this episode even though it has me anxious for the next one. We finally get the full picture of why Kyo is the way he is! Ahhhh - a weight off all our chests, I'm sure. I kinda don't like that they put the ending theme at the end of these episodes - the joyfulness doesn't really match up with the intense theme? But, that's just a minor gripe. And hey, maybe they just want the audience to know... it's all gonna be okay :)

See you next week!!!

[backtobackbakubabe]

I am the Alpha Now Part 18

Bakugo x Reader

Words : 3023

Masterlist

Reader is from America and somewhat of a delinquent with an alpha quirk that allows her to turn into a wolf as well as bond with dogs. She is sent to UA to straighten out her attitude. She ends up in a power struggle with none other than our favorite hot head. Words in Italics are words said telepathically.

************************************************************************

Bakugo started pacing, his boots stomping, his fists clenched in anger. If he wasn’t sure Hawks was somehow in on this before then he was now. The asshole slipped out at the first chance he got. “Mother fucking bird brain! I can’t believe him! I’m gonna find the son of a bitch and pluck out every last feather.”

Kirishima and Midoriya had followed him outside and where giving nervous glances to each other, neither one wanting to bet the one to talk to their ticking time bomb friend first.

Finally, Karishma’s shoulders slumped as he decided he was a little less destructible. “Hey bro. I know this is a stupid question… but are you doing alright? I mean besides the obvious y/n situation.” Kiri could see Bakugo open his mouth to argue but he cut him off before he could. “I mean you just look a little, I don’t know… unhinged. Have you slept at all since you left UA? You look exhausted.”

Bakugo growled, “I’ll sleep when I find her. It’s already been two fucking days, almost three since she went missing! Just cuz you extras need to take your little nap time to function doesn’t mean that I do.”

Kiri gave him a nervous look, “Bakugo, believe me, we all want her back safe. But you have to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. You won’t be much help if you pass out. Maybe we could just head back for a little bit. You can catch us up on what you’ve found since we left this morning maybe catch a quick couple hours of sleep.”

“I said I don’t need a fucking nap. I don’t have time…” Bakugo chewed on his lip as debated on whether he should tell them his new theories. He knew they probably wouldn’t believe him. He understood how crazy it sounded. But if they were going to help then they needed to know. “I think I know who took her… but it doesn’t exactly make sense.”

Midoriya could see the hesitation in his eyes. “Kacchan, whatever it is, you can tell us. We’ll keep it between us. Well us and Todoroki. He’d be here now, but he’s busy trying to get the new house put together. He’s still working on this though. He’s keeping a close eye on internet activity. He’s using his dad’s hero agency’s software to scan through for anything posted about Y/n.” Midoriya rubbed his neck, “It’s not exactly allowed, but I don’t think he cares either way.”

Bakugo looked around to see if anyone was listening. He gestured for the other two to follow him. He was nervous Hawks might still be hanging around somewhere. Finally, when he deemed it safe, he stopped and spun around to face them. “I think the League of Villains took y/n. Well specifically I think Dabi did.” Both Midoriya and Kirishima’s eyes bulged. Bakugo’s nostrils flared, “And I think Hawk’s is helping them.”

***************Y/N’S POV***********************************

Your eyes filled with tears, but it wasn’t the pain of Dabi burning your skin that provoked them. It was the helpless, useless, frustrated feeling that was festering in your chest. You couldn’t do what Dabi was asking you to do. You were trying, but you just… couldn’t do it.

You dug deep, you gave it everything you had, and yet you still had nothing to show for it.

“Come ON! Do you want that crusty creep to turn you to dust? Is that what you want? You want to leave that annoying loudmouth and precious little puppy behind.” You could feel your anger boiling over. But what was its source? Were you mad at yourself for not being able to do it. Were you mad at Dabi for trying to force you to do something you clearly couldn’t? Or maybe you were mad at both Dabi and Hawks for getting you into this fucked up situation. “What do you think will happen to them once you’re gone huh? Will your pooch go back to being just another dumb dog? Will their connection die without you? Will THEY DIE WITHOUT YOU? Who’s to say, maybe I’ll get mad and just kill them myself”

“STOP IT!” You fell to your knees. Fists clenched, eyes squeezed shut. “Shut up! Just shut the fuck up! I’m sick and tired of your annoying ass voice!”

You felt his scared hand grip your chin harshly, “Show me your eyes. Or are you scared I’m going to see you cry and finally understand how fucking weak you are?!“

Your eyes snapped open. They glowed brighter than you can ever remember. The bright blue only reflected in Dabi’s eyes. You could see that he had to squint just to see through it. The words that left your mouth were eerily calm. “I said… shut up.” You gripped the wrist that held your chin with one hand and with your other you broke his thumb and he screamed. “You don’t get to talk about my Mercy like that.” Your grip on his wrist tightened as you pulled out a staple on his hand, watching the blood flow. “How dare you threaten my pack.” You ripped out another staple. “My family.” Another staple. “The love of my life.”

Your eyes glowed brighter and you could feel pure Alpha power coursing through your veins. “Look at you. All stapled together like a patchwork quilt. And why? Because you’re the weak one.” You could see something in his eyes now, was it fear or something else you didn’t know. “I’m an Alpha.” You let go of his wrist and punched him in the face.

Dabi spit out blood and cradled his bleeding hand to his chest. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”

********************** Bakugo POV**************************

Midoriya paced, “Kacchan. You have to know how crazy that sounds.”

Bakugo groaned, “I wouldn’t expect you to understand dumbass Deku. Did you even listen to anything I just said! I have proof!” His eyes bore into Kirishima’s “You believe me right Kiri?”

Kiri rubbed his neck nervously. “Come on man. You have to give us a little more to go off of. All of your proof is just guesses and gut feelings.” He raised his hands up in defense before Bakugo could start yelling at him. “Before you get mad at me, just know I’ll follow you wherever you go, no matter how crazy. But you really need to think this through. You say Dabi has her because you think you felt her being burned through the bond. A bond you also say she’s turned off. You think Hawk’s is in on it because you think you heard her moan in the background of a phone call. You say you think you know where she is because saw something in your head. Something that none of us could see, not even Mercy saw it. You have to understand how that’s not proof right?”

Bakugo started to grow. “Did you follow him like I asked?”

Kirishima looked back and forth between Midoriya and Bakugo in concern. He really thought his best friend might be losing it. “Did we follow who? Who are you talking to?”

Mercy walked out of the shadows. “He’s smarter than you think. He may not have seen me, but he knew he was being followed. I got a good whiff of him though so I should be able to track him down. Even now I can tell he still hasn’t left his apartment.”

“Good. Continue your patrol and report back to me in an hour.”

Bakugo could sense Mercy’s frustration. His fur was sticking up slightly as he showed his teeth. “I know we’re packmates, and I know we’re doing this for Y/n. But you need to remember that you aren’t my alpha any more than I am yours. Quit bossing me around.”

Bakugo rolled his eyes, “Oh give me a break. Are you really going to be a brat right now? You know I didn’t mean it that way. How about instead of bitching about who’s in charge of finding Y/n, we just focus on actually finding her huh?”

Mercy growled, “I’m not bitching, you’re just bossy.”

Before Bakugo could even respond, both of their eyes glowed bright for a brief moment. And in that moment they surged with power. So much power that Bakugo accidentally let off a small explosion.

Bakugo was staring at the hand that had just sent an explosion into a nearby dumpster while Midoriya was up and pacing again. “Okay. I’m just going to say it… What the fuck was that?”

************** Y/N POV*****************************

You could hear you heart pounding in your ears. Your vision started to tunnel. You smelled ash and you could taste blood. But feel? You couldn’t feel anything. You were completely numb. You looked down and was surprised to see your skin had a weird glow to it. You and Dabi had been going at it for a few minutes now. But it honestly felt like an hour had gone by.

All the power you summoned was draining and draining quick. It left you almost as fast as it came. You had blacked out during most of it so you assumed you had gone feral. It had been years since you had done so and you had forgotten about the toll it would take on your body. Were you hurt? Were you dying? You couldn’t tell. You were just numb. You sank to the floor, back pressed against the charred remnants of what used to be the couch. You could see Dabi’s chest rise and fall over to your right. He had passed out, but the fucker was still breathing.

You crawled over to him and fumbled through his pockets. You groaned as fatigue attempted to pull you under. Your fingers finally found what they were looking for and yanked it from his pocket. You focused as hard as you could on the screen in front of you trying to scroll through Dabi’s contacts. Dabi only had like ten numbers and yet you still struggled to find it in time.

You clicked dial and the name feather dick popped on the screen. After a few rings you heard him pick up. “Listen now’s not a good time. I think the mystery gang is onto us…”

Mystery gang huh? Would that make Katsuki, Fred or Shaggy? You chuckled, “It’s me.” You threw up rather loudly. “I think I need help…”

********************* Bakugo POV************************

“Did you seriously just say fuck? Mr. Perfect just swore?”

Midoriya narrowed his eyes, “God Damnit Kacchan! You’re the one out here having one sided conversations with dogs and spouting conspiracy theories, and your worried about me saying FUCK?”

Mercy cocked his head. It would have been cute if he hadn’t been baring his teeth only moments before. “This idiot knows you weren’t having a one-sided conversation, right?” He sniffed Midoriya causing him to stiffen, “I don’t like him.”

Bakugo snorted, “Yeah get in line.” He looked at Midoriya, “Listen if you care about your balls at all I’d stop talking about Mercy as if he’s not here. He’s smarter than you and shitty hair combined.”

Mercy nudged Bakugo’s hand in approval before resuming his sniffing. He went up to Kirishima and shoved his nose in his side, “This one I like. He smells sweet. But not too sweet.”

Kirishima chuckled, “I think what Bakugo’s trying to say is they have a bond we don’t understand.” He rubbed Mercy’s head fondly, “Just because we can’t prove they’re right, doesn’t mean they’re wrong either.” Mercy gave an exaggerated nod and a bark of confirmation. “I say we just go with it.” He shrugged. “If they’re wrong, the only thing we’ve wasted is time. If they’re right, then we find y/n…. seems worth it to me.”

Midoriya gave a long glance at Mercy before leaning down putting his face level with his, “I’m sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention to belittle your intelligence… I’m sure having your alpha torn from you is hard and having Kacchan in your head 24/7 is probably making it even worse.” He ignored the seething look he was getting from Bakugo. “If you can promise to look out for him, and to somehow let me know that what he’s saying is true. I’d really appreciate it.”

Mercy gave a low humming noise, as if he was sizing Midoriya up. He was about to go off on him for even doubting Bakugo but suddenly his head whipped to the side. All of his muscles tensed, and a growl ripped through his chest. “Bakugo. Hawks is leaving his apartment and he’s moving fast.”

“Shit… Okay lead the way. Guys Hawk’s is on the move. Last chance to back out.”

After a few tense moments they both nodded and followed as Bakugo and Mercy took off.

It wasn’t long before they were back in the same district, they had been patrolling earlier that morning. Mercy came to a stop and looked up. “They’re here, now that we’re close enough, I can smell her.”

“Okay Deku and I can start from the top while Kiri and Mercy start on the bottom and we’ll work our way to the middle. Mercy and I can keep each other updated so-“ He pointed to his friends now, “you two idiots stay close to us.”

Without even waiting for a confirmation Bakugo blasted himself into the sky towards the top of the building with Midoriya quickly following after him. Kirishima sighed and looked at Mercy, “Not exactly subtle, is he?” Mercy whined and walked towards the entrance of the building. “Lead the way man. I’ll watch your six.”

*********************Y/N POV********************************

Thankfully you hadn’t passed out, but you still felt like shit. Three days of torture and hard work will do that to a person. The door slammed moments before you felt Hawks pulling your head into his lap. “Hey kid! Open your eyes and look at me.” You groaned at the idea. Even lifting your eyelids felt impossible. “You’re okay, you’re fine. You’re safe. Big bad Dabi is passed the fuck out. Let’s just get those eyes open yeah?”

You just groaned again like a petulant child before letting out a weak, “…no”

Hawk’s sighed, “I’m just trying to make sure you’re okay kid. But fine. Be stubborn. I’ll just have to-“

A loud explosion sounded from outside the building. Your heart pounded because you’d know that sound anywhere.

Before you knew it your head was being dropped back to the floor with a dull thud. “Shit.”

You could hear Hawks scurry over to Dabi, “Hey! Patchy! You need to get up and get the hell out of here. There are heroes here. I can still spin this in my favor. But you need to leave. Like NOW!”

You heard Dabi hiss as he tried to sit up and if you had the energy you would have smirked at the fact that you were the reason he was hurting. But then you remembered that you weren’t much better at the moment.

Dabi shuffled over to you, leaning over to speak directly into your ear. “You go along with whatever he says. Do you understand me? You air our dirty laundry and I’ll air yours. I just need to hit a button on my phone and your little secret is out.”

You took a deep breath and forced your eyes open. You could tell by the shocked look on his face that they were still glowing. This had to be a record. Usually they stopped as soon as the adrenaline wore off. “I’d get going if I were you. I may be too exhausted to kick your ass but I don’t think Katsuki will feel the same way.”

Dabi growled before forcing himself onto his feet and leaving the room.

You figured there was no point trying to hide from them anymore. They found you, the jig was up. You looked at Hawk’s pacing. “So what are you going to tell him?”

Hawks played with a feather as he brainstormed, “I’m going to say I received an anonymous tip and flew out here as soon as I could. Found you here, by yourself and that Dabi must have gotten away. I mean look at the place you guys tore it to pieces. It’ll be obvious I didn’t do this.”

You nodded knowing full well that Bakugo wouldn’t believe a word of that. “So is it okay for me to tell him where I am? I mean if you just “rescued” me then that would only make sense, right?”

You reached out before Hawks even said anything and felt for pack. The bond opened up and you were flooded with relief. Your eyes even teared up a little at the empty spot in your chest felt warm again. You could tell Bakugo was two floors above you while Mercy was three below. Sneaky boys. You hoped Mercy caught the chance to sink his teeth into Dabi.

“Y/n. Baby! I’m here where are you pup? Please tell me you are okay.” You brushed a tear aside. You could feel Mercy’s presence as well, but he must have been focusing on something else because he remained quiet. Maybe he did find Dabi after all.

“I’m fine. I’m two floors down from you-“

You heard a loud bang come from the other side of the door. Naturally your impatient boyfriend couldn’t be bothered to use the stairs. Nope. He came straight through the ceiling. Next thing you knew the door was blown from it’s hinges and he and Deku were rushing in.

He looked around frantically until his eyes met yours. He crossed the room in seconds and fell to his knees in front of you. He scooped you into his arms as his lips found the top of your head. “I’m here now pup. It’s okay. God damnit please don’t ever do this to me again.”

You gripped the front of his shirt and just breathed in his comforting scent. You allowed yourself to relax into him, “I’m sorry. I didn’t really have a choice. I’m so sorry.”

***********************************************************************

Tags: @tspice283 , @realityisoftendisapointing , @imbi-101 , @thoughtfulpandazine2, @hotarumorikawa , @huh-iwasntpayingattention , @starfishlovingbnha , @weebnumber3622 , @mixedfeeelings , @munchmunch01 , @inumorph@xxoperatexx @runrabbitrun3 @insane-without-delirium @yolei94

[omg-im-such-a-masochist]

A HIGH PRICE TO PAY

Prompt: When Y/N pranked Finn for his birthday,she could never have imagined that a certain Prince would appear to collect the debt of her bad behavior.

Word count: Long-ish

Pairing: Prince Devitt(Finn Bálor) x Reader

Warnings: +18. Degradation,name calling,cursing,bondage,zapper wand(electroshock),masturbation(female),slight chocking.

@ziasaph I hope I can make you proud sis

Notes: What can I say? I love me some Fergal Devitt hahahahahaha,this man does things to me y’all...Alright my loved ones you know the drill,sorry for misspellings,english isn’t my first language (bla bla bla),check out my other stories if you’d like to(it would make your girl here very happy 😊) and if you’re comfortable with it,please let me know what you think? Some feedback is always welcomed and appreciated ❤️You can check out my other stories typing ‘masochist writes’ on the search bar on my page and my newest story as a fixed post.Okay,now let’s get to the fun part,shall we? Hope you’ll enjoy 😉

Tsc,tsc

*Oh no,I know that sound,and I don’t like it even one bit* I thought

“What’s the matter my reckless little fuck toy?Are ya scared?” He deeply chuckled,before continue “Ya thought it was funny when ya pranked me!Now it’s not so funny anymore huh?”

“I knew that stupid shock pen prank was going to come back and bite me in the ass!” I whispered to myself,while tightly tied up to the Saint Andrew’s cross.

“And you’re right about that my brat little girl,but if I would have to say it, I wouldn’t use the word ‘bite’ ya in the arse... I would go for something more accurate,like ‘shock’ “ He touched my ass with the zapper and I jumped and gasped loud at both the surprise of the action and the slight pinch due to the electroshock. He laughed out loud,amused with his own action.

“Ya should’ve known better than to disrespect your Prince like that! I think it’s so funny how ya thought that your little bratty behavior would have no consequences.After all this time that you’ve been my play toy,ya should’ve known by now that it doesn’t matter how long it takes...I NEVER forget and I will ALWAYS put ya in your place.”

He proceeded to touch me with the ‘devil’s wand’ (as I like to call it) only this time,on my upper thigh.

When I pranked Finn on his birthday(precisely one month ago),he was leaving for a one month European tour with the WWE.Today’s he’s first day back home and I honestly couldn’t see this coming.I thought he had forgotten about it.Hell,I did! But one thing I could NEVER have expected was that my innocent prank would push ‘Prince Devitt’ out,and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss that sadistic fucker! He was nothing like my sweet Finn.Devitt was a cold hearted,sadistic,sarcastic,egoistical,cocky asshole! And fuck me,I like that man,I like that man a lot!

Don’t get me wrong, I love Finn,I really do! He’s funny,smart,sweet,caring,goofy,loving man.But there was something about Devitt that fulfills all of my dirty,slutty,wet,kinky fantasies! When Finn is able to ‘bring the Prince out’ his whole energy changes,he becomes more dangerous,more cynical,his eyes become a cool shade of blue,he smells like trouble...you know that one guy your mamma warned you about? That’s what he becomes and I could die a happy woman being able to have the best of the both worlds: the gentleman and the manwhore in just one beautiful Irish man.

“I‘ve missed ya my sweet brat! It’s been too long,don’t ya think? Too long since I got to play with ya...”

Tsc tsc

“Devitt,I swear it wasn’t my intention to disrespect you.It was an innocent joke!”

“Oh c’mon now lass,I don’t believe that,and neither do ya! We both know that ya were dying to see me” He stepped closer until his face was mere inches from mine “We both know that ya were dying to have me play with ya,just the way ya like it: rough and dirty...” He pinched one of my nipples,hard enough to make me whimper. “Treat ya like my good little whore” He pinched my other nipple “My filthy little slut” He zapped me underneath one of my breasts and I gasped loudly

“Oh no,Devitt please don’t do this to me! I’m sorry my Prince,don’t punish me like this please..” He backslapped my face.I gasped again,more from the surprise slap,than from the actual pain.

“Don’t ya dare lie to me! I know and YA know that you’ve had ya fingers buried deep inside your pussy every fucking day thinking about me! Because you can’t get enough of tha Prince! I got you addicted to this dick haven’t I?” He said grabbing his hard cock through his jeans.

“Tell me,tell me what do I do to ya?Do I make ya so turned on that ya want to rub yourself everywhere like a fucking horny dog? Do I make ya so wet that ya thank God the fact ya work from home,so ya don’t have to deal with people staring at your wet pants? Did I made ya so hungry for my cock that not even your fingers can help you anymore?” His words were getting dirtier and rawer with every sentence.Working that primal need inside of me.

“Devitt..” I whispered and he got so close to me that our lips brushed together.

“You’re my favorite of them all ya know that right? Ya are my favorite,dirty,filthy,fuck hole.” He roamed one of his hands through my body and Zapped my belly with the other.

“Look at ya,so helpless..” He wrapped his fingers around my neck and applied some pressure enough to make it hard for me to breath.

“All tied up,looking so deliciously beautiful with the thing I love the most about ya at my mercy.” He stated,gliding two fingers through my wet folds.Once he felt how wet I was,he darkly laughed before saying

“See? That’s what I mean! Where else can I find such a perfect cum dumpster like ya?” He slides two fingers inside of me before continuing “My favorite toy” His fingers started moving at a agonizing slow pace. “You’re my perfect little slut,aren’t ya? Always such a filthy little girl...just for tha Prince!” He begin to finger fuck me at such a brutal pace that my mouth molded a perfect O shape.

“ ‘Oh’ what brat?” He cackled “Do ya want me to go faster?” I shake my head at a ‘no’ motion,just to have him laugh at my face and say “Well,since ya insist!” And he turned up the pace of his fingers.

I was a whimpering,whining mess.

“Please,Devitt..please can I cum? Please let me cum on your fingers?Pleaaseee?Have mercy on me..”

“Mercy on ya?Oh little pet,WE know ya didn’t want to play with me for my merciful side,right?!” He zapped my arms,breasts,thighs and ass.

“I love the power I have over ya! This face you’re making right now...this cum slut face ya make when you’re about to cum,makes me wanna fuck ya until ya can’t walk straight for a week!” He zapped the side of my hips,threw the Zapper on top of the bed and begin to rub my clit at a furious pace while his fingers mercilessly fucked me.

I was so hypersensitive from all those stimulations that I felt like I would pass out once my walls started to clench around his fingers.

“Is my lovely slut gonna cum for me?” He smiled and I could only nod in response.His lips came near my ear and he whispered

“So what are ya waiting for? Show me how much of a whore ya are.Soak my fingers,now!”

My orgasm was so intense that I lost the track of time and space, I didn’t realized he had unbounded me from the Saint Andrews cross until my knees hardly hit the ground with a loud thump. He looked down at me,deviously chuckled before saying

“And where the fuck ya think you’re going slut?” He pulled my hair so I could stand up “I’m just getting started with ya!” He smiled before tossing me onto the bed.

Oh how I’ve missed my Prince...