#i promise it's important to the au

[navii-blaze]

Maybe you are saving something like this for later but I thought I might as well take a chance and ask-

Can we get a rundown of your Mobius 37 Years Later AU?

I was going to save this for later and release some sketches with it but my tablet's on the fritz right now so I'll yap a little

Mobius 37 Years Later AU

tldr: Sonally kids who came from Robo-Robotnik's dimension, were taken to another dimension to keep him from finding out they survived and grew up in a dimension where its Robotnik was already defeated.

Sonic and Sally's childern from the alternative future, survives Robotnik's nuclear devastation of the planet via being put in stasis tubes. Since time travel machines are already a thing the freedom fighters have figured out by this point, the capsules are given coordinates to travel to another dimension where they can be safe. However, the attack damaged the capsules, leaving the childern stranded in stasis on a planet essentially devoid of life now.

Enter Prime!Sonic, who sometime after the events of #197 (being told by Zonic that the new Robotnik is there to stay in Prime!'s dimension), is contacted by Zonic to do "one last zone hopping favor." If you remember, he kept sending Prime! out on adventures (pre-Ian run) to save different zones since he has main character syndrome, and by this point Prime! is getting tired of dealing with everyone else's problems. Zonic brings him to the ruins of Robo-Robotnik's planet, and shows him the capsules where the kids were still being kept in stasis all this time. Zonic explains that he's breaking multiple rules right now since he stopped involving Prime! in saving other zones, but he couldn't stand by anymore and believed Prime! deserved an explanation on why he doesn't want to send Robotnik 2.0 back to this zone.

Zonic and Prime! make a deal where Prime! will continue to deal with Robotnik 2.0, accepting him as his "new" Robotnik, if Zonic is able to locate the destination AltFuture!Sonic and Sally had programmed the capsules to travel to. Zonic finds that in this dimension, Robotnik has been defeated, and has very little risk of him returning or at least would be the most prepared for if he did. Prime! travels with the two childern to this dimension and explains the situation to the Sonic and Sally residing there (dubbing them 37!Sonic and 37!Sally), and tells them that he will take care of the Robotnik who destroyed their home if they can help take the childern in as their own.

37!Sonic and Sally agree to take them in, 37!Sally already having parenting experience with her current child, who accepts the twins as her new siblings.

The twins grow up (were 3-5 years old when put into stasis) in an era of peace, only being told later in life that they were from a different dimension and that their parents were actually killed by Robotnik. The au essentially serves as a Next-Generation story, taking a similar approach with the Light Mobius arc where it's pressumed that this dimension had a very similar past with the Prime! dimension, with a few details changed here and there. Other notable characters in this au are Lara-su, the current guardian of the Master Emerald, various other new freedom fighters (not exactly the same ones seen in Light Mobius), older supporting cast such as Amy and Tails who serve as mentors, and Zonic who periodically checks in on the twins to see how they're faring.

The twins help (against the wishes of their parents) in fighting new threats and villains, all while slowing piecing together that they aren't from this world.

To understand who exactly these childern are and where they come from, please follow my sleep deprived ramblings below the cut

Essentially, it all focuses around these two carbon copies

Yep! And if you don't know who these are, they are Sally and Sonic's childern (unnamed, only the mobius x years later arcs actually named their kids) from an alternate universe set in the future after Robotnik has been defeated. Or, presumably defeated, since this universe is also the one that Robo-Robotnik (the one that replaces the original one in Prime!Sonic's universe #75) originates from, and has been secretely hiding in his spacecraft as an uploading A.I. for 20+ years.

^ from #22

Now, there is confusion on if this Robo-Robotnik is the same one seen in #19, who's Sonic was a half-roboticized cyborg and needed Prime!Sonic's help to defeat him. Ian Flynn has (can't find exact source rn) gone on record to say that these two Robo-Robotniks are different people, but it's explicitly stated here (#75);

That this Robo-Robotnik is the same person in both of the realities we've seen before. Meaning that the cyborg Sonic seen in #19, along with the other half-roboticized freedom fighters (who were "defeated", but that may not mean killed) are the same ones who are shown in the alternate future timeline.

Consensus: archie sonic writers probably wanted to merge the two alternative futures together for simplicity at the time, did it work? Who knows.

But for purposes of my au, these two Robo-Robotniks are the same. Which means that FutureKing!Sonic is the same as Cyborg!Sonic, and FutureQueen!Sally is the same one as Cyborg!Sally. But that's not all! These two are also the same ones from the Sonic in Your Face Special

^first image from the special, second image from #22

What's special about these guys? Well they're the ones who "made" Nicole! There's a time paradox here so don't think about it too hard.

But by gifting Nicole to Prime!Sally in the early archie run, Prime!Sally was able to essentially create a new timeline because of the upper hand she got from Nicole, making Prime!Sally and Future!Sally different people now.

To wrap it up, these are the same people

(#SiYF special, #22, #19)

(#19, #22, #SiYF)

Not the same people as FutureKing!Sonic and FutureQueen!Sally, this is Light Mobius, different alternate reality:

ONE MORE THING, that I haven't really seen being addressed, is if this future timeline shown to Prime!Sally via Source of All (#sonic super special 11):

...is the same future as seen in #22 and #SiYF. For the sake of my sanity and the fact that it is also set ~20 years in the future like #SiYF is, I'm saying yes. It's the same alternative future being shown.

Doesn't matter much in canon though since they're all dead 👍

[cj-the-random-artist]

I let them get friendship married so Narinder can get his tax benefits lol

But legitimately. I mulled this one over repeatedly for literal months. Like. Do I want them to get married in front of the cult? Should they even get married? It would be hilarious if the Goat married them and then cried at the altar the whole time, but also... that doesn't feel right, so maybe I won't do that. And then once I decided it should be a personal friendship-marriage ritual where it's just the pair of them making vows to each other, I wrote four different scripts and hated them all and ended up just pulling this one out of thin air pretty much on the spot and that was that. At one point, I wanted Lambert to basically suggest this idea and then have them get friend-married on the spot, but that didn't feel right (and it was also gonna be unreasonably long) so that's why there's no context going into this one. And the actual friend-marriage ritual is... maybe not the best designed one ever? I wanted it to in some ways be similar to like, the way I imagine a romantic marriage happening in the cult- the parties exchange vows and do rings and stuff...? (If it's not obvious, I haven't been to many weddings...) But I figured they wouldn't want an audience, or to party with the whole cult afterwards, or anything like that. I also had them kiss each other's rings as opposed to like... faces... because one of the fights I had with myself in deciding how I would want this to go was whether it would make sense for them to kiss or not. And I ultimately decided that in this AU at least they just wouldn't want to. They're also wearing the rings on their not ring fingers cuz. Honestly it just felt right that way. Based on vibes. But basically I just wanted them to exchange a vow of eternal partnership in a very casual, chill setting, because I don't picture QPR AU Narilamb doing... anything other than that.

Also this is the rest of Lambert's office, which I actually had a pretty clear vision for after my last doodle but I didn't really bother to draw before starting this comic. Maybe I should've but eh it looks good enough. Interior backgrounds are hard......

Anyways. I think I'm happy with this one? I was enamored by the concept of a chill friendship marriage, so I definitely leaned into it here. As per usual, it's not perfect, I think I could've done a lot of stuff better / differently, but honestly?? If I were to ever get friend-married I would want it to go about like this, it makes my little aroace heart happy, and I spent too long on it to not show it to anybody. Thus. Enjoy, and also happy new year cuz I totally forgot to make a post individually about that...

[storyshift-sk]

PART 1/2 - Storytime!

Once Upon A Time… Things were great! Until they weren’t. dun, dun, dun

Every great fictional world starts with a history lesson!

[binkusdinkus]

💥💥💥

(forget about the buster moon jumpscare you didn't see it it wasn't me I don't know who put that there)

[tragicvampireromanceisland]

assortment of many many janes and sammys....they have totally NOT!!!! been consuming my mind whole what are you talking about 💛💙

one thing i really wanted to do with this au is reverse the initial dynamic we had in canon with these two; now sadness is the one who has to... "put up" with joy, be the more experienced and respected one of the two, not quite understand what her whole deal is, get frustrated with her optimism, and put some work in to understand her point of view.

samira's been a journalist for around six years by the time the story starts...and she's purposefully isolated herself and sidestepped having a coworker for all those years. suddenly gaining such a goofy, chaotic "partner" is...a bit much for sammy, initially. while she's as patient as ever, jane seems to have a talent for testing that patience. and what's with her rare moments of seriousness that she brushes off just as quickly? it takes sammy a while to stop viewing jane as an extra responsibility that's been dumped on her, and yet despite her insistence that getting stuck with jane is "just her luck" , a lot of her thoughts and time seem to be consumed by her...a suspicious amount, even... 🤔😳 and that's not even counting her endless notes (and doodles...) of solarflare.

annnd while felix himself has never met jane (even though he HAS very much met sol), he's frequently subject to sammy's complaints about her. not that he minds. maybe this strange mystery coworker can finally convince his best friend to stop wallowing in her misery all the time...

[daeyumi]

Cycle of the Stars: Prologue II

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60104758/chapters/158660371

Prologue II

Ipseity

***

23rd day of Rising Sun

It happened again today. That uneasiness, a looming duress; like thunderheads come at last to devour the hungry sky. A catalyst. It seems a portent of things to come. I feel it when I walk the streets of the town, a grim wind between the crowds. Not in their faces or in the busy markets, vibrant as always. But I feel it all the same.

Reports are the same as ever. Monsters to the west, far across the sands; dispatched by the party who brought the news. An unconcerning pattern. Our people are strong, we carry the wind and the sky in our swords.

All is well.

And yet….

Current emotions: apprehension, stability, resilience

24th day of Rising Sun

I passed by her effigy. I didn’t intend to, lost in thought and wandering the back streets of my city, away from my pretensions and the relentless eyes of its denizens. I’ve walked these streets so many times, day by day over the years, the markets, the inn, the homes of my people. Our lives.

I know them like the tracks on the back of my hand, each line a story, an introspection, a defiance. I do not walk the path that leads to her. Always taking alternate routes- a lifetime of avoidance, of cowardice; a king hiding like a rat from the burning glare of a sun that was never meant for me.

And yet I saw her. That abhorrent goddess. Weathered stone worn smooth by the ardent consecration of many hands; an immutable effigy to match its subject. She leers down at me from her hallowed alcove; her cold eyes watching me, freezing me, judging me. Using me. She would use me if she could, as she has so many of my predecessors. I reject their fate, as I should have rejected their path and tread another.

Sometimes I think I should have chosen a different name, far removed from this accursed title and its implications. But the associations persist, groundless; and so I remain.

Current emotions: defiance, wistfulness, steadfast rejection

25th day of Rising Sun

I keep running it over again in my mind. Did I feel this way before? Yesterday? This morning? There’s no evidence. My records show the same; the persistence of my resolve unequivocal in these pages.

I feel they’re plotting against me. The goddesses.

Every movement I make, I suspect interference of a higher power. A puppet on divine strings, a doll tossed to the callous earth and left to rot amongst the refuse, swallowed by avarice and the fetters of eons spent in limbo.

I wonder if she smiles down at us as we fight and kill and die in her name like playthings.

I will wander no further down this path tonight; I have other matters to occupy my mind.

Current emotions: introspection, suspicion, anticipation

26th day of Rising Sun

The merchants whisper of strange disappearances across the sand, some travelers claiming to have lost contact with inhabitants of the far dunes.

Swallowed to the earth without a trace.

These allegations are unsubstantiated at best; yet still I am forced to consider the implications of an unknown actor upon my lands.

Current emotions: scrutiny, quietude, steadiness

27th day of Rising Sun

Another skirmish broke out on the northeastern border with Hyrule. None of our own were lost, yet I cannot but suspect that larger pieces are in motion. For today, I remain grateful that all my warriors have returned to me.

Current emotions: peace, requital, suspicion

28th day of Rising Sun

I couldn’t sleep last night. My dreams were filled with faces; features scratched out and incomprehensible, looking down on me from a formless haze of revelation. So many in their number that a thousand lifetimes could not count them, and yet so few that they seemed only One. Flaying the skin from my bones with their judgment until nothing remained of me but the crest upon my right hand, tattered skin peeling back from the bone and shredding, fragmenting, returning to the sand in all corners of the world; scars releasing their hold on their captive and fleeing to the edges of my vision, absolved by the light in the piercing eyes above. And still those etched triangles remained. I felt my eyes recede into sand in the wind as I woke, my consciousness ebbing to the void at the same time it returned to me in wakefulness.

And yet nothing disturbs us in my waking hours.

Current emotions: foreboding, apprehension, resistance

29th day of Rising Sun

They say a Hero has appeared. They say he heralds a great darkness, the misfortune only endowed upon those forced to the wrong side of fate. The Hero’s rise has only ever spelled desolation for us. It’s the same damned prophecy I’ve been running from my whole life. The Princess, the Hero, and the sinistrous man held fast by the thrall of the dominance forced upon him by birthright.

I see my deepest fears laid to light before me. Strung out along my path like corpses wrung by the neck, withered husks prefacing a descent to erasure. They beckon me forth with voices of autonomy and empty promises.

Is there any other recourse to be taken than to wait? For if I make a move now, I throw myself willingly down the same declivity of actions as all those who came before, abandoning my will to providence and to the whims of the curse upon my flesh.

Current emotions: unease, disgust, rejection

30th day of Rising Sun

Hyrule wants war with us. They won’t state as much, but I see it in their eyes; the way they look at us, at me. Blame.

The envoy arrived this morning with an air of finality. Only a handful of Hylians; ambassadors and their guards. That woman striding brazenly at their helm. That Gerudo-turned-traitor, come to accuse us; burying the intent of Hyrule’s words beneath pleasantries and clarifications. Hiding behind the swords and shields of a so-called honor guard.

Their precaution is telling enough. And their adjurations when we spoke has only strengthened my conviction.

I spell it plainly here, so my future self can recall these terms without influence or bias- above all else, I must know my own thoughts. They suspect us for the monster attacks that threaten their kingdom; they claim the border skirmishes are waged in self-defense, citing raids on the settlements at the fringes of Hyrule. For disappearances and deaths. Brutality.

I demanded proof. They had nothing to show. Only discarded shards of bone, warped beyond recognition. A splintered, massive claw, serrated at its edge; holes driven through the carapace as if awaiting new growth from within. The tip of a weathered blade, blood rusted upon its surface. Nothing but refuse and remnants and blame. Blame for the past. Blame for the future. Blame for the unknown and the secret and the goddess-scorned and the false. They left in a stone-faced resolve, disappearing in the haze of heat across the sun-smeared dunes.

They’ve said nothing about the whispers of the hero. Is it ignorance, or subterfuge? And what does it say about my own state that I am unable to discern between the two?

I ill wish for bloodshed, but I will do what is necessary. Always.

Current emotions: tension, regret, unease

31st day of Rising Sun

I’ve begun to wonder if I’m overthinking this.

Perhaps what I sense is merely a facet of the larger scope. If the enmity I perceived was instead representative of a more tangible threat. I’ve had time to reflect upon the events of the past few days; and now having a clear sense of Hyrule’s intent, I fear the threat of men over formless cosmic interference. War. Or perhaps she has once again played me for a fool.

And when my senses fail me, I can trust nothing more than my own writings.

Current emotions: doubt, intrigue, contemplation

1st day of Zenith

I feel once more a fell wind upon our city. The masses pray in earnest to their delusory goddess; beseeching salvation from a burden which should never have been theirs to bear. I do not begrudge them their faith, though I wished they had chosen a better target for their prayers.

Current emotions: contempt, rejection, stability

2nd day of Zenith

Nāori brought the report today. One of our scouting parties did not return from their sortie; a routine patrol to the southwestern border. They were expected back at dusk two days past; a search party already dispatched to their aid. This development... it weighs heavily on my mind. I wait until the morrow, but no further.

Current emotions: impatience, unease, worry

3rd day of Zenith

Trouble. A giant pit in the sands. My soldiers are missing. Glass sphere. Vast abyss. I will write more as time allows.

Current emotions: anxiety, resolve, anger

4th day of Zenith

I found them.

I set out yesterday at dusk, after one of my soldiers returned bearing news that their scouting party had been swallowed by the desert. She cited a massive pit in the wasteland like a giant abyss; it opened up suddenly in a in a flash of searing cold, rending a hole in the dunes. Isa is her name. She claimed herself the sole survivor, witness to the desecration. I have no reason to distrust her, though I am forced to consider the possibility that she is an agent of a higher power, sent to lure me away. I go forward regardless. I will not risk the safety of my people to send another.

I tread the long path to the southwest, to the cruel corners of the desert, following Isa’s footprints until the sand reclaimed them; tracking my soldiers by the moon and stars alone. Out to the far reaches of the kingdom, away from the border with Hyrule.

I saw it there.

A gaping fissure in the earth; a compressed sphere of sand above, its surface glassy and dark as if burnt by the sun, forging a black eclipse in the arid sky. It cast an ominous presence above me. I descended along the cliffs in the midday sun, finding rest along the shallow crevasses in the sun-baked earth; seeing no one, hearing nothing. Only the wind howling rough across the entrance to the abyss. The further I plunged, the more the cracks in the walls opened up, pushing deeper into the earth like the seamstress’s needle on coarse cloth. I found the entrance to the cavern far below; a tunnel rough-hewn but steady, unnatural.

I beheld the first signs of despair upon that threshold.

Empty eyes. Twisted, broken limbs. Once familiar faces contorted into mockeries of amity. Blood on their bodies and the floor and the walls and the ceiling; glittering rubies dyed crimson with the sunset draining from the sky, leeching the color from ashen skin. The final nightfall before the end.

Rhine. Luka. Ryza. Fyrani. Palu. Osa.

Their bodies haven’t even started to decay yet. Maybe it would be easier if they had. Perhaps then, they would not be so easily recognizable. That I would wish for the desecration of those I should have mourned…. The cycle begins anew like violence welling up beneath my skin.

I never want to forget this feeling. Numbness; ineptitude; guttural, sickening, twisted fury. I dared not move for fear that I would act upon my impulses. I refuse to allow her a way in.

I will not become her tool.

…

The silence has afforded me the time to write, but little else. I wish it were not so. I sit with them still, one final vigil in the gloam.

It is all I can offer them now, ill solace that it is; this and the promise of vengeance with every breath I take.

It is not enough.

It will never be enough.

Current emotions: wrath stability, perseverance, vengeance

—NO—

preservation

***

I cannot sleep.

I remember the carnage on the sands. Standing amid the corpses of a dozen grown men. A child. The feeling of the spear haft in my grip, battle hardened and slick with blood and sweat, sticking between the crevasses of the treated wood and freezing my hands in place. And I remember Sumiira’s eyes. Holding me, pleading. Not for her life, but for mine. She was wrong. Unseeing; the vitality in them extinguished by the ring of persecution laid lifeless at my feet. And all I could think about was what I could tell our mother. Feeling even then that I had already fallen victim to the curse of my forebears.

Enough.

If I have time to write, I have time to search.

Tonight I will return my soldiers’ remains to the desert, and press forward into the hungry earth. There are still more bodies unaccounted for.

5th day of Zenith

I am running out of time. I swept the catacombs from the early hours of the morning til the sun disappeared once more from the tenuous horizon, dripping light from the edges of the hollow eclipse hanging over me. Unable to sleep, unable to rest.

These tunnels reek of her influence. “Divine intervention”. It seeps into the floors and the walls and the air, clawing it’s way into my throat, infecting me from within. I hear voices calling in the darkness but I dare not open my mouth to respond, for fear that she will use that ingress against me.

I make haste to the depths of the labyrinth now, wondering if I lead myself to the precipice of my demise.

Current emotions: unease, impetus, melancholy

6th day of Zenith

There are other corpses still, in the tunnels. I passed ever more in my descent: those unfamiliar to me in their garments and features. And some of our own. Rotted flesh flayed beyond recognition. The stench settled heavy around me as my footfalls broke the requiem to sully the tainted ground beneath me. Alone, I walked the winding crevasses beneath the sands; alone I searched in vain for the last of the unaccounted for.

I heard them, first, but suspected another trick of the fetid air. Their silhouettes came into focus as I rounded a corner in the catacombs, stone-still and broken. But the bodies that crouched amid the blood and rubble still drew breath— their eyes desperate and wary, reflecting back the firelight of my torch. Five living in total. Makure cradled her sister’s limp body in her arms. All of them bore wounds. Even so, knowing that they yet lived strengthened my resolve and justified my quest; I was more relieved to find them than anyone may ever know.

I forged on.

I left the survivors but long enough to confirm the passing of the final two missing women; laid cold and solitary at the back of a dead-end passage. Time spared no kindness for us this day. I honor the dead by reconciling the living.

We returned through the winding paths of the chasm, ascending; emerging once more to the surface under the watchful reign of hardened glass, sun piercing the sky around its edge. I brought my warriors home. Delivered them hence to their families and their lives, carrying the wounded on my back and the dead in my heart. Yet still I feel the weight of an imminent future upon us. Tonight, I ordered the southwestern dunes closed off. I haven’t the numbers to investigate this anomaly further; and my own attention needs be turned to preparations for the inevitable conflict ahead of us.

I feel her eyes on me still; scorching my back in the candor of the sun, binding my hands and committing my mind to preclusion.

This is not the end.

Current emotions: foreboding, resolve, resistance

[Exerpts from the diary of Ganondorf, 71st King of the Gerudo.]

[ianthewife]

The tlt x tsv au fic is finally here!! Necrocav ranefall as the secret third (and exponentially worse) thing with a side of slight religious cannibalism and a little bit of carpenter angst for dessert

[chibifox2002]

Something I'm curious about, if Janet was able to get into the back office and hear the tape between the Doctor and the Prototype, where they're talking about an experiment or secret that Playtime was trying to figure out, what would her thoughts be?

I'm going to be honest with ya chief I have no idea what tape you're talking about...

I may or may not have skipped the walking/puzzle parts of this chapter when watching a playthrough and only watched the parts with the characters on screen... 👉👈

... I... Should... Probably rewatch a playthrough or something to catch up on some lore...

[sirenspells]

[Omori PMD AU]

Team Sunrise ☀️

Sunny and Mari - an Absol and an Espurr, respectively. Siblings who woke up in the Vast Forest with no memories from before waking up there. The only thing the two are sure about is that they were both originally human. Team Sunrise was formed in order to find out what happened to them and to try and get them back home. Sunny is quiet and doesn’t speak up much, content with going along with everyone else. Mari, in contrast, is outgoing and talkative, but has some perfectionist tendencies that can lead to her becoming stressed easily

Kel - a Growlithe and Hero’s younger brother. Very hyperactive and excitable, he’s wanted to be a part of an exploration team for some time, and is ecstatic that Sunny and Mari’s situation has given him an opportunity to be a part of one. He tries his best to remain happy and positive no matter the situation, but deep down, is hiding a huge inferiority complex in relation to his older brother

Aubrey - a Buneary who moved to Faraway Town by herself some time ago. She puts on a tough personality to hide her deep insecurities, stemming from her mother’s upbringing. However, the forming of Team Sunrise allows her to start dropping some of those walls, and she grows especially close to Mari, viewing her as an older sister figure

Hero - a Kirlia and Kel’s older brother. Being the oldest of the group, he finds himself responsible for making sure his younger friends don’t get into any trouble. Despite his mother’s pressure to evolve into a Gardevoir and become a doctor, Hero is much more content staying in Faraway and improving his skill in cooking. He wears an Everstone around his neck, but no one else on the team knows that’s what it is

Basil - a Shaymin who once lived in the hidden and elusive Shaymin Village, but ran away after being ostracized by his peers for refusing to transform into sky form. After being found by Polly, he moved to Faraway Town with her and has lived under her care since. He is very timid and scared of fighting, and so focuses more on providing healing and support during missions rather than getting directly involved in battle

[mitsu-the-witch]

🎵 oops I did it again~ 🎵

I have decided that the second one would be more suitable. BUT when I was making the logo I felt that it wasn't fair because people have chosen the first one. So I made both.. Now I'm not sure about the decision again. (almost all my friends chose the second one, but I want to know your opinion too)

if you don't know what my AU is about, here is more info [link] [link] [link]

but whatever win I will keep this because I like it. I just wanted an electricity sign but when I see a triangle I have to add an eye and a bow tie. It's stronger than me

[spotaus]

New Age AU (Obtaining Killer)

Hey guys! Through with a bot of stuff for the day and I have a sneaking suspicion that this stress headache will not leave me until I finish some projects for work, so I *may* be m.i.a. for a hot second until they stop.

In the meantime, I want to drop this! (Unedited, unrefined, raw off the slab style)

Andddd @ancha-aus and @papiliovolens ! Hello! (Mutzelputz if u see this, the tags weren't working for some reason, I apologize.)

Hope y'all enjoy!

Ccino had convinced him to leave the castle. After nearly a year had passed since his last true public appearance. Since he'd stolen the apple from his brother. Nine months had passed since he'd sent Dream away. He tried not to think about it.

Nightmare had been finding out a lot about his magic. How it made him jittery, and how he felt like he understood so much more. How it made him deeply paranoid, quick to react.

How it made people listen to him.

He figured it was because he was scary now. The negative magic condensed over every inch of his bone wasn't exactly appealing, and the extra limbs which had sprouted from his spine now acted like his own personal weapons. If someone didn't listen, didn't give him an answer he liked, the limbs moved without him even thinking.

It had taken time to learn to better control them. Even now, they writhed in his wake. His nerves expressed through their lashing and twitching as they hovered just above the ground.

The streets weren't exactly crowded.

Upon word of the King's arrival to this small providence, Nightmare had found that many people fled from his path. His travel party of several soldiers, and himself on horseback. He'd always wanted to ride horses. The traitor twin was someone that every citizen wished to avoid.

Ccino had coaxed him outside with promises of fresh air. Apparently there were promising young members of the city guard that Ccino swore would be wonderful future knights. Young warriors for him to bring up loyally under his name, no fear of betrayal.

It had made sense, at the time, but Nightmare hadn't chosen to recruit any of them.

It wasn't to say he didn't want to. Several of the humans and monsters were very talented, and he did his best to give them praise, but he could tell. None of them wanted to work under him. They didn't like him. Rejection and hatred that had pierced him immediately, he could practically taste it.

Ultimately, they would do better here in their hometown. A place they were passionate about protecting, and with people they cared for. Night would not try to mold promising soldiers into his perfect guard. No matter how smart of an idea it may have been.

And so he'd moved on.

Night had visited several smaller shops, onces which couldn't afford to refuse him, and he bought some fabrics, a trinket, some small thing from each place he stopped by. He payed exactly the price he needed for each thing. He wouldn't bribe his people, either. The best he could do would be to remain neutral.

He did discover, against all odds, that he was enjoying this day out. Ccino was, in fact, usually correct about this sort of thing.

The travel had been enriching. Almost exciting. He'd never gotten out of the castle much at all, this was all new and excitingly mundane.

Good things do not last forever.

It was almost sunset when he noticed it. Torches being set up, a platform prepared. A crowd gathering.

An execution, came the mutter from one of his soldiers. Though he recognized the set-up, Night had never been in attendance to an execution. He was morbidly curious. The crowd held such a contempt. A broiling hunger for blood.

He wished he'd wheeled his horse away when a few people were ushered out of a nearby building.

The prison, maybe?

There weren't many of them. Nightmare dismounted his steed, and much to the dismay of the soldiers at his side, he found himself sinking. Into the growing shadows cast by the dying sun.

He re-emerged beside the stage, where the few people were lined up. Ready for death by hanging.

That trick wasn't one that Nightmare quite understood yet, but he was always drawn to feelings of intense negativity. He knew that, now. Something about these prisoners were bothering him, even at a distance, and he found himself more curious as he stood before them.

His guards, at the back of the crowd, hadn't seemed to figure out where he had gone. He had the time, now, to loom over the small group of prisoners.

The city guards, the trained ones, had likely seen him earlier at their headquarters. They did not speak even a word against him as he stared.

Nightmare stared at these faces.

A dog monster, scrappy and scarred, black fur clashing against a few patches of white. One of her ears was missing.

A pair of humans, both men, one with long, curly red hair and another with short-cropped red hair and the beginnings of a beard. Maybe they were brothers?

A skeleton. His sockets dripped with black magic, and his soul was a piercing crimson, just infront of his chest.

A flame monster, small and stout. Their flames a flickering green and purple. One of their eyes had a patch over it.

Nightmare was not great at determining emotions yet. He was hardly versed in his own feelings, but there had been improvement recently. Understanding new emotions had been coming more naturally to him.

Sometimes it hurt, but he was learning.

Now, past the blossoms of a headache, he felt a bit baffled as he subconsciously picked through the negativity these monsters exuded. Their fear. Their pain. Their loss, and their anger.

Oh.

"Only one of you is guilty."

He'd said it without thinking, practically announcing it with a voice that still felt unnaturally deep. A voice which rattled his ribcage and seemed to force past the barrier of darkness around him.

The group before him seemed startled. Confused.

Well, all but the skeleton, who seemed to only raise his skull slightly. As though just noticing Nightmare was there.

"How could you have possibly been jailed in the first place?" He muttered a bit quieter to himself.

He knew, deep down, that there were many, many rules in place for situations like this. Laws which he could challenge. People he could speak to. He could appoint members of his court to each of these people and try to earn their innocence through the rites of the law.

Then again, he remembered the rage of the crowd. The frustration of the people waiting to see these killings take place.

He didn't know what to do.

Now the prisoners, especially the two humans, were staring at him hopefully. He'd managed to shatter the negativity a bit. He believed them. He knew this was wrong.

"I don't know..."

The mutter came again unprompted.

These people would not have the means to repay him for his help. He couldn't just waive fees, or risk his court turning against him. He couldn't afford enemies being made so close to his inner circle.

He couldn't just leave them, though. Not after he'd seen the injustice of it all.

Stuck in his own thoughts, he was drawn out of it by a snickering laugh.

"Just set them free." A voice followed, "You are our King, aren't you?"

Nightmare then found his eyes drawn to the skeleton.

The others had eased themselves away from him. He stood, now, almost alone. He seemed unbothered by speaking up, his sockets held in an almost lazy posture. Tension going completely un-held.

He grinned up as the King, and seemed to watch contentedly as the thought settled in Nightmare's skull.

He could do that. Simply waive their charges. Pardon them. He could do that, surely. Many royals had done it before him for less certain terms. His mother had plenty of times.

"And you are guilty. You'll still be hanged. You know this, don't you?" Nightmare asked.

That was when the Skeleton's lazy sockets seemed to tighten with a sort of glee. Some hidden joke Nightmare wasn't privy to.

"Hmm." This was a poor choice. This was a bad decision. "Tell me, quickly, how you came to be here. Before I proceed?"

Nightmare didn't know why he was asking. He was... curious. Just like he had always been.

Very few people would ever speak straight to his face. Ccino, that was the only one who'd done it since his change. Since the prophecy. This skeleton had done it. He'd spoken when no one else could muster even a plea.

The silence he seemed to bring to every room. Broken, just briefly.

The skeleton stared at him a moment.

"Name's Killer, your majesty." The tone was mocking. "A while back a buddy of mine got into hot water, and I decided to help them out. Now, plenty of bodies later, I'm the one stuck on death row."

Simple. An admission of guilt.

Nightmare stared at him some more.

Finally, it seemed his frantic guards had noticed him. Found him. They rushed to his side, though not as fast as he would've liked. He could feel the frustration seeping from each armored body around him.

"You don't have an aversion to it," Nightmare voiced, "Killing, I mean."

Killer nodded. Unashamed.

It felt strangely calm, still. Perhaps it was because the crowd was still chattering. They likely hadn't noticed Nightmare at all.

The king turned to the city guard, still stood on the steps. "Free these four people. My judgement decrees them as not-guilty."

And, before any time could pass in the slightest. "Killer, I would like you to accompany me, before you abscond."

He'd noticed it. Killer had undone his cuffs before their conversation. Completely freeing himself from his weak imprisonment.

Killer seemed amused at the concept of sticking around to chat.

"If you would, I would like to recruit your services at my castle. I need a man who is willing to kill. And kill swiftly." Ccino said to establish an image. It was obvious now that his reputation would remain in the gutter, no matter what choices he made. He was not Dream.

Killer's sockets narrowed.

"And what would I get for being your little hunting dog?" Again, it was bold. It was new.

Nightmare was sure his expression hadn't changed since he'd come before the group. That same angry glare that sat permanently along his skull. The magic had an image to project.

His tendrils flicked, slightly.

"Payment, room, Fresh meals, and any other amenities you may like, so long as it does not break our treasury." He replied, "All I ask is that you simply obey me. And Me alone."

Not true. He'd probably ask for him to listen to Ccino as well. Once he knew for certain he'd stay.

Killer seemed to be thinking. He eyed they king, up and down. He looked to each of the guard around the king. The ones who were back in position now, though Nightmare could feel their annoyance. Their confusion.

Then Killer turned.

Then he turned back.

"Mm. Can't be worse than the ol' noose." Killer replied. "Funny way to run a country, my king. Hiring the first murderer you spot?"

Nightmare didn't humor that with a response. He was honestly shocked the skeleton had even agreed.

Though, all of that negativity had been swapped out for a glee. Something deep in Killer had changed during their brief interaction. A hope. Night could barely grasp the edges of its existence with his subconscious. But it was there.

.

He ignored the crowds as they grew confused. He ignored the worry pouring from the criminals as he had them released and informed them of their pardon.

He did not ignore when his guards told someone to keep their distance. He glanced up. Killer was standing beyond the guards, looking bored.

Nightmare, trusting fool he was, didn't even ask a guard to watch him to ensure he stayed put.

"Stand down." He ordered the guard, who begrudgingly allowed the skeleton to smugly slip past.

His tendrils kept the monster at a distance Night preferred all on their own. He seemed to take the hint.

"They're all gonna be dead by morning, you know." Killer voiced easily.

Nightmare turned to him, confused. What did he mean by that? He'd pardoned them?

"Are you deaf? The crowd wanted us dead, especially me." He chuckled, "Leaving them here is definitely going to get them killed. If the crowd doesn't rip them apart the second you leave, then it'll happen at night. There will be no witnesses."

Oh... Night hadn't fathomed that these people could turn on the innocent once declared. It hadn't even crossed his mind. Did they have a home to return to? A family they put at risk?

The noose was a fast death, but being murdered? That would've been so much worse.

He could tell, by the way they evaded looking at Killer, that he was right. Nightmare would be sentencing them to a new sort of death if he did it like this.

But he didn't have time for a trial. Or several. The sun was going down, abd Ccino expected him back. The castle needed him present, or they might revolt.

Someone might hurt Ccino.

Oh, he was such a poor ruler. He did not know his people well enough. How he lamented the lessons Dream had taken about crowds and current issues abd how to be likeable.

Night didn't know how to handle this. He was still learning!

A trembled in his hand. He tucked the limb quickly away from where it had been lightly clutching his tunics thick fabric, now hiding it beneath his cloak.

"Killer is right. It won't be safe here, for any of you." He spoke. Thank the gods it didn't sound as shaken as he felt. "I extend an offer to you all. You may stay here, or you may come take up positions among my staff back at the castle. Unlike Killer, I do not expect any crime from you, but you will be paid and housed."

The offer was met with a roar of frustration from the crowd, Nightmare chose to allow his guards to handle it. He watched, carefully, as the four looked between eachother.

The brothers agreed first. (They introduced themselves as brothers as they knelt in thanks.) Then the Dog. She said she had no family left to watch over, starting a new life would be for the best.

The flame refused, saying they would leave town by morning, and try to stay safe.

And so, Nightmare left the town with four new party members. Each had been provided a horse, each tied to one of the guards. Aside from Killer, whose steed was held personally by Nightmare.

He figured Ccino would chew him out for this, for bringing criminals into the castle when he was sent to collect soldiers, but Nightmare had a good feeling about these ones.

They did not hate him. Or fear him. He was helping them. And it felt good.

[starry-sophrosyne]

WOTC Timeskip -- A Loveless Marriage :

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I do not ask much of you, as your wife, but truly. Is our child not even enough for you, Brent?"

And it is that name, that pierces through his heart like an arrow, eating away at him once more. How long had it been since she had called him by his name? It had always been mon amour, my dear, my love. Never Brent.

"My love-"

And she flinched. Oh. This evident pain in her eyes, listening to his fake affection and concern. The way her face twisted into a painful expression, her eyes dull and void of any real empathy or love.

It was the same way his son had looked at him when he had returned to the castle.

Oh. And wasn't this the result of his actions? The same result that had brought about his son's upbringing and distance, to be raised as a prince and not a child. It was the same actions that had driven this passionate, affectionate woman, his wife, to harbor no love for him anymore. Truly, truly, had he done even one thing right as a man? Not as a king, but as the man he wished to be, and ultimately, the man he would only ever be if he had sacrificed his kingdom. If he had cast aside his title and support for the one thing he'd truly ever wanted. It was a cruel realization, and one that had yet again, come far too late.

"..."

"Cherie, I..."

"You need not pretend like you care for me. It is my fault for believing that I could get you to love me back. And truly, it is my fault for brining our son into this world with this distant marriage and a lack of love needed to give him a good life."

Her voice shook, as she took an almost ragged breath, trying to control her emotions. She had always been an emotional lady, but back then, it was passionate and affectionate. Now, her null void and acceptance blocked off a wave of grief that had threatened to crush her with this realization. But not anymore. She had let herself mourn, but now she would let him know, if not for herself but their child. Even if he didn't care for her, how could he not care for their son? His son? Her poor child, that she, in her own right, had neglected over his father sometimes. But even if she could not change the mistakes of her past, she could try her best to make up for them in the way he never would.

"No matter how much I try, my love will never be enough for him. And my love for him has ultimately been wasted on my love for you, so I will, in all rights, never be enough for him. Never enough to his raise him as a child, but just enough to raise him as my son, as the queen."

"..."

"But there is nothing we can do about it now, is there?" Her voice was faint, quietly pitching upward in a question that she asked rather to the night's stars outside of the study's window. The soft moonlight pouring in was her only response.

"..."

A grim chuckle escaped her throat, squeezing her fan so hard that her hands shook and the engravings in the wooden sticks imprinted themselves into their flesh.

"I will not divorce you. That chance has long since escaped me, but for the sake of this kingdom, for the sake of this image that you wish our family to uphold ourselves to, and for the sake of our image, that you have so faithfully protected and feigned all these years, I will remain your loyal and loving wife."

The words are sharp, like blades cutting deeper and deeper into his skin. They pierce his heart in a way that, should they have before, maybe a few things would have changed. Maybe the would be a little happier in this deep rabbit hole that they had dug themselves into.

"Let us not meet unless necessary. It is irrelevant for us to uphold this image outside of the castle."

"... I'm sorry, mon cherie."

Her throat quivers, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She is only grateful she has her back to him now, for he is not the man that would force someone to look at him. Even still, her shaking figure is almost enough to make him step forward and embrace her. But certainly, as they both knew it, that would only hurt her more. With a painful breath, she attempted to control her suddenly hoarse voice:

"I do not wish to talk with anyone more tonight. Good night, my king."

"... Goodnight, Cherie."

And as the silence swept over the room, the lack of a disappointed sigh or exhale as he turned away, the click of the door behind him, the sound of his boots against the floor becoming softer and softer. It was not until the silence returned and she could no longer hear her footsteps that she let herself collapse, a soft sob escaping her throat. She let her tears fall, and then, she stilled herself, commanding her heart to stop grieving. This was enough. She had let him know, and no longer would she let herself be overtaken by grief. No, if anything, she would to her best to make up for her lack of parenting, her inability as a mother to raise a child, her son, to normalcy and happiness. If it was anything she could do, maybe, just maybe, she could help heal her son. Shield him from any future pain and suffering, and do all she could to make up for the future that would continue to be his distant relationship.

... Anton reminded her just a bit too much of his father. But even still, it wasn't like she'd ever stopped loving him. Just accepted that he wouldn't love her back. And in any regard, if she could care for him, maybe he too would come to love her and provide the affection that she had always longed for in Brent. It would be solace, when the boy was older and taller, to feel his gaze upon her when she wrapped her arms around him. After all, the boy had his father's eyes.

[waitingtobebroken]

It's the mutual pining while fucking human AU!

The Apple of My Eye (But the Garden of Eden Kind) (Rated E, In Progress)

Chapter 2: Flushed Skin, Covered in Bites

Summary:

The Arrangement is simple. During the day, Aziraphale is Crowley's brilliant assistant, capable and smart, always able to anticipate his needs. And, sometimes, also during the day, Crowley is allowed to touch him. Not how he is desperate to, aching for. But the only way Aziraphale will let him be close. It's enough. It has to be.

And a little excerpt under the cut!

"Let's see if we can find something that will help you focus," Aziraphale mumbled, almost to himself, as he folded his glasses. Calm, as if he was talking about Crowley's schedule, even as he reached up for his bow tie.   Crowley, on the other hand, could barely breathe. Anticipation and hunger, swirling inside his veins, burning him from the inside. The need to move, to touch, so strong it made him feel like he would drown in it. The desire to make Aziraphale happy, to do what had been asked of him, even stronger. His fingers shook as he curled them around his knees, away from temptation. If he had been in any thinking condition, he would have found it almost strange how quickly his anger had dissipated, had transformed into something far darker and all-consuming. Across from him, Aziraphale's smile twitched. Just as hungry, just as vicious. One swift move and his assistant was between him and the desk, perched on its edge. Even now, he looked so prim, legs tucked together, hands folded in his lap. A position he had been in so many times and Crowley let his nails sink into the soft of his legs. Pain, he hoped, that would distract from the sinful vision before him. Aziraphale's chin twitched up, Crowley didn't need to be told twice. His chair was sent careening backwards as he scrambled up. He couldn't remember how long he had been sitting there, in front of his desk, staring at documents that were now pushed haphazardly to the side. Long enough, he hoped, to explain away his legs shaking underneath him.

[ok-i-draw]

Prologue: contrasting beginnings

A prologue to mob hoppers story…

Harriet (narrating): [In life, a lot of things can dictate your path and future; money, looks, power… I didn’t have much right away but as my life progressed, I managed to possess all of them.]

[My mother was tired of struggling to get by, so she forced me to get into the acting business very young. A cute and bubbly child, perfect for being molded into something great.]

[But when I got older, it was hard getting roles. Younger, more beautiful and witty than I got the roles I wanted. I was forcefully sidelined when I started to grow into my features. They were considered undesirable to audiences eyes; long fangs, multiple eyes and limbs, didn’t help that I also towered over my late costars so fast. Everyone began to feel afraid to come near me.]

[I found out later that my parents had used all of the money that I made and hadn’t saved a cent for me. Because in their eyes, they’ve sacrificed so much just for me to have been able to act. It just gotten worse as I grew older. When I was 15, I ran away. I just had enough.]

[I never looked back since. It’s been years now since I’ve made that decision and once have I not regretted it. It was hard, trying to find odd jobs here and there. Until, I reconnected with an old coworker from my days a a young starlet. She mentioned now that times are changing. That her then job had paid her so much more than when she was a simple actress. She told me of a speakeasy where they hold live performances. Talents ranged but the one that gets the most attention, and pays the most, was the burlesque act.]

[At first, It sounded so grandiose to me but she assured that she was well taken care of and since I was now on my own, she recommended to me that I audition for the open slot. I was hesitant at first. All my adult life I was told all the parts of me were undesirable. That it would be impossible for me to find someone who would accept me. I would only see the flaws that everyone else saw.]

[But she assured me that there’s always clients who are into a specific type; conventional or not. I gave in, knowing well that I wasn’t going to be chosen based off appearances alone. To my surprise, I got accepted! The club owner told me that thanks to my acting background that it’ll be easier and faster to teach me how to be a show girl. He wasted no time in teaching me my new life as a new showgirl. I learned fast, wanting to secure my job from not being pulled under from me. He saw that I could have the potential to be the best in the business. He would soon give me the first solo act.]

[That night I was set to perform on my own for the very first time. Honestly, I didn’t even feel the jitters like most people would. I was used to having people ogle at me. What I was nervous was how many people were in the audience. I was still struggling with how I viewed myself and it heightened more that night. I made sure everything was perfect. To highlights what audiences loved most. As I was set and ready to go, I took a peek at behind the curtain and that’s when I laid my eyes on him for the first time. It was hard not to notice him. Sitting in the very front, ordering our overpriced drinks and cigars.]

[Something about him made him stood out from most who frequent our speakeasy. Ours was more catered to older businessmen. He looked so young compared to those in nearby tables. Made me a bit curious as to why he was there.]

[The thought was cut short as the club owner was announcing my act and that was my cue to put on the last touches before the light shining bright on me.]

[I was determined to be my best on that stage. I sang and danced my heart out. Knowing this was the moment that would define if I were to shine bright like a star or to burn out like one.]

[during the final moments of my act, I was center stage for the last notes of my performance and I was right in front of him. I had met his eyes with mine… and the way he looked at me… as if he were entranced by my song.]

[Finally, my act was over. Everyone applauded… for me. It was truly so surreal for me. Being praised and adored was so..intoxicating for me. I gave out one final bow before I exited the stage. Everyone passing me by in the hallway was praising me, congratulating me for pulling in such an audience. For the first time, I truly felt desired and beloved. Running on such a high back to my room, I had fail to see the man in the front row seat had trying to catch up to me. He had cleared his throat, snapping me out of my high. I looked to see him with a bouquet flowers. He introduced himself.]

?:[Clears his throat] “Excuse me miss Huntsman, a moment of your time?”

Harriet:[glances at him] “yes? Do i know you…?”

?: “no you don’t, but I plan to change that.”

Harry:“Harry Harvestmen is the name! And of course I recognize you miss Huntsman.”

Harriet:“yes, I saw you up front… what do you want from me…?”

Harry: “well… I wanted to give you these.” [raises bouquet of flowers] “I was truly enthralled with your performance. You truly had me in your claws.”

Harriet: “…thank you. I’ll… make sure to place them in a vase once I get to my room…”

Harry: “of course! Your a busy woman and finished your performance.I look forward for your future performances!”

Harriet:“…”

Harriet (Narrating): [At first, I brushed off this encounter. I’ve heard of some of the performers have delt with some… extreme admirers, so I just thought he would be like the others…. I was wrong. He would watch every, single, performance in the exact same seat, every time. And after every performance, he would be there barring gifts and praises about me. As much as I wanted to tell him off, I couldn’t. He was one of our most important and frequent guest as he spent the most money at our club. Not only would it sour my reputation but the club owner could end my career before I could really make it big. So for the most part, I said few words and ignored him, which never deterred him.]

[Even a couple of my coworkers and the staff even joined in, praising and ogling at me. Them I plain out ignored since there would be no repercussions from them or the club owner.]

[Either way, I was on the rise, becoming one of the most popular act in the club. And that rewarded me with many options and opportunities. Now, I can choose to do more private shows for those who can afford more lavish and intimate spaces. Be able to have security, have a bigger room. But most importantly, a large sum of money every night.]

[I was finally financially independent! I was able to buy and afford what I wanted most in life. New clothes, a safe home and good food. I was able to truly live after a lifetime of struggling and clawing out my own path for me. I truly felt free.]

[One day, while I was doing my usual shopping, I came across a publishing rack. It had all the usual headliners; what powerful people were doing with their wealth, celebrity hoaxes and… famous athletes and tournaments. I soon recognized a face that was on the front of a published autobiography. It was harry. Harry Harvestmen; a big name tennis player who had the world in his palms. Now, we are asked not to talk about their personal lives as they are just there to have a good time.But this…. After skimming through what was his whole life story, it gave me an idea….]

To be continued…

[sneakypunmaster]

Who doesn’t speak to the fish?

What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fshhh!

I’m sorry @pillowspace but this is all I could think of when reading that part of chapter 4

[suguruuuuu-chan]

I dreamt the entire Wano arc with the Shirohige pirates btw. Ace lived, and the focus was on their crew instead. I was recovering from fever and I'll never recreate the masterpiece again but I'm so glad 😭😭