#spirit vs wind battle royale

[fallingintheforest]

Chapter 24: The War Ended & The Heroes Reunited Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Additional Tags: Linked Universe (Legend of Zelda), Alternate Universe, Character Study, War, world building, Trauma, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Political Intrigue, Found Family, Angst and Humor, Warriors is a very complicated person, Warriors also does not know Time is Mask, Warriors (Linked Universe)-centric, Canon-Typical Violence, Heavy Angst, Manipulation, Morally Ambiguous Character, Please read content warnings before each chapter, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Physical Abuse, Implied Sexual Content, Power Imbalance, Implied/Referenced Torture, Blood and Injury, Disabled Character Summary: “You are going to hear a lot of terrible things about me. Most of it is going to be true.” Being the hero who saved Hyrule from a bloody war was a thankless job that left Warriors with more regrets than he cared to remember. He only started to heal after meeting his fellow heroes from across time and joining them on their quest to defeat the black-blooded monsters. But when his time-hopping journey takes him back home, he finds his kingdom on the brink of war once more. This war threatens to ensnare not only Warriors, but his newfound family as well. Warriors will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, even if that means becoming a traitor to the kingdom he gave up everything to save. But the harder Warriors works to protect his family, the more the secrets of his dark past come to life. Who is Captain Link Walton, the Hero of Warriors? What happened to the two other heroes he had once fought alongside all those years ago? When this is over, will Warriors even have a family left to save or is he doomed to repeat his past mistakes? (Once, there were three brothers: the captain, the engineer, and the child. Their story did not have a happy ending.)

Surprise update!

Guess who was so surprised that she finished the chapter that she didn't have time to tease it?

Please note that while the rating for CTB has been upgraded to Mature, this story is not going to be any darker than it already is. The people have spoken via poll, and I can finally acknowledge that CTB should have been marked as Mature since the beginning.

In this chapter of my 100% adult, no kiddie bumper fan fiction:

Link cries over a pudding bun

Time and Warriors have an honest talk about what happened in the past and what the future will look like

A newly rescued Twilight enters pack leader mode and cleans house

READ IT HERE⏩

[kcuf-ad]

When Judgement Day is finished, I want one thing.

I want a Yuno vs Asta fight. No help from other Black Bulls or Golden Dawn, no Battle Royale, no title that is just hand given to one person due to how much they have defeated Lucius, NO!

I want these two kids to go full at it, using every single trick they have, every single combo you can think off! Demon-Dweller absorbing a Spirit Storm and countering it to a Hasta, Notus proppelling one of the swords from Asta, a Towering Tornado against the Demon-Destroyer Sword, Combination Magic that isn't just Never-Neverland something like Cosmic Storm, Solar Wind and more against Asta's Devil Union, Spirit Of Zephyr against Demon-Slasher.

I want for them to use all of their power, that their strongest attack, destroys everything around them, leaving a massive crater that have two orphans still standing as they looked over each other and when they realize that they only have stamina for one attack, they both rush at each other with Haruka Mirai playing in the background, with Yuno making sure that Asta doesn't have his swords for this one attack as Asta rushes towards him with no Swords as Yuno uses his last magic for a Towering Tornado to make his swords fly away so that he will make sure that this will be fair as both of them reached out the very hands they used to make that promise since the first episode with flashbacks of their entire journey up until now as everyone from Clover, Spade, Diamond, Heart and Land of the Sun watch this final attack for a direct punch to the jaw as both of them fall on the ground, with Asta standing a few seconds longer than Yuno, declaring that Asta is the Wizard King.

I would love to see that and I don't mind if Yuno loses as I know that even if he hates losing, he would be happy that Asta finally achived his dream of becoming the Wizard King.

[themattress]

Archie Sonic: Full Issue Database

THE CLASSIC ERA #0: Don't Cry For Me, Mobius/Oh No Robo! No Mo' Mobo! - Gallagher #1: Run, Sally, Run/Something Fishy - Gallagher #2: A Crowning Achievement - Gallagher #3: What If.../Why Ask Spy? - Gallagher --------------------------------------- #1: Hedgehog & Vine/You Bet My Life - Gallagher #2: Triple Trouble/Vertigo A' Go-Go - Gallagher #3: The Bomb Bugs Me/Rabbot Deployment - Gallagher #4: The Lizard of Odd/Tails' Little Tale - Gallagher #5: Olympic Trial and Error/Chomp on This - DeCesare #6: The Spin Doctor/Sonic's Christmas Carol - Gallagher/DeCesare #7: Uncle Chuck's Treasure/Sorceress in Distress - DeCesare #8: Bot's All Folks/A Little Sonic Goes a Long Way - Gallagher #9: Pseudo-Sonic/What's the Point? - Gallagher/DeCesare #10: Revenge of the Nerbs/Twan With the Wind - DeCesare #11: Good, Bad and Hedgehog/Beat the Clock/Food for Thought - Penders & Kanterovich #12: A Timely Arrival/Bold-Headed Eagle/Lynx is a Jinx - Gallagher/DeCesare #13: This Island Hedgehog/Space in Your Face - Penders & Kanterovich/DeCesare #14: Tails' Taste of Power/Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - DeCesare/Penders & Kanterovich #15: Rockin' The Bot/Animal Magnetism - DeCesare #16: Sonic Under Glass/The Man From H.E.D.G.E.H.O.G - Penders & Kanterovich #17: The Apes of Wrath/Princess Sally's Crusade (1) - Penders & Kanterovich #18: Wedding Bell Blues/Princess Sally's Crusade (2) - Penders & Kanterovich SP1: Princess Sally's Crusade (3) - Penders & Kanterovich #19: Night of 1,000 Hedgehogs - Penders & Kanterovich #20: That's the Spirit/Deadlest of the Species - DeCesare/Penders & Kanterovich MS1: Princess Sally - Penders & Kanterovich #21: The Three Phases of E.V.E - Penders #22: The Return/Tail's Knighttime Story - Penders/DeCesare #23: Ivo Robotnik, Freedom Fighter/The Vol-Ant-Teer - DeCesare #24: When Hedgehogs Collide - Penders & Kanterovich #25: Go Ahead...Mecha My Day - Gallagher SP2: Sonic & Knuckles - Penders #26: Way, Way Past Cool - DeCesare SP3: Sonic Triple Trouble - Gallagher #27: A Scrambled Hedgehog/Coming Soon - Penders/Gallagher #28: Saturday Night's Alright For a Fight/Growing Pains (1) - Penders/Gallagher #29: Steel Belted Sally/Growing Pains (2) - DeCesare/Gallagher MS2: Sonic's Buddy Tails - Gallagher #30: The Return of Uncle Chuck/Who Stole My Chaos Emeralds? - DeCesare/Castiglia SP4: Knuckles' Chaotix - Penders #31: A Robot Rides the Rails/Lost and Found/Tundra Road (1) - Penders/Gallagher #32: Blast From the Past/Prisoners/Tundra Road (2) - DeCesare/Penders/Gallagher #33: Let's Get Small/The Big Picture/Sonic Shot - Gallagher/Penders SP5: Super Sonic vs. Hyper Knuckles - Gallagher/Penders #34: To Bot or Not to Bot/A Sense of History (1) - DeCesare/Penders #35: Rings of Truth/A Sense of History (2) - Gallagher/Penders #36: Heart of Darkness/A Sense of History (3) - Penders MS3: Sonic's Friendly Nemesis Knuckles - Penders #37: The Day Robotropolis Fell/Bunnie's Worst Nightmare - DeCesare/Koslowski #38: The Rise of Robotropolis/Bedtime Tails - Taylor/Penders #39: Rage Against the Machine - Gallagher SP6: Sonic & Knuckles Mecha Madness - Gallagher/Taylor #40: Court Martial - Gallagher #41: And One Shall Save Him - Penders MS4: Sonic Quest (The Death Egg Saga) - Gallagher #42: In Every Kingdom There Must Exist Chaos/Knuckles Quest (1) - Taylor/Penders #43: The Dream Zone - Penders SP7: Sonic Live/The Substitute FFs/Knuckles Quest (2) - Penders/Koslowski/Taylor #44: Black and Blue and Red All Over - Penders SP8: Sonic Blast/The T.U.F.F Awards/Bugged Bunnie - Gallagher/DeCesare #45: Guerilla Thriller/Knuckles Quest (3) - DeCesare/Taylor/Penders #46: Countdown to Armageddon/Knuckles Quest (4) - Taylor/Penders SS1: Battle Royal/The Map - Taylor/Penders/Rolston #47: Endgame (1) - Penders #48: Endgame (2) - Penders/Taylor #49: Endgame (3) - Penders/Gallagher #50: Endgame (4) - Penders/Gallagher/Bollers/Taylor ------------------------------------------------------ KTE#1: The Dark Legion (1) - Penders/Taylor KTE#2: The Dark Legion (2) - Penders/Taylor KTE#3: The Dark Legion (3) - Penders/Taylor

THE ADVENTURING ERA #51: Reality Bytes - Bollers #52: The Discovery Zone/First Contact - Rolston/Bollers SS2: Brave New World - Penders SS3: Sonic Firsts - Gallagher/Penders & Kanterovich #53: Unfinished Business/Sounds of Silence - Penders/Bollers SS4: Return of the King/Down and Out in Downunda - Bollers/Gallagher #54: Running to Stand Still - Bollers #55: Monkey Madness/Rise of the Robians - Strom/Bollers #56: Immortality is Forever, Life is Finite - Taylor SS5: Sonic Kids - Gallagher/Rolston/Bollers #57: Back to Basics - Bollers #58: Friendly Rogues and Foul Villains/The Living Crown - Penders/Emery #59: Opposites Detract/The People's Princess - Gallagher/Penders #60: Arsenal of the Iron King/The Ultimatum - Strom/Penders SS6: Sonic 50 Directors Cut - Penders/Gallagher/Bollers/Taylor #61: Outback Check/Total Turbulence/Secret Service (1) - Gallagher/Bollers/Penders #62: Icon (1)/Secret Service (2) - Bollers/Penders #63: Icon (2)/Secret Service (3) - Bollers/Penders SS7: Parallel Paradigm - Penders #64: The Naugus Trilogy (1)/Secret Service (4) - Bollers/Penders #65: The Naugus Trilogy (2)/The Library - Bollers/Penders #66: The Naugus Trilogy (3)/And Then There Was One - Bollers SS8: Sally Moon - Slott/Brown/Ribeiro/Strom/Oliveras #67: Tomb Raider/Shadows in the Dark - Bollers/Penders #68: Surprise/Survival of the Fittest - Bollers/Penders SS9: Sonic Kids 2 - Gallagher #69: A Day in the Life/Weathering the Storm - Bollers/Penders #70: Saving Nate Morgan/Statute of Limitations - Bollers/Castiglia #71: Retro Activity/Tales of the Great War (Prelude) - Bollers/Penders SS10: One Enchantra Evening/Zone Wars: A Tale of Two Hedgehogs - Gallagher/Bollers #72: I, Robotnik/Tales of the Great War (1) - Bollers/Penders #73: The Truth is Out There/Tales of the Great War (2) - Bollers/Penders #74: Don't Call It a Comeback/Tales of the Great War (3) - Bollers/Penders #75: I Am The Eggman - Bollers SS11: Girls Rule - Penders/Gallagher #76: Business as Usual/Tales of the Great War (4) - Bollers/Penders #77: Rebels Without a Pause/Tales of the Great War (5) - Bollers/Penders SS12: Turnabout Heroes/Zone Wars: Giant Robotno - Penders/Bollers/Slott #78: Changes/Tales of the Great War (6) - Bollers/Penders #79: The Discovery/The Chaos Factor/Tales of the Great War (7) - Bollers/Penders #80: If Wishes Were Acorns/Land Fall/Swallowing Trouble - Bollers/Penders #81: City of Dreams/All You Need's a Bit of Chaos/A Rose Plucked - Bollers/Penders #82: Night of Chaos/A Door To The Past/Double-Crossed Circuits - Bollers/Penders SS13: Sonic Adventure - Bollers/Penders #83: Menace to Society - Bollers SS14: Law of the Land/Best of Times, Worst of Times - Skolnick/Spivey/Penders #84: Perfect Chaos/Bridge Under Troubled Waters - Penders #85: The Big Payback - Bollers #86: Heart of the Hedgehog (1)/Against the Haunted Past (1) - Fingeroth/Strom #87: Heart of the Hedgehog (2)/Against the Haunted Past (2) - Fingeroth/Strom SS15: Naugus Games / Spin City - Penders/Gallagher ------------------------------------------------------------ KTE#4: Lost Paradise (1) - Penders KTE#5: Lost Paradise (2) - Penders KTE#6: Lost Paradise (3) - Penders KTE#7: Dark Vengeance (1) - Penders KTE#8: Dark Vengeance (2) - Penders KTE#9: Dark Vengeance (3) - Penders KTE#10: The Forgotten Tribe (1) - Penders KTE#11: The Forgotten Tribe (2) - Penders KTE#12: The Forgotten Tribe (3) - Penders KTE#13: The Chaotix Caper (1) - Penders KTE#14: The Chaotix Caper (2) - Penders KTE#15: The Chaotix Caper (3) - Penders KTE#16: Reunions - Penders KTE#17: Deep Cover (1) - Penders KTE#18: Deep Cover (2) - Penders KTE#19: The Forbidden Zone (1) - Penders KTE#20: The Forbidden Zone (2) - Penders KTE#21: The Forbidden Zone (3) - Penders KTE#22: Dark Alliance (1) - Penders KTE#23: Dark Alliance (2) - Penders KTE#24: Dark Alliance (3) - Penders KTE#25: Childhood's End - Penders KTE#26: The First Date (1) - Penders KTE#27: The First Date (2) - Penders KTE#28: The First Date (3) - Penders KTE#29: My Special Friend - Penders KTE#30: King of the Hill (1) - Penders KTE#31: King of the Hill (2) - Penders KTE#32: King of the Hill (3) - Penders

THE DECLINING ERA #88: Family Matters/Picking Up the Pieces - Bollers/Penders #89: Thicker Than Water/A Matter of Self-Interest - Bollers/Penders #90: Sword of Omens/Between a Rock and a Hard Place - Bollers/Penders #91: Crash/Hired Guns - Bollers/Penders #92: The Wrath of Khan/Premonition - Bollers/Penders #93: Crime 'N Punishment/Bagging the Big One - Bollers/Penders #94: New Order/The Best Laid Plans - Bollers/Penders #95: Enemy Mine/When Destiny Calls - Bollers/Penders #96: The Messenger/The Chosen One - Bollers/Penders #97: My Secret Identity/To The Brink - Bollers/Penders #98: Sonic Adventure 2/As the Shadow Awakes - Bollers/Penders #99: Blow by Blow/What Comes Around Goes Around - Bollers/Penders #100: Reunion/Welcome to the Dark Side - Bollers/Penders #101: Altered States/Reboot - Bollers/Penders #102: Family Dysfunction/Life's Realities - Bollers/Penders #103: FFs of the Galaxy (1)/Myth Taken Identity (1) - Gallagher #104: FFs of the Galaxy (2)/Myth Taken Identity (2) - Gallagher #105: You Say You Want a Revolution?/Myth Taken Identity (3) - Bollers/Gallagher #106: Crouching Hedgehog, Hidden Dragon (1)/Reunification (1) - Bollers/Penders #107: Crouching Hedgehog, Hidden Dragon (2)/Reunification (2) - Bollers/Penders #108: Robotnik x 2 = Trouble/A Girl Named Hope/Reunification (3) - Bollers/Penders #109: Heard it Through the Pipeline/The Crush/Reunification (4) - Bollers/Penders #110: War Games/One For All - Bollers #111: Kids of the Spider Woman/I'll Shoot the Sheriff!/The Trouble With Grrrls! - Bollers #112: Mistaken Identity Crisis/Forgiven - Bollers #113: Cry of the Wolf - Oliveras #114: Twice Told Tails/Ultimate Power (1)/Young At Heart - Bollers/Penders #115: Meanie in a Bottle/Ultimate Power (2) - Bollers/Penders #116: Operation Off Switch/Bat Fight/Ultimate Power (Mid-Logue) - Bollers/Penders #117: Cyber Race/The Tortoise and the Hedgehog/Ultimate Power (3) - Bollers/Chacon/Penders #118: Robotnik Returns/Heart to Heart/Ultimate Power (4) - Bollers/Penders #119: Cater-Killer is Coming!/Dust Bunnie/Time Code - Bollers #120: She's Gotta Have Him/Those Were the Days/The Royal Signet - Bollers/Penders/Chacon #121: The Prince and the Revolution/Afterlife (1)/Song Bird - Bollers/Penders/Chacon #122: Hearts Held Hostage (1)/Afterlife (2)/Only One Guardian - Bollers/Penders #123: Hearts Held Hostage (2)/Afterlife (3)/The Last Robian - Bollers/Penders #124: Sonic Adventure 2.5 (Alpha)/Afterlife (4) - Bollers/Penders #125: Sonic Adventure 2.5 (Omega) - Bollers

THE MISERABLE ERA #126: Tossed in Space (1 & 2)/Better Read Than Dead - Bollers/Gallagher #127: Tossed in Space (3)/Agent Sonic vs. Agent Knuckles - Bollers/Gallagher #128: Tossed in Space (4 & 5) - Bollers #129: Tossed in Space (6 & 7) - Chacon/Bollers #130: Home (1) - Bollers #131: Home (2)/Mobius 25YL (Prologue) - Bollers/Penders #132: Home (3)/Mobius 25YL (1) - Bollers/Penders #133: Home (4)/Mobius 25YL (2) - Bollers/Penders #134: Home (Epilogue)/Mobius 25YL (3) - Bollers/Penders #135: Agent of K.N.O.T.H.O.L.E/Anonymous/Mobius 25YL (4) - Chacon/Bollers/Penders #136: The Infiltrator/Mobius 25YL (5)/Patience - Chacon/Penders #137: Robo-Dyne Systems/Mobius 25YL (6)/Ooh-La-La Treachery - Chacon/Penders #138: Return to Angel Island (1)/Mobius 25YL (7) - Bollers/Penders #139: Return to Angel Island (2)/Mobius 25YL (8) - Bollers/Penders #140: Return to Angel Island (3)/Mobius 25YL (9) - Bollers/Penders #141: Return to Angel Island (4)/Mobius 25YL (10) - Bollers/Penders #142: The Original FFs (1)/I Wanna Be a Freedom Fighter/Mobius 25YL (11) - Chacon/Penders #143: The Original FFs (2)/Mobius 25YL (12) - Chacon/Penders #144: Mobius 25YL (13)/Love and Loss - Penders/Chacon #145: Shadows of Hope/Training Day/Harbringer - Penders/Bollers #146: The Good, Bad and Unknown (1)/Out of Your Shell/Circuit Me - Penders/Chacon #147: The Good, Bad and Unknown (2)/This Side of Parodies/Fox and the Hound - Penders/Gallagher/Chacon #148: The Good, Bad and Unknown (3)/Playing Around/Destiny's Child - Penders/Ribiero #149: The Good, Bad and Unknown (4)/The Chosen One (1) - Penders/Chacon #150: From Hero to Zero in No Time At All/The Chosen One (2) - Penders/Chacon #151: Chaos Emeralds are Forever/Stargazer - Penders/Del Rio #152: Engage/Sonic's Angels - Penders #153: Songoose (1)/Fairy Tale - Bollers/Chacon #154: Songoose (2)/More Than Meets The Eye - Bollers/Penders #155: Line of Succession (1)/The Price of Flame (1) - Penders/Gallagher #156: Line of Succession (2)/The Price of Flame (2) - Penders/Gallagher #157: System Shutdown - Penders #158: System Reconfiguration - Penders #159: System Reboot - Penders

THE RENEWAL ERA #160: Birthday Bash (1)/Sonic Rush (1) - Flynn #161: Birthday Bash (2)/Sonic Rush (2) - Flynn #162: The Darkest Storm (1)/Ties That Bind - Flynn #163: The Darkest Storm (2)/Sonic Riders (1) - Flynn #164: The Darkest Storm (3)/Sonic Riders (2) - Flynn #165: Leak/Call of Duty - Flynn #166: Mobius 25YL (14)/The Chaotix Connection - Flynn #167: Mobius 25YL (15)/Hedgehog Day - Flynn #168: Order From Chaos (1)/Courage and Honor - Flynn #169: Order From Chaos (2)/For a Friend - Flynn #170: Comings & Goings/The Island of Misfit Badniks - Flynn/Gallagher #171: I Am/Enforcers - Flynn #172: Truth of the Heart/Worth the Effort - Flynn #173: Round Up!/See Ya Later, Chao (1) - Flynn #174: Union/See Ya Later, Chao (2) - Flynn #175: Eggman Empire - Flynn #176: Cracking the Empire - Flynn #177: Home, New Home - Flynn #178: House of Cards (1) - Flynn #179: House of Cards (2) - Flynn #180: Preparations for War/High Stakes on the High Sea - Flynn #181: Enerjak Reborn (1)/Undone - Flynn #182: Enerjak Reborn (2)/Albion's Shameful Secret - Flynn #183: Enerjak Reborn (3)/Ashes and Dust - Flynn #184: Enerjak Reborn (4)/Anything - Flynn #185: Mogul Rising (1)/The Misfit Badniks Sequel - Flynn/Gallagher #186: Mogul Rising (2)/Honor-Bound - Flynn #187: Mogul Rising (3) - Flynn #188: Mogul Rising (4) - Flynn #189: Bold New Moebius (1) - Flynn #190: Bold New Moebius (2) - Flynn #191: Metal and Mettle (1)/Invaders From Beyond - Flynn #192: Metal and Mettle (2)/Father and Son - Flynn #193: Otherside (1)/Sonic Unleashed! - Flynn #194: Otherside (2)/Sleepless in New Megaopolis - Flynn #195: Hedgehog Havoc (1) - Flynn #196: Hedgehog Havoc (2) - Flynn #197: Consequences/Knight Time - Flynn #198: Egg Phoenix Down - Flynn #199: Knocking on Eggman's Door - Flynn #200: Turnabout is Fair Play - Flynn ------------------------------------ SU#1: Living Weapons - Flynn SU#2: Time & Again - Flynn SU#3: Old Soldiers - Flynn SU#4: The Ultimate Lifeform - Flynn

THE BURDENED ERA #201: Change in Management/Devotion - Flynn #202: Dangerous Territory/A Lonely Girl's Story - Flynn #203: Heavy is the Head (1)/Friend in Deed (1) - Flynn #204: Heavy is the Head (2)/Friend in Deed (2) - Flynn #205: On the Run (1)/Birthright (1) - Flynn #206: On the Run (2)/Birthright (2) - Flynn #207: Blackout/The Iron Queen - Flynn #208: Iron Dominion (1) - Flynn #209: Iron Dominion (2) - Flynn #210: Home Invasion (1) - Flynn #211: Home Invasion (2) - Flynn #212: The Road We Take - Flynn #213: Reigning Cats and Dogs (1) - Flynn #214: Reigning Cats and Dogs (2) - Flynn #215: Family Matters (1)/Future Tense (1) - Flynn #216: Family Matters (2)/Future Tense (2) - Flynn #217: Thicker Than Water (1)/Welcome Back, Chao! - Flynn #218: Thicker Than Water (2)/Hindsight - Flynn #219: In Service to the King (1)/Sonic Colors - Flynn #220: In Service to the King (2)/From the Inside Out - Flynn #221: Changing Tempo/Second Impressions (1) - Flynn #222: The World Can Wait/Second Impressions (2) - Flynn #223: Chaos and the Crown (1)/Special Zone House Call - Flynn #224: Chaos and the Crown (2) - Flynn #225: One Step Forward - Flynn #226: Genesis (1) - Flynn #227: Genesis (2) - Flynn #228: Genesis (3) - Flynn #229: Genesis (4) - Flynn #230: Two Steps Back - Flynn #231: Lost in the Moment/Haunted - Flynn #232: Dark Tidings/Fragile - Flynn #233: The Trial of Geoffrey St. John/From the Shadows - Flynn #234: Unthinkable/Dark Hearts - Flynn #235: Remember the Fallen - Flynn #236: Cry Freedom!/Leader of the Band - Flynn #237: Loyalty (1)/Heart to Heart - Flynn #238: Loyalty (2)/Foundation Works - Flynn #239: Heroes (1) - Flynn #240: Heroes (2) - Flynn #241: Unraveling - Flynn #242: Olympic Trials/Unfriendly Skies - Flynn #243: Endangered Species (1) - Flynn #244: Endangered Species (2) - Flynn #245: Endangered Species (3) - Flynn #246: Endangered Species (4) - Flynn #247: At All Costs (1) - Flynn #248: Worlds Collide (3) - Flynn #249: Worlds Collide (6) - Flynn #250: Worlds Collide (9) - Flynn #251: Worlds Collide (12) - Flynn ----------------------------------- SU#5: Mobius 30YL (1) - Flynn SU#6: Mobius 30YL (2) - Flynn SU#7: Mobius 30YL (3) - Flynn SU#8: Mobius 30YL (4) - Flynn SU#9: Echoes of the Past (1) - Flynn SU#10: Echoes of the Past (2) - Flynn SU#11: Echoes of the Past (3) - Flynn SU#12: Echoes of the Past (4) - Flynn SU#13: Journey into the East (1) - Flynn SU#14: Journey into the East (2) - Flynn SU#15: Journey into the East (3) - Flynn SU#16: Journey into the East (4) - Flynn SU#17: Trouble in Paradise (1) - Flynn SU#18: Trouble in Paradise (2) - Flynn SU#19: Trouble in Paradise (3) - Flynn SU#20: Trouble in Paradise (4) - Flynn SU#21: Treasure Team Tango (1) - Flynn SU#22: Treasure Team Tango (2) - Flynn SU#23: Treasure Team Tango (3) - Flynn SU#24: Treasure Team Tango (4) - Flynn SU#25: Fractured Mirror (1) - Flynn SU#26: Fractured Mirror (2) - Flynn SU#27: Fractured Mirror (3) - Flynn SU#28: Fractured Mirror (4) - Flynn SU#29: Inside Job (1) - Flynn SU#30: Inside Job (2) - Flynn SU#31: Inside Job (3) - Flynn SU#32: Inside Job (4) - Flynn SU#33: Babylon Rising (1) - Flynn SU#34: Babylon Rising (2) - Flynn SU#35: Babylon Rising (3) - Flynn SU#36: Babylon Rising (4) - Flynn SU#37: Scrambled (1) - Flynn SU#38: Scrambled (2) - Flynn SU#39: Scrambled (3) - Flynn SU#40: Scrambled (4) - Flynn SU#41: Unsung Heroes (1) - Flynn SU#42: Unsung Heroes (2) - Flynn SU#43: Unsung Heroes (3) - Flynn SU#44: Unsung Heroes (4) - Flynn SU#45: Racing for the Stars - Flynn SU#46: All For One (1) - Flynn SU#47: All For One (2) - Flynn SU#48: All For One (3) - Flynn SU#49: All For One (4) - Flynn SU#50: Forged in Fire - Flynn SU#51: Worlds Collide (2) - Flynn SU#52: Worlds Collide (5) - Flynn SU#53: Worlds Collide (8) - Flynn SU#54: Worlds Collide (11) - Flynn

THE REBOOT ERA #252: At All Costs (2) - Flynn #253: Countdown to Chaos (1) - Flynn #254: Countdown to Chaos (2) - Flynn #255: Countdown to Chaos (3) - Flynn #256: Countdown to Chaos (4) - Flynn #257: Damage Control - Flynn #258: The Chase (1) - Flynn #259: The Chase (2) - Flynn #260: Waves of Change (1)/Light in the Dark (1) - Flynn/Baker #261: Waves of Change (2)/Light in the Dark (2) - Flynn/Baker #262: Waves of Change (3)/Light in the Dark (3) - Flynn/Baker #263: Waves of Change (4)/Consequences - Flynn/Baker #264: Control (1)/A Nice Day to Start Again - Flynn/Esposito/Bailey #265: Control (2)/The Grand Tour - Flynn/Esquivel/Baker #266: Ambushed (1) - Flynn #267: Ambushed (2) - Flynn #268: Champions (1) - Flynn #269: Champions (2) - Flynn #270: Champions (3) - Flynn #271: Champions (4) - Flynn #272: A Ray of Hope - Flynn #273: Worlds Unite (3) - Flynn #274: Worlds Unite (7) - Flynn #275: Worlds Unite (11) - Flynn #276: Cold Hearted/Back in Business - Flynn #277: Thunder, Rain and Lightning/Hidden Costs (1) - Flynn/Baker #278: Face of the Enemy (1)/Hidden Costs (2) - Flynn/Baker #279: Face of the Enemy (2)/Hidden Costs (3) - Flynn/Baker #280: Keys to Victory/A Special Occasion - Flynn #281: Wings of Fire (1)/Homesick - Flynn #282: Wings of Fire (2)/Shards and Sparks - Flynn #283: The Mission/Zero Hour - Flynn #284: Panic in the Sky (1) - Flynn #285: Panic in the Sky (2) - Flynn #286: Panic in the Sky (3) - Flynn #287: Panic in the Sky (4) - Flynn #288: Genesis of a Hero (1) - Flynn #289: Genesis of a Hero (2) - Flynn #290: Genesis of a Hero (3) - Flynn #291: Genesis of a Hero (4) - Flynn #292: Epilogue: Breaching Paths - Flynn --------------------------------------- SU#55: Pirate Plunder Panic (1) - Yardley SU#56: Pirate Plunder Panic (2) - Yardley SU#57: Pirate Plunder Panic (3) - Yardley SU#58: Pirate Plunder Panic (4) - Yardley SU#59: Shadow Fall (1) - Flynn SU#60: Shadow Fall (2) - Flynn SU#61: Shadow Fall (3) - Flynn SU#62: Shadow Fall (4) - Flynn SU#63: The Great Chaos Caper (1) - Flynn SU#64: The Great Chaos Caper (2) - Flynn SU#65: The Great Chaos Caper (3) - Flynn SU#66: The Great Chaos Caper (4) - Flynn SU#67: Total Eclipse (1) - Flynn SU#68: Total Eclipse (2) - Flynn SU#69: Total Eclipse (3) - Flynn SU#70: Total Eclipse (4) - Flynn SU#71: Spark of Life (1) - Flynn SU#72: Spark of Life (2) - Flynn SU#73: Spark of Life (3) - Flynn SU#74: Spark of Life (4) - Flynn SU#75: Fury - Flynn SU#76: Worlds Unite (1) - Flynn SU#77: Worlds Unite (5) - Flynn SU#78: Worlds Unite (9) - Flynn SU#79: The Silver Age (1) - Stanley SU#80: The Silver Age (2) - Stanley SU#81: The Silver Age (3) - Stanley SU#82: The Silver Age (4) - Stanley SU#83: Eggman's Dozen (1) - Flynn SU#84: Eggman's Dozen (2) - Flynn SU#85: Eggman's Dozen (3) - Flynn SU#86: Eggman's Dozen (4) - Flynn SU#87: Shattered (1) - Flynn SU#88: Shattered (2) - Flynn SU#89: Shattered (3) - Flynn SU#90: Shattered (4) - Flynn SU#91: Case of the Pirate Princess (1) - Flynn/Baker SU#92: Case of the Pirate Princess (2) - Flynn/Baker SU#93: Case of the Pirate Princess (3) - Flynn/Baker SU#94: Case of the Pirate Princess (4) - Flynn/Baker

[bakersstreetirregulars]

Costume of the Year- Round 1

💫 Hi, everyone! Cream Puff Cookie reporting in for Round 1 of the Costume of the Year Awards! How do you get involved? Easy! Vote for the costume you want, and get 100 Crystals for your first vote in the round! When the timer expires, the votes are counted and the winners move to the next round. We don’t know what happens for the winner, but it might be something good! Then again… Timekeeper didn’t win anything for last December’s Cookie of the Year Award. For fairness, most costumes of the same rarity will be matched in this first round. Legendary Costumes are going to be matched with Super Epic Costumes. We will also highlight the rarities as follows:

Common- 1 -> 0

Rare- 4 -> 0

Epic- 41 -> 24

Super Epic- 43 -> 22

Legendary- 3 -> 2

Cheerleader’s Pillow Fight VS Milk’s Herald of Victory [UNEVEN MATCHUP] (16-84)

Blackberry’s Elegant Respite VS Sour Belt’s Choc’au Latte F/W Collection (36-64)

Princess’s Royal Crown [ROYAL CLUB EXCLUSIVE] VS Snow Sugar’s Aurora Cloak (37-63)

Jujube’s Grand Marshal VS Carrot’s Floral Chef de Cuisine (54-46) [Close one right here, folks!]

Peach’s Garden of Delights VS Ion Cookie Robot’s Red Dread (88-12) [No chance!]

Cheesecake’s Party Royale VS Aloe’s Visitor From The Future (86-14) [Party like no tomorrow!]

Alchemist’s Forbidden Flask VS Mala Sauce’s Unyielding Rook (32-68)

Moonlight’s Blissful Full Moon VS Pomegranate’s Twisted Labyrinth (74-26)

Dr. Wasabi’s Twilight Outlaw [ISLAND OF MEMORIES EXCLUSIVE] VS Matcha’s Witherbark Shaman (18-82)

Roguefort’s Pursuit Of Lost Time VS Dark Enchantress’s Chaos Incarnate [LEGENDARY MATCHUP] (53-47) [What a fierce battle! It’s anyone’s game!]

Fairy’s Brushy Brushy Toothbrush VS Sparkling’s Star Guest (15-85)

Adventurer’s Accidental Host VS Tiger Lily’s Golden Warrior (61-39)

Skating Queen’s The Decisive Day VS Pink Choco’s Ribbity Water Beam (22-78)

Orange’s Summer Parade VS Lilac’s Midsummer Bliss (18-82)

Cinnamon’s Fortuneteller Apprentice VS Plum’s Sky Master (70-30)

Angel’s Voice Of Virtue VS Dr. Wasabi’s Wasabi Overdrive (83-17)

Wizard’s Azure Flame Staff VS Grapefruit’s Phenomenal Stuntmaster (31-69)

Vampire’s Insouciant King VS Night Raven [Wind Archer] (77-23)

Mustard’s Dawn Rebel VS Popping Candy’s Red Carpet Attire (9-91) [Ouch!]

Wind Archer’s Zephyr of Life VS Walnut’s Search For Lost Time [LEGENDARY MATCHUP] (86-14) [Time’s up!]

DJ’s Megastar VS Sandwich’s Midnight Snack [UNEVEN MATCHUP] (58-42)

Herb’s Sage of Ivies VS Sea Fairy’s Luminous Coral (21-79)

Muscle’s Warrior Tyke VS Cherry’s Water Bomb (39-61)

Devil’s Horns Of Gold VS Yogurt Cream’s Midsummer Plentitude (30-70)

Dark Choco’s Young Prince VS Salt’s Revenant Captain (76-24)

Fire Spirit’s Lord Of Flame VS Licorice’s Aberrant Conjurer (58-42) [Can Licorice put this fire out?]

Cream Puff’s Dark Magic Hat VS Ion Cookie Robot’s DinoBot No. 1 (74-26)

Alchemist’s Guileful Queen VS Sovereign Of Darkness [Dark Choco] (69-31)

Pirate’s Sea Overlord VS Shining Glitter’s Superstar Airport Attire (6-94) [OUCH, WHAT A CRUSHING BLOW!]

Sea Fairy’s Dread Trident Of The Abyss VS Roll Cake’s Menace Of The Circuit [LEGENDARY MATCHUP] (90-10) [No contest!]

Pistachio’s Virtuous Knight VS Mint Choco’s Magnificent Symphony [UNEVEN MATCHUP] (28-72)

Cherry Blossom’s Red Equinox VS Peppermint’s Ballad Of The Starry Seas (42-58) [It could go either way!]

Adventurer’s Explorer Tyke VS Gumball’s Water Bazooka (69-31)

Cocoa’s Enchanted Waltz VS Almond’s Commissioner Of Parfaedia (66-34)

Dino-Sour’s Pathfinder VS Squid Ink’s Pirate “Hunter” (20-80)

Fire Spirit’s Lord Of Ash VS Werewolf’s Shadow Lurker (31-69)

Hero’s Dark Force Suit [ISLAND OF MEMORIES EXCLUSIVE] VS Carol’s Picturesque Performer (8-92) [Devastating!]

Guardian Of The Millennial Tree [Wind Archer] VS Marshmallow’s Merry Year’s End March (36-64)

Gingerbrave’s Tuxedo VS Purple Yam’s Champion Of Valor [UNEVEN MATCHUP] (10-90) [No Commons Here!]

Kiwi’s Maverick Of The Circuit VS Chocolate Bonbon’s A.C.i.D F/W Collection (24-76)

White Choco’s Blazing Knight VS Yoga’s Enlightened Bishop [UNEVEN MATCHUP] (74-26)

Ninja’s Yami no Densetsu VS Beet’s Blooming Chef de Partie (47-53) [Beet’s barely hanging on!]

Lemon’s Unlimited Potential VS Pancake’s Unicorn Jammies (26-74)

Whipped Cream’s Night Of Reverie VS Truffle’s Rumorous Collector (51-49) [Practically a tie!]

Wizard’s Arcane Mage VS Rockstar’s Epic Year’s End Concert (40-60) [Too close to call!]

Moonlight’s Alluring Crescent Moon VS Cinnamon’s Jokester Of Hearts (68-32)

Cheerleader’s Crazy Cute Uniform [ISLAND OF MEMORIES EXCLUSIVE] VS Spinach’s Pouch of Wishes (13-87) [Everyone off the Island!]

Moonlight’s Milky Way VS Macaron’s Festive Year’s End Parade (60-40)

💫 …and that’s the bracket! Unfortunately, not every costume was added either due to their limited-time nature, the directors’ inability to find a proper matchup in the brackets, or the costume’s lack of popularity. One example being my “Almost Great Detective”. There was also only one Common costume in the entire bracket: Gingerbrave’s Tuxedo. Staring down Purple Yam, based on a short meeting with him, I would guess he’ll be out in the first round, but who knows? The post’s votes will be updated as needed, and winners will be marked. That’s it! Good luck to everyone in the bracket!

[aion-rsa]

HBO Max New Releases: August 2021

https://ift.tt/3A1bKHN

Back when WarnerMedia (which technically no longer exists in the same form) announced that it would be premiering its entire slate of 2021 films on HBO Max, this is the kind of month they likely had in mind. For HBO Max’s list of new releases in August 2021 is highlighted by an honest-to-goodness blockbuster.

The Suicide Squad is set to premiere Aug. 5 on HBO Max. This film featuring some of DC Comics’ most curious villains borrows its name, format, and many of its characters from the David Ayers-directed 2016 film Suicide Squad. This time around, the rogues gallery is directing by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) and his colorful disposition. In addition to The Suicide Squad, August sees the arrival of the Hugh Jackman-starring Reminiscence on Aug. 20.

Read more

Movies

The Suicide Squad First Reactions Are In

By John Saavedra

Movies

How The Suicide Squad is Different from Guardians of the Galaxy

By Mike Cecchini

It’s a good month for movies overall on HBO Max. Many intriguing library titles arrive on Aug. 1, including Collateral, The Fugitive (1993), The Shawshank Redemption, and Spawn. The Jurassic Park trilogy (Aug. 14), and Godzilla v. Kong (Aug. 17) make their return to the Warner streaming service a little later on.

HBO Max’s original TV offerings can’t compete with The Suicide Squad in August 2021, but there is still plenty to enjoy. The third season of erstwhile DC Universe series Titans premieres on Aug. 12. That will be followed by the second season of former Comedy Central delight The Other Two.

HBO Max New Releases – August 2021

August 1 2 Days in the Valley, 1996 (HBO) 9/11: Fifteen Years Later, 2016 A Mighty Wind, 2003 (HBO) A Walk Among the Tombstones, 2014 (HBO) The Accidental Spy, 2002 (HBO) The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, 2005 (HBO) Americano, 2017 (HBO) Anna to the Infinite Power, 1982 (HBO) Backtrack, 2016 (HBO) Basic Instinct, 1992 (HBO) Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction, 2006 (HBO) (Extended Version) Best in Show, 2000 (HBO) Betrayal at Attica, 2021 The Betrayed, 2008 (HBO) The Birdcage, 1996 (HBO) Black Death, 2010 (HBO) Blue Ruin, 2014 (HBO) Brown Sugar, 2002 (HBO) Changeling, 2008 (HBO) Chasing Mavericks, 2012 (HBO) Collateral, 2004 (HBO) Constantine, 2005 Deep Cover, 1992 (HBO) The Devil’s Double, 2011 (HBO) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 1988 (HBO) Dolphin Tale, 2011 (HBO) The Double, 2014 (HBO) Empire of the Sun, 1987 The End, 1978 (HBO) Envy, 2004 (HBO) Epic, 2013 (HBO) Extranjero (aka Foreigner), 2018 (HBO) For Your Consideration, 2006 (HBO) Freejack, 1992 (HBO) The Fugitive, 1993 Ghosts of Mississippi, 1996 The Great Gatsby, 1974 (HBO) The Great Gatsby, 2013 (HBO) Gun Shy, 2017 (HBO) Hangman, 2017 (HBO) Heaven Can Wait, 1978 (HBO) Hitchcock, 2012 (HBO) Horror of Dracula, 1958 How to Deal, 2003 (HBO) Hudson Hawk, 1991 Humpday, 2009 (HBO) Imperium, 2016 (HBO) Inception, 2010 Joe, 2014 (HBO) Johnny English Reborn, 2011 (HBO) Julia, 2009 (HBO) Last Action Hero, 1993 The Lincoln Lawyer, 2011 Malcolm X, 1992 Man Down, 2016 (HBO) The Man in the Iron Mask, 1998 (HBO) Mean Streets, 1973 Mr. Soul!, 2018 New in Town, 2009 (HBO) Nobody Walks, 2012 (HBO) Nurse 3D, 2013 (HBO) One Hour Photo, 2002 (HBO) The Out-of-Towners, 1999 (HBO) Popeye, 1980 (HBO) The Pope of Greenwich Village, 1984 (HBO) The Prince, 2014 (HBO) The Reader, 2008 (HBO) Red, 2008 (HBO) Red Riding Hood, 2011 Requiem for a Dream, 2000 Scary Movie, 2000 The Score, 2001 (HBO) Sex and the City, 2008 Sex and the City 2, 2010 The Shawshank Redemption, 1994 Spawn, 1997 The Spirit, 2008 (HBO) The Square, 2017 (HBO) Stand and Deliver, 1988 (HBO) Tango & Cash, 1989 Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, 2006 Thirteen Ghosts, 2001 Vice, 2015 (HBO) War, 2007 (HBO) Woodstock (Director’s Cut), 1994 You’ve Got Mail, 1998

August 2 Small Town News: KPVM Pahrump, Documentary Series Finale (HBO)

August 3 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 1993 Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union, Documentary Premiere (HBO)

August 5 Furry Friends Forever: Elmo Gets A Puppy, Max Original Special Premiere The Suicide Squad, Warner Bros. Film Premiere, 2021 (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)

August 6 Sin Aliento (aka Breathless), 2020 (HBO)

August 7 All My Life, 2020 (HBO)

August 8 A Different World

August 10 Hard Knocks ’21: Dallas Cowboys, Sports-Based Reality Series Premiere (HBO)

August 12 FBOY Island, Max Original Season Finale The Hype, Max Original Series Premiere Titans, Max Original Season 3 Premiere

August 14 Jurassic Park, 1993 (HBO) Jurassic Park III, 2001 (HBO) The Lost World: Jurassic Park, 1997 (HBO)

August 15 The White Lotus, Limited Series Finale (HBO)

August 16 Hard, Season 3 Premiere (HBO) Top Gear, Season 29

August 17 Godzilla vs. Kong, 2021 (HBO) (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)

August 19 Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground, Max Original Documentary Special Premiere Looney Tunes Cartoons Back to School Special, Max Original Special Premiere Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is, Max Original Special Premiere Sweet Life: Los Angeles, Max Original Series Premiere

August 20 Half Brothers, 2020 (HBO) Reefa, 2021 (HBO) Reminiscence, Warner Bros. Film Premiere, 2021 (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)

August 22 100 Foot Wave, Documentary Series Finale (HBO) San Andreas, 2015

August 24 Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO) Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, 2021

August 25 Lincoln: Divided We Stand, 2021

August 26 The Other Two, Max Original Season 2 Premiere

August 28 Magic Mike XXL, 2015 (HBO)

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Leaving HBO Max – August 2021  

August 5 The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty, 2019

August 11 A Mermaid’s Tale, 2017 Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti, 2016 Against The Wild, 2014 Alpha & Omega 5: Family Vacation, 2015 Alpha & Omega: Dino Digs, 2016 Blue Valentine, 2010 Earth Girls Are Easy, 1989 The Escape Artist, 1982 Hecho En Mexico, 2012 Jennifer Lopez Dance Again, 2016 La Mujer de Mi Hermano, 2005 Leapfrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers, 2015 Leapfrog Letter Factory Adventures: Counting on Lemonade, 2014 Leapfrog Letter Factory Adventures: The Letter Machine Rescue Team, 2014 Love and Sex, 2000 Mistress, 1992 Mother’s Day, 2012 Tender Mercies, 1983 The Men Who Stare at Goats, 2009 Turtle Tale, 2018

August 14 Leapfrog: Numberland, 2012 Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, 2019

August 15 Joker, 2019 (HBO) Space Jam: A New Legacy, 2021

August 27 Dead Silence, 2007 (HBO) White Noise, 2005 (HBO)

August 29 Assault on Precinct 13, 2005 (HBO)

August 30 Serendipity, 2001

August 31 54: The Director’s Cut, 1998 (HBO) 40 Days and 40 Nights, 2002, (HBO) A Cinderella Story, 2004 A Cinderella Story: If The Shoe Fits, 2016 A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song, 2011 Alpha and Omega: The Great Wolf Games, 2014 (HBO) The American President, 1995 Another Cinderella Story, 2008 Astro Boy, 2009 (HBO) August Rush, 2007 Babe, 1995 (HBO) Babe: Pig in the City, 1998 (HBO) The Barkleys of Broadway, 1949 Barnyard, 2006 (HBO) Barry Lyndon, 1975 Battle for Terra, 2009 (HBO) The Bay, 2012 (HBO) Be Cool, 2005 (HBO) Beverly Hills Cop, 1984 (HBO) Beverly Hills Cop II, 1987 (HBO) Beverly Hills Cop III, 1994 (HBO) Beyond the Sea, 2004 (HBO) Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, 1991 (HBO) Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, 1989 (HBO) Billy Elliot, 2000 (HBO) Black Hawk Down, 2001 Blade, 1998 Blade Runner: The Final Cut, 2007 Blow, 2001 The Bonfire of the Vanities, 1990 Bright Young Things, 2004 (HBO) Butter, 2012 (HBO) Cannery Row, 1982 Capricorn One, 1978 (HBO) Carefree, 1938 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005 City of God, 2003 (HBO) City Slickers, 1991 (HBO) City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, 1994 Clifford, 1994 (HBO) Closer, 2004 Code 46, 2004 (HBO) Cold Creek Manor, 2003 (HBO) Cold Mountain, 2003 Countdown, 1968 The Crow, 1994 (HBO) The Crow: City of Angels, 1996 (HBO) The Crow: Wicked Prayer, 2006 (HBO) Daddy Day Care, 2003 Dave, 1993 The Dirty Dozen, 1967 Dream House, 2011 (HBO) Eight Legged Freaks, 2002 El Chata (aka The Sparring Partner), 2019 (HBO) Freddy vs. Jason, 2003 Free Willy, 1993 Free Willy: The Adventure Home, 1995 Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove, 2010 Free Willy 3: The Great Rescue, 1997 Frequency, 2000 Get Shorty, 1995 (HBO) Gone, 2012 (HBO) The Hard Way, 1991 (HBO) Harry and the Hendersons, 1987 (HBO) Heidi, 2005 The High Note, 2020 (HBO) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 2012 Home Alone 4, 2002 (HBO) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, 2012 (HBO) Hudson Hawk, 1991 The Hundred-Foot Journey, 2014 (HBO) Innerspace, 1987 Inside Moves, 1980 (HBO) The Interview, 2014 Jack The Giant Slayer, 2013 Jackie Brown, 1997 Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, 2011 (HBO) The Last Exorcism, 2012 (Extended Version) (HBO) Lay the Favorite, 2012 (HBO) Let’s Go to Prison, 2006 (HBO) Life is Beautiful, 1998 (HBO) Live by Night, 2016 (HBO) Logan’s Run, 1976 Lolita, 1962 Look Who’s Talking, 1989 Malice, 1993 (HBO) Man on a Ledge, 2012 (HBO) Menace II Society, 1993 Miss Congeniality, 2000 Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, 2005 Monkey Trouble, 1994 Mr. Nanny, 1993 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 1989 National Lampoon’s European Vacation, 1985 National Lampoon’s Vacation, 1983 No Eres Tu Soy Yo, 2011 Ocean’s 11, 1960 The Omega Man, 1971 On Golden Pond, 1981 (HBO) On Moonlight Bay, 1951 Osmosis Jones, 2001 Our Brand Is Crisis, 2015 (HBO) Over the Hedge, 2006 (HBO) Parental Guidance, 2012 (HBO) Pathfinder, 2007 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) The People vs. Larry Flynt, 1996 Pinocchio, 2012 Point Blank, 1967 Popstar, 2005 Prometheus, 2012 (HBO) PT 109, 1963 Replicas, 2019 (HBO) Running on Empty, 1988 Ruta Viva, 2018 (HBO) Saw, 2004 (Extended Version) (HBO) Saw II, 2005 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Saw III, 2006 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Saw IV, 2007 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Saw V, 2008 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Saw VI, (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Saw: The Final Chapter, 2010 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) Shall We Dance, 1937 Sherlock Holmes, 2009 Sinbad: Beyond the Veils of Mist, 2000 (HBO) Sling Blade, 1996 (HBO) Some Came Running, 1958 South Central, 1992 Spies Like Us, 1985 Spooky Buddies, 2011 (HBO) Steel, 1997 Still of the Night, 1982 (HBO) Striptease, 1996 Stuart Little, 1999 Stuart Little 2, 2002 The Stunt Man, 1979 (HBO) Summer Catch, 2001 Sweet November, 2001 Swimfan, 2002 (HBO) The Tank, 2017 (HBO) This Must Be The Place, 2012 (HBO) Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, 2005 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 1948 Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, 1997 (HBO) Twister, 1996 Un 4to de Josue, 2018 (HBO) Unforgettable, 2017 (HBO) Unlocking the Cage, 2017 (HBO) Vegas Vacation, 1997 Wanderlust, 2012 (HBO) Wedding Crashers, 2005 Within, 2016 (HBO) Wolves at the Door, 2017 (HBO) The Year of Living Dangerously, 1983

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[eggfucker-1]

Ai yah, I really have to respond to this post again, huh?

Well, for starters, I apologize for a mistake I made in my original post. In the OP, I insinuated that the Princess Zeldas we see in the series could have possibly had a role in the atrocities committed by the royal family. This is incorrect, and it was poor wording on my part. I should have clarified my intentions when writing that particular passage; however, I felt it was unimportant, given that the point wasn’t solely about Princess Zelda, but how the addition of the Goddess Hylia and the Demon King Demise not only invalidates Ganondorf’s character up to that point, but adds much greater weight to the terrible actions committed by the royal family, especially towards the Sheikah.

Given that tumblr user lorelylantana is the third person to make a reply by discussing the reincarnation cycle, rather than the actual point of my post, perhaps I should have proofread and double checked my post before sending it out into the world to cause problems on purpose.

With that said, after I read lorelylantana’s response, I felt it necessary to make a proper reply of my own. It’s going to be a rather lengthy reply, as I have many things to say and many images to post.

However, I’m going to do all that I can to avoid discussing fanon or fan theories. I don’t mind them, but adding fanon wasn’t the point of my original post, and it shouldn’t have been the focus of the responses I received. I want to stay as close to the canon Nintendo laid out as possible. Thusly, my sources will strictly be drawn from the games, game manuals, Creating a Champion, Hyrule Historia, and Hyrule Encyclopedia. Despite the latter two being dubiously canon, they were approved by Nintendo, so they’re worth mentioning.

So, without further delay, let us begin.

-       “The original post seems to be based on the idea that Zelda and the royal family of Hyrule are synonymous, which is questionable for reasons I’ll get into later.”

For all intents and purposes, yes. Zelda and the royal family are synonymous, as she is the face of the royal family in almost every Zelda game featuring her. Even if she isn’t the ruler of Hyrule in that particular moment, she is our figurehead for the monarchy, by all means.

-       “The games don’t hand wave the actions of Hyrule’s royal family, they just don’t go out of their way to hold a young girl personally responsible for the actions of kings […]”

While the actions of the royal family are briefly acknowledged, as is the case with the Shadow Temple and the Arbiter’s Grounds, the monarchy has never had to answer for their actions. Even in the case of the Sheikah’s massive exile 10,000 years ago, the royal family never answers for this, nor are they ever portrayed being in the wrong. In fact, the event in question is only mentioned by a single member of the Sheikah in Breath of the Wild, Cado.

Image credit goes to YouTube user Macintyre.

The royal family’s actions are never directly described as “these were horrible things that happened.” Instead, it’s simply, “yeah, it happened.” There is no acknowledgement that the Yiga was created by the royal family’s own hands, nor is there any emphasis placed on the impact any of these acts have.

For example, the exile of the Sheikah wasn’t even the first instance of the royal family of Hyrule mass-exiling a group of people and displacing them from their original homes.

After the events of Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf is captured and executed for his crimes leading up to the events of the game and presumably the events of the Adult Timeline, given Young Link’s testimony. (I’ll get into why the King of Hyrule believes Link over Zelda later.) After Ganondorf was executed, the Gerudo were forced out of Gerudo Valley and banished from the Haunted Wasteland. Even during the events of Twilight Princess, the Gerudo Desert is completely abandoned. Once again, there is no discussion concerning the royal family’s actions, with the narrative instead being that the Gerudo, some of whom were actively against Ganondorf’s actions and many of whom were hypnotized during the events of OoT, are entirely at fault and have to atone for their sin of… having Ganondorf for a leader, I suppose.

Source: Creating a Champion, p. 405

Source: Hyrule Encyclopedia, p. 46

The royal family gets to punish an entire people for the actions of one man. Rather than the act being portrayed as negative or even discussed, it’s hardly even mentioned.

While I’m aware Encyclopedia’s canonicity is dubious at best, its material was still approved for publication by Nintendo. Thusly, I feel it worthy to discuss.

To summate, the royal family did bad things, and very select few acknowledge it.

Next point.

-       “I think that the Zelda/Hylia = good Ganon = bad situation serves a narrative purpose that justifies the black and white nature of the games because it highlights the shades of gray in between installments…”

The Legend of Zelda is almost thirty-five years old. This series should have long evolved beyond the black-and-white-morality narrative, especially when the side we’re supposed to sympathize with literally used the Sheikah to commit war crimes. You don’t have to have stark white and pitch black in order to see shades of gray.

-       “… And trying to assign Zelda a dark side is kind of missing the point, especially when no one seems to question Link’s morality even though he’s constantly stealing people’s stuff.”

Examples of Consequences to Link Stealing People’s Stuff

1.     In Twilight Princess, stealing from Trill will result in the bird branding you a thief and pecking you every time you come near him, which will only cease when you finally pay up.

2.     In Link’s Awakening, stealing from the old man’s shop will result in instant death the next time you enter his shop. If you steal, your name is changed to THIEF for the rest of the game.

Furthermore, Link is controlled by the player; thusly, his actions have no consequence to the story or Link’s character. Zelda, on the other hand, is an active participant in the story, whose actions and whose family’s actions weigh heavily on the games. That’s not to say Zelda is ever evil. However, as much as she is a victim of her own family’s history, she still has just as much power to change it.

-       “If the games wanted to gloss over the sins committed by the royal family[,] they wouldn’t have designed entire dungeons around them.”

I reiterate: the sins of the royal family were mentioned once, and then immediately dropped shortly thereafter. It’s not there for you to dwell upon, merely window dressing as if to say, “Yeah, that happened.”

-       “I believe The Legend of Zelda series is a critique of the Divine Right of Kings”

Until the events of Skyward Sword, the Hylian Royal Family wasn’t a divine lineage. A thirty-five-year-old series can’t be a critique of a concept that it barely even acknowledges. The only emphasis placed on the “goddess blood” part of the royal family is in Breath of the Wild, in relation to Zelda having to unlock her sealing powers. Despite the massive repercussions the revelation of the royal family’s lineage tying back to divinity should have, it’s barely even mentioned,let alone discussed.

As a side note, the divine right of kings specifically denotes that the monarch is chosen by God to rule. In contrast, the Hylian Royal Family continues to rule by, presumably, claiming lineage to the Goddess Hylia, which is closer to traditional practice in feudal Japan.

-       “If the Divine Right of Queens is indeed present, does that justify a hereditary monarchy? As far as the Legend of Zelda is concerned[,] the answer is no.”

The Legend of Zelda series never questions the validity of the royal family’s rule.

-       “Isn’t it funny that the Kingdom of Hyrule seems to be perpetually stuck in the dark ages?”

Ocarina of Time has neon lights, jukeboxes, and canned goods. The lakeside doctor’s chemistry is advanced enough that he is able to synthesize eyedrops. Given the newspaper articles strewn about shops, Hyrule also has pictoboxes in OoT.

By Wind Waker, pictoboxes have evolved to print in color. In Phantom Hourglass, Linebeck’s ship is steam-powered.

In Twilight Princess, pictoboxes now print higher quality images. In addition, with the introduction of Malo Mart’s Castle Town branch, TP is confirmed to have fully functional electrical lighting in some places. Cannons are so safe, you can get launched out of one for fun. Pyrotechnics have grown advanced enough that explosives can function underwater, and Death Mountain has become a functioning, refined mining facility stable enough for Hylians to safely walk in. Also, Auru has a bazooka.

SPIRIT TRACKS HAS TRAINS. THEIR AESTHETIC DIRECTLY REFLECTS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

Hyrule is hardly stuck in the dark ages. It’s high fantasy.

Next point.

“For starters, I want to establish that I don’t agree with the assumption that what the Hyrulean Royal Family does = Zelda/Hylia would do. I don’t think it’s a mistake that almost every text in the OP explicitly mentions that it was a King that committed those acts, not Zelda herself.”

Once again, that was an error on my part. It wasn’t my intention to imply Zelda had any part in such actions. However, Zelda learns how to rule from her father, or her mother, or whomever holds the throne in that particular moment. These acts are never questioned in canon beyond “Yeah, that happened,” and the most conflict we have is the issues between Zelda and her father in Breath of the Wild boiling down to how to confront the Calamity—science vs. sealing magic— rather than anything else.

It’s a personal issue, and Rhoam treats Zelda terribly, essentially alienating himself from his own daughter and treating her as little more than a pawn. I agree that it’s absolutely terrible. However, that’s merely a personal issue. She’s complicit in how Rhoam addresses the Sheikah, possibly even fully aware of the anti-aging rune Purah was developing to force retired soldiers into battle against the Calamity, and from what we’ve seen in Age of Calamity, she doesn’t have an understanding of the Yiga Clan other than the snide remark Urbosa gives:

Image credit goes to YouTube user BeardBear.

It’s up to Zelda to develop a deeper understanding of her country’s history; not to take personal responsibility, but to understand where those who are suffering are coming from.

That said, acting with the Hylians’ best interests at heart is exactly something Hylia would do.

In the prologue to Skyward Sword, the Demon King and his army attack the Hylians, slaying many and throwing the world into despair. Thus, the Goddess Hylia saves the Hylians by sending a chunk of land up into the heavens, sparing them from the war to follow while she gathers every other race to fight alongside her.

So… How come Hylia only saved the Hylians?

I understand many were wiped out by demons, but if Hylia was fully prepared to spare people from violence, why not also send small numbers of every other race? Why only save the Hylians, her chosen people, while essentially dragging everyone else into battle with her? Furthermore, when Hylia’s immortal body suffered grave injuries, she opted to take advantage of this by choosing to be reborn as a person. Not only is it explicitly stated that Hylia reincarnated in order to utilize the Triforce’s power, as she could not do so as divinity, but she knowingly chose to be reborn as someone who would become close with her chosen hero, in order to influence him to follow her plan without hesitation.

Hylia used Link.

That much is certain, and it’s laid out clearly by Zelda shortly before she takes Hyrule’s longest beauty nap.

It must be noted that while Zelda states she is Hylia reborn, and has regained Hylia’s memories by this point, she still sees herself as a separate entity from Hylia. While she herself is immensely guilty and apologizing over and over for what she’d done in her previous life, we have no way of knowing if Hylia herself would react the same way.

In fact, according to a fan-translation by ZeldaUniverse user Yamikawa, Demise goes as far as to describe Hylia as “brave and so-prideful,” hinting that even a being who loved her chosen people so much to save them still saw them as beneath her, if being reborn as human is seen as such a drastic extreme contradictory to her supposed character. Now, this is merely reflection on the inner workings of the Demon King, so his word can’t be taken as gospel. But, like all things, I find it interesting.

From what I can gather, however, Hylia certainly cared more about the Hylians than any other being in the land of Hylia, not dissimilarly to the royal family.

-       “I also don’t think that every princess Zelda is a Princess of Destiny or Representative of Hylia, I think that she reincarnates just about as often as Link and Ganon(dorf) do, because the logistics don’t really work out otherwise. This leaves hundreds, if not thousands of years where Zelda/Hylia isn’t on the throne.”

This is merely speculation. Moving on.

-       “There’s a notable trend of the King of Hyrule getting in the way of Zelda’s attempts to save the kingdom. First[,] he doesn’t take Zelda seriously [in] Ocarina of Time, forcing her to rely on Link […] I don’t know why the King of Hyrule was willing to listen to a random boy claiming to have been from the future over his own daughter but whatever I guess.”

The King of Hyrule believed Young Link because he came back to the Child Timeline with the Triforce of Courage. Up to that point, the whole Triforce was supposed to be safely locked away in the Sacred Realm, which was supposed to be completely inaccessible without the spiritual stones and the ocarina of time, neither of which Link had. I’d listen to the kid’s story too if he came back with a God Dorito on the back of his hand.

-       “And then again in Breath of the Wild when Rhoam bans Zelda from ancient tech research despite the fact that he has absolutely no reason to believe his pray the incompetence away method is the right one.”

The tapestry showcasing the events from 10,000 years ago depicts a princess possessing the blood of the goddess using her sealing magic in order to seal away Calamity Ganon. Link can swing the Master Sword at Ganon or whack him with ancient arrows or light arrows all he wants. Without the ability to seal away the darkness, as shown at the end of Ocarina of Time, all of this preparation and planning would have been for naught. That is why Rhoam is so harsh on Zelda. That’s why so much emphasis is placed on unlocking her power. Without it, defeating Ganon would be impossible.

On that note, Rhoam also had no idea what he was doing. Zelda’s mother was the one with the sealing magic, not him. She was supposed to be the one to train Zelda, but she passed away before she got the chance to even start. He puts so much emphasis on prayer rather than ancient technology because he genuinely doesn’t know what else to do.

I can’t believe this post forced me to defend Rhoam of all people I’m gonna have a stroke—

-       “Also, this is purely speculation, but [I’m] pretty sure there’s an implication that King Daphnes Nohansen caused the flooding of Hyrule in Wind Waker […] This sounds like a wish on the Triforce that backfired[,] but I digress.”

Daphnes couldn’t have made a wish on the Triforce before Wind Waker because, when the Hero of Time left the Adult Timeline, that timeline’s Triforce of Courage shattered into eight pieces and scattered throughout the land—er, ocean. Even if he had Wisdom on him, Ganondorf still possessed the Triforce of Power when he was sealed away, and he wasn’t going to let go of it when he broke free.

Besides, if Daphnes did wish on the whole Triforce, it would have disappeared. There would have been no Wind Waker.

-       “When she saves Hyrule in spite of interference…”

I’m not even going to finish the quote because the entire paragraph is too much for me to unpack. I’m assuming they’re saying that Zelda is never the one truly in power, and the royal family takes advantage of one Zelda’s good deeds to get brownie points.

However, concerning the first line…

In Ocarina of Time, Zelda going behind her dad’s back to try to “save Hyrule” leads Ganondorf straight to the Sacred Realm. Even though a time paradox leads to everything turning out okay in the end, the bleak future was created because Zelda wanted to play hero and pulled Link along with her. Even if Ganondorf managed to wrench the spiritual stones away from the Zora and Gorons, he wouldn’t have been able to access the Sacred Realm if Zelda didn’t send Link there to pull out the Master Sword, which Ganondorf would have never been able to touch. By all means, Ocarina of Timehappened because a little girl was in over her head and tried to take matters into her own hands when her dad didn’t believe her.

Aside from Breath of the Wild, there’s no other “interference” from the royal family that Zelda has to face.

-       “Zelda is the representation of a deity, so it makes sense that people would worship her to some extent, and having a goddess on the throne [probably] blesses the land. So[,] while the kings of Hyrule have a tendency to screw things over, [it makes sense] for Hyrule to be a monarchy because Zelda’s power as the goddess incarnate is needed to defend against Ganon and other threats, [r]ight?”

I acknowledge the author is attempting to portray the royal family’s possible justification for their rule. However, until I reached the succeeding passage, I believed it was the author making this justification, given how the entire paragraph preceding this was pure speculation. Once again, this passage is speculative, as nobody in Hyrule has ever explicitly given any notable opinion concerning the royal family. Why try to justify your rule when nobody’s criticizing it?

Since the author brings up Zelda being a representation of Hylia, however, it does bring to mind a particular problem I have with the royal family suddenly being goddess-blood.

It completely recontextualizes the relationship between the royal family and the Sheikah.

According to Creating a Champion, the Sheikah have a deep devotion to the Goddess Hylia. Since the royal family is descended from the goddess reborn, the Sheikah thusly are deeply devoted to the goddess Hylia.

Source: Creating a Champion, p. 372

Now, the royal government using a minority group of people to do your dirty work is already scummy enough when you’re just a normal royal. In this case, however, the Sheikah are so devoted to their goddess that they will do anything for you. Whether it’s because certain monarchs are a “representation of a deity” remains to be seen, but the point is that they’ll do anything for you.

And the royal family takes complete advantage of a group of people unconditionally loyal to them, bidding them to do unspeakable things in the name of their religion, which for all intents and purposes is the royal family.

That’s absolutely deplorable, and it’s a wonder nobody’s brought attention to it yet, whether in-canon or in-fandom. What’s more, given how Impa is always Zelda’s attendant, this relationship is never questioned or criticized, whether it be by the Sheikah or Zelda herself.

And that’s terrifying.

-       “The reason Ganon is always an antagonist is because he’s the vessel for the curse of Demise.”

Demise was introduced in Skyward Sword. Demise is the root of all evil, the creator of monsters and conjuror of demons. He is pure evil in every sense from the word, the Zelda series’ version of Satan. Naturally, he’s as simple as you can get in terms of character. Barebones characterization, providing only just enough to tell the player exactly what they need to know:

He’s evil, he’s powerful, and he wants the Triforce. You have to stop him.

Ganondorf existed before Demise. Ganon had over twenty years of development before Demise brought his progress to a permanent flatline.

Who was Ganon before Demise?

Allow me to remind you.

In The Legend of Zelda, first released on February 21st, 1986, Ganon is simply described as “the Prince of Darkness,” and steals the Triforce of Power when he invades Hyrule. After the Triforce of Wisdom is shattered, he kidnaps Zelda.

He’s evil, he’s powerful, and he wants the Triforce. You have to stop him.

Although Ganon doesn’t physically appear in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, released in 1987, his presence is still felt as his minions pursue Link in order to revive the Prince of Darkness. In fact, the game over screen is the successful revival of Ganon.

Now, given that these are the first two games in the series, it’s perfectly alright for Ganon to be as barebones as he was. After all, many villains at the time were the same way, with the most notable of Ganon’s counterparts being Bowser from the Super Mario Bros. franchise.

However, with innovation of technology comes innovation of narrative, and it’s with the release of A Link to the Past in 1993 on the SNES that we begin to see Ganon develop as a character. In the prologue to ALttP, Ganon is revealed to have once been human; he is given the name Mandrag Ganon—or Ganondorf Dragmire, as we now know him—and he was once the leader of a band of thieves who sieged the Sacred Realm and took control of the Triforce after murdering his own followers.

Source: A Link to the Past SNES game manual

Ganon is still irrevocably evil, but in this case, we begin to learn more about him. We begin to see a character starting to form. One who isn’t just mindlessly evil, but who has the charm and wit to infiltrate Hyrule Castle and earn the King of Hyrule’s trust in the guise of Agahnim. Ganon was also a very capable leader, having successfully led his band of thieves straight to the Triforce. Even after wishing upon the Triforce and corrupting the Sacred Realm, Ganon’s power attracted followers in the form of greedy, power-seeking people. He’s powerful not by brute force alone, but through his cunning use of intellect.

Ocarina of Time served to further develop Ganon in little ways. For example, this is the first game wherein, for the majority of the game, Ganon is seen and referred to by his human form: Ganondorf. Ganondorf is shown to be powerful enough and stealthy enough to infiltrate the homes of the Zora, the Gorons, and the Kokiri, and send dangerous hazards their way in an effort to seize the Spiritual Stones. At the same time, he is first seen at an audience with the King of Hyrule, as if there for diplomatic reasons.

Although Zelda sees Ganondorf as evil because of her prophetic dream, the King of Hyrule doesn’t believe her. Because of this, we can infer that Ganondorf has enough charm and charisma to, if not win over the King of Hyrule, not be seen as suspicious despite the horrible acts he’d committed, not just in the past, but at that very moment. He’s also shown to be highly cultured, shown at the end of Link’s ascent up Ganon’s Tower. Not only is Ganondorf playing his own theme, but he’s doing so on the pipe organ, which is notoriously one of, if not the most difficult musical instrument to master.

Once Ganondorf seizes the Triforce of Power, the kingdom of Hyrule is subjected to seven long years of his rule. During this time, normal people such as Ingo succumb to their greed and follow Ganondorf’s influence in pursuit of power and riches. Although Malon is naïve enough to believe Ingo was somehow under Ganondorf’s control, it’s clear to players that he was completely in control of his actions, and that Ganondorf’s rule brings out the worst in seemingly average people.

Image credit goes to YouTube user ZorZelda.

Even a Hylian knight can fall under this influence, with it highly inferred that the knight who once guarded a room of pots for Link to smash is now a twisted poe collector, the man even stating that he likes it better this way.

In Wind Waker, we finally see a more introspective side to Ganondorf. While he’s just as ruthless and fully ready to murder a child in the name of accomplishing his goal, he reveals the reason that started him on his path of darkness:

His people were suffering, and he wanted for his people what Hyrule had. He believed that taking Hyrule and taking the Triforce meant that his people could finally live freely, away from the harsh desert.

Now, I’ve seen this challenged time and time again. Was Ganondorf lying to distract or manipulate Link? Was he telling the truth? Is this what Ganondorf has convinced himself to believe, after so much time sealed away and in isolation? We will never know, and that’s part of what makes the game so interesting. Ganondorf’s portrayal is a large part of why so many people love Wind Waker, and it’s not hard to see why.

Perhaps the darkest the Zelda series has ever gone in terms of the Triforce’s power was in Twilight Princess. After freeing Lanayru, the Light Spirit warns Link of the dark power he seeks, the Fused Shadow. In order to do this, she explains the history of the Triforce, and the bloodshed brought by its allure to the darkness in the hearts of men. Before the construction of the Temple of Time, many battles were fought, and one of them was the “Interloper War” that inevitably resulted in the creation of, not only the Light Spirits, but the Twili and the Twilight Realm.

It’s important to note that Lanayru’s cautionary tale highlights that Link, the hero of the story, could succumb to the allure of the Triforce and dark magic just as easily as any other person. In this particular case, anyone could have fallen down the same path as Ganondorf. If anything, this tale is one of the most important bits of lore to take into consideration when discussing the series.

Anyone could have been in Ganondorf’s shoes. It could have happened to anyone.

Then, in one fell swoop, Skyward Sword ruined it.

In a single game, every bit of progress on Ganondorf is lost. Once again, we’re dragged down to the baseline characterization from the original game.

He’s evil, he’s powerful, and he wants the Triforce. You have to stop him.

Suddenly, everything the previous games had built up no longer matters. There’s no longer a need to question whether what Ganondorf did was solely out of greed, but also out of what he felt was necessity. There’s no need to wonder if Ganondorf was once a rational man, who succumbed to the irresistible pull of the Triforce like so many before him.

Ganondorf is, purely and simply, the reincarnation of Satan, so there’s no need to go any deeper than that.

And that’s why I hate this “vessel of Demise” thing. It completely undermines everything Ganondorf once was and reduces him to a single, cardboard cutout of a villain.

Moving on, before I get sad.

-       “This curse is specifically tied to Hylia’s bloodline and the Link’s soul, which is pretty specific…”

Demise’s curse is essentially dooming the earth with a never-ending rebirth of his hatred; his malice, if you would. The wording of his curse is specifically “people like you,” which could mean that it isn’t Link and Zelda’s exact souls that are tied to his hatred. Rather, people possessing the blood of the goddess and a heroic, courageous soul are doomed to deal with this curse.

However, my thoughts on this matter are pure speculation.

Also, Demise specifically targets his curse at people like Link and Zelda because they were the ones to kill him in the first place. That much is obvious.

-       “… [So] why do the clashes with Ganon always throw the fate of Hyrule into disarray? Because Zelda’s bloodline runs the country.”

Ganon would attack Hyrule even without Zelda’s family in charge. His pursuit of power and domination of the Triforce/Hyrule is therefore closely tied with the fate of Hyrule. Goddess blood on the throne has nothing to do with it.

-       “If Zelda came from a small town the curse would probably manifest in peril for that one region which isn’t great but it’s better than an apocalypse.”

Firstly, this is a run-on sentence. Secondly, I reiterate: Ganon would attack Hyrule as a whole, regardless if Zelda’s bloodline was on the throne. It wouldn’t matter if Zelda’s whole family suddenly moved to the countryside. When Ganon inevitably comes back, he’s still gonna go straight for the Triforce or to conquer all of Hyrule. Goddess blood isn’t even part of the equation for Ganon. And if goddess blood isn’t there to stop him, then that’s even better.

Alright, so I’m not even going to bother gratifying the last two paragraphs of the response with an answer, because it’s all rambling that has nothing to do with the original argument. Relinquishing the throne would do nothing to right any wrongs dealt to the many people who were hurt, and evil doesn’t care about a single princess with goddess blood or a boy with a pointy stick.

In conclusion, the addition of Hylia made it so that the royal family’s power dynamic with the Sheikah is even more critically imbalanced than it originally was, making the exile of the Sheikah 10,000 years ago even more heinous than it originally was. Yet, because Hylia is portrayed as wholly good and incapable of doing wrong, despite in-game evidence to the contrary, the royal family, and Zelda by extension, will never be criticized for any wrongdoing. In fact, doing so may well be heresy, if the responses to my original post are anything to go by.

By comparison, the addition of Demise diminishes Ganondorf’s character, rendering him down from the makings of a complex, human character—where anyone could have easily been in his place and had the same greed and ambition for power—into simply the reincarnation of the literal devil, where of course he’s evil, and you don’t have to do any digging beneath the surface. Ganondorf is the reincarnation of Demise, or his hate, or his vessel, so he’s pure evil and nothing more.

And that’s the greatest disservice Nintendo has ever dealt to The Legend of Zelda.

[tsipasce]

Same Difference, Ch.09

A/N: FYI, this part gets a bit violent. No domestic abuse or anything like that, just a good ol’ fashioned fight scene. Anybutts, hope y'all enjoy~

Chapters: 01  |  02 |  03 |  04 | 05  | 06 | 07 | 08

AO3 | Fanfic

Nanami began walking down the now-familiar, winding hallways from her tea break to return to the lab. She wasn’t ready to examine the feelings she’d had after her spat with Overhaul, especially the ones that caused her such sadness at the thought of not seeing him again. In the back of her mind, she knew whatever she was feeling could simply be the result of successful manipulation on his part, but it didn’t change the relief she felt knowing they’d continue working together. Hoping to push away the thoughts before facing him again, she decided to focus on her efforts to find a suitable class for self-defense. Sure, Hitomi had a point in that it would at the very least be a confidence booster, but Nanami felt like she needed more.

I know Kurono said it was a cheap shot in a 1 vs. 30 battle royale, but still. * BANG* If Overhaul, ~*killer extraordinaire*~ can get injured like that, * BANG* I might as well be a sitting duck. Nanami concluded, remembering that she had involved herself in a world much more dangerous than she wanted to acknowledge. But where in the world am I gonna find * BANG* a class that’ll * BANG, BANG* teach me how to survive a fight to * BANG* the * BANG, BANG* death? * BANG, BANG, BANG* Ok, what the hell is making all that noise? Nanami thought now annoyed at whatever had been interrupting her train of thought.

Following the sound, she found the source of the noise: a very large man beating a block of concrete in the training room as though his life depended on it. She watched for a moment in amazement as his fists covered in heavy, metal gauntlets wore down one block of concrete after the next, ignoring the traditional workout equipment. He stopped for a beat, sensing her watching him from the doorway.

“Hey, doc. What brings you here?”

“Hi Rappa, it’s nothing, just heard a lot of commotion and wanted to make sure everything was alright. Don’t mind me!”

Shrugging, he continued training, now moving to weightlifting. Man, this is nothing like the classes I sat in on. I wonder what kind of training you’d have to get to be this proficient… I wish I could… Oh, duh. Nanami thought at the epiphany.

“Hey, Rappa, can I ask you a question?” Nanami asked, with a plan already in mind.

“Who’s gonna stop you?”

“True. Have you ever tried teaching anyone?”

“A couple times, but most don’t last too long. They lack the warrior spirit.”

“So… if someone did have this ‘warrior spirit’, you’d consider taking them on, right?”

“It would be a dream come true, to trade blows with another man, hellbent on victory! They’d have to prove their mettle, but nothing would bring me more joy!” He exclaimed and she could tell he was already daydreaming about the next fight.

“Well, what if there was a person that was hellbent on victory and had a true warrior spirit... but they were a woman. Would you train them?”

“Impossible.” He responded immediately.

“What makes you say that?” Nanami queried, a bit miffed at how sure of his answer he was.

“They don’t have it in their nature. Besides, we yakuza have a code of chivalry. I could never fight a broad.”

“Even if said broad could kick your ass?” Now she was pissed.

He laughed heartily, “The day I meet a woman like that, will be the same day Mimic can keep his mouth shut for more than 5 seconds. Or when hell freezes over, whichever comes first.”

“Well get ready for 5 seconds of bliss and Satan in some long johns because that woman is here.” Nanami said with a renewed sense of resolve.

“What?”

“Nothing, I’ll talk to you later, Rappa.”

“Uh… Ok, see ya later, doc.”

On the remainder of the walk back, Nanami practiced her proposal in her head. She knew it might be a hard sell, but she was determined. Bursting through the door, she saw Overhaul focused on his laptop, going through some data sheets. Aw, he looks so peaceful—no, snap out of it. Back on task. Nanami chastised herself, though she was happy knowing she’d be able to see him like this regularly since they’d done their version of making up earlier. Focusing on the task at hand, she spoke confidently,” Overhaul, I need to borrow one of your bullets.”

“Who do you need taken care of?” he turned to her, a serious look in his eyes.

“Wait what?”

“What?”

They exchanged looks of equal confusion, before realizing what the other meant. “Oh no, no, no—I don’t need anyone ‘taken care of’, I want to take care of them myself—but not like that…”

“It would be clearer if you referred to them as the Eight Bullets or Eight Precepts of Death in the future.”

“Oh, yeah that sounds way cooler.” She stated matter-of-factly.

“Tch. Of course, it does.”  He said turning and she could tell he was grateful in his own way of the compliment. “What do you need them for?”

“I don’t need all of them, just Rappa. And I want... no, I need him to train me.”

“Why do you need him to train you? It’s you and I who share the same quirk…” He trailed off at the last part.

“Oh, don’t be jealous, it’s just that I... I want to learn hand-to hand combat. I want to protect myself. I need to. You were right earlier when you said I’ve entered a world that prioritizes violence. It’s not that I want to prioritize it myself, but I know it would be naïve of me to be unprepared.” She replied resolutely.

“Of course, I was right.”

“That’s what you got from that?”

“However, I fail to see how this benefits me. Technically speaking, you have yet to rectify the power imbalance between us; you being able to completely negate my attacks is… problematic. Making you stronger would border on foolishness on my part.”

“So, you plan on attacking me in the future?”

“No, but the point still stands and the question remains: what do I have to gain from this?”

Nanami’s resolve did not waiver. She had the answer to this one, “An ally.”

His eyes narrowed at her, almost cautioning her to use her words wisely, but he continued to listen, pushing his laptop to the side. “Go on.”

“I wouldn’t serve you or be an accomplice, nor conspirator to any crimes. However, I will not plot against you, attack you without proper provocation, and if you’re in a bind like tonight, I will be there. In addition to this… I’ll tell you how I was able to negate your attack. It’s still a working theory, but I’d be willing to share and practice it with you until it’s fully proven. I can teach you, but only after Rappa has trained me and you teach me a defensive move using Overhaul. This way, we will be equal, for the most part.”

He stared at her searchingly, considering her proposal. After letting her squirm for a bit in suspense, he responded,” It cannot interfere with our organization’s daily dealings or our work in the lab.”

“Of course.”

“Then it’s a deal.”

“Also, could you talk to Rappa for me? You know the whole chivalry thing…” She trailed off hoping he would catch her drift.

“You’re just full of requests today.” He said, slightly annoyed as she raised her brows waiting for an answer, “He will comply. You may have to prove yourself, but he will comply.”

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was decided that Nanami would be tested by Rappa a week from the day. If she wasn’t sure about the nature of the test, it was certainly made clear when Rappa explained in a way only he could:

“I’ll take it easy since you’re a woman. If you can make me surrender, I’ll teach you.”

Such a generous soul~ Nanami mused to herself after pushing through the fourth lap. She didn’t expect to become a prize fighter in a week, but not getting winded just by going up the stairs at work was a good start. She’d kept somewhat in shape and had grown up doing club sports in school, but nothing she could think of that would constitute a “warrior spirit”. Looks like we’re gonna have to get creative with this…

Checking her watch, she realized she had just enough time to make an important call before her next appointment. “Hey Miki, how’ve you been?... That’s awesome, I’m doing alright myself… Hm? No, no we’re still on for dinner Thursday, I just had a favor to ask… Could I join you for some freerunning this week?... Nevermind why I’m breathing so heavy! Can I come? ...Thank you, Thank you, Thank you—I’ll see you at the station by your place. Bye!” The phone clicked.

She wouldn’t become a master in a week—maybe not even an intermediate level fighter—but at least she could have a sliver of a chance at winning Rappa over. With her plan coming together, she pushed for another lap, a little more confidence in her step than before.

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A week came and went, now Nanami stood in front of her closet, unsure of what to wear.

“What do you usually wear to a fight anyway…” She pondered, remembering what every fighting person she knew wore on a regular basis. Rappa wore jeans and a t-shirt, “If I can’t sleep in jeans, how the hell am I supposed to fight in them? Next.” Overhaul wore business attire, “The man’s an enigma, not even realistic to compare wardrobe choices there…Wait.” Nanami had an epiphany. Her fighting style, if she could call it that yet, wasn’t much like either of theirs from what she knew. Deciding it would be smartest to wear what she’d been training in that week of preparation, she got changed and hurried over.

Rushing her park job, she sat in her car for a beat, trying to catch her breath. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t been a nervous wreck anticipating her “trial by fire” today. Even with a plan, it would be hard to predict how she’d react in the moment when her safety was on the line. After rejecting her quirk and consequently, her body, for such a long time, it seemed like an impossible task to lean on it completely, to trust it, but what choice do I have? Nanami asked herself with equal measures of resignation and resolve. Deciding it was do or di—nope, gotta use a better phrase. We are not speaking the possibility of death into existence. Not today. Deciding it was now or never, Nanami took a deep breath, centering herself as she worked up the nerve to exit her car and march to the base and down to the training room.

Stopping in front of the entrance, she exhaled deeply once again, pushing the large door open. Upon opening it, she saw Rappa rotating his shoulders and stretching his arms. She gulped heavily, remembering his quirk, Strongarm, would soon be used on her. Focusing on her opponent, she hadn’t noticed someone else standing in the corner by the door.

“If you focus any harder, you’ll pop a blood vessel.” Said a familiar voice, startling her from her thoughts.

She put a hand to her chest, trying to calm down, “Oh my gosh you scared the shit out of me… and leave me alone. Everyone has their own way of preparing, I’m just… figuring mine out.”

“That and your sparring attire.” Overhaul responded too quickly for her liking, giving her a once over.

Defensively pulling her tracksuit closed, she gave him a look,” Did you come to roast me or root for me?”

“Neither. I am merely here to supervise. Whether you win or not is none of my concern.”

“Aaaand this is why I didn’t ask you to train me. If you need me, I’ll be stretching over there, ref.”

Nanami rolled her eyes, making her way to what she figured would be her side of the arena. The training room was large with two sections; one part took up a third of the room, hosting a myriad of traditional gym equipment and weights. The other part which was the arena, took up the remaining two thirds and was outlined on the floor in white with room on the sidelines for observers …and sassy referees. Nanami thought, remembering his dig from earlier.

Removing her tracksuit, she donned black leggings and a matching, sleeveless workout top. It was sleek and formfitting, maximizing her range of mobility. After she completed a couple toe touches, lunges and back stretches, Rappa took a step forward into the ring, “Alright, you know the rules! I’m making it easy on you by only asking for a surrender, but I won’t hold back.”

“I wouldn’t want you too. Let’s do this.” Nanami said, her game face on and her voice confident in an effort to override the doubts she had in her head.

“Now that’s the spirit! Come at me, doc!”

Getting into a stance, Nanami made a B-line towards Rappa, sprinting at full speed. He braced himself in a defensive stance, ready to attack when she came within striking distance. He was wearing his mask, but she could feel how serious the mood of the room had gotten. Just stick to the plan, it’ll all be ok, she said, steeling herself from further doubt. Focusing, she saw the second he was readying himself to take his first swing. Just then, she slid and dodged, slapping her hand firmly on the ground as she slid, sending a ripple in the direction she was headed, a pillar forming. She then slid past the new structure, extended her arms, and grabbed onto the pillar to swing herself back in his direction at full force. Keeping both her feet together she surprised him, landing a solid kick to the face. She followed through as he staggered, and she landed, rolling to minimize the impact. Before she could appreciate the look of surprise on Overhaul’s face, Rappa had recovered. Her refresher course on parkour with Miki had paid off and she had a few tricks up her sleeve.

“Now that was good. Give me more!” He exclaimed, punching the ground, barely missing her head as she dodged. Nanami had been fast, but Rappa was much more agile than he looked. She’d done some research on his quirk, but no amount of reading could have prepared her for the reality of it. Though it probably wouldn’t have seemed threatening if it had belonged to someone else, it suited him perfectly. He didn’t just have a quirk, he had a set of skills and used it to amplify them. Even without the added power, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Before she had the chance to think too much, he struck again and again, dodging becoming more difficult with each blow. Deciding to act, she erected more pillars.

“Putting up a wall for protection won’t gain you a surrender—come and fight me!” He warned, charging towards her.

“Who said these were for my protection?”  Nanami responded as she ran. She launched herself to gain enough momentum, bouncing between the pillars, she managed to land a punch to his side, just beneath his ribs, earning her a grunt. Now more confident, she went in for a second attack, this time she was going to aim for his chin, hoping to knock him out. In this movement, her lack of combat training caused her to make a grave error: she was wide open. By the time she saw Rappa winding up for an uppercut, it was too late to react. He landed a solid blow to her abdomen before grabbing her like a ragdoll, tossing her clear across the room and into the wall on the opposite side of the arena. Her back hit the wall with a thud, and she gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of her. She was certain she’d broken a rib or two. She fell on all fours, heaving as she grasped at the broken parts of her rib cage. She coughed up blood, accepting the consequences of being hit in real combat. When she expelled more of the red liquid from her mouth, she could’ve sworn she saw Overhaul reflexively lunge towards her. Without thinking she raised a hand motioning him to stop whatever he planned on doing, the other still clutching her side. Looking over to him, her expression must have relayed her determination. He took a step back, his face expressionless once again.

Reaching under her shirt to the affected area, she felt for a moment and healed herself, the sound of bones cracking back into place echoing throughout the room. She rose again, steadying herself as she took up her stance once again, “I’m not done yet.” Nanami gritted.

His mask was now ripped from her previous blows she could see a large smile forming. “Now that’s the look I want to see. IF YOU WANT VICTORY, COME AND TAKE IT WITH YOUR FISTS!”

Nanami charged forward, landing some solid blows as using her ability to manipulate the arena to her advantage. Though she’d used her quirk on their surroundings, she’d yet to use it on her opponent directly. Deep down, she was still too afraid to use it in that way. The only “fight” she’d ever used it against someone was when Overhaul and her first met, but really it was just a means to escape. Even in the face of danger, she found herself more afraid of losing control like she had all those years ago. As she hesitated, Rappa landed another solid blow, this time to her shoulder, dislocating it. She managed to stifle a scream of pain, but she knew this was bad. Before she had time to heal, he was charging towards her once again. She had enough mobility to dodge some of his blows, but not all of them. She couldn’t heal herself quickly enough to keep up with his attacks. He landed another to her ribs, a fist to her back and a knee to her abdomen. Rappa was enjoying himself and she was becoming less and less sure that he remembered this was a duel to a surrender and not to the death.

Completely forgetting where she was in her panic, an immense sense of danger crashed over her, the adrenaline taking over giving her tunnel vision. Judging by how he wound up, the next blow could have certainly killed her. She braced for impact, no longer thinking strategy and then… nothing. All she felt was the gust of wind that came from his fist stopping near her face and his breath on the back of her hand. Focusing her vision, she realized she had her finger pointed, mere inches from his neck and Rappa was frozen in his place, careful not to even clear his throat. Nanami hadn’t realized it, but her eyes were almost black and her face that of a cornered animal. She would have obliterated him had he not stopped short, an experience he wasn’t quick to relive a sixth time.

A smile slowly crept back across his face and Nanami was snapped out of her trance by the sound of jovial laughter. “I surrender, doc. THAT WAS GREAT! The look on your face right now, it’s perfect! I’ll see ya Thursday for training.” He boomed before shaking her hand that was aimed to kill him mere seconds ago. “I gotta make my rounds, but I’m looking forward to working with ya, doc. You’re one tough broad!” He said as he continued laughing to himself, exiting the room.

This whole place is just a dozen different flavors of crazy… I almost killed him, Nanami thought to herself, happy to have passed his trial, but terrified at the possibility of repeating “the incident”. Losing control scared her more than anything, but deep down she knew in order to master her quirk, she would have to take the risk and use it first. One step at a time, Nanami reassured herself, quelling the effects of the traumatic memories.  In reality, she knew whatever training he could give her would far surpass any of the self-defense classes she was going to settle for before. She wasn’t just going to be confident; she was going to be prepared. Just as she was riding the waves of her victory, the adrenaline began to wear off and the pain came washed over her like a tsunami. It left her breathless for a moment and all she wanted was to cry out but couldn’t as she felt one of her ribs pushing into her lung. Now laying on her back, she focused on moving the arm that wasn’t dislocated to her side, repairing her ribs and internal organs.

As she sat up to kneel on the floor and heal her shoulder, she heard footsteps coming towards her. “You’re going to have to get quicker at recovering if you plan on standing a chance the next time.” He said, looking down at her exhausted form still seated on the floor.

“I know.” Nanami sighed, reflecting on her sluggish reflexes with a bit of disappointment.

He stood in place, examining her for a beat. Suddenly something white entered her line of sight. Lifting her gaze, she saw his gloved hand extended to help her up, though his face was turned away. Quickly brushing off her surprise at his gesture, she patted her palms on her sides, before clasping his hand. He lifted her up with ease, and had she not already tempted death once today, she would have jokingly asked for a piggyback ride. Now standing close, their hands remained clasped between them longer than she expected. Craning her neck to make eye contact, she could tell he was thinking, his gaze unwavering with an emotion she couldn’t name. Just as she was about to get lost in those golden eyes, he spoke “You smell terrible.”

Ah. The ~emotion~ was in fact just stank face. Should’ve known he’d say something like that... She thought as her face dropped into one of exasperation.

“That, my very rude friend, is the smell of victory, so take a big whiff.” She retorted, moving past him, flipping her hair as she sashayed over to her bag to collect her things.

“Still wreaks… however, your performance was impressive, for an amateur.” The last part added as though it would break the very laws of nature itself to award a compliment without a catch. “See you tomorrow.” He remarked, leaving the room.

Her back was still turned as she zipped her bag, trying her best to hide the small smile that rested on her now proud face. “See you tomorrow.”

[thdorkmagnet]

Merry Stump Day, Marco Diaz!

Hey everyone, Happy Holidays, I bring you all a new story of mine to enjoy! This takes place in my Light of the Sun and Stars AU, with Marco celebrating his first Stump Day ever. I know my story on here is running a bit behind so I’m hoping nothing is confusing but I wanted to go ahead and post this one here as my gift to you all! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Star vs and all its characters are owned by Daron Nefcy and Disney. All rights go to them.

 The snow was falling softly onto the peaceful dimension of Mewni, bathing the world below in a blanket of white, making the landscape look like something out of a fairytale. A peaceful atmosphere and festive spirit seemed to have settled over Mewni, no soul left feeling sad or downtrodden on that of the most joyous day of the year: Stump Day. And it came as no surprise at all that Butterfly Kingdom had gone all out in their celebration, since it was no secret that their rulers adored the holiday. Many Mewmans and even a few Monsters wandered the frost covered streets chatting and enjoying the decorations that seemed to hang from every lamppost and home, everything covered in glowing lights and luminescent crystals, creating a beautiful display of colors and cheer. And at the very center of all the festivities stood Butterfly Castle, the residents inside enjoying the most extravagant party in the dimension as the royal family and their friends were all gathered together in the Great Hall for drinks and stories.

And it just so happened that Marco Diaz was currently listening to one of those very stories being told to him by Star's dad, the stump-shaped cup of hot cocoa in his hands all but forgotten as he listened intensely to the story of the very first Stump Day. His eyes were shimmering with intrigue and his sun cheek marks spun away in excitement, while next to him, Star sat with her head resting against her hands looking equally as engrossed in the story as her boyfriend and best friend was. She had even dressed for the occasion, wearing overtop her usual casual attire of a sea green dress, she was now wearing a red fleece jacket that went down to just below her hips and buttoned with three identical black buttons in the middle. Her leggings were now pure white and instead of purple boots she had swapped them out with black ones that had a reindeer face painted on the front of them. She still wore the horns Marco had given her but her hair had been braided back with red string and tied into a festive looking bow at the end of her hair. Marco kept finding himself staring at his bestie, adoring her colorful attire and he silently wished he had dressed up for the occasion as well. But for right now, his attention and focus was entirely on King River as he began his tale.

“Back long ago when Mewni was still young and the people inexperienced, back before anyone knew of dimensional travel and magic and even basic hygiene, lived the original Mewmans,” the king began, his tone light and cheerful but carrying a weight of importance that seemed to suck you in and left you hanging on his every word and Marco found himself impressed by this ability. Star's dad truly had a talent for storytelling. “Back then, everybody only looked out for themselves, only forming small groups and tribes, while everyone else was there enemy!” As River slammed his hand down on the table Marco jumped, his eyes incapable of growing any larger as he learned more about his heritage. “Fights broke out all the time back then, both Mewmans and Monsters constantly at war with themselves and each other as they tried to gain dominance. Until one day, magic was discovered by the Mewmans and with this power came a battle unlike anything the world has ever seen! The greedy and selfish Mewmans began trying to destroy their brethren, hoping to conquer Mewni for themselves! But as the battle continued, it seemed they were all doomed to wipe each other into extinction instead.”

“What about the Monsters?” Marco spoke up and River looked over at the boy with slight annoyance at the interruption.

“Monsters were smart,” Buff Frog answered from his table, where he and the rest of Marco's Monster family sat listening to the story, Star somehow able to convince her parents to let them be there for the celebration, knowing how important it was to Marco to have all his loved ones around on his first real Stump Day. “They know better than mess with magic.”

River cleared his throat, trying to pull the attention back onto him as he muttered, “Yes well, excluding the Monsters who have nothing really to do with this story...” He took a deep breath before continuing in his usual jovial manner, “Anyways, as the fighting grew worse and worse, a blizzard struck out of nowhere, quickly ending the battle as they were all forced to instead seek comfort from the dangerous cold. But all that fighting had devastated the land and what little was left was blown away by the swift and deadly storm. There was nowhere safe for them to go.” River paused for dramatic effect, looking over the watching crowd. Marco was on the edge of his seat at this point, his eyes filled with fear as he began anxiously biting his fingernails, while his girlfriend just smiled over at his cuteness.

“Until,” River finally continued, causing Marco to let out a loud sigh of relief. “Oh good, there's more,” he muttered and Star had to bite her lip to keep from cooing over how adorable her Marco could be sometimes. “They eventually came across a giant tree that seemed to be at the very heart of Mewni, its wooden frame too strong to be blown apart by the wind and its branches big enough to keep all of them safe and dry. The early Mewmans, although still full of hate, had no choice but to gather together around the tree to stay alive. And after a while, as they stayed huddled together, trying to find warmth, they eventually began to let go of their harsh feelings, forgetting about their differences and hatred as a warmth within them started to grow and fill their hearts with peace instead of sensless violence. Eventually, the storm passed but the time the Mewmans had spent together underneath that tree had left a lasting impression.

“They ended the war that day and from there the Mewmans began spreading out across Mewni, creating an alliance of kingdoms that stood with each other rather than against each other. And at the center of all the other kingdoms, stood the most powerful of them all, the Butterfly Kingdom, set up in the very place the fighting and violence had once taken place, now a symbol of peace across the land. In fact, the very tree that kept everyone alive was cut down and used as wood to make the very castle we sit in today.

“But its the stump that was left afterwards that we honor and celebrate every year on this day for bringing us all together and for reminding us that deep down we are all Mewmans!” River finished his speech, before raising his cup high and declaring, “To the stump!”

“To the stump!” came the replied shout from the crowd, Marco shouting the phrase at the very top of his lungs, before gulping down the soothing hot chocolate along with the everyone else. The minute he was done chugging the drink, he let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the table as he said wistfully, “Wow, that was an incredible story.”

“Yeah but King River always leaves out the rest of it,” Jackie commented and Marco gave her a wonder-filled look.

“There's more?” he asked hopefully and Jackie couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

“Yeah dude, in fact Stump Day is completely different now then it was back in the day thanks to Earth.”

“Wait, really!” Marco gasped in intrigue.

“See, on Earth we have a similar holiday called Christmas and after we became allies with Mewni, the Mewmans started adopting some of our traditions, like giving gifts to show your love and appreciation of each other, rather than just spending the whole holiday celebrating the Stump.”

“Which the Stump wasn't too happy about,” Janna pointed out.

“Yeah but it worked out. Eventually even the Stump had to submit to the power of Christmas spirit,” Jackie replied, clenching a fist dramatically. “It's said that the stump's heart was melted after our guy, Santa Claus, showed him the true meaning of Christmas and he even teamed up with him one year to help bring presents to not just the good kids of Earth... but Mewni too.”

“Wow, Jackie how do you know so much about all this?” Marco asked, looking quite impressed with his friend's knowledge.

Jackie gave him a sheepish grin before admitting, “I learned about it mostly from this old cartoon special my parents and I used to watch back on Earth every year. 'How the Stump Saved Christmas', it was pretty cheesy but it was my favorite as a kid.”

Marco let all this sink in, before exclaiming,“Wow, I can't believe I went all these years without knowing anything about Christmas or Stump Day!”

“I can't  believe it either,” Star agreed giving him a sad look. “This is my favorite time of year. I can't imagine not celebrating Stump Day. Did you and the Monsters ever do anything for the holiday?”

Marco shook his head. “No, all Toffee ever did was lay a couple of stumps around the castle and that was it.” He let out a long sigh. “I have so much to catch up on.”

“Well your in luck, Marco,” Star told him, inching a bit closer so her side was touching his, as she put an arm around him. “Because here at Butterfly Castle we go all out for Stump Day. We bring you the works!”

“Yeah!” Marco cheered, pumping his fists into the air. But he turned to her with a confused look as he asked, “What are the works?”

“Well first up is carols and stories, which we just did,” Star explained. “Then we got hot cocoa...” She held up her empty stump cup to show him. “Decorations and loved ones...” She gestured to the room around them, Marco smiling brightly at the familiar faces and colorful decorations that surrounded them. “... the stump of course. And last but not least is-”

“Presents!” Star's dad shouted at the top of lungs.

Moon shot her husband a look, before saying politely to the crowd, “Yes, will everyone please move single file into the throne room so gift unwrapping can commence.”

“Ha ha come on slowpokes, I bet I'll be the first to open a present!” River shouted, rushing for the doors at top speed, yelling an annoying battle cry, the others following suit, though at a much slower pace.  All the while, Moon buried her face in her hands at her husband's childish and embarrassing antics, muttering under her breath, “Oh River.” Why did he have to be like this every single year?

…

“Oh wow Jackie, thank you so much!” Marco cried as he ripped the last of the wrapping paper, holding the gift close to his chest while his eyes twinkled in delight. “I love it!”

Jackie smiled at him and said, “Glad to hear it, dude.” She held back a giggle as she reminded him for probably the tenth time, “But you have to open the box to see what you got, remember?”

Marco nodded, a sheepish grin on his face as he said, “Right, right, I knew that.” He had done that so far on every single gift he had been given, just as impressed by the packaging as the actual present inside. Not that anyone minded, it was adorable to see the boy so giddy and joyful at the simple act of receiving a gift from his friends and family that they all couldn't help but stop and watch his reactions all the way through. Marco opened up the box and gasped at what he saw inside, his eyes shimmering with gleeful gratitude as he shouted, “Thanks, Jackie! I love it!” He reached inside and pulled out the blue helmet decorated in cute designs, giving the girl a quick hug from the side. “I'll treasure it always!”

Jackie smiled. “I thought you might,” she said. “I figured this way you had your own helmet to wear whenever you want to go skateboarding with me.”

“Wow that's so awesome of you, thanks!” Marco said gleefully. He paused to set it beside him with his other presents before looking around the room in fascination again. It was hard not to, the big room one Marco had never seen before, a giant stump taking up quite a bit of the space there, which according to King River was the original one brought there by the Butterflys who built the castle. Its long roots looped and branched out across the massive space, creating nice places for everyone to sit as they opened presents, usually sitting in groups of three or four. Marco himself was currently squeezed between Star and Jackie, his pile of presents slowly diminishing until only one remained.

The boy frowned for a moment, suddenly feeling his stomach churning with guilt. Star picking up on the change in her boyfriend's demeanor asked, “What's wrong, Marco?”

“I guess I just feel bad that all of you got me gifts but I didn't get anything for any of you,” he admitted.

Star gently put a hand over his, telling him softly, “Hey, it's okay. Nobody expects anything from you, Marco. We're all just happy you're here with us. Everyone just wants your first Stump Day to be special.”

Jackie giggled slightly as she looked over her shoulder at the large pile of opened gifts and added, “Yeah, hence why everyone went overboard when they heard this was your first time celebrating.”

“Maybe just a little,” Star admitted as her and Marco followed their skater friend's gaze.

The hooded teen let out a deep breath, nodding his head in agreement. “Yeah, you're right, guys. I should just enjoy it,” he said, before flashing them a confident grin and declaring loudly, “And next year I'll be sure to give everyone here the best Stump Day gifts they've ever seen!”

“That's the spirit!” Jackie exclaimed, giving him a quick hug.

“But for now,” Star said with a hinting tone, slowly reaching behind her. “You can... open this present I got for you!” The blond gave her boyfriend the brightest grin imaginable as she held up a bright red present with a pretty green bow around it.

Marco gasped with joy the moment he saw his gift, taking it eagerly out of her hands. “Oh wow, Star. This is so great! You didn't have to do this!”

“What and not get my boyfriend a present on his first official Stump Day?” Star teased, giving him a quick wink, which caused him to blush.

“Thanks, Star,” he said shyly.

“So, what are you waiting for? Open it up,” Star said, quickly losing her patience as she tried to guess what his reaction would be to her extra special gift. Her blue eyes sparkled as she watched him rip off the wrapping paper, not taking any time or care to preserve it, which was fine with her, just discarding it onto the floor without a second thought. He looked the box the bright red box over, his eyes incapable of growing any larger as he turned it around in his hands, observing every inch of the cubed surface. He hadn't even known boxes could come in different colors. “Wow, thank you Star, this is so awesome!”

Star laughed, putting her arms around him in a make-shift hug and giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “If I had known you'd like the boxes this much I would have saved you up some.”

Marco grinned goofily at his girlfriend's show of affection, saying brightly, “I guess I'm still pretty much in shock over getting any gifts at all.”

Star and Jackie smiled at him, the skater saying, “Well you deserve every single one, dude.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. But her impatience finally won out as she gave him a tight squeeze and said, “Now hurry up and open it! You're going to love it!”

Marco laughed, saying, “Okay, okay.” he threw the lid off, staring inside at his present, before his smile vanished, his jaw hitting the floor as he gave the object inside a disbelieving look. He was mesmerized, his sun cheek marks spinning a mile a minute as he processed what he was seeing. He looked over at Star with a questioning look, silently asking her if this was really for him and she nodded, her palms pressed together in front of her mouth as she gauged his reaction. The boy quickly looked back at his present before his breath hitched, tears flooding his vision. He reached inside and pulled out the bright red hoodie from within, holding it close to his chest as the box hit the floor with a muted and forgotten thunk.

The material was the exact same as the one he was wearing, soft to the touch, in fact it seemed like almost an exact replica to his favorite choice of clothing. But unlike the identical dozen hanging in his closet this one had festive designs stitched all over it. A stump occupied the center, of course, and below it Star and Marco were holding hands. A set of pretty yellow stars had been stitched in different sections of the hoodie, which he noticed all looked like the ones he had seen topping some of the trees around Mewni. Each sleeve had a green snowflake pattern on it, right at the elbows, and the inside of his hood was lined green as well. “Star, I-I don't know what to say,” the boy whispered under his breath, still struggling to keep his tears at bay. “How did you find this?”

Star held him close to her as she explained, “I had it made for you. I managed to locate the company that made your old hoodies and I asked them to make a specialty one for you. This way, you'll always be able to look back and remember your first Stump Day with me.”

“Oh wow, thank you, Star!” Marco cried, the tears now finally breaking free as they rolled down his cheeks. He hugged her close to him, laying his head on her shoulder as he repeated over and over again, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it so much!”

The joy on Star's face was indescribable as she made her Marco happy beyond belief. She loved spoiling him already, adoring the cute little face he would make whenever she surprised him with something. But this accomplishment might have been better than all the others, because she knew she had just made his day and she hoped this would be enough to convince him to agree with her on this being the greatest time of the year. And considering how tightly he was hugging, it would seem she had done just that, the blond royal silently congratulated herself on knowing her bestie well enough to get him exactly what he wanted.

The moment they pulled away, Jackie suggested, “Why don't you try it on, Marco?” The boy didn't even hesitate as he ripped off his old hoodie, Star grabbing it out of the air before watching as he slipped on the new one. He was too excited to even take the time to unzip it, just slipping it over his head and letting it slide down his body before stuffing his arms through. Marco squealed with delight, softly feeling of the fabric with his fingertips and standing up so he could admire himself from every angle. “It fits me perfect!” he shouted, not even realizing the sleeves were just a bit too long and kept falling over his hands. Star would have complained that the makers had gotten the specific dimensions she had given them wrong, but honestly he looked too adorable with sleeves that completely covered his hands. Plus Marco was pleased with it, Star figured she should be too.

Marco sat back down, rolling his sleeves up enough that he had use of his hands, proclaiming to the two girls, “This has been the best Stump Day I've ever had!”

“This is the only Stump Day you've ever had,” Jackie playfully pointed out.

“Yeah but I don't think anything is going to top this,” Marco said.

Star kissed his forehead, making him blush, as she said with a mischievous grin, “Challenge accepted.”

Marco just smiled and laughed, but before he could retort, there was a call across the room. “Star!”

The three looked over to see Moon waving at her, trying to desperately get her attention as River was currently wrestling with one of his Johansen cousins, Rider, to get the mislabeled gift that both thought was addressed to them. Star cringed, before shouting, “Coming mom!” She turned to Marco, giving him an apologetic grin as she sheepishly muttered, “Sorry, duty calls! Be right back, okay?”

“Sure thing,” Marco said, smiling to let her know it was fine. But as he noticed his hood still tucked under her arm, he quickly added, “Oh here let me take that back.”

He reached out a hand to grab it, but to his surprise Star pulled away, frantically shouting, “No, no it's fine. I'll keep a hold of it a little longer. So I can, uh... give it to Sir Lavabo.”

“But Sir Lavabo is off for the day,” Jackie pointed out.

“Well I could at least send it to be washed,” Star quickly countered, her cheeks now coated in a bright blush. “Okay well, I better get going!” she quickly excused herself, running over to her parents.

Marco and Jackie shared a look. “What was that about?” the boy wondered aloud.

“No idea,” Jackie responded, looking equally as confused. But after that, the two let the subject drop, the two settling into a comfortable silence, just watching the others, who were all equally in the festive spirit.

Tom and Janna sat side by side on one of the stumps, the beanie-wearing teen watching as the demon boy opened his gift with a cheerful smile. But it vanished in an instant as he held up the tiny mistletoe in his hands, giving her a questioning look. “Come on, Janna. Mistletoe, really? I thought you would be a bit more clever than that,” he said with a scoff, rolling his eyes. At this point, Tom had been around Janna enough to learn her ways and was almost unfazed by most of her flirtatious charms. Which is why, now she had taken that as a personal challenge, constantly going out of her way with more and more insane schemes to make him blush and lose his cool. But this did not seem to be one of them as she pulled off the oldest trick in the book.

Janna, didn't seem troubled or ashamed though, as she just smirked at him, saying lazily, “Oh Tom, ye of little faith. What is in your hand right now, isn't just mistletoe.”

Tom gave her a stunned expression, asking hesitantly, “Then... what is it?”

“It's a magically infused patch of mistletoe, which makes anyone who touches it have a sudden and uncontrollable urge to kiss whoever is nearest them.” Janna scooted just an inch closer, her elbows resting on her knees as she said flirtatiously, “So Lucitor, where's my Stump Day present?”

Make directed his attention next over to his Monster family who all sat clumped together around their leader, Buff Frog, who waved as he noticed Marco's attention on him. The boy waved back, before pointing to his hoodie and his dad gave him a proud shake of his head and thumbs up. But his attention was quickly drawn back to his rowdy friends, Beard Deer currently getting annoyed with Lobster Claws, who had spent the last minute and a half shaking his present, trying to guess the contents within. The crustacean had a thoughtful expression as he rotated the gift in his oversized claws before giving it another shake, making Beard Deer growl in frustration. “Just open it already, idiot!” the deer Monster shouted.

“Hang on, I like to take my time,” Lobster Claws responded.

“Well at this rate, Stump Day will be over before you get done!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” the crustacean finally snapped, before slowly beginning to peel away the paper, inch by tortuous inch, Beard Deer letting out an infuriated groan, his whole body shaking with mirth.

Marco smiled at his families antics before turning his attention to Higgs, trying not to laugh out loud at what he saw, knowing the consequences for doing such a thing. The redheaded knight and her dad were currently wearing matching green sweaters, Dex grinning goofily while his daughter had her arms crossed in front of her chest, a sour expression on her face. “Isn't this fun, Higgs!” her dad asked with a cheerful demeanor.

“Not really,” the girl grumpily mumbled under her breath.

“What was that, sweetie?” Dex asked, not quite hearing her.

Higgs groaned. “I said this is embarrassing, dad! All the other knights are gonna be making fun of me! I'll be the laughingstock of the castle for weeks!”

“Well I think I you look good, Higgs,” Jak helpfully pitched in.

“I don't need your pity, Jak!” Higgs barked at him.

Dex sniffed, tears filling his vision as he quietly whispered to himself, “Just like her mother.”

“Vioooollet!” a small voice shrieked, gaining Marco's attention as he quickly checked to make sure the twins were okay, but sighed in relief as he saw that Daisy and Violet were still just playing with their new toys together on the floor. The cutesy twin had a set of 'My Little Unicorn's' that her mom had gotten her, while Violet was playing with her new pose-able Monster action figure (a gift from Star apparently). Daisy was pouting as she crossed her arms bitterly in front of her chest. “Stop knocking over my unicorns! They are trying to graze!”

“Yeah well they can't now because a Monster is attacking them!” Violet screamed, before roaring and making her toy stamp around, knocking over several of Daisy's unicorn collection. “Silly unicorns, me smash them with super strong feet!” the girl said in the deepest voice she could, clearly speaking for her action figure.

“That's not fair! You're breaking the rules, Violet,” Daisy whined, pointing an accusing finger her way.

Violet laughed, still speaking in her Monster voice, “Ha ha ha, me Monster, me no care about rules! Now to destroy pitiful horses with my laser vision!” She starting making shooting sounds with her mouth, while her sister just groaned in annoyance.

“Monsters don't even have laser vision,” Daisy pointed out.

“Yeah, well this one does,” Violet told her, breaking character for a moment.

“Fine, than my unicorns use magic to slay the Monster,” the cutesy girl declared, picking up two of her toys and aiming it at Violet's action figure.

“Not if he gobbles them up first!” the creepy kid exclaimed.

“Ha, yeah right, everyone knows unicorns taste bad,” Daisy matter-of-factly stated.

Marco smiled, glad to see the two playing and getting along... sorta. His eyes continued scanning the area looking for their mom, not surprised when he found her surrounded by a large group of guys all craving her attention, which she seemed to be loving every second of. She gasped as she opened up the tiny present in her hands saying in a sugary-sweet tone, “For me? Oh Manfred you shouldn't have” The Mewman in question was smiling ear to ear, a bright blush on his face, while the others were shooting him death glares.

Marco smiled at the older royal, wondering how she managed to capture so many people's attention at once. Everyone always seemed to love her and that was a trait Marco wished he could know more about, since his insecure side still surfaced and caused him trouble every now and then.

The boy let out a deep sigh, letting everything sink in as he just enjoyed the moment. Everything was so wonderful and new and fantastic and he didn't even think he had a word to describe how happy he was to be a part of it. It made him feel special, made him feel like he belonged, like this was where he was always meant to be. He couldn't believe how many Stump Day's had been robbed from him, how many memories he had missed out on due to Toffee's selfishness. But at least he was here now and that was really all that mattered, he realized.

Marco turned to look back at his presents, thinking of how wonderful and incredible his family was, when something occurred to him. Star hadn't opened a single gift. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed, too entranced in his unwrapping frenzy to realize his girlfriend had just been watching him the whole time. He quickly looked around for any signs of Star's presents around the branch they were sitting on, before his eyes scanned the rest of the room, hoping maybe they had all just been misplaced or something. But everyone else was done with their wrapping and he couldn't see a single, unopened box left anywhere in the massive room.

The boy frowned, before turning back to Jackie asking in concern, “How come Star didn't get a present?” He couldn't believe it, if anyone deserved something special on Stump Day, it was Star. She was incredible and she deserved a billion gifts to show her just how amazing she was. How could nobody get her anything?!

“Oh Star usually waits to open up her presents the day after, y'know during her birthday party,” Jackie nonchalantly explained.

Marco felt his heart stop as he screamed in shock, “What?! It's her birthday tomorrow!”

“No, it's today, but she always celebrates the day after,” Jackie replied with a questioning look, taking in the look of surprise on her friend's face. “You really didn't know that?”

The boy shook his head, feeling the color draining from his face. How didn't he know that? Star was his girlfriend and his bestie, if anyone should have known when her birthday was it was him. “Marco,” Jackie's voice softly called, incapable of reaching him as he lost himself more and more to his distressed thoughts. But not only didn't he know it was her birthday, but that also meant he hadn't gotten her anything either. He hadn't gotten his own girlfriend a present on her birthday... which also happened to be on her favorite day of the year! “Marco?” What was wrong with him? He had to fix this!  He had to do something for her!”Marco?!” He had to show her just how special and important she was to him! He needed to-

“Marco!” Jackie shouted for the forth time, this time finally managing to gain his attention as he finally met her gaze. The boy noticed the concern in her eyes and the fact he was suddenly feeling light-headed and realized he had most likely just been hyperventilating. The skater gave him a comforting smile, telling him, “Look it's okay you didn't know.”

“No it isn't!” Marco argued, his voice cracking against his will. “I'm her boyfriend, Jackie! How could I not get her anything on her birthday?!”

“Well look, you can just do it next year like we talked about,” Jackie helpfully suggested, but Marco shook his head vigorously.

“No way, this is different,” the hooded teen argued. “I can't be the only one who didn't get her a birthday present. I'd feel awful.”

“Star would understand,” Jackie reassured him.

Marco sighed. “But that's not the point. She shouldn't have to. She is the most amazing person I've ever met, she deserves better.”  Marco bit his lip as he tried to wrack his brain for an idea, as he muttered to himself, “There has to be something nice I can do for her.”

Jackie watched her friend closely, judging his thoughtful expression as she realized that the hooded teen wasn't going to give up on this idea. His determination was something nobody could match and once he made his mind up, there was no stopping him. So wanting to cheer up her friend, she helpfully suggested, “Tell you what, how about later we go over to Quest Buy and find something for her. Would that make you feel better?”

Marco's face immediately broke out into a wide grin and he surprised her with a tight hug. “Yes that would be awesome Jackie! Thank you so, so much!”

Jackie giggled and gave him a gentle squeeze back, her heart leaping for being able to brighten the innocent teen's spirits. “No problem, Marco. You know I'm always here for you.”

“Hey guys.” The two pulled out of the hug to see Star standing over them (the hoodie still bundled up in her arms) looking tired but happy and she smiled over to them saying, “Sorry about that. So what do you want to do next?”

Before Jackie could say a word, Marco had grabbed a hold of her arm and loudly exclaimed, “Well actually, me and Jackie just realized that we needed to go do something, so we have to go.”

Star seemed surprised by this, asking, “Now? But the party isn't over yet.”

“Yeah but we really gotta go,” Marco responded immediately, the skater not even having a chance to protest as the boy stood and began heading for the door. He shouted over his shoulder on the way out, “Great party! Had a great time, thanks everyone, bye!”

Star gave Jackie a quizzical look as she was dragged out of the room, but the white-haired teen merely shrugged in reply and gave her a sheepish smile, before following along after the boy, knowing it was pointless to argue with him at this point. Marco's mind was made up, he was getting a gift for Star.

…

Marco and Jackie casually strolled down the bustling streets of Mewni village, dodging joyful peasants that passed by them, all of them in a hurry to get somewhere it seemed. Marco did, however, receive several compliments for his festive hoodie which he just smiled and thanked them for. The streets were crowded with a million things to see and do that day, sellers giving out Stump Day merchandise, decorations and lights that covered every corner of town, and carolers singing traditional Stump Day carols with donations boxes set up to help those in need. Normally Marco would have stopped to enjoy and gawk at all the new sights and sounds, but today the hooded teen barely noticed any of it, he was on a mission and he couldn't afford to get distracted. And so with every step his pace increased more and more until he was almost jogging down the sidewalks, leaving his friend behind in a trail of dust. After a few moments, Jackie called after him with a giggle, "Slow down, dude, you're gonna get run over." "I know, I know," Marco said, himself down enough that he was side by side with Jackie, but the effort left him bouncing up and down with energy and impatience. "But we're so close. I just can't wait to get Star a birthday present. She's always doing so much for me, I really want to return the favor." "And liberating her entire world and then becoming one of her most valued and hardworking members of her commission isn't enough?" Jackie asked in a teasing tone, raising a knowing eyebrow at her friend. "You know what I mean," Marco argued, a grin lighting up his face at her playful demeanor. "This is different from all that. She's my girlfriend, isn't getting her a present on her birthday like one of the requirements of being a good boyfriend?" "You got me there," Jackie replied, shooting him a wink. The two turned to face forward and Marco gasped, his eyes shimmering as the Quest Buy shop finally came into view. "There it is! Come on Jackie, let's hurry!" Marco raced forward, Jackie doing her best to keep up with him, dodging smoothly around carts and passerbys giving them startled looks as they went by. The boy reached the store entrance, Jackie right on his heels, and he slammed the door open loudly shouting, "I'm here to buy the perfect gift!" But he froze as he noticed that the store was completely empty and not just of customers... everything was gone, the shelves empty and the bins picked clean. The only one currently there was a very tired looking sloth, slowly sweeping the floor. "Wh-What happened? Where is everything?" Marco asked looking around the store with a frown. "Uh yeah, we sold out for the day after our Stump Day 99 percent off sale," the sloth explained in an unenthusiastic voice. "Sold out!" Marco whined, putting a hand to his head. "But now how am I gonna buy Star a birthday present?" he asked worriedly. The sloth shrugged. "I don't know. Not my problem." Jackie however was deep in thought, finally saying enthusiastically, "Luckily, I may know a way."

…

Marco stood open-mouthed, staring in wonder at the giant store before him the second he stepped through the portal. Jackie appeared right behind him, before sealing the dimensional tear back up with her pair of scissors. Marco, meanwhile, had yet to blink, afraid he would miss a single fantastical sight from the new world before him."Wwwwhhhoooaaa!" The boy whispered in amazement. The building looked more like a labyrinth than a store, endless rows filled with every item known across the multiverse which seemed to stretch outward into infinity. Marco could see several sloth workers restocking shelves or answering customer questions. He also spotted a large map, or he thought it was a map, it looked more like an ancient code that he wasn't even sure was decipherable, but he was grateful to see it all the same. A giant sign hung above the whole store, reading 'Quest Buy.' "Pretty cool, huh?" Jackie asked, seeing the joy and astonishment written all over the boy's face. "This is the original Quest Buy, everything from our store and then some is here, which means we shouldn't have any trouble finding Star a present." "I'll bet!" Marco exclaimed. “It's so huge! I-I can't believe a place like this even exists." "Well its real, all right," Jackie replied with a chuckle. She gave her hooded friend an eager grin as she added, "So how about we start looking for that present?" "Yeah!" Marco cried, pumping both fists into the air in excitement. He gasped as something caught his eye and quickly latched onto Jackie's arm, shouting, "Ooohh what's that? Let's start over there!" Jackie held back her laughter as the boy dragged her around the store, freaking out over something every couple of seconds. After about half an hour of exploring the store, Marco started to get serious and doubled down on his gift getting mission. That was when Jackie discovered that the hooded teen was a very picky shopper, at least where Star was concerned. Nothing seemed to be to the boy's liking, developing a very critical eye toward the wondrous items from across the multiverse. At some point, Jackie started pitching him suggestions, which didn't seem to help all that much.

"What about this?" Jackie suggested, holding up a pair of star earrings. "I bet Star would like these." Marco gave them a frown, before shaking his head. "Mmm, nope. I can do better for her than that." Jackie nodded and set them back. "Fair enough." The two continued on a few feet, before the skater suggested, "How about a wand charger, she can always use one of those?" She pointed down the aisle where a large selection of charging devices were. "Too formal," the boy replied. "Oookkkayy," Jackie said thoughtfully. "How about this?" The girl gestured to the device. "Its a device that can braid your hair in ten seconds or less guaranteed!" "So can Star's wand," Marco pointed out. "Hadn't thought of that," the skater replied.

“Well what about this?”

“No.”

“Or this?”

“Nope.”

“This?”

“Um, is that box supposed to be buzzing?”

Jackie screamed and quickly threw the box of insta-kill bees back up on the shelf. “Why do they even have that here?” the skater asked, wiping her hands on her pant leg.

Both teens looked around at the massive store filled with a billion items, none of which seemed just right for Star, and they sighed. This was a lot harder than they were expecting.

“Are you in need of assistance?” a mechanical sounding voice said behind them and the two screamed and turned to see a large creature, its body made out of electricity with a large green eye that seemed to make up its entire face. The eyeball blinked red every couple of seconds as it stared at them with a dead look, making both of teens skin crawl.

“Um, who are you?” the boy asked, resisting the urge to hide behind his skater friend. He didn't like the way this thing was looking at him.

“I am Quest Buy's first customer service bot,” the thing explained. “My function is to help our customers find a purchase that is to their satisfaction. Now then, are you in need of assistance?”

The two shared a look, before quickly shaking their heads, Jackie saying, “No, no that's okay. We're good.”

“Yeah, you can go help someone else,” the boy added, hoping he didn't sound too desperate to make the thing leave.

“I'm afraid I cannot do that, my systems have picked up unhappiness from you two and I am unable to leave until you are satisfied with your purchase.”

“Great,” Jackie muttered under her breath. “So now we got a tin can following us around and monitoring our every move.”

“I am not made of tin, I am made of ionized plutonic energy cells which are located in my core processing center, which is stored in my retina chip,” the service bot explained.

Marco gave the thing a long lost look before asking in confusion, “Um, what?”

“Her eyeball powers her face,” Jackie translated.

“Ooohhh,” the boy said, sorta understanding what all that mumbo-jumbo she had been going on about was.

“Yes, that is a more simplified way of putting it,” the service bot agreed. “Now then, is there anything I can do to make your shopping experience easier, I could perhaps give you directions to a section of our store, or read you off some deals we have going, or I could get you set up with our membership program-”

As the bot continued to list off more and more options, Marco and Jackie tuned her out, turning to each other as they began whispering amongst each other. “Well looks like we're gonna be stuck here a while, dude,” Jackie pointed out.

“Yeah I know,” the boy sighed. “Man, why is this so hard? I know Star better than anyone, finding her a gift should be no problem.”

“Well, what do you think she would want?”

The boy shook his head. “I'm not sure, there's just too many options in here, I can't think straight.”

“There has to be something in here she would like?”

“Yeah, but I don't want it to be just any old gift, I want it to be perfect.”

The service bot's voice instantly stopped and the two turned to the machine, giving it quizzical looks. Its eyeball was wildly blinking red and before either could question what it was doing, it simply stated, “Request acknowledged.”

There was a bright flash of light, as it shot a beam directly at Marco and Jackie, who screamed and held onto each other, fearing for their lives, clenching their eyes closed. The hooded boy's life flashed before his eyes and he wondered if this was really the end for him and his friend. But after a few seconds without blinding pain, the boy decided to risk peaking open an eye. The two were now in a giant empty room, their ragged breath echoing off the walls of the open space. Hovering over them was the service bot, who gave them the same empty look as before, though now the blinking red light was gone at least. “Hey, um, Jackie I think we're alive,” Marco told the girl and her eyes flew open as she looked around the room in confusion.

“Where are we?” she asked.

The service bot was quick to answer, saying, “The Wishing Room. A coming attraction to the Quest Buy store opening up to the public sometime next year.”

��Wishing Room?” Jackie repeated skeptically at the same time Marco nervously questioned, “Are we even allowed in here?”

“Yes, I have granted you both temporary access in response to your request,” the bot answered.

“My request?” the boy asked, raising a confused eyebrow.

Suddenly, the bots eye lit up red again, this time Marco hearing his own words and voice being repeated back to him, 'I don't want it to be just any old gift, I want it to be perfect.'

“Okay, that's creepy,” Jackie said, shuddering as a chill went up her spine.

Marco was inclined to agree, but he pushed this frightening moment aside for the more pressing concern he had. “So this room... it can help me get the perfect gift for Star?”

“Yes,” the service bot replied simply. “The Wishing Room can create anything it is you desire.”

The boy smiled and eagerly asked, “Okay great, how does it work?!”

“Whatever you think of will appear here,” the service bot explained.

“Wow, that seems so simple,” Marco gasped in shock. He had thought it would be much more complicated process that that.

“We are designing it to be user friendly, once we work the last of the bugs out.”

“What was that last bit?” Jackie questioned skeptically.

“Nothing to concern yourselves over, the safety of our shoppers at Quest Buy are our top priority,” the bot recited, her monotone voice sounding almost as if she was reading off of a script.

“Okay then,” Jackie said, slowly raising an eyebrow before turning to the hooded teen. “Go ahead and give it a shot, dude.”

“Right,” Marco said with a confident nod. He took a step forward, closing his eyes so he could concentrate on what he was doing, before saying loudly, “Okay room, please give me what Star wants most!”

The boy heard a poof sound and he smiled opening his eyes, expecting to see something amazing in front of him, but he could only gasp and stare open-mouthed at what had been created. Standing before him was a replica of him, except for his mole being on the wrong side, his cheek marks were dull and faded, and wearing a blue hoodie instead of his typical red. “Wh-Who are you?!” Marco asked in shock.

The boy smiled and stated plainly, “Oh I'm Marco Fresh, the new cooler version of you, who is gonna sweep Star off her feet-”

“Nope!” Jackie shouted, waving her hands in front of her and making the fake Marco vanish from sight. “That is not what we wanted!”

Marco just continued to stare blankly ahead, his eyes wide and full of confusion, “D-Did I just make another me?”

Jackie sighed, before telling him, “That must have just been one of the glitches, try again Marco.”

The boy nodded, still looking slightly startled, before he took a deep breath and tried again, trying to concentrate on something Star would like. The blond liked a lot of thing, rainbows, narwhals, that old band Love Sentence she and he had listened to a couple of songs from. Let's see what else? Puppies, sunsets, her home and family, making people smile which always seemed to just make her whole face light up in the cutest way... okay, focus Marco. What was the thing she loved the most in the world?

He heard another poof sound and his eyes snapped open only to see nothing before him. He frowned and looked around a bit, till he eventually found his newest creation sitting at his feet. It was a miniature version of him, wearing only a diaper, with its mole and cheek marks looking the same as the last fake him. Only this time, it had red wheels on its feet. It smiled up at him, before saying, “I'm Baby Marco and I have wheels for hands, Whhhheeeee!” It skidded away, leaving a dust cloud behind it as the two teens could only gap in disbelief at what had just occurred. The two shared a quick look before Marco suggested, “Never speak of this again?”

“Agreed,” the skater said instantly.

“Okay this clearly isn't working,” the hooded boy said with a disappointed look. “Maybe we should just go back to searching the store.”

“Yeah, I think this room is either broken or buggy,” Jackie concluded, her hands going to her hips as she looked around the large space skeptically.

“The Wishing Room is fully operational and had encountered zero glitches in-24- days,” the service bot replied, pausing as her voice changed when stating the number of days.

“Then why isn't it working?” Marco asked, growing quickly frustrated. “Why can't it just do what I asked and make the one thing Star cares about most?!”

The boy looked away from the machine sadly, his gaze connecting with a mirror that had suddenly appeared next to him. He stared at his dejected looking reflection for a few moments before he sighed, squeezing his eyes shut as he asked softly, “Why don't I know what Star wants?”

Jackie the whole time was giving him a thoughtful expression, when suddenly the answer clicked in her mind and a smile lit up her face. She walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder as she gave him a cheerful look with her pair of bright eyes, “Maybe you do.”

Marco gave her a perplexed look. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, maybe the answer is right in front of you,” Jackie explained, gesturing over to his reflected image.

The hooded boy followed her gaze, before cocking his head quizzically to the side, as he asked, “A mirror? But she already has one of those.”

“No, not the mirror,” Jackie replied, with a slight giggle at the boy's cute naivety. “You.”

“Ohhh,” Marco said, finally nodding in understanding. He looked back over at his reflected image, a smile lighting up his face, asking softly, “You really think it's me?”

“Well yeah, I mean what does Star care about more than you,” the skater replied.

“Awwww,” Marco said, his cheeks lighting up with a blush and his eyes shimmering with affection. “That is so sweet!”

Next to them, though, the service bot was starting to act weird, its body twitching and its eye flashing bright red, along with the rest of its electrical body. The two noticed this and Marco asked his friend in concern, “Um, what's it doing?”

“Uhhhh-” was all Jackie got out before it interrupted her.

“Error, error, error!” it began screeching, making the two cover their ears at the loud, obnoxious noise. “Item not found in Quest Buy's inventory! Request unable to be complete!” All the while, its body began shuddering more and more, until it was simply repeating the same phrase over and over, “Item not found! Item not found! Item not found!”

Finally, much to the two's surprise and dismay the machine exploded into a ball of flashing lights and electric currents, the two shielding their eyes from the bright burst of heat. After a couple seconds, the two slowly moved their hands and opened their eyes, seeing a singed and broken patch of ground where nothing remained save for a green card with an eyeball on it. The two just stared at it for a few moments, completely speechless after what had just occurred, until finally Marco asked, “Sooo, are we gonna have to pay for that?”

…

The two were giving the sloth worker sheepish smiles and shrugs as they watched him clean up the last of the mess that the destroyed bot had left behind, shooting them very unhappy glares as he did so. Lucky for them, Quest Buy wasn't making them cover the costs on their one of a kind robot, after they had explained the story to them, since it seemed more due to bad programming then their fault directly. Still, that didn't stop the two from feeling guilty for breaking it but there was little they could do about it now, no sense dwelling on it.

Besides there was still the task at hand and now that that fiasco was over, the two's mind drifted back to their mission as they followed the sloth out of the back room. They watched him as he grumpily stormed away, before Jackie turned to her friend and asked, “So Marco have you figured out what to get Star?”

The boy shrugged, saying, “Not really. I mean it's cool that I'm so important to her but it's not like I can exactly wrap myself up to give to her.”

“True, but on the bright side whatever you get her she's sure to love because it came from you,” Jackie pointed out, elbowing him once in the shoulder.

Marco contemplated that for a few moments, biting the inside of his cheek in thought. He knew that was true that it didn't matter what he got her she would be sure to enjoy, but he still didn't want it to be just any gift, he wanted it to be special... like the hoodie she made for him. It was amazing not just because it had come from Star but that she had put so much care and thought into getting him exactly what she knew he would love. So the big question was, what could he give her that could compare to her amazing present?

That was when it hit him, the answer that had been right in front of him the whole time. How had he not thought of it sooner? It was perfect and he was sure it was exactly what she would want. A smiled brightened up his face as he slowly turned to Jackie, who gave him a curious look seeing the excitement written all over his face. “What? Did you figure out what to get her?” she asked, pretty sure she already knew the answer (if his cheek marks which had turned into flashing light bulbs were any indication than the answer was definitely yes).

The boy nodded, confirming Jackie's suspicions, as he proudly declared, “Yeah, I think I know what she wants.”

“Great to hear, Marco,” the skater said with an encouraging grin. “But we better hurry and get whatever it is though. Quest Buy closes soon.”

The girl started to run ahead, but came to an immediate stop the second she heard her friend say, “Actually...” She turned back to him with surprise. “...it's not in Quest Buy.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for further explanation, before he added mysteriously, “In fact, we've already got everything we need.” He put his hands on his hips, the knowing smile on his lips never wavering as he just stared ahead with a confident look gleaming in his eyes, until finally his friend asked, “Sooo are you tell me what it is or-” The boy gave her a sheepish look, saying quickly, “Oh yeah right, sorry.”

…

Night set on Mewni, bringing Stump Day ever closer to an end for the year and for most in Butterfly Castle, they spent that night in blissful sleep, unaware of the world turning. It was silent and peaceful in the castle not a creature stirring not even a gobblemouse, which could be quite the pest this time of year. It seemed nothing could disturb the calm silence of the quiet evening as a gentle snowfall continued into the late hours of the night, not even a gust of wind had blown through to disturb the dream-like state that had fallen over the kingdom.

Star was asleep in her bed, enjoying the quiet as visions of sugar plums danced through her head. The girl let out a deep sigh and licked her lips, muttering groggily, “Mmmm, delicious.” She pulled her arms a little closer to herself, bringing the bright red hoodie right up to her nose and she subconsciously took a long sniff, feeling calmed by the smell of her Marco, a smile appearing on her face as she fell into an even deeper state of slumber.

The door to her room slowly creaked open, Marco cringing as he feared the loud noise would wake her up but Star made no movement from her bed and the hooded teen breathed a sigh of relief. He carefully tiptoed his way over to her bed, making sure to avoid tripping over anything in the dark and, once he made it to her bed, he simply watched her sleeping form for a moment, mesmerized by the rise and fall of her chest as she snored softly. He noticed his hoodie held tightly in her grip and he felt his cheeks flush, causing his cheek marks to spin, and a grin light up his face. It looked like the same one she had at the party and he couldn't help but wonder if she had carried it around with her all day. He imagined she had, she seemed quite attached to it in sleep.

“Star,” he softly whispered, trying to keep his voice low, despite the eagerness and impatience he felt building up inside his chest. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle shake, saying, “Wake up.”

The girl groaned, mumbling incoherent things in her sleep while she scrunched up her face, making her resemble and a cute, little rabbit Marco observed. Finally, after a bit more prompting from the boy, Star raised a hand up to her face and lifted her sleeping mask up enough so that she could peek open an eye and see who was disturbing her slumber. “Marco?” she groggily murmured, sitting up some, before letting out a loud yawn. But as she did she realized the hoodie was currently laying against her chest and she quickly tucked it underneath her pillow, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink, hoping he hadn't noticed it. “W-What are you doing here?” she asked, sounding a bit more awake than before, even though her face told him she was still half-asleep.

“Well it's midnight, so I just wanted to be the first to tell you...” the boy began slowly, before exclaiming loudly, “Happy Birthday!” He surprised her as he threw his arms around her in a tight hug making the blond giggle and beam ear to ear as her favorite person in the universe held her in a close embrace.

“Awww, Marco,” Star cooed, finding him just as adorable and enduring as ever. “You're the greatest!” The girl adjusted her position enough so she would give him a quick kiss on the cheek, reveling in the happy laughter that followed from her sweet Marco.

After another minute of just holding her close, the hooded teen finally pulled out of the hug, saying, “So, did you like my surprise?”

The girl nodded, giving him a loving grin. “Yeah I did.” She sighed, starting to lay her head back when Marco suddenly exclaimed, “Great, because that isn't the only one!”

“Oh really,” the blond royal said, raising a playful eyebrow.

“Nope, which is why I need you to come with me so I can show it to you,” he said, grabbing her arm trying to drag her out of bed.

Star paused, having a sneaking suspicion that he was going to lead her to a waiting surprise party and she debated for a moment on asking him to wait till morning. She could use the sleep... but seeing the look of excitement on Marco's face as he practically bounced around her bed, his body incapable of holding still making him look like an adorable little kid, she didn't have it in her to say no. So she just smiled and threw her covers off, revealing her pink bunny onesie she had gone to sleep in (a gift from her mom), before rising up out of bed. Marco waited patiently as Star took a quick second to stretch before following after him, though he never once released his hold on her arm as she did.

The boy did his best not to completely drag Star as they descended the steps to the bottom floor of the castle, wanting so badly to run the rest of the way, but he fought the urge back, continuing on at what felt to him like an agonizingly slow pace. The moment they reached the bottom steps, Marco released her hand maneuvering himself so he was behind Star, putting his hands over her eyes. “Marco, what are you doing?” she asked with a playful edge to her tone.

“I don't want to spoil the surprise,” the boy replied, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. He couldn't wait to see Star's reaction.

Star just laughed and said, “Okay then, lead the way Marco.” The hooded boy obeyed guiding the blinded girl down the hall and into the throne room, where the gathered crowd quickly held their breaths waiting for their cue from Marco. The teen brought his blond bestie to a stop, keeping his hands in place as he said in a sing-song voice, “We're heeerree.”

“So then can I open my eyes now?” the girl asked, all this anticipation and build up causing her own excitement to grow despite already knowing what was coming, recognizing the path they had taken by heart and picking up the hushed breathing around her. It was pretty obvious her original suspicion was correct, but that still didn't mean she wasn't looking forward to it. Besides, it was hard not to want to join in when your bouncy, innocent boyfriend is helping hype you up with his own one-of-a-kind enthusiasm.

The boy instantly removed his hands, his eyes remaining implanted on Star as he shouted, “Okay, open 'em Star!” The blond did just that, blinking her eyes open at the same moment a chorus of cheers rang out around the room, all simultaneously shouting, “Happy Birthday, Star!” The girl gasped, a hand flying to her mouth, as she took in the scene before her.The throne room was now covered head to toe in decorations the time and care put into hanging each and every balloon and streamer apparent just from looking at it, even though most of it seemed to be recycled from the Stump Day party. A pile of presents was stacked neatly in the corner and a massive rainbow colored cake the size of the Star sat a short ways away from it on a table with a fancy white tablecloth. It was beautiful and delicious, just looking at it making Star's mouth water and she recognized it instantly as Kelly's work, especially as the green-haired girl only stood a short ways away, admiring it.

But none of this was what really had left her awed and speechless. That honor went to the group gathered there to greet her, consisting of not just the set of her close friends like Jackie, Janna, Tom, Pony, and so on that were to be expected... but also the smiling faces of every single orphan who had ever lived in the castle before, who she considered to be just as much family as her own flesh and blood.

“Oh my gosh, what are you all doing here?!” she asked in disbelief, looking around at the large crowd before her, misty-eyed.

“Me and Jackie invited them,” Janna explained her arm leaning on the skater's shoulder, who shared the same pleased smile at invoking the reaction they got from their friend. “It was Jack's idea actually.”

“Yeah, we figured you'd want everyone here to celebrate,” Jackie said, her eyes shining with bright enthusiasm. “Just consider it my birthday gift to you.”

“Our birthday gift to you,” Janna blurted out, raising a finger in the air.

Star let out a long breath, fighting back tears as she choked out, “I-I can't believe you all made it!”

“Of course we did, you really think we'd miss out on our favorite person in the world's birthday?” Oscar spoke up, giving her a pleasant grin that made her heart fill with warmth.

“Thank you all so much,” she said, her voice cracking a bit and the others all let out a collective aww, before racing over to envelop her in hugs, Starfan13 beating all of them to the punch.

All the while, Marco was just watching his girlfriend's every move with glee, overjoyed to see her so happy and carefree over her surprise as she hugged each and every one of the orphans, laughing with contentment. He couldn't help but feel his heart soar, the extra thumping in his chest filling him with pride for helping put such a beautiful smile on his Star's face. And he hadn't even gotten to the best part yet. Once Star had given out the last of her hugs to the others, Marco turned his attention over to Jackie, who gave him a nods and an encouraging thumbs up to tell him it was time. The hooded teen nodded before sucking in a deep breath, pulling the small, neatly wrapped gift from his pocket as he made his way over to Star.

“I can't believe you all did this for me!” Star shouted, her eyes shimmering with joy and affection for her little family, a hand over her heart. “This is just so... incredible!”

“So then, I'm taking it you liked the surprise?” Oscar asked, jokingly.

Star laughed. “Yes I did.”

“So then, think you feel like getting one more?” Marco asked, offering her his present with one of his cute, signature smiles.

The girl stared down in shock at the gift in the boy's hands for a second, taking in the perfectly folded pink wrapping paper and dark pink bow, before her eyes caught Marco's and Star felt her cheek marks beat once against her will as she felt her face heat up with a familiar blush. Finally she regained control of her senses, saying sweetly, “Oh Marco you shouldn't have,” before taking the present from him.

“Well I wanted mine to be the first one you opened, since I think you're really gonna like it,” Marco said, practically squealing with joy.

“I'm sure I will,” Star said, giving him an affectionate look, while her hands fiddled with the bow, trying to find the best way to open it without making too big a mess. The while time, Marco seemed to be getting more and more eager and impatient for her to open the gift, his eyes darting back and forth wildly and his body beginning to shake with anticipation.

“You should really hurry up and open it, Star,” Janna spoke up. “I don't think Marco can wait a minute longer.” The girl followed her gaze and held back a laugh at her boyfriend's adorable jitteriness, his face turning slightly pale as he held his breath, looking like he might explode if she didn't see what was inside soon. So, not wanting to waste another moment, she ditched the delicate approach as she yanked the ribbon free and then preceded to tear through the wrapping paper in the span of a couple seconds.

The moment she got a good look at her gift she froze, staring at the small strip of cloth speechless. It was a piece of Marco's hoodie, no bigger than her hand, the soft, red material unmistakable from anything else, she had become quite familiar with it over the months she had been with Marco after all. It had been cut off into a circular shape, before being stitched along the sides to hide the jagged edges and Star didn't have a clue who had enough experience there to do such a thing. But even more impressive than that was the pink outline of an octopus, an exact replica to the one on the front of her favorite dress. “Wha- Bu- How?” was all she managed to gasp out, running a finger along the soft cloth as the scent of Marco drifted up to her nose.

“Well I noticed you seemed pretty attached to my hoodie back at the party,” the boy began, making Star blush, but he didn't even notice too busy glowing with pride and joy for his good guesswork. “So I figured you must really like it like me, so I cut out a piece of one of my hoodies for you. The sewing was the hardest part but I-” The boy stopped himself looking over at his friend Higgs, who had been the one to show him how to sew it under the condition that he didn't tell anyone about one of her hobbies, and he quickly corrected himself before he accidentally gave it away. “-figured it out. Its small enough that it can fit inside your purse,” the boy continued. “So that way, you'll always have something to remind you of me, even when we're apart.”

The girl stared at him for a long time in silence, her eyes jumping back and forth from her boyfriend's smiling face to her gift, her throat closed up making it impossible for her to speak at the moment. “Do you like it?” he asked, his patience growing thin as he waited for Star's answer.

The girl nodded, swallowing down the lump in her throat, before squeaking out, “I love it! Thank you so much, Marco!” Then, unsurprisingly, she pulled him into a hug, squeezing him tight as she whispered into his ear, “I can't believe you really destroyed one of your hoodies, just for me.”

“Well of course I did, your amazing Star and I wanted to give you the perfect gift,” the hooded boy clarified, not sounding at all upset or worried that one of his favorite possessions was ruined. “Besides, I do still have twelve others and you did just get me a new one, so it's not like I really sacrificed anything...” the boy sheepishly added.

Star shook her head, still never breaking her hold from her Marco. “Doesn't matter. It was still very sweet of you. I couldn't have asked for a better present from my amazing bestie,” she softly cooed, finally pulling out of the hug to stare deep into his eyes.

“Soooo, what your saying is my gift was... perfect?” the teen slowly asked, looking excited for the answer.

Star nodded, trying to hold back her laughter at her boyfriend's naive cuteness. “Yes, it was perfect,” she agreed, before leaning closer and giving him the gentlest kiss on the lips. Marco reveled in the kiss, before deepening it himself, moving his lips softly against hers, one of the very few times he had taken the initiative where their kisses were concerned. Meanwhile, the others were just watching them in silence, all of them having to hold back their want to gush over the adorable couple, most of the orphans there never getting to actually to see them acting lovey-dovey around each other, since their last time around the two had been before they had started dating. All of them had known that Star and Marco had feeling for each other, but it was another thing to see them actually expressing this in such a way and not a one of them could hide their joy over seeing both teens truly happy.

Finally the young couple's lips parted, staring breathlessly at each other as their eyes just shined with love and affection, brown and blue meeting in a beautiful dance of shimmering pupils. Star looked slowly back over at her crowd of friends watching her every move and felt a small blush light up her cheeks. She had forgotten they had an audience. But she swallowed her embarrassment, saying, “Well then, I guess all that's left to do is get this party started.” The others all let out a cheer of delight, before Star and Marco shared another smile, looking so happy and content just being in the other's arms.

Pony, as soon as she heard her bestie's declaration, she suddenly blurted out, “Okay but first, could someone please turn on some heat, it's freezing in here?” Her teeth were chattering and her whole body was shivering to show just how miserable she was.

Jackie noticed this and quickly nodded, reassuring her with a simple, “I'm on it,” before going over to the fireplace. As she did, Tom gave his friend a skeptical look, saying, “I don't know what your talking about, P. I feel just fine and I literally live in fire.”

Pony just rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Well yeah you think that, you can also light yourself on fire,” she snapped.

“Then maybe all we need is Tom to stay warm,” Janna suggested, wrapping her arms around her crushes neck, the boy giving her an odd look.

“What are you-” Before he could even finish his sentence, Janna had leaned over and given him a kiss on the cheek, causing his hair to erupt into flames, while he himself froze in place with a goofy, surprised smile.

“See, told you. He's the best heat source there is,” the girl smugly said, her arms never breaking hold of his neck.

Jackie, meanwhile, was busy examining the fireplace with a frown. It had somehow gone out during the night and the girl didn't understand how or why such a thing could happen, especially when they were using Phoenix Embers which were supposed to burn for twice as long as wood or coal. And yet, the half-burnt chunks of charred rock were proof that they had once been lit but somehow gone out, no sign of how such a thing could have come to pass. Maybe one of the others had put it out, Jackie thought. But that was unlikely. She leaned down, to try and restart the fire, when she felt a few specks of dust land in her hair and she looked up the dark chimney in surprise. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock,  as she quickly stood back up, calling over to her friends, “Uhhh, hey, Star, Marco! You might want to come over here!”

The two gave her an odd look before obeying, running over to join her at the fireplace. “What's up?” Star asked.

“Well you might not believe this but there are a bunch of presents stuffed up the chimney,” the skater said.

The two blinked in disbelief, before Marco asked, “Huh?”

“You know what, think it's better if I show you,” Jackie said before going over to the fireplace and slamming a hand into the brickwork as hard as she could. Instantly, a pile of presents came tumbling down, falling into a pile on the floor, making Star and Marco just gap open-mouthed. It also attracted the others attention, all of them staring over at the three in confusion.

“Whhhoooaaa,” Marco softly whispered. “Who are all these presents for?”

“No idea,” Star said, before walking slowly over to the gifts, examining them closely. “But there has to be like, at least thirty gifts here!”

“The bigger question is, how did they get here?” Jackie asked, before her and Star locked gaze, the two girls both coming to the same realization. “You don't think-” Jackie started.

Star nodded, her hands to her hips. “How else do you explain all of these presents just showing up in our chimney?”

“Good point,” Jackie agreed.

“Hey guys look, a note,” Marco gasped, picking up the small slip of paper lying on one of the gift boxes. The two girls moved so they could look over his shoulder at the light red parchment, while the others leaned forward hoping to satisfy their own curiosity over the mysterious letter. Star asked her boyfriend, “What's it say, Marco?”

The boy frowned in concentration as he slowly read off the poem written in delicate cursive on the page. “For the boy who helped spread the message of equality and peace, with his joyful enthusiasm that never does cease. With his kind acts of bravery and heart filled with light, he ended the violence and ceased the big fight. And although growing up he wasn't taught of this day, the spirit was in him in its own special way. And since none deserve better and his good deeds have shown, a lifetime of presents for every year he has grown.

Merry Stump Day, Marco Diaz.

Signed, SC and S”

An audible gasp and soft murmuring came from the others the second the boy was done reading, while Marco just let the paper in his hands go, numbly watching it flutter to the floor, before looking over at the presents in shock. After a moment of just silent contemplation, he turned to Star and Jackie, who both just stood there completely speechless. “Who's SC and S?” he asked them in confusion.

“That would be Santa Claus and the Stump,” Star explained, still looking amazed by this fact. “I mean, if you think about, it all adds up.” She gestured over to the pile of unopened presents.

“Huh, well how about that, dude,” Jackie said, giving Marco an encouraging grin. “Looks like you just brought the Stump and Santa together.”

Marco gasped, his eyes filling with joy, as he whispered in pure delight and wonderment, “Like in your cheesy Christmas specials?”

“Yep, exactly like that,” Jackie agreed with a chuckle.

“It's a Stump Day miracle!” Starfan13 suddenly shouted out and the others all released a loud cheer.

Tom, however, could only stare wide-eyed, before he blurted out, “Wait, so you're saying their actually real! I always thought they were just kids stories!”

“Of course they're real,” Star firmly stated, crossing her arms and shooting him a glare for ever doubting the Stump. Didn't he know how dangerous that could be?

“Besides you can literally light yourself on fire,” Janna pointed out. “That's honestly one of the least crazy things that's happened to us this year.”

Tom opened his mouth, looking like he was on the verge of arguing but seemed to think better of it, shrugging and saying, “Good point.”

“Soooo,” Marco's voice cut in, bringing all the attention back to him as he looked down at the gifts longingly. “Does that mean these are all for me?”

Star put an arm around the boy, telling him in a sweet voice, “Yep, apparently Santa and the Stump recognized just how special and amazing you are! Just like the rest of us all know.”

The boy blushed, before asking delightedly, “So I get to open all of these?”

Star giggled, before kissing his cheek, “Yep, go ahead. You earned it, Marco.”

“Yeah and you better get started, you've apparently got fourteen years worth to get through,” Jackie added playfully.

“Okay!” the boy yelled, before joyfully diving for the nearest present, not wasting a second as he ripped it open. He gasped, before shouting in pure elation, “Oh my gosh, it's a box!”

The others just watched as the adorable teen opened present after present, oohing, awwing and showing off each and every gift, re-experiencing the joy of Stump Day all over again. Star just smiled and laughed at her boyfriend's joyous reactions, grateful with each new thing he received no matter what it was. She was so enchanted by the hooded teen in fact, that she didn't even realize Janna had snuck up behind her until she was speaking from right next to her, causing the blond to jump slightly. “You know it doesn't seem fair,” the beanie-wearing teen observed and Star gave her a questioning look.

“What doesn't?” Star asked, an eyebrow slowly raising.

“That they didn't get you anything,” Janna said simply, her hands sliding into her pockets. “I mean sure, I get what they were going for, giving Marco enough presents to make up for never getting to celebrate Stump Day before. But what about you? You helped bring peace to Mewni, too. They couldn't have sent you a card or something. Geez, how cruel is that.”

Star considered this for a moment, as her hands began fiddling with the small patch of Marco's hoodie. She couldn't help but grin down at it, still touched by her bestie's thoughtfulness. She couldn't have asked for a better gift for him, the idea of carrying a piece of Marco around with her everywhere filled her with so much joy she wasn't sure their were words to describe such a feeling. And as she slowly looked back up at Marco, seeing the joy and happiness spread all over his gaze, she felt her heart swelling in a way that only her Marco could cause, her crystal eyes shimmering like a thousand diamonds.

Star's face softened into a loving glow as she watched her pure, sweet Marco enjoying his very first Stump Day, every ounce of unparallelled delight and merriment on his face making Star's heart leap. Just getting to see him smile like that, easily made this the best birthday she had ever had, as her boyfriend was rightfully spoiled yet again. Which was why the girl couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself, her eyes never once leaving Marco as she told her friend in a tender, whispered tone, “It's not cruel. They knew exactly what to get me.”

[timetrickster]

Aloha Oe X Edith Nox Crossover Special Ep. The Wedding of Edith Nox Part 5 (FINAL)

Part 5! The ending! This was fun! Sorry it took awhile...

TAG: @cometworks , @coloursintheblur

FADE IN.

Mere moments ago from the last part... JUSTIN, RYOTO, PERIWINKLE, and BERRY were surrounded. LIBERIUS and his Fire Demon Army along with the Chaos Lord VALERIN.

VALERIN

Long time no see Time Walker.

Immediately shocking JUSTIN as red lightning crawled from his fingertips. JUSTIN had fallen to the ground, as the energy surging throughout him was painful. RYOTO attempts to defend but Fire Demons kept back up at bay. 

VALERIN

You have no idea how long I’ve waited to do that!

The red lightning dissipates, then jerked his arm back. Telekinetically dragging then holding JUSTIN at his neck.

JUSTIN

How... (He struggled as his throat was gripped) how did you escape?

VALERIN

You see... (He laughed insanely) when you trapped the Chaos Lords in stone. You didn’t count on me. A child like me is chaos incarnate and you may have trapped the rest but as soon as I kill you and free the Chaos Lords.

JUSTIN struggles to breathe but blurts out one word.

JUSTIN

Mmmm...

VALERIN

Oh, last words do I hear?

JUSTIN

Mmmm... mmmm... Moron.

His eyes focused on something else than the Chaos Lord. With the power of two Saviors, EDITH & CLEMENTINE with their magics combined. An emotion beam in the form of a white blast. As well as heavenly fire blasting the Chaos Lord and nearby Fire Demons. The two Saviors look at each other and smile at their combined magic.

EDITH & CLEMENTINE

Cool!

PERIWINKLE summons waves of tornados and sent many Demons flying away. BERRY with his affinity with nature, the ground shook and vines whacked more Demons in his path. 

LIBERIUS

No! No! No!

Rushing into the fight, RYOTO stops him holding his katana at the self-appointed Demon King.

LIBERIUS

I heard about you, Samurai. Quite the swordsman aren’t you?

RYOTO was silent.

LIBERIUS (Cont’d)

Silent type? Nice, appreciate a silent warrior.

RYOTO immediately reacted by an attack. Quickly and swiftly the two opponents go into their sword battle. VIOLET freezes Demons left and right, their flames easily snuffed out. JUSTIN and VALERIN take their fight in private as the two god-like figures face to face.

VALERIN

I’m gonna end you.

JUSTIN

Get in line. There are too many that want to kill me.

They both charge at one another. JUSTIN sword in hand and VALERIN with his chaos energy in his palms. Each slash given and blocked by his chaos energy surged with every attack force absorbed. Pushing the Time Walker back VALERIN fires blasts of Chaos energy at him.

VALERIN

Destroyer!

THE DESTROYER rushes in and attacks the Time Walker. Knocking him against a tree, JUSTIN freezes time quickly but DESTROYER moves normally.

JUSTIN

Oh crap.

Rolling away to dodge VALERIN blasts him again. Thrown farther away and hurt far more from the last fight. EDITH & CLEMENTINE appear, CLEMENTINE taking on the Chaos Lord and The Dark Opposite of EDITH. 

Running to the wounded Time Walker, she comforts him momentarily.

EDITH

How did they break through the blockade?!

JUSTIN

Valerin... Chaos Lord. He helped Liberius. That’s how he knew me because of Valerin.

EDITH

We’ll talk later! Let's get to the Castle! We have to defend the Fates!

Carrying him over her shoulder to stand. CLEMENTINE easily had fought hand to hand with the Chaos Lord and The DESTROYER. Setting the Dark Opposite on fire with her magic, taking her out of the fight. LIBERIUS was left, his sword was drawn as well as CLEMENTINE’S Sword Of Fate; a golden blade and handle, with the etch of runes that if you look closely, a flame was within the sword. As soon as their blades touched, Divine Fire vs Chaos Energy both equal in power sent the two flying back. 

NOEMI flies in at the last minute catching her.

NOEMI

Sorry, we missed the fight.

CLEMENTINE

Thanks for catching me!

Meanwhile...

RYOTO and LIBERIUS were locked in their sword duel. Both tired, but neither one to give up. PERIWINKLE with a gust of wind sends him back. BERRY with his powers of nature creates roots that grab into his feet. Dragging him into the ground to his knees. RYOTO had run up to him without being seen as LIBERIUS had taken his eyes off. Kicks him in the face, knocking him out for now.

RYOTO

Thanks, Peri and Berry.

PERIWINKLE & BERRY

You’re welcome!

EDITH

Everybody to the ship!

They all ran in, JUSTIN, EDITH, RYOTO, VIOLET, CLEMENTINE, NOEMI, PERIWINKLE, and BERRY. 

Cut To: THE ETERNITY - THE BRIDGE.

JUSTIN

Enoch! Take off! Head for the Castle!

ENOCH (V.O)

Right away, Captain.

The Eternity takes off while VALERIN & LIBERIUS and The DESTROYER were left. Their armies numbers had fallen. VALERIN screams with frustration, his alternate face comes through, this time veins breaking through of his glowing chaos energy surging through his body.

VALERIN

GET UP!

He pulls LIBERIUS and stabs into his chest, pulling the knife out. He digs his hand into LIBERIUS’ chest and allowed Chaos Energy to flow and upgrade him. The change in appearance becoming less human. Gaining black armor over much of his body, which becomes bulkier and more bestial in appearance. The aura around his head intensifies into a flame-like cloud, his face becomes more skull-like, and his shoulder armor resembles a pair of large spikes.

He laughs like an insanely evil person would.

CUT TO: THE CASTLE - THE TEMPLE OF FATES

After landing, defenses were raised and the Royal Army stood ready as the last defense to the Temple. As the ground shook, and passed near the town, ignoring to attack citizens. They were dead set on destroying the heroes that stood in their way. The heroes stood at the ready... JUSTIN back in his long coat, he drew his Laser Revolver. EDITH in her time traveler digs, she held both light shield and her Sword of Fates. 

VIOLET her Icicle dagger in hand and a sword of ice. CLEMENTINE had her Sword Of Fates in hand and fire burned on the blade. RYOTO with his katanas, NOEMI his wings sprouted and his scythe at the ready. ARGENTO pressed on her Acheron Talisman and gained more necromantic energy. PERIWINKLE with her wand glowing as it was ready to control the air. 

BERRY grew his DRYAD KING form, the gigantic tree-like giant. ENOCH had taken control of The Eternity. They had seen a shadow cast over of the Castle it was LIBERIUS. Truly seen as The Devil of this universe, he roars.

LIBERIUS 

YOU WILL DIE NOW!

JUSTIN cracks his neck, 

JUSTIN

Well, let’s do this!

BERRY & ENOCH threw the first punch and missile because he wanted to start a fight and make it a good one. LIBERIUS had tumbled over onto some nearby building. The remaining Fire Demon Army charged as VALERIN floated above them leading those that flew as well as The DESTROYER lead the ground force. The Heroes charge at them, JUSTIN drew his sword firing and slashing with both weapons in hand. EDITH charged with her light shield and slashed with the Sword Of Fates.

Her emotional magic was attached to the blade and had vaporized each one she slashed. NOEMI, ARGENTO, PERIWINKLE had taken the skies, NOEMI slicing away with his scythe. ARGENTO blasting with her hands and PERIWINKLE with whimsical ease sent everyone flying away. The sister, VIOLET & CLEMENTINE worked together in sync fighting as Frost and Flame. 

EDITH comes face to face with The DESTROYER. Mirroring each other in movement. 

EDITH

I will defeat you!

DESTROYER had spoken her first words, her voice distorted but it sounded like her.

DESTROYER

I am better. Better than you.

She charges at her and swords had locked. 

Meanwhile, JUSTIN and VALERIN had met face to face. 

JUSTIN

Stop this, all of this.

VALERIN grinned his nose twitching 

VALERIN

Never.

JUSTIN

So be it.

He hated saying those exact words.

Some Royal Army soldiers come in, as the numbers dwindle for the Fire Demon Army. Some detained and some finished off for danger. 

MONTAGE FIGHT:

JUSTIN & VALERIN: The two now godly imbued by their own powers of elements. Time and Chaos, they were ready for their duel. The two stepped into a portal and ended up in the same dimension 

INT. UNKNOWN DIMENSION. 

Suddenly a chain wraps around their wrists of the less dominant hand. They stand face to face as they held their swords in the right hands. A random spirit had overwatched the match,

RULE SPIRIT

You both know the rules?

JUSTIN

Yes

VALERIN

 Yup...

RULE SPIRIT 

Do you both agree to abide by them?

JUSTIN

Agreed

VALERIN

But of course.

RULE SPIRIT

Let the battle begin!

Their chained hands pulled on both ends and JUSTIN’S eyes began to glow blue as well as his katana and holster his laser revolver. LIBERIUS, follows this, drawing every Chaos Energy in him, his face alternating. Red energy envelopes around his being and his thin broadsword. The two god-like beings fought their personal fight. 

They both jump, swinging their swords in the air to strike each other. Their swords held out, they seeming slash only clothing as they touched the floor. VALERIN childish quickly turns and pulls the chain, pulling JUSTIN along and having him roll onto the floor. VALERIN swings his sword, recovering quickly JUSTIN blocks it and nudges him away quickly. They swing for an attack but miss and go at it again.

Their blades striking each other on the chest but unphased by it. Stand at chain’s length they charge at one another. VALERIN slices once and JUSTIN slides underneath it.

CUT TO: EDITH VS DESTROYER

The two opposite, the Savior and the Destroyer. The DESTROYER stands with her sword ready while EDITH charges at her with her sword and shield. DESTROYER strikes first but EDITH raises her light shield doing very little to stop it. DESTROYER strikes again and EDITH blocks with her shield a second time. This time raising her sword bring it down from a high attack but DESTROYER twirls aiming for EDITH’S head.

But EDITH steps back bowing then spun her sword in hand. Their fight gets quite intense as eventually, they got close to one another. Swift in their attacks with their swords and attempting to kick each other. They come to a final standoff as they charged and one another and strike each other simultaneously. A moment of stillness is held between the two as the DESTROYER shatters.

EDITH had quickly fallen to which brought the attention VIOLET. With intense worry, she rushed to her side. As the Fire Demon Army had nearly dwindled in numbers but still held the fight against the Royal Army. NOEMI reacts as well as trying to defend his friends from the oncoming demons.

CUT TO: BERRY & ENOCH VS LIBERIUS

The two giants and the flying ship were evenly matched. The ground shook heavily in their paths of destruction. BERRY morphing his wooden fists into weapons for offense and defense. ENOCH provided air support with photon blasts, missiles, laser blasts and a whole arsenal of Time Walker technology.

CUT TO: JUSTIN VS VALERIN

The two god-like beings of their respective universes grew tired in physicality. But not in the spirit of fighting each other.

VALERIN

Give up! Just give up!

JUSTIN

Not while my friends and everyone is still standing.

JUSTIN stood up again, striking immediately but VALERIN shocks him with electrical chaos energy. Throwing onto the floor, in agonizing pain.

VALERIN

You think I care to fight for honor?! That is for fools like you, that Vampire Queen the Gem Dame and all your friends from the other universes!

JUSTIN

You’ve learned nothing from people like them. I’d rather die with honor than live without it. 

VALERIN

So be it.

Raising his hand he shocks him again with the chaos energy. JUSTIN struggling to handle the destructive power of his enemy. He found the strength, as his katana glowed a blue aura. Slashing the energy away and charging at VALERIN one last time. Slashing him with time energy, he slowly laughed at him.

VALERIN

You... have defeated me, Time Trickster. But my destruction, a terror from this world will be unleashed. That you cannot even imagine. 

He laughed evilly before finally becoming nothing but dust. JUSTIN breathed to gain a sense of relief in his enemies' defeat. Looking at the broadsword on the ground he picked it up and sheathed it. A portal opens back to ABRICOT and he rushes through. 

Raising the cane then slamming it, releasing a wave of chaos energy. Destroying the Fire Demon Army in the process. For LIBERIUS he shrinks in size to which he fell through the air. Using his fire magic he twirled and fire twirled around his lower half. 

He flew down near the heroes. BERRY shrunk down in size and ENOCH lands the Eternity. Held at sword point by the Royal Army, JUSTIN rushes to find a hurt EDITH. 

JUSTIN

What did I say that one time when we were fighting?

EDITH

Uh... you die? Walk it off?

JUSTIN

Exactly.

EDITH laughs quickly but groans in pain. Suddenly all three Fates had emerged into the mortal realm. CAT, OWL, FOX tower over the humans as all God-like beings do. 

CAT, OWL, & FOX

Liberius The Devil. You have committed acts against us that we shall not stan for. 

LIBERIUS

I will destroy you all!

He declared in his final moments. They waved their shadowy hands and he vanished without a trace.

JUSTIN

Where did you send them?

CAT

Back to the Downward. Now locked forever.

FOX

I hope an eternity locked away shall be a fitting punishment.

OWL

Defeated the Devil now. The victors you all, so take a bow.

VIOLET

Fates... help us.

The Fates all together snap their fingers and healed EDITH’S WOUNDS. She turns to see all her friends surrounding her. VIOLET smiling in relief then immediately kissing her.

VIOLET

For all the fights and battles to come, I’m always gonna be the one dying for you.

EDITH

I love you  (She smirked)

CUT TO: A WEEK AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE DEVIL’S FIRE.

INT. ABRICOT LIBRARY

Gathered around the Story Time Area, children surrounding EDITH once more for a story. 

EDITH 

The battle won, the heroes earned their victories. The Devil locked away and banished from this world. The Chaos Lord of another world defeated. The heroes celebrate their victory and brought peace to the kingdom once more.

CUT TO: LAPIS FOREST, ASTRIFERIOUS GROVE

Blindfolded EDITH walks through the forest with NOEMI behind her.

EDITH 

Noemi, what’s going on? You’re really not gonna tell me?

NOEMI

Not yet

Taking a few steps forward more, they stop.

NOEMI

Okay, you can take off your blindfold.

EDITH does so and finally sees what they planned. A new wedding, reams of flowers at the entrance. The wind swayed with PERIWINKLE'S magic. The carpet decorated with petals. 

She was surrounded by friends and family. Standing on the wooden deck that still stood there from her very first date w/ VIOLET. At the alter, VIOLET was dressed in a tuxedo, her vest ice blue, and her collars and tie the same color. She stood in waiting for her future wife and smiled at her very sight. 

UMI & ROBYN, King Ade and Queen Hawa stood near the steps of the alter awaiting EDITH. BERRY was more human-looking and was dressed in a moss-covered vest, pants, and boots. ENOCH, in her robotic body, looking spiffy. RYOTO dressed accordingly to the occasion. ARGENTO & PERIWINKLE dressed in beautiful dresses pertaining to their magics. CLEMENTINE had stood behind her sister in a flame-like dress. 

EDITH looked at NOEMI with such shock and awe, she was speechless. NOEMI was already dressed and flew to the alter. JUSTIN suddenly appears beside her.

JUSTIN

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

EDITH

Did you plan all of this?

JUSTIN

Yeah, well we all had a hand in it so. I did also ruin your wedding and Liberius did that too.

EDITH laughs 

JUSTIN 

So I thought to do this.

EDITH immediately hugs him.

EDITH

Thank you.

JUSTIN smiles

JUSTIN

You’re welcome. Also, your time traveler look will not do. Your wedding dress that pertains to your magic. 

With a device in hand, a light scans over her changing her into her wedding dress. JUSTIN smiles and EDITH twirls with happiness in her dress.

JUSTIN

Now let's get you married. 

Walking her down the aisle, the song Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley plays. All friends and family stood up for this part. The Fates suddenly appear but were shrunk in size. 

EDITH

What are you all doing here?

OWL

You the Savior, we cannot forget.

FOX

To be here for you for a change, it’s why we’re here.

CAT

You’ve done so much as the Savior and protected this world time and time again. With the help of your friends and loved ones. We shall not miss this moment.

JUSTIN

Fates can I be the one to officiate this wedding?

With a wave of their hands, his request was granted. EDITH was in front of VIOLET and they held hand JUSTIN stood in front of them and began the ceremony.

JUSTIN

We are gathered here today for the Wedding of Edith Nox and Violet Choi. With family, friends, loved ones gathered, before we start does anyone have an objection to this union?

There was complete silence and no Devil attacking. JUSTIN laughs quickly 

JUSTIN

Okay, thank goodness. (He takes a breath in and out) 

He typed the rope around both EDITH’S & VIOLET’S wrist and waved his hand around it. It glowed blue and their inner strings connected them.

JUSTIN

With the power vested in me, granted temporarily by the Fates. I now pronounce you Wife and Wife. You may now kiss the bride.

Both EDITH & VIOLET kiss and everyone else cheered.

CUT TO: AFTER PARTY

Music blared out from speakers and everyone was dancing. While EDITH & VIOLET slow dance in each other’s arms. Along with the other couples dancing about, NOEMI & ARGENTO, UMI & ROBYN, ADE & HAWA. PERIWINKLE. ENOCH, and BERRY danced together. The Fates had relaxed for once in their milienia of watching humanity for so long. JUSTIN watched from afar, as RYOTO sat next to him.

RYOTO

It’s moments like these I do miss traveling with you.

JUSTIN

Well, you’re always welcome for a trip or two. Even with Asami and Kaori.

RYOTO

I might take you up on that. (Looking toward the dance floor) I wish she was here right now. I bet you wish Aurora was here right now.

JUSTIN

Yeah, I do but you should look behind you.

RYOTO does so and smiles ASAMI and KAORI was behind him.

RYOTO

Asami! My baby girl!

He hugs them,

RYOTO

Jus you sneaky bastard.

JUSTIN

You’re welcome.

RYOTO

Well, I knew you would pull something like this so.

RYOTO turns his chair around to see AURORA.

JUSTIN

Aurora...

AURORA

Hey Time Boy.

JUSTIN immediately hugged and kissed her. Holding her waits with both arms. He smiled to look at her. 

JUSTIN

Sorry, I missed you a lot.

AURORA

Me too.

They both joined the dance floor, to which EDITH and VIOLET had seen AURORA.

EDITH

Oh my Eden! IS THAT WHO I THINK IT IS?!

She was starry-eyed at finally meeting the love of JUSTIN’S life. JUSTIN nodded with a smile on his face and EDITH quickly become friends.

EDITH (cont’d)

Hi! I’m Edith!

AURORA

Hi! I’m Aurora, and I know Time Boy told me about you. 

EDITH immediately hugs her with immense joy. Everyone was dancing to the song Be Your Love by Bishop Briggs. 

CUT TO: TOMORROW EDITH’S HOUSE.

While AURORA, ENOCH RYOTO, ASAMI & KAORI on board. JUSTIN outside saying his goodbyes for now. EDITH, NOEMI, VIOLET, and CLEMENTINE were there.

EDITH held onto JUSTIN like a child clings to their parent. 

EDITH

I’m gonna miss you again.

JUSTIN

I’ll come and visit I promise. Ooh before I forget, I have a wedding present for you and V.

JUSTIN rushes back into the ship really quickly. Grabbing a potted plant that was shinning like a diamond. As well as a ice blue sword.

Handing it both for EDITH and VIOLET.

EDITH

A Comet, my favorite plant.

JUSTIN

It’s the Comet with your God essence.

EDITH was shocked, 

EDITH

Justin, you know me, I don’t want to be a God.

JUSTIN

I know, but I trust it with you because in case another threat happens. I think you’ll need it.

EDITH nods,

JUSTIN (Cont’d)

For V, an Ice Sword from the icy world of Polandro. Forged by the strongest unmeltable ice from the planet. I gift you with The Verglas.

VIOLET

I will wield it well.

JUSTIN

I’ll see you all again, I promise.

JUSTIN heads into the Eternity and it takes off quickly. Vanishing into skies and crossing the way between world. 

CUT TO: EDEN

EDITH walks along in her greenhouse garden-like jungle. BERRY takes his rest and she hands her both the Comet and Sword of Fates.

EDITH

Protect these my friend.

BERRY

Always will.

He transforms back into a tree and makes her way back home.

CUT TO:

INT. EDITH’S HOME.

EDITH & VIOLET were snuggling on the couch after the endless fighting of their recent battle.

EDITH

I’m really tired and bruised.

VIOLET

Same but you know how it goes.

EDITH

I miss him already.

VIOLET

Me too.

EDITH

Can we sleep now?

VIOLET

Yeah.

They both kiss each other and go to sleep. 

CUT TO: INT. THE ETERNITY.

JUSTIN rubs his eyes and AURORA takes him back to his room.

AURORA

One of these days Time Boy. You need to take a rest.

JUSTIN

I’m an adventurer sleep is for when I’m done after. 

AURORA

Well, sleep now and I’ll cuddle and caress your hair.

JUSTIN removes his coat and shoes and jumps into bed. AURORA quickly holds him in her arms and caresses his hair.

The heroes earned their rest from their battle and thus ending this story with a rest at the end.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

[medialists]

Mamma Mia

Atomic Blonde 

Filth 

Regression 

Colonia 

El círculo 

Beauty and the Beast 

Trance 

Victor Frankenstein 

Atonement 

Starter for 10 

Becoming Jane 

The Conspirator

The Last King of Scotland 

X-Men.

Glass 

The Last Station 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 

Big Fish 

La desaparición de Eleanor Rigby 

Submergence 

Thor 

The Avengers 

Intensamente 

Las ventajas de ser invisible 

IT. 

Inception 

Harry Potter.

At eternity's gate 

Catch me if you can 

Her 

Pulp Fiction 

Xavier Dolan 

Memorias de una Geisha 

Ready player one 

Battle angel 

Taxi Driver 

El doble 

Shutter island 

Cube 

My week with Marilyn 

Noé 

Ballet shoes 

El diablo viste a la moda 

Cazafantasmas 

Les miserables 

Lady Bird 

The Truman Show 

Irene, yo y mi otro yo 

Call me by your name 

The Favorite 

La la land 

La chica del tren 

Jolene 

Winter's war 

Tomb Raider 

Ex machina 

El código Da Vinci 

Ángeles y demonios 

Mean Girls 

Mulan 

Coraline 

Mujer Bonita 

E.T. 

Crimson Peak. 

Extraordinario. 

Las de Marvel que faltan 

The Room 

A quiet place 

Blade Runner 

Animales Nocturnos 

Animales Fantásticos  

La Propuesta 

A star is born 

Begin again 

Anon. 

From Russia with Love

Goldfinger

Thunderball

You Only Live Twice

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Diamonds Are Forever

The Man with the Golden Gun

For Your Eyes Only

Octopussy

Never Say Never Again

A View to a Kill

The Living Daylights

GoldenEye

Tomorrow Never Dies

The World is not Enough

Die Other Day

Casino Royale

Quantum of Solace

Dawn of the Dead

Blade II

RED

The Dark Knight Rises

Kick-Ass 2

Die Hard

Scarface

From Dusk till Dawn

Face/Off

No Escape

Impostor

Death Race 2

Jobs

Les Quatre Cents Coups

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Murder of Princess Diana

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Fight Club

My Sister's Keeper

Ida

Loreak

Sowon

Gran Torino

All About Eve

The Nun's Story

The Sunset Limited

A Clockwork Orange

Kingsman.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

Lords of Dogtown

Unbroken

Ip Man

Million Dollar Baby

Concussion

The Great Gatsby

Lilting

Birdman

The Theory of Everything

War and Peace

Collateral Beauty

The Children's Hours

Moulin Rouge!

Dolls

The Bridges of Madison County

As Good as It Gets

Me Before You

Before Sunrise

Before Midnight

Carol

The Reader

Like Crazy

New York, I Love You

Anna Karenina

Pride & Prejudice

Bridget Jones's Diary

How to Marry a Millionaire

Bus Stop

The Prince and the Showgirl

Ladies of the Chorus

Roman Holiday

Prendimi l'Anima

The Young Victoria

Sabrina

Ed Wood

My Life Without Me

A Woman of Paris

Metropolis

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Fantasia 2000

Punisher: War Zone

Robin and Marian

The Unforgiven

Green Mansions

Live and Let Die

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

To the Bone

T2 Trainspotting

La Grande Bellezza

Men, Women & Children

Lost in Translation

Ghost World

Before Sunset

Evil Dead

Army of Darkness

After Earth

Hulk

Get Smart

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Dark Crystal

Labyrinth

300

Mononoke Hime

Edge of Tomorrow

Death Race 2050

L'Écume des Jours

Paris When It Sizzles

The Seven Year Itch

Down with Love

Monkey Business

Dead Alive

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Vertigo

They All Laughed

Love Among Thieves

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Let's Make Love

Funny Face

On the Town

The Sky's the Limit

A Damsel in Distress

Shall We Dance

There's No Business Like Show Business

It's Always Fair Weather

My Fair Lady

Don't Bother to Knock

Monte Carlo Baby

Las Dos Caras de la Verdad

Ciudad en Tinieblas

El Bebé de Rose Mary

The Chuck Net Atrapado Sin Salida

El Experimento

Holy Motors

Mindscape

Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me

Antichrist

Bottom of the Worlds

High Rise

Southland Tales

Magnolia

Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy

Inherent Vice

The Lobster

The Number 23

They Look Like People

Upstream Color

Twelve Monkeys

Minority Report

Los Cromocrímenes

Predestination

About time

Blue Velvet

Pi: Faith in Chaos

The Box

Identity

The Life of David Gale

The Gift

Lovesong

Miss Sloane

The Meyerowitz Stories

The Big Sick

Efectos Secundarios

The Notebook

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Little Mermaid

Manchester By the Sea

Silence

Moonlight

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Snowpiercer

Star Trek Beyond

Moonrise Kingdom

No Country for Old Men

The Exorcist

The Darjeeling Limited

House of Sand and Fog

Napoleon Dynamite

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Armores Perros

La Dictadura Perfecta

Frida

El Crimen del Padre Amado

El Estudiante

Cilantro y Perejil

Perfume de Violetas

Arráncame la Vida

Como Agua para Chocolate

Solo Con tu Pareja

El Callejón de los Milagros

Rojo Amanecer

La Ley de Herodes

Un Monstruo de Mil Cabezas

Las Horas Contigo

Maquinaria Paramericana

Ella es Ramona

El Jeremias

Sopladora de Hojas

Los Insólitos Peces Gatos

Guten Tag, Ramon

El Infierno

Mientras el Lobo No Está

Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas

Miss Bala

Cronos

Después de Lucía

Qué Culpa Tiene el Niño

Nosotros los Nobles

La Jaula de Oro

Y tu Mamá También

Canoa

Amar te Duele

Toki Wo Kakeru Shoujo

Transformers

Harry Potter

Old Yeller

Legally Blonde

Miller's Crossing

Faustrecht der Freiheit

It's Called Murder, Baby

Heathers

The Love Witch

Southside With You

Pink Flamingos

Hr's Just Not That Into You

Windstruck

What's Your Number?

There's Something About Mary

When Harry Met Sally

Forgettin Sarah Marshall

Say Anything

Pretty Woman

Not Another Teen Movie

Kate & Leopold

Sleepless in Seattle

Pretty in Pink

Serendipity

Four Weddings And A Funeral

50 First Dates

Bridget Jones' Diary

Something's Gotta Give

Pánico Antes del Amanecer

Cumpleaños Mortal

Viernes 13

La Quema

The Slumber Party Massacre

Campamento Sangriento

Curtains

Siete Mujeres Atrapadas

The House On Sorority Row

Detrás de la Máscara

April Fool's Day

Lovecraft

Bubba Ho-Tep

Thor Ragnarok

Lo Que Hacemos en las Sombras

Zombies Party

La Noche de los Muertos Vivientes

El Regreso de los Muertos Vivientes

Army of Darkness

Pasion Infernal

Terroríficamente muertos

El Baile de los Vampiros

Braindead

Creepshow

El Jovencito Frankeinstein

Gremlins

Un Hombre Lobo Americano en Londres

The Edge Of Seventeen

Murder of Cats

The Book of Love

Atomic Falafel

Buddies

Tiempos felices

Illegal

Nise: El Corazón de la Locura

Kill Command

The Blind Side

The Fundamentals of Caring

The Danish Girl

Miss You Already

Fantastic Beasts the Crimes of Grindelwald

Side Effects

Requiem for a Dream

Constantine

The Island

The Box

The Tall Man

Oblivion

Gods of Egypt

Twilight Zone

Dusk Dawn

Jeepers Creepers

The Descent

30 Days of Night

The Midnight Meat Train

VHS

Minority Report

Terminator

Avatar

Midnight Sun

The Book of Henry

Lady Bird

Truth or Dare

Adrift

Stronger

Every Day

A Nightmire on Elm Street

REC

Monsters

American Mary

Found

The Witches

Let Me In

Let the Right One In

Oculus

Insidious 4: The Last Key

Trainspotting

Night of the Living Dead

Life of Brian

Drive

Snatch

Blade Runner

Scarface

Lord of the Rings

Ben - Hur

Cantinflas

Tin tan

Pedro Infante

Gone With the Wind

Indiana Jones

Salon Kitty

The Wild Bunch

Harold and Maude

The Warriors

The Long Goodbye

Deep End

Coonskin

The Bestia in Calore

La Cage aux Folles

Badlands

The Brood

1941

Eraserhead

Labyrinth

Legend

The Sound of Music

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Enemy Mine

Cannibal Holocaust

The Evil Dead

Lola Montes

King Kong

Rock and Roll High School

Blood In Blood Out

Easy Rider

Heavy Metal

Pink Floyd The Wall

Wicker Park

Lars and the Real Girl

The Cable Guy

Sophie's Choice

Brokeback Mountain

A Wrinkle in Time

Scream

Presagio

Señales

Titanes del pacífico

Clint Eastwood

Dirty Harry

Chappie

The Greatest Showman

Safe Heaven

Across the Universe

Thirteen

Perfect Sense

A Life Less Ordinary

Shallow Grave

No Reservations

The Holiday

Ali G in da House

The Reader

The Dressmaker

Brigsby Bear

Cast Away

Romeo + Juliet

What's Eating Gilberte Grape?

Body of Lies

Little Nemo Adventures in Slumberland

Apt Pupil

Stand by Me

Shawshank Redemption

Excalibur

Hearts Beat Loud

Velvet Buzzsaw

Nightcrawler

Chungking Express

Twin Peaks

Throne of Blood

Harakiri

2046

Tokyo Story

F for Fake

Allegrophobia

Lost in Translation

Hereditary

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

Rear Window

West Side Story

Manhattan

David Lynch Cooking Quinoa

Ikiru

Midnight Cowboy

Bonnie and Clyde

The Straight Story

Annie Hall

The Great Dictator

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

M

Y tu Mamá También

Paddington

Paddington 2

Birdman

Autumn Sonata

To Kill a Mockingbird

Barry Lyndon

It's a Wonderful Life

The Wrestler

The Florida Project

Rashomon

It's Such a Beautiful Day

Paths of Glory

Kung Fury

Boogie Nights

Gone with the Wind

The Prestige

Shaun of the Dead

The World's End

In the Mood for Love

Handmaiden

Intolerance

El Bola

Celda 211

El Olivo

Las 13 Rosas

Blue Valentine

Closer

Like Crazy

(500) Days of Summer

Le Mépris

Match Point

Ruby Sparks

Once

Revolutionary Road

Happy Together

Sleepy Hollow

Vampyr

Black Sunday

The Hunger

The Haunting

Rebecca

Crimson Peak

The Crow

Pan's Labyrinth

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Drácula

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

A Cure for Wellness

Horror of Dracula

The Bride

La Novia

Flavors of Youth

Dead Poet's Society

Mary and Max

Dear Zachary: a Letter to a Son about His Father

Big Fish & Begonia

20th Century Women

The Villainess

Touch of Evil

Christine

Zero Dark Thirty

The Stranger

Hannibal

El Autor

Short Term 12

Grave of the Fireflies

Cinema Paradiso

My Girl

A Ghost Story

Hasta el viento tiene miedo

El libro de piedra

Veneno para hadas

Pearl Harbor

Infierno azul

Guerra de Novias

El Bar Coyote

Needful Things

Sense & Sensibility

El Diario de Carlota

Batman vs Superman

Black Panther

Dredd

Scream

Valentine

Camino hacia el terror

Sé lo que hicieron el verano pasado

Joy Ride

Jeepers Creepers

La reunión del diablo

Viernes 13

Another Earth

A Quiet Place

Mississippi en llamas

The breakfast club

The revenant

birdman

sing street *

frida

roma

catch me if you can

dead poets society

the age of adaline

changeling

brooklyn

good will hunting

artificial intelligence

paranoia

to the bone

the danish girl

90 minutes in heaven

while you were sleeping

james and the giant peach

Crimson peak

pretty woman

summer days with coo

the breadwinner

summer wars

the gift

cargo

julie & julia

spirit

8 mile

raw

okja

schindler's list

blue valentine

the hateful eight

the untouchables

old boy

ghost in the shell

sophie's choice

ip man 2

frances ha

the tree of life

amanda knox

hail, caesar!

Janis: little girl blue

my beautiful broken brain

noah

the badadook

origin: spirits of the past

project almanac

the thing

bird box

death note

death note ii

1922

death note: light up the new world

pandora

american gangster

the nightmare

pasión por las letras

le dîner de cons

la grande vadrouille

la traversée de paris

le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain

El secreto de Adeline

La boda de mi mejor amigo

Loco por ella

Quédate a mi lado

The mexican

A él no le gustas tanto

El regalo

Lo imposible

Con derecho a roce

Mi segunda vez

Canta!

El examen

El número 23

The game

Clown house

Km3!

Macario

Once upon a time in Mexico

Wes Creaven's New Nightmare

Don't look now

Eyes without a face

Como si fuera la primera vez

El diario de Biridget Jones

500 días con ella

Juno

El descanso

Virgen a los 40

Eterno resplandor de una mente sin recuerdos

Realmente amor

Ligeramente embarazada

¿Cómo sobrevivir a un ex?

Mensajero del futuro

El imperio del fuego

El libro de Emo

Oblivion: el tiempo del olvido

La última esperanza

Escape de NY

El expresó del miedo

Soy leyenda

El último camino

Cuando el destino nos alcance

Sunset boulevard

North by northwest

The artist

The good the bad and the ugly

Highlander

Hair

The Maltese falcon

The road

Independence day

Armageddon

28 dias después

Hijos de los hombres

La guerra de los mundos

Stake land

Take shelter

Snowpiercer

2012

Supersalidos

American Pie

Rumores y mentiras

Todo en un día

Chicas malas

El club de los cinco

El exorcista

El descenso

The babadook

La matanza de Texas

La cosa

Martyrs

Rec 2

El conjuro 2

Pulse

Evil dead

Voice from the stone

Clinical

Dig two graves

Kidnap

Black butterfly

Grey Lady

Dans la maison

Memories of a murder

Incendies

The prestige

Gone baby gone

El secreto de sus ojos

Mystic River

[dipshitcoyote]

Breath of the Wild Daemon!AU

Ok so! I’m working on an actual fic using these concepts and this version of the BotW world, but I thought that maybe some of you might be interested in my ideas so here! I’m putting pretty much everything under a readmore, because this is copypasted from my planning document, which got very long and doesn’t even have anything to do with the plot of what I’m writing ^^’

Enjoy!

Link’s daemon is a Hyrule Field Mouse (lol get it) named Firielore (fih-REE-ehl-ohr), Firi for short. From Fi, Ciela, and Farore. They settled early, when Link first drew the Master Sword. Historically, the Hero most often settles as a wolf, but other forms are not unheard of and he isn’t the first Hero to settle as something more unassuming.

Pre-Calamity, most people, even other knights, thought that Link and Firi’s behavior was odd. Neither of them ever spoke (Link is mute, but Firi can speak and just doesn’t), and Firi was just as stoic and inexpressive as her human. As a mouse daemon, she was always on his person, usually on his left shoulder as was uniform for smaller daemons of knights and soldiers, but was rarely seen out of that position except for when she would turn to increase their field of view or leave him briefly to scout stealthily around corners/over boulders and the like.

Relating to the issues that make him canonically selectively mute, Link’s lack of self preservation re: his Duty translated to Firi as well. Things like stretching their bond too far for too long for the sake of getting the scope of a situation or enemy, but not letting the pain show externally where someone else might be brought to their knees with it. Other things like Firi using herself as a distraction, running from Link’s arm to the Moblin’s to divide its attention and leaving them both exposed to give Link a chance to strike. The monsters don’t know the difference between hitting a daemon vs. its Hylian, and that makes the contact less bad, but not insignificant. There were rumors throughout the castle that Link and Firi had been separated traumatically or that the Master Sword allowed them the distance, but both are untrue- their bond was no different than any other Hylian, they just pushed it further in the name of duty.

Link and Firi’s character development (in the memories) is subtle just like in canon. Through the Yiga attack she is always on Link’s left shoulder, even when they and Zelda are just traveling. On the hill with the Silent Princess is the first time she’s not there- she hops off his shoulder when he crawls forward to look at the flower and she moves closer to it. After Zelda’s failure at the Spring of Power, Firi touches Zelda’s daemon to comfort him, just for a moment.

Firi had and has (Impa gave it to them with the Champion’s Tunic) a small set of custom armor for protection, but rarely wore/wears it; she’s fast enough that any attack that would possibly hit her in battle would probably kill Link as well. On the battlefield she would either deftly scurry around Link and warn him silently about attacks from behind, or slip into a small armored pouch that existed to protect her in one-on-one combat unless an opportunity to assist presented itself. In the present, she doesn’t participate in battle the same way she would 100 years ago (with the aggressive distraction and the like), moreso providing Link extra ears and eyes in a fight.

Post-Calamity, she is considerably more physically active, but she still doesn’t speak out loud- except very occasionally to Link himself. I.e when they first wake up in the Shrine of Resurrection, Link hears Zelda’s voice first and opens his eyes to Firi sitting on his chest, also saying his name. However, she’s still a very quiet daemon, especially considering that Link communicates via signing and it would be considered acceptable for her to talk for him. In Post-Calamity Hyrule she’s more outgoing towards other daemons and will greet them physically if appropriate.

Zelda’s daemon, Hylayrune (hih-LAE-roon), Layrune or Rune for short, is unsettled until the moment she awakens her power, when he settles as a Snowcoat Fox (Real life equivalent: Arctic Fox). His name comes from Hylia (all Zeldas daemons’ names start with ‘Hy’), (La)Nayru, Hyrule, and rune/ruin. Before he settled, he took atypical forms for the sacred princess’ daemon that were more representative of Zelda’s scientific pursuits, such as bugs (usually a bee), frogs, and lizards. Almost always, the Princess settles as a bird of prey (often owl, occasionally eagle or loftwing), or in some cases a small dragon (as the three dragons Dinraal, Farosh, and Naydra are said to be the daemons of the three Goddesses, with Hylia’s being most often depicted as a golden dragon or occasionally a huge, golden Loftwing).

Rune’s late settling, and his preferred forms before settling, were a huge cause of anxiety for him, Zelda, and their father. This is all tied into their self-doubt about awakening their sealing power and being able to fulfill her duty as the sacred princess, but it’s also personal for the King. His daemon is a Mountain Crow, which though known to be clever and resourceful are seen as a bad omen, even a curse, within Hyrule. It puts stress on his regime, and the idea that his daughter prefers frogs and lizards over forms that have become symbolic of the royal family and the sealing power is deeply troubling. Rune takes “appropriate” forms only at official appearances and ceremonies, and even then, usually a more wild hawk over an owl, eagle, or dragon.

Other characters:

The Old Man/King: Mountain Crow (real life equivalent: Raven)

Urbosa: Islander Hawk (with kind of a more desert coloration. real life equivalent: Harris Hawk)

Riju: Unsettled, usually a Sand Seal bc they love them

Impa: Blue-Winged Heron (real life equivalent: Great/Little Blue Heron).

Beedle: Hylian Retriever (A golden one, fight me)

Other random stuff/past Links:

- The Princess traditionally settles when she first unlocks/uses her powers, and the Hero traditionally settles when he draws the Master Sword. There are some exceptions, like the Hero of Twilight being old enough to have already been settled, and the Links in games without the Master Sword settling in other ways.

-Hero of Time and Twilight both had Wolf daemons. Their wolf forms are kind of a combination of them and their daemons’ appearances. Time had a lighter colored wolf and Twilight had a darker colored wolf.

    - BUT Hero of Time’s daemon is usually a mouse as a child, when he’s unsettled, alluding to past and future heroes.

    - The mouse thing (here and for the Hero of the Wild) comes less from personality and more from the feeling of facing an enormous dungeon boss as Link, like a mouse about to fight a lion.

-Both the Hero of Wind and Four Swords/Minish Cap Link also had mouse daemons.

    - For Wind this is because of the mobility he needed re: moving on a ship (also kind of like a ship rat? Disclaimer: I’ve never played WW)

    - For Four Swords/Minish this is because he shrinks down and is pretty much the same size as his daemon (she’d have to shrink a little bit too but not as much) and I just think that’d be really cute

-I’m not sure what Skyward Sword!Link’s daemon would be. Not a loftwing because it isn’t possible for anyone but a Goddess or a sacred princess (with Goddess blood) to settle as one, but I’ve never played SS so I can’t really say. It would have to be small enough to ride on a loftwing with him, or a bird of some sort- probably all of the people in Skyloft settled like that, now that I think about it. Maybe a beetle?

-Link from the original games probably has a wolf daemon, as well as LttP/LBW Link.

- Spirit Tracks!Link has a white dove daemon and she rides on his head like the birds in the game and its adorable

-Ganondorf always has a boar daemon in any iteration. When he transforms into Ganon they merge, similar to Wolf Link, but grotesquely instead of dissolving together in Twilight.

-Only the Hylians, Sheikah, and Gerudo have daemons

    -The Sheikah have mostly same-sex daemons, with opposite-sex daemons being about as rare as same-sex daemons among the Hylians and Gerudo. No one’s quite sure why.

    -The Zora have sort of a connection to their jewelry and weapons, but not necessarily a physical one. More of a literal “put your soul into your craft” type thing, which is why Zora armor is the way it is and most of the Zora have specialized livelihoods like sculpting and smithing.

    -The Gorons don’t have a physical Thing, they have a special brotherhood with other Gorons. It’s why you rarely see Gorons traveling too far from Goron City, and almost never alone. They can be alone, like a Zora can be without their craft and affects, but it negatively effects them after a while.

    -The Rito have their songs; though not all of them are musically inclined, its a cultural thing and not a physical requirement. Kass would be considered very spiritually aware and expressive, whereas Revali would not, but a non-musician Rito doesn’t suffer for it. There would only be an issue if there were no bards among the entire Rito race, and the songs faded from memory.

[dweemeister]

A list of all films featured in 2019′s 31 Days of Oscar

This is the exhaustive list of all 388 short- and feature-length films featured during this year’s 31 Days of Oscar marathon (up from 296 last year). Best Picture winners and the one (and only) winner for Unique and Artistic Production are in bold. Asterisked (*) films are films I haven’t seen in their entirety as of the publishing of this post.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)

Two Arabian Knights (1927)*

The Crowd (1928)

Sadie Thompson (1928)*

Speedy (1928)

Street Angel (1928)

A Woman of Affairs (1928)

White Shadows in the South Seas (1928)*

The Broadway Melody (1929)

The Divine Lady (1929)*

Weary River (1929)*

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

The Big House (1930)

The Doorway to Hell (1930)*

Flight Commander (1930)*

The Criminal Code (1931)*

Little Caesar (1931)

The Public Enemy (1931)

Flowers and Trees (1932 short)

Grand Hotel (1932)

What Price Hollywood? (1932)*

42nd Street (1933)

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

Morning Glory (1933)*

The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)*

Cleopatra (1934)*

Imitation of Life (1934)

It Happened One Night (1934)

Manhattan Melodrama (1934)*

The Thin Man (1934)

Alice Adams (1935)*

Captain Blood (1935)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)*

Top Hat (1935)

Dodsworth (1936)

Fury (1936)*

The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Libeled Lady (1936)

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Captains Courageous (1937)

Night Must Fall (1937)*

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

A Star Is Born (1937)

Way Out West (1937)*

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Boys Town (1938)

Merrily We Live (1938)*

Pygmalion (1938)

You Can’t Take It with You (1938)

Beau Geste (1939)

Dark Victory (1939)

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

Gulliver’s Travels (1939)

Lady of the Tropics (1939)*

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Ninotchka (1939)

Only Angels Have Wings (1939)*

Stagecoach (1939)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Wuthering Heights (1939)*

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

The Great McGinty (1940)

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Night Train to Munich (1940)*

Our Town (1940)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Rebecca (1940)

Strike Up the Band (1940)

The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

Waterloo Bridge (1940)

Dumbo (1941)

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)

Suspicion (1941)

Bambi (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

Johnny Eager (1942)*

Kings Row (1942)*

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Now, Voyager (1942)

Random Harvest (1942)

To Be or Not to Be (1942)

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

The Desert Song (1943)*

The Human Comedy (1943)*

Lassie Come Home (1943)

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Henry V (1944)*

Lifeboat (1944)

National Velvet (1944)

Anchors Aweigh (1945)

Blithe Spirit (1945)*

Brief Encounter (1945)

The Lost Weekend (1945)

They Were Expendable (1945)*

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

The Harvey Girls (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

The Stranger (1946)*

First Steps (1947)*

Forever Amber (1947)*

Life with Father (1947)*

The Perils of Pauline (1947)*

Bicycle Thieves (1948, Italy)

Hamlet (1948)

The Naked City (1948)

The Red Shoes (1948)

I Remember Mama (1948)

Romance on the High Seas (1948)*

Adam’s Rib (1949)*

Battleground (1949)

The Heiress (1949)

A Letter to Three Wives (1949)*

Mighty Joe Young (1949)*

On the Town (1949)

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

The Stratton Story (1949)*

The Third Man (1949)

White Heat (1949)

All About Eve (1950)

Broken Arrow (1950)*

Destination Moon (1950)*

Mystery Street (1950)*

Rashômon (1950, Japan)

An American in Paris (1951)

Royal Wedding (1951)

Show Boat (1951)*

Strangers on a Train (1951)

High Noon (1952)

The Quiet Man (1952)

Umberto D. (1952, Italy)

The Band Wagon (1953)

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)*

From Here to Eternity (1953)

Julius Caesar (1953)*

Lili (1953)

Little Fugitive (1953)*

Little Johnny Jet (1953 short)*

Titanic (1953)*

Brigadoon (1954)

La Strada (1954, Italy)

On the Waterfront (1954)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Seven Samurai (1954, Japan)

A Star Is Born (1954)

Blackboard Jungle (1955)

It’s Always Fair Weather (1955)

Marty (1955)

Speedy Gonzales (1955 short)

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

The Bespoke Overcoat (1956 short)*

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Lust for Life (1956)

Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)*

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Funny Face (1957)

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

12 Angry Men (1957)

The Defiant Ones (1958)

Gigi (1958)

Mon Oncle (1958, France)

The Young Lions (1958)*

Ben-Hur (1959)

South Pacific (1958)

The 400 Blows (1959, France)

North by Northwest (1959)

Inherit the Wind (1960)

Macario (1960, Mexico)*

The Time Machine (1960)

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

The Children’s Hour (1961)*

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Through a Glass Darkly (1961, Sweden)*

West Side Story (1961)

Days of Wine and Roses (1962)

How the West Was Won (1962)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The Longest Day (1962)

The Miracle Worker (1962)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

Charade (1963)

Cleopatra (1963)

The Leopard (1963, Italy)

Tom Jones (1963)*

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963, Italy)*

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

Mary Poppins (1964)

My Fair Lady (1964)

The Pink Phink (1964 short)*

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964, France)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

A Patch of Blue (1965)*

The Sound of Music (1965)

The Battle of Algiers (1966, Algeria)

Fantastic Voyage (1966)

Grand Prix (1966)*

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

The Professionals (1966)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Doctor Dolittle (1967)*

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Two for the Road (1967)*

Bullitt (1968)*

Funny Girl (1968)

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968)*

The Lion in Winter (1968)*

Oliver! (1968)

It’s Tough to Be a Bird (1969 short)*

The Magic Machines (1969 short)*

Marooned (1969)*

Midnight Cowboy (1969)*

The Great White Hope (1970)*

I Girasoli (1970, Italy)*

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970, Italy)*

Patton (1970)

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

The French Connection (1971)

The Last Picture Show (1971)*

The Godfather (1972)

Sounder (1972)

Travels with My Aunt (1972)*

The Day of the Dolphin (1973)*

The Way We Were (1973)*

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Nashville (1975)

Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)

Network (1976)

The Slipper and the Rose (1976)

Taxi Driver (1976)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

California Suite (1978)*

Superman (1978)

The Black Hole (1979)

The Black Stallion (1979)

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

A Little Romance (1979)

Every Child (1979 short)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Atlantic City (1980)*

Kagemusha (1980, Japan)

Das Boot (1981, Germany)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Annie (1982)

Tron (1982)

Victor/Victoria (1982)*

Blue Thunder (1983)*

Amadeus (1984)

Dune (1984)*

The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)

Agnes of God (1985)*

Back to the Future (1985)

Legend (1985)*

My Life as a Dog (1985, Sweden)

Silverado (1985)*

Hoosiers (1986)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Au revoir les enfants (1987, France)

The Last Emperor (1987)

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Untouchables (1987)*

Stand and Deliver (1988)

Willow (1988)*

Do the Right Thing (1989)

For All Mankind (1989)

Glory (1989)

Henry V (1989)

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)*

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Misery (1990)*

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

The Prince of Tides (1991)*

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

A River Runs Through It (1992)

Toys (1992)*

Unforgiven (1992)

The Age of Innocence (1993)*

Philadelphia (1993)*

The Remains of the Day (1993)

Schindler’s List (1993)

Legends of the Fall (1994)

Three Colors: Red (1994, France/Poland)

Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

Hamlet (1996)

Sleepers (1996)*

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Children of Heaven (1997, Iran)

Four Days in September (1997, Brazil)*

Titanic (1997)

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The Sixth Sense (1999)*

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Erin Brokovich (2000)*

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)*

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Monsters Inc. (2001)

Y Tu Mamá También (2001, Mexico)*

Chicago (2002)

Big Fish (2003)*

I, Robot (2004)*

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Walk the Line (2005)*

The Danish Poet (2006)*

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006, Mexico)

Persepolis (2007, France/Iran)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)*

The Dark Knight (2008)

Frost/Nixon (2008)*

Man on Wire (2008)*

Milk (2008)*

The Reader (2008)*

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

The Wrestler (2008)*

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, Argentina)*

Biutiful (2010, Mexico)*

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The Artist (2011, France)

Hugo (2011)

A Separation (2011, Iran)

The Act of Killing (2012, Indonesia/Norway/Denmark)*

Frankenweenie (2012)*

Life of Pi (2012)

Lincoln (2012)

Skyfall (2012)

Ida (2013, Poland)

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

American Sniper (2014)

Interstellar (2014)

Song of the Sea (2014)

Creed (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The Revenant (2015)

Spotlight (2015)

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos (2015 short, Russia)

World of Tomorrow (2015 short)

Ennemis intérieurs (2016 short, France)

Fences (2016)

Moonlight (2016)

My Life as a Zucchini (2016, Switzerland)

Pearl (2016 short)

Baby Driver (2017)*

Dunkirk (2017)

Loving Vincent (2017)

The Shape of Water (2017)

At Eternity’s Gate (2018)*

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

Cold War (2018, Poland)

Hale County This Morning, This Evening (2018)*

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Shoplifters (2018, Japan)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

The eight nominees for Best Picture, including the winner, Green Book (2018)

The fifteen nominees for the short film categories (2018)

[neverwatchedonepiece]

442: Ace's Convoy Begins! Battle On the Lowest Floor, Level 6!

IT SURE HAS! :DDD

Holy crap, so many brilliant things happened but this takes the crown. I mean, CROCODILE. It’s been literally years since I’ve seen his arrogant face. When I heard that sinister laugh from that shadowy cell I just knew without looking. I listen to the New World Symphony and STILL think of Crocodile vs Luffy.

I need to hold off, though, because I’d bore everyone to death if I rambled on about Crocodile for the entire post. (I could totally do that, btw).

One of the things I liked about this episode was that Luffy is running into powerful, influential people left, right and centre. There is Crocodile, obviously. Ivankov and Inazuma (two revolutionaries) are now fighting his corner. The Fishman right there in the screenshot is the one and only Jinbei: an angry Shichibukai in the level six cells for a time out. 

Level six was kind of creepy. The sound was flat, dead. Just a moaning whistle of wind and shadowy cells. I got Silence of the Lambs vibes from the place. They only found Jinbei because Ivankov pulled another one of his forced reassignments on a guard (who was at least happy with the result this time) and asked where Ace was being held. They found Jinbei instead. No Ace.

Luffy, bless his heart, had no idea who Jinbei was. Jinbei, because he is a cool guy, told Luffy he was too late to reach Ace and was straight-up impressed by how he not only broke into Impel Down but reached Level Six. (I think I like Jinbei. He’s on my good guy list).

The only thing was, Luffy, Ivan-san and Inazuma ran off after he told them this.

The audacity. I would have at least offered to bust Jinbei out in return for the intel. Oh, well. Luffy is in a hurry, I guess, and Jinbei won’t be there forever. (Was it ever mentioned why Jinbei was thrown in the cells? I can’t remember).

When Luffy and co. tried to backtrack through the lift shaft, Hannyaball finally showed he was worthy of his pay grade. He fired a spike trap at them, but the poison gas did the damage. It put Luffy straight to sleep and if Inazuma hadn’t quickly cut up the floor and blocked the lift shaft, their break-out could have ended right then and there. (Inazuma’s Snip Snip power is cool, btw. Very versatile. A bit like Moria’s, come to think of it).

And that’s another thing I liked about this episode. Luffy was caught out. He’s not some Gary Stu, and Ivankov’s presence doesn’t guarantee him success. The staff at Impel Down aren’t numbskulls. They still hold most of the cards.

This guy, though... 

There’s nothing as motivating as the the threat of job-insecurity, eh? XD

Once Inazuma took care of the poison gas, Luffy woke up. Ivankov, rightly, scolded him for being so reckless. I mean, running into a cloud of poison gas right after Ivankov had JUST HEALED HIM FROM POISON? What was he thinking? 

Ivan tries to convince Luffy to, well, not give up on Ace, but to trust in Whitebeard to rescue him, because Whitebeard is Godly and also has Godly virtues (like not abandoning crew because they are family.  I am looking at you right now, Blackbeard, you traitor). A Royal Rumble is about to go down: Shichibukai and Admirals vs. Whitebeard Pirates. If you get between that lot, you die. No questions.

But Luffy is Luffy. Ace is family too. He turned to Ivankov, looked him straight in the eye and said: “If I give up now...”

That determination shining out his face reminded Ivankov of Dragon. I liked the morph into Dragons’ face the animators used there to hammer home the point. Maybe Dragon once said the same thing in Ivan-san’s presence? I kind of like the thought of that. :)

While they were wondering how to get out, the Crocodile Thing happened.

Oh, the delicious irony. Luffy put him in Impel Down and now he’ll be the one to break him out. Well, if Luffy does accept his help.

I really hope Luffy does. Not just because I like Crocodile and want to see him raising hell again but because this will be a HUGE dilemma for Luffy, for the following reasons:

a) morals: what Crocodile did to Vivi and Alabasta was low. If Luffy casts the past aside and does anything he can to help Ace, no matter who he has to team with, this will cement his Morally Grey Status I like so much.

b) team well-being. Can he trust Crocodile not to turn on him as soon as he’s busted out? Luffy put Crocodile in there. Nico Robin is now working with Luffy. Might Crocodile want revenge? I don’t think I’d trust him.

Meanwhile, the literal long arm of the law dragged Ace out onto the concourse and handed him over to Cigar Vice-Admiral guy.

I was briefly excited when Ace resisted the guards when he found out Luffy had reached Level 6 (Luffy is definitely Ace’s berserk button). But Magellan spoiled my hopes he’d escape. Damn it, Magellan. >:(

Looking forward to more Crocodile in the next episode. I sense much mind-fuckery ahead. Whatever you think about Crocodile, the plot always becomes much more interesting when he shows up.

This guy is my spirit animal. He can boost down stairs, dodge traps and fight like a tiger without spilling a drop. What a legend.

[tabloidtoc]

Us, April 5

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: All Eyes on Duchess Kate

Page 2: Red Carpet -- Hollywood is in full bloom with the perfect inspo to put a little spring in your step -- Elle Fanning, Kate Middleton, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o

Page 3: Mindy Kaling, Kathryn Newton, Gabrielle Union, Caitriona Balfe, Penelope Cruz

Page 4: Who Wore It Best? Scarlett Johansson vs. Delilah Belle Hamlin vs. Ingrid Andress in Tom Ford

Page 6: Loose Talk -- Jennifer Garner on finally getting her ears pierced at age 48, Cardi B's thoughts on Selena Gomez possibly stepping away from music, Michelle Obama on living with messy daughters Malia and Sasha, Soleil Moon Frye recalling her first consensual sexual experience with Charlie Sheen, Kim Kardashian West on how much her voice has changed over 20 seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Page 8: Contents

Page 10: Hot Pics -- ahead of the Miami Open Venus Williams took a break from practice to play with her dog Harold

Page 11: Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo were attached at the hip during an outing in Montecito, Paul McCartney enjoyed a beach day while on vacation in St. Barts, sporting a massive diamond ring Bethenny Frankel was at the beach in Miami

Page 12: Paris Hilton's Lanvin dress paired perfectly with her bubblegum-hued Bentley, Jared Leto looked unrecognizable while filming House of Gucci in Italy and meanwhile Lady Gaga and Adam Driver continued shooting scenes the following day

Page 13: Britney Spears looked to be in good spirits while out with boyfriend Sam Asghari in L.A., Robin Roberts hammed it up for the camera on the set of Good Morning America, Kourtney Kardashian couldn't keep her hands off new beau Travis Barker after enjoying a dinner date in L.A.

Page 14: Baby on Board -- Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn, Gal Gadot, Lauren Burnham with husband Arie Luyendyk Jr., Christina Milian showed off her growing belly in a floral lingerie set by Savage x Fenty

Page 16: Flex Zone -- with warmer days ahead, stars push their bodies harder -- Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans, Kate Hudson added three pound dumbbells to her fitness routine, Eva Longoria works out with a trampoline, Cara Delevingne does yoga, Kevin Hart was joined by son Hendrix for a sweat sesh, Gabrielle Union working out

Page 18: Stars They're Just Like Us -- Jax Taylor took out the trash and recycling bins in L.A., Ally Brooke put on sunscreen she bought at CVS in L.A., after food shopping Ariel Winter packed her car with goodies in L.A.

Page 20: Love Lives -- Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom sparked marriage rumors after she was seen wearing a gold band on that finger while in Hawaii

Page 21: They've quietly been together for over three years but Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant who were spotted together during a rare date night in Beverly Hills are in no rush to wed and they've both been in serious relationships before so they're content just being with each other but that doesn't mean marriage is off the table

* For Brooklyn Decker, the silver lining of the pandemic has spending more time with Andy Roddick -- she said it has strengthened their relationship

* The secret to Nick and Vanessa Lachey's successful marriage of nearly 10 years? Spontaneous intimacy, according to Vanessa

Page 22: Hot Hollywood -- Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani won't be sending save the date cards anytime soon because the duo is struggling to agree on a wedding day -- Gwen is pushing hard for their first ceremony on Blake's Oklahoma ranch to take place in early fall (the two are planning a second affair in L.A.), but Blake, who has been vocal about his impatience, wants to wed this summer but there's a problem: tornado season and the chapel he had constructed on his property for Gwen, a devout Catholic, isn't built to withstand even a minor wind event -- no matter what though, the pair (who are also trying for a baby via surrogate) still plan to exchange their vows before the end of the year and won't let these hiccups affect their big day

Page 23: Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez denied reports that they ended their engagement and were spotted packing on the PDA in the Dominican Republic -- J.Lo started to question A-Rod after rumors began to swirl that he had an affair with Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy but Alex has been on his best behavior of late

* A Britney Spears comeback could be on the horizon as she is dropping hints about singing again even though her attorney previously said she will not perform as long as her father in charge, but if the judge rules in her favor to make her care manager, Jodi Montgomery, her conservator, Britney will follow through and promise to perform again

* Keeping Up With Us -- Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa Bryant has named the four deputies who allegedly shared graphic photos from the helicopter crash that killed her husband and daughter Gianna and seven others, despite sharing a selfie of herself wearing a half-heart necklace that she rocked while dating Ben Affleck his ex Ana de Armas denied that the two were back together, Armie Hammer is being investigated by L.A. police after a woman came forth and accused the actor of raping her in 2017 but Armie's attorney maintains their relations were completely consensual, CBS has extended The Talk's hiatus after claims of racism and toxicity were made against cohost Sharon Osbourne, just days after Tiger Woods returned home from the hospital following his near-fatal car crash new details from the investigation revealed that the golf pro didn't take his foot off the accelerator leading up to the accident

Page 24: A Day in My Life -- Maria Sharapova

Page 25: Kanye West's personal life might be in shambles, but his finances were thriving -- according to a new report, the rapper's net worth has climbed to $6.6 billion amid his ongoing divorce from Kim Kardashian -- he has really thrown himself into his work -- Kanye was first declared a billionaire last April largely in part to his fashion line, Yeezy, which is valued between $3.2 and $4.7 billion -- Kanye actually learned a lot from Kim's family about business decisions and he used to throw so much of his own money into his projects, but he's learned that doesn't have to be the case and it's clearly paying off big

* These hip-hop stars also made a large sum of their money away from the mic -- 50 Cent, Diddy, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre

Page 26: Cover Story -- Duchess Kate carries on -- the resilient royal is stepping in to save the crown

Page 28: Angelina Jolie vs. Brad Pitt: a new low -- as Brad and Angelina's nasty custody battle rages on, their kids are put in the middle

Page 30: Makeovers of the Year -- behold the style evolution of Hollywood's latest luminaries -- Andra Day, Halsey

Page 31: Tiffany Haddish, Lily Collins, Awkwafina

Page 32: Major Transformations -- Adrienne Bailon, Rebel Wilson

Page 34: Ayesha Curry, Kelly Osbourne, Adele

Page 36: Spring Makeup Bag Update -- whisper-light formulas in soft, pretty hues that will freshen up your look fast

Page 38: Laura Harrier tells how she makes her peepers pop

Page 40: Let It Grow! Kristen Stewart's mane man Adir Abergel shares hacks to help a haircut in flux look luxe

Page 42: Entertainment -- Mark Long on The Challenge: All Stars

Page 43: Take Five with Sway Bhatia

Page 46: Fashion Police -- when bad clothes happen to good people -- Noah Cyrus, Machine Gun Kelly, Amber Rose

Page 47: Bella Hadid, Harry Styles

Page 48: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me -- Kevin O'Leary

[duhragonball]

On Ultra Instinct

I was kind of skeptical of this new form they were introducing in Episode 110, but I’m pleased with the way they did it.  Episode 109 made it look a whole lot like Goku was going to absorb a Spirit Bomb and power up from it somehow, which would have been kind of dumb.  For one thing, we already saw that trick in the Android 13 movie, and for another, the Spirit bomb used in this episode only contained energy from Goku’s teammates.

Episode 110 dispelled that misconception by revealing that Goku getting hit with his own attack merely restored some of his stamina, allowing him to fight in this new mode longer than he would have been able to do otherwise.  The real story here seems to be that Goku has (briefly) mastered the kind of power Whis described in the Resurrection F movie.  According to Whis, not even Beerus had mastered that ability, which gives you some idea of where Goku stands now. 

I like this, because it isn’t just Goku getting a power boost completely out of nowhere.  Frankly, Dragon Ball Super has been pulling that stunt a lot lately, though mostly with the supporting players.  I was worried they’d try to do the same with Goku himself, which would have been a bad idea.  Instead, they paid off an idea that had already been established two years earlier.

More importantly, the Ultra Instinct mode suits the story well.  If Goku reached this level in a one-on-one fight, it would have been boring, because we’ve seen that before.  Either he’d crush his enemy with the added power, or he’d run out of gas and fall back on some other strategy.  This situation, however, makes good use of the Tournament of Power scenario. 

Basically, Jiren is strong enough to defeat a God of Destruction.  Presumably the clown guy from his own universe, but I don’t think they’ve come out and said as much yet.  None of the other fighters are strong enough to do the same, so Jiren is automatically stronger than all of them... unless Goku can tap into the same kind of abilities used by the angels, who are stronger than the Gods of Destruction.  But Goku can only do this for a little while at a time, so if he gets eliminated while he’s resting, there’s no one left to stop Jiren, and Universe 11 wins.

And that’s where all the other fighters get a chance to shine.  They can’t beat Jiren, but they can support Goku until he’s ready to fight Jiren again.   There’s 25 minutes left in the tournament, so we might see this cycle play out a couple of times.  The teaser for Episode 111 seems to support this.  Hit’s fighting Jiren, which implies that Jiren must be at least a little winded himself.  I’m pretty sure Frieza was donating his energy to Goku, which was what he meant when he said “this brings back memories of Namek”.   Both of them have figured out that the only way to win the tournament is through Jiren, and the only one who can possiblly take out Jiren is Goku.  If they can figure it out, so can everyone else. 

Which is interesting, because it changes the whole dynamic of the tournament.  The battle royal aspect had pretty much run its course.  Fighters have been eliminating each other without much attention to strategy.    It’s been good TV, but it’s time to move on to something else.  Now the game becomes an endurance challenge.  Can the Pride Troopers take out Goku before Goku takes out Jiren?  It’s a complicated question, because they’ll have to go through everyone else in the tournament to get him.   Jiren can beat them all, but if they focus their efforts on hiding Goku and using hit and run attacks, they might pull this off. 

And there’s no guarantees.  Goku might not be able to beat Jiren.  Jiren may be perfectly content to allow Goku to recuperate and try again.  Dyspo and Toppo may be forced to hunt down Goku on their own.  One of the teams might decide that it’s better to eliminate Goku and try to ride out the Jiren storm until the buzzer sounds.  Universe 11 is in last place, after all.  Maybe it’s better to clean out Universe 7 and wait out the clock.

So in all of this, the Ultra Instinct power kind of becomes a football, one that Hit, Caulifla, Kale, Vegeta, Frieza, etc. can toss around too keep their teams alive.  And thats kind of how supporting players in Dragon Ball are supposed to work.   A fight like Gohan vs. Recoome or Piccolo vs. Cell was never going to be decisive.   The point was to keep the good guy side from folding before the decisive battle happened.  And those fights are just as important and worthwhile, which is why all the supporting characters are so beloved. 

Hopefully we can get some good epic fights out of this.  Hit’s probably covered, since I can’t imagine a better situation for him than trying to tackle Jiren by himself.  Win or lose, there’s no better competition for him here.  Frieza vs. Jiren might be worth doing too, if only for the spectacle of Frieza getting demolished in defense of Goku.  

What I’d really like to see is Vegeta have a nice lengthy battle against Toppo.  Pitting Vegeta against Jiren seems pointless, but Toppo’s kind of a dark horse in this thing.  He was strong enough to last against Goku in the exhibition matches, which means he’s at least strong enough to give Vegeta a hard time. Anyone in that class has to be dealt with.  If Jiren and Goku take each other out, the tournament could very well come down to Toppo, Vegeta, Hit, and Frieza. I would expect Vegeta and Toppo to recognize this and go after one another. 

I’m sort of neglecting the rest of Universe 6 & 7′s teams, but only because there’s too many possibilities for me to come up with something.  It’d be kind of nice to see them polish off what’s left of Universe 2, 3, and 4.  Maybe Kale can make some last stand against Jiren after he’s kind of whittled down, something like that.

[the-royal-courier]

Aventine Farms Sweetens the Season

By Savian Blackwood, Photography by Jibblit Quillfeather

The Falling Apple Faire took place this weekend, hosted by The Gold-Stone Concordance. Their choice of location made all the difference when it came to getting faire goers in the spirit of the harvest season. Aventine Farms opened its apple orchards in Westfall to attendees and vendors alike. Their bountiful crop was celebrated with candied apples, orchard tours, apple-pie moonshine, and entertaining (and very wet) rounds of apple bobbing.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of this gathering were the faces among the crowd. Horde and Alliance mingled peacefully for two nights, taking part in games, competitions, and performances. Even if there were any troublemakers among the crowd, they were likely thwarted by the extremely thorough security provided by Wrynn’s Wolves (A) and Eclipse Syndicate (H).

Both evenings were filled with such a variety of entertainment that it was difficult to see it all, but faire goers were eager to share their favorites.  

Many expressed their interest in getting a fortune told, which led to a consistent line for Madame Theodora(A) and Dancing Deer (H).

The Sisters in Sin booth quickly turned into a one-stop-shop for everything from alcohol to acupuncture. If that didn’t make patrons stop in their tracks, their array of jewelry for sale and their kissing booth certainly did.

A never ending variety of food and drink was supplied by multiple vendors from both factions. Candied apples were in high demand, which makes me hope that the Emergency Response Unit and the Outreach Clinic employ dentists.

Luckily no medical staff were needed for the lead entertainment: fire dancing. Shekinah Rosegaile enthralled the audience with her mastery of the craft and wrapped up the evening with a perfect finale.

Congratulations to the winners of the evenings’ contests:

Horde Duels:  Zahlen El’Zatari (Arrogate), Shudo, Nikklaus

Alliance Duels:  Emora Cuddletorque, Serena Goldnight, Mythios Autumnchill

Alliance vs. Horde Duel: Zahlen El’Zatari (H)

Pet Battles:  Aelin Ashryver

Raffles: Eve Daniels (A), Scarlet (Emille) (A), Daralean (H), Rocketcog (A), Lledwyn (H), Neona (A), Pigecko (H)

A special thanks to all those who made the faire possible and to The Gold-Stone Concordance and Aventine Farms for their hospitality.

Golden Odyssey, Sisters in Sin, Harboson Company, Wrynn’s Wolves, Brotherhood of Valor, Coldwall Collective, Raven’s Watch, House Redsteel, Steelgrove Syndicate, Legion of the Dawn, Eclipse Syndicate, Gilded Lotus Trading Company, Wolves of Winter, Ghost Wind Gathering, Black Market Cartel, Nearly Departed, Tattered Banners, Blackthorn Correlation, The Royal Courier

For more pictures, view the photo album here.