#the clone deluge

[paperback-rascal]

Thank you for the vid recommendation, @thecoffeelorian, I haven't seen this one!

Here is a screenshot redraw to get you interested in more pieces of Polish culture.

The screenshot was taken from this scene from 1974 movie The Deluge (Potop):

I always get very happy when non-Slavic Tumblr users starts to enjoy Slavic inspired Star Wars works!

It makes me wanna draw more of this stuff!

---

my other Star Wars and The Deluge crossover works -> [LINK] <-

crossovers I did of Star Wars franchise with various pieces of slavic (pop)culture -> [LINK] <-

===

The Deluge/Potop (novel) © Henryk Sienkiewicz

The Deluge/Potop (movie) © Jerzy Hoffman

STAR WARS © George Lucas/ LucasFilm

@chaoticvampirejedi @paperback-rascal have you ever seen this...?

[hobgoblinsandpeachfuzz]

Ken and George both came up with the same prompt for me which was Cad Bane as a dragon and honestly any time I don’t know what to draw now I’m just gonna draw my faves as dragons

[anhed-nia]

BLOGTOBER 10/23/2024: POSSESSOR

It has come to my attention that I would like to do a very big project on Brandon Cronenberg. I need him to get his new projects out so I can have some more data points. In no time at all he has developed a really distinctive voice, as they say, and it's not just the body horror thing; he is asking these really probing questions about identity in a way that I think is unique and requires study. More input please.

Recently I got myself locked in this intense study of his debut feature ANTIVIRAL, which may not seem immediately similar to POSSESSOR and INFINITY POOL, but I think it starts a compelling conversation about make makes you "you". Like, to what degree is your body "you"? What percentage of your body can be considered "you", or are "you" only whatever is attached to your living brain? Which then activates questions about brain health, and deceased remains. The answer to what constitutes "you" may differ depending on who is being asked, too; what is their legal relation to you, or their sentimental relationship--or what is their attitude toward bodies and biomatter in general.

As I got deeper into this project, I contracted covid at the film festival I'd been working. I began to have an experience that was somewhat similar to what Brandon Cronenberg said inspired ANTIVIRAL: He was extremely sick with a virus, and he couldn't stop imagining how particles from someone else's body had penetrated his body, and he was being co-mingled with someone else. I started to connect with that, that I had just been at this conclave of the cultists of cinema and at the same time that our brains were syncing up, these particles were threading through our bodies, connecting us. This thought kept running in the background while I was watching ANTIVIRAL end to end to end, and being part of its deluge of blood and mucus and philosophizing about viruses and whether they represent an intimate interpersonal communion, whether your cells are imprinted with the existential, quasi-spiritual thing of your personal identity. And as my husband and I were housebound and chewing our way through all the groceries we had, we discovered that our entire dozen eggs had two yolks each. And it was like something that was coming out of my television in 3D, the proliferating cells of ANTIVIRAL, the clones of INFINITY POOL, the bifurcated people of POSSESSOR who have a body and a soul that are not necessarily monogamous with one another, people who experience bilocation. I got Brandon Cronenbergitis.

POSSESSOR is really a masterpiece, theories and philosophies aside. Gorgeous and engrossing, violent in a way that exposes the essential repulsiveness of violence, and with an inventiveness that returns to us the largely-lost experience of wondering, "How the fuck did they do that?" Living art object Andrea Riseborough plays Vos, an assassin whose modus operandus is to take over the body of someone close to her mark and use them to commit murder-suicide, thus hiding the real commissioner of the crime. Though Vos's usual approach is to make it appear that the possessed individual is having a psychotic break, she is approaching her own mental collapse, as evidenced by the increasing sadism of the executions. Her latest assignment is Colin Tate (Christopher Abbott), future son-in-law of sociopathic CEO John Parse. Once inside and acting out the perfunctory nervous breakdown, Vos begins to lose control, and she is soon locked in a battle of wills with the understandably freaked out Colin.

Colin is an alternative version of INFINITY POOL'S protagonist James (Alexander Skarsgard), a failed novelist acquired by a rich heiress as a means of annoying her monstrous father. Both men are perfect submissives in some sense: They are owned by someone else, and their very identities are ultimately determined by someone else. James, who has a surplus of traditional male ego problems, is easily manipulated by a clique of rich psychopaths who make a game of destroying his sense of self--a process that is escalated by the existence of clones, vat-grown scapegoats for the crimes of the wealthy. The presentation of multiple, disposable Jameses, whose explicit purpose is to be degraded and annihilated, does something extra to the original James's sense of integrity, his brand as it were. When POSSESSOR'S Vos joins Colin in his body, it exacerbates the instability that already characterizes Colin's life; he is a sexual plaything for his fiancee's friends, he is a wage slave at her father's Amazon-like corporation, not even warranting a nepotistic promotion, and when he isn't working he's tuning out on hard drugs. His own poorly-established sense of integrity creates a sort of trap for Vos, who has been losing touch with her own personality as she sinks deeper into the bloody mire of her job.

Cronenberg said POSSESSOR came to him when he was promoting ANTIVIRAL, having to put on a kind of press persona to sell and explain his debut film to the public; he would wake up in the night feeling like he was living someone else's life, like he had lost contact with his core identity. It makes sense that he was beginning to develop INFINITY POOL around the same time, but I would argue that the much-earlier ANTIVIRAL deals with some of the same themes. Syd March (Caleb Landry) doesn't occupy the same rich failson archetype, but he lives in a world where the location of identity is up for debate; it isn't limited to the brain, or the face or whole body, but it has spread out to include the microbial components of disease, which are the new celebrity memorabilia. The belief that the persona is in these cells, and that taking the cells into oneself constitutes a form of intimacy or even unity, suggests the same attitude toward the mutability of the self. Around the time of INFINITY POOL, Cronenberg made a statement that contains a hint of dialog from ANTIVIRAL, and that I think unlocks all three movies:

“The brain creates a feeling of self. It's almost a controlled hallucination. We are each this chorus of ideas and influences. I think much of that comes externally, through ideas we’re infected with through our context, and much of it comes internally through our own biology. … It’s a process of the brain to essentially claim certain aspects of your experience. … But once you start to pick apart what it is to have a self, it’s this entirely neurological sensation rather than something that exists in a tangible, concrete way.”

It seems that Cronenberg will be working on the identity question for a long time. And as long as he is, so will I.

[tyrantisterror]

In a better world, that terrible smash-clone crossover game would have spawned fanart of Jason Voorhees and Steven Universe being best friends the way Super Smash created a deluge of fanart depicting Isabelle Animal Crossing and the Doom Guy being chums.

EDIT: oh yeah it wasn't Smash was it, it was just the fact that their games were released at the same time. Still though!

[skellymom]

"Vagabonds" Chapter 22

"THE TEMPEST"

Ongoing fanfic Hunter x Reader/Fem Reader/OC

Hunter meets a smuggler Nomaadi Star Woman with a powerful force sensitive teen who changes the trajectory of CF-99's lives...as they ALL try to escape from The Empire together.

To read Chapter 21 - "AMARANTHINE"

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/762676548240277504/vagabonds-chapter-21?source=share

Word Count: 1.6 K

Background: What is Mad's fate? Can Hunter, Tech, LOVE, Tiggy, and newcomer Jeb escape the CX Trooper? Has LOVE's Force Powers gone too far???

MORE ACTION IN THIS CHAPTER!

For anyone new to this series: "LOVE" is the nonbinary/genderfluid neurodivergent/nonverbal Force sensitive kid of the main OC of this series named Mad. Mad is an older single mother, close to almost 50 years of age (not many older female protaganists in stories, so I decided to make one.)

Warning: SW Canon violence, blood, dog mauling human (defensive move for the doggo), swearing, angst, tragedy. Disclaimer: I wrote this chapter WELL BEFORE the mudslides and flooding in the south occurred. Hopefully this plot device is not offensive.

(Credit: Cool dividers by @4ngelic-Wh1spers, @plum98 @strangergraphics-archive Pinterest: You're Stuck With Me Skyguy, Mandry Club, )

Read to the music:

Tech attempted to comm Hunter. 

No answer. 

He heard and FELT an explosion. 

Tiggy screamed loudly, causing Tech to jump out of his skin.  She immediately ran for the open hatch.  Tech leapt catching her by the collar. 

“DAAB, TIGGY!  STAY!  STOP!!!”  No command helped as she dragged him across the Marauder’s floor. 

She sensed something was VERY WRONG.  Tech managed to engage his remote access closing the gangplank via arm link, then bearhugged Tiggy with both arms.  Her strength, even for a now medium sized canine, surprised him. 

Tiggy screamed and struggled violently as Tech wrapped his long gangly legs around her to prevent getting loose.  Committed dog that she was to her people, she never bit him, but alligator rolled growling. 

When the gangplank closed, Tech let go launching himself into the pilot seat starting up the Marauder’s engines.   

Tiggy continually threw herself at the closed gangplank. 

Over the noise of the Marauder’s engines Tech heard the strong rumble of thunder.  A fat raindrop splattered across the ship's windscreen. 

Taphao Kaew’s weather patterns SHOULD’NT support rain in THIS season...

The Marauder took off from the forest floor. 

LOVE caterwauled over Mad’s body.   

Hunter sensed a HUGE electromagnetic front forming quickly above them.  The sky ROILED as dark clouds blotted out the sun.  He leaned down over Mad and attempted to pick up her bloody body.  It was difficult to tell her status through the thousands of cuts she sustained from shrapnel during the blast. 

Though unconscious Mad was STILL breathing. 

LOVE started to cry HUGE wet tears.  They ran down their cheeks... 

The sky opened and a DELUGE of rain fell. 

Jeb appeared next to Hunter.  “The HELL this storm come from???   

“Blame it on us.” Hunter remarked as he eyed LOVE. 

Rain fell upon Mad’s body, washing the blood away temporarily.  He leaned across to shield her and drew his weapon.  Jeb drew his as well.  Both stood their ground...waiting. 

A blaster bolt rang through the smoke.  LOVE blocked it one handed. 

The CX Trooper stepped out into full view, leveling his rifle at LOVE, Hunter, and Jeb. 

He spoke in a hauntingly distorted voice “The clone, force sensitive, AND Jedi asset.  How convenient.” 

“I WON’T go willingly” Hunter growled.  “Won’t let you take ANYONE else, either.” 

“It’s not YOU I’m after.” CX sneered through his helmet. 

Hunter’s eyes widened.  This Trooper KNEW who he was...and about Omega too. 

Good thing she was safe on the Beldame. 

“Hand HER over and I’ll go easy on your squad.” CX nodded in Mad’s direction.  “That one too.” Nodding to LOVE. 

LOVE’S head slowly rose up to face the CX Trooper.  Eyes no longer yellow green...but bright CRIMSON RED! 

Hunter’s long hair slowly rose up and strained to stand on end.  His bandana held most of it back.  He could FEEL an electrical charge building. 

“LOVE...DON’T do it.”  Hunter tried his darndest to keep calm. 

They weren’t listening.  NOTHING was getting through.  His skin TINGLED! 

OH...SHIT!”  Hunter grabbed Jeb dragging him to the ground, then threw his own body over the boy and Mad. 

LOVE struggled to speak...”Nnnn...nnn...naaAAAHHHH!”  Then SCREAMED “NNN...NOOOO!!!” Face flushed as red as their eyes.

A bolt of lightning made explosive contact next to the CX Trooper.  He flew back with several trees falling and igniting into flames. 

LOVE, unhinged screamed outwardly over and over and over and over.  ALL of the fear, anger, and sadness emanated outward VIOLENTLY! 

More lightening strikes.   

Hunter heard the distant sounds of people SCREAMING...unsure if in fear...or injury... 

The rain picked up threefold, wind WAILING through the trees! 

Taphao Kaew’s soil couldn’t handle the sudden volume of water raining down.  The ground underneath gave way.  Hunter grabbed Mad with one hand and, LOVE with the other, then attempted to catch Jeb with both legs around his midsection.   

They splashed into a torrent of watery mud with a wickedly strong current.  It pulled them all downhill as a huge swath of earth cleaved away from the forest.  The water swallowed trees, land speeders, pushing parked ships up against the Rebel Base...collapsing the outer wall.  Then flowed around the building further downhill. 

Their group were pulled downhill towards the clearing...and the mess of trees, equipment, ships, assorted flotsam and jetsam.   

Hunter knew they would all be crushed in the wreckage or swallowed up in the mud. 

LOVE laid back, watery mud coursing around them.  The grey sky rained down into their eyes blurring everything in sight.  Mind clouded and FULL of anger.  Hate burning hot while the waters around them couldn’t cool their volatile emotions. 

“LOVE!  SNAP OUT OF IT!!!” attempting to get to them.  “WE NEED YOU!” Muddy water washed over Hunter’s helmet, silencing his pleas.  Luckily it was sealed tight to prevent leakage. 

A dark shadow blotted out the rain, as they slipped quickly down the ravine.  LOVE’S vision cleared as Tech brought the Marauder above them. 

The best he could do was drop rappelling lines to Hunter and hope he could reach them.  Tech opened Marauder’s bottom hatch...fully realizing Tiggy might jump out of the ship.  Tiggy was beyond listening and Tech needed both hands on the controls.   

He opened the doors and hoped for the best. 

Tiggy scrabbled across the deck flooring, sliding straight to the open space.  Tech grit his teeth. 

Miraculously she held onto the edge of the hatch, barking down into the gloom for all she was worth. 

The roar of the engines reached into LOVE’S ears.  Beneath that...barking.  LOVE realized Tiggy was on board the Marauder!  SOMEHOW she had managed to get aboard with LOVE unable to detect her presence. 

To LOVE’S faraway brain, it seems Tiggy was barking in Basic Standard... 

“BARK, BARK, BARK...WAKE UP!  WAKE UP!  WAKE UP!!!” 

LOVE’S eye widened, their head snapped up to see... 

...Hunter’s fist firmly gripping the front of LOVE’s tunic, his other arm disappeared under the water... 

...a long, wet shock of silver hair bobbed and flowed up from the watery depths...where Hunter feebly attempted to keep Mad’s head above water... 

Hunter’s legs wrapped around... a STORM TROOPER!   

The Trooper held on for dear life to Hunter’s right leg.  LOVE could hear his screams ringing out from the comm in his helmet. 

“LOVE!!!” Hunter yelled. 

The group suddenly bounced off immense tree roots, pushing Hunter’s head under the water again.  Mad’s head bobbed up above the surface, still unconscious. 

Hunter popped back up, while NEVER letting go...neither did Jeb.  Mad’s head disappeared underwater again. 

WHAT AM I DOING???  LOVE SCREAMED inside their head! 

They reached out with the Force...pushing...rising... 

LOVE levitated out of the water, pulling Hunter with them.  It took some work...he was heavier than he looked.  The violent current dragging their bodies made it even more difficult. 

Tech held The Marauder in place just above. 

In their mind, LOVE called out to the Force for help.  PLEADED even.  HELP ME...PLEASE!!! 

LOVE PUSHED...Mad emerged from the water where Hunter had a hold of the back of her robes... 

They pushed HARDER.  Muscles tensing to fever pitch...feeling as if they would split apart... 

Jebith emerged from the water, still grasping Hunter’s legs.   

LOVE pulled the group up, up, up... 

A strong JERK pulled the group down again.  There was another weight added... 

The CX Trooper grabbed onto Jeb’s legs scaling him like a rope!  He climbed up Jebith’s body, then Hunter’s...stopping to hold on and address Hunter eye to eye. 

“You shouldn’t have left your OWN behind!” CX taunted him. 

“Who the fuck ARE YOU???”  Hunter shouted.   

“YOU chose THEM over your BROTHERS!” The voice, while distorted sounded Reg-like...mixed with another familiar voice. 

“...Crosshair???”  Hunter grasped at straws...the body type wasn’t thin enough...but he hadn’t seen his brother for some time... 

“Your misguided alliance will COST you!” CX refused to answer Hunter’s question. 

Instead, he viciously kicked Jebith free from Hunter’s grasp.  The young trooper screamed as he fell, then hit the water, disappearing into the muddy rolling depths. 

Hunter kneed CX in the crotch while headbutting him.   

CX’s grip released.  He slipped down... 

Drawing his vibroblade unthinkably quick... 

Stabbing Hunter’s upper thigh just below the hip expertly between the armor.  Sinking it deeply into soft tissue. 

Hunter SCREAMED in agony!  CX pulled himself up on the blade, grabbing the hair on Mad’s head, flipping her head up to face him. 

“Pity.  She’s dead.” He scoffed at her pale face and blue lips. 

He let go of her then proceeded to climb up Hunter towards LOVE. 

LOVE had almost reached the bottom hatch of the Marauder.  Hunter sensed LOVE needed to be free of the weight of the bodies below them. 

Hunter yelled out to LOVE “I’VE GOT THIS!  DO WHAT YOU DO!!!” 

He let go. 

CX slipped back down, holding onto Hunter’s shoulders. 

Hunter sensed a large presence arrive and blot out the Marauder as he punched CX in the throat. 

He and Mad fell, as Hunter caught the rappelling cable attached to the Marauder.  He never let go of Mad.   

CX gagged, letting go of Hunter, then engaged his own rappelling line upward.  He kicked away and zipped upward quickly towards LOVE. 

LOVE, still levitating, reached out to push CX away as he stunned them.  

He caught LOVE’s body as it fell... 

Tiggy leapt out of the Marauder, hitting him like a ton of bricks. Biting, scratching, mauling the CX Trooper. 

He screamed and swore as he zipped away towards his ship, still holding LOVE. 

Hunter rode his line up through the Marauder’s bottom hatch, setting Mad down.  

“TECH, FOLLOW THAT SHIP!”  He barked.  “TROOPER HAS LOVE AND TIGGY!!!” 

“On it!” Tech closed the hatch, engaging the Marauder.  As he watched the CX Trooper zipline into his ship, closing the hatch. 

Ignoring the searing pain of the knife buried in him, Hunter leaned over Mad.  He fumbled at opening her mouth to scoop out wet debris clearing her airway.  Then started breaths and compressions...

To read Chapter 23 - "RETREAT"

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/763930279133970432/vagabonds-chapter-23?source=share

Please let me know if you wanted to be added to my taglist or removed! Thanks so much for your support!!!

[wolveria]

What We Did on Felucia - Ch 3

Pairing: The Bad Batch x f!Reader

Series Warnings: Smut, dubcon, slow burn, sex pollen

Chapter Summary:

“And what did you tell them about… the other effects of the chemical?” “Nothing.” “…Nothing?” “That’s right.”

AO3

When you woke, your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth, too dry and puffy, and your body seemed to be made of inert material. Something ached in the distance, and white, sterile walls filled your vision as you opened your eyes.

Your chest went tight, your heart raced, and you fought against the heavy weight of your body to sit up.

“Whoa, whoa, you’re all right.”

Hunter was half out of his chair next to the infirmary bed, his hand outstretched toward you, but then he seemed to think better and pulled back. His eyes were watchful but gentle.

“Welcome back, General.”

As he returned to the chair, you gave him a quick once over. He was without armor, wearing only his GAR-issue body glove, and something about that increased the sense of pressure on the back of your neck.

“Where… are we?”

“Republic medical station in the Taanab system. It was the closest one.”

You sat up the rest of the way, and muted pain flared in your hips, groin, and backside. Realization trickled into your thoughts before it broke into a deluge, and you covered your face with your hands as you struggled to suck in air through lungs that refused to function.

“General?”

The touch on your shoulder was light, but you still flinched, and Hunter immediately lifted his hand away. You took another deep breath, recalled your training to release your turbulent emotions into the Force, and lowered your hands after you were sure your expression had smoothed.

Now, Hunter stared with open worry.

“Where are the others?” Your voice came out whisper-quiet, but you knew Hunter’s hearing would catch it. “How did we get out?”

“Well, turns out the Separatists didn’t account for us being enhanced clones. Our metabolisms burn faster than regs’, so we woke in the middle of them transporting us to an offworld ship. We overpowered the battle droids and got you back to the Marauder.”

 You didn’t meet his eye, gaze fixed on your hands lying on the thin white sheet, and he continued.

“The rest of the squad is fine. We’ve already been cleared by medical. You… took the worst of it.”

After a few seconds passed, you nodded, and your voice returned to the calm, commanding tone it should be.

“Thank you, Sergeant. I appreciate the update.”

Hunter didn’t move out of the chair at your subtle dismissal. You cleared your throat.

“I’m fine, if you need to attend your other duties.”

He shifted closer, perched at the edge of his seat.

“Taking care of you is my duty.”

Your hands clenched in your lap.

“As I said, I’m fine.”

“With all due respect, sir, you’re not.”

Your head snapped up and you glared at him, but he returned the look with an unbothered expression, and your anger extinguished just as quickly as it had flared. His own posture relaxed by a small degree.

“I’d be surprised if you were.”

He had that softness again, which only made it more difficult to look at him.

“Are you… How are you feeling?” You changed direction mid-sentence, not asking if he was okay, because how could he be?

“Tired,” he said with a hint of a smile. “Seems to be a common after-effect. Tech said there’s no permanent damage, and I trust him more than the droids and long necks.”

You sat up straighter.

“What are they saying?”

Hunter shrugged.

“Not much. Chems were already out of our systems by the time we escaped Felucia, and we were all run through decontamination when we arrived, even you, so… not a lot of evidence left behind.”

He gave you a significant look, and your chest grew tight.

“And what did you tell them about… the other effects of the chemical?”

“Nothing.”

“…Nothing?”

“That’s right.”

Hunter didn’t smile, or say he was joking; he simply waited you out.

“But… but you must have had your debriefing and filed your report. And Tech, he records everything for the post-mission analysis team—”

“Seems there was some kind of jamming signal that messed with our equipment, and Tech wasn’t able to record anything.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s what I put in the report.”

You continued to stare, and Hunter shifted in his seat.

“They know we were incapacitated with a new bioweapon, and you were hit the hardest without filters. That’s all.”

“That’s all? But-but Hunter, you can’t…”

“Already did. First time I’ve filed a report by deadline, too.”

You didn’t return his amusement.

“You lied on an official mission report.”

“Yeah, and it wouldn’t be the first time. At least it was for an important reason.”

“Important reason?” you repeated, voice faint.

Hunter leaned forward.

“What happened on Felucia can stay there. No one has to know.”

“You can’t be serious.”

But he looked dead serious, and that was even more worrying.

“Hunter, I have to tell the Council.”

He leaned back and raised a brow.

“Why?”

“Why?” You couldn’t stop repeating him. “Because I- because we- they have to know what happened. What I did. Hunter, you can’t possibly believe I’m fit to command this squad after… after…”

You couldn’t bring yourself to say it.

“That’s exactly what I believe.”

Hunter had always been the most reasonable one, able to make the hard calls no one else could. What was he thinking? Lying on a report, putting himself and his squad at risk—and for what?

“We trust you, General,” he continued after your silence. “We’ll follow you into battle, obey your orders—or, well, as many as we usually do—and watch your back, just as you’ve watched ours. Nothing’s changed, if you don’t want it to.”

You couldn’t find your voice even if you knew what to say.

“All we had were bad options, and we fought the only way we could. But… others might not see it that way. And I don’t want you or my men punished for what was technically a successful mission.”

He rose to his feet and you followed the movement, your gaze flicking up his body. The suit did little to hide the curves and ripples of his well-formed muscles, and you quickly looked away.

This was why it couldn’t work. This.

Hunter paused before the closed doorway, his back to you, hand halfway lifted to the doorpad. It took all your strength to keep your gaze on your lap and not look up at the enticing view he presented.

“Think it over before your debriefing. Whatever you tell your Council… I’ll back you. Even if it means I’m caught in a lie.”

Hunter palmed the doorpad and walked out of the room, leaving you to stare at the empty space he left behind.

You woke to hushed voices and the comfort of two familiar beings in the Force. When you opened your eyes, Echo and Crosshair were near your bedside, Echo leaning against the wall while Crosshair sat on the back of the chair Hunter had previously occupied. His feet were planted wide on the seat, legs spread to allow for their long length.

They were also without armor, and though you should have been prepared for it, the sight of them in the skintight suits—and especially the view Crosshair afforded with his spread legs—forced you to stare at the opposite wall.

The tension in the room left it in silence until Crosshair finally said, “Morning, sunshine,” and he somehow managed to make the greeting sound like an insult.

Echo shot him a look before giving you a gentler one, but it wasn’t any easier meeting his eye.

“General. Hope you don’t mind us dropping in and checking how you’re doing.”

You forced a brief but warm smile.

“Just tired. Thank you for your concern, but it’s unnecessary.”

The smile faded fast. You were their commander; it was your job to worry about them, to make sure they were safe and whole. You’d failed them in so many ways, and you continued to fail them—

“Stop.”

You blinked and looked up, finally meeting Crosshair’s gaze.

“What?”

“You’re moping. Stop it.”

Echo shot him another look, which Crosshair again ignored.

“I’m not moping.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Brooding, then.”

“Knock it off, Crosshair.”

He turned his razor-edge glare on Echo, all pretense of humor dropped.

“Would you rather she wallow in self-loathing? Jedi are so quick to martyr themselves they don’t consider the collateral damage.” And then to you, he said, “You know I’m right. You’re going to spiral in a hell of your own making, and sooner or later, you’ll unburden yourself to your precious Council and take the rest of us down with you.”

You were frozen like a nuna before a nexu, and Echo growled, “I won’t warn you again.”

“Did you stop to think why Hunter would lie for us? For you?”

Crosshair stepped down from the chair, as graceful and dangerous as an actual nexu, and he shook off Echo’s hand where it attempted to grip his shoulder. He leaned over you, blocking out the overhead lights, and even though he was lean, he had the advantage of height.

“If they knew the truth, your Council would, at worst, expel you, yes? Well, goody for you. We would be sent for reconditioning on Kamino, or better yet, decommissioning altogether.”

Your eyes went wide. Echo didn’t move, and Crosshair sneered at you even as there was genuine anger simmering under the surface.

“Your punishment gives you the chance at a civilian life. Our punishment robs us of our minds. Possibly, our lives.” His eyes narrowed into a predator’s focus right before the killing leap. “Consider those little ramifications in your final report. Is this what you really want? Or are you absolving the burden of your own guilt.”

Like a punch low to the gut, your air was gone, pain taking its place. Crosshair pushed away from the bed and left the room without another word. Echo rubbed the back of his neck and gave you a look that held its own kind of guilt.

“I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have said that.”

“The Republic banned decommissioning years ago,” you said, weaker than you meant to sound. “After I- the Council found out. They threatened to break the contract if Prime Minister Lama Su didn’t amend the terms.”

Echo didn’t catch your slip-up. He just shook his head, his eyes too sorrowful.

“There are other ways. We would be court-martialed, at the very least. And since we aren’t classified as citizens, if we were dishonorably discharged, we’d spend the rest of our lives in a military prison.”

“They… they wouldn’t. The Council wouldn’t allow it. You’re soldiers of the Republic.”

“We were Kaminoan property first,” Echo replied with a sad smile. “Bred and tailored for service. Without that… we’re defective weapons. And this squad already toes that line every day.”

What could you say? He was right. And this wasn’t the first time you’d struggled with the uncomfortable legacy of the clone army.

You stared down at your hands. Your body had been used as a tool, a weapon, a source of both comfort and violence. You’d never imagined it bringing pleasure to someone, let alone the men you commanded, and the certain doom that would follow.

What were you supposed to do? Doing nothing seemed just as dangerous as confessing.

“They’re not used to working with Jedi, or with rules and regulations in general,” Echo said, “but I understand there’s no easy solution. Everything’s not as black and white as Crosshair makes it out to be, and I know you’ll do what’s necessary. I trust you with my life on the battlefield, and this is no different.”

Your throat tightened.

“Thank you, Echo.”

He reached out to you, but just like Hunter, he pulled back before his hand could connect.

“Get some rest, General.”

And then he too was gone, and you found a new emotion to pile onto an already overflowing heap: regret.

The third time you awoke, it was by the not-so-subtle heavy footfalls of a new visitor, and you gave a faint smile even before you opened your eyes. Wrecker stood over your bed, and your smile faded as soon as you saw his expression.

Instead of his usual bright self, Wrecker’s posture was stiff and slightly hunched, as if trying to make himself smaller. His brows were furrowed with worry, and there was a sadness in his eyes that made him look far older than he was.

Tech stood next to him, his own stance unusually hesitant, his eyes large and concerned behind his goggles. Like the others, they wore only their body gloves, but unlike the others, you hardly noticed.

You sat up and meant to greet them, to act as if nothing was amiss, but seeing them both so timid and meek, it all came flooding in. The guilt, the shame, the horrible knowledge that you were the cause of this change. Nothing would be the same again. Gone was the easy comradery, the warm feeling of being one of them, accepted as part of the group even though you weren’t a clone. The idea of that bond breaking was nearly enough to break you.

To make it worse, your vision blurred, but not so badly that you couldn’t see Wrecker’s eyes widen in alarm. He looked at Tech, who also appeared as if he might be on the verge of panic. Tech panicking? The thought was almost laughable.

“I’m… I’m so sorry.” And you didn’t just mean for your slip in control.

Wrecker looked lost for only a moment, and then his mouth set into a determined line. He pushed away the chair, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled you into his arms.

Wrecker ended up pulling you entirely out of the covers, your legs dangling in the air as he set you on his lap, and you wrapped your arms around his neck without hesitation, embracing him as you buried your face in his shoulder.

As soon as you did, a voice in your head scolded you, warning you that this was grossly inappropriate and unprofessional. But you ignored it, easy to do with Wrecker’s arms looped around your back, holding you warm and safe.

“I got ya,” Wrecker said, voice low and gravelly. A light hand rested on your shoulder, and though he hadn’t said a word yet, Tech’s eyes were still soft with concern. You removed one arm around Wrecker’s neck and held it out to him in unspoken invitation.

As soon as Tech joined you on the edge of the bed, you moved off of Wrecker’s lap to wedge between them, your thighs resting against theirs, and it happened so quickly. Naturally.

Pressed between Tech and Wrecker, you could finally breathe and let your coiled muscles slowly relax. You leaned your head against the bulk of Wrecker’s arm, trying to hide the tears that finally broke. You didn’t make a sound, they might not even know you were crying, grieving over what you would soon lose. But Wrecker still held you close, his large fingers careful as he stroked your hair.

You shouldn’t be doing this. All you wore was a medical gown, and without the barrier of armor you could feel the heat of their bodies and the shape of their strength, Wrecker’s obvious and thick with fat and muscle, while Tech’s was subtle but lean and firm.

Tech finally spoke, his voice unusually quiet.

“Echo warned us you might need… gentle treatment.”

“Hugs okay?”

You nodded silently into Wrecker’s shoulder. The tears had dried, and you selfishly craved the comfort their touches brought, Wrecker stroking your hair while Tech now lightly rubbed a hand along your back.

“I’m sorry,” you croaked. “I shouldn’t… this isn’t…”

Tech took your hand and laid his palm against your knuckles, and then he curled his fingers, weaving them between yours and locking your hands together.

“You do not need to apologize. Not for this.”

“Yeah,” Wrecker added his agreement. “We both got ya.”

You said nothing, though some of your grief ebbed away. The three of you stayed that way for a while in warm, comfortable silence, Tech’s hand enveloping yours while Wrecker propped his cheek on the crown of your head. You held on to the moment as long as you could; you would likely not have another.

“I do wish to apologize for Crosshair’s behavior,” Tech said into the quiet. “He needn’t be so callous.”

“But he’s right. Your punishment would be disproportionate compared to mine.”

“Regardless of the validity of his points, his delivery was tactless.”

What did that matter? Crosshair’s anger was justified, and in the end, he was looking out for his brothers. You couldn’t fault him for that.

“I appreciate that, Tech, but… I would rather have his honesty than my feelings spared. This is too important for anything less.”

His other hand stopped moving, coming to rest on your shoulder blade.

“Then you have made a decision regarding Hunter’s report?”

“I… No, not yet.”

“I see.”

His voice was perfectly even, no opinion one way or another, and that somehow made it worse.

“Hunter said you would all still follow me,” you said. “That this doesn’t change anything between us.”

“It is impossible what happened on Felucia hasn’t changed us. That goes against sapient nature to not internalize one’s own experiences. However, we trust your judgement, your abilities, and your leadership just as we did before. Perhaps, even more so now, if that addresses your concern.”

Gratitude filled the space around your heart, to the point where there wasn’t much room for air.

“It does.”

“Good.”

The word was delivered in his usual curt manner, but he squeezed your hand, and a memory rose unbidden to the surface: you wanting to kiss Tech, practically pleading with him to let you.

Not… here. Not like this.

What had he meant by that?

“It appears Wrecker was more exhausted than he told me.”

You glanced up to find Wrecker had indeed fallen asleep with his head leaning on yours. Something sharp tugged at your insides, knowing that Wrecker still trusted you enough to fall asleep in your presence.

Something else warmed within you, trying to make itself known as it awakened at their closeness. It was a familiar thing, first sparked to life in that horrible laboratory, and you realized something.

Tech and Wrecker. Echo and Crosshair. Hunter alone. Different pairings than you’d faced in that room, and that couldn’t be an accident. No, you had no doubt Hunter had arranged them this way on purpose, avoiding overwhelming you with the whole group at once while also trying to spare you from a direct reminder.

It was… surprisingly thoughtful. Unnecessary, because while Echo and Wrecker didn’t spend more time together than anyone else, Crosshair and Hunter were impossible to avoid as a pair. Despite how difficult and churlish Crosshair acted with Hunter, he had a habit of following him around like a shadow, and perhaps more surprising was how well Hunter tolerated the hovering.

Hunter might be more careful from now on, but Crosshair was delighted with any reaction he could get from you, and the two of them together would always remind you of tight grips and hot, forceful intrusions—

“I think I need more rest as well,” you said, your voice cracking in the middle. Hopefully, Tech accepted it as exhaustion.

“You were put under more strain than us due to several factors, such as being forced to endure the effects for longer with, ah… constant stimulation. And like Hunter, your senses are more enhanced than a human’s. I am not surprised you haven’t fully recovered yet, and I apologize for underestimating how this would affect you.”

You squeezed his fingers between yours and said, “You were wonderful, Tech.”

Realizing the double-meaning too late, you pressed your lips tight together. Tech, however, averted his gaze as a light shade of pink dusted his cheeks.

“We should let you sleep. Wrecker, wake up.”

He said the last part louder, his voice sharp, and Wrecker snorted awake. He looked down at you, his lips spreading into a sleepy grin.

“Aren’t you a sight.”

Your eyes went wide, and Tech released your hand, got to his feet, and grabbed Wrecker by the collar of his suit.

“Release our general. We are leaving.”

Wrecker made an unhappy noise but allowed Tech to pull him away, leaving you cold without his arm around your waist, nestling you against his side. He gave you one last sheepish smile before his brother yanked him out the door.

You laid back down, but sleep eluded you in what felt like a punishment. A solution had begun to form in your mind, and the heavy burden of grief wouldn’t let you find a moment of peace.

You hoped one day they would forgive you.

Next Chapter

[oceandirtcountry]

I’ve grown slightly impatient so here’s a silly little short meetup (at least before I’m writing it) for @destiny-in-the-universe’s project Zero

“Wait, play that back. Let me see that again.”

[Date: 20/12/20XX]

[Location: District Nine. Uncharacteristic alleyway.]

{Begin Replay}

“Girls, girls, girls…don’t be so crass, now. I mean, it’s your old pal Mercury! Surely you can excuse him from a little petty theft, right?” A silver-haired boy takes a few cautious steps back in the alleyway.

There was a way out the other way, but he’d never make it so far—Ruby would snag him if he even attempted any form of escape. His only options were fight or talk, and both are unlikely considering the four.

After Salem’s death, all of her minions got put out of a job. Of course they did. And with no prior experience with most fields and a massive criminal record, save for Arthur Watts, who found himself a stable tech support job. At least, stable enough. The minions ended up resorting back into lives of crime, this time far less extravagant and privileged.

Yang snorts. “Petty theft? Yeah, if it was, maybe we’d let you off with a slap on the wrist. But you just robbed a bank—and that’s far from petty.”

“Like me,” Weiss smiles a self-indulgent smirk.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Yang snorts. “Anyway, I’m actually glad it’s you, Merc. I’ve been waiting to sink my fist into your butt-ugly face ever since Beacon, and hoo boy, it’s been a long time.”

Mercury gulps, but retains his swagger. He’s not going out begging for mercy. That’s demeaning.

He watches as the blonde brawler’s hair surges to life, the golden locks glowing with the power of her Aura. The temperature around them rises, causing Mercury to wipe the sweat beading on his forehead away.

Yang bends down, points her Ember Cecilia towards the ground, and rockets herself towards him, arm raised over her head, ready to smash him into the ground like a cockroach.

Mercury knows he can’t escape, even with a boost from his prosthetics. This blondie has been known to level buildings with just a punch—the shockwave would get him anyway.

He winces, closing his eyes and praying.

Lo and behold, maybe there is a god. A high-pressurised deluge of water hits Yang’s stomach, sending her gurgling across the alleyway. She hits one building, then another, then falls to the ground.

Team RWB looks on, flabbergasted, while Yang regains her composure.

A six foot tall, crustacean-reminiscent humanoid steps protectively in front of Mercury. Behind him, a Spanish young man with a massive blade slung over his shoulder, seeming to appear from his arm.

Just as Ruby thought things couldn’t get any worse, behind them is a fucking dragon. About nine whole feet, excluding its tail, of nothing but pure, rippling reptilian muscle, and a massive wingspan blotting the remaining sunlight from the alleyway.

“Do you know what you guys are doing?!” Ruby yells. “We’re Huntsmen!”

“Oh, we know that,” the dragon growls. “That’s why we’re here.”

Flames crackle on the edges of the drake’s mouth. The Spanish boy brandishes his massive blade, grabbing the handle by his arm. The top of the blade disconnects into two sections and begins to spin, like a buzzsaw.

“The name’s Rex,” he introduces himself as the crustacean fiddles with the badge on his chest. “Now, thrill me.”

Rex swings his blade haphazardly, arms flailing about wildly as the buzzsaw cleaves through fire escape ladders and a few trash cans. Blake drops a shadow clone, ducking out of the way as Rex’s buzzsaw cuts through the clone like a hot knife through butter. Pieces of it go splattering everywhere.

Yang catches Rex’s blade as he swings it again, while Ruby grabs Weiss and moves her out of harm’s way with her Semblance.

Yang groans as Rex drives his blade down lower, her hands pressing onto the fuller. The buzzsaw section grazes her shoulder, causing her Aura cover to screech in protest. She can feel it begin to shatter.

Blake drives her Gambol Shroud into the ground, kicking off the walls and sending her foot into Rex’s face. It sends him stumbling a few feet as the blade seems to re-absorb itself into his body.

“Hey, Mercury, right? Help a guy out, will ya?” Rex calls out.

Mercury nods, dashing over to Rex’s position and sucker-punching Yang in the ribs. “I got you, robot man.”

Ruby’s Crescent Rose unfolds, revealing its massive blade, which she brings down onto the dragon-crab duo. With a beat of its wings, the dragon leaps away effortlessly, but the scythe connects with the crustacean. Ruby feels the blade embed itself into its armor, then suddenly, a green flash.

She stumbles backward, readjusting her grip on the Crescent Rose. Blinking, she spins the scythe around her hand. Mental note: crab man can use light…wait.

The crustacean is gone. In its place, a muscular, plantlike humanoid. Its neck and head are reminiscent of a blooming flower. The cut Ruby left on its shoulder simply sews itself back together with plant fibres.

“Tch.” Weiss notices the dragon approach once more and their new adversary. She pulls the Myrtlenaster out from its sheath, pointing it at the drake.

A white glyph appears from where she’s pointing it.

The dragon laughs. “Is that seriously the best you can do—”

The Arma Gigas’ massive fist appears from the glyph, decking the dragon across the face, sending it reeling backwards.

Ruby re-folds her Crescent Rose into its sniper rifle form, unloading a round of fire dust bullets into the plant creature. The flames crackle around its body, but are quickly extinguished with a puff of gas.

“Y’know, sometimes I really appreciate adaptations and evolution,” the creature jokes. “I’d be Swamp-fired if it wasn’t for that.”

Ruby’s features crinkle. Oh lord, it makes puns.

Team RWBY quickly regroups, standing with their backs to each other. It’s pretty clear to see how much coordination and trust in each other that they have.

“So, what’s the dealio, o great leader?” Blake sizes up the dragon, eyes tracing its massive form. It seems to still walk like a normal human.

“Uh, whoop ass, no duh.” Ruby dons a shit-eating grin. “Let’s show these guys what the greatest Huntresses in the world can do.”

(koff koff…lost motivation to keep going. I’ll probably continue it another time, or when the au eventually becomes more fleshed out cause I’m a procrastinator.)

{P.S. unnamed crab-plant creature is Ben, Water Hazard and Swampfire specifically, and unnamed big dragon is Jake. Jake Long.}

[laughhardrunfastbekindsblog]

Currently running an elimination game for Bad Batch episodes on Reddit, and have made it a rule for myself to not personally comment on any of the posts just to keep my own biases out of the picture for now...

But I gotta admit, we're on season 2, and I'm sorting through the votes thinking - "If y'all redditors don't keep "Faster" and "The Crossing" AT LEAST in the top 8 then y'all better prepare yourselves for a deluge of analysis posts from me about those two episodes in particular because you obviously don't appreciate them as much as you should." 🙎‍♀️😂

(Pretty sure "The Outpost" and "The Solitary Clone" are gonna be safe for a while so we're all good there.)

[33-108]

In reading a variety of ancient literature; not limited to that of hindu, of course, you will see references to what appear to be cosmological concepts and technology in which would appear as novel - only unearthed or recently conceived of by the instruments of modern or speculative science.

For example, the story of King Kadmudi and Revati and its apparent reference to the concept of time dilation.

King Kakudmi went to see the god Brahma to find a good partner for his daughter, Revati, name of the 27th and last Nakshsatra, but when he got back, so much time had gone by relative to the area of the universe in which he traversed, that everything he knew was long gone.

King Kakudmi’s experience is important because it reveals complex ideas like time bending, in which are considered to be a modern conceptual derivation.

Time dilation, interstellar travel, cloning, artificial wombs, atomic weaponry, "mind born" children and beings, integrated information theory, anti-gravity propulsion are things that are purported to be referenced or are directly. Conventionally these parallels are seen to be that of a coincidental nature and merely mythical/folklore, but by many, simply, curiously out of place within the given time frame.

Many people see these references as perhaps coincidences - drawing connections to these stories to modern inventions, scientific corpus and futuristic concepts, is perhaps hasty thinking. of course, we are all entitled to our own conclusions about the early universe and human history, these epics and we should always keep an open mind, never rejecting new evidence.

I entertain the prospect that humans and god (paramsiva/bhairava,monad, the one, ayin/yesh or whatever have you) manifestations of god, subtle intelligences, semi-divine beings from a plenitude of realms and in between were, and have been continuously in contact, influencing the development of and informing another since the dawn of time; with humans being instrumental in configuring/being a part in the play of the universe with authority, wielding the ability to harness and utilize the divine creative power/maya-sakti and capable of traversing all realms.

I entertain the human being as naturally divine, and that ages ago, they were possessing knowledge of the body and universe so profound - in which was lost and/or suppressed by the overwhelming majority in our current yuga, through disasters, natural forces or intentionally withheld by higher intelligences due to collective human ignorance and abuse - this realm being a prison like simulation/copy of the bhuvarloka/earth we originally inhabit.

The technologies of today and the futuristic concepts featured in Sci fi, paling to the utter freedom of humans and their manipulation of cosmic forces.

As we continue our projection, through the current yuga, we are revisiting/rehashing some of these technologies and understandings as a race, yet as a largely confused, blinded, amnesiac species, we are diminishing our independence and EXTERNALIZING them, whereas they were inextricable from the human beings conscious willing before.

We are at a phase where the most advanced, fringe experimental and/or theoretical sciences are just scratching the surface of the occult, the ancient sciences of tantra - with domains such as integrated information theory, string/M theory and other attempts of grand unifying theories of everything.

In the age of information, we are experiencing a deluge of resurfacing information and technological potential - yet their externalization and our dumbing down of our own conciousness is limiting us, turning us into a regressed animal. This is the paradox of our age.. in the times of Rahu.

With such amazing innovation, we have the potential to restore nature, order, the richness of consciousness; yet with the lack of self awareness, lack of systems of knowledge allowing us to tap our inner potential, our ignorance- it is used as a tool to exponentially siphon our creative capacity and independence. Our people are becoming more impulsive, aimless and unilateral thinkers.

Our very means of liberation has become weaponized against us - our very shackles. Our computational power and data at our fingertips being used to endlessly mislead us and prey on our lowest impulses.

Our languages and communication skills constantly deteriorating. Once able to receive and transfer correspondences - densely layered, multifaceted symbolic language from the celestial intelligences regarding the nature of reality, the languages of the holy texts.. which is now mostly a lost art - causing us to grossly misinterpret scriptures. Closed traditions have been initiating those to upkeep these skills.

Why I have turned to tantra, is to consistently experience and reclaim my true nature, the gifts latent in all of us in which we see vague remnants of in our holy texts- in the unmistakable communion our species has shown in them, it is my destiny.

[kcrabb88]

I officially have all five of my @quinobiweek fics drafted (just need to revise) so I wanted to share a snippet of of my Clone Wars era fic--the premise is that Quinlan is the one who had to fake his death during the Rako Hardeen arc.

“It would be okay if you understood I had to, and you were a little angry anyway.” Quinlan catches Obi-Wan's fingers, which are still resting lightly on his cheek. “At the war. That I had to do this for the war. I get it, Obes.”  

Obi-Wan's hands tremble. All that grief he didn’t have time for, was afraid of, comes for him. It is a dilapidated deluge. It wants to overcome him but his nature pushes back, so he stands with this pressure in his chest, this drum, beating against his sternum.  

And he does the only thing that makes sense.  

He does the thing that his younger self, less worn and less tired and less everything, would have done.  

He presses himself close to Quinlan. His arms go around Quinlan’s neck. His fingers clutch at Quinlan’s tunics. Quinlan hugs him as close as they can get, and the lemon-scented smell of him fills Obi-Wan's nose.  

“You absolute bastard,” Obi-Wan mutters against the fabric of Quin’s robes. “I went to your funeral. Your funeral, Quinlan. I know you had to do it. But I--”  

“I know,” Quinlan murmurs against Obi-Wan's temple. “I know, Obes.”  

Obi-Wan pulls back, and those tears finally slip from his eyes. They're warmer than any other part of him. He’s cold, suddenly, out of Quinlan’s embrace.  

“Wonderful, you’ve made me cry now,” Obi-Wan complains. “What do you have to say for yourself?”  

Obi-Wan beats a hand against Quinlan’s broad shoulder, and Quinlan, infuriating man that he is, takes it with nothing more than a smile. There is darkness behind his eyes despite the smile. Exhaustion.  

“Well?” Obi-Wan prompts.  

Quinlan thumbs away Obi-Wan's tears. “I’m sorry, Obi-Wan.” 

“I don’t care.”  

“I’m sorry.”  

Quinlan kisses behind Obi-Wan's ear like he could kiss away the war, the losses of Qui-Gon and Tholme, the screams of the dying and the thump of bodies on the ground that have lived in Obi-Wan's head since Geonosis. 

All of it.  

[squidsponge]

Sims 4 CC Update: Rex armor is now here!

The king has finally arrived! (download at the bottom after the deluge of fluff)

Public download is ready and now comes with with a second helmet that won't conflict with any posepack accessories :)

Anakin and Padme may still a be a disaster, and but Fox has done absolutely everything nothing to ensure that their woes won't doom his brothers.

So tell canon to kark itself and protect the king of cinnamon rolls by grabbing your Rex armor today

Captain Rex Armor Set:

Basegame compatible

New meshes

Handpainted textures

Two helmet options

Upper and lower Body Armor as separates

Make sure to grab a bodyglove for lounging around and hot days! (instructions and bodyglove download in the below link)

Some rolled up sleeve options and more clone wars era bodygloves are on the way, as well as those lovely civvies/prisonwear/pajamas the boys wore in TBB.

PATREON DOWNLOAD (no ads)

You can follow the Squid's CC tag for updates :) Have fun!

[smokeybrandreviews]

Incorrect

Pardon this deluge of Star Wars content but Ahsoka has me reeling. Episode five really recontextualized so much about the Clone Wars (and the prequels, themselves), it’s incredibly difficult not to reexamine my previous perceptions of that part of the mythos. The realization that the Jedi Order effectively sent children to their deaths, that they gave actual teenagers command of entire clone units, is absolutely horrifying to properly understand. Sure, when it’s a cartoon, it’s all in good fun. But seeing all that carnage in live action, teenage Ahsoka standing there next to Hayden’s Anakin? That was a lot. The realization that Ahsoka Tano, one of the most powerful Jedi, trained by THE most powerful Jedi, is little more than a weapon to be used for some Republic trade dispute, is so goddamn bleak, I can’t stand it. Coming to terms with the sheer brutality thrust upon Tano, and every other Padawan at the time, is something which has skewed the very morality of the Jedi for me. I can’t see these cats as the “good guys” anymore. How can they be? The Jedi Council committed war crimes! Like, they’re no better than the Sith in that regard and that’s so weird to say out loud. I grew up with the OG trilogy so, for me, there was a stark delineation between Jedi and Sith. Luke and Obi-Wan were Jedi. Upstanding, wise, and compassionate. Good guys. Vader and Palpatine were Sith; Straight up space fascists with anger problems and a mean-streak that could destroy planets. Bad guys. There was a quaint black and white to the dynamic of the galaxy far, far, away. After that episode of Ahsoka, the child soldier thing paints the Jedi just as atrocious. Sending children to die strictly for Republic interests, is the worst kind of imperialism. It’s staggering to me that more people don’t see that. If the Jedi judged sending children to war morally correct, how can you trust that judgment? How can you not question every choice they ever made? Hoe can you not question their treatment of Anakin?

Anakin mentioned to Ahsoka that he was trained to be a peacekeeper but was he really? I mean, Obi-wan probably did his best to bring the kid up properly but let’s be honest; That was a losing fight. Qui-Gon plucked Anakin from a planet where he spent the first eleven years of his life as a proper slave. No one knows what little Annie endured during that time. Tatooine was a hellscape of violence and depravity, ruled over by the Hutts. This crime family had free range on that planet, a fact the Republic turned a blind eye toward until they needed an alliance against the Trade Federation. How f*cked up is that? Anakin wanted off of that world so bad, he wanted to be free, and he believed from the bottom of his heart, that the Jedi would deliver he and his mother from bondage. But, when Jedi actually show up, it’s not as liberators but as middlemen. F*cking negotiators on behalf of the government, trying to cut a deal with the crime boss who allowed the cruelty of slavery to ensnare Anakin. On a whim, he catches Qui-Gon's interest and they take Anakin. Alone. They left his mother in bondage and at the mercy of that debauched world. They don't even send anyone for her because that's not the Jedi way. Emotional attachments lead to the Dark Side, so sayeth the wise and moral Jedi Code.

They fly to Courasant on the promise Anakin will become a Jedi, himself, probably in hopes of gaining enough power to free his still enslaved mother, only to be dismissed as too old by the Council. Because he was too old for the indoctrination. Those first eleven years of a Jedi’s “training” are for severing the emotional bonds which make you human. It’s for “teaching” you how to suppress your emotions because, again, according to the Jedi, emotions are bad. Anakin, already wildly powerful in the Force, couldn’t be brainwashed into a Jedi zombie because that ship had chronologically sailed. He knew his mother. He was very attached to her. He was quietly crushing on Padme. It was far too late to install those mental blocks of control. But, Qui-Gon being Qui-Gon, opted to train Annie anyway. Until he was murdered by a Sith Lord the Council refused to acknowledge as real. So it fell on Obi-Wan to do the job, even though there was a very strong chance that the eleven year old Anakin was just as powerful as he was. Kid was set in his ways and probably wildly traumatized from a life of bondage. Doesn’t help that, during a crucial time in his adolescent life, a f*cking cold war started and Anakin spent his teenage years “peace keeping” throughout the galaxy at the behest of the Republic; Not at all the enforcers for a government so corrupt, an entire Sith Lord had risen through its ranks like it was nothing.

A decade of this sh*t later and Anakin gets promoted to Jedi Knight out of reluctant desperation, forgoing the actual trials necessary to test the mettle of his character, because the cold war he grew up in got real hot, real fast. So now he’s one of the preeminent muscle men of the Republic and, arguably, their best weapon to boot. The Council recognizes this and instead of getting him the, you know, counseling needed to deal with that life long trauma, they saddled Anakin with a Padawan who is just as precocious as he was. Now, don’t misunderstand me. Ahsoka was good for Anakin. She forced him to mature and become more than just “The Chosen One.” Dude had to set an example for his kid sister and he did just that. But then she walked away from all of that Jedi nonsense, disillusioned and conflicted, much like her Master. He tried to get her to stay, pleading with her on behalf of the Council, but if we’re being honest, that was just Anakin trying to convince himself that Ahsoka wasn’t right to leave. That was Anakin trying to convince himself to stay in the Order. That Dooku wasn’t right. That Palpatine wasn’t right. The brainwashing didn’t take. He was too old. The trials were skipped. He wasn’t tested. Anakin Skywalker, the slave plucked from the Syndicate planet, Tatooine, thrust into the world of space wizards, political espionage, backdoor dealings, and war, at the age of eleven. Expected to be some grand savior of a cosmic unknown, never fully trusted or accepted by his peers. He was rejected by his heroes, had his father figured killed by a maniac, and then became a glorified goon for a Republic that had no qualms with sending people to die over trade tariffs. And you wonder why he fell.

We didn't get to seem eleven year old Anakin on missions. We didn't get to see teenage Anakin slaughtering across the galaxy in the name of keeping the Republic's definition of peace. There isn't a movie for that. But I did see a teenage Ahsoka, standing next to her adult Master, in the middle of an active battlefield and that f*cked me up. She was a child. A teenager, sure, but a child nonetheless. And Anakin was even younger than that! Seriously, let's not mince words here, Anakin Skywalker has been in the field with Obi-Wan Kenobi since he was probably twelve or thirteen years old. It's canon that Anakin is one of the best duelists in history. You don't get that food from practice. You get that good practically, out of necessity. That's how Ahsoka became as skilled as she did and Anakin is even moreso. If the two mirror each other, as they very obviously do, that means Sky Guy was just as honed and sharpened to be a soldier, as Tano was. Only Anakin was honest about it to his Padawan where as Obi-Wan, and the greater Jedi Order, were not. They sold Anakin a lie, preyed on his youth and immaturity, ignore his pain and vulnerability, then went full shocked Pikachu when he turned up to slaughter all of the Younglings. Like, What the f*ck did you expect to happen? You turned the most powerful Jedi to ever live, a slave for the first decade of his life, and instead of showing this kid compassion and patience, you thrust him into a cold war as an enforcer for ideals he can't possibly understand. You let his mom die, tell him he can't love his wife, and chase away his little sister even after proving her innocence. Anakin had a choice, of course. We all do. But, if we're being honest, from his perspective, knowing the life he has led, how is the Jedi Council any better than Palpatine's Galactic Empire? What;s the difference between a absolutist regime who sends children to the front lines of war “in the name of peace”and an intergalactic fascists state?

[omalahsocs]

😁 I would like something for grumpy old man Caine 😏 maybe something involving him dealing with one of his cab fares? 💋

Staring ahead out the windshield at the deluge of rain that was coming down, Caine wondered for the nth time just where his life went wrong. Was it when he killed his brother? When he seduced Lilith? Perhaps when he decided to turn others so he wouldn't be eternally alone during the immortal nights.

No. None of that. Where he went wrong was when he picked up this chatter box of a fare. He hadn't wanted to bother going out into the rain to hunt someone, struck by the Sin of Sloth and the comforting of an easy meal by picking someone up and intending to drive them somewhere secluded to drain them and drop the body. Either completely drained or just enough to leave them anemic and wobbly.

"But then it turns out! He's not -actually- a vampire at all. His vampire parents had lied to him all his life. He was adopted and was actually a demon clone of the high king of demons and heir to the underworld. Like the mafia underworld, not an actual hell scape underworld. Because that wouldn't be very Christian." His fare continued to explain the book that he was writing.

The dark haired man kept his mouth shut about the horror that would happen if kindred ever actually managed to create a dhampiric offspring. Caine's eyes drifted to the side of the road. This wasn't worth it. No meal was worth it. He could swear that the sounds coming from the blood bag in the back seat were more like the annoying buzz of a mosquito.

"But then the man who was his mentor admits to him that he's been in love with him the whole time and has been waiting for him to turn 18!"

Caine winced and debated twisting the wheel into a large puddle to see if they would hydroplane and roll the vehicle.

"And that man's name? Is Abel!" The fare sounded so proud of himself.

Unimpressed, Caine smoothly slid his hands along the wheel, gliding them onto a different street. A flick of the finger ensured that the door locks were engaged.

"Uhm.. I think this is the wrong street."

[levityleviathan]

Twincast exists in a perpetual state of confusion. Once a clone named Bluster made by Deluge to replace Blaster, Twincast set out to make an image for himself, being overshadowed by his look alike more and more as the years bleed on. Blaster Treats Twincast akin to a brother, which Twincast appreciates, but in a postwar climate where his brother sits at the top of Cybertron, he finds it hard to stay so positive. Twincast spends most of his days as a back end IT guy for the Nexus, having grown to be quite close friends with his coworkers Ferret and Skyhigh.

[dystopicjumpsuit]

I'm not sure how many of these you've already answered so I hope you don't mind me sending you a hand full! B F H K and Y for the fanfic game, also, I'm sending you all the happy weekend vibes your way cos you deserve it!

No problem at all! I love this game.

B: Any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

I work in academia, so I definitely was inspired by that when I was writing "Martyrs and Kings." Things like the endless deluge of administrative tasks, and also the gala scene with the lecherous donor--those were pulled straight from life (except my organization named a museum after him, not just a wing 🤢). Beyond that, I think most/all of my fics have some element of displacement or migration/diaspora. My family fled my home country when I was a teenager to escape cartel violence, so those themes of alienation and struggle to find a place that feels like home tend to work their way into most things that I write. Finally, I am bisexual, and I seem to include a lot of queer characters in my stories.

F: Share a snippet from one of your favourite dialogue scenes you've written and explain why you're proud of it.

I'm pretty happy with this scene in "Martyrs and Kings." I think it shows so much of Kix's charm, and I enjoyed throwing Maree off her game. I also liked the inversion of roles for Kix, the medic who now is getting medical "care" from someone who is very much Not That Kind of Doctor:

“Where else are you hurt?” she demanded.

“Nowhere,” he said, avoiding her gaze.

He took a hitching breath, and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Take off your shirt,” she ordered.

He shot her a startled glance.

“What?” he asked.

“Off. Take it off. I know you’re hiding more injuries.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, rising to comply.

He shed his jacket and then slipped his shirt over his head with a tiny grunt of pain.

She hissed in a breath and unleashed a torrent of curses that made Kix’s mouth drop open in awe. The entire left side of his ribcage was covered in dark bruises.

“Will you teach me how to swear like that, doc?” he asked as some of the tension in his face began to ease. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

H: How would you describe your style?

Oh, that's tough! 😂

I think I'd describe it as introspective. I like to explore the characters' inner lives, and sometimes I do it to the detriment of the action. My next longfic will be more action-oriented, so I'm hoping to strike a balance there.

K: What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

It's a spoiler for the next fic, alas! I will say that it gave me writer's block for two weeks because it hurt my feelings every time I opened the doc. 😭

Y: A character you want to protect.

Oh my god, every clone. All of them. Just let me gather them up like ducklings and take them somewhere safe and warm and happy. Most specifically, Echo and Gregor. I know I'm hyperfixating on them right now because they're the heroes of my WIP, but damn, they've been through enough. Let me protect them.

[valorxdrive]

MIIIIGHT as well do it now! I got some ideas in fresh in my mind! Granted, this will be decently sized list of what I envision!

The Sora experience you could say.

SHOW YER STUFF SORA.

I'll keep it under a read more due to length length

Ragnarok/Union Ragnorok: This remains entirely unchanged. It's been he's carried within him since 1 as a Limit ability originally. Only thing I'd change is that instead of one prismatic sphere of light, it'd total up to 13 at max before releasing a hellstorm of fiery light.

King of Hearts: Instead of being a projectile attack at all. What this does is allow Sora to tap deeper into his affinity of connections. Whether it's with spellwork, his surroundings, or with others. This would naturally amplify the potency of all of his abilities.

This needs caution however as this ability and his Rage Form promotes a very dangerous line of being out of control.

Drain Shock: Primarily unchanged from its concept. When activated however, all electricity based functions (beings bio electricity included) can be fashioned into healing energy for him to absorb. It's an a particular alternative to his regen spells.

Atomic Deluge: Keeps the same in terms of it's presence. However the way Sora utilizes is based on the principles of nuclear energy. Primarily will be used in the form of blast, rays, so on and so forth instead of letting it spray out in a wild shower.

Ghost Horde/Phantom Rush: These will be a two for one package. Taking the practice from his usage of Light Avatars in the Mirage Drop formchange, Sora instead allows for his clones to be spiritual apparitions fashioned from the excess energy of his soul. They're a lot more malleable in comparison as he has an easier time manipulating these than pure light clones.

Primarily used for long ranged attacking, surrounding foes, and also wrestling away forces that attempt to possess a body. Noted, this doesn't work for beings who outright take over the Heart like Xehanort does in his brand of higher scaled possession. This was inspired during his constant run in with Possessor Heartless from KH2.

Drill Dive/Warp Trick/Zone Connector: These three are also unchanged from their concept. Being inspired and learned from his encounters of Xigbar, he's created his alteration of this ability through Shotlocking. He primarily loves to fling himself through multiple portals, yet, this can go for elemental abilities, Strike raids, and even other allies too if they work on such a combo idea.

Shimmering Drops: This is an ability that directly steal a user's life force. Long as they remain in Sora's line of sight, this ability can be executed seamlessly. It's an ability that forcefully rips away that vitality in order to fuel his own.

However this ability can be used to make incredibly potent healing elixirs when aimed at the world itself. Through taking the excess of nature energy, it's refined and forged into the enriched waters of life. Similar to the Healing Light, this scale of healing magic can allow vitality and limb to be restored to either himself or another of his choosing.

This was inspired from Rapunzel's hair blessed by the Sundrop. However, it can by no means be as that potential as to give eternal youth and other benefits.

Spectral Rays: Unchanged! This works perfectly as it is.

Snakebite: Also remains largely unchanged. Compared to other spells however, this can be used in conjunction with Drain Shock and also linger longer as a homing type of attack. True to their name, these manifested magical snakes will not hesitate to cleave you with their jaw strength.

Diamond Dust: This pays homage to Shiva's OG use of the spell instead. Here can be a good example of such!

The Blizzard tree of spells is instead focused into a more crystalline light focus of energy. It can be expanded as either chilling airs or in a focused beam, that allows for pure frost to gradually sweep over and eclipse it's target entirely if caught within the brunt of it. With how mana it is, this also holds the capacity to explode via Sora's signal.

Frozen Crescents: Unchanged. It can just be used within any form changed (or not) weapon as it's just a volley of ice charged slashes. It either cuts through them with the elemental, or sweeps in a way to encase them entirely. This can be used in conjunction with Diamond Dust.

Honey Burst/Drizzle, Sweet Surprise - Literally Sora flinging magically enhanced Honey at you. lol. While this doesn't do damage outside of the momentum it's flung at you. It's property as an advanced adhesive would get you into quite the sticky situation!

Meteor Shower: Remains unchanged! This is just Sora condensing his mana into the whimsical shape of stars to launch at his opponents.

Cluster Cannonade: Within his Magic Launcher Formchange, this has two variances. He either allows the gargantuan mana blast to be transformed into a miniature volley of blast that proceeds to carpet bomb a certain area.

In another vein, he'd proceed to focus the potency of that energy if there's a particularly durable foe and proceed to use it as a massive nuke instead, going for raw damage output. Such an attack would normally be made by airborne means, as he's not trying to bring destruction that large scale to the surroundings.

This can be casted/dual casted with elements as well.

Cubic Stream: While the attack itself remains a normal volley blast. The specialty comes in it's properties, being forged from his bond with Hiro from San Fransokyo. These microbots hold the ability to potentially hack and dismantle machine based opponents. It'll serve as a viral threat to androids who can't withstand it either.

This can also be used to hack technological systems even if Sora doesn't hold the knowledge. (It'll mainly be used as a means to either lock or unlock functions, keeping true to the Keyblade.)

Blade Storm: Remains unchanged from it's original as a volley of Aero based blades. However, natural empowerment allows for each blade to explode into a miniature tornado that either remains sky high or at ground level. If blades are able to converge on the other hand, it allows for a massive tornado to spawn and rip any opponent before him asunder..

Flag Rampage: Remains unchanged! It's an attack that cleaves with more focus force, using the Aero elemental tree in order to violently increase the cutting potency.

Blades of the Round: This ability in itself gets an overhaul. As it's an ability used with Ancient Light, Sora allows himself to conjure facsimile Keyblades from the ancient past of KHUX. They will be at the maximum refinement and be used levitating blades that attack in conjunction with his attacks. They're dedicated to the Light element and used for their lethal attack potency. (At that scale that are able to cleave through concentrations of Demon Waves stacked together.)

Infinity Circle: Remains entirely unchanged. As one of the strongest attacks of Sora's arsenal, it's a culmination of primal light focused, refined and set to utterly decimate his foes once the actual attack is fashioned through spellcircles and crystals. For an attack of this spell, he'd normally make an entirely separate dimensional space or get his opponent teleported to the deep depth of spaces before letting it off.

And this is while it's within his state of freshly acquiring it. It's nowhere near mastered.

Sunray Blast: This would be of the higher branches of the Fire elemental tree. By treating himself like a solar panel, he'd come to concentrate a high volume of sunlight into a concentrated blast. (Think of it akin to solar beam from the Pokemon series), weaving it together with mana, this is either to burn away foes with high regenerative properties, or to tackle especially enchanted ice.

Or! Simply just being in a place that as a high wealth that can be made used of. (Agrabah's deserts come to mind.)

Bladefury Eclipse: This falls into the inverse of the Blades of the Round. Darkness enchanted blades fashioned of his own making, still going by the same idea of telekinetic swordplay. It's another way he comes to channel his Dark Form/Rage Forms into a potent attack instead. In turn, this holds the potential to enrage his foes via Rage Form's Heartless physiology, momentarily infecting his foes and throwing their emotional state into disarray.

Stellar Inception: This is another one of those abilities that have the same caveats as Infinity Circle. Under no circumstances would Sora ever proceed to use this ability on a planet. Only in specialized realms or in space, whether made by his hand, another or the Darkness itself. (Kingdom Hearts included in the count of realms) By ripping open a portal to the depths of space itself, he'll proceed gather underneath his will and command, then proceed to launch literal dying stars towards his opponent, just as they're being condensed into the nova phase.

This is an ability that's again reserved for opponents of the highest caliber

_____

What u doin at the bottom of this!! Congrats, you have an idea on how I perceive his abilities.

Keyblade Wielders holding the means to hold their ground against the Grand Creative of Kingdom Hearts itself, have the means to be a cataclysmic force upon multiple universes if carelessly wielding this strength. It's by working with a universe's natural protections via the Light that a lot of their battles can be safely performed.

It also demands a particular brand of mastery to responsible use such strength as well. As their natural enemy; The Heartless, have the same means to utterly devour universes into their very realm by going for World Heart that rests within each one.