#i'll explain later. maybe

[itstokkii]

The Many Ills of Canon South Korea(as explained by a South Korean)

Ik a lot of people might feel a knee-jerk reaction to this and go "why are you making this? it's been a long time since the character was banned and went into oblivion," and that's true. However, I find that a lot of characteristics of how South Korea was written has been carried on by some Hetalia fans, which are still problematic and rooted in pro-Japanese imperialist sentiment.

Here, I'll try my best to go over some major points, starting with Korea's canon design.

Character Design

Looking at this for the first time, I felt like I was on some kind of trip. It looked like Himaruya was indecisive of whether he wanted Yongsoo to wear a durumagi or a jeogori, so he said "let's make the undershirt as long as a durumagi!"

For reference, left is a jeogori and pants outfit and right is a durumagi and pants outfit. These are the 2 main hanbok types for men.

I can't think of a single character whose character design was this flawed and so inaccurately done. It's like he didn't even care or put any thought into Korean traditional wear. It makes me laugh when I see how Japan is given such accurate clothing in contrast.

His clothing is a caricature of what Korean wear is. Thankfully, I don't see a lot of art of him wearing it anymore, but when it does appear it really does feel disrespectful.

His Personality

I don't really have a problem with his energetic personality, but if you know anything about his depiction in the manga, you know what I'll be talking about:

His "hobby" where he takes credit for inventions, and his weird "quirk" involving sexually harassing Japan.

What...was the reason for this exactly? A lot of personality quirks and gags of characters are rooted in some existing stereotype many people attribute to the country, like

America -> eats a lot of food, bright colored cake -> US's reputation as a country with a lot of fast food and artificially colored desserts

England -> food is inedible -> England's reputation of unappetizing foods

Korea -> claims credit for other countries' creations(Mostly Japan's), sexually harasses Japan -> ?????

This is why I don't accept some Westerners trying to brush South Korea aside "because everyone gets dunked on in Hetalia!" yes, but to what degree?

A Japanese man writing his Korean character to be stealing from the Japanese one says a lot, that Korea doesn't have a culture of its own, or most of it isn't their own. Or daresay, Korea takes Japanese culture and claims it to be their own. All three of these conclusions are problematic, and audacious coming from a person hailing from the empire that attempted to stamp our culture out and penalized those trying to preserve our culture.

The "grabbing Japan's chest" bit originates from an ongoing political dispute of an island known as Dokdo, or as Japan calls it, Takeshima. Personally, I'd agree that Dokdo belongs to Korea, referring to maps produced by Japan from the 1800s:

Yellow is marked as Korean land, with even the writing labeling it as "Joseon Land." But regardless of which side is correct, there is something about taking an ongoing territorial dispute(it was a much bigger issue while Himaruya was writing Hetalia) and applying it with the context of "haha he grabs Japan's chest."

It paints Korea as unreasonable and a sexual assaulter so that Korean grievances against Japan can be dismissed. Additionally, both countries have a rampant sexual assault issue(my phone's shutter sound cannot be turned off–a feature of phones only made in/for Korea and Japan), which is why it's also insensitive to give this trait to Korea and make light of this sensitive topic, while also...not extending this to Japan.

Let's not mention making Korea the harasser given the history and Japan's position too. Korea's red light districts and sex/entertainment industry was started by and formalized by the Japanese occupation so they could exploit Korean women.

"Korea had been a Japanese colony since 1910, and the proximity of colonial Korea to Japan, its established colonial bureaucracy and transportation network, and the presumed “cleanliness” of its young female population meant that likely the largest percentage of comfort women came from Korea. Another reason for the large numbers of Korean girls and young women in the comfort women system was the well-developed state of the Japanese colonial sex industry in Korea and its networks of human trafficking. This industry, which had been growing with Japanese encouragement since the late nineteenth century, blossomed under the Japanese colonization of Korea (1910–45) and provided networks for obtaining and trafficking sexual slaves." - Music and Dance in the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” System: A Case Study in the Performing Arts, War, and Sexual Violence by Joshua D Pilzer

Now, the "claiming everything is Korean" bit. The whole gag is Korea is delusional haha look he's claiming something Japan made as his!! While Japan is just looking at him like "ok...sure..go off whatever ig." Again, making Korea to be an unreasonable childish character while Japan is mature and just trying to get along, let bygones be bygones! Look at the sassy child I have to deal with guys!!!

Speaking of "sassy child..."

Korea's age

I haven't checked the wiki in a hot minute, but there were 2 details of his age I remember.

he's 15

he was "born" 1945(liberation of Korea from Japan) or 1948(Creation of South Korean govt)

This would be contrary to even the manga, as it references a painting by a Japanese artist in the 1700s of what he assumed were Joseon messengers stealing chickens during their mission to Japan. Korea was alive then as depicted in the picture referencing the real one, so it's safe to say his existence should predate even 1945.

(Interesting to note that Himaruya says that Koreans interpret it as Japanese bullying the Korean envoys, when Korean sources actually suggest it could be children playing around.)

Even if Korea was set to be born 1945 or 1948, it doesn't do us justice. Why do we not have a history before colonization? How is it that Korea could be even younger than America, when the Joseon Dynasty was established a century before Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492? How is it that Japan gets to be older and Korea doesn't?

It's glaringly obvious, but Korea's "childish, immature personality" stems from Japanese imperialist rhetoric of Koreans during the Colonial Era, of people needing to be civilized.

"In April 1919, Baron Goto Shinpei (Home Minister, 1916–1918) addressed a luncheon attended by US Treasurer John Burke. Goto contended that Japan did not act duplicitously in 1905, but instead, “with the full cognizance of the United States government.”  "He added, “under the efficient government of Japan, the Korean people rapidly advanced in civilization and enjoyed the blessings resulting from the development of productive industry, as well as the spread of education." - The March First Movement in America: The Campaign to Win American Support by Brandon Palmer

The most important thing to remember in all of this was that during the time of Korea's controversy, Anti-Japanese sentiment was still quite high because of the unhealed wounds as a result of 35 years of Japanese Occupation. When you think about your colonizer making a personification of your country and depicting him as

-someone that copies from the colonizer and harasses them, a contrast to the "mature" colonizer

-someone with barely a history before the colonizer

-someone who's clothes are so wildly inaccurate

then wouldn't you too be enraged? This is what caused the National Assembly to ban the official airing of the anime, and official releases of the manga. You'll notice even these days Koreans are hostile towards Hetalia, even as the incident happened years ago, whereas the Countryhumans had a large Korean following and creators, because one of them was openly treating their country like a personification from a political cartoon found in a 1920s Japanese newspaper, and the other was fan created.

I hope this perspective was helpful in explaining why certain qualities of canon are disrespectful. Please remember before defending "canon" Hetalia, Hetalia is made by a Japanese author who was found to have been on Japanese right wing forums. Don't try to convince a Korean that his depiction/canon of Korea is respectful.

[oppykinnie]

We can look out for each other too

[carouselunique]

Hi! To answer your question, I want to let ships develop naturally over time with the audience and allow y'all to have those ships largely without my direct influence the way the show for the most part does (almost every ship being implied rather than directly stated by the end of the series) because I think that'll be more fun for everyone involved!

...

That being said, if there is one ship I can at least say is somewhat close to my heart and by nature of the story has somewhat of a focus... Dinky's parents are that ship.

[lacecap]

song about something you'll never be forgiven for. beepbox link here, and a singalong under the read more :''-)

starting point "…so don't look back" i took your hand and led you astray into the light i fear i might have made a fatal mistake walk in a straight line walk in a straight line i couldn't ask i only hope that sinners are saved but in all honesty, my honor keeps me somewhat afraid walk in a straight line don't dare look behind ♫♫♫ i had a dream we tried to reach the finishing line but in the silence still the time we killed had come back to life walk in a straight line walk in a straight line the signs had merged into a single "end of the world" where every undead thing was damned to sing "esrever ni gnos a" walk in a straight line …tell me that you're fine ♫♫♫ walk in a straight line (walk in a straight line) don't dare look behind (don't dare look behind) tell me that you're fine (something that had died) you're still breathing right? (are you satisfied?) walk between the lines (how to save a life) don't dare look behind (change the ending line) reach the end this time (tell a little lie) bring me back to life… ♫♫♫ if i'd look back and held the hands that led me astray into the light i'd proudly cry "this is my final mistake" walk with me this time walk with me this time i should have asked i know the answer's somewhat cliché but was it worth the price and worth the pain? you're fading away— walk with me this time bring me back to life… if i'd look back… if i'd look back… if i'd look back… if i'd look back… if i'd look back… if you'd look--

[fitnessgeekandcoffeefreak]

11.12.2024.

Long time no organized workout 🤷‍♀️ The last and a half months have been a whirlwind. Hard. Hard. Things. I've stayed active with hiking and walking but it's time to get back to weights and yoga and more. . .

[rosetterer]

thinking about: how'd you sleep?

and crying about it

[moongothic]

WAIT WAIT WAIT HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE

So normally we only get fullblown, extended and dedicated flashbacks for heroic characters in One Piece, the characters who we're meant to root for. The literal only TRUE exception we've had to this rule was Big Mom's flashback. Even fucking Doflamingo's flashback was tied to Law and Rosinante's

So the fact that we haven't gotten a single fucking GLIMPSE at Crocodile's backstory is?!?

Like sure, we haven't gotten like a Moria flashback, but you know, he literally told us all we needed to know himself, AND we got to see glimpses of him in the Wano flashbacks. Arlong didn't get a flashback of his own, but he did get to cameo in Fisher Tiger's flashback. And Rob Fucking Lucci got a flashback that was 6 whooping panels long

BUT CROCODILE?? Not only do we know almost Fuck All about his story, but also have never gotten as much as a glimpse at it? But his backstory has been HINTED and TEASED at multiple times??

GUYS. FELLAS

Like. I am SURE the "Full Backstories for Heroes Only" rule is going to get broken again, but with Imu and Blackbeard already there just BEGGING to have their beans spilled, can we even be sure Sir Fucking Crocodile is somehow going to become A Villain So Dangerous To The Narrative that he ALSO should also recieve a Full Fucking Backstory?? For his Nefarious Schemes?? AT THIS POINT??

Y'all

I think it's more likely Oda's been saving up Croc's backstory because it might just completely recontextualize his entire character

[the-genius-az]

I JUST REALIZED that my perception of Mai and Ty Lee is wrong.

Mai would die for Azula.

While Ty Lee would kill for Azula.

That's right, my opinion changed thanks to that, clap.

[centellazul]

A place so beautiful, a place of dreams..

I really, really love the colors of the Fountain of Dreams cx

[causticcorvus]

Have some AU artwork for a different AU I was working on. Aka, maskless Masquerade

[fuedalreesespieces]

me explaining how inuyasha is totally demisexual and how i'm not projecting at all

[smol-tired-binch-blog]

Made a Ishin version of my favourite fella. He's like Felix but worse

[huffle-dork]

Swapboys: Memory Block

Read More Swapboys Stories here! | More Swapboys | Read on AO3

(AN: hello guys! While working on the next villain arc story (I’m so close omg) I finally got the epiphany to make this Drabble work! I’ve had it mostly written for months!! Finally, backstory for Bro and Alt! Who their parents and aunts are- and if you read the multiverse stories, why Alt and Bro couldn’t seem to remember things about seeing SCLERA before the main story! Plus, a cameo to a new swap versions of a few huffleverse characters! >:3c if you read the multiverse series this reveal has already come out so it’s about time I expanded on it huh? Anyways enough rambling, enjoy! Oh also, just a warning this will be using Alt's deadname and female pronouns for him for a bit cuz he was itty bitty here! But its not for the whole fic! :3)

Chase Brody was sticking to his Father’s side as they walked through the lab he worked in. It was the weekend but Chase’s parents pretty much lived at the lab. In fact, their apartment was upstairs. They moved here after Anthea started getting really sick because there was a hospital attached to the building too. So, when Chase didn’t have anywhere to go for the weekend, he accompanied his mother and father around the cool clinical space. 

After a bit of check ins where his Father was writing down notes and refilling important looking medicine tubes- Chase eventually reached out and tugged on his coat. 

“Dad?” He asked quietly. “…Can I see Anti today?” 

Dr. Brody was quiet for a second, almost seeming to ignore his son. But, eventually he looks down and his face softens slightly. He gets down to Chase’s level and smiles. “…remember Chase, Anthea is very sick… so we can’t stay for too long, okay?” 

Chase knew this. His parents told him over and over why Anti now was staying more often at the hospital. She had something called epilepsy… and it was making her really weak and she needed to be looked at by lots of doctors. But, dad recently had been saying she was starting to look a bit better! But… he’s said that before… and it would go back and forth… Chase just really really missed his little sister… 

“Okay,” Chase said sadly. “…I just… want to see her.” 

“We can see her. I’m sure she’ll be very happy to see us both.” Dr. Brody replied, patting Chase on the shoulder. He gently took his hand and headed down to the hospital part that was connected to the SCLERA headquarters. 

But, when they got there- Anthea wasn’t in her bed. Dr. Brody seemed distraught, grabbing the nearest nurse by the elbow. 

“Where is my daughter?!” He cried. 

The nurse flinched and looked at him with confusion. “D-Dr. Demerci said she was taking her to do some tests? Did she not tell you?” 

Dr. Brody shook his head and let the nurse go. “No uh… did Dr. Demerci say where she was taking her?” 

“Umm I think back towards SCLERA.” 

Dr. Brody pales and then quickly grabs Chase, hoisting him in his arms. Huh- Chase thought he was too big for that! They race back down to the SCLERA labs and rush to a part that dad says Chase isn’t allowed to go. 

They run through a couple sets of hallways, asking various workers where Dr. Demerci is and eventually end up in a cold room near the back of the section. 

Anthea is there, sitting on a hospital bed in her hospital gown, getting an injection from their mom, Dr. Demerci. Demerci blinks and then turns to look at Chase and Dr. Brody with a cold smile. 

“Oh Kieran and Chase! What a… surprise to see you here!” She says sweetly. 

Anthea blinks and tries to wave. Chase waves too, wanting to kick out of his dad’s arms to go see her. But, his dad holds onto him firmly. Almost like… he’s scared. 

“Jezebeth,” Dr. Brody says in a low voice, “Just what the hell are you doing?” 

Chase looks at his dad with confusion. Why does he… sound scared of Mum? 

Dr. Demerci makes an offended noise, holding a hand over her chest. “Kieran! I’m helping our daughter! Do you really think so little of me?” 

“She was getting help at the hospital! The VNS treatment was helping!” Dr. Brody shouts. 

Demerci laughs, “Maybe at first… the principle of that is sound. Make electric signals in the nerves to counteract the ones in the brain. But… I wanted to see if we could rely on more than just a machine!” She looks down at Anthea and pats her cheek before turning to look at Dr. Brody and Chase. 

“I’m sure you’re aware of this, my love. But your family has a bit of magic in its history, doesn’t it?” She smiles. “That’s easy enough to tap into! Anthea actually seemed to be developing something stronger… but her seizures were making her weak. So… I figured- why not kill two birds with one stone? Fuel the magic… stop the seizures.” 

Dr. Brody steps back, breathing heavily. “She’s a child, Jezebeth! She’s not even 4 yet! This is…. This is too much! Our daughter is not something you can treat like the other subjects! They... they consent to it! They’re not children!” 

Chase starts to feel tears in his eyes as he curls up against his Dad. Why is he yelling? Did Mum do something bad to Anti? 

“So you would have Anthea die then, Kieran?” Demerci says coldly. “She wasn’t getting better before I started to help.” 

“I-I don’t believe you- you’re insane! To do this to your own daughter- to our child!” Dr. Brody stammers. 

Demerci laughs and Chase can’t help but shake because… this woman wasn’t acting like his mum. She was scary right now… 

“Kieran, you’re so small minded! Not only have I cured Anthea- I’ve made her better than ever!” Demerci giggles with a mad look in her eyes. She looks down as Anthea and then gestures towards Dr.Brody and Chase, “Anthea, dear, why don’t you show Daddy and Chase your new trick?” 

Anthea blinks and then nods. “Okay mummy!” She jumps off the bed, already a miraculous feat for such a sick girl. Then she closes her eyes and holds out her palm. Green electricity starts to collect around her hand and then in a big ZIP it shoots across the space, hitting the wall with a loud bang. She smiles proudly at Chase and Dr. Brody. “Ta da!” There’s a slight ring of green that circled her pupils that quickly fades. 

Chase laughs, “Woah!! That’s so cool!” 

But, Dr. Brody looks absolutely horrified. 

Anthea deflates, stepping back, “..d..daddy?” 

“Jezebeth- what did you do?!” Kieran’s voice trembles out of his lips. 

“I made her better- in more ways than one.” Demerci says calmly. “And see? No more seizures.” 

“You’re sick- you’re fucking sick!” Kieran finally shouts, holding Chase closer to him. “I should have never left you alone with her- how could you?! I… I’m leaving! I’m taking Chase and Anthea and getting the hell away from you!” 

“What?” Chase gasps, tears in his eyes. 

Demerci’s eyes burn coldly and then she laughs. “You know you can’t do that, Kieran.” 

“I-I’ll find a way!” Dr. Brody emphasizes, “The head… they have to be against this!” 

“Oh no- I was approved ages ago.” Jezebeth says smugly. 

Dr. Brody’s stomach drops. He shakes his head, trying to take Chase out the doors but Chase throws a fit. “No no Dad! We’re not leaving!!” 

“I don’t think the head will be very happy to hear of your insubordination, Kieran…” Demerci coos tauntingly. “Didn't you hear what happens to the doctors that try to walk away from our projects?” 

“No…!” Dr. Brody chokes on a sob and crashes to his knees, hugging Chase close to him, even if his son wiggles in confusion. “No no! Why…? Why did you do this? To our family- did it all mean nothing to you?!” 

Demerci chuckles and goes to kneel down by Kieran, taking his chin in her fingers. She smiles lovingly, but they’re still that coldness behind her eyes. “…oh darling… you all mean so so much to me. Think of all we can learn… together!” 

Then she pulls something from her pocket and immediately jabs it into the side of Kieran’s neck. He gasps and then starts to sway, eventually falling bonelessly to the ground. Chase tries to get away and Jezebeth picks him up and then sets him down behind her. “Chase, love? Be a dear and go check on Anthea won’t you?” 

“O-Okay…” Chase says in a small voice. He runs over to his trembling sister in the corner and goes to scoop her up in a hug. “H-Hey Anti… are you okay?” 

Anthea is crying quietly, trying not to make a sound. “W-Why is daddy on the ground? Why didn’t he take us to leave??” 

“What?? Do you want to leave?” Chase whisper-shouts. 

Anthea is quiet for a second before she nods. “…mummy hurts me.” She whispers. “I-I can do that cool thing now but it hurted me… I dont wanna hurt anymore, Chase!” She sniffles. 

Chase looks at his mum’s back as she checks over their dad, half awake on the ground. 

“Why… didn’t you tell me or Dad, Anti?” Chase whispers. 

“…she told me not to tell. That I’d get daddy hurt.” She sobs. “I didn’t tell and he’s hurt! I don’t want t-this! I don’t want this anymore!!” Static electricity seems to build up in the air as Anthea clings to Chase and cries. “No more hospitals! No more needles! No more shocks! No more! No more! no more!!” 

“Anthea!” Demerci’s cold voice snaps out. 

Anthea immediately quiets, shutting her mouth and staring away from Demerci with wide eyes. She curls up more against Chase, trembling. 

Demerci has turned around, stepping towards the children as her heels click loudly on the tile. Chase used to love that sound- that sound meant his mum was home. That meant he’d get a hug and help with dinner and make her laugh. She hasn’t been the same since Anthea got sick- always away and working. And now… the noise that used to bring him so much joy only fills him with dread. 

“What did I say about making such a dreadful noise, dear?” Demerci hisses down at them. 

“I’m sorry-“ Anthea starts to say. 

Then, Chase pushes to be in front of her, pushing his little sister behind him. Even if his knees and arms are shaking. 

“Don’t-“ He breathes out, “Don’t hurt, Anti!” 

Demerci looks surprised. Then she chuckles. “oh... I do adore that nickname of yours, Chaser.” Then, her smile drops. “Step away from your sister, please.” 

“No!” Chase bites back. “No more! You’re not gonna hurt her anymore! I’m gonna protect her!” And as he says this- a bit of blue light seems to flicker in his eyes. 

Now, Demerci looks really surprised. She studies Chase and then kneels down to look at both of her children. Then, she grins. 

“Okay, Chase. If that’s the game you want to play… I don’t think I mind adding a new player~” 

Chase blinks, “A… game?” 

“Yes, a game! We’ve been playing a very fun game, haven't we, Anthea?” Demerci smiles, glancing at Anthea. 

The little girl flinches and then slowly nods. “Mhm…” 

“It’s a game that lets you win magic, Chase.” Demerci continues, smiling sweetly. A smile Chase deeply missed. “That’s what Anthea won! And if you play… you can get magic too. Magic to protect your sister and become big and strong! Would you like that, Chase? Don’t you wanna play with Mummy?” 

Chase hesitates, looking back at Kieran on the floor. “…will Dad get to play with us?” He asks quietly. 

“Oh yes, Darling. He’s just feeling a bit sleepy is all. But he’ll be back to play very soon!” 

“…o..okay.. I.. I wanna play. I want…!” Chase starts to sniffle and rubs at his eyes. “I-I want us to do t-things together again! I don’t want to leave! I don’t want Anti to be sick anymore! I wanna see Mummy more!! I wanna play games again!!” He cries. 

Demerci smiles and goes to pick up Chase and Anthea in her arms, shushing them softly. “Now now love… after today? We’ll be together all the time… we have so many new games to play. And me and Daddy will be right by you both!” 

“P-Promise?” Chase whimpers.

“Promise.” 

But… his mum had a very different meaning of the word ‘game’. Chase didn’t like this game… he didn’t like it one bit. 

——- 

Glowing hands get lifted away from Chase’s head as he lays on a small bed sleeping. Anti is curled up beside him, also fast asleep. 

They’re in a small but cozy witchy space. Bookshelves line one of the walls and two of the others are filled with hanging plants in various states of drying. Tables are filled with notes and open books, containing spells and spell circles. A small cot has been set up in the middle of the room for the boys to sleep on, and on chairs surrounding them sit four adults. Their dad, their aunt (who looks similar to their dad with slightly wavy, mousy brown hair) and her wife (a very pretty woman with fiery red hair) and the dark skinned woman with glowing hands, a magician. 

An image of what was just seen in Chase’s mind floats in a bubble of magic above his head- and the boys’ aunts stare at it with horrified expressions, while their dad, Kieran Brody, looks very numb. 

“…this is where you want to start the spell then, Keiran?” The magician asks. 

“Yes,” Kieran says immediately. 

The woman frowns, “That is… nearly a year of memory blocking-“ 

“I know,” Kieran says, his voice choked with emotion. “I just… I-I don’t know what else to do…! I-It’s a miracle I managed to escape with them… I don’t know how much longer it is until they find me… I can’t have them finding the boys… I-I don’t want them to live with the awful memories of what Jezebeth did to them!” 

“You’re not just hiding memories though,” One of the aunts says, the one with ginger hair. “You’re hiding that they’re magic!” 

“I-I know, Emmaline…” Kieran sighs, “But if word got out that they had powers…! It could lead Jezebeth straight to them!” 

“Withholding their magic could have dire consequences, Kieran,” The magician says darkly. “Magic must be used. It could overwhelm your children and make them very sick.” 

“I-I know that too, Kendra…” 

“And even if we hide such magic from them… they must be registered with the Circle,” Kendra continues. “The Magic Circle governs all magic users here. They are just like our government- and I refuse to make these two innocent children magic criminals by not having them registered.” 

This seems to give Kieran an idea. “… the Magic Circle. I… I’ve heard of them. They weren’t in America… If the boys are registered there… Can the Circle help keep them hidden from SCLERA?”

“…I suppose they could?” Kendra frowns, “but, Kieran-“

“I just… I want this memory spell sustained. I want their powers hidden… a-at least until they’re older.” He says quietly, “They wouldn’t be able to learn with the other magical kids- their magic is artificial! Eventually the teachers or the students will realize something is wrong and look into it and… I-I don’t want them being looked at like experiments or freaks!” Kieran cries, tears falling out his eyes. He hangs his head, hiccuping quietly. “I-I never wanted this for them…! I wanted them both to just live normal lives…! Or-or if my family’s magic got passed down… for them to learn the right way…!” 

The other three look at each other with worried eyes. 

Kieran’s sister goes to gently lay a hand on his shoulder. “Hey… they’ll be with us, Kier… we won’t let that happen.” 

Kieran looks up and gives her a small smile, squeezing her hand, “I know, Isla… you’re already doing amazing with them.. you’re going to take such good care of them…” 

Isla smiles sadly, hating hearing her brother talk about this like he’s already gone. But… she’s been told the risks…

If SCLERA finds him… he won’t see the boys again. 

Kendra sighs, “alright, I can see where your concerns are… but this is very tricky. Even if their magic is artificial, as far as I can tell, their bodies still react to it as if it was natural. So it might still overflow… what would you like me to do?” 

Kieran nods, “we found the same in our studies… I don’t think Chase is much at risk… he seems to be able to channel his magic into parts of his body and use it for bursts of strength and speed. Maybe… see if he can take up some sports?” He laughs, shaking his head. Then, he looks down at Anti and frowns, pushing hair out of his face. 

“It’s… Anti I’m most worried about… he was already so sickly… and he gained so much power so quickly… I-It’s so much in such a tiny body…” he says quietly, eyes filled with concern.

“…if you want to keep it hidden while they’re kids… maybe we can tell them when they’re older?” Emmaline suggests. 

“Mmm…that could work…” Kieran muses, “Kendra… is there any way for you to just… siphon off excess magic if Anti gets sick?” 

“Well… they will need to come see me here and there for me to check on the memory spell…” Kendra says. “So… I suppose it’s not out of the question.” 

“How long should we wait?” Isla asks. 

“…until it seems like Anti or Chase can’t hide it themselves anymore,” Kieran says. “Or… when Anti is 16. I think… they should be able to understand it then… e-even if I’m not there to…” he cuts himself off, tears brimming in his eyes again. 

Isla goes to rub his shoulder again, tears threatening to spill in her eyes too, “Don’t, kier… please.” 

Kieran nods. “I-If we do that… t-they should be safe. I’ve already moved them to another country… deleted what records I could… they won’t think that I will have gone here… Jezebeth thinks I’m still estranged from my family.” 

Isla snorts, crossing her arms. “And you were before all of this … for marrying that witch.” She mumbles. “I always knew there was something off about her…”  

Kieran sighs, “You were right, Isla… all of you were right. She… blinded me with her brilliance and… she was a f-fantastic mum for a while…” He shakes his head, “well… at least there’s two good things that came from marrying her.” He looks down at Chase and Anti smiling tightly. “I just wish… I-I protected them more…”

“You did all you could, Kieran,” Emmaline says quietly. “It’s not like that bitch made it easy for you… she tricked you and- t-that mind contr-“

“Let’s not talk about that… p-please,” Kieran interrupts, shuddering. 

“The Circle will keep their records safe from prying eyes,” Kendra assures him. “I will… talk to one of the Associates since this is a special case.” 

“Thank you, Magi Danan,” Isla nods. 

 “Isla, you don’t need to be so formal with me!” Kendra laughs, “I am… more than happy to help the family of my best friend.” 

“Ha! I only just married into this crazy family less than a year ago!” Emmaline giggles.

“You don’t regret it, do you, Emmy?” Isla turns to ask her wife. 

Emmy smiles and shakes her head. “Not at all. I promised to be by your side for anything! Even… adopting our nephews because their psycho mom experimented on them!” 

Isla covers up a laugh. “You don’t have to say it so bluntly!” 

Kieran smiles sadly and goes to pull Isla in to kiss her head. “…you picked a really good one, sister…” Isla blushes a bit and pushes him off. “You don’t need to tell me! I married her!” 

Kendra laughs. “Alright… I have a lot of work to do now to get these memories blocked… Kieran, is there any memory you don’t want erased?” 

Kieran blinks and then thinks for a minute. “Oh actually yes! Chase told me about… a conversation him and Anti had… when Anti asked to be called a boy…” 

“Hm… let me see…” Kendra goes to put her hands back on Chase’s temples and starts to flip through his memories once more….

———

After one long day of tests, Chase was led back into his lab room and he was exhausted. He climbed onto his bed and laid against the wall, letting the cool metal relax him. He missed his old room… all his clothes and blankets and toys. Mum said he and Anti would only get those if they were good. There were a few blankets on their beds that were soft and smelled like home. But that just made Chase sad… no toys yet either. Sometimes… they’d get a ball though. But not today, so he waited with his eyes closed until Anti came back. She quickly climbed onto the bed next to Chase and held his arm, curling up next to him. Chase just held her tight and they rested in silence. 

Until… “Chase can I ask you something?” Anti asks in a quiet voice. 

Chase blinks open his eyes and smiles down at his sister. “Yeah? What’s up?” 

Anti curls up more and clings to Chase’s arm. “Can you… can you treat me like a boy…?” 

Chase blinks, “what? What do you mean?” 

Tiny tears were filling up Anti’s eyes, “I don’t like being a girl. It feels wrong. I don’t think I am one…! I-I think I just got put in the wrong body…” 

“Well… how does it feel wrong…?” Chase asks curiously. 

“I don’t like when mummy calls me her little girl.” Anti whimpers out, “it makes me angry. And I don’t like my name… but you j-just call me Anti and…I-I like that…” Anti lifts up her face and looks at Chase with tearful eyes, “s-so can… can you help me feel like a boy..? C-Call me he and stuff- say I’m your brother, not your sister…?” 

Chase can see the desperation in Anti’s face and he doesn’t even hesitate, bringing Anti in close. “Of course! Whatever makes you happy, Anti…” Anti smiles and hugs Chase tight. 

Chase then pulls back and grins, tugging Anti to his side and tickling the younger sibling. “Besides- as much as I loved having a sister, I’ve always wanted a brother! And I’ll love you no matter what, Anti!” 

Anti has more tears in his eyes but he smiles and nods, looking happier than he has in a while. “Thank you, Chase…!”  

—————

Kendra pulls her hands back once again and the adults watching the memory bubble all have wet eyes, brimming with tears. 

Kieran wipes at his eyes. “…I-I’d like to keep that one please… maybe you can… m-modify it so they’re in Chase’s room?” 

“Yes… I’ll see what I can do.” Kendra nods.

“I remember being so confused when Chase was telling us Anti was a boy,” Isla shakes her head, “Because I only knew you had a baby girl named Anthea…” 

“It suits him better,” Kieran smiles down at his children. “…my two strong sons…” He leans over and kisses both of them on the forehead. The boys seem to smile in their sleep.

“If that is all, I think it is best you all leave for now,” Kendra says. “This will take the rest of the night at least… I will call you when I’m finished.” 

“Right… Thank you, Kendra… for everything.” Kieran says as the three other adults stand to leave. 

“Of course, I’m glad I can help. I will see you all in the morning.” Kendra smiles. 

The Brodys all walk out into the afternoon sun and get back in their car to drive to Isla’s and Emmy’s home, where Kieran was staying with the boys. The drive was quiet… until eventually Isla spoke up, looking at Kieran through the rear view window. 

“Kier… I know you said Jezebeth might not check where we live… but… what if someone else at SCLERA makes the connection and comes to check? …what will you do?”

Kieran’s expression drops to something withdrawn and sorrowful. “…I have a plan…” he says gravely, avoiding her gaze as he looks out the window at the passing Irish countryside, “…no matter what happens… they won’t find the boys. I’ll make sure of it.” 

[theweirdestroller]

Shockwave's Lab Pages 5 and 6

It's close enough to the end of the weekend. Here's the next two pages! I'm breaking these up however feels most natural. There aren't really any intentional, clean breaks in the pages apart from one later down the line. Anyway- Here we go again! (Also, you can find pages 1-4 right here)

Page 5

Panel 1 Narration: It's weird being out of the tube. I wish I could have seen Cybertron

Panel 2 Narration: I still can't touch anything here

Panel 4 Sunstorm: I know those voices!

Panel 5 My notes: *with an arrow pointed at a seeker identical to Sunstorm* <- Starscream

Panel 7 Sunstorm: Hi Shockwave!! Shockwave: Sunstorm?? Starscream: The Pit is that??

Panel 8 Narration: They gave me an inhibitor collar

Panel 9 Sunstorm: And that's how I joined the Decepticons! They- they still have me melt stuff

Page 6

Panel 1 Narration: Shockwave's been working on un-radioacti-fying me. It's worked for the most part. At least I can control it now. But- Something else happened. He doesn't talk about it

Panel 2 Narration: Soundwave visits again though. But- Megatron. Something about the Autobots.

Panel 3 Narration: I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it

Panel 5 Narration: I don't feel bad for leaving him there

Panel 6 Narration: I think I'll explore this planet more. I don't want part in this war. Maybe I'll bring Shockwave's Lab back. Gotta rename it though

[beacon-lamp]

Second ParkCiv movie is less “we have to bring the system down” and more “adventure with interpersonal drama woven into it” and definitely adds a lot to Evbo and his friendship with the master and his beef with Seawatt :]

(Also hello beacon glad to see the parkciv brainworm reached you X3)

okok i'll check it out

(hallo ivi! man i held out for so long but curiosity got the better of me lol but it's surprisingly compelling)

[scalproie]

really wish people would realize that every single character endings in t8 isnt canon