#white lotus rebellion

[valkyries-things]

WANG CONG’ER // LEADER OF THE ANTI-MANCHU WHITE LOTUS REBELLION

“She was a female Chinese leader of anti-Manchu White Lotus Rebellion along with Wang Nangxian during the reign of the Qing dynasty. She reportedly used Kung Fu and acrobatics, and fought with a sword in each hand. Intent on avenging the death of her husband at the hands of the Qing, Wang led an army of men into battle against the Qing army. Though Wang's peasant troops were at an obvious disadvantage, they overcame and surprised the Qing troops repeatedly by using guerrilla tactics. In 1797, after she was ambushed and thousands of her men were defeated, Wang was forced to retreat. With no escape route available, she reportedly jumped to her death. Despite being defeated, Wang Cong'er has been credited with creating a precedent for revolts against Chinese imperial rule.”

[dreamerwitches]

Full wnk trailer analysis lets go (p1)

Homura with wavy hair fronts. Matches the one from the poster

I dunno about you, but her face looks kinda younger from the side? Cuter? I dont think we've seen anyone else from the side so maybe its just the artstyle and im being silly

The background is pretty hard to decipher

She has a ring but no visible stone or fingernail marking. It doesnt seem like the end of her main hair is wavy. It looks like she's missing the buttons on her front but this may be an animation error or the angle is hiding them

This bit makes me think she's falling down a spiral staircase? Though it doesnt resemble the one later. The gold bits look like banisters. The background gives me a stained glass window church feel

Madoka's home maybe? This is still wavy hair homura

Madoka has no ring

Not much to say. Text in the bottom right says mramasa but the rest is japanese and some numbers. Looks like maybe the power of the fan?

Ibari, number one. Yes its her, the lighting is just pink/red, you can tell cause her blue skin is more purple. To me, it looks like someone is holding her. The light peach parts on the bottom left and right look like the regular animation style. The flowers on the magnifying glass look a little like mami's

Dumb venus maybe? That compact wouldnt close if it had that pearl sticking out XD

I believe this is a homura we havent seen before. The ribbon doesnt match the poster homu from the right. Its brown, her uniform has a white under shirt. Ive seen people theorise this is Manuke, stupidity. The brown ribbon would match her hair colour. Her eyes are more purple than the pink of the previous homura. The colour also matches phone homu from the first trailer.

Ive seen people mention the fencing vaguely looks like oktavia's scales. I think the multiple parts remind me more of her tail. The windows at the very edges kinda remind me of the first scene.

I didnt realise at first but this is homura's wing being broken

Devil outfit has changed. She has a red streak in her hair. Her feathers look fluffier but it might just be the art style. Another red addition to her leg. Her right shoe looks like madoka's. Actually her gloves kinda look like madoka's too

With the city(?) below and the unmoving effects, is this happening during a time stop? Im getting the feeling this trailer (or movie?) has a brown/orange-ish glow to it so maybe they artistically changed the colour of time stop?

With the bright bg and chair colour, i think madoka is with mami (seen later) in this scene. Also i think thats her left hand, no fingernail marking

Rebellion cafe real, it even has the steps leading up to it (though its not 100% perfect... but eh, artistic licence...)

Also, the girl's teacup is cracked. I cant remember the name but it looks like that japanese art of repairing something broken but making the repairs beautiful (repaired witch???).

A stretch, but the napkin underneath reminds me of homu's handkerchief

I thought the lack of soul gem in the ring was an animation mistake but maybe not??? And a dark (could just be obscured by the cup) fingernail marking. It looks like the london underground symbol ToT

Ah the walls dont really match with the rebellion cafe... maybe this is just what cafes look like in madoka XD the single table is still a mirror to it though. I think the lotus flowers are telling.

I wonder if the girl's golden eyes (like godoka's) mean something because magical girls colours usually match dont they? But maybe they've stopped doing that, eh. I like how her glasses are the opposite to homura's, rim on the top.

I didnt realise the thing next to her is a purse, its huge ToT it has flowers on it. I saw someone call them roses to try and say this is gertrud... um no XD have you ever seen a rose???

A stretch but the crockery reminds me of Candeloro's

Its the same three colours

Nagisa has brown scrunchies and her hair is in two low bunches with dark red beads. It looks like her dress is different too

She has the mitakihara uniform and a yellow cardigan. You can see her soul gem ring. The yellow of the cardi and the brown hairbands make me hope it is bear girl......

Girl full of slinkies!!!! The dots around the place remind me of homura's corruption from rebellion (ala on the bus). This is bandaged sayaka

These make me think of candeloro's kiss. I think i can see flowers on the spine too

But the hands together on the middle of the spine is from madoka's rebellion transformation

Walpurgis?

Yes im sure this is the same cafe as madoka was in now. Very pretty

Mami has her hair clip from her magical girl form on the top left of her head. Also could be animation error but maybe her ring is missing the gem

ALSO ARE YOU JUST EATING A SUGAR CUBE MAMI????

Is this the same place from the dancing scene? Doesnt one of the nightmares have an attack like this? So is homura doing it because she controlled the nightmares.

Also they explode with white feathers hmmmmmm. I have the horrible feeling homura would do it to scare madoka

Clearly not the previous kyoko. Outfit is different and more like her original one i'd say. The cake looks like its from the cafe

Also hnnngghhh concept movie?????

Damn ive hit image limit... well part 2 incoming

[thecupidwitch]

Planetary Magick🌙

Sun

Zodiac: Leo

Metal: Gold

Day: Sunday

Colors: organge, yellow, amber

Stones: Amber, topaz, ruby, diamond

Tarot: The Sun

Herbs: Angelica, poppy, sunflower, marigold, hibiscus, mistletoe

Symbols: lion, hexagram, sparrow hawk, dragon, head, heart, swan

Influences: renown, potency, fortune, tyranny, pride, ambition, masculinity, arrogance, bigotry, vitality, health

Moon

Zodiac: cancer

Metal: sliver

Day: Monday

Colors: blue, sliver

Stones: moonstone, pearl

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Chariot

Herbs: eucalyptus, coconut, jasmine, lotus, myrrh, sandalwood

Symbols: bow and arrow, crab, cat, turtle, Sphinx, owl

Influences: gradtitufe, friendliness, safe, travel, physical health, wealth, protection for enemies, deception, illusion, women, emotions, healing, dreams

Mercury

Zodiac: Virgo, Gemini

Metal: aluminum, Mercury

Day: Wednesday

Colors: violet, gray, purple, indigo, yellow

Stones: opal agate

Tarot: The Lovers

Herbs: hyssop, juniper, betony, carrot, chickweed

Symbols: wand, octagram, the mind

Influences: good fortune, gratitude, gain, memory, understanding, divination, dreams, forgetfulness, communication, business, cleverness, creativity, information, intellect, memory, perception, science, wisdom, gambling, writing, root of dishonesty, deception

Venus

Zodiac: taurus, libra

Metal: copper

Day: Friday

Colors: green, pink

Stones: turquoise, emerald, sapphire, jade

Tarot: The Empress

Herbs: jimsonweed, violet, rose, alder, apple, angelica, olive, sesame

Symbols: sparrow, dove, swan, pentagram

Influences: peace, agreements, cooperation, fertility, joy, love, good fortune, jealousy, strife, promiscuity

Mars

Zodiac: aries, scorpio

Metal: iron, red brass, steel

Day: Tuesday

Color: Red

Stones: ruby, garnet, bloodstone, diamond

Tarot: The Tower

Herbs: ginger, mustard

Symbols: sword, pentagram, horse, bear, wolf, vulture

Influences: war, victory, judgements, submission of enemies, bleeding, stripping one of rank, harness, discord, conflict, aggression, lust, power, courage, goals, protection, motivation, ambition, strength

Jupiter

Zodiac: pisces, sagittarius

Metal: tin

Day: Thursday 

Colors: blue

Stone: sapphire

Tarot: The Wheel of Fortune

Herbs: balm, hyssop, maple leaf and bark, oak, sage, dandelion root

Symbols: eagle, dolphin

Influences: gains, riches, favor, peace, cooperation, appeasing enemies, dissolving

Saturn

Zodiac: capricorn

Metal: lead

Day: Saturday

Color: black

Stone: onyx

Taror: The World

Herbs: alder, apple, ash, asparagus, baneberry, belladonna, distort, hellebore, blackthorn, corm, cypress

Symbols: cuttlefish, mole

Influences: safety, power, success, positive response to requests, intellect, causes discord, strips honor, melancholy

Uranus

Zodiac: aquarius

Day: Thursday

Colors: blue-green, electric blue

Stones: quartz, labradorite, blue topaz, amber, amethyst, garnet, diamond

Tarot: The Fool

Herbs: clover, pokeweed, snowdrop, foxglove, love, rosemary, trees of heaven, hellebore, morning glory, sage, wintergreen, orchids, sweet woodruff

Symbols: dragonfly, butterfly

Influences: breaking connection, sudden and unexpected change, freedom, originality, radical and revolutionary ideas, enlightenment, equality, individuality, rebellion, instability, loneliness, boredom, mistrust of self

Neptune

Zodiac: pisces

Minerals: coral, aquamarine, platinum, neptunium

Colors: green, blue, lavender

Tarot: The Hanged Man

Herbs: morning glory, night-blooming jasmine, pine, water lily

Symbols: the sea, Trident, the spine

Influences: dissolving boundaries, expanding upon ideas, changing established rules, intuition, idealism, sacrifice, glamour, illusion, evolution, decay, visions, art, healing, inspiration, dreams, creativity, compassion, drifting from reality, carelessness, stubbornness, absent mind

Pluto

Zodiac: scorpio

Metal: plutonium, tin chrome, steel

Day: Tuesday

Colors: maroon, dark red, purple, white, black

Stones: snowflake obsidian, clack tourmaline

Tarot: Judgement

Herbs: pomegranate, rosemary, vanilla, basil, poppies, belladonna, foxglove

Symbols: Phoenix, snake, scorpion, fox, eagle

Influences; destruction making way for renewal, rebirth, knowledge, spirituality, transformation, destiny, the subconscious, desire, arrogance, death, obsession, destruction

[city-of-ladies]

Women warriors in Chinese history - Part 2

(Part 1)

"However, court confessions, unofficial histories, and local gazetteers do reveal a host of women warriors during the Qing dynasty when patriarchal structures were supposedly most influential. Women in marginal groups were apparently not as observant of mainstream societal gender rules. Daughters and wives of “peasant rebels,” that is, autonomous or bandit stockades, were frequently skilled warriors. Miss Cai 蔡†(Ts’ai) of the Nian (Nien) “army,” for example, “fought better than a man, and she was especially fine on horseback. She was always at the front line, fighting fearlessly despite the large number of government troops.” According to a folktale, she managed to rout an invading government force of several thousand with a hundred men and one cannonball after her husband led most of the Nian off to forage for food.

Related to the female bandits were the women pirates among whom Zheng I Sao 鄭一嫂†(literally, Wife of Zheng I; 1775–1844) is the best researched. “A former prostitute … Cheng [Zheng] I Sao could truly be called the real ‘Dragon Lady’ of the South China Sea.” Consolidating her authority swiftly after the death of her husband, “she was able to win so much support that the pirates openly acclaimed her as the one person capable of holding the confederation together. As its leader she demonstrated her ability to take command by issuing orders, planning military campaigns, and proving that there were profits to be made in piracy. When the time came to dismantle the confederation, it was her negotiating skills above all that allowed her followers to cross the bridge from outlawry to officialdom.”

We know slightly more about some of the women warriors involved in sectarian revolts. Folk stories passed down orally are one of the sources. Tales that proliferated in northern Sichuan on the battle exploits of cult rebels of the White Lotus Religion uprising in Sichuan, Hunan, and Shaanxi beginning in the late eighteenth century glorify several women warriors. The tall and beautiful Big Feet Lan (Lan Dazhu 籃大足) and the smart and skillful Big Feet Xie (Xie Dazhu 謝大足) vanquished a stockade together; the young and attractive Woman He 何氏 could kill within a hundred feet by throwing daggers from horseback. The absence of bound feet in Big Feet Lan and Big Feet Xie suggests their backgrounds were either very poor, unconventional, or non-Han.

Sectarian groups accepted female membership readily, and many of these women trained in the martial arts. Qiu Ersao 邱二嫂†(ca. 1822–53), leader of a Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui 天地會) uprising in Guangxi, joined the sect because of poverty and perfected herself in the martial arts. Some women came to the sects with skills. Su Sanniang 蘇三娘, rebel leader of another sect of the Heaven and Earth Society, was the daughter of a martial arts instructor.  Such sectarian rebel bands are frequently regarded as bandit groups. A history of the Taiping Revolutionary Movement refers to these two cult leaders as female bandit chiefs before they joined the Taipings.

Male leaders of religious rebellions frequently married women from families skilled in acrobatic, martial, and magic arts. These women tended to be both beautiful and charismatic. Wang Lun 王倫, who rebelled in 1774 in Shandong, had an “adopted daughter in name, mistress in fact,” by the name of Wu Sanniang 烏三娘 who was one of Wang’s most powerful warriors. Originally an itinerant performer highly skilled in boxing, tightrope walking, and acrobatics, she terrified the enemy with spellbinding magic. She brought a dozen associates from her old life to the sect, and they all became fearsome warriors known as “female immortals” (xiannü 仙女); three of them, including Wu Sanniang, lived with Wang Lun as “adopted wives” (ifu 義婦). A tall, white-haired woman at least sixty years old, possibly the mother of one of these acrobat-turned women warriors, wielded one sword with ease and two almost as effortlessly. Dressed in yellow astride a horse, hair loose and flying, she was feared as much for her sorcery as for her military skills. Her presence indicates that some of the women came from female-dominated itinerant performing families. Woman Zhang 張氏and Woman Zhao 趙氏, wives of Lin Zhe 林哲, another leader of the cult, were also known for being able to brandish a pair of broadswords on horseback.

Hong Xuanjiao 洪宣嬌†(mid nineteenth century), also known as Queen Xiao (xiaohou 蕭后), wife of the West King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (taiping tianguo 太平天國), was so stunningly beautiful and impressive in swordsmanship that she mesmerized the entire army during battles. The link between early immortality beliefs and shamanism also suggests that these women warrior “immortals” of sectarian cults may represent surviving relics of the female shamans who occupied high positions during high antiquity.

During the White Lotus Religion rebellion in Sichuan, Hunan, and Shaanxi beginning in 1796, five of the generals were at once leaders and wives of other leaders of the cult. They were Woman Qi née Wang (Qiwangshi 齊王氏; Wang Cong’er 王聰兒), Woman Zhang née Wang (Zhangwangshi 張王氏), Woman Xu née Li (Xulishi 徐李氏), Woman Fan née Zhang (Fanzhangshi 范張氏), and Woman Wang 王†née Li 李 (Wanglishi 王李氏). In the Heavenly Principle Religion (tianlijiao 天理教) rebellion that began in Beijing during 1713, the wife of its leader, Li Wencheng 李文成, led three invasions into the city. There was even a “Female Army” (niangzijun 娘��軍) within the Eight Trigrams (baguajiao 八卦教) uprising in Shandong during the Daoguang 道光† reign (1821–51). The female generals, Cheng Sijie 程四姐†and Yang Wujie 楊五姐, were particularly impressive when they wove among enemy forces in the style of “butterflies flitting among flowers,” wielding broadswords on horseback, their hairpins glittering in the light.

A number of female rebel leaders used religion and magic to buttress their power. Many claimed to be celestials and were leaders of sectarian cults (...). Chen Shuozhen 陳碩貞†(?–653) mobilized a peasants’ uprising by declaring that she had ascended to heaven and become an immortal. Tang Sai’er (ca.1403–20), a head of the White Lotus Religion (bailianjiao 白蓮教), designated herself as a “Buddhist Mother” (fuomu 佛母). The spellbinding old woman warrior in Wang Lun’s Clear Water Religion (qingshuijiao 清水教) sect was known to the rebel community as a reincarnation of the highest White Lotus deity, the Eternal Venerable Mother (wusheng laomu 無生老母). Wang Lun relied on her for performing magic and the rituals for calling on their supreme deity. Woman Wang née Liu (wangliushi 王劉氏), one of the numerous female leaders of the White Lotus Religion revolt, also titled herself the Eternal Venerable Mother. Wang Cong’er (1777–98), originally an itinerant entertainer, became the commander in chief of the rebel army she launched with her husband, a master in the White Lotus Religion.

Indeed, itinerant performers such as Wu Sanniang mentioned above were frequently trained in the martial arts since childhood and must have been skilled at performing magic tricks as well. Lin Hei’er 林黑兒†(?–1900), leader of Red Lanterns (hongdengzhao 紅燈照), the young women’s branch of the Boxer’s Movement (yihetuan 義和團), was also originally an itinerant entertainer (her husband was a boatman). Designating herself the Holy Mother of the Yellow Lotus (huanglian shengmu 黃蓮聖母), she taught her followers the skills of wielding swords and waving fans as well as magic to defeat their enemies.  Wang Nangxian 王囊仙†(literally, Goddess Nang, 1778–97), an ethnic minority of the Miao tribe, was worshipped as a goddess by her tribesmen before she led them in revolt against the Chinese government."

Chinese shadow theatre: history, popular religion, and women warriors, Fan Pen Li Chen

[rebeccalouisaferguson]

‘It was so hard to pretend not to know how to swim’

Stars Rebecca Ferguson, Steve Zahn, Common and Tim Robbins on the second season of Apple TV+’s Silo, shooting water sequences and leadership

It’s unique to join a show after it’s already been established, and I thought it was an exceptional show

It’s hard for Rebecca Ferguson not to have a deep connection with nature. She grew up in Stockholm and then moved to the south of Sweden to a remote fishing village, where she got to explore drastic changes in environments and fully embrace her love for the ocean.

So you can imagine why the 41-year-old Golden Globe-nominated Swedish actress — also a trained scuba diver — initially struggled to shoot the underwater sequences as the gruff mechanical engineer Juliette Nichols in season two of Silo, who is awkward in that element, afraid of water and can’t swim until she is forced to confront her fears.

“I was born in Stockholm and we have lots of lakes and an archipelago,” says Ferguson, who is also an executive producer on the series. “I’ve always loved the sensation of swimming and had that feeling that if I could have any superpower — mine was always flying — and I think swimming is similar. The movement is so unregulated, it’s so different from walking. I love the way it feels when you go underneath and you can’t hear anyone.

“It was so hard to pretend not to know how to swim,” says Ferguson, who also stars in three of the Mission: Impossible films: Rogue Nation, Fallout, and Dead Reckoning Part One.

“There’s a natural move, how your hands touch the water and how you paddle, how you move your feet. To be able to look clumsy, it feels silly and it’s also very hard to get into your head how you would move. To get into that mindset, I thought of animals and dogs and what we did when we were young.”

The 10-episode Apple TV+ post-apocalyptic science fiction series, created by Canadian television screenwriter Graham Yost, 65, and adapted from Hugh Howey’s popular New York Times bestselling book Silo trilogy, including Wool, Shift and Dust, is about a dystopian society where 10,000 people are living underground in mysterious circumstances.

The inhabitants of the silo do not know why they are there or who built the place in which they live and work. But they will face fatal consequences if they try to leave and find out.

In season one, Juliette (Ferguson) seeks answers about a loved one’s murder, and defies the authoritarian leadership of the silo. She was framed by the mayor Bernard Holland, played by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning American actor Tim Robbins, 66, star of Mystic River, and Robert Sims, played by Academy Award, Emmy and Grammywinning American rapper and actor Common, 52, who stars in Selma and John Wick: Chapter 2, for violating the cardinal rule: If you say you want to go outside to “clean,” there’s no taking it back.

But when she survives and discovers a man named Solo in a deserted silo 17, played by series newcomer Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated American actor Steve Zahn, 56, who appears to be the structure’s only survivor, a rebellion breaks out and Juliette realises she must find a way back to her home.

It’s led by Juliette’s former colleagues from the mechanical sector, Knox, played by American actor Shane McRae, 47, who stars in Gossip Girl, and Shirley Campbell, played by British actress Remmie Milner, 35, who stars in A Christmas Carol, and organised by the reclusive engineering genius Martha Walker, played by Olivier Award-winning British actress Harriet Walter, 74, who stars in Killing Eve, Succession and Downton Abbey.

“What I love the most about Juliette [Ferguson], is that she doesn’t feel like a superhero. She’s just tough. She’s just going to keep going until she can’t go anymore, and she’s going to solve that problem even if it kills her. We see more of her humanity in this season, and that’s fun to write,” says Yost.

For Zahn, who also stars in The White Lotus and joined the cast of Silo in the second season, the beauty of relationships and trust was something he also experienced off-screen too.

“It’s unique to join a show after it’s already been established, and I thought it was an exceptional show. I was excited to be a part of it but very nervous about it too because Solo is a broad character. You want to be good, believable and interesting,” says Zahn.

“But for some reason, I think due to the writing and Rebecca [Ferguson], it was easier than I thought. People were cool, it was a great environment to work in, and that’s why the head of the snake is always really important, and that was Graham Yost and Rebecca Ferguson.

“Now if those guys don’t show up, and they don’t know their stuff, or they’re angry, testy or whatever, that’s what you get from the show. But Graham [Yost] is good at creating a cool family of really awesome human beings.”

Season two of Silo comes to Apple TV+ on, November 15

[whencyclopedia]

Ming Dynasty

The imperial Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. It replaced the Mongol Yuan dynasty which had been in power since the 13th century. Despite challenges from abroad and within, the Ming dynasty oversaw an unprecedented growth in China's population and general economic prosperity. The Ming were succeeded by the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

Notable achievements of Ming China included the construction of the Forbidden City - the imperial residence in Beijing, a blossoming of literature and the arts, the far-flung explorations of Zheng He, and the production of the timeless blue-and-white Ming porcelains. Eventually, though, the same old problems that had beset previous regimes bedevilled the Ming emperors: court factions, infighting, and corruption, along with government overspending and a disenchanted peasantry which fuelled rebellions. As a consequence, the economically, politically (and some would say morally) impoverished Ming could not resist the invasion of the Manchus who established the Qing dynasty from 1644.

Collapse of Mongol Rule

The Ming dynasty was established following the collapse of the Mongol rule of China, known as the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). The Yuan had been beset by famines, plagues, floods, widespread banditry, and peasant uprisings. The Mongol rulers also squabbled amongst themselves for power and failed to quash numerous rebellions, including that perpetrated by a group known as the Red Turban Movement led by a peasant called Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398). The Red Turban Movement, an offshoot of the radical Buddhist White Lotus Movement and initially reacting against forced labour on government construction projects, was most active in northern China, and Zhu took over their leadership in 1355. Zhu also replaced the Red Turban's traditional policy aim of reinstating the old Song dynasty (960-1279) with his own personal ambitions to rule and gained wider support by ditching the anti-Confucian policies which had alienated the educated classes. Alone amongst the many rebel leaders of the period, Zhu understood that to establish a stable government he needed administrators not just warriors out for loot.

Continue reading...

[ryin-silverfish]

Into the Erlang-verse: Li, Zhao, Yang

-This is something I wrote for fun and reference purposes, back when I was starting to seriously get into Chinese mythology. As such, there is no citations, and is meant to be more of a general introduction to Erlang Shen in pre-modern writings.

(Emphasis on "pre-modern", because, as much as I love the Lotus Lantern + Prequel TV series, it's just a little frustrating to see people taking the shows' version as the end-all-be-all of such a complicated deity, y'know?)

-Anyways, much like Nezha, his Archery Accident Bro, Erlang has what I'd refer to as his "Pop Culture Form": Handsome three-eyed warrior god wielding a three-pronged spear, accompanied by his doggo Xiaotian Quan(Literally "Skyhowler"), going by the surname "Yang", jade emperor's nephew, etc.

-However, The Second Lad is an even messier amalgamation of deities worshiped in different parts of China, even in his supposed "home domain", Sichuan. Here, I'm only gonna talk about the most well-known and significant Erlangs.

(Not even gonna go into the possible Zoroastrian influences and the Dujian thing...)

1. Lord of Sichuan, "Li Erlang"

Key words: Hydraulic engineer, based on a historical official and his son, fierce competitor with Zhao Erlang for the Lord of Sichuan title

Weapons: Knowledge

Power: Can turn into a bull/dragon 

Pets: N/A

"Who's Yang Jian? I've been watching over Sichuan since the Qin dynasty."

Li Bing was a pretty typical case of famous historical figure being worshiped as gods posthumously; born in the Warring States era, this official was put in charge of the Shu Prefecture (modern Chengdu) by King Zhao of Qin, and he was known as the creator of Dujiang Yan, an ancient irrigation + flood control project.

Later Tang legends deified him with a bunch of traditional "Flood-control hero" tropes taken from Yu the Great (heads up JTTW readers, SWK's staff is originally his extendable ruler), mostly the "hero turn into a giant animal" and "fight and subdue local water demons" aspect.

Though he wasn't yet known as an Erlang, or gained a son called Erlang as later folklore would have it, Li Bing's worship began in the Eastern Han dynasty, and he had a long tradition as Sichuan's guardian deity.

Even as later versions of Erlang began to populate, in the Qing dynasty, people of the province were still like "Our Lord of Sichuan is Li Bing/Li Erlang, not Yang Jian, as the novels would have you believe!"  

What made Li Bing and his likely nonexistent son into "Li Erlang" could be traced to the two "warlord states" that occupied Sichuan after the fall of Tang dynasty: both states tried to use the Lord of Sichuan worship to strengthen their own legitimacy, and passed decrees that 1) said Erlang was Li Bing's son and 2) granted both father and son honorable titles, as mentioned in Song dynasty records. 

However, due to the association of Erlang with previous warlord states, the first emperor of Song had reassigned Li Bing a lesser title and taken away his son's title altogether, reducing him to just "God of Guankou", and worshippers were quite disgruntled by the change; there was even a rebellion using the Guankou worship rituals to legitimize itself, a decade after said emperor's death.

Fun fact: when I went to the Two Lord’s Temple (of Li Bing and Li Erlang) in Dujiangyan, even though the god worshipped in the main hall was supposed to be Li Erlang, the plaque next to it still said something like "Li Erlang, also known as Yang Jian"...

Which really shows just how influential FSYY is on popular worship, to the point of overshadowing older incarnations of certain deities.

2. Immortal Master of Illustrious Sagacity, "Zhao Erlang"

Key words: Chief of Jiazhou Prefecture, dragon slayer, No.2 violator of archery safety (first place goes to Nezha)

Weapons: A scribing tablet, slingshot, sword, bow and arrows

Power: Supernatural strength, monstrous giant form

Pets: unnamed white horse, hunting hawks and hounds

"C'mon, my aim isn't that bad! What happened in the Zaju was a one-time thing!"

The prototypical Taoist Erlang, his name, "Zhao Yu"(赵昱) first appeared in a Song dynasty source. At this point, the story of Erlang was mainly defined by two traits: 1) was, or was related to an official in charge of Sichuan in bygone times and 2) Did heroic flood control stuff, probably through dragon-slaying. 

One notable strand of local worship was the "God of Guankou"; historical records mentioned that people sacrificed hundreds and hundreds of goats to him, as well as a regional festival in Sichuan where people played out his confrontation with dragons. It coexisted and entwined with the "Lord of Sichuan" worship, until the Song dynasty.

In typical Song dynasty fashion, the officials decided to give their own official title to this...Erlang/Lord of Sichuan/God of Guankou guy, bringing our titular "Zhao Erlang" into existence.

Also a deified official from the Tang dynasty, his image was more heavily influenced by Taoism (historically popular in Sichuan) and centered around one of its holy places, Mt. Qingcheng, which just happened to be quite close to Dujiang Yan.

Though in the Northern Song dynasty, the state-recognized Erlang was still "Li Erlang", the Taoist Zhao Erlang had proven himself to be a strong competitor by the Southern Song and Yuan dynasty, thanks to a massive amount of opera plays.

First we have SJSSDQ (三教搜神大全, Yuan Dynasty), an encyclopedia of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian gods, where his traditional backstory as an ascended mortal official was combined with the dragon-slaying feat to nudge Erlang toward a more warrior-esque image, a hunting god who appeared on a white horse with his entourage of hunters.

-We also got the first mention of what would become his six/seven sworn brothers; the "Seven Sages" who jumped into the water to assist him in the dragon fight.

Then we have two Yuan-Ming Zaju plays, "Erlang of Guankou Slays the Jian-jiao"(灌口二郎斩健蛟) and "Erlang Drunkenly Shot the Demon-locking Mirror" (二郎神醉射锁魔镜), in which many traits associated with JTTW's Yang Erlang could already be seen: first, his three-pronged weapon, seven brothers and bow/arrows, second, the naming of his brothers as the "Seven Sages of Mt. Mei" and his ability to shift into a "true form", aka the monstrous giant form he used in JTTW.

(The plot of the second Zaju is exactly like it sounds: Erlang and Nezha had a drunken archery competition, accidentally broke the Demon-locking Mirror and released the Bull Demon King + Hundred-Eyed Demon, and spent the rest of the play doing damage control.)

3. The Little Sage, "Yang Erlang" (JTTW)

Key words: Jade Emperor's nephew, cleaver of Peach Mountain, SWK's true equal in battle

Weapons: Three-pronged, Double-bladed Spear, slingshot, bow and arrows, axe

Power: transformations, Cosmic Body, divine sight/Phoenix Eye(?)

Pets: a celestial Xiquan, literally "Thin Dog"

"First time we met, and that monkey made fun of my origins as a conversation opener. Could you believe it."

The Man, The Myth, The Legend! As I said before, a lot of his traits were inherited from "Zhao Erlang", including his Taoist title, his temple at Guankou, etc.

However, Erlang being Jade Emperor's nephew seemed to be mostly popularized by JTTW: the only other work that might have given Erlang this backstory was The Precious Scroll of Erlang, previously dated to the 1560s, though a Chinese paper published in 2018 proposed a later creation date (1620s).

Much like JTTW Nezha, his backstory was somewhat barebones: we knew from SWK's taunt that his mother was the Jade Emperor's sister, who got chummy with Yang the mortal, gave birth to him, and was presumably locked under the Peach Mountain for that, bc Erlang then rescued her by cleaving it in half with an ax.

(Sounds familiar? The same backstory would later be copied over to Erlang's nephew, in the Lotus Lantern legends)

His other notable feats include falling 2 phoenix with his slingshot, as well as slaying the "Seven Demons of Mt. Mei ''. Out of pride, he chose to remain in Guankou instead of associating with his heavenly relatives, and did not answer to general summons to court from the Jade Emperor, only taking special assignments (听调不听宣).

Apart from his famous fight with SWK, Erlang also appeared in JTTW chapter 63, where, together with his sworn brothers, he helped the pilgrims fight the Nine-Headed Wyrm, son-in-law of Bibo Lake's dragon king. His dog continues to be the MVP in this fight, biting off one of the demon's heads, leaving it wounded and fleeing toward the north sea.

Though the description of his battle with SWK implied that he did have some sort of supernatural sight, at this point in time (Ming dynasty), Erlang wasn't yet depicted with a third eye in artworks and literature.

There are a small amount of evidence that suggest the third eye thing might have shown up in statues of this period, though.

4. Master of the Ninefold Mystic Way, "Yang Jian" (FSYY)

Key words: Disciple of the Taoist sage Yuding, veteran of the Investiture War, Nezha's comrade-in-arms

Weapons: Three-pronged Spear, slingshot

Power: Ninefold Mystic Way, 72 transformations, invulnerable to physical attacks, Samadhi Fire (in FSYY it's on the same level as a D&D wizard's Fireball spell)

Pets: Howling Celestial Dog, unnamed white horse

"I fought a transforming monkey demon too!"

Fun fact: the guy whose name was most often taken as Erlang's "real name" by pop culture was never actually referred to as "Erlang" in his debut novel. Could ya believe it.

Quick, dirty summary of FSYY: kinda like the Chinese Iliad, about the overthrowing of Shang dynasty and its tyrannical King Zhou by King Wu of Zhou, with a dash of Taoist infightings, and almost everyone who died in the fight got revived as gods and became part of the celestial bureaucracy, thus "Investiture of the Gods".

Under the order of his master, the Taoist sage Yuding (literally "jade tripod"), Yang Jian makes his first cameo in chapter 40 to assist his senior, Jiang Ziya, in the fight against the Four Generals of Clan Mo.

A master in the arts of the Ninefold Mystic Way and 72 transformations, he has the same divine title as Zhao Erlang and is considered "A Sage in Flesh" after the end of FSYY.

As such, he's able to survive getting eaten by a monstrous weasel, a metal whip in the forehead, graphic disembowelment, etc. and used his transformation skills for some SWK-style "beating people up from inside their stomachs".

On one very notable occasion, he transformed into a beautiful palace consort to dupe Tu Xingsun ("Earth-traveling Son") and capture him.

Oh, and also, on his way to get Tu Xingsun's master, he ran into this random demon in a lake, who led him into a cave. After he got inside, the demon just disappeared, leaving him with the Three-pronged Two-bladed Spear, as well as some nice bling.

Then two kids burst in, accused him of stealing the bling, and...instantly became his students after learning his name? Yeah that was a weird sidequest.

However, Yang Jian's most iconic battle is probably his fight with Yuan Hong, the White Ape of Plum Mountain...who also practiced the Ninefold Mystics, used an iron cudgel, and were sworn brothers with six/seven demon kings.

Only with the help of Nvwa's magical painting, the Shanhe Sheji Scroll, was Yang Jian able to capture the ape, and subsequently, let Jiang Ziya decapitate him with Sage Luya's Immortal Slaying Flying Knife.

When the Three Demonesses were caught and executed at the end of the book, he was the one responsible for slaying the Nine-headed Pheasant Demoness, which is a neat parallel with JTTW.

His Howling Celestial Dog appears in chapter 47, and is even more of an MVP in fights: 12 immortals and demons have been bitten by this dog, which was "as large as a white elephant and as swift as an owl".

Funnily enough, every time Yang Jian summoned his hound, it is described in the same way as, say, other immortals may summon a flying sword, and my mental image is just him yeeting his giant monster dog at the enemy like you'd throw a Pokeball.

(A list of everyone Xiaotian had bitten in FSYY: Zhao Gongming, his sister Bixiao, Xinhuan, Deng Chanyu, Zhou Xin, Hua Huan, the Winged Immortal, Yuyan, Lv Yue, Yu Hualong, Dai Li the dog demon, the Nine-headed Pheasant Demon.)

Conclusion:

-The way I see it: Li is the Erlang of regional worship, Zhao is the Erlang of Zaju plays, and Yang is the Erlang of vernacular novels, who becomes super popular and overshadows his two predecessors.

-And Erlang's depiction in premodern Lotus Lantern tales is what we in the business call "a whole new can of worms". But that's a series for another day.

[hcdragonwrites]

A Mountain of Sweets

(a @journey-to-the-au fic) Tea Trouble part 1

Ok! This is a part one of two- yes I did it again I wrote something that’s a biiiiit longer then I want to subject y’all to in one post- so I had to split it. ENJOY!

Today would be glorious.

Earth Reaching Willow had to make sure everything went perfect. She had woken early, disentangling herself from her cuddle buddy of Wukong, Pear and several new babies who had begged for a story and had fallen asleep on Willows arms and in her hair. She dressed simply and made her way to the kitchen to help get a head start.

Her sisters were coming to visit.

All six sisters.

Everything had to be perfect, it would go perfect. It would go amazingly well. Willow had already started upon the tea cakes and tarts, picking the best peach jams and stuffings. Willow selected the finest green tea brand. Willow pulled the tea set gifted to her from Guanyin on her Wedding day, a spectacular peace of simple white porcelain laced and decorated in blossoms. She grabbed the finest tray and collected the sweetest teacups. When the teacakes and tarts finished she settled herself into the work going through the cold storages and ice boxes for the best fruits and seeds to fry. A plethora of moon tea cakes, of coconut cakes, and bean cakes was slowly being created. Willow roasted pine nuts, she fried small breads and cut the cold stored fruit into harmonious shapes of lotus blossoms and stars.

All seven sisters were coming to visit Flower Fruit Mountain. Stress strung her tighter then a bow for two reasons. The first of course was to impress. Her sisters would finally see how beautiful the world is here, to see how the Earth was not something to turn their nose up at. It was a paradise that consistently changed, that surprised her with every hand painted dawn and new sketched night. No two days were the same, no two phases of the moon were similar. The world was cast in shades and colors and music that Willow hoped- that she prayed - her sisters would see.

The second reason for her stress was … all six of her sisters were coming to visit.

Summer Turning Flower, her second sister and her mothers daughter. Winter Frosted Grace, with her cold confidence and calculations. Autumn Leaves Falling, who could charm a raging storm with a smile. Wind Over Sea, the swiftest and most eager to please. Weaves The Clouds, who liked to prank and tease. And Little Weaver Girl, the sweetest and youngest of the sisters.

Seven sisters of Heaven and … Willow worried for her sweet family here on the Mountain. Back when the Heavens didn’t corral the daughters in so tightly, on a summer night, they had decided to visit the earth. They had snuck out and taken their fathers best heavenly steeds- both as protection and as a mode of transport- to take a night among the mortals. It was a jaunt and play at rebellion, one Willow and Flower had been in planning for years. They had escaped the court, laughing with the abandon of children. Down to earth the seven sisters upon seven steeds had come a galloping. They had gone to the closest river, the shiniest bend of liquid night, and had slipped from garments to nothing. They had swam with abandon, laughed and splashed. The joy of that night gave Willow a beat of heart sickness. She missed those days when the sisters had laughed and schemed together.

They had been so naive then. So carefree. A taste of that joy was just in her memory, a warm brush against her senses. Like a ghost of a feeling.

“Willow?”

She turned seeing a very sleepy and very tired Wukong blinking at her. His fur was mused. His face still carrying the lines of sleep as he yawned wide and rubbed at his eyes.

“I was wondering where you had gone.” He came walking forward into the kitchen reaching for her hand. Willow stepped forward and took it. Wukongs eyes widened at the counter behind her- the red practically swallowing the polished gold of his pupils. “It is so early still, My Willow Tree.”

Willow felt a bit of her face flame. Just a little, as the Monkey King stepped up to the counter and looked at her mornings work. Wukong tugged her hand.

“Tell me you haven’t been up all night making these.” His faced begged her to counter his assumption. How else could she have accomplished so much in so short a time?

“Only since the first chime of the bell.” Willow sheepishly tucked a stray hair behind her ear, looking to the floor, to the ceiling, everywhere but her sweet friends face.

“The first chime! Willow- that was six Chimes ago!” He admonished and her husband was suddenly larger- leaning into her face and taking away her ability to duck his looks. Drat Wukong. Her friend may be uncomfortable with direct eye contact but he would quickly forget about it when it came to things of this nature. He now used his magic to make it so she could not escape his scrutiny.

“That was the turning of the night Guards! I could have had the chefs start the preparations. You did not have to wear yourself out.” Wukong gently put a finger to her chin, tilting her head up. A thumb ran beneath her eye, shadowing the dark circles that had made nests below.

“… “ Willow was caught. She had nothing to say in her defence. She had just been so nervous- so nervous and wanting to impress the impossible expectations of her sisters. Wukongs eyes softened, the gold going warm , honey melting into warm embers.

“Oh Willow what has you so worried.” He held her face in his hands gently, not caging her in but holding her so she could not deny or run from it. A simple I am here that grounded her.

“I just want everything to be perfect.” Willow sighed. She held one of his hands with her own. Wukong twined his fingers with hers, rubbing the backs with the pad of his thumb. “I want them to love Earth and see how much I love it. How beautiful it is. This whole place- everyone here- I love it so Wukong. I just …”

“Princess,” He kissed her brow, the places beneath her eyes where those shadows nestled. His smile was the soft curve of the moon at night, all soft light and kindness. “Your sisters will love it because you love it. You have nothing to worry for.”

“You say that but…”

“Willow,” he tapped her nose, tucking and tugging her into his arms, “if you wear yourself out before they have even started their decent from Heaven, I will bring Beng in here to scold you for the lack of sleep.”

His breath tickled her ear as he threatened Willow. She gave a mock gasp, looking up from her place beneath his chin.

“Not Beng! He scolds with his face.” Willow scrunched her face in the best Beng impression she had, the one the medicine monkey wore when his patients clearly ignored his advice. Wukongs face broke into laughter, a delightful waterfall of vibration along her back. “He may never say a harsh word but his face speaks enough to make my ears turn red.”

“My point exactly.” Wukong said. He grew a bit larger, setting Willows feet on his own. He started to walk her back, puppeteering her away from the kitchen in the goofiest way. “Now come on…”

“But…” Willow looked at the rice cakes, the bountiful mess and harvest of her labour. Was it enough?

“No one will touch the cakes.” Wukong promised. “No one would think to today of all days to do that. All of the mountain is abuzz and they want today to go off without a hitch.”

“I just … “ want to impress them. Want to impress you. I want there to be harmony between the love of my family in Heaven and the love of my family On Earth. “I want you to be happy with them.” She said out-loud.

Willow didn’t get to see the way the monkeys eyes went from honey to butter at her words. He melted against her, draping her in fur and twining his tail around her waist.

“Oh my Willow Tree.” He said it so softly, eliciting Willow to look up. Just in time, for Wukong had her legs out from under her and had swung her around onto his side. He was carrying her almost like the mothers did to their babes, close but with one hand on the ground. Willow curled into him, seeing the tender admonishment in her friends eyes.

“Come. Back to bed with you. The littles are all upset their Grandmother left without morning kisses and Pear is particularly beside herself.” Before she could say more, Wukong was loping away and back to their room where a barrel of littles came climbing and begging for cuddles and kisses. Wukong worried not for the snacks Willow had made. He more or less worried about the the stores she had burned through in those six chimes.

For Willow, in all her worry, had made a mountain of tarts, a landslide of teacakes, a sea of fried breads and foodstuff, that spilled and took over not one but four of the longest counters in the kitchens.

As he looked down on her, still holding him as she cuddled and cooed to the little monkeys he thought, fondly and with humour, “What am I going to do with you and your habit of baking us under a mountain of sweets?”

It was only a short time later that Ma and Ba crept into the kitchen, tempted by the smells of sweets and baking.

“Just one won’t hurt.” Ba grumbled. He wouldn’t admit it to Willow- but her food had woken him from his tangle with Chestnut and their little Lychee.

“Of course.” Ma said, stepping up to the counters with her tail excitedly flagging. She was still in the dregs of her recent release from postpartum depression. Willow had gently, for weeks, left foodstuffs and sweets outside her and Bengs hut. A kindness and a gesture Ma was so thankful for. Between Pomelo and Mulberry, she was practically spent with energy. She had also smelled the sweets being made and … couldn’t help herself.

“Willow wouldn’t mind one missing…” or two. Or ten.

Neither of the Marshals however, noticed the ice blue eyes open from a perch just above them, a cracked fracture in the wall.

“If you touch a single one of Willows cookies for those Celestials,” the cold voice of Xinshu whipped out like an adder freezing the twins in place “I will personally see your pelts pulled and turned into mud rugs.”

Xinshu fell as silent as a snow cat from her perch. Her teeth were barred in a threat. “I won’t have you two making us look foolish because you ate all of the baked goods.”

Ma and Ba, caught and cowed, scuttled away from the white simian in all her fury. If they had lingered long enough to see, to peek back in, they would have seen Xinshu look at the sweets. Like at a peach tart. And slide it into one of the pockets in her belt

[colorsunlikeanythingseen]

My Avatar and pjo fusion fic I will (probably) never write

Annabeth: Rebel. Her mother, Athena, his the leader of the white lotus. She really wants to make her mother proud. And you know defeat Fire Lord Zeus.

Grover: He searches for the lost avatar hoping that they can put an end to the war with the fire nation. Unfortunately turns out he is the avatar he was searching for...

Percy: The best water bender the southern water tribe has. His mother was kidnapped in the raids and his goal is to find her. Grover thinks the reports of waterbending the earth kingdom mean that the avatar is there. Annabeth just wanted to gain intelligence on the fire nation fleet positions. Instead Percy has to fight Admiral Ares (he didn’t even find out anything on where his mom might be!) and in the chaos of their escape Grover bends two elements. Also they destroy Annabeth’s get away boat whoops. They have to flee on Mrs O’Leary Percy’s polar bear dog.

The final and most unwilling part of this gang? The banished prince of the fire nation Apollo

Apollo: He was banished for treason, a charge he strongly denies. To prove his loyalty he must track down and kill the avatar! He gets sidetracked immediately. There are just so many cool thing outside of the fire nation. New musical instruments to master, new places to see, and he is making so many new friends too! And enemies. But seriously he never wants to return to the fire nation especially after Zeus struck him with lightning. The nerve damage from that made it a lot harder to do things that once came easy to him.

His crew!

Meg accidental stowaway. Was sent by Nero to gather info on and if possible kill Apollo instead she wound up stranded on his ship when Apollo had to flee port again. Turns out this Apollo guy wasn’t that bad. As in cannon Apollo sees a lot of similarities between him and Megs situations. He wants to help her. In a weird way Apollo also serves the role of Megs uncle Iroh. Meg is a swamp bender!

Crest is alive and getting those music lessons! Pockets of airbenders are still alive and kicking. Crests group of airbenders got very into war and violence considering fighting the best way to protect themselves. Anyways he joined up with Apollo and is trying to learn traditional airbenders instruments and music.

Lityerses: former subordinate of the warlord Commodus.

The original crew of sailors he got! Apollo created a weekly music night and poetry night. There is also a book club. Painting. This is widely regarded as the best fire nation ship to be assigned to in aside from the fact that any sort of career advancement is impossible.

Grover’s gang stows away on Apollo’s ship. To be fair to them it no longer looks like a typical fire nation ship. It has been painted white and the crew created murals to decorate the sides. The flag is a sun not a red flame. Also they were in a rush running away from the fire nation.

After they get found out and things are explained. Annabeth wants to recruit Apollo to the rebellion like her mother wants to do. Grover wouldn’t mind staying especially when Apollo has masters of all four elements on his ship. Percy figures it would be easier to track down his mother if he could convince Apollo to ask around. Apollo does not want them here at all. He wants to stay out of the war and he definitely does not want the avatar on his ship! Someone might think he captured him!

[mysticwolfshadows]

I have a Avatar fic that has been dead in my WIP folder for years. It focused on Ursa, retelling her story, and adding more depth to the situation in the Fire Nation.

When a war goes on for that long, people start to want it to end. So it would have made sense for there to be a rebel faction within the Fire Nation. A very heavily stamped down rebellion, but a rebellion none the less.

The idea was to have Ursa's family, as Roku's descendants, be supporters of ending the war. So when Azulon shows up with Ozai, Ursa agrees to marry Ozai so she can maybe help change things from the inside, rather than getting beat down without being heard like the rebellion. Only, she finds her own battlefield.

There was some really dark moments in my outline, especially around how Zuko and Azula were conceived. To balance the dark, I set up Fire Lady Ilah, Azulon's wife. She was set up to be Ursa's main support, since Iroh is away with the military a lot.

Anyway, when it gets to the point where Lu Ten passes, and Ozai suggests himself to become heir, Azulon makes a threat of punishing Ozai for suggesting it, his plan is to move Zuko ahead of Ozai in the line of succession. Ozai, refusing to let his own 'worthless' son be closer to being Fore Lord than him, plans to have Zuko killed. Ursa, hearing about it, immediately jumps in. Iroh will abdicate. She knows him well enough that she's sure of it. So if Azulon passes before he officially changes the law...

In the end, Ursa agrees to assassinate Azulon, and then flees Caldera. She returns to Hira'a, hoping that Ikem is still around. Instead, she finds Ikem starting his own rebellion, his anger having brewed for nearly a decade. And Ursa, with knowledge of how the Fire Nation Army takes out rebellions, takes command, using her knowledge to help the growing rebellion hide, maybe even using the Western Air Temple as a main base of operations.

As Iroh becomes more engrossed in the White Lotus, the two eventually meet again. The White Lotus has heard of the near ghost like rebellion, and have an interest in working together. Iroh is pleased to see her alive.

My notes ended with Ursa receiving word of the Agni Kai and Zuko's banishment from Iroh. Coded, of course. Iroh plans to bring Zuko to see her, though Zuko still doesn't know that she's alive.

[starsfic]

World of "Peace" AU

So I got an AU idea based on that recent prompt fill I did and decided to make it everyone's problem.

So, Aang wakes up in a world where peace has technically been declared, but there's still tension and rebuilding to be done. Here's, uh, a basic timeline:

Azulon decided to steal Ozai's line and tell Ozai he could come back when he captured the Avatar. Ozai is not a teenager so he can pretty much immediately tell that this is a "You're never coming back."

Iroh comes home way later than expected because he took that discovery trip. He ends up agreeing to become Fire Lord.

Azulon dies, and the instant Iroh is Fire Lord, he announces the end of the war.

Peace negotiations turn out to have issues because the Earth King has no idea that there's even a war going on and the Earth Nation as a whole is a mixture of emotions about all this, the Water Tribes both want different things, the Air Nation is dead, and the Fire Nation is a mixture of emotions about all this.

They manage to hammer something out with the help of the White Lotus, but a century of war and mixed emotions means that stuff is tense.

Aang wakes up in a world where Katara and Sokka got their dad back early. However, the beam of light of his iceberg breaking alerts Ozai.

Iroh receives word and goes "Oh fuck."

Tensions explode when a Fire Nation-marked ship attacks the Southern Water Tribe.

Ozai is assumed to be a Fire general, not a random outcast, and his attempts to catch Aang mean that people think the Fire Nation is breaking the treaty and a Fire Nation rebellion begins

Iroh ends up sending Zuko to track down the Avatar in order to bring him to Caldera City peacefully so they can try and fix this.

Zuko brings Mai along and Ty Lee follows. There are questions, but Zuko is like, "These are the only two friends I have besides my sister."

Azula, meanwhile, decides that this opportunity means that she can either reunite with her father and be his heir or climb over Zuko to be Iroh's heir. Being without her friends on this quest and this sudden stress is not doing good things for her mental health.

Things get insane when Iroh decides that he has to track down the Avatar himself. Ursa is left in charge.

Surprisingly, not a lot of things in the episodes change.

Aang and his friends are unsure of the politics. Aang would just like to learn the elements, please.

[vegalocity]

Ok so- with the release of seson 6 of lmk, i gotta know.

OBLIVION AU QUESTION

Would MK use nezha as a way to test the oblivion on celestials? And priceed to make him “happy“!with Lu Jing? Like obliderate bkth tbeir minds? Cuz i dont think he’d be too happy with Jing after season 6

.......

Okay so like you ABSOLUTELY have somehow found mine and @unseelie-robynx's discord, yeah? lmao

Okay so the way we have it with Oblivion is that there's a mechanical component to what 'kind' of person is affected by it, the basic version works on demons, Porty made a secondary track that effects Xiaotian and works on humans as well, and Xiaotian post-bad end ends up making one bespoke to Xiaojiao to work on dragons

Since this whole thing sort of subverts the timeline after Season 3 (Xiaotian in his distrust of Azure just fucking Oblivion juices him right off the bat and both figures out his plan and 'cancels' it in his head, completely throwing Xiangliu's plan out the window lmao) then Xiaotian doesn't really have any personal experience with Li Jing (and me and Robynx are sort of also making our au a liiiitttlllleeee bit more myth accurate in relation to a few things, and Li Jing and Nezha are one of them, there is sincere hostility between them actually lmao) and most of what he knows from him is what he gleaned from nezha on that day and his own knowledge of the myths.

which don't paint a very flattering picture as to Nezha's home life.

Xiaotian does essentially use Nezha as the guniea pig for the 'for celestials' track (essentially combining all the tracks including the one he uses on SWK and (allegedly) Macaque into one wall of franken-sound) and monitored his reactions in real time so he did basically make the celestial track bespoke to Nezha's brain.

essentially his plan had been to use Nezha to make sure the celestials don't try to run interference and 'stop the good thats been done' since Xiaotian's at this point gotten EXTREMELY black and white and maybe a little more like Azure than he wants to pretend to be and has slowly grown to resent the celestial court in a lot of very real ways, and he doesn't want to chance them deciding that he was bad actually and undoing all the 'good' he's done.

So the plan was to use Nezha out the gate to keep the celestial host off of their back, and then should their good buddy the lotus prince return... then they can help him.

The plan with nezha is ironically a play on the whole 'is nezha an adult or a child' debate that this fandom sparked that everyone else seems to scratch their heads over because we thought that Xiaotian would be bothered over the cosmic unfairness of Nezha not really getting a childhood, and much like the plan had been with liu 'er, to sort of... force him into a childish mindset, ideally erase his memories of his actual family and just sort of... in their eyes 'let him have the childhood that was stolen from him'

I don't know what he would do if he got his mitts on Li Jing but i DOUBT it would be anything pleasant. If he got his hands on either of Nezha's brothers there might be a sort of merciful 'well you were ALL victims of him really' and give them a chance to 'repent and start over' but i think most likely outcome for Li Jing if it presumably wouldn't blow up in his face would be to either FORCE him into the idealized parent situation (but with some sort of twisted undercurrent of the true Li Jing being AWARE but unable to do anything beyond the 'correct' behaviors and words) or just... do the same thing he would do with spider queen in the stories where the rebellion gets busted, just... fully Get Out him and make him a 'free use helper'

[mortalkombartwistedreflectionau]

Mirror Reptile/TR Reptile Bio

A Zaterran who was once a loyal soldier of King Tetsurri and served his world proudly. Syzoth was known as not only a warrior, but also an emissary, sent to collaborate with defenders of other realms when the situation called for it, especially when external menaces attacked Zaterra.

While not directly under the orders of Supreme General Sytholin, Syzoth usually collaborated with her and her troops, being impressed by their dedication and making many friends among them. And, in the case of Sytholin’s second-in-command, Khameleon, more than just that. Syzoth and Khameleon had grown to admire each other’s dedication to protecting their realm, which led them to decide to spend more time getting to know each other. They eventually became a couple, and they would have started a new life together… if it hadn’t been for the problems their different ideals brought.

Syzoth disagreed with Sytholin’s propositions to prevent external menaces from attacking Zaterra as much as Tetsurri and his court. In his time collaborating with defenders of other realms to deal with those external threats (such as Shinnok’s Brotherhood and the group of Oni leadered by Drahmin in the Netherrealm, Havik and his reasonable comrades in Chaosrealm or the once more honorable White Lotus in Earthrealm against the Houan necromancers) he had gotten to know and respect them, so he didn’t wish to betray their trust by sending spies or acting in their realm secretly. Not to mention that he agreed that those actions would ultimately just bring more problems than they would solve. This brought more than a few moments of tension between him and Khameleon during their time together, although they usually decided to put it aside for the good of their relationship, until it was no longer possible.

After hers and Sytholin secret meeting and deal with Queen Sindel, Khameleon had been more worried than usual, and Syzoth could notice. Syzoth asked her if something was wrong, to which Khameleon just said it was nothing. He regrets having decided to ignore it to this day…

After Sytholin’s militar rebellion succeeded and the government of King Tetsurri and his court was replaced by her dictatorship, Syzoth was horrified by her actions as much as the ones of many under her command, Khameleon included. He couldn’t believe their disagreement in ideals would go so far as to take such an extreme measure and then ally with the Edenian Regime. He was deeply disappointed.

Knowing that he was going to disagree, Khameleon approached him and desperately tried to convince him, wishing for anything but becoming his enemy. She told him how the sacrifices they had done would be worth it, that when the Edenian Regime finished its ‘pacification’, all menaces to Zaterra would be gone forever. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and wasn't convinced and all. In a last attempt, Khameleon told him that, if he wouldn’t fight with them for Zaterra’s future, then he would at least need to stay neutral for their personal future. But Syzoth couldn't bring himself to do that, he wasn’t going to step aside while his fellow citizens were judged as criminals and imprisoned for daring to speak against Sytholin while he was saved only for Khameleon’s personal bias. And besides, to both his and Khameleon’s sadness, the future together she spoke of was completely gone.

It took some time for Syzoth to reunite many of the fellow soldiers who had had to hide after Sytholin overthrew Tetsurri. They followed him in his own rebellion against the current Zaterran government, which had continued to this day. As of today, Syzoth, or Reptile as allies of other realms have nicknamed him, is the last hope for freedom of many Zaterran citizens, and that he knows it is the reason why he will fight to the very end.

A consequence of wanting my ships to be in this AU in some form is that it comes with some romantic drama, but well, gotta try it lmfao.

[amisti]

✨ Masterlist of my fics (ao3) ✨

SuperBat

Is This Entertaining? in ao3

In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided into 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch.

In a surprising turn of events, Bruce Wayne ends up volunteering to be one of the two who represent District 12. He and his counterpart, Clark Kent, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives.

In other words: Hunger Games but make it superbat, with a few twists here and there

📜Chapters: 17/17 📝 Words: 127,002

Series: Hunger Games but make it superbat

it was your idea (you don't have the right to feel hurt) in ao3

Inspired by this tiktok from @theactorbat

Character A lying to keep their relationship with B a secret. Character B, who was the one that asked to keep the relationship a secret, but didn’t expect Character A to be so cruel about it.

Make it SuperBat, Superman as A and Batman as B.

Couldn't get the idea in my head, kept getting comments asking for fics recs and I live for the applause so here it is…

📝 Words: 2,058

I got better things to do in ao3

Brucie Wayne is just another tool in his arsenal.

📜Chapters: 3/3 📝 Words: 1,667

Zukka

I Will Bring Honour To Us All (and i will bring you home) in ao3

A Mulan (1998) with Zuko as Mulan and Sokka as Shang, but with many, many twists.

While the story is overall the same, I added the White Lotus as the group of old uncles because we need more of them.

📝 Words: 23,626

Pt1. Series: Mulan AU (Avatar)

We Had a Plan! (...thank you for not following it) in ao3

Sequel to I Will Bring Honour To Us All (and i will bring you home)

So Mulan 2 (2004) with Zuko as Mulan and Sokka as Shang with a few twists.

📝 Words: 21,779

Pt2. Series: Mulan AU (Avatar)

It's Called Erotica, Sokka (if you are gonna write it, do it properly) in ao3

Sokka could not imagine something worse...Zuko found out about his fan-stories...

What's worse? HE IS ACTUALLY READING THEM AND GIVING FEEDBACK.

📝 Words: 1,536

Drarry

Fancy a Sweet? in ao3

Draco just wants to keep a low profile, finish school, and get the fuck out of England as soon as possible. Harry thinks he wants to have a nice, quiet, normal year like everyone else—like the one he should have had.

Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan.

or, Draco and Harry are put in detention together and their animosity turns into a weird sort of friendship.

or, you typical 8th Year Fic <3

📜Chapters: 4/12 📝 Words: 24,026/?

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

COMING SOON!!!

Superbat

Hunger Games AU in ao3

writing next book ✏️

Drarry

Fancy a Sweet in ao3

I'm writing ✏️

(beta-ing: 5 Chapter 🤓)

FAR IN THE FUTURE!!!

Zukka

10 Things I Hate About You AU! in ao3

I'm writing ✏️

I Want to Steal The Bride (Made of Honour) AU! in ao3

I'm writing ✏️

& surprises <3

[c-m-li-s-fanfic-corner]

Just a Little Trick

(AO3 LINK)

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Suki (Avatar), Original Female Character(s), Fire Nation Army (Avatar)

Additional Tags: Imprisonment, Rescue, Escape, Muzzles, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Master Firebender Zuko, The Order of the White Lotus (Avatar), Fire Nation 41st Division (Avatar), Rebellion, Resistance, Crown Prince Zuko, Partially Blind Zuko (Avatar), Blind Toph Beifong, Disabled Character, Partially Deaf Zuko (Avatar), Bad Parent Ozai (Avatar), just throw him on the trash heap people

Summary:

Getting captured for being the traitor prince isn't much of a surprise.

Getting help from the enemy is a little bit more of a surprise.

See below for my casting choices:

[the-badger-mole]

AU Bot Plots: The Tea Pot Rebellion

In this AU, Zuko gives up chasing Aang fairly early. After the siege on the Northern Tribe, and Azula's attempt to murder him on Ozai's orders, Zuko gives up on everything. He and Iroh make it to Ba Sing Se, and start working at the tea shop. What Zuko doesn't realize is that Iroh is still very active in the White Lotus Society, and the tea shop is a front for an underground rebellion (he'll be embarrassed later that it took him so long to realize, but in his defense, he's pretty deep into a depression. It's pretty easy to slip stuff by him at this point).

After teaming up with Toph, the Gang ends up going to find Hakoda and his crew. That's when they learn about the White Lotuses, who are trying to gather as much support as possible to overthrow the Fire Lord. Sokka's plan to use the eclipse is discussed, but the problem of who would take over the Fire Nation after Ozai is brought up. That's when the Lotuses with Hakoda reveal that among their group is a high ranking member of the Fire Nation royal family. They trust him enough to want to install him as the new Fire Lord after getting rid of Ozai and Azula as threats. The Gaang is given a mission; go to Ba Sing Se and get King Kuei to send his troops into battle, rendezvous with the Fire Nation noble, and protect him until they clear the way to set him up on the throne.

It sounds too good to be true, but Hakoda trusts the White Lotus Society, and that's good enough for his children, at least. Getting to Ba Sing Se is easy, but then they encounter trouble with King Kuei's advisor, Long Feng. They can't get an audience with the king, and are threatened to not speak about the war within the walls of the city. Still, they manage to connect with the White Lotus members in Ba Sing Se, who take them to the Fire Nation noble who they want to put on the throne. It takes every member of the White Lotus present to prevent Katara and her friends from attacking Zuko, but finally everyone settles down enough for the White Lotus to explain everything. This is how Zuko finds out that not only has his uncle been a sleeper agent for a counter-Fire Nation rebel group, that group is now enlisting the Avatar and his friends to help overthrow Ozai and set his uncle on the throne.

Only, Iroh has one correction to make. He doesn't intend to take the throne. He has done too much damage to expect the world to trust him anymore than his brother. Instead, he wants to put his nephew in charge of the Fire Nation. Iroh only intends to stay on as regent for a couple of years. Now the Gaang must put aside their differences to make sure that Zuko makes it to the end of the war.