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cloudenthusiast2 · 3 years ago

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To be a human - Scaramouche x reader - Part 3

You knew committing to a relationship with Scaramouche would be no easy task but you loved him dearly and unlike others, you believed he wasn't evil. But as a mortal and the devoted protector of your village you were too much of a good person, too much of a human compared to him and your differences slowly start to show.

Previous: Part 2 Next: Part 4

Length: ~1000 words (??)

Trigger warnings: yelling, Scara being an asshole (so nothing new)

You stormed into your own house and threw your polearm far away from you. It landed on the other side of the room, loudly clattering on the ground.

You could hear Scaramouche's steps behind you but before he could've caught up to you, you flounced to the kitchen.

All you wanted to do is shut the door behind you but even then, something held you back from doing it. The great sense of justice in you didn't let you separate yourself from your lover.

It wanted to hear an explanation.

How actually desperate you were for one! Even though you were absolutely furious, you still really hoped he could clean himself in your eyes with some words. Yes, it would only take some words, one sentence or a half and...

'You runned of like a spoilt child.'

You bit your lips to lock them and keep yourself from screaming and yelling at him.

What were you even hoping for? It's Scaramouche, he obviously won't realise he hurt you.

With slow movements, you turned around to face him. You looked into his icy eyes and when you spoke, your voice was just as cold as his gaze.

'Dare to explain what happened?'

'Are you stupid? You saw it with your own eyes.'

'I meant your reaction' you hissed in fury.

His answer was to simply shrug his shoulders.

'I sent them away. You should be grateful I did that before you could've made the situation worse.'

'Say, Balladeer' you narrowed your eyes. 'What would you have done if it was the other way? If my people attacked yours?'

He didn't even hesitate.

'Kill them' he claimed in a way that said the answer should've been obvious for you.

You tried to remain calm as you asked him:

'And you don't see a problem here?'

He has been standing in the kitchen's door but now he walked inside, closer to you. His movements seemed kind of threatening but you didn't move back an inch.

You always turned a blind eye to the truth about him. It was time to face it.

He stopped a feet away from you. He didn't come closer to try and reassure you, he did it to make sure you heard everything he said well.

'Shall I be the one to break it to you?' He asked mockingly, his grin showing pity and despite at the same time. 'I think it's time you finally realise. That these people's lives mean nothing.'

'You can't actually mean that' you declared immediately.

Scaramouche laughed and his voice sent shivers down your spine - instead of making you smile like it used to do.

'You're so naive, it kills me! My dear, I knew you were attached to these people but I had no idea you actually take this thing so seriously.'

'What the hell are you talking about?'

Your harsh, freezing cold tone wiped the smile off his face.

He rose his hands and tilted his hat back a little to take a good look at your face. The previous, icy look took over his expression once again as he spoke.

'These weak mortals are nothing but dust coming from dust.' He said bluntly and you knew he meant every single word that came out of his mouth. 'Their lives hold no meaning. They born, reproduce then die in a spam of some years. Disposable garbage.'

'So' your voice shook as you tried to speak after a long silence. 'This is... what I am to you? Replaceable, disposable garbage?'

'What?' You had every right to be shocked but now he seemed surprised as well. He shook his head, the bells on his clothing violently clinking. 'No, of course not. You're obviously different.'

'Why?'

Scaramouche blenched at this simple question and quietly stared for a minute.

You were deeply shook. So many emotions were fighting inside you but all you felt at that moment was deep, incredible sadness. You gulped to hold back your tears and repeated the question.

'Why... would I be any different?'

'Well... because you belong to me' he finally answered.

'Scaramouche, you're delusional!' You bursted out.

You started laughing. Because you couldn't believe you actually thought he was a good person. Because you were hysterical and made a stupid pun since he literally had a delusion himself.

'I'm only saying the truth!' He barked irately.

'You're lying!' You snapped so loudly that he unintentionally took a step back.

Scaramouche has never seen you like this. So mad. So done. You were patient with everyone and never raised your voice at him or anyone else.

'You're lying!' There was so much power and anger in your shout that it actually took his voice away. 'Mortals aren't insignificant just because beings exist that are more powerful than them! Not a single human's life is worthless! They have hopes and ambitions, they have the ability to change the world around them, just like you do! They feel, just like you... should do.'

You glared at him in fury, fervid fire burning in your eyes. You let go of the chair you have been holding onto and stepped closer to him.

He stood there without moving an inch, even when you put your face close so to his, he could feel your warm breath on his skin.

'I don't know what happened' you whispered quietly. 'But something is clearly wrong with you. Just what happened in Inazuma?'

'I have no idea what you're talking about.' Scaramouche finally moved. He grabbed your arm and pushed you further away from himself.

He thought that way he'd finally be able to breath freely but the weight on his chest didn't weigh less, even like this. It should've been a warning sign but the growing annoyance and anger inside his heart completely blinded him.

'I always felt like this' he stated, not caring about the impact his words caused. 'You knew it, don't try to deny the truth! And you know that I'm right! Face it!'

'You're not!' You screamed back at him. 'I will rather die before I agree anything you said!'

'Oh, you are going to die indeed if you keep believing in those ridiculous views of yours, don't worry.'

The exact moment these words left Scaramouche's lips, he deeply regretted saying them.

His heartbeat dropped as he saw your eyes widen.

There was a short silence.

Then you spoke.

'Get out' you whispered, your voice dying away. 'Get out of... my house.'

He looked at you once again. Opened his mouth then closed it.

You looked... broken. And he knew that he wouldn't be able to just replace the pieces that fell out because of him.

But the freezing cold that surrounded his heart suddenly started to melt away as his dismay slowly turned into anger.

Why should he feel bad again? It was you in the first place who had ridiculous views, it was you who got sensitive when all he did was to just tell you the truth! You were in the wrong here, not him!

'Leave' you repeated in a shaking but determined voice.

'Gladly' he nodded and the corners of his mouth curved up into a mocking, sarky smile. 'You're doing nothing but a burden holding me back anyway.'

'I said, leave!' You rose your voice one more time, trying your hardest not to cry in front of him. 'And don't ever come back again!'

Scaramouche laughed as he turned his back on you.

'Don't worry, I don't intend to. But don't say I didn't warn you!' He added as he waved goodbye. He stopped at the door for a moment and looked back at you one last time. 'One day you'll come to your senses and all of your ideals will be shattered. Looking forward to it.'

Your tears blurred your vision as you watched him walk out on the door he not so long ago stepped in as your lover.

And now that you were completely alone...

You could break down.

#cloudenthusiast #genshin #genshin impact #scaramouche genshin #scaramouche angst #scaramouche x reader #scaramouche #genshin x reader #genshin angst

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hohoz · 4 years ago

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The ones that suffer the most

I wanted to talk about this for a long time.

I’m a Resident evil addicted, I finished almost every RE game released and I must say that Capcom made some poor choices regarding Jill and Chris, they are EASILY the most mistreated characters in RE Franchise.

But let’s explain why is that:

Jill and Chris are survivors, they had to survive in a mansion with a lot of puzzles and zombies, while looking for items that could help them to progress and find a way to reach Brad.

When they arrive at STARS Office, they are revolted that Umbrella did all that under their noses and innocents were dying because of that and they explained EVERYTHING in a report - but Irons made that go away.

In the ORIGINAL RE3 we had this special file (Jill’s Diary)

August 7th Two weeks have passed since that day. My wounds have been healed, but I just can't forget it. For most people, it's history now. But for me, whenever I close my eyes, it all comes back clearly. Zombies eating people's flesh and the screams of my teammates dying. No, the wounds in my heart are not healed yet...

August 13th Chris has been causing a lot of trouble recently. What's with him? He seldom talks to the other police members and is constantly irritated. The other day, he punched Elran of the Boy's Crime department just for accidentally splashing Chris's face with coffee. I immediately stopped Chris, but when he saw me he just gave me a wink and walked away. I wonder what happened to him...

August 15th Midnight. Chris, who has been on a leave of absence for a "vacation," called me so I visited his apartment. As soon as I walked into his room, he showed me a couple of pieces of paper. They were part of a virus research report entitled as simply as "G". Then Chris told me that, "The nightmare still continues." He went on to say that, "It's not over yet." Ever since that day, he has been fighting all by himself without rest, without even telling me.

August 24th Chris left the town today to go to Europe. Barry told me that he would send his family to Canada and then he would follow Chris. I decided to remain in Raccoon City for a while because I know that the research facility in this city will be very important to this entire case. In a month or so, I'll be joining with them somewhere in Europe. That's when my real battle begins...

For some weird reason this file isn’t available in RE3 Remake.

But ok, here we see that Chris was doing some investigation - in the RE2RMK you could see this letter that Chris left in a way that normal people wouldn't understand - the only thing that Claire says is that “doesnt look like him” but how normies would understand what Chris is like is he is not well represented in media ??????????????????

And Jill had all the detective work in her wall.

So far so good - we understand the basics about them - they are Special police force, the elite, they had a traumatic experience and they survived to tell the story.

Some problems until now:

Jill had a MAJOR personality change in RE3 RMK- I honestly like most of that, she is a badass in the originals and she is a badass in the rmk but I still dislike the fact that she swears all the time (specially because in RE1, RE Rev, RE5 she doesn't do that)

We can tell a lot about her personality just looking at her room, but I still miss some stuff (I had expectations - so this is not a real problem. but still) like a Vinyl player (since she is probably into classical music), some letters from her father so new players can understand her origin and why is she so good in lockpicking and more about her dog (she had a pic in the original that could’ve been her boyfriend but it was replaced by a dog in RE2 rmk but in RE3 Rmk there in no dog)

Okay - after you finish the game the only thing we see is this:

In my opinion this is Chris since he is always associated with Green colors while Jill is associated with blue.

So my speculation here is that she found him while in the original we had this:

This is not a major chance but still is important (lore of course - duh) but the problem here is that while Jill is looking for him - Code Veronica is happening.

So I can only assume two things, they did not show him because they DON’T HAVE A FACE FOR HIM or I am wrong and that is Jill, but if that is Jill so why there is no decent epilogue like the original ?

Okay, now we are arriving in the real trouble area

I will do RE5 first and the Wii and Rev1 (even tho those two comes first in the lore)

RESIDENT EVIL 5

So before the game was release we had some propaganda, including this:

So have in mind that Jill was dead, I thought that she died and RE5 would explain that shit.

But in the beginning we see that Chris is looking for her and have in mind that Chris HAD A MAJOR CHANCE IN HIS APPEARANCE, and I’m not talking about his muscles.

I will not address Chris in CV since he was good in that game but I the team that made CV also made the original, it had CONSISTENCE.

Here we have Chris, he’s THE classical american soldier protagonist from Hollywood in the 80′s/90′s and he had some omage to TOPGUN

He also shares some traits with his sister

A major trait here is that HE HAS BLUE EYES, typical good looking soldier from US.

and now let’s have a look at Chris in RE5...

Yeah... I still hate this face even tho I love his Character in this game, this ugly a** monkey looking mf and he had a lot of steroids

So we have some lore to him in RE5, Jill and Chris went to a mansion looking for Spencer (one of the fathers of Umbrella and the one that was behind project Wesker, he wanted to do this Virus so he could live forever, so RE has a good lore, it’s not just about zombies) but when they found him, he was dead and Wesker was by his side, in a fight Jill sacrificed herself to save Chris’s life.

Chris started doing mission after mission because her body was never found, and he made a name for himself, he became a ‘legend’ inside BSAA and you can see that in the beginning of RE5.

The reason behind the muscles was probably to fight Wesker mano to mano but still is not well made, it really felt weird playing for the first time.

So now we have a problem here, there is thing that you use in a narrative that is to make someone strong af powerless, and they did that to Jill. (a good example of this is in TWD- Ricky is a fucking legend and Negan made him powerless in the face of a event)

Jill was used in a Boss fight and that is it... She is not in the game as a character, she is being manipulated and her whole design was changed, she looks like Nina from Tekken. WTF. - BTW, the fact that Wesker had mind control over her created 1000 fics of sex

So that is it, my main problem here isnt Jill itself, but it’s the fact that they used her character as a boss even tho she is the heroine, she never appears in RE lore again until some guy inside Capcom said “Well people are asking about Jill so let’s place a file in Rev2 saying that she is in rehab”

The only time that she appears again is in a 3DS NINTENDO ONLY game, it felt that Capcom simply don’t care about her character.

By the way Revelations 1 is a great game and was adaptable some years later for PC and consoles

But you think that this is bad, wait until we arrive at RESIDENT EVIL 6

When I learned that Jill was not in RE6 I was mad... But after I played that game I said “thank you God” that game was bad, transformers kind of bad, it had bad writing, the lore was all over the place and Chris was the one that suffered the most in this game.

He was responsible for the death of an entire squad, suffered amnesia and people still wanted him in the command

THEY MADE HIM AN ALCOHOLIC

The golden boy of BSAA reduced to THIS.

By the way, the director said that HE WANTED TO KILL CHRIS IN THIS GAME to SUBVERT EXPECTATIONS - so if you liked Piers now that he died only because of that.

So now let’s analyse what we know:

The first 2 main characters are not well represented in media until RE6, they don’t know how to re introduce Jill in the games and Chris was reduced to a normal guy at a Russian bar;

But it gets worse...

Capcom LOVE Leon, we know that. he is always the hero, he is the protagonist in almost every movie and he is always the cool guy so when he get’s a new model, he looks like this:

But When Chris get’s a new face he look like this:

WHO DAFUQ ARE U, no offense to the model but he has NEGATIVE JAW LINE.

And still he doesn't look like Claire’s brother, there is no blue/green eyes and he looks younger that he was in 6 (and 6 still uses that ugly character model)

But let’s go in the lore- we HAVE 0 info on Jill in RE6 / RE7 and no sight of her in RE8

And speaking of which, they tried to make Chris the bad guy in the trailer so when we play we see “Ohhhh he was not the bad guy, that happened and that is why he did that”

But still...

If they are going to do that to his character don’t use this character, shit ! Do something with that Wesker’s son that made 0 sense in RE6 but leave Chris out of this - it really feels that they simply don’t know how to treat him right

And you may think that I may be complaining a lot because of his appearance

But this is him in RE8

(to me this is some random dude from Russia)

And this is him in RE:Verse (that is going to be release TOGETHER)

So this tells me that they have 0 clue of how to handle his looks

Jill got RE3Rmk but it felt like a cheap game compared to RE2Rmk where the original RE3 was SO MUCH BETTER

And this is bad because there are so many new fans joining the fandom only to see 2 great characters suffering from poor director’s choices.

I’m sorry about this rant, if you like Chris face and looks its okay, really, but dont tell me that Chris from 5/6/8 is the same from 1/CV and if you think im wrong about Jill its fine, but she is an amazing character that could have so much more impact in RE universe (I mean, she never even appeared in a RE movie - animations)

But it’s sad to see so many characters that receive good representation in media and good games/lore while Jill get’s almost none and Chris is handled like random face guy.

I was going to talk a little bit more about Rev 1 and RE Umbrella Chronicles but there is no need since Im mad right now and it seems that Capcom has 0 interest in making Code Veronica and Umbrella’s fall after that since their fav boy Leon need a rmk in RE4 even tho RE4 is not that old.

Bonus:

Fun fact: Chris served in the Air force, so yeah, to me even Tom Cruise looks more like Chris than Chris from the games

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fandomscombine · 4 years ago

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Make The First Move

George Weasley x Reader

BG: The Yule Ball is only a month away, but the boy you were hoping to ask you out still hasn’t make a move. So you decided to take matters into your own hands.

(With guess appearances of Fred and Cedric)

This is an entry for @heloisedaphnebrightmore ’s 1k Followers Writing Challenge

Fluff prompt #1 “Do you find it sexy when girls make the first move, or should I wait for you to do it yourself?”

Fluff prompt #6 “If you want to make a move, today would be the perfect time to go for it.”

Trope #8 Friends to lovers

WC: 2623

>>>MASTERLIST<<<

>>JOIN MY WRITING CHALLENGE!<<

y/n l/n is not a girly girl. You would categorize your fashion mentality to value comfort and functionality more than style.

Yes, during the weekends, you do tend to rock a graphic tee, jeans, soft sneakers and a outwear of choice, depending on what you’re feeling that day- be it a leather jacket, causal blazer to a denim jacket.

Hey in your defence, the Scottish Highlands where Hogwarts is located isn’t exactly the warmest place, besides students are only allowed to wear casual clothes during the weekends.

But every now and then you do wanna pop on a skirt or a dress, especially when its warm outside.

This upcoming event though…. you, like everyone else is oh so very much do want to feel like a star! To feel elegant! Luxurious!

That’s right the Yule Ball is only a month away. It is all that is in every single student’s mind ever since it was announced. Who would their date to the ball be? What outfit would they wear?

A number of students had already picked their respective dates and dresses. However, a remaining select few have not done either- Like yourself. Time is running out and the pool of available potential partners is decreasing day by day.

You didn’t mind going alone, as long as you have a great time with friends, going alone it isn’t really a big deal. But there is a small childlike wishful thinking that wants to have a fairy tale experience.

It also isn’t helpful that you had started to develop feelings for a certain redheaded twin over the summer. You swear that he too felt the dynamic changed between the two of you- who knew that 3 weeks tinkering with joke shop ideas and fixing out the burrow’s garage could be so impactful.

Though now coming to think of it, could you have just read the signs all wrong? The lingering stares, the tighter and longer hugs… Could this be signs that he planning of ways to murder you? Because if this were all romantic signs, wouldn’t he have had asked you out to the ball by now? It was no secret that you hadn’t said yes to anyone yet.

So, what’s taking so long? George Weasley is one of the most confident and popular guys on campus. Surely, he wouldn’t chicken out or get nervous to ask you.

Right??

Pushing boy trouble aside, you focus back on the dress catalogue your mum had sent you earlier today.

Flipping through the pages, 2 dresses caught you eye. One was a short tule the other had a long side leg slit.

You were in the process of bookmarking the page when you felt the catalogue being pulled out of your grasp.

‘Hey!’ You instinctively shouted to the culprit.

‘What’s this?’ George said, turning to the front cover. ‘“Madam Bella’s Evening Gowns, Autumn/Winter 1994”’

‘Give it back George!’ You tried to take it from him, but he quickly held it above his head.

You stood on the bench in hopes to extend your reach. You could almost take hold-

‘Catch Freddie!’ Shouted George and threw it across the table.

Fred flipped to the dogeared pages. ‘Ahh..’ He was scanning through the choices you had circled. ‘Great choices indeed, my dear y/n!’

At first you weren’t sure if he was teasing you or being sincere.

That must had shown on your face as Fred continued, ‘I’m serious y/n/n!’ He placed his left hand on his heart and raise his right. ‘I swear! But you would look good in any dress anyway.’

You blushed at his compliment. ‘Thanks for the confidence boost Freddie.’

He hands back the catalogue to you, and as you took it, he whispered in your ear. ‘A little hint though,’ He shifts back a bit- now being face to face. ‘My vote is on the slit dress...’

Your brows scrunched together- was this boy seriously giving you fashion advice?

‘….I know George would like that..’ He steals a quick glance towards his twin, who has now turn bright red, both from being embarrassed and furious at him. ‘… I-I mean, it would match George’s dress robes.’

Fred sends you a final wink and bids you both goodbye.

You watch Fred exit the Great Hall, never letting him out of sight until he turns the corner. Which George to grateful for, as that had bought him time to calm his face down.

That was the one of the weirdest exchanges you’ve ever had yet, but you also couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth to it.

George cleared his throat ‘So…y/n...Have you got a date yet?’

‘No why?’ You look over at him and you thought that you might give your hypothesis a try. Smirking hopefully, you asked ‘Are you gonna ask me?’

If you only knew what was going on inside of George’s head, the boy was panicking.

It was as if time slowed. Or it was because George’s thoughts are going a thousand miles a second.

Of course, he wanted to ask you to go with him!

But his brain was feeding him of insecurities. What if you didn’t want to go with him? What if you did say yes but only as a friend?

Plus, he didn’t want to ask you in front of all these people, thinking that you might be pressured by the crowd to agree.

No, he wanted to do it in a private, more intimate setting. Deserving of your beauty and grand place to confess his feelings.

He’d dream that in return you would say ‘Yes, I loved to go to the ball with you, George!’ and perhaps even say those 3 words he’s been dying to hear-more in the romantic nature than of friendship- and if he was lucky, maybe even share a kiss, that would be the best case scenario.

The worst-case scenario would be you rejecting him, possibly forever ruining the relationship with his best friend and having his heart broken- at least that case, nobody else would witness that.

‘Eh George?? Georgie?? Hello??’ You frantically wake a hand in front of him. ‘Earth to George Weasley!!!’

Great, when you finally had the courage to ask him to be your date-albeit indirectly- You broke him.

‘uuh.. I… I have to go...’ George looked like a deer caught in headlights

‘What?’

His eyes, dart upwards, thinking of an excuse. ‘Yes, I have to go… GO CLEAN MY SOCKS!’ Unfortunately, for him, in an uncharacteristic manner, he failed to think of a believable lie. ‘I’ll see you later!’

And with that he rushed out the Great Hall, leaving you once again gawking with a confused face at another Weasley twin.

You had your back against one of the rock formations near the Black lake, deciding which of the 2 dresses you would be wearing to the ball.

You were enjoying the last good sunny autumn days, taking in the sights of other students having a picnic on this beautiful Saturday. When suddenly a figure had landed right in front of you.

‘Ahhh!’ You had jumped in fright, causing you to slip a bit.

‘I got you, I got you!’ You felt arms holding you tight, preventing you from falling off the rocks.

Once you had regained your balance you check to see the perpetrator that had gave you a heart attack.

‘CEDRIC DIGGORY!!!!!!!! I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THAT!!’

The boy chuckled. ‘I know y/n/n, but I just couldn’t help it!’

You narrowed your eyes at him. Which made him laugh even more.

‘You know you love me.’ He gushed, bring you into a hug.

‘And that is my weakness’ Your reply being muffled by his shoulder. You Cedric were as close as brother and sister, having basically grew up together as both your families super close. Your father is best friends with his father and so are your mothers ever since their Hogwarts days. Therefore, naturally you and Cedric have a close bond too, being joined at the hip since birth-the only time part was the 3 months that you are older by.

It has been a while since you two had caught up with each other, him being busy with the Triwizard Tournament ofcourse.

‘Have you got any idea about the second task?’

‘Yeahh’ Cedric gulped.

You crocked a brow. Not buying his bullshit.

Cedric scratched the back of his neck. ‘Fine, I haven’t….’ Gazing towards the lake, he continued. ‘But I think it’s got something to do about the water.’

You take hold of his hand. ‘Hey, it’s alright. You’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out.’

‘Thanks y/n. I thought initially you wouldn’t be against me joining.’ He confessed.

‘You know I would support you no matter what. But don’t get me wrong, I’m worried for you Ced, always am. The tournament just upped it to level 1000! But I know that you have it in you to win this, to be the Triwizard Champion!’ You beamed. ‘Imagine that Ced, a Triwizard Champion in the family!’

‘It would be great, would it?’

‘Now to the matter at hand, The Yule Ball.’

‘What about it?’

‘Have you asked someone yet? You enquired.

‘Well there is this gorgeous lady that I’ve been meaning to ask…’ He hinted. ‘Though I am waiting for the right opportunity to ask her, you see everything has to be perfect!’

‘Awww, what an absolute sweetheart!’ You swooned.

Behind Cedric, you could have sworn that you saw someone in the trees. However, in your eagerness to know more of Cedric’s possible date, you brushed it off as the swaying of the branches and falling autumn leaves.

‘How about you? Has Mr. Beater asked you yet?’

You sighed. ‘Not exactly…’

Cedric leaned forward with hands on his chin, interested to hear more.

‘He asked if I had got a date yet, to which I said no. Then teased if he was gonna ask me.’ You recalled. ‘Then he froze. I guess I broke him, cause the next thing he said was that he’s got to go clean his socks.’

That had Cedric doubling over. ‘George really said that?!?!!?’ He had his arms wrapped around his stomach. ‘Clean his socks?!!??’

‘Yeah yeah yeah, laugh all you want Diggory. But you still hadn’t asked Cho out yet.’

‘Heyy! I told you I am waiting for the right moment!’

‘C’mon Ced, Sweet intentions aside. Cho has been declining offers to the ball, time is running out and I bet she is getting tired waiting for you to make a move, especially this close to the ball.’ You know how much Cedric likes Cho and hate to see him sad if and when Cho doesn’t get tired of waiting for him. ‘Sooner or later she might just say yes to some other guy, cause you’re talking so long!’

‘I’m sorry Cedric.’ You had realized that you projected your own frustrations on him. ‘I didn’t mean to go off on you like that.’

‘I know y/n, it’s alright really.’ He smiled, having come up with an idea ‘How about this, the next time you see George, YOU ask him out?’ He suggested.

‘ME?!?’

‘Yes.’ He insisted. ‘That why we would get a definite answer. And this time not more asking in an indirectly direct way. - We don’t want another system error in that head of his. Deal?’

‘Deal’

Picking up the discarded catalogue, he remarked. ‘Hmmm, I think that the long one would suit the occasion better, don’t you think? Being it a formal event and all.’

You agreed. ‘and you‘re not the first one to say that too.’ You muttered-more to yourself.

‘Huh?’

‘Nothing!’

‘So what color are you thinking? Blue or…’

‘Oh I got that all figured out! I was thinking that since the point of the Triwizard Tournament is school unity, I want the grown to be featuring my house colours.’

Fred had ran back to the Gryffindor dormitories as fast as he could. Glad to spot that his twin brother laying down on the bed.

As much as he enjoys teasing his siblings. He could no longer endure the obliviousness of his brother and y/n. He can no longer take the constant nonessential pining, especially when they obviously like each other.

Fred had been trying to get them together for the past month, but it seems that subtly pushing them to the right direction isn’t working. Which leaves him with no choice.

‘If you want to make a move, today would be the perfect time to go for it’ Stated Fred.

‘What?’

‘I can’t take it anymore Georgie!’ He grabs his brother by the collar. ‘I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I KNOW YOU LIKE Y/N AND BELIEVE ME GEOGRE WHEN I SAY THAT SHE LIKES YOU BACK OKAY.’ Fred pleads, shaking George with each word. ‘AND YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE A MOVE TODAY! NOW! ASK HER TO THE BALL BEFORE CEDRIC DOES.’

George now dizzy, mumbled. ‘What? How?.....How do you know this?’

‘I saw them together at the lake and me being the best brother that you have decided to eavesdrop.’ Fred admitted. ‘And guess what, Cedric plans to ask a gorgeous lady- y/n- to the yule ball but is just finding the perfect opportunity.’

‘Therefore, brother dearest, it’s only a matter of time til that happens. And I your very supportive wingman urge you to freaking ask y/n out RIGHT NOW before it’s too late.’

That news that Cedric might ask y/n to the ball before he does, had put George back into his senses.

In record time, George had tidy up his clothes and fixed his hair. ‘Right.’ He turned to Fred who was looking smug leaning on the door frame. ‘How do I look?’

‘Smashing.’

‘Great, Now get out of the way you prick.’

George was busy thinking on how to ask y/n out to the yule ball and possibly even side in the chance to ask to go on a date with him, when he accidentally bumped into someone.

‘Wooooahh careful George!’

Damnit! he thought, out of all the people in this huge school, he just had to bump into the one person he doesn’t want to see.

‘Diggory.’ George growled.

‘You two alright?’ Said a voice beside them.

In his annoyance towards Cedric, George hadn’t noticed that you were close by. ‘Yeah, I’m good.’

‘Heyy’ Cedric interrupted. George had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. ‘I’ll see you later okay?’

Cedric kissed your forehead and whispered. ‘Good luck.’

This was is. George interpreted that sibling affection as you going out with Cedric to the ball.

Accepting defeat, he cleared his throat. ‘I guess imma go too-‘

‘Wait George!’ You held onto his arm to prevent him from leaving. ‘I wanted to ask you something.’

‘Go ahead.’ Replied George, curious onto what it is that is so important to ask him.

‘Do you find it sexy when girls make the first move, or should I wait for you to do it yourself?’

‘Hmm?’ George once again confused.

‘Gosh you are slow sometimes aren’t you.’ You chuckled. You take a step closer to him, coming up face to face. ‘George Weasley will you go to the ball with me?’

It took a second for George to believe what he was hearing. ‘YES!!’ He exclaimed then recomposed himself. ‘Yes, I would love to go to the ball with you.’

Wrapping his arms around your waist, he decided to take it one step further- cause what else has he got to lose? ‘Will you y/n l/n go on a date with me?’

You bring your arms to his neck, his him close. ‘I’d love nothing more.’ You grinned, pulling him into a long awaited kiss.

Taglist [All/General]: @gruffle1

#george weasley x reader #george weasley fluff #heloises1kwritingchallenge #george weasley imagine #george weasley #weasley x reader #cedric diggory x reader #harry potter x reader #harry potter imagine #fred and george #Fred and George Weasley #weasley twins #fandomscombine writes

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singingforthepromises · 4 years ago

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fruits basket manga lb (chs 131 - 133)

CH 131

We’re learning about the origins of the curse now. Oh boy.

The cat went to God first ;A;

omg the cat died first....

God saved it!

Oh, the cat didn’t want to have eternal life... and the others and God took that as rejection.... seriously? So petty, honestly. I love learning about how it happened but I’m just like... wtf. It’s like all of this generational trauma could’ve all been avoided if God and the animals hadn’t misinterpreted shit LOl

YUKI’S CRYING ;A;

I totally understand Yuki’s feelings here. It must be hard. You’re free, but you’re also letting go of something that was a part of you for so long, something that helped shaped who you are, no matter how negative a situation.

AH AJSFJSJF HE CAN HUG HER NOW OH MY GOD I TOTALLY FORGOT IM SOBBING

MACHI IS SO CUTE

She’s calling him by his first name KSFJSJFJSF

AHHH THEY KISSED! ENDGAME YUCHI! <3

“When did that promise turn into a curse?” What I’ve been asking since since the very beginning rofl

AKDGDKG KYO’S SHOWING KAZUMA HIS BARE ARM IM ;A;

KAZUMA IS SO HAPPY SJJDG

Haru and Rin!! <3

omg look at Tohru pulling on Kyo’s shirt how cute

is Tohru gonna see Akito? <3

SHE’S HUGGING HER! I LOVE THIS! I love that Akito can see that even after the curse has been lifted, Tohru wasn’t lying about being there for her, about being her friend. Akito needed this, honestly. I’m very happy with the resolution of their rivalry. I’m happy with how the curse broke.

“The Cat’s wish... wasn’t granted... until much, much later.” IM CRYINGGG

CH 132

Starting the last volume... this is so depressing, I don’t want this story to be over.

Akigure time, lol.

Oh is this the final banquet?

IT’S SO NICE TO SEE RITSU AGAIN!! <333

“Things might be a bit tense.” Oh, I’m sure. I don’t think it’s all going to be sunshine and daisies. Akito may be behaving a hell of a lot better and changed her ways, but there’s still a lot of pain here, pain that she directly caused. I’m interested to see how this is going to go.

LOL @ momiji calling Kyo a cheater we love to see familial teasing!

I love that they’re not all awkward around each other. It just goes to show that a lot of their genuine personalities poked through even among the curse. They all do have a bond, curse or no curse. And it’s very nice to see Kyo being actually included in that bond.

lool fucking Ayame, man. I love him.

Aww is Yuki kinda sorta looking out for Kyo around Ayame? I love this.

HAHA

“Akito’s ready to see you.” sfjsjfsj

OH WOW.

Look at her? She looks so pretty?

RITSU LMFAO

Oh, Shigure got her that kimono.

Yeaaah, this is what I’m worried about with Akigure as a ship. Akito’s better, but she still has a tendency to fly off the handle if she thinks she’s being slighted, and it makes me worried about how they would handle dispites and arguments without getting physical like that, you know? I’d hope that she’d do it less and less as time goes on.

“All of you are free. And this may come too late, but for everything... I’m...” Oh my god. Is she trying to apologize?

She can’t, though. It won’t come out. I bet she probably feels like sorry isn’t enough, in some ways. How do you apologize for a lifetime of suffering that you’ve caused, the trauma inflicted on other people?

I guess Akigure are official, lol. I mean, I’m glad that Akito’s getting a somewhat happy ending. Shigure, I still don’t like him but he’s a fantastic character.

Akito’s gonna stay at the estate and be the head without keeping anyone shackled to her. That’s as good of an ending as I could’ve anticipated for her. I’ll be honest: I still feel like she got off a little easy. She should’ve faced some legal consequences, at least. But I don’t dislike her like I used to. She’s definitely come around and I’ve partially forgiven her.

I’ll talk more about my feelings about Akito and everything once I’ve finished, but that’s where I am right now.

CH 133

AHHH KYORU. THEY’RE OFFICIAL!

loool who is Mayu talking about?

OH Yuki and the others know about Akito being a female now? Nice!

“I can’t believe I was so violent... to a girl.” KYO. MY BOY. Omg what a sweetheart? Honey, she was violent to you, too.

“The last thing I wanted was another guy interested in you.” LMFAOOOO

YUKI’S DYING

“The mood between the two of them has become somewhat gentler than before.” Somewhat? Girl, they’re friends now, and I’m loving it. It’s so cute.

“He beat the crap outta me.” YES LOL

“Kyo-kun smiles more than he used to. I’ve come to realize that this is his true self.” ;A;

oh my gosh THEY’RE SO CUTE.

How are they even cuter now that they’re dating?!

“Walking together, hand in hand, isn’t something that I’ll ever take for granted.” I’m cryinggggg. ;a; My babies.

NOT TALK OF A KYORU BABY MY HEART CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH.

AND GRANDPA KAZUMA!! HE’D DOTE ON THAT KID!

What’s wrong with my bby girl Isuzu? :(

“Not everyone... is in the same situation.” Ah, yeah...

“How can you act like nothing ever happened? She did all kinds of nasty stuff to Kyo. And she hurt you a lot too. Those wounds will never disappear, will they?” I 1000% understand Rin here. I was waiting for this to be brought up!

Oh, Isuzu, my poor girl.

This might change later on, but as of right now, I don’t fully forgive Akito, either. There’s just too much that she did to too many people. Like Rin, like Yuki, like Kyo. Even Hatori. I’m generally a forgiving person, but I have a hard time with abusive characters. Maybe it’s from my own past, being a survivor of abuse. Being around it and knowing how they are just impacts you differently, I guess. I don’t know if it’s right to say that maybe people who haven’t experienced abuse are able to forgive easier.

I haven’t forgiven my abuser, and I never will. Do I still understand why they did it, why they are who they are, and do I still empathize? YES. I feel a lot for people. I feel a lot for Akito on a positive note, and I’m so proud of her progression. She’s a hurt woman who deserved better and who hurt people because she was in so much pain herself. She hasn’t been able to break free of her abuser or heal yet. She needs a safe space to do that, and she’s beginning to learn to be better and be a sweeter person. Tohru showed her that.

But like Rin, I can’t fully forgive her. If Tohru hadn’t done what she did, hadn’t reached out to Akito, Akito never would’ve changed. She would’ve continued to be horrible and not feel regret for the things she’s done. I appreciate that she was trying to apologize, though. And there are things that I’ve forgiven her for. It’s the worst indiscretions that I can’t. How she treated Rin and Yuki, specifically. I know that she was projecting with Rin. But Rin was a child and an abuse victim herself. Out of all of them, Akito could’ve related to her. Akito knew. She used that instead to hurt Rin, and that is the one thing that I’ll never be okay with.

“They’ll need time. A whole lot.” Yes. And even then, it may not be enough. Some scars run so fucking deep that even time doesn’t help. I’ve healed from my trauma. It doesn’t impact me anymore. I’ve learned how to cope and move on and now utilize those skills to help others. I think time will help, though, and it may allow others to forgive Akito later.

Distance is the key here, I think. If they’re not around her, maybe forgiveness will come easier.

Wow, Akito taking what she learned from Tohru and reaching out to the maid? We love to see it.

#fruits basket #fruits basket spoilers #fruits basket manga #fruits basket manga spoilers #liveblogging #abuse tw #because i discuss it

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crimsonandcloverwrites · 3 years ago

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ok bhah ch1 reread thought dump lets goooo

@youngbloodbuzz @romanitwontletmetagyouuuu??? thank u for writing this. in return I gift u this lightly unhinged commentary

oh the opening quote “Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home?” violence

lmao ok I started this ages ago and then got distracted for a week because that’s just who I am as a person lets try that again

eddie n his glowing glasses nice we love a canon nod

ok I remember getting really emotional reading the chapter where Dani’s car died bc of what it represented to her n now I’m being reminded of it all again with the ‘poor little car’ comment oh dear we’re like 2 paragraphs in and I’m already compromised

the wavering reflection in the water in her hands..... Dani posessed by the ghost of comphet..... I am Drawing Conclusions

eddie “we can hang out more” dani “aha wouldn’t that be neat”

god the prom photo... remembering Dani’s meltdown at the prom bc she missed Jamie... I’m dying Jack I’m dying

lil palm kiss... I know u will not ever love hm that way Dani but fuck I’m a sucker for a palm kiss

lil nerd ass w her folder tabs I love her

god the tone of this is so comforting like I can just hang out n imagine each scene progressing so naturally. wish I did not have to suffer emotionally at the same time but at least it’s a smooth read

Dani feeling like an invader amongst all the physical representations of her relationship w eddie BABY U DON’T HAVE TO LIVE THIS WAY STOP LETTING OTHER PEOPLE INFLUENCE UR LIFE AND RUIN UR HAPPINESS

“Hannah Grose, seamlessly elegant” yes

Hannah: congrats on ur engagement. Dani, with tears in her eyes: thank

Dani relaxing when they’re talking about teaching pls I love her love for it so much

Dani at the blackboard with the “Miss, Ms?” confusion now I am thinking about the Ted Moseby professor/proffessor scene. HIMYM my beloved

mikeyyyy my boy

the image of Dani w chalk dust on her skirt is v endearing.

oooh the library trip gay foreshadowing yes

wait the silver stars on his backpack......... cup of stars crying time

Mikey correcting her on his name when she was the one to give him the nickname in the first place... feeling some kind of way

Dani fostering the talents she sees in her kids is so sweet and mikey shy lil math genuis is also so sweet pls i love this duo

i do wonder if part of her is like I know a Mikey Taylor but I literally refuse to believe it is the same one bc his sister broke my heart and we are absolutely not in the business of confronting hard feelings in this house!!

keys on a lanyard... ok lesbian

“You’re still here?” the love I have for canon lines being used when I can hear them being said in my head

awww bonding over Wonder Woman. cute!!!! When Dani becomes Mikey’s official second mum (everyone be quiet I am manifesting) my heart will explode

eddie ur really just gonna rock up and toot at her. jail for 1000 years

ooohhh Dani is Realising who the sister is. honey you got a big storm comin. oof (the ‘wonder woman punching stars out of her foes” to “dani feeling like she’s just recieved a blow to the ribs.” the cinnamontography). aw baby :(

“Jamie. Jamie, here. Jamie, home.” please i am thinking about her last letter and I am not strong enough

“Somehow Eddie didn’t notice.” sum up a relationship in a sentence

“Jamie would appear, as if summoned by the gravity of Dani’s pounding heart” fuck this hits on so many levels I need to go think about my life for 45mins

CARSON MY BOY. in his studded leather. a fashionable gay never loses.

I looove how soft n caring Dani n Carson are with each other thank gods she has him.

DID WE EVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN CARSON AND JASON MY SPIDEY SENSES ARE STILL TINGLING FROM READING THIS THE FIRST TIME

god this post is already so long n I’m only halfway through why do I have so many silly thoughts

god just the... expectations of affection from her by eddie w that placating cheek kiss she gives him is like... I cannot imagine Jamie ever asking that from her in the same way even when they are in a relationship!!! and it’s not even wrong of him to do that??? but it’s just a lot to think about the kind of person Dani makes herself to be to stay with him vs the kind of person Jamie lets her be by not expecting anything of her. they’re such opposites

dani not even feeling at home in her own (former) home pls when is she going to find a soft place to land (it’s also making me think v hard about the title like... the haunting of Dani and Jamie’s relationship (and what that represents for Dani) on Dani’s whole life and Jamie coming home and bringing that to Dani’s doorstep. resurecting a ghost so to speak........ too many homes to think about. I don’t know if I fully understand but I am Thinking)

dani and her inhaler... asthmatic bitches represent

oh my god not the box of memories. been trying to erase that from my own for weeks now let me live

ooh the line about her feeling like an archaeologist at the start of this section and then her ‘exhuming the past’ w the photos of her n Jamie i love a consistent narrative.

THE MIXTAPE. THE MIXTAPE. is there a playlist for this chapter I would like to take that aural journey

oh no i cannot remember where the flower comes from but aahhh this box of memories pain.

this description of carson in a tight white undershirt tucked into his jeans makes me think of freddie mercury. didn’t mean to make you cry etc

lmao Dani trying to get info from Judy abt Jamie in a roundabout way... international superspy she is not

Dani entirely uncomfy in church... i feel it. godd the repression of it all w the movie and the feelings and the Jamie-influence on the feelings my heart hurts.

God knowing how much Judy loves her but the weight of that love also stifling her... pain

they’ve really got her all shacked up w a house and a husband and a kid on the way can we let the girl be a lesbian in peace (also lowkey hoping Dani gets some time on her own at some point no Eddie no Jamie no weight of expectations pls she needs it we all need it)

the thread of Dani refusing to do things for herself in order to make other people happy throughout this entire piece hits so fucking close to home and is entirely heartbreaking to read thank you

jamiiiiieeeeeeeee

Jamie: appears. Dani: every single emotion all at once

Judy and her girls back together is v sweet even if Dani is dying inside at it all

“Jamie only had eyes for Dani.” Again, sum up a relationship in a sentence.

What do you even say to a girl who *the sky goes dark as i attempt to even summarise a fraction of their relationship*. Apparently the answer is “Jamie. Hi.”

TWO MONTHS JAMIE TAYLOR. CRIMES

It’s ahh. fairly entertaining to be going through Dani’s emotional journey alongside her and knowing that Jamie is also Going Through It on some level but having 0 insights to it bc she keeps her emotions so in check.

oooh how much of a gut punch is this engagement revelation for Jamie??? like on some level I’m sure she always knew this was coming but I’m sure another part of her still desperately hoped one day Dani would choose her. god I would kill for Jamie’s POV in this scene

Jamie’s scarrrr. Literally Dani’s impact

oh fucking hell that moment of like... familiarity and almost a coming home for Dani when Judy is talking and she meets Jamie’s eyes... she really was entirely screwed from that moment on huh.

oof god this is a hell of an opening chapter lets see if my attention span will let me continue this journey (also @ myself reminder to read this all in chronological order one day for a real nice session of emotional destruction)

#bhah #bly manor fic #this is so chaotic i apologise to anyone who reads this #absolute delight tho i love writing out my rambling thoughts as I read #god i remeber reading this chapt when it first came out n i truly... had no idea what i was getting myself in for huh

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duhragonball · 4 years ago

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[FIC] Luffa: The Legendary Super Saiyan (125/?)

Disclaimer: This story features characters and concepts based on Dragon Ball, which is a trademark of Bird Studio/Shueisha and Toei Animation. This is an unauthorized work, and no profit is being made on this work by me. This story is copyright of me. Download if you like, but please don’t archive it without my permission. Don’t be shy.

Continuity Note: About 1000 years before the events of Dragon Ball Z.

[7 July, 233 Before Age. Fytpall IV.]

They told stories on Fytpall IV, of a creature that slept at the bottom of the wine-dark sea. Immeasurably old, it had lain dormant for undreaming eons, and one day it would awaken and resume whatever unfathomable business it had upon the surface. It was said that the creature was indescribable, and all who saw it were driven mad by its appearance. Even the fish knew to avoid that part of the sea, and so it was utterly devoid of life.

The legend was mostly true, although the Fytpallians had overestimated the creature somewhat. Gorath'th the Defiler of Souls was eminently describable. It had a body somewhat like a carnivorous dinosaur, only its skin was smooth and slimy like a frog's, and at the end of its long neck was a jawless mouth ringed with pointed teeth. Tentacles would snake out of its throat when it ate, and it had a eerily humanoid eye on the center of its chest. Instead of fingers or toes, its limbs ended with thousands of hair-like cilia.

Also, contrary to the Fytpallian tradition, Gorath'th would never reawaken, as it had been accidentally killed during a battle between Luffa and the Jindan Saiyans who had invaded Fytpall a week earlier. The invaders had tried to lure Luffa underwater, hoping that they would find an advantage there, but instead she unleashed a massive ki attack, as she believed there were no innocent life forms in the area to get caught in the blast. And this was true enough, for the Defiler of Souls was by no means "innocent." Gorath'th was vaporized in its sleep, never knowing what had destroyed it. Would such an ancient and unknowable horror have felt humiliation over such an ignoble death? Probably. Gorath'th was a lot more insecure about these things than anyone knew.

The irony was that the enormous explosion that had destroyed Gorath'th hadn't even been meant to kill anything. Luffa had only used it as a diversion. While her two enemies moved off to escape the range of the attack, Luffa propelled herself through it, just so she could catch one of them off guard and drive her fist into his face. A normal Saiyan would have been killed on impact, but the Jindan power had made this one strong enough to survive. That was fine. She was quite satisfied to simply break his jaw. That would be enough to keep him from saving his comrade.

The Jindan Saiyans were stronger than ordinary Saiyans, but they were still no match for Luffa in a one-on-one scenario. Accordingly, they worked in squads of at least six. Luffa countered this strategy by splitting them up and picking them off one at a time. Now, she closed in on her true prey, a Saiyan woman with scars running down both sides of her face. She had looked very confident in herself when she had been flanked by seven teammates, but now she was alone. Luffa struck her hard enough to knock her out of the water like a missile. She flew after Scarface and battered her with her fists every time she was close enough to strike. By the time Broken Jaw recovered--if he ever recovered--Scarface would be too badly hurt to help him.

The key, Luffa had found, was to resist the urge to finish her enemies off. That was what they expected her to do, after all, and she had found it was best to keep switching targets as quickly as possible. She sensed Bald Guy pulling himself together from the beating she had given him a thousand miles away, while Kidney Punch seemed to be alive, but he had lost the will to fight. The other four--Shorty, Screamer, Kinda Cute, and Head Wound-- were already dead. She would kill them all eventually, but it was important to keep them from regrouping or formulating any kind of plan. Her right knee and left shoulder were still bothering her, and while she was certain that she could kill four Jindan Saiyans at once, she couldn't take that chance. She had been fighting battles like this on a dozen planets already, and each one had taken a toll on her body. If she allowed herself to take too much damage on any one battle, then she would risk losing the war.

Luffa refused to let that happen. Dying in any one battle would rob her of the battles yet to come. That was what she told herself. It was easier than facing the real reasons.

[4 July, 233 Before Age. Buulprind III.]

The city was utterly ruined. The Jindan Saiyans who destroyed it were all dead, and Luffa was overdue to join another battle on Fytpall. But her own ship was hours away, and the transport she had planned to use had been destroyed in the battle. There were other ships, but the spaceports and shipyards were in disarray.

And she needed medical attention. Under different circumstances, Luffa might have simply taken the first spaceworthy vessel available, and headed for her next mission without bothering to bandage her wounds. But she had been too slow this time, and she knew she couldn't afford to lose any more strength. And so, she found a hospital in what remained of the city and waited for someone to treat her.

Unable to sit still for any length of time, she roamed the halls, occasionally helping herself to rolls of bandages. On the sixth floor, she found a woman sobbing over an unoccupied bed. There were a lot of people crying in this place. Some didn't cry. They just stared blankly, as though still registering what had happened to them.

"I couldn't get them all in time," Luffa said from the doorway. She hadn't meant to speak these words aloud. It wasn't until the civilian looked up and noticed her that Luffa realized she had said anything. The woman took one look at her and rose to her feet.

"I'm sorry," Luffa said. "Didn't mean to disturb you."

"Are you all right?"

The woman began to fuss over Luffa's bandages. She had applied them rather sloppily, and several of them were soaked with blood. Before Luffa could object, the woman was close enough to notice her tail.

"You're the Federatrix," she said. "Luffa."

"Yeah," Luffa said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, even as she still wiped the tears from her eyes. "These bandages are a mess. Who put these on?"

"Uh, I did," Luffa said.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you did a better job that I could have done before yesterday," she said. "One of the nurses downstairs finally showed me how."

Luffa watched, but not very carefully. Mostly, it was just an excuse to look away, and to avoid saying anything.

"They won't come back, will they? The Saiyans, I mean."

"No," Luffa said. "I mean, not these Saiyans. I killed them. But there might be others. Sometimes they hide and try to ambush me, or wait for me to leave the planet."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't fast enough to stop them. I didn't think they would blow up the city like they did, not while they were fighting with me."

"Well, you're hurt," the woman said. "I'm sure you did the best you could."

"How'd you end up here?" Luffa asked. She had been trying to steer clear of this topic, but something about the word "best" made her desperate to talk about anything else.

"I brought... It's stupid, really. He was... there was nothing they could do for him. After the blast, I went looking for help. I told him I'd come back for him. But it took me hours to find help, and they couldn't go back right away. There just wasn't enough... He was unconscious when they finally found him, and he'd lost so much blood... They took him into surgery an hour ago, and they'll do what they can, but..."

Her voice started to crack and she set her jaw as she continued to work on Luffa's bandages. "Well, it's not important now. You've seen how it is here. There's plenty of other people who can be helped. I can't just hide in here forever."

She seemed to gather strength as she spoke, and when she was done with Luffa's bandages, she clasped one of her hands into her own.

"Thanks," she said. "I needed a kick in the pants to get me motivated again."

"What?" Luffa asked. "I didn't mean to--"

But the woman wasn't listening. "You've been protecting us all, fighting with everything you have, in spite of your injuries. I don't know how you Saiyans can do it, but it's inspiring to have someone like you on our side. Someone who never gives up."

Luffa's eyes widened and she pulled away. "I... I have to go."

"Oh, of course. I didn't meant to take up your time. You should really have a doctor take a look at you..."

But Luffa had already run out into the hallway, and through the nearest window to escape into the sky...

*******

[7 July, 233 Before Age. Fytpall IV.]

It wasn't the joy of battle, or even the guilt she felt over innocent lives she had been unable to save. Both of those emotions were there, of course. As she kicked a Saiyan hard enough to shatter his pelvis, she couldn't help but enjoy it, and worry that it might not be enough.

But besides these feelings, what coursed through her heart was a very particular dread. She was doing the "best she could". She was the Super Saiyan, which meant that, by definition, her best was the best that any Saiyan could do, anywhere, ever.

Failure was one thing. Luffa had failed before. Her mother had taught her at an early age to get back up and try again. As much as she grieved for the civilian casualties in this conflict, she accepted it as part of the nature of war. The problem for Luffa was that when she wasn't good enough, it meant that the entire Saiyan race wasn't good enough.

Broken Jaw tried to take Luffa's head off with a blade of concentrated ki energy. She dodged it with inches to spare and responded with an energy blast from her mouth. A glancing blow, but good enough for the moment.

For a time, she had believed that a protracted battle with other Saiyans would be satisfying. Now, she wasn't so sure. In the end, they always seemed to fight just like all the other aliens and monsters she had encountered. They were just more familiar to her, in a way. Was that all the Saiyan species really was? King Rehval had boasted about shaping the destiny of the Saiyan people, and Luffa herself had always believed that the Saiyans were capable of an inherent greatness. But time after time, the Saiyans always seemed to fall short of her expectations. She was the best one, and if she was disappointed with herself, what hope was there for the rest of them?

There was no hope at all for Kidney Punch. Luffa finished him off with a Vengeance Canon through the heart. He died a warrior's death, but Luffa knew that was an empty statement. He was no courageous warrior, just a flunky in Trismegistus' mad cult. He had come to this planet to die in a useless battle, and perhaps to kill as many people as he could before death finally caught up to him. If by some miracle he had survived, he would have returned to his master's side, and lived out his days as a pathetic joke of what a Saiyan was supposed to be.

She couldn't get the woman from the hospital out of her mind. She had seen that kind of grief before. Luffa had experienced it firsthand, when she failed to save the Dorluns all those years ago. When she lost her son to the treachery of Kandai and the Tikosi. And yet, these civilians that she had failed, who were too weak to defend themselves, they seemed to bear their suffering far better than any Saiyan. To be so overcome with pain, and then to carry on helping others like that.

And that woman had said Luffa had inspired her. It shamed her to even think about it. These people of the Federation had been mostly an afterthought to Luffa. She cared about them, to a point, but they had never really been high on her list of priorities. She had defended them mostly in the abstract. Other than Extraliga, she had never spent much time among their people, or their soldiers. Now, Luffa was beginning to take some pride in them.

She wasn't sure how to feel about that. Luffa had hoped that fighting these last few cultists on Fytpall might distract her from that heavy feeling in her chest. As she tracked down Scarface, she decided that it wasn't distracting her at all. Scarface was too badly hurt to do much more than beg for her life. Perhaps it just as well that the people of the Federation gave Luffa something to be proud about. The Saiyan people didn't seem to have much to offer.

*******

[8 July, 233 Before Age. Nagaoka.]

Treekul's hair had grown to nearly three-quarters of an inch in length, for she had been without her hair trimmer for some time. Despite her confinement on this planet, surrounded by Saiyan cultists, hair growth was the most frustrating burden for her. Treekul took a private comfort in repeatedly trimming her scalp, but Rehval had forbidden this during her "apprenticeship". He said this was to discipline her mind, but she suspected that he just did these things for his own amusement.

She was late for today's "lesson", but Rehval never seemed too concerned with her punctuality. If one of his cultists stepped out of line, he would have them severely punished, but she was different. The only non-Saiyan on the planet, Treekul was never indoctrinated into their belief system. Instead, he made her a priestess and gave her a free hand to wander around his underground compound. This was all balanced by the fact that she was powerless to escape, and had no real way to resist him.

"Your distillate was very well done, Treekul," he said as she entered the chamber leading into his private laboratory. "You have some real talent."

"Look, I don't want to sound ungrateful," she said, "but why are you bothering training me at all? The war with the Federation, your vendetta against Luffa, running this cult of yours. Not to mention brewing up the Jindan potion you use to give them all that extra power you promise them. And I guess you're still the Saiyan King, even if everyone around here only knows you as Trismegistus. You've got enough on your plate already, don't you?"

"You've answered your own question," he said. "A king is only exceptional among his subjects. Surround him with other kings, and his crown becomes commonplace. So too does a teacher lose standing outside of a classroom. An alchemist loses grandeur when compared to other alchemists. A Saiyan becomes insignificant in a crowd of Saiyans. But a man who can be a king and an alchemist! A teacher and a deity. A Saiyan and a diplomat."

There were bottles and equipment arranged on her lab bench, but he was focused on a large pot of water that was suspended over a flame. Every few seconds, he sprinkled leaves and red powder into the pot, then stared intently at the surface of the liquid.

"Are you a fortune teller, too?" Treekul asked.

"You recognize the technique," Rehval said. "I'm impressed."

"I'm not an alchemist, I just study their history," Treekul replied. "I wouldn't be much good at that if I didn't know a scrying pool from a retort."

"Luffa is on Fytpall," he said. "By morning, my followers there will be dead."

"You don't sound too concerned about that," Treekul said.

"They give their lives for a higher purpose," he said.

"Level with me," Treekul said. "I'm not exactly in a position to expose your plans, and no one here would believe me if I told your secrets. What's this war of yours really for, anyway? Is it just a diversion for some other plan? Or are you really trying to kill off your own people?"

"Not at all," he said with a chuckle. "If one of them manages to kill Luffa, I would reward him beyond his wildest imaginations. Or her, but to be honest, I don't think any of the women in my fold would ever stand a chance. But for the men at least, it's not impossible, just very unlikely."

"Then why bother sending them?" Treekul asked.

"To wear her down," Rehval explained. "Before, I made the mistake of luring her to my home. I thought it would give me the advantage, but she escaped, and destroyed a lot of things I considered precious. I see now that that the only way to defeat her is by force. Not a single, decisive strike, but through attrition. My followers will chip away at her, little by little, across dozens of worlds. She seems to be healing between battles, but she still has to travel from planet to planet to block my offensives."

"What if she just quits?" Treekul suggested. At last, Rehval looked up at her, and his glare made her regret the question.

"You don't understand anything," Rehval said. "She's not just some general, like the ones you probably studied in your history books. She is a force of nature. As I rise up to claim supremacy over the Saiyan race-- and through them, the entire universe-- she rises up to oppose me. Force, counterforce. She would never back down from this challenge, and even if she did, it would only prove that she is not the threat I took her for."

"Oh," Treekul said, not understanding any of this. "Why didn't you just say so before?"

"You would understand if you had met her like I did," Rehval muttered. "If you had seen the wild look in her eyes, felt the raw intensity of her ki. No. No, she's the one. Nature resists alchemy, my dear. Each reaction, every shortcut, every convenience we make, there is a price that nature demands in return. A shrewd practitioner knows how to reach a fair bargain. This scrying pool only demands a few drops of blood, and the caloric from the fire. A glimpse into the future doesn't cost much, if that's all you seek. But my goal is to change the universe itself, and so the price I must pay is nothing less than the head of my nemesis. I was a fool to think she could ever be convinced to join me, but I had to try. Yes... I had to try. She's far too magnificent a woman... far too magnificent indeed..."

The one good thing about this rambling, Treekul thought, was that he was obsessing over some other woman, instead of herself. It wasn't much comfort to her, though. "You wanted to show me something, Boss?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Yes, of course," he said. "Your performance on your last few exercises proves that you're ready to take a more hands-on approach with the cult."

"Huh?" Treekul asked.

"I want you to administer the Jindan potion, Treekul," Rehval said. "One day, I may have you manufacture it yourself, but for now, I just want you to oversee the ritual with the next class of recruits. It will help you understand how it works."

"I... I thought they just..." Treekul mimicked the act of drinking from an imaginary cup, and gulped for emphasis.

"Oh, that's definitely part of it," Rehval said. "But the rituals before that are important for preparing the subject. Heh. If you just drank the principal elixir by itself... well, I'd show you what happened to some unruly followers when they tried it, but... there isn't really anything left of them to see."

"Oh," Treekul said. Without realizing it, she took a step backward. He had been so calm and composed around her before. Almost friendly. But each time she met him, the gentle self-assured confidence seemed to slip a little more. It frightened her more than she wanted to admit. And while she knew there was no point in trying to run from him, her instincts sometimes got the better of her.

Suddenly she found herself leaning back in his arms. He had crossed the distance between them with a burst of speed she could hardly comprehend. Treekul knew about the immense power of the Saiyans, but this was her first personal demonstration.

"Ley lines," Rehval said as he looked deeply into her eyes. Her back rested against his left hand, while his right was steadying her at the hip. If he noticed her trembling, or the fear in her eyes, he didn't show it.

"I built these caverns to align with different ley lines across the planet," he said. "Can you feel it? We're standing on a node right now."

"Is that right?" Treekul said.

"The Jindan elixir is a medium between the living energy of the body and the geological energy of the planet. The Jindan transmutation allows a Saiyan to supplement his own ki with planetary power, which is usually much greater. I estimate that a planet with a high population and good biodiversity contains enough ki energy to rival any living foe, including Luffa. The trouble is that there's been no way to direct this sort of power, or to put it all at the command of an individual."

"Until you found a way," Treekul said.

"I found a better way," Rehval said with a smile. "Instead of drawing upon the life energy on Nagaoka's surface, I can tap into the energy of the planet underfoot. The hard part is converting that energy into a form that living beings can use. But I'll show you. I'll show you everything..."

"Could you, uh, let go of me?" she asked, fighting the urge to panic. She wasn't sure how he would react if she struggled, but she was reluctant to find out.

"Is that what you want?" Rehval asked. "I have so much power, Treekul. Far more than any Super Saiyan. I'm offering to share that power with you. You can feel it, can't you? Through my hands, the caverns, my followers? I very much want you to understand that power. It means a great deal to me."

"Hey, I can tell you're powerful," Treekul said, choosing her words very carefully. "But I won't fully appreciate it all until you teach me what you know, and you can't exactly do that while your hands are full, can you?"

He began to laugh, gently, the way someone would during a conversation over a meal. She was beginning to think he saw her as a friend.

"You're right, of course," he said as he finally released her. "Let's get back to the matter at hand. Alchemy is a path to power, Treekul. The Jindan ritual will show you how I can manipulate incredible energies."

"Okay, but that's not really sharing power with me," Treekul said. "Even if I learn how to do this thing, I can only make Saiyans stronger and bind them to your cult, right? That's just me doing your work for you, and you've already got me under your thumb."

"You know, that's an interesting point," Rehval said. "I hadn't thought of it that way. You see, this is exactly why teaching is so rewarding. It gives the teacher a fresh perspective." He stepped away from Treekul and began to pace around the lab, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at the floor as he mulled it over.

"All right," he finally said, turning to look at Treekul again. "We'll do it like this. Tell me what you want. What do you desire most? Then let me show you how you can use alchemy to achieve it."

"How about a haircut?" Treekul said. This was a lie. What she wanted most was to leave Nagaoka and never return, but she doubted the wisdom of saying so out loud.

Rehval looked disappointed. "A haircut. You know, I'm starting to think you lack imagination."

"You didn't ask me to think big, you asked me what I wanted," Treekul said. "And right now, that's my answer."

"It would me much more interesting to show you how to make hair grow," Rehval replied. "Abiogenesis is a fascinating topic."

"Maybe so, but that would be the opposite of what I want, so it would be a waste of time," Treekul said. "You talk about power like all that matters is having more of it. What good is owning a mansion if the shower doesn't work?"

"Fine, you've made your point," Rehval said. "I'll need to prepare your materials for the lesson. Why don't you rest for now, and I'll send for you when I'm ready. Hm, yes, this might be interesting after all...."

With that, he began to busy himself with the reagents and glassware on the benches, and muttering to himself as he rummaged through the cabinets. Treekul hesitated for a moment, half-worried that he might grab her again if she moved, but eventually she decided that he had dismissed her, and that this might be her best chance to get away from him for a while.

She felt a strange elation as she wandered the halls of the compound. As shocked and afraid as she had been when he suddenly grabbed her like that, now that it was over, she felt like she had come away with a bit more leverage. He seemed almost desperate in some way, like he needed her approval, or something else from her that he couldn't simply take by force. As long as that was true, then she still had a chance.

And he was going to teach her something she could actually use, which was an unexpected bonus. Trimming her hair was a low priority in this situation, but he had been the one to confiscate her electric trimmer in the first place, so the fact that he might let her cut her own hair again seemed like a step in the right direction. If she couldn't escape the planet herself, and if she couldn't trick the cultists into helping her, then maybe Rehval himself might provide her with a way out.

The only problem with that, she reasoned, was that she would have to spend even more time with him for her lessons. And yet, this session had turned out to be almost exciting. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

NEXT: Morale

#dragon ball #fanfiction #super saiyan #luffa #lssjluffafic #treekul #trismegistus #nagaoka #buulprind #fytpall

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silencecunt · 5 years ago

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i finished KNY the other day and it's really all i have been able to think about. i read the whole manga in just about two days (it's only 205 chapters and they're relatively short so it was pretty easy) and i am just overwhelmed with emotion.

i understand a lot of people may be upset with how the manga ended--it's normal to feel like we are missing out on a lot of story possibilities bc frankly we are! gotōge, as far as i know, didn't want the series to end as quickly as it did, but certain unavoidable things popped up and they had to make that decision. it's fine to feel however u feel about it, but don't be upset with them bc i'm sure they're plenty upset about it themself.

i agree that the ending was rushed (bc it had to be), but i don't think the flow of events don't make sense. on the contrary! i think the way things happened do make a lot of sense. in my eyes, it's kinda obvious to see where certain things were pushed in order to transition to the last arc (nezuko suddenly being able to withstand the sun, for example). that isn't necessarily a bad thing and i know that this development would happen eventually. nezuko was, from the beginning, a different kind of demon. she was special from the first chapter on--not eating tanjiro, using sleep to recover rather than consume humans, remarkable strength, etc. i do not believe her developing to withstand the sun was "jumping the shark" nor do i think it was a cheap gimmick of any kind. i guess what i'm trying to say here is that, yes, i think it happened a bit abruptly and could have come later after a lot more development if the circumstances were different. seeing as they're not, it is what it is. i don't think it was done poorly, it just makes me wonder how it could have been better introduced if gotōge had more time.

having said that, it makes me think of how early we are introduced to muzan. he is the Big Bad, someone who no one else had seen before, and we meet him in chapter 13. this is part of why i don't think kny is all that rushed and the ending coming so soon isn't all that disappointing to me. now, granted, many manga introduce the Final Boss pretty early. BNHA introduced shigaraki in chapter 11, for example. but, with shigaraki, we see development in both his character and abilities. we watch as he comes into his own so he needed to be introduced early so horikoshi had time to see him mature. muzan, on the other hand, is more akin to all for one--someone who is borderline overpowered (i would argue muzan is overpowered, but i guess it makes sense considering he's lived ~1000 years, so one would get pretty fucking jacked after all that time plus demons get more powerful with the amount of people they eat soooo) and has posed as a threat to the heroes of the story for a Long Ass Time. i personally feel it would have been better had muzan not been introduced so early if the manga was allowed to be more fleshed out, as i'm sure gotōge planned/hoped. however, it works with how short the manga is. i don't really have a problem with it, it's just something i found interesting to think about and i haven't seen a lot of criticism on.

now, i am making a lot of assumptions on what gotōge had planned--perhaps they planned it to be shorter than i would have anticipated and the end just came a little bit faster than expected. perhaps they planned this to span for 400, 500, 1000 chapters. who knows? i am, after all, projecting my own thoughts on the pacing of the story and what would be appropriate. in my mind, i expected the series to follow tanjiro until he, himself, became a hashira. i would expect it to take hundreds of more chapters to reach that point before the final confrontation loomed on the horizon. i am in no way saying that that is the correct pace the story should have been at. again, it's just my thoughts. i would like to say i am in no way disappointed with how the story turned out. i don't think it was too rushed, i just feel like it's obvious there was more gotōge wanted to tell. we were only just (relatively speaking) introduced to the hashira and now all but 3 are dead. no doubt the quickness is elevated for me since i finished the whole series in 2 days, so things that spanned over years happened in a blink of an eye. however, i would argue that seeing the whole story in a short amount of time emphasizes just how short of a timeframe we are looking at (i realize there are timeskips, but i am speaking from a storytelling perspective).

rengoku dying quickly after being introduced is effective as a tool to show that even the hashira have trouble combatting the upper kizuki. this effectively conveys how much of a challenge the demon slayers have laying ahead of them. it was important to tanjiro especially to see how strong his opponents are. if upper 3 could strike down rengoku, arguably one of the most skilled of the hashira, single-handedly then muzan is a bigger threat than he could have anticipated. from a narrative perspective, this sets the tone to how much of an upward battle tanjiro was facing. it also effectively conveyed to the audience that tanjiro would not be the sole person to end the demons, that he would need help from his friends and peers to end things. this, in my eyes, is so important. yes, a part of me wanted tanjiro to be singularly responsible for muzan's defeat, but i know it wouldn't have been a good decision. when facing an impossible opponent, u have to rely on teamwork. this is something that has been conveyed from nearly the beginning. tanjiro wouldn't have made it to final selection had it not been for sabito and makomo helping him; he would have been overwhelmed and died on his first mission without nezuko; tanjiro wouldn't have been able to save kiyoshi (and teruko + shoichi) without zenitsu and inosuke there to kill the other two demons; he certainly would not have been able to kill the Spider Family by himself; etc. Teamwork has been the focus of the story from the beginning and rengoku's death reminded the audience that the demon slayers needed everyone they could in order to even come close to beating muzan.

still, seeing so little of the other hashira before they died is, understandably, disappointing. i wish we got to know them better, i wish we got to see the trio becoming tsuguko, i wish we got to see the five that passed final selection become hashira themselves, i wish i wish i wish. but it's okay that it didn't happen that way. gotōge still made me care about them in such a short amount of time. i sobbed when they died. genya hits especially hard. he and sanemi only just reconciled and then he died....and sanemi loved him so much. there was so much unsaid when he died and, as of right now, we won't get that resolution. again, not a bad thing. sometimes, while it hurts and you want to know, some questions are best left unanswered.

it hurts thinking about all the people who died. i am still getting choked up at just the thought. chapter 204 hurt me a lot--when nezuko smiled and sanemi saw genya....ouchie!!!! it hurts me so so much and i am so heartbroken and distraught over it. mitsuri and obanai dying in each other's arms, feelings still unsaid but it wasn't necessary bc they knew. they knew they loved each other so much. himejima seeing his orphans again and finding out they were just trying to protect him....and he spent so much time hurt by them running away.....god. it all just hurts so so much. i am so sad. i really don't have the words to capture how much my heart is aching. i fell in love with all the characters and i had to watch them die, watch as the ones they loved and loved them come to terms with their loss, and somehow i'm expected to be okay???? i'm not lmao i am heartbroken. i don't like things a normal amount so after i was done, i literally triggered a depressive episode. i hate it!!! i don't regret reading it and i think the story is beautifully done. the deaths were impactful and they meant something--i don't think anyone's death was unnecessary. they just....hurt. it's a beautiful story and i will recommend it to anyone who wants to try reading it (hopefully those people aren't reading this considering i spoiled uhhhh everything lmao).

thank you, gotōge, for sharing this amazing story. i loved it so much. it was a pleasure to read and i am so excited to experience it animated. seeing rengoku die in theaters will diagnose me with Sad Bitch Disease and i am ready 😌🙏🏻

especially thank you for this ❤️

#kny #kny manga spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #kinda?#im on mobile so i cant do read more lol sorry

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snkpolls · 6 years ago

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SnK S3E16 Poll Results (Manga Reader Version)

The poll closed with 352 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Please note that these are the results of the manga reader poll. Anime only watchers are suggested not to read if you do not wish to be spoiled about certain events! Anime only viewers, click here to view your poll results!

RATE THE EPISODE 338 Responses

This episode gained a lot of positive responses with 87.6% rating it at a 5, with only a couple people not so impressed. Hopefully future episodes will keep up the high streak!

As it stands right now, this is my favorite episode from the anime. How the Beast Titan's rampage was animated was so much more horrific and impactful than the manga, I felt more sympathy with Erwin than I did when I read the manga, and the final series of scenes that depict the suicide charge were so masterfully done I felt my heart grow heavy. Absolutely spectacular. I hope the next episode is even better <3

It was fucking amazing. Perfect game, more like perfect episode

Great job all around the board imo. The rock throwing was truly horrifying either the red mist, and the screams were done perfectly

So far easily the most harrowing, depressing episode of the anime :/

Even though I knew what it is going to happen in this ep, wit has managed to surprise me. Best episode of the season so far with the first one.

Favorite episode of the series so far

It was great, but the poor animation quality really ruins some serious moments in this arc, as many people are dying

Just Perfect, the tension and release were just on point 👌

Took the crown from S2EP6 as the best of the series for me.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT? 349 Responses

A lot of attention was on Erwin this chapter and many were moved by his scenes. Most notably, his charge with his soldiers at the Beast Titan led with 28.9% respondents picking it as their favorite moment. 17.8% respondents said Levi kneeling in front of Erwin and vowing to take down Zeke was their favorite, followed by Erwin’s motivational speech at 14.3%.

Bombardment scene was made 30 times better in the anime.

It was the moment we were all waiting for, and it happened and now I'm like a deflated balloon of emotion. Thank you, Erwin.

The imagery of the fallen scouts chilled me and I loved that included Isabel, Farlan, Isle Lagnar etc but my anger towards Annie has been resurged seeing Petra's face. Female titan I'll never forgive you for wrecking Levi Squad!

Erwin and Levi's relationship is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen, and I was happy seeing how it was portrayed, finally. With them having cut so many of the moments that showed Erwin as human, I'm glad they took the time to draw the moment of his smile so much. Long live my Commander, I would have followed him to hell.

I was astonished at how well they adapted Levi and Erwin's scenes. Bravo, the animation was top notch, the voice acting was stellar, like wow.

The bodies on the red background was really dark & was the part that had the most impact on me (as opposed to the manga)

erwin and levi's talk made me a lot more emotional than it did in the manga. the whole team did a pretty damn good job with this episode.

WHO WAS THE EPISODE'S MVP? 348 Responses

Unsurprisingly, Erwin gains the MVP award for this episode. Some think Levi stands out as well.

Erwin is humanity"s greatest soldier. Rest in peace, Commander.

Ono Daisuke is the goddamn mvp

Erwin made me gay

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CONNIE MAKING A PUN ABOUT THE FALLING HOUSES? 346 Responses

28% of respondents can relate to Connie’s stressful comedic moment, with 27.5% believe he has the right to make jokes. Some are rolling their eyes or think this isn’t quite an appropriate time.

I think Connie´s joke was his own form of mental breakdown. It makes him all the more relatable to me.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF YOU WERE ASKED TO JOIN THE SUICIDE CHARGE? 345 Responses

If asked to join Erwin on the suicide charge, a majority at 38.8% of respondents would have faith in the commander and hope to survive. 30.1% of participants aren’t sure what they would do, while an equal amount of people are between retreating or surrendering on the spot.

Crack a joke like Connie

If Erwin throw himself from a bridge, I would too! The fuck. Ok but being serious, being in that horrible scenario without a chance to survive, just nod and fight until the end.

Fuck it. I'm going die anyway; might as well go out swingin

cry, disassociate, and die. in that order.

Lads you would not catch me within 1000 miles of a battlefield. I'm less useful than Reiner on a battlefield, and that's saying something.

Pull a Floch and shit myself while crying

I would actually with all my heart follow Commander Erwin fucking Smith with no expectations of survival. Never have I ever encountered a man as compelling as him, real or fictional.

Sorry Erwin but... someone’s gotta keep Floch from being an ass. I’m sure you understand.

Not really but what about trying to hide closer to the wall since zeke will be throwing rocks at erwin and the others... then wait until levi is done with the monkey.

I would have never been stupid enough to join the survey corps to begin with lol

DO YOU THINK LEVI MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE TO FOLLOW ERWIN’S PLAN OVER HIS OWN? 346 Responses

41.3% of respondents believe that there was no other choice Levi could have made except to defeat the Beast Titan. 39.9% think the plan was the better of the two strategies.

It was the only viable narrative choice, but if it was a real battle retreating with as many survivors as possible might have been sensible.

Levi gave Erwin salvation by making the choice for him and gladly transferred Erwin's own burden of guilt and responsibilities onto his own shoulders. Which also why the word choice of "follow" seems iffy. Erwin is a proven master strategist and brilliant tactician, so of course you always go with his plan. BUT Levi didn't just 'follow' his plan, he made an active *choice* to implement the plan. It is Levi's plan as much as it is Erwin's.

Levi let his personal feelings get in the way of determining what would be the best hope for Humanity's survival.

I sincerely doubt Beastie would have let the survivors go unmolested all the way back to Wall Rose, and Levi knew it which was why he said he doesn't really expect anyone to survive this situation. Erwin had to make his last contribution to humanity in that moment, and they both knew that.

i think the plan should have been to stunt the beast, as we know that he doesn't get killed here anyway (obvs they don't know that), just buy some time ans save as many souls as possible.

HOW MUCH DID ERWIN’S INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH MOTIVATE YOU? 345 Responses

A large majority of voters are willing to believe in Erwin’s encouraging words and die by them no matter the risk.

I'LL FOLLOW YOU TO THE GRAVE COMMANDER ERWIN!!

ERRRRWWWIIIINNN!

WHO YELLED THE BEST INSULT TO BERTOLT? 345 Responses

Out of the few distracting insults, Sasha calling Bertolt a “massive pervert lord” was the best out of the three for 69.6% of respondents.

BEST SHOCKED FACE THIS EPISODE? 348 Responses

It isn’t often Levi is caught off-guard, so his shocked expression this episode was favored by 41.1% of voters. 23.3% of people thought Erwin had an expressive reaction as well.

Erwin’s face when he got hit... Wish we could’ve seen the gore though.

HOW WELL DID WIT ADAPT THE CORRESPONDING CHAPTERS? 343 Responses

There were a couple unsatisfied viewers, but overall a majority of participants believe the episode was fairly accurate to the manga.

the suicide charge was perfectly done.

that slow mo scene of the first boulder shower was amazing! and then the red mist of blood, the screams and cries of fear, pain, and death of the soldiers, the shock, despair, the ghosts of the dead soldiers, the emotion of Erwin and Levi’s last conversation, gosh this episode was beautiful in a morbid and heartbreaking way

It was very well done. It hurt, but not quite as much as the manga did.

Incredible adaptation. I’m tempted to call it flawless.

erwins soft smile after levi confirms what they must do was so special, especially since they hung on erwins face for a while

This episode was far more horrific than the manga version - the blood mist and the screams really upped the fear.

WHICH VERSION OF CONNIE'S JOKE DID YOU LIKE BEST? 346 Responses

There were a few different translations of Connie’s joke depending on the medium. 43.9% preferred Connie’s pun in the manga about Eren having a roof over his head again, while 31.8% thought Connie’s “Yeager” pun in Japanese was the funniest.

The only funny version of connie's joke is the japanese one...

HOW DID THE ADAPTATION OF ERWIN’S MOMENT OF GRIEF AFFECT YOU? 340 Responses

Erwin’s moment of grief was a somber scene for many, and over half of participants feel the adaptation tugged on their heart strings more than when they read the manga. Less than a quarter felt more sympathetic, with quite a number preferring the original manga version better.

There’s something about actually hearing his voice that made me want to cry again

I dunno, I think both mediums had different but equal impact in terms of the actual speech. The anime is very emotionally and viscerally effective, whereas with the manga you take longer to process what's in front of you at your own pace, in the privacy of your own skull. Both very moving.

Can't reproduce reading it for the first time but this was great.

I really liked it, but the manga is still more powerful for me.

Doesn't matter to me. I felt the same sorrow and overwhelmed like in the manga was a couple years ago. Great job WIT, absolutely!

I prefer the scene in the manga because of Erwin having more moments of being himself instead of colder than a summer day in Colorado, as the manga clues in more to him being a sad old man. However, Ono Daisuke’s voice acting was ON POINT. Erwin’s voice cracks like he was going to cry, the distance in his voice, it just made me cry.

I was practically sobbing on the floor, take from that what you will.

The hidden option of: Both were heartbreaking to me

KNOWING FLOCH NOW, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HIS BREAKDOWN? 348 Responses

Since RtS, Floch has become a paramount character in the current manga arc. Viewing his breakdown in the episode, 37.1% respondents think the moment was great in humanizing him. 18.4% respondents are less moved and found pleasure in his despair. Several were reminded why they used to like Floch and some gave praise to his seiyuu’s performance.

Back when I read the chapters, I found Floch to be annoying, now with the recent ones I really dislike him more. I still felt the same watching the episode but the seiyuu did a good job

Um, a combination of the above options I think. I was always 'meh' about Floch until his jerkface side began to show. So I never actually 'liked' him, but I certainly empathised with him at this point, and his seiyuu was definitely brilliant!

I have never liked him, really

I don't agree with his mindset in the current chapters of the manga but seeing the fucked up shit that he went through being the sole survivor and even then not being able to revive the Commander. I can see that trauma changed him to just follow Eren's instructions that he would let someone like Zeke live on but give far lesser thoughts to his actual saviour, Levi. As such, in the particular episode and the extent of the anime, I pity him and his VA did an amazing job of displaying a normal soldier's reaction.

Independently from his future actions, I think his breakdown is irresponsible and it doesn't help, given the circumstances.

Floch's a prick, but his VA was fantastic here and actually made me sympathize with him quite a bit. Can't wait to hate him again in a few eps though.

I had a lot of sympathy for him at the time in the manga, and seeing it again has made me think about how he's come to the point he has in the current story. PTSD and survivor's guilt explain a lot.

Hate him with a passion. I had forgotten that Levi actually kinda saved him, and now knowing how he wanted to kill Levi in recent chapters made me hate him even more.

I don’t give a floch

I think there still a hidden motive that Floch has since he is definitely following Eren now. I predict that in his mind he is honoring his fallen comrades by acting the way he is in recent chapters. Might be messed up externally, but I think there is more to Floch since his motives likely match Eren’s who we still haven’t quite figured just yet.

Of course we can have sympathy for someone without justifying their actions. I do sympathise terribly with Floch's trauma as the sole survivor of the suicide charge, but I do NOT accept it as a reason to become a militant ethno-nationalist. (His seiyuu was beyond amazing tho, props)

who the fuck is floch?

MARLOWE AND MOBLIT’S DEATHS ARE COMING UP AND SOME HAVE EXPRESSED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE SOME ADDITIONAL ANIME ORIGINAL SCENES FOR THEM - THOUGHTS? 347 Responses

Sadly, Marlowe and Moblit’s death scenes will be shown within the next couple episodes. 50.1% of respondents believe these scenes are impactful enough to stick with the manga while 36% would want to see the anime had something more.

Additional scene definitely for Moblit!! Poor boi is so underrated :'-(

Marlowe :( :( :(

I would definitely like to see more of Moblit, we have barely seen him this season. I feel like the only scenes we'll see him in are pre-death and post-death (we could see him as a ghost in Erwin's grief scene). Moblit deserves way more than this. Marlowe is adorable and seeing him die will be enough to break my heart, especially when you think that the only person surviving that suicide charge was not a great person like him, but the disgusting scumbag that Floch is.

WHICH SCENE FROM THE PREVIEW ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 348 Responses

A majority of readers at 69.8% can’t wait to see the infamous first battle between Humanity’s Strongest and the War Chief. 23.3% are more enthusiastic for Armin’s face-off against Bertolt. Needless to say, it’s going to be an eventful episode.

I AM NOT READY FOR SHINGANSHINA FRIED ARMIN.

Isn’t it wild that next episode we’ll likely see the defeat of all three of the Warriors? Bye Zeke, Bye Reiner, Super-Bye Bertholdt.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE EPISODE?

This was the best episode so far that has been aired. The emotions were high, the soundtrack was impeccable, the animation/drawings were fantastic (aka Levi had emotions!!!), and it really did a good job manifesting the hopelessness of the situation to the audience.

I forgot how hopeless the situation was during all of this. The constant narrating on stones in the background and the recruits screams really showed that

My only gripes were the music choice and lack of proper facial expression (Although, maybe that's just because Isayama is amazing at expressions)

That red mist was so horrible and made everything look so gruesome, I was in shock. This episode really hit me hard, I wasn't ready to watch it and now that I have, I'm having a hard time recovering

I was HEARTBROKEN at the end of this episode. Hard enough to read the chapter, worse still to see it on screen. So much sorrow and regret for poor Erwin.

I need that piano ost

Rip Erwin. Shinzou'ed his last sasageyo.

I've never felt something watching SnK until this episode. Erwin's face during the suicide charge was something... That was the real face of fear. He knew he had to let go his dreams for the sake of humanity, unlike previous times where he used this excuse to move forward his dream.

The music and Erwins’s voice actor made it nearly perfect

WIT is playing a dangerous game with the amount of CGI they're using. It hasn't really "ruined" anything for me yet, but they're getting close.

I cried even though i already knew what would happen. Is it normal doctor ?

The episodes have just gotten better and better, and this one might just be my favorite in the series. Definitely top 3. Just fantastic execution all around. It truly managed to bring back that feeling of hopelessness. Daisuke Onoue is an absolute legend. Not ashamed to say I cried about 3 times opon rewatches.

This episode broke me. Literally. I was mourning for Erwin for a while after, still am. I thought having read the manga would prepare me somewhat for the Vow™ conversation, but holy shit. I dunno if this is in the manga but Erwin had tears in his eyes when he sat on the crate. Erwin Smith was *crying*. And his voice (kudos to Daisuke Ono!!!) just. Absolutely wrecked me. Amazing, amazing episode. The kind you badly want to rewatch again and again but can't without bolstering up your emotional strength each goddamn time.

WHERE DO YOU PRIMARILY DISCUSS THE SERIES? 332 Responses

Thanks to everyone who participated! We’ll see you again in a few days!

#snk spoilers #snk s3 #snk polls #snk poll #poll results

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bluerosesburnblue · 6 years ago

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This very nearly became a Kingdom Key Only run because I like challenge runs like that but honestly I never felt like sticking to the Kingdom Key was ever really a hindrance

...so let’s talk about that ending, from the start of the Keyblade Graveyard to the credits, yeah?

I cannot BELIEVE that Nomura gave us the Beach Party Ending we were all hoping for just to rip Sora away at the last second. Good GOD, man, who spit in your coffee?

So I guess we should get the elephant in the room out of the way, first. I’m actually not... that upset by the ending? Like, yes, I find it extremely ironic that the game that made me love Sora more than any other character in the game would essentially kill him off, but... okay, when Nomura said that the ending would be “hard to swallow” I had two worst case scenarios in mind. And I mean “worst case” in the “Nonononono he’d better not do that if he does I’m done” way

Scenario 1: Xehanort unlocks Kingdom Hearts. Either he’s stopped or he succeeds, but either way the damage is done and he’s too far along to stop and the universe is reset. All of the heroes are alright, they survive the ending, but the world of the game is changed irreversibly, forever. It’s all one World again, the Disney worlds are gone, or they’re there but they’ve been forced together in a weird jigsaw-puzzle way. The details don’t really matter, I just didn’t want a status-quo shakeup like that that gets passed off as a happy/bittersweet ending because the heroes survived

Scenario 2: Xehanort unlocks Kingdom Hearts. Either he’s defeated but whatever he started can’t be stopped, or Kingdom Hearts is the only thing that can defeat him. Either way, Sora has to use the power of Kingdom Hearts. He keeps the world exactly as it was, but has to give up his own physical existence to do so. After all, he who opens the door will become a god in the next world. Maybe he persists as a “force” that watches over his friends, but Sora is gone for good

What we ended up getting was... very similar to that second scenario, but it differs just enough to save it for me. At the very least, knowing that Sora and Kairi are connected and that Sora’s in Shibuya in the Secret Movie gives me enough hope that he can and will come back. Which, when compared to what I was afraid we were gonna get, leaves me weirdly optimistic. I still cried a lot (NOMURA I AM TAKING CUSTODY OF YOUR SON THAT’S MY SWEET BABY BROTHER NOW FIGHT ME) but I’m nowhere near as emotionally devastated as I could’ve been

And here’s the big thing, I liked most of the scenes in the Final Battle sequence. As scenes they were (mostly) fine. The reunions were heartwrenching (even if Sora is just kind of... there for most of them), the KHUx stuff was incredible (Ephemeeeeeer <3<3<3), the locales and concepts were all interesting. My problem was actually the order events happen in

So, first off, everyone dies way too fast. WAY too fast. It’s one of the two scenes I have a problem with. Everyone arrives at the Graveyard and fights a swarm of Heartless. They walk down a crevice and see Terra. A surprising amount of people get knocked out or injured trying to take care of just Terra-Xehanort? Then another big wave of Heartless shows up and everyone just... dies? Like, the second big scene in what is a very long finale and everyone dies? Hell, Aqua just gives up!

They also blew the KHUx Union X attack WAY too early. A set piece like that (it’s SUCH A GOOD CONCEPT AND THE SCENE WAS BEAUTIFUL) and you waste it on a big cloud of Heartless at the start of the final battle? Guys... guys that’s some last minute “all hope is lost, so here’s unexpected help” stuff, you shouldn’t just have that happen that soon

And the thing is... both of those scenes would be so much more impactful if they had happened later in the finale. Ideally, picture this:

The team takes care of the first swarm of Heartless. (You could have moments in that fight where you get a different guest Keyblade wielder, one at a time, in a callback to the KH2 Battle of 1000 Heartless with the FF characters). They’re feeling pretty good about it. They just all worked as a team for the first time together and they did alright. Maybe a little shaky. After all, most of them don’t really know each other that well. They can’t know each other’s styles or predict each others’ moves. Their teamwork is shaky, but they managed and that gives them some confidence. Maybe they can do this if they work together

Then Xehanort shows up. We can’t be having any of this “friendship” and “teamwork” nonsense. He throws up the labyrinth to try and separate everybody and pair off the Darknesses each to 1-2 Lights so that they clash, but the Darknesses are at a clear advantage. Unlike in the actual game, the labyrinth is crawling with Heartless to break up the tedium of the boss rush a bit. (I liked the idea of having to choose who to rescue first in the actual game, but it didn’t actually effect anything except which order you took the fights in.) While running through the Labyrinth you encounter different friends in different sections to help you fight off Heartless, and their boss fight is at the end of their section. That would give everyone just a bit more time to bond with each other. Maybe put in a few puzzles or something that make use of them creatively, like Ven and Aqua using wind and barriers to traverse their section of the Labyrinth. Just... everyone needs more time together. Some things about the fights and reunions would need to be changed, though. I wouldn’t be adverse to changing it up just slightly so that Lingering Will shows up as a guest for the Terranort + Vanitas fight, and it takes both Lingering Will and The Guardian to wrest Terra’s body back (instead of having Lingering Will only show up for Attempt 2 of the Terranort and Heartless Tornado Kill Everyone scene and then fuck off somewhere? Never seen again?) The Saix and Xion fight is also changed up. Roxas doesn’t just... appear from nowhere, and while this seems to be Xion... something’s off. It’s not really Xion, just a puppet made to look like her using data from the finale of 358/2 Days that had, miraculously, survived. This Xion is like the second Replica Riku (and can I just say thank GOD it’s not the “Riku from the past when he was controlled by Ansem” like they thought for the longest time because that was SILLY. Though I’m slightly disappointed that it wasn’t Data-Riku’s digital heart shoved into a Replica body like I’d theorized based on the trailers). This Replica gets purged, too, leaving two Replica bodies conveniently wearing Organization coats behind at the Keyblade Graveyard. We’ll get back to that

(Also, and this is just me, but I actually like how unrepentant Vanitas is. I think a lot of people forget that his sympathetic traits and background of abuse were novel-only things and the novel canon isn’t game canon in the same way that the Harry Potter movies aren’t book canon. Game!Vanitas has never been anything other than a completely unrepentant jackass, and Sora and Ven still gave him a chance to redeem himself. He just refused to take it, and I like that. It’s refreshing to have a character in KH not even try to justify their evil. He’s evil because he wants to be. It’s as simple as that.)

So, anyway, we have the labyrinth stuff. The team is worn down. NOW is where you place everyone dying. I don’t care if you keep it the same, or the Heartless Tornado is controlled by Ansem, or even just Ansem, Xemnas, and Young Nort pick everyone off because they’re all the same person, so of course their teamwork is stronger. You all weren’t good enough friends. You couldn’t have won, because none of you had fought together before, so your friendship was a detriment as you stumbled over each other and just assumed you’d be okay. Sora is left alone. And then he’s gone, too.

And here’s where you place the Final World. I think there was a big opportunity missed here. We get Namine separated from Kairi here. So here’s what I propose: remember all the talk throughout the game about the hearts within Sora’s melding with his, but they might be able to be saved if their memories and the parts of themselves were placed in the right boxes? Fffffffuckingggg... HAVE NAMINE AS A GUEST HERE and have it be just as much about putting Sora back together as it is separating the pieces of Roxas and Xion from him. Once you meet up with Namine’s star (or just have her have a physical form, too, since she’d be tethered to Kairi, too?) she helps out because now that Sora’s in pieces, it’s just a simple matter of sorting those pieces. Putting the scattered links in the chains of memories in different chains, back where they belong. Two hearts are released, now to find everyone else’s. Chirithy is still there, just give Nami some more time

(Also, add a colored tint to the stars or something that goes away after talking to them they were so hard to see)

Anyway. Dives. Lich. I don’t hate this section, I just think the Lich fights could’ve been a little more interesting? Also uhh... maybe have the characters hearts be found in worlds that actually, like... mean something to the character thematically? I guess Aqua in the Caribbean makes sense because water but it would make more sense to have her in Arendelle because ice is also water and she’s basically Ven’s big sis and there are quite a few parallels between the two relationships? The hell does Axel have to do with San Fransokyo? And since Terra would theoretically be there in the rewrite, we’ll need an extra world so place Axel in Twilight Town. Then I dunno. Donald in the Caribbean because he’s canonically a sailor. Ven in Corona because his isolation by Eraqus has parallels to Rapunzel only a bit less evil in intent. Terra in Olympus because that was the world he learned he could be a true hero and beat the darkness. Goofy in Monstropolis because out of all the characters he’s the funniest and they use laugh energy. Mickey in Toy Box because he’s the face of a major franchise and has so many toys based off of him you have no idea. That would place Riku in San Fransokyo where his Norted Replica counterpart was and also poetically make him and Kairi the last ones saved

SO EVERYONE’S ALIVE. We return to the land of the living. There’s no weird... like, time repeats or anything. The last four Norts are... kind of shocked! But also laughing it up because Sora just abused the Power of Waking to hell and back and they know what that means. Also, the lights are still at exactly the same disadvantage they were before they got revived. Or so they think until two bright lights emerge from the labyrinth behind them. That’s right, Roxas and Xion are here, having had their hearts freed from Sora’s in The Final World and taking the abandoned Replica bodies from the Labyrinth. Now we have the Sea-Salt reunion, sans the stuff with Isa because why the hell should Roxas and Xion just be sympathetic to Saix? Save that for a scene in the finale. Doesn’t even have to be spoken, just make it seem like Saix, Roxas, and Xion are trying to come to an understanding but still awkward around each other

After that I’m a little shakier, admittedly. I know you leave Ephemer’s appearance to summon the ancient Keyblades until the very end. I’d also have given him some line like “You remind me of an old friend” or something. Just... slight reference to Player

I have no idea how to work around the Kairi getting killed stuff and still get the ending Nomura wants! That’s the second scene I have a problem with. Sora doesn’t “need” motivation, he’s already prepped to bash the old man’s face in. I dunno... maybe opening Kingdom Hearts messes up Kairi’s light or something and that’s why she disappears? I dunno, there were better ways to do that if you HAD to kill Kairi, and better scenes if you didn’t, tbh

So in summary, I like the pieces of the ending, just not how they were put together. There was a lot of cool stuff in theory, it just wasn’t executed as well as it could’ve been for a more satisfying and emotional finale. The ending’s fine, and I honestly expected it to be a bit rushed considering how much they had to wrap up in this game, but I think it was a low point in what was otherwise a really fun and enjoyable finale to the story arc

I mean... I think that’s all I have to say about the ending, so here’s some assorted thoughts:

I think it was a missed opportunity to not have a Max Goof cameo at the end when the Disney trio is reunited with their loved ones and Goofy just stands there with Jiminy. Max wouldn’t even have been voiced. Just let him show up

I’m torn as to characters’ outfits in the Final Battle. On the one hand, I like how in the end all of the trios are wearing outfits that match the other members of their respective trios. On the other hand, I would’ve killed for EVERYONE to have had a new outfit with the black and plaid/gingham theme to show that they’re not just disjointed trios that happened to come together, but a big group of companions. Everyone is a Team, it’s not just a Team made of Everyone. They made excuses for Mickey’s shirt and Lingering Will’s cape. They could totally have done some “oh weird I guess getting brought back from the dead changed our clothes isn’t that convenient” thing

Why did they “break” Lea’s Keyblade only to have it be just fine when they needed to lock Kingdom Hearts? Why was that there?

I heard someone once say that KH3 was an “obligation.” And I can see where they’re coming from. While I loved the game overall and can feel the work and love put into it, between the sheer amount of sequel hooks and the rushed resolution, it does feel like Nomura just wanted to move on to the stuff he’d thought of in KHUx but had to wrap up the ongoing arc first. I’ve been spoiled on SOME of the Secret Reports, not all of them, but the Subject X stuff and Luxu’s true role with the box could’ve easily been put elsewhere. Maybe in a game in the next arc. That would’ve freed up some time in this game for a few more things, like giving Dark Aqua more screentime (she’s defeated in the same scene she’s introduced? Really?) and just in general spread the original plot stuff out more. As it is now, I feel the sequel hooks just distract from the current plot arc

I appreciate that they tried to give reasons for the Organization members to be in different worlds, but I don’t think it was executed that well. Yeah, we get explanations, like in some they’re performing more experiments on the heart and in others they’re searching for the New Lights, but they never do anything with what they accomplish in them. I was so sure they were going to do something with Data-Sora or Data-Riku because of the “digital heart” stuff in San Fransokyo, and NOTHING came of it. Here’s an idea: Data-Sora in Xion’s place among the Norts and Data-Riku in the Riku Replica’s place. Have Data-Sora look like Xion or act like her before the reveal. I dunno, just do SOMETHING with them. Have the Norts reference the Lights they found in the final battle or something. Just don’t drop them once the world is done

That being said, the worlds themselves were amazing, I really liked the original plots in Toy Box, Monstropolis, and San Fransokyo. The character interactions in Corona and Arendelle were delightful. I also loved the design for the Ice Labyrinth in Arendelle and Galaxy Toys in Toy Box. Would’ve loved to have seen more of the town in Corona but loved what we did get to see of it. The Caribbean was... alright, but did contain my favorite party member: a shambling pile of crabs that were gifted sapience by an ocean goddess so that Sora could free her, only for her to get freed by someone else offscreen

Funny enough I actually didn’t care much for The Caribbean and San Fransokyo, but for opposite reasons. The Caribbean was FAR too open for its own good (I am NOT an open-world person and bad at navigating, so the ship, while interesting in concept, was a nightmare) and San Fransokyo was too scripted (I felt like I was locked in Hiro’s garage). I didn’t hate them, but I also 100% completed every other world and decided that with those two, it just wasn’t worth doing before beating the game. I didn’t hate either of them, and my feelings may change when I go back for treasures and lucky emblems

I absolutely killed Davy Jones with the Pirate Ship attraction. Pass up the opportunity to summon a neon pirate ship on top of a hyper-realistic pirate ship during a climactic battle? Who do you think I am?

I love how Ephemer’s name in the journal is just “???” because that’s an accurate representation of Sora’s reaction. “Who is this guy? Why is he here? Huh???” But I know. I know who the best dandelion boy is. So typical of him to swoop in at the last minute to save you and then disappear to who knows where

I ADORE that the final battle is Sora, Donald, and Goofy together and that the final attack is Trinity Limit. Sora coming back on his own from no health just for Trinity Limit was AWESOME and such a perfect end to the series, gameplay-wise

And finally, I am a little sad that the one theory I had throughout the game was wrong. I’d thought that, since Young Xehanort and Eraqus are always shown in in Scala ad Caelum, that it wasn’t a flashback but simply their spirits playing a metaphorical chess game in the afterlife. Their dialogue after the final battle seems to indicate that that isn’t the case

Also, and this is just for me, but my final death count was 5

Once to the Tornado Titan due to having a poor grasp of Airstepping and NO grasp of Rage Form, killed myself thanks to spamming Riskcharge

TWICE to the electric arena trap in Verum Rex because I am SO BAD at shooters and ejected myself directly into the Death Pit twice

Once during the ship battle portion of the Zombie Kraken fight

Once during the Union X Keyblade summoning because I was too busy reading the list of names to notice the text on the screen that said “HEY IDIOT DODGE ATTACKS DON’T JUST SIT THERE WHAT ARE YOU DOING”

But for now, I think I’m out of stuff to say about KH3. I’m sure I’ll find more once I’ve processed everything, but for now...

now we’ve just got to wait for Sora to come home

#liz's shenanigans #kingdom hearts #kingdom hearts 3 #kh3 #kingdom hearts 3 spoilers #kh3 spoilers #kingdom hearts iii spoilers #khiii spoilers #i should mention that this isn't ONLY final battle stuff #i threw some opinions from other parts of the game in there #it's just primarily about the finale

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demigodofhoolemere · 7 years ago

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I’ve seen several people categorizing who they think is safe or not in Infinity War and Avengers 4, and figured I'd throw in my two cents. Warning for spoilers below.

~~~

Totally Safe:

- Peter Parker: Obviously. He just got here and he's got more movies coming. I'm not sure they'd kill off a child anyway, but the whole “future of the MCU” thing is a great comfort.

- Stephen Strange: Same deal, he hasn't been here for long at all and Benedict has more films in the contract. He’s also been described as being a very important fixture in the MCU’s future so he's not going anywhere.

- T’Challa: Again, a newbie with a huge future ahead of him. They’re already discussing his sequels and calling Wakanda a mainstay. No way is anything happening to him.

- Bucky Barnes: Sebastian still has movies in his contract and I highly suspect they're going to have him take up the Cap mantle.

- Sam Wilson: That good old contract reassurance again. And while Bucky seems pretty much poised to become Cap, Sam is another possibility (though he's more likely to remain Falcon and help Bucky get his footing).

- Peter Quill: Chris Pratt is definitely here to stay. Both Peters have a 100% chance of survival.

- Rocket Raccoon: James Gunn already confirmed we’ll get Rocket’s backstory in Vol 3.

- Groot: Where Rocket goes, Groot goes. He’s fine.

- Mantis: Barely been here and confirmed for Vol 3.

- Scott Lang: I'd be shocked if they pulled anything with him. He's got a future ahead of him.

- Shuri: Literally untouchable. They wouldn't dare.

- Okoye: Ditto. The Black Panther cast is pretty much guaranteed to be protected.

- M’Baku: Before Black Panther came out I probably would have placed him elsewhere on this list but I honestly can't see them getting rid of him after his newfound popularity. (I know this was filmed before BP was released, but still)

Probably Safe:

- Gamora: I don't know what Zoe’s contract is like but I simply don't think they'd do it. Her story is far from over and killing her would be a dumb move.

- Natasha Romanoff: I’d be more worried about her if they weren't discussing a Black Widow movie. For all we know it’ll be set in the past, but it's enough to give me hope that she'll be alright.

- Thor Odinson: Same goes for Thor. For the time being, Chris is contractually finished, but the fact that he's talked with Taika about ideas for a Thor 4 makes me feel a lot better about his livelihood.

- Wanda Maximoff: They’ve already killed one Maximoff too many. Wanda has too much story left to tell, both on her own and with her relationship to Vision. To kill her before telling those stories would be a criminal misuse of the character. And I'm really hoping she sticks around long enough to meet Magneto if the X-Men get integrated.

- Vision: I put him here purely because I don't think he's been around long enough to kill off, and he doesn't need the Mind Stone to survive which means Thanos getting his hands on it does not automatically mark Vision for death. He's still potentially on thin ice, and I considered placing him as At Risk, but he probably has a future with Wanda to explore and I'm not sure they'd throw that away.

- Bruce Banner / Hulk: Pretty sure Mark still has a movie left on his contract after Avengers 4. From the looks of set pics, Hulk seems to run away at the end (again), so he's probably fine. However I am concerned about Bruce and whether he'll be completely buried inside of Hulk.

- Wong: Killing him would make sense as a personal blow to Stephen, but I'm sure he's still got a place in future Doctor Strange material. A Stephen without a Wong feels incomplete.

- Ramonda: Only because everyone’s parents are dead and I don't trust Marvel. She's probably fine but I've got my eye on her anyway.

- Pepper Potts: She probably won't be involved in any action therefore remaining in safety, but if the Rescue rumors are true and if she and Tony are married and possibly expecting any children, then she's just a little bit more at risk than she would have been otherwise.

- Happy Hogan: I’m literally only concerned about Happy because Tony made a throwaway comment in Homecoming where he told Peter not to stress him out too badly because he’s “seen his cardiogram”, implying a heart issue (probably because of what happened to him in Iron Man 3). I'm sure they'll be too busy to pay much attention to Happy whatsoever, but I mean, if anything is gonna give you a heart attack, it’s this disaster.

- Valkyrie: Pretty sure they've confirmed they have plans for her, but with all of the Asgardians in serious jeopardy, I'm still just concerned enough.

At Risk:

- Nebula: I would say that she's probably safe because Karen and the writers have expressed their love for exploring her character, but between her and Gamora, there are high chances that something bad will happen to one of them because of Thanos, and I don't see it being Gamora. With her quest for vengeance, she could all too easily find herself in the line of fire.

- James Rhodes: My only hesitation is that he's recovering from a serious injury from Civil War and I'm not sure they'd kill him after that, but otherwise, Rhodey is a prime target. He's been around for ages and he’s Tony’s best friend, so it would be very impactful for Tony as a character and for us as an audience.

- Clint Barton: I'd like to say they wouldn't do it because he has a family, but Marvel doesn’t seem to give a rip about Clint, which could either work against him or in his favor because it could mean that he's disposable or it could mean that they wouldn't find his death impactful enough to do it. Fingers crossed it's the latter, but I don't trust them.

- Drax: I hadn't been worried about him until Dave mentioned wanting to go back to wrestling, which would make it difficult to commit to acting gigs since they both take up so much time. I could see Drax going out in a blaze of glory trying to avenge his wife and daughter.

- Heimdall: I was worried enough about him as it was because the Asgardians clearly get attacked and I've heard pretty much nothing about Heimdall and his role in this movie (for months I didn't think Idris was even in it!), but then they released a toy where Thor has Heimdall’s sword with him and my anxiety skyrocketed. If they make me watch Heimdall die while giving Thor his sword with my own two eyes...

- Nick Fury: I have no clue what he's even supposed to do in this movie, but I figure he's important enough yet small enough of a role that they could get away with killing him (for real this time).

- Maria Hill: Same goes for her.

- Laura Barton: They'd better not touch a hair on her sweet head, but all I'm saying is that Clint will need an emotional push into the Ronin identity, and the comics where he had a family ended up with said family being violently murdered, so I have reason to be suspicious...

It Physically Pains Me To Say That They’re Most Likely Goners:

- Loki: Contrary to popular belief, I don't think he'll get killed in the first five minutes, or maybe even the whole first act, because he definitely has a role to play that requires him to live longer than that (and Feige has said that he'll be with Thanos for “a while” which is definitely longer than five minutes) and I think his character progression will be a key part of whatever that role is, but that character progression is also part of the problem, because I can 1000% see him sacrificing himself and/or being killed fighting against Thanos. No matter what happens, the chances of him going out as a hero are massive and I don't see him making it, whether that be in Infinity War or Avengers 4. When it comes to some of the people who are in A4 it's a little tricky because it may simply be whatever flashback/timeline/AU nonsense seems to be going on rather than them still being alive, so I can't begin to speculate on when his death will occur, but I'm pretty resigned to the idea that it will happen whether I like it or not (literally anyone could tell you that I don't).

- Steve Rogers: This one just feels like a sad inevitability. Killing such a huge character would cause a gigantic impact on the audience and the other characters. He would be a martyr that would make everyone else fight even harder so that his death wouldn't be for nothing, and Bucky could take on the Cap mantle. I already felt like it was luck that he made it out of Civil War, considering Steve famously dies in that comic, but now they're adapting yet another story in which he dies, and I know the MCU certainly doesn't always follow comics (and they've promised that despite the influence of the Infinity/Gauntlet comics, things will definitely be different) but I’m not sure how many times he can cheat death like this. And for the character, dying for a cause he believes in is the best possible way he could go out (and frankly the only way, how else would you off Captain America?), and he could be at peace in death with Peggy.

- Tony Stark: I need to preface this by saying that if they're writing Tony out, my emotional state hinges on him making it out alive and living happily ever after with Pepper and being surrounded by the people who love him, however I get a bad feeling that my emotional state is going to be completely screwed over, whether it's this movie or the next. Tony started all of this ten years ago, and much as I hate it, it makes sense from a writing perspective to cut off the head of the figurative snake as we move to the next decade of Marvel. And talk about an impact. There is no other death that would cause such earth shattering repercussions as his would, for the characters and for us. The Marvel Universe would be rocked to its very core. I used to be more hopeful about his chances for survival, but over time it's started looking worse for him and at this point I'd be more surprised if they let him live.

#marvel #avengers: infinity war #infinity war p1 #iw post #i'm gonna hit tag limit if i try to fit everybody in here #spoilers #marvel spoilers #infinity war spoilers #avengers 4 #a4 post

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antianakin · 2 years ago

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I will fully admit that when I wrote this, I was working mostly on memory rather than going back to have to rewatch the specific scene where Obi-Wan discusses it. So while I remembered that Obi-Wan discusses Vader's betrayal and that he helped kill Jedi, I did not by any means remember the exact wording. Here is the transcript below I have copied out from the clip I just saw.

"For over 1000 generations, Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire… A young Jedi named Darth Vader, a pupil of mine, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights… Now the Jedi are all but extinct."

I am making a difference between quite literally causing the immediate overnight murders of all but maybe 50-60 Jedi out of a total of 10,000 and joining in on a process that's potentially been going on for a WHILE before Vader comes into the picture where the Jedi are already being hunted by an already existing Empire, and Vader just helps expedite the process. Still a betrayal for sure, still bad, but not necessarily quite on the same level as what we end up seeing him do in ROTS.

I dunno, I may be totally alone in this, but I feel like the way it's written and said in ANH kind-of comes off as something a little different. The Jedi were killed literally less than 20 years ago. But the way Obi-Wan talks about it, it feels like the Jedi have been slowly dying out for eons. It's an ancient religion that barely anybody even remembers anymore, so while there obviously HAVE been some Jedi Knights still around, and some who fought in a recent war, they weren't necessarily the 10,000 strong organization working alongside the Republic Senate that got wiped out overnight that we're introduced to in the prequels.

Which, to me, makes Vader seem a lot more distanced from the fact that the Jedi are all but extinct. He's a part of the problem, yes, but not necessarily its main perpetrator.

I'll admit my wording in this post is a bit hyperbolic to the point of being a little inaccurate here. But I'm mostly going on the idea that it's not really presented as like... entirely Anakin's fault alone that the Jedi are "all but extinct." And it's by no means something that's really dwelled upon as a crime he has committed nor is it something we get to see on screen in the OT in any way, so we feel removed from it regardless.

You're not wrong that it's quite literally the second thing we ever learn about Vader's backstory, but it's also effectively the ONLY time we ever hear about this. It's not all that important to this narrative, Luke never brings it up again as a grievance against Vader when they fight each other the way he does Vader killing Obi-Wan. Luke's problems with Vader are much more personal: Obi-Wan's death, the rebels' fight against the Empire in general, Han's imprisonment, the death of his father at Vader's hand. Luke's problem with Vader is not so much on an institutional level or a horror at what he's done in his past as much as it is an upset over the things Luke's actually seeing him do in front of his own eyes, and things that impact him personally. We don't even ever hear him bring up the deaths of Owen and Beru even though Vader is indirectly responsible for that, too. He didn't see Vader do it directly, so he's not really blaming Vader for it. He didn't see Vader kill the Jedi and according to Obi-Wan, Vader only "helped" what the Empire was already doing anyway, so he's not really holding this one against Vader either.

So when Vader saves Luke from Palpatine, it works as a making amends for the things he's done to Luke, the things Luke actually holds him accountable for. We're seeing the OT through Luke's eyes, and audiences at the time would not have known the extent to which Anakin participated in the genocide of the Jedi, how directly responsible he is for that, the way he literally leads an army into their home and cuts down their children who think he's there to save them. We don't know any of that because Luke doesn't know any of that, so we don't CARE about any of that when Luke can't care about it.

So yes, he's "associated" with the end of the Jedi, to quote myself earlier. They definitely associate him with it, but I think maybe what I was trying to say and perhaps didn't say quite well enough was that Vader is not presented as solely and intimately responsible for their overnight genocide, but just as someone who helps hunt them down when the Empire has already turned on them and begun to destroy them. He's not even said to have betrayed the Jedi, just that he betrayed "Anakin Skywalker" (and presumably Obi-Wan by default). And whatever part he happened to have played in the hunting down of the Jedi just isn't really that big of a problem for Luke and it's not something he's making amends for in his final act beyond just killing Palpatine which is a lot more about making amends to Luke than it is about making amends to the Jedi he betrayed and killed.

I think what I'm starting to realize is that Darth Vader is redeemable.

Anakin Skywalker is not.

Darth Vader, the guy we're introduced to in the Original Trilogy, who we don't really know anything about, who Obi-Wan remembers fondly even as we know he's gone bad, who ISN'T associated with the end of the Jedi. Erase all the context of what we now know about Anakin Skywalker, his relationships with the Jedi, his actions on Tatooine, the way he treats Padme, his relationships with the clones, his relationship with Ahsoka, all of that. Erase it all.

All we have is Darth Vader. A guy whose worst acts are honestly relatively small and who is almost always up against a bigger villain. It's Tarkin who technically orders the destruction of Alderaan. And Tarkin dies at the end. By ESB, we start seeing the Empire and Vader's relationship to Luke is revealed, someone we love, someone we want the best for. So when you get to ROTJ and Luke says he might still have good in him, minutes before we meet the Emperor himself in person, it's not that hard to believe him. It's not that hard to believe that one last act of kindness is all it takes to absolve him.

Put everything else aside, JUST looking at the Original Trilogy, Vader's.... not THAT bad. His redemption works fine.

But Anakin Skywalker? Anakin Skywalker's been killing babies since he was 19 years old and never stopped. Anakin Skywalker betrayed 10,000 people who considered him family overnight. Anakin Skywalker betrayed several million good men into being brainwashed and turned into betrayers themselves. Anakin Skywalker betrayed the Republic he served, and the wife he did it all for.

You don't come back from that. You just don't.

Darth Vader without Anakin Skywalker's story was redeemable.

NOTHING Darth Vader ever does in the original trilogy is at the level of what we see Anakin Skywalker do over the course of the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars show. Nothing. Nothing comes close except Alderaan and that's nowhere near as personal or direct as what he does to the Jedi and the Clones. It's also not a betrayal of any kind.

Anakin Skywalker's not redeemable. What he did can't be undone or fixed. There's no amends he can make because the people he'd need to make amends TO are all dead. Because of him. There's nothing left to BE redeemed.

And most of us CAN'T divorce Darth Vader from Anakin Skywalker anymore, you're not really meant to. They usually WANT you to remember Anakin Skywalker when they bring in Darth Vader to stories these days. Which makes that last moment of ROTJ just feel... so unearned now. So frustrating. Because the more we get to see, the more we're forced to remember everything Anakin Skywalker's done over the course of his life, the less his redemption works. Because the more we see, the more atrocities are revealed. More massacres, more murders, more planets and people eradicated from the galaxy forever. At what point does it become impossible to truly be redeemed for everything you've done? At what point is it impossible to ACTUALLY go back?

And it doesn't matter which version of the force ghost you get, either. If it's the older version, then Anakin gets to present himself as if he'd never done those things. If it's the younger version, then Anakin gets to present himself ONLY before he did some of his worst acts (although he's still a baby killer, let's not forget, so that's... suspect). Either way, the things he's done get to be forgotten. They no longer matter. Those people he killed, the people he betrayed, who will never be the same as they were. The galaxy he helped bring to its knees over and over again, that will take decades AT LEAST to recover from what he did to it, can't forget. But he gets to. He gets to forget.

And I don't find that very satisfying anymore.

#anakin #vader #luke #ot

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all-alone-he-turns-to-stone · 7 years ago

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Who Is In Control?

Summary: When the pack is split apart, there’s no one left for Stiles. So when Theo comes for Void Stiles, no one stops him. The chimera had prepared everything to make him come back, torture and experimentation with the dread doctors are waiting for the poor Stiles. But there is someone left. Someone who can still find him. His last hope and remain of humanity. You.

Pairing: Stiles x reader, Void Stiles x Reader

Word Count: 6659

Warning: angst, angst, angst, angst, torture, more angst, is that fluff? Oh no my bad it was angst!

Forever tag list: @multilovee @5sospoplikerock @rosecoloredshawn

A/N: This is my entry for @fillthevoid-stilinski writing competition with the prompt Am I scaring you? And I’m very anxious to post it. I passed 2 days no joke on it and kept doubting, oh no this is so bad and ew who wants that? I am so mean with Stiles oh my god I love my baby please don’t hate me!!! Feedbacks would be glady appreciated and since it’s for a contest I prefer to not make it check and proofread. Well. Hope y’all like it…? Also this is setted in season 5 but y’all probably figured it out.

“I came for Void Stiles! And you know what, Stiles? No one will come for you. No one will look for you because every single one of your friends will be too selfish and busy to. Scott? Your best friend who turned his back on you? Dead. Liam? He will kill him. Kira? Gone. She won’t ever come back. Lydia? Crazy in Eichen. Malia? Malia is too busy looking for her mother to even think about you. You’re alone, Stiles. Alone and weak.”

Theo’s words hurt him more than they should have. On the one hand because a painful truth was hidden, on the other because Stiles didn’t want to believe it. He simply couldn’t believe all his friends, his pack, his family wasn’t going to find him. They wouldn’t even look for him.

The young man, powerless, could only retreat. He couldn’t beat the chimera, he was alone, and especially weak. Theo was right, Stiles was weak and painfully alone. So, when his golden eyes sparkled with malice as he moved toward him, Stiles did nothing to defend himself. What would he lose? It was better dying now, his father was probably dead anyway.

“You’re gonna kill me?” Stiles muttered, his voice trembling with fear and rage, his fists clenched painfully while itching. The intense urge to place his weak human fists against Theo’s jaw was very tempting. He had a dark and black urge to hit his enemy, to demolish his face until the dark red of blood was the only thing his brown eyes could see on his face. This indescribable, intense and burning anger ran through his veins, contracting each of his muscles. He had a powerful rage but it didn’t seem to belong to him.

“No, no, Stiles. I told you. ”

Then everything cleared up in Stiles’ mind. His eyes widened with fear, and this time, when he stepped back, it was in pure terror. Everything but not that. No.

“I came for Void Stiles. And I always get what I want. ”

Just before the blow that swallowed up his mind in blackness and unconsciousness, Stiles remembered something. A radiant face appeared quickly behind his eyelids sheltering the blackness of darkness as his body encountered the hard, rough ground under him, never damped impact. Theo hadn’t taken into account the presence of the last small human of the pack.

“Y / n …” Stiles sighed before dark and nightmares ate the last remaining of his conscience. You were his last chance.

It was several days that the pack was scattered, broken, just like your heart. You hadn’t been going out since then, school seemed only useless and a waste of time. You worried too much, negative and haunting thoughts that something worse was preparing invaded your nights as well as your days. Your worries went to Scott, who hadn’t yet recovered from his injuries, for the sheriff who was between life and death in the hospital, Malia not found, Lydia imprisoned in the psychiatric hospital, Liam who felt too guilty to get out of his house, Kira gone you no longer knew where … and Stiles.

Stiles had disappeared. No one cared more than that, everyone had something more important to do, pretending Stiles was fine. That it was his kind to go, to disappear and the remorse of having killed Donovan made him leave, same remorse that gnawed Liam and prevented him to leave his house probably hiding in his room, eaten inside by painful and heavy regrets.

But you, you knew him. He would never have left without warning you, without leaving a clue and a word. And your worries grew stronger when his jeep was found, empty and abandoned in a parking lot of a place without name or importance.

If no one was looking for Stiles, you would take care of it. If all his friends were busy caring for themselves, you were going to take care of Stiles.

The lights flashed even when his eyes were closed, blinding light piercing his closed eyelids to attack his pupils. His wrists were tightly tied as well as his ankles, and a solid belt held his chest against the hard, cold surface he could feel under his body, a cold that bite his bones even through his clothes. When Stiles understood that the chemical smell and the questionable light of the neon meant only one thing, he began to panic, pulling on his bonds frantically creating a buzz in the silent room. He was prey to total panic.

Stiles was lying on a table in what he understood was the dread doctors’ laboratory of horror. And if he were there, it meant only one thing.

“You’re lucky they let me talk to you before it starts,” a hoarse voice that didn’t even hide his satisfaction sounded somewhere behind his head. Stiles resumed firing at his bonds as hard as he could, grunting in despair. His groans quickly turned into a scream, a terrified scream.

“Don’t do that …” Stiles snorted, realizing he would not be able to break free. “Don’t bring him back. Don’t do that, he’s gonna kill you all, Theo, listen to me… ”

“Stiles, Stiles, Stiles … Come on, Stiles.” Theo began by placing himself near his victim, his left hand resting on his bare arm. "I won’t bring back the nogitsune, I don’t have the triskelion box that keeps him prisoner, box that left with Isaac in France.”

Stiles couldn’t tell if he was relieved he wouldn’t be forced to be possessed again or simply even more frightened to know Theo knew all about his life.

“At first they didn’t want to, you know? Dread doctors. They kept saying in their monotone and robotic tone you didn’t have two DNA.” Theo continued to speak, making the outline of the table where Stiles was held tied while sliding his fingers against the metal surface, absorbed in the contemplation of his victim to go to the other side. "But they were wrong.”

“W… what?”

“Being possessed leaves a trace, you know. A mark, a… Fingerprint. Do you understand, Stiles, where I’m getting at? ”

“A fingerprint is a DNA mark …” Stiles whistled between his teeth, his jaw clenched with rage that bubbled through his veins.

“Exactly! You’re the sheriff’s son. My condolence, by the way.”

“What …” It was a barely audible murmur, filled with anger, intense and uncontrollable rage that only accentuated the already dark emotions that bathed in Stiles’ veins. The muscles of his arms contracted, while in the silence that reigned before Theo’s response, only Stiles’ rapid and erratic breathing was perceptible as well as the sound of his ties, pulled out frantically and unnecessarily.

“Your father died today. Scott is dead too, but you don’t care, you weren’t friends anymore, were you? He abandoned you when you needed him the most. ”

“You lie …” He was in denial, no, impossible. It was impossible. The rage shook his voice and tears of anger replaced those of fear.

“I would like to lie, it would have been an interesting torture.” A satisfied corner smirk stretched Theo’s lips as he showed what he had in his right hand slowly. A long syringe filled with a thick black liquid appeared before Stiles’s wide-eyed eyes who panicked even more. "Speaking of torture, I must unfortunately begin. They’re getting impatient and they hate waiting. I warn you, it’s going to hurt a little. But don’t worry, Stiles. You won’t remember a thing. Since you will no longer be… The one in control. ”

Stiles’ whole body trembled as the strongest fear he had ever felt gripped his bones firmly, making him turn his head from left to right, constantly repeating weak and unnecessary no that quickly turned into screams of supplication.

The most horrible and heart-rending scream of suffering broke the lugubrious silence of the long underground corridors without anyone hearing it.

The days passed in pain and torment for Stiles. The poor young man didn’t know how long he was there, how many days in the nightmare of his reality had passed. For how many hours he had been suffering, living all kinds of atrocities with the eternal goal of being transformed into a monster. He didn’t know it, his empty eyes staring at the ceiling without seeing it, his half-open mouth breathing the soiled air, his pale, dry lips begging for only one sip of water. Sleep fled from him, pain and atrocious images were all that filled his mind. Stiles stopped counting the seconds since a long time, something he did at the beginning in order to not lose his mind. When he forgot what number he was at, he counted in his head how much seven subtracted from 1000 made until he reached zero. At first it worked. Between the tortures, he counted, keeping a disappeared hope that someone was looking for him. He had to stay sane, so he was counting. Again and again. Then the pain became too intolerable and he even forgot his name.

“I tell you it’s going to work …”

His executioner had a muffled anger in his voice today, he seemed very dissatisfied with what the robotic voices of the masked people were telling him. And when he was angry, Stiles knew he was going to suffer only even more from the impatience of the person who was torturing him. The poor boy didn’t even know why he was suffering, the blows, the horrible images in his head, the needles entering his throat again and again, his eyes burning horribly as if a liquid were coming out. The metallic taste of blood became the only thing that his senses perceived. Several times, Stiles had let go. But every time he was brought back.

A grunt confirmed his fears. His executioner was very angry. And Stiles knew what was waiting for him, so the young man closed his eyes and waited while he tried swallowing saliva he no longer had, reminding him how thirsty he was.

“If he forgets who he is, he will never become someone else …”

No blow, pain or needle planted in his bruised flesh entered the muscles of the poor boy, only a not at all reassuring laugh resounded in his cottony ears, followed by footsteps fading in the distance.

A sigh escaped silently from his lips, his body trembled slightly at the dose of adrenaline he had just received under the sudden fear. His tired eyes burned with desire to remain closed, his heavy eyelids falling on his dark pupils before he could do anything.

And for the first time in too long, Stiles let himself go to sleep and welcomed the nightmare as an old friend.

“Stiles? Oh my god, Stiles! ”

The name sounded in his mind like an endless echo, a distant and yet luminous memory that warmed his empty stone heart. A cry, a voice of a memory, a part of his past. Stiles opened his eyes slowly, fighting against the urge to leave his eyelids closed to see who was the person that seemed to revive in him a forgotten and lost part of himself. The face he saw after turning his head to the side was familiar to him, the color of the girl’s eyes, her hair so familiar, the features of her particular face … Stiles’ tired eyes detailed the person without understanding where the sudden emotions animating his body that he thought dead had come from. His body that he thought was tied firmly but that wasn’t for a long time.

“Stiles! It’s me, Y / n! Stiles I’ve searched you everywhere … what did they do to you… ”

The girl had put her hands on his cheeks, warmth and tenderness he forgot like everything else. Tears now flooded in her beautiful sad eyes that he would have liked to see shining with joy and complicity. His heart had a painful beating when he realized he loved this girl. What was her name already? She had said it. Her lips smiled weakly when she saw he was starting to recognize her, his brown honey eyes staining a light in his dark, dead pupils. He was beginning to come back to her.

The girl’s thumb gently caressed his cheek, a gesture that made him shiver up to his feet, body members he didn’t think he had until then and goose bumps raised his arms’ hair .

“It’s me, Y / n …”

Her name, pronounced with a tender and quivering voice, trembling with fear and relief rekindled and awakened a part of his conscience which had disappeared beneath the intolerable torture he had undergone.

“Y / n …? ”

Pronouncing her name was harder than he thought. Stiles hadn’t spoken for a long time, his voice having died out after shouting for hours. Suddenly, all the weakness of his body seemed to disappear, his muscles animated by a sudden force that he didn’t think he had.

“Y / n … Y / n …! ”

Stiles remembered everything and especially her sad eyes that now mourned of relief to see the disappeared boy that she loved so much back. He had returned, Stiles had returned. You had done well to follow him, to trust him, Theo was right. He had found Stiles, and when he came knocking at your door to beg you to follow him, swearing he knew where your friend was, you had done well to follow him. But you couldn’t know Theo’s words were actually covered with venom of lies. And by following him, you had only started the final phase of his plan.

“How …” Stiles tried to speak, his voice still missing. But he didn’t need to hear your answer to understand, his eyes shifting to the right behind you to see him, standing upright with the most arrogant smile. The sight of his enemy and executioner succeeded only in reviving a black anger, a rage boiling in his veins. His eyes, enlivened by the joy of seeing you again were dyed too quickly by a frightful blackness, making you step back a few paces as Stiles stood up, his chest lifting by himself to get into a sitting position. You glanced behind you to see what could make him in that state to see Theo.

Not knowing immediately why so much rage was directed towards his savior, your mouth opened to ask for explanations but Theo was faster and in a few seconds, a pain in the neck made you grip the hand that clenched your throat very strongly , cutting your breath away from the strangulation. You resisted, struck his arm and struggled, but nothing worked. Your vision began to become blurred by the lack of blood in your head but you could still see the face of Stiles change. The softness that usually resided in his face had gone and seemed to have disappeared forever. His skin, pale, created a terrible contrast with the blackness of his eyes, usually shining with an amber tint. And under his eyes, his reddish dark circles were only even more apparent.

“Sorry, beautiful, but you played your role perfectly. The last barrier that prevented my plan from working was you. His last hope, his humanity. Too bad, you weren’t bad for a human. She never gave up, Stiles. Never did she lose hope of finding you,” Theo laughed, squeezing only even more, and you felt something sharp and painful pierce your bruised skin, his sharp claws. “And now you have nothing left.”

Stiles was now standing, his head leaning to the side, his eyebrows raised and a smile stretching his dry lips. You no longer understood anything, fear and confusion mingled with the mist that numbed your mind. Why did Theo do that? Why did Stiles look so different? What happened to him?

“I’m here.” His voice was his but wasn’t at the same time. His mouth moved but it wasn’t his words. Stiles’ soft, husky voice was now nothing but an amused murmur stained with malice and despair. Theo’s grip against your throat became weaker as a laugh shook his chest behind you.

” Finally. I have you, finally.” But soon his laughter was cut off by the sharp words of Stiles, which slowly advanced towards you.

“No, no, no … you don’t. And you never will. ”

“Stiles …?” Your voice was shrill, weak, a mere murmur inaudible in the tension that reigned in the room.

“Oh yes I will,” Theo panicked visibly because immediately after the claws perceived your skin more deeply, causing the blood of your throat to flow and soaked his fingers under your cry of pain.

But before seeing what was going to happen, the blood no longer surrendered to your brain and you lost consciousness, having as a last image a Stiles who was no longer himself. A person you had seen before was now standing in front of you but you couldn’t know if it was only a nightmare that your unconscious showed you or reality.

Void.

It wasn’t the strident sound that brought you back to reality, neither the strong and unpleasant smell of chemical. The floor was cold and rough under your face, a surface you weren’t used to waking up on. What awoke you with a start was rather the alarming and poignant feeling that something bigger and more serious had happened. The urgent feeling that you had to get up from the dirty and uncomfortable ground to find him, to find Stiles again.

Your eyes suddenly opened and you took a noisy inspiration by rising quickly, not worrying about the pain in your throat or your head that you had to hit somewhere when you fell. Your confused pupils went through the demolished surroundings. The metal table was torn off, pieces of granite covered the ground, and long streaks of dark red liquid led to the exit, the door which was half open towards the underground tunnels.

Blood, but whose blood?

Panicked, your hands were placed in front of you to support your weight on the ruins, the shrill sound still making your jaw start. There was no one left in the abandoned laboratory, only you and your memory confused by the events. It was evident that Theo was a traitor, that he had used you and your worries for Stiles. And Stiles … you knew you had to find him, you didn’t know where he was and you were on foot, but you had to find him as quickly as possible.

So you staggered towards the exit, following the traces of blood on the ground without seeing it, having the only goal to find your friend and boy whom you loved so much.

The tunnels were all alike and soon you felt lost, but you never stopped walking, your feet making as little noise as possible in the dirty water that covered some parts of the underground as you walked as fast as possible, turning your head on all sides looking for a corridor that you wouldn’t have already borrowed. Your hand was placed in front of you, your cellphone whose screen had been broken when you had fallen in search of a network bar to call your friends. You couldn’t do it on your own. And none of this would have happened if your friends had told you about Theo and the experiences he was doing.

A grunt of impatience and despair echoed through the many corridors. It was long, you were wasting too much time. But you didn’t want to give up, especially now that you had found him. Seeing him thus, motionless, amorphous, you had feared that Stiles was no more. Tortured and covered with wounds, he was no more than the shadow of himself. But he had come back, you had brought him back, Stiles was still there.

So absorbed in your thoughts of his face, smiling and accomplice, his cornered smile and his eyes shining, you didn’t immediately notice the bars hanging on the greenish wall in front of you only when the long awaited network bar appeared at the top of your phone’s broken screen. A small gasp of relief escaped your lips as you raised your eyes to notice the ladder leading to the exit above you.

Without waiting you climbed the slippery bars, being careful not to escape your cell phone. Once out, you took a deep breath of fresh air. It was now night, the sun had disappeared to let room for the moon, meaning you had to be knocked out a few hours. You bite your nail before starting to walk in the street without knowing where your legs were going to bring you, carrying your cellphone against your ear after having quickly dialed a number with your trembling fingers.

“Y / n, this isn’t the time …” The voice answered you, impatient and not at all interested. You grunted again, your hand clasping the device more strongly in your hand as you swallowed your insults.

“I found Stiles.”

“What? Where is he? Where are you? ”

“Now, are you interested, Scott? You didn’t look for him, you didn’t do anything for him! I had to be fooled by Theo and almost killed for… ”

“What, Theo?” You have … Y / n …”

“Shut up, Scott!” You were fulminating, rage and despair making you raise the tone. “You have no idea in what state I found him … I don’t even know myself,” you confessed as you entered the forest without realizing it, passing a hand in your tired face. “He’s your best friend, how could you …”

“Exactly,” Scott cut you off and his voice became firmer. “He’s my best friend, my brother. How could you think I wasn’t looking for him? ”

His words made you slow down for a moment.

“I … well, that’s not important. I lost him again, he … I … I don’t know what happened, but Theo seems to have changed something in him and …” Your leg passed over a large tree trunk and you staggered against a rock while swearing. It was so dark and the moon wasn’t enough to illuminate the uneven soil of the ground. “I’m scared, Scott. Scared something very serious happened to him. He tortured him … Theo, he … ” A sob shook your voice and you scratched your throat to try to hide it.

“I’m sorry, Y / n … But right now I really can’t …” A cry echoed in the handset followed by electricity sound. “I have to go! ”

And Scott hung up, leaving you alone and lost in the middle of a forest that you didn’t even remember having made the decision to go in. He was busy, again. Too busy to come and help his best friend. This time, the swearing sounded loudly in the forest when a branch cracked behind you, making you freeze on the spot. Your finger opened your phone and landed above the flashlight, ready to press it and blind the source of the noise behind you, only weapon at your disposal.

Make it not be a wild animal … or Theo … Which would come down to the same … Finally made it be Theo that I give him a punch in the face.

After a deep breath to calm the erratic beat of your heart, you quickly turned and pressed the torch at the same time, blinding the person who placed his hand in front of his face to protect himself from sudden light aggression. You took advantage of the distraction to start running in the opposite direction, a cry of terror stuck in your throat but a voice you recognized stopped you immediately after a few steps.

“Y / n …”

Your body froze again, the goose bumps pervading your limped limbs. Your face turned towards him, your eyes wide open.

“Stiles!” Your legs turned around and approached him, threatening to let you go at every step. He was there, you had come into the forest for a reason. Stiles was there. But as you got closer, he drew back a few steps and placed his hands in front of him, his eyes frightened.

“Don’t come closer… Don’t… Stay back, Y/n…”

“What? Why, Stiles, I’ve been looking for you…” You stopped moving, sadness invading your confused eyes.

“He said he wanted him in his pack. He wanted him. I think he did, Y/n. I think he’s back…”

“What? Who’s back? What are you talking about, you’re not…” You hesitated. “You’re not a chimera, you don’t have two sets of DNA…”

“Void. He wants void. And seems the nogitsune left enough digital prints in me to create a second set of DNA… He… They… It was horrible, Y/n… What they did to me… To make him come back…” A sob stopped him for finishing, his eyes full of tears at the memories still fresh in his mind.

“No, the nogitsune is gone, I was there when we trapped him in the box…” You tried, moving closer but he stepped back, raising his tone.

“You don’t understand! He made him come back! Somehow some of the nogitsune was still in me! And they found a way to freaking making him resurface!” His voice broke and he placed a hand on his face, his breathing fast and jerky. “Oh God… I don’t want to live this nightmare again… I can feel it in me, he’s weak, but not for long… My anger makes it stronger, that’s why Theo was making everything to keep me angry…” Stiles stopped, lifting his head as a forgotten thought came back to him. “Does Scott… My dad…”

“Your dad is alright, Stiles. Scott saved him, he found what was wrong, everyone is okay,” you went on, trying to keep him calmer as possible. But the ephemeral relief on his face quickly disappeared.

“It’s too late. Theo won. He did it. I lost, Y/n… I suffered so much in the hope of being able to see you again; now that I did I can go die somewhere.”

Something in his voice sounded false, sad and desperate. It wasn’t the Stiles you knew. He wasn’t the strong and intelligent man you knew he was. Something broke in him, broken by Theo.

“No, I’m here.”

“ Leave!” He yelled, taking several steps towards you, his eyes frightening under the light of your torch, making you step back a few steps too. “I don’t want to lose you to, I…”

“You didn’t kill Allison, Donovan was an accident. You are not a killer, Stiles. You won’t hurt me.”

“You think?” His voice was rusty, low, a sigh that made you shudder from head to foot. You no longer knew who was before you, what Stiles faced you? Who was in control? His gaze was suddenly empty, his movements too fluid to be him. The confusion was on your face and your eyes widened in fear. Your feet retreated by themselves in the face of a threatening situation.

“Am I scaring you? Oh, I am. You should be scared of me, Y/n. Something changed in me, and it’s eating me alive, eating the last remaining of my humanity. I…” His eyes turned back to the honey-brown eyes of the Stiles you knew and he stepped back, erasing the steps he had just taken toward you. You saw that he was fighting against himself, deep down in his conscience Stiles was fighting. And after all he had lived, he no longer had the strength to continue his inner fight. The negative emotions were all that was left, it was everything that allowed him to survive all the days of his torture. "I don’t want to hurt you, not you …”

His eyes filled with water under the difficulties he had to remain himself and your eyes soon also filled with tears. You were suffering to see him suffer so much, sharing his grief more than you thought you could.

“I won’t go. Not now, never.”

“You should run now that you can…” His voice was again menacing, inhuman. You were confused at all changes of personalities, not knowing if you should indeed run or stay, your emotions switching from fear to relief. And you didn’t like that. You hated to see him like that, a prisoner of himself, his soul broken in two. And that’s probably why you did it, remembering Theo’s words before he made you lose consciousness, your skin still burning from the wounds he’d made to you. You were Stiles’ last humanity barrier.

So, ignoring the more than obvious threat that Stiles or what was left of him made to you, you crossed the distance that separated you. You were afraid, yes, your body trembled at the thought that the person you loved could kill you as easily as he had ransacked the dread doctors’ lab. But you knew that Stiles would never hurt you, and you were betting on it when your hands were resting on his frozen cheeks to bring your face close to his and put your hot lips on his cold and cracked ones.

At first nothing happened. Only your heart beating and the wind blowing all around you, rustling the leaves of the trees. Stiles was motionless, as straight as a statue, and his whole body was stiff. Then, after several seconds, you received a reaction. His lips responded, moving gently against yours, animated with life through your touch. His hands were placed against your hips, bringing you closer to him in order to have more warmth. He was so cold.

And when you drew back your face, your lips still stretched to detail his look, it was to see Stiles. The real one. A loud sigh made you laugh softly.

“You know you won’t always be able to save me …”

“Hm, hm,” you shook your head positively, denying his words. “I can and I will. We’ll be okay, Stiles. I love you. ”

Your free hand, the one that didn’t hold your phone, placed itself on his, which was cold. But quickly your warmth spread to him and his fingers gently tightened your hand as you began to walk in the forest in search of an outlet or escape, trying to get out of your head that first kiss more than perfect in spite of the more serious circumstances. Surprised at your revelation, Stiles didn’t think of answering immediately. He still savored the three words that made his heart beat in the unrealistic hope this story could still end well, that he was going to take you to see a movie for a first date and how the words I love you too would sound in his mouth. But just as he was about to say it, some other threatening words kept Stiles from going.

“Again, you ruin everything, Y / n.”

This voice, hoarse and full of wickedness rang somewhere behind you, causing you to stop again and turn your head.

“I had him, finally, Void, Void was back. Looks like I gotta get rid of you. ”

The voice changed place to sound somewhere in front of you and your hand squeezed Stiles’s as you turn your head towards him, your eyes filled with fear.

“His condition is not improving.”

The metallic voices of the doctors of horror added to all this sent doses of intense fear into your veins and only even more when Stiles’ hand left yours and he screamed something you didn’t hear because your ears had become cottony. You saw him gesticulating, pushing you, pointing a place away from him but you didn’t move because your body was paralyzed.

“Y / n, go! They want me!” His voice broke in his yell as he pushed you away, begging you to leave, fear slowly invading his body. Stiles panicked, he knew Theo would come back for him and the dread doctors wouldn’t be far to finish what they had started. He knew that and despite everything he wanted to stay with you, to cherish the hope that with you at his side, he would get out of it, that you would kiss him and hold his hand every time the other was about to take control. And the kiss had brought him back, it had given him the strength to fight. However, now that he felt his enemies approaching and threatening you, the anger was mixed with fear, an anger he could not afford to have. He could not. That’s why Stiles suddenly pushed you away, screaming to save you, save your life while there was still time. But when he turned around, ready to accept his destiny, he saw a metallic mask a few inches from his face. Stiles’ body stopped then. It was the end, he would either die or become his worst nightmares. And between the two, he would rather die. But at the same time, he refused to abandon you, not now, not after you told him you loved him and especially not before he could answer you.

Stiles’ eyelids closed, ready to let go, to let him be abandoned in pain, powerless. But a scream, a scream of terror, rang out behind him. Y / n, she cried out of pain, she called him, her threatened voice boiled the blood in his veins and suddenly, he pushed the dread doctor away that flew a few yards further. A single hit was necessary, his palm placed on the chest of his enemy, and he was already far away. His action surprised him and he stared at his hand for a moment, confused, before turning his attention to you who was caught between the other two doctors that surrounded you, directly threatening your life.

"Leave her alone!” Stiles shouted, running towards you, his face decomposed by anger. A howl of beast stopped him and he turned his head just in time to see none other than Scott disembark and grab a doctor with him, taking him away from Y / n in his acrobatic roll of his noticed entrance. Shortly afterwards Malia and Liam arrived, taking care of the other two enemies, grabbing each one in order to keep them away from the human that you were. Surprised to see his friends here, at that very moment, Stiles remained frozen.

"Sorry about the delay,” Malia excused herself by kicking her enemy unnecessarily, and she retorted. “We were busy saving Lydia.”

Your eyes widened in understanding. Scott was not busy for anything, he was saving Lydia, your prisoner friend of the psychiatric institute who was surely safe with Kira right now. You were as confused as Stiles to see them coming suddenly that you didn’t move any more.

“Y / n, take Stiles with you! Go away!” Scott screamed, his red eyes staring at you for a split second before he gave another claw strike to his enemy who only stepped back a little.

Nothing more was needed. Your legs were full of energy again, probably caused by the adrenaline of fear, and you went to catch Stiles’ hand to run away from the battle that raged without catching your breath. You didn’t have much time.

Soon the sounds were carried away by the wind away from you, only your jerky and erratic breathing sounded in the morbid silence of the forest. The more you sink, the more the cold would bite your bones and your hands became cold, the love that united you was no longer enough to warm you up. Something was wrong, something was missing. The fear that made your heart beat faster was making you sick, your belly twisted painfully and a nausea rose in your throat. Unable to continue, you let go of Stiles’ hand to stop, your hands against your thighs in search of oxygen. The cold air found the entrance and you felt it enter your lungs, then get out in a mist of hot air.

"You can’t stop, Y / n, we have to …” Stiles had no more breath, his hands were shaking a lot. He was afraid, just like you, and you knew too well how fear could turn into anger. And you just could not let anger get hold of Stiles because otherwise, it would be the other who would take control.

“Hey …” Your soft voice rocked Stiles who closed his eyes slowly, taking a deep and difficult breath through his nose. “It’s okay, they’re not gonna get you … you see, Scott didn’t leave you, nobody left you, everything Theo told you was lies.” Your hand settled gently on his cheek, caressing the cold skin with your thumb gently. His breathing seemed to calm down after a few seconds and he opened his eyes, only to put them on something behind you that distorted his face with terror, his eyes wide and his mouth open to scream a silent warning.

"Not just lies.”

And on these hard, poisoned words, you turned back to the source of the voice that made you screeched only to receive a powerful blow on the face, sending your whole body to the ground under the inhuman force of his fist. Your head spin a long time, the world around you became blurred and bent. Your body encountered the ground, scratching your palms with dead branches and small rocks when you pressed it down to cushion the shock, but the worst was your cheek and your jaw that had received all the impact. Your eyes filled with pain and rage tears as you turned on your back to better stare at your enemy who was overlooking you with all his height.

“I was sincere when I said I wanted Void in my pack. And also when I said I had to get rid of you to succeed. ”

“Leave her alone… ”

Oh no. That tone, that sensation, you had felt in the laboratory just before losing consciousness. Rough, low and threatening, Stiles’ words shook your body as you tried but in vain to get up, Theo’s foot coming to stop you as he put it on your throat to keep you on the ground and eventually kill you by suffocation.

“She keeps you from being who you are, Stiles. I help you by removing her from your path. ”

You struggled, not knowing in how much trouble you were, dying slowly for the lack of air in your lungs and blood in your head. But not in danger of Theo, no.

And in your eyes misty with the tears of pain and unconsciousness wanting to come back to seek you, you saw Stiles advancing towards Theo, slowly, too slowly. And without saying a word, he raised his arm and his hand in a fist and put it hard in his throat. The shot was quick, well placed, and the dark pupils of Stiles watched Theo falling to the ground holding his throat, the air no longer entering his lungs. He was dying asphyxiated, but you knew it wouldn’t be enough to kill him. Because cockroaches are very hard to get rid of.

Now free of his grip, you coughed loudly also holding your throat, oxygen finding its way normally in your pharynx. Still on the ground you raised your head towards Stiles, who, in the darkness of the night, was only even more frightening. You had lost your cellphone when you fell so you could hardly see his face in the darkness and confusion of your tearing up eyes. He stopped beside you, sighed and crouched at your high while placing his hands against his cheeks and elbows on his thighs and tilted his head to the side. His voice then sang a sentence that paralyzed you.

“And now, Y / n, am I scaring you enough to run?”

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