#there's no use remembering a Hero who didn't succeed is there? Specially when there's a much more sucessful here to celebrate

[summertimemusician]

The Unending Storm

Your name is Link. And the skies have been gray for as long as you can remember.

'The world wasn't always like this,' comes the whispered lament of a princess with hair like spun gold, the cold seeps into your bones from the chilling tempest above. As she looks up at the sky, you wonder if her hair would look like the thing the queen had described as the 'sun' if the clouds didn't cover everything, 'The monsters were supposed to be gone, you know, my mother told me so. And the skies were clear and blue and you could see all kinds of light up there.'

You can barely even begin imagine, the wet, choking cold was all you'd ever know, the chill seeping into your lungs, the humidity always a constant. And now to join the water comes your own blood

...The water level still rises, the last of the Zora had long died out, the forests have long been submerged by the hungry, endless jaws of the deep. The Gorons and Gerudo are gone. The remaining people barely hang on, you've lost everyone, you've failed everyone. As you bleed out with the princess weeping over your body, and the king attempting to stand tall against the malice wearing a Gerudo face, you can't help but think about the uncaring gods up above, so called powerful Din who stands by as one of her worshipers stand against her creations supposedly courageous Farore stands silent as every piece of life she created die and ever watchful Hylia as she does not even deign to give her descendant hope, and ask why. How did this happen? Why did the Hero leave when instead of ending the cycle for good, he merely allowed this world to leave on borrowed time? Why did the queen pass the burden onto her descendant, knowing it was hopeless, but allow her to live a torturous lie that this could be turned around?

Why, why, why?

... Not even wise Nayru can answer you. Or maybe she does not deem it worth answering.

After all, what right did a mortal have to question the will of the gods?

You were never meant to attempt to pick up the sword, this world lived on borrowed time and was just waiting to die. Your failure and attempt at trying to finish what the Hero of Time started prolonged it's suffering, and at the end, you and your predecesor both failed. You'd never be free of this wretched, torturous, unending torrential downpour for sins none of the people should have to have to bear all because of a divine spat and the greed of men.

...You couldn't keep your promise, that once this was all over, you'd gaze upon the stars with Zelda in the green fields of Hyrule.

Your name is Link. People once told you to be a hero as the real one had to leave and in the end, you couldn't save or protect a single thing. No matter how hard you tried.

And in the end of all things, you can't help but think that for your failure, it's fitting that you drown.

[thatgirlinskullz]

i've been reading a lot of reactions and thoughts and reviews of the first 3 episode of Acolyte and i just don't, and cannot comprehend how so many people are just so against this show from the getgo.. some are even reviewbombing other shows and movies called acolyte because they're just so hung up on making this show fail. its sad, to be honest.

Is The Acolyte perfect? No, none of Star Wars is perfect, and i say that as someone who LOVES everything SW that i've seen so far, and if you say that "no, star wars is flawless" you're kidding yourself, but more power to ya i guess. i am not here to argue with anyone on their opinions and i never will, so if thats what you're looking for.. good for you???

anyway, obviously a lot of the "criticism" aka outright hate that Acolyte is getting is rooted in racism, homophobia and misogyny, cuz of course.. BUT ignoring that part, because i just can't deal with that part rn, people are saying that it's "lore-breaking" and that "it destroys anakin's uniqueness and makes him less special" and that it "recycles ideas" or whatever to which i'm just like ??????

i don't see it that way at all.

introducing another witch coven, essentially another religion, that has its own interpretation of the Force is nothing new or lore-breaking to SW. it has been done before when the midichlorians were introduced or when we learned of the Nightsisters and their magiks or when we saw the Mortis arc or The World Between Worlds or when we saw the Force Witches that Yoda meets ??? It doesn't intend on replacing any of the previous concepts we've known so far, it just EXPANDS on the idea of the Force. it builds on it and adds more interpretations.. might i say, "ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW" ?! cuz remember "from a certain point of view" ?? that's been a core idea in SW for so long i don't understand why this is so hard to fathom for some people.

this also connects to the ridiculous idea that the show "makes the Jedi look evil and destroys their significance" or something. people are saying that the Jedi are supposed to be heroes and the Acolyte shows them as invaders who steal children and possibly cover up crimes.. no, i don't see it that way. we've already known from the prequels and the Clone Wars that the Jedi were not perfect and that their beliefs were very limited to their beliefs and nothing else and they acted like they knew the answers when they obviously didn't. aka they were a liiiitttllee bit problematic, even if the core idea of them was to be "keepers of peace", they didn't always succeed or they took measures that may have been questionable to say the least. so showing a different perspective of the Jedi, in a different era, showing that their corruption and downfall was a loooong process and was building over time, just adds to the Jedi's complexity. they're not villains, but they're also not always heroes. to a family whose children they may "invite" to the Jedi Order, they may actually seem like invaders, because THEY ARE kinda enforcing their own religious beliefs and ideas on these people and especially the small, impressionable children. i don't see this as "lore-breaking" or erasing the Jedi's significance as "the good guys", i see it expanding in the idea of the Jedi and adding more depth to them and showing that there DOES need to be a balance between Jedi or Sith, good or bad, light or dark, one cannot exist without the other.

and the way the Twins in Acolyte erase how Anakin was special, how he was supposed to be the only one concieved of the Force? again, i don't see it that way. i see it as: Anakin was concieved BY THE WILL OF THE FORCE, he is still space jesus, HE is meant to bring balance because THE FORCE WANTS BALANCE. the Twins were concieved USING THE FORCE by the will of 2 mothers who wanted children. those two are not the same in my mind. i feel like until this point Anakin was the only one we knew of who'd been made with/by the Force, but that doesn't mean there had never been another similar case before, right? its just that we weren't aware, now we are. plus, knowing that some witches could use the Force to create life, adds to the idea that Plagueis and Sidius were researching creating life and cheating death, it means what they wanted to do was possible, and maybe they came across these exact witches? or their writings? and maybe used some of their techniques to experiment, maybe these techniques are part of how Palpy managed to return.. we don't know yet, but The Mothers creating the Twins doesn't erase any other previous concept or remove the significance if Anakin whatsoever. in my mind at least..

and the idea that "the show is recycling ideas" aka using the idea of twins again.. have you ever heard of a little quote by George Lucas " It's like poetry, they rhyme" ?? this has been a MAJOR part of SW ever since the prequels and they have been making references and nods and parallels between shows/movies/books/games for decades now and i think its a beautiful part of SW because they need to think of things that can work as "rhymes" in the given contexts, and that is ART in my mind..

yeah, the writing and line deliveries are a little wonky here and there, but it wouldn't be Star Wars otherwise. it has never been 100% perfection and that is fine. and i LOVE Star Wars and i will always sing its praises but i also see its flaws but as someone who has spent years in this fandom and has experienced the ups and downs of the franchise, i still don't see the Acolyte as "bad, lore-breaking fanfiction" as some claim it to be.

anyways, that's just my 2 cents, i don't intend to fight with anyone about this, i just needed to get this out of my system.

if you like Acolyte, cool. if you hate Acolyte, cool.

just.. try not to spread the hate too much? that's one part of SW that i am not proud of, how much hate some of can spew even when one of the main points of the franchise is that hate is bad and dangerous.. oh well.

anyway, again, I love Star Wars.

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

hello! 👋🥺. I have massive Qi brainrot and your headcanons for him are like a drug (in a good way!). Was wondering in you have anything for Mr Qi when he has a sort of soft spot for the farmer. Maybe it’s a crush. But the farmer is like… aroace so it wouldn’t work so much? He wants to see them succeed and be happy tho ☺️ He wants that smile on their face be because of him. Indirectly or not idk.

Hewwo :3

Thank you so much for the kind words, dear anon! 💕 (I didn't think my headcanon would be compared to a drug, heh 😁). Hope you enjoy this headcanon too (I got a little carried away and it turned out more than I thought it would, lol). Have a good day 🫰

_________________________________________

In all the time that Mr. Qi could remember, he had never met a person as determined, brave and intelligent as Farmer. Whatever puzzle he gave them, no matter how difficult the quest, the young talent passed every trial with honour, a smile on their face and fire in their eyes.

But it doesn't stop at special missions alone. Farmer with their drive to achieve perfection not only for their own good, but also for the good of others, impressed the mysterious blue man. In the Valley itself and beyond, rumours and news of a chaotic but kind young farmer who helped a small community blossom like a flower bud can sometimes be heard.

And all this is just the tip of the iceberg, for there are many feats that are not visible to the mere eye. But Qi sees everything. And he is delighted.

At times, Qi had to go out of his way to come up with more challenging and more interesting tasks for the young hero, because they managed all the others. Unusual, breaking logic, but with a very worthy reward - a challenge that would definitely get Farmer's attention. But at some points Qi stopped himself because.... Wouldn't it be too dangerous, even for Farmer? Aren't there too many mummies for one mission, or too limited conditions of fulfilment? What if they fail? Then they'll try again. But what if they get hurt-

...Mr. Qi had definitely never thought about that, with his previous warriors. Then... Why the Farmer?

He must confess - hardly anyone will dislike the Farmer and their personality, because they are like a bright sun that shines and warms, and people are drawn to this warmth. They always support you in trouble and difficulties, always treat you with fresh fruit and berries, always listen to you and help you with advice and deeds. Qi himself did not immediately notice that he began to reach out closer to this sun, first out of pure curiosity, and later because of something more. More than simple concern for them, even more than friendship.

But he knew it was only a pipe dream. There is something in the world that even the incredible and mysterious Mr. Qi can't have.

It's not Farmer's fault, no way, Qi wouldn't dare himself to blame Farmer for them not feeling romantic feelings for him. They are who they are, and they have already done enough for people and for Qi also. Much less would he allow himself to stoop to the lowliness of using special elixirs and other magical things for that.

And believe me, if he has even the slightest inkling that someone else is trying to do that, or harm Farmer in any way.... Let's just say that person will either be added to the list of missing people, or will truly know the wrath of Mr Qi.

In the meantime - Mr. Qi will watch the next exploits of the youth, and in case of emergencies - protect them if they can't cope themselves. Most often - without showing themselves to Farmer, otherwise they will relax and think that in any case Qi will be there for them. Can't have Farmer getting lazy, right?

Their smile reminded of that very sincere smile of his good old friend. Qi is sure that Grampa is proud to see what a wonderful person his grandchild has become.

[psychologicalwarclaire]

I haven’t read SWSA in a while and can’t remember of it’s been mentioned already but- will Leo and Donnie ever be able to rejoin the team and participate in missions or patrols like they used to?? Or are they just too traumatised to fight again… 0.o

I've been hoping someone would ask about this!!!

Short answer: yes!

Their health will get to a point where they could (in theory) rejoin the team in terms of patrolling and missions and being ✨heroes✨

Long answer: ......nooooooooo...........

Right now, the twins are healing physically (and mentally and emotionally etc etc). Even with time and physical therapy, there are some things they're going to struggle to do. Leo's knee was VERY messed up. Donnie's spine is also VERY mangled. They'll probably use mobility aids for the rest of their lives.

That being said, with ninpo assistance, their brothers, and mobility aids, and lots of practice they would, in theory, be able to patrol or do missions again. We'll see in a later chapter an example of that. Maybe.

But do they want to do those things anymore?

Fighting itself is going to be very different from now on. Leo and Donnie learned to be ruthless, fight dirty, and push through anything. Even some light sparring with their brothers is going to be a vastly different experience than what it was before. In their minds, there is no such thing as a simple fight anymore-- it's all life or death. Holding weapons would be triggering for them. Actually being in a fight would make them revert back to arena mindsets of ruthlessness and not caring about their physical state. It's hard to be a hero when you want to kill anything that moves a little too fast.

After going through the arena, I don't think Leo and Donnie want to go back to a lifestyle where they fight and patrol all the time. There are so many triggers they haven't discovered yet. At this point, sudden red light is going to be enough to send Leo scrambling. It's just not smart for them to go back to those high stress situations after all they've been through.

And Raph doesn't want to either.

Remember this conversation from chapter 24? Raph doesn't want to be a hero anymore. He's done. He's starting to realize that that lifestyle isn't sustainable and he doesn't want it to be. He's not going to be pressuring his brothers to show up for missions anytime soon. He's scared and tired of losing.

Meanwhile, Mikey is starting to realize his own limitations. He can't fix everything, and he's scared of running into more situations where he doesn't know how to deal with them. "This seemed like a really cool idea until we didn't succeed at it," is something HE HIMSELF has admitted.

But what else can they do?

What are they supposed to do with their lives if they're not sacrificing them for the sake of others? If none of them are really interested in being heroes anymore... what are they supposed to do?

Well. They have their whole lives ahead of them to figure it out. They have special skills and experience that could make for some fun careers. They have the chance to actually LIVE their lives now. Let's see what they choose to do with them.

So, to answer your question, none of them will participate in missions like they used to. It's time for a new chapter of their lives, and the important thing is that they get to decide what that is.

And if you're wondering who will protect the city, you're forgetting that Future Boy would much rather go after the villain of the week than have to deal with taxes and Non Apocalypse SocietyTM. He's been doing missions since the invasion without the turtles knowing because he got bored. That's also what he's been doing the entire fic. He and New York will be fine.

[totallynotokguys]

Lego Monkie Kid Rewatch: Special

Embrace Your Destiny 2/5

Can I just say how frustrating it is to be busy. To have a life that you have to focus on even in the middle of a fixation! How rude!!! Can't I just enjoy my lego movie in peace!

And this is almost exactly what happened the first time too! Let's just say there's a reason a lot of stuff is taking me by surprise with this special. I remember being so confused about the whole reincarnation 'we just might be the past pilgrims' stuff because I think I was trying to get work done and watch this at the same time. Not a lot made it into my brain apparently.

I'm not even sure I know how this special ends. Like... I know conceptually where all the characters end up thanks to the next season... but how they got there is fuzzy.

Is this special cursed? Am I going to never be able to enjoy watching 'Embrace Your Destiny' all in one sitting?

Anyway- ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

Last time: MK and Ne Zha went to try and help Wukong fight LBD (with sneaky Macaque hiding in the corner), Mei started training under resident favourite spice boy, Wukong got possessed, Macaque portaled MK to safety, and who knows what happened to Lotus Prince. Guess he's dead :(

Froggie!

You're okay! And look! Froggie made a friend!

Interesting that Macaque happened to portal him right to Mei.

He's been keeping tabs on all the important pieces, huh.

Froggie! You're coming along?

I'm excited. I love my frog child. Please be okay Froggie. This is why I should have payed more attention the first time. I don't remember if Froggie is okay. You don't understand. I've emotionally bonded to this frog. This frog must stay safe.

Oh Sandy! Your poor T.E.A.!

You don't deserve this torture!

"Maybe I'm crazy, but -ah- dose are us, right?" "Oooh, we're finally getting into it, uh. Hey so, what do ya think? I got some theories!"

How long as Sandy been thinking about this? Are those all his theory notes? or has he just been compiling evidence from research of ancient text and modern history books? And has he been lugging that around in his T.E.A. this whole time waiting for someone to bring it up? Or has he been studying during their down time?

"And you literally have da same name as Taang-s-anne-jaang." "Tang-san-jang!"

I love when the characters correctly pronounce the Chinese names. It always sounds so satisfying! Like it tickles my eardrum in just the right way that settles something warm and happy inside of me. I think Zhu Bajie is my favourite to say. The zhu (jew) punches out quick like while the ba (bah) raises your voice up naturally only for you to slide down for the jie (j-yeah). When you succeed in getting the sounds out in a smooth quick manner it is immensely satisfying. Just watch 'Amnesia Rules' to hear Wukong saying it. So good!

"Good job dragon girl. It's been nearly 5 minutes since you're last explosion."

Positive encouragement. Very important.

Look at my little Froggie off to destroy people!

Love that Red Son can tell its MK under that mud, but not Mei.

Mei jumps to extremes.

Froggie!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Oh, and Red Son too I guess.

I love seeing their friendship.

Look how happy Mei is, and relieved MK is. I'm so happy for them.

"She's after the Samadhi Fire!" "Whaaaat! And you came here?!"

Red Son proving that he is the only one with the braincell in this trio.

Okay… that is just creepy.

And it just keeps getting creepier.

What- did she steal some of Macaques shadow powers when she half possessed him?

Love that Red Son understands the severity of the situation. Lady Bone Demon is doing everything she can to goad him into anger. Taunting, mocking, thanking him for her success in front of his new hero friends. And what is his response?

"We have to get out of here, now!"

He keeps a level head in the most dangerous of situations.

I know he didn't succeed here, that Lady Bond Demon still had her way. But for a second, Wukong stopped. He held back his fist.

And when he did attack again… it was not to hit MK. It was to toss MK aside.

Now it could be LBD playing with her food, enjoying giving MK false hope. But she just got done saying she's waited long enough and wants that power and its about time her destiny was fulfilled. So no, I don't think this was LBD doing. I think this was a crack in her possession of the great sage. She could not force Wukong to attack MK.

And what happens when MK is hanging precariously off the edge? LBD has to command Wukong to focus back on the girl. Because otherwise, Wukong was just staring off intently where MK was in danger. There was a battle going on in Wukong's mind, I'm sure of it.

Love that Mei is able to keep her cool here. Control and wield the fire despite having a day at most to train with it.

But of course Wukong just casually walks through it like its a simple summer heat haze.

Wait- wha- NO! Why'd she get iced?!

She looked like she had a plan, like she was about ta do something awesome!!!! I can't believe what they just did- They Zelda-ed her!!!

The disrespect! Lady Bone Demon! As a fellow female and recently escape of your own magic prison, I expected more from you!

Red Son: 'You're right. We should make a plan before we rush off anywhere.' MK: Immediately yeets Red Son off the edge to rush off somewhere without making a plan.

Granted, he was just going off to meet up with the others, but he could have explained that first!!!!

"If da Lady Bone Demon has Monkey King, Mei, and da Samadhi Fire… Eeeeugh, I don't know. I'm not really feelin' much confidence."

Love that Pigsy includes Mei as her own powerhouse. He's not just attributing all of her past prowess to the fire. He sees her as her own force to be reckoned with outside of the inter-dimensional flame of destruction that possesses her.

"What we need is a plan… I'm open to suggestions. What we got?"

I'm so used to Jack DeSena voicing the plan guy that this threw me for a loop.

We're just doin' da same thing over an' over again. I'm losin' my mind ova here!" Ah Pigsy, if only you knew.

I love that Macaque is offering to help, I really do. But… why? Why now?

Like, seriously. He didn't step in to whisk Mei and the Samadhi Fire out of blue-Wukong's reach. Or help fight LBD when Wukong was battling her. So why is he stepping in now? Has he just realised there's no way for him to stay hidden somewhere safe and he should probably help out the heroes? Or is he stepping in because he sees MK is going to keep throwing himself in dangers way no matter what so since he's already stuck his hand in the bear trap once for the kid he might as well keep it up?

Wait… wiat wait wait wait wahihiahait!!! Look at this framing! Look!

See that strange gap? Everyone is huddled together except right there? This is art, this is poetry. These people who animate and write this show are just so brilliant.

One, Red Son is the one with the most distance from everyone. He's in the frame, he's 'on their side', but not quite. He's helping but still doesn't see himself as a hero or as one of them and neither do Pigsy, Tang, and Sandy. MK is the closest to Red Son because he's kind of the bridge, the one trying to graft Red Son into the noodle team.

Two, the dragon. The green dragon. The noodle gang is all together accept Mei, but the artists left a perfect gap to see her ancestor in the background as a kind of- she's supposed to be here. Mei is important to the team and they are feeling her absence.

Three, the symbol of the green dragon stands between Red Son and MK. MK her best friend. The two scamps that support each other through everything. Red Son her teacher. The one who understands her the most right now and was pivotal to pulling her out of her despair so she can keep fighting. Its a foreshadowing to what will be after this fight.

(I really believe that if not for the upheaval that happened to the show in season 5, Red Son was supposed to play a larger part. He is meant to be a true part of the team noodle.)

Ah I love details like this! The ability to read so deeply into something because artists and writers just hand it to you on a silver platter! This is just so awesome!

[gh0stchoir]

Y/N happily hugged Shigaraki back, he thrived for this touch. Ever since Hawks had started Hero training, he hadn't gotten so much as a head-pat. And in the years before he was taken in, physical contact had always been bad. So really, could you blame him for being touch-starved? He loved getting hugs and head pats and kisses from his boyfriends! They were the better family, so much better than the bastard he shared blood with. "Sensei has a very special mission for you, Y/N", Shigaraki said, "One you probably won't like." Y/N pulled back, looking at his boyfriend in confusion. "We all know Hawks is bullshitting is. But, here's the thing: We will pull the same trick the heroes try on us, on them. Sensei wants you to infiltrate the Hero System. As the number two's little brother, you have an advantage we don't."

To say Y/N didn't like this mission was the understatement of the century. He loathed the heroes, and to play buddy with them sounded like a punishment. But before he could voice his complaints, Shigaraki kissed him, wanting to shut him up. "It's for the sake of our mission, Ifrit. You're a good actor, just play friendly with them. If you're lucky, Sensei may allow you to play with some heroes." Both men weren't idiots. Play meant kill. And killing was something Y/N loved.

Y/n sighed, thinking about it. He despised heroes, wishing daily for every single one to drop dead. For everyone to see how their so called heroes really were. "How am I not supposed to kill them as soon as I see them?! They're all useless stuck up fuckers that are so full of themselves they can't get their head out of their asses!" Y/n ranted, letting everything out. Shigaraki let him, already knowing he wouldn't refuse the mission. Not like he could, anyways. What the boss says gets done. Y/n was going to have to push aside his feelings about heroes and be around tons of them. Just like Keigo was doing with being surrounded by villains.

"Remember, you do good and you'll have an opportunity to kill a few. But you have to do your job correctly. I know you will, you never mess up." Shigaraki praised, holding y/n closer. "You succeed in this mission? We'll be so close to tearing down the heroes association. We'll wreak havoc across the globe, and make it our own. Where the tossed asides end up on top. " It's one of the two things Tomura wished for. He didn't want anymore heroes, he resented them so much. There wasn't a place for them in his paradise. A paradise where he, Dabi, and Y/n rule at the top. No worry about heroes or the corrupt world. No more people to hurt them. He was the last of his family, now proud to have a better one than the one he killed when he was a kid. A family is not your blood. A family is who loves you, and will do anything to keep you happy and safe.

[altairattorney]

In response to your little rant about Homura's depiction in Rebellion, here's this.

"The end of Rebellion is... controversial, but let's unpack what happened here. What occurred?

Well, firstly, Homura was traumatized and tortured; the Homura at the end of Rebellion is not the Homura of PMAS; she's gone through trauma and loss that PMAS!Homura can't even conceive of. She literally turned into a fucking witch because Kyubey gaslit her into thinking she made up Madoka Kaname, according to Wraith Arc.

Then, during this process, she learns two important facts that fucks her worldview: 1) Madoka didn't want to leave her loved ones and give up her normal life if she had any other alternative, and 2) Kyubey is trying to destroy the Law of Cycles (that is, Madoka Kaname), and has figured out a means of stopping her from interacting with Magical Girls under controlled lab conditions, meaning they could eventually succeed in their objective.

That means if Homura let herself go into the Law of Cycles, she would be unable to protect Madoka, and the Incubators would eventually destroy her. Madoka will have been erased and forgotten with nothing to show for it. Homura could only cope with everything with the promise of being reunited with her and the solace that Madoka's sacrifice was worth it, and Kyubey took that away from her.

And, more importantly: Homura's wish had yet to come true. Homura's wish wasn't to be with Madoka, or to save the world. It was to protect Madoka. To be the one to protect her.

To put it in other terms, Homura was self-loathing to the point of suicide-ideation because she was worthless, good for nothing, a burden on everyone. That she should just die. Madoka saw worth in her, and tried to change that, but Madoka died.

Only one person in her entire life ever told Homura she was happy to have met her and this wonderful, kind, happy, heroic, courageous, beautiful, miracle of a person who walked into her life to tell her those words died.

DIED. FOR. HER.

Died to protect her. Died so that a worthless piece of SHIT like herself could live. Someone who had EVERYTHING in the world died with a smile to protect someone who didn't even want to. Not without her.

Not instead of her.

She was good for nothing before and now her mere existence caused the best person she'd ever known to die. She ruined Madoka's entire life by having been a part of it.

She has to fix it. She has the chance to.

She wishes, wishes, WISHES to go back, to unfuck this, to undo this, to be cool like Madoka said she could have been. To protect her. To be her shield. To be WORTH something because she protected something valuble. To pay her back for all her kindness like she'd never been able to do and finally, finally in her life, have done something that justifies everything else.

She didn't wish for Madoka to live. She didn't wish for her to be saved. She wished to be the one to save her so she could support her and reinvent herself as someone who isn't a garbage shit person.

And every single time, she fails.

No matter what she does. No matter how she compromises herself. No matter what disgusting sins she does (and she never crosses so many lines that she says she WOULD cross). Madoka keeps dying.

And most of those times. She dies for Homura. She dies, again, for Homura. She dies again and again and again and again in order to help Homura.

Until the very last time, she wishes to save Homura (and everyone else), so much that she never existed at all.

Dammit. Dammit. DAMMIT. DAMMIT. This is worse this is WORSE THIS IS WORRRRSE!

But she still tries to cope. Madoka's in heaven. She's saving everyone. Madoka had a smile. The world is BETTER, and she'll see her again.

Until the above happened. And Kyubey is going to destroy Madoka Kaname. She won't have ever been born and she won't even be saving Magical Girls. She'll truly be nothing.

Because she came to save Homura, fucking AGAIN.

And all this time she still never saved her. Never ONCE saved her. Not a single time has she ever, ever, EVER fucking saved her. Not ever, has she ever saved her, not even when Madoka made her final fucking wish.

Homura made a wish that never came true. So she never stopped being Good for Nothing. She has never made up for Madoka's kindness. She has never, emotionally, left that moment where she sobbed over Madoka's dead corpse in the water and the rain. And she's done that so many fucking times.

So that's her mindset. So when she saw the chance. She took it. If you can interact with Madoka, you can effect Madoka. So.

God dammit. Fucking for once. Fucking finally. This time, her last chance she'll EVER HAVE... she will save her.

Save Madoka Kaname. Not a vague concept. Not a hero. Not a law or a god. Not a cosmic idea. Madoka. KANAME. The person who smiled at her and said she was cool. The person who helped her buy a cellphone. The kind, wonderful person who loved and named a stray cat and pressed her face to hers and laughed and congratulated her for her accomplishments. The person who said that meeting Homura was her happiest memory.

Why can't this person, of all people, be happy? All Madoka Kaname wanted was to live her fucking life. With her family. With her friends and classmates. Living her day to day life which wasn't anything special but it was so special to her.

She WILL save her. Goddammit, she failed so many times because she always kept holding herself back but if this is her last chance then GODDAMMIT fuck it all, damn herself too.

She never cared, really, about being with Madoka. She was willing to die for her. She explicitly had plans to leave the town to Kyouko after Walpurgisnacht and LEAVE (probably to kill herself so her Witch didn't come for Madoka). She was going to die for her in Rebellion so that she'd be safe from the Incubators.

If she could save her, if she can finally succeed and protect that human smile living her human life, it's fine if Homura Akemi isn't a part of it. If Madoka can smile, she doesn't have to smile at her anymore. That's PERFECTLY FINE.

So she did it. She stole a piece of the Law of Cycles. Not a big piece. Not the Law, or the Power, or the Salvation. The Law of Cycles still functions in some sense, because there's still no Witches, there's still Wraiths, there's still Angels.

She stole "Madoka Kaname", the human being that the Goddess used to be. She stole her, yes. She took over the universe, yes. But what did she do?

She made it so Madoka Kaname existed, again. Reunited with everyone she cared about. She gave Kyouko, Mami, Sayaka, and everyone else the happiest lives she could give them without undoing their pasts (disrespecting their agency and core selves), even if it was only to keep Madoka happy in her silver garden.

She tortures Kyubey but no one's crying tears over that fucker. She seems to be letting the world run its course as naturally as possible, save for suppressing people's memories of what's really going on.

Sayaka, alive. Nagisa, alive. Living with Kyouko and Mami respectively. Madoka, alive.

Hell, the only change she made that we know of to Madoka's memories is three years in America.

Because, canonically, English is Madoka's worst subject.

And now, she's great at it.

No matter what it takes. Madoka Kaname will be happy. She deserves it. And Homura will make that happen, even if she, herself, never is.

But yeah go off about how Homura is a yandere stalker who likes to kill people."

Hey there! I thank you for your post and your insight, and I wanted to clarify that I don't disagree at all with this view of Rebellion and how it ended. I think it is all correct, actually. The problem I have with it is 1. Rebellion existing at all, and 2. the way they portrayed her choice as an act of evil conceived by a demon.

To begin with, there are a few details that I don't think really make sense considering how pmmm worked. Homura shouldn't even be a witch, first of all. Secondly, even though she cannot know for sure, I don't think Homura would have willingly told Kyubey about the world of before if there were any danger. Heck, I don't even understand how Kyubey could possibly have stolen Madoka, now that she is not an entity but a literal concept, a rule of the universe. Imo that is beyond absurd. Third, I am doubtful Homura would have gone against Madoka's wish, even though I totally understand why she did in the context of Rebellion.

The problem I have with Homura is that people thought about her as a yandere emotionless stalker who has an unhealthy obsession with Madoka even before Rebellion existed. That was a popular sentiment, and the big, big problem I have with this film is that while what she did isn't inherently bad or wrong - as you explained - the movie paints her as a LITERAL DEMON in the moment she makes that choice, and ALSO at the exact same time she declares her love canonically. That is so fucked up in so so so many ways. As not literal it may be, they gave her that creepy smile, and show that Madoka is confused in her new bubble and feels like she is someone else but can't remember why. And Homura brushes it off. As wonderful as it is that she is there, Madoka is uncomfortable, Sayaka is obviously enraged and Homura plays the part of the Evil Character.

This is just all so unfair and so wrong. It doesn't only negate the way this anime ended - and of course Homura deserved to go with peace and quiet like everyone else. No magical girl has to ever suffer like that again, including Madoka, right? (There were so many ways to reunite her with Madoka, but no.) It also visibly paints Homura as being on the dark side, and validates the horrific lens people saw her character through even before the film. It canonizes her as a lesbian in the same moment she is doing something clearly framed as wrong, and, on a surface level, reinforces her obsession. This is just a textbook predatory lesbian trope. I am sorry if you don't see it the same way, but it is just horrific to me.

I will never agree with Rebellion existing. I cannot stand the ending of this anime being undone and Homura being punched in the face and further tortured both in universe and as a character, after all the crap she went through. It is just disrespectful.

And as I said, she deserved better.

[thoughtsofara]

What does it take to be a hero?

Since I was a child, I've been hearing my playmates say things like "When in trouble, call Superman" and "He will come and save me because he has powers". Some even imitated him and said "I will be there! Just call my name!" That's why I grew up thinking that the title hero" is only for someone who has powers, who can fly, and who can crash things out.

However, as I grow old, my hopes that heroes like Superman would save me one day when I need help the most also started to vanish. In fact, I became more curious as to why and how these people or individuals are being called as "heroes". I would wonder, "What does it take to have the title "hero?" or "Can anyone just do good things and then wait for God to notice your right doings in order for Him to trust you with the gift of powers that you can use to save people?" Of course, no one would know the exact answer because no one actually knows when someone can be or is already a hero. Good thing that movie and myth about Hercules exist because as of the moment, if I would be asked to explain my take on how I view the process of being a hero, I would definitely start and finish with Hercules' story. Additionally, I would back it up with the Hero's Journey which I probably would never know existed if I didn't take English as my specialization. (Shout out to all my Literature professors out there!)

Disclaimer: I am no fan of Greek Mythology, but I love Disney films which means my take will only be based on its 1997 movie version.

As far as I remember, a hero's journey starts with Ordinary World wherein the hero is born in his/her own world or the world where s/he is expected to bloom and mature. As for Hercules, it all started when he was born on Mount Olympus. He was such a cute and loving baby and I definitely foreseen him being a fine man when he grows old because he is a God.

However, when Hades entered the story, that's when things started to go blurry for Hercules and his parents, Zeus and Hera. The little baby became semi-mortal and ended up growing in the land of the mortals. It wasn't an easy task, of course, especially that the boy and his mortal parents didn't have the idea that he's from Mount Olympus. So when he is told that he's from Mount Olympus, the call to Adventure happened. He began searching for answers as to how true the rumors about him are. He then finds the temple with a huge statue of Zeus and was lucky enough to finally talk to him. Zeus then answered all his questions, but didn't entertain his urge to go up Mount Olympus. Hercules was tasked that in order to do that, he must first prove that he is a hero.

There wasn't any Refusal of the Call because Hercules is a very active and positive man. He is always so full of courage that he didn't view what Zeus said as a challenge, but rather a step in order to set foot to Mount Olympus. Of course, a hero wouldn't be a hero itself if there wasn't anyone who motivated him/her throughout his/her journey. Meeting the Mentor happened when Hercules took Zeus advice to meet Philoctetes or Phil and ask him to mentor Hercules just like how he did to the past heroes that he has mentored. It took just a little while for Phil to be persuaded by Hercules and the adventure continued.

After long moments of training, Phil decided that Hercules shall now apply what he has learned from him in an actual event. This is when Crossing the Threshold happened. The three, including Pegasus, headed to Thebes which is a city who is very much in need of a hero. The Test, Allies, and Enemies were also evident in this event because Hercules had to take down the beast in the cave in which he met because Meg fooled him that two kids have been trapped in there. This was his first big test and the first time that we will prove his heroism to other people. Approach to the Inmost Cave then happened as Hercules strived to continue his training while also defeating the monsters that Hades threw in his way. The Ordeal happened quickly when Hercules agreed to what Hades offered: his strength for the release of Meg. He willingly accepted it in order to save the love of his life, but Meg died after saving Hercules from the Titans that had awakened.

Reward happens when Hercules goes to the Underworld to rescue Meg's soul and it is the Road Back when he successfully rescues Meg's soul without dying. By saving Meg, Hercules finally showed an act of heroism. He can now finally live with the Gods in Mount Olympus. This can be related to the Resurrections. As for the Return with Elixir, this is when Hercules, after thinking very hard, decided to stay mortal because he thought that being a God is nonsense if the love of this life, Meg, won't be by his side. He was blessed with Zeus and Hera's permission to pursue what his heart tells him and the film ended.

This is such a good example of how heroes become and succeed. We must teach children that challenges are part of everybody's lives and this is how we become a hero of our own. We don't need to have powers or whatnots in order to become a hero because even just by having the hope to survive is actually very commendable. I'll end this by sharing the quote that I stumbled upon while searching information about being a hero and I hope that if you ever see this and reach the end of this blog, this quote will inspire you just as much as it inspired me.

"Being a hero doesn't mean you're invincible. It just means that you're brave enough to stand up and do what's needed." -Rick Riordan

Reference:

https://blog.reedsy.com/heros-journey/

[niktizzy]

I miss Myspace, so here

1. First thing you wash in the shower?

My hair

2. Are you more of a coffee or alcohol drinker?

Oh, well I would have to say coffee but I do drink a lot of beer and tequila. Both?

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Nope

4. Do you plan outfits?

If I have to, if it's for a special occasion then yes. If it's for work or just around town, hard no. Whatever I pick up first

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?

E X A U S T E D

6. Whats the closest thing to you thats red?

My blanket or my couch

7. What would you do if you opened your door and saw a dead body?

Look at it for a second, turn around and yell, "alright, which one of you didn't clean up your mess?" to my roommates

8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?

I can't remember my dreams

9. Three of your current feelings?

Tired, depressed, excited

10. What are you craving right now?

For someone to tell me I'm doing great. That I'm on the right path and everything will work out. Honestly, that's all I want

11. Turn ons?

Physical: Fade, muscles, tattoos, & scruff

Sexual: lip biting, ass grabbing, biting, choked, slapped, teased & being rough.

12. Turn offs?

Bad smile, terrible sense of humor, garbage taste of music, fuck boy life style, awfull kisser

13. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?

Trash

14. When was the last time you cried? Why?

Well as of late, it was from me over thinking and going into a depressed state

15. If you could be a superhero, who would you want to be?

Honestly, a girl version of deadpool even though he's not a super hero. I know but I guess I would say I guess black widow or storm

16. Did the one person who hurt you most in your life apologize?

Lolzzz no mate

17. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?

Lick it you fucking animal

18. Favorite movie ever?

Fight Club or SLC Punk

19. Do you like yourself?

Some days

20. Have you ever met a celebrity?

Yeah, I've met a few

21. Could you handle being in the military?

No

22. What are you listening to right now?

My spotify playlist that is mostly made of pop punk

23. How many countries have you visited?

Just the United States

24. Are your parents strict?

When I was younger, yes 100%. I use to get so frustrated too, but now, I understand. I love them and appreciate them

25. Would you go sky diving?

Why not?

26. Would you go out to eat with a stranger?

I have before so what's one more person

27. Whats on your mind right now?

A lot, but it's not worth bringing up

28. Is there anything you want to say to someone?

I hope you like watching me succeed and make you wish you never played with my emotions, shit head

29. Have you ever been in a castle?

White Castle

30. Do you rent movies often?

I use to, RIP Block Buster

31. Whats your zodiac sign?

Libra

32. When was the last time you had sex?

Last month

33. Name five facts about yourself.

I enjoy watching people getting tattos

I'm a ginger (I've always bleached my hair)

I use to train for MMA

I can't eat bread anymore without feeling like shit

Vodka makes me angry

34. Ever had a near death experience? If so, what happened?

I mean I work in a city so, I almost get killed every time I walk across the street

35. Do you believe in karma or predestiny?

Yeah, karma, she may not show herself right away but she'll catch up to you

36. Brown or white eggs?

Neither

37. Do you own something from Hot Topic?

Old band shirts

38. Ever been on a train?

Honestly no

39. Ever been in love?

Love is for posers

40. If you were paid 1 million dollars to spend the night in a supposed haunted house, would you do it?

Hell yes

41. If you could trade places with any person living or dead, who would you trade places with?

I'm good lol

42. If you could shorten your life expectancy by 10 years to becopme more attractive, would you do it?

Nah I'm good with being a potato

43. Whom do you admire and why?

My parents, they have to deal with me

44. What was your favorite bedtime story as a child?

I do not remember

45. You’re walking down the street, you come across a burning building. A woman says her baby is trapped inside, what would you do?

Nothing heroic, I would call the fire department

46. If you could choose the future profession of your son or daughter, would you?

I can't choose that, they have to find their own path. I just hope they don't have to go through all the rough times like I did to get there

47. What was your best experience on drugs or alcohol?

Honestly, I use to love smoking but it just fucked with my training and fitness so I stopped. I just never found a reason to go back. I would be so relaxed, less stress, love the world a little more. I don't have a novel of my drug usage because I honestly don't, but if I had to choose without any consequences, it would be smoking

48. What was your worst experience on drugs or alcohol?

I love drinking, but every time, especially as I get older, it just sucks waking up. But when I drink vodka in particular, I can be very sweet and flirty and if I see something I don't like or someone is pissing me off, it's like a switch, a bad switch and I plot your murder lol

50. As your walking down the street you find a suitcase full of money sitting next to a parked car, would you take it?

No man, issa trap

51. If you found that a close friend has AIDS, would you still hang out with them?

Yeah, they would more than likely need me more than ever. Why leave them?

52. In front of you are 10 pistols, 5 of which are loaded.

If you survive you’d receive 100 million dollars. Would you be willing to place 1 to your head and pull the trigger?

Half of me says yes and the other half says, "bitch are you crazy" so I kind of have to go with her lol

53. How old were you when you lost your virginity?

17 I think

54. Do you believe in ghosts, werewolves or vampires?

I believe there are things that roam this earth that are not human

55. If you could live forever, would you want to?

I would want to travel, watch the sunset everyday on a beach somewhere, and be less stressed

56. Which fictional movie character most resembles who you are?

Fuckkk, I would have to say Stevo from SLC Punk

57. If you could go back in time, which time period would you visit?

Maybe the 70's but more than likely the future

58. If they were to televise a live execution, would you watch it?

I mean, they kind of show that on CNN and such already sooo

59. If you could be the president of the USA, would you be willing to do it?

Hell no

60. If you could choose the sex of your unborn child, would you want to?

I'm honestly terrified to have a kid but if I had to choose, a girl

61. Would you rather live longer or be wealthy?

It's a toss up mate, you either struggle and live forever or live about the amount of time you thought you would be alive and be wealthy.