#wings of fire next gen

[shamefulcumfort]

The first up of the many Next Gen Wings Of Fire, the son of our favorite love love triangle, Sunspeaker!☀️

[cheesuschrist-iii]

Lads gimme wof and star trek characters to draw. (on my asks)

break from ocs atm

happy pride from data as well ig

[thenumber1skyhater]

(old art) next generation au thing a did a while back

[thefanficdragon]

Personally, Bumblebee is my favorite of the bunch, we get the most time with her <3

[wings-of-fire-confessions]

I actually HATE the wings of fire books. From the writing, characters and world building.

Which is unfortunate because your telling me that lower born Mudwings would stay in mud shacks instead of creating a clean and more safe space. They have 6-7 sibs at a time yet even in a world were they have freedom to create their own home they just can't? My boyfriend said it's a great representation for poverty but they actually have freedom, the thing is it's not like real world poverty they can go anywhere and be free especially now as of arc 3.

Ntm the absolute lack luster colour difference of Seawings, they live in the OCEAN, were some of the most colourful animals live but Seawings are stuck to greens, blues and occasional purples. Like what?

And then there's societal and cultural differences that literally don't exist. But the Nightwings- you mean the most favorized tribe in the series, like what about Animus history? what about Skywings and their connection to religious beings like birds? What about Sandwing festivals and traditions it's been mentioned but never shown. Also what about Fierceteeth??? is she going to rebuild Nightwing culture and traditions creating a better connection to their old home? obviously not because people want a next gen.

Personally a next gen is a shit idea. What about Sora and umber? what about Reed, Marsh, Pheasant, Clay, Chameleon, Winter, Icicles trial, Fiereteeth and Renewal, what about any of the dragons currently going through it.

There is no need to go forward with so much being left behind.

.

[emilicious0]

okay, so, im finding myself more and more attracted to Valentino. I mean im starting to simp 😵‍💫💀

so i'd love to see some gen sfw (and nsfw if you can but dont have to)

Maybe he started to like one of his workers or something (fem if possible but gn is fine)

He could like, work her with clients less and stuff, less videos, maybe less drugs 💀 anyway imma hop off now 😩

f!reader x valentino sfw and nsfw headcanons

TW: VALENTINO, abusive behavior, mdni

SFW

□ he really thinks he treats all of his workers good, which is kinda true (I strongly headcanon that v's may be a band of psychos, but they appreciate hard work and always offer good salaries)

□ you get a good amount of money and thats the reason you work so good as his assistant

□ he notices the hard work and slowly starts to treat you more like a friend (in his own way, like slapping your butt or whistling whenever you are passing by)

□ that behavior lasts for some time, until he sees you on your day off in a club with some other demon (who was your friend)

□ the two of you seem close and youre hugging each other, which made valentino see red

□ he was ready to jump inside and kill the bitch who dared to touch you, but vox called in asking him to be immeadiatly back in their tower for a meeting

□ after that valentino realises his feelings for you

□ the butt-slapping, cat-calling didnt stop and only became worse

□ he would call you nicknames now, the most used one is "baby"

□ you would get a lot more money than anyone else

□ also loves when you praise him

□ a drama queen, who loves when you take care of him (buying ice cream)

□ would try to trick you into making a deal with him (but he would eventually give up on that idea, since he wants you, to want him too)

□ actually tells you everyday how he loves you, or how beautiful you are, only to yell at you next moment for not loving him back

□ he would come to you drunk crying and you have to take him to bed and tuck him in

□ if you accept his feelings and you become a couple, he immediately fires you

□ becomes your sugar daddy, who asks for every second of your time in return

□ carries you around like a treasure, showing you off to everyone

□ gives you small gifts everyday, and not so small gifts too

□ he is the type to forget about the anniversary, but feel bad about it later

□ despite him being still physically active with his workers and vox, he is romantically absolutely yours

□ he has hard time listening for your problems, but he comforts you wrapping his wings around you and kissing you

□ he has hard times understanding a lot of things about your problems (hard for him to be there for you), but he tries to do it in his own way (physical affection)

□ valentino has his episodes when he bursts and shouts at you and everything, apologizing afterwards, but they will happen again

□ kinda enjoys scaring you, but with you it's never about physical abuse, more like teasing

□ sleeps more calmly next to you

□ doesn't allow you to leave him (it will crash him in every possible way if you do, resulting him to become obsessive and start stalking you)

NSFW

□ has any possible kink in existence

□ inpatient, rough

□ loves edging, into degrading (loves to degrade and wants to degrade you)

□ public sex is his favorite one (as well as group one)

□ roleplays with you a lot of his crazy scenarios

□ makes you watch him fuck with others (doesn't let you do the same)

□ but your sessions with him are super private bc they are different

□ switch (hard dom/top, soft sub/bottom)

□ loves seeing you on your knees for him

□ seeing you cry is his favorite turn on

□ threesome with vox✌️

[blorb-el]

[in the style of the Finding Nemo seagulls] Id fic? Id fic? Id fic? Id fic?

ok id fic!!

the backstory is over the weekend i needed a break from editing wsbf, and i found a prompt on the dc kinkmeme, along the lines of: omega bruce foils an assassination attempt on kryptonian ambassador kal. this is probably a one off thing in this verse, it is not a story it's just a little. warmup

1.5k, gen, superbat, omegaverse, i was gonna leave this completely unedited but @januariat as usual saved my life

So this is it, Kal thinks, gasping for breath as he presses vainly at the side of his robes, trying to stem the blood. Krypton’s last hope, Krypton’s only hope, and he’s failed. Around him there’s noise, chaos, as Mala and Tor race after the assassin, as the humans’ voices rise in alarm. There’s another being next to him. Kal flinches as the black-garbed one presses primitive bandages to his side. There’s nothing he can do but wait for his skilorrosh, the death vision Telle grants as Flamebird frees his soul from his body and bears it home on her wings to Rao.

Can Flamebird even find him here, on this strange world? Is he doomed to be lost to Kythona’s darkness? It seems like it; there’s no warming red glow the poets of the brain-vaults had described, only cold and darkness and pain pressing in on his vision. Kal closes his eyes. Mother. Father. I’m sorry.

And then - radiant gold, beyond anything he’s ever imagined possible.

When Kal had been a young child, perhaps five or so, he had snuck into his father’s lab and found himself floating. Antigravity was nothing new to him - Jor had discovered the principle years before his birth - but his father had been experimenting with augmenting the machine, passing the energy through different wavelengths of light. Kal’s whole body had felt, for a brief moment, as though Rao himself had taken hold of it, like he was stronger than a drang, faster than a photon. And then he had gone out like a light, along with the power supply of half the city of Kryptahnugrhahs.

This overpowering, blinding sensation is the only thing that has ever felt close. His blood is made of lightning, his nerves fire. The scents and sounds of the room explode into infinite detail, and he jerks his hands to his ears instinctively, accidentally shattering the rock hall of the floor. He curls tighter, helpless against the smell of blood and panic in the air, Tor and Mala’s Beta and Omega scents united in fury, the mass of human scents impenetrable and alien. There’s one close to him, the one that’d been helping, pressure against his side, a little stronger. Kal curls into it, instinctively reaching for the wrist.

Something feels wrong with the glove as he touches it, though. It bends, and then the pressure’s gone, the hand withdrawn. Kal - had he hurt them? He curls tighter, distressed, an almost childlike whine escaping. He doesn’t want to hurt- 

“Just breathe,” a low voice murmurs near him. There’s something touching his face. Kal turns his hand into it blindly. The sounds around him - they’re fading a little. But so is the pain. Kal frowns and moves a hand back to his torso, where the bullets had gone in. His tabard is still slick with blood, his body’s…

It hurts. But it’s a lot better.

That low comforting voice starts to count, and Kal does his best to time his breathing to it. The noise and chaos is more distant now. Kal opens his eyes. It’s one of Earth’s protectors kneeling above him, the mysterious one in the mask. The Batman. The opaque, unnerving white lenses of his mask have been retracted, and his eyes are fixed on Kal’s.

“That’s it,” the man says reassuringly, and there’s a hint of a rumbling purr to the words. Kal blinks, the uproar of talking and breathing and heartbeats easier to filter out in favor of the man before him. There is something strange - the briefings had said that the planet still practices caste-based discrimination, and yet - this man has the alien but unmistakable richness to his scent, concealed though it is under neutralizers, the reassuring timbre to his voice common to the human Omegas of Earth.  

Omegas, on this backwards planet, would not be first responders, would not be public servants. Would not be what the briefings had called ‘super-heroes.’ And yet this man is an Omega.

He’s staring up into the man’s silvery-gray eyes, washed out like the color of rain, when the noise takes a sharp upturn. Batman looks away. Kal smells his fellow ambassador’s scents before he hears their voices. Mala is first to reach them, pushing through the crowd, fury roiling in her scent. “You animals,” she snarls, and Kal notes with alarm that she’s pulled the concealed raygun General Zod had insisted they carry. He pushes himself upright.

“Stand down, Mala Ro-Zan,” Kal growls, or tries to growl, anyway.

“We will not stand down,” Tor growls back to him Lurvish, teeth bared at the humans surrounding them. His diplomat’s staff has reformed into a vikhirn, its three points gleaming in the dim red light. “The outsiders shot to kill you, moliom! We came to them on our knees begging for help and the savages-”

The vikhirn’s deadly points of light focus on Batman’s cowl as Tor levels the weapon at the Omega, and something inside Kal snaps. “Stand down,” he roars, Alpha markings burning gold-bright across his skin. There’s a reddish haze across his vision, and he distantly realizes that he’s a few inches off the ground. Mala bares her teeth, furious, but centuries of civilization fold beneath millenia of evolution and her claws slide back beneath her skin. Tor, as a Beta, is less affected; he stops in his tracks, low challenge-growl beginning in his chest, but when Kal stalks towards him he ducks his head.

The hall’s fallen silent. Kal takes the vikhirn from Tor and inputs the dissolution override; the sunstone crumbles to sparkling dust. He holds his hand out to Mala for her raygun.

“No, moliom,” Mala rumbles. “I will not leave us defenseless in this - khaovrrosh.” She leaves the insult in Lurvish, the older language impenetrable to Lantern translation, but with the open disdain in her eyes as she looks at the assembled humans, Kal doubts that the insult will be lost on them. His Alpha hindbrain has retreated but it’s close under his skin, tense with the danger of the situation. Later that night, writing his report, Kal will look back on his loss of composure with some embarrassment. But in the moment it was the only thing he could have done, with the lightning still racing through his veins and the knowledge that Krypton is doomed if the mission fails. The last of the surge of power fades, and he drops to the ground, trying not to stagger. Mala moves in to support him, albeit begrudgingly. 

“A human has tried to kill our ambassador Kal-El-jran,” Tor says to the crowd of diplomats, tense. “Your kind has-”

“Stop, Tor,” Kal says. With the all-consuming radiance and the adrenaline of nearly dying gone, he feels exhausted and drained, his side throbbing with pain. But if he doesn’t take back control of the negotiation, Tor will continue with the formal withdrawal. For Rao’s sake, it seems like he’s the only one who remembers what’s at stake here. Kal straightens, leaning on Mala, and looks Tor directly in the eye. “Unless I’m much mistaken, a human also saved my life.” Kal nods to Batman, who’s retreated back into the stone impassiveness he’d greeted the ambassadors with. Kal looks at him a moment too long. His head is starting to ache, and he’s distantly aware of swaying a little on his feet, of Mala moving closer to brace him. “I - move to - let Rao set on the proceedings for today, and - convene tomorrow under a fresh sky.” The formal words are hard to remember.

Wonder Woman, the lead negotiator for the humans, frowns in soft concern. It’s a stark contrast to her warrior’s garb and poise. “Of course. Kal-El-jran, may we offer any medical assistance?”

“Your kind has done quite enough,” Mala snaps, her claws briefly poking into Kal’s side before she retracts them swiftly. Kal can’t quite bring himself to care. Dizziness is beginning to overcome him; he closes his eyes but that makes the swaying worse. Tor says something about having medical facilities on their ship, and there’s another arm around him, steadying him.

“Just promise me we’ll still be on this planet when I wake up,” Kal mumbles to Mala. “Swear it.”

Mala breathes out sharply in frustration.

Kal stops moving. He’ll collapse on the damn floor if he has to, damn Kryptonian pride.

“We will be,” Mala says. “Come on, Kal-El.”

There’s something still worrying him, though. “Did they catch them?” Is there any danger to his fellow Kryptonians, to this tense, frayed distal pack they’ve cobbled together?

“Yes,” Tor says, steadying him up the ramp. The serenity of Kryptonian architecture soothes the ragged edge of his Alpha a little, his instincts recognizing it as safety, even as the throbbing in his side is growing. Kelexo are hovering by the doors, and move in to support him.

“Good,” he tells the ceiling, as a Kelex rolls up his sleeve and injects his arm with medication. “I think - I think I’m going to pass out now.”

[areyoudreaminof]

Next Gen Headcanons:

Nyx:

-very into architecture, loves buildings. The Prythian equivalent of a lego kid. Builds Feyre a studio and builds Oriana a little dollhouse.

-He carves little wooden animals, like his grandfather. His mother and aunts aren’t sure what to make of it at first, but they grow to love it.

-Nyx wears goggles when he flies high. When he’s older (like 100) he gets really into the idea of an aerial corps for the Illyrians.

-He loves all his cousins but is closest to Cricket. They’re called the “Terror Twins” in the family. 

-Not much of a “ladies man” in the traditional sense, but the ladies love him because he’s easy going, respectful, and doesn’t play games.

-he’s an okay artist, if he put in more effort he’d be better. 

-he’s embarrassed by Rhys’s over the top fashion sense. 

-he’s a daemati, but hates going into people’s minds unless absolutely necessary. 

-very close to Az and Nesta. He trusts them both implicitly. And his first word after "Mama" was "Nena!" for Nesta, of course.

-his best friend is the Winter Court Heir. They have a secret handshake.

Cricket:

-Helion’s shadow. She breeds horses and Pegasi with her grandfather and they’re very, very close. She’s a very talented equestrian and trains the Day Court horses on her own. 

-Her real name, Mathilde, comes from the Lady of Autumn's sister. Lucien gave her the nickname Cricket, when she was a baby. She babbled at night.

-she’s a Spell Cleaver and she got all the Day Court powers. No Autumn powers to be seen

-When she grows up, she becomes THE Emissary for all the courts and the human lands since she’s so well connected. She really doesn’t want to be the heir. She's ruthless at negotiation, thanks to Eris's training.

-Cricket is Lucien with a better upbringing. Snarky af.

-Rhys is her favorite Night Court uncle, but also her mortal enemy in their prank war.

-Very close to her parents. While she got Lucien’s hair and eyes, she got a lot of Elain’s features. 

-Extremely close to Eris. She is given Autumn citizenship, title of Grand Duchess of Autumn and a smokehound. She calls her hound Trajan, her favorite Day Court hero.

Froggy:

-she is a prodigy and teaches herself to read at some young ass age. Very quiet and proper, but isn’t afraid to get dirty. She speaks Scythian fluently and teaches herself old High Fae. 

-Her real name, Cyra, is an ancient Day Court name. Helion picked it out. Froggy comes from Cricket, who thought her baby sister looked like a frog when she was born.

-she looks the most like Helion, and has “Day Court looks” with Elain's golden heir. Which is funny because she got the Autumn flame and is more or less considered Eris’ heir by himself and the Autumn court. 

-her smokehound is named Brigid, the first fae in Autumn to wield fire, whom she idolizes.  

-She is super close to Nesta and Feyre. She adores Cassian. 

- she’s very empathetic. I toyed a lot with her getting the Seer gift, but she instead has a very good intuition. 

-She always wears a bow in her hair. She thinks it looks sophisticated. She picked it up from her human cousins in Scythia.

Orianna

-very funny and mischievous and caring. Spoiled rotten by her parents and the House.

-The House LOVES HER. The House gives her the best room, and a kitten. It just showed up when she wanted it. It's a real kitten she calls Pudding.

--she loves music and singing. When she’s older (a few hundred years old) she does a research project for the library and compiles old oral folk tales and songs from the women in Illyria. 

-Nesta’s velcro child. Orianna is ride or die for her mother. She does love her Daddy though. 

--her wings are from her grandmother. 

-She and Froggy are the closest, but she hero worships Cricket and Nyx. 

-Orianna was also raised and watched a lot by Clotho and the other priestess in the library. She is named Research Assistant when she's little and she takes it VERY seriously. She loves Clotho the most.

-She is the official representative of the Library at the House to the Day Court.

-Gwyn and Emerie are her aunts. Full stop.

-she loves her Aunt Feyre and loves to paint with her. 

-when she feels angry and upset, Uncle Az takes her for “quiet time” where they color together. It helps her calm down. He teachers her how to sing and old Illyrian songs.

-Cassian calls her his princess.

-she will become the first Valkyrie Librarian

[nova1516]

A Dreadful Hallow’s Eve Ball

A work for lyranova’s 1k event! Congrats! :D @blackclover-emc

I was hesitant to participate, but then I saw so many lovely works that inspired me to do one as well! I took this opportunity to write about one of the side plots/stories of my next generation au!

Next Gens Featured: Felicity Vermillion, Calix Vermillion, Titaia Vermillion(not mine), Acier Silva II, Argent Silva, Adrius Silva, Adeline Silva, Gin Vermillion, Lune Grinberryall(vaguely mentioned)

Canon Characters Featured: Fuegoleon Vermillion, The Salamander, Nozel Silva, Jack The Ripper

(Background) Pairings: Fuegoleon Vermillion/Bridget Oriel || The Salamander, Jack The Ripper/Nozel Silva

Background Information: A short summary of previous events that affect this story: Felicity and Calix Vermillion were originally commoners from Ylve Village. As children their village suffered a great tragedy, burnt to the ground. The two siblings were the only survivors, and they were found by Fuegoleon Vermillion and The Salamander. The couple eventually formally adopted the children of Ylve. Soon after they also take in Titaia, a fire spirit. Recently Felix and Calix find out the tragedy that struck Ylve was no accident, and Felicity wants to desperately avenge their deceased parents.

Summary: Felicity has an opportunity to learn more about Ylve’s tragedy at the annual Hallow’s Eve Masquerade Ball.

Word Count: 3,905

This story is told from various points of view. Enjoy!

Felicity stared at the letter in her hands, and as she reread it she considered burning it, to destroy any evidence it was ever written.

The neat and pretty words promised answers, answers she’d been searching for for months.

Dear Felicity Vermillion,

It shall be on Hallow’s Eve, at the long awaited masquerade ball hosted by the Wizard King, where I’ll be waiting for you. It is your choice to make my acquaintance, but remember well, if you do not meet with me that evening, I shall no longer provide you with the necessary clues to find out the truth about what happened to your birth parents.

I will be waiting at the tallest tower of the castle’s east wing when the clock strikes for midnight. I will be wearing…a lion’s mask. That should be familiar for you, no?

As I promised, if we meet, I shall answer any and every question you might have, in exchange for the pendant your mother left with you.

Best Regards,

C. Y.

“Catalyst Magic: Flames of Ire.”

Felicity watched as the letter burnt to a crisp, leaving nothing behind except for lingering ashes.

She adjusted the strap of her dress, which had slipped from her shoulder, and walked towards her mirror. She scrutinized her appearance harshly, from head to toe. From her (temporary) blonde hair, just as it had been when she was a child, to her long, vermillion dress, and high heels. The garments felt foreign on her skin, but she pushed her discomfort aside.

She needed answers, and she would be getting them tonight.

The young Vermillion grabbed her mask, a gilded, intricate thing, and put it on.

• ☘︎ •

“Hey,” Calix sauntered up to his older sister, a tired Titaia accompanying him. They were both dressed for the occasion. “Tia told me you went back to blonde! Welcome back!”

“Do not get used to it,” Felicity glared at her brother. “I will dye it back after tonight.”

“What? C’mon keep it for a few weeks at least!” He grabbed her hand and then Titaia’s. “Look! We all match now!”

Titaia nodded along with Calix.

“I’m not keeping it blonde, Cal, and don’t look at me like that, Tia.”

Calix sighed regretfully, and Titaia huffed.

“Children, oh—good you’re all ready.” Fuegoleon hurried down to meet the three Vermillions. “We’re late. Let us—Where’s your father?”

Felicity and Calix shared a look before shaking their heads, and when they looked at Titaia, she shrugged.

“Then where��”

“I am ready, Fuegoleon Vermillion.”

The four Vermillions turned to look at the stairs.

The Salamander, Bridget Oriel, stood in a beautiful ivory and jasper orange attire, and was donned in gold jewelry. He looked breathtaking as he made his way down to meet his family.

Fuegoleon couldn’t help the fond smile that made its way to his lips, as he stared at his lovely spouse.

“Beloved little ones,” Bridget smiled brightly. “You all look truly astonishing!” He glanced at Fuegoleon, narrowing his eyes. “Hm, handsome, dereworthy.”

Fuegoleon gave him a (Felicity would describe it as a stupid, lovey-dovey) smile. “And you look as stunning as ever.”

Calix beamed. “You both look phenomenal!”

“Pretty.” Titaia uttered.

Felicity sighed. “Can we leave now?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Little One,” Bridget turned to his daughter. “Are you in a hurry, perhaps?”

Felicity nodded slowly, and quickly thought of an excuse. “I just…I’d like to get there before cousin Adrius finishes off all the good desserts.”

Calix and Titaia went tense.

“We need to leave now.” Titaia nodded along to her brother’s statement.

Felicity hid a smile. It worked, as always.

“Alright, alright,” Fuegoleon herded the two menaces out of the Estate. “Let us leave at once.”

Bridget extended an arm to Felicity, and the young Vermillion hesitated for a second before she took it, and they left to catch up with the rest.

Her family’s ever lively presence took a little weight off of her shoulders. Yet the sense of impending doom grew again, this time overwhelming, as they neared the main Castle.

• ☘︎ •

“That blonde hair might fool all of your suitors, but not me, Felicity.”

Felicity turned around, and came face to face with a young woman. Her fetching silver hair was tied in an elegant, popular braided style, and her dress was dazzling. Her mask, matching in silver tones, obscured her eyes, but there was no room for doubt. This was the renowned, oldest daughter of Nozel Silva and Jack The Ripper.

“Good evening, Acier,” Felicity greeted her cousin. “I’d appreciate it if you lowered your voice. You’re right, the tameless men that chase me relentlessly have yet to recognize me. I’d like to keep it that way.”

Acier let out a short laugh. “Of course,” She whispered, and looped their arms together. “As much as I hate being discreet, I’ll do it for you, dear cousin.”

Felicity shook her head fondly. “What about your suitors?”

Acier groaned. “As irritating as ever.”

“You should’ve taken more advantage of the masquerade ball,” She pulled on a loose, blonde strand of hair. “Like I did.”

“And what? Have my hair dyed blonde?”

The two royals laughed, lighthearted.

“It’s good to see you, albeit a bit different than usual.”

“And after so much time,” Acier said, crossing her arms. “You’ve been so busy I barely see you anymore, Felix.”

Felicity averted her gaze. “I…apologize. I know I haven’t been present enough. I’m just busier than usual.”

Her thoughts wandered back to the letter. She glanced at the clock. It read 11:00pm.

“Calix told me,” Acier sighed. “He said you’ve been trying to figure out what really happened to Ylve Village.”

Against her parents’ wishes.

Fuegoleon had promised to reveal everything in due time, but after finding out they’d been keeping the truth hidden, and after her fight with Calix…she’s been more desperate than ever to get answers. That desperation led her to C.Y. a mysterious figure who happened to know a lot about a village that had burnt down two decades ago. (They’d never met face to face. They’d only ever communicated through letters, initated by C.Y.)

Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Calix…That brother of mine never learned to keep his mouth shut.” She sighed. “Look I understand right now is not the time, and that I shouldn’t be going behind my parents’ back, but—”

“I understand,” Acier offered her a smile. “And I know perfectly well that no matter what I say, you’ll end up doing it anyway, so instead of trying to stop you, I’ll help you.”

Felicity huffed. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t want you, or anyone else, to get involved.”

“I wouldn’t get my hands dirty,” Acier supplied. “At least not that much. I could get you the reports.”

“The reports?”

“If you remember,” Acier subtly gestured to the other side of the ballroom. Felicity followed her line of sight and saw two Magic Knight Captains, away from the crowd, speaking between themselves. “My parents, mostly my dad, handled the case of Ylve long before uncle Fuegoleon even heard of it.”

That’s right. Ylve Village had been under Jack The Ripper’s surveillance months prior to the accident.

“You…have access to those reports?”

“Not currently, but I could get them for you.”

Acier and Felicity straightened up when Nozel noticed them staring. Jack turned to face them next, and laughed upon seeing their stiff postures. He waved at them.

Acier waved back, slowly leading Felicity away. “Perhaps we should take this conversation elsewhere—”

“Lady Silva!”

“Fuck.”

Ronnald Vitesse, a member of the Silver Eagles(following in his father’s footsteps), approached the two women.

“Ac—Lady Silva, I’ve been looking for you.” He said sheepishly. “Would you do me the honor of letting me have your next dance?”

“Apologies, but I’m busy right now.” She gave him an unimpressed look. “And I’m not interes—”

“She’d love to,” Felicity interrupted her. “I was just about to take my leave.”

Acier glowered. “What.”

“Great!” Ronnald extended an arm out to Acier, which made the latter take a step back.

“Hey, Felix!”

“Sorry,” Felicity scurried away into the crowd.

• ☘︎ •

As gracious, and tempting, as that proposition had been, Felicity would rather not get Acier into trouble with her parents.

Even if it’d be the safer option, to trust Acier rather than a stranger. It was better not to involve her.

Not to mention, she thought it’d be a waste to let C.Y. get away.

Felicity paused in her step when she came across the buffet table.

Calix and Titaia were staring down the last piece of strawberry shortcake, and across from them Adrius and Adeline were also eyeing the treat.

The only dessert Felicity had been looking forward to…

Felicity had to think quickly if she wanted to get that last piece before them.

Glancing around the ballroom she found the perfect solution.

Her cousin, Gin Vermillion, was standing just a few feet away from them, talking idly with one of the Grinberryall girls, and in his hands was a plate full of desserts.

Among them was a strawberry shortcake.

“Catalyst Magic,” She uttered under her breath. “Spatial Magic: Gateway.”

Gin’s grimoire began to glow dimly as Felicity borrowed his magic. In the blink of an eye the last shortcake vanished through a portal, and landed safely in Felicity’s hands.

“What the hell?” Adrius faltered, shoulders slumping.

“My cake!” Calix lamented.

“Gin.” The three of them turned to Titaia.

“That’s right!” Adeline pulled on her brother’s coat. “That portal looked exactly like Gin’s gateways!”

The four of them spotted Gin within seconds.

Felicity suppressed a chuckle as she hurried away with her cake, successfully getting away with it.

Another great distraction from the imminent encounter.

• ☘︎ •

Nozel observed Acier and Felicity conversing, and saw the moment his niece left Acier with Vitesse’s son.

He sighed. “I will be back in a moment,” He met Jack in a kiss when the latter leaned down. “Go help our daughter in the meantime.”

Jack arched an eyebrow, and narrowed his eyes when he noticed Vitesse prattling on to a very uninterested Acier.

The couple parted ways, and Nozel left satisfied when he heard Vitesse shout in surprise.

He walked around the room until he found Fuegoleon. Fortunately, the man was alone, gathering two cups of wine.

“Fuegoleon,” He stopped to stand beside the fire mage.

“Nozel,” Fuegoleon looked surprised to see him. “Good evening, I thought—”

“Have you taken notice that our daughters have been acting strange as of late?”

Fuegoleon paused and faltered, placing the two glasses down.

“Acier and Felicity.” Nozel clarified.

Fuegoleon’s brow furrowed. “Acier too, then?”

“Only recently, and I believe it’s related to your daughter.”

Fuegoleon sighed. “She’s been somewhat distant ever since we had an argument a few months ago.”

“About?”

“Ylve.”

Nozel stiffened. “You told her?”

Fuegoleon shook his head. “Not everything. I gave her and Calix the photograph of Calixtus.”

“I see,” Nozel crossed his arms. “I assume she’s trying to find out the truth on her own?”

“Most likely.”

Nozel glared at him. “Are you going to do anything about it? She could get in trouble, and drag the others with her.”

Fuegoleon took the glasses again and began to walk away. Nozel followed. “Bridget and I have been surveilling her at home, at the base, and Calix and Titaia are looking after her. They would tell me if anything happened. I have it handled, do not worry.”

Would they tell him?

“Perhaps it is time to tell them the truth.” Nozel suggested, keeping up with Fuegoleon’s slightly faster pace.

“If we do so, they will try to get involved with him.”

“Regardless, we should. C—he’s dangerous, but we’re far stronger. It’s why he’s stayed hidden for all these years. He’s as cautious as he’s a coward. But we could find him with Felicity’s Catalyst Magic, and detain him once and for all. She’s old enough to—”

“That’s a theory, and I’d rather not risk her safety for it.”

Nozel walked faster and got in front of his cousin. “For all you know she could be risking her life as we speak. It’s better to take initiative now and help them find justice for Ylve. We cannot let her do this alone—Even if she’s not doing anything now, she will eventually.” Sometimes Felicity reminded him of himself in his youth, and that worried Nozel.

Fuegoleon’s fists clenched around the glasses. He let them go when Nozel took them, and placed them at a silver tray nearby.

“Telling them…it’ll break their hearts.” Fuegoleon finally receded.

“I know.”

“Let’s tell them tonight. I will speak with Bridget.”

Nozel nodded. “I’ll tell Jack—”

“Gin Vermillion!”

Fuegoleon and Nozel watched as their respective children, being led by Adrius, marched up to their younger cousin, demanding a…dessert?

“Adrius…” Nozel sighed, exasperated.

Fuegoleon let out a short laugh, the tension slowly leaving his frame. “We should defuse the situation before it escalates.”

“Agreed.”

The two captains made their way across the ballroom, heading straight for the young royals. Suddenly a man from the crowd got in their way, and they bumped into each other.

“Apologies, sir.”

“Watch where you’re going.”

The man smiled, and placed a hand over his chest. “My sincerest apologies, Fuegoleon Vermillion, Nozel Silva.” He was tall, almost as tall as Jack, and he wore an expensive suit, coupled with a lion mask that covered the majority of his face, making most of his features indiscernible. “This lowly servant never meant to intervene.”

“It’s quite alright,” Fuegoleon assured him. “Do not fret.”

However, Nozel was struck with sudden familiarity. “Have we met before?”

The man only tilted his head sideways. “I think I would remember if I met a member of the royal court,” He laughed. “I’m just a servant of this lovely palace, that’s probably where you’ve seen me.”

Nozel wanted to ask him to take off his mask, but apparently it was a rule that no one could. Ridiculous.

He didn’t care enough to follow it.

“Take of—”

“I told you! I took this from the table. I did not use a portal!” Gin shouted, distracting Nozel for an instance, and that’s all it took for the mysterious man to disappear back into the crowd.

“Damn it.”

• ☘︎ •

11:45pm.

Felicity paced back and forth between the darkened halls near the entrance of the East Wing. She could still vaguely make out the commotion of the ball downstairs, and that did nothing to calm her racing thoughts.

She was going against direct orders from her parents, and they were just a few rooms away. Moreover, Acier had given her a way out of this meeting. Her cousin could get her the reports, and she wouldn’t need to meet C.Y.

Yet.

She couldn’t let this person get away. They knew too much about Ylve Village. Even if she could obtain answers elsewhere, she needed to meet this person.

He knew her late mother personally, and wanted her pendant.

She needed to know why.

The next passing minutes felt torturously slow.

• ☘︎ •

Bridget huffed. Fuegoleon had either gotten sidetracked or had completely forgotten about their drinks.

“Hey, uncle,”

Bridget brightened up when Argent Silva sat next to him at the Vermillion’s table. “Good evening, poppet.”

Argent nodded and leaned back on his chair.

…

Bridget decided to tease him when he remained quiet for too long. “Wouldn’t you prefer to fraternize with your peers, rather than to accompany an old spirit such as myself?”

“Everyone else is busy, and,” Argent averted his gaze, as a subtle blush rose to his cheeks. “You’re good company, so.”

Bridget felt his heart melt, impossible for a being such as himself, but Argent Silva rarely ever showed an ounce of emotion, and it was being directed at him! He grinned and gently tousled Argent’s hair. “You are great company as well, little one.”

Argent grumbled when his uncle’s claws left his hair messy, but didn’t protest further.

“Gin Vermillion!”

Upon hearing his brother’s voice Argent turned around, and sighed. “…And there they are.”

Bridget looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of his partner and Nozel Silva heading towards the commotion. Abruptly a man, donning a golden lion mask, ran into them.

Bridget frowned. There was something oddly familiar about that man. Yet the fire spirit could not decipher what it was, being a considerably far distance away.

“I told you! I took this from the table. I did not use a portal!”

The man in the lion mask passed unnoticed by the two captains, and just before disappearing into the crowd, looked at the fire spirit straight in the eyes and smiled. As soon as he vanished, his entire presence did as well, as if he never existed.

Bridget stood up. “Argent Silva, go to your father.”

Argent stiffened at the use of his full name, and scanned the ballroom, trying to find whatever it was that alarmed his uncle. “What?”

“I shall not repeat myself. Go, right this instance.”

Argent nodded slowly, and wasted no more time, leaving promptly.

Bridget observed the entirety of the ballroom, and started making a mental checklist, making sure everyone was present and accounted for.

His nieces and nephews were all clustered in the same part of the room, and his children too. His children.

Titaia and Calix, (mainly, only Calix) were now speaking calmly with Adrius and Adeline. Next to them Fuegoleon and Nozel were attending to an anxious Argent. And…

Looking around, he was able to find Acier with her other father.

And.

And…

He marched along the edges and corners of the ballroom, sifting through every crowd, every table, every spot in the dance floor, and yet he could not find…

Bridget stopped in his tracks. He needed to calm down and think rationally. He inhaled, then exhaled, involuntarily letting out a puff of steam. He only needed to find Felicity’s mana and he’d find her.

…

…

…

…

…

The clock struck for twelve.

Felicity held her mother’s pendant tight in her grip as she climbed the staircase of the tallest tower. Oddly, the torches that were lined along the walls were all long extinguished, and, although it was faint, her magic picked up traces of a spell. Her grimoire was thrumming, sensing this unknown magic. It wanted to absorb it and use it as its own—make it its own. Felicity pushed down the feeling as she finally reached the top.

The tower, like the way up, was dark, and as she examined the room she found she was the only person inside. However, the spell now felt overwhelming. Yet she could not sense a single person nearby.

Had C.Y. bailed on her? But if that was the case then what was it with this spell? Was he running late?

“Remarkable.”

Felicity felt a chill run down her spine at the sudden, unexpected voice. She turned around and saw a man in elegant attire, wearing a lion’s mask.

When had he arrived? She hadn’t heard or sensed him at all.

“You’re,” Felicity scrutinized him. “C.Y.”

C.Y. smiled, and the mere, seemingly innocent, action unsettled her greatly. It felt somehow sinister. “That’s right.”

Felicity held out the necklace. “I’m not going to stall. Here’s the pendant. I want answers.”

The masked man tilted his head to the side and hummed. “Take off your mask first.”

“What?”

“How can I be certain it’s you, Felicity Vermillion?”

Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Fine, but if I do so, you’ll take yours off as well.”

He stayed quiet for a moment, but then laughed. “Very well.”

Felicity discarded her mask and let it fall to the ground. As soon as C.Y. took in the sight of the royal, his smile finally faded away. “Your turn.” She prepared a spell in the back of her mind, one of Acier’s. They were fast and deadly, fitting if the man decided to cross her.

“I suppose now is the best time to tell you my name.” He took the strap of his mask and began to untie it. “C.Y. is short for,” He unclasped the final hook, and the lion mask fell to the floor, next to Felicity’s.

Felicity’s heart sank to her stomach, and her mouth went dry. “You’re—” Her eyes widened as they welled up with tears. She brought the pendant up to her chest.

“Calixtus of Ylve.”

A dead man walking.

Her mother’s younger brother. Her supposedly deceased uncle.

• ☘︎ •

Years ago.

Fuegoleon watched as the children played with Bridget, Adrius and Acier. The fire spirit had Calix on his back as he chased the rest of the kids. Adrius was leading his sister and cousins all around the garden, shouting and laughing.

The peaceful scene was interrupted when Nozel and Jack arrived.

The children cheered when they noticed Argent in his father’s arms. Nozel set down his youngest and watched as he ran to play with Bridget and kids.

“We were able to track down the person who caused the fires of Ylve,” Nozel started, sitting down next to his cousin. His husband remained standing, arms crossed. “However, he managed to escape.”

Fuegoleon clenched his fists. This was the third time he’d escaped.

“Keh, he was working with Katherine Poizot. They both got away.”

“Poizot?”

“Gueldre Poizot’s cousin.” Nozel supplied. “She has permeation magic as well.”

Fuegoleon nodded. That would make sense, and it cleared up a lot of his doubts.

“There’s something else.”

Fuegoleon raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“We know who he is.” Nozel took out a photograph out of his pouch. “Calixtus of Ylve.”

Fuegoleon’s eyes widened. “That’s—”

“Your kids’ uncle.” Jack said, finally taking a seat next to Nozel. “Apparently he and Poizot had been worshiping some ‘greater being’ that required a sacrifice. That sacrifice was Ylve.”

“We still don’t have all the details, or why he let the children survive, but….”

• ☘︎ •

Fuegoleon came back to the present when Argent approached them. He tried to pay attention to what he was saying, but his mind kept wandering back to that moment.

Tonight they would reveal the truth about Calixtus to the children, and utterly ruin the image of Felix and Calix’s beloved uncle. That man deserved their resentment. However, learning the truth would devastate them. They loved their uncle, or at least, the image they had of him.

“Uncle Fuegoleon?” Argent was glaring at him now. “Are you listening?”

“Fuegoleon.” Nozel urged him to answer.

“I apologize, I was not…” Fuegoleon sighed. “Argent, what happened?”

Argent frowned, very obviously upset. “Uncle Bridget! He was acting strange. I’m worried.”

“Bridget?” Fuegoleon tried to seek him out at their table, but found he was gone. “Where’s—”

“I don’t know! But you’re his host. Can you not locate him?” His nephew sounded desperate.

Fuegoleon placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright. I’ll handle this.” Argent nodded and stepped back, moving to stand beside Nozel.

Fuegoleon tapped into the bond he shared with his beloved.

Bridget, what’s wrong? Are you—

Fuegoleon Vermillion, I cannot find—I cannot even sense our daughter.

The clock struck for twelve.

Fuegoleon snapped his head toward his children.

Calix and Titaia were still talking with their cousins, but paused when they noticed their father’s worried expression.

“Father?” Calix moved to be closer to Fuegoleon.

Fuegoleon grabbed him by his shoulders, as gently as he could. “Where is Felicity?”

End?

This story is open to interactions!

Thank you for reading <3

Bridget Oriel is an interpretation of The Salamander and Titaia is not my original character. They belong to @t-f-t & @funky-sea-cryptid

[bestanimatedmovie]

Welcome to Revenge of the Underrated!

Some of you asked me to put a "haven't watched both" to be more fair to the more unknown movies, but I've seen other tournaments doing this and I think it limits too much who can participate in the polls. So what I decided to do is a double elimination!

What does that mean? That means a movie has to lose twice to be eliminated. In other words, there will be a sorts of losers bracket that'll be part of main bracket. I'm undecided on whether to do this for only one round or the whole bracket, as it would make the tournament very long. Do let me know if you have any opinion about it.

Anyway, Revenge of the Underrated, Round 1:

Miss Hokusai vs Happily N'Ever After

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children vs Tiger and Bunny: The Rising

Ballerina vs Book Girl

On-Gaku: Our Sound vs Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie Part 1

Cats don't Dance vs The Flight of Dragons

Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge vs The Girl Without Hands

The Twelve Tasks of Asterix vs Flatland: The Film

Felidae vs Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West vs Unico in the Island of Magic

Rock and Rule vs Rock-A-Doodle

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning vs Freddie as F.R.0.7

The Plague Dogs vs The Magic Riddle

Pokemon Heroes vs The Pebble and the Penguin

Strange Magic vs Sea Prince and the Fire Child

Help! I'm a Fish vs Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs

16.Azur and Asmar: The Prince's Quest vs Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer

17.Titan A.E. vs Ico, the Brave Horse

18.The Adventures of Mark Twain vs A Troll in Central Park

19.The Case of Hana and Alice vs Once Upon a Forest

20.Underdogs vs Long Way North

21.Mars Needs Moms vs The Twelve Months

22.Phineas and Ferb: The Movie: Candace Against the Universe vs Blinky Bill

23.Robot Carnival vs Revue Starlight: The Movie

24.One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island vs Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom

25.Ruben Brandt, Collector vs Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie

26.Lupin III: The First vs Pippi Longstocking

27.The Three Caballeros vs The Legend of Manxmouse

28.Princes and Princesses vs The Snow Queen

29.A Letter to Momo vs Seven Days War

30.The Wild Thornberrys Movie vs The Rabbi's Cat

31.Night on the Galactic Railroad vs The Boy who Wanted to be a Bear

32.The Swan Princess vs Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito

33.Patema Inverted vs Bartok the Magnificent

34.Next Gen vs Padak

35.Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods vs Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

36.Thumbelina vs Catnapped!

37.Early Man vs Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island

38.Junk Head vs Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie

39.Charlotte's Web (1973) vs The Princess and the Goblin

40.Shaun the Sheep Movie vs Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

41. Redline vs Balto

42. The Addams Family vs Inu-Oh

43. Epic vs Mary and the Witch's Flower

44.The Girl Who Leapt Through Time vs Vivo

45.Barbie: Princess Charm School vs Kronk''s New Groove

46.Waking Life vs The Transformers: The Movie

47.Barbie in the Nutcracker vs Barbie as Rapunzel

48.Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back vs Cool World

49.The Land Before Time vs When the Wind Blows

50.The Secret of NIMH vs Summer Wars

51.The Black Cauldron vs All Dogs go to Heaven

52.The Red Turtle vs FernGully: The Last Rainforest

53.Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas vs Ron's Gone Wrong

54.The Boxtrolls vs Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

55.Arthur Christmas vs One Piece Film Red

56.Barbie of Swan Lake vs The Rescuers Down Under

57.Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole vs Secret of the Wings

58.The Castle of Cagliostro vs Pokemon: The Movie 2000

59.Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust vs Arthur and the Invisibles

60.Tinker Bell vs Barbie as the Island Princess

61.Mind Game vs Tekkonkinkreet

62.The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh vs Dragon Ball Super: Broly

63.Mirai vs Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

64.The Lion King II: Simba's Pride vs Scooby-Doo! and the Cyber Chase

[usafphantom2]

F-15E Crews Recall Mission to Repel Iranian Attack on Israel

The 494th Fighter Squadron pilots were recognized for downing several Iranian drones during the attack on Israel in April this year.

David Cenciotti

In the night between April 13 and 14, 2024, Airmen with the 494th Fighter Squadron took part along with other U.S. and allied crews, in the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years. In those hours, the Israeli air defenses faced 170 one-way drones, 120 Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles, and 30 Land-Attack Cruise Missiles during an unprecedented attack launched from Iran alongside Houthi terrorist group in Yemen as well as Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq.

The Israelis were supported by U.S., UK and Jordan, to stop the attacks before they could strike their targets. According to the Israeli Defense Forces the surface-to-air air defenses and fighters achieved a 99% success rate against +300 incoming threats, including Shahed 136 one-way attack drones, Paveh land attack cruise missiles and Emad intermediate range ballistic missiles.

F-15E markings

The six F-15E that arrived at RAF Lakenheath on May 8, 2024 (All images: Stewart Jack/The Aviationist)

Among the U.S. assets that helped defend Israel there were the F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron, from RAF Lakenheath, UK, and the 335th Fighter Squadron, from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, operating as part of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, respectively, which were praised by President Biden who, on Apr. 15 said: “I spoke with members of the 494th and 335th Fighter Squadrons today to commend them for their exceptional airmanship and skill in defending Israel from an unprecedented aerial attack by Iran. These brave servicemembers make us all proud”.

F-15E Nose art

The nose arts and markings on the final 494th FS F-15E Strike Eagles returning from Jordan in May 2024 (Image, credit: Stewart Jack)

On Nov. 12, 2024, Airmen from the 494th Fighter Squadron and 494th Fighter Generation Squadron were recognized during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, UK.

Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, presided over the ceremony along with Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander. During the ceremony, they awarded: two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals.

Here’s what Hecker said:

Our Airmen stood firm alongside our coalition partners to protect Israel from a barrage of one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles. The success of our Airmen demonstrates how the U.S. Air Force is ready to respond to, and defeat, evolving threats.

According to a public statement, the mix of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and other defensive assets successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 kamikaze UAVs, out of more than 300 drone and missiles intended to strike Israel

Lt. Col. Timothy Causey, 494th FS commander, in a public statement said his team’s success was due to their ability to remain focused and carry out what they’ve been trained to do.

“We all fell into an execution rhythm: call, shoot, and confirm the target was destroyed before we moved on to the next task we had to accomplish to keep everyone safe.”

F-15E instructor pilot Maj. Benjamin Coffey and instructor weapon systems officer Capt. Lacie Hester received the prestigious Silver Star, the third-highest combat valor award in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Coffey and Hester faced multiple enemy engagements through the night, even while dealing with serious aircraft emergencies and falling debris from hostile fire at their base.

“Although we had intelligence about the number of drones expected, it was still shocking to see them all,” Hester recalled.

In an extraordinary act of bravery, the pair took on low-altitude drones in pitch darkness using the F-15E’s air-to-air Gatling gun after running out of missiles. “It takes a high-performing team to even locate and engage these threats,” Coffey explained, describing how their teamwork and communication were crucial to their success.

This achievement also made history: Hester became the first woman in the Air Force to receive the Silver Star and only the 10th woman in the Department of Defense to earn the award.

Other aircrew who flew that night received Distinguished Flying Crosses for their efforts, which included navigating dangerous airspace filled with active defenses and debris while carrying out their tasks with precision.

The success of the aircrews was made possible by the efforts of the maintainers of the Fighter Generation Squadron (FGS), who ensured the aircraft were combat-ready even under extreme conditions.

“We don’t realize just how much our training pays off until moments like these,” said Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnson, 494th FGS aircraft armament expediter. “When everything became real, we could count on each other to execute automatically, thanks to all the practice we’d done beforehand.”

Over the course of the engagement, the 494th FGS, consisting of 66 Airmen, launched 14 F-15E sorties, including six aircraft scrambled at a moment’s notice, while base defenses simultaneously neutralized enemy threats overhead.

From left, U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, Lt. Col. Curtis Culver, 494th Fighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Timothy Causey, 494th FS commander, and Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander, stand during the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Culver and Causey during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, Nov. 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali)

“People and the mission—that’s all I could focus on,” said Master Sgt. Timothy Adams, lead production superintendent for the 494th FGS. “Keeping everyone safe and making sure they stayed focused was my priority. I didn’t even have time to look up at what was happening.” For his leadership that night, Adams, along with Maj. Clayton Wicks, was awarded the Bronze Star.

Reflecting on the night, Adams said, “I still get chills thinking about how well everyone came together. I wasn’t the hero; I was just the guy with the radio. It was the whole team—the maintenance crew, weapons specialists, fuels personnel—working seamlessly. No one panicked; no one faltered. How could you not be proud of that?”

The operation’s success was a testament to integrated planning and rigorous training across aircrew, maintenance, logistics, munitions, and intelligence teams—both at home and while deployed.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Liberty Airmen and how they worked alongside our allies to execute the mission that night,” said Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “Their success is built on decades of collaboration and joint exercises. We’ll continue to prepare and maintain readiness to fight alongside our partners—anytime, anywhere.”

@TheAviationist.com

[simslegacy5083]

Not So Berry (Straud Descendants) Gen 9

Today's (9/17/2024) Episode: Fun in Flight

With a bag of parts and good news about First Order air defenses, the couple received a warm welcome back at the rebel section of the theme park.

Vi programmed their data pads so they could help get her X-wing “in working order” giving them cool hi-tech props to work with. Keenly aware it was the last day of their honeymoon, they set to work with a will, determined to experience this final mission before they left.

Noemi, whose background with robotics made her much more adept at this sort of thing, finished well before her husband.

She wandered over his way to observe and give him some friendly, teasing, advice. Catching him concentrating intensely on an imaginary weld, an “x-ray mask” shielding his face, she leaned in close and whispered: “I think you may have missed your calling sir”.

He jumped, grimacing as his “repair” errored out. “Oh, this is fine” he replied, starting over “although “Press X to repair fighter” is more my speed.”

At long last Vi cleared them to climb into the cockpit, which descended into a bumpy hidden tunnel as they “took off” into the sky projected on the impressive displays serving as the windows of their ride. Noemi, knowing how much Luigi had been looking forward to this, let him take the pilot’s seat.

Things started out well, with him baiting a First Order supply ship as Noemi shot down drones and Vi’s recorded voice gave updates about the traps being laid for their target. Unfortunately, Luigi found himself panicking again when the larger ship loomed large on their tail, firing intimidating blasts across their shields. “Hang on!” he cried, frantically punching buttons and levers.

Increasing speed and dodging through the narrow confines of the petrified forest, he got a bit too far ahead of their dangerous prey, and they lost the chance to capture and raid the other vessel when it crashed into some rocks. “We’ll get em’ next time” the recording of Vi assured them as they disembarked, disappointed but still exhilarated by their high-speed adventure.

There would be no “next time” for Luigi and Noemi this trip. They had just enough time to say goodbye to their friends at the Cantina and take one last walk through the park before grabbing their bags from check in and teleporting back home to Sulani and the real life that awaited them.

As he stopped to “Til the Spire” with Noemi in front of the statue at the heart of Blackspire Outpost Luigi reflected that spending time at his favorite theme park with his favorite girl by his side had made for a fantastic honeymoon.

He silently hoped that the upcoming Starlight Accolade ceremony would be just as wonderful for them both.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: Duo Hunt

PREVIOUS POST

During More than One Universe, OMT!Tails set off on his search for Richard, looking through Dust Hill to begin with as the sun began to set.

OMT!Mina: I know you have enhanced strength with the nanomachine suit and all, but I really don't know how you are able to somersault without throwing up.

OMT!Tails: Hey, don't worry. Remember, I had good teachers as part of my youth. Besides, I've had worse.

He came to a landing near the electric pylons, where he noticed glowing purple and red cubes going by.

OMT!Tails: Huh? Are you guys seeing this?

He looked to where they were trailing and saw it forming into a hedgehog-like ghost. This was Talrareth Calsworth, floating above the pylons and energy cables.

OMT!Tails: I can see something.

OMT!Mina: Me too.

Mini Sonic: Is that Richard?

OMT!Tails: No, it doesn't look like him. He's human, while this guy is identical to Shalian. (to Talrareth) Erm... You wouldn't happen to be from another world, would you?

He got no response as OMT!Mina and Mini Sonic watched from the Wing Fortress's computer.

OMT!Mina: What's he doing?

OMT!Tails: I don't know. Looks like he's charging up from... something.

OMT!Mina: I don't like this. Just shoot him!

OMT!Tails used the provided device and aimed carefully. However, when he fired at Talrareth, the capture beam just phased right through him and hit one of the nearby cacti, causing it to be warped into one of the chambers.

OMT!Mina: W-Woah!

On cue, Talrareth opened his eyes, revealing them to be pitch-black with red sclera. Realising he had to book it, Tails got to dodging his attacks.

Mini Sonic: Go left! Left left left left! No, go left! OMT!Mina: What are you doing?! Tails, head right! Come on!

OMT!Tails: Guys! This isn't helping!

Talrareth warped right in front of Tails and blasted him to the ground, knocking his communicator off his wrist.

OMT!Mina: Oh, no... What happened? T-Tails? Are you there?

One of his more powerful attacks was about to impact with Tails, when it quickly got blocked off by a glowing red wall.

OMT!Tails: H-Huh? Woah!

Another humanoid figure, black and red himself, formed from the wall, and unlike Talrareth, helping Tails WAS in his best interests.

AVA!Corrupt: Tails! It's me, Corrupt! You remember?

OMT!Tails: I am Tails, but I'm not your Tails.

AVA!Corrupt: What do you mean you're not my Tails? Where's Monika? What's going on?!

OMT!Tails: I'll explain everything shortly, but first, could you help me neutralise the phantom ghost up there?

AVA!Corrupt: Okay!

OMT!Tails: You try to surround him with what you've got, and I'll do the rest!

Corrupt nodded, forming fragments of data around Talrareth to keep him from escaping. During this, Tails got up on the pylon closest to them, ready for the next phase as he grappled onto two other pylons.

AVA!Corrupt: I c-can't... hold it... much longer!

Tails took out two of the Chaos Emeralds, specifically the yellow and white ones, using their Emerald Powers to freeze time and get the jump on Talrareth. This set off a chain reaction that knocked Talrareth to the ground, along with Tails a moment later as Corrupt floating to his position.

AVA!Corrupt: Another, younger Tails? Weird...

He helped Tails up.

OMT!Tails: Phew! Thanks!

Talrareth got up, a bit shaky, but now in a physical form and his eyes and skin back to normal.

Talrareth: I... I've got a physical body again.

OMT!Tails: Hey, erm... I know this'll sound crazy, but this isn't your universe.

Talrareth: Another universe?

OMT!Tails: Uh-huh.

AVA!Corrupt: Wait. This isn't some "Next-Gen" timeline or universe?

Talrareth: That's what I was feeling... This power... it's different... I like it.

AVA!Corrupt: Easy there.

Talrareth: So, what? You're both just gonna stand there and act like you haven't seen a partial ghost before?

AVA!Corrupt: I, erm...

OMT!Tails: N-Nah, not really.

He noticed some old shoes resembling his nearby, putting them on.

OMT!Tails: It's actually partially my fault you two wound up here.

Talrareth: Like, in this universe, or in the middle of a desert?

OMT!Tails: The former, sir. Listen, I promise we'll get you both back home in one piece. Do you trust me?

AVA!Corrupt: I guess so.

Talrareth: I mean, why not?

OMT!Tails: Okay. Just hold tight, alright?

He used the blaster, warping Talrareth off to the Wing Fortress.

AVA!Corrupt: W-What did you just do to him?!

OMT!Tails: No no no, it's okay, it's okay...

AVA!Corrupt: Did you kill him for no reason?!

OMT!Tails: Woah woah! Listen! I can explain, you just have to trust me! Please just...

AVA!Corrupt: I can't trust you! I don't even know you!

Tails didn't waste a second sending him off to his own chamber.

AVA!Corrupt: H-Huh? What is this?

Talrareth: Yeah, you picked the wrong side.

Crossover Realm Corrupt began chuckling, recognising Talrareth from somewhere.

Talrareth: Corrupt?

Shalian: Huh? You know the living ink hedgehog?

Talrareth: Not a hedgehog, but a monster, ironically also named Corrupt like the Club President-raised kid here. He was some kind of... dark-matter being and wanted countless people to join his hivemind. It was crazy!

CR!Corrupt: It wasn't crazy, Calsworth. It was a new step in the evolution of life!

Mini Sonic: The black hedgehog can talk?

CR!Corrupt: What about you? The last time I remember you, you had missing legs, completely darkened eyes and messy quills. Did you... somehow get a makeover? You know I can give you a real makeover.

Talrareth: Lemme guess, into one of your corrupted kind?

CR!Corrupt: Precisely!

AVA!Corrupt: C-Can you two please stop? Where are we, anyway?

Mini Sonic: Uh, well, you guys are in-

OMT!Mina: A scientist's makeshift dungeon.

Mini Sonic: Wha-?

Talrareth: Scientist's... Scientist's dungeon?

Shalian: Eh...

OMT!Mina: Not really any other way to explain that. It's literally the place a former mad scientist is holding you all for now.

Talrareth: Well, you can keep your fancy tech. I wanna test out the new energy I just found...

Mina heard her phone ring, and when she answered, it was Tails.

OMT!Mina: Tails, hey!

OMT!Tails: Hey, did those guys go through yet? They were both red, but were of different kinds.

OMT!Mina: Yeah. They both got through safely and are contained without any problem.

OMT!Tails: Great! I'm gonna stick around here for a bit and fix up some of this damage, so that SIGU don't start blaming it all on me.

OMT!Mina: Sure thing!

OMT!Tails: But hey, I, uh... I couldn't do any of this without you guys, so... thank you.

OMT!Mina: No probs, twin-tailed kitsune! Hehe!

Tails blushed happily to the compliment.

Mini Sonic: Hey, so, um... Is this, like... a hedgehog monster who turned himself into a cactus-?

Talrareth: It's just a cactus, small Sonic. Just a cactus.

Elsewhere, Richard was hiding away in an alley after fleeing from Bumper High School in shame, with the blood of the school's bullies on his hands, especially that of Benny, who got too confident for his own good in trying to intervene.

???: Coward! We have a new world to conquer.

He looked at a broken mirror.

Richard: P-Please... L-Leave me a-alone...

???: You make me sick... Hiding in the shadows... Hiding from who you truly are!

Richard: N-No!

???: You can't escape yourself!

Richard threw a loose brick at the mirror to knock it down as he fled, the disembodied voice laughing at his attempt to fix his own path.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Lula ousts head of Brazil’s army in wake of insurrection

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ousted the head of Brazil’s army on Saturday, moving against the most senior military officer to be held accountable after the Jan. 8 insurrection, when right-wing rioters rampaged through this nation’s halls of power.

The order to fire Gen. Júlio Cesar de Arruda was delivered by Lula’s defense minister, José Múcio, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly.

The removal of Arruda came six days after The Washington Post reported that he had sought to protect rioters and supporters of defeated former president Jair Bolsonaro who were sheltering at a camp in front of army headquarters after storming and ransacking the presidential palace, the supreme court and congress.

In addressing Arruda’s firing on Saturday evening, Múcio suggested Arruda’s conduct on the night of Jan. 8 was one reason for Arruda’s dismissal.

“After these last episodes, the issue with the camps, the issue of January 8th, relations with the command of the Army suffered a fracture in the level of trust. And we needed to stop that right at the beginning,” Múcio told reporters in Brasília while standing next to Arruda’s replacement, Gen. Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva.

Continue reading.

[wormstar]

i remember when i was like 12 i read through all of wings of fire but then i hit the second arc that was just a big timeskip with all new characters and i never finished it because i was so mad about it and to this day honestly i think it’s a bit stupid…. i remember it felt like some shitty next gen au type writing was not a fan. and that’s partially why i refuse to reread those books nowadays

[liviavanrouge]

Twst Next Gen: Spirit Festival

Ramona: *Walks through the City of Flowers, looking at all the decorations*

Clover: The last Festival had Fire Spirits!

Ramona: I wonder what Spirits are native here

Hazel: What are the spirits?

Ramona: They're little Elemental Spirits that take the shape of small fairies, each Spirit have different bug wings and appearances along with color so you can pick each one out from the other

Clover: Imagine the fairies that our parents had to face to get the Weather Stone back, but imagine them a bit smaller than that, around the size of the biggest female prey mantis recorded, just slightly bigger though, about four cm bigger

Hazel: Amazing....

Clover: I hope we get to see a Water Spirit!!

Ramona: Oh yeah, we haven't seen Water, Light, Dark, Ice or Air yet!

???: RAMONA!

???: CLOVER!

??? and ???: *Runs over beaming* YOU BOTH CAME!

Ramona: Esmerelda!

Clover: Phobeus!

Phobeus: We're so glad-

Esmerelda: -that you guys came!

Star: *Stares at them startled* Woah..they finish one another's sentences..

Anne: *Gasps offended* Hey, what about me!

Esmerelda and Phobeus: HI ANNE! *Smiles wide hugging the girl laughing happily*

Star: Who's kids are these, why do they look familiar..

???: They're ours.

Rollo: *Smiles, a brown haired woman beside him*

Ramona: Hey, Aunt Florina

Star, Hazel, Ophelia: FLORINA??!

Hazel: You talking about the same Florina that was Crowned Princesses Livia's best friend growing up?! That Florina, you're joking??!!

Star: How did THIS, bag THAT! AND MAKE THESE CUTIES

Ophelia: Guess opposites attract and a positive plus a negative popped out two positives

Rollo: *Glares at them offended* Detention once we get back...you both are gonna wash windows and clean classrooms alongside carrying books to me from the library......for a week

Star and Ophelia: NO FAIR, PROFESSOR!

Florina: Honey, be nice

Rollo: *Stiffens then relaxes when Florina pressed a kiss to his cheek*

Phobeus: DADDY!

Esmerelda: PAPA!

Rollo: *Hides a smile as the twins tugged on his clothing*

Esmerelda: Can we get lollipops shaped like a Water Spirit??!

Phobeus: Please, Please!

Rollo: *Sighs and smiles softly* Very well, drag me to the stand

Esmerelda and Phobeus: YAY! *Beams dragging their father away*

Star: *Shuffles closer to Florina* Did he bribe you with money?

Juniper: STAR GARCIA SHROUD! HOW DARE YOU?!

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