#Apollo got some tough rivals

[gotstabbedbyapen]

Ganymede: So, who were your exes before you met your current partners? Psyche: Nobody wanted to date me. Ariadne: I ran away with Theseus, and he dumped me for my sister. Hyacinthus: Thamyris was my childhood sweetheart who wanted to sleep with my aunts. Zephyrus was my one-time fling who was married. Boreas and I made out a few times, and he was also married. Ariadne: Psyche: Ganymede: Damn, Hyacinth really got around.

[gogobootz1]

At War

Luke Castellan x Reader [fem!daughter of Apollo]

Summary: There's nothing like some friendly competition, but when planning rival parties, you and Luke are a little less than friendly.

Word count: 2k

Every year, there came a time for the retreats- a chance for children of the gods to bond and have some special fun. One big retreat seemed pointless, so camp faculty allowed two. The two retreats accidentally split the boys and girls, and naturally, they turned into an (unofficial) competition. As one of the oldest and most experienced campers- you’d been volunteering to champion a retreat for years. Traditionally, you’ve hosted a slumber party equipped with PJs, dancing, games, movies, braid trains, nail polish, and basically anything anyone could want. You also, of course, have the best food. Each year, it’s been a hit, and it’s only gotten better with time. 

The only problem is that you have tough competition. The day after the retreats, you always hear about what happened at the other one. Paintball, camping, fishing, mad romps through the wood, scary stories- barbecue. Everyone loved it. And every year, you’ve had to quietly conceal your anger and jealousy. It pains you to admit that Luke sure can throw a party (maybe even better than you can). But this year, you are more determined than ever to outdo him. 

The two of you have long been in competition, and things have only escalated. As hilarious as Mr. D found both your antics last year, Chiron was extremely unhappy about the fact the two of you had exceeded the budget by miles. He’d told you both to reign it in this year or no more retreats. When he felt that didn’t sufficiently move you, he threatened to let other people plan them. You both caved and vowed to stick to the budget this year. 

You’re always a little frantic the day of, and today is no different. To your chagrin, Luke is cool as a cucumber. It pisses you off to no end. 

“Nervous?” A smug voice voice asks from behind your back. You drop the spoon you were using to push mashed potatoes around your plate. 

You turn slowly on the bench, “Why should I be?"

“Usually, you’re pulling out your hair before the retreats,” he says skeptically, “perfectionism taking its toll.”

“Yeah? Well, my perfectionism makes my parties perfect,” you flaunt. The few sisters that can stand to be around you when you’re stressed roll their eyes. It’s clear to them this is escalating. 

“What about when Susie vomited in your bouncy house last year?” He taunts, and you glare at him. That girl should not have been jumping after four bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and two Redbulls- it was hardly your fault. 

“How about when Aidan got a concussion after falling off the mechanical bull?” You snap back. 

You don’t notice Luke’s shadow until he pipes in, “Are these people okay?” 

“They signed waivers!” You say at the same time, and the new Poseidon kid takes a defensive step back. You send Luke a glare when you realize you spoke in sync. He huffs before smirking at you. 

“Good luck with your sleepover,” he mocks, “You’re gonna need it.” Before you can reply, he marches away, protégée in tow. 

“Eat shit!” You call out after him. 

“That was weak, girl,” one of your sisters says.  

“Shut up, I know,” you shake your head at her, “now come help me set up.” You drag her up by her elbow to make your sacrifices, then get to work. 

Five hours later, the main hall looks great. Your disco ball is glimmering, the mini photo booth is equipped with feather boas and pink cowboy hats, the food is all laid out, and the stage you bribed some Hephaestus kids to build looks great. 

“Perfect,” you whisper, pleased at your surroundings. 

“Fucking finally!” Your sister throws her hands up and walks away. You’ve very likely driven most of your half-siblings insane today. 

“Thanks for your help!” You call after her, and as she goes, you spot some prying eyes through the window. Percy, you think his name is, looks afraid now that you’ve caught him peering in through the window. In a few swift moves, you leave the room and block his exit from the patio. 

“Can I help you?” You ask suspiciously. 

“Just admiring your excellent disco theme,” he says, putting an ultra-sweet smile on his face. As charming as the boy is, you take your retreat very seriously and feel a deep-seated urge to protect it from potential sabotage. 

“Mhmmm,” you nod, “and you wouldn’t happen to be reporting back to anyone about what you’ve seen?” 

“Whaaaaaat?” Percy asks, awkwardly chuckling. 

Your shoulders drop, of course, Luke would stoop to employing spies. You dig into your pocket and pull out a ten-dollar bill, “I’ll give you this if you act as a double agent.” 

He eyes your money suspiciously, “Do you really think I can be bought?” 

You roll your eyes and pull out another bill, “How’s twenty?” 

“Pleasure doing business with you,” he grabs both bills from your hand and shakes it. Percy happily walks past you, shoving his new earnings into his pocket. 

You grin, “Make sure he hears all about how awesome my party is!”

“I’m on it, boss,” he calls over his shoulder. After a short walk, he’s back to the boathouse lounge where Luke has been waiting for his report. 

“Well?” The older boy asks him, jumping up from his spot on the couch. 

Percy shakes his head solemnly, “Bad news, boss.” 

“What?!” He asks, eyes wide. “Don’t tell me she went over budget. She didn't get another mariachi band, did she?” Percy shakes his head and files this new information away. With what he’s been hearing about the last few retreats, he’s almost sad to have missed them. 

“No, but it does look super cool,” he nods, and it really wasn’t a lie- he saw a chocolate fountain on that snack table. 

“Damn,” Luke’s face twitches in annoyance. 

“But your party will be great too, I’m sure,” he smiles, nodding reassuringly. 

��Of course, it will,” he says defensively, “make sure you check back in over there from time to time. I want to know how it’s progressing.” 

“Sure,” Percy nods, but his concern at the competitiveness underlying this event grows. He wonders just how bad this will get tonight. But check back in he does, and he won’t deny he enjoys himself at the sleepover. Every time he visits, you give him a new sparkly mocktail, and the Aphrodite girls give him a new feather boa. At one point, he’s wearing heart-shaped sunglasses and eating some cake. He was very impressed when M&Ms fell out of the middle as you cut it. Apparently, it’s also one of your newest sisters’ birthdays- he’s heard whisperings of some big special present for her yet to come. 

Each time Percy returns to the other retreat, he can see Luke get a little more tense. The fact that he’s exaggerating doesn’t help either. When he tells the older boy that you have an ice sculpture spitting Dr. Pepper, he thinks he sees steam pour from Luke’s ears. It’s not like people aren’t enjoying his party, but Percy can that Luke wants to one-up you and feels like he’s falling short. 

“And I’ve heard she has a special surprise in store for Sophie since it’s her birthday. Apparently, she’s the newest addition to their cabin, so she wants to do something special,” Percy nods at him, eating a taco he had brought back from your party. Luke cuts him off by grabbing the taco from his hand just as he’s about to take another bite. “Hey!” He protests when Luke puts it right in the trash. 

“When is this surprise?” He asks the twelve-year-old. 

“The Aphrodite girls told me I should be back in like twenty minutes so I wouldn’t miss it,” Percy tells him. 

“And when was that?” 

“Like twenty minutes ago,” he shrugs, and Luke just stares at him. “Ohhhhh,” he says when he realizes how long it’s been. 

“Come on,” Luke shakes his head and starts out the door, Percy in tow. They can hear the surprise before they see it, an ABBA song blasting out of the building. Only, they don’t realize who's performing it until they walk in. Along with two of your musically-inclined Apollo sisters, you’re dressed in bell bottoms and sleeves. And you look like you’re having the time of your life- until you spot them, that is. 

“Look, look, look, look,” you pull the microphone away to mutter to Tanya. Her shock is visible, but you both keep performing anyway. The crowd goes wild at the end, and Sophie runs up on stage to give you a big hug. You let Tanya take over host duties and make your way through the crowd to the party crasher. 

“That was,” Luke starts, but you are not keen to hear whatever he has to say about your outfit, or your performance, or your party. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” 

His expression instantly sours, “I wanted some Dr. Pepper from your ice sculpture, where is it?” 

“What are you talking about?” You’re highly confused until Percy gives you the cut-it-out motion from behind Luke’s back. “We put it back in the freezer,” you say, and Percy gives you the thumbs up. No matter what you think of him, Luke’s not an idiot. He turns around in time to spot Percy’s gestures. 

“Wait a second, are you two colluding?” He looks between the two of you in shock. 

“You were colluding with him first,” you shrug, crossing your arms. “You really earned that twenty dollars, by the way,” you compliment the kid, and he gives you a pleased nod. 

“Dude,” Luke turns toward Percy, betrayed. 

“She outbid you,” he shrugs. “Hey, what if you guys just went to each other’s parties?” 

You both eye the boy suspiciously, “Why would we do that?” You ask him, and Luke nods in agreement.

“Well, you’re both so desperate to know about the other’s party, so why don’t you just experience it for yourselves?” Percy asks, and when he feels you aren’t sufficiently moved by it, he tries again. “If you attend both parties, you can decide who wins.” 

“Good enough for me,” Luke wanders off into your party.

“Yeah, okay,” you head for the door. 

“Hopeless,” Percy mumbles, shaking his head. 

An hour later, you and Luke meet in the middle of your respective parties. You stare at each other for a minute before you admit in sync, “I had fun.” 

“We have to stop doing that,” you shake your head. 

“Agreed.” 

You’re both silent again for a minute. “The slip and slide was a good idea,” you say reluctantly, soap still in your hair, “low budget but lots of fun. Tubing was good too. And the campfire.” You had changed out of the disco attire and into shorts and a T-shirt over your swimsuit. 

“Did you try-“

“Chris can really grill,” you nod. After some hesitance, you finally choke out a confession, “I am very displeased to call you the winner.”

“No way,” he shakes his head. 

“What?”

“You totally won,” he shrugs, “the disco was killer.” You only now realize he changed into pajamas. 

“You actually embraced the sleepover?” 

He flicks some grass off your shoulder, “You gave my party a fair shot.” That’s true, and you nod, looking away for a second. “The chocolate fountain was a nice touch.”

“Thank you.”

“And I was trying to tell you earlier, but your performance was really cool,” he admits. 

“Yeah?” A genuine grin grows on your face at this. Most everyone in the Apollo cabin loves music, but some of your half-siblings are more keen to perform than you. Hearing this, and from him especially, means a lot. 

“Yeah,” he nods, smiling now too. “You’re the winner here.” 

“Let’s call it a draw?” You offer, and he nods. 

“What if we just worked together and planned one party next year?” He asked, and you pretend to consider it for a moment. 

“That could be cool,” you nod, “imagine what we could do with the combined budget.” 

He grins and scrunches his nose, “How about we enjoy this year’s party until then?”

“We could do that,” you nod, “where to?”

He swiftly wraps an arm over your shoulder and starts guiding you back to your party, “Let’s boogie.” You laugh, and he thinks it’s a sound he could get used to. 

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

I've been awake for too long so idk if this is coherent but I had fun <3

[dragontamer]

' are you quite alright? '

atticus was not one easily pushed to being out of breath. yet, there he stood, partly stooped to extend a helping hand to the gym leader sprawled out upon the plush grass of the wilds, and with lungs on the verge of heaving. fit as he was, abruptly being made to enter a sprint, then a full run, across a great field in a mad dash to try and collar his giant of a noivern was not precisely easy on the body.

but he had known that look well in the beast's eyes--the scent of a perceived rival, triggering instinctual response to show up the potential competitor. the competitor, unfortunately, just so happened to be a man who merely stuck around dragons so much that the smell rubbed off.

sargon, the noivern in question, sulked on the ground. pinned by a psychic forcefield conjured by his espeon, apollo, the punishment for trying to kill a man who had nothing to do with him was being squashed into a calmer state, swaddled by the soft pink energy like it were a weighted blanket.

golden eyes glimpse downward, and freeze. he had made it in the nick of time, but, not quite fast enough--a scratch, broad across the back of raihan's hand, caught his attention, and inwardly did he cringe, knowing full well it was their own fault.

' please, allow me to get you to a doctor. ' the injured hand was taken up in his own, and as though it may have some healing power, he pressed a light, apologetic kiss close to where the scratch drew a curved line along the back. ' it is the least i can--gack! '

atticus's hand was separated from raihan's by a broad, fluffy head cramming in between the pair, his golden feline companion staring raihan down with a look of utter disdain.

' lord, i apologize--cairo, kindly move. ' cairo remained rooted in between them. not today!!

It wasn't every day that Raihan was attacked by a dragon— well, he was but it was not in true viciousness. This was out of the ordinary by far, though he was in the wilds he'd been (or he thought he'd been) in a quiet area to where he could put away his Pokemon, enjoy the fresh air.

My, how wrong he'd been.

His ears had pricked up at the sound of wings, an expert enough in his field to know the Pokemon based on sound alone. Normally, he'd have had the thought that this wasn't an area that one may find the dual type, but upon lifting teal eyes skyward he'd had another, more pressing realization.

It took all of two breaths for the Pokemon to reach him, wings pulling into itself as it drops in an almost teardrop fashion, hind claws extended and ready to strike— and strike it does.

A gloved hand had only just found a PokeBall on his belt, Honey, his Goodra being the obvious choice for the half-flying type. Thunderbolt is already at the forefront of his mind, though he wasn't fast enough.

The dragon hits him like a ton of bricks.

Pain, sharp and stabbing rears its head, clawed talon locked on a vice grip around his hand, rendering it impossible to use at the moment. From his hand, he hears the ultra ball's metal hinge whine under the pressure of the hold, or perhaps it was from Honey attempting to break free. Much to his distress, the ball didn't seem to be cracking open naturally any time soon, and he prays that it's not crushed.

Luckily for himself, the Dragon above wasn't alone.

It was almost cartoon-like seeing the dragon restrained, a tough bubble locking him to the grassy floor, and Raihan hisses in pain as claws are torn from him. The ultra ball falls to the floor, and it's not long before the sticky dragon has burst free, dopey eyes confused as she takes in the state of her trainer and the angry dragon.

She doesn't even hesitate to go to the Noivern to bat her lashes at him— the traitor.

It's not long before the trainer is before him, gasping for air but clearly trying not to seem so tired, and Raihan offers a reassuring smile.

"I'm alright, mate. A right beauty you've got there." When his hand is taken he expects to be pulled to his feet and even had anticipated pulling himself up. He can say he's blindsided by the kiss, featherlight just below where the aforementioned dragon had latched on, and there's no denying there's a soft pink that colors his cheeks. Somewhere to his right, he can hear Honey cooing and petting at the restraints of the Noivern, much to his chagrin.

The man is quite attractive, Raihan decides, dark hair he imagines is typically pristine, though not after hauling ass after his dragon. When soft lips press to his hand, golden eyes flick up and meet teal, and though he's been nothing but a gentleman Raihan can see sharpness lurking in those yellow hues. His voice is a smooth baritone, and it would be a lie if Raihan has said his eyes stayed locked on his face.

It's probably why the cat, Cario he'd referred to it as, butts its way in. Raihan can only laugh, cheeks rounding and showing off that perfectly spiked grin. "Ah, I don't think they like me much." He chuckles, and with a grunt he pulls himself to his feet, keeping some distance between the stranger and himself, likely out of worry that he'd be mailed by this one if he ventures too close. It seems Atticus was lucky it was the dragon gym leader his Pokemon had jumped, he might have been in hot water had it been someone else.

[shinxngopaliu]

⟨ WONG KAHEI. CIS FEMALE. SHE/HER. ⟩ though the mist might prevent some from seeing it, LIXUE KARISMA LIU is actually a descendent of H E P H A E S T U S. it’s still a question of whether or not the TWENTY-TWO year old BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR from SHENZHIEN, HONG KONG has taken after their godly parent completely, but the demigod is still known to be quite CHARASMATIC & INTENSE.

Yeah its Min with the second character. This time Ill try to keep it short and sweet 

CHARACTER BASICS

Full Name: Lixue Karisma Liu

Nickname: Karisma, XueXue, Little Liu

Age: 22

Gender: cis female

Pronouns: she/her

Ethnicity: Chinese

Nationality:Hong Konger

Education: High School Diploma,

Hometown:ShenZhien

Divine Parentage: Hephaestus

Written Aesthetics: Hands covered in ink and grease, poprocks sparking in ones mouth, the sight of a small light frame,a loud scream from atop a carousel, An angry face clutching a thread bare teddy bear 

CHARACTER APPEARANCE

Face Claim: Wong Kahei

Height: 5′3

Hair Colour: Varies

Eye Colour: Brown

Dominant Hand: Ambextrixious 

Distinguishing Features: Cleft Lip and scarred eyebrows

BIOGRAPHY (bullying tw) 

It was quick and whirlwind, the romance that it is. Karisma’s mom has been a nursing playing pool she whispered some tricks to help the god win. She didnt think much of it. He was nt half bad to her. 

She did get pregnant and headed on maternity leave. Somehow by luck she met a fellow doctor during her pregnancy, he fell for her and was willing to take care of the kid

That would be easier said then done as the kid was more rambunxious then intended. Always running around and piecing things back together. They thought it was the terrible twos but little did they know it was much more

 (Tw)They enrolled Karisma in private school, hoping that a quality education would help her find her way through life, sadly she did get made fun of for any little thing. One school mate even asked why she smiled so oddly. 

She buried herself in other hobies manly robotics and metal music. She was able to find a few friends but she was well aware she wasn’t liked by many. Even her friends admit that sometimes she seems a bit too strange (Tw end)  

All that would change when she as trapped by a monster. She experience her senses flaring up as they never had before. Karisma was struggling in her net when the figure snarled at her and muttered the words I got you little demigoddess. And why was her smile so crooked, just like her father 

Thats all it took for her to set the net on fire. There was white hot flames she herself never experience. She just remembered setting the monster aflame before running. She remembered running fast and heading home. The subway only made her ruinmante. 

Karisma was angry, confused, and scared. She started crying to her father as she confessed the events. It was her mother that finally came clean with the truth. The man she knew all her lief wasnt her father but someone else. When Karisma asked for his name, her mother admitted he only went by H and hasnt contected her since.Only a satryr intruppted her line of questioning.

The satry tried to explain better than her parents about the demigod hood but she was placated enough to come with him. Karisma looked at her parents in disappointment- she really wished they told her soooner. 

Camp Halfblood was diffrent though. There was something that contrasted against the colder private school she went too. The minute she entered the gates the ends of her pigtails set aflame in excitement. She was able to talk to more people without judgment. Tough the question remained who her father was,

The claim just happened, seeing the iron hammer over her head. She felt a lot of emotions but anger being one of them. She as secretly hoping for Hermes or Apollo but she got the one with the temper. One that she didnt realize she had. Sure she was to get close to them but the first night she slammed the door and hid under her covers screaming. 

She grew to realize that Heph was her father and that maybe he had reasons to not tell her. In a very strongly worded letter she asked why, her father replied a year later. For your protection. Please understand. Se was hesitant to write back since. 

Of course she went on quests. the heph id with the flaming hair and sharper tongue. She liked them but wanted to be a leader instead of a big three kid. 

Now that shes in college she accepted some things to a degree. Though she found a new outlet to get her anger out: Metal Music 

PERSONALITY

Appears very eccentric but is actually a no nonsense type. She is very blunt and genuine with her feelings. A scary critic especially when it comes to obscure music genre and mechanics. However she will help you out, just don’t expect a smile on her face. Very few people have seen her smile due to past instances of being ridiculed, and opts for a half smile.  Is self-conscious to a degree, but not to the point she won’t show her face. Pretends she knows what she wants in life despite the reality she’s just as confused as everyone else. Overcompensates. To those that dont know her she can look very tough or even haughty, but she doesnt care due to judgement. She knows shes a Heph kid and proud of it, it doesnt mean she wont try her other pursuits before she graduates.

POWERS

Pyrokenesis - this is fire strongest power yet its very emotional based. With Karisma’s application, she has used for thermal, melding, and sometimes destructive purposes. She has also used it the way of effects during her performances with her Experimental Metal Group- The Demi-Disasters Hence her Stage name Red Hot Karisma . Primary weakness however would involve the water and freezing point.

Trap Sensing - This is her second most strongest abilities. She can sense and disable traps within a mile distance. She developed this at a younger age, when she was walking through the subway and the capital city. She can’t sense every trap such as those blessed with other god abilities.

Techenkenis - Very limited due to her personal lack of discipline and patience. She can communicate with her own devices, but other peoples devices takes days even months to figure. Rather than use her own power she prefers to use her own instincts.

Enhanced Combat - Very defense like and agility like tactics. Can be on the offense but makes her feel odd doing it. Has some informal training on weak points of the body courtesy of her mother.

OPTIONAL INFO

Extracirculars:

TBD 

Housing:

Hephaestus hous

Connections:

Half siblings 

best friend

course mates

rivals 

Members for her group the Dem-Disasters

People to debate and argue

ees and ohs the whole shebang 

More stuff coming soon

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #432: Ace Pop-Offs (Phoenix Wright)

Apollo Justice

Theme of Voltron Plays.......

Apollo: (Cheers Triumphantly from his Seat) YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!! I am Apollo Justice, The Champion of MARIO PARTYYYY!!!

Ema: (Rolled her Eyes) Calm down, Justice. It's just a video game.

Apollo: (Begins to Blush a Little Once He Finally Starts Calming Himself Down) Right..... (Chuckles Awkwardly) Sorry about that...

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly) Goodness, Herr Forehead. I had no idea you had all of this much energy of excitement in you.

Wocky: Yeah, man. You alright?

Apollo: Yeah... It's just that....This is literally the first time I've ever beaten anyone in an actual Mario Party game that aren't the CPUs.

Ema: (Starts Smirking) Did you kept getting into Last Place or something?

Apollo: ('Scoffs') No! I got in Last Place only one time.

Ema: (Raised An Eyebrow)

Apollo: ('Sigh') Okay, fine. Maybe I got it four to five times....But I mostly get Second!

Klavier: (Chuckles Once More) Well, either way, I, for one, am happy for victory, Herr Forehead.

Wocky: Yeah. Even if your Pop-Off Theme is kind of Trash.

Apollo: "Trash"? Dude, this is the Theme of Voltron!

Ema: A Nerdy choice of a song if you ask me. We can think of a better Pop-Off Song than that.

Apollo: (Crosses his Arm) Yeah? Well, whenever either of you three win a game of Mario Party, you can try picking one of your own.

Ema: (Gives Apollo a Competitive Smirk) You're on, Justice.

Klavier Gavin

Guilty Love (Klavier's Theme) Plays......

Klavier: (Playing his Guitar A Little More Victoriously)

Apollo: (Unamused) Okay. Who idea was it to let Klavier play his own theme song as his Pop-Off Song?

Wocky: Better question is who let this man play the guitar in the house?

Ema: C'mon, you babies. It ain't that bad.

Apollo: (Raised an Eyebrow Towards Ema) You know, I'm surprised you're actually taking a liking to this, Ema.

Ema: (Shrugged) Hey. When you're dating a Prosecutor/Rockstar 24/7, you tend find "some" appreciation from his work.

Klavier: (Smiles Brightly) Well, Well, Well, my beautiful losers! How are you liking the performance so far?

Apollo: (Rolled His Eyes) It's Half Decent....

Wocky: (Annoyed) That shit been playing everywhere I go! It's already starting to get old, Gavin!!

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly) Oof. What a tough crowd, indeed.

Ema: Eh don't worry about them, Fop. (Smiles Very Lightly) You're.... doing great so far.

Klavier: (Smiles Softly as he Gently Holds Ema's Hand) I humbly thank you for your undying support, Fräulein Skyes~ (Kiss the top of Ema's Hand)

Ema: (Blushes Heavily While Turning Her Hand and Herself Away from her Boyfriend) J-J-Just Finish your Pop-Off already, you stupid Fop!....

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly at How Adorable His Girlfriend is Being Right Now) As you wish, my dear~ (Continues Rocking Out to his Theme Song)

Ema Skyes

"All I Do Is Win!" By DJ. Khalid Plays.....

Ema: (Relaxingly and Triumphantly Bop Her Head to Her Pop-Off Theme)

T-Pain: All I Do Is Win Win Win No Matter What! Got Money on My......

Apollo: (Rolled his Eyes, Unamused) You know, this might be the most inaccurate song about you I've ever heard. You only won one game of-

Ema: (Have One Finger Towards Apollo) Shhhhhhhhhhhh......

Apollo: ('Sighs Heavily') .....Mario Party.....

Ema: Apollo.

Apollo: What?

Ema: Don't take offense or anything, but....You guys lost. (Gives Apollo a Smug Smirk on Her Face) And Losers don't complain.

Wocky: (Shrugged) She has a point, man. Won't do any good if we complain.

Apollo: ('Sighs in Defeat') Fiiiiine....

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly) Oh, don't be like that, Herr Forehead. Ema won the game fair and square. The least we can do is let her enjoy her little victory for now.

Ema: .......Hey, Fop.

Klavier: Hm?

Ema: (Got up From her Chair and Made her way to Klavier) There's something I need to tell you.

Klavier: Oh really? Well, what ever could it be Fra-

Before he can even finish his own sentence, Klavier gets pulled into a Quick Passionate Kiss from his Girlfriend, Ema Skye's, before she starts pulling away.

Ema: (Took a Deep Breath) There....Now we're even.

Klavier: (Chuckles Once More) Honestly....You never seize to amaze me, my dear.

Ema: (Look Away from Klavier While Blushing) Whatever......

Wocky Kitaki

Apache by the Sugarhill Gang Plays.....

Apollo: Are we seriously doing this right now?

Wocky: (Got into Position to Dance for his Pop-Off Song with Everyone Unhappily Joining in) We are going to dance into the entire song! My Pop-Off, My Rules!

And just like that, once they start shaking their hips six times, the gang starts dancing around to the music. (Except for Ema, who starts doing a pretty lazy Robot Dance)

Wocky: Happier! I wanna see you dance with a smile on all of your faces!! Smiles!!

Klavier: You know, I'm not sure if the Sugarhill Gang really sang that song-

Wocky: Are you still talking, Gavin?!

Klavier: Well I mean-

Wocky: You lost, remember? Losers don't complain! All they do is dance!!

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly While Rolling His Eyes) Okay, Herr Kitaki.

Apollo: (Whispers to Ema) You know, I have no idea Wocky would be that interested in dancing.

Ema: (Whispers Back to Apollo) I'm surprised he even knows how to dance at all...

Wocky: Less Talking, More Dancing, 'Losas!!!

???????

Rainbow by Songbird Plays......

Trucy: (Cheers Triumphantly From Her Chair) WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Trucy Wright. is. The CHAMPION!!!! Woohoo! YEAH!!!

Wocky: Damn.... She's even louder than you are, Justice.

Apollo: ('Sigh') She is my sister after all...

Ema: Can't believe your own sister beats us in Mario Party....

Klavier: (Smiles Sheepishly) Come now, you guys. Fräulein Wright won fair and square. Might as well let her have her moment.

Ema: (Glares Lightly at Klavier) You're only saying that because you didn't have to play.

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly) I mean.... You're not entirely wrong on.

Trucy: 'Thena!

Athena: (Pops Up from the Kitchen) What's up?

Trucy: I Won!

Athena: ('GASPS') (Made her way to Trucy) Oh my God... Seriously?!

Trucy: (Excitedly Nodding Her Head) I'm the SUPERSTAR!!!

Athena: Holy Crap, Trucy!! (Gives Trucy a Big Hug) Congratulations!!

Trucy: (Giggles Softly) Thank you!

*Door Opens*

Maya: Hey, kiddos.

Pearl: Ummm.... What's going on here?

Athena: (Turns to Maya and Pearl) You guys, our girl Trucy just won a game of Mario Party!!

Maya: ('GASPS') NO WAY!!!

Pearl: (Smiles Excitedly) Is this really true?!!

Trucy: It's the Truth, Pearly! I, Trucy Wright, has become the SUPERSTAR!!!

Maya and Pearl excitedly make their way towards the duo and join in on the triumphant Group Hug while Squealing in Pure Joy.

Ema: (Getting Irritated by the Ladies' Squeals) God, this is worst than trying to dance to Apache.....

Wocky: (Glares at Ema) Hey! That song is a legend! It's deserve the respect it earns!!

Apollo: (Facepalms while Sighing) This can't get any worse than this......

Trucy: Oh, Polllllly!~

Apollo: (Slowly Turn his Head up to a Smirking Trucy) Yes, Trucy? What's wrong?

Trucy: Oh nothing~ I was just wondering if you still remember our deal or not.

Ema/Wocky: Deal?

Klavier: What is she talking about, Here Forehead?

Apollo: Uhh.... Nothing! It's nothing. Really. I mean.... (Chuckles Awkwardly) I don't even know what she's talking about here, ya know?

Athena: (Raised an Eyebrow Towards Apollo with a Playful Smirk on her Face) Pollo~ Come on now~ Don't try worming your way out of this one, 'hon~

Apollo: (Starts Sweating Bullets) Uh you know? (Got up from his Seat) Maybe it's time for us to get some snacks don'tcha-

Ema: (Grabs Apollo's Arm with a Smirk on her Face) Hold on there, Justice. I wanna hear what they're talking about here.

Wocky: Yeah! Us too!

Klavier: (Simply Nodded in Agreement)

Maya: Welllllllllll, you see.... Yesterday, all of us here made a bet to see which one of these two kiddos would win in Mario Party.

Ema Really now? And what, pray tell, did you guys beat on?

Pearl: (Giggles Softly) It was simple really. For you see, if Polly were to lose the game, he would get........

Trucy: A nighttime of Snuggles and Cuddles with his Loving Family!!!

Athena: Us!!

*Silence*

Wocky: (Burst Out Laughing) Pfft HAHAHAHA!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Ema: (Snickering) Holy Shit, Apollo Justice. What the hell did you gotten yourself into?

Apollo: (Blushes Bright Red) I don't know, okay?! I-I mean....I didn't know Trucy would actually win the game!!!

Klavier: (Smiles Sheepishly at his Friendly Rival) Maybe. But you do realize that anything can happen in Mario Party, right?

Apollo: (Facepalms while Groaning Once More) Now you tell me.....

Maya: ('Sigh') Polly, I don't even know why you're starting to get embarrssed now.

Trucy: (Pouts at her Big Brother) Yeah! You love our Cuddle Time, remember?!

Pearl: (Rapidly Nodded her Head while Pouting at Apollo as Well)

Wocky/Ema: Pftt AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Klavier: (Chuckles Lightly) Herr Forehead! I had no idea you were a fan of Cuddles.

Apollo: Y-Yeah? Well....I like it, okay?! It's nice! I-It's Comforting and Relaxing! P-Plus, I get to do it with the people I love! So honestly, it's technically a win-win for me!!! S-So, Suck it!!

Trucy/Maya/Pearl: (Starts Giggling at How Adorable Apollo is Being Right Now)

Ema: (Smirks at Apollo) Spoken like a true Cuddler, Justice!

Wocky: (Snickering) Uh-Huh!

Apollo: (Groans Once More in Annoyance)

Athena: (Pulls Apollo into a Loving Hug) Ignore them, 'hon. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cuddling with the ones you love, Pollo. (Gives Apollo a Loving Kiiss on a Cheek) I promise~

Apollo: ('Sigh') Yeah.... I know. Just.... Trying not to let it bother me too much, you know? (Smiles Softly towards Trucy) But in all seriousness though, Congratulations on winning, Truce.

Ema: (Nodded While Smiling) Yeah.

Wocky: (Smiles Brightly) Nice one!

Klavier: You did a wonderful job winning , Fräulein Wright.

Trucy: (Smiles Brightly) Thanks, you guys. NOW LET THE CUDDLING COMMENCE!!!

After Game Night was over with, The Everything's Wright Family begins to watch a movie while forming a Cuddle Pile with one another. And even though he lost a game of Mario Party earlier today, Apollo is still admittedly enjoying every moment of it with the people he knows and love.

@apollo-justice-for-all

@keyenuta

@cyber-wildcat

@26shann

@albion-93

[onepieceaus]

One piece AU

I lost all of these before. So let's go. Percy Jackson AU

Luffy- I don't think he would be a son of the Big Three. The thing about Luffy is that he doesn't have a string power. But knows how to make it strong. So I think that he would be a son of Nike. The goddess of victorie itself. He came from a family of very powerful warriors. She would already have and eye on Dragon. Super excited about fighting but not so much about understanding the monsters.

Zoro- Really? There is doubt? This boy would be a son of Mars. He loves battle and lives for it. But he is very disciplined when it comes to it, training every day, respecting his swords, and all the bushido thing. And he would be Roman, you'll see in a minute why. The dictionary has a picture of him next to the word dyslexic.

Nami- She got me thinking. She would be greek, and daughter of Hermes. And because of her connection with the weather maybe she is also a legacy of Zeus, from the WW2. And who isn't related to Zeus? But she would take Capture the Flag a little too seriously. People get hurt when it happens.

Usopp- Almost went for Apollo, or Demeter, but still didn't fit. So I made some research and found Dolos, the god of Lies, cunning deception and craftiness. It makes sense for his elaborate lies, and how well he can make equipment for his friends. Read the wikipedia's article about him, and tell me it isn't some Usopp bullcrap.

Sanji- This one was very easy. Son of Athena. Sanji is a magnificent warrior, but his mains weapon is his brains. He always make amazing strategis. Since he would be greek and Zoro Roman that's a plus for their fights. And Zoro is also the son of Ares/Mars, Athena/Minerva's rival. He would do almost anything to be one the same team of the cabin of Hermes and the cabin of Aphrodite on Capture the Flag. He never is trusted to stay on watch when it's against Nami.

Chopper- He gave me the most thinking. First I tough Apollo, then Asclepio. But I decided him to be a spirit of nature. Maybe an Canadian Canadian satyr that is half reindeer instead of half goat. He would still be a healer and know a lot of cure songs.

Robin- Against popular belief, I don't think she would be a daughter of Athena. She is super smart and all, but still don't feel right for me. I think she would be a daughter of Pluto. Since she loves to study dead things (dead civilizations), has a really bad luck, and has a very morbid sense of humor. She would be in camp just like Annabeth, since she was very young. People would ask her to be preator, but she would refuse, because she wants to research and go on quests with her friends. Also got invited to join the Amazons and the Hunters of Artemis. Refused both.

Franky- It dosen't even has discussion. The man that transforms himself into a cyborg is an son of Hephaestus. He would never be Roman because a man that has a mechanism to give him a whale hairstyle, substituted his stomach to a fridge and has glowing nipples would never be Roman. Even some Hephaestus kids are worried.

Brook- Ok. He would be a son of Apollo(greek). He could do a lot of magic with music, and he spends a lot of time with satyrs studying. But he should have some kind of business with Hades/Pluto for being an skeleton.

Ace- Zeus. Just to still have spite and daddy issues.

Sabo- He would be a son of Vulcan. When he finds out he is not related to his father he would be so danm happy, and that his dad isn't a "fancy" god would make him go to the clouds. Probably a fire manipulator. Is preator and nobody understands how. Has an imperial bronze pipe.

Koala- Without a doubt a daughter of Neptune. She can control water and still fight Fishmen Karate, controlling the water inside people. When the creature isn't made of water she just stabs them with a knife or something like that.

Law- Edgy boi would be am Roman Roman legacy of Apollo. He would came from a line of doctors that were very respected in New Rome. But they were killed by monsters on a quest and he barely escaped from them. Because he flee from battle his family lost prestige, but he works hard to regain it. He's still creepy tough.

Hancock- OMG! ITS SO HARD! WHO IT COULD BE? IT'S JUST THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD! GODANM WHAT A MISTERY!! Aphrodite

Vivi- If I didn't did her y'all would kill me. I have no idea. Maybe Notus, the god of south wind (hot wind). No idea give me suggestions about it.

Well that's it. Tell me if I missed something and you opinions if they're different from mine. Mine opinions are just opinions, and I would love to discuss it with other people

[digitaldreams0801]

Stella Profile

Here’s the next one out of the group! I really like how this one turned out. I hope you enjoy it too!

Name: Stella Evangeline Anastasia de la Luxinne

Age: 17

Gender: Female (she/her)

Birthday: August 18

Sexuality: Pansexual Polyamorous

Magic: Light

Astrological Sign: Mermaid

Status: Princess

Occupation: Student

Affiliation: Alfea College for Fairies, Royal Family of Solaria

Planet of Origin: Solaria

Hobbies: Fashion designing, shopping, swimming, doing makeup, sketching

Family: Radius Apollo de la Luxinne (Father), Luna Inana de la Luxinne (Mother)

Position in Team: Second-in-Command

Pixie: Amore, Pixie of Love

Likes: Sunny weather, being sarcastic, fashion, making friends, being outdoors

Dislikes: Rain, snow, separation, loneliness, the dark

Appearance: Stella stands at roughly 5’9”, though she looks taller most of the time due to her love of heels. She has tanned skin after spending her life on a warm, sunny planet. She has the curvy hourglass figure most magazine covers flaunt and shapely limbs to make her look like a model. Stella’s eyes are a brownish hazel color, and she has lengthy blonde hair with bangs over her forehead. She has defined facial features to go along with her conventionally attractive appearance. Her ears aren’t very pointed when compared to some of the other characters’, making her look a bit more human. Stella tends to wear cropped shirts to show off her figure, though she is self-conscious about the way her stomach looks, something she does her best to hide when she has a particularly bad day. Her clothing shows off a lot of skin whether it be a shirt or skirt due to the bright, sunny planet that she grew up on. Stella enjoys wearing heels for shoes to add a bit of extra height and make her seem more imposing, though she’s usually 5’11” at tallest with her heels since she thinks any taller of heels aren’t that practical. 

Personality: Stella, at least on the outside, comes off as a stereotypical popular girl. She seems superficial and boy-crazy, always going after the week’s most attractive guy her age. She’s openly obsessed with the way she looks and has a passion for fashion above all else. Stella can get sarcastic and defensive easily, almost to the point of being blunt or rude at times. Behind this mask, however, Stella is a much softer, more sensitive girl. She fears being treated as an outcast or being tossed aside since she’s always believed her worth is found in how valid others believe her to be. Years of bullying transformed her into a young woman who taught herself to fake confidence rather than actually feel it. She’s much smarter and nerdy than she would originally show, not wanting to be made fun of by others for her stranger interests. Stella’s passion for clothing design is the one thing that isn’t fake, as she’s always loved making clothing for herself since she sees it as a perfect outlet for her creativity that won’t lead to her being picked on. Stella suffers from dysmorphia, having been made fun of for her body in the past. She hates getting comments on her body since she was picked on for weighing more as a child. Her obsession with appearance is a defensive mechanism to keep from being made fun of again for her weight or other aspects of her appearance. She gets snarky and sarcastic quickly since she uses it to defend herself from those who might want to hurt her, which can cause her to get snippy at times. Stella opens up more to people who show legitimate interest in her as a person rather than just her future power or appearance, and she lets herself be vulnerable about her hidden insecurities around them.

Background: Stella was born into an unhappy marriage between her parents, Radius and Luna. Radius and Luna were set up in an arranged marriage when they were children, and while they were friends growing up, being forced to live together by the politicians of Solaria drove them apart. They fought often, and Stella grew apart from them after years of listening to them bicker. She ate out of stress to keep from thinking about how horrible her family’s dynamic was, causing her to become overweight. When she went to school after a particular summer of horrible overeating, Stella was bullied and picked on relentlessly. Stella suffered greatly for not being conventionally attractive between her needing glasses and weighing more than her classmates. She grew to suffer from dysmorphia as a result. She was also teased for her interests in stereotypically ‘nerdy’ or ‘masculine’ subjects such as sports or painting. Stella grew to resent both such subjects after years of their being the cause of her harassment. She got sick of all the bullying after years, not going to her parents about it since she knew it would cause an argument. She thought they had more important things to think about as well. To keep from getting hurt further, Stella forced herself to keep from eating for quite a while, causing her to become sickly and incredibly thin. She wound up in the hospital from her lack of food at one point when she was thirteen, and she told her parents about everything she had been suffering from. After this, Stella was told by Radius and Luna that she’s never going to not be worth their time and that she deserves to be happy regardless of what other people say. Stella’s unhealthy habits disappeared soon after this, and she got into the habit of telling herself that eating and being happy with herself is the least she can do for herself. While Stella is still seen as ultimately shallow, she isn’t openly mocked anymore, which as far as she is aware, is an improvement. She’s gotten better about loving herself since then as well, though she’s still not the best with expressing her feelings. Her parents announced their divorce the year before she started at Alfea, and while she’s been struggling to a life without both of her parents around all the time, she keeps in contact with them both since even if their marriage failed, they love Stella more than anything else in the world. She attended Alfea the year before the story starts but wound up leaving at semester after suffering from some mental health issues and struggles with her dorm mates. She returned the following year, gladly accepted by the school. 

Other: Stella enjoys eating sweets when she’s not enjoying healthier foods, and after she eats a lot of sweets, she’s often seen going for a jog. She usually thinks over things while out on a run, which she does earlier on in the morning when the sun is first rising. This is the earliest Stella ever wakes up, as she’s never been a night owl or morning bird, instead preferring to sleep through both of these phases. She hides her grades from most people to try and fit in out of fear of being made fun of. In truth, Stella gets some of the best grades at Alfea, not that she’d ever tell anyone such. She enjoys tennis, and even if she was teased for liking sports as a child, she’s been getting back into it recently with Aisha and Flora. She also enjoys watching some animated shows (some cartoons, some anime), a guilty pleasure she shares with Tecna.

Position in Team: Stella acts as the second-in-command for the group and Bloom’s right hand. Stella is more pessimistic than Bloom is most of the time due to being harassed as a child so frequently, but she and the others have learned to let loose and joke around more. Stella offers a unique viewpoint due to her jaded experiences of the past, and she’s often the one who takes over with keeping everyone in line when Bloom has other things to take care of, proving to be a capable leader in her own right.

Dynamics:

Bloom: Bloom and Stella have grown to be close friends since they grew up as outcasts. They hide their feelings to keep up a strong face for others, but they’ve learned to relax and be happy around one another. Both consistently encourage one another to pursue their dreams, always the other’s biggest cheerleader. Bloom and Stella enjoy talking about relationships a lot, having similar tastes in both boys and girls, making relationships the subject of many a late night discussion.

Flora: Flora was able to see through Stella’s mask nearly right away, and she decided to do everything in her power to help Stella to embrace her true self as soon as possible. Flora encouraged Stella to take up tennis again after she distanced herself from the sport as a team, and the two enjoy taking up matches together. Stella often vents out her frustrations as the two play. Flora and Stella often share their insecurities together when times get tough, leading to a quiet, unspoken bond between the two.

Musa: Musa and Stella are much more similar than either one of them would care to admit. They both get defensive easily and hide their pain behind a mask of confidence. While they were both lonely as kids, Stella’s was against her will while Musa embraced the silence. They’re both slowly working on getting over their past issues, even if the development is quieter than one would expect. Musa and Stella often share beta versions of songs and designs to get unbiased input.

Tecna: Stella and Tecna enjoy sharing guilty pleasures often. Stella’s interests from her childhood have only increased since she joined the Winx Club, and Tecna is the perfect person for Stella to indulge in stereotypically ‘nerdy’ habits with. They watch some animated shows late into the night, both of them predicting what will happen (though Tecna is right more often than not). Stella often makes fun of the characters’ fashion senses, something that makes Tecna laugh nearly nonstop.

Aisha: Aisha and Stella are both princesses who got into traditionally masculine subjects when they were growing up, and lucky for them, they have the same hidden passion: sports. Aisha is the only one of the girls who can rival Stella’s competitive spirit when they play sports (tennis being their favorite, something they often drag Flora into). They dance quite a bit together as well and have gained a reputation as the best dancers at Alfea, often indulging in couples-based dances at parties just to show off.

Roxy: By the time Roxy meets Stella, the latter has developed greatly and moved past her issues with bullying and dysmorphia. When Roxy struggles under the cruelty of some teenagers on Earth, Stella is the first one to go to her aid, helping Roxy with everything she has. Stella and Roxy have gained a mutual respect for one another through this, and while nobody knows exactly what they talk about late into the night, the general consensus is that it’s vulgar and violent alike.

Diaspro: Stella’s relationship with Diaspro is interesting to say the least. Stella first met Diaspro when the engagement between her and Sky was announced, and while Stella was upset at first, she mellowed her anger to not hate to Diaspro since what happened wasn't her fault. The two wound up getting closer due to their common interests in fashion and their past issues with hiding their true selves. They gossip together often and have spilled much drama to one another, though nobody is quite sure what. 

Sky: Stella met Sky when she was going to Alfea for the first time. She didn't talk to him much, but they kept in touch even after she left the school behind. She hung out with him and the rest of the boys often. Stella was angry with him for quite some time after hearing he was engaged to Diaspro, but she eventually relaxed her grudge, though it took some time. Stella is very protective of Bloom where Sky is concerned and gives him the ‘don't hurt her’ spiel often even if she knows he wouldn't hurt her on purpose. 

Brandon: Stella and Brandon hit it off immediately, becoming friends quickly. His friendly nature helped her to become more trusting, and she opened up to him much faster than she usually does with new people. He helped her through her insecurities easily, and they have a quiet, mutual understanding of one another. Stella doesn't mind his lack of royal status, caring more about who he is as a person and the fact that he respects her as an individual and not a pawn for power. 

Riven: Riven is Stella’s least favorite of the Specialists. She doesn't get along with him at all, finding him to be too rude for no reason. She can get equally as defensive, but she still makes it clear that she's trying to get better where he has made no such thing obvious. Even after Riven starts to get better and pull back on his jealousy and anger problems, Stella still doesn't talk to him much, not seeing a reason to. They don't argue as much as they once did when Stella first entered the picture, but their relationship could be better. 

Timmy: Timmy and Stella didn't talk much when they first met. Timmy was shy and awkward, and Stella didn't know how to approach him. After some time, Stella started making moves to improve her relationship with him by reaching out. Timmy showed Stella the glory of animation her first semester at Alfea, and they had movie nights often. Timmy and Stella don't tell anybody about this at first since Stella is still sheepish about it, but they share many secret glances as reference jokes to their fun nights. 

Helia: Helia and Stella have a surprisingly strong relationship. He saw her drawing out fashion sketches at one point, and the rest was history. He got her back into drawing, and they meet up from time to time to sketch. They also have the same interest in manga (a guilty pleasure of Stella’s) and exchange copies in between lengthy discussions about the stories. Stella also helps Helia to become closer to Flora, wanting the best for them both in her own little way. 

Nabu: Stella and Nabu mostly get along because of Aisha. Stella’s over the top behavior can get to be a bit much at times, but she tones it down around Nabu so as not to frustrate Aisha. Stella is overall playful with Nabu, always trying to help him out with his relationship with Aisha. Whether they're friends or more, Nabu is happy with it, and Stella supports him fully, though this doesn't mean she'll tone down her joking. They sometimes have trolling competitions, just as a way of messing with each other with no malicious intent. 

Radius: Radius and Stella were distant during her childhood. Since Radius had the responsibilities of a king combined with the issues of his marriage, there wasn't much time for Stella at first. When she showed signs of struggling with such, Radius did his best to become closer to her, and they've bonded as a result. Radius thinks of Stella as the light of his life, and he’d do anything for her. Especially after the divorce, they're closer than ever before. 

Luna: Even with the divorce, Luna and Stella have remained close. Luna saw how much Stella was suffering and did as much as she could to make Stella’s life easier despite the divorce. Luna has been helping Stella through her past issues with dysmorphia by reassuring her as much as possible that she deserves better than what other people have told her before. Luna and Stella call each other each week and talk all about their lives, even if they don't see each other in person as often. 

Amore: While Amore’s power is over love, her magic isn't exclusively based around romance. Amore became so attached to Stella since she could tell the fairy needed somebody to return the love she gave to do many, and Amore was happy to oblige. Amore and Stella love each other quite a bit, putting other pixie bonds to shame. They both tend to put forth a lot more than they get back, but they're always there to pick reach other back up when something goes wrong. 

[solangelover]

Leave Me or Hold Me Close

Solangelo Week 2k19: Day 7 – “Enemies / Lovers” @solangeloweek

A/N: AU where Will has been a year-rounder since age 8 and Nico since age 11, they’re both now 15 and have an intense rivalry-type thing.

Read on AO3 or FF.net or Wattpad 

“Ugh, just leave me alone! Why do you feel the need to rant at me, Solace?”

Nico stormed out of the infirmary, leaving a steaming Will Solace standing in the doorway.

“Well, maybe if you stopped being an idiot and getting sent to the infirmary, I wouldn’t have to see you so often!” He nearly stomped his feet in frustration as he glared at the retreating back of Nico di Angelo. But Will wasn’t a child, so he threw his hands up and made incoherent noises of rage.

“That stupid, idiot son of Hades! I just—gah!!” Will shadow-boxed the air as he whipped around and stalked back to his desk. His sister, Kayla, simply watched this all go down with a raised eyebrow. Their three-going-on-four-year long hatred of each other was nothing new, but she felt like it was reaching its peak. Something was going to break soon, but with all the fights, she couldn’t tell exactly what.

As soon as Will sat in his chair, Kayla jumped up on his desk and looked over her shoulder at him. “So, how’s life, big guy?”

Will gave her a withering glare, to which she immediately jumped off the desk and put her hands up in surrender. Still, she stood there, arms crossed and waiting for a reply. Will took a deep breath and let out an even deeper sigh. “di Angelo. I just can’t with him! I don’t know what he wants! I try to help him since, hello, I’m head medic and he can’t seem to go one week without ending up here. He’s so dumb I swear. I can’t really avoid him if he keeps needing medical help, so if he doesn’t want to see me then that’s his problem!” He groaned and ran his hands through his hair, effectively disheveling it so he looked a little crazy. Nico was slowly but surely driving him insane.

“Soooo…” Kayla drew out. “What I’m hearing is, you want Nico to be safer because you care about his well-being?”

Will closed his eyes and held his head in his hands. “It’s not like I want him dead, Kayla. Of course I want him to be safer.”

“But you don’t want to see him? Like, at all?”

Will thought about that. He pictured Nico’s annoying face, his harsh glare that was constantly thrown Will’s way, his scowl that always twisted his features. Sometimes, when Nico wasn’t paying attention to Will, he would see Nico look excited, hear him laugh at some dumb joke Percy made, and just be a totally different person than who Will knew. They’d been at camp together for the past few years, and Will couldn’t even remember exactly how their “rivalry” started, but he knew that he was tired of it. It was probably fun in the beginning, but at some point, their insults became real and their fights venomous. Will never knew how strongly he could dislike a person without knowing why.

“Will?” Kayla’s voice brought Will out of his thoughts and back to reality.

He sighed once more and picked his head up to look at his sister. “I’m just tired, sis. I only want some peace in this crazy camp.”

--

“AGHHHH!” Nico threw another pillow against the wall of his cabin. Annabeth suggested it after she walked in one time to the shattering of a lamp, the ceramic pieces joining various other broken things on the ground.

Nico’s latest trip to the infirmary ended in a yelling match between him and the one and only Doctor Solace. Nico knew he was being stubborn, but the guy was insisting that Nico either come in for check-ups more or just not get injured so often. Honestly, did he think Nico liked getting attacked by monsters? Or losing in a sparring match?

Did Will really hate his face that much?

But then Will also asked for him to come in more often, which he wouldn’t do if he didn’t want to see Nico, right?

No, idiota, Nico chided himself. He’s just doing his job. He doesn’t want to see you.

A knock sounded at Nico’s door, jolting him out of his thoughts.

Percy stood in the open doorway (that Nico forgot to close in his rage) with a concerned yet amused look on his face. “Rough day?”

Nico glared as Percy invited himself in, plopping down on the bed across from Nico’s. Meanwhile, Nico took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, opting to sit right there on the floor in the middle of the cabin. He clutched the pillow he was about to throw to his chest, his fists threatening to rip the material.

Percy popped his head over the foot of the bed to better see Nico. He cocked his head expectantly.

Nico sighed. “It’s just Solace, nothing new.”

“Are you… angry at him?”

“No duh, Jackson.” Nico rolled his eyes at the son of Poseidon. What did he think was going on?

“Just checking,” Percy chuckled. “So, what did you do this time?”

“Nothing!” Nico flew the pillow up in the air and it landed a few feet away from him. He glared at it as if he could scare it into coming back to him. “I did nothing at all, just got hurt in training and went to the infirmary. Then he lectured me on safety and limits like I’m a child. So I got mad and we fought and I left.” He was scowling so hard, Percy was sure his face would get stuck like that.

Percy hummed. “Sounds like he just wants you to be safe?”

“No schist, that’s his job,” Nico deadpanned.

“True,” Percy agreed. “But I don’t see him lecturing many other campers.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Why does he hate me so much that he won’t leave me alone?”

“Well, is that what you want? For him to leave you alone?”

“Would be nice,” Nico grumbled.

“I’m serious, Nico.” Percy waited until Nico met his eyes. “Do you want to never see or speak to Will Solace?”

Nico frowned at that and looked down. Did he? He couldn’t really imagine his life without Will in it. Not that he was the center of his life or anything, but Will had been there since he first got to camp. Will had been one of the first kids to talk to him and try to be his friend. But Nico had been having a tough time and it didn’t manifest well with his temper. He didn’t remember exactly what happened, Nico just knew that one day, they were fighting, and simply never stopped.

What would it be like if he just let that all go?

Percy didn’t interrupt Nico’s thinking, knowing that his friend was a big time internal processor, and this was kind of an important question.

Finally, Nico sighed and looked back at Percy. “I don’t know.”

--

That night saw them at the campfire. It was going on as usual, with the loud singing of the Apollo kids and non-stop chattering from the Hermes kids. Everyone sat with their friends, laughing up a storm or making crazy gestures as they told stories.

Will sat with his cabin, as well as Lou Ellen and Cecil. Nico was surrounded by Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, along with other random friends. Both boys kept casting glances at the other, new thoughts running through their minds concerning their relationship.

“Geez, what’s up, Will? Feeling thirstier for some di Angelo than usual?”

“What?” Will squeaked as he whipped around to see Lou Ellen with a smirk on her lips.

“Dude, you keep looking over at him. Just talk to him already.” Cecil dropped down in front of Lou Ellen with a freshly toasted marshmallow.

“Yeah seriously, there’s so much sexual tension between you two, you could cut it with a knife.” To prove her point, Lou Ellen held up a shiny dagger in her hand.

“Lou! Put that away, that’s dangerous!” Will scolded. She grinned widely, and a second later her dagger disappeared in a puff of smoke and mist. Annoying Hecate kids.

“But seriously,” she leaned in. “What’s going on?”

Will sighed, turning fully to his friend so his back was to Nico. “I’m just… thinking. I don’t know what, but I want to talk to Nico. Civilly. I want to be, I don’t know, his actual friend, not his enemy or rival.”

Lou Ellen and Cecil shared a look, then met Will’s eyes with a smile. “That’s a great idea, Will. The gods know your guys’ game of hard-to-get has been going on long enough,” Cecil stated.

Will sputtered, “Will you two stop?? I said I want to be his friend, stop implying!” Will was blushing at this point, and he hoped he could blame it on the firelight. By the looks on his best friends’ faces, it was probably obvious.

“Whatever,” Will shook his hair out as he turned back toward the fire. Maybe he could talk to Nico after the campfire.

--

“Nico, if you keep glancing over there, I will literally lose it.”

Nico turned to see Annabeth mid-eye roll. “What are you talking about?”

“Bro, she’s talking about you constantly looking over at Solace, like this whole night.” Percy slung a comforting arm around his girlfriend, as if Nico was actually causing her stress. “If you wanna talk to him, just get up and go.”

Nico scowled at the couple. “I don’t want to talk to him. I think he’s seen me enough for one day.”

“Oh my gods, Nico. Will doesn’t actually hate you,” Annabeth stated.

“Really? So we just fight constantly for fun?” Nico said sarcastically.

“Ugh! Just shut up already!” Drew called down from a couple rows up the bleachers. The daughter of Aphrodite was always listening in for gossip. “I swear, di Angelo, stop throwing yourself a pity party and go. It’s about time you and Mr. Sunshine end your flirtationship and make some progress. We’ve been sitting on this for years!” She immediately went back to filing her nails.

Nico gaped at her. “What the Hades??” He turned to look at his friends, who all avoided eye contact. “What is she talking about?” When they still didn’t look at him, Nico narrowed his eyes, turning to the one he thought might crack. “Grover, tell me you don’t all think that.”

“Uhhhhhh,” Grover nervously chewed on some soda can, glancing to the side before answering with a high-pitched, “yes?”

“What the…” Nico stood up and fully faced his friends. “I don’t—it’s not—that’s not what’s happening here!” He could feel his cheeks heating up, but he chalked that up to anger.

Unsure of where to go from there, Nico just walked off, glancing back over his shoulder towards Will, who happened to look up at the same time. Their eyes met, noticing something different in Will’s eyes. Before the moment stretched on for too long, Nico turned away and left the campfire.

--

“Nico, wait!”

Nico turned to see Will jogging up to meet him. He stopped before climbing the steps to his cabin as Will reached him, taking a moment to catch his breath.

“Why’d you leave early?”

“I was being tortured by my friends. What do you want?” He winced when it came out a lot harsher than Nico intended. Way to start a friendship, di Angelo. “Sorry, I just…”

“No worries, I get it.” Will didn’t think he’d ever heard Nico apologize to him before. Maybe this just might work out. “Um…” He didn’t know exactly how to articulate everything he’d been thinking over. Luckily for him, Nico was impulsive and nervous.

“Did you know everyone thinks we like each other?” Will didn’t miss Nico cringing at his own outburst. It made him smile a little. “I mean, like, like like each other,” he said quietly as he nervously twisted his skull ring.

Will couldn’t really say he knew, but he wasn’t exactly surprised after Lou Ellen’s comments. “I—it’s—nevermind that. We’ll deal with that later.” Will shook his head and took a deep breath. “Can we just, start over? Be friends? I don’t mind us fighting still, but I’d like to, I don’t know, not be so… mean? Gods, I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” Will covered his eyes with his hand, feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment. What exactly was he trying to accomplish here?

Nico’s lips parted in a small ‘o’ of understanding. Seemed like he and Will were on the same page for once. “Yes,” he blurted. “I mean, yeah, I agree. I still strongly dislike you right now,” Will rolled his eyes and Nico chuckled, which was pretty friendly for them. “But less hatred would be nice.”

Will brightened, and it definitely did not make Nico’s night, that’s ridiculous. “Truce?” He held out a hand.

“Truce.” Nico gripped Will’s hand firmly, giving it a small shake.

As they looked into each other’s eyes, they both had the same thought.

Let’s see where this takes us.

 A/N: I was gonna try go all the way to lovers but my slow-build brain wouldn’t let me, sorry.

[thedetectiveofinaba]

@guilty-love​ said: 🔥🔥

Unpopular Opinion Time 

Speaking of disappointment of games: Dual Destinies. I got a hot take for it based on the first two cases I’ve finished for it and one for AA in general.

1. I don’t get the hype for Simon Blackquill at all nor find him intimidating, he’s at the “meh, he exists” category in my eyes. Yes, I know he most likely has a deeper story like Godot & the squad and you’ll find that out later but the other prosecutors were built better from the get-go and were more legit in the setting itself. A prosecutor who’s dark, shady and is threatening ppl the worst way anyone yet has yet is allowed to be in a case with his obviously biased way of thinking...? I saw that already in Edgey and Fran, and they were done better.

If his character/the setup was built in a better way like f. ex baiting the player to believe the reason was corruption/Simon was in the civil service or less severe for the reason I would’ve bought it better. But now? The whole intensity is lost and I just want to sludge through the 2nd case just to find something out of enjoyment. The proper villains/antagonists are the ones you find intimidating and somewhat interesting first and better/more genuine after spoilers, and Simon isn’t one of them to me. This is a wanna-be edgy prosecutor to me and nothing else until proven otherwise. I really hope that he gets better in DD and that I can say that in the end he wasn’t as bad as Calem “I swear I’m a neighbor rival” who I had to add details to myself bc Kalos characterization is a big joke.¨

(Also if they really assume you to buy he can just stroll in there, do his cases and then rot in prison again I’m only thinking how the system at AA just doesn’t care if they let an idiot like that determine lives. No fucking wonder Nick tried to update it at AA4, the whole system is beyond saving if the final idea of AA4 was tossed aside for drama.)

2. I don’t get people who ship immediately after one game (like AA1 or AA2). Wrightworth, a more common ship at the AA fandom is apretty good example in this. Some ppl were claiming Edgey liked Phoenix bc one line but it’s stretching in my opinion and there’s not really that many romantic cues, and instead the last cases of the first game focus on them rebuilding their former friendship & you kinda need that before you establish the rivals -> friends -> lovers scheme alot of fans see. 

AA2 has something people can interpret as sth but I see it to be more of mutual trust, and even though the Trilogy forms some ship basis it requires the time since Edgeworth is kinda absent from the majority of the cases & they’d most likely try distant. If you want more evidence, AA3 has good material at the last case. Edgey is unintentionally overreacting to the fact how Phoenix fell to a river and organized everything so he could trick the judge that he’s a defense attorney for a favor.

I see why people ship them but I see them as close friends who reunited later and now are frenemies like the AA4 setup has Klavier and Apollo to be. Idk what the original writers intended but I adore how they’re in sync after tough times & are best friends who sorted out their differences.

[placetobenation]

Needless to say, after nearly 7 months of a Worldwide pandemic, the COVID-19 virus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Before we got news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus, we got 14 positive tests from the Tennessee Titans forcing them to postpone this weekend’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And before then, we got news that coronavirus may have played a hand in the WWE’s Clash of Champions PPV. Before the event itself, reports spread that Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax and Nikki Cross were being pulled from card due to not being medically cleared. That news came on the heels of many at the Performance Center and NXT superstars were exposed to the virus after a party that some attended. Of course, since it is the WWE, we get no confirmation of any of this. They’re perfectly fine just throwing it to a fake storyline rather than get more of it by exposing the truth. Wrestling is always better when there’s an ounce of realism to it. Just ask Jey Uso and Roman Reigns, right?!

We’ll get into show recaps in a bit, but damn, kudos to SmackDown! They are cranking out quality shows week after week after week while their counterparts on Monday night seem to be struggling. They’ve got it all going on these days!

Clash of Champions PPV

All in all, a very good PPV IMHO. Aside from the COVID-19 changes, which we’ve already addressed, it was a solid card from start to finish with some awesome storytelling. We got Sami Zayn’s ingenious and creative way to lock up the Undisputed Intercontinental Title by handcuffing Jeff Hardy to a ladder with his own earlobe and AJ Styles to the ladder itself. We got Shawn Michaels, Big Show and Ric Flair showing up in different variations to exact revenge on Randy Orton and see Drew McIntyre retain his WWE Championship in a physically brutal match. Roman Reigns and The USOs took their Samoan Dynasty feud to a new level. And we got another chapter to the Bayley vs. Sasha Banks rivalry. Along the way, very solid in-ring performances all night long and yes, a tidy 3-hour evening is always welcomed!

NXT: TakeOver 31 – UPDATED CARD

NXT Championship – Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly

NXT Women’s Championship – Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae

NXT North American Championship – Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match: Santos Escobar vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott

KUSHIDA vs. The Velveteen Dream

The Insurgent returns

Star of the Week:

"You think I'm proud of what I did? Clash of Champions was the worst night of my career." – @WWERomanReigns to Jey @WWEUsos #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JLYDUy7Iq5

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

Roman Reigns – Sure, it’s easy to give it to the guy at the top of the food chain on SmackDown, but Reigns is doing everything right these days. Randy Orton’s a close second this week along with Alexa Bliss. But I’ll do what Jey Uso couldn’t, give the Tribal Chiefs his props!

RAW

RESULTS

RAW Women’s Championship Match: Asuka defeated Zelina Vega

Keith Lee defeated Andrade

Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke defeated Natalya & Lana

Kevin Owens defeated Aleister Black by DQ

24/7 Triple Threat Championship Match: R-Truth defeated Drew Gulak & Akira Tozawa

Murphy defeated Dominik Mysterio

Mustafa Ali, Apollo Crews & Ricochet defeated The Hurt Business

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre defeated Robert Roode

LOVED IT:

What wasn’t there – Whether it be COVID-19 related or not, the absence of RAW Underground and RETRIBUTION (aside from a logo splashed around the ring during the six-man tag team match) made for a cleaner, more enjoyable Monday night. It wasn’t so disjointed which is good for all of us watching at home. It will be interesting to see how the WWE handles it going forward.

THE LEGEND KILLER STRIKES AGAIN!@RandyOrton just unleashed a vicious steel chair assault!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/pcFacxaMUS

— WWE (@WWE) September 29, 2020

Randy, the janitor – What better way exact revenge and reclaim your Legend Killer moniker than to don night vision glasses and take out Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Ric Flair and Christian! The seeds were planted early in the night with Orton leaving the building, but not before he laid the groundwork for a Hell in the Cell match against Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship in October. We’ll get that soon enough! Orton just keeps getting better with age.

Welcome back:

#WWERaw just became…….GLORIOUS! They battled at #NXTTakeOver for the #NXTChampionship, but tonight…@RealRobertRoode is the one to challenge @DMcIntyreWWE for the #WWEChampionship! pic.twitter.com/qlZDx5c6ew

— WWE (@WWE) September 29, 2020

Glorious – It’s good to see The Glorious one Bobby Roode back on WWE TV. Plus, it was nice to see them not forget the Dolph Ziggler-Roode connection as well as Roode accepted Drew McIntyre’s open challenge Monday night. Both guys came out strong for this one to make for one of the bright spots Monday night.

Twin tribute:

Mandy Night RAW – Mandy Rose, complete with her new blonde partner Dana Brooke, gave a cute nod to Trish Tribute. Will the Beautiful Blondes be wearing Glittery Gold soon?

Hitting the road:

"You are NOTHING without me!" Hey, not cool, @AndradeCienWWE.#WWERaw @Zelina_VegaWWE pic.twitter.com/B4puiCWFi2

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 29, 2020

Andrade & Zelina – Tough night all around for Zelina Vega and Andrade. First, they publicly dismiss each other. Then, the both lose to Keith Lee and Asuka respectively. It would be nice to see Vega start to bring guys along to fight Andrade and get revenge, no?

We told you son:

TROUBLE continues for the Mysterio family on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/mYOb7Cw9v3

— WWE (@WWE) September 29, 2020

Murphy & Aalyah – We told you to watch for it and we’re getting it – a blossoming romance between Dominik Mysterio’s sister Aalyah and Mysterio’s bitter rival Murphy. The ring does make for such interesting bedfellows doesn’t it?

Makes no sense:

The Hurt Business – So one week, Bobby Lashley, MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander are there to take out everyone including RETRIBUTION. Then, this week, they can’t even beat Apollo Crews, Mustafa Ali and Ricochet. Either they are the best and prove it, or they’re no better than the 50-50 booking that the WWE is handing them week after week. They deserve better.

NXT

RESULTS

Shotzi Blackheart defeated Dakota Kai

Cameron Grimes defeated Joey Pistachio

Cameron Grimes defeated Ridge Holland via DQ

KUSHIDA defeated Tony Nese

Adam Cole defeated Austin Theory

Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae defeated Damian Priest & Io Shirai

LOVED IT:

Like REALLY had it.

#WWENXT #NXTTakeOver @shirai_io @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/vB78a9hNl5

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 1, 2020

Main Event – Now that was one SICK main event! Io Shirai flying everywhere, including off of Damien Priest’s shoulders, moonsaulting on to Johnny Gargano and yet still not coming out on top. The Gargano Way reigns supreme at the end getting over on their champion counterparts setting up what should be a fun-filled NXT:TakeOver 31 Sunday night!

"Even if I never made it to #WWENXT, even if I was still wrestling for 5 dollars every other weekend, I would still be doing it with everything I 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 and everything I 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯." – @KORcombat

pic.twitter.com/EqK8DGx6GV

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 1, 2020

Kyle O’Reilly – Between the backstory, profile and face-to-face with Finn Balor, we got some needed insight as to who Kyle O’Reilly is beyond The Undisputed Era. It gives us a reason to want to see him fight Finn at NXT:TakeOver.

"You're so good…at stroking your own ego." – @KORcombat to @FinnBalor #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/gnHn572jts

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 1, 2020

RESPECT – The face-to-face with Finn Balor, Kyle O’Reilly and Shawn Michaels was downright civil and respectful. A good conversation without the yelling, screaming and fisticuffs that we normally see in these types of affairs. Balor’s first title defense should be a good one.

Who is it? Who’s coming home to NXT: TakeOver 31?

The build-up to NXT:TakeOver – All the pre-produced pieces led some credibility and interest into the matches and that’s exactly what a go-home show is supposed to do! Give me a reason to watch the PPV this Sunday night. Scott vs. Escobar. Kushida. Kyle O’Reilly. As usual, the WWE does production like no other.

Sad:

"She breaks my TV, you tear her ACL." – @JohnnyGargano on @TeganNoxWWE_'s recent injury. Yep. Makes sense.

#WWENXT @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/44jiuyUblE

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 1, 2020

Tegan Nox injury – Tough news for Tegan Nox as she’s out for a while with a torn ACL. That Candice LeRae feud will have to be put on the backburner for now.

No friend of mine:

Xia Li – No handshake. No respect. Again. This time, Li spurs both Kayden Carter after her victory and her BFF Kacy Catanzaro.

Could do without:

Cameron Grimes Invitational – Why? What the hell was that? A squash win followed by a squash DQ finish with Ridge Holland. Why waste even that little time! Give that time to highlight KUSHIDA more than his 2-minute match with Tony Nese. Lovin’ that new attitude for KUSHIDA so give him more of a spotlight. Hopefully, we’ll see it unfold vs. The Velveteen Dream this Sunday. And oh yeah, back to Grimes. He should want no part of Dexter Loomis!

SMACKDOWN

RESULTS

Jey Uso defeated AJ Styles

Otis defeated John Morrison

Sheamus defeated Shorty G

Matt Riddle & Lucha House Party defeated King Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy

LOVED IT:

OH MY GOD! The Fiend just attacked @FightOwensFight #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/W73cLKNCAb

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

Bliss-mate – At last, we get the on-camera pairing of Alexa Bliss and The Fiend. Using the KO Show with Kevin Owens looking for answers from little Miss Bliss so it can help him against Aleister Black is a creative way to bridge RAW and SmackDown storylines. Having The Fiend take out Owens with the mandible claw is equally intriguing.

What does @WWERomanReigns mean by this?!? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UHh49ZTUFE

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

The Tribal Chief – Starting the night with the family feud of Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso after their epic battle at Clash of Champions makes sense. I didn’t expect Reigns, our star of the week, to go down the road of professing his love for Jey Uso and giving him one more match at Hell in the Cell, but I’ll take it. The personal side to their drama is gripping and we just want more. They are doing all the little things right, including have Reigns stop Paul Heyman mid-sentence to show just who wields the power in that relationship. Reigns isn’t going to stop until he makes Uso tell him he is the one and only Tribal Chief. 

.@SamiZayn just had to be extra. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/yikPhHY036

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

Sami vs. Jeff – Nice Medusa moment for Mr. Zayn as he throws Jeff Hardy’s version of the Intercontinental Championship into the trash. Then, they go out and delivery an enjoyable main event with the right guy going over. Zayn’s got great heel heat right now and they are right to ride it!

BREAKING NEWS:@SashaBanksWWE has challenged @ItsBayleyWWE for the SmackDown Women's Champion on NEXT WEEK'S @WWE Friday Night SmackDown! #WWEDraft pic.twitter.com/AMbLoruEMU

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

It’s Banks Bitch – Succinct and perfectly pointed. Sasha Banks is coming for Bayley’s SmackDown Title next week. This one’s going to end in the main event at Hell in the Cell PPV!

Necessary evils:

Squash me, squash you – Otis and Sheamus delivering one-sided victories over John Morrison and Shorty G wasn’t competitive, but it did move the storyline forward. Next week, we get Otis in court vs. The Miz in what should be a Cousin Vinny-like moment. Sheamus is ready for a street fight against Big E and I can’t wait for a new day of whooping!

U N T O U C H A B L E C A R M E L L A @CarmellaWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/rB3CjDjtKB

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

Carmella revealed – So what exactly does Untouchable mean? What’s up with the polaroid camera?

Parting shots:

It’ll be interesting how the WWE handles the pre-emptions of SmackDown during the MLB Playoffs and World Series. SmackDown has some serious momentum going and with Hell in the Cell and Survivor Series PPV’s coming up, I hope they get creative and don’t just waste shows on FS1. Out of sight sometimes means out of mind, so the WWE and FOX will have to be careful and creative with the product and the schedule. It’ll also be interesting to see how they handle the two-night Superstar Draft. I hope they don’t raid SmackDown to help RAW because Friday nights need to keep on track to keep FOX happy. All RAW needs is some TLC (no, not tables, ladders and chairs) and some creative, fresh ideas and they’ll be fine. It’s the little things that will help it rebound. I do expect Charlotte Flair to be part of Monday night’s future. I’d pair Flair and Andrade to build a stable to get back at Zelina Vega.

Coming up this week:

RAW Randy Orton’s ambush reaction

NXT NXT:TakeOver 31 fallout

JUST ANNOUNCED. The Fiend @WWEBrayWyatt will battle @FightOwensFight on next week's #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/aJutwqDnYm

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) October 3, 2020

SMACKDOWN Night 1 – WWE Superstar DraftKevin Owens vs. The FiendFalls Count Anywhere Match: Big E vs. SheamusSmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks

Thanks for letting us share our thoughts! Shoot me an email at jcrowe567@gmail.com. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions! You can also check out my blog, The Crowe’s Nest as we delve into more pro wrestling, sports entertainment and the World of Sports. My apologies ahead of time – I AM a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins fan! If you’re not down with that, I’ve got TWO WORDS for you… NEW ENGLAND

[ladyloveandjustice]

ACE ATTORNEY GAMES RANKING AND THOUGHTS ON DUAL DESTINIES

Personal Ranking of the games, highest/most enjoyable to lowest: PLEASE NOTE THAT I REALLY ENJOY ALL OF THEM AND THINK THEY HAVE A LOT OF MERIT, EVEN THE LOWEST RANKED.

Ace Attorney 3: Trials and Tribulations (WE HAVE TO PRETEND GODOT DOES’T EXIST BUT I’M WILLING TO DO THIS...but when I do remember Godot exists, it gets moved to second place and AA1 is top dog), Ace Attorney 1, Ace Attorney Investigations 2,  Justice for All, Ace Attorney: Investigations, Dual Destinies, Spirit of Justice, Apollo Justice

I think that’s pretty solid. AA3′s ranking is pretty variable depending on my mood bc ugh godot why godot but i love so much about it and it basically has great moments for the whole cast, so? gotta admit it. Even Godot can’t ruin AA3 for me. AAI and DD also might switch places depending on my mood.

I am surprised at how far down AA2 was knocked- it introduces great characters and the final case is one of the best in the entire series, but the other cases are pretty eh and the circus case is pretty terrible, as we all know. On replay that stick out more. Meanwhile 3/5 of AA1 cases are just fantastic, and it does a great job getting the feels and endearing you to the characters. Rise from the Ashes does a lot to elevate it. 

AAI2 is one of the best games in the series, I’m almost tempted to put if first tbh. The cast, the character development, the mysteries, the little moments- all a plus. 

AAI is frustrating and tedious at times and the plot is very weak, but I think largely makes up for it by having a ton of investigation options (obviously) that allow for fun character convos. The flashback case especially was a blast.

Then we’ve got DD and the fact I like DD better than SoJ and AJ is probably very unpopular- I can see why people would feel differently. The plot to DD is weak (the climax and final twist of SoJ is much much stronger), a lot of it’s on-the-nose and cliche, some characters are underwritten and it’s way too easy. SOJ is a better game structurally and mechanically. But ultimately, I find DD a lot less frustrating and more fun than SoJ. 

There are just so many things about SoJ that make me actively ANGRY- how Maya is treated and her return and character is uttely wasted and she’s damseled in a blatant retread of JFA, how Athena is regressed and blatantly sidelined, how PHOENIX is regressed for no reason in the JFA retread- like he makes almost the exact same mistakes he did in JFA and there’s absolutely NO reason for him not to tell Apollo and Athena what’s happening- and in general, just several characters are dumbed down and sidelined to make Apollo look good, which??? Ya didn’t have to do that?

I feel DD was way better at balancing it’s cast and treating them with respect. Apollo’s arc took him out of focus sometimes, but it didn’t feel like he was regressing (mostly bc...they didn’t develop his character all that much in AJ in the first place).  He made the mistake of not trusting his agency, but honestly, there was never a lot of trust between Phoenix and him in the first place, and he was just getting to know Athena AND he was going through a lot of grief- so it all felt pretty natural. And it established that he approaches “trust” and being a lawyer in a different way than Phoenix and Athena do, which I feel was very important for making him distinct as a character. It was DD that helped me really “get” Apollo TBH, because again, his own game actually didn’t develop him that much even if he was a cutie. At least he had a character arc in DD, and I felt he’d grown by the end of the game.

I think it’s important to remember it’s been explicitly stated that Apollo’s popularity shot up in Japan after DD came out, for all fans gripe about it, this game still actually cared more about him than his own game did, enough to actually endear a bunch of fans to him.

Meanwhile, I’ve already worded on Athena and how I feel her character arc was great- she grew a lot over the course of the game and her story was very resonant to me. She got a lot of the spotlight, but other characters weren’t ever dumbed down to make her look good, like what happened with Apollo in SOJ.

Phoenix also progressed a bit- he’s noticeably more confident than in the trilogy and it’s interesting to see him in a (much more reliable) mentor role. He’s always enjoyed looking after people, so it does feel natural for him to take on that role and feels like he’s really continuing Mia’s legacy by getting his own proteges. A lot of a stuff that happened to him in AJ isn’t really followed up on when it would have been way more interesting to keep those aspects, but I can understand to some extent why it didn’t happen. Following up on what AJ did to him while still making a new, separate game, is TOUGH, and I don’t envy DD’s position in having to do it. 

I do think it’s believable Phoenix could recover a bit and scale back on his cynicism now that he’s finally managed to prove his innocence, and there ARE hints throughout DD that some issues remain, so there’s at least something to work with there.I especially appreciate that DD did it’s best to address what Miles and Maya were up to during AJ and reassured players they WERE around- the hints that Miles and Phoenix might have been in conflict over whether he should get his badge back and that Phoenix was resistant to Miles helping him were especially appreciated, and make sense for the characters. The fact that Miles eventually did manage to make him get it back and even pulled strings- also great. The way they settled in old married couple closeness felt so natural too.

I think what a lot of fans don’t take into account with DD was (as well as I can glean) what it was like when AJ came out and there was no follow-up. Guys, AJ would have gotten a direct sequel if fans had reacted well to the new status quo. They obviously didn’t. And that’s NOT SURPRISING. We had Phoenix going through a full, developed character arc, a complete story and then AJ comes along and is like “lol never mind his life is ruined now and HAS BEEN TERRIBLE FOR SEVEN YEARS and all that progress he made went down the drain. also where are Miles and Maya? who knows?” and introduced a new protag without bothering to develop him or give him backstory and introduce a lot of underdeveloped, HARD-TO-UNDERSTAND (why are the gramyrie men so awful why did they do anything they did their actions make NO SENSE)   characters and unresolved, inexplicable things.

I really think what AJ did with Phoenix is interesting, but it was also devastating and frustrating and they didn’t bother to explain most of it so it felt so random too. I honestly would have been gutted at it had I not know DD was coming out and he was going to be okay and practice law again. Phoenix losing his badge is bold, and it is a legit direction to take things- life really does suck like that at times- but also, we KNOW life sucks like that sometimes. that doesn’t mean we want to see characters who had a complete story come back only to be miserable and lose almost everything. I’m a wuss, so seeing that happen to Phoenix would have been way too much for me had I not known a happy ending was coming. I find AJHoboNick interesting as a phase of Phoenix’s life, but don’t like it as a permanent state of being for him. 

That doesn’t mean we couldn’t have reached that happy ending in a more interesting way obvs- I’d have liked (and would still like) for the bitterness and moral looseness Phoenix picked up during the AJ years to be explored more, even as he comes back to law. DD played it safe, while AJ took a lot of risks that didn’t really pan out and ended up as a mess. I can see why one would prefer the latter to the former.

But I think DD accomplished what it set out to do, in an enjoyable way. It had a job: restore Phoenix as a protag while still involving Apollo, give Apollo some actual backstory and an arc, introduce this new character and give her a complete arc, actually explain where all these character who were just dropped in AJ have been and follow up on it as best you can. It did a good job doing all that, and succeeded (except for in addressing the Apollo and Trucy thing, it didn’t follow that up...aghhh....). It let all the characters shine, felt balanced, and introduced a new status quo that felt comfortable and fun. I remember being so overjoyed when I first played with it and there was a reason for that. It felt like coming home.

And again, SOJ had a lot of good things going on, like Rayfa, and a stronger plot, but the way it just blatantly screwed over characters-and how Nahyuta was SO BORING AND SUCH A FAILURE AS A RIVAL (another thing DD did better btw Simon is a blast he is ridic but also makes sense and his older-brother-relationship with Athena is sweet) just leave a bit of a sour taste.

also i love athena and DD introduced her so. you guys probably can guess that’s a big factor. 

I’ve already worded about the way AJ- while interesting and ambituous and impressive and nice looking- failed majorly in some ways. and wasn’t as enjoyable to play- so you know the drill there. I STILL LIKE IT THOUGH. IT HAS A LOT OF MERIT AS A GAME.

SO MY UNPOPULAR OPINION. DD HAS A LOT OF WEAKNESSES BUT I STILL LIKE IT A LOT AND LIKE IT A LOT BETTER THAN SOJ OR AJ, THOUGH I ALSO LIKE BOTH THOSE GAMES. DD TRIED AND IT GAVE ME MY YELLOW DARLING.

also really no need to argue with me on any of this. in fact please do not.

now i just have to play the bonus case and then it’s PLvAA time! i wonder how that will rank. probs not very high since crossovers tend to be nonsensical.

[wrestlingisfake]

Great Balls of Fire preview

BROCK LESNAR VERSUS  SAMOA JOE~!

Joe won a five-way match last month to earn this shot at Lesnar’s universal championship.

Since his return to WWE in 2012, Lesnar’s big opponents have mostly stacked up with him in terms of star power (John Cena, Triple H), freakish size (Big Show), explosiveness (Goldberg, Randy Orton), or the inevitability of their push (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins).  Joe, however, rivals Brock’s aura of sheer physical dominance.  Nobody else could do that so far but the Undertaker, and while Taker was an old dude on the way down, Joe is a new-ish guy on the way up.  You look at Joe, and believe he could beat up Brock.  You listen to him talk, and you believe he won’t stop until he beats up Brock.

One thing I like about Lesnar’s matches is that literally anything could happen.  He could maul Joe and take absolutely no offense.  He could throw Joe around for 25 minutes and then make a mistake and lose.  The match could end in 90 seconds.  Somebody could get cut open, forcing a ref stoppage.  All of these things have already happened, though, so that just raises the odds of some other crazy outcome.

I’m hoping for a vicious, brutal, back-and-forth fight.  I want them to brawl all over the place.  I want Brock to think he’s got Joe dead to rights, and then Joe just smiles and asks for more.  I want Brock to take everything Joe gives him, and then find out Joe has more.  I want these guys to make horrible, guttural noises as they fight to the death.

Originally, it looked like the plans were for Lesnar to beat Joe and go on to headline Summerslam against Braun Strowman.  But there are reports that plans are changing, and while none of those reports have suggested Joe could end up with the title, I’m sure WWE has been impressed with his promo work for this program.  I’m just saying, if I’m Vince McMahon, and I want to get the title on Roman Reigns without blowing Reigns vs. Lesnar before April, then Joe vs. Reigns for the title sounds like a good Summerslam main event to me.  The smart money’s still on Brock, but Joe could come through.

Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman - This is an ambulance match, so the re will be no rules except that the only way to win is to lock one’s opponent inside an ambulance parked in the arena.  The implication is that you have to gravely injure your opponent to do this, but in practice it often just means slamming the door before they get a chance to jump out.

This was originally planned to headline last month’s Extreme Rules show, with the idea that Strowman would win to set up title matches with Brock Lesnar at this show and at Summerslam.  Strowman’s elbow surgery forced WWE to alter those plans, but it’s generally assumed that the winner of this match will be the #1 contender for the universal title next month.

Strowman has really clicked lately and I think it’s because he's such a perfect opponent for Reigns.  Since his entire character is defined by the single issue of crippling Roman Reigns, he gives Roman-haters somebody to cheer for, without dividing the loyalties of Roman’s fans.  This is crucial because far too often I feel like the anti-Roman crowd tunes out because they don’t really like the other guy in the match either.  But it’s hard to be ambivalent on the issue of “should Roman Reigns be sent to hospital?” which means you can get a crowd reaction that is both mixed and fully engaged.

Roman has to eventually get the last word in this feud, but it doesn’t have to happen right here.  A loss for Strowman now will kill his momentum, but a win now and a loss to Reigns later in the year would probably be a net gain.  The good thing, though, is that either of these guys would make a good Summerslam opponent for either Lesnar or Joe, so WWE has lots of options.  I’d like to think that means Braun has a good chance to win.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks - Banks won a gauntlet match to earn this shot at Bliss for the Raw women’s title.  This could be interesting since we haven’t really seen these two wrestle much since Bliss turned heel in 2015.  Given that Summerslam is coming up I could see this going to a fuck finish to set up a rematch.  That, and WWE’s passionate efforts to make Bliss the super heel of the universe, make me think she’s going to retain.

Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt - After Wyatt lost the big five-way match Extreme Rules, he delivered a pretty speech about casting judgement upon each of the other four men in the match, starting with Roman Reigns.  Then Roman just kicked his ass, so Bray moved on to the next guy on his list, Seth Rollins.  So yeah, this feud is about Bray trying to beat story mode on “hard,” getting spanked, and then starting over on “easy” and hoping nobody notices what a chump he is.  Which makes Seth “easy mode,” so good job making your babyfaces look strong.

Bray’s matches are tough to predict because Bray’s storylines are completely unaffected by wins and losses--Seth could beat him with his own finisher five seconds into the match, and the next day Bray would just ramble about how everyone trembles in fear of him.  So the real question is whether they’re setting up Rollins for anything that would require him to rack up some wins, but there’s no sign of that right now.  That kinda makes me think Seth is going to eat some losses for a while, to keep him out of the way until they need him back in the title picture...which doesn’t seem to be for a while.  So, reluctantly, I pick Wyatt to win.

The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose - Miz is defending the intercontinental title.  The added wrinkle this time is that Miz has now recruited Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel to be his entourage.  So before Dean just had Miz and Maryse to worry about, but now he’s got to deal with four people at once.  Seeing as Miz already beat Dean for the title with just Maryse’s help, I don’t see why we’re supposed to believe Ambrose can overcome the odds this time.

Logically, Dean should do well as long as it’s one-on-one, and then lose when the Miztourage triple-teams him.  That would lead to Ambrose searching for some guys to even the odds in a later match, and I don’t think Heath Slater and Rhyno are gonna cut it.  Gosh, if only Dean Ambrose knew two babyfaces on Raw that had good chemistry with him...

Cesaro & Sheamus vs. Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy - Cesaro and Sheamus are defending the Raw tag team title in a 30-minute iron man match.  Normal rules apply, except that the match cannot end until the time limit expires.  Whichever team scores the most falls in the given time period will be win the championship.  (In the event of a tie, the champions retain the title, unless the officials approve an overtime period.)

This feels like the end of the feud--it’d be pretty awkward for the team that loses here to demand a rematch.  I don’t see the point of putting the title on the heels just to move it back to the Hardys a month later.  But I also don’t see the point of moving the Hardys away from the tag title picture.  (I guess they could split the Hardys up, but I don’t see that happening unless Matt gets his TNA gimmick cleared with legal, which probably won’t be soon.)

All other things being equal, the most credible challengers for the tag title going forward are all heels, so that kinda points to the Hardys winning the feud.

Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass - Apparently Cass always secretly hated Enzo, so a few weeks ago he decided to clobber Enzo backstage.  But apparently Cass didn’t want to split up the team, so he went to great lengths to make it look like he didn’t do it.  Then after a few weeks of intrigue Cass was exposed and he re-betrayed Enzo to his face.  Then Cass pretended to make amends so he could re-re-betray Enzo.  Cass’s motivations are inconsistent, is what I’m trying to say here.

Spoiler: They are not breaking up this beloved tag team so they can push the plucky little babyface.  Cass is going to win pretty easily.

Neville vs. Akira Tozawa - Neville defends the cruiserweight title on the pre-show.  The closest thing to an angle here is that Tozawa recently aligned himself with “Titus Worldwide,” the faction that emerged from Titus O’Neil trying to teach Apollo Crews to be a heel until somebody suddenly decided they should be babyfaces.  With Austin Aries leaving WWE, Finn Balor working in the heavyweight division, and Aleister Black in NXT, Tozawa is arguably the strongest opponent Neville has left.  This will make it all the more frustrating when Neville just beats him.

[itsworn]

1968: A Year of Political and Societal Unrest Hand-in-Hand with the Decade’s Best Muscle Cars

Yesterday I received the magazine/program that Bob Ashton produces for the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, which takes place about three weeks after I’m writing this. In it he wrote an interesting story about 1968, “the year that rocked the world,” to put in historical context the show’s Class of 1968 50th Anniversary Invitational display.

Automotively speaking, 1968 was monumental. In a lot of ways it was General Motors’ year. The revamp of the midsize A-Body models sewed seeds of muscle car greatness for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick for years to come. If you were a sports-car lover, the 1968 Corvette seemed to jump years into the future with its slinky new shark-inspired body.

Chrysler also thoroughly revised its midsize B-Body models, and in a way one-upped its GM rivals with the introduction of a low-cost, low-content, youth-oriented car named after a cartoon bird. It may have seemed silly at first, but the success of the Road Runner got everyone’s attention in Detroit.

Ford was still basking in the glow of the Mustang, but external forces had the biggest impact on the original Ponycar that year. One came from our own publishing company (or where we all began, anyway), when a story by Hot Rod magazine’s Eric Dahlquist about Bob Tasca’s KR-8 super Mustang inspired (or should we say “pushed”?) FoMoCo to building the 428 Cobra Jet.

The other major influence also came out of California. It would be hard to calculate the promotional value of a certain Highland Green Mustang that chased a certain black Charger around the streets of San Francisco in a movie we are still talking about, and is still selling cars for Ford, 50 years later.

Even financially struggling American Motors came to the party. AMC finally introduced its unique-looking entry into the ponycar market, the Javelin, and followed it up with the even more radical AMX.

It’s fascinating to me that all this automotive exuberance came in a year that was arguably the most tumultuous in a decade of huge social and political change and upheaval. Most are familiar with the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. in April and Robert Kennedy in June. But those events are just part of a frenzied year.

Photo: Eric Dahlquist, Petersen Publishing Co. Archive My pick for the most significant new car of 1968? The Road Runner. Big fun in a stripped-down, affordable package, aimed squarely at the youth market—even those too young to drive, judging by these kids’ faces.

Our involvement in Vietnam was polarizing the country, and 1968 was a rollercoaster that started with the Tet Offensive in January but saw President Lyndon Johnson call an end to bombing North Vietnam in October because of progress made at the Paris Peace Talks.

Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in 1968, believing he could not run the troubled country and campaign for president at the same time. That opened the door to other Democratic contenders, including the ill-fated Kennedy and, ultimately, Hubert Humphrey, whose candidacy was announced at a (literally) riotous Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Humphrey was beat that November by Richard Nixon, who went on to have some pretty tough times of his own.

Riots and protests weren’t limited to the Chicago convention. They broke out in the wake of MLK’s killing and at college campuses across the country, with civil rights and Vietnam their flashpoints. Two of the year’s most memorable news photos reflected the times: Eddie Adams’ Pulitzer Prize–winning photo of a South Vietnamese police chief executing a bound Viet Cong officer with his revolver; and the images of sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists in a Black Power salute while on the podium at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

Not all of 1968 was grim. This same year gave us Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and 60 Minutes. The Beatles’ The Beatles album (aka the White Album) was released, and Led Zeppelin formed. Science fiction movies ran the gamut from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Planet of the Apes. Mattel introduced the first Hot Wheels cars. And in a preview of what would be the biggest story of 1969, Apollo astronauts circled the Moon for the first time, in preparation for our eventual landing six months later.

How does one square the technological and cultural accomplishments that took place during a year that tore at the very fabric of our society? How can something as silly and fun as the Road Runner (car or cartoon) exist alongside assassinations and violent protests? I’m no philosopher, just a car magazine hack. But I think you can look at 1968, and maybe the entire decade, as a crucible. Not a physical one, a metaphoric one: “A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new,” as my online dictionary described it. You could see these works of art, mechanical and cultural, as inspired by—or as a reaction to—the pressures of our severe societal unrest.

That’s my take, anyway. If you’ve thought about this too, let me know.

The post 1968: A Year of Political and Societal Unrest Hand-in-Hand with the Decade’s Best Muscle Cars appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1968-decades-best-muscle-cars/ via IFTTT

[natashamriel]

$1,500,000 Preakness (G1) – Pimlico

 Race 13 (Saturday, May 19, 2018: 6:48 p.m./ET; 3:48 p.m./PT)

Mile and three sixteenths on the main track (three-year-olds)

JUSTIFY gave the world chills with a decisive victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks ago. This Saturday, the son of the late, great SCAT DADDY looks to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown while seven other starters attempt to beat the 2018 Derby champ. Let’s discuss the field assembled and try to predict the outcome of the race:   

#1 QUIP makes his third start off a four-month break in this spot. After winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his first race off the layoff, he came back to run second, beaten four lengths, to MAGNUM MOON in the Arkansas Derby (G1), who came back to run very poorly in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Clearly this one has some talent but he is probably a notch or two below the likes of #7 JUSTIFY and #5 GOOD MAGIC. A possibility to hit the board, but a victory would be a surprise.

#2 LONE SAILOR never got involved in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and finished in midpack. He lost by a neck to NOBLE INDY in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two starts ago and was unable to win an allowance race at the Fair Grounds three starts back. Much improvement is needed for him to be competitive here.

#3 SPORTING CHANCE crossed the wire third (and disqualified to fourth) while soundly defeated by #5 GOOD MAGIC, in the BlueGrass (G2) on April 7, then came back to run fourth in the Pat Day Mile (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day. Note his biggest career victory came as a two-year-old in the seven furlong Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, so he has yet to win a big race going two turns.

#4 DIAMOND KING finished third in the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream, was given a month-and-a-half break and came back to win the mile-and-an-eighth Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. This Jason Servis trainee has four victories from six lifetime starts, but the competition he faces here is significantly tougher than what he’s been seeing.

#5 GOOD MAGIC stalked the pace in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and finished a gutsy second, holding off a late challenge from Florida Derby (G1) winner AUDIBLE for that second spot. He was beaten two-and-a-half lengths by #7 JUSTIFY so he’ll need to figure out a way to make up some ground on him, but the fact of the matter is this guy has never run a bad race in his life and is the most likely foe to defeat JUSTIFY if anybody does. Major player once again.

#6 TENFOLD is the most lightly raced contender with just three starts to his name. His most recent afternoon appearance resulted in a fifth place finish behind MAGNUM MOON and QUIP in the Arkansas Derby (G1) five weeks ago. Although he lacks seasoning over the other seven runners slated to compete here, the good news is he at least appears to have some room to grow but this is a tough spot, nonetheless.

#7 JUSTIFY is undefeated and pretty much untested in four lifetime starts. After going so fast early in the Kentucky Derby (G1), he was able to shake clear of his competition down the lane and splashed home first in the mud, while breaking the Apollo Curse and stamping himself as ‘the real deal.’ His competition will have to hope this guy regresses after that big effort two weeks ago, but every horse that Baffert has won with in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has gone on to win the Preakness (G1). The one to beat…obviously.

#8 BRAVAZO wheels back after a sixth place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). His best run to date came in the Risen Star (G2) on February 17, when the son of AWESOME AGAIN defeated eight other rivals at odds of 21/1. He would need to run a career best to have a shot at winning this race, but D. Wayne Lucas calls the shots with this guy and we know what he is capable of in Triple Crown races.

SELECTIONS 

1. JUSTIFY – Have to beat The Champ to be The Champ.

GOOD MAGIC – Has never finished off the board.

QUIP – New face has talent.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- SPORTING CHANCE – Exotics candidate.  

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll key my top pick over my other selections in trifectas.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$10 Trifecta: JUSTIFY over GOOD MAGIC over QUIP and SPORTING CHANCE ($20).

$15 Trifecta: JUSTIFY over QUIP and SPORTING CHANCE over GOOD MAGIC ($30).

(Bankroll at -$454.50 after 2018 Week #7 Based on $50 Wagers; +$12.40 last Newsletter).

The post $1,500,000 Preakness (G1) – Pimlico appeared first on TVG - HORSE RACING INSIDER.

$1,500,000 Preakness (G1) – Pimlico published first on https://tvgnetwork.blogspot.com

[tvgnetwork]

$1,500,000 Preakness (G1) – Pimlico

  Race 13 (Saturday, May 19, 2018: 6:48 p.m./ET; 3:48 p.m./PT)

Mile and three sixteenths on the main track (three-year-olds)

JUSTIFY gave the world chills with a decisive victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks ago. This Saturday, the son of the late, great SCAT DADDY looks to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown while seven other starters attempt to beat the 2018 Derby champ. Let’s discuss the field assembled and try to predict the outcome of the race:   

#1 QUIP makes his third start off a four-month break in this spot. After winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his first race off the layoff, he came back to run second, beaten four lengths, to MAGNUM MOON in the Arkansas Derby (G1), who came back to run very poorly in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Clearly this one has some talent but he is probably a notch or two below the likes of #7 JUSTIFY and #5 GOOD MAGIC. A possibility to hit the board, but a victory would be a surprise.

#2 LONE SAILOR never got involved in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and finished in midpack. He lost by a neck to NOBLE INDY in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two starts ago and was unable to win an allowance race at the Fair Grounds three starts back. Much improvement is needed for him to be competitive here.

#3 SPORTING CHANCE crossed the wire third (and disqualified to fourth) while soundly defeated by #5 GOOD MAGIC, in the BlueGrass (G2) on April 7, then came back to run fourth in the Pat Day Mile (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day. Note his biggest career victory came as a two-year-old in the seven furlong Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, so he has yet to win a big race going two turns.

#4 DIAMOND KING finished third in the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream, was given a month-and-a-half break and came back to win the mile-and-an-eighth Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. This Jason Servis trainee has four victories from six lifetime starts, but the competition he faces here is significantly tougher than what he’s been seeing.

#5 GOOD MAGIC stalked the pace in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and finished a gutsy second, holding off a late challenge from Florida Derby (G1) winner AUDIBLE for that second spot. He was beaten two-and-a-half lengths by #7 JUSTIFY so he’ll need to figure out a way to make up some ground on him, but the fact of the matter is this guy has never run a bad race in his life and is the most likely foe to defeat JUSTIFY if anybody does. Major player once again.

#6 TENFOLD is the most lightly raced contender with just three starts to his name. His most recent afternoon appearance resulted in a fifth place finish behind MAGNUM MOON and QUIP in the Arkansas Derby (G1) five weeks ago. Although he lacks seasoning over the other seven runners slated to compete here, the good news is he at least appears to have some room to grow but this is a tough spot, nonetheless.

#7 JUSTIFY is undefeated and pretty much untested in four lifetime starts. After going so fast early in the Kentucky Derby (G1), he was able to shake clear of his competition down the lane and splashed home first in the mud, while breaking the Apollo Curse and stamping himself as ‘the real deal.’ His competition will have to hope this guy regresses after that big effort two weeks ago, but every horse that Baffert has won with in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has gone on to win the Preakness (G1). The one to beat…obviously.

#8 BRAVAZO wheels back after a sixth place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). His best run to date came in the Risen Star (G2) on February 17, when the son of AWESOME AGAIN defeated eight other rivals at odds of 21/1. He would need to run a career best to have a shot at winning this race, but D. Wayne Lucas calls the shots with this guy and we know what he is capable of in Triple Crown races.

SELECTIONS 

1. JUSTIFY – Have to beat The Champ to be The Champ.

GOOD MAGIC – Has never finished off the board.

QUIP – New face has talent.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- SPORTING CHANCE – Exotics candidate.  

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll key my top pick over my other selections in trifectas.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$10 Trifecta: JUSTIFY over GOOD MAGIC over QUIP and SPORTING CHANCE ($20).

$15 Trifecta: JUSTIFY over QUIP and SPORTING CHANCE over GOOD MAGIC ($30).

(Bankroll at -$454.50 after 2018 Week #7 Based on $50 Wagers; +$12.40 last Newsletter).

The post $1,500,000 Preakness (G1) – Pimlico appeared first on TVG - HORSE RACING INSIDER.

[itsjaybullme]

Sylvester Stallone's Meteoric Rise to Action Star Icon

1 of 17

The Ultimate Underdog

Jason LaVeris / Contributor / Getty

Fifty-five and counting. That’s the number of films in which Sylvester “Sly” Stallone has appeared throughout his illustrious cinematic career. And there’s no sign he’s slowing down after four decades on the big screen. His newest film, Escape Plan 2, a sequel to the 2013 action thriller Escape Plan is due to premier in 2018.

A 40-plus-year career is impressive in its own right, but even more so in Stallone’s case. Much like Rocky Balboa, the character he created in his breakout 1976 film Rocky, Stallone has defied the odds, rising from obscurity to becoming one of the world’s biggest movie stars and box office draws.

But Stallone’s credentials extend beyond his screen presence. He’s not only a director, producer, and screenwriter (he wrote the script for Rocky in three days), but also a painter, novelist, art collector, and business entrepreneur.

However, it's Sly's body of work on film that has made him so adored and admired by countless fans across the globe. Here are just a few of the memorable movies Stallone has starred in throughout his illustrious career.

2 of 17

The Lords of Flatbush: 1974

Archive Photos / Stringer / Getty

Stallone teamed up with the little-known Henry Winkler in the 1974 film The Lords of Flatbush, playing the role of a young tough involved in a street gang called the Lords. Who knew then that within the next two years both Winkler and Stallone would shoot to stardom, Winkler for his role as “The Fonz” on the hit TV show Happy Days, and Stallone, of course, as the working man’s hero in Rocky. It was at this time that he married his first wife, Sasha Czak.

3 of 17

Rocky: 1976

John Springer Collection / Contributor / Getty

Stallone’s break out year—the year he achieved worldwide fame for playing the part of underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the blockbuster hit Rocky. Not only did he star in it, he wrote the entire script in only three days. To date, Rocky has grossed $1.4 billion dollars worldwide, and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Actor for Stallone while the movie took home the Oscars for Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Editing.

Pretty impressive for a movie that almost never happened. The United Artists movie studio balked at Stallone’s insistence that he star in the movie, because at the time he was an unknown in the entertainment industry. But the film’s producers worked out an agreement with the studio, and Stallone got the lead role, and the rest is cinematic history.

4 of 17

Paradise Alley: 1978

Michael Ochs Archives / Handout / Getty

On the heels of Rocky’s success, Stallone made his directorial debut with the 1978 sports-drama Paradise Alley—about three brothers who enter the world of wrestling in 1940’s New York. Though released two years after Rocky, Stallone wrote the story as a novel, and then a screenplay before he wrote Rocky.

5 of 17

Rocky II: 1979

John Springer Collection / Contributor / Getty

It was inevitable. With the smash success of Rocky, it was only a matter of time for a sequel to hit the big screen. Rocky II not only starred Stallone but he wrote and directed the film, which grossed more than $200 million dollars. In a classic example of art imitating life, recently retired ESPN sportscaster Brent Musberger played the role of boxing ring commentator.

That same year, Stallone became the father of a second son, Sergeoh, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. To bring awareness to this condition, Stallone has raised about $1 million dollars to support the National Society for the Children with Autism.

6 of 17

Nighthawks: 1981

Sunset Boulevard / Contributor / Getty

Stallone is Deke DaSilva, a New York City police officer assigned to tracking and taking down an international terrorist played by Rutger Hauer in the cop thriller Nighthawks. Noted not only for its extensive use of New York City streets and landmarks, and memorable highjack scene, Nighthawks marks the first (but not last) film in which Stallone plays a cop. As for the movie's title, it's a reference to the NYC Crime Unit cops who patrol the city overnight.

7 of 17

First Blood: 1982

Sunset Boulevard / Contributor / Getty

Stallone was on a roll. On the backs of its two predecessors, Rocky III hit theatres in May and went on to surpass the box office receipts of Rocky II, raking in a whopping $270 million dollars worldwide. But Stallone wasn’t done. October introduced John J. Rambo to movie goers, a former Vietnam veteran fighting for his survival, in the blockbuster hit First Blood, based on the novel by David Morell.

Playing the role of Rambo, Stallone went on to reprise the character in two sequels that have since become cult classics. And the name Rambo? Hard to believe that a character so synonymous with raw, brute power is actually named after a variety of the humble apple.

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Rhinestone: 1984

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Stallone the comic? Strange but true. Eager to showcase his comedic talents, Stallone starred alongside Dolly Parton in the 1984 comedy Rhinestone, in which he plays an unpleasant New York cab driver who is selected to be groomed (by Parton) as a down-home country music singer. Drubbed by the critics, Stallone himself admitted in an interview that if there were any movies he wished he hadn’t done, this would be one of them.

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Rambo: First Blood II: 1985

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Another busy year for Sly, on and off the screen. The legacy of Rocky and Rambo continued in 1985 with the release of Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood Part II. The same year, he married his second wife, model and actress Brigitte Nielsen.

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Rocky V: 1990

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Rocky V debuts, and while it was met with mediocre sales and reviews, it was significant for the acting debut of his 14-year-old real-life son, Sage, who played Rocky Balboa Jr.—his on-screen son. Sage Stallone went on to become a filmmaker in his own right, before he died suddenly of heart disease in 2012.

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Cliffhanger: 1993

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After taking a couple more unsuccessful stabs at comedic roles in the early '90s, Stallone makes his cinematic comeback doing what he does best, playing tough-guy action heroes, like the one in Cliffhanger. As Gabe Walker, an experienced mountain climber, Stallone goes back to the scene of his previously botched rescue attempt to save another group of climbers only to become entangled with a band of criminals who’ve hijacked a U.S. Treasury plane.

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Antz: 1998

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With so many hits already under his belt, where does the action hero icon go next to showcase his talents? How about a voice-over role in the hugely successful computer-animated adventure-comedy film, Antz? Joining a star-studded Hollywood cast, Stallone’s vocal characterization of working-stiff ant Weaver, helps catapult the insect flick to silver screen success, scoring $171 million at the box office. 

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Rocky Balboa: 2006

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Thirty years after Rocky hit the screen, and three years after a hiatus from filmmaking, Stallone roars back with Rocky Balboa, the sixth chapter of his Rocky series. The show was a hit both with the critics and his fans, pulling in $155 million in worldwide ticket sales, and exceeding studio expectations. Stallone said the film mirrored his own struggles and successes over the last few years. “Things really started to slow down for me about 10 years ago,” he said. “That is why I wanted to write this film.”

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The Expendables: 2010

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$34,825,135. The highest opening-weekend box office receipt in Stallone’s career. That’s the smash success story of Stallone’s newest franchise, The Expendables. Paying tribute to the action thrillers of the '80s and '90s, and bringing together some of the biggest action stars in Hollywood, The Expendables follows a group of elite mercenaries hell bent on overthrowing a Latin American dictator, whom they later realize is the puppet of a CIA operative. With staggering worldwide ticket sales of $274 million, it was a no-brainer that two more sequels would follow.

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Expendables 2 & 3: 2012-2014

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Reuniting the cast of the original blockbuster, Expendables 2 continues to follow the deadly tracks of a band of mercenaries as they undertake a new mission which ultimately turns into a battle with a rival mercenary threatening world destruction. Grossing sales of $310 million worldwide, the movie is followed by a third sequel, Expendables 3 in 2014.

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Creed: 2015

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Nov. 25, 2015, the 40th anniversary of the 1976 release of the original Rocky, marked the premier of Creed—the seventh installment of the Rocky franchise. For his role as the trainer of the son of his old boxing rival, Apollo, Stallone received widespread praise by critics, and the film garnered Stallone a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and a third Academy Award nomination, this time as Best Supporting Actor, his first Oscar nod since the original Rocky.

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Creed 2: 2018

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“Looking forward to directing and Producing The incredibly talented Michael B Jordan in CREED 2 next year. "One more round,”" states Stallone on his Instagram account. And as a throwback to his earlier Rocky films, the multi-talented actor with the muscular physique will be directing this one himself.

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