#so scary. such terrifying thing to happen.

[phantoms-lair]

Round Robin-Prologue

"What's up Gotham!"

All the TV's, even the ones turned off, flicked to show an overweight man with long hair red hair and sideburns. Not a rogue many recognized, but he had all the right vibes. "This is Control Freak. And I'm hear to provide some top rate entertainment. My remote has gotten a lovely upgrade." He showed off what looked like a TV remote glowing with ethereal power. "So let welcome the main character in tonight's entertainment. Protector of Gotham, Batman's partner and bane of my existence - Robin."

He pressed a button on the remote and the screens flashed. Suddenly joining him in the white expanse was Red Hood, Spoiler, and Robin, in addition to one teenager dressed in normal clothes but has apparently slapped a domino on mid-transfer and one man whose face was covered in glowing light.

"Where are we?" Glowing face asked. "And is this a new nutjob?"

"Old nutjob." Civies kid answered. "Control Freak. Has a modified remote that he originally used control any technology in the immediate area. Later upgraded it with magic to either pull others in the TV shows he enjoyed, or to bring things from those shows to life in the real world. Likes to televise his crimes. He used to bother the Titans back when Nightwing was Robin. He got caught and actually manged to stay caught for years. Guessing he got out recently."

"Super-stalker knowledge go!" Spoiler joked

"When Nightwing...but he's in Bludhaven!" Control Freak exclaimed. He hadn't exactly kept abreast of the hero scene while he was in jail, but thought it a safe bet that if Robin wasn't active with the Titans anymore he'd be back home in Gotham. "Wait, I've seen pictures of Nightwing, did Robin get replaced as a pod person from Disco Hell?"

"I've been there and no, he's just like that." Civies kid said like it was a completely sane thing to say.

"This guy was from his Titan days? Yeah I get the confusion." Red Hood nodded. "That was when Nightwing was going through his 'Look at me Dad, I'm so serious and responsible I don't need you' phase'."

"I...honestly can't picture that." Glowing face admitted.

"So basically this guy got everyone who was ever Robin except the one he was after?" Spoiler chuckled.

That...of course there was more than one Robin. Ugh. Hold on... "Are you saying...Red Hood used to be Robin?"

"You said he like to televise his crimes? So this is being broadcasted to everyone in Gotham?" Red Hood asked with a growl.

"Most likely."

"PAUSE!" Control Freak yelped, pressing the button on his remote as bullets suddenly began to fly in his direction. He stared at what could have been his death frozen in real time.

"I was never Robin, so why am I here?" Glowing Face asked.

"Tsk." Robin sounded more annoyed by Glowing Face than Control Freak. "I told you using your 'We Are Robin' movement was usurping my rightful name."

"Get over yourself, Demon Brat." Civie's snorted.

Spoiler chuckled, than blinked. "Didn't you have a date tonight?"

"Yes I did." Civies said in a very low, very deliberate voice. "And if the best thing that's ever happened to me gets ruined because this guy used a plural when he meant a singular in the wrong city, he is going to find out why Batman himself is terrified of me breaking and going to the dark side. I follow his no killing code out of respect to him, push me far enough and see where I go!"

"Pause, pause, pause, pause!" Control Freak was taking no more chances. He paused everyone. "So....Robins are scary, who knew?" He chuckled nervously. Okay, he knew Robin was a brilliant leader and terrifying fighter. He was not expecting the amount of 'cool with murder' vibes he was getting.

"Well, on to tonight's festivities. My initial plan was to trap Robin in a video game he'd have to fight his way out of. We've got more Robins, but hey, I've got options!" Control Freak clicked a button and a social media poll opened up. "I made a poll online asking what video game Robin would have the worst time in and why? I've populated a picker wheel to spin for it. I was only going to do one Robin, but I have more than enough choices for all these guy. And Robin. Original Robin. If you'd care to come by to save your successors, you'll be more than welcome to join in the fun!"

"So without further ado let's SPIN. THE. WHEEL!" Control Freak grabbed the digital wheel and gave it a spin. "Let's go Oldest to Youngest. Red Hood, you're going to..."

"Persona 4! This video game was nominated because-" He pulled up a cue card, "'The main characters have to face their own issues and accept their inner flaws in order to survive and I don't think any of the Bats could face that level of introspection.' Thanks for your suggestion. Hopefully Red Hood will enjoy his time in Inaba!" Control Freak clicked his remote and Red Hood vanished in a burst of static. "Persona 4! This video game was nominated because-" He pulled up a cue card, "'The main characters have to face their own issues and accept their inner flaws in order to survive and I don't think any of the Bats could face that level of introspection.' Thanks for your suggestion. Hopefully Red Hood will enjoy his time in Inaba!" Control Freak clicked his remote and Red Hood vanished in a burst of static.

He glanced at the wheel. "Hmm, glad it didn't go with Mafia. That would have been easy mode for him. Actually..." he shuffled through his cards, "so I initially agreed with 'Mafia, because in order to win they have to become the head of a criminal empire as something that would suck for Robin.' But given Hood and this guy." Control Freak pointed to Civies. "Plus that current Robin was, uh, in the process of drawing a very sharp sword when I froze them," Control Freak gulped, "I think that's actually up their alley and I don't want to encourage them to make a revenge hit on me so I'm removing that from the board. Sorry." He tossed the card over his shoulder and the option vanished from the pickerwheel.

"On to the next..." He stopped at looked at them. "Okay, Robin's obviously the youngest, but I have no clue about the others. So let's go with Spoiler because I at least tangentially know who she is."

"Bloodrayne! This one was chosen because 'As a half vampire Robin will have to kill people and drink their blood to play. Plus he'd look hilarious in that bustier." Control Freak blinked. "Well, I'm sorry your crossdressing dreams have been dashed as the one girl Robin was the one who got this one. Hopefully we'll still see some good blood drinking struggles. And now for our two mystery guests. Eeny meeny miney...You! We're going with Domino guy first. Let's SPIN THE WHEEL." Control Freaked watched as the wheel ticked right where Mafia had been and counted his blessing before taking in where it had landed.

"Splatterhouse (Remake). Nominated for 'Robin is agile and clever. This game requires sheer brute force and to not just kill your opponents but pulverize them and feed on the violence you're causing to heal and power up.' Control Freak looked a lot less relieved. "You know, the back of the box blurb said this one was about rescuing the heroes girlfriend. I could put in his girlfriend in place of the Protagonists....but I think I want to keep living afterwards. Ah what the heck, he's going to try and kill me anyway, let's make for a great show. Don't worry, my guy date night is back on!" He pressed the remote and Civies vanished. Another click in the towards the screen assured his date would be gone too. "But let's not dwell on that. Next up, out second Mystery Guest, let's see how this goes."

"How appropriate to go with our light guy, 'Eternal Darkness'. Let's see the nomination 'Eternal Darkness because everyone in Gotham knows you can only trust yourself, but the game forces to to experience hallucinations when your sanity is low and you can never be sure I stuff is real or not and I think not being able to trust his sense would drive him crazy'. Oooh, watching a Robin hallucinate and be paranoid about everything he sees, while being out of the splash radius? Count me in! Man, too bad we didn't get to send Nightwing here, it would have been a blast. Oh course it's not too late if you want to stop by." Control Freak grinned.

"And now where to send the smallest bird in the flock. One last time, say it with me. SPIN. THE. WHEEL." Control Freak grabbed the side of the picker wheel and gave it the strongest turn yet. It spun around in a fury, before slowing down and settling in the last game.

"I guess 'Demon Brat' was prophetic as little Robin is going to Devil May Cry 3. Let's look at the nomination. 'Devil May Cry 3, because the series focuses on gunplay, which the bats are forbidden from'," Control Freak looked up. "Guess I wasn't the only one out of the loop on Red Hood. Continuing, 'and three in particular because it's a prequel and Dante isn't this cool controlled customer yet. He's an overreactive teenager(i think he's 19) who thinks he's far cooler than he is. He's so cringe it would be hilarious'. Well, that's what we got. Seems like Robins the right age for some chunnibiyo shit, so maybe it's fitting, who can say? You'll all find out in the coming nights."

"Oh, you thought you'd get to watch it all go down now? Sorry to disappoint. This is the teaser trailer. We'll being starting the show tomorrow night and doing one episode per weeknight. Same bird time, same bird channel. See you tomorrow." Control Freak aimed his remote at the screen and with the press of a button all the TV's turned back to normal.

But in Gotham city, nothing was normal. Oracle was contacting as many people as she could, while trying to impress that Dick should be kept out of Gotham. Criminals scurried and hid, fearing the wrath of the Bat without any of his minders left. And Bruce...Bruce was staring at the screen that had just gone dark, a million thoughts running through his head. His fists and jaw clenched.

Control Freak would pay.

~~~~

Okay, so as the screencaps were evidence for I did make the picker wheel and I did spin it for each Robin. I feel the need to say this because...most of the felt too fitting. Tim was mad because he was on a date and gets the game with the big focus on romantic relationships. Steph gets the character who's goal in becoming a badass warrior is getting revenge on her evil father for destroying her family. Duke and his light powers get a game titled Eternal Darkness. Damian gets a game where his character's roll is defined as the heir of a powerful demon. It was randomized, I swear!

Also the organized Crime game was initially on the board, but after rolling for Hood I decided to have CF remove it as Crime Boss Simulator wouldn't exactly be torture for a crime lord and he was a little less sure about the other Robins at that point. But I didn't remove it on my board, cause I figured what were the odds And Guess what Tim got? Splaterhouse was technically a reroll.

[dark-elf-writes]

Wei Wuxian: *is Wei Wuxian and showing it off for the first time*

The majority of the peak lords: *stunned, slightly terrified silence*

Shen Jiu: That’s my wife and if any of you try anything you will die by my blade

Shang Qinghua: *whistles in appreciation of not dying and not having to fight and also that was kinda hot*

The disciples: Our mom is so strong! If anyone tries anything they’re facing our wrath!

(I personally think that while Wei Wuxian and Shang Qinghua would both be very busy with their own things, they would get along and Shang Qinghua wouldn’t find his power scary. In fact, I can imagine him being like, “damn, that was sick as hell. Also kinda hot” in a primarily platonic way)

Wei Wuxian who was waiting on Qiong Ding for Shen Jiu to leave his seclusion along with most of the disciples eager to greet their Shizun when the demon attack happens. Wei Wuxian who has, for the most part, allowed himself to seem smaller than what he is for years with only Shen Jiu knowing the truth. Wei Wuxian who hears the first terrified screams and reaches for his dizi, not the sword hanging on his side.

He will not lose another home.

He will not allow them to threaten his pups.

He will not risk his Jiu-gege getting hurt.

The screams shift as he summons the first corpses, no longer his pups but the disciples who don’t know him, don’t know his power. Even some of the demons look uncomfortable as they watch him build an army in seconds with only a flute and a sharp spike in resentful energy.

He agrees to the three matches to avoid a potential war. He has learned that some diplomacy is required after his first death and diplomacy with demons often requires more than a little bloodshed. That being said, he never had any intention of allowing any of the pups to fight. No. Unsteady two corpses take the first two matches, and Wei Wuxian himself takes the third, expertly dodging spikes coated in a poison that would destroy his cultivation (isn’t that a laugh) before bringing the demon down seemingly effortlessly.

Really he should have anticipated the attack from behind.

Should have expected it even before Binghe’s desperate shout and Yuan-er’s leaf projectiles shooting past his head.

He didn’t expect it.

But he was still ready.

This world had never heard the whispers of the Yiling Patriarch. Had never waged a war with him as their front line. They did not know to fear the little omega with burning red eyes and a black dizi on his hip.

They knew to fear him now.

There was hardly anything left of the demons by the time Jiu-gege and Liu Qingge broke their seclusion to join the fight. Only death and screams and bloodshed.

Only an omega dressed in black with a ribbon as red as blood (as red as his eyes) in his hair and a dizi held up to his mouth, and the pups he would drown the world in blood to protect.

Shen Jiu approaches him without fear, sidestepping corpses old and new and pulling his A-Ying into his arms without hesitation. He would have done much the same, after all, to protect A-Ying and their daughter. How could he fear a piece of himself reflected back at him from the one he held the most dear?

Most of the other peak lords are varying degrees of concerned when it comes to Wei Wuxian after. Shang Qinghua thinks that it was, platonically, the hottest fucking thing he had ever seen. Mu Qingfang is concerned about how the resentment could affect Wei Wuxian (who will not stop laughing whenever he brings the topic up). Qi Qingqi wants Wei Wuxian off the fucking mountain immediately. Wei Qingwei is more interested about why his sword has never reacted to Wei Wuxian and wants to test it out more (Wei Wuxian is delighted to help though the irony is not lost on him). Liu Qingge is… confused. Not really about Wei Wuxian. He’s confused about why Shen Jiu saved him from a Qi deviation before the attack even happened. Yue Qongyuan is concerned of course but he knows better than anyone what that shine in Xiao-Jiu’s eyes means and he isn’t stupid enough to make him choose between his mate and the sect. He knows who Xiao-Jiu would pick.

The disciples are think Wei Wuxian is the coolest person ever and desperately want to learn to be like him. He refuses them all with a smile and offers to teach them how to hunt pheasants instead.

[dungeondevoured]

There was something about the kitchen that Bell liked. Something about the idea of a room whose only purpose was food. So, as he was sat down, he hummed a small, pleased noise - looking around at the kitchen - partly out of habit to see if any threats were hiding within it.

A habit he probably didn't need anymore, but... but what was the harm?

Almost immediately, however, he was distracted by Mikoto speaking,

"...Good." He responded, after a moment spent looking curiously at her. "Food is... important, you can't just - just poison it." He sighed quietly, fidgeting with the finger of his recently-healed arm. "I forgot food could be poisoned. Monsters don't really do that, and - and now I feel like I'm gonna worry every time I go to eat something..." Especially if it had not been made by him, or had been pre-made.

...Maybe he could go back to rationing his own food...? No, the others would riot.

Then Mikoto bowed - low. Very low. Low to the point that Bell found himself half-reaching to her from where he sat, unable to do much more than make a shocked noise. What? She was that sorry?

He supposed it made sense, none of them seemed to like doing what they'd done, but... still. Before he could get his brain to formulate a response though, Hogni spoke, Bell retracting his arm to once again feel up and down the length of the healed bone.

"...Do you know..." He began, finally - staring at his previously-broken arm. "...how scary it is, to wake up somewhere different than when you fell asleep? When you're used to waking up at every little noise?" Terrifying. Terrifying. He should have woken up and... hadn't. What had they even given him? "I was somewhere different and I didn't know what happened and I couldn't move..." He'd briefly been convinced he was in terrible danger. Danger enough that he'd contemplated using firebolt.

He let himself stop there, though, letting out a breath full of stress as he attempted to calm down from having woken somewhere that was not where he'd gone to sleep.

"... ...Hedin..." Bell muttered, once the man was brought up. Hedin and his long hair. Long and clean and straight and honestly quite pretty. "Master Hedin would know how to care for hair... Still muttered, staring now at the table, then to Hogni. Briefly glancing at Mikoto and hoping she'd risen by then. "I'm... I'm okay with long hair. I don't want sharp things near my neck - or any things - and long hair doesn't hurt anyone. If Master Hedin can be powerful and have long hair, then so can I, right? But. But next time, uhm... Could you just ask? Please...?"

The walk to the kitchen was silent, even with Mikoto walking a small distance in front of them. Through each window, the sky was painted a beautiful orange and yellow as the sun was setting--night would soon be upon them.

Even as they entered the kitchen, neither Mikoto or Hogni said a word, and Bell was gently placed upon a stool. After making sure he could sit up just fine on his own, Hogni quickly turned toward one of the windows.

The gesture of his arms suggested he was wiping his face with his cloak again.

"Sir Bell..." Mikoto spoke to get his attention. "We've already talked everything over before making this decision. From now on, whenever food is being made--specifically food intended for you, you're more than welcome to observe it being made. So you know...all of this was a...a one time thing..."

And now it was Mikoto's turn to let her guilt get the better of her. She quickly got on her knees in front of him and bowed deeply, which also caught Hogni's attention. His visible eye definitely had redness underneath.

"My sincerest apologies, Sir Bell!! We couldn't leave those fractures be for the rest of your life! I-it was...It was for your future benefit. We know we hurt you. We didn't want to..."

Hogni finally stood beside Bell again. "The arm...all the fractures. Should not have been left for so long. But, your hair..." he looked at him before wandering to the pantry to get himself something to eat. "We will leave it be. Until you are ready for a trim. Just..." a pause. "If you could let the girls continue helping you with it...Hedin has also expressed interest in caring for the quality. You have our word..."

[drowzyscatterbrain]

I have many fears.

but currently, one of my greatest fears is having the most wonderful and sweet dreams of being lovey dovey with sans...

and forgetting it upon waking up.

[mod2amaryllis]

real talk I never wanted kids before and now I kinda want maybe one but I'm. the gross stuff sounds so scareyyy. how do you deal w the loss of control over your body?? Not even saying I have any kind of control right now, I'm not even a fitness girl or anything, body's a body, but do you know what I mean? I'm scared if I get pregnant it will freak me out so bad

well what you said is actually the answer: when do we ever have control lol?

in preparing to have a kid i got decently in shape, ate very well and exercised consistently for several months, and knowing i was doing it with the intention of getting pregnant felt good. like building a mighty forge. then pregnancy hits and.. yeah that physical "control" does go out the window....lmao

the thing that can be freaky is just the SPEED at which your body changes. you can almost watch it in real time, i look and feel totally different week to week. initially this unnerved me cuz it's like,, ok if this were any other situation, these changes would not be normal. but they are normal. so the word that i keep circulating when the changes freak me out is "evidence." it's all just evidence that there's a little dude in there, and that's a good thing.

and it being a good thing is what it boils down to for me. I'm only having an ok time because 1) i am, compared to so many others, having a smooth pregnancy. that's never a guarantee. and 2) I'm confident this baby is coming into a healthy environment where she is extremely wanted. the determination of "i want this kid" makes the physical weirdness bearable.

[kiwi-luminaryofthestars]

04/22/2025 Progress Update:

TLDR: 1.5K more drafted, we at about 29.5K so far

It is at my own hands I suffer. For we are... not even out of the beginnings of this section still. And if this is how I am fleshing these sections out, dear fucking Lord it could be close to 40K when we're done.

Y'know, it's just like a whole fic. In one chapter. The most intimidating chapter in the world. Ha. Ha ha ha. I'm going kooky, I am losing my mind over here. The fic writer has finally been consumed by her unnecessary amount of words. I feel like I'm writing an entire anime season around a single night rn

SHOULD I SPLIT IT UP AGAIN???!?!?! Would that be better?????? To split what was intended to be one chapter into three????? Because I will do it, I stg. If I finish drafting and this is 40K fucking words, I will split it. But if we do that, we're not splitting it until the FULL draft is done. So it will only be editing/beta-ing that needs to be done and I don't make you wait another month.

God I like need to break the news to beta how long this is because I haven't yet lmaoooo. Will they wanna beta after knowing that? No clue! Their time is precious and Kiwi takes up all that time!!!!

Okay okay, yes I'm going a little crazy, but jokes aside I'm still happy with the chapter so far, despite... how fucking long it is. I worked hard on all of it and it will be one of my favorites in this fic. It's already up there for me, as it's been one of the funnest, if not THE funnest to write.

Alright. Have a good night, all. Sorry I am going batshit insane in this progress update lmao, apparently I am haunted by fanfiction

[compnion]

sosososossososososo embarrassing being raised sheltered. yes almost all my fun risky interesting experiences are online. yes in real life i haven’t been anywhere without my parents. yes i’m 23 and my first concert was yesterday and half my extended family was there. in half a year i will be living alone in a new country and the friends waiting for me there will have to treat me like an agressively terrified stray cat for who knows how long. what the fuck

[tildeath-douspart]

I wonder if they think of me

[hunysckle]

why is everything so scary.

[galindatopland]

really really need to get back on mood stabilizers

[wittyworm]

if you dont believe in spirituality and clairvoyance and all that just skippp

so i know it sounds crazy, but i already told my therapist, so idc anymore but does anyone know ANYTHING about mediums. or anyone to contact to help me figure this out. ive been going through a lot the past year but the one i couldnt talk about that was bothering me the most was that i seem to have some sort of clairvoyant.. ability?? that i have no control over. its just as if the universe wills that i know random things that will occur and they happen.

even my family is noticing that it isnt just me making shit up

[bluesidedown]

.

[mikashisus]

hi guys im not dead in a ditch but i definitely will be after how that election turned out…

um anyways. expect part 2 for that kinich oneshot in maybe *checks calendar* 1-2 week’s time depending on my current pacing :’)

also started working on the rough draft for TATT chapter 2 part 2, so hopefully i can have at least half of it done by thanksgiving 🥲👍

[famewolf]

I'm ready to be 30 tbh

I kept thinking I would want to hang onto my late 20s as much as possible; that being in my 30s would be something scary and hard

but getting older has only gotten easier instead. I am more sure about myself. about what I want and who I am and what makes me happy. sure, there is plenty of difficulty, but now I have experience to fall back on when the going gets tough. now I look forward to the next year, wondering what thing I will reclaim from my lost younger years that I didn't get to fully live in.

my 20s are almost done, and I never thought I'd say it, but I'm looking forward to it

[themyscirah]

Ik ppl barely talk about Jess on here anyways but the fact that nobody talks about Power Ring!Jess is actually insane to me

[bixiaoshi]

.