#maybe i should put him in dishonored world

[adozentothedawn]

I miss Cole...

[anarchy-and-piglins]

So, concept for a dark SBI au with that trope I mentioned about SBI literally 'humanizing' Techno.

All of SBI are superheroes. They work for the hero association.

Phil is the oldest on the team. He joined the hero association very early on, wanting to be part of something genuinely exciting and new. And he got to witness firsthand how the association started out with such good intentions, but quickly went the way of all operations that have government and money involved. Despite this, he stays on. Because he wants to make a difference.

Wilbur, his only son, followed in Phil's footsteps. He's a bit of a 'the ends justify the means' guy and does the hero work mostly because he thinks it's fun, but Phil is just proud his son is having a good time while also helping people.

Tommy, youngest on the team, is a real hero. He wants to save people. He's excitable and eager and quick on his feet, and was put in the team because he needs more experienced heroes to balance him out and learn.

And then there's Techno.

Techno is a little different, in that he never chose to become a hero willingly like the other three did. He was raised to be one (think baby experimented on by the association to give him powers, or perhaps just an orphan who was taken in by them when he showed potential). Techno doesn't mind being a hero, he's good at it. He has a strong sense of justice, he's competitive, he likes the hero work itself. It's just that being a hero is also all he's ever known.

The association raised him to be their strongest weapon, their greatest asset.

SBI is pretty insubordinate at times, and cut corners when it comes to the association's protocol. While they deliver good work they also like to do it their way. The association places Techno in their team as the fourth member, hoping that Techno's general sense of duty and calm-under-pressure attitude will do SBI some good.

They will come to regret this decision.

All four of them grow close, and over the span of a few years turn into more of a found family than coworkers. And as this happens, it becomes impossible for SBI not to notice how the association treats Techno differently. He's often pushed harder, and reprimanded worse when things do go wrong. He overworks himself and has been taught to never ask for help, preferring to deal with stuff by himself, even when injured or sick. He's stubborn as a mule too, so he'd never admit this was an issue. When Techno isn't working with them, he's either doing other stuff for the association or training. Techno has no life outside of hero work.

Techno does admit sometimes in conversation that there's other stuff he'd like to do. Maybe in another world where he does not have these powers, he'd be a history or English major. He'd like to try fencing, or gardening, or the violin. He'd read more.

But it is what it is.

SBI disagrees, and try to push Techno (unsuccessfully) into thinking about himself more. The more they start to see Techno as a person, the more it seems like the association doesn't.

Eventually, Phil even goes all the way to the top, complaining to the higher-ups about Techno's situation. They smile wryly, and suggest that maybe Phil has reached an age where hero work isn't for him anymore. He should take their offer of early retirement, before an incident happens and forces Phil to be dishonorably fired.

Phil is outraged, but he does take the offer because he has no choice. Wilbur and Tommy quit on the spot, equally pissed. They want to find Techno and convince him to do the same, but there's a small issue.

Techno doesn't have the same type of contract as them.

While SBI can leave, Techno can't. The hero association owns him in all ways that matter.

Obviously, the association is also quick to kick SBI out and cut off all contact. They tell Techno that Phil asked them to retire because he didn't want to be a hero anymore. And that Tommy and Wilbur chose to quit, not wanting to be on the same team as Techno without Phil around. Techno is very confused. Especially as not long after, SBI returns... as villains.

Now Techno feels confused AND betrayed.

Meanwhile, SBI will stop at nothing to get Techno back, even if it means gradually slipping further and further into villainy. They're completely disillusioned with the hero association anyway. Techno is strong, outpowering even all three of them. It takes a lot for them to finally kidnap Techno after several failed attempts. And when they do, Techno is going to fight them every step of the way. Not to mention the hero association is not going to let them take their treasured weapon easily.

Techno keeps insisting that they're in the wrong, that he'll get away from them, that being a hero is all he's good for, all he's made for. As long as he has these powers, he has an obligation to use them and be a hero.

SBI agrees.

As long as Techno has these powers, he will never be free. He'll never stop seeing them as a duty, and the association will never stop trying to take Techno from them.

Good thing that they've been working on a little something. A serum that will nullify Techno's powers forever. And then he doesn't have to worry about a thing anymore. SBI will take care of him.

Losing his powers is the only way Techno will be happy, even if he doesn't realize that himself.

As they prepare to inject him, they tell Techno what they're about to do. Techno is angry and horrified, and tells them that if they do this, he will never forgive them.

Phil just smiles and says that's a risk they're willing to take.

[post-it-notes7]

So it's a pretty established rule in the Mirror Realm that reflections reform after shattering, but on average how commonplace is it for a being to shatter? Is it just another Tuesday kind of event, or is it considered rare even for them? Followup question of sorts, is it societally considered dishonorable and humiliating, or not even thought of at all?

I imagine the metrics are different between those of riskier professions vs the average waddle dee, but I still can't help but be curious! (Hope you're enjoying your Amazing Mirror playthrough btw!!)

This is going to be another long one, better settle in :)

Shattering is most commonly caused through accidents, whether it's from a fight that went too far, a misstep that ends in a lava pit, or—on the unlucky occasion—poisoning, any typically-lethal blow will do it. Your health gets too low for any reason, you take too much physical damage, and you hit the shattering threshold. Poof!

With all the counterparts in the Mirror World being tied to the Dimensional Mirror, that does mean that accidents can add up over time, and several reflections may be respawning at once, and at random. It'll happen periodically throughout the day, and for that reason, the Dimension Mirror stands in neutral territory—Rainbow Route, to be game-specific, the hub for travel. The Mir GSA's main base is close by, but they abide by the neutrality rule, and don't interfere with those respawning who aren't their own.

You probably have a 50/50 shot of any one counterpart having been shattered before! It certainly depends on what they do on their own time, but there's a fair mix of both those who have shattered before, and those who haven't. It's usually considered polite not to ask.

And now we get to the more complex discussions. Shattering itself is viewed differently depending on who you ask.

There are those who take it more lightly. It's (conditionally speaking) not as if it's permanent, right? It's not death. You come back as if that final blow never even happened. Why waste time overthinking it? These views make up a decent percent of the population.

In the middle, you have those with more complicated viewpoints. Should we really treat shattering so frivolously? Sure, you respawn so long as your counterpart is alive, but it's not as if the experience is pleasant. It's kind of mean to do it on purpose... Maybe even hostile. Really, it's reasonable to feel wary about the possibility of it happening. They make up the overall majority, but are the most diverse in terms of thinking.

And then you have those who take it into serious consideration, each time, and every time. Who will avoid it if possible, and be the most reluctant to resort to it. They are the minority viewpoint.

Mir Falspar, to single him out as a wonderful example, is a bit of an outlier even in that regard. He's on the latter side, and treats shattering with a lot of weight despite its direct overlap with his job as a security/bodyguard. He doesn't know if the intruders he fights are on their last life—thus, he treats each shattering he commits as if it is going to be permanent. It's his job not to hesitate, his conviction can't waver when he's the last line of defense. The second someone raises their sword against him or those he guards, they've forfeited their life to him, and he will shatter them before they can cause any further harm. Again, he takes it seriously, and because of that is probably most prepared to confront what it means to shatter someone permanently.

In the same vein, Mir Falspar tends to avoid putting anyone in the Mir GSA at unnecessary risk of shattering, no matter how frequently he has to deal with carrying it out. Ultimately, it should be avoided if possible. He's been shattered several times prior to his last and most concerning incident, and each one was disorienting and overall unpleasant. After all, it's not like you forget what it feels like to die, just because you come back good as new.

In the wrong scenarios, in the worst ones, shattering can be traumatic, and this, unfortunately, is societally considered an overreaction in the Mirror World, even by those who are more sympathetic. Sentiment favors the fact that death isn't always permanent with shattering, and thus shouldn't be treated as such. Sure it's unpleasant, but why should you take it seriously enough that you keep yourself up at night? You're fine, right? You respawned. It wasn't permanent.

There's a lot of problems with that, though the instance doesn't happen very often. Shattering has been normalized in the Mirror World; what hasn't, is making a "big deal" about it after coming back.

And with that, thank you for the ask!

[giorno-plays-piano]

House of Chains

Part II

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x mage!reader

Warnings: noncon, yandere, obsession, canon-typical violence, chase scenes, death of minor characters, manhandling.

Words: 1.4k

Summary: In return for help to come back to your home world, you have been faithfully supporting the Greens to put Aegon on the throne. But when your promise is fulfilled, neither Otto nor Aemond are keen on letting you go.

Part I

___________

You fly out of the room in such fit of rage the guards look somewhat bewildered at your attitude, knowing you are just some Hightower girl of no particular importance who still dared to scream at the Hand of the King. You pay them no mind, your blood boiling, hands shaking at Otto's offense when you barge into your bedchamber, tugging on your dress to take it off the moment you step inside.

Faithless, dishonorable people. You might have expected Otto's betrayal, but Aemond's quiet determination to keep you chained leaves you wordless. How could he? After all you've done for him? Does he feel no compassion for you, stranded in this cruel place and forced to do his grandfather's bidding? After all those nights spent together, you naively thought you had a connection of sorts, but it appears you are a really bad judge of character. Targaryens seek no friends, only power.

No matter. You are naive, perhaps, but not entirely stupid. There are other means to leave this world as long as there are other dragons. Not Aegon's sheep-sized Sunfire, but Caraxes, Meleys, and maybe, if you are lucky enough, even Syrax. You have much to trade.

You are so deep in your thoughts, enraged at Hightower's treatment, you realize there is someone else in your bedchamber only when Aemond nearly screams, "Do not undress with a man in the room!"

Turning to face him, the prince blushing furiously at the sight, you give him a poisonous smile, your heavily embroidered dress with stars and moons falling to your knees, leaving you in nothing but a see-through, thin robe that leaves little to imagination. Not that you care. You intend to take it off, too, and dress yourself in man's clothes before you depart to Dragonstone.

"Watch me for all I care. This is the last time you see me close," you nearly spit in his face, some sort of wicked satisfaction rising deep inside you at his loss of words, provoked by your near-nudity. Turning away from him, you grab your supplies, packed before you left for coronation, and reach for gloomy brown trousers, caked in mud.

"You can't leave," exasperated, he watches you bend over to take a crude linen shirt and blushes even more furiously, trying to stare at anything but your figure, barely hidden by the underdress. "There's much to do to ensure Rhaenyra doesn't sit on the throne."

You cackle at this, refusing to look him in the face. "And why should I be worried? What is there for me when you treat me a like a dog on a leash?"

Struggling to remember where you left the sturdy boots you wore when you needed to head to Flea Bottom, you fail to catch Aemond getting close, snatching your arm while you are raiding your own chests. You shudder and curse, furious, your eyes locked with his. What more does he want? He can't give you anything except for Vhagar's fire.

"We will wed," Aemond says, swallowing thickly, his hand so scorching hot you feel like it will burn you. "You'll be made a princess. My grandfather has already approved of our marriage, and mother will support it likewise. Even if my brother was crowned, we both know he is unfit to rule. We will do it in his stead."

You stare at him, silent, suddenly unsure you heard him right. Aemond can't be offering you to marry. What an insane sort of plan is he crafting in his head? Is it a trick to tempt you with power to have you stay? You look in the face of boy-turned-man and think there's more to it. More than you thought you knew. More to this strange, obsessive Aemond who had been hiding behind a mask of a friend.

You feel very uncomfortable being nearly naked in front of him.

"Aemond, I wouldn't take the Iron Throne even if you delivered it to me on a silver platter," you say very carefully, watching the prince's intense impression with growing worry. "I don't blame you for not knowing, but this world is a pale copy of places so much worthier, better. I don't seek to rule. I need my home. Please, help me."

"No."

Your emotions take a hand of you again, and your anxiety turns to anger with ease as you break Aemond's hold on you and spun around, finally spotting the boots among the pile of clothes. He can stay and support his stupid brother as long as he wants to, but you had enough of the Red Keep and its Targaryens. Whatever they propose in hopes to appease you, it won't work.

"Where do you plan on going?" Aemond asks you in desperation, and you snort. "I am the only one who can help you!"

In this very moment, a sudden urge arises in you: you want to hurt him. Want to make him feel helpless the way you do, to let him know he was never your only option. Even though Rhaenyra might refuse you, there still are other dragons in the world, wild, unclaimed ones included. Perhaps you'll find a way to trick them into using their breath for longer to give you enough time to cast. Regardless, Aemond is no one's savior, and you won't give him the satisfaction of thinking he's your salvation.

"I don't think so," you smile at him, all bared teeth, tongue laced with poison. "Rhaenyra will be thrilled to have me."

Aemond is rigid as if his body is turning to stone, eyes wide-open when he stares at you, wordless, and silence falls in the room.

You don't understand what you are doing, the risky game you are playing with the dragon's son. Time spent with him makes you think he isn't someone you should be wary of, but, despite your hopes, Aemond is not your friend, and his internal drive you love so much makes him a far too dangerous opponent to disregard his anger. He is no longer a boy crying on the balcony, face red and shoulders shaking. He is the One-Eyed Prince who smirked at the sight of Vaemond Velaryon being beheaded in front of him in the Great Hall; he is a man who was ready to pounce on Rhaenyra's bastards to put them in place right in the Red Keep, regardless of consequences, and he is not afraid to do what it takes to sate his ambitions.

Aemond is on you in a heartbeat.

"She won't have you," he narrows his eye at you like you are the enemy, his hands on your wrists, holding them down in iron grip, and you almost choke: Ser Christon praises his most ardent student not to flatter him. Aemond is strong, and he is not above hurting you.

Desperately, you try to push him away, but he only presses himself tighter against you, cold leather of his clothes making you shiver involuntarily as you struggle to get away. Frightened, you shout an incantation to shake him off, only a simple spell to get away, make him fall, and then... nothing happens. Nothing at all.

You have wasted too much power on the shield against Meleys. Your magic is depleted.

Aemond realizes it, too, his heated gaze turning perplexed until he fully grasps the situation, and a crooked smile blooms across his face.

"It is true about the shield, then," he muses, wrestling with you, forcing you further and further from the door, down on your lavish bed. "You spent all your magic on it."

"To save you from Meleys!" You cry, horrified, for the first time realizing Aemond will not stop, and you can't make him. "I tried to save your lives! I care about you!"

"Then stay," he breathes out in your face, driving you back to bed, pushing you so hard you finally fall with a scream, getting tangled in too many sheets and covers as you try to stand back with Aemond quickly landing on top of you. "Stay with me, and whatever you want, I'll give."

You all but cry in his face, helpless as you can't move Aemond an inch with him sitting on top of you, pushing you in the bed with all his weight, "I want to go home!"

He doesn't smile, his eye locked on you.

"I"ll be your home."

_______________

Part III

Part IV

Tags: @heavenly1927 @yazzzmints @devils-blackrose @lost-and-founds

[procrastinatingsoicanreadfanfics]

Vikings and their eras

Summary: what era would vikigns be in if they weren't in their own

Notes: I did a lot of text for this one, bc I loved thinking about this!! There are some pretty popular characters missing (Ragnar, Sigurd, Athelstan) where I just couldn’t imagine a certain era for them. Thank you so much for your request :)))))) Some of these eras aren’t wonderful or filled with positivity but that doesn’t mean these characters wouldn’t thrive.

tagged: @majesticwren @obsessiveformiyatwins @leithdragon @demon-of-the-ancient-world @alicedopey, @ivarlover @levithestripper @batmandallyboy @akayxo09 @vrtualfairy (hmu to be added!)

based on this request | masterlist | requests are OPEN!

Lagertha

Lagertha would thrive well in times of crises and war (lmao). The black death, WW1 or 2, or long periods of war/famine/sickness is where Lagertha does well. Think about her what you will, but she brings people together, manages them, and takes care of them. She’s a natural leader, and a fighter, so she’s able to protect her community.

We’ve seen examples of this in the series, think during the sickness in Kattegat, or when she takes over and completely builds up Hedeby. People tend to trust her, and especially women look up to/feel safe around her. When disaster strikes, she would be able to save/take care of them.

Aslaug

I had to think about this for a really long time because I think that Aslaug fits so well into the era the show is set in, however, I finally decided on the 1920s. Even as a feminine woman in Viking Scandinavia, she had a lot of authority over herself and knew how to grow a business (Kattegat) when Hirst wasn’t feeling sexist.

In the 1920s, she’d live in a big city, maybe Berlin or New York, and she’d own some sort of speakeasy. I’d love to think that her speakeasy would be a place for the very few pagans of the city to meet up in secret, and she herself would still be a norse pagan, völva, etc. Also, she’d dip her toes into wild jewellery design (think Schiaparelli). Definitely someone who attracts artists and would be considered a muse.

Rollo

Middle Medieval Ages for sure. He thrives being a knight because he’s a manipulative little hoe that I can’t stand. Gets to do his performative heroism during tourneys and woo women only to leave them all alone.

Rollo is not a good person, esp. towards women. He constantly gets into trouble with the church and with fathers whose daughters he ‘dishonors’. Definitely needs a wife like Gisla to slap some sense into him. I think that eventually (mid forties) he’d start to mature. Also, having children would help him become a better person (I think they should have put that into a show).

Bjorn

Bjorn thrives well in the late 2000s to early 2010s, when travel blogs were on the rise. He’s one of the early influencers, and travels the world together with Halfdan. This only works bc cancel culture isn’t real yet. Bjorn would say some stupid shit and get hounded for it let’s be real. Nonetheless, there is always some rumour about him and Halfdan being a thing (they would be if they both didn’t constantly say ‘that’s gay’).

Alternatively, Bjorn might make a good colonizer (can I say that?), but it’s not like he isn’t that already.

Ubbe

Ubbe would thrive during the late medieval ages (defo not the Renaissance though). He’s the type of man who would enjoy the idea of the charming knight. I think Ubbe would definitely enjoy the idea of quests/saving damsels in distress/having the arranged-marriage-turned-lovestory (he’s a booktok girly tbh).

This doesn’t mean that all of this is totally pure. Ubbe gets some shit twisted in canon as well (ESPECIALLY concerning Margrethe). Maybe his first war was something crusade-like, and he went into it thinking of heroic acts and blabla and then got fucked up by battle and gore. Also has a religion and Madonna/whore complex problem.

Hvitserk

In the show, Hvitserk was always seeking sense/purpose while also struggling with balance, which is why I think he would thrive in the 1970s. This is THE era for protests and social change. Climate change, feminism and sexuality all became important topics. Going to protests would be able to give him a sense of change, and I think it would be liberating for him as well, to be able to free himself of his restraints by changing something.

I’ll go into communes a little more for Helga, but I think Hvitserk would thrive in an early commune a lot. He needs to have people around him taking care of his mental health, and this would be great for his mental health. Yes, therapy helps a lot of people, but I think if Hvitserk lived in our time, he would think that talk therapy is stupid, and completely close himself off to it. This guy just needs a lot of love, okay?

Also, he needs to smoke some 70s weed every once in a while.

Ivar

Just like Hvitserk, Ivar would thrive during the 1970s. However, this is for completely different reasons and also means that no one else gets to thrive. I chose the 1970s because it’s THE serial killer decade.

That honestly sounds terrible but we all know it’s true.

Ivar would be bitter about being discriminated/not being able to fully take part in society/not getting any women and that would turn him homicidal. He definitely overcomplicated his killings and does shitty bloodeagles to get some cool name but all he gets is like “the Viking killer” or something and he’s so mad about that he reveals himself on his deathbed to change his title. It doesn’t work.

Floki

Floki just wants to be where Helga is, but he would not thrive in the 2020s. I think he’d get in arguments with Helga about vaccinations. However, I want Floki to be in the 2010s/2020s with Helga. He definitely has some kind of hallucination-related mental illness at the least. I think that especially the season where he acted out against Helga (season 4?) shows that his mental health was making him harmful towards others and probably towards himself.

I can’t diagnose Floki, but I think we can all see that he might have some kind of bipolar disorder/mania disorder on top of a schizophrenia. He needs some kind of meds, and he needs someone to help him taking them.

Helga

This is very specific, but Helga would do AMAZING during the early era of Covid (like March 2020). Yes, she’s a very social person, but I do believe that Helga would be part of a quite isolated commune if she lived during modern times, and even during that time be isolated with Floki.

I would like to think that the commune could be self-sufficient and Helga just gets to go ham making banana bread and care packages. She thrives in this time where she doesn’t really have to go to work (even though she loves being a kindergartener too) and gets to take care of the people in her commune, and even further than that from the comfort of her own home.

Astrid

This woman thrives where no one else does, and that is toxic 2020s twitter. All she does is tweet, get cancelled, tweet, get popular, repeat. She’s so so annoying and bullies a bunch of people who don’t deserve to be bullied. Is most definitely blocked by trump, hailey Bieber and the Kardashians at least.

Makes a living by selling feetpics.

Ecbert

Ecbert thrives in the 1980s. Now. Hear me out. Ecbert in neon Zumba clothes. There, that’s my reason.

I’m just kidding, there’s more. I’m not old enough to fully understand most of the decades I’m talking about in here but the 1980s, it seems, were this extremely colorful and wild decade. Literally everywhere, color just kind of seemed to explode, and I think Ecbert would thrive in this kind of chaotic atmosphere.

(are there people in their forties or older on this post that can verify?)

Aelswith

I’m really sad that we didn’t go into Aelswith more in the show, but I firmly believe that Aelswith would make an amazing Sufragette. Thinking back to her time on the show, she was always very firm in standing her ground, more so than Judith or even Lagertha in some ways (especially in the sense that she was SO YOUNG). She directed and strengthened Alfred, and I think during season 6, she used a beartrap to defend her baby?

Anyway, I imagine her as a rich/aristocratic lady in London who definitely steers the household while Alfred brings the money in (he likes art) and she decides that, if she puts in the work in the house, she should be able to decide over the country that house is in as well.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: The coming storm

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)    

From his bridge Xulien looked down at the world beneath him. The trails of smoke from still burning cities dragged themselves lazily across the surface, shrouding the once vibrant and lush planet in a sea of choking greys.

When he closed his eyes he could imagine the heat from them washing over his face, the smell of charred flesh and the comfort of shattering bones beneath his military boots giving him a sensation of pure euphoria.

There was something about the extinction of a primitive species that thrilled him. His subordinates, when speaking in hushed voices they thought he could not hear, called him a butcher and a monster. He found the notion somewhat flattering and allowed these rumors to spread amongst his fleet until even the homeworld high king referred to him as such and quivered in fear when Xulien came before him to show his loyalty.

“The last of the resistance pockets have been eliminated, and colonization ships are inbound to begin terraforming.”

Xulien was broken from his daydreams of slaughter by his second in command Rin’tuk. He was holding a datapad outstretched and Xulien took it to inspect. He dismissively scrolled through the various reports until stopping at the final report detailing the attack on the last enemy bastion.

“War Chorus Helion lost sixty warriors in one battle?”

While the bridge crew around the pair of officer quickly found something to busy themselves with to avoid the warlords wrath Rin’tuk stood at attention.

“Indeed.” Rin’tuk acknowledged. “The primitives put up fierce resistance and even resorted to using themselves as living weapons before expiring.”

“They fought monkeys with sticks and bones!” Xulien roared, tossing aside the datapad with enough force to shatter it against a nearby bulkhead. “I want them quartered and flayed for this embarrassment!”

If the warlord’s outburst had scared Rin’tuk he showed no measure of it. “Then shall I flay you as well?” he replied, “For it was by your order that you tied their hands and forced them to fight with such handicaps.”

Xulien turned around and in struck Rin’tuk across the face with his right fist. The force alone was enough to decapitate a lesser creature, yet Rin’tuk had only taken a step back to adjust his balance before resuming his at ease posture.

“You dare lay this failure at my feet?” Xulien spoke, his left hand already forming a fist to strike again when Rin’tuk spoke again.

“Your orders were to bring the human leader to you alive, and so they have.”

Xulien’s fist stopped mere inches from Rin’tuk’s face at this. “They still live?” Xulien asked as he walked past his second and took his place upon the command throne; his previous beatings of his second all but an afterthought in his mind. Rin’tuk followed behind his warlord and nodded. “They have captured him intact and have brought him onboard mere moments ago.” As if to confirm something Rin’tuk looked down at his wrist to examine a digital device. “They should be here within five minutes if their trip from the hangar bay is not hindered.”

This pleased Xulien to such an extent he was even considering sparing the War Chorus for their dishonor on the battlefield. Maybe flay one of their Chorus Masters to remind them they had a duty to upload by not dying in battle to vermin, but those thoughts were pushed from his mind as he waited patiently for his victim to arrive.

Five minutes seemingly passed by in the blink of an eye before the lumbering doors to the command bridge slowly churned open and a pair of warriors dragged a frail being between them and dropped them before their warlord.

The figured was ragged and rather unimpressive. Their clothes were dirty, torn in several places, and from the look and smell of a few red splotches still covered in blood. Xulien knew them to be of the male sex of the species as it had been one of the few files he had bothered reading from the xenology branch. They always included such frivols things such as culture, history, and social structures; when in reality all Xulien needed to know was their weaknesses and military capacity.

Xulien watched the helpless human slowly compose themselves and rise to their feet. It was only after he stood up that he noticed the patches of familiar substances.

“Why is he covered in our blood?” Xulien asked. When neither of the warriors responded Rin’tuk answered.

“When the first of our warriors attempted to apprehend this human they lashed out with a sharpened piece of metal, blinding several and slitting the throats of another two before he was finally subdued.”

This impressed the warlord. His warriors were some of the best trained in the kingdom and yet this primitive was able to deal such damaging wounds upon them. A modicum of respect began forming for these humans in the back of Xulien’s mind as he watched the human turn around to the massive viewing window.

He could not see their eyes but their body language said enough for Xulien. From high orbit this human was looking down at his world now in Xulien’s thrall. He moved his head back and forth as if trying to find some last enclave of humanity still fighting or one last major city still intact; yet as the man began to weep over the destruction all he saw was the burning craters or swarms of alien vehicles descending to the planet.

Rising from his throne, Xulien pondered over to the human and stood next to them in silence. He was ready for an attack if made, and in truth he had hoped for one since it had been so long since he last killed a foe in person, yet he for the moment he was content to merely enjoy the aroma of despair that now circled his defeated rival.

“Tell me,” Xulien began as his translator unit took his words and broke them down into the barbaric gurgles of the human language, “what does it feel like to see your homeworld burn?”

Xulien heard the human cease its pathetic sobbing but still did not answer his question.

“Do you feel dread for seeing your people’s great works undone so easily? To know generations of your forefathers has been wiped away in a matter of days by your superiors? That your people’s legacy will be nothing more than a footnote in our history books that children won’t even care to read?”

Xulien always enjoyed this part of his conquests. To break the final vestige of pride his enemies held and reduce them to utter nothingness before slaying them and casting their body to the void.

“Homeworld?”

Their voice was soft and barely audible over the murmur of the bridge still going on around them. The human looked up at him after he had finished his speech, but to his surprise he saw no despair or regret. No, on the face of his broken foe was that of only confusion.

“Did you say homeworld?” they asked again.

It was then for the first time in a long time Xulien felt the creeping claws of uncertainty. When he did not answer the human’s face twitched slightly.

“Do you honestly believe this was our homeworld?” the human asked again but this time with a more authoritative tone.

“Watch your tone.” Xulien replied. “Your life hangs by the thinnest of threads and I can cut it with the flick of my-“

The human never gave him the chance to finish his threat as they suddenly broke out into laughter. It was laughter of a man teetering the line between madness and sanity as one by one the bridge crew slowly stopped their tasks and took pause to observe the confounding scene.

Xulien quickly was losing his temper at this mockery.

“Cease your laughter.” He demanded, but the human merely grabbed their gut as they continued.

“I said cease!”

Xulien grabbed the human by the throat and hoisted them up. He smashed them into the glass of the viewing window causing a faint cracking sound as the impact drew the air from the human’s lungs. This indeed did stop the laughter, but Xulien still could hear the murmurs of a chuckle as the human looked up at him.

“I thought this a great tragedy,” they spoke through gasps and fits of coughing, all the while still holding on to that maddening smile, “but this is all some dark comedy, isn’t it?”

They looked up at Xulien and he saw the human’s eyes were full of madness. As if a maelstrom of emotion was raging inside him where once had been despair.

“This isn’t our homeworld you stupid fuck.” The human chuckled. “This is a colony world that is less than forty years old.”

Xulien’s grasp on the human slackened for a moment as he glared over his shoulder at Rin’tuk. To his surprise his second was also equally surprised at this new development.

“You lie!” Xulien retorted. “Your technology level is too redundant for this to be a mere colony.”

The human laughed again at Xulien’s words, a notion he was finding more and more aggravating with every passing moment. “We are given hand-me-down equipment decades old because that is all we can afford. The inner worlds have technology that makes our gear look like children’s toys.”

Xulien perked up at this latest statement. “Inner worlds, you say?” He leaned forward to the human as the smell of future conquests returned. “So there are more worlds your people occupy?”

“Oh yes,” the human replied as his grin turned dark, “and they know all about you, “Great Conqueror”.”

“What do you mean by that?” Xulien asked.

“They’ve been monitoring your invasion since the moment you set foot in this system.” The human answered gleefully. “I imagine they were even watching us as you stormed my stronghold.”

Xulien felt a grin emerge on his own face now. “Then they know what is coming for them.” It was meant to fill the human with dread knowing the rest of his species would soon die, but instead the grin grew wider.

“They have seen our world burn and their people slaughtered like cattle, and what’s more they have seen a monster in need of slaying.”

The madness was strong now as the human grabbed both of Xulien’s arms and tightly held on to them, his eyes focused on Xulien’s.

“They will come, but there will be no negotiation, no parley, no peace treaties or cease fires; there will be no mercy, no remorse, no hesitation in their actions as they descend upon your brutal people and scorch your existence from this universe.”

Xulien tried to shake the human off but their grip held on tight as the human finished rambling.

“Your people will all die for what you have done here, and the ashes of what you once were will be a testament and monument to all those that come after that will say “Here is Xulien, the fool who thought he slew humanity.” “

Rage boiled inside him and spilled over like a volcano as Xulien let go of the human as they once again laughed in his face. Before the human’s feet had even touched the decking Xulien grabbed the human’s head and twisted it with enough force to snap bones like twigs.

The lifeless husk of the human fell to the ground with a loud thump as the bridge crew watched in silence. They had never seen their warlord become so enraged, least of all over the leader of a defeated people. A deathlike calm fell across the bridge as no one dared speak or even move in fear of drawing their warlord’s wrath. A silence that was only broken when the scanner officer’s terminal began chiming.

“Detecting new contacts from the edge of the system.” They waited for Xulien to reply but he was still locked in a trance of rage and could not hear the officer, so Rin’tuk stepped in.

“Are they the colony ships? They were scheduled to arrive soon.”

The scanning officer looked down at this terminal and shook his head. “No friendly signatures are reading off any of the approaching vessels.”

“How many?” Rin’tuk stepped over to the officer as his concerns at these new developments grew.

“Contacts are still exiting out of jump, but right now I count thirty five contacts.”

A second series of chimes sounded off from the terminal, but this time from the opposite side of the system.

“Secondary contacts emerging, twenty vessels and counting.” The officer replied. Rin’tuk looked at his warlord but when they still did not reply took charge.

“Call back our scouting parties and assemble the fleet in battle order.” Rin’tuk ordered to the surrounding crew. “Have transport ships begin ferrying up the ground forces to the transports at once.”

In short order the entire system image now held a ring of red icons slowly closing in on his fleet still anchored above their newly conquered world. There was no opening for escape for them now.

Sirens began blaring now as several of the far flung scouting parties were not quick enough and were quickly set upon by the unknown vessels. Their green icons flared one by one before flashing out of existence as the red ring continued to close in.

“Can you identify the vessels now?” Rin’tuk demanded as the crew began scurrying about readying their ship for battle. The scanning officer fiddled with their controls for a moment then nodded. “We have a visual coming in from our scouting party omega eight.”

The holographic display altered to show a live feed from the far out scouting party and the crew got their first look at the impending doom to soon befall them.

It was a fleet of sleek metal ships shaped like swords slowly carving their way through space. They varied in size from some being roughly frigate size to several massive vessels at the center of the fleet that looked more akin to cities in size then any space craft Rin’tuk had ever seen before.

Xulien looked up finally as his rage subsided and saw the images on the holo display. While others were focused on the size and numbers of the fleet, the warlord found himself focusing on the prow of the leading ship.

Plastered on the front of the vessel was an image he had seen much of in the final days of his latest conquest. A blue and green globe surrounded by a wreath of golden leaves. The flag of humanity….

[yanderes-galore]

Yeah, sure! Sorry this took so long, TMNT requests have been hard to put out right now. Aged up as usual. Using my prompts.

This ended up being some sort of Serial Killer AU! Leonardo? I wanted to write something more twisted, so.... My scenarios were lacking a bit of murder.

Yandere! Leonardo (2012) Prompts 4, 12, 14

Pairing: Romantic

"My heart belongs to you, I'll adore anything you do to it."

"You were never meant to see that! Oh, what have I done...."

"It's too dangerous in the world. You need me, you should know that!"

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Murder, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Obsession, Overprotective behavior, Delusional behavior, Forced kiss, Forced relationship

Leonardo only ever wanted to protect those he loves. He's the most mature of his brothers, always has been. He's a leader... he's meant to be perfect in everything he does.

In reality, he isn't perfect. He knows this... and it's something he works to fix. Leo feels he has to do whatever he can to protect the people.

Which is why when it comes to you, he learns something else.

Morality is subjective... as long as he keeps you safe then he's happy.

He knows his brothers and Splinter would call him dishonorable for even thinking such a thing. Stalking your every move from the shadows is creepy. Even suggesting murder to take down those he feels are threats around you is no better than his enemy, Shredder.

Leonardo used to be so obsessive over honor and doing the right thing. Really, what is the right thing? It depends on the person.

Leo used to be so ashamed when he first... killed someone. He had seen them plotting against you, he knew they were going to hurt you. In an attempt to protect you... he had tracked them down. It wasn't meant to end in their death... both he and them both panicked!

Although... the fact he got away with it?

It convinced him that this was an okay way to keep you safe.

Leo then kept his pattern going. He'd stalk you late at night when you weren't around him. Then, when he felt he had to, he was comfortable with using his swords to cause fatal damage.

Murder no longer felt taboo to him. Now it felt like a necessary step to take to keep the one he loves most safe. The others may not agree...

But he isn't like them anymore.

He's a monster of his own breed now.

Blood coating his skin washed off in water. Their corpses were easy to pin the blame on another party or hide. Leonardo wasn't a heroic mutant anymore...

He was a serial killer.

When you caught him, only then did he think of his actions. Even then, it was brief. He's accepted what he is....

"You were never meant to see that! Oh, what have I done...."

At first he exhibited genuine concern. His pattern is disrupted and now you know what he does. However, you don't know why he does it....

So, he explains it.

He explains that the reason he's covered in blood, standing over a corpse, is all because of you.

You make him go insane.

Your fear was expected. He also knew all he's done for the past few months would be meaningless if he didn't do something with you now. Which is what made Leo take you with him.

Bringing you home would cause suspicion. You were still kept in the sewer but he made a hideout where only you and him may reside. Leonardo wasn't even your friend anymore.

Whenever you looked at him... you saw a few things;

A murderer...

A monster...

Your kidnapper....

Leonardo was a very dedicated killer, however.

"It's too dangerous in the world. You need me, you should know that!"

His mind still fixates in your safety. He's so delusional that he preaches about keeping you under his care. He acts like his company provides your warmth and love.

It doesn't.

It never will after what he's done.

"I... I only killed all those people to keep you safe!"

"They were my friends!"

"You don't know that!"

"You didn't know that they were enemies, either!"

Leonardo cleans off his swords, tossing them aside.

"Maybe not..." He admits before looking at you. "But I am the only one you can trust in such a... dirtied world."

"Really? If this world really is as bad as you make it sound... you're the most rotten one within it."

Leonardo narrows his eyes before laughing. His laugh is empty of joy... like you broke him. Then he turns fully to you and walks towards you.

"My heart belongs to you, I'll adore anything you do to it."

He cups your face despite your struggling. His grin is filled with delusional joy. He's just happy to have you in his arms no matter the circumstances.

"Even if you want to insult my heart and say I'm wrong... I don't mind. I want to hear you talk, I want your attention on me. I may be a killer... my swords coated in the blood of many..."

He leans closer, squishing your face.

"But my heart beats for you and you alone. Nothing will take you away from me...."

He kisses you softly before pulling away. You recoil in disgust but Leo holds your head still. He looks so out of it and mumbles something under his breath, yet you catch it barely.

"Nothing in this world can harm you if I'm the biggest threat...."

[jamesunderwater]

Tidbits:

you can call me james or jamie. trans, autistic, adhd, witch, writer.

multi-fandom blog run by a multi-shipper. my main fandoms are: avatar the last airbender, legend of korra, marauder's era harry potter, doctor who, she-ra and the princesses of power, percy jackson, & bbc merlin

i do write and post smut, just as a content warning. minors be warned.

don't put up with transphobia/terf/transmed shit, racism, antisemitism, ableism, sexism, and the like.

itsjamespotter on ao3

**for anyone triggered by harry potter content, i try to tag all harry potter related posts with #hp, so you can block that tag**

Tumblr Fic Tags:

Jily

Prongsfoot

Dorlene

Smut

AO3 Highlighted Fics

Dead to Me [playlist] [tag] - 91,625 words - jily, angst, hurt/comfort

I saw a quote once that said: "How many times have I loved a thing, just because you loved it? Including me." This story is about love, but is not to be confused with a love story. It's about the love we should have had. The love we don't think we deserve. The crooked love we settle for. It is about how, in letting others love us, we learn to love ourselves.

Call and Response - 6,685 words - first war, hurt/comfort, minor jily

A series of vignettes showcasing how, despite his own personal tragedies, James Potter never fails to show up for the ones he loves – which might be his greatest strength and his greatest weakness. Set in a world where James and Lily never got together in school, the Marauders, now twenty, are fighting in the Order at the height of the war. Consider this my love letter to James “would have died rather than betray his friends,” “would have regarded it the height of dishonor to mistrust his friends,” “until the very end” Potter.

Risky Behaviour - 997 words - canon jily awkward smut

Lily is determined not to get distracted during rounds again. Written for @jilymicrofics Mystery Microfic May Prompt 27: Risk banner by @eastwindmlk! <3

The Couch Chronicles - 3,118 words - canon jilypad fluff

written for the lovely @annabtg as part of @jilymicrofics's 2024 Jily Gift Exchange, and inspired by this fanart.

Jily Microfics, Feb 2024: An Academic Rivals Montage - 6,550 words - canon-compliant Jily, pre-relationship

Witness as James comes to terms with all of Lily Evans's levels, and Lily comes to terms with what is most likely not a heart murmur.

Bring Your Kid to Work Day(s Never End When Your Godfather is Sirius Black) - 2,012 words - good godfather sirius black

Written for Good Godfather Sirius Black Fest. Day 11, prompt: bring your kid to work day.

Just This Once - 6,196 words - jily, muggle au, gratuitous smut

When they were teenagers, James Potter promised his best friend, Sirius Black, that he would never, ever touch his sister. Lily Evans promised herself long ago that she would never, ever give into her feelings for her brother's best friend. But maybe…just this once?

Completed Fics August '23 - Present

Jily: An Unexpected Ally - 910 words - canon-divergent trans James Potter, cw: transphobia

When James gets outed as trans by Snape, everyone starts treating him differently. Everyone except Sirius, Remus, and Peter, of course - and, to his surprise...Lily Evans.

Prongsfoot: where you belong - 1,207 words - canon-divergent trans prongsfoot, hurt/comfort(ish)

Sirius is finally moving into the boys' dorm room, where he belongs. Written in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility <3

The Potters/Jily: The Raven-Haired Prince - 1,630 words - Potter family fluff, fix-it fic

He's just a little boy who wants a bedtime story - but no, not like that, and wait, it must include this, and above all, never forget, the prince must be raven-haired. Written for @jilychallenge March Challenge: Fairytales

Jily: Dying Fires - 2,146 words - canon pre-relationship jily, hurt/comfort

In fifth year, James attempts to comfort Lily by a dying fire - but finds this will require restraint on his part in a number of ways.

Dorlene: Promises to Keep - 1,142 words - dorlene; canon first war; angst

Marlene and Dorcas have run out of ways to say goodbye.

Jily: Sweet Seventeen - oneshot - 792 words - canon school years, fluff

James is dating an older woman. She loves snow. He loves... well, it's too soon to say it.

Prongsfoot: here comes a thought - oneshot - 634 words - psychiatric unit AU

sirius is just one of those kids you can't fix. no one has ever thought otherwise. until james potter.

Jily: you are my heaven - oneshot - 1,815 words - soulmates AU, jily reincarnated

What, you thought all they got was a few years together? this is for anyone who has watched what dreams may come (1998) and it's a wonderful life (1946) and is also a pisces. 'cause you get it.

Jily: Happy Holiday, You Filthy Potters - oneshot - 6,098 words - fix it fic, jily never died AU, married smut

"jily christmas family fluff!" but with sex on the stairs.

Prongsfoot: "truth is i'm so damn in love with you i don't know what to do with myself" - oneshot - 804 words - canon first war, one bed

prongsfoot + near death experiences + trapped with only one bed + gay pining

Prongsfoot: "you have no idea how long i've been wanting to do that" - oneshot - 1,017 words - muggle AU, transmasc Sirius Black, bathroom smut

prongsfoot + a locked door public bathroom on my knees trying to make you scream vibe

Prongsfoot: not going anywhere - oneshot - 2,341 words - song fic, canon death, grief

when they were boys, james potter made sirius black a promise. and not even death can make james potter break his promises.

Prongsfoot: i don't even know where you end and i begin - oneshot - 482 words - first war, canon death, grief

Remember when we were such fools? And so convinced, and just too cool? I wish I could touch you again. I wish I could still call you, friend. I'd give anything.

Jily: Tall Dark and Glasses - oneshot - 3,292 words - coffee shop AU, fluff

Tall Dark and Glasses (or TDG as he is more affectionately known) is the mysterious, painfully good-looking stranger who has been frequenting Lily's favorite coffee shop for months now. But despite having an embarrassing acronym for him, Lily, a burned out STEM major, is too comfortable being a wallflower to go up to him herself. Thank god for playing cards, I guess.

Prongsfoot: I Only Breathe When You Breathe - oneshot - 643 words - first war, angst, hurt/comfort

Sirius and James and a nearly fatal order mission. Don't worry, it isn't gay at all.

[kazimakuwabara]

Returning Home

Summary: Yusuke sponsors a demon who was once brainwashed by Enma. (one of those stories I would turn into an epic longfic if got the time. So maybe one day?)

***

“You gonna hide in the dark forever?” Yusuke asked, stepping out onto the balcony, his brow raised as he watched Rando, who had been about to jump from said balcony.

Rando stared at Yusuke disdainfully, his nose wrinkling with distaste.

“Of course, you were a demon.”

Yusuke rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, I know Koenma went over it all with you in his office. Don't act so surprised. Look man, I’m your sponsor now, and I’m looking after you. You can’t ditch. Now get in there and mingle with the other demons. I hear you got some family in there waiting to see you again.”

Rando visibly shriveled, clutching the balcony as he snarled, “No. I dishonored them! I dishonored them-”

“You did not! Enma brainwashed you into being a fucking asshole and abusing your powers,” Yusuke said firmly, his eyes narrowed in on Rando’s back.

“I turned away from my family,” Rando snapped.

“Enma was the one who made you do that. He made you into something you’re not and then unleashed you on the human world because he wanted humans and demons to constantly remain in fear of one another. You served some time, but you should hold your head up. You’re a victim just as much as any of the people you hurt and killed.”

Rando shriveled, as if Yusuke's words were a lash upon his back. He leaned forward, as if he would run, but stayed put. He howled his frustrations, “Dammit! Dammit! I don't want to do this!”

Yusuke sighed, “Look, I know it’s hard. But get out there. Your family wants to see you. We’ll take it one day at a time.”

Rando took a hard breath and released the balcony. He turned back towards the waiting room, the light framing Yusuke and blocking out his face. Rando stared into the darkness of Yusuke’s face and he said, “I wanted to kill some of those people I did kill. I wasn't entirely innocent.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Some of those humans I killed, I wanted to do it!”

“I know.”

“...Why forgive me?”

Yusuke stepped closer to Rando, his face understanding in a way Rando wasn’t prepared to see. “Because the first thing you did after you were broken out of Enma’s control was cry as you remembered what you did. And you apologized to Kuwabara as soon as you saw the guy.”

Yusuke poked Rando in the chest, “There’s a nice guy under all that shit. You were just handed a bad lot. But that’s over now. You’re starting over. And I’m not letting you puss out about it.”

And then Yusuke stepped behind Rando and pushed him into the light of the warm room waiting to welcome him back.

[belit0]

 Edo Travel

Based on Junsui's amazing work. They're my favorite TobiIzu artists and all what they create inspires me to write, so here goes and adorable AU!

Pairing: Uchiha Izuna / Senju Tobirama

It was one thing to be summoned from the pure lands to fight a war, wearing his last living moment’s appearance but actually being dead.

It was quite another for his Hiraishin to mix with the Fourth Hokage’s and have Tobirama somehow travel back in time, still in his Edo Tensei form.

He was supposed to fight against the idiot Madara, and now the Senju is clearly stuck in the past.

It is recognizable by the scenery, one painfully familiar and memorized from his early years of life.

Now his mind is quickly trying to conjecture a way back to the present, or whatever that is, as Tobirama reminds himself: he was happily dead before this whole shit show.

Border River is the best place he could have gotten to appear in this time, since no one should spot him so as not to alter the course of events. How things happened for his life to end up being the way it was.

“Senju!”

And there goes the only rule he was bound to follow, acknowledging that voice anywhere, even with his eyes closed.

Tobirama is taking a deep breath before turning around and facing Izuna, when it’s the Uchiha’s sword which slashes his head from behind.

Rude.

Papers flying in the air, a few seconds pass until decapitation is fully reversed, Senju’s head growing back on his shoulders smoothly.

Tobirama exhales audibly as he turns, seeing the youthful face of an Izuna who looks to be in his nineteenth years.

Much younger than when he died under his blade a lifetime ago.

“You’re still the same pompous fool, now aren’t you? Striking from the back is dishonorable even for you, Uchiha.”

Crossing his arms and making use of his superior size, Tobirama feels satisfaction.

They were always equal, struggling to outdo each other but never succeeding. As Izuna now stands there, eyes wide open and an expression of horror for what he has just witnessed, Senju knows he has the upper hand.

His opponent is younger than him, the albino having passed away well into his adulthood. Making a living out of training disrespectful children and molding them into loyal warriors gives him enough patience not to slap the other right there and then.

“But-But… why…! your he-ead! I...!”

“You can’t kill someone who’s already dead, Izuna.”

And there goes again his strategy of not altering past events, as his opponent walks backwards on wobbly legs and falls sitting down when stumbling over a root, his terrified glance fixed on him.

But on second thought, perhaps this is no coincidence. Maybe the best way to defeat Madara is by preventing his pain.

Complicated task when this time’s Tobirama is on the other side of the river, trying to create the Jutsu which will murder Izuna years later.

“Up, brat. You and I will save the world from your demented brother.”

The Uchiha doesn’t really weigh anything; it dawns on the white-haired man as he lifts him up and places him over his shoulder, unable to handle Izuna’s inoperativeness for much longer.

His rival kicks and screams, demanding to be put on the ground and thrusting his sword into Tobirama’s torso. Tons of papers fly into the air until this Senju decides he’s had enough, using his Hiraishin to reach the cave hidden behind the river waterfall.

Only then does the Uchiha fall silent, trying to process how they moved so quickly from one side to the other.

Setting him down with a gentleness this idiot doesn’t deserve, Senju sits opposite him.

“Now you shall listen to me, and you shall listen carefully. I will train you to best me, dodge the blow which will end your wretched life. In return, you will let my younger self live. What became of your brother is something which might mine, and I don’t plan on returning to this awful world to fight Anija.”

Izuna holds his body with both hands on the ground, as if trying to move away from the revived man in front of him.

“What the hell are you talking about, Senju! Aniki is fine he-“

A large hand full of cracks squeezes Uchiha’s cheeks, making his words catch on his tongue. His face still keeps baby features, and Tobirama condemns the day he found his love for teaching.

“Shut up.”

After a long explanation and practical demonstrations to confirm his story, Tobirama gets the brat to believe him, realizing the gravity of the situation.

“How am I supposed to pick up dodging a teleportation technique?! And what the fuck were you thinking coming up with something like that!”

A little more relaxed on account of his Uchiha being on the same tune, this albino leans back against one of the cave walls, safe in the knowledge there won’t be any more flying swords toward his fake body.

“We are to do two things. First, you train your lazy ass to be able of evading and countering any attack. Second, and as much as I dislike setting my mark on an Uchiha, you will have my protection.”

That's how time passes, and Izuna shows up every day at the river cave to train with him.

His Hiraishin seal lies imprinted on the back of the Uchiha's neck, hidden by his hair. Thus, if his rival cannot escape that fatal blade's edge when the day comes, Tobirama can quickly remove him from the scene.

Being a dead man in the living's world is awfully boring, lacking any need to feed himself or go to the bathroom to entertain his head with anything.

When Izuna is gone, hours drag by slowly and tedious, darkness invading his mind as memories from the past come flooding back to him.

If the Jutsu has not been undone and the Edo tensei still stands, it means whatever Madara's plan was; he fulfilled it. Otherwise, that snake man who summoned him along with the others would have already broken the technique, allowing them to rest.

His rival loosens up around him, no longer acting so cautious and gaining confidence with his presence. Izuna is like a light every time his noisy presence pops up in the cave.

He bolts fond of him, angry at his past self for being so ignorant and not appreciating the one who stood in front.

Whose life he took.

Tobirama follows his little Izuna whenever he can't visit him, usually because of encountering an enemy clan to fight.

He convinces himself he is doing it only to protect the future they are trying to shape, but there is no way he can fool himself. He truly cares.

Proud as he watches Izuna strike down enemy after enemy, being much faster than he used to thanks to him, his eyes are always on the lookout in case he has to drag his Uchiha out of battle, making use of his technique to save his life.

The same technique which stole it.

Izuna even spent certain nights with him, escaping from the overprotective Madara to curl up against his assassin and sleep with him, even though Tobirama cannot find his dreams in this state.

With the Uchiha lying on his chest and between his legs, the Senju realizes killing him was the worst mistake of his entire life.

Their fateful meeting finally arrives, the albino being his pupil's shadow as he hides among the trees.

Seeing himself as a young man feels strange, but what makes him enraged is the hatred and anger his eyes project on the person he grew to love.

Such an idiot.

It takes a tremendous effort for him not to show up in the fight and get his Uchiha out of there when young Tobirama uses the damn Jutsu.

But a big smile of pride adorns his features when his rival smoothly sidesteps him, knocking out his attacker with the handle of his sword and placing a foot on his back when he falls to the ground.

"Aniki! It's time for you to accept that fucking peace treaty!"

It stunned all the warriors, a triumphant Izuna over his unconscious enemy.

Then a dazzling light falls from the sky, enveloping the revived Tobirama in a flash which sends him ascending into the air.

As the papers composing his body disappear, the corpse used for his summoning is revealed. While setting off for the pure lands, the Senju watches as his Uchiha caresses the hair of his former self lovingly, even as everyone looks at them blankly.

Past was changed, and the future awaiting them will be much better than what they had.

Of that, Tobirama is sure.

[the-black-swan-paracosm]

Avatar story idea

Dark avatar AU

(I desperately want this written. Please use or write. Send me the link)

The boy was attacked by dark spirits and developed an indifferent attitude towards the affairs of the elemental nations.

When he was injured by the spirits, a group of humans came across him, and after discussing it amongst themselves, they left him to die.

He chose to live in seclusion, but his peace is interrupted by those wishing to use him.

His avatar spirit was damaged, but his recovery, although slow, continues with the help of light spirits

-

Jingyi - quiet harmony

Born in earth kingdom, abandoned

-

Think about it; the Avatar says it wants peace, we say we want peace. The Avatar used violence against those who threaten peace; and we use violence against those who threaten the peace we have imposed.

Therefore, Jingyi refuses to participate in the affairs of the elemental nations.

Korra’s connection to the past Avatars was severed, and therein, as was Jingyi’s connection. This gives him more autonomy in his actions of pacifism and abstinence.

-

We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

-

the true strength of humanity is its spirit, which is weakened when it relies on the Avatar to protect it and solve its problems. If humanity is not strong enough to stand alone and must rely on the Avatar perhaps it does not deserve to stand at all.

-

Listen,

The purpose of reincarnation is to fulfil the previous incarnation's life task. (Aang was left to end the 100 year war, Korra was left to bring back Airbenders)

The institution of reincarnation of the Avatar has been in existence for several hundred years. The previous Avatar herself was found and recognised following rituals and conventions, and her succession was approved by the then White Lotus organization. Therefore, the reincarnation must comply with Elemental nations and kingdom laws and regulations, follow rituals and historic conventions.

Therefore, this current incarnation must fulfill something Korra left behind. They must also be recognized by the White Lotus organization, which has become somewhat of a religious order.

I have no clue what Jingyi’s avatar reincarnation goal should be. Probably something spirit world related. Maybe closing the spirit worlds because of Man’s advancing technology?

-

Possible dialogue:

“I think about the loneliness Aang and Katara must have felt being respectively the last Airbender and the last waterbender of the Southern water tribe. I think about the dishonor Sokka must have felt being the only man left behind in his tribe. I think about Toph’s strength as she pioneered new fields of earthbending out of desperate necessity. I think about Zuko’s grotesque public humiliation at the hands of his father for speaking out about the value of lives and the refusal to fight one’s father.

What I also think about is how selfish Aang was for jeopardizing lives under the guise of pacifism when history proves he fought and used violence. I think about how Katara put her tribe at risk with her incessant need to practice water bending. I think about how Sokka abandoned his responsibility to his tribe as the only man to “help” the Avatar. I think about how Toph must have been so frustrated at her parents for limiting her knowledge on bending because they assumed she was dependent on them. How a lot of people must have assumed she wouldn’t succeed as much as an able-bodied person. I try not to think about any of those things for too long because it makes me mad.”

-

(Since Avatar Korra, the kingdom and nations have advanced further with technology and more Airbenders populate the world. Since Asami took over her father’s company, technology has advanced and progressed along with Veric’s help and genius.)

Modern world had a tech-boom. So reliance on benders has lessened.

[howaboutthisblr]

I agree with so much of this.

Batman is Bruce’s hope, but it’s also his misery. So much of Batman is him wrapping himself up in his pain and refusing to move on for the better and worse of himself and everyone around him. Him actually setting his demons down rather than grasping onto them stubbornly would be the ideal way for him to give up the mantle that isn’t because he died.

Batman ending with Bruce should be seen as a good thing in my opinion, because it means no one else had to carry their traumas the same way he did. That they don’t have to continue the cowl because the work Bruce put into the city made things better has been realized. The world is in a place that it doesn’t need the familiar grim hero of Gotham, and that it’s finally time for someone new to help Gotham in this new area of hope and prosperity. It means that Bruce succeeded in saving the spirit of the little boy who never left that alley that day, and he can finally rest like his body wants him to. His legacy lives on in the citizens and the people who just wish to help - the cowl has never been the only way to do that, as Robin has long showed.

The world a hero should wish for is a world where they are no longer necessary, after all. One too boring to really necessitate them in costume on the regular, if at all.

Nightwing is Dick Grayson’s expression of freedom and the will to do good that he originally birthed in Robin. He may have worn the cowl well, but doing so is not good for Dick. I hate it when people talk about him keeping the name permanently, because being Batman isn’t good for Dick’s spirit, and that’s an awful thing to do to the man. He did a great job in it because he’s a fantastic hero who will always do good where he can, and because he loves and understands Bruce as a person in a way few others did. It’d be weirder if he was bad at it, and he didn’t want to dishonor Bruce by doing it poorly, either.

He took it up in extreme circumstances, in a world that wasn’t really ready to let Batman go, including himself. It was also temporary, thank god. Something in Dick has to die to really become Batman, and I think that’s such a cruel punishment to who he is as a person. Bruce has also shown similar dislike for Dick or anyone else carrying the name for similar reasons, too. He sees Dick as better than what Batman could ever be, so let’s honor them both by not giving it to him in what should be “good” futures.

That’s the only time that anyone else should seriously carry the mantle. Sudden, extreme (and temporary) circumstances and apocalypses.

That’s also the few times Damian should ever wear it, too. Your post encapsulates so much of why I hate him wearing it. Just because he wants it (read: feels like he needs it - not really the same thing), doesn’t mean it’d be good for him. If he ever has to wear it, it should be something he does later in life than even Bruce did (like in his 30s), and after years of wearing a title unique to himself that allowed him to evolve into his best self - his own “Nightwing” title. A title that isn’t built on carrying on a legacy, something just for him and him alone. That new grey suit of his could have been perfect for that rather than making it so he and Tim could wear the same name. By then, he’d hopefully grown past the point of stressing about legacy like he used to, but if he’s wearing it in his 30s in a decent future, it’d be because the writing was too lazy to let it go so they made Batman too ineffective to truly retire in Gotham, and kept for money reasons more than anything else.

Honestly, the Robins need their own “Nightwing” title, not to continue Batman instead.

Tim does well as Robin, but he shouldn’t wear it forever. If he’s gonna continue the vigilante life, we can revisit the Red Robin thing again, and maybe have him evolve into making his own legacy under happier circumstances now. We really should be enjoying his “Nightwing” era by now, but we aren’t.

Jason created his best version of his “Nightwing” in Red Hood, and while that’s wrapped up in his own tragedy and legacy born from someone else, he’s still created his own unique freedom in it, his own unique traumas and needs. It’s a good blend sometimes of being about feeling stuck in his own traumas like Batman and needing space to evolve and grow for his own sake like Nightwing.

Best future for him is for Gotham to evolve into not needing him as much of a crime boss anymore to the point he can hang up the vigilante life for a simpler mundane one. Maybe he becomes a simpler, unnamed vigilante in more peaceful times, or he actually retires the life for good. He feels like he would really enjoy that if he didn’t feel like Gotham needed him as something else instead.

There’s a lot more to be said for Stephanie in the Robin mantle than there ever could be with the Batman one. She’s too different a force for that version of the Bat to ever suit her to the point it just feels too alien a concept. It’s so unnatural on her that she’s more of a natural antithesis to it than a serious candidate

Cass being a different version of the Bat without actually being him fits so well. She doesn’t do team dynamics like him, either, and I forgot that it’d be a point of contention in his cowl, especially with how his decisions just wouldn’t sit right in her spirit. Cass can be a “loner” in a way Bruce’s Batman wouldn’t really vibe, and a lot of it has to do with how different their flavors of hope are. Bruce would spiral into a terrible sense of self without his interpersonal relationships in costume, and it’s something Cass doesn’t struggle with the same way.

Duke, with what little I know of him, as also a good example of Batman’s legacy living on by evolving away from the pattern of the first and best examples of that in the Robins and Batgirls by creating Signal. He’s bold and open operating in the light of day where Batman feels he makes the most difference hidden away in the shadows. In future peace times, he’s also in one of the best positions to transition into a simpler “friendly neighborhood hero” that helps get cats out of trees rather than apprehending another deadly rogue every week. He’s _Gotham’s_ hope evolved away from operating in the dark, and let’s just take that as a more hopeful sign than getting into why even more vigilantes being necessary can make Batman feel like an Ouroborous. At least he takes up the unique spot of day shift because there’s no way that Gotham didn’t need that kind of help before, we’re just openly m addressing it now.

I like how Babs didn’t even need to be brought up. It’s a big no, and not just because of the related mobility discussions around it. She operates best out of the pressures of his legacy but in conjunction _with_ it as her own independent agent. She’s inspired by the Bat, but has never needed to rely on being so similar and dependent in quite the same way a Robin had.

I haven’t seen Batman Beyond yet, but Terry being a very different Batman while still feeling natural in the name is the next best bet in a word that didn’t let him truly retire. He’s a very different person, but him wearing it doesn’t seem to stifle him under the unique combination of their traumas and Bruce’s the same way it does Dick & Damian, and that’s a huge improvement, if nothing else. It’s still weirdly personal, but more removed if only because he didn’t closely grow up with Bruce as he watched him wear it.

Controversial opinion #678:

The mantle of Batman should not be passed on but instead die with Bruce Wayne.

I mean, who should it go to? Nightwing is who Dick Grayson is, and a completely different brand from Batman. He has the kind of trust and respect as a leader within the superhero community that Batman just doesn't. He should lead the JLA one day as Nightwing. It's insulting to him to think that the Batman mantle is a promotion. Few other people can carry the name of Batman but no one else is worthy of Nightwing.

Jason? The day he wears the Bat's cowl is the day he loses everything that makes him Jason Todd, whether or not he gives up killing. He's supposed to be a renegade of the mission, a counterbalance in values and methods to the Bat, not become him.

Tim? It would consume him completely. Dick is at his best when he's surrounded by a diverse team of people, but Tim straight up needs it. Preferably outgoing, expressive, extroverted and sunny ones that are as unlike him as possible. Being Batman would make him lose himself inside his own head. The last thing this kid needs is more incentive to be manipulative and self-sacrificing.

Cass is honestly the best contender, not least because the cowl wouldn't weigh her down but emancipate and uplift her. The only reason I don't think she should be Batman is because I personally feel she supercedes Bruce in everything his emblem stands for. She should be The Bat - all the essence of guardianship and protection and terror of the night and none of the (let's face it - manpaining) martyrdom. As for the cerebral and leadership aspects of the Batman mantle, I think Cass would be a good leader when the situation calls for it, but I don't know whether she'd thrive in the role. She's a deeply intuitive and empathetic person; the emotional distance and hard choices for the greater good she'd have to make would eat at her more than it would the others. Doing anything "for the greater good" feels anathema to Cass's nature. Her profound and unfettered compassion is her strongest virtue.

Stephanie–what. No. Lmao. She's Hope at the bottom of Pandora's Box. Never that.

Becoming Batman would be the worst for Damian, because the true actualisation of his character is in freeing himself of his parental mold. He only wants to be Batman to prove himself good enough, to be accepted and chosen and trusted, his existence validated. But that's just chasing a mirage, because those insecurities exist chiefly within himself. If he was Batman they would just be exacerbated, condemned to operate forever in his father's shadow, always trying to live up to the legacy of his blood and a mission he never chose for himself.

I don't follow the reboot comics at all so I don't know much about Duke, but it seems the whole point of him is that he's the one who is expressly not supposed to be Batman. The only one of Gotham's heroes that lives in the light of day, never condemned to the shadows.

More than anything, though, the point of Batman's mission is for his role to become obsolete. If the world still needs a Batman by the time Bruce is forced to hang up his cape, then it means that he's failed.

[crackedmarrow]

Sonali didnt die she was only stuck in-between the realm of the living and the dead. She was at a point of pinpointing all the things she saw that were good and bad and some of the moments like with Alexander being a place of not comfort but understanding yet he felt he was obligated to do what his father and his grandfather did. She was the person who pushed him to be different and to actively seek the life he desired to show him that humans should not be bound to another human due to their skin color or because of their status. Basically saying that just because you have an advantage and the power to do something if it is not something morally good then why do it. Why not put yourself in the place of another being. What if you were not born in to the bloodline you were born in and was one of the many people of the village who had to adjust and had to go without and had to take their talents and use their talents and hobby as a job which eventually drained them and took the excitement out but some of the older people just dealt with it as if it was just life and that was nothing they could do and being poor was actually much better than being a rich aristocrat with a family lineage of murders rapist and anything beyond that everything deemed bad. Alexander didn't see anything wrong with his servants beating on the slaves in the fields where his family would make the profit yet not lay one single hand on the crops. His family did not built the castle he basically lived in. The people who built it were living in huts and houses made of mud or anything. They lived in caves or at the edge of mountain tops. Little to no access to transparent water. Baskets of water collected for the meals and for the washing of the children and the clothes. Resources that were use to dress wounds grow on the very land that him and his family used as a holiday home ( a get away / vacation).

Alexander grew love for Sonali but didn't want to in anyway hinder her love for Kush. He wanted to be her friend he wanted to protect her but he also struggled with people pleasing ( His family and other fellow aristocrats) the need to showcase a woman such as her to the masses knowing that in that time in that current time a woman with a voice was deemed very dishonorable. it's a mans world and a woman's word meant nothing.

She could lose her life voicing what she felt. Anyway Kush family wasn't any better because they just simple wanted to be with someone that could not only control but they used his potential partnership to his cousin by marriage to be his wife who was a friend of Sonali ( Kagal) she looked out for them because she knows. The fact the family didn't think that maybe Kagal could of did something more fruitful by marry the English man that she went with that day because she actually liked him and no one knows what the hell those two did or still doing. I could only imagine the tension between them all in the ball. The other thing is Alexander actually likes someone else but that's what you will see when they are at the ball. When his grandfather sees him dancing with not Sonali but with another woman but the woman does not come from a wealthy background she comes from the equivalent of a modern day middle class person. However you know the upper echelons don't care for love it's more about obligation and maintaining the wealth

[stefania22lilium-twine]

20231014

Dear Journal,

where may I begin?

I am not sure the things weighing heavy in my heart are things one is allowed to express.

Still, perhaps, I should attempt to as often as I can, because perhaps despite our selfish programming, we as a species of human beings may be able to rise a little higher to become a little bit brighter. If one becomes more selfless in their deeds, perhaps this can truly reflect in the world, and we may all be motivated to always keep burning the flames of positivity, passing it on, while being taken care of in our deepest needs.

Certainly, we could all benefit from the fruits grown in places of the sun, and from the leafy greens from places of ice. Everything in between as well could be saved if it means of value to us. How exceedingly difficult to achieve, but perhaps it is possible.

I often wonder if in Asia the language allows to discourse of the difficult topics faced in the U.S.A. I wonder if English in Asia would help as much as it has here in the U.S.A. where I am currently residing and was born in. My homeplace of birth! The social advancements regarding gender and race here are nearly worth all the troubles, though it seems stifled by its inability to grow further maybe due to restriction of nutrition. Perhaps the country takes advantage also of other regions of our globe (is it truly a sphere? Amazing!), and yet the regions who suffer and pour their help to our land need great help. Yet we need help here too. As someone whose parents both come from Korea and met in California, someone who was not able to grow up in Cupertino like all the other Korean kids from my church I used to go to until 14 years of age shortly after I went through some hard challenges, I feel I struggle with being faced with classism and racism, even from other folks of Asian heritage beyond Korea, and I have to admit I am ashamed I still often find my self also being quite racist, though maybe in general we all feel a natural disdain or fear of any and all human beings deemed other than the self. Perhaps it is all part of the plan, and a survival mechanism simply revering and hailing the information and culture we were raised surrounded in. Perhaps it is just us respecting the particular spirit of the Earth and Oceans we come from. Perhaps, it is indeed natural for us to war, as the cab driver who took me back home from the therapist and psychiatrist's clinic had said when i asked him what are his thoughts on why the globe cannot unite. Different ideas, he said, we have. Do we follow survival of the fittest, even if it means summoning our unborn children into a wretched, wicked, unclean world? Or can we put aside our ego and differences and somehow come up in repowerment and prosperity together?

I feel all of me and my concerns and actions are useless and futile, and I often contemplate suicide because no matter how i try, there is someone who is bound to either become upset or disapprove of my actions with due justice, or outright I just dishonor someone or a force that has aided and guided me along. I pray love and light, God and Cosmos His or Her or their Universe be with me in mind, body, and most of all soul, and that all can continue to be protected.

Thank you for listening, dear Journal! And I pray you do not mind i write you again soon as I can.

Kindest regards,

S.S.

[mask131]

Fantasy authors I WILL NOT buy: Orson Scott Card

Or of the full title of this series: Fantasy authors I WILL NOT buy - I will maybe read them at my local library, because this is what libraries are for, allowing us to read books we don't want at home or authors we do not want to support, but I won't take any copy from a bookshop (unless it is one of those third-hand thrift bookshops)

I know that Orson Scott Card is one of these "great authors" that was heavily praised and talked about until very recently. He notably left a deep mark in science-fiction, but I heard about him due to the presence of his works among some of the "classics" of fantasy. Given he received numerous awards for it, keeps appearing in reference lists and everybody talks about his works, I'll probably take a look at it one day to understand what the fuss is about - and being a bad person doesn't prevent one from being a good writer, so maybe I will end up praising his books even though I dislike the man! But I will certainly never spend my money on his books, at least in any way that would be significant (aka - not from first-hand bookshops).

For one of two reasons.

He is an unapologetic and assumed, public homophobe. This is no secret and this is why Card has come under controversy these recent years. He is officially agains gay marriage and the legalization of gay unions, and he supports anti-gay couple laws. He refuses and condemns the criminalization of the homosexual acts and of homosexuality itself (thanks the gods!), but he considers that if a government streats treating homosexual couples the same way heterosexual couples are treated, "the heterosexual will rebel against the government and destroy it to preserve the sanctity of marriage". He doesn't support the systematic use of anti-homosexuality laws - but he does advise people to use it sparingly, but to send a "strong message" to homosexuals to make them understand they're somehow "violating" society. And of course, he puts in doubt the idea that homosexuality is something we are born with - he is one of these believers of "environment causes homosexuality - especially abuse". I think this is clear enough why I won't support the guy.

This is not as bad as the reason above, but the second reason explains why he is such a proud homophobe - he is a fervent, devout and proud Mormon. Even was a Mormon missionary in his younger years. And I do not like Mormons. For a long time I didn't have any interest or care for Mormons, and I thought of it basically as much as I think about any other little religion current like that... But then I discovered the whole "baptism of the dead " things. How Mormons literaly take over archives just so they can baptize people without they knowing, against their will, so that they would join the Mormon Church that they want it or not - how they go as far as to baptize dead people. There was a whole scandal at one point when they tried (did they succeed?) to baptize Anne Frank to make her a Mormon post-mortem. I will not back down from this: this is a vile practice, that gives so-called "religious" people the power to somehow ignore and erase a lifetime of personal choices and personal fights in the name of a "greater good" that clearlyexists only in their mind - it is an insidious form of religious tyrany and intolerance that literaly resurrects in its foulest form the "Christian savior" mindset that Catholics and protestants enforced onto the world for so many years, perverting their own rite of baptism by removing one of the key elements of humanity by their own definition, "free will". People fought for their religion, people died for their religion, people battled for their religion - and that you accept it or not, no matter what they picked, it is their religion. When they're dead, deciding the religion they chose or dedicated themselves to or sacrificed themselves for is not the one they should be remembered as a part of is not just dishonoring the dead - it is insulting them, pissing on their grave, showing in bright light how completely cut off from human decency and morals you are, or to be more precise how religiously fanatical you are. Anne Frank, come on!

I have to admit I do not know if Card personally supports the "baptism of the dead" thing, but given he has shown support for all parts of the Mormon practices and hasn't criticized it, I guess he also stands for this miserable practice - which is the main reason why I do not like Mormons as a religious organization.

[thebibliosphere]

In true Telltale “it’s a twist!” that never gets resolved because the company got shut down, the ending of this felt really forced and manipulative. Not the ending with Joker, that was good, but the ending with Alfred.

Spoilers under the cut:

So regardless of how merciful or “good” you make Bruce, Alfred treats you like you’re out there every night kicking puppies and says he’s leaving you because of the monstrous things you’ve done.

He’s got a point with some of the manipulative shit Bruce had to pull while being coerced to work undercover for The Agency, and he also acknowledges that some of the things he encouraged you to do were fucked. But he also straight up blames Bruce for things completely out of your control like Lady Arkham and the Penguin who are arguably villains because of what Thomas Wayne did when he was abusing patients in Arkham, not Bruce.

If you squint, you can say it's because he’s got PTSD, can’t get over his own guilt and he can’t handle watching Bruce return night after night, ever closer to death.

But that doesn't keep it from feeling like his reactions to Bruce’s behavior don’t actually hinge on how you play Bruce. And I went back and checked. You can indeed make Bruce as brutal and lawless as possible. You can be one step away from beating someone to death with a crowbar or you can be as gentle as possible given the circumstances and Alfred still accuses you of being the cause of all Evil in Gotham.

And even if you do give up the mantle of Batman for him, he indicates that he’ll only stay one more night in the manner, which, maybe that’s his way of agreeing to stay and walking back everything he just said without actually rescinding any of it, but it also feels empty.

Idk. It felt like this was meant to be a big moment and maybe if they got a third game, Alfred would come back and save the day because there’s no Batman without Alfred Pennyworth -- not while Alfred still breathes -- but instead it just felt forced and like the outcome didn't fit the journey.

Which is a problem I have with a lot of telltale games. They only ever give you the illusion of choice. It doesn't seem to matter what you actually do -- which is such a huge part of the Batman narrative -- because the ending is always the same. The path is set.

Maybe I’m just spoiled by games like the original Dishonored where your choices affect so much of the world around you, right down to the number of murder rats that spawn in the gutter, that you’ve got real incentive to be as moral or corrupt as you want just to see the different outcomes. But I really dislike games that proclaim to alter and adapt based on your choices, but the outcomes are only surface deep and treat you the same no matter what you did.

Everyone else’s character arc eventually rang true to their origins, even if the game had fun flipping them around for a while. Alfred’s ending felt like a betrayal of that character. Not because he leaves, but because there’s no variation in why.

Like... If you need Alfred to leave on the “good” playthrough because you want to deliver an emotional blow and need to set up tension for the next game, have it be because he can’t stand to watch Bruce killing himself anymore.

Have it be the pleading father figure begging his son to stop the self-destructive crusade he helped put him on. Which we got! But then don’t give him the same dialogue options as if you can’t believe what kind of monster you’ve made when the player has done everything to be as human and compassionate as possible (you can literally get arrested and defend Jim Gordon for doing it!) while still being put into impossible situations.

Idk. It just felt disappointing after how well everything else was written. Maybe they just ran out of money toward the end. But given this is a repeat issue for me with Telltale games, I suspect it's just poor execution. Games that hinge on moral choices should actually reflect the way the player plays.

I played Batman as someone who hugs victims, keeps his cool under pressure, relies on fear tactics instead of physical torture, and comports himself with bare-toothed restraint even as his entire bedrock of self crumbles out from under him.

I shouldn’t be getting angry dialogue that accuses me of beating a man half to death when I purposefully went out of my way to avoid doing just that.

I know it's not the only iteration of the franchise that alludes to the Wayne’s having an unsavory background, but the Batman Telltale games are so fucking funny.

Bruce is straight-up having an existential crisis over his family having connections to the local mob and Alfred just looks at him sideways like, “Bruce, they were billionaires. No one becomes a billionaire honestly.”

And Bruce swallows that comment, runs through all the stages of grief in about ten seconds— inventing some new ones along the way—and you can see his brain making the dial-up noise in the time it takes for the player to pick his response.

And true, you can pick denial, anger, or something else, but in that pause you get a glimpse of the static buzz building behind his eyes.

This man is tired. He just got the shit kicked out of him. He is running on fumes. And you’re telling him everything he’s done, everything he’s achieved as Batman, has potentially been funded by crime???

“I could do it,” the look on his face says, “I could sink into the himbo persona, let it consume me. No one would ever know. I could take a nap. Billionaire playboys take naps...”