#no way Millie Mouse is real
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rockhousejai · 11 days ago
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Another one bc I like making edits :]
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alt + Og
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reverse-the-jellybaby · 6 months ago
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Finally catching up on Doctor Who (I’ve been busy and only watching video essays on YouTube) and I have the following thoughts:
1. I haaaaated Space Babies. I haven’t absolutely hated a Doctor Who episode in a long time and the urge to skip was so real. I don’t know if it was the fact that I’m super childfree and have a low tolerance for content featuring children (especially babies), but this was a slog to get through and the plot was stupid. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate kids, I just can’t stand 45 minutes of our protagonists cooing over them. The spoonfed way the doctor gives us the cliffs notes to the series like the House of Mouse thinks the audience has the attention span of a goldfish is insulting. It made me want to go Ncuti baby I’m so sorry, Millie honey I am SO sorry.
2. I can’t seem to get a read on Fifteen yet and I’m not sure how I feel about how aloof and emotionally distant he is. Like he’s so cheerful and optimistic that I’m convinced there’s something going on under there. I’ve always said I love an aloof Doctor a-la Seventh but I guess it’s early days, he might end up being even more Machiavellian 🤷🏻‍♀️ he’s kinda reminding me of early Eleven without the angry outbursts.
3. The one saving grace of Space Babies was the running gag about the nanny filter, I thought that was really funny.
4. The Devil’s Chord on the other hand was SO camp, and Jinkx Monsoon was nom nom nomming on all that scenery. You can tell she had the time of her life in this role. Please Russell we need more drag queens! Get Tia Kofi in next, she’s a whovian (she literally cosplayed as Eleven and Lisa from Torchwood on Insta)! It was such an interesting idea to explore how intrinsic music is to our world.
5. Loving that Fifteen is the doctor that’s serving fits rather than having one distinctive costume. Makes a nice change.
6. Never thought I’d hear the DOCTOR use the word “babes” frequently but I’m not mad about it, make the neckbeards cry at how queer everything is.
7. Have to say I was expecting the musical number to have an absolutely brutal out of left field twist at the end, but I can’t have everything.
8. I’ve only seen the preview for Boom and my first thought was that scene in Genesis of the Daleks where Harry has to rescue the Doctor when he’s standing on a land mine. Like, I’m not even the first person to make that comparison. But ANOTHER parallel I saw was in The Devil’s Chord - the moment the Doctor brings Ruby back to post apocalyptic 2024 reminded me a lot of when the Doctor did the same with Sarah in Pyramids of Mars. AND THATS NOT EVEN THE ONLY TIME RTD HAS WRITTEN PYRAMIDS OF MARS INTO ONE OF HIS SHOWS! He literally showed whole clips of it in Queer as Folk 😂
9. I caught that sneaky use of the surname “Colasanto” in Space Babies RTD, we love a subtle Miracle Day reference.
10. I fucking loved Ruby bluffing their way into EMI studios rather than the doctor relying on the psychic paper.
That’s about all I have for now, I’m gonna catch up on Boom and 73 Yards possibly today?? I’m actually amazed I’ve managed to dodge spoilers for this long.
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rey-jake-therapist · 1 year ago
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Lost Souls chapter 9
I think maybe I wasn't clear about my last update: I had posted chapter 8, 9 and 10 if my Sweetbitter fic Lost Souls on AO3, but had posted only chapter 8 on Tumblr. Today I post chapter 9 on Tumblr (late in THIS post), and tonight or tomorrow, chapter 10 will be on Tumblr as well!
So, here we have:
Chapter 8 on Tumblr
Chapter 8, 9, and 10 (NSFW ending) on AO3
If you missed the beginning
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SUMMARY CHAPTER 9
Old friends from Cape Cod paid a visit to Jake. They brought their young daughter Emily, Jake's goddaughter, as well as childhood memories, the good and the bad.
Notes: soundtrack: Lou Reed - Perfect Day:) Emily, Jake's goddaughter, is "played" by Millie Bobby Brown :)
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Jake hadn't arranged a meeting with his childhood friend Chris and his daughter Emily just to escape Sasha's chatter. Chris, who still resided in Cape Cod, had brought his family to New York for a weeklong visit, providing Jake with a precious opportunity to catch up with them.
Twelve years ago, when Emily was born, Chris had asked Jake to be her godfather. This decision had stirred up quite a commotion within Chris's family and even between him and his wife, as no one had considered Jake a reliable choice for the role. However, over the years, he had grown genuinely attached to Emily, effectively proving all the skeptics wrong. As he saw his friends from afar, Jake's smile grew larger at the sight of Emily rushing towards him with her arms wide open and the sweet sound of her laughter as he twirled her in the air.
"Ouch," Jake groaned, pretending to struggle, "your dad wasn't joking when he said you're all grown up now! Geez, kiddo, you've gotten heavy!"
"Are you calling me fat?" Emily protested, playfully smacking his arm with her tiny hand.
Jake burst into laughter and reassured her, "Of course not, little mouse. But you're not four anymore, I can't make you fly like I used to!"
After embracing Chris and making a lighthearted remark about the weight Chris had gained since their last meeting, Jake greeted Chris's wife Elena with a kiss on the cheek. He then leaned in close to her ear, speaking loudly enough for Chris to hear, "I told you, you should have picked me!"
Elena arched an eyebrow at Jake's remark, then burst into laughter, teasing him in return.
"For real, your wife seems to be living her best life, I'm so envious! I'd love to be as invisible as her. What's her secret?"
They continued to exchange playful banter as they strolled toward the nearest café. Chris and Elena were polar opposites in many ways: Chris was blond, with wide hazel eyes, short, a bit on the plump side, and the quietest, gentlest man Jake had ever known. In contrast, Elena had short dark hair, piercing green eyes, towered over Chris, and possessed an ambitious, fiery personality. When they'd started dating in high school at the age of sixteen, they looked like such an odd couple that no one expected their relationship to last a month, except for Jake, who had witnessed firsthand just how deeply in love they were despite their differences. Jake thoroughly enjoyed their banter, particularly with Elena, who was never at a loss for words.
However, Emily abruptly interrupted their lighthearted exchange with a pressing question, "Seriously, Jake, why are you alone? Don't you have a girlfriend?"
Jake nonchalantly shrugged and let out a melodramatic sigh, pretending to be lonely and despondent. "What can I say, little mouse? Nobody wants me..."
But Emily, having grown older and wiser, wasn't so easily fooled. She snorted and playfully teased him, "You're making that up. Dad said all the girls wanted you at school; they even did your homework for free!"
"Oh, he said that, huh?" Jake grumbled, side-eyeing his childhood friend.
"All the girls except me!" Elena chimed in with a mischievous smile. "I never did anyone's homework for free, not even your dad's!"
"That's because I did yours, if you recall," Chris retorted, a small smirk on his lips.
"Anyway, I would have never done it for this... this rascal here," Elena added, emphasizing her point with a laugh.
Jake chuckled at Elena's remark. She was telling the absolute truth: from the moment she had laid eyes on Chris, her heart belonged to him alone. Jake had been completely unaware of her feelings for his friend until a tipsy night at a party, where they had ended up making out. Elena had looked at him with a mix of curiosity and embarrassment and confessed,
"I know it's weird because all the girls want to go out with you, but I don't want you! I came here hoping to see your friend Chris, but he didn't show up, and now I want to die!"
Thankfully, Jake, ever the good sport, had talked Elena out of jumping off a bridge and had set up a date for her and Chris. It had turned out that Chris had been secretly in love with her as well, but he hadn't dared to hope she'd feel the same way. He hadn't even confided in Jake because he assumed Jake would laugh at him and pressure him to take a chance – which was precisely what happened.
Emily, with a puzzled expression in her lovely brown eyes, questioned further, "I don't understand. Why have you two been together for so long, while Jake is the same age as you and is still alone?"
Jake whispered, "Well, you see... Your dad was fortunate to find your mom. We don't all have that kind of luck."
Elena, however, intervened with a firm voice, "Jake, stop it. Your dad wasn't just lucky; he let me in. That's why you're still single today. Because you've never let anyone in."
A heavy silence hung in the air. Emily eventually shrugged, finding adults all too complicated, and announced that she wanted to go shopping.
"Great idea! Why don't you ladies go shopping together? Jake and I will have a couple of beers while we wait for you," Chris suggested.
Elena raised an eyebrow and asked, "And what if I want a beer too?"
This time, Chris emerged victorious. While Elena and Emily embarked on their shopping adventure, Jake and Chris ordered a round of beers.
"So, how's business?" Jake inquired, referring to the boat rental agency that Chris had opened five years ago on Cape Cod. Among other services, Chris transported tourists to the middle of the ocean, where they could catch glimpses of dolphins and whales.
"Oh, I didn't tell you the news! I sold it six months ago. Can you believe it? I'm back to being a biology professor," Chris revealed.
"Really? Why?" Jake asked, taken aback. "I thought it was doing well. Did something happen?"
"It was more than just doing well; it became a problem. Don't let Elena know I told you, but we nearly got divorced last year. She and Emily hardly ever saw me. I came home late, was always busy on weekends... Sure, I made money, but I was miserable, and so was Elena. She left me. For a while, I lived alone on my boat, angry and resentful... Can't deny it was fun at first; I had the freedom to get drunk in bars and return to my boat whenever I pleased! I fooled around, felt like I was twenty again... Then it hit me what truly mattered." Chris shook his head and gazed at Jake. "All that money, freedom, and beautiful women, they meant nothing. I missed my family. Family, that's what matters. I saw Emily once a week, and when she'd tell me about all the things she'd done with her mother, I felt terrible. It finally dawned on me that Elena was right. I'd missed out on the best moments of my daughter's life, and for what? Money? So one day, I got drunk again and called Elena. I asked her if she'd give me a chance if I sold the agency, fully expecting her to tell me to sleep it off and send divorce papers the next day. And for the second time since I've known her... well, she surprised me."
"She surprised you? Chris, this woman loves you. Of course, she took you back," Jake said, affectionately punching his friend's arm. "But why didn't you call me? Why am I only hearing about this now? Aren't we friends?" He asked, genuinely hurt.
"Of course, we are! I considered calling you, but can I be honest?"
"You can, but if you say you thought I'd laugh at you, I'll punch your face this time," Jake warned.
"I didn't think you'd laugh. I thought you wouldn't understand," Chris confessed, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"What the..." Jake groaned.
"Jake, buddy, what I mean is that you've never had a family of your own. You can't know how it feels, that fear of losing them forever. That life I lived on the boat for a couple of months, the parties, the one-night stands – it's all normal for you. It's your thing! And for a long time, I secretly envied you."
"Dude..."
"I envied your independence! Sometimes, I thought that while I was paying the bills and getting up in the middle of the night to clean my daughter’s bed because she had a pee accident, you were probably with some hot chick you'd just met. I thought that maybe you had it right after all. But as it turns out, that kind of life just wasn't for me. I love my girls, and I can't imagine my life without them," Chris mused, a blissful smile playing on his lips.
Jake chuckled and replied, "Joke's on you, buddy, I always envied you." When Chris groaned in skepticism, Jake continued, "No, seriously, I did! I still do. It seems nice to have people waiting for you at home. Sometimes I wish I had that. But you're right; life probably has other plans for me. Like... cirrhosis," he joked, raising his empty glass.
Chris's face suddenly lit up. "You know, they're looking for a philosophy professor at the school where I'm teaching. I think the director likes me, I could give him your resume!" he offered.
"A philosophy professor? Me? You can't be serious," Jake exclaimed.
"Why not? You've got a PhD in philosophy for God's sake; you're more than competent," Chris argued, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"I've got only half of a PhD at best! I dropped out, remember?"
"Yeah, I do! So what? You could complete it. You don’t intend to be a bartender all your life, do you? Or is it about Simone again?"
Startled, Jake cringed at the mention of Simone's name.
"Thanks for the proposal, Chris, but I'm not going back to the Cape. Not permanently, anyway."
"Why not? Is it still about... you know?" Chris probed, his voice laced with concern.
Jake swallowed hard but lowered his gaze, refusing to give a direct answer. They both knew exactly what Chris was talking about, but neither of them wanted to say it out loud.
"I can't go back there. No way. Simone dragged me there a couple of months ago, and we talked about selling my mother’s house. Once that's done, you'll be the only reason I'll have to return," he asserted, his voice steady.
"And we both know it'll never happen!" Chris chuckled briefly, taking a sip of his beer. He continued, "I get it, you're a New York guy now. But buddy, it's been years... You've got to stop punishing yourself and take a step forward. You deserve better than serving drinks to a bunch of snobs and watching them eat!"
A wry smile of skepticism tugged at Jake's lips as he asked, "Do I?"
Just a perfect day Drink sangria in a park And then later When it gets dark we go home Just a perfect day Feed animals in the zoo And then later a movie, too And then home Oh it's such a perfect day I'm glad I spend it with you Oh such a perfect day You just keep me hangin' on You just keep me hangin' on Just a perfect day Problems are left to know Weekenders all night long It's such fun Just a perfect day You make me forget myself I thought I was someone else Someone good
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Read chapter 10 on AO3 :)
@sylverfaeland
@ladyredstar1991
@endlessbittersweetdreams
@writing-for-life
@dear--lady-disdain
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perenlop · 2 years ago
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Top five anime
oh god forgetting every anime ive ever watched
5. fullmetal alchemist brotherhood/2003 (very different shows ik but i can never decide which i like more). i really love the world presented in these shows, i love the themes of how human we all are at the end of the day. i love all the ways they play with science and real life alchemy, and all the interesting things that come from it... like how do you even come up with alphonse's entire ordeal? it's so unconventional and yet it's handled near perfectly and we get all the drama and situations that come from a boy being tied to a suit of armor.
4. death note. tbh i mostly agree with what everyone else says about the show, it's super engaging and it's fun to see the game of cat and mouse that L and Light play. both of them are super interesting characters and its fun trying to figure out their plans only to be thwarted. again, it's a non conventional idea, but death note embraces the fantasy aspects really well while being more focused on the corruption of light and him trying to keep himself from getting caught. sadly tho i do have to agree with a lot of people that the latter half of the show with nate isn't nearly as good. i like the stuff that happens like light's dad dying but i just kinda missed L the entire time
3. cowboy bebop. this is a show i might have to digest some more bc it does require more thinking, and i may have to rewatch it to fully appreciate it, but i really enjoyed it! space western is a genre i've never thought about, but it's a very natural combination and I think this show really captured that. I love it's main theme of living in the present, it's kind of unlike most shows i've seen. at first i didn't appreciate not having the backstory of most of the characters since they seemed so important to the episodes, but that's kind of the point. we don't NEED to know every little detail about their pasts. because the show is about the present and how they're coping in spite of their pasts. and it works because it's unfair how these people are still suffering for what happening in their past, even despite everything they've accomplished in the show. it's a very bittersweet show and i enjoyed it. also i love edward. baby
2. trigun (i havent finished it yet though). i can't say much abt the entire thing but i LOVE all of the characters a ton. i love vash himself the most, i love silly characters that are actually extremely genuine and tragic at their core. he's got one of the most compelling backstories i've seen so far and i'm excited to see how his arc concludes in the show. the other characters are also extremely good! i love meryl and milly a lot and how they're actually kind of more of a threat than vash, and how they have a vitriolic relationship with him but grow to genuinely care about him. wolfwood is also a good character to pair up with vash in a lot of episodes because he's got different ideals, and also the gun cross makes me laugh. idk i love the world and these characters and im excited to finish the show.
puella magi madoka magica. im aware that on its own, its probably not nearly as good as these other shows, but at this point the show means a lot to me. I've got a lot of good memories associated with it and its kinda helped me at a time i needed it. i love all five of the main characters a lot and each of the struggles they go through. it's another show where it's world is fully utilized in every way it needs to be for the story to work. i love all the psychological horror elements and how they're presented in an almost uncanny way. the art is beautiful and the witch labrynths are fully realized. this show is so good i can't emphasize enough how dear to me it is as this point
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byneddiedingo · 2 years ago
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Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Harold Russell, and Cathy O'Donnell in The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler, 1946)
Cast: Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Harold Russell, Cathy O'Donnell, Hoagy Carmichael, Gladys George, Roman Bohnen, Ray Collins, Steve Cochran. Screenplay: Robert E. Sherwood, based on a novel by MacKinlay Kantor. Cinematography: Gregg Toland. Film editing: Daniel Mandell. Music: Hugo Friedhofer.
The Best Years of Our Lives is a very good movie, rich in characters and provocative incidents. It's not a great movie, but it's such a satisfying work of popular moviemaking that I'm surprised in this age of sequels and reboots, especially after the recent enthusiasm for the "Greatest Generation," no one has attempted a follow-up on the lives of its characters, taking them into the era of the Korean War, the nuclear buildup of the Soviet Union, the Cold War, McCarthyism, the civil rights struggle, and so on. Because there is something unfinished about the stories of Al, Fred, and Homer, not to mention Milly, Peggy, Marie, and Wilma, that perhaps director William Wyler and screenwriter Robert E. Sherwood couldn't possibly have foreseen in 1946. On the other hand, that's what makes The Best Years of Our Lives such a fascinating and useful document of its times. It's anything but an antiwar film -- although Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) has been mutilated, Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) suffers PTSD nightmares, and Al Stephenson (Fredric March) is well on his way to alcoholism, the film makes no effort to suggest that the war that inflicted these injuries on them was anything but just. The one naysayer, the "America Firster" who tangles with Homer and Fred in the drugstore, gets his just deserts, even if it costs Fred his job. What wins us over most is the performances: Fredric March overacts just a touch, but it won him the best actor Oscar. Harold Russell, the non-actor who received both a supporting actor Oscar and a special award, is engagingly real. And Dana Andrews proves once again that he was one of the best of the forgotten stars of the 1950s, carrying the film through from the beginning in which he seeks a ride home to the end in which he pays a nostalgic visit to the kind of plane from which he used to drop bombs. Neither Andrews nor Myrna Loy ever received an Oscar nomination, but their work in the film exhibits the kind of acting depth that makes showier award-winners look a little silly. Loy makes the most of her part as the wryly patient spouse, Teresa Wright manages to make a role somewhat handicapped by Production Code squeamishness about extramarital affairs convincing, and Virginia Mayo once again demonstrates her skill in "bad-girl" roles.  Wyler was a director much celebrated by the industry, with a record-setting total of 12 nominations, including three wins: for this film, Mrs. Miniver (1942), and Ben-Hur (1959). He's not so much admired by those of us who cling to the idea that a director should provide a central consciousness in his films, being regarded as an impersonal technician. But Best Years is a deeply personal film for Wyler, who had just spent the war serving in the army air force, flying dangerous missions over Germany to make documentary films, during which he suffered serious hearing loss that threatened his postwar directing career. His experiences inform the film, especially the character of Fred Derry. In addition to the best picture Oscar and the ones for Wyler, March, and Russell, Best Years also won for Sherwood's screenplay, Daniel Mandell's film editing, and for Hugo Friedhofer's score. The last, I think, is questionable: Friedhofer seems determined to make sure we don't miss the emotional content of any scene, almost "mickey-mousing" the feelings of the characters with his music. It feels intrusive in some of the film's best moments, such as the beautifully staged reunion of Al and Milly, or the scene in which Homer, fearful that the hooks that replace his hands have destroyed his engagement to Wilma, invites her up to his room to help him get ready for bed, demonstrating the harness that holds his prostheses in place. It's a moment with an oddly erotic tension that doesn't need Friedhofer's strings to tell us what the characters are feeling.
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thenewnio · 3 months ago
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My Alice in Wonderland script
This is a potential stopmotion movie that I could make, with my nendoroid dolls and other toys as actors.
Enjoy!
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Cast:
Talka as Alice
Mifeng as Alice's older sister
Miden as the White Rabbit
Milly as the Mouse (genderbent)
Polly the Dodo as herself (genderbent Dodo)
Giola as the Lory
Kevin as the Eaglet
Iago as the Duck
Maggie as Patricia (genderbent Pat)
Monty as Billie (genderbent Bill the Lizard)
Komugi as the cute dog (basically herself)
Blueberry the Caterpillar as himself
Beatrice as the Pigeon
Majorika and Tako Luka as the Footwomen (genderbent Frog and Fish Footmen)
Anastasia/Anya as the Duchess
Hamlin the Piglet as himself (Duchess's "baby")
Nova as the Cook
Maaba as the Cheshire Cat
B.E.N. as the Mad Hatter
Magearna as the (Mechanical) March Hare
Bebe/Charlotte as the Dormouse
Oblina, Ginger, Anago and 5 as the Queen's servants (Two, Four, Seven and Five, respectively)
My sis as the Queen of Hearts
Jinshe the Chinese dragon as the King of Hearts
Ao Oni-kun as the Royal Executioner
Dragon as Griffin (this version's take on the Gryphon)
Spinel as Turtle (this version's take on the Mock Turtle)
6 as the Knave of Hearts
Nio (me) doing narration
*optional costumes and props are to be made by me, the former of which is gonna be a lot of work. Extras are various other toys*
Narrator: Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do...
(We open with Alice and her older sister sitting outside, by a tree. While the sister reads a book, Alice sneaks a peek at the contents.
Alice: Some book you picked. There's no pictures.
Sister: Well, I can use my imagination. You have imagination too, right?
Alice: Are you kidding? I've got plenty of imagination! It's just that books like that tend to get boring real fast.
Sister: What, the Arabian Nights? (shows the book cover) This one's great.
Alice: Yeah, but the whole thing's too long. Too many stories.
Sister: You'll probably appreciate unabridged literature when you're older.
Alice: Yeah, yeah.
(While her sister is distracted, Alice wanders off. She admires the scenery for a bit, before she hears a voice.)
White Rabbit: OH NO! I'm gonna be LATE!
(A White Rabbit with a pocket watch runs by, freaking out.)
Alice: What the...?
(Curious, she follows after the Rabbit, and is just in time to see him duck into a tunnel. She follows him in, going in a ways before...)
Alice: WAAAAAHH!!!
(Alice suddenly slips and falls into a pit hidden in the darkness. As she plummets, gravity seems to slow down. She floats into a lighted part of the well, seeing shelves with various stuff and bric-a-brac, and hanging photos and paintings.)
Alice: Okay, how deep is this hole?
(After another few minutes of falling, she lands safely on a pile of cushions.)
Alice: Phew...
White Rabbit: Oh, she's gonna kill me for this!
(Seeing the Rabbit, Alice jumps to her feet and follows him down a corridor of identical doors. She comes to a dead end with the Rabbit nowhere in sight. The only things there are a curtain and a glass table with a small key and a little bottle of something.)
Alice: Now what? (eyes the table) Hmmm...
(She takes the key and looks at it. She compares it to the doors in the hall, but it seems too small for any of them.)
Alice: Who would do this, just leave a key here with a buncha doors that it's too small to open? (looks at the curtain) Unless...
(She goes over and moves the curtain to reveal a small door.)
Alice: Oh. What the heck.
(Using the key, she unlocks the door successfully. Opening it, Alice looks through to see a beautiful garden.)
Alice: This looks like a way out, but how can I get through?
(Closing the door, Alice goes back to the table to check out the bottle. She notes the label: 'DRINK ME'.)
Alice: Well, this doesn't look like poison...
(She opens the bottle, takes a sniff, and then sips it.)
Alice: Huh. Not bad.
(She drinks more from the bottle. Almost immediately, she begins to shrink.)
Alice: WAH!
(Soon the table towers over her.)
Alice: Whoa, cool! I can walk through the door now!
(So saying, she heads to the door and tries the handle...)
Alice: Wh- Of course it locks itself!
(Looking up, she sees that she left the key back on the table.)
Alice: Now what?
(Something poking out from behind the curtain catches her eye. She looks to see a glass box of mini cookies, all marked 'EAT ME'.)
Alice: If that drink shrank me... (opens the box) ...then wouldn't these make me grow?
(She takes a cookie and eats one.)
Alice: Once I get the key, I can just drink more of that stuff and- AAAHHH!!!
(Alice suddenly grows large enough to hit her head on the ceiling. At the same time, she accidentally knocks over the table, spilling the rest of the shrinking potion.)
Alice: Oh...
(She sinks to her knees and weeps. Her tears are now big enough to make an entire stream, which flows into a large crack in the floor.)
White Rabbit: Gotta hurry, gotta hurry!
(The White Rabbit enters, with some gloves and a fan. Alice takes notice.)
Alice: Ah...!
White Rabbit: WAAAAAHHH!
(The Rabbit drops the stuff and bolts. Alice wipes her eyes and picks up the fan.)
Alice: (sigh) How am I gonna get outta here? ...Huh?
(After a little while, she notices that the gloves seem to be getting bigger at a quickening rate. A realization hits...)
Alice: Am I shrinking again? The fan...!
(As soon as Alice throws the fan away, she stops shrinking.)
Alice: Phew...
(She heads for the key, now on the floor, but trips.)
Alice: WAAHH—
(She falls through the crack in the floor, landing in a pool of saltwater. She surfaces for breath.)
Alice: (sputters) Are these my tears? I guess this is what I get for crying so much.
(She hears splashing from some ways off. She looks to see a mouse girl swimming by.)
Alice: Hey! Over here!
(By now, the pool of tears is filled with various animal folk who have also fallen in. They, along with Alice, swim to the pool's shore. Once out of the water, they consider their options.)
Duck: Okay, Now what?
Eaglet: So wet...
Lory: She's right. We need to dry up first.
Mouse: I think I can help with that. Everyone pay attention.
(The Mouse takes out a history book as everyone sits down to listen.)
Mouse: "William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest. Edwin and Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William’s conduct at first was moderate. But the insolence of his Normans"...
Duck: Shoot me.
Mouse: Be patient, Mr. Duck. This is the driest thing I know.
Alice: No offense, but I don't think it's working.
(At that point, Polly the Dodo stands up.)
Polly: In that case, this situation calls for a more rigorous and energetic solution.
Duck: What are you FRICKIN' talking about?!
Polly: I mean what we need to do is have... a Caucus-race!
(Everyone except Alice gasps dramatically. Alice is so confused.)
Alice: What... is a Caucus-race?
Polly: The best way to explain it is to just do it.
(And so, they mark a starting line in a random spot.)
Polly: Okay, start running!
Alice: Wait, what?!
(Everyone bolts in different directions, except Alice.)
Alice: Huh?!
(After a few seconds, she starts running, having no other options. Random hilarity *and maybe some ad-libbed humor thrown in* ensues, from the Eaglet tackling the Duck out of literal nowhere to referencing Scooby-Doo chase scenes, until finally, when everyone is dry again...)
Polly: There! The final marker! That means the race's over!
(A giant frickin' marker stands there.)
Lory: (panting heavily) Okay, so, we all dried off. Who won?
Polly: (thinking) Hmmm... Everybody won, and gets a prize.
Duck: But who's gonna hand 'em out?
Polly: How about the newcomer? (indicates Alice)
Alice: Wait, me? Uh...
(Alice reaches into her pocket and pulls out some snacks.)
Alice: Will these do?
Polly: Perfect!
Lory: What, we're gonna leave her with no prize for herself? What are we, animals? Wait...
Polly: Anything else in your pockets?
Alice: Just this quarter.
(Polly takes it.)
Polly: Well then, we beg your acceptance of this elegant coin!
Alice: (taking it back) Uh... Thanks?
(As the others chat away, the White Rabbit arrives.)
White Rabbit: Oh, this is bad! Where are they?
(He notices Alice.)
White Rabbit: You there! (points) My house is just in that direction, and the key is under the mat! There's some spare gloves and a fan I need you to get! Hurry!
(Alice bolts.)
Alice: What am I, a maid?
(Soon, she reaches the Rabbit's house. She enters thanks to the key under the mat. The spare gloves and fan lie on a table.)
Alice: Okay, so far so good... What's this?
(She notices another potion on the table as well. She picks it up.)
Alice: This is a different color than the shrinking potion... Maybe I can grow back to normal size?
(She opens the bottle and sips the potion. It works... but too fast.)
Alice: EEEP!
(Alice finds herself too big to leave the house, crammed into the now too-small room. Outside, the White Rabbit approaches. He tries to open the door but, since Alice's elbow is jammed against it, is unable to.)
White Rabbit: What's going on in there?
(He goes around the house, only to see Alice's arm sticking out the window.)
White Rabbit: AAHH!!!
(He backs up, and trips, falling backwards into the glass frame where he grows vegetables.)
White Rabbit: P-Patricia! Billie!
(Patricia and Billie the gardener enters the scene.)
Patricia: What, what's goin- (sees the arm) Holy heck! What is that?!
White Rabbit: (gets up) It's HUGE! We gotta do something!
Patricia: Okay, don't panic. We'll just send someone in to check things out.
White Rabbit: But I can't even open the door!
Billie: How about we send somebody down the chimney?
White Rabbit: That's brilliant!
(The three get the ladder and prop it up against the side of the house. By now, Alice's giant arm has attracted the attention of several onlookers.)
White Rabbit: Okay, now what?
Billie: Uh... Now one of us goes in.
(Awkward pause.)
Patricia: Yeah, not it.
White Rabbit: Why don't you do it, Billie?
Billie: Oh! Okay...
(She climbs up the roof, as Alice listens.)
Alice: Uh oh.
(Alice sticks her foot in the fireplace.)
Alice: I hope I can kick hard enough...
(As Billie descends the chimney, Alice kicks as hard as she can. Billie shoots up out of the chimney as a result.)
Billie: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
(She falls through the roof of the nearby greenhouse, and everybody watching comes to her aid. In the greenhouse, Billie picks herself up, dazed but unhurt.)
White Rabbit: Billie! Are you okay?!
Patricia: What happened in there?
Billie: Ugh... I don't know. One minute, I was climbing down, then something came straight up at me! Next thing I know...
Patricia: That'll do.
White Rabbit: So, what're we gonna do now?
Alice: (calling out) How about just take the whole roof off?!
(At her voice, everyone starts murmuring to each other.)
White Rabbit: Okay, I got it! Get the wheelbarrow.
(Patricia gets a wheelbarrow of pebble-like objects. Everybody takes a handful each.)
White Rabbit: Okay, aim and fire!
Alice: Huh?
(A flurry of the "pebbles" are thrown through the open windows. Some hit Alice in the face.)
Alice: OW! What are you doing?!
(Just then, Alice notices the color of the "pebbles".)
Alice: Wait... These are just candies. Or maybe...
(She eats one with her free hand, and shrinks down to bug size.)
White Rabbit: It worked!
(As the crowd cheers, Alice, crawling under the door, leaves the house and enters a thick wood. As she explores, she realizes that she's not alone; a dog bigger than she currently is has followed her.)
Dog: Hi!
Alice: Eep!
(Alice picks up the nearest stick and throws it as hard as she can.)
Dog: Yippee, a stickie! Yaaaaay!
(As the dog bounds off after the stick, Alice runs away, eventually stopping once she's far enough.)
Alice: Okay, first thing to do is grow back to my normal size, and to do that, I gotta find something to eat that's magical.
(As she wanders through the grass, she comes across a new sight: A Caterpillar sitting on a mushroom, smoking from a hookah. He takes notice of her.)
Caterpillar: Who're you?
Alice: Okay, uh, what kinda question is that to start a conversation? Where even am I? I know when I got up this morning, everything was normal. Second, why don't you tell me who you are?
Caterpillar: Uh... Why?
(Alice has nothing to say to this guy. She starts to leave...)
Caterpillar: Hold it! I've got something important to say.
(Alice comes back.)
Alice: What?
Caterpillar: Just keep your temper.
Alice: ...That's it?
Caterpillar: Nope.
(Awkward silence.)
Caterpillar: So, what do you want?
Alice: W-Well, I'd like to be my normal size, if you don't mind.
Caterpillar: Okay. One half will make you grow, and the other half will make you shrink.
Alice: Huh?
Caterpillar: Of the mushroom, of course.
(So saying, he gets off the mushroom, and just leaves.)
Alice: ...Okay! Sounds about right... I think.
(Alice looks at the mushroom. She breaks off a piece from each side, before inspecting said pieces.)
Alice: Hmmm... Well, only one way to figure this out...
(She takes a bite out of one, but not only does she grow, so does her neck, extending like that of the Japanese Rokurokubi.)
Alice: WAH!
(A Pigeon flies into her face.)
Alice: AAAAAHHH!!!
Pigeon: There's snakes in the sky now?! The heck with this, I'm out.
(As the Pigeon flies away, Alice bends her neck down to eat part of the other mushroom piece. Sure enough, she's back to normal.)
Alice: That's better.
(She notices a manor a good ways away.)
Alice: Maybe whoever's living there can give me some directions?
(As Alice approaches, an octopus footwoman carrying a letter goes up to the door and knocks. The door is answered by a frog footwoman.)
Octopus: (presents the letter) An invitation from the Queen for the Duchess to play croquet.
Frog: Yeah, yeah, I get it. (takes the invitation)
(They bow, and the Frog goes back in, while the Octopus leaves. Alice goes up and is about to knock when she hears a loud crash.)
Alice: Good grief, what's going on in there?!
(She goes in to see the Duchess, cradling a bundle, while her Cook is making a ruckus making *or trying to make* soup. As the Cook puts in a lot of pepper, Alice notices a catgirl smiling at her.)
Alice: Uh... Why's she smiling at me like that?
Duchess: Oh, she's a Cheshire Cat. They do that.
Alice: Okay...?
(Meanwhile, the Cook throws stuff around, searching for an ingredient other than pepper. Alice is almost hit.)
Alice: Hey! Watch it!
(A frying pan almost hits the baby bundle.)
Alice: Oh, not the baby!
Duchess: Well, I must be going. Take care of Hamlin for me, okay?
(So saying, she tosses the baby to Alice, who manages to catch him. As the Duchess leaves, Alice looks at the Cook, still making the weird soup.)
Alice: I gotta get him outta this crazy house!
(She leaves the manor and heads back into the wood. As she makes her way along the trail, baby Hamlin... oinks? Alice looks to see the cute "baby" is actually a cute piglet.)
Alice: ...Ah.
(As Alice puts Hamlin on the ground...)
Cheshire Cat: Good idea. The pig could use some exercise.
(Alice looks up to see the Cheshire Cat on a tree's branch.)
Alice: Oh! Hi. So, uh, can you tell me which way I should go from here?
Cheshire Cat: That depends. Where do you wanna go?
Alice: Anywhere that's normal.
Cheshire Cat: Well then, I guess you're outta luck, 'cause this place's anything but!
Alice: Why? What kind of people live here?
Cheshire Cat: See that fork in the road up ahead? (indicates a giant fork stuck in the ground, in the middle of the trail) To the left of that lives the Hatter. His mechanical lady friend, the March Hare, lives to the right. They're both looped completely out of their gourds, so feel free to visit either of them.
Alice: I don't think it's a good idea for me to walk among crazy people.
Cheshire Cat: Eh, we're all mad here. It's only by chance and careful planning if you're not...
(So saying, the Cheshire Cat vanishes. Alice and Hamlin look at each other, then head over to the fork.)
Alice: I guess we should take our chances with the March hare...?
(With Hamlin following, Alice heads over in the direction of the March Hare's house. They soon reach a house with rabbit ear-like installations on the roof.)
Alice: This must be it.
(A tea party is being held in the yard; Alice and Hamlin approach to see the Hatter, the robotic March Hare and a Dormouse at the table, making conversation.)
Alice: Excuse me...
Mad Hatter: Sorry! No room here!
March Hare: Neep Noop.
Dormouse: How dare you. You'll be hearing from our lawyer in the morning.
Alice: Wh- (looks around) There's plenty of room! (sits at the table's end, with Hamlin in her lap)
March Hare: Beep boop?
Mad Hatter: I guess I overslept this morning.
March Hare: Boop beep.
Dormouse: Want some booze?
Alice: Uh, I'm thirteen.
March Hare: Beep boop!
Mad Hatter: Exactly! That's why there's no alcohol here.
Alice: Then why'd you offer it?
Dormouse: Why'd you barge in like you own the place? Rude.
Alice: I guess I shouldn't have. Looks like more than three people were expected here.
Mad Hatter: My response to that is both profound and meaningful: You need a haircut.
Alice: Y'know, saying stuff like that's very rude.
Mad Hatter: Huh. I didn't know that. Marchi, take that down!
March Hare: Beep boop!
Mad Hatter: Okay, here's a good one: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
Alice: Uh... I think I can guess that.
March Hare: Beep boop.
Mad Hatter: Yeah, you should say what you mean! You might as well say  "I eat what I see" is the same thing as "I see what I eat!", or "I like what I get" is the same as "I get what I like!"
Dormouse: Or you might as well say "I breathe when I sleep" is the same thing as "I sleep when I breathe."
Mad Hatter: I guess Time marches on it's stomach! Hey, speaking of which, what day of the month is it? (looks at his watch)
Alice: May fourth.
Mad Hatter: Aw, two days wrong. Marchi, I told you not to use that brand of butter.
March Hare: Beep boop.
Mad Hatter: Must've had some crumbs in it. Or maybe we shouldn't have used the bread knife?
(He puts the watch down for Alice to see.)
Alice: That's a funny watch.
Mad Hatter: Does your watch tell you what year it is?
Alice: No, because it stays a year for so long.
Mad Hatter: Then I rest my case.
March Hare: Beep boop?
Mad Hatter: Over there! (points to a suitcase.)
Alice: What the...?
Mad Hatter: Did you figure out the riddle yet?
Alice: I give up. What's the answer?
Mad Hatter: I dunno! :D
March Hare: Neep noop.
Alice: Did you seriously just waste my time by asking a pointless riddle... without knowing the answer?
Mad Hatter: I don't think you should talk about Father Time like you own him.
Alice: Father Time?
Mad Hatter: Yeah, he's the master of the timeline! We used to be good buddies.
Alice: Used to?
Mad Hatter: I remember it was March, before Marchi's yearly episodes. See, there was this live variety show for the Queen, and I sang "Twinkle, twinkle, little bat"! But the Queen began yelling something about me "murdering the time". Obviously, Time took that as an insult, so we haven't talked to each other since. The timeline's stood still here ever since.
Alice: So, none of these things are ever washed?
Mad Hatter: Yeah! Which reminds me: CLEAN CUP!
(The three move to different seats. Alice, with Hamlin, follows suit.)
Mad Hatter: See, that's how we manage!
Alice: But what happens when they're all used up?
March Hare: Beep boop.
Mad Hatter: Good idea! Let's change the uncomfortable subject. How 'bout a story?
(Hamlin claps his hooves.)
Alice: Okay. Who'll tell the story?
Dormouse: ME.
Alice: Uh-
Dormouse: Once upon a time, there were three sisters, who lived at the bottom of a well.
Alice: How did they survive?
Dormouse: They ate treacle.
Alice: That couldn't've been healthy.
Dormouse: So they had strong immune systems.
Alice: Okay, but why the well? Why did they live in a well?
Dormouse: It was... a treacle well.
Alice: A treacle well?
Dormouse: Yes, and they were learning to draw everything that begins with an M.
Alice: Why?
Dormouse: Why not? They drew the moon, memories and muchness... Ever seen much of a muchness?
Alice: (confused) I don't think...
Mad Hatter: That's the thing: If you don't think, you shouldn't talk! Just because we've just met you, doesn't mean we'll tell our friends about you.
Alice: That's it, I'm leaving. (to Hamlin) C'mon.
(Alice and Hamlin take their leave.)
Dormouse: Does this mean I get to go into the teapot again?
Mad Hatter: Yup!
March Hare: Beep boop!
Dormouse: Yaaaay!
(Meanwhile, Alice and Hamlin walk along another trail.)
Alice: That might have been the dumbest party I've ever been to.
(Hamlin oinks to get her attention. Alice looks to see a door in a large tree. It looks familiar.)
Alice: I've seen that before...!
(She opens the door which leads back to the hall of doors from the beginning of the adventure.)
Alice: I knew it! Good thing I still have the mushrooms.
(She takes the key and places it next to the small door. Next, she eats the shrinking mushroom, reducing herself to the right height. Hamlin also eats the mushroom, shrinking to fit as well.)
Alice: Now we can get to that garden.
(She unlocks the door, allowing herself and Hamlin to enter the garden. As they look around, they hear voices.)
Four: Watch it, Five! You're splashing paint everywhere!
Five: Sorry. I just wanted to finish this one quick.
(Alice and Hamlin see four people around a white rose bush, painting the flowers red.)
Seven: Yeah, you'd better. You don't wanna get in trouble for your screw-up again.
Two: Dare I ask what he did last time?
Five: (to Seven) Please don't tell her.
Seven: He gave the kitchen staff tulip roots instead of onions.
Five: WHY?
Alice: Uh, what are you doing?
Five: OH DEAR GOD, SHE'S HERE- (sees Alice) Oh.
Two: Well, the fact is, you see, there should have been a red rose bush here, except somebody here had the orders mixed up. (shoots a look at Five)
Five: It was an honest mistake!
Seven: So that's why we gotta paint over these things before-
Four: She's coming!
(Five shrieks like a little girl. As the other four run to the nearest giant flowerpot and jump inside, Alice and Hamlin watch as a royal procession approaches. Among them is the White Rabbit, who announces...)
White Rabbit: Their Royal Majesties, the King and Queen of Hearts!
(Followed closely by the Knave of Hearts, the King and Queen of Hearts enter the scene.)
Queen of Hearts: (regarding Alice) Who's this kid?
Knave of Hearts: I dunno.
Queen of Hearts: Meh. (to Alice) What's your name?
Alice: I'm Alice, Your Majesty.
Queen of Hearts: And who's hiding in that pot?
Five: Oh god.
Alice: How should I know? It's not like I have any part in this.
Queen of Hearts: That's it, off with her head!
Alice: What?!
King of Hearts: Honey, she's just a kid!
Queen of Hearts: (heavy sigh) Alright. Now what happened here? (indicates the rose bush)
Knave of Hearts: It looks like a mistake was made.
Queen of Hearts: I'll say it was.
(Behind the Queen's back, the quartet sneak out of the pot and bolt as silently as they can.)
Queen of Hearts: Off with their heads, then. (to Alice) You.
Alice: Me?
Queen of Hearts: How good are you at croquet?
Alice: Well, I have a croquet set at home...
Queen of Hearts: Good enough!
(As the croquet game is set up, the White Rabbit approaches.)
White Rabbit: Sorry that you got trapped in my house earlier. I guess I should have warned you about that potion.
Alice: It's okay. Wasn't the Duchess gonna be here?
White Rabbit: Well, she was, but now she's due for execution.
(At this news, Hamlin oinks in concern.)
Queen of Hearts: Places, people!
(Everyone scatters to their places. The game is played with live flamingos as the mallets, with live hedgehogs as the balls. To make the arches, some people drop to their hands and feet.)
Alice: Do they not have an actual croquet set, so they're making do with whatever...?
Cheshire Cat: Probably. They might not know how to actually play.
(Alice looks up to see the Cheshire Cat, or at least, her floating head.)
Alice: I guess that explains a lot.
(The King of Hearts notices.)
King of Hearts: What is that?
Alice: The Cheshire Cat.
Cheshire Cat: Charmed, I'm sure.
King of Hearts: Please don't stare at me like that.
Alice: I think cats can look at kings.
King of Hearts: Well, whoever said that was a maniac. (to the Queen) Honey! (indicating the Cheshire Cat) What should we do about this thing?
(The Queen takes one look and comes to a decision.)
Queen of Hearts: Off with her head.
King of Hearts: You always know just what to say, dear. (leaves to get the Executioner)
Cheshire Cat: I'd like to see where this goes.
(The King returns with the Executioner.)
Executioner: I can't behead that! She doesn't even have a body.
King of Hearts: Nonsense! Anything that has a head can be beheaded.
Queen of Hearts: Well, if you don't do anything about it, EVERYONE DIES.
Executioner: That sounds like too much work for me.
Alice: W-Well, how 'bout you ask the Duchess? She's the Cheshire Cat's friend.
Queen of Hearts: Fine. Bring her here.
Cheshire Cat: Watch me screw with them. (fades into the ether)
(The Queen's soldiers escort the Duchess forward.)
Duchess: You called for me?
King of Hearts: We just need you to answer one question: Is that your cat? (points to where the Cheshire Cat used to be)
(The Duchess looks confused. The King looks to see the Cheshire Cat is no longer there.)
King of Hearts: Ah.
(As he and the Executioner bolt, searching for the Cheshire Cat, the Duchess heads over to Alice and Hamlin. Hamlin oinks happily.)
Duchess: Oh Hamlin, I'm so glad you're okay. (to Alice) Thank you for taking good care of him.
Alice: Uh... No problem.
Duchess: There's a moral for all this, I think, If I could just remember what it is.
Alice: Looks like the game's going on better, now.
Duchess: Yes, and the moral of that is: ’Tis love that makes the world go round!
(The Queen quickly approaches.)
Queen of Hearts: And if you say 'moral' a third time, your head's coming off!
Duchess: Oh dear... Goodbye! (picks up Hamlin and runs as the piglet waves Alice goodbye)
Queen of Hearts: Good riddance to her.
(The Queen then notices that everyone in the croquet grounds are just lazing about.)
Queen of Hearts: MAY WE CONTINUE THE GAME, PLEASE?!
(At this, everybody freaks out. In the ensuing chaos, Alice chooses that moment to sneak away.)
Alice: Okay, coming here turned out to be a bad idea. Now what?
(As she reaches a beach, she notices a boy stretched out on a rock in the sun. He notices her.)
Griffin: Hey.
Alice: Uh, hi.
Griffin: What's your name?
Alice: Alice. What about you?
Griffin: Name's Griffin. What brings you here?
Alice: I'm kinda lost.
Griffin: Did you try Hare Krishna?
Alice: Huh?
Griffin: Just kidding!
(Alice is unimpressed.)
Alice: Well... Is there a way outta this place?
Griffin: (hops down) Why don't we ask my good friend, Turtle? C'mon, I'll take you to meet her.
(Alice follows him to a cove where a girl with black tear stains on her cheeks is reclining.)
Griffin: Hey, Turt!
Turtle: Hi, Griff.
Griffin: Turt, this kid wants to know how to leave the country.
Alice: Wait, this is an entire country? No offense, but I kinda thought I fell into a weird underground community of lunatics.
Turtle: Nope! This is the Queendom of Hearts.
Alice: Riiiiight. So... Not to sound rude, but what's with those tear stains on your face?
Turtle: (flatly) It's a sordid story.
Griffin: Yeah, she's kinda got issues.
Turtle: (cheerfully) Anyway! Lemme tel ya 'bout ourselves.
Alice: Uh... (sits) Okay.
Turtle: When me an' Griff were younger, we went to this school in the ocean. Our teacher was a sea turtle, we called 'im Tortoise since he tort us. He tort us lotsa stuff: French, music, and washin', but I only learnt the basics, like Reelin', Writhin' an' Arithmetic: Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.
Alice: Yeah, figures that schools in this place would teach stuff like that.
Turtle: There's also Mystery, both ancient and modern-type, with Seaography, an' Drawlin', Stretchin', and Faintin' in Coils; I had a conger eel to teach those last three.
Griffin: Yeah, but I didn't go to her. My teacher was a crab. The guy taught Laughing and Grief.
Alice: Huh.
Griffin: But the real fun was the school dances. Man, you should've been to one of those!
Turtle: Yeah! We danced the Lobster Quadrille, an' they played songs like "Beautiful Soup"! They were th' best!
Griffin: Yup! So, what about you?
Alice: Well, you probably already know this, but I'm kinda a newcomer here.
Griffin: Uh-huh.
Alice: I'm actually here by mistake. See, this White Rabbit---
(Suddenly, there is the sound of a bell, and the White Rabbit's voice rings out.)
White Rabbit: Attention! Attention! The trial of the Knave of Hearts will begin shortly!
Alice: A trial?
Turtle: Oh boy, we can't miss this!
Griffin: C'mon, let's go!
(The three head in the direction of the White Rabbit's call. They reach the outdoor trial, where the Knave of Hearts is standing in the defendant's box. On a table is a plate of cherry tarts.)
Alice: What're we here for again?
Griffin: To save the poor guy from a death worse than fate!
King of Hearts: Herald, read the charge!
White Rabbit: (reading from a scroll) The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts,
All on a summer day:
The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts,
And took them quite away!
Knave of Hearts: But I didn't do it...
Queen of Hearts: Did I ask you to speak?
Knave of Hearts: No.
King of Hearts: Members of the jury, retire and consider your verdict.
White Rabbit: Not yet! We need to call witnesses.
King of Hearts: Fine. Call the first witness.
(The first witness is the Mad Hatter. He comes in holding a teacup, with the March Hare and Dormouse in tow.)
Mad Hatter: Hi, Your Majesty! Sorry for the teacup, I wasn't done with teatime.
King of Hearts: Well, when did you begin?
Mad Hatter: Good question. Marchi, when did we begin? Fourteenth or Fifteenth?
March Hare: Beep boop?
Dormouse: Sixteenth!
King of Hearts: (to the jury) Write those numbers down, and subtract, multiply, and convert to grams and kilos. (to the Hatter) And take off that hat.
Mad Hatter: It's not mine.
King of Hearts: Stolen! Jury, write that down!
Mad Hatter: Actually, I don't have any of my own; I'm a hatter.
Queen of Hearts: Do I know you?
Mad Hatter: Uhhhh... Nnnooooo...?
King of Hearts: Just give your evidence, already.
Mad Hatter: I'm a poor guy. Like I told you, I haven't finished my tea, and Marchi said...
March Hare: Neep noop.
King of Hearts: She denies it. Leave out that part, Jury.
Mad Hatter: Anyway the Dormouse said... Well, after I spread some more butter...
King of Hearts: Alright, but what did the Dormouse say?
Mad Hatter: I forgot.
Queen of Hearts: Well, I sure didn't forget you.
Mad Hatter: Please, I'm just a poor guy.
King of Hearts: Not to mention a poor speaker.
Juror: OOOHH!
(A whistle is blown, and the juror is tackled by a team of football players.)
King of Hearts: Anyway, if that's all you know, then stand down.
Mad Hatter: I don't think I can stand any lower...
King of Hearts: Okay, then you're free to go.
Mad Hatter: Want me to sing again?
Queen of Hearts: GET OUT OR DIE.
Mad Hatter: Okay!
(He and the March Hare take their leave.)
King of Hearts: Call the next witness!
Knave of Hearts: What about me?
White Rabbit: What about you?
Knave of Hearts: I'm the accused.
(The next witness is the Cook.)
King of Hearts: Give your evidence.
(The Cook shakes her head no.)
White Rabbit: Maybe Your Majesty should cross examine her.
King of Hearts: Ahem. What are the tarts made of?
Dormouse: (in the jury box) Treacle and cheese.
Queen of Hearts: Hold on, what's she still doing here?
Dormouse: You can't contain me. I was born to breach containment! (runs off)
King of Hearts: (rubbing his temples) Just call the third witness.
White Rabbit: Alice!
Alice: Wh- Me?!
(Feeling around nervously, Alice grabs the last mushroom piece. She eats it, growing to her normal size.)
King of Hearts: Huh. Now, uh, what do you know about this case?
Alice: Nothing.
King of Hearts: Nothing whatsoever?
Alice: Nothing whatsoever.
King of Hearts: That's important.
White Rabbit: You mean unimportant?
King of Hearts: Yeah. Now, Rule No. 42: All persons more than a mile high must leave immediately.
Alice: I'm not a---
Queen of Hearts: You're more like two miles high. LEAVE.
Alice: I swear you just made that up.
King of Hearts: It's the oldest rule in the book.
Alice: Then why isn't it No. 1?
King of Hearts: Oh. Once again, I ask the Jury to consider their verdict.
Queen of Hearts: Why don't we do the sentence first and the verdict afterwards?
Alice: No way! That's just stupid!
Queen of Hearts: You watch your mouth.
Alice: And let an innocent man die? Besides, if the tarts are right here, how could he have stolen them? There's no crime!
White Rabbit: Don't you care about what other people think?
Alice: Only when I know I'm doing the right thing.
White Rabbit: That's good. You're mature after all.
(At that moment...)
Sister: Alice?
(Hearing her sister's voice, Alice looks up... and finds herself back in the area where she started before seeing the White Rabbit.)
Sister: That was some nap you were taking.
Alice: Yeah. And what a weird dream I had, too!
Sister: Well, you can tell me about it on the way back. It's getting late.
Alice: Okay!
(As Alice and her sister begin their walk home, Alice begins her story.)
Alice: So, I saw this White Rabbit...
The End
0 notes
mermaidsirennikita · 2 years ago
Note
I read Sherry Thomas' Ravishing The Heiress because I liked the luckiest lady in London. But I hate it. I hate it so much.
Can someone tell Fritz what a selfish bastard he is!?
Why couldn't Millie be just a little bit angry for more than a second?
He has two sisters and they like Millie. Couldn't they be angry at him?
Could anyone be angry at this man!? I hate him so much.
I've really enjoyed everything I've read by Sherry (which admittedly isn't much, not due to a lack of interest but... lots of books to read) except for Ravishing. I see that Ravishing is well written, and I actually really like the premise of the hero being in love with someone else during this arranged marriage to the heroine because a) I have a thing for cheating in romance, and I wouldn't even count what he was doing as cheating in an emotional sense, to be super real... I mean, the marriage was pure contract as far as he was concerned, and he didn't even sleep with the woman b) I find it very realistic... I didn't so much mind Millie not being angry either, because the thing is that she knew the score. Things were set up the way they were.
What I struggled with re: Fitz is that he's just a really passive character. Which, again, is probably realistic, but it was the kind of realism that impeded the story for me. He loves this woman, but he can't have her, so rather than striking out he just.... marries someone else and pines. Okay, he was young and there were a lot of practical issues going into that, so I can forgive it. But then it's like... Eventually, dude, just move on. Even if it's not with your wife, move the fuck on. Obviously, there's a reason why the marriage isn't consummated for a while, but they wait well past the point where it was necessary, and he never! Makes! A move! Again, it's passive, and I honestly kind of felt like he wasn't attracted to Millie. Which is fine! But not for a romance between Fitz and Millie.
I also really hated the pocket mouse. I couldn't get over pocket mouse. I think I will give the book another shot at some point, and I may be in the mood for it and more understanding of this passive nature, but I'm never gonna get pocket mouse. A hero carrying an emotional support mouse around in his pocket is too much for me. I can't do it, I just fucking cannot.
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darkpoisonouslove · 3 years ago
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Free Guy Review
My god, am I in love with this movie! I was about half an hour in when I started yelling about loving the movie and then it only got better from there. I genuinely can’t describe to you how much I loved this movie but I’ll try to give you an idea of why I loved it so much. I just hope I can be remotely coherent. Spoilers ahead because I definitely won’t be able to articulate if I try to keep this spoiler-free.
I loved the action in the movie. Try that half-hour mark (or somewhere around it) and you’ll know what I’m talking about. A lot of it felt fresh (even if there were definitely things that you’ve seen before) and the way that there was a lot of chaos really made it feel like a video game. There are just people flying around and things exploding and that is something you see on your scream when you’re playing a game.
At first an NPC starting to change his routine sounds like a plot hole but it is not and I was caught so off guard by that. I did not expect that they were going to do something so emotional and touching. First of all, let me tell you that I adore this movie for the fact that it gave us a wholesome AI and made me so invested in the fate of that AI (but more about that later). Usually I hate movies about robots and AI because it is always this apocalyptic event where humanity faces the threat of being enslaved and this just got that and subverted it on its head. I am thankful.
This movie almost broke my fucking heart. I was sobbing along with the characters. I was super invested in guy’s breakdown when he learned the truth about himself and then I was going to actually cry when the entire game was about to be destroyed along with the practically alive AIs in it. It felt like actual life was threatened and I was on the edge of my seat when we hit the climax and it was a race of time to save all the work of the main characters. I really felt for them as a person who has such deep love for all of my own creations and I could feel their hurt and anxiety over having their work destroyed and the very life they’d practically created.
The romance in this was fine. I was kind of on the fence at first when Milly started falling for Guy because that was clearly not going anywhere but I was living for the actual confusion of it all. That scene where Milly and Keys are trying to figure all of it out and she admitted guy kissed her was just peak comedy while also being an emotional rollercoaster. I liked the way it was clear from early on that Guy has the same likes as Milly because Keys programmed him like that but Milly was so taken with protecting their work that means so much to both of them that she didn’t stop to think why it means so much to them. I was a little annoyed by the best friends from different genders fall in love because they couldn’t possibly remain friends but that’s no fault of the movie. I think they did well with the romance. It was just a little predictable because you’ve seen it before but it was saved by the bond between them that actually created this super advanced and practically alive AI.
Guy was great. I loved the fact that he remained who he was despite the game practically demanding to be the opposite of that to climb the levels. I really appreciate that they took so much time to truly show that you can be a good guy and still level up in a game that is centered on violence. The message was great and I appreciated that they also took the time to really look at the NPCs and give them the due credit. I am not really a gamer but the message about NPCs’ importance doesn’t only concern video games. It could be applied to life as well but the movie didn’t try to spoon feed you that. They really did so well with it.
The cat and mouse game about finding the original code from Milly and Keys’ game was interesting and with sufficient twists. I liked how they blended the action in the real world with that in the video game. I feel like they showed a lot of both the gaming experience as well as the maintenance of video games and that was interesting to me. The movie was grounded in its premise while bringing in the questions of finding your purpose in life and about giving life to your creations. So many of the movie’s themes and messages hit really close to home for me and I loved it.
The villain was a little boring in his motivations. We have had enough of greedy guys that are only after money for literally no reason at all. However, he did feel terrifying in that he would destroy such great technological advances just to keep his financial empire. That was true evil right there. But I liked the way that they dealt with him in the end. It really set apart Milly and Keys and showed what they truly cared about.
This is my new favorite movie. Idk what else to say because I already praised it enough but I wasn’t bored for a second and it brought me so much emotion that I did not expect.
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Note
Here's an idea that the other anon inspired me with... What if Sarah also having a nightmare too? With Eleanor in it. But instead of being pulled apart by her, instead Sarah finds herself in the scooper room, about to be scooped by Eleanor
[WARNING FROM THE WRITER: DOES CONTAIN POTENTIALLY UPSETING THEMES LIKE DEATH AND GORE]
“Lefty?” Sarah called out, she saw the black bear walking ahead of her, he didn’t seem to hear her and kept walking forward, then he turned left, he slowly walked to a door, looking it, Sarah followed him.
“Lefty!” She called out, “What's going on? What is this place?”
“I hear them in here Marionette... they're in here.”
“Then go in, and proceed with caution.”
Lefty had grabbed the doorknob, opening the door and walking in the room.
“Lefty!” She yelled, the door closed behind him, she raced there, grabbing the doorknob and pushing it open to enter the room where Lefty went.
She looked around, the room was big, it was also dark, she couldn’t see Lefty, which was strange, it was like she imagined him walking in.
A light came on overhead and she saw two viewing windows in front of her, she also saw a giant contraption directly in front of her, what she noted was the fact it seemingly had some splatters of dried blood.
Sarah suddenly had a realisation and an awful feeling that she shouldn’t be here.
This room was dangerous and Lefty had disappeared into thin air.
She heard the sound of sharp nails snatching down glass and looked at the viewing windows, she saw a silhouette, she thought it could be Lefty until she saw it was too skinny to him.
Her heart sank when she recognised the pigtails shape, thin face and long arms.
“Sweet Sarah... You’ve gotten lost haven’t you?”
She couldn’t be here!!
She turned to the door but to her horror, there was no door. Just a wall.
There was no door, her mind repeated, she shook her head, it was impossible! How could the door be gone???
“I thought your so-called guardian told you to never blindly follow someone,” Eleanor said.
Where was Lefty???
“Like a mouse in a trap, I’ve caught you... I also caught him... I only had to dangle children in front of him and he came running.”
Sarah hadn’t looked behind herself, she just realised.
She slowly turned her head back then her whole body, she gasped and froze, choking back a horrified scream.
On the ground behind her was Lefty, his eye was wide and lifeless, his mouth hung open, but Sarah noticed how his chest just seemed to burst open, it was crushed but the contents spilled out the sides, bloodied mechanical parts on the ground in a mess.
Then she saw he was cradling something in his arms.
Human blood on the ground.
Blonde hair.
It was Hazel.
Alec's little sister.
She walked closer just to double-check.
It was her, she was in Lefty's arms, it looked like something snuck Lefty while he was holding Hazel, and while he took the brunt of it, it crippled him, which then also hit Hazel, because her back seemed to be bent in a weird way inwards, her eyes were almost popping from her sockets, blood was slowly dripping from her mouth.
Sarah then remembered she said children.
Alec was not too far from where Lefty was on the ground, it looked like he tried to crawl away after getting injured but something broke his back based on how he was half twisted and it paralysed him, Sarah saw blood was looking under him like he had an abdominal wound.
Lefty was gone.
Lefty was dead.
Hazel was dead.
Alec was dead.
She needed to defend herself.
She needed to get out of here.
She stepped backwards, but her shoe crunched something, and the crunch sounded hollow, and it was followed by a wet sounding squish.
It was like she stepped on somebody.
She looked down.
She did.
She couldn’t hold back the scream this time.
She stepped on Pete's hand, which was all snatched and bloodied, she stepped down hard enough to break it.
He was also dead because he would have screamed if he was still alive.
“They all fall down,” Eleanor taunted.
Sarah shook her head, she wanted to cry, she wanted to vomit, she wanted to get away.
The lights died for a minute and when they came back on, she saw Greg and Oscar in front of her, standing up straight, then collapsing down together side by side, blood began to seep through onto their shirts, she didn’t hear anything but they were already dead, trying to protect each other most likely.
The room went dark again, Sarah panicked and silently cried, she started to tremble violently.
“Sarah?”
“Millie??” Her voice croaked out.
“Sarah, where are you??” Millie yelled out.
“No, please run!!” Sarah cried then heard something metallic crush against something.
The lights came back on.
Millie was in front of her dead, her eyes wide, blood dripping, her skin torn open, her rib cage crushed her own heart and lungs.
“No!! No!! This can’t be happening!!” She sobbed, looking around the room wanting to escape.
“ You are in the Scooping Room now Sarah, a place of no hope and scuffing out the light. Lefty has already been here today. Alec has already been here today. Hazel has already been here today. Pete has already been here today. Greg has already been here today. Oscar has already been here today.”
Eleanor said the names of the dead people around her with no emotion in her voice, like she didn’t care, at one point it sounded like she started singing the names like a children's song, it was making Sarah feel sicker being surrounded by what was essentially blood, massacred organs, crushed rib cages, the pale faces of dead people, eyes that we're fixed onto nothing, and an eternal deafening sound of silences.
No heartbeats, no breathing.
Just husks of what they were.
She didn't want to be around dead people.
“Stanley has already been here today. Matt has already been here today. Fetch has already been here today. Ralpho has already been here today.”
The world started spinning, she felt like she couldn't stand up yet her feet were heavy and refused to move, they wouldn’t respond to her trying to lift them off the ground.
“Do you know much Lefty cried, Sarah? He saw Hazel dead and he begged me to not kill her brother also... he stands in the way, so I did what he would have done to me...”
Eleanor was a monster.
She did more than kill innocent kids and adults.
She killed the only one who could stop her.
“I made them all suffer, but your death will be painless. The Scooper only hurts for a moment.”
The awful realisation of what would come next made a rock settle in her stomach.
No. No. No.
“Please... No...” Sarah quietly sobbed, “I don’t want to die...”
The pled fell on deaf ears, the scooper was like a massive beast. She couldn’t step away.
The beast lunged.
Sarah felt her whole body break, she coughed up a mouthful of blood, she was shaking as she felt her life slipping away rapidly.
Then it slammed back, her ribs all broke with an audible and sickening snap, embedding in her torso.
It was all over.
“Sarah? Sarah!!! Sarah!!”
Millie kept calling to Sarah but she wouldn’t stop hyperventilating, it sounded like she would choke or her heart would stop, Millie went into a blind panic seeing Sarah like this after waking up, she didn’t seem to register the reality.
“Lefty! Lefty!!” Millie opened the door and called down the hallway, in the process, Hazel came out of her room, holding Ralpho like a stuffed animal, Stanley even peeked out of his room looking half awake.
Finally, she saw Lefty's door open and he half ran and stumbled out, nearly falling over.
“Lefty!!”
Lefty stood up straight and took a second, he then ran into the room almost worried someone was dying.
He immediately heard Sarah's sharp gasps from the doorway, her face was puffy, her eyes were wide and pupils constantly darting from side to side, tears were running down her face, it was like she was awake but didn’t know where the hell she was.
Lefty realised there was a real possibility that Sarah would pass out from her rapid breathing.
“Brown paper bag,” He said, “Millie, go get one now!!”
Millie dashed away, Lefty walked closer to Sarah, he held up his hands, “Sarah it's okay, it's me, it's Lefty, you are safe, you are safe.”
Lefty kept repeating what he said until Millie came back a minute later, holding a brown paper bag, Lefty took it from her and offered it to Sarah, “It will help, you need to steady your breathing...”
Sarah felt her heart racing, she didn’t want The Scooper to kill anyone, she didn’t want Eleanor to kill her.
“Sarah?” She heard Lefty talk, she looked at what he was holding and saw the brown paper bag.
She snatched it away from him and used it to immediately breath steadily, her vision started to clear slightly and she saw Lefty had moved to sit on her bed and rubbed her back, “It's okay Sarah... it's okay... You're alright.”
Sarah was slowly calming down, but her tears remained.
“Sarah, did you have a Nightmare or a flashback?” Lefty asked, “Nod for Nightmare, shake your head for a flashback.”
Sarah nodded, she briefly blacked out but her vision returned quickly.
“Jesus Christ, it's 5:30 in the morning,” she heard Greg say.
“Could you all just... go for a while?” Lefty asked, “Go back to bed or go downstairs.”
“I’m not going back to sleep,” Sarah heard Alec say then heard footsteps, he obviously went away downstairs.
Sarah pulled away the bag from her face and looked at Lefty, “You are okay?”
“I should be asking you that,” He looked extremely worried, “Are you alright? I’ve never seen one of you panic like that, the worse I ever saw was Alec bawling his eyes out because he didn’t want to be a Lonely Freddy anymore and he felt no one loved him anymore... Can you tell me about it? Or would you rather not?”
“It was... Eleanor.... but.”
The Scooper only hurts for a moment.
“Lefty no, please don’t do into The Scooping Room, Lefty!” She grabbed at his neck, Lefty was surprised but she continued, “Please don’t go into The Scooping Room Lefty she'll kill you! Please don’t go in there!!!”
Lefty nodded then his eye widen, “Wait! What the hell did you just say??”
“Lefty don’t go in there, don’t go in The Scooping Room please... please don’t go...” She sniffled.
Lefty looked down, he recognised the name for the wrong reasons, he wrapped his arms around her, embracing her, “I’m not going into The Scooping Room Sarah... I’m not leaving you or anyone else...”
Pete snatched his head, his hair was already messy and he made it more so by snatching over his scalp.
“Well, no one's sleeping from this point on,” Stanley muttered, “I’m making coffee to start the day, anyone else wants to partake?”
“I’ll gladly take that offer,” Matt was the first to answer.
Alec rose up his hand, “Just black coffee, nothing else.”
“What about you Pete?”
Pete sat up slightly, “Oh... yea I’ll have some coffee.”
Chuck looked at Pete, obviously still sleepy, “Do you think Lefty's gonna force us to go to school?”
“I don’t think he will considering how sleepy you look,” Pete answered.
“Honestly, I don’t want to even work today,” Delilah chimed in.
Fetch then appeared from upstairs, walking to the sofa where Alec, Hazel, Ralpho Pete, Chuck and Greg were sitting, Fetch then jumped up between Greg and Alec. Greg placed his hand on his head.
“Yes I know... too early even for you Fetch,” Greg nodded.
“Lefty's tired too obviously, he won’t want to go to work,” Alec said.
Millie walked over to them and said: “Yea I’m not up for school today.”
“Nobody is,” Alec added then yawned.
Delilah sat down on one of the sofa chairs, she pressed her hand on her face, “Just too early.”
In the kitchen, Stanley was brewing coffee and surprisingly Matt was helping as best as he could, even with Spring clinging to his leg, which was an annoying habit he started about two weeks ago, Lefty had said even though his actual age was a few months old that Spring was reflecting the behaviour of a five-year-old, which led to Lefty saying it was possible he was ageing quicker than an average child, then he answered Matt's question saying he would most likely be an adult by the age of four.
At least this stupid behaviour wouldn’t last forever.
Lefty walked in the kitchen, he closed his eyes, he looked a little overwhelmed.
“I made you some coffee,” Stanley said, sliding over his favourite mug full of hot coffee.
“Oh thank you,” Lefty took it and immediately took a sip, he then shook his head, his red hair becoming slightly messier.
“You look bothered, are you okay? Is Sarah okay?”
Lefty shook his head again, “I... I don’t know...” he answered closing his eyes, he then sighed and looked at Matt and Stanley.
He saw they were both looking for an answer so he continued by saying: “Sarah had a nightmare about a place she's never been to...”
“I thought it'd be about Eleanor...” Stanley said.
“It was...” Lefty told him, “But... they were in a place... a horrible gruesome place full of spirits that were cries for help that were never answered, pleads that were unheard, lives lost... a place of blood and deception... of madness.”
Blood all over the walls, reeked of multiple people dying.
Lefty didn’t want to go back there...
But Sarah's nightmare had now worried him that The Scooping Room could be back in operation.
Lefty took another gulp of his coffee.
“What was the place called?”
He realised Matt asked that.
“It's called The Scooping Room... it has a machine in there... that can kill grown adults and kids easily...”
“You know how exactly...?”
The look on Lefty's face made Stanley sick to his stomach, he put his hand on his mouth.
“Oh my god...” He said.
“You found a....” Matt was also shocked.
“She was the same age as Sarah, she would have died on contact with the machine... I alerted the police to a foul smell and they found her, she had apparently been missing for four months.”
“Lefty, I’m sorry you saw that,” Stanley shook his head.
“I try... I try not to think about the kids I haven’t saved and instead focus on the ones I did...”
“That isn’t a healthy way to cope Lefty... maybe you need a break,” Matt suggested.
It was the first time Matt suggested what Lefty considered a good idea.
“Yea... I'll call Security... I haven’t had a mental unpacking in a while... I have too much on my mind... I was gonna... but I’ll ask Ballora to do it instead...”
“Do what?”
Lefty finished his coffee, he took in a deep breath, “I need to make sure The Scooping Room isn’t back in operation.”
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gougarpaw · 4 years ago
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Graystripe’s Vow
A quick overview, chapter summaries. 
31 chapters + prologue + epilogue + manga
Prologue - FQ
BloodClan is planning on getting revenge on Firestar’s Quest era ThunderClan. They are lead by a new leader, Fury. 
Gremlin is worried about this, since she is pregnant and doesn’t want to hurt her kits.
Chapter 1 - TBC
Graystripe is realizing he’s old. 
Lionblaze looks like Sandstorm, Spotfur has Frostfur’s face, (Frostfur is Ravenpaw’s sibling.)
Thriftear, Thornclaw, Snaptooth, Flywhisker and others disrespect Squirrelflight because she’s not technically leader.
Squirrelflight talks with Graystripe about being deputy/leader. “You can say it, Graystripe. In many ways, Firestar’s ThunderClan was better... at least things seemed easier.”
Graystripe worries about StarClan returning.
Chapter 2 - TBC
Graystripe dreams about being in the (lake) forest with Firestar. The dream turns and Graystripe feels dread. Graystripe imagines Millie and “talks” it out with her. (...) Graystripe asks Brackenfur if “this is the same ThunderClan as Firestar’s ThunderClan.” Brackenfur says it is. 
Plumstone and Thriftear get into a fight. They both call Graystripe (and StarClan) an “out-of-date boomer” (exact quote /j) then Thornclaw, Twigbranch and Lionblaze argue about if Squirrelflight is leader or deputy. Bumblestripe, and then Bristlefrost try to break up the fight but fail. Squirrelflight ends up begging them to stop :(
Flipclaw suggests they rewrite the warrior code while StarClan is gone. The Clan flips out and Flipclaw then says maybe he wants to spend some time outside of the Clan. Snaptooth agrees, Flywhisker agrees, and Thornclaw agrees. 
Graystripe decides to “wander” with them. Squirrelflight feels betrayed. She gives them a moon to return. 
Chapter 3 - FQ
Graystripe ponders life. Willowpelt, his mother, has died. (...) He overhears Brightheart and Ferncloud doubting the purpose of Firestar’s Quest. (not the book, just why Firestar left.) Ashfur and Cloudtail also think Firestar left to live as a kittypet. Mousefur trusts that Firestar isn’t a kittypet, but wants to know where he is.
Cinderpelt yells at Ashfur. (...)
Brambleclaw, Thornclaw and Brackenfur bring Graystripe a dead rabbit with WindClan scent found on their territory (near fourtrees.) Graystripe decides to do nothing about this but increase border patrols, much to the chagrin of the Clan. 
Graystripe goes to sleep with troubled thoughts, and is awoken by somebody screaming.
Chapter 4 - TBC
Graystripe and the boys decide to stop and hunt while they are still in the territory. Hawkwing and a SkyClan patrol appear. Snaptooth spills the beans and embarresses Graystripe and the others. 
Flywhisker asks if Graystripe wants to rest while they hunt, but he goes hunting anyways. He catches a rabbit. Graystripe contemplates returning to the old forest. 
The other warriors talk about how much easier it is to hunt for four. Flipclaw tells Flywhisker that if she were to have kits he’d make sure she’s wellfed. Flywhisker tells him she isn’t interested. He tries again but she shoots him down. 
Snaptooth asks what they will do now. Flywhisker wonders what it would be like to be a kittypet. Thornclaw gets sick of this and leaves. 
Graystripe tells the others that he wants to visit his son, Stormfur. He hopes that by visiting his “past” he can understand his future.
Chapter 5 - FQ
The screaming was Brightheart. She is giving birth. Graystripe is terrified that she will die like Silverstream. Cloudtail gathers herbs for Cinderpelt.
Graystripe welcomes the kit into ThunderClan and pats himself on the back for doing nothing. Then he realizes that Firestar would done something and not just stand around, and feels ashamed.
A few days later, Thornclaw, Sootpaw and Brambleclaw return with more proof of WindClan hunting on their territory. Ashfur says this wouldn’t be a problem if Dustpelt were deputy. 
Graystripe doesn’t know what to do. Mousefur enters camp and tells him that Russetfur wants to speak with Firestar.
Chapter 6 - TBC
The others are nervous about leaving Clan territory. Graystripe has enjoyed hunting. 
Suddenly, dogs. They climb trees and a human comes and takes the dogs away. 
Later that day, Graystripe tells them that he wants to go now. Flywhisker, Snaptooth and Flipclaw tell him he can go without them. 
Flipclaw changes his mind and comes with Graystripe.
Chapter 7 - FQ
Russetfur and Rowanclaw demand to speak with Firestar. Graystripe tells them that Firestar is busy, so they can speak with him instead. Turns out they’ve scented BloodClan on Clan territory. ThunderClan overhears this and instantly smack-talks ShadowClan. (Rowanclaw’s pronouns are switching paragraph to paragraph. *EDIT: I might just be bad at reading... thanks for telling me lol!)
Graystripe tells his Clan that he thinks BloodClan are the ones pretending to be WindClan and causing trouble. Cinderpelt agrees. 
Graystripe, Dustpelt and Brambleclaw go to inspect the BloodClan smell, but get jumped by BloodClan troopers. Graystripe sees Gremlin and knows she’s fit to burst.
Fury tells them that she knows that Firestar is gone. BloodClan attacks and defeats Graystripe. They throw him under a fence to get eaten by a dog. The dog is locked in a house, so he survives.
Graystripe heads back to the forest, but encounters Gremlin. She lets him escape. This confuses Graystripe.
Chapter 8 - TBC
Graystripe and Flipclaw make it to the Tribe’s territory. Flipclaw is excited to tell his littermates about this. They encounter two Tribe cats, Moon Shining on Water and Thorn that Grows in Clef. 
Graystripe and Stormfur have a sweet reunion for two sentences. Graystripe meets the kits. Flipclaw hits it off with Feather. They are very VERY good friends, (probably a bit more than friends.) 
Stoneteller mentions a rogue who had come around asking for Clan cats. 
Chapter 9 - TBC
Graystripe tells Stoneteller about all the Bramblestar and ThunderClan problems. Stoneteller has sensed a shadow over the Clans. He tells Graystripe that Graystripe still has a long journey ahead. Graystripe goes to sleep.
A tribe cat tells Stoneteller that the boys Flipclaw and Feather were out hunting, but got trapped in a landslide. Graystripe goes with Stoneteller to help.
Feather manages to get out, but Flipclaw is still stuck. It takes all day, but they get Flipclaw out. Flipclaw’s leg is dislocated.
Graystripe sees Feathertail standing on a shiny rock, and takes it as a sign that he must find the moonstone. 
Chapter 10 - FQ
Graystripe returns to camp. He asks Dustpelt if he knows that Ashfur wants him to be deputy. Dustpelt is surprised. 
Ashfur talks smack about Graystripe getting beat up by BloodClan (same energy as “im built different”) Brambleclaw reminds him that there were too many BloodClan cats for two and a half warriors to fight.
The next day Graystripe tells ThunderClan they must prepare for BloodClan again. 
Chapter 11 - TBC
Graystripe wants to leave the tribe immediately. Stormfur asks why he doesn’t just stay forever. Graystripe considers it, but still wants to go to the moonstone. 
Flipclaw is still recovering. Graystripe tells him about the moonstone, and Flipclaw tells Graystripe that he wants to go home. They part ways.
Graystripe thinks about Silverstream and Millie again. He hunts a mouse and spots Highstones. He nearly gets hit on the Thunderpath. 
Chapter 12 - FQ
Still worried about BloodClan, Graystripe is startled by Shrewkit and Spiderkit playing. ThunderClan is on edge. Graystripe decides now is a good time to tell the other Clans that BloodClan is back.
Graystripe takes Cloudtail and Rainpaw to WindClan. Tallstar believes Graystripe about BloodClan and sends Firestar his well-wishes. They go to RiverClan and meet Stormfur. Leopardstar is angry about BloodClan, and sceptical about Firestar. 
Stormfur and Feathertail escort them off RiverClan territory. 
Chapter 13 - TBC
Graystripe makes it to Highstones. He thinks about visiting Barley. 
An owl scares him, and then a pack of monsters scare him. He escapes and hides in a bush. A fat kittypet stumbles upon him, but leaves to get dinner. Graystripe feels lost. 
Graystripe dreams about Millie’s death. He wakes up and smells the river. He sees sunningrocks. 
Graystripe gets attacked by a cat.
Chapter 14 - FQ
It’s the gathering. Graystripe is nervous about BloodClan still being in the forest. 
Leopardstar and Blackstar are sceptical about Firestar’s whereabouts. She announces that there was a fox on their territory, but that *Mistyfoot chased it off. 
The leaders agree to share news of BloodClan with each other throughout the moon.
Graystripe talks with Stormfur and Feathertail, similar to what he says to them in A Shadow in RiverClan (that they are welcome in ThunderClan.)
Chapter 15 - TBC
Graystripe realizes the kittypet who attacked him is not alone. There are five others. They introduce themselves as WarriorClan! Monkeystar, Bugeater, Fireface, Bigteeth, Clawwhistle, and Chester. They are larping as clan cats during the day, and returning to their humans at night.
Smudge is still alive, and has told the kittypets all about the warriors. They ask if Firestar is with him. Graystripe says he isn’t, but that he is a real warrior. Monkeystar asks him to prove it by fighting her, and he wins.
Graystripe decides to stay with WarriorClan for a little bit, and teaches them how to hunt.
Near sunset, Graystripe decides to leave WarriorClan. Monkeystar bids him farewell. Graystripe finds Four Trees, and is distressed about its destruction.
Chapter 16 - FQ
Graystripe is hunting when he hears someone in the bushes. It’s Gremlin. She wants to give birth to her kits somewhere safe. She says that ThunderClan is the only place she’d want to have her kits. She wants her and her brother to be safe too. 
Brackenfur appears and says that they can’t trust Gremlin. Graystripe and him argue a bit. 
Graystripe goes home and tells Cinderpelt about Gremlin. Cinderpelt decides to go to the moonstone and ask StarClan.
Chapter 17 - TBC
Still trying to get out of the twoleg place, Graystripe finally gets to the exit. He feels like he’s being followed, and lo and behold WarriorClan wants to see the moonstone. 
Graystripe tells them that they can just wait outside for him. They agree and they all set off. When they are closer, they smell a stranger!
WarriorClan is ready for a fight, but the stranger tells Graystripe that they are Gremlin’s kit, and that he had vowed to help Gremlin no matter what. They asked if he would help them too.
Chapter 18 - FQ
Graystripe is going with Cinderpelt to the moonstone. He thinks about Gremlin while he waits outside.
Graystripe falls asleep and dreams about Firestar. Firestar turns into Fury and tells him to wake up. Cinderpelt is back and tells Graystripe that he’s got to make his own decision, and to beware the snake bite.
Graystripe does not find this encouraging.
Chapter 19 - TBC
The stranger, Fang, tells Graystripe that he escaped from an abusive twoleg’s den and wants to go back to get his mate. His mate, Daffodil, is sick and might die (like Gremlin did) in this twoleg’s house.
Graystripe agrees to help but first he wants to go to the moonstone. Bigteeth, Bugeater, Fireface and Chester head back to their humans. 
Graystripe enters Mothermouth and asks StarClan to forgive him from trespassing and asks for help.
Lightning strikes!
Chapter 20 - FQ
Graystripe meets with Gremlin at Smudge’s house. Cinderpelt tells Gremlin that one of her kits is upside-down, and that the birth might be hard.
Fury drops by and asks Smudge if he wants to join BloodClan. He stands his ground, and she tells Gremlin that there will be a Clan meeting. 
Graystripe calls a Clan meeting himself and tells ThunderClan about Gremlin. The Clan is divided about her, but Cinderpelt helps convince them that Gremlin needs their help.
Ashfur loudly objects, but Cinderpelt helps convince the Clan that Gremlin needs their help and means no harm. 
Chapter 21 - TBC
Lightning struck the moonstone and destroyed. Graystripe is terrified. He runs back to Monkeystar, Clawwhistle and Fang and tells them. Monkeystar suggests they go to Barley. 
Fang asks if Graystripe is his father. Graystripe tells him no, but that he is proud of him nonetheless. Fang is disappointed. 
Barley is shocked that Graystripe is still alive. Barley is very old, and doesn’t move much. Monkeystar and Clawwhistle hunt a mouse for him. 
Graystripe asks Barley what he should do, and Barley suggests he sleep on it. Before he sleeps, he hears Fang ask if Barley knew Gremlin.
Chapter 22 - FQ
Back at Smudge’s house, Gremlin and Graystripe have a meet up again. 
Gremlin tells Graystripe that BloodClan will attack in two days, when the camp is at its weakest (all the patrols are out and the patrols who have returned are already tired.)
Chapter 23 - TBC
Graystripe spends the day listening to Barley telling Fang about Gremlin. They go to sleep, but Fang seems unhappy.
Fang tells Graystripe that Gremlin died in the twoleg den that he had escaped from. Fang wants to leave now and free all the other cats too. 
Chapter 24 - TBC
They head out. WarriorClan wants to come with, but Graystripe says it’s too dangerous. He convinces them to stay with Barley.
Graystripe enters the house through a window. The house is unkept, and all the cats are starving. It’s not great. The twoleg is very very old. 
The twoleg shuts the window while he tries to figure out an escape route.
Chapter 25 - TBC
Graystripe speaks with the cats. He learns that Fang used to be named Honeysuckle. 
The cats try to come up with ideas of how to escape. The twoleg’s favorite cat, Petunia, shoots down the idea of attacking the twoleg. 
They make a plan to prop open a door, but it fails. Graystripe feels hopeless.
Chapter 26 - FQ
Graystripe tries to orchestrate a normal day while preparing for a battle with BloodClan. He sends the elders Goldenflower and Frostfur on a “patrol” near twoleg place to scout out BloodClan and the apprentices to the training hollow where they can avoid the battle.
Fury enters camp and the battle begins. The apprentices disobey and try to fight BloodClan. 
Cinderpelt tries to sneak Gremlin out of the fighting, but is spotted by Fury. Snake and Ice try to stop her, and Scraps tries to stop them. Scraps dies. 
Graystripes is about to kill Snake when Fury yells at him to stop. She threatens to kill Gremlin, and the other cats stop fighting too.
Chapter 27 - FQ
Graystripe notices that Fury has been fatally wounded, and tells her if they leave the Clans alone, Cinderpelt can treat her wound. Fury refuses, but starts dying. Fury then decides she wants to live, and ThunderClan wins. 
ThunderClan finally apologizes for not trusting Graystripe. Graystripe talks to Cinderpelt about StarClan’s message, then goes and visits Gremlin. Gremlin is mourning Scraps, and decides that being in a Clan is too violent for her. 
Gremlin decides to become a kittypet, so Graystripe vows to always help Gremlin if she asks. (thats the name of the book fellas we did it)
Chapter 28 - TBC
Graystripe speaks with Daffodil, Fang’s mate. She is very weak. He is worried that Fang has abandoned them.
Later, Fang returns with WarriorClan, and WarriorClan pushes up on a loose board. The kittypets are able to escape. Petunia wants to stay.
A mail man arrives and calls animal control. The cats leave the house but don’t go far. The older cats want to go and get captured, and Daffodil does too. 
The elderly human is taken away in an ambulance, and Petunia wants to stay at the house until she returns. Graystripe convinces her she can still wait, but she has to escape the humans first. 
Fang is sad that Daffodil is gone, and Graystripe has no idea how to comfort him.
Chapter 29 - TBC
Graystripe comforts Fang. 
The escaped cats decide to part ways, either becoming loners, going off to find human caretakers, or joining WarriorClan (and moving to Barley’s barn.)
Graystripe is ready to retire to the elder’s den again. He realizes that it is possible for Clans to exist without StarClan, like WarriorClan has and is. Fang is upset and doesn’t want him to leave. 
Graystripe asks Petunia to be the medicine cat, and encourages her to take on an apprentice in case her human ever comes back. WarriorClan feels like a real Clan now (to Graystripe and Fang.) 
Graystripe prepares to leave.
Chapter 30 - FQ
ThunderClan is back to normal. Firestar is back!
Graystripe tells Firestar that he is not fit to lead, and that he is happy just being deputy. Firestar is just happy to be back. 
Chapter 31 - TBC
Graystripe sleeps in Barley’s barn and tells him what happened. Barley is glad the cats escaped, and that they are welcome in his barn. 
Graystripe is spotted by a hunting patrol and Stormfur greets him. He tells Stormfur that he is returning to ThunderClan, because he’s realized he doesn’t need StarClan to tell him that ThunderClan has changed. He has come to terms with it.
Stormfur is frustrated that Graystripe won’t stay, but calms down and enjoys the rest of the evening with his father for the last time.
Graystripe makes it to the lake, and is excited to be back in the home he loves. 
Epilogue - FQ
It’s the gathering. All the Clans are surprised that Firestar is there. Firestar announces BloodClan’s second defeat, and the Clans chant Graystripe’s name.
Manga - TBC 
A moon later. Monkeystar says that WarriorClan is thriving, but that she is insecure about her leadership skills. Fang is a good deputy, but Petunia keeps leaving for days. 
Monkeystar decides to go and find Petunia. She, Bugeater, Lily and Clawwhistle travel to find the human’s house. They get attacked by kittypets, and are chased off. They find Petunia at the human’s house, rundown and abandoned. 
Petunia doesn’t want to leave the house behind, but knows in her heart that her human will not return. Lily convinces Petunia to come home, albeit regretfully.
Monkeystar comes up with a plan to help Petunia move on. She takes Petunia to the shattered the moonstone. 
Petunia returns joyfully. Gremlin’s ghost had appeared to her, and tells her that the old human is dead but at peace. Gremlin encourages Petunia by telling her that her Clanmates need her. 
The patrol returns to WarriorClan, reinvigorated. 
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wednesdaywarriorswc · 4 years ago
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i know all we have of graystripes vow is a blurb and a preview but i’ve got my own theory of how the main story line should be (not the story with gremlin and bloodclan as i’m sure thats just they attack the clan and gray has to rally them without firestar which is a fine story)
-greystripe decides to leave the clan and go visit stormfur and the old territories. thornclaw, snaptooth, flywhisker and flipclaw also decide to leave on their own terms to discover themselves but separately to gray.
-gray decides to walk around the territories to get to the mountains as he can’t be bothered with any trouble. as he’s going he bumps into the other group who are surprised he actually left. grey tells them there’s no place for an old cat and his stories anymore. the clan and the code no longer work in harmony and so he’s going back to the old territories to try and keep his promise to firestar there.
-the younger cats feel like they can’t let and old cat wander on their own and they also decide seeing the mountains would be fun so they decide to go with him.
-it’s awkward at first while they travel consideing they’d all argued badly a few days before. the topic of whether or not squirrelflight was the true leader came up again and why they didn’t question brambleclaw greystripe spits at thornclaw about brokenstar being leader despite everything and Tigerstar I being made leader and when nightstar didn’t get his lives because of brokenstar still being alive.
-the younger cats want to know more about this but the older two are angry and stop talking. they make it to the mountains and the tribe are apprehensive to see them but stormfur, stoneteller and brook convince them they’re good cats.
-greystripe is overjoyed for see stormfur and his kits and it give him a sense of pride he’s been missing. he settles into the cave as he’s too old to hunt in the mountains but snaptooth,flywhisker and flipclaw go out to hunt to pull their weight. thornclaw discusses with stoneteller how long they’ll be there.
-stormfur asks why he left considering he’s so old. greystripe tells him he didn’t feel at home there anymore and by leaving he might finally be able to make good on his promise to firestar all those years ago to protect his clan. stormfur is confused but rolls with it.
-later that evening flipclaw comes up to greystripe and offers him prey which he take gratefully. he hangs around awkwardly and greys like “what do you want i’ve had kits i know when they want something” and flipclaw asks him if grey would tell him more about brokenstar, bluestar and tigerstar, as he doesn’t know that much and it sounded interesting.
-greystripe being absolutely over the moon to share his stories starts to tell him and snaptooth and flywhisker come too. it takes awhile but thornclaw sits a little bit away but listens too. he spends all night telling stories about the old leaders and firestars intervention and ravenpaw with huge amounts of enthusiasm.
-when it’s getting late they start getting up to go to bed when snaptooth asks who greystripes old mate was if stormfur was born to clan cats. greystripe gets sad and wistful and tells him it was a riverclan cat, silverstream. she was his first love before he ever met millie. snaptooth wants to ask more but thornclaw interjects and says it’s late and if they want to know more they can ask tomorrow.
-greystripe feels happy and whole and like he’s doing these cats some good, engaging they’re minds and showing them starclan isn’t always right and that the code isn’t everything but is important.
-he gets into another argument with thornclaw the next day while he’s talking about silverstream to the young cats. thornclaw states he broke the code even if it was love it was stupid and dangerous. greystripe recounts bluestar also had halfclan kits one of which is leader of riverclan and actually following the code blindly to each letter is what led to hollyleafs death.
-the group goes silent and he recounts hollyleafs story. ending with that sometimes being that loyal to the code will tear you apart more than being your own cat and being adaptable.
-they leave the mountains towards the old territories. the younger cats realising the clan has changed and they’re in an impossible situation there. as berrynose shouldn’t have been deputy but he was and they followed him and squirrelflight is technically the next best thing even if it is a bit nepotism. and although lionblaze is strong a younger cat should be deputy to make way for a longer leadership and better relationship with all cats.
-greystripe is proud they’re forming their own opinions and decisions and they’re actually rational
-they get to the moonstone eventually and thornclaw and greystripe are horrified at what they see if their old territories. it’s got huge thunderpaths running right through it and it looks butchered. their hearts ache. the younger cats are in shock as this journey was the first time they’d ever come into contact with a thunderpath let alone ones this big.
-greystripe wants to go to the moonstone and see if it’s still there and if they could maybe access starclan from there. thornclaw tells him it would be a full moon tomorrow and they could try. they decide to make camp in a cave nearby where greystripe tells more stories about the time tigerstar framed ravenpaw at the moonstone and about barely at the barn and when fireheart and him went to find windclan and got in a fight at the riverclan border.
-the next evening they go into the moonstone and miraculously it’s still there. the younger cats are in awe of it and they go forward and touch noses. they all fall asleep but don’t quite reach starclan. greystripe gets darkness and mist but he can smell cats and see shapes and outlines of cats. just before he wakes up it becomes clearer and he sees willowpelt. his mother he misses so much. she tells him how proud she is and that he’s doing the right thing. he asks why starclan have gone while she fades away she just tells him the clans needed to learn to stop relying on dead cats to live. (and the the df have interfered)
-he wakes up and the younger cats seem rattled. he asks if they saw anything. thornclaw said it was dark and fuzzy but he heard stemleafs voice telling him to let go and be strong. flipclaw, snaptooth and flywhisker tell him they were together in a field that they wouldn’t see more than a mouse tail in front of them. when a cat with a pelt like fire came up to them and told them to trust their hearts and fix the cracks the imposter made. and that leaving to find themselves doesn’t make them disloyal.
-theyre all in shock they actually could visit. greystripe theorises whatever’s happened in the lake territories to their connection is struggling to hold power this far away so they could get glimpses. it fills them with hope their ancestors are still there and that maybe they were too quick to judge.
-they ask what grey saw. he says he’ll tell them later. they decide to go to the barn and see if they can stay there even if barley is gone.
-there’s a new cat there called monty who’s defensive at first but when they explain who they are and he mentions barley monty relaxes as he heard stories from line travellers about the clans and the two old toms who used to live in the barn and permits them to stay and hunt in exchange for stories which the younger cats gladly tell all excitedly to thornclaw and greystripes amusement.
-later in the evening when they’re all settled thornclaw apologises to greystripe for being so harsh to him. he then asks what greystripe saw in the moonstone. greystripe tells him he saw willowpelt his mother. who told him they did the right thing. and that the reason they can’t access starclan is due to the DF and that starclan want the clans to be more independent. the younger cats don’t recognise willowpelts name and greystripe tells them she was his mother and how she died and of his siblings who didn’t survive.
-the next day greystripe wanders off on his own before dawn. looking for the place in riverclan where the elders stayed behind. he gets there avoiding the thunderpaths and finds mounds of earth where they were buried. and one shoddily made grave that must’ve been done by a rogue finding the last cats body.
-the other cats catch up to him and tell him off for wandering off when he’s so old and he’s just quiet. thornclaw realises where they are and he tells the young cats these are the graves of the ones who couldn’t make the journey. they mourn quietly.
-grey decides he wants to try and show the younger cats what’s left of thunderclan camp. thorn thinks it’s stupid but there’s no stopping the elder.
-they do find it but it’s destroyed. the nests are bent and broken, the stone dens are cracked and trees have collapsed over it. greystripes heart aches and the younger cats appreciate more where they came from and what they went through.
- greystripe and thornclaw lay respect to the dead who couldn’t travel with them and they go back to the barn.
- the younger cats decide they want to go back to thunderclan they want to change the code and fix it to be better for cats and to get rid of the imposter. greystripe is proud of them for coming to their own decisions and tells them they’ll do a fantastic job. they also tell him they want more cats to hear old stories and advice. as it gave them a new perspective and appreciation for their life.
-greystripe feels as if he’s fulfilled his promise and asks them if they listened well to his stories and if they remember them. they nod and ask why. he shakes his head and tells them one last story. of the legend of the founding fathers of the clans. one of the lions and tigers and leopards who were their ancestors. and one of Riverstar, Thunderstar, Shadowstar, Skystar and Windstar. their real ancestors. he tells this story with more knowledge than anyone has had for generations. he tells from his heart a story that had been lost to time. a story he didn’t know before this night but was being whispered in his ear from an unknown source.
-greystripe dies that night in the barn. the cats bury his body by the moonstone and sit vigil for one night and return to the clans with the news. greystripes spirit doesn’t pass on to starclan. but he follows the young cats home, certain that they can be the ones to release the spirits and send them home to their families.
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thistleclaws-hatred · 5 years ago
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Ashfur’s Revenge - Novella - Chapter Six
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This novella is inspired by @dark-rose-designs ’s post.
This is the infamous fire scene. I really tried my best with this one! Some of the dialogue has been taken straight from “Long Shadows” chapters 22-23, so that way it seemed more like canon. I only took dialogue though, nothing else, and most of the dialogue in this is mine. The parts that are from the book though, are obviously not mine and I do not claim them to be.
The lightning strike had been enough to wake everyone up. Warriors streamed out of the den, queens poked their heads out of the nursery and Firestar’s voice sent chills down Ashfur’s spine. “Fire! Evacuate the camp!”
“Meet at the old twoleg nest!” Brambleclaw called to everyone as he ran out of the camp, Thornclaw, Brightheart, and Cloudtail right behind him. Dustpelt paused to get Ferncloud, Daisy, and Millie out of the camp. He and Ferncloud helped Millie with her three kits. Spiderleg pushed them aside to grab Toadkit, while Daisy gripped onto Rosekit and they all ran off. Graystripe raced over to Millie, thanking Duspelt and Ferncloud as the group exited the camp.
Firestar and Sandstorm were helping Mousefur and Longtail out of the clearing. Foxpaw and Icepaw had been given important herbs by Leafpool to carry safely out of camp. Ashfur froze, where was Squirrelflight?
Another bolt of lightning struck a tree and a large branch came crashing down into the camp. Ashfur squinted through the flames. He could see the remaining warriors managing their way out, but saw Hollyleaf slowly getting Jayfeather out of the medicine den with Lionblaze right next to them. Another branch crumbled into the clearing, blocking the entrance and exit to the camp. Ashfur froze. Now’s my chance!
It was like StarClan sent him a way to punish Squirrelflight. He could pick off her kits one-by-one during the fire and no one would be the wiser as their bodies burned to dust. All his moons of planning, all his failed attempts, everyone that he had lost. Firestar lived and Hawkfrost died. Lionblaze, Lionpaw at the time, survived the battle with ShadowClan, leaving Ashfur wounded. Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw flaunted their love in front of everyone, for everyone and especially Ashfur to see. Now all of his hatred came to the surface. He felt free, free at last. The flames didn’t even bother him as he looked around for his victims.
Ashfur saw that Squirrelflight was still in the camp, trying desperately to get her kits out of the clearing before they turned to ash. Ashfur watched them as they scaled the side of the cliff, with Squirrelflight leaping to safety. Only her three precious kits remained. He saw that they were trapped and moved to help them.
Ashfur moved his way over to them, seeing Hollyleaf drag Lionblaze back. That mouse-brain was going to try to jump the gap. He pushed one of the thick branches in between the gap, hauling himself up to partial safety and moving the branch better into position.
Lionblaze flashed him a look of gratitude and tried to move across, but Ashfur stood in his way. “No.”
“Ashfur, what are you doing? Let me cross!” Lionblaze growled over the crackling flames.
“No!” He spat, turning around to face Squirrelflight. The ginger she-cat was blending in with the flames, but there was no mistaking those green eyes.
“Ashfur, let them through!” She meowed, her voice high.
“Never! You will learn what it’s like to suffer! Your kits will die!” Ashfur snarled, arching his back.
“Let them through Ashfur, this is between us. Do whatever you want to me!” She was begging now. Her pleads reached his ears and he purred. He liked her begging. 
“No matter what I do to you, it will never compare to what you’ve done to me! You and your precious Brambleclaw!”
"Your quarrel with Brambleclaw has to stop. Too many moons have passed. You have to accept that I'm Brambleclaw's mate, not yours. You can't keep trying to punish Brambleclaw for something that was always meant to be." Squirrelflight meowed, her voice turning softer. “I’m sorry that things didn’t go the way you wanted, but this is not how warriors should act. Let them go, they are innocent!”
“They are as much innocent as you are dear Squirrelflight. I tried for so long to get you to notice me. I brought you the best fresh-kill, I protected you during battle, I did everything for you!” Ashfur spat.
“I never needed that! Brambleclaw understands that I am my own cat, not just his mate. You can’t seem to understand that I don’t need protecting, you’re so wrapped up in your own fantasy you can’t see how insane you look!” Squirrelflight retorted, taking a step forward. “I never knew how upset you were.”
“Upset?” Ashfur echoed. “I’m not upset. You have no idea how much pain I’m in. It’s like being cut open every day, bleeding onto the stones. I can’t understand how any of you failed to see the blood.” He looked off in the distance, he could see something. Waves of blood covering every inch of the camp. His blood. He had trekked all over these woods, all over the camp, he had left his blood everywhere. It was in the nursery and the fresh-kill pile, all over the warriors’ den, his fellow clanmates were soaked red with his blood. How could no one see it?
Ashfur spun around to face the three warriors, and felt pleased as they pressed closer together. Hollyleaf had a look of pure terror in her eyes. He felt powerful and strong, nothing could stop him now! He dragged his claws along the rocks, hearing them screech as they sharpened.
“Ashfur this is ridiculous! Let them go now. You can kill me, have your way with me, do whatever you want with me, just let them go! I’ll bear your kits, drown myself, none of this has to happen!” Squirrelflight stepped onto the branch.
Ashfur spun around and roared, “Have my kits now will you? Now you will? Now do you see how much of a mate I would be for you? Brambleclaw is nothing! You are nothing! These kits will die slowly and painfully and it will be all your fault.”
“Ashfur, please,” Squirrelflight was begging again. That felt good. 
“So many moons I spent trying to get you to feel my pain. You’re a mouse-brained fool Squirrelflight! I can't believe you didn't know how much you hurt me. You are the blind one, not Jayfeather. Who do you think sent Firestar the message to go down to the lake, where the fox trap was? I wanted him to die, to take your father away so you'd know the real meaning of pain."
“You...You plotted with Hawkfrost?” She was in disbelief.
“We used to meet almost every night. That tom had my heart more than you ever would! And he actually cared about me, unlike you. You wouldn’t have cared if I turned to crowfood!” Ashfur snarled.
“Ashfur, that’s not true. You’re a warrior of ThunderClan and my friend, I would’ve fought beside you in battle after battle,” Squirrelflight retorted, “But you’re so blinded by hatred you cannot see your own failures.”
The fire burned closer, almost scorching his fur. Ashfur felt alive. “I’m going to fight him,” he heard Lionblaze behind him.
“He’ll just push you into the fire,” Hollyleaf reasonsed.
Ashfur looked at them over his shoulder and laughed dangerously, “I would love to fight you Lionblaze, to tear at your throat and watch you bleed! Brambleclaw isn’t here to save you or anyone else here. Let’s have some fun.”
He faced Squirrelflight once more. He saw the she-cat prepare to pounce and smirked, bunching his muscles. Embers began to fall all around them. Green eyes met blue and Squirrelflight stopped. She stood up, exhausted by her wound and smoke inhalation and tried once more to reason with Ashfur, “Enough, Ashfur. Your quarrel is with me. These young cats have done nothing to hurt you. Do what you like with me, but let them out of the fire.”
“You don’t understand.” Ashfur looked at her as if he was seeing  her for the first  time;  his voice was puzzled and petulant. “This is the only way to make you feel the same pain that you caused me. You tore my heart out when you chose Brambleclaw over me. Anything I did to you would never hurt as much. But your kits...” He looked through the flames at Hollyleaf and her brothers, his eyes narrowing to dark blue slits. “If you watch them die, then you’ll know the pain I felt.”
Time seemed to slow down. Ashfur spun around again and began stalking towards Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather. His claws made a sickening noise and drool dripped from his jaws. His eyes were wild, more wild and crazy than the fire that surrounded them. His fangs gleamed in the raging flames, and he shook his head back and forth, sending strands of saliva all over the cliff.
Ashfur saw Lionblaze’s claws were unsheathed, glowing with another crack of lightning. The storm raged on above them, slicking back all of their fur. “Poor little Lionblaze, always so brave, but now...Now you’ll blaze for sure!” Ashfur took another step forward as a strike of lightning illuminated his crazed gaze and glistening teeth.
Hollyleaf had her front leg in front of Jayfeather, as if she could protect him. Ashfur laughed again, tilting his head back and letting out a sickening roar of triumph. From behind him, Squirrelflight spoke once more, “Kill them, then,” she meowed. “You won’t hurt me that way.”
Ashfur turned around, “Is this some kind of joke? Because I’m not laughing and it won’t save your kits.”
“If you really want to hurt me, you’ll have to find a better way than that,”  Squirrelflight  snarled. “They are not my kits.”
Ashfur felt his whole world stop. Not her kits? What did she mean? He shook his head, sending water flying, “You’re lying.”
“Did you see me kit them? Nurse them? Show any signs of bearing kits? Did I stay with them until they were apprenticed?” Squirrelflight asked. 
Ashfur felt his eye twitch. “Who else knows?” He snarled, dragging his claws acros the rock once more.
“No one. I fooled everyone, even Brambleclaw,” her voice broke as she mentioned his name, “They are not my kits!”
“Then who’s are they?” Ashfur spat. When Squirrelflight hesitated, he began stalking towards her. If the kits were not hers, then they were of no use to him. He raised a paw, letting his claws shine in the raging flames.
“Leafpool’s...” She whispered, just loud enough for Ashfur to hear. Ashfur twitched, tilting his head to the side and lashing his tail.
“And what will the clan think when I tell them? Do you really think that Brambleclaw will remain by your side? That Firestar and Sandstorm will ever look at you the same?” Ashfur’s voice had turned dark once more. He felt ripe with power, like a leader who just got their nine lives.
“You would tell them?” Squirrelflight looked up in disbelief.
“That is an excellent way to hurt you Squirrelflight,” Ashfur growled. “If you thought I would keep this secret, then you are just as dumb as Scourge when Tigerstar promised him equal hunting rights! I will break your spirit, make you lose everything you love. I will take away your clan, Brambleclaw, your sister, your parents...Everything!”
Ashfur ran away, letting all four cats live. He ran as fast as he could, his mind reeling. He roared, leaping up and knocking down an entire branch from a tree with a powerful strike. He landed and huffed, sucking in as much clear air as he could. “Not her kits!” he hissed to himself.
He ran around in circles a few times, letting the fact settle in his mind. He heard their voices, their stupid voices. They didn’t come towards him though, they went towards the abandoned twoleg house. Ashfur had the power to destroy all of them. If they really were Leafpool’s kits, then they were medicine cat kits and that would hurt Leafpool as well, further damaging Squirrelflight.
Ashfur felt giddy, he was sure his pelt and paws were scorched, but he could feel no pain, only pure unadulterated bliss. He walked down to the lake and went in, cooling off his paws and pelt. Squirrelflight will pay a thousand times over. She will know what it is like to suffer!
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alias-b · 5 years ago
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Without The Lights~ Billy Hargrove x OC Camille Harper
Chapter 4: Heart Of Glass
A/N: Secrets out this chapter. Be warned this chapter deals with an attempted s*icide at the end. It’s not graphic or gory, but trigger warning. Cross posted to my ao3
  “Feeling any better?” Rosemary hurried over when Camille came into the kitchen in her pajamas. She, Edna, and Noah all stopped talking the second she appeared in the doorway. Not unsettling at all.
  “Yes.” Camille held herself when her mother kissed her head.
  “I’ll speak to a doctor and they’ll fix your dose. Do not worry about it, honey.” Noah came to his feet. “You should rest.”
  “I’m fine now.”
  “We need you healthy.” He was more matter-a-fact than a comfort. There was a knock and Edna moved out to see to the door. Camille held at least a hundred questions back before the housekeeper returned.
  “For you, Milly.”
  “Oh?” Camille saw Nancy there with Jonathan Byers behind her. A dozen more questions came up.
  “Can we talk?” Nancy uttered, obviously bothered. Jonathan shoved his hands in his pockets.
  “Yes...” Camille pulled a hoodie over her nightclothes when the cold chilled her flesh and slipped on shoes to go out without telling her parents. “What is going on?”
  “Can I trust you?”
  “Nancy, you’re freaking me out.” She hesitated but got into the back seat while Jonathan took the wheel and her friend huffed, buckling up. “We lied to you.”
  “Shocker! Who could have predicted this?” Camille was hard as Jonathan drove them off.
  “I know, I know. But, I'm serious. Something happened last year. Something huge.” Nancy turned to see her friend. “You’re kind of apart of it. You deserve to know. But, I need your help, Camille. I need you. We’ll tell you everything.”
  “What do you need from me?”
  “We need you to spy on your dad.” Nancy pressed then and Camille laughed out loud at her.
  “Okay, fun's gone! Jonathan, pull over. I’m done.”
  “We can’t until you know everything.” Jonathan turned down a forest path and went up the hill. They got to a view that overlooked Hawkins. Small lights dotted the little town. He parked and they both turned.
  “Nancy.”
  “Barb is dead.” Nancy teared up, arms crossing over the seat. Jonathan produced a photo, ripped apart and taped back together. Camille was shaking but she took it. Barb sat on a diving board. Alone. Behind her was a twisted sort of man. A creature with no face. “That was taken the night she disappeared. Steve’s party.”
  “I didn’t go.” Camille traced the outline of her lost friend. She didn't go because they were there.
  “That thing took her. It took my brother too.” Jonathan offered, frowning. “It tried to kill us. It’s...not from here. We can tell you everything but, please...keep an open mind.” Camille was slowly going mad, eyes lifted.
  “I’m listening.”
** ** **
  “I’m not hungry!” Billy called when there was a knock so he cranked up his music. Max cracked his door open. “Go away, shitbird.”
  “What happened at the high school today?”
  “Fuck if I know, leave me alone,” he kicked his backpack aside.
  “Why are you such an asshole?” She blurted, touching her lips as if to stop it when he grew livid.
  “Why did your fucking mother have to toss herself on my dad, huh?! Answer that, Max!” Billy growled. “Leave me alone.” She glared and shut the door. It was an hour before his father’s angry steps vibrated the floors. Billy wanted to hide. His door bashed open and Neil stalked in.
  “What?” Billy stood up, fists tight as if to brace himself.
  “Was that girl with you again?”
  "Which one? I see lots of girls." Billy played dumb and shrunk when Neil advanced. "She's nothing to me, dad. Went home sick today before they canceled classes. Power blew. We’re classmates, I have to see her. She tutors and shit.”
  “I don’t want my pussy of a son associating with little whores like her, you embarrass me enough. You know the type of person she is, you know to avoid them. Some people are just better separated and I don't like repeating myself. Bad enough I have to see you tart up like some queer before you go chase them.”
  “Well, dad, what am I: a queer or a pussy chaser?!” Billy shot back sarcastically, unable to stop it, and Neil grabbed him by his shirt with two iron fists. The teen slammed into the wall, head throbbing before he was slapped. Spots exploded in his eyes.
  “Neil,” Susan appeared like a tiny mouse in the doorway. Billy jerked around and Neil slammed him into the shelves this time. His son froze, eyes lifting as if he could escape the moment. “Please.”
  “Not until this little shit learns his place! You disrespect my house. You chase filthy little...sluts.” Neil growled and Billy grew petrified, eyes glazed over. “You stay away from that girl. There are certain people I will not have near my house and that girl is one of them. I teach you nothing? Say, yes.” Billy’s lip trembled. "What was that?"
  “Yes, sir.” He scratched. Neil yanked to push him away roughly and Billy stumbled, falling to the floor. Susan just watched, she appeared sorry. Terrified.
  “You both-”
  “Oh, fuck off, Susan.” Billy jabbed as if to egg his dad on when this became too damn much. Neil came to a skidding stop, whirling before one steel toed shoe knocked into Billy’s stomach.
  “Neil!” Susan called to stop him. Billy hacked for air, lungs gave an unpleasant spasm. Clear vomit hit the floor along with blood from his lip.
  “What do you say?” Neil tore a hand into dirty blond curls.
  “I’m...” Billy heaved too hard to get his breath back. It burned. Drool fell down his bloodied mouth. Eyes bloodshot and wet. “I’m sorry, Susan.”
  “Neil, stop. Please.” Another well placed smack stung and Neil was crossing to go out, pushing Susan along before the door slammed. Billy climbed into bed and pulled his legs up so he was a ball. Quiet sobs hitched. Max curled up in her room too. Staring at the wall she and Billy shared. She brought her legs to her chest and tucked her own head down to cry.
** ** **
  “Drive me home.” Camille shoved the picture back. “This is-”
  “It’s real. All of it.”
  “You’re talking about other dimensions and little magic girls. This is some sci-fi conspiracy shit, Nancy. This isn't you. Drive me home.” Camille pressed. “And you think my dad knows, what the fuck, Nance? My father is literally the epitome of mild mannered scientist. He fits every stereotype for god’s sake. It's annoying. He can’t even kill spiders in our house. He makes mom do it. He’s studied his whole life to-”
  “Just keep an open mind. Watch him. You know something's been off. You know it. They must hide things from you, Cam.” The old nickname made Camille softer. “They’re never home. Search and you’ll find something. Anything.”
  “This is crazy. And Mike’s group knows. Chief Hopper. Joyce Byers. Steve?! What am I-?”
  “Please, just try and if you don’t find anything you can shove it back in my face.” Nancy promised. “Jonathan and I are going into the lab. We’re taking them down. For Barb and Will and El and everyone else they hurt.”
  “And this Eleven girl?”
  “They stole her and used her as a test subject. There were others. She disappeared. Mike...they cared about her and he’s been broken up about it. That’s why he’s acting out. Promise me that you’ll be careful and just...keep an eye out.” Camille thought of the attic room. “What is it?”
  “There’s a...” She stopped, sighing. Sanity was long overrated. “Fine. I’ll play.”
  “Don’t tell anyone in your house. Not even Edna. It’s not safe.” Jonathan offered as they drove home. Camille observed all the dead farms on the way. This town was losing it.
  “I got it.” Camille rubbed her eyes. “This is heavy. I’ll...keep an open mind.” Something more was off. Something inside her. That feeling fed too much. “I’ll see you guys later.”
  “Camille...thank you.” Nancy reached to touch her hand. Camille could only nod.
  “Where did you go?” Noah appeared the moment she came inside.
  “They might cancel school tomorrow. Have to redo wiring and clean up half of it after the power went haywire. Nancy and Jonathan are...having some relationship problems. Teenage stuff. You know? Glad that I'm single.”
  "As am I, honey," he'd joked, touching her shoulders. “Take it easy tomorrow. We’ll all be out. You call if you get worse again. Promise me.”
  “Promise.”
  “There’s my girl. I love you.”
  “I love you, daddy.” She came to hug him, eyes on the family photo behind him. Camille suppressed tears. Held him tighter.
  “Take these before you go to bed. Different dose. I’ll bring you a new bottle later on with instructions.”
  “Thank you.” Camille climbed the stairs, numb. She locked her door and went into the bathroom, seating herself on the tub. Slowly, she uncurled her fist to see the little blue capsules. Cheeks sucked in. A frown etched her face with anger. Splashes sounded when they dropped into the toilet. Camille flushed them down and got up to see herself in the mirror. Hands gripped the sink. Free. She huffed out and lifted her eyes. Red rimmed and tired. “Fuck.” Another bright idea popped into her brain. A horrible, bright idea. She found her voice at last and made the decision. “Hope you’re up for this.”
** ** **
  “Hello?” Max picked up the phone when it rang early that next morning.
  “Max? Hi, um, is Billy there? It’s Camille.”
  “Yeah, he’s here.” There was shuffling and a huff.
  “Harpy?” Billy was flat.
  “Hi, ah, um-” Camille twisted the phone cord in hand.
  "Waiting."
  “So...they canceled the rest of this week. Guess the building is a little totaled. Catch up will be hell but, ah, I wanted to know if you could come over.”
  “I have a date later."
  "Cancel it." She shrugged. "You'll have other dates. You're the Keg King. Come over here instead."
  "Why?”
  “Um, oh, just the...the paper. Get a head start, Strode will want it first thing Monday. She’ll be looking for immaculate work since we got time off. You want the grade, help earn it.” Camille lied and it was silent so she played his game. Voice changing. "My house is empty." Billy inhaled through his nose.
  “Fine.”
  “Right, I’ll-” the line went dead, “-see you.” It was ten minutes before Billy tore into her driveway. She opened the door and saw his face, gasping.
  “Pretty, huh?” He snuffed out a smoke and came in. No use making up a fake fight story. She knew him. That already grated. A nasty red welt marred his cheek and his bottom lip was cut, swollen still.
  “He-”
  “So, the damn paper. Huh.”
  “I lied.” Camille shut the door and picked up a long essay stapled together. “I got up and did the paper. It’s good, we’ll get an A.”
  “I read the book for you...for nothing.” He quirked one brow. "And I cancelled a date."
  “Yes...um, shoes. I need a favor.” She pointed and Billy rolled his eyes. Boots slipped off and his coat plopped to the couch. He tossed his arms out and let them drop.
  "Queen needs a favor."
  "Great thing about favors is paying them back." Camille didn't hesitate and his eyes snapped to her own.
  “Well, you got me here and now you have my full attention.” Billy fell against a chair, arms up over the back. His legs spread and he observed her. She ignored the idea he obviously had. “What favor?” He noticed her fidget. “What’s wrong with you?”
  “I’m not sure anymore.” Camille stepped toward him, summoned the courage. "I just...I need... Ugh, this is crazy. It's crazy and you're going to think I'm crazy."
  "Too late but, I'm in the boat with you. So, talk."
  "It's a small thing."
  "What," Billy eyed her, "do you need from me?"
  “I need you to help me pick the lock on the attic.” Billy’s chest heaved when he laughed, pain vibrated up his side so he held his ribs.
  “Fuck, Harper, I thought you had something difficult. Fine, I'll bite now. Better be good.” He swayed on his feet to follow her upstairs.
  “Housekeeper won’t be in until Thursday and my parents are occupied until...I never know anymore. We have plenty of time.” Camille led him to the door.
  “Why break daddy’s rules today?” Billy dropped to one knee and dug for his keys, pulling two silver tools from it.
  “Because I don’t know who to trust anymore,” she confessed and he stopped to see her eyes again. They cast and burned.
  "So, you trust me."
  "Shocking. ...I guess I don't find you to be a very good liar." Camille admitted. Somehow that was comforting. He seemed to accept such an answer. “Do it. Show me how.”
  “Not much to it, watch.” Billy jimmied the lock and Camille was intent. She sniffled on what may have been a thin trail of blood. “And...shit...okay, your dad knows what he’s doing. But...I got it.” The door popped open and she gazed up the stairs. “Princess, first.”
  “I feel like if I go up the stairs, everything is going to change and I...” Tears welled. Didn’t fall. “I can’t come back.”
  “Already awake, remember? Now move your pretty ass before you kill the rest of my social life.” He’d gestured.
  "You don't have to stay."
  "And miss out on daddy's top secret project? Fuck, no. I cancelled a date. You're stuck with me." Billy was intrigued now. Camille looked at his hand so he offered it. Fingers clasped and she followed the steps up with Billy behind her. Her breath puffed when they reached the top. It was...nothing. A metal desk and lamp. Books. Loads of file cabinets. Small TV and VCR. “So, your dad is boring. Got it. Hope this was worth it.” He watched her step forward, releasing him. Light came into the room from an oculus above them.
  “Thought it would be a suitcase full of cash or a long lost sister.” Camille remarked. "Guess I get to rub it in Nancy's face. To think that I really believed for a moment."
  "Believed what?"
  "It's stupid. Just a bunch of lab shit. I was just paranoid, I mean this is..." She yanked and a file cabinet didn’t budge.
  "Your dad doesn't ever let you in." Billy observed. "Locks the door with fancy shit. And he locks the cabinets. The hell?"
  “Sounds like a person with something to hide... Let me try.” Camille sighed at herself. Billy handed his lockpick over.
  “So, you just-”
  “Got it,” she popped the drawer open and gave them back like it was nothing. “Quick learner.”
  “Right...” He watched her sift through files. All marked with dates and three little numbers. 006.
  “What the hell is all this?” Camille opened them up along the metal desk. A picture fell out and Billy picked it up, recalling the photos along the house.
  “The fuck...” He gave a funny look then turned it. “Is that you?” A skinny child. Shaved head. Hospital gown. Distinct beauty mark. Standing awkward and squinting at the camera. Her arm was raised to block the flash. Three numbers etched her skin. 006. Camille looked down at her own arm. The tiny burn that must have melted those numbers away. The scar twitched.
  “This is me. All of it.” She heaved, snapping files open to absorb information. “My childhood...was complicated. Spotty. They kept me inside. I was a sickly kid. So I thought...” She read blurbs as she went and Billy was frozen. “Meds. Electroshock. Fuck. My whole life...he told me how important I was. But, to who?” Camille read onward, world crumbling. She recognized her own damn father’s handwriting in some of these.
  “...Six shows no special signs. Nothing… Termination possible….”
    “Six rouses no reaction yet when prodded into emotional state. Further tests on file….”
  “Today, we hit a breakthrough… Must develop reading skills. Six learned English and writing in four days. Has the advanced vocabulary and grammar of an adult at four years old. Made to read...what the hell...surpassed every reading, writing, and recollection test. Photographic memory proven. Muscle memory pending. Must investigate further.” Camille was ripping through files and Billy shook his head.
  “Harpy...”
  “Quiet,” she hissed. “Six, deemed the most average, will participate in the assimilation and repression study. Dosage adjusts. Repression is possible.”
  “Camille.”
  “No!” She whipped around this time, fingers shaking. He met her eyes and froze. “...Dr. Harper and his wife have agreed to...to…” Camille felt herself sink. “Edna Mathias will serve on staff. Six will do what none of them are ready for. Subject will be introduced to the outside. Must be wiped clean first. Abilities controlled…  Stimulation is key. Subject will return at the right time for further testing. Possible age eighteen. Can these subjects function in the outer world? ...Controlled…suppressed… Can they be forced to adapt? ...Spies… Oh, god. Oh, my fucking god.” Camille was teetering, ripping up tapes to shove one into the TV.
  “What...is this?” Billy watched her fall to her knees before the screen. A little girl at the table. Rocking. A huge book in front of her.
  “Six, solve the equation.” She watched a too small child do perfect calculus. Camille went for more tapes. A younger Noah Harper bonding with her. Running tests while she cried and cried. An older man named Brenner joined them. These men trained her. Groomed her. She saw herself speak foreign languages. Copy intricate dance moves. She was a dancing money. Mimicking everything. A twittering mockingbird. Billy lurched forward and turned it off.
  “Hey!” She pushed at him so he ripped her up.
  “Camille, what the fuck is this?!” Her head tipped forward to his chest when she broke. A scream wailed and Billy watched the glass window vibrate. A single crack drew down it. Camille sniffled blood again and swallowed.
  “They lied. They lied...” She was sobbing at full blast. “Don’t you get it...? This is me, all of it is me. Everything. My life. It's the experiment! I'm the experiment!” Camille pushed from him. “Fake adoption papers… A test subject. My life...it’s all a fucking lie! They crafted it like paper dolls. Fashioned it to fit their ideals so I'd...” Her lungs ached. “They stole me...and gave me to...” Camille ripped for more information. Until she saw two names. “Adam King...Status: Deceased. Judith King...Status: Unstable. Current location...Dayton, Ohio.”
  “Camille, you got to explain this shit to me.” Billy’s hands were on her again. “You’re tell me that your rich lab rat father...stole a fucking kid and... You're right, this is crazy.”
  “Hawkins Lab. They took me. They did. Six… I think they took others.” Eleven.
  “This fucking town,” Billy rubbed his eyes.
  “I can’t tell you...everything. Things happened last year and we...were all were lied to. Something awful happened in that lab and it’s rotting Hawkins.” Camille was in a hurry to put everything back. Perfect like it was never touched. She slammed the file cabinet and Billy grasped her hands to slow her.
  “This...is unreal. And you think...you have some kind of ability. This isn’t a fucking movie."
  “One way to find out.” Her face cracked with a smile that jarred him. He knew the game wasn't over. "Another favor?"
  “Fuck.”
** ** **
  “Max!” Billy was calling while Camille waited by his car. “Come outside. Bring your skateboard.”
  “Billy, not now!”
  “Max, I swear to god!” He bellowed again and she growled to herself, tearing outside.
  “What?!” Her anger faded when she saw Camille’s eyes. “Do you know? They said you did now.”
  “How do you know? How much did they-”
  “You know who. And not enough. They're-”
  “You’re hanging out with them again?” Billy was tense.
  "Not like they want me around either!"
  “Hey, both of you need to chill because I'm already mid-breakdown. Max, I need a weird favor. Show me a skateboard trick.” Camille touched Billy’s chest.
  “Uh, why?”
  “Curiosity.”
  “Why am I the only one outside this loop?” Billy got between them and Max grabbed her board.
  “Just...relax.” Camille sniffled. “It’s not safe. Just go with it.”
  “Fucking damn it, Camille.” He’d mumbled, rubbing his eyes. His fault for pursuing a fox.
  “Do a trick. Your choice.”
  “Okay...” Max wheeled herself down the street and back up, she ollied then landed with ease.
  “Now, let me try.” Camille came forward, that same intent expression on her face.
  “Um, why?”
  “Because I’m going insane and I want an audience for it.” The older teen took the board and set it down. Testing, she put one foot on it and pumped herself forward. Billy and Max watched in awe as she repeated the same move and kicked the board up to catch it.
  “Shit, Harper...”
  “I thought you didn’t skateboard.” Max gestured.
  “...I don’t.” Camille breathed heavily, eyes landing on Billy to confirm her fears. “Max, thank you this has been helpful. Billy, we gotta go.”
  “Where?” He whined this time, exhausted with questions.
  “Now! Max, if you see Mike and them...tell them to find Nancy and Jonathan. Tell them I said they were right. Billy, get in, what are you still standing there for? Favor isn't over, beach boy.” She ushered him off. Max watched the Harper girl practically kidnap her brother. They sped away and Camille was quick.
  “Dayton, Ohio. I need you to take me there. To the address on file. Few hours tops at your speed.” Camille yanked a map from his dash.
  “Fuck that. I’m taking you home and I’m waking up from whatever trip this is. And I'm going to go get laid.” No more queen bees for him.
  "Your lay can wait. You saw it. You already know too much. I'm not letting you go."
  "What the fuck does that mean?" He sped still.
  “Billy, I can’t explain everything. Just know that this might be my only chance for answers and I need you. Okay? I fucking need your help. Hard to say, but...yes, I trust you and not many others right now. There. God, I'm sick. That lab sat there...and those children. And Barb. Fuck, I’m...an idiot.”
  “You’re telling me there’s a whole big, magical fucking conspiracy in manure land?”
  “Something in that direction. Might be exciting for you. I'll owe you a million favors. I...I want to meet this Judith woman, she knows something.” Camille begged. “My life...never added up. You know what I would give to put the pieces together for the first time? To know the full truth. My parents...lied to me. My life. It’s all fake. It was doctored and written out before I could...live it. I have to go. I’ll drive myself if you don’t take me. I'll fucking hitchhike. Frankly, I don’t want to do this alone. You saw that room. Billy, I need you.” Couldn't let him out of sight now that he knew.
  “Harper,” Billy stopped at a light and rubbed his head. He looked into her eyes. Pleading. It broke him. “God fucking damn it.” He made a U turn and sped the other direction, grumbling. "Only going because I don't even want to get laid anymore."
  “Thank you, Billy.” She offered.
  “Long drive ahead. Start talking.”
  “I...I can’t tell you all about last year. But, my friends went through an ordeal and I fucking missed it.” Camille held herself. “Nancy found out something about Barb going missing last year. Something to do with Hawkins Lab. She asked me to spy on my dad. He keeps everything about his work private. That lab did something horrible and it has to stop.”
  “You think there are five more little shits with...with...powers walking about?”
  “I don’t know, I just know they stole kids and tortured them for sick experiments. I know the parents of those kids never made it out either.”
  “The lights.” Billy recalled. “Let me wrap my head around this and I will collect on those favors.”
  “Ditto and I expect nothing less.” She agreed. “Stop at a payphone, I need to lie to my lying god damn father. Can I have a cigarette?” Billy peered at her, lips lifting.
  “Help yourself.”
** ** **
  “This can’t be it.” Billy looked up at the building.
  “It’s the right address.” The grey sky threatened to darken above. Camille read the sign. “This is basically an old folks home...a fancy ass psych ward.”
  “How are we supposed to get in?”
  “Follow my lead,” Camille marched inside the sliding doors. Not a plan in sight. A receptionist looked up at them. “I’m looking for a Judith King. I’m her niece. This is my...brother.” She smiled bright and the lady didn’t look impressed, clicking into the computer. Billy tried not to make a face at that.
  “Name?”
  “Uh, Carrie.” She’d lied.
  “Not on the list. No visit.”
  “Miss, we drove all this way...we go to college and can’t ever come see her but took the day to make up for that.”
  “Shame. Sorry, kid, you’re not on the list.” She continued. Billy loosened his coat and eyed Camille when she turned to go around the corner.
  “Wait, uh, Carrie, that was pathetic.” Billy muttered as they went back down the hall.
  "You think I don't know that? I'm frazzled. What do you suggest?"
  “Follow my lead.” He swaggered forward and leaned down back at the desk, arms crossing. “Hi there.” That Billy Hargrove charm oozed out with a devilish smile. The young woman stilled to meet his eyes. “Look, ah, Miss…?”
  “Maria.”
  “Maria.” Billy drawled, licking his lips. “I know you’re just following the rules.” He pulled a cherry candy from the nearby dish and set it between his teeth. Camille crossed her arms to flush. “But, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could make an exception. Just once.” Deft fingers tucked hair behind her ear. “Come on...” He uttered in that velvet tone. “Do it for me. I admit...I’m ashamed. I haven’t seen my dear Aunt. I have to make it up to her and I need your help, Maria. Just a few moments and we’ll be out of your pretty hair. Scout’s honor to behave. Cross my heart.” Fingers drew an X over his chest, the shirt button opened. “Hope to live.”
  "I don't know."
  "Maria..." That sing-song tone hooked her. Billy was intent, swaying and lax. "It'll be our little secret."
  “Well, okay, just this once,” she whispered.
  “Maria. You are a gem...I won't soon forget it.” Billy winked and she giggled. Camille tried not to roll her eyes. Billy took two visitor passes and pressed them to his lips. “Appreciate it, dollface.” His eyebrows lifted. Smug when he peered again at Camille so she followed him.
  “Take the elevator to four. An orderly will show you to her.” Maria called and Billy winked at Camille this time. Her lips twitched, eyes averting because she loathed him.
  “Yeah, yeah, don’t push it.” She could have kissed this stupid boy right there.
  “Push it? You kidnapped me into some...weird manure land conspiracy.”
  “That I did.” They went up. The orderly gestured and Camille felt her hands shake.
  “Judy...there are two kids here to see you.” He showed them into a small room. A woman rocked and watched the television. Ballet played before her. She had the same dark hair save for early flashes of silver. The same green, hazel eyes. Face shape down to that damn beauty mark. Billy felt his stomach dip. The woman didn’t look up, transfixed on the TV before her.
  “Judith?” Camille tried.
  “She hasn’t spoken since she arrived,” the man replied. "About seventeen years ago."
  “Sir, we...um...we weren’t there for, you know, the incident. We were so young. Can you tell me what exactly happened? Our parents don’t like to talk about it.” Camille managed.
  “Ah, well, Judith suffered some sort of head trauma. She and her husband were in a terrible car accident, I think. Adam, the husband, he died on impact. And so did their unborn baby at the hospital. Awful thing. She was almost to the full nine months.”
  “Unborn baby.” Camille pressed her lips together. Billy stuffed his hands into his pockets.
  “Yes. She came to us catatonic. The generosity of an old friend paid her way. Nice couple.”
  “A nice...couple.”
  “Judy, here, she doesn’t do much. She sure likes to watch the ballet. Classical stuff calms her down. She liked to crochet dolls. Little ballerinas. Church choir kids who visit sure love them. She’s probably trying to communicate in some way. You know, with her lost daughter.”
  “Daughter?” Billy lifted his eyes from Camille’s stiffening back.
  “Yes, they were having a little girl.” He smiled. “Judith doesn’t get many visitors. Except for the woman. About every other month. Comes and gives her fresh flowers. Talks to her a few hours. You see?” Camille turned her eyes to a vase of wilting sunflowers. Her world snapped apart.
  “Thank you...for telling us. Can we have a moment alone?” Camille forced a grin and the man shut the door. Billy reached out to touch her shoulder and she flinched. “No...no.” She knelt down. “Judith?” She tried. “Judy, look at me. Now.” Nothing. “Mom.” The word tore. Her rocking stopped. “Mommy, I’m sorry.” Camille took her hand and eyes landed on her own. For just a beat, Judy saw her. A tiny Star of David hung from her neck. Billy lingered back as if he would break the moment like glass. “My name is Camille. I’m your daughter. I’m your little girl. I’m sorry. They did this to you. I can’t fix it.” Camille wept softly in her mother’s lap. The woman lifted a frail hand to touch soft locks of hair, petting her. Not enough registered. “She knows me. She does. Mom?” Judith reached into her robe pocket for a limp doll. A ballet dancer. She offered it and then she was gone again. Rocking.
  “Camille, we have to go.” Billy had to break the glass.
  “No, she knows me.” Camille clutched the ballerina close. Billy grasped her shoulders to bring her up. “No, no...she knows me. Wait. Wait...I can get through. I can fix it. I have to. Mom... Mom, I love you.” A tear rolled down Judy’s cheek. She just rocked with wide eyes. Camille felt herself flutter and tumble. Her mother was gone. Her identity was gone. Billy got her out of there and walked her to the elevator. He ignored Maria on the way to the door and pressed Camille into his car. She rocked too now, curling up with the toy in hand. Billy turned on the car and she broke. A scream stifling into the yarn and stuffing. The price to put these lost fragments together was high. Not even thinking, Billy had his arms around her to stop it. She cried and squirmed. He squeezed her tighter until she was raw. “Please, just take me back. Please, Billy.” He pulled off his brown bomber jacket and let her burrow under it. Air conditioning dried her red, splotched face. Camille wept most of the way home and Billy just let her without a word.
** ** **
  They parked in front of her place and Camille didn’t move. She stared at that huge, pretty house. Numb. Billy unbuckled and turned when she followed.
  "You think...they were running? The car accident?" Camille swallowed.
  "If they were running with you, it means they gave a shit." It meant they loved her.
  "You believe it, don't you? You believe now."
  "Like I have a choice." He'd exhaled, sobering.
  “Do not say anything about this.” She warned with hard eyes.
  “Who can I tell?” He scoffed. “Don’t tell them what you know either. These people. The damn maid. You play Queen Bee and stay out of their shit.”
  “I trusted her. I trusted them. It’s all red now.” Camille trembled and slid closer to Billy next to her.
  “Camille.” He felt her invade his space. His jacket fell from her torso. Faltering on the spot, she seemed intoxicated and offered the words he wanted since she popped that pretty pink bubble.
  “I want...to try something.” Camille ran her hands up his chest and he inhaled deeper. Skin fizzled upon contact. Palms cupped his face, ran back into curls. He didn’t try to touch her, he just stared at her face. Head cocked back and she kissed his neck. Light like a butterfly’s wings. Her lips edged and he grew aroused. Hands lifted to touch her wrists so she came up to see his face. Eyes looked deep into his. Sparkling. “I want you.” Her voice was hoarse. She didn't try to kiss his lips. “I want you. Billy.” She gave a sort of whine against him, forehead on his. He could have laid her back and made her feel good. Slid his hands under her sweater. Let her caress him. Completed the chase at last. But, he didn’t. Any other day but not this one. Not this fucking day. He saw a bloodied fox clamped tight within the sharp teeth of a vicious jackal. He didn't want to be that jackal. Didn't want to pick her from his teeth later as if it was the only way to recall her taste. For once. Billy felt his own flesh pulse. He pulled her wrists back and exhaled her out of his skin, eyes lifting to see her own well up.
  “You only want me now,” Billy Hargrove smashed the glass this time, “because you hate yourself.” Camille sat back. Eyes flickering over his face. A sort of grim acceptance seeped into her expression. She inhaled. Became stone. Became the queen bee. Only because it was all she could do now. Camille got out and smacked the door shut. She didn’t look back at him. Billy watched each light flicker on and off as she moved through that house again. Utterly alone. He didn’t leave. He just sat in his car and pulled his jacket back into his lap. Upstairs, Camille wandered like a ghost, shifting into her parent’s medicine cabinet. She stole a bottle they wouldn’t notice and went to her room. Pills stuffed down her throat like a kid with candy. She didn’t stop, not until the room spun. Not until there was a knock upon her window. The bottle dropped and scattered her treats all over. Lulling, Camille fell back against the front of her bed and looked once more at the doll smashed in her fist. It was all gone and she didn’t care.
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naruwitch · 5 years ago
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Code Geass: Paladins of Voltron Chapter 11: Confessions and Revelations
The twenty-four hours (vargas?) that Rivalz needed in the pod came and went. The whole team, now in regular clothing, was gathered around, anxiously waiting for him to come out.
"I can't tell if looks healthy… or not," Shirley said.
"I think he's breathing weird," Rai observed.
"Oh, come on!" Kallen exclaimed about to open the pod herself.
"Not yet!" Allura batted Kallen's hand away, "A few more ticks."
"How much better do you think he's gonna get in a few more ticks?" Kallen argued.
"What exactly is a tick anyway?" Milly asked.
"You know, a time-slice," Allura said as if expecting it to be noticeable.
"What, like a second?" Lelouch asked.
"What is a… 'second'?" Allura asked, intrigued.
Rai pulled a device out of his pocket, looking like an advanced stopwatch, "Like this." The watch started counting up in Earth's time.
"I'm not sure," Allura said after listening to a few of them, "I think ticks are bigger. Coran," she asked the advisor, who was at the central control monitoring Rivalz's condition, "do you have a ticker?"
"Right here, Princess," he said, holding up his device. It ticked slowly around a circular direction.
"I think ticks are a little slower," Suzaku said, squinting at the ticker.
Rai furrowed his eyebrows, looking between the two, "I can't tell. We have to start them at the same time."
"Okay," agreed the advisor, restarting his, "Ready, go!" The two held the timers out in front of them. At first, it seemed they were evenly matched, but each click from the Earth timer soon made it jump ahead of the Altean timer.
Everyone gathered around, so engrossed in this competition that no one noticed that Rivalz's pod opened, and the Blue Paladin in question had stumbled out.
"Yes! I think we're winning!" Milly cheered.
"Winning what?" C.C. raised an eyebrow, "The intergalactic time-measuring competition?"
"Um, yes!" Milly said as if it was apparent.
Rivalz soon was able to stumble over on his own towards the group, eyes still droopy, "You guys having a clock party?"
"Aw, Rivalz, you just ruined it. Uh-Hey, Rivalz!" Milly shrieked, before pulling him into a bear hug, lifting him off the ground.
Under normal circumstances, Rivalz would have blushed, considering where his face was pressed against. However, he still felt half asleep after coming out of the pod. He blinked his eyes to stay awake as he was lowered back down. "What happened?"
Allura placed a hand on his back, "We can tell you all about it while you get something to eat. Are you able to walk?"
"Talking? Eating? Are you asking out on a date or something?" Rivalz asked, only hearing half of what was said with his foggy brain.
While Allura looked a little annoyed, the rest of the group shared some snickers. They were all happy that their friend was alive and healthy again, though.
o~o
Rivalz honestly thought the food goo in front of him was the most delicious thing he'd ever eaten at the moment. He had finished almost the entire plate when Platt scampered in front of him, loopy-looping around before sitting impatiently in front of the bowl, begging for a bite. Smiling, the Blue Paladin scooped a clump up and held it out to the mouse, who nibbled at it almost greedily.
"You'd be Sendak's prisoner right now, if not for Kallen and Lelouch," Allura said.
"Well, you wouldn't have survived the explosion if Shirley, C.C., and Coran hadn't gotten a new Crystal," Kallen added.
"Wow. Thanks, everybody. It sounds like the mice did more than you, though," Rivalz said, and the mice straightened in pride at the praise, smirks on their little faces.
"Hey! I punched Sendak!" Suzaku protested.
"Yeah!" Rivalz laughed, "Apparently, after I emerged from a coma and shot his arm off."
"We had a bonding moment! I cradled you in my arms!" the Honorary Britannian exclaimed, throwing his arms up.
"Nope!" Rivalz shook his head, "Don't remember! It didn't happen! So, anyway, what happened to Sendak?"
"He's frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping him here in the Castle," Allura answered.
"...Is that really a good idea?" Rivalz asked.
"He's too dangerous to be set free. Besides, we might be able to get some information about Zarkon from him."
"That's the plan anyway… if he'll even talk," Lelouch said with a frown.
"So… what's the plan now?" the Blue Paladin inquired.
"We have to get back to the Balmera and save Shay and her people," Shirley declared with a determined frown.
"Made a new friend have we?" Milly asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Prez, you know it's not like that!" Shirley scowled with a small blush, "Look, guys, when you see how Zarkon has treated these people and destroyed their home—They've been under his thumb for so long, they don't even know what it is to be free. It's up to us to set this right. This is what being a Paladin of Voltron is all about."
'Not much different from how we treat other countries, though…' Shirley regrettably added silently.
"Let's get going then!" Rai cried, "Time to go defend the universe!"
"Wait," Lelouch said, standing up, "before we do anything else, I have something to say first. A confession. A few of them actually, and I might not get another chance like this. Some of them might change the way that you all think of me as well."
Lelouch now had the full, rapt attention of everyone in the room. The ex-prince took a deep breath. Now or never.
"First, what I'm about to say must not exit this Castle unless I say so. Is that clear?"
Milly quickly caught on to what he was implying and began to protest before Lelouch silenced her with a stern glare.
"No, Milly, if we're going to be doing this, they have a right to know."
Milly looked like she still wanted to protest but ultimately stepped back with a sigh before crossing her arms.
"Before that, though, I owe all of you an explanation. About why I wanted to go back to Earth."
"You said it was because of Nunnally, right?" Shirley asked, confused.
"Yes, but that's only part of the reason. You see, I'm apart of something back on Earth. A special group of people that I have responsibility for… The Black Knights."
There was shocked silence within the room. Suzaku's eyes widened into saucers along with Rivalz and Shirley's. Kallen's arms dropped to her sides in shock, jaw slack.
"Y-You're apart of the Black Knights, Lelouch?!" Suzaku exclaimed, "Why?!"
Suddenly, Rivalz and Milly started laughing!
"Oh! Good one, Lelouch! You? In the Black Knights?" the Blue Paladin giggled hysterically, "That's a real knee slapper right there! Haha!"
"Man, and here I didn't think you even had a sense of humor!" Milly guffawed, "You had me worried there for a second!"
It took the two of them five seconds to register that Lelouch wasn't laughing with them, or the offended and enraged l look on Kallen's face.
"Wha-What wait, you're serious?!" Rivalz asked, shocked as his hands also fell to his sides.
"Oh… my…" Milly muttered, realizing just how real this was.
"I'm not just apart of them," Lelouch said, sighing before taking a deep breath, "...I'm their leader. I'm Zero."
There was silence for a solid twenty seconds in the room. The only ones who didn't look in shock were the two Alteans, who only looked mildly confused at the situation. Even C.C.'s eyes widened at Lelouch's revelation, quite baffled that Lelouch told them.
"Y-yo-Lelouch, please tell me that's a lie! It can't be true!" Suzaku begged desperately.
"You've known me since childhood Suzaku," Lelouch frowns, "why on Earth would I lie about something like-"
The Black Paladin was cut short when he was nearly bowled over by Shirley, who had thrown herself forward and engulfed him in a hug.
"It was you then," she whispered, "you were the one that saved Milly, Nina, and I at the hotel!"
"Um…" Lelouch blushed, embarrassed while awkwardly patting her back. "Yes, that was me."
"...Now that I think about it, so much makes sense now!" Suzaku suddenly exclaimed, causing Shirley to let go and back away, "I can't believe I didn't suspect you even once Lelouch. But…"
"I swear Suzaku, so help me. I will one day, obliterate Britannia!"
"...To think that you went through with it?! Don't you realize how many people you're endangering just to achieve this selfish goal of yours?! Your methods aren't going to change anything!"
"Endangering people?! Suzaku, did you not hear the goal of the Black Knights? Our mission is to defend the weak; those who can't do it for themselves!"
"The police force can do that just fine too! There are plenty of ways to work within the system for it! If you, Zero, continue this way, how many others will die in the process?! A goal is worth nothing if the means of achieving it are wrong! Rebellion isn't the way to do it!"
Lelouch froze, before throwing his head back and laughed almost hysterically.
"What's so funny?!" Suzaku spat in disgust. The rest of the room, the Alteans especially, were watching this play out like a tennis match, heads shooting from one side to the other.
"What's so funny?!" Lelouch gasped, before glaring venomously at Suzaku, "What's funny is that you're spouting out nonsense and degrading rebellions when you're practically participating in one right this very moment!"
Now it was Suzaku's turn to freeze, his eyes widening in shock.
"Don't give me that look, Suzaku, you know it's true! Voltron is rebelling against the Galra. We're the only known force at this moment that has any hope of defeating them! We're 'Defenders of the Universe,' ones that are destined to defeat Zarkon and the Galra. Tell me, how are mine and the Black Knight's vision and goal for Japan and the rest of the world any different?!"
Suzaku clenched his fists and looked like he was about to make a comeback statement when Shirley interrupted, "He has a point Suzaku…"
"Wha-Shirley, what are you saying?!"
"Well-it's just-Lulu is right! We're doing the same thing as the Black Knights right now. We're a rebellion. If you think it's so wrong… are you saying we just hand Voltron over to Zarkon and surrender?"
"We-well no but-!"
"If we do that Suzaku, people will just keep suffering!" Shirley interrupted, "When I was on the Balmera and talking to Shay, she didn't even know what the word 'free' meant! The Galra have been there for so long; they don't see any other future for them! Just as slaves living in those mines. She hasn't even seen what the sky looks like! They're all kept in those mines. If they don't obey, they're taken from their family, and who knows what happens to them?!"
'Sounds familiar,' thought Kallen. Upon the revelation of Zero's identity, a plethora of feelings and thoughts raced through the Red Paladin's head. There was confusion as to why a Britannian of all people was fighting for Japan. Anger and rage for his deception. But also… acceptance, and even a little peace. The fact that Lelouch trusted them enough to reveal himself to them. Not to mention the way he acted when Sendak still had the Castle. He was utterly focused on saving others. So, Lelouch wasn't being selfish on those terms, and because of that, she was at least willing to hear Lelouch out on his reasons.
"Suzaku… I want you to be honest with me, please," Shirley said, turning to the Purple Paladin, "...the Ele-the Japanese, the ones still living in the ghetto. Is it the same for them?"
"YES!" Kallen exclaimed before Suzaku could even open his mouth, "That's exactly what it's like for them! In Shinjuku, the military slaughtered everyone, even those not involved with the terrorism happening. Men, women, and children! All of them!"
"Wait, hold on a moment! What is this all about?!" Allura suddenly exclaimed. All of the Paladins turned to the Alteans, who they realized probably had no idea what they were even talking about.
"Apologies, Princess," Lelouch said, "Can I assume that you two don't understand the situation?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Coran admitted, "but, are you saying that this is happening on your home planet?"
"Yes, it is. It's why I was so eager to return there. We're currently in the middle of what you may call… a planetary conflict."
"I'm afraid I still don't follow…" Allura confessed, feeling embarrassed for sounding naive.
C.C. suddenly stepped in, and everyone saw that she had one of the mind meld machines on. A screen appeared in front of her, showing Earth's world map. "Currently, our planet Earth is separated into three major superpowers, each with different laws and ideals for its people. They are the Chinese Federation, the European Union, or the EU, and the Holy Britannian Empire, which is where a majority of us are from." China and it's allying nations lit up in red, the EU appeared in green, and the rest of the map lit up in blue for Brittania. "Each group is fighting and negotiating for territory and resources," the colors started shifting back and forth across the differing lands. However, the blue area seemed to continue to expand. "From what we've heard of your planet, Altea, it seems that your planet has reached a unity under one centralized government. Our planet has yet to make it that far."
Allura just nodded, though inwardly, she was quite surprised how primitive Earth was compared to other planets.
"As you can see, the Britannian Empire currently holds the majority of Earth's territory, and they're still pushing forward, taking more and more countries into the fold. Whether it's willingly or not," Lelouch concluded.
"I suppose I am still struggling to understand why you've turned against your nation," Allura tried to explain. Never in a million years would she think to betray her people.
"Because," Lelouch seethed, "Britannia is no different from the Galra!"
Coran and Allura both looked taken aback. Could this be true?
"As I mentioned before, Britannia, even as we speak, is continually conquering more and more territory. They crush any and all they see as 'weak.' Are either of you aware of the term 'Social Darwinism'?"
"I don't believe so, no," Coran said, holding his chin in intrigue.
"To put it simply, Social Darwinism is the belief that all living things are subject to the natural selection of nature. Basically, 'strong survive and the weak die.' Kind of like the food chain," Kallen explained.
"That's very similar to what the Galra believe," Allura observed with a look of disgust on her face.
"Precisely!" Lelouch said, "What Britannia does is no different. They invade other countries, take what they want, and because the country 'lost,'" he made quotation marks with his hands, "to them, they strip the nation of their freedom, rights, and even name. All countries that come into the Empire are replaced with just a number. All the previous citizens of that country suffer the same fate."
"Now, hold on!" Suzaku protested, "That's not completely true! If they become Honorary Britannians, they can live in the settlement as well!"
"Oh, so now you're saying they need to earn their rights back?" Kallen shot back, angrily, "Rights that never should've been taken from them in the first place?!"
"It's better than resorting to violence!"
"So are you saying that our home, Altea, should have simply surrendered the Galra? Even if we did that, they would've destroyed Altea anyway!" Allura said.
"No! Princess, you have a right to be angry. I get it! But Britannia didn't destroy Japan-"
"They sure as hell did!" Kallen practically screamed, "The people, the Elevens," she emphasized furiously, "they have nothing now! Last I checked the Britannians don't even see them as human beings!"
Suzaku stuttered, wracking his brain to come up with a defense when Lelouch spoke again.
"What floors me the most Suzaku is that you're even considering defending that nation when they, themselves, tried to murder you in cold blood!"
"Wh-what are you talking about?" a drop of sweat slowly descended Suzaku's brow.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about! They falsely blamed you for Prince Clovis's murder, even though you had an obvious alibi! They didn't bother to launch a real investigation; they just threw all the blame on you because you happened to be the same area!"
"These people would do that?!" an astounded Allura demanded. She was starting to understand why Lelouch hated these people. She was appalled. If her father had heard that an Altean had done this, he would've charged them with treason and conspiracy immediately.
"Yes, there was zero evidence against him. A sect within the military, known as the Purebloods, decided to use the Viceroy's, similar to a Regent's status," he quickly informed the Alteans, "death to accuse Suzaku of it. And if he was found guilty, what do you think would have happened? An Honorary Britannian, the son of the late Prime Minister even, is found guilty of the murder of Viceroy Clovis. Please, humor me."
There was silence for about twenty seconds before Rai's head shot up in horror, "No…"
"That's correct. The Pureblood's ultimate goal is to abolish the Honorary Britannian system. And they would've used that incident to begin that process. If Suzaku were found guilty, I wouldn't've been surprised if the entire system was toppled overnight. That means that all numbers, not just Japanese, would've had their rights stripped from them all over again. They would have been forced to return to the ghetto, like lambs to the slaughter."
"But that didn't end up happening obviously," Milly said, "Suzaku was found innocent."
"Yeah, it was after Zero showed up and…" Rivalz trailed off before looking at Lelouch again.
"Wait," Suzaku said, realizing the same thing, "then that means-you killed Prince Clovis!"
"Yes, you're right, Suzaku, I did kill Clovis la Britannia," Lelouch sneered, "after he gave the order to slaughter hundreds of innocents in Shinjuku ghetto! They were your own people Suzaku; most had nothing to do with the terrorism!"
"Wait, Prince Clovis ordered that?!" Shirley asked, horror in her tone, "But the news said it was poison gas that the terrorists had stolen!"
"That was a lie," C.C. said, calmly, "it wasn't poison gas that the terrorists stole. It was me."
"C.C.-"
"We might as well tell them, Lelouch. I'm stuck here just as much as the rest of you are," the immortal rationalized. "So, to answer all of you as to why I was inside that capsule, your precious Clovis la Britannia was running illegal human experiments on me." Most of the room's occupants made noises of shock and disbelief. "So, when the terrorists unknowingly took me, he feared if anyone outside his inner circle found out what he was doing and it went public, he would be disowned by the royal family. So to cover his tracks, he ordered the massacre. That's also where I first met Lelouch."
"I had fallen into one of the vehicles that the terrorists were using to transport C.C. I also ran into Suzaku, who was already a soldier. We both saw the canister open with C.C. inside."
Despite all of the firm, furious emotions within him, Suzaku couldn't deny this as he nodded in confirmation. No one noticed that Kallen had made a slightly disturbed and guilty face at the mention of the vehicle.
"With a little of his help," Lelouch decided to leave out the part that the captain shot Suzaku as he had already dragged Britannia's reputation through the dirt enough, "C.C. and I made a run for it. But, we were eventually cornered by some of the royal guards. They were going shoot me; they thought I was a fellow terrorist despite it being obvious I was a Britannian student." Coran's eyes widened at that before grimacing in disgust. They even would kill one of their own?! "C.C. then leaped in front of me, and took a headshot in my place."
"A headshot?!" Rai exclaimed, most of the others having similar reactions.
"That's impossible!/You should be dead then!/Are you sure it was a headshot?!"
"Not many alien species can survive a wound to the head like that, but as far as I tell Miss, you seem very human…" Coran observed, "...unless-"
"I'm/-you're immortal," the two of them said together.
Everyone was shocked into silence again. None of them made a move to question whether or not C.C. was making it up or not. Plus, after everything that's happened so far, nothing really surprised them anymore.
"Wait, if you're really immortal, then how old are you?" Milly asked, leaning forward.
C.C. shrugged, "You tell me; I stopped counting about a century ago."
"When I thought C.C. was dead, she suddenly grabbed onto my arm and… well, I'm not one hundred percent sure what exactly happened. I saw a bunch of images," Shirley gasped a little, "and when it was all over, I felt different. I realized that C.C. had given me something. A power known as Geass. The ability to compel anyone to do what I want."
"Wait! So that's what happened with Haxus. You just looked at him, and whatever you asked him, he answered you," Kallen said.
Lelouch nodded as C.C. continued, "Lelouch and I formed a contract. I would give him the power of Geass, the Power of the King, and in exchange, he must grant me a single wish of my choosing."
"What kind of a wish?" Rivalz curiously.
C.C. shrugged, "Don't know, haven't thought of one yet."
"Wait! That's what you said to me on the Balmera. We formed a contract too!" Shirley said.
"You made a contract with Shirley?" Lelouch asked, quite surprised.
"Don't act too shocked; I can decide who I form contracts with or not," C.C. said.
"So… you can control people now too?" Rivalz asked.
"No," C.C. said as Shirley shook her head, "Geass manifests differently from person to person. It usually depends and is based on strong personal desires. It can be anything from mind control to mind reading to even rewriting the memories of another person."
"So then… what can you do, Shirley?"
"Perhaps seeing these abilities up close could give some insight," Coran suggested. "That way, we all see how they work and how to use them in battle."
"Ladies first," Lelouch said to Shirley.
"Um… okay," Shirley activated her Geass and a blink later, she was gone.
"WOAH! Where'd you go?" Rivalz exclaimed.
"Nowhere, guys! I'm right here!" the Orange Paladin said.
"You're invisible! That's so cool!" Milly squealed.
"Hmmm… I think invisible is the wrong term," Lelouch said, "Shirley, turn it off for a second, Rai, go to the opposite end of the room. I want to try something."
The Green Paladin shrugged and obeyed, stopping at the far wall.
"Okay, try it again, Shirley."
Shirley turned it on again. Once again, the Lelouch and the others close by; they couldn't see her. But Rai…
"Did you do it? I can still see you!"
"You can?" Shirley asked, shocked.
"As I suspected. You're not becoming invisible with your Geass. Rather, it seems you're projecting an energy field that affects people and creatures a certain distance away from you. It likely distorts our vision so that you simply look invisible to us. But because Rai's out of range, it didn't affect him. I bet if he came closer, you'd eventually disappear to him as well," Lelouch deduced.
"It seems we'll have some extra training to do," Allura said, "to find its limits and capabilities."
"I think I can make others invisible too," Shirley said, "on the Balmera Coran, Shay, C.C., and I were all invisible to the sentries."
"I believe all three of us were in some form of physical contact with you when that happened," C.C. said. "So it's assumed that that's how it can be done. The Geass recognizes anyone touching you as an extension of your own body, and therefore will act to hide that as well."
"Cool!" Kallen said, mildly impressed with the ability. She could already see the advantages that this gave.
"And you, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, narrowing his eyes. He didn't know why, but something about this 'Geass' power rubbed him the wrong way.
"...Alright," Lelouch turned to Coran, activating his Geass with a small grin, "Tell us the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you."
Coran's eyes lit up with a familiar red ring around them. "When I was just beginning my training as the royal family's advisor, I do recall tripping down the staircase, losing my pants and shirt in the process and lying square eagle on at the bottom… with the entire royal court there to witness it."
There was silence for a solid ten seconds before most of the Paladins out laughing. Even Lelouch had thrown his head back in guffaw and deactivated his Geass in the process. Allura was attempting to hide a couple of giggles as well. C.C. was also shaking her head in amusement.
"Huh? Wha-what happened? Why are you all laughing at me?" the advisor asked.
"Oh," Allura coughed to cover her next snicker, "nothing that you must concern yourself with Coran."
"My Geass originally was the ability to compel anyone to obey when I make eye contact with them. The drawbacks that I've noticed so far are that I can only do it once per person. So now that I just used it on Coran, it won't affect him again. Also…"
Lelouch activated his Geass again and held his fist to the side, which was charging up with lightning. A blast then shot out, completely obliterating the cup Rivalz was using at the table.
"I can do that."
"Woah! That was like that one superhero movie! You know, the one where the chick was kidnapped by aliens?" Rivalz asked.
Lelouch smiled and shook his head slightly. He knew what Rivalz meant, but it was hilarious that that was the first thing that his friend thought of to compare it to.
"Strange, no one I've made contracts with was able to do that…" C.C. muttered, inwardly quite shocked.
"I wasn't able to do that until we infiltrated Sendak's ship. Something just… snapped inside me. I don't know how else to describe it."
"Hey yeah! Both you and Rai totally destroyed the sentries that came after us," Milly remembered.
"Come to think of it," Rai said softly, rejoining the group, "whenever I fight, I get this weird feeling. Like my senses are heightened or something. When I was fighting Sendak the other day, he mentioned a group of people. The Druids? He said I must have paid a visit to them or something. So if I do have this Geass thing too, it seems to activate when I'm physically in battle."
"I see. We'll see what can be done about it. Sendak did say something similar to me as well," Lelouch said, "Princess, Coran, does that name ring a bell at all? The Druids?"
"Not that I recall no," Allura shook her head.
"It could be the division's name," Coran suggested, "a group of Galra that specialize in science and the like."
"Perhaps…"
"Okay… but why you, Lulu?" Shirley suddenly asked. "You get this weird power and decide to use it to fight Britannia? Why go so far? Why does it have to be you that does this?"
That was the big burning question, wasn't it? Well, time to finally answer it.
"Do you remember the story of how my parents died?"
Shirley and Rivalz winced. The official story that was spun about Lelouch and Nunnally's past was that their father was a scientist and their mother a businesswoman. Both were also very well versed in Britannia's politics. They had moved to Japan to help settle the disputes about the Sakuradite mineral. But shortly after, the Pacific War broke out, and both of them lost their lives.
"Yeah, you said that they were killed during the first days of the Pacific War, right?" Rivalz said.
Lelouch nodded and grimaced.
"That's the story that I came up with, with some help from the Ashfords. But in reality, my mother was murdered while we were still living in the homeland."
"Wait, what? But, I don't get it..." Shirley stuttered. All of these revelations today was starting to make her head feel dizzy.
"Yeah, what Shirley said. I know that Milly's grandfather owed you guys a favor, but..."
"My mother and the Ashfords were close friends up until she died. That incident stripped them of their status as nobles. If it weren't for the Ashfords, my mother would never have become the Knight of Six. Or Two for that matter."
As he expected, their eyes widened to the size of softballs. Even Kallen and Rai looked surprised.
"Whoa, hold on, back up! Your mother was a Knight of the Round?!"
"Let me put it to you this way, Rivalz. Lamperouge is mine and Nunnally's mother's maiden name. When she was married, she was renamed Marianne vi Britannia."
It was nothing but silence. Milly and Suzaku were the only two not showing signs of shock, having known about this beforehand.
Rivalz's jaw was on the floor, Shirley was a stuttering mess, Kallen was stock still, and just stood there dumbfounded. Coran was also quite shocked, and Allura seemed to relax slightly, her suspicions of him being a prince being confirmed. Still, Lelouch felt somewhat relieved to finally have that off of his chest. Now they knew his identity. Now they had to understand his reasons.
"W-w-what... S-so then, you and Nunnally are..." Kallen stammered.
"Correct. Officially, Lelouch vi Britannia and Nunnally vi Britannia both died near the end of the Pacific War. After we were exiled, we were sent under the care of the Kururugi family. That's how Suzaku and I knew each other before."
The word 'exiled' caught Allura's attention, but Coran beat her to the question, "Wait, why would you and your sister have been exiled?"
No one expected to hear Lelouch's tone go cold and icy. The air in the room seemed to turn several degrees colder.
"Because my father, Charles zi Britannia, doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself, not even his own children. After our mother was killed, I barged into the throne room, and demanded that justice be carried out on the murderer."
Lelouch took the mind-meld device from C.C. and placed it on his own head. He figured showing them would help them understand better than merely telling them.
The screen in front of him fizzled out before clearing. It showed a set of elegant grand doors in front, and after a few moments, they opened up.
"Announcing Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, Seventeenth Heir to the Royal Britannian Imperial Throne!" someone announced to the side. At the other end of the room was a large throne with the Emperor himself seated on it. To both sides were nobles and other people dressed in fancy gowns and elegant jewelry. The women all had their hair styled beautifully.
The screen slowly began to approach the ruler of Britannia, walking at a steady pace and with purpose, ignoring the whispers circling. However, some of the comments shocked the majority of the audience.
"I heard Empress Marianne was killed inside of the Britannian Palace."
"There's no way terrorists could've gotten in there."
"Which means that the real assassins must have been…"
"Shhh. Beware, my friend. You'll regret it if anyone hears that kind of talk around the Palace."
"And yet the boy remains… even though his mother is dead."
"It's over. And the Ashford family who stood behind them is finished as well."
"And his sister, the Princess?"
"We understand she was shot in the legs."
"And that she lost her sight."
"Blindness caused by trauma, though, isn't it?"
"No difference. Now she can't even be married off for political gain."
The screen came to a stop at the foot of the throne, "Hail, your Majesty! My mother, the Empress, is dead!" A young voice was heard, which they realized must be Lelouch's when he was younger.
"Old news. What of it?" the Emperor replied in a bored tone.
"What of it?!" younger Lelouch exclaimed in disbelief.
"You sought an audience with the Emperor of Britannia simply to inform me of that? Send the next one in. I have no time for these childish games."
"Father!" the screen approached the throne closer. Two guards standing by the throne rushed to intercept but were stopped when the Emperor raised his hand.
The guards straightened and secured their weapons. "Yes! Your Majesty!"
"Why didn't you keep mother out of harm's way? You're the Emperor, the greatest man in this nation, if not the world. You should have protected her, and now you don't even visit Nunnally?!"
"I've no use for that weakling."
This reply drew a large variety of reactions from the group watching. Shirley had gasped and covered her mouth her hands. Rivalz and Rai were both standing with duplicate looks of horror. Even Coran looked taken aback and a little ill. Milly grimaced and looked away, while Suzaku scowled. He had heard stories about the Emperor, but witnessing this firsthand… it paled to anything else he was aware of. Kallen and Allura, on the other hand, weren't horrified. They were both livid. Kallen gnashed her teeth, and Allura was clenching her fists so hard they almost turned white.
"That weakling?" Lelouch gasped.
"That is what it means to be royalty." Allura honestly never thought she'd meet someone she'd hold in as much contempt as she did Zarkon, but it seems she had. Lelouch's father was certainly one of the most despicable beings she'd ever laid eyes on as she stared at his face in disgust.
The screen shifted downward for a moment, before rising again, "Then I don't want to be your heir. I give up my claim to the throne!"
There were shouts and noises of bewilderment and shock that followed. The vassals that were there to watch were all astounded at the proclamation.
"I'm sick of the fighting and scheming over who will succeed you, Father. I've had enough!"
"You are dead." They heard the young Lelouch gasp.
"You have always been dead to me, dead from the moment you were born. Who gave you the fine clothes you wear, a comfortable home, the food you eat, and your very life? All of those I have given to you. In short, you are nothing to me because you have never existed. Yet you dare to speak such foolishness to me?!" the Emperor rose threateningly from his throne, and the young Lelouch stumbled back as the screen shook with his cry.
"Lelouch! You are dead. Therefore, you are not entitled to any rights. I am sending you and Nunnally to Japan. As Prince and Princess, you will serve well as bargaining tools."
The screen shorted out, and the Black Paladin pulled the device from his head, his hands shaking slightly.
"The image you saw when I messed up the mind-meld was of the assassination. Not a day goes by that it doesn't haunt me… After that, we went to Japan and were taken in by Suzaku and his family. The Pacific War started not long after that. We were staying at the Kururugi Shrine during that time, and it was one of the first places to get bombed by Britannian forces. Nunnally and I wouldn't have survived had Suzaku not helped us escape. During this time, Britannia had developed a new weapon. They're Knightmare Frames. War machines that work in a very similar fashion to the Lions though not nearly as advanced to be used within the military ranks. The country fell less than a month later, and not once did anyone come even to try and rescue us. In other words, it didn't matter to them if their prince and princess were still there. They attacked anyway, knowing that there was a huge possibility that we would die, and officially that's exactly what happened. Lelouch vi Britannia and Nunnally vi Britannia's deaths were marked among the casualties of that war. It's only thanks to Milly and her family that Nunnally and I have a place to stay at all."
"...That's horrifying!" Coran said.
"All this time…" Rivalz said, clenching his fists and scowling in disgust.
"Lelouch I…" Shirley started before stopping as tears trailed her face.
Rai also was scowling. Though he still didn't remember much, everyone knew about the war. And to hear how it happened in another point of view was terrifying, and immediately regretted ever calling Lelouch a coward, or selfish.
"Lelouch, I knew that you were a prince, but… I didn't expect your father to be such a cruel individual."
"Wait, you knew Allura? How? When?" Rivalz asked.
"Apparently, the mice don't know when to keep certain pieces of information to themselves," C.C. said, eyeing the mice. Platt had the decency to look a little guilty, but the other three just shrugged aloofly.
"The Emperor... my father... he's a monster. Now, do you understand? This is why I have Geass, why I became Zero. Though I'll admit there is personal motivation behind this, it's not about revenge, not to me. The Britannian Empire is nothing more than a plague upon the Earth. I swore I would do what it takes to create a world where Nunnally, and all those less fortunate like her, can find happiness. But to do that... I have to... I will obliterate Britannia!"
"And you will!" Allura agreed, looking right at the prince, "Because you'll have Voltron with you!"
"Princess, not that I disagree in the slightest, but are you sure this is a good idea?" Coran inquired.
"Absolutely!" she proclaimed, "They may not be the Galra, but I can not just sit by and let other people suffer like this. Lelouch, you have my support in this endeavor."
"I thank you, Princess, but I only fly the Black Lion, and though she may be powerful, I doubt we can do it alone."
"You won't be!" Kallen said, stepping forward, "The Red Lion is right next to you! Can't leave a fellow Black Knight behind now, can I?"
"Wait, Kallen?" Rivalz exclaimed, "You're in the Black Knights too?"
"That's right! Even if I weren't half Japanese, I wouldn't be standing by and letting innocent people die!"
"You're half Japanese?" Suzaku asked, shocked.
"Yes. My real name is Kallen Kouzuki, and I'm half Japanese, half Britannian."
"Why did you choose to do this then?" Shirley asked, "I mean, it's pretty obvious by now that you're not the sickly Kallen Stadtfeld we know."
"Yeah! By the way, please keep that look. It suits you way better than before," Rivalz said with a grin.
She shot Rivalz a slightly annoyed look, "...Because Lelouch isn't the only person who's lost someone to Britannia." At everyone's concerned inquiring faces, Kallen grimaced, tears pricking her eyes, "Britannia killed my brother, Naoto. He never hurt anyone! When Japan was overtaken, my brother and some of his friends made a small group. They weren't terrorists, though. I guess the best way to describe them is like Robin Hood and his gang, you know? Anyway, they never let me go with them, said it was too dangerous." She growled a little before continuing, "Anyway, all they technically did was find and get food and medicine, whether from an overly rich house, hospital, or whatever. Then they would hand it out to people in the ghetto. Sure, they may have stolen the stuff, but that's all they did. They were never violent, though! Naoto even insisted they not carry guns! Anyway…" Kallen had to take a breath to gain control of her emotions, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. "Anyway, one time they went out on one of their raids. Nothing special, just another nobleman house that had more food than he knew what to do with, and as they were leaving, they got caught by some soldiers in Knightmare Frames. Naoto distracted them while the others got away… They publicly executed three days later."
Lelouch and the other Paladins looked in shock; even he didn't know about this. It was no wonder Kallen showed her distaste for Britannia so strongly.
"They killed my brother when all he was trying to do was help others! No, not because he was helping 'others,' but because he was helping 'Elevens'! What kind of logic is that?! Even they charged him for theft that shouldn't warrant the death penalty!" she screamed, tears falling. Coran stepped forward a placed a hand on Kallen's shoulder. The Red Paladin instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and broke down in sobs, and they both were lowered to the floor. Allura also comforted her, running her hand up and down her back.
"I-I'm sorry that happened," Lelouch tried to sound comforting. He knew that Kallen's brother was dead, but he never knew anything about the circumstances. Her attitude towards Britannians explained a lot now.
Kallen sniffled, before wiping away the rest of her tears, "Either way, I'm with you too, Lelouch, Zero, or whatever you want to call yourself."
Lelouch smiled graciously, "I thank you… Q1," he finished with a smirk. Kallen snorted and shook her head as she slowly stood back up.
"I'm in too!" Shirley said, shocking Lelouch again. He honestly was expecting to get scorned and even kicked off the team for revealing all this to them, but everyone was suddenly proving him wrong, "Besides, I already told Shay we'd be saving everyone, that includes our own planet! The Orange Lion will stand with you too!"
"So is the Green Lion," Rai said, stepping forward, "Lelouch, I'm sorry I called you a coward before. You're anything but that!"
"Me too! If that's really what the Emperor is like, I don't want anything to do with that monster! I mean, what kind of a parent does that to their own kids?! What the hell?!" Rivalz ranted.
"Don't count me out," Milly smiled, "who else is supposed to keep an eye on you, Lulu?" Everyone laughed a little at that.
Suzaku just stood there, still in semi-shock. What amazed him most was how fast everyone in the room was suddenly against their own country. How could they not see the consequences that could occur from this?
"Suzaku," the Purple Paladin jumped, startled his thoughts, "I know we don't agree on many things, but I think we can agree on one. The Galra is the bigger threat, and if they reach Earth, the entire planet is in jeopardy, including Britannia. I believe it's in both of our best interests to work together in this."
Suzaku grimaced, no matter how much he wanted to deny it, Lelouch did have a point there. But still…
"Lelouch, you realize if Earth wants a chance to stand against the Galra, then we'll need Britannia with us. Despite what you might think, Britannia has the strongest military power at the moment, and we'll need that to defend the planet! W-Why don't we just tell him?" Suzaku suggested.
"Tell him?" Lelouch asked as if Suzaku just spoke to him in an ancient Roman dialect.
"Yeah! If-if the leader of a country knows there's a threat coming, and is provided with legitimate proof, wh-why wouldn't he help?!"
Lelouch let out a sigh; he then approached the Purple Paladin before he almost nose to nose with him. Suzaku leaned back, looking very uncomfortable.
"Let me make something very clear, Suzaku," Lelouch almost whispered in his ear, "you do not know that man the way I do. And I can guarantee that when I say he won't help. He. Won't. Help."
Suzaku had to take a couple of steps back. He had never heard Lelouch use that tone of voice before. It terrified him.
"However, you are correct about one thing," he said a little louder, walking back to the center of the room. "Britannia's military might trumps any on Earth at this very moment. Therefore, if the Galra were to attack at this very moment, this the outcome I see. Due to their superior firepower, Britannia would likely try to shoot them out of the sky immediately. They wouldn't even take the time to ask who they are or what they want. This course of action would only provoke the Galra further. They would retaliate with their own weapons. Ones that Britannia would never even dream of inventing. They would wipe out their troops and the rest of the Empire overnight. When that happens, other countries will move in to claim the power void that has appeared. I have no doubt this will ultimately lead to conflict between these other countries. The Galra will immediately take advantage of the wars and chaos that follow. The rest of Earth's forces will be destroyed within days. Any other resistance would be hunted down and annihilated along with the rest of the planet."
"Are you sure that's what will happen?" Rivalz asked in a shaky tone.
"Well, in theory, considering it hasn't yet, but that's the most likely outcome. This also means that to defeat the Galra, we will need Britannia's forces on our side."
"Wha-but you just said-"
"Kallen, I know what you're thinking, but hear me out, please," Lelouch said calmly. "I know I spoke of my desire to obliterate Britannia, but you misunderstand what I mean by that. What I want to obliterate isn't Britannia itself, but their ideology. Their belief in Social Darwinism. I will honestly say that I believe that most people within the Britannian military are good people. They're simply following orders given by racist officers and are just too scared to disobey."
"...Lelouch, say you're wrong," Suzaku suddenly said. "Say we do manage to convince your dad-sorry," he quickly apologized at Lelouch's glare. "The Emperor, say we do convince him, and he agrees to help. That should merit something, right?"
Lelouch shook his head, "This is what I see happening if by the tiniest percent that happens. If the Emperor, along with every other world leader not under his thumb yet, agrees to work together, I do see us defeating the Galra. But once that threat is eliminated, the very second it's confirmed that we beat them, Britannia will just go right back to what it does best. And that is oppressing other countries for its own personal gain. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to use what remains of the Galra tech to advance their own, making them even more difficult to defeat in the future. You know that Lloyd Asplund certainly wouldn't pass up the opportunity to do so, Suzaku."
"Sure, I know some people might be interested in it, but the Emperor-"
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT CHARLES ZI BRITANNIA WOULD DO!"
Suzaku jumped back. For a brief moment, Allura, still standing to the side watching this showdown, saw something different. It wasn't Suzaku and Lelouch arguing anymore. It was Alfor, her father… and somebody else.
"If we want to save Earth, if we want to stop the Galra from taking it, if we want our world to have a peaceful future, it has to be united. Not under Britannia rule, but where all nations, all people stand as equals regardless of their race, status, gender, or ideology. But to do that, we can't have Britannia's beliefs on Social Darwinism be active anywhere, and that means removing Charles zi Britannia from his throne. Otherwise, Earth will just go right back to fighting itself, and nothing will have changed. I can think of maybe two or three people from the Royal Family who might listen to us and cooperate willingly." Euphemia, Odysseus, Marrybell, even Cornelia and Schneizel flashed through Lelouch's head. However, he didn't utter their names, "But not Charles."
"Suzaku, we are looking at a man that exiled his own kids just because Lelouch wanted to know why his mom died," Rai pointed out.
Suzaku still looked unsure, and Lelouch inwardly sighed. Suzaku usually meant well, but he was also one of the most stubborn people that Lelouch had ever met.
"I'm not going to force you Suzaku, that's one of the few things I'll never do. But right now, I need you. Nunnally needs you. The Earth needs you. Voltron needs you. So please, fight with us now," Lelouch held out his hand to his comrade in arms.
Suzaku was silent for a few moments. He admitted Lelouch's responses were almost all logical, even his explanation on Britannia's 'obliteration.' Not to mention that Lelouch came out and told them that he and Zero were the same being. That probably took a lot of courage on his friend's part, considering how hard it came to him to trust others, even when they were still kids. And both he and Lelouch at least agreed that Britannia needed to stop what they were doing for peace to come about. So, because of that…
Suzaku clutched Lelouch's hand back, "I'll help you, Lelouch. But there are lines I will not cross, you can guarantee that."
Lelouch grinned, "Of course, I think we can all agree to that."
"Alright! Team group hug!" Milly proclaimed as everyone crowded around the two Paladins in a tight embrace. Even C.C. had been dragged into it.
Lelouch was so relieved that it had turned out this way. His first fear had been that once they knew who he was, both Zero and a Britannian Prince, that they would turn away and abandon him too. That, fortunately, wasn't the case. Now that everything was off his chest, he felt lighter and happier.
"Thanks, everyone, for everything…"
"No problem./Anytime!/Of course, you idiot!" came the responses.
"Right," Lelouch said after everyone backed away, "then I think it's time we launch this Castleship. Princess, we ready?"
"Absolutely!" Allura nodded.
"Then let's go, we have a Balmera to save."
"Yes, yes, let's go!" Shirley eagerly responded, leading the way to the bridge.
After changing into their Paladin uniforms, everyone arrived at the bridge, Allura stood underneath the crystal once again. As it glowed, seven large colored seats that circled the edge of the room rose from the floor. Each matched the color of their respective Paladin. Lelouch at the front, Kallen, and Rai behind him to the right and left, followed by Suzaku and Milly, and Rivalz and Shirley taking up the back. Each seat was conveniently located next to each of the elevators that could take them down to their Lions. As everyone took their seats, transparent screens appeared in front of them, each showing a different function of the Castle.
Coran and C.C. were close to the front of the bridge as well, just behind Lelouch's chair. The green-haired witch was adorning a new outfit of her own as well. It looked identical to Allura's but was gold where pink should be, and the blue was much darker.
Two pillars rose to Allura's side, where she placed her hands gently on top of them. "Activate interlock," Allura said.
"Dynotherms connected," Coran confirmed from below.
From outside, the Castleship's windows glowed a brilliant blue as the ship prepared for launch after 10,000 years of inactivity.
"Mega-thrusters are go," Allura said.
"We are ready to depart Planet Arus," Coran said.
"Whenever you're ready," C.C. added.
The dark windows that initially surrounded the bridge opened up to reveal the clear Arusian sky, "Firing main engines for launch," the Castle soon began to shake.
The six spires surrounding the center moved outward as the engines roared to life. At last, the Castle of Lions detached itself from its rocky outpost and rose into the sky. From the Arusian village, the king and his subjects watched as the Lion Goddess and her warriors vanished into the atmosphere.
o~o
Omake:
Shirley Fennette never had used a bow in her entire life. If her friends from Ashford Academy and the Swimming Club asked why she was using a bow right now, it would be because of a hobby. Not because she was trying to fight an alien tyrant that reminded her of the Emperor of Britannia. And now she was practicing again at the training deck alone from prying eyes.
At first, she was skeptical using a bow as her primary weapon, but in time it felt natural, like swimming, as she quickly hit the targets.
'I guess Allura was right, the bayard morphs to fit the Paladin,' she thought as she shot another arrow. It hit the target straight in the center.
It definitely helped when Suzaku gave her pointers on Japanese archery known as Kyūdō that Suzaku learned from his former teacher Todoh. It was taught as a form of meditation in action.
"To shoot correctly will result inevitably in hitting the desired target. Seisha hitchū. That means 'true shooting, certain hitting.'"
Shirley didn't know what it meant, but in time she understood.
If her swimming club members saw her and how good she was at using the bow, they wouldn't believe it.
She decided to practice when no one was looking at the training deck to concentrate. She hit another target in the center from about 50 yards away.
"I'm getting really good at this. I might reconsider joining the Archery Club when this is over," she said as she continued onto another set of targets.
Unbeknownst to her, Rivalz was walking by and saw her practicing, and just so happened to catch her as she shot a target just a little bigger than a quarter.
She continued her practice. The targets started hitting targets that bounced like tennis balls and quickly shot them down easily. She then shot the targets while running, sliding, and jumping while avoiding obstacles.
Finally, she shot a holographic apple (or the Altean equivalent) that was balanced on top of another target. It shot right through and fizzed out.
As she took a breath, preparing to hit the showers when a clapping sound caught her attention. She turned and the other Paladins, along with Allura, Coran, and C.C. applauding her.
She blushed. She didn't realize people were watching her.
How many of those trick shots did they see?
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sam-miniature-pigeon · 6 years ago
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I saw Dumbo last Friday! On one hand, I loved it, on the other hand, I hated it.  Here are my thoughts! (Spoiler warning!!)
When I was little Dumbo was my favorite movie. I would watch Dumbo 6 times in a day if my ma let me. I heard the announcement for Dumbo (2019) and was so excited! I noticed it was going to be directed by Tim Burton, got a little nervous, but mostly excited. I knew the story was going to change a bit because that’s usually what happens in remakes. However, this movie took change to a new level- it quickly stepped out of the label of “remake” and became it’s own, new idea.  The movie starts off with the classic train scene. The train has its cute little face, it’s sunny instead of storming like in the original. The main theme kicks in and I’m bouncing in my seat with excitement. But, the second they stop the train, the movie itself derails- it’s not the Dumbo we grew up with anymore.  Right away, I couldn’t even express my hatred for Milly Farrier, Holt’s daughter and one of the protagonists. As the movie continued, I hated her more! She completely pulled me out of the movie almost immediately and it was so hard to get back into it because she played such a big role. It’s not Nico Parker’s (the actress who played Milly) fault. She did a pretty good job of portraying her character, it was the writing! Her lines were copied and pasted over and over again. “It’s an experiment.” “We’re conducting an experiment.” “We did an experiment.” “It’s science!” “Science is so important.” And other like-phrases. Just the “I’m better than you” attitude and the “I’m the smart one” character was stretched way too much. Right when the kids discovered Dumbo could fly, “We were conducting an experiment!” You were playing with the elephant. The constant validation of “I’m the smart one” was too much for me.  Once Holt is introduced, we see that he is a war hero who has lost his arm in battle. His kids have a very hard time accepting this and he becomes almost a laughing stock. All of this pressure of the world laughing that he’s missing an arm, while also being a failing father for a majority of the movie weigh down on him, but he never cracks even once. He maintains his role as a loving and caring father and an overall great guy. A very minor complaint, explaining human concepts to a baby elephant is wild. The only gripe I have about Joe, Holt’s son, is when he explains to Dumbo how to blow his ears out of his face. It’s so innocent and establishes a relationship between Dumbo and the kids, but...it’s a newborn elephant. What are the chances that it understands that? I enjoyed Joe’s character because he was fun and obnoxious! He was like 11? He acted like an 11-year-old usually does and it’s great! We have new characters, new personalities, new scenarios! Overall very fun. Instead of a car full of pretentious elephants harassing Mrs. Jumbo over her baby, there is no elephant personality except for Dumbo. Mrs. Jumbo wasn’t even part of the circus until a week or so prior to when the movie was set! Delivering Dumbo, I understand that Disney was going for a much more realistic movie, so I understand why we couldn’t have the stork song with all the baby circus animals being brought to their mothers. Dumbo is born and everyone immediately rejects him, which I suppose is the same in the 1941 version. Mrs. Jumbo got locked away for the same reason- attacking the audience/kids for harassing her son. However, I could have done without the “evil” caretaker who just harassed the elephants. The death of the caretaker was a big eyeroll because of course, mayhem happened. Of course! When you have an angry elephant, why would you harass it even more and endanger the audience? I don’t understand why that was thrown in there other than “Holt’s a good guy, look!” Along with this, I adore “Baby Mine,” because it’s such an iconic part of the movie. It felt less so in this remake. You don’t see the mother, that I remember, anyway. You don’t see the emotion of joy, sadness, and desperation to see her baby while locked away. As well as Dumbo’s confusion, fear, joy, and need to be with his mother after she’s been ripped away. It felt forced, as I should expect from CGI elephants and Miss Atlantis (the mermaid, played by Sharon Rooney) singing the song for whatever reason.  Dumbo learns to fly. We see “Timothy” maybe 3 times in the whole movie. It really bothered me that he wasn’t in the movie at all. Even just having Dumbo befriend a mouse and have it around whenever he was resting would have been enough for me. Introducing him for no reason other than companionship while he was alone would be okay- especially considering this newborn elephant was alone for most of the movie other than two kids. The feather was of great importance, as an ode to the original, but he didn’t get it in the same manner, which is alright, but the way Dumbo had the feather the entire time made me very upset. Why did he swallow it? Why did Dumbo feel the need to inhale and swallow the feather even after he knew how to fly? He wanted the feather, felt he needed the feather, could easily fly and hold it, but he just felt the need to suck it up through the nose and swallowing it just for the hell of it?  After Dumbo is discovered, the circus is offered an act, as well as a home for all the members, by V.A. Vandevere, the owner of Dreamland. It was a very cliche “I’m the rich evil guy who is here to use you” trope. I suppose Max Medici, the circus owner, was blinded by money and an opportunity to give his performers a better life. But Vandevere was clearly the antagonist from the beginning. Not just how he looks, but the way he talked, strange way he acted, etc. It was far too overexaggerated. From the second he offered an act, you think “Ok, he’s lying and stealing your discovery. He never cared about your circus until you got this elephant. He’s exploiting you to benefit himself and will keep you in the background or kick you out the second he gets.” After they join Dreamland, it seems that literally everyone who works there is also evil. But why? Abuse the baby elephant! This whole, huge park agrees! Everyone except for Colette Marchant is evil in Dreamland.  Going into Colette’s character, the tension between her and Holt was overpowering. Even when they first met. She introduces herself and Holt immediately jumps to a “Soo...you single?” sort of statement. Subtly, of course. But the straight-up tension was insane, especially when they placed so much mourning at the beginning of the movie for the deceased mother and wife. Overall, I enjoyed her as a character. I think Eva Green did a great job and I think the character was written well. I don’t understand why we had to have her ride Dumbo? Was a flying elephant not impressive enough? Did we really need a pretty french lady riding it? I know that it had to happen to start a relationship between Holt, Milly, Joe, and Dumbo. As well as providing Dumbo the “training” for the climax of the movie. But as an idea itself, even though it served a purpose, I thought it was silly.  Elephants on Parade was impressive. I thought it was very cool! I am okay with the fact that it wasn’t alcohol induced and fit pretty well into the circus-like performance. However, it’s unexplained if that was real? I thoroughly enjoyed the scene, but my mind was racing with questions of: How did they get the bubbles to do that? They’re bubbles. Is Dumbo imagining the elephants and it’s a normal bubble show? But why would he see or interpret things that aren’t happening if he’s never done it before? How would they essentially train bubbles to do that? And so on.  Long story short, the circus is fired and only Holt, his kids, Max, and Dumbo will stay. It’s sad but fairly predictable.  Once we discover that Dumbo’s mom is at the park, Vandevere orders to have her killed. Ok! If you didn’t already pick up on the fact that he’s the bad guy, we took it to the extreme of killing the elephant instead of selling her somewhere else. Of course, the circus team bands together to save her and they succeed, but the rest of the movie was plain nonsense to me.  In Nightmareland, or whatever that section of the park was called, the animals looked so horrifically fake. They looked like animatronics or horribly funded CGI. Along with that, there’s literally no purpose in having live animals in that part of the park. Vandevere is portrayed as a manipulative entrepreneur who loves his fame and money. But does he not realize that it would be more cost-effective to not have live animals chained to the floor? Do inspectors not come to look at the park and think ‘You can’t have these animals chained up in here all the time!’?”  Moving to the climax, the circus creates a plan to save Mrs. Jumbo and Dumbo from Dreamland and release them into the wild. The park catches fire due to a tantrum in the power towers by Vandevere, who is oblivious to everything burning around him. Dumbo lands with Colette to see his mother and makes the decision that he must first save his friends. Holt, Milly, and Joe are trapped inside of a burning tent until Dumbo miraculously saves them with an excessive amount of water in his trunk. He loses his feather in the flames and cannot fly anymore. Milly gives him a dramatic and symbolic speech about how he doesn’t need the feather to fly. A symbolic speech to an elephant. He understands and takes the kids to safety, weirdly knowing exactly where in town everyone would be. Meanwhile, Holt rides off on horseback. Vandevere chases him down and insists that he will lose everything he loves or something cliche. Holt directs Vandevere’s attention to Dreamland which is collapsing and engulfed in fire. The movie ends with a touching reuniting of the circus family, an introduction of the circus new and improved with no animals, and a scene of Dumbo and his mother in the wild meeting the other elephants as Dumbo soars above them.  A number of issues I have with that:  How do you not notice your entire livelihood burning and collapsing around you? Upon immediately complaining about this, my friend leaned over and went “Uhm...what happened to the people on the roller coasters?” And I suddenly remembered them specifically showing roller coasters full of people stopping with the power outage. Knowing how little big parks care about getting people out in a timely manner I said, “They either jumped out or I guess they died, oof. I totally forgot about them.” Along with unnecessary and unexplained death, while evacuating Mrs. Jumbo- where did the other animals go? Were they released? Were all of them except Mrs. Jumbo in holding pens? Did they burn alive? Are they running rampant through the streets, terrorizing people? What happened? The new introduction to the circus was nice. I enjoyed it. It promoted a good message of how they refuse to partake in animal cruelty and want to improve the circus. However, I really didn’t need Danny DeVito staring directly into the camera. It’s not a complaint or bad part of the movie, but it’s more of personal uncomfort because it’s so rare to see characters look directly at you. Finally, while it’s a good idea, there is almost no way that all the released animals would survive in the wild. Especially Dumbo who lived the entirety of his life so far in captivity. I feel like it’s safe to assume Mrs. Jumbo was also in captivity a majority of her life. Elephants are very intelligent and I’m sure they would teach them if accepted into the herd, but it drew concerns when I saw it. I remember bears and tigers and such in the 1941 version, where if they were released into the wild, would surely die.  Despite this long “review” that turned more into a rant, I did enjoy the movie! On its own, minus the plot holes, I think it would stand as a great movie! I had a good time watching it in theaters, but I always have a great time at the movies. I enjoyed most of the characters! It was a fun and entertaining movie, which at the end of the day is what matters for kids.  Dumbo had a mid-range review- 40s-60% or so. Which I feel is fair, even though reviews are often harsh.  Going off the specific topic of Dumbo, I’ve not seen many live-action remakes. I’ve seen The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and Christopher Robin (if you would consider that a remake). I adored The Jungle Book, though Beauty and the Beast was ok, Christopher Robin was heartwarming, and I both liked and hated Dumbo. I’ve given up hope on Mulan, The Lion King looks pretty good (worried about cast), and Aladdin looks nice and more true to the story than the past few have been, but because of these past few and especially Dumbo, I’m worried on how it will turn out in the long run. In all honesty, Disney is just about only making remakes to keep their characters from entering the public domain. Which is kind of shitty. Thinking of Disney now makes me very sad knowing that it’s purely money-driven. I don’t know too much about Walt Disney, but I would like to think that he was purely into joy and entertainment for all. I wish Disney would go back to wanting to promote joy and entertainment (and maybe throw an animated movie in the mix every once and a while).
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alvertesongdiary · 6 years ago
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Lil Uzi Vert - New Patek
Hmm New Patek on my wrist, white diamonds them shits hit pink Ight I'm ready
New Patek on my wrist (gang) White diamonds them shits hit pink (gang, gang) Got cold, had to go get a mink (gang) New finger ring sit like a sink (gang, gang) You a bad bitch, then we can link (what?) Hit the shower, you might stink (gang, gang) Bitches bad, yeah, they on my grape (uh) And she said "Lil Uzi so great" (uh, uh) How you deal with all that hate? (uh-uh) Shut up, bitch, don't give me migraine New Patek on my wrist White diamonds them shits hit pink Got cold, had to go get a mink New finger ring sit like a sink You a bad bitch, then we can link Hit the shower, you might stink Bitches bad, yeah, they on my grape (uh-uh) And she said "Lil Uzi so great"
Ok, your girlfriend like my drip (drip, uh) Happy birthday to that bitch (bitch) Yeah, the one that suck my dick (dick, uh) Triple S got that extra grip (grip) So you know I cannot slip That jeweler made part of my wrist (wrist) Franck Muller made part of my wrist (wrist) Franck Muller made part of my wrist (wrist) My shooters gon' shoot, can't miss My shooter got 30 on his hip Yeah I need my fix Was that a pair of boots from Rick? Had to tell that lil girl don't trip Cool blood, but my money crip Got clap on lights no flick Can't take no pic, no flick (no cap) Fuck that bitch in my new whip (skrr) Her ass so fat can't fit Her ass so fat it's amazing (amazing) Her ass so fat it's a miracle (miracle) Her last man money hysterical She from the six one nine, Rey Mysterio I'm the same nigga bustin' their stereo Yeah, My boys on the block selling O's, no cheerios I don't wake up in the morning for cereal Flip the brick make the whole shit do a aerial Bang the shit out and make the hoes sing Ariel Silencers so they really can not hear me though Killing these beats Lil Uzi a serial Clean up the body prepare for the burial Burberry pants I got Burberry tennis shoes I got the swag probably, I'ma finish you I am a octopus I cannot breath without water So I put diamonds on my tentacles How is you stoppin' us, they is not toppin' us You know I had to cop that shit just by the twos Blood in my chakra, I will not pop at ya Put money on my head just for your album bruh Tell me lil boy if it's beef I get to choppin' shit up like it's prime and treat you like you Optimus My chain white gold your shit look like copper bruh MCM yeah that shit made of ostrich bruh But I don't wear that, give that to my hoes Yeah I swear that lil nigga my clone I had to do this shit all on my own Yeah, slime shit lil baby, put diamonds in my nose
New Patek on my wrist (gang) White diamonds them shits hit pink (gang, gang) Got cold, had to go get a mink (gang) New finger ring sit like a sink (gang, gang) You a bad bitch, then we can link (what?) Hit the shower, you might stink (gang, gang) Bitches bad, yeah, they on my grape (uh) And she said "Lil Uzi so great" (uh, uh) How you deal with all that hate? (uh-uh) Shut up, bitch, don't give me migraine
And your girlfriend like my drip (drip, uh) Happy birthday to that bitch (bitch) Yeah, the one that suck my dick (dick, uh) Triple S got that extra grip (grip) So you know I cannot slip
Franck Muller made part of my wrist Franck Muller made part of my wrist New Rollie made a part of my wrist AP made part of my wrist New Richard on my wrist Got a millie down sellin' my bank
New Patek on my wrist (gang) White diamonds them shits hit pink (gang, gang) Got cold, had to go get a mink (gang) New finger ring sit like a sink (gang, gang) You a bad bitch, then we can link (what?) Hit the shower, you might stink (gang, gang) Bitches bad, yeah, they on my grape (uh) And she said "Lil Uzi so great" (uh, uh) How you deal with all that hate? (uh-uh) Shut up, bitch, don't give me migraine
Throw up gang signs, Naruto Put metal in my nose like Pain Man, I never saw this bitch before How the fuck she know my name She said "Lil Uzi, Hello" I looked at her, "Oh, hey" (Hello?) You ain't never seen pastry dough, well lil bitch I got cake Gettin' money, I'm the man Gettin' money had to count the advance Saint Laurent all on my shoes they not Vans Need a fan, in case a nigga get hot Remember she ain't want me back, I was popped On the block back before I had locks Red dot for a chicken eat pop MC told the bitch give me cop Motorcycle days, bitch young jock That's what I call her, she all on my top Rapstar or do he sell rock? He got files so he beatin' the trial Couple racks let them niggas run wild Super filthy man they livin' so foul I got some real niggas that is locked up Tryna shade the bar just for the foul All my bitches want me to take a foul Live off verbs, and I live off of nouns He get money, then I had to say how? New rug, and it's made of wolf New rabbit yeah I use as a towel Lil bitch, yeah I run through the city Different spots in it just like a cow Yeah, I'm talkin' 'bout a mansion, no house Yeah, my closet yeah that shit got a house Four years, I ain't even see a mouse Please stop talking bitch put dick in your mouth We get money, what the fuck is a drought Makin' rain 'cause I'm up in the clouds Had to tell that lil bitch get from around 'Cause that little bitch be fuckin' with clowns
Let's go, let's go, had to tell that lil bitch, yeah let's go Yeah, that lil nigga stole my swag, and he's tryna steal my flow I had to switch it up one time just like I switch my phone I could try one more time, I can give this shit one more go I put hundreds in my safe (ayy) I throw twenties in her face I put the M in a J (ayy) I got a bae in the bay (ayy) I fucked on that nigga little bitch that's the reason he tryna' say that I'm gay (ayy) Way more coochie the kid slay (ayy) I sell a mil in a day (ayy) All of my bitches they grade A I do not get it in Canada, but when I'm in Toronto they treat me like Drake This a light jet, this a flight day Had that lil bitch that's on Myspace I can feel this shit in my veins Look at my neck thats an ice tray Come on tell me, what you sayin' (what you sayin', what you sayin', what you sayin')
And your girlfriend like my drip (drip, uh) Happy birthday to that bitch (bitch) Yeah, the one that suck my dick (dick, uh) Triple S got that extra grip (grip) (Oh yeah)
Franck Muller made part of my wrist Franck Muller made part of my wrist New Rollie made part of my wrist AP made a part of my wrist New Richard on my wrist Got a millie down sellin' my bank
New Patek on my wrist White diamonds them shits hit pink Got cold, had to go get a mink New finger ring sit like a sink You a bad bitch, then we can link (what?) Hit the shower, you might stink Bitches bad, yeah, they on my grape (uh) And she said "Lil Uzi so great" (uh, uh) How you deal with all that hate? (uh-uh) Shut up, bitch, don't give me migraine
Throw up gang signs, Naruto Put metal in my nose like Pain Man, I never saw this bitch before How the fuck she know my name She said "Lil Uzi, Hello" I looked at her, "Oh, hey" You ain't never seen pastry dough, well lil bitch I got cake (ayy) Gettin' money, I'm the man Gettin' money had to count the advance Saint Laurent all on my shoes they not Vans Need a fan, in case a nigga get hot Remember she ain't want me back, I was popped On the block back before I had locks Red dot for a chicken eat pop MC told the bitch
Yeah, that's it
28/09/2018
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