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grailfinders · 4 years ago

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Fate and Phantasms #132: Mordred (Rider)

It’s surf’s up on today’s Fate and Phantasms, but instead of CGI penguins we’re making Rider Mordred! We’re bringing the big waves and some fancy footwork to keep you afloat while your enemies all sink to the bottom.

Check out his build breakdown below the cut, or his character sheet over here!

Next up: Isn’t it super weird seeing your teacher on vacation?

Race and Background

Mordred’s a Variant Human, giving him +1 Dexterity and Constitution, Nature proficiency so you’ll know when a big wave’s coming, and the Martial Adept feat for your first surfing tricks. Evasive Footwork adds you superiority die (a d6) to your AC while you move, and a Pushing Attack lets you lean into the wave when you strike, dealing 1d6 extra damage, and forcing a strength save (DC 8+proficiency+your dexterity) on the target, or they get pushed up to 15 feet away. You can use either of these maneuvers once per short rest.

Taking up surfing makes you an Athlete, giving you proficiency with Acrobatics and Athletics. (You also get land vehicle proficiency, but you could easily argue for sea vehicles instead.) You also get the Echoes of Victory feature, giving you a 50% chance of finding a fan in a city within 100 miles of your hometown who’ll give you shelter or info.

Ability Scores

If you want to stay on a surfboard for any amount of time, your Dexterity has got to be top notch. You also need a good sense of balance- that’s Wisdom. Your Constitution is also pretty good, because let’s be honest, wiping out hurts. Your Charisma isn’t bad, though it might be hard to hear you over the waves. Your Strength is pretty low: you’re not weak, but it’s hard to get leverage on a floating piece of wood. Finally, dump Intelligence. I don’t even need an excuse for this, int was your dump stat normally too.

Class Levels

1. Monk 1: If you want to fight people while also balancing on a piece of wood, monk’s probably your best bet, let’s just be real here. At first level you get Unarmored Defense, giving you an AC of 10 plus your dexterity mod plus your wisdom mod so you can still duke it out in a bikini. You also get Martial Arts, now all your monk attacks deal at least 1d4, and that grows as you level up. You can also use dexterity instead of strength when you hit people with monk weapons or your fists, and you can make an unarmed attack as a bonus action if you attack as your main action. There’s no rule saying you can’t kick them as you surf over them, so freestyle a bit. I hear judges love that.

You also get proficiency in Strength and Dexterity saves, as well as two monk skills. History and Religion are kind of vanilla servant skills, but you already got all the physical stuff you need from your background.

2. Monk 2: At second level, monks get Ki points each short rest equal to your monk level. You can spend these to dash, disengage, dodge, or attack twice as a bonus action. You also get Unarmored Movement, bumping up your walking speed by 10 feet. I’m not entirely sure how that affects your surfing, that’s something your DM has to figure out.

You also get a Dedicated Weapon at the end of each rest, letting you turn a nonmonk weapon into a monk weapon for your martial arts, as long as you’re proficient in it and it isn’t two-handed. I’d argue a surfboard is versatile since you can wield it no-handed, but we still need that proficiency. We’re working on it.

3. Monk 3: If you want to surf good you gotta be able to sway with the waves, and there’s no monk better at swaying than the Drunken Master. You get proficiency in Performance for cool tricks, and you also learn the Drunken Technique. When you use your flurry of blows (that’s the attack twice thing from last level), you also disengage, and your walking speed increases by 10 feet.

You can also Deflect Missiles, reducing the damage from ranged attacks and possibly throwing it back as a reaction, but that’s not really relevant.

4. Monk 4: Fourth level monks get their first Ability Score Improvement, and we’re grabbing the Tavern Brawler feat. Honestly, this feat is almost completely useless to us. The +1 to constitution or strength probably won’t help either, your unarmed strikes already use d4s, and you spend your bonus actions doing a lot more than grappling. But it does give you proficiency with improvised weapons, meaning your surfboard is a go for monkification!

You can also Slow Fall as a reaction to make your wipeouts a bit less painful.

5. Druid 1: Surfing is fun and all, but you can’t expect a wave everywhere you go, especially not inland.

Or can you? Druids can tip the scales a bit thanks to their Spells, which they cast and prepare using their Wisdom. Also, they learn Druidic. It’s a language.

You get the cantrips Frostbite and Shape Water for some early wave control (more of a splash really) and you can also cast first level spells now. Create or Destroy Water will continue the liquid theme we’ve got, and you can also cast stuff like Protection from Evil and Good and Cure Wounds if you want to play paladin.

6. Druid 2: Second level druids pick a druid circle to join, and if you want the gnarliest waves you gotta head to the Coast, brah! Specifically, the Circle of Land, which gives you a Natural Recovery, letting you regain some spell slots on a short rest once per short rest. The combined level you can gain is half your druid level, rounded up.

You can also use your Wild Shape twice per short rest to transform into a non flying, non swimming creature of CR 1/4 or less. That’s not very in character though, so you can also use it to summon a Wild Companion without using components or spell slots.

You also learn Guidance for slightly better wave riding. Turn off your targeting computer, Mordred...

7. Druid 3: Third level druid, second level spells. You also get new circle spells that you don’t need to prepare, Mirror Image and Misty Step. Copying yourself isn’t in character, but you could probably flavor the latter spell as a really cool surfboarding trick though.

You could also cast Enhance Ability for even better tricks, Pass without Trace because it’s hard to track a piece of wood, and Heat Metal. You have a history with iron and heat, and it’s not a peaceful one.

8. Monk 5: Fifth level monks get an Extra Attack each time they attack as an action, and they can turn an attack into a Stunning Strike, forcing a constitution save (DC 8+proficiency+Wisdom) or the creature they hit gets stunned for a round. You might think not being able to do stuff and giving your enemies advantage on all their attacks would make it hard to stay alive.

You’d be right.

9. Druid 4: Back in druid for a bit, your wild shape gets a bit better, giving you swimming options and creatures of CR 1/2 or lower. I mean, you can’t prove Mordred can’t turn into a frog. You also get another ASI, so bump up that Wisdom for more AC, stronger spells, and better stunning strikes.

You can also cast Create Bonfire for a summer cookout!

10. Druid 5: Fifth level druids get third level spells, and this is the level you really come into your own. Your circle spells are Water Breathing and Water Walk, which do exactly what you think they do, and they are useful, but we’re here for some other stuff.

You can also get Tidal Wave to create a 30′x10′x10′ wave, forcing a dexterity save for all creatures in that area. On a failure, creatures in the area take bludgeoning damage and get knocked prone. Also, the water spreads out afterwards-an attack and an escape route all in one!

If you’d rather a more permanent swell, Wall of Water gives you a wall. Of water. Ranged attacks through the wall are at disadvantage, fire attacks deal half damage, and cold based attacks can freeze the wall.

11. Monk 6: Sixth level monks get Ki-empowered Strikes, making your fists magical against resistances. You also get more acrobatic on your board thanks to your Tipsy Sway. You can Leap to Your Feet after a wipeout, going from prone to standing in only 5 feet. You can also Redirect Attack by spending a ki point when a creature misses you with a melee attack, spending it at another nearby creature instead.

12. Monk 7: Your boarding’s gotten fast enough you can outrun explosions. Your Evasion means failed dexterity saves deal as much damage to you as successes would, and successes deal no damage at all.

You also gain a Stillness of Mind, letting you end a charming or frightening effect as an action.

13. Monk 8: Use this ASI to bring your Dexterity even higher, for a better AC and stronger attacks. Who knew monks like dex?

14. Druid 6: Bouncing back to druid one last time gives you the Land’s Stride, letting you ignore difficult terrain that isn’t made by magic. You also ignore damage from regular plants, and have advantage on saves caused by magical ones. That’s great, because going around on a deserted island with just a bikini on would otherwise be a terrible idea.

15. Druid 7: Your fourth level circle spells are Freedom of Movement and the reason we’re still in this class, Control Water. As long as the spell lasts (up to 10 minutes with concentration) you can control a 100 foot cube of water, causing it to flood, part for your nonsurfing friends, change the flow of water, or create a whirlpool. Flooding is particularly powerful- if done it water, it instead creates a 20′ tall wave that passes through the entire area, with a 25 percent chance of capsizing any Huge or smaller vehicles it catches, and carrying them to the other side. The wave even automatically repeats each turn, so yeah, you can basically shoot down any boat in the game with this.

16. Druid 8: Your last level of druid lets you fly with your wild shape, and you get another ASI for a stronger Wisdom score. You’re kicking up some serious waves now, so you have to make sure your balance is top-notch.

17. Monk 9: Ninth level monks get an Unarmored Movement Improvement, letting you walk on water and walls. Paddling’s for dorks, just run out to where the action is! (You do have to get to solid ground before the end of your turn, but your board probably counts)

18. Monk 10: Tenth level monks have a Purity of Body that makes them immune to disease and poison. Nobody wants to get sick during the summer.

19. Monk 11: Your last Drunken Master goodiebag contains Drunkard’s Luck, letting you spend 2 ki points to do a cool flip, negating disadvantage on an ability check, attack roll, or save.

20. Monk 12: Your capstone level is another ASI, maxing out your Dexterity. It’s not a flashy way to end things, but it is pretty useful.

Pros:

Like a lot of monks, you’re pretty hard to hit, with an AC of 19, the ability to disengage while still hitting people, and a solid +30 to your movement speed while in combat. It’s not even a matter of your armor being good when people just can’t keep up.

Tidal Wave and Control Water are honestly just really good spells, albeit you need a water themed adventure to get the latter’s full power. Also, if you try to surf on your own wave your DM is legally required to give you inspiration, that’s just science.

Not only is your mobility good in combat, if you’re willing to bend canon a bit you can also combine it with your wild shape for utility. A +30 to movement plus being a bird can make moving around much easier.

Cons

Waves are cool and all, but that still means you have a heavy focus on water. If you’re going up against something that resists cold damage, or you’re in a setting that’s landlocked, you’re going to have a bad time.

Taking those druid levels slows your monk progression, and it doesn’t really pay off for this build until you get third level spells. That means you’re dumping a lot of resources into payoff way in the future, while slowing down your AC and martial arts growth.

Using a surfboard as a weapon is really cool, but how effective it is will depend entirely on what the DM makes it. If you have confidence in your DM, this isn’t an issue, but we like to make builds with the least amount of DM caveat as possible here.

#Fate Grand Order #FGO #Mordred #D&D 5e #Fate and Phantasms #Monk #Druid

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pyrewriter · 4 years ago

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Red Vendetta

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Eliksni Name pronunciation:Esyra (E-si-ra)

The little machine Pyrrhaks, Brykis and I had captured was left behind during our sudden uprooting. It was unfortunate that we could not extract any data from the little machine but bringing it along would have only led more Risen to us. Ogethres kept true to his word when it came to needing his best

Seasons had passed since our guild was forced from our compound on the island and had since begun rebuilding, this time nearer to the coast. The peninsula that humans called the "European Dead Zone" was already teeming with House Dusk activity and any further inland would take us into the Devil’s old territory. The coast still had its share of sprawling cities that had been reclaimed by vegetation since their abandonment centuries ago. Salvage, data, even suitable ether conversion sites were scarce though and much of the guild was stuck aboard their shuttles due to lack of space. Having such a large amount of our guild already aboard proved to be a great boon however.

During a season of heavier than normal rains when thick clouds blanketed the sky ,often darkening the land below to near black, our guild was once again uprooted. Crimson clad beasts descended from the through their veil of clouds like rain, crashing down in drop pods shot from their battleships. Swiftly we began gathering those not already on shuttles while anyone who could fight was sent to gather what supplies they could carry and retreat. Our window of escape was narrow and rapidly closing but together we pushed on to save everything we could. I had heard stories of these creatures, organized formations and movements, ruthless tactics, and hard to bring down even in single combat. These ones were different from those I was told about, I knew of smaller ones with special abilities but there were more.

Hounds nearly the size of Vandals swarmed everywhere, melee berserkers rushed into the fray butchering anything not their own, flame spewing juggernauts razed everything around. These were not any of the legions I was told of. Regardless I was on the front line with initial strike survivors, our line would not last but it wasn't meant to, we knew to resist was pointless and to surrender meant only a shameful death. We over extended at first to give those further from the Ketch a chance to gather what they could before retreating fully. The formation of the frontline and simultaneous retreat of noncombatants was the first major coordinated movement of such a large number of Eliksni since the Reef Wars.

Our foe continued to push us further back as our line collapsed slowly, they hammered us from the sky and pushed us back from the land but did not move from our rear. Whether it was out of honor, pride, or lack of capability I do not know ,however, their intent was clear. Push us to the water to funnel our people into kill boxes along the coast. On most other guilds such a tactic would almost certainly spell death but we were more than prepared for a coastal maneuver.

"How far, Ketch!?" I heard Brykis yelped over the rumble or combat.

Without taking my sight off the battlefield before me I shouted between shots "Not close enough, fight on, wait signal!". I lobbed a shock grenade causing one that I had apparently stuck to leap over the advancing line and charge, eyes flaring red beneath it's helme. The grenade's detonation resulted in a violent burst of light and gore, momentum carried the remains forward before falling. Fighting continued for hours as we inched closer to the Ketch while our people behind the line boarded shuttles with what they could carry or strap to Servitors and Shanks. I remember watching so many from my guild and others I had never seen before slump to the floor dead or writhe while they howled in pain before being carried off.

Our line was shrinking and our numbers were decreasing faster than the enemies until finally the signal came over our communicators. "Collapse line, Ketch ready, skiffs loaded, exodus underway" on cue every Eliksni across the fighting line unloaded everything they had left. The sudden unyielding barrage of arc bolts and shock grenades severely disrupted the enemies advancing formation. Many drew their knives to take the opportunity to decimate the front line of our enemy that had taken many lives and was uprooting so many more.

I would be lying if I said that I did not take part in the display of savagery myself, again I watched as Elikisni ,from Dregs to Barons, fought and fell in vicious melee combat side by side. Some were cleaved in half, others torn to pieces, many were pummeled by fists or shields. It was a great tide of fury and vengeance for all they had done but on that day few displayed such anger as one in particular.

As I was burying my blade into the neck of a shield bearer I heard a familiar voice bellow a thunderous "WITNESS ME!" it was a female and one I knew.

Turning I saw a Captain ,it was Esyra, "WITNESS!!" I roared in reply followed by several others including Brykis. I and the others who replied stood with weapons raised high as we watched Esyra drop her armor before charging the enemy commander at the center of their now broken formation. She let out one final resonating howl, there was a blinding flash as she ignited her ether tanks, Esyra and everything around her had been reduced to vapor. I had already claimed more than my share of the enemies heads but for her...they owed me.

A similar sentiment seemed to echo through the minds everyone around me. Together myself and all who roared in reply drained our ether reserves, every fiber of my being screamed out for them to pay and the tithe was blood. By the time our ether ran dry enemy reinforcement were within scanner range but I had already run my blade dull. Only then did we finally retreat to the Ketch with Esyra's armor carried by Brykis, her and weapons slung to my side.

When the frontline survivors were aboard the Ketch and every shuttle fired in unison what weapons they had in an attempt to at least partially clear the skies. Using the gap created from the flak we made a break for open water. The moment we were out of the shallows our ships dove ,we didn't dare go too deep, only far enough that we wouldn't be easy to see from above. For a while I mourned our losses while aiding survivors with their recovery but it was just a distraction from what I was dreading.

Esyra, a member of the same brood as Brykis and myself but she worked so much harder as a female and quickly rose to Captain.She would have meetings with Pyrrhaks from time to time so we met often enough to catch up on what we had done in the time between. As a Captain and a female at that she was important and had duties to uphold but she was kind, gentle even. Esyra wasn't there for my ascension but after our first relocation when we met she confessed she wanted me to be her mate.

It was her right as Captain to simply make me her mate but she gave me a choice and like an immature Dreg I said "First I reach Captain, I earn right to be mate". Looking back I don't believe her asking was out of respect for my skill or strength but because of one of the strongest emotions that one can have according to humans. I only came to this realization after finally mustering enough backbone to take stock of her equipment.

"Going to quarters?" Brykis asked after seeing me on my way out of the med-bay.

My head was hung low so it wasn't hard for my brother to tell where I was going, turning I replied "Disrespectful to leave be, needs to be done". He nodded in response before returning to what he was doing, I locked eyes with father along the way as well. Our exchange was silent but there was no need for words, a gesturing nod was enough. Once I was in my quarters habitually I started dismantling, inspecting, cleaning, and repairing every weapon in the room. Of course it was a distraction but it was customary to start with the instruments used by the one you mourn.

I moved on to my armor and started working slowly but no matter how long I worked time felt like it was just standing still. Esyra's armor was heaped in the corner but her helm was staring at me, even with my back turned to it I still felt a gaze ,her gaze, beaming at me. Putting down the piece I was tinkering with I spun around to stare at the helm for a moment to meet it's gaze, breathing deep I let out a heavy sigh and set to work. I wasn't an armorer so until recently the only Captains equipment I had worked on was my father's but after our exodus from the peninsula every Eliksni was needed for everything.

Esyra's was personal though so I took extra care, dismantling and changing out damaged plating before repairing or replacing it's internals. The short range transmat module was fried along with the shield generator but the ether systems were almost fully intact. Among the normal arc cells and tools that most Captains kept on them there was one item in particular that stood out as unusual. It was a data slate that had a single entry on it.

==Entry translated from Eliksni==

;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;

Esyra final communication, deliver to Mate Ellrimksyt upon receiving

Ellrimksyt, you strong, if reading this then stronger than me, hope fell in spectacle, hope we...were together. Maybe I fall before could say, say now to be certain, Ellrimksyt, I pick you as mate for more than strength, respect, status. I pick you because admire, you not Eliksni by birth, you Eliksni by heart, you grow, you live, you fight Eliksni. Not know how word, you make feel more than respect, I see you and chest warm. Think Humans say "deep affection". As expression, with privilege as Captain I bestow mementos, my helm and weapons, now yours, keep as decoration, use or modify, your choice.

[Audio recording attached]

;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;

==Audio entry Redacted by scribe==

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#destiny #eliksni #fallen #fanfic #eliksni fanfic #Ellrimksyt #Chapter 4 #sorry for taking so long

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five-rivers · 5 years ago

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Artifact/Nursery Rhyme

Who doesn’t post things in a timely manner? Oh, that’s me. This is a continuation from Cauldron/Electricity.

Artifact/Nursery Rhyme

Danny scanned the ground to either side, looking for caves. It was probably bad to have preconceptions on a search like this, but he couldn't get the picture of the witch, Vivian, hiding out and plotting in a cave out of his head. He was looking for houses, or other structures, as well, but not as hard.

He glanced at Sam. She'd been weirdly quiet this whole time. He hoped she wasn't too upset. He had tried, really tried, to get Vivian out of her, but it hadn't been enough. Sam had been overshadowed for days. That was more than enough to make anyone angry.

But when Sam was mad, she usually didn't get quiet. She was loud, and vocal, and told you exactly what she was angry about. Unless she was angry that you didn't ask her to go to the with you, because she'd called the dance stupid half a dozen times, and then, well...

Quiet Sam was a lot scarier than loud Sam.

At first, it had looked like she was blaming herself for what had happened, and Danny had, using techniques that usually worked on him, tried to maneuver her away from that idea. But what if she hadn't been blaming herself, and now she was angry with Danny for assuming she was? What if he had screwed up, and now she was blaming herself because he'd put the idea into her head?

He was a terrible friend. Why couldn't he have been competent for once, and gotten the ghost out of her?

Well, one way or another, he was going to get them out of this. Even if he did wind up having to do that familiar contract thing. Between Dungeons and Dragons in middle school, and a whole heck of a lot of research into the occult when becoming a ghost, he knew that 'familiar' meant 'servant,' so he doubted it would be a fun thing. But if it was Sam, it wouldn't be too bad.

Probably.

She didn't try to get Danny to use his powers to break animals out of the zoo, or to vandalize car dealerships anymore, anyway. She wouldn't force him to do anything he didn't want to. Convince him? Yes. But not force him.

He exhaled, realizing he had been staring at Sam, and not looking for wherever the witch ghost had hidden her stuff, for the past several minutes.

He looked back up the slope just in time to catch sight of an opening about a quarter of the way up.

"Sam," he said, touching her elbow, and pointing. "Check it out."

She followed his gaze. "Shouldn't be too hard of a climb."

Danny nodded. "I think we might be able to just walk up if we go around a bit?" He made a zigzag motion with his hands.

"Yeah, let's try that."

It didn't take them very long to get up to the cave. Their previous experience climbing down had given them insight into how the ground here behaved. Once there, however, they spent several long moments staring into it, unwilling to go into the dark.

"It's a good thing you still glow," said Sam. "You did test out all your other powers, right?"

"Except for the Wail, yeah," said Danny, running through them mentally once again. "Ice seems to be working a little, and I can still transform," which she had seen, "but that's it."

"Ice?"

Danny pulled off his right glove (his right, never his left) and held out his hand. Frost momentarily blanched the tan surface of his skin before subsiding. "That's all that's happening, though."

"Might be useful," said Sam.

"Maybe. Okay, I'm going in."

His glow illuminated the cave softly, coolly, like moonlight. At first it only played over bare stone, and Danny groaned internally, thinking that the cave might be empty, but he kept going, periodically glancing over his shoulder to see Sam following behind him.

But, at last, when he was about to turn around, the edge of a table and the outline of books came into view. He hurried forward, and entered an area that looked a lot like a study. If a study had been built inside a cave. He picked up one of the books, and frowned at it.

Multilingual he might be, courtesy of ghost nonsense, but interpreting 'creative' spelling was not his forte, especially when it was on top of cramped, curly handwriting.

"Mind helping me find something to light these candles with?" asked Sam.

"Oops!" said Danny. "Sorry." He had forgotten how much better he could see in the dark than normal people. After a minute of searching, he found a pack of long matches in a drawer. He lit one, and started lighting candles.

"Thanks," said Sam, picking up a candle and using it to light others. "That's much better."

Candles lit, they sat down to flip through the books, stopping at any mention of familiar spirits and contracts.

Danny sighed as he got to the end of another one without any luck, and went back to the shelf. He supposed he didn't have to put the books back on, but his book-loving sister had ingrained in him that not doing so was rude.

Then again, kidnapping was also rude.

"I think I found something," said Sam.

Danny walked back and peered over her shoulder. "This is for ghosts that can't talk," he said, after a moment of inspection. "Let's see if there's a better one." Sam turned the pages. "Maybe- Oh, no, this is for natural spirits."

"And you aren't?"

"No, it's a term for ghosts that are born ghosts. Keep going, though, it looks like this is the right one."

Sam turned a few more pages. "Okay, I think this one looks right."

Danny leaned in, scanning it. His shoulder brushed against Sam's, and she jumped. "Sorry! This one looks about right, though. And it doesn't look too bad?"

"Doesn't look too bad! Danny, are you seeing this?" she jabbed the offending page with her finger.

"Oh. Huh. Yeah, I guess it is kind of gross, but that's okay. It's not like it'd be the first time."

"It's talking about putting a needle in your eye."

"Yeah, but I've hurt my eyes before. They heal."

"What if it doesn't heal this time?"

"Then I'll have to get an eye-patch."

Sam lowered her eyebrows. "Don't you think we should try other ways of getting out of this, first? Maybe we can wait out whatever she did to you."

Danny tilted his head, and thought about it. "Are you thirsty?" he asked.

"Well, yeah, but it's not like we have any water, do we? Why are you asking?"

"Because humans can only last three days without water. If Vivian got you a drink before bed, and there's no guarantee she did, you've gone most of a day without drinking. Even if it doesn't go that far, you can wind up with kidney stones from getting dehydrated. That's what Mom says, anyway."

"I think you keeping your eyes is worth me having kidney stones."

"I don't. I especially don't think it's worth you dying." Danny felt himself droop. "It isn't just the water, anyway. I can't protect you like this. Who knows what Vivian will do if she thinks we're not making an effort."

"I hate giving in to people like her."

"It's tactical," said Danny. "Like with Vlad. We let her think she's won, then counterattack when she doesn't expect it."

"Well, when you say it that way, it isn't so bad, I guess." She sucked in her lower lip. "I don't want you to have to do this."

"I don't want you to have to do that, either," said Danny, pointing at a lower line. "But let's read it, and make sure we understand it completely before we start. Side effects, and stuff. And see if there's a way to undo it."

"And if there's another one, with less stabbing."

"That too."

"Ready?" asked Danny. It had taken a while to find everything the ritual- and it was a ritual- required, and once they did, they hadn't wanted to do it in the witch's cave.

Sam nodded, rubbing her palms on Danny's jeans. "As ready as I'm going to be."

Danny scooted across the rug they'd stolen from the cave, closer to Sam. He was careful not to disturb any of the chalky markings they'd drawn. Some of them felt... odd.

"It'll be fine," said Danny.

Sam looked down. "I know you think so, but what if it's a trap? What if it turns out like..." she lowered her voice, "the portal."

Both of those options had crossed Danny's mind. But Danny was pretty sure Vivian could have kept him in that bottle indefinitely. Whatever this was, it wasn't about him and his powers. Combined with her behavior back in Amity Park, Danny was pretty sure this was about Sam.

"Then we'll figure out where to go from there. But, right now, the important thing is to get you back to a place you can survive." This island most definitely did not meet that criterion, and Danny would prefer to find out if Vivian was lying sooner than later.

"Fine," said Sam, fingering the tip of the needle. "Let's get this over with."

"Your line is first."

They had actually already written the 'contract,' but actually putting it into effect 'magically' required ritual, rhyme, and a small amount of spilled blood and ectoplasm. The book had had several options to choose from, and they had picked the most appropriate and least dangerous-looking one. None of them were perfect of course, because none of them compensated for the 'spirit' side of things only being mostly dead.

Hopefully, that wouldn't affect things too much.

"Right," said Sam. She cleared her throat, and looked down at the book. "Tell me not a single lie." The words shivered, almost, but not quite, echoing. Sam turned the book so Danny could see it.

"Cross my heart, though I have died," he responded.

"With me for a moment bide," read Sam, her voice cracking on the last word, her hands trembling in anticipation.

Well, Danny wasn't exactly looking forward to this next part either. "Then stick a needle in my eye."

Sam picked up the needle, then froze. Danny nodded at her and the needle encouragingly. She raised the needle to eye level, and paused again.

'Do it,' mouthed Danny. She bit her lip, and stabbed the needle forward.

Ouch. Yep, that hurt. Sam pulled the needle out, and Danny closed his eye, pressing one hand down on his eyelid. Watery green ectoplasm leaked out, dripping down his cheek. Ow.

Shakily, Sam continued on to her next line. "Tell me the price I'll have to pay."

"That is the one and only way," said Danny, before she had even turned the book around. Odd, he had read the ritual through several times, but he hadn't thought he'd memorized it.

"For you to forever stay," continued Sam.

"You'll pay it 'til the end of days." That line was ominous, and the alien quality that had worked its way into Danny's voice made it more so.

Sam held up the piece of paper they'd written their contract on. "On this contract place your seal." All that was written on it was 'We agree to be friends with each other,' which was something they intended on doing anyway.

"Keep the spirit of our deal," intoned Danny. Yeah, the ritual was definitely doing something to him. His core felt way more active than it usually was, even in ghost form.

A dark spot bloomed on the bottom right corner of the page, and slowly resolved into a phantom 'D.'

Cool.

"Be my servant, be my slave." It was this line that had Sam arguing for a different ritual. She didn't want Danny to be her slave. However, the others either required a lot more stabbing, stuff they didn't have, or looked way more suspicious to Danny, from a ghostly perspective. One or two in that book didn't have anything obviously wrong with them, but repelled Danny for reasons he couldn't articulate.

"And aren't you so very brave?" The words tumbled out of Danny's mouth without any conscious thought or permission on his part.

"Be my wisdom, be my sword," said Sam, unaware of Danny's internal difficulties.

Maybe he should try- "Forever, if you keep your word." -Nope, looked like he couldn't stop, or even delay. He hoped Sam wasn't having the same problem, because that would suck.

Then he remembered what was going to happen next, and his core protested at the very thought. But he discovered he was completely immobile.

"I'll give you blood." Sam poised the needle (still covered in the gore from Danny's eye) over her hand, and drew it across her palm, leaving a shallow red line. "I'll give you gold." Sam put a few dollar bills and coins (taken from Danny's wallet), down in between them.

Danny's core suddenly swelled with power, but there was nowhere for it to go and it hurt. Ice, the only outlet, feathered across his skin. His awareness of everything outside himself, Sam, and the ritual dropped to zero.

"I am not so lightly sold." As if his friend's blood was a 'light' price! Stupid ritual. It was priceless!

"Anything for which you wish," said Sam.

"Give me your heart, give me a kiss."

Because of course the blood magic ritual had to be sealed with a- All other thoughts fled as Sam leaned in to kiss him.

Danny had the feeling of something settling on him. Something comforting, like a good, heavy blanket, strong, like ghost-forged chains, and permanent, like death. All the extra energy his core had built up during the ritual flowed into it, and then some, leaving his core weak and trembling.

The kiss lasted a lot longer than was really necessary.

Which was nice. Really nice. But as soon as Sam pulled away, he collapsed.

Sam managed to catch him. "Danny, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"No," said Danny, his head lolling against her shoulder, which surprised him, because he had meant to say, 'Yes, I'm fine.' "No energy."

He felt himself lose hold of his ghost form, which was really embarrassing in this position; he was only wearing his t-shirt and boxers. His eye slipped closed.

Darn.

The first indication Sam had that the ritual was working was when she kissed Danny. She immediately felt energized, refreshed, all the hunger and thirst she had built up since finding herself in front of that cauldron vanishing. She felt connected. Like she could feel Danny. And she liked it.

She liked it a lot.

She probably let the kiss last a lot longer than she had to. The spell didn't specify, after all.

Maybe this wasn't so bad, after all, if they could feel like this.

But then Danny collapsed. That was bad.

Then he passed out. That was worse.

A wisp of cold air slipped past Danny's lips, tickling the side of Sam's neck. She shivered and tensed, casting her eyes about for the ghost. "C'mon, Danny," she said, shaking him slightly. "Get up, I need you."

Surprisingly, this entreaty roused Danny, and his uninjured eye slowly eased open. "Hn?"

"Strictly speaking," said Vivian, sliding into visibility, "you didn't have to stab him with the needle. That's part of the binding, to keep the ghost from backing out, and he wasn't going to do that, were you, dear?"

She reached out to touch Danny, and he hissed weakly at her. She laughed, tilting back her head, but then leaned forward, pressing her thumb into Danny's forehead. He moaned, and turned his face into Sam's shoulder.

"There," said Vivian, shaking her hand. "He should have access to his powers again." She smiled, teeth sharp. "It will take some time for the two of you to adjust to your new circumstances, but I very much look forward to teaching you once you do, Sam." A larger smile. "Apprentice."

Sam glowered.

Vivian bent down to pick up the book. "I never used this particular ritual," she said. "It requires the spirit to already be invested in the witch, so to speak. Perfect for you. Not so much for me. My mentor was the one who passed it on to me." She snapped the book closed. "He has a good eye, though. One of the ones you were considering would have turned him into a cat."

Sam swallowed.

"Now, I'll leave the two of you to adjust. Don't worry about starving. His power will sustain you until he recovers enough to fly you back home." Vivian's smile grew lazy, indulgent. "Speaking of which, I had a lot of fun there, and I need some way to pass the time. Don't I?" She vanished, cackling.

Danny whimpered.

"Crap," said Sam. Then, more gently, "Hey, Danny, how do you feel?"

"Not great," he said. "Like I just had a marathon fight, and then got beaten with a stick."

"Oh," said Sam. Usually Danny wasn't this honest. Or quite this clingy. He was still wrapped around her. Which, she, surprisingly, didn't mind. "Anything else?"

"I think that maybe I can't lie to you, because I just tried to say 'I'm fine' twice, and couldn't."

"Oh," said Sam.

"It's okay. You're probably going to have side effects, too. Or maybe it's not a side effect?" He giggled. "It's not a bug, it's a feature? I think I just need to sleep."

"Okay, you do that then."

Danny promptly closed his eyes, and his grip relaxed. Sam stared. Okay, no, she wasn't even going to consider that until she had more evidence.

She sighed, and leaned back until they were both lying on the carpet. One thing at a time. They'd figure this out.

Together.

#danny phantom #phanfic #ectoberweek19 #ectober 2019 #ectober

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zenithlux · 5 years ago

Text

EOA 10: Divine Intervention

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated this beauty. But now that I’m finally able to write more again, expect more updates on more stories (and more drabbles as always... but maybe not all Devil May Cry xD)

Catch up on the story here!

Carbuncles are small fox-like creatures that can help fulfill various roles depending on which version is summoned. Emerald Carbuncle casts spells, while Topaz Carbuncle can tank. However, there are rumors of much stronger Carbuncles that can be summoned based on the power of the summoner. Only a few of these variations are known…”

-Y’mithra’s Research Journal, “Of Summons and Carbuncles”

---------------

After nearly an hour of little progress, Aymeric accepted that, in this lifetime at least, he may never actually summon a carbuncle. Y’mithra had tried to be encouraging. “It takes time,” She said. “And you’re showing great promise. Just practice whenever you get the chance.” And while he appreciated the sentiment, Aymeric wasn’t sure where she got that notion from, as nothing had happened since he attuned to the aetheryte. He hadn’t even seen the shimmer of a Carbuncle, something that Y’mithra had called a promising sign. And while she had also claimed to see it herself, Aymeric didn’t believe it.

It was difficult for Aymeric to not think of his failures as a potential burden. They still didn’t know what effect Aymeric’s sudden “absorption” of Z’iyanna’s power had on her. And if he couldn’t use this newfound magic, then what was the point? Why was he given this power if he wasn’t capable of using it?

On the bright(?) side, he could still see Moogles, which was good for his new companion.

Puklia Pachu, or Puklia as she preferred to be called, had been waiting on the airship before Aymeric himself got there. And once she’d announced that “Sir Aymeric said I could come, kupo!” he knew any attempts to dissuade her would be for naught. Now, she was on top of the world, thrilled to be going on an adventure, excited to meet her hero, and mesmerized by the airship itself. Aymeric could feel her enthusiasm as if he were the one about to meet his idol for the first time. And that, at the very least, was a feeling he could relate to.

“Is she as amazing as the stories say, kupo?” Puklia said.

“I don’t know which stories you speak of,” Aymeric replied.

“I’ve heard them all, kupo!” Puklia said proudly. “Did you know she even defeated our king? He was big and scary and she fought him and the Moogle guard all by herself! And I heard it was more graceful than our dancers, kupo!”

“Moogle have dancers?” Aymeric said, trying to imagine what such a thing would look like.

“Is she that amazing?”

“I think so.”

“Is she as beautiful as they say too?”

Aymeric choked, and he swore he heard Cid chuckle somewhere behind him. “Well traditionally speaking…”

Puklia’s arms flayed in irritation. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Many would likely refer to her in that way.”

Puklia paused as her paw touched her chin. “But do you, kupo?”

Aymeric’s face felt warmer than a 1000 suns. “I… Yes I… suppose I would,” He was suddenly grateful that Haurchefant had gone elsewhere, as he couldn’t imagine answering such a question in front of a man clearly pining for Z’iyanna’s affections. Of course, Haurchefant would likely be answering these questions himself. In fact, Aymeric was certain the Moogle would be far more entertained with Haurchefant than Aymeric himself.

“Aymeric,” Cid said as they drifted toward one of the islands. “It seems Haurchefant has beat us here.”

“What?” Aymeric practically flew from his seat as he reached for the railing. On the ground was a Haurchefant, but he was more furious than Aymeric had ever seen him before. His voice practically pierced the heavens, even though Aymeric couldn't quite tell what was being said. The boy in front of him - Emmanellain, Aymeric recalled - was cowering as if Halone himself was standing before him. The page boy next to him was quiet and clearly avoiding Haurchefant’s wrath.

“Oh no, kupo!” Puklia said as she waved her hands around in a panic. “Z’iyanna’s missing!”

Aymeric’s heart plummeted as Cid brought them in for a landing. “What else has he said, Puklia?”

“She went to save that boy, kupo,” Puklia said. “But the boy came back without her!”

Aymeric didn’t want to believe her, but the pain on Haurchefant’s face when they landed. “Z’iyanna’s missing,” He said, eyes flickering to Puklia for a brief moment before meeting Aymeric’s gaze again. “And the temperature is dropping by the minute.”

“Hypothermia?” Aymeric said.

“That is my greatest worry, at the moment,” Haurchefant said. “Even if she had access to Ifrit, I fear she would not last the night.”

“My crew and I can scout the area,” Cid said.

“I wouldn’t recommend that,” The page boy said. “The storms up here are very dangerous for airships.”

“But surely if we know which way to go…”

“My brother cannot recall where they were,” Haurchefant said through gritted teeth. “But we know she rescued him from the Vanu, so she has to be near there.”

“She dropped to a much lower island,” the page boy said. “I couldn’t see which one, but I can try and lead you there.”

Zephyr kwed beside them as he pressed his forehead to Haurchefant’s cheek. “You know where she is?” He said. The bird chirped a second time, more urgently than the first. “I’m so sorry,” Haurchefant murmured. “I should have asked you sooner.” He grabbed a set of blankets from a knight, and filled a backpack with small bits of food. Then, he leapt onto the Chocobo’s back. “Please take the Lord Commander home and return to us in the morning. I swear on my life that I will bring Z’iyanna back.”

“I can’t abandon…” Aymeric began.

“I will find her,” Haurchefant said. “But we cannot risk the archbishop blaming you for her disappearance, or declaring you missing as well.” And before Aymeric could respond, Haurchefant took off into the skies, Zephyr leading the way. And for the second time that day, Aymeric was left painfully aware of his own weaknesses.

“Mr. Aymeric?”

He glanced at Puklia as she slowly hovered up towards his face. “Is Lady Z’iyanna going to be okay?”

Slowly, Aymeric nodded. “Lord Haurchefant will bring her back. Of that I am certain.”

----------------

It is cold.

Oh so very cold

Why did these treacherous mortals try to fight the likes of me? Why did they work so hard, and struggle for so long, to contain me in that failiable prison? They should have known that I am unstoppable. I am inevitable. My rage will consume them all. My fire will scorch the earth. My fury will annihilate all life and hope in its wake.

But she gives me pause. The goddess among mortals. The fight who has destroyed the lives for hundreds of soldiers, beasts, dragons and primals in her wake. SHe stands before me. Unafraid, Unflinching. And she tells me the words I never wanted- n, never thought I would hear.

“You’re not alone.”

The Warrior of Light they call her, come to save a murderous, ruthless monster like me.

But this doesn’t change anything. My rage only simmers, buried deep within her consciousness. Our power is intertwined- two unstoppable aethers feed off of each other. Growing. Shifting. Changing until neither are recognizable… or until only one is left.

So I wait. I bide my time and watch until one or the other claims this body. My rage may consume her. There are already signs that it is beginning to. Her righteousness may undo me, but I feel nothing.

She has no idea of the turmoil within her… but she will soon.

That elezen… is more interesting than I thought. I wonder if he realizes the potential he now holds within him. But it is of no consequence to me. If he does not grab what is now rightfully his, then he is of no use to me.

Humans are all the same.

Except for her.

She is the only one to have proven herself to me.

We’ll see how long that lasts.

For her death, will be my beginning.

----------------

It was cold.

Oh so very cold.

Z’iyanna knew she was dying. Her robes could only retain so much heat. Her healing magic couldn’t stop the impending hypothermia. Her shield couldn’t block the frigid winds. And as the sun lay low on the horizon, she was left to wonder if which version of her the search party would find; a proud Warrior of Light or a forgotten corpse adrift in this sea of death.

At least the whale hadn’t come back. Though she had yet to decide if freezing to death was better than being eaten alive.

No, she chastised herself. I will not think that way. She had survived far worse than something like this. And while Haurchefant might not have made it back in time, Aymeric surely would have. Which meant Cid and the others had to be close. Zephyr had found her before. He could certainly find her now. But she was painfully aware of the fact that the islands had shifted over the last few hours. Some had risen. Others had lowered. The island where she’d met the Vanu was so far away she had to squint to see it with any amount of clarity. And with the wind picking up.

“You’re right you know,” the voice from before whispered in her ear. “It’s all hopeless.”

A small piece of Z’iyanna wanted to lash out in a blind rage. This person. This thing that could only exist in her head had no reason to berate her. But the majority of her didn’t, as it was too consumed by shivering behind a rock that offered very little comfort.

“Pathetic.”

Z’iyanna snorted. “I’ve heard that one before.”

“But you’ve never believed it.”

“And I don’t now.”

“So you’re a liar too?”

“And you’re not even real.”

The voice sighed. “I am as real as you are, child. And you’re the reason we’re stuck in this bloody mess to begin with.”

“Heaven forbid I try to be a hero.”

“You’re no hero, Z’iyanna.”

Her head snapped up in protest, but she was alone. Great. She thought. Either the hypothermia was kicking in quicker than she thought, or she had finally lost her mind. Either way, she’ll be making her enemies’ day.

Haurchefant…

Z’iyanna was not blind, nor was she ignorant of her own feelings. The two had been close companions for over a year now- far closer than she had been to any of the Scions. Haurchefant knew almost everything about her. He’d never judged her or expected anything more than who she was. Not as the Warrior of Light, but as Z’iyanna. His comrade. His friend. Maybe his something more. She wasn’t certain exactly where they were in that regard… but it wouldn't matter much if she died here.

Then there was Aymeric. What would happen to him if she were to disappear? Would his people blame him for her death? What about the new, unknown aether within him? She had hoped to read the inevitable letter from Y’mithra with all of her theories and findings to ponder over while Z’iyanna tried to figure it out herself. And she wanted to know what was happening to him. She was also terrified that her death could kill him just as quickly.

Then there was Bahamut, Midgar and Twintania. Tataru, Alphinaud, and the other missing Scions… So many lives depending on her survival. So many people expected her to pull through any adversity, death included.

“Because they are worthless without you,” The voice said again. “And I say good riddance. Maybe you’ll finally get some peace when everyone else isn’t piling the world on your shoulders.”

“Lady Z’iyanna!”

Of all the times she had heard Haurchefant’s voice… it had never brought her such visceral relief. And Zephyr’s panicked “kweh!” almost brought her to tears. “I’m here,” She whispered, her dry throat unable to produce anything louder. But Haurchefant landed by her side anyway, sliding off of Zephyr’s back the second he could. A moment later - when had he ever moved this fast? - a blanket was wrapped around her as Haurchefant pulled her close to his chest.

“Zephyr,” He said. “Behind her.” The chocobo moved without a sound as he plopped down behind her, pressing his body as close to her back as possible. And Z’iyanna, weary from the day and exhausted by the lingering voice, succumbed to the newfound warmth.

----------------

Alphinaud was exhausted by the time he returned to Ishgard, and he quickly decided that a nice long nap was in order.

Unfortunately, he stepped into a manor full of solemn faces and a Count whose first words were “I’m afraid we’ve encountered a problem.”

Alphinaud did his best not to crumble at the thought. “What kind of problem, Count Edmont?”

“Lady Tataru has been arrested for heresy.”

The quote “no rest for the weary” had never felt so real.

#zenni-writes #End of Ascalon #FFXIV #aymeric de borel #haurchefant greystone #Warrior of Light #mi'qote #heavensward #retelling #carbuncles #bahamut #altered primal lore #summoner lore #I'm glad to be writing this again

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luci-in-trenchcoats · 6 years ago

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Wicked Game

Summary (request): hi, can you write michael!dean x reader where michael sees reader in dean memories and wants to find her to keep dean in line but later falls for her too?

Pairing: Michael!Dean x reader

Word Count: 9,500ish

Warnings: language, angst

A/N: Written in Michael’s POV. I didn’t intended for this story to go the way it did but if you’re a fan of Michael, I hope you enjoy...

Oh, did this guy have baggage. Dean Winchester had so much shoved away in that head of his, I was a little surprised he hadn’t mentally snapped. Well...the Mark of Cain, Purgatory, being a demon...those little things had changed him, probably allowed Dean to go dark in a way he would have never allowed himself. He may have saved himself honesty.

Or Dean Winchester was simply very good at shoving his crap deep down inside of himself.

His memories, while a pain to dig through, were filled with good information about the world. Dean kept squirming though, getting fidgety in the small dark corner of his mind I preferred to keep him trapped in. Nothing more than an annoying itch but Dean was annoying to no end and some outside coercion was the only thing that would likely get him to be quiet.

“Dean,” I said, closing my eyes at the end of a long day of deal making. “Dean, come out to speak. It’s alright.”

“Let me go,” panted out Dean.

“No. You’re quite trapped Dean. But you keep misbehaving in there, keep trying to get out when we both know it’ll never happen,” I said.

“Lemme go,” said Dean quieter, a small whine to his voice.

“You’ll break eventually and I am normally patient enough to not be bothered by these things but I’d prefer to speed that process up if I need to,” I said. Dean was silent. “Good boy. You are learning.”

“I’m going to destroy you,” said Dean.

“...and there’s the naughty boy again. I don’t like him. I like the Dean who is quiet and silent and doesn’t move a muscle,” I said. “I have ways of getting you to do that, Dean.”

“Try your worst,” spat back Dean.

“There’s a woman in your memories. Y/N,” I said. If Dean’s heart could have skipped a beat, it would have. “I think I’ll pay her a visit.”

“No. Please don’t,” said Dean.

“But Dean, you did tell me to try my worst after all.”

Dean had stopped begging a few days back. He was quiet and still now. He’d fallen back under the surface, in that hazy drowning space he was before but he was no longer fighting, just drifting like a good boy. His new compliance did not mean Y/N was going to be left alone though.

A pet would be inconvenient but Dean would behave for eternity if I threatened her. Dean had never even told a soul about Y/N and his short romance with her, how she was the one or some crap.

Poor girl. It was really such a pity for her to have to pay for Dean’s mistakes.

I followed her easily after she left the bar she worked at for the evening, the girl’s ears preening. She was good at picking up the small shuffle of feet, a careful look on her face as she turned around.

Uh oh.

“Dean?” she asked, a big smile crossing her face. “Dean! What are you doing here?”

Oh, something was wrong. I was supposed to grab her and go. Dean’s love was doing something though, surely. This was not a feeling of my own. This was not…

“I am Michael,” I said slowly. “The archangel.”

“Oh. Hunting stuff? Wait, are you hunting with Dean?” she asked. “While...huh?”

“Yes,” I quickly lied. “I am working with Dean. He’s allowing me to wear his vessel.”

“It must be important then,” she said.

“It is,” I said, a flurry of something happening in the vessel’s stomach region. “You’re cute.”

What. The. Fuck. I did not…

“Well, Dean knows I always thought he was cute too,” she said with a giggle. “I uh, is this...can this wait until the morning? It’s 2:30 and I am so tired.”

“Yes. May I walk you home?” I asked. Yes, that’s better. I can take her then.

“Okay,” she said. But the whole time, there were only simply urges to protect the poor girl from any danger. When it began to rain, I gave her the hat I wore and my coat, my own eyes wide at the gesture. “You’re quite the gentleman, Michael.”

“Thank you,” I said, holding open the door for her when we arrived at her building.

“Come on,” she said, grabbing my hand, leading me into her apartment. Okay, good, another opportunity. She led us up a few flights of stairs, pulling me into her home. “You’re all wet. I got some leftover dry clothes from Dean years ago.”

“Why?” I asked.

“He asked me to save them for someday when he got out of the life,” she said softly. She exited down a hall, returning with a pile of clothes. “There’s a bathroom right there. If you’d like, you can spend the night on the couch. A friend of Dean’s is a friend of mine.”

“You’re too kind,” I said, the flush in my cheeks surely belonging purely to the vessel.

“I’m going to put on some pajamas. Be right back,” she said.

I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t following her and taking her but I assumed it had to do something with Dean’s affections for her. They must have been stronger than originally guessed. I snapped my fingers and changed into the new clothes, Y/N exiting down the hall a moment later. She gave me a sleepy smile, handing me a pillow and blanket.

“Night, Michael,” she said.

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

I took the items and she flicked off a light switch, humming to herself before I heard her get in her own bed. I settled onto the couch, sitting quietly for a moment.

“Dean. Is this vessel under some sort of spell you are unaware of?” I asked. “This girl-”

“For fuck’s sake dude, I can feel you crushing on her hard, all the way in here. Geez, you never talk to a girl before?” said Dean. “Oh, and back off buddy. She’s mine.”

“I will harm her,” I said, standing and getting to my feet, shoving Dean back, shoving him even farther down, down with his inner demons. “And you will stay there and not say a word for a very long time.”

I stood and approached her bedroom, lifting my head high as I stepped inside. She looked so sweet, already asleep.

I closed my eyes and returned to her front room, sitting on the couch.

Even now I could still feel these things for this girl, things that were human, even with Dean tucked away.

“Is this affection?” I said quietly, blinking my eyes. “She’s but a lowly human. A lowly human I know deep down...I would smite for, would protect, would give my life for…Y/N,” I said, standing up, quickly walking into her room and shaking her awake.

“S’wrong?” she mumbled, adorably rubbing her eyes, staring up at me so oh lovely and trusting.

I couldn’t break it. Break her. I just couldn’t.

“I...I am having strange feelings for you,” I said. She smiled, cocking her head at me. “Do you know about this?”

“Well...Dean’s my guy and Dean’s your sword thingy. Maybe you’re like my guardian angel or something,” she said.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

A guardian…

They were bound. Forever. Archangels didn’t have protectees. They just didn’t. They weren’t…

“Or maybe you just have a crush on me,” she said with a giggle. “S’okay, Michael. If you’re alright, can we talk in the morning? I really did have a long shift.”

“I’m sorry for waking you. Rest now,” I said, running my hand over her head, putting her back to sleep.

This was not why I came here. I came here to destroy, rebuild, create anew.

But here was this girl, this girl I knew deep down…

“You own me,” I said, sinking down to my knees, closing my eyes. “Perhaps...perhaps if I showed you my ways and you felt the same affection...perhaps it could still work.”

“Michael?” Y/N mumbled again as she woke again, reaching her hand out. “Are you okay?”

“No, little one. I am very much out of control and I don’t know what to do,” I said. Y/N sat up in bed, patting the edge of it.

“Is it this case you’re working on with Dean? Can I talk to him?” she asked.

“No. It’s not something that can happen when I’m with him like this,” I quickly lied. She nodded, giving me a worried smile. “I apologize. I keep disturbing your sleep.”

“I don’t feel very comfortable going back to sleep when you’re in such a state,” she said. I whimpered, honest to father, whimpered, her soft hand cupping my cheek. “Sorry. I never liked to see Dean upset. It’s hard to remember you’re not quite him right now.”

“I see why he cares so deeply for you,” I said, leaning into her touch.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.

“Please rest for me,” I said, allowing whatever this weakness was to fill me up, almost overwhelmed with it. “As you said, this can wait until morning.”

I stood up and pulled her covers back over her, Y/N asleep by the time I was back on the couch.

Something was broken inside. Something had snapped open and it wouldn’t shut.

Maybe I could still destroy the world, still fix it. But this girl...I was hers and she didn’t even know it. When she found out, she’d make me stop and I’d listen. Oh, I’d do whatever she asked.

I was more trapped than Dean Winchester.

“Good morning, Michael,” said Y/N, yawning with a smile around 10 in the morning. I stood up from my seat, pouting when she turned her back to me and started to prepare herself a meal in the kitchen. The effect was still there and I could have sworn I heard Dean snicker under the surface at some point in the night. “Would you like some food?”

“No thank you,” I said, approaching her island, Y/N nodding for me to sit. “I don’t require sustenance.”

“Oh. Does Dean?” she asked.

“Fuck you, she’s still my girl,” I heard Dean mumble. I knew my eye twitched as I grabbed hold of Dean and quickly shoved him back down.

“Michael?” she asked.

“No, he...he does not require it while I am in his vessel. He appreciates your concern,” I said. Y/N giggled, an adorable sound really.

“He pissed you aren’t giving him some frosted flakes or something? All I got is oatmeal anyways and Dean hates that,” she said.

“We wouldn’t want to make him uncomfortable then,” I said with a smile, Y/N laughing again.

“Come on Dean, work with Michael,” she said. I grinned, Y/N plopping her bowl in a microwave before spinning around. “So...what’s going on? Dean was always pretty adamant that I keep out of hunting until he was done for good.”

“You believed he would walk away from hunting just like that?” I asked. She shook her head, a sad smile on her face.

“No. Honestly...honestly I thought if something ever happened to his brother, Sam, maybe then he’d get out. Or if somehow he magically found a way to get rid of all of the monsters...we laid all this crap out before we broke things off...came to an arrangement,” she said.

“An arrangement?” I asked, the word barely appearing in Dean’s memories.

“Dean and I...we’re like...soulmates. But the way his life is...we didn’t have to stop living even though we were apart. We could move on, have other relationships, hookups, a family, whatever we wanted really...but once we both get upstairs, at least then we’ll get our shot, even if we don’t down here,” she said. “I’d take him right now if I could but...he has an important job and I’d never make him choose me. It’s why we came up with what we did.”

“He couldn’t bear that you are harmed,” I said. She smiled softly, a small twinge of blush on her cheeks.

“I know. I feel a little better knowing you’re with him. He’s got an angel keeping him safe,” she said.

“Oh yes. There’s no safer place in the world for him than with me,” I said, swallowing hard. “In fact, that’s why I came here.”

“Yeah?” said Y/N.

“Dean...and myself, feel as though it would be safest for you to remain with me, with us,” I said quickly. “There are creatures out there that are aware of you and may choose to come after you.”

“Oh,” she said, her cute face dropping, a flicker of fear under the surface.

“I would never let that happen,” I said, giving her a nod. “I swear.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I uh, do I have to leave my apartment?”

“Yes,” I said, parting my lips. “I’ll give you some time this morning to get your affairs in order and pack a bag.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“It’ll be best if we keep moving,” I said. “Sam will be working the case. Dean charged me with solely acting as protection until it is resolved.”

“Alright,” she said. “I’ll pack up after breakfast.”

“Whoa,” she said, putting her hands on her head. I chuckled. Humans were not built for quick teleportation and the after effects were always amusing. She rested a hand on her stomach though and I quickly saw her face turn green.

“Sh,” I said, putting a hand over her head, her cheeks regaining their color. “It’ll become easier to deal with in time.”

“Thanks,” she said, standing up straight, fixing the backpack on her shoulders. She gave me a smile, biting her bottom lip. “Can I ask what’s up with the outfit?”

“Why must everyone make comments on my choice of clothing,” he said. “Angels do not even require clothing.”

“Touchy,” she said, holding up her hands. “Just wanted to say it looks...cute. I like the hat. Dean’s probably wondering what the hell.”

“Well...I’m not a big fan of his flannel and such,” I said.

“So what now?” she asked, looking up at me like I knew all the answers, like all the answers, like the entire plan, hadn’t just been tossed out the window the night before.

“I suppose we find a place for you to store your bag for now and then I will do a sweep of the area and then...we can do what you’d like,” I said.

“Alright,” she said. “Maybe we can get some lunch after. I’m starving all of a sudden.”

Two Weeks Later

“Dean,” I mumbled, Dean smirking as he climbed back to the surface in his own head.

“Oh, I can’t believe I was scared of you ever hurting Y/N. She’s got you deep, Mikey. She fucking owns your feathery ass and the second she finds out what you did to me-”

“I could still harm her,” I said.

“No. You really couldn’t. I can’t see much in your head or know what’s been going on but all this emotional bullshit you got going on for her, you don’t know how to hide it. I can feel it, all the way down in this hell hole. You lost. You lost the second you laid eyes on her. New world my ass. This is our world and I’m-”

“Perhaps. Perhaps I lie to tell her and tell her you’re dead in here. There is no more Dean and you oh so sweetly asked if I would keep her from knowing the truth to spare her the pain. No one will look for you ever again,” I said.

“Perhaps you’re a dickhead and you know you’ve lost,” said Dean. “You know what? Why don’t you deal with Y/N on your own, lover boy. Sooner or later, she’ll knock some sense into you. The hard way.”

“I do like her Dean. Perhaps...I create my own nephillim with her?” I teased.

“I’m done with the games, Michael,” said Y/N, sitting up in her bed. I blinked at her, knowing I hadn’t been speaking aloud.

“You’re busted,” said Dean with a big smirk.

“Go play in your hell memories,” I barked back, shifting Dean away in there, knowing that’d keep him busy for awhile.

“Michael,” said Y/N, turning around. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Oh. She was purely innocent, frightened almost. The constant moving from town to town was beginning to get to her.

“Please. Whatever it is, I can handle it,” she said. I sighed and approached her bed, sitting beside her. She wrapped her hand around mine, giving me a smile.

“My feelings for you are growing stronger,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut. Why could I not tell more than a simple white lie to this woman? Why?

“I like you too,” she whispered. “I know it’s wrong but…”

Oh, I could never have felt more warmth and shame in that moment if I tried. This small human was feeling something, for me of all creatures. Yet I’d threatened to harm her, harm her horribly to Dean. Threatened to hurt her.

No. No. That would never be done, could never be done.

Maybe this woman was why I was meant to come to this world.

“There is no wrong. This situation is...strange. Dean is connected to both of us. It would make sense that we too have a...connection,” I said.

“It feels…” she said, tilting her head up to mine, her eyes going to my lips. “Can we…”

“Oh, yes,” I said. I’d never performed the act myself but Dean’s memories were full of this. I leaned in and touched my lips to Y/N’s own, pleased at the happy hum it sent through my body. She breathed out, parting her lips. That was a cue for more and I gave it to her. Oh, she was such a perfect little thing that-

“Give me the fuck back my boyfriend,” she snarled. My eyes flashed open, a pair of handcuffs on me now. I felt drowsy, weak, sluggish. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No, Y/N,” I said, angry with myself over how that affection was still there. “I swear-”

“Sam called me,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for you to show up for months.”

“Sam does not know about you,” I said.

“Guess again, sweetheart,” she said, patting my cheek hard, stealing my hat. “Sam knew me before I knew Dean. Dean never knew that. Good thing too.”

“Y/N,” I said as she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulders, grabbing my arm and leading me towards the door of the room. “Please. I would never harm you.”

“Oh, I know you wouldn’t,” she said with a dark smirk. “You’re hopelessly in love with me. You’re like a puppy, Michael. It’s a bit pathetic coming from the big bad archangel to be honest.”

“I am not pathetic,” I growled, Y/N nodding her head.

“I meant the act. Why do you guys always play the big bad and have no feelings. Having emotions doesn’t make you any less bad in my book,” she said. I simply blinked at her, so completely lost that I didn’t even squirm as she led me outside and broke into a car, shoving me in the passenger seat. She easily found another set of keys and booked it out of there, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“The bunker. They’ll get Dean out and send your ass to the cage or lock you up. Honestly, I don’t care,” she said.

“You don’t care?” I asked. “But-”

“But what? You tortured my soulmate, Michael. You’ve killed how many people? Done how much to monsters that I’ve had to slip past you and get word out to hunters to clean them up? Don’t even try the I’m innocent act,” she said.

“I’m not innocent. I scorched my world,” I said, biting Dean’s bottom lip. “I killed my version of you without ever knowing her.”

Y/N glanced at me but that realization was the worst. There was a version of her in my own world, there had been my own innocent Y/N, one I wouldn’t have had to share and I absolutely ruined her.

“Send me back,” I said, Y/N pulling over to the side of the road.

“What did you just say?” she said.

“Send me back to my world. Let me...let me fix it. I’ll undo it all. I’ll-”

“Your world is full of Angels and Demons and a war Sam said. Just because you want to clean up your mess, doesn’t mean you can,” she said.

“Okay. Okay. Let me...let me go back and I can bring her back. I can bring back my own Y/N, from my world and-”

“You think I would do that to her?” spat back Y/N. “Leave her alone with a psychopath?”

“Some could argue Dean is not the best quality of man there is,” I said.

“He’s the best quality of man you...if you can’t understand why he is, then you don’t deserve anything better than that cage,” she said, pulling back onto the road.

I wasn’t sure what to say. She’d chosen him over me. That was always inevitable. There was a bit of fight left in me but to what purpose?

As Dean had said, I’d already lost.

“How would it work,” she asked after a few moments. “Once you got back there, how would you fix it?”

“I uh, I’d become involved with my brother Lucifer from the start. It’ll take a great deal of energy but it’d be possible to travel through time like that. We would prevent an apocalypse. Keep things in a natural order. Perhaps close hell or change it, create a place where people could redeem themselves. The world would go on, much like this one does,” I said. “I could then return to the present.”

“And you’d find Y/N,” she said. “Your world’s version of her.”

“Could she love a monster such as myself? Does she have that capacity to forgive?” I asked.

“...You don’t know if you’ll have the same reaction to her,” she said.

“I will,” I said, closing my eyes. “But I don’t get a choice.”

“You’re right. It’s up to me.”

“You what?” said Sam. My own eyes were on Y/N, watching her shrug in the library of the bunker. “You can’t be serious.”

“He goes back in his own universe, Dean is safe here, Michael goes and saves all the people he killed...worst case if he’s lying, he’s still stuck over there,” she said.

“Y/N, that’s insane,” said Sam. “You don’t know what he’s capable of. You barely know a thing about the hunting world.”

“Maybe I don’t,” she said, glancing at me. “But I know that crazy over here will do whatever I want. I think maybe if he’s not so lonely...maybe we can give him a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance, Sam.”

“He tortured, Dean. He’s holding Dean trapped in his own body,” said Sam. “You can’t seriously-“

“Hey, Sammy,” said Dean, Y/N and Sam both turning to him. “The dick with wings is letting me talk for a minute so listen up. This guy...I hate him. I want him dead. But he ain’t lying when he says he loves her. It’s something hardwired into him. He can’t fight it. He knows it. She says jump...whatever Y/N wants is ultimately what he’s gonna do. I want him to suffer, believe me...but give her a chance. We can save a whole world of people if we do it right and worst case? We send Y/N in to wrangle him again and toss him in the cage.”

“Are you okay?” asked Y/N.

“I think I’m about to get control of my body back again so yeah, I’m pretty okay,” said Dean. “Mikey’s itching to get back.”

“If I’m allowed to return to my world, I will do as I promised Y/N and I will never return here,” I said.

“Are we really going to uncuff him and let him…” said Sam.

“Yes, Sam, I think you’re going to do exactly that,” I said.

“Michael,” barked Y/N. “Behave. You have no idea how short of a leash you are on.”

“Sorry,” I said quietly, not caring at all how the Winchester boy felt but...Y/N looked angry again. “I apologize, Samuel.”

“I don’t buy this,” said Sam.

“Oh, he doesn’t give a shit about you. We all know that. He cares about me though and what I think of him,” said Y/N. “You’re making me less inclined to do this Michael.”

“I…” I started, taking a deep breath. “I’ll be good. You uncuff me, I hop out of Dean and go through the rift and make things right.”

“You better because Michael? I will be checking up on you and you’re going to leave us plenty of grace to take trips over there whenever we want to,” said Y/N.

“Like I said, what you want, I’ll do.”

It took two months to recover once I was back home. They took grace, a lot of it. Y/N hadn’t been by to check on me yet but she seemed to understand I couldn’t heal so quickly when drained.

Going back to the early days, spinning everything back had felt awful and Lucifer had been in no mood to speak. But he eventually listened when I told him of the things to come. He could not be free of what he’d done already after bearing the Mark but he knew Cain had been able to live with the rage in the other world. Lucifer could learn it as well.

Then it was a waiting game. I could have popped back into the present quickly but there were things I had yet to understand if this Y/N were to be like the one I’d left behind. I watched her lineage, from a distance, but I watched, began to learn and care for them. Without them, someday there would be no Y/N. Their survival was as important as her own.

Her grandfather had a small white dog when he was a boy, a furry little thing. He didn’t think twice about running into the road when it’s simple leash broke.

“Timothy,” I growled, quickly popping in and grabbing the boy and the dog before a driver hit them. I plopped them both back on the sidewalk, handing the dog to him. “Be careful of the road young man. Your life is incredibly valuable.”

“Sorry, mister,” he said. I narrowed my eyes and held my hands behind my back, fidgeting a moment before pulling them in front.

“Here. You’re lucky I happen carry a spare leash in case...take it and take care of your dog. It depends on you for it’s life and safety,” I said.

“Sorry. Thanks for saving, Dean,” he said. I shook my head, smiling a little. Even in different universes, father seemed to still have the upper hand.

“Take care of Dean,” I said. “I was quite cruel to my Dean once.”

“You had a dog?” he asked.

“Sure,” I said. “I learned a great deal of what it means to be responsible from my time with him. Now go on, Timothy. Don’t talk to strangers either.”

I sighed after he took off with the dog on the new leash.

“I hope someday you realize I saved your dog’s life!”

“Walk away,” I said, grabbing the man in the blue jacket by the arm, pinning him back against the brick. “Now.”

“I know that chick,” said the guy.

“No, you don’t. You intend on hurting her for your own benefit,” I said, placing a hand on his neck. “I should kill you for thinking to harm her.”

“What the fuck, man?” he said, powerless to stop it if I truly wanted that. But I hadn’t killed, in such a long time...Y/N would be disappointed in me when she checked on me if I did, even if he deserved it.

“Turn yourself in to the police or I will-” I said, the guy already a groveling mess. I rolled my eyes and popped away with him outside a station, the guy confused but I shoved him towards the door.

“Prison or death. Your choice,” I said. The guy practically sprinted into the building and away. I smirked and returned to the alley, the woman rounding a corner and looking in my direction.

“Hey!” she said to me. I swallowed, ducking my head down. “Hey!”

“Excuse me, miss,” I said, turning away.

“Hey, I know I didn’t stop and say anything but that creep was following me for so long and now he took off. Thanks,” she said.

“It’s my honor, miss,” I said, wincing, walking away. “Good evening.”

“Hey, I don’t even get a name? Or to see that face?” she asked.

“It’s Michael,” I said, the girl pausing behind me. “Go enjoy your evening. That man won’t bother you again.”

“Hey,” said another voice, this one male. “What’s going on here?”

“This guy…” she trailed off as I walked away. “Well thank you!”

“Tonight’s the night you meet Y/N’s father, miss,” I said to myself when I was out of earshot. “It’s a very important night after all.”

As far as I understood, Y/N, the Y/N from the other world, her father had never been in the picture. There was a bad history of men in Y/N’s family. But this man was so kind to Y/N’s mother, I never quite understood it until I managed to speak to one of his drunk friends at a bar one night.

“It’s this family code they got,” said Rory, knocking another beer back. “The guys, all big saps, started back with his grandfather. He was bit of an asshole kid and one day just was nicer. He had some pup or somethin’, started treating it better after he had some scare, started treatin’ other stuff better. They grew up a little funny in that family, not funny but, girls weren’t just girls, they rough housed with the boys, the boys helped cook. Probably why he’s got the cutest chick in town on his arm. He’s not a brute like the rest of us, right buddy?”

“I’d quite like to not be a brute,” I said. “I think I’m still learning that part.”

“Me too, buddy. Me too.”

I did my best to stay away, give the young couple their privacy but I knew it was only a matter of time before what I’d been waiting for so many years would finally happen. I almost missed it too, catching Y/N’s father rushing her mother into a car. I smiled, knowing it would go well and there weren’t so many years left to wait. The one thing I would not allow myself was interaction with her, not until we caught up to the right time. No. I had to lay low, occupy myself other ways. I knew I’d changed something in the time stream, something beyond the grand scheme of allowing this world to never experience an apocalypse.

She had a sweet family, a family that I caught glimpses of the father buying diapers at the store, of the mother picking out a backpack for school, wrappings from birthday presents in the trash.

It was so unlike the childhood Y/N had told Dean about. It was the one she had deserved. The one they all deserved in the end.

“Mr. Michael?” asked the little girl as she timidly came over to me with her friend. I smiled, tried to keep it soft. I’d been practicing that and the time I’d spent there with the children had greatly shown me how to show it more naturally. “Henry wants to know why you wear a suit all the time.”

“I like to wear a suit,” I said gently. “Just like you like to wear those big bear claw slippers.”

“I get cold feet,” said the boy behind Farrow.

“I know. You two are up way past bedtime though,” I said, picking them each up in one arm, both of them giggling. A nurse gave us a smile as I brought Henry back to his room, his mother saying goodnight to me when I handed him off.

“Mr. Michael,” said Farrow. “Why do you work here? You’re not a doctor.”

“No, no I’m not,” I said. “I like volunteering here at the hospital. I used to be a bully when I was younger. When I was...when I was a boy, I probably would have made fun of you for being sick.”

“No you wouldn’t. You’re too nice,” she said.

“I grew up and realized I didn’t like being alone and being mean to people. Someone very special to me pointed that out. It’s no fun being alone,” I said.

“Well...maybe you got cranky cause you were by yourself and your mommy and daddy didn’t play with you a lot. I’m sick all the time and they still play with me, even if I can’t run around so much anymore,” she said.

“Maybe that was it,” I said softly. “Well, to answer your first question, I volunteer because I don’t have much of a family anymore, because I was so mean. It’s very hard when you want a family again and they’re all gone. So sometimes we find other ways to make us happy. Working here does that for me.”

“You can bring home one of my pictures from my wall so your house is happy too,” she said.

“Oh but Farrow, those are your special drawings. They suck up all the bad sickness,” I said.

“Mr. Michael, I know they don’t. The medicine makes me better...kinda,” she said.

“You’ve been through so much already,” I said quietly, Farrow not saying anything as I carried her back into her room, tucking her in and making sure a nurse would come by to reattach her IV. “Do you want me to stay until your parents get here?”

She nodded, tucking her head into her pillow, letting out a little sigh. She was out fast. She always fell asleep fast. I smiled, rubbing a hand over her head.

“When you wake up tomorrow, Farrow, you’re going to feel so much better. You’re never going to worry about that nasty thing growing in you ever coming back again,” I said.

“I wish,” said her father, a man with a normally sunny disposition despite his daughter’s situation. “She weaker today? I know you give it to me straighter than the doctor’s do.”

“I feel like her illness is starting to get to her,” I said, the man nodding as he took a seat in his normal chair. “You have a strong girl, Alex. I wouldn’t give up hope just yet.”

“How do you come in this place every day, man? After what you said happened with your own girl…” he said. I had disliked that I’d lied to most of the parents I ever spoke with but they were not children and needed a better understanding of why a man such as myself would be there, volunteering in the children’s hospital regularly. “How can you even walk in a hospital after that?”

“My girl...gave me a second chance, a way to find myself again. This is not an evil place, Alex, even if you feel it is. Do not give up on your hope for better things. It’s the best part of humanity there is,” I said. “Your girl has hope. Let it thrive.”

“Her labs came back...it’s worse, a lot worse,” he said.

“Labs are wrong at times,” I said with a shrug. “Perhaps some sort of miracle will happen. You never truly know.”

“Miracles aren’t real,” he said.

“Agree to disagree, Alex,” I said with a smile, trailing a finger down Farrow’s arm, giving her one last boost of grace. “Good night. Get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a good day.”

“Night, Michael.”

“Good afternoon, Michael,” said Nurse Hathaway. “We were wondering where you’ve been. It’s not like you to skip out on us. We were getting ready to make a missing person’s report.”

“Thank you Carol,” I said with a smile, picking up my badge and signing in. “No, no. I had some personal business to attend to. Some things are changing for me and unfortunately, today will be my last day of volunteering here. I wanted to say goodbye to some of the children. I know how attached some of them grow.”

“Oh, Mr. Michael is a big hit. The kids are going to miss you,” she said. “You finally forgive yourself for whatever it is you did?”

“Carol, you know-”

“I know why you say you’re here. I know the look in your eye too. It’s different than when you first came here,” she said.

“We all have our demons,” I said with a smile. “But we don’t have to keep feeding them throughout our lives, do we?”

“Good point. Hey, make sure your buddy Farrow is your last stop. She’s got a big surprise for you.”

“Hello?” I knocked on the open door at the end of the hall. Alex was there, coloring with Farrow on the bed, his wife passed out on the sleeping couch in the room.

“Mr. Michael!” said Farrow. “Guess what?”

“What?” I said.

“I’m not sick anymore,” she said. “I feel so good! I get to go home later today!”

“Really?” I said, Alex nodding.

“Yeah. Isn’t that great?” she said.

“Well my last day is pretty amazing then,” I said. She hopped off her bed with more energy than I’d ever seen out of her, getting a hug from her before she handed me a paper.

“It sucks up the bad stuff,” she said, handing me one of her drawings.

“I’m going to keep this someplace safe,” I said, carefully folding it and putting it in my wallet. I didn’t necessarily need it for anything but it made things easier and got less questions asked.

“Michael, can I talk to you for a minute?” asked Alex. I hummed and he led me outside the room, grabbing my arm when we were farther down the hall. “What’d you do?”

“Alex, I would never harm-”

“Not harm,” said Alex, releasing his grip. “You said all that stuff the other night and she was bad, real bad. You knew how bad she was. She could barely walk and now she’s perfect? Like nothing was ever wrong? That’s not possible.”

“Perhaps some sort of miracle happened. I wouldn’t question it, Alex,” I said, getting a nod from him.

“You know, I asked the nurses about you...they call you Healing Angel, like that angel Michael or something. You started volunteering here a few years ago and of the many, many children that have gone through here in that time, all of them got better. Some it was slow, some it was fast like Farrow, but they got better. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” he said.

“You want me to say I’m an angel? I’m the angel Michael?” I said with a chuckle, chuckling some more to myself. “Alex, this is one of the best hospitals in the country.”

“But-”

“Alex,” I said, giving him a nod. “I’m just a man who is trying to redeem himself, nothing more. Your daughter is well. Be happy. Forget the how and just enjoy.”

“Michael,” he said. I smiled, crossing my arms. “Michael.”

“Have a good life, Alex. Look after Farrow, she’s a very special girl,” I said.

“Special how?” he asked.

“Helped save a fallen archangel like me for starters,” I said. Alex’s face dropped, a quiet chuckle escaping me. “Goodbye, Alex.”

It’d been years and years and now that the moment was here...I wasn’t sure what to do. I’d spent so much time learning, over a century of it and I’d learned a great deal.

Preparing to speak to the woman I was very likely going to be in love with, how to even flirt with her, probably should have been higher on the list.

“Hey.”

I glanced up from the park bench, wide eyed.

“Y/N?” I asked, Dean taking a seat on a bench on the other side of the path, just out of earshot. He gave me a glare, my head dropping.

“I see you found a new vessel. He looks a lot like Dean,” she said.

“It’s just a suit. This man has a life again...I changed it all. I fixed it. No one’s in here but me,” I said.

“You ditched the three piece suit,” she said. “Dress shirt and jeans. First date tonight or something?”

“I hope,” I said. “If she rejects me, that’s her choice and I will stand by it.”

“You’re different. You didn’t just change everything and pop back to now, did you,” said Y/N.

“No,” I said with a smile. “I knew how you reacted to me. I had to learn and that takes time.”

“What have you been learning?” she asked.

“Everything. Being human. Compassion,” I said.

“Way to brag about it,” she said.

“Nothing to brag about, Y/N. I’m simply doing as I promised you and I will continue to do so long after you leave this place,” I said.

“You really think you’ll win other me over?” she asked.

“I haven’t a clue,” I said. “I haven’t a clue if I’ll even have the same reaction to her as I do you.”

“We may have swung by her place before we came to see you,” she said.

“I see,” I said.

“Michael, close your eyes,” she said. I did as told, the park bench shifting as she stood, another weight replacing it. “Go ahead.”

“Hi. I’m Y/N but I guess you already know that,” she said, looking exactly the same if not a bit kinder in the eyes when she looked at me.

“Hi,” I said, taking a deep breath, a flurry of something rushing through my veins. “I’m Michael.”

“I’ve heard,” she said. I nodded and turned away. It was still there, even stronger than before if possible. “You know...I was kind of surprised when that guy over there and my twin from another universe showed up at my door.”

“I would imagine so,” I said.

“Michael, can you look at me?” she asked. There was no harshness in her voice. They’d surely told her about my past. They were the good ones after all. This girl was simply showing kindness such as the first Y/N had. I’d never deserved this opportunity and I surely did not deserve this girl or the chance to know her.

“I’m not sure what to do,” I said, lifting my head, glancing at the first Y/N I’d known. She gave me a smile, the Y/N from the first world giving her a head nod.

“You’re like my guardian angel or something?” said the Y/N on the bench.

“I’m not sure,” I said.

“You’re kind of an indecisive guy, aren’t you?” she asked. I glanced at the other Y/N, getting an eye roll from her. “Y/N says you’re a little different.”

“What else does she say,” I said.

“Not a lot,” she said.

“Y/N, Can I talk to Michael alone for just a minute? Then we got to run and head back home,” said Y/N. She nodded and Y/N curled her finger, promoting for me to follow her down the path, a bit away from the others. “Why aren’t you confessing your love for her already?”

“I don’t wish to cause fear in her. I feel now, despite waiting for this moment for a very long time...perhaps it’s best for her if I leave her be,” I said.

“Why?”

“I’m a monster and she deserves better. You both do.”

“Maybe she does deserve better than you but I’ll let her make that choice for herself,” said Y/N.

“I don’t understand. She must know-“

“She knows that the archangel Michael came to our world and came back to his own to fix a few things. It looks like you’re holding up you end of the deal,” she said. “She doesn’t know your old psychopath, kidnapping, torturing, evil ways, Michael.”

“I feel she should,” I said, Y/N raising an eyebrow. “Relationships with dishonesty do not last. Not that I should have the right at one. Simply an observation I’ve made.”

“If I know myself, she’ll be as pissed as me,” said Y/N. “Would you throw a tantrum and destroy the world again if she rejected you?”

“Why would I destroy this place?” I asked. Y/N smiled, a soft one, one I remembered from Dean’s memories. “Why are you happy?”

“You kept your promise, Michael. You’re not the same archangel that hurt Dean, not anymore,” she said.

“I was not punished for what I did. I should be,” I said.

“Did you steal some of his self-depreciation too?” she teased.

“But-”

“You forget Michael. We’re connected. I know you. We’ve all been monsters. We try to fix it, move on and do good to make up for it. You’re doing that,” she said.

“So many people have suffered because of me,” I said.

“True. Which is why if you want to be punished...I have a solution for you,” she said.

“It’s your decision,” I said.

“Y/N!” called this one, the one from my world walking over, wearing a big smile. “Michael here wants to be punished but I’m not so sure. I have an idea if we decide to do it though. What do you think?”

“Why would he need to be punished?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“I once killed this world, Y/N,” I said. “I filled it with monsters, led a war...humans were nothing to me. I once even threatened the man this other Y/N loves. I was controlling him, in a horribly wrong way and I threatened to hurt her, keep her as a pet...I am not a thing that deserves anything but punishments.”

“But…” she trailed off. “Is that true?”

“I didn’t know I was going to be a pet but yeah, it’s true,” said Y/N. “Now, what do you think we ought to do with him?”

“Please just make up you mind,” I said, closing my eyes. “I don’t wish to harass Y/N with this anymore.”

“Which one?” said Dean, walking over and standing behind the one that was his, was most certainly his.

“What do you want?” I asked him. Dean scoffed and narrowed his eyes. “I am sorry for what I did. Send me somewhere else, somewhere I’ll be alone.”

“Running away from your problems is sort of my deal, dude,” said Dean, lifting his chin. “Besides, somebody has to keep an eye on you.”

Dean glanced at the other Y/N, giving her a smirk.

“I sincerely hope I never see you again,” said Dean, throwing his arm over Y/N’s shoulders. “Let’s go home.”

“Wait,” I said, Y/N staring up at me. “What about-”

“You could always go team human all the way,” said Y/N with a smirk. “Get rid of your grace. Sort of how you got rid of monsters in this world.”

“How do you know-”

“We know what you’ve been up to, Mikey,” said Dean. “Not our first time dropping by.”

“But-”

“Y/N’ll help you figure out what to do I’m sure,” said Y/N, giving me a nod. “Michael. Be good.”

“What…” I said, watching them walk away, Y/N standing there scratching her head.

“Today’s weird,” she said.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked. “Would you like that I become human? I will leave you alone either way.”

“Michael…” she said, pursing her lips. “I...okay honestly, they sort of told me a lot of stuff before I got here. Like a lot. I was shocked to hear that you did that bad stuff but...they said you were redeeming yourself now. I think you have to let it all go, just try to be good and live your life now.”

“What did they tell you?” I asked.

“The hospital stuff. The whole no monsters. This world isn’t perfect but it’s nicer than theirs from what I can tell. You...you’re my guardian angel or maybe it’s something else and I want you to keep being good, right here in this universe,” she said.

“I can’t leave it. Not without them. The items they used to get here...a few don’t exist here,” I said.

“Well good. You might come in handy for something,” she said. I nodded, Y/N giggling. “You should smile more. I’m not going to do anything bad to you, Michael.”

“Would you if I asked?” I said. She frowned, that flurry in my veins aching horribly.

“No. From what they said, you’ve learned a lot and learned how to care for people but you forgot something pretty important it seems like,” she said.

“What?”

“Letting someone take care of you.”

“Your apartment is quite nice,” I said, following her into the space. “Quite similar to the other Y/N’s place actually.”

“This place has a roof problem, a mice problem and my wifi is crap,” she said. I squeezed my eyes shut, blinking a few times. “Did you just fix all that stuff?”

“You should have nice things,” I said. She shook her head and led me over to a couch, telling me to sit. She left the room, returning after a few moments with a beer and sitting on the other end.

“So...I got a feeling you’re going to be the strangest friend I ever had,” she said. “Do you like beer?”

“I don’t require food,” I said.

“Do you sleep?” she asked.

“No.”

“Where do you live?”

“Nowhere,” I said. “I often walk at night. I like quiet.”

“You like me too, don’t you?” she asked.

“I like the idea of you,” I said. “You...I do not yet know where my feelings stem from.”

“Well it’s not like we have to figure it all out in one day. We got the time, Michael.”

Two Years Later

“Michael?”

I blinked open my eyes, laying down in the bedroom, Y/N standing over the side of the bed.

“You passed out,” she said. “We were talking and you just…”

“I traveled far today. I need to rest, Y/N,” I said, giving her a nod. “I’ll be well soon.”

“Traveled far my ass. You stumbled out to the kitchen and back. You pushed this body too much,” she said, pulling the sheets over top of me. “I told you we should do this slow but you went cold turkey on me.”

“I got excited. Sue me,” I said, closing my eyes with a smirk.

“How much water have you drunk? Are you hungry? Do you-”

“Y/N. I’ve been practicing being human for over a year. I know to drink fluids and eat food,” I said.

“Oh, well I’ll leave you to fend for yourself then,” she said, crossing her arms.

“I thought water would taste different. It doesn’t taste like anything,” I said, rolling onto my back, staring at the ceiling.

“I can make you some soup and grilled cheese,” she said, running a hand over my head. “How’s that sound for first human food?”

“Great,” I said, closing my eyes.

“Why now, Michael?” she asked. “This morning you seemed normal and then I get home from the store and you suddenly jumped headfirst into this without me. I wanted to be here and help you if you needed it.”

“I know. I was nervous of the reaction I’d have. I’ve been an archangel a very long time,” I said. “I like this better though, being human.”

“How’s the guilt feel now?” she asked gently.

“Still there. But it’s alright. I can live with it,” I said.

“You seem happier,” she said. I shrugged, turning my head slowly.

“I finally know now. Whether it was because I was a guardian angel or not,” I said.

“Are you going to keep me in suspense?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the mattress.

“It was you. Just you,” I said. “Saved a whole world and one ex-evil archangel you did.”

“You know I don’t like when you talk about yourself like that,” she said, running her hand over my head.

“I’m still learning. Always learning,” I said, leaning into the touch.

“Remember when we learned you liked cuddling? Oh, that was amazing,” she said, crawling her fingers down my cheek, tickling under my jaw. “Little cutie you are underneath it all.”

“I don’t think I’ll be well enough to to work today,” I said.

“You still want to volunteer? Knowing you have no grace anymore?” she asked.

“Well...I’m human now but my grace isn’t all gone,” I said. “I’ve been extracting it for quite a while. I have a stock supply built up that I can still give out.”

“How big a supply?” she asked.

“...A hundred years worth give or take,” I said with a wince.

“Oh, is that all?” she said, shaking her head. “I think you should take a few days off, get your human legs under you. The kiddos will be there when you get back.”

“Do you want me to get a real job?” I asked. She shook her head, leaning down and kissing my lips. It still felt so strange, even stranger now, that she would want to ever give me a chance.

“You have a very important job, Mr. Michael,” she said. “I’ll be right back with your snack.”

“Y/N,” I said as she stood, getting a smile from her. “Thank you. For giving me something better.”

“I didn’t do anything Michael. You did.”

#spn #supernatural #dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #michael!dean x reader #spn one shot #one shot #spn reader insert #spn fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction #michael x reader #supernatural reader insert #supernatural one shot #michael!dean

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959somaticcells · 5 years ago

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A VF Planetary Lore HC Post: On Crydor

I’ve worked on fleshing out a few headcanons of mine concerning the Voltron Force universe (mainly to use as an adjunct resource for my fanfics, to try and keep myself somewhat consistent), and it’s about time I put ‘em up somewhere. This one is on Crydor, and I can’t seem to find the other planets I worked on so far... damn shame, I suspect I’ve lost the files. Anyways, for those parties interested, more below the cut!

Also, if anyone has particular areas of the VF universe they’d like to see me work on, please let me know!

Chapter 1: Crydor

Author’s note: this work is the beginning of my life’s project, to more accurately recapitulate the story of those worlds that have been either forgotten by history or written over, in an effort to pay my own form of respects to those countless unnamed victims of the violence that has reigned over our universe. I am, by birth and education, influenced by the Alliance narrative, but my desire is to counter this bias with as much research as I can glean from both sides of the war, as well as what primary records I could resurface. My hope is that one day, when this conflict is naught but an unpleasant chapter in the history of all sentient beings, we will be able to with clearer eyes look back at what was lost, and the prices that were paid for securing our freedom from the Drule Empire.

Crydor behaved as a colony in association with the Galaxy Alliance, as it was originally an effort to create a populated borderland between the Alliance and Drule-controlled territories of the remote and relatively unimportant Xiberan quadrant. While the world was not ideal or recommended for terraformation by Alliance scientists, political machinations nonetheless led to a great amount of time and resources being devoted to making habitable and sustainable a world well outside of the “goldilocks zone” of its own star system, on the grounds that with a sufficiently well-engineered greenhouse gas content to the atmosphere and the opening of geothermal vents via deep-core drilling, equatorial regions could be made into a suitable climate- at least, for the duration of the “summer”. In the relatively narrow band of land successfully colonized, the climate ranged from that of earthly regions in and around the Arctic circle, to Antarctic conditions only really livable with vast underground civilian spaces heated geothermally and maintained at great expense.

The Alliance set forward an initiative to populate Crydor specifically targeting those whose livelihoods were affected by the progressive warming and destruction of Earth’s own Arctic regions; these included Scandinavians, Sami, Inuit and other Northern populations, who were also given significant incentive in the form of financial support (and, perhaps, a bit more unsavory political tactics than the Alliance would admit to) and the promise of being able to maintain and preserve their culture by bringing along specimens of Earthly flora and fauna, which also contributed to the stabilization of the climate on Crydor via carbon cycling and atmosphere regulation. In addition, new populations were introduced that included long-extinct species that had once thrived in the colder regions of Earth recently made attainable by advances in paleontological genetics and zoology, such as smilodons, mastodons and myriad megafauna. These species over time diversified and adapted to the Crydorian conditions in unique ways, though the vastest portion of the planet remained unlivable for all but the hardiest of extremophiles. Many interplanetary scientists as well as civilians who felt burdened by the population density of their homeworlds also came to Crydor and integrated into the local culture, which remained remarkably peaceable with minimal cultural conflict. For many decades it seemed that Crydor would remain like this, a snowglobe-world enclosing within it these histories and traditions that had been struggling to survive on Earth.

However, politics are ultimately not motivated by goodwill towards cultural preservation and heritage, and the Alliance’s ultimate goals of keeping a populated world with a standing army near the frontier of the Drule Empire was becoming less of a priority as the Drule retreated from the Xiberan quadrant and refocused efforts to secure planets that had recently been seized by the Alliance following their expenditure in conflict between the Drules themselves. That is; Warlord-King Zarkon’s faction had been expanding in influence rather rapidly and captured a few key strategic mobilization and refueling worlds, and destroyed others simply for the sake of making them unavailable to the Empire. These destructive acts marked a major turning point in public opinion on Zarkon’s militia, as throughout the Alliance humanitarian organizations outcried the neglect of his heinous crimes against populated worlds, atrocities committed for no reason other than to create obstacles and inconveniences for the Empire. Ultimately a very limited number of survivors were retrieved from these outposts by Alliance forces, though little to no trace of their culture remains, a topic of great ire for many a ethnologist to this day.

While Crydor itself had for many years remained armed and ready, it ultimately was ignored amongst the regions of the universe serving as theatres of war, and was thus no longer needed as a strategic point for the Alliance. Furthermore, the investors within the Alliance government looking for potential sources of profit locked away under Crydor’s permafrost had ultimately found more suitable worlds from which to obtain those few natural resources that Crydor had to offer (namely fresh water and rare metals), cutting off the small amount of revenue that to many a politician had justified those centuries of Alliance effort being funneled into it. However, by this point, the population was large enough (the peak population reaching around three hundred thousand permanent residents) and the sense of planetary identity distinct enough for a movement to turn Crydor from a colony world to a fully-fledged Alliance member was begun. All this, however, would soon come to a terrible end.

What follows is not what will be found in any Garrison-affiliated Academy’s textbooks, nor in nearly any Alliance histories. The reality of Crydor’s fall is not that of a colony world abandoned by its own citizens, but rather that of a people abandoned by that power which had hereunto supported them. Perhaps the word “abandoned” seems unduly harsh, but to those precious few survivors of what happened on Crydor, no other vocabulary seems suitable.

While negotiations were underway for the Crydorian Question in Alliance meeting rooms on Earth, an unexpected turn of events led to Drule militia reentering the Xiberan quadrant and effectively working to clear out any Alliance presence from any of the six populated solar systems within. While the Drule had no intent at this time of colonizing or even harvesting resources from these worlds, the situation had changed within the upper management of the Empire; the Xiberan quadrant now represented an astropolitical obstacle to further-reaching efforts to secure trade lines and military dominion, much like how in the Terrestrial days of human civilization, an inconsequential island in a sea that is otherwise controlled by a larger power is best neutralized such that there is a region of unquestionable sovereignty over the waters and any future incursions into the region are discouraged from foreign powers. Crydor itself was, at this time, of no consequence to the Drule Empire, but the Xiberan quadrant as a whole needed to be cleared out to give a larger berth for Imperial fleets and tradeships to freely travel without interference, as well as to protect routes of military communications. At this point in time, weapons capable of effectively destroying entire planets already existed, though such resources were not expended on Crydor; rather, an atmosphere-disrupting weapon effectively destroyed the thermoregulatory capacities of the world, but not before Drule soldiers had effectively wiped the Crydorians off the map, alongside the eight other populated worlds within the Xiberan quadrant.

Amongst these victims of this rarely-spoken-of genocide, only Crydor left any survivors, as a small number of civilians who hid within some of the more secure bunkers of the underground geothermally maintained living spaces were able to hold out until the Drule cleared the area, sent a distress signal and were retrieved by the Alliance- albeit quietly and without fanfare. It is a particularly black mark on the history of the Alliance that the earlier rumbles of unrest suggesting Drule activity in the Xiberan quadrant were not treated as a priority, and that Alliance ships in the area were instructed to retreat upon word of the Drule movements inwards rather than stay and help defend the colonies. Because of the remoteness of these events, and the lack of individuals to protest the written history, it is said that the Crydor colony collapsed and failed of its own accord, after the climate shifted suddenly and proved too much for human survival. This change to the story is further facilitated by Crydor alone bearing any survivors, who only numbered in the hundreds, and another significant factor- that these survivors happened to be either too young to remember much or too old to carry the memory very far into the future.

This was the product of a unique aspect of Crydorian culture, wherein during those spells of weather that were particularly harsh (with temperatures dropping below minus eighty centigrade and violent hailstorms marking the Crydorian winter several times each year), children and the elderly, as well as those with other health problems, would remain further underground while those able would would work closer to the surface to maintain the infrastructure that allowed survival in these extreme conditions. One such severe storm was ongoing as the Drule bombarded Crydor’s surface and sent down cold-impervious droids with orders to destroy any organic life encountered; while the armed forces of the planet fought back valiantly, the combination of the timing of the attack during such a storm and the sheer force of the Drule invaders (it is believed by military historians that Crydor was an experimental grounds for these new droids developed by an ambitious young scientist by the name of Maahox, working with a rare element to create more resilient and deadly mechanical soldiers that might lead to his promotion within the ranks upon this demonstration of their abilities) ultimately overpowered and decimated Crydor.

The survivors, unable to help or contact their loved ones, held out for about five weeks thanks to the stockpiled resources and dedicated work of the elders, who hoped that the children of Crydor might carry on the memory of their world and live to better days. Of the several underground cities where such groups were present, not all would last the wait; ultimately, one community’s survivors alone evaded the flooding and tunnel collapse that the Drule bombing campaign caused- those from the former Crydorian spaceport town of Telavaag. Only after the month-long storm had cleared did Alliance forces come down and seek out the sources of the distress signals, returning the victims to their ancestral planet, Earth, for rehabilitation.

The amount of post-rescue casualties was unusual, as even after being treated on Earth, the majority of the survivors (and many medics and soldiers who had come down for the rescue) succumbed to a strange, neurodegenerative illness somewhat resembling a mixture of radiation poisoning and late-stage rabies- it was not contagious, so no quarantine was necessary, but it nonetheless disturbed and puzzled doctors. However, the survivors were so thinly spread that the nature of this anomaly wasn’t able to be characterized and understood until far later, when the alliance first truly became aware of the nature of Maahox’s rare element used in powering his droids. It would come to be known that residual haggarium from blown-apart droids had created microcrystalline shards that penetrated the skin of some survivors and Alliance workers on their way out of the planet, and that the unrefined nature of this haggarium made it particularly lethal compared to its processed form created and used later on for more advanced weaponry. Only some dozen Crydorians survived within six months of arrival on earth, including the former Voltron Force member Sven Holgersson, whose twin brother had died of the then-mysterious Crydorian Survivor Sickness.

These remaining few were all under the age of fourteen and were largely unable to counter the misinformation of what had happened on Crydor; after all, traumatized children are known to have poor memories of the reality of their situation. Within the Alliance itself, this neat rewriting of the canon of Crydor was largely contested, but ultimately the argument put forward that the reality was far too grim and damaging to public trust, as the Alliance would be seen in an incredibly poor light due to its lack of forethought towards monitoring and protecting the people of the colonies. As during this time in history, the Alliance-Drule war had taken its ideological slant to a new extent, such unheroic and disturbingly pragmatic decisions as to leave politically and strategically insignificant populated worlds to the wolves needed to be erased from the public consciousness. After all, there were very, very few who would say otherwise.

To the time of writing, Crydor has returned to its native state as it was before colonization, at least as far as I as the historian know. If there is any remainder of life on that world, it is not spoken of, and Crydor is a brief afterthought in the annals of Alliance maps and history books, more well-known for its unique geology and eerie tale of the failed colony than anything else. With its last known son- the aforementioned Sven Holgersson- missing and presumed dead for many years, it is unclear whether anything of Crydor’s story remains to salvage, but one thing is clear to me- that history is not written solely by the victors. History is written by any and all those who are given the opportunity to change the narrative; by force, lack of dissenting voices, or a stark desire for a particular past to be held true in the hearts of those still seeking to believe- in whatever they need to- for their actions past and present to be the correct choices.

#vf hcs #vforce11 #voltron force #crydor

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queenmorgawse · 6 years ago

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i am in the birds that sing (i am in each lovely thing)

THIS FIC HAS SPOILERS FOR CHAPTERS 123-124 OF TGCF. as a disclaimer, though, i'm only caught up with suika's translation, so i don't know how these two actually end up. pls don't spoil me!! content warnings : suicidal thoughts / ....suicide equivalent? think what mo xuanyu pulled in mdzs canon. nothing graphic, but it's not lightly implied either. please take care! here's some soundtrack, if reading with music is your thing. read on ao3 + end notes.

He Xuan,

This is a graceless beginning to a graceless letter, isn’t it? Of course, it hardly matters. I wish for you to never read this at all, so you can remain as happy as you can be. I don’t even know if this will survive my endeavor. If it has, and if you’re reading it, I urge you to fold it again and burn it. It will bring you no joy.

Why write the letter at all, then? The truth is, I am awfully lonely, these days, and this is hardly something I can simply tell my neighbour when I invite her over for tea. She’s a sweet young woman. I hope she fares well after this. I’ll have to ask her to leave the pinwheels where they are, and see that they don’t get blown away.

I keep getting lost in thoughts, but again, it doesn’t matter. All I have to waste is paper and time, and though I’ve spent much of one already, I shall not run out of the other before I am done.

I suppose I just want to clear my head and go...wherever I am going serenely, without dragging a heavy heart behind. I am also selfish in that special way humans are, and want to cling to the possibility, as infinitesimal as it is, that someone somewhere will know of me.

To the core of the problem, then ⎯ or, actually, the core of the solution.

I have a little divinity left in me, you see. Oh, not much ; figuratively, barely enough to fill a teacup. It will not keep me immortal, or give me my spiritual devices back. Ultimately, it will not save me, so I thought I might devote it to something that will be worth it.

I’ve been doing an awful ton of research. My brother attempted the impossible and, against all odds, succeeded. I made my best attempt at doing the same. There are many spells forbidden and forgotten to find, if one works with single-minded purpose.

I unearthed the one I wanted, after a while.

Shi Wudu’s sixth birthday goes by without a hitch. So does the year that follows it, and the next, and the next. He never presses his ear against his mother��s door, waiting with baited breath for a newborn’s first wail. There is no longer a nursery and no new cradle in the Shi family’s mansion.

When he leaves, stubbornly holding his head high as whispers and gossip surround him, what remains of his belongings tucked in the bag hanging at his shoulder, he leaves alone.

I thought of looking for a way to bring your family and fiancée back to life, at first. Then I realized that if they did, they would still be mortal, and your happiness would be fleeting. It was a great shame to lose them once ; it would have been a tragedy to watch them die again. I discarded that idea soon after I came up with it.

A group of children wades through the shallow current of the stream that runs like a silver ribbon around the town of Fu Gu. The boys rolled up their pants to their knees, the girls hiked up their skirts as high as they dared. They kick and splash water at each other, and the air rings with startled yelps and breathless laughter.

One of the girls latches onto the shoulders of the boy next to her and bears down with all her weight, dragging them both into the river. She bolts to her feet as fast as she can, expecting him to catch her and pull her back again, giggles and wrings water out of her soaked mess of a dress. Instead, he stares at her like he’s never seen her before, like she caught the sun shining high above them and set it into her smile.

Not for the first time, she is mesmerizing. For the first time, he is charmed.

When I found what I was looking for, it took me one year to translate it, then another to check it over again and practice. Aren’t arrays that must be drawn perfectly in a single line so very annoying? I had to make sure it worked.

These are bold words from me, though. Even as I sit here, writing this, I do not know whether it will succeed. All I know is that I won’t be able to live with myself if I do not try.

Red robes rustle as the couple kneel and bow their heads before the family shrine.

There is no gold to line the bride’s veil, and the clothes themselves have been handed down three generations. But the joy ⎯ the joy they radiate changes everything. In that aspect, an emperor couldn’t dream of a lovelier wedding.

As is tradition, the bride and groom bow thrice : once to the heaven and the earth, once to the aging couples looking on with tears in their eyes, and once to each other. They rise to the sound of cheers, their hands still clasped in each other’s. The wedding party wishes them good luck, prosperity, healthy children, their words running together like songs.

Blessings come raining down on them, and the road ahead is endless.

Here is how it works : the only person who needs to disappear is me. The rest is all consequences, like ripples in a pond. Without me in the middle, there is no stone to be thrown, and the surface remains peaceful. There will be no newborn baby for a hungry spirit to latch on. My brother will never go to the lengths he did for someone who never existed to begin with.

You will have the life you should have had from the beginning, without knowing you ever suffered.

In a beautiful two-storied house, a young woman slumps against the bed frame, her face flushed, breathless but somehow glowing. The midwife hands her a small, wailing bundle. She takes it into her arms with infinite gentleness, cradling it to her chest.

The door opens. A young man in dark robes half runs, half flies into the room, a little girl on his heels. The child climbs onto the bed, babbling at her mother the entire time, while her husband leans over her, his gaze softening.

Three dark heads bend together, cooing at the newborn. The baby opens its eyes and chirps at them, small and soft. The mother starts to cry, while the girl whoops and claps until her father shushes her.

A few minutes later, another woman bursts into the room. Gege! she calls, then gasps. Oh, she’s so cute!

He Chunhua, they call the infant, for the spring flowers blooming outside the mother’s window.

It is a simple and elegant solution. The best I could come up with, anyway.

Don’t think I rushed headlong into this. I could have, as I rushed into many other messes ⎯ but I thought this time, neither ge nor you would be here to catch me if I fell, and so I proceeded as carefully as I knew how.

I made a list of everyone my disappearance might affect. Of course, my brother and yourself were the first. I used to be upset at this, but now, I am glad the other heavenly officials were never as fond of me as they claimed to be. Fewer ripples in the pond to mind.

I thought of all the prayers I answered over the years, the little demands and the big. But I trust that you, the version of He Xuan I never knew, are a good person, and that you will attend to your worshipers as I have to mine. Hopefully, you will also help His Highness in his time of need.

I suppose that with all this covered, there is not much more for me to say.

Three children tug each other by the hand. One is, to tell the truth, a teenager already ; the second doesn’t appear older than eleven or twelve, and the third is only a small boy, eight years old at most. The eldest leads them up the temple’s steps and into the semi-darkness.

There, the shadows are broken by thousands of candles lit by a steady stream of worshipers. Even now, as the dusky sky stretches into night, many still pray at the god’s feet. They ask for kind winds on their journeys, for good fortune for their businesses, for beneficial matches for their children. A hundred prayers rise into the sky, with the smoke of a hundred merits. All over the land, there are such temples, with such people sending the Lord Wind Master their wishes and hoping for his blessing.

The eldest sister lights an incense stick for each of her younger siblings. Together, they kneel among the other devotees.

Unlike the others, their prayers do not ask for anything. They tell the god about their mother, and how hard she’s been working lately. They talk about their grandmother, whose health has been improving a little with the death of winter, and about their grandfather, whose extraordinary resilience still has him running the family’s shop despite his old age. They talk about themselves, too ; how their education goes, the friends they’ve made, the life ahead of them.

It always ends the same way. Father, I hope you are doing well. We miss you very much.

They will come back next week.

If you’ve read up until here, you have thoroughly disregarded the advice I’ve given in the first lines, and I must scold you for it. I understand, though. There are few things more tempting than the truth, once it has shown even a glimpse of itself. I hope this doesn’t upset you too much. You were in so much pain that first time ; even after all that has happened, I do not want to add to it, even in a lifetime where you will not remember.

Well, now you know. If this letter exists at all, that is. The person who wrote it was never here, so it is unlikely, but I cling to the childish hope that it will make it through somehow.

I don’t know what will happen to me. The ritual says very little, only that it goes against the rules of the world. I don’t know whether I will be able to enter the cycle of reincarnation again, or if it is forever barred to me.

What I said that day is true. I wanted to die then, and even now, I cannot bring myself to mind the idea. What changed since I left the island is that I decided I would rather not die in vain. If the letter survived, then at least one person in the world will remember my name. I’m quite happy with that.

I hope it doesn't hurt. I hope it feels just like falling asleep.

I want to say more, I really do. But, He Xuan, if you have read this to the end, I don’t want to burden you with anything you might feel towards the shadow of a ghost, be it hatred, or guilt, or (dare I hope) gratefulness.

Once again, I am sorry. The wrongs of this lifetime will never appear in yours, but I will remember them all the same. I cannot bring myself to forgive that version of you for what you did, no more than I can forgive myself for what I took part in.

It is all right, though. There will soon be a blank slate, a world in which neither of these things happened, and we are happy ⎯ or at least, at peace.

Just know that even though you might think I have done much for a stranger’s sake, you were the furthest thing from a stranger to me.

With hope once again,

Shi Qingxuan

In the middle of a convoluted array stands a forgotten god. Blood drips down their fingertips as they bend down to complete the circle with a swift, decisive stroke.

The dawn explodes into shards of light.

When the dust settles, the field is almost empty. A gentle spring breeze blows across neat rows of pinwheels.

All is quiet, and all is new.

#tgcf #tian guan ci fu #heaven officials blessing #shi qing xuan #shuangxuan #tgcf spoilers #kim's fics #tgcf fic

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thesinglesjukebox · 6 years ago

Video

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TAYLOR SWIFT FT. BRENDON URIE - ME!

[3.53]

Things have changed for "ME!"...

Alex Clifton: A lead single should not make me think, "Oh, is this the Kidz Bop version?" [3]

Abdullah Siddiqui: This isn't the Old Taylor or the New Taylor. It's some entity so devoid of anything remotely substantive it doesn't warrant a human name. And I'm not very familiar with this Brendon Urie, but his delivery of the line "and you can't spell awesome without 'me'" sounds like the sonic embodiment of a Disney XD mid-season replacement choking on its own blue-cotton-candy puerilism. And I know that makes literally no sense but it's honestly the best way I know how to describe it. [2]

Taylor Alatorre: On the one hand, this was designed to subvert as few expectations and step on as few toes as a late 2010s Taylor Swift lead single can. On the other hand, it commits so hard to the bit that it ends up becoming a Lonely Island parody of the kind of post-Glee positivity pop that fueled the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. Our culture may be more jaundiced since then, but the market for that stuff hasn't gone away, and Swift and Urie deliver the message in a way that feels more true to how people actually consume those songs. Rather than offering the prize of social recognition as a package deal with some nebulous invocation of societal change, they make a beeline for the inner voice of narcissism that resides within the overworked neoliberal subject. They listen to that voice, they give it what it wants, and the result is a communal celebration of self-regard that, in all its candidness and mutual puffery, makes you feel connected to something larger than just another grueling megastar album cycle. Unfortunately, that "something larger" happens to be the same collective unconscious that apparently just wants Panic to be the "High Hopes" band now. [7]

Jessica Doyle: It's catchy, granted, but so insistently, aggressively vapid that I am resisting the obvious conclusion that Taylor Swift actually thinks that this is work to be proud of. It makes more sense as a reconciliation of three opposing forces: she wants to make music; she feels responsible for the multi-hundred-dollar machine she's spent half her life putting in motion; and she dislikes and resents the performer (maybe also the person) she's become. That would explain pairing a catchy song with lyrics such as "can't spell awesome without ME!" and a video whose final shots suggest she is actually made of toxic rainbow sludge. [3]

Katherine St Asaph: A garish mess in exactly the same way "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was. Yelpy vocals, forced whimsy, obnoxious spoken word, slapdash everything -- well, almost everything. The chorus is the second song in a year to rip off Emeli Sandé's "Next to Me," which really wasn't in need of two ripoffs. The old Taylor can't come to the phone right now, because she's been replaced with the New Boring. Brendon Urie is the best thing about this, though I'd rather listen to three minutes of him singing Vines. [3]

Tobi Tella: Can something be inoffensive enough that it becomes offensive? It's hard to imagine a song this generically pleasant and basic angering people off the heels of some of the Reputation singles, but here we are. It's disappointing to see Taylor put out yet another vapid lead single devoid of any deep themes, but goddamn if this didn't grow on me almost immediately. It's just so much dumb fun, and even though these two people are capable of much more and I'll probably forget about it in a few months I will definitely scream it every time it comes on the radio for now. [6]

Will Adams: The singular badness of Taylor's past three lead singles can all be boiled down to their overblown-ness, whether in song, in video, or in their inevitable absorption into The Discourse. But "ME!" is a special kind of bad, one whose wrongness comes from all directions to create something truly confusing. There's the sonic rehashing of a single from two albums back (also those terrible horns), inert lyrics that offer nothing recognizably Swift, the aesthetic 180 that makes Reputation feel even more pointless and, worst of all, the patronizing kids show affect. It's really hard to figure out what she was trying to do here. Without Max Martin's catchphrases, Shellback's sheen, or even Jack Antonoff's weirdness, we're left with an overblown Train song. Here's hoping, come the album, she keeps her promise that we'll never find another like "ME!". [1]

Jibril Yassin: Taylor Swift loves dispatching red herrings for her forthcoming albums in the form of lead singles. While she couldn't fully commit to the heel turn, Reputation went out of its way to show her songwriting capacities hadn't diminished, but it says a lot that I already want the Right Said Fred-aided Taylor back. "ME!" flows and surges with the pop efficiency she's mastered, but the lyricism resembles a once-sharp camera lens out of focus. Draping herself in the sounds she last used on Reputation, now drenched in major-key sunshine, also feels like a serious misstep when a theatre-kid diva like Brendon Urie decides to show up and completely steal the show. A song like "ME!" calls for high theatrics and powerful vocals and here, Taylor doesn't play to her strengths. [3]

Katie Gill: Taylor Swift was one of the first people to sign on for the movie-musical Cats. I'm not saying this just because that fact brings me joy and happiness every time I remember it, but because you don't agree to be in a show that features tap-dancing beetles, a magic show, and a character called Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat unless you have a healthy appreciation for cheesiness. And this song further proves that Taylor Swift is fully embracing the concept of cheese. Why else would she include lyrics like "hey kids! Spelling is fun!". But three things prevent this song from reaching its full, beautiful, glorious Gouda potential. One: the fact that the chorus seems designed from the ground up to play in a Target commercial. Two: the fact that the lyrics never get past the braggadocio, "I'm so awesome" hubris that tainted a lot of her Reputation-era work. Three: Brendon Urie's existence on the track. [6]

Ryo Miyauchi: Taylor's past fuck-yous to her former guys worked because she didn't leave room for them to speak in the song's narrative or actually in the music itself. Brendon Urie in "ME!" functions as wish fulfillment on top of wish fulfillment, singing the ideal response from the man to go with Taylor's perfect last words. His presence is extra fluff that the track can do without, but he's just one of many campy toppings that sugarcoats the stinging bitterness at the song's core to the point they wash away any taste when consumed. The cliche series of contrasts in the pre-chorus, the Sesame Street bridge, filler rhymes just to get to the next lyric -- all of this lyrical blandness doesn't help prop Taylor up as the underdog to cheer for in this breakup. [4]

Joshua Copperman: Every part of this song sounds like other songs that were successfully upbeat without being too cutesy. "ME!" isn't one of those. Like former contemporary Katy Perry with her "Swish Swish" video, Swift actively tries to be cringey but the attempts at cringe make her cringey. It's like Patrice Wilson's self-conscious follow-ups after "Friday" if he was given a Dave Meyers video budget. Taylor's own friend-by-her-right-ay Brendon Urie helps a little bit, because he's good at hamming it up, but while Taylor has pulled off hamminess in the past ("Blank Space" is one of her most-loved songs for a reason), this doesn't suit her. Even the lines about fighting in the rain feel like perfunctory good lyrics. The rest of the album will probably be fine, as even 1989 led with "Shake It Off." But even that song's bridge didn't have "spelling is fun." [3]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: For a second, right around "spelling is fun," I thought this would ascend, phoenix-like, into glorious schlock. But before and after that incredible interlude, "ME!" is not even the exciting kind of trash. It's content to just be mediocre, occasionally winking at the camera in ways that its authors clearly think is endearing but mostly come off as desperate. It's an emphatic shrug of a song, at once saying nothing and doing so loudly. [1]

Scott Mildenhall: Tonally aimless, it's very hard to deduce the spirit in which this is meant. In its most desperate moment -- yes, "spelling is fun!" -- it doesn't so much tip its hat to the audience as frisbee it into their face, but at the same time it's not so ironic as to be mean-spirited. As a whole, it's like a Wiggles mash-up of "Blank Space" and "We Go Together", and it's hard to know how anyone, whether their intentions were wholesome or cynical, would ever reach that by design. Perhaps this is simply just a spectacular misfire. The thematic mismatches, zero-dexterity crowbarring of aphorisms, desultory brass parps and gossamer-thin hook suggest seriously misplaced ambition. The one time "ME!" seems to be heading in its intended direction is its conclusion, at which it becomes an ever-ascending celebration. By then, though, it's already dug itself a deep hole to fly out of. [5]

Alfred Soto: The first time she's sounded manic and desperate, like someone pleading for her life; she could've titled it "You Must Love Me." [3]

Stephen Eisermann: Remember when everyone said "Look What You Made Me Do" was Taylor's worst lead single and it could never be worse? I do. And guess what? This is worse. [1]

Jonathan Bradley: "ME!" takes as its starting point the belated success of "Delicate," the late-cycle Reputation single that helped remind more than a few listeners and critics that they'd radically misinterpreted that album on its release. It makes sense that Taylor Swift would return to the source of that renewed goodwill, and this new single does sound designed as a rebirth of sorts: it is sunny and outward-looking after an insular and intimate record. It's also unashamedly and jubilantly corny. That should not surprise; Swift has never only been a dextrous chronicler of emotional contours, and corn has been a part of her songwriting toolbox going back at least to the time she wrote a gushing romance starring Romeo and Juliet that ended with a marriage and hefty key change. "ME!" is unabashed in its goofiness, pairing that dorkiness with the frivolity of "Shake It Off," her biggest hit to date. Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie fits in well with this theatricality, and Swift helps temper his archness; he's had "High Hopes," but never this much fun. And it's this sense of fun that makes "ME!" so enjoyable. This is a song that sees the strangenesses and imperfections of ourselves and the people around us, and greets them with optimism and -- Reputation hasn't entirely left us -- a bit of wanton selfishness. I've been to plenty of Taylor Swift shows and, as with "Shake It Off" or "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" or "This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" -- I can already tell how much of a blast of a setlist-capper "ME!" will be. [8]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: "Taylor finger, Taylor finger, where are you?" [1]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

#Taylor Swift #Brendon Urie #pop #music #music review #writing

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 6 years ago

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🏰⚔️🐲🐲👑 53 - do I keep it there, or do I go back to Eren and keep on trucking?

Waking up from his nap had left him in a worse state then when he'd gone to sleep. His body felt sluggish, like his mind connect to the rest of him. Not realising he was burning with an icy cold fever, or how glassy and empty his eyes looked, Eren bundled Luca into his arms before leaving Levi's room, staggering through the castle as if he'd drunk every barrel of wine in the castle cellars. He knew he'd bumped into people as he walked, he could dimly feel the impact of their bodies against his, but reality wasn't connecting with his mind. His lips silently moving as he chanted Levi's name on a loop. Levi wanted him to be happy, so he had to find Levi. Levi made him happy. Levi would know what to do to fix him. Having napped in the late afternoon, the sun was already low in the side given the shorter days of winter. His feet bare as he wandered out onto the training field with Luca trying to escape his hold. His son had trilled the whole walk, desperately trying to call for someone to help his mother. Eren heard none of this. His mind consumed with the simple and primal desire to be with his alpha. Having staggered as far as he body could handle, Eren fell to the ground in an ungainly heap. Throwing up beside himself, Eren stared at the mess in confusion. He couldn't remember throwing up... if Levi was here, he'd carry him back to his bathroom. He'd clean him up, then tuck him into their bed... Zeke did that now. The thought of the alpha caused him to wrinkle his face. Why did Zeke do that now? It was clear to the soldiers running drills on the training oval that something was very wrong with the omega. Both Zeke and Erwin were sent for, while they all tried to suppress their curiosity. No one stepped forward to help Eren, not sure how to treat their "prince" now that he was pregnant to the enemy. Also, no one wanted to go near the baby dragon that was growling and making weird noises. There was something wrong with it. They'd all seen it's demonic looking red eyes and withered wing. An uneasiness filled all of them, which intensified when suddenly a huge green dragon with black stripes formed where the prince had been. Taking the smaller dragon in its claws, there were shouts, but ultimately no attempt was made to stop the huge beast as it took to flight. More than a few in the crowd had been at the engagement party when Prince Erwin had gone mad, then had been taking by the same great green dragon. When the prince's consort had returned without the prince, they'd all realised it was really best they not get involved, and when said dragon married the enemy, there were those who quietly rejoiced over the beast being gone. Certainly none of them had expected the "prince" to return home. * Waking in Draecia, Eren was overwhelmed by the pain in his head. He couldn't remember leaving Paradis Island, nor could he remember landing on the Draecian side of the peninsula between the two countries. In the time he'd been unconscious, Luca had left him to explore the surrounding area, probably drawn to the dragons that called the area their home. Eren had no idea as he curled into himself. He just knew how much his head fucking hurt. When Luca had seen he was awake, his son had come bounding back to him, proudly trilling as he climbed right onto of him, and sat like a chicken might a hen. With no energy, Eren couldn't be bothered dealing with his son, leaving him there until Ymir lifted him off of him "Oi! What do you think you're doing?!" "Ymir! He's hurt. Eren, its Historia. I'm going to help you" Rolling him up to sit, Historia took his head into her hands. Her magic was every bit as soothing and soft as he remembered, easing the blinding pressure that had been building "Eren? Eren, can you hear me?" "Historia?" "That's right. Oh my goodness, what happened to you?" "I don't feel good" "No, I expect you don't. Is that your blood?" There was blood? Probably from Luca's claws "How did you end up like this...?" "He's pregnant" "Yes, Ymir. I can see that, can you smell him calling for Levi?" "Is that what that stink is?" Raising his head to look at Historia, Eren's bottom lip quivered "I think there's something wrong with my baby" "Alright. Shhh. I'll look at both of you, but let's get off the beach first? You're not well at all, and you're magic is all out of line" Ymir held Luca high, the baby dragon seemed completely at ease with Ymir "Does it have something to do with this dragon?" "Luca. Luca's mine... my adopted child" "I think you need to tell us everything" "Ymir, he won't be telling us much of anything if we don't help him" Moved off the beach and onto the grass, Eren laid with his stomach exposed. Night had fallen, so the space was lit with small hovering demon fires as Historia knelt beside his left side, while Ymir and Luca sat up closer to his head "I know Levi left, is that what triggered this?" Of course she knew. How much of the shit he'd been through had Erwin told her? "Do you know I'm also married to Prince Zeke of Marley?" "Word had reached us. I couldn't believe it. Did he hurt you?" "No... he told me to come here for the sake of the baby. The pregnancy isn't right. I should be bigger... there's something wrong with the baby..." Historia hushed him softly "I need to know about you. Your smell is all over the place" "I... I missed Levi so much... so I slept in his room. Historia, I blacked out... twice. I don't remember flying here... what's wrong with me?" "You idiot!" Eren flinched at Ymir's outburst, his hand going to his belly in an attempt to protect his child from the angry dragon "That's enough, Ymir" "He should know what's wrong with him..." "That's enough. It's ok Eren. I know you're not ok, but I'm going to help you and your baby" "And Luca... please, his magic is so weak..." "Ymir will watch Luca. I'm going to move your hands now, I need to feel your belly. Then we'll talk" Historia gently pulled his hands off his exposed belly "It's because I didn't want it, isn't it? It knows I'm a bad mum" "Shhhh. You're not a bad mum. I have a idea already what's happening, but I want to be sure. You know I'm not going to hurt you, don't you?" "Everyone hurts me... everyone leaves me... Levi left me behind..." "Ymir, why don't you hold his hand? I'm sure Luca isn't going anywhere without Eren" "Fine, but if his magic..." "Ymir, please" With gentle touches, Historia felt his swollen stomach. Her fingers making him whine once or twice, each time she apologised quickly. The exam only too a few moments, and was followed by a burst of her magic radiating out across his stomach "The baby?" "The baby is fine. They're just fine. One human child, and I detect no magic" "No magic?" "No, unless this one presents as an omega, I doubt very much they'll have your dragon powers" "But... I've been so flat. My stomach only grew this size last night" Taking his free hand, Historia pulled him up to sit. Not feeling dizzy was amazing "These black outs, how many have you had?" "Two. I can't remember last night, or leaving Levi's bedroom this afternoons" "And smells? How do alpha smells affect you?" "I don't like them... When Zeke tries I help, his scent makes me feel sick and his touch makes me want to vomit" "Ok. Ok. So you've had sex with Zeke?" It felt dirty to admit it "When we were married, the marriage had to be consummated in front of witnesses in Eldia and Marley" Ymir made a disgusted noise "So... nearly seven months ago?" "Something like that..." "Ok..." "Historia, what's happening to me? I feel like I'm going insane..." "It's because you're pregnant to your rider, and he's up and abandoned you. Surely you're not so stupid as to think you can just replace your rider with someone else" Eren looked from Ymir to Historia for a better explanation "What Ymir is trying to say is, your 8 months along Eren. I can feel Levi's life force in the child. Your married to Zeke, while carrying Levi's child" "Bullshit. That's impossible" "I agree. It was supposed to be, but by some miracle you are. I assume Zeke thinks it to be his" "It has to be his... I used my soul. You were there. You know what I did" "I do. I think we need to talk things through, and I think you should remain here for your pregnancy" "I can't stay here. I wasn't supposed to come here alone" "You're not alone, you brought this one with you" "His name is Luca. He's my son" Ymir rolled her eyes, Eren then releasing she was teasing him for the bite "Eren, Levi said you found an earth dragon?" Eren's heart leapt "You've spoken to him?" "Not lately, no" And there it went, his heart dropping because he was an idiot who couldn't control his emotions "Yeah. The dragon in my coma was real. His name was Hannes and he taught me how to use my dragon's breath while in human form. He said it might help burn the spell off, or at least singe the edges" Historia frowned "Dragon's don't use their breath in human form" "I can. Hannes mentioned it would be good for me to learn in case I was ever in danger. I've used it a couple of times" "You have?" "The first time was when people tried to kill Levi and I. I used life magic. Then someone tried to attack me in Marley and used fire magic..." "Did you use it against the sword?" Did he? "I don't know... maybe. I can't remember. First Hannes died..." "He died?" "He hung himself. Levi found him covered in vines" "Did you bury him?" "He was in his human form, so we buried him with the tears I cried and some of my scales. Luca was his egg. Or rather, Luca's mother was killed by a soldier for her clutch over 20 years ago. He never hatched for Hannes" Historia reached out to stroke Luca's head "I've never seen an albino dragon before" "I hadn't either. Levi said it was ok to adopt him... I know it was selfish. I went through a heat, and knowing I couldn't fall pregnant made it all worse. He showed me the egg to help me get through it. When Hannes died, I couldn't leave him behind" "He's very weak in terms of magic. But you've taken fantastic care of him" "He's what keeps me going now that Levi's gone. Historia, he's not coming back. Levi went insane from carrying Obsydin in his mind. Zeke is the only alpha I can be seen with, and if this baby isn't his..." Why wasn't he three times as large if he was 8 months, he didn't get it. The child was a normal human child... "I'm sorry Eren. Being a dragon, it's natural for your rider to be by your side through pregnancy. Normally the child of a dragon is magical given the magic both the dragon and the rider have. You're part human, and Levi is a full blooded human. I can only speculate over what that means, but I think you've been suppressing you're pregnancy because your rider isn't by your side. You don't feel safe do you? You're also out of control when it comes to your magic and emotions? And you've been very ill?" "Y-yeah... That's because Levi isn't there?" "Unfortunately. You're both an omega who's mate left and a dragon who lost his rider. If Levi was dead, you'd be able to feel it. The fact you're suffering means he's alive, and you're desperately trying to reach him. Sleeping in his room is only going to make you more mentally unstable. You're omega and dragon parts can't accept that you can smell him without him being there. They feel as if he'd abandoned you, so you grow weaker in an attempt to lure him back" Eren groaned miserably "That's fucked up" "Dragons and riders are bonded that deeply. You sleeping in his room allowed your baby to grow because while you slept, you didn't have to deal with the fact he really isn't there" "So I'm stuck being pregnant?" "No. Eventually your child will mature. Your body is keeping them safe for as long as possible. This is all a theory though..." "If I want to get better, I need to avoid Levi's scent?" "I know it's hard, and that's why I'd feel much better if you stayed with us. I know my father is... hard, but we can set you up with another pregnant dragon who can help you through your pregnancy. We all know Levi helps acts as regulator for your magic, without him, it's not flowing properly" "It was ok during that year" "You weren't pregnant then. You need the comforts of a rider..." "I'm not sleeping with someone else... I'm married" "Eren..." Historia didn't get it. She had Ymir. She had the small swell and the happy smile. She had her dragon and her lover by her side to support her "Historia I don't have a choice. You... Zeke's changed. He's trying so hard for this baby, if he was to find out it's not his, it'd break him. His mother would probably murder me on the spot and Eldia would dissolve into war" Historia sighed deeply "I don't know what you want me to say. If you want to be physically intimidate with Zeke, it might help relax you around him... and maybe that might help speed up your pregnancy, but he isn't your alpha or your rider and that's what all this comes down to. At this stage, all you can do is nest in a safe place for you to give birth. You're simply too scared without Levi" "I'm not scared without him! He left me! He abandoned me! He threw me away after he lied and said we'd go back to Draecia together. I woke up to find both him and the sword gone. Luca lost his father, again. I lost the one person I thought would never ever leave me... I have less than three years to birth this heir and have it pass as Zeke's child, or Eldia and Marley are going to go to war. God! I wish you hadn't said it was Levi's... I'd thought about abortion... I couldn't do it, then I felt them moving and... Levi wanted this so fucking badly... we wanted this..." Placing Luca on his lap, Ymir moved so Historia could wrap her arms around him "I'm so sorry that I can't do more. I've given you a bit of a magical boost, your body isn't taking the stress very well, so it should ease any symptoms related to issues with the pregnancy, sore throat from vomiting and such, and I'll do what I can to align your magic" Eren sniffled as he nodded "I'm sorry. I'm such a terrible friend, I didn't even ask how you're doing?" "Good. Really good. It's only going to be a very small clutch to begin with, but Ymir already wants more" "I'm happy for you" "I know you are. No one understands a dragon like another dragon" "Everything has gone to shit" "I know" "You don't know the half of it... you can read me if you want. I can't even explain half the stuff I've been through" "Do you want me to?" "I can't go home without knowing how I ended up pregnant... I need to know if I did something, or if it was Obsydin. He took the collar off my neck, and I have no idea why" "Ok. Just close your eyes. Let me guide you" "I trust you" "You don't trust anyone right now, your instincts tell you not to, and that's ok. You're trying to protect you unborn baby" Having Historia dig through his headspace didn't really hurt. She'd brought up memories he didn't know he had, such as he'd used his breath on the sword after Hannes's death. That was probably when he singed the spell on the sword, and claimed back some small fragment of his soul that had lead to this. It was probably also what accelerated Levi's condition towards the end. He'd come to Draecia hoping Historia had a magical cure for him, only to find it was Levi that he needed more than ever. But he already knew that. Maybe he'd known all along that the baby wasn't Zeke's because he just wasn't gravitating towards him like a pregnant omega should? He didn't know anymore. He felt so incredibly confused. He wanted and needed Levi scent, but it was bad for both him and the baby. He'd also known all along that he collar write to his alpha. A spell would make sure the letter found Levi. But what would he say? And what if he said something he could never take back? He'd tried to cut everything between them off, yet it would have been easier to cut down the tallest tree in existence with a salmon than to tear Levi from his life entirely and never think of him again. He was a a hopelessly romantic fool. This baby was sure to only bring him more trouble, especially when Zeke found out it wasn't his. He could lie... but if someone was to test for paternity, he'd fault miserably. Dozing in Historia's lap, he did feel better once she was done in his headspace, and aligning his magic again. His body didn't feel so foreign, yet that may have been because Levi's scent was fading from him body. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he sat up, not needing to voice anything else as Historia understood that not everything had been that great. Her wide eyes were filled with tears as he turned to look at her. Ymir punching him so hard in the arm for making her mate cry that he was sure she'd broken it. He couldn't blame her, nor could he help but be jealous. Living with Rod might be hell, but they had each other that was the important thing. With his "treatment" complete, Historia turned her attention to Luca, who lapped up all the attention he could, trilling and cooing as he flapped his small wings in an attempt to show off for the princess. It would be impossible for Luca to ever take a human form, like he'd said long ago. His body simply wouldn't be able to handle it, and like Eren, she'd never met a dragon with so little magic. Giving Luca a small magical boost, his son sat proudly as he stared up at Eren. Rubbing the bridge of Luca's nose, his son let out a happy chirp that had Historia cooing over the baby dragon to the point where Eren thought he might just have to fight her for his own son. Luckily Ymir was there to remind Historia that it was getting late and that sun would be rising soon. He hadn't intended to stay this long, and prayed he hadn't left the castle in uproar. Hopefully he'd just walked outside and flown off without being too strange. He wanted the people of the castle to trust him, not fear that he was going to freak out and level the castle with his dragon's breath. The flight back to Eldia was made as the sun was rising. Luca sat between his horns, his son gripping into his face with his claws as they soared over a world dyed in pinks, oranges, and greys. Weaving and diving with the wind currents, Luca chirped on like it was the best day of his life. It probably was. He'd met another dragon, as well as a princess. Plus whoever else he'd decided to introduce himself to while Eren had been unconscious. With wings as wide and powerful as his, they made it back to the castle with ease. The sky barely lit as they landed on the dewy grass and an alarm horn sounded from the castle. At least they knew he was back... He'd have to talk to Zeke... his husband wouldn't be happy, and he still didn't know what to tell him. If he wanted the pregnancy to continue smoothly, he needed to feel safe without the presence of Levi. Zeke was the only one he could seek "comfort" form without risking war. And if they came to war now, it really would be for nothing. Letting Luca jump down off his head, Eren waited for his head wounds to heal before shifting back. In the distance he could already see the forms of Pieck, Yelena and Porco jogging towards him. Here came the lecture. Leaving Luca to walk, Eren wrapped his arms around himself as he strode towards Zeke's three favourite goons. It was simpler to get this over with. Reaching Yelena first, the woman carried herself with her usual stance of not caring "Prince Eren. Prince Zeke has requested your presence immediately" "I figured he would" Luca had already run ahead, probably to find food. His son was too happy to be thinking about his own safety "How was Draecia?" "Most informative. The child I carry is in perfect health. I'm sure Zeke will be relieved to hear that the pregnancy is simply extended due to his dragon heritage rather than there being something wrong" Yelena smiled "I'm sure he shall too" As Pieck and Porco fell into step behind him, Eren had no reason to think they'd harm him. He missed the looks between them three of them because he was looking ahead for Luca. From behind him, something hard was rammed down against the back of his head, dropping him to his knees. A second blow quick to follow the first as Yelena whispered softly "Queen Dina sends her regards" Struggling his way up, the third blow to the back of his head finally rendered him unconscious. Trapped in the dungeons of his own castle, Eren had to give it to them. It was the ideal place to hide him. It would have been the first place checked given he'd been seen returning. A scrying spell would point to the castle. A letter sent to him to be tracked, would be delivered to the castle. If Luca was going crazy, they'd think his son was trying to look for him in his own way by following his scent around the castle. This had to be Yelena's plan, Pieck and Porco didn't strike him as smart enough. Preparations had been made ahead of him waking. Magic covered the walls of the small cell, and his wrists had been bound with the same kind of magical cuffs Rod had had him placed in, to prevent him shifting into his dragon form. He couldn't have anyway, the cell was barely wide enough for him to sit up with his legs straight out. A bucket for his bodily functions. It was cold and he was fucking miserable. He'd tried scratching and picking at the threads of magic, but without his own magic, nothing had happened. Eren had had no idea how long he'd been left there for, time blurred and warped, all he could was curl around his swollen stomach as his mind grew foggy. A random guard he didn't recognise would bring him food from time to time, the meal small and scarce. When the cold had gotten to his lungs, they'd brought him a blanket... which was nice, all things considered. He would have thanked them if he hadn't screamed his throat raw. They probably couldn't have him dying too soon. Queen Dina didn't know that the child wasn't Zeke's, and Zeke had definitely grown attached to the life inside of him... he was trapped again. Like a bird in cage who's wings had been clipped back to bloodied stumps. * With Eren missing, "Levi" and Zeke were quick to blame each other. Zeke already angered that Eren had left him behind to head to Draecia without him, after acting so strange beforehand. Erwin confused as to how Eren could go missing between the training grounds and the castle, without interference by Marley soldiers. Luca had been found in the castle kitchen's, where Nicollo and Armin were trying to prevent the baby dragon from eating everything in sight. Armin having heard that Eren had headed up to Draecia, had figured that Eren would appear shortly... Then, he didn't. The blond beta first to raise that alarm that something was wrong. With both sides blaming each other, and no signs of Eren having been found, Prince Zeke returned to Marley. Zeke had known he'd started to develop feelings for Eren, the omega had always been a beautiful creature in his mind. Yet, upon hearing the news that Eren had been missing for weeks now, his mother declared Eren had run away, voiding the terms of their marriage and declaring war upon Eldia. Zeke didn't believe it to be the case, yet, he could not go against his mother or Marley. The alpha left to take up his sword against Eldia, while now suspecting Eren's disappearance may indeed have been the work of Marley.

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dietaku · 6 years ago

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Amazing Quest 1: Chapter 9

The final chapter. Thank you for reading!

Chapter 9: Together, as One, We Will...!

When you're ready, warp back to Toneland. Any island will do, really, but Toneland is large enough that it should serve your purposes. The point now is to wait for Zytroph to go near the island and leg it until the sprites touch. Doing so will prompt a new scene:

Hiro: This is it, guys!

(Zytroph looms ahead of the party as a flock of glass cranes with chimes on their wings fly around him. In the GBA version, this entire scene is rather beautifully animated with sprites, while in the SNES, it's all done with a single still image. )

Zytroph: The time is nigh, mortals. Abase yourself before the Mother of Strife.

Hiro: NOT WITHOUT A FALL GUY!

--Boss Fight!--

Zytroph the Dragonfish x1

LP: 88000

MP:9000

Zytroph is tough, but with the Final Fusion Swirl, Noble Neopolitan, he's a cakewalk. His high defense and magic defense are naught to the gigantic attack buff and removal of defense that Noble Neopolitan allows. If you don't use it, then you'll find that Zytroph has access to all tier-3 spells and his own skills, like Gran Aero Spiral, where the cranes rush the party for heavy air and earth damage, and Dragon Palace Whale Lullaby, which will inflict sleep, drunk, or red randomly.

--Boss Fight!--

Zytroph: Very well, you are strong enough to cross onto my back. Perhaps you will overtake the other who has crossed over before...

Hiro: Jaydea...

Zytorph: I know not their name. All mortals look alike to mine eyes.

Loyroll: How very unfabulous.

You find yourself in front of the giant ivory tower on Zytroph's back. The entire floor rumbles, and the chimes stop, which, with the lack of music makes the entire area deathly quiet. Something terrible is on the way. That, combined with the unearthly enemies, like the Monstrkin, the Mermyth, the Scalawag, and the Eudaemonaia, which is notable for being able to inflict Deep Haze, a status unique to it that forces a character to not act for five turns, even if the fight ends before that is up. Thus, speed is the name of the game here. Progress up the tower, which is a simple spiral, before you get to a floor with a large courtyard and a closed door. Inspect it and you'll be told it's a dead end. Do this ten times to proceed.

(The dead end shifts into the now-familiar form of Kord)

Kord: Geez, you guys! I thought it was someone important! Lady Jaydea told me to keep this place off-limits! I thought I had put a sign up!

(He turns around, where a “Do Not Disturb” sign is hanging off his back)

Ozma: (Giggles)

Kimyawa: Rock-san., your sign--

Kord: Hrm? My sign? It's Aquarius. Why do you-- Oh, here it is. It's on my back. Whoops. Anyways, now that we have THAT out of the way...You'll all have to die.

Hiro: Really?

Kord: Well, no, but I prefer being paid to not, y'know?

--Boss Fight!--

Heavenly King Kord x1

LP: 90000

MP: 12000

Kord is relentless. His defense and magic defense are higher than Zytroph, and he can actually go toe to toe with Noble Neapolitan as his hits can pierce the defense buff that the fusion grants you. In addition, his “Rocky Road Ripper,” and “Kordian Knot” skills will shred your LP over time with earth-based damage and lower your action speed, so don't feel bad if he actually defeats you. Lay on the hate and you ought to come out on top!

--Boss Fight!--

Kord: U-urgh, dammit! Even with all my amicable character moments, even the Stone Lord, must fall. I guess it r-really is time for me to gather moss....

(Kord falls over dead, where Deima kicks him off the tower, presumably into the ocean below)

Deima: And now, not only does he get a burial at sea, he's out of the way, too!

Hiro: ….

Deima: What? Le'ts go!

Continue up the stairs, where you see Jaydea leaning over a large mosaic on the floor of a blonde woman with wings, with the five talismans inset into the mural.

Jaydea: (Turns to the party) It is done. I have unlocked the Goddess, but...You know what she asked me? Are you sure? Do you want me to grant you this wish? Of course I answered yes, but seeing her, and now you're here. All I've done. All Zoddon aspired to, and now, all my friends and allies. They're all gone... Light Pudding, no, Hiro...You do not have the will to stand up to that evil, and you. Cannot. Kill. Me. What will you do?

Emilia: Bullshit, Jaydea! I'll rip you apart myself!

Jaydea: No, you cannot.

--Boss Fight!--

Dark Pudding Queen Jaydea x1

LP: 65000

MP: 9500

Do not let her low LP count fool you. Jaydea CAN and WILL stand up to Noble Neapolitan. She'll engage her Figgy Pudding form, and then begin what can only be considered a barrage of torment, as she abuses Wenceslas Breath, Sun Downer, and Soul Survivor, to lower your action speed, inflict heavy light-based damage, then scythe away your MP so you options become increasingly limited and thereby force you to spend turns refilling your MP with items. However, thee is an easy way to beat her and a hard one. The hard one is actually trying to inflict enough damage to beat her normally. The other is to last twenty turns. Either way, you'll win.

--Boss Fight!--

Jaydea: (Clutches her shoulder, which is badly burned and bleeding, before smiling coolly, and her wound vanishes in an instant.)

:Deima: You didn't...

Jaydea: “Do you want this? You will watch all your friends and loved ones grow old and die, and then the world, until all the stars go out, and you will float endlessly in an ocean of blackness.” That is what Halst asked me. Yes, I am now invincible, unkillable by anything.

Emilia: You're wrong, Jaydea. You're not invincible.

Jaydea: Oh? I fail to see what you're getting at.

(Emilia motions for Jaydea to walk closer to her, where Emilia claps her on the shoulder)

Emilia: We go back a long way, Jay, so this is gonna hurt me more than it does you.

Jaydea: I don't think so, but--

(Jaydea cannot finish this, as she's slammed on the ground, and kicked off the tower by Emilia, complete with MIDI falling scream)

Emilia: YOU MESSED WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER, YOU BITCH! That was where you failed!

Hiro: (Visibly tears up) Emilia....

Loyroll: While this is excellent work in reversing years of abuse, we really do need to hurry up and save the world.

Hiro: R-right!

Go through the door. Where you'll find another garishly decorated room with mosaics all across the walls and floors. However, the most striking feature is the little girl in the center of the room.

Hiro: She seems strangely familiar...

Little Girl: Hello, Mister! Do you want anything? Money? Fame? Power? Women? A set of balls?

Hiro: EXCUSE ME?

Little Girl: GYAHAHA! A little divine humor. Seriously, though, Let me heal you, first!

(The party is fully healed!)

Little Girl: Now, what can I, the Goddess of Strife, Halst, do for you?

Hiro: Can you please go back to sleep? The world is really nice and y doesn't deserve to be destroyed!

Halst: Mmmmmm, you raise a good point. Okay! I will go back to sleep!

Hiro: R-really?

Halst: I need to get some exercise in first, though. No sense in getting up before doing some stretches~!

Deima: Be on your guard, Hiro!

Hiro: !!!

--Boss Fight!--

Tiny Goddess Halst x1

LP: 100000

MP: 33000

This form of Halst is unnerving since she'll giggle in an autotuned MIDI voice and do little else for five turns before she uses the “Goddess Halst cried an evil spell!” and the party will be dealt half health in dmage instantly. This is when you realize this form isn't meant to kill you, but troll you to waste healing items. She'll continue doing this, but never do more than scythe away your health with percentage attacks.

--Boss Fight!--

Deima: Hiro! She's just pretending! Inside that cutesy exterior is the heart of an utter monster!

Halst: Ohohohoho, so you do remember. Chimera Witch Deima, shall we begin our deadly dance once more?

Deima: Nuh-uh! I'm taken already! (Grabs Hiro, as Ozma and Kimyawa both tense violently)

Halst:...Of course. Very well...

(She bulges, before erupting like an insect molting out of her little girl form, standing as a stunning adult version of her earlier form. She kicks off the fleshy bag as a pair of winged munchkin cherubs fly by and drop a halo over her head)

Halst: Now, Puddings! Welcome to TODT!

--FINAL BOSS BATTLE!--

Halst, Goddess of Destruction x1

LP: 120000

MP: 45000

She'll remain in her initial form, while Deima will yell at you to “Use Noble Neapolitan to stop her Spinning Narrative!” When you do so, Halst will jerk back in terror, and her form will shift to that of a gigantic winged-snake form of herself. She still has her human top half, though, so, go topless final bosses, I guess? It doesn't affect her life any, but it does make her much more aggressive, allowing her to use Divine Light of Terror (Heavy Light-elemented LP-based damage, translated as Shining Slayer Cross of Evil later), Sacred Verdict (A large chance of inflicting all status ailments), and all tier-3 spells to hurt you in all sorts of ways. My best advice is to abuse Noble Neapolitan's best skill, Shining Zephyr of Friendship, or as it is translated in the localized version, Shining Rainbow Connection. If you're deliberately going for the bad end, hit her as hard as you can without Noble Neapolitan... That's all I can say.

--FINAL BOSS BATTLE!--

Halst: URGH! I'm...I'm beaten? Light Pudding, I will return to sleep. Be warned, though. As long as Evil persists, I cannot die...(She melts away)

Hiro: We-we did it!

Emilia: I knew you could do it!

Hiro: Really?

Emilia: S-sure! (She looks away and coughs for a moment) Anyways, we got a lot to do, let's go home!

(You're then treated to the ending credits as the party slowly walks back through the various towns that still remain intact, as the party members all wave goodbye, dispersing one at a time, until Emilia, Hiro and Ozma remain. They stop at Toruble Castle, and Emilia turns to the other two.)

Emilia: Well, I need to do some, uh, stuff, at, uh, place. I'll catch you two kids later!

Hiro: Huh?

(Hiro and Ozma stare at one another)

Ozma: Wanna see my sock puppet collection?

Hiro: A'iight.

The good ending has a mural of the heroes, except Moore (Fuck that guy), which ends in Hiro and Ozma raising a sword together to Halst in her angel-snake form, while we get one last scene..

(Hand on a beach, clenches)

Jaydea: I...I told you...I cannot die, Light Pudding. I-I'll be back in the sequel! (Cough, cough)

(Bad End)

Halst: (Clutching her face) I...I was beaten by the Puddings, but they ignored Big Sister's warnings, and now....

(She turns to a a pair of babies on the nearby floor. One of which is a dark blue boy with red streaks down his face, and the other is a blonde girl akin to Halst)

Halst: Auntie Deima will meet YOU two~! Mweeheeeheehee~!

Amazing Quest 1: Pudding Warrior....END

#Adventure #fantasy #fiction #writing #science fantasy #infrequently asked questions #Amazing Quest

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bffhreprise · 6 years ago

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Entry 272

James Michael Somerset III… he wasn’t disappointing me. I watched as he easily misdirected the guards from Adelmar, moving out of sight in the instant they looked away. He had roamed around for a while now, taking in the sights. Watching as he gazed from the bridge over the river, I wondered what thoughts flowed through his mind.

Hearing him sigh, I moved next to him and said, “Such a heavy sigh doesn’t suit you.”

Though slow to my senses, his eyes focused on me far more quickly than a human could have managed, and the alertness in them was admirable. He took in my appearance and easily recognized when I made a spell to ward off the sunlight.

“Oh, James… No need to be startled. I’m a friend. An ally. A vampire!” I exclaimed, smiling at him as I watched his eyes dart to those passing us by. “Don’t worry about them. Think. I’m speaking far too softly for human ears, and the nearest immortal ones aren’t nearby quite yet. Well, unless Aaliyah is around. You never know with her, do you.”

“Pardon?”

“My apologies. I should start with an introduction. I am known as Zachary Blood, and meeting you is a pleasure, James.” I assured him, hoping Aaliyah wouldn’t hold my slight discourtesy toward her friend against me for long. She had made certain that my brothers and I knew she adored James.

“Nice to make your acquaintance, but I’m still at a loss.” he replied, sounding formal. Then his expression changed, as if he remembered something, and he asked “Do you know Ariadne? I do recall her mentioning vampire brothers.”

“Of course, assuming you refer to Aaliyah’s ‘auntie’. She’s a delight!” I replied, glad that he knew something of us.

Smiling now, he exclaimed “Excellent! Might I have your autograph for one of my employees. Cosette seemed rather excited when Ariadne mentioned…”

I quickly ran home to fetch the letter I had written. He had barely moved by the time I returned, but I had caught the attention of my brothers. Handing over the letter, I said, “Here you are. I composed a letter for her.” I took a moment to consider his surprise before saying, “I actually wrote that to her after Ariadne told me of her. I just needed to pop home to get it.”

“‘Pop’, you say. Do grow up.” stated Vito after stepping up beside me.

“As if you can talk, Vito.” argued Papak from where he hid off the side of the bridge.

“Please, Papak. You haven’t changed your name since 300 B.C.” asserted Vito, sounding even more annoyed.

Smiling apologetically, I said, “These are my older brothers, Vito Sanguinem and Papak Khoon.”

“A pleasure to meet you all.” replied James, looking between Vito and me. “I take it that you’re a bit older than Ariadne then.”

“Has Aaliyah really not mentioned us at all?” questioned Vito, sounding shocked by the idea.

I couldn’t blame him, not with how frequently Aaliyah had mentioned James of late.

“Aww... don’t be offended! James needs things at his own pace.” claimed Aaliyah, after appearing on James’ shoulders, hugging his head with both arms. In the same instant, she had brought us all home to the top of our tower.

“You’ll eventually get used to that happening.” I assured James, who was looking around.

“Speak for yourself.” growled Vito. Throughout the years, he had repeatedly asked Aaliyah to at least pretend she cared about our opinions before doing what she wanted.

“Well, I like it. You two don’t have to take the long way into buildings.” claimed Papak, his massive mouth spreading into a grin. His inhuman form was as much of a curse as it was a blessing. He was easily the strongest physically and fastest of us, but he took thousands of years to master blending in with a crowd.

“You haven’t taken ‘the long way’ in centuries.” argued Vito. “You could have stopped much sooner with a little more self control.” Vito was still bitter about his own weakened body, also a result of their pact with a demon in dragon form.

Papak’s response was to pick up Vito in a single massive hand, so he could pull him close and try staring him down, which we all knew never worked. Vito was the eldest and still the best with magic.

“Don’t fret. This sort of thing has happened regularly since we came to live on this island. We had grown accustomed to living apart.” I explained to James, who had grown worried. His lack of fear was commendable.

Between the three of us, my brothers and I held sway over a fair chunk of the world. We had watched empires rise and fall, sometimes encouraging one course or another. In terms of personal power, there were few who could oppose us, yet our own strengths were meaningless when compared with the tiny girl playing with James’ hair.

“Will you three settle down?” commanded Ariadne as she hurried into the room. Spotting James, she said, “James, nice of you to visit. Care for a drink?”

Nodding, he told her “Yes. Thank you.”

In a flash of light, a tray hosting a complete tea set appeared on the table, already filled with tea.

“Auntie! You didn’t offer me any!” pouted Aaliyah.

Ariadne look at her as if looking at a troublesome child. “You’re stirring up mischief, and I will not encourage you.”

Aaliyah fell backward, slamming into the floor with one arm pressed against her head. “My own auntie won’t even encourage me! I’m doomed, boss-man, sir. Doomed!” she complained loudly.

“James, what did she do to these three now?” questioned Ariadne as James helped himself to some tea.

“Nothing really, except maybe transporting us here. We had barely gotten introduced when she arrived.” he assured her.

Looking slightly dubious, Ariadne said, “Well, don’t put up with her nonsense. She has a tendency to treat these three as playthings, despite the fact that they’ve been helping guard humanity for thousands of years.”

“You, my dear, are absolutely adorable when you’re being sassy.” teased Vito from his place in Papak’s hand.

Ariadne crossed her arms and looked away from him, pretending not to like his comment. Barely two thousand years old, she was quite young compared to us, but I easily understood my brother’s love for her. In our time together, Ariadne had proven wise beyond her years and capable of handling situations quite shrewdly.

“What do you think, James? Is that one really her niece?” questioned Papak as he unceremoniously deposited Vito on the floor. He had motioned from Ariadne to Aaliyah with his free hand.

“I’ve learned not to argue with Aaliyah.” replied James diplomatically.

Wise choice there. Coming between Aaliyah and her fun never worked out for anyone.

“Zachary, James thinks I’m melodramatic. Please tell him I’m not!” begged Aaliyah, on her knees at my feet.

“Umm…” I muttered, considering different ways to deal with the situation. “I don’t really want to be on your aunt’s bad side. She spends more time with us.”

“My…” started Aaliyah, stopping to count on her fingers. “One of my somewhat oldish friends likes my aunt better than me!”

My brothers and I were quite interested in meeting these friends of hers that were much older than us. We knew Carl, of course, but I doubted all of her old friends were deities. Addressing Aaliyah’s complaint, I said, “I wouldn’t say that I like her ‘better’, really. I just know she’ll get moody if I take your side.”

“Moody!? I haven’t been moody in at least a thousand years.” insisted Ariadne, giving me a withering look. Turning on Papak, she said, “And as for you, Papak, I cannot believe you still don’t believe that Aaliyah is my niece. Shame on you!”

One of his enormous wings moved in front of him as if to shield him. “You do have to admit that her being older than you makes that seem a bit improbable.”

Despite her youth, Ariadne actually could harm us if she wanted. She might even be able to kill us, given her incredible power.

“You know Carl. Argue with him about it.” retorted Ariadne, frowning at him.

“Hello?” questioned James, seeming unhappy about whose name had appeared on his phone before he answered the call.

“James! My team reported that they lost you, and my cousin got… you know how she is.” came Adelmar’s voice over the phone.

I could hardly blame James for being unhappy about Adelmar Slayer calling. Anyone who had to deal with him was in for an unpleasant conversation.

“Ah. I’m with some friends.” replied James, keeping his tone polite.

“Friends? Here?” questioned Adelmar with obvious surprise.

“Tell Adelmar that you’ve joined his nemeses to see how real men party.” I yelled, smiling.

“I… see.” stated Adelmar uncomfortably. “I wasn’t aware that you knew them. Though I wouldn’t presume to tell you what company to keep, I feel I must inform you that some in my family will take your current company as a personal affront, given that you are likely to marry into the family.”

“Aaliyah’s here with me, so they can take up their grievances with her. She simply loves hearing that people disapprove of her company.” suggested James. “Please tell Alma that I’m fine.”

Keeping a neutral tone, Adelmar said, “As you say. I look forward to dining with you tomorrow. I asked the chef to prepare something extra special.”

My smile had only broadened with how James handled Adelmar. As foolish as that man was, he wasn’t about to risk Aaliyah’s wrath.

“Ridiculous, isn’t he.” stated Vito, annoyed by the call.

“That family forgot how to have fun ages ago.” agreed Papak, as he easily swept Vito and me into a hug with his enormous arms.

“I assure you, we’ll show you how to have a good time.” I insisted. Having James here was a treat for all of us. We rarely had company, especially company that wasn’t subservient to us. James would obviously speak his mind, backed by a friend no reasonable entity would oppose, but he also showed cunning with how he spoke. Few people learned not to burn bridges at such a young age. Yes, I liked him, and not just because of that magic flowing out from him. I was very interested in seeing how quickly that magic affected those who are not vampires.

#Best Friend For Hire Reprise #Best #Friend #For #Hire #Reprise #Jovial Times #Jovial #Times #Fantasy #Fiction #Story

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ciathyzareposts · 6 years ago

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Dark Stone Ritual: Too Zoon

The Game Master gives me one of the main quests of the game.

At this point, I’ve explored five towns, three caves, and as much of the outdoor area as I can. The outdoor map is structured so you can’t get very far without the skills necessary to navigate through swamps, forests, and mountains (and, I suppose, swimming), but the trainers for everything except “Forestry” must be on the other side of the island. Eventually, you get to a point where the only possible way to progress is a bridge, where a woman wants a password.

Everything funnels the player to this bridge.

The outdoor about 64 squares vertical, ocean to ocean. If it’s also 64 squares east-to-west, there’s still a lot of the game for me to uncover, as I’ve only gone a maximum of 17 squares horizontal. On the other hand, this game does not seem to be interested in predictable square maps. The dungeon maps have all been much longer east-west than north-south–sometimes absurdly so–so perhaps the continent is stretched in the other direction.

The town of Pelingore is 37 x 15.

The outdoor map is sprinkled with towns, caves, fountains that raise attributes, and random treasure chests. Every town has a hut nearby where a gnome tells you how many parties of wandering monsters you still have to kill to clear the town. Once you kill them all and return to him, he gives you gold and experience. Each town has an armory, a tavern, a temple, a training hall, and its own variety of special encounters and side quests. Some of them have guild shops that sell magic spells. Each town so far has also featured at least one mysterious square in which a question mark indicates some kind of encounter, but stepping on it produces nothing.

My characters are all Level 11, and combats haven’t been very hard since the first few hours of the game, when I didn’t know how to properly equip items. I’ve purchased some offensive spells, but I have yet to find anything that affects the entire enemy party. Meanwhile, single-enemy offensive spells like “Cold Ray” and “Fire Ray” do less damage than a melee attack, so there’s rarely any reason to use them. My healer is kept busy with “Cure Wounds,” but my sorcerer doesn’t often have any sorcerer-specific things to do, except when I need her for “Townportal” or something. Since I’m never really in any danger during combats, battles have become rather tedious and boring.

This battle with 8 enemies is merely long, not hard.

The process of sorting through all the “found” equipment is about as cumbersome as Might and Magic, and to simplify things I’ve adopted the expedient of using the sale price of the piece of equipment as the primary measure of quality. Even then, I have to go through about a half hour of shuffling and sorting after each dungeon.

A lucrative expedition loaded me up with much better equipment than I already had.

None of the mysteries I mentioned last time have been solved except perhaps for the skill system. Midway through this session, I found a hut where a trainer will increase your score with each skill–but only if someone else has already taught you the skill. So I was able to take “Forestry” and “Healer” to 100% for the characters who had them, but I wasn’t able to do anything with skills like “Burglary” and “Swimming” because no one had acquired them yet. The long list of skills for which I have found no trainers is a counter-argument to the “small, narrow continent” hypothesis. I suppose there’s going to have to be much more territory if I have to find huts for all these other skills.

All of the game’s skills can be trained here, point by point.

I’m acquiring a lot more sub-quests than I’m solving. In Umure, a woman wants me to find a ring that she lost near a cave. In Brelock, a man wants me to rescue his daughter from “Zappo.” In Barura, Baran der Allwissende wants me to find his spellbook. And so forth. I’ve been assuming that these things are all on the other side of the continent, but late in this session, I realized I was mistaken as to the rules of secret doors. The nature of my mistake would be long and complicated, but the end result is that they can appear in far more places than I assumed. I thus feel that I need to go back through the towns and caves I’ve already explored and test more of the walls. There are also a lot of locked doors that I’ve left for later, presumably when I have the “Burglary” skill.

The third cave I explored was called “Glorys,” which introduced a new navigation obstacle: pits and teleporters for which I needed the “Jump” spell to pass and continue exploring the dungeon on the other side. It wasn’t hard to figure out. There was also a switch that lowered a nearby wall, but in general the game has featured nothing of the complexity of puzzles that we see in games of the Dungeon Master style.

Casting “Jump” to cross a pit.

Glorys gave me a series of messages related to someone called “Xoon,” which seems to be a play on Might and Magic IV‘s “Xeen.” As Might and Magic IV came out the same year as Dark Stone Ritual, the latter’s developers must have been remarkably quick, or else everyone’s wrong about Ritual‘s proper year.

Anyway, the Xoon messages are a little odd in that each one features what I think is the German word nur, meaning “only” or “just,” as in nur ein wenig (“just a little”) or nur ein gigolo (“merely a gigolo”), only for some reason the letters in the word are spaced out. I don’t know how I’m to regard that odd spacing in a word that you wouldn’t normally emphasize, and I hope some of my German readers might help. Here’s an example:

The messages, with what I get for translations, are:

Xoon: mordet n u r aus verzweiflung: “Xoon: murders only in despair.”

Xoon: schlägt n u r die die ihm wiedersprechen: “Xoon: strikes only those who talk back to him.”

Xoon: liebt blutige getränke n u r wenn sie noch warm sind: “Xoon: loves bloody drinks only when they’re still warm.”

Xoon: liebt gebackene leber n u r wenn sie menschlichen ursprungs ist: “Xooon: loves baked liver only when it’s of human origin.”

There was a fifth message for which I didn’t screenshot the German, suggesting that Xoon eats only very small children. The dungeon culminated in an encounter with the “Game Master,” who said that if we defeat Xoon and bring the Game Master his head, “the power of the Dark Stone sect is finally broken and you will have passed your first test!”

I next need to find the password to cross that bridge. I may already have it. Two of the towns featured encounters with a “morgogilde.” One told me that “the first two are MO” and the other said that “the second two are ND.” Unless there are more morgogildes that I missed behind secret doors, that gives me a password to try: MOND.

Here, have a napkin.

Ritual remains some fun, but I’m starting to worry that it will wear out its welcome long before it decides to wrap up. It has Might and Magic‘s admirable variety, although not assembled quite as artfully as is inspiration. Still, it’s been a major step forward for the Motelsoft brand.

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/dark-stone-ritual-too-zoon/

#retro games #dos games #retro #crpg #adventure #amiga #oldcomputers #8bit #16bit #blog #repost

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tfloosh · 6 years ago

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Distractions

Zelink Month is here y’all!!! I’m kicking it off with Hyrule Warriors Shink because you just know Link got distracted by Sheik during battles.

At first, Link wasn’t too bothered by her, Sheik, the new Sheikah assassin they had picked up in the Eldin Caves. She had done her own thing and covered their flank well, so she must be a decent fighter.

But then they were stuck fighting back-to-back against Gibdos at the Great Deku Tree, and Link couldn’t not notice her. Sheik didn’t fight; she danced across the battlefield, throwing kunai where enemies would be, blasting them with magic channeled through her harp. Link was a little embarrassed to admit he almost lost a limb because he was distracted watching Sheik fight instead of paying attention to the Gibdo in front of him. He almost slapped himself. The Great Deku Tree was on fire! He didn’t have time for this.

Talking with Lana after the battle left more questions than answers, and Impa was still stressed about not finding Princess Zelda. They had both left after everyone had agreed to march toward the Valley of the Seers in the morning, but Sheik had stayed. It confused Link. He hesitated before leaving the meeting tent.

“You were distracted in battle, Chosen One,” she narrowed her red eyes as Link flinched at the title. “You will have to do better if you expect to survive this war.”

She started to walk out of the tent, but Link felt the need to apologize.

“I’m sorry. I’m still new at this. I- I’ll try and do better.”

Sheik stopped, folded her arms, and scrutinized him.

“You are fighting on instinct, relying too much on your gut. That’s not a bad thing, but you need more discipline.”

“Could you train with me?” Link asked on a whim. “It’ll take a week to reach the Valley of the Seers. That should be plenty of time to, uh, learn discipline.”

Sheik raised a brow but nodded all the same, “We’ll meet at dawn.”

Training with Sheik was just the worst. She didn’t go easy on Link at all, and more than once, Impa yelled at him for getting injured when they weren’t even in a battle. Link had hoped these training session would help desensitize him to Sheik’s fighting so he wouldn’t be as distracted by her. But he was wrong.

“You’re distracted!” Sheik yelled again. “Focus, Link.”

“I’m trying,” he grunted, throwing his weight behind his shield to force Sheik a step back.

“I’ve seen you fight better than this,” she said as she circled him. She jumped in again, her dulled, practice kunai appearing in her hand suddenly. Link blocked with his shield again and trust with his sword.

“Not good enough,” Sheik’s voice suddenly sounded to his left. Link turned to try and block her attack, but was too slow. Sheik’s eyes bore into his as she held her kunai steady at his neck.

“We’re a day away from the Valley of the Seers,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “If you fight like this tomorrow, we could lose.”

“I know,” Link reached up to move the kunai away from his neck, probably rougher than he needed to.

“I think it best we stick to opposite sides of the battlefield,” she stated as she sheathed her weapon.

“What?” Link asked as he sheathed his own practice sword.

“It’s obvious I am the cause of your distraction. I commend you for attempting to overcome the problem, but this week of training has done little to help either of us.”

“Either of us?” Link’s confusion grew.

“You aren’t the only one who has been distracted, Link,” her eyes twinkled mysteriously before she left the training grounds.

Sheik’s comment stuck with him during their whole day of marching. Avoiding each other hardly seemed like a good solution, but it was really the only thing they could do. So as they approached the perpetual dusk of the Valley of the Seers, Link went along with Sheik’s lead and avoided her on the battlefield. It was pretty easy. The desert land of the valley was huge, and Impa decided to split up their army to cover more ground. Link took the west side, while Sheik supported Impa along the east. The fighting even stopped Link from overthinking about Sheik being distracted by him. They were doing perfectly fine, even while fighting the Manhandla, until they had an opening to storm Cia the top of the temple.

Link couldn’t help but give Sheik a once over, checking for any injuries. He also couldn’t help but notice Sheik doing the same to him. But in that split second, Cia cast a spell that froze them in place. Lana was able to jump out of the way, but the rest of them weren’t so lucky. Cia stole Link’s Triforce and oddly enough Sheik’s, since apparently she held a piece. Then more magic happened than Link thought he would ever see in his lifetime.

Lana debriefed all of them on what had happened. Cia had ripped time and space apart to bring the areas that held a part of Ganondorf’s soul into their world.

“I had no idea the Triforce could do such a thing,” Impa mused once Lana had finished. “The tales always spoke of unlimited power but to see it in person.” She shook her head. “We will have to split up.”

They spent the next two hours debating who would go where and how many companies they should bring with them. Link voiced some concern over going to the area Lana called Skyloft alone, but Impa insisted.

“I have faith in you,” she nodded. “You have grown so much since I saw you on the training ground. Believe in yourself, Link.”

Again Sheik hesitated while everyone else left. Their rule of avoidance flew out of Link’s head, and he stayed behind with her.

“Impa doesn’t trust me,” Sheik said, a frown evident in her tone, though Link could not see it. “I should be going to Skyloft with you, not running around Death Mountain so Impa can babysit me.”

“So you’d rather we both get distracted in battle again?” Link half-teased.

“No, I,” she turned away, refusing to meet his eyes. “I want to make sure you’re safe. I can’t do that from Death Mountain.”

“I don’t know; Death Mountain is pretty tall,” he smiled. “You might be able to see me on one of those floating islands.”

Sheik laughed. It was a musical sound, so light and happy. Link had never heard her laugh, and he immediately decided he wanted to hear it again.

“It’s also more than that,” she sighed. “But now is not the time to voice insecurities. We must rest before we head out tomorrow.”

“For what it’s worth,” Link said as Sheik was about to step out of the meeting tent. “I trust you, Sheik.”

Her eyes seemed sad despite his sentiment, “Thank you, Link.”

Sheik seemed much happier the next morning.

“I analyzed our respective marching routes,” she smiled, or at least Link assumed she was smiling by the way her eyes beamed. “Our routes overlap for at least three days before Impa and I break off to go up Death Mountain.”

“That’s, uh, good,” Link awkwardly held his half-eaten toast.

“So, uh,” she sat down next to him, some nervousness creeping into her tone. “We could spend more time together, if you wanted.”

Link sat shocked for half a second. In his wildest dreams, he never thought Sheik actually liked him. Yet, here she was wishing to spend more time with him before they had to part ways.

“I would like to, yes,” he nodded. “As long as we don’t train together.”

Sheik laughed again, and Link’s heart soared.

***

“I will not have you distracting him from our goal.”

Link had been approaching Sheik’s tent when he heard voices.

“He is the chosen hero,” Impa was saying. “He has a duty to fulfill. You cannot lead him astray with your empty affections.”

“All your talk yesterday about your faith in him must then be a lie,” Sheik shot back, “if you think one woman can deter him from his course. Why aren’t you giving Lana the same shovel talk? Anyone with eyes can see the way she looks at him.”

Link swallowed roughly. He hadn’t noticed the way Lana looked at him.

“Lana can tell that any action on her part will only distract Link more. Unlike you.”

Sheik stormed out of the tent after that. Link thought about trying to conceal himself, but Sheik’s sharp eyes caught him too quickly.

“Walk with me,” she whispered. And so Link followed her until they reached a nearby river.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” Sheik finally spoke as she sat down on the grass by the bank. “Impa is unduly stressed about the disappearance of Princess Zelda, and she felt the need to exert her command over something she could control.”

“I would have thought she’d figured out she can’t control you already,” Link smiled as he sat down next to Sheik.

“Yes, one would have thought,” she sighed. “But she wasn’t entirely wrong.”

Link only stared.

“It is improper of me to pursue you when we are in the midst of war,” she continued. “I am being selfish and thinking only of my fears.”

“If I didn’t have someone like you to talk to,” Link started. “I would probably go crazy. Impa expects too much of me. She wants me to keep up the façade of being super-human, even while in camp. If I didn’t have you, I would have gone insane with stress and sleep-loss.”

They sat in silence for a while, simply watching the stars between the clouds and trees.

“There will come a time when I take these wraps off,” Sheik touched her scarf, which was pulled up over her nose like always. “And you will look at me differently. I just want you to know, that despite my appearance, I am still the same, and my intentions are true.”

“No matter what, I will always trust you,” Link whispered back.

***

Link came back from Skyloft with Fi in tow. He was still unnerved by her (It was a ‘her’ right? Despite being a sword?) calling him Master, but Link had faced stranger challenges during this strange war. This was nothing compared to an evil sorceress trying to destroy a whole kingdom out of some twisted version of love for him.

While his successful return was applauded, it was nothing compared to the news that Princess Zelda had returned with Impa from Death Mountain. Link was happy to hear the news, while secretly hoping Impa would lay off Sheik since the Princess was back. But he didn’t see Sheik the whole day since his arrival in the morning. She wasn’t with the healers in the medical tent, which was a relief, but she wasn’t in her own tent either. Link simply decided to distract himself with training. Sheik would come find him soon enough, he figured.

And just like he predicted, she surprised him as he walked down to the river they had visited not too long ago.

“You didn’t come to say hi to me all day,” her voice was filled with a pout. “It’s quite rude of you, making me come find you instead.”

“I didn’t even see you in camp,” Link began as he turned around, but his voice caught in his throat once he saw her. It wasn’t Sheik, but Princess Zelda, in front of him.

Link fell to one knee, “Your Highness.”

“Oh, never to that again,” the Princess motioned for him to get up. “You promised you wouldn’t look at me differently and that includes when I wear a crown.”

Link stood feeling extremely confused, “Sheik?”

The Princess laughed, and Link knew she and Sheik were one in the same.

“I’m sorry to have deceived you,” Zelda smiled. “But it was necessary to uncover what Cia was up to. That is until it backfired when Wizzrobe impersonated me at the Water Temple.” She grimaced at the memory. “Will you be able to forgive me?”

Instead of answering, Link kissed her.

“I’ll take that as a yes?”

Link only kissed her again.

#zelink #zelink month #zelink month 2018 #zelink week #hw zelink #shink #hyrule warriors #loz #flooshfics

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tristala · 6 years ago

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Thoughts on Sofia the First Part 4:

Season 4

Day of the Sorcerers

I have been looking forward to this episode and it finally happened. My son finally made a choice and it was worth the wait. It’s good to see Hexley Hall again with all of the magic around them. Jun and Wu-Chang were a sight for sore eyes and good additions to the episode. Mystic Isles...maybe Sofia and Cedric will go there someday.

The Order of the Wand was fascinating and they do have a question that has been on my mind for a while. Why are they serving under the royals? I’m not surprised that Greylock’s with them at all, his king is full of himself.

I never thought I’d love a rock ballad but here we are. My Evil Dreams is now one of my top favorite songs in the series. The lyrics are great and really made me empathize with Cedric. Jess Harnell did an amazing job singing and voicing the sorcerer. Wormwood telling everything and Sofia’s reaction to Cedric’s confirmation was heartbreaking. Both raven and sorcerer being smug and confident as they took over the kingdom and Sofia trying to stop them were one of the most intense scenes in the series. The redecoration of the throne room and the throne itself was gorgeous. I also like that it was Sofia’s throne Cedric transformed.

The way he said “This is all I want.” was top notch. I knew he wouldn’t harm Sofia and that was in itself, rewarding.

“I never thought you were capable of something like this!”

“You never thought I was capable of anything. No one did!” Let it out man.

“Everything you did was the greatest thing ever. But did anyone notice when I did something right? Noooo. They only noticed when I made a mistake.”

“And you made a lot of mistakes.”

“So. Did. You.”

OHHHHH

Cedric finally got to tell Roland everything he has been bottling inside for decades was very satisfying.

“Then maybe you should have tried doing something great.” ROLAND YOU BIT-

Sofia is seriously one of the purest cinnamon rolls out there.

“The worst thing you did, was saying we weren’t friends, because I know that’s not true. You helped me save Royal Prep. You helped me beat Princess Ivy. You even let Morgana catch you so I can get away. Only a great sorcerer could do those things, and a great friend.”

Not gonna lie, I teared up right then and there.

Miranda’s a gift for being a good human being and siding with her daughter in defending Cedric. The long conflict has finally been resolve of will he or will he not take continue his schemes.

I just wish that it was actually a long special. This is a huge turning point for Cedric. Maybe it could’ve shown that even when he had taken over Enchancia, he was still not respected by his peers (Maybe Greylock will though). Seeing the other sorcerers and wizards beating the Order of the Wand would have been nice too. Nonetheless, I’m still happy for my princess and sorcerer.

The Mystic Isles

I have mixed feeling about this special. The outfit changes are nice as usual, Sofia’s travel get up in particular and it’s nice to see the ponytail again. I was afraid that Amber would act the same way again regarding to what happened in the Curse of Princess Ivy but she reacted differently-ish. The Library is enchanting, as usual. Prisma was obviously the evil crystal master and I like how it’s natural for Amber to still slip up and be selfish like any other human being. The animation is beautiful. Skye’s just eh, maybe he’ll grow on me. The Dancing Deserts was fascinating along with the Shatter Stone but I didn’t care for the Rompkins at all. Sorry but I just have no patience for those types of characters.

I didn’t like the “fact” of “If someone helps an animal in need, they’re automatically not on the evil list.” Prisma’s song is punny but I like the tune. I also like that she acts a bit insane, with her voice being all whimsical and dreamy while she’s doing immoral things like trying to murder children.

Who I Am reached the top ten of my favorite songs of the series. Darcy Rose Byrnes hit those notes perfectly, as well as Ariel Winter. Amber distracting Prisma was humorous, of course she’d have 3 mirrors on her person.

What I didn’t like about this special is Sofia becoming a Protector. I mean, why would fully grown magical adults depend on a girl who already has so much responsibility on her shoulders. Is this gonna be a big arc with magical hijinks, and I guess Prisma will be the main villain. With that said I’m still happy for Amber’s character growth and her bonding with Sofia.

Through the Looking Back Glass

Another favorite episode. I guess Cedric centric episodes are generally good. Finally got to know about Cedric and Cordelia’s past. It’s also worth it to say that Calista wasn’t annoying in this ep and that she likes Sofia and considers her as one of her favorite people. The song’s really catchy in a good way and Cordelia’s voice is captivating, I’d like to hear her sing more in the future. Man, the looking back glass is pretty op. This could solve any crime committed, could be used to win debates and so much more.

Young Cordy and Ceddy are adorable and I had the same reaction as Sofia and Calista when they hugged. Good to see that they made the potion mix up subtle the first time it was featured. Roland you lil shi-prankster. I feel bad for Cordelia but my temper flared when I heard and saw people criticize a young kid who was barely ten at the time. It was cruel and it’s what lead up to his low self esteem.

The sibling bickering was entertaining but I do feel for Cedric when his sister kept hurling insults toward him. Their predicament with the shrinking spell is creative and I assumed that people in the palace were able to leave. The big reveal for brother and sister was melancholic, especially for Cedric.

“And you blamed me...All these years.”

Imagine three decades being looked down by almost everyone, people who already decided what you will always be, a failure rather than see your potential for future deeds must have been painful. I have social anxiety and it always affects me whenever I made a simple mistake, so I could only imagine what it must have been to multiply that to 3 for decades.

It was nice that Cordelia took the blame and stood up for her brother and told off Roland that not everything is Cedric’s fault.

Princess Jade

It was a good ep. But Amber’s the one who made me like it even more. Jade’s princess look is nice as well as Amber’s village outfit and her bun is so cute! Ruby’s a sweetie, making sure her friend tries new things, same goes for Sofia.

“Well, there’s more to life than fashion...I cannot believe I just said that.” Me neither Amber, good for you.

I also adore how she worked with Ruby and others and had a marvelous presentation. My girl is growing up so fast.

Ivy’s True Colors

The title was actually made me look forward to this episode when I saw it, it was like a pleasant surprise for Ivy to get redemption. I kinda wish the Deep Sleeps affected humans too but then again it could’ve gotten too complicated. Roma‘s cute and it was nice to see a princess have a skunk friend though I bet having black and white fur helped. Also, I think the monochrome look of the island is beautiful.

I’ve always wanted to know more about Ivy since she mentioned that her land’s also black and white. And being imprisoned on an island without a trial for a decade without anyone to talk to is depressing. Maybe her family or her people aren’t the best kind. That could explain her being new to the whole friendship and love thing. The song is now another favorite and on the top ten songs, the lyrics are somewhat cheesy but beautiful nonetheless. I thought that Nettle’s appearance would screw up the plot but it actually worked out fine for me. Her friendship with Ivy’s really neat and I hope that I do get to see them again.

Pirated Away

I added this episode mainly due to Amber and Miranda moments. I despise the pirates, they were one of the most annoying characters in the series. I was a bit disappointed when Amber said that Miranda isn’t her real mom when she was the one who said that step-dads are just as real as dad-dads. I assume she said this out of frustration. I adore the princesses’ sailing outfits though.

It was lovely to finally see Miranda and Amber having a heart to heart talk with Amber admitting that she can be selfish at times. Miranda pointing out that her girls are growing up so fast gave me a bittersweet feeling and I don’t know why. I do like the ending with the magnificent meteor shower.

The Mystic Isles: The Princess and the Protector

As I feared, this arc started out bad for me personally. Chrysta was annoying and just didn’t put much effort in training Sofia. As much as I love her wings, her arms are like sticks. I also think that it’s a bad idea for the Protectors to assign an inexperienced “trainer” to teach a child. This isn’t some simple test you guys, Sofia isn’t a guinea pig and this could affect her growth. You’re risking her safety as well.

What I did like is Sofia telling Chrysta off. While I am well aware that this was the point, it still did not sit well with me. Chrysta gave off bad vibes and I think she might be a hit or miss.

The Mystic Isles: The Falcon’s Eye

I really did not like this episode and I’m really not liking this arc. It’s was pretty boring save for the fact that the Wicked Nine is part of the plot and Jun appearing again.

Twitch and Prisma make an interesting duo along with the Locket of Vor. The Wicked Nine caught my attention and suddenly became more compelling but was made me doubt it again after seeing the way they approached the whole thing. I also did not like the security of the Falcon’s Eye. It’s so dumb, even a human can climb those walls. The series is not fitted to have smart sneaky battle strategies. I know it’s for children, but at least make Christa more competent. She is the so called best Protector in the Isles. At least she’s trying to be a better trainer.

“And you know what they say about finding medallions on the ground: Hang them from your neck and enjoy many compliments.” …..No. That is some terrible advice right there.

The Mystic Isles: A Very Mystic Wassalia

Skye really did not grow on me. He’s just really boring and now that this is probably the last time I’ll see of him until the finale so it seems he’ll always be just eh to me. Elfabetty was very annoying, I can’t stand types of kids in cartoons that just go off and cause trouble for everyone.

The only thing I like was Sofia and Chrysta’s interaction. It was obvious from the start that the fairy doesn’t have anyone to celebrate Wassalia with and Sofia, bless her, was really sweet to give her a gift and made the effort to go around the Isles to tell everyone about her. But I wish they showed Sofia spending time with her family too.

The Birthday Wish

Reliving and making sure things go well for the day just for it to move on a lot of times must have been an exhausting ordeal for Sofia. But I did find it refreshing to see her distraught and annoyed, she had a wider variety of expression in this ep. Tizzy, I love you but you should really check your spells more. And where’s Cedric? He should’ve been there, it’s his friend’s birthday after all.

In Cedric We Trust

Feeels. Roland and Baileywick being dismissive of Cedric is understandable. I mean, he did freeze them and almost took over the kingdom. Sofia’s dress is really pretty and suits her age, especially now with the show ending. Cedric did give me second hand embarrassment again, specifically discussing a crown with Roland. Wormwood’s really fed with Cedric and it’s saddening. His betrayal made things worse too.

A trait I like about Prisma is her keeping her promises, even if she has menacing intentions.

“Oh Twitch, are you jealous?”

“Actually yeah, a bit.” Gotta love the honesty there.

Cedric trying to prove himself and saying that he and Roland used to be close as kids in a catchy song gave me mixed feelings. It’s refreshing that he’s not scheming anymore but I’m not completely sold on the idea that they were close. And Wormwood whyyy. Well, I do know and somewhat understand but how could you leave your best friend like that.

Prisma hitting Cedric on the shoulder looks painful. But the main highlight of this episode is Cedric saving Sofia and risking his life in the process. I just hope that Wormwood realizes his mistake and redeems himself.

A Royal Wedding

Finding out that Amber’s the heir to the throne was a pleasant surprise but I did feel bad for James until I thought that he didn’t even like doing kingly duties and I remembered that he trained a bit as a knight.

Speaking of, why did Roland know anything about this and how could they keep this from him? Shouldn’t he know about these things? You know for a king, Roland seems to know squat on some important parts.

“W-well, I’m not like that anymore.” That is true and I’m proud of you.

“James, I understand this is difficult to hear.”

“No, you don’t understand dad. You got to be king.” Ooo. He has a point there.

The song’s pretty but James stap, don’t sabotage your sister. Meanwhile, the twin’s wedding garb are very stylish along with Amber’s hair and tiara. It’s good to see Sofia’s blue gown again, I hope it’s going to be her default dress.

Amber mastering the greetings and her brother’s shocked reaction were funny. James planning to become a knight is the perfect role for him.

The Royal School Fair

I’ve missed the Royal Prep kids. It seems like it’s been a while since an episode focused them. I also appreciate that the writers didn’t make a complete 180 with Hildegard’s personality. She still wanted her and Clio doing things together but was more accepting of her friend’s choices and was willing to let them be separated in the end. The song is really cute and catchy, one of the best in the series. I feel bad for Desmond but I also love how James was supportive. First Hugo, now him. That boy seems to have a strong sense of brotherhood.

Amber and Sofia’s relationship has gone through a lot. From Amber hating her, to loving her and wanting Sofia to go with her to the same school.

“No one ever said you had to be a knight to be a hero.” A great lesson.

Another great lesson is: We may have to decide on somethings but that doesn’t mean we can’t change them. Nothings stays the the same, perhaps for a long time but never forever.

“And no matter what we choose, it...won’t be forever?”

“Oh nothing is my dear.”

Beautiful.

The Lost Pyramid

Everyone looked fabulous in their travel garb. They made the effort to give each princess an individual design whereas they could’ve just easily given them the same uniform design. I love Princess Cassandra and her whole exchange with Zooey.

“Cassandra, are you…”

“Blind? What gave me away? Are my socks mismatched again?”

“You never mentioned in your letters you couldn’t see.”

“Well, you never mentioned you could.”

“Good point.”

I love it.

Another thing I loved was how Cassandra taught them to see in the dark. And it’s nice to see a more realistic/normal portrayal of a blind person.

The Elf Situation

A good, warm final regular episode. Arielf and Elfabelle are cute and didn’t annoy me.

“We river elves prefer it rainy.”

“We tree elves prefer it leafy.”

“Leafy? Is that even a thing?” I’m with you there.

Got another favorite song. I adore it for showing them having fun and acting like regular children especially with all that’s happening. Bittersweet, but more on the sweet side. The lesson’s great by saying that kids don’t have to try acting like grown ups so fast and should instead enjoy their childhoods.

So, this now sums up my thoughts on certain episodes of Sofia the First. Part 5 will be my conclusion.

#Sofia the First #Sofia the Fandom #StF #Mah Posts

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