#There's no blur tool but it'll have to do | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dianawinchester03 · 19 days

Text

Season 2, Episode 2 - Everybody Loves a Clown

Series Masterlist

Y/N's POV

John Winchester is dead.

My father is dead.

We're all now officially orphans.

The boys and I are stood out in the open, in a forest. Infront of a flaming pyre, in flames was their fathers body. John's body. I had no idea what to say to them, how to console. Tears in both me and Sam's eyes as we stare at the burning pyre. Deans face was stoic, emotionless. Almost as blank as mine was when I was watching my father burn.

Tears threatened to escape his ducts. I knew exactly how they were feeling, but I have no idea how to console them. I know when it was me, I wanted no one touching me. Dean was truly the only one I didn't want to push off, still grief ridden with dad and now John gone. Dean just stared at his fathers burning corpse, not daring to move a muscle.

John was like a father to me but Dean adored his father. I gently wrapped my arm around his waist, laying my head on his shoulder. His body was initially stiff before I wrapped my arm around him, he seemed to relax a bit when I laid my head on his shoulder. "Before he— Before he—" Sam tries to get the words out but he couldn't, I give him a sympathetic look, wrapping my arm around his waist now, he takes a deep breath, wiping away his tears.

"Did he say anything to you? About anything?" Sam asks Dean. I look up at Dean to see hesitant look on his face, but he just shakes his head, "No. Nothing." he said simply responds in a deadpan tone. His eyes still trained on the pyre. Sam bites his lips, holding back his sobs.

________________________________

Third Person POV

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

One Week Later

Dean is below his car in Bobby's scrapyard, Three Dog Nights by Shambala blurring through the stereo of Baby as he tries somehow to repair her. Him and y/n blew a fuse when they saw what happened to their babies. Y/N broke down even more after seeing her girl so mangled. The last bit she had from her father, demolished.

She's about halfway there when it comes to restoring Quinn back to her original glory but it'll take a whole lotta money and patience. Neither of which y/n had right now. Her knee was somewhat better, surprisingly she didn't take long to heal from the injury but she still had her cast on. Y/N strolls out with a cold beer in one hand and a sandwich with a slice of apple pie she baked herself in another.

"How's the car coming along?" She asks. "Slow" Dean responds plainly. "Yeah? Come on out. I've got something for you" She tells him. Dean pulls himself out from underneath with the board, "Stop it, Y/N" Dean grunts, pulling himself up to go over to the tool trolley. "Stop what?" She feigns confusion. "Stop asking if I need anything. Stop asking if I'm okay. Stop bringing me stuff" He gestures to the sandwich, pie and beer.

Her heart hurts a bit at this. "Dean, you haven't eaten all day" She stresses. "Not hungry. I'm okay, really. I promise" He assures her. She rolls her eyes, knowing he's full of shit. She then rests the food and beer down next to him on the tool trolley. "Alright, Dean. It's just— we've been at Bobby's for a week and you haven't brought up your dad once." She finally points out the obvious.

Dean turns to her, "You know what? You're right. Come here" He beckons her over to him, she then sighs in relief. "I wanna lay my head gently on your shoulder. Maybe we can cry, hug. Maybe even slow dance" He says sarcastically with a smile. Her face hardens as he moves back over to the car. "Don't patronize me, Dean. Not right now" She scoffs. "Our dads are dead! The Colt is gone and it seems pretty damn likely that the demon is behind all of this and you're acting like nothing happen" She stresses.

"What do you want me to say?" Dean snaps. "Say something! Alright!" She snaps back frustrated. His gaze snaps over to her, "Hell, say anything. Aren't you angry? Don't you want revenge? But all you do is sit out her all day long, buried underneath this damn car!" She argues as Deans face hardens. "Now I get it, you don't wanna talk, trust me. I do" She puts her hands up in surrender. "But the least you can do is eat" She says gently pointing to the food.

"Revenge huh?" Dean scoffs, clenching his jaw. "Yeah" She nods, placing her hands on her hips. "Sounds good. Got any leads on where the demon is? You making heads or tails on any of their research? Cuz I sure ain't" Dean retorts back snarkily. Y/N sighs, running her hands over her face. "But you, when we do finally find it...Oh. No, wait. Like you said, the Colts gone. But I'm sure you figured out another way to kill it" He further ridicules.

Y/N doesn't answer, "We got nothing, Princess. Nothing, okay? See, the only thing I can do, is I can work on the car" He finishes, pointing to Baby. He then stoops down infront of it. She sighs, "Well, we got something, alright? That's what I came out here to tell you. It's one of dad's old phones" She explains to him, taking out one of her fathers old phones from her pocket, going through the voicemail.

"It took me a while but I cracked his voicemail code, Sam did the same for John's phone. Listen to this" She hands him the phone. Dean takes it, getting up and puts it to his ear. "F/N, it's Ellen. Again. Look don't be stubborn. You know I can help you and John. Call me" The woman, Ellen, over the phone's voicemail says in a impatient pleading tone. Deans eyebrows shoot up as he hands the phone back to Y/N.

"There was an identical one on John's phone. That message is four months old and the one on your dad's phone is 6 months old" Y/N tells him, taking the phone from him. "Dad and f/n saved those voicemails for months?" He asks surprised. "Yeah" Y/N confirms. "Who's Ellen? Any mention of her in Dad's journal?" He further asks. She shakes her head, "Sam looked but came up empty. But I ran a trace on the phone number and I got an address" She informs him.

Dean shrugs, "Ask Bobby if we can use one of his cars." He instructs her. "Yeah, okay" She responds, going to walk back to the house. She then turns back of a sudden, "Eat" She orders him firmly in a motherly tone. Dean sighs exasperatedly, he then takes up the fork on the place and digs into the pie. He gives her a thumbs up as a satisfied smile takes her face over. She then turns away to walk back to the house.

Dean internally moaned when he tasted the pie. His eyes fluttered shut in satisfaction since he lied about not being hungry but damn did it taste heavenly.

Christ, why didn't I eat this earlier. This woman can cook.

He thinks to himself. Contemplating whether or not to put that ring his father gave him to use.

________________________________

Central, Nebraska

The trio are pull up to Harvelle's Roadhouse in one of Bobby's old cars. The car squealing as they pull in, Do That To Me One More Time by Captain and Tennilles blurring through the radio deck. "This is humiliating" Dean grumbles annoyed at the fact he's driving an old squeaky car that isn't his.

As they exit the car, Dean slams the drivers door harshly, "I feel like a fucking soccer mom!" He exclaims in frustration. "It's the only car Bobby had running" Y/N points out. Dean rolls his eyes as they make their way to the bar's porch. "Hello? Anybody here?" Sam calls out but no answer. "Hey. Did you bring the uh-?" Dean asks Y/N, gesturing to her lock pick.

"Of course" She says smugly, tossing it to him. He begins to pick the lock. The enter the empty bar, locking the door behind them. The buzzing of a fly getting electrocuted on the mosquito trap scares them slightly as the look around the place. They walk in deeper to see a man with a mullet, passed out on the pool table.

"Hey buddy?" Sam calls out to him, but he's does wake. "I'm guessing that isn't Ellen" Y/N mutters. "Yeah" Dean sighs. Sam and Dean decide to go around back and see if they find anyone, leaving y/n alone in the bar. Her body stiffens when she feels the butt of a rifle gun pressed against her back. "Oh, God. Please let that be a rifle" She mumbles. The gun then cocks behind her.

"No, I'm just real happy to see you" The voice of a young girl sounds in a sarcastic tone. "Don't move" The girl orders. "Not moving. Copy that." Y/N says, putting her arms up. She clears her throat awkwardly, "You know, you should know something, miss. When you put a rifle on someone, you don't wanna put it right against their back..." She says in a smug tone "....because it makes it real easy to do-" She then swiftly turns, snatching the rifle from the young blonde girl.

Y/N cocks the gun with a smirk on her face, "That" She retorts smugly, the girl goes to punch her but she quickly dodges, sweeping the girl off her feet by hooking the back of her knee with hers. The girl falls back first onto the ground, her hands up in surrender, a look of shock on her face as y/n cocks the rifle in her face. "Dean! Sam! Get out here!" Y/N calls for the boys.

The boys exit the back kitchen with their hands to their heads, "Sorry, Y/N. We're, uh, a little tied up" Dean says nervously, blood dripping down his nose, as a woman emerges behind them, pointing two guns to their heads. "Sam? Dean? Y/N?" The woman queries. "Winchester and L/N?" She asks. "Yeah" The boys and Y/N respond in unison.

"Son of a bitch" The woman says in shock. "Mom, you know them?" The girl asks from the ground, y/n still has her rifle aimed at her. "Yeah, I think these are John Winchesters boys. And that's F/N L/N's little girl." She says in recognition before lowering her guns and laughing. "Hey, I'm Ellen. My daughter, Jo" The woman introduces herself.

Y/N sighs in relief, lowering the gun away from Jo. "Hey. Sorry" Y/N chuckles awkwardly, apologizing to Jo. She then stretches her arm out to help Jo up. She slightly glares at Y/N before a smile breaks out on her face. "I can't lie, you got some nice moves" Jo compliments her, accepting her hand. Y/N smiles as she helps her to her feet.

"Thanks, you're not to bad yourself hun" She returns the compliment, winking at her. Jo smiles at this, accepting the compliment. "Hey" Jo nods towards Dean, giving him a slightly flirtatious smile. Dean chuckles awkwardly before turning to Ellen, holding his bloody nose, "You're not gonna hit me again, are you?" He asks, she chuckles shaking her head.

After putting away their guns, "Here you go" Ellen hands Dean a cloth with ice to put over his nose where she pistol whipped him. "Thanks" Dean responds. "Mhm" Ellen says. "You called our dad and f/n, said you could help. Help with what?" Dean asks as he presses the ice cloth to his nose. "Well, the demon, of course" Ellen answers as if it's obvious. Dean turns to Sam and Y/N behind him, surprised she knew about it.

"I heard they were closing in on it" Ellen adds. "Was there an article in Demon Hunters Quarterly that I missed? I mean, who are you, how do you know about all this?" Dean asks defensively. "Hey, I just run a saloon" Ellen puts up her hands in defense. "But, hunters have been known to pass through now and again. Including your dads a long time again. They were like family once" Ellen further explains.

"Oh, yeah? How come they've never mentioned you before?" Y/N asks defensively. Ellen's face drops and Y/N notices this, "You'd have to ask them that" Ellen responds in a low tone. The boys and y/n share a look at this. "So why exactly do we need your help?" Dean asks. "Hey, don't do me any favors. Look if you don't want my help, fine. Don't let the door smack your ass in the way out" Ellen snaps back.

"But John and F/N wouldn't have sent you guys if-" She begins to say but stops mid sentence, realization dawning on her. "They didn't send you" She says. Their heads drop in solemn, sharing a look of grief. "They're alright, aren't they? Is F/N okay?" Ellen asks them nervously, tears welling up in her eyes. Y/N cocks her eyebrow at her sudden concern for her father.

Dean swallows the lump in his throat as Sam and Y/N blick back tears. "No, no he didn't. It was the demon, we think. And um, it just got dad before he got it. I guess" Sam says sadly. "And f/n?" Ellen asks y/n hopeful he was okay. But she shakes her head, "Vampire hunt" Y/N responds in a dry tone, not wanting to talk about it further. "I'm so sorry" Ellen says sincerely.

"It's okay. We're alright" Dean assures her, offering a fake smile. "Really. I know how close you and your dad-" Ellen goes to say but Dean cuts her off. "Really. I'm fine" He assures her further, but she isn't convinced. The silence is a bit awkward so Sam cuts in, "So, look. If you can help....we could use all the help we can get" Sam says softly.

Dean turns to him with a look of disbelief and y/n slightly glares at Sam. "Well, we can't" Ellen says, turning to Jo, then back to them. "But Ash will" She smiles. "Who's Ash?" Y/N asks, cocking her eyebrow. "Ash!" Ellen calls out for him. That's when the man who was passed out on the pool table earlier suddenly wakes up, the balls on the table clanking as he gets up.

"What?!" He answers as the trio turn to him. Grimaces on their faces. "Closing time?" He asks in a croaky voice. "That's Ash?" Sam asks, pointing behind him to the man. Jo nods, "Mm-hm. He's a genius" Jo responds nodding.

Later, Dean slaps down Johns journal infront of Ash at the bar counter. "You gotta be kidding me. This guys no genius. He's a Lynyrd Skynyrd roadie" Y/N huffs not convinced. Ash chuckles before winking at her, a smug smile on his face. "I like you cupcake" He says in a flirtatious tone. Deans jaw clenches at Ash's tone, crossing his arms over his chest as he glares at him. That burning jealousy raising again.

Y/N rolls her eyes chuckling a bit, "Thanks Billy Ray" She smiles back as Ash pumps his eyebrows at her. She wasn't into him but he was a flirt she didn't mind getting behind. Something to distract her anyhow, "Just give him a chance." Jo says to them as she rests the glasses down on the counter with a pitcher of water in her hand.

Dean sighs, scratching his nose before sitting between Sam and Y/N, "Alright. This stuffs is about a years worth of our dads work. So uh, let's see what you make of it" Dean smirks, sliding the journal over to Ash. He opens the book as Sam and Y/N sip on their waters. He begins to sift through the research before shaking his head, "Come on. This crap ain't real. There ain't nobody that can track a demon like this" Ash says, leaning back in his chair.

The three share a look, "Our dads could" Sam says firmly. Ash looks between the three hunters before picking up a paper from the research, "These are nonparametric statistical overviews. Cross spectrum correlations. I mean....damn" Ash says impressed as he looks through the papers. "They're signs. Omens. If you can track them, you can track this demon. You know, like crop failures, electrical storms." He explains as they listen.

"You ever been struck by lightening? It ain't fun" Ash trails off from the topic. Y/N rolls her eyes. "Can you track it or not?" She asks a bit irritated. "Yeah, with this. I think so. But it's gonna take time. Uh, give me...." He says before blinking rapidly to think for second. "....51 hours" He finishes, picking up all the research. The trio share a look at this, shaking their heads. "Hey, man" Dean calls out to Ash.

"Yeah?" Ash responds, "By the way, I, uh, dig the haircut" Dean snickers but Ash smirks, flipping his hair. "All business upfront, party in the back." Ash smirks before giving y/n a wink then walking out. Y/N shakes her head chuckling as she sips her water. Dean rolls his eyes but it trails over to Jos ass, his eyes meet with hers to when she notices he was checking her out.

Y/N notices this and huffs internally, that burning feeling in her chest reappearing. Oh god, not now. She groans internally. Meanwhile, Sam's eyes were on a folder marked with 'Couple Murdered. Child Left Alive' in the back of the bar. "Hey Ellen, what is that?" Sam asks her curiously. She turns to the machine she thinks he's pointing at. "It's a police scanner. We, uh, keep tabs on things" She tells him as Dean gets up to go over to where Jo is.

"No, no, no. The, um, folder" He says, Ellen then turns and begins walking over to the folder behind the machine. Picking it up, "Uh. I was gonna give this to a friend of mine. But, take a look if you guys want" She hands the folder to Sam and Y/N. "Thanks" Sam mutters. His full attention now on the folder but y/n's eyes are trained at Dean and Jo who seem to be flirting up a storm.

Her grip tightens on her glass of water, as she grits her teeth. Her eye twitches with envy as the fury of jealousy swarms in her stomach. The light above her began to flicker, controlling it without realizing it. Sam and Ellen's heads snap to to the flickering light in confusion. Sam quickly picked up on what was going on when he saw Y/N's eyes were narrowed in Dean and Jo's direction.

Her mind was clouded, too clouded to realize that, thanks to her, a light above her sparked and blew out of nowhere, causing both Sam, Ellen, Dean and Jo to get startled. The glass from the busted light scattered around them. "Goddamnit, I fixed that just last week!" Ellen exclaims in frustration, resting down her bar cloth. Y/N broke her gaze away from them, still gripping her glass.

"Last time I buy from Arties Hardware" Ellen grumbles whilst walking to the back to get the spare light bulb and a broom. When Sam sees Y/N was seconds away breaking the glass, he quickly takes it away from her. "Easy there, Matilda" He chuckles awkwardly patting her shoulder. Cautiously resting the glass down away from her. She snapped out of the trance she was in and when she realizes what happened, her face became flushed with embarrassment.

"Christ, sorry, I don't know what got into me" She apologizes, mortified. "I think we need to look into psychics, you know? Figure out how you can control your powers?" Sam suggests. Y/N clears her throat awkwardly, she and the boys haven't discussed what has happened over the course of the past few weeks. From her summoning the Colt to her hand to her seeing Dean as a ghost when he was dying.

She expected them to be more freaked out but with everything they've seen and been through. They love her regardless, she's scared they'll see her as a freak but it's far from the truth. "And what about you? I'm not the only ESP machine around here" Y/N retorts jokingly, nudging Sam. He smiles chuckling. "Yeah, but you're more advanced. Wouldn't hurt to check it out" He shrugs, she sighs nodding.

"That'll be a good idea" She responds. Something catches Sams eye in the folder. "Dean, come here. Check this out" Sam calls out to his brother. "Yeah?" Dean gets up from the booth he and Jo were at, walking over to Sam and Y/N as he rolls up his sleeves. "A few murders, not far from here, that Ellen caught wind of. Looks to me like there might be a hunt" Sam explains. "Yeah, so?" Dean asks. "So, maybe we all should check it out" Sam suggests.

________________________________

Later that night, the trio are on their way to the hunt in Bobby's car. "You gotta be kidding me. A killer clown?" Dean scoffs. "Yeah, he left the daughter unharmed and killed the parents. Ripped them to pieces actually" Sam informs them from the back seat, using his light to read the staples together research in the Manila folder. "This family was at some carnival that night?" Y/N asks, taking a drag from her cigarette, her elbow propped on the passenger side window.

"Right, right. The, uh, Cooper Carnival" Sam nods, reading from the file. "So how do you know that we're not dealing with some psycho carny in a clown suit?" Dean queries. "Well, the cops have no viable leads, and all the employees were tearing down shop. Alibis all around. Plus, the girl said she saw a clown vanish into thin air. Cops are saying trauma, of course" Sam says.

"I know what you're thinking, Sam. Why did it have to be clowns?" Y/N taunts, chuckling along with Dean as Sam rolls his eyes. "Give me a break" Sam scoffs. "You didn't think we remembered, did you?" Dean laughs. Sam doesn't answer, they snicker as he glares at them. "I mean, come on. You still busy out crying whenever you see Ronald McDonald on the television" Dean chuckles. "At least I'm not afraid of flying" Sam retorts to Dean as Y/N laughs hysterically, choking on the smoke.

"Planes crash!" Dean snaps defensively. "And apparently, clowns kill" Sam counters. Y/N shakes her head laughing at their banter as she flicks her cigarette out the window. "Okay, settle down fellas. So these types of murders, they ever happen before?" Y/N asks, changing the subject. "Uh...according to the file, 1981. The Bunker Brothers Circus. Same m.o. It happened three different times, three different locales." Sam tells her, reading from the file.

"It's weird though, if its a spirit, it's usually bound to a specific locale: a house or a town" Dean points out. "So how is this one moving from city to city, carnival to carnival?" Y/N asks. "Cursed object, maybe" Dean suggests, turning to her. "The spirit attaches itself to something, carnival carries it around with them." He further explains.

"Great. Paranormal scavenger hunt" Sam mutters dryly. "This case was your idea." Dean retorts. "By the way. Why is that? You were awfully quick to jump on this job" Dean points out. "So?" Sam questions. "It's just not like you, that's all" Y/N adds. "Yeah. I thought you and y/n were hell bent for leather on this demon hunt" Dean says. "I don't know. I just think, taking this job. It's what Dad would've wanted us to do." Sam responds.

Dean cocks an eyebrow at this. "What dad would've wanted?" He questions. "Yeah. So?" Sam asks. Y/N picks up on Deans tone and flashes him a quick warning glare because he already looked like he was about to say something that would cause a fight. So he just sighed and shaked his head, "Nothing" Dean dismisses it.

________________________________

The old borrowed car with the trio pulls into the parking lot across from the carnival. "Check it out. Five-0" Dean points out the cops in the area questioning some clowns. They make their way into the grounds, Dean and Y/N take a look around, leaving Sam near the ferris wheel.

While walking back, they notice Sam was staring intently at a shorter woman with a fake beard, no more than three feet tall. He seemed a bit freaked out as the woman stared back at him. Dean and Y/N share an amused look at Sam's awkward expression. "Did you get her number?" Dean teases his brother, startling him as Y/N snickers.

Sam just cringes, not answering as they all lean against the railing. "More murders?" Sam asks them. "Two more last night. Apparently they were ripped to shreds. And they had a little boy with them" Y/N informs him. "Who fingers a clown" Sam scoffs. Dean and Y/N cock an eyebrow at his choice of words, giving him a weirded out expression.

"What?" Sam asks confused. They choose to ignore it, "Yes, a clown, who apparently vanished into thin air" Dean confirms. "Guys, you know, looking for a cursed object, it's like..trying to find a needle in a stack of needles. It could be anything" Sam says. "Yeah, you're right. But it's bound to give off EMFs. We'll just have to scan everything" Dean shrugs, turning to Y/N with a smirk on his face.

"Oh good, that's nice and inconspicuous" Sam chuckles sarcastically. "Plus, we got our warrior princess here" Dean nudges Y/N, patting her on the small of her back. She scoffs, rolling her eyes. Feeling a bit flushed at the way Dean casually patted her back. "I'm not a human EMF meter, Dean" She says exasperated. Crossing her arms over her chest, Dean just chuckles giving her a wink.

"I guess we'll just have to blend in" Dean shrugs, his eyes trained on the 'Help Wanted' sign. They all share a look before approaching the tent that the sign was taped to. The enter the tent to see a man with dark shades and a suit on, throwing knives at a large wooden dart board. "Excuse me. We're looking for a Mr. Copper. Have you seen him around?" Dean politely asks the man.

"What is that, some kind of a joke?" The man scoffs in an offended tone. He then takes off his glasses to reveal his synthetic eye. Y/N places a hand over her mouth at the irony, trying to hold back a snicker. "Oh, God. I'm sorry" Dean tries to apologize as the man continues to ramble. "You think I wouldn't give my eyeteeth to see Mr. Cooper..or a sunset or anything at all"

"You two wanna give me a little help here?" Dean mutters to the two younger hunters whose faces at laced with amusement. "Not really" Y/N mutters back as Sam shakes his head rapidly, holding back his laughter. Dean feigns a smile, looking around awkwardly. "Hey, Barry. Is there a problem?" A voice behind them asks the man. They look around at eye level, only to be met with no one.

They simultaneously look down to be met with a shorter set man, wearing a blue matador outfit with a cape. "Yeah, this guy hates blind people" Barry, the blind man, informs the matador. "No, I don't-" Dean tries to clarify, chuckling awkwardly. "Hey, buddy. What's your problem?" The matador asks in an standoffish tone. "Nothing, it's just a little misunderstanding" Dean tries to dismiss it, only making it worse.

Y/N physically facepalms at this, "Little? You son of a bitch" The matador scoffs, holding up his bat ready to beat Dean with it. Dean flinches back, "No, no, no, no, no! I'm just- Can somebody tell me where Mr. Cooper is?!" He exclaims as Sam and Y/N burst out laughing at the scene unraveling in-front of them. "Please?" Dean asks Barry nervously.

________________________________

"You three picked a hell of a time to join up. Take a seat" Mr. Cooper tells the three hunters as they walk into his office. Dean and Y/N spot three chairs, two normal and one clown chair. They share a mischievous look before rushing to sit on the two normal chairs, leaving the clown chair for Sam. "We got all kinds of local trouble" Mr. Cooper says as Dean and Y/N smirk victoriously at Sam.

Who lets out an exasperated sigh at their childishness. "What do you mean?" Y/N asks Mr. Copper feigning curiosity as Sam nervously takes a seat on the clown chair, grimacing in displeasure. "Well, a couple of folks got themselves murder. Cops always seem to start here first." Mr. Cooper answers as Dean smirks at Sam's discomfort.

"So, you three every worked the circuit before?" Mr. Cooper begins the interview. "Uh, yes, sir. Last year through Texas and Arkansas" Sam casually lies as Dean and Y/N nod. "Doing what? Ride jockeys? Butcher? A&S people?" Mr. Cooper queries. They're all confused by this but continue to keep up the ruse, nodding as if they understood.

"Yeah, uh. Little bit of everything, I guess" Y/N lies fluidly. Mr. Cooper looks at them suspiciously, "You three have never worked a show in your lives before, have you?" He calls them out on their bullshit, catching them in their act. "Nope" Dean responds with an awkward smile. "But we really need the work. So- And, uh Sam here has got a thing for the bearded lady" Dean chuckles, pointing to his little brother.

Earning a glare from Sam and a snicker from Y/N. "You see that picture?" Mr. Cooper points to an old picture with a man who looked identical to him, a fedora on, near the Ferris wheel. "That's my daddy" He says. "You look just like him" Sam says smiling. "He was in the business. Ran a freak show, till they outlawed them most places. Apparently, displaying the deformed isn't dignified" Cooper informs them.

"So, most of the performers went from honest work to rotting in hospitals and asylums. That's profess, I guess" Cooper shrugs as they listen on. "You see, this place, it's a refuge for outcasts. Always has been. For folks that don't fit in nowhere else. But you three..." He explains, leaning forward in his chair. "You should go to school. Find a couple girls or guy. Have 2.5 kids. Live regular" He advices them wisely.

Dean rolls his eyes as Y/N internally groans. Sam then leans forward, "Sir.....We don't wanna go to school. And we don't want regular. We want this" Sam says firmly, Y/N cocks an eyebrow at this along with Dean. Surprised by Sam's statement, they share an uneasy look.

Now walking back outside, "Huh" Dean mumbles. "What?" Sam asks. "That whole, uh, 'I don't wanna go back to school' thing. Were you saying that to Cooper or were you, you know, saying it?" Dean asks. Sam couldn't find the right answer, "Sam?" Y/N calls out to him. "I don't know" Sam sighs, responding honestly. "You don't know? I thought once the demon was dead and the fat lady sing, that you were gonna take off, head back to Wussy State" Dean blurts out.

"I'm having second thoughts" Sam turns to them. "Really?" Y/N asks surprised. "Yeah, I think. Dad would've wanted me to stick with the job" Sam shrugs. "Since when do you give a damn what dad wanted?" Dean snaps, y/n sighs at this. Faceplaming again at Deans tone. "You spent half your life doing exactly what he didn't want, Sam" Dean scoffs.

"Since he died. Okay?" Sam retorts. Dean nods, a displeased look on his face. "You have a problem with that?" Sam asks in a standoffish tone. Dean goes to snap back but Y/N steps between them, "I don't mean to butt in, but now is not the time nor the place fellas." She chimes in firmly, giving them a warning look.

Dean sighs, "Sorry, Princess." He apologizes sincerely. "No, I don't have a problem at all" He growls at his brother before walking off.

________________________________

Later, Sam is wearing a red jacket with 'Cooper Carnival On The Go' printed on it in white. Currently picking up discarded trash by the carnival attendees on the floor with a clamp stick, shoving it into a big blue bag as the patrons scream on the rides. He had his EMF meter stuffed in his jacket, a pair of headphones shoved in his ear to pick up any frequencies.

He takes a cautious look around before heading to the funhouse, waiting for some of the girls who were inside to file out. He then makes his way into the funhouse. He pulls out his EMF meter as the sounds of screaming over a recording plays throughout the room. Then scanning the organ pipes near some of the colorful framed mirrors.

The EMF doesn't give off any frequencies. Sam almost shat his pants when a fake skeleton came descending from the roof in a flash, causing him to almost bump into some teenage girls behind him, who giggle at his fearful look. Sam breathes out a shaky breath as he glares at the skeleton. He scans it but nothing comes up. He then leaves the funhouse before taking out his phone to call Y/N.

Meanwhile, Dean and Y/N open up a large dumpster, tossing the trash in their big blue bags into the can. Dressed identical to Sam, "Jesus, people are so filthy" Y/N gags in disgust at the garbage she picked up from around the carnival. "Amen" Dean mutters in agreement, grimacing from the putrid smell.

Y/N's phone then rings, she hands Dean the stick and bag. Fishing her phone from her jacket pocket, flipping it open to see it's Sam. "Hello?" She answers. Dean then presses his ear to the back of her phone, his light stubble brushing against her smooth cheek. Y/N's heartbeat quickens at their close contact and so does Dean's. "Hey, man" Sam responds shakily.

"What's the matter? You sound like you just saw a clown" Dean taunts his little brother chuckling, as Y/N rolls her eyes, hiding her snicker. "Very funny" Sam deadpans. "Skeleton, actually" He says ironically, causing Dean and Y/N to be confused at this. "Like a real human skeleton?" Y/N asks. "In the funhouse. Listen I was thinking. What if the spirit isn't attached to a cursed object? What if it's attached to its own remains?" Sam suggests.

"Did the bones give off EMF?" Dean asks. "Well, no but-" Sam goes to say but Dean cuts him off. "We should check it out anyway" Dean suggests. "We're heading to you" Y/N tells him, then hanging up the phone. She and Dean share a nod before walking off towards the funhouse. That's when, Barry, the blind man from earlier, suddenly appears.

Grabbing Dean by his arm. "What are you two kids doing here?" Barry asks them suspiciously. Dean and Y/N share a nervous look, "We're just sweeping" Dean covers quickly. "Bullshit" Barry spits. "And what were you talking about? Skeletons? What's EMF?" Barry asks pressingly. They side glance at each other nervously again, "Dude, your blind man hearing is out of control" Y/N chuckles awkwardly.

"We're a tight knit group. We don't like outsiders. We take care of our own problems" Barry says defensively. "We got a problem?" Dean asks, cocking his eyebrow. "Well, you two tell me. You're the ones talking about human bones" Barry chuckles as if it's ridiculous. Dean gives y/n a look, she rapidly shakes her head but Dean ignores it.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Dean asks Barry, leaning in closer. Y/N facepalms for what feels like the thousandth time today at Deans bigmouth. "What?" Barry scoffs confused. "My brother, my friend and me...um...we're all writing a book about them" Dean covers up his question with a lie, a sly smile on his face towards Y/N. She rolls her eyes at his smug smile.

After their conversation with Barry, they begin to make their way to the funhouse to meet up with Sam. Y/N reaches over and swiftly taps Dean on his head in annoyance. "Ow!" Dean yelps, clutching the back of his head. "What was that for?" He grumbles at her while she glares at him. " 'Do you believe in ghosts?' Why don't you just tell the midget while we're at it" She grumbles back sarcastically, shooting him a glare whilst he winced. Rubbing his head.

"Oh shut it, we found out some useful information" Dean defends. Y/N sighs, "Whatever" She grumbles. "What took you guys so long?" Sam asks them a bit annoyed. "Long story" Y/N huffs in response. "Mommy, look at the clown" A little girl near talking to her mother says, pointing. "What clown?" Her mother asks her confused.

This catches the attention of the three hunters. They begin to walk towards them only to see the girl was pointing to nothing, "Come on, sweetie. Come on" Her mother ushers her away. The three share a look, worried something might happen to this poor girls family.

________________________________

Later that night, they followed the family back to their house. Pulling up across the street to see the family from their large opened window in the living room. Dean puts the squeaky car in park as Sam lectures him. "Dean, I cannot believe you told Papazian about the homicidal phantom clown" Sam scoffs from the backseat.

"Yeah, tell me about it" Y/N huffs in agreement with Sam. "I told him an urban legend about a homicidal phantom clown. I never said it was real" Dean shrugs, pulling out his rock-salt gun. "Hey! Keep that down" Y/N snatches the gun away from Dean, earning an eyeroll from him. "Oh, and get this: I mentioned the Bunker Brothers Circus in '81 and their, uh, evil-clown apocalypse. Guess what?" Dean informs Sam.

"What?" Sam asks. "Before Mr. Cooper owned Cooper Carnival. He worked for Bunker Brothers. He was their lot manager" He tells Sam. Realization dawns on Sam, "So basically, we think whatever the spirits attached to, Cooper brought it with him" Y/N adds. "Yeah, something like that" Dean agrees, looking out the car window at the family's house.

"I can't believe we keep talking about clowns" Dean mutters. "Yeah, tell me about it" Sam quipped up, gulping. Causing Dean and Y/N to chuckle.

Couple hours in, they're still staking out the house. Dean and Y/N had fallen asleep in the front, her head laid against his shoulder, his cheek pressed against the top of her head. Sam was still awake in the back seat, his eyes widened when he noticed the little girl from earlier was in the living room. "Dean, Y/N!" He nudged the two awake, their eyes shooting open to see the little girl in the living room, walking towards the front door.

They quickly jumped out of the car, rock salt guns cocked. They made their way around the house, looking for any open window. They finally came upon the bathroom window, Dean and Y/N gave Sam a boast to jump in, shimmying his large body through the small opened window. Dean then gave Y/N a boast, his hands gripping her waist as she pulls herself in, gliding through the window with ease.

Dean then followed behind, they creeped down the hallway leading out of the bathroom, backs pressed to the wall, Sam and Dean had their guns locked and loaded. They heard the jingling of bells as the little girl made her way down the hall, holding a clowns hand. "Wanna see Mommy and Daddy? They're upstairs" She says innocently, leading the clown to the stairs.

When their eyes landed on the clown, they jumped into action. "Hey! Hey!" Sam and Dean yelled, aiming their guns at the clown. Te little girl began to scream but Y/N swooped in and quickly grabbed the terrified screaming little girl, shielding her from the clown as Sam and Dean empty their shells into its chest. The clown fell to the ground, bleeding.

But in an instant, it got up back, a creepy smile on its face. Sam and Deans eyes widen with terror, "Y/N! Watch out!" Dean yells for Y/N to duck, she quickly does so. They move to attack the clown but it disapparated after jumping through the glass door, shattering on impact. Dean ran out to go after the clown but it disappeared. Y/N was still holding into the little girl, protecting her from the scene.

Y/N freezes when she sees the girls parents bend the corner, quickly letting go of the little girl, her hands up in surrender. "What's going on in here? What are you doing here?! Who the hell are you!" The girls fathers yells. "Oh my god! What are you doing to my daughter! Get out, get out of my house!" Her mother gasps terrified. Sam, Dean and Y/N shagged ass and ran out of there immediately.

________________________________

The next morning, the trio are packing up their stuff, slinging their bags over their shoulders. "You really think they saw our plates?" Y/N asks Dean as he shuts the trunk harshly. "I don't wanna take the chance. Besides, I hate this fucking thing anyway" Dean grumbles as they walk off, abandoning the car on a stretch, in the bushes.

"Well, one things for sure" Dean says. "What's that?" Sam asks as they walk down the stretch, walking side by side to Y/N. "We're not dealing with a spirit. That rocksalt hit something solid" Dean points out. "Yeah, I got nothing. No chills, at all" Y/N agrees. "Yeah. A person? Or maybe a creature that can make itself invisible?" Sam spitballs. "Yeah, and dress up as a clown for kicks?" Dean says sarcastically.

"Did it say anything in your dads journal?" Y/N asks Sam. "Nope." Sam sighs, pulling out his phone from his pocket. "Who you calling?" Dean asks. "Maybe Ellen or that guy Ash will know something" Sam shrugs. A thought flashes across his mind, a sly smile on his face. "Hey, you think, uh— ?" Sam chuckles. "You think F/N and Ellen ever had a thing?" Sam asks curiously.

Y/N grimaces at the thought, "No way" She cringes. "Agreed" Dean agrees. "Then why didn't they ever tell us about her? Plus she seemed more worried about F/N than she did Dad" Sam points out. "I don't know. Maybe they all had some sort of falling out" Dean shrugs. "Yeah." Sam agrees, looking down at his phone as they continue to walk.

"You ever notice our dads had a falling out with just about everybody?" Y/N points out chuckling a bit along with Sam. Dean didn't answer, his face stoic. "Well don't get all maudlin on them" Sam scoffs, hanging up the phone when he didn't get a response. "What do you mean?" Dean asks defensively. Sam and Y/N give him a knowing look, "I mean, this strong, silent thing of yours. It's crap, and I'm over it" Sam argues, causing Dean to groan and y/n to sigh internally.

Here we go, she thinks to herself. "Oh my god" Dean groans. "This isn't just anyone we're talking about, this is dad and f/n. I know how you felt about them" Sam further argues. "You know what? Back off, alright? Just because I'm not caring and sharing like you want me to-" Dean goes to say but Sam cuts him off.

"No, no, no. That's not what this is about, Dean. I don't care how you deal with this, but you have to deal with it, man." He lectures. "And so do you, Y/N" Sam turns to Y/N. Her gaze snaps to him, surprised. "Excuse me, but I am dealing. Just because I'm not gonna lean on your shoulder and sob 24/7 doesn't mean that I'm not dealing." She scoffs defensively.

Sam sighs in defeat. "Listen, y/n. I'm your best friend and Dean, I'm your brother. Alright? I just wanna make sure you two are okay" Sam tries to reason with them but Dean snaps. "Dude, we're okay! I'm okay, okay?! I swear the next person who asks if I'm okay, I'm gonna start throwing punches!" Dean bellows. "These are your issues. Quit dumping them on us!" He further argues, stopping in his tracks to turn to Sam.

"What are you talking about?" Sam asks in a hurt tone, turning to his brother. "I just think it's really interesting, this sudden obedience you have to Dad. It's like, 'Oh, what would Dad want me to do?'" Dean says ironically and Y/N glances between the two heated men nervously. "Sam, you spent your entire life slugging it out with that man. I mean, hell." Dean chuckles humorlessly.

"You picked a fight with him the last time that you ever saw him. And now that he's dead, you wanna make it right? Well I'm sorry, Sam, but you can't. It's too little, too late" Dean blurts out angrily, tears welling up in Sam's eyes. Y/N is in disbelief at his words. "Are you kidding me?!" She snaps. Dean is taken back by this along with Sam, "How could you even say that right now?! If you could say that to Sam, why can't you say that to me?!" She comes to Sam's defense.

"Because you're not saying, 'Oh, what would daddy want me to do?' No!" Dean further yells. "Screw that, you're being too biased and harsh right now. Don't take out your anger on, Sam!" She yells at him. "And you" She turns to Sam, pointing at him firmly. "People deal with grief differently, some wanna talk about it, some don't. So don't push us to talk about it if we don't wanna. It's just simple as that." She says firmly to Sam, turning back to Dean.

"Sam is only pushing because he cares, but arguing isn't gonna make this any better, Dean. They're dead! We can't fix that! We just have to deal with it" She says in an exasperated tone, tears welling up in her eyes. Dean immediately regretted his words towards his brother by the end of Y/N's rant. But Sam was too angry to look at Dean, "I'm gonna call Ellen." He simply says to them, walking forward to call her.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you, princess" Dean apologizes sincerely to Y/N when his brother is out of earshot. "Yeah, me too charming" She returns the apology, looking down at the ground. "We've all just been through a lot these past few months. We're only human" She sighs. "But if you do ever wanna talk.." She begins. "Oh, god. Not this again" Dean groans exasperatedly. "Relax darling" She chuckles lightly.

"I mean it. We're family, I'm always here and so is Sam. Whether you wanna smash some beer bottles or sit in silence. I'm here" She assured him gently, giving him a soft smile. Dean's heart skipped a beat. She expected Dean to roll his eyes but he returned her smile, "I'll take you up on that offer" He promises her, she smiles flashing him a wink as they walk ahead closer to Sam.

"Thanks a lot" Sam says to Ellen before hanging up. "Rakshasa" Sam tells them. "What's that?" Dean and Y/N ask in unison. "Ellen's best guess. It's a race of ancient Hindu creatures. They appear in human form. They feed on human flesh. They can make themselves invisible and they cannot enter a home without first being invited" Sam explains to them.

"So they dress up like clowns and the children invite them in" Dean says. "Yeah" Sam responds. "So why don't they just munch on the kids?" Y/N asks curiously. "No idea. Not enough meat on the bones, maybe?" Sam suggests. "What else did you find out?" Dean asks. "Well apparently, rakshasas live in squalor. They sleep on a bed of dead insects" Sam informs them.

Y/N grimaces at the nasty thought, "How nice" She mutters. "Yeah, and they have to feed a few times every 20 to 30 years. Slow metabolism, I guess" Sam shrugs. "Well that, makes sense. I mean, the carnival today, the Bunker Brothers in '81." Dean lists off. "Right. Probably more before that" Y/N agrees. "Hey guys, who do we know that worked both shows?" Dean asks them knowingly.

"Cooper?" Sam and Y/N respond in unison. "Cooper" Dean nods. Sam scoffs a bit at this, shoving his hands in his pockets as Y/N shakes her head. It was so obviously right infront of them. "You know, that picture of his father, that looked just like him" Y/N points out. "You think maybe it was him?" Dean asks them. "Well, who knows how old he is" Sam shrugs.

"Ellen say how to kill him?" Y/N asks Sam. "Legend goes, a dagger made of pure brass" Sam responds. Dean thinks for a second before saying, his mind running to the blind knife thrower, "I think I know where to get one of those." He says. "Well, before we go stabbing things into Cooper, we gonna wanna make damn sure it's him" Y/N says firmly.

"Oh, you're such a stickler for detail, y/n/n" Dean smirks at her, flashing her a wink. Y/N looks down smiling as Sam chuckles lightly. "Alright, I'll round up the blade. You two go check if Coopers got bedbugs" Dean instructs them, the trio still walking down the stretch.

________________________________

Later that night, Sam and Y/N were at the carnival a couple a patrons still in the area. Both near Coopers office. They make sure to look around to ensure there's no one there. They give each other a firm nod before Y/N pulls out her lock pick and begins picking the lock to Coopers office door.

Meanwhile, Dean is with Barry Papazian, the blind man. "Well, I got all kinds of knives. I don't know if I got a brass one, though" Barry says, opening the door to his booth.

A gun cocks behind Sam and Y/N who were inspecting under Coopers bed, their bodies immediately stiffen as they turn back quickly to see Cooper aiming a shotgun at them. "What do you think you're doing?" Cooper spits angrily at them.

Dean entered Barry's booth behind him, "Check in the trunk" Barry instructs him, waving his stick around as he walks in. Dean did so, opening the creaky old wooden trunk. He begins to rummage through it, his eyebrows creased in confusion when he found a red clown wig. Realization dawned on him when he picked it up and it jingled, exactly the way it did back at the little girls house.

He turns around to face Barry, "You?" Dean gasps in disbelief. Barry drops his stick to the ground, taking off his dark shades. "Me" Barry smirks darkly, his face contorting into a wide Joker-like grin, his eyes glowing silver. He waved at Dean menacingly before disapparating into thin air.

Dean instantly tries to bolt out of there but the door was jammed. Locked from the outside. Suddenly, a knife comes wielding at Dean, stabbing straight into the door infront of him. "Jesus!" Dean exclaims in terror. Another knife comes wielding at Dean and stabbed into the door. "Alright!" Dean screams before kicking down the door.

He stumbles through the door, falling over before quickly getting back onto his feet. Dean runs out into the open, "Hey!" Y/N calls out to him. He stops in his tracks and rushes over to them. "Hey" Dean breathes out relieved. "So, Cooper thinks we're peeping Toms, but it's not him" Sam informs him. "Yeah, so I gathered. It's the blind guys. He's here somewhere" Dean tells them quickly, looking around for Barry.

"Fuck, did you get the-?" Y/N asks him. "The brass blades? No. No it's just one of those days" Dean says, still looking around. Sams eyes flicker over to the funhouse. He nudged Y/N along with Dean. "I got an idea, come on" He says quickly, running towards the fun house.

Dean and Y/N share a look, shrugging and then follow behind him. They enter the funhouse of mirrors, only to be separated when the large black door comes closing in. "Sam!" Dean and Y/N call out to him, banging in the door. Separated from Sam. "Dean! Y/N!" Sam yells. "Guys, find the maze, okay?!" Sam screams through the door.

Dean and Y/N share a terrified look before looking around, a nasty clown scream echoing through the room. They walk down the hall cautiously, looking for the maze. A recording of a menacing laugh plays through the dark room.

On Sam's side, he approaches the steam organ playing. An idea flashes thriyub his head, he then tries to pick up one of the flutes from it but the steam burns his hands. Sam flinches, hissing from the burn. He then pulls his jacket sleeves up, using it as a holder to pull out the flute from the organ.

Dean and Y/N make their way around the funhouse, stumbling upon Sam trying to pull out the flute. "Hey" They approach Sam. "Hey. Where is it?" Sam asks about the Rakashas, surprised to see them. "We don't know. Shouldn't we see his clothes walking around?" Y/N huffs. Suddenly, two knives come flying at Dean and Y/N, pinning their clothes to the wall.

They yelp fearfully, "Sam!" Y/N and Dean scream for Sam to hurry up and pull the brads flute out. Sam quickens his pace, pulling out the flute. Dean and Y/N grunt, trying to pull the knives out but it's stuck. Sam creeps slowly, wielding the flute. A knife then comes flying at Sam, which he quickly dodges.

The lights begin to flicker in the funhouse, "Guys, where is he?!" Sam yells. "I don't know!" Dean responds, Y/N's eyes flicker to a leaver to a pipe above her. An idea flashes through her mind. She reaches up and pulls it, activating the steam organ, steam comes piling out of the vents and organ. Clouding the room.

Dean and Y/N notice the shadow of a man creeping behind Sam. "Sam, behind you! Behind you!" They scream, warning him. Sam swiftly stabs Barry Papazian with the brass organ flute. He begins to scream as Sam twists the flute in his stomach, gritting his teeth. Papazian screams painfully as Dean and Y/N finally get the knives out of their clothes as Y/N turns the steam off.

They rush over to Sam to see the brass flute on the ground, blood spilt but no body. Assuming the monster disappeared after being killed, "I hate funhouses" Y/N grumbles frustrated. They boys nods in agreement, breathing heavily.

________________________________

The next day, they're all back at the roadhouse. "You kids did a hell of a job" Ellen commends them, handing each of them a beer. "Your dads would be proud" She adds sincerely. "Thanks" Sam says gratefully. Y/N gives her a small smile. The tension between Dean and Y/N was thick so Y/N gave her best friend a look that said,

'Read the room, Sammy. Beat it'. Sam looks between them, realizing they wanted space, "Oh, yeah, um. I've gotta- uh- uh- I gotta go...over there. Right now" Sam awkwardly says, chuckling nervously before getting up and going over to the other side of the bars pool table by Jo. Dean and Y/N chuckle at his terrible acting, "Smooth" Dean shakes his head, sipping his beer.

"So? Ahem..." Y/N clears her throat awkwardly, her cheeks a bit flushed. "So?" Dean smiles softly, his eyes flickering over to Y/N. "How're you feeling, charming?" She asks concerned. Dean sighs heavily, his eyes trained on his beer bottle. He would lie and say he's fine but he knows that'll earn him either a bitch face from y/n or a smack to the head for lying.

"Not too well, Princess" He answers honestly, breaking gaze with his bottle and back to her. "At least you're being honest now" She smiles softly, sipping her beer. "How're you feeling?" He returns the question. She scoffs, shaking her head. "Just about as good as you" She chuckles dryly. Ellen gives them a side glance, low-key eavesdropping on their conversation.

"But we got each other" She blurts out, Dean cocks his eyebrow at this. His heart skipped a beat, smug smile appearing on his face. "...and Sam" She covers up, clearing her throat. Her face gathering a tinge of pink. Dean goes to shoot her a sly comment but she smacks his arm lightly. Making him chuckle, "I didn't say anything" He puts him hand up in surrender chuckling.

"Yeah, but you were thinking it" She retorts, scoffing jokingly. Ellen shakes her head at their awkward cute banter, a small smile on her face. Dean puts him beer up in toasting manner, she smiles, cheer-sing with Dean. They simultaneously take a sip as they stare deeply into each others eyes.

Dean was grateful for Y/N's patience and support. He knew she'd never leave them, loyalty and compassion was in her nature. Her compassion is a gift, she carried it with her always and forever. And he cherished that about her. Part mind was hopeful that y/n returned his feelings he had for her, Dean begin Dean refused to believe it, once again.

Jo's eyes glanced over to the two hunters laughing and talking. She noticed the way they looked at each other, the longing desperate stare they shared. "I don't got a chance, do I?" She asks Sam, who was racking up the balls to start a game of pool with her. Sam looks over at Dean and Y/N where her eyes were trained. Though his brother wasn't celibate and neither was Y/N, he couldn't lie to Jo.

He shaked his head, smiling in their direction. "Honestly, I doubt it. Sorry" He apologizes sincerely. Jo smiles, shaking her head. "It's fine, there's more fish in the sea. I'll admit though...they're cute" She chuckles, whilst leaning on her pool cue, looking back at Sam. "Ohh, they're something" Sam snorts, sipping his beer. Sharing a laugh with Jo.

Ash then enters from the back room, everyone's attention was drawn over to him. "Hey, cupcake. Where have you been? I've been waiting for ya" He asks y/n flirtatiously, a book in one hand and a laptop in his other. Dean scoffs, glaring at Ash. Y/N rolls her eyes, "If it isn't my favorite country rock star." She retorts sassily. Dean snorts at her response. "We were working a job, Ash" Sam answers from across the bar.

Ash looks at him confused. "Clowns?" Sam adds. "Clowns? What the fuck?" Ash responds still confused. "You got something for us, Ash?" Dean cuts in. He nods, resting his laptop down next to Y/N, Sam comes over immediately. "Did you find the demon?" Y/N asks. "It's nowhere around. At least, nowhere I can find. But if this fugly bastard raises its head. I'll know" Ash answers, typing on his laptop.

A smug smile on his face, "I mean, I'm on it like Divine on dog dookie" He winks at Y/N, she cocks her eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Sam asks. "I mean, any of those signs or omens appear anywhere in the world...my rig will go off. Like a fire alarm." Ash answer, turning the laptop to them with his tracker. Their eyes widen.

"Would you mind...?" Dean asks, going to touch the laptop. But Ash taps the table, giving him a slight glare. Dean smirks, pulling his hand back. "What's up, man?" He asks Dean in a standoffish tone. "Ash, where did you learn to do all this?" Y/N asks, chuckling impressed at his tech knowledge. "MIT. Before I got bounced for fighting" He responds, smirking cockily.

They're all taken back by this, "MIT?" Sam asks in disbelief. "It's a school in Boston" Ash says plainly. Sam holds back a snicker, "Okay. Give us a call as soon as you know something?" Dean asks him. "Sí, sí. Compadre" Ash responds. Dean nods. "Y/N, you should give me your number so I can..." Ash says flirtatiously. Dean clenches his jaw, holding back his boiling hatred.

Y/N scoffs chuckling. "Sorry, sweetie. I don't do college boys" Y/N retorts, feigning a smile. Dean smirks proudly at her answer as Sam chuckles. Ash's smirk widens, "I do like a challenge" He winks at her, before leaving the room. Y/N shakes her head scoffing as they boys laugh. They finish off their beers, "Thanks Ellen, we appreciate everything" Y/N says kindly to Ellen, she returns the smile to Y/N before she exits behind Sam.

When Sam and Y/N leave, "Hey, Dean" Ellen calls out to Dean. "Yeah?" Dean answers. "Did F/N know you have a thing for his little girl?" She asks, smirking. Dean is taken back, he chuckles nervously. "I do not- She's like my little sister- " He shakes his head rapidly, denying it relentlessly. Ellen cuts him off with a laugh. "And I'm Cher" Ellen snorts sarcastically, giving him a side glance.

Deans face drops, his heart ready to fall out his ass. She smiles, "Chill. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. You guys seem like you'd be great together" Ellen assured him, giving her a small smile. Dean smiles softly, "I'd like to hope so" Dean sighs. "If you kids need a place to stay, I got a couple beds out back" She tells him. "Thanks, but no. There's something, I gotta to finish" Dean says gratefully. "Okay" She nods, Dean gives her one last smile before walking out.

________________________________

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Dean was back in Bobby's scrapyard, knelt down replacing Baby's tire. Sam approaches him, "You were right" Sam says. "About what?" Dean asks, getting up, he walks to the other side. "About me and Dad." Sam says honestly. "I'm sorry that the last time I was with him, I tried to pick a fight. I'm sorry that I spent most of my life angry at him" Sam says sincerely. "I mean, for all I know, he died thinking that I hate him. So you were right" Sam admits.

Tears forming in his eyes, Deans face still stoic, "What I'm doing right now, it is too little. It's too late" Sam singles back tears as Dean swallows the lump forming in his throat. "I miss him, man. And I miss f/n. And I feel guilty as hell" Sam holds back tears, breathing heavily. "And I'm not alright. Not at all." He admits, sighing heavily. "But neither are you. That much I know" Sam says, this makes Dean clench his jaw further, the anger and grief building inside of him.

"I'll let you get back to work" Sam concludes, walking back to the house. Rage boiled inside of Dean, he moved to the tool tray and picked up a crowbar. His face contorted with pure fury, he gritted his teeth and swiftly drew back his crowbar. Smashing the passenger window of an old junked car.

His eyes flickered over to Baby, his heart heaving heavily. He began to go at the trunk, hitting it profusely with the crowbar. Grunting loudly, painfully as he dents her trunk with the crowbar. His veins were hot, his chest began to burn with the dents turned into a hole in the trunk. The crowbar slipped out of his hand, clanging on the ground.

He fell bottom first onto the ground besides the crowbar, tears welling up in his eyes. He struggled to breath, his hands shaking as he tried to fish his phone out of his pocket. He called the first person that came to mind, they only person he wants around him right now.

The phone rings besides her on the couch in Bobby's living room, "Hello?" Y/N pressed a her phone to her ear. Resting her book down on her lap. All she heard was Deans heavy breathing, she could hear him choking back tears. "Dean?" She leaned forward on the couch, her voice laced with concern. "I need you...please" Dean pleads tearfully. "I'm coming" She says immediately, tossing her phone aside.

She ran out to the yard to see Dean on the floor, his arms wrapped around his knees pulled to his chest. Tears staining his face. Her heart sank painfully, "Charming" She gasps, settling next to him on the ground. She instantly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, Dean finally allowed himself to cry. His stiff body relaxed into Y/N's arms as he let out his wretched sobs into her chest.

"It's okay....it's okay..." She cooed gently, stroking his dark blonde hair. Her tone was pained, seeing Dean in so much pain. It pained her inside out. She desperately wished she could do something to make this easier but the grief had to run it's course. Deans body shaked relentlessly in her arms, his tears soaking her shirt. "It'll be okay. I promise" She assured him, sobbing with him.

"I didn't mean to make you cry" Dean croaks apologetically, looking up at her with his tear filled eyes. "You didn't make me cry, babe" She smiled tearfully, pushing his hair back with her fingers. He continued to cry, clutching onto her as if she'd disappear. Her cheek rested gently at the top of his head, she laid a gentle kiss on his crown as they held each other.

________________________________

Authors Note: ......yeah, I'm a sap. DEAL WITH IT🤣🤣🤣I hope whoever is reading enjoyed!🥰 Just a little Easter egg I planted in there, 'Her compassion is a gift, she carried it with her always and forever.' Was inspired by 'Your compassion is a gift, Elena. Carry it with you...Always and Forever'. It's from The Vampire Diaries (another favorite show of mine) from Elijah's letter to Elena.

And the "It's okay...it's okay" was inspired by Allison's death in Teen Wolf, from when she was dying in Scott's arms. There is actually an edit sound of Will from Good Will Hunting crying and Allison saying 'It's okay'. I immediately thought of Dean and Y/N, so that's what inspired the ending. Look it if you want the full experience lol. Once again, hope you guys enjoyed and this chapter it not edited. Till the next episode!🫶

Tag list: @hjgdhghoe @rach5ive @tiggytaylor @star-yawnznn @quarterhorse19 @deangirl96 @bitchykittenconnoisseur

Xoxo

69 notes · View notes

bastila-s · 7 months

Text

Baldur's Gate 3 Screenshot Tutorial

Hi, I decided to make a more in-depth guide for my twitter followers, as I'm super limited in characters and formatting options over there.

For this tutorial, I'll explain how you can enhance your screenshots. I'll divide it into five parts: ReShade, making your screenshots high resolution, camera mods, photography basics, and post-processing. By the end of following all of these steps, you should have something way better than the start!

I recommend going through this tutorial downloading things step-by-step for the first three parts, as it'll help you to quickly identify where you've gone wrong if you have any issues.

1. ReShade ReShade is a post-processing tool that allows you to change the look of a game with an array of different effects and adjustments to use. It can be a lot to wrap your head around at first, so I recommend starting off by finding a ReShade preset that speaks to you from this page if you're not already familiar with using it. The mod authors should explain how to download it. I find 22:20 of this YouTube video to be helpful to introduce ReShade if you're completely new to it. This video is for the Sims 4, but ReShade typically works the same across different games. Now that ReShade is downloaded, we can get depth of field working within the ReShade. This step is optional. Depth of field refers to what will be in focus in your screenshot, and what will be blurred. It's essentially simulating shooting with a camera, like so:

To get this effect working, you need to follow this tutorial within the ReShade menu.

2. Making Your Screenshots High Resolution Typically, Baldur's Gate 3 is ran in 1920x1080 resolution, or standard HD (unless you have a higher resolution monitor and are running the game in 4k, in which case, you can ignore this step if you'd like). This is definitely an acceptable quality, but if you'd like to capture any detail, you're not going to get much out of this. To get a better quality image, there are two ways to achieve this. The first method is through hotsampling. Hotsampling is briefly running a game in a much higher resolution than your monitor supports, allowing you to capture screenshots with incredible detail, then bringing it back down to a native playable resolution. To hotsample, you'll either need to use the BG3 camera tool, or SRWE. For either of these hotsampling tools, it's important that you've downloaded ReShade, or they will not work.

Once you have either of these downloaded, make sure your game is running in windowed mode. If you have more than one monitor, you need to change your display to show only on one screen. Or again, this will not work.

Next, you're going to want to make sure you have a key set for taking screenshots in ReShade, as well as making sure you like the folder where your screenshots are set to be saved. You can find this in the settings tab. Once you have those set, you're ready to take really HD screenshots!

To do that, you want to set your game's resolution to 2x, or even 3x what it's currently displayed as. Once it's set, your game screen is going to look giant and probably run way off your monitor. This is a sign it's working! Once it looks like this, press the screenshot key you set earlier within ReShade, and there you go, a nice big screenshot should be in the folder you set!

If you don't want to do hotsampling, and if you have a Nvidia graphics card, you can download their their app, which can take resampled screenshots. It won't be as high quality as hotsampling, but still better than standard HD.

3. Camera Mods

There are two camera mods that I know of for BG3. One is paid, the other is not.

The first one is the Native Camera Tweaks mod. This mod allows you to move the camera around more freely as you're traversing the world, but in cutscenes you'll still be stuck.

The second one is the paid one, but it allows for total freedom within the game, even during cutscenes. This tool is also very helpful for hotsampling. Within this tool, it's very useful to configure your own controls for moving the camera around in game, as well as setting a key you'll remember for pausing the game so you can set up a screenshot. I changed the movement keys to be wasd and the keys to change the angle of my camera side to side/up and down to the arrow keys.

4. Photography Basics

Taking screenshots in a game is a lot like doing photography irl tbh lol, same rules mostly apply. You of course want to do the basics like making sure your subject is in focus, it's not too dark or too light. But some other tips for people not very familiar with taking photos to take note of are:

Make sure if you're taking a photo of a person, the top of their head is within frame

Try and either make sure someone is front and center, or in the rule of thirds

Pay attention to the lighting, sometimes it's too bright or too dull. Sometimes it's unflattering in certain angles. Lighting will always make a huge difference

5. Post-Processing

You can now leave your screenshot as is, or edit it further with a photo editing software! I recommend using Photopea, as it offers basically everything Photoshop does without the insane price tag. From here you can do whatever you feel is best to enhance your image.

And that's all! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and if you get stuck anywhere in this tutorial, don't feel bad. A lot of this stuff is just trial and error, but if you're very persistent with it, I promise you'll get these working. Also I would just like to mention that a lot of this stuff applies to taking screenshots in a lot of games! So you can take this knowledge with you elsewhere <3

If you happened to follow all this, please send in an image of your Tav you took!

#baldur’s gate 3 #bg3

104 notes · View notes

jennamoran · 4 months

Text

The Far Roofs: the Magician

Hi!

Today I’m going to talk a little bit more about my forthcoming RPG, the Far Roofs. More specifically, I want to talk about one of the characters for the bundled campaign: the Magician.

So the characters for the Far Roofs campaign are, loosely speaking, about halfway between pre-generated characters and classes.

Pretty close to playbooks, I think; close enough for the Powered by the Apocalypse and Forged in the Dark stuff I've read to have influenced some of the details ... but, ultimately, they're coming out of a different stream of development. They just aren't quite the same.

Nor are they really pregens, or classes.

They are just ... what they are.

One of them, for instance, is the Magician.

If you play the Magician, what you're saying is, when you were young, you had a brush with a Mystery---one of those roof-haunting divine monsters I've talked about. It was traumatic, and you tried to forget, but now you've just come back from away (changing jobs, finishing a major project, finishing school, whatever) and you're learning your childhood nightmares were real.

The rest of who you are? What you're dealing with?

Well, that'll be up to you.

The Magician comes with some pregen stats, that you can rearrange if you want to. It comes with access to two "powersets," and you can choose four powers from them starting out.

(There's a set of four that the game recommends that are subtle enough that you can tell yourself you're just a regular person. If you want. For a while.

... that'll be up to you too.)

Most of all, what being the Magician gives you is four character-specific stories, of which the first is Coming Back:

Coming Back "You’ve been away, working on an exhausting project or studying abroad or something. Now you’re back … and getting dragged into the affairs of rats and Mysteries. You try to work out how you fit in."

To get you started on that story, the game gives you three things you'll want to answer or define by building words out of letter draws over the course of ... well, probably, a large number of sessions. In sum:

how can I possibly hold myself together through this?

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?

[your relationship with the rats]

It also gives you a "quest," a place to start on all this, which basically boils down to

a premise: "you need to figure out how to live with this damage"

a few tools to draw bonus letters, and

the extra question: "can I really face the far roofs again?"

You'll finish that up, and at least make a start on figuring out what to do here, after which you can move on to a second, third, fourth, or even fifth quest if you're not done figuring out the three big story-based challenges yet.

When you're done, after you answer those questions and however many you needed for quests ... there's another three stories. All the while, there's some bigger-picture group stuff that's going on too.

In practice, I do think these stories will take a long time. It is possible to speedrun the stories in this game, to blur through the campaign in like twenty hours of play .. but it'll be about as weird as any other speedrun.

If you're not doing that, I figure it'll be a couple of sessions, maybe even 4+, before you even answer one of those questions.

You'll draw maybe five letters in a session, and use some of them on the group story or subplots, and all the while you're developing your understanding of the proper answers while you shuffle the letters around.

Like, let's walk through one way it might go.

Maybe you draw NA in the first, slowest session. You could treat that as an N/A answer to something, but let's say you're not really into that. Like, burning through the questions fast doesn't help you, any more than it does in real life:

You want something that means something, that helps you crystallize how your character addresses that question.

That might wind up being N/A, but probably not in the first session or two! Not until and unless it feels right.

So let's say session 2 gives you ... NPLG. And now you can decide that you're a PAL of the rats and that's one question down ... but again, that only really works if you are or you want to be, right?

It's s a very specific choice, PAL. It's not for most, really.

It might not be for you.

More likely, I figure, you just ... have NANPLG there ... and none of that answers your questions at all.

Session 3. EEGEN. NANPLGEEGEN.

So you look between that and your questions. Between that and the four major challenges you have to address:

how can I possibly hold myself together through this?

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?

[your relationship with the rats]

can I really face the Far Roofs again?

And, maybe ... PLAN?

PLAN isn't bad for the first answer. I guess it was already there back in session 2, but I didn't see it until now. Maybe you didn't either. It's not bad, either way. At least, not for my version of the Magician; yours might, of course, differ a lot.

What else can we find in those letters?

GLEEP ... is ... not helpful.

LENGE ... isn't even a word!

(Update! On review, it turns out it is a word in Hungarian, and there's also a song, so like if you know the song or Hungarian you might get something out of it.

... but typical Magicians probably won't.)

Session 4, anyway, brings us up to NANPLGEEGENLMAEA.

... no O, Y, or S, which means we still can't answer basic questions like whether you believe the far roofs are real with a simple NO or a YES. Same on whether you can face them again.

In fact, without O, we can't even "LMAO" at the very idea of being able to hold things together in the face of it all!

What can we find?

...

GLEAM is in there. It's a good word, but unless it fits something that's going on in the game or your personal take on things, it's unlikely to help.

LAME to self-chastise yourself is ... good if it's something your character keeps saying, but otherwise no.

LEAN, maybe?

Like, maybe you're LEANing on the rats for spiritual and mental support?

Conveniently (I'm drawing these from an online letter server, so they're not rigged) you even have two LNA at this point, meaning you can use up LEAN and still have PLAN in your pocket.

... let's do that.

Let's go ahead and answer two challenges with PLAN and with LEAN, leaving us with GEEGNMA and two questions left:

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?

can I really face the Far Roofs again?

GEEGNMA. Dang. So close to having ENIGMA!

... I guess you do have ENEMA but that doesn't seem relevant.

AMEN ... not that useful, honestly, either.

NAME?

AMEN or NAME might help with some miscellaneous task, but not with the two questions at hand.

The next session brings us LSIRK.

GEEGNMALSIRK.

... which does give us ENIGMA as an option. We could answer a question with basically, "I dunno, it's an enigma."

... but of the two questions we have left,

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?

can I really face the Far Roofs again?

... ENIGMA only really works for the first.

And that's totally fine! Except there are a few in-game incentives I haven't really talked about and in fact won't talk about here to encourage you to address the quest-question first.

So, what else?

SEE? SEER? Again, they only work for "do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?"

... let's table this until session 6.

Session 6. We get the letters OAEUWH. We now try to answer the questions:

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real?

can I really face the Far Roofs again?

with letters from GEEGNMALSIRKOAEUWH.

... we have an O now.

I don't like just answering the second question with "NO" but it's now possible, at least. You might do that, with your Magician, anyhow.

MAYBE, like YES, must still wait on a Y.

WHO CAN?, on a C.

...

Oh! But there's OW, for "yes, I believe they're real, but it really hurts"

WHO for "if I decide who I am, maybe?"

Those are rough. They might feel better, though, after keeping them in mind for a bit during play.

WHEEL ... is not helpful. Nor WHALE.

WHOA?

WAIL?

... I actually like WAIL here, though I hate using up that I and taking ENIGMA off the table. But, like:

"can I do this?" answer: incoherent wailing

That ... feels like a solid answer for someone who is both doing it and doesn't really think they can. Maybe not in your group and your circles. Maybe not for your Magician. But for some Magicians, at least, it makes sense.

The question

can I really face the Far Roofs again?

came from the first quest, and so when you answer it with WAIL, you move on to the second one. That gives us a new premise, a new set of card-drawing options, and a new question:

what did/will I find on the Roofs that I actually need?

So now we have GEEGNMSRKOAEUH and our questions are:

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real? and

what did/will I find on the roofs that I actually need?

Do you maybe need a KO? A ... RAKE?

A ... GROAN?

GROAN is a good answer to "do I even believe the Far Roofs are real," at least for the kind of character who answered "can I really face them?" with WAIL.

Let's ignore the incentives I mentioned earlier, then, and do just that, giving us the following set of challenges and answers:

how can I possibly hold myself together through this? PLAN

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real? ... (GROAN)

[your relationship with the rats] LEAN

can I really face the Far Roofs again? ... (WAIL) and

what did/will I find on the roofs that I actually need? ????

plus, EEGMSKEUH.

What do you need, that you can find on the roofs, that you can make out of EEGMSKEUH?

Do you need ... an SKU?

SEEK ... it's probably good to stick SEEK in your pocket, like, in case you figure out some way to use it as a "the journey is the destination" sort of thing, but the idea's a bit thin.

... let's say you don't use that yet.

The next session draws AABHR, for a total letter set of EEGMSKEUHAABHR.

... if there were a T, we could use BREATH.

... I guess, if there were a T, we could also have TEA.

I look at those letters and want to do HOPE, but in fact, we only have two letters from HOPE. We have an M, so we're closer to HOME ... but is the thing you find there really a home?

There's SHAME, but unless that's exactly your character arc, that's probably not what you need, that you find on the roofs.

GEM? HUGE? RAM? ... just a couple more letters and maybe we can get RAMEKIN, and honestly, you do need one of those, everybody does, but ... well, you don't have the letters for it.

GAME?

Let's say you push it off one session more.

The next session brings SRIHO.

Now we have EEGMSKEUHAABHRSRIHO.

... HOME is now possible, and strong, but only if there's stuff happening in game to lead up to it.

SHEER ... doesn't work.

Not quite enough letters for RHINO.

We can do BEARS, but you probably don't need that many bears. SOME RIBS ...

Ah, here we go:

RISK.

That could work. Let's say that it does.

You needed to get out of your comfort zone. You needed to do something scary. It was the only way to discover you could.

And if that's your answer, you can finish out the story now:

how can I possibly hold myself together through this? PLAN

do I even believe the Far Roofs are real? ... (GROAN)

[your relationship with the rats] LEAN

can I really face the Far Roofs again? ... (WAIL)

what did/will I find on the roofs that I actually need? ... RISK

Roughly eight sessions in ... really, 3-15, in practice ... and you've got your first personal storyline cleared. The next one will have you deal with some ghosts.

Thirty-two sessions to finish all four; after that, there's some options, but they're not as personal.

... but if your group has scheduling issues, or even if it doesn't, you might have trouble ever seeing 32 sessions of anything. You're not going to use this stuff up. You'll just hit a number of satisfying narrative stops for your character along the way and at some point the game will end when some player moves away or scheduling gets too rough or, optimally, when one of the larger group storylines ends or a couple players finish stories at once and everyone goes: "yeah, that's an ending."

Even if you've got a really solid group that meets really often, the campaign should keep you going for a good few years of play.

And now you know a bit about both the campaign and about what the Magician is like!

#the far roofs #jenna moran #rpgs

79 notes · View notes

maridoodles · 4 months

Text

brush theory doodle

my brush settings + how i use them under the cut

I use paint tool SAI

PEN BRUSH • LINER + FLAT COLORS

this is the basic pen that comes with SAI. I use it for sketching, lining, and throwing down colors. It's very lightweight to use, and responds great to pressure. i like how soft it looks but it's still solid for selecting areas and paint bucket filling when coloring later on

MARKER BRUSH • BLENDING COLORS

this is the marker tool, i have it set to a fine flat tip to use like a copic chisel tip end. It's semi transparent so it works just like a marker, more pressure will give more color. It's great to add a wash of shading in a picture when using on a separate layer. When coloring on one layer, it'll pick up colors and blend them like when painting with oil paints.

here is an example of using it to lay down shadows in this wip, but it leaves a lot of harsh edges that i'll blend out with a watercolor brush.

SUGOI BRUSH • LINER

this brush i got from an artist that's no longer on tumblr... i do not use this to color because it pulls colors really weird when painting on one layer. But it's great if you want very straight lines. I use this when i want thicker consistent lines like my merch art

it also layers very fun because it's semi transparent. I use it when I want very soft casual lines like in this illustration, see how the lines blur into the colors on the layer underneath?

CRAYON BRUSH • TEXTURE this is my favorite brush. it mimics a rough 2B pencil, it has a beautiful texture. However, it has so much texture that unless you have very thick lines it'll leave pixel gaps so you cannot use the paint bucket fill/select tool making it not great for lining.

I use it to add blush lines and shade hair like Serafina's from my Ghoulfriends comic. Use it on a seperate layer for the sharpest results

i saw this brush theory trend on instagram and wanted to join because i love talking about all i put into my art

bye

#brush theory #i ramble for 10 years under the cut sorry #tutorial #tutorials #brushes #paint tool sai brushes #my art #original

45 notes · View notes

miodiodavinci · 12 days

Note

hey! just getting started using aviutl and i know you use it too, how did you do that like trembling effect on the art and text in your one of repetition pv?

that's my homemade line boiling effect ! ! ! it's a bit of work to set up, but once you make all the resources and get the hang of using the tools, it gets easier to use w

brief tutorial below the cut ! ! !

so the long and short of this effect is that you'll need a "noise" file at a low frame rate (ala 5 to 8 FPS) and aviutl's displacement map tool. before we can work in the project you actually plan on using the effect, though, we need to make a new project to make the noise file

CREATING the NOISE FILE

1. create a new project file in aivutl, but change the frame rate to 10 FPS or below. 5 to 8 usually works for me w. for folks reading who have never used aviutl before, you'll need to right click on the timeline and select Create a New Project from the context menu that pops up.

2. right click on the timeline again and select New media object > Graphic. over in the properties window that pops up, you're going to change the type of graphic from Circle to Background. set the Zoom% (scale) to 300 or so (i neglected to do that here before taking the screenshot whoops).

3. on the same window, right click and select Add a filter effect > Noise. it'll create a texture on the graphic that'll look something like this:

4. from there, you're also going to add Color compensation and Animation effect using the same right click method.

5. go ahead and change the settings to something along these lines (but you can play around with it for more or less drastic effects):

6. congrats!! you have your noise pretty much done ! ! ! just set the length of the graphic to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute, right click on the timeline and select Range setting > Make last object position as last frame, and then export it in your preferred format (i tend to use MP4 to save space).

USING a DISPLACEMENT MAP

1. return now to the project file you plan on using the line boil effect on. in the upper left-hand corner of the timeline, click on the button that says Root and select any scene you like (so long as you can remember which one). scenes essentially function as sub-projects or sub-timelines within your project and can allow you to pre-compose videos to be used elsewhere in your project.

2. in the new scene, import your noise file from the previous project. place it at the start of your timeline and check off the Loop playback box in the properties window. then, just grab the rightmost end of the video file and extend it for the full length of your project. if you find later that the FPS you used is too slow for your liking, you can also adjust the vPlay slider to speed up or slow down the video.

3. head back to the Root (or whichever scene you were composing your video on in the first place). you're going to go to the text or image file you want to apply the effect to and add the Displacement map effect using the same method as before. on the properties window, change the Kind of map from Circle to (Select from scene).

4. remember the scene you used before? click on the new selection button that appears in place of Kind of map and select that scene. also check the box at the bottom that says Match with original size.

5. now it's time to play with the settings ! ! ! Deform X and Deform Y are going to determine how drastic the effect is, and Blur will change how closely the distortion follows the original file. keep in mind that these first two parameters are very sensitive. for example:

if my original file looks like this:

this is what it looks like with DX and DY set to 5 and blur set to 0:

by contrast, when i set DX and DY to 5 but set the blur to 40:

... it creates a much more gentle waving effect w

play around with it ! ! ! in this case, setting the DX and DY to 1 and the blur to 10 got me a pretty nice line boil, but you can experiment to see what works for you and your project w

you can also overlay more than one noise in the same scene to increase the variety of noise ! ! ! just try things out and see what works for you ! ! !

you can also apply this effect to a frame buffer (under Add new media object) if you want to distort the whole screen and not just one or two objects w

and . . . . (leans in close) don't tell anyone i told you this, but you can use this exact same method and just swap out the noise file for any other kind of overlay to create other effects, like glitching computer graphics or old VCR tapes

did i figure all this out through trial and error purely because i was so mad about not having access to the line boil effect i used to use in after effects?? yes. am i sharing it with you now so you can create your own analog horror effects in aviutl?? yes ! ! ! !

have fun with it ! ! ! ! and let me know if you have any questions ! ! ! !

#mio answers things #anon #tutorial #i didn't know what image to use as an example so you guys get one of the ten billion salvador doodles i've made for the group chat HJSGFKJG #folding my hands in prayer please tumblr do not crunch up all these images i need them to work so bad #edit: added alt text to all of the images whoops

24 notes · View notes

lumiidragon · 2 months

Note

Could you give some advice on editing? I really like your httyd edits

Like what kind of layer you use to change the colors of the characters (overlay? Multiply? Stuff like that)

And how to you put black on a lightfury or white on a nightfury so well

Again I really like your edits

I actually wasn't aware if anyone was into my edits since I don't do them much, haha~

But screenshot edits are fun! Here's how I do them using Roughwave!

Here's what I'm starting with:

(I always felt like HTTYD 1 Toothless worked better for edits of her~)

So with this, I start by adjusting the lighting and contrast and slightly altering the saturation of the screenshot:

It's not a crazy difference, but it's enough of a difference to me. Now that I have that, I need to adjust the body. Roughwave is a night light with both night fury and light fury traits, more than just coloration. She has the night fury build, but light fury wing-shapes, no head spines, a fin going down her back instead of the night fury spikes, and only three ear sets instead of four (does not have the top middle set). So before I bother to alter the colors, I need to have my "base".

On a different layer, I blocked in what I was changing and covered what I was removing. I used the colors closest to the surrounding areas of what I was changing. Needless to say, It looks kinda funny rn, but trust the process. This next step is where your eyedrop tool is going to be your best friend. What you'll be doing now is, on the same layer or a different, whatever you prefer, you are going to mimic the shading and texturing over the blotches until they blend.

Comparison of one side that I've done to the other side I haven't gotten to, yet~ I generally start with the darker parts and work my way up to the lighter. It's just all about getting the closest color, dotting and scribbling, and getting the next color until it blends near seamlessly. This process is what takes me the longest in my edits, so be patient.

And here's my new base~ Now I can color!

I make a new layer on "Add Glow" ('Add' will do, too), and I go over my base with a white and erase her markings (since they're the same color as the base I'm using). Once done, it'll look like this. I blur the white layer slightly and touch up the edges a bit so they're not too blurred or too solid for better blending. Once that's done, I lower the layer opacity to 20% and-

Since the scene takes place with lower lighting, I wanted to keep her white darker to match the scene better. I could technically leave it at this since her eye color is the same as the base's, but I usually like going in and adding a few extra details to really make my edit a bit more of "my style".

So the extra detail is pretty much this:

-Add a new layer 'Add Glow' with a green color to Roughwave's eyes to make them pop more.

-Add a new 'Multiply' layer and go over the shading already on it to give it depth.

-Add a new 'Overlay' and do highlights~

-Play with some extra lighting details to make things pretty~

And basically, that's it! As a bonus, for putting black on a light fury, use a grey on a 'multiply' layer and play with the shade of grey and the opacity of the layer until you get the kind of black you're looking for! Hope this helps! ;v;

#how to train your dragon #httyd #oc #night light #night fury #edit #tutorial #//Hope this helps!//

35 notes · View notes

witch-oftheflowers · 2 months

Text

Does it hurt?

Ximena Riley x 141 Task Force

AN: OH get ready. Here comes some angst. This will get dark and emotional. So get ready ~

Masterlist This leads to events

Dim lights filled the space. A small confined room. A single chair in the middle. And a single person. A woman.

Her curls swept forward as she leaned in. Her hands bind behind her, and she softly was breathing. Trying to keep herself awake. Her deep brown eyes scanning around as she gave a small tug on the rope. She almost got it off.

But the door spilled open, letting the hallway lights flutter in. Her eyes linger to the door and the large pair of boots coming in. Gentle even, which the past few weeks it hasn't been like that.

"Ximena... Come on Lass just give us what we want." The voice was stern but trying to be gentle. A soft scoff left her lips as she shut her eyes.

"I told you what I know John... And I'll keep repeating what I know is true. I didn't betray you lots." Ximena stated as she scoot back in her seat. Her curls cascading down her shoulders and down the back of the chair. Her feet were tied apart. Knowing she can get out most holdings.

Price had a force thin smile. Rubbing a hand through his beard as he walked around her

"Anything. Give me anything Ximena. We have a faithful resource that said otherwise" he stopped behind her for a second. Softly yanking her curls back.

Snapping her head back as she winced in the pain. Her eyes snapped to him as she growled

"let go-"

"You need to give us something. We don't wanna hurt you anymore Ximena!" He shoved her head away as she groaned a bit.

"Then hurt me! I don't care!" Her voice was a bit hoarse. She felt the pain internally but as a trained soldier she never needed to show it.

She couldn't, it was a liability. It could risk her life, even now with those she loves. Her eyes stuck to the floor as she frown. A deep sadness in her eyes as she shut them.

Don't give in. Don't give in. Don't do it-

The door opened again and shut. Price went quiet as he stared at the larger man. A man he was hoping to not see.

"Ghost-"

"Let me at 'er Capt. I need a go...." His gravely voice was a bit softer. But the edge was clear. Even Ximena felt it as she sat back in her seat. Her posture corrected as she glanced to the man she loves.

Worse part was during all of this. She wasn't mad. She was just saddened by the leading events that lead to this.

Some damn bastard...

Her thoughts trailed as she didn't noticed Price left them be. Her eyes softly shook as she gazed down to the floor. No. No. Don't leave me with him...

His steps were calm. Walking towards her as he yanked her head up. Her eyes tried to stay stuck below her, but his warm hands forced to her look up. Softly he squished her cheeks as he forced her lips to pout.

"Speak up. That's all you havta do..."

"Never. Because there's nothing to say!" She spat at him as she yanked her face away. Glancing to the side as she noticed the torture tools in the room. All littered with her blood by now.

Her breathing became a bit shallow as she sighs. Trying to keep her emotions in line-

Ghost yanked a fist full of her curls as he knealt to her height. His brown eyes bore into hers. The mass wave of sadness and frustration painted his eyes.

"I need ya to say something. Anything. I do not wanna hurt you Ximena-"

"If you don't get the right thing you want. It'll lead to getting hurt more... So no." She told him with determination in her face.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After viscous hours of pain and torment. Ximena's face was bruised and beat up. Blood was dripping down her face. Feeling her cheeks swell and her eye sight blur.

Cuts litter her exposed body. Her blood was splatter on the floor.

Ghost himself was litter with it even.

The door burst open. And a rookie coming in huffing, spoke up. Ghost was close to ringing him out till the words echoed in the quiet room.

"She's... Not the traitor..." He said as he stared at the two.

"There was no traitor..." He said as he noticed the pair stiff.

Ximena's eyes shook as she processed this. Her head rolled back as the blood loss caught up to her. She stayed stump in the chair as her body lost consciousness

Ghost stared at the rookie with blinded rage

"You're fucken kidding?! You ot to be fucken kidding me right now!" He roared the words as the rookie left the room. His breathing became labor, harsh and brittle even.

"you're ...fucken..." He let a sigh out as he ran his gloves hands over his face. Starting to feel terrible. He glanced to his wife with concern.

He did this

Did

This

The realization hit him like bricks. He was a terrible soldier. He tortured an innocent person.

He harmed his wife.

His other half. And worse he didn't believe her for a second. Not a second through the months of this rigours process.

Doubted

Her

For

Months

The words swirled in his head as he shut his eyes tight.

How could he fix this. Them. Their relationship. Their family. Their everything-

The door opened again as his thoughts were going a million miles a minute. And Laswell stared at the two. Her eyes shook a bit as she got the medics in to take Ximena away for treatment. Once it was just Ghost and her she walked over to the younger man as she touched his arm.

He flinched as he stared to the short woman. His eyes glazed as he wanted to cry. But he was forcing himself to keep it together.

"Laswell..." He whispered her name as the older woman gave him a soft smile

"You couldn't have known.. none of us did.. well besides her.." she said as she noticed Ghost flinch at the last bit.

"She was right... She's 'ways right ya know.."

"Usually she yes. But we didn't see it.. come on.." she escorted him out as she lead him to Price's office.

The trio sat and spoke. Even Ghost yanked the mask off as it felt constricting in the moment.

His blonde hair was buzzed short. As he processed the findings. His brown eyes bore to his boots as he felt stiff.

Yet his chest was pounding. Feeling his heart spike as he was still flooded with the pain and memories of her face. Of what he did to her.

Price was calm as he tried to pull the man out of it.

"Simon look at me-" he said as he got around his desk. On his knees as he stared to the already broken man.

"We couldn't have known..."

"But she did John." He said as he didn't look up. Besides he shut his eyes. Feeling uneased

"The person that gave us these details is being detained. They won't be out till we know why they picked her." Kate said as she stared at the two men

John sighs as he pat Simon on his knees

"Look at me."

Simon blinked a bit as he finally met eye to eye to his captain. His friend.

"She'll be fine.. have a speedy recovery. She's a tough girl- she's gone through a lot worse physically..."

"But we hurt her John. We. Her team. Her family. We broke her 'rust, we broke her. I BROKE HER." He roared the last bit as he didn't realize the hot tears drip down his cheeks.

But Price did. And Laswell. The pair felt sympathy in the moment. They didn't wanna ignore the mental damage this could cause

"Of course we did.. physically and mentally.. that was us. Mentally she might take longer. She'll need longer Simon. But we'll be here with you both every damn step of the way if we must. Because you two are family.." John said firm but clear. Making his and Laswells, along with the Task Force intentions clear.

They'll be there every step of the way.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Ximena woke up. Her curls were pulled into braids. Tucked over her chest.

Her eyes stung a bit. Realizing she was out for a while then -

Glancing around she was alone. It was also dark outside. Middle of the night more likely. Her hands squeezed a bit as she was checking her body.

Hands still moving. Her legs felt like sandbags, more likely from the pain medication they had to give her. Her feet sore even as she knew the needles she had in them for a few hours did some damage-

The room door open as a nurse came in. She blinked a bit as she spoke up.

"Mrs Riley... I'll inform the doctor you're awake. We have a bit to discuss with you ma'am..." She said as she slipped out a bit surprised the woman was up so early

Ximena groaned a bit as she laid there. Her body aching as she finally felt the pain her body had to endure.

She had cuts in so many places. She knew she looked like a tiger now, the bruises would go away slowly. Her nails would come back eventually- her eyes soften as she sighs. Remembering that they more likely seen her bare thigh at some point. The small carving she had on her thigh from Simon-

Where was Simon? Her kids? A bit of panic filled her chest as she tried to sit up. A groan left her dry lips as she whined. Forcing herself up from the stiff mattress. Her eyes hazed a bit as she heard the doctor gasp as they tried to get her back down. She waved her hands around as she didn't wanna lay anymore. She has sores all over her body from being in that stupid chair for three months-

Three months...

And her babies had to be three months old now. Her family-

Her eyes snapped open a bit later. Light beaming in, looking around she didn't realize she blacked out last night. A huff as she got up again. Sitting in the bed, but her eyes shifted to the sight besides her. Seeing Ghost in the chair. His brown eyes piercing into her as they finally made eye contact.

"Sim-"

"Please don't talk..." Ghost leaned forward as he was pondering how to speak. How to try and fix his mistakes. He didn't know if she'll forgive him or the team

"I'm.. not mad." She said as she got a chance before he spilled his guts. She knew what their job detailed. She knew that at any given moment it all could be swept away from them. Like the rug tugged out from underneath them. And when she was dragged into the interrogation room, it just made sense. Sadly she knew since Soap had been injured, the team didn't trust just anyone. And she was just someone that helped from time to time. Even if they've all broke bread together in her home.

Ghost stared at her for a second as he took in her words. He felt his mind spiral as he pressed his face into his palms. Leaning forward into the bed as he stared through the mask holes

"But we.. Ximena we did so much to you. Three months." He said as he felt his breathing quicken and panic rise

"But I get it.... We just.. Simon we could of lost Johnny. Anything or anyone can betray us.. and I get at the time you all believed I did something..." She said as she leaned forward. A groan left her lips as she felt the stitches on her stomach ache from the pressure

"I'm not mad... I'm not mad at any of you..." She repeated the words as she sighs. Bringing her hands over his as she knew he was close to a panic attack.

"I'm right here... Hey I'm right here. Simon miede.. look at me.." she whispered to him as he finally. Finally lifted his head up a tad, looking up to his wife. And she broke in that moment.

"I 'hought I lost ya... I 'hought I wasted years.. I believed you betrayed us. Our family. Our promise..." His voice shakes, the hot tears streaming down. Soaking his mask as he pressed his face into her palms. Taking in her warm dainty hands.

"I'm sorry mamas... 'm so sorry.. I should of believed ya...I should of known you wouldn't..." He said as the pain raked over him. His shoulders slumped as he felt the weight slowly fading off his back.

Her eyes creased as she leaned in. Pressing a soft kiss to his forehead as she softly shook in his touch.

"I would never .. and I mean it, would never hurt you. Or this team.. we're a family.. we're all we have left." She whispered as she softly hums. Her eyes flicker to his. Trying to range his emotional state and well being.

"How are you?" She asked as she waited for him to response.

His eyes soften as he peer into hers. Softly his brain swirled with so many thoughts. Their family had to endure these past months. Their new born twins, their elder children. How her family was left out of the situation. How the team had to handle and deal with the consequences now.

He ran a hand over his mask as he sighs.

"Not well... 'he kids miss ya. 'm not gonna lie, I missed you. I don't know it's been a storm without mamas 'm not gonna lie... I lost myself a bit..." He whispered as if it was a sin. A sinister act that he had done, and knowing he was here now. Hand in hand with hers as he gave her scar hands a rub.

" 'M sorry love..." He whispered as he pressed a kiss through his mask. Softly giving her a few as he wanted to make up for his sins towards her.

She softly watched him, her brown eyes soften. A small flicker of light in them as she listened to his words.

"I'm probably crazy... I know most would be outraged or upset. Probably never talk to you lot every again...But don't blame ya... I can't, if something similar happened I would of done the same. More likely would have to either way..."

Her voice was soft as she looked down, she tapped her foot as she felt an odd normalcy

"Did they say when I can go home?"

"Mmm no.. John wanted speak to ya..." He said looking at her. He never let her hand go, not wishing to make another mistake again.

"Ok... That's fine then... I hope soon. I wanna see the kids..." She softly smiled to him as she beamed with joy. A soft light.

Ghost felt like his wife was an actual angel, and him the sinner in church that didn't deserve the attention.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When she returned home. The kids surrounded her.

Her four tots were thrilled mommy was home. But she did look different.

Her leg had a wrap around it, on her thighs. Her curls were a bit shorter, mid back now no longer the hip length she worked for.

Her scar hands linger as she rubbed them over her sweet children's heads. Her body aches even as her eldest surrounded the thirty something woman.

Simon sighs as he swayed his kids off

" 'Lright tots, let mum breath. Go sit, 'M gonna help mum over."

The kids sigh and agree as they waddle into the living.

Ximena gripped his hand as he eased her into the house.

He knew she came back differently. Mentally and physically, she sighs a bit as they settled on the couch. The kids and her snuggles up as she softly felt peace creep inside her.

Simon sighs a bit as he was content with her finally being home. Feeling their home be full again, the light that was missing was brought back in.

And he knew that, along with his kids. He noticed the infants in their playpen as they were kicking and giggling. The little girls were excited as they heard their mums voice.

He went over and picked up the three months old twins. Bringing them over as he tucked them into his wife's arms.

"They missed you too..." He whispered as he knealt besides them. He glanced to his wife as he thought of her

She was his stars, the moon, and the sun all in one being. He sighs as he rest his head against her thigh.

The family felt complete now.

But sadly who knew how long it would take for them to heal. Or how this would effect the family structure they created.

Ximena knew one thing for sure. She missed three months of her children's lives.

Especially the twins she gave birth to. But only time could tell.

Months would pass since. And the family wasn't the same. Ximena softly spiral. Even had to go therapy since she was released.

She noticed she didn't have a bond with her twins. The girls seeking their father more often.

She felt terrible, like she was failing in life since she was released. Her curls framed her face as she sat on her bed. Softly sobbing as she didn't feel like herself anymore.

On the other side of the bedroom door. Simon leaned on it. Knowing it was his and his men's fault. They destroyed a very able woman. One that was once feared by many.

And turned her into a crumble of a woman. Now a shell of who she once was

And he knew. He softly created a monster of a woman. But not one to fear. One that feared others.

He saw the way she stared at him. Or the lads when they came over.

Soap was the only one she was close to now. Since he was injured during the time. He wasn't given the okay till she was released.

Both bonding over their trauma. Sadly for different reasons.

Simon slid down the door as he prayed

Prayed this wasn't the end of his beloved marriage. Along with his precious wife he had devoted all his time to. He prayed to whoever would listen.

He didn't want it to end like this-

Nor did she.

Both truly distraught over the relationship they had once. Where laughter was all the house was once filled with. Love and smiles was painted on the walls of the built home.

This home was created from scratch. Their relationship was crafted from time together. So much time together.

And tots that filled its halls. Because they had an undying love for the other. An undying devotion to each other.

But the strain on each other began.

Arguments were a bit frequent. Soft fights about the children and them going out on dates. And him being gone often for deployment.

It started to take a small toll. But they seemed normal on the outside.

But as the sobs filled their home. Thankfully no kids home. Just them in a broken house. A broken relationship. A broken home.

26 notes · View notes

seonghwacore · 2 months

Text

🏍 AKIRA-ISH MOTION BLURRED LIGHT EFFECT (or the cooler name, ✨Rear Sync Flash effect✨)

as requested for my carrot kid @renjunniez (and everyone) <3

⁕ Tool: Photoshop 2021 (PS)

⁕ GUIDE:

1. Open/place your picture of your choice on PS. For this set, I took a screenshot from the MV using VLC. Didn't bother to take it from VS.

You need a black & white picture with dense shadow/black shade and focused highlight to achieve this effect. If your base is as colorful and bright as a 4 year old's imagination about the world of unicorns, you gotta need some adjustments. The effect still appears but give a totally different vibe. I put an example at the end of the tutorial.

2. Then, do the basic sharpening and resizing for the base layer. I crop them to 540x540px.

3. Copy the base layer and delete the sharpening smart filters. Double click the layer to open Layer Style panel.

On General Blending, change the Blend Mode to Lighten. On Advanced Blending, uncheck the Green (G) and Blue (B) channels, so you'll be left with Red (R) channel. And then, move the picture to the right because you want the red shadow to "trail" Seonghwa (your subject)'s movement.

Your pic will look somehow like this:

4. Go to Filter > Blur Gallery > Path Blur. The default option is usually Basic Blur. Change the option to Rear Sync Flash.

Now, you have to decide the direction of the "red trail". This is quite tricky because it's better if you apply the blur with the subject's real movement in mind. In this example, I imagined Hwa was swaying to the left in slow motion as he restrained from being dragged away. So, my path's starting point is from the left.

Once you've decided, click on a random point to pin a starting point and stretch the arrow to your desirable distance. You can also curve the arrow to give a more, well, fancy direction.

I set the Speed to 146% and the Taper to 17%. Uncheck everything else.

*Hover over the word "Speed" and "Taper" to know what it'll do to your pic

**If you wanna know more about Rear Sync or Rear Curtain Flash in photography [x]

5. After this part, basically you're free to do whatever with your gfx. These steps below are OPTIONAL.

5-a. First, I adjusted the lighting and contrast.

5-b. Then, I added text.

5-c. After that, I placed a lined texture. I set the blending to Overlay with 82% Opacity and gave it a Basic Blur effect from Path Blur. I definitely just fuckin around with this step and found out that it changed the opacity of the lines depending on where it's applied on: shadow, midtone, or highlight parts.

5-d. Lastly, add grains texture

Et voila! You'll get this effect 🤩

Now, if you have a bright, colorful pic as the base. For example, I use this The Real Hwa dontevenaskmehowmanypicsofhwaihaveinmyputer. The "highlight" part (the sky) is surrounding the "shadow" (Hwa in hanbok). Then, I applied the same effect.

Still slay but definitely not as "dramatic" and intense as the dark mode version. Kinda lose the purpose of the trail to me. HOWEVER. I encourage you to fuck around and improvise 👍

Hope this helps!

#ann.txt #gfx tutorial #rear sync flash effect #if theres something i need to revise or if you want to discuss about this just lmk

25 notes · View notes

wishamongtheflowers · 1 year

Text

Hunter

A boy was tied up in an abandoned building his sight blocked my a thick black ribbon. He had no clue what lead him out of the club thanks to his skull shattering headache.

"He's awake."

The boy perked up sober. Now he knew the situation. Fear risen up his throat, "Who are you!?"

"Take the blind off."

Soon dim light shot into his eyes. A snake loomed over him. Terror silenced his voice. The jaded serpent slithered forward, looming over him.

"I'm glad to see your now ready for our next step. It's so simple, a zombie could do the same."

She retracted back to her former place. There was another one. A person in a blue cloak, having a plague mask hide her features. The muzzled snake patted her resented servant's shoulder.

"Just stay still. It'll do the rest."

Frozen still, he watches the hexed doctor walk over. Clacking of heels, creaking of wood, crunching dry sediment like broken bones made they're predatory blue eyes more of a mirror to see Death.

"You're going to be okay. You'll forget about all you seen here and return home. If you calm down this won't hurt as bad."

It's voice held sheepish in the slaughter pasture. Distant yet kind mixed with a calm, soft, feminine yearning. It's spell took hold of his mind sending him into a tranquil state of numbness.

Gentle talons danced along his jaw with him eyeing his one of the predators in the room. There wasn't any life in its eyes yet there's a soul. He slowly felt everything twist around to a blur. Just him and it reminded.

"Forget about the situation. It's all a nightmare. A dark twisted dream my dear child." It's words are of a mother's love. Genuine care and comfort. Its body soon blurred and formed into an angel. She was fair, he wanted to go with her! She's is sanctuary from the hell he's in.

"Close your eyes. You'll be with me." His smitten emotional state obeyed.

Darkness infected his mind. Red and blue blurred into black and red then white. No thoughts or any memory is felt. His eyes whitened out, saliva dripping down from his chin, screaming had fallen silent; his ear bleed only little lines. Nothing deadly.

"Now, I'll take them where the rest are. You keep getting master's trust!"

Conflicting feelings mounted on Kido's thoughts. Amari is happy where he is now. Despite her mind being shattered, she wanted to stop this in someway so he doesn't remember who she is, his gift, his studies, all he once was before. Yet she wanted him to remember. Her confliction kept eating her rotten insides like a parasite.

At least she has a heart compared to her serpent mistress. She couldn't stop her emotions welling inside thanks to the heart which never beats.

"Hey Kido!" She looked over to see the garden boy running up to her.

It's only been a couple of days since the two been fermenting a bond. She didn't mind him around her it's just fear taking hold. What's Mistress going to do if she retaliates. Kido could feel all her joints dislocate already from the last time. Forget about it Kiddo. You're a tool ment to be discarded.

"Oh... you actually want to see me here."

"I was the one who told you to meet me here silly!" He held his usual chipper persona.

"Right right. So what's this place your going to take me to again?"

"It's a surprise!"

Kido noted Amari's smile held nervous curves, "You didn't planned place. Did you?"

"W-well I..." He was caught spot on.

Kido let out a mild giggle accompanied with a miniscule smile, "It's alright Amari. We can just... stroll around. Maybe see how high up we can go on the school rooftops."

"You can get up to the roof?"

"Yes," her voice is mild, "you want to check it out?"

Amari's eyes sparkled occupied with an equally excited nod. Getting up there wasn't going too hard, right? Well, the wind made the last steps to take difficult.

"Whoa! You can see the whole school campus from up here!" Amari went over to one of the railings. His open smile, shimmering sunset orange eyes, pointing out areas on campus.

Kido listened to his excited ramblings hearing how his voice echoes. A perfect place to sing.

"Kido come here!" She went to his side, curious.

His finger pointed at a well dressed garden, "That's where I'm usually at. Just telling you in case you need anything."

"Oh..."

"The others won't bother you as long as you don't cause trouble. If they give you a hard time just get me to settle it!" He still held protectiveness even though she didn't deserve it.

"I'll keep it in mind."

The two parted ways to their homes. Kido had moved to an abandoned asylum in the woods. She'd worked on bringing the place to be livable and comfortable. Electricity, AC, and other wonders where brought by sheer work and her curse. Within her sanctuary is all she needs to flourish her former talent.

Her mass murder had chosen their trees for the night. They're the only ones who cared enough to protect her. She's numb to her Mistress's undescribable punishments. She's what her owner sees.

Placing everything down she took a rest on a stool she carved out of a stump. Finally she's safe from the ratring. She can be fulfilled in her behavior being private and unseen.

The next day Kido was at the rooftop once again with her murder of ravens. This is definitely the perfect spot to have her voice heard. Mistress will be pleased.

"He's right, it's a good view of the campus." Kido stood over the railing with no care as to how it looked.

Enjoying the wind, sun, and the cooler weather. If it was Summer she'd be a hermit to avoid the heat. Winter is the opposite. Fall and Spring is debatable.

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

Beginning → one → two

----------------------[Tags]-----------------------

@mikado-sannoji and anyone else!

#domino effect #cw blood #cw gore

173 notes · View notes

befuddledcinnamonroll · 3 months

Text

I got deeply confused at the end of episode one, let's see how episode two does for me.

Oh shit, Kram is having a full on mental break. Noooo.

The timing of the blue water makes me nervous, because now we have an implication that this is all happening in Kram's head.

Don't break me show, pretty please.

Wait... are they saying Tai killed Kram's mom? Why are we just learning this?!

I'm a bit surprised that Kram doesn't think this is bad Tai at all from the beginning. Sure he's missing the scar, but most of us don't go "oh random identical dude" as our first guess.

Max does so well when he plays stoic with a lot going on under the surface.

Uh...I know he looks like your former lover and you're very confused, but this might be overkill, my man.

This feels like it has pretty good meme potential though.

DUDE SERIOUSLY!!!

You just tied him up, my man. He has plenty reason to be scared of you, even if he didn't know bad Tai.

Aw, the Phupha moment is sad. Seeing someone you love so much but they don't know you.

Ah, the Tai that quit vs the Tai that stayed.

I wonder if he quit because of this world's Kram?

Oh Kram. I already know this isn't going to go the way you want.

Wait, was that translation right? Did we just jump 3 months that fast?!

Oh, Phupha dreaming of his other self? Interesting...

Lol, Kram's been busy these three months if he got Tai to do this.

Ok, good, we'll go back a bit again. That was some major whiplash for a moment.

Lol, Kram is a little shit and I kinda love it.

I don't love the blurry filter on the flashback though. It's not necessary and it's distracting.

Aw, I tell ya - vulnerability is a powerful tool.

Of course Tai can't keep his walls up against this.

The body language is so good in this moment, where you can see how painful it is for Tai when Kram gets physical.

But seriously, whoever decided on this constant blur for the flashback - what the heck?

I'm glad Kram had a plan b, because he sucks at interviews. It's all about connections, baby!

Kram is very natural at blackmail, lol.

Awww, Tai.

This has got to be so hard for him. The person you love is back, but they're not really them, but they are so damn similar...

Ha! Called it. Falling for Kram is what changed Tai so much.

Which does make me curious if we're done with Kram's original world and original Tai, or if that relationship is going to develop at some point too... hmm, intriguing.

Um, Kram...what is this plan? He's not safer in your world!?!?!

One could argue he's a lot less safe, because he doesn't have Tai as a bodyguard there!!

Hmm, the blue seemed to disappear before they hit though, so maybe it'll just be two very wet dudes who didn't travel dimensions at all.

I am entertained, the acting is very good, but some of the plot is still a bit baffling for me.

#two worlds #two worlds the series #two worlds episode 2

8 notes · View notes

oblivious-aro · 2 months

Text

Where the Sky Meets the Sea, Ch 3/3: Wavebreak

Summary: Rewrite of the parts of season 6 of Ninjago (Skybound) that make my blood boil. The main change is that Nya's struggles are respected, and she's allowed to yell at people. Also, Jay isn't a complete tool the whole time abs actually goes through some character development. Follows roughly the same plot line as Skybound. The parts that are unchanged are just skimmed through.

Word count: 7600

Nya grimaced at her reflection. It was slightly better now that the extra arms had been removed, but looking at herself in Nadakhan’s mother's wedding dress made her stomach tie itself in knots.

She didn't have anything against dresses, but Nya liked simple clothes. Clothes that you could easily move around and work in, not bulky restrictive skirts drowning in oversized flowers and unnecessarily showy frills.

And wedding dresses were the apex of pointless bulky dresses. She never understood how people could be excited to wear them, even when they weren't being forced to.

The familiar feeling of her gi on her skin under the dress was a small comfort, but the reflection she saw in the mirror wasn't her.

It moved when she moved, scowled like she scowled, but was still a complete stranger.

The whole situation was horribly surreal.

Tap tap tap!

Nya's attention was pulled from the mirror by a noise at her window.

She looked over and saw the last person she expected to see clinging to the bars.

"Jay?" Nya rushed over to the window.

"Nya!" Jay briefly let go of the bar with one hand to wave to her. "Are you okay? Did Nadakhan hurt you?"

"I'm fine. His goons just stuck me in this stupid thing.” She gestured to the dress. “What are you doing here?"

"Uh, some combination of freeing you, rescuing our friends, and defeating Nadakhan. I haven't super worked out the details yet…but hey, we made it this far, so that's good!"

“We?”

“I put together a little rescue team of back-up ninja.” Jay grinned proudly.

At that moment, Nya spotted a brown blur in the distance being chased by three armed pirates.

“Is that Dareth?” she asked, squinting.

“Yeah…my options were kind of limited.”

Nya watched Dareth until he disappeared behind a barbershop.

“I always forget how fast he can be with the right motivation.” She said “But please tell me you at least brought Skylor.”

“Of course I brought Skylor! Honestly Nya, I thought you said you believed in me!”

Jay planted his feet against the side of the building and gave the bars a good yank.

"It's no use." Nya said "I already tried."

"Maybe if we work together…”

Nya grabbed the bars and tried to push while Jay pulled.

"Ugh," Nya grunted "Still...won't...budge!"

"Keep...going. Maybe…it'll-AGH!"

Jay's foot slipped and he fell down the side of the building, landing in the bushes down below with a crash!

"Jay!" Nya called.

Creeeak.

The sound of the cabin door opening made Nya's heart stop. She turned to find Nadakhan floating at the entrance, leering at her.

Nya made her stance as wide as possible to block the window and smiled as innocently as she could.

"That dress suits you much better than those garish ninja robes." he said, shutting the door and setting his sword against the wall.

Nya bristled at the unwelcome compliment, but at least Nadakhan hadn't seen Jay.

"I've been watching you, you know." He continued.

"You have?" Nya wrinkled her nose.

"Yes." Nadakhan seemed oblivious to Nya's discomfort. "I've seen how you struggle, how you have to work twice as hard just to get the respect the rest of the ninja simply have. You know, if you were to marry me, all your struggling would be over. You could get your every heart's desire without having to even lift a finger. It would be a nice change of pace, would it not?"

Nya gritted her teeth. It took every fibre of willpower she had not to claw this condescending idiot's eyes out.

But as insulting as his suggestion was, she knew their best chance of beating Nadakhan was Jay's final wish, so she had to keep his attention on her and away from Jay as long as she could.

That was why she'd let herself get captured in the first place.

She steeled herself and plastered a doe-eyed expression on her face.

"Really?" she said.

Nadakhan grinned.

"Of course. Once I marry you, I will be able to wish for anything I want, no limits, no restrictions. And naturally, I would be able to give my bride anything she desired as well…" Nadakhan's eyebrows slid up his head as he let his sentence trail off.

Nya pretended to consider what Nadakhan was saying.

"Anything I wanted? That...does sound nice."

"Excellent. The ceremony is right this way."

Nya blinked.

It was that easy? He really believed that she'd changed her mind and wanted to marry him just like that?

She quickly wiped the disbelief off her face.

"You mean we can get married today?"

"Of course. The second I saw that temple in Djinnjago, I knew it would be the perfect location for the ceremony. I had my crew clean it from top to bottom, set out some very tasteful decorations, prepare seating, and to finish, Clancee performed a preservation ritual to keep it in pristine condition for our union."

"Oh wow," Nya looked away bashfully. "All that for me?"

Nya cringed internally. She was trying to fit the demure role Nadakhan had picked out for her in his head, but it wasn't a role that came naturally to her, and she was laying it on too thick. Nadakhan knew that she wasn't normally like this, there was no way he would fall for-

"But of course my dear," Nadakhan cooed, flying closer to Nya. "Any bride of mine deserves nothing less than the best."

Wow.

Nya had never met anyone who thought so highly of themselves. Or so little of women.

She was almost too astonished to be insulted.

"Now come," Nadakhan picked up his sword, "It is time for us to be wed."

"O-Of course," Nya turned her head towards the window. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Jay caught up in a fight with two pirates.

…Was that Captain Soto fighting by his side?

“Is something the matter?”

Nya's head snapped back to Nadakhan.

“Nothing!” she said quickly. “It's just…are you really bringing that sword to our wedding?”

"Of course. It is tradition for a djinn king to be wed with the djinn blade.”

“Oh well, that's not really a traditional wedding thing here in Ninjago. You should just leave it here during the ceremony.”

Nadakhan narrowed his eyes.

“For what reason would you want me to leave my djinn blade behind, little ninja?"

Panic seized Nya.

"Call me Delara." she said, surprising both herself and Nadakhan. "I just...want to be close to you. I don't want some sword, or ninja nonsense, or anything else getting in the way of…us."

That seemed to do the trick.

"Well," Nadakhan smiled as he leaned the djinn blade against the wall "I suppose I won't have any need for this once we're wed, anyway. Seeing as I will be able to simply wish for whatever we desire."

Nya forced out a shrill giggle. The sound made her slightly nauseous.

"Come Delara," Nadakhan said as he threw open the door "We have a wedding to attend, as the guests of honour!"

"Yes, and with no ninja or silly sword to get between us!" Nya said as loud as she dared, following Nadakhan to Yang's stolen temple.

She desperately hoped that Jay had gotten the message. She had Nadakhan distracted and unarmed.

The rest was up to Jay and his last wish.

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

When Nya entered Yang's temple, she found it hard to believe this was the same haunted building the other ninja had told her about.

The outside was still a bit decrepit, but the inside was so polished and pristine it almost hurt to look at.

The front entryway had been completely emptied out and filled with pews and colourful floral arrangements. An altar had been set up in between the double staircase.

The alter and pews looked too new for Yang’s temple, but Nya decided against asking where the pitates had gotten them.

Once everyone was situated, a nervous green serpentine with a peg leg read out a long passage followed by an even longer list of vows.

“...through the g-g-good times and the bad, t-t-till death so you part?” he eventually finished, pausing for an answer.

“I do.” Nadakhan smiled, savouring the triumph of the moment.

“And do y-you, Ny- I-I mean…D-D-Delara, t-t-take King N-N-Nadakhan to be your lawfully wedded husband, in s-s-sickness and in health, through s-s-sunshine and rain, whether r-r-rich or poor…”

As Clancee talked, Nya subtly turned her head to glimpse at the shut temple doors.

There was still no sign of Jay. Where on earth was he? Why hadn't he crashed the wedding to use his last wish yet?

A worrying thought crossed Nya’s mind.

Had Jay actually figured out what that wish was going to be? He hadn't mentioned anything about it at the window…

“Erm…D-D-D-Delara?”

Nya turned back. The vows had been said, and everyone was waiting for her answer.

“Oh, um…just…just hold on for a second? I need some time to…you know…think this through…and…you know…”

Nadakhan frowned.

“I thought you said you wanted to marry me, Delara.”

“What?” Nya smiled widely “Of course I do, I just…didn't hear…um…Clancee, was it?”

Clancee nodded nervously.

“Yeah, I didn't really hear what Clancee said. I'm afraid I got caught up daydreaming about married life. Ah, so silly of me! Do you think he could repeat himself?”

“He's asking if you want to marry me.” Nadakhan said curtly “There's no need to waste all of our time with needless repetition.”

“Oh, of course I want to marry you! We’ve clearly established that! I just…think it's important to understand exactly what I'm saying ‘yes’ to before I actually say ‘yes’, right? I mean come on, that's like clicking ‘I agree’ without actually reading all the terms and conditions. Who does that?”

There was a tense beat of silence.

Nadakhan flew closer to Nya, slowly rising into the air above her.

“Are you questioning me, Delara?”

Several audience members flinched. Clancee threw his book protectively over his head.

Nya took a panicked step back.

Nadakhan was running out of patience, which meant she was running out of time.

What on earth could be taking Jay so-

BAM!!

The doors of the temple flew open.

Everyone in the audience turned their heads.

Standing in the doorway was Jay, Nadakhan's djinn blade in his hand. Behind him stood the back-up ninja crew, Flintlocke, and all of the previously captured ninja, armed and ready for battle.

Nya gasped with joy.

Nadakhan’s face scrunched into a mixture of shock and fury.

"What in the name of-"

"Nya! Catch!" Jay called, throwing the Djinn blade in her direction.

Nya caught it and turned to find Nadakhan scowling, having fully processed exactly what was going on.

"You dare double cross me, Delara?" he growled, rising further into the air and glaring down at her.

Nya glared right back at him.

"My name," she said "Is Nya!"

She grabbed the skirt of the wedding dress with her free hand and in one swift motion, sliced it off with the djinn blade.

Nadakhan looked as though he’d been slapped with a cast iron skillet.

Nya only savoured his expression for a moment before hurling the severed skirt in his face.

"Gah!" Nadakhan struggled hopelessly under the frilly fabric.

Nya yelled and swung her blade, but Nadakhan teleported away just before it made contact, the wedding skirt drifting to the ground in a lacey heap.

Nya’s head darted all over the temple, searching for where Nadakhan was going to pop back up.

Poof!

Everyone turned to the front of the temple where an angry Nadakhan glowered at the crowd below.

“What are you all standing around for?” He spat “Seize the ninja!”

Pulled out of their stupor by Nadakhan's command, every pirate stood up and drew their weapon.

The ninja squared up, ready to defend themselves.

“STAND DOWN!”

The booming voice made everyone freeze.

Dogshank stood up from her seat in the front row, her expression daring anyone to question her.

“Dogshank!?” Nadakhan’s eyes were nearly bulging out of his head “What is the meaning of-”

“Flintlocke was right!” Dogshank turned to the rest of the audience, “Nadakhan's no captain! He never cared about Djinnjago or any of us!”

She turned back to Nadakhan, her beady eyes narrowed.

“You may have given me great strength, but you took away my beauty and made me believe that meant I had nothing to offer! For the longest time, I really thought that was true. I thought my ugliness made me worthless, that no one would want me. That's why I joined your crew, because I thought this was the only place I could go. But when Flintlocke spoke out, he made me think about exactly who was benefiting from those ideas in my head!”

Dogshank gestured to the audience.

“You took everything from all of us and convinced us to keep giving you more! You’re nothing but a slimy snake and a coward!”

As Dogshank finished speaking, the pirates in the audience looked at each other anxiously, unsure what was happening or what to do next.

“Sh-sh-she’s right, captain!”

No one expected Clancee to be the first one to speak, but there he was, looking up at Nadakhan with uncharacteristic determination in his posture.

“I’ve never liked the way you’ve always t-t-treated us. You’re nothing but a big b-b-bully!”

Clancee flinched when Nadakhan turned his seething glare on him, but he didn't hide under his book.

“To think, after everything I've given this crew,” Nadakhan spoke through clenched teeth, “That you would have the gall to turn your backs on your captain! I used my power to give you Djinjago! I have been nothing but generous! But…”

Ndakhan’s voice grew dangerously quiet.

“Perhaps you’ve all forgotten how easily my gifts can be taken away. I may not have infinite wishes, but I am still a powerful djinn king who is not to be trifled with!”

Nadakhan punctuated his statement by opening his fists to reveal four bright balls of green fire.

On the opposite end of the front row, Doubloon stood up and drew his cutlass. He looked at Dogshank and his happy face turned to the angry side challengingly.

Money Wretch climbed onto Doubloon's shoulder and started screeching.

“At least some of you still have functioning brains.” Nadakhan huffed.

He thrust out his arm authoritatively.

“Those of you that are still loyal to your captain, take care of these interlopers and ingrates!”

With a puff of orange smoke, Nadakhan was gone.

“Ninja!” Lloyd yelled “Follow Nadakhan!”

“Back-up ninja!” Jay yelled “Keep Nadakhan’s crew busy!”

Lloyd, Kai, Zane, and Cole ran out the door as about two thirds of the audience launched out of their seats.

The remaining third of the audience tried to fight back, but it wasn’t long until the Nadakhan loyalists spilled out into the isle and surrounded Nya and Jay.

Nya raised the djinn blade, ready to fight, but before she could get a single swing in, all of the pirates were knocked out by Skylor and Ronin.

Soto and the police commissioner similarly helped Jay. Dareth cheered then all on from his hiding spot under a pew.

“We’ll handle these creeps,” Skylor said, kicking away another pirate “You two go after Nadakhan!”

Nya looked over her shoulder.

Dogshank was locked in a heated battle with Doubloon by the altar. She was able to block his blows with her thick arm guards, but Doubloon was nimble and kept dodging her comparatively slow punches.

“But what about-

“We’ve got things handled here!” Ronin whacked the pirate he was fighting in the head and turned to Nya “You belong out there, saving Ninjago with your friends. It's kind of your thing, isn't it?”

“Ay! I’ve been itching to knock some o’ Nadakhan’s goon’s heads for years!” Soto declared as he tripped a passing pirate with his peg leg. “Just make sure to give the ol’ captain one for me, eh?”

“You got it.” Nya nodded “Hey Skylor, before I go…”

She held her hand up to Skylor.

Grinning, Skylor gave Nya a high-five, their hands glowing amber when they touched.

“Much appreciated.” Skylor said as she summoned a giant ball of water and lobbed it at a group of loyalists who were trying to sneak up on Dogshank.

“Go Skylor!” Jay cheered “C’mon Nya, we gotta move!”

Just as the two of them made it to the door, three pirates jumped in front of them, blocking the path to the exit.

Nya swung the djinn blade. When the sword struck the pirates, they shrank into balls of light and flew into the jewel on the hilt.

“Wait, you can just hit people with the sword to trap them?” Nya asked incredulously “Why does Nadakhan even bother with the whole three wishes then?”

“That’s what I'm saying!” Jay said before a pirate jumped on his back. He quickly pushed her off and followed Nya outside.

“Where'd that slippery djinn go?” Nya growled as she and Jay caught up with the others.

“There! Up there!” Cole pointed.

Nadakhan could just be made out floating by a line of maple trees on a distant island, high above the one the ninja were currently on.

“Ugh, how are we supposed to get all the way up there?” Kai groaned.

“I do have one idea,” Jay said “But it's kind of crazy.”

“This whole situation is kind of crazy.” Lloyd said “It'll fit right in.”

“We jump across those!”

Jay thrust his hand towards the numerous mine bombs floating in the air between the islands.

There was a beat of silence.

“You…do know those explode when you touch them, right?” Cole asked Jay.

“Well, I personally oversaw Monkey Wretch’s design and construction of those mines,” Flintlocke said “They’re only meant to go off when something big hits them, so I reckon they’re actually pretty safe to jump across.”

“And exactly how confident are we in that?” Kai raised a sceptical eyebrow at Flintlocke.

“According to Pixal,” Zane's eyes lit up as he spoke, “Those explosives are designed to detonate from the impact of an enemy airship, so they should be durable enough to withstand a much smaller impact, such as a single person landing on them. Most likely, anyway.”

“Good enough for me!” Nya declared, running to the edge of the island and taking a leap.

She landed on the closest mine. It wobbled a little, but it didn't explode.

The group let out a collective sigh of relief.

Confident that the mines weren't going to blow her up, Nya jumped to the next mine without hesitation. And then the next one.

“Hey!” Jay called “Wait up!”

He jumped on the mines after Nya. The others followed right behind him.

Bang! Bang!

The ninja turned back to Yang's temple.

A few pirates had managed to slip past the back-up ninja, and were shooting at the ninja with pistols.

“That's not good…” Cole said, eying the mines floating all around them.

“Just keep moving!” Lloyd commanded.

Nya hadn't stopped in the first place.

Between dodging bullets, the drifting of the mines, and the fact that only one person could fit on one at a time, the ninja were progressing towards Nadakhan's island at vastly different rates.

Nya and Jay got pretty far ahead of the group and were the first ones to land on the island.

Nadakhan was waiting for them when they arrived, armed with a slightly weathered cutlass.

“Foolish girl,” Nadalhan gritted his teeth. “I offer you nothing less than infinite wishes, and yet you still insist on being a thorn in my side!”

“Oh I've got something bigger than a thorn for your side!”

Nya charged.

Nadakhan parried her blade with his cutlass. He sliced back at Nya, but she quickly moved behind her sword to block his strike.

Nya was quickly back on the offensive, striking hard and fast.

Nadakhan growled in annoyance, but he deftly countered her every blow.

They continued back and forth like this, the battle so heated sparks seemed to fly from their weapons.

One by one, the others arrived. Once they landed on the island, they stood by Jay, entranced by the fierce dual.

The energy between the combatants was intense. No one dared to interfere.

Finally, Nya spotted an opening and swung, but Nadakhan teleported away at the last second, the djinn blade slicing through orange smoke.

“Ugh! Where'd that slimeball run to now?” Nya growled, panting as her head darted back and forth searchingly.

Nya didn't see the swirl of orange smoke directly behind her.

She didn't see Nadakhan suddenly appear with a maniacal grin on his face.

She didn't see his cutlass raised above her, ready to strike.

“Nya look out!” Jay cried.

Nya looked obliviously into Jay's eyes.

Nadakhan swung.

Bang!

Splat!

“Gah!”

The cutlass dropped to the ground with a clatter.

Nya turned and gasped as Nadakhan dazedly staggered to the ground, a yellowish green stain splattered across his chest.

Everyone's heads snapped to where the bang had come from.

Flintlocke stood with his arm held out in a firing pose, a thin stream of smoke trailing from his pistol.

“I found a strange vial on the floor when I had to clean Nadakhan's cabin.” he said “I had a feeling it was the tiger widow's venom.”

“Nice shot!” Cole cheered “But I thought Lloyd's wish made it so you couldn't aim properly anymore.”

“I can’t.” Flintlocke blew the smoke from his pistol “That's why I aimed for your Delara look-alike. Nya, was it?”

“You what?!” Kai’s eyebrows nearly flew off his head. “You're telling me you aimed the deadly spider venom at my-”

“We don't have time for this!” Lloyd cut in, “Jay, you need to make your wish now!”

“I- what!?”

“Lloyd's right Jay,” Zane said “Nadakhan will overcome the effects of the venom in less than a minute! This is your only chance to make a wish without him teleporting away!”

“I…uh…” Jay stammered “I wish…I-I wish…”

This was bad. After all this time, Jay still hadn’t figured out a wish that would stop Nadakhan. They didn’t have any more venom, so Zane was right about this being their best and possibly only chance.

But Jay couldn’t think of anything!

He was going to let everyone down in the final hour…he really was useless after-

No! It wasn’t over yet!

Jay didn’t want to give up. He was done with giving up.

He still had time! He could still think of something…

‘The wish has to come from the heart!’

As Lloyd’s words played in Jay’s head, his eyes fell on Nya.

Jay stopped thinking and listened to his heart.

“I wish for Nya to have my last wish!”

Nadakhan was too dazed to even utter his catchphrase as the sparkles of wish magic swirled around him.

“What?!” Nya looked between Nadakhan and Jay with a mixture of panic and confusion. “But Jay, I don’t think-”

“Don’t think!” Jay interrupted “Remember what old-Lloyd said! The wish needs to come from the heart! Don’t focus on trying to beat Nadakhan, just wish for whatever your heart’s telling you to wish for!”

The hesitancy on Nya’s face only lingered for a moment before morphing into her signature look of stubborn determination.

“I wish…”

Nya took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“I wish I wasn't wearing this stupid wedding dress!”

“What!?” Nadakhan said as he once again let out a burst of orange sparkles.

The wish magic swirled around Nya.

Her shredded top faded away, leaving Nya standing once again in her maroon ninja gi.

No one moved. The wind rustled gently through the trees, but outside of that the world seemed to stand still.

“You…you imbecile!”

Nadakhan picked himself off of the ground. As his strength slowly returned he ambled over to Nya, his face contorted with rage.

“You had me at the tip of your knife just now! You could have wished for anything…anything in the world! I am just about set to become the most powerful being in all the realm, and your main concern is your clothes?! Foolish ninja!” Nadakhan turned to Jay “I can’t believe even someone like you could’ve been so wasteful! Giving up your last wish to some vain little gir-”

Shwink!

Nya hit Nadakhan with the djinn blade.

His body shrank into a sparkling orb.

The orb circled around Nya, then disappeared into the gem on the sword's hilt.

It was over. Nadakhan was finally defeated.

Nya panted and stared at the djinn blade, her eyes drifting from the gem to her reflection in the polished metal.

The image was distorted and bits of hair were stuck to her sweaty face, but a strong sense of satisfaction washed over Nya.

She looked like herself again.

“You did it sis!”

Nya was pulled from her thoughts by a tackle hug from Kai, which she returned enthusiastically.

“It’s so good to see you again,” Nya looked at the other ninja “All of you.”

“Likewise.” Lloyd smiled.

“Most impressive Nya.” Zane said ”But, if I may ask, why did you use your last wish like that?”

“Nadakhan's a master of twisting wishes to his advantage. The only way to win against that creep was to not play his game.” Nya grinned slyly “But I figured it would really mess with his ego if someone made a wish he wasn't expecting, and in those extra few seconds he was ranting, I remembered another very obvious solution.”

Nya gestured to the djinn blade before sheathing behind her back.

“Also I really didn't want to be in that awful dress anymore. Nadakhan's mother had a terrible fashion sense, and a her waist was definately smaller than mine.”

Everyone started to laugh, but the celebration was cut short when the ground started to shake.

“What's happening?” Cole asked.

“It seems that with Nadakhan gone,” Zane explained as he struggled to keep his balance, “There's no longer anything to hold up the- AHH!”

The other ninja screamed along with Zane as the ground fell away beneath them, sending everyone into a floating free fall.

“Ninja quick!” Lloyd shouted “Call your dragons!”

Four elemental dragons flashed into existence and flew into the air.

Nya didn't summon her dragon. She'd noticed Jay was in trouble.

When they started falling, Jay had wound up in a midair spin that made it hard for him to get his bearings.

“Ahhhh!” he screamed, his panicked flailing not helping the situation.

Nya kicked and dove until she was right next to Jay, then reached out and grabbed his arms, steadying him.

Despite the fact that he was no longer spinning, Jay still continued to scream.

“Ahhhhhhhhh-”

“Jay!” Nya barked, shifting his attention from his predicament to her voice, “You need to focus and summon your dragon!”

“D-Dragon? Right, y-yeah. C'mon dragon…”

Jay's voice was unsteady, and his grip on Nya's sleeves was tight.

It didn't take a genius to figure out Jay was too panicked to summon his dragon.

“Come on!” Nya said more gently “You can do this! We'll do it together!”

Jay looked into Nya's eyes. Her words seemed to calm him down.

A tiny bit, anyway.

It would have to do.

“One…two…three!”

Jay and Nya simultaneously manifested their dragons.

Kah-Krakk!

The other ninja watched in awe as a giant elemental dragon rose into the air above them, both Nya and Jay on its back.

The dragon was a strikingly bright blue, with an even brighter blue energy flowing between its scales. Each thunderous beat of its mighty wings filled the air with a sprinkle of raindrops and sparks.

“Woah!” Nya exclaimed.

“Did we do that?” Jay asked, suddenly full of confidence.

“I think so, but I'm not really sure what we did.“

The other ninja flew up to Nya and Jay's level.

“Did you two just make some kind of fusion dragon?” Cole asked.

“That’s awesome!” Kai beamed.

“Ahhhhhh!”

The fearful noise pulled the ninja's attention from the new dragon.

Two pirates were huddled together on a small piece of land, screaming as it plummeted towards the earth.

Lloyd zoomed towards the pair. His dragon stopped just below the little island, flapping its wings rhythmically to keep in place.

“Hop on!” Lloyd yelled.

The pirates gave each other a quick glance before running to the edge of the island and jumping on the dragon behind Lloyd.

“We have to help the other pirates!” Lloyd called to the others.

“But there's only so much room on our dragons!” Kai said “Even with Jay and Nya’s new giant dragon, there's no way we can carry all the pirates to safety!”

“I got plenty of room over here!”

The ninja turned at the voice and saw Misfortune's Keep approaching. They instinctively prepared themselves for conflict, but then noticed Flintlocke smiling at the bow, Dogshank behind him at the wheel.

“I may not be able to shoot the broad side of a barn,” he said “But I sure as sugar can still steer a ship! I’ve got my crew patrolling around on their own vessels too, so just drop our people off with them and they can unload them here on The Keep!”

“Roger that!” Lloyd saluted before turning back to the group “Listen up everyone! Djinnjago was made by pulling chunks of land directly up into the sky, so that means these falling rocks are headed right for the city! Cole! Zane! You two head down and help everyone evacuate! Everyone else, round up the stranded pirates! Ninja go!”

“Ninja go!” the other ninja repeated before heading off in the appropriate direction.

Kai had to hold on to his hood as the hydroelectric dragon sped past him. It was much faster than any of the other elemental dragons.

Jay and Nya stopped by a falling coffee shop to pick up a group of five pirates.

After some flying around, they found one of the patrol ships Flintlocke had mentioned.

As they were transferring the rescuees from the dragon to the ship, an eerie shadow fell over the group.

They looked up and saw that an island the size of a whale was plummeting straight towards them.

“Oh man,” Nya's eyes widened “That's gonna do a lot of damage when it hits the ground.”

“Forget the ground, what about us?” Jay shrieked “We gotta-”

The hydroelectric dragon suddenly threw its head back.

“Hey!” Jay cried “What's this crazy dragon-”

He was cut off by a deafening crackle as the dragon opened its mouth and let out a stream of black sparking clouds.

The stream quickly grew into a mass of clouds that was big enough to block out the falling island above them.

The clouds warbled as the island crashed into them, but to everyone's surprise, the island didn't fall through.

It simply sat there, nestled above the group in the giant black clouds.

A soft drizzle began to fall on the ninja and pirates.

“Are those storm clouds?” Nya asked.

“I think so,” Jay said, wiping rain off of his face “But how are they holding up the island?”

“It's not just your dragon's clouds,” the pirate piloting the patrol ship said “Look!”

She pointed to a smaller island in the distance that was sitting in a thick cluster of white clouds.

“My wish!” Nya's eyes lit up “Remember? During our battle with Nadakhan, I used my third wish to make it so the clouds would catch us!”

“Guess you've saved us with your wishes twice now!” Jay laughed “Now let's go catch the other islands!”

Lloyd and Kai helped gathered the remainder of Nadakhan's crew while Nya and Jay used their dragon's storm cloud breath to catch as many falling islands as they could.

They missed a few of the smaller islands, but Cole and Zane were there to protect the Ninjago citizens when the islands crashed into the city below.

The city ended up suffering a fair bit of property damage, but thanks to the city's incredibly efficient evacuation protocols, there were no major injuries.

It was far from the worst catastrophe Ninjago City had faced.

Once the dust had settled, Doubloon and Monkey Wretch approached Flintlocke and Dogshank, their heads hung low.

Flintlocke and Dogshank nodded at each other in mutual agreement before Flintlocke walked over to Doubloon and patted him on the back.

“I'd be a real hypocrite if I was mad at you two for being manipulated by Nadakhan.” He said “I think we all deserve a chance to decide where our loyalties are without him looming over our shoulders. In fact, after things settle down a bit, I'm gonna have a chat with Jay about getting the rest of our people out of that magic sword.”

Doubloon's face turned to the happy side.

The chunks of Ninjago City caught in the clouds were still stuck up in the sky, but maintaining their elemental dragons for the entire rescue had taken its toll on the ninja, especially Jay and Nya. The townsfolk were very understanding when they decided to wait until tomorrow to figure out how to get them down safely, even if that meant they'd have to wait a bit longer to go to their favourite coffee shops.

But tonight wasn't about despairing over caffeine withdrawals, tonight was for celebrating!

As the sun set, Ninjago City was filled with coloured lights and joyous shouts. A city-wide party was held to celebrate the defeat of Nadakhan.

Luckily, the ninja's favourite karaoke juice bar was still intact on the ground, so they had the perfect place to celebrate.

After nearly two straight hours of singing her lungs out, Nya had stepped out onto the veranda for a break.

Partying with the group was great, but it was nice to just take a quiet minute to look at Ninjago City, one again at peace, even if it was missing a few pieces.

"Nice night, isn't it?"

Nya turned to see Jay approaching with two drinks in his hands. He held one out for Nya.

“Mango? I got you a purple crazy straw and a little umbrella.”

“You don't need a crazy straw to sell me on mango.” Nya smiled as she accepted the plastic cup.

“You deserve it after saving all of Ninjago.” Jay took a sip of his lemonade. “I gotta say, that’s not at all how I thought you’d use the wish, but I’m still pretty glad I gave it to you.”

Nya swirled her cup uneasily.

"Look Jay," she said "I appreciate you giving me your last wish, but it doesn't change anything. We still aren't going to happen."

"Wait, what?" Jay’s eyes went wide "Oh! No no no no no, that wasn't my intention at all! Did you seriously think I'd use my wish to try and manipulate you romantically?"

Nya raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, that's…” Jay rubbed the back of his neck “Actually a pretty fair assumption, I guess."

"Why did you give me the wish then?” Nya asked, “My best idea at the lighthouse was summoning The Great Devourer."

"Yeah…I am glad you didn't do that."

Jay took a long drink of his lemonade while he thought about Nya's question.

"Well, Lloyd said to wish from the heart, and giving you the wish was what my heart was telling me to do. I've been making so many mistakes lately, especially when it comes to wishes. But you..." Jay looked Nya directly in the eye "It seems like no matter how challenging a situation you get thrown into, you always manage to rise above and come out on top. I knew that you'd find a way to stop Nadakhan, even if I couldn't."

The corners of Nya's lips scrunched slightly.

"I'm not trying to flirt with you! I swear!" Jay said quickly.

"I...yeah, I know.” Nya fiddled with her straw “It's just..."

"You don't trust me." Jay hoped the hurt didn't show in his voice.

"I do! I mean, I trust you with my life, and I trust you to always have my back, but..." Nya bit her lip.

"Yeah, I get it." Jay rubbed the back of his neck "I screwed things up pretty badly the last time you trusted me, huh?”

Jay's words hung in the air as the two of them watched a group of pedestrians go by, singing boisterously at the top of their lungs.

"For what it's worth,” Nya didn't take her eyes off the crowd, “You were an alright boyfriend back then. Which is commendable, since I was a pretty bad girlfriend."

"What? Come on, don't be like that. You were a perfect girlfriend!"

"Jay, I left you for a roomba. And I flirted with Cole while we were still dating. Ugh, I honestly don't even know why I did that. I don't even like Cole like that, nothing about that situation made any sen-"

"You flirted with Cole while we were still together!?"

"You didn't know that?"

"No!"

"Then why did you attack him when Pixal said we were the perfect match?"

"...It...erm...has come to my attention recently that I...may not be the most...secure person in the world...sometimes."

Jay felt a part of him deep inside screaming in terror as he said those words, but he knew they were words that he needed to say.

He needed to stop hiding.

"Oh, you think so?" Nya grinned, but her smile fell when she looked at Jay's face and realized how serious he was.

Jay took a deep breath. The noise of the celebrating crowd slowly faded in the distance.

“It's just…you guys are the best friends I've ever had, and I know it's sappy, but I don't want to lose any of you, and sometimes there's a part of me that scared if you guys knew the real me, the weird me who's afraid and messes up all the time, you wouldn't like me anymore.”

Jay took a quick drink of his lemonade to help with his dry mouth.

“I guess Nadakhan took advantage of that. He used my…I let him use my insecurities to control me. And then I tried to hide it like I hide everything else I don't like about myself. I guess a scaly tail and fangs weren't the only thing I needed to stop hiding to live up to my true potential, huh?”

Jay chuckled.

“But seriously,” he quickly sobered, “It was selfish how I tried to use you to feel better about myself.”

Jay looked back up at Nya.

"Speaking of, there's something else that's come to my attention. About you.”

“About me?” Nya raised an eyebrow.

Jay nodded.

“You have to face a lot of challenges that the rest of us don't, and we don't really help you with that stuff. I don't really help you with that stuff.”

“Oh, you mean what I said at the lighthouse…” Nya looked away bashfully “Look, I didn’t mean to lose my cool like that. There was just so much going on, and I was exhausted, and-”

“But you meant everything you said, didn't you?”

Nya looked back at Jay.

“You get brushed off a lot don't you? And not just by bad guys and sleazy reporters, but by us, the people who're supposed to be your friends. I love how strong you are, we all do, but that strength shouldn't have to come from having to carry things on your own. That sucks. We suck for doing that to you.”

Nya was silent the whole time Jay talked. He couldn't read her expression, but he decided to just keep going.

“I know I broke your trust in a really big way, but I really mean what I'm about to say: from this point on, I'm going to make sure you aren't going through your problems alone anymore. I won’t show up to those PSA shoots if you don’t get called too, I'll hold down those sexist producers so you can punch them, I'll..I'll tell those interviewers I'm dating Cole so they'll stop bugging you about that stupid love triangle thing!"

Nya let out a snort that almost made Jay fall over the railing.

"Uh, I feel like Cole might take issue with that plan," she said "But…thanks Jay."

Despite the smile on her face, Jay noticed Nya's tone sounded a little forced.

"It's okay if you don't believe me right now. I know you've got good reason to not have faith in people having your back, especially me. But I-I really do mean everything I just said. About trying to be better. I really do want to start being there for you. If, you know, you're okay with that…”

Having said everything he had to say, Jay’s eyes fell to his half-drunken lemonade.

He couldn't recall the last time he'd been so open and serious. It was cathartic, but also terrifying.

What happened next wouldn't be up to him.

It was up to Nya.

All Jay could do was wait.

“Hey,” Nya said after a few beats.

Jay looked at her.

Nya held her fist up to Jay.

He smiled and bumped his fist against hers.

Once they pulled their fists away, Nya took a sip of her juice.

The sweet taste of mango hit her like a rainbow after a storm.

It had been a long time since she'd had a mango juice. She'd forgotten how refreshing they were.

"There you two are!"

Jay and Nya turned to see Kai’s head sticking out the door.

“You gotta come inside!” he said “Zane made this giant drawing of Nadakhan, and we're all throwing shurikens at it!"

"Oh I gotta get in on this!" Nya smiled deviously as she moved to follow Kai inside.

She stopped at the door and turned to Jay.

"You coming? If your time as Nadakhan's prisoner was anything like mine, I'm sure you want to throw sharp things at that stupid face as much as I do."

Jay smiled and followed Nya inside.

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

"Boom! Take that sucka!" Kai yelled as he threw his fourth shuriken.

The other ninja cheered as it sunk into the Nadakan drawing's previously only shuriken-free arm.

“Whew! You got him Kai!” Cole slurred, nearly falling off his stool as he raised his cup. “That's all his legs!”

"I think that's enough juice for you." Zane said, taking Cole's cup from him.

Lloyd, Nya, and Jay clapped as Kai pulled his shurikens out of the drawing.

"For you sis," Kai mocked bowed as he offered them to Nya "If anyone deserves this, it's you. After being forced to wear that horrendous dress."

"Why Kai, you shouldn't have." Nya returned Kai's bow as she accepted the shurikens.

Jay held out his hand, and Nya gave him her drink to hold.

The ninja watched in eager anticipation as Nya held her hand back and carefully aimed, before flinging two shurikens at the drawing.

Thinck!

Thuck!

The loudest cheer of the night rang out as Nya's shurikens landed in both of Nadakhan's eyes.

"Excellent precision, Nya." Zane remarked once the whooping had finally died down.

"Thank you Zane." Nya grinned proudly “I've been wanting to do that for a while, and with Nadakhan trapped in the djinn blade, I was worried I’d never get to.”

She held her remaining two shurikens out to Jay.

"I imagine you want a turn." she smiled.

Jay blinked.

He's seen that smile. He knew that smile.

Her face was less wrinkled and her hair was shorter, but there was no mistaking it.

Nya was smiling the exact same way she had been in the vision Jay had seen in the maze.

After everything that had happened and how much he’d thought about that smile, there was no way Jay could mistake it.

What did it mean?

"Hey Jay," Nya's smile morphed into a concerned look and the spell was broken "You all good in there?"

"Huh?" Jay said "Oh yeah, I'm good. I'm just…glad we're all together again, you know?"

"You can say that again," Kai draped his arms over Nya and Jay's shoulders "Now take those shurikens and dish out some payback on Nadakhan already!"

"With pleasure!" Jay traded the two drinks he was holding for Nya’s shurikens. "But you know, it's not really Nadakhan I'm getting payback on, it's more like Nada-drawn."

Everyone in the room groaned.

"As the maker of this drawing," Zane said flatly "I would like to request that you do not call it that."

"Fine then." Jay crossed his arms poutily. "Be no fun."

"It's good to have you back, Jay." Lloyd said.

"It's good to be back. Now take this!"

Jay tossed his shurikens.

Zip!

Thunk!

One of Jay's shurikens sailed right out an open window, and the other right through Cole's head into the wall behind him.

Everyone turned and gawked at Jay.

"Um…whoops. Sorry everyone, my bad." he said, gesturing to his eye patch. "Forgot that my depth perception's kind of out of whack."

There was a beat of silence before all the ninja burst out laughing.

"That's not funny!” Cole protested “Jay could've killed me if I wasn't already..."

But even he couldn't keep his face straight for very long.

Everyone continued to laugh hysterically for a while, some combination of the hilarity of Jay's blunder and the relief that they'd all made it out of the Nadakhan situation okay fueling the mood.

Jay finished getting all his laughter out before everyone else, and turned to look at Nya.

After wiping away a tear, Nya looked back at Jay and smiled.

It's that same smile again. Jay still wasn't sure what it meant, but he had a feeling it was something good.

He smiled back at her.

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

#lego ninjago #ninjago #ninjago fanfiction #jay walker #nya #nya ninjago #my fanfic #my writing #I had a piece commisioned for this but it's not gonna be ready for a bit so I decided to post the chapter just add it in when it's done

8 notes · View notes