#the way the fight started out as Venom taking control but quickly became them separately causing mayhem together

[disheveledtranquility]

Venom and Eddie fighting together instead of as One.

Bonus, Venom's little lap of appreciation:

[prioritysope]

Cheating

Reader: Female

Character: Oikawa Tooru

Rating: Explicit

Chapter: 14/26

please read the prologue first!

"You know we don't need to go to school together, I don't want them to start creating rumors." Gaby spoke. She had Oikawa beside her, while he looked at something on his phone.

It was normal for them to go to school together, but that was because he was with Iwaizumi. However, now that they are no longer together, she felt that anyone could misunderstand him. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed how Oikawa frowned still at the sight of her on her cell phone, which caught her attention. It was kind of weird that he was so glued to his phone so early in the morning.

"What is it, Kawa?" She leaned a little closer to him, but Tooru quickly put the phone away as he shook his head, giggling nervously.

Gaby gave a laugh, denying and decided to focus on the road. She saw that they were already close, but looked to each side to see if no one was there. Upon confirming, she grabbed Oikawa's hand to make him stop walking. With her nerves on the surface, she placed her left hand on the brunette's cheek, giving him a small smile. Tooru did not stay behind her and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her closer to his body. They spent a few seconds looking directly into their eyes, which caused Gaby to blush; and Oikawa couldn't help but laugh at that.

"You are so fucking cute." Trooru whispered quite close to her lips, finishing closing the distance between them and planted his lips on hers, in a soft and short kiss. As they parted, he heard the school bell ring. "Let's go before we're late, precious."

------

It was lunchtime and Gaby was watching the Volleyball team practice. It was somewhat uncomfortable, because despite everything Iwaizumi was still part of the team and it was only because Oikawa insisted. All morning everything was quiet at first, but as time passed, everything became tense. Some Oikawa fans booing you in the hallways or in the classroom itself — which she hasn't told Tooru, all not to worry him. Also, she sometimes saw Scarlett tease from afar, which infuriated Gaby more and more.

She felt like something was going to happen, or something happened and within herself she prayed that Scarlett and Iwaizumi weren't involved.

"Are you okay, Gaby-san?" Kunimi's voice snapped her out of her trance, shaking her head slightly.

"Yes, Kunimi-kun. Don't worry." She gave him a smile to reassure him.

Kunimi wasn't convinced by that at all, and he didn't want to see her that way either. He decided to sit next to her with her cell phone in hand. He wasn't sure whether to show her, as he didn't know if Gaby already knew everything. He returned his gaze to the court, sighing as he saw everyone focused on practicing; although there was a clear tension between Oikawa and Iwaizumi.

"Gaby-san, haven't you seen Instagram?" He asked a little doubtful, unlocking his phone to directly go to Instagram and search for Scarlett's profile, clicking on her last post. "Take this easy, okay? I wouldn't want you to get in trouble." He finished by giving her his phone.

Gaby looked at him somewhat confused, but took the cell phone and fixed her gaze on the screen. She blinked a few times before scowling at it, her anger beginning to run through her veins. She repeated the video a couple of times while she reread the caption of the post: Then the whore was me, how pathetic.

The video was of her date with Oikawa in that park, sitting on the bench kissing each other. Gaby squeezed Kunimi's cell phone, then handing it to him to get up when looking at the time. It was almost time for the next class. She left the gym without even saying goodbye, slamming the door hard, which left everyone confused, except Oikawa because he realized that Kunimi was showing him something on her phone and from her reaction, he already knew what it was.

------

"Gabs!" Oikawa yelled as he tried to catch up with her at the school entrance. He managed to grab her by the wrist, stopping her. He observed some sign of anger, but saw nothing, just looked totally serious. "What is it, love?" He whispered just to both of her as he brought his right hand to her cheek, stroking it with his thumb.

Gaby shook her head, not wanting to talk about it, even though she knew Oikawa would insist until she said something. "I guess you already saw Scarlett's post, just this morning when we were getting to school."

"I—." He tried to explain, but Gaby interrupted him, placing her index finger on his lips, "Don't worry, I know you didn't tell me so as not to screw up my mood. "

A soft giggle escaped Oikawa's lips at her words. He gave a small kiss to the finger that was still on his lips, making her feel a bit embarrassed and quickly pulled her finger from him. Turning around she saw Scarlett walk alongside Iwaizumi, both laughing. A smirk appeared on Gaby's lips, feeling the anger run through her veins once again.

"So what do you want to do—." Tooru began to speak to notice how Gaby was walking towards Scarlett and Iwaizumi, causing him to let out a deep growl in his throat. "Shit, this won't end well." He muttered to himself. He jumped when he felt hands touch either side of his shoulders, out of the corner of his eye he realized it was Mattsun and Makki.

"Oikawa, if I was you I'll go with her. Although it would be crazy to see Gaby and Scarlett fight." Mattsun blurted out, making the rest of the team laugh, and he rolled his eyes.

Tooru followed her, watching as Gaby took Scarlett by the arm to turn her. Hajime's eyes widened in surprise at that. At first Oikawa wanted to interrupt so that Gaby doesn't end up in trouble, but at this point he didn't care about anything anymore and he decided to stay close enough to her in case something happened that he had to get into.

"Would you mind explaining what you uploaded to me, Scarlett?" Gaby was the first to speak, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed somewhat. Her anger was evident, but the laugh that her black haired let out, made the anger increase; however, she was going to control herself. "This is not for laughing."

"It will be for you. You have to admit that you didn't expect me to humiliate you like that." Scarlett said with an air of pride, beginning to circle around Gaby, which managed to enrage her even more. "Aren't you ashamed that the school realizes what a bitch you are by picking on your boyfriend's best friend, I mean ex-boyfriend." She laughed again, drawing more attention from some students still coming out of school.

"Humiliate me? Honey, don't you think you're humiliating yourself?" Gaby said with a small smile. "In the end, you didn't wait a bit to go into Iwaizumi's arms as soon as we finished or he went into your arms, since I kicked him out of the apartment. Or did you forget, Iwa-kun? Oh right, you like to tell your version on your own way to be the fucking victim of all." She finished with a laugh, raising her eyebrow towards both of them, who were now looking at her somewhat nervously.

It was pathetic how they both wanted to come out as the good and innocent of the situation, when they were both the ones who started it all.

"I should teach you a lesson. So everyone sees how pathetic and slutty you are." Scarlett spat, grabbing Gaby by her hair, tugging a bit. Action that made Oikawa alarmed, but Makki and Mattsun took him by the arms, shaking their heads, telling him not to get in.

"What if I tell the whole school how you've been spreading your legs to Iwaizumi in the last eight months of our relationship?" Gaby replied, doing the same as her, only she knocked her to the ground.

A gasp of surprise was heard from the students who were witnessing everything while others were already recording everything.

Gaby climbed on top, taking her hands to place them on either side of her head. Her anger was nothing to bring out the worst in her, which she did not want so as not to fall at the same level as her. However, her dignity and reputation was at stake. She wasn't going to allow the person she used to call her best friend to try to screw up her life.

"And do you think they will believe you? Don't be delusional, they've already seen my proof, nothing will change their mind." She whispered to her as she struggled for Gaby to release her, but she couldn't.

"Did you forget the video I showed you the last time you went to my apartment, mh? I still have it, honey. So don't try to challenge me." Gaby warned with a smile on her face, patting Scarlett's face a couple of times.

"Y-You wouldn't, Gaby, you're not as vengative as you try to appear." She kept trying to push her, succeeding.

On the other hand, Tooru was with his phone in hand, recording absolutely everything. A smile on his face. He handed the cell phone to Mattsun and approached the scene to pose, letting out a couple of laughs at his stupidity. He took his phone back, still recording.

Everyone let out a surprised gasp when they saw how both girls were already fighting. Hair pull, slap and fist. That was like watching a UFC fight, something quite comical.

"Shouldn't you separate them, Oikawa?" Iwaizumi spoke harshly, arms crossed as he looked seriously at the brunette. "Or does this excite you?"

Tooru just shrugged, a smirk on his face. He cared very little about it, it was time for Gaby to take revenge on everything.

"That is my girl!" Oikawa yelled without any shame, getting a couple of laughs from the team and some weird looks, which he didn't mind in the least. However, now is when Oikawa and Iwaizumi got to separate them, looking at each other with total venom.

"I do not dare? Babe, watch me do it, just don't be surprised." He finished Gaby after giving the black haired one last slap and letting himself be carried away by Tooru.

"Let's go, baby. Before everything ends for the worse." She whispered to him, taking her hand and joining her fingers to leave the place.

[multiverseforger]

Chris Powell was the teenage son of Mike Powell, a cop, and Grace Powell, a District Attorney. Following his younger twin brothers, Jon and Jason, to the abandoned amusement park across from his home, Chris discovered his father taking a bribe from mob boss Phillipe Bazin.[5][6]

While trying to escape with his brothers from Bazin's henchmen, Chris discovered an amulet that transposed him into the Darkhawk armor. When his father disappeared after Chris saw him, he swore to use the Darkhawk armor as an "edge against crime". Darkhawk's powers included a force blast which emanated from the amulet on his chest, a force shield from the same amulet, a claw cable which could serve as both a Wolverine-like claw, and a grapple cable, glider wings and later flight capability, enhanced vision and strength, and an image underneath the Darkhawk helmet which served to frighten and distract his enemies.[citation needed]

He often teamed up with Spider-Man. As a sometime member of the New Warriors, he befriended Speedball, Nova, and later, Turbo.[citation needed] During his tenure as a crime fighter, he was often trying to rescue his father, mother, or other family members.[citation needed]

He developed quite a roster of enemies: he would fight villains such as Hobgoblin and Tombstone, who were seeking to take his amulet, with the latter succeeding. He was extremely weakened and even dying from having the amulet removed, but still able to use all of his powers except for turning back into human form to heal. Once he retrieved the amulet he was able to put it back in his chest and fully heal. Darkhawk had 2 separate encounters with Venom, who felt that Chris was good natured and held back whereas Darkhawk was greatly opposed to Venom's ideals and way of handling crime, and swore to bring him to justice, despite Venom offering to be his ally. Lodestone: a magnetically-powered villain developed by Bazin, was often pitted against Darkhawk. He also fought against some who would later ally with him, such as Portal, a teleporting mutant who killed another Darkhawk and stole parts of his armor, Savage Steel, which had been created by the secret police cabal that Chris' dad had been a member of, and Damek, a mercenary sent from the future to kill Darkhawk.[citation needed]

Chris learned that his armor was actually an autonomously existing android armor, one of five commissioned by an alien mob lord named Dargin Bokk, being held in a sentient spaceship, Ocsh, in Null Space. When Chris grasped the amulet, it actually caused his body to switch places with that of the Darkhawk body, although his mind remained in control of the 'replacement' body.[citation needed]

After helping them several times, Darkhawk was brought aboard the Avengers West Coast as a reserve member, but saw little action with them after becoming a member, because they were dissolved shortly thereafter. Nonetheless, he did at least start a lasting friendship with Spider-Woman.[citation needed]

Darkhawk 2.0

Later, Chris and Darkhawk actually split into two separate entities, with the armor being updated into the "2.0" form, as it was informally known. This advanced form of armor gave Darkhawk new powers, such as the ability to form a force shield encasing his body, an actual "Hawk" construct (a gigantic force-field shaped like a hawk), and the ability to summon weapons from Osch. Darkhawk 2.0 and Chris re-merged, with the prospect of no longer needing to use the amulet in order to switch bodies.[citation needed]

Loners

Chris joined a self-help group of ex-teenage-super-heroes, the Loners, who admitted to being addicted to their powers. Members included: Turbo, Green Goblin IV (Phil Urich), Ricochet, Lightspeed and later Spider-Woman III (Mattie Franklin). The group was hired by a mysterious benefactor, later revealed to be Rick Jones, to track down the Runaways in Los Angeles.

Powell displayed trouble controlling his anger in his Darkhawk persona, leading to a short skirmish with Turbo. Dismayed with himself, Powell admitted to his teammates that he suffered a nervous breakdown.[7] Powell decided to never turn into Darkhawk again, but this decision did not last long, as shortly thereafter the group battled the notorious Avengers villain, Ultron. Darkhawk delivered the final blow, using a darkforce blast at point blank range to blow Ultron to pieces.[8]

The Loners continued their meetings and Chris was drawn back into heroics by Spider-Woman and made an enemy of MGH manufacturers who had abused Mattie Franklin and the woman running them as well as Nekra, a woman who was getting rich by selling her bodily fluids to them. Chris then got his Darkhawk amulet stolen from him temporarily by an unbalanced Phil Urich but was able to regain it with help from the group.[9]

Secret Invasion

Having registered with the government, Darkhawk was assigned to the position of security chief at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S.. During the Skrull invasion, he worked alongside his old teammate Nova against the Deviant Skrulls.[10]

Fraternity of Raptors

The being known as Talon came to Earth, and offered to teach Chris how to control his amulet. They went to the Negative Zone to fight Annihilus. There, Chris bonded fully with his amulet. This allowed him to learn that the Fraternity of Raptors that Talon represented was evil and that the Fraternity had created the amulets. Evilhawk had been a hallucination caused by his mind, which had been unable to process all the information the Amulet gave him. The Raptor, known as Razor, took over Chris' body and assassinated Lilandra.[citation needed]

Later he fought Gyre another member of the Fraternity of Raptors that had been recruited as a pawn of the Sphinx. Darkhawk, Nova, Black Bolt, Mr. Fantastic and Namorita defeated the Sphinx and his pawns. Darkhawk was able to separate Gyre from his Kree host by using the same technique Talon used to separate Chris from Darkhawk and bring back Razor.[citation needed]

Avengers Arena

Arcade kidnapped Chris and fifteen teenage heroes and brought them to Murderworld, a secluded island where no one could find them, and forced them to fight each other to the death, and only the last man standing within thirty days would be allowed to leave.[11] One night, he was attacked and had his amulet removed, leaving his fate unknown.[12] His amulet would get passed around by others locked in Murderworld.[13]

Chris was later shown in a coma-like state in a strange tank along with the deceased heroes, where Arcade appeared to be healing him. Waking up, he located Arcade and knocked him out. He later reclaimed his amulet and was among the survivors of the battle.[14]

Marvel Legacy

Powell eventually resurfaced back in New York, set to marry a new fiancée by the name of Miranda Cruz. With whom he'd shared all of his exploits while piloting the sentient automaton known Darkhawk. Nowadays his Amulet has become inert, not so much as even changing when he focuses his thoughts on becoming his alter ego again; but lately has been suffering from nightmares of the Tree of Shadows every time he slept. Following in his father's footsteps, he eventually became an officer of the law at the NYPD. Taking to the same beat Micheal Powell used to back when he was one of the police, he reminisced about how his father would listen to people and remember their names while trying to keep the peace on the streets.

Trying to be the every bit as big a man and a better cop than he was by holding the values he once thought Mike stood for before, Chris found out his father was a corrupt cop. All the while ruminating on whether the world needed him as Christopher Powell, police officer or as the cybernetic hero he once was. While on patrol, dispatch sent out notice of a disturbance at Wonderland Amusement Park, where he first found the Raptor Amulet.

While investigating the derelict establishment, Powell was approached by two shady cops right near the area where he first became Darkhawk. Officer Hal Fingeroth and Sergeant Harold Conrad came to Powell offering certain opportunities while on the force which Chris quickly denied, when the latter opted to be a bit more forceful in his persuasion; Conrad was quickly eviscerated by members of the Fraternity of Raptors who were after the young officer's depowered amulet. Canorus and Aceptar created the odd circumstances which led to Christopher retracing his origin as a superhero in order to kill him and take what they believed was theirs by right, but the former raptor didn't go without a fight; discovering that these new raptors were in actuality just armored Shi'ar thugs given how easily Aceptar was stunned by a shock baton.

Though Christopher was eventually subdued by Canorus and his gem taken from him. Canorus was able to activate it again with a damaged Razor taking his place, whom nearly beat Powell's other would be assassin to death until Chris got his attention. The badly broken android grabbed hold of Powell and ported him to a portion of the Datasong he called the "Perch," where memories of previous host pilots were stored within a Raptor's own motherboard.

Razor, now calling itself Darkhawk after the recombinant persona imprinted on itself due to their shared escapades as a hero. Chris learned from his other half that a whole new Fraternity has sprung up in the wake of Novas' decimation, eager to bring the universe to heel under their thrall and had been searching for a means of acquiring the Raptor androids from the Null Space void to cement their dominance. Horrified by this development the now empathetic Razor sought to defy this mandate by said cabal of zealot pretenders by escaping his pod and severing his link to the Tree of Shadows, which was the reason why Powell couldn't become Darkhawk anymore. Severing his brethren's connection to their amulets earned Raptor their ire, however. They nearly hunted it down and executed until he was summoned to Earth by Canorus. Seeing the opportunity to heal itself, and hoping to enlist aid in stopping the renegade Raptor sect, Darkhawk sought union with Chris Powell once again in order to recover and grow in power.

Seeing as the whole of the universe was at stake, including his own homeworld in the long run. Chris knew in spite of his misgivings about space travel and the new life he has on Earth, that since his android had grown a conscience since the War of Kings. That he could not just sit by and pretend what effects the galaxy has no consequences for everybody involved, himself included. Donning the name Darkhawk once more, he took to the skies after blasting the other raptor back to his enclave in space before taking off, wondering how Miranda will react to the change of pace.[15]

Infinity Countdown

After learning from Richard Rider that the Fraternity of Raptors were after the Infinity Stones, Chris wanted to find a way to stop them, but he was stuck on Earth. He was later attacked by the bounty hunter Death's Head who was hired by the Raptors to capture Chris and bring him back to them alive. After learning that Death's Head had a spaceship, Chris was able to convince Death's Head to take him to the Raptors. After saying goodbye to Miranda, Chris and Death's Head traveled to where Death's Head was to meet the Raptors, the planet Arcturus IV; however, the Raptors betrayed Death's Head and destroyed his ship. Chris survived the ship's destruction and confronted the Raptors, but he was quickly overwhelmed by their numbers.

Chris' Darkhawk Amulet was removed from his body by the Raptors' leader Gyre and used in a ceremony to transform Richard Rider's brother Robbie Rider into the being called Dark Darkhawk by fusing him with Ratha'kon, a being supposedly more powerful than the Phoenix Force. The Raptors then left a dying Chris where he was set off to destroy Earth. As Chris dragged himself across the ground, he encountered his other half Razor who revealed to him the origins of the Tree of Shadows and of the first Raptor. After some coaxing from Razor, Chris tapped into his hidden strength and emerged with a new Darkhawk body after fully fusing his mind with the armor. Chris then flew after the Raptors to stop them.[16]

Chris battled the Raptors with help from Death's Head and Nova Prime. Nova made it difficult to fight Dark Darkhawk as he preferred to reason with his brother Robbie than fight him. Dark Darkhawk then shockingly turned on Gyre and destroyed him while stating that he would bring order to the universe, not Gyre. The Raptors were eventually stopped when Death's Head rigged the power core of the Kree ship the Raptors stole to explode. Only Dark Starhawk survived the explosion, though stunned, allowing Chris to reclaim his Darkhawk Amulet. Dark Starhawk then disappeared in a flash of light after striking his Nega-Bands together. Grieving over the loss of Robbie, Nova angrily told Chris to stay on Earth or he would have him locked up. After Chris returned to Earth, he decided stay out of space for a while. Later that night, he was met by Sleepwalker while he dreamed, telling him that the influence of the Infinity Stones threatened the Mindscape and that the only way he could protect it was to become a Sleepwalker.[17]

Young Again

Darkhawk attended Thanos' funeral along with prominent cosmic figures where it was revealed that Thanos had transferred his mind into a new body. However, the Black Order came and stole Thanos' corpse, while opening a rip in space in order to trap them.[18] While trapped there, Darkhawk's atoms began to break apart, affecting his link to the suit. After being captured by the Universal Church of Truth from a possible future, Chris found out that his body was merged with the armor and that he had become younger than when he first found the amulet.[19] Under the control of the Church, Darkhawk and the other prisoners attacked the Guardians of the Galaxy, but Rocket Raccoon was able to free them from the Church's control and sent the church back to their timeline.[20]

After the Void was leading the forces of the Cancerverse into invading the Negative Zone, Darkhawk was among the heroes summoned by Mister Fantastic using his Dimensional Anchor in order to defeat the Scourge. Once the Silver Surfer managed to merge Bob Reynolds with Void back, Nova sacrificed himself in order to defeat the Scourge, ending the threat.[21]

Powers and Abilities

Power Grid [24]Intelligence 2Strength4 Speed*5  3Durability4 Energy Projection*6  3Fighting Skills 2* Armor Transformations

Abilities

Skilled Combatant: Chris is skilled in Kendo and an unidentified branch of Karate.[citation needed]

Strength level

25+ Tons.[15]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Darkhawk Amulet:

Consciousness Transfer: Chris can transfer his consciousness into the Darkhawk's alien android while at the same time, switch the robotic body's place with that of his own body wherever he is at any time.[citation needed]

Darkhawk Android: The Darkhawk Armor is advanced Shi'ar technology meshed with magic, allowing the host numerous superhuman capabilities:

Superhuman Strength: The Armor allows Chris to lift in the excess of 25+ tons. Able to knock out Venom.[citation needed]

Superhuman Speed

Superhuman Durability: Darkhawk is superhumanly durable; he is capable of shrugging off physical impacts, energy blasts, and most artillery fire.

Superhuman Agility

Superhuman Reflexes

Armament Conjuration: The Android can summon weapons from the extra-dimensional expanse from whence they came, or manifest desired munitions from its own body at will.[citation needed]

Flight: The retractable glider wings under his arms allow him to glide on air currents. Darkhawk can also fly at speeds that let him fly from New York to California in only a matter of hours. After the Darkhawk armor attained a new form, Chris is able to fly interstellar distances.[22]

Self Repair: Even major injuries to his Darkhawk body can be repaired by switching back to his human form.[citation needed]

Superhuman Vision: Darkhawk has telescopic and infra-red vision. He can see through most camouflage.[citation needed]

Force Field: Chris can utilize a circular wafer-thin force field.[citation needed]

Concussion Blasts: He can fire blasts of destructive dark energy from the amulet on his chest.[citation needed]

Mode Shifting: Talons can morph their bodies into a host of augmentative forms. Becoming transparent, doubling body armor, projecting greater weaponry, etc.[citation needed]

Formerly *Avengers Identicard

Transportation

Formerly Avengers Quinjet

Trivia

Darkhawk's armor and appearance has been a continued source of debate amongst Marvel "True-Believers." After his series was canceled, his new appearances often reverted back to the original Darkhawk armor. As of his Loners appearances, he is in "DH 1.0" form, although he had appeared a few times as DH 2.0 prior to this.[citation needed]

It has been a misunderstanding amongst many readers and fans of Darkhawk that he was aware of his status as a hero within the Marvel 2099 universe, in which he is known as "The Powell," one of the "most powerful, and feared, heroes in the universe." This wasn't Earth-928 (or Marvel 2099), it was a similar cyberpunk dystopia world within Chronopolis. This was resolved by DeFalco himself within the letter columns in one of the final issues of the ongoing series.[citation needed]

Links and References

185 Appearances of Christopher Powell (Earth-616)

15 Minor Appearances of Christopher Powell (Earth-616)

Media Christopher Powell (Earth-616) was Mentioned in

123 Images featuring Christopher Powell (Earth-616)

13 Quotations by or about Christopher Powell (Earth-616)

Character Gallery: Christopher Powell (Earth-616) 

Christopher Powell (Earth-616) on Wikipedia.org 

Darkhawk Zone: The Ultimate Darkhawk Fansite

Darkhawk @ New Warriors Continuity Conundrum

New Warriors Message Board

Recommended Readings

Darkhawk #1-50 (March 1991, April 1995)

Darkhawk Annual #1-3 (1992, 1994)

New Warriors #14, 22-25, 47-51

New Warriors Annual #3

Avengers West Coast #93-95

Runaways Vol 2 #1-6

Marvel Team-Up #15-18, 25 (2005)

Loners #1-6 (2007)

Nova (vol. 4) #17-#19 (November 2008, January 2009)

War of Kings: Darkhawk #1 and #2 (February 2009 and March 2009)

War of Kings: Ascension #1-4 (April 2009, July 2009)

Discover and Discuss

Search this site for: Christopher Powell (Earth-616)

Footnotes

↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #3

↑ 2.02.1 The Loners #1

↑ Avengers Vol 3 #2

↑ Darkhawk Annual #3

↑ Darkhawk #1

↑ Amazing Spider-Man #353

↑ Runaways Vol 2 #1-3

↑ Runaways Vol 2 #6

↑ The Loners Vol 1-6

↑ Nova #17-18

↑ Avengers Arena #1

↑ Avengers Arena #3

↑ Avengers Arena #4

↑ Avengers Arena #18

↑ 15.015.1 Darkhawk #51

↑ Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1-3

↑ Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #4

↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 5 #1

↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Annual Vol 3 #1

↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 5 #11-12

↑ Annihilation - Scourge Omega #1

↑ Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #3

↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #3

↑ Darkhawk #51, Trading Card Variant

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[xsilversprings]

Pokeshipping Week - Day Two.

Possessed/Evil Ash.

A cloud of black smoke invaded the room.

It canceled out sight altogether as it hovered in the air, preventing anything from being properly seen. Scuffling could be heard before a few coughs that followed it.

"Ash? Misty?" another cough. "You guys okay?"

Brock coughed again as he swung his arm in front of his face. He wasn't met with anything except his own growing confusion. He was quickly becoming dizzy in the head as well, trying desperately to make out anything he could in the thickness of the smoke.

"I'm fine," answered Misty as she stretched her arms out in front her. "Where's Ash?"

"I don't know."

Her hand knocked into Brock's arm, and she gripped onto it so that they wouldn't become separated again. The same look was on Misty's face through the thin layer of haze that hung between them. Both of them were then squinting while they looked around them, calling for Ash again.

"Ash? Come on Ash, this isn't funny." Misty frustratingly called out into the smoke. She waved her hand back and forth in front of her face, searching for him until an unfamiliar voice answered her.

"There is no Ash."

They both froze. The smoke evaporated. It lifted and cleared, leaving the sight of Ash left to them, all the way across the room. But it was a strange vision of him. Misty was on the verge of yelling and throttling the boy into next week, but quickly went from impatient to frightened and tense.

"Ash?" came the sound of her tiny voice. She could hear the quickening pace of their breath.

A low, deep chuckle was her response. One that was definitely not in Ash's voice. It was cold and dark, echoing off of the walls and trapping them just like the smoke previously had done.

Then he raised his head. The sight of it almost threw Misty off of her feet, and even Brock staggered back a step or two. A pair of black eyes were staring blankly ahead of him. Some kind of evil, twisted grin was plastered onto his face while he looked at them, somehow finding them in the emptiness of his gaze.

"He's possessed, Misty," came the breathless realization from Brock. He didn't know how it could've been possible, but that was definitely not his friend. "It's the box.. he opened the box!"

She was silent. Her eyes remained fixated upon him, lost between disbelief and fear of reality. The box that contained a dark force lay open with its ends sprung apart.

"Ash!" her voice raised despairingly as she chanced a step forward, but was prevented from doing anything further as Brock held her back by the arm.

"Don't!" he hissed in a whisper. "That's not Ash!"

Misty yanked her arm free. "What are we supposed to do?! We can't just leave him this way!"

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice." the force drawled out darkly, causing both of them to turn their attention back to him.

"The world you know is about to be conquered, now that I'm free. I've been locked for centuries and now it's finally time to unleash my power."

Misty traded a helpless look with Brock. Both of them were shaking with fear and anger, and even more anger from the fear that they couldn't do anything about. But it was Misty who couldn't take another word and started marching over to him before Brock could hold her back this time.

"Stop!" he called after her.

But Misty wasn't listening as she took a handful of his shirt and was ready to drive whatever it was, out of him. In whatever way she could. Or what she intended to do, anyway. Because Ash felt heavy enough against her hands that he may as well have been stone. She was immediately drained of strength, eyes flashing with confusion.

"Foolish girl," he whispered menacingly. "If you think I'm about to spare you or your friend, then you're sadly mistaken. I have enough power to erase an entire city. And once I have the control of every pokemon that's left, then no one will be able to stop me. Least of all, you."

Misty could feel the evil energy rolling off of his body in raw waves of anger. It was corrupting her senses worse than the smoke had, and she was unable to move. But before she could even think of trying to do anything next, Ash, or whoever this was, had her pinned to the wall by the arms.

"Misty!" Brock called from across the room again. He tried to move, but something held him back from doing so. But he was quicker to make the connection this time. "Let us go!"

Seething hatred lashed before her once again. Ash didn't turn around, but instead let his eyes linger on the redhead. Flames were almost dancing in his eyes.

"There's nothing you can do." he growled venomously. His words broke the anger in her eyes and turned into despair. Brock must have sensed it from across the room, because he was shouting to her in the next moment, hopelessness climbing into his voice.

"Don't listen to him!"

Brock sounded like he was miles away. Misty's eyes were glued to the image of Ash in front of her, unwilling to believe what she was seeing and hearing. Someone or something had as much of an unrelenting grasp of control over his body as much as hers in that moment. And it was the pain of being driven into the jagged wall that brought her back to attention, wincing as it became close to piercing through her skin.

"I know you can hear me, Ash." she whispered as tears began to fill her eyes. "Wake up and fight it."

He laughed and shook his head.

"You know nothing. And because of what you just tried to pull, I'll make sure that nothing will be all that's left of you. Both of you shall witness the great extent of my power for the first and last time."

It was after that declaration that one hand promptly found its way to her neck. Misty squeezed her eyes shut, using her free hand to try and pull it away from her, but to no avail. His grasp was too strong for her limited use of mobility. Brock was yelling at them, but it sounded even farther away now.

"Ashhh-shhhh..." his fingers curled around her neck even tighter. Tears began to slip down her face, falling onto the hand that held her. But then something happened. His eyes flashed from black to brown in a split second, slackening his grip in just that moment. It was only fleeting, however. And it wasn't long before her feet left the ground as he raised her from it.

He was trembling with rage now, holding her above the ground. "My vengeance will prevail, once and for all!"

"Ash..." her voice was a whisper as her struggles to escape were becoming weaker and weaker. And he was sweating, losing the breath in his own chest. Then he let out a loud growl of something that Misty was too disoriented to determine. But that was when she was suddenly flung aside to the ground, and he fell to it himself on all fours.

"Misty!" Brock shouted from across the way. She could hear him running as she took the air back into her. She was unable to vocalize anything just yet, and watched as the other was trying to recover from whatever that was. All she could make out in that moment was a cloud of black smoke expelling from Ash's frame and into the air. But it was Brock and his quick thinking of holding the box open toward the dark cloud, calling it back into seclusion.

"Misty!?" it was Ash's voice this time. And it were his frantic brown orbs that settled over her rattled form upon stumbling over to her. She was visibly shaken, eyes holding his own in a sense that pleaded for what she was seeing to be real this time.

"Misty!" he prompted a second time. He was at his knees in front of her, hands on both of her shoulders and completely disheveled. "Look at me!"

She coughed repeatedly. "Ash?" her teary gaze held his in suspicion, one of her hands placed over her neck. He nodded while Brock was looking over his shoulder and setting down the box as carefully as he could.

"It's me, I'm back. Are you alright?"

Misty waited a moment before answering. His hands were warm on her shoulders this time, and she was careful as she stood back up. Ash followed her every move without taking his eyes off of her. She was watching him back as if expecting him to turn back or speak in that forbidden voice again. But all that she could see in his eyes were fear, nervousness, and relief. Nothing changed or left the impression that it was going to.

But when neither one of those things happened, Misty chanced a step toward him. Ash was just beginning to smile when she suddenly swatted him across the arm.

"Hey!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What was that for?!"

"Don't you ever, ever, do that to us again!" Misty fumed. Steam was nearly pouring out of her ears. "You don't know how stupid you can be sometimes! Next time you know something is cursed, do us a favor and leave it be!"

Ash thought she was about to strike him in the arm again by the look on her face, but then was even more confused when she threw her arms around him. He slowly and fearfully let his own fall around her while keeping her in the corner of his eye. Then he flinched when she pulled back to look at him.

His shoulders dropped out of guilt. "I know, I'm sorry. I'm sorry to both of you. And I never meant to hurt you, Mist. You know I'd never do that."

Misty swallowed and nodded. Her own hands began to tremble as the aftershock of everything treaded on her nerves, and she was only vaguely aware that Ash had taken hold of them.

"You knew it was me, though." Ash couldn't help but grin. "You knew I was still awake."

"Of course I did." Misty sniffed and rolled her eyes before eventually wiping at them. Brock had walked back over to them by then, tired but smiling.

"Glad to have you back, Ash."

He grinned. "Thanks, Brock. It's good to be back."

The breeder slid his hands into his pockets. "What got it out, anyway?"

Ash shook his head. "I don't know. But I could see and hear everything it was doing. It was still me, but I wasn't in control for any of it. And then I saw what it was doing when..."

His eyes flicked back to Misty and he cleared this throat, deciding not to continue.

"I guess maybe I was able to gain enough of my control to kick it out."

Misty softened up slightly when she could see the genuine remorse in that split second glance. That's when she realized that he was still clasping one of her hands and felt a fleeting sense of embarrassment, but didn't draw it away.

"Yeah." she commented, barely audible. "Well.. I'm glad you're back, anyway."

She could see the corners of his mouth pick up in a smile. "I know you are. Me too."

Brock was looking between them both with a painfully restrained smile of his own, knowing exactly what it was that drove out the demon. But he kept his mouth closed about it.

"Well," Misty grunted softly after a minute. "All I know is that if you ever do that again, you'll have more to deal with then some power crazed, ancient lunatic."

He coughed a laugh and nodded. "Understood."

A ghost of a smile graced her features.

"Alright. Now let's get the hell out of here."

[inkofthedivine]

Fear of Love (1/2)

The thought of love, to feel a warmth that reaches the very soul, a feeling of belonging and peace was a concept that did not seem possible for something like Dark. He is a master manipulator, an entity that feeds on despair - the false hopes of those around him to increase his control. A silver tongue to lure victims in before ending their lives in creative ways.

He didn’t need something as trivial as love.

Love was a human concept, a weakness.

The moment he was born into the world of the living, officially free from the Upside Down… that damned house, emotions were voided from the souls he merged with other than Anger and Revenge. He did not allow human souls to have any more sway over his control which led him to become expressionless, to assume the role of feeling nothing. It was not till he crossed paths with Wilford that he realized he felt the need to protect the madman, a sensation that he could not shove away when both souls held attachments to the male. He could deal with being Wilford’s babysitter, a guardian of sorts without the nitty-gritty details of being one.

But, he did not love him - not in the way Celine once had, nor the brotherly feel that Damien did.

Then, the arrival of the others started to pop up: Bim, Dr. Iplier, Host, Ed, Yan, King, Google (eventually his brothers), and Bing. The need to protect them, to predominantly secure his hold on being deemed the leader of this “family”, overtook everything at the time but it wasn’t love. He had a plan in mind, for it to be successful he would need them all to behave - to keep under his thumb just in case one would be needed. It’s why Wilford and him founded the Manor, allowed each of the egos to claim their ideal spot and make it their own within reason. It was all part of Dark’s plan for something bigger while he melts everyone content.

This wasn’t a sign that he cared, something he quickly wiped from the mind of others with an ivy personality and sending a few of them to the Upside Down. He didn’t need them thinking he was soft… weak.

Dark was anything but weak.

Over the years he wasn’t getting soft, no, he was just making new plans and letting the others do more to keep themselves occupied. The thought of Dark getting soft was lessened at the arrival of him.

Mister Glitch Bitch, the Annoyance, rabid animal, an absolute virus of the world - anything else that could be used to describe Anti. He was a menace, a thorn in Dark’s side with his warped voice… slit throat and overall animalistic behavior. There hasn’t been anyone else that brought the entity this much rage, aggression, than the glitch that constantly picked fights. He did little things that would set Dark off and more than once the two would crash into a wall, drag each other’s blood across the floor, and leave the duo separating with no real satisfaction between them. Dark would fix the mess, alter his appearance to look new again before going back to the task at hand as if he didn’t throw someone through the wall.

These occurrences between the glitch and entity became the new normalcy, an evenly matched pair that would branch away only to come back clashing harder than ever the following day.

It wouldn’t take long before these two violent forces found their limbs tangled together with ragged breaths and quiet moans. Curses filled the air, venom spat back and forth as the control for dominance continued between the fires that brewed deep within one another. It was the first time Dark noticed how warm he felt, how colors shined within his grayed aura as if he was outside on a sunny, summer day.

Subconscious, the entity was gripping to those sensations as he steadily let his control slip with each new encounter with Anti. Their hatred that heated their passion, shifted from a chaotic ball of fire to a steady warmth - similar to that of a campfire. Its glow radiating between them as touches went from drawing blood to tracing scars, from violent shoves to gently laying the other onto the bed as if they were made of porcelain. This did not mean that their toughness died off, no - the duo always kept the spark but it appeared to be tamer.

Anti was making Dark feel alive, and the entity did not know how to deal with it. He did not share emotions like the others, believed to have cut out all the cutesy, light human feelings.

So, why did his breath catch in his throat when Anti appeared a certain way… when he would tilt his head and toxic green hair would spill over his eyes offering Dark a small smirk? Why did the glitch offer him warmth when he felt only cold for all these years? The ability to see color when entangled with Anti, lazily tracing shapes and studying his soft breathing when in the past he didn’t hesitate to throw the glitch out. It was all new to Dark, he was a creature of darkness, of despair, death, of negativity. How did someone who was chaotic, improper, an abomination of sorts... bring such positivity and calmness to Dark after so long of hating one another? The entity did not know as his dark eyes studied the lazy posture of the other.

“I think I’m in love with you and that scares me half to death.”

The words slip from Dark’s lips as fingers brush over Anti’s throat with a tenderness he did not know he was capable of years ago. His breath halted when black and green eyes slowly opened to stare back into his own. The glitch’s gaze roamed down the entity’s form before dragging back up ever so slowly to his face. For the first time since knowing Anti, Dark could not read his face. It was void of expression, something that had the entity retracting his touch and letting it drop to his side as he watched Anti move away from him. The grey of the world, the cold aura, eased its way back to its owner without the neutralization of the glitch to push it away.

Still no response.

It wasn’t until pants were slipped back on, that Anti disappeared in his glitched tech style that Dark let his breath go. The entity remained on the bed, gaze upon the ceiling as he felt pain without an actual injury to accompany it. Their types do not love. They only cause suffering and make others believe they cared, or well in Dark’s case that was the goal… to create a false sense of security, but he allowed him to grow attached.

To feel loved.

How foolish.

[writing-yj]

Nightwing x Reader: Worthy

Anon: 16. “I’m the one you want, not him/her!” + 41. “I often ask myself if I deserve you, and I usually feel like I don’t.” w/ Nightwing (angst to fluff). Probs s/o was feeling insecure with their relationship ever since Dick became leader but he assures her he still loves her? 🌸 congrats on reaching 300! I honestly believe you deserve more because your writing is just beautiful 😭👌

16. “I’m the one you want, not him/her!” 41. “I often ask myself if I deserve you, and I usually feel like I don’t.”

Word Count: 3151 (I got carried away again…)

Warnings: Very heated moment, sexual references, description of injures, blood, angst, and the like.

A/n: Aww, thank you sweetie! I hope this is what you were looking for! By the way, your alias as a vigilante is Blitz; suggested by a lovely anon!

You sat alone in the kitchen in the apartment you shared with your boyfriend, Dick Grayson. The light above the island was dim, and occasionally flickered. There were so many different emotions whirling around inside you and you felt like crying, but you couldn’t. You refused. It was a long mission and Dick had to finish some things up, being the leader of the team and all, and he made you go home without him. He said it was because you were tired and deserved to rest, but ever since he became leader, you felt horrible inadequate.

    Was he ashamed to be seen with you? You often got hurt on missions when you did what you thought was best, but wasn’t a good fighter supposed to come out with only a few injuries? Maybe you weren’t a good fighter; that’s what you told yourself on the reg.

    You constantly asked yourself if you were even good enough to be his girlfriend. You thought he would look better if he was with a cooler, more beautiful woman instead of you. It was one of those dark moments you had, and they were becoming more frequent. You rarely had times when you didn’t feel good enough for Dick.

    The door opened and closed, and you ran your hand through your hair and wiped away any possible tears to look presentable. You relaxed when you felt Dick wrap his arms around your waist. “Hey, babe,” he murmured in your ear and yawned. “You looked amazing out there, you know that?”

    You couldn’t help but giggle. “So did you… but you always do.” You kissed his cheek and he chuckled.

    “I’m flattered, but you missed.” He said and put two fingers on your chin, turning your head to face him. Dick kissed you with all of the love and passion he had and it warmed you to your toes. You turned around and kissed back with just as much vigor, wrapped your arms around his shoulders. He pulled away for only a second to catch his breath before slanting his mouth over yours.

    You shuddered when Dick quietly groaned and he pulled you closer by your belt loops. The material of his Nightwing suit usually didn’t bother you, but you wanted it off; you needed to feel his skin.

    He pulled away again, and sweat ran down his neck. “I’ve been waiting to do that all day.�� Dick quickly took off his mask and threw it into the living room. The gorgeous blue of his eyes was almost completely taken over by his dialated pupils. “If we were alone and not in front of them…” He whispered in your ear and trailed off to leave you to your imagination.

    “Sounds like you had a frustrating day, then.” You smirked. “I can’t say the same for me; I know how to control my urges and hormones-!” Dick suddenly lifted you up and put you on the counter, moving to stand between your legs.

    “You know I can take away that control in just a few minutes, (Y/n).” Dick slowly slipped his hands up your shirt and they rested on your waist.

     “We are not doing this in the kitchen; we eat out here!” You exclaimed, but you didn’t push him away.

     “We eat in the bedroom, too.” He winked at you.

     “Wha- Damn it, Richard!”

     Dick just laughed while moving you off the counter, and he carried you to your shared bedroom for obvious intentions.

You stood in the bio ship on the way to Santa Prisca with a professional stature and a serious face. Nightwing was a few feet away, and he occasionally shot you some flirty glances. 

     But you avoided them. He only recently started noticing your sudden great lack of affection in front of the team- or anyone, for that matter. While he saw no problem with your relationship, you felt more self conscious on this mission than most. He was the leader of the team, and you were just a normal plain hero among extraordinary individuals. That’s how you saw it, anyway.

     You briefly took your mind off of your insecurities and focused on the mission. Santa Prisca was by far one of your least favorite places to be. You had a bone to pick with Bane, and his second attempt at making Kobra “venom” made your jaw clench. You were assigned to lead Beta squad while Nightwing was going to lead Alpha Squad, which was normal. He didn’t put you on the same squad as him solely because he had to evenly spread out the skill levels and you were his girlfriend; that’d be making it personal and could be seen as playing favorites. That was one thing you were sure of and okay with.

     “Beta, here’s your drop point. You know the drill.” Nightwing said. 

     Beta Squad consisted of you, Batgirl, and Wonder Girl. You were good friends with the two of them, so working with them wasn’t going to be a problem, but your history with Bane was most likely going to be quite the obstacle.The hatch opened and Batgirl and Wonder Girl jumped out and you were about the do the same.

     Nightwing looked at you again and told you, “Be careful out there, Blitz.” All you did was nod once, and you leaped out of the bio ship with no hesitation. Your black expression that conveyed no sentiment and affection left Nightwing a little hurt and concerned. He didn’t know if you were unhappy with him or if something bigger was bothering you.

     The rest of the team teased him for a moment, but he sat there and worried.

How you got yourself roped, or in your case, chained into this position, you didn’t have a clue. Being separated from your squad wasn’t on the mission criteria, and being caught and chained to the ceiling by Bane definitely wasn’t. Your feet dangled above the floor and you sighed dramatically. It was a tough situation to get out of and you didn’t have enough time to free yourself of your restraints.

     The metal door slammed open and light filled the dark room immediately after. The loud and obnoxious screeching of a chair made you cringe as Bane dragged one in, and it had another person strapped to it. You almost paled when you saw it was Nightwing in the chair and there was a loud bang when Bane roughly put his chair next to you. 

     “Just curious, what are your intentions of having us here?” You asked Bane directly. “I torture usually isn’t your style…”

     The sharp glare Nightwing told you to stop provoking him, but you couldn’t help it. Bane was your archenemy; all you wanted to do was push his buttons.

     You rolled your eyes when Bane let out a loud laugh. “Still haven’t lost your spark, Blitz.” His Hispanic accent sent unpleasant chills down your spine. “You’re right; torture isn’t my deal. I have to test out the new Kobra-Venom, and you two are the perfect candidates.”

     You and Nightwing didn’t like the sound of that. “You’re going to inject us with that mierda? I didn’t think even you would go that low.” You scoffed, but you were terrified inside.

     He laughed again, and you felt a tiny bit relieved. “No, chica. You’ll be fighting them.”

     You didn’t know about your boyfriend, but you suddenly felt like vomiting. You saw what happened to the people who were forced to fight criminals that were injected with the Kobra-Venom, and it wasn’t pretty. No matter how big and bad or skilled they were, no one came out alive.

     Bane grabbed Nightwing by the hair, which made him grunt, and forced him to look him in the eye. “And you’re first!” 

     The loud rattling of chains startled Nightwing and both men looked at you. You were violently struggling to get out as you shouted, “Don’t you do a damn thing to him! I’m the one you want, not him!” Your past with Bane was something you seldom spoke about and very, very few people knew only some of the details. You knew a lot about what Bane could do and cause; you had the scars and mental trauma to prove it.

     “He is the leader, si?” Bane smirked tauntingly and raised an eyebrow. “What is a team without a leader?”

     “What is a leader without a team?” You countered without missing a beat. You prayed that he didn’t take it as you saying to kill the rest of your team on the spot. “Take me first, instead. Your quarrel is with me. I’m the one who has been causing trouble and raising hell for you for years now; this has nothing to do with Nightwing.”

     Bane contemplated it before letting go of Nightwing’s hair. “…If either of you even attempt to escape, both of you die. Comprende?” Nightwing nodded, while you responded in Spanish. “I will be back shortly, but just to let you know… He will be watching you.”

     Bane slammed the door shut and it was Nightwing’s turn to feel sick. His gaze snapped over to you and he hissed, “Why would you say that!? Why would you just give yourself up like that!?”

     “For the same reason you would!” You growled back. “No one has ever made it out of that arena alive. I love you and I-”

     “If the team doesn’t find us in time, then you’ll die, too!” He felt so conflicted; he understood what you were saying but he felt like he was being more rational. “What’s been your deal lately? I try to hold your hand and kiss you and even hug you, but you flat out refuse! And now you have a death wish!?”

     You confessed through gritted teeth, “Because I’m not good enough for you. Look at me! I’m nothing compared to you or any of the girls here. You’re the leader of this team; I’m not even close to what a leader should have.” You didn’t dare to look at him. “I’m not worthy enough to be seen as your lover.”

     “(Y/n), I-”

     Nightwing couldn’t say what he wanted to, for Bane burst in again and ripped your chain from the ceiling. He dragged you away from Nightwing and two other men carried him down a separate corridor.

     Bane took the honors of placing an iron collar around your neck that was attached to another chain and you snarled at him, “What the hell is this!?”

     “Your challenge. Like you said, chica, you are the one I’m after.”

A henchman you didn’t recognize roughly pulled you by your chain into the caged arena and attached the chain to the wall.

‘This is bullshit…’

     Bane was outside the cage nearby with his arms crossed, standing next to Nightwing who was still tied to a chair. He could easily get out, but he wasn’t going to risk getting you both killed. You quickly gave him a sympathetic look before you focused on the other side of the cage, preparing to meet your opponent.

     The man who brought you in scampered to get out of the arena, and you found out why. In walked an insanely tall, muscular, and horribly disfigured criminal who was turned into a disgusting beast. The muddy green skin, vein-y body, and sharp teeth were very off-putting.

     You got into a fighting stance and you were barely succeeding at not shaking in your shoes. For a fight to end, one contestant had to die and it was surely going to be you. You didn’t doubt that one bit.

     There were several different chants and sneers spoken in Spanish, but you paid no mind to them; they were the least of your problems. Your current problem could very well be unsolvable.

“I think we’ve all been waiting for this moment for a very long time, chica.” Bane rumbled, and cheers erupted in response. Nightwing watched in despair as the tall villain nodded at the inhuman beast.

With a roar, it ran at you and you barely ducked in time. You tried to move further away, but you gagged when you reached the end of the chain. That iron collar was no joke. You received a brutal punch to the gut and you hit the wall with a cry.

You fought back as well as you could and you were doing much better than any former human fighters in the arena. You hoped to make it out, unlike them. You kicked the beast in the face in a quick smooth move, and it snarled when it fell back a few feet. You weren’t prepared for it to grab your arm and throw you against the floor with almost deadly force. An average civilian would easily be dead by now. You painfully pulled yourself up from the floor and continued where you left off.

The iron collar around your neck was making you angrier and angrier, and you kept pulling on the chain with more and more strength. You used more of that strength to push through the pain in order to keep fighting, and to save the love of your life from suffering your fate. You glanced at him and you never saw him so ragged with stress before. If he didn’t know better, he would be screaming and fighting for them to stop.

It hurt so bad when you took another two hits to the head, and another few to your torso. You wondered how you were still alive, but you weren’t complaining. If you weren’t dying in here, you had a hunch that you would die in the hospital or before anyone could reach you. You just sensed death. It was highly likely to be yours and you wished it wouldn’t be.

With an enraged yell, you pulled on the chain one more time and it snapped from the wall. It shocked your “audience” and you took advantage of your new weapon almost immediately. You swung the chain forward like a whip and it wrapped around the beast’s neck, effectively choking it. You knew it was heavily frowned upon to kill, but in this situation, you had no choice.

You jumped up and planted your feet on its back, using it as leverage to pull the chain even tighter. You were growling and quietly wailing in pain. Your entire body was hurting so, so bad. You heard it choking, and it weakly clawed at the chain, but the life eventually drained from the hideous creature and you got back on your feet before it could topple down on you.

The dead beast on the floor made you feel horribly guilty, and you put your hand on the back wall to steady yourself. “Is that all you-” You spat a bit of your blood from your mouth. “Is that all you got?” You were out of breath and your body was quaking, but you were still going to be forced to fight.

Bane looked surprised, but was pleased. “You are stronger than I thought, but I guarantee you won’t survive you next opponent.”

The blood drained from Nightwing’s face and he started to struggle. “No!” He growled, but Bane punched him to keep him quiet. Nightwing couldn’t stand seeing you with so many injuries, and the amount of your blood on the floor was sickening.

Suddenly, gunfire echoed around the facility, as did angry and surprise shouts in Spanish. Bane took that as his cue to run, and he did just that. “They’re here!” A criminal yelled before you heard a loud bang. You smiled lightly; that would be Conner’s work. You flinched when you moved just a bit; the pain was becoming almost unbearable. There was blood coming from a wound on your forehead, nose, and some from your mouth. You felt your broken ribs and you were eternally thankful that they didn’t pierce a lung. But you didn’t have much time left. You desperately needed medical attention, or else you would never make it home.

You saw Wonder Girl untying Nightwing and she asked, “Where’s Blitz? Is she-” Cass turned and saw you inside the large, caged arena. She gasped when she saw how injured you were, and you suddenly landed on your hands and knees.

Your chest was heaving and you dug your nails into the floor, clenching your eyes shut as tears escaped. Cass immediately punched through the caged and rushed to you, catching and lifting you into her arms before you fell on your side.

You weakly reached your hand out to Nightwing, who was quickly by your side. The last thing you saw and felt was your boyfriend grabbing and holding your hand, before everything went black. 

“What the hell were you thinking?” Dick growled the moment you opened your eyes. The hospital bed you were in was surprisingly comfortable, but the way he was looking at you was not.

You looked up at the ceiling and sighed in irritation. “I believed we already went over this, Dick.”

“Yeah, but I’d like to hear a logical explanation this time.”

You glared back at him. “You’re more important to this team than I am; you all know that!” Your had curled into a fist and your nails dug into your palm. “I know what happens in that ‘arena’. I didn’t want you to suffer the same fate as the previous victims. I did it because I love you, damn it.” You gritted your teeth and looked away from him. “I’d never hesitate to give my life up for yours.”

Dick took off his sunglasses and his glare turn to an expression of sadness, but with love. “I often ask myself if I deserve you, and I usually feel like I don’t.” His statement surprised you. “You’ve already done so much for me… But you were willing to die for me, even though you think you’re nothing and aren’t worthy to be with me.” He grabbed your hand and held it as if there was no tomorrow. “Babe, you are worthy. You’re more than worthy. There’s not a single reason for you not to be. There’s not a single reason that would deter me from loving you. Remember that.”

It brought tears to your eyes. No one had ever loved you as much as he did. You lightly squeezed his hand and gave him a grin. “I love you.” The words left your mouth almost everyday, but for some reason, they had more meaning in this moment.

“I love you, too, babe.”

I can’t write about Bane, the ending is disgustingly cheesy, and just… eh. Thanks for reading!

EDIT: I READ THROUGH THIS AND IT IS SO BAD

[solarbird]

And just like that, she was down

Lena "Tracer" Oxton gave up on Widowmaker, but somewhere underneath it all knew that wasn't the right thing to do - so much so that she and her wife Emily "Kestrel" Oxton (from it is not easy to explain, she said) punched a hole across spacetime to find a universe where things had, in the end, worked out - coming across Lena "Venom" Oxton and Amélie "Widowmaker" Lacrox of Talon, from on overcoming the fear of spiders.

But really, all you need to know is that Lena and Emily are both with Overwatch, and are taking one more shot at pulling Widowmaker out of Talon's clutches. And this is probably the most current-canon Widowmaker I've written.

This is the third time I've visited this Lena and this Emily so apparently it has to be a series now. Thanks, brain. [AO3 link]

And just like that, she was down.

Widowmaker fell, panting, crouched, trapped between air conditioners and rooftop access, Kestrel overhead, Tracer in front, rifle damaged but regenerating, chain broken but rebuilding, and entirely out of venom mines.

Nowhere to go. 45 seconds, she thought, glancing up, glancing ahead. 45 seconds to replenished ammo, she thought, watching Tracer, with her gold eyes burning. 45 seconds. They can't take me in, not in 45 seconds.

"Hey, love," said the smaller Overwatch agent in front of her, the annoying one, the one who kept getting under her skin, no matter what she did, no matter how infuriating she became. "Truce?"

...what? thought the spider, and she blinked.

Tracer lowered her pistols, well aware that the Talon assassin could still punch like a prizefighter. "Truce? Three minutes. I know you've got another 40 seconds or so 'till you have rounds again, I'm askin' for three minutes' time. Truce?"

Widow glanced up towards the flying agent, who saw her look, and in response, nodded back down to the assassin. "Truce," Kestrel said. "Three minutes."

I... what? Truce? What? They have me, and... what have I got to lose? the assassin decided quickly, not lowering her weapon. "Why? So you can take me in to be undone, cherie? I think not."

She spoke! thought Tracer, her already-rapid heart jumping just a little bit more. She spoke. "No! Not that, love," she exclaimed. "It's so I can apologise. Apologise proper, and all that. I'm sorry. I just want to say why."

Widowmaker... hesitated. Surprised, not in the combat way, but in the cognitive dissonance way, and she shook her head and failed to clear it, stuck on the idea of being apologised to, and overrode her reaction, sure she must've heard wrong, and tried again. "Three minutes, so your friends can close in, and..."

"I promise, no, that's not what we're doin'." Tracer pulled her earbud and thumbed her comm. "McCree, Tracer here. No sign of Widowmaker. Sweeping north for further recon." She received a brief "I hear ya" from McCree, and Widowmaker could hear it too, just, from the tiny exposed speaker.

Thirty seconds to bullets. Thirty seconds to possible escape. Or, three minutes to... what? She narrowed her eyes, but lowered her weapon. "Truce." she said. "Three minutes."

"I'm sorry," said Tracer, again. "I've been doin' everything wrong for three years and I am so sorry."

Widowmaker felt confusion, and again, not the uncertainty of battle, but an unfamiliar emotional reaction she did not want to admit she felt. "Pour quoi? We fight, it is what we are for. And you have hardly ever managed to hurt me."

"I think I have, though," replied the teleporter, earnestness clear in her voice. "Emotionally. Not on purpose, I swear. I talked to some..." - she nodded her head back and forth - "...can't say friends, can't say enemies, it's complicated, they're kind of Talon, they're kind of not... 'bout a month ago, and they set me straight about you. And about what I've been doin' wrong."

Mystifying, thought the assassin, but she mimed a bemused look. "Are you talking about the hacker? Are you and the Mexican woman talking about me? My controllers will be interested to know that."

"No," the Englishwoman shook her head. "Not Sombra. It's... look, it's nobody in your Talon. It's complicated and three minutes ain't long enough. But that's not important! What's important is I got shook up, but good. An' I realised I've been tryin' to get to Amélie, and trying to tell her we'd get her back, and I've been an bloomin' idiot because I've not been tryin' to talk to you."

Widowmaker snorted - this is nonsense, she thought, but something scratched at her, something in her head saying this is important - and flipped her rifle onto her shoulder. "I seem to remember a large number of rather one-sided conversations, myself. Even more, including the ones spoken only with bullets."

"Not what I mean. I've been..." she grimaced.C'mon, Lena, she thought, you've been practicing this, don't let's throw a spanner in these works. "You're real. I finally get it. You're a person, not some ... construct. And I've been promising we'd change you into somebody else, just like Talon did to Amélie, and that's wrong, and I'm sorry, and it's gonna stop, starting now."

Widowmaker tilted her head, dismayed, as she picked through what she was hearing. Is... that... why...? she thought, but did not know what to say.

"I've seen you, you talk about how emotions are my weakness, and you say you don't have any, but you do, it's obvious, even if you don't like it, and I've been takin' that as Amélie peekin' out, but it's not, it's you, it's just you, and I'm sorry for... for everything."

"What..." the assassin managed, feeling strangely light, strangely separate from her place on the rooftop, surrounded by her enemies. "...what is the point of this?"

"She'd given up on you," came Kestrel's voice, from above. Two minutes, she thought. "But I hadn't."

"...you?" the assassin looked up. "I do not even know you. You are not a priority target."

"I know," said the flying agent. "But my wife's into you, if it isn't obvious, and - cards on the table - I kinda am too. Giving up made her all depressed, so... here we are."

"Kestrel!" shouted Tracer. "C'mon, I'm not on the pull, that's not why..."

"It is so," retorted Kestrel, "underneath everything."

"...it is so, isn't it?" The Widowmaker smirked, grasping at a little more control of a decidedly out of control situation. "You are trying to, you say, chat me up? Pathetic. We are enemies, and that is all, and you are a fool to think otherwise."

"Oh no," said the teleporter, "Don't pretend this don't go both ways."

"It does not," sneered the assassin. "I am not burdened with such trivialities."

"Oh yeah?" asked Tracer.

"Yes," said Widowmaker.

"If that's true - you've had bullets again for 45 seconds. I don't even got my pistols out, and here I am, all not shot up. Why not?"

What?! thought the assassin, knowing her opponent was right. She hadn't even lost track of time, she just hadn't acted, and she could've. She should've. She grasped for a reason, and settled on, "...we have a truce."

"Okay, maybe. This time. But why ain't I dead? You fought anybody else who lived this long?"

"No," admitted Talon's most effective killer. "But it is not for lack of trying."

"Don't underestimate yourself, love. You've had your chances, I'm number one on Talon's hit list, and you ain't even been takin' the shots, even though I've been promising to take your mind apart and not even knowin' I was doin' it. It's more than I deserve. Thanks, for that."

Widowmaker raised her rifle, Tracer in her sight. "Should I fix it, then? Right now?"

Kestrel froze, gravity blade ready. But Tracer did not raise her pistols, or grin, or dodge, or dance. She held her ground, being very still. "Y'could, y'know. G'wan. I'm right here."

Widowmaker stood, looking through the site, the shot unmissable, time counting away. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. And, again, confusedly, she lowered her rifle. She couldn't even say why, other than it did not seem... right, to shoot. "70 seconds," she said, softly, almost distractedly, her focus disturbed, disrupted. What is wrong with me?

"Look," said Tracer, "I'm not gonna try to bring you in, not now, maybe not even later. I'll stop ya if I see ya at work, but... c'mon. Y'gotta admit, Talon's no good. Maybe Talon made you, and maybe I'll even give 'em that, but on the whole, they're no good."

From above, Kestrel quietly noted that Widowmaker did not bother trying to defend her makers, or even dismiss the attack. She'd just accepted it as a given. Halfway there, she thought to herself. C'mon, blue girl, show me. Show me you're real.

"From now on," continued Tracer, "I'm promising: no changin' you. No tryin' to turn you into somebody else, not even somebody you maybe used t'be. But if you want out - if you want out, as you - tell me. We'll find a way. And if Overwatch does catch you, somehow, if we bring you in, I will not let them change you against your will."

The woman built from Amélie Lacroix raised an eyebrow, sceptically. "No one in Overwatch would tolerate my existence. None of you..." - no, she thought, I don't believe that, do I? - "...present... company... perhaps excepted."

"I mean it, love," Lena said, as plainly and honestly as she knew how. "I swear. Even if I have to break you out of a Watchpoint myself, they won't change you. It won't happen. I won't let it."

Widowmaker believed her. Something inside her believed Lena's oath, believed every word of it, knew it to be true, and the spider dropped her rifle in shock. "I... I do not believe you," she lied, a hitch in her breath betraying her.

"I think maybe you do," said Kestrel, gently, "even if you don't want to." Oh fuck me, what am I about to say here? she thought, swallowing. "Lena's promise goes for me, too. I'm no Pharah - but I'll provide the air support. We'll get you out." C'mon, c'mon, be real...

Oxton nodded, looking up gratefully at her lover. In for a penny. "I'm not sayin' come with us now, love, I know that's not gonna happen. But if you want out..." started Tracer...

"...we'll get you out. And not to Overwatch," continued Kestrel...

"...unless that's what y'want," finished Tracer.

Widowmaker picked up her rifle. Twenty seconds, she thought, absently.

"Have they ever reconditioned you again, love? After the first time?"

The assassin frowned. "They did... once, after..." She did not finish the sentence.

"Tekhartha?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Because I laughed."

"Did y'like it?" asked the teleporter.

"...no," admitted the assassin, after a pause, resentment in her voice, and above her, Kestrel silently cheered, clenching her firsts, Yes!

"We wouldn't try," repeated Tracer. "I get it now. I swear."

"Never," said the flying agent. "We both swear," she said, in for a pound.

Widowmaker looked down at her Kiss, ready, pulse rounds fully charged and ready to go. Enough chain regeneration to get away, as well - three minutes is a lot of time, if you think about it, isn't it? Talon, signalling, in her headset, trying to raise her, trying to make sure she was alive and, if not well, at least functional. This could all be a new lie, she thought, warring against herself. But... it also might not be.

After Tekhartha, she'd learned now not to tip off her controllers. It wasn't the only thing they'd missed.

"Your three minutes are up," she said. "And I do not trust your masters, either." She threw her rifle onto her back, looked up at Kestrel, over at Tracer, and leapt up into the air, but not far, chain assisted to a nearby perch. "But your offer... a third way, all of us free from Overwatch as well as Talon..." she called, as her chain rewound, and she threw it again. "...I will consider it." And she vanished into the night.

Kestrel flew down to Tracer, eyes wide, after the assassin disappeared into the darkness. "I... I think we might've done it."

Tracer nodded her head, half in shock, but entirely in agreement. "I'm gobsmacked, love - I think we really might've. But... I... it can't be that easy."

"It wouldn't be," her wife agreed. "We made some hard promises. We'd likely have to quit Overwatch ourselves. Become freelancers, maybe."

Tracer shrugged, thinking of the many possibilities - and difficulties - involved. "Winston wouldn't throw us out, love - it's not like any of it's legal anyway. And even if he does, there's good money to be made in adventuring, I should know." She started shaking, as it all sank in. "Gor blimey, Em. What'd we just do?"

"Threw away our careers?" Emily giggled, weakly. "And maybe... just maybe... started saving some lives, too?"

Lena's half-grin popped back onto her face. "One life in particular, y'mean?"

"Yes," her lover confirmed with a grin of her own. "In particular. But also her targets."

"Hoo," breathed the teleporter, shaking tension out of her arms, out of her hands. "It's a big gamble. Long odds. We must be starkers."

"Better odds than we had a month ago."

Tracer snorted. "No question about that."

"None." Her lover put her arms around her, and kissed her nose, gently. "C'mon, sweetie, finish shaking it off. Risk is what we do, isn't it?"

Lena let out a little 'heh' sound, and rested her forehead against Emily's.

"And put your earbud back in," said the ginger. "McCree's getting curious about our sweep."

"Righto." She puffed out a big breath of air. "We've made this bed, might as well lie in it. North it is!" She keyed her comms. "McCree, Tracer here, your signal got week, you say somethin'? ... Yeah, we're still sweeping north. No sign of her yet - I think she's gone home. ... Right. We'll keep looking a bit more, then circle back in a few. Tracer out."

From closer than either of them imagined, the Widowmaker listened intently, laser microphone bouncing off the HVAC's metal shell. The part of her - and it was part of her - that had believed Lena Oxton implicitly sat proud, vindicated, and a little smugly in her mind. And the parts that did not...

...began, most reluctantly...

...to contemplate hope.

[e-e-paradise]

the last meeting

Peter and I crossed the threshold of an old run-down house on Frank Street. We did not know it at the time, but we were entering onto the stage of what would be a tragic spectacle. Neither of us had seen John in years and we both had jumped at the opportunity for a reunion. We wanted things to be as they were in our romanticized memories of youth. Days that were spent together on vacant lots of construction sites, derelict homes rented by punks and degenerates, and basements of our family homes. Uneasiness and excitement became danced in my belly and the overwhelming optimism I felt about us once again coming together dulled my senses to the tension that was already starting to build.  These two men had once been as close as brothers, but now they appeared as distant as planets, both following the gravity of their own separate moons. I felt uncomfortable in my skin as soon as I saw John. I had imagined us meeting again many times, I imagined the way he might look at me, and what the look might tell me about just how far we had likely grown apart. John hugged me and dark nights of the soul I had spent wondering about our friendship melted away. Years of hurt and tension and guilt flowed out of my body like ice in the spring. Optimism filled my heart and guided me through introductions to his new friends that, before coming here, I had been so nervous to meet. Peter and I had promised each other in the bar before leaving that, if the evening were to sour or uncomfortable, we would just leave quickly and continue catching up without John. Oh, how I wish that we had kept this promise to each other!

John’s friends were nice. We played card games and teased each other like old friends instead of strangers. I confided in a girl, with a shaved head and a Monroe piercing, that I had been nervous about seeing John. I explained to her that we were estranged high-school sweethearts. She smiled and nodded and then continued her conversation with her other friend, a shorter woman with kind eyes and a soft build. I became hot in the face and I could feel shame ooze into my body like a toxic spill from the tar sands. Shortly after this she left, and I wondered if perhaps she and John were sleeping together. I hoped that I had not intruded, but reasoned with myself that, if they were, he probably would have prepared her for the situation, or perhaps she would not have cared either way. Still, the situation had set something in motion inside me that I chose to ignore for the sake of maintaining the buzz of a rekindled friendship. In the background of my thoughts, the idea that I had confided this in her precisely BECAUSE I suspected that her and John were sleeping together buzzed around in my brain like a gnat. This shadow-thought lurked in my mind and I remembered myself as the person I once was, so scared and damaged, so young and reckless. My blood became ice for a brief moment, and I hated myself. I sat with this feeling for a moment and then waved goodbye to it. I reminded myself of all the work I have put in, since being a teenager, to minimize the damage I cause others. A therapist once told me that hurt people can be like injured animals in the wild. When you approach them to try and assist, they lash out in fear and hurt their helpers. I am more healed now and I can recognize people’s kindness for what it is. This thought gave lightness to my heavy mood.

Around this time, Peter began to become surly. This trait often surfaced with his consumption of alcohol. We all went outside for a cigarette and I asked John about his job. Peter was becoming increasingly defensive. He had assumptions about John’s career that were rooted in insecurity. I could not hold this against him. Peter has always been somewhat of a lost soul; in some ways I am too. Whether it be from a complicated up-bringing, or a certain astrological proclivity, we have always connected over pain and discomfort with reality. John was much more neurotypical than us. He had the perfect balance capitalist ambition and artistic talent that neither Peter, nor I, have ever seemed to master. For better or worse. I think that, when Peter left Ottawa after caring for his parents and breaking up with Mary, he needed to get away from himself almost as much as he needed to get away from this government shithole. Seeing John again put him too close to that person that he had been trying to run away from. He began to take verbal jabs at John. I tried my best to quell the tension with quiet reminders to Peter under my breath like, “think clearly” and “let go”, he seemed to not have heard me as we went inside.

Peter and I sat on the couch in the living room in silence together. He was leaned back into the cushions, with pursed lips and his gamblers poker face fully intact. He was watching John as if from far away, observing him like a wolf might observe a distant caribou calf what was straying behind the herd. It seemed he was resisting the urge to pounce and he suggested we leave. I felt relief as I moved to the door and got my coat. Pulling my phone from the left pocket, and searching for my uber app, I ordered a car and approached John to say goodbye. He seemed for a moment to not want us to leave and then invited us into the basement to look at his new drum kit. Peter agreed and I cancelled the uber. Descending into the basement would be the final act of the evening.The smell of stale beer, sweat and mould overpowered my nostrils and made me feel nostalgic. John was talking but I could barely understand what he was saying. Something to do with the specification of the instruments that he was showing off to Peter. I sat at the drums and banged aimlessly on the skins. I never had any real talent for music, unlike the other two men in the room with me. Peter picked up a guitar and strummed a single note. A chugging reverberation made the stale air in the room electric. I watch his gaze meet John’s eyes. It struck me that I had not seen these two men make eye contact all evening All at once words spilled out of Peter.

“What the fuck is wrong with you man?”

“What are you talking about, man.” replied John, stunned, although he probably shouldn’t have been.

I froze and wildly tried to force Peter to look at me. I called to him with my mind and begged him not to continue.

“Where have you been? Here you are with all new friends, and all you’ll talk about is your shitty new job!”

John then suddenly seemed to once again find his voice.

“My job isn’t shitty, I love my new job. What the fuck are you even doing these days anyways?”

Peter flushed with anger as more, and more potent, venom began to shoot from his mouth. He had always struggled to find a career path that suited him. He had tried for years to live up to his incredibly successful family’s expectations of him.

“You’re a fucking bastard John. You talk all night about this stupid job, and it’s like, you have totally forgot who you are! You haven’t kept in contact with anyone. Where the fuck is Greg, man? Do you even fucking care?”

I looked down at the floor and began to feel dizzy. In the corners of my vision a hot-red glow began, and I looked at Peter with the fury of the culmination of this catastrophe.

“That’s not fucking fair, Peter” I said, though no one heard.

Greg had been a friend during youth. I was never particularly close to him but knew him to be a faithful and honest person who had difficulty feeling confident or expressing himself. No one had heard from him in a very long time and rumours that he had fallen into darkness and depression we rampant. I knew that Peter unfairly blamed John for not keeping close enough in contact with Greg, as if this could have somehow helped the young man out of his spiral, it was a ridiculous and cruel thing to say.

“I don’t know, shit. Why the fuck would you even bring that up, Peter? You know what, dude, you’re a fucking ass hole and you’ve always been a fucking ass hole. You’re a selfish piece of shit and I’m glad I’ve moved on with my life.” John barked.

I felt tears well up in my eyes and I began pleading with them to stop. I begged both of them to not end the evening in such an ugly manner, but all my pleas went unheard and ignored as my two old friends tore each other to pieces in front of me. John told us to get out of his house and I selfishly hated Peter for starting this fight that would ensure that my friendship with John was certainly over. Peter began to cry and ask John if he meant what he said, to which John replied that he did. That’s when Peter lost control and with one loud crack knocked John across the face with a blow that landed accurately and brought him to the floor. Men from the living room now began to thunder downstairs in steel-toed combat boots. They dragged Peter upstairs and threw him from the house. I bent over and touched John’s face. He looked up at me and asked me in a voice that I recognized from him; a voice of fear and heartache.

“What just happened?”

I began to cry and told him that I didn’t know, I then apologized and told him that it was nice to see him. His eyes became dark and he looked away from me. I knew in that moment that it was all over. All of my hopes of reconciliation were dead and there was nothing to do now but leave.

I ordered another uber outside and my phone died. I sobbed uncontrollably on the way home. My misery was mirrored as Peter joined me and collectively our broken hearts expressed themselves in a symphony of tears. I told him that his ego was a fucking problem and that, when he drinks, he can be a jackass. He told me he knew that that he was sorry. We went back to my house and curled together on my couch, holding hands, we licked our wounds over tea, and he apologized profusely. I forgave him as he left and promised to call him in the morning.

Peter and I still call each other to catch up every once in a while. He has since completed his red seal and is working as a carpenter. I am very proud of him. John, on the other hand, has only sent me a message once since that evening. It was the day that a close friend of ours died. He asked me if I was okay, to which I replied that I was even though I was terribly sad. He said the same. I no longer think about a reconciliation, all of my past attempts have been met with little to no enthusiasm. It’s funny because, when we broke up, he made me promise him that we would still be friends. For my part, I will always keep that promise and will silently wish him peace and happiness for the rest of my days on earth.

[overcaffeinated-creative]

AU: Two Wild Halves

I fleshed out some of my visions for the political climate of Krownest through the delightful perspective of Ursa Wren. This is also a solid attempt to show Solus arriving back into Mandalore and her reasoning for joining Death Watch. Ursa doesn’t deserve to deal with the people she deals with.

Title: Sly Pride

Rating: T

Warnings: Teen Pregnancy, Emotional Turmoil

Characters: Solus Vetra, Ursa Wren, mentions of Jai Vetra

Summary: Ursa takes POV while leading Solus forward with tough love. It has been years since she last saw the little Force maverick of Vetra and deep down does wish they could have reunited under better circumstances.

“You know the order could come down for you to be executed,” Ursa stated from behind her desk in her study. Tone matter of fact in spite of knowing the young woman seated before her. Thirty-six hours ago she had been little more than phantom lost to the Galaxy. “Yet, you still came here.”

“I weighed my limited options,” Solus admitted, face flushing her unique lavender color. Something in her deflated as she sank further into her seat. “I figured, if I died it might as well be on Krownest at the hands of people I know.”

The Countess leveled her stern gaze on Jai Vetra’s prized granddaughter. It had been over a decade since they had previously had any contact with one another. Ursa had been fourteen at the time and still learning leadership and war at her father’s side. Solus had been four, small for her age but quick in mind and carrying an untamed power. One she had witnessed use of first hand during raid on Krownest leadership during the War. Not long after that, in what was termed a fit of madness, Jai had swept into the Vetra Stronghold with a Kel Dorian Jedi Master in tow. Mid-lesson he took the child from Ursa’s supervision, dismissed her from the room, then surrendered Solus to the Jedi Order. It cracked the already fragile faith of those around him.

“Are you trying to be noble,” the older woman demanded, “or, suicidally stupid at the expense of those around you?” Ursa was loyal to her Manda’lor but most loyal to her clan above all. She would not let anyone’s foolhardy decision put them at risk. No matter their shared history.

The blush crept up long ears that drooped at being scolded. “I’m making the best calls with the limited information I have.” At four, Solus would have never slunk away like a kicked tooka. To do so as an adult proved she had became a true stranger. “Death Watch is the best answer.”

“What did you get yourself into that could come down on me?” Leaning forward, she used her height to stare down at the all but squirming young woman. Such an open display of weakness sickened her. “Because I will not hesitate.”

“I got involved with some of the Manda’lor’s business and it has lasting consequences.” The answer was vague, skirting the edge of something more important. But, she had sat back up and squared her shoulders with some fight. “I’m here to formally join Death Watch of my own free will. I left the Jedi Order and everything the Core could offer me for this. I turned down an unspoken offer to join the New Mandalorians.” The words dripped with an unexpected, but not unwelcomed, venom.

Ursa exhaled in a controlled manner before pinching the bridge of her nose to stave off a headache. For such a small clan, Vetra had never stopped finding trouble. At best guess, all of seven members remained including the now former Jedi. The rest had been lost to a plethora of causes from the destruction of the True Mandalorians and the Great Clan Wars to old age. Among the living four had bowed to the Duchess and the other two remained as caretakers of the Vetra Stronghold. Yet, the recognized heir showed up to offer Pre Vizsla everything with undisclosed reasoning.  

Steepling her fingers Ursa asked, “What makes you think we want you, especially after Concordia?” While not present for the actual fighting she heard several accounts of the mess of the evacuation. From the interference of the Master Jedi and the Duchess to the ugly fight between Vizsla and Solus. Both had limped away with assistance while in poor condition.

“I thought my display on Concordia would be proof enough of my skill?” Solus offered with a smirk while leaning back in her chair with one arm crossed casually over her stomach. Something was stoking the fires within her.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Propaganda.” The simple answer was followed by a wince as she resettled herself in the seat. “Two separate sources acknowledged me as the Countess of Clan Vetra. Ba’buir served valiantly beside Jaster Mereel then Jango Fett. He survived Galidraan then fought in the War. Everything about him, and Clan Vetra really, has been a symbol of hope to those looking for a third option. When I pledge my allegiance, along with Clan Vetra’s, to Death Watch it will send a message.” Her smile came across as brittle while she winced again. Something was off. “Even my clan can see reason.”

Solus had a point Ursa had to concede to. For centuries their clans had coexisted on Krownest in a beneficial alliance of sorts. Clan Wren was granted the majority of the lands to rule but Vetra still held onto theirs. Death Watch had the de facto claim to the planet because of Ursa’s choice to join. The younger countess had the chance to peacefully transition complete control. It would send a message that would get results.

“Battle prowess and propaganda may not be enough.” In private, Ursa would back bring Vetra into their ranks. She was another quick mind well versed in combat to fill out their lacking numbers. Sure, she would need to relearn what it meant to be Mandalorian but she still had some of the fires in her soul. “What else do you have to offer?”

“I’m well versed in Jedi covert operations meaning I’ve done some of the same things for the Republic,” she started out. The blush was quickly receding in favor a green twinged color on pale skin. “I have my own network of non-Republic loyal contacts scattered throughout various places along with Grand Army knowledge.” For moment her eyes closed as she fought something back before the reopened shining with resolution. “If the Manda’lor wishes to pick a fight with them I have the knowledge to help win it.”

Ursa sighed while leaning back in the usually comfortable chair. Her lower back was beginning to ache again. “Your case is strong but I’m not the person who have to convince.”

Everything took a sharp turn when the green color fully took over Solus’ face. White brows rushed toward her hairline while dark gray eyes grew wide and watered. “Fresher?” she weakly gasped out before covering her mouth with her hand. Her thin shoulders were trembling in a fight she was losing.

Ursa had intimate knowledge of what that look meant. “Directly across the hall.” Solus bolted from the room.

Fifteen agonizing minutes ticked by while the older woman waited for her acquaintance to reappear. The larger picture gained more details in her mind. Pregnancy was Solus’ motive for leaving the Order and making a sudden appearance in her home sector. It explained the quick turn around from her passionate declarations on Concordia to her pro-Death Watch stance. Ursa as a point contact would have made the most sense in close to any scenario. But, more than she was scared as well as young, pregnant, and very much alone. She just wanted to come home no matter the cost.

“Sorry for the sudden break,” she apologized while reentering the room a truly pale color even for her. “That happens sometimes as I’m sure you understand.” Bleary eyed she focused on Ursa’s questioning face, “No one told me anything. I figured yours out through the Force.”

Several questions flitted through Ursa’s mind of what to ask next before she settled on a direct one. “What are you planning to do?”

“Truthfully?” the snow haired woman asked while mopping at her forehead with her sleeve. “I planned on not bringing this up until I had to. I’m not earning my way in on pity or expectations of special treatment because I’m pregnant. This is something I am doing with my own merit; living or dying. It encouraged me to leave the Order but that’s been a long time coming.”

“Death is still on the table,” Ursa reminded her, voice a hair softer than before. So many things had changed again in a short time. “Why risk death?”

“Ursa,” she started strong but shook. Sitting up was taking a lot but she was resolute in her decision. “I would rather my child die here than ever step foot in that Order.” Swallowing thickly she added, “As far as I’m concerned, the Jedi will never touch another Mandalorian as long as I’m breathing. We are not their pawns for war.”

Silence settled over them for several moments as the weight of her proclamation settled in. The only interruption came from Ursa’s comm. A guard informed her the Manda’lor would be arriving soon.

“Get cleaned up,” Ursa urged her while standing up from her desk. “Then make your way to the throne room. Let’s see that quick mind at work.” Her smile was small and hidden from the other woman as she moved toward the door. But, she was proud of Solus and who she could become.

[fmpgabby]

Coming up with my Final Idea

My project went through a lot of variations in the first few weeks before I settles on a final idea.

Inital Ideas & Thoughts- 

Before I really knew what this project was about, I knew that I wanted to make something due my love of cosplay and fantasy armour. I also knew that I really wanted to make a set of wings, as it’s something i’d never done before and would give me a chance to push myself. 

I knew that I would have to design the costume I made - thus I decided to also venture into character design & concept art, as this was also something I was really interested in earlier in the year. 

Most cosplay armour i’d previously seen was from World Of Warcraft, so this was my primary inspiration from this stage - as well as the design of typical medieval armour. I started designing some armour ideas for fun.

First Ideas - using the Titles

This idea began to evolve as we officially started the project and had to consider the titles we were given as a starting point.

I picked the following titles and made some notes relating to them, trying to think of a possible narrative that could work:

Rose Tinted Spectacles

To have a certain view on something – i.e. you can only see the good things or the bad things. Having something that could allow you to access another view of a world - for example Spiderwick. 

Anything involving separation between two worlds – i.e. like the real world and a fantasy one -  or hell and the real world. So like something from another world – could be something underwater.

Virus – something infected by something else – so like maybe the character has been infected by something from another world so the armour is like covered in moss or plants/decay. 

Things being hidden from plain sight - is the main character hiding a secret?

Having a character travel to a place and become infected by it. 

Behind Closed Doors

Secrecy – something people aren’t meant to know about – maybe the main character has come from another world and is being kept hidden. Maybe the wings are like the result of an illegal experiment.

Crimes, undercover police, illegal actions etc. 

Having an assassin style character - someone who has two jobs 

Crossover

Literally crossing over to another world – so the character’s come from another universe etc. Heaven and hell – dreams/nightmares – day/night – different time periods.

I guess mixing two themes together - in her armour design?

Having a character that unites two worlds - similar to Aquaman – has both worlds in their design.

Host

Having a possessed character or something like venom – transforming character

E=MC2

Having a sci-fi/ inspired futuristic character

Aliens and characters from another world

Science experiments, linked to Behind Closed Doors - such as Maximum Ride

After considering each of these ideas, I really liked the concept of an assassin character, so I chose Behind Closed Doors as my initial starting point. 

Having now decided that this character I wanted to create the costume for would be an assassin, I could work on a few other designs that would actually incorporate this theme. 

Idea 1

My first proper idea was to have this concept set in a fantasy world. My character would be part of a royal guard who works to defend the king. However, at the same time she works as an assassin. No one one knows that she is the same person. She has a reputation for being able to take out 100% of people she’s asked to kill. One day she received a request to kill the king himself - while at the same time being one of the people trusted to protect him. 

I really liked this idea at the time (and would perhaps like to expand it in the future) but it eventually fell short as I realised that I wanted to go more for a science fiction theme - similar to the designs in Marvel and Overwatch. 

This inital idea is why several of my design sheets turned out to be fantasy based (rather than science fantasy as I am now doing) as shown below:

Idea 2

When making the pinterest boards (as well as seeing other people’s work and ideas) I was inspired by all of the science fiction designs. Because of this, I thought it would be fun to try and design a more futuristic costume for the character to see if would look good. 

I designed this (right), inspired by the designs from this pinterest board which I had created. 

The left design was my original fantasy armour concept. The middle design was an outcome which I created by combining the two. I took my favourite aspects from both and kept the colour palette (which was my favourite out of all the initial designs). 

This was the result below. Ever since I combined both science fiction and fantasy I knew that I wanted to continue with this theme for the rest of my project. 

Idea 3 

I came up with this next idea after struggling to really think of a narrative for the science fantasy character. This concept was created based on my GCSE Media studies project - a show about Ancient Egypt. Along with Egyptian mythology, I was also really interested in conspiracy theories, aliens and government secrets - these all combined really well with the E=MC2 starting point.

Still liking the science fantasy concept, I began to think of an alternate reality of earth in which Ancient Egypt and its events happened in the future when everything was futuristic and technologically advanced - but also still had the egyptian gods present. These gods I thought could possibly actually be aliens (which would explain their armour design) in this world - much like Stargate. The idea would be that Egypt would be like Wakanda - completely hidden from outsiders and actually extremely advanced despite everyone’s belief. My character I planned to have based on a cat - as they were highly worshipped (and the bird/jackal appearances were already claimed by the two gods) and known for being very silent and sneaky, perfect for an assassin.

My character would be an assassin who would venture outside of Egypt and reclaim lost artefacts that have been taken. 

This lead to this armour design (right) which was a redesign of the previous (left) with a more prominent aesthetic - I wanted an eye, cat and wing motif as these were all common symbols in Egyptian Mythology.

This idea was invented in a mere few days and was really more of an impulse concept - I should have developed my other ideas further before rushing into this one as it was also quickly off the table for several reasons.

For one, people that i’d asked didn’t really think that the black & gold armour was very ‘Egyptian’ looking. I also couldn’t really find a plausible reason for the character to have wings. But the major turning point was when I discovered all the research I’d have to do to back up this idea - into Egyptian films and actual factual information about the country - which honestly didn’t really interest me at all - I just liked the concept of the animal themed gods and alien conspiracies. 

Idea 4

I remember shortly after coming up with the Egypt concept that I was sitting in a room surrounded by people all working on their science-fiction stories. I felt like i’d made a serious mistake in choosing it for such a huge project when it wasn’t something I was insanely passionate about. I had to sit down and consider if, three/four weeks into the project, if it would actually be worth changing my idea again. It was actually looking at my favourite artist’s work that fully convinced me to revert back to the science fiction/fantasy theme I wanted to do previously. Simon Stalenhag’s dystopian universe and environment paintings full of giant machines made me realise that this was really the sort of thing I was interested in. 

I still had my main idea in mind: to create a costume with wings. But now I had to try and incorporate a typically fantasy character into a futuristic science fiction universe.

I still wanted my character to be somewhat secretive, with not everything known about her - for example an assassin built by the government as an experiment with actual wings.

Another reason for this decision change was because I didn’t want to have to ground my work into reality - with Egypt I would have to stick to realistic conventions and history whereas with sic-fi, anything was possible and would give me a lot more freedom to imagine where technology could possibly take us in the future. 

I was originally going to have this story set in Egypt as a homage to my previous idea. I also wanted to have a large company who pretty much ruled the entire world - something my character could fight against and overthrow. I wanted the company to be ruled by an AI, and I really liked the concept of a future where everything you do is watched, recorded, etc. As it was set in Egypt, I wanted this AI to be called Anubis after the god. The company was known as Anubis Robotics for a while.

The company would offer people a way to live forever inside a machine - having a second chance at life even after death. But having everyone living as a machine would also make them controllable by the corporation- making them able to achieve whatever they want, including world domination. 

Sakura (the protagonist) would be an assassin who wants to overthrow this company. But the point was made that she would have no reason to care as it was not involving her in any way. For this reason I decided to scrap the idea of her being a random assassin and instead, she became the scientist who invented the technology that the company uses - a benevolent girl who just wants to help people who have lost their bodies live again. Having the company turn on her and use it as a world domination and money making scheme was a lot more plausible of a reason for her to take them down. 

As this idea grew, the world i’d created started to drift away from Egypt little by little - and since I wanted the company to be world dominating (not just an Egyptian company) I thought it would be better to name it after something else. I wouldn’t really be able to explain the name ‘Anubis’ anymore, but I was still really attached to it so I picked something similar sounding - Atlas.

It is interesting to note that Atlas’ design and the company’s logo was still created with Anubis in mind - hence the pointed ‘jackal ears’ he has on his head and the dog-headed logo itself. 

The only thing missing was an explanation as to why the main character had wings. 

This was when my story ended up becoming an alternate version of earth - a new world in itself. Since I wanted to focus on both science fiction and fantasy, I incorporated a magical energy into the world which is shared between all living creatures - thus connecting them to each other. As the magical energy transfers between each creature and returns to the earth, it is possible for it to transfer DNA between organisms - creating mutations from other species resulting in fantasy races. This allowed me to instantly have mermaids, dragons, angels etc while still maintaining the science fiction aesthetic. This magical energy was then named as Mana - one of my inspirations behind the logic of the energy was based on Annihilation’s lore with DNA refraction (which sounded ridiculous to me and everyone else watching but was still believable enough for the suspension of disbelief.). 

While I started out wanting to create just a winged character with a backstory and a suit of armour, it eventually turned into wanting to create an entire narrative and alternate future which I named Windfall. 

The name ‘Windfall’ is the name of the planet that is alternate Earth. 

[skittymon]

Succumb

Arc-V AU where ¾ bracelet girls said ‘fuck it’ and joined Zarc because after all the shit they’ve been through I would have quit

Idk where this came from but the idea of the girls using the dragons is really appealing to me and like for some reason I really like ‘protags give up and fall into darkness’  trope lol.

Also I incorporated the “Yuu boys are actually their dragons” theory cause I love it.

Yuzu runs as fast as her tired legs will let her. The once beautiful ocean-sided town in the Fusion dimension is now in shambles and not a single soul besides Yuzu can be found. With the town deserted the only sounds that can be heard are Yuzu’s harsh breathing, her steps against the ruined ground, and the three metal bracelets hooked onto her belt loop that cling every time she takes a step.

She’s so tired. The remaining Lancers are nowhere to be found and each day Zarc’s reign expands further and further throughout the dimension.

Maybe I should just stop fighting. Just like….

Yuzu shakes her head.

No I can’t. I have to save them. All of them.

Rin was the first one to stray. After the attempt of integrating Rin, Ruri, Serena, and Yuzu into Ray failed, Leo Akaba brought back the four girls hoping they could stand chance against Zarc.

And the four girls tried with all their might to defeat the Supreme King, but just like those who dueled Zarc before, they failed. Countless times did the girls rise back up and challenged Zarc hoping to bring Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo from the Supreme King’s control.

However a human being can only take so much before they reach their limit.

“I’ve had enough!” Rin had shouted halfway through one of the girls many duels against the devil. “Please….I just want to be with Yugo. I’ll do anything…”

“Anything…?” Zarc parroted back with a smirk on his face. Zarc hummed, “Alright, I’ll let you be with Yugo. Just take off that silly little bracelet of yours, and join me. Then you and Yugo can be together forever.”

That’s when it all fell apart.

Yuzu, Serena, and Ruri pleaded for Rin to reconsider, to see that it was a trap, but after everything that’s happened, after all the dimensions turning into a hellhole, Rin just wanted to be with her best, and only, friend. The Synchro counterpart took off the bracelet she once held dear and walked over to the Supreme King.

He smiled at her and for a moment his eyes turned blue, “We’re finally together, Rin.”

Rin felt tears swell in her eyes, “Yugo…”

The duel was canceled then and there. Zarc retreated with Rin holding onto him and left the three remaining Ray reincarnations with, “You three can join us too. All you have to do is get rid of those wretched bracelets.”

Next was Ruri. 

Without Rin the duels against Zarc became even harder than before, and as such the Lancers went to greater lengths to assist the girls. 

Which unfortunately cost some of the Lancer their lives, including Shun.

It happened so quickly. One of Zarc’s attacks hit an abandoned building and it’s pieces were going flatten the three girls, to say the least. After finally getting his sister back, Shun refused to lose Ruri once again, so ran as fast as he could and pushed the girls out of the way.

Once the smoked cleared, Shun’s body could not be found through all the rumbled but blood could be seen pouring through the cracks.

Zarc took his leave after that, satisfied with what he accomplished; leaving Yuzu and Serena to drag Ruri away from battlefield.

The next time the girls fought the Supreme King Ruri was hardly there, and Zarc took noticed to that.

“You don’t have to alone, Ruri.” Zarc said in familiar tone which made Ruri’s head snap up and she was met with gray eyes “I’m still here. Join me, and the two of us can be together, just like old times.”

Ruri didn’t even waver for a moment when she took her bracelet off.

Finally was…

“Found you, Yuzu.”

Serena.

Yuzu turns her head to her Fusion counterpart and grits her teeth. She was too lost in thought to even notice Serena approaching her. She takes a step back but keeps her gaze locked onto the blue haired girl. “Serena.”

Serena says nothing but her gaze ends up on the three bracelets on her Standard counterpart’s waist. “You think you can fulfill Ray’s duty by yourself?”

“No,” Yuzu replies. “I’m holding onto them until you three come to your senses.”

Serena laughs, “Then you’re out of luck. Rin, Ruri, and I are quiet happy where we are.”

“With the death of thousands?” Yuzu snaps. “With Zarc going around destroying the four dimensions? Our homes?”

Serena says nothing, but narrows her eyes.

Yuzu glares at Serena and nearly starts to shake in anger. But no matter how hard she tires, she can’t hate Serena. So Yuzu takes a deep breath and asks, “Why are you here, Serena?”

“To get back what’s rightfully ours.” Serena answers. “Give back Odd-Eyes.”

“It’s Yuya’s.”

“Odd-Eyes belonged to Zarc first.” The Fusion counterpart scowls, “Now give it back.”

“No!” Yuzu shouts. She instinctively reaches for her pocket where Odd-Eyes is, making sure it’s still there. It was nearly a suicide mission to retrieve Odd-Eyes from Zarc, this was the first glimmer of hope the four dimensions has had in months, no way is Yuzu returning Odd-Eyes to the Supreme King. “Can’t you see that this wrong Serena? Has Zarc influenced you that much? Please.” 

Serena snorts, “Maybe Zarc has influenced me, but it was my choice to join him in the first place.”

Yuzu frowns, “You were just angry at the moment, you can always come back and the four us can-”

“Shut. UP.” Serena interrupts. “Don’t act like you know what Rin, Ruri, and I have been through. We don’t have anything. Rin only has Yugo, Ruri has lost so many people including her brother, and the Lancers, my only friends, are nearly all dead. You? You have your father and all your friends back in Standard. You don’t know what it’s like to have nothing!”

“Serena-”

“And it’s because of goddamn Ray that our lives are like this. Rin grew up in the slums with no one besides Yugo because Ray wanted Rin to follow him. Ruri’s home got destroyed and she lost so many friends so Ray could be revived. I never had a childhood or any friends and was kept as a prisoner because the Professor only saw me as Ray. You got a nice cozy home with a loving father and no war. Sure you might being experience our horrors now but the three of us have dealt with loss and isolation for years and Yuzu, that wears a person down. So to hell with the dimensions, its not like I have people I want to protect.”

Yuzu doesn’t say anything for a few moments until she clenches her fist as hard as she can, “I don’t understand, and I’m sorry those things happened to you three. But Zarc is the only killed Shun and Lancers, he’s the reason you and Ruri are alone.” Yuzu looks Serena dead in the eye, “And even if you have no one close to you to protect you should still try to protect people - it’s human nature to help each other survive.” 

Serena grits her teeth, “You really are the one who’s most like Ray.” Serena activates her duel disk and places a card on it, “If you won’t give back Odd-Eyes, then I’ll take it back by force.”

Above Serena a terrifying purple dragon manifests thanks to Solid Vision and roars at Yuzu, as if the dragon itself is mad at Yuzu for taking Odd-Eyes.

Yuzu glares.

Starve Venom Fusion Dragon.

No.

Supreme King Servant Dragon Starve Venom.

Serena looks up at the dragon with something akin to joy and wonder, “Yuri and I never got to have a bond because of the Professor, but at least we’re making up for lost time now.”

“What-” Yuzu looks at the dragon with a cross between horror and marvel. Is Yuri really that dragon? Then…..

“So, you see why Zarc wants Odd-Eyes back.” Serena says as she looks back to Yuzu.

Yuzu clutches Odd-Eyes - no Yuya - even harder. “I’m not going to let you, Serena.”

“You can’t stop me Yuzu.” Serena replies. “Starve Venom, attack!”

Starve Venom unleashes its plant-like whips and aims straight for Yuzu. The whips’ tips begin to separate and teeth appear surrounded by venom, surely one strike from this could kill Yuzu. And just when Starve Venom’s attack is about to reach-

It’s stopped by a large set of teeth from a giant red reptile with multi-colored eyes.

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.

And it’s not corrupted.

“Those damn bracelets,” Serena curses.

Yuzu jumps on top of Odd-Eyes and holds onto it’s horns. “Yuya and I are going to stop Zarc. We’re going to save you, and Yuri, and everyone else. We will fulfill Ray’s legacy.”

Serena takes the moment to jump on top of Starve Venom, “We’ll see about that.”

Both ready their duel disks and, 

“Duel!!”