#Aurora x Eclipse

[skylandart]

The Cosmic Lovers, the Aurora and the Eclipse, the SENSATIONS, Amelia Jones and Javier Garcia~

My piece for the Grid⚡️Gala 2025~ And a lil bit of a bonus, them and their lil exotic dance, that makes the universe dance with them~

[weirdcoregal35]

Stupid thing I wrote

My AU. TW ahead

Little hypothetical if Ruin’s Monty was okay and came to his new dimension, only to find out that Ruin has already moved on (Solar would also just find out they were previously together)-

Ruin: …

Monty (Ruin’s): …

Solar: …

Ruin: So…this is fun…

Solar: SO fun…(he a little mad)

Monty (Ruin’s): Yeah…TOTALLY…(he mad too)

Ruin: Oh, darling, can you pass me a tissue?

Solar and Monty (Ruin’s): Yeah, I got you d-

*pause.* Monty (Ruin’s): Oh, you son of a bitch.

Solar: You fucking gator.

Ruin: Um…

Monty (Ruin’s): *Pulls out a wooden bat.*

Solar: *grabs a coffee cup.*

Ruin: WOAH, WOAH, WOAH! NO NEED FOR THOSE THINGS! PUT THEM DOWN!!!

Solar and Monty (Ruin’s): *lowers the objects.*

Ruin: Okay, good. Now-

Monty (Ruin’s): *swings the bat at Solar, hitting him in the head.*

Ruin: SOLAR!! MONTY, WHAT THE FUCK?!?

Solar: *throws the coffee cup at Monty, hitting him with now broken shards of cup.*

Monty (Ruin’s): OW!

Ruin: SOLAR! Please don’t throw stuff at Monty!!

Solar and Monty (Ruin’s): *basically having a cat fight now.*

Ruin: Oh my-

Aurora: *peeking her head through the door.* Dad! What the heck is-PAPA!!

Jack: *Doing the same as Aurora.* Hmm? DAD!!!

Monty (Ruin’s): Who the hell are these two?!

Solar: RUIN AND MINE’S KIDS!!

Monty (Ruin’s): OH, YOU FUCKER-

Ruin: Um…Aurora, Jack…can you get Sun and Moon please?

Aurora: Yep, yep! *runs off.*

Jack: On it. *runs off as well.*

[artythebear]

And how can I forget about the portraits of Moon Eclipse's family! There are two of them, although they were ordered almost at the same time. Mars and Aurora wanted to capture every happy moment of their lives: just the two of them and with their beloved son Unfortunately, there is no one to admire them now. Almost no one...

[spacedace]

Had a dc x dp brain worm, feel free to use as a prompt <3

Sidenote, I decided to get fancy with the Ancients titles because of course I did lol

Shifting Where = Space (Danny)

Eternal When = Time (Clockwork)

Ever Onward = Speedforce (Ellie)

---

Bruce watched the footage again.

And again.

Again.

It didn’t make sense.

A week ago every television, radio, computer, phone - even the LED billboards - had been taken over to deliver a message. Across the United States. In every territory it held. Every military base. Down in the depths of the oceans where American submarines tried to creep past Atlantian patrols. In the endless cold white of Antarctica. Even far above in the International Space Station. Any place the United States Government had control over, any place one of its citizens found themselves. There was the message.

The face of an entity, human in shape but not in form. Hair as gleaming white as starlight, eyes bright as the twisting dance of the Aurora Borealis, skin as cold and blue as the tail of a comet. The entity wore armor as black as the depths of space with a crown to match, the later glinting and shifting with the twisting birth and death of galaxies. A cloak of nebulae danced down his shoulders, eclipsing the world beyond the entity entirely.

He named himself, jaw tight, expression serious.

High King Phantom of the Infinite Realms.

The Shifting Where. Son of the Eternal When. Father of the Ever Onward. His Epitaphs many and ever growing. The True Balance. The Bridge Between. The Devourer of Dark. The Last Child of Between. The Great One.

King of the Dead. King of the Infinite Worlds. King of so much more than Bruce had ever even known was possible.

King who had declared war. Who marshaled his endless armies. Who spoke of warnings, of efforts to reach a peace, of trying again and again and again to find a way to not plunge into violence and bloodshed. All things living come to call him King in time, he had no want or need to go out and hurry that along. But there were no options left to him now. He had tried for peace. He had been denied.

He would not see his people suffer any longer. Would not see those he’d sworn to lead and protect imprisoned by fools who had sworn themselves enemies to all the afterlives. Would no longer permit the vicious cruelty to continue.

The message was a final warning.

A final offer.

Three days, Phantom said. The United States government would have three days to release their prisoners, to begin the process of dismantling the laws that made death itself an illegal act.

If they refused, he would lead his endless armies personally in the war to come.

It had not been an idle threat.

Three days after the message, after Bruce and the rest of the Justice League scrambled to try and figure out just what it was it was all about, after Justice League Dark’s members shakily took turns explaining just how powerful the being that had gave that message was and how much danger the world was in should he and his armies march upon their world, war came.

Of all places, it began in a town in Illinois.

The sky shattered like broken glass above, Lazarus Green beyond, and the Dead poured out.

It started in Illinois.

It did not end there.

Bruce watched the footage of it all, eyes burning as he watched every second of CCTV footage, every shaky phone camera video, every news broadcast.

Most of them looked human enough. Changed in death, but recognizably human once. A pair of glowing teenagers on a motorcycle, a writhing shadow twisting about at their command sweeping chaos upon the battlefield. A young woman dressed to perform with hair a literal flame, burning bright blue and snapping furiously as she played devastation upon her enemies with her guitar. A child with corpse gray skin and luminescent green hair, flickering in and out of Bruce’s ability to see as if fighting against a law of existence to be visible, screaming orders to a skeleton crew from his place on deck of a 1700s ship that sailed through the sky, disappearing into clouds before raining down attacks from above.

There was more. Glowing skeletons dressed in the fashions of war spanning every culture going back millennia. Robots with weapons far beyond the technology they had even in the League. Creatures of myth and legend. Things of nightmares.

Leading them all, as he had promised, was Phantom.

He looked younger, smaller. Just a boy, really, a gangly teenager that hadn’t quite finished growing into himself. One holding power beyond anything Bruce could ever imagine, but still just a child as far as he could see, no older than Tim who’d just graduated high school. Frantic research found Phantom appearing as far back as human history, but those sightings had to have been after his death. Bruce can’t help but wonder how young the boy had been when he died, how much of that youth still clung to him through all these eons.

It wasn’t something he’d let him self consider normally, not with something like this.

A dangerous unknown appearing without warning and attacking with unimaginable power and seemingly endless forces. It was something that would normally eclipse everything else. Something that would make Bruce put aside the ache at seeing a face so young twisted in rage.

But.

He watched all the footage.

Civilians were put in the crossfire. Were shot at and endangered. Were left terrified and scrambling for safety in buildings that were rapidly being torn away by stray artillery.

But never by Phantom or his armies.

The dead, in fact, went very far out of their way to ensure civilians weren’t harmed. Sweeping people up out of the way of falling debris. Shielding them from attacks that would have most certainly killed a normal human. Some dead even helped evacuate, ushering a frightened and panicked populous to safety as gently as they were capable of. Some of the less human creatures - giant bear-like beings with horns and fangs and ice edging their burly frames - even rushed forward to offer medical aid.

When the sky shattered open and the armies of the dead swept in, they ignored the town below. They focused instead on what was discovered later to be the base of a secretive government agency. The dead’s fight focused on those individuals in sharp white suits, bearing weapons capable of actually injuring King Phantom’s people.

It was these agents that brought the fight to the streets to Amity Park. That fired recklessly and without thought or care to the casualties they could inflict. That didn’t seem to care if they killed a hundred civilians if it meant hurting just one of Phantom’s soldiers.

Bruce watched all the footage.

And again.

Again.

Phantom had declared war.

Phantom spoke in his message of being out of options, of attempting peace. Phantom gave three days time for the release of captives. Phantom lead armies who fought viciously but never once willingly harmed civilians.

Phantom declared war, but he didn’t want it.

“Amanda Waller has reached out.”

Bruce didn’t turn his attention from the screens before him, eyes burning as he followed Phantom as the King dove away from the middle of locked combat to shield a child from a pulse of green energy from something like a grenade another agent in white had carelessly thrown. The child was crying but unharmed. The left pauldron of Phantom’s armor cracked and shattered from a direct shot from the enemy he’d just been fighting that he’d turned his back on, a glowing green liquid uncomfortably like Lazarus Water dripped down from a smoldering wound.

Clark stepped up to stand beside him as he watched, face worn and tired. The League had missed the first battle, but they’d been quick to appear at the rest. Phantom and his army ignored them unless they put themselves purposefully in the way of the fight. They were, as Justice League Dark had warned, vastly out powered by the entities fighting. A hulking giant knight made of shadow riding a nightmarish steed had driven Clark six feet down into the dirt when he’d attempted to make his way to Phantom directly to try and talk to the king.

The depth Clark had ended up felt like a warning of what would happen if he tried to get close to the king again.

It probably was.

“She said they have intel for us.” A faint twitch of fingers, jaw clenching, voice flat in that way that told Bruce his old friend was fighting back anger with everything he had. “That she has options for how to deal with the insurgence.”

Bruce shut off the monitors.

He’d seen enough.

Now was time to get answers to just what, exactly, Amanda Waller and the US government had done to cause the Dead to rise and rage.

---

Part Two Part Three Part Four

[justbelievinginmagic]

a sneaky peek of like a waltz part six! its not even 500 words i just really liked this bit of writing lol. not extremely proof-read tbh. this is a wooyoung x reader tidbit.

The perfumed air had billowed up into the rafters as the swarms of ballet-goers flooded the orchestra seats to find their ticket’s spot. It made her dizzy with excitement as she peered over at them. It made her feel like she was on the stage as finely-dressed patrons glanced up at her; they were looking at her.

“I have another surprise tonight.” Wooyoung revealed as he took a sip of his champagne.

His tone was teasing, a rebellious tone trickling into its timber. One she had only begun to notice after their many months together. Her own smile turned mischievous, and Wooyoung swore his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her painted lips sharpening like a blade.

“What is it?” she asked as she turned to look at him, haloed by the grand chandelier’s light like a brilliant eclipse. The red of her silken dress gleamed, highlighting her curves. He bit his lip and raised his brows.

“That’s no fun, is it?” He placed the flute back down onto the table, playing coy.

She giggled, girlishly, before taking the short steps to embrace him sweetly. His hands rubbed across expensive fabric and intricate beading as he hugged her close to his form. He smelt the pineapple-summer of Aurora's shores on her, mingling so nicely with her own rose-petaled scent. His nose dipped to the crook of her neck, brushing against the cold pearl necklace wrapped there in circles. His lips teased a kiss, light and delicate, before he pulled her back a smidge.

“This night’s been full of surprises,” YN admitted; her stomach clashed with excitement and nerves. Her fingers fiddled with a golden chain around his throat; he nearly leaned into it as if she'd give it a tug. But she didn't. YN leaned up to press a kiss to his lips, short and sweet and shamelessly. “Give me a hint.”

Oh, he’d give her the world.

“You’re meeting them tonight.” He replied with a lipstick-stained mouth

He could see her eyes dilate, and he wanted to devour her. Her want was palpable. Her eagerness was visible in her very eyes, and Wooyoung ate it up like it was the finest meal. This star wanted them just as much as they wanted her, he knew it in his very soul. His heart sang at the sight.

She didn’t even know Hongjoong and Seonghwa yet – and still, the reaction was enough for him to know. Wooyoung didn’t smirk; he beamed before leaning in, shuffling them behind the drawn curtains for a semblance of privacy. Her back pressed into the warm velvet wall as his ring-laden fingers rose to cup her rosy cheeks before he swallowed her mouth into a consuming kiss. Like she was water and his soul was on fire.

"When?" she murmured, lips smeared against his cheek as they gasped.

“After the show, my swanette,” he breathed as a chiming bell rang out.

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

I have some Shadow and Maria thoughts to ramble about in regards to the recent Shadow content. It's a bit long and spoilery, so I've included it under the cut.

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⚠️Spoilers below for Sonic x Shadow Generations (particularly Shadow Generations), Sonic x Shadow Generations Dark Beginnings, Gerald's Journal, and the Shadow the Hedgehog Manga!!⚠️

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Honestly, I have to say. You've gotta respect the dedication of Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Shadow and Maria's vas, other creators for Dark Beginnings/Shadow generations, and the people working on the Shadow manga

To never labeling Shadow and Maria's relationship as sibling‐like

Like, okay. Sure. English Sonic official posted an art piece of them with the "long lost sibling" in the alt text/caption.

They're never said to be siblings in any of the youtube descriptions for the official postings for the Dark Beginnings episodes, including the full compilation. (You can check the descriptions here, here, here, and here)

They're never said to be siblings at all during Dark Beginnings (you can check the full compilation of the episodes here).

In the first episode of Dark Beginnings, there are a few things we can see while Shadow is having a combo memory/vision. First, as Maria excitedly presents Shadow the aurora borealis, she begins to faint. Luckily, Shadow rushes to catch her, concerned, and tells her she should know better than to exert herself. Then, once he sets her back down on the floor, finding her to be okay, she starts talking about how excited she is to go back one day to Earth. In response, Shadow starts despairing over having failed to be her cure and how he doesn’t know if there's a place for him on Earth. Then, Maria hugs his head tightly, only to stroke his face before cupping his cheeks (yes she pointedly strokes his face. Fun fact, if you check the stream of the Dark Beginnings teaser presentation from Anime Expo (here at 29:36) you can hear the audience get quieter for a while after she strokes his face). She reassures Shadow, telling him that she's just as happy to spend time with him here on the ARK. (This scene with Maria during Dark Beginnings episode 1 can be found here at the timestamp range 0:33–2:03)

During the second episode of Dark Beginnings, Shadow stands in front of a glass containment tube, watching the black arms larva inside. Though he says nothing, Maria can tell that Shadow is upset. She places a hand on Shadow's shoulder and leans into his face (both putting herself on the same eye level as him, and quite literally eclipsing his view of the thing which represents his grief over who he is). She asks him if he's okay, and Shadow opens up, telling her how he feels no different than the evil heartless creature in the tube (the black arms larva). Maria throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly, before explaining that he has a big heart. She places a hand upon his chest (very lightly strokes it too), tells him that she knows he cares about everyone despite how hard it is for him to express it, and explains that it's one's actions that defines them (as opposed to blood or dna). (This scene with Maria during Dark Beginnings episode 2 can be found here at the timestamp range 5:30–6:44)

The previous episode sets the two up as having a bit of a close relationship, but this flashback from episode 2 emphasizes the closeness of their relationship further. It presents multiple additional examples of Maria seeking to comfort Shadow through physical touch. And not only that, but also her being able to sense when he needs comfort even if his face doesn't show it. These two episodes combined present us the kind of relationship where Shadow is often at Maria's side (he worries about her health, he rushes in to catch her when she begins to faint, she teaches him about Earth), and Maria likes to spend time with Shadow too (she loves to teach him about Earth, to fantasize about going there with him, to spend time with him on the ARK, to comfort Shadow and reassure him if he feels angry at himself or sad). If Shadow watches out for Maria physically/health wise, then Maria watches out for Shadow emotionally. There's no relationship label placed on top of these scenes to tell the audience what they should think about it. Rather, the scenes speak for themselves, laying bare how close the two are, how they care for each other (and I'd even argue that some of those moments of physical touch on Maria's part even convey a sense of longing. There's something very intimate feeling about these scenes).

Then, we get more tidbits with episode 3. During the episode, Commander Abraham Tower implies (from his perspective at least) that Maria had always been the only person who could talk Shadow down, an ability of hers that is explicitly shown in Shadow Generations (when Maria convinces Shadow not to fight Black Doom or the black arms out of anger or hate).

Commander: You could have talked him down, Rouge!

Rouge: There's only one person who could ever do that.

Commander: True...and she was lost to us a long time ago...

(This scene with the commander during Dark Beginnings Episode 3 can be found here at the timestamp range 11:19–12:05)

Shadow: He's right. No more mistakes. This time, I will crush every last one of them!

Maria: Shadow, no!

Shadow: Maria?

Maria: It breaks my heart to see you so full of anger. This isn't who you are. Do you know why I named you Shadow? Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand? I don't want you to be driven by darkness. I want you to be happy. Stand in the light with peace in your heart.

...

Maria: Shadow...!

Shadow: It's alright, Maria. I'm letting go of that destructive anger. But I will continue to fight.

Shadow: Fight...with your wish in my heart. Your wish for everyone to have a chance to be happy.

(These scenes from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp ranges 46:37–47:33 and 49:57–51:00)

Ironically, though Abe and Shadow are on better terms now, he is also never used as a vessel to outright state the nature of Maria's relationship with Shadow (though the commander does see Maria as a sister to himself per Shadow the Hedgehog 2005). And though Rouge (as well as Omega) is presented as the closest friend to Shadow at this point, she doesn't outright state the nature of the relationship either.

Finally, later in episode 3, Shadow experiences an amv fantasy in his head of he and Maria spending time together in Earth's flowers under the stars, and tries to banish the thoughts away. It hurts him so much because such a fantasy will never be fulfilled, because when Maria was alive she dreamed of them going to the planet together. (You can check timestamps 12:05–12:28 of this video for Shadow's vision/fantasy)

During the Dark Beginnings teaser showcase, when asked the nature of Shadow and Maria's relationship, this is how Shadow and Maria's voice actors described it:

Question: How would each of you describe the relationship between the two?

Kirk Thornton (Shadow): W-Well– To speak in– To speak in actor's terms, um, Maria is my—super objective—she is my reason for everything I do. Um, so...she's just everything. And so, I was created to protect her and when I...failed that mission it...devastates me– er, Shadow. I-I'm... Devastates Shadow.

Kirk: And, so that's why, you know he-he dedicates his life to uhhhh to protecting...Earth because of that, so she is– she just– Yeah. Everything to Shadow.

Kirk: Yeah. Complete driving force behind his life.

Stephanie Sheh (Maria): Okay, so, in my mind when I was thinking about it I was like "She grew up very isolated. She had, like, nobody." You know? And, um, other than Shadow, and the thing that I could relate to is that, like...during the pandemic when we were alone in our houses, I had my dog. And I'm not like– And check it– This is gonna sound weird I'm gonna say comparing Shadow to my dog. But, um, my dog is also black and reddish-tan, so, um...but, um, and– and my dog is super sweet, but he also gets a little too aggressive when he's trying to protect me. S-See? And so, like, anyways. Anyways. It-It's just the parallels. Anyways. But I do think that like, you know, and I- and like I'm the driving force. I ground him. You know, [s]he brings him back to, like, the less rabid stage.

Stephanie: You know, when he gets worked up. Um...but, yeah, that's how I kind of, like, uh– at– relate to that.

...

Stephanie: Yes, yes, totally. Like moral compass.

From that point forward, the host (Zeno Robinson) sort of went back and forth a bit with Stephanie, sort of playing off of her words to which she answers in turn. He describes Maria as Shadow's moral center, he goes on to explain how Shadow is this incredibly powerful being, him having the wrong moral center or with him being in the wrong hands can cause him to go out of control (and Stephanie going on to clarify that Maria helps rein Shadow in). Towards the end of this question, the host also goes onto say how he loves how in depth everyone's answers are and sort of half summarizes what Kirk and Stephanie said/half gives his own input:

"Maria gives Shadow purpose and direction and I'm sure they both were each other's only friend. Uh, their bond is integral to their characters as well as the story."

(At the end of the day, I know Zeno Robinson's opinion is no more important than any fan opinion, since he's neither a sega staff member, someone who worked on Dark Beginnings, or Takashi Iizuka/Shiro Maekawa. I just couldn't help but add his words here after Kirk and Stephanie's.)

(This q&a from the 2024 Anime Expo "A New Era of Shadow" panel can be found here at the timestamp range 26:16–29:18)

Both Kirk and Stephanie describe their relationship in vague terms (never once using the term "sibling"), but their views are clear. To Kirk (who also revealed in this very same q&a that he's only recently been given a more in depth understanding of Shadow as a character and his backstory at the timestamp range 16:39–21:30), Maria is everything to Shadow. She's a precious person, he was made to protect her, he lives for and builds his purpose around her. She is the reason for everything he does. To Stephanie, Shadow is like Maria's only companion, a loyal dog type character (who can get too aggressive sometimes when it comes to protecting Maria), while Maria is Shadow's moral compass and keeps him grounded.

Although we know Maria wasn't completely alone on the ark (there was still the other scientists and Abe after all), just from Dark Beginnings alone (much less Gerald's journal or Shadow Generations) it's clear how important her relationship with Shadow is. In Dark Beginnings, Maria is someone who grounds Shadow, and someone who influences his purpose. Shadow is someone who protects her and cares for her in turn. Shadow may not be her only choice for friendship, but he's clearly a dear one. But for Shadow (so far as we can gather as the audience) she really was his closest and only friend.

And in Gerald's journal, we even get to see Professor Gerald's perspective on their relationship.

(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 14 of the physical book, and depicts entry #620)

"But then ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ looked upon the unfinished specimen and put things into a new perspective. 'A shadow tells you which way to go to find the light.' In an instant she cut through all my pessimism and doubt and filled me with hope."

– Gerald's journal, Entry #620

Here, although Shadow had not yet been completed, Maria took to calling him a name (which we can only assume is "Shadow"). Before he was even finished, she’d treated him like a future living, thinking being, and her reason for naming Shadow this way was profound enough to inspire Gerald with hope in the project's completion.

Gerald's thoughts on Project Shadow evolve throughout what we can read of his journal. Originally, he starts the project because he can no longer ignore the president of the United Federations' request for the secret to immortality, naming it project Shadow out of spite. He finds the idea of immortality perverse and discovering it to be impossible. But this project eventually becomes his only hope for potentially curing Maria, almost like a lifeline. In desperate pursuit of Maria's cure through Project Shadow, Gerald's choices become harder and harder, challenging even his own morals. So although he may have attempted to bring the project to fruition no matter the cost, hope is still a powerful thing.

"⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ as she's come to call him, will not be some dark creature but a champion of life and hope. I would not have seen that if not for ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ She is truly a remarkable person who can do great and wondrous things for the world."

– Gerald's journal, Entry #620

Without Maria's words, Gerald never would have been able to see real hope or worth in this project beyond potentially curing his granddaughter. Without this change in perspective (thanks to Maria), perhaps Shadow would never have become the kind of hybrid hedgehog he is today—more than just a weapon destined for destruction.

(Although I didn't include a picture here, on pages 17–18 of the physical copy of Gerald's journal (entry #651 to be exact), Gerald notes how Maria assisted him in crafting Shadow's limiter rings (allowing him to handle and focus his power) and rocket shoes (to improve his mobility). There's also a colored image of the rocket shoes and limiter rings, which Maria signed her name and a blue heart upon. It's not terribly important to this post, I just wanted to mention it since I found it to be a cute addition, and indicative of how invested she was in making sure Shadow would be able to, well...exist in a decent manner.)

(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 20 of the physical book, and depicts a portion of entry #670)

"But all successes of the physical and mental prowess comes second to his relationship to ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ I had hoped they'd get along, but it's far better than that. She is his guide to the world, and he is her stalwart companion. Never have I seen such instant, mutual friendship and trust between two beings. I am truly moved. They remind me why I've been working so hard. They bring me hope."

– Gerald's journal, Entry #670

And the way Gerald describes Shadow and Maria's relationship in his journal is highly interesting to me. He describes this pair as two people that clicked as friends instantly, came to trust each other instantly. He describes Maria as Shadow's guide/teacher and Shadow as her stalwart companion. The way he describes them implies a very strong bond and attachment to each other.

Where Gerald had only hoped they'd get along, his hopes were blown out of the water.

Compare this to the entry where Gerald talks about Maria's relationship with other people and the only other kid on the ARK.

(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 8 of the physical book, and depicts a portion of entry #428)

"Despite everything, she remains the most positive person in the room. Most of the staff here left their families back on Earth, so I worried she'd feel lonely. Instead, she's become the adoptive daughter of every researcher on the ARK! Moreover, she's become like a big sister to little ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️, the ARK's "happy little accident" over the past few years.

– Gerald's Journal, Entry #428

He's very quick to say that Maria is like the adoptive daughter of every researcher on the ARK, and like a big sister to the (younger) Abraham Tower.

Yet, later once Shadow is complete, he insists on calling them friends. And beyond calling them friends, he describes the level of trust the two have, describes Maria as Shadow's guide to the world and Shadow as her loyal companion. He never labels their relationship from his point of view as siblings.

And Gerald Robotnik's own journal isn't the only recent piece of media to portray Shadow and Maria's friendship.

In the last couple months, two chapters of the recent Shadow Manga ("The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", by Imada Yuki, and published by Corocoro Comic) have been released. So far, it seems to be a (non-canon) adaptation of Shadow's backstory and Shadow Generations. It depicts Shadow the Hedgehog struggling over having failed to be a cure for Maria as well as the meaning of his existence.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

When Shadow is despairing over the point to his existence, this version of Maria is presented as a bit more playful. In contrast to Maria in Dark Beginnings, who is often shown hugging Shadow during flashbacks/visions when he begins to feel negatively about himself, Maria from this manga attempts to draw him out of his thoughts/break the tension by playing a prank on him.

Shadow's words in the above screenshot are pretty telling too.

"You're the only one who'd play a prank on me."

– Shadow, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 1 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)

Just from the start of the manga, one learns that this Shadow sees curing Maria as his initial reason for existence (a mission he'd failed). Perhaps, at first, he only contextualizes the time he spends with Maria something akin to a job, something necessary for him to do. From the beginning, after all, she is intrinsically tied to his reason for living. For Maria, though, with the casual way she acts around him (coupled with the statement that she's the only one who would treat Shadow this way), it's clear that she does treat Shadow as a close friend.

After playing her prank, Maria takes Shadow by the hand, pulling him into the room where the two can see the Earth below, and all the stars glittering above. This scene is presented very similar to Dark Beginnings, as Maria shows Shadow a natural phenomenon on Earth from their place on the ARK.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

As in Dark Beginnings, Maria begins to faint, to which Shadow moves to catch her, concerned that she pushed herself like this. However, upon learning what it is that's bothering Shadow, Dark Beginnings!Maria and Manga!Maria handle it a bit differently.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

It's Maria in the manga who reveals exactly what Shadow is going through, but she cups his cheeks and presses her forehead to his, making it clear that she wants him to be able to enjoy life and believe that even his existence has meaning.

"I want you to see...and someday feel...many things that are...beautiful, kind and strong. I want you to believe that there is a meaning to being born into this world."

– Maria, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 1 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)

It's so very clear just how deeply manga!Maria cares for Shadow. She wants him to feel better about his own existence, to be able to experience all kinds of beautiful things in this world, to live his life further than his (failed) mission.

As for Shadow, after the screenshot above, he thinks to himself about how everything he does (dealing with Maria's antics, suppressing dangerous lab animals, etc) he does for the purpose of killing time. He doesn't do them for the sake of doing them, or even because he enjoys them. But...he does come to realize through a montage of memories of Maria smiling at him and calling his name that although he's currently killing time in this world, he's come to realize that dealing with Maria (out of all that he does on the ARK) perhaps isn't so bad.

After this, Maria pulls him along to the same room again (this time to watch the stars), when G.U.N.'s raid of the ARK suddenly begins. Shadow and Maria are separated briefly as Maria commands Shadow (who'd intended to ensure her safety first) to worry about protecting everyone else on the ARK.

Here begins an important parallel in this first chapter. At the beginning of the chapter, the audience is privy to both Shadow's relationship with the ARK's scientists and Maria. With the ARK scientists, they praise Shadow after he subdues one of their out of control lab animals, making note of his title of "Ultimate Lifeform". With Maria, we see her worry about his emotional state and express that she wants him to believe there's a meaning to his existence in this world, as well as explicitly hang out with him.

However, a shift occurs in both sets of relationships as the ARK raid occurs.

ARK Researcher: Please save me!

Shadow: I'll let you escape now, so stay put.

ARK Researcher: Help me! I'm a human just like you, aren't I?!

Shadow: ?!

ARK Researcher: Why should I be killed because of a mere lab animal?!

Shadow: Huh?

ARK Researcher: For us, this thing is worth nothing! I swear I'll never do research again!

This is an impactful moment to manga!Shadow, who seems to have learned what he truly means to the ARK's scientists. Or, in other words, Shadow learns that the ARK's scientists are so fickle as to change their tune about him (go from calling him "ultimate life form" to "lab animal") the moment their own lives are at stake. And this moment impacts him so heavily that he desperately turns to thoughts about Maria. Because, if no one else cares about him, sees him as a person, Maria would, right?

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

And so a similar scene transpires between Maria and the G.U.N. agents.

Maria: I know a lab animal? That's disgusting.

G.U.N. Agent: Don't lie to us! We know from our intel that you are often with that Shadow!

Maria: I said, I know nothing like that.

Shadow feels crushed instantly. After Maria's words, he starts to think that he really never should have been born. But then...Maria begins to talk about the one she loves.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

Maria loves Shadow so much that she's able to look death in the eye, describe Shadow as the living, breathing, person she cares about, and proudly proclaim that she'd suffer any torture (even death) before she'd say a single terrible thing about him. As opposed to the ARK Researcher, who was willing to quickly consider Shadow as no more than an animal and hand him over for the sake of his life, Maria was ready to give hers, even just to make it clear that she'd never badmouth him (much less give him up).

No matter the nature of this bond manga!Maria shares with manga!Shadow, her actions and words speak for themselves. One cannot deny that she must care about him so so so deeply.

And in response to Maria's confession of love and devotion, as Shadow rushes in to protect her, he finally discovers the meaning of his birth.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

All this time.

All this time.

The meaning of his existence in this world was standing right in front of him.

Maria.

Chapter 1 alone solidifies their relationship as strong, intense. To Maria, Shadow is her friend, her companion, whom she loves dearly. To Shadow, Maria is his very reason for existing in this world (even though he failed to be her cure, he still wishes to live for her in particular), someone who he's only recently come to realize just how deeply he cares for.

And chapter 2 continues to present the intensity of Shadow's feelings, as chapter 1's ending and chapter 2's beginning each portray the moment where Maria is shot by a G.U.N. soldier.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

I think saying "this pissed Shadow off" is more than a bit of an understatement. As it so goes with the trope of "person loses a loved one/their precious person or this person gets hurt right in front of them, causing them to go apeshit", Shadow begins fighting the G.U.N. soldiers, demanding answers for Maria's shooting. He even screams that he will kill them all (them being the soldiers and black arms).

And honestly, it's highly likely Shadow may have really tried to "kill them all" if Maria hadn't spoken up at that crucial moment, indicating that she's still alive.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

When Shadow turns away from the soldiers and black arms to move towards Maria, he begins to come down from his adrenaline high. He visibly looks more tired and dazed, though he still tries to put whatever energy he has left into focusing on Maria's safety. Likewise, Maria (who is visibly running on her last vestiges of energy), tries to put everything she has into one thing: saving Shadow.

Computer: TEN SECONDS TO EMERGENCY LAUNCH OF ESCAPE POD!

Shadow: What are you...

Maria: Never...let yourself be consumed by anger or resentment. You could easily end up all alone.

Shadow: Open this up, Maria!

Maria: So just as you did for me, give everyone on that planet a chance to live happily. That way, even when I'm gone...

Shadow: OPEN IT, MARIA!

Shadow, who was only feeling the exhaustion that came with slight relief just moments ago, is high on adrenaline and emotions once more. He bangs on the glass of the escape pod, demanding Maria open it up.

And Maria, after delivering her speech where she tells Shadow just what he wants for him and his future on Earth, gives him her last words.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

"Hey, Shadow. Thank you so much for being born. I love you."

– Maria, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 2 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)

In Maria's last moments, she makes it as clear as she possibly can (to Shadow's face this time) that she wants the best for him, and that she loves him so, so much. And this confession of love to his face is what finally causes Shadow to stop banging on the glass. There's a moment of calm as Maria smiles, Shadow's eyes go wide, and the two's hand's meet at the pane of glass which separates them.

And then, it's over.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

Just like earlier in the chapter when Maria was shot, we see how Shadow reacts upon losing Maria.

She was shot because she put her life on the line for him. He tried to save her, but she locked him in the escape pod, which he couldn't escape from. Then, in her final moments, she lays everything out on the table. She thanks him for being born, she says that she loves him, and, finally, she ejects him from the ARK.

He does not get to witness her final breath, he gets no further chances to save her.

And so Shadow begins to go apeshit once more after losing his very reason for existence right before his eyes, screaming and taking out his frustration, anger, and all manner of intense feeling in the confines of the pod he cannot escape from.

Somehow after this, the escape pod (with Shadow inside) and the whole ARK get pulled into white space. Once Shadow (now freed from the pod) processes what happened, he zeroes in on his goal, tearing through white space to get back to Maria on the ARK.

(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

During the end of chapter 2, Shadow is fueled by anger, loss, stubbornness, and desperation. When the little black arms creature promises that he can bring Maria back to life, he attaches to it like a lifeline, vowing to save Maria this time.

(These screenshots are from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)

In the end, the Shadow manga (so far) tells a story of a human girl and her closest friend. The girl wants so desperately to give her closest friend a good future, to make him believe that his life has meaning. Her friend, an alien hybrid and anthropomorphic hedgehog has failed at the very thing he was created to do, and does not see any meaning in his existence. However, after the human girl, whom he watches over and protects, shows him just how much she loves and cares for him, he finally realizes his own feelings, naming this very girl as the meaning of his entire existence. Tragically, he fails to save her in a critical moment. She confesses her love for him just before she saves him, and he loses her. Now, stuck in an unfamiliar place/zone, he's decided he will do anything to bring her back to life and to save her this time, to get to her.

This manga lays their entire relationship (a depiction of it at least) out on the table, showing you just how close they are to each other, how much they love each other, and all of their actions. Their hearts and feelings are both put on full display during this manga, allowing the reader to determine what it all means for them and the nature of their relationship without ever telling the reader what label to brand it with.

Not one time are they ever called "siblings" on top of any of those major character moments.

And while not quite as explicitly focused as the manga about it, Shadow Generations also presents Shadow and Maria's bond to the audience.

Beginning with "Shadow's story", the narrator describes the two thus:

"Shadow was raised alongside Gerald's ailing granddaughter, Maria. They were inseparable."

...

"Fifty years later, Shadow was awakened. Filled with anger and sadness, he was haunted by Maria's final words to him.

'Shadow, I beg of you... For all the people...on that planet...'

Shadow was bent on revenge and sought to destroy the world.

At the last moment, Shadow remembered Maria's final wish...to protect her beloved planet and all who lived there."

(This scene from Shadow Generations's "Shadow's Story" can be found here at the timestamp range 24:04–25:01)

Although "Shadow's story" itself functions better as a quick recap of events in past games rather than a true summary or explanation of those events, the narrator's words on Maria are important. As Sonic x Shadow Generations was also created with new fans in mind, hoping to prepare them for Sonic Movie 3 with basic knowledge of Shadow's character and backstory (as well as introduce them to the modern Sonic games themselves), this means that for many prospective Shadow fans (or those just becoming interested in Sonic as a series), Shadow Generations is likely to deliver them their first real impressions of characters such as Shadow, Maria Robotnik, Gerald Robotnik, etc.

This is all to say that Shadow having a strong bond and connection to Maria is integral to imparting even the most basic plot beats from his backstory. The usage of "inseparable" paired up with his memories of Maria's wishes heavily impacting his actions once again makes it clear that they have a very strong bond without the writer (Ian Flynn) jumping to label their relationship for the audience.

Though it's not necessarily integral to this post, I also would be remiss not to mention one of the opening cutscenes of Shadow Generations. Shadow Generations (which starts up about an hour after the ending of Dark Beginnings) also presents something of a flashback. During this scene (which cannot be a memory of Shadow's), we see Maria incredibly excited about the possibility of meeting the newly completed "ultimate life-form". She's so excited, in fact, that she dashes straight up to his pod at the start of the scene and excitedly asks Gerald if they can wake him up yet. (This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 25:40–26:27)

Maria's importance to Shadow is expanded upon just a bit further during a scene where Shadow begins to look out into white space. Upon spotting Maria in the distance, Shadow gasps loudly, saying her name as he begins to reach out for her. He reminds himself that she's not real, only to experience a flashback of Maria's last words to him.

"I need to stay focused. Deal with the problem at hand. Not chase...dreams."

– Shadow, Shadow Generations

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:16–26:27)

Coupled with the scene from Dark Beginnings Episode 3 I talked briefly about earlier (namely, Shadow experiencing visions of a fantasy of he and Maria spending time together on Earth), Shadow Generations presents a Shadow that is not only still attached to Maria, but actively considers the idea of being able to be happy with an alive Maria a "dream" (one that he must push down, lest he forget reality or become caught in nostalgia). While on one hand, Maria is intrinsically connected to his reason for protecting the Earth (or part of his purpose), on the other, the idea of her makes for an emotional distraction.

Which is also why, later in the game, Rouge attempts to remind Shadow that he's already moved on from his past. She encourages him to cherish his time with them, yes, but reminds him he's not the Shadow that Gerald and Maria knew fifty years ago. (This conversation from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:51–30:18)

And this also leads the audience into one of Shadow's internal conflicts during the game. Despite trying to remind himself initially that the past is the past, that there's no use in chasing dreams (namely those impossible to fulfill), he changes his tune upon meeting Gerald and Maria in white space. Though Gerald warns him against altering the timeline like Black Doom already is (or punching holes into it like the Time Eater), Shadow is determined to figure out some way he can defeat Black Doom, AND save Gerald and Maria.

Shadow: They must be from a point in time before the ARK disaster. Perhaps I can change their fate.

...

Gerald: You're still not convinced about changing your destiny, mm? Think of it this way - if you changed our past, it would rewrite your future.

...

Shadow: I'll stop Rouge! Use chaos control! Stop this moment in time and...!

(These scenes from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp ranges 36:51–37:16 and 55:36–56:22, as well as here at the timestamp range 25:21–25:50)

And on top of trying to save Maria and Gerald, in Shadow Generations, Shadow is yet depicted as focused on Maria's well-being as much as he can, in contrast to Maria, who is largely cognizant to how Shadow's feeling emotionally.

Maria: Shadow? You look grim. Are you all right?

Shadow: I'll be fine. We'll all be fine. Find somewhere safe to hide. I'll take care of everything.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 37:00–37:16)

Maria: Shadow? Are you in pain?

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 38:41–38:49)

Shadow: He's right. No more mistakes. This time, I will crush every last one of them!

Maria: Shadow, no!

Shadow: Maria?

Maria: It breaks my heart to see you so full of anger. This isn't who you are. Do you know why I named you Shadow? Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand? I don't want you to be driven by darkness. I want you to be happy. Stand in the light with peace in your heart.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 46:43–47:33)

Maria: Shadow...!

Shadow: It's alright, Maria. I'm letting go of that destructive anger. But I will continue to fight.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 49:45–50:12)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 50:12)

Maria: It's hard not to be scared of everything going on, but I've never been afraid. Not deep down. Because I know you're here, doing your best to protect us.

...

Maria: Don't look so sad, Shadow. I don't know what will happen after you win. Maybe we won't see each other for a long while. But I love you and nothing can change that.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 28:50–29:49)

Omega: I will cover you from here when you engage Black Doom.

Omega: What? Protect prof. Gerald and Maria at all costs?

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 08:04–08:28)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 55:37)

As I had said much earlier in this post:

"If Shadow watches out for Maria physically/health wise, then Maria watches out for Shadow emotionally."

Beyond Dark Beginnings, we get to see this in play in Shadow Generations. We see Shadow take on the burden of protecting Maria and Gerald and getting rid of the black arms himself. We see Shadow worrying and rushing over to Maria when she falters. We see him stress the importance of keeping Maria and Gerald safe, even when he cannot be around to do it himself. And (not that Maria doesn't worry about Shadow physically as well, but...) we see Maria worrying when Shadow looks grim, or seems sad or angry. We see her express her wish for him to be happy, try to give him solace when he worries over her or her fate, and even express her own positive feelings in response to Shadow's care.

But this is not all Shadow Generations has to show the audience in regards to Shadow's bond with Maria. After all, you may be wondering, what do characters themselves have to say about it? What else does Shadow Generations show us through characters' words and actions?

I'd like to present to you more scenes from Shadow Generations that stand on their own, without the writer telling the audience what to think.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 36:27)

Maria: Yes, I know you're part alien. That's not important. What's important is who you are and what you do.

Maria: I was a little surprised you turned out looking like a hedgehog, though! I think the way your spines go "swoosh" is really cool!

Maria: Shadow...are you blushing!?

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 20:48–21:16)

Maria: It's been wonderful having you around on the ARK, Shadow. The staff is lovely, but I was very lonely before you joined us.

Maria: I miss my family. I miss my baby sister most of all. I do hope Grandfather finds a cure for me soon so we can all go home together!

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 21:47–22:13)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 45:16)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 46:37–47:33)

Maria: Shadow... I don't want you to listen to Black Doom. You may share his DNA, but he is not your true family! Your real family loves you and wants you to be safe and happy.

Maria: That's us, Shadow. Me and Grandfather. Please remember that.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 23:19–23:39)

Maria: So it seems like we've been apart longer than I thought. Have you made many friends?

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 25:51–26:04)

Maria: My condition...can't be treated yet.

...

Maria: It can be very scary and frustrating. But you've always been so patient and kind with me. Thank you, Shadow.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 26:06–26:35)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 49:45–50:50)

Maria: Shadow... I'm so proud of you! You've been through so much, but you've stayed true to yourself.

Maria: I know you can do this. Go, Shadow, go!

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 28:35–28:50)

Maria: Don't look so sad, Shadow. I don't know what will happen after you win. Maybe we won't see each other for a long while.

Maria: But I love you and nothing can change that. No matter how far apart we are, my love will always be with you. Please always remember that.

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:15–29:50)

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 55:25–57:26)

I had wanted to include the scene of Shadow running away, his final tear flying back and hitting Rouge's cheek as his feelings go unsaid. However, I've been taking screen recordings of the cutscene compilation I've been sourcing for this post on a mobile device. With that, sadly, video annotations would have obscured the end of the scene had I kept them in the recording, and I wanted to keep to as few different videos sourced on this post as I could.

In the end, Shadow Generations depicts a hedgehog who still has yet to discover what exactly he is going to live for (not just survive in this world). He tries to remind himself that he's completely moved on from his past, that visions/fantasies of being happy with this one person in particular are not something that life has granted to him (are just distractions). But this hedgehog becomes trapped between the past, the present, and what's to come next when this person he'd cared so deeply for is alive for a minute. He wants to protect this person, his natural instinct is to handle everything so they do not have to risk themselves. He worries so palpably for this person's well-being, often seen reaching out to them or rushing over to them when they falter or are in pain. Despite being stubborn, often sticking to his own plans no matter what, he values this person's words and opinions so dearly. Rather than use it to fuel his actions, he chooses to deal with this overwhelming anger and frustration simply because this person wants him to be happy and can't stand to see him in such a state. He also visibly blushes upon receiving compliments from this person (ironically, it's this blushing comment in particular I saw someone use on this site to spread misinfo that it was about Shadow blushing over Sonic rather than Shadow blushing over Maria). Even now, he is patient and kind with this person (something that one cannot say in regards to his attitude towards most of the Sonic cast). And although he never says "I love you", to this person, his actions speak louder than words. The protectiveness he has, the care, the patience, the willingness to listen and improve. And, above all, this is someone he is able to be more intimate with (if any of his scenes while in physical contact with this person are any indication).

Shadow Generations also depicts a human girl who has to come to terms with the fact that the hedgehog she's faced with has changed from the one she knows and cares for. Yet, she makes it just how clear that (time? space?), none of this matters to her. She loves this hedgehog no matter their dna/biology, no matter how many mistakes they make, no matter how much time has passed. In the past and present, she appreciates how patient and kind this hedgehog has always been to her. She spends plenty of time reminiscing about the past with them, harkening back to fonder memories. She is not shy about throwing her arms around this them, pointing out their blush, or taking their hands as she comforts and/or reasons with them. She's often visibly so so happy to see them, even after only being separated for a short time. This hedgehog's happiness is very important to her, so she's sensitive when they're angry or frustrated or sad. It makes her emotional to see them driven by anger and hate, so much so that she just cannot sit aside. She begs this person not to listen to someone who claims that bonds of blood and DNA determine one's future and loyalty, and has always believed that they can choose their own future—one of light and true happiness. She praises this person for their improvements, for staying true to themselves, for just how worried they are. And although her actions, care, and worry for this person do a great deal in showing it, she is able to tell this hedgehog how she feels outright. More than once she tells them just how much she loves them—so much so that her love will always be with them and shall never change no matter the distance between them.

These two are better together than apart. Where Maria fails physically, Shadow is there to worry about her health, physical well-being, and protection. Although Shadow is very physically capable and driven to protect, he tends to neglect his emotional state or keep his feelings/thoughts inside. So where Shadow has a harder time dealing with his emotions or has an easy time getting caught up in his anger, Maria is there to physically and emotionally comfort him. She is there to keep him from succumbing to anger and hate. The two each want more than anything for the other to be alive and happy. Although Shadow had only been created to be her cure, and although Maria was not alone on the ARK, it is implied that their instant relationship of mutual friendship and trust is a profound one. Where Maria had not been alone or unhappy on the ARK, it was Shadow who eradicated the loneliness that had been growing inside her. The two were inseparable back then, and it took a lot out of Shadow to let her go once again (again, only finding the strength to let go of such impulse because she asked him). The two love each other dearly, and this is made explicit.

And yet, with all of their actions, with their discussion of wants and feelings, and everything pertaining to each other in Shadow Generations, (as I've said multiple times now) Ian Flynn never tells the audience what label to brand this relationship with. As in the Shadow Manga, Maria clearly says she loves him, they both have their feelings on full display through their actions and words, yet it is more important for the audience to come to their own conclusions (especially in the lead up to Sonic Movie 3) than it is to 100% and strictly label the nature of their relationship. They just simply love each other and are important to each other

A fact which is...also ironic, given how easily and casually Maria discusses her relationship to Abraham Tower.

Maria: Have you seen Abe? You know, little Abraham Tower? I'm worried about him. He's the only other kid on the ARK with us. Sometimes he feels like my little brother, hee-hee!

(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 21:16–21:47)

She confesses to seeing Abe as a younger brother sometimes (something Gerald, too, had pointed out in his own journal), and yet never once calls Shadow her sibling throughout Shadow Generations, even while reminiscing.

And while Maria does, perhaps, call Shadow a part of her family (a family of her, Shadow, and Gerald), I don't know what to tell you if you believe such a thing can only refer to/be interpreted in the most strictly nuclear family way possible. Well, other than that to do so is limiting and reductive. I have never more clearly seen a case of found family than I have with these three, especially given their unorthodox relationship (a guy, his beloved granddaughter, and the guy's son/creation, who is a stalwart companion and forever friend to his granddaughter).

Shadow and Maria are inseparable, they are friends, they are family, they love each other, but despite their relationship being highly featured in this game, the fact that Sega and the writer himself do not use this chance to strictly clarify the nature of their relationship is telling.

And you might be saying: "Tumblr user hadesknockedupintheunderworld, what about that alt text from that image of Shadow and Maria that's on the English Sonic social media?"

To which I say: "What of it?"

In the face of so many recent depictions of their relationship as highly ambiguous, with there being clear romance parallels to draw from if one wanted to, what does one single piece of evidence mean against that?

One can't look at that dedication all creators around these two have to make their relationship ambiguous (while also presenting them as having a very very strong bond) and simply say that they're clearly only ever meant to be read as sibling-like. And to say that they are 100% only meant to be siblings "or you're wrong" is to go against (at least one of) the creator of these characters own stated intentions to allow people to draw conclusions and interpret as they wish. Period.

I think I've made it pretty clear that means you can interpret their relationship however you want. It doesn't even have to be either siblings or lovers! Personally, I take a qqp approach myself (where the exact nature of their relationship is confusing, and all that is clear and solidified is that the two have an intensely strong bond, want as much time together as they can, and wish to make the other happy).

But it's wrong to act like one of many possible interpretations is 100% obviously canon when the facts themselves contradict that kind of thing (just as it's wrong to harass people over something so trivial as that).

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[faerouzia]

Kingdom: At Grim’s End

The wilting iris:VIII

Pairing: prince!seonghwa x darkfae!fem!reader

Au: strangers to lovers | third age au

Genre: fantasy, horror

Warnings: +21 (MDNI), gory scenes, disturbing depictions of creatures, angst, fluff, all you can imagine SMUT, mentions of dark magic, death,suggestive themes, betrayal, slow burn, fear

Summary: The land of Aurora, split into several kingdoms, after a war that raged for over 400 years, falls weary of the dark reigns bestowed by the Evil Queen of Darconia, Morana. With half the kingdoms bound to her will, the last rivalling kingdoms join forces in hopes to end the queen’s exploitation of ancient magic and the plan of using dark arts and the blood of the most powerful king’s and creatures to solidify her power. In the midst of unforgiving circumstances, Prince seonghwa of Halazia and the last of her kind, a decent of the phoenix fae fall in love, but at a great cost.

Chapter playlist

Word count: 6k

Series master list

My night’s slumber was abruptly interrupted as my tumultuous thoughts consumed me, swirling like a tempest in the depths of my mind. Although the enveloping warmth I had succumbed to from the comforting form beside me was soothing, my heart grew weary with each passing moment, weighed down by an inexplicable heaviness. The crimson gleam of the moon hung in the velvety sky, casting an ethereal glow, while no melodious chirps could be heard from the nightingales that typically graced the enchanted elf palace. It was now the ominous day of Hollow’s Eve, and the Grim’s presence loomed ever closer, a cartridge of impending doom that sent shivers down my spine.

Soft, cooed breaths filled the air, carrying a calm, resolute reassurance that momentarily eased my troubled mind.

Seonghwa lay beside me in a deep, tranquil slumber, a sight so achingly innocent that it pierced directly through my heart like a finely honed arrow. I couldn't help but let my restless mind wander back to that intimate, unforgettable moment shared with Seonghwa. The way he looked at me, with those mesmerizing eyes, the way he tenderly touched me… My cheeks flushed with a warm, rosy hue at the vivid memory. I recalled the gentle brush of his delicate fingers against my skin, the soft, tantalizing whisper of his breath against my ear. It was as if time itself had stood still, as if the universe had conspired to suspend all reality, leaving only the two of us, blissfully lost in our own little world, cocooned in a bubble of shared intimacy. I felt a flutter of exhilaration in my chest as I thought about the way he gazed at me, his eyes shimmering with a profound, unwavering affection that seemed to illuminate the very depths of my soul.

In that moment, every worry and fear faded into the background, eclipsed by the warmth of his gaze. It was a look that spoke volumes, a silent promise of devotion and understanding that transcended words. My heart raced as I remembered the way his lips curved into a gentle, inviting smile, a smile that held the power to chase away the shadows lurking in the corners of my mind.

As I lay there, enveloped in the comforting embrace of his presence, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me, a soothing balm for my restless spirit. The world outside faded into insignificance, and all that mattered was the connection we shared—a bond so deep and unbreakable that it felt as if we were two halves of a single, radiant whole.

With each passing moment, I found myself yearning for more—more of his laughter, more of his touch, more of the intoxicating magic that seemed to swirl around us like a shimmering veil. I longed to explore the depths of his heart, to uncover the secrets hidden behind those captivating eyes, and to weave our destinies together in a tapestry of love and adventure.

In that sacred space, time lost all meaning, and I surrendered completely to the enchanting spell he had cast upon me, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, united in our unwavering bond.

It was a look that spoke volumes, a look imbued with unspoken affection that conveyed he genuinely cared for me, that he deeply desired me. My heart skipped a fervent beat as I recalled the way he smiled at me, his lips curving upward in a gentle, tender smile that radiated warmth and sincerity. I sighed softly, my thoughts completely consumed by the vivid memory of our cherished moment together. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated intimacy, a moment that felt like a whispered promise of something infinitely more profound and beautiful.

I couldn't help but wonder what the unpredictable future held for us, what adventures and challenges awaited on the horizon. Yet, for now, I was content to bask in the comforting warmth of that precious memory, allowing it to envelop me like a soft, silken blanket, shielding me from the uncertainties of the world outside. In that tranquil reverie, I found solace, a sanctuary where our hearts intertwined, and the possibilities of our shared destiny danced like flickering stars in the vast expanse of the night sky.

The arduous journey to Darconia had been treacherous and unpredictably fraught with hidden dangers and unseen threats lurking in the shadows. But in this precious moment, none of that mattered. All that truly mattered was the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the soft, inviting curve of his lips, and the way my heart swelled with an overwhelming tide of emotion as I gazed at him. I reached out a trembling hand, my fingers lightly brushing against his velvety cheek, savoring the warmth of his skin beneath my touch.

Seonghwa stirred slightly, his eyes remaining peacefully shut, as if he were lost in a dream woven from the fabric of our shared memories. For a fleeting moment, we simply looked at each other, the chaotic world outside receding into the background, fading into insignificance. Even in slumber, he was as breathtakingly beautiful as the heavens themselves, yet I noticed that his eyes glistened with shimmering tears—tears I had never before witnessed fall from a human soul. They sparkled like dewdrops in the early morning light, hinting at the depths of his unspoken emotions and the burdens he carried within.

The iridescent, pearled droplets glistened as they trickled down his cheek, catching the soft light like tiny stars against the canvas of his skin. His energy shifted dramatically, an overwhelming force that both invigorated and soothed me from within, wrapping around my heart like a comforting embrace. It was without surprise that I had come to realize he possessed an extraordinary power—such power that was unknown, pure, and angelic in its essence.

It was at that pivotal moment that I understood I had to protect him, and the others, even if it meant sacrificing my own life for a century’s time. With utmost care, I gently removed his arm that had wrapped protectively around my waist, each movement executed with stealth and precision, my breath steady and measured with caution. As I stood, I felt a warm, unfamiliar sensation blooming in my abdomen, a vivid reminder of his intoxicating presence that had filled me with light and warmth the previous night. It was a lingering echo of our shared connection, a bond that pulsed with life and promise, urging me to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.Every raging moment of desire was a consequence of the intoxicating lust that seeped into my very being, coursing through my veins like a wildfire.

With a swift flick of my fingers, the warm, amber glow of my latent power enveloped me, swirling around me in vibrant currents as I transformed into a formidable garment fitting for the arduous journey that lay ahead. My attire, crafted from supple leather and reinforced titanium, was meticulously designed for protection, featuring a tailored opening at the back to accommodate the magnificent wings that would soon unfurl from my shoulders. This armor was not merely a shield; it was a symbol of my resolve, a testament to the strength I would need to face the challenges that awaited me in the uncertain expanse of the world beyond.

My steps treaded lightly upon the ground, each movement deliberate in hopes of not awakening him from his peaceful slumber. I gently opened the heavy door, the creak settling into the soft hums of the evening winds that whispered secrets of the night. The stench of iron filled my nostrils, a pungent reminder of past battles, and my skin chilled at a sudden, unsettling feeling—a premonition of some sort that something horrible had already happened or, worse yet, was about to unfold.

I turned my head to glance back at the bed where Seonghwa slept, my heart pulled in agonizing knots at the thought of leaving him behind. If I were to protect the lives of the people I dearly cared for, I would have to embark on this perilous journey alone, a burden I was willing to bear.

Turning my gaze back outside, my wings spread gracefully, each feather a testament to my growth and the remarkable evolution of my newfound transformation. With a determined heart, I took flight into the expansive skies above, leaving the elven palace behind as the others slept soundly, unaware of my sudden departure. Mr. Kim’s words echoed in my mind, his deep concern for his son reminding me of the profound loss of my mother, a wound that had never fully healed.I would have never forgiven myself if anything were to happen to Hongjoong or even Seonghwa.

As the crimson gleam of the dawn cradled my form, the world below me grew darker, shrouded in an ominous shadow. The Grim’s war was nearing, and it was up to me to put an end to it before it even began, to protect those I loved from the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume us all.

⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢

Meanwhile, in the shadowy cavernous palace of Darconia, Morana’s cunning capture of King Park and Princess Lidia was a resounding success. Of course, with the strategic assistance of Mingi, the meticulously crafted plan had blossomed into a sight of triumph—a calculated trust regained, yet still not entirely devoid of peril.

“You have done exceptionally well, Mingi. Your ingenious plan to capture the boy’s last living family as bait to lure him to us was a brilliantly, devious idea,” Morana praised, her venomous voice echoing with a sultry undertone that pierced the ears of her new pawns, the unfortunate captives she had ensnared. Mingi, an expressionless stooge, merely nodded at her praise, fully aware that this was a pivotal opportunity to refine his majesty’s trust and solidify his position within her dark machinations.

Suddenly, the oppressive silence of the chamber was shattered by the chilling, rattling clatter of bones and the gliding of shadowy figures emerging from the depths. The hollows appeared—ethereal, twisted specters wreathed in swirling mists of cold, malevolent darkness, their hollow eye sockets glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. Their presence exuded an overwhelming aura of dread, a wave of suffocating terror that suffused the air with palpable fear.

Morana's venomous smile faltered for the briefest moment as the ghastly emissaries approached, their hollow voices a discordant chorus that echoed through the cavernous hall. “A force approaches, dark sorceress,” one intoned with a hollow hiss, “an enraged and fiery spirit, burning with vengeance, a tempest of wrath ready to raze your dominion to ash and obliterate your reign once and for all.”

The ghouls recoiled, their faces twisting into expressions of confusion and mounting dread, while Mingi’s stoic facade cracked ever so slightly as the weight of the warning sank in. Flames seemed to flicker in the very shadows themselves, casting grotesque, undulating shapes that danced like demons before the walls. The air grew thick, heavy with the acrid scent of brimstone and scorched earth, and an ominous heat radiated from the unseen approaching storm.

Morana’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a low, venomous growl. Despite the terror that coiled in her veins, a fire of defiance blazed within her heart. She was no stranger to darkness, no fragile queen to be easily toppled. Yet, the encroaching wrath promised a reckoning unlike any before—a cataclysmic battle that would either forge her dominion eternal or consume it in a conflagration of ruin.

The chamber trembled as if reacting to the unseen fury encroaching upon their sanctum. Shadows lengthened, and the flickering torchlight cast ominous, twitching silhouettes. Outside, the sky darkened further, the clouds swirling into a vortex of malevolent flames—a herald of the apocalypse swiftly advancing to unravel all that Morana had wrought.

“The Phoenix,” she whispered in bitter amusement, a fertile desire igniting behind her cold, calculating eyes. The one she so fervently worshipped was indeed right–the fiery spirit was coming.

With a graceful, yet commanding gesture, Morana’s voice cut through the thick silence of the chamber. “Summon the guards! Prepare the iron fairies and steel-cutlets—let every blade be sharpened, every spell ready. The Phoenix Fae shall grace our palace soon, and we will meet her with the full fury of Darconia.”

Her words echoed like a dark incantation as armored soldiers snapped to attention, their steely gazes reflecting a volatile mix of dread and loyalty. The clatter of armor and the hum of arcane machinery rippled through the vast fortress, as the iron fairies—mechanical sentinels infused with deadly enchantments—and the swift, deadly cutlets readied themselves for battle.

Without hesitation, Morana turned, her robes swirling like black flames as she glided back into the shadowed depths of the castle. She moved with eerie purpose toward the grotesque shrine, a twisted altar of bone, obsidian, and eldritch power, hidden deep within the ancient stone heart of Darconia.

The flickering torchlight cast macabre shadows upon the shrine’s ghastly carvings—a twisted menagerie of dragons, demons, and fallen angels frozen in eternal torment. There, she prepared to relay the ominous news to the dark entity that had long whispered promises of power and dominion in her ear.

Her footsteps fell silent as the air grew cold and heavy with anticipation—a portent of the violent storm soon to descend upon the kingdom, and a desperate plea for strength as the fiery reckoning loomed ever closer.

“My lord, splendid new-

“The Phoenix is nearing” the shrine groaned interrupting Morana. The shrine pulsed with a dark energy, a heartbeat that resonated through depths far beneath the ground itself, never failing to send shivers down morana’s spine.

“And the boy?” The shrine enquired his voice a rasp of anticipation, Morana stuttered however remained composed thereafter, “he is out of reach my lord.”

“I need the boy Morana” it grunted, a sense of irritation flickering in the octave drop. The shrine's grotesque features twisted into a semblance of a grin, revealing rows of jagged teeth. "I shall rule the universe, with every last grime of his existence. Imagine a realm where light is but a distant memory, where shadows reign supreme. I will snuff out the stars, one by one, until the cosmos is a canvas of despair."

As it spoke, the air around them thickened, and the ground trembled, as if the very earth recoiled from the shrine's words. a carcass of knowing horror pressed against the cold masonry, mottled with ancient grime and the blackened remnants of forgotten rites.

The room held its breath. A fetid stillness clung to the air, thick with the scent of rot and dust. Then, a subtle tremor rippled through the stones, like the wary pulse of something long forgotten — awakening. "You see, Morana, darkness is not merely the absence of light; it is a force, a hunger that consumes all. I will unleash it upon the worlds, and they will bow before me, trembling in fear."

Morana felt a chill creep into her bones, the weight of the shrine's words pressing down on her. "And what of the souls that dwell in this darkness? What will become of them?"

"Souls? They will be my army, my loyal subjects. I will twist their very essence, turning their pain into power. They will serve me, and in their suffering, I will find my strength."

The ground beneath Morana cracked, fissures snaking outward as if the earth itself was trying to escape the shrine's malevolence. Bones cracked and tore.Ragged limbs, fused and misshapen, began to stir beneath the slab that imprisoned it for centuries. The twisted faces carved into the shrine’s bulk twitched, eyes leaking shadowy ichor that seethed like living darkness.

“I will weave the fabric of reality into a tapestry of nightmares. The skies will bleed, and the rivers will run black with despair. I will be the architect of annihilation, and all will know my name in a world that rectifies it” the shrine hissed, its voice rising to a fevered pitch.

A grinding, wet sound—like dragged chains over glass—echoed as the shrine pulled itself free, its risen form stretching with grotesque, unnatural jerks. Its fetid breath rasped into the air, each gasp a chorus of a thousand whispers, scratching and clawing inside the skulls embedded on its surface.

Shards of flesh, bone, and ancient metal melded grotesquely as it towered upward, spilling malice like a plague. Its countless mouths cracked open, revealing rows of teeth yellowed and dripping with black bile. The floor beneath it crumbled, cracked, and sank, as if the earth itself sought to flee its cursed presence.

Morana's breath quickened in awe, the horror of the shrine's vision clawing at her mind in excitement. "I am the harbinger of a new age! Embrace the darkness, Morana, for it is the only truth that remains. The hounds of Hell shall rot from a corpsed shell. Join me, and together we shall plunge the universe into an abyss from which it can never return. For no mere mortal shall resist the wrath of the Grim."

The shadows around it coalesced, writhing tendrils that stretched outward to consume all light, as a dreadful chill crawled over every inch of the chamber, suffocating hope, leaving only the cold touch of fear.And as the shrine rose fully free from its tomb of slumber, a violent scream tore from the stones—half living, half dead—and the world tilted on the edge of unspeakable horror.

Its various limbs cascading like an ornament, its skin reeked the stench of decay. And there it stood, proud from its release, a name no soul dared to leave the mouths of anyone, even Morana herself.

“The Grim’s war is only the beginning, let the annihilation begin!” The shrine exclaimed, raising its limbs in praise. Jointed cracks filled the room, creatures spawned from its cloak as darkened shadows raised from the depths beneath their feet.

Morana shook in horror, her lord was yet to unleash havoc unto the world, a grotesque thriller of despair where only horror was the true king.

⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢

Seonghwa stirred in the soft sheets, the crimson morning light filtering through the curtains. He shuffled in the bed, reaching out instinctively for me, hoping to find my warmth beside him. His fingers brushed against the cool fabric of the sheets, and a frown creased his brow. The space where i had been was now cold, a stark reminder of my absence.

His eyes snapped open, the realization hitting him like a wave. I was gone. With a sense of urgency, Seonghwa threw off the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The palace was vast, and he knew he had to find me. He quickly dressed, the fabric of his clothes feeling foreign against his skin as he made his way through the ornate halls.

As he wandered through the palace, he called out softly, “y/n?” His voice echoed off the marble walls, but there was no response. He felt a knot of worry tighten in his chest. “Y/n!”

Seonghwa burst into the grand hall, his heart racing with a mix of anxiety and urgency. The soft morning light filtered through the ornate windows, casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floor. Yeosang, still wrapped in the remnants of sleep, blinked at him with a look of concern etched across his features.

“Seonghwa, what is the matter?” Yeosang asked, his voice a gentle shroud that hinted at his recent awakening.

“Y/N, have you seen her?” Seonghwa asked hastily, his throat burning with a palpable angst that threatened to overwhelm him.

Yeosang’s expression faltered, confusion knitting his brows together. “I’m afraid not. Is she not in her chambers?” Seonghwa huffed in irritation, his hand tangling in his tousled hair as frustration bubbled within him. “I was there! She suddenly left without a word.”

Yeosang furrowed his eyebrows, concern deepening in his gaze. He turned away, his mind racing as he formulated a plan. “I’ll ask the guards if they’ve seen her. You should search the gardens,” Yeosang commanded, his tone firm yet reassuring.

With a nod, Seonghwa dashed out of the hall, his heart pounding in his chest as he made his way toward the lush gardens. The vibrant colors of blooming flowers surrounded him, but they offered little comfort as he called out for me .

“Y/N! Where are you?” he shouted, his voice echoing through the fragrant air, desperation lacing every syllable. He searched frantically among the vibrant blossoms and beneath the sprawling branches, his mind racing with worry. The once serene garden felt like a maze, each corner hiding the possibility of my presence, yet yielding nothing but silence.

As he continued to scream my name, the weight of dread settled heavily on his shoulders. Just as he was about to lose hope, he heard hurried footsteps approaching. Hongjoong came running through the garden, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

“Seonghwa!” he called out, urgency in his voice. “Come quickly! Yeosang and Mr. Kim are waiting for you in the grand hall.”

Seonghwa’s heart raced anew, a flicker of hope igniting within him. Without hesitation, he turned and followed Hongjoong, his mind racing with questions and fears as they made their way back to the grand hall, where answers awaited amidst the heavy silence.

As Seonghwa and Hongjoong entered the grand hall, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Yeosang stood at the center, his expression grave, flanked by Mr. Kim, who wore a look of deep contemplation. The air was heavy with unspoken fears, and Seonghwa felt his heart race as he approached them.

“Yeosang, what did the guards say?” Seonghwa demanded, his voice taut with anxiety. Yeosang took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with concern. “They saw Y/N… she was seen flying into the sky. The guards reported that she ascended until she was lost among the thick clouds.”

A collective gasp filled the room, and a flurry of questions erupted. “Why would she do that?” Hongjoong asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What could have driven her to leave like this?”

“Perhaps she felt overwhelmed,” yeosang suggested, his voice steady yet laced with uncertainty. “The weight of her emotions may have compelled her to seek solace in the skies.”

Seonghwa’s heart sank at the thought. “Solace? She could be in danger! How could she go there all alone?” Mr.kim frowned as a weight pulled at him. Did the conversation between him and I have anything to do with my sudden departure?

“I-I think she may have left without us” mr. Kim said his voice low no humour in sight. Seonghwa clenched his fists, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “So she left... without a word, without warning... Alone and vulnerable...” His voice cracked, fraught with outrage and desperate anguish. “How could she face such perils on her own?!”

Yeosang took a step forward, palms raised in a peaceful gesture. “Seonghwa, control yourself. We must think clearly and act with measured judgment if we are to find her and bring her home safely.”

But Seonghwa, his mind a tempest of fury and fear, felt an unfamiliar energy surge from deep within his chest—a raw, overwhelming force that demanded release. Before he could stop himself, his hand blazed with dazzling power as an invisible shockwave hurled Yeosang violently across the grand hall. The noble warrior crashed hard against the gilded wall, his body skidding along the intricate carvings, a gasp escaping from his lips as crimson streaked across the pristine marble beneath him.

The room stilled instantly; all eyes wide with shock and disbelief. This was the first time anyone had ever witnessed Yeosang bleed. Slowly, Seonghwa’s blazing eyes widened in stunned horror at what he’d done—confusion and regret swiftly mingling in his expression.

Mr. Kim and Hongjoong rushed to Yeosang’s side, their faces etched with worry and astonishment at the display of power none among them had ever anticipated.

After a tense moment, Yeosang slowly lifted his head, a faint, almost admiring smile curving his lips despite the crimson that stained his garment. “It seems my 300th-century descendant has finally unleashed the strength within him,” he murmured, eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and intrigue.

“Descendant?!” Mr. Kim and hongjoong exclaimed in unison, seonghwa a total mess at what had just happen and yeosang’s peculiar comment.

“You’re part elf on your mother’s side, but that’ll be a tale for another day” yeosnag sighed whipping the blood that continued to run from his forehead and lips.

“Your power... it is formidable, Seonghwa. But learn to harness it, lest it consume you.” Seonghwa, still shaken, locked eyes with Yeosang and the others. His voice trembled with a mix of guilt and newfound resolve. “I will find her. No matter the cost. I will not let her face the void alone again.”

Silence settled once more over the hall, the weight of their shared knowledge heavy but tempered by a renewed determination to reunite with me—wherever the skies had taken me.

⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥤⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢⥢

Yunho’s arrival stirred the lively atmosphere of the Dragon Lands like a fresh gust of wind through autumn leaves. The vibrant enclave bustled with joyous celebration — homes adorned with brightly colored banners fluttered against the sky, their red and gold fabrics catching the light like embers glowing in twilight. Everywhere, newborn dragons nestled in cradles of woven branches, their small, curious eyes glinting with the promise of untamed power.

The joyful murmurs and laughter of the gathered folk abruptly hushed to a curious murmur at the sight of Yunho’s unexpected return. Gasps and whispered exclamations spread like wildfire, their eyes wide and faces painted with amazement and disbelief. It had been years since his departure, and yet here he was — standing resolute beneath the tiered roofs that sheltered the young dragons and their caretakers.

His steady gaze swept through the festive crowd, until it came to rest on a particular house, its doorway festooned with red and orange flags that swayed gently in the soft breeze. Memories flickered in his chest as he approached, each step drawing him closer to the familiar warmth of that threshold.

He remembered the first day he had arrived, heart pounding in his chest, nerves twisting like a coiled serpent. The air had been thick with the scent of smoke and the distant roar of dragons, and he had felt utterly out of place among the seasoned riders and their majestic beasts.

“Just breathe, Yunho,” he had whispered to himself, trying to quell the storm of anxiety. But as he stepped into the training grounds, he was met with a chorus of welcoming smiles and friendly waves.

“Hey there, newcomer!” a voice called out, and he turned to see a tall figure with a broad grin. It was one of the trainers, a burly man named Choi San, who had a reputation for his no-nonsense approach to dragon training. “You must be the prince they’ve been talking about! Ready to meet your dragon?”

Yunho had nodded, though his stomach had churned with uncertainty. “I hope so. I’ve never trained a dragon before.”

“Don’t worry! Lumerous is a blood wyrm. He’s got a fiery spirit, but he’ll warm up to you,” San had chuckled, clapping him on the back. “Just remember, he’s as stubborn as a mule. You’ll need to show him who’s boss!”

As they approached the training pen, Yunho’s heart raced. There, in the center, stood Lumerous — a magnificent creature with scales as thick as rock and eyes that burned like molten lava. The dragon’s presence was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

“Uh, hi there, Lumerous,” Yunho had stammered, extending a hand cautiously. The dragon snorted, a plume of smoke escaping its nostrils, and Yunho took a step back, his confidence wavering.

“Don’t let him intimidate you!” Merida had chimed in, her laughter ringing like music. “Just remember, he can sense your fear. Stand tall!”

“Easier said than done!” Yunho had retorted, trying to mask his trepidation. “What if he decides I’m a snack?”

“Then you’ll just have to be a very fast snack!” she had teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

With a deep breath, Yunho had approached Lumerous again, determination replacing his fear. “Okay, buddy, let’s do this,” he had said, trying to sound confident. But as he attempted to mount the dragon, Lumerous had let out a low growl, shaking his massive head as if to say, “Not today.”

“Come on, Lumerous! We’re a team!” Yunho had pleaded, but the dragon merely flicked his tail, sending Yunho tumbling into a pile of hay.

The trainers had erupted in laughter, and even Merida had doubled over, her laughter infectious. “Looks like he’s not ready for a rider yet!” she had exclaimed, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Very funny,” Yunho had groaned, brushing hay from his hair. “I’m just getting warmed up!”

With each attempt, the training sessions had become a blend of frustration and hilarity. Lumerous had a knack for throwing Yunho off balance, and the dragon’s fiery temperament often led to unexpected bursts of flame that signed the edges of Yunho’s tunic.

“Remember, it’s all about trust!” San had shouted over the chaos one day, his voice booming. “You need to earn Lumerous’s respect!”

“Respect? He’s treating me like a chew toy!” Yunho had retorted, trying to dodge another plume of fire.

Yet, as the days turned into weeks, Yunho had found his rhythm. With Merida’s encouragement and the trainers’ guidance, he had learned to communicate with Lumerous, forging a bond that transcended fear. The dragon’s fiery spirit had become a source of strength for him, and he had discovered a newfound confidence within himself.

Now, standing at the edge of the Dragon Lands, Yunho smiled at the memories, the laughter echoing in his mind. He had come a long way from that nervous newcomer, and the warmth of those experiences filled him with a sense of belonging.

As he prepared to step back into the vibrant world of dragons and friendship, he felt a surge of excitement. He was ready to embrace whatever awaited him, knowing that the bonds he had forged would guide him through the skies once more.

With a measured knock, the door swung open to reveal a woman with fiery ginger hair cascading around her face like a living flame. Merida stood there — a friend, a confidante, and to Yunho, something infinitely more cherished. Their bond had strengthened over countless riding lessons beneath vast blue skies and quiet afternoons training their dragons to soar beyond limits.

Yunho’s lips lifted in a small, heartfelt smile. Their relationship had deepened over countless riding lessons and long hours spent training the dragons, moments etched in shared laughter and silent understanding beneath endless skies.

“Merida,” he said softly, voice rich with emotion, “it feels like a lifetime since I’ve stood here.”

Her smile deepened, the ghost of past affection blooming in her gaze. “Welcome home, Yunho. The dragons and the lands have missed you.”

“As did I” Yunho answered, his smile overshadowing the exact reason why he had returned. His expression shifted slightly, one thing that never went unnoticed by Merida, “what’s the matter Yu?” She asked in concern.

Yunho swallows a lump of unsaid words, his throat burning as he knew the weight his request held, “it’s Morana, the war is nearing”

Merida’s eyes widened in fear, her hands trembled at the news. Although they were far from Aurora, they people knew that the Queen would rage havoc into the dragon lands at any moment.

“Come in”

I payed the iron price: VIIII Pt.1

𝒯𝒶𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉 (𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑜𝓂):

@matzrionette @xhaliemax @sirenscradle @not4maddy @hwasstxr @mulloey @mingisbbygirl @hyucksflr @anoooon13 @optimisticbasketballnerdwag-blog @reverienymphslibrary @ninjakitty15 @frenchkisstheabyss @krispydinosaurrunaway @himeiromai @londonbridges01 @a-tiny-thing @justconniez @melrem88 @blueginz @powerpuff-girls4l @bruhmoonlight @ewok7attack @spacemonsterrr @slaybitch69420 @byongmingcomehome

[adoreddestiny]

For the pop up event, "would you like me to whisper it in your ear?" For Xavier, MC being the one to say it pls!

ೃ⁀➷ POP UP EVENT !! — aurora’s writing corner

“would you like me to whisper it in your ear?” — xavier x gn!reader

silky sunlight streamed into the room through starry striped curtains. it was the kind of sunrise that transformed yellows to golds and golds into flecks of glowing ambers.

through the streaks of harrowed sunlight you could see particles of dust wafting in through the slightly opened window. warm, muscular arms bundled you tightly to their chest and a soft noise escaped the man that lay at your side.

your star buried his nose deeper into your neck. fluffy silver hair tickled the bridge of your nose but you lay still and silent in his embrace.

a succinct silence stabilized the atmosphere around the two of you whispering occasional secrets of the world that moved along outside the sun-painted windows.

“you’re up earlier than usual,” xavier said. his voice streaked through the softening quiet. your breath caught in the back of your throat and he squeezed you a little tighter.

“so are you,” you whispered. you were certain he could hear the rhythmic beat of your heart against his eardrums.

“is something bothering you?” he asked, ignoring your previous comment. he resembled a purring cat, content to turn his back towards the glistening sunlight and into the eclipse of your embrace.

you pressed your lips together, glancing down at him. wide starlit eyes gazed back at you and you let something unintelligible slip through your mouth.

“what was that?” he asked, eyebrows creasing in a gentle, concerned manner.

you couldn’t bring yourself to repeat the words that reverberated in your mind. you simply stared at him at first. just laying in his embrace as if the world wasn’t turning vastly outside.

then you smiled, leaning in close to graze your lips against the shell of his ear. “would you like me to whisper it in your ear?”

his pale complexion took on a rosy hue as he tightened his grip around you for the second time that morning. “that wasn’t fair,” he muttered.

[kedreeva]

The four peachicks of 2023 that are NOT Bug.

The older 2 are Bug's full siblings from Indie x Aurora. The darker one is male, the lighter one is female. They're being joint raised by Aurora and Eclipse, after Aurora saw Eclipse's nest 2 feet away and decided all eggs belong to Aurora, and piled all her eggs into Eclipse's nest to try to sit on them.

The two blackshoulder chicks are from Polaris x Onyx, who aren't in this pen. The BS babies were hatched (and subsequently abandoned) by Corona, and then adopted by Corona's mothers, Aris (bio) and Arcana (decided 'it's free babies' and somehow didn't get murdered by Aris).

They're all growing well and looking good, but I gotta say I'm exceptionally proud of the BS babies. They are long legged and long necked and I'm vibrating in place wanting to see how they look a few months from now. It's so hard to be patient.

[threads-strings]

Bailey x OC

“I put as much pressure on you as you can handle.”

He looks eager. He looks guarded. He looks incredibly pissed off.

++ Stress

I like thinking that Bailey has pitch-black eyes normally, but if hit right by light they look like an eclipsed sun.

Meanwhile Dusa’s eyes are ever changing in shades of greens, moving like the aurora borealis and usually get reflected in other people’s irises - but Bailey’s eyes are so dark they don’t emit any of her light at all.

While Bailey never saw Dusa as his child (similarly to how he doesn’t see any of the orphans as his kids despite being their caretaker), he’s always treated her like a child regarding her autonomy. Everything she does is under his control, self explanatory he feels entitled to her life and information like a parent would with their child.

He means (somewhat) well, in his eyes the only way to survive in this town is to become like him or else it’ll swallow you whole, so the pressure he puts on Dusa to “harden” her is crushing.

Dusa meanwhile can hide her emotions well around others, but every time Bailey raises his voice at her she feels like she’s back to being 9 years old again.

[weirdcoregal35]

Canon thing about my fanchild OC and headcanon about Dazzle.

Deers really like lights like head lights and stuff, so I headcanon that Dazzle does that sort of thing sometimes. Like Sun will find Dazzle staring right into the nightlight when she is in her room at 3 am.

Aurora, on the other hand, has rays that glow whenever she wants to. Like during a blackout or when she’s asleep and needs a night light.

Dazzle, whenever Aurora lights up her rays, will be enchanted by it and stay close to the light. Dazzle would end up following her cousin for a while until someone snaps her out of it.

[rustbeltjessie]

All The Other Lights

The hawk perched on the hand of a Christ- on-the-cross-shaped stoplight pole's an eyeful ring—feathers pale as the prairie it's married. Earth falls in all ways away from it. No thing's invisible: tinkle sprinkled around a burrow's buried door: ultra ultraviolet. Mousketeers with peeps too low for stethoscopes are loud as screeching brakes in the traffic under its feet. The speed cars go is not really time in its eyes. It knows, or learned, that's fake—some unseen joker loop-dee-looping a laser pointer dot. We're blind to all the other lights winking away out there. A gray rabbit loping over dirty snow eclipses aurorae at both poles and rainbows.

—Jennifer L. Knox (x)

[noinoi10101010]

Sams x sleeping beauty

Aurora: ruin

Maleficent: Nexus

Prince Phillip: rusted monty (ruin's monty)

Flora: Fem moonie

Fauna: sunny

Merryweather: fem eclipse

King stefan: Foxy

Queen: Leah: puppet

King Hubert: Monty

Diablo: Kerian

Samson: Razzle

[totallycorny]

Met at a Fête

Sirius Black x Fem!Reader

warnings: implied fem!reader, mentions of bullying.

To start this week off, I thought I might write for different characters. I’ve always been a Harry Potter fan but I never really got into the Marauders Era, Until now that is. Enjoy!

headers made by me!

word count: 1070+ (I lost count after that!)

You and your family were lucky to have been invited to a party, Especially one that was hosted by the Noble House of Black.

They were the talk of the Wizarding World, Anybody who passed by Diagon Alley always seemed to be murmuring about the family.

The Blacks were just that favored and admired.

Nobody disliked them, and if you did, You would be criticized for that matter.

To be precise on the word lucky, It meant that even though your family was of wizards and witches who were pure-blood, A few of them were not. Specifically, Your grandmother. Yet your family was still invited.

Her family was muggle born, She then fell in love with a wizard and well.. You get the rest. Other pure-blood families did not like that one bit.

You’d always get bullied in Hogwarts, Which was a shame because Hogwarts grew to be your home. The only home where the bullying wasn’t that bad.

Out on the streets, You’d be shoved at and pulled by the hair. Some stuck up witches would put spells on you just to make sure you knew your place.

That all changed when Aurora, Your personal owl, Flew in with a black ribbon and a letter attached to it tied to her leg.

“Mother..!” You yelped as you got up from the rocking chair, almost falling over in the process, scrambling to grab the letter.

Footsteps thumped down the stairs as your Mother peeked her head down to see what the commotion was about. “Yes, my dear?”

You carefully turned the letter over, reading the print for a second before smiling wide. Your fingers absentmindedly opened the letter without using the letter opener.

“The Noble House of Black cordially invites you to their ball.” You whispered as you skimmed over the cursive.

You almost screamed right then and there.

All you remember that day was your mother’s frantic responses of “Let me see that letter!” And “My love, Come quick!”, You could tell this was a dream come true for her.

Now here you were, In a black gown your mother had been saving for whenever you’d go to a party or a ball like this. It fit like a charm, Even for how dusty and old it was.

“Padfoot!” A young man called as he hugged someone. You couldn’t see who the other man was, Until he stepped away.

His dark eyes is what caught your attention, They were like eclipse’s in his orbs. Padfoot, You’ve heard that before haven’t you?

A lightbulb went off in your head when it finally clicked, This was the infamous Sirius ‘Padfoot’ Black. The trickster and class clown at Hogwarts whom you’d always seen in the hallways walking with a strut.

In all honesty, He was quite a handsome man, but you also admired him for his kind nature. Even though He was a Gryffindor in a Slytherin family, He wasn’t like his family at all.

You hadn’t realized you had been staring at Sirius’ face for too long until his eyes locked onto yours.

You quickly ducked behind a couple who had been way too into themselves, Maybe he hadn’t really seen you absentmindedly staring at his face.

His handsome, gorgeous and beautiful face.

God, You really were crushing, hard.

Your parents were conversing with another family, So it’s not like you could go to them. That is until you spotted a curtain, wide and large enough to hide you from guests and specifically Sirius.

Quickly, You made your escape to the dark curtain, It’s velvety attire draping over you. A breath you didn’t know you were holding escaped your mouth.

Just as you were trying to relax, your eyes closed until you blinked, Sirius had appeared right in your face.

“Woah!” You jumped, Thumping your head against the wall as you recoiled and hissed in pain. Sirius’ lips curled into a smile as he chuckled.

“Sorry, Sorry. Couldn’t help but notice someone staring at me far too long for their own liking.” A blush crept over your cheeks, Your hand that had been soothing your head finally came down to hold other hand. Immediately fidgeting.

“I was just thinking, M’ Sorry. Didn’t realize I had been staring at you until it was too late.” You awkwardly chuckle, Shrugging off your nervousness as Sirius’ eyes scanned over your form.

His smile was giving you butterflies in your stomach, almost as if you could actually throw up butterflies. “Not to worry, I know I’m really handsome that you just can’t resist me.” A smug smile appeared on his lips as he joked, going into a silly pose just to make you laugh.

And laugh you did. A snort almost came out of your lips as your hand covered your mouth. “I think hiding behind the curtains is not proper of us.” You cleared your throat as you peeked out of the curtain, looking around to see if anyone noticed.

“Right you are,” He said as he peeks out of the curtains as well. “I’ll go first so it doesn’t look suspicious of us.” He gives you a wink as he walks off, joining a group of teens who seemed to around your age and instantly fitting right in.

He didn’t have to speak before fitting into the conversation. He was that effortless. You slowly slipped out beneath the velvet drapes and stood still by it.

“He has a character about him that everyone just loves, doesn’t he?” A taller guy spoke from beside you, Making you jump once again. Why do they always appear out of nowhere?

You realized he was talking about Sirius. “He does,” You look back at Sirius for a moment before speaking up again. “Makes me wonder how him and his family are related.” You cross your arms before looking at the young man next to you.

He nods before giving you his name, His hand outstretched. “I’m Remus, Remus Lupin.” You took his hand, giving him a firm shake before it finally clicked in your head again. “You’re moony, Right?”

He snaps his fingers as he grins. “You are correct, I guess we’re that well known hm?” He shuffles in his position, Nodding at Sirius. “Well, Time to shine, See you later church mouse.” He says as he walks away from you.

Church mouse? Confusion set on your face for a bit. “Quiet as a church mouse..” You chuckled to yourself as you sighed. Guess you had a new nickname.

Your eyes set back onto Sirius, His laughter almost echoing throughout the ballroom. You could get used to his presence, A smile tugged onto your lips as Sirius looked at you and waved at you to come on over.

You won’t mind being a church mouse, As long as you are next to him.

Thank you for reading!

[adastra-sf]

Big Aurora Tonight!

(Also a penumbral lunar eclipse)

space weather forecast map courtesy of NOAA: X

Solar eruptions are sending a stream of particles toward Earth, creating spectacular auroras. Tonight's aurora will be visible in the northern hemisphere as far south as the American Midwest.

A large coronal mass ejection can contain a billion tons of matter accelerated up to several million miles per hour in a spectacular explosion.

CME image by the ESA/NASA SOHO spacecraft: X

Coronal mass ejections are clouds of plasma erupting from the Sun’s outer atmosphere. This solar material streams out through the interplanetary medium, impacting any planet or spacecraft in its path (often times taking out satellites). Particles striking Earth's protective magnetic field create the spectacular displays we call aurora. CMEs are sometimes associated with solar flares but can occur independently.

The shimmering spectacle comes on the same night as a penumbral lunar eclipse, which will be visible around the world.

[morphinefreudenthal]

Face animation hud for Genus Morphtoon head : // FREYA'S STUFF // Morph-Toon // Genus Animation Photo HUD

Body :

Mesh Head : GENUS MORPHtoon - Head Preset - Basic - Female - v1.1.1 + GENUS MORPHtoon - LipMorph Sweet v1.1.1 <= N E W@ Dubai

Face Skin : Bold & Beauty :: Aurora (Genus MHtoon) - VE Frost. <= N E W @ Très Chic Event

Body Skin : VELOUR: Angel Body Skin - SLIM (FROST/REBORN)

Hair : VCO ~ ZIZI Hair / Resizer /

Mesh Body :  eBODY - REBORN

Eyes : {S0NG} Nehelenia Eyes + !ONI LAB Eye system HUD <= N E W @ Magical Fair

Eyebrow : cloud9 sad toon brows tintable from cloud9 sadbunny (SLUV BOM)

Eyelashes : Void - Mirage Lashes: GenusMorphtoon

Accessories :

Eye makeup : HAYATIH: Anime Liners 1 / Genus MorphToon / SLUV + Hayatih: Anime Morphtoon glitter + Hayatih: Anime Morphtoon Eyebags <= N E W@ Gothcore

Blush : VELOUR "STARTER PACK" ADDON - BLUSH 01pink + VELOUR "STARTER PACK" ADDON - KAWAII BLUSH HIGHLIGHT

Face details : cloud9 toon cheek pores + cloud9 toon inner eye highlight + cloud9 toon nose bridge highlight + cloud9 toon waterliner + cloud9 mouth corner (from cloud9 sadbunny (SLUV BOM) pack )

Face glitter : !13ACT - Sparkling Freckles

Garter : TRIGGERED - Bri Garters (Black) + .STOIC. [ Reborn + Maze ] . BATTY CUFF [L]

Nails : Demonic Touch - bom/fingers (Ebody Reborn) + {Aii}

Piercings : . Cursery . - Essential Septums - (Black)

Fangs : . Cursery . - Petplay Fangs - Bone (Add Me!)

Ears and Tail : FP= DAE = PUNK Cat Animesh Ears xTail Pack

Body shine : ..TENEBRE.. - Twilight Shine - Fatpack <= N E W @ The Magical Fair

Collar : Ghoul - Tamahee Choker

Leg strap : torment. urs [reborn/r]

Rings : Vibing -- Ciara rings -- Onyx

Outfit :

Top : Moon Elixir x MUSE - Cruel Passion - Reborn - Bra

Bikini : RENIE : [Reborn] Ellie Bikini Top - Black

Shrug : RENIE : [Reborn] Kira Shrug - Black +PBR

Thong : Moon Elixir x MUSE - Cruel Passion - Reborn - Thong

Skirt : evani. Malice skirt +panties - eclipse

Shoes : .STOIC. [ UNPACKER ] . BRUTALISIM STOMPERS FATPACK

Pose :

Lyrium. Xue Set Posestand