#one blow by the Meteorite from the first game
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tagarilaghost · 2 months ago
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hey uhm @wowitsmetaylor you know about that one post you made and that one specific tag...?
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Yeah well now he does have that :D
It truly sucks being an artist and having free will-
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imperfectrotting · 4 months ago
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Even though i love reading fanfiction about Norton, especially Norton x readers, i just genuinely cannot imagine him ever loving someone else. He gets mischaracterized so often, as well.
Norton was forced to be a miner ever since his father died of black lung. "If a father is a miner, so shall the son." By that he means that miners barely scrap by. The money they earn is just barely enough to live off from. Norton's father couldn't afford anything for Norton. No fancy clothes, not even for him to go to school.
And once he died, the debt that he carried, transfered onto Norton, so now Norton was stuck being a miner, forced to slave away years of his live to come across a sliver of gold.
Norton was raised to be a good boy, taking care of the elderly, being a very hard, efficient and diligent worker. Even his previous employers were sad to let him go, because he was such a hard worker. Being the first one to enter the mines and the last one to come out. But as the years went on, he grew more desperate to be freed from his poverty, for his fate to be changed somehow. So he took more risk.
He visited all the locations that were given to him on the map by Benny, except for the Golden Cave. Norton was on the brink of insanity and decided to risk it all, bringing all his co-workers to the cave, and bringing dynamite, being fully aware of how dangerous it was to use. But nonetheless, not caring for anyone except for himself anymore, he decided to blow it all up.
His dramatic shift in attitude, especially after the incident, he's being described by (most likely) his coworkers said his personality became even more extreme, with at times very gloomy and depressed.
It is interesting that before the incident, he got described as someone hard to deal with, with his emotions being as changeable as the weather. It's most likely his coworkers that bullied him that described him that way, because they were intimidated by his sheer determination to break free from poverty. Because in both of the videos we got about Norton's backstory, especially the live action one, he didn't get portrayed as someone hard to deal with at all, and his emotions being so unstable.
I think it all changed when Norton found out about Benny wanting to return as a miner one day, when he got better, wanting to go mining with Norton. I think that made Norton snap, take all the risk and chances at the Golden Cave, because he wanted to change his own fate so badly.
With the meteorite magnet he got from the accident, he became a geological surveyor to make a better living and to get away from the mines.
I can't imagine for him to have love left for someone else in his heart. Now when he's in the manor, having been hired to assassinate either Melly or Alice, and working together with Orpheous (as seen having drugged Alice unconscious) for a lot of money.
I wish i knew when Ashes of memory part 3 came out because i genuinely cannot wait. Norton's been my favorite character since i started playing the game in 2020. Seeing him get so much love when his backstory dropped, together with him being the only one to receive his own live action film, like hello!? I love him so much, and he interests me so damn much. I want to keep finding out more things about him.
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ladyirisreviews · 8 days ago
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Final Fantasy 5 (GBA) - Review
Out of all classic Final Fantasy games, it breaks my heart that this one didn't get a 3D remake like 3 and 4 did. This is one of the best Final Fantasy games and if it had gotten that treatment it would be one of my favorite games ever.
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The plot starts with one of our protagonists, Lenna, seeing her father, the king of the kingdom of Tycoon, off as he is heading for the wind crystal, one of many crystals that give the world life. He suspects something must be going on because the wind stopped blowing, and so, he flies away on his drake, but without realizing Lenna left the castle in an attempt to follow him.
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Meanwhile, another of our protagonists, Bartz, who I renamed as Baldz, is riding along with his Chocobo, when he hears a very loud crash and goes to investigate.
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He meets Lenna, who is unconscious in front of a meteorite, and even closer to it he finds an elderly man named Galuf, who appears to have lost his memory, and only seems to remember that he had the mission to check on the wind crystal, and Bartz decides to tag along with both him and Lenna.
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With no clear path to the crystal, they go inside a cave, where they spot a pirate ship that seems fine despite no wind to sail with.
In an attempt to steal it the group gets captured by the pirate gang, they are then interrogated by their boss, Faris, who seems preoccupied by the pendant Lenna is wearing, which is the same as theirs.
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After listening to what they have to say they agree to take them to the wind crystal, where they also join the party to see what's going on.
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After finally arriving they see the crystal is in pieces, then they see what appears to be king Tycoon, who tells them they 4 are the chosen ones by the crystals, and that they must protect them.
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And so the adventure starts.
If it weren't for the 3D Remake of Final Fantasy 4, this game would be the one with my favorite plot so far, but the enhanced dialogue of FF4 3D took its place, this is still a good plot for an RPG of its time though.
While relationships between characters are still kind of simple, they do interact a bit. There's also a lot to discover about each character. We might be lacking the cutscene direction from Final Fantasy 4 3D Remake, but it makes the most of what it has.
There are emotional moments that feel impactful and sequences of events that are quite gripping, and the music adds a lot to these scenes, it's incredible what they were able to manage with the limitations all things considered.
The interactions are still far too little and simple for my taste, but I do appreciate them existing at all, it's definitely a step above all of the previous games.
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Other than that, this game has one of the best antagonistic characters from the whole series, and it isn't even the main villain, it's more of a henchman of the main villain.
Not only is he the centerpiece of one of the best sequences in the game, he clearly grows as a character and interacts with the main group a lot during the encounters you have with him, he is definitely more fun to see than the main villain in my opinion, and I am glad he periodically shows up for the rest of the game from the moment you encounter him for the first time.
And that's pretty much everything I'm willing to say about the plot, it was definitely a step in the right direction for the series.
Now moving to the gameplay, it is again an ATB battle system, and it behaves more or less like in Final Fantasy 4, character bars fill over time and when they get full you can act.
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I love that the bars stop every time an animation plays, it makes it so much easier to plan your moves, and I feel like this is the best iteration of ATB in the whole series because of the rest of the mechanics it adds.
Outside of turn order the combat is the same, attack, item spells, you can multi-target spells, you know how it is.
What sets this game apart from the others is the Job system, and it's one of my favorites in the franchise.
After you arrive at the wind crystal, the crystal shards give you various jobs, and you are free to assign any job to any character you want.
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But also, each class levels up with the AP you earn after combat, unlocking skills for each class, BUT ALSO you can assign an unlocked skill from any class a character has, so the character could be a monk who knows basic white magic, anything goes.
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The default class, called freelancer, can equip 3 skills and is also able to equip all equipment types, normal classes are restricted on what they can wear.
The whole system is truly lovely, letting you build your characters from the start while also giving you more classes as you advance on the game is such a fun ride, and you can also create some nasty combos with it, I heavily recommend coming up with disgusting builds.
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The dungeon design is more or less what you might already expect from the series at this point, but at least there's a handful of puzzles this time around, which is a step forward at least, I still wish there were more to the dungeons, but that's a recurring feeling in this series to me.
Having said that, this is still one of the most fun Final Fantasy games, the plot is engaging enough and it takes unexpected turns, the new job system is nothing short of amazing, and there are a lot of memorable setpieces.
Out of the first five, this would probably be my top pick for someone starting out.
I can only imagine what the team that 3 and 4 3D remake could have improved if they were able to do a 3D remake of this, I really hope it happens someday, a day when Square Enix decides to embrace old aesthetics without compromising the game, come on it would be cheaper to make than any other game they are releasing, but I can only dream.
Definitely try this game if you haven't already, I will be replaying it multiple times in the future and will keep on dreaming it gets a remake of some kind too.
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joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh · 8 days ago
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Sonic Movie 3 Thoughts Wooooooo
Straight home from the cinema, wanted to write my thoughts down, and it goes without saying, but I am spoiling the movie rotten, including post-credits, so yk, decide for yourself if you're clicking.
Okay, I thought the movie was... fine. Not great, leagues ahead of the first one obviously, although in comparison to the second one I think it reaches higher heights and avoids its lowest lows, although is perhaps overall less balanced than the second one? No, that's not quite it. I think the second one did Sonic and Knuckles' arcs better and as a movie was more focused on that so felt a bit more balanced, whereas movie 3 is more exciting and like cooler as an action setpiece but maybe not quite narratively as fulfilling? Something? I don't know, gonna need to weigh that in my mind a little.
I guess breaking it down into more specifics I wanna probably talk Sonic first, because I think he was a bit of an odd link in his own movie. Sonic at this point has his team with Tails and Knuckles, so he needs to be sure he's trusting them and making the right decisions. Eventually of course Shadow hurts Tom and Sonic loses his cool, goes against the team, and pretty much tries to kill Shadow, before doing a "this isn't who I am" thing and calming down, having a heart to heart with Shadow, remembering Longclaw exists, the whole shebang. It's fine, I understand fundamentally that this movie version of Sonic isn't his game self and is going to have more of an active character arc, and obviously in the context of the movie it serves to put him on the same arc Shadow has so they can both grow together. When I spell it out like that even I think it's pretty good, but I think it probably needed slightly more time to feel more convincing? Again it wasn't bad I was just not all that engaged with it, honestly makes me wonder if I even can take this version of Sonic all that seriously, cause at some point I do have to consider that I might just not like him.
Tails and Knuckles are pretty much fine. Tails honestly has more screentime than he did in the second movie it feels, I think he was a better executed version of his character across the board. Knuckles is a little closer to how he felt in movie 2 than he did in his own series, and I appreciate that he's broadly very capable, but also it really does feel like they're doing dumb Knuckles again except warrior mode. Maddie I have basically nothing to say about here but Tom is fine, contributes to Sonic's arc, has his like one speech, they've got an okay infiltration scene together that didn't drag too long and fortunately had Sonic and friends constantly on the mic to remind us who we're watching for. Stone's fine, nice jealousy arc for Gerald and Eggman before the latter remembers that Stone is the only one who ever cared for him and the two reconcile and it's sweet and everything. Eggman's doing the same shtick he's been doing all these movies, with a noble sacrifice at the end that makes me question how he's gonna be used in future. The big thing for him is Gerald being there, and Gerald...
I think Gerald, and by extension the entire backstory relating to Project Shadow, is where this movie goes the most wrong for me. I'll talk about Shadow on his own in a bit, but in the context of Project Shadow, Shadow is an alien who landed on earth as a meteorite and was recovered by and subsequently experimented on by GUN. Gerald is the one leading the experiments. They're not inhumane experiments at all, seems to just be routine tests and making him run to power generators and test his Chaos Energy. Maria is of course also there. When it becomes evident that Shadow is really powerful and they can't necessarily control him, GUN hunt down Gerald, unintentionally destroy the lab, and put Shadow in stasis. Present day, Gerald has managed to remotely awaken Shadow, remotely get Eggman to find him, and they're all gonna work together to blow up the entire earth and also suicide pact themselves in the process, a detail Eggman obviously doesn't know about. The thing is, fuck man, I do need to do that other paragraph next.
Maria doesn't have NIDS. or AIDS. Or some nondescript terminal illness. She doesn't have anything. She's literally just a normal girl. Why is she here at the research lab, which is distinctly on Earth? Just kinda because. Sees Shadow, befriends him, they're really cute, nothing but props there. But Maria is just a normal girl. Gerald basically never interacts with her. Or speaks positively of her. He's on a path for revenge for a granddaughter we're not convinced of his fondness for. I'm not out here to fault this movie for not just being SA2 and even in having said that SA2 doesn't exactly show their relationship very well either, all you have there is a sad old man on his execution day talking about how he was driven insane and is getting his revenge. But like. He's working on Project Shadow because he's a brilliant scientist who wants to use the research on immortality to help find a cure to his own granddaughter's illness. Through that motive alone we get the impression that Maria means a lot to Gerald. That's not there in this movie, at all. Shadow isn't an artificial being as far as we know, he isn't immortal as far as we know, he and Gerald don't really have that intrinsic link to one another that Maria completes, they're not a family. Fuck Gerald's alive but he and Shadow basically don't even talk to each other here. They very vaguely imply that Gerald's whole being 110 years old thing is connected to Shadow (as in have him say he's old and then do the licking Shadow's quill and getting a shock thing) and that's as close as they get. Again I don't think it's automatically a bad thing for them to go their own direction with this story but also the way it's written originally works for a reason and the ways in which they abandon that story only serve to hurt what they came up with instead. Gerald being alive could've worked. The research lab being a ground based facility could've worked. Maria not being terminally ill... I don't think that's salvageable. Certainly not in the form we saw it. But if that's what you're gonna do you need to sell me on Gerald, on his investment in any of this. I don't care about Gerald's revenge, that's the problem.
Anyway, uh, Shadow. He's fine. Good, even. Keanu's voice acting in this is leagues above what he did in the Shadow Gens DLC, I'm glad that wasn't a bad sign of things to come and instead literally just a false alarm. It's his SA2 arc but with the suicidal ideology amped up and Sonic choosing not to kill him being what makes Shadow realise he shouldn't be doing all this either. Sacrifice himself to save the world, post-credits scene shows he's obviously fine, good stuff. I'm honestly surprised how little he gives me to say.
Everything that happens when Sonic turns Super onwards is fucking awesome. First of all, sure, Super Sonic is consumed by rage and is out for blood and tries to fight Shadow. Shadow in base knocks the Emeralds out of Super Sonic with a sick fighting game ult looking ass wrist blow thing. Cool as fuck. Actually seeing Super Sonic fight base Shadow at all was honestly hype as hell in its own right, I think that's a very real sell us on the strength of Shadow. But of course, one Super hedgehog isn't enough. They both go Super. And they fight each other. Unbelievable. Absolutely raw as fuck. Not literally a series first because two Super characters fighting happened a few times in Archie, but close enough to be exciting. Also I mean all in space, btw. And yeah Live and Learn plays. More of the song than I was expecting but not really enough to be completely pogging. Choreography's great, absolutely the best the movies have shown off, one hell of an impression of speed seeing them fly across the literal planet fighting each other. Some sick fucking locations they end up in, tons of wallpapers. Super Sonic getting the edge because he has the fury of god while Shadow's conviction is currently lacking but also Sonic has experience with the form and Shadow doesn't is hype. After they talk things out they grab hands and transform together, it's raw as fuck, another wallpaper, clear out GUN robots by the hundreds, Shadow gets a smorgasboard of Chaos Spears in, I'm having the time of my life. I am barely able to sit down. This is the most excited the room gets. Oh btw it's a packed audience, everyone's wearing a Sonic shirt, families and dudes my age with their friends. Nothing very annoying throughout as a cinema-going experience despite lots of horrible signs at the start. Whenever this movie's 4K blu-ray comes out I am going to torrent that and I am going to steal some screenshots from these scenes because there are wallpapers to be had. Loved this bit. Finale is very good. No idea how Tails and Knuckles got to space but I'm glad they manage to play a substantial part here anyway. Gerald also dies here so like yeah things are just going well for me.
Overall I think, again, solid. Characters are mostly pretty good but unfortunately Gerald is kinda bad and is also very very much the central antagonist despite being kinda bad. There aren't any obvious "please cut this" scenes like in movie 2 except the two Eggmen dance sequence but it was better than the Sonic and Tails one in movie 2 and I mean no wedding scene. Climax is great. Shadow is good. Visuals are good. I think the pacing is pretty much fine, it gets into it very quickly. But it might genuinely have needed another 10 maybe 20 minutes to just flesh out particularly Gerald's backstory a lot more, although really I think they should've just done the SA2 faithful approach. Especially since fuck this is the year of Shadow right? They want to get everyone up to speed on everything to do with him. So why is the movie - the climax of said year - not giving us one of the most important facts about Shadow, that being that he's artificial? God unless the game plan is to cover Shadow being artificial and being partially Black Arms in one go. If we get a Shadow spinoff series is the plan to explain that his origins are he was created entirely by the Black Arms? Fuckin who knows man. I don't think the Black Arms needed to be in this movie I think that would've been a little too busy and a little too muddled for one film, but you gotta get the fact that Shadow was made by Gerald, surely. And Maria needs to be terminally ill! I don't even care that she wasn't actually shot man it's just the fact that she's terminally ill is the entire reason the Project Shadow story works. Whatever. This is the main thing holding the movie back for me.
Also goes without saying but these are indeed "just got home from watching it" thoughts. I haven't seen the movie more than once, I haven't spoken about it to anyone else, I haven't read or watched reviews, nothing. I am quite literally rambling. I don't think this is nearly as coherent as I was aiming for, but I was struggling enough to find the words to where I've given up really caring about being coherent. 6 maybe 6.5 out of 10.
Post-credits! Metal Sonic appears. Is jobbing. Way more Metal Sonics appear. I guess that's one way to make him threatening. Amy appears, takes down like 10 of them, Metal is full on jobber. But hey, Amy looks cute. Part of me wanted Silver too much just in some hopes of getting a year of Silver and a Silver game and seeing his character finally be redeemed in the public eye but yeah no Amy makes more sense and definitely needed to be done lol. We're a long way out from seeing what she'll actually offer these movies in terms of story, but hey.
Think that's all I've got. I'm going to bed.
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sifutoph · 9 months ago
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[ reassure ] <3
@flamend chose: for the sender’s muse to place their hand over the receiver’s in a moment of stress and squeeze reassuringly.
there is a young man, an up-and-coming leader from the fire nation colony region, among the sea of politicians and socialites firelord hotman has kept around him. he's called kenji, and he sounds downright irritating half the time, condescending and all-knowing, but again, he's young. charismatic. when he speaks, he speaks politely enough that no one could actually dispute him, and toph doesn't need her feet bare to realise how easily he manipulates the older political voices around him to agree with his points or, in the cases that they don't, have these people somehow miraculously spooked off enough that they, themselves, would like to stay away.
he isn't a threat, per se, but toph just doesn't like him. and the very fact that he'd gotten under her skin since the first time they met didn't help.
they're at another one of these unofficial-but-official meets where she'd tagged along for the heck of it. she's starting to think that that may be her first mistake. now, see, it isn't like toph particularly wants to be involved in the affairs of running a kingdom. she's already got her school and her dad's business on her back that she needs to keep an eye out. that's enough. but, you know, firelord hotman had offered, and it's been a while anyway that she'd taken some time just lazying around near a friend, and she'd agreed. most of the time, though it can be boring, the dispute among the men would be interesting enough for her to sit through and entertain.
some days zuko would even ask her for her opinion or two, and she'd usually supplied on whether the minister was straight up lying, or whether he simply sounds like a dick but said dick may have a point or two.
she is by no means a diplomat, so for the most part toph purposely doesn't let herself be involved — she's not always without her tact, alright, and sometimes she knows enough when not to mess with things that'll blow back in her face — but there were times perhaps that she... could admit she may have butted-in unasked. in her defence, these usually happens outside of any official council meeting which she wasn't invited to anyhow, so she'd figured it's fair game. people said something stupid, she's gonna call them an idiot. whatever.
that evening, kenji found her alone.
she called him with not-so-nice names, and he'd replied back, voice smooth and sure, undaunted at every response she'd thrown at him. she thought it'd be another day where they'd just exchange terse back-and-forth and they'd both be done with it. firelord hotman can have his diplomatic evening tea politely discussing the latest happening and they'd both be off. toph heard there'd be a famous night market nearby and she'd been pretty excited to eat some of the region's famous platypus meat. he even told zuko so. but then, just before she could walk away, kenji said it :
you're here now, but you won't be here for long. ...oh, you think i wouldn't figure out ? that toph beifong's only invited because she's got no one else, no other companion to amuse her. but we both know the firelord, especially the firelord, can't be entertaining you forever. so yes, you're a nuisance now. but not for long at all. barely a pebble in my path, in fact, though ... not any less entertaining.
the evening tea begins, with all the local and appointed ministers and leaders and secretaries taking their spot, exchanging pleasantries. toph thinks she should be angry, she should be upset, but it's as though the words kenji had spoken had snatched the rage out of her and she's left there feeling... feeling anxious instead. unsteady. she wants to reach for sokka's meteorite gift, wants to play with it until she's calmed down enough, but it's as though her whole body's locked up.
half way through, kenji — the bastard — even turns to her. so, he asks in his melodic, pathetic attempt at a pacified tone. i assume the young lady beifong will soon return to her school, no? how unfortunate then. we were all so... ah, raptured by your presence, lady beifong, and toph near damn seethes, though she remains mute, hating herself for every second of it.
and then she feels it. a hand, slotting right into hers.
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toph's chin raises up, the only indication she's made aware of the touch at all, and she squeezes back, recognising the warmth easily. sifu hotman, she thinks kindly, in a near childish relief. before she turns to him, voice uncharacteristically subdued: ❝ i'm tired, zuko. we'll leave soon, right ? ❞
the intimacy of hands.
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box16 · 3 years ago
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CALLOUT POST FOR CORNFLOWERCANINE/CLOVE
CW: 9/11, the word ‘expialidocious’, small rodents
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Vriska Serket, also known by her Trollian handle arachnidsGrip, is one of the trolls. She was the eighth troll to be introduced, which also refers to her theme and obsession with the number eight. Her handle relates to her in two main ways. One, arachnids, refers to her interest in and fascination for spiders. The Grip part of the handle most likely represents her power to have a grip on someone's mind, or control it. Her associated zodiac sign is Scorpio (♏) and her horns are shaped like a pincer and a stinger. 
Biography
Pre-Hivebent
When she was younger, Vriska found Mindfang's journal in a chest delivered to Alternia by a meteorite, and used it to locate her Fluorite Octet.
Yeah!!!!!!!!
Vriska plays Flarp both out of enjoyment and to procure food for her Lusus, which feeds on young trolls. Her Flarp character is her ancestor, scourge of land dwellers and sea dwellers alike. Mindfang has gained all the levels available to the Petticoat Seagrift class. All the levels. All of them. Mindfang, being a pirate with a hook for a hand, resembles Captain Hook, much as Tavros's character, Pupa Pan, resembles Peter Pan. The Fluorite Octet, named after a mineral resembling a d8 and the number eight, is also a play on the final words of Captain Hook in the original play of Peter Pan, which was "Floreat Etona," a Latin phrase from England where Captain Hook was schooled.
She had frequent pirate themed Flarping sessions with Eridan most likely inspired by their ancestors' rivalry. On at least one occasion, Vriska and Terezi formed a Flarp team, 'Team Scourge', and faced off against Tavros and Aradia's 'Team Charge'. Vriska's actions in one particular Flarp session set off the cycle of revenge that leads to a number of catastrophic events for several trolls.
Vriska, acting as Tavros's Clouder, uses her mind powers to make him jump off a cliff, leading to his paralysis from the waist down. Aradia and Terezi are distracted by Doc Scratch and unable to intervene.
Seeking revenge for Tavros's injury, Aradia summons the ghosts of trolls whom Vriska fed to her lusus to haunt her.
To get back at her, Vriska uses her mind control powers to control Sollux, forcing him to ingest mind honey and cause his psychic eye beams to be let loose. He is then controlled to go to Aradia's hive and kill her.
Terezi then takes matters into her own hands by informing Doc Scratch of Vriska's possession of one of his magic cue balls. Infuriated, Doc Scratch blows up the Cue Ball, taking out Vriska's seven-pupiled eye and left arm as well as the tactical advantage she had with the Cue Ball.
To get back at her, Vriska uses a Psychic Double Reach-Around: she first mind controls Tavros, then uses his animal communion ability to control Terezi's Lusus, forcing it to tell Terezi to go outdoors and stare into the Alternian sun, blinding her. Since few trolls are able to withstand the sunlight, Vriska may have expected Terezi to wander blind and lost until she died of exposure or at the hands of terrifying monsters.
Hivebent
Vriska is first seen in the bottom right corner of this page, but she is not fully revealed until Hivebent. Her left arm is robotic and was created for her by Equius Zahhak after she loses her real arm. Equius is her neighbor, and after an accident caused by him, Vriskas' lusus is crushed by large rocks. Vriska ends the lusus' pain by decapitating it.
She commissioned Equius for a soulbot for Aradia as a way to make amends with her, but he enters the game before Vriska can get the present. When she talks to Aradia about it, she says Vriska was never supposed to be part of the Blue Team and kicks her off.
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itscalledbisexualcrisis · 4 years ago
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Legacy
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Request: Hii! Could you do a angst/fluff with Kuvira where r is like from an important family and they meet when they're young but then r joins the avatar? Finish how you'd like! Thank youu
Thank you to depressed-bi-bitch for the request, this was a lot of fun writing!
When Suyin was creating Zaofu, she knew she needed a dependable supply of metal. The valley, where eventually Zaofu would be erected, was a small mining village. It had an abundance of precious metals, but were predominantly used in trade with neighboring villages. There, Suyin met your family, the esteemed owners of one of the largest mines of the village. Suyin was eloquent with her ideas and clear passion for leading people. Her husband, Baatar, had already made a name for himself as an architect from Ba Sing Se. Meanwhile your family was one of the established families of the village, producing most of the metals and negotiating with outsiders trade deals. Together, your family and the Beifongs created Zaofu, a technological city of the future.
Growing up in a sprawling metal city was like living in a story tale. Big spiraling metal structures, an abundance of art and culture blooming all around you, and spending most of your childhood with the Beifong family were your earliest memories. You were surprised one day, while playing with Opal in the Beifong estate, to find Suyin bringing in another child. The girl seemed older than both you and Opal and she had a firm pout on her lips. Her clothes were more plain compared to what usual Zaofu citizens wore and she wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone. 
“This is Kuvira. She’ll be living with us and be part of our family now, Opal. Think of her like your sister,” she introduced.
From being the adored only daughter to having to share with another little girl was not easy for Opal to adjust. Including sharing you, her childhood best friend.
“I don’t want a new sister!”
The way Kuvira’s face was already apprehensive, turned into a scowl quickly as she looked between the two of you before running off.
While Suyin sat down with Opal and tried to explain Kuvira’s situation, you went off to find Kuvira. She was sitting down under a low hanging awning by the river. You could hear small sniffles coming from her. Six year old you approached her without caution, bumbling up to her with the perkiness only a child could contain.
“Hi.” You introduced yourself to her with a wide toothy grin and a welcoming outstretched hand. She jumped and turned around, quickly wiping away a stray tear. Her deadpan glare penetrated your outstretched hand left open. Being a child, you didn’t let it affect you. Instead you asked, “Do you want to come to my house? I have a dollhouse we can play with!”
Kuvira hesitated, looking from your still extended hand to your beaming face.
“Opal doesn’t like me.”
“Opal’s not coming.”
Oh to grow up with Kuvira. She was quite hot tempered as a child. And you admit, some days it was hard being her friend. She let her emotions take control, most of the time not realizing that she was bending until the dolls were disfigured under her metal grip. You never blamed it on Kuvira though, and you always came back to each other at the end of the day. It took a long time under Suyin’s guidance for Kuvira to gain a better understanding of her own earthbending. But once she did, it was like a flip switched.
While gaining more control, she became more reserved. She pulled farther from the Beifongs and moved out of the estate, choosing to live with the guards in the dormitories instead when she became a teenager. It didn’t change your close relationship though. From running around your estate playing games to her joining you in your metals lab in your research to helping her study for her test to join the Metal Guards; you and Kuvira supported one another through everything.
In the back of your mind you always knew things weren’t great for Kuvira at the Beifongs. But it was always something so hard to bring up to Kuvira whenever you tried to get her to talk about it. It also complicated your friendship with Opal, navigating between their polar personalities was always a challenge. So you opted not to, instead playing mostly neutral grounds and after she moved out, things did get better. 
As you got older, there was more pressure on you to take on the family business. Your whole life you’ve studied metals and how different properties of metals work together to create new things. An inventor, truly gifted, but there were always parts of you that wanted to leave Zaofu.
“I don’t want to study rocks my whole life. I want to learn from other cultures, get a bigger insight!” you confessed one day to Kuvira. You lay back on the soft grass of the lawn. You were visiting the Beifongs casually one afternoon when you ran into your favorite guard. It took minimal convincing for her to take a break from duty to lie with you. It was known that Kuvira always had a soft spot for you. It took one big smile to get her to crumble to you.
But seeing you smile was something she could never get enough of. “You wouldn’t leave me here alone, would you?” Kuvira semi joked.
“I’d take you with me, of course,” you laughed. “See the world together. Maybe fight some bad guys, who knows?”
Kuvira knew that would never be possible. Not with how Suyin ran things, but she didn’t say that, choosing instead to have a lighter hearted moment with you.
Going through the ranks, she saw potential in the Metal Guards, in the people of Zaofu actually. The fact that Suyin rejected most international requests, slowly infuriated her over the years. She watched as her fellow soldiers grew in strength, but all of it went to waste within the metal domes. Kuvira had long surpassed everything Suyin taught her, choosing to go off in her own studies to continue growing as a bender. When not on duty, you’d find her studying different types of bending in the Zaofu library or coming to your lab to practice with rarer metals. Sometimes it seemed like Kuvira never stopped at bettering herself.
You were mesmerized every time you saw Kuvira use her bending. Something as simple as making casual shapes from a slab of meteorite could keep you entertained for hours. It was times like these that were your favorite. She had her armor off and was sporting a long green sleeved spandex shirt with her dark green uniform pants. Her braid was slightly disfigured and helmet thrown off to the side somewhere. She was playing with a piece of meteorite, leaning forward on the bench as she manipulated it with firm concentration. The way her hands moved delicately through the air with precision; every crook and bend of her fingers and knuckles; how soft yet also strong they looked as they bent the metal into a small flower. It rested perfectly in her slender palm as she handed it to you.
It made your stomach flutter and a heat build in your chest. You reached out to take it from her and suddenly feeling nervous. Almost immediately, a gust of wind blew Kuvira over the bench making her tumble down and the metal flower scattering somewhere on the ground.
You both were left gaping. You were born as a non bender, so suddenly being able to airbend made you freak out. Kuvira grabbed your wrists, telling you to breathe as you started rambling off about never being able to bend before and not being the daughter of Avatar Aang and what if your mother had secretly had an affair with the AVATAR and oh god what would your father think-
“We need to find Suyin.”
Learning that Opal also gained airbending made you feel better, and it was something you two could bond over. Suddenly you were spending more time with Opal, trying to learn more about this new weird power to Kuvira’s dismay.
When Avatar Korra and her crew came to Zaofu to rebuild the Air Nation, you laughed off the idea of becoming an Air Nomad. Your future was set in the metals your family mined. You were supposed to live your life in Zaofu, continue your legacy here to grow the city.
“This is where I belong,” you said sheepishly. Korra seemed disappointed, but if that’s what you wanted there was nothing she could do. Although she did debate dragging you on to the ship, kidnapping an heiress to an empire would definitely cause an international crisis that Korra frankly couldn’t afford.
Kuvira was relieved to say the least. The fear of losing her closest friend didn’t sit well with her. But she also saw how you were with your new bending, carefully exploring what your bending could do; how it frustrated you when you couldn’t gain your own footing straight or when wind would blow back in your face.
“Maybe you should consider it.” Kuvira’s response surprised you. It was another day at your estate this time laying on the grass. It was one of Kuvira’s few days off. When she became the Captain, her free time became very limited, but this afternoon was a peaceful rarity. Tonight would be Opal’s farewell dinner, where you would be saying your final goodbyes before she boarded the airship to the Northern Air Temple. You were casually bending a circle of air above your heads, watching as leaves swirl around in a hypnotizing way. It immediately dissipates upon Kuvira’s confession, leaves slowly falling around the two of you.
“What?” you snort. “I thought you’d be the first person to ask me to stay.”
It left a lump in Kuvira’s throat. She never wanted to be the reason you held back your potential. She knew how talented you were as an inventor, but to bring that strength as an airbender? And the opportunity for you to build a nation that was up until recently deemed extinct? Kuvira knows an honor like that is something you’d thrive in, and the only way you could do that is to leave Zaofu.
So with some more convincing from Kuvira, you came around to the thought of being an Air Nomad. Sure shaving your head wasn’t the most appealing thing, but to be able to explore the world outside of Zaofu? It felt like this was your true calling all along. And Kuvira was the one to help you realize that. You gaze softly at her face, trying to find any hint of doubt you could. But she wholeheartedly believed in you and that in the end is what had you knocking on Korra’s door before the big dinner.
“Avatar Korra, I’ve changed my mind. I will join Opal to the Northern Air Temple and help rebuild the Air Nation.” Korra’s face broke into a wide grin and she gave a big cheer, deeming another success in her Avatar duties. You smiled back, feeling giddy at the thought of finding something more than rocks and metals for your future.
Seeing you and Opal boarding the aircraft shattered Kuvira’s heart. Her face is stone and her back is straight, watching the two of you talk wildly about your new adventures to come.
It seemed like at the last second, you pulled away from Opal and turned around, catching Kuvira’s unwavering gaze. You bite your bottom lip and tell Opal to go on without you, that’d you catch up momentarily. She was confused, but realized what you were doing when you ran back down the ramp and towards Kuvira.
Before she knows what’s happening or can ask what in the spirits you were doing, you nearly plow Kuvira over with a bone crushing hug, knocking her helmet right off her head. Burying your face into the crook of her neck, you feel her muscles tense under your touch, and then melt right into your hug. Strong arms wrap around you and clunky armor gets in the way.
But Kuvira can’t picture something more perfect.
She is speechless and squeezes her eyes shut, willing any tears to hold back. This was a momentous day for you, and she didn’t want your potentially last moment with her to be a sniveling mess. Instead she tries to memorize the way your hair smells, how firm your torso feels under her arms, how soft and warm your skin is. Everything she possibly can in these fleeting seconds with you.
“This isn’t goodbye,” you whispered in her ear. The way your breath fanned across her neck made Kuvira’s eyes flutter. She could stay in this embrace forever. “I will see you again.”
“I know,” she breathed out, suddenly finding it hard to find her voice. “I know.” It was something she had to tell herself more than to you.
You hesitated, wanting to say more. But how could you tell Kuvira that most nights you fell asleep thinking about what her lips would feel like against yours? How could you tell her that you still dreamed of traveling the world with her one day? How do you tell your childhood best friend that you’ve been in love with them when you’re about to board a ship to a new life?
Instead you take the chance and lean in, placing a soft quick kiss on her cheek just below her mole under her eye. With one last watery smile, you turn and board the ship. Your future terrified you, but you know for certain that you will keep your promise and return to Zaofu for her. One day.
If you had turned around you would’ve seen Kuvira steeled in stoicism, seemingly unaffected by your gesture. Meanwhile, inside she was on fire. Her cheek was burning where your lips touched. She had to replay the moment again and again in her mind to make sure it wasn’t her own imagination making it up. But it was real; the feeling of your hesitant lips pressed against her cheek made the flush in her chest grow. Her breath comes out in one shaky stream as she lifts the radio to her ear for the guards to close the domes.
And as the metal flower-like structure enclose her in, Kuvira can’t help but let her eyes linger on the sky where your ship disappeared.
This isn’t goodbye.
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glapplebloom · 3 years ago
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Imagine if Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was treated as a serious horror movie...
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A thousand years ago, Celestia and Nightmare Moon fought. Despite Celestia’s victory, a meteorite with residue from their battle was floating into space until it just landed on the Sweet Apple Acre Apple Farm. This has Applejack being covered in Apples and not showing up the next day. When her friends discover what is wrong they made a horrifying discovery.
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The Apple Family were kidnapped by Living Apples. While they did have numbers, they really shouldn’t be much of a threat. Giving them a slight edge would be them absorbing Magic, which would prevent unicorns from being a threat. But with Earth Ponies being so strong and Pegasi able to create storms and Tornados, it should still favor the quadrupeds.
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But nope, they take over Ponyville and captured everyone, including our Mane Six. But under the watchful eye of the Apples, a resistance group rise. And they consist of...
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Ponies that were previously captured... Yeah, why are these Apples a threat again if the ponies they captured and enslaving can create a secret underground group to make a resistance? So they need a spy to get deep into the Apple Farm to free Spike.
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So after insulting Pinkie Pie under their breath, Pinkie Pie got magically transformed into an apple and successfully got in. But Spike’s lock can only be open by an Apple. But she discovers that there is a Good Apple among the bush called... Good Apple, who could influence the Apples positive to the Bad Apple’s influence. And that Bad Apple is named... Bad Apple...
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So with that news and also finding out they’re going for Appleoosa next, Twilight comes with a two step plan. First: make Fluttershy into Flutterbat again. Second, use her as a template to turn the rest into Vampire Ponies. So its 5 Vampire Ponies Vs an Army of Apples. And thanks to using hit and run tactics, they’re doing great.
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Sadly so many bad vampire puns.
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But just as they freed Good Apple and figured out a plan of attack, the Apples got advantage again. Luckily Fluttershy somehow took control of her new form and convinced the Vampire Fruit Bats to help. With the tides turned once more, the Apples form a Giant Spike form and use that to try to destroy Ponyville.
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Long story short, they captured the Bad Apple, Good Apple leads and they enter a secluded valley with the promise to return but never make an appearance (as far as I know) until the MLP Game or the 100th issue’s cover. Overall, as I said, this is what it feels like to make Attack of the Killer Tomatoes into a serious movie: pretty bad.
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So how easy could this army of Apples be beaten? Let’s see...
Every Pony could just eat them like in the Powerpuff Girls and the invading Broccoli aliens. The ponies would have an easier time because they not only enjoy apples but they’re normal sized appled.
Pegasi can clear up the skies and dry them out. Rainbow Dash can clear the skies in 10 seconds flat, she could have done it when they attacked them.
Tornados can blow away things pretty good. And Dash is fast enough to make one herself.
Fluttershy could call Discord. And even giving them the benefit of the doubt that they could absorb all magic, Discord could create an army of sentient other fruits and vegetables to attack. There’s a pear farm right next door.
And the truth is only Alicorn Magic was shown being drained since Twilight as a Vampire Pony was using magic on Bad Apple just fine, so Discord or even the unicorns could in theory use their magic to stop them.
Speaking of armies, we do have an animal army Fluttershy could call upon as seen a few issues ago against that one Minotaur. And they could eat the apples just as well. Or the bears to crush them.
Speaking of crushing, they could literally stomp them. Sure, some have spears and a helmet but not all of them.
And this can never happen with GLAB since the Lantern Ring is not magic and would easily stop this army. So I really doubt this is gonna be canon to GLAB.
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chacusha · 4 years ago
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Trials of Mana remake liveblogging (3/...)
From the last benevodon to the postgame:
I like how the original handled the Jungle of Illusions and Pedda a bit better. I liked having enemy encounters in the jungle (in fact, I spent a while in the SNES version grinding here). I also liked the dreaminess of stepping into an area and the screen going wiggly (uh I don’t know how to describe it) and suddenly you see more signs of a town that wasn’t there before. Having the town be blocked/inaccessible until you defeat 7 benevodons and then you sleep at a ruined inn (why would you even do that...?) and then the town appears isn’t as trippy/dreamy. I don’t know how you would convey the same effect without the screen wave effect (maybe things materializing in front of you?) but it’s very effective on the SNES at conveying that your senses might be deceiving you or that you’re only reliving a memory/dream.
I got very excited seeing young Prince Richard and Duran with a pencil mustache Loki, though!
I’m a bit confused by what exactly happened to the Darkstone here. Shade said it was destroyed and Zable Fahr was released. But Belladonna said the Darkstone was in Mavolia and they brought it back to this world. And we see the Darkstone shatter in front of our eyes right before encountering Zable Fahr (whereas the other Manastones shattered earlier). So is it that the Zable Fahr was re-sealed in the Darkstone after being defeated and then unsealed (again) in the real world after Belladonna and co. transported it? Or are the Zable Fahr and Darkstone we encounter from the past?
The Darkshine Knight encounter was less “feelsy” than the one in my Collection of Mana playthrough, since Duran wasn’t in my party. But I like how he also alludes to the fact that Angela is Richard’s daughter.
Ooh I got a rainbow item seed. I have no idea what that does.
The Crimson Wizard was a bit of a tedious boss fight with his teleporting and spells that knock you down. But ultimately, for both him and the Dragon King, I was basically never in any danger of dying despite not being very leveled up, and only having a partial set of ultimate equipment (especially not with the Crimson Wizard’s link ability equipped on Kevin - so much free MP!).
I feel like the original SNES ending feels both a bit more bittersweet and more incomplete. In the original credits, rather than seeing how the world is coping with no mana (largely it seems like everyone is doing fine), you just see Flammie flying mostly all alone. It’s a very beautiful ending but it also feels rushed/incomplete and very lonely. The remake ending feels a bit more fleshed out but also less sad.
This is the first time I’ve seen Kevin’s ending and I really do not like it. While I like the fact that Karl is in fact still alive (Kevin deserves it) I feel like the whole ending gives a pass / extremely rushed moral redemption to the Beast King, and that’s not what I’m here for! The Beast King is one of the most interesting characters in this whole game because he’s the only protagonist-related antagonist who isn’t being brainwashed into being eeeevil. That makes him one of the legit most grey characters in the game and his psychology and motivations fascinating! But the game just glosses over that, and it and Kevin forgive him too easily. I would have liked to see the Beast King begin the journey to redemption and show at least a bit of remorse for his actions, while also implying that journey is longer than what can be shown at the end of the game. They skip this redemption arc and manage to make Kevin look like an idiot in the process -- I definitely don’t think it should have been done this way. I’m mentally rewriting this whole scene.
That said, Kevin training with Ludgar in the ending was adorable.
I thought I multishipped everyone in this game, but I was wrong. I really did not like the Hawkeye and Jessica interaction in the credits (I’m just pretending this is platonic), nor the ending scene where Angela blows a kiss at Kevin (he’s too young/innocent for her! ToT). It’s actually really funny -- I saw someone on the /r/secretofmana reddit being like “Why was I led to believe that Hawkeye/Riesz was the big pairing in this game when they barely interact and Hawkeye is thinking about Jessica all the time” because like, yeah, I get that there isn’t a lot of interactions and that they’re fairly subtle, but also these games are very platonic, which makes even a tiny hint of romance Very Significant, as well as ANY time there is character-specific interaction or dialogue -- it seems very HMMMM. (Also, I think the remake, when it had to fill in dialogue, played it “safe” by giving Riesz only Elliott-related thoughts and (I assume) Hawkeye only Jessica-related thoughts, rather than drop shippy hints.)
Anyway, I’m in the postgame content and really enjoying the new stuff! I like how the three characters have very different battles and content. Riesz gets a group battle against the guardian of the sphere and gets to talk to her dead parents again, which is really sweet (I hate King Joster’s voice though). Kevin gets a one-on-one duel with his dad which is kind of what I expected from his plotline because of how easily his dad pwns him in the beginning of the game which just sets up a rematch in his arc, so am surprised that this WASN’T an aspect of his story before. Angela also gets a one-on-one duel, but it’s with a copy of herself (apparently the Class 4 version of herself that she will eventually become), a nice throwback to Secret of Mana. Despite the fact that my characters are the three royalty characters, their stories play out very differently.
Riesz’s Meteorite class looks very... Aquaman.
Wow, this postgame dungeon is REALLY long. Interesting how you go through the castles of the six main characters. Lazy level reuse, but I appreciate the sheer length of content here, especially since it gives you the chance to try out the characters’ Class 4 skills.
There’s also Class 4-specific ultimate equipment too! Neat.
Anise wasn’t too difficult. I ended up getting game overed once on her second form because I wasn’t careful, but overall it was fine.
I went back for the Black Rabite boss in the Crystal Desert. I got pwned a lot -- that one-hit KO Jumbonk really gave me issues especially when the four Black Rabites come out and they’re all doing it, but I finally beat it after 20 or so tries. Ended up controlling Kevin again (my healer/fighter) to win this one but probably Angela did the most damage to the Black Rabite by spamming Ancient Curse. What I ended up mostly doing as Kevin was just being more proactive with the healing to prevent the other characters from being KO’d prematurely, as well as attracting the attention of the Black Rabite’s attacks and doing a better job of dodging them. Kevin had dark saber on his fists for maybe a third to a half of the fight so I didn’t do a lot of attacking, really.
New game plus time! To be continued...
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shadowstepper · 4 years ago
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So do you think Ardyn could beat Ganondorf?
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The short answer is, maybe.
The long answer is down below.
If you mean do I think my Ardyn can best @daemoniumganondorf ‘s Ganondorf? I mean maybe but I’m having fun with the thread as it is, regardless of a win or loss.
I’m no mathematician so I can’t really bring out the science to support this. This is really observations, readings, and some speculation. You’ll see the last one clearly.
So let’s talk weaknesses first. Ganondorf has the obvious weakness to holy weapons and holy magics. The Master Sword and Silver Arrows are the obvious candidates there. While he is technically able to be harmed by most other weapons, only holy weapons can specifically capitalize on his weakness.
Ardyn on the other hand is not expressly stated to be weak to holy magics. Lunafreya’s healing touch might have been something he averted simply because it would rid him of the Starscourge and thus his greatest power. When Bahamut tortured him, he did so with a vision of Aera stabbing him with the Trident of the Oracle. Despite being a Royal Arm, it is not explicitly to be holy by any means. 
So Ardyn’s weakness to holy means is kind of up in the air. If he is vulnerable to it, then Ganondorf has a way to exploit that. If not, then I suppose he doesn’t.
Now let’s talk arsenal. Ganondorf is a master swordsman and warlock, and his training by the Twinrova Witches has come very much in handy. This is further magnified by being a reincarnation of Demise and having control over the Triforce of Power. His swords can channel his magical power, and even then he’s still a master swordsman after all. He can easily wield two swords at once and fight on horseback with no effort.
Even without the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf has numerous magical abilities. He can summon phantoms to fight alongside him, possess foes, fly, and teleport just to name a few. Plus it is implied (at least I think it is I could be wrong and if so my bad) that he can access powers he’s had across his numerous lifetimes, including his Twilight magic and Malice magic.
The Triforce grants Ganondorf more abilities, including unlimited magical power, superhuman strength, immortality, and near-invulnerability. Along with his transformations and all the power they confer without costing Ganondorf any of his intellect.
Speaking of, Ganondorf is incredibly intelligent, clever, and cunning. He was able to manipulate the rulers of the world and Link into giving him access to the Sacred Realm where the Triforce lay. While the complete relic rejected him, Power stayed with him. He has also controlled the minds of both Zant and Zelda.
Beyond his magic, Ganondorf wields the Swords of Demise, his Dark Trident, and even the Sword of the Sages. If you’ve played Twilight Princess, you know that Ganondorf was impaled with this very sword, only to then break his restrains and kill the Sage who had impaled him. He kept the sword afterward and is able to use it.
Meaning he has his own holy weapon in his arsenal. That’s important.
Now there is more to talk about but let’s cut to Ardyn and cover his arsenal. Like Ganondorf, Ardyn is an expert manipulator and deceiver. He played his way into becoming the Chancellor of Niflheim, despite having no interest in Imperial rule. He did this by helping them create their magitek army, something that was impossible to do without his aid. He also created daemons for them to weaponize, such as the Diamond Weapons. 
For weaponry, Ardyn has the Royal Arms and various magical skills at his disposal. The Royal Arms are specific to the Lucis Caelum bloodline and cannot be used by anyone outside of it. In essence, it’s a skill he always has at all times and he cannot be robbed of. Having an armoury of ethereal blades at your call that can’t be taken from you is a pretty nice thing to have.
However, are they holy weapons? There is a bit of a contradiction on this. The Royal Arms Noctis collects during the game are all non-elemental, so the answer is no right? Well they are also extremely effective against daemons, which are supposed to be twisted creatures of darkness. Hence my calling it a contradiction.
For the sake of this scenario, let’s assume the Royal Arms are not holy by any measure and thus cannot exploit Ganondorf’s weakness to holy means.
Next, let’s talk magic. In the world of FF15, to cast magic you need a magic flask to draw magical energy from. Ardyn is an exception to this as he does not need any flasks to cast his magical power. Why this is is unknown, but his power is devastating nonetheless. It’s not clear if he has a finite reserve or not, but given that he doesn’t need flasks at all it could be assumed that he has unlimited magical power.
That’s a stretch I know but that’s why I said some of this is speculation. Ganondorf has multiple games alone over many years so he has the proof to back up many claims and theories about his power. Ardyn only has one game, one episode, and one book by comparison. Just not an equal pool of information to draw from.
Anyway, Ardyn’s main element is darkness but he can also cast energy beams from his palms, summon meteorites from the sky, temporarily turn into miasma, (gaining the ability to teleport and fly while in this form though this is independent of his own warping ability via his bloodline) temporarily halt time, disguise himself as anyone he wishes, (regardless of having daemonized them given how he transformed into Noctis, Prompto, and Gladiolus on separate occasions) and more powers in his repertoire. 
Now let’s talk strength and durability. Now I’m not sure of any explicitly physical feats of strength from Ganondorf but given that the Triforce of Power grants him superhuman strength and he can use his dark magics to augment his physical attacks, well those muscles are certainly not for show. He is strong enough to create shockwaves with a punch though so that’s something.
Ardyn likewise is no slouch in physical strength either. Despite two thousand years of captivity, Ardyn was cutting down Kingsguard members in minutes after being released and his strength was so grand that he easily bested Regis and Somnus, shocking them with just how powerful he was. Ardyn was also able to keep up with Noctis while he had the power of Providence, easily countering his blows and even pinning him down at one point.
Since Ardyn is also implied (I think so anyway, don’t quote me on that) to have superhuman strength, I’m not sure who to give this one to. I feel like it would still be Ganondorf though since he can boost his own strength further with his dark magic and Ardyn cannot. At least not according to my research.
Next, durability. Ganondorf has survived some pretty insane things. There was the aforementioned impaling along with surviving being stabbed in the face with the Master Sword, his castle collapsing on top of him and Hyrule Castle exploding on him. That is some serious durability right there. Granted, he is still not wholly invulnerable but he’s far from a pushover.
Plus it specifically takes holy means to kill Ganondorf and even then that’s no guarantee of victory.
Ardyn may be immune to physical pain, or at least extremely resistant to it. Despite being slashed across the face by Gladiolus and then immediately shot in the heart by Prompto, Ardyn just got back up, picked up his hat, and was on his way unharmed. Even assuming he’s only resistant to physical pain, Ardyn’s true durability lies in his immortality. 
After being rejected by the Crystal, Ardyn’s soul became trapped in the beyond. Because of this, whenever his body died, he would simply come back as his soul could not die without someone going into the Astral Realm and striking him down there. But since you had to be dead or a god to go there, that wasn’t happening anytime soon. 
With this effective immortality, Ardyn has returned from being frozen solid by Shiva and then shattered by Noctis. He was back to normal and taunting Noct all over again literally minutes later. Gladio and Prompto’s attacks should have killed him, yet he just shrugged them off and came right back. His weakness to the supernatural may have just been an act for all we know, and there’s no way to really confirm that he is vulnerable to holy means.
So Ardyn gets the durability advantage. Next, speed.
Ganondorf can keep up with Link, who is capable of dodging Beamos lasers. According to DEATH BATTLE, Link can move and react at at least 11% the speed of light. That’s pretty impressive still and Ganondorf can certainly reach that speed.
Ardyn doesn’t have any speed feats to compare but he has his warping ability that is specific to his bloodline (though Kings of Lucis can share this power with their Kingsguard soldiers if they so choose). Since Nocits frequently uses the Warp-Strike ability to get around and in fights, and Ardyn has shown he can do the same, this could be argued his speed stat.
But since Ganondorf is keeping his speed in movement essentially all the time while Ardyn’s is only specifically available via warping, I’d say Ganondorf has the speed advantage.
Finally, we come to power. And this is a tricky one. As DEATH BATTLE reasoned, the Triforce of Power comes from the goddess Din, who created the world itself. Scaling the Triforce of Power directly to Din’s creation feat means Ganondorf could potentially command planet-level scales of power. 
But potentially is the key word.
For Ardyn, he definitely does not have any powers that scale to that level. Though he did succeed in spreading the Starscourge across the world and essentially conquering it, that doesn’t mean he has the power to destroy it. We could scale him to Bahamut however but even that is tricky.
Bahamut is the king of the gods in FF15 and he has an all-powerful attack that would obliterate all life on Eos. How exactly he does this without destroying the planet is unknown but let’s assume it can destroy the planet as well. According to the Dawn of the Future AU book, Bahamut tried to use this attack 2,000 years prior to destroy the Starscourge but the other gods blocked it. It takes Bahamut millennia to recharge this attack so it is definitely something he doesn’t want to use casually. 
In the book, he plans to use the darkness-infected Lunafreya to charge up the attack and use it again. While he succeeds, it is still blocked. As Ardyn is responsible for striking down Bahamut in this alternate version of the story, it could be argued that he has greater power than Bahamut and therefore greater than Ganondorf by comparison. 
But while Ganondorf’s is logical and even feasible, Ardyn’s is not and requires a lot of speculation and stretching. However it is stated that Ardyn increases in power with each person he absorbs. Theoretically, he could absorb enough to be more powerful than Ganondorf. But there’s no way to tell exactly how many people would be needed for that. So the edge for power goes to Ganondorf as his measures are more clear cut.
Let’s run through the rest quickly. For experience, this is tricky. Ganondorf has, in theory, more formal training than Ardyn thanks to his tutelage under the Twinrova Witches. Ardyn however gains the memories of those he daemonizes and absorbs so with that could come combat skill and new abilities. He specifically learned how to fight hand-to-hand so he wouldn’t have to rely on his Royal Arms and thus expose his true heritage in the process. 
Ganondorf’s is clearer but limited, Ardyn’s is theoretical but limitless. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
Next, versatility. Ganondorf has more magic than Ardyn, but Ardyn has more weapons. Do they balance out? No I’d say Ganondorf has this one thanks to his greater magical power and variety.
I could keep going but this is long enough. In summary, I’d say Ganondorf would win. But I said maybe at the start cause it’s more of a 60/40 chance here. Ganondorf has more consistency on his side and that affords him some leeway. There’s still so many unknowns about Ardyn and we may never get them answered. 
Ardyn still has a good chance. He could take the Sword of the Sages for instance and turn it on Ganondorf. It might work, it might not, but it would exploit his weakness to holy means so that’s a possibility. But still, I’d say Ganondorf has this one more often than not.
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virtual-lara · 5 years ago
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GameSpot UK Interview with Adrian Smith - Tomb Raider 3
Interview appeared on Gamespot UK website, dated to 30th October 1998
In an exclusive interview, Tomb Raider III developer Core Design's operations director, Adrian Smith, reveals Tomb Raider III's secrets…
GameSpot UK:
Tomb Raider III is divided into five mini-adventures. Does each one have a different plot and if so, are these linked by an overall story?
Adrian Smith:
I guess you could call them mini-adventures: Lara's looking for four artefacts this time so each location is almost a separate adventure. She starts off in India. She believes she's looking for a single artefact but at the end of this location she discovers that there are another three to find. So after India she can go to the South Pacific, London or Nevada in any order, before playing the final location: Antarctica. The locations are linked by a story that is brought to its conclusion in Antarctica.
GameSpot UK:
What's the plot this time?
Adrian Smith:
I can't say too much, but the four artefacts that Lara is searching for were originally discovered lying round a large meteorite that crashed to earth millions of years ago. The collision separated this point of impact from the mainland, creating a volcanic island towards the north of Antarctica. When the meteorite impacted, the area became impregnated with foreign matter ­ this matter had powerful properties and slowly released a kind of radiation that accelerated growth and evolution in both creatures and plants... but not without side effects. As Antarctica iced over, the basin of the island remained an oasis of life.
The first peoples to discover the island were Polynesians, and when one tribe discovered the abundance of life there, they decided to stay. Deep within the dormant volcano, they found the core of the meteorite ­ magically suspended it seemed, above the rock. (The material was in fact magnetic and was being repelled by the magma below.) The settlers built an altar round the meteorite and used four smaller pieces of the meteorite to create a device to trap and save the precious radiation.
Years later, as explorers were charting Antarctica, they discovered the remains of the island. Fresh animal tracks in the snow, led them to the crumbling remains of the settlement. When the explorers reached the altar, they looted the four artefacts, and as they left, one of the men was attacked and killed by a mutant beast. The others fled in terror. Only one survived to record the story...
Back in the present day, a scientific research company hits sculpted rock as it blows a wall of ice in the Antarctic and discovers an unknown material and the body of the savaged explorer. On the explorer's tombstone are the details of the boat on which he sailed. Using this information, the research company sets about searching for the artefacts.
Lara, meanwhile, is in India searching for one of these artefacts herself, unaware of its true history. And so the adventure begins.
GameSpot UK:
What are the locations like? We've seen the London screens. Is running round the capital as challenging as raiding a tomb?
Adrian Smith:
The locations are quite diverse. London features a night-time rooftop level ­ from there Lara drops into some of the buildings, including an eerie waxworks museum and the Natural History Museum. Eventually she finds her way to St Paul's, and from there into the sewers (for which Lara has an underwater propulsion unit, à la James Bond), deserted tube stations and Masonic halls. The level of detail in Tomb Raider III enables us to create really atmospheric locations.
Other locations include: Nevada (Area 51 and the desert), The South Pacific (very lush, featuring a coastal level, island in terior and a white water level!), India (jungle locations and temples), and Antarctica (where all is not as it seems!).
GameSpot UK:
What sort of enemies will Lara face this time?
Adrian Smith:
Well, they'll all have a far higher level of AI than previously encountered since we have 'Dr Tom', the AI specialist working with us on Tomb Raider III. Nearly all the enemies are new and include snakes, hyenas, monkeys, dragons, huskies, whales, piranhas and jellyfish, plus a whole lot more.
Lara will be able to avoid some of her human enemies by ducking and crawling to avoid their line of sight, but once they see her, they'll raise the alarm and the chase will really be on. Some of the animal enemies may run away from Lara when initially approached, but if she follows them, she may be led to danger. Many of the enemies will also work in groups to cut Lara off, so she'll have to work out ways to distract them in order to proceed. And watch out for the monkeys ­ they love to run away with Lara's precious medipacks!
GameSpot UK:
Lara's an athletic lass. Does she have any new moves this time round?
Adrian Smith:
The main new moves include the duck, crawl, monkey swing and dash. Since Lara is now able to crawl in narrow spaces and tunnels, the exploration element of the game has really been opened up. The duck allows Lara to quickly avoid gunfire ­ she can also shoot while in the duck position so combat now becomes more strategic. The hand-over-hand monkey swing can be used to traverse areas that Lara is unable to cross on foot, and the dash allows Lara to sprint to safety when she needs to make a swift escape. Lara can also add a dive to her new dash move. This is particularly useful for time-based traps where she'll have to dash and dive through closing doors.
GameSpot UK:
Fashion fans want to know what Lara is wearing this season? Is brown still the new black?
Adrian Smith:
Since Lara is so practical, she needs suitable outfits for each location. These include white and grey camouflage trousers and jacket for the Antarctic, a black cat-suit for London, combat trousers for Nevada and a crop top for the hot South Pacific locations.
GameSpot UK:
What about those lovely boy toys ­ vehicles and guns?
Adrian Smith:
Lara does indeed have some new vehicles to help her get around. A couple of the levels will rely solely on the use of vehicles to complete them successfully: Lara will be white-water rafting in a kayak and speeding down mines in a rail cart. Other vehicles include a James Bond-style underwater propulsion unit and a quad bike... but I don't want to give any more than that away right now!
As for the weapons, some of Lara's new items include an automatic rifle, rocket launcher and desert eagle guns.
GameSpot UK:
Are there any changes to the combat? Does Lara have to aim now or does she auto-aim as before?
Adrian Smith:
It's basically the same system, but a couple of the weapons will require Lara to aim herself.
GameSpot UK:
What improvements have been made to the game engine and graphics on Tomb Raider III?
Adrian Smith:
Firstly there's a new structure for the order of gameplay: Tomb Raider III contains five separate locations which link together, but after completing the first location the following three can be played in any order, before the final location closes the game. Whereas Tomb Raider I and II contained 15 levels, Tomb Raider III contains 20, making it a considerably larger game. The levels themselves are far less linear than before and the player will have a choice of at least two routes to complete each one. The routes will vary in difficulty: taking the harder route will reward the player with more pick-ups, whereas the easier routes will be quicker and less complicated. To add further variety to the gameplay, the save-game system offers an easy and a hard option.
The easy option allows the player to save the game anywhere, as in Tomb Raider II. The harder option will use the save-game crystals that featured in Tomb Raider I, but this time Lara can either use the save-game crystals immediately, or store them in her inventory for use later on.
Tomb Raider III's level editing system has undergone an extensive redesign: our programmers use the level editor tool to create the rooms that, when linked together, make up each level. Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II used a grid system to create the levels ­ this meant that the level architecture that Lara was able to interact with consisted of a series of blocks of different heights and dimensions. Tomb Raider III's system now incorporates triangles. This means that we can now achieve greater detail such as very realistic organic surfaces, and smoother shore-lines.
We're also able to create more complex architectural structures such as domes, arches and vaulted ceilings.
Tomb Raider III's game engine offers more speed than the first two games, and handles a greater amount of detail. The water in the third game is now transparent, reflective and rippling. When Lara swims or wades through the water, she'll leave a wake behind her. If she fires a weapon into the water, you'll see a new underwater explosion effect. Also, if she's standing in the water and firing a weapon, you'll see the empty shells actually drop into the water and sink to the bottom.
Other effects include semi-transparencies such as mist, smoke and shafts of light. And weather effects such as snow, wind and rain are now included ­ all of which give the game a deeper atmosphere and added realism.
We also have more realistic flames and explosions. When Lara fires a weapon, you'll even see smoke from the barrel of her gun. Lara now leaves footprints and you'll also hear sound effects as she runs across different surfaces.
Sadly, page four (of four) is no longer available.
All rights belong to GameSpot and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.
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aimandmain · 6 years ago
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Brave Exkaiser Episode Guide
Exkaiser is the first installment in the Yuusha series and follows a young boy, Kouta, whose family car turns out to be an alien robot, a police officer, sent to Earth to stop the space pirates, the Geisters, from stealing Earth’s treasures.
All episodes can be watched on Youtube right here! (If I, personally, really dislike an episode and see no point to it I will but “pointless filler” at the end of it, for my own sanity’s sake) 
Episode 1: Exkaiser follows the Geisters to earth along with his team and he takes possession of Kouta’s family car. But when the Geisters try to steal Kouta’s old camera, believing it to be valuable, Exkaiser has to reveal himself in order to save him!  ENTER EXKAISER!
Episode 2: The Geister sets their eyes on stealing the new liner motorcar and Exkaiser sets up to stop them, but the smart Ptera Geist has invented something and Exkaiser needs backup if he wants to pull this off.  ENTER KEISER TWINS, GREEN RAKER AND BLUE RAKER!!!  POWER UP KING EXKAISER AND ULTRA RAKER!!
Episode 3: The Geisters tries to steal electricity and ends up trying to steal a nuclear plant that, because it gets fucking moved, is about to explode! Exkaiser needs all hands on deck to stop these idiots! ENTER DRILL MAX, DASH MAX AND SKY MAX!! POWER UP GOD MAX!!
Episode 4: The Geisters tries to steal a rocket about to launch for Mars and the Keisers have to find a way to defeat them without damaging the rocket as it’s very important to Kouta.
Episode 5: Most of the town falls sick and the Geisters are stealing all the medicine, the thing is people will die without it so Kouta is extra invested in coming along which leads to him meeting some of the other Kaisers.
Episode 6: Thunder Geist is sent to retrieve a sunken pirate ship that is full of treasure, but since he’s not very smart he accidentally sets off a volcano. Exkaiser hs to save the people who have chosen this very bad day to go on a submarine tour.
Episode 7: The Geisters steals the machines from an old amusement park and turns them into robots to train against. Blue Raker is sent to investigate but blows his cover and is stuck when he has to defend himself but can’t damage the machines. Luckily Kouta is able to help!
Episode 8: Ptera Geist tries to steal the fastest plane, the one that Kouta’s class just so happens to be getting a tour of. Exkaiser and Max team have to beat the transformed robot and Kouta must take control of the situation!
Episode 9: The cherry blossoms are blooming and everyone has gone to see them, but Armor Geist have heard it’s a treasure and takes Thunder with him to steal it. But they kinda set their eyes on something a little bigger
Episode 10: The Geisters are targeting the opening baseball games and decides to just take the whole dome while they’re at it.
Episode 11: The Geisters are aiming to steal a golden coffin, this takes them to a ruin where Kouta’s class will be doing a play. Not all goes according to plan.
Episode 12: The Geisters steals all the flour... what are you guys doing? Baking a giant cake?? It’s flour.
Episode 13: Kouta goes to Mt. Fuji with his family but the Geisters makes the mountain erupt in an attempt to kill off the Kaisers. The result is chaos!
Episode 14: Its mothers day and the Geisters have received word that a mother is the most important treasure of all.
Episode 15: After being told that he cannot steal dreams, Horn Geist throws a tantrum that results in not letting the humans sleep, at all. 
Episode 16: The Geisters goes to steal a valuable racecar, of course, they didn’t realize that Dahs Max would be in the race... This guy is a total savage and I love him
Episode 17: The Geists goes after the district computers that make sure everything functions as it should, this causes chaos all over and when they then try to go for the big mother computer the Kaisers has to stop them in order to avoid catastrophe.  
Episode 18: The Geisters steals rare clocks from all over the world and in an attempt to stop them Dash Max gets taken hostage.
Episode 19: The Geisters wants to steal the treasure at the end of the rainbow when that fails they decide to just flood the town.
Episode 20: The Geisters tries to kidnap a princess who’s about to get married because she possesses a great treasure.
Episode 21: Kouta and his friends apply to be child actors but as they’re recording the Geisters show up to ruin the day, of course, no director stops filming when he got real-life robots battling on his set.
Episode 22: Kouta’s sister, Fuuko, falls hopelessly in love with Dahs Max (who can blame her) and is determined to meet up with him at the summer festival, of course, he comes around when the Geisters attack.
Episode 23: Fuuko wants to become an idol so Kouta goes with her to the TV station to cheer her on, however, soon Geister appears looking for idols and golden eggs.
Episode 24: The Geisters tries to steal a cruise ship but for the first time Dino Geist comes along to show them how to do their job!
Episode 25: An important virus is being transported to the medicinal institute, this makes it the perfect target for the Geisters and Exkaiser has little choice but to cooperate when Sky Max is taken hostage.
Episode 26: The Geisters tries to steal a panda cub but fails, Kouta and Fuuko, feeling that a living animal shouldn\t be confined steals the panda instead until Exksaiser convinces Kouto that he has to let go of her.
Episode 27: When a meteor shower is approaching earth Exkaiser and Sky Max must face down Dino Geist and Ptera Geist as the human astronauts try to destroy the meteorites before they can collide with Earth!  ENTER COMPANION DRAGON
Episode 28: The Geisters has stolen all the treasures of summer in order to lure out Exkaiser. Getting into a battle that seems lost Exkaiser needs to find a new power to save everyone! ENTER DRAGON KAISER  
Episode 29: When a new gold coin is about to be issued the Geisters decided to pretty much steal every coin they can get their hands on, it’s up to Exkaiser alone to stop them!!
Episode 30: Kouta’s dad is trying to stop smoking and that is a good thing because it’s the next target for the Geisters!
Episode 31: Kouta goes to Peru with his sister and dad to look at the Nazca Lines, however when the Geisters try to steal them Exkaiser must stop them on his own, and everything truly goes to shit when Dino Geist shows up and an old legend about the ending of the world is about to come true.
Episode 32: In an attempt to take out Exkaiser, Ptera comes up with... an actually pretty good plan, I’m really proud tbh, but anyway, he comes up with a plan to take advantage of the incoming typhoon and in an attempt to become stronger than their opponents the Geisters combine. POWER UP GREAT EXKAISER
Episode 33: A boy from school “borrows” Kouta’s communication bracelet and won’t give it back, unfortunately, he’s also the son of a Kabuki actor and is the next treasure on the Geister’s list, yikes. Also, Exkaiser is being mean to kids D: POWER UP PTEDER
Episode 34: The Olympics come to Japan and the Geisters tries to steal it, but stealing something you don’t know what is, is proving to be their greatest talent and wow these guys aren’t the brightest. Aka how the Geisters fucked up the Olympics for everyone.
Episode 35: A symphony has been composed for the Braves and being the jealous fucks they are, the Geisters are of course going to ruin the concert. Here the Braves are rendered momentarily defenseless as Kouta rushes to save Kotomi, who has been trapped inside the Geisters’ minion.
Episode 36: Its Halloween and a strange creature is roaming free stealing all the festive foods! When Kouta and Kotomi get kidnapped Exkaiser can’t help but intervene.
Episode 37: The Geisters have learned that books are a great treasure and honestly the writers of this episode just wanted to have a reading prompt for the Geisters. Exkaiser is hesitating to take them back since he’s afraid of destroying them so of course, Kouta has to step in and help!
Episode 38: There’s great value in horse racing, therefor the Geisters try to kidnap the top favorite!
Episode 39: A lot of schools sends students to a space camp to give the kids' astronaut training so they can feel what it’s all about (god these kids do more in elementary than I’ve done all my life). Kouta wants to be an astronaut when he grows up and Exkaiser teaches him an important lesson but of course, the Geisters are there to ruin everything.
Episode 40: After their last fight with the Kaisers, the Geisters are in disrepair and needs a doctor, this leads Armor and Horn to kidnap a leading scientist, Tokuda and Kouta. But since Kouta can transmit his location to Exkaiser, that might have been a fatal mistake for the Geisters.
Episode 41: After the Geisters have been forced to have a temporary base somewhere VERY cold they have become quite bitter. With the upcoming bow-wow contest, the Geisters decided to steal all the dogs. However, after Mario gets hurt Exkaiser completely loses his cool.
Episode 42: After setting their temporary base on fire the Geisters have to evacuate when the Raker brothers come to help the humans stop the fire. However, after getting away with the fire trucks the Geisters are sent to grab the latest models which are incredibæy valuable.
Episode 43: Fuuko is dreading her upcoming test and wishes for the Geisters to steal her school, however, instead of hers it ends up being Kouta’s school that gets stolen and Exkaiser has to be extra careful fighting in the middle of the city!
Episode 44: Christmas is here and the Geisters are targeting Santa Clause! But how do you tell 4 aggressive robots that the person they’re trying to kidnap doesn’t exist? At the same time, Kouta’s dad is at a Christmas party but haven’t bought any gifts yet and Kouta’s mom dresses up as Santa in his stead. Ho ho ho-ly shit!
Episode 45: While going to Egypt during New Year Kouta and his friends stumble over the Emerald Stone, a very powerful artifact that the Geisters want to use to seal away Exkaiser forever.
Episode 46: Now wielding the powerful soul stealing shield the Geisters lays a plan to lure out the Kaisers and once and for all take them out. But unfortunately for Exkaiser, the fight happens on an oil platform and what is this? God Max is...
Episode 47: The Geisters are being competent and are trying to force the raker brothers and Exkaister to reveal themselves to the public, but of course, time is ticking and the playing field starts to look pretty grim for Exkaiser.
Episode 48: The final battle arrives and a lot of pressure rests on Exkaiser when he has to save his entire team and Tokuda! Luckily for him, Kouta is by his side but when Dino Geist has had enough and takes the kid for a space ride things ...escalates.
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pinkhairandadverbs · 6 years ago
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EBAS Episode 1: The War Against Giygas
1 EXT. GAS STATION - TWILIGHT
All we see is crimson static. After some time a still image of a gas station materializes. It appears hurriedly abandoned judging by the broken windows, open doors, and merchandise littering the ground.
Behind the pump is a street lined by several buildings in a similar state to the gas station. Flying saucers hover ominously in the sky, frozen in place. The static abides completely as we PULL OUT SLOWLY.
The first thing that becomes clear is that this is only a poster. A caption above and below the picture reads "IT IS EARTHBOUND / THE WAR AGAINST GIYGAS!" PULLING OUT FURTHER, we see it's on the wall of the very same
gas station. A loose corner of a poster bends in the hollow wind.
We hear it before we see it: a small lightning strike, startlingly close, sends shards of pavement and dust across the crimson skies.
In a moment we see the whole street. The saucers, now alive, zip across the deep red horizon in zigzagging patterns. They shoot bolts of lightning to the ground, upheaving asphalt and exploding empty cars.
Wind blows off the poster and carries it across the frame.
Static again. We hear the distant voice of an adolescent girl.
VOICE Hello. Can anyone hear me?
Through the static we see the scene again. A fire has erupted on one of the cars. A speck in the sky seems to be growing. Before long it's evidently a glowing meteor streaking across the sky, directly towards the scene!
VOICE I'm not sure if this is working. If anyone can hear me, please-
The meteor's glow engulfs the scene and the voice is halted by a loud CRASH.
2 INT. NESS'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (199X)
The same sound comes faintly now. NESS, 13-ish and still wide-eyed in striped pajamas, is stirred from his bed.
NESS Hello?
POV: Ness looks around his room, decorated with baseball and 90's video game memorabilia. PAN ACROSS.
He checks out the window to the forested suburban street. A fierce golden glow emanates from a nearby hilltop.
NESS What is that?
He rubs his eyes and gets out of bed.
3 INT. LIVING ROOM
Ness comes down the stairs to see his mother, dressed in a nightgown and already on the phone.
Ness's loyal dog, KING, lazily wags up to Ness and licks his hand.
NESS
Hi there King.
KING
(Telepathically)
Ness. There was a loud noise. It's dark but Mom's awake. I'm confused.
NESS So you heard it too... It wasn't a dream after all.
MOM
(To the phone)
-Yes honey, we're alright. We still have power and everything. Hold on, Ness just came down. (To NESS)
Ness. Did the noise wake you?
NESS
Yeah. What was it?
MOM
Must have been a transformer. Don't worry about it.
NESS
Can I go check it out?
MOM
Absolutely not! It's already far past your bedtime and-
Mom stops at the mischievous look on Ness's face.
MOM
-And you would just sneak out anyway, wouldn't you?
NESS
I don't know what you're talking about.
Mom smiles.
MOM
Change out of your jammies before you go.
Ness celebrates by jumping up and down and kissing Mom on the cheek.
NESS
Thanks, mom!!
4 EXT. NESS'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Ness shuts the front door behind him, now clad in a striped shirt and shorts. (Notably, the only thing missing from his signature attire is his backpack.)
He looks up at the glowing hilltop again.
5 EXT. HILLSIDE
Police cars line the wooded hillside path. Officers stand by roadblocks up the trail, blocking the way. Beyond them an intense glow emanates through the trees.
Ness comes up the trail and sees the police here. A friend of Ness's is also here, pestering the cops.
POKEY, 13-ish, is a bit taller and much wider than Ness. He's become a bit of a bully from years of parental abuse, but Ness still spends time with him.
POKEY
Come on! Just a peek! You know me, Mr. Officer Simmons! Just give me the scoop.
COP 1
No! Get out of here. Scram!
Pokey notices Ness and scrambles over to him.
POKEY
Ness! Buddy!
NESS
Pokey, what are you doing here?
POKEY
Listen. I'm glad you came. But the cops and I have the situation under control.
The cops perk up when they see Ness like a ray of hope.
COP 2
Ness, can you take care of this kid?
POKEY
We can't tell you what the glowing thing is right now, that's uh, classified information.
COP 1
We literally don't know what it is.
POKEY
I'll tell you all about the alien in the morning, when the uh press release comes out. But right now you're getting in the cops'- I mean, officers' way.
COP 1
It's not an alien.
NESS
Maybe we should both leave then... the police seem to be doing just fine without your help.
COP 2
Yes please!
POKEY
Oh no! I'm in charge here. Don't worry about me. You're bugging the officers, though. Look at them!
They turn to look at the cops, both very aggravated.
COP 2
Ness, help us out.
NESS
Pokey come here with me.
They turn their backs toward the officers.
POKEY
Yes, citizen?
NESS
What are you doing?
Pokey immediately drops his confident demeanor.
POKEY
I wanna see the meteorite! I'm this close to them letting me through.
Ness laughs.
NESS
Pokey, as long as the cops are here, we aren't getting near that. Let's come back some other time and nobody will be here to keep us out.
POKEY
That's... smart. This is why I keep you around, Ness! You always have the best ideas.
NESS
Glad I'm good for something.
The kids head down the hill. Ness turns back for a moment to look back at the hilltop. We get a few more seconds on the mysterious glowing object up the hill.
6 INT. LIVING ROOM
Ness enters, and his mom greets him.
MOM
Back so soon? What was it?
NESS
Something on the hill... It was so bright. The police beat me there so I couldn't get close, but Pokey and I are gonna check it out again later.
MOM
I think that's a wise choice. Night time is for sleeping.
NESS
Now that you mention it, I am pretty tired.
MOM
Good. Let's get you back to bed.
7 INT. NESS'S BEDROOM
Ness lays in bed, eyes open.
He turns to look at the glowing hilltop again.
Its aura is mysterious, yet inviting.
He rolls back over.
FADE TO BLACK
After a few moments, we hear an incessant knocking.
8 EXT. NESS'S FRONT PORCH
Mom opens the door and raises her eyebrows as Pokey, who we just now see was the one knocking, shouts in her face in a panic.
POKEY
Ness Ness Ness!!-- Oh. Good evening ma'am. You look lovely as usual.
Pokey holds back a snicker as Mom looks unamused.
MOM
Can I help you, Pokey?
POKEY
Is Ness in?
MOM
He's asleep, hopefully. I can take a message-
Ness comes down the stairs, just visible in his jammies through the doorway and with bags under his eyes.
NESS
Mom, what was that knocking-?
Pokey notices Ness and shoves his way into the house.
POKEY
Ness! The police left. Let's go check out the thing!
NESS
When I said later, I didn't mean two hours later. It's like 3 a.m.
POKEY
Okay but we have to go now.
NESS
Why?
POKEY
Uh... Picky ran away. I think he went up the hill. I need you to help me find him!
NESS
He's your brother, why can't you look for him yourself?
POKEY
It's not my fault! I blame the cops... Ness, if my dad gets back and his favorite son is gone, I know I'm gonna get it... Please, bestest friend, please?
Ness takes a moment to consider.
NESS
Okay. Let me get dressed.
POKEY
Yes! I knew I could count on you.
9 INT. LIVING ROOM
Ness comes through to the entryway where Pokey and Mom wait, back in his striped shirt and holding a baseball bat. Pokey stays out for a bit.
NESS
Alright I've got everything!
MOM
You're taking a bat?
NESS
Just in case.
MOM
Whatever you say.
Oh, and about Pokey... I know he's your friend, but he can still be kinda bossy. Don't let him push you around just because you've known each other for so long.
NESS
You know I can deal with Pokey. He's my closest friend but he's still a jerk. When he crosses the line, he'll know.
MOM
Good. Sometimes I worry about you.
King comes up and whines for Ness's attention.
KING
Ness, where are you going so late? Is this about that big boom earlier?
MOM
Oh. You should take King along with you too. He hasn't had a walk in days.
KING
No, no no. I don't want to do anything in the day, I DEFINITELY am not going anywhere at night.
NESS
Come on, King. It'll be real quick.
King whines in resignation.
POKEY
Okay, Ness! Ready to go? Let's blow this popsicle stand!
NESS
Let's go!
They head out.
10 EXT. HILLSIDE - NIGHT
Ness and Pokey search with flashlights down the hill from the scene earlier.
POKEY
Ok... You go on ahead. I'll follow you from a safe distance.
NESS
Pokey, there's nothing dangerous in Onett.
POKEY But there are... bears!
NESS
They haven't bothered us whenever we snuck out after dark before.
POKEY
I swear one almost attacked me on Eagle Day this year.
NESS
Are you sure that wasn't Lier in his bear suit? *snicker*
POKEY
*Chuckle* What's up with that guy, anyway?
NESS
Anyone who calls themself a professional treasure hunter has issues, man.
POKEY
Remember when we teepee'd his house?
NESS
Of course I do! He thought it was the Sharks, right?
PICKY
And then he started taking it all inside-
NESS
And he actually used it!
POKEY
He's crazy.
Their laughter takes a second to die off, leaving an uneasy chill in the air.
NESS
Maybe you're right though. Something feels off about tonight.
POKEY
Well there's the big glowing thing on the hill. Who knows what's next? This could just be the beginning.
NESS
Somehow I feel like it is.
King, in contrast, is panting on the incline.
KING
It feels like the end for me.
NESS
Come on King.
11 EXT. HILLTOP
PICKY, Pokey's intelligent but jumpy younger brother, lay sleeping by a tree...
Right next to the source of the bright glow. It is a meteorite, black with yellow fissures lining the surface and emitting the mysterious light. A massive crater of upheaven earth surrounds it, just missing the tree against which Picky lay.
The gang comes up the trail.
POKEY
Picky! Picky, where are you?
KING
I do not like the look of this place. Not one bit.
Ness stops to appreciate the meteorite.
NESS
So it was a meteorite...
Picky stirs and they spot him.
POKEY
There he is! Picky!
PICKY
Pokey? Why did you run off like that? I thought you were coming back.
POKEY
I- You don't know what you're talking about. You ran off! You're always like this. Ness, can you believe it? I'm a reasonable, responsible young man, and I'm stuck with watching this dumb, annoying, selfish little brother! Do you know what it's like to deal with someone like that?
Ness and Picky exchange glances in the awkward silence.
NESS
Let's go home, guys. We found Picky and we've all had enough commotion for one-
Ness is interrupted by a blinding flash of light from the meteorite, coupled with the sound of a sharp exhaust release.
They all jump away and duck for cover. King scampers around for a moment in a panic, then takes off running down the hill.
KING Okay, that's it! I'm outa here! If I knew it would be this scary I never would have come along in the first place!!
Now a beam of golden light pierces the sky from the meteorite, and widens to about a foot wide.
Ness stands back up and gazes in awe.
NESS
What on Earth...
POKEY God help! Oh my God! Oh my God...
A small black form emerges from the meteorite, slowly upward, mimicking an insect's movements.
This is BUZZ-BUZZ, a visitor from the future. He resembles a rhinoceros beetle with large fly wings.
NESS
Look!
PICKY
What is it?
Pokey dares a stolen look up.
POKEY
It's a bat!
NESS
It's a fly...
PICKY
It's a rhinoceros beetle!
BUZZ-BUZZ
A bee I am not!
The gang exchange glances.
PICKY
Well, that was my next guess.
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mutio-von-mutio · 2 years ago
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For the Arknights ask game 3, 12, and 27
3 - first e2 My first E2 was Specter. The allure of 3 block shark centurion was too strong and I am a huge fan of the Abyssal Hunters! It also helped I had the Specter alter so I could get a bunch of extra resources for the alternate operator quests. After that I E2'd Amiya cuz she is the best bun bun donkey.
12 - favorite operator of each class
Caster - Amiya! I really like her design and I like her storyline. The flavor on her abilities is really good and meshes well with how she develops in the story. I also have a soft spot for characters who try to a fault to do what's right for everyone even though that's clearly not possible. She has a lot of pressure on her and she tries her best which is very relatable! Also, she says 'Doctor' the best out of all the characters.
Defender - Mudrock! Super cool design. I really like that her horns and suit look like they are almost one in the same. She has a very enigmatic look and personality at first. There was a very quick realization of 'oh no she's hot' too. Big strong lady with a hammer who can hold down a lane by herself and decimate waves. 😳
Also, she has the most soothing voice as an assistant. The slight filter on her calm voice (in japanese) is really relaxing.
Honorable mention: Liskarm !!
Guard - Guard has so many good character designs. I feel like it's one of the more open ended design wise. That being said, I am pretty obsessed with Specter. I really like her outfit design and her story (granted, I have only done 2 events ever since I am new and they are both Abyssal Hunter events). Her lore and the Abyssal Hunter lore are really neat and relatable (lol raised catholic). Goth nun with a big saw on a stick. >:3
Honorable mentions: LAPPLAND cuz she is so smarmy and silence is nice. I also REALLY like Franka after her chapter in the main story. The dynamic between her and Liskarm is really cute.
Medic - Kal'tsit 😳 I was lucky enough to get her early. Her outfit design, looks, lore, and grumpiness are all top tier. She is very protective of everyone, particular Amiya (who deserves to be protected very much). She also happens to be an incredibly busted unit that is nothing like anything else in the medic archtype from what I can tell. I really like units that break the mold and her being a Guard / Defender / Assassin / Medic definitely fits that. Mon3tr is a ... monster and the variety of strats I can pull off with her is wonderful. She also is very hot and every time she bullies me I get a lil flustered. Sniper - So I am pretty divided on this one but Meteorite and Kroos. I think Meteorite design is extremely good and she is a very powerful unit. She is extremely underrated and finding fan art for her is irritatingly difficult. As a person who really likes listening to interesting and different types of voices - she has one of the coolest voices. It's very calm and relaxed but straight to the point. Also, her sweater is very cute and with the other parts of her outfit, VERY cute. Also she just blows things up very good.
Kroos is probably pretty self explanatory. Murder nap bun is adorable and every time she says 'KO KO DA YO' I am filled with immense joy. She is just so excited to be here.
Specialist - Gravel! She is very cute and she gives me kissies constantly. Not only that, but she has been an extremely useful unit in game. She even is ez to recruit and basically prints commendations and distinctions for me. I want to look more into her lore. I am a big fan of her outward personality that is seemingly very soft and cuddly but in reality most of the time she is just looking forward to spilling blood. >:)
Support - Skadi the Corrupting! Abyssal Hunter etc. I do not own her personally but after the 2 most recent events, her character and personality really shown thru. I managed to add a friend that has her at E2 lvl 80 and always has her available for support unit so I can use her whenever. Super pretty and well animated unit that is obviously very powerful. I always have a BIG weakness for music classes in video games, particularly Bards and Skadi is extremely good at playing the musics.
Vanguard - Beanstalk!! Unique design mechanically and very cute. I like the metal crab wrangler very much but I have not invested a ton in her yet. Anytime I summon her crab I like to say 'Crab battle!' and it brings me great joy to watch enemies struggle helplessly to damage my smol lil crab boi. She is one the few units when I got her and read all her abilities it literally made me go 'wtf' and that's a good thing.
27 - most used operator
Hard to accurately say but it has to be between Kal'tsit, Amiya, and Exusiai. I make it a point to use Amiya as often as possible, same with Kal'tsit because they are some of my favorite characters and fun to use. However, Exusiai has been there since the beginning and when you have one of the best snipers in the game, it's rare to find a reason not to use her. I think I just unlocked an event where she is partially the focus so I am hoping to learn more about her and Mostima.
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spypiner · 2 years ago
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Henry gpass fabric
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Henry Glass Fabrics are high quality, quilt shop quality fabrics. It's just that I got really, well, I guess we're even.Henry Glass is one of our favorite fabric manufacturers! They have a host of famous designers, and add more every year! Some of the more well known designers and designers we carry include Kim Diehl, Jan Mott, Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin, Shelly Comisky of of Simply Shelly Designs, Leanne Anderson and her daughter Kaytlyn Kuebler, Janet Rae Nesbitt, Jane Shasky and many more! JACK: Well, thanks for helping me explain the origins of glass and sorry about throwing that water on you before. Nowadays we have all sorts of glass for all sorts of purposes, and it's opened up windows, so to speak, into a whole world of inventions and discoveries. He was the first to find a way of making glass perfectly flat. Well, most of that is thanks to this guy Henry Bessemer. Ah, not bad hey.Īnd in the 17th century we got telescopes.Īs for the big sheets of glass that are used in buildings pretty much everywhere. Then in the 16th century in Venice we got our first look at ourselves thanks to mirrors. Oh, I can see everything so much more clearly now. In the 13th century in Northern Italy the first glasses to enhance eye sight came about. Yeah, I love it, love what you've done.Īs the years went on glass became more and more popular. Oh, I'm just kidding, no, no it looks great. What have you done? All the glass is stained. By the 1100s many European cathedrals were being decorated with stained glass windows, coloured with powdered metals mixed into the molten glass. Instead, you might just have a hole in your wall with an animal hide curtain or a window made out of paper, fancy. Yep, there was a time when people didn't have glass windows. JACK: Manny, Manny, can you see me? I can see you. Glass blowing was later taken by the Romans who used it, along with a sort of pressing technique, to create the first glass windows. And around the first century BC the Syrians came up with the technique of glass blowing, which truly changed the game. Over the next few hundred or so years glass making became popular across the Mediterranean, Europe and into parts of Asia. Ha.Ībout 1000 years later the Ancient Egyptians also began creating things out of glass, in particular they were quite fond of making glass beads. But instead, no, I was making this, a cup for my drink. JACK: Yeah, so, all I did was mix silica sand, lime, and soda. And some historians reckon it might have happened by accident. But the first human efforts to make glass, that we know of anyway, happened around 2500 BC, in the ancient region known as Mesopotamia. Including Australia's First Nations peoples who used it as cutting tools, as tips for spears and for ceremonial purposes. And from what experts can tell humans have been using these types of glass for hundreds of thousands of years. There are a few other types of naturally occurring glass, like fulgurite which occurs when sand is hit by lightning and tektite which is the result of a meteorite impact. The other is typically, but not always, sand. What do you think?Īs the volcano would suggest, one of the main ingredients in making glass is heat. It appears to have been formed when the molten rock from this volcano cooled rapidly resulting in this sort of blackish/greenish thing. This is obsidian, it's a type of natural glass. While we clean up, let's take a look at the long, long history of glass and I do mean long. Bluebird of Happiness 2719-95 Mixed Media Dark Gray by Janet Rae Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics. Oh gosh sorry, you're just so terrifying sometimes. Bluebird of Happiness 2715-95 Alphabet Dark Gray by Janet Rae Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics. But have you ever wondered where does glass comes from? Why can I see through it? Is it just hot sand? And why can't I throw stones in glass houses? Well, I've asked a very dear friend of mine to help explain. JACK, REPORTER: When it comes to drinking vessels, for me, nothing beats a glass.
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atomicdragonsalad · 6 years ago
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Lotus
Skipped a couple of days, but we’re back with day 6 !
Rating : K+
Summary : Sakura is having a fun afternoon at the lake.
This would be such a good place for a date, she thinks, blushing slightly at the idea. We could sit right there, in the grass under the willow, and enjoy the peaceful scenery of the lake, the delicate scent of the lotus flowers in full bloom and the soft sound of the water lapping at the sand.
She sits, as if to test her idea, and closes her eyes, pretending he is with her right now and not half a continent away. It's a hot, heavy day, and she appreciates the shadow under the tree and the breath of fresh air coming from the water, brushing her wild hair from her face. It will not be long before she sees him again, she knows, but even a week so far apart hurts. She takes her phone out of her bag and fiddles with the idea of calling or texting, but decides against it. He's with family and she should not disturb him. Besides, it's not like she has anything important to tell him. These days anytime she calls he answers with urge and anxiety in his voice. It makes her sad that he worries so much.
Today is the first time in a long while that Sakura is left to her own devices. Her dad and brother are at work, Kero is occupied at home and refuses to move beyond a three meters radius from the air conditioner, all her friends have things to do and Syaoran is back home in Hong Kong. She doesn't mind the alone time, it's a nice change of pace. Especially since they all keep asking her how she feels constantly.
She watches the dance of the dragonflies in the sunlight, their wings glittering as they come and go around the lotus flowers. This place gives her a feeling of peace and contentment, as a small world in and of itself, a tiny universe of respite from the chaos of her life. How nice would it be to jump across the lily pads, to make friends with the koi fishes and butterflies ? As night comes, to dance amongst the fireflies ? She could just about picture it, a dress made of lotus petals, shining in the moonlight, and the music of crickets, toads and owls to lead her right into the spirit of summer.
Sakura gets up and walks to the edge of the water. She wants to smell the lotus, to make the illusion last just a bit longer, just a bit further.
She should have known better.
The pull and tug of magic at work throws her off balance and she tumbles face first into the water. She braces for impact, but instead of meeting the earth under the shallow water, she finds herself fading through the liquid without end. She opens her eyes, looking up to the rays of light piercing the liquid like golden swords, and swims, soon emerging again. She must have fallen further from the edge than she had thought, as she cannot see it from where she is. She spots the lily pads and lotus flowers. These grow next to the edge of the water, where it is shallow and quiet, she thinks, and she decides to swim that way. Maybe whatever magic is at work here dropped her right in the middle of the lake.
The swim is longer than she had thought, and the shapes of the greenery seems just as unreachable as when she started. Her muscles ache, and Sakura stops. It's time to think more practically. She could fly there, but she doesn't know if the flight card likes water. Most likely it doesn't, with its delicate shape and texture.
«Release !»
No, the most efficient card here would not be flight.
«Aqua ! Push me to the lily pads !»
It's a good thing the area is deserted. She soars through the water, pushed by the magic of aqua, and finally reaches the greenery. It's enormous. Either the world has suddenly grown ten times bigger, or she is now fairy sized. With a final push, aqua gets her to stand on a lily pad and dissolves, its work done. Sakura thanks it.   
She knows that the only way to get back to get normal size is to catch the card responsible. She understands now, what she suspected for a while is true. She does create the cards as she wishes for things. It doesn't have to be a strong wish, or even an articulate one, it can be a curiosity or a vague feeling, and that's how she makes the cards. She wonders if anyone else knows, if that's why everybody worries about her. But it makes sense that she would be the only one capable of sensing the clear cards. She senses her own magic. It's scary, dangerous that any thing she could think of might materialise. What if someone gets hurt because she had mused about volcanoes or meteorites ? It is enough to make anyone feel anxious.
The wind blows the lotus perfume in her face, and so close to the flowers the powerful scent is intoxicating. Sakura breathes in deeply and looks up at the dragonflies. Magic is magic, there is no reason to let it scare her. Sure, she doesn't understand what is happening to her, and she misses Syaoran badly, but even alone there is no reason to be so gloomy. She has always dealt with the cards, this is no different from the usual shenanigans.
She closes her eyes, feeling the magic, trying to pinpoint its exact location. It feels close, inside the jungle of lotus flowers. Sakura bounces across the lily pads, laughing softly at the strange elasticity they offer in her smaller size. The magic turns as playful as her, and evades as she closes in, hiding amongst the greenery in a winding hide and seek game. She can glimpse it from the corner of her eye, but never quite catch up.
«Labyrinth !»
This should even the playing field, she thinks. The plants are now arranging themselves to trap the rogue card in dead ends, twisting and turning to reroute it back to Sakura. It fights and evades but eventually she gets a clear view of the little trickster.
«Force without master, heed the call of my staff of dreams, and become my power ! Secure ! »
The card obediently turns back and she only has time to glimpse at it before the magic that made her small dispels and she falls through the lily pads and lotus flowers right into the shallow waters of the lake. Untangled in the long stems and large leaves, it takes her a while to sort herself out and finally stumble out, drenched and dirty. She looks down on her ruined outfit and thinks, maybe it was not such a bad thing that Syaoran sit this one out. Or Tomoyo, for that matters. She picks up her abandoned bag on the lake side and walks home.
In a week she could see him again. And for now, she has a fun story to tell, which is an excellent excuse to text him. 
She smiles.
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