#He knew shed chase after him and fall for the bait so he could get her alone but oh the deliciousness of her siblings pushing her away more

[mushroom-for-art]

Me writing the most self indulgent shit ever known to mankind lmao, also known as putting May through the pain suffering just because but this time it's Digimon, featuring our favourite horrid REDACTED belonging to @oogaboogaspookyman, he's here to be a cunt really, this is pretty dialogue heavy as lmao its basically just him bullying the shit out of her at her weakest point and rambling about things that would've happened previously in the time line and discussing May's troubled relationship post digimon time lmao, again self indulgent I just had these really specific scenes and gotta get them out lmao

Corruption

Digital energy crackled and pixelated from the unusual vortex in front of them, the crowd hushed and murmured in terror as something from within the blackness pushed forwards through into their world. May put herself at the front of the group shielding her siblings from view the best she could as Lopmon stood by her feet, ears spread to look more intimidating. Dripping dark energy pushed from the portal as sparks of red lightning cracked and whipped around shorting nearby electrical appliances as an unfortunately, familiar grinning maws greeted them, it didn't even try to look humanoid as a mouth closed and opened into a black eye with a frantic white pupil. The pupil bounced around scanning over the horrified faces of the people as its many mouths pulled into delighted grins with teeth large and sharp, a deep echoing laugh coming from each mouth and even the visible eye as it surveyed the terror gladly eating it up before its eye fell upon the three siblings narrowing to a pinpoint before blowing wide in entertainment and excitement.

"How, small and pitiful you all look, my even tinier than you were before."

It's voice mocked from its eyeball, still laughing from its mouths, the eye blinked into a mouth as other mouths closed and opened into eyes scanning around in an erratic manner, though more so to make them uncomfortable, this beast didn't know fear.

"I bet I could splatter you like insects right now, decorate your disease ridden world with your bright gorgeous blood."

"Then why don't you, you Prick." May's voice was cold and sharp as she glared taking a challenging step forward, "oh yea I know why, because you can't interact with this world, your data is too much and you can't fully come through so you just sit there and taunt trying to make us scared, trying to terrify people while you plot a way into this world. It didn't work last time though did it? And I'm not going to fucking let you try again." An eye fell upon her watching her as its other mouths twisted and contorted out of shape.

"Then why don't you come and stop me?"

It asked simply as it started to pull backwards into the portal, the pavement splitting from the ground beginning to float as the portal moved awkwardly into the sky, the slabs of pavement swirling around it as the creature grinned at them.

"Well, digidestine? Can you stop me this time? Or have you already lost too much?"

As its form disappeared, May could only grit her teeth as Lopmon looked up at her for guidance.

"We can't go through that portal May, times synced now in the digital world, we'll lose real time here. Let some other people deal with it, we can't be the digidestine anymore." Her sister spoke behind her and May looked at in confusion and disbelief at what she was hearing, even Salmon looked uncomfortable at the idea they weren't going to do something nuzzling into her sisters leg, May opened her mouth to argue that there was no one else they'd met no other younger digidestine.

"No." Matts voice snapped, "look you might have gotten out of that ordeal fine 10 years ago, but some of us did lose too fucking much!" His voice was a snarl as he moved to touch where his lower arm had been removed from his body, Labramon whimpered against Matt as he crouched on the floor, guilt and shame washing through May making her heart hurt. "You might not be so lucky next time, I wasn't." His words stabbed into her as she looked at him, her sister nodded a bit awkwardly adding.

"We got really banged up last time, I mean, you've seen the scars I got, you've seen what happened to Matt, you got off easy but you're not indestructible." May's hands clenched into fists, their words becoming poisoned jabs, snide hateful remarks for years and years, snipping snapping biting into her over and over as her eyes became wet with frustration.

"Fine. I wasn't even going to fucking ask you to come. I'll fucking deal with this myself." She turned walking away from them quickly, "let the weakest link smash that cunts face in!" Her voice a frustrated yell as she leapt onto a floating pave slab with Lopmon leaping up behind her following.

"May don't be fucking stupid for once in your life!" Her sisters words fell on deaf ears as she leapt and flipped up the platforms with acrobatic precision, ignoring her sister cussing her out insulting her, as she got closer to the portal the air felt static like as Lopmon flew up besides her, digital energy engulfed them both as they disappeared through the dark of the portal.

The local advertising screens came to life displaying the digital island they'd found themselves upon years ago as Dianamon landed gracefully but with force. She walked with a dangerous tremor in her step, "Where are you?! Come out you coward. Let's end this!" May and Lopmons voice overlapped creating an almost new voice as they scowled around looking for the black ink beast. She heard him laughing before she saw him, barely dodging a large black spike that ripped through the ground and would have went right through her.

"My my, all on your own? No siblings to back you up? No lover? Oh yes I forgot, he replaced you didn't he?"

She slashed at him with her moon sickle slicing through the black inky body as the ink fell to the ground with a splat before crawling away to a larger mass of blackness as the creature took form again, still inhuman with eyes and teeth grinning at her. She lunged at him again swinging and striking with her weapon, retreating to draw back her bow and shoot arrows through his inky substance splatting it off and watching it disintegrate. She wasn't going to amuse his games. Despite her attacking he seemed pleased simply reforming lost mass to sustain himself as he dodged or allowed her to slash his form just to pull himself up somewhere else.

"I suppose it does make sense. I mean, you always held them together, you were the link in their chain that strengthened them and how do they respond to that?"

He laughed a wicked laugh as a morphed pale form of her sister pulled through the black slime walking towards her with hollow black eyes. When it spoke it used her voice, it sounded distant like a recording rather than the vocal mimicry it did for its usual voice.

"Why do you always ruin things for me?! You're so fucking selfish you know why are you even in this fucking contest?! You just want to show me up! And are you happy?! I only came second because you fucked with my brain! Why the fuck would you go 'best of luck sis', don't you have any idea how much fucking pressure that puts on me to perform well when I know you're just going to do better?! You're such a shitty person sometimes May, I wish you'd fucking disappear sometimes!!"

Her sisters voice screamed at her even if it felt distant, May leapt back as the fake hollow version of her sister collapsed into black sludge as his voice laughed mockingly before tutting.

"Aw, now that really wasn't very kind."

It doubled over on itself laughing as its mouths snapped with teeth and its eyes rolled around.

"I mean, she was right, you were always better at the gymnast stuff. That must put an awful lot of pressure on her, funny though, you never ever won, not even third."

It straightened to look at her twisting it's head as it leant forward, it's body turned to sludge by another swing of the moon blade but that didn't stop it talking.

"Kind of stupid of her not to notice, why did you never tell her huh? Why did you ruin your own performances with rookie mistakes on purpose to receive worse points when she hated you for even being there? For daring exist?"

She gripped her weapon tightly, not giving it the satisfaction of an answer as it cackled dark ink encircling her and grabbing at her ankles before she slashed it away and flew up to avoid his mocking grabs.

"Oh that's right, because you loved her or something. When was the last time she was kind to you May? When was the last time you felt loved by your sister and not just shame and hatred?"

Dianamon shook her head to rid his voice from her ears, she couldn't afford to think of individual components right now, she was Dianamon now, she can be May later, she couldn't risk dedigivolving and losing her advantage. It seemed to sense her struggling shooting up black tendrils that slammed her back into the ground with a sickening crunch of something and a horrid gasp of pain from the celestial Digimon as she forced herself to her feet before the ink tried to consume her.

"You really struggle and fight so much for people that seem to loathe you, most of the world doesn't know you exist and yet here you are fighting to try to save it, but when has the world ever done anything for you? I know none of you received acknowledgement for what happened ten years ago, doesn't that make your blood boil in rage? That you risked life and well, your brothers limb and all you got was the terror and fear screaming, crying for help as you cradled your unconscious brother as his arm bled new blood."

Its mouth quirked into a wicked smile as her expression darkened knowing it had touched a nerve. She slashed and attacked with everything she had yelling in anger and pain trying to destroy him as his corrupted data mass remained consistent allowing flecks to crumble away to make a form to be slashed to keep her eye to exhaust her as it laughed at her torment. From the ink a pale Matt formed looking at her with bleeding black eyes as it too approached her.

"Look you might have gotten out of that ordeal fine 10 years ago, but some of us did lose too fucking much!"

His voice was distant like a recording once more as it parroted back things that had been said. More and more words came from its blackened mouth phrases that she'd heard throughout the years since coming back, passive aggressive 'good for you's, snarly snapping remarks, and things she hadn't heard, spiteful bitter whispers of 'why me', a cold harsh 'it should have been her,' that made her throat go dry and heart almost clench as though grabbed and crushed, Dianamon couldn't afford to cry and yet her eyes watered and her grip on her weapon trembled.

Once more the pale clone copy collapsed back into the blackness as it taunted and laughed.

"What a cruel thing to say! He said it often as well, oh how he wished you had suffered instead of him, he thinks it's unfair, unjust, that he didn't deserve it, how funny he believes that you in turn did deserve it. Its quite funny actually! I suppose it's because you never told him the full truth did you? I mean, you wouldn't have dared he lost his arm. Who are you to tell him it was going to be worse? And that you stopped it being worse like some savior when he was going through such a horrible affair, you would've looked like quite the dick, I can understand why you kept it to yourself."

Dianamons made more empty slashes at her tormentor, snarling "JUST SHUT UP AND DIE! I'LL DESTROY US BOTH IF IT STOPS YOU FUCKING TALKING!!" But it only cackled at her swirling and forming eyes and taunting mouths as it without her knowledge began to destroy the data around them, disintegrating trees and rocks leveling the area slowly.

"How fittingly self-destructive. You always did value others more than yourself."

Another hollow pale form, this time herself, or well the form of May, Dianamon struggled to maintain its own identity as the voice of May parroted from the past spoke.

"Please god don't hurt him! He's my baby brother, please you can take anything from me, humans, we have all kinds of interesting organs! Yea yea, I'll trade you, you could have my kidney! And you give him back yes? Please, I am begging you please take from me don't hurt him my skin, my hair, my eyes, my lungs Fuck you could take my heart kill me right now just just please, please let him go, please, he means too much to me I will do anything just don't please don't take him from me please"

Dianamons eyes watered uncomfortably at sickening memories from the past, her brother unconscious as an Archnemon regards him for experimentation for devouring planning to hack him apart and then dissolve his flesh. The hollow stared forward and through her before screaming horribly as it was cut open by nothing, Dianamon tearing her eyes away cringing and exhaling a shaky breath through her nose at they remembered the sensation of large hands plunging into her guts and pulling out what it wanted, the carving of her organs and the teeth, the horrid teeth that sank into her wound ripping her flesh away from her body and the sickening enjoyment the Archnemon had taken from the experience, helplessly caught in the creature web, and then the guilt and horror as it took a cleavor and-

Dark tendrils slammed her chest sending her flying backwards hitting the ground and bouncing slightly as she cried out her weapon flying from her hands and disintegrating before it hit the ground as she weakly hauled herself into a kneel.

"That was a dirty move." She snapped, but her component's were struggling, tears ran out of one eye at the guilt of not being able to stop the twisted digimon from taking her brothers arm. It only laughed at her in enjoyment feeling her terror, guilt and pain with great satisfaction. She pulled herself to stand but her body was struggling, the phantom pains still ripping away at her body as she shuddered, she'd never told anyone about what happened, not the truth at least. Dianamon shook her head, May had never told anyone but she was not May right now.

Black ink shot out in the form of a large hand grabbing her body and began to squeeze before she could even move, her armor crushing uncomfortably into her body as the entity pulled itself up out the ink and took on a painfully familiar form, it copied the face and body of, someone May once cared deeply for, another crush from the hand engulfing her body and Dianamon faded. Lopmon fell to the ground with a weak groan as May remained crushed in the grip.

"Lopmon run!" May attempted to struggle as the tired rookie pushed itself to stand stumbling before the ink wrapped around its body dragging the bunny-like digimon by its ankles to the twisted form of May's old crush. They tried to attack, opening their mouth weakly to summon energy before the pale humanoid grabbed its mouth shut harshly with a snarl.

"Behave little one, would be a shame to destroy something that could be of use to me. Besides, i'll kill your human if you're a brat."

Lopmon whimpered but couldn't fight, too injured and tired from being Dianamon, and May was weakening too. It looked over at her and slowly the large hand pulled down into the earth releasing and leaving her standing though with difficulty she swayed and gave a weak glare as it scoffed at her before it was right in front of her with astonishing speeds it's pale hands grabbing her face, Lopmon tossed aside, as it arched over her threateningly, grinning with too many teeth at the wonderful fear from her.

"You've always intrigued me, such fight such love and for what?"

It's grip tightened threateningly on her face as she tried to pull away and shake her head sinking in claws to draw blood making her still as Lopmon was restrained in dark inky tendrils, the surroundings barren now save for his corrupting black ink.

"Don't make me pop out your eyeballs~"

It's tone faked sweetness as his thumbs pressed under her eyes threateningly.

"It's a shame he gave you up the way he did, choosing another woman while you were kept apart by distance, it's like everything you went through meant nothing to him, like he didn't care about the bantering you shared, the stories the company, do you think he thought of you as much as you him? It must hurt knowing you don't matter so much to someone, that they can replace you just like that."

A finger snapped for emphasis on another arm before it disappeared, his tone was quieter than usual it was almost sympathetic comforting as her eyes began to water against her control, tears rolling down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe, all the repressed feelings all the times she made herself be strong crashing down on her so now she was weak, bubbling pathetically under her worst enemies watching gaze as she cried against her control. She was unloved and despised, she wasn't enough for the people she cared deeply about and she couldn't stop him she couldn't protect them she couldn't save the world from his plans to destroy it and now he was going to kill her, and the worst part was she was alone. The people she loved weren't coming to save her. Her breathing choked as her knees felt weak. She wanted to rip his hands from her face to just collapse and cry to pull her eyes away but he held her firm and her eyes were locked to his.

"Sweet little thing, all alone and unloved. You tried so hard to be the best you could be and to be good enough, you sacrificed so much of yourself, didn't you?"

She choked a breath, her head nodding against her control as her knees gave out and desperately grabbing at his arms fearing that she would fall and he would simply pull and rip her head from her body, but the tug never came, his hands didn't move as she gripped to him weakly her body slightly limp as his thumbs wiped against her cheeks in a way that was almost soothing if she wasn't so terrified for why he was acting this way, she was so so tired, every moment her energy seemed to be sapped. Was this his plan? Cradle her till she expired, taking her life energy? Maybe he was going to take her body upon her last breath turning her into a puppet to get to the real world. She could only fear more at every passing second.

She could feel the ink starting to crawl up her body, oh god he was going to turn her into a flesh puppet for his data. She didn't even have the energy to struggle.

"You're so tired aren't you? So tired of not being enough for some people, tired of hurting in silence, tired of thinking, tired of existing, tired of hurting because of other people. You just want to stop thinking don't you? Stop worrying, stop hurting. I can make all that go away, empty your mind of all that aching all that anguish, I wouldn't hurt you like he would. "

As she stared up at him his face began to slowly slide off and melt almost before his face fell and splattered black flesh and liquid right onto her face, she gasped in horror choking on the foul ink as it slid down her throat and up her nose and crawled into her eyes, she tries to struggle but her body couldn't move wanting to cough up the black corruption but only choking further as he threw his body backwards to howl in laughter removing his hands from her face as she collapsed from choking and the blackness already wrapped around her legs. He watched her spluttering on the floor on her back, black liquid bubbling up out her mouth as she choked and her eyes turned black, the corruption engulfed her pulling her down into itself with only a few bubbles as the last of her breath was taken. The creature grinned as its form became twisted once more, despising the humanoid guise it needed to use.

He hadn't been lying, he had always been intrigued by that one, she was just so corruptible, pushed to the edge of darkness by those around her every day, they really did all the hard work for him. Once he was through with her well he could have his fun before disposing of the last of the filth known as humanity, but until then he now held a very powerful ace, a Kelpymon and a digidestine corrupt to his whim. It glanced over to a patch of pixelated space, knowing the human world could see him and could only grin as the fear, they were right to be afraid of him. He slashed his claw through it ending the connection, laughing to himself, he shouldn't have been surprised by the lack of help really, May was the link that strengthened the chain, with her gone well all that was left was the coward and the clown, as for his human guise well he had his own better life now, why would he risk it. What a blight on this world. Selfish creatures. Horrid creatures. Oh well. They'll all get what they deserve.

[fieldofgoldenrushes]

Rose is a strategist

My best friend and I were doing our monthly rewatch of the show when I noticed something that made me wish they shed more light on.

Even though it was a given that Rose was one of the best fighters in the Huntsclan since she was raised and trained by the Huntsman himself. But she had to have proven to the Huntsmaster that she was worth to be his apprentice.

We already know that Rose can take care of herself in battle—the many times she fought Jake with or without the Huntsman, the guardian serpent, the chimera. And clearly she needed to have endurance, strength, agility, and accuracy to be able to be on the field. However the one thing I noticed that was one of Rose’s biggest strength was that she was talented in coming up with plans for offense and defense. And she was also very resourceful of her surroundings when she needed to be.

Here are the few times when Rose proved that she was a great strategist.

1.The Ski Trip

This was the episode that practically introduced Rose’s capabilities and showed that her training did pay off.

While Rose was on the ski trip, she was given a mission by the Huntsmaster to capture a yeti and send it back to the Huntsclan. While we didn’t see how she was able to trap the creature, we were shown that she was able to capture the yeti twice in this episode. No doubt she used her knowledge of magical creatures to lure the yeti into her traps.

Then, after she found out that the American Dragon was in the same area as her, she decided to use the yeti as bait and catch him in the same traps she set up. This idea would have been risky because they were in the middle of a snow storm but it’s like she knew that he would come immediately the second he knew a magical creature was defenseless. She literally hiked out of the blizzard to set up her trap in the highest peak of a mountain to make sure the American Dragon could see her and then set her plan in motion.

It would have been nice to be able to see her set them up because it would have shown how resourceful she is as well. She was literally in a forest full of snow and all she had to work with was wood and her staff.

That’s pretty impressive if you ask me.

2. The Hunt

This episode gave us two moments that showed how quickly Rose was to make a plan on the spot.

The first was when she lured Jake into the subway. One may argue that it must have been the Huntsman who came up with the idea, I’m not doubting it but the way Rose executed the plan made me believe she tweaked it a little bit.

Because even though the Huntsman had more experiences, Rose knew Jake. She knew her enemy and what made him tick. At this point, she knew it was his ego. So instead of shooting right at him, she shot at the roof behind him, making him think she missed, only for the debris to fall onto him and initially bruising his ego. That was enough for him to give chase.

Then there was the time when Jake tried to use himself as a distraction to give the other captives a chance to run free. While the rest of the Huntsclan were busy trying to shoot him down, Rose went ahead and snuck around Jake and surprised him with a trap she came up with on the spot. Remember this was the time when she wanted nothing more than to slay her first dragon and fulfill her destiny so she should have been the one desperately trying to shoot down Jake more than the others. But instead she thought quick on her feet and managed to capture him again.

3. Homecoming

I say this episode was the biggest showcase of how insane Rose’s abilities as a strategist really is.

Huntsman found out Rose was a double agent and used her parents as blackmail—mind you, she hasn’t even met them yet—to get the last of the Aztec Skulls for him. Faced with an impossible choice between the family she always wanted and the boy she loved, she did what the Huntsman did and led him to the skulls. At this point, everything seemed like it was going downhill; the Huntsman got the skulls, Jake and his crew were powerless, and Rose seemingly betrayed everyone to get the normal life she dreamed of.

Then all of a sudden, just as the Huntsman was about to make his wish, Rose shoots him in the back and stole his chance and wished for the destruction of the Huntsclan instead. It was a huge plot twist.

Rewatching this episode made me realize that Rose came up with this plan on the spot.

This girl knew that she wasn’t in the position to win it all. She had to lose one or the other in order to defeat the Huntsman. She couldn’t just destroy the skulls because the Huntsman already knew Jake’s identity and he could go after his friends or family. And if she didn’t follow through then she would have lost her parents. The problem of it all was the Huntsclan itself so she figured there would be peace without their existence even if it cost her her own life.

So she took her time and put her plan into motion once she saw the opportunity. She betrayed Jake by giving the skulls to the Huntsman yet she betrayed the Huntsman to use the skulls against him. She betrayed everyone in order to save the magical world.

It was genius.

4. Hong Kong Longs

A little side note: I want to point out that I’m glad the creators reminded everyone what a badass Rose was in this episode. Girl just got her memories back and she sprung into action without hesitation. Her loyalty is insane.

Back to the topic, on the very last episode, Rose once again showed why she’s an excellent fighter. She had just gotten her memories back, she knew very little of the situation—she only ran with what Jake told her—and she came to the temple to help everyone defeat the Dark Dragon. She probably already knew who he was since he was a notorious villain in the magical world but this is the first time she’s ever fought him and she doesn’t know the extent to his powers but she still held up her own very well without a plan.

Up until the last minute. It was obvious that she was just distracting the Dark Dragon long enough until everyone got out to safety. But when the temple started to fall, she used it to her own advantage; she tricked the Dark Dragon to break a few pillars and that caused the rest of the temple to fall onto him, giving her a chance to escape. Even though she wasn’t able to successfully get out as some of the temple fell on her, it was a smart move for her to use her surroundings to slow him down and potentially send him down to his death.

In conclusion, it’s not wonder how Rose became the Huntsgirl and why she’s one of the most badass characters of the show.

[phoenixfire-thewizardgoddess]

Thinking about which entities the Apex Legends would serve, or be associated with, in the Magnus Archives universe.

It revolves around a weird little fic in my brain i will probably never write. Technically most of them are a mixture, but I'm in between rounds and I dont have time for a full analysis.

Crypto - The Stranger. Loss of self, of identity, being something other to achieve your goal. To abdicate who you are in pursuit of a goal, smile as you lie to the faces of people who assume you are friends... and plan to fade away once you have what you came for. IS that not the Stranger?

Fuse - The Corruption. If Salvo is to be believed, then things are very apocalyptic wasteland there; imagine the things that he has seen, has done, has experienced. It eats into your soul until abhorrent is merely a practicality... what's an arm between mates, ay?

Bangalore - The End, she seems like the type who wants a definitive start and finish to things. Order over Chaos, at any cost. It might start out as good intentions, but you know how the avatars get twisted. If the world has to end so her squad can make it home together, then so damn be it.

Bloodhound - The Hunt, naturally. Only their unwavering adherence to the code keeps them from falling to the warping feral mindset of the Hunt... for now. For Boon.

Caustic - The Eye, and in the headcanon, an archivist. Because of the way the archivist needs fear to live, to observe things die, to extract every second of fear from the victims so that their every last neuron firing in exquisite agony is transferred to his patron. He watches, for the Eternal watcher. He is not quite human anymore, and it is unsettling for normal people to be close... but he is not the greatest threat out there amongst the fears.

Lifeline - The Stranger. Lifeline woke up to the world she was moving about in, as a living prop for her parents, and severed the ties that held her in place. She shed all the artifice of her former life and took on a role so different that old friends (bar Octane) would likely have trouble understanding. She uses her abilities to help, and to hurt based on her own judgements.

Gibraltar - The Buried. Gibraltar is such a loud, fun guy and yet we know he is utterly buried under the weight of his past. Certainly it is not the metaphorical burial that we would normally expect from this Fear, but it can be almost more effective than dirt. He carries the weight of the earth on his shoulders, and feels a sinking dread in his heart for every grain that slips from his grasp.

Horizon - The Lonely. Trapped in space for decades... away from family, knowing that the person who she trusted most placed her in this situation and now has full access to her son? Of course, there is comfort in the solitude. She feels out of time, out of place, searching for a way to get back and yet torn by the implications of finding a path. Will she burn down the future to see her little boy again? ...of course she will.

Loba - The Web. Loba thrives on collecting information, weaving it together into a complicated tangle of deceptions laid bare, truths hidden, and creates a narrative that she can rign over. The flies who tremble in her webbing mean little to her, only weak beings to be devoured. She can see what is coming, but will she tell the others? Perhaps only Bangalore, so that they may experience the apocalypse as one.

Pathfinder - The Flesh. Pathfinder is obsessed with his origin, with who his 'parents' were, with whom his purpose rests. With being human, like those around him, you could say. He has more sentience than other MRVNs, and wants to experience life as his friends do... does he dream os bones and blood and sinew? Of feeling another's flesh on his own when he gives them a hug? The Flesh would whisper that he could have that... and warp the morality in his code.

Octane - The Vast, endless space to run and be free from mortal tethers. Being the sole focus of the universe, with no one to expect things of you, or question you, or need more, expect MORE. He can be free, without thought or care for anyone else... except maybe Che, and he would let her into his domain, whenever he remembered.

Revenant - The Slaughter. Murder was his thing when he was human, and it never stopped. He feels delight in the conquests, in the bodies he leaves behind. The bloodlust pulses through his circuits; the tears of those he leaves alive sustain him.

Rampart - The Spiral. Rampart is a walking wall of complicated thoughts and contradictory actions, she spirals deep into thought about the most complex machinery... and then tells the friend she's half-listening to a bad joke to make them laugh. Layers upon layers of personality cover her like armour, and everyone has a different idea of who the 'real' Rampart is. They all see a fraction, they follow the path she leaves, and in the middle? Who knows. Not even Rampart. There is a delight in the confusion of others, strange but excellent, and not even deliberately malicious. After all, mates have fun, right?

Wattson - The Eye. This was a child created for Knowing, and she would love the intricacies of chasing down obscure mysteries or finding out how to reroute a potentially world-ending ritual with her scientific mind. She could easily be tempte by the Lonely... but her friends in the legends make certain she is never alone. Wattson can be cruel, but often to be kind... and really, sometimes the Truth Hurts. Does it not?

Wraith - The Buried. What is wraith but a person whose mind and memories are buried away where they cannot be reached? In a sense, she is gone but still breathing. Suffocating under the weight of not knowing who she is, was, should be.

Mirage - The Dark. Fear of being alone, of being forgotten, of being turned away from all you ever knew. The fear of being nothing and no one... is almost as terrifying and all-consuming as the fear of being surrounded by people whose attention is solely on him, watching and waiting for his every word. Baite breaths waiting for him to fall from grace so he can shatter before their cameras, so they can get notoriety. His mind wants, and rejects it. He fears the darkness of being in the shadows of others... and craves it.

Valkyrie - The Vast. She craves the emoty stretch of sky, where the world looks so small and speckled below her. Something she is aware of, but separate from. The tragedy of her father's loss made her seek solitude, and even in the midst of the other heroes, she has a sense of... other, of distance. She is queen of the air, and nothing can burn her wings.

[psychemeanscure]

PART 9

“Did you really expect me to let you drive by my watch? I don’t trust you, move.”

As he expected indeed. He was supposed to protest even, if he only hasn’t sense her stern look as if she’s going to bait him alive thus he had no choice but to snort and just move from the driver seat to the passenger side. “Tss. I can’t understand you really. Most woman would rather go crazy if a man offers a gentleman act. Then there is you who’s totally opposite. Are you sure you were from this earth? Don’t you think you were actually from different planet, because I do think you a--- hmp! Hey! What’s wrong with you, woman?”

His prompt halt from his rants for he has been hit by a tossed pack of wet wipes, only to be answered casually of his bulldozer. “Wipe that stain of blood on your knuckles, it creeps me out even a while ago. Tss. Do you really randomly punch someone that even mornings aren’t acceptable? Poor day.”

Her nonchalant blusters surely after closing the small compartment in front of him, putting her phone from her coat’s pocket. While he in the other hand only had to groan unpleased, urging to follow her instructions anyway. “Now what a word to say welcome. You do love tossing things on my face eh? I can’t even tell if I had to say thank you or rant with your behavior. Jeez, I can’t understand woman really.”        

Unbothered anyhow, as she starts the engine instead and clasp the steering wheel. “So? Where are we heading, then?” getting a swift coy expression from him somehow like he himself is as well excited from his own idea for he encodes the exact location on its car’s installed GPS navigation device in no time. “There you are. Feel free to process anything. I can wait though.” Truly she should, as she even has to blink twice, eyeing between the device and the man who is looking at her with an elbow leaning to its car’s door panel to be able to rub his playful smirk by his forefinger. Expectant brows, waiting for her obvious positive answer. “What? You, in?”

Finally, the snickering laugh she keep on holding vent into actions. “God! I can’t believe I am actually biting this idea of yours Jang Taeyoung.” Her unbelievable approval from herself truly that another laugh had to come into her again. “Fine. But just one thing, Jang. No shed of blood. please?”                

Contemplating from the thought but solve it in a way. “Hm?... I can’t promise though. But since you say so. Then noted, my lady.”

“Thank you.” Trusting his words definitely, as she steps on the pedal to finally start their drive ultimately.

~

“Now wha--- Oh sh--- Yah!”

Her supposed to be question the moment they arrive from the location, only to be startled totally that she almost jumps onto her seat. For she certainly not notices the Jang Taeyoung beside her casually putting a peculiar mask she never expected. Given his intention to actually lean purposely straight close to her face with his intimidating aura. Who wouldn’t be surprise indeed. Opposite to now laughing him, that a frown came into her seemingly. “Stop laughing you, cabrón.”  Just to hear his proceeding faded laugh anyway. “Sorry. My bad. Did I frighten you?”

That she had to only look him with piercing eyes. “What do you think, loco?” Garnering another laugh from him then. “Shut up.” Her stern warning finally, thus he decides to bring back his composure. “Hoo. Alright. This is hell of enough indeed.” As he tends to fix his silver crystal-like mask by the rear view mirror of the car, that later made her cringe somehow. “Do you really have to wear that one? Weird.” Her criticizing statement definitely, only to earn a smirk from him.

“You think you were the only one who has a disguise? Mind you my lady, I have mine too.”

And it was enough for her to stilled. Not because of his fancy mask, nor the content of his remark. It’s because she is seeing a different Jang Taeyoung. A different voice she never knew existed. A face that could make anyone stutter. He is that one, the one who is right now. Sensing her astonishment someway, he retaliates another remark certainly. “Surprise? Nah, my volatile. Save that for later, for we have work to be done. Though you just have to sit here and relax. Alright?”

“It’s show time.”

By the moment his watch strike with another tick, and a chew of his freshly open bubblegum. He finally went open its car’s door, winking at her for the last time. “Watch me.” His last sentence as well, closing the door, leaving the still tongue-tied her who just had to watch his every move from afar. 

That’s what she did anyway, except for the fact that she’s still in processing things from her thoughts. Just later to notice his selected men who actually came for nowhere with mask on as well different from him though. “So he planned it all along? Look this peccable man, really. Tss.”

She doesn’t want to admit, but she does enjoy the little rebellious act he gave truly. That at every stumble and fall of the kiddo’s men makes her heart boil in rejoice. The way they smoothly ruin the things inside the warehouse and as how the shuttering expression of the young Alcaziar is nothing but achievement.  

“Oh ow.” Yet, just how she thought it went smoothly as she can see less men from the enemy. For it’s actually the other way around after learning there’s still tons of them coming. Then she decided. “Guess, a little contribution might help.” She starts without a doubt definitely.

“Get in.” her firm suggestion indeed, the moment she roll down the backseat window by the driver side window switch. Turning to him who swiftly jumps inside it expertly, taking off his mask surely after another roll up of the window.  

“Faster, Sung Eunyoung.”

His straight request later after taking its glances to the rear glass. Allowing a sinister laugh to subdue. “Catch morons, catch! As if you can.”  Proceeded with another laugh again, enjoying every show he started through the presence of his chewing gum. While she in the other hand, manage to drive every alley of narrow streets she can seize. She’s loving it as well. Given police cars tried to chase them as well as the enemy’s drive. And it only increases the wonderful excitement of emotions inside her that she can’t even help but to squeal from their blasting overdrive. “Wohow! I’m loving this very much! Really~”

“Want to make the live action more pleasurable?”

He even succeeded offering his own sunnies that she gladly accepted as well. “Truly.” And with the last puff from a random engine…

“Bang yah!”

His urging eagerness and her screeching cheering surely vent into unison. Appearing clasp by each other’s hand from the menacing fun they just surpassed.  

~ 

“That was fun.”

Her flowing satisfaction from just finished fuss indeed. After a clink of each other’s canned beer while siting the nightly overview of Han River. “Loving my present?”

“Very.”

“Guess we did click as business partners after all, eh?” Her approving words after a sip of her beer somehow. “Really? I’m even close on hiring you as my drifting partner even. You do have a knack for escaping. I like it. Would you allow me though?”  

A shake from her head takes in, while he starts to sip with his own beer as well. “Shut it, Jang Taeyoung. I will never. Thanks anyway.”

“There you are with your rejection again. Tss. I’m sure you had done it before either.” He decides to sit on the trunk of the car near the rear window at that point making them a bit close since she was leaning to the backseat car door as well. Remembering a certain event somehow. “Well. Kind off. I once help Lee Chanwoo when his MCMC nightclub had been jeopardized. But the coño just complained about me bumping his car with another. Jeez.”

As she rests her left hand under her right elbow, sipping another taste of her beer. Yet, a simple nuance that made him praise her again. Savoring the once in a while moment where they were just randomly talking about things.      

“Wah… It’s been a long time since I talk with this classy, you, huh? I realize I missed it.”

An arching brow give in to her surely. “Eh? What are you talking about, I’m always classy you, lo---“

“Without insulting me. Yes, you do still classy.” Guilty indeed, but not quite as she remembers the reason why. “What is this? Am I to be blame now? It’s your fault anyway. If not, you being a troublemaker and sl---“

“Sly fox? Fine, I admit. I am that person. But hey! I only act like that with you though.”

His defense indeed, just to be responded by a rolling of her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. As if I care, mister. Care to share your first happenings with that knuckles instead?” her abrupt shift of topic somehow, after seeing his now band-aided hand, that he knew what she meant. The encounter before their prompt live action started. The one he chose not to be heard by her. “Ah… This? Nah. Not so important. No need for your concern.”

“Concern in your dreams, loco. Tss.”

Thus a nonchalant laugh came into him. He does love teasing her, really. “Oh come on, love. Don’t deny… I know you d---“

“Another word of that love of yours, Jang Taeyoung. And am I going to choke you for real.”

Threatening him finally, as she had been keeping that rant all throughout the day. But what can she expect for a sly like him either. “Ah. Is that so? Mi amor it is, then.”

“Yah. You’re not listening, are you?”

Ready to throw her empty can surely, if he still insists. “What? It was you who suggested that. It seems to be your liking. Don’t you remember?” He did exactly so. Not her disappointed by how he swiftly dodges it as soon as he gets off on the trunk, running and laughing by her gloomy face. “Come back here! You, loco!”

There she ends up chasing him without a doubt. If not for his assistant’s arrival to junk the car they had just used. They wouldn’t stop rather. “Take care of it, alright?” Tossing the key of it indeed, before turning to her who was halt from stepping into the passenger seat of another car they intended to drive. “Before I forgot.” Purposely stopping his words to leaning closer to her. “You look stunning back there.”

She sure not following what he meant by his whisper. The only thing she knew right then, was that he’s starting with his tactics on her again that she had to shake her head from the obvious. “Whatever, Jang Taeyoung.” And with his last coy smile, he finally closes the car door for her. And just how he simply got the chance to drive her home again.

“Thank you for today, Jang. I sincerely am.”

Her overwhelming gratitude that he gradually welcomes even. Little not knowing, that it could probably also the last day they’ll be in sync.

[pine-inserts]

Unwind

Alright, this is my first time posting and I'm so hella anxious shsjsjsjs I didn't polish the grammar so I apologize, i just knew if i took anymore time on it I'd never have the guts to actually post

TW: mention of rape / pedophilia

Fluff/Slice of Life

Pairings: Batman x Reader Bruce Wayne x Reader

she/her pronouns, no character description

"5 minutes until sunrise." The modulated voice spoke, breaking concentration. Batman releasing a criminal from his iron grip and letting him drop in a bloodied heap, the robotic voice in his head drumming and repeating the words until his heart rate had slowed and his blood calmed.

His gloves had begun chafing the ridges of his fingers, finally breaking them in with his excessive force on the man unconscious beneath him.

He had witnessed the man attempt to break into the apartment beside them, home to a young girl and her parents.

A rapist. Child rapist. Pedophile. His eyes narrowed again to the man and he felt his blood begin to drum again.

He let go of his baited breath and pulled the handcuffs from his belt. Hooking them onto the mans wrist as he set him upright to the alley wall. Batman looked over and saw the battered camera had skidded near the street and he reached to grab it.

Bringing it closer to his face, he observed the digital camera as the lens had cracked in the center. The paint chipped on the edges, but when he held the on button down it turned on easily with the pictures readily available. He shut it back off.

The evidence was enough for Gordon to know why the man was in his state. He set the camera in the mans lap when the roar of sirens echoed down the empty street.

Batman stood, grabbing his grappling gun and shooting it off to the nearest building. As he did, he looked up to see a young girl in the window. Her sleepy, bleary eyes widening when she made eye contact with him and he simply pressed a gloved finger to his lip, and released the gun as he shot up in the remaining night sky.

By the time he reached the garage with the batmobile hidden inside, the sun had just barely begun to peek over the morning clouds. He walked over to the batmobile, sliding into the drivers seat. He releasing a deep sigh once he was settled, knowing by the time he returned home it would be morning.

Y/N might even be awake when he returned.

He pulled the gloves off, letting the bare skin cool against the steering wheel as the chafed, redness of his hands were relieved from the confines of the thick leather. Just the barest hint of humanity brought back to him and Bruce felt the entirety of the night replay in his head like he was in a theater.

The batmobile roared to life beneath his palms, and he tore out of the garage.

East end, he was near Robinson Park where an underground tunnel to the batcave was. His hands rolling the steering wheel to turn on Burbaker street and straight to the tunnel. The growing daylight chasing the batmobile as he drove through the underground road and headlights blaring on the cavern walls.

The light had faded soon after, he was much too quick for the daylight to catch him. Now, he was left in the dark until the tunnel opened up to the batcave.

Preparing the full stop, he pressed the break and drove right into the mobiles natural spot. The inorganic lights turning on within his presence and he turned the batmobile off before getting out.

The sharp breath he made brought in the metallic and murky scent, the scent of home. His steps echoing as he walked to the computer as the screen lit up with the face of the man he had just left in the alley.

"Gerrick Tiller. 43, divorced with restraining order. Registered class 2 sex offender." He read. Knowing Gordon, Tiller would be class 3 by breakfast with possession of child pornography and charged with trespassing.

Gordon didn't fuck around with sex offenders, and whatever Batman could do to them Gordon did ten fold. Legally of course.

The computer went black, he stepping towards the suits as saw his reflection in the glass and pulled the cowl off.

Sweat. It just dripped down his neck as the rush of cold, murky air hit his face and he closed his eyes to feel it all.

This was the most human he felt, taking each piece off and letting the shell fall off as if he was shedding the skin of the Batman to be Bruce again.

Just Bruce. Not the billionaire Bruce Wayne. Just. Bruce.

When the suit was off, he reapplied it to the mannequin and was left in his briefs. His eyes scanning at the bruises on his side as he clenched his stomach to feel how sore he might be.

Not bad this time around, he was getting better at fending off multiple offenders at once. His eyes turning to the purple mark on his chest that he lightly prodded before smiling.

Not a bruise, a remnant of his evening before on parole. Maybe Y/N wasn't up yet, it was a Saturday. The office would be closed today.

Bruce's bare feet patted on the metal flooring as he stepped into the enclosed bathroom he had implemented. The sight of the toilet alone made his lower stomach ache and he was reminded it had been 5 hours since his last relief.

He made quick work, toilet and shower. Not exactly enjoying the shower since the plumbing wasn't at the best in the cave. The water was ice cold, yet also grounded him better than hot water could.

His mind jumped from one point to the next, the shower needed to be figured out and he'd look into the manual he bought.

There wasn't exactly a good plumber who could keep a secret about the cave, he'd begun learning for himself. Y/N helped, reading through the more confusing parts of the book to make sense of what the author was trying to teach.

But then again, she was better at tinkering and figuring her way around it. He relied on the book. Until she figured out how to reattach the water line for the toilet and he just about returned the book after he tried 4 times without result.

Now all that was left was the cold water, and he was still planning out the new modulator. Then the batarangs needed updating since Penguin began hoarding the ones he left behind to sell the tech inside of them.

Combustable batarangs, his trial one had combusted in his previous belt and without the fireproof fabric in his suit he would've lit his ass up. Lost the belt though, but that was easier to replace.

Suddenly, Bruce groaned and pressed his head to the shower wall. So much to do, so little time. He hadn't even processed half of his day and he was back to the little things he needed to accomplish.

"Bruce?"

"Shit-" he jumped. Bruce turning fast when he saw Y/N at the door to the bathroom.

Her eyes on the glass shower door as he let his heart rate calm down. "Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you." She said, voice somewhat groggy.

"... did I wake you?" He asked, turning the water off as she leaned against the wall and shook her head.

"No... I woke up and realized you hadn't come home yet." She said, her tone softening and suddenly all the worry and the nagging in his head silenced.

Bruce opened the shower door and grabbed his towel to wrap around his waist, all while his eyes met hers and he visibly relaxed.

She could see it, the weary tiredness in his eyes. The sudden quiet in his voice, and she gently stepped closer to wrap her arms around his waist. His skin firm and colder than ice, her warmth spreading within him as she kept her eyes on his.

"Come to bed... I've missed you." She said gently, Bruce holding her softly as he closed his eyes and slid a hand against her cheek. His nose burying into her hair and inhaling the familiar warm scent of her.

"Me too..." he whispered, Y/N sighing and they stood for a simple moment like that.

Until her pajama shirt started soaking from his wet form and she shivered.

"Cold water still..." she sighed, chuckling lightly as he broke a small smile.

"I'll meet you upstairs." He said, Y/N hesitantly parting from him with a slight nod.

"Don't distract yourself." She said, heading out of the room and he smiled while grabbing the extra clothes he had in a small metal drawer.

"Not today..." he said quietly, drying off before changing. The warmth of her had lingered and his mind was on one thing. Her. That's it.

Once he had finished, he moved out to get on the elevator as it closed and raised up to the second floor library. He pressing against one of the backs of the book shelves as it parted and brought him into the room. Closing it, he walking out to the hallway and straight towards their bedroom.

The sitting room had a tray on the table. Crumbs in a plate as Alfred must had served Y/N breakfast. She had left a blueberry scone on the hot plate and he took it to bite into and let the warm bread and melted blueberry envelop his palate.

In seconds, he was left with the remaining crumbs and wiped his hand with a napkin. He heard the door open as he saw Alfred stand in the door way with another tray.

Their eyes met and Alfred raised an eyebrow. "I have more scones, master Bruce." He said, Bruce stepping out of his way as Alfred set the second tray down.

"I can see that. Thank you." He said, seeing the poached eggs on avocado toast with a side of bacon, and another hot plate of three blueberry scones. Alfred grabbed the empty one and looked at Bruce again.

"After food, you are to sleep. You're growing paler by the minute." Alfred mumbled, Bruce hiding his smile from his nagging.

"Of course Alfred. I appreciate the concern." He retorted, grabbing the tray before heading into the bedroom and saw Y/N in bed scrolling on the ipad.

"Is that the news?" He asked, she hardly looking up.

"Unfortunately. But nothing about you thankfully." She looked up as he placed the tray on the bed. "Either of you." She corrected, Bruce sliding onto his side as the cold sheets suddenly brought an ache through his whole body that he groaned.

Y/N setting the iPad down and sat up a bit.

"... I'm sure Alfred has already demanded you to sleep. Which I'm his echo." She said, pulling the tray closer as he slowly sat up.

"Batman can handle 5 gang members with weapons, but I'm powerless against the both of you." He said with a sigh, Y/N chuckling softly.

"There's some battles we can't always win." She handed the plate over as he took it gently and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

"It humbles me to lose once in a while. Especially when it comes to you." He spoke softly, turning to the eggs as she smiled with a slight blush on her cheeks. She turned to the side table and grabbed her coffee, sipping it as she returned to the iPad.

The silence that eased between them was a comfort. The small stereo on the side table quietly playing classic harp and violin that she loved, and everything else a soft silence. The more food he ate, the further he brought himself into comfort until it was all gone.

He pushed the tray to the end of the bed, noticing her attention was still on the device and he gently grasped her waist as she was brought to reality. Bruce suddenly pulling her further into the bed with him and his head settled on her chest as he could hear the sweet, steady beat of her heart.

Y/N gently slid her fingers through his thick hair and smiled softly. "My sweet Bruce..." she said gently, kissing against his head and letting him curl closer to her.

The alluring scent of her, the intoxicating warmth, her soft hands in his hair as she talked to him with her soothing tone. He felt everything in him quiet as his breathing evened out and he was fast asleep in mere minutes.

Y/N watched in serenity as he slept on her chest, his breath fanning against her collarbone and her fingers continued to caress his hair until the repeated action began to lull her back to sleep.

[adrastiana]

Posted on GameFAQs 10/20/17

Another weird ghost Pokemon fic.I had this idea awhile ago. And suddenly, for some reason, I typed it up. I did take a break of a few hours. But it actually flowed out rather fast when I was writing it. Honestly, Pokemon fanfiction is one of the last things I’d think I would write. But it seems every fandom I’m into more I can’t produce much of anything for.

That rhymes. o.o

The Gastly fic is here.

- - -

Five Miles Deep

It's a warm summer afternoon and you've just finished cleaning out the gutters and fixing that loose shutter on the kitchen window. The little wife has been asking all week and you finally got around to doing it. Bless her old heart. You've been married for 45 years and you still can never seem to get around to fixing up anything that comes loose in good time. But you never let the little lady down. So eventually you do get around to it. And maybe next Sunday you'll fix that leaky faucet. All in due time. You may be just south of 70 but you feel as spry as a newly hatched Deerling.

After a light lunch you pack your fishing gear, wave goodbye to the wife and head out to see what's biting. Maybe you'll catch dinner and maybe you'll just catch some zzz's. Either way you're in for a well earned bit of relaxation.

You walk down to the dock and untie your little boat. It's old and most of the paint had flaked off. But you couldn't ask for a more sturdy vessel. Maybe someday you'll get around to repainting it. Right after you fix that leaky faucet. You wouldn't want your plate to be too full now. You've got to leave time for the important things in life. Like fishing for example.

You row out into the bay. It's getting a bit harder on your old bones but that's alright. Those motor boats scare the fish anyhow. Plus the exercise is good for you. All your friends have gotten a little pudgy. But you're still in fine shape. That's because you fish. And go for long walks. And even complete the occasional household chore.

When you get far enough out you bait your hook and cast the line. A few minutes pass and you still haven't gotten a bite. That's ok. There's no rush. In fact the lack of bites here might just be your cue to take a well deserved nap. You tip down your hat and settle in a bit, closing your eyes.

The boat starts to shake, rousing you from your slumber. You look around, seeing nothing but darkness. How long were you out? You check your watch. It's only 2:30. So why is it dark? It can't be 2:30 AM. You weren't that sleepy.

The weather was supposed to be clear. If a sudden storm is brewing then you'd better get back to shore. Taking the oars you attempt to row. But they just won't budge. The water feels like molasses. You know it's not your arms. They feel loose and strong as ever. It's the water. It feels thick and stagnant. In fact, the boat isn't even moving anymore. It's like it's stuck fast in place. As if it's been glued onto the water somehow.

You aren't scared just yet. If anything you're mighty intrigued. Just wait until the guys at the tavern hear about this. Better than Bill's story about the Lugia that he caught but set free. Everyone knows Bill doesn't have anything better than that pesky Bidoof that sleeps through most battles and eats through the whole whole kitchen.

You take a look around. It's gotten so dark you can barely see a thing. And now a thick mist has started to close in. You're still just curious at this point. Wondering what kind of story this will make for the next gathering with the old boys.

There's some kind of noise now. It's like a rumbling that just goes on and on. And it's getting louder. It's starting to sound like voices. In fact, it sounds a lot like-

Two red lights appear in the distance. They're small but unbearable bright. You have to shield your eyes. As the lights draw near the voices grow louder. There are dozens of them. But you can clearly make out one among the cacophony.

And then you remember...

- - -

It was 60 years ago. You were just a mere boy spending the weekend with your grandparents. You were supposed to go fishing with grandpa. But it was unexpectedly chilly that August and you caught a cold. Grandma wouldn't let you go. But you didn't want grandpa to be bored so you told him to go and catch a boatload of fish for dinner.

Grandpa never came back...

Grandma told you there was a sudden storm and he was lost at sea. And it did get awfully dark out just half an hour after Grandpa had left. But you don't remember any rain. But you did remember the whispers. The rumors. No one was supposed to tell you. They didn't want to scare you. No one was supposed to tell you that sometimes...

- - -

The lights were now right in front of you. But it was too dark to see what they were attached to, if anything. But you didn't have to see the rest to know that they were eyes. The one clear voice above the congregation reverberated in your ears, calling your name. Calling you to the place that you should have gone to 60 years ago.

"Grandpa...," you whisper.

Suddenly an eerie light began to fill the darkness. And the shape was clear. The shape belonging to those red and gleaming eyes.

A male Jellicent.

- - -

As you got older it became impossible to hide the local legend from you. Because the other kids talked about it so much. They loved to scare each other with tales of people being dragged down into the depths never to be seen again. The bay was ripe with Frillish and Jellicent. Most of the time nothing happened. It was like any normal pokemon encounter. But sometimes they chose someone. It was said that that's how they really increased their numbers. The bay would grow dark and a Jellicent would appear. First as a pair of glowing eyes like a lone beacon in the mist, followed by countless voices. Although they say you could always make out just one very clearly. Then as the Jellicent neared its intended victim the darkness would be slowly permeated by a strange and unearthly glow. At this point it was too late. There was no escape.

You would be dragged down five miles deep to the Jellicent Kingdom. As you sunk into the depths you'd be surrounded by innumerable Jellicent and Frillish. And you could hear them now. All of them at once. Each voice as clear as a bell.

Because now...

- - -

You are home.

You aren't the least bit scared and you are already sinking.

You're reminiscing with Grandpa. He's telling you about the time he caught a shiny Luvdisc and a Pelipper swooped right down and snatched it out of the boat. You always loved that story.

He's telling you about how when he proposed to Grandma in the park he dropped the ring and it rolled down the path. He had to chase it down and it nearly ended up in a storm drain. That story always made you laugh.

You're sinking faster. You're drowning. The voices are getting louder. You can hear them all. People you knew. People you heard about. People who died long before you were born. They're all here.

And they're all welcoming you.

Five miles down. You're falling five miles into the depths of the sea. It's so peaceful. You can see them floating. The Frillish girls with their warm, smiling faces. The Frillish boys with those serious expressions. Magnificent Jellicent lords and ladies. Kings and queens. Regal monarchs of the deep. And they are all welcoming you. To the Jellicent kingdom five miles below the surface.

Slowly and gently you are enveloped in a protective shell. It's hard and tight. But that's ok. Because you don't need to breath anymore. The walls are closing in. Your bones can't take it. But that's ok too. Because you won't be needing your bones ever again. Shedding all of these useless things is so pleasant. So natural. You can't believe you ever needed to have air in your lungs or bones in your body. It all sounds so absurd now.

You're locked in. An egg no bigger than a ripe cantaloupe. Yet your whole body fits into it nicely. And it's so comfortable.

Suddenly there's a bright flash of light. It doesn't just fill your mind but also your soul. Your entire spirit is reawakened.

You're hatching. Emerging. Being reborn.

You hold your appendages out before your newly opened eyes. They're blue. And they flow just like water. It feels incredibly free. How could you ever move before with arms and legs?

Grandpa holds out a hand.

"Welcome to the Jellicent Kingdom. Five miles deep".

[lifeanddeathsscenarios]

When the Sun Crashes

I hope you have all been enjoying this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!

Summary: You would always be there for your best friend. Or at least that’s what you wish you could do. But when that best friend is running to chase their dream, do you think you can keep up?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / next

He dodged your punches, laughing.

“It isn’t funny! If I knew you were just gonna tease me about those kind of stuff, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

“I’m joking. I’m glad you slept so well. Don’t ever do that again though. If you need to get up so early, let me be there for you.”

You frowned. “It was my choice to take extra classes and get a job to pay for it. If I get an hour of sleep-”

“It’ll be my fault for letting my best friend suffer alone.”

“I’m fine, Taeyang. If it ever gets too much, I’ll tell you.”

He raised an eyebrow, holding out his pinky finger. “Promise?”

You rolled your eyes but wrapped your pinky around his. “Promise.”

He smiled as you two locked the promise. “Good,” he said, wrapping an arm around your shoulders after you released your pinky from his. When you tried to swat him away, he only held you tighter.

“Ah! Taeyang! That hurts!” You smacked his hand when he squeezed your arm too tight.

His hold loosened as he laughed. “C’mon, we’re gonna get in trouble if we don’t hurry.” With that, he grabbed your hand and started to run.

Once you guys arrived, the two of you were laughing as you both shed your shoes off.

“You’re finally here? We thought we’d have to wait for three more hours,” a female voice said from in front of you.

Both of you laughed, you immediately hugging the woman and entering their home. “Sorry about that. I fell asleep and your son has no sense of time when he dances,” you explained, smiling when the older woman laughed and released you from the hug.

“I’ll forgive you two this time because I was told you guys bought something special for me.”

You turned to glare at your best friend, who looked away. With a smile and making your own surprise background music, you pulled out a package from your backpack and handed it to her.

As soon as she looked into the bag, she wrapped her arms around you. “Thank you! You’re the sweetest!”

Taeyang laughed, patting his mother’s back. “You’re welcome, mom. Now, let’s go inside and celebrate with the rest of the family.”

His mother nodded, letting you go.

The very first person to greet you was Taeyang’s older brother, as always.

“Oh! It’s Taeyang’s girlfriend! Welcome home!” Taeil exclaimed.

You stuck your tongue out at him before bowing at Taeyang’s other older brother.

“We were wondering how long you two would take. Go on a date before coming?” Joontae asked, patting your head.

“No, I just fell asleep at the dance practice room.”

“And I assume our little brother was too invested in dancing to notice the time go by.”

“You really know Taeyang well.” You laughed, feeling a bit awkward when his hand didn’t leave from the top of your head.

“I really hope so.” He smiled, his hand sliding down to caress your hair before finally leaving your side.

You blinked at him, red-faced and wide-eyed. You had known Joontae as long as you had known Taeyang but these moments never happened before.

Before you could think about it any further, Taeyang’s mother clapped her hands together. “Let’s eat now!”

Your seat was always between Taeyang and his father. Although his father was a kind man, he and Taeyang never seemed to agree on one of your best friend’s interest. Dancing.

“Your mother told me you came home late again,” Taeyang’s dad said as they started eating, making the young boy pause. “Why is that?” he asked, nonchalantly eating his rice.

From the corner of your eyes, you saw your best friend put his chopsticks down. Putting your hand on Taeyang’s thigh, you turned to his father. “It was my fault, father*. I fell asleep at the park and he was just watching out for me. I hadn’t slept last night and he didn’t want me to wake up until I got a good amount of sleep. I’m sorry for causing such trouble.” You bowed in apology.

In front of you, Taeil scoffed. “Yeah, right. You two-”

You quickly kicked him in the shin, under the table, and was content when he started rubbing at the now bruised spot. You ignored the glare he threw at you and continued on. “But enough about that. How was your day? It must’ve been exhausting.”

Taking the bait, Taeyang’s father launched into an explanation of why he had come in after the both of you (because one of his clients were being difficult). From beside you, your best friend relaxed and continued to eat.

“Why does he always do that? Then he asks my hyungs why I don’t talk to him and why I’ve been so distant? It’s ridiculous,” Taeyang complained at the foot of the bed.

“Just leave it, Tae. It’ll become a war-zone here if either of you actually say the word,” you replied, fiddling with his Rubik’s cube.

He sighed, crawling over to you to snatch the toy out of your hands. “I don’t want you having to protect me all the time.” He looked into your eyes.

A frown settled on your face. “I’ve been protecting you since we’ve met.. It’s basically my job.”

“But you never let me protect you. Why is that?”

“Have you seen yourself? You’re the most harmless creature on this planet. You basically smile and dead plants come back to life.”

He stared at you in disbelief before covering his mouth to hide his laughter.

“Hey! Why are you laughing?!”

He shook his head, his laughter dying down to light chuckles. “It’s just funny that you think that. You’re always telling everyone at school how much you actually hate me.”

You crossed your arms. “You know that’s not actually true. I can’t hate my best friend. I just say that so everyone leaves me alone.”

“Why? Are you getting bullied?”

“No,” you scoffed. “Girls keep asking me for your number. I keep telling them to ask you themselves but they keep saying they’re too shy.” You laid down, feet dangling off the side of his bed as you closed your eyes. “None of the girls are talking to me now. The guys are all scared of me because of what happened years ago. I’m basically an outcast in my class.”

You heard him sigh and lay down beside you. “Well then, I must be an outcast of my class too. The guys won’t talk to me because they all think I’m a wuss who hid behind you. The girls don’t like me for that reason either. I keep telling that them you don’t do that any more but then they keep telling me to stop being your friend so they know they won’t have to worry about that.” One of his hands brushed against your as he quietly whispered, “But I don’t ever want to stop being your friend.”

You smiled, opening your eyes and turning to face him. “And I don’t ever want to stop being yours.” You sat up, grabbing the Rubik’s cube back from him. “I’ve told you when we were younger. Becoming my friend was a bad choice. But you didn’t listen and just kept following me around.”

He rolled his eyes and sat up as well. “Followed you around? All I did was wait in front of your classroom after school to drop you off home.”

“You did that because you were afraid of those bullies coming back.”

He laughed. “That’s only half true. I wanted us to be friends. I saw that you waited until the hall was clear before leaving that first time and saw that you were lonely. So, naturally, I wanted us to be friends!”

“I’m glad you did. Otherwise, I would have been friendless all those years.”

Though it felt weird to suddenly speak about your friendship with Taeyang, you also felt relieved from saying those words that had been unspoken all those years.

He suddenly stood, looking at the time. “We should start walking now. I don’t want you falling asleep here again.”

“That was just once,” you whined.

“Yeah and now my family won’t stop referring to you as ‘my girl’. I don’t like it and I’m still trying to make them stop. It’s very dehumanizing to you.”

Smiling, you got up and handed him his Rubik’s cube. “I’m just glad you protect me from your family when they say things like that. Although, you’re not finished protecting me.”

Taeyang blushed before coughing and turning to place the toy on his dresser. “Um, yeah. Let’s… Let’s go.”

You hid your laugh, following him out of his room.

[oldphandomgamesblog]

It was embarrassment which fueled Philip Michael Lester’s newfound passion. Red-hot flames of shame licking in the base on stomach, stoking the desire, the yearn, to make it right. It engulfed his brain; it ate at his very being, acidic bile rising in his throat at the mere thought of them. He enrolled in school again, merely shrugging at Dan’s arched eyebrow, his mouth pinched with worry. Phil softened the grimace by tenderly stroking his thumb along Dan’s lower lip, his eyes blazing, trying: just trust me.

Dan let it drop.

It was too hard to explain, really. How do you get someone to see just how much the world had failed? So he kept quiet.

The classes were grueling; sure, he had a masters, but this? These classes hurt to take. It hurt to learn, to truly have to realize and accept the failure of humanity. So he kept his mouth shut, and the end of especially long days, he would curl up with Dan. His Dan. His face buried in his neck, lying on their couch in their lounge, inhaling deeply, trying to quell the burning of his stomach, hiding his face, and the rose of his cheeks, hot with sheer embarrassment. He was embarrassed to be human, and he could not yet fully divulge this with Dan.

He knew Dan was worried, Phil’s updates on his channel slowly meandering to nothing, his Twitter falling silent for days, unanswered tweets meant to bait him. Phil caught the longing looks, the whispers of contact which told so much more than either wanted to admit, the twitch of fingers when Phil would leave for class. But he couldn’t share; not yet at least. There was still so much to do.

The days got longer, never seeming to fully end, his body being incinerated by the heat, the drive. He would talk with Dan about his days, his classes, sometimes bringing up the dark, depressing shadows of reality, trying to gage his boyfriend’s reactions when he broached the subjects of unsolved murders, mass piling of bodies left abandoned, decayed after years of neglect. What do you think we should do? Dan’s eyes would flash, Phil saw that much, but they would harden, and a shrug would be given in response.

Phil wasn’t surprised, because, really, how many people thought about it? And even when you start to learn, and you start to look into it, what are you supposed to say? It is hard concept to think about, and while many were content to shrug, a hopeless plea that someone else fix it, Phil’s resolve was strong, an iron fist clenched around his heart and his brain, the fire scorching the metal until it was all Phil could feel.

So he kept going.

Even after the days when he would go home and cry, the failure of humanity too heavy that day. He would babble with Dan about the injustice, the guilt, and the pain. Oh god, the pain. All the while, Dan would hold him, not truly understanding, this wasn’t his fight, and when Phil was ready, Phil would share, squeezing him as the tears flowed freely, his body occasionally shaking, the guilt reeking havoc on his frame.

He would divulge bits and pieces with Dan, but he wasn’t ready to share fully. He hadn’t achieved anything yet.

It took years, the classes building, the work mounting, and the stress almost unbearable. Sometimes, Phil would stumble, the weight too much for even him. But he had worked so hard.

He had given everything, and while he still had interactions with fans, it was mostly through Dan’s channels, his own, dusty from years of neglect, you could almost see the cobwebs on his Youtube screen. On the bad nights, the nights when the pain and the weight and the stress were too much, Dan had learned to just hold him. To let him hide, to bury himself in the shame. And he would whisper to Phil that it was worth it; he could do it. Regardless of whether or not he was fully sure of what the “it” was, Dan never doubted.

It took years, but he was finally there. He graduated with his PhD, in forensic anthropology from the University of Tennessee. Dan held his hand, and when Phil was accepting his diploma, his eyes were crinkled with pride, the warm, brown orbs shining, unshed tears forming, his hand raised, a camera steadily recording everything, the blinking red of the recording light grounding Phil.

He had done it. Almost, anyways.

The digs were the hardest. There was no Dan to go home to, with whom to curl up and cry. To shed some of the pain. It was just Phil and piles of bodies.

Dan learned the extent of Phil’s work from the nightly news. He had been with Phil long enough to know how he brushed off his achievements, acting as though the years of work and school had been nothing. He didn’t want praise, nor recognition, not for himself at least. And it was the news which showed Dan, really showed, how taxing Phil’s work was. Of course he had considered what his now-husband did, but he respected Phil, and knew him well enough to not push because Phil was beyond stubborn and would pull back infinitely harder than you pushed. So he was patient. He waited through the tears, holding Phil as sobs racked his body. He was patient even when the blues of his eyes started cracking from the pressure, the strain of the world. He was patient for years, all the while curiosity gnawing through his bones, sinking itself into his muscles and nerves, never quite fed enough, never truly satiated.

It was the nightly news which forced him to cry. “Dozens.” It ricocheted around his brain, echoing as though it had been yelled from the highest cliff. Phil had single-handedly identified dozens of human remains from a mass grave in Darfur. What do you think we should do? Of course. Phil, brilliant, beautiful, caring Phil took it upon himself to give them back the very essence of who they were. Tears of pride rolled down his cheeks, cold even if the heat of their room, the remote clutched to his sternum knuckles white from pressure, his chest swelling. The hours of babbling Phil finally made sense. The full weight of his tear-filled words crushing Dan. The stress and weight Phil put upon himself finally made sense. In Phil’s world there was no one who had been failed more than genocide victims. Phil spent years, years, learning of the horrors and atrocities committed upon entire villages, cities, races. He had to look at the pictures, read the journal articles which held nothing back, and Phil felt the embarrassment, the shame, for all humanity. And it finally made sense. Because of course, of course, he was right, even after the ultimate failure, these humans had been ignored, their bodies piled and sloppily buried, not a single care given to them, to their families. And no one blinked. No one bothered to learn about them, to do everything they could to assure we didn’t look away again. Sure, politicians said, “never again.” But all it took was a keen eye and the openness to see, to really see, that it never stopped. Phil saw, he saw, and when he was torn apart by guilt, guilt we all should’ve felt, he didn’t flinch. He saw a problem, and while he didn’t have all the answers and all the words, he made a resolve to help even in the smallest of ways.

And, boy, did he do something about it.

He worked so hard to fix as much as he could, to give them back the most mundane of rights. And Dan could hardly believe that he was the one with whom Phil entrusted everything, this miracle of a man, had chosen him, and even though it was Dan, his Dan, Phil didn’t tell him everything, because he didn’t want the focus on him. He wanted the focus on them. He didn’t want the recognition for someone finally taking responsibility, he wanted the victims to finally be seen, their names to be whispered along the streets, chasing each passerby finally getting their moment.

******

Dan clutched his phone to his ear, his fingers had already typed his favorite sequence of numbers, tears were still flowing, and his chest was dizzy, breathing in time with the rings. A sleep-heavy ‘hello’ danced into his ears, the years of curiosity fed and full, his body overflowing with pride. He chuckled into the phone, “Phil, you amazing idiot, do you know lucky the world is to have you?”

(This is my life goal, to identify the graves of genocide victims and give them back their identities. I’ve worked for the past 8 years, the end goal is a PHD and to be living my dream, giving back to the world just as Phil did in the fic)

^ submitting on behalf of Maddy, Team K!

Great! 50 points