#julian santos x you

[wildesqdreams]

YAY JULIAN SANTOS MY HUSBAND

can we have a jealousy fic pleaseeeee?? where reader is jealous of julian and idk scarlett?? (scarlett not the villain though cause we love her)

not a game

pairing - julian santos x fem!reader.

summary - caraval is a place where you get swept away and lost. even though you may think you know what's going on, the game may surprise you. or a person.

warnings - spoilers for the first book!!! tiny bit of angst? julian freaking santos, fluff, and like a make out session?

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a/n: my first fic for our wonderful man, julian santos!!! i also think the first on tumblr??? anyway, i hope i did well and that you enjoy this, and i will be waiting for requests, heheheh

her eyes moved to the hidden door in scarlets room, body tensing. she quickly got up from the bed, ready to do something if it was needed because in this magical game, nothing and no one could be trusted.

when she saw the body enter the room, her shoulders relaxed, but the furor in her eyebrows just deepend, "julian?"

"where's scarlet?" he asked. the question came out a little raspy and breathy, and her eyes noticed that the boy did not look well.

pushing her emotions aside that yet again, it was her that was on his mind she replied, "she went off. wanted to look for clues, get more information about if someone has seen tella," the girl's eyes went to his head that seemed to be covered in blood, "are you oka-".

her words were cut off, "what are you doing here?"

y/n's gaze stayed on him as he moved across the room towards the bed, where she was standing beside it. julian placed something on the soft covers. earings. scarlets earings.

remebering his question, her face tinted, feeling a little embarrassed. was it bad that she was here? she had her own room, while scarlet and julian were forced to share, since they put on an act of being an engaged couple. even though they didn't stay in the same room (their decision because it wasn't real), right now, it felt private. like she was invading something.

she didn't like the heat on her face.

it was julian. the sailor boy who arrived a month ago to trisdas island. the boy that donatella introduced her with. her friend. so why on earth was she feeling like a no one in front of him?

since caraval it had been like that. the coldness. maybe y/n was overthinking it. she had a gift for it, but everything seemed to be around the dragnas sisters. it wasn't like she despised them. they were her adored friends, together since childhood. but why was the game suddenly about them? what was so special?

"well, umm," she cleared her throat, "i came here to see how scarlet was doing, but she was already leaving. she said that i should stay here just in case something happens while she's gone."

there was sufocating silence after that with plenty of distance between the young people.

her eyes returned to his wound.

"it's not that bad," the boy gave a light grin.

she met his eyes that had that playful and careless glint. after some seconds, she went to the bathroom to grab a towel and a basin, not believing him. when she returned, she asked him to sit on the bed.

while y/n was treating his head, julian stated, "remember, it's only a game." but the words went past her, as she continued to carefuly help him.

after a while, she cleaned and put away the things before returning in the room. julian was on his feet now, looking out the window at the beautiful city below. the girls chest filled up with warmth as she saw the boy in the moonlight, but it was pushed aside when his previous state came to mind, "so what happened? and, please, don't lie."

he turned around, still a little uneasy, "scarlet was fussing about those things," julian looked at the bed.

y/n's gaze went to the earrings, and before she could think the words already slipped out, "you know she's engaged, right?"

her cheeks burned, as she felt his eyes on her. after some silence, she heard him reply, 'i know." but the gaze was still burning on her.

"you don't have to hurt yourself for her. she has a count that would be happy to help her and give her everything she needs."

"just thought she would appreciate it."

of course she would! and she deserved all the brightest items! and those earings were very special to her - they were her mothers.

but y/n couldn't help the heavy, stinging feeling in heart. she loved scarlet dragna. yet, she did not love how much julian was thinking about her.

"yeah," she raised her eyes and met his, "i'm sure she will," it came out more tense than she intended.

julians lips curved into a more noticible smile, "no need to be jealous. for you, i would be delighted to do more than just bring back old jewelry."

"i am not jealous."

"lying is definitely not the best look on yo-" he suddenly swayed, and the girl rushed to his side.

her arms went to his shoulders, as she tried to help him stay up, "are you okay?"

"splendid," a whisper left his lips.

the girls cheeks were burning, as his beautiful caramel, brown eyes were still on her. their faces so close.

he looked at her like she was the one. like he needed her. wanted her. and it would have been a wonderful thing to get swepped in, but the recent events and the distance spiralled in her mind again, making her put distance between them, "you should lie down," y/n stepped back.

"stop running away," his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling the girl back.

her hands went back to his shoulders, steading her. her chest to his. and his hands burning through her dress. "i'm not," she breathed out.

a small grin formed on his face, "lying seems to be our new way of communicating, huh?"

"well, isn't that the purpose of the game?"

"if you're refering to caraval then yes," he leaned closer, as his hand traveled up her back, leaving goosebumps on her clothed skin, "but this certainly isn't a game for me."

she was barely able to stand on her feet. his hand went to the back of her neck, gently stroking her soft skin with his thumb. the touch made the butterflies light up in her stomach and her head to become heavy from all the sensations.

she opened her mouth, a whisper leaving her lips, "but-"

a soft chuckle escaped him, "it amazes me how other ladies are on your mind while i'm here with you. risking everything because it's impossible to stay away."

y/n didn't notice that her knuckles had turned white from the tight grip on his shoulders. aftaid that this was a fantasy. that he will disappear.

she breathed in when his hand slowly moved to the side of her neck, and his lips ghosted her temple, "i shouldn't be here."

her head was pulsing as his thumb lightly brushed her lips. "i'm gonna get in so much trouble for this."

the soft, tense whispers were going to be the death of the girl. her mind was clouded by his touch, so she couldn't quite grasp what he was saying. she knew the boy in front of her had his secrets, but that didn't make her not want him. she couldn't help but lean more into him, desprete for something.

julians hand was still on the side of her neck, "i don't want you to do something you will regret," he whispered, stroking her cheek.

her eyes met his, "i won't."

after the final stroke on her skin, he covered her mouth with his own. she felt like her body was about to burst in flames. his hand on her waist pulled her closer, like she was about to vanish and he didn't want to let go.

warmth spread from her chest to her fingertips. time seemed to pause, the world around them fading into a soft blur. the kiss was tentative at first, a gentle exploration filled with the sweet thrill of newness. but when his lips pressed harder, y/n let out a soft sound against his lips, tangling her hand in his hair.

she knew there were a lot of mysteries and questions waiting to be solved, but in that moment, everything else fell away; all that existed was the soft brush of his lips against hers.

the kiss tasted of pleasure. of desperateness. of something, neither y/n nor julian wanted to let go. she felt both vulnerable and invincible, as if they were the only two people in the universe. so they let their personal fights and the darkness disappear, as they both let the new beginning wash over themselves.

taglist: @xoxzso

[juliareed]

Fandom: Alias Relationships: Sark/Irina + Nadia/Elena, Nadia/Roberto, Nadia/Sloane Song: Would've, Could've, Should've by Taylor Swift Summary: Exploring some of the parallels between Sark and Nadia, by comparing Sark’s relationship with Irina to Nadia’s relationships with Sloane, Elena and Roberto. Content warnings: Character death, child abuse, needles, torture, violence, flashing lights

[lovecatsys]

Jay's energy in these first few issues is such a mood

[julietthereaper]

the shooting star

a julian x scarlett fic

"Look Catherine, a shooting star. Did you wish?" "Oh, I didn't have time." "Then there is something you wish for?" "Yes." - Dangerously Yours *-*-*-*-*

Julian had been looking for her. She looked so enchanting standing there, soaking up the moonlight. Scarlett's gaze fixed upon the stars above them as they twinkled down on the cursed isle. He was momentarily taken back to the first time he truly saw her, back on Trisda.

Scarlett Dragna was such a romantic. Julian thought about how she would love to be the muse of her lover's poem, have filthy-sweet words whispered in her ear, and get flowers just because I love you.

His eyes shut and his hand scrubbed over his stubble. Julian didn't love her. Yes, he cared about the selfless girl with a colour for a name (no one with eyes could deny that), but Julian Santos did not fall in love. Besides, the closer he got to her, the harder this game would be. It would only end in pain between them. But oh, Julian wanted her to win. And he really wanted to kiss her.

Instead, he let himself admire her for a moment longer. Admiring from afar wouldn't hurt at all. Scarlett was none the wiser and he wasn't getting too close. What was that saying... no harm no foul?

Her shiny brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, hair that he just wanted to run his rough fingers through. Julian couldn't see her pretty hazel eyes from his distance but he could imagine the glimmer in them. That sparkle of hope that made him believe in something (he wasn't quite sure what, but he knew he believed in it). Oh, and that soft pink dress that reminded him of lips longing to be kissed, it clung to her curves and...

He forced his eyes away from her. Julian had to walk away while he still could. Scarlett Dragna was merely a player in Caraval. A player he was instructed not to get too close to; his brother made it quite clear what would happen if he did. She was going to be gone from his life in a few days. As long as everything went to plan, Scarlett would get the life she deserved. Happy and safe, hopefully even adventurous. A rotten feeling churned in his stomach.

Julian would be sorry to see her go.

Maybe he could convince Legend to invite her next year, in exchange for Julian acting in another-

He picked up his feet and walked away. Scarlett Dragna was not meant to be with him. She was one of the few good things in this world, and Julian was not good. He could flirt with her all he wanted to, and even if she flirted back, she still had a fiance that Julian had no doubt ever-faithful Crimson would go back to when she discovered it was all a game.

And discovered he was an actor. A performer. A liar.

"Julian!"

He stopped dead in his tracks as his heart picked up. Her voice held a smile and the hint of a question, maybe even a little bit of hope. Probably wondering if he would stop just because she asked him to. If he recognized her voice after only a few days.

"Crimson." Confident. Cool. Cocky. "Looking for me?"

She scoffed and he turned around to face her. "Please, I'm trying to win. I just thought I saw you."

He took a few steps towards her. "Any luck?"

"Maybe you'd know if you hadn't ditched me when I went to talk to Nigel. Infront of the jade tent, remember?"

Ah. An easy subject to deflect. And a fun one.

"You mean the kissing tent?" Julian threw her a smirk. "We don't need a tent if you want a magical Caraval kiss."

"That's not... ugh, gross, Julian."

His heart constricted a fraction. He was reminded of the way she acted earlier when he teased her about a kiss: disgusted. Though her cheeks flushed, so he considered that she was just acting.

"Have you ever kissed anyone before?" He asked, curious now they were on the topic. Bonus if it helped him steer the conversation.

She sucked in her cheeks. "That's none of your business."

"So... no?"

Scarlett glared at him. "If you must know, I have been kissed before. I'm not that undesirable, am I?"

His eyebrows scrunched together. Surely someone as angelic as Scarlett wouldn't take his teasing as insinuating she was undesirable? "Would I offer someone undesirable a kiss? I just mean you're a very... 'innocent, waiting for the right man' type of girl."

Julian had been so taken aback by the undesirable comment, he didn't realize Scarlett just admitted she had kissed someone before. He hadn't expected that but wondered if the guy she locked lips with was even worth the time of day.

"You desire me?" Scarlett poked him, letting a small giggle slip.

He was about to say some flirtatious remark when his eyes slipped to the sky. Julian grabbed her hand to point to the starry night. "Look, Crimson. A shooting star."

He turned to watch her watch it. Scarlett's pink lips parted and her eyes widened. Her expression was just adorable.

"Did you wish?"

Scarlett sighed, "Oh, I didn't have time."

"Then there is something you wish for?"

"Yes."

Julian smiled. Such a romantic, of course there was. "What did you wish?"

He followed her eyes as they dropped to their hands, intertwined. She let go. You are not embarrassed, you are not embarrassed, you are not-

"I can't tell you, then it won't come true."

"That's not how wishes work. And besides, you missed the star, it won't come true anyway." Julian just wanted to know.

"Well, it won't come true with that attitude." Scarlett skipped in front of him, a new pep in her step. He followed her.

Julian had a sinking feeling he wouldn't be able to walk away from her.

"When it comes true, will you tell me then?"

Scarlett stopped abruptly resulting in Julian nearly crashing into her. She whipped around, only an inch away from him. Those pretty hazel eyes were at level with his lips, and she didn't lift her gaze.

"Maybe. If you ask nicely."

It took every ounce of willpower he had not to cradle her face and crash his lips against hers. How did Scarlett have such a hold on him?

Lucky for him, he didn't get the chance to. She turned back on her path and Julian waited a few moments, putting some space between them.

He desperately hoped no one was lurking in the shadows, ever so ready to report to Legend just how incompetent his little brother was being. Julian just wanted to stay with her, continue to discover the wonder that was Scarlett Dragna.

How in God's name was he supposed to watch her walk away in only a few days?

[newx-menfan]

Moments I REALLY want to see in Flashbacked to in NYX (part 1):

(Warning…this is a LONG POST lol)

1. Rockslide and Anole’s friendship 

I really hope issue three will address Rockslide’s “death”, (especially with a mutant Shay dying)…

Out of all the Anole plot points- the ptsd, the Popeye arm, dating while being a mutant… I actually think his friendship with Santo was the most compelling and it’s egregious to me that Marvel has ignored it. It’s like Logan ignoring Kurt’s death….

2. Hellion’s Appearance in the first issue of NXM

While there was LOTS of instances of Julian being a shit in New Mutants Vol.2… (I even debated about including Prodigy first meeting Julian in Logan’s karate class) I really love this moment between Sofia and Hellion, along with showcasing just WHO Hellion was when he initially started at the school…selfish. vain. elitist. a jerk.

While Laura and other characters have somewhat more nobler memories of Hellion- David always remembers Julian as that insufferable privileged little shit 🤣

3. Hellion’s Magneto-esque speech

Let’s be honest…it would be heinous to leave this moment out…

It’s one of the major moments people questioned Julian turning evil and Elixir even REFERENCES Magneto; where it was once there to narratively show Julian’s loyalty despite disagreeing with a lot of the tenants the X-Men held… it now seems more or less like foreshadowing…

It would be SHOCKING to me if David didn’t recall it when first seeing the Krakoan…

4. The first time Hellion and Prodigy faced each other 

Another MEMORABLE moment into “will Hellion go rogue?”….Julian trying to bail out Wither and fighting the FBI was the first moment the New Mutants went toe-to-toe with the Hellions and I think it deserves to be included.

5. The many, MANY Prodigy/Hellion power struggles

Let’s be honest…David and Julian NEVER got alone…their dynamic was always a much more venomous “Cyclops and Wolverine”…

Even with “Childhoods End” softening a lot of petty, childhood grievances…they were NEVER on great terms…

Where Elixir and Hellion or Surge and Hellion seemingly were able to mend some bridges…or at least tolerate one another… Prodigy and Hellion still hated one another…

I am actually really interested in seeing David’s reaction…because while I definitely think there will be a moment of “I told you so”… I actually do think David will feel some disappointment and sadness in Hellion’s heel-turn. I do think over the years they begrudgingly developed a sort of “respect” for one another and I think it WILL be a moment where David actually regrets being right…

6. Hellion Losing His Hands

It’s the elephant in the room you can’t ignore.

For all of the terrible things that happened to Hellion- losing his hands took the biggest toll on his psyche and completely changed his dynamic with the NXM. 

It’s the event that lead to Laura and Hellion inevitably falling out. It’s the moment that lead to his closest “heel turn”. It’s what created the biggest resentments he had for the X-Men…

7. Laura’s First Meeting and Interactions with Hellion

Even from the beginning- Laura and Hellion had an “interesting” dynamic…

I always wanted a bit of Laura’s POV on it…because even when Hellion was being an asshole, she seemed totally attracted to him from the get go- stopping the Brood attacking him in the danger room simulation and treating him like he was a helpless puppy, always standing close by Hellion, Hellion saving her during Emma’s hunger games competition…

Hellion WAS the one male relationship Laura seemed emotionally taken by. It was the one she regularly SOUGHT out and I think that is important.

8. Hellion saving X-23

While people like to debate when Laura developed a crush on Hellion…some arguing she never did… 🙄

It’s undebatable that this moment was probably one of the most important in their dynamic.

Hellion, despite being terrified and creeped out by Laura…risks life and limb to get her to Elixir��getting a makeshift power up in the process.

I would be SHOCKED if Laura DOESN’T tearfully at some point recall it…

[sofiamantegafan110]

NEW X-MEN, SEASON 3, EPISODE 2

EPISODE 2: RISE OF APOCALYPSE, PART 2

THE EPISODE OPENS UP IN EGYPT AS APOCALYPSE STANDS IN SOLITUDE, WEARING HIS MASK. SUDDENLY, DAKEN ENTERS AND APOCALYPSE TELLS HIM THAT HE CAN SENSE HIS CONCERN. DAKEN SIGHS AND TELLS HIM THAT HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT SOFIA.

DAKEN: LISTEN, BOSS. YOU GATHERED US ALL TOGETHER TO GIVE US GREAT POWER. TO GIVE US A BETTER LIFE, A CHANCE AT REVENGE, OR TO FINISH UNFINISHED BUSINESS. BUT SOFIA… SHE DOESN’T WANT TO BE HERE. SHE’S JUST A KID. SHE HAS FRIENDS BACK AT XAVIER’S. SHE HAS A GIRLFRIEND. SHE… I DON’T THINK SOFIA SHOULD BE HERE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, APOCALYPSE GRABS DAKEN BY THE THROAT, SLAMMING HIM AGAINST THE WALL. HE REMINDS DAKEN ABOUT HIS LIFE BEFORE THIS. BARELY SCRAPING BY IN MADRIPOOR. NECK-DEEP IN BARS AND WHOREHOUSES. HE ASKS HIM IF HE REALLY WANTS TO GO BACK TO THAT LIFE AGAIN.

DAKEN: WH-WHY DO YOU NEED HER ANYWAY? SHE’S JUST A 16-YEAR-OLD KID!

APOCALYPSE RELEASES DAKEN AND CHUCKLES.

APOCALYPSE: SHE MAY SEEM THAT WAY, BUT I SAW HER TRUE POTENTIAL ONCE. WHEN MY FOOLISH DESCENDANT FREDRICK SLADE TRIED TO SACRIFICE HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, I SAW SOFIA FOR WHO SHE REALLY WAS AS SHE DESTROYED SLADE’S MANSION IN A VIOLENT RAGE. SHE IS A BEING OF GREAT POWER AND SOON, SHE COULD CONTROL THE VERY ELEMENTS THEMSELVES WITH MY GUIDANCE. SHE IS NECESSARY FOR MY PLANS, AND UNLIKE YOU, SHE CANNOT BE REPLACED. NOW TELL KIMURA AND WITHER TO PREPARE. PHASE ONE BEGINS NOW.

WITH THAT, DAKEN WALKS OUT, UNSURE, AS APOCALYPSE STANDS IN SOLITUDE AGAIN.

CUE INTRO AND CREDITS

WE THEN CUT TO THE LOUNGE AT XAVIER’S, WHERE CESSILY, JULIAN, LAURA, ROXY, SANTO, JAY, JOSH, MONET, LAURIE, TALIA, MORPH, VICTOR, MEGAN, AND ALANI ARE BUSY ARGUING. THEIR WORDS ARE OVERLAPPED AND INCOHERENT, AND THEY’RE CLEARLY NOT HAPPY. SUDDENLY, FOOTSTEPS EMERGE, AND EVERYONE TURNS TO SEE CLARICE WALKING INTO THE LOUNGE.

CLARICE: DID I MISS ANYTHING?

IMMEDIATELY, CLARICE IS BOMBARDED BY HUGS. SHE LAUGHS AND COMPLIMENTS JULIAN’S NEW HANDS. CESSILY IMMEDIATELY TELLS HER THAT SHE’S ALREADY MADE A JOKE ABOUT MASTURBATION, CAUSING HER TO LAUGH. SHE THEN LOOKS AROUND AND ASKS WHY EVERYONE’S THERE, AND LAURA SAYS THAT THEY’RE THERE TO HELP HER SAVE SOFIA.

MEGAN: …AS SOON AS WE FIGURE OUT OUR NEXT MOVE.

CLARICE: OKAY. WHERE’S DANI?

ALANI: SHE’S BEEN IN A MEETING WITH THE OTHER X-MEN FOR A WHILE. THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO.

CLARICE: HAVE THEY REACHED A VERDICT?

JAY: NO.

CLARICE: THAT’S ALL I NEED TO HEAR.

CLARICE THEN WALKS OUT THE LOUNGE AND THE OTHERS LOOK AT EACH OTHER, CONFUSED, BEFORE CESSILY WALKS AFTER HER, FOLLOWED BY JULIAN, LAURA, MONET, AND THEN EVERYONE ELSE.

WE THEN CUT OVER TO THE X-MEN’S WAR ROOM AS THE STAFF ARE CURRENTLY IN A CONVERSATION SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE LOUNGE, WITH INCOHERENT WORDS BEING SHOUTED. SUDDENLY, THE DOOR OPENS AND MONET STANDS IN THE ENTRANCE, FLEXING HER FINGERS. IMMEDIATELY, CYCLOPS ASKS WHAT’S GOING ON AND CLARICE WALKS IN, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: IT’S SIMPLE. WE’VE BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR TOO LONG NOW. WE’RE GOING TO FIND SOFIA AND WHUP APOCALYPSE’S ASS, WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

THERE’S A LONG PAUSE, AS IF THE X-MEN ARE WONDERING IF SHE’S SERIOUS, THEN EMMA SPEAKS UP.

EMMA: OUT OF THE QUESTION! ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU ARE NOT TRAINED ENOUGH! YOU’RE JUST CHILDREN! AND I EXPECTED BETTER OF YOU ESPECIALLY, MONET.

DANI: SHE MAY BE A COW, BUT EMMA’S RIGHT. I’M NOT ABOUT TO PUT YOU GUYS IN DANGER. I KNOW HOW EVERYONE FEELS ABOUT SOFIA, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO US.

CLARICE: NO. WE’RE DONE LISTENING. WE’RE DONE SITTING AROUND FEELING SORRY FOR OURSELVES. WE HAVE OUR OWN PLAN.

EMMA: WHICH IS?

CLOSE UP ON CLARICE’S FACE.

CLARICE: IT’S SIMPLE; GET ON BOARD OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.

MORPH: *WHISPERED* I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE JUST SAID THAT.

TALIA: *WHISPERED* DITTO.

MEANWHILE, APOCALYPSE AND HIS HORSEMEN MATERIALIZE IN FRONT OF A BUSY STREET IN MUTANT TOWN. APOCALYPSE THEN NODS TO SOFIA AND TELLS HER TO START THINGS OFF. SOFIA LOOKS A BIT RELUCTANT, BUT THEN CREATES A GIANT WIND GUST WITH A FLOURISH OF HER HAND. CARS, TREES, AND SIGNS GO FLYING AS PEOPLE START TO REALIZE THAT THESE ARE NO ORDINARY RESIDENTS. KIMURA GRINS BEFORE PULLING OUT A GUN, USING IT TO SHOOT AT SHOP WINDOWS AS WITHER DECAYS SEVERAL TELEPHONE POLES AND DAKEN USES HIS PHEROMONES TO INCITE A PANIC. SECONDS LATER, MUTANT TOWN IS IN COMPLETE DISARRAY.

MEANWHILE, THE X-MEN AND THE TRAINEES ARE ARGUING WHEN SUDDENLY, A STUDENT WITH BLUE SKIN AND SHORT RED HAIR RUNS IN, ASKING FOR CYCLOPS. CYCLOPS ASKS THE GIRL, EDIE, WHAT’S WRONG AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT THERE’S SOMETHING THEY NEED TO SEE. SHE THEN TURNS ON THE TV, REVEALING THE HAVOC IN MUTANT TOWN.

REPORTER: TRISH TILBY HERE, REPORTING FROM MUTANT TOWN, WHERE CHAOS HAS ERUPTED. FIVE SUPER-BEINGS APPEARED SUDDENLY AND WROUGHT HAVOC ON THESE BUSY STREETS! ONE OF THEM LOOKS LIKE… APOCALYPSE! SOME LOCALS ARE TRYING TO KEEP THESE ATTACKERS AT BAY, BUT EVERYONE IS ASKING… WHERE ARE THE X-MEN?!

CYCLOPS IMMEDIATELY STANDS UP AND TELLS THE X-MEN TO PREPARE, BUT DANI SUDDENLY INTERRUPTS HIM.

DANI: SCOTT, I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT THE KIDS ARE RIGHT. THIS IS THEIR BATTLE AND THEIR FRIEND. LET THEM DEAL WITH THIS.

EMMA STANDS UP AS WELL, MUCH TO HER OWN DISMAY.

EMMA: SHE MAY BE A COW, BUT DANIELLE IS RIGHT. THE CHILDREN HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH KIMURA IN KENTUCKY, THE U-MEN, THE HELLFIRE CLUB, MYSTIQUE, AND EVEN THAT STRANGE LITTLE CURSED BOARD GAME. EVER SINCE THAT FOOD FIGHT ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, THEY HAVE GROWN INTO A TEAM. THEY ARE READY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SERIES, DANI SMILES AT EMMA.

SCOTT SIGHS BEFORE SITTING BACK DOWN. DANI TURNS TO THE KIDS AND TELLS THEM TO SUIT UP. IMMEDIATELY, THEY RUN OUT, BUT DANI TELLS LAURIE TO STAY AT THE MANSION. SHE TELLS HER THAT WITH DAKEN AKIHIRO’S POWERS COUNTERING HER PHEROMONES, SHE COULD BE A LIABILITY IN THE FIELD. LAURIE STARTS TO PROTEST, BUT SIGHS, AND LOOKS BACK AT THE OTHERS.

LATER, THE NEW X-MEN APPEAR IN MUTANT TOWN, WHERE THEY WITNESS THE BATTLE IN FRONT OF THEM. A LIZARDLIKE MAN IS PROTECTING TWO OTHERS; A BLONDE GIRL WITH SCRATCH-YOUR-EYES-OUT NAILS, AND A BOY WITH HANDS FOR FEET. A WOMAN IS TOSSED INTO THE AIR BY APOCALYPSE – LUCKILY, SHE CAN FLY – AND A YOUTH THAT CAN’T BE OLDER THAN FIFTEEN IS USING SHARP KNUCKLE BONES TO CUT AWAY AT FLYING DEBRIS. AND IN THE CENTER IS THE HORSEMEN. A GIRL JUMPS AT APOCALYPSE, FISTS RAISED TO ATTACK HIM, WHEN HE SWINGS HIS FIST AT HER. LUCKILY, A PORTAL MOVES HER OVER TO THE SIDELINES AS CLARICE STANDS WITH THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: GUESS WHO’S GOT THE DROP ON WHO NOW!

APOCALYPSE: ON THE CONTRARY, I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU ALL.

CLARICE THEN TURNS TO THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: ICARUS, ELIXIR, MORPH, PIXIE, YOU’RE ON CROWD CONTROL! MERCURY, DUST, BLING!, TRY TO SUBDUE KEVIN! X-23, NOCTURNE, YOU HANDLE DAKEN! HELLION, MONET, YOU DEAL WITH KIMURA! ANOLE, LOA, TRY TO TALK TO SOFIA! MAYBE GET HER TO STOP THIS WINDSTORM! ROCKSLIDE, YOU’RE WITH ME! WE’RE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE BIG BOSS.

SANTO: SUH-WEET!

WITH THAT, THE NEW X-MEN CHARGE INTO ACTION.

MEANWHILE, LAURIE SITS OUTSIDE ON THE GRASS, LOOKING AT THE HORIZON. SUDDENLY, AN EYE APPEARS ON THE GROUND, CAUSING LAURIE TO FLINCH A BIT. SHE SAYS HI TO THE EYEBALL, KRAKOA, AND ASKS IF IT SOMETIMES GETS LONELY TOO. SHE SIGHS AND SAYS THAT SHE WANTS TO BE OUT THERE TO HELP HER FRIENDS, BUT BECAUSE OF THAT DAKEN GUY, SHE’S STUCK HERE, TALKING TO THE SCHOOL’S SENTIENT LAWN. SHE JUST WISHED THERE WAS SOMETHING SHE COULD DO.

SUDDENLY, KRAKOA STARTS TO MOVE AWAY AND LAURIE, CONFUSED, ASKS WHERE IT’S GOING. SHE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS IT OVER TO A SHADY TREE THAT’S CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. SHE ASKS KRAKOA IF IT’S TRYING TO SHOW HER SOMETHING BEFORE LOOKING AT THE CRACK IN THE TREE. SHE IMMEDIATELY BENDS DOWN AND STARTS TO CRAWL THROUGH THE CRACK, AND ONCE SHE’S IN, SHE NOTICES A STAIRCASE THAT SHE IMMEDIATELY WALKS DOWN.

THE STAIRCASE LEADS LAURIE TO A LARGE ANCIENT LIBRARY FULL OF VINES AND CRYSTALS. LAURIE LOOKS AROUND, AMAZED, WHEN A VINE WITH KRAKOA’S EYEBALL ON TOP OF IT SNAKES DOWN, LEADING LAURIE TO A PEDESTAL WHERE A SCROLL RESTS. UNLIKE THE BOOKS ON THE SHELVES, IT SEEMS BRAND NEW AND LAURIE PICKS IT UP.

LAURIE: “A MUTANT’S HISTORY OF ARAKKO AND THE FALLEN WORLD OF AMENTH, BY IDYLL III OF THE GREAT RING OF ARAKKO.” KRAKOA, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED TO SHOW ME?

WHEN KRAKOA DOESN’T RESPOND, LAURIE SITS DOWN AND READS. AS SHE DOES, WE ARE TREATED TO IMAGES BY LENIL FRANCES YU FROM X-MEN #12, DEPICTING THE HISTORY OF ARAKKO.

LAURIE: “THE STORY STARTS AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER, TOLD BY HIS FATHER, LONG AGO: OKKARA, THE ONE TRUE LAND OF MUTANTS. IT WAS ANCIENT BEFORE THAT WORD EXISTED, BUT NOT YET OLD IN THE WAY THEY WERE OLD. THEN, THE TWILIGHT SWORD OF THE ENEMY TORE THE WORLD ASUNDER, AND WHAT WAS ONE, BECAME TWO. AND FROM THAT CHASM BETWEEN THEM – FROM THAT DARK WORLD – THE ENEMY POURED INTO THIS WORLD.”

LAURIE CONTINUES TO READ ALOUD, INTRIGUED.

LAURIE: “UNTIL, AT GREAT COST, THE ARMY OF THE ENEMY – ALONG WITH ARAKKO ITSELF – WERE PUSHED BACK THROUGH, AND THE CHASM WAS SHUT. BUT LIKE ALL STORIES OLD ENOUGH TO GROW IN THE TELLING, IT SOMETIMES BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION… OR TRUTH FROM LIES. SOME SAY A GREAT WARRIOR STAYED BEHIND TO PREVENT THAT WORLD FROM FALLING. TO SEAL THE BREACH AND SAVE WHAT COULD BE SAVED. AFTER ALL, THAT WARRIOR WAS APOCALYPSE, THE WARRIOR-GOD IN BLUE – THE GREAT RESEEDER –THE FIRST MUTANT OF THE SECOND GENERATION OF MUTANTDOM ON EARTH. BUT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO TELL STORIES OF BETRAYAL – OF SACRIFICING HIS FAMILY TO PRESERVE HIMSELF AND WHAT LITTLE COULD BE SAVED.”

AS LAURIE CONTINUES TO READ, AND AS THE SLIDESHOW CONTINUES, WE CUT TO A STILL IMAGE IN MUTANT TOWN. HERE, JAY IS CARRYING A WILLOWY MUTANT GIRL WITH TRANSLUCENT SKIN. JOSH IS BUSY HEALING A BOY MADE OF STONE, MORPH IS STRETCHING TO PROTECT SOME KIDS FROM DEBRIS, AND MEGAN IS SCREAMING AT A CROWD OF GAWKERS TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

LAURIE: “FINALLY, THERE ARE WHISPERS OF SOMETHING WORSE… JUDGEMENT AND SLAVERY TO FATE – THAT HE WAS A PRISONER TO THE WHIMS OF OTHERS. THE ONLY SURE TRUTH THAT SURVIVES ALL TELLING IS THIS: WHAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CLEAVED IN TWO WAS SEPARATED FOREVER… HUSBAND FROM WIFE. PARENT FROM CHILD. ARAKKO FROM KRAKOA. AND FROM ONE TRAUMA, THE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO PLUNGED THEMSELVES INTO THE HELL OF THE NEXT ONE.”

ANOTHER STILL IMAGE APPEARS WITH THE SLIDESHOW STILL IN THE BACKGROUND, TRANSPARENT BUT VISIBLE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SEE BOTH PICTURES. IN THIS NEW IMAGE, CESSILY IS TRYING TO WRAP AROUND KEVIN WHILE ROXY FIRES CRYSTAL DAGGERS AT HIM AND SOORAYA, IN SAND FORM, SURROUND ALL THREE IN A DUST STORM.

LAURIE: “WHAT WAITED FOR THEM WAS NOT AN ARMY… NO. FOR SOME, IT MEANT MADNESS. FOR THE REST, IT WAS THE WASTELAND OF A WORLD CALLED AMENTH. A BLACK WORLD. A FALLEN WORLD. WHAT THEY SAW SURPRISED THEM. A DESOLATE NOTHING LITTERED WITH THE BODIES OF DEFEATED ENEMIES. ALL KNEW THIS HANDIWORK – ALL RECOGNIZED THE BLACK ACTS OF THE WHITE SWORD AND HIS ONE HUNDRED CHAMPIONS. HE WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN – NO TRACE OF HIM REMAINED – BUT HIS BLOODY HAND HAD BROUGHT ARAKKO TIME. AND WITH THAT TIME, WE WORKED WONDERS. IT WAS AN AGE OF LEGENDS. A MIRACLE OF MUTANTDOM. MUCH OF THE WORK DONE BY BRACE MUTANT ALCHEMISTS AND ENGINEERS STILL STANDS TO THIS DAY.”

CUT TO ANOTHER STILL IMAGE. LAURA IS CLASHING WITH DAKEN, CLAWS OUT FOR BOTH, AS THEY ARE LOCKED IN HEATED BATTLE. MEANWHILE, TJ IS NEARBY, FIRING HEX BOLTS AT DAKEN TO LEAVE HIM OPEN FOR LAURA’S ATTACKS.

LAURIE: “NOT ALL, OF COURSE. NOW ONLY A FEW REMAIN, BUT THEN THERE WERE TEN TOWERS, AND THE LAND BETWEEN THEM WAS OURS. AND WHEN THE ARMY OF AMENTH CAME, FINALLY, WE SHOWED THEM NO MERCY. AND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, THE TOWERS HELD AND THE HORDE DIED AT OUR BORDER. GENERATIONS OF MUTANTS LIVED AND DIED NEVER KNOWING DEFEAT. CHILDREN OF WAR – STRONG AND FIT FOR THE DAYS IN WHICH THEY LIVED.”

THE IMAGE CHANGES AGAIN. NOW, KIMURA IS FIRING BULLETS AT HER ATTACKERS WILDLY, BUT THEY EITHER BOUNCE OFF MONET OR FLOAT HARMLESSLY IN FRONT OF JULIAN. MONET IS DELIVERING A PUNCH TO KIMURA’S CHEST AS JULIAN FIRES BLASTS OF TELEKINETIC ENERGY AT HER.

LAURIE: “BUT THEY LIVED ONLY INSIDE OUR WALLS. IT MADE US ARROGANT AND IGNORANT OF WHAT AMENTH TRULY WAS. WHEN MY FATHER, THE HIGH MUTANT PROPHET IDYLL, WENT BLIND AFTER SEEING THE FALL OF OUR GREAT TOWERS, PEOPLE SAY GENESIS LAUGHED AT HIM AND THREATENED TO REMOVE HIS WEAK HEAD FROM HIS WEAK SHOULDERS. GENESIS. THE AUTHORITY OF ARAKKO. THE MOTHER OF THE HORSEMEN. THE WIFE OF APOCALYPSE. AND INSTEAD OF STRIKING HIM DOWN, SHE RAISED AN ARMY…”

THE IMAGE ONCE AGAIN CHANGES. NOW, IT SEEMS THAT ANOLE IS TRYING TO TALK TO A SCARED SOFIA WHILE HOLDING ONTO A TREE CAUGHT IN HER STORM. MEANWHILE, LOA IS PHASING THROUGH DEBRIS, LEAVING IT CRUMBLED IN HER WAKE.

LAURIE: “THEY WERE GONE FOR TWENTY YEARS. EVERY FEW MONTHS, WORD WOULD ARRIVE OF THEIR CONQUESTS – AND ALL OF ARAKKO WOULD CELEBRATE. WE FEASTED ON VICTORY – IT WAS OUR BIRTHRIGHT – AND GENESIS FED US WELL. THEN, TWO CENTURIES AGO, OUR ARMY FELL SILENT. LATER, WE WOULD LEARN THAT THEY HAD REACHED THE IVORY SPIRE; THE STRONGHOLD OF THE LONG-THOUGHT LOST WHITE SWORD, PURITY. HE WAS OUR GREATEST HEALER – IMMORTAL… EXTERNAL. EACH MORNING, THE WHITE SWORD RESURRECTED HIS ONE HUNDRED CHAMPIONS AND RODE OUT TO SLAUGHTER AMENTHI DAEMONS. WARRING UNTIL THE LAST SOLDIER IN HIS ARMY DIED. ONLY TO BEGIN AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.”

A FINAL IMAGE APPEARS. IN THIS ONE, SANTO IS GLEEFULLY EXCHANGING BLOWS WITH APOCALYPSE WHILE HE AVOIDS GETTING SKEWERED BY BLINK’S BLADES. SHE FIGHTS WITH THE SAME DETERMINATION SHOWN BY GENESIS IN THE SLIDESHOW.

LAURIE: “GENESIS SAID THAT THE CYCLE OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION HAD BECOME HIS RELIGION. SHE SAID HE HAD BECOME JUST AS ALIEN AS THE HORDE HE RAGED AGAINST, AND WE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO WERE THE SAME TO HIM. WE TASTED OUR FIRST DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF OUR OWN. WE HEARD NOTHING FOR SIX YEARS, AND THEN – HAVING ESCAPED BY UNTOLD AND NEVER SPOKEN MEANS – GENESIS AND THE FEW WHO SURVIVED RETURNED HOME TO ARAKKO.”

THE SLIDESHOW RESUMES THE MAIN FOCUS AS LAURIE CONTINUES.

LAURIE: “THEY RETURNED… ONLY TO FIND MORE DEFEAT WAITING FOR THEM. ISCA THE TRAITOR. ISCA THE UNBEATEN. HER MUTANT POWER WAS THAT SHE COULD NOT LOSE – AND IT WAS HER POWER THAT FORCED HER TO JOIN AMENTH IN THE WAR AGAINST HER PEOPLE. UNDERSTAND? THEY HAD TO. THEY WERE GOING TO WIN… AND SHE CANNOT LOSE. ISCA HAD BEEN SENT TO INVITE GENESIS TO PARLAY WITH ANNIHILATION – THE GOD OF AMENTH – AT THE SEAT OF THE GOLDEN HELM’S POWER IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF AMENTH. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WORDS PASSED BETWEEN THEM, JUST THAT GENESIS ACCEPTED HER SISTER’S INVITATION.”

LAURIE: “IT IS SAID THE GREAT HALL OF ANNIHILATION WAS FULL THAT DAY. THAT THE FULL MIGHT OF AMENTH WAS WITNESSED FOR THE FIRST TIME. AMENTHI DAEMONS AND WORSE WERE WAITING WHEN GENESIS ARRIVED. I WONDER, WERE THEY SILENT AS GENESIS APPROACHED ANNIHILATION’S THRONE? DID THEY SCREAM AND RAGE? OR DID THEY MOCK AND JEER?”

LAURIE: “ALL WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THIS: THEY BATTLED TO THE DEATH WITH THE FATE OF ARAKKO IN THE BALANCE. AND THEN… ANNIHILATION DISAPPEARED. AND IRONICALLY, WITH HER WAS ALL HOPE FOR ARAKKO. YOU SEE, THEIR GOD IS CALLED ANNIHILATION FOR A REASON. FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS, THE MAD HORDE – THE TRUE MIGHT OF AMENTH – BATTERED THE WALLS OF ARAKKO EVEN WITHOUT THEIR LEADER. MUTANTS DIED. TOWERS FELL. BUT SOMEHOW… WE HELD.”

LAURIE: “BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL HOPE. HOPE THAT SOMEWHERE, THE GREAT WARRIOR HAD RAISED A NEW MUTANT SOCIETY, A GREATER ONE – AND WITH IT, A MUTANT ARMY THAT COULD SAVE US ALL. WE HELD OUT… UNTIL WE COULDN’T ANY LONGER, AND I WAS ORDERED TO WRITE THIS MESSAGE.”

WE THEN CUT BACK TO THE SECRET LIBRARY AS LAURIE FINISHES READING.

LAURIE: “ARAKKO IS UNDER SIEGE. GREAT APOCALYPSE, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. AMENTH IS ON THE MARCH… AND ONLY YOU CAN SAVE US.”

WE THEN CUT BACK OVER TO THE BATTLE IN MUTANT TOWN AS VICTOR YELLS TO SOFIA, TELLING HER TO STOP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. SOFIA LOOKS AT HIM AND SAYS SHE CAN’T. SHE HAS TO DO THIS FOR CLARICE. VICTOR TELLS HER TO LOOK AROUND. CLARICE IS ALL RIGHT, AND SHE’S FIGHTING FOR SOFIA. HE THEN ASKS HER IF THIS IS WHAT SHE REALLY WANTS.

MEANWHILE, DAKEN COMPLIMENTS LAURA’S SKILL, AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT HE IS CLEARLY A WORTHY OPPONENT, BUT IT’S HIS CLAWS THAT CONFUSE HER. DAKEN SMIRKS AND SAYS THAT IT’S HERS THAT CONFUSE HIM.

DAKEN: PLEASE, DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE ANOTHER PRODUCT OF MY FATHER’S AFFAIRS.

LAURA GASPS.

LAURA: FATHER…?

DAKEN: YEAH. YOU KNOW HIM AS… LOGAN.

LAURA IS SHOCKED, AND DAKEN KICKS HER TO THE GROUND. TALIA YELLS IN SURPRISE AND FIRES MORE HEX BOLTS AT HIM, MEANWHILE, KIMURA TRADES BLOWS WITH MONET, BEFORE TURNING OVER TO A WOUNDED MUTANT BOY WITH BUGLIKE EYES. SHE SMIRKS AS SHE POINTS HER GUN AT HIM, MUCH TO SOFIA’S DISMAY.

SOFIA: KIMURA, NO!

BEFORE KIMURA CAN FIRE, SOFIA EXTENDS HER HAND, AND A GUST OF WIND KNOCKS THE ASSASSIN AGAINST A WALL. APOCALYPSE LOOKS AROUND BEFORE SHOVING SANTO INTO CLARICE. HE THEN ORDERS HIS HORSEMEN TO RETREAT AS CLARICE LOOKS AT SOFIA.

CLARICE: SOFIA, PLEASE! COME BACK WITH US!

SOFIA: I…

BEFORE SOFIA CAN RESPOND, SHE VANISHES ALONG WITH APOCALYPSE AND THE OTHER HORSEMEN, LEAVING THE NEW X-MEN ALONE IN THE STREET. ALL IS QUIET, UNTIL A VOICE IS HEARD.

BOY: X-MEN. X-MEN. X-MEN. X-MEN!

SUDDENLY, MORE VOICES JOIN IN, CHANTING LOUDLY AS THE STUDENTS GET UP AND LOOK AROUND. JULIAN TURNS TO CESSILY AND ASKS WHAT THEY SHOULD DO NOW.

CESSILY: SMILE AND WAVE, BOYS. SMILE AND WAVE.

BACK IN EGYPT, THE HORSEMEN TELEPORT INTO THEIR HIDEOUT AND KIMURA GRABS SOFIA, ASKING HER WHAT SHE WAS THINKING. SOFIA GLARES AT HER AND SAYS THAT SHE WASN’T GOING TO LET HER MURDER AN INNOCENT CHILD. KIMURA HUFFS, TELLING HER THAT SHE’S STILL THINKING LIKE AN X-MAN, AND IF SHE CONTINUES ON, SHE HAS NO PLACE HERE.

SOFIA: I DON’T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE! THIS WAS A MISTAKE! I NEVER SHOULD HAVE AGREED TO THIS!

KIMURA: WELL, NOW. THAT CHANGES THINGS.

KIMURA LOOKS AT SOFIA WITH A SMIRK AND TELLS HER THAT IF SHE WANTS TO LEAVE, THE DOOR IS OPEN. BUT IF SHE DOES, KIMURA WILL SEE TO IT THAT HER GIRLFRIEND WILL GET A BULLET IN HER PRETTY LITTLE SKULL. SOFIA GLARES AT HER BEFORE STORMING OUT THE ROOM.

MEANWHILE, THE TRAINEES ARRIVE BACK AT XAVIER’S TO FIND THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS CELEBRATING THEIR RETURN. THEY SMILE AS THEY’RE BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS WHILE DANI ADMITS THAT SHE’S PROUD OF THEM. SHE THEN LOOKS AT LAURA AND ASKS HER IF SHE’S ALL RIGHT, AND LAURA TELLS HER THAT SHE NEEDS TO CALL LOGAN.

MEANWHILE, CESSILY TURNS TO CLARICE, WHO’S ABOUT TO LEAVE, AND ASKS HER WHAT’S UP. CLARICE TELLS HER THAT SHE’S TIRED, AND CESSILY NODS, TURNING TO LAURIE AS SHE WALKS IN, SCROLL IN HAND, SAYING THAT THERE’S SOMETHING SHE NEEDS TO SHOW THEM.

IN CLARICE AND LAURIE’S ROOM, CLARICE THROWS HERSELF ONTO HER BED IN TEARS. SHE LOOKS UP AND SEES SOFIA’S BRACELET THAT SHE PLACES IN HER HAND. MUSIC STARTS TO PLAY AS CLARICE STARTS TO SING “GHOST” BY JUSTIN BIEBER, LAMENTING ABOUT HER LONGING FOR SOFIA. AS THE CHORUS STARTS, CLARICE GETS UP AND STARTS TO DANCE TO THE MUSIC, SHOWING HER GRIEF.

MEANWHILE, SOFIA SINGS ALONG AS WELL, SITTING ALONE IN A DARK ROOM. SHE ALSO DANCES ALONG, HER DRESS BLOWING IN THE WIND AS BOTH GIRLS’ VOICES ARE HEARD.

CLARICE: AND IF I CAN’T BE CLOSE TO YOU, I’LL SETTLE FOR THE GHOST OF YOU. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE.

SOFIA: AND IF YOU CAN’T BE NEXT TO ME, YOUR MEMORY IS ECSTASY. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE.

AS THE SONG STARTS TO END, WE SEE CLARICE HOLD SOFIA’S BRACELET IN HER HAND AS SHE CRUMPLES TO THE FLOOR. MEANWHILE, SOFIA FINISHES THE SONG AS SHE WALKS OUT THE ROOM, A SAD BUT DETERMINED LOOK ON HER FACE.

LATER, SOFIA WALKS INTO ANOTHER ROOM WHERE APOCALYPSE STANDS. HE TELLS HER THAT HE’S BEEN EXPECTING HER AND ASKS HER WHAT’S ON HER MIND.

SOFIA: I’M DONE. I MEANT WHAT I SAID BACK THERE, I NEVER SHOULD HAVE AGREED TO YOUR DEAL. I WANT TO GO BACK TO CLARICE. TO MY FRIENDS. IT’S OVER.

APOCALYPSE STARTS TO LAUGH AS SOFIA STANDS DEFIANTLY.

APOCALYPSE: CHILD, YOU KNOW I CAN’T ALLOW THAT.

SOFIA: WHICH IS WHY I’M HERE. TO DO THIS.

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, SOFIA GRABS A SWORD MOUNTED ON THE WALL AND CHARGES APOCALYPSE. HOWEVER, HE PARRIES WITH A BLADE OF HIS OWN. APOCALYPSE THEN TELLS HER THAT THIS INTRIGUES HIM, AND HE OFFERS A FIGHT FOR SOFIA’S FREEDOM.

AS THEY BATTLE, APOCALYPSE WARNS SOFIA THAT HE IS A GOD. HE HAS CRUSHED VARIOUS ENEMIES THAT ARE WAY MORE POWERFUL THAN HER. SOFIA DOESN’T CARE, AND CONTINUES TO THRUST HER SWORD FORWARD. APOCALYPSE TELLS HER THAT SHE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ALL-POWERFUL DEMIGOD. SHE COULD RULE THE WORLD.

SOFIA: I WANT NONE OF THAT. I WANT WHAT I HAD, AND I WILL. NOT. FAIL!

SOFIA THEN DELIVERS A KICK TO APOCALYPSE’S FACE, KNOCKING OFF HIS MASK. BEFORE HE CAN RESPOND, SHE THEN THRUSTS HER BLADE FORWARD, STABBING HIM IN THE ABDOMEN. HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES AS SOFIA HOLDS HER BLADE TRIUMPHANTLY.

SOFIA: I WIN.

SUDDENLY, LAUGHTER RINGS THROUGH THE ROOM, AND APOCALYPSE LOOKS AROUND AS IF HE IS SEEING THE ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEN, HE LOOKS AT THE MASK ON THE GROUND.

APOCALYPSE: NO. NO! CHILD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! YOU MUST LEAVE THIS PLACE! NOW!

VOICE: TOO LATE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GOLDEN MASK SKIDS TO SOFIA’S FEET. CURIOUS, SHE BENDS DOWN AND PICKS IT UP, AND THE MASK LATCHES ON TO HER FACE. SOFIA STRUGGLES FOR A WHILE, BUT EVENTUALLY, SHE STOPS, AND STANDS IN FRONT OF APOCALYPSE, CLAD IN THE GOLDEN MASK.

“SOFIA”: YOU WERE A WORTHY HOST, EN SABAH NUR, BUT THIS CHILD HAS PROVEN HERSELF FIT TO SURVIVE.

APOCALYPSE: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?

“SOFIA”: I WILL GIVE HER CREDIT. SHE TRIED TO FIGHT ME. BUT IN THE END, IT WAS FUTILE. I BANISHED HER SOUL FROM HER BODY. SHE IS GONE.

APOCALYPSE: NO!

IMMEDIATELY, APOCALYPSE STAGGERS UP, CLUTCHING HIS CHEST. “SOFIA” RAISES HER SWORD, READY TO STRIKE, WHEN APOCALYPSE PRESSES SOMETHING ON HIS BELT AND VANISHES. “SOFIA” TURNS TO SEE DAKEN, KIMURA, AND WITHER STANDING IN THE DOORWAY.

DAKEN: SOFIA? WHAT HAPPENED?

“SOFIA”: THERE IS NO SOFIA ANYMORE. JUST LIKE THERE WAS NO APOCALYPSE. IT WAS ME ALL ALONG.

WITHER: AND WHO ARE YOU?

“SOFIA” STRIDES OUT OF THE ROOM, INTO THE CENTER OF THE HALLWAY. SHE THROWS HER ARMS OUT WIDE AND SPEAKS AGAIN.

“SOFIA”: I AM ANNIHILATION, GODDESS OF DEATH. ONCE, I RULED AMENTH, BUT I WAS BROUGHT HERE BY THAT FOOL, FREDRICK SLADE. I KILLED HIM, OF COURSE, AND NOW, I AM HERE TO CONQUER THIS PLANET, JUST AS I DID A MILLENNIA AGO. AND YOU, MY HORSEMEN, WILL HELP ME DO IT.

THERE’S A BRIEF PAUSE BEFORE KIMURA SPEAKS UP.

KIMURA: SOUNDS FINE TO ME.

WITHER: ME TOO.

ANNIHILATION LOOKS AT DAKEN, HER BODY CONTORTING LIKE A DEMON.

ANNIHILATION: WELL?

DAKEN: I… I’M IN.

ANNIHILATION: EXCELLENT. NOW, IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

ANNIHILATION THROWS HER HEAD BACK AND LAUGHS AS KIMURA AND WITHER FLANK HER. MEANWHILE, THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON DAKEN AS HE LOOKS ALMOST REGRETFUL. WITH THAT, THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK AND THE EPISODE ENDS.

[lillianeshaw24]

References

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Benyamini, Yael, Maya L. Molcho, Uzi Dan, Miri Gozlan, and Heidi Preis. 2017. “Women’s attitudes towards the medicalization of childbirth and their associations with planned and actual modes of birth.” Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives 30(5). Retrieved August 6, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.03.007).

Campero, Lourdes, Cecilia García, Carmen Díaz, Olivia Ortiz, Sofía Reynoso, and Ana Langer. 1998. “'Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do': A qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico.” Social Science & Medicine 47(3). Retrieved August 1, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00077-X).

Cohen Shabot, Sara. 2021. “‘You are Not Qualified—Leave it to us’: Obstetric Violence as Testimonial Injustice.” Human Studies 44(4). Retrieved July 19, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10746-021-09596-1).

Diaz-Tello, Farah J. D. 2016. “Invisible wounds: obstetric violence in the United States.” Reproductive Health Matters24(47). Retrieved July 13, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.04.004).

Jardim, Danúbia M. B. and Celina M. Modena. 2018. “Obstetric violence in the daily routine of care and its characteristics.” Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem 26. Retrieved July 9, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2450.3069).

Logan, Rachel G., Monica R. McLemore, Zoe Julian, Kathrin Stoll, Nisha Malhotra, and Saraswathi Vedam. 2022. “Coercion and non‐consent during birth and newborn care in the United States.” Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) 49(4). Retrieved July 13, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12641).

Lokugamage, A. U. and S. D. C. Pathberiya. 2017. “Human rights in childbirth, narratives and restorative justice: a review.” Reproductive Health 14(1). Retrieved August 5, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0264-3). 

Martinez-Vázquez, Sergio, Julián Rodríguez-Almagro, Antonio Hernández-Martínez, and Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano. 2021. “Factors associated with postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) following obstetric violence: A cross-sectional study.” Journal of Personalized Medicine 11(5). Retrieved July 24, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11050338).

Plummer, Marilyn and Lynne E. Young. 2010. “Grounded Theory and Feminist Inquiry: Revitalizing Links to the Past.” Western Journal of Nursing Research 32(3). Retrieved September 28, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945909351298). 

Sadler, Michelle, Mário J. Santos, Dolores Ruiz-Berdún, Gonzalo L. Rojas, Elena Skoko, Patricia Gillen, and Jette A. Clausen. 2016. “Moving beyond disrespect and abuse: addressing the structural dimensions of obstetric violence.” Reproductive Health Matters 24(47). Retrieved August 5, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.04.002). 

[chrancecriber]

Antenne Vorarlberg Chillout Lounge (August 31, 2023)

23:59 Sirius & Nyla - Infinity (Remastered Remix) 23:55 Sylvering - The Sun Always Shines On TV 23:52 Topic, Robin Schulz, Nico Santos, Paul Van Dyk - In Your Arms (For An Angel) 23:48 Claptone Feat. Dizzy - Queen Of Ice Queen Of Ice 23:44 Stephane De Lucia - Trippin 23:41 Mike Candys - Sky (Club Mix) 23:38 Mount & Illian - Fool 23:31 Dj Disse - Riders In The Storm (Original Mix) 23:26 Scotty & Wilcox - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (Wilcox Extended) 23:24 Tainted Youth Feat. Lucinda - Teardrops 23:18 Airstream - Your Tears (Del Mar Mix) 23:15 Zaz - Demain C'est Toi 23:10 Phil Mison - Just Landed 23:07 Klingande, Wrabel - Big Love 23:05 Rita Ora - You Only Love Me 23:00 Sofa Surfers - Sofa Rockers (Richard Dorfmeister Remix) 22:57 Robin Schulz Feat. Alida - In Your Eyes 22:50 Nora En Pure - Thermal (Extended Mix) 22:44 Mathieu & Florzinho - Maha - Amba 22:41 Moby - My Only Love 22:38 Vamero & Lizot - Bleeding Love 22:33 Lux - Secret Fish 22:30 Bronson Feat. Lau.ra - Heart Attack 22:25 Tibet Project - Tibet (A Passage To ...) 22:22 Hypnosis - Pulstar 22:19 Riva Starr Feat. Imaginary - Ride This Sound 22:14 Dj Shah & Adrina Thorpe - Who Will Find Me (Acoustic Mix) 22:11 Together Alone - Ain't Nobody 22:09 Carstn, Jason Walker - Could You Love Me (Munich Monstrs Remix) 22:02 Joris Voorn - Ringo 21:58 Christopher Von Deylen - Heliotrope 21:56 Fedde Le Grand Feat. Vince Freeman - Devils 21:52 Armin Van Buuren & Garibay Feat. Olaf Blackwood - I Need You 21:49 Nora En Pure - Branches 21:44 Schiller - Free The Dragon 21:39 Uttara Kuru - Neyuki 21:36 Elderbrook - I Need You 21:29 David Devilla, Mauro B & Gerard C Feat. - Someone Told Me (Mladen Mande Remix) 21:27 Lizot - Daddy Cool 21:19 Hraach - After Dark 21:15 Aguaflames - Moiman 21:11 Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd - Moth To A Flame 21:09 Nightcall X Henri Purnell Feat. Eke - When The Morning Breaks 21:05 Set Mo Feat. Deutsch Duke - White Dress (Radio Version) 21:02 Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground 20:59 Sans Souci - Fenton 20:54 The Dining Rooms - Existentialism (Milano Dub Mix) 20:51 Nora Van Elken - Heaven Is A Place On Earth 20:49 Valerie Dore - The Night (Zyx Edit Remastered 2021) 20:40 David Broaders - Curracloe 20:37 Glockenbach - Dirty Dancing 20:34 In Lonely Majesty - Sing In The Dark - Alle Farben Remix 20:27 Blank & Jones - White Light 20:24 Vinai - Hide Away 20:17 Rodriguez Jr. - 2 Miles Away 20:09 True & Berger - Imprint Of Pleasure 20:06 Lost Frequencies & Mathieu Koss - Don't Leave Me 19:58 Ost & Kjex - Queen Of Europe Feat. Anne Lise Frokedal (Solomun Remix) 19:54 Cats On Bricks Feat. Zach Alwin - Planes Over Ushuaia 19:49 Eelke Kleijn Feat. Diana Miro - You (Frankey & Sandrino Remix) 19:45 Armin Van Buuren, Sharon Den Adel - In And Out Of Love (Lost Frequencies Remix) 19:42 Hallmann - Always Be 19:35 Julian Wassermann - People 19:29 Hazy J - Our Way 19:21 Dino Lenny Feat. Artbat - Sand In Your Shoes 19:15 Rue Du Soleil - La Francaise 19:13 Dize Feat. Aurii - Wenn Ich Nicht Mehr Weiss 19:07 Exstra - Comet (Extended Mix) 19:03 Danny Avila - End Of The Night 18:59 Blank & Jones - Twilight Moon 18:55 P. Lion - Happy Children (Special Remastered ) 18:51 Kygo Feat. One Republic - Stranger Things 18:48 Shallour & Riah - Lie 18:44 Laniia - Fireflies 18:39 Headstrong - Symphony Of Soul (Reuben Halsey Chillout Mix) 18:35 Duboss - Losing My Religion 18:31 Above & Beyond - Is It Love? (1001) (Original Mix) 18:27 Morcheeba - Slow Down 18:24 Brando - Don't Call Me (Galantis Remix) 18:21 Meduza & Becky Hill X Goodboys - Lose Control 18:18 Kungs Feat. Jhart - Dopamine 18:15 Pretty Pink Feat. Mark V - Don't Dance 18:10 The Chill Out Orchestra - Wish You Were Here 18:05 New Age Kings - Illusion (Instrumental Remix) 18:02 Nora Van Elken - Honshu 17:57 Nora En Pure - Tears In Your Eyes (Extended Mix) 17:53 Robin Schulz & Felix Jaehn - One More Time 17:50 Mousse T. - Boyfriend (Alle Farben Remix) 17:44 Simple Minds - Mandela Day 17:41 Armin Van Buuren Feat. Jake Reese - Need You Now 17:37 Mandala Dreams - Mirror Lake 17:33 Mark Ronson Feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart 17:30 Dj Antoine & Deep Vice - When You Want Some Love (Dj Antoine Vs Mad Mark 2k21 Mix) 17:25 Laila (Feat. Tiefblau) - Yin And Yang 17:21 Ambyion - Motion 17:18 Pascal Letoublon - Feelings Undercover 17:14 Lissa, Freddy Verano - Move Like Me 17:12 Mount & Emdey - Venus 17:09 Deepend & Graham Candy - Belong (Deepend Edit) 17:03 Hacienda - Sci-fi Saloon 17:00 Above & Beyond - The Inconsistency Principle 16:54 Anrey - The Forgotten (Extended Mix) 16:50 Jens Buchert - 1000 Miles 16:45 Blank & Jones - Sunny (Summer Vibe Mix) 16:39 Armen Miran - Nani Jan 16:33 Funkstar De Luxe - Sun Is Shining 16:30 Hugel - Can't Love Myself (Feat. Mishaal& Lpw) 16:23 Deep Dive Corp. - Bali Hi 16:19 Filatov & Karas - Au Au 16:13 Shkoon Feat. Fruiterama - Napauken 16:08 Aphrodelics - Rollin On Chrome 16:06 Twisted Harmonies Feat. Mougleta - You & Me 16:03 Tiesto - Lay Low 16:00 Jazzamor - Song For Maggie 15:57 Mahalo - High Life 15:52 Thomas Lemmer & Andreas Bach - Embracing Love 15:47 Nebu Mitte Feat. Jaselle - With You (Oriano Remix) 15:44 Sono - Keep Control (Artbat Remix Edit) 15:40 Tycho - Horizon 15:35 Ambala Feat. Laid Back - Walk With The Dreamers 15:33 Viva La Panda, Finding Molly - Chances 15:27 Spooky - Shelter 15:24 Neptune & Moonnight - I Need A New Love (Original Mix) 15:18 Rìfìs Du Sol - Alive (Anyma Remix) 15:13 Under Pressure - Near The Ocean 15:09 The Alan Parsons Project - Old And Wise 15:06 Avaion, Paulwetz, Nu Aspect Feat. Yuma - Sleepless 15:00 Van Bellen - Morning Awakening 14:57 Sound Nomaden - The Morning After 14:54 Sam Feldt & Sam Fischer - Pick Me Up (Vavo Remix) 14:49 Best Of Chillout Lounge - Sylt (Sensibar Mix) 14:45 Magnofield - Lupino 14:43 Kamrad - Feel Alive 14:39 Deeperise Feat. Jabbar - One By One 14:36 Chaël Feat Kaii - Don't Speak 14:30 High Heels Breaker Feat. Sarah Palin - Come Easy (David August Remix) 14:27 Edx & Amba Shepherd - Off The Grid 14:20 Blond:ish Feat. Shawni - Wizard Of Love 14:17 Dash Berlin Feat. Roxanne Emery - Shelter 14:14 Moli - Cloud No9 (Montmartre Remix) 14:09 Blank & Jones Feat. Zoe Durrant - One Evening (Lofi Selection) 14:04 Evadez - Caught In The Crowd (Original Mix) 14:02 Alok & Timmy Trumpet - Underwater Love (La Vision Remix) 13:56 Jens Buchert - Cocoon 13:49 Adana Twins - Strange 13:44 Tinlicker Feat. Nathan Nicholson - Always Will 13:41 Robin Schulz & David Guetta - On Repeat 13:37 Kygo Feat. Maty Noyes - Stay 13:33 Winona Oak & Robin Schulz - Oxygen 13:27 Hird - Getting Closer 13:24 Kryder & Natalie Shay - Rapture 13:20 Above & Beyond Feat. Justine Suissa - Little Something 13:17 Geeno Smith - Stand By Me (Radio Mix) 13:13 Kid Massive, Yuji Ono, Dtale - Pray (Wolf Krew Remix) 13:10 Kamrad - I Believe 13:04 Milan Euringer And Tube & Berger - Lovebreak 13:01 Vize & Alan Walker Feat. Leony, Edward Artemyev - Space Melody (Edward Artemyev) 12:57 Maxim Lany Feat. Freya Alley - Anymore 12:54 Aural Float - Be As You Are 12:50 Armin Van Buuren Feat. Angel Taylor - Make It Right (Trinix Remix) 12:43 Firtz Kalkbrenner - Golden (Fideles Remix) 12:38 Kölsch - Left Eye Left 12:34 Freischwimmer - California Dreamin 12:28 Tosca - Dave Dudley 12:25 Majestic & Boney M. - Rasputin 12:23 Christopher Von Deylen - Arco Iris 12:17 Massive Attack - Teardrop 12:14 Blank & Jones Feat. Jan Loechel - Beautiful Life 12:11 Above & Beyond Feat. Zoe Johnston - Treasure 12:06 Disclosure - You & Me Ft. Eliza Doolittle (Flume Remix) 11:55 Cell - Above The Clouds (Live Version) 11:52 Vize & Tom Gregory - Never Let Me Down 11:48 Syntax Error - Träumen Im Gras (Syntax Experience Mix) 11:45 Dante Klein & Jordiz Feat. Megan Brands - Life 11:38 Soul Button - Circadian Rhythm (Hraach Remix) 11:32 Rodg - Life Is Life (Chill Mix) 11:24 Kygo - Freeze 11:17 Caf Bar Feat. Sara Allman - Gimme Shelter (Chilled Buddha Session) 11:14 Avaion X Vize X Leony - Pieces 11:11 Cotone - Faded Glory 11:08 Thievery Corporation Feat. Shana Halligan - Depth Of My Soul 11:05 Mike Candys & Jack Holiday - The Riddle Anthem Rework 11:02 Pirra Feat. Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix - Limousine Lies 10:56 Spooky - The River (Ambient) 10:53 Alle Farben & Fools Garden - Lemon Tree 10:49 Schiller & Peter Heppner - Leben... I Feel You 10:46 Jubel - On The Beach 10:42 Nora En Pure - Enchantment 10:39 Clément Leroux - Memories 10:34 Sacred Spirit - Yeha-noha (Wishes Of Happiness & Prosperity) 10:29 Dreamerproject - Horizons (Glenn Main Remix) 10:26 Gabriel & Castellon - Es Vedra (Touch & Go Radio Mix) 10:23 Gestört Aber Geil & Anna Grey - Thank You 10:20 Steve Forest, Te Pai - Never Gonna Give You Up 10:16 Cristian Marchi Feat. Block - Baker Street 10:14 The Holy Santa Barbara Feat. Madugo - The Sailor Song 10:09 Kidsø - Fir 10:04 Depeche Mode - Useless 10:01 Zoe - C'est La Vie 09:55 Dale Anderson Feat. Anil Chawla - Pimento Grove 09:52 Zonderling Feat. Josh Cumbee & Damon Sharpe - Lifetime 09:47 Enui - Adieu (Arielle Lb Remix) 09:44 Cosmic Soul & Tom Novy - Like A Dream 09:40 Mario & Vidis Feat. Jazzu - I'll Be Gone 09:33 Nora En Pure - Oblivion (Extended Mix) 09:29 The Timewriter - Soulstickers 09:25 Kyla La Grange - Cut Your Teeth 09:20 Three Drives On A Vinyl - Greece 2000 (Sebastian Davidson & Melosense Remix) 09:15 Bacaro - Under Presure 09:12 Wave Wave Feat. Evie - Real 09:08 Christopher Von Deylen - Infinity 09:02 Worldwide Groove Corporation - Besame Mucho 08:59 Lstn, Arya Noble - Desert Walk 08:56 Agatino Romero - I'm Feeling For You 08:51 Vargo - Get Back To Serénity (J. Bar Mix) 08:43 Martin Roth - An Analog Guy In A Digital World 08:39 Above & Beyond Feat. Zoe Johnston - We're All We Need 08:32 Kruder & Dorfmeister - High Noon 08:27 Goldfish - Love Everlasting (Extended Mix) 08:23 Nora En Pure - Homebound 08:21 Gamper & Dadoni Feat. Joe Jury - Satellites 08:17 Blank & Jones - Alone In This Rhythm 08:10 Relaxraum - Endless Horizons 08:07 Mike Candys, Sb Mont & Salvo - Turned To Dust 08:04 Dvine - Ever After 07:59 Troels Hammer Feat. Clara Valente - Ai Meu Bem 07:55 Schiller & Tricia Mcteague - Guardian Angel 07:51 Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Fantasy (Felix Jaehn Remix) 07:46 Tosca - No More Olives 07:38 Mashk & Soul Button - Pensées 07:32 Beyhude - Terso 07:27 Naomi - Anybody Here? 07:24 Robin Schulz - Above The Clouds 07:20 I Will, I Swear - Long Days 07:17 Sum Wave - Backyard Stories 07:13 Nora En Pure - Dry Sobbing 07:08 Channel 2 Feat. Tanya - Space Cowboy 07:03 Blank & Jones - Sunshines Better (Feat. Mick Roach) 06:58 Tebra - Suton 06:52 Orbient - Transition 06:47 Lyke - Stay With Me 06:42 Schiller X Tricia Mcteague - Miracle 06:38 Aromabar - Winter Pageant 06:34 Kygo Feat. Will Heard - Nothing Left 06:31 Paul Oakenfold, Bolier, Luis Fonsi - The World Can Wait (Bolier Remix) 06:25 Tosca - Natural High 06:22 Eelke Kleijn - Midnight Affair (Samaha Slow Edit) 06:17 The Funky Lowlives - Time To Let Go 06:12 Schiller - White Nights (Don't Let Me Go) 06:09 Feder & Ofenbach Feat. Dawty Music - Call Me Papi 06:04 Danijel Kostic - Vinternatt (Club Mix) 05:58 Deep Dive Corp. & Setsuna - Transatlantic 05:55 Sono - Trusting You 05:47 Eskadet - Solitudes 05:43 Valante - Rissa 05:41 Gil Glaze Feat. Dante Thomas - West La 05:36 Moca - Flotter Tag 05:34 Alok & James Arthur - Work With My Love 05:32 Alok Feat. Alida - Love Again 05:27 Alan Walker & Gavin James - Tired (Kygo Remix) 05:25 Bolier & Arman Cekin - Fade Away (Feat. Rhi'n'b) 05:22 Sixth Finger - If I Can't Have You 05:19 Nto (Fr) Feat. Sofiane Pamart - Invisible (Piano Version) 05:15 Chicane - Capricorn (Back Pedal Brakes Remix) 05:11 Chris Coco - Before Sunset (Original Mix) 05:05 Shakedown - At Night (Afterlife Remix) 04:57 Boral Kibil - Never Again (Bobby Deep Mix) 04:54 Lost Frequencies Feat. Sandro Cavazza - Beautiful Life 04:51 Lost Frequencies X James Arthur - Questions 04:47 Julian Wassermann - Painfully 04:44 Mila - Herzlos 04:42 Dj Antoine & Flip Capella Feat. Evelyn - Dark Love 04:39 Lost Frequencies Feat. Love Harder - Beat Of My Heart 04:34 Schiller - Ultramarin 04:31 Dj Antoine Feat. Craig Smart - Good Vibes (Good Feeling) (Dj Antoine Vs Mad Mark 2k19 Mix) 04:27 Guardner - All Right 04:24 Ten Tonne Skeleton - Feel So Bad 04:16 Maxim Lany - Riding The Wave (Extended Mix) 04:09 Melosense - Road & Lights 04:02 Miyagi, Sascha Braemer, Dan Caster, Jan Blomqvist - Woodpeckers Love Affair 03:59 Alle Farben & Flynn - I Need To Know 03:53 Tom Odell - Another Love (Zwette Edit) 03:47 Lazy Hammbock - Surround Me 03:44 Robin Schulz & Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World 03:40 Coldplay - Everglow 03:35 Christopher Von Deylen - Opaque 03:29 Plaid - Ralome (Feat. Benet Walsh) 03:24 Lstn - Times Of Sorrow 03:17 Lexer & Paji - Red Puddle 03:14 Junge, Junge Feat. Jamie Hartma - Wicked Hearts 03:08 Schiller - Der Goldene Engel 03:04 The Presets - Promises (Nils Frahm Version) 03:02 Mellowdy - Rise Up 03:00 Buchs Feat. Nokyo - Cheverolet 02:54 Nicos - Secret Love 02:49 Sans Souci - Venice 02:46 Leony - Faded Love (Noøn Remix) 02:41 Blank & Jones - Give It To Me 02:37 Ck West - Aldebaran 2021 02:35 Luca Schreiner Feat. Johnny Chicago - Its All Gonna Be Good (Junge Junge Edit) 02:32 Starley - Lovers Strangers 02:29 Munich Monstrs - Shine 02:18 Aural Float - Dreamer's Dream 02:09 Christopher Von Deylen - Heaven Can Wait 02:02 Hraach & Armen Miran - Nowhere 01:56 Schiller - The Future Iii 01:53 Jeremy Loops - Til I Found You 01:50 Tom Staar & Cedric Gervais - Playing Games (Mixed) 01:45 Ingo Herrmann - Sundown 01:42 Alex Zind Feat. Lisa Schwab - Cruel Summer 01:36 Röyksopp Feat. Susanne Sundførd - Oh, Lover 01:32 Robin Schulz & Marc Scibilia - Unforgettable 01:30 Max Johann & Layrz - Tell It To My Heart 01:25 Cecilia Krull - Agnus Dei (Benny Benassi & Bb Team Remix) 01:22 Peter Ries - Hold Me (The Force Radio Mix) 01:18 Sofi Tukker X Mahmut Orhan - Forgive Me 01:14 Five Seasons - In Your Town 01:07 Jean-michel Jarre - Equinoxe, Pt. 4 01:03 2raumwohnung - Wir Werden Sehen (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) 00:58 Stefano Saletti & Piccola Banda Ikona - Tagama 00:53 Christopher Von Deylen - Euphoria 00:47 Nora En Pure - Trailblazer (Club Mix) 00:44 Be Svendsen - Drop The Gun 00:41 Colorblast - Message In A Bottle (Colorblast Version) 00:39 Srtw & Mave Feat. Sønlille - Last Train Home 00:35 Schiller - Liebe 00:31 Ac Venture - Penang Waltz (Roberto Sol Remix) 00:21 Moby - Too Much Change 00:17 Blank & Jones - Nuits Blanches 00:13 Mefree - Horizons 00:09 Galantis Feat. Onerepublic - Bones 00:07 Ofenbach & Ella Henderson - Hurricane 00:02 Two Lanes - Pièces Froides: Ii. Danses De Travers

[lillianeshaw]

References

Ayers, Susan, Daniel B. Wright, and Alexandra Thornton. 2018. “Development of a measure of postpartum PTSD: The city birth trauma scale.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 9. Retrieved July 24, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00409).

Benyamini, Yael, Maya L. Molcho, Uzi Dan, Miri Gozlan, and Heidi Preis. 2017. “Women’s attitudes towards the medicalization of childbirth and their associations with planned and actual modes of birth.” Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives 30(5). Retrieved August 6, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.03.007).

Campero, Lourdes, Cecilia García, Carmen Díaz, Olivia Ortiz, Sofía Reynoso, and Ana Langer. 1998. “'Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do': A qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico.” Social Science & Medicine 47(3). Retrieved August 1, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00077-X).

Cohen Shabot, Sara. 2021. “‘You are Not Qualified—Leave it to us’: Obstetric Violence as Testimonial Injustice.” Human Studies 44(4). Retrieved July 19, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10746-021-09596-1).

Diaz-Tello, Farah J. D. 2016. “Invisible wounds: obstetric violence in the United States.” Reproductive Health Matters 24(47). Retrieved July 13, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.04.004).

Jardim, Danúbia M. B. and Celina M. Modena. 2018. “Obstetric violence in the daily routine of care and its characteristics.” Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem 26. Retrieved July 9, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2450.3069).

Logan, Rachel G., Monica R. McLemore, Zoe Julian, Kathrin Stoll, Nisha Malhotra, and Saraswathi Vedam. 2022. “Coercion and non‐consent during birth and newborn care in the United States.” Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) 49(4). Retrieved July 13, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12641).

Lokugamage, A. U. and S. D. C. Pathberiya. 2017. “Human rights in childbirth, narratives and restorative justice: a review.” Reproductive Health 14(1). Retrieved August 5, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0264-3). 

Martinez-Vázquez, Sergio, Julián Rodríguez-Almagro, Antonio Hernández-Martínez, and Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano. 2021. “Factors associated with postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) following obstetric violence: A cross-sectional study.” Journal of Personalized Medicine 11(5). Retrieved July 24, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11050338).

Sadler, Michelle, Mário J. Santos, Dolores Ruiz-Berdún, Gonzalo L. Rojas, Elena Skoko, Patricia Gillen, and Jette A. Clausen. 2016. “Moving beyond disrespect and abuse: addressing the structural dimensions of obstetric violence.” Reproductive Health Matters 24(47). Retrieved August 5, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.04.002).

[clockworkbee]

Julian Santos vibes

[missroller15]

The Way I Loved You (Taylor Swift) is Scarlett and Julian’s anthem. You can’t change my mind. 😭✋

[younghurr1cane]

New Mutants #1

He’s back!!! And with the old training squad together!!!

I’m gonna be in tears 😭

[lovecatsys]

Nori's face here is priceless

[intomusings]

﹒﹒   male   names   masterlist     !

in honor of my third milestone on here ( thank you sm ) , i’ve decided to release a master list of 400+male names i personally love and think could be used more in the community . this was also requested by a few anons and names will be added to the list frequently . the names are sorted by first letter but not alphabetically within each letter category . if you found this useful , feel free to like or reblog to spread this !

A : alston, ander, adamo, alex, austen, ace, arian, adrian, atlas, augustus, axel, archer, angel, archie, aaron, abel, asher, amir, adriel, andrew, ace, alejandro, arlo, adonis, atticus, abram, ambrose. 

B : bryce, bryson, benji, bellamy, banks, bear, beau, bentley, barrett, brody, brayden, bennett, braxton, bowen, briggs, baker, bruce, benson, bristol, boston, brycen, bryant, brock, brendan, bruno, byron, braden, bronson, braeson.

C : colton, cartier, cyrus, caleb, carter, cedric, carson, cohen, calvin, callum, casper, caspius, chase, cole, connor, camden, colt, caden, cash, crew, chance, clayton, cruz, cairo, corbin, colson, cesar, clark. 

D : damon, damien, darren, dylan, dominic, declan, dean, dario, drew, dimitri, dakota, dawson, daxton, dante, desmond, denver, dax, deacon, drake, derrick, darius, duke, deandre, dash, dilan, dayton, duncan, dior. 

E : eduardo, edward, elias, emilien, evan, easton, everett, emmett, enzo, ezra, elliot, emmanuel, ezekial, elias, emerson, eric, emory, edwin, elian, esteban, edison, emir, everest, eliseo, everley.

F : florencio, flynn, fabio, forester, francis, flynn, fallon, finn, finnick, felix, fernando, finnegan, fabian, ford, forbes, fletcher, fisher, fox, fitz, flint, fulton. 

G : giovanni, gage, gomez, grayson, griffin, grant, graham, gavin, grant, gianni, gunner, gideon, gregory, grey, gustavo, guillermo, gentry, gadiel, gabriel. 

H : halton, herman, holden, hayes, hudson, hayden, harrison, harlow, harvey, hugo, hank, henley, holland, hamza, hugh, houston, hakeem. 

I : isaac, icarius, idris, ian, ivan, isaiah, ismael, ilan, irvin, iain. 

J : julian, juniper, joao, joaquim, jordan, jaxton, joshua, josiah, javier, jayden, justin, jonah, jace, jasper, jay, jj, jackson, jeremiah, judah, joel, jensen, jaylen, jonas, jamal. 

K : kai, kolton, kaleb, klaus, kyrie, kingston, kayden, king, kobe, knox, kyler, kaden, khalil, kane, killian, keegan, kian, kamden, kieran, keanu, kyland, kareem, kasen, 

L : liam, lukas, logan, lucien, lawrence, leo, leighton, leon, lindell, lamar, latrell, larson, lance, levi, luke, landon, luca, lincoln, landon, lorenzo, london, lennox, leonel, lawson, luciano, layton, lux, leroy, lamar. 

M : micaiah, mateo, marcell, manny, mac, malcolm, mckay, meechie, matias, mason, maverick, mitch, murphy, miles, malachi, maddox, marshall, malik, moses, marvin, milo. 

N : noah, nicolai, nasir, nico, nash, neymar, naveen, nehemiah, nixon, nelson, nigel, niles, nolyn, namir. 

O : orlando, ozzy, oliver, omar, orion, otto, odin, otis, oskar, osvaldo, owen. 

P : peyton, parker, pearce, prince, preston, porter, pierre, penn, patton, paxton, paolo, pope, percy. 

Q : quentin, quinn, quint, quang. 

R : roman, rowan, reid, riggs, reece, rafael, ryland, roland, ronan, rhett, rhys, rory, rainer, roscoe, rocco, ryder, ryker, remington, russell, romeo, raiden, ruben, ridge, rex, rudy, remy. 

S : sawyer, spencer, salem, salvatore, stefan, samson, sebastian, samuel, santiago, silas, sutton, sterling, sully, sergio, seth, santino, santibel, soren, saint, samir, saul, sal, santos, slater, santino. 

T : tyson, tyrin, taylor, teagan, tobias, troye, tristan, tucker, theo, torrento, tanner, travis, tripp, trenton, trey, tomas, talon, thad, terrance, teddy. 

U : uriel, ulysesses, umar, urbane, uri, ursel, usher. 

V : valencio, victor, valence, valentino, vance, victor, vaughn, vincent, virgil, vernon, vander, vito, vero, villard. 

W : wick, walker, weston, wyatt, wolfgang, wells, wilder, wesley, walter, warren, wade, winston, watson, wiley, waylen. 

X : xavier, xander, xane, xavion, xavi, xiomar, xackery, xan. 

Y : yosef, yosan, york, yasir, yoel, yuri, yannis.

Z : zane, zakhar, zavier, zion, zahir, zev, zeus, zacharias.

[newx-menfan]

Of the New X-Men, who do you think would go to see Barbie, and which Oppenheimer?

Sooraya- Oppenheimer (Barbie idealizes western culture and Capitalism)

Laura- Oppenheimer (Constantly reciting unknown facts and data throughout the movie to everyone’s annoyance AND doing a security sweep of the theatre…)

Megan- Barbie

Cessily - Barbie

Julian - Barbie (says he’s going to it for Cessily’s sake…Probably has a bro crush on Gosling after “Drive”… also Hellion might be a Scorpio according to some anon?)

Sofia- Barbie

Laurie- Barbie

David- Oppenheimer (Also read multiple biographies on Oppenheimer!)

Noriko- Oppenheimer, solely for David’s sake though…

Victor- neither, the hype for both films annoys him and he’s too cool to get obsessed about a film….

Josh- BOTH, Oppenheimer for David’s sake but he whines the whole time…Barbie because he thinks Margot Robbie is hot

Santo- Neither, he’s just gonna binge watch “Fast & Furious” films or play video games all night…the only way Santo goes is if they all lie and tell him Margot Robbie has a nude scene in “Barbie”…

Jay- Barbie

Kevin- Barbie

P.I.C. Cuckoos- Both

Brian- Barbie…but he actually wanted to go to Oppenheimer…but was worried it would make him sound uncool…

Mark- Barbie

Dallas- Both

Alani- Both

Ruth- neither; the film she was most excited about this year was Wes Anderson’s “Astroid City”…which she went to see with Legion…she also already knows what films will win what Oscars

Ben- Neither; watching “Fast and Furious” with Santo

Nezhno- Doesn’t care…just happy to be invited…

Paras- Barbie (secretly super into Musicals and Bollywood)

Hisako- neither; says Oppenheimer ignores the POV of Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki….also thinks Barbie is too “girly” and vapid…watches “Seven Samurai” with Logan instead, all while Logan constantly brings up “In MY day…this was CONSIDERED a BLOCKBUSTER!”….

[sofiamantegafan110]

NEW X-MEN, SEASON 3!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! FOR MY GIFT TO YOU, I GIVE YOU THE FIRST EPISODE OF NXM SEASON 3!

EPISODE 1- RISE OF APOCALYPSE, PART 1

WE OPEN UP IN EGYPT AS TWO EXPLORERS, JEFF AND LISA, ARE DIGGING THROUGH A SANDY DESERT. FINALLY, THEY FIND A SMALL HATCH THAT THEY SLIP INTO AND AFTER WALKING DOWN A DARK CORRIDOR, THEY APPEAR IN A GOLD TEMPLE WITH FOUR SARCOPHAGI IN THE CENTER. THE EXPLORERS LOOK AMAZED AS THEY WONDER WHOSE TOMB THIS BELONGS TO.

SUDDENLY, THEY HEAR A VOICE AND TURN AROUND, REVEALING APOCALYPSE AND HIS HORSEMEN. DAKEN AKIHIRO IS STANDING IN A BROWN AND ORANGE SUIT AND BESIDE HIM IS KIMURA IN HER COMBAT GEAR. KEVIN LURKS TO THE SIDE IN ALL BLACK WHILE SOFIA HOVERS ABOVE HIM RELUCTANTLY, WEARING A BEAUTIFUL WHITE DRESS. APOCALYPSE STANDS IN THE CENTER IN HIS GOLDEN MASK, LOOKING AT THE SCARED HUMANS.

APOCALYPSE: IT IS MINE. IT WAS ALWAYS MINE.

APOCALYPSE LOOKS AROUND AS KIMURA SCOFFS, SAYING THAT THIS DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A PROMISING HOME BASE. APOCALYPSE TELLS HER THAT IT DOESN’T MATTER. SOON, THEY WILL BEGIN THEIR CONQUEST OF THIS WORLD. AND THEN, HUMANITY WILL BEND ITS KNEES BEFORE HIM. DAKEN ASKS WHAT THEY SHOULD DO ABOUT THE EXPLORERS, AND APOCALYPSE SIGHS, TURNING TO KEVIN.

APOCALYPSE: IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THEY BE REWARDED FOR THEIR HELP. KEVIN, SHOW THEM OUR APPRECIATION.

AS KEVIN WALKS TOWARD THE EXPLORERS, THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON SOFIA AS SHE LOOKS ON APOLOGETICALLY. THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK AS THE EXPLORERS’ SCREAMS FILL THE AIR.

CUE INTRO AND CREDITS.

SLOWLY, THE CAMERA OPENS UP, REVEALING HENRY MCCOY’S FUZZY BLUE FACE. JULIAN WAKES UP WITH A JERK, LOOKING AROUND AND REALIZING THAT HE’S IN THE MEDBAY. NOT NOTICING THE BANDAGED STUMPS THAT USED TO BE HIS HANDS, HE ASKS BEAST WHAT HAPPENED.

BEAST: WELL, LONG STORY SHORT, APOCALYPSE HAPPENED. HE ATTACKED THE SCHOOL AND TOOK SOFIA. MUCH OF THE STUDENT BODY IS INJURED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. YOU PROTECTED THEM… AT A GREAT COST.

JULIAN FINALLY NOTICES HIS HANDS AND LOOKS AT BEAST IN DISBELIEF.

JULIAN: NO… IT CAN’T BE…

BEAST: I’M SORRY, JULIAN. YOU USED A TK SHIELD TO PROTECT EVERYONE FROM THE EXPLOSION. BUT THE BLAST WAS TOO STRONG. IT CAUTERIZED YOUR HANDS.

JULIAN: NO… NO!!!!

BEAST SIGHS, TELLING JULIAN THAT WHILE HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS, HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE SOME PROSTHETICS FOR HIM. HE ASSURES HIM THAT THEY FUNCTION JUST AS WELL AS HIS OLD ONES. JULIAN SIGHS, BEFORE LOOKING AT BEAST.

JULIAN: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS? WHERE’S CLARICE?

BEAST: SHE’S… SHE’S COPING.

WE THEN FADE OUT TO CLARICE AND LAURIE’S ROOM AS CLARICE SITS ALONE ON HER BED. ‘IT’S A SHAME’ BY WILL HOGE PLAYS AS WE CUT TO A MONTAGE OF CLARICE IN THE ROOM. IN THIS MONTAGE, WE SEE HER WALKING AROUND THE ROOM BEFORE LIGHTING A CIGARETTE. AS SHE SMOKES, SHE WALKS OVER TO THE BATHROOM AND LOOKS AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR. SHE THEN WALKS BACK INTO THE ROOM AND FLOPS DOWN ON HER BED, LOOKING UP AT THE CEILING. SHE THEN TURNS OVER AND SEES SOFIA’S BRACELET, HER EYES FILLING UP WITH TEARS.

AS THE SONG ENDS, LAURIE WALKS INTO THE ROOM, COUGHING AND COMMENTING ON THE OBVIOUS SMELL OF WEED. SHE THEN TELLS CLARICE THAT SHE NEEDS TO GET HER CAPRIS AND THEN SHE’LL LEAVE HER ALONE. WHEN CLARICE DOESN’T RESPOND, LAURIE LOOKS AT HER IN CONCERN.

LAURIE: Y’KNOW, THIS ISN’T HEALTHY, CLARICE. IT’S NOT RIGHT TO GRIEVE LIKE THIS. I’VE RESPECTED YOUR SPACE, WHICH IS WHY I’VE BEEN SHARING A ROOM WITH JOSH AND JAY FOR FIVE DAYS, BUT I CAN’T DO THIS FOREVER. YOU NEED TO STOP WALLOWING IN SELF-PITY AND GO FIND SOFIA.

CLARICE: WE WERE GONNA HAVE A ROOM TOGETHER, LAURIE. WE WERE GONNA BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

LAURIE: I KNOW, CLARICE. I KNOW.

LAURIE TURNS TO LEAVE, BUT THEN TURNS BACK TO LOOK AT CLARICE.

LAURIE: YOU KNOW, SOFIA WOULD NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU. NOT LIKE WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW.

WITH THAT, SHE CLOSES THE DOOR, LEAVING CLARICE IN SOLITUDE ONCE AGAIN.

WE THEN CUT OVER TO THE LOUNGE AS CESSILY PACES BACK AND FORTH. MEGAN, JOSH, JAY AND SANTO SIT WITH HER AS LAURIE ENTERS, REPORTING THAT SHE’S NOT COMING OUT.

CESSILY: I KNEW IT. SHIT, I’M SO STUPID. I KNEW THIS WOULDN’T WORK.

MEGAN: CESS, DON’T BLAME YOURSELF. YOU’RE A GINGER; YOU’RE PROBABLY GOING TO HELL ANYWAY.

JAY: NOT HELPFUL, MEGAN.

CESSILY SIGHS BEFORE FLOPPING DOWN ON THE COUCH. JAY TELLS HER THAT HE KNOWS SHE’S UPSET. THEY ALL WANT TO GET SOFIA BACK, AND THEY CAN’T DO THAT WITHOUT CLARICE. CESSILY NODS, SAYING THAT THEY NEED TO GET CLARICE BACK INTO SHAPE.

SANTO’S PHONE BUZZES SUDDENLY AND HE LOOKS AT CESSILY, SAYING THAT JULIAN’S AWAKE. CESSILY NODS BEFORE ORDERING THE OTHERS TO TRY AGAIN. WITH THAT, SHE WALKS OFF WITH SANTO, WHO COMMENTS THAT SHE’S BEING EXTRA BOSSY TODAY. CESSILY SIGHS.

CESSILY: SANTO, YOU ARE SUCH AN IDIOT. THE TRUTH IS, I’M BARELY HOLDING IT TOGETHER. MY BEST FRIEND IS GONE AND THE CHANCES OF GETTING HER BACK SEEM SLIMMER AND SLIMMER. BUT I NEED TO BE STRONG. FOR MY FRIENDS.

SANTO STOPS HER WITH A HUG, AND SHE SMILES AS SHE HUGS HIM BACK.

SANTO: IT’LL BE OKAY, CESS.

CESSILY: WILL IT?

MEANWHILE, ROXY ENTERS THE GYM TO FIND LAURA GOING ALL OUT ON A PUNCHING BAG. SHE SIGHS AND ASKS HER HOW SHE’S HOLDING UP. LAURA STOPS AND LOOKS UP AT HER AS BLOOD DRIPS FROM HER KNUCKLES.

ROXY: LAURA, YOU CAN’T KEEP HURTING YOURSELF OVER JULIAN. HE’LL BE FINE.

LAURA: IT’S NOT JULIAN. YOU WEREN’T THERE IN KENTUCKY. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW EVIL KIMURA IS. SHE BROKE SOFIA’S LEG AND INJURED MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM AND HUSK’S. SHE ALMOST KILLED ME. SHE’S GOING TO KILL ME IF I DON’T KILL HER FIRST.

ROXY: YEAH, BUT ISN’T THE BITCH INDESTRUCTIBLE?

LAURA SIGHS AND EXAMINES THE BLOOD ON HER FISTS. SHE TELLS ROXY TO MAKE NO MISTAKE. KIMURA IS A MONSTER. AND SHE WON’T STOP HURTING PEOPLE UNTIL LAURA PUTS HER DOWN. ROXY MOVES TO PUT A HAND ON LAURA’S SHOULDER BUT SHE MOVES AWAY AND CONTINUES PUNCHING THE BAG. ROXY MOVES TO EXIT THE GYM.

ROXY: I MISS SOFIA TOO.

IN THE INFIRMARY, JULIAN SITS ALONE, LOOKING AT HIS NEW PROSTHETIC HANDS. SUDDENLY, CESSILY OPENS THE DOOR, WHEELING IN A CART FULL OF THINGS WITH A BIG SMILE ON HER FACE.

CESSILY: I HEARD THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO NEEDED CHEERING UP!

JULIAN: CESS, WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?

CESSILY: I’M YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD CANDY STRIPER, OF COURSE! HERE TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!

JULIAN: PLEASE LEAVE.

CESSILY SITS DOWN NEXT TO JULIAN AND PROCEEDS TO EMPTY HER CART FULL OF PLUSHIES, CANDY, AND SEVERAL DVDS OF RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE. JULIAN CONTINUES TO LOOK AT HER LIKE SHE’S CRAZY AS CESSILY ASKS HIM WHAT’S WRONG.

JULIAN: WHAT’S WRONG? WHAT’S WRONG?! I LOST MY FUCKING HANDS! LOOK AT ME, CESSILY! EVERYTHING IS FUCKING WRONG!

AS JULIAN SPEAKS, OBJECTS IN THE ROOM BEGIN TO LEVITATE WITH TELEKINETIC ENERGY. CESSILY SLOWLY STARTS LOSING HER PATIENCE, UNTIL…

CESSILY: WOULD YOU STOP FEELING SO FUCKING SORRY FOR YOURSELF AND JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP?!

JULIAN STARES AT CESSILY, GOBSMACKED. SEVERAL BEAKERS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY LEVITATED FALL AND SMASH TO PIECES ON THE GROUND.

CESSILY: I’M SICK OF YOUR BITCHING! DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD BE AN X-MAN AND JUST WALK AWAY SCOT-FREE?!

JULIAN: I…

CESSILY: BALONEY! WE ALL HAVE SCARS AND WE NEED TO EMBRACE THEM! THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU OR YOUR HANDS! THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO NEED OUR HELP AND RIGHT NOW, THAT IS SOFIA! MY BEST FRIEND! BUT NOOO! INSTEAD OF GOING TO FIND HER, I’M STUCK LISTENING TO YOU BOO-HOOING ABOUT YOUR STUPID HANDS! YOU’RE A DISGRACE TO THIS SCHOOL. AND TO WHAT THE X-MEN REPRESENT.

JULIAN LOOKS AT CESSILY AS SHE SLOWLY STARTS TO WALK AWAY. HE HESITATES AND THEN CALLS FOR HER TO STOP. SHE TURNS, AND LOOKS AT HIM.

JULIAN: I’M SORRY. I DIDN’T THINK OF HOW MUCH PRESSURE YOU WERE UNDER. I KNOW YOU WANT TO SAVE SOFIA AND I GET IT. I’M REALLY TRYING TO BE A BETTER PERSON, CESSILY. AND I NEED YOUR HELP.

CESSILY’S EXPRESSION SOFTENS AND SHE SITS BACK DOWN.

CESSILY: WE HAVE TO GET HER BACK, JULIAN.

JULIAN: I KNOW, CESS. I KNOW.

MEANWHILE, CLARICE IS STILL IN BED WHEN THE DOOR OPENS, REVEALING NOCTURNE, MORPH, BEAK, ANGEL, AND THEIR KIDS. CLARICE SHRIEKS AS SHE’S OVERWHELMED BY HUGS AND TJ LAUGHS, SAYING THAT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SURPRISE. BEAK IMMEDIATELY STARTS RUNNING AFTER THE KIDS AS ANGEL SITS ON THE BED, ASKING CLARICE IF SHE’S OKAY. CLARICE SIGHS, SAYING THAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW.

ANGEL: CLARICE, LISTEN TO ME. I GET IT. WHEN I WAS PREGNANT, I WAS SO WORRIED FOR THE FUTURE. I COULDN’T IMAGINE BEING A MOM. BUT THEN YOU HELPED ME. AND NOW LOOK AT ME! I’M A MOM!

MORPH: YOU MEAN YOU’RE A MILF!

TALIA: KEVIN, NOT NOW.

CLARICE SIGHS AGAIN AS TALIA TELLS HER THAT SOFIA’S COUNTING ON HER TO GET HER BACK. SHE CAN’T LET HER DOWN. CLARICE DOESN’T RESPOND AND LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW AND BEAK IMMEDIATELY GATHERS THE KIDS, TELLING THEM THAT IT’S TIME TO GO.

TALIA: THINK ABOUT IT, CLARICE.

AS THEY LEAVE, CLARICE BRIEFLY WAVES THEM GOODBYE BEFORE LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AGAIN.

MEANWHILE, IN EGYPT, SOFIA IS PACING AROUND THE TEMPLE WHEN SOMEONE STARTLES HER FROM BEHIND. SHE GROANS WHEN SHE SEES DAKEN AND HE ASKS HER HOW SHE’S SETTLING IN. SOFIA DOESN’T RESPOND AND HE ASKS IF SHE’S OKAY.

DAKEN: YOU MISS HER, DON’T YOU?

SOFIA: I DON’T WANT TO BE HERE. I… I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COME HERE. HE WAS GOING TO KILL CLARICE. HOW… HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW HIM?

DAKEN LOOKS AT HER WITH A SERIOUS FACE.

DAKEN: APOCALYPSE GAVE ME A PURPOSE. A REASON FOR BEING. AND TRUST ME, IN THE END, YOU’LL FEEL THE SAME WAY. YOU’LL SEE THAT THIS IS FOR THE BEST.

AS DAKEN LEAVES THE EMPTY ROOM, SOFIA FALLS TO HER KNEES AND WEEPS.

IN THE MEDBAY, JULIAN AND CESSILY ARE LAUGHING AND TALKING. AS CESSILY FINISHES A STORY, SHE SEES JULIAN LOOKING AT HIS HANDS AND TELLS HIM THAT ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, AT LEAST HE CAN WANK LIKE A ROBOT NOW. JULIAN CHUCKLES BRIEFLY BEFORE SAYING THAT IT’S GONNA TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO, BUT HE’LL TRY TO MANAGE. CESSILY GRINS AND PATS HIS SHOULDER.

CESSILY: LOOK, I KNOW IT’S HARD. NOT SEEING YOURSELF AS A REAL HUMAN. BUT IT’S GONNA BE FINE.

JULIAN: YEAH, CESS. I GOT IT. NOW, WHEN ARE WE GONNA DO SOMETHING ABOUT SOFIA?

CESSILY: I’M NOT SURE. FIRST, LET’S DEAL WITH CLARICE, THEN WE’LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

CESSILY STANDS UP, BUT JULIAN CLUTCHES HER WRIST.

JULIAN: ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE WILL GET SOFIA BACK. I PROMISE.

BACK IN CLARICE’S ROOM, A KNOCK SOUNDS AT THE DOOR. CLARICE GROANS, ASKING IF THIS IS HER GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE BEFORE TURNING AROUND. SHE STOPS SUDDENLY AND THEN RUNS OVER TO HUG DEREK WHO STANDS IN THE DOORWAY.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE TWO OF THEM ARE SITTING ON CLARICE’S BED AS CLARICE RECAPS THE EVENTS AT PROM. DEREK NODS, SYMPATHETIC, AS CLARICE TALKS ABOUT HOW POWERLESS SHE FEELS. SHE REALLY WANTS TO SAVE SOFIA, BUT SHE’S SCARED THAT SHE’LL END UP HURTING HER IN THE PROCESS.

DEREK: BELIEVE ME, CLARICE, I UNDERSTAND. SOFIA’S… SOFIA’S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. WHEN SHE FIRST CAME TO HER DAD’S, I COULD TELL SHE WAS LONELY. SHE NEEDED GUIDANCE. SHE NEEDED SOMEONE TO BE A DAD TO HER. AND I TRIED MY DAMNDEST. I HELPED HER LEARN ENGLISH AND DO SCHOOLWORK AND EVERYTHING. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, SHE SHOWED ME WHERE MY LIFE WAS HEADED IF I CONTINUED WORKING FOR HER DAD. I KNEW HE DIDN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ME OTHER THAN JUST BEING HIS BUTLER, BUT I NEVER HAD THE COURAGE TO TELL HIM HOW I FELT UNTIL I SAW HOW HE TREATED SOFIA. SHE’S A VERY SPECIAL PERSON. SHE BRINGS OUT THE GOOD IN PEOPLE AND LEADS THEM TO A BETTER LIFE.

CLARICE: YEAH. LIKE… LIKE AN ANGEL.

CLARICE PICKS UP SOFIA’S BRACELET AND PUTS HER HEAD ON DEREK’S SHOULDER. SHE SIGHS, ASKING HIM WHAT SHE’S GOING TO DO.

DEREK: YOU ALREADY KNOW, CLARICE.

DEREK IMMEDIATELY GIVES CLARICE A BIG HUG THAT SHE LEANS INTO, HUGGING HIM BACK.

DEREK: BRING OUR GIRL BACK, CLARICE.

CLARICE NODS AND WIPES HER EYES, BEFORE STANDING UP AND STARTING TOWARD THE DOOR, DETERMINED.

CLARICE: I WILL. COME HELL OR HIGH WATER.

MEANWHILE, BACK IN EGYPT, APOCALYPSE STANDS ALONE IN A DARK ROOM. WHEN HE SEES THAT NO ONE’S WITH HIM, HE TAKES OFF HIS MASK, HIS FACE CONTORTED IN PAIN.

APOCALYPSE: PLEASE… PLEASE, NO MORE… THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANTED… I JUST WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN…

SUDDENLY, A VOICE, SLICK AND SHARP LIKE A RAZOR, SPEAKS, AND APOCALYPSE ACTUALLY LOOKS AFRAID.

VOICE: AND YOU WILL. BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU MUST DO AS I SAY. NOW, GO AND FIND KIMURA. TELL HER THAT YOUR PLAN STARTS NOW.

APOCALYPSE NODS BEFORE PUTTING THE MASK BACK ON. ONCE HE DOES, HIS BODY RETURNS TO ITS REGAL COMPOSURE AND HE EXITS THE ROOM, THE DOOR FRAME SERVING AS A SINGLE SLIVER OF LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS AS THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK.