#and it was all from the same egg that you just chose where to hatch

[vivanightcity]

ahhhh

i was certain i'd taken screenshots of my very early modded minecraft explorations from like ten years ago, and i did.

Dragon mounts was one of my favorite mods, as was the original Witchery. Both of which, I believe, stopped being updated around 1.7.10, witchery did for sure.

It's so wild to come back now and there's these projects to make spiritual successors and continue them on, Bewitchment is a great continuation that has most of the same energy and spirit, and I know there's a 'dragon mounts reborn' out there too, I just didn't know about it until after I found out about ice and fire.

anyways, look at the dergs!

I am so tempted to make a 'improved' version of this old awful ass dragon platform base i made. I used creative and I thought it looked good. (I'm not actually ragging on it, I think it's cute ugly and very old minecraft)

[dandylovesturtles]

Made myself emotional over the “Leo and Donnie chose to be twins” headcanon.

———

“By the way, it’s Leo and Donnie’s birthday next Thursday. You’re coming, right?”

Draxum looked up from his work organizing next week’s lunch schedule to look at Michelangelo, sitting on the counter and swinging his feet. Celebrating individual birthdays wasn’t a thing that the yokai did, but Draxum had been forced to accept that the boys could not be dissuaded from this human tradition. He’d been to two birthday parties now, for Michelangelo and Raphael respectively, eating cake and presenting them with some small trinket he purchased.

He’d known that he would have to go to more birthday parties at some point. But he wasn’t expecting two at once.

“Why on the same day? I can’t imagine the blue one wanting to share.” Actually, he couldn’t imagine Donatello wanting to share, either.

“Oh,” said Michelangelo with a laugh. “That’s ‘cause they’re twins!”

Draxum stared at him. “Twins? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Mikey tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“They’re entirely different species, for starters,” Draxum pointed out.

“I mean, we all are, but we’re still brothers.”

“Yes, by virtue of your shared DNA donor and the circumstances of your raising.” Draxum waved that off. “But “twins” refers to a situation where two children are born at once, especially as the result of a split of a fertilized egg. Which is absolutely impossible in the case of Leonardo and Donatello. Even if I were to be charitable and simply consider them “twins” for having the same hatch day, I can tell you they do not.”

“Uh, okay,” said Michelangelo, unimpressed. “But they’ve always been twins, so I don’t think it matters to them.”

“Why not? I would think it would matter to Donatello especially, since he claims to be scientifically minded.”

Michelangelo laughed. “Not everything is about science, Barry. Not even to Donnie.”

“Then his decisions about when to apply science and when not to are inconsistent and confusing.”

“Well, it’s their birthday, so they get to pick.”

“I am certain that is not how birthdays work.”

“It’s how it works for us!” Michelangelo slipped off the counter. “We’ll see you on Thursday, right? It’ll mean a lot to them if you come!”

Draxum was fairly sure Leonardo in particular would prefer he didn’t, but that didn’t matter. Now he had a mission: he had to correct this strange incongruence.

“Yes, I will be there.”

“Yay!” cheered Michelangelo. “Okay, see ya Dad!”

He squeezed Draxum around the waist on his way out. Draxum was finding he didn’t mind that as much as he used to.

———

Leonardo and Donatello’s party was just as loud and obnoxious as the other two. Blue and purple decorations covered every inch of the old subway station, strange music blared from unseen speakers, and a horrendous amount of junk food was spread out over a table. It was the same group of people present today as there ever was, the eclectic mix of humans and yokai that the boys considered family, but it felt like a crowd three times the size with the amount of noise being made.

Draxum stood off on his own for most of it, his slim birthday present already delivered to the table stacked with gifts. He’d been a little shocked when Donatello and then Leonardo came by to say hello, since he’d been prepared to be ignored by both of them. It was… nice, maybe, that they did that. Even if Leonardo just wanted to make jokes at his expense.

For most of the party, the two birthday boys seemed to be competing with each other for attention. In fact, the longer he took it all in, the whole affair seemed like a clash of ideas. The purple decorations were neat and tidy, geometric patterns and hard angles. The blue decorations were whimsical, uncoordinated, and haphazard, and there were places it seemed someone had deliberately covered up some of the purple with the blue. Leonardo wanted to play rock music and Donatello wanted to play techno. The cake was a mess because they’d both requested different themes for the decorations. There were arguments between the two of them every few minutes, and according to the human girl April this was “typical behavior.”

But why? They weren’t really twins. They didn’t have to share this day.

Hopefully Draxum’s plan would fix all this nonsense.

When it was time for gifts, Leonardo loudly declared that he was going first, sparking an argument. They squabbled for a bit before agreeing to play rock-paper-scissors, which was apparently what they did every year.

Leonardo won the game and celebrated obnoxiously while Donatello scowled at him. Then he gestured at the gift table - which Draxum, in his efforts to stay out of the main throng, was closest to.

“Hey, Barry! Grab me a gift! Make it a good one.”

Draxum sighed but reached over to take one of the blue packages, checking the tag to make sure it was for Leonardo. “This one is… to Leo from Donnie,” he read.

“Oh no, not that one. Our presents to each other are always last.”

“Because they always get sappy about it,” said April with a laugh.

“Do not!” yelled Leonardo at the same time Donatello hissed, “You take that back!”

“Uh, yeah you do, and you know I’m right.”

Draxum ignored the petty argument to look back at the gift table. If they weren’t going to be satisfied with his choice, he might as well give them his own gift.

He lifted it, in its sensible brown packaging, off the table and handed it over.

“Why not start with this? It’s to both of you from me.”

“Both of us at once?” asked Leonardo. “Oh man, you’re throwing off our whole system, Barry.”

“Yes, but he’s giving it to you,” Donatello pointed out, “which means my turn is still next.”

“Uh, no, if it’s for both of us then it counts for both of us, which means it comes back around to me!”

“Ooooh no, you do not get to loophole your way into opening two presents in a row-“

“Ahem!” Draxum loudly cleared his throat, getting their attention. “Would you please just open it?”

“Yikes,” said Leonardo. “Touchy.”

“Some people just don’t understand the sanctity of opening birthday gifts,” said Donatello with a sniff. But he leaned in to watch as Leonardo tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box.

They were both silent for a moment, staring at it. Then Leonardo said, “Uh, no offense, Barry, but what is this?”

“It’s a… scientific study on how twins are formed during the gestational period,” said Donatello, pulling the paper clipped thesis from the box. “Oh, there are more in here… Also about twins.”

“Uh…” Leonardo blinked at it, clearly bewildered. Well, he was always a bit slow. “Thanks…? I think?”

“Not that I don’t appreciate the scientific literature,” said Donatello, “but this isn’t really my area of study and Leo does better with training manuals and textbooks than research papers.” He looked up at Draxum. “Is there something about this we aren’t getting?”

“Yes there is,” said Draxum, sweeping his hand around at the entire party. “I am here to correct your mistaken assumption that you are twins.”

The room fell silent. Donatello set the paper back in the box, staring at him. Leonardo’s brow creased in anger.

“We are twins, though,” he said, setting the box aside like it was burning him.

“No, you are not. There is simply no way that the two of you could be twins. It is biologically impossible.”

“You think that I’m so stupid I don’t know that?” Donatello demanded, getting up from the chair he was sitting in. “Are you doubting my intelligence?”

“Yes, if you honestly think you are twins with him, then I am.”

“Uhhh, Draxum,” said Michelangelo quickly, stepping between him and the now furious Donatello, “this was a… funny joke, but you can stop now-“

“This is not a joke. I am simply explaining the facts.”

“Yeah, well,” now Leonardo was on his feet, too, “the facts are that me and Donnie are twins. Always have been, always will be.”

“You are not,” Draxum insisted. “And given what I have seen here today, I’d think you’d both be relieved, since you clearly don’t enjoy being twins!”

Both boys looked like they’d just been slapped in the face. The rest of the room had gone completely silent, like everyone was collectively holding their breath.

Donatello broke first, turning on his heel and marching out of the room, his hands balled into fists and his shoulders hunched up as high as they could go. “Dee!” called Leonardo, and then he was scurrying off after him. There was the sound of a heavy door slamming, then silence.

It didn’t last long.

“Draxum!” roared the rat, actually getting up from his chair to get in Draxum’s face. “You come in here and upset my boys on their own birthday!?”

“Seriously not cool, Drax,” said the human April. Cassandra shook her head in shared disappointment behind her.

Draxum pushed Lou Jitsu back, scowling at his accusers. “I was only explaining reality! This is really the rat’s fault for letting their delusion go on so long.”

“Delusion!?”

“Barry!”

“Rat!?”

“Ooookay,” said Raphael suddenly, stepping his way into the middle of the fray and starting to herd Draxum back toward the exit. “That’s enough of that for now.”

“I am simply trying to explain-“

“Trust me, hoss, you wanna step away from this one,” said Raphael, and his tone was angry but surprisingly measured. “Come on.”

They retreated to the sewer tunnels outside the subway station. The smell was much worse out here, and Draxum wrinkled his nose.

“Alright.” Raphael heaved a sigh, folding his arms. “So here’s the deal. Mikey likes you, and I guess I kinda do too, so I’m gonna try to help you before you completely torpedo your chances with the rest of the guys. Which, you kinda did already, but maybe we can turn it around.”

“I still don’t understand why they’re so upset,” said Draxum. “Surely it was obvious they aren’t twins.”

“Uh, yeah, they know they aren’t twins by bio-whatever,” agreed Raphael. “They ain’t stupid.”

“Hmm.” Draxum turned up his nose. “Donatello isn’t stupid, maybe.”

“Leo ain’t stupid, either, he just pretends like it.” Raphael pinched his brow. “Listen, that isn’t the point - the point is they already know they didn’t come from the same egg or hatch the same day or whatever. They’re just twins anyway.”

“But how? That doesn’t make sense!”

Raphael sighed again. “Alright, look. Dad didn’t know when we hatched, right? But we all wanted birthday parties like we saw on TV, so he let us pick.”

“Yes. And for some reason Leonardo and Donatello chose the same day.” Draxum could figure that much out on his own.

Raphael nodded. “I was the biggest and oldest, and Mikey was the littlest and youngest, and Leo and Donnie were just kinda sandwiched in the middle. I think at first they just wanted a thing. Somethin’ that set them apart from me and Mikey, ya know?”

“Not really,” said Draxum. Raphael glared at him, and he sighed. “But go on.”

“So they picked the same birthday and called themselves twins. I think Pops just so glad they were actually getting along that he agreed to it. And I think he thought once we got to the day, and they realized they were really gonna have to share it, they’d both demand their own day instead. I know I thought that was gonna happen.” He smiled at the memory. “But the day came, and… they fussed the whole time just like they do now. Arguing about what kind of cake they wanted and who got to open their present first. But they didn’t ask to split. They kept it the same day, and they kept calling each other twins and it just stuck, until we didn’t question it anymore.”

“…They are both stubborn,” Draxum pointed out, and Raphael laughed once.

“Yeah, guess they are. But that’s not what this is.” Raphael shrugged. “They chose each other back then. Maybe at first it was just to have a thing, but then it became real. And every single year they keep choosing each other. That’s why they’re twins.”

Choosing each other as twins… Draxum furrowed his brow. “It’s not normally a choice,” he pointed out finally.

“Yeah, well, our family doesn’t get a lot of choices, so just let ‘em have this one, okay?”

“…Fine,” Draxum finally relented. “As long as it’s noted that this is purely a social designation, and not a biological one.”

“Uh, sure, whatever.” Raphael rolled his eyes. “Glad we got that cleared up, though. Think you can come back to the party and behave?”

Draxum wrinkled his nose at that phrasing, but nodded. “Yes. I will not bring it up again.”

“Good!” Raphael’s smile abruptly transitioned into something much more dangerous. “Because if you make my little brothers upset on their birthday again, I’ll remind you what it was like when we were enemies.”

Then the smile was back. “Now let’s go in!”

He walked back to the subway station, leaving Draxum to follow on his own. Draxum couldn’t help but sigh wistfully.

Raphael would have made a great general for his army.

———

The boys had already returned by the time Draxum got back. They were opening more gifts, and he noted they were wearing hoodies now - though they had apparently decided to swap their signature colors. They were smiling and chattering, and any hint of their earlier upset was gone.

Until Draxum stepped into their line of sight, and both of them went rigid, wary of him.

Apparently just talking to the red one was not enough. Draxum would have to do more. What a pain.

But he didn’t want the boys to hate him. So he sighed and launched into it.

“I… am sorry. I shouldn’t have said you aren’t twins.”

The boys looked surprised at that; slowly, their posture loosened back up.

“And… to make up for my present, I will… take the two of you wherever you want to go in the Hidden City.” The next words were painful, and he ground them out. “My treat.”

Leonardo and Donatello shifted their gaze from him to each other. They were silent, but it didn’t seem like they needed to talk to have a conversation.

Then they finally looked back at Draxum, slow grins growing over both their faces.

Eerily matching, very evil grins.

“Oh,” said Leonardo, happily menacing. “I think we can think of something.”

“I concur,” said Donatello in the exact same tone.

Oh, thought Draxum. Maybe they really are twins.

[millenianthemums]

I know you love doing crossover pokemon teams, any particular reasons you gave dipper and mabel the teams they have, besides the obvious connections?

yeah! i have little headcanons in mind for each one!! i will now talk about them at length because you gave me permission!!!

this turned into more of a story summary than a brief explanation of why i chose these pokemon, and also became really long. so it’s under a cut. thank u

So I’ll start with Mabel’s team. She and Dipper both had an Eevee for their first Pokemon. Mabel’s is named Eloise, and he evolved into a Sylveon because i think that is by far the most Mabel eeveelution of all. the ribbons, the pink, the power of love… of course there’d be some big cool heartwarming moment where Eloise evolved to save the day because Mabel believed in it so strongly. they are best best friends and never apart.

Mabel and Dipper also both got to choose a starter Pokemon when they first arrived in Gravity Falls. i picture it as an equivalent moment to when Stan lets them each pick something from the gift shop. Mabel picked a Popplio she named Bubble Buddy. i remember seeing some cute art that i think Alex drew back around the time when Sun and Moon were new, showing Mabel with a Popplio, and i thought it was so cute and super fitting for her. the Popplio line is so cute and goofy and very transfem, all of which is true of Mabel as well. i imagine that Bubble Buddy is just as hyper and fun-loving as Mabel, and also tries super hard to be fun and funny and impressive at first, but chills out once she realizes Mabel will always adore her, even when her jokes fall flat.

GRAPPLING HOOK is a stand-in for Mabel’s grappling hook, of course. she completely lucked into catching her as her very first non-starter Pokemon and is unbelievably proud about it. she’s her ace in the hole for battles, and she thinks she’s the coolest, strongest Pokemon ever… even though she’s actually kind of a pushover in battle, at least at first. she gets knocked out all the time early on, but Mabel never loses faith in her, and sure enough, she comes through and saves Mabel and Dipper in the season 1 finale. then once she evolves, she actually becomes the unstoppable ace Mabel always believed she could be.

Waddles is Waddles. same role and backstory, the main difference is just that he was deliberately bred to be shiny and that’s why a regular little Lechonk was a sought-after carnival prize. the guy selling him had lots of objectively cooler shinies, but Mabel wanted Waddles. he loves following Mabel around, but hates to battle, so she just lets him hang around and chill out like a spoiled pet. he also doesn’t want to evolve, so Mabel makes him an Everstone friendship bracelet (not pictured but it’s there i prommy)

Mimikyu and Garchomp are less fleshed out in my mind, but i still think they’re fun choices. i think the Mimikyu’s name is Dolly and joins Mabel after she and Dipper realize he’s responsible for a haunting they were investigating. Mabel immediately thinks he’s adorable and shouts down anyone who calls him creepy, and Dolly is so happy to find a friend who loves him for who he is that he demands to join her team on the spot. Garchomp’s name is Chompy, and she hatched from a random lost egg that Mabel found. as a Gible, she was an absolute menace who gnawed on everything in sight and threw tantrums constantly. Mabel had a tough time training her and getting her to listen, but eventually Chompy learned to trust Mabel. she matured as she evolved and became very sweet and cuddly over time.

Ogerpon would definitely join the team after a big important story arc, but i’m not sure how that would go. i just think Ogerpon and Mabel are so similar in a lot of cute ways. they’re both weird girls with big sweaters who are very sweet but also very aggro. i’ve seen them compared before and i just love to see it. i think her nickname would be Pompom. i also really like the idea of Pompom being besties with GRAPPLING HOOK, i just think it’d be cute.

-

NOW DIPPER’S TEAM! his starter was also an Eevee, of course, but his was a shiny! he and Mabel chose their Eevees from a big litter of babies their dad’s Eevee had, because giving an Eevee to new trainers is a longstanding Pines family tradition in this AU.

his was nicknamed Laika, and she started out as a solemn, angsty loner who took herself too seriously and only got along with Dipper; they’ve always bonded over being different and having trouble making friends. but over time, just like Dipper, she makes new friends and becomes more confident. eventually she evolves into Umbreon at a dramatic story moment, maybe at the same time that Eloise does because that’d be really cool. i think Umbreon is a fitting choice for Dipper because it’s mysterious and odd, but still based on the power of friendship, so deep down it’s just as cute and sweet as Sylveon. it just doesn’t like to admit to its own cuteness.

Dipper’s Alolan starter was Rowlet. he named him Nova, and Nova absolutely ADORED Dipper from minute one. despite being the size of a basketball, he immediately saw Dipper as a tiny little baby that he was responsible for. he was always preening him and fussing over him, and Dipper was annoyed and embarrassed by it at first, but always kind of found it endearing. sometimes in the first month, people like Robbie and Gideon would make fun of Dipper for being babied by a tiny round owl, but then a couple months later that tiny owl was a six-foot-tall assassin raptor, and if you so much as breathed wrong while looking at his human son he’d try to tear out their liver, and no one made fun of Dipper anymore. anyway, Rowlet is the most “nerdy bookworm”-coded starter in my mind, so i think it’s a natural choice for Dipper. especially if Mabel already has Popplio. i think the Litten from the trio they both chose from stuck around the Mystery Shack and eventually became Stan’s pokemon against his will.

The Rotom, Pluto, lived inside Ford’s Journal 3 Pokedex and was just trapped in there until Dipper found them. Pluto is super excitable and full of energy and always wanting to do new things and have adventures, and after all the time they spent cooped up inside a hidden, deactivated Pokedex, Dipper can hardly blame them. he does everything he can to help Pluto have fun after everything they’ve been through, and tries not to pry too much even though he’s really curious about their past. Pluto doesn’t talk, so they never directly give Dipper any answers about Ford. they’re still technically Ford’s Pokemon, and they’re traumatized by the loss of their trainer and at first very conflicted about whether they should let Dipper go down the same path that he did. but eventually they bond with Dipper enough to decide to help with solving the mystery of the journal-dexes. i just love the idea of the journals in a Pokemon GF AU being Pokedexes, because in a way, they kind of already are in canon, right? so i think that’d be the perfect excuse for Dipper to have a Rotom. once Ford comes back, he would be really grateful to see how much Dipper helped his traumatized Pokemon. up to that point Dipper wouldn’t have caught Pluto since they already had a trainer, but once Ford’s back, he’d definitely gift them to Dipper.

Crobat (named Comet) was Dipper’s first catch and represented a big important step in his journey, but starts out super anxious and terrified of everything. Dipper thinks Comet is kind of useless at first and is jealous that Mabel caught GRAPPING HOOK, who actually likes to battle and has confidence, as opposed to this dinky little Zubat who would never impress anybody. but eventually Dipper realizes that viewing Comet that way is unfair; she’s not a tool, she’s a living thing who’s shy and fearful and needs a friend who believes in her. so he changes his approach and treats her with more kindness and care, and she very quickly comes out of her shell and actually ends up being one of Dipper’s most powerful Pokemon.

The backstories for Golisopod and Beheeyem are a lot less detailed. Golisopod (Bermuda) is basically just a nod to Dipper’s arc of learning to be brave and stand up for himself, and Beheeyem (Dover) is just because Dipper’s whole thing is mystery and the paranormal and stuff, and also Beheeyem strikes me as a big nerd just like him. Sorry Dipper, that’s just how i view you.

finally we’ve got Terapagos. i like the idea of Dipper befriending them because to me they represent, like, the truth behind a big mystery. the hidden treasure at the heart of a search for the truth. that just seems perfect for Dipper. i think he deserves to discover and befriend Terapagos and be the first one to discover all the secrets they hold. and also hug them because they’re a cute little turtle. i think he’d name them Star.

[tenaciouschronicler]

February 26 - March 1 2025 2010

A mother will do whatever is best for her children.

Now I dont like questioning the disembodied voices but...

The path through the mausoleum leads to a different part of the island where a dock can be found. Mom apparently rather than being forced away from Rose chose to leave of her own accord leaving only her martini glass behind.

WV is building a better Can Town, Exile Town, where '[a]ll expatriates are welcome, no matter what happened in the past, regardless of professional persuasion or metallurgical affiliation.' While this just at face value means the 'jobs' of each metal item, ie. can, mailbox, ammo, and type of metal, its really easy to think this is the future WV envisions for him and the others. Perhaps in this timeline, on this planet, he will do the same as Slick and make his own Town reality. AR is none too impressed, especially as this is WV's attempt at wooing PM, and yet, right outside of Exile Town hes got a militia started.

[A]ny town without a proper militia is as good as conquered.

As such he prepares one begrudgingly.

Sure~ Whatever you say AR. WV has his own moment of reflection admiring the sky 'oh my god a huge eggy looking thing just appeared in the sky.'

This is Daves fault. No really! we go back to Dave and Jade who have done most everything else to get the 'punch card eggy loking thign' which is immediately taken by the sprite crow to its 'nest made of shitty swords and soft puppet ass'. Obviously this makes Dave irate and he jokes about putting the egg in the microwave to hatch it which prompts Jade to dump his microwave off the skyscraper.

Not sure exploding the egg is what SBURB wants Dave.

We get to learn more about the differences in player entry and some new machines. Each time a player enters the amount of build grist is muliplied by 10. So John started with 20, Rose had 200 and Dave has 2,000. It seems like the later you enter the easier time you have building (and moving things, remember when 100 Grist was an insane amount to move the cruxtruder?). We can also see some new grist types have been unlocked from the get go though without enemies you cant really use them.

Then boy oh boy do I get to talk about computers again. Since Dave does not have any shale at his disposal hes kinda SOL on using the Punch Designix. This is terrible because we cant see what the JUMPER BLOCK EXTENSION and PUNCH CARD SHUNT actually do with the ALCHEMITER. However we can speculate.

So a Jumper is commonly used on Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) to create connections that modify circuit connections either for fixing electric connections or adapting a PCB for specific requirements. A Jumper Block is used to configure connections for different PCB options consisting of mulitple pins or sockets bridged by shunts to establish those connections. Shunts are used when you want to selectively make or break these connections easily, manually or automatically. Its noted that a card must be punched to affect the flow of current when insterted to the PUNCH CARD SHUNT. Given all this, it seems like this is an upgrade to alchemizing that can affect the core of the system and perhaps more easily automate the creation of new objects.

This is all well and good but that doesnt change the fact Dave does not have a way to punch said cards. So, all that done, Dave goes to install the mystery disk, which in any other circumstance I wouldnt do so casually. While doing so we get to see Rose fighting white Imps with more feline features on LOLAR and that Dave has 3 hours and 41 minutes to destruction.

The disk turns out to be gristTorrent, which is a version of BitTorrent, to leech some of Johns shale and build grist. Now Ive never used BitTorrent myself, though I have heard of it. It uses peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol to distribute data and files over the internet. Its mostly used for very large files and is faster than standard file downloads in this case. The 'seed', in this case John, hosts and sends the initial file while 'peers', in this case Dave, connect and download the file in parts and then in turn can become seeds for others. Dave initially has a decent download rate of 4 g/s (grist per second) that dips once he starts also leeching Build grist. This is because he is the only connection, as one of the downsides is time it takes to reach full download speed without enough peer connections to offset internet bandwith cost.

This concludes Sam's TEDtalk.

In all honesty, Ive tried to make as much of this as consumable as possible and I hope it helps anyone who is lost on the tech side of things. (im gonna need a tag of this too huh)

[incorporeal-entity]

I want to talk about Kestrel because yeah she is an awful dragon but that's just surface level talk. Now I want to make it clear here I am not defending her actions as they are reprehensible I am just analyzing her character. I genuinely believe that the reason why she is so abusive and horrible is because she lost her dragonets. Scarlet made her kill one of her dragonets just to escape with one so she chose the weakest one with no fire (sky) only for Scarlet to try and take her other dragonet Peril. Kestrel tried to escape with her but because of Peril's firescales she is too hot to escape with and Kestrel had to leave her behind with Scarlet.

It's why she treats the DoD so horribly instead of raising her own dragonets she stuck raising these dragons from different tribes she has no relation to. The DoD will never be able to live up to Kestrels expectations not just because they aren't skywings but because they aren't her dragonets all Kestrel could care less about well being as long as they can fulfill the prophecy. I also think the reason why Kestrel treats Glory the worst is because she was the replacement for the busted skywing egg. That skywing egg would have hatched a skywing that would have served as a replacement for her lost dragonets but instead of getting a skywing they get a rainwing.

It's why she hates Glory the most of all that skywing eggs was basically her last chance to be a normal parent to a skywing but it hit squashed. Replaced by a stupid and lazy rainwing among stupid and weak dragonets she has to raise for the prophecy. She so desperately wants to raise her kids or at the very least a skywing that the DoD and especially Glory will never live up to her expectations of raising her own dragonets. No matter what they do no matter how hard the DoD will try they will never be good enough for Kestrel because what Kestrel wants is her own dragonets (I also wouldn't be surprised that her having a skywing supremacy mindset also lead to her mistreatment of the DoD). It's why when she figures out when Peril is still alive her tone changes she isn't as harsh to her as she is to the DoD just because Peril is actually hers.

This is where her mistakes come into play where her own actions come back to haunt her. Because the DoD will hate her because of all the abuse she has caused them but since Peril is close with Clay and the rest of the DoD if Peril ever figured out how Kestrel treated them she would hate Kestrel too. Why would she like Kestrel who abused the DoD ever since they were children especially since Peril was also an abusive victim with Scarlet how could she ever trust Kestrel knowing she would basically just be another Scarlet in the way she treats her. Same thing with Sky to.

I know a lot of people get mad at the idea of a Kestrel "redemption arc" if she lived and yeah I get it because the way some people paint is that the DoD and everyone she abused forgives her which is very icky. The way it would realistically go is that the DoD and her children would hate her guts they wouldn't want anything to do with her. Nothing she does will ever be able make up for the abuse she has caused and she wouldn't be able to repair her image amongst the DoD or Peril and Sky and they will never like or love her back. In the off chance she somehow managed to make new friends (very unlikely but not completely off the table dragons are notoriously shit parents) she would have to live the rest of her life knowing that her own children hate her and want nothing to do with her. She will die alone and with no one by her side and if you ask me that's a more deserving punishment, living your life knowing your actions ruined everything and dying alone instead of dying before you can see the consequences of your actions and understanding how your horrible actions were your own downfall.

[mylittlesecrethaven]

Facts About the TWST Boys You Might Not Know: Octavinelle

So, it's been a minute since I made the other ones, but by the time I'm making this, the Heartslabyul part has been out for 3 days, and it's already the most popular post I've ever made, which is kinda insane. 92 fucking notes. Where did all the people come from? No clue.

Tbh, I'm glad people enjoyed the post (or just liked because it's a thing people do where they just like posts they think are cool? Which I don't understand, but whatever.), but I make these posts for very selfish reasons, so it's not super important. I just chose to include this because I find it insane so many people interacted with one of my posts.

Anyway-

SKIP DOWN BELOW THE CUT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A BORING MESSAGE!

Azul

He knows how to play the piano, and was in a band with both Jade and Floyd

He can write with all 10 of his limbs in his octo form (I figure that's pretty well known, but I still like this fact)

He's into coin collecting

His last name references a color like his first name, but also has grotto in it, referencing the grotto where Ariel in The Little Mermaid kept her human findings (that sounds weird, but it's technically true)

Jade

His job when there is a new influx of Octavinelle students is to gain info on them to both appeal to them and blackmail them. The info includes: home countries, hobbies, tastes, least favorite foods, worst subjects, and a catalogue of the students' public, private, and secret Magicam accounts (I do not want to be an Octavinelle student, holy fuck)

The little earing he wears (Floyd also wears, so I'm gonna put this fact in his as well) is made from sturgeon scales, because before they entered middle school, a sturgeon challenged them to a fight, and in return for being beaten by the twins, the sturgeon had to give them some scales (I'm pretty sure they might have also just taken the scales and said the sturgeon gave the scales to them)

The sturgeon scales mentioned above are apparently lucky charms in the Coral Sea

Floyd

His name is actually Welsh, and means "grey" or "grey-haired" (very interesting, actually)

As we all know, he has a nickname for most of the TWST cast. (I actually made a post about these nicknames a while ago, but I'm not linking it because going through my posts for that would be waaayyy too much of a hassle)

He says he's neither the older nor younger twin brother of Jade (which.... like... does it really matter? And since they hatch from an egg (I'm assuming because I just looked it up and morays do lay eggs), wouldn't they have a chance to hatch at the same time?)

His skin is very beautiful and well-moisturized according to Vil (Is Jade not the same or...?)

Floyd is very interested in shoes (I'm sure we knew that though)

Oh shit, a good fact right here. Floyd can perfectly recall anything he has seen or heard as long as it's interesting to him. If it's boring, he'll forget it immediately. (I actually never knew this wtf)

I wish the other dorms got as much love as Heartslabyul, but I feel like that last Floyd fact will make up for that for now.

Anyways, I'll get Scarabia done when I get it done I guess.

[msfcatlover]

Tim walking into Corruption!Damian's room, and gently placing a weird package down on Damian's desk while Damian watches. Tim giving Damian what Tim probably thinks is a meaningful look, taking in Damian's blank expression, and snorting. Tim rolling his eyes and just saying "You're welcome," before walking out again.

Damian has absolutely no idea what to make of it, until the eggs hatch.

A month later, Tim walks in with a slightly different package and does the exact same thing. Desk, stare, "You're welcome." Damian opens his mouth to ask, but Tim's already gone.

Tim keeps doing it, sometimes when Damian's not even in the room; Damian will just open his bedroom door, and there's a new package on his desk. Which would all be weird enough, if it weren't for the fact that the packages are all different. Different labels, different brands, different logos, even different languages on the labels & instructions.

Damian doesn't know what to do with all these moths. He can't let them loose, this isn't their native environment. He can't send them back, they're too fragile; he's terrified something will happen in transit, killing them all. He'd love to adopt them into his swarm, but Damian is unsure of exactly how that would work—he's never added anything, the moths simply chose him— plus, he doesn't know where the limits of his patron's generosity lie. At this point , Damian has more caterpillars than biomass to potentially hold them, and Damian doesn't want to crowd out the few resilient moths he has left, while also making life worse for the new ones.

(Damian probably shouldn't worry about that, given Jane Prentiss had a literal flood of worms at her command, but then, Damian's relationship with his swarm at this point in time is a hell of a lot healthier than Prentiss's. And the Corruption doesn't really do "healthy" in any way shape or form. So maybe he's right to.)

.

Damian ends up with a new greenhouse. He fills it with plants from around Nanda Parbat, but especially caters to the ailanthus trees he has shipped in. A perfect little Eden for his moths to inhabit.

Tim seems annoyed by this outcome. Damian finally loses patience, demanding to know what Tim thought the outcome would be. (What Tim's intentions were.)

Tim frowns, bemused. "You need more genetic diversity." Damian has no idea what he's talking about. "For your swarm," Tim clarifies.

"My swarm is fine!"

"Dames, you told me you had like 10 moths when you made it to Gotham." Tim raises his eyebrows, like he's stating the obvious. "You have to know that's not a healthy number. Right?"

Damian presses a hand to his chest, a protective tic Dick encouraged despite Damian learning years ago not to give away his feelings (especially not when they might risk his swarm.) "They're strong," he says, voice soft but firm, "they survived Grandfather, the Pit, my—recovery." (Damian doesn't like to think about those months, when his swarm was trapped under his skin, re-burrowing their tunnels, unable to spread their wings. The pain of his flesh being re-molded to its chosen purpose was nothing compared to the weeks Damian had thought the creatures he'd poured his whole being into nurturing, the special moths who changed in order to bond just with him, were extinct.) He glares at Tim. "We don't need your help."

"That's not what you said when I got back," Tim says with a smirk, and Damian looks away. Tim sighs. "I was going to stop soon anyway. Just... consider it, okay? None of us wants to deal with it if it turns out they're weak to the flu."

"They're moths," Damian snaps, more on instinct than anything else, "they can't get the flu."

"Actually, modern studies on transmissible disease—"

Damian scoffs and storms off. (Tim pats himself on the back for definitely winning that argument.)

.

Damian does not add Tim's foreign moths to his swarm. But... he does spend a lot of time in the greenhouse, reading or drawing, and letting his swarm run free. (Damian's their Hive, not their keeper. It's none of his business what his moths get up to when he lets them out to play.)

[wolves-and-dragons]

A Lark Among the Wolves and Dragons: Chapter 15

Main Masterlist

Chapter 14.5

Synopsis: Ciri and Rhaenyra meet Aemma's dragon. Viserys declares Aemma a true born Targaryen. The Lady of Larks receives unexpected news.

CW: None really come to mind for this particular chapter, except for some swearing, but the power dynamics are still in play concerning the Lady Lark and Daemon.

The next morning, Ciri and Rhaenyra made their way to Aemma's room, where you were already in there, tending to the babe.

Ciri was wearing a dress Rhaenyra had picked out for her, a mix of red and black to reflect the colors of House Targaryen. For the time being, no one outside the small council knew who Ciri really was.

As a cover, she was to be referred to as Lady Ciri, the daughter of a wealthy silk merchant from Novigrad. Her father was currently establishing trade in King's Landing and Ciri was invited to stay in the Red Keep as the king's ward and Rhaenyra's new companion. If anyone should ask about her father's whereabouts, Ciri would simply answer he would be on a trip to also establish new trades in Dorne.

You turn your attention to the door when it started to open, half expecting it to be Aemma's father coming, and to your relief it wasn't. "Ciri, princess," you greet, "what brings you here?"

"Is it true?" Rhaenyra asks, "my cousin's gift, the dragon's egg? I heard it hatched."

To answer her question, the baby dragon appeared from where she was laying, and perched herself on your shoulder as you bounced Aemma up and down. The dragon gazed at your daughter almost as if she was playing the babe's guardian.

"Is that a baby dragon?" Ciri asks. Rhaenyra smiled and nodded, "it is. My cousin has her own dragon, this is wonderful. I knew I had chosen the right egg for her."

"You...chose the egg?" you look at the Targaryen princess, surprised. "I found my uncle looking at the eggs we had available back at the dragon pit," Rhaenyra explains, "the one I had picked for Aemma came from the same clutch as the egg I had chosen for my late brother. Strangely enough, I never noticed it before." 

"She's awfully cute, the dragon," Ciri admits, "will I be able to pet her?" "You can try," you say, "but so far, she doesn't seem to let anyone near her or Aemma. She'd probably keep me away if I wasn't needed to tend to my daughter."

"Sounds like she has already bonded with her future rider," Rhaenyra smiles, "I did not expect the egg to hatch so quickly, though."

"How long does it usually take?" Ciri asks. "Oh, it's hard to tell," Rhaenyra admits, "if I'm being honest, half of the dragon eggs ever hatch at all. It's especially rare for one to actually hatch in the babe's crib." "What do you do if that turns out to not be the case?" Ciri questions as she observes Aemma's dragon and figuring out the best way to pet the creature.

"You either hatch one yourself," Rhaenyra answers, "or you wait and bond with an already grown one in the dragon pit. Maybe later today, I can introduce you to my dragon, Syrax."

Ciri reached her hand out to Aemma's little dragon, touching her back and rubbing it a little. To your surprise, the dragon did not growl or even try to bite Ciri's hand; if anything the dragon seemed to enjoy this attention.

Then to everyone's surprise in the room, the dragon turned and jump towards Ciri, who flinched, but relaxed when the dragon settled on the girl's shoulder.

The dragon still kept her gaze on Aemma as she remained perched. 

"Fascinating," Rhaenyra states, "she seems to have taken a liking to you too, Ciri." Ciri pat the top of the dragon's head as the dragon made small chirping noises.

"Does this little one have a name yet?" Ciri asks. "No names just yet," you admit, "Dae- uh, Aemma's father had yet to pick one for her."

The baby dragon chirped some more, rubbing herself against Ciri before jumping and perching herself back on your shoulder and rubbed her little head against Aemma's.

"Maybe we could name her after you, Ciri," Rhaenyra suggests. "You want to name the dragon Ciri? Or Cirilla?" Ciri frowns a bit, looking at the dragon. "What about....Cirillia?" Rhaenyra says after thinking it over, "not quite Valyrian, but it sounds like it. I think it's a perfect name for this dragon."

You think about it, "I think it sounds like a lovely name," you pet the dragon on the head, "Cirillia."

"Then from this day forth, that is what this dragon shall be called," Rhaenyra announces, "I shall inform my uncle when he returns from Driftmark."

"Your uncle isn't here?" you ask, a little surprised. "He left King's Landing earlier today," Rhaenyra tells you, "Apparently some business with Lord Corlys."

"Oh," you say, feeling internally relieved, but you don't let your expressions betray it. It didn't change fact that you were practically a prison in this place, but at least you wouldn't be running into Daemon anytime soon.

"Were you hoping to see him?" Rhaenyra asks. You weren't sure how to answer that without the princess suspecting what was really going on, so you give her this answer, "I, uh, was just surprised he left so soon." 

Before anything could be said, the doors open once more. A servant walked in, a little surprised to see the princess here, "the uh, Lord Hand, princess, my Lady, my Lady."

On cue, Otto walked in. You sigh in slight annoyance.

"His Grace as requested that the...Lady (y/n), and...her daughter to the Throne Room for an audience," he announces, looking to see the dragon perched on your shoulders. His facial expression refused to betray exactly what he was feeling in this moment.

"I better put on something nice then," you say, standing up and handing Aemma to the servant, "she better put on something nice as well."

"I'll inform the king myself of (y/n)'s impending arrival," Rhaenyra says, taking Ciri by the arm, "shall we?"

You walk out of Aemma's room, and to your dismay, Otto followed you. You cross your arms, making yourself ready for whatever venom he was about to spew towards you.

"Well go on then," you say, "whatever it is you have to say, Lord Hand, just say it."

"Oh, what could I possibly say at this point?" Otto asks rather sarcastically, "You left, under the impression you would never come back again. You gave me your word, that you would never return, that you and...your child would remain on the Continent, on your homeland. I seemed to remember contributing in helping you afford passage back to where you came from."

"If you wish for reimbursement, I'll give you your coin back when I get the chance," you deadpan.

"Not at all," Otto deadpans back. You stop so you could look the man in the eye, "I never meant to come back here, Otto. I had no control over that. I had no control over the prince finding out about Aemma and him coming to the witchers' keep on dragonback to bring me and my daughter back here. I had no control over Daemon threatening to burn down the place and everyone there if I AND my daughter did not return to King's Landing with him."

"How noble of you," Otto sneers, "you chose to break your word over the lives of mutant sell swords. Give me one reason why I shouldn't tell the king the real reason why you left. That everything you had told him was a lie." "Oh, you can try," you laugh lightly, "Ciri certainly did. No one believed her, except for you, what makes you think they'll believe me?"

Otto sighed a bit in annoyance; he knew you were right about that, but that did not make the situation anymore irritating for him. 

At this moment, it felt like the Hand was losing his influence over the king, and recently it seemed he would be unable to control the princess as well, something he realized after her trip to Dragonstone to confront her uncle, which prevented the bloodshed that would've ensued.

"Look, I don't like this anymore than you do," you continue, "but this is where we are now, and we'll both have to come to terms with this. And if you still feel threaten by Aemma for whatever reason, I highly doubt you will be for much longer. Your daughter, it seems, has become the new queen while I was absent, and it indeed looks like she will be producing more heirs for the king, heirs that will also become your grandchildren. I'm betting you've been praying that her first child will be a boy."

Otto was about to form a rebuttal, but you stop and realize you were at the doors to your room, "if you'll excuse me, Lord Hand, I must make myself more presentable for my audience with the king. And it is rather rude to keep His Grace waiting." 

You shut the door in front of Otto, a smug look on your face from this temporary victory as you head to the wardrobe to pick out a dress. 

While dressing yourself, you wonder if you could somehow use Otto to help you, Aemma, and Ciri out of Westeros and back to the Continent. He's made it clear how much he despises you and vice versa, he's REALLY made it clear he wants you gone.

However, after the man's last attempt to "help" you, it didn't seem likely he would be willingly anytime soon.

In addition to that, Aemma would become part of the royal family now, and Otto is loyal to the king. If you tried to escape and take Aemma with you, you wouldn't know for certain if he would either help you, or stop you from escaping. 

After you put on your dress, check your hair and makeup, and spritz a little perfume, you walk out of your room and head to the Throne Room.

--------------Throne Room----------------

Before you walk in, the same servant you had given Aemma to was there by the doors, you daughter in her arms.

Cirillia was on the ground, gazing on the servant rather menacingly, something you found a little cute since this was a baby dragon attempting to make threats.

You giggle a bit and take Aemma into your arms. Cirillia moved towards you and jumped up to perch on your shoulders.

You pat the dragon on her head with your finger and walk into the Throne Room.

Viserys stood by the Iron Throne, crown on his head. Alicent stood by one side and Otto on the other.

Rhaenyra and Ciri stood to the side next to Alicent, and members of the small council, sans Lord Corlys were present as well.

Daemon was nowhere to be seen, confirming that he and the Lord of the Tides were definetely in Driftmark.

"Step forward, Lady (y/n)," Viserys commands, which you obey.

The king approaches a scroll in his hand, containing the king's seal. He hands to you, and you accept.

You were a little surprised Cirillia didn't growl at the king, but rather made some chirping noises.

You manage to keep Aemma in your arms as you unroll the scroll and read it aloud, "by order of His Grace, Viserys, first of his name, king of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and protector of the realm, do so forth proclaim that Aemma Waters, the daughter of Prince Daemon and the lady (y/n) shall be acknowledge as true born-" "and from this day forth shall be addressed as Princess Aemma Targaryen," Viserys finishes for you, "In spite of the way my niece came to be in this world, I will not be so cruel as to turn her away from this family," he looks to the dragon on your shoulder who was still watching Aemma, "especially when the gods have deemed my brother's daughter worthy of a dragon."

You give the king a small smile; even though this proclamation did essentially trap you even more in this place then you already were, at least Aemma would be well cared for and protected, "thank you, your Grace," you say, "this is...a most gracious gift. You truly are a kind and generous king."

Viserys made a small smile in return before addressing the small council, "you will all acknowledge my niece from now on as Princess Aemma," he says with a stern tone, "she is part of the royal family now, and will be treated accordingly. Should I hear of any mistreatment or slander upon my niece, I will have their tongue. Am I understood?"

The small council members nod and acknowledge the king's command.

Ciri had a concerned look on her face when she looked you in the eyes, while Rhaenyra smiled wide, pride that her cousin was officially part of her family. 

The ceremony was thankfully small and short.

It was late in the afternoon when you were allowed to take Aemma back to her room, who was starting to get a little cranky at that point, indicating it was time for her nap. You rock Aemma lightly as you carried her to your room.

When you walked in, you notice the servants were busying themselves about, packing various items about.

"What...what's going on?" you ask, feeling confused by all this.

"The babe's- uh, I mean Princess Aemma's things are being packed for hers and your journey to Dragonstone on the marrow," the servant answers.

"What?!" you exclaim, eyes widen by this sudden announcement, "I wasn't- why am I going to Dragonstone?"

"He didn't say why," the servant answered. "He?" "Prince Daemon, my lady," the servant explains, "his last order before he set for Driftmark this morning."

Chapter 16

[keicordelle]

The Daily Inconveniences of an Au Ra: Eggs?

Yda cocked her head curiously, and though Keshet couldn’t see the direction of her gaze, he could guess what she was about to say before she said it.

"You have a belly button."

Alright, he hadn't expected her to say that. "Erm, yes? Should I not?"

She frowned. "But didn't you hatch from an egg?"

Dumbfounded, Keshet blinked at her, and he chose to believe she was blinking back behind her mask. "No?" he answered, confusion turning it into a question. "Where in Nhaama's grace did you get that idea?" He wasn't sure if he should be amused or offended, but Yda carried such an air of innocence that he found he couldn't help but laugh, reaching to tug on the shock of blond hair that had slipped out from her headscarf once again.

"But you're all..." She waved a hand up and down, encompassing his entire body. "Lizardy."

Keshet choked on his own laughter, teeth sinking into his lip to try to hold it in as his brows drew up in bewildered mirth. "So you see scales and a tail and you think I came from an egg? What, do you picture little infant Au Ra knocking on the insides of their shells when it's time to hatch?"

"Well, no. I assumed you used your horns to break free." That sent Keshet into another fit of laughter, and she pouted at him. "It's not that ridiculous! Besides, wouldn't those horns hurt your mother?"

"Our horns don't grow in until after we're born," he wheezed in answer. "We most certainly don't use them to peck our way free of eggs. I was born just the same as you, umbilical cord and all," he said, gesturing to the naval that had been the source of her confusion.

"Grr, Thancred!" Yda whirled, storming off to chew out the rapscallion rogue, who had presumably been feeding her falsehoods for his own amusement. Keshet shook his head in bafflement as she left, still chucking to himself over the image of a tiny Keshet sitting in a freshly cracked egg shell. Damn, maybe he should have played along and seen how long he could keep up the ruse; surely he and Thancred could have had some good fun teasing her until she finally realized the joke.

Although... As he watched Yda beat harmlessly on Thancred's shoulder, he had to wonder. Thancred did mean it as a joke, right?

Read the rest of the series on Ao3!

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[megsironthrone]

On Wings of Dragons

Based on this request: Hi. :) I was wondering if you could write with Viserys? Inspiration from the drabble you wrote for me earlier. Perhaps where they still have the dragons and finally have conquered the 7 kingdoms? :D from @xwennie

Here you are, lovely! I decided to take the drabble I wrote you, use it for the first part, and then expand on it! *Familiar Characters are NEVER mine!*

Warnings: AU-ish. Angst, blood, violence, death. Dragons. Fluff-ish

Pairings/Characters: Viserys Targaryen x fem!reader. mentions of Joffrey and Cersei.

Viserys gaped at you in disbelief. This was not what he'd been expecting to come back to after storming out during a disagreement. He'd expected you to be asleep or crying or something. But that was absolutely not what he returned to. You were still sitting in front of the fire where he left you. Only this time, you weren't alone.

"What are those?!" he snapped, gaining your attention once more. You looked up at him with surprise in your eyes. "Dragons," you whispered, "They were real. The eggs weren't decorations at all. They were real eggs." Viserys couldn't believe it. He was the dragon! Targaryen by blood! How was it that you had been able to hatch dragon eggs and he hadn't?!

Something in Viserys' gaze must have told you what he was thinking because you got up, cradling one of the two dragons to your chest and walked over to him. "They are ours, Viserys. Yours and mine. And with them, nothing will stop you from winning the Iron Throne."

You handed over the tiny dragon before stooping to pick up the other one. Viserys held the creature in his hands, letting his violet eyes meet those of the dragon. It almost looked like it was smiling at him. Viserys chuckled softly to himself. It seemed like he wouldn't need Drogo's army after all. All he needed were his dragons and you.

*time skip*

Viserys felt the wind whipping through his platinum hair as he rode his dragon across the sea. He glanced over to see you on the second one. You grinned at him. The two dragons had grown quickly, but Viserys had raised them with help from you. They were obedient only to the two of you. Anyone else made them wild and untamed. And nothing made them happier than the daily training in flying. Now, though, it was different.

Now, you were flying across Westeros, toward King's Landing. It had been you that had pointed out Daenerys pulling away from him. You were the one who warned him of her possible betrayal. That had been the catalyst for Viserys' decision to gather whatever belongs the dragons could carry and fly to the nearest seaside city. There, Viserys had purchased a small fleet of ships. They had sailed underneath the flying dragons. One more step toward the Iron Throne even if the journey hadn't quite gone the way he'd planned.

After arriving in Westeros, the rest seemed simple enough. Take over Storm's End and what remained of Stannis Baratheon's army. Then, head for King's Landing, gathering more soldiers along the way. By the time Viserys was ready to take on Joffrey, there was no stopping him. With his newly acquired army, your support, and his dragons, there was no way Viserys could lose.

"Give Joffrey a chance to surrender, my love," you told him softly as you landed the dragons just outside the gates of the city. You couldn't destroy the city. Then who would you rule? You were the voice of reason for Viserys. You were the reason he knew he wouldn't go mad like his father. Viserys didn't reply, but you knew he'd heard you.

As expected, you were greeted by the Gold Cloaks, all of them ready to run you through on Joffrey's orders. Viserys didn't pay them any mind. He had the upper hand and he knew it. "I have come to offer you the chance to surrender. You will relinquish the Iron Throne to me, as is my right. Do that, and there will be no need for bloodshed." His voice was deceptively sweet, but you knew better. That was the voice he used when he was fighting to keep his inner dragon under control.

Joffrey stared at him for a moment before scoffing. "And why should I do that?! You have come here with a stolen army I'm certain would gladly fight for me for the right price." You placed a hand on the back of Viserys' arm. No one else could see it, but Viserys recognized your support.

"I have two dragons circling the city from above. I could destroy you and the city in a storm of dragon fire and blood and bone, if I so choose. For the sake of honor, I chose to offer you this chance. I suggest you take it." Joffrey looked ready to soil himself at Viserys' threat. He knew Viserys wasn't bluffing. The question was, would he surrender or would the child king doom himself and the people of Westeros to death and destruction?

Joffrey rose from the throne, gaze shifting between you and Viserys and the people in the throne room. Everyone waited with bated breath to hear what he would say. He opened his mouth to speak, but a thunderous roar was heard overhead. Joffrey practically jumped as he realized that Viserys wasn't kidding. He had dragons and was not afraid to use them. It was only because of you that he hadn't already.

You watched as Joffrey thought about what to do. "I should have my Gold Cloaks remove your head from your shoulders." Viserys chuckled. "Try it, boy." Joffrey nodded his head and you heard the sound of swords unsheathing. Viserys didn't even flinch. In a bored tone, he simply replied, "Sweetest?"

You could feel your lips spread into smile that was almost feral. Without warning, you launched into an assault. The Gold Cloaks were so caught off guard that they didn't know what to do. You managed to take out three before one landed a hit on you. You kept going. You told Viserys that it would be a bad idea to destroy the city. You never said anything about killing a few of the Kingsguard that dared threaten your husband.

You fought until Joffrey screamed at the Gold Cloaks to cease. You were back at Viserys' side in an instant. Joffrey and the remaining guards stared at you in disbelief. "What? You truly didn't think he married me just for my pretty face, did you?" you asked with a laugh, "No. In Viserys Targaryen's army, the only things more deadly than I are the dragons."

"Now that you've seen a demonstration of the power I possess, what is your choice?" Joffrey looked even more pale than usual, all sense of bravado gone. He reached up and removed the crown from his head. He tossed it to the ground in defeat. Cersei cried in frustration as Viserys took a step forward to grab the crown.

"Behold! The Dragon of House Targaryen and the new ruler of the Seven Kingdoms!" he declared. You gave him a curtsey, prompting everyone else in the room to do the same. The smirk Viserys wore was one of pride and you couldn't deny it thrilled you to your core.

"Now, leave me and your new queen! But first, take these two to the dungeons!" Guards wasted no time in grabbing Cersei and Joffrey and escorting them out. Once the throne room was cleared out, you turned to Viserys. He eyed you up and down, admiring how looked splattered in the blood of his enemies. "You did it, my love!" you exclaimed. Viserys grabbed you by the waist and pulled you to him. "Yes. I did. We're back where we belong and I will fight tooth and nail to keep it with our dragons. There will be a Targaryen on the Iron Throne for eternity." He then claimed your lips in a searing kiss, only parting when another roar came from overhead.

(a/n: I hope you like it!)

Forever Tags: @fizzyxcustard @brewsthespirit-blog @etherealpotter @line-viper @frozenhuntress67 @cd1242 @smalltownbigheart @gruffle1 @igotmadskills

[favefandomimagines]

Fools Gold (r.c.)

Summary: how much are you worth to rafe and his friends?

AN: sorry the new obx pics that were posted inspired me to write an angsty af rafe fic also thinking about doing this same concept with JJ.

again, the rafe i write is not canon. he’s just a dick most of the time.

You weren’t friends with Rafe Cameron. There wasn’t any parallel universe where the two of you would be friends.

He despised you because you chose a life with the Pogues over a life with the Kooks. But he didn’t seem to have as big of a problem with Kie as he had with you.

You couldn’t figure out why he disliked you more than anyone on the island. You figured it had to do with the fact that he didn’t like the fact that everyone knew he slept with a Pogue.

Once upon a time, you lost your virginity to Rafe. After realizing how he acted towards you, you didn’t really know why. But at the time, you felt safe with him. Better him than some random tourist at a party.

But after you and Kie made the grand transition from Kook to Pogue, he never spoke to you again. And when he did, would he some mean and snarky comment that you tried not to let get to you. But a person can only take so much before the words start to stick.

—

You were at a Boneyard party with your friends, you and Kie talking about the upcoming beach cleanup the two of you were planning. You were minding your own business but you could feel a pair of eyes burning into the back of your head.

“Dude, $500 you can’t get Y/N to go out with you and stay with her for 6 months.” Topper bet the older boy. “$500? That’s it? To get Y/N to go out with me?” Rafe laughed. “Yeah, it should be an easy $500 right?” Topper asked.

Rafe thought about it for a moment, deciding if he was really that bad of a person to lead you on like that. He didn’t really hate you as much as he said. He was just hurt that you felt he wasn’t good enough to stick around for.

“It’s a bet. $500 in 6 months.” Rafe finally said. The two Kooks shook hands and Rafe’s fixation landed on you.

You were standing with Kiara by the fire, drinking your hand, clearly talking about something you were passionate about. Rafe noticed that whenever you talked about something you loved, you talked with your hands ten times more than you did normally.

He assumed you were talking about the ocean or something like that with how big your smile was.

Rafe then put on his asshole Kook facade and began to approach you. “Hey, Y/L/N!” He called. You took one look at him and instantly rolled your eyes.

“Can we help you?” Kie asked him. “I need to talk to Y/N. Alone if that’s not a problem with you.” Rafe sassed the girl. Kie looked at you, almost a nonverbal way of asking if you’d be okay alone.

You gave her a small nod and she reluctantly walked away. “What do you want, Rafe?” You sighed. “Go out with me.” He said. “What?” You questioned. “Go out with me. We can go somewhere on the mainland or somewhere local. Wherever you like.” He explained.

You couldn’t help but let out a small laugh before you realized he wasn’t joking. “You’re serious?” You asked. “Yeah, I’m serious.” Rafe answered. “Sorry if I have a hard time believing you want to go out with me after you’ve treated me.” You said.

“I was a dick. I’ll make it up to you. Just give me a chance.” Rafe replied. You looked at him for a moment, being very wary about the whole offer. “Okay. One date and if I even so much as a sense a stupid practical joke, I’m out.” You finally said.

Rafe smiled down at you before slowly backing up. “Great. I’ll pick you up, Friday at 6.” He said.

You had no idea what just happened. Rafe Cameron asked you out? And he actually seemed to mean it?

And to say the date went well was a total understatement for both you and Rafe. You both had an amazing time together, exploring the mainland and not having to worry about the Kook v. Pogue prejudice.

In the 6 months Rafe had been with you, he soon realized there wasn’t a single thing he didn’t love about you. He loved how you would dance around to your indie and alternative music as if no one was watching.

How you dragged him to the beach to watch the baby turtle eggs hatch. Even though he said he didn’t want to, he’d go anywhere if you asked.

Rafe also loved how you loved life in general. You didn’t care about the class system on the Outer Banks, you just cared about the people you loved. Your dad, your brother, the Pogues, and now Rafe.

Which made him feel even worse about the bet. It was nearing 6 months and Rafe knew he couldn’t just end it with you. He knew how that would hurt you. So he called Topper and asked him to call the whole thing off.

“Maybe we should just end the whole thing. You can have your money and we can call it off.” Rafe said over the phone.

“You aren’t going soft are me now are you?” Topper mocked. “No, I’m just saying this bet is stupid. It’s too easy now.” Rafe lied. “I’ll double it. $1,000 if you can make it to 6 months with Y/N.” Topper said.

Rafe hadn’t known you were going to come over so early so he thought he had time to talk to Topper. But you were standing out in the hallway in front of his door, listening to the whole thing.

“Wow, $1,000. Only an idiot would turn that down.” You sneered. Rafe turned around with wide eyes before quickly hanging up the phone. “H-How much did you hear?” He asked. “All of it.” You answered. “So you asking me out that night was a stupid bet? And our entire relationship has been a lie?” You asked, your voice raising.

“No, Y/N, let me explain.” Rafe pleaded. “Why should I? I think you and Topper explained everything perfectly. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you. I’ve just been a huge joke you and your friends could laugh about.” You said.

Rafe began to walk towards you but you talking a couple steps back made it very clear you didn’t want him coming near you.

“We’re done, Rafe. I hope you enjoy the money.” You said sadly before you left his bedroom. When you walked into the hall, you saw Sarah standing a little ways away, but you knew she heard everything. “Did you know?” You asked her. “Of course not. I had no idea he was doing this for money.” She answered.

“Everything was a lie. I-I really thought he cared about me.” You spoke quietly, the tears welling up in yours eyes.

Sarah frowned and pulled you into a warm embrace. She couldn’t help but feel guilty since it was her brother who was causing you so much pain. “I know we were supposed to hang out tonight but I think Im just gonna head home.” You said.

She didn’t want you driving home in the state you were in but she also knew that you being alone was what was best for you.

When you arrived home, you avoided your father’s questions like they were the plague and made a b-line for your bedroom. But even then you couldn’t escape Rafe’s presence because everything reminded you of him. 

For weeks after you are Rafe broke up, you were a bit different. You didn’t really feel like yourself because you didn’t know what was real anymore. Finding out about the bet made you question everything and your self esteem took a pretty big hit. 

But you were good at faking it for the most part. You still hung out with the Pogues as if nothing was wrong.You went out to Boneyard parties, hung out with Kie, surfed with JJ, went shopping with Sarah. But you could only pretend so much. 

You were sitting on your surfboard in the water, JJ floating next to you as you two waited for a wave. 

“JJ, can I tell you something?” You asked him. “Of course, Y/N.” He said. “Rafe and I broke up. Apparently I was nothing but a cash grab for him.” You confessed. “What? What do you mean, cash grab?” He asked. “I was just a bet. Apparently Topper bet him $500 to go out with me and make it 6 months. I guess he was calling Topper to call off the bet but he offered him $1,000. I haven’t told anyone, only Sarah knows.” You explained. 

“You know he’s a moron, right? You’re not even worth $500, you’re priceless, Y/N and don’t let Rafe and his dickhead friends make you think any differently.” JJ said. 

You could tell that telling him the truth really riled him up but he never fought with Rafe for the sake of you. Your friendship was more important than wanting to knock Rafe flat on his ass.

“What are you going to do?” JJ asked. “I don’t know. I’m having a very hard time believing he faked everything the past 6 months but Rafe is pretty convincing when he wants to be. But am I really that stupid to think he actually cared about me?” You answered. 

“No, that doesn’t make you stupid. And what I’m about to say I will never admit to saying but what if Rafe actually did care about you? I mean, everyone knows his dad is always on his ass about money and he was going to turn it down for you.” JJ said. 

You sat quietly for a moment, watching the stillness of the water before looking back to JJ. “Are you saying I should talk to him?” You asked. “I’m saying maybe you owe yourself that much.” He answered. “Since when the hell did you become so insightful? Usually you’d tell me to beat him up or smash his car.” You laughed. 

“Well, this time I just want you to be happy. And as much as I hate to say it, he made you very happy.” JJ said. “I really don’t like it when you’re right.” You muttered. 

After a couple more minutes, you and JJ headed back to the beach and when you got there, Rafe was standing on the sand a few feet away from the shore line. 

You slowed your pace slightly as you made eye contact with him. You readjusted your grip on your board as you and JJ kept walking. “Y/N, hey, can I talk to you?” Rafe asked uncomfortably. 

You and JJ had never seen Rafe look less confident before until that moment. “JJ, I’ll meet you back at the Chateau.” You told the blonde. JJ nodded his head but not before giving Rafe a suspecting look as he walked away. 

“You wanted to talk?” You asked him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Y/N. I should’ve never taken that stupid bet in the first place. I-I guess I was holding a grudge against you before.” He said. “For what? I never did anything to you, Rafe.” You asked. “You left me. You chose the Pogues and the Cut over me. We were always friends before and then you and Kiara just decided it wasn’t good enough anymore. That I wasn’t good enough.” He explained. 

“I didn’t choose the Pogues because of you, Rafe, or over you. Figure 8 is toxic and everyone we used to hang out with was terrible and I couldn’t do that anymore. You were the one who froze me out after we slept together. Let’s not also forget that you faked our entire relationship.” You rebutted. 

“No, no, Y/N, I didn’t fake anything. Everything we had was real. You have no idea how it easy was to fall for you because you are amazing and I-I messed it up. I hurt you and I know it’s not going to make it better, but I’m sorry.” Rafe said. 

You pushed your board into the sand before sitting down in front of it and motioned for Rafe to do the same. 

“I was falling in love with you, Rafe. So to hear you and Topper just use me for your own sick enjoyment, broke my heart.” You started. “I defended you to everyone to just find out that they were right.” You finished. “You said ‘was.’ Like past tense.” Rafe spoke quietly. 

You swallowed the lump in your throat as you stared at the sunset. “I wish we could just move on, forget it ever happened but I don’t think we can.” You said. 

Rafe’s body stiffened and he hung his head low, not liking where the conversation was going.

“But, we can start over. Clean slate.” You added. The boy looked up at you, almost as if he thought you were kidding. “Really?” He asked. “Yeah, really. But, on a few conditions.” You said. “Anything, I will do anything.” He said. “You leave my friends alone. He’s going to kill me for saying this but JJ was actually the one who told me we should talk so you kind of owe him. Second, you let me punch Topper, very very hard.” You told him. 

Rafe laughed lightly at your words as he wrapped his arm around your shoulder. “Sounds like a plan.” He said. “Also, give me your phone.” You said. Rafe took his phone out of his pocket and gave it to you. 

He looked over your shoulder to see what you were doing as you opened the Venmo app. 

You pressed ‘pay and request’ and put Topper’s user name in. 

@TopperThornton: Pay $1,000 

Summary: congrats, i lost the bet. Y/N is worth so much more. she’s also gonna kick your ass 

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Rafe commented. You hummed in response, resting your head on his shoulder. Rafe pressed a light kiss on your forehead as the two of you watched the sunset together. 

[kerra-and-company]

A question prompted by your last post about Kerra: does she believe in destiny? In fate? In some sort of higher power, even? Or is she a sort of "this all happened because of my work and my effort" type of person?

(Nero, you're fantastic, thank you for asking <3) It really depends on what time period you're asking about. Like, heavily depends on that. So...let's break it down, shall we? (This also turned into "how does she feel about her destiny", which wasn't exactly the question, but have the bonus info :D ) First month of 1325 AE: Fully believes in destiny. She has no reason to do otherwise, and it was one of the first things she was told about after she woke up from the Dream. It's less that she believes in a higher power and more that she's certain her fate's been laid out for her already. The rest of 1325 AE: Still believes in it, but it feels different to her now. It's less "I know that I'll do XYZ and so things will eventually be okay" and more "I know that I'll do XYZ, which means that people are going to get hurt because of me and I can't stop it." Early 1326 AE: She feels like she's screwed up the world because she didn't truly understand what her destiny was. It's a weird position for her to take, on a surface level--if she thinks her fate's been laid out, then surely everything that's happened/the paths she's taken were meant to happen. But she sees the destiny as her end goal, and that is already set, but the path to get there (and the deaths, the lives, the losses) is on her head and hers alone. Mid-1326 AE through mid-1327 AE: She (thanks to her friends and family) decides that she needs to just live. She still believes that her destiny will come eventually, but she's almost actively ignoring it at this point. Rest of 1327 AE through 1328 AE: A lot happening in her head here, and it's the first time that her belief in destiny is...not exactly shaken, but maybe like...moved three feet to the left or something? She starts moving some of the blame and guilt she feels falls on her head from her to whatever entity (in her mind, partially the Dream, partially her Mother) gave the destiny to her. 1329 AE: She feels like she both fulfilled and spat in the face of destiny (both for the same action--saving her brother), and she's also in a much better place mentally. Her position at this point is that destiny is something that can be given to you, but if you don't choose it, then it can fuck right off. There's actually a point where she considers what to do with the egg, before Aurene's born, and her connection to it, which is another kind of destiny. She's not sure she wants it at all at first and considers rejecting it, up until Aurene hatches. But she maintains to this day that Aurene wasn't her destiny; Aurene is her daughter and she is Aurene's champion by choice. She chose to stay, to raise her as best she could, to visit whenever she had a free second (and some times when she technically didn't)...that was her, not destiny. 1330 AE onwards: Destiny and fate are goals that someone gives you. They're often important, sure, and they're worth considering and potentially pursuing--but only if you want to. You are not a failure or a terrible person for not wanting your destiny or for choosing another. It should be a guiding hand, not a weight on your shoulder. So, tl;dr answers to your questions: Does she believe in destiny/fate? Yes, in a sense, but not as an all-consuming thing. In some sort of higher power? No. She did, once, a little (the Dream, her Mother), but not anymore. Or is she a sort of "this all happened because of my work and my effort" type of person? The way the world shakes out is because of the actions she and others took, in her mind. At most, destiny's a guiding hand, and you can choose to shake it off if you don't want it.

[artinandwritin]

So I hadn’t really thought about Siri’s dragon until ‘I saw that sketch (idk why lol) it now I’m curious about like what her relationship w her dragon is like, how she chose it, do Funnet and Fanghook get along w Loma, etc etc

(Also what color her dragon is bc that’s very important)

Oh my God id love to infodump some facts about Siri's dragon!! Lemme just grab my infamous document and we'll discuss it >:)

Siri remained dragon-less for a long time, actually. She was a bit on edge about the large animals (the only ones she wasn't afraid of being Stormfly and Fanghook), and liked watching them from the ground a bit more.

However, when both her best friends got dragons of their own, she did start to feel a bit left out. Of course, she sometimes made little flights with Gustav on Fanghook, but how safe could that be? Both the boy and his Monstrous Nightmare were reckless af and Siri was not a fan of that.

This continued on for a few years, until Siri (14 years old at the time) was left alone when Gustav yeeted himself and Fanghook to Dragon's Edge to become ✨a real-ass dragon rider✨. Now with no besties to hang out with, Siri often just strolled around the village, doing her chores and helping her parents' friends.

However, one afternoon, when she took a stroll through the woods around Berk, she stumbled upon an agitated, wounded Deadly Nadder, fiercely protecting something underneath her. An egg, the girl soon realised. Overcoming her fear after all those years, she slowly calmed the dragon down, applying the lessons Astrid had learned her when Siri had helped her take care of Stormfly (seriously I love these cousins omg-)

When the Deadly Nadder had calmed down, Siri ran back to Berk to ask for help from Gobber, seeing as he was a bit more qualified to take care of such a problem.

The blacksmith, after making Siri get Stoick and some other adults, brought the Deadly Nadder and her egg to the infirmary, where they would stay until she was back at full strength. Siri often stayed with her during that time, trying to calm the poor Nadder down as she healed. Slowly, but surely, the two formed a bond, and Siri named her Funnet (homage to an old sheep her family had when she was younger).

After a week, the egg hatched as well, and the little baby was named Verden by Siri, and Funnet calmed down a lot after realising she and her son were save and sound.

After Verden grew up a bit, Funnet allowed Siri to fly with her (not that she'd accept anyone else, Funnet wasn't one to easily trust someone).

About Funnet's (and Verden's) relationship with Fanghook... They get on well enough. Fanghook is a bit too playful for Funnet's taste, she feels way too mature for his antics, but Verden loves him. Funnet is also pretty protective over Siri, in a sense. She doesn't like her little human being too close to others, and mainly arrogant and petty boys who think they are more mature than they actually are (*cough* Gustav *cough*).

With Loma I feel like you mean Iona (I hope lmao cuz otherwise i would've had no idea)! Funnet, Verden and Fanghook never had the pleasure of meeting the menace, unfortunately, but if they would've met, Funnet would adore the little cat. They're both divas, after all. Fanghook would be very curious I think, and maybe a bit too rough in trying to play with her (same with Verden, two chaotic bois lmao).

As for colour schemes, Funnet has a bright, pastel-ish purple tone on her back and tails, her spikes and eys being a light yellow, and her belly more white. I've been thinking about her design a lot and omg I need to do some digital art of her soon.

For Verden, he's a lovely shade of apple green, with the same yellow spikes and eyes as his mother and a similar white belly. He is small for his age, tho, but with his enthusiasm, that doesn't matter <333

Thank you so much for this ask!! I've been looking for an opportunity to talk about these two babies and their relationship with Siri for a while now so you're actually a Godsend for allowing me to talk about them <333

[fantasticstoryteller]

New Amsterdam Chapter 108

Peter whirled to face the speaker. The girl, Angel, stood on the side of the building, wind rustling through the feathers on her wings as she looked at him with curiosity. “How?” he asked, first question to run through his head.

She shrugged. “I have super hearing,” she explained, “and I’m always—attuned? Is that the right word?—to the sound of your voice. And Wade’s voice,” she added.

“Ah.” Peter fidgeted. He both wanted to ask for her help and scream at her to go home. She was way too young for this hero business—but then, he had been too. “Did you figure out what laid eggs in the sewers?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Nah. They’re just going to hatch. I don’t think they’re a threat—well, not to anything other than sewer rats.”

Peter shuddered. He knew way too much about the city’s sewer rats. “Have you seen Wade?” he asked.

“Not today,” Angel answered breezily. She tilted her head to the side, watching him through narrowed eyes. “Why?”

Peter explained what his aunt had done. “And now I need to find him,” he said.

Angel nodded. “This is going to sound strange,” she said cautiously, “but why do you need to find him so badly? He thinks you went out for eggs, right?”

“Right,” said Peter thoughtfully.

“Right.” Angel’s wings flipped lazily for a moment as she considered. She looked back at Peter. “What’s the nearest store that sells both eggs and poblano peppers?” she asked.

Peter blinked. “What?” he asked.

“Wade’s favorite food is Mexican,” Angel explained. Peter nodded; he knew that. “Poblano peppers are one of the most commonly used ingredients in Mexican food. I don’t think he even sees stores that don’t sell them.”

That made a lot of sense, actually. He didn’t want to think too hard about why Angel knew that, but it made sense. “Timon’s,” he said firmly before swinging away. He heard the thundering of wings behind him as she shot through the air following him.

Timon was a second-generation immigrant whose family had, quite literally, built the store from scratch—using debris from buildings around the area because aliens invading New Amsterdam was not a new phenomenon. The store was small. The store was sturdily built. And Timon had contacts that got him the freshest everything and everybody loved his store.

Timon also knew Peter. Back when he was a kid, every time he went into the store the man would give him a cookie filled with pineapple. When Peter became Spiderman, he’d stopped several huge pieces of debris from falling on the cherished store. He liked to think the man would understand what Peter was about to ask him, but he wasn’t sure.

Peter ducked into the small store and the bell above the door rang to announce his presence. “Coming!” Timon’s heavily accented voice called. (The man could speak with the same accent any New Amsterdamer could, but chose to cultivate the accent.)

“Hey, Timon!” Peter said nervously, not sure of the reaction he was going to get.

Timon’s dark face lit up. “Spiderman!” he said, all traces of his foreign accent gone. “Welcome! How can I help you?”

Wow. That was—a surprisingly positive reaction. Encouraged Peter said, “I’m looking for a friend of mine. Huge, red, swords on his back?”

“Deadpool!” Timon said, just as excitedly. “Oh, he saved my baby girl last week!”

“Is she all right?” asked Peter, worried.

“Eh, nothing that won’t heal,” Timon said dismissively. “Much better than it could have been. He stopped by earlier—is your friend sick?” Not noticing the shock on Peter’s face (thank goodness for the mask) he continued, “He collapsed and someone had to help him on his way.”

Before Peter could say anything, Angel spoke up. “Do you have cameras?” she asked. “Could we see? If we know who helped him, we’ll know where to look.”

“Of course, of course,” Timon said. “Come with me!” he led them to the office in the back of the little store that the security equipment hooked up.

As Timon was pulling up the video Peter realized that Angel had never said that Wade wasn’t being helped. She’d never said that he was the kind of person who simply didn’t collapse. She’d left Timon with the impression that that they were looking for him because he was ill.

Angel, Peter was coming to realize, was scary.

Peter put his thoughts aside as he watched Wade bend down by a hunched figure on the sidewalk. Watched as something happened to Wade and he began to collapse. Watched as suspiciously familiar multi-jointed metal arms sprang from the figure’s back to wrap up Wade and carry him like a small child.

No. It couldn't be.

But it was. He’d recognize those arms anywhere; he’d helped Dr. Octavius with the algorithms to make them work. And they’d been used to kidnap his boyfriend.

“Thanks, Timon,” Angel said. “We know where to go now.”

“Ah, no problem,” Timon said. “We gotta stick together, eh? I hope your buddy feels better soon.”

“He will,” Angel promised as she gently guided a stunned Peter out of the store.

Dr. Octavius had kidnapped Wade. That meant that Oscorp wanted him for—something. Peter wasn’t aware of any projects the company was working on that would require kidnapping Deadpool. Then again, Peter wasn’t privy to all aspects of the company; there were several bits that were under the direct supervision of Norman. Which meant—kidnapping Wade was a Norman level decision.

He was going to have to hack into the company’s system and find out why. He didn’t want to; he was terrified of what would happen if Norman figured out he did it; but he had to know why and where Wade was taken. He pulled out his phone and made a quick call.

“How can I help you, Mr. Parker?”

As usual, the AI’s voice made Peter grin. “Hey, you remember how you said that you were still looking for a way into the Oscorp mainframe? There’s about to be a breach.”

A moment of silence on the other end of the call. “Mr. Parker, I do not want you to commit a crime for this,” JARVIS told him firmly.

“They took Wade,” Peter said flatly.

Another moment of silence.

“Sir has several new, untraceable rockets in his arsenal. Would you like me to bomb them to the ground?”

Angel’s face turned bright red and she collapsed to the ground, shaking. Peter had the odd idea she was trying not to interrupt his call. “I, uh, don’t actually think there’s a need for that,” Peter hedged.

“Not to worry, Mr. Parker,” JARVIS drawled cheerfully. “I will endeavor to ensure there are no warm bodies in the building first.” Click.

Angel burst out laughing, tears streaming down her face. “I love him!” she squeaked.

Peter gave a weak smile. “Are you busy?” he asked. “Can you help?”

“Hmm. Well, the street children are holed up in their safe place deciding their future and the army gathering under the streets won’t be ready to try and take over New Amsterdam for at least two more days—so, yeah. I can help.”

Peter stared at her for a moment. “Shouldn’t you be trying to do something about that army?” he asked, curiously.

“You would think, but no. Trust me,” Angel said completely serious, “the best way to minimize loss of life here is to let the army commit itself and then chop off the head. Metaphorically speaking, of course.”

“Of course,” Peter echoed weakly. He’d have to assume she knew what she was talking about; he needed to rescue Wade. “Let’s go,” he said.

[whateverthedragonswant]

Dany was always going to go dark take #4,934 (talking about showverse only and this got long):

If you look at the scenes below, they all have one main theme: Dany's ability to speak to the masses and gain what she wants, whether that's access to a city, followers, or an iron throne. Not only did they use similar words (such as her speech to the Dothraki in season 6 from Drogon's back and in her season 8 speech to them and the Unsullied), but they also show how she operates. What's that saying, the devil will come in the form of everything you ever wanted? That's exactly the lesson GRRM (and D&D before they screwed it up in the end) were trying to teach the audience. Of course people followed her because she came blazing in, "making impossible things happen", and looking exactly like everything they ever wanted. A queen they chose who would choose them time and time again, who would not let them continue to be crushed by the wheel of power. The long oppressed of course wanted someone to save them, to make the world a better place. Most of Westeros didn't accept her when she arrived because they had already seen what had happened when the dragon(s) was(were) in power. The ones who did ally with her did it for their own agendas (revenge for Ellaria and Olenna & safety and numbers in order to beat Euron for Yara). But ultimately, Westeros had the attitude of "been there, done that, no thanks". While the Targaryens had the blood of Old Valyria in their veins and had flown across the sea to Westeros to conquer it centuries prior, the lands Dany finds herself in the first six seasons of the show have not seen anything like her or her dragons before, and their history exists obviously, but it's history. Now she's coming to "free the slaves" and bring "freedom and equality" for all. Of course, she is the queen they chose. Of course. But it's a gateway. She literally used these people as a stepping stone to go after what she really wants.

That's not to say she didn't care about people such as Grey Worm and Missandei, of course she did. But she also considered them to be hers, just like she did the people of Mereen. Which is why she chose to stay in Mereen to rule, until she gained the fleet of ships from the slavers and was now positioned to take back Westeros, now having two armies, ships, and three full grown dragons.

There is a line that Daenerys says in 1x10 when Mirri Maz Dhur tells her she will not hear her scream: "I will. But it's not your screams I want, only your life." That right there is a pre-cursor to everything that followed. Dany didn't know that the funeral pyre along with the blood magic would hatch the dragon eggs. Jorah at first, not knowing of her ability to be unburnt, was worried that she wanted to die on the pyre as Drogo and Mirri burnt. But look at the positioning of the scene. They purposely have Jorah tie Mirri to the pyre of Drogo. Which makes sense because Dany lost Drogo and her unborn child and she holds Mirri as responsible. (which lbr, she was when she lied to Dany, I know there's a whole controversy here with Mirri but I'm not delving into that for this post just now) So she not only wants this woman to die at the same place her husband is being burned but also to sort of do (imo anyway) a kind of reversal. I don't think she thought it would bring Drogo back to life or anything, but I see her being like "okay, you wanted to trade my child's life for my husband's, who I had to mercy kill anyway, let's see how you like it when I take your life, I am the dragon's daughter" in a way. But here is where it gets dark: Dany steps into that pyre. It's only when we hear Mirri start to scream that Dany turns to Jorah and gives him what I call a "hold my beer and watch this" kind of look. She then steps into the fire, knowing it won't hurt her, and goes to the pyre. She even glances over at Mirri who is screaming as she is burning. And then we see her advance and step underneath the pyre. The reason this is dark besides her obviously enjoying Mirri's execution by fire is because she purposely went into the fire to enjoy it.

We don't see her going to hold Drogo or even touch him as if she wanted to say goodbye. She didn't know the dragons would hatch (even if there was a slight possibility she was hoping they would, which again I don't think she did, but I'll say it for the possibility's sake). She never thought Drogo would come back to life. She wasn't trying to win over the khalasar completely because at this point iirc, the ones who were going to leave after Drogo took ill and was "weak" already had. Was she trying to keep the ones who had stayed? Sure, but I think her speech here was her trying to accomplish that as well as the public execution/funeral pyre burning. She didn't need to step into the fire and show them she was unburnt. I don't even think she was planning that tbh like she does in 6x04.

But it's the fact that she waits until Mirri starts screaming as she burns that Dany walks into the fire that is dark. Because she literally not only wanted to bathe in the fire but I think there was a part of her that also enjoyed it, not only because she felt righteous in executing her, but she also took what was hers, with fire and blood: revenge justice, in this scenario. At this point in time, GRRM was very involved with the show. Not to mention, the episode's title was "Fire and Blood". Yes, D&D may have written this episode themselves but that should tell you something. While they executed the ending of this show very poorly and did a huge disservice to Dany's ending (as well as many others) by retconning back to her season 1 ending and softening her up before her death (which completely negates the moral of the story GRRM was telling fyi), her darkness was always there, always present. And like that line that Tyrion says in 8x06, each time she meted out her own brand of justice and people cheered her for it, she became more sure that she is good and more powerful and she is on the right track. Many people see fire as a form of purification, in all different aspects. Is it any wonder that she obviously thought the same?

Case in point: The song "Power Is Power" that's on the "For the Throne" soundtrack has a line "Now watch me burn it down". Granted, this song is from both Jon's and Dany's POV but it's a line that is often repeated throughout the song. If we look at the massacre that occurred in 8x06 after the execution of Varys in 8x05 and after the Tarlys' executions in 7x05 with the purification line of thinking, it actually falls in line with what happened to KL and why it did. Dany was always going to build a better world, what she considered to be a better world. As she says in 7x05, "I offer you a choice. Bend the knee or die." It's also no accident that Jon and Davos happen upon Grey Worm and the Unsullied executing unarmed Lannister soldiers (who had surrendered) on Dany's orders in 8x06 who are on their knees and unable to do anything about it. They surrendered only when faced with being conquered. They didn't bend the knee willingly and embrace Dany as their new queen. (this imagery btw is to show you how Dany's new world would have been if people didn't bend the knee willingly, she was in full tyrant/dictator mode, which is most likely why Emilia studied Hitler's speeches before performing the 8x06 speech from the steps scene) It's also no accident that Dany says to Jon in the throne room scene from that very same episode: "It was necessary" and "We can't hide behind small mercies. The world we need won't be built by the men loyal to the world we have."

The massacre wasn't bad writing. The buildup to it was in the fact that they didn't give it enough time and organic build-up, but the intent was always there. The retconning back to her season 1 character (who she definitely wasn't anymore) in the throne room scene and going for tragic in the wrong way is the bad writing. Dany made a choice, a well-informed choice, and to retcon that is what is truly the bad writing while negating the moral of her story. But she was always going to go dark. That is one thing that D&D did not mess up on. They provided the hints and subtle clues for it all along:

This

Was

Literally

Always

Coming

[phoenix-before-the-flame]

A Dragon by any other Name

Hey hey hey! Been a while since a phoenix wrote a thing but i was a pinch hitter for the @ftguildevents reverse bang, writing a fic for @rougescribe dope af artwork that is right here (seriously it's sick af)

Hopefully this fic is worthy of it, so without any further ado please, enjoy.

Natsu knelt in the snow, holding down a shiver that tried to shake his small body. The moon hung too high above him in the inky sky, uncaring in how its cold light shone like a spotlight on him as it guided biting winter winds and the frost to attack him. His knees dug deeper in the ground, trying to focus his thoughts, to keep them from wandering. To keep the cold from scattering them like it scattered flurries of flakes in his face with each heaving gust. His fingers long had gone numb, unable to feel them as they ran shakily over the gooseflesh on his arms. The scarf wound tight around his neck did nothing to aid in his plight.

What he wouldn't give for the warmth of rigid scales, scratchy like bark as they dug into his back when he rested. 

Natsu shook his head furiously to banish the thought but the cold seemed even harsher now as the memories of searing warmth and soothing smoke crawled to the front of his mind. He stood suddenly, his young bones creaking much too loudly at the action, eyes darting about the unbroken line of trees. His gaze locked onto a familiar rise above the treetops, piercing yellow eyes staring back at him pensievely with wings like sails unfurled slightly by his sides. The red of his scales painted black by the night. 

Natsu hurriedly blinked away the flakes gathered on his lashes, the beginnings of another shiver threatened to travel up his spine. He bit down on the insides of his cheeks, knowing full well what chastising words laced with disappointment awaited him when he took off into the brush. The same words as yesterday, and the day before that. And the many before that. Natsu decided it was better to hear them again that lose to the cold.

Igneel huffed as Natsu came to a stop before him, straightening with his wings folding to his back with a leathery snap. He fixed the young boy with a stern look, unmoving as he hurried to hide beneath his wing to press tiny hands against his hardened skin to sap warmth. He remained silent as the minutes ticked by, the snow piling higher by his clawed feet, unbothered by its presence save for when it started to gather on his snout. With a slight shake of his head it fell to the ground.

"You're mad at me again. Aren't you?" The voice was small, muffled from under his wing and he felt Natsu shy away, scurrying into the smallest corner of Igneel's wing to hide from the scathing words he thought were coming his way. Igneel sighed, his breath swirling heavily in the air. He unfurled his wings slightly once more, enough to see Natsu's back facing him but still closed enough to keep the snowfall from the child.

"I could never be mad at you. Only disappointed at worst." Igneel voice rumbled loud even as he spoke softly, the trees shivered at his words. Natsu flinched, curling in on himself. "That's just soft mad." He said glumly. Igneel couldn't help the light chuckle at his son's logic.

"You are too dependent on my flames when your own needs tending to." Igneel lowered himself to the forest floor, curling his head towards Natsu as he rested it on his forelegs. A mischievous glint in his eye aimed at Natsu's back. "Perhaps I should hide away deeper in the woods, behind the tallest tree. Maybe without me here your inner fire will blossom."

His joke did not have the desired effect he wanted. The small child wheeled around, horror painting his features and his fists clenched tightly, trembling from something other than the cold.

"No!" He shouted. "No no no! Don't do that! I'll try harder I promise! Just don't…" His voice trailed off. He pulled his scarf over his face and tucked himself away once more. "...don't leave me alone..."

Igneel blinked at the unexpected outburst. Silently he chastised himself, tail sweeping guiltily from side to side. He should've known better. Atlas always bemoaned his jokes, said they were in too poor a flavour. Igneel would roll his eyes then. Maybe his old friend was right.

"Natsu." He called softly, nudging the boy with his wingtip. "Natsu, come here. Please." He didn't move and Igneel tried again, praying his words hadn't dug too deep a wound.

Slowly Natsu turned, scarf still pulled over his face, and trudged out from under Igneel's wing. He stopped when he felt the dragon's warm breath on his skin and plopped down heavily on the ground near Igneel's face.

"You shouldn't make jokes like that." Natsu sniffled, voice muffled by the scaly cloth and Igneel winced at the realization that he made him cry. " I'm sorry my son. Truly I am. I should never have said those words to you."

"Yeah you shouldn't have." The retort was well deserved. Though there was an odd hitch to Natsu's words, as though he wanted to say something more. " It's just that…" He shuffled where he sat, curling in on himself as he held the scarf tighter to his face. " All of this is so hard to do. Everything would be way easier if i'd have just hatched out of an egg like you."

"I can't eat fire without it burning the corners of my mouth. And when I try to breath it, it hurts my tongue. My flames don't always come when I call for them and I can't keep warm in the cold like you can. Because i'm not like you." The words tumbled out fast, almost tripping over each other in the haste they were forced out in. He drew his knees to his chest and dropped his head to rest on them.

" Everyday you tell me that I should try harder and that I give up too soon. And that one day it'll all be natural. But I know it won't be. Because i'm not a dragon." He drew a shuddering breath, heart pounding wildly in his chest at the rush of letting all his fears free and Igneel almost reeled from the force of it. Stress and insecurity and anger at himself had laced Natsu's words, digging their way past Igneel's scales to attack his heart. His tail swept across the snow once more, piling it up against the tree trunks. He dug a claw into the snow in thought, the gouge mark deepening with each passing. Natsu rocked slightly, back and forth on his heels, lost in a whirlwind of emotion.

"And who is to say…" Igneel paused, eyes narrowing as he chose his words tactfully. "...that you aren't a dragon?" Natsu stopped rocking and lifted his head somewhat, allowing the scarf to fall just beneath his eyes to Igneel with a withering glare. Bright green eyes were tinged with red around the edges.

"I'm not stupid Igneel." He accused. 

"So what makes a dragon 'a dragon' then?"

"A dragon has scales and claws, and fangs and-"

"Ah, but you have those too." Igneel cut him off, reaching a claw out tenderly to hook on the end of the scarf to pull it down past his quavering mouth." You have fangs hidden away beneath those lips of yours. And you have scales." He raised the claw slightly, showing off the end of the scarf that hung limply from it. "As for claws, well you always chew them off but they're there. Strong enough to leave a scratch on my scales in your rowdy sleeps. You are my son, that makes you a dragon in the truest sense."

"Dragons have tails. And wings."

"I knew some with one or the other. Any many who had neither." Igneel responded cheekily. "And those without were no lesser than those with. Only less burdened in a fight."

Natsu snatched away his scarf from Igneel,  flying to his feet and staring at level with Igneel's eyes. He dug his heels into the ground. " A dragon's s'pose to be strong and powerful! I'm not! This is supposed to be easy for a dragon cause it's easy for you! But it's not for me! Cause i'm.not.like. you! Stop trying to make me feel like I am!"

His echoed words from earlier stung at Igneel even harder now as he saw the turmoil in Natsu's eyes, locked behind a wave of fresh tears that struggled to break free and run down his face. He dug his teeth into his bottom lip harshly, biting at it without care even as Igneel caught glimpse of the first beads of blood. He only slowed his gnawings then, wincing slightly at the pain while he forced his eyes down to focus at his bare feet shuffling on the ground.

"Natsu…" Igneel murmured. He eased his head closer to the child until his horned snout was just mere inches from his chest. His eyes rounded with softness. "My son… My one and only son. A dragon is more than just the few traits you can see. Or what they came from. Do you really think us so unalike despite everything that we share?" His question hung in the air, unanswered, yet Igneel pressed on.

"What magic do you have? What magic do you train everyday to use?"

"....fire… " came the trembling answer. 

"Fire." Igneel affirmed with the slightest of nods. "Fire that I gave to you. Fire burned into your bones, your soul, that connects us both in a bond stronger than blood not only to each other, but to the others before us." 

Natsu focused back on Igneel,lifting his head while he swiped a knuckle over his split lip to smear the bits of red on his cheek. "What others? It's just me and you out here."

Igneel smiled, crinkling the corners of his eyes slightly. " My flame was passed on to me from my mother. And she gained it from her mother before her. And the line continues beyond that, with the flame passed from fire dragon to fire dragon for countless generations. They live on in our fires though they have long since passed." He huffed out a breath. Thin puffs of smoke laced with blinking embers danced around Natsu and winking out of existence when they touched his skin.

"You are a part of that lineage. Whether you were born into it or not holds no account, you hear me? The snowflakes that fall around us are all different with no two alike and yet they are still very much the same. Much like you and I."

Natsu curled his fingers around the ends of his scarf, eyes flitting between it and Igneel's face, as if mulling over hiding behind it again the way his fingers tightened on the tassles. He moved forward with an unreadable expression that seemed unsuited for his young face, resting his head against Igneel's dry snout. 

"Why is all of this so hard for me then?" He mumbled

"It takes time for an ember to grow to a blaze."

"It wasn't for you though. It's always easy for you."

At this Igneel chuckled. "I'm old Natsu. Very old. I've had my time to make it look easy. But there were times I struggled, much like you. Or perhaps I was worse off." The cold moonlight now dripped through thick, dark clouds on the pair, determined to stay on them and not be hidden away like the rest of the sky. " Far beyond my days as a hatchling I struggled with my abilities. Much to the….ire of my mother." The fire dragon's lips thinned at his chosen words. She was a tough one, with a scaled over heart he would often joke out of range. The love was in there, as he always saw in her blind eyes. But so was annoyance and a palpable sadness at each failure. And at each failure her methods became harsher to get him to a point she deemed satisfactory. Igneel winced.

His tail curled closer to his body at the memories rushing back, the tip brushing Natsu's ankle. "She was a master like no other. Truly. But i'm embarrassed to think that my training methods are a bit too much like hers in some ways." He sighed, nudging Natsu with his snout. A silent tell that Natsu understood, scaling the dragon's head with practiced ease to settle for the night.

"In my haste to see you strong I may have repeated her mistakes as a teacher and perhaps, as a parent as well." Igneel's eyes glanced up at the weight resting atop his head, nestled comfortably just between his horns. "Tell me my son. Do you think I need to change how you're trained?"

He felt Natsu move, sliding down just above his ridged brow. Then a pink head came into view hanging upside down, the scarf almost unwinding fully. " Are you gonna be disappointed if I say yes?"

Igneel shook his head."No."

"Then yeah, you should. And no more bad jokes." His tone was firm with his mouth set in a serious line. "I'll still keep trying hard if you promise."

"I promise."  "And you promise never to leave me alone?" 

"I never will."

Natsu's lips curled in a small smile, twinging slightly from the cut. He pulled back but stopped himself short, doubt filtering in his eyes. "....Did you really mean what you said? About me being a dragon like you?" He sounded unsure, as though mentally steeling himself for a bad answer.

"Yes. You have no reason to ever doubt that you aren't. As long as you have the fire then you are a dragon like me. One who can be better when you get older." 

The snowfall had finally eased, the clouds finally winning over the moon and painting everything dark. Igneel tipped his head up slightly, and Natsu slid back with a surprised yelp. "Now close those eyes and get some rest, fire dragons have to rise early to greet the sun."

"Can't fire dragons ever sleep in?" Came the whispered grumble though he already felt Natsu curling up dutifully. Igneel chuckled, resting his head on his clawed legs. "One day we can give it a try."  He mumbled out something more that Igneel didn't quite catch but he didn't press any further into it. The trees were still, the winds having died down some time ago to barely a stirring.

"Hey Igneel."

"Yes Natsu."

"......Thanks, for making me feel better."

"Anytime, my son. Anytime."