#my 5 detailed aus

[vyoleya]

i want it back --> i drag its dead weight forward

one day ill draw a character in a different pose / perspective... one day...

[suncrat]

Meet the Phantom Thieves from my Arcanaswap AU!

[jellyskink]

New York Isn't Weird Enough (PG3)

Ford DESPERATELY needs to be re-socialized. Even before canon divergence, he was around, at most, one other human for years. It’s only gotten worse since

[oneofthosenightbees]

I’ve entered another art block so time for a self indulgent lamb land of the lustrous AU

[fablivious1]

Broppy enchanted au, I have no idea if anyone has done this before but regardless I will make my own version

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 12

PREVIOUS

If there was one thing no one would ever guess about FF it is that he unapologetically LOVES Black Friday.

You may be thinking. Ugh Black Friday. Everyone is so rude and tired. The deals aren’t even that good. It can turn into a blood sport at the drop of a hat over a toaster that is 15% off.

You are correct.

That is why FF loves it.

It is the one shopping day of the year where every single one of his instincts are correct, valid, and useful. He has pulled his gran out of the way of elbow drops, he has avoided the gaze of a woman in PINK sweat pants who was looking for someone to steal a blender from, and he knows without a doubt that the cashier hates him already so there’s no need to worry about whether or not they hate him.

It’s like a breath of fresh air!

Everyone is just as antagonistic and awful as he thinks they are!

Shopping is actually the blood sport he always feels like it is!

So there he is standing in a line at the nearest store (Target) waiting to be let in with the masses who all look ready to stab one another for better positioning for a TV. The jokes on them though because his only goal is the grocery section and he deals with the threat of repeated stabbings for BREAKFAST.

He spots an IHOP in the distance and hopes his gran doesn’t feel too lonely. They’ve gotten buttermilk stacks together at the IHOP by the mall for years after the two of them finished Christmas Shopping.

Someone elbows him in the side to get his spot in line but FF does not really care. Again, he doubts any of these people are going to be racing him to the all purpose flour.

It’s 4 AM and the barricades come down.

There’s a rush of people pushing and shoving but FF just steps to the side and watches as they all rush in. He’d mostly stayed in the line because the throng of people made it easier to stay warm. He had left his jacket back at the house because the five hour energy might be making his skin feel super sensitive but he is pretty sure that if he wore his nylon jacket he would die.

The five hour energy also may be upping his anxiety just a little bit.

He walks into the store at a leisurely pace and while the crowd fights over the carts he grabs one of the baskets. He can feel the eyes of other shoppers all wondering if he has some insider knowledge on a good deal that would only require the basket or if it’s a matter of who gets to the back to receive the ‘redeem’ coupon.

He sees a few shoppers get lured in by his siren call and much like a siren following anything that FF is about to do will undoubtedly lead to their downfall.

But FF doesn’t care about that.

He cares about HIS downfall.

So he makes his way to the grocery section and ignores the six different shopping assistants who try and guide him to where he ‘should’ be shopping and each of them only give him increasingly confused looks when he states his intention to go to the grocery section every single time.

Is it easier to ignore their stares when the five hour energy have set his baseline heart rate to something that might be too fast to register as a heartbeat? Maybe.

It is easier to ignore the confusion on their faces when he can see both the past (he asked for TWO favors from Andrew in one day how is he still alive???) and the future (still malleable at the moment apparently. There’s even a future where Andrew actually just is trying to make overtures of friendship but he dismisses that one as INCREDIBLY unlikely and looks at the far more viable one where Andrew at least makes his death quick while he enjoys his great gran’s brownies.)

It’s good to set reasonable goals for yourself.

So he arrives at the grocery section which is deserted aside from one employee who may or may not be asleep against a shelf. FF looks and….not a shelf he needs so he is not about to wake that poor man up.

So he gets everything he needs for his great gran’s brownies (he’s trying to buy his life here so he is not about to assume he can use ANYTHING in the house), the ingredients for a good breakfast (because he really needs to eat something that is not a five hour energy or sugar for the sake of his poor stomach and he may as well get enough for everyone), and (since Captain Neil mentioned it & he is trying to buy his life here) the ingredients to bake another pie.

While he grabs cinnamon he checks to see if they have grandma’s love in stock but, alas, it continues to be unavailable commercially.

He stares at the whipped cream for so long that the employee asleep in the other aisle woke up and asked if he needed help and, startled, he dropped it in his basket. “No I’m good.” He says before power walking out of the grocery department and deciding to brave the Home Goods section to buy some incense so that he can hopefully channel the spirit of his great gran to assist him in this, the darkest of his baking hours.

He arrives at the check out stations and finds the shortest line .

He can feel eyes on him, inspecting his purchases, judging them, judging him, who the fuck goes grocery shopping during the Black Friday rush?

FF.

FF goes grocery shopping during the Black Friday rush.

The cashier looks for hidden cameras but FF has no such thing accompanying him today or ever (as far as he knows.)

After a moment the cashier must look at the ever growing line and decide that whatever scheme they think FF is up to isn’t worth trying to figure out. They offer a membership card, FF valiantly declines to get one despite the two attempts.

He is out the door with four bags of groceries that all have a target on them that feels a little too correct. It’s 6 AM now (he really did lose a lot of time at the whipped cream section) and he’s walking back to the house in Columbia.

He actually feels a little bit better since he at least got to experience his actual favorite blood sport (sorry Exy) and he even got another 2 five hour energies while he was in the check out line so he could replace some of the ones that he had gone through.

“Smith?”

He would like to thank the combined weight of the groceries for keeping his feet on the ground when he heard Captain Neil’s voice.

He turns and Captain Neil is looking at him wide-eyed in his running gear that Smith has seen him in. “You were shopping??” He asks.

FF nods and lifts up the four bags as evidence. “Why didn’t you pick up your phone?” He asks.

FF almost scoffs but he doesn’t, “You can’t be distracted when you’re in a Target on Black Friday. That’s how you take an elbow to the eye.” He responds because it’s like Captain Neil has never experienced the WWE-like environment of Black Friday shopping.

Captain Neil blinks at him.

“Text Andrew or me next time you’re going to go off into the night or just let us know beforehand. Andrew would have driven you.” Captain Neil says and grabs two of the bags out of FF’s hand. “C’mon let’s get back and maybe you can get some sleep.” Captain Neil sighs.

“I’m fine.” FF adjusts the bags so he has one in each hand.

Captain Neil does not say anything so FF assumes that he has accepted that.

***

FF had not been asleep on the couch when Neil had walked through the living room. Neil, in a move that had Andrew fully waking up, went back to the room to check his phone to see if FF had texted him an update on going out. All that greets Neil is the impersonal series of texts that mostly confirmed when practice times had been changed, when the bus was leaving, and spelling on various Spanish words.

FF isn’t a big text person.

He’s more of an in-person kind of friend.

Neil likes that about him most of the time.

“What.” Andrew asks face still half buried in Neil’s pillow.

“Smith isn’t on the couch.”

That has Andrew getting up despite the early hour and their activities the night before. Neil watches as Andrew grabs his own phone to scroll through but seems to come up with the same lack of communication that Neil does.

Andrew does do the extra step and hit the call button.

But all he gets is the confirmation that the VM has not been configured that has greeted them every time FF misses their calls. (Voicemails make FF anxious so when he got his new phone he just…never configured it.)

Neil knew that FF was not pleased with them and somehow the calm request to either stop fooling around or let him out had hit him and Andrew harder than any of the screaming demands that the two of them were usually met with from Nicky, Kevin, Aaron, or any of the other Foxes.

“You said he wasn’t mad.” Neil says.

“He nodded.” Andrew confirms.

“Maybe he went on a walk?” Neil tries as they come out to the living room. They look at the front door and find that it’s locked but it looks like Aaron’s keys are gone. “He probably is going to come back if he took Aaron’s keys since Aaron wouldn’t be the one he’d be irritated with.” Neil rationalizes.

“He didn’t bring his jacket.” Andrew says looking at the black jacket still on the hook by the door.

“We can go and see if we spot him.” Neil offers.

Andrew nods and Neil heads out first since Andrew is still in his sleeping clothes and will need some time.

Neil had not expected to find FF walking back to the house with groceries for breakfast and the pie that Neil had mentioned hoping they could bake at the house.

“Is this for the pie?” He asks looking down at what was in the bags he was carrying as the walked back to the house. Neil managed to shoot off a quick text letting Andrew know that it was fine, FF just went grocery shopping.

FF just nods, “Got everything but Grandma’s love.” He says.

FF is a nice guy to brave the stores on a morning like this but FF also looks like he hasn’t slept a wink.

“Did you sleep at all last night?” Neil asks.

“I’m fine.” FF repeats.

Neil really is starting to understand his friends’ hatred for the phrase.

They get back to the house and Andrew is sat out in the living room. FF stops and blinks at the sight of him sitting there.

It is a well-known fact that Andrew does not willingly wake up early most days unless he has to. Neil is glad that Andrew has a friend that he’s coming to care about the way Andrew cares about FF.

Andrew gets up and yanks the bags out of FF’s hands. “Go to sleep. Today will be irritating if you’re half-asleep.” He says with a scowl and walks to the kitchen to put away the groceries FF had bought.

FF just looks at where Andrew had gone uncomprehendingly for a few moments and Neil figures he’s just tired. Neil feels guilty that him and Andrew messing around in the car like that had rendered FF unable to sleep and the two of them had agreed last night that from now on when FF is in the car they can talk all they want but hands stay on the wheel and eyes stay on the road.

FF is plopped down on the couch when Andrew and Neil come out of the kitchen after putting away the groceries (“These are the ingredients for brownies.” Andrew had noted as he put away melting chocolate.) and he’s looking through his flashcards again and not sleeping. He hears Andrew make a disgusted noise next to him and the next thing he knows Andrew is smacking the cards out of FF’s hands.

“Go. To. Sleep.” Andrew enunciates.

FF stares at him, then down at the flashcards. “I don’t think I can.” He says which is better than him lying and saying he wasn’t tired even if the truth had Andrew’s mouth stretch into a thin line that meant he was beating himself up for something.

“Try.” Andrew orders. “Just lay down and close your eyes. Nothing will happen to you while you’re sleeping.” He says.

FF blinks but nods turning on the couch and laying down. The blanket is still over on the lazy boy that Neil had set it on the night before and Andrew rolls his eyes before grabbing it and tossing it over FF.

“Thanks.” FF says before closing his eyes.

Neil looks to Andrew who nods and Neil accepts that there’s nothing else to be done for now and heads out on his run.

***

FF can admit that he’s a bit adrift in what Andrew and Captain Neil are doing right now.

He really should go grab another five hour energy because falling asleep IN FRONT of an irritated Andrew Minyard feels like a death sentence but “Nothing will happen to you while you’re sleeping.” And having a blanket thrown over him did not feel like a threat even if he can feel Andrew’s eyes watching him.

FF is tired and when he’s tired he tends to make stupid decisions. So FF lets himself drift off to sleep while the man who was likely going to move him to a secondary location sat and watched.

His dreams are not peaceful.

He’s running, can’t escape, an echo of words he should have considered before letting himself drift off and he knows he’s going to DIE.

He wakes up with a start to the smell of bacon, eggs, and hashed browns with Nicky standing over him. “Hey there sleeping beauty! I made you a plate!” He says and hands FF a plate of breakfast that smiles up at him with a bacon mouth, egg eyes, and hashed brown hair.

FF takes the plate and digs in immediately. He needs his strength.

“Today will be irritating if you’re half-asleep.”

Andrew Minyard was going to hunt him for SPORT.

NEXT

Do your civic duty and: CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY ABOUT MEMES (closed)

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As stated before if you’re up here and I spelled it right but you didn’t get a notification there might be something switched around in your settings that won’t let me tag you properly? (Cheesecookie whatever you did let me actually select you this time)

[ckret2]

oh my god i just realized

sparkly coin is literally an allegory for a fucking bill fictionkin sobs

It's not intended as a fictionkin allegory. It's just a reincarnation story. It just so happens that... y'know... many fictionkin also feel that they're reincarnations. Coincidental similarity.

But like from Mabel's POV she's not going "'wait I think I'm a person that most people know of as only a cartoon character and think isn't real." She's going "wait I think I'm this person that definitely verifiably existed in the same reality as I'm in right now, who I literally met IRL, and everyone I know met him too. And I don't have to just hold onto this belief via faith alone, because I can remember biographical facts about my past life that I can externally verify—and I'm also developing all the crazy magic powers I used to have." Which is very different from the fictionkin experience. Nobody in this reality has to look at their brother and know Bill personally & directly tried to murder him in this lifetime.

But hey, if you personally identify with the plot, more power to you. I'll grant that both experiences have "wait I think I'm actually Bill Cipher" in common. But that wasn't the authorial intent.

[op-dumpstertruck]

“I got you no matter what” EXCUSE ME WHILE I CRY SCREAM THROW UP—

Yesss - if there is one thing Zoro is, above anything else, he's loyal! I haven't drawn much out yet, but I do see him being not exactly perfect with this (he does tumble along, says some insensitive stuff, really doesn't get Sanji for the longest time because they communicate badly) but! When shit hits the fan he is there! And of all the strawhats I think he'd be the most quiet/calm/stalwart support there is. (And Zoro is definitely pro choice, I do see him as someone for whom it's as simple as 'he doesn't want this so it's not gonna happen'.) With alllllll the other things they argue about, this should be a huge fight. But it doesn't happen - not here, and not about that.

[goldfishontheceiling]

guys wake up new nowen AU just dropped /hj

doordash AU

picture this:

march 25th. Owen and his girlfriend Izzy decide to order some good old doordash because why not, and the dasher rings the doorbell, drops off the food, and is about to get into the car when-

GASP

IS THAT NOAH?! OWEN'S CHILDHOOD FRIEND WHO MOVED AWAY!? AT HIS DOORSTEP?!

(ramshackle pilot refrence teehee, GO WATCH IT ITS ON YOUTUBE I LOVE IT)

anyway, Eva grabs the food, Owen stops the dasher/Noah from leaving and asks if it's really him, Noah says some sarcastic remark about how "no, i'm just a stranger with the exact same name, exact same hair, and exact same childhood best friend from 10 years ago," they reunite. but now Noah has to go do another order, so they exchange numbers and Izzy makes a group chat titled "team e-scope."

(nobody questions the group chat name because it's Izzy, she winks at the 4th wall /j)

and all the sudden, Owen starts ordering doordash more, and keeps asking for a certain employee. at this point Owen knows Noah's schedule better then Noah does because he wants to see his little buddy!

but what's this? this is a nowen AU? so why are Owen and Izzy still together?

WELL NOT ANYMORE *hits ozzy with the break up beam*

and during that period of time, between Izzy breaking up with him and his desire to be closer with his childhood best friend, Owen develops a litttttle crush. just a little.

and at the same time, Noah realizes just how much he loves Owen. his smile, his warmth, both physical and personality, the way his touch was slowly helping Noah out of the cold touch starved house he locked himself in. and the more he thinks about it, the emptier his apartment feels.

and Noah develops a littttttle crush. just a little.

they're both scared to love again. Owen doesn't want to build walls, but the other part of him wants that extra protection, even if the construction hurts more then not having them does. Noah doesn't want Owen to put walls up, because he knows from experience (how's Emma doing now?) it's not worth it. he doesn't want to lose him the same way he almost lost himself (does Owen wonder if Izzy's moved on by now the same way Noah wondered?)

but it's okay, because they're working on taking walls down together, one brick at a time.

but right now it's march 25th, so Owen's just going to plan another doordash order. he just reunited with his Noah! surely he works tomorrow too, right?

[tspstuff]

One base, one artist, 4 artstyles or something

[alynnl]

I'm only in the beginning of Ace Attorney case 6-5, and I've already imagined a possible way for the last chapter/case to go. I will go ahead and call this an AU because canon never tends to go exactly as I picture it in my head but, here goes.

The notes for my Spirit of Justice AU: Turnabout Absolution!

It all starts when Dhurke kicks off his revolution after somehow obtaining the Founder's Orb.

(To add to that, Maya is safe and there's no hard feelings from Phoenix, he lost to Apollo fair and square.)

Part of the revolution is exposing the rampant corruption of the Ga'ran regime, and just how many innocent people were put to death under the Defense Culpability Act. After Dhurke's agents bring him court records, he and Apollo do extensive fact checking on each case.

Dhurke decides he'll let Apollo hold on to the evidence to keep it safe. Apollo is hopeful that they'll build a case and present it together.

Another part (both personal and important) to Dhurke's revolution is saving Nahyuta from the Queen's influence before it's too late.

Dhurke is able to convince Nahyuta to meet with him because he's finally learned what happened to his late wife - Nahyuta's mother.

The truth is simple: Nahyuta's mother, like many of the other victims, was actually murdered by one of Justice Minister Inga's agents in order to silence those who dared go against the Crown.

Before Dhurke can tell the whole truth (He only gets as far as "Your mother wasn't killed by who you think-") - history repeats itself.

Dhurke and Nahyuta are attacked by one of Inga’s agents. The gunman is unmistakably aiming at Nahyuta.

Dhurke takes a shot to his right shoulder defending his son. He wastes no time and grabs Nahyuta’s arm, trying to flee the scene. Pushing through his injury, Dhurke leads them down the back roads and hidden alleys. He hopes they can reach the safe house where Apollo and Datz are staying.

They don’t quite make it to their destination. Their pursuer catches up to them with backup. There’s a final confrontation. One of the agents shoots Dhurke in a vital spot. He fights back, but he’s unable to stop them from shoving a rifle in the terrified, frozen Nahyuta’s hands and fleeing the scene.

Shortly after, the local, public police arrive at the scene just in time to see Dhurke fall, and Nahyuta with what appears to be a murder weapon in hand. They quickly arrest him.

The next morning, Apollo and Datz learn the bad news. There is little time for mourning, since Nahyuta will need a lawyer.

Apollo refuses to believe Nahyuta is guilty and wants to hear his side of the story. On the way he encounters Phoenix, who offers to help him navigate the Khura'inese courtroom.

Together they go to the detention center. Nahyuta’s demeanor is completely changed, he is despondent and has deep regrets about his father’s death, and how he couldn’t do anything to stop it.

No one will represent him in court, and won't even hear what he has to say. Nahyuta sees this as his divine punishment for all the people he got declared guilty. "Perhaps at least some of them were innocent..."

Apollo gets right to the point, and says he'll defend Nahyuta if no one else will.

Nahyuta outright refuses. He tries to put up his walls, saying he never asked for Apollo's help and this is his business, so both he and Phoenix should just stay out of it.

Apollo doesn't back down.

"Before he was killed, Dhur- ... Dad and I talked, about a lot of things. He told me all his work to change Khura'in wouldn't be complete unless he was able to save you."

Nahyuta is on the verge of tears, but holds them in. "That fool. He wanted to save me so much he died trying..."

Phoenix asks Nahyuta to be honest about what he means by that.

Nahyuta tells the two lawyers everything he remembers from that night.

"I know when Her Benevolence Rayfa performs the Divination seance, I will look as guilty as I appear."

Phoenix thinks the Divination Seance may have a way of proving Nahyuta's innocence, since he's used them as evidence before. With his knowledge, and Apollo's perception, they won't lose.

Nahyuta is actually touched by Apollo and Phoenix's willingness to help him. He warns them that the trial will not be easy, since he has no idea who the prosecution will be. But he agrees to let the two lawyers be his counsel.

Although Apollo has some feelings of grief and sadness, he has to focus on the case. He and Phoenix return to the safe house. There they meet Datz - who is both tearful, but determined to carry out Dhurke's will.

They work through the night putting evidence together and investigating the town for clues. They get little sleep, as the day of the trial looms over them.

The trial starts. Queen Ga'ran herself and Minister of Justice Inga lead the prosecution. Princess Rayfa has to do the Divination Seance, but her steps are reluctant.

As expected the vision incriminates Nahyuta, but Apollo breaks it down gradually.

Apollo's perception works on some witnesses. Phoenix handles those who are in control of their tells by using the Magatama and breaking their psyche locks.

The evidence and testimony start to paint a clear picture for the gallery and the judge. Her Majesty Ga'ran and Minister Inga have been lying, not just about Nahyuta's guilt, but almost every defendant prosecuted under the DC Act.

Even the verdict against the now late Dhurke Sadhmadi was false, since he did not assassinate Queen Amara. Ga'ran convinced Inga to do the deed, so she could be the next to succeed the throne.

There's an outrage that threatens to become a riot. Ga'ran orders her royal guard to subdue the gallery, but they don't move. It turns out, most of them know someone who has been falsely accused under the DC Act. This wasn't justice, but tyranny.

Rayfa is in tears after hearing what both her parents are responsible for. Not just all the innocent people, but even her own aunt, who she adored when she was younger. Although he breaks courtroom etiquette to do so, Nahyuta steps off the defendant's stand to comfort her.

"Your Benevolence, it's true that what we witnessed is evil. But you can be different. Step by step we can change things, together. ... Someone important taught me that. Look around. The people are looking to you now. They want to hear what you have to say."

Rayfa steels herself. She first looks to Apollo and Phoenix, then to Nahyuta, and then the gallery at large.

She begins by formally apologizing for everything her parents have done. That it was their duty as the royal family to uphold the peace granted to them by the Holy Mother, and in many ways, both her mother and father have failed. She promises to do better, to truly earn her name as Benevolent, and that it will start here with Gar'an and Inga serving their penance, and for amnesty to be granted to both the rebels and the guards to begin a path towards true peace.

She humbly asks for Nahyuta to guide her as her regent until she comes of age, and will be crowned as the next Queen of Khura'in. He is equally humbled, but accepts, in the name of The Holy Mother and his new liege.

Before anyone can depart, the judge declares a Not Guilty verdict for Nahyuta Sadhmadhi. There is confetti, cheers and much revelry. Nahyuta can still spot Phoenix and Apollo in the crowd, and smiles briefly at them, before accompanying Rayfa back to the palace.

In the days that followed, there were equal amounts shock at the former Queen's crimes, but hope for what the future will bring. Rayfa's first act is to repeal the DC Act, and with Nahyuta's help, begin reforming the legal system. The Defiant Dragons and the royal soldiers both laid down their arms, instead picking up the tools they'd need to build Khura'in a better future.

Phoenix goes to a phone booth. He gets in touch with Trucy, and tells her he'll be home soon.

On a quiet night, Apollo and Datz take turns visiting Dhurke's shrine, which is right next to the one for his late wife. They tell him how well the trial went, and how Nahyuta has a future now, and they wished he could see it. They leave white lilies, and discover that someone else has already been there to leave flowers before.

It's nearly time for Phoenix and Apollo to go back to their agency, each with a story to tell Trucy and Athena when they get back.

Nahyuta and Rayfa meet them at the airport. They say some brief goodbyes. Apollo promises he will return someday, when he becomes an even better lawyer working in the agency.

Nahyuta looks forward to that, even playfully teasing that they might just meet again in court.

Apollo would be ready and willing to face him when that day comes. And this time, it will not be their lives at stake. Instead they will work together to uncover the truth. In this way they carry on their father's legacy and start building one of their own.

The End

[skitskatdacat63]

For everyone who wanted bullfighter Nando when I mentioned it the other day, here you go :D

+ this one I don't feel like coloring yet(imagine he's in Ferrari colors!!!)

[townslore]

watching the miraculous movie has done irreversible damage to my brain. hands you miraculous shuake au.

[crystalleoi]

i foind fishe :)

[nguyenfinity]

back at it again with @posebean here's their kits [explodes]

[namisweatheria]

A Rough Outline of A Female Character-Focused Punk Hazard/Dressrosa (and on) Rewrite, mostly starring Tashigi but starting with Reiju:

So Reiju sneaks into Punk Hazard wearing Sanji's unused Stealth Black Suit to investigate SMILE fruits under Judge's orders. She goes alone because regular Germa grunts can't handle the hazardous conditions in and around the island and her brothers are you know, busy being soldiers. I think also none of them have the self-control and discernment that she has, so she's the only one who could cut it as a spy.

I'd have to reread the arc to get the details right, but my loose idea is the only people she'd interact with directly is one of the children, perhaps Mocha, and Tashigi, who suspiciously attempts to apprehend her. I think Reiju would pretty easily talk her way out of that, and have fun flirtatiously teasing her and getting her riled up. She'd be utterly calm and unbothered when Tashigi brandishes a sword at her neck, so despite only knowing her briefly it would still be shocking for Tashigi to witness Reiju's cool composure momentary crack when together they uncover the forced genetic experimentation on the children. (Something Reiju obviously has a personal stake in.)

When Reiju pulls herself back together a moment later, pushing down her feelings and putting the uncaring mask back on, pretending her face never betrayed her and there was nothing special or particularly upsetting about the situation, Tashigi would be outraged at her pretend apathy. But the best part is that after her initial shocked angry yelling, she'd remember the brief horrified expression, the flash of anger in her eyes coolly put away, and decide her apathy is all fake and call her the fuck out.

Reiju threatens to prove her own sadism, moving toward one of the oblivious children menacingly, before suddenly feeling the lack of Germa's judgement on her. The closed doors, the lack of cameras. Just Tashigi's eyes burning into hers. She falters and pulls back. Before pushing away from the group, ignoring them, and going back to trying to find an exit. She doesn't make herself invisible again yet though. Having someone suspect her as not the cruel mercenary she pretends to be is very dangerous, but doesn't want those eyes, that have yet to fill with hatred, off of her yet. It's a new and rare sensation to be regarded so clearly and she allows herself to feel it for just awhile longer, far away from Germa, in an isolated lab.

We never see the process of Tashigi joining Sword, a part of The Navy that isn't obligated to follow all orders. However, I imagine her dissatisfaction with the bulk of The Navy began when it was The Strawhats, not them, who freed Alabasta from a World Government sanctioned tyrant. She still works with Smoker, still respects him, so she hasn't needed to move elsewhere yet. But in Punk Hazard, his continual disrespect of her grates. It makes it much more difficult for her to deal with the horror that once again innocent people were harmed at the WG's behest, and once again saved by pirates instead of The Navy. The undeniable evidence in front of her in the form of kidnapped, drug-addicted children in a cold lab makes being berated for being clumsy and stupid by her equally culpable boss just unbearable.

Maybe there's a moment where Mocha comforts a younger blonde boy and Reiju allows some of her pain to slip through as she watches them. Maybe Tashigi tries to give her a hand of comfort, and Reiju briefly leans into it before pulling away and brushing her off. Maybe when she says goodbye to Tashigi and good luck on her journey to bring the kids back home she's the most genuine and open she's been the whole time and the light in her face is breathtaking. Maybe Tashigi thinks about her often afterwards, wondering why she was the way she was, wondering what's trapping her.

It turns out that many of the children were kidnapped from Dressrosa, as they didn't have any family (apparently) to miss them. Tashigi brings them last, and immediately notices there is something terribly amiss when she brings them to their empty homes and they have no explanation or distress for the evidence that once there were caring adults who lived here, a long time ago. Perhaps her investigation lands her in the gladiator pit, where she meets Viola. I think being branded as a criminal "despite doing nothing wrong" would not immediately upend her black-and-white thinking, as neither did a single day with the clearly tortured Reiju, but combined, with now witnessing two major failures of The Navy made up for by kindness of The Strawhats, Tashigi would start to have some major internal conflict at this point.

Viola, meanwhile, is in the gladiator pit because her guilt drives her to self-punishment, and her desire to save Rebecca, (Becca 5, in this au, as I think Rebecca and Baby 5 would be more narratively effective and less stereotypical if they were collapsed into one character that explores the oppression of the country and the oppression of Doffy's family simultaneously) drives her to try to get stronger. Like other open rebellions by Doffy Family members this is amusedly tolerated and never taken seriously.

I think Viola and Tashigi would have an extremely emotionally charged battle, arguing while physically clashing, Viola taunting Tashigi for not being able to understand the situation she is in, for being just another Marine who only knows how to think like a Marine, for thinking of herself as a hero while being part of the same Navy that has repeatedly failed to save the people of her country. Tashigi asks her "Save them from what? Save them from you?" And Viola is SO ANGRY. "How dare you come in here and blame me for doing the best I can in a terrible situation that you don't know the first thing about?" And Tashigi puts down her sword, making herself defenseless to Viola's incoming lethal strike. She stops. And Tashigi apologizes. And asks her "What terrible situation? Please tell me about it. Please let me help." And Viola wavers, saying "I can't accept help from The Marines." And Tashigi says "Then let me help as Tashigi, someone cares about the children that were kidnapped from this country, and is trying to bring them back to their homes."

AAANND that's how Koala and Nami get involved! Nami, watching the fight, is alarmed to find out that the children from Punk Hazard are here and still in danger. She decides Tashigi needs help and runs down to her. Koala, also watching the fight, is 1) bored of waiting around for Sabo and 2) very interested to see anyone rebel against The Marines.

This is the part where I can't make up any more details without accidentally overwriting things that I don't even remember that might be worth working in, but I can't stop, so basically: I want the four of them to pursue their own side objective in the course of the larger overall goal, and in doing so have all their dynamics and parallels explored.

Nami recognizing her past self in Viola being forced to work for the destroyer of her family, being angry at her for giving up and just as easily supporting her and encouraging her when she decides to fight back directly. Unfortunately The Strawhats all seem to be allergic to sharing their own backstories, except Usopp, (love u storytelling king❤️), so it would be hard for Nami and Koala to realize what they have in common. BUT GOD I WANT IT SOOO BAAAAD. Perhaps Viola talks shit about all the warlords and includes Jinbei, and both Nami and Koala angrily jump to defend him. I think Koala would share her connection with The Sun Pirates more easily, as someone who wants to improve the reputation of Fishmen overall. That's when Nami is like oh my god you're Koala!!!! Jinbei told us about you!!!! And they talk about it very joyfully.

I think probably Nami would ask her what happened to her and what is she doing these days and Koala just straight up tells her LOL. In front of Tashigi, known Marine, and everything. I know Koala is SMART enough to be evasive but I do think that her brashness and urge To Bother is big enough that she'd do it anyways. Like Oh Tashigi does that make you uncomfortable? :) Don't worry I'm not going to try to kill you if you don't try to kill me :) Haha!

Meanwhile Tashigi is already having her assumptions challenged in a Big Way as someone who was DEFINITELY taught to fear Fishmen as a Navy Soldier so then hearing that Koala is part of the REV ARMY just basically overloads her system. Nami and Viola are laughing and giggling and the atmosphere is so light and they've already been allied and fought together for awhile so Tashigi feels fucking crazy. Like ok this might as well happen. I don't know fuck all actually. Is the sky blue? If I look up will the sky still be blue? I don't even care anymore OK. Like. OKAY!

She is too dazed to even protest more than very weakly and totally unheard as they simply Move On! Okay that was fun let's go back to planning Doffy's downfall haha!

So I imagine they do two tag team battles, Tashigi and Viola vs. Some Doffy Family Fuckhead, which is fun because they get to bring everything they learned about each other's moves from fighting against each other in the beginning to fighting TOGETHER in a very satisfying way. And Nami and Koala vs. Some Other Doffy Family Fuckhead which is fun because I think Koala is smart enough to keep up with Nami's weather tricks and I think they would simply have a blast together. They're laughing and winking at each other from across the battlefield while beating some poor man to a pulp.

I think before Tashigi and Viola begin their fight they come across Law, and Viola and him immediately Get Into It. Viola angry at Law and Cora for leaving Becca 5 behind, Law having survivor's guilt that he's too angry to process, getting mad at Viola for criticizing Cora even though he wonders why too, feels bad about it too. Getting angry at Viola for not doing anything herself, for letting Becca 5 be clueless all these years. I imagine the two of them, Law and Becca 5, as the only children in the Doffy Family, would have a much closer and more important relationship than depicted in canon. If he's not just trying to avenge Cora, but also free someone he sees as an abandoned sister, I think that could be very tragic and compelling.

And Viola breaks down first, because she knows she didn't tell Becca 5 because she was too afraid to cross Doffy in a way that would get herself killed, and she begs him to leave saving Becca 5 to her, that she's finally strong enough to do it. When he agrees and entrusts the task to her she cries more with the meaning of that trust, before heading off with determination. (In a very typical One Piece fashion.)

But when Tashigi and Viola win their fight, and they're weak and battered and bloody, and finally able to go find Becca 5 and tell her the truth, that's when Becca 5 shows up. And before Viola can begin to explain, she sees the beaten body of the other Doffy Family Member and attacks in rage. There's no way they could win this fight, both of them are seriously injured and exhausted. But right as Becca 5 fires her first shot, Usopp succeeds in breaking the spell. And Becca falls to her knees as her memories flood back.

And you know what fuck everything it's her MOTHER actually that was turned into a toy and secretly tried to raise her and protect her. We can sacrifice one father in order to save one mother from joining the ranks of endless dead one piece moms, it's worth it.

And I think this whole experience changes things for Tashigi. She's finally forced to face the fact that her Righteous Navy Officer - Innocent Civilian - Unforgivable Criminal trinary is not an accurate or kind reflection of the world. That if she had acted as an uncompromising Marine she never would have understood and befriended Viola, or Koala, or Nami. She never would have been able to reunite the children with their forgotten families. So when, shortly after this, she finds out about Reiju being a member of Germa, she decides to abandon her post and go find her and free her. And she's able to make more friends along the way that she couldn't have before, notably Pudding, and succeed in convincing Reiju to defect and go out to sea together as two people who want to right the wrongs of their past and make the world a better place. (And maybe fall in love...)

Maybe together they could go to Wano, and Reiju would get to experience helping to free a country while acting on her heart, in defiance of a lifetime of coldly burning them down on her father's orders. She could befriend Hiyori as two women who have held their families' complicated legacies on their backs and had to put up a cruel front to survive. Also there would be more opportunities for Law's fanboy antics, which would be funny.

Tashigi could find her place in a culture that truly values swords and created many of the ones that she chases, could prove herself as an honorable and capable swordswoman to gain acceptance, could befriend O-Kiku, and stay after the battle is won to receive special training, learn more sword related history, and help rebuild.

Maybe later they learn of Pudding being kidnapped and go after her. I don't need them to be in the main Egghead/Elbalf plot, but I am sick of Tashigi having to be in the background of The Navy B plot. And Reiju being relegated to cover stories. They should both be changing the story under their own wills! And meeting and helping women!