#also it's minion themed (yellow)

[seandwalsh]

The culture of Lakitus in the Mario Universe

Lakitus are a species of Koopa that are often seen riding around in clouds with faces, throwing items like Spiny Eggs, Piranha Pods, Hammers or Coins at the people below them and using fishing rods to hold or catch all sorts of things. Many Lakitus work as Bowser's Minions, though we've also seen Lakitu reporters, such as the Lakitu Bros. in Super Mario 64, and the referee Lakitu who runs the Mario Kart tournaments and various other Mario sports events.

While most Koopas are ruled directly by Bowser, the Lakitus have their own ruler, King Lakitu, implying they may be more distant culturally from the others. While King Lakitu and his people clearly serve Bowser in modern day, this may have been an alliance that formed in more recent history.

Throughout various Mario games, the Lakitus are connected to the Chinese-like culture in Mario’s World. In Dragon Driftway from Mario Kart 8, a course with Chinese-style architecture, murals of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu can be seen on the interior.

Lakitu’s name written in Chinese characters ("朱盖木") can be seen on lanterns, signs and murals in Dragon Driftway as well as Dragon Palace, where Koopa Troopas can be seen practicing Kung Fu. Lakitu emblems (depicting a Lakitu's Cloud) and statues of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu are both featured prominently in both Dragon Driftway and Dragon Palace.

A poster for a movie called “Kung Fu Lakitu” with the subtitle “Dragon Driftway The Movie” can also be seen in GBA Ribbon Road.

Dragon Driftway appears to have been built in the image of an ancestor of Gobblegut, from Super Mario Galaxy 2, which had four limbs. Gold and silver statues resembling a version of this this Gobblegut ancestor, with a shorter body and "whiskers" resembling those on Draggadon, can be found in the courtyard of Dragon Palace.

This civilisation may also have built Pagoda Peak, which features Chinese-like architecture and a large green dragon structure with orange horns, very similar to Gobblegut. Pagoda Peak is said to be 4000 years old and is inhabited by Kung Fu Koopas and the Koopa Master. Perhaps the Koopa Troopas seen training in Dragon Palace will go on to become Kung Fu Koopas.

Glitzville from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an “exotic” floating city with Chinese-style architecture, presumably modelled after a different region.

The city is named “Oolong Town” (ウーロン街) in Japanese after Chinese oolong tea. Glitzville is inhabited by many Lakitus, with both guests and local reporters being members of the Lakitu species.

At least a quarter of the Glitz Pit audience is comprised of Lakitus. Perhaps the sky-high location and cultural theming make it a popular draw for Lakitus in the region.

In Super Mario Land, the bosses faced in the Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom and Easton Kingdom are depicted as the leaders of a specific faction of enemies faced earlier in their respective kingdoms.

The boss of the Chai Kingdom, Biokinton, initially appears to be an exception to this, not bearing a resemblance to any enemies faced in the Chai Kingdom. Biokinton is described as shy and said to be hiding in a cloud which resembles a Lakitu’s Cloud. Rocketons are airplanes piloted by "soldier guards" faced by Mario immediately before Biokinton.

These guards strongly resemble Lakitus with their yellow skin, goggles and short, round noses. They may have a connection to Biokinton given their close proximity and matching name endings in both English and Japanese. “Biokinton” (パオキントン), “Rocketon” (ロケトン).

Perhaps Dragon Driftway, Dragon Palace and Pagoda Peak are actually in the Chai Kingdom, and with the alliance between King Lakitu's and Bowser's families centuries ago, Koopa Troopas began training in Kung Fu and Lakitus began serving in the Koopa Kingdom army.

Thank you to Sophie of @cartographers-office for pointing out the resemblance between Lakitus and the Rocketon pilots, this has been a fun one!

[skidtheperson]

Will Finley be evil??

Some things I noticed about Indigo Park...

With the character designs, something I had noticed about them was that while Finley is one of the main people in the group with Rambley, Lloyd, and Mollie, strangely enough, he's the only one without white pupils.

In fact, the only other person who has them is Salem, who is speculated to be bad, or at least IS bad in the cartoon/games. Why would Finley share this small detail with the villain?

At first, I thought it was because eye color was too close to white, but that isn't the case with Salem. Her eyes are a vibrant pink, so white would be fine against it. Maybe Finley has a better chance at this explanation, but there's still OTHER similarities the two share.

They're the only two not really looking at the camera, looking instead to the right. They both have yellow tinted sclera, and are also the only two with rounded highlights in their eyes.

Along with this, there are things in the intro I at least haven't seen people point out.

Firstly, on a sticky note, although it's difficult to read, the words "Power in Park?" are written out.

This does align with the game, as somehow the park still has access to electricity and power, even after being shut down for 8 years. Why they'd keep supplying an empty and abandoned theme park with power is beyond me, but it could show that maybe someone is keeping the place running, or at least on.

Another thing I noticed is that when we're shown the Oceanic Oddesy poster, next to it is a sticky note with "Replaced?" on it.

This could mean multiple different things. Finley got replaced, Finley replaced someone, or there was a replacement of some sort with the mascots. Sone of these could be possible (with Finley being replaced the least possible since he's still here), and fans have already speculated a replacement did happen with Lloyd and Rambley.

This is a Finley post, so I'm not gonna go into detail about that, but you can find the multiple posts about that theory by yourself.

But anyways, Finley replacing someone could make sense on why he shares similarities to Salem. He could have been the right hand man to Salem, helping her out, but being more of a shy and quiet follower/minion before the creators decided to put him in the main gang, replacing someone else in the process.

Anything could have happened, but overall, I think all of this evidence could point to Finley being evil in this. Almost everyone else who has white eyes has been confirmed to be good (Example : Rambley being confirmed by UniqueGeese to not be an plot twist evil character, and UQ also confirmed Lloyd will be an important/good character), thus filled in/black eyes could be a sign the character shown will be a bad character in the future.

Anyways, that's my two cents about things no one else has pointed out yet. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[blossoming-heart-precure]

blossoming heart precure is the first fanseries I've ever tried making into a proper story and I'm really excited about it! this blog is where most of the information will be stored (though it also has a page on fancureparadise) so if you're curious about the plot or any characters, feel free to have a look through :) the story starts when the perennial kingdom is invaded by the evil rotting king and his three minions. he successfully corrupts it and sends all citizens (including the royal family) into a magically-induced sleep, and only the princess's knight is able to get away, fleeing to earth with a small collection of powerful objects known as bloom boxes. with the rotting king setting his sights on earth as his next conquest, a group of heroes must rise up to protect their home! our cures are: ✿ morimoto honoka/cure rose ✿

a 13-year-old girl in her first year at shizen boarding school. shy and socially awkward, but has a deep love and passion for flowers of any kinds and can talk about them for hours. she carries around a notebook with information on flowers and their symbolisms, and can often be found hunched over next to flowers she passes so she can sketch them in it. when she transforms, she becomes cure rose, the pretty cure of passion and joyous appreciation. Her theme colour is red, and her outfit is themed around roses. ✿ hidaka nao/cure sunflower ✿

a 13-year-old girl, and honoka's roommate and fellow student. she is bubbly and extroverted, but can sometimes be insensitive or careless in her ceaseless enthusiasm. she loves cute clothes and accessories, and puts a great deal of effort into planning outfits and customising all her belongings to be visually pleasing. when she transforms, she becomes cure sunflower, the pretty cure of warmth and positivity. her theme colour is yellow, and her outfit is themed around sunflowers. ✿ oshiro izumi/cure bluebell ✿

a 14-year-old girl who is the head of many clubs at shizen boarding school despite only being in her second year. she is quite serious and academic, but sweet at heart, and uses a manual wheelchair (or crutches when she is at home) due to having weak joints. her family is wealthy and well-known, and she feels she has a lot of pressure on her to fulfil the high expectations they have. when she transforms, she becomes cure bluebell, the pretty cure of kindness and constancy. her theme colour is blue, and her outfit is themed around bluebells.

[starlightwoofwoof]

Do you have any other akumatized villain/victim designs for the smxmlb au?

Y E S I D O A C T U A L L Y -

honestly one of the main reasons I made this AU lol

soooooo I made edits of them cause I didn’t really feel like drawing them (except for Sweetener, I kinda had to draw him) but ye- HERE WE GO THIS MIGHT BE LONG BECAUSE I WANNA EXPLAIN A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT THEM

okay, first of all, of course I did the main characters, ✨ these little sh!ts ✨

These are Scratch and Punk, The Spooky Kids

okie so I think I might do a list of things for these guys lol

Reason for Akumatization : okay I have two ideas, we can go the goofy route and make them fight over a piece of Halloween candy from, like, 5 years ago- (or we can go the darker/more serious route and make it have to do something with like what happened in SM6)

Corrupted Item : That piece of candy- (or something else for the other route, not sure)

Fun Facts :

They got akumatized together

You might think they’re still in costumes, BUT NO THEY’RE R E A L

Their powers are making people do the Spooky Dance and celebrate Spooky Month .. FOR E T E R N I T Y

okay, next up, we have THE HAT BOYS ‼️‼️‼️

Rage, Regret and Rejoice (there’s no yellow lol), The Emotiongang

Reason for Akumatization : The trio were having a sleepover, until Ross and Roy had a fight about .. actually I haven’t really thought about it, probably something about Roy’s parents- (Robert didn’t even realize the situation until it was too late)

Corrupted Item : Ross’s beanie (idk why his specifically but ye-)

Fun Facts :

They also all got akumatized together

yes they’re inspired by those theatre masks-

Regret and Rejoice’s mouths on their masks can’t move, although, Rage’s can

honestly, I’m not even sure if I can call Rejoice a villain, he’s just happy to be here- (no thoughts, head empty)

They can produce auras from themselves of their respected emotions, making people around them feel the emotions they’re producing (Regret and Rage don’t like Rejoice’s powers since they mess up with their negative emotions, and evil plans-)

Next, we have the villain which I showed in the introduction post, K e v i n

The Sweetener

Reason for Akumatization : probably something Kevin-usual, him being angry about his job

Corrupted Item : His work hat

Fun Facts :

His powers are kinda scary- he has a bunch of candy, obviously, but they’re not normal candy. As soon as you eat one of his candies, you slowly turn into one of his candy minions and follow him wherever he goes, like some kind of zombie (whatever that means-)

I’m not sure what he is honestly, like obviously he’s a candy monstrosity, but idk if that’s gum, some weird form of cotton candy or even ice cream-

He is a BIIIIIIIIIGGGGGG BOI

He can speak, but he usually just roars, growls and groans most of the time

I kinda wanted to name him ‘The Candyman’ but I thought that was too basic sooooo The Sweetener was my next best idea-

And finally, the last one (for now-), we have Rad :D

The Glitch

Reason for Akumatization : .. I have no clue to be honest, Radford is such a happy guy, but ye-

Corrupted Item : His funky 3D glasses

Fun Facts :

His powers are being able to go in and out of screens (kinda like Prime Queen) and I like to think he can also possess people, like a ghost-

He is still a pretty happy guy, just more like the insane kind of happy-

man all I can think about is the Sonic Adventure 2 Dub (Hero Story) video where Eggman kept calling himself The Glitch- (watch me make a funny animatic thing soon lol)

OKAY THAT’S ALL OF THEM- (obviously I really want to make more, I just haven’t had many ideas, BUT MAN I WANNA MAKE AN AKUMA! STREBER SO BADLY- I know I can just make him vampire themed but still, I wanna make him more than that for some reason-)

Feel free to ask (or suggest, especially with Glitch’s backstory-) anything about them okie see you lateeeeeerrrrrrrr :3

[theresattrpgforthat]

Is there a ttrpg like Blades in the Dark but with more character options & mechanical depth?

THEME: Crunchy Dark Victorian

Hello friend! I am assuming that this request is asking about genre, which I'd classify as dark fantasy/steampunk or fantasy/Victorian. I have a few ideas for this game, going in a few different directions. (I'm also interested to see if any of my followers have something they can add to this list!)

Malifaux, by Wyrd Miniatures.

Welcome to Malifaux, a twisted mirror of an alternate Earth in the 1900s; a world of gothic horror, Victorian structures, steampunk constructs, and wild west gunslingers. Rife with undead amalgamations, monstrous vengeful apparitions, and other creatures that bump in the night, these near-lawless lands are still worth treading for some, as the Soulstones deep within the cavernous catacombs are worth more than the sweat and blood it takes to obtain them.

I don’t know how I feel about equating tactical gameplay with mechanical depth but right now it’s still the first thing I think of when that term shows up describing ttrpgs. You will need a map to play this game, and something to represent buildings, trees, and other types of terrain. You will also need small figurines to represent your characters as you track the battle. Players manage Crews, rather than a single player character. Each member of a crew will have a stat card that will help you track things such as Cost, Characteristics, Health, Abilities and Stats. I think it’s very unique that this game uses playing cards rather than dice to help you determine what happens during play.

This is a setting full of assassins, mercenaries, necromancers, and scoundrels, all who contribute differently to the battles that you’ll play in. If you want a game that’s more like a tabletop game than a skirmish game, then you might want to look at Through the Breach instead (or alongside Malifaux), published by the same company.

Cthulhu by Gaslight, by Chaosium.

IN THE 1890s, Cthulhu and his minions share the globe with the mighty British Empire. But they owe allegiance to an empire of their own — a dark and cruel design on ownership of the world and on the dreams of humanity. Even among the green fields of rural England, only thoughtful and energetic intervention keeps the shadows at bay.

This is a supplement to help you play Call of Cthulhu in a Victorian setting. Call of Cthulhu uses a percentile system, in which you must roll under your skill number to succeed. This means that if you have a stealth skill of 50, you have a 50% chance of success. Characters are expected to die and die quick in Call of Cthulhu, so it’s recommended that each player creates a cast, with plausible reasons for each character to be drawn into the mystery as you play.

The book’s main purpose it to set the original game into a new setting, so it contains a primer on the Cthulhu mythos in Victorian England, as well as tips on running the campaign, a selection of friends and foes, as well as a couple of scenarios that you can drop into a Cthulhu game. If you’re a fan of making your dark game even more horrific, you might want to check this out!

Bloodclotte, by Nick Duff.

Bloodclotte is a tabletop RPG about doctors in a world of Gothic horror, where alchemy, reanimation and medical astronomy are used to save lives every day. Player characters work in a war hospital settled inside an abandoned castle, treating the soldier and civilian casualties of a continent in violent chaos. As patients develop unusual symptoms, the war unfolds, supply lines falter, and morale breaks down, the doctors must work together to keep the hospital from being overwhelmed.

Bloodclotte uses the Resistance Toolkit, which rolls small pools of d10s, with staggered successes to replicate layered storytelling. It has a great amount of potential for varied and interesting character classes, such as a Yellow Chemist, a Metaphysician, or a Death Priest. There are varying levels of Difficulty, and a resource called stress that pushes you closer and closer to Fallout.

I haven’t played a Resistance game so I don’t know how complex it is mechanically to Blades in the Dark. I don’t think it’s less complex than Blades - but it’s definitely different, so I think this system its at least worth checking out. To get an idea of how the system works, you can always look at the Resistance Toolkit, on Rowan, Rook & Decard’s website.

Also...

I've done a similar recommendation for Fallen London games before, many of which lean towards a streamlined or narrative kind of play, but I talk about Unhallowed Metropolis, by Strix Publishing there. You can read more about it in that post, but it's basically a zombie apocalypse happening during Victorian times, and it's definitely on the crunchier side. Worth checking out!

[magicalgirlagency]

I hope toei do a weather theme precure for a season because their powers would be interesting. Have the lead be yellow this time to represent sunshine ( and make her have dark skin like they did with cure Soleil) who hide her sadness behind her bright smile. One cure could represent clouds ( I’m basing them on the rainbow fairies: the weather fairies) who think their powers is boring but it turn out they can create anything out of their clouds to use in battles and even make cotton candy clouds. You would expect the rain 🌧️ cure to be sad but she’s actually the happiest of the bunch who’s an introvert that love rain and her weapon of course would be an umbrella. There’s a snow cure with a cold personality who eventually warm up to having friends after her first friends betray her. The main villain could be someone wanting to control the weather or Earth and one of their minions could include a weather forecaster, a Jack Frost theme villain who just want to have fun but doesn’t take other ppl feelings into consideration, a storm theme villains who get redeem and become the storm cure, and have a fog theme monster that take over the town they live in . The main theme could be about climate change and how holding your emotions in is not good for your well being and cause a storm to build inside you. And their main group attack could be a rainbow 🌈 attack because after every storm there’s a rainbow. Their mascot could be a groundhog and the Mother Nature could be the one to give them their powers. There’s a lot of themes toei hadn’t done yet with precure and I just think a weather theme one would be neat

I mean, if we had a season about the skies and flying creatures (HiroPre), there's got to be a weather-themed in the eventual future!

Also, weather and climates are interwtined, so this hypotetical season could also touch upon the long-term damage of climate change; I mean, considering how there was a season about protecting Earth (HealPre, my absolute fave), there's no way that Toei doesn't know that climate change is a very real and concerning issue.

The minions/henchmen should be something on the likes of the Miser Bros., Heat and Snow (they'd be the ones to be kicked out of the evil legion due to constantly failing on their missions, and eventually side with the heroines).

While the tough higher-ups that come after them should be akin to the Captain Planet villains.

Anyways, I've been rambling about it too much; your idea is a really cool one!

[ravenya003]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Welcome to the Hellmouth, S01E01

My 2024 Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch starts NOW!

Before I jump in, here’s some quick housekeeping:

I’ll endeavour to do this on a weekly basis; watching an episode on Saturday night and writing up a post on Sunday.

I’m not going to worry about spoilers. This show was as good as it was because of how interconnected the themes and storylines were, so if something in season one reminds me of something in season seven, I’m going to mention it.

This is the first time I’ve watched this show (probably) since high school, and it’s almost certainly the first time I’ve watched it from start to finish. It’s actually rather dizzying in this age of eight episode shows that get cancelled after two seasons to consider there are one hundred and forty-four episodes of Buffy that span seven years.

Obviously I am not unaware of Joss Whedon’s mistreatment of others on the set of Buffy, and where it seems relevant I’ll bring it up. But I also don’t think it’s fair to the rest of the cast and crew to throw the entire show under the bus because of one person, especially when it had such a huge (positive) impact on so many lives.

For the record, my favourite ships are Willow/Oz, Giles/Jenny and Spike/Drusilla. My purpose in pointing this out is to make clear that I don’t watch this show to see what true love looks like, but to watch a close-knit band of social misfits fight the forces of evil together. To me, the heart of this show is the friendship between Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles. The show is always at its strongest when it’s focusing on the four of them, and most of the love stories just don’t interest me that much.

Once season three is over, I’ll start alternating between Buffy and Angel episodes.

Okay, let’s get to it.

First of all, I was not prepared for how dated everything looks and sounds. Naturally my most recent memories of Buffy are watching the later seasons, when there’s cellphones and internet access and fashion choices that wouldn’t seem out of place today – but season one looks like a different era entirely.

There are some references that have dated amusingly (Cordelia and Buffy bond over their shared appreciation for James Spader), some that I didn’t get at all (who’s John Tesh? What’s Debarge?) and a few synthesized musical cues that are straight out of the nineties.

I had forgotten that the Cold Open involves Julie Benz as Darla, and that show-defining twist when it turns out that she’s the vampire and not her predatory date. Ah, Red Shirt #1 played by Carmine Giovinazzo – you have the distinction of being this show’s first victim. I salute you.

Also, it’s amusing to think that we had no idea just how important Darla would end up being to the franchise’s lore. She’s just a standard vampire minion at this early stage, though I do like the fact that she was presumably cast to look a bit like Buffy.

And of course, it all starts at good old Sunnydale High.

Our first glimpse of Buffy Summers begins with her in the middle of a nightmare, which... girl, get used to this plot device. This one is a bit more muddled than her later dreams, made up of a bunch of clips that’ll be used in later episodes that culminate in the Master, the season’s Big Bad.

I had to smile at the sight of those yellow school buses pulling up at the front of Sunnydale High. Buffy may not arrive at school in one of these things, but seven years later, she’s sure as hell going to leave in one.

Joyce – and later on, Angel – are both perfect examples of Characterization Marches On regarding the fact the writers’ room hasn’t quite settled on their personalities yet. In Joyce’s case, she comes across as a lot more flaky than in later appearances.

Oh, and here’s Xander, riding in on a skateboard that we’ll never see him use again across the entire run of the series. I get that he’s a very contentious character in the annals of the show, and though I’m certainly not going to let him off the hook for his occasional (frequent?) shitty behaviour, I also think I’m fonder of him than the average fan.

Honestly, I think Joss Whedon doomed him a little when he stated that Xander was the character most based on him in high school. Suddenly all his entitled, chauvinist behaviour was re-evaluated through the lens of knowing that Whedon was a pretty awful person – but I hope we can all agree that even at his worst, Xander is a MUCH better human being than Whedon.

We’ll see how we go.

Interesting that Willow’s history with Xander is established well before she meets Buffy. Not surprising, since they’ve known each other since early childhood, but interesting. Buffy is the protagonist, but Xander/Willow’s relationship with each other takes precedence when it comes to introducing the gang’s dynamics.

And hey, it’s Eric Balfour as Jesse! Oh man, they really dropped the ball on this character, didn’t they. It’s the one aspect of this two-part premiere that really doesn’t work... but I’ll get to that in good time.

Principle Flutie! Something else I’d totally forgotten; I honestly thought this show started with Snyder.

Also, that initial on his desk plaque is B. Does that mean his name is actually Bob (which is what he tells Buffy to call him)? Not Robert? Weird.

Buffy and Xander’s meetcute involves him helping her pick up some of the spilled contents of her bag, and accidentally saying: “can I have you?” instead of “can I help you?” Oof. Yeah, that’s not an auspicious start.

Buffy meets Cordelia before she meets Willow, and Cordelia comes across as surprisingly nice when she shares her textbook with Buffy and invites her into Sunnydale's popular clique. Then of course, the second relatively big twist of the episode occurs: Cordelia reverts into absolute bitchiness when they come across Willow at the drinking fountain.

Willow scarpers and Buffy looks deeply uncomfortable. There’s a nice subtext across this episode that suggests Buffy was once just like Cordelia, only for her calling to make her more sympathetic to social “losers” like Xander and Willow.

Cordelia also describes the Bronze as being in “the bad part of town”. Huh? I’m going to chalk that one down to more Early Instalment Weirdness, since I don’t think it ever comes up again. (Later Sunnydale is described as a “one Starbucks town”, which is also funny since it’s later revealed to contain a zoo, a shopping mall, several lakes and parks, a military base, and a university).

Buffy enters the library for the first time, and the first thing she sees is a newspaper with an article titled “local boys still missing” outlined in red. The plurality of “boys” means that this isn’t referring to Darla’s kill, which probably only happened the night before anyway. Instead, it’s an indication that there are ongoing problems of a supernatural nature in Sunnydale.

And here’s Giles! The most interesting thing about this interaction is that Giles has clearly been waiting for Buffy. As in, he knows that the Slayer is scheduled to appear in Sunnydale, and that she’s going to be enrolled in its local high school. As Willow says later on, he’s also a newcomer, having only recently taken the position of school librarian.

The show never goes into any more detail than this, but I have so many questions. Clearly Buffy was under surveillance from the Watchers Council, who knew she was coming and made sure Giles had a cover story and a position to fill at Sunnydale High so that he could more easily sidle himself into her life, but a part of me wonders they pulled similar strings for Joyce to get her that job at the art gallery in order to bring Buffy to Sunnydale in the first place.

Evidence for this is that Giles already knows it’s a hotbed for supernatural activity in his discussions with her, though I suppose his dialogue suggests it’s more fate (or the Powers That Be?) rather than the Watchers Council that had a hand in Buffy’s arrival at the Hellmouth (“there’s a reason you’re here and a reason why it’s now”). Still, it’s an interesting theory to ponder, and I always felt it was a shame that the show never delved too deeply into Buffy’s life after she became a Slayer but before she moved to Sunnydale.

(Though I suppose that had to do with the spectre of the 1992 Buffy movie, who’s relationship with this show is a bit tenuous. But now I’m getting off-track).

Buffy flees from Giles and strikes up a conversation with Willow instead. Willow’s eagerness and earnestness is very cute, and though she probably has the most profound development of any other character on this show, I’ll always miss this early dorky version of her.

In describing the library, Buffy says it gives her “the wiggins”. HAH! Remember that word? Remember how it didn’t exist anywhere except this show? Remember how it was essentially Whedon’s attempt to make fetch happen? Aw, man. What a delightful throwback.

On hearing that a body has been found stuffed in a locker, Buffy naturally cannot help but investigate – though I suppose we can chalk it down just as much to her wanting confirmation on whether or not vampires are in town than to any personal sense of responsibility.

Our first glimpse of her super strength comes when she busts through the locked door into the changing room, and she gives a weary “oh great” on seeing the bitemarks in the victim’s neck.

But then of course, she follows this up by sharing her discovery with Giles, who is quick to point out that she’s doing something about it. I have a soft spot for heroes who simply cannot walk away from danger and/or a situation that needs their intervention, regardless of how loudly they grumble about it.

Turns out Xander has heard their entire conversation about vampires and Watchers and Slayers from behind the stacks... which is an elegant not-coincidence since it was established earlier in the episode (in his conversation with Willow) that he was going to the library for a trigonometry book.

Giles is still jabbering about how Sunnydale is a centre of mystical energy that attracts all kinds of supernatural beings, and Buffy’s skepticism naturally gives way to a panning shot of an underground cave where a formidable-looking vampire is intoning “the Sleeper will wake” over a pool of blood.

As villains go, the Master is obviously not particularly inspired, especially since he spends most of this season as a quintessential Orcus on His Throne, but it was also way too early in the game to have a complex or personal Big Bad. You can’t come out the gate with a Glory or an Angelus, and I think he serves his purpose just fine as a Nosferatu-esque spectre that a sixteen-year-old girl would understandably be intimidated by.

Ditto Luke as the show’s Starter Villain: a physical threat to Buffy without being all that interesting.

On Buffy’s way to the Bronze we get our first Angel sighting, and much like Joyce, his characterization is a bit off. He’s way too smarmy and negging, but also... kind of upbeat? It’s amusing to reflect that the writers room knew very little about him at this point, including the fact that he was a vampire (making his “I don’t bite” comment deeply ironic) so it’s lucky that they never filmed any of his scenes in daylight before the truth comes out six episodes later.

In any case, his role in this episode is to namedrop things like “the Mouth of Hell” and “the Harvest” (which Giles will start researching as soon as Buffy passes them on to him) and give Buffy the silver crucifix which... becomes important at some stage? I remember the claddagh ring in season three, but have no recollection of this necklace.

Also intriguing is this dialogue between them: Angel – “I’m a friend.” Buffy – “Maybe I don’t want a friend.” Angel – “I didn’t say I was yours.”

I mean, I know it’s just meaningless banter, but Buffy assumes the “friend” he’s talking about is Giles, who soon confirms that he’s never met him before. So was Angel actually referring to The Powers That Be? Whistler, maybe? Again, I know that this was just filler dialogue with no established context, but I’d be interested to see if it fits in with season two’s flashbacks where he’s introduced to Buffy from a distance.

There’s a very sweet interaction between Buffy and Willow at the Bronze, in which the former gives the latter some advice (“seize the day, because tomorrow you might be dead”) and assures her she’s coming back – despite Willow’s expectation that she won’t – when she spots Giles on an overhead balcony.

The staging of the scene between her and Giles is a bit sus – did he really have to stand behind her and lean over her like that? – but at his insistence she spots a vampire in the crowd, though not because of her preternatural senses, but because of his dated fashion sense. And uh-oh, he’s chatting up Willow, who is unfortunately taking Buffy’s “seize the day” advice.

A throwaway line from Cordelia down on the dance floor is telling: apparently her mother never gets out of bed. Our resident Alpha Bitch clearly doesn’t have a great home life.

Poor Jesse gets the brush-off from Cordelia and runs straight into Darla instead. The reveal is wonderfully corny, in which she swivels around in her hanging basket chair with a smile that wouldn’t melt butter.

We’re heading into the third act cliff-hanger now: Willow is being ushered through a graveyard by her vampiric date, Jesse is clearly also in danger, the Master has risen and sent out his minions to bring him fresh blood, and Xander’s skepticism over Buffy’s Slayer status quickly turns to concern when he learns that Willow is in trouble.

They all converge in a graveyard crypt, and – bless her – Buffy is bantering right off the bat. It’s actually a pretty good tactic, as the vampires are caught off-guard by her confidence. Though... shouldn’t Darla clock the fact that she’s a Slayer? We learn later that she’s familiar with the concept, though this is obviously another case of not having figured out the character’s background at this early stage.

A point in Xander’s favour: Buffy tells him to “go” and instead he enters the crypt to help Jesse and Willow. You have to admit, that’s classic Xander.

And we end with Xander/Willow/Jesse being threatened by more vampires outside, as Luke lowers himself onto Buffy after he’s thrown her into an open tomb. To be continued...

Miscellaneous Observations:

Do we ever get an explanation for the force field that’s keeping the Master trapped underground? It’s obviously magic, so who put it in place?

How did Angel know about the Harvest? Who sent him? I know the answers are still to come, but the question is deliberately left dangling in this episode.

Giles mentions incubus and succubus in his litany of monsters that are attracted to Sunnydale, but I think they’re the only two creatures that never actually appear in the show.

I love the little glimpses of non-main characters going about their business in Sunnydale, namely Aphrodesia and Aura gossiping about Buffy before the dead guy falls out of the latter’s locker. I wonder if those girls made it to Graduation Day...

Watching this episode, the most eye-opening character is Cordelia, who has quite the epic journey ahead of her. It’s almost funny to see her in a role that requires her to be little more than Buffy’s antagonist and foil – essentially what Buffy would have been without her calling. I’m taking a moment to think about where all these characters end up, and it’s pretty dizzying.

Giles gives the famous Slayer mantra: “Into every generation a Slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a Chosen One. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer.” This is repeated in the show’s very final episode, and not only forms the crux of Buffy’s entire identity crisis, but also serves as the inspiration for her solution to it. Damn, I love this show.

But who the heck is the guy who speaks these lines in the opening introduction?? It’s later taken over by Anthony Stewart Head, but in season one at least we get a completely unfamiliar narrator.

As excited as I am to embark on this rewatch, I know that after the third season the show loses its centre a bit as the main trio form relationships that are ostensibly more important than the one they have with each other. I love these early seasons because their friendship is clearly the focus of the show – the thing not only protecting them against the forces of evil, but getting them through the hell that is high school.

The show loses its lustre when it loses sight of their bond, but I have three whole seasons to enjoy before that happens. Let’s do this.

Best Line: Cordelia (after Buffy has accidentally slammed her against a wall, thinking she’s a vampire): “Excuse me, I have to call EVERYONE I have EVER met, RIGHT NOW.”

Best Scene: The climatic fight in the crypt, not for the fight itself, but for the shock on Xander and Willow’s faces as the world (and their lives) irrevocably change.

Best Subversion: Obviously when the vulnerable and demure little blonde in the Cold Open reveals herself to be the real danger in the room.

Death Toll: Darla's date in the cold open. Thomas, the vampire that Buffy dusts in the crypt. Also, the newspaper in the library mentioned "local boys still missing" but since we never see them on-screen, the toll stands at TWO.

Grand Total: One civilian, one villain.

[neyswxrld]

gingerbread war

Fives x reader (gn)

summary: Building a gingerbread house with Fives.

warnings: slightly suggestive if you want to read it like that

word count: ~640

advent calendar masterlist

a/n: my grandma build a  gingerbread house with me once. it was horrible.

p.s. english isn't my mother tongue, sorry for misspellings!

Originally, you were planning on making one big and nice gingerbread house. But both of you weren't good with baking, so you decided to just buy a gingerbread kit and follow the instructions.

Well, it's clearly easier said than done.

It all started in the store: Fives wanted the Minion-themed kit, you were a big fan of the Frozen one. So you bought both.

"Make your own house, mine will be great!" he says, more like a joke, but you're never one to turn down a challenge.

"Fine. The better one gets a special gift!" you agree. Immediately, a determined look settles on Fives' face.

"Are you sure about that? Mine is going to be so much better than yours!" he tells you, dedicated. You just huff out an amused breath.

"Never in a million years!"

And that starts your small kitchen fight.

While you follow the instructions, you see Fives struggling with his glue. Yours was thick and white while his looks like a sad version of that.

You place the single pieces of the house according to the plan, and with the tip to stabilize the walls with a few things that lay around, you soon finish the walls of the building. Now, you just need to decorate it!

You place a few chocolate buttons and Gummi Bears by hand, use the sugar glue as ice decorations, and sprinkle it with colorful sprinkles. In the end, you put some icing sugar on top of it all, so it looks like a layer of snow.

When you are happy with the result, you turn over to Fives, who has barely finished his ground plan.

"It has to dry for a few minutes," he explains as he notices you staring with a raised eyebrow. "It isn't about which one is finished faster. It is about which one is prettier," he explains, like you don't know.

But to be honest, you've already won. Your house is nice and clean, and his walls are full of his weird sugar glue.

You don't say anything, just keep looking skeptical at him. Fives glances back at you with an innocent expression on his face.

Just at that moment, his house makes a small cracking noise. All the walls start to fall down. He sighs, disappointed.

"Well, if you had made a better glue, this wouldn't be a problem now," you say dryly. Fives glances at your house, then at his... ruin, and back to yours.

"Mine is abstract art," he tries to save himself one last time, but you shake your head.

"Absolutely not. I won," you declare, and after another few quiet moments, he sighs and nods.

"Okay. Would be a lie, too, if I told you I don't already know what gift I'm going to give you," Fives suddenly smirks and wiggles his eyebrows.

You roll your eyes, smiling, but don't complain when he pulls you over and closes his arms around you from behind.

"But first, I still want a Minion gingerbread house. Can you help me, please?" he asks kindly, batting his eyes. You agree, rolling your eyes playfully.

A few hours later, you are sitting in the living room on the couch, huddled together beneath a warm blanket, and observe your little houses with much joy. Fives' house still turned out relatively well in the end, and yours also looked very cute.

"Oh, I forgot something!" Suddenly, Fives sits up and starts to rummage through his pockets. "What is it?" you ask, confused, but he has already found his little thing and goes right over to the houses.

"Look, this is us!" he says proudly and places two small, yellow figures in front of his house. They are holding hands and grin widely.

Since that moment, you can't stop the flutter of your heart and that lovesick smile that appears on your lips whenever you look at his house.

TAGLIST:

@isthereanechoinhere96

[caramelmachatwo]

Why are girls in songs always 17

why my 17th birthday was the best

I should probably keep this one private and in my journal but where's the fun if i don't do something dangerous once in a while, like sharing my super personal experience to the internet. This one is definitely worth it.

Before this, I used to think my birthdays were extremely unlucky. For three consecutive years there was always something unfortunate that happened, and it was all related to the rain, since of course September is a rainy season. I never blamed the thunder or clouds for it. I just thought, "Oh no," and assumed that it was my gift. I got scared of my birthday since then, so much that I stopped thinking of gifts and just wished for a good day. This was also when I started to lose my desire for things.

I never knew what I wanted since then, it felt too much to ask for something, anything was so much. Getting asked what I want for an occasion was a fear I never thought would be true, so I guess you must know me well in order to get me something. Oh, but my mom knows me so well.

She planned this trip for the two of us, a very short one, and yet it felt like I got stuck in Wonderland, I was happy the whole time. I welcomed 12:00 with my mom sleeping in her bed and me eating a peculiar strawberry dessert in a foreign country. I genuinely felt all my bones tightening and muscles rising as if my whole body were smiling, only then did I realize that was all I wanted. Nothing made me feel so alive until that moment. There I was enjoying my birthday.

Would it be stupendous to say that I got so overwhelmed that I started to write down on my notes what was happening instead of how I was feeling? Don't know. But, that's what I exactly did, frantically typing "thanks" to a nonexistent recipient, abusing the phrase "I'm so happy," hoping my friends knew this was their effect on me while my tears poured and stopping every few minutes to pray. I'm absolutely not religious, it's been years since I last went to a proper church at my own will, but how can I resist thanking someone out there for all that I have? I think it's a human response to feel gratitude. Therefore, I look up with my hands clasped to my chest and offer some of my breath to praise. Would it also be rude and blasphemous to speak praise to everyone who had introduced me to this feeling before I learned there was a higher being?

My first memory of my birthday was when Despicable Me 2 came out. I clearly remember my mom making cupcakes that were purple and yellow. There she goes again, making me so lush. There were even minion-themed party hats. I was so cool as a kid, let's be honest you would definitely want to be my friend. I had no concept of appreciation or religion back then, but I think that's what makes it so special. It doesn't have to make sense for you to adore something. I don't even know why, out of all birthdays, that's what I remember the most, though the sad celebrations left a mark I can barely remember. I'm so glad my tiny brain chose the minion memory to keep.

This year has radically altered my views on birthdays. All thanks to the woman who saw me as two bar lines and decided she wanted me forever, then continued to love and quarrel with me endlessly.

So, I guess this is a devotion to my mom and everyone else that made me want to see what 17 is like. I hope God isn't too mad that I love people this much.

aloveu thanks don't die bye

[nevert-the-guy]

First Post, now Edited with my info:

You can call me Nevert, Nevert the Guy, Nevertheless Theodore Guy, Nev, or "that guy". You're not getting my real name.

Current Age: 21

Primary Interests: Kirby, Pokémon, Sonic, Mario (of both the Paper and the & Luigi varieties), robots, indie games, various webcomics.

Current Side Interests: Gravity Falls, Plants vs. Zombies

Favorite Food: the humble cheeseburger

Self-Appointed Titles: Mass Attack's Strongest Soldier, The Vivian Post Guy

Art Post Frequency: Tragically Low

Art Tag: #nevert's funky lines

General Tag: #nevert's rambling

Birthday Tag: #nevert's birthday bash

Also Look At: #important, #palestine

Donation Reblog Frequency: As I See Them

Personal Vow: I will attempt to tag every Pokémon mentioned or referenced in every post on here. Every one is someone's favorite, so y'all can find something easily.

Favorite Pokémon Type: Ghost

Favorite Classic Mega Man: Mega Man 4

Favorite Pokémon: Pichu

Elemental Attributes: Ice, Lightning

Opinion on fish: afraid of them in life, don't like eating them in death

Handedness: Right

Mario Kart Main: Shy Guy if available, Luigi if not

Current Favorite Song: Russian Roulette - Porter Robinson

Current Favorite Video Game Song: X-Naut Fortress - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)

Favorite Balatro Deck: Checkered

Max Hit Points: 25

Favorite Colors: Yellow, Cyan, Green, Red, in that order

Favorite Words: ennui, grandiose, rather, allegedly

Favorite Historical Figure: Giles Corey

Least Favorite Pokémon: Galarian Stunfisk

Favorite Season: Fall probably

Prized Possession: a Pichu plush I got as a kid

Pokéwalker: Currently At Large

Favorite Robot Master: Three way tie between Crash Man, Galaxy Man, and Dust Man

Favorite Koopaling: Lemmy

Firefox Tabs Left Open: 14 (13 webcomics and one non-Tumblr blog)

Favorite Ship: SS Edmund Fitzgerald

Preferred Outfit: Assorted caps, T-shirt, cargo shorts, and maybe a jacket. Think Soos but a little bit thinner, and you're in my ballpark.

Warnings & Notes:

-I might make and/or reblog a sex joke/sex-related topic on rare occasion, but almost never anything visually explicit. Discretion is advised.

-I swear, but not too often, and this is a recent development. If you are adverse to swearing, just be a bit careful (and maybe skip the next two bullet points).

-I am not perfect. If I reblog a scam or something from a shitty person, please let me know as soon as possible.

Line in the Sand: Racists, sexists, LGBT-phobes, ableists, and any other discriminators of that sort, you all can fuck off my blog and fuck off this site

-If you send me a donation link, while I don't currently have the means to donate myself, I will promote it when I'm able to, with a bit of spacing out to give other links some time as well

Dream Projects:

-A webcomic about a modernish society with robots (I'm WAY more passionate about it than that description implies)

-"The Quirky Kirby-Inspired Platformer with Themes of Anti-Capitalism" (see Guycon)

-An RPG with M&L inspiration, a mild element system, exchangeable teammates, and a peculiar focus on being set in Michigan (very little on paper)

And now, the Guy in my Icon (the Guycon, if you will)

Also, my art tag is "nevert's funky lines" for my stuff, and "other people's art" for, well, other people's art.

More Pablo under the cut:

Some stuff I want him to do. If it ain't signed, it ain't near final.

Character bios for the main players of the story, sorry if the normal humans look a bit funky:

Intermission: See those little skull-faced guys earlier on? The throwable ones? Those are Goons (the minion kind). Here's an old species runby (ignore the element stuff):

...I have GOT to get a way to scan this stuff.

[rickyriddle]

Something interesting in the old musicals was a trio of minions called Shadow Bug, Shadow Bee and Shadow Mantis in one version and got renamed Sailor Phi, Chi and Theta after the two existing manga characters. Tho they kept the same design as their shadow minions characters and had little to nothing in common with Chi and Phi in the manga.

First version

The Shadows (1996 Stars Myu)

Shadow Bee, played by Ado Endou

Shadow Mantis, played by Kaori Ishikawa

Shadow Bug, played by Yuuko Matsumoto

It seems like their design was made to be more “insect like” to fit their names. Like Shadow Mantis’ wig do reminds me of a mantis mandibles. Their “wings” are connected to their wrists, making them look like they are flying when they more there arms.

Second version

Sailor Stars Myu Revision (1997)

The Shadows are now renamed Sailor Theta, Sailor Phi and Sailor Chi and are given sailor collar now that they are sailor senshi.

Sailor Theta (previously Shadow Bee) still played by Ado Endou

Sailor Phi (previously Shadow Mantis), played by Rieko Akimoto

Sailor Chi (previously Shadow Bug), played by Sachiko Akimoto

They also wear alternate outfits in this myu whenever they are in civilians, similar to Phi and Chi outfits in the manga)

Now that they were renamed Sailor Phi, Chi and Theta and are Sailor Senshi, they gained a senshi collar. Their “wings” are no longer connected to their wrists. They also gained a second outfit they wear as civilian, which look similar to Phi and Chi in the manga (and Theta’s one inspired by them). They also have new wigs that look more similar to one another with their respective color.

Third version

Eien Densetsu (1997-98)

Sailor Phi, played by Mika Komura

Sailor Chi, played by Mari Yasuda

Sailor Theta, still played by Ado Endou

Their hair no longer match their outfit. and doesn’t wear their “wings” anymore. They do however wear caps sometimes in the revision.

Sailor Theta/Shadow Bee is the only one who is primairly played by the same actress (Ado Endou), with the exception of Shin Densetsu Kourin where she is played by Azusa Kataragi, since Ado was already playing another character in this myu. Mika Komura and Mari Yasuda are still playing Phi and Chi in this musical, and it seems like Sailor Theta now has a blue color scheme instead of yellow. It seems their outfits really removed the original insect theme.

Marco Albiero drew Phi and Chi and also a version of Theta if she looked more like those two in the manga (based on her civilian outfit in the Stars revision)

Here's a fanart of them in the myu i found here

Edit i made based on Shadow Bee (Theta) from this drawing of all the Shadow Galactica members

[sadnesslaughs]

You are a supervillain who’s in reality much, much more powerful than any of the heroes. Your “Villainous schemes” they stop are, in reality, just small, unimportant parts of a bigger picture that is beyond their comprehension. Today they found out, and it is finally time for you to drop the mask.

“I hate to say it beautiful, but this is the end of our little game.” Mary smirked, taking off her black pillbox hat. She had never been one for masks, enjoying the comfort of wearing an elegant hat instead. After all, a mask was only for the amateurs and she was far out of their league. She tuned to the confused heroes, giving the group a bow. The bow was mainly directed at her enemy Sunshine. The yellow-suited hero just as confused as everyone else in the group.

“Why did you call us here? What scheme are you planning?” Sunshine hissed, her blonde ponytail swaying with the charging of her energy. Already a golden hue was surrounding her palms, making Mary a little excited.

“Oh, come now my sweet Sunshine, no need for hostilities. I haven’t even done anything yet. While I would love to tango with you, I fear that’s beneath me now. Can one of you pour me a glass of wine?” Mary held out her white gloved hand. The villain waiting for someone to pour her a glass of the expensive champagne that rested on her office desk. She could only imagine what the other villains were thinking right now. All of them having heard that, the always scheming Mary had called the heroes on herself. They probably thought she was trying to earn their favor or spread some dirt on another villain. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The heroes all stared at one another. A few cracking a smile at the thought of pouring her a glass of wine. The nerve of this villain. Not only was she wasting their time, she also expected them to perform a degrading task like that? Sunshine went to speak, only for a hero to step forward. Rawfight moving to Mary’s decorated desk, taking the crystal glass and pouring the wine into it. When the wine was almost bubbling out of the glass, he offered it to her.

“Thank you, Herald. Oh, or should I call you that little stupid hero name I gave you? Rawmutt, was it? Rawlight? Oh, Rawfight. Heh, I honestly expected you to get caught. I can’t tell if that says a lot about your ability to blend in or the stupidity of the heroes.” She cackled before sipping from the glass.

“Rawfight. Why would you betray us?” Sunshine went to step forward, only for Jumping Puck to grab her arm, not wanting her to walk into a trap. Before Rawfight could reply, Mary answered for him.

“It’s not a betrayal if he was never on your side. He was always my minion. I loaned him to you so I could keep an eye on your movements. It’s pretty basic villain stuff. As I said, I didn’t expect him to last this long. Good job, Rawfight, you served me well.” She said, pushing a spare empty glass towards her minion, offering him a drink. Rawfight didn’t look at the group of heroes as he poured his drink, celebrating his victory in silence.

“So, you hid a rat in our group? Big deal, is that all? Don’t tell me you brought us here for that purpose alone.” Jumping Puck crossed his arms, trying to figure out what the big plan was. None of this made sense. She gloating like this was a victory, yet she hadn’t won anything.

“Is that all? I’m glad you asked you dad bod wielding menace.” Mary laughed again, sitting on the edge of her desk. “If that were all, I would be a rather boring lady, wouldn’t I? No, I’m here to reveal my declaration of war and my declaration of victory. Oh, where are my manners? Would anyone like a drink? It’s good stuff. Stole it a few weeks back.” She glanced around at all the stern faces, shrugging. “No?”

“No.” Rainfall huffed. The rain themed hero dressed in a slippery blue suit, hiding her body behind its layers. The blue hair that spilled out from the back of her raindrop shaped mask being the only visible part of her.

“So, my gloomy little friend can speak? To think this is the first time we have spoken to each other. How about a handshake?” Mary offered her hand, only to swiftly pull it back when Rainfall tried to push a sharp icicle through it. “Ooh, how cold.”

“Cut the crap. What war?” Puck bounced on the spot, ready to pounce as soon as she revealed her plan.

“How can you have already won? Unless. Those little schemes of yours…” Sunshine’s light dimmed as she made sense of the situation. Mary had played them all, making them run around and stop her petty crimes while she focused on the bigger picture.

“You were always the smart one, beautiful. Which is why you were my favorite. Don’t worry, I’ll happily let you all work for me. I’m nice enough to not hold any grudges over our past relationships. Yes, my little schemes were distractions for my ultimate plan.”

Jumping Puck bounced forward, his mohawk shifting as he flew towards them. The mohawk sticking out of a hole in the mask he wore. Something that Mary thought looked stupid. Despite the speed of his movements, Mary easily dodged him. The villain grabbing his wrist before throwing him through the table. Knocking him out cold.

“Nooo, the champagne.” She shrieked, watching it splash into a mess on the carpet. She shook her head at the loss before turning to the other two. “Before we fight, does anyone have the time?”

The two heroes refused to play into her hand, readying themselves for a battle. Rawfight lifted his sleeve, looking at the time before smiling. “It’s 5:00pm exactly.”

Mary said nothing as she observed the looks of horror on the faces of the heroes. Their phones buzzing with urgent distress calls. Rainfall pulled out her phone, the screen red with emergency alerts.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” She screamed. Rainfall pointed her hand forward, feigning an attack. With her hand outstretched, she sent a burst of water through the fire sprinklers, drenching Mary. As soon as the water reached them, it froze, keeping both her and Rawfight frozen in place.

“That’s a new move. I didn’t know you could do that.” Mary appeared more amazed than annoyed. Not too bothered by her new frozen spot. “To answer your question, I’ve been busy. It took a lot of time to find the addresses of all those politicians. Not to mention organizing a kidnapping and takeover of this scale. That stolen money I got paid off in the end.”

“Even if you have them held hostage, no one’s going to follow you. We will find a way to stop you from taking over.” Sunshine remarked in that infuriatingly heroic way that Mary admired. When Mary noticed Rawfight shiver, she broke the pair out of the ice, able to shatter it with her strength alone.

“It will be hard to sway people at first. I expect a few rebellions and heroic uprisings, but money is king. If I can improve the average person’s life, why would they rebel? To restore the status quo? Please, the average persons is like a toddler. They cry and throw their toys around before being pacified by whatever shiny object I dangle before them. This will be good for all of us.”

“Because no one wants to be ruled by a villain. People deserve to be free and live in peace.” Sunshine gritted her teeth, unsure whether to keep her attention on Mary or respond to the emergency calls.

“Peace has always been at the cost of another’s blood. Look at the most peaceful times in human history. I guarantee you a lot of blood was spilt for that peace. Someone must lose, so others win. So, I think causing the biggest and richest people to lose is a rather fair turn of events.” Mary said, stepping forward. The villain watching the two heroes , prepared for any attacks they threw her way.

“So, you think you’re a savior or something?” Rainfall asked.

“No, peace is simply something that will come from my domination. I care little about peace. I only want to rule over everyone. it’s pure coincidence that peace is needed for the longevity of my leadership. Don’t worry, I will be a fair leader, as long as people bend their knee to me.”

“This is too far. You know I’m going to stop you, don’t you?” Sunshine said, her glow burning bright again, pointing her finger at Mary, preparing for an attack.

“I believe you think you can stop me. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to. The only way of stopping me would be by killing me. I’m afraid you don’t have the guts to do that, Sunshine. Rainfall might. Although, by the time she figures out how to kill me, I fear it will be far too late. Now, run along. Fighting me is pointless when so many hostages are in danger. Don’t worry, when they surrender to me, they will be spared from any harm. I will keep a close eye on them, though.” Mary had thousands trapped beneath her finger. Politicians, military commanders and anyone that might cause a disturbance to her plans. The world would have no one except her to turn to in these dark times. She would be the victor of this war.

Sunshine peeked at her phone. “Fudge.” She cursed. “Come on, Rainfall, we need to save them. Even if we take her down, that won’t save the hostages.”

“Fudge? That’s adorable. You’re right. Even if by some miracle you stopped me. The plan would still go ahead. Now, run along.”

Rainfall pulled the water droplets from the carpet, picking up the shattered glass from the champagne bottle with it. She then sent the glass flinging towards Mary, getting propelled by the water. Mary ducked the glassy wave, grinning. It was clear to Mary that Rainfall had given her a warning shot. Wanting to prove she could kill, even if she had no intention of hitting that attack.

“You keep impressing me, Rainfall. Sunshine better watch out or I might have a new favorite.” Mary kicked Jumping Puck towards the two, letting them carry their knocked-out partner with them. When Sunshine picked Puck up, the group left, being followed out by some mocking singing from Mary.

“You are my Sunshine, my only Sunshine….” She taunted as they left. When the heroes were gone, she turned to Rawfight. “I’ve already won. It’s cute they are trying to stop me, though. I wonder how long it will take them to realize I enacted my plan thirty minutes ago. To think delaying emergency broadcasts would give me such an advantage. Guess it hardly matters when they find out. By the time they do, I’ll already be ruling.”

[gabriel-lynden]

Gru (Steve Carell) is a super-villain, operating out of his suburban home that serves as a front for an underground lair where he, his partner, Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), and thousands of short yellow minions plan their nefarious deeds.

Gru's pride is injured when an unknown super-villain steals the Great Pyramid of Giza and is described as making "all other villains look lame". Gru decides to go one better by shrinking and stealing the Earth's moon, an idea based on his childhood dreams of being an astronaut, which were always discouraged by his mother (Julie Andrews). The plan, including a spacecraft, is quite expensive, and Gru seeks a loan from the Bank of Evil. The Bank's president, Mr. Perkins (Will Arnett), is impressed by the plan but will only provide the money if Gru can obtain a shrink ray first.

Gru and his minions easily steal a shrink ray from a secret base in Asia, but it is stolen from them moments later by the up-and-coming super-villain, Vector (Jason Segel), who was also responsible for the Pyramid theft. Gru tries several means to break into Vector's base without success, but notices three orphan girls, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), easily walk into the base to sell Vector cookies. Gru, faking his credentials, adopts the girls from Miss Hattie's (Kristen Wiig) Home for Girls, planning on using them to infiltrate Vector's base. However, Gru has much difficulty nurturing them properly between their own rambunctiousness, their ballet classes, and his own unwillingness to be a parent.

Eventually, Gru and the girls successfully reacquire the shrink ray. The girls suggest a day at the local theme park to celebrate, whereupon Gru agrees, believing he can ditch the girls there. To his surprise, he comes to warm up to the girls over the course of the day and takes them back home with him. Later, Gru returns to the Bank of Evil for his loan, but Perkins rejects him again, stating that they would rather see a younger super-villain, such as his son Vector, complete this theft. As Gru mopes about at home, the girls offer the contents of their piggy bank to fund the plan. Gru, inspired, sacrifices parts of his lair to construct the spacecraft. Gru plans to steal the moon when it is nearest the Earth, but this ends up being the same day as the girls' ballet recital. Gru becomes conflicted, and Dr. Nefario, seeing this interfering with the plan, arranges for the girls to be returned to the orphanage.

Gru proceeds with his plan to steal the moon, successfully shrinking it to fit in his hand. Gru realizes he can still make the girls' recital, but he arrives too late and finds that Vector has kidnapped them and demands the Moon as a ransom for their return. Gru makes the trade, but Vector reneges on the deal, flying off with the girls and the moon. Meanwhile, Dr Nefario has discovered that the Shrink Ray is not permanent and that an object the size of the Moon will return to normal size within hours. As the moon starts to expand in Vector's ship, Gru, Dr. Nefario, and the minions pull off a daring mid-air rescue of the girls, just as the moon explodes out from Vector's ship and launches itself back into orbit. Vector is trapped on the moon as it regains its full size.

Sometime later, Gru has readopted the girls and treats them as his family, and he writes them a bedtime storybook framed around his own experience. Margo hugs Gru, telling him she loves him, which he then hugs her back, saying the same. The girls perform their own ballet recital for Gru, his mother, Dr. Nefario, and the minions, with the movie ending as they all get on stage to dance to "You Should Be Dancing".

What the hell

[qtcomicsblog]

Power Rangers: Celestial Guardians

Title: Power Rangers: Celestial Guardians

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Format: Animated Series

Target Audience: All Ages

Synopsis: In the distant future, an ancient cosmic force awakens, threatening the very fabric of the universe. To combat this immense threat, a new team of Power Rangers must be assembled. Chosen from across the galaxy for their unique skills and abilities, these five individuals become the Celestial Guardians, defenders of peace and champions of the cosmos.

Animation Style: Inspired by the success of "Voltron: Legendary Defender," the animation style for "Power Rangers: Celestial Guardians" will be a blend of traditional 2D animation with a touch of modern CGI. The character designs will be updated to give a fresh and contemporary look while paying homage to the classic Power Rangers aesthetic.

Setting: The series will take place in a vast, interconnected universe with diverse planets, each boasting its own unique culture and challenges. The Rangers' headquarters, the Celestial Nexus, is a massive space station that serves as a hub for their interstellar operations. The team will travel across the galaxy in their powerful spacecraft, the Starshifter, to protect different planets and civilizations.

Main Characters:

Zara - Red Celestial Ranger (Leader):

A skilled pilot and tactician.

Wields the power of the Red Nova, controlling fire and heat.

Kai - Blue Celestial Ranger:

An aquatic humanoid with enhanced strength and agility.

Commands the power of the Blue Tidal, controlling water and ice.

Luna - Pink Celestial Ranger:

An empathic and telepathic alien.

Channels the power of the Pink Aurora, manipulating energy and emotions.

Sol - Yellow Celestial Ranger:

A fearless and agile warrior with a background in martial arts.

Possesses the power of the Yellow Quasar, controlling earth and electricity.

Eos - Green Celestial Ranger:

A mysterious and agile figure with a connection to the natural world.

Commands the power of the Green Sylvan, controlling plants and nature.

Villains: The ancient cosmic force, known as the Void Imperium, seeks to engulf the universe in eternal darkness. Led by the enigmatic Dark Sovereign, a powerful and malevolent being, the Void Imperium deploys various monstrous minions and dark warriors to conquer planets and extinguish the light of hope.

Episodic Structure: Each episode will feature the Celestial Guardians facing different challenges on various planets. As the team battles the forces of the Void Imperium, they will uncover the mysteries of their own powers and confront personal struggles, fostering character development and team dynamics.

Themes: The series will explore themes of unity, diversity, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. It will also delve into the responsibilities that come with wielding incredible cosmic powers and the sacrifices required to protect the galaxy.

"Power Rangers: Celestial Guardians" is an epic space-faring adventure that combines the nostalgic elements of the classic Power Rangers series with a fresh and modern storytelling approach, perfect for audiences of all ages.

[funcarthemeparty]

One in a Minion: Decorating Ideas for a Memorable Birthday Celebration

When it comes to celebrating a birthday, there's no better way to bring joy and laughter than with a Minion-themed Birthday party. The lovable, yellow creatures from the "Despicable Me" movie franchise have captured the hearts of both kids and adults alike. Planning a Minion-themed birthday celebration can be an exciting and creative endeavor. In this article, we'll explore some fun and imaginative decorating ideas that will make your party one in a Minion—a memorable event that your guests will cherish for years to come.

Color Scheme: Yellow and Blue Galore

The foundation of any Minion-themed party is the iconic color scheme of yellow and blue. Use yellow tablecloths, balloons, and streamers to create a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere. Incorporate blue accents through party plates, cups, and napkins. This combination instantly evokes the Minion spirit and sets the stage for a fun-filled celebration.

Minion Balloons

Balloons are a must-have decoration for any birthday party, and Minion-themed balloons are readily available. Look for helium-filled Minion balloons in various shapes and sizes. You can also create your own Minion balloons by attaching yellow and blue balloons together, adding googly eyes and black paper for goggles, and drawing on smiles with a black marker. These cheerful balloons will float around, spreading the Minion magic.

Gru's Lair Entrance

Transform your front door into Gru's Lair with a creative door decoration. Cover the door with yellow and blue crepe paper streamers to resemble the Minion's signature colors. Cut out Minion-shaped silhouettes from black cardboard and stick them to the door to mimic the Minions' goggles. You can even add a cardboard sign that reads "Welcome to Gru's Lair" to complete the look.

Minion Table Centerpieces

Make your party tables stand out with Minion-themed centerpieces. Fill clear glass jars with yellow and blue candies or snacks, such as jellybeans or M&M's, and top them with Minion figurines or small Minion toys. These centerpieces not only look adorable but also provide a tasty treat for your guests.

Banana Decorations

Bananas are a favorite snack of Minions, so incorporate them into your decoration. Create a banana garland by cutting out banana shapes from yellow paper and attaching them to a string. Hang the garland around the party area for a whimsical touch. You can also use banana-shaped balloons or even serve banana-themed snacks to keep the Minion theme going.

Minion Wall Decals and Posters

Enhance the party atmosphere by decorating the walls with Minion wall decals and posters. These adhesive decorations come in various designs, including Minion characters, scenes from the movies, and inspirational quotes. They are easy to apply and remove, making them a convenient choice for adding a burst of Minion fun to your party space.

Gru's Lab Photo Booth

Set up a photo booth area inspired by Gru's secret laboratory. Use black and gray cardboard to create a backdrop resembling Gru's lab, complete with beakers, test tubes, and quirky gadgets. Provide Minion-themed props like goggles, overalls, and plush toys for your guests to use while taking pictures. This interactive element will keep everyone entertained and provide memorable keepsakes from the party.

Minion Cake and Desserts

No birthday party is complete without a delicious cake and sweet treats. Design or order a Minion-themed cake with a Minion figurine or edible Minion decorations. Serve cupcakes with edible Minion toppers and cookies shaped like Minions. These delightful treats will not only satisfy your guests' sweet tooth but also add to the overall Minion aesthetic.

Conclusion

Throwing a Minion-themed birthday celebration is a fantastic way to create lasting memories and bring joy to everyone involved. With a bright color scheme, creative decorations, and a little Minion magic, your party is sure to be "one in a Minion." So, gather your yellow and blue decorations, put on your creative goggles, and get ready for a memorable birthday celebration that will leave everyone smiling and saying, "Banana!"

Whether you're celebrating a child's birthday or an adult's, the Minion theme appeals to the child in all of us and promises a day filled with laughter, fun, and unforgettable moments. So, go ahead and let your imagination run wild as you plan your Minion-themed birthday bash—the Minions would certainly approve!

Explore Funcart in India for an unforgettable Minion-themed birthday bash! With a vibrant yellow and blue color scheme, Minion balloons, and Gru's Lair entrance decor, Funcart offers a delightful range of decorations and party supplies. Create whimsical Minion table centerpieces, banana garlands, and decorate your space with charming Minion wall decals. Our interactive Gru's Lab photo booth adds to the fun, ensuring lasting memories of your one-of-a-kind celebration. Turn your birthday into "One in a Minion" with Funcart's imaginative decorations and party essentials.

[allsonsinc]

Jazz Up Your Next Party With a High-Quality Inflatable Bounce House Rental!

Are you planning a party and looking to make it an unforgettable experience? Look no further! Jazz up your next event with a high-quality inflatable bounce house rental! Whether it's a birthday bash, a family reunion, or a neighbourhood get-together, a bounce house is sure to add excitement and entertainment for guests of all ages.

Imagine the thrill on the children's faces as they enter a world of adventure with the Spiderman inflatable combo bounce house rental. They can bounce, slide, and pretend to be their favorite web-slinging superhero. Or perhaps the minions from Despicable Me are more of their style? A Despicable Me bounce house rental will transport them into the whimsical world of Gru and his mischievous yellow companions.

If your little ones are fans of the classic Disney characters, why not bring Mickey Mouse to the party? A Mickey mouse bouncy on rent near me will have kids bouncing with joy and singing along with their favorite mouse. It's a guaranteed hit that will keep them entertained for hours.

When it comes to renting inflatable bounce houses, you want to ensure that you're getting high-quality equipment at affordable prices. That's where All Sons Concessions and Rentals come in. They are your go-to rental company, offering a wide selection of bounce houses and other party essentials. With their extensive inventory, you can choose from a variety of themes and sizes to suit your party's needs.

Not only does All Sons Concessions and Rentals provide top-notch equipment, but they also prioritize safety and customer satisfaction. Their bounce houses are made from durable materials and undergo rigorous safety checks to ensure a worry-free experience. Plus, their affordable prices make it easier than ever to bring the party to life without breaking the bank.

So, why settle for a typical party when you can jazz it up with a high-quality inflatable bounce house rental? With options like the Spiderman combo, Despicable Me, and Mickey Mouse bouncy, your event will be the talk of the town. Rent from All Sons Concessions and Rentals today and let the bouncing fun begin!