#Thieves in Time Rewrite

[jenna12381]

Thieves In Time Redux: Rewriting Episode 4

Listen to Toad Town - Yellow Streamer Removal while reading this.

Episode 3: Here

Episode 5: Here

It's finally time to cover how Episode 4 went down in my rewrite.

Firstly, I had to give it a new title: Of Frogs And Mechs. This is mainly because Penelope can't be the Black Knight now that she's been traveling with our other heroes. That, and she no longer has the heart to do it now that she's a changed woman. I gave the position to a certain frog in Sly's past...

This is going to be really long, so grab your popcorn.

Last episode had Penelope undergoing a change of heart. She's no longer interested in betraying her friends.

Cue her surprise when our heroes wind up in Medieval England.

Oh no. Not now. Not this soon.

Turns out Penelope was supposed to be stationed here. But she never showed up, which forced someone else to take over in her place as the Black Knight.

Now for Penelope's biggest question: If she isn't piloting the Black Knight, who is?

The boys still don't know anything about her attempted betrayal, by the way. As far as they know, Penelope has been on their side this whole time. So you might want to forgive her for not wanting to confess what she did right away...

The threat of a new Black Knight leads Penelope to a few new goals. First, to become someone the boys can be undeniably proud of. Second, to give Bentley a proper love confession. Third, to strike down her own creations without being found out.

In short, this is the perfect test for our heroine. Spoiler alert: She's going to achieve all three of her goals and pass with flying colors.

Her first major act is helping Sly steal back Sir Galleth's cane during Cane Swipe.

And before you ask, the first two missions (Shopping Spree and Juggling Act) are identical to canon.

At the beginning of Cane Swipe, Penelope notices a different insignia on the Black Knight than what was originally there... Some kind of... mechanical top hat?

Fortunately, she knows better than to tell the others. If she were to do that, things might not end well...

"I'm... just glad it's not me who has to stalk a giant hunk of metal several times my size..."

Spoiler alert: She will have to stalk said hunk of metal in a future mission...

She then proceeds to do her part in the mission, providing aerial support for Sly.

Eye In The Sky... I'm thinking about altering it a bit so Penelope will have something to do.

Next up is Mechanical Menace.

As you might have already seen, Sly and Carmelita are not doing well at all. They're actually worse off than in canon. During Mechanical Menace, Sly has a bit of a spat with her. Soon after that, he's approached by Penelope...

"I'm such an idiot! Why can't I just--"

"*from off-screen* Have you tried apologizing?"

Sly is given some advice: To pretend she's Carmelita for a moment and practice his apology. That's when he remembers something important...

You see, Sly kind of ditched all his friends on Kaine Island to be with Carmelita without saying a word to anyone. This is something he's never apologized to any of them for.

"All right, then. I'm sorry."

"Great start! Now, what are you sorry for?"

Sly starts to play along, but... a feeling of guilt gets to him. He changes course.

"...Remember Kaine Island, and how I ditched everyone, including you? Yeah, that."

"...Wait, what?"

You read that correctly. And no, she didn't see that apology coming.

Sly isn't really sure how to explain to Penelope why he ditched everyone. After all, she wasn't on the main roster at the time. She didn't grow up in that orphanage. She doesn't have the same connection with him as Bentley and Murray.

Our heroine is ultimately happier with Sly after that surprise apology, and more confident she made the right decision in continuing to side with him.

Sly might not be ready to apologize to Carmelita yet, but maybe that other apology he just gave did him some good...

Shortly after that apology scene, Short Supply happens.

In contrast to our favorite raccoon/fox couple, Bentley and Penelope are doing much better.

During Short Supply, Penelope volunteers herself to go off with Murray to shut down a tavern's operations.

You'd think Bentley would freak out, but he doesn't.

He still hasn't forgotten about her previous efforts throughout the story. He lets her go.

"One more thing..."

"Let me guess. Stay safe? Stay close to Murray?"

"Uh... No. Show those wolf-bots what you're made of!"

"*pleasantly surprised* Who are you, and what have you done with Bentley?"

Simple. He grew up. Learned to believe in the love of his life.

It's not like he didn't trust her. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was just worried because of her level of inexperience compared to the boys.

Aren't you guys proud of Bentley? I am.

Murray and Sis then proceed to shut down the tavern and ruin everyone's day.

...Which brings us to that mission.

You all remember Shell Shocked Heart, right? And you're wondering who this Black Knight is, aren't you? Well, so is Penelope. If it isn't her, then who is it...?

The next mission ends up being assigned to her. In the full rewrite, she suddenly rushes out before Sly can leave, right when everyone hears that the Black Knight is on the move.

And yes, Bentley is worried about her doing this. But he doesn't ask her to abort, even though it's possible she might get hurt. She's just asked to be careful. After all, the Black Knight is no joke. He's said to be ruthless.

Good thing Bentley moved on from being overprotective, or else things would have gone a bit differently...

Penelope naturally can't tell Bentley the real reason she took this mission. He and everyone else are still in the dark. All she can say is that something is bothering her about the Black Knight, and she needs to get to the bottom of it and see the answer for herself.

When our new Black Knight reaches the smithy as he did in canon, Penelope hits a wall. She can't get in through the roof hatch. It's locked.

That's when Bentley shows up with a key he snagged from a nearby guard, right as she begins to request backup.

And rather than turn her around, Bentley doesn't even flinch when Penelope proceeds to join him inside.

Bentley's section proceeds mostly as it did in canon, only with Penelope not piloting the Black Knight...

A lot of our new Black Knight's dialogue is strangely similar to canon... to the point where Bentley has started blaming himself for this mess... Luckily, Penelope is there to correct him.

"Bentley, listen to me. None of this is your fault. Whoever this Black Knight is... *pauses, knowing full well she caused this adventure to happen* They did this. And you know what? We're going to stop them."

Shortly after this is the moment of truth. The armor opens up, revealing...

...Another Penelope? Bentley is so surprised how lifelike she looks he briefly forgets that the real one is right next to him.

This "Penelope" rants to herself for a bit... before scolding some of her men for not being able to kidnap our Penelope. She's even constructed a false motive for "betraying" our other heroes: Money, power, and taking Bentley all for herself.

Then... a familiar frog comes in. Turns out this "Penelope" is a robot created by none other than Sir Raleigh.

Obviously, he's out for revenge against our heroes, namely Sly for taking him down years earlier.

Raleigh is fully aware that Penelope did design Le Paradox's blimp, but makes no mention of it throughout this episode...

After that comes Hard Target. It goes mostly as it did in canon. However, after Sly finishes up, he gets a shocking announcement: Raleigh's men invaded the hideout and kidnapped Penelope!

I know this episode is already really long, so let's make it a bit longer with a new mission right after Hard Target... Princess Out Of Distress.

It's assigned to Bentley, but the focus shifts to Penelope very soon afterwards.

Bentley has grown enough to stop overcorrecting himself. He's going off to save his girlfriend, while simultaneously believing she can escape on her own, or at least make significant progress. He's not the type to just leave her hanging, so off he goes...

We then cut to Penelope, now locked up in a tower. She's in a bedroom, not tied up or anything. But the door is locked. And her weapons have been taken.

She's no pushover, though. She quickly decides to free herself rather than wait for her knight in a shining wheelchair. Though if Bentley does show up at any point, she won't complain.

Of course, she doesn't want Bentley showing up when she's made no progress towards escaping, so she proceeds to ram herself into the locked door, very much like Murray might. She breaks it open, and continues onward.

After sneaking around a bit (like Sly), she finds the wolf-bot that took her weapons. She jumps him, takes her stuff back, and defeats the guard. Imagine if Bentley heard that story…

She eventually hacks into a security system (like Bentley), then makes it through the final stretch of hostile guards.

Penelope eventually makes it outside... and is stopped by her impostor. This impostor (now called Robo-Penelope) knows Bentley is coming, and plans to trick the poor turtle into choosing her over the real one.

"It's simple, really. I'll just have your precious Bentley take me back instead of you! I'll have him destroy you without a shred of mercy... With your anger getting the better of you, he'll think you're gunning for both of us! And then when he least expects it... I'll crush him like the defenseless walnut he is!"

Our Penelope isn't having any of that, so she duels her impostor... until Bentley shows up.

Now's the part where Bentley needs to spot his real girlfriend. He... pulls it off, forcing the fake to drop her act.

Bentley and Penelope then team up to defeat the robot in a rather epic boss fight.

After Robo-Penelope goes down, our favorite couple gets a sudden urge to... do a double love confession. They even end up kissing.

That's one of Penelope's three goals down. But the scene does end up being heartwarming, if you forget that she's still lying to everyone.

Our heroine also picks up a little something from her impostor's remains, something she says will come in handy during the operation...

She and Bentley go into hiding in preparation for this episode's final mission...

Now's the part which is more than likely to become a fan favorite... OP: Frog Trap.

You all remember what happened in vanilla... No need to reopen those old wounds. What a hot mess that was.

The mission begins very much as it did in canon, only with Raleigh as the Black Knight instead of Penelope.

Sly does the boss fight as usual... then gets pinned down.

Meanwhile, Bentley and Penelope are watching the entire thing.

Their plan? Well, this one entirely comes from Penelope. She's hoping to impersonate her now destroyed impostor long enough to lower Raleigh's guard so she can take him down.

This is one of her contingency plans. And yes, Bentley does approve of this one.

That's right. Penelope (ours, mind you) gets to play the villain... but only for a hot minute as part of her act, even going as far as referring to Sly by his last name.

"Don't you worry, dearest creator... *winks at Sly* ...I'll be sure to do you proud."

It pains her heavily, but she prepares for her next move...

"So sorry about this, Cooper.... but I'm afraid it's time you met your end..."

Does Sly see through her act? Even I don't know...

"Say good night... *long hesitation*"

For a moment, she thinks about finishing that sentence with "Cooper" and actually destroying Sly.

I'm not making her do that, for that would mean throwing out all her character development. Though she will put herself through one last private guilt trip.

Bentley is watching this entire scene, by the way. She knows he'd be furious if she went against her word not to harm Sly.

Besides... if she did go against her word, she'd never become someone the boys could be undeniably proud of.

So...

"...frog."

...she turns on Raleigh. Rather than crush Sly and undo all her development, Penelope drops her villainous act, going from a villainous Slasher Smile to a heroic Grin Of Audacity.

"I almost forgot to mention... I'm on Team Sly. Always have been... Always will be!"

She makes that declaration to all who can hear her... though it's mostly directed to herself. She even puts on a silver Cooper Gang badge midway through her little reveal, and keeps it for the rest of the story.

Instead of a giant mech fight (as we already got one with Robo-Penelope), we get our heroes all fighting Raleigh together.

But yes, we would still get Bentley's giant mech participating.

Lots of payoffs throughout the entire second phase, with each of the boys showing us a few things...

Murray is still the best big brother ever.

Sly is thankful to have been saved by such a good friend.

"Permission to launch?"

"Have at him... *launches her in mid-air* And make me proud."

Bentley is doing his best to be a supportive boyfriend, rather than overprotective, again following up on Episode 2's events.

And all of this, coupled with how their friendships with Penelope helped her become a better person, is simply beautiful.

As for Carmelita... She's there. Look, I know she's a fan favorite, but I'm not the best at writing for her.

With that, Raleigh goes down. Penelope makes it through the entire episode without getting found out. And even better, the boys absolutely love her for pretty much carrying them through that boss fight.

This leads to quite the celebration, during which our four heroes take this adorable photo together.

In it, Murray picks up Sly, Bentley, and Sis from behind. Let's say Carmelita's able to let go of her anger long enough to take it for them.

This photo replaces the old relic from two years ago on the van's sun visor. There's also a copy of it taped to Penelope's Bincucom.

With this, that's all three of her goals down. Deliver a proper love confession to Bentley, become someone the boys can be undeniably proud of, and take down her own creations without being found out.

And to cap it all off, Murray decides to do something he's only done one other time in his entire life... He lets someone other than himself drive the van: Sis.

Murray admits this moment was a bit overdue, but well worth the wait.

Penelope, meanwhile, initially refuses, thinking she doesn't deserve such an honor. But everyone insists.

The episode ends with our favorite mouse getting to drive the van into a time portal, confident that she's earned her keep. The only thing left for her to do is find Le Paradox, defeat him, and take her secret to her grave...

That leads us to Episode 5, which we'll cover next time.

[hiddenbeks]

hello. i am finally finished with heidrun's playthrough. time to let her rest and move on to isabeau but not before i ramble abt dawnguard and dragonborn because i have thoughtsssss

first of all dawnguard was just as tedious as i remembered and i think i hate it a little now. it's literally just endless fetch quests and trips to and from fort dawnguard strategically situated in the most remote corner of the map they could find,, normally i don't fast travel but after the first couple quests i gave in and started taking carriages i just wanted to get it over with

the quest design is awful also. after you get valerica's scroll the game tells you to travel alllll the way back to fort dawnguard and only after you've travelled allllll the way you find out dexion has gone blind and you're sent running around the map Again. instead they could have like... had dexion warn you about going blind when reading serana's scroll and this could have prompted you to seek an alternate way to read valerica's. as a moth priest he knows the consequences. or the dawnguard could have sent someone to deliver a message that dexion has gone blind and we need to figure out something else. because obviously they would have noticed him going blind. but these characters have 0 agency and they don't do shit unless you are present i guess!! things only progress when You are there to progress them!!!!!!

man whatever. anyway. it's not like dawnguard is all bad. i like the characters i like pondering the dynamics between heidrun and isran and serana. there is actual character writing in the questline. it's still pretty thin but compared to the rest of the game it's... something. i also liked that vyrthur was something of a foil to heidrun... vyrthur was infected with vampirism and heidrun was infected with lycanthropy... vyrthur was abandoned by auri-el and heidrun was abandoned by stendarr... vyrthur wanted vengeance or whatever but heidrun was (for the most part) able to move on... much to ponder

overall i prefer dragonborn because of the vibe and atmosphere and the fact that it's more contained and set in a whole separate area from the rest of the game. also the fact that it feels more grounded? weird to say considering all the Everything that happens but like dawnguard is all grand castles and vampire prophecies and whatever. also idc abt vampires. in dragonborn you get to meet the ordinary people of raven rock and the skaal and you get to help them and free them of miraak and it's nice :) and you can hang out with some werewolves too <3

however i think the character writing is what's lacking in dragonborn. they could have explored miraak and his background and motivations so much more as well as like the whole first and last dragonborn thing... what do they have in common... what sets them apart from each other... etc. like the bones are there there's clearly the setup for you vs ancient evil more powerful you and it's a fascinating concept except they don't really do anything with it on a writing level. you never even have a conversation with miraak he just taunts you a couple times and then you fight him. and herma mora kills him. ok

another massive issue i have with the writing is the fact that on several occasions different characters say that working for herma mora is the only way to stop miraak. frea says it storn says it you yourself are forced to say it at points where it's the only dialogue option given and i hate it!!!! at no point does anyone even suggest an alternative. like how do you all know it's the only way?? no one even thinks of trying anything else before deciding that a questionable pact with the daedric prince of fate and forbidden knowledge is the only option?? it's like... the writers couldn't be bothered or weren't given the time to think of any alternatives (or they had the time but todd didn't like their ideas idk) but if the game just repeats "this is the only way" enough it passes for solid writing. i hate it

and the only reason to work for herma mora is so that he will teach you one (1) word of the bend will shout. so that you can tame miraak's dragon. so that you can fly to the summit of apocrypha and challenge him there. this is absolutely the only way to defeat miraak. idk what if there was a way to challenge him elsewhere? you could force him to come out of apocrypha for example? herma mora says that in order to be as powerful as miraak and surpass him you Must learn the full bend will shout but you literally don't even need the shout in the fight against him you only need it once in order to ride his dragon like,,,,,,h gf jhkjfghjkdj the railroading. i fucking hate the railroading. i don't need a clunky new dragon riding mechanic why not let me just climb to the summit of apocrypha as a massive fuck you to herma mora. i think that would be hilarious actually

[gunpowder-gemini]

Cool so chapter 2 of Old Fashioned is already at 6600ish words and I've still got a whole scene to go, so it's probably gonna be pushing 9-10k, which is fucking wild. Anyhow take some out-of-context snippets.

[yandere-daydreams]

exhibit #1 - dacryphilia

an installment of the freak shit march gallery showcase.

pairing: yandere!alhaitham x reader (genshin).

length: 2.0k.

warnings: non/con, student + teacher, rough oral sex, wildly unbalanced power dynamics, academic stress, degradation, mild infantalization, and forced helplessness.

The worst part was – it really wasn’t that easy to make you cry.

Before enrolling in Alhaitham’s class, you could only remember it happening twice. Once in adolescence, when hearing that your adoptive guardian had lost his life during an encounter with a group of thieves, and later on, after you failed your first attempt at the Akademiya’s entrance exam with a score so low, it could be expressed in single digits. It wasn’t that you were the stoic type – no, you and Alhaitham had nothing in common, let alone your dispositions. You just preferred to express yourself in more productive ways. Something so irrational, so hysterical, didn’t come naturally to you, and it never had before. You just didn’t cry.

Hence why it was all the more frustrating to be seated in front of Alhaitham’s desk for the fifth time in as many classes, fighting back tears. Your latest paper, an analysis of mythological tropes shared between the ancient folklore of Sumeru’s desert and forest regions, sat in front of you, drowned in red ink and creased from careless handling. You were sure his notes were thoroughly scathing, but so much as thinking about trying to read over them left tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, a fresh sob rising into your throat. It was humiliating. It was pathetic. Children cried over bad grades, not adults. Not you.

If Alhaitham noticed your distress, he kept his concerns to himself. His narrowed gaze remained centered loosely on the book in his right hand, the pointer finger of his left tapping idly against the tabletop. “I’m sure you understand why I can’t accept this,” he started, disinterest thick in his tone. You might’ve found some amount of comfort in his boredom, if it hadn’t been so degrading. “The Akademiya holds certain standards of quality for its students, and the work you’ve submitted is—” A measured beat, a shift to his inclination. “—less than. The orthodox course of action would be supervised revisions, but given the severity of the corrections needed, starting from scratch seems more advisable.”

You tried to control your breathing – five seconds in, five seconds out. The tactic was mildly effective until Alhaitham glanced up from his book and, rather jarringly, you processed he expected you to answer. “…I understand,” you managed, keeping the tremors in your voice down to a slight, nearly imperceptible shake. “But—”

Alhaitham cut in. “But?”

Your chest started to ache, and you realized you’d stopped breathing entirely. “It’s just—I do have other courses this semester, and the amount of time I’ve dedicated to your rewrites—It’s starting to affect my other classwork.” And your social life, and your psyche, and your physical health. You couldn’t remember you’d fallen asleep without a quill in your hand. “I’m sorry, but if there’s any way I could get any amount of credit for what I’ve already done, that would—”

“That would be letting personal circumstance circumvent academic merit.” The knot lodged in the base of your throat tightened. You balled your fists in your lap and counted to ten. “To give you any amount of credit, the work you’ve submitted would have to be worth any amount of credit. Unfortunately, it isn’t.” His gaze shifted to you. “Is that clear?”

You opened your mouth, but it was too late. The dam was busted, the pillar split, and despite your best efforts, the totality of your despair came crashing down around you. You tried to set your jaw, to shut your eyes, but the sobs escaped regardless – tiny and whimpered, fractured by unsteady breathing and your own failure to choke them back. The tears were almost worse, more pathetic, more childish – staining your cheeks and dripping down your chin, spotting the collar of your uniform. You pawed at your face with your sleeves, but that only drew more attention to your instability. If you’d had any less pride, you might’ve fled his office entirely, but the only thing worse than breaking down in front of your professor would’ve been breaking down in front of your peers. You couldn’t take their coddling attempts at kindness, their cooed assurances that Alhaitham really wasn’t that demanding, not after you knew what he was expecting. You couldn’t make yourself seem anymore hopeless than you already were.

Alhaitham, at least, had the decency to keep his mouth shut. He watched on in silence before sighing, setting his book down, and pushing himself to his feet.

He rounded the desk with no great sense of urgency. You were sobbing into your hands when he came to a stop next to your seat, and for one brief, horrifying moment, you thought he might actually attempt to comfort you. He kept his arms crossed over his chest, though, his voice remaining painfully neutral as he spoke. “You need to pass my class, don’t you?”

“Y-yes.” It was a required credit, and you’d missed the unenrollment period. Trying to back out now would be nearly, if not flatly, impossible. “I’d do—”

“Anything, I know. Save put the bare minimum amount of thought into your assignments, apparently.” You felt him reach down, raking his fingers through your hair. “And you mean that? Anything I’d ask of you?”

Had you been a little more lucid, a little less sleep deprived, you might’ve noticed the cloying note to his last question, the uncharacteristic warmth to his touch as his hand slipped from your scalp to your check, a thumb idly brushing away your tears. But, you were distraught beyond the point of reason, and the last of your energy had been spent on a paper he hadn’t deemed worth his time, and it was all you could do to nod into his hand.

Alhaitham, practical as always, wasted no time. “Get on your knees.”

…

Where there might’ve been shock, there was only dull dread. You’d heard about things like this before – tutors holding study materials over the heads of desperate lower-classmen, department head leveraging funding against the morals of insecure young scholars. Of course, you’d always assumed you would never fall into something so obviously depraved, and of course, you sniffled pathetically as you lowered yourself to the floor, collapsing onto your knees in front of Alhaitham. He let his hand drift to the back of your head, its weight settling against your scalp. You tried not to think about why he might want to hold onto you.

He took the initiative, mercifully. You were still biting back pitchy little cries as he shrugged his pants low on his hips, taking his cock in his free hand. Horrifyingly, he was already stiff. You couldn’t tell which had gotten him hard – the idea of the act itself, or the opportunity to exploit a student.

Alhaitham pumped his fist over his length, tightening his grip as he reached the flushed head. His eyes never left you. “Do you know what you’re doing, or will you need remedial courses in this subject, too?”

You pursed your lips. “That’s not funny.”

“I wasn’t joking.”

You weren’t looking forward to this, but having to keep talking to him suddenly seemed like the worse of two evils. You managed to swallow back the last of your tears as you leaned forward, awkwardly replacing his hand with your own. He carded his fingers through your hair as you took his tip past your lips, letting it sit on your tongue. The taste was earthy and bitter, with something more acidic playing just underneath. In another context, it might not have been entirely unpleasant, but right now, it only made you want to wretch.

Shutting your eyes, you soldiered on. Guiding him into the hollow of your cheek would’ve been easier, but Alhaitham was quick to correct you – jerking your head upright as soon as it started to lull to the side. He held you in place as he bucked his hips, the head of his cock bumping against the back of your throat as the girth of his shaft forced your jaw open. You gagged around him, but if Alhaitham cared, it would’ve been impossible to know. There was an airy grunt, then a click of his tongue – a teacher correcting their pupil’s latest mistake. “Breathe through your nose. If you pass out, we’ll only have to start over.”

The bastard. The heartless, sadistic bastard. Your hands shot to his legs as he thrust himself deeper into you; manually nodding your head in time with his languid strokes. You would’ve been better off going limp, letting him do what he needed to and ending this that much sooner, but something primal and contrarian in the darkest depths of your mind spurred you to try and keep up, to bob, to dig your nails into his thighs and stop your throat from seizing around him. The pressure was the worst part – all force, no relief, the gnawing awareness that you were losing air paired with the alien weight of something occupying a part of you that was meant to be vacant. The tears were back in an instant, leaking from the corners of your eyes, joining your spit where it was starting to spill out at the corners of your lips, and Alhaitham groaned, twitching against the inside of your throat.

“This doesn’t mean you won’t need regular tutoring sessions.” His grip tightened, blunt nails biting into your scalp. You whined in pain as he pressed your nose to his stomach, holding you there for a second, then another before jerking your back. “Home visits should prove to be the most effective. You’ll come to me, of course. The student accommodations are too public – it’ll distract you.”

You started to shake your head, but Alhaitham held you still, keeping you concentrated on his cock. By now, his pace was steady, his face flushed, his cock battering its shape into your throat. Tasting him wasn’t an option, anymore. It seemed to coat your tongue, drip down your throat, slather itself over every part of you it could infect. You cried out around his cock, and Alhaitham cursed, his hips stuttering against your mouth. “You’ll come to me, every day, and I’ll—fuck, I’ll—”

Suddenly, violently, he pushed you away and pulled out of your mouth. His hand made it to his cock in time to pump once, twice before your black-rimmed vision was spotted with white, before thick ropes of something hot and terrible were being painted over your face. It was all you could do to blink, to stare, to wonder why he was still looking at you with that awful, frigid intensity. You wished he would look away. You wished you’d never taken his fucking class at all.

You opened your mouth to say as much, but something thick dripped off of your upper lip and onto your tongue. Numbly, you let the bitter, corrosive taste wash over you, and then, you broke down.

What little pride you had left wasn’t worth salvaging, anymore. You sobbed and shook unabashedly, wailing like a child as his cum cooled on your skin. Alhaitham made a passing effort to hush you before kneeling to your height and taking you in his arms. With no strain whatsoever, he carried you back to his seat and fell into it, keeping you bundled against his chest. “You’ll come to me, every day, and I’ll make sure you’re not thinking about anything beyond you and I,” he finished. “That way, you’ll only have to remember what I tell you to.”

Alhaitham paused, sighed. “That is, if the General Mahamatra doesn’t decide to expel you from the Akademiya altogether. Trying to seduce an instructor is a very serious offense. You won’t need to worry about studying after word spreads.”

Rather than draw back, you melted into him, burying your face in his shoulder. For the first time that you could recall, Alhaitham let out a breath of a laugh, holding you that much closer. His lips pressed into your temple – the imitation of a kiss. “But that’s not surprising, is it?”

If you hadn’t known better, you might’ve thought you felt him smile.

“You were always going to need someone more capable to take of you.”

[monosanimegenericzone]

WB!HxH AU: MASTERPOST

Basic Worldbuilding

Canon to Wind Breaker (as far as I can understand so it's probably incorrect): The town of Makochi is a violent place. Gangs and thieves ruled the streets until recently, a gang made of the students of Furin High School took it into their own hands to protect their town "All who holds evil in their heart will be purged by Bofurin without exception!"

HxH AU comes in two flavors:

Canon Insert: Makochi has a dark district, 流星 Ryuusei, on the other side of the river where high profile gangs and actual mafias exchange business. The police force is often preoccupied in this district, opposed to Makochi and other territories.

HxH total Takeover: I just rewrite Wind Breaker but with PT members lmao. and make the entire thing much darker for the hxh flair. Told from Gon or Killua's POV

幻影 Gen'ei. A new and rowdy gang of 21 members that have quickly earned a reputation for themselves. There are rumors that the members all come from the local high school, affectionately named 火口 "Kakou." They have good intentions, as far as anyone can tell. They stop robberies, break up fights, beat up thugs. But, like their town, they aren't afraid of shedding blood... or even killing.

"Fight to kill. And if that doesn't stop them, bring them Death."

COMBAT TEAMS

Team Shatter: Uvogin, Nobunaga, Machi and Sheila

Team Fang: Phinks, Feitan, Peroyin and Shalnark

Team Frenzy: Illumi, Sarasa, Canary and Kalluto

Team Death: Franklin, Bonolenov, Kiki and Kortopi

RECON TEAM

Pakunoda, Sheila, Shalnark, Kalluto, Kortopi

CLEANUP TEAM

Shizuku, Omokage, Shalnark

Every member wears a jacket with black sleeves and dark blue bodies. They are numbered 0-20 and personalized with a word of power or symbolism. And on the front is a stitched in button with the word "spider" written on it.

*slight edit made in post. the spider on the back is the 12 legged spider as seen in hunter x hunter.

if you want to know more information about the au that wasn't included in this- including plot questions bcs i have several plots- drop an ask in my ask box. i'm happy to answer :3

Meet the Phantom Brigade

(we got 20 characters. this is going under the cut. this gon be L O N G)

0 - Chrollo Lucilfer ** "Danchou/Boss" ** 1st Year

Entered high school early and actually attends classes. Does his part to look for permanent change for his town, but even he has to admit that it's frustrating.

Hands on brawler and has a vicious front kick. If pressed, also carries a switchblade. 13th strongest of the gang.

1 - Nobunaga Hazama ** "Jinsoku/Swift" ** 3rd year

Laid back dude with a passion for martial arts. Avid member of the local kendo club and even studied iaido as a fine art.

Usually the last from his squad to engage. Prefers one on one fights rather than brawls. Carries a real katana- that no one knows where he got it from- and does know how to use it. 14th strongest of the gang.

2 - Feitan Portor ** "Fukushuu/Revenge" ** 2nd year

Violinist. And that's about it. Gives most of his free time to music, but otherwise chooses to spend his days fighting.

Brutally sadistic fighter. Enjoys mocking his opponents or- if he's in a particularly good mood- breaking their bones one by one. Carries a heavy umbrella as a side piece, but usually goes into fights bare handed. 10th strongest in the gang.

3 - Machi Komachine ** "Tenshi/Angel" ** 2nd year

The only one who took a First Aid course and therefore the only one who knows how to properly respond to serious injury. Her legal guardian is also the local pharmacist (Renko), which makes her the default "doctor" if any of them get hurt- much to her chagrin.

Learned to fight from Nobunaga and has progressed much further in combat. Usually has to keep her idiots in check and has enough raw strength to back up her words. 7th strongest in the gang

4 - Sarasa ** "Reikoku/Ruthless" ** 1st year

Gymnast, theatre kid, ray of sunshine if that ray was put through a magnifying glass and is killing all the ants. Has a reputation of being stubbornly optimistic to the point of punching people that disagree with her and refuse to be happy.

Usually fights with a metal bat- that she's lovingly decorated with pink stickers. Vocal about picking fights and often gets into unwarranted trouble if her team isn't there to reel her in. 11th strongest in the gang.

5 - Phinks Macgub ** "Kyoujin/Strength" ** 2nd year

Raised with a boxing family and has taken a liking to the sport as a hobby. Incredibly selfless otherwise and has the scars to prove it.

Grappler type of fighter- despite the boxing background- and talks with his fists. Any excuse he has to throw hands, he will throw hands. Carries brass knuckles in case of emergency but rarely needs them. 2nd strongest in the gang

6 - Shalnark Ryusei ** "Keimyou/Witty" ** 2nd year

If "left to your own devices" was a person and also a threat to humanity. Used his insomnia to his advantage and became a proficient tinkerer and coder. Made a lot of the gang's electronics from cellphones to drones to modified cameras.

Prefers not to get his hands dirty. Where he lacks in technique he makes up for in brute-like strength. 15th strongest in the gang

7 - Franklin Bordeau ** "Seido/Accurate" ** 3rd year

First hand witness to violent crime and has the scars to prove it. Desensitized to gun violence specifically, but doesn't let it affect his stance as a really down-to-earth guy.

Sparring partner for Nobunaga and Uvogin and learned hand to hand from them. But his primary method of combat is just the simple handgun. Last resort fighter and will always fight to kill. 3rd strongest in the gang.

8 - Sheila ** "Shite/Protagonist" ** 1st year

Theatre kid taken traumatic. Has a near-toxic hero complex and is almost always the first boots on the ground when the team is facing adversity. Probably this close to having a mental breakdown.

Despite appearances, she is incredibly strong. Doesn't have a distinct style but a single punch is enough to shut anyone up. 5th strongest in the gang.

9 - Pakunoda ** "Mugen/Infinity" ** 2nd year

The eldest child of four adopted siblings (Chrollo, Sarasa and Sheila). Also actively attends classes with the eventual goal of becoming a teacher.

Doesn't usually engage in close combat. The gang's interrogator and skilled negotiator. Incredibly protective of the gang. Can and will use the pistol she carries if tested. 17th strongest in the gang.

10 - Bonolenov Ndongo ** "Meichou/Songbird" ** 2nd year

Rescued by the gang after being kicked out of the house and earning a street name for himself. Lost several teeth to brawls and now has his lips pierced as an "I fucking dare you to hit me in my face." Lives with Phinks now and has taken a liking to classical music.

Trained in pole arms and boxes with Phinks on the side. Called as a last resort fighter. As a member of the Death squad, he is usually called in when bodies need to hit the floor. Makes clean kills and of the 3 on the squad, is the only one capable of holding back. 8th strongest in the gang.

11 - Uvogin ** "Seiryoku/Force" ** 3rd year

A tank and proud of it. Fiercely territorial and his presence alone is enough to scare people away from him. Enjoys street food and is well beloved by the vendors on main street.

Has incredibly tough skin through- what we can only assume- is genetics. And he is incredibly strong. Anyone stupid enough to pick a fight with him has about 10 seconds to reconsider their life choices before their chin is going into the stratosphere. THE strongest in the gang.

12 - Kortopi Tonosumil ** "Jiseki/Vestige" ** 1st year *'jiseki' probably subject to change. i dont think i like it

Collects trinkets. Has the weirdest trophy collection that no one can understand other than himself. Born and raised in the town and knows the name of every street, shop and building in the area. Has photographic memory.

Doesn't usually fight. However, has learned self defense and if someone wants to fuck with him they better hope he's bare handed or he will use the environment to play as dirty as possible. 20th strongest in the gang (weakest).

13 - Illumi Zoldyck ** "Fukitsu/Ominous" ** 3rd year

In his "fuck the police" era. His dad is a cop. Originally joined to join the effort to make the town safer for his younger brothers, but then realized that he might actually be a terrible role model for them instead. Unsure if he regrets it or not

Engages in chemical warfare. Uses tranquilizer darts without the gun, or just pushpins coated in similar serum. 4th strongest in the gang.

14 - Shizuku Murasaki ** "Bitoku/Virtue" ** 1st year

Head of cleanup efforts. In or out of the gang, she also leads community cleanups for the local middle and elementary schools. Also enjoys sweets and can be easily bribed with chocolates or strawberry candies.

Usually carries around a hammer. But will also use an assortment of blunt weaponry to deadly efficiency. Puts googly eyes on the weapons she keeps and has them all named after video game characters. 18th strongest in the gang

15 - (OC) Peroyin ** "Kotetsu/Steel" ** 1st year

Born without a right arm. Was also born right handed. Has an insanely inflated ego and will sometimes blindfold herself to give her opponents a "handicap." Has been talked out of doing that several times.

Dirty fighter. With the obvious handicap already in play, she will use any method necessary to win. Which usually includes headbutts or bites. 6th strongest in the gang.

16 - Kalluto Zoldyck ** "Inzen/Secret" ** Middle School

The result of Illumi's terrible role model skills. The first new member to replace an old one. Hisoka was the original 16, but he graduated highschool and moved away. This is indicated by a red stitch on his right sleeve.

Doesn't actively fight and instead runs drone surveillance. But, he does carry about 15 knives on the inside of his coat that Illumi forces him to carry at all times. For his own safety of course. 16th strongest in the gang

17 - Omokage ** "Kouken/Guardian" ** 3rd year

Takes care of his disabled sister after school. Doesn't actively participate in gang activity but offers his support and proudly wears their colors. Works in the local tailor's shop.

Can defend himself, but doesn't actively look for, nor engage in, fights. Wears studded rings in case he does need to punch someone. 19th strongest in the gang

18 - (OC not mine) Kiki ** "Gihen/Deception" ** 1st year

Uvogin's nephew. No he cannot see (he can but he needs heavy prescription glasses)

Youngest member of Death, yet is the second most deadly. Prefers a hands on approach to combat and will usually discard his glasses in brawls to distance himself from his victims. And yes, they do become victims. Goes for throats, eyes or open wounds. 9th strongest in the gang.

19 - Canary ** "Keigo/Security" ** 1st year

Daughter of a family friend of the Zoldycks. Recruited through recommendation and is thriving. She and Sarasa also get along amazingly well.

Uses a cane as a weapon. Brutally efficient despite her short stature. Can reach vitals with insane accuracy and often leaves her enemies folded in half or puking their guts out. The lucky ones get away with broken jaws and black eyes.

20 - [Empty] ** " " ** [ ]

[randomperson351]

Idk if you're still active but can I request a teen!reader x venom where they get saved often enough from thieves that they start recognizing them, you can choose that they're Tony Stark's kid (I know a bit odd, but I'm a bit obsessed rn) or the reader is in their teenage angst years. You don't need to do this immediately

Hi there, still here! Hope you enjoy this one, actually was quite fun to write! Thank you for the ask and let me know what you think.

Unconventional Circumstances - Venom x Stark!reader

Do not repost or rewrite any of my work. Minors and ageless blogs get blocked.

Masterlist Asks

"Seriously Stark? I'm going to start thinking you want to be dismembered."

"Hi Dario." When you swallowed the gathering spit in your mouth the knife held to your neck pierced the thin skin and warmth trickled down and pooled in your collarbone. "Long time no see."

"Where's your black slimy friend? Finally get sick of you?"

"I'm hoping he's just late."

"Lucky me." Dario smiled, eyes drifting down to follow the blood staining your neck. "I could get a lot of money for the ransom of a Stark."

"Hey! Stark's kid was ours first." A shout from the end of the alley called out.

"Not anymore! Go back to the hole you crawled out of Fitch, I'm sure this one will be back tomorrow anyway." Dario turned back to look at you, keeping the cold steel close to your throat. "Maybe I'll let him have a couple of your fingers as a keepsake, hmm?"

"I don't think that'll be happening unfortunately, hate to burst your bubble."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Well my black slimy friend happens to have eaten your friends and is stood right behind you."

Knowing what was going to follow you quickly squinted your eyes closed and turned away as much as the knife allowed; although the squelching sounds made it impossible not to know that Venom had eaten the head from your attacker. As soon as the pressure from your throat disappeared you dared to reopen your eyes just in time to feel Venom's slippery tongue lave against the cut on your throat, licking away the blood that had dried there.

"Eww! Venom why did you do that?" You exclaimed, using the sleeve of your coat to wipe away the sticky residue.

"You were bleeding! I was only cleaning you up before notifying your father of your whereabouts and what you have been up to. Again."

You sighed, kicking the stones on the pavement beneath your feet. "Are you really going to tell him?"

"That this is your fifth time in as many days almost being made into human sushi? Yes little one, he must know."

You shook your head. "He won't care."

"Walk with me."

"I don't think that's a good idea-Venom!"

With an inhuman jump Venom had wrapped an inky tendril around you and lifted you to a rooftop, lowering you gently to your feet.

"You think a father wouldn't care that his only daughter is trying to get herself kidnapped?"

"I'm not trying to get myself kidnapped."

"Then what is the purpose of going into alleyways where you know bad guys are waiting? They know you by name, little one, and I can't stand to watch you get hurt."

"I know you can't, dad's more concerned with his protégé-"

"The spider boy." Venom said with disdain.

"Yes, 'the spider boy', so the only time I get to have a conversation with anyone who actually sees me is when I get to see you."

"Well why didn't you say so?"

"What?" You turned to face Venom as he sent out another black tendril but started transferring into you instead of letting go, the body he was occupying falling gracelessly to the ground.

"Now we can be together when you run into trouble and I get reliable meals every night." His voice echoed through your head.

"Sounds like a plan." You shrugged whispering to yourself, though you knew Venom heard you when he wrapped a little part of himself around your wrist like a bracelet.

"What, exactly, sounds like a plan?"

"Dad!"

You whirled round to find the very unimpressed face of one Tony Stark staring back at you, head tilted.

"Mind explaining what escapade you've been up to tonight? I swear one day you're going to give your mother a heart attack." He stepped forward as he spoke, closing the distance between you both.

"I just needed to clear my head."

"In one of the most dangerous parts of the city?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, I was perfectly safe."

A yell travelled up through the night sky from below, "Hey Stark, when I get my hands on your kid they're dead! The psycho killed my whole crew!"

Tony looked back at you with raised eyebrows from where he had turned to face the criminal down below. "The work of our slimy little friend was it?"

"Little?" Venom squawked indignantly in your head.

"Dad he's well over seven feet tall and can throw a car through a building, I really don't think small is the adjective you should be using."

"Thank you very much." He huffed.

"Hmm, so he's got a mean swing for an alien, that doesn't mean much nowadays."

As Tony turned to go back down the stairs on the side of the building Venom lashed out a tentacle and whipped him across the back of the head, quickly retracting it when he whipped round to accuse you.

"Did you just?"

"Hmm?" You questioned innocently, hearing Venom chortling was not helping you to keep a straight face.

"Something hit me, on the head."

"Deny, little one, deny."

"I didn't see anything." You shrugged. Even though he looked unconvinced, Tony turned around and kept walking anyway.

"We must eat the spider boy."

"No Venom."

"I have a sudden craving for two legged arthropods with a name that rhymes with 'heater larker'."

"I said no, we can come back tomorrow and see who's around. I'm pretty sure on Tuesdays Knox goes round to check on his businesses, he knows me from a mile away."

"Knots it is."

"No, Knox. He's a person, we've met a few times. Accidently."

"Come on kid, I wanna beat the rush." Tony ushered you down the stairs, interrupting your silent conversation with Venom.

"What rush is there at 10 o'clock at night?"

"The same kind that gave you that cut on your neck I imagine, now lets go."

"Does this 'Knox' know you by name?"

"Oh I should think so."

"Perhaps we had get better acquainted then, the sooner the better."

Even though Tony admittedly wasn't happy to be sharing a house with a parasite, he had to admit it made his life easier when the crime rate dropped by 60% because all the criminals were being eaten for an evening snack. He figured a few slaps to the back of the head were worth seeing the new happiness in his kid that he hadn't seen for a long time, even if Peter refused to come over now from the time Slinky almost bit his head off when he wasn't looking.

Whatever the reprimand was from you, it was enough to dissuade him from trying again. If Tony had to guess, some serious grovelling had been involved based on the fact that the next day two boxes filled with chocolate had been delivered along with some kind of apology note. The seemingly permanent black bracelet was back on your wrist as well; order had been restored.

Momentarily anyway. Tony heard news of a new gang in the area, and if the energy coming off you at the dinner table was anything to go by, they wouldn't be sticking around long enough to cause Tony any problems anyway.

[theoneandonlysourcandy]

⋆˚࿔ Henry hotline x very dedicated assistant reader 𝜗𝜚

╰┈➤ Content warnings: None

Request: Yes

♡ Author note: Art credit: @janesbeloved !! I’m sssooo so so so so so so sorry this took so long guyhhh,,,first deltarune came out then there was an art contest then i was working on a cosplay then date everything came out and i just got rlly busy with stuff,,,,my writing for him may be a bit rusty since it’s been a while and it’s gonna be a bit hard to add new things, plus i don’t know much about his thieving era and stuff, but i hope it’s good!! if you don’t like it i will gladly rewrite it

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

☎️ - Being around for so long, you two grew to know each other a bit. You were there at his low, your here at his high, how could he not? Your probably the only one who can come in his office without knocking and not get punted out of the room. Though, he had started to find himself a bit. . In love. Annoyingly. A bit. He felt flustered and embarrassed around you-You made him trip over his words! Why did you embarrass him so much? Why did he keep you around even if your so god damn annoying?! Why is he feeling this?!?!

☎️ - You know so much about him?? You know he hasn’t had his morning coffee if he seems a bit more tired and a little snappier, you’ve got his schedule memorized so you can turn in paperwork at the right times, you know he hasn’t has his headache meds if he’s glaring at everyone and grumbling all the time. At first he’s surprised, but, it starts to feel a bit nice, seeing someone who’s put in that much effort in for the little things. You make his day better.

☎️ - He fails to try and be annoyed at you for making him fall head over heels. Hes TRYING to make thieving plans, can’t you get off his mind?!Your just-. . Your so caring, stupidly naive, oddly observant, you always know just what’s up with him and how to fix it even if he hasn’t even said anything-to him, your literally perfect. How could he be annoyed at you? H

☎️ - Alright this time we’re skipping the confession things and going STRAIGHT to cute lovey headcanons-I’ve got so many assistant s/o headcanons i couldn’t make because we were doing real henry!!

☎️ - You’ve noticed your workload has gotten significantly smaller after you guys started dating. Wonder what’s up with that.

☎️ - SITTING ON HIS LAP WHILE HES IN HIS TALK SHOW CHAIR THINGY BOOM I SAID IT. someone else on tumblr made a headcanon about this due to a scrapped idea for a talkshow area thingy, and i just. . I LOVE ITT TNTJGJGJGJ he already loves you sitting on his lap, why not there? Why not where he’s working at his desk! He’d think it’s absolutely adorable if you fall asleep, too, but, he’d also do literally everything in his power to not move and be quiet so you don’t wake up. If anyone comes into his office while your asleep on his lap, consider them dead meat once your woken up.

☎️ - While your asleep, he’d gently and carefully hold your hand in his, making sure he doesn’t wake you up.

☎️ - He tries to do the same thing you do with him, but he doesn’t always have that much time. He’s learned your favorite coffee and he gets it for you like, all the time, but other than that he’s mostly busy. But, after work, you always get the best cuddles you could ask for-Plus some food.

☎️ - speaking of giving you food, he loves giving you things-Let him spend a bunch of money on you and spoil you! He doesn’t mind, it’s for you anyway. Someone like you who’s so kind, caring and loving should be repaid for everything you do for him, shouldn’t you? You make his day easier and his life 10x better, so of course he’s going to be giving you-. . Pretty much whatever you want.

[anamericangirl]

Uhhh hey you know queer folk are marginalized? Disabled queer here, and I’m aok coexisting with xtians and such as long as they are all coexsisting w me. But when ppl wish for my existence to be erased and for me to not marry my fiancé… that’s where there’s issues. I will always preach love, I adore churches. I anually go to xtian masses with my mother’s parents. I understand the message Jesus gave. And that was that all ppl should be allowed to exsist. At the end of the day Jesus was a probably queer poc Jewish man who hung out with prostitutes, disabled folk, queer folk, beggars? abd other impoverished down trodden and marginalized ppl.

I’m sorry you feel that we are not marginalized and that we are infringing on your rights. I’m sorry you look and see a mirror of actions on to us.

And I want you to do as Jesus would. And forgive you. Because all ppl are capable of compassion and understanding. And I hope that one day you will understand that too my friend

Hey so you actually don't understand the message Jesus gave at all and it sounds like you've never read the Bible. No offense but you're just objectively wrong about what Jesus preached and who he was.

His message was not "all people should be allowed to exist." His message was that we are all sinners and we are all living in sin and we need to repent from our sins and give our lives to him and follow him and accept his forgiveness and gift of eternal life that he paid for with his own blood on the cross and endeavor to no longer live in sin. Yes, even you.

His message was not co-existence.

However, no one, not even Christians, are actively trying to keep you from existing. People disagreeing with something you do with your life is not even remotely the same as trying to say you should not be allowed to exist and it's time to stop trying to conflate those things.

Jesus was not a "queer poc" man and that's blasphemous tbh.

Jesus also wasn't hanging out with thieves, beggars, the poor, prostitutes and the disabled because they were "marginalized" he hung out with them because they needed to hear the truth of his word and they needed to be saved and to repent of their sins.

He said himself why he hung out with them when he was confronted about it.

"And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." - Luke 3:31-32

So for you to try and rewrite that to fit your modern day narrative is, again, blasphemous.

I don't have a problem with you existing and I love you as a fellow human being and Jesus loves you but that does not mean everything you do is ok and that there is nothing God wants you to repent of and leave behind. In order to follow God, like we need to do, we all have things we have to abandon because they are sinful.

And you need to read the Bible and seek God's guidance to discover what aspects of your life are going against God's commandments and leave them behind.

[angelasscribbles]

The Highway Man: Aftermath

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Series: The Highwayman by @karahalloway

Parings: Drake x Harper (OC)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Death

Word Count: 1,200

A/N: At the beginning of 2024 @choicesprompts hosted a song rewrite challenge and @karahalloway knocked it out of the park with her submission. It was too good because it left me emotionally traumatized. SPOILER ALERT: if you haven't heard the song, just know that the lovers both die. I begged her to at least let Drake extract some vengeance first, but alas, I was told "That's not how the song goes" 🤣😭

So after she emotionally traumatized me, I asked if she would mind me writing a little follow up with the characters that were left.

She graciously consented. I drug my feet for nearly a year but yesterday I randomly sat down and produced this. I sent it to her for approval first. I was worried about doing proper credit to the story and the characters. I am so deeply touched and honored that she liked it so much.

I still have ideas about Harper's father going after the captain of the guard that instigated all this. So there might be another follow up one day.

I'm linking the original three-shot that inspired this:

The Highwayman /The Highwayman Part 2 /The Highwayman Part 3

The town crier walked in front of the wagon, ringing his bell and repeating, “The Highway Man is dead. He was served the King’s justice. Let this be a lesson to all who would defy the rule of law. We do not tolerate brigands or thieves in Cordonia.”

Crowds gathered around the roadside to gape and gawk at the body in the wagon. Shocked whispers rippled through the crowd.

“It’s really him!”

“The Highway Man…”

“Midnight Jack.”

“It’s him, the Raven Rider!”

“No, it can’t be.”

“Met him once on a deserted road, it’s him a’right.”

“The Highway Man is dead. Ye Gods!”

When they were done parading his body through the streets, the wagon returned to the gallows where three men had been publicly executed days earlier. The bodies still hung from the gibbet, swaying in the late afternoon wind.

“What do we do with the body?” The greencoat driving the wagon asked.

The sentry that took charge of the horses answered him. “Leave it in the wagon. Make sure it’s propped up so people can see. We’ll bury them all in the execution cemetery in two days time. Those are our orders.”

“Good,” the soldier huffed as he climbed down from the driver’s box. Jerking his head towards the gallows, he opined, “Those are starting to smell.”

The crowd slowly dispersed as the sun sank behind the horizon.

Late into the night when it was full dark and the streets were empty, when the lanterns and candles were put out and the town was fast asleep, a lone figure melted out of the darkness and pulled the body from the wagon. Working quickly and noiselessly, the figure strapped the body to one horse, then clambered onto the other and disappeared into the night.

Dawn’s light revealed an empty wagon where, the night before, a body had been.

Rumors quickly flew through the countryside that the Highway Man had risen from the dead and was seeking vengeance.

*****

Robert Gale stood in the shade of a great oak that sat in the backyard of the house he’d raised his daughter in and several hundred meters from The Crown and The Flame, the tavern that had provided for him and his family for the last thirty years.

He had no family left now and no one to provide for.

He stared down into the grave at the body he had just placed there and then wiped the sweat from his brow. He had to stop to catch his breath.

He was an old man now, not as hale and hearty as he used to be, and this was the second grave he’d dug in a week.

He’d known the raven rider was dead even before the greencoats started gloating about it all over the countryside.

A riderless horse had limped into stables, its leg injured, but not broken. Bullet wounds in its chest, but none fatal. A horse as dark as midnight. A horse that the stable boy Emile had identified as belonging to Midnight Jack.

“So, you knew? Everyone knew but me?” He’d demanded.

His anger had evaporated as Emile recoiled in fear. “I’m sorry, sir, but he swore me to silence and threatened my life if I told!”

“It was fear for your life that kept your lips closed then?”

Emile faltered. “I… liked him, sir. He was kind to me.”

Robert’s eyes narrowed, “Which was it then? Fear or loyalty?”

The stableboy gulped with wide eyes. “Both. And Harper…. She begged me not to tell.”

The old man softened. “Tell me what you knew about him and my daughter. Please.”

That had been two nights ago. He’d saddled his horse and ridden to the county seat, knowing the body would be there. It was standard practice to display hunted criminals to the public, to discourage others.

He might not agree with the life this man had led, but it had been clear that he and Harper loved each other. They had created a child together, and the three of them deserved to have eternal rest together.

He had just thrown the last shovelful of dirt onto the grave when he became aware of a figure approaching. He watched quietly as the man made his way to the makeshift graveyard under the great oak.

Guilt and regret were etched on every feature of Theo’s face.

The old man leaned heavily on the shovel with a sigh. “You know, I always thought of you as a son. Never had one of my own. I truly thought that someday you and Harper might—well, it doesn’t matter now, does it?”

Theo’s eyes darted from Robert to the two graves as his head shook from side to side. “That could still happen, perhaps, if she can find it in her heart to forgive me.”

“Non, son.” He gestured to the grave on the right. “There she lies, in the ground. She won’t be marrying anyone.”

Remorse, shame, and grief washed over the younger man. He dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands. Sobs wracked his body. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I never wanted Harper to get hurt! I thought I was protecting her from him!”

Roberts' eyes fluttered closed briefly as he remembered all the times he’d tried to push them together. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

“What?” Theo stopped sobbing and looked up.

“I’m her father. It’s my tavern. If you were so concerned, why didn’t you just come to me?”

“I….” he had no good answer because the truth was that he had wanted his competition to pay. Anger, jealousy, and insecurity had eaten away at him when he’d realized Harper loved another. And when he’d realized who… well, there was no way he could compete with a literal legend, so he’d done the only thing he could think of to remove him permanently.

The older man nodded in understanding. “You were angry at her. For loving him.” He pointed to the grave on the left.

Confusion washed across Theo’s face as his eyes tracked to the second grave. “Who’s that?”

“That’s the Raven Rider.”

Anger and disbelief coursed through him as he jumped to his feet. “Why did you bury him next to her? He's the reason she's dead!”

“Is that what you believe, son?”

“Yes! That’s the truth! If it wasn’t for him, she’d still be alive!”

“If it wasn’t for you, they’d all three be alive.” There was a tightness in Robert's voice that Theo had never heard before.

Confusion and curiosity overrode the first stirring of fear in his chest. “Three?”

“Yes. She was carrying my grandchild in her belly.”

“So, he defiled her as well as endangered her!”

“That’s enough!” he roared. “You will not speak of my daughter in that manner! She loved him, and he loved her, and you betrayed this family.”

The grieving father pulled a pistol from his waistband and raised it in the air.

Theo’s eyes widened as he finally realized the danger he was in. “Wait! Please! I never meant for Harper to get hurt! Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“No.” He pulled the trigger.

[jenna12381]

There's quite a few scenes and plot points in my rewrite that nobody is talking about. For example...

Bentley's new character arc where he learns to not be overprotective of his girlfriend.

Murray and Penelope doing the third boss fight (vs The Grizz) together. Why is nobody talking about this?!

Penelope's secret of betrayal being revealed later than in vanilla.

I say all this because I'm currently trying to outline how the third boss fight will go from beginning to end. Right now, though, I've been focusing on the scenes immediately before the fight begins.

[blackstarchanx3new]

What theme songs would suit the characters of Four Swords? This includes songs that reflect their personalities, relationships, and dynamics with each other. Because I'm curious what you think suits them.

Bro basically asked for my personal playlist lmfao. Link:

Haunted House - After School Surf Club Notion - The Rare Occasions Sugar Pills - IDKHOW Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand Double Life - Pharrell Williams still feel - half alive Ghost - Mystery Skulls Dead Inside - Younger Hunger Why Did I Say Okie Doki? · The Stupendium Ghost Town - Trickle Losing My Mind- Mystery Skulls Dr. Gaster - Shadrow

Green: the perfect pair - beabadoobee Mr. FEAR -SIAMES Vending Machine of Love · The Stupendium Blue: Cold Cold Cold - Cage The Elephant (lmfao) Wild Side - ALI My Way - SIAMES Dancin - Aaron Smith Red: Copycat - CircusP/VocaCircus (This song could also fit Dark haha) The Red Means I Love You - Madds Buckley Wonderful Nothing - Glass Animals I Only Paint in Red Now - Lydia the Bard / Tony Halliwell Don't Come Crying - TryHardNinja Vio: Out of My League - Fritz and The Tantrums Lone Digger - Caravan Palace A Tear in Space (Airlock) - Glass Animals I’m So Sorry - ImagineDragons Ghost Town - Veorra & The Tech Thieves

Shadow Link: Love Away - SIAMES 505 - Arctic Monkeys Do It All The Time - IDKHOW Rasputin · Majestic Freaking Out - Mystery Skulls GRRRLS · AViVA TERRIBLE THINGS · AXIE Wolf In Sheep's Clothing [REBORN] - Set It Off Alone In The Darkness - SIAMES

Dark Link: Gladiator - Jann Digital Silence - Peter McPoland My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski Christmas Kids - ROAR Loverboy - A-Wall 4:00 A.M. - Taeko Onuki ECHO - Crusher My Ordinary Life-The Living Tombstone Tongues and Teeth - The Crane Wives Villain Stella Jang Cover) · Umbratic Forest

Vaati: Lay all your love on me - ABBA The Wolf - SIAMES How I Learned To Love The Bomb - Glass Animals Enemy - imagine dragons

Ship/dynamic Specific songs:

Vidow: Pork Soda - Glass Animals Heat Waves - Glass Animals Hold Me Tight or Don't - Fall Out Boy The Bird Song - Noah Floersch Sex With A Ghost - Teddy Hyde Neovaii - Crash Snuff out the light - Eartha Kitt Stop The World I Wanna Get Off With You - Arctic Monkeys  (Greenvio and Darkblue also fit this) GreenVio: GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE - Cover by Justine M. Vidoween: Jenny - Studio Killers GreenBlue: No lullaby - SIAMES (Not romantic but symbolic of them both dealing with Link's BS lmfao)

DarkBlue: Knee Socks - Arctic Monkeys (Arctic monkeys just IS their vibe tbh) Dissolve - Absofacto Horns - Bryce Fox This Is Hardcore - Pulp DarkVaati: Too Sweet - Hozier Take me to Church - Hozier Church - Fall Out Boy (IF YOU WERE CHURCH I'D GET ON MAH KNEEES- 😏) Soul on Fire - Mystery Skulls Paralyzed - Mystery Skulls Hide Away (feat. Holly) · Synapson · Holly (We damn well know who's hiding lmfao) Flowers - Dj Quads (Lmfao this one is sad as hell but I can't at all elaborate on why due to spoilers X'D) Toxic - Britney Spears rewrite by Lydia the Bard Me and the Devil · Soap&Skin (Could also be Vidow) DarkVio: I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend - Cameron Hayes (This just is THE DarkVio song as far as I'm concerned, the intense as hell almost manic pining specifically haha.) Mixed Messages - Tom C (The question is who's "Dad" is getting punched in the dick...)

DarkShadow: From the Start - GoodKid Cover (One Sided on Shadow's part.) Brothers -SIAMÉS

FSR In general coded songs:

The Walker - Fitz and The Tantrums Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz A Good Song Never Dies - Saint Motel The Future - Mystery Skulls Goya no Machiawase - Hello Sleepwalkers Kick back - Kenshi Yonezu Plastic Love - Mariya Takeuchi Blink Gone - BL8M, AKUGETSU Hammer Song To Itami No Tou · BUMP OF CHICKEN Tame Impala - Borderline Stay With Me · Miki Matsubara Curses · The Crane Wives The Rules - Hoosiers dumb dumb · mazie Coffee · Jack Stauber's Micropop Who Is She ? · I Monster Very Good Bad Thing - Mother Mother

This one's straight up Four Swords Returns Again coded but I'd be a fool not to include: The Fine Print · The Stupendium

Okay I'mma stop there for now haha. but I'm sure I'm missing stuff. XD

Hopfully I introduced some people to their new fave songs!!! I'd recommend all of these.

[tloujm]

Part XL: Lost

Author's Notes: Sorry for the late installment. This one is on the short side but I once again was rewriting the ending of things. Also, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and first day of Hanukah.

Summary: Joel gets a bad feeling that something's happened to you and goes to investigate. Does his worst nightmare come true?

Genre: Angst

Ship: Joel Miller x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.7k

Joel made your favorite dinner in hopes of seducing you into a round two when you got back home from your usual walk. He was set to make dinner anyway but selfishly held out hope that you’d have at least an ounce of energy left after already having had two bouts of cardio for the day. 

In the meantime, Joel sneakily used his time alone with Ellie to try and get some information about the night before. He was still going to wait to have that formal talk tomorrow with you by his side, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to get a head start. Successfully, Joel managed to recruit Ellie into helping cook. She had an attachment to you so it wasn’t hard to convince her to set the drawing book down when he mentioned it was your favorite meal. Joel started with small talk for the first half of cooking but when it came time to set the table, he didn’t want to stall any longer.

“You know, we’ll probably start doing these more often; these…uh…family dinners. I know you’ve been in Jackson for a while now so if there’s anyone you’d ever want to invite over to hang out with and have dinner, that’s alright.” “Thanks, Joel.” Ellie offered him a smile before focusing back on the silverware.  He cleared his throat. “So, um, do you have any friends now? Not to say that you don’t…um,”. Awkwardly, he shifted the weight of one leg to the other. “It’s just I don’t see you really spending time with the other kids outside of school.” “I guess I have one good friend. The others,” She shrugged. “I mean they’re cool. I don’t talk to them as much though.” His eyebrows lifted. “Oh? Well one good friend is better than a bunch of not so good ones. Sometimes things happen in your life that end up showing you who your real friends are. Gotta do what you can to keep those people close and if they are someone you really care about, it won’t feel like work to do so and hopefully they would feel the same in return.” “Is that how you and (y/n) are? The two of you are close friends too?” Without looking up at Ellie, he offered a half smirk. “The closest.” “Closer than you and your brother?” “We’re a different kind of close. Me and Tommy were as thick as thieves growing up and—” “‘Thick as thieves’?��� She scrunched up her face. “Never heard of that?” She shook her head. “It's a figure of speech. Just something some people say to mean very close. Anyway, we grew apart for a bit as teens but grew close again as adults then grew apart again for a while but now we’re good.” “What happened?” “Long story.” “I know I’m still a kid, but I can handle it. I’ve heard and seen a lot of things.” “I don’t doubt that, kiddo,” He sighed. “But if I were to tell you the whole thing, it would be too long. And maybe (y/n) should be there when I tell it; it involves her too.” “Where is she anyway?” “That,” he paused to taste test part of the meal. “Is a good question. She should be back by now; it's getting dark.” You never stayed out past sundown. His brows furrowed as he walked out the kitchen to check the charging station in the living room. “I knew I should have asked her if she remembered to take a walkie before leaving.” Ellie followed behind and noticed both walkie talkies lit up green on their charging ports.  “She’s probably on her way now. It’s still light out.” “Maybe.”

If Ellie wasn’t there, Joel wouldn’t have hesitated to put on his coat and go out looking for you. He pictured himself finding you walking down a random street that led to your house with an annoyed look on your face. He wouldn’t have cared what kind of attitude you gave him for needing to know you were ok; he was doing his job. He would take your hand, turn around and the two of you would walk back home together in peace. 

Ellie speaking up made him rethink. He didn’t want to leave her there alone. The two of you try not to leave her unsupervised because of how young she is despite knowing that she has a pretty decent amount of common sense and survival skills. He really didn’t want to leave her alone after the stunt she pulled last night. He thought about bringing Ellie along to look for you but considered her optimistic theory of you being on your way and decided to stay.

The food got cold as Joel and Ellie kept an eye on the door. The two of them made some small talk to pass the time but it was obvious that Joel was too anxious to hold a deeper conversation. He couldn’t help but feel this pit begin to form in his stomach. A growl came from Ellie’s.

Joel abruptly began wrapping up the food and putting it up. Within minutes, the two of you were walking toward Tommy and Maria’s house as it was on the way to Theresa’s at the edge of the settlement.

“Hey, Joel.” Maria greeted at the door. Turning around, she shouted. “Tommy, your brother and Ellie are here. Come on in.” Joel gently pushed Ellie forward. “I only came to see if you could watch Ellie for a while.” “I don’t need a babysitter.” She quickly butted in but just as quickly huffed and stayed quiet when Joel gave her the glare.  “What’s wrong, brother?” Tommy appeared behind his wife.  “It’s nothing. I’m going to Theresa’s to try and find (y/n).” “She didn’t tell you where she was going?” Maria asked. “She had plans to walk and hang out with her but was supposed to be home by now.” “I’ll get my stuff.” Tommy chimed up. “Nah, it's ok, Tommy. She probably lost track of time and is still up there or maybe I’ll meet her part way and find her already walking home.” “You sure?” “Yeah. I packed Ellie some food. We were about to eat dinner but were waiting on (y/n) to get back first, so she hasn’t eaten yet.”

********************

Joel’s eyes darted onto each person that passed him by on the walk to Theresa’s. He was hoping that he wouldn’t have to go all the way there. It worried him. Did you go into labor and, without a walkie or Theresa not having a radio, not have the means to get help? Was she so exhausted that she fell asleep and Theresa let her crash? Joel wondered if he should have trusted Ellie to stay home and man the radio just in case Theresa went to the stables to let them know she was spending the night.

So many theories ran through his mind by the time he made it up to her front door. He knocked a couple times, giving a moment to hear for a response in between. He almost went straight to barging the door in before rethinking the handle. It was unlocked. 

“(y/n)!” Joel called out. Only silence answered him back. Theresa did not pop out the corner wondering why he was yelling. There was no baby crying, disturbed from her sleep. “(y/n)!” 

Joel knew that they could just be out still walking or doing God knows what somewhere else, but he couldn’t help the bad feeling lingering in the back of his mind. He tore through the house one room at a time. After a minute, he walked into the last bedroom down the hall. The door was wide open. What he saw stopped him in his tracks. His deeply furrowed brows loosened as his eyes widened at the scene. It didn’t make sense to him. 

Joel was hardly afraid of much. If someone were to ask, he’d say he was afraid of nothing at all. To you, he’d say, just as he did before, that he was only afraid of being alone again; afraid of being without you.

“(y/n).” Your name fell from his lips in a melancholy way, his voice cracking. He rushed to your side and laid his hands on either side of your head to straighten it towards him. “(y/n), get up.” 

Sliding them down to your shoulders, he shook you gently, then increasingly aggressive. The faintest moan escaped your lips. Joel couldn’t tell if he actually heard you or not, but needed to believe it was true. He slid two fingers under the curve of your jaw to try and find a pulse. It was slow and barely there, but you were still alive; he could save you.

He stepped back, pondering what to do next. He needed to move you, take you to the infirmary, but how? His eyes locked onto the pool of blood soaking the sheets that covered the bottom half of your body. Lifting it, Joel was met with a blood bath. The metallic stench of fresh blood reached his nose. A precisely cut umbilical cord was hanging off the edge of the bed with the attached placenta still between your legs. He was careful not to slip on what formed on the floor.

Joel’s eyes hardened and his lips curled in disgust. Not at the sight of you but at what Theresa did to you; at what he realized she really was. He’d done terrible things before but it was for the survival of him and the ones he loved. This wasn’t about survival. He didn’t know why Theresa did what she’d done, but all he knew was that Theresa was now a monster in his eyes.

“C’mon, baby girl, I gotcha.” Joel untied the ropes around your wrists and gently pulled the IV drip from your arm. He had flashbacks to that night in the firefly hospital where he found himself doing the same thing. The difference was that they hadn’t operated yet and you were just under anesthesia. With a loss of blood, he didn’t want you to fall deeper into unconsciousness. “You gotta wake up for me, baby. Just open your eyes a bit for me, alright?” Gingerly, he wiggled your chin and slapped your cheeks. Your head hung limp against his palm. Joel held back tears as he knew that time was of the essence. “I gotcha…I gotcha.” He repetitiously whispered in your ear as he slid his arms under your neck and knees. 

As dusk fell upon Jackson, Joel practically sprinted with you in his arms. He wrapped the duvet around your body as he lifted you out of the bed to not only keep you body temperature from dropping further but to also protect your privacy. He could feel the warm liquid of blood drip onto the arm cradling your legs together. Not many people were out walking the path he was, but the ones who were starred. He tried not to focus on their looks of confusion and worry by keeping his eyes straight ahead. 

Jesse was up in the watch tower with his partner when he spotted Joel. He appeared distraught. Even though the angle showed nothing to confirm, Jesse could tell by how Joel held the duvet cover that there was someone inside. Immediately, Jesse put down his binoculars when he realized that Joel was heading to the infirmary. The two still weren’t on the best of terms but were civil for your sake. Whatever concerned Joel, almost always concerned you and if it concerned you, his best friend, he wanted to be supportive.

“Hold down the fort.” Jesse said to his partner before practically sliding down the ladder “Joel!” The older man showed no reaction to his own name. “Joel, is everything alright?” Jesse questioned while trying to catch up. “Not now.” Joel said through gritted teeth. “Whatever’s going on, I can help. What’s…Who’s—?” Jesse cut himself off after finally matching Joel’s pace when he caught a glimpse of your hair dangling over Joel's arm.

Jesse could hardly keep up anymore as he suddenly felt winded. “If you want to help, go get my brother and meet me at the gates.” “But—” “Now, Jesse!” Joel practically growled. 

******

“Now’s not a good time, Jesse. What’s up?” Tommy greeted him at the door.  “It’s Joel and—” He tried to keep his voice calm and even. “Maria, I’m heading out.” He shouted into the house while grabbing his things. “He said to meet him at the gates.”  Tommy grabbed his jean jacket and pushed past Jesse, expecting him to catch up. “What happened?” “I saw him from the watchtower and he was carrying (Y/N).” “Thank God he found her." “Found her?” Jesse questioned. “She was supposed to be home a while ago but didn’t come back for dinner and you know Joel, he was worried sick. She was probably chatting away and lost track of time, but…wait.” Tommy stopped following Jesse. “Why’d he want us to meet him by the gate? Did he say anything else?” Jesse looked at him sorrowfully. “No. He was heading to the infirmary with (y/n) and just told me to get you and go to the gates.” “Infirmary? Damn it, boy, why didn’t you start with that? She probably went into labor at that friend’s house.” “She wasn’t in labor.”  “What do you mean ‘she wasn’t in labor’.” “She wasn’t awake. He had her wrapped in a blanket. Tommy, I saw blood.” “Fuck.” Tommy muttered. “You sure he ain’t say nothing else ‘sides meet him by the gate?” Jesse nodded his head. “We’re not going to the them gates.” “But…” Jesse began to protest as he watched Tommy walk off in the direction of the infirmary. Quickly, he followed. “What friend were you talking about before?” “Theresa, the woman we found outside our gates all muddied up with a baby in her arms a while back. You remember." “Her? I hardly ever see her around.” “(y/n) and her are friends and with her being in her last trimester and all…must’ve been complications. Why would he tell you to tell me to meet him at the gates? Makes no damn sense.”

***************

Tommy burst through the doors of the infirmary with Jesse on his heels. Everyone was bustling around one bed in the back. That area, he knew, was reserved for operations. He spotted his brother being pulled away by an apprentice. She was trying to calm him down and ask him questions about your medical history. 

“It’s important we know some things about (y/n). Why don’t you sit down.” She guided Joel to a chair that he only looked at in disdain. He was too pent up with worry and rage to sit. “Joel.” Tommy called. Joel’s eyes darted between the two men approaching him. The younger brother saw the apprentice plead with him through her eyes to help calm him down. “Maybe we should sit down for a moment, huh?” “I’m not sitting the fuck down until I find her.” Joel exclaimed.  “Whoa, what’s going on?” Tommy asked. “Your brother brought his wife in with acute hemorrhaging and resulting in major blood loss.” “What?” The younger brother exclaimed. “Mr. Miller,” She directed herself toward Joel. “we’re going to send some apprentices over to the scene to investigate. Is there anything you can tell me? It could save her life.” “She was hooked up to an IV and tied down to the bed when I got there. I don't know what she was giving her but what I do know is that she kidnapped my child and left (y/n) to die.” “Theresa?” Jesse spoke up.  “She took the baby?” Tommy questioned. “Trauma to the body does appear to show signs of delivery.” “That’s my wife, not a body! She's not dead! You gonna keep her alive, alright?” “We’ll do everything we can.” She hoped she sounded confident.

[axl-ion]

Since I can't fall asleep here are couple of proposals why Ingo ended up in Hisui, although I will start with my personal preference, which is just... Leaving a lot of the details vague.

My idea is that Ingo never learns why or how he ended up in Hisui, even if/when he regains/unlocks his memory, because the fall itself was so sudden and traumatic for his brain it just shut down. He'll never remember how he fell, because he actually does not possess the memory as the brain didn't create one OR it permanently locked the memory in the subconscious so it can never be unavailed and Ingo can't get retraumatised by it.

A theory I also pair up with this one is that Ingo wasn't even meant to travel to Hisui in the 1st place, but ended up there thanks to Earth's rotation. Because he didn't necessarily have to travel to the same exact o'clock in the past and the difference could have been significant enough for the Earth to be in a different phase of its rotation than when the time jump happened.

Other proposal is what's already in the cannon, that Volo's usage of Giratina just managed to open a rift that suck Ingo in. Although keep in mind that Ingo would probably have to have been in Sinnoh for this to happen since well... You can't get Unovan Pokémon from the rifts and I KNOW I KNOW, several Unovan Pokémon received Hisuian forms, but I'm taking it more as they originated from there (except for Samurott, any wild member of its line is probably an invasive species) or share an ancestor that's recent enough for them to look so similar (also how cool would be an ancestral Zoroark that's just Normal type that evolved into Hisuian Zoroark because... We know why... And into Unovan Zoroark because it just kept thieving, stealing, taking what's not yours, thieving stealing taking what's not yours 🎶). Them not being the exact same species is somewhat possible, because usually if nature figures out that something works it just keeps replicating that.

3rd proposal is that he ended up there, because he already has ancestors there, which is my freshest idea and honestly Idk how that would work, but at the same time, I think it would be very VERY FUNNY if Cogita turned out to be his great-great-great-great...-aunt/grandmother which I only did because they both don't look that old (Ingo in his BW/B2W2 appearances) and already have gray/white hair which imo has to be genetic and Ingo (+ like... Most Unovan characters) just is very racially/culturally ambiguous and American which basically means - you can give him any ethnicity and it would be believable without changing anything about their design (not like you can't edit their designs to make him be from your culture, I will eat up any Ingo content as long as it isn't proship material, I've seen and liked Latino Submas, I think I also have seen Korean Submas somewhere, but I have a memory of a goldfish, but yeah, I would even eat up Black Submas, if you got some send them to me or just any Submas x insert culture I appreciate being sent posts). But the funny part would be Ingo being distantly related to Volo. Like bro wanted to rewrite the universe only for God to throw his distant relative with whom he only shares 1 blood relative to tell him "This guy has intrigued me more than you and your Giratina stunt does so you're stuck with him now! And you're distantly related!"

[trekbait]

Kirk's most unbelievable log entries!

Kirk’s logs while in command of the Enterprise are considered some of the wildest and most outlandish entries submitted to Starfleet. They have been the most queried of any set of logs but given Kirk’s status as a hero they were rarely challenged. Yet many today question the authenticity of his records. Some outright wonder if he was high on snakeleaf at the time or was covering up other activities. 

What we can say for certain is that he was not following protocol and recording his records at the time, but filling in gaps much later and backdating them. For example, listen to this: "Captain's Log, Stardate 1672.1. Specimen-gathering mission on planet Alfa 177. Unknown to any of us during this time, a duplicate of me, some strange alter ego, had been created by the transporter malfunction." I’m sorry, if no one knew about it at this time, how are you recording a log about it, Kirk? Clearly, he slipped up there. Do you think this is an isolated case? Let’s jump to 1704.2: "Captain's Log, supplemental. Our orbit, tightening. Our need for efficiency – critical. But unknown to us, a totally new and unusual disease has been brought aboard." 

So let’s go through and see which of Kirk’s bizarre log entries are most likely to be stretching the bounds of plausibility.

They stole his what?

Alien women overpowered the Enterprise crew by unknown means (that happens a lot, it sounds like a security failure being passed off as “there were 20 guys! No, 50! Big ones! 100 big guys with guns!”) and “stole Spock’s brain” to be their new supercomputer. Kirk chases down the thieves with Spock walking like a toy drone. 

McCoy manages to use alien knowledge to “put Spock’s brain back in” as if nothing had happened (perhaps nothing did happen?). Conveniently, McCoy promptly forgets all this knowledge and the whole process hasn’t so much as ruffled Spock’s hairdo. What?? I’m sorry, where are the receipts for all this.

Greek gods?

Kirk claims that a “giant green hand” in space grabbed the ship then an image of the “ancient Greek god Apollo” appeared. This god could crush his ship, call lighting from the sky and grow to an immense size. In the end, he just wanted a girl and worshipers (Lt Palamas weirdly throws her Starfleet training to the wind to accommodate the first). 

Now sure, we’ve encountered a lot of powerful aliens before, but are you seriously just expecting us to have you rewrite a huge chunk of history without so much as some pottery shards to elaborate? What about the other pantheon of gods? Or Klingon gods? Did one of your officers really sell out humanity that fast? Don’t leave us hanging!

Abraham Lincoln in space?

Kirk claims the Excalbians sent a giant vision of “Abraham Lincoln floating in space”, and then to walk around and chat on the ship, for the sole purpose of asking him to beam down to the planet. Why the convoluted form of invite? Kirk never really elaborates. It’s almost as if he’s making the log up as he goes along. 

Once on the planet, Kirk explains, they meet another recreation, this time of “Surak”. The Excalbians don’t seem to have a concept of good and evil and want to test it (is the emotionless logic that Surak brings the most effective example of this?). Ample philosophical literature in the Enterprise’s databanks that would be very insightful is not suggested. Instead, a battle to the death. Drawing from Kirk’s knowledge the Excalbians have them fight “representations of evil”: Colonel Green (legit), Kahless the Unforgettable (racist much?), Zora of Tiburon (niche choice, Kirk. I had to look her up), and Genghis Khan (a rather reductive assessment of his legacy). This sounds more like a scattergun of names from the library databanks than a judgement on the representation of evil.

Prescription strip club?

First up, let’s talk about how Kirk claims that the reason they were found in a strip club was that Lt Commander Scott “became a misogynist” because a female engineer “caused an accident”. McCoy then “prescribed” a visit to sex workers (which also needed the Captain to attend for emotional support) to “cure” him of his misogyny. As if encouraging your chief engineer to view his female staff as sexual objects would help in that regard.

Given this log was recorded immediately after Scott was found over the body of a murdered sex worker with a bloody knife in his hands, I guess A for effort on rapidly coming up with your cover story, Kirk! But then for it to turn out that this whole murder was because Scott was possessed by “the spirit of Jack the Ripper”. Well, that’s one way to keep Starfleet’s reputation clean. And yet again the only evidence that any of this happened was scattered across space while Kirk gets credit for “solving” multiple cold cases.

A planet of Nazis?

Kirk’s “logs” here say that the planet of Ekos had become a “duplicate” of Earth’s Germany under the rule of the totalitarian "Nazis". Apparently, Dr John Gill violated the prime directive to “help” the fragmented planet and drew on Nazi Germany as an example of the “most efficient state Earth ever knew.” Now someone like Dr Gill would know that Nazi Germany had resources and prison labour but was far from an example of “efficiency”. Certainly not if you intended to do it ethically. And why the costumes? The race purity? Sounds more like Kirk spinning a tale based on his very fragmented understanding of that era of history. Does Kirk just get bored reporting planetary survey reports and wants to spice them up; or is this the best cover story he had for why Dr Gill returned home in a photon tube? How did Gill really die?

Prime Time Rome?

Ekos wasn’t an isolated case, but at least that was externally influenced. Planet 892-IV is one of many “alternate Earth’s” (which are, oddly, rarely encountered by any other ship). This planet not only had a copy of Earth’s Roman Empire, but its 20th century US TV culture and Human Christianity. But at least they weren’t “reciting the US Constitution” like they supposedly did on Omega IV. Does Kirk just have a spinning picker wheel of Earth history to pick from when he’s making up these logs? What’s next, a planet of 1920s Chicago gangsters? Oh, wait…

The devil is just a cool guy?

On stardate 1254.4, while exploring the centre of the galaxy to see a matter-energy vortex (sorry, I thought we went there more recently and found god?), the Enterprise was thrown into another dimension which they discovered runs on the principles of “magic”. It was from here that “witches” on Earth came from. 

Their number apparently includes the mythological figure of the “devil”, Lucifer, who Kirk describes as charming and affable. Lucifer aided the crew while on “trial” by the witches for the crimes of humanity in their persecution of their people. Kirk later takes credit for “saving” the devil. While future visitors became welcome, no one has been able to corroborate any of these reports on subsequent surveys (including Kirk it seems).

---

Have you ever lied in your duty logs? Let us know in the comments why and if you got away with it.

[fannishstuff]

How would Ford get kicked out instead of Stan?

So, a bit ago, @ckret2 posted an essay expressing frustration about the fandom portrayal of Filbrick. Filbrick is often characterized as violently and irredeemably abusive, whereas ckret2 cites some very convincing evidence that he was a well-meaning but authoritarian father - not a good dad, but not an evil person.

This discussion was prompted because ckret2 was considering an AU in which Ford never goes to college and ckret2 prefers the smallest possible change in AUs.

I wanted to link those posts because they have absolutely gotten me thinking about the subject. The following will make more sense if you've read that essay and this follow-up about Filbrick's regret over Stan's behavior. I accept the contents as canon for the purposes of this post.

(For completion's sake, the entire discussion was prompted by a Ford as a Trucker AU, but the following doesn't actually have anything to do with that.)

Let's make Ford the kind of person Filbrick would kick out of the house

Stan's eviction is the end result of many, many years of contention between Stan and Filbrick - an earnest last-ditch effort by a desperate father to get his delinquent son to shape up, and a decision he only made because he thought Stan was legitimately malicious. Most AUs in which Ford is kicked out instead of Stan will just rewrite the Science Fair scene so that Stan has more to lose than Ford. If we're talking "smallest possible change," though, I don't find that convincing. If Filbrick was an unpredictable maniac who's ready to ditch his kids at a moments notice? Yeah, fine, any small mistake by either one of them would work. But if Filbrick has been earnestly trying to be a good father, and just didn't feel like he was getting through? One mistake, even a big one, from his less troublesome son would be unlikely to prompt a disowning.

So, my question is: what "single small change" early in life would lead Stan and Ford to develop in a way that flipped Filbrick's expectations of them?

Personality traits and how they affect the relationships

Let's talk about Filbrick, Stanley, and Ford.

So, first of all: Filbrick wants is sons to be industrious, tough, honest, and hard-working. Those are the qualities that matter to him. He makes them box so that they'll be able to stand up for themselves and others. He fights with Stanley because Stanley is a thieving scam artist. He demands the kids be profitable and successful because that is a mark of success as an adult for him. If we assume that the twins were an unplanned pregnancy, then he also firmly believes in taking responsibility for your mistakes -- in owning up.

Stanley is a born liar. Like, even his playful and friendly interactions with his family involved good-natured lies. (He reminds me of one of my uncles, who was an avid prankster up until the time he went up against me, but that's a whole story that I won't get into here.) I think in order to be on Filbrick's good side, he'd have to prove that he was honest in his own way - for example, by defending people when it really mattered even at the expense of his own reputation, or by refusing to take advantage of someone who has wronged him. I don't think canon Stan would do either of those things for anyone except family, but canon Stan is also convinced that nothing he does will ever be good enough. His last, dying words were "I guess I was good for something." He never until that moment thought he was. We need to make sure that he earns some self-respect earlier in life.

Now we need to find a flaw in Ford to exacerbate to the scale Stan had in canon. This isn't really hard, honestly. Ford may have been the less troublesome kid in high school, but he is ruthlessly ambitious, and as an adult he will steal or destroy anything to get the results he wants. I think that the reason he was the less troublesome kid is because there really isn't a good way that a high schooler can be ambitious at the expense of the people around them on a scale that matters. The stakes are just too low. Maybe Ford put down his classmates to secure a win in a spelling bee or stole an answer key once or twice, but it's hard to imagine Filbrick caring about schoolkid drama. That said, if Ford did have an aspiration - a science project, for instance - that he became truly obsessed with, it's easy to imagine him stealing or breaking things to achieve it.

So, how would we make stealing and destroying things a pattern of behavior for Ford, instead of a single one-off mistake? And how would we make Stanley's good-heartedness and self-sacrificing nature something that is visible to his father and overwhelms his tendency to lie?

Oh, and one more thing:

The big fight didn't just happen because Ford lost something he wanted. The entire Tale of Two Stans is about two twins who are very close to each other when they're young drifting apart over time as their needs, ambitions, and hobbies begin to diverge.

How do we make this separation happen in a way that flips the script?

Ford as a more isolated kid

Ford has a one-track mind.

In order to make this alternate canon work, I want to isolate Stan and Ford from each other very quickly. Filbrick might not be violently abusive, but he does ignore the kids, and Ford is already isolated from his peers due to bullying and poor social skills. If Stan isn't spending all of his time with Ford, then Ford might become more and more withdrawn. I don't think he would even be unhappy! Maybe a little lonely, but he's a bright kid with varied interests, and he'd keep himself occupied. But he might get a little... unhinged.

My Ford sans Stan is a kid that gets into trouble. A lot of trouble. Way more trouble than parents should have to deal with.

He gets arrested for disassembling abandoned cars. He gets detention for melting things in the chemistry lab. He gets stitches and tetanus shots after climbing under bridges, or ends up in the burn ward because he stuck a fork in an outlet. (I knew multiple academically gifted children who did this, what is wrong with you guys.) He might make a weapon like a nail gun because he thinks it's cool, and while that wouldn't cause as many alarm bells in 1980 as in 2020, it gould get someone seriously hurt. And, moreover, no matter how many times he's yelled at or bailed out or suspended or has his privileges revoked, he just doesn't get it. He'll express genuine remorse every time, but Filbrick will stop believing him after a while because he never changes. He never changes because... well. Because he is incorrect about what's wrong.

This version of Ford is isolated from his peers and doesn't have his brother to entertain him, so he's extremely self-centered. He doesn't think about the consequences of his actions and he doesn't think about how they might affect others. Let's say he snuck into the chemistry lab after hours, did an experiment without adult supervision, and ended up catching a shelf on fire. When he is punished, he's contrite and apologetic. He earnest in his expression of grief. He feels horrible. You'll tell him what he did wrong, and he will say, "I know," and accept his punishment without complaint. But, if you were to actually ask him what he did wrong, the answer will be:

"I used the wrong solvent." Or, at best: "I wasn't careful enough."

Nothing about disrespect for property. Nothing about breaking the rules. Nothing that reflects the fact that he is a child using someone else's resources to try a dangerous experiment without permission or supervision.

I don't think the adults around him, least of all Filbrick, would notice the communication error. Filbrick isn't in the habit of asking young boys about their feelings. Even if they did notice it, I don't think they would handle it well; this is before modern mental health science, and it might actively frighten the adults around him to realize that he doesn't understand morality in the way the kids around him do.

I think that if we start with this version of Ford, it would be very, very easy for him to screw up so badly that Filbrick felt the need to kick him out.

Some ways we can reduce Stan's influence

Option One: Stan might actually be worse off.

Usually, these reverse AUs are about Stan being the golden child and Ford being the one who Filbrick has it out for. However, that doesn't necessarily have to happen in order for Ford to be the one who gets kicked out. If Stan gets caught (or framed) for a crime big enough to send him to juvie for a while, or for Filbrick to send him off to a reform school, Ford would be left alone for years - long enough for Ford to develop the habits I just described.

This AU would fit really well with the themes of canon, too. The show is about how, even though family has its ups and downs, we're better together than we are apart. If Stan is separated from Ford against his will, and the rest of the Pines live to regret it, we address that theme head-on.

In an AU where Stan goes to boarding school, juvie, or something like that, I personally think Stan would still love Ford dearly and do his best to support him. Ford would do his best to make his own way in the world after his falling out with his father, and Stan meets up with him whenever he can. They have their own lives but remain friends.

Option Two: The ever-so-beloved Sports Stan option! If Stan ends up in a successful hobby, it might keep him out of trouble enough to curb his more dishonest tendencies. If that's the case, Ford's isolation comes from Stan having more friends (teammates!), more extracurricular responsibilities, and possibly the kind of social life that keeps him busy during school hours. I figure that in this version, Stan might stand up for Ford getting bullied, and he would be listened to, because you don't fuck with the football team. That would leave Ford with neither friends nor enemies. Ford might hang out with the sports kids for a while, but it would be really awkward, since he's just Stan's brother and doesn't have much in common with these guys.

This version leaves Stan slightly less delinquent but otherwise the same as his canon counterpart. Sports keep him out of trouble, might get him a scholarship, but otherwise leave him pretty much intact.

My problem with both of these two options is that I feel like, for maximum effect, we need to isolate Ford in middle school or earlier - I think fifth grade would do it. Sports don't really get that serious until late middle school or high school, and it's hard for a ten-year-old to get in enough trouble to get sent away.

The sooner the twins begin to separate, the better for this narrative.

Option three: Boy Scouts (or something). In this version, Stanley doesn't just have a hobby he likes - he has a hobby that becomes a lifestyle. He joins a club or meets a mentor that has a profound impact on him as a person. This, I think, would be the biggest possible impact with the smallest possible change.

I'm going to use Boy Scouts as my example, even though I can't really imagine Stan joining a troop without Ford. Just know that this is a placeholder, and it could be anything: he might find a car repair shop with a kindly and avuncular war veteran mechanic, he might fall in with a volunteer group, et cetera. If we go with the boy scouts, though, here's what happens:

Stan is bored and frustrated and has too much energy as a prepubescent or barely pubescent kid. He ends up hanging out with some boy scouts, and they do things that he thinks are really cool. They're the first kids he meets who like boats as much as him, and they know all the rigging knots. Maybe one of them tells him all about how to take care of lizards, and that other kid knows how to light a fire using a flint.

He convinces his parents to let him join the troop. At first, he doesn't fit in at all. All of the other kids have been doing this since first grade, and he's bad at making friends. However, one of the troopmasters becomes a mentor to him: this man intentionally gives him attention, spends time with him, asks him about his interests, teaches him skills that he's missing, et cetera.

If you've ever been or known a young kid who didn't get enough attention and then, suddenly, met someone who made them feel included, you know what happens.

Stan would sell his soul for this guy.

Stan memorizes his handbook, he attends all the functions, he mentors the cubs, the whole shebang. I think Stan would have a blast, too. Boyscouts make up bullshit to tell the little kids constantly. They play pranks on each other and the troopmasters. They haze the new kids. The develop complex internal mythologies for their troops. They get up to all manner of ridiculous shenanigans, oftentimes with the help of knives, ropes and fire. Stan would love it.

By high school, he's working hard toward his Eagle Scout badge, and that means he isn't just attending troop functions. For those who have never been scouts, the whole program is supposed to be about leadership training. The Eagle Scout status is one you earn by doing a project of your own - usually some small but tangible improvement to your hometown, such as building some benches or making an improvement to a museum. So, in the Sports Stan version of events, Stan is busy because of regularly scheduled team sports; in the Scouts Stan version, he's spending a huge chunk of his own free time planning, fundraising for, and building his project.

But there's another thing at play here.

Boy Scouts have a strict code of honor. If Stan was a gung-ho boy scout, he would probably become exactly the kind of person Filbrick wants him to be.

And, well,

I think he'd also become judgemental as hell.

Yeah, he still loves his brother, but here Stan is living his best life and being a good citizen who contributes to society, while Ford's out there... drawing pictures of ghost he insists he saw? Reading about mermaids? Catching the chemistry lab on fire?

Like, seriously bro, you need to get a real hobby.

You know how by the end of high school, Ford was treating Stan as an immature and ignorant kid with no real aspirations who wasn't going to amount to anything in life? You know how Ford was so sickened by Stan's relative lack of ambition that he really believed that Stan would deliberately sabotage his science fair experiment just for a chance to hang out more?

Yeah.

Now imagine that reversed.

[meguemii]

Hardly Friends.

synopsis :: Megumi and Y/N were inseparable as children, as thick as thieves. Slowly drifting apart as they started high school but meeting again in college although this time around it’s awkward as they’ve ended up as strangers. Befriending Nobara and rooming with Yuji ends up leading to a certain party and a two week trip where it’s finally time to reconnect with old friends from the past.

!!biweekly updates!!

ongoing- [08/08/23]— [..]

[1] like you and your girls

[2] the morning after

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[bonus! 13]

i’ve decided i’m going to rewrite hardly friends, mostly just heavy editing and reuploading it so this is the new master list, if you’d like to be on the tag list just comment or use my inbox ^_^