#sorry for the One Guy who liked the previous versions i swear I'll stop now that it finally works

[randomwriteronline]

I wonder if the toa mata recognized themselves in their own memories from before mata nui.

I dont know, i think theres possibilities to be explored about that. Suddenly remembering yourself and what you find being a complete stranger is a common thing for amnesia plots i guess but also i think this could be even more jarring. Like a more genuine difference between killing machine and living being.

Its less a matter of nature vs nurture and more a matter of nature with a certain type of nurture. Nature dictates they are powerful and driven and well meaning, but the way they are brought up produces completely different people.

Their first taste of life was a sterile room with nobody but each other and a disembodied voice reading out their duties, establishing an arbitrary hierarchy within them, and then sending them to a glorified bootcamp where a ruthless instructor worked on making them into skilled combatants and nothing else, teaching them how to use their elements as tools and weapons without indulging in them; they got a vague sense of what and how a community feels like with the Av-Matoran - as outsiders, as its protective shield, there for them but not with them - only to get that stripped away from them too because their role as life saving tools to be preserved under glass just in case of a crisis was more important.

I wonder if the Toa Mata, the ones who were taken to the Koro of Mata Nui and listened to the Turaga's tales and reprimands and would have moved mountains for the Matoran who treated them like older siblings, return with their minds to things they said or thought or did from before the Island of Mata Nui and stop in their tracks. Whose memory is that, they think? That can't be mine. I am not like that. My siblings are not like that. Some things are perfectly right, they cant deny that; but just as many if not more are so wrong that they almost feel like a really cruel joke somebody planted into their heads.

Kopaka and Tahu got along, even if they dont want to admit it because they need to bicker like children or theyll die, but are more surprised that they werent as tentatively close with anybody else. Lewa remembers so much frustration and tedium and anger that if he stalls in his memories too much he genuinely starts feeling queasy, Pohatu has remnants of bitterness and passive aggression that still cling to him like the smell of a cigarette on someone who gave up smoking, and they both hate that because its nothing like them. Onua and Gali feel like theyre peering into some kind of imperfect clone's brain when they try to remember - its themselves, they know that, it has to be, but there are certain things they know about themelves that are just completely missing and its kind of dizzying to realize that.

Im not even sure they liked each other. They work together because its their destiny, but they don't seem to seek each other out for fun or anything else. In their training days they had to be shoved in each others direction or they would have never solved their obligatory group assignments.

I wonder if their terrors and flaws could partially come from this first life that they had too. Gali's fear of her anger and Lewa's disregard for duty stemming from Hydraxon's methods - she internalized his reprimands about feeling guilt for living enemies, but without any memory of him she believes the words resurfacing in her mind from time to time are her own, and is appalled by their cruelty; he was forbidden from enjoying himself, from indulging in any form of fun, of entertainment, of joy, and unconsciously now he rebels by shirking away from responsability to do whatever he wants.

The responses to Tahu's decision regarding the codrex haunt him, the whole situation, really; how he stripped his siblings of any say on their fate because he was the leader, not even telling them or explaining himself until they had no other choice, and if he could treat them like that once then what would stop him from doing so again and again until he doesnt even think about it? Kopaka is uneasy about it too. He knew the plan and supported Tahu only because he tagged along, but hes very, very acutely aware that he would have been left just as much in the dark as everybody else otherwise, and he would gave not even had anybody to seek any comfort from because hes fairly certain none of the others would have liked him enough to care.

Onua as @cantankerouscanuck pointed out to me mightve taken Hydraxon's teachings to heart, hence why he's so quiet: no use in expressing weakness, right? But karda nui must have been hellish on his senses, with all that light - a tangible physical discomfort that would bleed out into an emotional one as he becomes conscious of how none of his siblings go through this, thus he must be damaged in some way, faulty, out of place, and so he seeks to be alone, digging himself away. And its not hard to imagine how Pohatu (who hasnt had the chance to grow into the affable, kind toa his siblings can always lean on when they need to yet) would become convinced of his uselessness within the team and seethe about it.

They arrive on Mata Nui as broken war machines with no clue who they even are and suddenly find nature and community and love, and in a moment theyre people.

I wonder if the environment helped. Being thrown upon a beach in the open air with nothing but a whole world that is so alien and yet feels so right beckoning them to come closer. Discovering their powers and their domains freely, immediately - first thing they did was dive into their respective elements without a second thought, naturally magnetized, taking after them like it was the simplest thing in the world, because they are the first toa, the first beings capable of harnessing these powers in their whole universe, and its in their nature to be so connected to them. Maybe it helped. Maybe it made them feel connected to their own selves enough to figure themselves out in a way they couldnt have done so before.

Maybe it helped to find out their collective destiny each on their own, in their own environment, at their own pace, surrounded by younger siblings who look at them with awe and curiosity and frustration sometimes, guided by people who know how being alive works with all its good parts and messy bits and who can tell what having so much power means when youre barely aware of how to use it or what to do. And maybe it helped to find out who their siblings were in a similar way, introducing themselves as they wanted, as they felt like, without a specific order, and learning to recognize each other as siblings with all the things that make them insufferable and all the things that make them the best and what makes them happy and what makes them angry and how they sound when theyre worried and how likely they are to chase you down to the other edge of the island for doing something stupid, and like real people they grow and develop and change and stay the same, and then they meet the memory of themselves from before becoming people and its...

Idk. Its like the realization of who they used to be and the distance between themselves and those selves, and the fact that they dont like them.

[devinescribe]

Fights

Chapter 12 of 100 Promises

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Warnings: Swearing, arguments, talks about panic attacks and I think those are all, let me know if I missed any

"S-sugu... stop it."

He looked at you, shaking, covering your ears. Your eyes were screwed shut, tears dropping off your face, and you wouldn't look up. "Shit, (N/N), you ok?" He asked, walking over to you. "Hm? What's this? Suddenly caring?" Chishiya mocked. "She's having a panic attack you asshole. Get away," Niragi growled at the blonde who still wouldn't get away from you.

Niragi had gotten good at knowing when you were having panic attacks. Some were worse, some were minor, but he'd gotten good at memorizing your triggers and when you were having them. You were experiencing one of the more minor ones right now.

He got closer, noticing you weren't kicking or hitting Chishiya away. Yet, anyways. He kneeled down besides you, grabbing your wrists softly. You slowly opened up your eyes, looking up at him. "You're ok... he's not here. He can't hurt you. You're ok," he whispered, ignoring that Chishiya would use this against him. You nodded, slowly coming out of your state.

A few hours later, you were sitting on the edge of Niragi's bed. "(Y/N), you can't trust him. He's not the kind of guy you should be interested in," Niragi scolded. "But-" you started. "No. no buts. You can't. Especially since you don't want to be known as Chishiya's bitch," Niragi interrupted. His words angered you slightly. Was that really what he thought you were for Chishiya? Maybe because you were... No! He had real interest in you, right?

Right?

"I'm not. I think he has genuine interest. It doesn't feel like when m-"

"(Y/N), he's using you! What part of that do you not understand? He's using as a quick fuck for his own benefit! And you're letting him use your body, gods you're so dumb!"

That was it for you. How could he say something like that? All of your ex boyfriends had sucked, couldn't you have a small bit of joy?

"You know what... fuck you. I don't have to get your approval of every guy I date. I'm allowed to do things, you're not my dad!"

"That's not the point (Y/N) he-"

"I don't care! You didn't have to call me his bitch! And I'm not just letting him use my body, because I'm not! I- I'm not!"

"I get that you're angry, but you have to listen to me. I know what's best for you."

"No you don't! Suguru, I know you're just looking out for me, but please! You don't have to call me names o-or make me feel bad about myself and my decisions!"

"I didn't me-"

"This conversation is over. I'm not doing this. Goodbye."

You left the room quickly, running away. You could hear him chasing after you, but you didn't care. No way you were going to turn around to talk to him. He could go and leave you alone. 'Where can I go... blue!' Your eyes flashed with recognition. You rushed over to the man, grabbing his arm.

"Oh? What's this? (Y/N), you seem in a rush,"  Last Boss noticed. You squeezed his arm nodding over to the other side of the room. "Ah, Niragi? Is the little mouse looking for a place to hide?" He asked. You nodded, tugging on his shirt. "C'mere," he said, pulling you into his room.

"He won't come in here, promise," he stated, seating you on the bed. "I take my promises very seriously, Last Boss. Don't lie to me," you said. It was true. It had been 12 years you and Niragi had been together. Since you were 15, you'd both made promises. And all 99 were kept. No, don't think about him. You're mad at him, don't think about him. "I'm well aware... anyways what game were you playing this time? Tag? Hide and Seek?" He asked. "No game. We had an argument," you whispered. "Oh... do you.... want to talk about it?" He questioned awkwardly. You looked up, and giggled. The usually stoic man was having trouble. "Not really... do you think we could find a cat around the Borderlands?" You asked out of the blue. "A... cat?" He asked, confused on your switching of topics. "I love all animals. Dogs, snakes, cats, and fish are my favorite though," you explained. "I'm... more of a cat person myself," he said. He seemed like a cat person. Quiet, observant, intelligent. Definitely a cat person. "Mm... favorite.... music genre?" You asked. "What game are we playing this time?"

"My version of 20 questions."

Yeah, safe to say he was enjoying your version, because he was winning. You either had to answer the question, or take an article of clothing off. "You have to have something you don't want to share! This isn't fair," you whined. So far, you were half naked, and he still had everything on. He had answered every question, and you were getting kind of frustrated. "These are your rules no? Your game as well... seems fair to me," he answered. "Your sounding like Chishiya. He's not fun to play games with... he doesn't like playing games with me.... in fact... I don't think we even talk outside of... Oh no," you started, realizing something. "What's wrong?" Last Boss questioned. You stood up, gathering up your clothes. You put it on while apologizing to him. "I just realized I need to apologize to Niragi... he was right... gods I'm so fucking stupid! I'm sorry, I promise we'll continue playing more games and talking some other day?" You apologized, sticking out your hand towards him. He shook it. "Alright, I'm holding you up to that promise though."

You ran through the halls of the Beach, desperately looking around for your best friend. "If I were Niragi... roof is a no... his room is a no... My room?" You whispered to yourself. You ran to your room opening the door quickly, shutting it behind you. On your bed was Niragi, sleeping on his side. You frowned, taking off your shoes. You walked to the other side of the bed, crawling into the bed with him. You wrapped your arms around him, whispering apologies he couldn't hear.

You heard him start to wake up a few hours later, and you immediately started apologizing. "Sugu, 'm sorry... you were right, I should've realized it sooner, I should've heard you out. I'm sorry," you frantically apologized. He groaned, looking at you. He noticed how your hand shook slightly. And then he remembered what he had said to you. "I also... need to apologize... I'm sorry for calling you names, and for yelling at you," he whispered. You let out a sigh of relief as you thought he wouldn't forgive you. "For someone so smart I'm really fucking stupid sometimes... I should've... I should've noticed... you were only looking out for me," you cursed yourself. "Yeah, it's kind of my second job. Looking after you," he joked. You pouted shoving his shoulder softly. "I'll push you off my bed, watch it mister," you laughed. "Mhm, I'd love to see you try," he challenged. You'd done it before, and you'd do it again. "Try me bitch," you said. He laughed, sitting up. "What time is it?" He asked. "Mmm... 6:43 why?" You answered. "Games. We might finally get to play together, wouldn't that be fun?"

You couldn't have gotten the worst yet best group... In your car was Chishiya, Last Boss, Niragi, Kuina, and yourself. You were driving, Niragi was in the passenger seat, Kuina was sitting behind you, Chishiya in the middle back seat, and Last Boss behind Niragi. Last Boss and Kuina were mainly quiet, keeping to themselves, occasionally talking to you about something. Now the other two? They were at each other's heads.

"Well at least I've heard of what fucking conditioner is," Niragi retorted to Chishiya. "You use your so called cleverness act like a dramatic bitch who's better than everyone but you're really not," Kuina stated towards Chishiya. "I thought you were on my side?" Chishiya questioned, looking slightly betrayed. "Eh, I wanted to join in on insulting people," Kuina shrugged. "Well, fuck you, fuck you, you haven't talked this whole time but fuck you, I've already fucked you so there's no need for me to say it," Chishiya said. "Oi, you leave her out of this you bastard!" Niragi spat. You were fed up with everyone yelling at each other.

"Can everyone shut the fuck up! How are we supposed to beat a game if we can't even drive to the arena without you two trying to kill each other! I get you hate one another, but I don't give a fuck! Kuina, Last Boss, thank you for being the only two tolerable people today," you shouted. Niragi and Chishiya stared at you in shock. "What? It's true. You want me to sugar coat it and act all sweet? I can do that too. Shi-Shi, Gi-Gi Pwease don't fight! Makes me sad UwU," you pouted, using a childish voice. "That's some fucking pick me girl shit right there," you muttered. "I think it worked they're both quiet," Kuina laughed. "Hey, (Y/N) eyes on the road dumbass," Niragi scolded. You glared at him before, going back to looking at the road.

When you got to the game arena, you were surprised. "Isn't this the mirror maze we used to go to?" You asked Niragi. He nodded. "Might be a spades game then?" He questioned. "Boooring!" You shouted, walking past the entry point. "What, you want it to be a hearts game?" Chishiya asked. "It's the only kind of game I haven't played. I'm getting rather bored of the same thing," you complained, grabbing one of the phones from the table. "You should consider yourself lucky you haven't played a hearts game," Kuina mentioned. "Maybe. But honestly, I'm bored. And a bored  (Y/N), is not a good (Y/N)."

Niragi knew exactly what you were talking about. In the past, when you got bored you'd go out and look for trouble. Texting your ex even though you were an independent bad bitch who didn't need a man, piercings, pulling pranks on him. It got messy.  Have the cops gotten involved? No, but it was pretty close to it. You somehow got out of it, and he would never question your skills.

Registration closed

Game Difficulty: 4 of Hearts

So... I haven't updated this in a while huh? Sorry about that-

[iateyourdoggo-part2]

chapter 6: play date at Kinako's house

so yes, it will be a play date at Kinako's house but not just for Kinako, but for everyone. E v e r y o n e. So enjoy this next chapter while your here! (your basically here for the story anyways why did i say that???)

tw: swearing (1 word), emojis, @buse, yelling, kids/siblings

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Kinako just picked up everyone from school (so im now changing the days of school to australian version bc its easier) since it was the last day. The schools weren't far walks from each other. Everyone arrived at home and everyone asked if they could have their friends over tomorrow. Since it was the holidays, Kinako said yes and Kai was going to have a playdate tomorrow as well. Kinako also thought it would be fun to bring Saika, Aori and Jien, too.

The first day of the holidays came and Kinako woke to the sound of a doorbell. She got out of bed and went to the front door. There were 10 people, not including an adult, that were waiting outside.

"Uhhh... What's going on?" Kinako asked.

"Everyone says their here for a playdate." Saika chuckled.

"I'll just leave Wakaba here for you guys." said a woman. It was the mother of Kai's friend.

"Okay. Bye Miss. Chou!" Kinako waved goodbye at Wakaba's mother and picked him up. "Well uh... come inside? I guess?"

Everyone walked in and all of Kinako's siblings came out to meet their friend. Kinako picked up Kai as well and took them both to Kai's room which was also his play room. It was now only Kinako, Saika, Aori and Jien in the living room. They had no idea what to do so they went to Kinako's room. The only room that had no noise was Reiya's because she was practicing her bass guitar in her room with her friend. The other kids were just playing games or talking about things they shared.

The older teens played some truth or dare. They didn't play any other games like spin the bottle because, duh, they all were taken by someone in the circle.

"Aori my beloved, truth or dare?" Jien asked.

"Dare. Haha good luck finding a good dare."

"I dare you to let me go through your phone pictures."

"Fuck!"

Aori handed his boyfriend his phone and Jien went through every picture in every file until he stopped at the last file. It read 'My Beloved' Jien looked at Aori and smirked. He clicked on the file and saw a bunch of saved photos and taken pictures of Jien. There were pictures of Jien shirtless, doing a cute face, him with Aori or Jien with cute filters. Jien chuckled about it and Aori blushed then snatched his phone back. Jien giggled and saw the 2 girls taking pictures.

After a couple of rounds of truth or dare, they all went to the kitchen to make some food. Aori and Jien served the food and Saika and Kinako went to get the kids. Kinako knocked lightly on the twins' door and opened it to see them both hugging their 'friends' arm.

"I-" Kinako was shocked but also confused. "Okay. 1. Come eat food. 2. Is she really your friend or above that? And 3. Why are both of you hugging her?"

"T-this is just a close friend! That's all... hehe." Ichisaki whispered tugging at their friend's shirt.

"And Tsukikage is a boy. He looks like a girl and..." Kisaki continued, he paused for a bit and did some quick little emoji drawings in a notebook.

😠👩‍🦰👏👊😥👩‍👦❌👩‍👧✔💁‍♀️🗨👗💭🧑➡👧

(angry, mom, hit, grabbed by force, scared, son, no, daughter, yes, mother, says, girl outfit, thinks/wants, boy, turn into, girl)

They all used emoji drawings to communicate when they had a secret or something. Kinako knew that the twins' friend Tsukikage was forced to become a girl by his mother.

"They have known me for a while and both like to hug me and stay close to me, that's all!" Tsukikage chuckled.

"I'm sorry, by the way for assuming you were a girl." Kinako apologized in humiliation.

"Hehe it's fine!"

"Well come eat because we're all waiting for you. And you 2, I will speak to later.", she pointed 2 fingers at her eyes and turned them to the twins' eyes as a warning, but not so much as a warning.

The whole table was crowded. There were 15 people. 2 toddlers, 2 pre-teens, 5 who just turned teens, 2 teens, and 4 young adults. The kids ate at the table and the older teens ate in the lounge room. There was so much dishes to wash.

"Why didn't you tell me about your relationship with Tsukikage? Are you guys dating him or-?" Kinako asked as she warned before.

"Well not exactly dating." , Ichisaki corrected, "We're just... friends."

"Hehe... Not exactly dating? What does that mean?" Tsukikage came out of the boys' room with a smile on his face.

Tsukikage was pretty popular at his school with the boys. He specifically chose to become friends with the twins for a reason. He may be a tall kid that looks 16 who are friends with 2 short twins who look 8 but they all get along so well they all practically know each other fully.

"Nothing!" Both twins spoke fast at the same time and turned their heads blushing.

'Soooooo... they're bisexual? I guess? Best not to think because I accidentally assumed a gender...' Kinako thought. She assumed they were bisexual because they were talking about a girl they met who was pretty a couple weeks ago when school started.

"Just next time tell me that you guys have a crush, doesn't matter what, gender or no gender." Kinako said calmly.

Both of the boys started to yell at her for saying that Tsukikage was their crush. She just walked back to her room and sat with her beloved Saika on her bed.

"What happened?" Saika asked because of the yelling outside.

"Just sorted out a few things with the twins. Kai and Wakaba should be going to bed now. You wanna help?"

Saika nodded and went with Kinako to a room where Kai and Wakaba played and looking a bit tired. The 2 girls put both toddlers to bed reading stories narrated by Kinako and lullabies sung by Saika. Kinako was also caught up in Saika's beautiful singing that even he fell asleep.

Thankfully, Kinako was very light. So Saika carried Kinako to her room and placed her on her bed again. Aori and Jien saw and left the room to watch some T.V on the couch. Saika laid down next to her girlfriend and had a small nap.

(here is what all the kids are doing btw:

Arisu and their friend, Kimu, studied in their room and then talked about some people at school. (not talking anything bad in case ur wondering, the 2 r just saying about some nice things about others)

Reiya and her friend, Hibina were, as mentioned before, practicing their music.

The twins and Tsukikage were playing some Mario Kart.

Kai and Wakaba were sleeping.

Tsubaki and her friend, Reiju, were working on a school project about animals.)

Saika and Kinako woke up to a small ringtone coming from a phone. Saika's mother, Rimi, called to come over for dinner and said to bring her as many friends as she wants, if she wishes. Aori and Jien were invited by her mother so they would be going. Ms. Rimi knew about Aori and Jien's relationship and was a bit disgusted but invited them anyways so she could be seen as a nice person. Saika decided she'd invite Kinako.

"B-but I can't!" Kinako exclaimed, "I need someone to look after my siblings..."

"Don't worry!" Saika touched Kinako's upper arm and rubbed it, "I know a very good friend who is very good with kids because she owns one of the best babysitter companies here."

"Really? Thank you!" Kinako was glad because her girlfriend just saved her life.

The rest of the day finished and everyone went home. Wakaba's mum picked him up from the playdate and left. That was such a long day. Now everyone was cleaning their rooms from their playdate.

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This chapter took so long it took up most of my time. its hard while i have my studies.

previous << chapter 6 >> next

@ibukis-music-shop @ultimate-plushielover @godly-gummybear @just-a-potterhead

(what the friends of everyone looks like:)

Reiji (Tsubaki's friend)

Tsukikage (The twins friend)

Hibina (Reiya's friend)

Kimu (Arisu's friend)

Wakaba (Kai's friend)

[fly-pow-bye]

ThunderCats Roar - “Dr. Dometone”

Co-Executive Producer: Victor Courtright

Supervising Producer: Nate Cash

Producer: Marly Halpern-Graser

Story by: Joan Ford

Teleplay by: Justin Becker

Directed by: Jessica Borutski

If you're looking for me, you better check under the earth...

The episode begins with Tygra suggesting a new mission for the ThunderCats: go around the rest of Third Earth and try to fill in the gaps in their knowledge of it. They know about everything around the Cat's Lair, they know about that evil pyramid where Mumm-Ra lives, and they even know about the horrors of hook mountain, but what about everything else?

Tygra, being the sensible one, just wants to make friends with everyone around them, but Lion-O immediately gets out his sword and thunders it up. Tygra makes a desperate plea to Lion-O to use his words and not his magical swordplay if he manages to find anyone in his spot of land. This happens to be a beach, and unfortunately, or maybe fortunately even if Snarf was there to prevent any kind of wrongful swordplay, nobody on Third Earth wanted to do a suntan. There is far more than a slight implication that Tygra put him there because he doesn't really trust Lion-O to not accidentally start wars, though that might come from Tygra's unique ability of having common sense.

Lion-O does manage to find a crab, though. The crab clearly can't talk, but that doesn't stop Lion-O from chasing it under the water, telling the crab that he just wants to ambassador it. No, there's no explanation to how Lion-O can speak and/or breathe underwater, but they do at least make him do a gurgling voice. It is basic cartoon logic: plot holes are okay as long as they're funny, and...eh, I don't know.

Speaking of holes, Lion-O lifts up a bunch of rocks that the crab was trying to, and one of them happens to be the Giant Oceanic Plug. One might think a giant plug at the bottom of the ocean was something made up for this wacky reboot, but no, that's actually something from the original ThunderCats. Unplugging it was something the ThunderCats had to prevent, as unplugging leads to...

...a really, really dry planet. This is shown by showing what the other ThunderCats are doing, with the oceans receding into the hole that plug was covering in the background. They could have just ended with the shot of Third Earth without an ocean, but it's good to see the effects Lion-O's bumbling is causing in the world, even if nobody else seems to care. Well, one person seems to care, at least.

The episode is called Dr. Dometone, so we get to see him come in with his giant amphibian robot, which he names Hercules. Just like in the original, he is the guardian of the Great Oceanic Plug, and he's none too thrilled to see the lack of water. Lion-O has no time to discuss this, because hey, a new guy to ambassador!

With no knowledge of what evil person could have done such a thing, he jumps into Hercules, and dives right into the plug. Somehow, this diving makes a fart sound, because we needed one of those. Lion-O, who snuck into the robot alongside Snarf much to the doctor's mismay, just ends up telling him he did it. Any kind of tongue lashing against him would have to wait, though.

There's an upside down city of mushroom people known as the Moldians, all sobbing from having their underground city flooded. As the Lord of the ThunderCats, he tries his best to tell everyone that he will help them out with this sudden flooding without telling them he was the one who did it. I do like this line:

Moldian Mother: My baby is all wet!

Lion-O: I'll get you a new...uh, I'll dry your baby.

A rare moment where Lion-O has to realize what he said. They manage to find the mayor, Sportimer Fungustus, and he tips his hat-shaped head as much as he would allow at the fine gentlemen. Dometome tells Lion-O to stay quiet and let him do all the talking, as Lion-O has done enough harm. He does make the mistake of introducing them as being with him, and Lion-O had to say two words that really gets the Mayor upset: "what's up?"

It turns out, the Moldians aren't exactly hip to that phrase, and assume he's asking what is up. The Mayor points down to the ground and says "the ground", and this leads to an argument. See, to the Moldians, up is down and down is up. They spend quite a bit of time explaining this to the audience, along with how they're in the hollow part of Third Earth. This could be our first confirmation this isn't a far out into the future version of the Earth we're on now, but I'm not sure about that.

Because the plot needs to go further, Lion-O butts in and says that nothing Dr. Dometome is saying is making any sense, because all of that water was drained into this city. With a zoomed out shot to possibly indicate how awkward that statement was, it's clear that the Mayor isn't too happy to be eye to eye with the people responsible for the great flood. Lion-O may not get that tongue lashing, but he will get something else.

BUM BUM BUM BUM, Lion-O, Dr. Dometome, Snarf, and even Hercules are now tied up to a mushroom rocket with chains! The Moldians did at the very least know that superheroes would need a little bit more than ordinary rope. That rocket is headed straight for Third Earth's core, or, as the Moldians know it, the "great sky ball."

Frowning at the fiery doom that he has accidentally put his new friend and his cool robot into, he can still hear the nagging words of Tygra, telling him that he should do the opposite of what he normally does. I'll say this, how he interprets this is way better than the way Lion-O did the opposite of what he says he's going to do from the previous episode. It also gives a point to that sword scene in the intro, which is nice to see.

We do get our mandated action scene, and I'm not complaining about that at all, as the Moldians have declared war on their "underground" menace. Aw, and he was trying to prevent that from happening! It's here where Dr. Dometome's involvement in the plot besides all of that exposition reaches its apex, as we get to see him use that giant robot to avoid all of those mushroom missiles. Yeah, that's pretty much it.

Technically doing the opposite of what he did, even if he's actually doing the same thing he did before, Lion-O goes "up" into the ocean. "Over" their waters, they have their own plug, conveniently labelled the "reverse plug". Who put that sign there? Who cares, the most important part is that it fixed everything, and none of the other ThunderCats suspected a thing. He must be so glad everything ended up being convenient.

As the honest Lord of the ThunderCats, he does end up telling him the truth about his adventures, but Tygra doesn't believe him. They do add a twist on this by making him not believe anyone else, either. Admittedly, playing ping pong with a mole man? Those are pretty outlandish compared to fighting giant mummy monsters.

It all ends with a rather generic The End card, but I do appreciate the consistency with their appearance.

How does it stack up?

It's a pretty silly episode, but I do like the (literal) world building. 4 cats.

Next, with such a title, an episode that's sure to be exciting!

← Mandora - The Evil Chaser 🐈 Study Time →

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Blood & Roses or Strawberry Milk

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This passage contains potentially: swearing, blood, whump and fluff content and violence.

Summary: A continuation of the previous chapter but more specifically, within this chapter Kirby and Roddy get to know each other better before splitting up for a while.

Kirby's POV:

Roddy stopped, realising what he had just said, "Sorry, I got overexcited."

"It's okay, just don't get a stiffie, alright?"

Roddy laughed, "Alright. I should get going, … unless you want to get breakfast together."

"Sure, you need a new shirt, unless you're planning on spending today in just the kilt."

"Maybe I will."

"Roddy, don't."

He shoots me a reassuring glance, "I think, my hotel room is the floor above."

"You're telling me this now?"

"let me check if I still have the key," He opened the pouch of the sporran and got the key out, "Room, one-hundred and fifteen."

"I believe that's actually down the hall."

Roddy left for a couple minutes, coming back wearing a black t-shirt covered by a blue plaid shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Oh wow, I almost forgot you were Scottish for a second, Piper."

"Ha, so very, very funny, Kirby. That reminds me of something."

"What?"

"Where does your name come from?"

"Old Norse, originally it meant 'Church Settlement'. However, my parents named me after the artist Jack Kirby, I think."

"Norse, as in, Vikings?"

"Norse as in I'm a quarter Norwegian."

"So, you're Scottish, Norwegian, anything else I should know about you?"

"I'm also Welsh and Irish. I grew up in Cardiff and my mother grew up on the Isle of Skye."

"Where exactly on the Isle of Skye?"

"Uig, I believe, near Kilt Rock."

"Wait, Kilt Rock?"

"Yes Roddy, There is a place called Kilt Rock."

"Well then," He adjusted his collar slightly, "Shall we." He tries to sound as suave as possible.

"Nice try, Romeo, it's not going to make me like you any more."

I grabbed my old leather jacket from within my suitcase and we started walking and, eventually, reached a small diner, we settled into a corner booth and I started scanning the menu for something to please my appetite, my wallet secure in my jacket pocket, I slid my mask into the opposite pocket, it stuck out slightly but wasn't noticeable.

"Good morning. My name is Debbie, I'll be your server today. What can I get for you two lovebirds?"

"I'll have," Roddy began, clearly either avoiding correcting the young waitress or not caring to correct her, "the 'Power Breakfast' with toast and a regular latte."

"And the lady?" she looked over from Piper to myself, before doing a double and take fully taking me in.

"I will have, the 'Tropical Waffle' with a side of 'Canadian Bacon' and a strawberry milkshake, please Debbie."

"Y-yes, Miss. So, that's the Power Breakfast and toast with a latte for the gentleman and the Tropical Waffle with a side of Canadian Bacon and a strawberry milkshake for the lady?"

"Yes." We said in unison, watching the waitress walk away.

"Roddy."

"What?" He scoffed

"Oh I don't know, perhaps you should have clarified that we," I gestured to him and then myself, "Are not 'lovebirds'?"

"Oh come on, you know if I let her know that she would've pried into our lives, y'know."

"Really now, Piper?"

"Yes, and stop calling me Piper, it's too formal, we know each other better than that, it's Roddy, or Rod, not Piper from now on, alright?"

"Alright. Roddy."

When the food arrived the waitress seemed to want to get the food to us and get out quickly.

"How's the leg?" I inquired before shoving a forkful of strawberry and waffle into my mouth.

"It hurts a little, but I've been through worse."

"Like bottling yourself." I mumbled through the mouthful of sugary bliss.

"Exactly." Roddy said through a mouthful of toast and turkey breast.

"You really should stop doing that." I warned him.

"Why, you care about me getting brain damage or somethin'?"

"No, I just, I can't stand the idea of you getting hurt, not after last night." I tried to keep my concerned tone to a minimum.

Roddy reached out to grab my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles, "I'm okay. you made sure of that."

I know I should listen to him but I shrugged him off and went back to my meal, finishing it all as Roddy was around 3/4 done with his meal. Sipping my drink and gazing at Rod's beaten up face, focusing on his hairline still tinted a dark red with blood.

"You alright Kirby?"

I looked away quickly, "You're hair, it's …"

"Brown, I know. It's boring, why?" Sarcasm rang clear in his tone.

"No, Roddy, you're hair is tinted red, from the blood."

"Still, I thought I washed all the blood out." He was clearly joking but it stung me slightly and I don't know why.

"Y'know Kirby, Schultz was right about you."

"Really, how?"

"You're a fighter, a real tough guy, uh, gal, but you're nice, sweet even. You care about people, regardless of who they are."

"You were bleeding to death in a hotel corridor, right outside my room. I heard you get thrown against a wall. Would you rather I let you die?"

"I'd rather you'd left me and ran after the asshole who hurt me."

"It would have resulted in your death, Roddy. I couldn't let you die."

"Why not?"

"Because … because. I don't know okay. I chose to save you and that's that, alright."

"Alright, we should pay and get outta here."

"Already ahead of you." I pulled out my wallet and placed $35 on the table, calling the waitress over with my hand.

We paid and left, with me swiftly placing my mask back over my face. I caught Roddy staring at my face out of the corner of my eye.

"Kirby?"

I hummed in response.

"Why do you wear a mask, you're not hideous."

"I think every wrestling commentator I've ever met would disagree with you."

"what d'ya mean?"

"They call me 'The Ogress', Roddy. They call me a female Ogre."

"Then, they're wrong, you're not a hideous beast."

"Just because I saved you, doesn't mean I'm like that to everyone."

"How bad could you be? Sure you've made some dumb decisions in the past but the past's the past."

"Yeah, last night is also 'the past' Roddy."

"Look, all I'm trying to say, is, well, thank you and, don't listen to people, half the time they don't know what their words mean to the people they're saying them to."

"So, we are we headed, Roddy?"

"I don't know, maybe back to the hotel."

"Sure."

The rest of the walk back to my hotel room was silent, until we were inside the hotel room.

"So, who's better at conversation, me or André?"

"Well, Drey's got a natural charm to him, he's kind and knows the troubles that someone with gigantism goes through."

"Wait a second, 'Drey'?"

"Yeah, Drey, Why?"

"That's a pretty unique pet name. What is he, your boyfriend?"

"No, no, just an extremely close friend."

"Close, as in?"

"Close as in, we are just pals, you sound awfully jealous Roddy."

"Me, jealous. Ha! never."

"Never, really?"

I was trying to rile him up, and by the way he shifted his weight from one leg to the other before quickly shifting back, I could tell it was working.

"I'm not jealous, alright. It's just been a really long time since I've had a female friend as, nice, as you."

"Rod, come here a second," I got closer to him, to check the graze on his forehead, gently moving his hair away from his temple to get a better look, "Hold on, don't … don't move."

He held still and let me check the wound, it was healing, slowly but definitely healing. I changed my focus to the cut on his eyebrow on the other side of his face, gently placing my thumb next to the cut to hold his head still.

"Hey what are ya- Ah!" Roddy pulled away.

"Come back here."

"At least buy me dinner first." His tone once again became jovial.

"Roddy." I glared into his eyes.

He glared right back, as if to show how quickly he could switch his moods and making my breathing catch in my throat for a second.

"I think I need a moment" I whispered, turning to head to the bathroom before Rod grabbed me by the arm.

"I'm sorry," His voice soft and caring, "I didn't mean to scare ya."

This was new, a much softer and mellow version of Roddy.

"You didn't scare me that much, Roddy."

I continued to the bathroom and closed the door, undressing and getting ready to shower. I had been in the shower for only a few minutes when I heard the door to the room open and close suddenly, stepping out of the bathroom I realised that Roddy had left, leaving a note on the same page of the sketchbook that I had left a prior note to him.

"Thought I should get some rest in my own room. Thanks again. Roddy." I murmured as I read.

I hope he gets some proper rest, and heals quickly but I can't help but feel lonely without him here. God what am I saying, I don't like Roddy that much. Almost as if I love him, I don't for the record, I'm still not fully over Erik. God, I miss Erik. His kind smile, his flaming ginger hair, his goatee and the way any shirt would hug his muscles if he worked up a sweat. An extremely handsome man with the balls, or guts, to wear a kilt and not care what people thought about him because of it. There's no way I could give him up if the opportunity were to present itself ever again. I looked at the digital clock next to the phone and, realising how late it was decided to strip down to my underwear and get some rest.

I woke up to rapid knocking on my door and the door handle being jostled around from the outside. I hurried to get dressed and opened the door, my hair flowing over my right shoulder in loose waves. I swung the door open to Roddy, with a worried look on his face.

"God, what time do you call this?"

"I don't care what you're gonna say next, listen to me."

"Roddy," I looked over at the clock, "It's four in the morning."

"I know, but I could nae get ya off my mind." He stepped in, obviously stressed and closed the door behind him, "Listen ta me, just listen ta me."

"I'm listening Roddy" I huffed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"How about you and me go out on a date, no one needs to know. Just you, me, perhaps a diner like yesterday, or a coffee shop?"

"Roddy, I fly back to Cardiff tomorrow, I haven't got time to have both a social life and a career involving another Scotsman, alright. I," I paused, "I'm still not over the last time I had my heart broken."

Rod dropped to his healthy knee, placing a hand on my cheek and looking me in the eyes, "I won't break you're heart, I promise, even if it takes a while for us to be near each other every single day. I won't give up on you. I swear on God above."

"Roddy, I … I guess it's worth a shot, I still have to fly back to-"

Rod cut me off by pressing his lips to mine, my eyes widened before I relaxed into the kiss, slipping one hand under his chin and the other around his back as he slipped his arms around my waist to lift me up to my feet, Rod having to lean up slightly as I leaned down into the kiss.

For the first time, in a long time, I felt at peace with the universe, the same feeling I had felt whilst visiting my aunt on the Isle of Skye.

Rod pulled away, breathing heavily, "I've wanted to do that ever since our first sparring session," He breathed a deep sigh, "Ever since I saw your face without that mask on," he took another breath, "It's funny what almost dying will do to you."

"Shut up, Roddy, just shut up." I pressed my forehead against his.

Then I woke up.

I woke up on the morning of January the eleventh, to silence, I looked at the clock, 5: 50, no signs of Roddy, I felt sick, like I had pushed my own boundaries too far. I rushed to get into the shower and clean myself of that dream, fantasy, whatever you want to call it.

I cleaned up the hotel room, got dressed and got to packing my things into my suitcase and duffel bag, before walking to the hotel lobby, leaving this hotel for hopefully the last time and heading to my truck. My dad had bought me a 1974 Dodge D200 when I was twenty.

A trustworthy vehicle and and a truck I could, albeit with a slight amount of discomfort. I packed the truck and planned on heading out to the next place, Queens, New York.

END OF BLOOD & ROSES or STRAWBERRY MILK.