#like . ronin or whatever. protecting her team

[twintraps]

training :^)

[scrawnydutchman]

How ‘What If . . . ?’ Further Exposes the Problem With Captain Marvel

*General MCU spoilers ahead, especially for ‘What If . . . ?’*

Hey everyone. After a long time of not writing any essays I’m back with what many might consider a somewhat touchy subject. It’s no secret that of all the characters in the MCU, Carol Danvers has seen the most controversy surrounding the character itself. One side turning their discontentment into justification for throwing the actor Brie Larson under the bus every chance they get and the other claiming that the hatred around the character comes from a deeply misogynistic place, especially in comparison to other conceptually similar heroes like Superman. So before I get into this, I want to put up a quick disclaimer:

The purpose of this essay is not to undermine anyone’s opinion that Captain Marvel is great. If you love this character, God knows I wouldn’t want my opinionated ass to ruin the fun for you. I can also appreciate Marvel’s honest attempt at writing such a strong woman character in a franchise that has an abundance of strong leading men with their standalone films. I can also appreciate Brie Larson’s actions in taking a more active role promoting women’s rights and good women representation in media after this role had given her more of a platform to do so. I may have my problems with how Carol Danvers is written in the greater context of the MCU, but that is NOT permission to harass anyone or to be a misogynistic prick. My goal is to be as constructive and objective as I am capable of being in my analysis and perhaps even offer solutions for how the goal of this character can be achieved better.

With all of that said . . . MCU Captain Marvel sucks. I’m sorry, but she does. I know I started this essay out TRYING to have a better spirit about it, but the way this character is written into the larger MCU narrative is just so contrived. It honestly feels like the MCU writers really wrote themselves into a corner with how to use her.

Those who watch Endgame and the ‘What If. . . ?’ episodes in which Captain Marvel appears will notice a very troubling pattern with her. That pattern being . . . why the hell is she never around when she’s needed most? Endgame tries (poorly) who answer the question of why she wasn’t there for the first battle with Thanos in Infinity War by claiming that she was needed on other worlds and that not every planet has a team like the Avengers to protect it.

I don’t buy this explanation one bit. It’s complete bullshit.

We’re talking about Thanos with all the infinity stones. What could POSSIBLY be so important that you can’t be around for that? Her presence in that fight is literally the difference in whether or not half the entire universe dies. I THINK whatever she was doing can wait. It only gets worse the more you think about it. Where was she when Ronin had the power stone and was about to destroy Xandar? Where was she when the Grandmaster was enslaving an entire planet of creatures for his own entertainment? Where was she when Ego the Living Planet was expanding his consciousness across the universe? When you really stop to think about it, Captain Marvel never gets involved in anything. At least not until it’s too late.

And btw, I blame Fury for this too. Surely he MUST have known about Thanos’ invasion. It made the news for christ’s sake. Why wasn’t he mashing the shit out of the Captain Marvel button BEFORE everyone was getting dusted? And to really drive home how little Captain Marvel gets involved, think about this: After the blip, Tony Stark and Nebula were floating around space . . . .FOR OVER TWENTY THREE DAYS. it took TWENTY THREE DAYS for Captain Marvel to find them. What that means is that Carol Danvers had not responded to Nick Fury’s distress call for nearly a month. That is shit.

And this flimsy excuse for why she’s never around is carried over to the rest of her absence in the MCU. It’s why she wasn’t there for the time heist in Endgame. Her excuse then is “what’s happening on earth is happening on other planets” but if you guarantee the time heist goes without a hitch by being there you immediately take care of what problem for everyone, yeah? And then of course she wasn’t there for the majority of the second war with Thanos. She can’t swoop in unless it’s an excuse to come off like a deus ex machina. Remember that one moment in Endgame that was a big moment for all the women of the MCU? The context of that is that the rest of the women were going to help Captain marvel get through the huge horde. Nice gesture and a nice little moment for the women in the audience . . . until it’s revealed that Captain Marvel can pile drive through the army by herself basically effortlessly. She’s literally so powerful that she undermines the efforts of all the other female characters in comparison . .  . in what was supposed to be a woman empowerment moment.

This underlines the problem that sadly has not been properly rectified since . . . . Captain Marvel CAN’T be more involved . . . because if she is, the conflict is over immediately. You know how everyone complains that Superman is too powerful? Well at least Superman has Kryptonite and other obvious weaknesses. At least DC makes a point about giving Superman limits so that conflict can still reasonably happen even if he’s there. Carol Danvers in the MCU is like if Superman had no canon weaknesses and no virtually no characters of comparable strength to keep him in check. The only way conflict can exist in the MCU is if Carol Danvers is never around.

The cost of this is that she has almost no chemistry with the rest of the MCU cast. She has no relationship with any of the Avengers. She doesn’t know any of the Guardians. She BARELY has one with Fury given how long it’s been since he’s seen her. They even poke fun at this in the after credits scene of Shang Chi where she hangs up on a call and Bruce Banner is like “yeah, she does that a lot”. So the MCU writers are at least somewhat aware of the fact that she never does anything. NEWSFLASH, marvel: being too important for the movie you’re in is NOT an endearing character trait.

Hell, even the SIDE CHARACTERS OF HER MOVIE get more involved in the greater narrative of the MCU. Monica Rambeau plays a crucial role in Wandavision. She has banter with the other SWORD agents. She has her own arc. She connects with Wanda on a personal level. Wandavision alluded to the fact that Monica is going to become her own hero soon just like in the comics and I am pumped for that, because .   .tbh, I always like Monica more as Captain Marvel anyway.

Endgame really tries to make up for this by giving the Avengers lines where they vocally accept her presence. Tony Stark saying “we need her, she’s new blood” and Thor saying “I like this one”. It comes off as disingenuous. Like, it literally feels like nobody in the scene actually likes her. When Rocket asks her if she’s “gotta get another haircut” I honestly sided with him.

All of this carries over to “What If . . .?”. It seems that even in a series literally about anything being able to happen with a change in the narrative Captain Marvel STILL can’t get involved (with the exception of one episode that enacts the changes I hope to see more of). There’s of course the murder mystery episode where she doesn’t show up until Loki has already taken over. 

There’s also the Party Thor episode where FINALLY, FINALLY someone thinks to call Carol at a reasonable time (not before his party destroys many landmarks though). This is the most Carol gets in terms of interaction with the rest of the MCU that she has ever gotten. It’s worth pointing out that She can be here now because suddenly Thor is a match for her, despite never really having feats similar to her in the rest of the MCU (like how Thor struggles to take Thanos on head to head but Carol can take a headbutt like it’s nothing). Their fight is cute. I like how they make a point about her being a massive stick in the mud. Give this episode even MORE credit, They even give her a nice moment at the end where she does Thor a solid by helping him maintain his lie, proving that she isn’t COMPLETELY joyless. THIS is what I want to see more of with this character. I want to see her play off other heroes. I want to see her partake in a way that goes beyond being a plot device. The only way this episode manages to do that is by making it so she CAN lose. She CAN have somebody who matches closely to her in power. Again, if Thor were only as powerful as he is in the main MCU, the conflict would have ended immediately. Some might say she was holding back . . . to which I reiterate my point that the only way she can be meaningfully involved is if she’s stripped of some of her power, be it self imposed or otherwise.

And then there’s the latest episode as of this essay. The first appearance of the multiverse hopping Ultron (besides the ending to the Party Thor episode). There’s a montage of him destroying multiple worlds . . . and Carol does not show up until Xandar. She wasn’t there for earth (again, Fury, why the fuck were you not mashing the button??? they’ll push the button for fucking Party Thor but not for this????), She wasn’t there for Asgard or the Sovereign. By the time she shows up billions of casualties are already enacted and when she finally gets there she comes the closest out of everyone by several miles in stopping Ultron . . because of course she does.

sigh . . we’re back at square one. We made good progress with her in the Party Thor episode, but now she’s back to being stupid powerful and therefore she can’t get involved until it hardly matters anymore.

And then of course, there’s the thing about her being nowhere to be seen for the zombie apocalypse . . .  

Are you starting to see what I mean? She’s too powerful to be involved in a meaningful way and she’s too underdeveloped to have a meaningful connection with anyone. Her power is the ONLY thing going for her as a character and it handicaps her from being more. All she has to do now is be a living measuring stick for how big a deal the baddie is.

In contrast, let’s compare her to my absolute favorite female character in all of the MCU, Nebula

Nebula has everything going for her that Carol Danvers doesn’t. She has direct ties and involvement with the rest of the MCU cast, ESPECIALLY the main villain of the infinity saga Thanos. She has memorable chemistry with her sister and the Guardians and Tony Stark. She has character traits beyond “strong”. She’s ill tempered, she’s pessimistic, she’s snarky, she’s spunky, she’s vengeful, she’s sensitive, she’s awkward. She has funny lines and interactions. SHE FUCKING GETS INVOLVED IN SHIT. Not only is she ACTUALLY IN THE TIME HEIST, but she plays a crucial role both in getting the power stone and how the time heist ends up going wrong. Nebula is fucking awesome and I want her to have her own solo series or movie so bad. I’d watch the shit out of that.

So what to do about Captain Marvel? How do we make her both more endearing and more involved? Honestly, I think the number one solution is to nerf her powers a bit. She can’t be an immediate easy solution anymore. Party Thor already alluded to this as previously mentioned. I think she’s a misguided attempt at strong female representation in which writers think a woman being strong means she can’t be any kind of vulnerable. It’s okay for a female character to need help. It’s okay for a female character to be able to lose or even to not even come close to winning. I get that women being victimized has become a huge issue in literature, but the solution isn’t to go to the complete opposite side of the pendulum. I don’t want to just shit on Captain Marvel for the sake of it; I DO want to see more of her. I DO want to see her get involved more often, but I want her involvement to have more purpose beyond being a plot device.

So how do we strip her of some power? There’s many ways to go about that, but here’s my favorite answer

Introduce the X-Men to the MCU and have Rogue steal some of it permanently

It’s an excuse to bring the X-men in, it’s logical AND it’s a nice little nod because this literally happens in the comics. It’s why Rogue can fly and is super strong in the 90s X-men cartoon.

Anyway, there’s still more Captain Marvel stuff coming out no doubt, especially “The Marvels” which as I understand it will bring back Monica Rambeau AND will introduce Kamala Kahn. I’m optimistic that that will sort out the issues with this character. God knows it wouldn’t be the first time a character got drastically improved after an intial appearance after a particularly great movie gave them a makeover (looking at you Thor and Captain America).

[king-gob]

What’s a good comic that doesn’t involve superheroes?

oh buddy. pal. friendo. I’ll limit myself to books currently running to keep this only a single mile long. Note that depending on how loose your definition of “superhero” is will affect this. I’ve seen people call John McClane a superhero so yeah.

Something is Killing the Children

by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell'Edera (Boom! Studios)

Kids have been going missing in a sleepy woodland town. A strange woman named Erica arrives, determined to do something about it. She partners with a young boy who claims to have seen the thing stalking the town, and things quickly spiral further out of control. Well-written characters and fantastic art. Easily my favorite book running right now.

The Department of Truth

by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)

Cole Turner is an FBI agent who specializes in conspiracy theories and the deleterious effect it has on the minds of people obsessed with them. Unfortunately for him, he is about to discover that there is more going on under the surface than he realized and belief is far more powerful than he could ever imagine. Tynion is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, and Simmonds’s art is even better here than it was in Dying Is Easy (which I also recommend). This series has one of the best first issues I’ve ever read, and I was hooked instantly. A definite recommend if you are as interested in conspiracy theories as I am.

Fire Power

by Robert Kirkman and Chris Samnee (Image)

Owen Johnson is a regular dad in the suburbs. He has a great wife, two kids and a job working at his father-in-law’s antique shop. What sets him apart is that he had spent years of his early life in a Shaolin temple, mastering martial arts, including the legendary Fire Power, the ability to generate fire from his body. He has long since turned his back on his order and the responsibilities they demand, but his former life is not ready to let him go. Written by Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead and with art by the great Chris Samnee, Fire Power is a great martial arts comic, recommended for fans of Street Fighter or anyone who likes seeing monks and ninjas beat each other up. I definitely recommend starting from the “Volume 0″ prequel trade. It’s not ESSENTIAL but I believe the story flows much better with it that way.

Fear Case

by Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins (Dark Horse)

Two Secret Service agents are investigating the Fear Case, the Service’s oldest open case. All agents are put on the case, but are only given a single year to investigate, as the case has the tendency to ruin the lives of those who get too close. Winters and Mitchum are in the last three weeks before they have to turn the case over, but they are closer than anyone has gotten in the history of the Service to getting their hands on the legendary box. But the closer they get, the more bodies they seem to find, and the duo’s mental and emotional limits are stretched to their breaking point. Everything Matt Kindt writes is worth reading, and this series is no different. Recommended for fans of the X-Files and other supernatural mysteries.

I Breathed a Body

by Zac Thompson and Andy MacDonald (Aftershock)

Telling too much about this comic would honestly be spoiling it. In the not-too-distant future, the biggest social media influencer in the world posts something horrific and the macabre lengths his PR team go to to handle it. The art is extremely good at showing the body horror involved and while I do recommend the comic, be warned, it is *extremely* fucked up. Excellent horror comic.

Once and Future

by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora (Boom! Studios)

Terrorists resurrect King Arthur in a bid for power, but it turns out that the english legend is not what they thought or bargained for. Now, a retired monster hunter and her archeologist grandson must turn back the tide of returning myths before the world is irreversibly plunged into darkness. But their family history has plenty of shadows of their own. Really great book from two of my favorite creators, and really love the way they play with the metatextual nature of the myths and legends involved. Very fun.

Seven Secrets

by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo (Boom! Studios)

A clandestine order protects seven briefcases which hold seven secrets. However, a betrayal from within threatens to reveal those secrets, and Caspar, the son of two former protectors of the Seven Secrets, must discover the truth before all is lost. Tom Taylor is a fantastic writer that makes everything he writes infectiously fun, and with Di Nicuolo’s great eye for action scenes, this is an adventure book worth checking out.

Stillwater

by Chip Zdarsky and Ramón K. Pérez (Image)

A promise of a substantial inheritance brings Daniel West and his friend to the quiet town of Stillwater. However, they quickly realize the town’s sinister secret: in Stillwater, nobody dies. And as the marketing for the book says, that’s not just a promise, it’s a threat. Good writing and an intriguing mystery. Highly recommended.

That Texas Blood

by Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips (Image)

The murder of his brother brings an aspiring writer back to the Texas town of his youth, and puts him on a violent road to his own undoing. Fantastic writing. If you’re like me and love dark neo-western and crime stories, then I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. Look elsewhere if you want happy endings.

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead

by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo (Boom! Studios)

Captain Malik and his crew pilot an autopsy ship, so named because they harvest meat, metal and other materials from the fresh corpses of dead gods that appear on the edge of space. Malik wants to see a living god, and is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. But the ghosts of his past haunt him, and until he confronts them, making history won’t be easy. Fantastic cosmic sci-fi story with gorgeous art by Di Meo. Recommended for people who love stories set in space, and also for people who love long panels.

American Ronin

by Peter Milligan and ACO (AWA Upshot)

In a future where supercorporations rule everyone’s lives (I know that may be hard to visualize but try to imagine it), war is fought not by nations, but by enhanced operatives carrying out all manner of assassinations and espionage. But when one unnamed operative breaks his programming and goes on the hunt, the entire sick system is about to be violently brought down. Really interesting protagonist who has a great ability. Hunt down his targets by ingesting their DNA to learn how they think, and then using that empathic ability to get inside their heads. The cat and mouse games are really fun, and I highly recommend for anyone who likes superspy stories or seeing complex plans pay off.

Casual Fling

by Jason Starr and Dalibor Talajić (AWA Upshot)

Jennifer Ryan is a successful lawyer with a loving family and a great career, but a bad decision (that is, cheating on her stay-at-home husband) made on a whim has disastrous consequences. Saying much more would be spoiling, but there is definitely something sinister going on beneath the surface. Made in the style of erotic thrillers like Fatal Attraction and Eyes Wide Shut, this book features very well-written, realistic characters and importantly (to me anyway) refuses to condemn the protagonist while not shying away from the destructive results of her mistakes. I picked this book up because I liked Jason Starr’s previous book, Red Border, and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Recommended.

Bitter Root

by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown and Sanford Greene (Image)

In 1920s Harlem, a long-standing family of monster hunters is splintering. Tragedy and conflicting worldviews are tearing them apart, and they’re going to need to stand together if they want to save New York City from the darkness that’s coming. Hate is a powerful thing, but also a cancer, and it’s about to metastasize. Really great worldbuilding and immediately likeable characters. Despite having a lot of themes about hate and prejudice (and utilizing them particularly well, in my opinion), the book is an exceptional action story. David F. Walker is a favorite writer of mine (See: Shaft, Nighthawk, Luke Cage) and Chuck Brown wrote the incredibly fun On the Stump (also highly recommended). The issues also feature essays from black scholars who expand on some of the historical events and themes that are present in the book, if you’re into that sort of thing (which I am). I’m not sure if those are in the trades, though.

Honorable Mentions/Books that I am too tired to give the full treatment to right now: Babyteeth (Aftershock) Chained to the Grave (IDW) Dead Dog’s Bite (Dark Horse) Decorum (Image) Deep Beyond (Image) Dryad (Oni Press) Family Tree (Image) The Goon (Albatross Funnybooks) Killadelphia (Image) Nocterra (Image) Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology (Dark Horse) Orcs (Boom! Studios) Orphan and the Five Beasts (Dark Horse) Outcast (Image) Proctor Valley Road (Boom! Studios) Redneck (Image) Sea of Sorrows (IDW) Second Coming (AHOY Comics) Silver Coin (Image) Tartarus (Image) Two Moons (Image) Undiscovered Country (Image) Undone by Blood (Aftershock) Vampire: The Masquerade (Vault Comics) Wynd (Boom! Studios) Year Zero (AWA Upshot) Honorable Mentions/Books that have ended but you should check out: A Walk Through Hell (Aftershock) American Born Chinese (First Second) American Vampire (DC Comics) Animosity (Aftershock) Archangel 8 (AWA Upshot) Bad Reception (Aftershock) Basketful of Heads (DC Comics) Black Science (Image) Blacksad (Dark Horse) Chew (Image) Dark Ark (Aftershock) Dark Red (Aftershock) Daytripper (DC Comics) Dead Day (Aftershock) Devil’s Highway (AWA Upshot) The Dollhouse Family (DC Comics) East of West (Image) Folklords (Boom! Studios) Gideon Falls (Image) God Country (Image) Grendel, KY (AWA Upshot) Hotell (AWA Upshot) Infidel (Image) Knights Temporal (Aftershock) Locke and Key (IDW) The Low, Low Woods (DC Comics) The Man Who Fucked Up Time (Aftershock) Midnight Nation (Image) Nailbiter (Image) Orc Stain (Image) Pestilence (Aftershock) Plunge (DC Comics) Preacher (DC Comics) Pride of Baghdad (DC Comics) Red Border (AWA Upshot) The Red Mother (Boom! Studios) The Replacer (Aftershock) Scalped (DC Comics) Scott Pilgrim (Oni Press) Strange Skies Over East Berlin (Boom! Studios) Tokyo Ghost (Image) Transmetropolitan (DC Comics) Unholy Grail (Aftershock) The Wicked + The Divine (Image) Y: The Last Man (DC Comics)

[generalskales]

Heyo i have a bunch of headcanons:

🔥 Kai learned how to style Nya's hair so she wouldn't feel left out whenever a new hair trend hit the village

💧 Nya refuses to sleep unless someone or something is next to her, no one minds this because hey free cuddle buddy

💧⚡ Jay specifically doesn't mind but also understands the struggle of being used to another body/a plushie being there, hence why he still has Mr. Cuddlywomp

⚡ Jay tends to chew on pencils while absentmindedly stimming, he has since bought a chewy necklace to save his poor erasers

❄ Zane finds the recaptcha memes the citizens make very funny. It's not a problem for a Nindroid to deal with recaptcha when you know how they work taps forehead

🌏 Cole will send his dad a message of some kind each day and if he's in the area and not actively patrolling or busy he'll swing by for something to eat or to see what Lou is up to

🐻 Kataru is autistic and flaps his hands to stim, his special interests include bears and fishing

🐻 Kataru also give some of the best hugs. He can make you feel very protected and warm with them.

🐺 Akita will howl at the moon if she's alone or with a trusted friend.

🐺 Akita thinks Lloyd is more like a brother or close friend than a romantic interest

🐉 Lloyd likes to surprise children at the hospital with carefully selected gifts for each of them. He gets really upset if he finds out someone died but is usually informed by the parents that he made their last moments very special.

🐉 Lloyd secretly enjoys cooking with Cole simply because regardless of outcome it's fun to get messy. Zane tends to be clean and organized but Cole will have everything be an organized mess he has a system and Lloyd knows it by heart.

🔥 Kai would never admit it to her face but Skylor is the one person that isn't family he would outright die for. The ninja he would obviously protect with his life, but he isnt losing Skylor as long as he's still standing

❄⚡🌏 Zane, Jay, and Cole used to share a bed before Kai joined the team

🌌 Literally none of them are cishet thats just how it be

🌪 Morro enjoys drinking tea but only Wu makes it to his tastes (he won't ever say this but its very obvious)

🌪 Morro would gladly throw down with Chen or Harumi if only to get a chance to fight someone worth fighting again

🔥 Kai likes it when his hair is played with, he finds it calming

🐉 Lloyd has pulled the "my grandfather is God" card on rude people before and will do it often. Said grandfather finds this a nice change of pace

🐉 This does not change that Lloyd calls him out for his treatment of his children he is Not Having It™

💧 Nya is the third tallest after Zane and Cole, standing at 5'11"

🔥 Kai is 5'07"

⚡ Jay is the kid who took their pen apart in school and put it back together

⚡ Jay freaks out if denied food for any reason

💧❄⚡👑 Nya, Zane, Jay, and Pixal all get together once a month to build Rube Goldberg Machines and its wonderfully chaotic

👑 Pixal signs each of her texts with kaomoji because she thinks it's adorable, specifically this one:

~ヾ(・ω・)

🌌 If you meet any of them on the street you have a 75/25 chance of either mistaking them for stupid teenagers/young adults or realizing that they are actually that young

❄ Zane may have the braincell but he will voluntarily go along with whatever scheme the others are planning

👑❄ Pixal will hum on the off chance that Zane is feeling unwell, he said it made him feel safe because she only hummed when they weren't in any sort of danger

👑 Pixal likes watching phineas and ferb, she enjoys seeing whatever the boys or doof come up with each episode

❄🐉 Lloyd is usually found around Zane if he's having a bad day. The Nindroid can tell when his younger teammate is feeling plain awful and will spend the day trying to improve Lloyd's mood. Lloyd in return helps Zane with cooking and cleaning.

🔥 Kai is usually the person to ask to pull double patrols, he has the shortest patrol route on a normal day and can use the excuse to drag Skylor away.

🍜 Skylor has been practicing combining powers she copied so she doesn't tire out as easily. Her record is three at once and she's working on four

🔥🍜 Kai has cooked for Skylor before and never thought of it as anything special or good compared to what she makes. Skylor however loves it and thoroughly enjoys the occasion

🔥💧 Nya would try to bring home stray cats or dogs she found and Kai turned away all of them after a day because of the extra mouth to feed. She eventually got her wish when Kai showed up one day after patrols with a tiny little shrimp of a kitten in his arms and she immediately claimed ownership over it. It's name was Socks because it looked like it had socks on

⚡ Jay cries seeing Socks because Socks is so tiny its illegal

🐉 Lloyd has a youtube channel based around his father's teachings and self defense tips. He's usually joined by either another ninja or an ally

🏅 Dareth is probably one of the few relatively sane adults the ninja have and he won't allow them to miss any opportunity to kick back and relax

🏅 Dareth (and Ronin on a good day) will not hesitate to give some adult life wisdom or a steady shoulder to lean on should any of them need it.

💎 Ronin will throw down if anyone disses his nieces and nephews those are his kids too he doesn't care

🐺🐻 Akita and Kataru have a braincell shared between them

💎🐉 Lloyd will on very very rare occasions slip back into habits from Darkley's and join Ronin in some theivery from the bourgeoisie

🏅🍜 On an off day Skylor may call up Dareth offering a free meal. He always leaves big tips regardless and a note saying thank you, it's her mood booster.

🌪💎 Morro would fight Ronin in hand to hand combat if he could. Ronin would rather the ghost go pester someone else rather than him for the 40th time

🌌 Everyone agrees that Socks is Babey™ and will be protected at all costs

🐺 Akita will sometimes just spend a day lounging in wolf form. No reason she just wants to loaf

🐻 Kataru gets urges to hibernate and is a pain to wake up during winter seasons. He also could beat Cole and Lloyd together in the amount of food he eats during the season

👑🔥 Kai and Pixal will spend their after patrol hours doing science experiments. The more fun ones are the more messy ones, so they tend to get home first so they have clean up time before the others get home

🔥 Kai has the shortest patrol route after an incident on a longer route that made him refuse to take anything longer than what he has outside of a double shift

[parachutingkitten]

Season 5 Analysis

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: I am going to be applying the concept of criticism to a TV show you presumably love and adore as much as I do. If you do not want your idea that the show is immaculate to be challenged, I would not advise reading past this point.

Additional Disclaimer: This includes criticism of Nya’s arc, so if you’re the type of person to get catty about this subject, turn back now.

Mood for this season: It’s spoopy time.

You don’t need to, but if you are interested, and haven’t seen my analysis of past seasons, you can find those here:

Pilot - Season 1 - Season 2 - Season 3 - Season 4

You can also find all of these, and future installments, on my blog using the tag #analysis 

Hey everyone! I’m still doing these things! Let’s see, when was my last one? Over two years ago...? Yikes, I owe y’all an apology. I really didn’t mean to put these off that long. Anyway, get ready to hate me, cuz although (for the most part) this seems to be the fandom favorite season… I think it’s overhyped. I know, don’t kill me. I’ll explain myself. I don’t think it’s bad or anything, it’s very well structured, but I definitely wouldn’t rank it among my favorites. First, for a little context, I am making a one second of every ninjago episode video right now, so I’ve been binging the series and all it’s shorts back to back, so I think I’ll have a bit more to say about connective tissue between seasons, and hopefully you guys can look forward to more of these analyses between now and the new year when I’m releasing that video. I’m also officially a film major now so… sorry if I come of as extra pretentious or get too deep. Anyway, let’s jump into the thick of it, shall we? 

Plot

This is probably the area I have the fewest number of complaints about. This season has a breakneck pace and it keeps everyone busy. I think that’s why people like it. Everyone’s favorite has something to do. Which brings me to the question… which ninja’s season is this? Lloyd is on a lot of the promotional stuff, but he’s possessed and out of the picture for over half the season, so that can’t be right. Cole turns into a ghost, and the season is a ghost season, but that can’t be right cuz I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anyone claim it was his. Nya reaches her true potential, maybe it’s hers? Well, she does have a large b-plot, but she is consistently not a part of the a-plot. Kai has a whole thing with being protective of Lloyd, he has his fear of water, maybe it’s just another Kai season? Thing is, it’s no one’s. It is an ensemble season, and I think that’s a healthy thing for ninjago to keep doing. The more we label certain seasons for certain ninja, the more complaining we’ll get about who’s turn it is for screen time that we’ll miss out on telling a good story. Also, If the season is focused on a ninja you don’t like, you are less likely to like the season (see my next analysis for that can of worms). Again, this season tells it’s story really well. Morro directly ties into the ending of last season, and Nya’s getting water powers was foreshadowed the season before. That’s some cool connective tissue to start. The opening episode establishes the three different things the ninja will be looking for, and for once they’re actual tools instead of a series of weapons, blades, masks, whatever. I like that. Jay has some really good humor, Zane has his speech changes, Kai has his irrational fears and protective instincts, Cole has his ghost angst, Lloyd has to deal with his father’s passing, Nya is a new water ninja, Wu has a shop to run and a student to reconnect with, even Ronin has an arc about developing morals and gaining friends. There’s the mystery about how to deal with the ghosts, what the rules are, there’s the leader subplot, the ninja’s money situation, and lore of the different realms, they even worked in Skylor and Borg, there’s a lot of cool stuff going on. This is a tightly woven script that manages to include a lot of new concepts that you get pretty quick. I don’t feel like there’s even that much fat to cut. The opening is a little slow and strange, and the cloud kingdom episode feels a little unnecessary, but I do like the idea of visiting a different realm early in the season so the audience isn’t caught off guard in the climax. Again, the plot all works for me, it’s the other stuff I find myself pretty meh on.

Characters

Ronin

I’m pretty sure Ronin is the only new (non villain) character introduced. I like him a lot. Ninjago needed a true wildcard to shake things up and be unpredictable. I also think he’s pretty nicely woven into the action of the plot. I think his introduction is a bit strange. Like, the ninja already know him, but we’ve never seen him before? Just the way they talk about him sounds like they’re quickly recapping who this guy is for those who missed previous episodes. It’s fine if the ninja already know him but either 1) Introduce or foreshadow him a season earlier or 2) Introduce their dynamic to the audience before it becomes plot relevant. Maybe the ninja are grumbling about him being a nuisance while tea shenanigans are going on or something. Or maybe you have a scene of him stealing the scroll and making snarky remarks about the ninja while he does it. Idk. just something so his sudden plot relevance isn’t out of nowhere. Also, I don’t hate his and Nya’s dynamic, but I know a lot of people love it, and I’m just not totally here for it. Is he supposed to be a father figure for her? Mentor? Frienemy? Just plain friend? (love interest???) it’s not super clear and I could have used some clarification. I also like his use and tie to the next season, so overall, well integrated character.

Nya

I’m adding in Nya here cuz she goes through a major character change, and how she’s handled is one of the things that rubs me the wrong way about the season. A lot of people will probably disagree and/or hate me for this section of the analysis so… here we go! The thing she has to get past to reach her true potential is fear of failure (supposedly) and the solution to that is to just… not care as much? First of all, I know this isn’t supper important, but the fun thing about the ninjago elements is that every elemental master matched up personality wise with their element. Jay is the energetic master of lightning, Kai is the hothead master of fire, Zane is the calm and calculating master of ice, Cole is the strong and dependable master of earth, Lloyd is the literal child master of energy. This especially goes for all the new season 4 masters. So what qualities are often associated with water personalities? Well, serenity, control, flexibility, elegance, patience… calm. You know, like a Zane type character (the element directly adjacent to hers). These are things that Nya isn’t - or at the very least don’t define her. (there’s also something to be said about water and its ties to more feminine qualities, which Nya has been actively shown to reject, but I won’t go into that rant here.) She was designed as the fire master’s sister, and when you try to fit a fire personality into a water shaped character mold… it doesn’t exactly mesh well. It doesn’t make sense. But, like I said, whatever. Maybe that’s the point? Like she has to change her personality to be more in tune with water? Sure. But let’s talk about this fear of failure thing. Because that’s the stated thing that dialogue tells us she needs to overcome. But when has Nya ever been afraid of failure? Fear of failure means avoiding doing something because of fear. Nya is ridiculously persistent, always has been (you know, fire personality). She tries training when no one tells her to, she makes her own alter ego to try and be a hero and save the people who would constantly tell her she wasn’t ready. Wu says she only wants things that come easy, but that’s never been her character before now, she has carried the team with her tech, research, and covert ops that no one forced her to do, all things which are not easy. Fear of failure is usually characterized by what if questions. If Nya is so afraid of failure, why don’t we hear her saying stuff like “but what if I’m not strong enough, what if I can’t save them in time, or worse, what if I lose control of my power and end up hurting people?” Cole shows much more of a fear of failure this season surrounding his insecurity about being a ghost. He wants to sit out from missions because he’s not sure he’ll be able to do it - he’s afraid of failure. But whatever, the writing isn’t clear at expressing her true setbacks, but she does display a real problem that a lot of people have and I think could have been well done if set up correctly. She shows an undying persistence that gets her too close, and makes her increasingly incapable. She lets her frustration hinder her progress (again, fire personality trait), and I think that’s interesting because I don’t think ninjago has done this character arc yet. The supposed solution to this problem is that she just needs to… care less? And yes, I kind of see where they were going with this, we sometimes cloud our natural potential by thinking about it too much, but saying “you need to stop caring” is the absolute wrong way to word it. Caring is not her problem, the problem is her control over the emotions that come from her caring. Caring is a good thing, and teaching kids that if you’re ambivalent about your problems, they’ll go away is not a good message. What she needs to do is take a step back. She needs to take a break, stop to think, and look at the big picture instead of hyper focusing on the roadblock directly in front of her. The usual and much better wording of the moral I think they were going for is “stop overthinking things”. Teaching kids to look at a problem from a different angle and give themselves time to cool down is a great thing. And just think of it, in the climax she could have this ah-ha moment where she steps back and looks at the bigger picture - the whole town, surrounded by the ocean - and gets the idea to sink the preeminent into the water, you could even easily tie that back into the bucket exercise, and that’s what triggers her true potential rather than the current… I’m honestly not sure what. Random flashbacks and the end of the season approaching quickly. Alternatively, you could tie it more directly into samurai x, and make her struggle with letting go of the past and allowing yourself to give up something good in your life to progress to something better. Anyway, I don’t think this was a bad decision long term, she needed to be solidified on the team as a full fledged ninja, I just think this season doesn’t handle the transition that well. Anyway, whatever, I’ll be waiting for your hate comments in the notes.

Romance

Um… there’s none this season? Like there’s a few Wusako moments that are still as weird as they were in season 2, but they’re really not prevalent. There’s also the Jay seeing the future thing which has some weird implications next season (again, some interesting connective tissue between seasons), but that’s about it. Maybe that’s part of why I don’t love this season? Like where’s the pixane? Lol, I’m kidding. But maybe that’s why a lot of people do like it. If you don’t like the canon ships… this is a nice little safe haven for you. Rare for a majority of the series.

Villains

So Morro is a good idea… in theory. I know he’s the fandom’s favorite edgy boy, but idk I think the brand of angsty teen they ended up with was more of an angsty 13 year old than 17 year old. His voice is really grating and I always want to yell at him to just… go get some cough drops. Stop throat screaming, use your diaphragm man! Also, everyone goes on about his last minute redemption, but as far as season 5 goes, he has like half a second of a change of heart. Literally, when Wu comes over and he’s drowning, he’s still being a persistent little idiot like “you never cared about me nooooo!” and it’s only at the last possible second that gives him the crystal, and even that he does it kind of saltily. The preeminent is pretty cool, I like her concept, her design, all that. All the other ghosts are fine I guess. Nothing super memorable out of them, although their aesthetic, especially when there’s a bunch of them swarming around is pretty cool. One last thing was I never understood how Morro “becoming the green ninja” worked and what exactly it was that… did for him? Like he didn’t actually get the power of energy, right? I don’t remember him using it. Did just him defeating Lloyd make him the green ninja? How does that transfer work? And why did he need it to take over the world or realms or whatever? Like I get that it’s supposed to give him more power and what not but idk, it wasn’t super clear. That’s a minor thing though.

Climax

Pretty cool. I like the ATMOSPHERE. Green light is a hard thing to use and justify correctly, but it works really well here, especially with the dark kinda gray blue sky complimenting it. When the preeminent starts walking into the ocean, it’s genuinely terrifying, but you understand exactly how it works and why she’s strong enough to do it. Nya’s true potential is again a little out of left field and could have had some better motivation put behind it. Like what is it Nya learned in that instant? To not be afraid to protect people? She’s… been doing that. Idk. I’ve hit on that enough for now. Overall, there was good variety. I like the green ninja fake out, I like the realm hopping, I even like the little Garmadon visit and Lloyd getting the robe. I feel like we didn’t need a part one and two, you could have had different titles. I mean come on. But hey, now we know, if Pix had only been there, the whole climax would have been wrapped up in like 10 minutes apparently. Pix for the win.

Humor

Really good. Like I’m surprised how much I laughed. Jay wasn’t annoying humor, it was good stuff, there were some good running gags, there’s a solid fourth wall joke about who the lead ninja is at the beginning of the season. Overall, I am pretty impressed. My favorite joke was perhaps the bit where Jay is sarcastically positive, the voice acting is just really solid. Then again, there’s also the whole Borg scene where he roasts half the ninja, that’s solid stuff right there. There’s just some really solid character interaction this season and the humor feels a lot more natural and less forced.

Drama

Okay, we’ve got a lot this season. Y’all know how I feel about Nya’s arc by now. It does not work for me. Ronin’s relationship with her is alright, but kind of comes out of nowhere. Ronin’s solo plot about kinda working for the ghosts works. Cole’s ghost angst works for the most part, although I wish he would have actually skipped a mission and then gone in to help save his friends once they can’t do it without him. That was probably the most solid drama of the season. The other main thing we have this season is Kai’s whole… fear/protective streak. This also doesn’t really work for me. Like, I get that Lloyd and Kai are friends and stuff, like his whole true potential was centered around Lloyd. But like, why does it have to be framed so weirdly? Sometimes in trying to make it seem like Kai is protective of him, it seems like the other ninja just like… don’t care about him? Not all the time, but there are some weird vibes. Also, it doesn’t really go anywhere. No one learns anything about themselves from this subplot, nothing comes of it, there isn’t really a payoff. Also, Kai has yet another irrational fear, this time of water, which really comes right the hell out of nowhere. They try to explain it away like “Oh, Kai feels powerless and so water can get to him” but like… what? That’s the exact situation he was in at the end of season 2 and he seemed perfectly content to literally swim across the ocean (which um… what do you mean the sworn protector of ninjago can’t swim?). Where is this coming from?! Again, it doesn’t really go anywhere, there’s not a point where he has to learn to confront it or he grows because of it. It’s just pointless stuff added cuz the writers like giving Kai vague trails to try and develop him. The cloud kingdom is kinda cool. That last minute twist about them working with Morro is… stupid and unnecessary though. 

Spotlight Episode

I really like the Spinjitzu master tomb episode. Some cool riddles, I like the first two rooms a lot. I do think the third room is a bit strange. Like, the clue was “don’t look ahead” and the solution was to look beneath them, which is the exact same solution as the previous room. Like, you already have magic ice that shows the future, why not play into that? Don’t look ahead could maybe mean don’t look to the future, the opposite of that being the past. Maybe they have to draw on their past adventures to solve it somehow? Learning from the past is a good lesson, right? But overall, I really like it. Some real solid humor this episode. This episode has the sarcastic Jay optimism, Kai totally stalling for time, Zane dealing a pretty sick burn on Cole, just a lot of fun stuff. I like it. It just has great energy and nothing feels like it’s drawn out for too long.

Misc

The aesthetic this season… can be inconsistent, but the main ghost vibe displayed in the opening theme is really solid and I really like it

Speaking of the opening, Ghost wip is great and the opening in on par with last season’s (which is my fav) for sure

Ice age references… okay.

Chima references…. OKAY...

Okay, but like Deepstone can… kill ghosts? Or not? Is it just something ghosts can touch? It’s supposed to be like water in weapon form, right? Like that’s how I understood it when they first introduced it. Wouldn’t the deepstone bars kill Ghoultar then? And then like, Cole’s bike is made of deepstone. He uses it as a weapon. Wouldn’t it kill him? It kills other ghosts when they touch it. How… how does it work?! I need answers!!!

The captain of the steam boat says they’re going as fast as possible, but later Ronin comes in and cranks it up like twice as fast… that always bothered me like, why would he lie about that? Who is this captain and why is he so chill about everyone’s lives?! And then later Wu cranks it up yet again, like the ship had slowed down to it’s previous speed. What the hell is happening with the controls of this ship???

So pissed that the nasty CGI nightmare cloud monster that chases the ninja is named Nimbus. Totally forgot about that. I have an OC with a cat named Nimbus… I promise, there is not going to be a stupid twist bout the cat being the monster thing in Mists of Fate. That would be very stupid.

I was all excited that season 13 gave us minecart chases, but I totally forgot season 5 gave us one first. I really like the return to the caves of despair btw, good reuse of a known location.

How many times this season did we do the: 

Kai: Oh, I don’t like water, I can’t do it uwu  Cole: ...You serious?

Thanks for reading! And if you got this far… I don’t know. I would love to hear your thoughts if you have any! These are just my opinions, so don’t think too much of it if you disagree.

-Kitten

[a-student-out-of-time]

April Fools Special Review: Part 5

Twisted Metal

Of course, Session 2 hasn’t ended but even this session had a lot of growth for Hibiki. While she has more or less accepted the true nature of her sister, and has decided to payback the kindness and support she got into helping others, there is still doubt and regret within her mind. Though Hibiki’s career is currently over, she still wants to get back into music eventually once things die down but now on her terms and not what Kanade decided, and there is still a part of Hibiki that loves Kanade like a sister. We also see that people who brush off music like a certain 11037, earn her ire as seeing him low key seeing music as a ‘easy route’ irritated her enough to confront the Future Ultimate Baseball Star himself on the matter. Despite the serious risk of exposure that she could have had, Hibiki might have been wearing a disguise at the time but there was already a scare in Session 1 when a date between her and Hajime was interrupted by a /r/niceguy fan, Leon wouldn’t have been into Hibiki’s genre of music so he didn’t realise he was actually talking to Hibiki Otonokoji. However, he was appreciative of Hibiki’s advice on the matter, and given that Sayaka would be in his class, someone who Hibiki has great respect for, she would be able to set him straight on the matter. When Hajime and co go back to school for their second semester, Hibiki, living alone in Hajime’s house decides to make an announcement on Twitter.com that she is still alive and is busy trying to sort her life out, but will go back into music eventually. The response she got was overwhelming positive as all her fans are pleased to see her alive, some apologising to her for any mean comments they might have made about her in the past, and others said they were worried that Kanade might have killed her. This brought Hibiki to tears as it’s not just the love she gets from her friends and lovers, she’s also got support from her fanbase. Her new emotional maturity is put to the test when Hajime loses his second life because a certain controversial Neurologist decides to test his time travel theory by killing him and Umeko, and of course the pain and trauma that comes from seeing a beloved friend’s dead body and himself getting stabbed. I don’t think the old Hibiki would have been able to comfort Hajime but this new and improved Hibiki was definitely able to comfort and calm him down. She’s not 100% mature yet as at one point she offers to lose her virginity to him, and despite certain lemony Anons wanting to see some spicy action, Hajime was like ‘No, just no’ and stated that no sexual matters will take place until they become 18, which in Japan is the legal age of sexual consent, and protection will be used.

Hibiki’s new fighting prowess had two intense trials throughout Session 2. The first is in Hide and Seek when she had to fight against Monaca’s robots. While she had the option of either joining Chiaki’s group in stopping Monaca from aging herself to death, or joining Hajime’s group in taking down Genocider Syo, she decided that she didn’t want to take on another serial killer, especially after being told that unlike her sister, Genocider Syo actually has some teeth to her and not just that one sprite of hers, and besides, Monaca is hellbent on making herself a adult and given her prowess in robotics, the likelihood of Team Monaca having to fend off robots are high and that group didn’t have a lot of fighters on them. She was able to seriously do a number on the robots, seeing as Chiaki and Emma get seriously injured at various points, Sora is more or less nullified due to the Anti A.I. Black boxes and Kyoji isn’t really a fighter, making her the main fighter on the team. Though like everyone, she is angry that they failed and Monaca is now a biological teenager, though thankfully not that deformed or dead, and that Emma’s and Chiaki’s injuries were for nothing. This again also showed how much she matured as while angry about it, especially about the fact that the aged-up Monaca is again taller than her, cursing her to always be the shortest female, she didn’t get too angry about it as Monaca clearly regrets her decisions and it’s a product of being in a very unhealthy environment and now that she is under Kyoji’s care, it’s not going to happen anymore.

But of course, the biggest test for her was in Twisted Sister, when Kanade was released from prison by Juu and via the aid of a mysterious person who might be a time traveller but one with darker goals then Hajime and co, was giving serious weaponry, technology and combat prowess. With this she was able to tear a bloody path through the Hope’s Peak halls and decimate any Hope’s Peak people who gets in her way. Upon finding out that her sister has broken free from prison and is on her way to ‘reclaim’ her, Hibiki’s first thoughts was to get some armour and then charge in to attack Kanade and just in time as she managed to incapacitate a grief stricken and enraged Nikei, and had just recharged herself with some Red Bull X. Not only is Kanade her own twin sister who she has zigzagged between being utterly terrified of to blaming herself for the monster she turned out to be, but thanks to the upgrades she became an equal match to Hibiki. In addition, this also says a lot about Hibiki herself because Kanade had advanced weaponry, dosed up on an addictive that could kill sleep for a week, advanced armour AND was able to defeat Sonia, Akane, Nekomaru AND Peko who all ganged on her with little to no effort, and yes she had been weakened by Nikei beforehand but said addictive rendered most of his attacks moot point, and despite ALL of that, Hibiki was able to equal with her and eventually with the help of Hajime, finally defeat her. And I didn’t mention the ‘puppet state’ because she never not even once regressed back into that, more or less confirming that is dead. Then again, the ‘puppet state’ may have not that hard to break as Kanade’s main motive for killing Setsuka in SDRA2 is that she could have reversed all the damage that Kanade had done to Hibiki and years of hard work, gone within a few weeks or so. And our lovely ronin sword-wielding vocalist had about 3 months to break the ‘puppet state’. While Kanade’s rampage was eradicated thanks to the third reset, the first one done on purpose, even in the current timeline when Kanade gets beaten deathless, Hibiki was able to knock a gun from Kanade’s hand, throw tear gas in to blind her and direct the rest of Class 77-B, and Juzo, into piling on Kanade and knocking her out, this being the last time we see old Kanade.

But despite all the carnage and pain that Kanade dealt her, there is still a part of Hibiki that cares for her like a sister and wishes for the Kanade she thought she knew back. And she got her chance when Yasuke offered to mindwipe Kanade and turn her into a gentlehearted girl. While the QC were deeply divided on the issue, when Hibiki was offered her input, she said that she was conflicted. Part of her wanted her sister back and Yasuke could quite literally grant her deepest desire at that point, but she is also aware that this is a form of execution, as while physically Kanade is still alive the Kanade that had existed prior to this is dead and never coming back, hopefully. As she isn’t a thinker like some of the QC members and understands the deep moral and ethical divides between them, she decides to hold a vote and whatever wins is the one they go for. Of course, the readers voted for Kanade to be mindwiped, and thus Yasuke got to work remaking Kanade while Hibiki helped to round up the other criminals that got out. I’m not dwelling too much on this as we’ve seen Hibiki’s greatest physical feat already and if she could take out swabs of armed headmen to some traffickers, escaped convicts shouldn’t be hard to deal with. Once the carnage dies down and we move into the Twisted Sister Aftermath Arc, Hibiki is hit with immense guilt. While she is grateful for that the sister she thought she had is back, she also knows what had to be done to ensure this occurs. But now that Kanade is back, she could make amendments as she was a rotten sister to Kanade beforehand and now she could try to reconnect with her, preventing her monstrous self from resurfacing itself. Of course, she has to juggle being with Kanade with also being a member of the Cuddle Puddle and general hero work, but life is never dull when you are with the Quantum Crew.

[lloydskywalkers]

Ahhh thank you so much!! 💕sO the lack of season 5 aftermath is possibly one of my biggest issues with Ninjago because like...there was no way. There was no way Lloyd just walked all that off, Morro had him pretty much the whole season and we saw what five minutes did to Ronin. I think it took a fair amount of time for him to bounce back, and it likely left long-lasting effects, but because this is season 5 angst u get a fic explaining my thoughts instead :’’D

(Also answering this in it’s own post because guess who spiraled out of control again! It’s s5 angst u guys i’m weak)

The aftermath of the battle is, as it usually goes, incredibly underwhelming. And by that, Cole means incredibly slow, because the Preeminent ripped the motor off their steamboat, and even with Nya pitching in every now and then, their pace across the seawater is glacial. By the time the nearest Ninjago shore comes into view, everyone on the boat’s on their last legs of sanity — some for…slightly different reasons than others.

The thing about being stuck on a crammed steamboat for hours on end, is that you can’t really hide. There’s only so far you can get, unless you take a dip in the ocean, which is a hard pass for Cole — not that he was trying to hide, anyways.

No, the only one who looks like they’re actually considering jumping off the side of the boat is Lloyd, and that’s because instead of vanishing off to who-knows-where to have his inevitable breakdown, he’s stuck smack in the middle of his very protective family, who get an up close and personal view of the exact moment the color starts to leech from his face.

Lloyd’s making a valiant effort. He’s been making a valiant effort, ever since they pulled him from the Caves of Despair. He and Kai had cornered Sensei in what turned into a near-shouting match alone at letting him fight in the battle against Morro in the first place, because Lloyd had looked two degrees from dead when they’d gotten him back. He’d only looked moderately alive when he’d stepped out with them, hoodie hanging too loose from his shoulders as he’d handed off the green gi to Nya, and it had burned Cole to let him take the brunt of the fight as he did.

Not that Cole feels much heat now anyway, but — metaphorically.

Either way, Lloyd holds up valiantly until the combined toll of Morro’s possession and the battle with the Preeminent finally hits, at which point he goes a sickly shade of white and keels straight over into Kai with a migraine so bad Cole can’t even manage to pull his fingers free from where they dig into his skull.

“What happened?! Did Morro hurt him?”

“Did Morro hurt him, where have you been this last month—”

“I meant right now, don’t snap at me—”

“Would you keep your voices down, you’re only causing him more pain.”

This quiets the commotion that’s sprung up in their corner of the boat, all of them hovering anxiously over Lloyd, their salt-water hair and wind-swept clothes and already-forming bruises leaving the entire team a vivid mess. Kai’s left holding a lapful of whimpering brother, looking two seconds from crying himself as he tries to soothe Lloyd before he tears hair out, so Cole takes a shuddering breath, pulls himself together, and takes the lead.

It’s easier than he’d thought it would be, allowing himself to fall into the removed sort of autopilot. Shoulders back, emotions locked up tight, put on a brave face and make the calls. Leading has never been an easy position, but it teaches you to compartmentalize, to suppress, and to delay.

That delay is what Lloyd is paying for now, Cole thinks soberly, as Zane and Kai carry Lloyd up the steps of the Bounty, Sensei already darting inside to brew up whatever tea’s supposed to help this time. It’d be easier if Cole took him — he knows that. He’s the strongest of the team, even in this state.

But he can’t bring his ghostly fingers to touch him. Not with the flinch that had run through his younger brother earlier.

Cole swallows thickly. Lloyd hadn’t meant it, he knows that. He wouldn’t even hold it against him if he had.

The turnaround from regaining Lloyd to the battle with the Preeminent was terribly quick, and it only takes a look or two to gain an understanding of the damage wrought on their youngest brother. Lloyd is bruised and gaunt and horribly thin, and the normal shine in his eyes is hollowed-out and haunted. There’s an unspoken dread among them all, a heavy weight that sits on their shoulders, that Morro has actually managed to break Lloyd with his possession — that the longs weeks spent trapped in his own mind, beaten and neglected and alone — have snapped the unfathomably strong willpower Lloyd’s always had.

And Morro, for all that Cole hates him for that, was a ghost. Cole isn’t stupid enough to miss that. And he’s certainly not stupid enough to ignore what the repercussions of that might be on Lloyd, toward anyone else who might be a ghost.

Cole feels his chest tighten as he watches Nya run a hand through Lloyd’s tangled hair, her eyes a million miles away as she sits beside where he lies on their couch, tucked firmly into the layers of blankets he recognizes as Kai and Zane’s.

He bites his cheek. It’d be better if they used his. It’s not like Cole needs them anymore.

“He’s overtired,” Sensei Wu says quietly, his hand drifting briefly across his nephew’s forehead. “He pushed it too far in battle, and he has yet to fully recover from the toll both the possession and his injuries took on him. He will be fine, with rest.”

There’s a quiet exhale of relief at his words, but it’s a weary one. Kai doesn’t look at him, his stare only growing hot where he sits at Lloyd’s side, refusing to move even to change from his battle-stained gi.

Cole’s eyes flick to Sensei Wu, then back to Lloyd. There’s a bleeding kind of pain in Sensei’s words, his voice shot through with loss. There’s a crippling edge of guilt in it too, though. Cole knows Sensei is mourning Morro — he knows their relationship was different. But as much as Cole prides himself of being sympathetic, it’s really, really difficult to feel any sort of grief for Morro, when his baby brother’s curled in on himself in pain on the couch, eyebrows furrowed tightly in stress and exhaustion.

Lloyd murmurs something inaudible, shifting in his sleep before settling again, his expression still pinched in weariness. He somehow looks both years older and so very young at the same time, and it makes Cole’s heart hurt.

He’s yanked from his staring as Jay’s head suddenly presses against his shoulder. Cole starts, almost forgetting to remain solid before Jay yanks his head back up, eyelids fluttering from where they’d drifted off to sleep.

“Sorry,” he yawns, rubbing at a bloodshot eye. “Didn’ mean to fall asleep on you.”

Cole blinks at him, then glances at the rest of their team. Lloyd isn’t the only one succumbing to exhaustion — the entire team is barely hanging on, all dark-circled and hazy eyes. Beside Jay, Zane looks like he wants to shut down for a month, Nya looks like she’s close to tears for some reason, and Kai looks like he’s steadily burning through the last reserves of his energy just by staring at the floor.

Something weird shifts in Cole’s gut. He feels exhausted, stripped raw and worn, but he doesn’t feel tired, not like the others look. He just feels that same, cold kind of numbness that has yet to leave him since Yang’s temple.

He swallows again, and tries to ignore how useless the gesture is.

“You should head to bed,” he tells Jay gently instead. His lifts his head, addressing the others. “We all should.”

Kai opens his mouth to protest instantly, then shuts it. He glances at Nya, who’s practically asleep where she sits on the couch, seconds from tipping over. He looks at Lloyd. “I’m sleeping out here,” he finally says, firmly.

Cole guesses that’s the best he can ask for from him, right now. He nods to Zane, who gently helps Nya up, knocking Kai lightly on the shoulder as he does. “At least change,” he orders, and it’s a sign to how tired Kai is that he complies without arguing.

Cole tugs Jay up by his arm, patting him on the back. “C’mon, zaptrap,” he murmurs. “I’m not your pillow.”

Jay grumbles inaudibly at him, but he staggers to his feet, yawning as he plods toward the bedroom. Cole looks to Sensei Wu, who is still hovering by Lloyd, staring at his nephew with a look Cole can’t quite figure out.

“Sensei?” he finally dares, hesitantly. “It’s been a long day, so…”

“Ah, of course.” Sensei Wu blinks, shaking his head. “I would let him rest here for the night,” he says, nodding to Lloyd. His voice is quiet, and Cole can easily find the pain in it this time. “Better to let him rest.”

That doesn’t exactly settle well with Cole, because the idea of leaving any of his brothers apart for the night, even if it’s just in another room, turns his stomach. Especially when one of them is the brother they’d lost, and only just barely got back, so—

Well. Cole doesn’t need to sleep anymore, does he. He can keep an eye out.

“Of course,” he says instead, dipping his head as Sensei Wu heads off after the others. “Goodnight, Sensei.”

Cole moves to follow him, figuring he can at least change his clothes, but he hesitates over Lloyd, footsteps faltering. For a brief second, he lets his hand hovers over the top of his brother’s sleeping head, barely ghosting the pale blond strands. He swallows, then pulls his hand away.

Lloyd had told him once, when he was younger, that he was scared people would hate him for what he was. Never who — just what. Cole had never understood the phrasing, but now…

Now, Cole desperately, painfully hopes Lloyd doesn’t hate him for what he’s become.

***********

It’s the third nightmare that finally manages to pull Lloyd from sleep, because somehow the first two weren’t exciting enough to warrant waking up for.

At least he hasn’t woken up Kai with it, he thinks miserably, still trying to catch his breath, his heart racing from the nightmare. He exhales shakily, glancing over to where Kai’s sprawled out on the couch across from him, snoring quietly and dead to the world. Kai looks exhausted, even in sleep, and Lloyd feels guilt digging its claws into his chest again.

Your fault, a voice in the back of his head reminds him. You hurt him, you hurt them all, Green Ninja—

Lloyd swallows, wincing as he shifts, sitting up quietly. He won’t wake Kai up for this. His older brother has suffered enough for him already.

Besides, his throat feels like he’s been swallowing sandpaper, and he doesn’t; really trust his voice, anyway. Lloyd sighs, swinging his legs over the side of the couch and tugging his blanket over his shoulders like a cape.

In all honesty, he’d like nothing more than to stay on this couch for the rest of his life, because Kai let him have his really warm blanket — which, granted, says a lot more about the state Lloyd’s in right now than he’d like, but still. Lloyd is comfortable, tucked in the corner of the couch like he is. And comfortable isn’t something he’s been in the last few weeks, at all.

But he’s not — he’s not supposed to be thinking about that, he reminds himself, furiously shoving the memories back into their little Do-Not-Touch box in the corner of his mind, as he gingerly tests his legs out. His right leg shudders precariously when he stands, and Lloyd bites his lip, frowning. He could’ve sworn it was his left that was hurt, since that was the one the Preeminent had nearly ripped off pulling him into the Cursed Realm, and Morr—

Aha, nope, Lloyd reminds himself. Back in the box. He can think about that — about him — later.

Much, much later. Right now, he just wants a glass of water, then he wants to go back to sleep for another twenty hours straight. He’d like to just go back to bed as it is, because his limbs feel as sluggish as melting butter, but the water’s important, because he’s ‘severely dehydrated’ or something. Whatever Zane had declared as Lloyd tried to stop his brain from imploding on him earlier.

So glass of water, then back to bed. Lloyd just has to make it to the kitchen, which should — should be easy. His leg isn’t shaking that badly, and it’s not like his ribs are actually broken. Just bruised, and Lloyd can walk off bruises, easy.

He just needs to remember how, he thinks, as he takes a shuddering breath where he stands frozen. He blows it out, closing his eyes to steady himself. He immediately snaps them back open, trying not to keel over to the side. Oh, mistake. Every time Lloyd closes his eyes he’s falling through realms again, the world spinning and leaving him loose and shaky, which is only moderately better than the alternative thing he’d see, which is…

Well, he left Lloyd with a lot of things he could see that would keep him up.

Back in the box! Lloyd scolds himself, frantically tearing his mind elsewhere before he can slip down that particular slope, one that he knows is only going to send him spiraling into icy fear and panic.

Lloyd shakes his head furiously, bare feet padding quietly as he makes his way to the kitchen. His skin crawls at the darkness that presses in from all sides, and he feels his power press against his fingertips, begging to light his way. Lloyd presses his lips together and shoves it down. His control over his powers is tentative at best right now — he’d learned that the hard way earlier, when he’d exploded all the police floodlights that were just trying to get them safely to shore.

The reminder causes his cheeks to heat, and Lloyd bites his lip. He doesn’t want to think about how much he’s lost, how far behind he’s fallen, because of…this. His powers feel wild and fragile now, like they did when he was just beginning to train, and Lloyd hates that. How is he supposed to make up everything to his team when he can barely even—

A cold chill of air suddenly licks against the back of his neck, rustling his clothes and blanket and tugging at his hair, and the chill that slides down his spine is all the warning he gets. The whistling sound from the broken kitchen window should have warned him, but Lloyd’s still unprepared.

It’s just — it’s the wind.

That’s all, just a little breeze, and Lloyd’s slammed so hard by a dizzying vertigo of terror that he falls right to his knees on the spot, his vision going hazy as a dull roaring echoes in his ears.

He’d scream, but his lungs have suddenly quit on him, sputtering uselessly in his chest as he wheezes, panic blotting out every other rational thought. The phantom fingers of the wind are still grasping at him, still pulling at his hair and wrapping around his neck, forcing into his mind and tearing him apart form the inside and no, no no no, he can’t do this again, he can’t—

Some part of Lloyd’s mind knows perfectly well what’s happening to him. It’s not like he hasn’t had panic attacks before. But the rest of his mind—

Lloyd’s teeth press together so hard his jaw aches, and his eyes burn as he forces shaky breaths to rattle from his chest. The hot shame of how pathetic he has to look right now is only drowned out the absolute sense of terror rooting him on his knees.

Kai, he thinks desperately, his hands shaking so violently that his fingernails clack against the floor. Kai is here, Kai will save him from Morro, he won’t leave him to spiral back into that darkness. His whole family is here, just in the other room, if he can only—

A muffled voice forces its way through the roaring in his ears, echoing oddly against his brain. Before Lloyd can place it, there’s a touch on his shoulder, gentle but cold, like a wisp of freezing air, just like his touch.

Lloyd looks up, and through blurring vision sees that same unearthly shade of green, flickering and translucent, and his entire being slams into panic.

All he’s able to get out is a rasping croak, but he’s still able to snap at the figure.

“Get away from me!”

He tears his arm from their grasp, stumbling back. He’s not going to be taken again, he’s not going back in the darkness, he’s never letting someone touch him like that again—

Lloyd wipes at his eyes, his vision clearing, and he freezes dead.

— oh. Lloyd’s eyes go wide in horror. Oh no, oh no, it’s not him. It’s not any of his ghosts.

It’s Cole, his hand pulled back to his chest, staring at him with the most heartbroken, hurt expression on his face Lloyd has ever seen in his life.

Lloyd’s heart drops all the through his stomach to his feet, and he goes cold.

“I-I—” Cole’s eyes are wide with hurt, but that hurt quickly melts into a horrified kind of despair. He pulls back further, swallowing thickly. “Sorry,” he mutters, looking away. Shutting down. “I’m sorry, I should have realized—”

“No—” Lloyd croaks.

“Obviously you’d — I’m sorry, just being stupid Cole as always—”

“—no, no Cole—”

“—just making things worse, I’ll leave.”

“N-no, Cole, I didn’t mean — Cole, I’m so sorry—”

Cole isn’t even looking at him, his shoulders hitching tightly as he turns away. “I’ll get Kai. Or anyone else.”

He moves to his feet, leaving Lloyd where he’s still sprawled uselessly on the floor, and Lloyd’s stomach turns.

No, no, no! he thinks frantically, fumbling to find feeling where his legs have gone numb. Cole can’t leave, not with that look still on his face, not before Lloyd can fix this—

“Cole wait, stop—!”

Lloyd moves to rush after him, to grab him, to pull him back and apologize — but his ankle is still weak and his balance is still shaky and the panic’s left him wobbly, and he gets one step before his foot twists in his blanket, the ground’s yanked out from under him, and he slams front-first into the floor with a muffled grunt, knocking his chin against the floor and biting straight through his lip.

“Ow,” he manages into the floor, somewhat stunned, his voice muffled as his face throbs.

“Lloyd!”

Oh good, Lloyd thinks hazily, as his mouth fills with tangy, metallic blood. It worked. Cole came back.

Hands wrap around his shoulders, hauling him up and setting him upright before quickly pulling back. Before Lloyd can protest, Cole’s back, all up in his face where he’s now sitting on the floor next to him.

“Aw, Lloyd, why’d you do that,” Cole’s voice is pained as his hand ghosts over the blood dripping down his chin, thick eyebrows tense in worry.

Lloyd shakes his head, wiping a hand over his mouth and grimacing. His lip stings something horrible, and he’s appalled to find that his eyes are tearing up from the pain.

“I wan’ed to match the rest’a my face,” he manages out though his busted lip, before cringing.

Cole gives him a look. Lloyd doesn’t feel bad at all. It’s better than the look he’d had on a second ago.

Cole sighs, sounding weary. “I’ll get Zane. He can help you ice it, and I’ll—”

“No!” Lloyd yelps, grabbing for his arm. He latches around Cole’s wrist just before he manages to escape, and Cole snaps his eyes to him, looking panicked.

“Lloyd, I-I…I get it,” he says, gently prying at his fingers. “What you went through — it’s…it’s okay, just—”

Lloyd doesn’t let him get any further, because he finally gets past the giant chunk of completely irrational fear in his chest and manages to throw his arms around Cole’s middle, hugging him tightly until Cole’s forced back down with an oof.

For a second, Cole’s about as receptive as a rock, sitting all stiff and rigid. But he finally, finally relaxes, breath whooshing shakily out of his chest as he slowly, carefully returns the embrace, wrapping his arms around him.

Lloyd’s prepared for the unusually cold touch this time. He focuses instead on how gentle it is, how it feels like family and home and safety. He’s an idiot for mistaking Cole for anyone else, Lloyd thinks hotly to himself, his eyes stinging with tears.

“It’s not,” he whispers. “It’s not okay, you’re not— you’re not Morro, and I shouldn’t—”

Lloyd’s breath hitches. Oh no, he’s opened the box. He’s opened the box and now he’s thinking about it, his mind is reaching in and pulling out every memory of what Morro did to him, every action he took that Lloyd couldn’t stop, all the words he’d forced from his mouth, all the awful things—

A dizzying rush of fury smashes into him. How could he, how could he, it wasn’t enough that he took Lloyd’s body and his mind and his strength and left him a hollow shell, no, he had to dig his fingers far enough in his brain that Lloyd’s scared of his own family now—

“—hate him, I hate him, I hate him—”

“I know, buddy, I know—”

Though Cole’s holding him tight, he shifts him slightly to the side with a quiet hiss of breath, and Lloyd belatedly remembers — tears. Water and ghosts do not get along. And here Lloyd’s crying enough for a river on top of him.

He jerks back with a gasp. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—” he blabbers, wiping frantically at his eyes. “I didn’t mean to—”

It’s Cole’s turn to grab his arm before he pulls away, his gaze firm. “Don’t,” he says, sounding pained. “Don’t apologize for that. I’m fine, you didn’t hurt me.”

Lloyd shakes his head. “I’m so sorry,” he chokes out. “I’m so sorry, you’re a ghost and it’s all my fault.”

Cole stills. “What?” he finally says, his voice incredulous.

Lloyd doesn’t reply, crying harder as he tries to absorb himself into his blanket, maybe to suffocate, because at least then he won’t be weeping all over the kitchen floor like a child, and — and—

“Lloyd,” Cole sounds agonized now. “Lloyd, this wasn’t your fault. None of this was. You can’t blame yourself for it, you can’t. Please don’t.”

Lloyd gives a keening whine in reply, burying his face in his blanket. Yes, he can. He can, just watch him. Lloyd can blame himself for the whole sorry thing, because he went to that museum alone when he knew full well he was still a mess, and now?

Cole’s a ghost, his family’s hurt, Lloyd’s a worse mess, and his dad is dead, for real dead now, and none of it would’ve happened if Lloyd could’ve just—could’ve just—

Lloyd feels a bit like he’s exploding, except it’s all coming out in the tidal wave of tears he’s been stockpiling somewhere, and darn it, he’s supposed to be dehydrated now, where’s it all coming from—

Cole gently lifts his blanket, folding it up as a barrier between him and Lloyd’s running eyes, and pulls him back in, holding him tightly. Lloyd unashamedly clings back, because he’s got no dignity left at this point anyways, and he’s lived with the idea that he’d never see his family again now, and it hurt so much worse than anything Morro could do to him.

“It’s not your fault,” Cole tells him again, his voice thick. “We’ll fix it. We’ll figure it out, Lloyd, we’ll work through it, all of us together this time. You’re going to be okay. I promise, I promise.”

Lloyd just folds in on himself further, burying his face against Cole as he tries to choke back sobs.

Going to be okay. He wants to laugh. His dad’s gone. Lloyd’s entire being feels like a bruise. He could get past that before, maybe. Probably. But—

Cole’s dead.  

How on earth are they supposed to fix that?

[toarmsrw]

How I feel a Ronin Warriors Remake could go

Ronin Warriors AKA Yoroiden Samurai Troopers was one of my favorite anime back in the day. I first heard of this series when it was airing on UPN TV 44, the same channel that had aired Sailor Moon when it was being produced by DIC entertainment. Unfortunately, this series aired during times when it’s target range viewers were in school so it didn’t have a particularly long run on US TV. It was only years later that this series would air on the Toonami lineup and gained a greater interest from American anime fans than it had during its first airing.

Currently Samurai Troopers is celebrating its 30th anniversary and it made me wonder, what this series would be like if remade for the more current age. After all, the main TV series was set in 1988 and a lot of things reflected that time period. Now in 2020 things can be updated to match current settings and technology.

I’m familiar with both the Japanese Names and the English Dub names. But I’m going to use English Dub names here as it was the version that introduced me to this series.

As much as I love the original series, I do feel that it is certainly deserving of an updated reboot. The original series did have a number of moments where they were constrained by budget and it showed. Budget cuts, and repeating animation is a common way of cuting corners in animation in varius series, but it is rather obvious when you see the animation cheepen.

There are some things in the anime itself that did bug me because they felt rushed or they came off as unrealistic. I’m not an expert in Japanese culture so please understand if I am approaching these things with a bit of a bias.

One of the things that bothered me is having the five warriors are just open to working together from the start.

For example in the first episode Mia is surprised that all five Ronin have appeared at the same time and then is dismayed that they aren’t united. So she tells the five Ronin they need to work together if they hope to beat the Dynasty, and they all look at one another as though saying “Um…what?”.

The English dub does give the impression that there is at least some familiarity between the five boys. However, in the original version all five of the Ronin are from different parts of Japan and this is the first time any of them have met.

The one thing I’ve always liked in anime is when the main cast is free to grow and understand each other at their own pace.

While having the main warriors joining forces is ideal and an inevitably, having them all partner up from the start is unrealistic. Particularly since the five Ronin do develop an almost familial unity with one another over the course of the series.

An anime with a similar concept to this would be Sailor Moon. Please note I’m not comparing Sailor Moon to this series for bias reasons. Sailor Moon certainly had a larger production budget and more of a story to adapt to as it started out as a manga before it became an anime series. Ronin Warriors is it’s own story and it also has some things it is better at conveying then Sailor Moon did.

I am using Sailor Moon as an example, because these two series do center on the plot of five teenagers drawn together to save the world from an otherworldly evil force.  

Sailor Moon as a series was able to introduce the characters gradually.

The series begins with introducing the titular character, Sailor Moon herself. The first handful of episodes follow her, then Sailor Mercury is introduced and she assists in battles for a couple episodes. Then Sailor Mars is brought in and a sizable chunk of the series centers on these three warriors stopping the forces of the Dark Kingdom. Then around half way through the first season Sailor Jupiter is brought in as another member of the group and then finally Sailor Venus.

Other Sailor Soldiers such as the Outer Sailors and the Sailor Star Lights are introduced in the continuing seasons. These groups don’t really involve themselves with Sailor Moon and her companions right away.  They do assist in battles at times, but they would also make it clear that they don’t want Sailor Moon and her allies interfering with their goals. Eventually the groups do choose to join forces, but that is only when they have come to the realization that the only way to take on the main foe was to merge groups.

The way this story is set up all five warriors needed to be introduced right away. However, I find having them join forces from the start is a little rushed.  Now, granted they had some idea they all knew the fate of the world rested on their backs and they were given the mystical armor to help them save their world, their homes, the people they love.

Each of them also have a story passed through the years about an armor that their family has watched over. Like many things these stories have faded from memory with some of the families or they don’t have anyone to tell them about the amor legend. So they discover their armors through other sources.

For example, Whiteblaze, Ryo’s tiger companion, is is the familiar of the Ancient One and chose Ryo as the one who will bear the Armor of Wildfire. Whiteblaze led the Ancient One to Ryo, so he could be trained in its use.

While each of the Ronin would have unconsciously or unknowingly been trained since childhood to become ready for their armors. It is the armors themselves that do draw them together initially.  That wouldn’t stop at least some of them from be reluctant in working together and then have at least a couple episodes where they warm up to if not become downright convinced working together is the only way

Cye and Kento are chummy and open hearted so I can see these two being more open to the idea of working together as a team from the start.  

Sage, Ryo, and Rowen on the other hand might be less open to working as a group.

Ryo is not absolutely against working as a team, but he is a loaner, he is also fiercely protective of those around him. He doesn’t want anyone to be hurt for him or because of him, so he has a tendency to place burdens upon himself such as going off to face enemies on his own without his friends. So I feel he would just tell the other Ronin to go home and protect their families, while he would deal with the Dynasty on his own.

Sage is more likely to be the lone wolf. He does have a guarded personality and doesn’t warm up to people all that easily. He wants to rely on himself and his own power rather than depending on others, but has his own doubts and fears that he unconsciously deals with. So when Sage leaves the group he would tell everyone else they would only slow him down and get in his way.

Rowen would be more on the fence regarding allegiances. His guiding virtue is wisdom so he would know or at least see how working together would be beneficial going forward. But much like Ryo he is used to being alone. However, due to his intelligence,  Rowen does have problems with socialization. So he wouldn’t say anything in regards to why he doesn’t want to work together with anyone else…he just leaves.

As the series progresses the battles will force the Ronin together. It would start with them merging into groups of two, so Cye and Kento would become one group. Rowen and Sage would also grow to work together and leads to the four of them joining forces before reuniting with Ryo. These encounters will enable them to gradually get to know each other and understand who they are in the battle to save the mortal world and their reasons for fighting in the battles against the Dynasty.

Another thing that bugged me was how the Dynasty depended on divide and conquer as a strategy. Granted the Ronin can be a challenging force when they are together. Still each of the Ronin are also dangerous on their own, particularly since their armors do gain strength and power as they fight.

Three of the Warriors have families with siblings, and both Ryo and Rowen have parental figures who may not be present in their lives but still matter.  Heck, Kento alone would have had family affected when the Dynasty captured everybody in the Tokyo area.

One of the Warlords has power over illusion. Have the Ronin given illusions of their loved ones in the Dynasty’s possession. This would be even more poignant when the Ronin have entered the Dynasty’s strong hold. Have the Ronin ready to deal with whatever the Dynasty would throw at them, then suddenly a scream is heard which Sage, Cye, or Kento could recognize as one of their loved ones.

Or Kento’s family for instance, show them among the humans imprisoned in the Dynasty. Kento has a fierce temper, particularly when someone he cares about is being harmed so that could trigger him to act rashly.

I’ve never really liked how the families of the Ronin are only limited to the supplemental materials such as the Audio dramas, Light Novels and such.

Another thing Sailor Moon did well is how it balanced out the home lives of the main cast along with their lives as Sailor Soldiers. We don’t need to see the families of all the characters, but even a simple mention can be used to add to how the main characters relate to each other and feel more well rounded over the course of the series. But they still had to maintain secrecy about their lives as Sailor Soldiers from their loved ones.

What Ronin Warriors was able to achieve is to suggest the families of the five warriors do have some knowledge about the armors. Or at the very least have some familiarity with the story of a legendary armor that has passed down through their line for the past thousand years.

Such as Cye’s mother saying “At last it has come” when he informed her of finding his armor.

Each of the Ronin also have attributes that mark them as chosen or destined to wear the armors since birth. In most cases these attributes aren’t outwardly visible

Ryo-Encountered Whiteblaze at a young age and holds a companionship with the white tiger and was personally trained by the Ancient One himself.  It’s not emphasized, but it is possible he has a sensitivity to cold temperatures as he has a strong dislike for flavored ice and lukewarm baths.

Cye: Able to swim to vast depths of water without needing an air tank.

He also has an affinity for sea based creatures. He isn’t able to talk to them or anything like that, but there is an orca and a number of other sea creatures that do recognize him as a friend.

Kento: No displayed or attributed traits aside from being strong and hard headed. Possibly has more physical endurance then his companions.

Rowen: He is physically marked by his armor because of his blue hair. And also he has an IQ of 250.

Sage: Physically marked by his armor because he physically represents his armor element of light.

While each of the Ronin are chosen by their armors or from a force associated with the armors. There is still a test they need to undergo to prove they understand the guiding virtue associated with the armor.

With Sailor Moon there were moments where the family members of the Sailor Soldiers or people they know are affected by the evil forces at play. With the Ronin however, having people know about their armor or their identities as Ronin Warriors does lead to tragic results.

It’s generally an unstated rule among the five warriors to not to involve their loved ones or allow any knowledge of their existence as Ronin Warriors. Since that would only cause needless danger or cause their loved ones to become targeted by the evil forces they are facing.

The families of the Ronin themselves aren’t completely required, after all the five Ronin do become a family of brothers themselves. And at its core, the entire story of the Ronin Warriors is a romantic story centered on a brotherhood forged by blood, sweat,and tears in the battle to save humanity. The trueborn families of each of the Ronin, would just be an extension of that bond they share with each other.

I’ve always seen each of the five warriors as wounded in various ways. Some have known personal loss, but there are those among them who have experienced pain, loneliness, isolation, self-doubts, and other things such as that.

In the Message OVA in particular, brings a lot of this into view as the five warriors do have internal monologues about their experiences as Ronin Warriors and how that has affected them personally.

Cye in particular during his monologue talks about how he personally didn’t want to fight, but he still took up arms in the war against Dynasty anyway because he felt there was like there was little choice in the matter. He also questions whether he even deserved the power of his armor to begin with.

“In order to avoid pain, suffering, and fear human bearings aspire to collect all the power that they can, then they cling to it no matter what. I was no different, I felt exactly the same way. I never wanted to fight though, I thought my destiny followed a different course. Could I have resisted this power? Could I have denied it? Even if someone had realized the truth, we still wouldn’t have had any other options. It was fight or die, none of us had any regrets for what we did…in staying alive. But that didn’t change the fact that *I* didn’t want to fight!”

The armors they each possess were forged from evil, but were created to be a force for good. As such the armors themselves are neither good or evil, but both. It was the heart and soul of their bearers that determined what choices they made in using the armors they were given.

While they all have seen the negative side of humanity and what it can do if left unchecked. They are also able to know that there is still enough human goodness to believe it was worth saving. And while they still fought and were motivated by their own own personal desires to protect those nearest and dearest to them. The companionship they forge in the fires of war is what heals the wounds each of them carry. Even then there is resistance and pain in being healed, but it is part of becoming the people they know they are because of it. While other hidden wounds are exposed because of the battles faced.

With Ronin Warriors and their families, Ryo and Rowen are the only children of their respective family and their respective parental figures aren’t around all that often.

Ryo’s father is a photojournalist and is always away on assignment but he does send money to cover Ryo’s living expenses.

Rowen’s parents divorced when he was twelve but even before then both of them were more married to their careers then they were as a family. The times they were home their minds would still be work oriented.

However, having two Ronin with workaholic parents just feels boring. Having Ryo being an orphan could translate into why he is so protective of his companions and why they mean so much to him. Because Ryo regards the other Ronin, Mia, and Yuli as a surrogate family to him, and he would gladly fight and give his life to protect them for that reason. He nearly dies just trying to get Sage and Rowen back after the five of them are seperated. And during the war when all the Ronin with the exception of Ryo are absorbed by Talpa, he is devastated knowing each of them are gone. In the Japanese version he says “You fools, how dare you die for me.” This is later expanded upon when the four of them are able to use their Spirits to take hold of Talpa’s armor and tell him to strike the demon emperor down while they have him restrained. And Ryo refuses to do it because doing so meant killing his friends as well.

Rowen has a detached, mature demeanor that is underscored by the fact he is the youngest member of the Ronin. He’s often viewed and treated like an adult by people around him when he really is just a kid. Since he is so used to living for his own convenience, he has trouble really understanding what actually means to have friends or even what having a present family is like. So that could be something that could be explored with his character in how he relates to the other Ronin.

He generally gets along with all the Ronin, but will at times (often unintentionally) say or do something that might have annoyed or exasperated reactions. For example in the Tenkuden CD Drama, there is a part where Yuli asks Rowen for assistance on a problem in his math homework. Rowen looks at the problem and says “That’s easy, you must have skipped the day they were teaching it.” Yuli then goes and asks Cye for assistance who is able to help him figure out the answer. After Yuli runs off to continue his homework. Cye turns to Rowen and chidingly says “Just because you find something simple, doesn’t mean it’s the same for others.”  

Rowen’s father is someone who wouldn’t really be included as a character. I’ve always had the impression that he generally isn’t really all that present even on the occasions he does return home to the apartment he shares with his son.

Rowen’s mother on the other hand could work as an occasional character. However she comes across as a bit too much to handle. She’s friendly and well-meaning but has boisterous energy that is difficult to really take in all at once. The five Ronin and Mia first meet her in the Tenkuden CD Drama after Rowen receives a voice mail call from her telling him he will be arriving at Narita International on Such and Such date. And every one automatically is like “Great Idea, let’s all go meet Rowen’s mother”.  

As much as he does care about both his parental figures, I did get the impression he is embarrassed by his mother as well.

For example, the first act of Tenkuden actually does involve Rowen waiting with Sage at the airport terminal for Rowen’s mother to arrive. After they encounter her, Rowen’s mother runs off to go make a phone call.  Sage then remarks “Okay, that IS different” to which Rowen sighs and says “You got it.” Funnily enough, every time I had heard that exchange in the past I’ve always visualized Rowen holding up a sign that says “Shoot Me” afterward.

So if Rowen’s mother appears at all it would be a humorous one-shot episode where the armors aren’t really needed. There can be some dramatic moments as well though. Since TenkuDen is also the moment where Rowen learns his armor has the ability to fly. There is also a moment at the end of the CD where Rowen’s mother pulls her son aside and alludes that she saw him in his armor hovering outside of the window of the airplane she was traveling in. But she assumes the whole thing was just a dream.

When it comes to Kento, Sage, and Cye they are the eldest, middle, and youngest siblings of each of their respective families. So the familial dynamic of the Ronin will be something they can easily adapt to, but still, give them a different dynamic that can challenge and affect them.

Cye is the youngest child in his family, but he is the oldest of the five Ronin. So this puts him in a sort of older sibling role in some ways. He doesn’t need to adapt too much, particularly since Mia already plays an older sister role with the five Ronin. And his older sister Sayoko had more or less served a parental role of sorts in his late father’s absence. He’s also the only Ronin who is actually living away from his family, as he has an apartment in Tokyo where he lives alone while he is attending high school. In one of the Cassette Dramas Rowen has a habit of visiting Mia’s grandfather’s mansion so he could read the books there. Unfortunately when he does this he loses all track of time and frequently misses the last train back to Kansai. So he has to end up couch surfing over at Cye’s apartment much to the Torrent Armor bearers irritation.

Cye’s family is more likely to be included as part of a dramatic storyline.  

For instance, Cye’s mother has heart disease and is frequently in ill health, but she still runs her family and her family’s pottery business until her daughter Sayoko can take over.

Sayoko is ten years older then Cye and has also been an influential figure in Cye’s life. She helps look after their mother and their families pottery shop.

Ryuusuke Shizuka is Sayoko’s fiance and works at the Hagi Marine Research Institute. After meeting Cye he chooses to marry into Cye’s family. Sayoko and Ryuusuke are supposedly married by the final OVA of this series..

One of the cassette dramas has Cye returning to Hagi after learning his mother had fallen ill. Kento accompanies him on the trip, however the only reason he’s going is because he mistakenly thought Hagiyaki was a kind of food. It’s this Drama where Cye is introduced to his sister’s finance.  

Kento is the oldest child in his family, and so he is well used to playing the older brother role among his siblings. As the second youngest member of the Ronin he has the freedom to be a younger brother. Still when it comes to his companions, the protective brother instinct will still be a present part of his personality over all.

Kento is also the most inclusive of the Ronin and does consider his friends to be like his family.  

I can see Kento’s family being used in heart warming slice-of-life plots. Kento just feels like one of those people you meet in life who just adopts you into their family. As much as he would make disparaging comments about the number of people in his household, in all honesty he wouldn’t have it any other way.

During the Tsuki CD Drama, following their final battle with Saranbo. Kento realizes they are near Yokohama and starts inviting his friends to his family’s restaurant only to be shot down and scolded for being too carefree. After Kento storms off he has a monologue where he states about how much he loves the town of Yokohama and his family and he the reason he fights is all for them. That’s why he wanted his friends to meet his family, to show his companions they are just like family to him.  

That is something I can certainly see happening in an updated version of this series. With Ryo and Rowen, Kento would want to include them so they can at least know what a loving family was like. Knowing Cye and Sage are away from their respective homes. I can see Kento making an effort to make them feel there is something like a family there for them.

Cye might welcome the idea since he understands Kento is wanting to include them as part of his family.

Sage might not be so open about it. Not because he doesn’t understand Kento’s reasoning for it. He however would firmly point out that their family lives and their lives as Ronin should be two different things. Kento would be upset it’s only later on that he would realize Sage’s reasoning.

During the times when they are not involved with fighting the Dynasty. I can see Kento dropping by Cye’s apartment with take out now and again. This would later extend to Ryo when he starts living in the city.

Of the Ronin, I see him learning his family was affected by the Dynasty because Yokohama is in the Tokyo area. He is the only one of the five who would have had immediate loved ones in the vicinity of the Dynasty’s first attack . Which would make the battle to stop the Dynasty all the more personal for him.

Sage is the middle child of his family, but both of his siblings are his sisters. His older sister Yayoi and his younger sister Satsuki. He cares about both of them and would defend them to his last breath, though Yayoi does have a bit of a contentious past with him as she is the reason he is uncomfortable around women.  

Sage’s family is a family I can see included dramatic storylines, but wholesome ones as well.

When it comes to Sage’s family there is a lot you could work with. I will start with Sage’s sisters since I’ve seen a number of interpretations regarding them. In fanfics Yayoi often ranges between being an entitled sister up to just being an evil abusive witch. I have been guilty of this view myself.

Thinking back on it, I wonder if fans were blowing her relationship with Sage out of proportion.

Yayoi is five years older than Sage. From the basic description of her she is in essence a female version of her younger brother as she does talk in the same formal manner he does, and is also a talented kendo fighter.  She is a medical student and is attending college during the TV series.

The worst thing she’s known to have done to tease her brother is to use him as a dress up doll when they had been younger. She also still possesses a picture of him with ribbons in his hair.

This is largely just kid stuff, still some actions as innocent as they may seem can have a negative affect. In this case, Sage is uncomfortable talking to or being around girls as a result.

Women also tend to hold power in Sage’s family, meaning the female members of his family do hold sway in the decisions and actions of the Date House. Because of this they are highly respected. The only male who is an exception to this would be Sage’s Grandfather who is the current head of the family.  Yayoi was likely able to get away with tormenting her brother the way she has, because she knew if he retaliated in any way he would be the one who would be punished.  

In later years, Yayoi may have realized what she actually was doing, but by then the damage had already been done. So while the picture she still has of him with ribbons could be something she could threaten her brother with. It’s also just as possible that perhaps the reason Yayoi keeps the photo, is to remind herself of what she has done to hurt her younger brother in the past.

She seems to have some moments where she does make an attempt establishing a better relationship with him. Such as when Sage was beginning elementary the light color of his eyes made him appear cold and intimidating, because of this his schoolmates would often cry when they saw him. It was Yayoi who suggested he cover one of them with his hair so schoolmates wouldn’t be so scared of him.

Also In the Yoroi Guiden novel, the day Sage received his armor he had been forced into a match against another Kendo practitioner known as Shingo Kazamatsuri. During the match Shingo attempts to cheat by throwing sand or something into Sage’s eyes. Due to one eye being covered by his hair, only his visible eye had affected. Angered that his opponent would resort to cheating, Sage goes into a blind rage and attacks Shingo, rendering him unconscious. While her brother is being punished for his actions, Yayoi tends to Shingo’s injuries. Which made her one of the first people to learn what had taken place. She then tells Shingo that he was fortunate he didn’t lose a limb after making her brother that mad.

I can see Yayoi gaining friendship with Mia, and through that she and Sage could begin to heal the rift that exists between them.

Satsuki is younger than Sage by two years. She is the only member of Sage’s immediate family who doesn’t have any interest in the family Dojo and the only one who speaks casually. I see Sage in some ways being somewhat envious of his younger sister, because she possesses a freedom he isn’t able to have within their family. But he also values that she is able to have such freedom as well.

I’ve seen her placed with Rowen or Kento as possible romantic interests. Personally, I just see Satsuki just viewing the other Ronin as additional brothers. She knows her brother doesn’t have many friends and wouldn’t want to become a catalyst in causing him to lose his companions. Hints at romantic interest could be there, but at best she would just be a sister figure.

Sage’s family life on the other hand is where things take on a more dramatic turn. As I’ve stated before that each of the Ronin have attributes that mark them as chosen by their armors. Sage and Rowen are the only ones who have physical attributes that mark their connection to their armor.

Anyone who is familiar with anime and manga lore would know hair color has specific meaning. Blond or yellow hair often has a variety of meanings, but the most widespread meaning is a person who is special in some manner. Often in most anime the characters would have a variety of hair color tones that no one bats an eye, despite the fact it might look a little strange aesthetically.

The only time a character’s hair color is brought up as peculiar is if the story itself wants it to be  something that is meant to be seen as questionable.

Sage’s family is one of the Ronin families that is well versed in the legend of the Ronin Armor that is passed through their family. It’s never emphasized in the series, but from the sound of things in supplemental materials such as the novels, Sage is the only one in his family with his hair and eye color. This means that yes Sage was meant to physically represent the element of his armor. That would also lead to problems that Sage would have had to face growing up.

In Japanese Culture, one of the worst scarlet letters you can possess is to stand out. Sage is from a traditional family so being born representing his armors element would have raised a lot of eyebrows. I’ve seen numerous dramatic fanfictions where Sage is picked on because of his implausible hair color. I’ve also seen the word Konketsu applied to him as well in some of these fics. Konketsu means mixed-blood but it can be used as a slur that means half-breed. 

In a more modernized incarnation this traditionalist might not be used quite as often. So you can sum it up as anime logic.

While the legend of the Halo Armor is well known in the Date family, only a small fraction would believe the legend to be more than just a story.  While an even smaller fraction would recognize that Sage was born connected to the Halo Armor.  Namely Sage’s grandparents and possibly his mother.

The circumstances of Sage’s mother being chosen to provide a male heir to the Date Clan are unknown. It’s often speculated that Grandfather Date only had daughters, if there had been a boy born to their family he either died before he could prove himself as an heir. Or he was expelled from the Date Estate for some reason. Which in turn would put the burden of producing an heir on the shoulders of his sister or one of them.

Sage’s mother could be the oldest daughter, or she was deemed the one who was more likely to produce a suitable male heir.

Whatever the case may be, the Ronin are the first real friends that he’s ever had. And it’s likely that his upbringing didn’t really allow for friendships to exist in his life.

With Sage’s character bio for the original series it is stated that his grandfather was largely responsible for Sage’s upbringing. Some bios state that he was given over to his grandfather because his parents had trouble disciplining him.

Personally to me it always felt there was more to this. Grandfather Date likely would have recognized from the moment Sage was born that he was destined to bear the Halo Armor. So he would have naturally taken it upon himself to prepare Sage for when the armor would deem him worthy of it.  As well as to groom Sage for the day he would inherit their families Dojo and become the next head of the Date Clan. While he would have told Sage and also Sage’s sisters of the family legend, he would continue to let Sage believe the rigorous training he is given is all associated with being his grandfather’s successor.

While Kento is actually the wealthiest of the five Ronin, neither Kento nor Sage’s home’s are described. The best that’s given is that his family live on the outskirts of Sendai and that the Dojo is a part of it, or at least an area of the family estate that can be visited without invitation.  

Wanting to ensure his grandson was raised in a way *he* deemed fit, Grandfather Date would insist that Sage come live with him at the main house. I can imagine he was around the ages of 4-6 when this occurred. Sage’s grandfather is described as being unusually strict. Sage was also rather rambunctious at that age, so he may have believed that he must have done something bad so he was being taken away from his family as punishment.

Sage is still able to see his parents and sisters, but he would live under his grandfather’s roof at the Date Estate. Grandfather Date according to the brief description of him is said to be the walking precept of Date House, he was also a soldier in his youth he raises Sage to be the same.

The time Grandfather Date was a soldier is rather unclear, some bios he was a soldier during the Meiji Era which means he was around Sage’s age during the early 1900’s since that era ran from 1868-1912. Since this series is set in the late eighties, it is possible that he may have been in the tail end of that time period. Though I have seen bios that have said he was a soldier during the Edo Period, which would be physically impossible since that time period ended just as the Meiji era started. Logically if he was in a war at all, it would more likely be WWII.

Since Sage’s family is descended from Date Mesamune, a more logical conclusion was that Grandfather Date was trained to be like a soldier from the Edo period and raised Sage to follow those same disapplines. So this would be a bit of a reverse of what Rowen’s life is like. Where Rowen is a child who is seen and treated as an adult, Sage is a child who has his life framed with the expectation that he will act like an adult.

Perhaps Sage viewed his home life under his grandfather’s teaching as a gilded cage. Everything he needs is provided for, however there is always the sense that everything he says and does is watched and has to meet a certain expectation. If he does something that is met with disapproval it can result in a harsh punishment. The same expectations he would be expected to follow at home would also apply to his school life.

With School aside from meeting his Grandfather’s rigorous criteria, which would make it difficult for him to make friends with his schoolmates. All this of course translates into the self doubts and fears he shows at times during the war with the Dynasty.

With the Ronin Warriors, Sage would likely find himself in a bit of a conundrum. As he has actual friends for the first time in his life and not only that people he comes to see as brothers. While being raised by his grandfather and following his directive, he’s always presented himself as the persona his grandfather had expected him to have. The one thing he has never really been permitted to be is himself, and that could lead into the issues he has in events such as the Korinden CD drama.

Mia and Yuli would largely be the same, as they are in the series. Just a pair of civilians who are friends with the Ronin and understand the battles they go through. Mia would continue her grandfather’s research on the armors and assist where she can. Mostly she would be a big sister figure to the Ronin and help them figure out. In the Message OVA she does become a delegate at the United Nations. While the other Delegates are wondering about the strange things that are going on and wondering about how they were dealt with in previous events. Mia stands up and says she believes she may know what they are looking for.

To be honest, this often bugged me. I mean I like the idea of the Ronin being needed in other parts of the world aside from Japan. Still at that point, the Ronin Armors as they were originally had all been destroyed. Mia would have recognized what was going on was connected to the power of the Armors. Still telling a group of bureaucrats, a bunch of suits that believed in facts, science, and other such tangible information that everything that was going on hinged on a group of teenagers with mystical armor. I’m sorry, the only thing they will believe is that the person telling them this is insane.

All this is stuff that was demonstrated in the series and OVA so there isn’t just headcanon.

In the second episode of the series, the Japanese Self-Defence Force is deployed against Talpa’s castle in the first war, and all their efforts prove useless. The first episode also shows electronics, vehicles, and other man-made creations lose power due to the forces of Mystical energy coming from the Dynasty.  

And even if they could be convinced that the Ronin Armors were real. Talpa’s Armor was the corporeal embodiment of all human evil. Figures in places of power and authority would be anything but happy in knowing that five suits of armor are capable of wielding weapons-grade levels of mystical power even exist. And they would be even less then happy knowing these said suits of armor were given to people who are essentially children.

While the Ronin themselves know they are fighting for the good of the Mortal Realm, authority figures would argue they are just children playing with power they couldn’t possibly understand. While other people would fear hate them on the grounds that if they can use their armors for good, what was to stop them from using them for evil.

This is seen during the series where Rowen breaks Anubus’s helmet and is stunned to find that instead of a netherworld demon, Anubus was actually a human. Later on Kento is approached by Dais and told that he would become corrupted by his own armor in time. In the Dub, Kento is told that the five armors in the past had been worn by men who have used their power for their own selfish desires. In the Japanese version, Kento is told the armors were sought by people who wanted their power for themselves.  

During the Guiden OVA, Sage is believed to have become evil and is killing innocent people in New York. In the Japanese Version, Kento makes a comment about how the name of the Samurai Troopers is tarnished because one of them decided to go rogue. Which causes Rowen to look at Kento with a horrified expression.  

Later on when Rowen and Kento are confronting Sage about his actions, they find it’s not their friend but actually his armor. While the Ronin themselves don’t use their ultimate attacks because of all the civilians around them, the Police and National Guard are still brought in to try and arrest the Ronin because of the public disturbance their battle is causing.  

During Legend of the Inferno Armor, Cye is the first of the Ronin to notice the power of their Armors starting to corrupt, Each of the Ronin also eventually notice their armor becoming corrupted.

In the Message OVA Rowen does say that the armors were just as much of a curse as they were a gift. And the Ronin do comment on and fear the eventuality of losing themselves to their armors.

Worse yet, people in places of authority would use any excuse they could think of to imprison the five Ronin. They would have their armors taken to be studied and weaponized if possible.  If they can’t do that, they would force the Ronin to agree to use their armors as a superweapon against the people they want. And if they can’t do that, have them executed.

Again in the Guiden OVA, Sage is abducted and tortured for days by a Scientist working for Shikaisen so his Armor could be studied for his own personal interests. Shikaisen also used Sage’s armor to slaughter hundreds of innocent people

All of this would lead to Talpa reforming himself and starting the cycle of the Ronin armors once again.

In the Guiden OVA, after Shikaisen merges with the Scientists computer, he does become a figure that resembles Talpa.

Message OVA,The Ronin all get this sense that their battles against the Dynasty are repeating itself. Rowen comes across a play written in the Edo Period depicting their fights against the Dynasty and sends it to Ryo.  

Since the Ronin are destined to be Warriors until the day they die, The Ronin are just best off as being guardian figures who watch the humans and protect humans from afar. Mia can open her mansion to allow the Ronin to live there as permanent house guests, or just give them the house so they all can live there at their leisure.

The new armors they recieve at the end of the Message OVA aren’t tainted with Talpa’s evil since Suzunagi’s mother she placed love in the corner of them. So they don’t act as a becon that attracts beings of evil from the Netherworld Given this the Ronin themselves could spread the teachings of the Ancient One by creating a new Legend of the Ronin Armor. 

It could start with Sage talking to his grandfather about expanding their families Dojo. Or at the very least telling his Grandfather he will not inherit the Dojo as it stands, but instead will recreate it. So instead of teaching Kendo alone it will include Archery, Swordfighting, Kungfu, meditation, and other forms of martial and spiritual arts. The other Ronin would be brought in as instructors to lead these various class all the while instilling the Anicent Ones teachings about not giving into the sinister urges of man kind. And when needed the Ronin would don their armors and face the forces from the neather world who seek to destroy the peace they have created. 

Eventually the time will come where they feel they have played their role in protecting the world, and hand the Dojo over to Yuli or at least someone they know would look after things and carry on the legend of the five armors. 

Once they have their affairs in order, they could make the choice to enter the Netherworld. This will be a tragic choice as a year in the Netherworld is a hundred years in the human world. So the Ronin would be making the choice to leave their families and loved ones behind. But they do this knowing that when they are needed they will return, and in time choose worthy successors to bear their armors. 

Yuli in an updated version would be a somewhat tragic case following the first war. During the series Yuli seems to stay with the Ronin and Mia indefinitely and is able to travel to distant countries at a moments notice. He sees all the Ronin as adoptive brothers, though he idolizes Ryo the most out of all of them. A large part of the first war with the Dynasty is that Yuli’s parents were abducted by the Dynasty. However the series never shows him with his parents again.

He should be shown meeting up with his parents again after the first war just so viewers have that closure. Then somewhere in the interim episodes between the first and second war something should happen to his parents so he loses them, it can be left up for interpretation if his parents are permanently lost. Yuli would then start to live with the Ronin and Mia until arrangements can be made for him; he will eventually be taken in by the families of one of the Ronin.  

Of the three Ronin I see Kento’s family being the only one that would work. Kento has siblings roughly around Yuli’s age, and also Yuli himself would want to be near his adoptive big brothers.

In the Message OVA, Yuli is shown as a thirteen year old having won his jr. high’s Kendo tournament. Sage teaches elementary school aged kids at his families Dojo, so I can certainly see Sage privately teaching Yuli at some point.  

[vgckwb]

ML: Are They Worthy? Chapter 4: The History of the Wolf Miraculous!

Marinette walks into Master Fu’s place. “Marinette, what is wrong?” Fu asks.

Before Marinette could answer, Tikki pops out, and says “The wolf miraculous is back!”

“I see” said Master Fu. “Wayzz has informed me of such.” He pulls up the pages for the wolf miraculous and shows them to Marinette. “The wolf miraculous is a tricky one. Its properties are unlike any other miraculous.”

“How come?” Marinette asked.

“The wolf miraculous is the miraculous of doubt” said Master Fu.

“He told me as much” Marinette said.

“So. you’ve spoken to the holder of the wolf miraculous?” said Master Fu.

Marinette nodded. “He came to me when I was sleeping,” she said.

“I see. As I was saying, doubt is a powerful concept. It can be used for good or bad things. Beyyo, the kwami of doubt, decided that because his power was strong, he didn’t want anyone to have it if he didn’t agree to it himself.”

“But, aren’t other miraculous more powerful?” Marinette asked.

“Yes. Beyyo noticed this as well” said Master Fu. “He was mad with the other kwamis, who trusted the humans who possessed their miraculous. They all tried to convince him that it was alright, but Beyyo didn’t believe them. He decided to tailor his powers to testing other miraculous users to see if they were worthy to have those powers.”

“He also told me that” said Marinette. “He told me that Beyyo could sniff out other kwamis, and that he can use a special Wolf Mist to create tests in an unconscious mind.”

“Yes, those are two of its powers” said Master Fu. “But the wolf miraculous has three other things that make it different. First, a guardian doesn’t give out the wolf miraculous. Beyyo carries it with him and wanders the Earth until he finds someone who he deems worthy of holding onto it. Second, its other power allows it to force a kwami out of its miraculous. Lastly, it isn’t affected by any of the other miraculous powers. For instance, say you had to fight him. If you used your lucky charm in order to try and best him, nothing would appear.”

“Almost every power…” said Tikki.

“Um, Tikki is very mad at the wolf miraculous” said Marinette. “Could you tell me the reason?”

“Of course Marinette” said Master Fu. “One of the previous Ladybugs operated in Japan. The identity of this Ladybug was the operator of an orphanage. She would protect everyone, but one of the people attacked most often was a daimyo, or feudal lord. She would be joined by the holder of the wolf miraculous, who was the head samurai for that daimyo. The two of them were friends, and they trusted each other. However, when the daimyo died, the title was passed down to his son. The holder of the wolf miraculous didn’t believe that his son was worthy of the title, and that his younger sister would make for a better daimyo. The new daimyo refused to give up his position, so the wolf miraculous holder resigned his position and became a ronin. He and Ladybug would still fight together when needed, but they had ideological fights between what they thought was right.

Eventually, the holder of the wolf miraculous decided to kill the daimyo, so that the person who he believed should have the power would take it. He warned his friend Ladybug he was doing this. So Ladybug learned the most powerful technique among miraculous users. Before the ronin could make the final blow, Ladybug interrupted him. She challenged him to a fight. They were evenly matched. Then Ladybug decided to use the technique she learned.”

“What was the technique?” Marinette asked.

“It is a powerful, but dangerous technique” said Master Fu. “It is in the grimoire, but I will not teach it to you. Any miraculous holder can use this technique, but it is strongly advised against learning, and only meant to be learned as a last resort. Before I can explain it, do you understand?” Marinette nodded. “Good. The technique is that the miraculous user channels all of the combined power of every previous holder of that miraculous, and then unleashes it in an all-powerful attack. However, both the focus of the attack and the user die in the process.” Marinette put her hands over her mouth, and a tear fell down her cheek. “Before she did it, the ronin asked why she was protecting an incompetent fool. She answered ‘everyone deserves to be protected.’ Once the two bodies fell, everyone knew it was over. The guardians came, and just like every time before, they picked up the ladybug miraculous, but the wolf miraculous was nowhere to be found. It hadn’t been seen since then, until now.”

“Tikki, I’m so sorry” Marinette said, crying and hugging Tikki.

“It’s OK Marinette” said Tikki, hugging her friend back. “It’s not your fault.”

“I know” said Mainette through her tears. “But, had I known…”

“It’s OK” said Tikki. “There was no way you could have known. I wasn’t expecting Beyyo to show up again after so long.”

“There is a little more to the story,” said Fu. “After the altercation, the daimyo did some introspection. You see, that Ladybug also didn’t like the daimyo. And yet he saw her sacrifice her life to protect him. He decided he wasn’t worthy, and abdicated to his younger sister, saying ‘these people deserve a daimyo worth dying for. You will make an excellent daimyo.’ He then left, to never return.”

“That doesn’t make the story less sad” said Marinette.

“You are right Marinette” said Fu. “I just thought you would want to know that.”

“What if I have to fight Judgment Wolf?” Marinette asked herself.

“You were found worthy, correct?” said Master Fu.

“Yeah, but so was that Ladybug” said Marinette. “And…”

“Marinette, I know how you feel” said Master Fu. “But cast those thoughts aside for now. You need to focus on the real enemy instead of inventing a fake one.”

“Yes Master” said Marinette. “Um, Judgement Wolf knows my identity. Should I be worried?”

“I don’t think so,” said Master Fu. “Since he trusts you, he won’t reveal your identity. If he didn’t trust you, he would have taken away your miraculous and given it to someone else. The wolf miraculous is strange, but even it follows a pattern.”

“One more thing” said Marinette. “Beyyo says that he’s changed, and that this user is different. After hearing this, I don’t know how much of that is true.”

“You’re starting to have doubts of your own” said Master Fu. “Like I said, doubt isn’t evil. For instance, if Nooroo could test Hawk Moth, he wouldn’t be in the situation he’s in right now. Just be careful, and remember, if both a guardian and the holder of the wolf miraculous trust you, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you Master” said Marinette. “Uh, should someone warn Cat Noir?”

“I shall send Wayzz” said Master Fu. “You should go. I’m sure you’re busy today.”

“Thank you Master” said Marinette, leaving. Once she had left, Marinette asked Tikki “Do you still want to fight Beyyo and this Judgment Wolf?”

Tikki shook her head no. “It didn’t seem like either of them wanted to fight us. It would be pointless to fight them. Not to mention disastrous.”

“I agree” Marinette said, tickling Tikki.

Earlier that day, Vlad and Adrien entered Adrien’s limo to go to Adrien’s house. “So, why did you move from Toulouse?” Adrien asked.

“Eh, you know how it is. My folks said it would benefit my modeling career” said Vlad. “Besides, how could I say no to seeing you on a regular basis?”

Adrien chuckled. “Of course. Listen, I know you, and I know how you operate. But could you please not give my friends such a hard time? You don’t have to trust them, but you don’t need to get angry with them either.”

“Relax Adrien” said Vlad. “I trust you enough to know that these people are at least decent. Well, most of them are, anyway.”

“I just don’t want a repeat of yesterday” Adrien said.

“You and me both” said Vlad.

Beyyo was moving around in Vlad’s pocket. Vlad noticed this and turned to look out the window so Adrien wouldn’t see Beyyo. “Adrien is Cat Noir” Beyyo told Vlad. Vlad nodded, and Beyyo flew back into his pocket.

Vlad decided to put his new-found information to the test. “So Adrien,” he said, “what do you think about Ladybug and Cat Noir?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t trust them as well?” said Adrien.

“Did you expect any less?” Vlad asked.

“I can’t argue with that,” said Adrien.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear your rave reviews” said Vlad.

“Very well” said Adrien. “I think they’re both great. They work together to save Paris. They make a good team.” Vlad noticed that he didn’t say anything about how cool Cat Noir was. But then again, that’s just the type of person Adrien was, and he knew it.

They arrived at the Agreste manor, and was greeted by Nathalie. “I’m sorry Adrien, but your father’s busy. Although he does give his regards to Mr. Brodeur for just moving her.e”

“Aw, tell him I said thank you,” said Vlad. “Well looks like it’s just you and me.” The two had a great time, doing all sorts of activities that Adrien’s room allowed for. Eventually, Vlad got a call. Sorry Adrien, that’s my dad. He wants me to meet the mayor this evening. It’s kind of a hassle, but whatever.”

Adrien smiled. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Nah” said Vlad. “I’ll be fine. Even if I did want you, I’m sure your dad would object.”

“Yeah” said Adrien. “You’re probably right on that.”

“Well, seeya” said Vlad.

“Later” said Adrien. Vlad left. Adrien sprawled across his bed.

Plagg came out and said “Sometimes, I wish you’d tell more people that you’re Cat Noir. I missed out on all that fun because no one can see me.”

Adrien sat up. “We still have fun Plagg” said Adrien, handing him a piece of camembert. “I still have some time, what do you want to do?”

Before Plagg could answer, Wayzz came in “Cat Noir! You must listen” he said.

“Wayzz?” Plagg said.

“What’s going on? Is Master Fu alright?” Adrien asked, worried.

“Master Fu is fine, Adrien” said Wayzz. “But something has come up.” Wayzz explained what Master Fu and Ladybug talked about.

“So, this wolf miraculous user wants to make sure that the miraculous holders are worthy?” Wayzz nodded. “And he already tested Ladybug?”

Wayzz nodded again. “You should be ready in case he finds you” Wayzz said.

“Right, but how?” said Adrien. “If he uses his Wolf Mist when I’m asleep, I can’t be prepared for that.”

“I’m just giving you a heads up” said Wayzz. “Master Fu is certain he made the right choice by making you Cat Noir.”

“I won’t let you, or this Judgement Wolf, down!” said Adrien. Wayzz nodded and left.

Later that night, Vlad lands on the sidewalk outside his window. “I was wondering if you were actually going to test Adrien” said Beyyo.

“Being friends is one thing,” said Vlad. “Protecting an entire population is something else. You can’t be too careful.”

“I couldn’t agree more” said Beyyo.

Vlad walked a few blocks and then called out “Beyyo! Fangs Sharpen!” He transformed into Judgement Wolf. Judgement Wolf made his way back to Adrien’s house and snuck in through the window. “Ready Cat Noir?” he said.

[avengingmarksman]

Take Every Shot

It was the end of the world. Over the years, many things like Loki brainwashing him and the Chitauri invasion had felt like the end of the world. But this time was different because Thanos had managed to rid Earth of half the population and this included Clint’s friends.

The invasion, the Sokovia Accords, HYDRA’s infiltration, and Thanos’ victory had left a sour taste in Clint’s mouth.  He decided it was best to lay the Hawkeye identity to rest. Maybe one day he would find his way back to it or gift the legacy to someone more deserving. He chose to become Ronin, indefinitely. Just because half the Earth had turned to dust, did not mean criminal syndicates were obsolete.

  Five years after Thanos’ triumph, it was Natasha who sought Clint. As Ronin, he didn’t spend too long in one spot. He had moved through Mexico before he ended up in Japan. This new line of work was lonely but effective. Her red hair was distinguishable, and Clint immediately recognized the silhouette of his best friend. What they possessed went beyond love.  Natasha beckoned him to join what was left of the Avengers. There was a plan, something about time travel that Clint didn’t quite understand. It seemed impossible, but Natasha was revealing a glimmer of hope that Clint had lost all those years ago.

  For the first time in a while, Clint felt part of a team again. No, a family. It was decided that the only way to reverse Thanos’ destruction was to recover the stones from the past and restore order. Naturally, Clint and Natasha paired together for the mission to Vormir to retrieve the Soul stone.  They had been on innumerable missions together just never to space. Despite the dangers and the fear of the unknown, he found himself smiling for the first time. Doing anything with Natasha by his side felt conquerable.

"This is a long way from Budapest,” Clint joked. A gleam returned to his tired eyes.

He wasn’t wrong. Vormir was a barren and shadowy planet. Gee, someone turned down the lights real low here, he thought.  

A cloaked and floating figure approached them. The shrouded being reminded him of a Death Eater or the Grim Reaper.  

“Welcome, Natasha, daughter of Ivan. Welcome Clint, son of Edith,” the nameless being greeted the duo.

Clint hadn’t heard his mother’s name since he and Barney had been orphaned.

The unknown being’s face emerged, red and emaciated.

"In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. An everlasting exchange. A soul, for a soul."

Clint and Natasha joined hands. He rested his forehead against hers. He felt at peace knowing he would die for the greater good and that the last person he would see was Natasha. But Natasha didn’t take Clint’s verdict glibly. They argued and combatted for what would culminate in the ultimate sacrifice. They tousled and rolled on the ground. If the circumstances had been different, Clint would’ve found the physicality provocative. He believed he had managed to physically subdue Natasha. She lay on the ground and Clint ran towards the edge of the cliff. As Natasha raised her head, Clint locked eyes with her. He wore resolve on his face. At the last conceivable moment, Natasha ran after him and grabbed a hold of Clint’s shoulders. They were both careening to a fatal fall.   

Natasha saved them from the dangerous descent. Clint clutched her hand as she dangled below him.

“Let me go,” Natasha said.

“No. Please, no.”

“It’s okay.”

“Please,” Clint pleaded. His weary eyes swelled with tears.

Natasha thrusted hard off the cliff making Clint lose grasp of her hand.

Clint awoke in shallow water. He perched himself on his knees and opened his gloved hand. The Soul stone glowed. They had accomplished their goal but at what cost? Clint’s head hung low and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut.

    The Avengers succeeded at recovering all the stones. Hulk, Banner whatever name he was going by now was able to wear the newly crafted gauntlet. It wasn’t easy restoring what had been lost. A battle ensued between the heroes and Thanos but mostly Thanos’ cronies. The heroes were stronger now that they were united with those who had been lost. It wasn’t enough that Natasha had forfeited her life but Stark did not survive the final war.  

  Clint had never made amends with Tony after Clint had ended up in prison and then house arrest. Most of the anger had receded but resentment still settled inside him because everyone was honoring Stark’s life and left Natasha in the shadows.

He begrudgingly attended Stark’s memorial. Not because Tony didn’t deserve it but because Clint wasn’t ready to be friendly with the rest of the team. He refused to exchange words with Steve as Natasha had put everything on the line for him at one point. No one matched Clint’s loyalty or grief. He couldn’t admit it to himself, but not all of his anger was aimed at Steve and Bruce. Clint carried guilt like an old friend and as a reminder of his failures. He should’ve done more to shelter his mother from his father. He should’ve done more to shield Barney from becoming Trick Shot. And he should’ve protected Natasha from an untimely death. He owed her that much.

Clint saw a familiar face—Wanda. The years had changed them both and she no longer resembled the scared, young woman he remembered from Sokovia. The pair was alone, looking over a pond.

“I wish there was a way I could let her know that we won,” Clint said.

“She knows. They both do.”

Wanda and Clint both shouldered the grief for the two heroes who were relegated to the shadows.

    While grief embraced Clint like a fraternal hug, it did not suffice. At Vormir they had been assured that Natasha’s fate was irreversible. Yet, hadn’t they believed the same when they had been defeated by Thanos? Hope had been easy to clutch then and maybe it’s ease had been facilitated because Clint never questioned Natasha. But his fervent longing to reunite with her, powered his hunger to pursue her. Too long he had been the hunted. First, in 2012 when Natasha confronted him on the Helicarrier. Then more recently when he was an acting vigilante. It was time to return the favor.

Clint threw himself into training. He couldn’t stop because he refused to be just another man with a bow. He believed he needed to prepare for anything once he did find Natasha again. And he would find her, that much he believed. But, there was no telling in what condition he’d find her or if she would even remember him. Anyone with less than favorable intentions would jump at the chance to have someone with the talents of Black Widow.

The few friends that remained thought he was training too hard. Thor heeded that Clint was giving up too much. But Clint didn’t want to have a good, simple life if it meant that his best friend wasn’t afforded the same.

No matter how impossible this new mission seemed, he cared about it and he would take every shot.

[weirdsciencecomics]

Here are the February 2020 Marvel Comics Solicitations for all Avengers related comics!

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #1 (OF 5)

DEREK LANDY • FEDERICO VICENTINI (A)

Cover by DAN MORA

Variant Cover by BENGAL

VARIANT COVER BY BUTCH GUICE

CHINESE NEW YEAR VARIANT COVER BY ZIYIAN LIU

An office of dead government agents. A gifted new killer. Two ex-Captain Americas…

When a dramatic attempt on the life of Bucky Barnes reunites him with Sam Wilson, the two old friends are plunged headlong into a race to uncover the new leader of Hydra before a mass casualty event announces the terror group’s resurgence to the world. The clock is ticking…

Derek Landy (BLACK ORDER, SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING) and Federico Vicentini (ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: MILES MORALES) team up for a pulse-pounding action spectacular!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ANT-MAN #1 & #2 (OF 5)

ZEB WELLS • DYLAN BURNETT (A)

Covers by EDUARD PETROVICH

ISSUE #1 – Variant Cover by MARCOS MARTIN

ISSUE #1 – VARIANT COVER BY JOHN  TYLER CHRISTOPHER

ISSUE #1 – REMASTERED VARIANT COVER BY HERB TRIMPE

ISSUE #2 – Variant Cover by SUPERLOG

SWARM APPROACHES!

ISSUE #1 – Scott Lang is back and doing better than ever! Er, at least according to him, but his daughter, Stinger, and the anthill he’s living in say otherwise. Desperate to raise his daughter’s opinion of him, Scott takes a job from local beekeepers only to uncover a global conspiracy that could topple the world order! No time to call the Avengers, this sounds like a job for – ANT-MAN?! Join the explosive creative team of Zeb Wells (NOVA) and Dylan Burnett (X-FORCE, COSMIC GHOST RIDER) as they take Ant-Man to all-new heights in this epic adventure!

ISSUE #2 – A global conspiracy uncovered! Ant-Man faces off against a new host of villians unlike anything we’ve ever seen before – and they’re not falling for any of his tricks. With his back against the wall, will Ant-Man be able to stand his ground or end up squished beneath their heel?

32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

THOR #3

DONNY CATES • NIC KLEIN (A)

Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL

Variant cover by RYAN BROWN

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY DALE KEOWN

THE BATTLE OF TWO STORMS!

It’s Mjolnir versus Stormbreaker as Thor’s old ally Beta Ray Bill makes a thunderous entrance! But what has put the two friends at odds — and can the King of Asgard convince the Korbinite to let him continue his bloody mission to save all that is?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

  CAPTAIN AMERICA #19

TA-NEHISI COATES • JASON MASTERS (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY JUNGGEUN YOON

THE LEGEND OF STEVE Concludes! 

Cap comes face-to-face with the Dryad and learns her game-changing true identity!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS #31

JASON AARON • GERARDO ZAFFINO (A/C)

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL

CHINESE NEW YEAR VARIANT COVER BY TIANQI HU

THE TEMPTATION OF ANTHONY STARK!

Special Oversized Issue! Trapped in an icy cave at the dawn of time, Tony Stark has lost most of his armor and a good chunk of his mind. And tonight when the sun goes down and the devil comes round again, Iron Man may very well lose whatever’s left of his soul. A dark tale of hell and ice and iron, unlike any Golden Avenger story you’ve ever read, featuring the gorgeously gritty visuals of guest artist Gerardo Zaffino (CONAN THE BARBARIAN).

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

AVENGERS OF THE WASTELANDS #2 (OF 5)

ED BRISSON • JONAS SCHARF (A) • Cover by JUAN JOSÉ RYP

Variant cover by Riccardo Federici

HUNTING FOR DOOM!

DANI/THOR, DWIGHT/ANT-MAN, and HULK, JR. set off on a quest to save the Wastelands from DR. DOOM’s reign of terror! But can they succeed where OLD MAN LOGAN left off? And what does the return of CAPTAIN AMERICA herald for the team?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

  MARVEL’S VOICES #1

Vita Ayala, Roxane Gay, Brian Stelfreeze, Geoff  Thorne, Anthony Piper, Kyle Baker, Evan Narcisse, Method Man, Rob Markman, Chuck Brown, David F. Walker

Brian Stelfreeze, Anthony Piper, Kyle Baker, Sanford Greene, Damion Scott, Ray-Anthony Height, Alitha E. Martinez, Natacha Bustos, LUCIANO VECCHIO (A)

Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN

Variant by Brian Stelfreeze

Variant by DAMION SCOTT

THE WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW!

Marvel’s acclaimed podcast series focusing on telling the stories of diverse creators and their unique perspectives becomes a one shot of brand new adventures! The X-Men find their place in the world after declaring a new nation! Killmonger strikes! Moon Girl and Devil Dino return! 40 PGS./ONE SHOT/ RATED T+…$4.99

  TAROT #3 (of 4)

ALAN DAVIS • PAUL RENAUD (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY ALAN DAVIS

VARIANT COVER BY KEVIN NOWLAN

As the chaos and madness continues to spread, the Avengers and the Defenders find themselves confronted by the most unlikely characters in Marvel history! Would you believe – THE UNBELIEVABLES?

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

  STAR #2 (OF 5)

KELLY THOMPSON • JAVIER PINA (A)

Cover by Carmen Carnero

Variant cover by Kirbi Fagan

TWO REALITY WARPERS COLLIDE!

As Star struggles to master her powers, she gets a visit from one of the world’s greatest — and most dangerous — reality warpers. But is the Scarlet Witch here to guide a fledgling, would-be hero…or put down a deadly villain? Either way, Star better learn fast — because heroes aren’t the only ones watching the new wielder of the Reality Stone.

32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

  MARVEL’S AVENGERS: HULK #1

JIM ZUB • ARIEL OLIVETTI (A) • Cover by STONEHOUSE

VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM

VARIANT COVER BY PYEONG JUN PARK

HULK STARS IN THE SMASHING PREQUEL TO THE UPCOMING VIDEO GAME, MARVEL’S AVENGERS!

The adventure leading to MARVEL’S AVENGERS rages on, with an all-new story leading directly into the events of the highly anticipated video game! As the incredible HULK, the monstrous alter ego of scientist BRUCE BANNER, he’s done good for the world.  But with the virtually uncontrollable, gigantic green rage monster always bubbling under his skin, Banner has teamed up with an inquisitive scientist in an attempt to regulate the beast once and for all.  As their experiments go deeper, a catastrophic event may spell the end for more than just Banner’s curse!

Witness crucial incidents and intrigue in the saga tied to the earthshaking events in the MARVEL’S AVENGERS game next year!

32 PGS./ ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVELS X #2 (OF 6)

ALEX ROSS & JIM KRUEGER • WELL BEE (A)

Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY WELL BEE

David’s arrival in New York doesn’t bring the safety he had hoped it would.  And while he does indeed find some heroes, he also finds that they don’t know what to do in a world where everyone they ever fought to protect now wants only to blame them for the hell the world has transformed into.  Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Well-Bee continue the amazing prequel to the EARTH X trilogy.

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

ATLANTIS ATTACKS #2 (OF 5)

GREG PAK • ARIO ANIDITO (A) • COVER BY MICO SUAYAN

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM

CHINESE NEW YEAR VARIANT COVER BY MoNa

THE EARTH WILL SHAKE AND THE WATERS WILL BOIL!

NAMOR versus BRAWN! A team torn asunder! SWORD MASTER and SHANG-CHI undercover! Wave caught between the surface world of her birth and the undersea glories of ATLANTIS! And who are the SIRENAS? The epic clash continues and the AGENTS OF ATLAS — both old and new — will never be the same!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HAWKEYE: FREEFALL #3

MATTHEW ROSENBERG • OTTO SCHMIDT (A)

Cover by KIM JACINTO

As things around him are getting more dangerous, Clint Barton is being pushed to make some tough, and probably really bad, decisions. Meanwhile the mysterious new Ronin is waging war against The Hood and Hawkeye is caught in the middle of it. The Web of lies our Friendly Neighborhood archer finds himself caught in will have Spectacular ramifications when he is confronted by our Amazing secret guest star… (It’s Spider-Man. Shhh.)

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DOCTOR STRANGE #3

MARK WAID • KEV WALKER (A) • Cover by PHIL NOTO

VARIANT COVER BY KEV WALKER

Tattoo removal isn’t in a surgeon’s job description, but when one man’s heavy metal tattoos begin coming to life Doctor Strange will have to make an exception! With the clock ticking down rapidly, will Doctor Strange be able to save his patient—or himself? Find out as Doctor Strange gets drawn into the diagnosis—literally!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #31

AL EWING • JOE BENNETT (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant cover by GEOFF SHAW

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

There’s a new monster in town. He’s cuddly. He’s lovable. He’s down with the kids. And he’s available for your corporate retreat. Yes, there was another Hulk, once – the one who made all those nasty threats to end the world. But who needs him? THE LIVING HULK is here. And he’s going to save us all – or your money back.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

  CAPTAIN MARVEL #15

KELLY THOMPSON • LEE GARBETT (A) • Cover by MARK BROOKS

CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE (4 OF 5)

CHINESE NEW YEAR VARIANT COVER BY ZILI YU

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY Ema Lupacchino

“THE LAST AVENGER” PART 4: DESPERATE MEASURES

Captain Marvel had 24 hours to kill five Avengers — and she’s dangerously close to failing. Carol’s plan was always flawed, but as she nears the endgame, those flaws are becoming fatal. As Vox Supreme’s true plans for five dead Avengers emerge, it’s more important than ever that Carol not fail today.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SAVAGE AVENGERS #0 

GERRY DUGGAN & CHRIS CLAREMONT

GREG SMALLWOOD & JOHN ROMITA JR. (A)

Cover by GREG SMALLWOOD

VARIANT COVER BY PHILIP TAN

The looming threat of Kulan Gath reunites Dr. Strange and Magik on Krakoa. The fate of the world will rest in what they discover. Re-presenting a pair of classics, UNCANNY X-MEN 190 & 191 by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr, in the context of a great new sequence illustrated by the impeccable Greg Smallwood.

64 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99

SAVAGE AVENGERS #10 

GERRY DUGGAN • PATCH ZIRCHER (A) • Cover by Valerio Giangiordano

Dr. Strange, Dr. Doom and Conan the Barbarian set out to kill Kulan Gath before he grows stronger! The team-up you never knew you couldn’t live without concludes. We hope you’ll be okay.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

  VALKYRIE: JANE FOSTER #8

JASON AARON & TORUNN GRØNBEKK • CAFU (A)

Cover by Mahmud Asrar

GWEN STACY VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO

ODE TO THE DEATH OF MIDGARD!

When Earth erupts with a cancerous contagion, it’s up to Jane to find the cure. But it’ll take more than her medical knowledge to fight off this infection. The source is buried deep in Asgardian legend — the sort only a king would know. Valkyrie finally joins forces with the All-Father of Asgard in a fight for the entire planet!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

  MARVEL’S BLACK WIDOW PRELUDE #2 (OF 2)  

PETER DAVID

CARLOS VILLA (A)

THE HUNT FOR THE BLACK WIDOW!

Follow the trail of NATASHA ROMANOFF’s exploits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! As the facts are considered, the question remains: is the BLACK WIDOW really a threat? Get ready for MARVEL STUDIOS’ BLACK WIDOW solo film with the conclusion to this prelude story!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

    Avengers February 2020 Marvel Comics Solicits Here are the February 2020 Marvel Comics Solicitations for all Avengers related comics! FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #1 (OF 5)

[everydreamtilldawn]

Endgame Thoughts *Spoilers obviously and a whole lot of venting*

OK Endgame, here we go! The absolute disrespect to the audience, the actors, the characters, and all the other creators who put so much work and care into building characters and stories for the other movies and shows which led up Infinity War and Endgame. The Russos are so far up their own asses with how good they think they are. I'm so done with their pure spoiler free excuses. Not letting actors know what scenes they're in, who they're with - wasting oscar winning actors on their own bloated egos insisting adults can't be trusted not to cause a PR scandal over their fanfic. Those assholes put themselves into the canon as "the first canon gay character". Oh, Mr. Unnamed Guy 32 is the first gay character out of all these hundreds of people on screen? Oh Mr. Russo well we all better get on our knees and kiss your gay dick in thanks then you ass faced worthless shit for brain. What a fucking insult. Who has the actual nerve? Who actually has an ego so big they don't actually see the lgbt community and their issues as something to take seriously within their narrative - its like their heads have been under a rock the past few years thinking of only their wonderful, unbeatable movie that they have no idea gay people are main characters now and have their own movies elsewhere in the world. We're not nameless, background characters you dicks. The fact that 10 years led up to this is like spitting in the face of your audience and telling them exactly how little you actually care about them except for their money. Every bit of Endgame highlighted and emphasized the flaws that was the monstrosity that was Infinity War. Starting there - I will never get over the fact that the end battle of Endgame so clearly shows how awful the previous movie was. I think I've told you all the problems I have with IW before but to emphasize again - the "we don't trade lives" concept is still something I'm furious over. The fact that grand old captain america wasn't willing to kill Vision for the UNIVERSE but was ok with a few hundred Wakandan's dying for Vision to maybe live? Bullshit. AND that final battle? WTF so we're supposed to believe that in the... five?... ten minutes? after being snapped back to life all those people got off their asses? I can't even. They expect us to believe that when you put all those geniuses, warriors, battle proven tacticions, strategists and spies in a room that they still make all those obvious mistakes when they know the UNIVERSE is at stake? Where was that army of sorcerers in battle one? Why did Wong or whatever his name is really HAVE to protect that one sanctum even knowing the fate of the UNIVERSE was at stake? They had hours to plan. HOURS. If not days?!?!?!?!?! They went to different countries, they had time to sit and plan. They had time to call in the world's resources to prepare, to gather armies. Instead they fought with Wakanda and a handful of superheroes - why??? They literally knew the stakes, the only reason they didn't have the huge army battle scene in Infinity War is because Marvel wanted another movie. They wanted to make billions on Endgame cause they knew audiences would come back if they shock value killed half the universe and then brought them back for battle two but uhhhhhhh.... On your left was a great badass scene and all. But they had max like ten minutes to gather forces who legit just came back to life. Who sent out that distress call btw? Why did all these people NOW have a plan of attack and were gathered in preparation to fight?

Was it badass? Was the shot of Captain America alone against an entire army not iconic? OF COURSE. I loved that scene. I loved the women gathering around Peter and racing to fight against the army as one. It was legendary. There were some really funny, badass, and wonderful moments. But it was a bad story. It was bad writing. Working my way down from character murders that least upset me to most. Black Widow. She finally came to life in this movie. She was a leader, she had emotions, she was more than a catsuit, a sexy smile and a witty comment. I adored her. I despise her death. I hated that in the end she was still another pretty face lying sexily at the bottom of a pit for the life and will of a man. I’m half okay with her death, because it was almost justified. In this story where she was finally a fully-fledged and fleshed out person – she had wants and goals and those centered around protecting her family. The character she was in this movie didn’t even begin to exist until Endgame and it’s a tragedy that she was murdered before she even reached her full potential. But she did want to sacrifice herself so the universe could live again. She wanted Clint to go back to his family. She wanted to give her life for the only thing she loved. BUT Clint was the true perfect mirror for this narrative. Thanos sacrificing Gamora will never be okay. Gamora said it herself – that wasn’t love. That was glorifying abuse. Thanos never should have been given the soul stone under the ridiculous and unclear rules of the soul stone. Honestly, I’d believe Red Skull is just fucking with everybody at this point with how ridiculous those rules are. No way is what Thanos did love. I will come back to the Russos glorifying and being okay with child abusers when I get to Tony and his father. Clint would have been the mirror to Thanos in that moment. Instead of a father killing his daughter, it would have been a father dying for his daughter. His relationship to his daughter is even highlighted at the start of the movie and in his time travel moment. Clint hated who he’d become, he was ready and willing to sacrifice himself for his family and at that point he deserved it. As shown later with Tony – the theme of fathers sacrificing themselves is a relevant theme. So why Natasha in that moment. Why not the father? Why not the narrative mirror? Why the only woman on the team, the one who has grown to be a real person in the narrative and one who is now LITERALLY IMPORTANT TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE? She became the leader of the Avengers and expanded their reach across galaxies by communicating and coordinating with Rocket, Nebula, and Carol. She had a world to rebuild by coming home. It’s not like they’re going to give Clint his own redemption movie where he makes up for his half assed arc to becoming his Ronin character arc. I’m half okay with it, but I also think it was the completely wrong choice of which character to sacrifice.

THOR. The insult to Taika Waititi. The insult to Thor, Thor: the Dark World, and Thor: Ragnarok. The insult to Thor the character. Hell, the reversal on Thor -2.0 from Infinity War. Years of movies, years of work building this character. Them saying that not only does Thor, who finally learned to be the God of Thunder without his hammer, who took up Odin’s role and finally accepted his place as King, needed to be.... fixed?!?!?! They gave him back his eye for starters which reverses the whole meaning of him losing it in the first place. Of assuming the role of Odin, of King, of being Thor. Then they give him the axe and then the HAMMER. Thor moved on. Thor accepted himself. Thor in Ragnarok is proven to be stronger without the hammer than he was with it. Giving him the axe, making him obsessed with getting his hammer back, reverses three movie of character development. AND THEN. Making him FAT. Making him STUPID. Making him threaten children, abandon his people, abandon his duty, fall into a depression completely unlike his character who is a hardened warrior with deep emotional depth and understanding – a fucking soft hearted genius in his own right who was able to easily give forgiveness to Gamora and understanding that being the daughter of an abusive monster isn’t her fault. They have the audacity to spend a whole movie making fat jokes about him and decide to reverse him back ten year’s worth of character development. Oh hardy har, we’re such good writers. We understand posttraumatic stress and the mindset of heroes – look he’s drinking beer, and an alcoholic, and eat a salad you fat fucks. WTF. It wasn’t funny. It was mean. It was unnecessary. It was out of character like the Russos came up with it high on crack and refused to let it go. Thank god Chris H is a good enough actor not to show how insulting it must have been to have his character be paraded around in bad cgi and treated like he’s an idiot. Did the Russos not watch the other movies in the canon? Did they not care that Thor had become this deeply complex character who loved his people, would do anything for them, was ready to be King and lead – NO I guess they just don’t care. Like everyone who sat on their asses during the battle in Wakanda. It would have been amazing for Thor to have gone back in time to see his mother as the true and worthy King at last, if his final arc had been around idk his apprehension at how to lead his people after failing them, after them dying down to a few hundred. Having everything he could have been overshadowed by the Russos need for a running joke the entire movie is so very insulting. It shows just how little they think of the audience’s intelligence.

CAPTAIN AMERICA. The insult to women’s agency. I truly at this point think the Russos are lying fucks who have no respect for women. They’re sexists assholes. The insult to the entire team of Agent Carter. The insult to Peggy fucking Carter, the most badass woman who built herself up, who built Shield, who moved on, who had a life, a husband, children, who died in peace and was put to rest. Nope. Forget about everything she did. The Russos plot line is more important. Steve Rogers started out the movie saying how important it was to move on, and what does he do? Not move on. Lets highlight the insult that throwing in “the first gay character” is when facing the cowardice of switching Steve Rogers from being so obsessed with protecting Bucky Barnes that he threw away the shield, became a fugitive, and left the family and team he’d built in the future to chase after Peggy Carter who he HAD MOVED ON FROM. He kissed that one random blonde girl he had no chemistry with. He said goodbye and buried Peggy. Peggy had a life, she was happy. Did she miss Steve? Was she sad he “died”? Yeah. But now she doesn’t get a choice between the future she could have had and the one where Steve buts in and I guess Bruce didn’t have a discussion with Steve about splitting the path of time into multiple realities cause the Russos decided to fuck their own established logic and leave Steve in a new version of the past – where almost all the infinity stones are returned in their non-original forms, loki is fucking off with the tesseract and Thanos/his entire army/and Gamora are all in the wrong time never to forge the original war in the first place? They didn’t put a single scene between Steve and Bucky reconciling the past few years, Bucky’s dusting or the fact Steve was gonna go and never come back after ALL THAT. After Winter Soldier and Civil War, Steve said fuck Bucky, fuck the avengers, fuck this future that doesn’t have Iron Man, I want to go dance with a woman who HAD A LIFE WITHOUT YOU YOU ASSHOLE. I was touched by the old man Steve returning to give Sam the shield. I thought it was wonderful, I cried a little. But what about Peggy? What about the timeline? What about the rules????? Fuck it, there’s a gay character now and Thor is fat, the rules don’t matter anymore I guess.

Tony Stark.... deserved better. He is the true, real hero. The only hero. I don’t care about anyone else. Excluding his own 3 movies and Homecoming, Tony’s character was done so wrong in the Avengers movies by the writers, the audience and the other characters. So many people wrote him off as the person he pretended to be instead of the person he was. They saw selfishness and ego instead of the amount of sacrifice, the effort he gave into making the world a better place. He was such a good person. He grew so much. He gave his life for a world that never loved him, but that he never stopped loving. Natasha and Tony were the only people with something left to lose, but they were the ones who sacrificed themselves for a cold, uncaring universe and they deserved better. Tony finally had everything he never thought he would deserve – a wife, a daughter, a peaceful life at rest. All his wars were finished. He had everything to lose and he went into the endgame with the one condition that he would not give up what he had gained. And still they killed him. It was the only acceptable death for a hero like Tony Stark, but that doesn’t mean he deserved it. That doesn’t mean his daughter grows up without her father. That doesn’t mean its okay for that abusive, negligent asshole that was Howard Stark to get a last hoorah and be “redeemed” by a final conversation with his son. No. Tony had multiple arc, multiple points in his life where he had to rise above Howard and all that Howard stood for, all the ways Howard had hurt him and held him back. He was better than his father – going to be a better father than his father. Thanos and Howard will never, ever be men who should be looked upon as having loved their children enough for them to die in exchange for the greater good. It was so very satisfying for Tony to finally have it out at Steve for everything and I wish that scene had been longer. Tony deserved to live.

Final points. The timeline stuff, again, was bs. They insisted on not messing it up and still they messed up everything. The greater implications of all that is... astoundingly idiotic. Along with, why not just have Tony’s life ending snap send Thanos right back to the past along with the infinity stones to their rightful places and memories erased? If the infinity stones can do anything, such as kill half the universe, why not correct the flaws of the plot? I thought it was stupid that the only reason the time heist failed was because Nebula didn’t think about mind melding with her past self. The fact that’s even a thing... that happened. Really. The whole movie shouldn’t have existed let alone be three hours. They set such a great tone with the opening scene. It was tragic and heart wrenching and then seeing Natasha finally realized and the world broken. I can forgive dues-rat-machina bring Scott back cause I love Scott, but the time heist threw out all the tension. I didn’t feel the stakes, I felt like they stepped sideways into a whole different genre. That middle plot didn’t feel like a movie worth ending an era on. It felt cheesy and underdeveloped. Again – they had forever to plan. There was no time limit pushing them to go to the past immediately. They could have taken the time to think this out, cover every possible option – and they did. They’re shown doing that. So how, for the second time in these two movies, do these brilliant geniuses, tacticians and strategists believably fail to predict the outcome. And uhhhhhh did snapping all those people back account for the post snap casualties? Cause we saw helicopters flying into buildings, cars crashing, we were told that wars broke out and people went kinda crazy as they had a right to. The snap resulted in post snap causalities by the billions across the universe – had to have. So did all those people come back? What happens to the people who moved on and now have a 5 years younger mother/father/sister/brother/friend/loved one/wife/husband/etc to deal with who just blinked and suddenly half the people they care about are now five years older and the whole world is different? The sheer amount of housing and food crises that are about to begin post “snap 2: the snappening” are insane. And I get that its no fun to think about that in the fun of a big super hero battle and all that. But next movie will probably have zero mention of all that as shown by Peter’s entire class just moseying along on a European vacation in the next Spiderman. So Peter’s entire class got snapped, came back, and went on with their lives? The rest of the world’s infrastructure repaired itself in the time frame of Peter still being in High School? Yeah, right. But still – the fact that there’s an hour and a half of the movie that pauses all the tension and drama to be a comedy is just... whatever fine. It was funny. It was kinda cool, but it didn’t belong and it wasn’t necessary. Ok, I think I’m done.

[danifandxm]

THOR RAGNAROK SPOILER THOUGHTS

THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THOR RAGNAROK

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• That fucking beginning had me dying

• S U R T U R!!! THOR FIGHTING SURTUR!!! WITH FUCLING LED ZEPPELIN PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND!!!! 

• SURTUR'S. DRAGON. HOLY FUCK

• The fact Thor was calling Heimdall and one of the women with Skurge had to point out that SOMEONE needed to teleport back to Asgard. Like smh Skurge you are not worthy of Heimdall's job

• THE FUCKING STAGE PLAY AND MATT DAMON AS LOKI??? I THOUGHT THE MATT DAMON THING WAS A JOKE??? APPARENTLY NOT

• Thor threatening to hit "Odin" with Mjolnir. Psssh I knew it was Loki bc Odin is not that laid back or.... Whatever flaws there were in that illusion. Like Loki you aren't even trying

•THOR PINNING LOKI DOWN WITH THE HAMMER!!!! LIKE I WAS DEAD IN THAT THEATER JUST WATCHING THAT??? 

• DOCTOR. STRANGE. AND. LOKI. MEETING.

• When loki pulled out the daggers to attack Strange, I was like: 'Where the fuck did they come from?? Out of his ass???'

• speaking of the daggers they look fucKIN SICK (def. making those for a future loki cosplay)

• "I HAVE BEEN FALLING... FOR 30 MINUTES??" BUT DID YOU DIE??? NO BITCH XD 

• how did strange know odin was in norway????

• THE SCENE IN NORWAY WITH ODIN AND HIS SONS. HE ACTUALLY CALLED LOKI HIS SON IM NOT FUCKING OK EVEN A DAY LATER

• when odin died I almost started crying. Like sure he was a complete asshole for the last two movie but I diDNT WANT HOM TO GO

• Thor IMMEDIATELY blaming Loki for Odin's death. Like, chill man

•THE FUCKINH REVEAL THAT HELA WAS THEIR SISTER???? LIKE I STILL DON' BELIEVE IT BC LOKI AND HELA ARE WAY TOO SIMILAR. 

• H E L A. HER ENTRANCE. I WAS GOD DAMN DYING INSIDE. AS A BI WOMAN I WAS FRUSTRATED AT MYSELF XD

• "Kneel." "I beg your pardon?"

• Loki calling on Skurge to take them back. Like smh what a wuss XD 

• LOKI BEING KNOCKED OUT OF THE THING WHEN THEY'E TELEPORTING??? I NEARLY HAD A FUCKING HEART ATTACK I THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD... AGAIN.

• S a k a a r. Oh my god it's so weird yet so pretty in some places.

• VALKYRIE??? I FUCKING LOVE HER??? I MEAN SHE DRINKS A SHIT TON BUT I STILL LOVE HER  

• the freaking thing Thor goes through in the chair with the lady's voice saying what Sakaar is.

• THOR'S GIRLY AF SCREAM HAHAHAHA

• The Grandmaster. Oh my god.... Fucking hilarious. 

• The mention of units??? Like the currency in GOTG??? Holy shit

• THE TASER THING THOR HAD IN HIS NECK AND WHEN IT WAS USED HAD ME LAUGHING

• THOR VS HULK. OH MY GOOOOOOD.

• Loki: I have to get off this planet  GM: bitch nah you staying here

• THOR'S NEW POWER??? HOLY SHIT IM SHOOK???

• oml everything korg says is just hilarious. He's v v precious prOTECT HIM

• thor finding out about Valkyrie and absolutely fanboying?? Like same???

• SIF COULD'VE BEEN A VALKYRIE NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT

• THEY DID THE WARRIORS THREE DIRTY. THAT WAS NOT FUCKING OK LIKE WHY WOULD YOU KILL THEM OFF?!?!?!?!?

• Bruuuuh when Thor could see through Heimdall's eyes??? Thor looks good with orange/yellow-ish eyes??? 

• Hela gracefully falling into the tomb??? Like holy shit if I wasn't super gay before

• HER KNOCKING DOWN THE INFINITY GAUNTLET HAD ME GOD DAMN DYING

•when I saw the Tesseract I nearly fucking screeched

• when Hulk threw around thor like a ragdoll in the arena I immediately got déjà-vu from the first Avengers movie bc the animation looked similar. Also Loki's reaction: "THAT'S HOW IT FEELS!"

• LOKI'S REACTION TO HULK BEING GM'S CHAMPION IN GENERAL

• THE BATTLE IN ASGARD??? WITH LED ZEPPELIN PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND AGAIN??? LIKE JUST START PLANNING MY FUNERAL RN

• "Your savior is here!"  Me, loudly in theater: "We're all gonna die."

• When they were flying towards asgard??? This was the first time we've seen Asgard from a space view??? Looks so god damn beautiful from afar.

• F E N R I S (or fenrir, however y'all pronounce it)!!! I was a little confused to see him dead bc in actual Mythology he's chained up to prevent Ragnarok?? But eh I won't complain... Also holy shit he was bigger than I expected 

• banner landing face first on the rainbow bridge oml bruce you TRIED

• loki actually calling him bruce!!!!!??? Like I think this is the first time they've ever really... Officially talked??? When bruce isn't hulk I mean

• THOR IDENTIFYING HIMSELF AS "POINT BREAK" IN THE QUINJET HAD ME AND MY MOM DYING

• THE MESSAGE FROM NATASHA HAD ME SOBBING

• bruce wearing tony's clothes

• when thor lost bruce for a minute after he said sakaar was probably designed to stress him out had even ME panicking

• oh god when they mentioned one of the ships was meant for the GM doing... Things I visibly cringed??

• GM winking at Loki had me on edge. Like BOI don't even

• "He's my brother!" "Adopted" D A M N

• "I request safe passage... Through the anus." L O K I

• LOKI BETRAYING THOR FOR A MINUTE BUT THOR JUST TURNING THE TABLES ON HIM

• ok the first five seconds of loki being tasered was ok,,, the rest was overkill like stOP HURTING HIM

• THOR JUST LEAVING LOKI LIKE GOD DAMN WHAT A BROTHER YOU ARE

• The "get help" scene oh my god

• "Well it seems that you are in despterate need of leadership" why am I getting flashbacks

• THE BLACK SUIT LOKI HAD AT THE BATTLE OF ASGARD??? LIKE TAKE ME NOW

• thor's snake story. Like loki why did you think stabbing him was a good idea. Also....thor likes snakes?? DOESN'T A SNAKE LIVE WITHIN THE OCEAN OF ASGARD??? or did, anyway 

• when loki looked at the tesseract when he was about to put surtur's skull on the eternal flame I was like: "BOI DON'T FUCKING DO IT" i think he did and I'm super worried

• WHEN HELA SLICED OUT THOR'S EYE I ALMOST SCREAMED

• when the team managed to get out of asgard I started panicking when I saw that Loki didn't come back like guys you don't unDERSTAND

• "I would hug you if you were here right now" "I'm here" FUCK IM CRYING NOW

• Loki saying the eyepatch suits Thor,,,, BBY NO

• ASGARD IS NOT A PLACE, IT'S A PEOPLE. HOLY SHIT THAT'S ICONIC 

• when heimdall took off his cloak thing and I saw his arms??? Consider me dead rn bc god daMN HE LOOKIN GOOD

• THE PEOPLE OF ASGARD FIGHTING OH MY GOOOD

• THOR'S COMING BACK TO EARTH OH MY GOOOOD

• "Let me rephrase that. Do you think it's a good idea for ME to come back to earth." S h i t  I didn't even think abt Loki for a sec

• WAS THAT HUGE ASS SHIP RONIN'S SHIP FROM GOTG OR IS THAT THANOS'???

• 'Thor will return in Infinity War' I yelled "YES" 

• THAT FIGHT BETWEEN LOKI AND VALKYRIE THO I COULD WATCH THAT ALL DAY

• NEW POWER WE HAVEN' SEEN LOKI DO BEFORE??? HOLY SHIT??

•HIS SNIDE REMARKS TO VALKYRIE LIKE BOI THIS GIRL COULD RIP YOU APART

• valkyrie definitely had a gf in her squad, just saying

• SOME OF THE VISUALS LOOKED LIKE A GOD DAMN MURAL YOU WOULD SEE IN AN ART MUSEUM HOLY SHIT. 

• loki using his horns as a weapon oml

THIS MOVIE WAS SO FUCKING GREAT I'D WATCH IT UNTIL I DIE

THANK YOU TAIKA

[typewriterbot]

schlafen

the team that sleeps together, stays together

Ronin had managed to find them all a room to share on the Farm. Space was precious and limited, and the entire team was desperate to make sure that no one would be separated. They slept together, bodies pressed up against one another. The stifling heat of eight bodies was always trumped by the cool air blowing through the cracks in the wall. It was a ramshackle room, mattresses had been scrounged up and thrown to the floor, the blankets were scraps of fabric at best, and everyone’s guns were always within arm’s reach. It was nothing like the set of dorms they had back in the Tower, the kind granted to fireteams after working together for so long. It was safe, though, and that was all that mattered to them.

Despite both of them having large personal spaces, Hemlock always had his arms wrapped around Apollo’s waist when the old Warlock slept. Hemlock made sure to grab a space by the far wall, wary of leaving his back unguarded even though there was a room full of people that would gladly watch it for him. “To keep him from wandering,” Hemlcok mentioned to Guardian when they had managed to come back to the Farm at a decent hour. They knew what he meant. Ever since the Light had been stripped from Guardians, Apollo had taken to wandering around, wringing his hands and speaking with a slight buzz to his voice. The only time he would stop was if Hemlock was around and made him stop. It was sweet to see Apollo’s face pressed against Hemlock’s shoulder while the Hunter kept watch over the entire room.

Roksana slept with her back against Apollo’s, helping Hemlock keep him in place while acting as a buffer in case he started kicking in his sleep. (Which had happened before to Sadik. He had a large bruise on his leg for days, and kept brushing off half formed apologies from Apollo.) She also slept the lightest after Hemlock, and that was because the Exo simply didn’t sleep. Always woke up when one or two of the team stumbled into the room with a grunt, and smiled as she watched them crash into the mattresses shortly after. Hemlock would reach over Apollo, and offer his hand to her every once in a while, and she would always take it. Both of them silently reaffirming that despite everything all three of them were alive. A miracle in and of itself when she let her mind wander as she chased after sleep. She wasn’t the oldest Guardian by far, but she was old in the way that Apollo and Saladin were old, time had tested her mettle, and without the Light humming through her body, she was terrified that this would be her last test if she wasn’t careful.

Jai often found himself sleeping between Roksana and Ronin. Preferring to be in the middle than at the end because without his Light, he couldn’t call up a storm to protect his team anymore. It left a sour taste in his mouth knowing that he couldn’t do much of anything anymore. He could help make splints and poultices, things that he never had much of a reason to use before but studied regardless. That’s what Warlocks did, they studied, threw themselves into work and old libraries and decrepit buildings to find whatever had caught their eye. For a time, his attentions were brought to medicine, and in a place filled with Lightless Guardians, militia, and civilians those skills were necessary. He wouldn’t risk getting killed, and he’s heard the whispers of cowardice thrown in his direction, but he didn’t pay them any mind. His team was glad that he was safe and alive. He just wished he had some skill left to protect them like they did him.

Ronin and Sadik slept like Hemlock and Apollo did, pressed together to a point where it was impossible to tell where one began and the other ended. Sadik was a large man, the tallest and widest of the team, and he was aware of the space he took up. For the most part, he slept closest to the door, and put up with Ronin’s eye rolls when he slept with his back to it again. He slept on his side, to leave space and to keep the light from the campsites out of Ronin’s face when she finally managed to close her eyes. She was often off looking for supplies, slipping in and out of the EDZ with barely a word said about her activities. Sadik made sure she stopped and rested, terrified that without her Light she would do something foolhardy and die without him by her side like they had promised.

The only two that left spots open were Guardian and Ira. Guardian was running through the system after getting their Light back, fetching the Vanguard and running missions that would strengthen foundations without a complaint. Ira was usually with them. Roksana once said that where Guardian would be, Ira wouldn’t be too far behind and vice versa. There was space for the two of them though, when they ventured back to the Farm exhausted and smelling of rain or flowers or dust, and carrying new scorch marks or bullet holes in clothes (though that was Guardian more than Ira) with them. Ira faceplanedt when he reached the team’s little room, not bothering to say good night or take off the heavy robe he wore, and fall asleep almost instantly. Guardian would follow at a more sedate pace, taking their time to slip their boots off as well as Ira’s and push them against the wall by the door to rest with six other pairs of shoes. Clicks of belts being removed and armor thunking to the floor would follow, and then Guardian would slide in beside Ira, use their cloak as a blanket, and let out a quiet sigh.

“Good to have you back, kid,” Hemlock whispered into the dark. His answer was a hum loud enough for him to hear, and the lights in his jaw glowed happily in the dark.

[kelphero47]

The Marvelous Adventures of Echo Zane - Chapter 1

Ta-da! There’s more!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TMAoEZ – Chapter 1:

Echo looked out the window of the lighthouse's top floor to a seemingly endless ocean surrounding the island from all sides. He had woken that day to a feeling he couldn't quite describe. Emotions were complicated things to him anyway but this was new. He felt empty. Not in the way he felt when one of his gears fell out or a limb came off. It felt as if he was missing something he couldn't think of no matter how hard he tried.

Yet he knew he to find whatever it was if he was going to fix this. He had already searched the entire lighthouse twice with the help of Gizmo, who didn't have the answer to his emptiness either. That meant that whatever was missing wasn't on the island. Or at least that's what Echo believed, "Boats are made from wood and so we shall use whatever wood we have to make one. Then another plank of wood can be our oar." He explained as he looked through the lighthouse's secret basement. Having already dragged out the wooden shelves and taken wood from the table upstairs he was still looking for an oar.

Gizmo nudged his leg before holding up a plank of wood. Echo smiled at his friends as he took the material, "Now we can set sail." He held the smaller robot under his arm as he raced out of the door and then down the many stairs in front of the building. A makeshift boat rested alongside the water, crafted out of various sized planks, rope and a tarp thing Echo had found in the basement. It wasn't the prettiest boat but he was proud of it. He carefully placed Gizmo into the boat before pushing it into the water.

After jumping into the boat himself Echo took one last look at the place he had called home his whole life. "Do you think where we are going has a lighthouse like this one?" His only answer was a series of beeps not really confirming anything. "Do you think Father will be there?" Echo had considered if his emptiness was caused by the loss of his only human contact suddenly going missing but he has accepted that his father must have had his reasons. After all he had a reason for everything, including making him to replace the original Zane. Who he talked about a lot but Echo couldn't blame him for that either, after all he wasn't the original and couldn't take that place in his father's heart away from his... Brother? Yeah, brother.

"Do you think my brother will there?" He had given up hope of ever meeting the person his father spoke so much of. Yet there was something his father had spoken of with his brother and that was hope. His brother must be amazing to inspire their father enough to never give up despite his less than favourable situation. This musing of his went on for several hours as he rowed the boat away from the lighthouse. Then didn't really stop until his shoulder joints began to hurt causing him to cease rowing.

The sky was no longer the clear blue it was before but rather a near black expanse broken by the occasion star and the full moon. The ocean around him lay almost still as Echo lay down in the boat facing the stars, "I wonder what it's like up there..." He reached both of his hands out in front of him, "To be surrounded by such pretty things as stars constantly rather than the ocean like we are." He got no response out of Gizmo, who seemed to have powered down to conserve energy. "Do you think it's lonely in space?"

**The next day**

Echo awoke to the feeling of someone tapping him on the face. Which was followed by the sound of birds, the ocean and people? The material that lay under Echo's hand was colder than wood or tarp. Curiosity to his current situation led him to open his eyes to a cloudy blue sky and a pair of people standing over him. Both of them donning some form of worried expression as he slowly sat up.

One of them currently whispering to another unknown individual on a walkie-talkie, "It's awake... No, it hasn't said anythi-… You want me to talk to it?... I understand..." The man in question looked hesitantly at Echo as the other tilted his head to the side, "Um... Hi there?"

"Hello", Echo looked at the pair and at his surrounding to see that he was on a larger boat than his own. "Where am I?"

"The Chestnut... It's a boat."

"Why am I here? Where is my boat?"

"That piece of driftwood you and the bucket were sitting in? We left it in the ocean and it got dragged off by the current. That thing wasn't safe to sail in."

"Oh."

"If it makes you feel any better we saved your bucket." The other person stated before holding out Gizmo, who was still in sleep mode. Echo took his friend from her arms then tapped him on the head a couple times.

"He is not a bucket, he is Gizmo. A robot assistant created by my father." Echo explained to them as he persisted in trying to wake up his friend, "What's the matter with him?"

"Is he broken?"

"Most likely... Do any of you have tools?"

"Now hold on a second", the man spoke again, "Who are you anyway? Why were you out here in a boat? Where's this father you mentioned? Does he know where you are? Does anyone who where you are?"

"I am Zane, I was created to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I was trying find a way to an answer to my emptiness. My father is gone and therefore does not know my current location nor does anyone else. Except you people, of course."

"'Emptiness'?"

"I am not human but I can perhaps make it similar to watch people call 'loss'. I am missing something."

"And you were sailing to try and find it?"

"That was my intention, and yet I feel as if my lack of planning to make a safer boat has put my only friend in danger..." Echo sadly cradled Gizmo in his arms.

"I'm sure we can fix it, Sherly call the captain and let him know our guest here needs some tools." The woman stepped forward with her hand offering Echo help off the ground, "Now Zane, my name's Kim and this is Sherly."

"Sherwin", her companion said before whispering into his walkie-talkie. "His name is Zane... He needs help right now... He says 'tools' but I'm not sure which ones... Okay... Sure thing."

"Any luck?"

"Cap' wants to meet him... But we should have a toolbox lying around he can use to fix his friend."

"Does that sound okay?" She was addressing Echo at this point as her companion proceeded to walk off.

"That would be helpful, thank you."

"No need to thank me, it's the Cap' you gotta thank for not having you thrown over the side."

"Why would anyone do that?"

"Sherly thought you were an old fridge when we first fished you out the water."

"I look nothing like a fridge."

**Time skip 'cuz I'm lazy**

Later that evening, after Echo was introduced to the ship's captain 'Doug', he was sat below deck alongside the three-other people on board. He was still unable to figure out how Gizmo had broken in the first place and was beginning to lose hope of his friend ever coming online again. He sighed putting Gizmo on the table the four of them were sat around, as the others were watching TV.

Doug smiled sadly at him, "Any luck?" His answer was a shaking head before Echo rested defeatedly on the table, "Mind if I had a look at it?" Yet another head shake in response which allowed him to pick up Gizmo and begin tinkering with the small robot, "You know, I don't visit the city much now but I used to work for a tech company, pretty big one too. Not that I miss it all that much but I do enjoy fixing the odd piece of hardware, especially fine pieces like your friend here." He spoke happily before resting Gizmo back on the table upright, "Try him now."

Echo wasn't hoping for much when he tapped his friend on the head but was more than happy to see him finally come online, "How?"

"Cap's a man of many talents." Sherwin answered not removing his eyes from the TV.

"Shh, the Ninja are on TV." Kim waved her hand at the others, effectively quieting them.

"We freed the others, Nya got... Hurt badly and I kind of wished it all away to prevent it ever happening." Jay spoke on the TV followed by the presenter's comment.

"What they done now?" Sherwin questioned seeming completely uninterested.

"Nya and Jay finally got together after apparently resetting time or something." Kim answered quickly before returning her attention to the screen.

"So who was on this 'Backup Ninja Force', anyone we know?" The presenter spoke to the camera mostly, which Echo thought was weird since she wasn't addressing the audience but what did he know about show business.

"Well there was Ronin, Skylor, Darreth, Captain Soto, the Police Commisioner and..." Jay suddenly trailed off much to the confusion of the people on the ship. They continued to watch the Ninja's confusing exchange until Jay spoke three simple words, "He's Zane's brother." The camera then moved to said ninja who now held an emotionless expression on his face.

"Who's that?" Echo spoke up at this point as an all too familiar looking face came up on the TV.

"That's Zane, the ice nindroid..." Kim spoke slowly as she and the other two turned to face Echo, "You kind of look like him, you know."

"'Kind of'?" Sherwin interrupted, "He's the spitting image of Zane, minus the colour and general 'shiny-ness'."

"You don't think..."

**Back with the Ninja**

It had been anarchy after Jay's reveal of Zane's newly discovered brother with the nindroid in question having left the interview early. The presenter took pity on the remaining ninja, who were in just as much shock as their brother, by calling their interview to a close. The team, minus Zane, quietly made their way back to the Bounty. An awkward silence hung over them even as they all took a seat inside the games room.

Zane had been waiting for them to return home from his seat on the couch. His own silence had really been filled with PIXAL's voice and his own thousand-mile-an-hour thoughts. 'I have a brother?'

"...ne..."

'How is that possible? Father never mentioned him, even when we were at the lighthouse. Did he just forget about him?'

"...ane..."

'How could he? Was it because I was there? Did he feel that my brother wasn't important?'

"...Zane..."

'How could he think that? Is he there alone? For how long? How long has my brother been alone?'

"ZANE!"

'…?'

"Are you alright?"

'I'm not...'

"Do you want to talk about it?"

'Yes... I just don't know how to feel about...'

"About?"

'My brother... Oh PIXAL, I have a brother. A brother who's apparently alone on that lighthouse and has been since I took our father with me, away from him.'

"It wasn't your fault, you couldn't have known."

'But...'

"But nothing Zane, you couldn't of... Didn't know about him but now you do. What you do next is the thing you can control and know about."

'…You're right."

"I know I am." Their internal conversation was interrupted by the appearance of the other ninja as they entered the room. Zane watched silently as they sat down, with Cole on the other end of the couch and the others scattered around the table on the floor. Jay looked pale still and was avoiding looking in Zane's general direction, "You should talk to him."

'I know.' Zane smiled at the almost smug look on PIXAL's face at this point, "Jay?" The ninja in question visibly jumped before turning to look at his friend.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry about my distressing reaction to news of my brother's existence. I was surprised by the news and retreated into my own head, so to say, and did so without thinking."

"If anyone needs to apologise it's me, I should have remembered to tell you about something as important as your brother..." Jay rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, smiling meekly.

"It's my fault too", Nya spoke up at this point. "I was there as well so I could have told you as well."

"It's okay... Everyone makes mistakes, but we should be thinking about how to fix this." Zane smiled, "Starting with you two telling us what you left out of your story about my brother."

"Oh... Well it started after we had escaped Ninjago City and went to that lighthouse your dad was imprisoned in..."

**Back to the ship with Echo**

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe I'm one of the first people to meet Zane's long-lost brother!" Kim almost screamed as her three companions covered their ears, "How did I not see it before? You two look so much alike!"

"Stop yelling!" Sherwin yelled over her rambling, "You fangirls really need to know when to chill." He sighed when she finally stopped talking.

"What is a 'fangirl'?" Echo asked as he uncovered his ears and checked if Gizmo was alright after the loud noise.

"Terrifying beings that will stop at nothing to get the things they love and scream over." Sherwin laughed at how scared Echo looked at that statement, "But they're one of the side effects of being famous, your brother must deal with them all the time. Well him and his friends, they're kind of a package deal at this point."

"They sound amazing."

"They are! I can tell you everything about them if you want!" Kim smiled excitedly at Echo who was more than happy to hear about his brother, "I'll take that smile as a yes then. Well there's their mentor Sensei Wu who gathered the first four ninja: Jay the master of lightning, Cole the master of earth, Zane the master of ice and Kai master of fire... ….. ….."

By the time she was through with her story Echo was falling asleep on the table in front of him. Instead of waking him up the trio of sailors draped a blanket over him before leaving to get some sleep themselves, well after Kim took pictures of him on her phone. "He's so cute~", she whispered sweetly, "Can we keep him forever Cap'?"

"No... I think it's time he and his brother were finally united, don't you think?" Doug whispered back.

"Aww, that's going to be so cool!"

"Shh!" Sherwin called from his bed before rolling over to face away from the two. Kim giggled before going to sleep herself. Doug took one last look at Echo then closed his eyes. What the trio didn't know is that Echo was listening the entire time, "I can't wait." But how is meeting my brother going to be cold? Must be because he's the 'master of ice' or something like that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed this. Tell me if you did, I’ll be sure to respond.

[tonysrhodeys]

AVENGERS ENDGAME THOUGHTS

AVENGERS ENDGAME SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!

Having watched it twice, I can finally write down all of my thoughts. This will be long.

I was already done when I watched the opening credits. They’re beautiful.

I loved Tony and Nebula’s relationship. He’s honestly the father she never had. I’m always happy to see irondad so I was in a good mood for one second there. She let him eat. Character development and you can see the impact that he has had on her.

CAROL DANVERS SAVED TONY STARK AND I LOVE HER EVEN MORE

Steve shaved his beard because his husband was coming back home

Steve ran towards to Tony as soon as he landed. My stevetony heart was already satisfied. He just caught him. And they connected for a moment there. There’s just so much love in Steve’s eyes. They were beautiful.

Tony going off on all them (except Carol because he loves her) and they LET him! They know that they were wrong and they should have listened to him. Honestly Steve was in so much pain but he let it happen. It just showed that all they both needed was to be together. I loved that reference. Followed by Tony giving Steve the arc reactor. The entire scene was just powerful and tense. They were both in so much pain and needed to hug.

“I went for the head” yes honey! Well done!

MORGAN STARK “I’m saved” how beautiful? I just can’t with this cuteness.

Steve saying thank you. He’s actually adorable.

I just want to say thank you to Thor. It was amazing to see him with PTSD because it was shocking. He’s a god. But he lost so much I totally understood. I think people handled it terribly by turning him into a joke when it so much more than that. I just really wish that he and Tony could have had a talk. They could actually help each other. Nobody takes it seriously. They’re precious.

I have no words on Bruce.

I feel like I was the only one who didn’t hate Ronin? I mean a handful of them have all done some pretty terrible things but they’re still there. Clint was definitely harder, but he was still there. I mean I liked this kind of dark persona thing. Maybe it’s just me and my messed up taste.

“Shit”

Thank you Morgan Stark for this wonderful new way to say I love you. I love you 3000. It’s actual beauty.

THE E TRON RETURNS

The new shield! I mean my amazement in Tony will never end. Is this what was referred to in Homecoming? I mean I hope so. He’s always working on things for the team. He’s just so caring and no matter the situation he is just looking out for them. How can you devote your life to him? He is perfect.

STEVE AND TONY FORGIVENESS Steve just looked so in love with Tony the entire movie. Just stevetony at its best. They are just so adorable. It always looked like Steve wanted to say something. It’s just perfect. My ship.

“And not die trying” (not exact quote but you get it)

Also, Scott. So many Scott’s. And just a general appreaction for Scott and the rat that saved the universe. Scott eating a sandwich. Scott losing his taco and getting a new one from Bruce. Scott was just a gem okay.

A mini section of tinkering which is something I loved in the IM movies.

Ratchet.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

2012 AVENGERS okay but nostalgia hit me like a damn truck. I loved this movie so much and it was my favourite for ages because it had these amazing characters coming together to fight an amazing character. I honestly adored this movie. Seeing it was just too much. THE ICONIC ORIGINAL SIX AVENGERS CIRCLE. I wanted them to recreate it but this also worked so freaking well!

Hulk smash. Or not.

“America’s ass”

General appreciation of his ass. Tony has been checking Steve out since 2012. Steve checking himself out. This entire thing was just wonderful. I was dying. Stevetony flirting was on point.

STEVE! “Hail hydra” like yes! You don’t even need to fight because you’re just so smart! I was so proud. THAT SMIRK. He’s grown so much.

2012!Steve vs 2023!Steve. Steve is literally so done with himself and I loved it! “You’ve got to be shitting me” “I can do this all day” “yeah I know” the iconic steve line made 3000 times better. Steve is done with himself and that was just wow. I adored this! Then 2023!Steve was losing (which I don’t get because he should have become a better fighter and 2012!Steve handed him his ass) and he just used Bucky! I mean! He literally doesn’t care about this Steve at all. I am here for it. I love this. This entire scene was golden. Steve was golden.

STEVE AND TONY HAVING A MOMENT AND SCOTT THIRD WHEELING. I mean my stevetony heart was bursting. They couldn’t heart Scott because they were too busy staring into each other’s eyes. I loved the way they strategised together. Steve wasn’t even mad that Tony and Scott messes up. He’s just full with so much love. “Do you trust me” “I do”

2012!Loki STEALING MY HEART AGAIN. I was the only person just clapping my boy. I missed him so much! I loved this version of him. He was craftier. He was still just so adorable. I mean transforming into cap again. Rolling his eyes. Being the only one to see the case slide. USING HIS HEAD AND GETTING HIMSELF OUTTA THERE! I love this! I love him!

Also Thor was a sweetheart

Stephen Strange is the the best of them. I agree.

Can someone please explain to me how it was actually possible that Rocket and Bruce were the only ones to not mess up? What?

NAT! I still cried. She was the first MCU female superhero and she has been there ever since. She’s strong and powerful and the the original. I always knew it was going to be her because obviously she would beat Clint in the fight. But that scene was so difficult to watch. The way she is so prepared to die for her family. She took her last stand and I will never not be grateful and proud. She’s really come so far!

The funeral brought even more tears. It was a wonderful albeit short tribute to her. She’s the mom of the group, always picking up after her boys. I’m going to miss her so much. This legacy of women in the mcu is thanks to her. THEY WERE HER FAMILY. Thor refusing to acknowledge her death because he literally couldn’t take anymore. All of this.

Back to 1970. Steve and Tony against the world with their one (1) shared brain cell. I mean “Howard” and “Captain Stevens” SHIELD is lucky not to have them. I am glad that Tony got what he deserved, an honest conversation with his father. He just deserves the entire world.

“That’s my man” that’s my ship.

THE MCU GOLDEN TRIO GOING TO SHOW THANOS. I loved this team up. They’re just the three most powerful people I’ve ever met. I was so here for that hot second where they all fought together. It was just the three of them but my heart is with all of them.

Since when does a blow knock Tony out for that long? I was worried.

Why couldn’t Thor summon Mjolnir?

Instead Steve had to come out of hiding

BECAUSE STEVE IS FUCKING WORTHY. oh my! I was literally squealing in my seat. It was definitely one of the top moments of the entire movie. He just caught it and I could not believe it (I could, I mean of course) Thor is such a fake, as if he was not peeing his pants when Mjolnir moved a smidge in AOU. BUT OH MY GOD I LOVED STEVE SO DAMN MUCH. JUST IMMENSE PRIDE. He was just fighting THANOS on his own and he was doing so well! I was so proud. Just throwing them back and forth. Power.

And then he tightened his shield and got ready to fight that entire army and I was just like honey no. I know you’re worthy. I know you’re pretty freaking strong. But honey, you cannot take them all on. Please leave. I refuse to see you die like this. Steve I love you.

“On your left”

STEPHEN CREATING A THOUSAND PORTALS I LOVE HIM

“Avengers...assemble”

“Lexy...die” (basically)

THIS ENTIRE FIGHT SCENE MADE MY ENTIRE LIFE there was so much power and awesome in that one scene. I could not contain my excitement.

THE HUG. It was nice nice indeed

“Clint” T’Challa did care

Pepper and Tony. Tony and Strange.

ALL THE WOMEN PROTECTING QUEENS BECAUSE HE IS THEIR SON.

Carol and peter!

ALL THE WOMEN VS THE WORLD! There was so much power and strength in that moment. It was amazing to see so many female superheroes band together like that. The only thing was that Nat was missing. She deserved to be there since she was there at the start and this was basically her line. It was pretty much a tribute to her and I could manage that.

I ALMOST FORGOT WANDA TERRIFYING THANOS SO MUCH THAT HE HAD TO ORDER THEM TO FIRE I mean he pissed off the wrong woman

Also Stephen holding back all that water.

THE FINAL SCENE OF THE GOLDEN TRIO

STEPHENS BLOODY FINGER

“I...AM...IRON MAN”

And in that moment I died. I jumped straight into my grave. It was the most iconic line of the entire MCU. Just hearing him say it brought me to tears. It was the most powerful moment of the entire movie. It was all leading up that. It started with him and it ended with him. He defeated his demons and it was fucking amazing for that second. That second was just pure pride. I was just thankful.

But then came the sobs. I mean I’ve already said my piece but this is just extra because I really could go on forever. I cannot even begin to explain the literal grief I feel. I mean I’m still crying. He literally my life, my anchor, my entire world. I love him so much. It completely ended and rocked my universe to see this. It was poetic and obviously predictable but still! I mean I feel like a part of him was prepared to make that sacrifice. After the delicacy which was putting it on the dauntless the first time, are you telling me that his suit was not prepared to do this super fancy swap of stones? He was prepared. It’s just him. Tony is the person to give up his life for everyone else and it is why I love him so much. He’s got the biggest heart. He was always going to sacrifice himself to save everybody. It’s just in his blood. It’s in him. It’s what makes him him. I felt intense grief and hopeless but also immense pride. He is a true hero.

He was surrounded by the people he loved the most. Rhodey, Pepper, Morgan, Steve and Thor. It was the most intense scene. There was so much pain and anguish. He couldn’t even say a proper goodbye. His guilty smile. He had nothing to be guilt for. He singlehandedly saves the universe. He was the reason everybody was alive. He can rest. It was honestly such an important line because he would never rest unless he knew that everybody was safe. Unless he knew that people would no longer need him to save them. He needed to know that he was leaving a better world. It just made me so mad. He deserved so much better. He finally found happiness. But he couldn’t rest. I mean I’m not okay but I will be. He’s okay. He can finally rest after all of those years of pain and suffering. He can just take the good parts. He’s okay.

His speech at the end. It was to them and to us. I know. The same people who were with him during his death + Happy. The funeral itself just made me sob even harder than I was.

I LOVE YOU 3000

PROOF THAT TONY STARK HAS A HEART

Please kill me now

Everybody was there. Rhodey, Pepper, Morgan, Happy, Peter And Steve at the front. They loved him the most. God, it just broke my heart. I mean HARLEY KEENER. Thank you for coming! Nick! Must have been so hard for him to. I mean imagine what a wreck Nat would have been. She’s looked after him forever. But hey, at least they’re together now. But she’d be so mad! He was supposed to be happy.

Asguardians of the galaxy vol 3 please.

The speech. PART OF THE JOURNEY IS THE END. I mean it was RDJ’s goodbye to the MCU. He’s been here since the beginning. This era began and ended with him. He started everything and he has carried this franchise ever since. He was always there. He always stole the show. He always had my heart. He always made me happy. I literally cannot imagine more movies without him. What is the MCU without him? I mean, none of us really have any idea. He is the MCU. He is Iron Man. I’m just so grateful to have been born in a world with RDJ as Tony Stark. He will always be the best. I will always love him until the end of the time. He is my entire world.

THE END CREDITS! As if I was not crying enough. The entire movie was just a tribute to the original six and just a thank you for all the work they put in to get us here. They were the centre of the MCU and they needed a proper send off. And this was it. This movie had everything I could have ever wanted. Stevetony, avengers assemble, irondad, i am iron man, I can do this all day but 3000 times better, subtle ironstrange (friendship at the very least), cap being worthy, Loki, every character making an appearance. I honestly loved this movie. And I loved that it was for the original six. They were the main focus and I loved it. It was always about them. I am forever grateful for their hard work. Seeing RDJ at the end just made it worse.

The CLANKING OF THE ARMOUR starting and ending with him I actually can’t breathe

Just thank you MCU, Original Six Avengers, Iron Man.

I love them all 3000

(Apologies for the millions of typos that are all there)