#lady ronin guardians

[wandererverse-legacy]

Introducing the Lady Ronin Guardians

Rekino Sanada, Ryo's younger sister and guardian - Lady Wildfire

Mia Koji, Ryo's fiance, ally to the Ronin Warriors and Rowen's guardian - Lady Strata

Hana Marie Utano, Rekino's best friend, Sage's guardian - Lady Halo

Amaya Faye Blanchet - Cye's guardian - Lady Torrent

Josephine Rei Faun - Kento's cousin and guardian - Lady Hardrock

The characters belong to Winter Yuy -

[tigirl-and-co]

I just bought two Lopers from @/zooophagous bc I read through the species lore and I love them

I'm adding them to the world of 'Bizarre Things of Varying Usefulness'

The yellow one is named Butterscotch and will be owned by Hidey, bc the idea of the townsfolk talking about 'Heidi and her horse Butterscotch' and then the travellers realize that they are talking about the panther lady and her baby meat-eating beast of burden is really funny to me (plus her having a creature harder to spook is important, since she deals in magical curios)

The grey one is Ronin, and if any of you remember my old owlbear cleric, Kerchak, this guy goes to him. I figure that a loper is somewhat more practical for jungle travel than a typical horse, especially in a world full of monsters.

I should specify that Kerchak is NOT the one riding Ronin, the kid is. Kerchak feels a lot better about leaving the kid in town with a guardian when he goes dungeon delving.

<3333 I love them. I need to draw these babies.

[masterweaverx]

So, one of the common RWBY AUs is the Royalty AU, where X-Y-Z character is a princess and thus, political and romantic drama. And I get the appeal, I do.

But guys.

Guys.

There’s more than just princesses. There’s an entire ranking system. There are multiple ranking systems. And there’s more than just the four kingdoms, too!

So, after some careful consideration, I have set about creating noble ranks and titles for various characters in RWBY, for the intent of more accurate fanfiction. Which isn’t likely to happen but you know, why not try. Here’s the ranks for this Royalty/Nobility AU.

Ruby Rose: Lady Ruby Rose, Countess Scion of Patch, Vassal to the kingdom of Vale. Because of outdated inheritance laws, Ruby’s actually of higher rank than Yang; Summer Rose is the previous Countess of Patch, and since Yang is not technically her blood child Ruby’s expected to take control when the time comes. Since the time has not come yet, Ruby is still only a scion of the house Rose. Ruby Rose would be addressed as ‘Your lordship’ or ‘Lady Ruby Rose’, and is one one of the lower-ranked nobles.

Weiss Schnee: Her Grace Weiss Schnee, Duchess Apparent of Gele, Vassal to the kingdom of Atlas. So, Nicholas Schnee came from Mantle and worked tirelessly to make the SDC, which means that the Schnee side of the family wouldn’t actually have much claim to royalty or nobility. But it’s not unheard of for old money to marry new money, for all the benefits it can grant. Weiss is a Duchess Apparent because the previous Duke has yet to pass on the title... because he’s Jacques. Duchess is technically the rank right below Princess--it’s not uncommon for Princesses who don’t become Queens to become Duchesses--and Weiss would be addressed as “Your Grace.”

Blake Belladonna: Tamahine a Kuo Kuana, Kaitiaki Tohunga o Menagerie, Blake Belladonna, Ariki Kaiārahi e Rapu. If my Google Translate and Wikipedia-fu is right, this roughly means “Daughter of Kuo Kuana, High Guardian of Menagerie, Blake Belladonna, Lord Guide who Searches.” That is admittedly a big if, and I apologize to the Maori and other polynesian peoples if I have butchered your language. Atlesian/Valish peoples might address her as ‘Your highness’, since she is roughly a princess, but her people would say ‘Tohunga Blake’ if being addressed in her role as knight/huntress, or ‘Ariki Kaiārahi Belladonna’ if being addressed in her role as diplomat or chieftain’s daughter. She doesn’t broadcast the fact, but in this hypothetical AU she’d probably have a lot of political capital.

Yang Xiao Long: Yang actually has two titles: Lady Yang Xiao Long, Viscountess of Patch, Vassal to the Kingdom of Vale... and Morza of the Branwen Tribe. For some pretty obvious reasons, she doesn’t like talking about that second one, even though it is strictly speaking way higher rank than the first--a princess equivalent. As the Viscountess of Patch, she’s technically number two to the Countess (Ruby), although at the moment she’s helping out the Count Regent (Taiyang). She would be addressed as ‘Your ladyship’ or ‘lady Xiao Long.’

Jaune Arc: Baronet Jaune Arc. Baronets are descended from Barons, but they aren’t really ‘nobles’ anymore. The days of the Arc family have long passed. But that doesn’t mean Jaune Arc is willing to let go of his heroic lineage! It’ll be a sign of character development when he starts calling himself ‘Esquire Jaune Arc’ instead, since that’s an indication he’s serving a knight (or a bunch of them, as the case may be). Address would also change, from ‘your excellency’ when he’s still trying to be a noble, to ‘Sir Arc’ when he’s decided to be a guardian. Rankwise it’s a demotion, but character-wise it’s growth.

Nora Valkyrie: Madame Nora Valkyrie, Knight Errant. Nora is apparently a commoner, though without knowing the full details of her parentage it’s possible she’s a lost noble or princess. Nevertheless, to play it safe everybody addresses her as ‘Madame Valkyrie’; it would be a major faux pas to address somebody as though they were of rank when, well, they aren’t.

Pyrrha Nikos: Her Excellency Pyrrha Nikos, Marchioness of Argus, Vassal to the kingdoms of Mistral and Atlas. Argus is in a weird position, politically speaking, since it has ties to two kingdoms; fortunately that hasn’t caused problems yet. Pyrrha’s also unusual, in that she’s not a born noble, but was elevated to her position through skill. This is why she’s addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ instead of ‘Your ladyship’, even though she’s strictly speaking of the same rank as Ruby Rose. She is probably not suited for the political pressure of her position just yet.

Lie Ren: Strictly speaking, Lie Ren would have been the Goshi of Kuroyuri, addressed as Ren-sama by the common folk. If, you know, he grew up to an age where he actually got to inherit his rank. I don’t know if he’d count as a Ronin, given how young he was when Kuroyuri fell. I think he’d go by Ren-san now, for the most part. (I also think Nora would work toward calling him Ren-chan no kimi, because she is that sort of person.)

Penny Polendina: Lord Defender Penny Polendina, Warden of Atlas, Kingsman to James Ironwood. Well, you know, until she defects in protest when the king starts calling himself ‘Imperitor Ironwood’ and just threatening to abandon entire cities to the Grimm... then she becomes Shieldbearer Penny Polendina, Champion of Mantle. And I mean, going from ‘Lord Defender’ to ‘Madam Protector’ is a pretty neat change of address.

[castrateurfate]

Alright, guys.

Here's a list of the DVDs in my room.

Rate My Taste

Here:

13 Assassins

2001: A Space Odyssey

300

47 Ronin

8 Mile

A Fistful of Dollars

AVP2: Requiem

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Account Rendered

Adaptation

Afro Samurai: The Complete Murder Sessions

Airplane!

Akira

Alien vs. Predator

Alley Cats

Amadeus

Amelie

Anastasia

Arachnophobia

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Back To The Future

Barry Lyndon

Batman

Batman Ninja

Batman TAS: Secrets of The Caped Crusaders

Batman TAS: Tales Of The Dark Knight

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

Batman: Mask of The Phantasm

Battle Royale

Beetlejuice

Being John Malkovich

Ben-Hur

Big Eyes

Big Fish

Big Time Rush: Halfway There

Bill

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Birdman: (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Black Dynamite

Black Mama White Mama

Black Swan

Blackkklansman

Blade Runner: The Director's Cut

Blazing Saddles

Bonnie and Clyde

Boogeyman

Bowling For Columbine

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breaking Bad

Breaking Glass

Brexit: The Uncivil War

Brokeback Mountain

Bubba Ho-Tep

Bugsy Malone

Bula Quo

Capitalism: A Love Story

Capote

Casablanca

Chicago

Children of Men

Churchill: The Hollywood Years

Citizen Kane

Clash Of The Titans

Clash of The Titans

Cleopatra Jones

Cloud Atlas

Clueless

Coffy

Commando

Conan The Barbarian

Control

Coraline

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Curse of The Golden Flower

David Brent: Life On The Road

Dazed And Confused

Deadpool

Deadpool 2

Death Note

Death Proof

Demolition Man

Descendants

Dirty Harry

Django Unchained

Doctor Zhivago

Dodgeball

Dog Soldiers

Double Indemnity

Dowton Abbey: Series One

Dr Strangelove Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb

Dr Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. No

Drunken Angel

Drunken Master

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

Ed Wood

Edward Scissorhands

Elfie Hopkins

Escape Plan

Evil Dead

Evolution

Extras: The Complete First Series

Fahrenheit 9/11

Falling Down

Fame

Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest

Family Guy: Season Nine

Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Finding Netherland

Flashdance

Footloose

Forrest Gump

Forrest Warriors

Foxy Brown

From Dusk Till Dawn

From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money

From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter

From Here to Eternity

Frost/Nixon

Frozen

Funny Face

Gatsby

Ghost Dog: The Way if The Samurai

Ghost In The Shell

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 1

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 2

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 5

Ghostwatch

Gnomeo & Juliet

Godzilla

Gone With The Wind

Grave of The Fireflies

Gremlins

Groundhog Day

Hail, Caesar

Happy Gilmore

Harry Hill's TV Burp Gold

Harry Hill's TV Burp Gold 2

Harry Potter And The Order of The Phoenix

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

Hero

Hideo Nakata's Dark Water

High and Low

Highlander

History: Poltergeists

History: Spontaneous Human Combustion

History: Vampires

Hobo With a Shotgun

Horrible Histories: Series One

Hot Fuzz

Hot Rod

House of Flying Daggers

I Know What You Did Last Summer

I, Tonya

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

In Bruges

Inglorious Basterds

Insomnia

Iron Man

Isle of Dogs

JFK

Jackie Brown

Jaws

Johnny English

Joker

Julie & Julia

Jumanji

Jurassic Park

Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass 2

Kill Bill Volume 1

Kill Bill Volume 2

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Kingsman: The Secret Service

LEGO Batman: The Movie (DC Super Heroes Unite)

LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles

Labyrinth

Lady Vengeance

Last Action Hero

Lawrence of Arabia

Legends of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Leon: The Professional

Les Miserables: In Concert (The 25th Anniversary)

Let The Right One In

Life of Pi

Limitless

Lost In Translation

Loving Vincent

Macbeth

Mad Max

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Marvel's Original Spiderman: Season 3 Vol. 1

Mean Girls

Megamind

Memoirs of a Geisha

Metropolis

Michael Jackson: Moon Walker

Miller's Crossing

Miranda Hart: My, What I Call, Live Show

Monster House

Monster in Paris

Monty Python and The Holy Grail

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Moulin Rouge

Mrs. Brown's Boys: Season One

Mulan

Mulan 2

My Week With Marilyn

Mythbusters: Season 1

Napoleon Dynamite

Naruto Shippuden: Box Set 1

Naruto Shippuden: Box Set 2

Nausicaä of The Valley of The Wind

Night of The Living Dead

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation Vol. 1

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation Vol. 3

No Country for Old Men

North by Northwest

O Brother Where Art Thou?

Oldboy

Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood

One Hour Photo

Open Season 2

Osama

Pan's Labyrinth

Paper Towns

Parasite

Paris When It Sizzles

Patton

Persepolis

Pleasantvile

Pokémon The Movie: Hoopa And The Clash of Ages

Pokémon: 4 Ever

Precious

Predator

Psycho

Pulp Fiction

Pumpkin Scissors

Rain Man

Rare Exports

Red Riding Hood

Reefer Madness

Requiem For A Dream

Reservoir Dogs

[avengers-heart-art]

Masterlist

Hearts

(Alphabetical Order)

Avengers Logo

Avengers Endgame Team

Ant-Man

Original Suit

Black Panther

Black Panther Movie Suit

Shuri’s Design

Black Widow

Age of Ultron Suit

CA:TWS Suit

Endgame Suit

Black Widow Poster Suit

Black Order (Comic Versions)

Corvus Glaive

Ebony Maw

Proxima Midnight

Bucky Barnes

Sergeant Barnes Uniform

Howling Commandos Uniform

Winter Solider

Bucky’s Arm

Civil War Suit

Black Panther End Credit

Infinity War Suit

Thunderbolts Comic Costume/ Arm

FATWS Costume (from set photos)

Complete Bucky Barnes Set

Falcon and Winter Soldier Show Suit

Captain America

First Avenger Suit

Army Dress Uniform

Avengers Assemble

Stealth Suit

Civil War Suit

Infinity War Suit

Endgame Suit

Captain America’s Shield

America’s Ass

Complete Captain America Set 

Captain Marvel

Kree Suit

Solo Movie Suit

Endgame Suit

Crossbones

CA:CW Suit

Daredevil

Netflix Show Suit

Deadpool

Movie Suit

Face

X-Man In Training

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange Movie Suit

Drax

GOTG Vol.1

Endgame Quantum Suit

Falcon

Civil War Suit

Gamora

GOTG Vol.1 Suit

Ghost Rider

Robbie Reyes

Goose

Captain Marvel

Groot

GOTG Vol.1

Guardians of the Galaxy Set

Gwenpool

Hawkeye

Avengers Assemble Suit

Ronin/ Endgame Suit

Heimdall

Thor 1 Suit

Ragnarok

Hela

Ragnarok Suit

Hulk

Avengers Assemble

Endgame

Infinity Gauntlet

Comic Version

Infinity War Gauntlet

Thanos’ Damaged Gauntlet

Iron Man

Mark I

Endgame Suit

Arc Reactor

Iron Ass

Superior Iron Man comic 

Jessica Jones

Kate Bishop

Killmonger

Combat Suit

Golden Jaguar

Lady Sif

Thor 1

Loki

Avengers Assemble

Ragnarok Suit

Mantis

GOTG Vol.2 Suit

Maria Rambeau

M’Baku

Infinity War

Ms. Marvel

Kamala Khan Comic Suit

Mysterio

Far From Home Suit

Nebula

GOTG Vol.1 Suit

Okoye

Dora Milaje Suit

Peggy Carter

Military Uniform

Tv Show Suit

Pepper Potts

Rescue Suit

Punisher

Quicksilver

Comic 

Red Guardian

Rhodey

War Machine (CACW)

Rocket Raccoon

GOTG Vol.1 Suit

Scarlet Witch

Age of Ultron Suit

Civil War

Comic 

She-Hulk

S.H.I.E.L.D Logo

Shuri

Ceremonial Costume

Combat Suit

Spider Gwen

Spider-Man

Face

Far From Home

Iron-Spider Suit

Homecoming

Web

Spider-Man: Into The Spider Verse Set

Spider-Woman

Comic Suit

Star Lord

GOTG Vol. 1

Thanos

Infinity War Suit

Endgame Farmer 

Thor

Thor 1

Ragnarok Suit 

Endgame Suit

Valkyrie

Asgardian Suit

Venom

Vision

CA:CW Suit

Wasp

AMATW Suit

Wolverine

Comic Suit

X-Men

Dark Phoenix Team Suit

Magneto

Professor X

Cyclops

Gambit

Phoenix

Angel

Mystique

Yon Rogg

Kree Warrior Suit

Pairs (half and half)

Captain America / Bucky

Ant-Man / Wasp

Captain America/ Peggy Carter

Star Lord / Rocket

Drax / Mantis

Star Lord / Gamora

Iron Man / Winter Soldier

Rocket / Winter Solider

Captain America / Iron Man

Doctor Strange / Iron Man

Iron Man / Spider-Man (homecoming)

Deadpool / Spider-Man

Thor / Loki

Iron Spider / Iron Man

Black Widow / Winter Soldier

Vision / Scarlet Witch

Black Widow / Hawkeye

Bucky’s Arm / Arc Reactor Iron Man

Cap’s Shield / Arc Reactor Iron Man

Stuckony (Steve/Bucky/Tony)

Cap’s Shield / Bucky’s Arm

Falcon / Bucky’s Arm

Captain Marvel / Maria Rambeau

[marvelvsmarvel]

MCU Phase 4: Original Avengers Speculation

FIRST THINGS FIRST REST IN PEACE UNCLE TONY AND AUNTIE NAT!!

Cap has pretty much retired and I hold that when he and Sam had the long handshake where Sam noticed the wedding band that he slyly was slipping him the super soldier serum.

Thor Love and Thunder... Let me take this moment to claim how I predicted that Natalie Portman was back! and that she would become the Mighty Thor. I know I’m not the only one but check the archive I put it out there and there’s more yet to be seen that I could end up being right about too! (cough Lady Sif). But this suggests that Chris Hemsworth may be moving into his RDJ pension plan where he’ll be making more cameos as Thor Odinson was still last scene joining up with the Guardians.

Black Widow Movie is LIFE so obvious reasons but I’m just saying expect a whole lot of John Wick level body counts. Confirmed to be taking place between Civil War and Infinity War introducing Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as the Red Guardian and Rachael Weisz as a seasoned Red Room graduate. Timeline wise the Accords forced her to go on the run and at some point she joined back Team Cap. In a deleted scene she talked about how after Winter Soldier she went back home to find her parents in which case she visited their grave sights. Taking it at face value we didn’t get the beautiful memorandum for Natasha in Endgame like we did for Tony and I believe that with how we’ve seen Black Widow grow and really develop a tremendous character arc that culminated in her heroic sacrifice that I believe this film will narrate itself less of journey of self discovery and more of a love letter to the fans from Scarlett and her own personal memorandum for her beloved Nat.

Hulk lends the intriguing aspect of always only being used for cameos. There was a mini science bro deleted scene where he and Spidey were supposed to geek out at Tony’s funeral so perhaps there he could be of some assistance. Recall that a mural of his face dawns the halls of Midtown Tech. Maybe he joins back up with the Revengers just in time to see that my prediction was right! Or maybe he pairs with Doctor Strange for a little bit of comic book Defenders action and runs into Edward Norton.

Clint’s storyline actually the most interesting to me and it’s not because of Kate Bishop and the Matt Fraction run. It’s been confirmed that this will take place in between Infinity War and Endgame while Clint is dawning the Ronin persona and getting his Ninja Assassin on. But ultimately that’s where I find the key to Phase 4 and 5 and the greater MCU. At Comic Con folks were concerned that there wasn’t any Avengers news let alone Fantastic Four or X-Men news. Surely they may reveal more of that and Phase 5 at D23 next month but at the same time Kevin Feige has been saying that they have the next 5 years planned out since last year. But think about it! In the MCU what is taking place in the next 5 years?! ENDGAME! So there in a lame sense there shouldn’t be an Avengers film until 2023! But that’s where I don’t see the Hawkeye series being at the end as a coincidence. In the comics it was Clint as the Ronin persona who discovered the presence of Skrulls on Earth while fighting the Yakuza in Japan. And where did we catch up to Clint in Endgame? As Ronin fighting the Yakuza in Japan... and I believe it’ll be Ronin again who discovers the Secret Invasion taking place on Earth and having the Skrulls as the main villains for the Avengers through the next few Phases.

[honeylikewords]

I am freaking out over all the Marvel news out of Comic Con. You?

Honestly, when I first got this ask, I was going to answer “no” because I legitimately hadn’t heard anything from Marvel at all. All I knew was that we were in for a bunch of Disney+ shows like Loki, which I wasn’t interested in, and Falcon and Winter Soldier, which I am interested in but concerned about.

But then I did a quick Google, and saw that there’s plenty of other stuff to be excited about, so here’s a listicle-style breakdown of what I am and am not excited for, as was released in the press junkets regarding the SDCC Marvel Hall H panel.

1. Black Widow: Nope, not interested. Way, way back in 2012, I might have cared, given that Natasha was LITERALLY THE ONLY WOMAN in the MCU with any agency or hero role, but now that we have significantly more women, significantly more interesting women, and women of color (who aren’t played by white women stealing roles from actual WOC lmao), I think we don’t really... need a Black Widow movie. I mean, cool that David Harbour will be in it, but, uh... yeah, count me out of that one.

2. Falcon and Winter Soldier: Yeah, I’m excited for this one! Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan have a lot of fun chemistry, and I hope the series plays up the fun buddy-cop aspect of their relationship rather than “doom and gloom, Steve is gone, boohoo” stuff. They deserve to be heroes in their own rights and to not live in Steve’s shadow. Also, I’m not hugely into Bucky Barnes (I kinda find him boring, sorry) so I hope the series will, at least a little, start to endear me more to him. But I am very excited to see Sam getting more screentime!

3. Eternals: Eh, can’t really say. I don’t know enough about the original Eternals, nor do I have any information about who the new Eternals will be to weigh in. Ask me again when we’re closer to the release date.

4. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings: Honestly, some warning flags are popping up for me on this one. Much as I want more POC led MCU films (and just, fucking, like, any films in general), Marvel comics has a pernicious history surrounding Asian fetishism and mysticism. I’ve talked about it before with my hatred for Iron Fist, and the problems Marvel had during the big “Asian Craze” of the 60s and 70s, but I really do worry about re-adapting works based in and rooted in the comics made during those times. I don’t know enough about Shang-Chi’s origins to weigh in just yet, but I am on high-alert about how this could go wrong. Hopefully, though, with actual Asian and POC actors involved in the project, it will be done tastefully and respectfully. Hopefully.

5. WandaVision: Nah. I never liked either character to begin with so I’m not really gonna waste my brainspace on some TV show about a random white girl and her toaster boyfriend. I know that sounds mean but I have a lot of pent up anger about how the MCU depicted the Maximoffs, given that the Maximoffs were originally Jewish and survivors of the Hol*caust, but then somehow the MCU decided to make them not only white, but white people working with a literal N*zi organization. So I have beef with that, and I just... don’t care about Wanda or Vision. They haven’t been with us long enough for any of us to really, you know, see them have arcs or be meaningful people. They’re just kinda there. So no thanks. Maybe if the show turns out to be great, I’ll watch, but as it stands, I’m uninterested.

5. Doctor Strange: Multiverse Of Madness: Eh. I never saw the original Doctor Strange because of the whitewashing issues and Benedict Cumberbatch’s, shall we say, history of anti-autism comments and classist perceptions about poor and undereducated people, so I just noped out of that. But I also didn’t like Stephen Strange from what I saw in the other MCU films I have seen him in, so I don’t feel like I’m missing much. If this movie turns out to be cool (apparently, it’s going to be the MCU’s first “scary” film, whatever that means?), I might see it, but for now it’s largely off my radar.

6. Loki: Nnnnnnnnnot especially excited. As I’ve said before, I like Ragnarok Loki, and that’s about it. 2012 Loki was, no joke, literally set up as a N*zi, and y’all know how I feel about N*zis. I’m not being hyperbolic. He is literally supposed to be equitable to a N*zi. So I’m disappointed that we’ve regressed all of his character development back in time to his worst stage, and we’re going to be seeing that play out in his show. Hopefully, the directors allow Tom Hiddleston to have more fun with Loki, because holy shit does Tom have great comedic timing, and I hope we get some redemption for Loki, because as it stands, I feel sad and hurt that they just threw away everything Loki grew into being. And if you’re one of those salty “Loki is a Classy, Intelligent, Sexy Villain, And Ragnarok Made Him DUMB, Give Us Back Our King” fans, please leave me alone. He was gross and greasy and weird and Ragnarok made him funny and likable, in me humble onion. Also, Loki is canonically not straight, not cisgender, and has been pregnant with horse babies, so, uh, let’s all just chill out and have some fun.

7.  What If...?: The What If...? comics can be really confusing and fun, alternatingly. So it’ll be interesting to see how this show manifests itself to match the wild, changing, freewheeling chaos of the What If...? storylines. Let’s see what happens!

8. Hawkeye: FUCK I AM SO MAD THAT THIS ISN’T AN ANIMATED SERIES BASED ON THE HAWKEYE COMICS THAT CAME OUT RECENTLY. FUCK. I would have loved that! But instead we’re getting Ronin Hawkeye (which sounds so dumb and also question-mark-y racist?). At least we’ll be getting Kate Bishop, I guess. C’est la vie. Not a fan of the Jeremy Renner Hawkeye, tbh, so I don’t know how this show will keep my interest, but fingers crossed.

9. Thor: Love and Thunder: BUCKLE UP BOYS I FINALLY HAVE A MOVIE TO CARE ABOUT YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAW AMEN PRAISE GOD WE HAVE A GOOD MOVIE COMING YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA FEMALE THOR AAAAAAAAAAAAA GAY RIGHTS YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

FUCK! I AM SO HAPPY OH MY G O D!

10. Blade: YEE FUCKING HAW! Mahershala Ali has been in the MCU three times now (1st as Cottonmouth in Luke Cage, 2nd as Uncle Aaron in ITSV, and now as Blade!) and I’m both pleasantly surprised and a little confused, since the MCU very rarely reuses actors. Oh, well! I’m so happy to see him back and I hope Blade does him justice. I worry that the original Blade (comics and movie alike) were a little, uh, Blaxploitation-y, so I hope this update will be more thoughtful and more progressive in its depictions. But at the end of the day, this is one I’ll be watching.

11. Fantastic Four: I’m worried but hopeful. The last swings at making a Fantastic Four film have been, um, mixed to say the least. Fingers crossed for a diverse set of characters this time! Although I do think that David Harbour being in the Black Widow movie does rule him out of being The Thing, as was previously speculated. Well, anyway, here’s hoping it’s good.

12. Black Panther 2: SHIT BOI DO I DIE I AM READY YES YES YES YESSSSS 

But please for the love of GOD bring back Ryan Coogler to direct. I don’t trust this story in the hands of, well, non-black people, especially because the story of Black Panther is so intrinsically tied to the black experience. That being said, I’m ready and excited for a return to Wakanda and to see what is next in T’Challa’s saga. Also, please, more Shuri, more Nakia, more Okoye. Honestly, Black Panther brought us some of the best women in the MCU so just... bring back all the ladies. Ramonda too!

13. Guardians of the Galaxy 3: I’m a little nervous about this one re: the issues surrounding the firing of James Gunn (which is, like, such a can of worms to get into), but fingers crossed. The GOTG films are really fun and such a great break from the rest of the dull, painfully self-absorbed MCU, so I hope that the light-hearted tone and center on found family comes back. I also hear that this one will be more female-centric (focusing on Gamora, I believe?) so that’s good to hear!

14. Captain Marvel 2: I didn’t see the first one, but, hey, my lesbian friends sure are happy to have Carol back so you’ve got my approval on that one, Marvel.

15. Mutants: DOES THIS MEAN...MCU X-MEN...I’M SCARED...SOMEONE HOLD ME

16. This one technically isn’t MCU but it’s what I’m most excited for...

THE SPIDERMAN 2099 COMICS ARE COMING BACK!

I’M SO HAPPY I GET TO SEE MY BOY MIGGY AGAIN I AM SO SO SO SO HAPPY OH MY GOD I WAS SO SCARED THEY’D PERMANENTLY CANCELLED MIGGY BUT HE’S HOME I GET TO SEE HIM AGAIN I COULD JUST C R Y AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

anyway, that’s just what I’m excited for. Y’all tell me if I missed anything or if there’s other updates or news! Or tell me what you’re excited for-- I’d love to hear!

[hello-there]

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[lightrivals]

endgame theories spoilers ahead but I have strong suspicions that the avengers/guardians will be building a gauntlet to fight thanos and tony, who is one king while thanos is the other king this chess game, will use it: his arc reactor keeps him from being influenced by the stones’ powers, since he put a nanobot arc reactor back on himself he’s reconnected to that source to keep him from influence; his armor was the only one capable of doing damage to thanos which could mean it’s strong enough to hold infinity stones if possible. i also think the battle of ny will hold major importance because the avengers end up with two infinity stones while thanos has none. they also have loki who we now know was brainwashed. in iw loki is dead but by going back in time they could break him out of the brainwashing hold for info or to at least get the tesseract so it’s not on asgard. the avengers would have to jump to a different timeline for each stone bc if they take all the stones from their main timeline then a lot of incidents don’t happen and the timeline gets too messed up. (this could take some trial and error though) anyway by saving the tesseract from Asgard this could mean loki lives but possibly sides with thanos to save thor. then you could have a double agent move from loki who helps the avenguardians in the end (now with their own gauntlet helmed by tony).

also valkyrie (brunnhilde) can transport ppl to the realm of the dead and she can return from the dead as well. given this brunnhilde could take loki to vahalla (he could see frigga there too even) and possible find a way to bring him and herself back. whether this happens before the avengers use the quantum realm or not idk . also wanna note that hela is the goddess of death and in comics thanos sought the infinity stones for lady death. that might be hela which could explain why thanos kept reviving loki until he didn’t need him anymore: loki is her brother, it wouldn’t do much to kill her brother and upset her. but that’s kinda reaching we still don’t know much of hela in association with anyone but odin, thor, and loki.

and then last thinking point for this rant is that the soul stone requires a sacrifice. first they gotta get there which means gamora has to be alive to take them. in order for gamora to be alive they can’t take the reality stone to the collector or they must get the stone before thanos. once she’s alive in the main timeline they can go to get the soul stone. since tony is the one wielding the weapon he has to sacrifice smth he loves. steve could be that sacrifice. he was able to be captain america bc his soul was with the right moral compass. I would see this being the near last stone to get because tony and steve still have to reconcile enough for it to be a sacrifice that is true enough for the soul stone. but Steve from another time could still join the final battle since the team does have the ability to travel through the timelines.

later I might try to think about out how tf tony gets back to earth and how thor, ronin/hawkeye, and nat play into this more but for now i’ll say carol finds tony and nebula and takes them back to earth. also we only have a month left so all will be revealed soon but it’s still fun to speculate~

[thegreatpikminzx789]

In the Deepest Darkness - Chapter 3: With Morning Regrets, Comes A Future To A New Hand

Wattpad|Archive of Our Own|Fanfiction.Net (Will update when it becomes available)

Before we begin, I've been wanting to start the battle with Ur-Devil on this part, but I decided against swapping back between two different perspectives in the same chapter for this one in particular. The way I had the draft was gonna end up in a cliffhanger if I had left it as is, so instead, this happened. We'll get to Ur-Devil's fight soon.

Also, I probably SHOULD’VE been done with this story sooner than later, but once again, life has been a pain in the time I’ve had to update this. Slow and steady wins the race, so I’ll get around to finishing the next few chapters soon. It’s also probably one of the longest chapters I’ve written, which was a nice change of pace.

Shen, Lynus, Macerio, Magnus, Axel, Hamza, and Tobyn belong to @theshatteredrose. It’s been some time since I written anything with these characters, so I hope I still did well.

The sunrise slowly crept in like a wild animal upon Lagaard. While some members of the Gungnir Guild were getting ready to head out, Korey glanced at the ring that was on his ring finger, looking at a rare gem from the world he came from, still polished and radiating it's shine as the sun gleamed onto it. But even as he was looking at it, Korey had to question why he was still worried?

Was it fear, or a natural sense that this might be a dangerous quest second to only the one back on his world? If only his beloved was by his side to keep him company, he wouldn't be this worried.

"No... bidding my time in wait isn't going to do any good. I must remain vigilant of the task ahead of us." The Highlander uttered to himself, as he grabbed his equipment and trusty spear, before catching up with the others in the inn's main lobby. As they were walking towards Yggdrasil, a familiar voice called out to the guild, as Korey shifted his attention to the blue haired Ronin he and Fafnir ran into a few days ago.

"My apologies for the short preparation, everyone. The wait to get my revenge against the Ur-Devil was getting on my nerves." He admitted, being rather quick with an apology this soon. Bertrand simply dismissed the apology.

"Don't mention it. We've been kinda busy training ourselves, so the sooner we face this thing, the less of a problem it will be for Lagaard." Bertrand said as he flexed his arm to make sure it was well ready for the upcoming battle.

"Indeed. By the way, did you get enough Apple Matcha Shaved Ice?"

"Yep. Plenty enough for all of us." Ricky confirmed, showing the Ronin a basket containing the Shaved Ice in question.

"Though, why did you ask us to bring food?" Chloe couldn't help but inquire, seeing as out of the entirety of their trips to Yggdrasil or Ginnungagap, they really hadn't used the cafe to it's fullest, other than being a secondary place to eat on occasion. Shen placed a hand on his hip, motioning the guild to follow him as he explained himself.

"There's a reason I have for asked that specific food. During my solo attempt, I threw some blinding gas at it, and its attacks have been missing me to the point I was able to escape the battle with the injuries I have. From what I read yesterday from visiting that cafe, these Shaved Ices will make it even harder for the enemy to hit us, much like the blinding gas. This Ur-Devil really seems to be weak to being blind, despite not being able to see."

"Oh, that's rather interesting, Mr. Shen!" Arianna commented, surprised to know the Ronin they're working with did some research.

"But I still ponder why you ask us to come early in the morning?" Korey questioned, looking over at the sky and noticing that the sun was still rising. As they arrived to the stairs next to Yggdrasil, Shen turned to face the Highlander.

"I didn't want to rush everyone to eat the Shaved Ice before we enter the labyrinth. It's also to give us some time for the effect to take place. Plus, I kinda do need to explain why I found out about this floor in particular-"

"Oh, no need to concern yourself with that, Shen." A female voice intervened the conversation, causing the guild and Shen to face the origin of the voice; seeing Lady Gradriel approaching them.

"Ah, Lady Gradriel! N-Nice morning, isn't it?" Flavio stumbled, getting a quick glance from Fafnir, before looking back to Gradriel. "It is indeed, Flavio." She replied, as she and Arianna greeted each other, the later of which, turned to Shen.

"Gradriel requested us to come to her yesterday, and she filled us in on the details."

"...I see. Why don't you go ahead and tell them why I'm wrapped up in this particular quest?" Shen hummed to himself, letting Gradriel take the wheel on Shen's explanation.

"You see, when Shen showed up to talk about the request at first, I was skeptical about him going in alone. I told him that you guys would be better at taking my request, but it seemed he was just that determined." She began, scratching the back of her head as if she was confused about a solo mission for the quest she set out in particular.

"Though thanks to Shen's findings, we now know the dangers this Ur-Child possesses. I still want you all to be careful and to come back alive. I don't want to risk losing you all just to face this thing, but who knows what it can do otherwise... Lagaard cannot survive against something like this." She continued, expressing great concern for the explorers before her that were tasked to defeat the Ur-Devil.

"We will do our best, Lady Gradriel." Shen acknowledged, as Arianna soon added her own two cents on Gradriel's concern, "And we'll be victorious!"

"Just don't go worrying on us all day..." The small War Magus commented, leaving Gradriel to chuckcle to herself. "I'll try not to. Anyways, I got business to attend to. I wish you good luck, members of the Gungnir and Guardian Guilds."

Much like her sudden appearance, Gradriel leaves without hesitation, leaving the Guild and Ronin mere steps away from the Geo Magnetic Pole that will lead them to the thirty-first floor. "So, are we gonna get started or not?" Bertrand sighed, wanting to get this over with. Other explorers would think of him to be an impatient type, but that wasn't his concern for the time being.

"Yes... The Shaved Ices, if you please." Shen politely asked to Ricky, as the blonde haired girl places down the basket and starts passing out the Shaved Ices to everyone, making sure to get one for herself as well, wasting no time but to dig into the food that's brought to them.

"...Wow, who knew ice can be flavored to be sweet?" Fafnir commented, as Flavio chimed in shortly afterward. "Doesn't help when it becomes rather bitter as it goes on- Aaaaagh!"

Flavio felt like his tongue was on fire, trying to jab the cold parts of the Shaved Ice on his tongue in an attempt to cool it down. "That means the bitter sauce is doing its job." Chloe sighed, before taking another bite into her Shaved Ice.

Korey, however, had to take it a bit slow because the change between cold and bitter felt too sudden to him. "I don't usually enjoy eating bitter stuff, but if it'll help us in the long run, then I'll have to eat it all!" He declared, as Bertrand gulped down the food he had in his mouth.

"Well, this could potentially be our last meal together, but I don't want to get sentimental on you all. Not when we got a job to do." Although Bertrand didn't notice it himself, Korey felt like he was kind of was being sentimental, despite the tone of voice he had.

"Right. We came this far, so giving up isn't an option anymore." Arianna declared, as Ricky nodded in agreement. "I'll protect the world I've been sent to look over, no matter what the cost is." She added, remembering her duty and reason why she was here.

"And we'll make sure that Lagaard doesn't suffer from the Ur-Devil's presence." Shen concluded, clenching his free hand as he glanced at the Geo Magnetic Pole. Once they step through there, there is no return...

But regardless of how Shen felt, someone out there was questioning his motives for sneaking out in the morning...

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

"What do you mean Shen snuck out when nobody was around?!"

Axel wasn't in a great mood, hearing that Shen snuck out in the morning. Magnus and Hamza where there, with him, as Magnus was the first to bring attention to the missing guild-member to Axel and their guild leader.

"He clearly told Lynus that all of us would take down the Ur-Devil, but I didn't expect him to just up and disappear in the morning! What the hell is up with him?!" The Alchemist retorted, pacing back and forth as he did so.

"Must have been taking lessons from Rahas." The black haired War Magus suggested, scratching his the back of his head. "What, through the window?" Magnus replied in confusion.

"I mean, that's a possibility. What'd you expect, other than for him to sneakily hope none of us were down here in order for him to escape?" Hamza responded, as the blonde Alchemist took a few seconds to consider the possibility.

"Well, that's true... Ugh, never mind, we got to go after him! I refuse to have him die on me again!" Shaking aside his concerns, Magnus focused on what they needed to do- chase down Shen, and help him before it was too late.

"We will, Magnus. We just need to finish our trip for preparations. Lynus just came back after a bit of shopping, so once we're stocked on Medica's and Amrita's, we'll head out. I know how protective you can be of Shen, but if he's with this Gungnir Guild, they should be fine until we get there..." Axel reassured the Alchemist to the best of his ability. He's not Lynus, but he's still his friend, anything to keep him calm will help in the long run.

"For how long would depend on their strategy... Cause while we don't have a clear idea of what we're up against, Shen does." Hamza added, which was the main reason why preparation took longer to begin with.

"We still must be careful of the floor itself, too. We're not sure what kind of FOE's could linger there." The red haired landsknecht continued, reminding Magnus and Hamza to keep up their guard. Magnus looks toward Yggdrasil, placing his right hand on his chest, and letting out a deep sigh.

"I hope we're not too late..."

"I'll go help Lynus with preparations. We'll head to the Yggdrasil when we're ready." Axel concluded, as he heads out of the room, with Hamza following behind him before turning to Magnus and calling out to him.

"You coming, Magnus?"

Magnus turns his head to face Hamza in silence, before giving a nod to him. "...Yeah. I'm coming." With a confirmation out of the way, Hamza continued to follow Axel, as Magnus grabbed his things and headed towards the door, before looking back at the room behind him one more time.

Was this battle worth the risk to save someone he cared for? Definitely. After all, if it was coming from Shen's own mouth, that Ur-Devil shouldn't be taken lightly. Shen needs him by his side as much as Magnus needed to be by him.

He lets out a deep sigh, grabbing the door handle and closing the door, steeling himself for the toughest battle of his- no, perhaps the toughest the Guardian Guild will come face-to-face with in the entirety of their journey through Yggdrasil. He was regretting not being able to stop Shen earlier, but his focus on saving him was more than enough to keep his regret off his mind.

"Some blind gas never hurts in case Tobyn's Blind Arrows aren't enough..." Macerio's voice brought Magnus' attention to the table, where Macerio and Axel are helping Lynus with his preparations. Tobyn was currently flexing his bow string to make sure it was still usable.

"Trust me, if this Ur-Devil thing is capable of seeing anything, I'll make sure a thousand blinding arrows will keep it distracted." Tobyn attempted to assure everyone, feeling his arrows will be more than sufficient than using a dark gas contained in a bottle. Although Magnus surveyed the room hundreds of times, there wasn't a sign of Hamza anywhere.

"Hey, Tobyn, do you know where Hamza went?" He couldn't help but ask the Survivalist, who looked away from his weapon to the Alchemist and sat up. "He said he wanted us to eat something that he found on one of Shen's notes, so we're just waiting for him to get back with it." The blonde man replied, scratching his cheek as he continued his inspection of his bow.

"Something...? Like what?"

"Something called Apple Mocha Shaved Ice. I don't get why he would want us to have something that sounds like it'd be for a desert, but he said that eating it can help me pull off blinds more often." Tobyn explained, as Magnus took a seat beside him.

"Then, once we eat it, the effect would take place?"

Sheesh, even when Tobyn was trying to prepare himself, Magnus sure was talkative today, especially when his love interest is putting himself in danger. But, seeing as he was wanting to talk, it would be a shame to leave him hanging with a question like that.

"I assume so. That cafe has some strange recipes that give off effects to explorers. To others, it's merely food. It's not my place to assume the cook behind the recipe if it's going to give us a benefit." Tobyn assured him, placing his weapon beside him when he was finished, adjusting his scarf whenever needed.

"That does it for preparations." Lynus declared, closing his bag and placing it over his head onto his shoulders. Macerio sighed, as he looked towards the inn's door, hoping Hamza would show up.

"Even if we manage to take this thing down, who knows if it will be back like the other monsters?" The gunner couldn't help but ask, getting Lynus' attention unintentionally. "We won't know until we face it ourselves. That's the best we can do, right Axel?"

"Yeah. We'll show it just how strong the Guardian Guild really is." Axel concurred, smiling and giving Lynus a pat on the shoulder, followed by a kiss on the cheek. "And I'll be there to protect you should it even get a thought about hurting you." He added, as the orange haired medic couldn't help but chuckle as his face grew as red as a tomato.

As if one last note played on a song at the last second, the door finally opened, and Hamza came in holding two Shaved Ice Tobyn mentioned to Magnus earlier. Though following behind him was a rather unusual guest they had not seen before- a girl with green hair, mixed with red end streaks, red eyes and white skin, along with a grass-like dress of a female Sovereign and brown boots. She was holding the rest of the Shaved Ice that Hamza was unable to carry himself.

"Uhh, Hamza, what's with the girl following behind you?" Axel questioned as Hamza placed the Shaved Ices on the table. "She's very different from all the other explorers we've seen..." Lynus added, as the girl in question followed Hamza in placing the food on the table before looking to the medic.

"Thou hasn't seen a Forest Folk before, human?" She inquired, turning to face him, grabbing her dress and bowing before him. "Thou may call me Hibiki, princess of the Forest Folk." She began, seeming to act very formal to Lynus, despite the two having not met each other before.

Lynus thought it was a strange way to introduce themselves, but he sensed that she was a pure heart, and gave his traditional heart warming smile. "Nice to meet you, Hibiki. I'm Lynus, the Guardian Guild's medic." He responded with an introduction of his own, as she stood up afterwards to greet the others, who were short but brief with their introductions.

"So uh, Hibiki, why did you help our guild leader just now?" Magnus asked, as Hibiki turned to face the Alchemist. "Thy leader simply needed assistance, is all." Hibiki began, as she started walking towards the door.

"As for thy friend, he has reached the thirty-first floor with the Gungnir Guild. I suggest thou should hurry before the deepest darkness swallows not only the blue-haired Ronin and the Gungnir Guild, but the world we all live in." She added, as her hand touched the door handle before she was stopped by Lynus.

"Hey... If you're so inclined to tell us this, why won't you help us?" She turned to face the orange haired medic that approached her. Her hand clenched tightly on the door handle.

"...I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Lynus politely asked, sensing that the Forest Sovereign was tearing up a little inside. Nosy as it might be, if he can quench her fear, she might have a better outlook for her life.

"...Afraid of being betrayed. Betrayed, punished and abused by thy kind for the simple reason for existing." A silent gasp came from Lynus' mouth.

"So... is that why you're attempting to leave? To remain hidden?" Lynus inquired, getting the girl to finally turn to face him, silently giving a nod as her answer.

"I hate to be a burden to thy guild, or to anyone. To become a burden, thy must leave thou future to the winds. That's what those stubborn parents of mine constantly reminded me, regardless of what I did." Hibiki continued, feeling her grasp on the door lessen as she felt tears stream down her face, trying to hold them back, but she felt Lynus' hand stop her from wiping it away as her eyes came face-to-face with his.

"I know it may be hard for me to fully understand, Hibiki, but you're no burden. I know you're someone who is capable of doing more than hiding from their past. You just need to step out of your past- forget those abusive memories and forge new memories." Lynus began, bringing her back inside to the lobby.

"He's gone full parental mode, now." Magnus commented, as Axel simply scratched the back his head, chuckling to himself. "Lynus is a very caring person, so I can't say we didn't see this coming." The red haired landskecht remarked, looking onward at the scene before him as he took a bite of the Shaved Ice beside him, urging Magnus, Tobyn, and Macerio to eat up before they head out.

"Does thou think Korey will understand? I have not spoken with him about my own past, but-" Hibiki was interrupted by the caring medic standing before her. "I'm sure he'll understand as much as I will. You have a bright future just waiting for you, Hibiki. It's not too late."

Something about Lynus' words rung true. Although she was able to fend off one attack from an angry Sovereign once before, she barely had the need to fight within the labyrinth, cause she blended in well on the first stratum... Such calm and soothing words he spoke.

"If I can have a happy life being with the ones I care and love for, wouldn't you do the same?"

Hibiki blinked and looked at the other guild members that were in the lobby, noticing Axel's warm, smiling face as he overlooks Lynus before turning his attention to Hamza and discussing a strategy. Hearing the conversations of Magnus' care for Shen, and the reassurance from Macerio and Tobyn were simple enough for the Forest Sovereign to understand. "I suppose... thou art correct." She sighed, wiping away her tears as her attention turned back to Lynus.

"Lynus... Please, allow me to assist thy guild for the upcoming battle. I cannot hide myself anymore, and wish to ask for thy assistance to become an explorer." She confessed, closing her eyes as if in shame of the future she did not attain before.

Lynus patted her shoulder in reassurance. "We'll come across that bridge some other time, Hibiki. But thank you for letting me hear you out." He sighed, as he started making his way over to the table, before turning to Hibiki.

"Are you coming? We'll be leaving soon after we eat." He asked, as Hibiki stood up from where she knelt and looked at Lynus, as he saw her scarlet eyes, ablaze with hope and determination. "...Coming." She finally replied, a smile now forming on her face as she followed Lynus to the table.

The hour of battle comes nearer... In the highest reach of Yggdrasil.

[theprocrastinatingalien]

Looking towards Avengers 4 (with major Infinity War spoilers)

I'm aware that this might come across as negative, so I need to get something out there immediately... I absolutely loved AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR.  I thought it was epic, and in the same way that THE AVENGERS shouldn't have worked, it totally did.  Bringing all those characters together and it not being a shambles. I've always had faith in Marvel and (in particular) the MCU... all in all INFINITY WAR is a triumph.  My excitement for AVENGERS 4 is on overload already.

The second (and much better) ANT-MAN AND THE WASP trailer has just been released, and early next year we get to meet CAPTAIN MARVEL.  That's all exciting stuff, but AVENGERS 4... that's where we've heading to.  Kevin Feige has stated that there will be a line drawn for the fans... everything before AVENGERS 4, and everything after it. 

That's something to remember when discussing AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, because whilst it feels like everything has been leading to THAT film, that's not true, it's next year's outing that really is - as Doctor Strange would say - the endgame.

It's impossible to look towards AVENGERS 4 without  talking about INFINITY WAR, of course.... especially as, well, it killed off a lot of it's characters.  I'm not about to review the film, but we HAVE to talk about the deaths.   They're very important.

Marvel have always, seemingly, been afraid to kill off major characters.  One-off villains, sure.  The odd supporting character, maybe.  But the big players?  Not so much.  During the first two phases of the MCU, the biggest death is arguably Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON.  Sadly, the death is underwhelming because... we've only just met him.  Barring a tease at the end of a previous movie, the 'twins' were only properly introduced in the film that offed him, so we can't possibly care as much as if, say one of the originals had died instead.  A lot of people thought Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) might bite the dust, and that would've meant more, certainly.  Quicksilver it was though.   Then phase three happened - would things change?  A little bit, and not at first.  Personally I was disappointed with CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, as it was a film I went in absolutely expecting the exit of a known character.  The comic book source suggested a death should happen, and really if it wasn't known that Chris Evans had more films on his slate I would've really expect Captain America to be a goner.  Knowing that wouldn't happen I expected someone in his place.   The closest we come is (Don Cheadle's) War Machine's plummet. It's dramatic... but it's not a death and it is sadly completely signposted in the trailers.

I've made my peace with CIVIL WAR though, and moved on from my initial disappointment to regard it as one of my favourite movies in the franchise. Since then, Marvel have seemingly cottoned on to the fact that - as much as we don't want to see our favourites die - it needs to happen if the audiences are to believe the jeopardy of the situations the characters are in.  In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2 director/writer James Gunn chose to kill off Yondu (Michael Rooker).  It's actually a powerful moment, and whilst Yondu is hardly a core member of the group, it's affecting enough.   THOR: RAGNAROK took it further... with half the cast of the previous films not returning anyway (Foster, Selvig, Darcy and Sif all missing), the devastation across Asgard at the hands of Hela (Cate Blanchett) sees off Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun, with Odin (Anthony Hopkins) having his swansong earlier in the film.  It's enough.  True none of the 'crossover' characters get taken out... but RAGNAROK does run straight into INFINITY WAR as the fleeing Asgardian race come face to to face with Thanos' ship.

That's precisely where we start INFINITY WAR too.   Whilst some characters are questionably missing - Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie and rock dude Korg for example - those we do see aren't around for long.   The Asgardian bodies are scattered, and the first 'proper' death of film is Idris Elba's Heimdall.  He bifrosts the Hulk to Earth and in doing so is killed by Thanos (Josh Brolin).  Thor (Chris Hemsworth - in his biggest, most important role during an Avengers outing) is shocked, but the bigger shock comes when Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is throttled to death.  Okay, for some of the audience I don't think this is as big a shock as it is for Thor, but it means a lot.  Loki has been a favourite with the fans, especially the favourite villain in the MCU, and whilst I've seen some bemoan a wasted death, I think it's perfect for the film. Loki IS  a villain, and the 'bigger' deaths need to be reserved for the heroes.

Gamora.  That's a big death, which actually guides the film to it's conclusion.  Zoe Saldana's green assassin plays such an important role.... it is sad when Thanos sacrifices her for the soul stone... but again, I'm sure we saw it coming.  ONE of the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY had to be offed. As the story unfolds, it makes sense that Gamora is the one.... and if it's a permanent death it's going make a big hole in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3!  She's the lead female after all.  But her death works... and, let's be honest, it's the effect on Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) that stops Iron Man and Spider-Man succeeding in getting the gauntlet off of Thanos, which could have won everything there and then.

We then have Vision (Paul Bettany).  He dies twice.   Once at the hands of Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) to save half the universe... and once by Thanos to destroy it.  Those deaths all have a lot of weight to them for varying degrees and reasons.  Heimdall is the first notable death, Loki a god, Gamora a guardian and Vision an android who probably could've been the saviour of the universe had his head not been a target.

Thanos then clicks his fingers.  A simple act, that has devastating consequences. Half the life in the universe gets wiped out - including half of our heroes.  Bucky, Falcon, Black Panther, Groot, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, Drax, Mantis, Maria Hill, Nick Fury and Doctor Strange.  They all... disappear.  It's has a massive impact  The bad guy won.  The good guys lost.  The last shot of the film is Thanos smiling.   The credits are black and sombre.  At the very end we're normally told that our heroes will return... but we're not... instead we're told that Thanos will return.

It's a shock.

Until you think about it. 

If AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR was the last film of the phase, then the impact would be astounding, but we know AVENGERS 4 is now a year away. When the third phase was announced, a two-parter was announced - AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART 1 & PART 2.  Since then, the writers and directors have tried to undo that.  INFINITY WAR has now 'part one' attached, and the title to the follow up is still a secret.  We've been told that the film is very different to the one we've seen, but the title is technically a spoiler, so they chose to withhold it so audiences could concentrate on the movie at hand.

Having seen INFINITY WAR (and I'll state again - I loved it) I really wouldn't be surprised if the title for the next film ends up simply being AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR VOL 2.   I can't see how it's not a simple 'second part'.  Thanos smiling at the end of this movie might as well have had the words 'to be continued' written across it.

And the more I think about those deaths at the end, the more it bugs me. Why?  Because it's the wrong characters that died.   That might sound like a silly statement, but stick with me here... look at the list again.... in particular, Black Panther, Doctor Strange... Spider-Man... almost all of the Guardians.   They're all characters that will DEFINITELY be back.  Next year sees the sequel to SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING.  The year after, we have GUARIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3, and let's be honest, there's no way we're not getting a DOCTOR STRANGE 2 or  BLACK PANTHER 2.  Most of the characters (barring Maria Hill and Nick Fury) are phase 2 or 3 characters, and will have their place amongst phase 4.

Who are we left with?  Iron Man, Thor, Dr Banner, Steve Rogers, Black Widow, War Machine, Nebula, Okoye, Rocket and M'Baku.  These are the characters we'll be following into the next movie - what's odd about that is, except for the last few names on the list - these are the guys who are moving on.  Robert Downey Jr was the first guy we ever saw in this franchise.  Chris Evans has publically said he's done, and Chris Hemsworth's arc seems largely done now.    I'm going to come back to this.   This is important.  Right now, I'm going to start looking at what I know/suspect about AVENGERS 4...

CLINT BARTON, ANT-MAN, WASP and CAPTAIN MARVEL

These four are joining the action.   No question.   There's been a lot of upset that Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) was absent from the marketing, but that's simply because he wasn't in the film.  They probably could've shoehorned him into it they wanted, he could've shot lots of arrows in the Wakanda fight... but he's been saved for something bigger.   The on-set photos of him seem to suggest Clint is now going by the name Ronin.  I assume this is because, whilst he was keeping away from the Avengers to keep his family safe, his family then disappeared with Thanos' click.   He probably blames himself.  Maybe an extra pair of hands could've helped save the day?  With so many characters now taken out of action, I reckon Barton (whatever his moniker) will have a major role to play in the next movie.  Likewise, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Brie Larson get to tag in... with Ant-Man (also noted to be missing from IW) Wasp and Captain Marvel (both ladies kept back until their superhero statues had been revealed officially in their respective movies) coming in the kick ass.  Captain Marvel even gets a tease in the post credits as Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) sends her an emergency message).  She's likely to play a key part too, as she's be noted to be the most powerful of all the heroes.

And it's now I need to go back to my feeling that they've killed off the wrong characters.  You see, think about this... as it stands, with the deaths we've have, we known it's all going to get undone.  We know things are going to be sorted to some degree.   But now switch it.   Imagine the characters that died at the end were Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hulk, Rocket, Nebula, War Machine... would we be so certain things would be undone?  Knowing certain contracts were at the end, others happy to leave... and imagine also, that first battle in New York, but with all the new guys - Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Spider-Man, the Guardians... all joining in what was already an brilliant cinematic scene.   How great would that money shot be - you know the one, with the six Avengers in a circle together for the first time, but now bolstered by added Ant-Man, Falcon, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel...

I just wonder if the writers have missed a trick.  Because we do, really know things are going to be okay.  But we return to that feeling that a lot of these deaths in this movie were for shock value only, they will be undone.  Maybe not for EVERYONE, but mostly.  It also makes us wonder... is Vision gone?  Will Gamora, and maybe even Loki rise from their graves?  Hell, will the reset button go so far back that even the likes of Quicksilver and all over Asgard come back?

I think what we will see, is the original gang lay down their lives to bring all those characters back.  Going back in time might not actually be the big finale, it might be second act action leaving into a third act where Thanos joins forces with the Avengers against... a Gauntlet wielding Nebula (Karen Gillan's character does get to do that in the comic, and she's still around) or a different character... maybe the Skrulls will appear?  (I don't think that's the case though).

Whilst I am, I guess, disappointed with who they killed off, I do believe we'll have a cracking end to the three phases of the MCU.  I do believe that it'll end the franchise as we know - as certain characters will be leaving us, and there'll undoubtedly be a lump in the throat as they do.   Whilst a lot of the characters will (probably) be missing for large portion of the film, I do believe - if Sebastian Stan can be believed - there'll be the biggest 'money shot' we've seen - with more characters than we've ever seen, including characters like Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) coming into the mix somehow.

Whatever AVENGERS 4 has in store, I am so excited.  This will most definitely not be my last post n the matter.  There's so much to look forward to... what we already know, and all the stuff we haven't got a clue about!

[wandererverse-legacy]

The sequel to "Armour of the Eliminator" set in the Wandererverse.

[mechagalaxy]

Sten Hugo Hiller - 627184: War of `65. First day, consilidating moves.

(By Sten Hugo Hiller - 627184) War of `65. First day, consilidating moves. The opening hours of a Squad war is not the same as if you are in a Clan or Faction war. Given the (much) smaller size of the teams, both the margin for error and the total wins a side might get is severly reduced. So after looking over the initial reports, many Clan leaders might have decided there was no need for additional attacks, -at least not yet. Those who were behind gauging whether there were any wins to be had, those in front considering how many additional wins were needed for a secure win. Then there were the fights hanging in the balance, where a mistake or two could cost the battle. Other clans went boldly forth, laying claim to objectives and trying to paint the opponents into a corner. As seven hours of fighting remained, the scores were: Div 1 W&D HQ 3 - 1 Death Clan 1 The opening moves have been made, and the Warlocks have a slight advantage. Bn 2ns Sq 2 22 - 2 Death Clan The Battalion have a score additional wins, so this battle start to look set already. Div 2 Bn 2nd Sq 21 - 4 Death Clan 2 The Battalion have won more than five times as many fights as the Death Clan, so this start to look like it is over. Spirit of Bunny 26 - 4 B.o.A.D. The Bunnies have increasd their advantage slightly. Will they finally beat the Dragons, or will a late counterattack tip the scales? Div 3 Northwind Dragons 44 - 0 M&L B.C. 13th A.D. The Dragons have nearly doubled their advantage, while the Cats have been unable to secure even a single objective. M&L Team Banzai 4 - 30 Death Squad The Banzai`ers have not been able to get any more wins, while the Squad have been hitting them mercilessly and gained a huge advantage. Div 4 T.B. BlackWatch 14 - 2 The Big Cs BlackWatch have managed to get a dozen objectives in front. Is that enough to secure a win, or will the Cs strike back? RV FIRST SQUAD 40 - 13 SH5 The Slaughterers are starting to get some wins, but RV have more than three times as many. Div 5 BlackStar Mercs 40 - 1 RV Second Squad The Mercs advantage over RV is so big that a reversal of fortunes seem most unlikely. Avengers of Bunny 43 - 3 Death Squad The Bunnies have gained a two-score advantage, so Death will in all probability be beaten. Star League 38 - 19 Guardians of Bunny The Leaguers have a 2-1 advantage over the Bunnies. Will that be enough to secure the win? Death`s Collectors 52 - 7 Mad Scientist.7 The Collectors have increased their advantage to a 7-1 superiority. There is no realistic way the Scientists can make a comeback from this position. Div 6 Ronins 22 - 4 Death Squad The Ronins have kept hitting the Squad, and the battered survivors seem unable to get a solid counterattack going. B.S.L.R. 13 - 8 Splinter Platoon The Rangers have managed to stay a handfull of wins in front, but the Platoon might still come back. Will this be a Match to Watch? M&L Psycho Squad 2 - 21 Mandos The fighting have all but stopped. Is it over, or are the Psychos silently organizing a late push for the win? Heroes 16 - 1 MurderMechs No additional fighting have been reported. Will the Heroes get a solid win, or can MurderMechs rally and challenge them? Div 7 Alpha Legion 2 - 16 ML Beatnik Smurfs The Legion have claimed a couple wins, but the Beatniks are still a long way in front of them. Diamond Dragons 19 - 7 ARMORED CORE A.C. is getting into the game, but can they nullify the Dragons dozen win advantage? RV Third Squad 2 - 13 Chess Dragons RV is doing their best, but they are still a short dozen behind the Dragons. Death Squad 14 - 10 Chess Clan Squad The Death Squad are still four objectives in front, but the Chess Squad are definitively still fighting. This might be a Match to Watch. Div 8 t&t 12 - 28 Defenders of Bunny t&t have managed to close with the Bunnies, but they are still a long way from winning. Smurf Platoon 14 - 9 **R.V.** The Smurfs have managed to get a handfull objectives lead, but R.V. shows no sign of throwing in the towel. H.R.R. 18 - 21 Death`s Squad The Raccons have gained some additional objectives. But a strong offensive have put Death`s Squad slighly in front. This is close enough to look like a Match to Watch. Black Star Bandits 12 - 18 Chess Clan Squad The Bandits have won some more fights, but the distance to the Chess Squad have doubled. Div 9 M&L KillaBeez 10 - 0 T.B. 1st K.H. 2nd Sq No further attacks have been reported. T.B. 1st K.H. 1st Sq 12 - 4 Behemoth The Highlanders have gained a bigger advantage. Will the Behemoths get an offensive going, or are they a spent force already? M&L Rogue Angels 9 - 13 M&L B.o.P.S. While the Angels rested on their laurels, the Smurfs struck and got in front. Is this over, or will we see a close finish making this a Match to Watch? T.I.o.M.T 36 - 19 Renegades The Islanders have by now outscored the Renegades nearly twofold. Is that enough for the win, or will we see a late reversal of fortunes? Div 10 Toy Soldiers 28 - 3 M&L 2nd A.R.S.E. The Soldiers have a better than 90% win rate, so this fight seem over already. Death`s Whisper 13 - 12 ***R.V.*** R.V have seen the Whisperers come back and take over the leadership. But the score is almost tied, so this have the markings of a Match to Watch. T.B. 1st K.H. 14 - 0 Heroes Light Brigade The Highlanders have claimed some additional wins, while the Heroes still havent gotten any. ITC 0 - 0 **R.V.** Both sides are waiting for the opponents to make the first move. Div 11 Castaway Cove 15 - 11 Vengeance Found The Castaways have managed to get in front, but V.F. need only a handfull of victories to get past. Will this be a Match to Watch? Deaths Squad 25 - 4 Ronins 2 The Ronins havent gotten any more wins, and by now the Death Squad have them outscored better than 6-1. Major Steel 24 - 5 Karma II The Steelers have a nearly fivefold advantage, but is that enough to deter a late Karma blitz? Play From Home 12 - 0 Murdermech mini The Homeboys have a dozen unopposed wins. Have the Murdermechs conceded, or will they try to strike back? Div 12 *R.V.* 17 - 21 Karma The fighting have intensified. At the moment Karma is in front, but this fight will not be over before the fat lady sings. This definitively looks to be a Match to Watch. I.N.A. 18 - 0 D.H.o.t.A. I.N.A. have increased their lead, while the Horsemen still lack even a single objective to their name. Indo Nusa Alliance 0 - 0 C.D.H. The waiting game continues..... Jagdstaffel 2 25 - 1 RED AXE With the Jagdstaffel  two dozen wins in front, it seem the Axemen should ask for whatever terms they can get.

[oneshotcomicshop]

Marvel Comics key issues for sale

All-New, All-Different Avengers #0 - $10.00

Annihilation: Conquest #6 – First Appearance of new Guardians of the Galaxy - $80.00

Avengers (2011) #12– First time Iron Man uses Infinity Gauntlet - $25.00

Avenging Spider-Man #9 – First appearance of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel -$150.00

Battle Scars #1 – First appearance of Nick Fury Jr. - $16.00

Battle Scars #6 – First appearance of Phil Coulson - $12.00

Big Hero 6 (2008) #1 - $15.00

Captain America (2004) #1 - $10.00

Captain America: White #1 - $12.00

Carnage (2015) #1 - $15.00

Daredevil (2008) #111 - First Appearance of Lady Bullseye - $35.00

Daredevil (2011) - $7.00

Daredevil (2011) #21 – First Appearance of Superior Spider-Man - $20.00

Dark Avengers #1 – First appearance of Iron Patriot - $18.00

Doctor Strange (2015) #1 - $13.00

Giant-Size Ms. Marvel #1 – First appearance of Chewie the Flerkin - $25.00

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #1 - $50.00

Hawkeye (2012) #1 $26.00

Hulk (2008) #1 – First Appearance of Red Hulk - $70.00

Hulk (2008) #15 – First appearance of Red She-Hulk - $30.00

Invincible Iron Man (2009) #10 – First Appearance of Rescue armor - $25.00

Journey Into Mystery #622– First Appearance of Ikol - $30.00

Journey Into Mystery #632– First Appearance of Thori - $15.00

Mighty Avengers #13 – First appearance of Secret Warriors - $10.00

Mighty Thor (2011) #3 - $14.00

New Avengers (2004) #7 – First Appearance of the Illuminati - $36.00

New Avengers #11 - First appearance of Ronin (Maya Lopez) - $41.00

New Avengers #27 - First appearance of Hawkeye as Ronin - $32.00

New Avengers #35 - $10.00

Nova (2008) #8 - First Appearance of Cosmo and Knowhere - $45.00

Secret Avengers (2012) #23 – Agent Venom joins Avengers - $35.00

Spider-Man: Reign #1 - $16.00

Uncanny X-Force (2011) #4 15.00

Uncanny X-Men #509 - $25.00

Uncanny X-Men #511 - $8.00

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Uncanny X-Men #532 - $10.00

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Venom (2011) #1 - $20.00

Venom (2011) #2 - $40.00

+ shipping

Pictures upon demand. Paypal only.

[unmeisenshi]

dimensionhoppinghybrids​:

“Sekiro, it is.. Nice to meet you sir Vance.” He said as he hesitantly took his paw as well and shook it. It had been a while since he had been able to be so informal around others. Due to his previous status, he had to endure a lot. But in this new land, it was strange to know that his status as a Ronin was now unheard of, and unknown.

Ivy seemed to know what he might be thinking, and gave Sekiro a small but encouraging smile.

She had to get introduced to her new guardian and to get used to him, so the two had been previously acquainted, and she had found out that he was quite a good listener. He was mostly quiet, but he listened.

Seeing his charge look at him like that, he could only give a soft acknowledging grunt and nod. “And I am sure we will be meeting each other a lot. Lady Ivy has been placed under my charge. I was told that you are familiar with such things, yes?” He asked Vance.

Meanwhile Ivy allowed the Riolu to play with her, and she smiled as he used her vines to start tickling the little rascal!

Vance nodded.  “Yes.  We’ve worked a bit with lady Origami, who we know looks over Bellum.”  He’d pull his paw back after shaking his.  “Just know that, like with Origami, that you are always welcome in our home while you’re out here.  There’ll always be a bed available for you.”  He’d warmly smile hearing Noel begin to giggle from Ivy’s tickles.

“I think you’ll quite enjoy it here.  Alstroemeria is an adventurer’s town after all, so if you need odd jobs or anything, head on over to the guild.  Heck, you could come with us on some missions.  Are you familiar at all with rescue teams, Sekiro?”

There was someone new talking to Ivy. She had gone home the day before, and now she was talking to a Lucario. Standing at 5'3, he wore a set of silk Harris which were set in rather beautiful patterns. The Lucario had also a Kitana strapped to his side, the Lucario was looking down at Ivy with a respectful expression. He had a scar on his temple that ran to his left ear, and his eyes seemed to be a lighter shade of red.

Vance would be out and about with Noel, doing a bit of shopping while he was out.  And that’s when he saw Ivy and a strange Lucario talking to each other.  He’d approach, a warm smile on his face.

“Greetings, Ivy.”  He’d set his bags down, giving a courtious bow to her.  The blind Lucario would then turn and bow to the other Lucario.  “I’m Vance.  Excuse my barging in.  But your clothing.  It.. Drew me in.  Where did you find them?”  Meanwhile the smaller Riolu in his arms seemed to be drawn in to the new Lucario as well, as she was staring at the patterns on his clothes as well.

[typewriterbot]

roksana’s timeline is way long, this woman is so old i love her

u want someone to protect u then u came to the right guardian

- Roksana is risen when Warlords were scrambling for land and power somewhere deep in the northwest highlands of scotland. she names her ghost Daiquri and doesn’t really know why

- she kept to herself mostly, sometimes fighting other Risen for armor and weapons, but mostly she fought against Fallen alongside humans

- along the way, she meets Apollo. he’s not Apollo-99 just yet, and she thinks, two Risen is much better than one

- besides, he watches her back, what more could she ask for?

- in her travels, she met the Rangers, and was taught how to fire guns, how to set traps, and how to use the earth to her advantage. the experience and information helps her save lives

- when a life is lost though, it cuts her deeply

- she could come back to life, these people could not, and so she made herself the shield that wouldn’t break in order to protect them. and when she looked at the children in the groups she was with, her heart warmed and she promised each and every one of them that she would be their first and last defense

- Roksana is, essentially, one of the first Titans in the Pilgrim Guard

- her travels allowed her to meet the Iron Lords. initially she’s not that thrilled with them, she thinks they’re just gonna take over what the Warlords started, and she’s not about to rule over people like that. not when she’s already sworn to protect them

- in exchange, because the Iron Lords to know that they can’t just leave humans unprotected while they go off and deal with Warlords, they teach her how to fight as a proper Titan

- Jolder is easy to make friends with, and her and Roksana become friends who kick ass and tease Saladin for being so serious all the time

- she is also friends with Vell Tarlowe, and their wrestling matches are legendary

- it’s easier to get Saladin to relax when he’s swarmed with dozens of children asking to play, and yes, it was all Roksana’s doing

- but what can she say? she loves his smile

- Roksana was one of the first people to greet Zavala when he arrived to the City

- they bond over playing and taking care of children when they have time off

- (and you can bet she gave him pointers on how to make the best damn Ward of Dawn ever)

- she bears the title of Guardian proudly, and helps keep the Faction Wars from reaching civil war status. she knows that the City wouldn’t survive being torn apart from the inside

- after this, she’s not that interested in the Factions, but listens when Apollo maps their allegiances

- Apollo introduces her to Hemlock-2, a hunter who is probably as interested in keeping the City safe as she is. (“every hunter needs a place to rest. might as well be the one place where the Traveler hangs.”) (but she knows that hemlock loves being in the markets among crowds of people)

- she helped build up the walls of the City, laying the foundations that would hold for years. a feat she is proud of

- word of the Hive reaches the City when Guardians find a seeder in the eastern flood zone

- Hemlock gains an apprentice, a new hunter named Ronin, a master of scoped weapons, and someone who loves to gamble. Roksana knows better than to go against her in a card game, and loves watching this new hunter win game after game

- during the battle of Six Fronts, she rallies the Pilgrim Guard to stand against the Fallen. nothing gets past her Ward of Dawn or her fists

- Roksana is given the title of Lady by Jolder. she does like the sound of Lady Roksana, but unless the situation calls for formality she preferred her first name by itself

- instead of following the other Iron Lords to find SIVA, Roksana stays behind in the City. her loyalty has always been to the people she protects, not some far flung hope of Golden Age technology

- (though that doesn’t stop her from wondering. the what ifs plague her for many, many years until she realizes that there was nothing to be done. she would have died as well, among her comrades. the title of Lady is so heavy, she puts it away and becomes just Roksana once again)

- it’s much harder to get Saladin to smile, and Roksana gives him space to mourn

- she still tries, but she doesn’t wait for him either. her happiness has never hinged on anyone but herself and what she does. she’s frustrated with how Saladin holds onto his grief

- she finds an apprentice in Sadik, a fairly new Titan who stumbled in from Europe. he’s more of a striker than a defender though, but he’s a quiet man, and eager to learn, and she’s proud as she watches him join the Firebreak Order

- battle of the Twilight Gap happens, and Roksana watches as Guardians die in great numbers. for a moment she wonders if this’ll be how the City falls before she pours all her strength into her Wards. if the Fallen wish to take the City then they’ll have to go through her first

- Ronin is always on a ledge above her, and there’s a new Warlock, calls himself Ira, and he’s a crackshot with a sniper rifle, though doesn’t offer much in terms of other skills

- while not necessarily glad that Shaxx went against orders, she’s proud that his tactics worked. she’s always known he was more than just a loud Titan who really liked hitting things. (she said this away from Saladin, not wishing to add fuel to the fire between the two of them)

- the City is safe, and Roksana allows herself to leave for longer patrols with Apollo and Hemlock. there are worlds to experience and discover, but her heart always leads all three of them home

- she is among the Guardians in the Battle of Burning Lake, disturbed by the Hive and fearful of what they could do to the City if the Vanguard isn’t careful. she’s glad that Shaxx shares this sentiment

- Sadik and Ronin return to the City with a Warlock in tow, his name is Jai, and she watches as Apollo practically adopts the kid

- in order for Shaxx to study Hive blades, Roksana takes swords from Knights she kills out in the field

- The City is unprepared to retake the moon, Roksana knows this in her bones, but she goes anyway because Guardians will need a wall, and she is immovable

- she saves less than she wanted, and watches as more Guardians die than she ever has before. the numbers stack up to be worse than the Gap, or when raid teams would be wiped out, and it hurts because she couldn’t protect them

- Crota is a thing of nightmares, and in the retreat, Roksana physically picks up Guardians to and throws them to get them out of the way, to make them move. she is one of the last to leave the moon, picking up the rear like she would when she would protect people before the City

- Apollo is put through a reset that makes him Apollo-99, and she must relearn how to befriend this new Apollo

- (she watches Hemlock struggle with this new Apollo, and it hurts)

- (Jai struggles with him too, but perhaps it’s a little easier for him because he hasn’t known Apollo for so long

- she is heartbroken to learn that Vell Tarlowe was part of an unauthorized raid team on the moon, and resigns herself to mourning another friend

- life goes on, and so does she. Apollo-99 finally gives in to her extended hands of friendship after she explained that she knew that he was not Apollo-98 and didn’t expect him to be. she is wants to know this new Apollo

- (Apollo-99 is different from Apollo-98, but not by much. he still burned with radiances and took four or five tables in order to work on his notes, he still helped new Warlocks interested in becoming sunsingers, and he still looked at Hemlock like the hunter hung the stars just for him. it tickled Roksana pink)

- Roksana’s not so surprised that Ira gets Rasputin running (because if anyone could do it, he could. other than Jai, maybe), she’s more surprised that he brought a brand new hunter with him

- really, she’s impressed at how much shit Ira and Guardian are getting themselves into. it certainly gives Apollo something to rant about

- Eris returns to the Tower, and Roksana feels sympathy for the lone survivor, but something tells her that Eris would only take it as pity

- but this is her chance. her chance to do what Vell Tarlowe could not, and kill Crota for all he’s done to the Guardians

- between her, Ronin, and Jai, they complete what’s necessary to descend into the Hellmouth. the team is: Roksana, Ronin, Jai, Sadik, Apollo, and Hemlock

- the raid wears on everyone. Roksana, in all her years, has never been in a place so dark for so long, but she keeps going. she is the first and last defense for her team. the Darkness will break on her shield, she wills this to happen

- Jai is disturbed by the time the raid is over and Crota is dead. Roksana allows herself to cry in Vell Tarlowe’s memory before she picks Jai up by his collar and carries him away. she’ll let Apollo, Sadik, and Ronin take care of him when they return to the Tower

- victory is bittersweet, and she sits with Eris on the night she returns. they curse the Hive and all they had taken from them. Eris, her team. Roksana, the Guardians she had known and couldn’t protect

- Ira formally introduces her to Guardian, and the constantly swaying hunter with a croaky voice and sweet demeanor makes her love them

- she sticks to patrols and bounties on earth, venus, and mars while guardians go off to the reef

- Hemlock does talk her into doing some prison challenges tho

- Oryx arrives

- she’s a little tired at this point. all this Darkness happening in rapid succession is almost too much. almost. but she is a line in the sand, and she will meet these challenges head on

- especially when Guardian is the one spear heading missions on the Dreadnaught. they had shown her their eye as it was slowly taken over, and resolved to let them and Ira face Oryx alone

- the team to kill Oryx consists of herself, Ira (to replace Jai), Guardian, Apollo, Hemlock, and Sadik

- if she has to do anything with the Taken again, it would be too damn soon

- she is among the Guardians who gets infested with tech mites, but handles being stuck in the Tower better than most

- Saladin contacts her. he needs her help with SIVA, and she agrees. she doesn’t regret leaving with the Iron Lords the first time (anymore), this will be the well timed vengeance for the old Lords, and she will be the first fist against them

- Ira tags along with her after he tells her that he had seen the House of Devils on mars but didn’t say anything

- then she thought, what the hell, might as well bring Guardian because they haven’t done anything in a while

- between the three of them, the Plaguelands aren’t difficult

- and she finds herself actually having conversations with Saladin again. there’s something there in those conversations, but she doesn’t pursue them. not yet anyway

- Roksana presents him with Jolder’s helmet, scarred by burnt SIVA, and dons her title of Lady once more

- she teases him about all his brooding, tells him that Zavala does the exact same thing, and grins when she catches him smirk

- it’s not much, but it’s something

- Roksana leads the raid team to kill Aksis with Guardian, Jai, Sadik, Hemlock, and Ira

- she absolutely pushes Ira off the road

- for the first time in what feels like forever, the City is safe, and she has succeeded in her duty. she couldn’t ask for anything more

- and then she’s crushed by the Red Legion, but people need her once again even without her Light and she refuses to go down

[mk1comics]

Here is the New to MK1 list for this Thursday's comic shipment

Full Cover Gallery can be found here https://blog.mk1.co.nz/COVERGALLERY  - Look for more  new printings, reorders and surprise Variant covers to be unveiled on New Comic Day (Thursday) at this link http://www.mk1.co.nz/collections/latest-comics    - and a new Free Comic selection too!  

Comics

AGE OF CONAN VALERIA #4 (OF 5) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190948

AGENTS OF ATLAS #4 (OF 5) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190921

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #7 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190601

BATMANS GRAVE #2 (OF 12) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190480

BATTLEPUG #3  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190165

BLACK CAT ANNUAL #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190871

BLACK HAMMER JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 (OF 5) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190246

BLACK PANTHER AND AGENTS OF WAKANDA #3 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190932

BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER ANGEL HELLMOUTH #2 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191266

CATWOMAN #17 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190605

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS GIANT #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190472

DETECTIVE COMICS #1015 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190609

DOCTOR WHO 13TH HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP192003

DOLLAR COMICS BLACKEST NIGHT #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190532

DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #1 (OF 6) (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190439

EVENT LEVIATHAN #6 (OF 6) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190486

FALLEN ANGELS #1 DX https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190769

FAMILY TREE #1 (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190021

FAR SECTOR #1 (OF 12) (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190441

FLASH #82 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190611

FOLKLORDS #1 (OF 5)  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191261

GIDEON FALLS #18 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190194

GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS #3 (OF 6) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190493

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #11 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190922

HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #3 (OF 6) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190496

HAWKMAN #18 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190615

HISTORY OF MARVEL UNIVERSE #5 (OF 6) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190916

HIT-GIRL SEASON TWO #10  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190196

HOUSE OF WHISPERS #15 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190523

INVADERS #11 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190915

JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #15 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190621 

LADY MECHANIKA SANGRE #4 (OF 5)  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191697

MIRKA ANDOLFOS UNSACRED #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191312

MOONSHINE #13 (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190054

MORBIUS #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190841

OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #21 (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190206

PUNISHER SOVIET #1 (OF 6) (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190851

REAVER #5 (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190211

RONIN ISLAND #8 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191282

RUNAWAYS #27 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190935

RWBY #2 (OF 7) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190512

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #11 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190943

SEA OF STARS #5 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190212

SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN #2 (3RD PTG) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG198824

STAR WARS #74 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190950

STAR WARS JEDI FALLEN ORDER DARK TEMPLE #4 (OF 5) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190957

STAR WARS TARGET VADER #5 (OF 6) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190949

SUPERMAN #17 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190629

TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE BLACKEST NIGHT #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190468

TOMB OF DRACULA #10 FACSIMILE EDITION https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190927

TREES THREE FATES #3 (OF 5) (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190222

UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #50 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190936

UNCLE SCROOGE #50 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190752

USAGI YOJIMBO 35TH ANNIV #6 SAKAI https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190638

VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #3 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191150

WONDER WOMAN #82 YOTV ACETATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190635

X-MEN #2 DX https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190778

Volumes/Graphic Novels/Books/Manga    

ADVENTURES OF X-MEN GN TP RITES OF PASSAGE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191169

BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 05 (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191213

BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 05 PHOTO ED (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191214

CHASING ECHOES SC GN (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191841

COMPLETE LIFE & TIMES SCROOGE MCDUCK HC VOL 02 ROSA https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191946

DARK RED TP VOL 01 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191389

DRAGON BALL VISUAL HISTORY HC ART AKIRA TORIYAMA https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG192435

ENOUGH SPACE FOR EVERYONE ELSE GN https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/DEC188719

FASHION KITTY COLLECTION GN https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191683

FIREFLY STING ORIGINAL GN HC  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUL191306

FLASH YEAR ONE HC https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190662

FRUITS BASKET ANOTHER GN VOL 03 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG192492

JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 04 THE SIXTH DIMENSION https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190669

LA VOZ DE MAYO RAMBO TP https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190069

LEGEND OF KORRA TP PART 02 RUINS OF EMPIRE  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUN190359

MAKING COMICS SC LYNDA BARRY https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUL191847

OUR ENCOUNTERS EVIL PROFESSOR MEINHARDT & KNOX HC https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUN190299

RIVERS OF LONDON TP VOL 07 ACTION AT A DISTANCE (MR) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUN191966

SAVAGE AVENGERS TP VOL 01 CITY OF SICKLES https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191148

SCIENCE COMICS SKYSCRAPERS GN https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP191804

STAR WARS AGE OF RESISTANCE TP HEROES https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191159

TEEN TITANS GO TP WEIRDER THINGS https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190691

TRANSFORMERS VISUAL HISTORY HC https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP192219

WONDER TWINS TP VOL 01 ACTIVATE https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190697

  Next week's Shipment due 21st November 2019   

https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/236824-PREVIEWSworlds-New-Releases-For-11202019  

HAZEL & CHA CHA SAVE CHRISTMAS TALES UMBRELLA ACADEMY

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190239 

BATMAN #83  https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190473

BATMAN WHITE KNIGHT PRESENTS VON FREEZE #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190437

DCEASED HC https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG190650

2099 ALPHA #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190821

ANNIHILATION SCOURGE ALPHA #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190786

DEADPOOL #1 https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190835

 IMMORTAL HULK TP VOL 05 BREAKER OF WORLDS

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG191149 

JOURNEY STAR WARS RISE SKYWALKER ALLEGIANCE TP VOL 01

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP190991