#au: dragon & falcon

[lalalalupia]

“ I am not your knight…And I don’t want to be.”

“ I am your friend, your side, your service.”

“ I will scolded you if you did something wrong, I will called you out if you are acting prat.”

“ but I am always proud of you, for trying to be better…and for being you”

“ I will always be by your side, even in the toughest of time.”

“ And I'd gladly do everything again.”

“You are the most annoying prat I have ever met in my life, I hate you so much when you are not listening to me….”

“And I will give my life to you, without hesitation.”

————————————————

Writing something while drawing and cooking my shapeshifter falcon and dragonAU merthur or sth.

[amalthea-felsblood]

The Tower ◦XVI◦ Major Arcana

"The old ways are no longer useful, and you must find another set of beliefs, values and processes to take their place."

Upright ◦ Chaos, destruction, sudden upheaval, trauma, unexpected change, disaster, loss, tragedy, revelations, confusion, pain, divorce, abuse, violence, bankruptcy, natural disasters.

Reversed ◦ Resisting change, averting disaster, avoiding tragedy, delaying the inevitable, avoiding loss.

[lexithestarqueen]

Yippee Wandering Samurai Episode 3! (It might be a little slow at the beginning cause I needed to build up toba specific moment and I had no ideas so I needed to fill in the "run time"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61384837/chapters/163242580#workskin

[aj-artjunkyard]

ToA daemon AU where humans have daemons but gods dont. Gods aren’t people and don’t have souls. They still have animals which are associated with them, but they’re just symbols. 

Apollo, as Lester, gets a daemon for the first time. He didn’t have a daemon for his previous human punishments since he was a god in mortal form - now he is a full mortal. 

At first he thinks the unbearable pain in his chest is just the broken ribs from his free-fall from Olympus. After the fight with the muggers and his introduction to Meg, he finds he can’t walk ten steps from the dumpster he landed in without collapsing. 

Meg rolls her eyes at his utter bafflement as he squawks about being on the brink of death. She and her small hare daemon cast their gazes about the alley, then in the dumpster. She reaches in and pokes something, and Apollo gags in pain. Meg seems satisfied, and announces that he can’t leave because his daemon is stuck in the dumpster. Apollo snaps that he doesn’t have a daemon, he is a god! Gods are self-sustaining, they do not rely on puny- ack! Meg had poked the thing again.

Frustrated, Apollo pulls himself up to investigate and explain to this silly mortal why whatever-it-is in the dumpster cannot be his daemon. Then he sees it. 

It’s a tiny white mouse. Suddenly he notices the pain in his chest is not just broken bones, but a distinct emptiness. Something is missing. As soon as he locked eyes with the mouse, he knew that it was supposed to be filling that hole. 

Apollo had been associated with mice for some millennia. He had been called Apollo Sminthius since before the siege of Troy; Lord of Mice. They were useful for spreading plagues, and rather cute, but not something he’d ever thought of as similar to him. He was no mouse! He was a mighty lion, a sweeping falcon! He was a god, the very top of the food chain! He was no ones prey! 

But there it was. A tiny, insignificant creature that looked as if it belonged in the dumpster. Not unlike Lester Papadopoulos. Perhaps Apollo was a great dragon or a fearsome wolf, but he supposed, with crushing disappointment, that Lester was about as close to a mouse as any living being could get. 

[larluce]

Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU

FIRST PART >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

The prince leads the hunt for his missing female merlin chick with fevor. The knights trailing him exchange uneasy glances—they’ve never seen the crown prince so unhinged. Arthur tears through every corner of the Citadel, interrogating servants, merchants, and nobles alike. Posters bearing an eerily detailed portrait of Rain paper every wall. The reward for her return is so great many bring merlin chicks before the prince, trying to pass them as Rain, only to be sent to the dungeons for trying to fool him. It’s as if they’re searching for a lost royal heir rather than a bird.

But one day passes... and then two... but there's still no sign of Rain.

Knight x: (hesitant, wiping sweat from his brow) Sire. We checked all the places in the Citadel. Maybe... Maybe we should consider-

Arthur: (wheeling around, a dangerous tone in his voice) Consider what?

Knight x: (flinching, stammering) 😰 That... that the-the chick is-is not... I mean-it's been days, Your Highness—

Arthur: (expression darkening, stepping closer) Are you suggesting that my Rain, that a raised since she was an egg, my only girl, my sunshine... is gone? Is that what you’re implying, Sir Owen? (points his sword at Knight 1)

Knight x: (hands raised, trembling) N-no, Sire, I—!

Leon: (stepping in, calm but firm) I think what he is trying to say is that we should widen the search beyond the Citadel since we had no results here so far, your highness.

Arthur: (his grip on his sword tightens. Then relents and lowers the blade, jaw clenched) You're right. (to Leon) Send riders to the lower town and the outer villages. Double the reward. (to the rest, biting out each word) I’ll scour the Citadel one last time. If she’s not here… (He mounts his horse in one fluid motion, knights scrambling to follow.) Then we burn the damned forests to the ground if we must. (leaves, his retinue thundering behind him)

Leon: (dry, to Knight X) I told you it was a bad idea.

Knight x: (weakly clutching his neck) I thought he’d stab me… 😰

Leon: He would have (patting his shoulder) Next time you suggest Rain's dead, make sure you have your will written.

Meanwhile, with Rain.

For two long days, Rain has wailed for her Mama and Papa, keeping the entire hostel awake with her distressed chirps. Gwaine does his best to soothe her—offering scraps of meat, makeshift toys, even lullabies—but nothing helps. Finally, the hostel’s matron snaps.

Hostel Matron: (flinging the door open) OUT! Both of you! That demon rooster hasn’t let a soul sleep! (hurls Gwaine’s half-packed bag at him)

Gwaine: (stumbling into the street, Rain clutched in one hand) Hideous woman! She didn’t even refund my money!

Rain: It's your fault! 😠 You were supposed to lock me in a high tower with a dragon! Not a smelly room with an ugly old female predator. You're the worst capturer ever. 🙄

Gwaine: (patting his pockets) Now where do I get more coin…

Rain: Oh! I know what that is! 😃 Papa has a lot of that. The round shiny things. He uses them to get me more shiny things. 😊 (gets sad) Papa 🥺. I want my Papa! 😭

Gwaine: No, no, no, no, no! Don't cry! 😨 I'll get you more food. (searches his pockets) Not a single coin 😞... Oh! I could sell my bracelet 😃. (rolls up one of his sleeves and takes off his bracelet)

Rain: (stops crying inmediatly) Shiny thing! 😄 (snatches it, draping it around her neck like a collar)

Gwaine: (in panic) Wait! Don’t eat it—! (relieved sigh) Oh, you’re just wearing it.

Rain: (posing) 🐥🐦😏🪽

Gwaine: (chuckles) I can see you like it a lot. But I need it to get us food- (about to take the bracelet)

Rain: (looks at him with big watery eyes and a trembling lower beak) 🥺

Gwaine: How the hell do you manage that?! 😨

Rain: 😢😖

Gwaine: (defeated) Alright! (sighs) I guess we can handle one day without food. Or I could sell my boots… (cuts himself off as if realising something and then chuckles) I can't believe I'm talking to a fucking bird. Am I really this lonely?

Rain: (confused) What's... (doesn't find an equivalent to the f word in falcon language) that word?

Gwaine: Can I tell you a secret? (holds her closer to his face) I think you're the closest thing to a friend I’ve had in years.

Rain: I'm not your friend, human peasant 😠. You captured me!

Gwaine: Yeah, yeah, I like you too. (pats her head)

Rain: I didn't say that! 😡

Gwaine: (spots a poster in a wall) What is that? (aproaches, reads and smiles) How funny! They are offering a reward for finding the prince's royal pet (looks the drawing closely) Oh, look! It looks a lot like you.

Rain: (chirping loudly, making little hops and pointing with her wing) It's me! It's me! It's me!

Gwaine: It even has your scarf... (realises) Wait... (checks the scarf in Rain's neck, lifts it and finds the Camelot seal in the back) YOU ARE THE PRINCE'S PET?!😨 WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?! 😱

Rain: I'm not his... that word 😠. I'm his daughter! And I did tell you! 😡

Gwaine: (who only hears "chip, chip, chip", feeling stupid) Right, you can't talk.

Rain: I CAN talk! It's you who doesn't understand me, ignorant peasant! 😤 (pauses) My Papa is looking for me 🥺 (chirps louder, looking around) Papa? (and louder, chirp crying) PAPAAAA! 😭

Somewhere near. Arthur and his knights riding on their horses.

Arthur: (jerks his horse to a halt, eyes wide)

Knight y: Sire?

Knight z: Wait, do you hear that?

Arthur: (whispering, raw) Rain. (suddenly roaring) RAIN! (leaps off his horse, sprinting toward the sound)

Knights: (scrambling after him) SIRE—!

Back with Gwain and Rain.

Gwaine: (rocking Rain frantically) Shhh, come on, don't cry! I'll get you back to your owner.

Rain: PAPAAA! 😭

The crowd parts as Arthur comes sprinting into view, his face pale with terror until—

Arthur: (spotting Rain, voice cracking) Rain? Rain! (He barrels forward, snatching her from Gwaine's hands without so much as glancing at him) Oh, my baby girl! (cradles her against his cheek) You're alright—thank the gods, you're alright!

Rain: Papa! 🥹 (curls her claws around her Papa's fingers and rubs her head on her Papa's cheek)

Arthur: (soothes her) It's alright, Papa it's here with you now. I'll never take you out of my sight again. (kisses her head fondly)

Gwaine: (uncomfortable) Uhm... I'm guessing you're the prince. I was just about to look for you, your highness.

Arthur: (finally noticing him, eyes narrowing) You found my Rain?

Gwaine: Yes, Sire.

Rain: (looking at Gwaine, resentful) 😠 This human male captured me and took me to ugly places! 🥺😭

Arthur: (hardens his features, holding Rain as if protecting her) When did you find her? 😑

Gwaine: (nervous) Uhm... Pretty recently.

Rain: Lies! 😠 I've been... (doesn't know how to measure time) an eternity with him! 😭

Gwaine: So... about that reward.

Arthur: (fuming in his place)

Knights: (arrive)

Knight Y: (relieved) Sire, you found her!

Knight Z: (wiping brow) Thank the gods.

Arthur: (turns to his knights, in a barely calm but cold tone) Arrest him.

Knights: (seize Gwaine)

Gwaine: Wha... But I found your bird! There is reward-

Arthur: (low, dangerous) And it wasn't enough for you, was it? That's why you kidnapped my daughter. To use her for ransom!

Gwaine: What daughter?!

Knight y: (whispers) The bird, mate.

Gwaine: Oh... It's a her? (thinking) I guess that explains why it was so whimsy. (says) Well, I didn't kidnap HER! I was going to bring her back!

Arthur: (voice rising, angry) When exactly? Because the posters and searching parties have been around for DAYS!

Gwaine: (now angry too) You royals are all the same! You promise something and then you don't even-

Rain: (throws up, soiling Arthur's chainmail) 🤢🤮.

Gwaine: (bursts out laughing) HA! 😂

Knights: (still holding Gwaine, go pale)

Knight Y: (hissing) Oh, no.

Knight Z: (whispering) You’re dead.

Gwaine: (grinning) What? It’s funny-

Arthur: (worried) My baby! (examines the vomit, then Rain) What did you eat?

Gwaine: (snorts, thinking) Oh, now he’s interrogating the bird.

Rain: Some nasty dry bird. 😞

Arthur: (murmurs, confused) Dry?

Gwaine: (thinking) This is hiliarous! He really believes the bird is answering!

Arthur: (opens his eyes in realisation and looks back at Gwaine furious) You gave my daughter cooked meat?! 😡

Gwaine: (thinking) Don't fuck with me! It actually answered him! 😱(says) I was... not supposed to? 😅

Arthur: (holds Gwaine by the collar with the hand that is not holding Rain, yelling) FALCONS ONLY EAT RAW MEAT! 😡

Gwaine: (surprised) That's a falcon?! 😨

Arthur: YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW?! 😤

Rain: (scared because she never saw her Papa this angry) Papa? 🥺

Arthur: (composes himself, lets go of Gwaine and pulls out his sword to Gwaine's throat, but speaks with a calm voice to not scare Rain) How long have you been feeding my Rain cooked meat? 😊

Gwaine: Uh... 😰

Arthur: My physician will check her so you better not lie. 🙂

Gwaine: 3 days, I think. Cooked chicken meat.

Rain: Not always, the first time he didn't feed me.

Arthur: (his smile becomes more strained) I see... 😊 (sheathes his sword and them covers Rain's eyes and ears, his smile drops as he orders the knights) Make sure to beat the shit out of him before you drag him to the dungeons.

Knights: Yes, Sire.

Arthur: (walks way)

Gwaine: (shouts) Wait! Little bird—tell him I also took care of you!

Knights: (start beating Gwaine)

Rain: (snuggles into Arthur's hands) Papa saved me! 😄 Like a knight in shining armor! 🥰

Arthur: (smiling, fondly) I will always come for you, princess. (pulls out a little blanket from his satchel and wraps her lovingly)

Leon: (arrives and bows) Sire, I’ve already sent—(spots Rain) Oh! You found her! 😃

Arthur: (urgent) Get a cart. I won’t risk riding while holding her.

Leon: (alarmed) Is she hurt?

Arthur: (gritted teeth) Some bastard fed her cooked meat for days, so she's terribly sick.

Leon: (nods) On it, Sire. (sprints off)

Rain: (whimpering) Tummy...hurts! 🥺😭

Arthur: (shouting after Leon) RUN!

Time skip. In Gaius' Tower.

Rain: (devouring her freshly chopped prey—crushed bones, viscera, and all—with gusto) 😋

Gaius: (after examining her) Easy there, don’t forget to drink your water, sweetheart. (turns to Arthur, who stands rigid with worry) She’ll be fine, Sire. Just needs to return to her normal diet and stay hydrated. She’ll recover quickly.

Arthur: (whispers, fatherly panic creeping in) Are you sure she doesn't have some parasite or infection? I read falcons can die from it when they don't eat correctly-

Gaius: And when not treated in time, but that's not the case. I checked. Thoroughly. Even used healing magic—against my better judgment—because you insisted. She’s fine.

Merlin: (bursts in, cradling the nest of chicks) Rain! (rushes to her, setting the nest beside her on the table)

Rain: Mama! 🥹

All male chicks: Sister! 😄😄😄😄

Merlin: (gathers Rain, voice trembling) My chick… (holds her close, careful not to squeeze too tight) I thought... for a moment, I though...

Arthur: (softly) I told you I'd find her.

Merlin: (sets Rain down, glaring at Arthur) I'd have found her sooner if you'd stayed with the chicks like I asked.

Arthur: (exasperated) You're still on about that? (pauses, eyes widening) Wait—you came here in your human form?! 😨 Someone could've seen you!

Merlin: (dramatic flourish) Oh no, a scrawny peasant boy! How dangerous!

Arthur: (deadpan) Merlin. 😒

Merlin: (defiant) I was careful. At worst, they'd assume I'm a servant of yours. And did you really expect me to sit around while my daughter was here?

Wary: Mama, are you fighting? 🥺

All the chicks: 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Arthur: No, babies, we are not-

Merlin: (sharp) Yes, we are fighting! You know why? Because you disobeyed and nearly got yourselves killed! 😡

Arthur: (stunned) Merlin—!

Merlin: (firm, unyielding) It's the truth. Morgana is at fault for not keeping an eye on them, yes. But they aren't little hatchlings anymore. They knew the rules and the dangers and still decided to go outside. It was their choice. And I'm not going to pamper them for almost giving us a heart attack!

Arthur: (speechless, staring)...

All the chicks: (shrink into themselves, heads bowed)

Merlin: (calmer but stern) Well? What do you have to say?

Guardian: I'm sorry, Mama. I'm sorry Papa 😔 (nudges his siblings) We are all sorry.

Brave: (nodding fast) It won't happen again. Promise. 😔

Wary: (shuddering) Never ever. It was too scary. 😔

Rain: (nuzzling Merlin) And horrible. 😔

Blizzard: We learned our leason.😔 Please forgive us, Mama. (lifts his head) 🥺

All chicks: (all of them lift their heads) Pleeeease 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Merlin: (melting, kisses each head) Of course I forgive you. (stern again) But you’re grounded. No leaving the nest until you master flying.

Blizzard: (to himself) Dammit.

Guardian: (chirp whispering to Blizzard) I told you the big eyes only worked on Papa.

Merlin: To the nest. Now.

Chicks: (scramble in obediently, pouting in bird)

Someone knocks the door.

Merlin: (takes his bird form and stands next to the nest)

Gaius: (calls out) Come in.

Hunith: (bursts in, breathless, her hair windswept and eyes wild with desperation) Gaius!

Gaius: (rushes to embrace her) Hunith! My dear, it’s been too long. What's happened?

Hunith: (clutching his sleeves, voice trembling) I saw him, Gaius! I swear on the Old Gods—he’s here, in Camelot!

Gaius: Who?

Hunith: (near breaking) Merlin!

Silence. Gaius’ face crumples with grief.

Gaius: (gentle, pained) Hunith…

Hunith: (fierce, shaking her head) No—this wasn’t a vision, not like before! I really saw him. You have to believe me!

Arthur: (politely clearing his throat) Forgive the interruption, but who are you? And why the interest in my falcon?

Hunith: (startles, finally noticing the prince)

Gaius: (sad) She's not talking about your falcon, Sire.

Hunith: (flustered, curtsying) Your Highness! (voice cracks) I—I apologize. My name is Hunith of Ealdor. I came to visit my… (trails off)

Gaius: (completes) My niece.

Arthur: (his gaze softens and tucks the nest with his chicks against his chest) A pleasure, Hunith. (gives her a diplomatic smile and then glances between Hunith and Gaius) You clearly have urgent matters to discuss. I’ll give you privacy.

Gaius: (grateful nod) Thank you, Sire.

Merlin: (flies to Arthur's shoulder)

Hunith: (soft, wondering) Is that… a merlin?

Arthur: (surprised, impressed) You recognize the breed? Most mistake him for a kestrel at first.

Hunith: (lips quivering, bittersweet smile) They’re my favorite. (a tear escapes; she turns away swiftly) I—I named my son after them.

Both Arthur and Merlin stiffen, catching the raw grief in her voice. There's an awkward silence.

Arthur: (stumbling) Uh. I…

Gaius: (gentle dismissal) You should go, Sire.

Arthur: (nods, backing toward the door) Of course.

As the door closes behind Arthur, Merlin’s eyes are locked on the woman’s turned back, having a strange feeling of knowing her thought he's sure he has no memory of her.

FIRST PART >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

...

You didn't expect that ending, did you? What do you think will happen?

Also, answering to the latest pool. Yes, Guardian is Merlin's favourite chick. That's because, since he was the first to hatch, Guardian is physically stronger and more skilled than his siblings. In other words, Guardian is more fit to survive. Taking that into account, you can imagine who his less favourite is. This preference may seem unfair, but lets remember Merlin has the mentality of a bird still in some aspects and this is one of them.

Tagging @dsabian , @theplatanitosqueal , @stressed-but-chill , @gregre369 , @chaosofbelievers , @thelordofabsolutelynothing , @another-tblr-fangirl , @aceauthorcatqueen , @smileytrinity , @tiny-and-witchy , @wacko-weirdo , @cacklingharpy , @schiwalker , @natsu2501malo , @dearfuturelyn , @thedollopheadofcamelot , @yougottobekittenme , @your-local-asylum-escapee , @theroundbartable , @alo-ween , @orliththedragon , @dumbdemjin , @dangerhumming , @fandomabibliophobia , @beebsnas , @genyxie , @tyanatadraven , @andrealux21

[kobadit]

When a falcon leads a dragon

AU of Ana and Hanzo travelling together for a time.

[cuttlekiss-mlp]

based my rainbow dash off of this image and a peregrine falcon for her wings! (all of my infection au designs are really close to the regular designs i have but with adjustments! dash specfically has not cut her hair since everything has happened. she can't be bothered to)

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

Rainbow Dash

Sanity: 92%

Status: Not Infected ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Do you guys not see how hard she is working to fix this? Twilight is killing herself to find a cure, and you all have turned your backs on her! What kind of friends are you?" Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty, lives up to her title. Twilight may have made a horrible, maybe even unforgivable mistake -- but at least she was trying her best to fix it? Why couldn't they see that? When she heard the explosion from Twilight's home, she flew over as fast as she could. The door was locked, the curtains were closed, but it didn't stop her. She crashed through the window to find the house in shambles, and Twilight huddled over Spike's body, sobbing uncontrollably. She and her baby dragon were covered in this weird pink sparkly..goop. She couldn't imagine what had happened - maybe Twilight tried that spell she said she wanted to do but couldn't...she didn't see the Elements of Harmony anywhere - so perhaps that wasn't it. Dash tried to console Twilight, but her friend snapped at her, yelled at her to go away and leave her alone. It hurt her to leave, but Twilight needed time. She was so brokenhearted... The news of Spike's condition travelled fast after his attack and rampage. So many ponies were mauled or wounded by him. Twilight tried to reason with him, but Spike wasn't listening to her. He wasn't listening to anyone. Everything changed that day. No one knew what was going to happen, not even Twilight. They all blamed her. They were so angry, and even though it was justified, that was no reason to leave her in the dust. She didn't mean for any of this to happen. She just wanted Spike back. Wouldn't they have done the same thing? Dash continued to stay by Twi's side, bringing her food, checking up on her, making sure she's had some water. Sometimes, she finds Twilight passed out on the floor or at her desk. Dash has read some of the unsent letters to Celestia that she's written. Twilight blames herself, too. She knows her friends have abandoned her... That is why Dash won't abandon her. How could she? Twilight needed her. She needed someone to check on her, someone to be her friend.

[science-lings]

Batfam Monster Poll 3: Jason

*any completely nonhumanoid creature is implied to have a human form for the purposes of this AU

Part 1: Bruce (ends 3/31/2025)

Part 2: DIck (ends 4/1/2025)

Part 4: Cass (ends 4/3/2025)

Part 5: Tim (ends 4/4/2025)

Part 6: Steph (ends 4/5/2025)

Part 7: Damian (ends 4/6/2025)

Part 8: Duke (ends 4/7/2025)

more thoughts and information-

Glossary-

Rarog-

Flaming demon falcon that is closely related to a dragon, also might be the same as a firebird. idk the vibes are cool.

Revenant-

Not a zombie, but kind of a zombie. Zombies usually have the connotation of the outside influence of a virus making the corpse keep moving and attacking things, but a Revenant is more like a dead body being reanimated magically, got more Lazarus Pit vibes. or I guess 'reality fracturing super punch' vibes.

Erinys-

Winged ancient beings of vengeance, typical underworld type things

Their task is to hear complaints brought by mortals against the insolence of the young to the aged, of children to parents, of hosts to guests, and of householders or city councils to suppliants—and to punish such crimes by hounding culprits relentlessly.

They sometimes have snakes for hair, which would look cool at least as imagery for Jason's helmet.

[quietplace26]

So I was looking at the Mafia Au's and was having ideas about it. (This is different from the MCverse, and just my general thoughts and whatnot)

So lets start off with Monstadt. Underground, Venti is the leader of an information and Assination Guild known as "The Four Winds." Above Ground he works either as an Entertainer at the bar "Angels Share" or part time at a nearby bookshop under the name of "Hexenzirkel" Owned and primarily ran by a wonderful lady named Alice and her daughter Klee.

Now within "The Four Winds" There are several people- but most of them are split into four groups. Theres Dvalin [Code Name "Dragon of the East"], who works as the primarily informant of Venti [Code Name "Barbatos"] and currently owns an Internat Cafe/Bookshop in the daylight known as "Stormterrors Lair". He's been a bit distracted as of late with a customer whose family has recently moved back into town, who looks incredibly familiar for some reason. Durin on the other hand is just excited to Attend Dragonspine University to become a librarian someday. Even after his siblings still existing concerns about his former head injury when he was younger.

Another of "The four Winds", Technically a retired Assassin, however sticks around to train the younger ones, Andrius [Code name "Wolf of the Noth"] has recently taken an interest outside of his adopted Son and instead in his sons Daycare attendant and Botanist Student known as Lotus who's personally very glad to be back in town and resettle his roots.

Of there is Vanessa [Code Name "Falcon of the West"], who specializes in fieldwork and break and entering and the Current head of Armed Forces of the guild, Varka [Code Name "Lion of the South"] who is also distracted with the reappearance of his former mentor, Dorian coming back to Dragonspine university as a Teaching Assistant.

But recently things have become a lot more shaken up when one the old members of the group known as "The Five Sinners." who brought down the biggest Mafia group at the time known as "Celestia", has come back into town and more importantly the drug and Arms market, with dozens of new weapons, Alchemy Potions and the like. No One knows what "Gold" is planning with this action but it certainly can't be anything good.

{Meanwhile Diluc Ragnvindr is dealing with keeping his Assassination Actives [Alongside his former career under "The Four Winds" before he left.] under wraps and away from his younger brother Kaeya Albriech, while his father owner of "Angels Share" and Diluc's personal teacher is getting worried about the situation, both determined to keep Kaeya away from the underworld after he was discovered in a trafficking ring when he was younger. Neither are aware that Diluc's Childhood friend, Jean, Deputy under Varka [Code Name "Dandelion Knight"] recruited Kaeya into the guild when he was fourteen.}

Oh a Mafia au! Sweet!

Tagging: @platinumrosetail, @arn9tails, @bloodytea, @esthelily, @uniquecutie-puffs

[syndrossi]

Do you remember ages and ages ago when we were discussing the idea of the mountain clansmen from the Vale coming down and accidentally falling in love with Jon because Jon + wildings, you know? I was just thinking about how Jon might manage to interact with some Vale mountain clansmen in Reverberate AU or Regnal AU when he and Rhaegar could ostensibly spend parts of their childhood in the Vale with Daemon and Rhea both. Maybe he gets in a huff and goes out on his own, leaving Rhaegar/Daemon/Rhea at Runestone, and gets lost and/or hurt and then picked up by a clansman. It's probably more likely if Daemon isn't at Runestone at the time... considering Caraxes' sniffing abilities, lmao. I could see Daemon or Rhea and the Runestone knights finally finding him only to discover he's gotten himself into mischief, like... the clan that found him has elected him their new leader, or he's accidentally gone and gotten himself married without knowing how. 😂

Meanwhile the angst of Rhaegar and the family when they realize they let Jon run off in an angry huff after a fight or disagreement and he's BEEN KIDNAPPED BY MOUNTAIN CLANSMEN. The ultimate enemy of the Vale! Oh no! Any thoughts?

We might need a way to take Qelebrys (and Shadow) out of the picture too, because if you think Caraxes's sniffing skills are impressive, Qelebrys and Shadow are uncanny at finding one another and their riders. (They don't have infinite detection distance by any means, of course, but you'd need quite a lot of separation.)

Perhaps a hunt in the Vale of Arryn gone awry while Daemon is called away to business in King's Landing and the boys want to do something with Rhea? The dragons are left at home, because they'll scare the prey and are jealous of the boys' falcons. Or it could be a hunt hosted by Lady Jeyne, where it's DEFINITELY expected that the dragons aren't coming along.

What age were you thinking them being in this scenario? Obviously it's scarier (and potentially funnier) if they're 8-10ish, though I wish Jon good luck going off in a huff with Ser Willam ready to sit on him if necessary. I feel like Allard would be along so that Daemon could go I TOLD YOU SO after all these years, even though he's innocent and just trying to aid in the search.

There are likely other young boys along if it's a bigger hunt, so it could be a game of chase (or hide) gone awry, where eventually someone (Rhaegar) notices that Jon's nowhere to be seen. Then there's the angst of "how could I let him out of my sight?" and "why did I suggest playing the game?"

(If they're older, it could be a horse race or something more adolescent/teen-driven.)

And now you've got Runestone a two week trip on horseback away, meaning they can't go get Qelebrys and Shadow without abandoning the search for that long, so an urgent raven is dispatched to KL. For the 4-5 days before Caraxes gets there, though, there's all manner of trouble Jon can get himself into...

(Poor Rhea, half convinced her baby boy is dead given the cruel savagery of the mountain clansmen, but trying not to make her fears obvious for Rhaegar's sake which of course fails because that boy is stupidly tuned to anyone's emotions but especially a mother's. So now she has to wrangle Rhaegar to keep him out of harm's way seeking Jon because she can't lose them both.)

[insufferable-protagonist-poll]

A character needs 3 submissions to enter the poll. Here are our current submissions

Has 3 submissions or more:

Cassandra - Tangled the Series

Catra - She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Edelgard von Hresvelg - Fire Emblem Three Houses

Eurus Holmes - Sherlock BBC

Felix Fathom - Miraculous Ladybug

Goro Akechi - Persona

Grimmel the Grisly - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Harumi - Ninjago

John Kramer/Jigsaw - Saw Franchise

Joker - Suicide Squad

King Magnifico - Disney's Wish

Kylo Ren - Star Wars

Lila Rossi - Miraculous Ladybug

Mizora - Baldur’s Gate 3

Scratchmen Apoo - One Piece

Silver Fox Foxy - One Piece

Thanos - Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Joker - Batman

The Punisher/Frank Castle - Marvel

Zelena - Once Upon a Time

Has 2 submissions:

Adam - Hazbin Hotel

Aizen Sousuke - Bleach

Ashfur - Warrior Cats

Count Lucio - The Arcana - A Mystic Romance

Daemon Targaryen - House of the Dragon/A Song of Ice and Fire

Dr. Doom - Marvel

Gabriel Agreste/Hawkmoth - Miraculous Ladybug

Karli Morganthau - The Falcon and Winter Soldier

Mal - Total Drama All-Stars

Nathaniel Hawthorne - Bungou Stray Dogs

Scar - The Lion King (2019)

Shadow Milk Cookie - Cookie Run Kingdom

Trebol - One Piece

Winn Adami AKA Kai Winn- Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Zach Varmitech - Wild Kratts

Has 1 submission:

Anarky - Beware the Batman

Ardyn Izunia - FFXV

Azula - Avatar the Last Airbender

Bai Wuxiang - Tian Guan Ci Fu

Ben Poindexter/Bullseye - Marvel

Blackbeard/Marshall D Teach - One Piece

Chloé Bourgeois - Miraculous Ladybug

Creeper - The Black Couldron

Cullen Rutherford - Dragon Age

Daenerys Targaryan - Game of Thrones

Dagmar - Disenchanted

Damon Salvatore - The Vampire Diaries

Dandy - Dandy's World

Darkstalker - Wings of Fire

Dartz - Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters

Eren Jaeger - Attack on Titan

Eun Sung - Queen of Tears

Evelyn Deavor/The Screenslaver - Incredibles 2

Fyodor Dostoevsky - Bungou Stray Dogs

Gecko Moria - One Piece

Gortash - Baldur's Gate 3

Grant Ward - Agents Of Shield

Harry Osborne - The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Hidan - Naruto

Ingrid/Snow Queen - Once Upon a Time

Jiao Jiaoran - You Yao Are You OK?

Jung Soo Min - Marry My Husband

Kabuto - Naruto

Kreia - Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Lex Luthor - Superman Comics/Movies

Loki - MCU

Lucy - Elfen Lied

Lysander au Lune - Red Rising series

Makima - Chainsaw Man

Mark Beaks - Ducktales 2017

Nino Sarratore - My Brilliant Friend

Orochimaru - Naruto/Boruto

Overlord - The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

President Dufus Stone - Astro Boy 2009

Ramsey Snow - Game of Thrones

Screwball - Spider-Man (Insomniac)

Shadowy Venomous - OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes!

Shao Kahn - Mortal Kombat

Shigure Sohma - Fruits Basket

Stella - Helluva Boss

Stinger Flynn - Garten of Banban

Striker - Helluva Boss

Su-Han - Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir

Sybok - Star Trek the Final Frontier

Taoran - Honkai Star Rail

The Mimic - Five Nights at Freddy's

Theo Raeken - Teen Wolf

Vandal Savage - Legends of Tomorrow

Viggo Grimborn - Dragons: Race to the Edge

Wet Haired Caribou - One Piece

[lalalalupia]

“The future is truly terrifying, Merlin, I am not denying you that. And you have the right to be afraid. You are so young.”

“But do always remember that you did not walk this path alone.”

“And neither did he.”

Somehow Merlin knew who and what Gaius referred to in his heart.

……………………………

“Whatever happened, happened Merlin. But I will try my best until the end.”

Arthur Pendragon was sent by his father to live in Ealdor with Merlin at the time of the war in Camelot, one for his safety, and another to meet, the warlock, Merlin, and gain his trust. While Merlin was in conflict about his and Arthur’s destiny and how it ended, wanted to escape from it. Wanted Arthur to escape from it. Not knowing that he could not escape from his half until the time came.

“Whatever happened, happened Merlin. But I will try my best until the end.”

Or

Merlin and Arthur grew up together. Arthur knew Merlin had magic from the start. Arthur switched places with Merlin and needed to hide his identity. they both just love fighting each other. Badasses. Plus a lot of references from the Arthurian legend.

Please, go check out my Merthur AU, with a Merlin shapeshifter in there [ will happen later in the story. ] I need this in my life, honesty.

[hyperfixate-on-ninjas]

Villain Apocalypse AU files.

Subject: Zane Julien The False Prophet.

Mental State: Unstable

Power Level: Apocalyptic

Danger Level: High

Abilities:

Ice Manipulation:

As the Master of Ice, The False Prophet contains dominion over the Power of Ice.

Future Vision/Foresight:

Uses the Ice Walls and makeshift Ice slabs to allow him to see into the Future [Or at least we think he can see into the Future] He can also use the Slabs to locate certain people. Cole once told us that he used to be able to do this when he was the Ice Emperor [Minus the Future Vision]

Puppetry:

Once a person or Living thing is frozen under his Ice he can manipulate the Ice to puppeteer the Frozen Being. [Haven’t seen this one yet] [His motivation is ‘Preservation’ so he could’ve done it to keep them safe] [But he’s attacking us NEAR them.]

Ice Animation:

Any Ice Sculpture or Being made of Ice can be animated to his will. [Apparently he was able to use this with a dragon when he was the Ice Emperor]

Bird’s Eye View:

Creates a Bird, usually a Falcon and uses it as his eyes…this Falcon usually hangs around the Cloud Kingdom so we can’t sneak in… [Unless we have me!] [The False Prophet won’t attack when Wyldefyre is near, likely because of her abilities as the Master of Heat]

Snowstorm Manipulation:

Converts a whole area into a Winter Wonderland…we’re just glad he doesn’t have The Staff of Forbidden Spinjitsu.

-Zane The False Prophet also has his Robotic Capabilities, making him able to see Heat Signatures. And possibly other things.

Motive: Preservation

Has taken his ‘Protect those who cannot protect themselves’ goal a bit too far. He seeks to Preserve life so they could not endanger each other nor themselves. And that is to keep them Frozen in Time so that all Life is Preserved.

Location: Cloud Kingdom.

Status: Unknown

Caution: Must not engage. Unless we have Wyldfyre to enter the area The False Prophet will attack intruders.

Next

[firstelevens]

Top 5 Self-Rec Game

@sambambucky and @sunsetmaidenwrites were kind enough to tag me to share my favorite 5 Sam/Bucky fics that I've written. I'm not sure who's left who'd like to share their work, but if you see this and you were looking for an excuse, consider yourself tagged!

sugar pie, honey bunch | 55k | au (no powers)

Three years ago, Sam and Bucky competed together on The Great American Bake Off. They baked cakes, made pies, and bantered enough to fill multiple fifteen minute YouTube compilations. Now they're back for an all-star season, with new competitors, tentative alliances, and some very opinionated viewers. OR The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but make it The Great British Bake Off.

counted days, counted miles | 2.5k

Separated for months by Captain America duties and missions with the Thunderbolts, Sam and Bucky somehow still manage to keep up their domestic squabbles, browbeat each other into taking care of themselves, and deal with their not-strictly-platonic feelings. A story told in correspondence.

if you got the notion (i second that emotion) | 5.4k

If there is a field that Sam’s kind of an expert in at this point, it’s admiring a good view: earth from the deck of the Guardians’ new spaceship, the skyline of Birnin Zana against the mountains in the distance, lightning bugs flitting around the backyard as the sun dips behind the trees. Now, on a breezy May afternoon, Sam stands a little ways away and considers the deadliest assassin of the twentieth century as he watches a middle school choir performance, and not a great one at that. Sam and Bucky go to a carnival and feel some feelings.

outlaw life looks pretty wholesome | 14.8k | au (canon divergence)

Rescued from a HYDRA base by the Avengers, a rehabilitated Bucky runs covert missions for Nick Fury by night and is one half of a cheerful, cat-owning couple in an exclusive DC apartment building by day. When he gets called out on a mission to protect an important asset, the second-to-last thing he expects to see is a baby. The actual last thing he expects to see is his ostensibly-civilian husband Sam, wielding his own secret agent badge and ready to run point with Bucky on this new mission. Now they just have to hole up in a house in the suburbs, take care of an adorable baby, and try not to collapse under the weight of everything they haven't said over the course of their marriage. Easy.

pretty poses, rows of roses | 11.2k words

"The only thing Sam’s worrying about right now is how he’s gonna hold onto his cool uncle status while telling people to—what did your mom say? Leave room for Jesus?” In the mirror, Cass’s eyes go wide in horror. “If either one of you says that to anybody I know, I’m gonna have to run away and change my name and join the circus. Is that what you want?” Bucky pretends to think about it. “Would you at least be able to get us free tickets?” On leave from Team Cap and the Thunderbolts respectively, Sam and Bucky face their most fraught mission yet: chaperoning prom.

Honorable mentions to midnight driving with the windows down, which is the first fic in my Sam/Bucky Formula 1 AU, and the bells stand still and hollow, which is my Dungeons and Dragons AU and is still a work in progress!

[kiame-sama]

Twisted Wonderland Monsterverse AU?

What monsters do you think each of the characters would be? (With the exception of the Beastmen, Mermen and Fae Characters since they’re technically monsters already)

These are a few ideas on what I think some of the characters might be (You can change these, since I’m mainly guessing)

I can definitely see Jamil as a Naga

Kalim makes me think of an Otter (So cute and adorable that you can forget that Otters are dangerous)

I feel like Vil would probably be a Harpy, specifically a Peacock Harpy (Very pretty, confident and can be aggressive)

Rook would probably also be a Harpy, specifically one of the Birds of Prey (He’s a Hunter after all) like a Peregrine Falcon or a species of Eagle

Idia would a God of Death, the Dead and Ruler of the Underworld and Ortho either being a Soul or Cerberus(?)

I feel like Silver would either be Human, Bear or a Bird, like a Barn Owl (They’re very cute)

Did most characters, some are more than a little obvious (given they are already creatures in Twisted Wonderland anyway).

Divus is a Selkie and is very protective over his fur.

Sam is a Shadow man (we all saw that coming).

Vargas is a minotaur.

Trein is a sphinx.

Crowley is a Crow Fae (obviously).

Ace is a Satyr and thinks playing the pan flute is dumb.

Deuce is a Faun- basically a Satyr with better horns and a stronger sense of justice, known for helping lost travelers.

Cater is a water nymph and is often seen bothering Trey while he is resting in the waters of the lake of Heartslabyul.

Che'nya is a Bakeneko- cat creature that typically symbolizes bad luck. I think he would have two tails or a forked tail.

Trey is a Kelpie centaur and often seen with Riddle as they are good friends, or Cater riding around on his back despite the usual warning that comes with trying to ride a Kelpie.

Riddle is a unicorn centaur and he hates that so many tease him about being a 'girly' creature. Very gifted with magic and extremely proud, his mother was very strict about Riddle being the perfect unicorn growing up.

Jack is a Werewolf.

Ruggie is a Gnoll.

Leona is a Nemean Lion.

Azul is a Cecaelia- basically what he is now, an octo-merman.

Jade and Floyd are Eel Mermen (predictably).

Kalim is a Genie that genuinely wants to help people and grant wishes but always winds up granting wishes that have unfortunate unforseen consequences.

Jamil is definitely a Naga, but he is the Naga that protects Kalim's lamp and treasure since Kalim is a Genie from a long line of powerful Genies.

I agree that Vil is a Peacock Harpy. He loves to preen and make a show of fanning out his tail-feathers, very proud and wickedly smart.

Neige is a mourning dove Harpy.

Rook is a Drider- spider centaur- specifically a Huntsman-Spider Drider who is a master of spinning web traps and even hunting down his prey, as Huntsman-spiders (usually the males) are voracious wandering predators. (I headcannon all Driders can spin webs)

Epel is a wood nymph, specifically of the Apple tree variety.

Idia is a Shinigami. Technically still a death-god and likely a high ranking death-god given he is already descendant of a high ranking family.

Ortho is also a Shinigami, he is still the little brother of Idia despite what happened to him, so I'm saying he is still a Shinigami.

Silver is a Cervitaur- a Deer centaur- and is just starting to get more prongs on his horns, which Lilia is absolutely thrilled with and often teases Silver about.

Lilia is a Bat Fae.

Malleus is Dragon Fae.

Sebek is a Raiju Fae.

Rollo is a Fire Nymph.

[larluce]

Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU

FIRST PART >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

(This part is dedicated to @theroundbartable , who some time ago made an interesting question: "How would familiar Merlin interact with Kilgharrah?" Here's the answer to that)

Before Merlin discovered he was a familiar and shortly after his wing healed. In Arthur's chambers.

Arthur: (enters, hiding Merlin in his bird form inside his jacket, then closes the door and takes him out, sighing in relief) That was close.

Merlin: (chirps) I could've just flown in through the window, you know? 😒

Arthur: (grabs the box and murmurs) Maybe not make it so obvious. (puts the box in a shelf, between a couple of books) Hmmm... (covers Merlin with the cloth) There!

Arthur: (glancing at the door) Shh! They can’t know you're still here.

Merlin: (nods and hops onto a makeshift nest his human made: a box lined with an old cloth)

Merlin: (thinks) Your camouflage skills leave much to be desired. 🙄

Arthur: (blinks) Did you just... roll your eyes at me? (shakes his head) Ugh, I must be imagining things.

Time skip. At night. Arthur sleeping on his bed and Merlin in his little box.

Mysterious voice: Merlin... Merlin!

(a pause, thoughtful) A predator that announces itself in human language? 🤨

Merlin: (waking up, thinking) Ugh, it's that voice again. (pauses, flexing his wing experimentally) Wait—my wing’s fine now. I could follow it (hesitates, eyes narrowing) Or it’s a predator. 😑

Mysterious voice: Merlin.

Merlin: Could be calling any merlin.

Mysterious voice: Merlin.

Merlin: Or maybe is a merlin calling for help?

Mysterious voice: MERLIN!

Merlin: FINE! But if it's a trap, I'm hunting you first! (flies through the window)

Time skip. In the cave underneath the castle.

Merlin: (enters flying and lands on the stone floor) Hello?

Kilgharrah: (appears before him) I'm here.

Merlin: (takes in the sheer size of the great dragon, his feathers puff out in instinctive terror)

Kilgharrah: (looks down the little bird, somehow amused) How small you are, for such a great-

Merlin: (screeches loudly in full-blown panic, wings flailing) PREDATOR! 😱 (flies away)

Kilgharrah: No! Wait! I'm not going to- (sighs as the distant terrified chirps fade) Aaand he's gone. 🤦‍♂️

In Arthur's chambers.

Merlin: (Bursts through the window and zooms in circles around the room, frantic) PREDATOR! THERE'S A PREDATOR UNDERNEATH THE CASTLE!

Arthur: (wakes up) Wha...? Bird? What is it?

Merlin: (flying around Arthur, in hyperventilating chirps) A predator, Arthur! A big predator! We have to flee!

Arthur: (hisses) Stop it! You're going to wake everybody!

Merlin: (latches onto Arthur's nightshirt with tiny talons, desperately tugging) Move, move, move!

Arthur: (finally registering Merlin's terror) Okay, clearly something is upsetting you.

Merlin: (keeps pulling Arthur's nightshirt) We are gonna die! 😭

Arthur: (manages to catch Merlin mid-air, cupping him firmly but gently)

Merlin: (struggles) No! let go! The big predator will kill us all!

Arthur: (rocks the little bird against his chest) Shhh, breathe. Calm down.

Merlin: (his frantic fluttering slows to shaky trembles, his tiny chest heaving) P-pre-predator… 🥺(whimpering chirp) B-bi-big predator… 😢

Since then the voice would keep calling him in his head. Sometimes saying nonsense about him not being a real bird. Merlin would turn it off.

Arthur: (softly, thumb stroking Merlin's feathers) Everything's fine. I've got you.

Then he found out he was a familiar, so he decided to pay the dragon a visit. He was still scared of the big predator, but if it hasn't left the cave in so long, maybe it was safe to speak to it. And he needed answers after all.

In the cave underneath the castle.

Merlin: (walks in in his human form, carrying a bundle of freshly hunted birds)

Kilgharrah: (eyes gleaming in the dark) At last, you deign to visit me. (sniffs the dead birds) What is this?

Merlin: Prey for you. (puts the birds on the ground) So you don't eat me.

Kilgharrah: (stares at the pitiful pile, then bursts into laughter) Trust me, little one, birds are not part of my diet.

Merlin: (crosses his arms) That’s exactly what a predator would say. 😑

Kilgharrah: (leans in, fanged grin) Even if they were… you are no true bird. Are you, Merlin?

Silence.

Merlin: (quietly) You knew. You knew I was a familiar.

Kilgharrah: (eyes glowing with ancient knowing) Indeed. Though I must say, I didn’t expect you in this form.

Merlin: My human form is bigger. I didn't want to feel so small beside you. (quieter) I'm still... getting used to this body.

Kilgharrah: (chuckles) I didn't mean that… but I also meant it.

Merlin: (frowns) You talk strange.

Kilgharrah: Some people say that.

Another silence.

Merlin: (gaze drifts to the cavern floor, his next question tentative) Do you know if there are… others like me? Familiars?

Kilgharrah: (turns serious) In this plane? I fear not. You are the last of your kin.

Merlin: (thinking, sad) So I don’t have a family, then.

Kilgharrah shifts, chains clanking against stone. The sound makes Merlin flinch.

Kilgharrah: (low, resonant) I understand that ache, little familiar. I, too, am the last of mine.

Merlin: (eyes snap to the dragon's shackles, in horrified realization) You're… trapped. (a pause, then softer, haunted) It’s like being in a cage.

Kilgharrah: (voice trembling with centuries of rage) This… and the extermination of my kin… was done by the monster who now sits upon the throne.

Merlin: (takes a step back) Arthur's… father?

Kilgharrah: The one who must be stopped. And that, young familiar, is your destiny.

Merlin: (baffled) Destiny?

Kilgharrah: Your magic was given to you for a reason. Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the lands of Albion.

Merlin: (confused) ... Right.

Kilgharrah: But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike.

Merlin: (shrugs) That part I know. But what's that got to do with me?

Kilgharrah: (intense) Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion.

Merlin: Why would Arthur need more land? The castle's already bigger than any cave, nest, or den I've ever seen.

Kilgharrah: (frustrated growl) Because unless he succeeds, magic will never return to this land!

Merlin: (backing away) Wait, wait, wait. You want Arthur to bring back magic? Sorcerers?

Kilgharrah: (nods) And all magical creatures, yes.

Merlin: (scared) NO! He can't do that! Sorcerers are evil! They tried to hurt me. They put me in a cage!

Kilgharrah: ...

Kilgharrah: You cannot be serious. You are magic itself.

Merlin: (voice cracking) I didn't choose this! I was happy as just a bird! And now you're telling me my 'destiny' is to help bring back the monsters who wanted to enslave me?!

The dragon opens his mouth, but Merlin is already storming toward the exit.

Kilgharrah: (calling after him) Wait, there's clearly been a misunderstanding-

Merlin: (whirling around, eyes blazing) You're just like them! You're all evil! And I... I actually felt sorry for you!

With that, Merlin changes to his bird forms and flies away from the cave, leaving Kilgharrah alone in the dark.

Time skip. In Arthur's chambers.

Merlin: (flies inside through the window and changes to his human form)

Arthur: (leaping from his desk, nearly knocking over an inkpot) Merlin! (dashes to lock the door, hissing) Are you trying to get us executed?! Stay in your bird form!

Merlin: (ignoring him, gripping Arthur’s shoulders) WE HAVE TO KILL THE DRAGON!

Arthur: ...

Arthur: What? 😧

Merlin: (shaking him) The one under the castle! It's dangerous!

Arthur: (prying Merlin's hands off) Merlin-

Merlin: (frantic, pacing) I don’t know why your father kept it alive! It could escape! He killed the others. Why not this one?!

Arthur: He wanted to kept it as an example. A trophy.

Merlin: (whirling on him, incredulous) That’s stupid! Animals don't do that! If you can kill a threat, you kill it! That's basic survival!

Arthur: (patting the air like calming a spooked horse) Relax. That thing's been chained for twenty years. It’s not going anywhere.

Merlin: (crossess his arms, not convinced)

Arthur: (realises) Wait—how do you even know about the dragon?

Merlin: ...

Arthur: (yells) YOU WENT TO SEE THE DRAGON! 😡

Merlin's feathers puff up defensively before he remembers he's in human form. He settles for crossing his arms tighter.

Arthur: And here you're lecturing me about survival when you marched straight to the beast! What were you thinking?!

Merlin: (mutters) He wouldn't stop… talking in my head. And I needed answers.

Arthur: (grips Merlin's shoulders) The dragon can SPEAK?! And what answers could possibly be worth-

Merlin: (yells) I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE OTHERS LIKE ME!

Arthur: ...

Merlin: (voice cracking, looking away) I wanted to know if I had a family.

Arthur: (his grip softens but doesn't let go, his thumbs rubbing small circles on Merlin's shoulders unconsciously)

Merlin: (swallowing hard) Turns out I'm the last of my kin.

Arthur: (his expression crumbles, his heart breaking) Merlin...

Merlin: (a bitter laugh) And then he started babbling about destiny and Albion and-

Arthur: (suddenly pulls Merlin into a tight embrace)

Merlin: ...

Merlin: (blushing) What are you doing?

Arthur: It's called a hug. I did this when you were in your bird form too. When you were upset.

Merlin: I know. It just… feels different, somehow.

Arthur: (flustered, pulling away) Oh, I didn't mean to-

Merlin: (pulls him close again) No, it's nice. (buries his face in Arthur's neck, smiling)

Arthur: (blush deepens as he awkwardly pats Merlin's back) Better?

Merlin: (pulls away, giving Arthur a sincere smile) Yeah. Thank you.

The dragon tried to call him again a couple of times more, but soon gave up when Merlin kept ignoring him.

However, after finding out about Morgana's magic and then discovering other good sorcerers, Merlin decided to give the dragon another visit. His last visit.

Kilgharrah: (in dry amusement) The little bird returns. To what do I owe this honor?

Merlin: (stands straighter) I wanted to apologize. For calling you and all sorcerers evil.

Kilgharrah: (exhales a wisp of smoke that curls around Merlin like a ghostly embrace) So. You've learned.

Merlin: (nods, firm) Magic isn't evil or good. It's how you wield it.

Kilgharrah: (serious) And will you now embrace your destiny?

Merlin: (nods) Arthur and I talked. He plans to legalize magic when he's king.

Kilgharrah: For Arthur's dawn to rise… Uther's sun must set.

Merlin: (shifting uncomfortably) He'll die naturally someday. He's old-

Kilgharrah: How many more innocents will die by then?

Merlin: (sharp) Arthur protects who he can!

Kilgharrah: (leaning in) Not. Enough.

Merlin: (his jaw tightens, final) Well, it'll have to be.

Silence.

Merlin: (softer) Once Arthur's king… he'll consider freeing you.

Kilgharrah: (snorts, sending sparks flying) "Consider."

Merlin: He needs assurance you won't burn Camelot to ash.

Kilgharrah: (neutral) I see.

Merlin: (turns to leave, then pauses at the cave mouth) That's all I came to say. (leaves)

Super time skip. A VERY future event.

Kilgharrah: (smirks) Old friend… It's been a long time.

Balinor: (hollow) Hello, Kilgharrah.

Kilgharrah: (leans down) I hope you've come for the purpose I imagine.

Balinor's hand flies to his hip. With a metallic shing, he draws a sword. Its blade glows with eerie blue runes that pulse like a heartbeat.

Balinor: (voice breaking) Uther took everything from me. My kin hunted like animals. Years stolen from the woman I love. (clenches sword) My own son… I never even held him.

The runes flare as his tears hit the blade, sizzling like acid.

Balinor: (suddenly his face turning to stone) Now I'll take everything from him.

Kilgharrah: (vicious smile) How glad I am… that we understand each other.

That night a sword falls.... and a chain breaks.

FIRST PART >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

...

BOOM! Sorry for leaving you with another cliffhanger. There are still events with the chicks and Hunith that will happen before we get back to Balinor's sudden act of revenge.

Credits to my best friend Rosangela, who help with ideas for Merlin and Kilgharrah's interactions.

Tagging @dsabian , @theplatanitosqueal , @stressed-but-chill , @gregre369 , @chaosofbelievers , @thelordofabsolutelynothing , @another-tblr-fangirl , @aceauthorcatqueen , @smileytrinity , @tiny-and-witchy , @wacko-weirdo , @cacklingharpy , @schiwalker , @natsu2501malo , @dearfuturelyn , @thedollopheadofcamelot , @yougottobekittenme , @your-local-asylum-escapee , @alo-ween , @orliththedragon , @dumbdemjin , @dangerhumming , @fandomabibliophobia , @beebsnas , @genyxie , @tyanatadraven , @andrealux21 , @justafangirlwithphases , @clairebonnefoy