#we went (hah what if everything was connected)

[a-dose-of-memphis]

isekai au doodles!

[my very first doodles of the au— when everything was still chaotic and for shits and giggles]

local khaenriah researcher finds herself in another world as a tyranical empress ("i just fucking died why am i doing paperwork and meetings????")

--- plot armor showed mercy-

--and so her very smart (way too sly) nephew enters the story, the plot thickens---

--lost her way of escaping way too quickly.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Malleus Draconia Dorm Uniform Personal Story: Part 1

"Briar Valley's own."

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

[Mirror Chamber]

Crowley: Now, the Dorm Leader meeting will come to order.

Crowley: Today's agenda begins with…

Lilia: Apologies! I'm terribly late!

Crowley: AAAH!!!!

Crowley: V-Vanrouge-kun… When did you slip into the Mirror Chamber? Don't startle me so!

Lilia: Ah, thousand pardons. It's only, Malleus has disappeared.

Lilia: While Silver and Sebek are currently out searching for him, for the time being, I will attend the meeting in his stead as the Vice Dorm Leader.

Crowley: Eh? …AH!

Crowley: NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT... DRACONIA-KUN ISN'T HERE!!

Lilia: …Did you all forget? About poor Malleus?

Kalim: S-Sorry… I totally thought someone else would let him know.

Leona: Hah. I ain't his babysitter, and why should we have to go so far as to say, "Oh, Malleus-kun, let's go to the meeting together."

Vil: You know, I've been thinking ever since I became a Dorm Leader this year…

Vil: Malleus isn't ever at these meetings, is he?

Idia: Yeah! I want to know about that too.

Idia: Even I'm forcing myself here remotely, even though I def don't wanna be here.

Idia: IT'S NOT FAIR THAT MALLEUS-SHI GETS TO SKIP ALL THE TIME! OBJECTION!

Azul: Indeed, these slights against us does not foster a good feeling.

Azul: He is continuously absent. On occasions where he actually does attend, he is constantly tardy. I can only assume that he thinks very little of this meeting.

Lilia: Malleus has no such intention. I know he must be hoping to participate in these meetings with you all.

Vil: All this lip service means nothing so long as no results follow.

Vil: Leona, Riddle. You must have indulged him a considerable amount last year to allow Malleus's despotic behavior to continue like this.

Leona: Us, indulge him? …You can say that because you don't know how much I had to deal with last year.

Riddle: Leona-senpai just dictated, but I was the one who really had to handle everything.

Riddle: In the beginning, the Dorm Leaders last year attempted to enact many a plan in order to have Malleus-senpai attend the meeting.

Riddle: We would send him several reminders via email, send physical letters, and even went directly to his dormitory…

Idia: Aaand how'd that go?

Leona: A total failure. That bastard doesn't check his email, and that bat over there kept losing the letters.

Leona: When we went to the dorm, those zealous draconians'd be on alert and wouldn't let anyone in.

Leona: It's the biggest pain I've ever had to deal with. Why does everyone else have to run around for him, instead of him workin' on it?

Riddle: Like I said earlier, the one running around was me… Ahem. Anyway, we did all we could.

Riddle: Everything else is up to Malleus-senpai.

Azul: So, essentially…The two of you gave up on Malleus-san.

Vil: Even Leona the slacker gets dragged here by Ruggie, and Idia the shut-in participates by way of his technology.

Vil: Do you truly believe it is appropriate that Malleus is constantly absent for these meetings in which we discuss important decisions for the school?

Vil: Perhaps it was acceptable up until now. However, I do not approve of his negligence.

Crowley: Hmm. It rather feels as though it will be difficult to continue this meeting amidst this uncomfortable climate…

Crowley: Vanrouge-kun, could we have you contact Draconia-kun and have him come here right away?

Lilia: I would love nothing more, but…

[beep!]

Smartphone Voice Assistant: The number you have dialed is either in a non-service area, or is not turned on, and therefore your call cannot be connected.

[beep!]

Lilia: …No matter how many times I call, I still cannot get through. It was working last night, though.

Lilia: It's most likely that he broke his phone today.

Crowley: Well, it can't be helped. I suppose we should all go out and search for him.

Leona: Hah? Why should we? He ain't a lost kid. Don't baby him.

Lilia: Sob, sob… What unfriendly folk…

Kalim: Hrrrm, if there was something I could do, I'd like to help out…

Azul: Kalim-san, this is not an issue that can be solved by simply "helping out."

Azul: Do we intend on starting every meeting with a search for Malleus-san? He must learn to better himself.

Lilia: Tch. Crocodile tears didn't work, huh…

Vil: There is no way that such a terrible performance would successfully deceive us. It seems both the Dorm Leader and Vice Dorm Leader both are just fooling around.

Leona: Kukuku. Maybe that guy's the least suited to be a Dorm Leader outta all of us, ey?

Idia: Is that kinda boss really gonna be ok? Makes me sooo worried for the future of Briar Valley.

Lilia: Hmph… What a thing to say towards the heir of the Draconia family.

Lilia: …Malleus's reputation will be tarnished at this rate.

Lilia: I understand. Malleus will attend the next meeting, I swear it.

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

Requested by @x0-luna-mix-0x, @sakurakudo, and @symphonyprincessuta

[octarinecat]

"What bloody man is that" or

"Blind date with a book"

author notes: forgive me for grammar and etc mistakes, English is not my first language 👉👈This idea was sitting so long in my head so I decided to write it out!;

words: 777 😸 what it is about? Raphael x female Tav, modern AU, Shakespeare's plays (you don't need to know anything about it)

It was late evening when Tav was getting ready to came out. Today she wore a plum turtleneck sweater and a dark green ankle-length skirt. On top of it she added made of silver necklace. She pushed her glasses up her nose and ruffled her hair. Today was the stupidest day ever and she wanted at least to look nice.

She arrived at the place, holding in one hand her favorite book. Today is the “Blind date with book” event in her local library. And, which was also still shocking for her, she wanted to take part in it.

She glanced once more at her book. She choose to take with her “A Midsummer Night's Dream” by Shakespeare. It was actually a comedy play, but well, she had a special affection for this work, and would like to talk about it with others.

Event started. About 30 years old male sat next to her and they started talking about their books and literature overall. He brought with himself popular science -fiction book, which wasn’t exactly her favorite genre of books. He was a nice guy, but she couldn’t find any connections not sparks between them. Also he somehow ignored her book, avoiding to talk about it, which gave him another ‘no’ from her. They taken their time, knowing each other better and their taste of literature. But her eyesight slowly moved to the other event participants, then back to him, and again she started glancing on the environment. She sighed silently when someone announced another round. Their time finally came to an end and she stirred on her seat, wondering who will came now to her. She hopes someone more interesting.

With a grace of the cat someone in front of her appeared. Definitely older than she, a man with big brown eyes sat in front of her. She noticed that he smirked when looked at her book cover.

“Good choice. But not as grand as mine.” He said and offered her his hand in greeting. They shook hands and introduce themselves.

“Raphael.”

“Tav.”

His hand then went to his neck, gently undoing the highest button of his black shirt. Afterwards he repositioned his glasses.

“What did you bring today?” She asked curiously.

“As I already said, something better than you.” He said and smirk again crawled on his face.

Tav raised her brow, pondering what is wrong with this man. Then he placed his book on the table, slowly rotating it to her facing with title.

“Macbeth, really? Hah.” She blurted quickly and laughed in disbelief.

“Indeed, Macbeth. What could be better than a tragic story of a consumed by ambition man? Few fairies in a magical forest?” Raphael replied, taunting her.

“Have you ever read ‘Midsummer-night's Dream’? Or your ambitions stopped you from that… You won't achieve anything by mocking the book I chose.”

“I thought that today we met to talk about literature… I'm trying to enlighten you, why my book is greater than yours. I, of course read these two plays and many more. But you need to know that your title is like a mistake…”

“A mistake?” She raised her voice.

“A play about love? What could be more shallow than that?” He said and combed his hair with his fingers.

Tav tilted her head to the side and glanced at him cautiously. What he want to achieve now? Didn't they came here for a blind date? Should she ignore him or… play this game?

“Well. Maybe you didn't understand this comedy play about love? Did you came here today to make others aware that love doesn't exist?” She asked him and crossed her arms.

“Obviously there isn't something like ‘love’. It's a myth for romantic souls. But there is desire and infatuation…”

Man started talking and followed his thoughts about everything but not love.

“… maybe you are too young to understand such obvious things little mouse?” He finally finished with a smile of pity.

“So why did you came here?” She asked again, insisting.

But he didn't answered. Hosts stopped the game and made a break for everyone. Raphael nodded at her and disappeared somewhere. Raphael left her with uneasy thoughts and slightly burning cheeks.

After a while she took her bag and went outside for a smoke. Cool wind refreshed her skin and loose hair strands. Moon was shining from above, giving a nice glam. She finally found cigarette, but with no sight of a lighter. Tav sighed loudly in disbelief.

Not so long after she heard footsteps and a lighter appeared in front of her face. She raised her head and looked into brown eyes of a ‘Macbeth’ enjoyer.

[https-eonsadrift-com]

SAGAU! concept of mine

[This is made bc i have an older brother, and i've connected the dots before i fell asleep so i don't know if this would turn out good or nah.. ]

Once you falls into the world full of fantasies or what so called- Teyvat, you have found people that admit or just went disbelief concerning your existence

Well everything just make sense, but one problem is, the only clue you understand about yourself as a people rehorn in Teyvat, is,

"Welcome the Creator : Moon"

What is that even mean? If you're moon, then could it be there is a 'creator : Sun' out there or something? Or 'the creator : Earth'? You don't even know...

.

In the first place, you want to know who you are as now you exist on Teyvat, but in order to know who you are, you must gain the privilege of not being hunted by people who don't like or believe your existence on Teyvat

Some archons just don't accepting you living on Teyvat, just count Barbatos, Morax, Baal, Focalors..

But Buer and Tsaritsa is welcoming you well, as far as you know

Before starting with knowing archons opinion and decides who's allies and who's not, you have a little connections around Teyvat, count it Albedo, Eula from Mondstadt

Kazuha, Beidou, Shenhe from Liyue

Itto and the gank, and kamisato's from Inazuma

Wanderer, Dehya and Candace from Sumeru..

And the rest of People on Snezhnaya, of course (lol)

And after Buer accepting your presence, all people of Sumeru also welcoming you since the Dendro Archon are sure have reasons on what is wrong and what is right.

And after you done with the beginning of getting used with the nature of Teyvat, a big news coming around

Another creator calling themself as the sun just arrived and being kept and Liyue

Of course, this catch your eyes, will this people's arrival will explain what the hell is happening? So you, Buer and The Tsaritsa trying the best to contact the so called 'The Creator : Sun'

.

It does take long for all of you, but all of that hard works makes something..!

With the approval of all the seven Archons, you with the rest of Archons can have a meeting with the new Creator

You are scared, you are curious, you are excited.

There's a thousand possibilities that'll happen on the meeting on Liyue, you could be threatened, you could have safety, you could have answers, you could have problems.

Everything is possible.

.

Once you arrived, you feel a rage burning when you saw the Creator for the first time..

Without any other thought crossing your mind, you slapped the Creators face, his face grows red quickly after.

As tears rolling down your cheeks... His face widened to see the tears and grab your shoulder tightly

"Sis, is that.. You? By the way, ouch. "

Hearing that voice, your eyes widened, is that him? Is that really him? Cause its just no way. No way, anything could happen but him appearing in front of you.

"Yeah, so what? You're going to throw sandals at me like you used to? "

You answered with a shaking voice, your body couldn't hold the pressure of your own emotions anymore, everything feels so unreal for you

"Wish i could have one in my hand right now, stupid. "

"Hah, go make one, brother. "

.

You are the moon, and your brother is the sun

That'll explains thing, many things to be exact..

Now with the explanation shows up, all the people of Teyvat could finally relaxed after the big conflict that has been going for quite some time back then

Now, with you both known as the creator, what would your daily activities will be?

[Im sorry if its poorly made, i'm on the dentist right now *lazyly sobs]

[Oh yeah, and i'll explain what is you and your brother role and both of your jobs, so we can keep up with the plot]

[the-bar-sinister]

Head Games, Law Games (4969 words) by thesavagesabretooth

first part here

Summary: Phoenix Wright thought that the strange game between him and Kristoph Gavin had ended for good when he put his lover and rival in jail for murder. But when Miles Edgeworth agrees to have the killer mentally evaluated for suitability to start working in the courts from behind bars, Phoenix has to find out for himself just what's going on in Kristoph's head.

-

August 26, 2028– 4:30 pm

Phoenix nervously adjusted the position of the snacks on the table as he waited for Trucy to get back from her magic practice. He had gone overboard– he knew he had gone overboard, with everything from cake, to chips, to tea and candies– but he was worried about upsetting her. Every time he'd thought about it he'd added another snack to the table.

He heard the keys in the door, and stiffened, leaning over the table.

The door flew open in its usual way, and Trucy Wright bounded in as she tossed her hat and cloak on the rack with a laugh. 

“HAH! I knew I’d get Betty to start working with me sooner or later! Daddy!! I’m ho—” Her eyes went to the table full of snacks with wide eyes “...is it my birthday or is something up?”

"Hey bug, welcome home!" he waved her over. "I think you'd know if it was your birthday, right?" Skipping over, Trucy came to a stop before the table with her hands folded behind her back.

“Unless I magically gained another birthday? Yeah, probably…which means something’s up…not that I’m gonna complain, of course!” 

"Well, I'm glad you don't want to complain," he said. He pulled out a chair for her. "I promise it's really nothing huge. I just wanted to treat you." Trucy dropped into the chair with a tap of her gloved finger on her chin, before she grinned. “Well. In that case…thank you VERY much for the meal, daddy!” 

"So how was practice? Is Betty still being snippy about the whole thing?"

Phoenix slid tea and a slice of cake toward her. He was absolutely stalling. He had no idea how to start this conversation. Trucy gave him that uncanny look of hers, where it felt like she was staring straight into his soul, before she grinned and grabbed the tea cup and the cake to put it on her lap.

She took a bite and popped it in her mouth before she hummed “Betty’s still grumpy, but I actually managed to twist her arm enough to work through a possible routine. I just had to lean on Bonny’s puppy dog eyes and the promise of a big show to make it happen.” 

"At least it's all coming together, right? I'll be excited to see it when you guys actually have a show in the works."

He still felt guilty for not being able to be there for her first big show– or for the disaster that it turned into. Trucy in Gramaryeland had turned into Trucy in Court on a Murder Charge. What a disaster. At least Apollo had been able to handle it… “Yeah…I mean…I’m trying to think of a good hook, you know? And there’s the matter of booking it.” She sighed and popped another piece of cake in her mouth. “Which is harder than you’d think when the last guy who helped you with it tried to frame you for murder.” 

"Yeah," Phoenix grimaced. "I actually have a couple of contacts in TV we could talk to. Way less likely to try to frame you for murder. They're more the type to get framed, honestly. That's how we met." Trucy perked up with a grin as she held her tea up to her lips. “you mean Mr. Powers and Ms. Nichols and all of them, right??” 

"Exactly," he nodded. "I bet they could put us in touch with someone. No need to rely on shady contacts."

He knew that Trucy had first gotten connected with Retinz through Klavier Gavin. He didn't want to hold that against Klavier, he knew it wasn't his fault. But still he somehow wasn't surprised that the bad connection had started with a Gavin.

Unfortunately, the dark thought must have shown on his face. Trucy sipped her tea before she finally said. “Daddy, you’re kind of a terrible liar. What’s really up?” 

He sighed and rubbed his chin. "Well I mean I wasn't lying, sweetheart. But you're right. I was stalling. Mr. Edgeworth asked me to talk about something with you. Well, actually he was going to talk to you himself, but I said I would."

Ominous, Nick. That sounds ominous. Say something else before she has a chance to–“This is getting pretty ominous daddy. What? What is it? A mother back from the dead? Am I being accused of murder again? A…” Her eyes widened and a grin alighted upon her face “ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?” 

Phoenix made an incoherent sputtering noise as his mind went suddenly blank, and he threw up his hands.

"What? No! Who would I even marry? Don't answer that–" he grimaced and fixed his tie, flushing at the thought of all the possible names that Trucy might pull out. "No, no it's.. it's about your dad, Trucy. Well, about his killer."

Segueing right from marriage to Kristoph made his stomach churn. Once upon a time, Gavin could have been on the list of people Trucy might pull out of her hat for her opinion on a surprise engagement. “Oh.” Trucy’s smile fell from her face. “...this is about Mr. Kristoph, huh?” 

"Yeah," he sighed, shoulders slumping. "Sorry, kiddo. Not exactly an exciting and fun conversation, I know."

He gestured at the snacks in a tacit acknowledgement of his own pre-apology. Trucy sighed and grabbed a candy from the table to open it with a puff of her cheeks. 

“...you coulda told me right away…but I like the snacks.” She popped it in her mouth “...did he die?” 

Phoenix grimaced again. He didn't like the way that the suggestion made him jolt and hurry to answer.

"No, no he didn't die, uh. Not exactly the opposite, but well. His case is being… considered." “Good… I mean, good that he didn’t die.” She tucked her hair over her ear with a tired smile. “I know he did a lot of really shitty things, but I still got a lot of happy memories of those years when you and he were friends, daddy.”

"You do, huh?" Phoenix smiled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. The truth was, as much as he didn't like it, he did too. "I guess even the worst people have their good sides, huh? But anyway, uh, okay, so you remember about Prosecutor Blackquill?" Trucy nodded as she sipped her tea. “...how he was prosecuting in handcuffs? Or do you mean his whole samurai spy thing with Mr. Fulbright?” 

"No, uh, the prosecuting in handcuffs thing, you were right the first time," Phoenix grimaced. Now that he'd put his life back together, he sometimes worried about the things that he exposed Trucy to. He ripped the bandaid off. "Kristoph has asked the prosecutor's office for the same deal." “Oh!” Trucy’s eyes widened behind her fringe of brown hair. “....he did??” 

"He did," Phoenix sighed, leaning his elbows on the table. "And Lana Skye made his case for him to Edgeworth. So Edgeworth is considering it." “The fact he convinced Edgeworth is kinda crazy enough.” Trucy leaned on her hands “I mean, even enough to consider it…”

"It is," Phoenix said with a frown. "Edgeworth is not happy about it. I'm not happy about it. But he said he'd seriously consider it, so here we are. He had Athena talk to him, first off." Trucy sipped her tea again with a tilt of her head. “...and what’d she say? I know she’s pretty good with this kinda stuff.”

Phoenix sighed, and closed his eyes. He wondered for a moment if he should tell her the whole truth of just what Kristoph had said. About why he'd killed her father.

"They talked for a while," he said finally. "She doesn't think he's a risk. It… surprised me." “Kind of a surprise to me too, y-ya know. Given the whole multiple homicide thing. But…” Trucy rubbed her neck. “ I mean, Athena’s no stranger to that, is she?” 

"No, I guess she's not," he said. "She's good at seeing the good in people. But it wasn't only her opinion that Edgeworth wanted. I think you can guess why I'm talking to you." Trucy fell back against the chair with a furrow of her brow. “...because you wanna know if I’ll tell Edgeworth to give him another chance, right?” 

"Yeah," Phoenix sighed. He flattened down over the table on his elbows. "I'm mean, obviously we're not talking about letting him out of prison. Just giving him a chance to work in court."

At this point, anyway. Phoenix had no doubt that Kristoph's end goal was absolutely to weasel his way out of prison, and back into the world. “I know Mr. Gavin sure loved working in court.” Trucy murmured with a shaky smile. “...I mean…if it’s only that, I don’t see why not. R-right?” 

"Trucy…." He reached a hand over to her, looking at her shaky smile. "Come on. I think we can both agree there's a very good 'why not' right? No matter what you decide– it's not like there's no reason you should hesitate. Kristoph might have been my friend for a while– even your friend– but, he killed people." Trucy’s smile seemed at its limit, and her shoulders shook a little as she took his hand. She looked down at her lap 

“I know. But so did Mr. Halblicht. It’s..”“I mean…I’ll be honest, it’d be easier if I had any answers at all, you know? I have no idea why he went from my friend one day to …” she shrugged her shaking shoulders. “beating my dad to death and trying to poison my friend the next.” 

Phoenix squeezed her hand. "Trucy… I wish I had more answers for you than I do. I don't know why he poisoned the Mishams, at least, I don't know why he thinks he did. But…"

He had too many secrets from her. He was already keeping the secret of her mother, and her brother from her. Thalassa had sworn him to secrecy. 

But Zak Gramarye had done no such thing.

Still, he hesitated. Trucy stared at him with a serious little frown. 

“But there’s….there’s something you do know, Daddy? You have to tell me. If there’s something that’s relevant here you gotta tell me.” 

He sighed, and squeezed her hand. "I know, kiddo. It's not going to make you happy though."

It didn't make him happy, either. It made him… confused. Angry that Kristoph somehow felt he was more moral for murdering someone than Phoenix was for not murdering them. But there was this strange sense of horrible, sick…if not pleasure, then satisfaction perhaps, knowing that Kristoph at least had been trying to protect Trucy, in his own fucked up way.

And it made him feel sick that he wondered if he agreed with him– that it was more than Phoenix ever had done. Trucy’s lips were downturned…her expression increasingly concerned. “you’re starting to make me nervous, daddy…” 

"He told Athena why he killed your father, Trucy. Or at least, why he claims, though, she believes him."

Phoenix almost felt more cornered now than he ever did in court. Trucy’s eyes briefly widened, and then narrowed with a familiar sort of dogged determination “...so why? Why’d he kill my daddy?”

Phoenix squeezed her hand, and stared down at the table, his head in his hand.

"He told Athena that he did it for you. Because he abandoned you." Trucy was silent. She didn’t say a word as he felt her fingers curl against his. He heard the pace of her breathing pick up as she squeezed a little tighter for a moment. Finally, she said only one word. “Oh.” 

"Yeah." He didn't know if there was anything else he could say. He struggled to find words. "Its… still not a good reason." Trucy’s voice cracked as she shook in her chair .“...he killed him because he abandoned me. It’s…it’s…I…”

Phoenix scooted his chair around the table closer to her, and put his arm around her.

I shouldn't have told her. I just should have kept my big fat mouth shut.Trucy grabbed him tightly in a hug. 

“Daddy was always gonna abandon me. I knew it from the day he left me in the courthouse.” She squeezed Phoenix tighter “and it hurt,a lot. It was like…family was just another excuse for a vanishing act to the Gramaryes. That it’s just what family was. But it still hurt.” 

"I know, honey," Phoenix murmured. He squeezed Trucy, and he felt his chest tighten. She had known, she had always known. Zak Gramarye had been planning to play them all from the very beginning. The horrible thought that maybe he deserved to die flashed through his mind. "It wasn't fair to you. It was terrible."

It wasn't fair to Phoenix, either. What the hell did Zak Gramarye think he was doing? Who was going to raise Zak's daughter when he disappeared. Valant sure fucking wasn't!

Trucy shrugged against him, sniffling softly. 

“it was always gonna happen. Every magic act has a sleight of hand, and something used to make the trick work.” she shook her head against him and he felt hot tears on his shirt. “If the trick goes off smoothly, whatever happens to the tool doesn’t matter. Fair has nothing to do with it.”

"Trucy that's–" he held her to his chest. "You can't treat people like that. People aren't just tools for magical acts. What your father did to you was as wrong as what Kristoph did to him."

Did that mean it balanced out?

Trucy hiccuped. Her fingers squeezed his shoulders tightly. “D-dunno. I gotta think about it, Daddy…but…it’s the Gramarye way. What daddy did…maybe… maybe it was worse than what Mr. Gavin did.” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes “I mean…Daddy abandoned me to survive on my own …twice, for himself. Nobody else. But Mr. Gavin might have killed him for me.” 

Phoenix held his daughter and he felt ashamed of himself. Ashamed of not dragging her real father in to face her, and own up to what he'd done.

And ashamed for almost feeling grateful to Kristoph for killing him.

"Trucy, you can't just kill people for being awful," he murmured. "But… I can't blame you for feeling that way. I'm not crying for your father." “I KNOW I can’t, Daddy!” She reached up to wipe her eyes. “obviously it’s still wrong…but if he really was trying to protect me then…” She pressed her hand to her face “...I..I give Mr. Edgeworth my approval. But I’m gonna have to think about this for a little while.” 

Phoenix gathered her to his chest, and rested his chin gently on the top of her head. "Take all the time you need, bug."

He was sure as hell going to be thinking about it for a long time.

[allthatmay]

thoughts on shanks/mihawk?

I love Shanks/Mihawk. They're great from what little we see of them together, especially in the live action. The 'divorced dad' vibes are very strong.

In my head—and in my Shanks/Ace universe—Shanks was romantically involved with Mihawk (and with Buggy to a lesser extent; they were only young, after all). I believe his experience and his failures (self-perceived or otherwise) with Buggy informed his relationship with Mihawk. I imagine that Shanks and Mihawk started out as rivals, fighting all across the Grand Line, then they became true equals, and then lovers.

Mihawk is somewhat of an isolated person by choice (putting it lightly), so his relationship with Shanks was bound to be distant in some ways—but I think that wasn't helped by the fact that Shanks learned to put his goal above everything (he's such a martyr). Shanks may have also looked at what went wrong with Buggy and decided that he shouldn't get too close to Mihawk, for both of their sakes.

(Unrelated to Mihawk, but Shanks' friendly demeanour is connected to this; it lends the appearance of friendship where there may be none. That way, he doesn't actually have to get close to people. Also means people underestimate him. The older he gets, the more he realises the importance of relationships—the sheer trust he has in Benn is something that helps teach him that—but I think, after Roger's death and Buggy's departure, Shanks felt like he couldn't afford to have too many people close to him. He has a small, fairly weak crew that he protects. I feel like he's always known the importance of bonds to other people, but has often neglected them for "the greater good" or something like that.)

Of course, Mishanks love each other, they do. But things take a wobble when Shanks disappears for a fucking year, having robbed the Gum Gum Fruit from the Marines, and returns without his arm—his dominant sword arm. Where Mihawk and Shanks used to be perfect equals, they are no longer—or, at least that's how Mihawk sees it. Things are weird then, because they still love each other, but it's not the same. Mihawk's a pretty simple guy, cares mostly about swordsmanship, whereas Shanks has always had bigger plans. They decide they make better allies than lovers.

Years later, Ace comes into play with Shanks. At this point, Shanks is preparing for Luffy's (Joy Boy's) arrival, so a lot of his part is over for the time being. Ace is someone he can see feasibly having close to him (for a lot of reasons) without compromising himself, his crew, or his goals.

Meanwhile, I could see Mihawk getting with... Well, Zoro, honestly. (Wouldn't that be funny? Mishanks both get much younger boyfriends and meet randomly at sea one day. Hah!) He could get with anyone (looking at Crocodile and Buggy), but Zoro and Mihawk share a very passionate interest in swordsmanship; it's the most important thing in the world to both of them. They could totally get together. (And their relationship could totally end with Zoro killing him for his title.)

Having said all of that, I'm also a sucker for stories where Shanks and Mihawk end up together. But, geez, sorry for the rambling! Hope this was the kind of thing you were looking for?

[lirhyapetitpain]

The events of Immortal Hulk depict a timeloop in which a desperate message from the end of all things reaches Sam and he takes that message to enact the events we see unfold, preventing the destruction of all.

Where do you feel Sam, who wanted to bring about this calamity, went wrong and ended up preventing the One Below All from claiming Banner?

Hah, that's a good question. I hope we'll now more about this, how did it reach Sam, of all the universe and time and people and infinite possibilities ? Is it because he was the only one who could prevent it or was it an accident ? Did he, somehow, was smart enough to intercept it himself ? Why did he want to bring a future where he's dead too considering the One Below All is the last entity remaining ? Did he even fail ? We don't know, the future he witnessed is so far away, TOBA/TOAA is still here so it can still happen, Immortal Hulk's ending is an open door (pun intended), it's not an ending and it left our characters with choices, all of them. Bruce is still wondering if he's going on the right path, Sam is no longer the Leader, they both can still pick a different path and it's up to other writers to write that and with all the references to Tamuz and Green Doors we get in Phillip Kennedy Johnson's run I really don't think the Green Door story is over, so far we can't really tell if that calamity was really prevented imo.

As for what Sam did wrong, as always his own arrogance, I guess he was bold enough to think he could trick TOBA itself and kinda become it and get its power, as he called himself a God (of hate) which TOBA is. And he did become that but not as intended, he was the puppet and not the puppeteer, TOBA's mask, possessed like a simple tool. Sam is connected to Bruce, they share a destiny and it seems TOBA needs both of them, something Sam failed to see 'cause he thought Bruce was the one and only missing link for the gamma flow or whatever when it was apparently him. They both have a part to play in this future and if anything so far Sam totally served TOBA's goal. After all Sam could manipulate the Green Door way easier than Brian and I don't think it's because he's smarter, Sam was always able to possess Gamma irradiated (Omnibus) and always able to create connexion with them (Rick, Bruce), he just never realized he could, it was an "accident" each time, even if when he reached Bruce he says that "somehow, through some door" (so Bruce's door) he was able to reach him. Sam always had access to it (and he's not the only one, I don't know if you ever read Al Ewing's first Defender run with Red Harpy but you should). Same for the shapeshifting, Sam had a shit tons of transformations already and being able to shapeshift is just the natural evolution of his manipulative power and liar personality so to me everything he got through TOBA's power is just a better advanced controle over his own, not a new one. Sam is about hate and so is TOBA, Sam is a connexion, he's not the host it was planning to keep but the connexion between gamma and irradiated it needed to reach Bruce. Or at least that's how I see it. Just like how Jackie is the eyes and can see the truth (I'll develop that one day, the link between truth and gamma), Bruce the strength and destruction etc etc to me the main irradiated all have a specific role to play, kinda like a chest game. As such I would say Bruce is the King, the one needed piece, Sam the Queen, the one that can make every moves and will kinda create the path y'know (I should draw them all as chest pieces now that I think of it...), you get my point. And ironically through his own over confidence he understimated himself and his role in this calamity, leading (lol) him to his own demise.

Anyway, feel free to ask more about the lore even if it's unrelated to art ! It makes me very happy to talk about that and feel free to agree or disagree, my answer is mostly interpretation, as I said Immortal Hulk ending is an open door and it left us free to have our own interpretation and that's something I really love about this story, while it gives us a real story with a beginning and an ending, we are free to have our own vision. Hulk forgiving Sam was a perfect exemple of this with Savage being for forgivness, Jackie being against it and refusing to forgive him and Joe being like "heh idk I guess that depends on what he'll do next" so you could relate to yes, no, maybe. And I think having a story ending with such endless possibilities is great so I really don't mind earing your own version of it, you or anyone else. That's why when I commission an artist to draw Sam I let them free, I don't want them to draw MY interpretation, I want them to draw THEIRS, I love sharing headcanon and theories with people. In fact the way I see Sam (and Hulk's lore) changed so much through people's own interpretation, it's truly fascinating and it's what a fandom should be about, sharing. Oh it doesn't mean you have to agree and adopt these headcanons, far from it, but other people's headcanons won't prevent you from having your own different ones and listening to others can bring very good point you didn't necessarly think about. As much as I love Sam and as much as I know everything about him, comics lore is way too inconsistant to have only one truth and one vision about a character.

[offrozenmemoirs]

The truth of your nature is getting to you, I can see it in your eyes every time we settle together. Every time I'm with you, I can only think to beg of you not to obsess yourself with impermanence. Why care so much for the future, when the here and now is so close, and... so warm?

You look towards a future so obfuscative like a blizzard clouding the path forward, and I suppose part of me shouldn't be so surprised. A warrior and a worrier is what I've always known and loved, and will love until my last winter by your side.

Please, let not the thought of this orchid withering plague you so much, that you forget to indulge in it's scent, it's beauty, in the spring light we bask in now.

Anonymous Thoughts || Accepting!

"How can I not obsess over it? I've only now just gotten my memories back and I'm forced to come to terms with the fact that I'll outlive most of the people I care about? I haven't even gotten used to the fact that I'm no longer a watcher!"

He doesn't know how to get used to that still, how could he? Yes, he can still talk to the Deathwatchers and Pharasma but it's not the same, not to him. He misses their realm, he misses Pharasma's gardens. He misses the simplicity of life.

"I still haven't even begun to talk with Eleanor about her sealing away my memories I know why she did it and I can even understand a bit too, and yet I'm still..."

Seraph clenches a fist, before running his hands through his dreads.

"I don't even know where to start with all the things that I have left to process in my mind. Do you want to know where my dragoon training came from? Khorne. He's the one who trained me in all of this, to harness that power when I lost my reaper's abilities. Every time I take to the skies again, I have to remind myself that it's something given to me by a Chaos God, and we know that power comes with a price!"

Even now, with everything, he knows there's incidents where he loses control over himself, and it's partly his draconic instincts telling him what to do and partly Khorne's influence. He knows things could be worse, and it's why he feels terrible about complaining, why he doesn't bother to share what's on his mind most of the time.

"Hah, the best part about all of this? I'm jealous of a woman who I hate, that, I can accept. I don't like it, but sure, I can accept it. But I'm jealous of you and Sino! It's so fucking stupid to be jealous of my partner and one of my closest friends, and yet here I am, being a selfish bastard! But you two have a connection with each other that I won't ever have."

He throws his hands up in exasperation, frustrated with himself, with everything right now. He hears Khorne's voice in his head, and clutches his head, closing his eyes and taking a breath. The god's voice only grew louder, and his meditation techniques weren't helping like they should've been. It's nothing compared to what Makoto went through, but he doesn't have the resistance that his brother does. His brother was able to live with this for thousands of years, so why was he having such a hard time?

"We can't even have a vacation without something going wrong! We've been working our asses off ever since we set out for Argyll, and I just want to take time to rest! Instead, what are we doing, planning to take down a Cetacean chieftain that stole Rhalgr's trident! Ah, right, and we can't forget, Rhalgr himself being angry for losing the damn thing! Before I left my cloister, I didn't have to worry about the fate of the world itself! Hell, I had to get used to being back in a mortal realm, I think while I was training, for me it was over ten or so years? I don't care to remember."

He takes anoter breath, trying to calm himself, but it's shaky, and he clenches his fists, not noticing the shards of ice beginning to fall from his hands.

"I wish that Sino looked at me the way she does you, sometimes. And sometimes, I wish we actually sat down and talked about us. We had a fling and then I came back after a few months...Right after Lenora died. I was supposed to be stronger, and I still failed to make any difference against Kaydian. I'm supposed to be the shield of this party, and Sino almost died against those sea drakes, because I wasn't strong enough. It should've been me on the ground, not her."

He can't even begin to say why he carries so much guilt, or why he takes on so much. Perhaps it's because he wants those he loves to take time for themselves, to be safe, to be protected, but he's the one who has to be protected. He feels his eyes stinging, and he grows more annoyed at himself. He's just whining now, and that's not what he's supposed to be doing. Sure, every warrior needs to take a break or to talk about their problems, but he's going too far.

"I don't want to be the one who kills everything. I want to protect others, not be the one who cuts others down."

Seraph finally leans against the wall, sliding down slowly, before tucking his head into his knees. His shoulders shake, and he begins to sob.

[Damn it all, I'm supposed to be better than this! Yet here I am crying again!]

"I'm tired, of fighting. Just once, I'd like to have a peaceful month of no fighting. I miss my family, I miss having them to talk to, hell, I miss Makoto complaining about your counterpart and his feelings towards him! I don't want to think about my nature as a demispirit, but I have to, because I have to prepare myself for the day I lose you and Sino. I want to be mad at someone, anyone, but I know the only person I can be mad at is myself. Because I've let this fester and grow like a bad wound. She was right, you know? Sino told me that I shouldn't rush to get my answers...Well, now look at me. I'm crying and whining because my life is oh so hard. I'm just a sheltered cleric who's in over his head, aren't I?"

How was he supposed to be a champion of Winter, to make his father proud, to find his mother when he can't even begin to let his friends know he's not okay? Maybe it was a good thing, that they can't see him like this, Winter would likely bring him to his realm, and Eleanor would likely have to take the mantle of Winter's champion again...That couldn't happen, she deserved to rest. So, he needed to get his shit together, or else...how could he stand beside Sino and Soup as a champion of the seasons? When they have to shoulder their own burdens and do so without breaking?

"I'm sorry. You just sat there and had to listen to me bitch and moan over something stupid again. Hah, some partner I am, refusing to talk about what's on their mind."

[undeadbanjos]

So... About the Engie theory

Don't.. Don't shoot yet.

So. If you read ALWY you saw the chapter I posted today.

The chapter that had the base of my idea for

Who the hell is this guy in the lore?

If you haven't read ALWY. Well. I don't blame you. It's ending with 80 chapters. Yes I'm insane. And this might sound stupid. But oh well.

Here's the basis.

This moment was the start of it. The moment you, the captain are holding on to Mark for dear life. The moment you are making the biggest decision of the run. The moment where

Actually, where everything went to shit in the first place.

What made me start thinking was something Mark said during the in space explaination

Which yes, that is the center of what Mark's CU boil down to as like... A theme.

But BEFORE that. He says this:

He goes on to say that with the multitude of different universe, this can be the bridge to all of it coming together. That while, yes this story takes place in the future, this moment.... may not That Engie, creating the warp core and catastrophic worm hole is what created this entire cinematic universe. That our Engie, dangling over the rift in space time with you holding on to him, is accidently creating universes in which you and he, have a role. His personalities split, and so do yours.

"Okay Banjos you lost me."

Hold on. Hah. Hold on. But seriously.

Mark says in this that Actor, Wilford, and Dark are more so different parts of his personality. And well.

Engie has his moments that represent... All of them.

Engineer Mark is the most complicated character, probably the one we spend the most time with. He has multiple arcs. Sometimes we come across us and he's gone mad. Sometimes he's melded well within the universe he's in. Sometimes he's murderous, sometimes he's overly confident, sometimes he's a big ol sweetie heart.

No. No. I'm not saying Engie is actor. That's already debunked. Look up at the last screenshot silly goose.

I'm saying Actor is part of Engie.

And so are the rest of them.

"Well what about Illinois, Magnum, Murdock, Yancy-"

Okay okay yeah. I don't have evidence to back up all of those. And they might not be connected. But. I... I always found these parts of Space Part II...... A little weird.

You as the captain can break Mark into doing whatever the hell he's doing and just.

Remember.

I think these are just parts of him thrust into different stories. Not full blown parts of his personality. But

Another Mark. In another situation. In another what if-

This is.... Making less and less sense. But I think the very basis is there.

It's... Something. Im not stomping my foot and saying

This is it and I don't want to hear anything else.

And I mean. This is just based on things that Mark said. I am very likely not the first person to like. Pioneer this. I really didn't want to bring it up until I did in my fic.

And now THAT'S done so.

I dunno. Discuss. Yell at me. It's just a theory

A SPACE THEORY

Okay I'll see myself out

[liliallowed]

I wonder if trailblaze is what connects the anomaly to the world.

and the reason it's destroyed was because the train of the metaphorical trailblaze went off the rails "fate's script"

was the trailblaze aeon a human that ascended those restrictions?

I wonder.

I wonder if the concept of "paths" are even a tangible thing.

like surely there has to be more aeons than these if that were the case...

unless there could only be so much ideologies that intertwine with one another...

maybe there actually WERE countless paths but their absolute erasure resulted them being wiped from existence itself...

does that mean... if fate is defied then finality would never have existed... therefore the Stellaron hunters would never have done this... and the anomaly would have never had first contact with the world...

yeah that's a paradox alright.

like imagine if your path itself IS paradox. defiance. insanity. eternity. perpetual everlasting destruction.

EVERYTHING the Aeons in current power AREN'T. specially harmony and equilibrium.

as long as the aeons exist this chaotic refinance of the worlds [LAWS] can't do whatever the hell it wants.

of course elation is more likely to get corrupted and devoured by this chaos.

or assimilate with it.

paths aren't inheritly tangible to the humans. mind. humans just give those paths names.

aeons are beyond mortal comprehension..

specially enigmata.

so like OF COURSE an aeon of paradox would exist... by NOT existing. it would be there by never being there.

HAH! to be or not to be? what a load of dumb bullshit. as if the world gives a shit you're self aware enough to know about your existence! you waste time wondering what came first the chicken or the egg but you ignore the obvious could judgment that there never is a first or last to eternity.

so like I FEEL like we're being gaslighted here in starrail.

that there's not just 12 but MILLIONS of paths and respective aeons.

but their existence is either predefined and defied by hooh, or hidden by enigmata...

or their inherit presence itself can cause a worlds logic to crash and burn therefore by natural selection we only have paths that dont always outright defy each other or have SOME form of common ground

[meitanteiarisugawahomare]

Two Shadows (Futatsu no Kage) - Hypmic Rule the Stage Track 1 Ichiro and Kazusato duet translation

yes it's been like four years since track 1 don't @ me about this. i went insane after rewatching it with a friend

unfortunately unavailable for listening but boy they sure gave ichiro a gayass childhood friend duet!!!

Kazu: I figured these days nothing stays the same anymore, but you didn’t change at all. After meeting you again, I feel like a little like my old self.

Ichiro: Hah, what are you talkin about? You haven’t changed a bit either!

Kazu: Icchan…

Ichiro Hey Kazu, so much has happened Before we knew it, this much time passed With each of our feelings going round and round Our voices overlap once again

Kazu Yeah, Icchan, I’m glad we met again Cause I’d always looked up to you You’re shining as brightly now as you did before I miss those days we used to walk together

Ichiro Time and time again, You calmed my raging heart Because of your straightforward kindness I could run straight ahead

Kazu Sometimes I still remember Those streets we would pass Making up for what the other didn’t have We’d support each other, laugh together

Ichiro I want to keep moving forward from now on With you who won’t change when everything else will

Kazu Rather than being alone, it’s better together When we meet again let’s meet with a smile

Ichiro So that I don’t forget, I'll keep it in here [tl note: he means his heart.]

Kazu Locked away, and walk ahead alone

Ichiro This bond

Kazu Our reins

Ichiro, Kazu Connected under the same sky The two shadows burned into my memory Seem like they’re turning into one Even when we’re apart This bond we have doesn’t change

Kazu: It really has been a while, hasn’t it? You haven’t changed at all.

Ichiro: You haven’t either!

Kazu: Ahaha! …Icchan…

Ichiro: Gross, what is it?

Kazu: Ehehe!

Ichiro: Hehe…

Ichiro, Kazu The two shadows burned into my memory Seem like they’re turning into one Even when we’re apart This bond we have doesn’t change

The two shadows burned into my memory Seem like they’re turning into one Even when we’re apart This bond we have doesn’t change

[iamvegorott]

Number 4 with Madmare maybe?

4. Kissing their nose to watch them blush ----------

Mad was on a high, a brain high. He moved around as gracefully as a dancer in his lab, getting aspects of his current project to click, and everything was working how it should. The parts were connecting and running correctly.

“And with Anti being an endless source of electrical energy, I’ll never have to worry about running out of power.” Mad rambled as he moved about. Mare was sitting on one of the tables, a soft look of adoration in his eyes as he watched his little nerd do what he does best. 

“You’ll need a pretty big battery to contain all that.” Mare softly chuckled. 

“That’s what this is for.” Mad held up what looked like a weird cylinder to Mare. It was about half the size of his palm. “Might look small, but it can handle as much power as a wind turbine’s engine.” 

“You should know plenty about little things packing a big punch.” Mare teased with a grin. 

“Hah, hah. You’re hilarious.” Mad said flatly, rolling his eyes and setting the battery down. 

“Oh, starlight. You know I love how small and cute you are.” Mare got off the table. 

“I am not small, and I am not cute.” Mad huffed, looking back at his notes to see what part to do next. 

“Your small compared to me.” Mare slipped himself between Mad and the table.

“You’re tall, and I’m average. That does not make me small.” Mad poked at Mare’s chest. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m still working.” He tried to step away, but Mare caught him with a hand on his waist and a hand on his cheek. 

“You’re also still cute,” Mare said, and before Mad could voice his protest, he leaned in and kissed his nose. The kiss showed Mare exactly what he wanted to see, a flushing of pink across Mad’s cheeks as he blushed. It was too easy to fluster him. “See? Adorable.” 

“N-No I’m-No I’m not.” Mad stammered out. 

“Sure you’re not, Maddy.” Mare chuckled and kissed Mad’s nose again.

“Shut up.” Mad’s blush deepened.

“You’re even cuter when you’re pouting.” Mare chuckled again, rubbing his thumb against Mad’s cheek when he got glared at. “Would it make you feel better if I properly kissed you?” 

“Maybe,” Mad said softly. 

“Shall we test that theory?” Mare asked with a playful raise of his brow. Mad only nodded, and he melted as soon as Mare’s lips were on his own. His hands went to Mare’s chest, resting comfortably there as he got moved closer so their bodies pressed together. “Ready to admit that you’re cute?” 

“No.” Mad didn’t miss a beat and went on his toes to continue the kiss. ---------- Soft Kissing Prompts: Link

[twdmusicboxmystery]

When Negan was explaining to Maggie about Ginny’s past of her father and her coming back to find out he turned definitely got a strong reaction out of Maggie. This definitely brought back some memories to her and I believe it has something to do with Beth and the missing 17 days. Once her reveal and all of the missing footage finally gets aired publicly, everything will be explained and we can finally connect the dots.

I agree. And of course when we see the missing 17 days, it will shed light on major, red-letter moments like this one with Maggie, or stuff that happened in 5x09 and 5x10. But I also think we'll be able to rewatch the entire series after Coda and have all kinds of ah-hah moments for why characters acted or reacted the way they did once we understand what went down during those missing days.

Thanks Nonny! Xoxo! ☀️🔥💖

[soulsxng]

🎥 Aro

@arcxnumvitae | 🎥

"Were you trying to escape me? What a deluded mutt...and here I had thought I finally taken all the fight out of you, with how obedient you'd been the past few months. Well. I suppose that's to be expected, when you're dealing with a stupid beast, they're bound to forget their training if they're given the opportunity. And you even went and stole my God Seal, hmm? After I told you that you didn't need it anymore, too...how nice it was of my assistant to return it to me."

The words echoed in the god's mind. Some hazy nightmare brought about by the fever, no doubt...though Darrow didn't remember falling asleep. So maybe it was a delusion. He didn't know, anymore.

Either way, when he opened his eyes, his vision swam. Even though he knew he was laying down, it felt for a few long moments, like he was falling. He didn't dare to attempt sitting-- he already knew the result that would come of it.

"Ah-ah, I'm not finished with you, yet. Did you think I would really dismiss you after such an act, without punishment? No, of course not. Now, kneel."

"Mnh..." Everything hurt. He felt weak. His body freezing and burning up all at the same time.

When he turned his head a bit, he could just barely make out the discolored that spread from the wound on his back and hip. An ugly hue, made manifest by the infection that was no doubt coursing through him.

He felt like he needed to throw up, but by this point, he doubted even bile would come up.

"They really weren't kidding about this sword of yours, were they? Hah! Perhaps I should keep this, as well. After all, a feral beast like you should be able to fight just fine with fang and claw."

How long had he been laying here? It felt like forever.

Maybe Irazor knew, somehow, that the deity he'd captured had a back-up plan, in the event that the escape that led to his being in this position failed. Of course, Aro had planned to do it another way, but...

Agonizing as this was, it was likely to work better than the old plan.

"...Hm? My. Looks like I may have gone a bit overboard. Can't get up? Pitiful...you two! Make yourselves useful, and bring my little pet back to his cage, before he bloodies my floor any further."

It took time to get to this point. But...after cutting off his connection to his God Seal nearly in its entirety, he may as well have been a simple kitsune, again. A being that needed to eat, and drink. A being that could get sick, and easily die from a wound as grievous as this.

Irazor wouldn't want to risk losing the Inari as a tool, so he would eventually have no choice but to call a healer. And there were only so many who had the ability to heal a god that was so far gone. Fewer still who wouldn't sell him out for having entrapped a deity, like this.

And the closest to this place in particular, happened to be none other than...

"Darrow? Darrow! There you are, you stubborn fox-- oh, look at the state of you...! Don't you bare your teeth at me now, I'm going to help, but we need to be quick! Irazor's men will find him any moment, and I have no doubt that they'll come straight this way, once they do."

A small, rough hand presses briefly to his cheek, and though he nearly bites at it, the familiarity of the voice stops all but the weak snarl that rumbles in his throat. A snarl that quickly turns into a small whine when his vision settles enough for him to make out the form of the faerie witch who was knelt beside him.

Something was pressed into his hand, and even in his severely addled state, the thrum of power that immediately reverberated through him made it clear that it was none other than his God Seal.

Between that, and the sudden (and painful, though if he made any noise to indicate such, she didn't comment) burst of healing magic forced through his body, Aro at last felt some semblance of awareness returning to him. He still wasn't able to move much, but it was something. At that very least, he could return to his fox form, to allow himself to be cautiously lifted into the sling pouch the witch had carried him in countless times before.

'Clio...'

If she hadn't immediately looked down at him, he would have worried that he didn't have the energy to communicate with her in this form. Even if it was an extremely limited form of telepathy, it still felt like it was taking a lot out of him with even that one word.

"What is it, dear? You should be saving your--"

'...I feel disgusting. I want to take a bath when we get home.'

Obviously that was not the right thing to say, at this moment, because all Clio did was give a near growl of "Oh! Mischievous little...! And here I had worried myself sick over you! No more yapping out of you; rest!" Before buttoning the pouch shut.

Maybe that was for the best, though. This way, she wouldn't be able to see the way he trembled. Ignoring the way his body was further wracked with pain, when he wiggled around to press as close to her warmth and familiar scent, as he could manage.

'...Thank you, Clio...'

[aura-acolyte]

Off-Screen Event: Final Battle Pt. 3

(Music Box: Final Boss Theme from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet)

Mare and Kyoshi were not having nearly as much luck with the Iron Valiant. It was clearly the superior swordfighter, having them both on the ropes. What’s more, Kazoku was too weakened to help. He couldn’t even summon the strength to Mega Evolve.

Eventually, things came to a head. In one swift movement, the Iron Valiant disarmed Mare and shattered Kyoshi’s bone staff, knocking her to the ground in the process. Mare shot around to see where Kusanagi had landed. She was buried up to her blades in the ground, clearly fainted. This momentary distraction gave the Iron Valiant enough time to kick her away.

It didn’t bother following up on this, however. Instead it turned to Kyoshi. It was unclear why. Maybe it was programmed to prioritize Pokemon or maybe it simply recognized it could hurt Mare more by attacking her friend. It didn’t really matter. The Iron Valiant brought its blade down onto Kyoshi… except it didn’t. Mare blocked it.

How she was blocking it she had no idea. By all accounts her hands should have been sliced into sausages. But she was blocking it.

“I! Won’t! Let! You! Hurt! My! Friend!” Mare shouted, shoving the Iron Valiant away.

Kyoshi stood up. “ Mare, my pupil, my student, my friend. Do you feel it?”

“I do.” Mare affirmed. “It’s like a whole new Aura is flowing through me. Stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.”

“I think that this is the power Sir Aaron was talking about.” Kyoshi said.

“The power forged from the bond between us.” Mare completed. “So, wanna take it for a test drive?”

“Do you even have to ask?” Kyoshi said.

(Music Box: XY&Z (English Cover by Silver Storm) from Pokemon The Series: XYZ)

Both of them glowed with power unlike anything seen before and they began to transform. Kyoshi’s fur turned from blue to red. White Rayquaza markings appeared on her arms and legs in the exact same locations as Mare’s scars. Her feelers became ribbon-like, all red except for a white band.

Mare, meanwhile, grew blue fur on her arms and legs. Spikes appeared on the back of her hands. A pair of blue ears sprouted on her head and her hair turned blue. Her eyes changed from gray to red, more resembling a Mega Lucario’s than a human’s.

“Let’s go! Full power!” Mare and Kyoshi shouted together.

They charged at the Iron Valiant, hitting it at lightning speed. And then they did it again and again, pulling off sick combo moves. It couldn’t fight back, they didn’t give it a chance.

Extreme Speed comboing into Bone Rush. Aura Sphere Baseball (thanks, Serene). Mare even finally learned Close Combat. It was more one-sided than Rayquaza vs Groudon and Kyogre.

Finally, they finished off with a massive Aura combined Aura Sphere, engulfing the Iron Valiant. When the dust cleared, it was on the ground, fainted.

Mare and Kyoshi transformed, returning to their original looks. They gave each other a high five.

(Music Box: None)

J, who was still busy fighting Team Rocket while trying to stay in the air with only one wing, looked over to see that both her Pokemon had been defeated.

“Son of a bitch!” She cursed.

“Hah.” Jessie laughed. “Looks like you’re out of tricks. Just give up.” J growled. “Fine. You can have your Mew. But I’m not out of tricks.”

She pressed a button on her gauntlet and everything exploded. During her fight with Regice and Registeel she had planted bombs all over the tree, just in case. This was a “just in case” scenario.

J recalled her two fallen Pokemon and pressed another button on her gauntlet. Her jetpack went into overdrive, speeding her out of there before she anybody could catch her. With not much else to do the TRio flew down to the ground to meet up with the twerps. 

“What do we do!” James shouted.

“I say we book it!” Meowth said.

“Seconded.” Jessie added.

“We can’t.” Riley said. “This tree is connected to the lifeforce of every being in Kanto and Johto. If it dies there could be disastrous consequences.”

“So?” Meowth asked, holding onto the case with Mew in it. “What are we supposed tuh do about it? We're just small time crooks. Yuh tink about dat, smart guy?”

“Mew.” Kazoku said. “Free Mew and it can… restore the tree.”

“Oh! Yes, of course!” James said. “Meowth, give it here!”

The three Team Rocket members fiddled with the case for a bit. Eventually, Mare lost patience and grabbed it out of their hands before smashing it. Slowly, Mew unfroze. It looked around blearily before noticing the fire.

“Mew!” It shouted in distress.

Kazoku stood up slowly and limped over to Mew. “Mew, Ancestor to all Pokemon, please use your power to restore this Tree.” Mew shook its head. “Mew! Mew!”

“What’s it saying?” Mare asked. “I can’t understand it.” This was very distressing to her but she’d have to figure it out later.

“It does not have the power to heal the tree.” Kazoku said.

“So we’re doomed?” James asked.

Kazoku shook his head. “No. If I sacrifice my power then it will have enough.” “But… you’ll die.” Riley pointed out.

Kazoku chuckled. “I was supposed to die a long time ago. Now, all of you, stand back.”

(Music Box: Aaron’s Theme ~ Farewell Lucario from Lucario and the Mystery of Mew)

They all did so. Kazoku held out his hands in front of Mew. He closed his eyes as a sphere of Aura appeared at the end of his arms. The sphere grew larger and larger, as it did Kazoku changed. He seemed to grow coattails and a hat resembling Sir Aaron. The shape of the pin on Sir Aaron's hat emblazoned his shoulders. Eventually, the sphere engulfed both Kazoku and Mew. The swirling Pink of Mew mixed with the blue of the Aura.

Aaron. Kazoku thought to himself. We will be reunited soon.

The ball of energy exploded upwards and covered the entire tree. Not just that, but for a brief second it spread over all of Kanto. And when the light cleared and everybody could see again… the tree appeared as if it had never been burning at all. The injuries of everybody present were healed completely. And Mew and Kazoku had vanished. So ends this chapter of the Legend of Sir Aaron and his loyal Lucario friend Kazoku.

[doodleandthoughts]

138 - 7 and 28

two stories ----------- me I'm now 28 years old. yay me. I'm supposed to buy a new computer. well. that didn't happen. but I did buy a graphics display. yay. I could draw on it now. and when I did my annual picture change. It finally dawned on me. I actually don't know what to draw for myself anymore. I'm actually really physically-mentally dry. My job has sucked it. And then when it counts to draw. I actually sucked. Holy shit. I could literally start falling apart. Right. Now. At least I painted. or what felt like painting. It's close. Felt good even if it sucked. But that's what matters. I tried it. And deep inside I want to do it more. Something that I do for myself. But god oh god. I don't know what make. Well. Haha. A backup plan was to go back to my roots. and retrace my steps. maybe I can find myself again. Or. Proceed with what my plans were. Which I won't hecking disclose. Might jinx it. scared but not really and foolishly hopeful. maybe I'm just riding this high. ---------- what once was now never more. It's getting indifferent. Like a good memory. It was once a cold longing. not it's now. but sure, there are times. a night's embrace would've meant everything. it truly did feel official moving forward. Maybe that's what it is.

I feel empty. I became part of the void. There was once a light there. I keep chasing. Now that I've let that go. The void doesn't seem so bad. But I "hate" it nonetheless. I don't seek out of it. I'm comfortable with the discomfort. Truly. an aimless existence. Maybe somehow without her. I lost some semblance of meaning. My muse for a time. hah. I knew it but never knew. I drew people to get their attention. And when I got older. I don't seek it that much. I found myself that way i guess. or my motivations have changed. not it's this adult things. I do things to get things i need. Where before I needed the attention. a connection. I pushed away people they only needed it because of what I do. But only know that it is the only thing that connects me to people. She didn't see me that way. We met a strange point in my life. I was out of town. A mere visitor in the grand scheme of things. She caught my eye. she struck me. started with wager. and solidified with a kiss under the rain. A love letter written under a lovely weather. Ended with a message box beyond yonder. I helped her where things went wayside. I provided what I can. helped however I can. I was all great I didn't seek out repayment. I was just happy to be of help. Then tragedy. I had the burden of carrying everything. I lashed out in suffering. She tried to help but it didn't help. She wanted a change of pace. She wanted to try living outside. There were plans with people. People that can help her. But those things didn't turn out great. Even then i helped however i can. I asked if she would stay, no. I asked if she would move forward with me. no. She has set her goals. unfamiliar to me. I then knew. It was only about time. I visited her once. I hated every second that I stayed there. When I was there, I felt unwanted. unwelcome. I was not even asked to stay.... I knew then. I denied it. kept holding on. Maybe I was the one that pushed her away. She may have forgotten but I didn't. Maybe she just got tired of me, the life I lived. The life I'm stuck with.... Then came the call. The call back home. And I knew this is near the finish line. I left the city I called home for years. Back to the town I've known all my life. I knew this was the endgame for me. This life was never hers. Nor would I willing to share this life her. I'm glad that she set out on her own way. Maybe that's the one good thing I helped her. I don't know. But there is no bitterness. no bitterness. Maybe even fond memories? but. they are also fading away now. I should've written this earlier. When memories were still fresh. When it all came crashing down on me. I've waited too long. I tear up to the fact that I don't remember much anymore. Like data lost. I disdain losing data. I've settled that I loved her and glad that she was once a part of my life. She changed me greatly. for the better. I hope I did the same for her. Fading fond memories.... I just wish the feeling remains. something to hold on. and be reminded of. Meanings behind still images. The untouchable bright colors and brilliant skies over my face as I sink in the deep unknown ocean blue.