#like everyone liked to Kitten post but I fear it goes much much deeper then that

[remytheratatoing]

These are the stickers on the front of CB if anyone wanted a better look at them. The top two aren’t the right colors but oh well

If anyone has a good quality picture from behind of CB, PLEASE SEND IT TO MEE!! I haven’t been able to find a good enough picture or video to tell what they are :(

[kai-keda]

So something on twitter got me rambling this to someone who I don’t even know whether or not they’re involved in the same communities as me or not and I kinda just realized this is actually a big problem.

Why are fandom spaces having age wars? Or would it be more appropriate to call it generational wars?

Basically what I’m going on about is how now that I’m 25 years old and have joined and become super involved with a relatively much newer community than any other I’ve been in before I’m seeing a lot of hostility.

Hostility thrown at me by complete strangers.

Okay, so, if you’ve known me for long enough you’d know that I’m used to people not liking me because of actions I did or words I said. Specifically I’m referring to that mega dark time in the Dragon Ball fandom when my mental health was unchecked, I was overly emotional and stupid.

When I say “Hostility being thrown at me by complete strangers” in this context I don’t mean it in that same sense. I mean people who only know my age and that I’m in their fandom.

With my previous fandoms they were things that a lot of adults were in as well because they initially joined said fandom as children themselves. This includes Dragon Ball and Naruto. So I never really had a problem with people hearing my age and running for the hills screaming since they were used to seeing adults. There were also communities with source materials that were geared more towards adults like Trigun.

Heck I was still more often than not on the younger side of any particular group discussion. At most I would be more in the middle of the groups age range and never the oldest.

That is until now.

See I’ve recently gotten really excited, obsessed, hyperfixated or whatever you want to call it with the MCYT content creators. I’m talking of course specifically about the Dream SMP stuff but also the creators individually.

I love the Sleepy Bois Inc group and the Dream Team and Fundy and Ranboo and Niki and BBH and Tubbo and just the whole lot of them in the right contexts honestly.

To me this wasn’t really anything new. I mean, once upon a time I enjoyed Yogscast but I was really young and not involved in the internet’s current world of fandom culture. Also, I never obsessed over them and their story. I was into other things at the time.

When I get really invested in something I tend to immediately go searching for a community to share it with and I’ve started following on tumblr and twitter a lot of wonderful fan-artists and analysts and shitposters and man the lot of you are so great. And I’m also subscribed to a LOT of animators on YouTube. I’ve been leaving as many positive comments ranging from pointing out the finer details of a piece of work to fully emotional responses as I can possibly leave.

And it seems like you guys are really awesome and open and friendly! You guys tend to reply to my comments and even if you don’t (which is totally fair! Don’t feel pressured, my comments are to make you feel good not a trap to make you interact with me!) you’ll leave a like or heck a heart on my YouTube comments to y’all’s animations.

Seeing my positive energy getting returned with positive energy gave me the courage to join some discord servers and I started, of course, with the official ones. Wilbur Soot was the content creator of this group of people that I watched first so of course by this point I was subscribed to him on Twitch. I was also subbed to TommyInnit so I joined their servers. I’m in a few other servers including SAD-ist’s server and Techno’s members only server.

I started out joining vc’s and chatting in text channels but it’s been quite a long time since I’ve done either of those two things (not including a stray opinion here or there being thrown into the DreamSMP Boundaries discord).

I’m pretty sure it’s been since early December since I’ve really interacted in ANY of these servers - including the much smaller non-official fan ones!

Why is that?

Honestly, I got tired of the hostility thrown my way at any mention or reminder of my age.

I’m 25 years old and when people in these servers hear that, a good chunk legitimately feel really awkward.

I was asked not once, not twice, but FOUR TIMES in a single night from FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE in the SAME VOICE CALL “Why are you in a fan server for a sixteen year old Minecraft streamer (referring to TommyInnit) if you’re 25?” with NO trace of irony and with complete seriousness and out of all those times only ONE PERSON defended me because they were in the call for the third instance only for them to leave, someone else to join and it to happen again.

And each time, the call went quiet and everyone waited silently for my answer. They were all legitimately concerned for the fact that I happen to be a fan of a streamer who happens to be younger than me.

And when I pointed out what I THOUGHT was obvious which was “90% of the other streamers he’s with and openly calls friends are also adults including Wilbur who is only one year younger than me and Philza who is seven years OLDER than me” only a portion of people responded with “yeah that’s true.”

The rest said “That’s not the same.”

I tried again to “explain myself” (we’ll get to how shitty THAT is in a minute) by detailing how I just genuinely think Tommy, and Tubbo as well, are fun to watch. They’re entertaining, they’re funny, they’re energetic, they work well off the other streamers and I also find them adorable the same way I find puppies and kittens adorable. Heck, I love referring to Tommy as a Chihuahua because he’s a tiny little child with a really loud bark. It’s funny and cute and that’s the appeal.

That got a few other people to relax but there were still some people who at this point just said “well, I still think it’s weird but whatever.” and continued on only with an awkward air of nervousness around them.

Alright so it’s really important for me to stress that being a fan of a content creator does not equate wanting anything romantic or sexual with them in any capacity and therefore there is nothing inherently “creepy” or predatory about an adult being a fan of a content creator who happens to be a minor. I get that that seems like a hard concept to grasp but it’s true.

I’m sure there’s plenty of musicians and actors y’all absolutely adore who you don’t want to marry and/or bang. Heck, I’m positive there’s a good chunk of you who love Miyazaki films. You love his work, you’re a fan of what he does, of his content and you’re a fan of him yet you don’t want to marry and/or bang him. I’m sure a lot of you also have really close platonic friendships that you enjoy.

Assuming I’m only a fan of Tommy to get closer to him and his fans who are minors for some gross reasons is really shitty. NEVER assume the worst in someone like that. Be cautious around adults on the internet in general, sure, but this particular attitude I’ve described is disgusting.

Anyways, beyond that though this rabbit hole goes deeper.

It’s not just people being concerned that an adult is a fan of a content creator who is a minor. People have actually openly shamed and mocked me for being 25 years old in these other servers. Including the one you have to pay monthly to get into in the first place!

And now I go on twitter and I see a post pointing out how silly it is for minors to push adults out of fandom spaces that are based on content created BY ADULTS and the replies are people arguing FOR THE EXCLUSION OF ADULTS?!?!

HELLO?!?!

Are you guys okay?!?!

How is me being a fan of Philza and wanting to interact with other fans of his weird and creepy?? THE MAN IS LITERALLY SEVEN YEARS OLDER THAN ME AND MARRIED WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!

I heard that there’s been a lot of drama in the JoJo fandom recently where minors are trying to say the whole fandom needs to be purged of adults??? That it’s meant to be a safe space for children and teenagers?? THE ANIME JOJO’S BIZZARE ADVENTURE?!?! DO Y’ALL KNOW HOW OLD THAT FRANCHISE IS?!?! IT’S OLDER THAN SOME OF YOU!!

Should teenagers have safe spaces in fandom where they don’t have to worry about strange adults if they’re uncomfortable with that? Absolutely.

Should adults be shamed and kicked out of fandom as soon as they become an adult? Should “20” be the age where fandom must stop? Absolutely fucking NOT!

I want so bad to make friendships and be a part of a community of people who enjoy these dorky Minecraft streamers as much as I do. It kills me to open Discord, see all the activity in these servers and shy away at the last minute from joining in because of my age.

I’m rusty on this quote so forgive me if it’s not exact but this has been my life motto since I became an adult and accepted my place in fandom. I think a lot of you guys can learn from it:

“When I became an adult I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

- C.S Lewis

[sherrybaby14]

Negan’s Lost and Found Part 3

Summary:  You return to The Sanctuary.  Don’t have to read the first two, but if you want to they’re here Part 1 and Part 2 

Words:  2500 (shorter than the other 2!) 

Warnings:  Kinky, exhibitionist, NSFW, Smut

Question:  New to Tumblr,  can someone please explain Negan’s Thirst Squad???  Also, still want to write at least 2 more sections, so if anyone has a request let me know! 

@marauderice

@negansmutweek

@negans-network

@kellyn1604

@megandrawsspace

Your world feels like it is in a fog.  Negan is still buried inside of you and his fingers are dancing on your most sensitive spot.  The constant attention alternates between pain and unwanted pleasure, blurring the line between the two.  You’ve lost count of how many orgasms you’ve had and are unsure if they count as separate or just an elongated single spiral.  

                 At some point you’ve done a 180 and are now facing him with your face buried in his neck. You’re griping on to his leather jacket so tight it surprises you he hasn’t knocked your hands away for fear of ruining the thing.  Negan presses harder and another shudder goes through your body, you can’t even tell if it’s a new orgasm or a spike in the pleasure.  As soon as it passes the raw pain returns and you let out another sob.

                 Things seem to have stilled and there is a slight ringing in your ears.  Negan pulls his hands away from your body and you let out a strange gasp, grateful and at the same time upset he stopped.  

 Hesitantly you lift your head and see that you’re at The Sanctuary. It looks bigger than you remember, with more people on the outside grounds too.  The idea of anyone seeing you in this state makes your face burn and you bury your head back into Negan’s shoulder.

                 The front door of the car opens and you imagine Dwight has jumped out, leaving the two of you alone.  You don’t dare move without instructions.  

                 “I’m sure Dwight is about to have the best fist pumping session of his life.”  Negan laughs. He grips the back of your hair and pulls, making you face him. “Why did I punish you?”

               “I came after you told me not to.” The words are shaky, and tears are still running down your face.

                 “Good girl.” Negan smiles. “Did you enjoy your punishment?”

                 Your lips starts to tremble and you pause, unsure if he wants a yes or the truth.  Then the fact that the truth is yes dawns on you and you flood with humiliation.  Negan’s cock pulses inside of you, reminding you how turned on he gets to see you so submissive.  

                 “There’s nothing wrong with being who you are Y/N.” He tugs your hair harder. “I hope you didn’t forget that during your time away.”

                 “Yes,” you whisper.

                 “Yes what?” Negan is not smiling.

                 “Yes I enjoyed my punishment.”  Your clit throbs at the admission, but it is so oversensitive the result is more pain than pleasure.  

                 “God I missed you.”  Negan lets go of your hair and kisses your forehead hard.  

                 You’ve missed him too, but saying so will anger him more, since you’re the one who left.  You’re so tired, with puffy red eyes, stinking of sex, with messed up hair in a crumpled dress shirt.  Having Negan’s dick still inside you reminds you you’re probably not going to be taking a nap yet.  

                 “I hate to see you cry, but when this is the cause it makes you look fucking gorgeous.” Negan wipes a tear away.  “You look like a fucking sex kitten and it is making it very difficult to not roll you over and ram into your repeatedly for the rest of eternity.”

                 His words make your body shake and you can’t help but buck your hips forward, sending a burning sensation through your core. Before you can do it again his hands are on your sides.

                 “We’re not finished darling.”  He undoes one of the buttons on your shirt, not enough to see your chest, but enough to draw more attention to your neck. “I have to punish you for something else.  What would that be?”

                 “Running away.” Even though you’re scared you don’t want to drag this out any longer than it has to be.  

                 “That’s right.”  Negan pulsed inside of you again, making you wince with want and discomfort. “Normally when someone runs away from me they get the iron or a post on the fence.”

                 You knew about the fence, it was always his idea to surround this place with the undead, but you didn’t know what the iron meant.  

                 “That was before your time.” Negan smacked you ass, making you lean forward against him.  “Trust me when I say you don’t want that either.”

                 “Please don’t.” You try and push yourself closer towards him.

                 “Well you are my Queen, so I can give you some special treatment.”  Negan ran his hands through your hair, loosening it and making it crazier. “But I have to show the subjects that the King is still in charge.”  

                 “You are.”  You nod your head against his chest.  

                 He makes a fist in your hair and pulls your head up.  

                 “Do you want to be my good girl again?”  His eyes bear into yours.

                 “Yes.” You start to tear up at the thought that you’re not his good girl right now.

                 “Then no complaints, keep your head up and show your face. Wrap yourself around me tight and don’t hold back, no matter what.” Negan nods his head.  

                 You repeat the gesture, right now wanting nothing more than to please him.  You don’t even try and guess what he is talking about.  His hand is on the door handle and you realize he is not going to take you off his cock.  You start to scramble to pull yourself off of him but he pauses and puts his hand on your hip, holding you in place.

                 “Y/N.”  Negan’s voice is calm. “This is part of your punishment.  If you act out or don’t take it properly I am going to be forced to prove myself to these people and you will like that option far less than this. Do not question my decisions.”

                 All these strangers are about to see you, half naked, sexed up, and filled with cock.  You can’t think an iron would be worse than this and struggle a little. Your struggle does nothing since Negan is holding you in place, except make his pole feel longer and harder inside of you.  

                 “Get this out of your system now.”  Negan’s voice has a wicked tone. “You know you deserve this. Be my good girl and take your penance.”  

                 You take a few breaths to calm down, missing the orgasmic haze that vanished.  Negan reaches out and places his hand over your heart.  He flexes his muscles and you open your mouth with a light moan as he moves slightly deeper in you.  You don’t understand how, but you’re still craving sex with the man even after the car ride.  

                 Before you can object again he grabs the door handle and steps out of the car.  You wrap your legs around him, both holding his pants up and forcing yourself down on his cock.  Your arms are wrapped around his neck and his hands are on your butt.  The shirt you have on is long enough you start to think maybe people won’t realize that he is inside you.  Every step he takes makes his cock rub against your inside and you start to squirm.  Your channel is feeling neglected and you start to grow wetter.

                 “I knew you were going to enjoy this you dirty girl.” Negan squeezes your ass. “Remember, I want everyone to see your face.”

                 It takes a lot of self-control, but as you approach the first group of people you do not hide in his shoulder in shame. The first group you walk passed drops to their knees.  You squirm against Negan, not wanting them at this angle,  if any of them look up there will be no doubt he is stuffing you with his cock in public.

                 “You’re definitely enjoying this too much.” Negan pulls one hand away and then brings it back with a SMACK.

                 The people on their knees looks up as you bounce upwards on him.  You see the shock in their eyes and have never felt like more of a slut.  Negan squeezes the cheek he just spanked and you let out a whine.  He continues passed the group and opens the door to The Sanctuary.  It feels like all eyes are on you as every person you pass drops to the floor. Negan does not say a word and you wish you could hide from the looks of the people you pass.

                 Some of them are looking at you with pity which only makes you want to lower your face more, but even as your chin trembles you don’t dare defy Negan.  You need to escape the eyes on you and start to retreat into your own head.  His warning repeats itself:

                 “This is part of your punishment.  If you act out or don’t take it properly I am going to be forced to prove myself to these people and you will like that option far less than this.  Do not question my decisions.”

                 You imagine bucking yourself off of him and running.  He would catch you in no time and pin you to the floor in front of whoever was around. You imagine him ripping away your shirt and fucking you in front of the entire Sanctuary.  You would want to struggle to get away, but you’ve been such a bad girl you know you deserve it.  

                 The fantasy makes a moan escape your lips and you grow even wetter.  You start to work your muscles against his cock, wanting to feel some friction against your g-spot.  

                 “Maybe I need to re-think this as a punishment doll.” Negan lets out a laugh.

                 Another wave of humiliation washes over you and you start to dip your head to hide from the faces.  

                 “I wouldn’t do that.”  Negan reminds you.

                 With a shake you raise your face.  You know what he wants.  These people to understand he has complete domination over you.  Your messed up hair, your tear stained face, the obvious scent of arousal pouring off of you, your purple neck, and of course, the fact that you are stuffed with his cock.  Your breath starts to increase, because he is absolutely right. He is dominating you, and you want that more than anything else in the world.  

                 You’re getting so turned on again that it’s hard not to rock your hips against him.  Given the position you’re in you actually have more control than he does. You start with small movements as he climbs the stairs, hoping he doesn’t notice.

                 “Easy baby.” Negan’s voice has a slight shake. “We’re almost to the room.”

                 You let out a whimper, hoping that he increases the speed.  A heat is working its way through your body.  You feel your nipples harden and clit throb.  You can’t stand the feeling of having him still inside you.  You want him moving in and out and any other way he pleases as long as it’s creating a reaction in your body.  The flush passes and another moan breaks free.

                 “I should have rethought this.” Negan starts to walk faster. “I think I’m punishing myself just as bad.”

                 Your back slams against something and Negan’s mouth is on yours.  It’s the first kiss you’ve had since you left him.  His lips are more perfect than you remember.  You open your mouth greedily letting his tongue probe yours.  You pull yourself closer to him and can’t believe you would ever give this up.  

                 The wall behind your back moves and you realize it was the door to his room.  He breaks the kiss and throws you on the bed.  For the first time in at least half an hour his cock is not inside you and you feel so empty it almost hurts.  

                 “Don’t worry baby.” Negan leans over you and grabs your shirt.  

 With both hands he yanks it open, sending little buttons flying all over his room.  You quickly strip the garment off and he is on top of you again.  His mouth finds yours in an instant.  There is no hesitation as he slides right inside your soaking wet pussy.   You let out a gasp, unsure how he can feel so large after having been inside you for so long.  He wastes no time hammering in and out of you and you throw your head back.

                 “Please, can I cum?”  You’re not even sure that you’re forming the words properly.  

                 You’re barely doing anything as Negan continues to flex his hips in and out of you.  You bring your hands up and hate that he still has his clothes on.   Knowing that you’re completely naked and he is not only reminds you of how much control he has over you and it feels like the intensity of his pumps has increased.

                 “Please?”  You know if he says no you won’t, not after that car ride, but right now you don’t want to think about that, you just want the pleasure only he can give you.

                 “Cum,” Negan says between grunts. “Y/N cum right now for me.  I want to see your face.”

                 With his permission your whole body erupts in pleasure.  You close your eyes and throw your head back.  No moans or whimpers escape your throat because you’re pretty sure you’re not taking in any air at the moment.  A black haze starts to settle over your vision and nothing but euphoria is working its way through your body.  

                 “Y/N.”  Even with the movement you can feel Negan blow inside of you.  

                 The sensation elongates what you’re already feeling, the need to know that you are making Negan happy is too great and this type of acknowledgment makes your glow with pride.  He starts to slow down his thrusts and you’re both breathing heavy. You know you’re spent and are surprised the orgasm didn’t make you lose consciousness.  

               As your body goes limp Negan doesn’t pull out of you, instead he grabs you and rolls over, pulling you against his chest.  

                 You lay sprawled out on top of him, knowing that he is softening and will pull out soon you decided to enjoy the fullness while you can.  Tiny tremors move around your limbs and the sore and raw feeling is starting to return.

                 Negan places his arm around your back and kisses the top of your head.

                 “Don’t worry Y/N.  You will be my good girl again soon.”

                 His comment reassures you.  You want that more than anything. You belong to Negan, you always have, running away didn’t change that.  You allow no logic into your brain and refuse to think of anything else. You will prove to Negan you are his good girl at any cost.  It is your last thought before  sleep takes you under.

[brightlotusmoon]

Another sneak peek, “Across The Universe”

Just... this is actually fun, I like doing this. And maybe posting scenes and snippets on Tumblr will somehow help me write the whole thing so I can put it on AO3 and FFnet. I’m gonna keep putting the headcanon before each scene on Tumblr, to remind myself why I’m writing the characters this way. And it turns out I love writing Karai. She’s very...much. Um. I can’t find words on that right now. I just love her and I love Shinigami and her. Anyway. Stuff that is my heacanon here:  1) Shinigami is in a polyamorous relationship with Karai and Michelangelo, and the girls have their own bedroom in the lair. 2) Raph has taken a shine to Shini and her attitudes on life and is so proud his little brother has such an awesome loveperson who is also banging his awesome sister. 3) April has finally decided to try dating both Donnie and Casey, although she’s spent more time with Don, and casey doesn’t mind. 4) Splinter and Shredder are dead. Shredder’s henchmen have teamed up with Purple Dragons and other gangs, and have recreated robot Foot ninjas. Splinter appears as a spirit to the Hamato family. 5) The Mighty Mutanimals are very involved in the turtles’ lives. Mondo has learned first aid from Dr Rockwell and engineering from Don. 6) Leo and Karai have been duel sensei-ing and still argue over who gets to be Actual Sensei. 7) Abandoned military bases are turned into hide-outs for the more vicious, feral, and angry mutants in every borough. Mikey, Mondo, and Shini like to try and find them to befriend the tamer, friendlier ones. Karai and Raph wind up getting angry out of love and fear. 8) Mikey is Donnie’s assistant in the lab and is a field medic who uses his emotional reach to comfort the injured. Also, I am happy to discuss where the rest of the story might go and how and why, and I’ll easily switch to another perspective like April (Storm) or Karai (Iron) or Ghost Of Splinter (Wind) or Shinigami (Magic). Mostly I’m just in love with writing Donnie talking about Mikey.  (PS, Mikey is Oxygen. Don is Earth, Raph is Fire, Leo is Water. The Tumblr post for Mikey The Lifegiver is the second most popular blog post I’ve written so far. The first one is me waxing pagan about all those winter holidays from dozens of religions with hundreds many gods) Also, for my regular readers: You knew this sort of thing was gonna happen again. It’s all I write. However, since 1999, I’ve had the most wonderful contemporaries and competition. You hardcore Mikey fans, you’re the best, I love you all. Another snippet from “Spirit And Oxygen: Across The Universe” part of the “Mikey The Lifegiver” series...

Karai is helping Shini with the sponge bath, and for the first time since both her fathers died, she finds she cannot speak to her best friend past the lump in her throat. Shinigami has deeply dark circles under her eyes. Karai knows she has not been sleeping well in the past four weeks. Some nights she’ll wake to find herself alone in their bed, and she will go out into the hallway, her feet sliding like snake scales, and something will tell her to go to Michelangelo’s empty room. When she opens the door she’ll find the nightlight on, and Shini curled up in the bed, under the covers, face buried in the pillows, breathing deeply. Karai doesn’t feel jealousy, only desperate empathy. Her sense of smell has been extraordinary. She understands. Sometimes she’ll leave it and Shini will be back with her in the morning. Sometimes, when Shini cries, Karai will go to her and pull her away, murmuring hopeless comforts like “Don’t worry, he’ll wake up soon, he’ll be back here.” And in their bed Shini will cry against her neck, and the black kitten will uncurl from the end of the bed to crawl onto their laps and purr a healing purr. Karai gently hums as she drags the water-soaked sponge along her baby brother’s feet and ankles, over the scars that healed more quickly. She is careful to avoid the plaster casting, which Donnie thinks they can remove soon. She glances up at her lover and bites her lip, because Shini has paused to take Mikey’s face in both hands; she is staring at him. The sponge she was applying lies on his plastron, and water is pooling into the deeper, harsher scarred wounds from claw marks. “Shini,” Karai says very softly, and her best friend merely nods and resumes cleaning Mikey’s upper torso. When they have dried him, they reapply the gels and ointments and they rewrap the bandages. For the splints on his fingers, all on his left hand, they use a waterless foam, and Shinigami’s grip is a little tight and a little shaky.

Karai leans over and smooths her lover’s hair out of her face. So, Donatello still can’t really talk about exactly what happened when that mutant creature attacked them, he was too silent when he carried Mikey into the lair and he was too quick setting bones, cleaning wounds, terrible terrifying gaping wounds; and April found a silver shaving from a claw sticking out of the gash on Mikey’s shoulder, which Donnie took and placed on a tray while murmuring about later analysis. They thought he was in shock, that he was offsetting his own hidden injuries by caring for a dying brother. But Karai and April looked him over and found small bruises and scrapes; all the blood was Mikey’s. Raph gave blood, almost too much, and Leo carried him to bed and brought him juice. And all the while Shinigami stood there, lips parted in a silent cry, only moving when spoken to. When it was all done, she and Donnie stood on opposite sides of the infirmary bed, staring at a nearly mummified Michelangelo, tears rolling down their faces, and Donnie didn’t say a word. It took him a whole day to tell them what happened. Karai knows he left things out. But today is the day the family will gather to project into the astral plane to find Mikey’s spirit and try to call him home. Shinigami and Donatello have been exhausted and desperate, Raphael even moodier and angrier, Leonardo too rigid and determined. He went with Karai on patrol runs and didn’t smile, and his hands’ grips in her hands were too stiff and tense. Karai wanted to find the address of that abandoned military base but Donnie wasn’t giving it. She thinks now that maybe she can coax it out, maybe later, once Mike is recovering. Everyone is coming to the infirmary bed now, even Casey is there. He will be monitoring everything, since he can’t go with them. April will be their anchor and Shinigami will take them in. Karai leans in and runs her lips across Shini’s cheekbone, suddenly needing her. Shini’s head turns and Karai crushes their lips together and she feels too much worry and too much love, like her heart could implode. April waits, smiling, and then Shini reaches across the bed and takes her hand and says that she is ready. Everyone but Casey joins hands. Karai watches Shini’s face while she murmurs a ritual under her breath, and her eyes begin to glow. Karai closes her eyes, feeling safe and loved, and April whispers, “Now!” and Karai feels herself falling, then lifting, then spinning, as her best friend and lover holds her spirit and pushes them up into the astral plane. Karai feels the spirits of Leo, Don, and Raph, and she begins to reach for them, and then there is a bright, nearby rush of golden light, and for an instant the entire world goes away.